Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Robbery

Phoenix City.

The oldest city within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

Its defensive forbidden laws were so powerful that Zhang Yang had once marveled at them—so much so that he had ultimately chosen to block the entrance rather than attempt an escape.

With the destruction of Ghost City, Phoenix City had become even more formidable.

The Great Xia Empire regarded this place as their stronghold—a safe haven they could retreat to at any time, where they could regroup, conduct covert operations, or launch counterattacks.

It could be said that Phoenix City played a pivotal role in the Great Xia Empire’s dominance within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

Even after Zhang Yang’s supposed “death,” the alliances began to crumble. Conflict arose, and soon, the city was occupied solely by forces of the Great Xia Empire.

All other factions—sacred lands, forbidden regions, and sects—had completely withdrawn.

Their cooperation had existed because of Zhang Yang.

And it had collapsed because of him.

Yet Phoenix City remained a treasure trove.

When the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins first opened, many of its treasures had been transported out. However, for various reasons, many remained sealed away—rumored to be intended for the Seventh Prince’s Demon Slayer Team.

As internal strife deepened, various factions attempted to unite in an effort to breach Phoenix City.

But no matter how many tried, they never found a way through its defenses.

The city’s forbidden laws were utterly terrifying.

Yet many cultivators, desperate for power, had no choice but to turn their attention to Phoenix City.

Most were not strong enough to obtain the Holy Treasures or Saintly Inheritances—those required exceptional talent or overwhelming strength, which the vast majority did not possess.

And so, they set their sights on Phoenix City instead.

Particularly now—when the bloody reality of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins had finally sunk in—there was a newfound unity among them.

Their hatred had brought them together.

And as of this moment, Phoenix City stood at the heart of it all.

Seven to eight thousand people surrounded the city, demanding accountability for the harm done to their families and demanding compensation.

Regardless of whether it was for revenge or justice, more and more people continued to gather.

Inside Phoenix City, Murong Bai led the Silver Phoenix battle slaves, standing guard with an expression of utter disdain. He completely ignored the provocations and shouts from the crowd outside.

To him, they were nothing more than a swarm of ants, struggling in vain.

He even had tables and chairs brought over, sipping tea, eating pastries and fruit, and summoning several women to dance for him, thoroughly enjoying himself.

This only further infuriated the crowd.

Yet, despite their rage, they were unable to breach the city’s defenses. Or rather, they hesitated—deep down, none dared to risk everything to attack. If they had, the walls would have already been torn down.

Zhang Yang observed it all and sighed.

"The Southern Region has been oppressed by Saint-level forces for far too long. Their might has drained the blood and spirit from the people."

"Since birth, everyone here has been taught to fear these Saint-level forces. They clearly hold the advantage, yet none dare to act. How pitiful."

In such a Southern Region, where was the vitality?

It was nothing but a wasteland, consumed by time and crushed under the rule of Saint-level forces, devoid of any true life.

The Flower Phantom spoke up. "Truthfully, the Central State, Eastern Domain, Western Desert, and Northern Plains are all the same."

Zhang Yang murmured, "Then let it begin with me. Let it start with the Vast Forest. We must learn to resist—to swim against the current, to defy our fate!"

He stepped forward, and with a single movement, the mountains and rivers beneath his feet shifted.

A moment later, he stood above Phoenix City.

"I have arrived!"

As he descended, his voice thundered through the skies.

People inside and outside Phoenix City looked up in shock.

"Zhang Yang!"

"Mighty Battle God!"

"Human Catastrophe!"

"He’s actually still alive! Didn’t they say he was thrown into space turbulence? That place is a death trap—even saints wouldn’t survive it! How did he come back? This is a catastrophe that cannot be killed!"

"Could it be that he himself is the disaster, so terrifying that even space turbulence rejected him and spat him back out?"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

Inside Phoenix City, Murong Bai was equally shaken.

Just moments ago, he had been calmly enjoying his tea, eating pastries, and watching the dancers, completely at ease. But now, his face turned pale.

In truth, Murong Bai was immensely powerful, far stronger than Luan You’er, who had perished earlier. Yet, facing Zhang Yang, he could not suppress his fear.

The Seventh Prince, who had once dominated Phoenix City, was utterly defeated by Zhang Yang. That fact alone was enough to terrify him.

More importantly, Murong Bai had truly believed Zhang Yang had perished in space turbulence. Yet here he was—standing before him, very much alive.

Fear gripped Murong Bai’s heart.

Without hesitation, he shouted, "Retreat!"

He rushed toward the small building where the treasures were stored.

Murong Bai had originally wanted to transfer the treasures out long ago. But the Seventh Prince had forbidden it, ordering that they remain untouched.

Now, with the situation crumbling, his only thought was to escape with the loot.

But that was just a futile dream.

Crack!

At this moment, Zhang Yang was utterly terrifying.

