Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 533: Chapter 538: Demonic Might Soaring to the Sky

“Peacock King, what do you mean by causing a commotion at the Peach Blossom Festival in the Jade Lake? Do you really think we are afraid of you? If you want a battle, I will accompany you!”

Among the Sacred Lands, there was no shortage of fiery-tempered individuals. A sovereign from Wanchu immediately stood up. Their Sacred Master had fallen within the Myriad Dragon Nest, and the sect’s powerful individuals were suppressing a bellyful of anger.

“Then what are we waiting for? See you at the Yaochi Life and Death Battle Platform!” Despite looking like a handsome young man, the Peacock King had always been strong-willed; otherwise, he wouldn’t have contemplated eliminating the Flickering Light Sacred Master.

“Very well, see you at the Life and Death Battle Platform! Let us determine who is superior!” The sovereign from Wanchu was the deceased Sacred Master’s junior brother, and he was quite the formidable figure.

BOOM!

The Heaven Temple was in an uproar; everyone stood up. An unparalleled Demon King was about to battle a Sacred Master-level figure; this was undoubtedly a focal battle. This grand event, held only once every five hundred years, had immense influence. It was no secret that such decisive battles invariably occurred each time.

“A Sacred Master-level figure is about to battle! Truly a worthwhile trip!” a powerful scattered cultivator quietly commented.

“The Demon King is emerging, and ultimate sovereigns are competing. This time, it is likely to truly stain the vast sky with blood, an intense battle to a fever pitch.” In front of the grand hall, numerous Saint Heirs and sacred ladies paled, and the strongest disciples from various Great Sects were also emotionally stirred.

“I wonder which great figures will take action. Could it be a battle that shakes the heavens and cracks the earth?” The younger generation was restless, as this concerned their sects.

“The ancient Scarlet Dragon Daoist, Daoist Crow—these two are supreme old demons capable of dominating the Eastern Wastelands. Who can contend with them?”

“You underestimate the Sacred Lands. Surely one or two living fossils capable of battling the Scarlet Dragon Daoist will emerge.”

Inside and outside the Heaven Temple, whether they were elder figures or the younger generation, all were discussing. Their hearts were uneasy, and many were extremely excited.

When those Saint Heirs and sacred ladies looked at Ye Fan, their expressions were quite complex. In the current era, he was the only one of the younger generation able to stand in the Heaven Temple and confront the elder figures. It had all started because of him.

Inside the Heaven Temple, killing intent filled the air. This battle was now inevitable; many people’s eyes emitted a cold light.

They were all heroic lords in their own right. Once a decision was made, it was hard to change. They would inevitably tread upon the Yaochi Life and Death Battle Platform.

“Invite the Queen Mother of the West to preside over this battle and open the ancient battle platform,” a Sacred Master suggested.

The Yaochi Life and Death Battle Platform rested on the clouds. It was said to never sink, being vast, boundless, strong, and immortal. This platform was capable of supporting a Sacred Master’s battle without fearing catastrophic disaster.

The Queen Mother of the West sighed softly. She knew she couldn’t stop it; the grudges between both sides had accumulated for a long time. This time, they had merely erupted due to the circumstances, and only a battle could resolve the matter.

“I hope everyone can stop at the appropriate moment.”

“Please, Queen Mother of the West, open the battle platform!” a sovereign from the Purple Mansion also shouted, stepping forward, seemingly preparing for battle.

“Open the Yaochi Life and Death Battle Platform!” the Queen Mother of the West spoke, her voice passing through the magnificent palace, leisurely spreading over the clouds.

At the same time, everyone moved outside, their fighting spirit surging like an ocean. Amidst flickering shadows and figures, heroic lords stood outside the heavenly watchtowers like deities and demons, their overwhelming blood and energy erupting forth.

This was a strange spectacle. Thick blood beams, as substantial as mountains, soared from atop each person’s Sky Gathering Parasol, piercing the firmament like a great dragon, their momentum terrifying.

