Chapter 272

Chapter 272: The Arrival of Heroes

In front of the Green Sparrow Palace, a sea of people had gathered. The once noisy scene fell into silence the moment Zhang Yang appeared.

He stood before the crowd, scanning his surroundings. He could feel the hostility from many, the eager gazes from others, and the indifference from some.

This was completely different from when he had challenged the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land in Mo City. Yet, his heart remained as still as water.

After a month of seclusion, he had gained much.

He had fully mastered the Consummate Slaughter Thunder Saint Power, and the Diamond Dragon Holy Power had reached perfection.

His martial arts realm had also ascended to the sixth level of the Ascending to Heaven realm.

Now, standing at his peak, he was filled with fighting spirit. He turned his gaze forward. Before him stretched an endless crowd of young martial artists—the oldest barely over thirty, while the youngest was only eleven or twelve.

“There are quite a few people… more than a hundred thousand, perhaps?”

He spoke casually, as if chatting with friends. Scanning the crowd, he sighed lightly.

“Wow, it seems I, Zhang Yang, have quite the influence. To attract over a hundred thousand young talents from the Southern Region… Though I don’t know how many of you will challenge me, I am ready for all of you!”

His final words instantly sparked a commotion. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their fervor ignited.

No one expected him to remain so unafraid, even when facing such overwhelming numbers.

"You are too arrogant!"

"I’ve seen many arrogant people, but none like you! Do you think the young generation of the Southern Region is beneath you? Just because you defeated the Seventh Prince, Yaoruoxian, and others, do you think you can rule over the new generation of the Southern Region? Let me tell you, there are plenty of Battle God-level geniuses among us! You don’t need geniuses, our sheer numbers alone can wear you down! You ignorant fool, you’re deliberately provoking us! Brothers, since he has spoken so boldly, shouldn’t we show him our strength and take him down together?"

The uproar grew louder. What had started as mere discussion quickly turned into passionate excitement, fueled by voices deliberately stirring the crowd.

Yet, Zhang Yang remained unfazed.

He showed no anger.

He did not expose those with ulterior motives.

Instead, he simply took a step back.

Ascending to the peak of the Green Sparrow Palace, he placed his hands behind his back, overlooking the countless people below.

There was no denying it—there were indeed many.

Once the number had exceeded a hundred thousand, they became densely packed, stretching as far as the eye could see. Many struggled to even catch a glimpse of him, yet none were willing to leave.

And this was precisely the effect he desired.

Before the masses, he would claim his place as the top figure of the new generation in the Southern Region, igniting a once-stagnant era into a blaze of passion.

Before him had been Chi Zhenyi, the one who had conquered saints and shaken the Southern Region.

Behind him stood Bing Yuyan, the one who had defeated the Great Boundless and intimidated the entire region.

And now, there was Zhang Yang, stepping over blood and bones to ascend to the peak.

His three battles had completely reshaped the Southern Region’s power structure.

Yet, despite the overwhelming numbers, the excited crowd did not erupt into chaos. Instead, they gradually quieted down, their gazes locked onto him.

Zhang Yang smiled.

“Those with ulterior motives can continue stirring things up. I’ll give you a chance. If the people of the Southern Region have even a bit of clarity, they won’t be swayed by mere words. They will see right from wrong for themselves.”

“Of course, you can gather your people, it doesn’t matter how many. I stand by my word. Anyone who wishes to fight, I, Zhang Yang, will take you on. No matter who you are, step forward.”

His unwavering confidence struck the hearts of all present.

Even Xue Feishuang, Yuluan, Lang Xiaotian, Flower Phantom, Ghost Asura, and the others, who had retreated into the Green Sparrow Palace as spectators felt their blood boiling.

This would be the third battle—the one to officially establish the Vast Forest.

It was the final battle.

And the craziest one yet.

One man against the entire new generation of the Southern Region!

“I have seen many arrogant people. There have been plenty of tyrants. But none as arrogant and tyrannical as you—disregarding the entire new generation of the Southern Region.”

A cold voice cut through the stillness.

The crowd instinctively parted.

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

A lone figure stepped forward.

She was stunningly beautiful.

Her presence alone exuded the aura of thousands of warriors.

Her features were sharp and elegant.

Her bearing was noble.

