King of Creation Chapter 1762 - 1747: Turtle Tactics

Under Ye Zhen’s intense scrutiny, Dalantai, the Right Chief Priest of the War Soul Hall, found himself boxed in. With the eyes of tens of thousands of priests from the Ancestor God Temple upon him, beads of sweat instantly appeared on his brow. It would be truly daunting if these seventeen Moon Priests before him were indeed defeated by Ye Zhen alone in under a quarter of an hour, with him remaining completely unscathed.

Dalantai could easily dispatch each of these seventeen Moon Priests from the War Soul Hall, but that would only amount to a defeat, nothing more. Reaching the level Ye Zhen had attained was simply beyond his capabilities!

By all estimations, if Dalantai were to accept this challenge, there was a ninety percent chance he would face defeat! It is true that since embarking on the path of martial arts, Dalantai has endured thousands of battles—some victories, some losses, and some desperate flights for survival. Therefore, Dalantai does not harbor a fear of losing.

In the realm of martial arts, there are always greater powers at play; even for those at the pinnacle, a day of reckoning eventually arrives, even for the Creation Gods themselves. Thus, losing is not the source of his apprehension.

What he fears is losing face! Even more so, he dreads bringing shame upon the War Soul Hall.

Ye Zhen had already consecutively vanquished seventeen Moon Priests from the War Soul Hall, and his presence now, as the Right Chief Priest, implicitly represented the War Soul Hall's honor. Should he, the Right Chief Priest, also fall, the War Soul Hall's reputation would be utterly ruined by his hand. This is what he truly feared!

Yet, the crux of the issue is, with everyone's attention fixed upon him at this very moment, does he possess any alternative? While defeat here would be ignominious, shirking the fight would be an even greater disgrace!

What adds to Dalantai’s despair is the fact that Ye Zhen's actual cultivation level is merely at the Peak of Ninth Stage of the Divine Communication Realm. A victory would signify little, but a defeat would be catastrophic...

After a brief moment of thought, Dalantai resolved to buy himself some time. "Ye Zhen, you have attacked our War Soul Hall; what exactly is your objective? This entire affair stems from the temporary inability to rent you the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal Avatar, leading you to cause disruption at the entrance of my War Soul Hall. Do you believe I can report this to the Great Chief Priest immediately and ensure you face severe repercussions?" Dalantai inquired with a stern tone.

As he spoke, Dalantai swiftly employed Divine Soul Telecommunication to reach out to the Moon Priests who had previously engaged Ye Zhen. "How did Ye Zhen defeat you? What kind of Divine Ability Cultivation Technique did he employ?"

"Couldn't see clearly!"

"What? You couldn't see clearly? What do you mean by that?"

"It was too fast! His speed was incredible! I felt as if in a flash, he vanished and reappeared behind me!"

..."You wish to make a report? Then by all means! If you are not afraid of facing utter humiliation!" Ye Zhen gestured invitingly. "You, the Right Chief Priest, seem utterly unaware of the rules of my Ancestor God Temple!"

"The ninety-first rule of my Ancestor God Temple promotes challenges between priests from different halls to enhance combat prowess, but it strictly prohibits coercion; all challenges must be entirely voluntary!"

Addressing the assembled priests, Ye Zhen clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. "Everyone here can serve as witnesses; I merely came to challenge the members of the War Soul Hall. I never compelled anyone! How can this be construed as causing trouble!"

Dalantai was left without words, his chest tightening from being so expertly cornered by Ye Zhen.

"Fundamentally, you are harboring resentment because we refused to rent you the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal Avatar!" Dalantai stated with evident vexation. In truth, the moment he identified Ye Zhen as the source of the disturbance, Dalantai had considered this very reason from the outset.

While explaining, Dalantai continued his swift interrogation of the other vanquished Moon Priests. As the adage goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.' Since a battle was ensuing, understanding the opponent's circumstances would undoubtedly increase the probability of emerging victorious.

However, to Dalantai's considerable surprise, when faced with his inquiries, Ye Zhen responded with complete candor. "That is correct, I deliberately came to challenge your War Soul Hall because of this very issue! I simply cannot comprehend how, when it was my turn to rent the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal Avatar, I would be made to wait for three to five hundred years before possibly obtaining it!"

"Making me wait three to five hundred years? Are you trivializing me?" Ye Zhen retorted coldly.

