276: Chapter 276 The Zhao Family's Newly Appointed Martial King

If the enlightenment during the day was like a vast, surging ocean, then the cultivation at night was like the persistence of a flowing stream.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, Ye Yisong's Soul fire burned quietly, and strands of weak yet pure Mental Energy were slowly circulating according to the path of the 4th-grade Soul Splitting Art.

The grade of this Cultivation Technique could no longer keep up with Ye Yisong's growth rate, making his Mental Energy progress as slow as a tortoise, something that could even be described as 'better than nothing'.

However, Ye Yisong deeply understood the importance of Mental Energy, especially for breaking through Bottlenecks in the future.

Day after day, he never stopped, like dripping water piercing stone. Although the Mental Energy in his Sea of Consciousness grew slowly, it became increasingly solidified, like glaze.

Mental Energy cultivation and Talisman Making complemented each other.

In the side hall of Qinglian Peak, Ye Yisong had opened up a Talisman Making room.

Relying on the 5th-grade Talisman-making Technique obtained from Master Lingxuzi's Legacy, he was currently focusing on refining Talismans. On the desk lay dozens of 4th-grade spiritual materials, each emitting different colors of light.

Ye Yisong held a carving knife, its tip flowing with brilliant spiritual light. Every time it fell, it contained incredibly precise Mental Energy control.

From the Level 5 Talismans Legacy, he chose the few that suited him best.

There were over thirty Low Grade Talismans, mostly for basic attack, defense, and reconnaissance, such as the 'Explosive Flame Talisman' and 'Diamond Talisman'; twenty Medium Grade Talismans, which were more powerful and had special effects, such as the 'Wind Blade Chain Talisman' and 'Invisibility Talisman'; and ten High Grade Talismans, which were his trump cards, each possessing the power to severely injure a Late Stage Martial Sect Realm powerhouse, such as the 'Green Lotus Prison-Suppressing Talisman' and 'Soul Splitting Thorn'.

Ye Yisong spent several months in this high-intensity cultivation and refining.

On Qinglian Peak, the Spiritual Qi tide surged day after day; sometimes, the light of enlightenment soared into the sky, and at other times, the energy fluctuations of Talismans spread out.

Ye Yisong's Aura became increasingly unfathomable without him realizing it.

His spiritual power had reached the limit of the Peak Martial Ancestor, and the spiritual liquid was gradually showing signs of condensing into a pill; his Mental Energy, polished by the Soul Splitting Art and a large amount of Talisman Making, was far tougher than others at the same level, steadily advancing towards Middle Stage Level 5 Mental Energy; and deep in his Sea of Consciousness, a faint cyan halo had appeared around the Martial Dao Seed, and although it was weak, it was real.

...During Ye Yisong's seclusion, the outside world was changing, gradually stirring up some waves, especially the Martial King Tribulation in Nanya Commandery, which attracted the attention of many forces.

At midnight, the sky over Nanya Commandery was tinged with a faint golden glow.

On Wanghai Cliff, east of the commandery city, Zhao Zuoxin stood with his white robes fluttering. Nine strands of solidified Martial Ancestor Qi energy circled his body, each carrying the majestic power of the East Sea tide, swirling into a ring on the cliff top.

His eyes were tightly closed, and a point of fluorescent light flickered between his eyebrows. That was the embryonic form of the King's Domain about to break through. An invisible pressure spread out, making the grass and trees within several miles bow down, and even the sea breeze seemed to freeze in mid-air.

"The time has come."

Three old voices sounded simultaneously, and a figure appeared in the void on each of the three sides of Wanghai Cliff.

On the left was an old man wearing a black robe with longevity patterns, holding a pill the size of a dragon's eye in his palm. The pill's body flowed with a cyan-gold halo, and the pill fragrance was mellow and long-lasting; it was the 5th-grade barrier-breaking pill that could trigger the resonance of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

This old man was the East Sea Zhao Family Elder, Grandfather Zhao Fengchi, a Late Stage Martial King Realm cultivator. The two people beside him also had Aura as deep as an abyss; they were Zhao Zuoshi and Zhao Zuoqiu, both top powerhouses in the Middle to Late Stage Martial King Realm.

