Ouyang Feng struggled to prop himself up with his sword, slowly rising from the ground. His body swayed, blood dripping from his robes, but he clenched his teeth and forced himself upright.
He lifted his blood-smeared, aged face. His eyes were unexpectedly calm, deep, and steady.
He did not look at King Zhennan.
Instead, his gaze swept across the countless cultivators from outside the province.
"To die for one's integrity is to die in the right place."
His voice was hoarse, yet firm.
"This old man only wants to say one thing to you all—"
"Cultivators of Wasteland Province… cannot be humiliated!"
The words rang out like a thunderclap, echoing in every direction and striking directly into the hearts of all who heard them. Goosebumps rose uncontrollably across countless bodies.
"Cultivators of Wasteland Province cannot be humiliated!"
The roar followed like a tidal wave, surging across the land and reverberating throughout the entire province.
In that instant, the cultivators of Wasteland Province moved as one.
They stood in front of Ouyang Feng.
Sect Masters, elders, disciples, cultivation families, and loose cultivators—all stepped forward without hesitation, forming a wall of bodies.
They were clearly weaker.
Yet none retreated.
It was as if they were prepared to die together, like moths rushing toward a flame.
"This…"
The cultivators from outside the province were shaken, their expressions complicated.
They didn't know why, but facing these people—people they could easily crush—made their scalps tighten with unease.
The most important thing was this:
Things had already escalated beyond a simple conflict.
This was naked bullying through overwhelming power.
If news spread, their reputations would be ruined, and their sects would be dragged through the mud.
King Zhennan's expression darkened. Then he sneered coldly.
"Do you think a pile of ants can bite an elephant to death?"
"Delusional."
"Ants are still ants."
As he spoke, he raised his Primordial Hammer, its terrifying might beginning to surge.
"Protect the Old Ancestor!"
The Banshan Sect Master roared.
"Cultivators of Wasteland Province—prepare for battle!"
Cries filled with fury and resolve echoed into the sky as sects, cultivation families, and loose cultivators from all nations responded as one.
Just then—
A sudden change occurred.
Several far more terrifying auras swept across the battlefield like a storm.
"That—what is that?!"
Many people felt their scalps explode with shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"Amitabha."
A group of monks clad in kasayas stepped through the air, golden lotuses blooming beneath their feet as Buddhist chants echoed softly.
"It's the Hanging Temple from Fozhou!"
Someone cried out.
"Heh… it's really lively today."
A man dressed in luxurious brocade appeared, his long dark-purple hair flowing down to his waist. His features were sharp and sinister, yet his demeanor was elegant as he casually fanned himself with a white folding fan.
He sat upon a bronze chariot pulled by nine Flood Dragons.
Each Flood Dragon radiated a terrifying aura—their cultivation levels were all at the Soul Formation Realm.
Using Soul Formation Flood Dragons as mounts alone was enough to reveal the terrifying foundation of his family.
Around the chariot stood powerful guards, their eyes sharp and their auras profound.
Among them, the three strongest guard captains possessed unfathomable strength—capable of killing Soul Transformation cultivators as easily as slaughtering dogs.
"T-that's Xue Tianyi!"
"The Young Lord of the Xue Family—the number one cultivation family of Spirit Province!"
Gasps erupted throughout the crowd.
Boom!
At that moment, another force arrived.
Without any attempt at concealment, a terrifying aura burst forth, overwhelming the previous two groups in an instant and drawing countless shocked gazes.
Zen Master Jing, leading the Hanging Temple cultivators, stiffened. A trace of apprehension flashed through his eyes as he clasped his hands together and silently recited Buddhist mantras.
Xue Tianyi's expression darkened, though he forcibly restrained himself from reacting.
"H-heavens…"
"Even the Feathered Immortal Sect of Qing Province has come!"
The crowd erupted into chaos.
The Feathered Immortal Sect was one of the supreme forces of the Eastern Region, its status unshaken for millions of years—a true Immortal Cultivation Holy Land.
A golden flying boat hovered in the sky.
Upon it stood a group of Feathered Immortal Sect cultivators. Several of their auras were terrifyingly powerful, most notably the nine inner elders.
"Saint, we have arrived."
Elder Yan cupped his hands respectfully, his voice solemn. He did not dare show the slightest negligence toward the young man before him.
