Facing Chen Xiao's furious assault, Hong Qianye remained calm and composed. He raised his hand again and again, casually deflecting every strike.
The sky rumbled violently, as if on the verge of collapse.
The two figures intertwined like light and shadow, their movements too fast to follow. Violent qi currents surged between them, tearing through the surrounding air like raging hurricanes.
"How is this possible?"
The longer Chen Xiao fought, the more alarmed he became.
No matter how fierce his attacks were, they were always neutralized effortlessly, like punching into soft cotton—no resistance, yet no effect.
"This level of combat awareness and reaction speed… I've never seen anything like it in the Feathered Immortal Sect."
"How can a small sect like Xuantian Sect produce such a disciple?!"
Chen Xiao was battered so badly that doubt began to creep into his Dao Heart.
What he didn't know was that the person standing before him was not some ordinary disciple.
He was facing a former giant of the Demonic Path—someone who had clawed his way up from nothing, step by step, through countless life-and-death battles.
That accumulation of experience, instincts honed into muscle memory, and a ruthlessly sharp combat mind were things a sheltered prodigy like Chen Xiao simply could not compare to.
"That's because you're too weak."
"Trash."
Hong Qianye sneered.
He precisely seized an opening and struck out with a palm. The palm wind rolled forward like a scorching heatwave.
Pfft!
Chen Xiao spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body sent flying backward for hundreds of meters.
His eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief.
"The Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect… is being suppressed by a disciple of Xuantian Sect?!"
An uproar erupted among the various forces.
"Elder Yan, this—" several elders exclaimed in shock.
Elder Yan's expression turned grim.
This was a heavy blow to the reputation of the Feathered Immortal Sect.
Was Xuantian Sect truly just a small sect?
Why did every disciple that appeared seem so abnormal?!
"Saint!" Elder Yan shouted in a deep voice.
"Do not doubt yourself! You are the supreme prodigy chosen by the Feathered Immortal Sect! You possess the potential for Immortal Ascension!"
"…Immortal Ascension…"
Chen Xiao murmured softly.
His Dao Heart, which had been on the verge of collapse, stabilized once more.
His gaze sharpened, becoming resolute again.
"I haven't lost yet!"
Chen Xiao roared toward the heavens.
Golden light burst from his eyes, tearing through the air. His body shone like divine glazed gold, radiant and blazing, as if a scorching sun had descended upon the world.
The great sun hung high in the sky, scorching all things below.
Suddenly, terrifying heat energy converged, locking firmly onto Hong Qianye.
"Childish."
Hong Qianye sneered, treating it as nothing more than meaningless struggle.
"Die for me!!"
Chen Xiao roared.
A golden pillar of light—nearly three hundred meters wide—shattered the air and pierced the sky, completely engulfing Hong Qianye.
Heaven Rank Divine Technique — Solar Eclipse!
Even Body Integration Realm experts would struggle to fully comprehend this technique.
Yet Chen Xiao had already mastered it at the Entry Level.
With the Sun Immortal Body fully activated, this strike was more than enough to obliterate an Early Stage Body Integration Realm cultivator.
It had to be said—
Chen Xiao was truly powerful.
A genuine top-tier prodigy of the Eastern Region.
Even if he were placed in the Central Region, he would still be renowned.
Unfortunately—
He had encountered Hong Qianye.
A True Immortal who had re-cultivated, possessing an Immortal-grade Fire Spiritual Root and cultivating an extremely compatible Saint grade technique.
The overlap of such foundations was terrifying beyond measure.
"Heh."
Hong Qianye raised his hand and struck out.
Seven-colored flames surged forward like a raging inferno, carrying the terrifying power to incinerate the heavens and boil the seas.
When the two forces collided—
The resulting qi currents tore violently at the sky, space trembling as if it were about to rupture.
"Is this really Soul Formation Realm strength?" Ouyang Feng couldn't help but click his tongue.
