Chapter 309

Chapter 309: The Realms of the Two

Zhang Yang had emerged from seclusion early.

He had expended considerable effort trying to extract the eye embedded within the massive stone, yet every method he attempted had proven futile.

After bidding farewell to the White Jade Skeleton, they exchanged mutual courtesies, Zhang Yang declining further escorting, yet sealing a vow to reunite beneath the sun.

The skeletal figure readily pledged to honor this promise.

Their parting conversation revolved around surface-world affairs, allowing the White Jade Skeleton to gain a broader perspective on current events.

Only then did Zhang Yang depart.

From a distance, he observed Yue Guilong leading an assault.

He understood the inevitable outcome, Yue Guilong and Jin Zhihong were bound to clash.

Though they had temporarily allied for survival, the underlying tension between them had always been present.

Zhang Yang made no attempt to intervene.

Instead, he silently withdrew, slipping away toward his true destination.

Yaoruoxian Awaited Him. She stood there, her aura steeped in transcendent grace—not an illusion, but the natural result of ascending through Minor Realms.

Strangely, their reunion lacked the usual immediate confrontation.

Instead, they stood in silent equilibrium, poised yet unreadable.

This encounter would decide the Sixth Battle.

Within the gloom of Ghost Island, their presence seemed to crystallize the world’s essence.

They were radiant figures standing against eternal shadows.

When their gazes locked, an unspoken force ignited between them, a primal fighting spirit that crackled like lightning.

Though Yaoruoxian appeared at a disadvantage against Zhang Yang’s growing might, she remained a peerless adversary, a warrior whose caliber was unmatched across the realms.

Zhang Yang halted just a breath away.

The wind tousled their hair.

Everything else faded, only the duel of stares remained.

The Sixth Battle Held Transformative Weight. A victory for Zhang Yang would crush Yaoruoxian’s confidence, further cementing his psychological dominance. If she lost here, the repercussions would be devastating. However, should Yaoruoxian prevail…

The momentum would shift dangerously.

Their next battle could escalate into a life-and-death confrontation.

If she triumphed in the Nine Battles Tribulation, she could ascend beyond mortality.

Zhang Yang smirked. "Who claims victory today?"

Both of them concealed their refined Minor Realms, neither willing to reveal their full hand just yet.

Yaoruoxian’s obsidian eyes gleamed—her once-unsteady conviction now fully restored.

Three days within Death Crossing’s crucible had purged her volatility.

The aloof goddess of legend had returned.

She exhaled softly, her voice unwavering, "Victory is mine."

"The Moonlight Saint Stone holds no radiance. I require only myself." Her voice resonated with primordial conviction.

Zhang Yang barked a laugh. "Yaoruoxian! I once thought you viewed us all as mere pebbles on your path to immortality. Yet now I see, beneath that celestial pretense beats the heart of a calculating little woman."

She dismissed him with a sidelong glance.

"Four of our five previous clashes were meticulously crafted schemes of yours," he pressed. "Even now, you’ve seized Death Crossing’s advantage upon discovering the stone’s impotence. You posture as a detached immortal, yet remain earthbound, a self-serving strategist cloaked in divinity."

"Petty words cannot shake me." Her tone was glacial, untouched by emotion.

"Your turmoil betrays you." His mouth curved slightly, his expression laced with provocation.

Yaoruoxian stood unmoved, her composure as still as undisturbed waters, her fathomless gaze betraying nothing.

Yet the more she suppressed any reaction, the more Zhang Yang became convinced, she was feeling guilty.

Their eyes locked in silent confrontation, neither willing to back down.

After a moment, Zhang Yang finally spoke, his words catching Yaoruoxian off guard.

"You refuse to admit it, but I already know. I see through you. You disguise yourself as a future immortal, deceiving not only the countless beings around you, but even yourself."

Fooling myself?!

Yaoruoxian found the notion both laughable and strangely unsettling.

Zhang Yang continued, "Have you ever considered Eternal Night? Do you even know what Eternal Night is? Have you wondered why there are no immortals in Eternal Night? You haven’t thought about it. Eternal Night stifles those who seek to become immortals. But you, without a shred of doubt, simply believe you are destined to ascend."

Yaoruoxian’s delicate features turned cold. Just as she was about to retort, Zhang Yang cut her off.

"Enough. There’s no point in discussing this. For someone like you, a sheltered flower, words are meaningless. Only harsh reality will teach you how naïve you are."

Without warning, he unleashed his martial arts realm.

A terrifying aura erupted from him, distorting the surrounding space into turbulence.

For the first time, Yaoruoxian’s expression changed.

Proud as she was, she could not hide her shock.