He had reached Touching Heaven Realm, Level Four.

His Diamond Dragon Holy Power was fully developed.

He didn’t even need to exert himself. The mere initial release of the Diamond Dragon Holy Power was enough.

The light barrier, formed by the manifestation of the Daybreak Phoenix Luan, shattered instantly under his foot.

The terrifying force rippled outward, collapsing the city walls in a chain reaction.

From the sky, Zhang Yang descended like a storm, heading straight for the small building.

The Flower Phantom followed closely behind.

Murong Bai, who had just rushed inside, suddenly froze.

His expression shifted drastically.

Without hesitation, he abandoned his plan.

Instead of trying to take the treasures, he activated an ancient teleportation array and fled alone, completely disregarding everyone else.

This decisiveness and sheer self-preservation made Zhang Yang regard him with a newfound sense of respect.

He hadn’t even had a chance to make a move.

The Flower Phantom turned to the people outside the city and shouted, "If you don’t take action now, when will you?!"

For years, the people had feared the Great Xia Empire.

They had been ruled for far too long, their bones filled with fear, their hearts weighed down with hatred and resentment.

But now, someone had taken the lead.

That was all they needed.

With a mighty roar, the crowd erupted, surging into the city like a violent storm.

Phoenix City fell into absolute chaos.

The so-called battle slaves of the Phoenix Women barely had the strength to resist.

Nearly ten thousand furious people flooded in, overwhelming the city like an unstoppable tidal wave.

Some, blinded by greed, rushed toward the small building, their eyes turning red with hunger for the treasures inside.

But before they could lay a hand on anything, Zhang Yang unleashed his chilling Holy Might.

The sheer pressure sent them vomiting blood, forcing them to stumble back in terror.

The bloodlust in their eyes vanished instantly, replaced by fear.

Without hesitation, they retreated to safer ground.

Inside the small building, treasures were piled high.

The allocations had already been made—spiritual essence, pills, divine weapons, and sacred treasures lay in abundance.

Zhang Yang and the Flower Phantom moved swiftly.

They searched and collected everything, leaving nothing behind.

With their spoils secured, the two stepped out of the small building.

Phoenix City was in chaos. Many people had united to assault the slaves of the Phoenix Women, and their overwhelming numbers resulted in a one-sided massacre.

Zhang Yang didn’t see Mu Lin’er, the Phoenix Woman, the Seventh Prince, or the others.

Neither did the Flower Phantom.

They chose to leave.

Next, they decided to meet up with Yuluan, Ye Kuanglan, and the others.

On their way, someone blocked their path.

"Goddess!"

Zhang Yang instinctively reached for his storage bag.

The person standing before him was none other than the Dawn Goddess, Shui Lianyi—the same woman who had once "looted" him.

Before he could react, she was faster. With a casual flick of her fingers, one of the three storage bags filled with treasures from Phoenix City flew into her hand.

"Goddess, this is a bit too much," Zhang Yang said, a little flustered.

He had never seen anything like this—an esteemed saint robbing a mere Ascending to Heaven realm practitioner—twice.

Shui Lianyi replied lightly, "This saint is too poor. I need to take on a disciple, and I don’t even have a gift prepared. Consider this a welcoming present for my disciple."

Zhang Yang’s eyes lit up with excitement. "So you’ve agreed to take Yuluan as your disciple?"

This time, it was Shui Lianyi’s turn to be furious.

"You dare say that? Do you even take this saint seriously? Hmph! Do you have any respect for me at all?"

She glared at him.

"I told you to let Yuluan comprehend the Silver Dragon Holy Sword so she could awaken her Chi Dragon royal bloodline. I gave you ten days! And yet, instead of seeking her out or preparing her trial, you shamelessly want to claim her as your disciple yourself! If I didn’t rob you, I’d be disgracing the name of the Dawn Goddess!"

The Flower Phantom shrank back, glancing at Zhang Yang.

She suddenly realized that her master was truly… too outrageous, too shameless, too brazen.

Zhang Yang chuckled. "Didn’t I see that you wanted to take on a disciple? No need to make such a fuss."

Shui Lianyi huffed. "You’re asking for a beating. If I weren’t short on time, I’d definitely give you a good thrashing."

Zhang Yang forced a laugh.

"I’ve changed my mind," Shui Lianyi declared. "For me to accept Yuluan as my disciple, she has to beat you ten times first."

Zhang Yang’s lips twitched. A beating? This goddess was too unreasonable. Wasn’t she a saint?

Before he could protest, Shui Lianyi vanished—clearly unwilling to waste any more time on him.

Zhang Yang glanced at the Flower Phantom and said, "You didn’t see anything."

The Flower Phantom quickly raised her hands. "I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything at all. And even if I did, I wouldn’t say a word."

"Are you looking for trouble?" Zhang Yang glared at her.

The Flower Phantom turned and bolted, leaving behind a trail of laughter.