"I am someone who believes in retaliating when wronged. Since you have played games with me, I now intend to play games with you!" Ye Zhen declared with a grin. "Naturally, I will adhere strictly to the rules."

I’m only challenging you according to the rules of the Ancestor God Temple, and then within those rules, beating you into submission!

"You...."

Dalantai was left speechless, taken aback by Ye Zhen's bluntness, finding himself at a loss for words.

This was because Ye Zhen was strictly adhering to the established rules.

Nevertheless, the priests who had gathered to witness the combat grew excited upon hearing Ye Zhen's declaration. This was indeed juicy gossip and significant news.

Instantly, the sky became a flurry of Talisman Communications.

Essentially, the majority of the priests grasping the unfolding situation.

It transpired that the War Soul Hall had deliberately obstructed Ye Zhen, refusing to rent out the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal Avatar, which provoked Ye Zhen's aggressive response.

Honestly, a waiting period of three to five hundred years wasn't merely making things difficult; it was outright insulting to Ye Zhen. While the artifact was indeed the War Soul Hall's property, and renting it was entirely their prerogative.

However, this was not how the observing priests saw it; previously, rentals were common with Spirit Stones, but now it was clearly an act designed to cause suffering.

If it were anyone else, they likely would have caused a similar uproar.

Yet, precisely ninety-nine percent of individuals would lack the audacity Ye Zhen displayed, directly blocking the War Soul Hall's entrance.

"Right Chief Priest, have you concluded your interrogation, and once finished, do you dare to face me in battle? Please provide a definitive answer!

If you lack the courage to fight Ye Zhen, then tuck your tail between your legs and step aside like a coward, allowing me to challenge someone else!

If you possess the bravery to battle, then act like a man and get on with it swiftly, cease this incessant nagging like a woman!" Ye Zhen pointed at Dalantai and berated him.

Angered by Ye Zhen's words that exposed his predicament, Dalantai's aged face flushed crimson, and he felt as though he might explode with rage.

Damn it, Ye Zhen's tongue is far too sharp!

If he refused to fight, he would be branded a cowardly dog with its tail between its legs; if he accepted, he would be deemed a nagging woman.

It seemed no matter his course of action, he would face censure.

What frustrated him even more was that after enduring such severe verbal abuse from Ye Zhen, if he declined the challenge, Dalantai might as well resign. The entire War Soul Hall would be shamed due to his actions!

At this critical juncture, Dalantai found himself consumed by regret.

Regret for his earlier pompous display, regret for stepping forward when that Star Priest went to deliver the message. Would it not have been more prudent to let the Hall Master manage the situation?

Otherwise, how could matters have escalated to such a dire state?

This was because he had already seized the opportunity to question all seventeen Moon Priests who had been defeated by Ye Zhen.

Their accounts were remarkably consistent.

Speed!

Ye Zhen's speed was astonishingly swift!

So rapid that they could barely perceive him!

The offensive techniques employed could directly endanger their lives!

They had lost without even comprehending the sequence of events!

Dalantai advanced towards Ye Zhen with an indescribable sentiment, bearing a resemblance to a warrior marching towards their demise.

Yet, with just a single sentence from Ye Zhen, Dalantai felt his temples throb, as if his blood vessels were on the verge of rupture.

"Oh, not bad, you finally dare to accept the challenge, no longer hiding like a woman!" Ye Zhen taunted.

"Hmph, don't boast with words, let's see the real skill under our hands!"

"Good! Please!"

"Please!"

Since it was a challenge match, proper formalities still needed to be observed!

Almost the instant the word "please" escaped Dalantai's lips, he moved. His hands blurred into rapid motion, conjuring countless earth-yellow, flood-dragon-like spiritual power that began to swirl around him.

In mere moments, thick layers of spirit curtains became intricately woven around his form.

This was Dalantai's devised strategy.

Your speed is formidable, isn't it?

Your attacks are fierce, indeed?

I shall defend with all my might; let's see what you can accomplish against that?

Furthermore, Dalantai harbored the belief that through defense, he might uncover an opening to defeat Ye Zhen and reinstate the honor of the War Soul Hall.

"Oh, so you intend to act like a turtle, eh!" Upon observing Dalantai's defensive posture rather than launching an attack, Ye Zhen discerned his opponent's intention.

