Chapter 424: The Young King
The sky was azure blue, like a giant crystal, untainted by a single impurity. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, brimming with infinite vitality.
The Northern Domain was monotonous and arid, lacking the breath of life. The earth was a deep red, stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles without a trace of human habitation, desolate and bleak, with not even a bird in sight.
Now, it had entered the depths of winter. Snow fell for a million miles, blanketing the land in silver, a vast expanse of white.
At this moment, drifting along with the water, Ye Fan floated downstream.
Ye Fan was not in a hurry to travel. He lay on a lone boat, carefully contemplating the various difficulties he would face and the methods to deal with them.
The river was not wide, nor was it swift. The banks were overgrown with water plants. The scent of grass mixed with the smell of earth, allowing him to feel the boundless nature.
From time to time, fish leaped from the water, splashing up droplets and revealing their white bellies, a lively scene.
As night fell, Ye Fan took out his wineskin, drank a few mouthfuls of wine, ate half a roast chicken, and lay down on the lone boat to sleep peacefully, letting the little boat drift naturally downstream.
"Bang"
In the middle of the night, this small boat collided with a larger ship ahead. Ye Fan woke up, realizing he had unknowingly entered a wide river.
The stars were scattered like dots. The large ship in the river was dozens of zhang long, its lights flickering. Many people looked down from it, and someone spoke, "Who's there? You hit our ship!"
"My apologies, everyone." Ye Fan cupped his hands in apology.
The people on the ship were quite reasonable. Seeing that Ye Fan's small boat was damaged, they lowered a rope to let him board.
"Thank you, everyone." Ye Fan wanted to learn some information about this region from these people, so he didn't refuse their kindness.
This was a large ship that sailed the river year-round. It carried ordinary mortals as well as many cultivators. Many people couldn't sleep at night and stood on the deck chatting.
Ye Fan paid some silver coins to the ship's owner and officially became a passenger. He listened attentively to their discussions.
"These days, the world's heroes are gathering in the Northern Domain. First, the shocking inheritance of Emperor Wu Shi, and then the rumors of the ancient Devouring Demon Jar. It's truly stirring up the world's storms."
Some cultivators were sighing, discussing the major events of the recent period.
Ye Fan was inwardly surprised. The Devouring Demon Jar was really about to appear. An Miaoyi's words were not false. However, he had distanced himself from the storm's center and did not go to join that commotion.
There was bound to be immense danger involved. Although An Miaoyi hadn't said it directly, she had given enough hints for him not to go and not to ask why.
"Speaking of which, the Sacred Body is too unfortunate. He broke a curse that had lasted over a hundred thousand years, only to end up facing death in the end."
"Indeed. Not long ago, he drew the world's attention, but this is the result. A pity, a shame. He possessed combat power that could rival the younger generation, yet he couldn't last long in this world."
"He can be considered a fallen talent of his generation. In the future, there will be one less person with the potential to approach the Great Emperor. For the various Holy Sons, they can breathe a sigh of relief."
Many people felt regret when talking about the Sacred Body. Otherwise, the fierce struggles among the younger generation in the days to come would surely lead to endless great battles. This outcome meant that much excitement would be lost.
"What is the Sacred Body? In this great era where all kings rise together, he will still fade into the crowd, not worth mentioning." A man dressed in black iron armor spoke abruptly.
Many people were startled. No one had noticed when he appeared. He was like a ghost, manifesting out of thin air.
Only Ye Fan saw this man step out from the void in a single stride. He was extremely extraordinary, surprising even Ye Fan. He was definitely a top expert of the younger generation.
"Who are you? Why do you say that?" Someone was dissatisfied with his words.
"Who I am is not important. I am merely stating a fact. In the bygone ancient era, I never heard of a Sacred Body becoming a Great Emperor. When all kings rise together, he will certainly not be the most brilliant."
This was a very young man, tall and straight, with handsome features. His eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky. The black battle armor he wore gleamed with a cold metallic luster.
In his hand, he held a black war halberd. Its blade was extremely sharp, with faint traces of bloodlight hidden within. Countless killing intents were sealed inside, as if it had drunk the blood of millions of living beings.
"Throughout history, how many Great Emperors have there been? In an era without emperors, I'm afraid not many could contend with the Sacred Body." The people on the ship could tell he was extraordinary and dared not speak too harshly.
"This great era will surely produce a Great Emperor. Otherwise, it would be an insult to so many ancient king bodies appearing at the same time. The Sacred Body won't make it; he cannot stand out." The young man's face was cold and stern as he kept shaking his head.
Set off by the gleaming black iron armor, his skin was very fair, but without any trace of femininity. His black hair fluttered in the wind, and he was like a deity from the Nine Netherworlds.
"Young man, you are confident and strong, but since ancient times, out of billions upon billions of people, only a few Great Emperors have emerged. Saying that one will appear in this era is far too fanciful."
"This era is very similar to over a hundred thousand years ago. All kinds of powerful physiques are appearing one after another. A figure like Emperor Wu Shi will definitely be born." The young man said in a very certain tone, flames of brilliance flickering in his eyes.
"This..." The others were stunned. Many had heard such rumors before.
"Ye Huiling, aren't you coming out? Let's settle our battle without further delay. I want to end it soon!" The young man in black iron armor, holding his war halberd, stood on the deck and transmitted his voice.
"Wang Chongxiao, you came quickly enough!" A woman walked out from the second floor of the ship. Her steps were light and graceful. She wore a blue dress that fluttered in the night breeze.
