Chapter 797: Demon Sword Assembly 1
Huangji Sacred Domain had a total of over five hundred people seated. Yun Che quickly swept his spiritual sense over them, and though he had been mentally prepared, he was still inwardly shocked. Among those five hundred-plus people, not counting Xia Yuanba, there were actually a full one hundred and sixty-three Emperor Lords!
The remaining nearly four hundred people were all Overlord Emperors at Level 7 or above!
This was the Huangji Sacred Domain, with ten thousand years of heritage and ranked among the Four Sacred Grounds!
Just this one Huangji Sacred Domain alone would likely require six or seven Guardian Clans from the Huan Yao Realm to unite in order to contend with it.
At the very front row of seats, with Gu Cang True Person taking his seat, there were exactly twelve people!
These twelve people had similar attire. Each had white hair and a white beard, with a horsetail whisk in hand, and the aura they emitted was overwhelmingly dense, reaching the extreme... Especially the three seated in the center. When Yun Che's spiritual sense touched their profound energy, it was as if he had suddenly fallen into a boundless, endless ocean, unable to detect any limits at all.
Those three people...
"The twelve people in the front row are the Twelve True Persons of our Sacred Domain," Xia Yuanba said in a low voice beside Yun Che, having noticed the direction of Yun Che's gaze. "The three in the center are the ones I mentioned earlier: Kutong Zhenren, Jiutan Zhenren, and Juexin Zhenren. They are the three Level 10 Emperor Lords of Huangji Sacred Domain, aside from Holy Emperor himself."
Yun Che gave a slight nod. "Experts of this level should have profound energy that is either violent as thunder or mighty as a mountain. But Huangji Sacred Domain seems to be quite different."
"That's because the core of Huangji Sacred Domain's profound arts is the 'Sacred Heart.' The stronger one's profound energy and the higher the level of the profound art, the more one purifies the mind and reduces desires," Xia Yuanba replied, then added in a quieter tone, "Actually, in Huangji Sacred Domain, I am considered a complete outlier."
"Purify the mind and reduce desires?" Yun Che thought of the forces that invaded the Huan Yao Realm a hundred years ago, which certainly included Huangji Sacred Domain, and gave a faint, indifferent smile. "Perhaps other emotions and desires are diminished, but the desire for the profound way is probably not the least bit weak. Otherwise, they wouldn't have mobilized in full force to participate in this Demon Sword Assembly."
While he was probing the Twelve True Persons of Huangji Sacred Domain, several hundred streams of profound energy from the Sacred Domain also swept over him. But no one came forward to speak. The Twelve True Persons and Sacred Domain elders in the front row barely even turned their heads; all their attention was focused on the upcoming Demon Sword Assembly.
"Brother-in-law, there's something I don't understand," Xia Yuanba asked in a low voice. "Why did you send Xue'er away?"
He didn't believe that Yun Che did it for the face of the Fenghuang God Sect.
Yun Che's breath caught. He slightly closed his eyes and transmitted his voice to Xia Yuanba using condensed profound energy: "Xiao Yun has been missing for three days."
"What—" Xia Yuanba was greatly shocked and nearly jumped up. He quickly transmitted back, "What happened? Who did it?"
"With Xiao Yun and his wife's strength, and with Tianxia Diyi protecting them, someone managed to take Xiao Yun away without a sound... On Tian Xuan Continent, there are not many who can achieve this."
Xia Yuanba's brow sank. "The Four Sacred Grounds... Could it be Tian Wei Sword Domain!?"
He was beginning to understand why Yun Che had been so harsh toward Xuanyuan Wentian earlier.
"Ten to one, I'd say so." Yun Che let out a slight breath. "When we encountered Xuanyuan Wentian on the way to the Slay Moon Demon Cave, the look in his eyes when he saw me, and the words he said, already made me feel something was off."
"How outrageous!" Xia Yuanba clenched both fists, veins bulging on his forehead. "Tian Wei Sword Domain is, after all, one of the Four Sacred Grounds, and yet they do something like this... Huh? But why would they kidnap Xiao Yun? What reason?"
"Most likely, my identity as the son of the Yun Clan of the Huan Yao Realm has already been exposed. They also know Xiao Yun's identity. Aside from that, I can't think of any other reason," Yun Che transmitted quietly.
