Ouyang Feng struggled to prop himself up on his sword, slowly rising from the ground. Though unsteady, he gritted his teeth and forced himself upright, lifting his bloodied, aged face with a strangely calm gaze.
He didn't even look at Prince Zhen Nan, instead turning his eyes to the cultivators from beyond the province.
"To die for one's convictions is worth it! I have just one thing to say to all of you—arrogant dogs like you have no right to insult the cultivators of Arid Province!!"
His voice was firm, unwavering. It echoed in all directions, striking deep into the hearts of those present and sending a chill down their spines.
"Arid Province cultivators are not to be insulted!!!!"
His roar thundered like crashing waves, echoing across the province.
In that moment, the cultivators of Arid Province stood tall in solidarity, stepping forward to shield Ouyang Feng.
They were like moths drawn to a flame—ready to die with honor.
"What the…"
The outside cultivators were stunned, visibly shaken.
For reasons they couldn't explain, this group of seemingly weak Arid Province cultivators now instilled unease in their hearts.
The situation had escalated—what once looked like a simple act of bullying now threatened to turn into a disaster. Word of this could spread and damage their faction's reputation.
Prince Zhen Nan's expression twisted before he sneered coldly. "You think a swarm of ants can topple an elephant? Keep dreaming. Ants are just ants."
With that, he channeled his strength and raised the Hunyuan Hammer, ready to bring it down.
"Protect the Ancestor!!" the Banshan Sect Master roared.
"Arid Province cultivators, stand and fight!!" shouted the sect leaders, clan heads, and rogue cultivators from every corner of the province.
Suddenly, an unexpected shift occurred.
A wave of overwhelming auras surged from afar.
"Wh-What is that?!"
Countless cultivators felt their scalps prickle with dread.
"Amitabha Buddha~"
A group of monks appeared, clothed in simple robes and chanting scriptures. They walked through the air on golden lotuses, exuding an aura of sacred solemnity.
"It's the Hanging Temple from Buddha Province!"
Someone gasped.
"Heh, today's getting more and more interesting."
A young man with long violet hair and a ghostly appearance descended elegantly, waving a white fan.
He rode atop a blue and gold war chariot pulled by nine ferocious dragon steeds—each one radiating the terrifying pressure of the Transformation Stage!
Riding such beasts alone revealed a shocking background.
Surrounding him were formidable guards, each emanating overwhelming power and vigilance.
Among them, one attendant stood out with an unfathomable aura—slaying Transformation Stage cultivators was child's play to him.
"Isn't that Xue Tianyi, the heir of the Xue Family—the most prestigious clan in Lingzhou?"
Someone recognized him with a gasp.
Boom!!!
A final group arrived, their presence even more oppressive than the rest. All eyes turned in stunned silence.
Even Master Jingchan of the Hanging Temple grew cautious, folding his hands together to recite a silent mantra.
Xue Tianyi's face darkened slightly but he held back any reaction.
"Wait—is that the Yuhua Sect of Qingzhou?!"
The crowd broke into loud exclamations.
The Yuhua Sect—supreme in the Eastern Domain for over a million years—was like a divine realm on Earth.
A golden flying boat hovered above, carrying a group of powerful Yuhua Sect cultivators. The nine figures radiating terrifying pressure were none other than the sect's inner elders.
"Saint Son, we've arrived," said Elder Yan with deep reverence, addressing a youth beside him.
That young man was wreathed in a mysterious aura, his every breath radiating brilliant solar energy. He exuded dominance and tranquility at once.
He was the Yuhua Sect's most gifted disciple—the newly appointed Saint Son.
His status surpassed even the elders—unquestionable and exalted.
"Arid Province…" Chen Xiao muttered, gazing at the land before him, both familiar and estranged.
This was his birthplace. Yet now, he felt only loathing and disdain.
No one knew the shock he experienced upon joining Yuhua Sect—how his fellow disciples hailed from mighty cultivation dynasties, brimming with resources and spiritual energy.
He, on the other hand, had come from a barren, destitute land.
But fortune had favored him—he awakened the legendary Solar Immortal Body, rewriting his destiny and rising to become Yuhua Sect's most radiant star.
Yet deep down, his humble origins remained a source of shame.
Returning now, he felt no pride—only disgust.
"Oh my, that's Saint Son Chen Xiao! I've heard of him—he possesses the Solar Immortal Body, undefeated among his peers!"
The crowd buzzed with awe.
After all, Yuhua Sect's status meant every internal movement could shake the outside world.
