The Legend of Futian - Chapter 55: White Feather Garments

Upon the arrival of the guests, the celebration began. Drinks were exchanged and the sound of laughter and conversation filled the air. The older party-goers formed their own small circle while the younger party-goers did the same. Other than presenting their gifts and exchanging words of common courtesy, everyone was discussing interesting new happenings within the City of Donghai. Somewhere along the line someone brought up the topic of Qingzhou City.

"I heard that the historical remains of 'that person' were discovered in the City of Qingzhou, and that you even went to investigate personally. Is that true, Xia Fan?" someone asked with their sight set on Xia Fan.

By 'that person' they obviously meant Emperor Ye Qing but because he was a taboo character in the Divine Prefectures of the East Sea, it would be inappropriate to use his name in a public place such as this.

"It is true indeed. However, a demon king, or perhaps even higher leveled Snow Ape demon stood guard there and we were unable to enter. My younger brother even lost his life at the hands of that monster," said Xia Feng.

"What Chief Xia Feng said is true. I wanted to take part in it like every else and traveled to Qingzhou City. Indeed, no one was able to get close to the historical site. I heard that the path was blocked by demons and monsters," said Lin Xiyue's father. Many people nodded in agreement. Many powerful individuals have sent their people to Qingzhou, but they all returned with no results.

"If really was a demon of higher level than a demon king, then forget about us. Probably even the Nandou Nation wouldn't be able to do anything about it," someone sighed.

Hearing their words, Ye Futian felt a twinge of sadness. If the Snow Ape had not refused to leave the mountains, then Ye Futian would not have to beware of his every move in Donghai City. He would have been able to do whatever he pleased, even in the Nandou Nation. Ye Futian debated whether or not he should find time to head back to Mount Tianyao to persuade the Snow Ape to leave with him.

"Brother Lin, your daughter, Lin Xiyue should be about 16-years-old now, right? She's getting more beautiful by the day," said Lord Luo. His eyes drifted to Lin Xiyue in the crowd. Her beautiful eyes contained a hint of timidness.

"Thank you for your compliment, Lord Luo," said Lin Xiyue's father.

"Has she been betrothed?" asked Lord Luo.

"Not yet, but she is still young. She is still focusing all her attention on cultivation. There's no hurry," answered her father.

"That is true, but looking around this venue, there are many worthy young men. It couldn't hurt to meet them," chuckled Lord Luo.

"Speaking of worthy young men, I heard that the Art Saint's disciple, Zhou Mu, is already in the five-starred Glory Plane," Lin Xiyue's father said. He looked over at Zhou Mu, who stood behind the Art Saint.

"It's all thanks to Master's guidance." Zhou Mu smiled lightly in response.

"Nandou Kai beside Nandou Wenshan does not pale in comparison to Zhou Mu," the Art Saint said modestly as he looked at Nandou Wenshan.

"Nandou Kai is slightly older and his gift is not half bad, but in comparison with Zhou Mu, he is still lacking. He will need to work harder," said Nandou Wenshan.

"How is she doing?" the Art Saint asked suddenly. Nandou Wenshan was stunned, but then shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "My younger sister is still the same."

"I heard that her daughter is back and is an exceptional person. Zhou Mu keeps pestering me to let them meet," the Art Saint continued to speak. Everyone exchanged a look. Indeed, the Art Saint was trying to set up his disciple with the young miss of the Nandou family. Shockingly, he did not seem to care that she was the Guqin Devil's daughter. It was probably a "love someone and love everything about them" type of situation. After all, the Art Saint had always been madly in love with 'that' person.

"It is true, Hua Jieyu is exceptional. She is now practising cultivation at the School of the Emperor Star within Donghai Academy." Nandou Wenshan smiled.

Upon hearing this exchange, his heart was no longer calm. The Art Saint wanted to set up his disciple with Hua Jieyu? In addition, it seemed that Nandou Wenshan was the older brother of Master's wife, which would make him Hua Jieyu's uncle.

"Hua Jieyu's gifts are top-notch within the Emperor Star school. It would be hard to find a person who could compare with her in all of Donghai Academy," said an elder of the School of the Emperor Star. Since Hua Jieyu was a student of his school, he knew quite a bit about her.

"You guys are all complimenting her. It makes me want to meet the young miss of the Nandou family." Lord Luo laughed.

"Hua Jieyu?" Xia Fan's lips twitched into a wicked smile. His eyes landed on Ye Futian, who was playing the guqin. In the City of Qingzhou, he had seen Hua Jieyu and Ye Futian together by the lake. The relationship between the two did not seem like that of ordinary friends. Xia Fan wondered, what would happen if the Nandou family found out the ambiguous relationship between Hua Jieyu and Ye Futian?

Just the thought of this brought a smile to Xia Fan's face. Of course, there were other ways to crush Ye Futian. He did not have to do it this way. If he were to expose their relationship in a setting like this, he might offend the Nandou family. After all, they were a big, powerful family, and cared a lot about their reputation. Hua Jieyu was also the apple of their eyes. They would not permit anyone to try to drag her through the mud.

Ye Futian felt that something was amiss and lifted his head to look at Xia Fan. Right now, everyone was talking about Hua Jieyu, so Ye Futian knew immediately what Xia Fan might have been thinking. He could not help but raise his eyebrows at Xia Fan. As a person, Xia Fan was sinister and treacherous, a truly despicable person. Ye Futian had gotten a taste of this back in the City of Qingzhou.

"When the chance comes, I shall have Hua Jieyu come to pay respect to you, Lord Luo." Nandou Wenshan smiled at Lord Luo's words. "You should stop talking about Hua Jieyu now. Since we have so many talented young people gathered here today, and since Lord Luo is in such a good mood, why don't we have the youngster perform?"

"That's right! This would be the perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse at all the young talent in the City of Donghai," someone chimed in.

This piqued Lord Luo's interest as well. Thus, he went on to say, "Then, let's have any youngsters willing to perform show off their skills in front of us elders. There shall be hefty rewards for the best performances."

"Lin Xiyue, how about you go first?" Lord Luo set his sight on Lin Xiyue.

She blinked a couple times then nodded with a smile. With light steps, she carried herself to the middle of the crowd. "Lord Luo, I hope you will enjoy my lacking performance." After she spoke, Water Spiritual Qi began to gather around her. Her hands danced in the air, carrying the Spiritual Qi with her every movement. Slowly, the character for 'longevity' formed in midair and floated towards Lord Luo. It only disappeared once it had reached him.

"Lin Xiyue, you're already a three-starred Glory Plane sorcerer! How fast. That was very interesting," complimented Lord Luo.

"Thank you for your compliments," said Lin Xiyue. She bowed to him and retreated into the crowd.

A young man stepped up. "I will perform a sword dance for you, Lord Luo." He drew out the sword he carried on his person, and it began to dance through the air. With every slash of the sword a stroke was left in the air. When the young man finished his performance, five words were left in midair: May you achieve boundless eternity."

"Nice!" Many people applauded him. Following that, other youths continued to put on their performances to present their blessings and best wishes to Lord Luo. At the same time, they were able to put their talents on display. Their performances brightened up the atmosphere of the party venue.

"Brother Hua, does your disciple not wish to perform?" someone asked the Art Saint. The Art Saint's surname was Hua, a different Hua from Hua Fengliu.

"Go," commanded the Art Saint.

"Yes, Master," answered Zhou Mu. Stepping up, he held a pencil in his hand. Then, he laid out a large piece of paper on the bright golden yellow carpet. Zhou Mu bent down and began to draw.

"It's rare to see Zhou Mu in action. We are all so lucky to be able to witness the Art Saint's disciple in action," said one of the youths in the crowd. All the youngsters at the venue admired Zhou Mu.

"I've never seen a conjurer in action before, so I don't know what it's like," said a young girl. Her eyes glowed in interest as she observed Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu drew with great speed. His movements were natural and graceful. Lord Luo complimented, "Brother Hua, your disciple has such a grand aura for a person of his age."

"That's true," everyone else agreed. Even Yun Rou and her group of dancers tried to look on as they danced. Ye Futian was also aware of all the happenings, despite playing with his head down.

He was thinking to himself. Hua Fengliu and the Art Saint were old rivals, not only in power, but also in love. To be able to take Mistress away from someone like the Art Saint, Ye Futian could only imagine how charming Hua Fengliu must have been in the past. If Hua Fengliu did not have his powers disabled, then he probably could have been like admired and respected like the Art Saint. To have ended up in his situation, Ye Futian felt really bad for Hua Fengliu.

Zhou Mu drew as Ye Futian played the guqin. One was the disciple of the Art Saint, one was the disciple of the Guqin Devil. However, everyone's focus was on Zhou Mu. Finally, Zhou Mu's work was complete. A Fire Phoenix escaped from the artwork and circled the skies above. Covered in the flames, it let out a screech. Then, it landed by Lord Luo's side and began to dance for him.

"Bravo!"

"Wonderful!"

"The phoenix is a symbol of success. What a wonderful omen. We wouldn't have expected anything less of the Young Art Saint." Everyone was full of praise for Zhou Mu. Even Lord Luo gave him a look and smile of approval. He said, "You shall be rewarded,"

"Thank you, my lord," Zhou Mu bowed and then returned to his spot by his master.

"Watching Zhou Mu, I was reminded of a person. A couple days ago, Nandou Ku paid a visit to the Guqin Gardens and saw Hua Fengliu," said Nandou Wenshan. In a split second, he had captured everyone's attention. The Guqin Devil was back in the City of Donghai?

"However, he's handicapped now and is being protected by Tang Lan. He even took in a disciple," Nandou Wenshan elaborated.

"Handicapped?" Everyone was shocked.

Even the Art Saint was surprised. "What a shame."

"Why is it a shame? Even if he weren't handicapped, he wouldn't dare show his face in front of you, Art Saint." Someone laughed.

"That's right! In the past, Hua Fengliu had no understanding of his own capabilities and brought the humiliation on to himself. Who would've thought he would still have the nerve to come back after becoming disabled? Would he even be able to groom the disciple he took in? If his disciple met with Zhou Mu, he would probably have to walk in the other direction," another person mocked Hua Fengliu.

"He can only live under someone else's protection now. Why is he even thinking about anything else?" People began to speak up against Hua Fengliu. All their words were meant to suck up to the Art Saint.

Xia Fan watched Ye Futian. He could not wait to see how long it would take for Ye Futian to explode in anger.