The younger generation was horror-stricken. This was the gap, a chasm as insurmountable as the heavens. Such vigorous vital essence, like a raging sea, was capable of devouring millions of living beings.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE…

Leaden clouds, like mountains, hung heavy and oppressive, pressing down on people until they could barely breathe. The gray, thick clouds seemed to almost touch the ground, releasing an ancient Qi mechanism, accompanied by a strong, murderous intent.

The Yaochi Life and Death Battle Platform was a vast martial arena built from cliff stones. Each stone might hold a story. Its surface was covered with knife scars and arrow holes, mottled with bloodstains. It was unknown how many unparalleled experts had stood here, battling to tear the heavens, deciding life and death.

The vast martial arts arena stretched to infinity. Many stones were carved with the names of powerful figures, and cracks were visible everywhere. It strongly resembled an ancient battlefield. Although no corpses lay scattered, the Qi mechanism left behind by fallen heroes was indelible, penetrating to the very bones of those present. Anyone who came here would feel something. It was as if, in an instant, they experienced thousands upon thousands of battles, sensing the Qi of the peerless masters who had long since passed away.

“One of the most prestigious martial arenas in the Eastern Wastelands, truly deserving of its reputation. Today, I wonder which powerful beings will stain this ground with their blood.”

“I still clearly remember the Yaochi Grand Gathering a thousand years ago. The old Sacred Master of the Purple Mansion, Lin Tian, possessed an imposing momentum that seemed to swallow mountains and rivers. He engaged in a final duel, beheading sovereigns. In the end, however, his lifespan ran dry, and he passed away here.”

“I also remember an event from fifteen hundred years ago. The peerless Demon King Chi Cangqiong, clad in white that outshone snow, was breathtakingly brilliant and fought against all heroes by himself. He was but a step away from renewing his life for another era. Alas, his form ultimately cracked, his efforts were wasted, and his blood stained the ancient battlefield.”

Many elders recalled past events. Numerous great battles had occurred here, vivid as if they were yesterday, the people and events not yet faded from memory.

The Yaochi Martial Arts Arena was truly a special place. During the Peach Blossom Festival, which occurred every five hundred years, earth-shattering duels would invariably take place. Countless extraordinary figures had fallen here, leaving behind one eternal legend after another, causing those who witnessed them to sigh with emotion.

The Peacock King let out a long cry. He transformed into five-colored divine light and descended onto the Life and Death Battle Platform. Standing with his hands behind his back, he scanned the assembled champions and declared, “Who is not convinced? Come on up!”

These seven words were exceedingly arrogant, a clear sign of him looking down on all the heroic lords, ready to test his sword against the world!

“Enough of your arrogance! Others may fear you, but I, Ou Yetian, do not!” shouted the deceased Wanchu Sacred Master’s junior brother, who had long been waiting. He transformed into a streak of green light and charged forward.

BOOM! He attacked the moment he ascended the platform, without any unnecessary words. Ten thousand streams of Chaos Qi shot out from his five fingers, manifesting as a sea of swords.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Resonant sword cries echoed in the sky. The myriad Chaos Swords were supremely sharp; each sword sliced with a Dao Seal, as if the Heavenly Dao itself were cleaving down!

It had long been rumored that Ou Yetian had refined a strand of Chaos Qi. This proved to be true, explaining his confidence. Everyone was shocked; that strand of Chaos Qi, once refined, possessed unimaginably formidable power, shattering the void with each sword strike and seal.

Ten thousand Dao Seals descended. Each one was capable of destroying an Ancient Divine Mountain, shaking a person to their very core. Outside the martial arts arena, the souls of many trembled in response.

“Terrifying, so terrifying! He secluded himself for five hundred years and actually reached this realm! An absolute top-tier expert!” People were stunned, and many cried out in shock.

Ten thousand Chaotic Sword Auras evolved into ten thousand Dao Seals, which then connected, forming a true pressure of the Heavenly Dao!

BOOM!

It swept down like a tidal wave, threatening to annihilate all tangible living beings, leaving everyone horrified! Ou Yetian initiated with an ultimate killing move, not wanting to engage in hundreds or thousands of rounds of combat. He unleashed his strongest Holy Technique, aiming to obliterate a generation of Demon Kings.

