I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1448: The Holy Land

A month vanished as quickly as a passing moment since their last shared drinks.

The early summer season had arrived, bringing with it a gradual increase in heat and dryness, with only the coolest evening breezes offering respite.

This period typically signaled the perfect time for convivial evening gatherings, yet the enigmatic young man clad in black never reappeared. Yi Feng, too, departed from his temporary lodgings within the Sage King Palace, fulfilling his promise to participate in the selection and then setting his sights on the Snow Moon Holy Land.

As anticipated.

He successfully attained the esteemed position of Holy Son for this generation, a feat that sent ripples of excitement throughout the entirety of the Nanli Kingdom. From the highest echelons of the various sects to the common folk, a wave of expectation swept across the land. Yi Feng was perceived to be on the cusp of ascending to unparalleled heights, with many strategizing to secure opportunities under his anticipated protection. The nation found itself immersed in the widespread, optimistic belief that one individual's rise would elevate them all, akin to the saying, 'When one man achieves the Dao, even his poultry and dogs rise to heaven.'

However.

Deep within the distant Snow Moon Holy Land, Yi Feng was to confront a sudden and profound transformation!

Upon his arrival at the colossal gates of the Snow Moon Holy Land.

"Is this the Holy Son, Yi Feng, that the Nanli Kingdom has offered up? It appears he has already attained the Divine Mansion Realm. He possesses a modicum of talent and is, at best, qualified to serve as a cauldron for His Excellency's cultivation."

The moment these words were uttered, the accompanying entourage from the Holy Land revealed expressions replete with ruthlessness.

"The Elder speaks the absolute truth. This individual does indeed possess considerable talent. He can be lauded as a once-in-a-century prodigy from the Nanli Kingdom. Even to the Holy Lord, he shall prove to be of some utility!"

"Indeed, his capabilities far surpass the pathetic offerings the Nanli Kingdom has sent us previously."

"The Elder's wisdom is evident. Our expedition this time was fraught with hardship, and we endured significant trouble to bring this young man back. We earnestly hope you will speak favorably of us to the Holy Lord."

With subservient smiles plastered on their faces, these individuals discreetly transferred precious artifacts to the elder standing sentinel before the holy palace gates, their eyes reflecting an unsettling degree of sycophancy.

Yi Feng, absorbing their words and observing their obsequious demeanor.

His gaze darkened, an immediate and chilling premonition washing over him. Something was profoundly amiss.

"Cauldron?!"

"Could it be that this is the genuine motivation behind your Snow Moon Holy Palace's recruitment of Holy Sons? That the geniuses recommended by various nations throughout the ages have all been exploited by you!"

The members of the Holy Palace erupted into peels of unrestrained laughter upon hearing Yi Feng's indignant inquiry.

"Hahaha..."

"Genius? Do cultivators from insignificant nations like yours even merit such a grandiose title?"

"For you mediocrities to be deemed worthy of becoming His Excellency's cauldrons is already an immense honor. Submit willingly and without resistance!"

"This has been the established practice for centuries. Not a single soul has ever managed to escape. This is your predetermined fate!"

Witnessing their contemptuous laughter and dismissive expressions, Yi Feng's heart felt as if it had been plunged into the depths of icy frost.

He had never harbored aspirations of depending on the Snow Moon Holy Palace, nor did he place any value on the superficial title of Holy Son. His sole intention in coming here was to broaden his understanding and attain a higher echelon of cultivation.

To have progressed thus far in his life, he owed it entirely to his own arduous and persistent Dao cultivation!

Yet, Yi Feng had never conceived of the possibility that the revered Holy Land would systematically utilize the gifted youths from various nations as mere cauldrons. Beneath their veneer of sanctity, they concealed the sinister practice of absorbing others' cultivation!

Verily, they were like golden jade on the outside, but rotten cotton within!

A 'Holy Land'?

This designation was nothing short of an abysmal farce!

The so-called Snow Moon Holy Land was, in reality, nothing more than a cesspool of depravity, a defiled sanctuary whose reputation was utterly hollow!

A surge of righteous anger coursed through Yi Feng, though he recognized the grim reality that confronting them directly with force might prove futile.

He instantly employed his movement technique, launching himself skyward. The individuals present were taken aback by his audacious and decisive action. One among them instinctively moved to impede him, only to be grievously wounded by an overwhelming display of sword aura!

In mere moments.

Yi Feng had already effected his escape, his sword flashing as he retreated, eliciting continuous shouts of alarm from the stunned onlookers.

The deacon elder of the Snow Moon Holy Land flew into a furious rage, his roars echoing incessantly!

"Bastard!"

"This brat actually dared to flee right before our eyes. Such audacity!"

Catching sight of the deep gash left by the sword aura near the Holy Palace gates, a flicker of apprehension manifested even in the elder's stern eyes.

"I underestimated his mastery of sword Dao. A moment's lapse in vigilance, and he has actually escaped! If he manages to return to the Nanli Kingdom and spread falsehoods, it will undoubtedly tarnish our Holy Land's esteemed reputation. Furthermore, if he continues to grow in power, he will inevitably become a formidable threat!"

"No matter the cost, this young man must not be permitted to live!"

Following the elder's furious roar, the disciples of the Holy Land nearby prepared to give chase.

But just as they were about to depart.

The elder's gaze shifted, and he issued another command in a profound voice!

"Quickly pursue him. This young man's mastery of the sword Dao is exceptional. You must not hold back at all; attack with your utmost strength!"

"Later, I will personally dispatch messages to the various sects in the name of the Holy Land, announcing that Yi Feng, as our sect's Holy Son, has shown no gratitude but instead dared to pilfer our Holy Land's treasures before absconding. This is truly a grave offense!"

