Chapter 599

Chapter 599: Wu Shaoyang

A strange expression twisted on East Sky Azure Dragon’s face.

He stole a glance at the flesh of Kunpeng. The meat was fresh and fragrant, truly a rare ingredient.

"Farewell."

Not daring to linger for even a moment, East Sky Azure Dragon swiftly departed.

South Emperor Vermilion Bird, masking the hatred in his eyes, transformed into a streak of red light and soared towards the core of the Xuanming Demon Region.

"Revered senior,"

Feng Wuji said solemnly, "Those two are subordinates of the Chaotic Ancient God. Yet, they foolishly attacked us, essentially courting death. There must be some hidden reason behind it."

"Go on then,"

Mu Fanyin stared at him with great interest.

"What are your thoughts, Daoist friend?" Ye Li tore off a piece of the Kunpeng wing and bit into it. Juice splattered everywhere. "This truly is a fine thing, incredibly delicious."

"Let us discuss while we eat."

The formidable vital energy dispersed throughout his limbs and bones, containing the power of the Great Dao. It granted Ye Li sudden new insights.

"Cultivation can be so utterly delightful."

He wished his days of cultivation could always be this pleasant.

Mu Fanyin also tore off a piece of meat, chewing slowly and carefully.

Feng Wuji nodded in agreement.

The three of them sat in a circle around the Kunpeng.

"East Sky Azure Dragon and South Emperor Vermilion Bird, aware they were no match for you, attacked anyway. Such behavior is truly baffling,"

Feng Wuji stated.

As two of the ancestors of the four symbols, both were exceedingly sharp-witted persons.

Their actions this time certainly carried some hidden significance.

"They were likely manipulated by another Dao Ancestor, forced into this," Feng Wuji proposed.

Mu Fanyin paused in her movements, her gaze hardening.

"Continue."

"The mastermind behind this must hold some leverage over those two,"

analyzed Feng Wuji carefully. "However, within the vast yang realm, I know neither how many Dao Ancestors there are nor who they might be, so I have no basis for speculation."

"Hmph!"

Mu Fanyin snorted coldly. "The Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird serve the Chaotic Ancient God."

"Forcing those two to act probably aimed to pit Heaven’s Secret Pavilion against the Chaotic Ancient God."

"Circling back and forth, it seems inseparable from the strife amongst the four great forces of the yang realm."

Ye Li listened closely, paying full attention.

He was also quite interested.

After all,

the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird were pinnacle Great Celestial Lords; only a Dao Ancestor could command them.

Among the known Dao Ancestors in the yang realm, there were only a select few.

"Ye Li," Mu Fanyin called.

"Huh… anything to ask of me, Senior?"

"You, personally cultivated by the Master, must have your own insights into the way of Heaven’s Secrets. Why not try divination yourself? See if you can glean anything?" Mu Fanyin suggested.

"Ahem…"

Ye Li choked on the mouthful of Kunpeng meat, coughing awkwardly, "The Master’s talent bridges Heaven and Man. I fail to reach even one ten-thousandth of his brilliance."

"Speak plainly."

Mu Fanyin said.

"With my current strength, it’s utterly impossible…"

Ye Li flushed with embarrassment, scarlet creeping up his neck.

Why torment a mere projection?

"So be it," Mu Fanyin declared. "Let’s set aside today’s discussion. Wait until we return to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion and consult the Master. See if we can uncover the mastermind behind this."

"The waters of the yang realm grow increasingly murky."

Whoosh!

She channeled her magic power, and the divine ship soared towards the land of the Heaven’s Gap.

Under the vault of heaven,

streaks of flowing light darted, golden boats and ornate vessels raced ahead.

Factions from all directions were arriving in a steady stream.

"This land of the Heaven’s Gap truly possesses an uncanny essence," Ye Xu clicked his tongue in amazement.

Over a territory spanning hundreds of millions of miles, space was distorted, permeated with chaos, stillness, death, slaughter…

Myriad Dao paths converged.

Like a vast violet, a chaotic hodgepodge.

"How could such a peculiar place exist?" Feng Wuji also exclaimed in wonder.

Countless Daos manifested visibly upon the world.

Intertwined Dao paths rendered the power within the land of the Heaven’s Gap utterly chaotic; endless manifestations of different paths materialized, dazzling and fantastically varied.

"The so-called land of the Heaven’s Gap is nothing more than a haphazardly pieced-together puzzle," Mu Fanyin said with a cold laugh.

"A puzzle?"

Feng Wuji was astonished.

“Senior, could you elaborate in detail?” Ye Li asked curiously.

“Each Great Path is a puzzle piece; when put together, isn’t it the land of the Heaven’s Gap?” Mu Fanyin said calmly. “This is an artificially created place.”

“Artificial?” Both were astonished.

“What purpose is there in creating the land of the Heaven’s Gap?”

“Go back and ask the Master.” Mu Fanyin said lightly.