Everyone had heard of the peerless prodigy named Chen Xiao—how he crushed all other True Inheritance Disciples to become the undisputed Saint Son.
His brilliance was set to illuminate the Eastern Domain for the next hundred thousand years.
A man destined for immortality!
Suddenly—
Several Arid Province cultivators exclaimed in disbelief, "Chen Xiao? Isn't he the young master of Wind Thunder Sect? He's from here!"
The crowd erupted.
"What?! Yuhua Sect's Saint Son is from this backwater?!"
"How is that possible?! A top-tier prodigy born in a place like this?"
"This is bad… The ones who mocked Arid Province earlier…"
The cultivators from the other thirteen factions stood dumbfounded, reeling at this revelation.
Feeling the weight of countless gazes, Chen Xiao kept his expression blank, though a cold killing intent burned deep within.
His worst fear had come true.
Elder Yan instantly understood and, with a flick of his sleeve, swept up the group of Arid Province cultivators who had spoken. A terrifying force followed—obliterating them on the spot.
Blood rained down, the air turning thick with its metallic scent.
"No one is allowed to speak of my Yuhua Sect's Saint Son! You filthy insects dare utter his name?!" Elder Yan thundered.
"Anyone else who opens their mouth—dies!"
The raucous crowd fell silent instantly.
Chen Xiao's face remained cold, unmoved by the carnage.
Prince Zhen Nan, meanwhile, looked deeply embarrassed—he had just insulted the same Arid Province from which such a terrifying figure had risen.
With Chen Xiao's status, even an imperial prince had to tread carefully.
Swallowing his pride, Prince Zhen Nan approached and asked cautiously, "Saint Son Chen, may I deal with these Arid Province cultivators?"
If Chen Xiao had shown even a flicker of displeasure, Prince Zhen Nan would've withdrawn immediately.
Chen Xiao's lips parted.
"Do as you please."
Prince Zhen Nan was ecstatic, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Saint Son Chen!"
Then he turned toward Ouyang Feng with a sinister smile, raising his hammer once more.
"No…"
Despair filled the eyes of the Arid Province cultivators—their last sliver of hope extinguished.
Ouyang Feng gave a bitter smile, rising slowly, struggling to lift the sword that had once brought him glory in youth.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiao didn't spare them a glance. He viewed them as insects—his status far above theirs.
"Master, that's the Wind Thunder Sect's young master. What should we do?" asked the Master of Cangjian Peak nervously from a nearby hill.
"I knew it—Chen sent his son here for the secret realm. Thank heavens Xuantian Sect didn't act rashly," said Master Xu Yonian, troubled.
"Master, while everyone rushes for the secret realm, we should retreat. The Eastern Domain is vast—we can hide!"
"Agreed. Didn't you hear someone call him 'Saint Son'? Better to flee now."
"Wait—where's Young Master Ye? He's our sect's last hope!"
Suddenly—
The Master of Tianxiang Peak gasped and pointed, covering his mouth in shock. "Everyone, look! I think Young Master Ye's heading over there…"
"What?!"
Xu Yonian paled. "Bring him back! Now!!"
Chen Xiao's right there—going over means certain death!
But just as battle was about to break out…
A loud, vulgar voice echoed through the sky.
"Damn it! Outsiders bullying us right on our turf?! The Arid Province doesn't move without me! All of you, stay put and line up!"
Swish! Countless stunned eyes turned to the source of the voice.
A young man stepped forward boldly—black robe lined with golden threads, long silver hair flowing behind him like a river of moonlight.
"Who dares approach? Name yourself!"
Prince Zhen Nan sneered.
"Your uncle—Ye Junlin."
Ye Junlin replied, completely unfazed.
"What?! I'll kill you!!!" Prince Zhen Nan roared in fury.
"Ye Junlin?! Isn't that the Master of Mysterious Peak from Xuantian Sect?" someone shouted.
"Xuantian Sect! It's Ye Junlin!"
Chen Xiao's previously indifferent expression twisted into rage, his eyes going cold.
He never imagined the man who had killed his father would appear here!
Ye Junlin casually scratched his nose. "You got a problem?"
Chen Xiao's gaze burned. "You killed the Wind Thunder Sect Master, didn't you?"
"Oh, that idiot? Yeah, I remember—always yapping about how his son would become an immortal. So, what… are you his…"
"I am his son!!"
Chen Xiao's eyes turned bloodshot.
"Damn, so you're that idiot's kid?" Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.
Boom!!!
A terrifying aura erupted from Chen Xiao like a volcano. Rage consumed him.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
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