She radiated an icy presence, her fury barely concealed.

She was Mu Xiaor, the third princess of the Great Xia Empire—the first princess in history to openly seek the throne and claim the position of Empress of Great Xia.

“You are very arrogant,” she said coldly.

Zhang Yang stood with his hands behind his back, his smile relaxed and carefree.

At last, a worthy opponent had arrived.

With a single glance, Zhang Yang could see that the princess had reached the first level of the Opening the Sky realm!

Given her age, reaching such a level was truly extraordinary.

"You have made some achievements, but arrogantly challenging the entire new generation of the Southern Region is both amusing and childish."

Another voice rang out.

"Therefore, I, Yue Longxiang, will come to slay you."

Yue Longxiang, the Naturally Born Son of the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land. He was tall and imposing, standing nearly two meters in height. With the aura of a dragon and the might of a tiger, his mere presence was suffocating. Yue Longxiang stepped forward to stand beside the princess, arms crossed, his gaze cold.

"You’ve caused quite a stir," he stated. "I hope you’re not too weak. Otherwise, I will make you regret this battle."

Zhang Yang looked at him, his heart stirring with a flicker of excitement.

This… was a true opponent.

The Naturally Born Son was indeed extraordinary.

A Holy Body.

While others remained oblivious, Zhang Yang saw the truth—a Holy Body of immense power, its veins coursing with holy blood, far beyond the ordinary.

What shocked him even more was Yue Longxiang’s cultivation—he had reached the ninth level of the Ascending to Heaven realm.

Before Zhang Yang could speak, another voice cut through the air.

"Brother Yue," someone called out, "I doubt this whelp is worthy of your time."

The figure who emerged from the crowd was none other than Yun Tiange, Son of Ziyang Sacred Land.

Gone was the reckless edge of the contender who had fought for the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree at the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins. The unsheathed divine sword had been returned to its scabbard, a testament to his newfound strength and enlightenment.

Zhang Yang’s voice was calm as he addressed him.

"Yun Tiange. Deputy Commander of the Demon Slayer Team, correct?"

"The Seventh Prince leads our order," Yun Tiange replied. "Of the two deputy commanders, Jiang Chao of Golden Cauldron Sacred Land was replaced by Qiu Lingshui after his death."

"Exactly," the saint’s heir declared. "Our mandate is to purge the evils of the Southern Region. You, Zhang Yang, are at the top of the Demon Slayer’s death list."

A single nod sealed their fates.

Every Demon Slayer present would die by his hand.

More figures emerged from the gathering storm—all scions of the Top Ten Saint-Level Forces.

The most venomous was the Langya Genius, hailing from the cursed land of Langya.

Her murderous intent toward Zhang Yang and Yuluan was met with equal fury.

Though the last of the Vast Forest’s opposition, the Langya Clan burned with desperation. Among the great powers, they had the fewest saints—and their thirst for the Great Path Sacred Fruit bordered on madness.

Then came the final arrivals, outshining all others:

Divine King Zhen Tian of Ghostly Divine Platform!

Demon Sword Yi from the Demon Sword Forbidden Area!

With Moonview Tower abstaining, the nine great powers had deployed their champions.

Zhang Yang’s gaze swept across them.

He hesitated briefly at Divine King Zhen Tian, but his scrutiny lingered on Demon Sword Yi.

A first-level Opening the Sky realm cultivator… yet even stronger than Yaoruoxian.

The foremost genius of the Demon Sword Forbidden Area.

Despite his realm advantage, Zhang Yang knew that Yi’s supremacy remained unquestioned.

A faint smile curved his lips as he made his final declaration:

"All players are present. Let the carnage commence."

Nine pinnacle experts stepped forward as one.

Their combined might sent ripples through the heavens, causing reality itself to fracture like thin ice.

But Princess Mu Xiaor’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere like a blade.

"You are not worthy of an alliance against us."

Her tone was glacial, her words turning the tables—reversing challenger and challenged with imperial arrogance.

In the next instant, darkness answered.

Three hundred shadows materialized.

Black Cloak Pavilion’s assassins, descending like nightfall.

From the Green Sparrow Palace’s highest point, Zhang Yang’s smile sharpened.

"Then… let the bloodbath begin."