King of Creation Chapter 1760 - 1745: Crashing the Venue
Previously on King of Creation...
A mere utterance, "Scram," sent Star Priest Hong Yuan scurrying away as if he were a wronged spouse, a picture of terror and disarray.
Moon Priest Pi Zhilong’s visage turned a fiery red, a burning sensation scorching his cheeks.
The esteemed War Soul Hall found its entire reputation tarnished and eradicated by Ye Zhen’s single, dismissive word: "Scram."
Even a brief, challenging fight followed by a defeat would have been somewhat palatable. However, to be reduced to a tumbling heap by a single word felt as deeply humiliating as Ye Zhen’s direct assault.
The assembled priests, witnessing the scene unfold, were utterly dumbfounded, gazing at Ye Zhen with looks of disbelief, as if he were a divine being.
In that precise moment, this cultivator, standing at the zenith of the Ninth Stage of the Divine Communication Realm, loomed before them as an insurmountable giant.
Nevertheless, certain priests among the onlookers, privy to Ye Zhen’s notorious deeds, recognized him as the one who had the audacity to confront a late-stage Realm King powerhouse, even managing to inflict severe injury upon Ba’erhu of that same realm, and furthermore, daring to lay hands on the Great Priest himself.
Thus, the spectacle of a Star Priest collapsing in fear from a mere shout was hardly astonishing to them.
"If the War Soul Hall can only muster contenders like this, you ought to rename yourselves the 'Butt Hall'!" Ye Zhen quipped, a mocking tone lacing his voice as he gestured towards the three gilded characters emblazoned on the War Soul Hall’s facade.
"How dare you defile my War Soul Hall! You court death!"
At these audacious words, Moon Priest Pi Zhilong bellowed in rage. With a thunderous stride, he surged forward, luminous spirit energy erupting around his form. Two colossal hammers materialized in his grasp, whirling with ferocious intensity like a rampaging tempest assailing Ye Zhen from above.
The swirling hammer shadows dispersed, generating powerful torrents of wind that compelled the surrounding priests to hastily retreat.
Each individual was forced to invoke their protective spirit force and erect defensive armor to withstand the onslaught of the fierce gales.
In the ensuing moment, gasps of astonishment reverberated through the assembled crowd.
For there, Ye Zhen's form appeared to be utterly annihilated by the barrage of hammer strikes, dissolving in an instant.
Yet, amidst the chaotic epicenter of the fray, Moon Priest Pi Zhilong felt a chilling dread seize his heart.
His mid-grade artifact, though seemingly striking Ye Zhen, had connected with an unnerving lack of substance, as if impact had been made on mere cotton. A chilling realization dawned upon him: he had likely struck nothing more than an afterimage or an illusory construct.
If it was merely an afterimage, that was one thing.
But if he had indeed struck an illusory manifestation, the implications were truly terrifying!
"Do the Moon Priests of the War Soul Hall possess such lamentable eyesight?"
Ye Zhen's sardonic, sneering voice materialized abruptly from behind Pi Zhilong, sending a jolt of unease through him. Pi Zhilong's Divine Sense finally managed to pinpoint Ye Zhen's location.
However, before he could even process this, an irresistible force slammed into him, sending him hurtling forward as if propelled by a gale.
It was Ye Zhen, having reappeared stealthily behind him, delivering a devastating kick that sent Pi Zhilong sprawling, his face meeting the ground with a sickening thud.
The officiating priests erupted into peals of laughter upon witnessing the spectacle.
The Star, Moon, and Sky Priests affiliated with the War Soul Hall burned with incandescent rage, their desire to rend Ye Zhen limb from limb palpable.
Ye Zhen’s actions were not merely aggressive; they were profoundly humiliating.
Furthermore, it was abundantly clear to all observers that Ye Zhen was not merely targeting Pi Zhilong but was actively denigrating the War Soul Hall itself. As more priests arrived to witness the unfolding events, the audience's laughter intensified.