With every breath the young man took, rich energy surged in and out. A mysterious, hazy mist enveloped his body, and brilliant Sun Essence Qi poured from his pores.
He was the strongest True Disciple of the Feathered Immortal Sect.
And also its newly established Saint.
His status was incomparably exalted—even higher than that of an inner elder.
"Wasteland Province…"
Chen Xiao gazed at the land beneath his feet, murmuring softly.
This was the place where he had been born and raised.
And now, it was a stain he refused to acknowledge.
No one knew how devastating the blow to his worldview had been when he first entered the Feathered Immortal Sect.
His senior and junior brothers were either born into powerful cultivation families or came from immortal imperial dynasties. Their provinces were rich in resources and overflowing with spiritual qi.
And he?
He had come from a poor, remote wasteland.
Fortunately, he had awakened the Sun Immortal Body, forcibly reversing his fate. Step by step, he rose to become the most dazzling prodigy of the Feathered Immortal Sect.
Yet—
That humble origin never stopped haunting him.
It filled him with shame.
Now, returning to this land, he felt no nostalgia.
No warmth.
Only disgust.
Only aversion.
"Oh my god, that's Chen Xiao—the Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect! I've heard of him. He possesses the Sun Immortal Body, said to be invincible among his peers!"
Many cultivators exclaimed in shock.
The Feathered Immortal Sect was a supreme power of the Eastern Region. Any internal movement within it was enough to shake the outside world.
Everyone knew of Chen Xiao.
He had suppressed all True Disciples during the sect competition and had been designated as the current Saint.
There was no doubt—he was the most dazzling rising star of the Eastern Region.
In the next hundred thousand years, he was destined to write new legends.
Simply because this young man possessed the potential for Immortal Ascension.
Suddenly—
The cultivators of Wasteland Province reacted.
"Chen Xiao?" someone said in disbelief. "Isn't that the Young Sect Master of the Wind-Thunder Sect? He's from Wasteland Province—one of our own!"
The moment these words fell, the entire scene exploded into chaos.
"What?! The Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect comes from this barren, backward land?!"
"That's impossible! How could such a desolate place produce a top-tier prodigy?!"
"This is bad… We were humiliating the cultivators of Wasteland Province just now. If this—"
Cultivators from the other thirteen provinces cast stunned looks toward the battlefield, shock evident on their faces.
Under the countless strange gazes, Chen Xiao's expression appeared calm.
But deep within his eyes, a chilling killing intent surged.
His greatest fear had come true.
Elder Yan understood instantly.
With a flick of his sleeve, terrifying power swept outward.
The cultivators of Wasteland Province who had just spoken were pulled into the air—and in the next instant—
Boom!
Tens of thousands of bodies exploded simultaneously, bursting into clouds of blood.
Blood rained from the sky. The stench of gore filled the air.
"The Saint of my Feathered Immortal Sect is not someone ants are qualified to discuss!"
"Anyone who dares gossip again—dies!"
Elder Yan's roar shook the heavens.
The previously noisy battlefield fell into deathly silence.
Chen Xiao's expression remained indifferent, unmoved.
At this moment, King Zhennan felt deep embarrassment.
He had just humiliated the cultivators of Wasteland Province—yet who would have thought such a place could give birth to a Feathered Immortal Sect Saint?
With such a status, even the Emperor of the Shun Tian Imperial Dynasty would not dare offend him, let alone a mere feudal lord.
After weighing his words carefully, King Zhennan said respectfully,
"Saint Chen, may I ask if these cultivators of Wasteland Province can be handed over to me for disposal?"
If Chen Xiao showed the slightest intention to interfere, he would retreat immediately.
Chen Xiao glanced at him coldly. His thin lips parted.
"As you wish."
King Zhennan was overjoyed. He cupped his hands deeply.
"Thank you, Saint Chen, for your benevolence!"
Turning back, he fixed Ouyang Feng with a cruel smile, the Primordial Hammer in his hand beginning to surge with power.
"No…"
Despair filled the eyes of the cultivators of Wasteland Province.
Their final hope had been extinguished.
Ouyang Feng laughed bitterly and shook his head.
He struggled to stand, gripping his sword tightly.