"This way, even if he possesses the fortune to escape back to the Nanli Kingdom, he will find himself utterly without refuge. The major sects will undoubtedly dispatch their forces to hunt him, sealing his doom!"

Upon hearing this, those present displayed reverence in their eyes and bowed.

"The Elder's wisdom is unfathomable!"

"With this strategy, Yi Feng cannot escape even with wings, and our Holy Land's reputation will remain untainted. This plan, killing two birds with one stone, is truly masterful!"

As they continued their adulation, the elder felt a sense of satisfaction. Yet, recalling Yi Feng's decisive actions and boldness, he maintained a degree of caution.

With a swift gesture and a cold sneer, he commanded.

"Go immediately! You absolutely must not let this boy live!"

Dozens of Holy Land disciples acknowledged with a bow and ascended into the sky in succession.

As the sky had yet to fully brighten.

Yi Feng was in flight, pursued relentlessly, while his name as a traitor reverberated through the major sects.

After sprinting thousands of miles through the night, he barely managed to return to the Nanli Kingdom. The pursuers from the Holy Land were still hot on his heels. Despite Yi Feng's lack of fear, he recognized the impossibility of engaging in prolonged combat and could only continue his desperate flight southward.

That very night, the major sects received the transmissions from the Snow Moon Holy Land, sending shockwaves across the entirety of the Nanli Kingdom. Yi Feng, who had recently been the subject of widespread anticipation, was instantly branded a traitor to the Holy Land. This dramatic reversal and abrupt change left countless individuals in stunned disbelief.

While many were aware of Yi Feng's character and privately believed that a cultivator who concealed his prowess was unlikely to steal treasures and commit treason—with numerous cultivators even voicing their doubts to their respective sects—the senior figures within the major sects were exceedingly astute. They had already secretly assessed the situation, meticulously weighing all potential advantages and disadvantages.

Between Yi Feng and the Holy Land, which held greater significance?

The answer was undeniably clear.

Regardless of the truth, any communication originating from the Holy Land necessitated action in accordance with their directives. Even if it meant wrongly targeting Yi Feng, offending the Snow Moon Holy Land was an outcome they could not possibly afford.

By apprehending Yi Feng and earning the favor of the Holy Land, any prior investments of resources would become inconsequential.

In this world, absolute morality seldom exists; only self-interest stands as the eternal truth!

This was the harsh reality.

Almost simultaneously, the major sects dispatched their elite inner disciples to track and hunt down Yi Feng. Before dawn broke completely, the entire Nanli Kingdom was engulfed in a maelstrom of bloodshed!

As the sky gradually brightened, various sects converged from all directions, swelling the ranks of the hunting party into a formidable force, as if they were not merely pursuing one individual but eradicating millions of malevolent demons!

At the crack of dawn.

Yi Feng found himself cornered at the precipice of Soul-Severing Cliff. Behind him stood nearly ten thousand cultivators, before him lay a bottomless abyss, and even the opposite cliff was swarming with familiar figures from various sects.

Though armed with a single sword and possessing cultivation that surpassed all in the current generation of the Nanli Kingdom, reaching this point marked the absolute limit of his endurance. His body was already thoroughly stained with blood, and he was gasping for breath.

Throughout his desperate flight to this location, Yi Feng had slain an uncountable number of those who challenged him. Among them were brilliant talents from sects with whom he had once sparred, as well as formidable sword cultivators he had encountered only once.

He could not fathom why these individuals, with whom he shared no prior animosity, were so intent on engaging him in a fight to the death?

In this dire predicament.

To survive, he had no time for contemplation. Whether they were acquaintances or strangers, each clash resulted in fallen souls beneath his blade, his mind consumed by a bloodlust that had long since driven him to the brink of madness!

A thousand miles of road south were drenched in a sea of blood!

Yi Feng's cultivation was nearly exhausted, his previous effortless grace gone, yet his blood-stained robes and the longsword he held forth exuded an even more chilling intent to kill.

In that moment, though nearly ten thousand cultivators stood present, not one dared to advance!

Their faces were etched with profound fear, their gazes fixed upon the blood-clad figure standing by the precipice.

It wasn't until they noticed beads of perspiration forming on Yi Feng's brow that one person finally found the courage to speak, their voice deep and resonant.

"Fellow Daoists! Yi Feng is at his limit! No matter how mighty he is, if we attack in unison, we can surely claim this villain's life!"

These words were met with immediate and widespread agreement.

"Precisely! How can he possibly withstand so many of us, regardless of his strength?"

"Four hands can't block two fists. Even if he had wings, escape would be impossible!"

"However glorious his past, he is now the world's enemy. Fellow Daoists, there is no need for apprehension!"

"Slay the traitor, today is the day!"

"Slay the traitor, today is the day!"

...

The throng grew increasingly fervent, their self-righteous declarations echoing.

Though clueless as to the source of this widespread animosity, Yi Feng recognized a few of those voices with painful familiarity.

He subtly shifted his gaze, and the shouters immediately faltered, falling into a panicked silence.

Upon closer inspection, Yi Feng stood stunned.

"Junior Martial Brothers? It's you guys?!"

This was utterly unexpected.

On the verge of death, the most vociferous in demanding his demise were, in fact, his former sect brothers. He hadn't returned to the sect for a long time, yet their reunion was akin to mortal enemies.

The irony was profound.

Overwhelmed by bitter grief and surging wrath, Yi Feng stared at them, forcing the words out through clenched teeth!

"Why!"

"Why are you also hunting me down?!"