However, in the very next instant, the uproarious mirth abruptly ceased.
As Pi Zhilong struggled to rise and retaliate after his ignominious fall, a sinister purple sword, radiating an oppressive aura of malevolent Qi and lethal intent, was thrust point-blank towards his head.
Like an ethereal phantom, Ye Zhen had materialized behind him once more, subduing him with effortless grace.
"You would be wise to remain still. This is merely a spar, and my intention is not to claim a life. However, if you presume I will not kill you, then you are gravely mistaken."
Ye Zhen's voice, resonating with the chill of an abyssal cavern, stilled Pi Zhilong's desperate struggles. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead in rivulets.
A profound silence descended upon the surrounding congregation.
They could distinctly perceive the terrifying, lethal aura emanating from Ye Zhen.
Pi Zhilong himself was utterly convinced that Ye Zhen's killing intent had already ensnared him; any sudden movement would result in Ye Zhen's sword Qi cleaving his skull.
What truly confounded Pi Zhilong, however, was the inexplicable nature of his defeat.
How had he been so decisively kicked and subdued by Ye Zhen?
At that precise juncture, a returning Moon Priest from the War Soul Hall, witnessing Pi Zhilong's subjugation firsthand, was instantly consumed by righteous fury.
"How dare you instigate chaos right before the War Soul Hall? Are you actively seeking your own demise?" Without uttering another word, the enraged Moon Priest charged headlong at Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen remained unmoved, merely turning his head with glacial indifference to fix his gaze upon the charging Moon Priest.
A mere five-stage Realm King Moon Priest presumed to bare his fangs at him?
With a mere flicker of thought, Ye Zhen's overwhelming divine sense flared briefly. The crimson Soul Refining Divine Light, imbued with formidable power, pierced directly into the Moon Priest's forehead.
Even though the Moon Priest had meticulously solidified his Dark Palace and his divine soul was exceptionally well-guarded, Ye Zhen's divine light, amplified by his Primordial Spirit, proved utterly unstoppable.
His four-colored Primordial Spirit was an exceedingly rare and potent manifestation.
In terms of sheer power, it represented absolute dominance.
Since Ye Zhen's successful formation of his Primordial Spirit, the potency of his divine soul had experienced an amplification of no less than twofold.
During the five years of intense cultivation within the Mirage Dragon Pearl Sequential Space, even with Ye Zhen abstaining from cultivating his Primordial Spirit in the final two years, the fruits of his earlier efforts, fueled by High Grade Thought Spirit Pills, became apparent.
Ye Zhen’s Primordial Spirit expanded significantly, growing from two inches to three inches, dramatically boosting his divine soul power by nearly fifty percent.
Facing a Moon Priest of the five-stage Realm King Cultivation was akin to an adult confronting a mere child.
Even the layered defenses of the Dark Palace were instantly subjected to severe damage!
With a deep groan, the five-stage Realm King Moon Priest collapsed heavily onto the ground, blood seeping from his eyes, ears, and nose, completely depleted of any strength.
Such a spectacle instilled terror in the hearts of the War Soul Hall’s Moon Priests and the surrounding onlookers.
It was only then that they understood the immense mercy Ye Zhen had shown towards Star Priest Hong Yuan.
Indeed, he had displayed substantial leniency.
Had he unleashed an attack akin to this divine soul assault, Star Priest Hong Yuan would have ceased to exist entirely.
At that critical juncture, the expressions of the War Soul Hall’s priests underwent a genuine transformation.
They finally grasped that Ye Zhen, a peak Ninth Stage cultivator who claimed he hadn't lost, was not speaking empty words!
"Everyone, please bear witness! I am currently engaged in a spar with War Soul Hall’s Moon Priest Pi Zhilong. This scoundrel launched a dishonorable ambush, forcing my hand. This outcome is not my fault!"
"Rest assured, Left Chief Priest Ye, we have followed your instructions and meticulously recorded the entire event using Spirit Shadow.