He wanted to unleash that spirited sword strike from his youth—one final time.
Chen Xiao watched coldly.
In his eyes, these were nothing more than lowly natives.
He had long since shed his humble origins and ascended to a truly superior status.
On a distant, inconspicuous mountain—
"Sect Master, that's the Young Sect Master of the Wind-Thunder Sect. What should we do?" the Hidden Sword Peak Master asked anxiously.
"I guessed it," Xu Younian said grimly. "With the Secret Realm appearing, Old Dog Chen's son was bound to show up. Fortunately, Xuantian Sect didn't act rashly."
"Sect Master, while they're fighting over the Secret Realm, we should relocate Xuantian Sect immediately!"
"I agree. Didn't you hear them call him Saint? We need to flee!"
"Wait—where is Junior Brother Ye? He's the hope of Xuantian Sect!"
Suddenly, the Heavenly Fragrance Peak Master covered her lips, her eyes widening in shock.
"Everyone—look! Junior Brother Ye… he's already gone over there!"
"What?!"
Xu Younian's face changed drastically.
"Quick! Bring him back!"
Chen Xiao was there—going now was courting death!
At that moment—
Just as the battle was about to erupt, a loud, irritated voice echoed from afar, rapidly drawing closer.
"Damn it! Outsiders bullying us already?"
"This Wasteland Province really can't do without me."
"Don't move—every single one of you, stand still for me!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Countless gazes snapped toward the source.
Who dared speak so arrogantly?
A young man stepped forward under everyone's gaze.
He wore a black robe embroidered with gold. His long silver-white hair flowed freely, dazzling and conspicuous.
"Who are you?" King Zhennan sneered. "State your name!"
Ye Junlin raised his chin.
"Your great father—Ye Junlin."
King Zhennan froze for a split second—then erupted in rage.
"Bastard! This King will kill you!"
"Ye Junlin?!" someone shouted. "Isn't that the Misty Peak Master of Xuantian Sect?!"
"Xuantian Sect—Ye Junlin!"
Chen Xiao's indifference shattered instantly.
He roared, his eyes erupting with chilling, space-rending killing intent.
He hadn't expected his father's killer to be standing right in front of him.
Ye Junlin rubbed his nose lazily.
"Is something wrong?"
Chen Xiao's face twisted with hatred.
"You killed the Wind-Thunder Sect Master—didn't you?!"
"Oh, that idiot?" Ye Junlin thought for a moment. "Yeah, I remember him. Always bragging about how his son had the potential to become a true Immortal."
He glanced at Chen Xiao.
"You wouldn't happen to be his—"
"I am his son!"
Chen Xiao's eyes turned bloodshot as he ground his teeth.
"Holy cow." Ye Junlin looked genuinely surprised.
"So you're that idiot's son?"
Boom!
A terrifying might erupted like a volcano.
Chen Xiao trembled with rage, the fury in his chest surging through his entire body as he roared:
"I'm going to kill you!"
Everyone felt their scalps go numb as they looked at Ye Junlin as if he were insane.
He dared to provoke the Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect?!
This was courting death!
King Zhennan was momentarily stunned. Then his eyes lit up as he quickly stepped forward.
"Saint Chen, allow me to capture this reckless fool and bring him to you for disposal!"
This was a perfect chance to show loyalty and curry favor with the strongest prodigy of the Feathered Immortal Sect.
Suddenly—
A violent gust tore through the air.
King Zhennan charged toward Ye Junlin, his face twisted with ferocity as he roared,
"Kid, you're finished!"
Whoosh!
A slender figure clad in fiery red appeared instantly.
The surrounding temperature soared.
Hong Qianye stood in front of King Zhennan, his expression cold.
"Oh?" King Zhennan froze, his eyes lighting up with lust. "Where did this beauty come from?"
"Die, scum."
Hong Qianye spoke with naked disgust.
He raised his hand.
Whoosh!
A fire-type Divine Technique erupted.
Scorching flames burned through the air, space twisting and warping under the intense heat.
King Zhennan's expression changed drastically.
He roared and resisted with everything he had—but even his Primordial Hammer was incinerated into nothingness. The unknown fierce flames engulfed his body entirely.
"AHHH—!"
A shrill scream tore through the sky.