Just as everyone was enjoying their time making fun of Hua Fengliu, they were interrupted by the sounds of the guqin. The style has shifted. The once soft notes were getting louder and faster as well. Slowly, Yun Rou and the other dancers became influenced by the music. The women began to dance their hearts away, their long dresses flowed with their movements. They all looked like goddesses.

Under the influence of the music, the youngsters got more excited and the elders were in an even better mood now. The atmosphere of the entire party venue was pushed to the highest point.

"What piece is this?" asked the Art Saint. His eyes drifted toward Ye Futian. Not only him, but the other high authority figures as well felt something amiss. Their emotions were being controlled by the music.

The youths at the party were getting agitated and the dancers on stage looked like they were unable to pull themselves away from the music.

Behind the stage, a young man was playing his instrument silently. He seemed to be in a world of his own. His looks could be said to be one of the best amongst the younger party-goers. When he played, he released a mystical force that was incorporated into his music.

"The Melody of the White Feathers Garment. Who are you?" The Art Saint's gaze sharpened and his utterance interrupted the music. Many people began to wake up from their previous trance. The all stared at the young guqin player in shock.

They watched as the young man lifted his head slowly. His eyes were clear and clean with no sense of lowliness. Looking towards Lord Luo, he spoke. "I am the Guqin Devil's disciple, Ye Futian. I am here to convey blessings in place of my Master with a single piece. The Melody of the White Feathers Garment."

The Legend of Futian - Chapter 54: Banquet in the Luo Palace

All the music and dances for the birthday banquet of Lord Luo had been settled, and the musician left after he had taught Ye Futian the songs he was assigned to play. The steward also repeatedly told him some dos and don'ts for the next day.

Ye Futian was left in the palace to rehearse with a group of girls. Their figures and facial features were all top-notch, especially the leader. She was about eighteen-years-old, extraordinarily sexy, but with a face full of the youthfulness of a younger girl. When she was dancing in that dress made of chiffon, it was possible for any man to fall in love with her.

Ye Futian kept his head low while playing the song. A sweet and charming voice suddenly spoke. "Why don't you raise your head?"

A gorgeous face soon appeared in front of him. He smiled and replied, "You are so charming that once I see you, I feel distracted."

"You do know how to compliment girls," she chuckled. Her skirt swung onto the guqin.

"Just come and join us." She started dancing again and seemed to be luring him intentionally. Most of the musicians were just old men, so she was surprised that the assigned musician this time was such a young and pretty boy.

"Sorry Miss, I have a girlfriend," Ye Futian smiled at her. The girl was dumbfounded for a moment, then started chuckling again along with the girls around her.

"What are you talking about? Remember, my name is Yun Rou, and in the future, I will marry a very powerful cultivator. You are too young to pique my interest," Yun Rou made fun of him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ye Futian," he replied, and then the rehearsal continued. They told Ye Futian that tomorrow, at the birthday banquet of Lord Luo, there would be many influential people of the City of Donghai attending.

However, these girls didn't have any further information. In this continent, the talents of cultivation determined everything. Even a gorgeous girl who was born to a mundane family could not gain much advantage from her beauty. She might marry a powerful cultivator, but most likely, she'd end up a concubine rather than a wife. Even worse, since powerful cultivators tended to look for younger women, affairs would become an inevitable fate on the man's side of the marriage as time went by.

　　...

The next day, the Luo Palace became boisterous in the morning. A lot of servants were busy preparing for the banquet and hosting the visitors.

The rehearsals kept going. After lunch, there started to be more and more visitors crowding into the banquet room.

Ye Futian and the girls were already in place.

The banquet was opulent. The center spot was reserved for Lord Luo, the guest of honor, as he was the one being celebrated. Then, there were seats arranged in rows on both sides of Lord Luo's spot. Apparently, the people who were seated closer to Lord Luo were of higher status in this city.

There was a broad space between these two rows, and behind the seats, there was a stage with a golden carpet. That was where Ye Futian and the girls were to perform. It was designed to liven up the banquet without distracting the guests.

Before the guests were seated, the show had already started. The whole room was filled with laughter. Lin Xiyue and Xiao He were among the first group of people entering the room. While they were getting ushered into their seats, Lin Xiyue noticed Ye Futian and smiled at him.

"Such a pity that you're rarely attracted to a boy, and the one you pick is only a musician," Xiao He joked. Lin Xiyue gave her a stare. "Stop that."

A pretty handsome boy came to them and asked with a smile, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, Mr. Luo," Lin Xiyue shook her head.

"Xiyue, people told me that you brought that musician to this place. Is he your friend?" the boy asked.

"We've met twice. He told me that he wanted to come here and broaden his horizons, so I did him a favor. You're fine with that, aren't you?" Lin Xiyue answered.

"It's okay. In fact, if he wants, to, he can stay here as long as he wants." The boy was still laughing.

"Okay, I'll ask him after the banquet is over," Lin Xiyue said.

"Sure. See you later." The boy left. Xiao He whispered to Xiyue: "Young Lord Luo seemed to be attracted to you, girl."

"I already told you to stop." Lin Xiyue felt awkward.

"I'm serious. I know he doesn't look as cute as Ye Futian, but what about his status?" Xiao He didn't want to stop. Lin Xiyue gave up; she knew that this girl liked to joke.

Young girls had all kinds of fantasies. Apparently, Ye Futian did not understand what they were thinking at all.

Suddenly, someone entered the room, walking with majestic steps. He was apparently of high status in this place. People stopped chatting and greeted him, "Happy birthday, Lord Luo."

Ye Futian also raised his head and looked at Lord Luo. He had an absolutely commanding and dignified appearance.

"Long time no see, Lord Luo. You actually look younger than the last time we met," someone walked up to him and said.

"Lord Luo, happy birthday from the Lin Family."

People started to queue up to send birthday congratulations.

"Lord Luo, happy birthday from the Xia Family," a bright and clear voice sounded.

"I appreciate it, Lord Xia," Lord Luo replied with a smile. The title of Lord Luo was merely conferred without substantial authority. In fact, Xia Feng, the head of the Xia family, was the most powerful man in this city. Still, there were some other people almost equally dignified in this city, such as the head of the Nandou Family, the supervisors of schools at Donghai Academy, and a few others.

Behind Xia Feng, there was a young man who bowed slightly to Lord Luo. "Greetings, Lord Luo. I'm Xia Fan."

"Mr. Xia Fan, you have grown up!" Lord Luo complimented.

"Don't praise him, Lord Luo. He's been dawdling all the time. With your compliment, I'm afraid it's going to be worse," Xia Feng joked.

Coincidently, Ye Futian raised his head at this moment, and soon noticed Xia Fan. The moment he saw Xia Fan, he gave him an icy glare.

After Xia Feng and Xia Fan were seated, Xia Fan started enjoying the show. When he saw Yun Rou, he felt very attracted to this beautiful girl. However, soon he noticed that Ye Futian was sitting behind her, playing. He frowned and felt very confused.

How could Ye Futian be here?

How had he survived after jumping into the canyon? Had the ferocious Snow Ape just let him go?

Ye Futian was also looking at Xia Fan. They stared at each other, and Ye Futian perceived the contempt in Xia Fan's eyes. Xia Fan had believed Ye Futian was just a nobody, someone that Xia Fan did not care was alive or dead.

Xia Fan was the young Lord of Donghai Province. He could entirely ignore Ye Futian due to their vast gap in status. He knew that Hua Fengliu, the only patron of Ye Futian, was now crippled. The only thing he felt frustrated about was that his uncle had died at the hands of the Snow Ape in that fight.

"Who are you looking at?" Xia Feng asked.

"Nothing. I just saw someone interesting," Xia Fan responded. It was extremely interesting that the disciple of the Guqin Devil was now serving in this room as a musician.

Ye Futian became peaceful and kept playing. He wasn't worried about running into Xia Fan at this place. He was already a student of Donghai Academy, so no one would be allowed to try to kill him this time, no matter how powerful they were.

"Happy birthday from the Nandou family," another congratulation came. Lord Luo looked at the person approaching and started laughing. "Long time no see, Mr. Nandou."

There were two men from the Nandou family. One was middle-aged, and one was young. They were Nandou Wenshan and his son, Nandou Kai. They had come here on behalf of the Nandou family. Since they were the leaders of the Nandou family, attending this banquet represented the respect they held for Lord Luo.

"Long time no see, Lord Luo," Nandou Wenshan replied. Lord Luo ushered these two into the seats closest to himself.

"So, Wenshan, you do come here," another voice said, and Nandou Wenshan stood up from his seat to greet the new group of people that had just entered the room.

"Why did you come here together?" Nandou Wenshan laughed.

"We met each other on the way here." One of them had a complexion as clear as jade. He was casually dressed for this banquet, but it was obvious that he was not someone common. The other one was an old man, but still in good shape. He laughed at Lord Luo and greeted him. "I am here on behalf of Donghai Academy."

"Thanks so much," Lord Luo replied with his body slightly bowed down. He then ushered these two men into their seats, also the ones closest to him.

This group of people was now having a conversation. They were among the most influential people in the city.

"Mr. Art Saint has been friends with Lord Luo for a long time. He's attended his birthday banquet every year."

"It's said that Mr. Art Saint has reached a higher plane than he was in last year. The person who is with him actually runs the School of the Emperor Star at Donghai Academy."

"I believe the young man behind him must be Zhou Mu. He is already a Five-star Glory Plane invoker, a true genius. People say that Art Saint is trying to form a political marriage between Zhou Mu and the daughter of the Nandou Family."

"I think Art Saint is trying to make up for his mistakes of the past. I'm afraid that this job is not going to be easy. The princess of the Nandou family is supremely gorgeous, talented, and so treasured by the Nandou family that they don't want to trade her for political interest," people were whispering to each other.

They lowered their voices to avoid being heard, but Ye Futian still learned a lot of information from all the talk. He looked at the middle-aged man with the bright complexion and realized that this man was Art Saint, who had destroyed Hua Fengliu's natal spirit.

He soon understood why Tang Lan had told him it would be impossible to ask for help from Lord Luo. Lord Luo was long-time friends with Hua Fengliu's nemesis.

He felt upset, as it seemed that his attempt to get help was all in vain.

However, he had obtained a lot of information about the political situation in the City of Donghai.

He was still curious about the relationship between Hua Jieyu and the representative of the Nandou family.