Left Chief Priest Ye is challenging strictly according to the duel rules of the Ancestor God Temple and even demonstrated mercy. It is War Soul Hall that has flagrantly broken the established regulations," proclaimed several sacrificial guards from the Barbarian Spirit Hall.
The Moon Priest, gravely wounded by Ye Zhen’s Soul Refining Divine Light, felt an intense pressure within his lungs as if they were about to rupture from sheer anger.
His Divine Soul had sustained severe injuries from Ye Zhen’s assault, and such wounds on the Divine Soul take an exceptionally long time to mend. For him to fully recover would necessitate at least a period exceeding two years.
Yet, instead of recovery, he found himself not only miserably defeated but also burdened with the ignominious reputation of beingShamelessly despicable; it was simply unbearable.
"Pi Zhilong, Pi Yueji, do you concede your defeat from this moment?" Ye Zhen inquired sternly.
"I do not admit defeat!"
Despite being profoundly shaken by Ye Zhen’s displayed prowess, Pi Zhilong defiantly responded, refusing to yield.
"You refuse to admit defeat? Very well! I shall grant you another opportunity—let us spar once more until you finally concede!" Ye Zhen declared.
Upon hearing this, Pi Zhilong displayed a visible startle, particularly as Ye Zhen’s long sword was now sheathed.
Leaping to his feet, Pi Zhilong steadied his breathing and regulated his Spiritual Power, preparing to re-engage.
This time, his approach differed significantly; abandoning any thought of a swift, decisive blow, he advanced with extreme caution, adopting a defensive posture.
But this strategic shift proved utterly futile!
All Pi Zhilong perceived was a fleeting blur, followed immediately by an unstoppable force impacting his rear, sending him tumbling forward unceremoniously.
The deadly Qi pierced his head like sharp needles once more, paralyzing him and preventing any movement.
The assembled priests, observers from all factions including those from the Soul Hall, were left utterly stunned.
Not a single one among them had even glimpsed Ye Zhen’s movement before Pi Zhilong suffered his defeat.
And this was his second consecutive loss!
It seemed undeniable: in the vast realm of martial arts, speed reigned supreme!
Ye Zhen’s Divine Sense delved into the remnant Strong Wind Spirit Essence Pearl. He discovered that his short-range movement speed approximated one percent of the legendary Ancient Fierce Beast Strong Wind's velocity.
Yet, even this mere one percent of the Ancient Fierce Beast’s speed was beyond their capability to match, including the formidable Dao Realm experts.
It was truly astonishing; in terms of sheer speed, not even the Creation God of ancient times could have kept pace with the Strong Wind.
As for the decisive kick that sent Pi Zhilong sprawling, it was attributed to Ye Zhen's formidable Black Dragon Tyrant Body.
This exceptional physique allowed Ye Zhen's physical strength to advance steadily, approaching the raw power of an Ancient Black Dragon.
This enhanced physical prowess was not confined solely to the resilience of his skin and the might of his defenses.
It also manifested in other crucial areas, such as raw power output and a profound connection with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, enabling swifter and more potent mobilization of these energies.
This included a vastly improved Restoration Power and explosive strength, presenting a multi-faceted and comprehensive enhancement.
Previously, Ye Zhen’s innate strength already rivaled that of a Realm King Realm expert. Now, with the acquisition of the Strong Wind Spirit Essence Pearl, it was akin to bestowing wings upon a tiger!
No, that wasn’t quite right.
The incredible speed granted by the Strong Wind Spirit Essence Pearl had propelled Ye Zhen's overall combat strength through a qualitative transformation.
This phenomenal power surge was the bedrock of Ye Zhen’s confidence as he planned his audacious move to confront the Soul Hall directly!
"This time, will you concede or not?" Ye Zhen’s voice boomed again at Pi Zhilong, "Of course, if you still refuse to yield, we can engage in another round!"
Pi Zhilong was overcome with a wave of intense frustration.