Under countless horrified gazes, King Zhennan's body was reduced to ash in an instant—nothing left behind.
"A Soul Formation cultivator… just died like that?!"
"Who attacked?!"
Shouts of disbelief erupted from all directions.
Everyone stared at the woman in red, their minds blank.
"When did my Wasteland Province have such a terrifying cultivator?"
Ouyang Feng was completely dumbfounded, his emotions complicated.
Thinking about how he had once claimed to be the number one expert of Wasteland Province, his face burned with shame.
There were always people beyond people.
And Heavens beyond Heavens.
"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your esteemed name?" Ouyang Feng called out loudly.
Hong Qianye ignored him entirely.
After killing King Zhennan, he flashed directly to Ye Junlin's side, cupped his hands, and spoke respectfully:
"Master."
The scene stunned everyone into silence.
"That… that senior is Peak Master Ye's disciple?!"
"Holy hell! That's a Soul Formation cultivator!"
"When did Xuantian Sect have a Soul Formation cultivator?!"
"Who said Peak Master Ye was only at the Nascent Soul Realm before?! Stand up—I swear I won't beat you to death!"
The cultivators of Wasteland Province were ecstatic.
This was an enormous surprise.
"Xuantian Sect… is this strong?!" Ouyang Feng exclaimed in disbelief.
In his memory, Xuantian Sect had always been the weakest of the six major sects.
What on earth had happened during his seclusion?
"Xiao Dezi, you'd better explain this to this Old Ancestor," Ouyang Feng said irritably.
If he had known this earlier, why would he have gone out of his way to embarrass himself?
The Banshan Sect Master looked utterly confused.
"Old Ancestor, I really don't know anything either!"
Rumble.
At that moment, Xu Younian led the Xuantian Sect to the battlefield.
"Sect Master, you've finally arrived," Ye Junlin said cheerfully. "I was just about to call you."
"Junior Brother Ye, you—do you even know what you're doing?!" Xu Younian said anxiously.
"Those are people from the Feathered Immortal Sect! You should flee immediately—we'll buy you time!"
"That's right," the Hidden Sword Peak Master said solemnly.
"As long as you're alive, Xuantian Sect has hope. You absolutely cannot die here."
Ye Junlin smiled, clearly understanding their concern.
Instead of answering, he waved his hand.
A cloud of mist drifted over.
A small girl stood upon it, nervously cupping her hands and bowing.
"Zhao Ling'er greets all Seniors."
"This is…?" everyone asked in surprise.
"After resolving the Wei Kingdom matter, I recruited a promising talent," Ye Junlin said casually.
"She's the Wei Emperor's daughter and possesses a top-grade Water Spiritual Root. I think she's suitable for Heavenly Fragrance Peak."
The Heavenly Fragrance Peak Master's eyes lit up.
The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
"Zhao Ling'er, from today onward, you belong to Heavenly Fragrance Peak. Call me Master."
"Master!"
Zhao Ling'er immediately performed the disciple-bowing ceremony flawlessly.
"What a smart child!" the Heavenly Fragrance Peak Master laughed happily.
"Congratulations on gaining such a fine disciple!" the other Peak Masters congratulated her.
Xu Younian smiled—then suddenly reacted.
He stomped his foot anxiously.
"Junior Brother Ye! What are you doing at a time like this?! Do you even understand how serious the situation is?!"
Before Ye Junlin could reply—
A terrifying killing intent descended.
It was as if icy needles pierced everyone's soul.
"You. And all of you."
"You will pay with your lives for my father!"
Chen Xiao hovered above them, golden light blazing from his body like a great sun suspended in the heavens.
"Elder Yan, should we intervene?" an elder asked quietly.
Elder Yan waved his hand indifferently.
"This is the Saint's private matter. Let him handle it."
"These rabble are no match for him."
The Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect was destined to dominate the younger generation of the Eastern Region.
Sweeping this barren land would be effortless.
"Ye Junlin, come and die!" Chen Xiao roared, his aura surging like a raging dragon.
Ye Junlin scoffed.
"You want to contend with this Old Ancestor?"
"You're not worthy."
He waved his hand lazily.
"Little Hong, go."
"Teach him how to behave."
Hong Qianye's mouth twitched slightly.
It really did feel like closing the door and letting the dog out.