Compared to this, he felt like a fake Soul Formation cultivator.
Other Soul Formation experts felt their hearts pound violently.
This power was already enough to kill a Body Integration Realm cultivator!
As the explosive shockwaves slowly subsided, countless Divine Senses locked onto the battlefield.
"So…"
"Who won?"
The entire crowd held its breath, tension filling the air.
At that moment, a figure drenched in blood fell from the sky.
His hair was disheveled, his eyes vacant, his Dao Heart heavily damaged.
"That's the Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect!!"
Shouts erupted across the battlefield.
"Hmph. A speck of light daring to contend with the bright moon."
Hong Qianye sneered.
From beginning to end, he had never regarded Chen Xiao as anything more than a clown.
"Junior Ye… your disciple is terrifyingly strong…"
Xu Younian was completely dumbfounded.
To defeat even the Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect—he truly had no idea where Ye Junlin had abducted such a monster from.
"Little Hong," Ye Junlin called out.
Hong Qianye immediately flashed to his side, cupping his hands respectfully.
"Master, what are your orders?"
Ye Junlin nodded in satisfaction.
"You did well. I'll add extra food for myself tonight."
"…Thank you, Master… hm?"
Hong Qianye froze.
Why was his reward extra food for Master?
Swish!
Several elders hurriedly brought Chen Xiao onto the golden flying boat.
"Saint, quickly swallow this!"
Someone took out a top-grade healing pill and fed it to him.
This was the Saint of the Feathered Immortal Sect—no accidents could be allowed.
After the pill dissolved, Chen Xiao's injuries rapidly stabilized, and his chaotic qi gradually settled.
However, his eyes were unfocused as he muttered repeatedly,
"I lost… I lost…"
His mentality had completely collapsed.
Elder Yan's eyes turned red.
"Saint!" he shouted sternly. "Pull yourself together!"
His voice carried a special calming force.
Chen Xiao's body trembled, his gaze slowly regaining clarity.
Clenching his teeth, he spoke hoarsely,
"Elder Yan… I lost. I am not invincible within the same realm. I have disgraced the Feathered Immortal Sect."
"Do not overthink it," Elder Yan said gravely.
"You still have a boundless future. You possess the potential for Immortal Ascension!"
Yet inwardly, Elder Yan let out a heavy sigh.
Then—
He turned his gaze toward the fiery-red figure below.
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes.
"Injuring the Saint of my Feathered Immortal Sect…"
"This matter must be settled!"
As his voice fell—
The elders of the Feathered Immortal Sect simultaneously released their auras.
Each one was overwhelmingly powerful.
They were all Body Integration Realm experts!
"Heavenly Lords… they're all Heavenly Lords!"
Ouyang Feng cried out in shock.
Upon reaching the Body Integration Realm, one could be titled a Heavenly Lord, signifying longevity comparable to the heavens.
Now, nine Heavenly Lords stood here.
This alone demonstrated the terrifying depth of the Feathered Immortal Sect's foundation.
The people of the Hanging Temple and the Xue Family all changed expressions, growing extremely vigilant.
This was naked intimidation through cultivation might.
"Which one of you will go capture him and execute him?" Elder Yan said coldly.
"I will."
A burly elder stepped forward, his figure flashing out.
The pressure of a Middle Stage Body Integration Realm crushed down like a mountain.
"Master…"
Hong Qianye's expression tightened.
He knew he could not withstand this level of opponent.
"It's fine."
"Leave it to me."
Ye Junlin stepped forward casually.
Boom!
A towering aura erupted from his body.
In an instant, everyone's ears rang violently.
"Peak Master Ye… is in the Body Integration Realm?!"
The cultivators of Wasteland Province were stunned.
"My Wasteland Province actually has a Heavenly Lord!"
Ouyang Feng was so excited his voice trembled.
The most shocked were Xu Younian and the others.
They stared at Ye Junlin as if they had seen a ghost.