The Legend of Futian - Chapter 53: The Luo Palace

There hadn't been many opportunities for Ye Futian to cultivate in peace. So naturally, he did not want to bother with the thought of the challenge. He did not know who Jing Yang was and it did not matter if he was a prodigy. None of this had anything to do with Ye Futian. Defeating Jing Yang would only draw more attention to himself and would have no benefit for him. It might even bring about more problems.

The students of the School of the Flirting Star continued to throw insults at Ye Futian, but he paid them no attention. He was not listening to any of their comments. Unbeknownst to him, Ye Futian broke through another plane while he cultivated silently. He was now a three-starred Glory Plane in both martial and divination arts. During his silent cultivation, he was also able to learn a large number of new spells.

Ye Futian was attempting a battle tactic which was a combination of martial and divination arts in his dorm. He specialized in the sorcery of different elements, so if he was able to incorporate his powerful martial arts abilities into his sorcery, his combat would be able to reach new levels.

Yu Sheng watched him from the side. He said to Ye Futian, "Of the seven elements, you have cultivated in all of them with corresponding spells—all except for the element of water."

Although Ye Futian could perceive all elements, he did not have a Water Elemental Life Spirit, so his gift in this element was on the weaker side. For the time being, he did not have the ability to cultivate the element of water.

Other than that, he was at the highest level of cultivation in all of the other elements. His Natal Spirit was the World Tree, which was Wood Elemental. He had already begun to cultivate in this element even though he knew that there was a chance that the Natal Spirit would never be released in front of others.

"These are all spells chosen by me. There's no harm in learning more." Ye Futian smiled and said, "I have to step out and take care of some things so I might not make it back tonight. Work hard on cultivating and quickly make it to the four-starred Glory Plane."

"Okay. I should be getting there," nodded Yu Sheng. His journey in cultivation was no easier than that of Ye Futian.

Ye Futian mounted the black wind eagle and was out of Donghai Academy.

...

The Luo Palace was a palace in the city of Donghai.

It was rumored that the master of the palace, Lord Luo, was a distant relative of the king of the Nandou nation. Other rumors had it that he was in the good graces of the imperial family, and was therefore named a lord.

Regardless of the reason, he was the only person in all of the City of Donghai to be given such a title. Naturally, his status was everything but that of the ordinary.

The Luo Palace was extremely dignified, and was a true family of power.

There was a young man standing in front of the Luo Palace. It was Ye Futian.

Outside the doors of the palace, people were busily scurrying around. The building was well-decorated and there was a festive atmosphere in the air. Ye Futian knew that the master of the palace was having a birthday celebration.

However, none of that mattered to Ye Futian.

The only thing he cared about was Lord Luo. He was the only Arcana Plane healing sorcerer of the Spirit element in all of Donghai City. He was the person that Tang Lan had refused to tell him about.

Investigating this was the only thing Ye Futian did outside of cultivation. He was always thinking about Hua Fengliu's injuries.

Ye Futian did not understand why Tang Lan had been so sure Lord Luo would refuse to help. He was not completely confident that he could get Lord Luo to agree to help heal Hua Fengliu, but he knew that he couldn't just sit around and do nothing. He found out that Lord Luo lived an isolated life and cared a lot about his reputation. Every year on his birthday he would hold an extravagant celebration. Ye Futian wanted to find out exactly what kind of person he was, and see if there was a chance to persuade him to help Hua Fengliu.

Ye Futian owed this to Hua Fengliu. This was also what he had promised Hua Jieyu. It did not matter if he succeeded; he had to give it all he had.

The steward noticed Ye Futian. A handsome young man, he thought. With a smile, he asked, "Is there something I can help you with, Young Master?"

"May I ask if there will be dancing and music entertainment at Lord Luo's birthday celebration? I specialize in performing the guqin. If possible, I would like to play for Lord Luo at his birthday celebration," said Ye Futian.

The steward smiled and replied, "The palace does not lack a guqin player."

"I am sure that I am more capable than your present personnel," Ye Futian continued, "If it's really not possible, then are you guys lacking in the errand boy department?"

The steward looked at Ye Futian confused. The young man had an aura of elegance, and was obviously not an errand boy.

"Young Master, why are you so adamant on entering the palace?" asked the steward. His eyes squinted with suspicion. The steward was a clever man.

"I just want to witness the extravagance for myself," Ye Futian said calmly, keeping his composure.

"The palace has no shortage of guqin players or errand boys," the steward said, rejecting Ye Futian. Although one teenager couldn't do much harm, he could not simply grant him access to the palace.

"Hey!" At that moment, someone from behind them called out in surprise. Ye Futian turned around and was met with two beautiful girls. The girl walking in front was especially beautiful.

Ye Futian had met both of these girls aboard the ship on his way to the city of Donghai.

"It's you?" the girl in front asked in surprise. She had thought that they were passing strangers, never to meet again. She would never have expected to run into him again much less at a place like this.

"Young Miss Lin Xiyue, is he a friend of yours?" asked the steward. Could the young man have come for the Young Miss? It couldn't be. She arrived only yesterday as a guest of the palace.

"Yes," Lin Xiyue nodded. She smiled at Ye Futian. "What are you doing here?"

"The Young Master says he is a guqin player and wants to perform during Lord Luo's celebration," said the steward. Since he was a friend of Lin Xiyue, there was no way he could say that Ye Futian came to be an errand boy.

"Yeah," Ye Futian agreed.

"Why don't we give him a chance?" Lin Xiyue asked the steward. The steward smiled helplessly but nodded anyway. "Since Young Miss has spoken, then I guess we can give him a chance. Young Master, this way please."

The group walked into the palace. Lin Xiyue and Xiao He were on either side of Ye Futian. Lin Xiyue asked, "Didn't you say you were coming to Donghai City to attend school? Why do you want to be a guqin player at the palace?"

"That's right! I'm attending Donghai Academy now. I just wanted to come explore the palace and see what it's like," replied Ye Futian with a smile.

"You're lying!" Xiao He snickered, "When you arrived in Donghai City, the Spring Quarter Exams were already over, how could you have gotten into the academy already. Are you making things up to attract Lin Xiyue's attention?"

"Stop with the nonsense, Xiao He," said Lin Xiyue while trying to suppress a smile. While this was going on, they failed to notice Ye Futian shrugging his shoulders in defeat. He felt helpless. Every time he told the truth, nobody was willing to believe him.

"Oh right. What are you doing here? Do you live in the Luo Palace?" Ye Futian asked curiously.

Lin Xiyue shook her head. "The elders of my family know Lord Luo, so the younger generation of the family is also familiar with him. I came this time to visit him. I can introduce some people to you!"

"I see," Ye Futian nodded slightly. It looked like Lin Xiyue was the young miss of a noble family. It was no wonder that her every gesture and way of speech flowed with such elegance.

"What kind of person is Lord Luo?" Ye Futian asked her in a low voice. Tang Lan had said that it was impossible for Lord Luo to agree to help. If it was simply because of his proud and aloof personality, then it was not a problem; but if it was because Lord Luo and Hua Fengliu had some sort of rivalry going on, then maybe it really was impossible to persuade him to help.

"Stern, but kind. It really depends on the situation," smiled Lin Xiyue.

The group arrived in the garden area. There was a person playing on the guqin, as well as dancers. They seemed to be rehearsing for tonight's performance. It was obvious that they would not want to make any mistakes at Lord Luo's birthday celebration. It was best to prepare beforehand.

The steward went to whisper to the guqin player, then turned to Ye Futian. "Would you like to give it a go?"

"Sure," nodded Ye Futian. The guqin player got up and gave his seat to Ye Futian. When Ye Futian's fingers finally met with the chords of the guqin, the aura around him shifted. It was now quiet and peaceful. A touch of elegance added on to his already outstanding looks.

His long fingers flew over the chords, strumming them as he moved. The sound of the guqin played and the original guqin player's expression darkened. The music played softly, and everyone was being drawn in.

"That's enough. I admit defeat," the guqin player smiled bitterly and shook his head. Being able to create a certain mood was an important part of playing the instrument. Even though Ye Futian was young, he was able to play as if he had years of experience. Ye Futian played at a level that he could not reach. However, the guqin player had no idea that Ye Futian was a Musical Sorcerer, and was able to surpass ordinary guqin players like himself even without musical spells.

"If it's like this, then Young Master, you should stay here today and learn the pieces you need to play tomorrow. How does that sound?" asked the steward.

"Alright. Thank you!" Ye Futian smiled.

"Lin Xiyue, what are you doing here?" At that moment, a group of youths approached from afar.

"We were just looking for you. What brings you here to observe the rehearsal?" asked one of the youths in the group.

The group Ye Futian was standing in all turned their heads towards the voices. All of them had a magnificent aura around them. They must all either be from prominent families or the Luo Palace.

"My friend is playing the guqin here, so I came to check it out," explained Lin Xiyue.

"Your friend?" one of them looked at Ye Futian.

"Yeah, he's a guqin player. He wants to play at tomorrow's birthday celebration," nodded Lin Xiyue.

"Oh, I see," one of the youths lost interest as soon as he heard 'guqin player.' He continued, "Lin Xiyue, let's go. Someone is coming."

"Okay," nodded Lin Xiyue. She turned to give Ye Futian a quick wave goodbye. Ye Futian returned the gesture with a smile.

"Who is it?" Lin Xiyue asked the group of youths as they walked away from Ye Futian.

"Zhou Mu," replied one of them. Lin Xiyue's eyes lit up. She heard that Zhou Mu was already a five-starred Glory Plane conjurer. He was highly gifted just as his master had been years ago.

"Oh right, Lin Xiyue. How did you end up making friends with a guqin player?" asked a young woman in the group.

"We met once by chance," she answered.

"Is it because of his good looks?" teased the young woman.

Lin Xiyue smiled but did not reply. Ye Futian was handsome, even more so when he was playing his instrument but it was unfortunate that he was a mere guqin player. In addition, he seemed to be boastful and a liar, but Lin Xiyue thought that it might be because he was too prideful.

Lin Xiyue did not invite Ye Futian to join the group nor did she introduce him to them. Ye Futian knew that a 'guqin player' like himself did not belong in a group with the nobles. However, they had only been strangers to begin with, so Ye Futian really did not mind. Besides, he had not entered the palace to get to know that group of youths anyway.

Dual Sword God - Chapter 72: The Mighty Feng Clan! Pandora's Box?

