Chapter 164
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Chapter 164: Breaking Through the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins
Inside the light gate of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, Zhang Yang waved at Mu Yujing and Ghost King Futian, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Feeling nervous?"
His voice was mocking.
"Do you regret not finishing me off inside the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins?"
His tone grew sharper.
"Now that I’ve tracked you down here, are you seething with the desire to tear me apart, especially after I expose the sinister and malicious deeds your families have committed within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins?"
He chuckled.
"Unfortunately for you…"
His eyes gleamed.
"You can’t step inside to do anything about it."
"What’s even more unfortunate is that, despite the burning hatred your people hold for me, they wouldn’t dare to come here and kill me in front of witnesses, lest it be revealed that your people have been here all along."
"Of course, I’ll let you in on a little secret—I have evidence. So spare me your rebuttals and excuses; we’re all clever enough to see through them."
"Now, I’ll give everyone listening some time to ponder my words while I retrieve the evidence."
With that, Zhang Yang turned and walked away.
He soon discovered two charred corpses.
Even in death, their bodies retained an air of authority. Though struck down by lightning, their features remained recognizable, and the treasures on their bodies confirmed their identities.
Upon closer inspection, Zhang Yang realized that they were royal guards from the Great Xia Empire.
Without hesitation, he dragged the bodies to the front of the light gate.
Looking outside, he saw chaos erupting.
Many feared the Great Xia Empire and the Ghostly Divine Platform, yet just as many did not.
Groups like Embrace Moon Tower, Moonview Tower, Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, and the Liu Family were already confronting Mu Yujing and Ghost King Futian.
The two stood cold-faced, refusing to respond.
Though they had prepared explanations, the mere mention of Zhang Yang’s so-called evidence made them hold their tongues, feigning ignorance.
Others, though too afraid to challenge them directly, whispered among themselves, their voices buzzing with suspicion and speculation.
"Silence," Zhang Yang commanded.
Instantly, the noisy crowd fell quiet.
All eyes fixed on him.
"Alright, now I will reveal a bloody truth. Think carefully—who among you has lost loved ones within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins over the years?"
With that, he exposed how the Great Xia Empire and the Ghostly Divine Platform had secretly infiltrated the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, plundering treasures while directly or indirectly slaughtering hundreds of thousands each year, using their blood to nurture the emergence of even greater treasures.
A collective uproar swept through the crowd.
As the people reeled in shock, Zhang Yang lifted the two corpses.
Though royal guards rarely appeared in public, there were some in the crowd who recognized them.
Finally, Zhang Yang revealed another horrifying truth—the holy corpses had been released.
Though most outsiders were unaware, Moonview Tower had already received intelligence from Yilie, who had spread the information, leaving no room for doubt.
More importantly, Yilie had already pointed out a crucial detail—why were the holy corpses able to enter the Ghostly Divine Platform?
This had long raised suspicions.
Now, with Zhang Yang’s revelations, too many people found themselves believing his words.
The result?
Mu Yujing and Ghost King Futian found themselves completely surrounded.
For the first time, the forces of the Great Xia Empire’s imperial family and the Ghostly Divine Platform were encircled by an enraged crowd.
The deaths of hundreds of thousands each year weren’t just cold statistics—they represented the elite disciples of every notable family, sect, sacred ground, and forbidden area, some of whom had wielded considerable power and status.
By now, the crowd’s attention had fully shifted away from Zhang Yang, fixating instead on the accusations.
Had the Liu Family, Moonview Tower, Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, and other factions not been present, Mu Yujing and Ghost King Futian might have chosen violence.
But now, they had no choice but to endure.
Mu Yujing spoke first.
"Everyone, I am completely unaware of this matter. I need to confirm whether Zhang Yang is lying."
Ghost King Futian added in a deep voice, "I also need to verify this with the Ghostly Divine Platform."
They wanted to escape this situation and buy time to devise a solution.
But then—
A mocking sneer broke through the tension.
"Didn’t you, Ghost King Futian, say that there’s a secret technique to open the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins?"
The words ignited fresh outrage.
Everyone had personally witnessed it—without the lightning tribulation, Ghost King Futian might have already opened the ruins.
The crowd erupted once more.
Accusations flew as fingers pointed at Ghost King Futian.
His expression darkened frighteningly.
Coldly, he glared at the speaker.
It was Lou Pingfan.
Lou Pingfan smirked.
"Threatening me? Hmph! My Liu Family does not fear your Ghostly Divine Platform at all."
A vein throbbed on Ghost King Futian’s forehead.
"On the contrary," Lou Pingfan continued, "the more you threaten me for pointing out the truth, the more it proves that it’s real."
