Chapter 445: Shenhuang's Murderous Intent
Mo Li had once said that once the Overlord Emperor Divine Meridian awakened, one's profound force would skyrocket overnight to the King Xuan Realm, or even the Overlord Xuan Realm. At the time, Yun Che's only feeling was that it was too exaggerated and ethereal—so much so that even though Mo Li herself had said it, he didn't dare to believe it.
But now, standing right in front of him was Xia Yuanba. Two years ago, he was only at the Initial Xuan Realm, but now he was a true Overlord Emperor who made even the Phoenix Sect Master's expression drastically change! There was no room for disbelief.
In this world, there really existed such an inconceivable profound vein… and it was right beside him, on Xia Yuanba, who had grown up with him!
"The awakening of the Overlord Emperor Divine Meridian requires an extreme, unyielding heart of a conqueror," Mo Li said slowly. "One must possess an almost insane, desperate craving for power to awaken the Overlord Emperor Divine Meridian. His personality was exceptionally weak before, and he could never have awakened it in his lifetime. However, it seems that in the past two years, his temperament has undergone a significant change. If my guess is correct, it should be because he watched you die to save him back then, and in extreme pain and self-blame, his temperament changed drastically. He no longer wanted to be a useless burden who only drags others down."
"…" Yun Che was deeply moved. He knew from Cang Yue that after he was sealed beneath the Sword Control Platform back then, Xia Yuanba had left alone. Someone who had always been gentle and peaceful was, at that time, incredibly stubborn and resolute… Senior Zi from the Black Moon Merchant Guild told him that Xia Yuanba had appeared in Shenhuang City, frantically challenging various sects every day like a madman. Even when he was battered and bruised, on the verge of death, he refused to stop…
When he met Xia Yuanba again, he had grown… and the extent of his growth far exceeded his imagination. From someone who needed to be protected, who didn't dare fight back when bullied, and who was cautious in everything, he had become a person standing at a height Yun Che needed to look up to. He had become a figure at the imperial level across the entire Tian Xuan Continent.
Faced with Xia Yuanba's fierce and unparalleled aura, the nine Phoenix disciples were all terrified. Not only did none of them dare step forward, but not a single one dared to respond. Gu Cang Zhenren shook his head and said, "Yuanba, this is the ranking battle arena. Your family member is merely inside the arena and is not being intentionally besieged or bullied. Come over to your master's side first."
"I know!" Xia Yuanba's hard expression remained unchanged. His personality was now extremely unyielding. Although Gu Cang Zhenren was his current master, he showed no obedience whatsoever: "And as I just said, I am representing the Cang Feng Empire to fight alongside my brother-in-law. What's wrong with that!"
Feng Feiyan could no longer hold back and frowned, saying, "The Seven Nation Ranking Battle is a battle among profound practitioners from each nation. The Cang Feng Empire can only have Cang Feng profound practitioners fight in its stead, not just anyone who is willing. Otherwise, how could it be called the Seven Nation Ranking Battle!"
"Is that rule something I wouldn't know!" Xia Yuanba shot back sharply, completely unyielding to Feng Feiyan's oppressive aura. "Sorry to disappoint you! I am originally from the Cang Feng Empire! Why can't I represent the Cang Feng Empire in battle!"
Xia Yuanba's resolute expression made Gu Cang smile bitterly. He said helplessly, "My unworthy disciple is indeed from the Cang Feng Empire."
Feng Feiyan and the others all changed expressions, and the profound practitioners in the arena opened their mouths wide… This Yun Che, who had defeated Feng Xiluo, was from the Cang Feng Empire, and this eighteen-year-old Overlord Emperor was also from the Cang Feng Empire!!
This smallest and weakest nation on the Tian Xuan Continent, always looked down upon by the other six nations… had this generation been blessed by the gods?!
"No!" Feng Feiyan shook her head. "The Four Sacred Grounds exist transcendentally above the seven nations and do not belong to any one country. Since he has entered the Huangji Sacred Domain and become a disciple of Gu Cang Zhenren, he is a person of the Sacred Domain, not a person of any nation. He has no qualifications to represent Cang Feng in battle."
As soon as Feng Feiyan finished speaking, Xia Yuanba turned around and knelt on one knee before Gu Cang: "Master above, your disciple is unfilial. I now wish to leave the sect and depart from the Huangji Sacred Domain. I beg Master to grant this."
Xia Yuanba's movement, words, and expression were incredibly decisive and absolute, without a hint of hesitation. This made everyone's jaws drop, and their hearts trembled violently.
At this moment, even a fool could clearly feel just how deep Xia Yuanba's feelings were for Yun Che. When facing the powerful Phoenix God Sect, his words and demeanor were extremely domineering, but in front of Yun Che, he cried like a child. To be able to fight side by side with Yun Che, he didn't even hesitate to leave the Huangji Sacred Domain… a place that profound practitioners across the Tian Xuan Continent wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Even Gu Cang Zhenren, who was always calm and indifferent, was startled. He shook his head, a hint of fluster appearing on his face: "Yuanba, why must you do this?"
Xia Yuanba's gaze was calm, without the slightest sign of hesitation or struggle when facing a choice. His words were firm and resolute: "Master, your disciple is unfilial, and I have surely upset you. But to your disciple, my brother-in-law is a family member I can never betray for the rest of my life. My first life was given by my parents; my second life was exchanged by my brother-in-law with his own life! In my heart, my brother-in-law is as important as my parents. I would rather betray myself, betray my master, betray the Sacred Domain, betray the heavens, than betray my closest kin!"