“……”

Buzzing!

A stream of gloomy light, like Heavenly Pillars holding up heaven and earth. Within the light, totem-like Symbols danced, and an altar built from the skull of an ancient giant beast came into view.

The Witch Clan style was, as always, savage and wild.

“Brother Witch Dao, I am Celestial Lord Xinyuan from Fangcun Mountain, congratulating the Witch Clan for retrieving their ancestral land.”

“I am Celestial Lord Wen from the Luoshen Dynasty, congratulating the Witch Clan.”

Then everyone congratulated in succession.

Only, not a single one actively offered a congratulatory gift.

Wu Qinyun was astonished immensely.

Did the Dao Clan get it? Why not our Witch Clan?

Not giving face?

“Hahaha…” Ye Li laughed until his stomach hurt. Each power, after experiencing the Dao Clan and the founding of Tianxia, seemed to have all learned to be smarter.

This time at the Witch Clan, they were surprisingly coordinated in tacit understanding, not one offering a gift.

“Dear friends, please rest for a while in the divine palace of the Witch Clan,” Wu Qinyun said with a laugh. “Half a day later, our clan will open the ancestral land, and the rules will be the same as the Dao Clan’s.”

“Luo Qianchen congratulates the Witch Clan for retrieving their ancestral land.”

At that moment, a figure descended from the sky. Luo Qianchen was disguised in male clothing, heroic and impressive, her aura growing stronger, evidently constantly refining Primordial Qi.

“This gift is entrusted to me, a junior, by the Ancestor to be presented, as congratulations to the Witch Clan.”

Luo Qianchen waved her hand, and an immortal root flew towards Wu Qinyun, like a sky-supporting vine, incredibly mysterious.

“Thank you, Luo Young Master.” Wu Qinyun accepted the gift and cupped his hands in salute.

The others lowered their eyes, gazing at their noses or hearts, utterly indifferent to this scene.

Freeloading! That word involuntarily popped up in Wu Qinyun’s mind.

This was a new phrase he learned at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

Aren’t these major forces nothing but a crew of leeches?

The thought made Wu Qinyun increasingly bitter. He solemnly declared, "Dear friends, after you."

"Ha ha ha…"

"Well then, we’ll gladly accept your invitation."

One by one, they flew toward the Witch Clan’s divine palace.

"Senior Mu."

Wu Tianyue bowed courteously.

Mu Fanyin gave a slight nod. Alongside Ye Li and Feng Wuji, she took her seat, patiently waiting for the opening of the Witch Clan’s ancestral land.

……

"Shaoyang, are you confident?"

Within a Secret Realm of the Witch divine palace,

a white-haired, white-bearded old man with eyebrows trailing to the ground gazed with hopeful expectation at a youth in blue robes. His wrinkled, ancient face was etched with anticipation.

The youth’s eyes held a predatory gleam, radiating arrogance and ruthless ambition. His cultivation had already reached the Five Tribulations Dao Sovereign level. He was unmistakably the strongest among the younger generation of the Witch Clan.

His status within his clan was akin to that of Luo Qianchen within the Dao Clan.

"If Luo Qianchen managed it, why shouldn’t I?"

Wu Shaoyang declared firmly.

"This time, disciple will surely absorb the Witch Master’s essence energy left within the ancestral land. I shall advance to the Heavenly Sovereign realm and surpass Luo Qianchen!"

"Ha ha ha…"

"What fighting spirit!"

The white-haired old man beamed, his grin stretching wide. "Our ancestral land was practically tailor-made for you."

"Remember this: Within the ancestral land, kill anyone who dares hinder you. Show no restraint."

Wu Shaoyang’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Master Sixth, if… if people from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion stand in my way, what should I do?"

"Avoid conflict with Heaven’s Secret Pavilion unless it is absolutely unavoidable," the old man (Witch Master Sixth) frowned deeply. He knew Wu Shaoyang’s stubborn arrogance all too well.

News of Ye Li’s exploits had spread far and wide across the realms.

Wu Shaoyang nursed a deep-seated resentment over it.

Deeply aware of this, Master Sixth offered careful guidance.

"If it truly comes to that inevitable moment… may I unleash slaughter?" Wu Shaoyang pressed.

Witch Master Sixth’s voice turned icy.

"If it truly reaches that point, there remains but one word."

Under Wu Shaoyang’s intense gaze, he slowly enunciated a single syllable.

"Kill!"

A mere junior from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion—could he possibly outweigh the grand design of the Witch Clan?

He was certain the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion himself would not declare war upon the Witch Clan—one of the Three Ancient Clans—over the fate of one insignificant disciple.

Furthermore.

The opening of the ancestral land presented a critical opportunity to locate the missing Witch Master.

Once the Witch Master was found and returned, the clan would instantly ascend to become the supreme power of the yang realm.

In all that vast world, who would dare confront the edge of their fury?