King of Creation Chapter 1776 - 1761: Battle of Saving Face and Going Easy

Seven days had passed since Ye Zhen began his blockade of the War Soul Hall’s entrance.

As the sun peeked over the horizon on this eighth day, a throng of eager priests congregated near the War Soul Hall’s gates, anticipating any action and curious if the hall would remain in seclusion once more.

Many also looked forward to Ye Zhen’s daily lottery, a peculiar draw where prizes, though typically modest, held a unique charm and the tantalizing possibility of an unexpected boon.

More than the prizes, the lottery provided a welcome diversion, injecting a spark of amusement into their otherwise monotonous cultivation routines.

To the congregation’s surprise, however, Ye Zhen, widely known as the most eccentric figure in the Ancestor God Temple, did not appear as scheduled to maintain his vigil at the War Soul Hall’s gates.

Not long thereafter, a collective sigh of relief seemed to ripple through the crowd as Ye Zhen, now undeniably the Ancestor God Temple’s premier eccentric, reappeared at the War Soul Hall’s threshold.

He precisely as usual, positioned his banner and the seven Victory Banners in the plaza before the entrance, exhibiting a slight delay of merely an hour.

This display eased the gathered priests’ anticipation, suggesting that another day’s spectacle was indeed forthcoming.

Little did the onlookers realize, Ye Zhen had just emerged from the main chambers of the War Soul Hall itself.

Planted the Victory Banners and commenced his customary taunts, Ye Zhen directed his shouts towards the War Soul Hall’s impassive gates, which remained resolutely shut after repeated calls.

A sense of ennui settled upon Ye Zhen, leading him to engage in lighthearted banter with the observing priests.

He regaled them with tales from across the myriad heavens and realms, earning nods of appreciation from many priests whose lives revolved around subdued cultivation.

Some enterprising priests seized the moment, setting up impromptu stalls to trade for Spirit Stones amidst the growing assembly.

Time flowed swiftly, and the hour approached noon, drawing an ever-increasing number of priests to the scene.

For it was around midday that Ye Zhen typically initiated his first lottery game, making this period the zenith of attendance.

Yet, before the awaited lottery commenced, Ye Zhen maintained his ritual, issuing a few more provocations towards the stubbornly sealed War Soul Hall.

The surrounding priests paid little heed to Ye Zhen’s taunts; ever since Left Chief Priest Xii Mo of the War Soul Hall had been thwarted by Princess Changle of the Barbarian Spirit Hall, the War Soul Hall’s doors had remained shut throughout the daylight hours.

But today, precisely as Ye Zhen’s voice echoed, the imposing doors of the War Soul Hall creaked open.

Emerging at the forefront was Right Chief Priest Dalantai of the War Soul Hall, accompanied by a contingent of Moon Priests and one particularly striking figure brandishing a shield in his left hand and a saber in his right.

“Is that Qi Bing, the War Soul Hall’s foremost Moon Priest?”

A voice identified the stout priest notable for his shield and saber, though his identity elicited little more than a fleeting murmur from the onlookers.

Despite Sima Yan’s second-highest combat prowess among the War Soul Hall’s Moon Priests, he had ultimately failed to overcome Ye Zhen, even when employing his War Soul Possession.

Consequently, it was widely presumed that Qi Bing, holding the top rank among the Moon Priests, would fare no better against Ye Zhen.

An overwhelming consensus among the observing priests held that even the War Soul Hall’s premier Moon Priest would face Ye Zhen in a contest utterly devoid of suspense.

Thus, when Qi Bing strode forward and vocally accepted Ye Zhen’s challenge, a wave of indifference swept through the crowd.

Many continued their leisurely conversations, their attention barely snagged.

After all, Ye Zhen’s combat methodology was exceptionally swift, relying on sheer velocity.

The majority of priests struggled to discern Ye Zhen’s movements, his presence a blur.

Such was the case that not a single bookmaker dared to offer odds on the impending duel.

The outcome was considered a foregone conclusion, a match without any element of surprise.

Who would risk financial loss by opening bets on a certainty?

“I am Qi Bing of the War Soul Hall’s Moon Priests, I await your esteemed instruction!” Qi Bing declared with gravitas, advancing a few paces.

He subtly raised his shield, projecting an oval Guardian Light Screen before him, while his battle saber unleashed a stream of potent killing Qi towards the heavens.