Gu Cang Zhenren's expression froze. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Xia Yuanba had lost control of his emotions and burst into tears when he saw Yun Che, which had already surprised him… because the Xia Yuanba he knew was an extremely tough person. He never imagined that Xia Yuanba would go this far for Yun Che. It was abundantly clear that the bond between them was far beyond that of ordinary family.
Now, Gu Cang Zhenren deeply regretted bringing Xia Yuanba out. Xia Yuanba's astonishing growth had caused a huge stir even within the Huangji Sacred Domain. His profound veins were unlike those of ordinary people, containing power that even the Sacred Emperor couldn't fathom. Many in the Huangji Sacred Domain believed that, given Xia Yuanba's current terrifying growth rate, his future achievements might even surpass the Sacred Emperor!!
If Xia Yuanba really left the Huangji Sacred Domain because of this, it could be an enormous loss for the entire domain.
The Huangji Sacred Domain was a dreamlike holy land that all profound practitioners sought but could never attain. Yet, even a sacred ground, when faced with a genius of unparalleled talent, would be desperate to keep him and would never be willing to let go.
At that moment, a hand suddenly landed on Xia Yuanba's shoulder. Yun Che patted him and said, "Yuanba, get up. The Huangji Sacred Domain is the foremost of the Four Sacred Grounds. Being able to enter the highest sacred ground on this Tian Xuan level is the dream of all profound practitioners. You don't need to do this for me. I know you're afraid I'll be bullied, but to deal with these people, I'm more than enough alone."
"But…" Xia Yuanba turned his face toward him. He could see Yun Che's condition—clearly just after a fierce battle, with most of his profound force depleted. And the nine people besieging him all had auras far above Yun Che's… This was outright bullying! If the fight continued, defeat would be the least of it; if Yun Che was careless in the slightest, he could lose his life.
Now that he finally had the ability to protect Yun Che, how could he allow anyone to harm him in the slightest! Even if it meant defying his sect, he would stand in front of Yun Che and defeat all nine Phoenix God Sect disciples.
Yun Che shook his head: "Since you have already formally become Gu Cang Zhenren's disciple, and even his personal disciple, abruptly defecting would be somewhat unfilial and would also make your master lose face in front of so many people. I know what you're worried about, but rest assured, I really am enough alone… After all, I'm your brother-in-law. When have I ever let you down?"
Xia Yuanba's eyes wavered. He remembered his irrational admiration for Yun Che back then, how Yun Che had turned the impossible into possible time and again… At that time, in Xia Yuanba's eyes, he truly was an omnipotent person. No matter how powerful the enemy, even those who seemed like myths to him, they ultimately fell before Yun Che.
No matter when, he had never lost.
Even now that he himself had become an Overlord Emperor, that almost blind trust and worship still existed strongly.
"Alright." Even though he was still worried, that deep sense of trust made Xia Yuanba not hesitate long before nodding heavily and choosing to obey: "Then I'll go down below and watch my brother-in-law thoroughly defeat them all… Brother-in-law, you must be careful."
"Don't worry. My life is so tough; I can't die even if I want to." Yun Che laughed heartily.
Xia Yuanba immediately walked down and went to Gu Cang Zhenren's side. Even with Gu Cang Zhenren's calm and indifferent nature, he couldn't help feeling a bit bitter inside. When he, as the master, told him to come down, he directly refused and even unhesitatingly said he would leave the Huangji Sacred Domain. But when Yun Che spoke, with just a few words, he obediently came down.
Ah, ah, ah… What is this all about?
At the same time, he was also puzzled: Why did Yun Che let Xia Yuanba leave? In his current state, it was impossible to defeat nine genius disciples of the Phoenix God Sect? Was it simply because he didn't want Xia Yuanba to leave the Huangji Sacred Domain for his sake?
The Shenhuang profound practitioners, who had been wearing very ugly expressions, all secretly let out a sigh of relief… That was an Overlord Emperor! An eighteen-year-old Overlord Emperor! If he really fought for the Cang Feng Empire, then the Phoenix God Sect would be crushed! Against a true Overlord Emperor, even if there were nine mid-stage King Thrones, or even ninety more, they would be toyed with like dogs.
But Feng Hengkong and Feng Feiyan's faces both darkened simultaneously.
Yun Che absolutely had to die!
And now, a relative from the Huangji Sacred Domain with terrifyingly high talent had appeared! And he was someone willing to go to any lengths to protect Yun Che! This meant Yun Che indirectly had a protective umbrella from the Huangji Sacred Domain!
Then, he absolutely must die even more!
If they didn't take advantage of today to kill him "honorably" in the ranking battle arena, it would be extremely difficult to kill him in the future! Once he fully matured, he would become an incalculably huge threat.
Yun Che straightened his body and grabbed Long Que again. The entire arena fell silent, and all eyes focused on him… No one believed he could defeat a joint attack from nine mid-stage King Thrones, let alone that he had expended a great deal of profound force in the fierce battle with Feng Xiluo. So what was he going to do? Was he going to directly concede?
Without Xia Yuanba's terrifying oppressive aura, the Phoenix disciples' minds finally stabilized, and they approached Yun Che again… Just then, a profound force transmission personally sent by Feng Hengkong reached their ears:
"Immediately activate the Phoenix Domain at full power! Use a nine-layered domain to incinerate him in an instant! Don't give him any chance to admit defeat, surrender, or have someone else step in to save him! Now…!!"