By his side, Liu Taixu stood firmly, his presence a formidable show of support.
The Liu Family claimed to be the greatest family in the Southern Region.
More importantly, they were backed by the Five Elements Commerce Association, the largest commerce association in the vast world—a force so powerful that they feared no one.
Lou Pingfan’s voice turned icy.
"As far as I know, our Liu Family has lost at least thirty-eight side-branch disciples before and after entering the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins—two of whom were direct descendants!"
His eyes gleamed with fury.
"The dignity of the Liu Family cannot be violated. We will never allow anyone to bully us!"
Ghost King Futian gritted his teeth.
He exhaled slowly before speaking.
"I am unaware of this matter. The way I opened the ruins was through a gift from a saint before I came here."
That was all he could say.
But Lou Pingfan only scoffed.
"Who doesn’t know you’re about to become a saint? Do you take us for fools?"
Ghost King Futian’s eyes flashed with menace.
"You’ve provoked me over and over again. Do you truly think I won’t dare to kill you?"
Lou Pingfan’s expression changed dramatically.
Hurriedly, he stepped back, his voice sharp.
"Grand Elder! He’s too ruthless! The Ghostly Divine Platform doesn’t even acknowledge our Liu Family!"
At that moment, Liu Taixu’s fury ignited.
He stepped forward, his overwhelming might crashing down.
Ghost King Futian’s complexion paled instantly as he stumbled backward under the pressure.
The atmosphere grew unbearably tense.
But while most were focused on the confrontation, some had their eyes fixed elsewhere.
For example—
Qiu Yinong.
She was staring intently at Zhang Yang, her heart filled with smothering fury.
Her killing intent burned so intensely that she could barely contain herself.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yang, who had been watching the spectacle with interest, suddenly caught her gaze.
A teasing smile spread across his face.
Then—
He playfully patted his own backside.
Qiu Yinong’s stunning face instantly flushed bright red.
Enraged, she clutched her sword once more, ready to strike.
He did not tease Qiu Yinong further.
Unintentionally, he was reminded of a fiery moment that left him feeling disoriented.
He turned and walked away.
Outside, the thunderstorm in the sky grew increasingly violent, its roaring fury sending tremors through his heart every time he glanced up.
He needed to find a way to resolve the lightning tribulation; otherwise, he would be in great danger, forever trapped at the ninth level of the Touching Heaven Realm.
However, his heavy thoughts about the lightning tribulation made him oblivious to a pair of bright, charming eyes watching him from the crowd—eyes that gradually dimmed with sadness at his lack of response.
It was Yi Ren Zui.
A pang of bitterness and regret filled her heart. She cast a glance at her father, Yilie, but he remained entirely focused on seizing the opportunity to strike a devastating blow against the Great Xia Empire and the Ghostly Divine Platform.
At this moment, no one paid attention to the lightning tribulation anymore.
Every gaze was locked onto Zhang Yang.
His vague perception of the heavens’ wrath grew sharper, as if he had provoked them directly, causing the lightning tribulation’s power to escalate at a terrifying pace.
A sense of unease crept over him.
He chose to retreat.
Staying deep within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins was his best option.
As he passed through the passage, he glanced up at the sky above the ruins.
There, he saw dark rays of lightning, dancing like dragons and serpents, relentlessly tearing through the heavens—clear evidence that the lightning tribulation had not relented.
It was determined to break open the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins and strike him down.
His initial excitement at uncovering the secrets of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins had long vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of crisis.
He pressed forward, delving deeper into the ruins.
He thought of a safer place—the location where the holy corpses had emerged.
There had to be secrets hidden there. Perhaps even greater mysteries.
Summoning his strength, he activated the Three Steps of Mountains and Rivers at full power, covering twenty miles in an instant.
Yet, just as he was making his escape—
His path was blocked.
Standing before him was Luan You’er, riding her Blazing Divine Eagle.
She was not alone.
Nine royal guards flanked her, their cold gazes locked onto him.
The tension crackled in the air.
A confrontation was inevitable.
Zhang Yang had no interest in engaging with them.
The lightning tribulation above made him uneasy. The longer he remained here, the greater the danger.
Yet, Luan You’er shouted fiercely, commanding the nine royal guards to encircle him.
And then—
A sudden explosion shook the heavens.
The Daybreak Phoenix Ruins were blown open.
A colossal bolt of lightning, a hundred meters thick, descended from the heavens like a ferocious black dragon, roaring as it plummeted toward Zhang Yang.
Luan You’er and the nine royal guards—standing far too close—were caught in its path.