"First Nascent Soul… then Soul Transformation… now Body Integration?"
Xu Younian looked utterly depressed.
"Junior Ye… are you playing with us?!"
"Body Integration Realm? So what?"
The elder sneered coldly, forming hand seals.
"Do you really think you can contend with me?"
A Divine technique erupted.
The air rumbled like a grinding mill.
A gigantic white, glowing hand descended from the sky, exuding an ancient, desolate aura.
Ye Junlin remained calm.
He raised his hand and lightly pointed.
Bang!
The colossal hand shattered instantly.
"What?!"
The elder's pupils shrank violently as an intense sense of danger surged through him.
Whoosh!
Ye Junlin executed the Great Void Technique, appearing before him in a blink.
Boom!
His fist shot out, killing intent unmatched.
"Ah—!"
The speed was too fast.
The elder didn't even have time to activate a protective treasure or talisman.
His physical body exploded.
His Primordial Spirit was annihilated.
"HOLY—!"
Countless people felt their minds go blank.
A Body Integration Realm Heavenly Lord… killed in a single punch?!
Was this real?!
Ye Junlin flicked his fingers casually, silver-white hair flowing, a playful smile on his lips.
"Is that all?"
With the Supreme Bone, his base combat power had skyrocketed.
Even without using Divine techniques, his close-combat strength was terrifying.
Elder Yan's face darkened completely.
"Everyone—attack! Kill him!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The remaining seven elders moved at once.
Their realms were comparable to Ye Junlin's, and they unleashed their full killing moves without restraint.
Rumble!
The sky seemed to cave in, forming a massive vortex.
Suddenly—
Behind Ye Junlin, a majestic phantom emerged.
A sovereign-like figure, a King of all living beings.
A terrifying pressure spread outward, forcing countless cultivators to instinctively lower their heads.
"Human King Seal!"
Ye Junlin raised his hand and slammed it forward.
The seal collided head-on with the combined attacks of seven Body Integration Realm elders.
Violent energy currents erupted, tearing space apart inch by inch.
Pfft!
One elder after another spat blood, their faces filled with horror.
"What level of Divine Technique is this?!"
It was tyrannical beyond reason—far surpassing anything in the Feathered Immortal Sect!
Ye Junlin sneered and struck down again.
"Meteorite Shield!"
One elder's scalp went numb.
He immediately sacrificed his Lifebound Treasure.
A shimmering shield flew out, covered in flowing runes.
A Low-Grade Spiritual Weapon!
Bang!
The shield was struck heavily.
Cracks spread across its surface, but it barely held together—saving his life at the last moment.
"This child's strength is terrifying. Everyone—use your treasures and suppress him immediately!"
The elder seized the chance to retreat, roaring at the top of his lungs.
"Kill!"
The remaining elders responded in unison, simultaneously summoning their treasures.
All of them were Low-Grade Spiritual Weapons.
"Azure Jade Sword Art!"
A white-browed elder shouted, gripping a three-foot-long green sword as he unleashed a dazzling sword light that descended upon Ye Junlin.
This was only the beginning.
Empowered by their respective treasures, the other elders saw their destructive power surge several times over, charging forward with overwhelming might.
As for the external forces watching—
None of them wanted Ye Junlin to survive.
In their eyes, Wasteland Province was a barbaric land. How could someone from such a place possess this level of strength?
Having offended the Feathered Immortal Sect, he deserved to be strangled at the root.
"Amitabha… how benevolent."
Zen Master Jing of the Hanging Temple clasped his hands together, wearing a compassionate expression.
Xue Tianyi, the Young Lord of the Xue Family, sneered inwardly.
This old bald donkey was truly hypocritical.
Watching the battlefield, jealousy flickered in his eyes as he muttered coldly, "It's better for such a prodigy to die early."
"Is it over…?"
Seeing the silver-haired youth surrounded and suppressed, the hearts of many cultivators from Wasteland Province rose to their throats.