The three Martial Kings stood in a triangle, and their invisible Martial King domain fields intertwined into a huge protective shield, completely isolating Wanghai Cliff from the outside world.

Grandfather Zhao Fengchi flicked his finger, and the barrier-breaking pill turned into a cyan-gold stream of light, accurately falling into Zhao Zuoxin's mouth.

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his stomach, and the majestic medicinal power surged along the Meridians. The nine strands of Martial Ancestor Qi around Zhao Zuoxin suddenly skyrocketed, echoing with the embryonic form of the King's Domain between his eyebrows. The golden light on the cliff top became increasingly intense, and there was a faint sound of air explosions like a Dragon's roar—that was the domain field roar unique to the Martial King Realm.

"The East Sea Zhao Family, what a grand gesture."

Inside the Commandery Governor's Mansion in Nanya Commandery, Governor Guo Lei stood by the window, his gaze piercing through the night to look at Wanghai Cliff.

He wore a Governor's official robe embroidered with cloud patterns, his face was firm, and the Nanya Sword at his waist was glowing faintly.

As the only Martial King Realm powerhouse of the Nanya Commandery officialdom, he naturally knew the weight of the Zhao Family's move—a Nine-Star Martial Sect realizing a King's Domain was a one-in-a-thousand Opportunity, and coupled with a 5th-grade barrier-breaking pill and three Martial King Protectors, Zhao Zuoxin's Breakthrough success rate was over 50%.

Once successful, the Nanya Commandery Prefecture Office would add another Martial King, which was a fortunate thing for the upcoming centennial beast tide.

Governor Guo Lei was about to set off for Wanghai Cliff to prevent any accidents, but he suddenly frowned.

An extremely obscure, cold Aura was quietly spreading from the northwest corner of the commandery city, followed by two powerful fluctuations that also restrained their Aura. The three formed a pincer position and were rapidly approaching Wanghai Cliff.

"Who is it? People from the Hu Family? Or the Wu Family?" A cold light flashed in Governor Guo Lei's eyes.

The Four Great Families of the East Sea had always had grudges against each other and acted viciously; they couldn't bear to see other families do well.

The Zhao Family Disciple's Breakthrough had indeed attracted dark hands.

On Wanghai Cliff, Zhao Zuoxin's Aura had already climbed to the Peak, and the embryonic form of the King's Domain became clearer, vaguely turning into a vast pearl, blending with the domain fields of the three Elders.

Grandfather Zhao Fengchi and the others all showed joy. As long as they persisted for another half an hour, waited for the medicinal power to be completely refined, and passed the Lightning Tribulation, Zhao Zuoxin could stabilize the Martial King Realm.

Just at this moment, an unexpected change occurred!

"Netherworld Claw!"

A hoarse roar tore through the night sky. The void in the northwest corner suddenly cracked, and a black-robed, withered-looking old man appeared. His ten fingers formed claws, and the pitch-black claw wind carried the Nether Qi that corroded vitality, fiercely grabbing at Zhao Zuoxin's back.

It was the Ghost of the Netherworld who had previously intercepted the Zhao Family's merchant ship, a Peak Middle Stage Martial King Realm cultivator, adept at hiding and sneak attacks.

Almost at the same time, a blue figure appeared like a ghost on the east side, holding a thin-as-cicada-wing curved blade, slashing out a solidified blue Saber Qi, heading straight for Grandfather Zhao Fengchi—it was the discarded Disciple of Hermit Hanjiang, with Late Stage Martial King Realm cultivation, whose blade technique was vicious and peerless.

And the most fatal blow came from the south.

A mysterious person in a gray robe quietly appeared. His domain field was as violent as thunder, and he was actually also a Late Stage Martial King Realm powerhouse!

He punched out, carrying the power to collapse mountains and split rocks, aiming directly at the flaw in the core of the protective shield—that was the inevitable weak point when the three Elders' domain fields connected to protect Zhao Zuoxin.

"Not good!" Grandfather Zhao Fengchi and the others' faces changed drastically.

They didn't expect the other families to have spent so much, not only inviting two Loose Cultivator Martial Kings but also dispatching a Late Stage Martial King powerhouse.