But having witnessed Ye Junlin's methods, he dared not disobey.
Whoosh!
Hong Qianye shot into the sky, flames trailing behind him like blazing wings—a phoenix ascending to the heavens.
"Heh, coward," Chen Xiao sneered.
"To deal with you, Master doesn't even need to make a move," Hong Qianye said calmly.
Staring at that astonishingly beautiful face, even Chen Xiao—who had seen countless beauties within the Feathered Immortal Sect—was momentarily captivated.
A trace of hesitation appeared.
"With such strength," Chen Xiao said slowly, "why stay in a small sect waiting for death?"
"As long as you surrender, this Saint guarantees you a bright future in the Feathered Immortal Sect."
The surrounding cultivators exchanged strange looks.
It was obvious—Chen Xiao had taken a liking to the woman in red.
And the offer was undeniably tempting.
After all, Xuantian Sect was doomed today.
"Not interested," Hong Qianye replied coldly.
"Miss, you should reconsider," Chen Xiao's expression darkened.
At that address—
Hong Qianye's eyes filled with contempt.
He sneered.
"My Master was right."
"Your father was an idiot."
"And you…"
"…are also an idiot."
Chen Xiao's veins bulged.
A terrifying qi erupted from his body.
"Good."
"Very good."
"All of you—die for me."
Boom!
A fist imprint blazing with dazzling golden light tore through the air and slammed forward. Surging qi followed in its wake, transforming into a coiling golden dragon that roared as it descended.
Hong Qianye formed a hand seal with one hand. With a casual flick of his sleeve, flames poured down from the sky like a meteor shower.
Swoosh!
The golden fist imprint was instantly erased, vanishing without a trace.
"Hm?"
Chen Xiao was visibly startled.
His attack—broken that easily?
"Is that all?" Hong Qianye scoffed.
"Don't get arrogant too early," Chen Xiao snarled. "This is only the beginning!"
Golden light erupted from his body, blazing fiercely as he hovered in the sky like a radiant great sun. The pressure alone made hearts tremble.
His Perfected Soul Formation Realm cultivation was fully unleashed!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Golden fist imprints overlapped in the air, like countless miniature suns descending at once. The oppressive force crushed downward, causing the land below to crack and the air to shriek under the strain.
"So strong…"
Ouyang Feng's face turned pale.
Under this level of attack, he wouldn't survive even a single exchange—he would be reduced to dust on the spot.
Even the Soul Formation cultivators from the other provinces felt their scalps tighten, fear rising uncontrollably from deep within their hearts.
"The Saint truly lives up to his reputation," Elder Yan said with a satisfied smile.
"This top-tier Heaven Rank Sun Divine Fist, combined with the Sun Immortal Body—forget Soul Formation cultivators. Even an ordinary Body Integration Realm cultivator would suffer greatly!"
A deafening explosion erupted.
The sky within thousands of miles fractured, space rippling violently as if it were about to collapse.
"Hmph. You forced my hand."
Chen Xiao sneered—
Then his expression froze.
His pupils shrank to pinpoints.
At some point, a multicolored flame lotus had appeared before him. Its petals slowly unfurled, radiating a terrifying yet restrained heat.
Hong Qianye stood calmly within the lotus, completely unharmed, looking at Chen Xiao with a teasing gaze.
"How… is this possible?!"
Chen Xiao's mind went blank.
This move had once swept through the sect competition, suppressing all True Disciples without exception.
Within the same realm, he had been nearly invincible!
Yet now—
It had been blocked.
Completely.
"I don't believe it!" Chen Xiao roared, his eyes bloodshot.
"I possess the potential for Immortal Ascension! I am invincible within the same realm!!"
He activated his Sun Immortal Body to its limit.
A far more terrifying aura erupted from him, golden light surging violently as the surrounding space warped under the pressure.
In an instant—
He charged forward.
His body became a streak of golden radiance, carrying unmatched might as he forcibly tore through the air.
"A frog in a well."
Hong Qianye sneered.
"This Old Ancestor will show you what 'invincible in the same realm' really means."
A wicked thought surfaced in his mind.
Rather than killing Chen Xiao outright—
He decided to crush him completely, grinding down his dignity piece by piece, using the opponent's own pride as the weapon.