"Ninth level of the Ascending to Heaven Realm!"

It was worth noting, before entering the Abyss of the Buried Immortals, Zhang Yang had only reached the sixth level of the Ascending to Heaven Realm.

Now, he had risen three small realms in one leap.

Especially considering that he was certain the Moonlight Saint Stone contained no moonlight.

Zhang Yang smiled. "Good eye. I am indeed at the ninth level of the Ascending to Heaven Realm. In just three days, I’ve advanced three small realms. I haven’t had such seamless progress in half a year."

From the Returning to Origin Realm to the Touching Heaven Realm, he had experienced a streak of consecutive breakthroughs. Now, he had achieved yet another surge in power, and the feeling was exhilarating.

This was the benefit of having a worthy opponent. Pressure was a catalyst for growth.

Yaoruoxian’s demeanor shifted. Though she still exuded an air of icy detachment, a flicker of agitation flashed in her gem-like black eyes. Her elegant brows furrowed ever so slightly, a rare display of emotion.

Yet, to an unfamiliar observer, she would still appear as serene and untouchable as ever.

Zhang Yang’s voice cut through the tension. "I remember you were at the seventh level of the Ascending to Heaven Realm. Show me, what level have you reached?"

Yaoruoxian pursed her crimson lips, exhaling softly. When she spoke again, her previous arrogance had faded.

She unleashed her realm.

Ninth level of the Ascending to Heaven Realm!

She had successfully advanced two small realms during her time at Death Crossing.

Yet, she had still lost.

Even so, Zhang Yang had to admit—Yaoruoxian’s potential was terrifying.

In terms of martial realms, she was the first opponent he had ever needed to chase after.

For everyone else, hadn’t he easily surpassed them all?

With the sole exception of the Seventh Prince.

Now, Yaoruoxian became the second.

Zhang Yang spoke lightly, neither mocking nor gloating. "You lost."

Yaoruoxian’s response was cold and immediate. "For the seventh battle, let’s board the ship!"

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow. So soon?

Three battles fought back-to-back on Ghost Island?

After all, there were only nine battles in total.

He tilted his head slightly. "Attacking again immediately after a loss… That’s often a sign of emotional turmoil. It shows your heart is in chaos."

His gaze was calm yet piercing. "I’ll give you the chance to reconsider the seventh battle."

Yaoruoxian’s eyes gleamed with holy light, but within them burned an unmistakable chill. Her voice was like frost as she declared, "I, Yaoruoxian, need no one’s sympathy!"

Zhang Yang merely smiled at her.

She may not have changed outwardly, but compared to the first time they met, her overwhelming arrogance had been shattered—time and time again.

With his hands folded behind his back, Zhang Yang strolled forward, brushing past her toward the shore.

The Slaughter Sacred Thunder coursing through his body allowed him to ignore the aura of decay emanating from the River of Death.

His gaze settled on the slowly approaching Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals.

Without looking back, he suddenly asked, "Yaoruoxian, have you ever heard the name Yu Wushuang?"

Her expression darkened with annoyance and disdain.

Zhang Yang continued, his voice unwavering.

"Yu Wushuang was born before Eternal Night, during the mid to late stages of the era of the competing races. She had no talent, no roots, no background, no bloodline—the complete opposite of you, Yaoruoxian."

"Yet through her sheer will, she rose from obscurity during the most brutal era, surpassing the saints of all races and earning the title of the Number One Saint. From that moment on, she became the target of pursuit by every immortal in existence."

"But she never retreated to the safety of humanity. She refused the protection of human immortals. Instead, she willingly walked the edge of life and death, facing countless trials and tribulations—until she ultimately achieved the supreme immortal path."

"In the end, she single-handedly exterminated one hundred sixty-nine races, securing humanity’s dominance over the vast world and establishing an immortal merit that would last for eternity."

Yaoruoxian’s impatience was evident.

Zhang Yang remained calm. "I hope you remember Yu Wushuang’s journey. It may prove useful to you in the future."

Her fury ignited. "Wait until you win the Nine Battles Tribulation before saying such things! Right now, you have no right to lecture me!"

Zhang Yang smirked. "With how you are now, perhaps you should start thinking about how to become my slave after the Nine Battles Tribulation."

Yaoruoxian clenched her fists, holy light erupting around her as the urge to kill surged within her.

Zhang Yang chuckled. "Thinking of attacking me? Let me tell you something, not out of arrogance, but as a simple fact. In the same realm, I, Zhang Yang, am invincible in this world!"

For the first time, Yaoruoxian wanted to curse at someone. Was this not arrogance? This was arrogance taken to the extreme.