The timing of the gray-robed person's punch was just right; it was the critical node of Zhao Zuoxin's Breakthrough. The three of them had to protect Zhao Zuoxin while resisting the sneak attacks of the three Martial Kings, and they were suddenly caught in a dilemma.

The Ghost of the Netherworld's claw wind had already approached Zhao Zuoxin's back. Zhao Zuoxin was at the most critical stage of his Breakthrough and could not distract himself to defend. Fortunately, Zhao Zuoqiu protected him within dozens of feet in time.

The blue Saber Qi collided with Grandfather Zhao Fengchi's domain field, erupting with a harsh roar. Grandfather Zhao Fengchi was shaken, his blood surged, and the protective shield suddenly showed a crack.

And the gray-robed person's fist had already hit that crack!

"Crack—"

The protective shield shattered in response, and the aftermath of the violent fist power shook Zhao Zuoxin, causing him to spurt a mouthful of blood. The embryonic form of the King's Domain between his eyebrows fluctuated violently, and the Breakthrough momentum was almost interrupted.

Zhao Zuoshi and Grandfather Zhao Fengchi roared and pounced on the blue-clothed old man and the gray-robed person, their hands forming mysterious seals, desperately blocking the two's attacks.

"Presumptuous!"

Just at this critical moment, a majestic angry shout exploded like thunder.

A cyan figure, carrying an unparalleled Aura, galloped from the night sky. It was Governor Guo Lei!

His domain field was fully opened, turning into a heavy mountain shape, instantly enveloping Wanghai Cliff.

The Nanya Sword in his hand was unsheathed, and a brilliant golden Sword light cut through the night sky, accurately slashing towards the Ghost of the Netherworld's claw wind.

"Pfft!"

The Sword light collided with the claw wind, and the Ghost of the Netherworld screamed, his ten fingers broken, and pitch-black blood spurted out.

He looked at Governor Guo Lei in horror, not expecting the Nanya Commandery Governor to take action at this moment, and with such speed.

Governor Guo Lei succeeded in one strike and did not stop.

He knew that delays lead to trouble, his figure flickered, and he had already appeared in front of the Ghost of the Netherworld. The Nanya Sword swirled a Sword flower, and the Sword momentum was like a mountain, sealing off all of the Ghost of the Netherworld's retreat paths. The Ghost of the Netherworld roared and urged his domain field to resist, but he was firmly suppressed by Governor Guo Lei's mountain domain field and could not move at all.

"This is Nanya Commandery land, how can you people run wild here!" Governor Guo Lei's voice was like a bell, the Sword momentum rose again, the golden Sword light fell like a waterfall, cooperating with a Level 5 Formation, the offensive was awe-inspiring.

"No—"

The Ghost of the Netherworld let out a miserable scream, his body was pierced by the Sword light, his domain field instantly collapsed, and his Divine Soul was destroyed.

On the other side, the blue-clothed old man and the gray-robed person saw the Ghost of the Netherworld killed, and their hearts trembled.

They were already wary of Governor Guo Lei's strength, and now that they were attacked from both sides, they had no intention of fighting. The gray-robed person faked a punch, forced back Zhao Zuoshi, and shouted sharply: "Withdraw!"

Hearing this, the blue-clothed old man hurriedly took back his blade and retreated, wanting to escape into the Void Realm.

"Since you've come, then stay!" Governor Guo Lei's eyes were cold; he knew that if he let the tiger return to the mountain today, it would surely become a great trouble in the future.

He saw his wrist turn, and the Nanya Sword turned into a stream of light, shooting straight at the blue-clothed old man's back.

At the same time, his domain field erupted again, and the mountain-like pressure firmly locked the gray-robed person's figure.

The blue-clothed old man sensed the fatal crisis behind him and hurriedly turned around to wave his blade to resist.

But Governor Guo Lei's Sword momentum had already been fully accumulated, his Late Stage Martial King Realm strength was fully displayed, the Sword light easily tore through the blue Saber Qi and pierced through his chest.

The gray-robed person saw this, his face turned pale, and he frantically urged his Internal Energy, trying to break free from the domain field's restraint.