The Peacock King let out a long cry, shaking mountains and rivers. If not for the protection of the martial arts arena, many outside would have shattered, unable to withstand such a sonic wave.

RUMBLE!

Myriad stars appeared in the sky, each great star more brilliant than the sun, causing this ancient battlefield to nearly blaze, filled with ocean-like, terrifying fluctuations.

“Radiant Stars in the Clear Sky!”

“One of the most terrifying Variations from Ancient Times!”

Many cried out in shock. This was one of the Peacock King’s heaven-defying techniques; he too unleashed it immediately, aiming for a single-blow resolution, leaving himself no path of retreat.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each star, as massive as a mountain range, pressed down upon the vast martial arts arena, filling it entirely as they collided with the ten thousand Chaotic Sword Auras.

DONG!

The very heavens above seemed to be obliterated. That area became a wasteland of destruction where nothing remained. The audience could not see clearly.

BANG!

The myriad stars vanished into silence, leaving only swirling primal chaos. The crowd was amazed. Could the Peacock King have been slain?

SWISH!

Ou Yetian rushed out, drenched in blood. His body was covered in cracks, having suffered unimaginable damage. He moved with lightning speed, trying to escape the ancient battlefield.

In the void, the Peacock King stood alone. With a mighty roar, he nearly overturned the massive martial arts arena and shattered the leaden clouds.

“Ah…” Ou Yetian screamed. His body split apart in the void; his head and limbs all separated.

POOF!

He exploded in the void. He had already been on the verge of collapsing, and now that mighty roar shattered him completely, destroying both his form and spirit.

The crowd was stupefied. A generation of sovereigns had been shocked to death by the Peacock King right before their eyes! In the center, he stood alone, black hair fluttering wildly, his demonic might towering!

“I will protect Ye Fan! Any challengers, come forth!” The Peacock King’s voice roared across the sky as he stood with his hands behind his back.

To question all the heroes present—what overbearing confidence! Few in the world would dare such a thing!

Pandemonium erupted outside. A top figure from the Wanchu Sacred Land had died. This was a significant event indeed, leaving many stunned.

“The Peacock King is too powerful! It’s said he has even more formidable methods, many heaven-defying techniques,” the crowd discussed in amazement.

“Li Daoqing, do you dare to battle me?!” the Peacock King shouted, challenging the Flickering Light Sacred Master.

The crowd was aghast. To issue such a challenge in this setting was clearly aiming to slaughter a Sacred Master. Everyone gasped. If these two were to battle, it would surely be earth-shattering. Eight hundred years ago, they fought for three days and nights without a decisive result, an event known throughout the Eastern Wastelands, shaking its very foundations.

“Why would I not dare!” In this situation, the Flickering Light Sacred Master directly accepted the challenge; this concerned the prestige of a great Sacred Land.

“Sacred Master, let me handle this minor demon,” an elderly voice sounded, stopping the Flickering Light Sacred Master, Li Daoqing.

“Senior Brother…” Flickering Light Sacred Master Li Daoqing called out.

“Say no more. I will deal with him.” This person was elderly and decrepit. His skin was entirely loose, his flesh nearly withered, and his hair sparse. Leaning on a cane, he slowly walked out from the crowd.

“The Sacred Lands truly have living fossils in this world! This is the Flickering Light Sacred Master’s First Senior Brother, Xu Chengkun! He’s over three thousand years old, and he’s actually still alive!”

“Fifteen hundred years ago, he was in his prime, shining brilliantly here as he defeated countless strong enemies. He then retired from the world. Now he has emerged again, but alas, he is in his twilight years.”

“Clearly, his oil is spent and his lamp is about to go out. He won’t live much longer. He must be wishing to exert his remaining strength for one last contribution.”

His appearance caused an uproar; everyone was shocked and began discussing fervently.

SWISH!

Like a phantom, he moved at extreme speed, silently appearing in the massive martial arts arena. His murky eyes shot out two beams of enormous Qi, fixing on the Peacock King.