These words made Xia Yuanba realize the severity of the situation, and it was by no means ordinary. He grabbed Yun Che's arm and said urgently, "Since it's likely already exposed, why are you still staying here! You should know that the Huan Yao Realm is demonized on Tian Xuan Continent. Today, all the heroes of the world are gathered here. If this matter is made public, you will become a target of public criticism!"
"I know, but I can't abandon Xiao Yun."
These words made Xia Yuanba's heart sink. He knew that with this reason, no amount of persuasion would be of any use.
"Yuanba, you don't need to worry too much," Yun Che said calmly. "The situation might not be as serious as you think. I have the Primordial Mystic Ark on me. As long as the Ark is not exposed, I can retreat unscathed from any situation... For now, let's wait and see."
"However, if things really reach the worst-case scenario, Yuanba, you must remember to draw a clear line with me! Don't forget, the other three Sacred Grounds are secretly jealous that Huangji Sacred Domain has produced a disciple like you with the Overlord Emperor Divine Meridian. Even within the Sacred Domain, the Holy Emperor's adopted sons and their supporters definitely see you as a thorn in their side. If my identity is truly exposed in public and you try to protect me, they will use it to label you as a 'demon.' So at that time, you absolutely must not—"
At that moment, Yun Che's brows suddenly tightened, and his eyes instantly turned icy cold... because a freezing killing intent had locked firmly onto him.
"Yun Che, you little brat! Hand over your life!"
This sudden explosive shout was like a thunderclap, startling every expert present. From the seating area on the right side of the Sacred Domain, a green-robed old man leaped up and lunged toward Yun Che like a great eagle.
And this person, Yun Che had never seen before.
The incident happened so suddenly that no one expected anyone to dare launch an attack at this Demon Sword Assembly venue. Moreover, because the seating of Huangji Sacred Domain was close by, the moment the roar sounded, the green-robed old man had already rushed in front of Yun Che, his profound energy forming a sword, clearly intending to kill directly... Even if others wanted to block him, they couldn't reach in time.
Yun Che did not move. Xia Yuanba had already sprung up, roaring as he punched out.
Boom!!
A ring-shaped airwave exploded in midair, violently scattering a thin cloud above. The two forces of Sovereign Xuan Realm collided across the distance, locking in a stalemate. Xia Yuanba's expression was fierce, while the green-robed old man's face showed shock, as if he couldn't believe that his power had been so easily received by a junior like Xia Yuanba.
"Get lost!"
Xia Yuanba roared again. His already thick arm suddenly doubled in size, and the force he unleashed instantly transformed from a storm into a hurricane.
Bang!!
The sword light formed by the green-robed old man's profound energy shattered instantly. His entire body was sent flying back several hundred zhang as if struck by a massive hammer, finally stopping with great difficulty. A faint pallor spread across his face.
Xia Yuanba, on the other hand, only stepped back slightly. His eyes were as fierce as before, and the aura erupting from his body suffocated countless profound practitioners present... Many of them, along with the green-robed old man, changed color in shock.
Yun Che did not recognize this green-robed old man, but among the Four Sacred Grounds, almost everyone knew him.
He was an elder of Tian Wei Sword Domain... and one of its top ten elders!
His profound strength was at the powerful Level 7 of the Sovereign Xuan Realm!
Yet he was punched away by Xia Yuanba, clearly at a disadvantage!
Numerous gazes filled with deep shock locked onto Xia Yuanba. Some even gasped. To be able to enter the Sea God Platform meant they were the elite of the Tian Xuan Continent. Even if he was that "Duotian Old Man," even if he was the Heavenly King himself, I wouldn't fear him! Let's see how he manages to keep your life from my hands!"
Yun Che: "..."
"Ridiculous!" Xia Yuanba said disdainfully. "If you want to touch my brother-in-law, you'll have to get past me first! But you can't even beat a junior like me, yet you shamelessly provoke my brother-in-law's master. Aren't you afraid of making people laugh their teeth out!"
"You!" Xuanyuan Jue's eyes bulged, and he nearly spat blood.
"Yuanba, do not be rude," Gu Cang True Person said indifferently.