It was a world of flames, as an endless amount of strange looking fire burnt away at the struggling ghostly corpses within their range. Teams of practitioners could be seen making their way around the sea of flames at high speeds, displaying their stunning movement techniques as they battled against the ghostly corpses.

An elder from the Seven Blade Mercenaries slashed his blade cutting off both feet of a Cloudy Ghost Corpse, as he twirled his body revolving like a spinning top dicing the remaining body parts to mingles of flesh. Upon finishing off his opponent, the elder ended his martial technique and stood in combat stance once more observing the situation around him.

Sou! Blaze! A man with spiky red an white hair flashed across the distance giving off the energies of mid-level True Foundation Realm practitioner, as his figure beamed across the platform, a red trailing light would follow behind his form. Soon after, bursting into flames that continued to trail towards his now distant form.

All low-level True Foundation Realm and lower ghostly corpses that were within the pathway of his assault were quickly destroyed unable to survive the blazing flames.

"Is this really the strength of a True Foundation Realm practitioner?" said the elder from Seven Blade Mercenaries as he looked at this scene in shock, shortly after he noticed some crimson masked individuals at Aura Disciple Realm, making short work of a True Foundation Realm ghostly corpse with a set of strange weapon techniques, as each injury caused by their weapons would burst into flames rendering the ghostly corpse unable to react.

"Heh! It looks like I've only become the supporting party, no matter, the sooner these bastards die the better! Kill!" roared the elder once more, his seven blades started to float around him as he danced amongst another nearby crowd of ghostly corpses.

"Men toss the corpses into the strange flames, they are capable of destroying all the ghostly corpses preventing them from healing." said an Elder from the Rain Sword Sect as he forced his corpse into the fire flames, the nearby practitioners hearing him also did the same.

"What kind of fire is this? Why is it able to do what our Molten Axe Sect's blazing weapons cannot?" said a fierce looking man with confusion on his face as he watched the corpse burn in the fire.

"Let's not ponder about these things right now! We should kill the enemy as soon as possible, I have feeling that we haven't seen the enemies true strength yet." said a beautiful woman from the Blood Rose Union who battled nearby with their group.

"Em. I guess your right, they cant possibly fall this easily if they came so prepared." replied a core member from the Molten Axes Sect as he continued to press his assault brandishing a large burning battle axe against his enemies.

The leading elder from the Dark Sky Pavilion who noticed the Feng Clan's movement frowned with a murderous gleam in his eyes, however, it was soon replaced by calm and resolute expression.

As Fei Tan, Xun Yanshan, Nei Sinian, and Ye Shuye battled in the distance. Fei Tan couldn't help but grow more anxious as he saw this scene. He gathered his ghostly qi as he roared once more while sending the images of Elder Chen and Elder Duan in their minds. "Special Corpses 6 and 9 quickly stop those two from the Feng Clan!"

As they heard his command, the two Warrior Realm corpses that were oppressing both Tang Fei and Old Zhu quickly vanished as they traveled like ghostly shades towards Elder Chen and Elder Duan separately.

"Cough! Whew, If they didn't get called back, I'm afraid that I wouldn't get to see my adorable Goddaughter again," said Old Zhu as coughed up a mouthful of blood, looking at his body one would see deep injuries at just about all areas.

Tang Fei was in no better condition as he responded. "This is what happens if you try to battle Warrior Realm corpses while only being at the peak of True Foundation Realm. Cough! It's a miracle we managed to hold them off for so long..."

As he finished his statement, he couldn't help but smile as he saw the Feng Clan members steamrolling the corpse army along with the various influences and practitioners.

"We should give our thanks to this Feng Clan when all of this over," said Tang Fei with a gaze of appreciation, Old Zhu hearing his words also responded with a smile. "Indeed, we were lucky this time."

As they spoke, the remaining members of their clans quickly formed a protection formation around both of their forms, as they started to treat their injuries.

*****

Sou! A beautiful red-haired woman could be seen making her way throughout the platforms, upon seeing the enemy a group of ghostly corpses would rush out to stop her. However, the moment these corpses got within her attack range, the beautiful red-haired woman would lean body forwards turning into multiple afterimages that attacked each of the approaching ghostly corpses.

BANG! As her fists collided with the bodies of the ghostly corpses they instantly exploded into multiple pieces of flesh, as they struggled to reform themselves the beautiful woman's eyes would turn golden as small amounts of scarlet red flames would shoot from her hands and destroy parts of the corpses.

As she saw this scene Feng Xingyu frowned, "Sigh, My essence-energies are too low since my cultivation is only at the Body Training Realm. I need to find a suitable body training cultivation technique that can stimulate both my strength and bloodline." she said, as she quickly rushed towards the ward of the Chosen Battle Arena.

The moment she arrived at the area of the ward there was a sudden change.

BOOM! A group of corpses was burnt to cinders in moments as Feng Yunlong appeared before her form, with his hands held behind his back, he spoke puzzledly. "Xingyu? Why have you come? Even though your body's strength can allow you to battle a low-level Warrior Realm ghostly corpse. You won't be able to destroy it as you lack the qi to conger enough sacred flames."

"It doesn't matter, now we need all the hands we can get. There are two strange corpses that are attacking the barrier, one of them seem to be even more powerful than the other, you won't be able to handle them by yourself even if you use second layer strength," said Xingyu as he looked towards the two special corpses that were assaulting the transformed 'Night Shield' ward.

"Sigh, fine then. You handle the one on the left it is a low-level Warrior Realm corpse, I will take the one at the peak of mid-level Warrior Realm," said Feng Yunlong as he sighed while pointing towards the two ghostly corpses assaulting the night shield.

"Great! Let's save Yu'er and the others!" said Feng Xingyu as she vanished turning to a blurry figure that rushed towards the special ghost corpses, Feng Yunlong shook his head and followed after her while spouting. "So impatient!"

BANG! BANG! The night shield was beginning the grow unstable, as the two powerful Warrior realm special corpses were assaulting the guard spell with every ounce of their powers. As they saw this scene, Dai Lin, Xia Rou, Xin Qing and Ye Wang were growing nervous as they could easily imagine the outcome once the corpses broke through the shield.

"Sigh, It looks like this is where our journey ends. Little Sister Rou, let's pray that our next life is a better one," said Ye Wang with a serene gaze of acceptance.

"Stop talking nonsense! No one is going to die." Xia Rou retorted as she was about to use her life essence to give the night shield some more time. However, before she could do this, the situation outside changed.

Swish! BOOM! Feng Xingyu instantly appeared swiftly launching an attack towards one of the special ghostly corpses, as if it was struck by a giant, the ghostly corpse was blasted towards void crashing into the green barrier wall of the formation. However, as it was a Warrior Realm corpse it quickly recovered and rushed towards Feng Xingyu who was also speeding towards it.

KABOOM! The two collided once more generating shockwaves upon shockwaves of energies as their each of their blows connected with each other.

As these two were fighting the last special corpse shifted its attention towards Feng Yunlong who stood before itself, sensing the threat hidden within Feng Yunlong's body it promptly rushed towards Feng Yunlong unleashing a series of assaults with its corpse qi.

Seeing this Feng Yunlong sneered, as his eyes turned golden in color and his body quickly transformed to look similar to Feng Yu only his hair remained red and the markings on his body were less profound. Instantly, the prestige of his peak-level True Foundation Realm battle power rose to that of peak mid-level Warrior Realm expert.

His body flashed appeared a few hundred meters away from the ward, as he positioned himself into a brawler stance ready to counter-attack the approaching special corpses barrage assault.

BOOM! BOOM! As both of them clashed, the sacred flames and corpse qi mixed amongst each other as they destroyed everything within the surrounding region, eventually the sacred flames brunt away the corpse qi of the Warrior Realm corpse leaving it with minor injuries.

"This will be harder than thought, as it seems this corpse is infinitely approaching late-level Warrior Realm." as he said this, the warrior realm corpse quickly recovered and rush towards him with full momentum, he frowned as he channeled his sacred flames and once more clashed with the special corpse.

"Who? Who are they?" asked Xia Rou as she looked at two powerful individuals battling the ghost corpses, as Ye Wang looked at them with furrowed brows as they looked familiar.

"I can't believe they were so strong!" exclaimed Xin Qing as she looked at Feng Yunlong and Feng Xingyu in shock.

Dai Lin seeing this scene sighed in relief as he spoke to the group. "Whew! No need to worry guys, they are members of the Feng Clan. The man fighting is the father of my Young Master as that beautiful red-haired woman is his Aunt. "

As they heard this, Xia Rou and Ye Wang became released as they now calmly observed the scene outside of the ward.

Dai Lin on the other hand upon mentioning Feng Yu moved his vision towards the massive Golden Square that was shrouded by a semi-transparent golden dome. The figures of Feng Yu, Zang Xu, and Xiang Shu could be seen fighting a fierce battle to no end.

Xia Rou who also shifted their visions towards their battle spoke once more. "This Xiang Shu, I wonder what level of Soul Eater Ghost Fiend has stolen his body? To be able to use the powers of a peak 8 Tier Body Training to press both Senior Brother Zang and that monstrous red-haired Sword Fiend..."

As her voice ended, the scene within the golden battle square changed.

Sou! Sou! A scarlet golden light along with a silver ray of light beamed towards a ghostly looking figure, his long white hair with streaks of glowing green light fluttering wildly with the pressure of wind coming from the two assaulting beams.

"Hmph! even if I am injured my strength still far surfaces both of your imaginations." as he said this, Xiang Shu stretched both of his arms out to his side as he formed a claw with his fingers as if trying to grasp the air.

Grip.

"Cloudy Ghost Arts: Soul Devouring Skulls!" Xiang Shu roared, as he pushed his ghostly energies into the void creating two large green skulls with red eyes, as these two massive skulls appeared they opened their mouths and released a savage cry towards the heavens as a strange feeling came over both Zang Xu and Feng Yu.

"Kre!..." as they heard this odd sound, the connection that both Zang Xu and Feng Yu felt with their bodies started to fade as if their souls were about to leave their bodies, feeling stunned they quickly retreated a distance away from two massive green skulls that stood by Xiang Shu's side.

Sou! Sou! Instantly, they appeared at two different corners of the battle platform. Feng Yu looked at the two skulls and frowned as he sent a message to Zang Xu. "These skulls are dangerous! We have to destroy them first or they will keep interfering with our battle rhythm."