She was only about twenty years old. Her appearance and temperament matched her name. Her beauty was stunning, ethereal and pure. Her black hair was like a waterfall, her skin so delicate it seemed it would break at a touch, and her eyes were lively and spirited.
She floated down onto the deck, standing gracefully. Her immortal posture was moving, like an orchid in an empty valley. In her peerless beauty, there was a quiet, transcendent quality.
"What? They are the young kings of the Central Province's younger generation? I heard they fought their way all the way to the Eastern Wasteland!"
"That's right. I've heard long ago that the younger generation of the Central Province has a king battle, fought with earth-shattering force. Each of them possesses innate secret arts, and even senior figures cannot stop them."
The cultivators on the large ship were all shocked. They didn't expect to meet the young kings of the Central Province here. They were indeed extraordinary and would surely engage in a fierce dragon-and-tiger struggle.
"I don't want to fight you to the death anytime soon, Wang Chongxiao. Why are you pursuing me so relentlessly?" Ye Huiling's voice was soft and pleasant.
"I know you have obtained the legendary 'Heaven-Covering Treasure Robe.' You want to use it to isolate your own aura and enter a Forbidden Zone of Life to pick the Divine Immortality Pill, am I right?" Wang Chongxiao's voice was calm.
Hearing these words, Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat. A young king from the Central Province had come with a peerless treasure robe, sharing the same goal as him. This was not good news.
The other party had come to this region, most likely choosing the same destination as him. This was definitely a powerful competitor.
"You're wrong. How could I easily enter? I only wanted to use the Heaven-Covering Treasure Robe to take a look at the edge of the Forbidden Zone of Life." Ye Huiling shook her head, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Since you don't dare to enter, then hand over the Heaven-Covering Treasure Robe to me. I'll go gather the Divine Immortality Pill!" Wang Chongxiao sneered.
They had fought all the way from the Central Province to the Eastern Wasteland, clashing countless times. They were evenly matched, but the later stages would become more intense. The king's duel was a battle of life and death.
"Since there's no choice, then let's fight!" Ye Huiling's words were gentle, but she showed no weakness.
"All of you, leave. No one is allowed to look back and watch the battle, or you will be killed without mercy!" Wang Chongxiao's voice was icy as he swept his gaze over everyone on the ship.
The ship's owner quickly ordered the vessel to move. He didn't want to provoke the young kings of the Central Province. In the entire world, there were probably few among the younger generation who could contend with them.
Wang Chongxiao leaped into the void. His black iron armor gleamed with cold light. His hair danced, and he stood with his war halberd, looking exactly like a King of Hell.
Ye Huiling's blue dress fluttered. She was ethereal and clear, standing quietly under the night sky. A jade flute appeared in her hand, crystal clear, engraved with complex and profound Dao patterns. A great Dao aura flowed around her as she merged with heaven and earth.
"This is too arrogant! How dare they act like this in our Eastern Wasteland? What right do they have to forbid us from watching?" Some young cultivators were very dissatisfied.
"Are they really kings comparable to the Divine King Physique?"
"Don't say that. They are indeed ancient king body inheritances that haven't appeared for many years. Don't conflict with them. Otherwise, no one can withstand even a single blow from them."
Wang Chongxiao coldly glanced at the large ship in the river and said in a harsh tone, "All of you, disappear immediately!"
"This is too overbearing! Does he really think he has already become the sovereign of the world, giving orders in my Eastern Wasteland?" Someone was extremely displeased.
Wang Chongxiao sneered, "I may not yet be the sovereign of the world, but I am not someone like you, an ant, who can criticize from behind. In this generation of the Eastern Wasteland, there are very few who can catch my eye."
"That's going too far!" Someone rushed into the sky, his body blazing with purple light like a shining star. It was a heroic young man who shouted, "What right do you have to look down on the cultivators of the Eastern Wasteland?"
"Because I am the king of the younger generation of the Central Province!" Wang Chongxiao's face was cold, not even deigning to look at him.
"This is Xu Yueming, the chief disciple of the superpower Moon Worship Sect. He is a cultivator at the Four Extremes Great Perfection realm, a top expert of the younger generation." Someone exclaimed in surprise, not expecting such a strong person on the ship.
"Let me see if this so-called king of yours lives up to his name!" Xu Yueming charged forward.
"A grain of rice dares to shine before the sun!" Wang Chongxiao sneered. He didn't use his war halberd. Behind him appeared a terrifying black wall, exuding a divine aura.
Countless divine swords and magical treasures were inserted into it, a scene of mystery and obscurity! Without turning his head, he slowly drew a blood-red divine sword. The tip of the sword spat out a crimson beam that shot into the sky. He swung the sword down.
"Pfft!"
Blood splattered. Xu Yueming was cleaved in two. It was as if he were fighting against a deity, powerless to turn the tide. He couldn't block it at all, and even his weapon was shattered into pieces.
"This..."
Everyone was stunned, their hearts and gallbladders chilled. The young king of the Central Province was too terrifying. With a single strike, he had cleaved a Four Extremes Great Perfection expert in two!
"Clang!"
Wang Chongxiao didn't turn around. He thrust the blood-red divine sword back into the black wall behind him. The various divine weapons and treasures flashed with light before disappearing along with the terrifying black demonic wall.
"Cough..." On the ship, Ye Fan coughed up blood. He wiped it clean with a silk handkerchief and quietly looked up at the sky.
"In my view, aside from the Ji Family's Divine King Physique, Holy Son Yao Guang, and a few others, the Eastern Wasteland is utterly useless!" Wang Chongxiao's black hair danced, his eyes deep. Like a King of Hell, his black iron armor was cold and oppressive as he looked down on everyone on the ship.