A true man wouldn't simply yield with words when faced with such a situation, especially not by admitting he wanted no part of a fight.
If he were to not concede, it would inevitably lead to another bout with Ye Zhen, leaving his rear exposed for yet another kick. His pride was teetering on the brink of collapse.
Noticing Pi Zhilong's silence, Ye Zhen didn't press further. His objective was to challenge the Soul Hall within the established rules, not to publicly shame individuals.
"Since you remain silent, I shall interpret it as your concession. Our spar concludes with your defeat!"
With a flourish, Ye Zhen sheathed his sword. His gaze then shifted, fixing upon another Moon Priest standing before the Soul Hall. "You, Moon Priest of the Soul Hall, do you dare to accept Ye Zhen's challenge?"
"If you have the courage, step forward! If not, I shall not reproach you, provided you remain silent and retreat into the Soul Hall like Pi Zhilong and Pi Yueji without uttering a word!" Ye Zhen declared, his finger indicating the Moon Priest.
Pi Zhilong's face turned a shade darker, his neck also flushing with intense rage.
The Moon Priest whom Ye Zhen had singled out, whether feigning ignorance or genuinely intimidated by Ye Zhen's prowess, kept glancing around, conspicuously avoiding acknowledgment of Ye Zhen's challenge.
It wasn't merely a matter of his personal timidity.
In truth, he was utterly terrified by the display of strength Ye Zhen had exhibited.
Within mere moments, three successive Moon Priests had fallen to Ye Zhen, none even managing to graze the edges of his attire. To step forward now seemed utterly pointless.
However, avoiding complete humiliation was a small comfort.
Yet, Ye Zhen was clearly destined to stir up trouble today; hiding like a tortoise would prove futile!
"Cease your evasive glances. I challenge you, the Moon Priest with the prominent Jade Crown who is looking about nervously. I challenge you! If you are too afraid, simply return to the Soul Hall!" Ye Zhen's voice boomed, sharp and uncompromising.
The Moon Priest, his face reddening, reluctantly stepped forward.
In such circumstances, being challenged by a martial artist at the peak of the Ninth Stage of the Divine Communication Realm right at the entrance of their own Soul Hall was an affront that could not be ignored.
He could not allow himself, nor the Soul Hall, to lose face.
Yet, facing Ye Zhen, a gnawing lack of confidence gnawed at him.
A short while later, the Moon Priest was struck down as if reduced to cinders by Ye Zhen's potent Evil Punishing Divine Thunder.
Fortunately, their injuries, though severe in appearance, were not fundamentally life-threatening.
However, this particular Moon Priest, to escape the indignity, chose to feign unconsciousness!
"Heh, another one bites the dust!" Ye Zhen sneered, gesturing towards yet another Moon Priest. "This Moon Priest, I invite your guidance; Ye Zhen of the Barbarian Spirit Hall formally extends a challenge to you!"
The outcome mirrored the previous encounters, with Ye Zhen severely wounding another Moon Priest. He then systematically proceeded to challenge several more individuals from the Soul Hall.
In the span of a mere fifteen minutes, the count of Moon Priests vanquished by Ye Zhen at the Soul Hall's threshold had surpassed ten, drawing an ever-increasing crowd of observing priests from various halls.
By this juncture, the priests of the Soul Hall finally grasped that the Left Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall was not merely there for a simple challenge today.
Having meticulously prepared, not only were recordings being made, but by consecutively defeating over ten Moon Priests, it was evident they had come with the deliberate intention to provoke.
If no true experts emerged soon, their Soul Hall's reputation would face severe disgrace, and the priests within would likely find themselves enduring eternal shame within the Ancestor God Temple.
Promptly, a priest scrambled deep into the Soul Hall's interior, lamenting loudly, "This is dire! We have an agitator causing trouble!"
"Hall Master, Left Chief Priest, Right Chief Priest, something is gravely wrong; someone is deliberately disrupting the sanctity of our Soul Hall!"