Hearing his words, Zang Xu nodded and replied as he looked at Feng Yu with a serious gaze. "Fine! Leave them to me, I have a move that can suppress both the skulls as well as this Xiang Shu. However, I can only use it once, so once I have done it I won't be able to fight for a while. I hope you will be able to deal a serious blow with this chance."

As Feng Yu heard him he paused for a while before responding. "Ok, leave finishing them off to me. I also have a technique I wanted to try out, while I have never used it before, I believe it should be able to deal a substantial amount of damage."

"Good! That's all I needed to here." as Zang Xu finished his statement he switched his attack posture crouching with both of his legs bent, his torso upwards, he gripped his silver spear with both of his hands as he held it in a vertical position.

Xiang Shu who was now buying the time to recover more of his strength looked at the scene with a mocking gaze, he spoke. "Jie! Jie! You, babies, don't know when to quit, do you? Your efforts to resist are futile, Kill them!" as he said this the two Soul Devouring Skulls screamed as they were about to rush towards both Zang Xu and Feng Yu, however, there was change.

BANG!

A terrifying power emerged from Zang Xu's body, as he momentarily gained +2 Battle Prestige. The spear in his hand shook as a blinding silver light shot towards the sky over the heads of Xiang Shu and his two Soul Devouring Skulls.

"Absolute Spear Arts: Heavenly Oppression Spear!" the voice of Zang Xu resounded throughout the golden square, as 3 massive silver spear materialized from the sliver energies releasing an oppressive aura towards Xiang Shu and his Soul Devouring Skulls, the power was so strong that it rendered them unable to properly move.

"Damn! How could this baby have so much power left? Move!" he channeled his energies with all of his concentration, trying to quickly recover his ability to move. Sadly, Feng Yu who was ready did not give him the chance.

Flash!

Like lightning itself, Feng Yu instantly appeared within the region of Xiang Shu and his Soul Devouring Skulls. With his two swords gripped firmly in each hand, his aura rose to peak once more as lightning and sacred flames danced around his body.

"Extremely Dual Sword: Path of Balance, Speed, and Eruption - Blazing Thunder Phantasm Swords!" as soon as he said this, the power of the world congealed around his form, as he slowly waved his sword in three directions.

Shing! The cry of the sword rang out loudly, as the illusion of three Feng Yu's appeared turning into 3 streaks of light that shot towards Xiang Shu and his Soul Devouring Skulls. It happened in an instant, as the moment the three forms of Feng Yu appeared they promptly vanished leaving behind the 3 streaks of light that lingered on the bodies of their targets.

The two Soul Devouring Skulls roared as they burst into a sea of flames and lightning soon after vanishing from this world, as Xian Shu clutched his chest and screamed out in pain. "Argh!" as he cried out, his body transformed into a ball of lightning and blazing flames that a came from a large deep wound across his chest.

Thud! Zang Xu fell to his knees as he promptly ended his technique, slowly lifting his head he spoke to Feng Yu while trying to catch his breath. "Pant... pant... I am spent, good.. work... Daoist Feng!"

Fwuap! Feng Yu also collapsed onto the ground as a group of chaotic lightning currents and flames shrouded his body, rendering him in a constant state of pain. "Haa... Haa... Daoist Zang, it looks like we will have to continue our battle another time. As my backlash is far beyond what I previously assumed it would be."

"Ha Ha Ha! You... Sigh, To think you have the time to ponder about such things even now." said Zang Xu as he laughed, as both them were discussing, the flames and lightning that shrouded Xiang Shu's body soon died down, as brunt electrified figure appeared, he looked at Feng Yu with immense hatred. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"Human! You dare to ruin my new vessel! I don't care anymore, even if I cannot go to the central location after destroying the doorway. I will kill everyone here!" as he said this, a spectral shade soon left Xiang Shu's ruined body, which fell to the ground with a small hint of life left.

This spectral shade was ominous, as it gave an overwhelming power that instantly shrouded all beings within the 10-kilometer radius.

In the distant sky, Gui Sheng, Gui Mei, and Gui Zi looked on with excitement as they felt this power.

Gui Sheng looked at the ethereal old man before him and sneered. "Ha Ha Ha Ha! Master has given up on acquiring that which he sought, now that he has restored to his normal form no one can survive!"

As he heard this, a smile came on the face of the old man who spoke. "There you are! Finally out! I've waited long enough..." as he said this, the forms of Gui Sheng, Gui Mei and Gui Zi vanished from existence as the old man took a step forwards fading into nothingness, his voice lingering in the ears of the woman in white.

"You are Jing Mingyun, right? I know your purpose for coming here. Dragon Kin, quickly activate the door for the battle that is about to unfold is above the scale of everyone here..."

As his voice faded away, Jing Mingyin finally managed to control her emotional shock as she bowed in the direction the ethereal old man vanished and spoke. "Thank you for saving my life, great one!" upon finishing her words, she waved her hands carrying both Jing Er and Jing Yi with her as she headed towards the door that was struggling against the chains from the mass of clouds.

As they felt this power a look of shock came upon all who felt it, however before they could zone in on where the power came from a massive explosion occurred that shook everything as the green barrier dome was transformed into a sea of scarlet flames.

KABOOM! As these flames faded away, the green barrier formation was instantly destroyed. Looking closely, a man could be seen standing on a burning disk that floated in the air, his red hair glowing brightly as his body emitted strong fluctuations.

"The formation has been destroyed! Everyone kills the corpses!" shouted an elder from the Rain Sword Sect as he recovered from his shock state.

"Kill!" roared the influences practitioners and rogues as they attacked more furiously aiming to end the battle here and now.

Feng Junling who saw this scene smiled proudly, but after a short while moved his vision towards the formless shade that had emerged from Xiang Shu's body and a wave of shock came over his face when he sensed its powerful fluctuations.

"Not good! Feng Yu getaway now!.." he roared as he channeled all of his power and rushed towards the golden battle square.

As Feng Yu heard his uncles voice across the distance, he smiled wearily, as he couldn't even move his hands. He could only look helplessly as the spectral shade appeared before his form, Zang Xu looked on with a hopeless expression as the spectral shade stretched its hand out and held Feng Yu by his neck.

"No! Let go of my son!" shouted Feng Yunlong who was battling the Warrior Realm corpse. However, the corpse was stubborn as it firmly hindered each of Feng Yunlong's actions.

As Feng Junling rushed towards the platform, and Feng Yunlong along with Feng Xingyu struggled to escape their battles to save Feng Yu, the spectral shade finally spoke once more.

"Death!..." as if it was proclaiming a worldly rule, a dark power controlled from the heavens themselves seeping deeply within Feng Yu's body as it slowly sucked away all signs of his life, feeling his life fading away and his soul disappearing, he cried out unwilling to accepting this fate. "I... I Feng Yu will not fall here!..."

Quickly, his consciousness faded as he descended into everlasting darkness...

Tump! Tump! Tump!

Inside of this world of darkness, a box could be seen, it was a very unusual looking box that had a strange seal over its surface. As the box pulsated like a beating heart, a mighty and domineering power would occasionally be released as multi-colored thunder would shoot far away into the void of this dark world.

"I will not fall here!..." the voice of Feng Yu echoed within this realm as if it heard a Feng Yu's last words the box shook as the seal on its surface started to loosen and bright multi-color lights blanketed the dark world...

Dual Sword God - Chapter 71: The Situation Changes!

Outside of the Chosen Battle Arena.

BANG!

The platform shook, as the barrier surrounding the entire area started to show ripples as if it wouldn't take long for it break to pieces. A horde of ghost corpses along with three Warrior Realm ghost corpses was currently attacking the protection ward covering the chosen battle arena. As the ward shook, the platform arena below started to shake violently with each collision.

As the major influences saw this scene, they couldn't help but grow angry and anxious at the same time.

"Blast! How could I forget about those Juniors? Quickly, send a squad to stop them before they break through the ward!" Xun Yanshan shouted as his voice traveled across the entire area. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

As he struggled to battle a Warrior Realm ghost corpse in front of him, Old Zhu went mad, as he shouted towards his clan members. "Xin Clan forces, charge towards the ward and prevent them before they manage to breakthrough!"

"Tang Clan forces, back up the Xin Clan and annihilate the enemies, make your way to the platform of the vanquished after your done!" said Tang Fei.

Fei Tan hearing this sneered as she spoke. "As if I'd let you lot do as you wish! Ghost Army! Attack the enemies with all you have don't let up!" as he said this, he rushed forwards and attack Xun Yanshan, Nei Sinian and Ye Shuye once again, there blows leaving a myriad of ruins everywhere their figures appeared.

"Charge!" A group of elite practitioners from both the Xin Clan and Tang Clan managed to pave a bloody path through a sea of ghost corpses as they arrived at the region of the arena ward. However, the moment the arrived at this area, a portion of the attacking ghosts corpses charged away from the ward, swiftly making their way towards the practitioners followed by one of the three special Warrior Realm ghost corpses.

"Damn! Resist! All peak-level True Foundation Realm Elders form up with me to resist that strange ghostly corpse!" said a peak True Foundation Realm Elder from the Xin Clan as he rushed towards the special Warrior Realm corpse. A group of powerful looking elders hearing his words quickly followed after him.

Soon, the clashing of the elders and special ghostly corpse erupted a distance away from the main group.

Sword qi, and energy blasts scattered about the area as a bloody battle erupted between the elite practitioners and the ghostly corpses. As their battles continued, one of the now two special corpses that were attacking the ward manged to successfully create small crack within the ward, the remaining fraction of its corpse qi attack soon after colliding onto the floor of the battle arena.

BOOM! Rumble! Following a loud explosion, a section of the arena was instantly destroyed as its debris were scattered throughout the area. One wreckage shot towards the stunned Xin Qing, who did not manage to escape with her <Shadows Steps> movement technique in time.

"Kya!" as if she lost all signs of hope, she started to scream with both her hands placed before her face.

Swish! Bang!

At her moment of peril, a flash of blue lightning instantly arrived in front of her crashing into the wreckage creating another explosion followed by a cloud of dust. Within a few moments, the dust cleared as the blue lightning reformed into Dai Lin's figure who stood with his back turned to Xin Qing.

Seeing Dai Lin before her, Xin Qing's heartbeat couldn't help but slightly quicken as she completely forgot the prior near-death experience. She spoke in a soft voice as her face redden slightly. "Fellow Daoist Dai Lin! Thank... thank you for coming to my aid."