Yet, despite the surging killing intent, it failed to capture significant attention.

A predictable conclusion coupled with an imperceptible process—who would find such a spectacle compelling?

With a challenger now present, Ye Zhen, despite a flicker of boredom crossing his features, could hardly decline.

“Ye Zhen of the Barbarian Spirit Hall, I await your move!”

The instant the word “move” left his lips, Ye Zhen, in a display mirroring his prior encounters, vanished from Qi Bing’s immediate perception the moment he propelled himself forward.

Despite Ye Zhen’s blinding speed, Qi Bing’s instincts flared, detecting a peculiar aura converging on him from his flank.

Like a cornered beast, Qi Bing instinctively swung his left-hand shield with considerable force towards the approaching threat.

Bang!

A resounding impact, the sound of solid matter colliding, suddenly reverberated through the air.

This sudden, explosive commotion compelled the idly conversing priests to involuntarily redirect their gaze toward the clashing duelists.

Moments later, their faces were etched with sheer astonishment!

The moment their heads swiveled around, they witnessed Ye Zhen being flung backward by the foremost Moon Priest, Qi Bing, with a solitary shield strike. This powerful blow sent Ye Zhen hurtling like a stringless kite for a thousand meters, ultimately landing him with a few staggering steps upon impact with the ground.

Qi Bing was momentarily taken aback. Was his shield truly that potent? Could this be the Ye Zhen, the Ancestor God Temple's paramount madman who had them cornered in the War Soul Hall? His current display of strength seemed decidedly ordinary.

Dismissing his doubts, Qi Bing seized the instant to advance, intending to press his advantage. However, just as Ye Zhen settled on the ground, he caused his Purple Spirit Immortal Sword to vanish abruptly. Then, bowing towards Qi Bing, he declared, "As the foremost Moon Priest of the War Soul Hall, your reputation is well-earned. I, Ye Zhen, admit defeat! I concede wholeheartedly!"

"Uh..." Qi Bing, poised to give chase, was suddenly choked with speechlessness, stunned for a considerable duration. He had only returned from elsewhere yesterday, and the Hall Master had prohibited him from engaging in combat. Early this very morning, the Hall Master had dispatched him, and he had braced himself for a brutal confrontation. He was even prepared to sacrifice Essence Blood to bolster his might, resolved to do whatever was necessary to erase the War Soul Hall's disgrace.

In his mind, this encounter was destined to be an intense struggle—a truly ferocious one! Yet, as it transpired, victory arrived with astonishing ease. He hadn't even launched an offensive; a mere defensive stance had secured his win. This victory was utterly perplexing!

The priests observing from all sides were utterly dumbfounded, particularly those who had been casually conversing. The sound of Ye Zhen's words of surrender left them utterly speechless. They hastily questioned the surrounding priests about the exact sequence of events, the nature of the recent exchange, and the reason behind the Ancestor God Temple's number one madman, Ye Zhen, surrendering so swiftly.

However, even the priests who had closely observed the scene remained bewildered. It appeared as though the battle had barely commenced before Ye Zhen yielded. Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Ye Zhen approached the seven victory banners he had unfurled. With a casual flick, streams of Hand Intense Flames erupted, reducing the banners to whirling ashes.

While incinerating them, he proclaimed, "In today's contest, I have come to realize that the War Soul Hall indeed harbors formidable experts, and their renown is not without basis. I concede, everyone, until we meet again!" As the final victory banner dissolved into ash, Ye Zhen's voice continued its pronouncements even as he had already vanished, leaving behind a bewildered Qi Bing, the victor under inexplicable circumstances, and the astonished onlookers.

"That scoundrel! Even in feigning defeat, he refuses to act with decorum! Is this not clearly conceding ground? Anyone with a modicum of sense can see he is deliberately holding back!" Within the War Soul Hall, the Left Chief Priest, Xii Mo, expressed his clear displeasure.

Hall Master Bi Ze also offered a wry chuckle. "Having such a pretext is not entirely disadvantageous! Given Ye Zhen's capabilities, the longer the battle persisted, the more apparent his leniency would be revealed!"

Upon hearing this, the Left Chief Priest Xii Mo of the War Soul Hall couldn't help but heave a prolonged sigh. It was frustrating and suffocating! This solitary triumph of the War Soul Hall over Ye Zhen had not come easily; the price was undeniably immense.

