Chapter 84

From the extracted memories, those cultivated like Hua Yunfei as "pawns" numbered over a dozen.

Without exception, they all had decent talent, but most were from the Yaoguang Holy Land.

"How is it?"

Hua Yunfei walked over from the side; earlier he had been hiding in the distance, searching with Yang Zhu for others lying in ambush.

These people were indeed cautious—just those lying in ambush numbered five; fortunately Yang Zhu had anticipated this, otherwise they would have gotten away.

On the night of their first day in the Holy City, Ye Fan and Hua Yunfei pretended to have a major clash, intending to cause a sizable commotion.

Afterwards Hua Yunfei again leaked the news of the holy body to those behind him; they would certainly not miss this opportunity and had already set up an ambush outside the city.

If only Ye Fan came out alone, it would surely arouse suspicion, so early on they brought in Tu Fei and Jiang Huairen, who served as mere "fillers".

Many knew that Ye Fan's relationship with the bandit's grandson was not shallow, which made their presence seem reasonable.

"Quite a few people are under their control, but this group has clear division of labor, and the controllers are fixed; eliminate these few and no one will know your identity."

That's also good, saving them from having to settle scores; as for the other members of the Ruthless lineage, their numbers are not small, they are widely distributed, and wiping them all out would take considerable time.

Yang Zhu wasn't idle either; as long as Hua Yunfei could free himself from control, that was enough—he had no spare energy to worry about the others.

"Are you all alright?"

Yang Zhu sent two beams of light into Tu Fei and Jiang Huairen's bodies; the energy brimming with vigorous life force circulated through their limbs and bones, and their injuries instantly recovered by half.

"How amazing—it really doesn't hurt anymore!"

Tu Fei moved his limbs a bit, found no serious hindrance, and felt his whole body much lighter.

"Hey, we're both at the Dao Palace realm; facing those Four Extremes experts, even giving it our all we could only last a few moves, yet you treated them like small fry to grind on."

The image of Yang Zhu felling a Four Extremes expert with a single palm still lingered in Tu Fei's mind, inevitably prompting a sigh.

"Even Ji Haoyue could only last four rounds in Yang Zhu's hands—you should be satisfied."

Ye Fan gave a wry smile; he thought the same—Yang Zhu was too strong, so strong that even his holy body felt powerless.

To kill a peak Four Extremes expert with a single move is hardly an exaggeration to call him a monster; his strength is off the charts.

"Don't lose heart, little bandit; if you put in some effort in this life, you'll still be worthy of gazing upon Yang Zhu's back."

The Big Black Dog wore a nasty grin; just thinking of his treasured item in the other's grandfather's hands made him want to curse.

"If you can retrieve this emperor's belongings from your old geezer of a grandfather, I might consider taking you as a disciple."

"Get lost, you dead dog—why do you keep eyeing my grandfather's stuff?"

Tu Fei was thoroughly displeased with the Black Emperor's foul mouth, constantly calling him an "old geezer"—no one could tolerate that.

"To be safe, for now you should go hide in the Jade Pool."

The Jade Pool Holy Land's strength is transcendent, and with extreme Dao imperial weapons suppressing it, even the Ruthless lineage would hardly be able to act.

Upon first meeting the Queen Mother of the West, Yang Zhu had already anticipated today's situation and greeted her in advance.

Given Yang Zhu's status, the Queen Mother of the West would agree without condition even if he didn't explain the reason.

"Thank you, Elder Brother Yang; Yunfei will never forget your kindness."

Before parting, Hua Yunfei performed a grand salute; Yang Zhu pulled him out of the mire and had already arranged a place for him to go—this favor was certainly not small.

According to the original circumstances, he would eventually become a "sacrifice"; Yang Zhu's intervention was tantamount to giving him a second life! "Take care."

That day Hua Yunfei set out for the Jade Pool Holy Land, while Yang Zhu and the others returned to the Holy City.

"I've heard that recently another Saint Lord–level figure has arrived, all for the holy medicine." "Moreover, after the expedition to the Li City ancient tomb, the contents on that beast skin have gradually been deciphered."

Lately the Holy City has become even livelier, with more and more heaven‑chosen figures rushing over.

These past days people have been unearthing fine treasures one after another; reportedly a royal uncle from Zhongzhou bought a rare pearl, a treasure worthy of such figures' attention—absolutely not inferior.

After obtaining the beast skin, the major powers have been constantly deducing, focusing all their energy on it in hopes of smoothly opening Purple Mountain.

Walking down the street, one could clearly sense a shift in the atmosphere.

Along the way, one could notice many more heaven‑chosen individuals; even amidst the vast sea of people, they could be spotted at a glance.

Yang Zhu ascended a teahouse, ordered only a few cups of plain tea, and listened to the surrounding cultivators chatting idly.

To avoid drawing attention, they sat apart in small groups of two or three.

"The Stone Gambling Workshop has recently unearthed quite a few fine treasures, drawing many figures to its doors."

"In the end they'll still fall into the hands of those major powers; even if we had ideas, it would be useless, so we'd better stay out of it."

"Lately many have been searching for that Ye-surnamed brat; so far there's no clue, and that's a hundred thousand catties of source—who wouldn't covet it?"

"A hundred thousand catties of source is certainly tempting, but compared to his Mother Qi Cauldron of All Things, it's nothing."

"To obtain his cauldron, many renowned figures have rushed to the Northern Territory, all determined to get it!"

Chatting away, they soon brought up Ye Fan.

Earlier, to acquire ten thousand catties of source, he deliberately leaked his whereabouts; many young heaven‑chosen ones heard the news and came from all over the Eastern Wasteland.

Even some old monsters in seclusion couldn't resist the lure of the Mother Qi Cauldron of All Things, choosing to leave their retreat and try their luck.

"It's truly moving—just think of how magnificent the ancient holy body once was, yet today it's being hunted by so many."

"Hey, if the times hadn't changed, the ancient holy body could only reach the Dao Palace realm; if it could grow, those saintly heirs might not be his match."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhu glanced at Ye Fan.

"Actually, there isn't no hope; with enough source, there should be a chance to break through."

Ye Fan took it in stride; at least there was still hope, and even if it was just a thread, he wouldn't give up.

Especially after studying the Source Heavenly Scripture, Ye Fan grew ever more hopeful; given sufficient time, he could extract even more source.

"The ancient holy body does have some ability, but it's far from as mighty as the rumors claim—it's merely been hyped up."

A lovely laugh drifted over; a fragrant breeze wafted from the stairwell as a flower‑hiding, moon‑blushing maiden stepped forward, her voice like falling jade beads, most pleasing to the ear.

She was quite sexy, wearing a green dress, with five‑colored jade light shimmering beneath her feet, her black silken hair flying about, very captivating.

"Who are you, daring to speak such wild words?"

Other cultivators saw her extraordinariness, but such arrogance still made many frown.

Even if the Ancient Holy Body is not at its best, it is not something just anyone can disparage; before the heavens and earth changed, the Ancient Holy Body enjoyed great renown, and few could fail to respect it.

"Ji Family Ji Biyue!"

The girl smiled sweetly; she turned out to be one of the three top experts of the current Ji Family, her strength second only to Ji Haoyue—she indeed had the grounds to be arrogant!

Today will be like this; according to reason, the sixth day should have more traffic, but now it's only a dozen or so per day, it's tough, making my liver hurt from anger

(End of chapter)