Chapter 323

Chapter 323: The Devilish Smile

For Zhang Yang, awakening his bloodline was both urgent and essential.

Everything else could be set aside.

He eagerly anticipated the changes that would come once he found all the necessary flames and achieved full awakening of his bloodline.

When he had overcome the Ascending to Heaven Calamity, his body underwent a transformation, granting him a Holy Body that was by no means inferior. Yet, even then, that awakening had merely scratched the surface of his bloodline’s potential.

Naturally, this filled him with excitement for the earth-shattering changes that a complete awakening would bring.

He surged forward at full speed.

Yaoruoxian followed closely behind, curious about what Zhang Yang was planning, and what insights he had gained.

She felt conflicted about her current identity, but there was a silver lining: she could remain by Zhang Yang’s side, closely observing him and learning from his experiences.

During their journey to the Abyss of the Buried Immortals, their gains had been astonishing—possible only for those of equal caliber. Even exceptional figures like the Moon-Returning Dragon and Jin Zhihong had found themselves at a considerable disadvantage, resulting in relatively meager rewards for them.

The two pressed on at high speed.

Yaoruoxian raised an eyebrow and decided to provoke him. Since she was to be his Slave Tribulation, it was only fitting that she test him. Suddenly, she accelerated.

The speed granted by her Holy Body was extraordinary.

She soared through the air like a stunning swan, graceful and fierce.

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. If you want to fight, then let’s fight.

This was true joy far better than idle wandering.

He unleashed the Three Steps of Mountains and Rivers, moving faster than sound, creating bursts of thunderous air that echoed across the land.

He overtook Yaoruoxian with ease.

It became a clear chase, he surpassed her and steadily widened the gap.

Yaoruoxian pursed her lips, feeling unsettled. She was still unaccustomed to being outmatched.

Her moment in the lead had been short-lived.

However, she quickly calmed herself. A surge of resolve rose within her.

Climbing mountains came with thorns and fatigue, but eventually, one could reach the summit and ascend to immortality.

She understood this now.

It was only a matter of adjustment, she needed time to adapt to her own transformation.

Gritting her teeth, she chased at full speed.

Zhang Yang burst into laughter, relaxed and confident. He maintained a steady lead neither closing in nor pulling too far ahead fully displaying his absolute dominance.

In that moment, Yaoruoxian felt a deep impact within her heart, yet her spirit refused to waver.

Even if she couldn’t see a clear path to surpassing him, she clung to the belief that she could.

Never give up!

And so, the two streaked across the sky like bolts of light.

Mountains, rivers, forests, and waterfalls echoed with Zhang Yang’s carefree laughter.

He was truly delighted in this world and its beauty.

The world of death in the Abyss of the Buried Immortals repulsed him more than ever.

That memory made him think of the Hellhounds, stirring his disgust further. One day, he would descend to that place and level it completely to eradicate the threat once and for all.

“Stop!”

A thunderous roar suddenly erupted, shaking the void. The force shattered the surrounding rocks and trees.

A wild, eerie figure appeared atop an ancient tree, standing on a high branch. In his hand was a gleaming Demon Sword, and his fierce gaze locked onto Zhang Yang, sharp enough to ripple the air with killing intent.

It was none other than—Demon Sword Yi!

A new-generation prodigy who had once overshadowed Yaoruoxian and reigned over the Demon Sword Forbidden Area. His status was akin to that of a Son from the Major Holy Places even if such a title didn’t officially exist in the Forbidden Area.

Though he had previously relied on his realm, Zhang Yang knew that Demon Sword Yi was genuinely powerful, terrifying, even. In terms of combat skill alone, Zhang Yang felt that Yi might surpass the Great Boundless. Whether he exceeded some Saints, Zhang Yang couldn’t say, he had witnessed too few of their battles.

What he could say was this: in pure combat, Demon Sword Yi was nearly unrivaled.

He was definitely an opponent Zhang Yang had to take seriously.

Zhang Yang halted and smiled at the sight of Demon Sword Yi, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

Through Yaoruoxian, he had already pointed his finger at the Demon Sword Forbidden Area, and it hadn’t been a joke.

Now, the opportunity had arrived.