Previously, during the negotiations between Hall Master Bi Ze and Ye Zhen, Bi Ze had fallen into Ye Zhen's scheme, agreeing to lease the avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal to Ye Zhen for a period of ten years. Ten years. If this avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal were merely rented out for a single year, the earnings from High Grade Spiritual Stones would amount to millions. Such a vast fortune was now being forfeited to Ye Zhen; the intangible losses were beyond description.

Yet, under the prevailing circumstances, Ye Zhen's Heavenly Patrol Department had seized the critical leverage points against the War Soul Hall. Furthermore, in a moment of desperation, Hall Master Bi Ze had divulged the War Soul Hall's bottom line, compelling a reluctant agreement. Helplessly, Hall Master Bi Ze and the others from the War Soul Hall put forth an additional condition.

The War Soul Hall, having suffered significant losses, was entitled to compensation, both in terms of reputation and profit. The financial aspect had been inadvertently overlooked; the rental of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal avatar incurred a daily cost of fifty thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones. Furthermore, this avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal could not be summoned at will.

Consequently, regarding the reputational damage, Ye Zhen was obligated to provide the War Soul Hall with some form of recompense. How was this compensation to be rendered? By having Ye Zhen intentionally lose to one of the War Soul Hall's Moon Priests, thus granting the War Soul Hall a face-saving resolution. And thus, the preceding scene had unfolded! Ye Zhen had no qualms about this condition. It was merely a theatrical display, and he performed his part accordingly.

To Ye Zhen, such a reputation was hardly worth considering. He considered the immense benefits of borrowing the avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal for a decade without spending a single Spirit Stone to be far more valuable than any fleeting reputation. Losing a bit of his standing, which he found useless anyway, was a trade he was more than happy to make.

It is vital to understand the primary function of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal: beyond its ability to suppress the Divine Soul, it excels at sharpening it, thereby enhancing one's Divine Soul Power. Even though the avatar of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal is merely a facsimile, its capabilities are still significant. While it may not possess the full power of the original artifact, the avatar itself wields the might equivalent to a Low Grade Postnatal Spirit Treasure.

One must remember the considerable investment of countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures by the War Soul Hall in the creation of this avatar. Consequently, the offensive capabilities of the Ten Thousand Bones Reincarnation Seal's avatar are naturally quite substantial.

Typically, cultivators on the cusp of condensing their Primordial Spirits will borrow this avatar to hone their Divine Souls before their breakthrough. However, due to the immense cost involved, most cultivators only borrow it for a few months, with a rare few extending it to half a year. But here was Ye Zhen, able to utilize it for a full ten years without any cost whatsoever.

Just how monumental were these benefits?

When factoring in the Temporal Sequence Space offered by the Mirage Dragon Pearl, the combined advantages were simply beyond measure.

Having reaped his rewards, Ye Zhen departed swiftly. It wasn't long before the first Moon Priest of the War Soul Hall, Qi Bing, realized the situation and his face turned ashen. Even a fool would have understood that Ye Zhen had deliberately held back. For any Martial Artist, such an outcome was an absolute humiliation! It was considered far more degrading than a straightforward defeat!

What Qi Bing didn't realize was that this entire arrangement had been orchestrated by their own War Soul Hall! Nevertheless, the Right Chief Priest, Dalantai, quickly escorted Qi Bing away to prevent any further complications. Before departing, Dalantai uttered some empty words to the crowd: "Esteemed priests, our War Soul Hall always welcomes challenges. Regardless of who you are, the War Soul Hall guarantees you will leave defeated!"

A sneer rippled through the crowd. The priests who grasped the true nature of the events responded with open mockery. Anyone with a modicum of perception could see that Ye Zhen had intentionally conceded the match. While the exact reasons for Ye Zhen's capitulation remained unknown, speculation was rife.

As Ye Zhen, the central figure, made his exit, the tens of thousands of priests who had congregated in the War Soul Hall plaza began to disperse. Many, however, departed with lingering gazes and a palpable sense of reluctance, musing about a different kind of life.

As they departed, news of the War Soul Hall's first Moon Priest, Qi Bing, defeating Ye Zhen began to circulate, albeit with a degree of inaccuracy. This gradually helped to restore some semblance of the War Soul Hall's damaged reputation.