It had to be admitted that Dalantai's strategy was exceedingly clever.

Considering the preceding encounters, it stood out as one of the most ingenious tactics employed against a Martial Artist like Ye Zhen, who possessed remarkable speed.

However, the fundamental issue was that Ye Zhen was not a martial artist who solely depended on his swiftness.

The exceptional velocity granted by the Strong Wind Spirit Essence Pearl merely amplified Ye Zhen's existing power; his offensive might was not diminished in the slightest.

Moreover, throughout his journey, Ye Zhen had consistently belonged to the category of Martial Artists who prioritized initiating attacks with high power and minimal defense.

Engaging in a head-on confrontation where the opponent adopted a passive, defensive stance without counter-attacking was precisely the kind of scenario Ye Zhen did not fear.

The Divine Sense surged, and the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword grew expansively in the wind, rapidly stretching to approximately a thousand meters in length. With a subtle shift of Ye Zhen’s wrist, the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword traced an incredibly profound path, slicing towards Dalantai with an eerily leisurely pace.

With each oscillation of the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword, the Sword Momentum and Spiritual Power it contained swelled. With every passing moment, the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword efficiently drew spiritual power from the surrounding void, fortifying its Sword Momentum.

At the apex of this blade's motion, a fearsome and indescribable Sword Intent erupted from Ye Zhen’s Purple Spirit Immortal Sword, sending a shiver through every observer's heart.

All the observing priests felt a sharp discomfort in their eyes as they gazed upon the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword at that instant.

Ye Zhen, however, wore an expression of satisfaction, savoring for the first time the limitless Sword Dao of Purple Spirit in a real combat scenario, artfully directing the Sword Momentum.

It was unavoidable, as an opponent had willingly stepped forward to serve as his practice dummy for testing his sword techniques.

Purple Spirit was performing magnificently, focusing her entire being, eager to fully unleash her Sword Dao within the scope of this single strike!

It was easy to infer the immense potency of this sword attack, seeing as both Ye Zhen and Purple Spirit were exerting their utmost strength.

And at the very instant this formidable Sword Intent manifested, the sanguinary hue immediately drained from Dalantai’s countenance.

Dalantai suddenly comprehended that this singular sword strike not only eliminated any possibility of victory for him, placing him on the precipice of defeat, but it also plunged him into a dire state of life-or-death peril.

From the perspective of all onlookers, Ye Zhen’s sword appeared sluggish, exceptionally slow.

Dalantai should have been able to easily sidestep the assault.

Yet, solely within Dalantai’s personal experience, intensely aware of his predicament, he understood with absolute clarity that the Sword Momentum and Sword Intent of this attack had effectively sealed off every avenue of escape.

There was no recourse but to confront it directly!

Abruptly, Dalantai recognized that employing his all-out defensive, turtle-like strategy against Ye Zhen was the most regrettable error in judgment he had made today!

And in that precise moment, the Purple Spirit Immortal Sword, having reached its zenith, transitioned instantaneously from appearing incredibly slow to moving with extreme velocity, hurtling towards Dalantai like a bolt of lightning.

In a state of shock, a pair of formidable Arm Shields materialized on Dalantai’s limbs, radiating intense Spirit Light and converging upon Ye Zhen’s Purple Spirit Immortal Sword with lightning speed.

Concurrently, within the Hall Master's chambers of the War Soul Hall, where Hall Master Bi Ze was occupied with official duties, he abruptly lifted his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his features, and vanished from his spot in an instant.

Bang!

The Sword Momentum collided with the exceptionally weighty Arm Shields like a celestial body impacting earth, unleashing a thunderous resonance.

Dalantai’s pair of High Grade Suppressing Device-class Arm Shields disintegrated into countless fragments, and his arm bones suffered a similar fate.

Dalantai’s entire body was violently propelled backward by the force of the sword strike, crimson blood erupting profusely from his mouth.

Within Dalantai's own eyes was a profound astonishment; had it not been for the protection of the Arm Shields, he might have been dispatched by Ye Zhen in a single devastating blow!

Nevertheless, this initial engagement was merely the prelude to what was to come.

With a blur, Ye Zhen surged forward like an apparition, bringing his sword up in a reverse, upward sweep!

Instantly, Dalantai's gaze was consumed by an overwhelming terror of impending death!