Grandfather Zhao Fengchi and the others had also stabilized their position, and they all urged their domain fields to merge with Governor Guo Lei's domain field, forming a stronger suppression.

"Formation Kill!"

Governor Guo Lei gave an order, and the Nanya Sword drew a mysterious trajectory in the air, echoing with the three Elders' domain fields, turning into a temporary trap-and-kill Formation.

The golden Sword light intertwined with the three Elders' attacks, covering the gray-robed person like a net of heaven and earth.

The blue-clothed old man and the gray-robed person roared and resisted, the fist power was crisscrossing, but they could never break through the Formation's blockade.

A moment later, under the joint attack of Governor Guo Lei and the three Zhao Family Martial Kings, his domain field gradually collapsed, and his body was hit by several attacks at the same time, flesh and blood blurry, falling to the ground.

"The hatred of today, I will definitely repay it in the future!"

The gray-robed old man took out a Talisman flashing with golden light, broke through the air and left, and his figure disappeared in a few breaths.

The blue-clothed old man also took this Opportunity to escape.

Governor Guo Lei stood with his Sword, looking at the two figures disappearing into the sky, his face solemn.

Grandfather Zhao Fengchi and the others hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Governor Guo Lei: "Many thanks to Governor Guo for your help; the great kindness cannot be repaid with words!"

Zhao Zuoxin slowly opened his eyes. Although his Aura was a bit chaotic, the King's Domain between his eyebrows had stabilized, and a faint Martial King pressure radiated from his body.

He bowed deeply to Governor Guo Lei: "Many thanks to Governor for your life-saving grace; Zhao Zuoxin will never forget it."

Governor Guo Lei waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Nephew Zhao, no need for formalities. Your Breakthrough in Nanya Commandery is Nanya Commandery's Opportunity. Their move this time is too rampant; in the future, the King of Donghai's Mansion will naturally settle accounts with them."

"You should still rest well and prepare to face the Lightning Tribulation!"

The four quickly withdrew from this sky; the Lightning Tribulation can only be crossed by oneself, and others cannot help much.

On Wanghai Cliff, the golden light lit up again, and purple lightning struck down fiercely.

"Hahahaha"

As the last Lightning Tribulation dissipated, Zhao Zuoxin rose from the ground and swam wantonly in the sky.

"It's done."

The three Zhao Family members all had smiles on their faces; the Family had added another Martial King powerhouse.

..."Waste!"

In Yuelai Pavilion, Ma Kai looked at the Talisman in his hand and cursed out loud. To think he had paid that 5th-grade precious medicine, and they couldn't even take down a Martial Ancestor.

Ye Yisong had ruined his plans twice in a row. How could Ma Kai easily let him go? He secretly contacted the Wei Family of Cangjiang Prefecture, asking them to cooperate with the Ghost of the Netherworld and the blue-clothed old man to kill Ye Yisong halfway.

This could not only help Ma Kai eliminate a major threat, but Brother Shen Jun, that old brat, shouldn't think about completing the Nanya Commandery mission either. If this mission failed, and the headquarters had to clean up the mess, the prestige Brother Shen Jun had accumulated during this period would be wiped out.

At the same time, it was also helping the Wei Family itself to remove a great enemy that was about to grow up.

The resources of a commandery were limited; if the Ye Family ate one more bite, the Wei Family would naturally eat one less.

..."Hu Xiaoyun personally took action, but it was still a failure? Guo Lei, humph!" Patriarch Hu Xiaotian looked at the communication jade Talisman in his hand and said lightly, without a hint of warmth.

"Since you like to be nosy, then let you manage more."

"Two people have broken through to the Martial King Realm in the Zhao Family in just a few months; the other families probably can't sit still anymore."

"Let Old Ghost Wu test them first and see Old Ghost Zhao's reaction before deciding."

"The centennial beast tide is both a crisis and an Opportunity. It depends on who is the master of this wave."

"Hmm? Yuelai Pavilion? Interesting, there is a good show to watch."

"I really want to see what Old Ghost Zhao will do after knowing this news? Will he dare to take action against Yuelai Pavilion?"