Chapter 976: 976. Chapter 974: Interlocking Links

976. Chapter 974: Closely Linked

Immediately, the golden giant opened its huge hand, curled its five fingers, and lunged to seize Zhao Yunshan.

"Boom~~~"

A golden world sprang into existence out of nowhere, instantly enveloping Zhao Yunshan.

Although Zhao Yunshan was a half-step emperor, far stronger than many low-ranking emperors, he unfortunately encountered an emperor's soul.

"What... what is this?! So strong!!!"

An extremely dangerous aura enveloped his whole body, making Zhao Yunshan's breathing somewhat difficult; this power had already surpassed his capacity to endure.

"Bang bang~~"

He exerted all his strength to circulate the true essence within his body, trying to break free from the golden world and escape, but it was utterly useless—the golden world was extraordinarily solid, completely defying common sense.

At this moment, he finally understood why the Yang Family Head had summoned them to assist.

"Boom rumble!"

Zhao Yunshan frantically mobilized the true essence in his dantian, attempting to shake this golden world, but the outcome was destined to make him despair; the golden world was extraordinarily tough—even some nine-star emperors would find it extremely difficult to breach its defenses, let alone a mere eight-star emperor.

"Thud~~"

Finally, in that desperate gaze, the golden world suddenly contracted, directly suppressing Zhao Yunshan, leaving him no chance to resist.

"Ah, spare me, spare me..." Zhao Yunshan's miserable howl echoed from within the golden world.

Just then...

"Whoosh!"

Four streaks of light sliced through the void, flashed by, and fell into the golden world.

They were none other than the Lu Family ancestors—Lu Yuan, Lu Wenyuan, and Lu Qingyang, the three supreme grand elders of the Lu Family.

As a mid-level ninth-rank martial marquis powerhouse, how could the Yang Family battle possibly lack them? Don't forget, the Yang Family Ancestor Yang Zhan is not merely a peak sixth-rank alchemist, but also a genuine early-stage ninth-rank martial marquis.

The Yang Family Ancestor Yang Zhan can be said to be, aside from Yang Zhan himself, the only true ninth-rank martial marquis of the Yang Family.

However, the Lu Family ancestors did not personally take the field; Yang Zhan is an early-stage ninth-rank martial lord powerhouse.

Moreover, he is an outstanding among martial lords; although the Lu Family is not weak, compared to Yang Zhan they are still somewhat inferior, should Yang Zhan arrive in person.

The outcome remains uncertain, but if the three veteran early-stage ninth-rank martial lords—Lu Wenyuan and Lu Qingyang—were to descend together, the result would be different.

These four powerhouses joining forces could barely contend with a mid-stage ninth-rank martial marquis, let alone a mere martial lord who has just entered the early ninth-rank.

"Boom rumble~"

As soon as Lu Yuan and the others entered, the golden world instantly collapsed, throwing Zhao Yunshan out; he landed in a sorry state, his body drenched in blood, bones broken in countless places, looking utterly miserable.

"Ah~ Father, save me..." Zhao Yunshan wailed hysterically.

The next moment...

"Plop~" Zhao Yunshan dropped to his knees, pleading bitterly, "Ancestor, please spare me; I was wrong, I truly realize my mistake."

He did not wish to die here; Yang Zhan is an early-stage ninth-rank martial marquis, while he is at most a seven-star emperor—the gap is vast, not merely a matter of multiples.

……

"Hmph! Let you go? Who let my grandson go?" A black-clad figure, aura sinister and terrifying, murderous qi shooting to the heavens, a gray-haired old man suddenly appeared beside Zhao Yunshan, giving a cold snort.

He is Lu Yuan's son—Lu Wenyuan, the granduncle of Yang Zhan's son Yang Fan, Lu Yuan's nephew, and Yang Fan's cousin.

"Lu Wenyuan, you... how could you possibly have broken through to the early ninth-rank?" Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Lu Wenyuan, Zhao Yunshan's eyes widened, his face filled with shock.

Know that the Lu Family Ancestor Lu Wenyuan was merely a seven-star emperor, still a considerable distance from the early ninth-rank emperor; yet now...

After such a short time, he has actually entered the ranks of early ninth-rank martial lords.

"Hahaha... I have long been a peak seven-star emperor, but due to limited talent I have never managed to prove the emperor's way, while the ancestor devoted himself to secluded cultivation, so I have been entrusted to guard the Yang Family and our Lu Family descendants." Lu Wenyuan lifted his head and smiled, a hint of arrogance faintly visible in his eyes.

"Seven-star emperor!!!" Upon hearing Lu Wenyuan's words, the entire Yang Family gasped in unison; now that Lu Wenyuan has indeed proven the ninth-rank emperor, the Yang Family's safety no longer warrants any worry, and even against the four great clans they have a decent chance of victory.

The next moment...

The Yang Family Ancestor Yang Zhan's figure flickered, appearing beside Yang Fan, his face excited as he said, "Fan'er, congratulations!!!"

"Father, I'm fine; you need not be so courteous." Yang Fan shook his head and replied.

I merely happened to advance to the eight-star emperor rank; the distance to the nine-star emperor throne is still far more than just a little.

Moreover, my cultivation is not as simple as Yang Fan imagined; this time, I was able to fluke proving the eight-star emperor rank only by relying on the blessings of the cave dwelling left by these Lu Family ancestors; otherwise, even with numerous resources aiding me, without a year and a half of arduous training, entering the eight-star emperor realm would basically be hopeless.

"Hehe... Fan'er, you rascal." Yang Zhan chuckled lightly, not bothering to argue over this matter.

"Father, what about those rebels?" Yang Fan's expression suddenly turned cold.

……

Lu Yuan found himself in a vast expanse of mountains and forests; towering trees pierced the clouds, sunlight filtering through the leaves like twinkling stars. He wore a black battle robe that fluttered in the wind, exuding an aura of majesty and fearlessness.

In his hand he grasped a longsword glowing with silver light; the blade seemed to contain boundless power, reflecting the pride of his recent breakthrough to early ninth-rank martial lord.

Yet all around, demon beasts roamed frequently, their growls and howls rising and falling, as if this forest had become a playground for demon beasts. They resembled provoked savage beasts, their eyes flashing with feral light, sharp claws and fangs reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight.

Giant demon wolves, cunning demon foxes, and even burly demon bears all converged on Lu Yuan, seemingly sensing the oppressive aura emanating from him, eager to challenge this newly risen powerhouse.

"Ao——" A giant demon wolf lunged first, its vicious teeth flashing cold light, straight for Lu Yuan's face. Lu Yuan sidestepped, sword light flashing; his blade traced an arc, striking the wolf's abdomen, blood spurting instantly and staining his battle robe.

The demon wolf let out a miserable howl, intense pain rendering it unable to fight further; it collapsed directly to the ground, its vitality gradually fading.

"Come on again!" A glint of cold light flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes; he then shouted loudly, his sword aura like a rainbow, slashing toward the oncoming demon beasts.

Those demon beasts seemed to sense his fury, retreating a few steps, but soon driven mad, they surged forward in a frenzy. (End of chapter)