As he heard her words, Dai Lin smiled as he turned his head and responded. "No problem at all Miss Qing! Now let us retreat to the edge of the arena as it doesn't look like this barrier will hold off their attacks for much longer." the moment he finished his statement, he quickly flashed again appearing at the edge of the arena.

"Em," responded Xing Qing as she turned into a shadow which quickly made its way to the edge of the arena, the figures of Xia Rou and Ye Wang could be also be seen standing at the same area with frowns on their faces.

"Damn! How could the trial suddenly turn into this? Why would such a powerful Ancient Race suddenly attack here? Sigh, and those Warrior Realm corpses are no push over, if we don't do something we'll be in serious danger the moment the barrier breaks." said Ye Wang with a frown on his face as he looked at the three special corpses relentlessly attacking the arena ward.

Dai Lin knitted his brows as he heard this, he looked at the group and spoke. "Then is there no way to slow down the rate at which the barrier weakens?"

After a short moment of silence, Xia Rou glanced at Dai Lin, Xin Qing and Ye Wang as she spoke. "I have an idea, if we channel our energies together into a 'Gaurd Spell,' we may be able to increase the protection capabilities of the barrier for a while longer. "

"Is this feasible? How could any spell used by someone below the level of Warrior Realm be of aid against the assaults of the two Warrior Realm corpses?" said Xin Qing with puzzlement on her face as she heard Xia Rou's suggestion.

Dai Lin also looked on in silence, Ye Wang who heard her statement had a look fo shock on his face as he exclaimed. "Wait! Are you actually planning on using that class 4 spell scroll?"

Swish! As if she was waiting for him to finish his words, a scroll soon appeared in Xia Rou's hand filled with complex writings that glowed in a strange manner. Looking closely, one would see four lines that were parallel to each other on its surface.

Dai Lin and Xin Qing were shocked as they both exclaimed. "A rare Class 4 Spell Scroll!"

Xia Rou smiled and spoke. "Yes! Now isn't the time to be stingy with treasures, not when we're all facing a life and death crisis."

"Good! Then what are we waiting for let's start!" said Ye Wang as he quickly got everyone into position, quickly Xia Rou tossed the scroll at the center of the group while chanting few obscure words.

PUII! Instantly, the scroll began to glow in a dark light as a powerful force was beginning to unseal itself, as this happened Xia Rou's expression began to grow pale as blood started to flow from the corner of her lips, she shouted towards the group. "Cough! I need more of your essence-energies. If not, I won't be able to fully activate the spell from its seal!"

As they heard this, not wasting any more time they pushed all of their essence-energies towards Xia Rou causing her mageforce to increase by multiple levels, within a few moments the light around the scroll expanded soon turning into the beam of dark light that shot towards the ward.

An ancient voice soon sounded from the scroll. "I am the aegis of the night, I am the one shrouds all from darkness. I am Night Shield!" The instant the voice ended, the dark light that shot towards the ward quickly merged with it becoming one creating a massive dark shield over its surface that repelled all of the attacking ghost corpses.

Thud!

Xia Rou having force activated the spell scroll soon collapsed on to the floor, as Ye Wang rushed over to help her onto her feet.

Dai Lin looked at the shield and asked. "How long can this spell last?"

"I... I don't know, let's just hope it will be enough for a while," said Xia Rou, as she sais this she couldn't help but move her vision towards the outside of the ward at the bloody battle unfolding, Dai Lin, Xin Qing, and Ye Wang also looked outside of the ward with a pensive expression on their faces.

*****

Far away from the chosen battle arena and floating platforms that were currently locked into heated battle, Gui Sheng who was battling against the woman in with mocked as he sensed the changes occurring at the region of the Chosen Battle Arena.

"Ha Ha Ha Ha! A futile attempt to prevent the inevitable! Gui Mei! Gui Zi! Don't hold back any longer use your Cloudy Ghost Shades! " as he said this, his body soon started to change turning into a massive ethereal dark humanoid shade with towering ghostly qi erupting from his entire being.

"He He he! Good! We were waiting for this!" Gui Mei said with a look of excitement on her face.

"Hmph! I was wondering how long you wanted us to wait!" said Gui Zi with annoyance in her voice.

The moment they finished their statements, their bodies started to undergo a similar change turning into large but slender looking ethereal dark humored shades with overbearing ghostly qi coming from their bodies.

"It's not good! Jing Er! Jing Yi! Get away from them now! In this battle state their ghostly qi will be too much for your too withstand as they are now infinitely close to TrueSoul Realm Experts!" shouted the woman in white as she saw this change, an anxious look came over her face when warned her companions. However, It was too late.

As the towering ghostly qi that shrouded both Gui Mei and Gi Zi's forms started to suffocate both Jing Er and Jing Yi.

"Cough! Cough! Lady Mingyun run away from here! Forget about us!" said Jing Yi as she struggled to keep her self together while coughing up blood.

Jing Er started to lose control of her flying artifact as she was about to fall towards the ground, seeing this the woman in white's eyes started to grow teary as she was about to rush towards both of them. Sadly, she was prevented by Gui Sheng who abruptly appeared before her, as he saw the scene he sneered and spoke mockingly once more.

"How touching? Allow me to send them off early, kill!" commanded Gui Sheng, as they heard this, both Gui Mei and Gui Zi vanished as they moved like formless shades that instantly arrived before the Jing Er and Jing Yi.

They quickly reached out their formless hands out forming ghost-like claws that threatened to pierce through all things in their paths, as they ruthlessly struck towards both of their targets hearts. Jing Yi and Jing Er sensing the danger closed their eyes as they were ready to accept their fates of impending deaths.

"No!.." roared the woman in white as her energies began to rise as if she was about to transform into and otherworldly entity. However, in the instant both of Gui Mei's and Gui Zi's attacks were about to connect with their opponents, there was a sudden change.

Well Well! Moving onto the conclusion a bit too fast aren't we?" said a random voice that sounded throughout the area, as the voice sounded everyone within the area paused in a state that made them unable to move.

A feeling a shock came into the hearts of the Gui Trio, as the woman in white along with Jing Er and Jing Yi were each filled with surprise.

"Do... A Domain! How can this be? Which expert is this?" said Gui Sheng as he felt his powers being oppressed, quickly a form materialized out of nothingness as it stood silently in the air. It was as if it was there and not there at the same time, appearing to exist and not to exist giving off a strange Dao Fluctuation.

As the woman in white saw this form she was shocked, "You... You are!"

The figure smiled as the wind blew, and the scene shifted back towards the war between the Cloudy Ghost Corpse Army with the trapped influences and practitioners.

*****

"Argh!" A powerful elder from the Rain Sword Sect fell to his knees as he was ambushed by two special ghostly corpses.

"Damnit! We can't continue like this our casualties are only increasing!" said the Warrior Realm leading expert from Seven Blade Mercenaries upon noticing this scene, he frowns as he fought with his special ghostly corpse.

"We have to find a way---" As he spoke once more, his statement was interrupted by a sudden change.

"What's that?!" shouted an individual from the Molten Axe Sect as he spotted a distant flaming red light rushing towards their location at blazing speeds.

"Be careful, it's fire attack!" said another expert loudly, a pity, no one could react in time.

Swoosh! BANG! In an instant, the flaming beam appeared within the region of the battling influences and rogue practitioners. Quickly, the flaming beam scattered into multiple particles of light that went into the bodies of hundreds of ghostly corpses.

Blaze!

Almost instantaneously, the corpses that the particles of light went to burst into bright flames that quickly and efficiently burnt away all traces of their existences. A few of the corpses that the smaller particles of flaming light went into managed to release a few screams before turning to charcoal.

"Screak!..." cried ghostly corpses who's eyes burst into flames, following which it mouth started to spout endless fire. Soon after, its entire body turned into a ball of flame that shortly fell onto the ground turning into ashes.

As the surrounding influences and rogue practitioners saw this scene, they became filled with shock.

Fei Tan, Yun Yanshan, Nei Sinian and Ye Shuye who were locked into fierce combat were also forced to stop their battles to pause in awe at the scene, quickly they shifted their visions towards the sky looking at the individuals that stood ontop of strange burning disks.

A man wearing red robes with black wrapping over his bald head stood beside another a large man with spiky red an white hair, behind them were a group of men wearing crimson masks and a few other red-haired powerful looking individuals.

"Who the hell are they?" said a rogue practitioner. However, as more and more individuals looked towards their group, a few individuals exclaimed in shock.

"Wait! It's them! Isn't that the Feng Clan members!" said a member from local practitioners group.

As the crowd of battling practitioners went into a commotion, the spiky red an white hair man on the flying disk spoke.

"He He! Brother Duan, It seems that if we didn't quickly clean up these ghost corpses on our platform and rushed towards this platform these weaklings may have suffered even more severe casualties!" said Elder Chen in an unbridled manner, hearing his words Elder Duan shook his head and responded. "Brother Chen now is not the time for idle banter, let's finish the rest of this group corpses."

"Chet! Your no fun at all! Crimson Soldiers, Elders, let's go!" as he said this, his body started to blaze as he soared on top of his disk towards one of the Warrior Realm ghostly corpses.

Seeing his actions, Elder Chen also controlled his disk as he rushed towards the sea of corpses, turning everything in his path into an endless sea flame. The Crimson Masked men and Core Family Elders vanished as they flickered here and there within the sea of ghosts, turning the corpses into minced pieces of burning flesh and ashes respectively.

"Unreal! So this is their true power!" said Old Zhu as he looked at the scene before his eyes, Tang Fei also watched in shock as he battled with his enemy.

"Damnit! What's going on? This damn clan, how could they be so powerful? I have prevent them from destroying any more corpses!" roared Fei Tan as he channeled his ghostly warrior qi to attack the Feng Clan group, but he was prevented by the high-level Warrior Realm Trio.

"Ha Ha Ha! Weren't you confident just now? Why are you all panicked now?" said Xun Yanshan as he lanched a barrage of Golden Dragon Fists rendering Fei Tan unable to advance, Nei Donyan willed for a semi-transparent arrow that fired Mental Arrows towards each of his vital areas, as Ye Shuye moved like an untraceable assassin attacking each of Fei Tan's blind spots.

"Damn!" said Fei Tan as he could only helpless watch the corpse army become slaughtered in batches as he struggled with the trio.