Demon Sword Yi felt slightly unnerved beneath Zhang Yang’s calm smile. In his entire life, Zhang Yang was the only person who had ever made him feel completely overpowered.

In the battle before the Green Sparrow Palace, he had nearly died, saved only by the Life-Protecting Divine Pearl. Without it, he would already be dead.

Even during his escape using the ancient teleportation array, he had been ambushed and wounded.

As a result, he had been forced to flee to the Falling Star Mountain Range instead of returning home.

Since then, he had endured countless hardships, training diligently. His strength had grown rapidly, fueled by the humiliation of being crushed by Zhang Yang in front of the Green Sparrow Palace.

This was the benefit of competition, it could ignite a person’s hidden potential, provided they had ambition and an unyielding heart.

“Zhang Yang, don’t be arrogant,” Demon Sword Yi declared as he stepped forward, voice filled with conviction. “Yaoruoxian, join forces with me! Even if we can’t defeat him, at least he won’t be able to control you any longer.”

He truly believed that Zhang Yang was suppressing Yaoruoxian and forcing her to follow him.

That was why he had chosen to intervene.

And indeed, if Demon Sword Yi and Yaoruoxian were to join forces, they would be a terrifying pair. Among the younger generation, few, if any, would dare claim victory over them. After all, both had grown far beyond what they had been during the time of the Green Sparrow Palace.

Zhang Yang smiled and said, “Yaoruoxian is now my slave. In the Nine Battles Tribulation, she lost.”

Demon Sword Yi was stunned.

As a core figure in the Demon Sword Forbidden Area, he was well aware of the Nine Battles Tribulation, he just hadn’t expected it to end so quickly.

“Really?” he asked in disbelief.

Before Yaoruoxian could respond, Zhang Yang added with a grin, “Slave, go make Demon Sword Yi kneel and sing Conquered.”

Demon Sword Yi’s expression changed drastically.

Yaoruoxian stepped forward and said calmly, “I did lose. In the Nine Battles Tribulation, I had five defeats, three draws, and only one victory. I can regain my freedom after one month.”

She ultimately chose not to say the word slave.

Demon Sword Yi was shocked, blinking as he turned to leave.

Since Yaoruoxian had admitted defeat, what was the point in fighting? What troubled him more was that Zhang Yang was actually allowing Yaoruoxian to fight on his behalf. It was no longer appropriate for him to stay here.

Zhang Yang’s voice turned cold. “If you dare walk away, I’ll make Yaoruoxian perform a striptease in public.”

Demon Sword Yi’s face flushed with fury. “You dare?!”

Zhang Yang chuckled. “Why don’t you guess whether I do or not?”

Murderous intent surged in Demon Sword Yi’s eyes,, he wanted to strike, but he couldn’t.

Even though he had improved greatly, that feeling of being thoroughly outmatched by Zhang Yang still lingered. He couldn’t afford to act impulsively.

“Despicable!” he growled.

Zhang Yang mocked, “Come on, in the Southern Region, no one is more despicable or shameless than the Ten Major Holy Lands. The Demon Sword Forbidden Area isn’t any better. When you call someone shameless, don’t you feel embarrassed?”

Demon Sword Yi scowled. “What do you want?”

“My request is very simple,” Zhang Yang said with a bright smile, a smile that, to Demon Sword Yi, looked like the grin of a devil.

A strong sense of unease welled up in Demon Sword Yi.

Zhang Yang continued, “Be my lackey for one month. In return, I won’t make any excessive demands of Yaoruoxian.”

A lackey?

Blood rushed to Demon Sword Yi’s head. That was no different from becoming someone’s servant. He was a top figure among the new generation in the Demon Sword Forbidden Area—his status rivaled the Sons of the Holy Lands. How could he possibly lower himself like that?

Yet Zhang Yang’s smile never wavered.

Demon Sword Yi glanced from that devilish grin to Yaoruoxian. Gritting his teeth, enduring the humiliation, he said, “Fine. One month. Not a day more. If you don’t let us go after that, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Zhang Yang laughed heartily. “I keep my promises. One month means one month.”

And so, the two top talents of the Demon Sword Forbidden Area stood before him, one as a lackey, the other as a slave.

Zhang Yang couldn’t have been more pleased.

He waved his hand. “Let’s go!”