"Oh no! Junior Brother Ye is in danger!"
Xu Younian and the others cried out anxiously.
Among them—
Only Hong Qianye remained calm.
Listening to the panicked shouts around him, he folded his arms, pursed his lips, and sneered inwardly.
What do you ants understand?
Ever since witnessing Ye Junlin's methods in the Wei Kingdom, Hong Qianye had long concluded—
This man definitely had more tricks up his sleeve.
And at this very moment—
As if confirming his judgment, Ye Junlin looked even more relaxed under the joint suppression.
"Since that's the case," Ye Junlin chuckled,
"let me show you this move."
Surging qi erupted within him, violently pouring into the Supreme Bone in his chest.
Boom!
Sacred, blazing divine light burst forth.
Its radiance was eternal, unyielding.
Within his chest, it was as if a scorching sun was being conceived, its terrifying aura shaking the very sky.
"What's happening?!"
Countless cultivators trembled, horror written across their faces.
Boom!
An incomparably brilliant divine beam shot out from Ye Junlin's chest, like divine punishment descending from the heavens to annihilate all things.
A supreme divine technique of the Supreme Bone—
Heavenly Tribulation Light!
"Not good!"
The seven Body Integration Realm elders felt their scalps explode.
They immediately activated their treasures to the limit, desperately attempting to block the world-destroying divine light.
"Ah—!"
Screams rang out one after another.
Under the sweep of the Heavenly Tribulation Light, the Low-Grade Spiritual Weapons shattered with sharp cracking sounds.
With their treasures destroyed, the elders screamed in terror.
"Elder Yan! Save us—quickly!"
Elder Yan's expression changed violently.
He could no longer remain calm.
If these elders died here, how would he explain himself upon returning to the sect?!
Boom!
His Peak Body Integration Realm cultivation erupted without restraint.
Whoosh!
An ancient bronze pagoda appeared above his head, radiating an incomparably terrifying aura.
A Third-Grade Spiritual Weapon—
Futu Pagoda!
Though only two grades above a First-Grade Spiritual Weapon, its power surpassed them by more than a thousandfold!
It was precisely because of this pagoda that Elder Yan held such a revered position among the inner elders.
"Perish!"
Elder Yan roared, urging the Futu Pagoda forward to intercept the remaining Heavenly Tribulation Light.
"Heh heh… well met."
Ye Junlin smiled playfully.
[Ding! Warning: Host is under attack by a Peak-stage Body Integration Realm enemy!]
[Triggering Special Ability — Strength Through Adversity!]
[Congratulations! Host has broken through to the Perfected Stage Body Integration Realm!]
Boom!
Ye Junlin's aura exploded violently.
His cultivation leaped directly from Middle Stage Body Integration Realm to Perfection.
In an instant—
The already weakened Heavenly Tribulation Light erupted with terrifying brilliance once more!
"You… you concealed your cultivation?!"
Elder Yan's scalp went numb.
He was so furious he nearly spat blood.
Boom!!
The Heavenly Tribulation Light swept across the battlefield.
"Ah—!"
The seven elders exploded into blood mist one after another, their bodies and Dao completely annihilated.
Only Elder Yan barely survived.
His body was drenched in blood, wounds covering him from head to toe, his expression filled with lingering terror.
He never imagined—
That such a ruthless monster would emerge from Wasteland Province.
Had the world gone mad?
At this point, survival was all that mattered.
"Senior… we admit defeat today."
"The Feathered Immortal Sect is willing to withdraw from the Secret Realm competition."
After speaking, Elder Yan turned to flee.
"Heh heh."
"You come when you want…"
"And leave when you want?"
Ye Junlin extended his hand.
His silver-white hair fluttered wildly, his body radiating a supreme aura that eclipsed the sun, moon, and stars as he looked down upon all under heaven.
"Stay still."
"And die for me."