******

At the core of the barrier formation, a group of chains could be seen flowing through many unusual channels, connecting them to ghostly corpses within the Ten Thousand Cloudy Corpse Formation. At the central position of these chains was a brightly shining five edge star that gave off an invisible and unbreakable prestige.

In front of this course stood a youthful looking man at the prime of his 30's who looked at the core as he spoke with a frown on his face. "Hmm, how troublesome? A Penta Star Layered Formation Core, It would seem that only a TrueSoul Realm's experts attack could break it. "

As Feng Junling said this, his frown instantly changed into that of a smile. "Shall we test it! Your Core Prestige against my own Prestige!"

Dual Sword God - Chapter 70: A Desperate Situation

The sound of his clothing flapping in wind was drowned out by the ghostly cries and battling practitioners, as a large stream of blood could be seen flowing from his chest in endless amounts, falling onto the pavement of the platform.

Xuan Lie looked at the sword that was plunged deeply into his chest from behind his back, a familiar looking sword with the engraving of bright sun on its surface. In front of him, stood two groups very familiar forms, as the sky blue robes of a few individuals and the bright flame-like capes on top of a few shiny armored individuals each fluttered softly in the ghostly winds.

As if he couldn't believe what he was seeing Xuan Lie carried a shocked expression on his face as he inquired with the last of his willpower. "The Sky Splitting Sword Sect... My Bright Flame Knights... Why?..."

A man from both groups walked out and said in a cold emotionless tone. "The dead need not ask questions." as he said this, the sword plunged deeply into Xuan Lie's chest was ruthless wrenched out from behind, causing a geyser of blood to flow out.

As he felt his life leaving him, Xuan Lie moved his gaze with the last of strengths to gaze upon the voluptuous ghost behind him, with a weary expression on his face he spoke softly. "Yan... er... I have failed you..." his voice trailed away with the wind along with what remained of his now tragic life.

Thud! As his corpse fell to the ground completely devoid of all life, the members of Sky Splitting Sword Sect and Bright Flame Knights nodded their heads and scattered amongst the crowded practitioners, killing many of the unsuspecting practitioners.

Standing beside the corpse, the pale ghostly Xuan Yan stood quietly as she gazed at Xuan Lie's dead body with an emotionless face. If one were to look closely, they would see vague hints of tears at the corner of her eyes. However, it was soon replaced by an even more merciless and cold gaze as she rushed towards the practitioners killing many who stood in her path.

*****

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the Cloudy Ghost Corpse Army fought a with practitioners and individuals from the various influences, shockwaves upon shockwaves began to spread throughout the area. The floating platforms started to grow unstable as chunks of their foundations fell down towards the distant Machen Town, falling through the dark clouds that blanketed all below.

One practitioner managed to rip a ghostly corpse to piece with his bare hands, as a feeling of wildness overtook his being his confidence rose. A pity, however, as this practitioner was about to launch another attack on a nearby ghostly corpse, a sharp pain was soon felt at the back of his neck.

"Argh!.." Instantly, the practitioner began to scream in pain as he tried to reach his hand to the back of his neck, but to his dismay, his body soon started to cease its functionality.

It was a Cloudy Ghost Corpse that quietly snuck up behind him, biting into the flesh from the back of his neck. Looked closely, one would see streams of dark energies flowing into the neck of the practitioner from the teeth of a ghostly corpse. The skin starting front the back of practitioner 's neck started to grow pale as his body too started to change color, eventually losing movements and all signs of life.

Thud!

As the corpse of the man now fell onto the ground, a greenish transparent cloud swiftly flew into his body as if it was waiting for the chance. Soon, the eyes of the fallen practitioner started to glow in the same eerie green light as the ghost corpses as he sprung to his feet attacking a nearby comrade in arms with his weapon.

Slash! Puff.

The practitioner was cut into two pieces, as blood splashed over a wide area. Another Cloudy Ghost Corpse bit into the man that was currently split into two, following which, another ghostly shade entered his body. Within moments, the corpse of the man started to reattach itself, its internal organs hanging lose with its body parts slightly disorganized.

A truly gruesome sight to behold...

A beautiful woman who was battling one of the special Warrior Realm ghost corpses upon seeing this scene felt shocked, she quickly gathered her battle qi and used it to amplify her voice. "Don't get bitten by the corpses! They have the ability to stop your movements and If you die you will become an addition to their forces!"

Quickly, she waved the whip in her hand which began to spin, causing a variety of blood red roses to create a field of roses which blocked the special ghost corpse, as she alternated between battling the ghost corpse and protecting her nearby Blood Rose Union members.

The other major influences and rogue practitioners hearing her words were filled with even more dread, as they swiftly reorganized themselves to fight against the corpse army more carefully.

Slash!

An unsuspecting practitioner that was battling a ghost corpse lost his head, as a sky blue robe individual that was fighting beside him slashed his sword at him.

Suddenly, the field became even more chaotic as these sky blue robed individuals and flame-like caped individuals began to hinder each of the influences and rogue practitioners actions.

"Damn! Traitors! Everyone watch out for the Sky Splitting Sword Sect and the Bright Flame Knights!" said a True Foundation Realm rogue practitioner as he counter-attacked a Sky Splitting Sword Sect's elder.

"Help Me!" said a rogue practitioner that struggled to resist as he was ganged up by a Bright Flame Knight and a Sky Splitting Sword Member.

"How dare they attack the same side?!" said another practitioner as he rushed forward to help.

"This measly country bumpkin influence dares to aid the enemy, kill them!" said a Major Character from the Dark Sky Pavilion as he also attacked the group.

The Rain Sword Sect, Seven Blade Mercenaries, and other major influences also alternated between fighting the corpse army and traitors.

*****

At at the summits of the sky, far away from the door that was being attacked with green rays. Three different battles were occurring at blinding speeds.

BANG!

Two individuals collided created multiple waves of energy blasts that sent ripples across the sky, each of their blows where earth-shaking as they could be heard even a few kilometers away.

A handsome man surrounded by ghastly looking green skulls would flick his fingers, causing the ghosts that surrounded his ethereal-like figure to soar towards the woman in white. While the opposing woman would simply point her finger towards a massive golden wheel, causing countless golden runes to shoot towards the assaulting green skulls.

After a few more bouts, both individuals receded as they released that neither could gain the best of each other in their battles. Gui Sheng frowned, he moved his gaze from the woman in white and noticed that Gui Zi and Gui Mei where both evenly matched with their opponents, he then looked at the woman in white an spoke.

"Hmm, I didn't think you're guards where so powerful, both having half condensed their 'TrueSoul's' stepping into half-step TrueSoul Realm. Interesting, if our clan members weren't gifted with abnormal battle efficiencies this battle may have gone in slightly different direction. Are you sad about this beauty?..." said Gui Sheng in a slightly mocking tone as he looked at the beautiful woman in white.

Hearing his words, the woman in white looked on indifferently as she pondered while glancing at the door in the distance. "Master was right! The Ancient Fiend Races were all capable beings that cannot be judged by normal standards. Since I cannot reach the barrier, I'll have to find a way to the door, if I can only reach the door I may be able to turn this situation around."

As if he realized her thoughts, he spoke once more. "Jie Jie! You think I don't know what you want to do. Originally, I wasn't so sure about who you are? or where you came from? But now, I think I've got a good idea about 'what' you are..."

When Gui Sheng said this, a hint of surprise came over the woman in whites face as she thought to herself. "What? How did he?..."

As he saw her expression and the hint of surprise she was trying to hide Gui Sheng sneered, he looked into her eyes as he spoke once more."Truly interesting! Try as you might you cannot hide your bloodline each time we fight, you want to activate the Guardian Link of the Mystic Realm Door don't you? Freeing the restraint it's placed upon that Ancient Dragon Construct? Ha Ha Ha! While such an approach is viable, it won't be enough to stop us you see, for we have come prepared."

As if something was waiting for him to finish his speech, there was a sudden change.

Rumble.

The world shock once more, as the energies bombarding the ancient door started to change, turning into large chains that connected themselves to both sides door.

The dark clouds surrounding the Chosen Battle Arena started to change, gathering into one massive entity which positioned itself above the door. Revealing the lifeless an mostly ruined town below, a pity though, that each of the practitioners were currently battling with their lives on the line, unable to waste a single moment to look at the scene below.

Soon, the chains started to make noises as if they were being pulled by something within the mass of dark clouds that stood above the door.

CREAAKK!!

The sound of the door being forcefully opened resounded throughout the region. However, it was a slow process as the ancient door started to release even more terrifying Dao Fragments to counter the chains.

Upon seeing this scene, the woman in white lost her composure and shouted. "No! Do you know what you're doing? If you continue to forcefully open the door there will be massive repercussions."

"Ha Ha Ha! You mean the destruction of everything here, why should we care? We only came to release whats inside, as for what will happen to us? There is no need to worry about that, as we will soon gain the doors rightful privilege which will secure us from its prestige." as he said this, he smirked as he looked towards the Chosen Battle Arena.

"You can't mean!" the woman in white exclaimed as she also glanced towards the Chosen Battle Arena.

*****

"Golden Dragon Fist!" roared Xun Yanshan as a large stream of battle qi erupted from his fist, creating a large golden fist that shot towards Fei Tan who stood before his path.

"Profound Mind Methods: Wargod's Javelin!" said the elder from the Southern Revolution Faction, as a semi-transparent javelin appeared in his free hand. He then formed an arc with his body as the muscles in his arm holding the javelin started to bulge with terrifying mind force gathering around the javelin, quickly his body acted like a spring as he swung his arm tossing the javelin towards Fei Tan from the side.

As if the two attacks of the high-level Warrior Realm practitioners in front of him were nothing, Fei Tan took a deep breath and released a ghostly cry.

Within moments, the sound waves of his ghostly cry collided with both attacks.

BOOM! A loud explosion occurred which sent chunks of broken sections belonging to the platform, scattering into the air to distant parts of the platform crashing into assaulting ghostly corpses and practitioners.

"Dammit! We can't continue like this, as the situation is growing worse by each passing moment." Xun Yanshan cursed he looked at the injured practitioners a few hundred meters behind them, battling with the ghost army and the traitors.

"It makes no sense to worry about what cannot be changed, our objective remains the same to break the core of the formation." said the man from the Southern Revolution Faction with a clear-headed expression.

Fei Tan hearing this smirked as he spoke. "Sorry to say, it is but a futile attempt on your part, as even if you reach the core you will not be able to do anything." as he said this, he promptly turned his body stretching his hand towards a distant unnoticeable sea of leaves that was almost within the region of the formation core.

Sensing the danger coming from behind, the man from the Midnight Temple inside of leaves made a strange hand sign, causing the leaves to disperse. Soon, his figure reappeared at the sides of Xun Yanshan and the man from the Southern Revolution Faction.

BANG! Fei Tan's hand then crashed into the ground creating a crater.

"Chet! Such sharp senses, my 'Hidden Leaves Art' was broken so easily." said the man from the Midnight Temple.

"To think the famous Yin Shuye couldn't get past an opponent unnoticed, your reputation may fall if word gets out." Xun Yanshan mocked from the side as he momentarily glanced at the man from the Midnight Temple.

Yin Shuye hearing this frowned but did not say anything as he looked at the man from the Southern Revolution Faction and asked with interest. "That mind technique you're Nei Sinian aren't you?"

As he heard this, Nei Sinian merely nodded his head as he didn't bother to respond keeping his eyes on Fei Tan who had now retracted his hand.

Xun Yanshan looked at the Nei Sinian in surprise as she thought to himself. "So it was he, the brother of the 'Tyrant of the South,' no wonder Nei Dongyan could be here. Hmph! How could one notice any of these guys with all of that cloth wrapped over their bodies?"

Fei Tan looked a Yin Shuye with a smile on his face before glancing at all three and speaking. "Should I let you guys in on a little secret."

Hearing his words the faces of the three of them became solemn as they quietly stared at Fei Tan, Fei Tain smiled as saw their reactions and spoke once more.

"Purging everyone here isn't our only goals, for you see, there are also few treasured items that we have to collect."

As he said this, the looks on the faces of Xun Yanshan, Nei Sinian, and Ye Shuye instantly changed becoming filled with shock and anger as they looked towards the Chosen Battle Arena.

*****

As these battles raged on, there were a few other platforms that started to changes of there own.

BLAZE!

A sea of fire blanketed a platform as a group of individuals stood proudly inside of fire barrier, positioned at the center of these flames. Their red hairs glowed brilliantly as if they were deities from the fire realm, as they looked at the unmoving Cloudly Ghost Corpses bathing in the sea of flames.

At the front of these individuals stood a youthful looking man who gave off the pressure of a peak low-level Warrior Ream expert, he looked to the people behind and spoke.

"It's time for us to make our stand.."

Library of Heaven's Path - Chapter 110: You Are About to Die

Just like what Zhang Xuan said, Meng Yan was hiding resentment and killing intent within his heart.

He was also betrayed by someone he deeply trusted in.

Just that, it was something that happened this morning. He thought that his rage had already ceased and never would he have thought that he would infuse these emotions into his pill.

But... How was he able to tell?

Through the pill he forged?

How was that possible?

"It's true?"

"This..."

Upon seeing Meng Yan's expression, even the most dull-witted of the lot could tell that what Zhang Xuan said was the truth.

They stared at one another in disbelief.

[Not only was he able to discern the killing intent in him through his pill forging, he is even able to deduce that he was betrayed by a trusted person. You... Are you an apprentice apothecary or a fortune teller?]

"If you all think that there's something wrong with my words, there is an easy way to ascertain it. The guild should have Pill Sample Beasts, right? We can feed this Tranquil Heart Pill to it and see whether it will calm down or rampage!"

Upon seeing Meng Yan at a loss for words, Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly.

Usually, in order to ascertain the authenticity and effects of a pill, the Apothecary Guild would prepare some Pill Sample Beasts to test them.

This savage beast was extremely sensitive towards pills. Upon consumption of the pills, one could determine the effects of the pills through its response.

It corresponded to the lab rats used in clinical trials in the world of Zhang Xuan's previous life. Only after passing the tests could the medicine be fed to humans. This was to ensure the safety of those consuming it.

"Un!" Ouyang Cheng nodded his head and an apprentice apothecary walked out of the room. In a moment, a cage of savage beasts that resembled white mice was brought over. Opening the mouth of one, the Tranquil Heart Pill was fed to it.

A short moment later, the Pill Sample Beast started to get agitated, running around the cage and clawing everything in sight. It didn't seem to be calming down in the least.

"Normally, after consuming a Tranquil Heart Pill, the Pill Sample Beast would lie quietly by the side. Yet, after consuming this pill, the Pill Sample Beast becomes visibly agitated.”

In the midst through Zhang Xuan's words, the Pill Sample Beast who consumed the Tranquil Heart Pill ran toward another of its kind, climbed on top of it and started to conduct insertion exercises forcibly onto the other party.

"Cough cough, the strong sexual drive experienced by the one who consumes the pill shows that not only does the pill not calms one, it even induces anger in them! If I'm not wrong, the person whom Apothecary Meng Yan killed today is a woman, one whom he had a sexual relationship with! Her eventual betrayal resulted in his outrage, causing the pill to contain strong emotions of possessiveness and frenzy!"

"This..."

Upon seeing the drugged Pill Sample Beast in the cage crushing on another Pill Sample Beast and forcing itself on the other, not giving the other party a chance to retaliate at all, the other apothecaries stared at one another in astonishment.

[Is this really Tranquil Heart Pill?

Are you sure that it isn't an aphrodisiac!

It is fortunate that it isn't fed to a human. Otherwise, not only will their heart no calm down, they will even turn into a...

Cough cough, it will cause disastrous effects!]

Everyone shuddered upon thinking about the possibility.

"This morning, I saw the concubine that I dote on the most conducting adultery on me with the butler. In that instant, rage filled me and I killed both of them on the spot!"

Upon seeing everyone's gaze focusing on him, Meng Yan shook his head as he explained.

Since the other party had already said so much, there was nothing for him to hide.

This incident had made him furious. For the entire day, he had been in bad mood. The reason why he stepped out was to embarrass Zhang Xuan so as to vent his frustration.

"Is that for real?"

"Seeing through so much through looking at another forge pill?"

...

Seeing Meng Yan admit to it, the others stared at Zhang Xuan as though he was a monster. If their gazes were contemptuous before, they had a grave expression on at this very moment.

One's pill reflected one's state of mind, but... to see that an apothecary had killed someone earlier this morning, even inferring that the person was his concubine, through watching him forge pills...

[The heck, you must be a constable, right!]

Otherwise... How could he possibly tell that much?

"Alright, I have already pointed out the flaws in it. Apothecary Meng Yan, do you need me to go on?" Ignoring the shocked expression on the others, Zhang Xuan said with a smile.

The Library of Heaven's Path could see through all flaws. It was a simple task for him to tell that he had been betrayed by his concubine and that his pill carried killing intent and resentment.

"There's no need. I admit defeat!"

Meng Yan surrendered.

The numerous apothecaries on the field, including himself, weren't able to see through the problem in the pill he forged. Yet, the other party was able to see through it directly, even telling so much about it... It was a clear loss, even if he didn't wish to accept it!

"Just like that... he surrendered?"

Wen Xue's eyes widened.

An apothecary admitted defeat to an apprentice?

If she didn't see this for herself, she wouldn't dare to believe it.

However, it made sense when she thought about it. To be able to see that far, that fellow's eye for discernment was too incredible. He had no choice but to admit defeat!

"Alright, next!"

Now that the first person had admitted defeat, Zhang Xuan had achieved first blood. He turned to look at the remaining nine people with a smile.

"I shall face him!"

An elderly stood up.

If they thought that Zhang Xuan was here to cause trouble previously, after Meng Yan's incident, they finally understood that this fellow was an expert, expert among experts.

No wonder he was so confident as to dare to challenge the Pill Debate, even raising the difficulty at that. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"It is Apothecary Chen Xiao!"

"Apothecary Chen may not be the best among us in terms of pill forging, but he is the oldest!"

"He is an extremely rational and calm person, unlike Meng Yan and his fiery temper. I believe that he will be able to defeat that lad!"

...

Seeing the elder stand up, everyone secretly nodded their heads in approval.

This Apothecary Chen Xiao was the oldest among the ten of them, as well as the most level-headed one. Surely there wouldn't be any problems if he was the one to make a move.

Huhuhu!

The flame beneath the cauldron crackled. In a moment's time, he extracted a few pills from it.

It was the same pill as the one Meng Yan forged previously, Tranquil Heart Pill. It was also perfectly round and smooth with radiance glowing off its surface. However, it was clearly of higher quality, reaching Perfection.

"Alright, I am done forging the pills. You don't need to identify the forging method, it’s the same as the one Apothecary Meng Yan used previously, Ten Formulas of Tranquil Water. If you’re able to point out the flaws in it, I will concede and admit defeat!"

Apothecary Chen Xiao said calmly as he grasped the pills he just forged in his hands.

"Incredible!"

"This is truly a wise move!"

"To use the same forging method to forge the exact same pills. Previously, he was able to point out the killing intent in Apothecary Meng Yan's heart as the flaw in his pill forging, but Apothecary Chen Xiao's state of mind is serene and he is a level-headed person. He should be unable to find another one of this kind of flaw on him!"

"Let's see how he will fare this time..."

...

Upon seeing Apothecary Chen Xiao's actions, everyone couldn't help but exclaim internally that it was indeed the older ones who were more cunning.

Even Zhang Xuan couldn't help but nod his head.

The other party was indeed extremely wise.

Even though the other party had clearly told him that he used the same forging method so that he doesn't have to guess it, his actions were, in fact, making it more difficult for him to answer.

However, to the Library of Heaven's Path... this was nothing at all!

Zhang Xuan looked at him, seemingly nonchalant to his actions, "If I'm not wrong, Apothecary Chen Xiao should have trouble sleeping and eating recently!"

"Ah?"

Apothecary Chen Xiao was taken aback, "It’s true that I have been having problems sleeping, and my appetite isn't good recently. However... this should have nothing to do with pill forging though?"

[So what if I don't eat or sleep?

You just have to tell me about the flaws in my pill forging. Why are you telling me about my body condition?

Besides...

About me not sleeping well and having no appetite... How did you know about it?]

"Nothing to do with it? You're wrong! It is related to it in every way!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

"Related to it in every way? Enlighten me."

Apothecary Chen Xiao couldn't help but look over.

"Hehe, if I'm not wrong... You are about to die!"

Zhang Xuan said.