“Moonquake Slash!”
This was Ye Chu’s true trump card. The reason Ye Chu dared challenge Ye Yuanwang with absolute confidence was precisely because he possessed power that only great cultivators could wield.
Amid Ye Chu’s roar, star-moon power actually surged around him. All his strength poured into his arm, transforming into terrifying force that blasted outward. Like an explosive shockwave, with Ye Chu at the centre, vast power surged in all directions, carrying howling winds and vowing to destroy everything in its path.
No one had expected Ye Chu to unleash such a terrifying strike. Everyone’s hearts jolted violently. They stared at Ye Chu in horror. “A great cultivator’s technique! He is only at the Innate Realm. How can he possibly execute it?”
Qing Wenting, who had originally been blocked by the empire’s prince, finally felt her heart relax. Remembering Tan Miaotong’s words about Ye Chu refining a Primordial Spirit True Source, she immediately understood.
Ye Yuanwang had not expected this either. He swept out with a kick, originally intending to strike Ye Chu’s chest. But seeing such terrifying shockwaves erupt, he retreated frantically in an attempt to evade.
This great cultivator technique was far too terrifying. Though Ye Chu could not unleash its full power, even a fraction was enough to make Ye Yuanwang’s heart race in terror. Great cultivators existed on an entirely different level. They were not something someone from the first major realm could withstand.
Ye Yuanwang shielded his entire body with power, attempting to resist the shockwave. But the artistic conception was too overwhelming. The intent to sever everything crashed into him.
Without any suspense, Ye Yuanwang was blasted backwards. The sound of dislocated bones could even be heard. He was thrown far away, blood spraying from his mouth in a long arc that landed on the ground.
“Bang…”
Ye Yuanwang crashed to the earth with a muffled groan. Blood poured from his mouth in streams. He struggled to rise, but the intense pain forced him to abandon the attempt.
“I told you not to provoke me, but you refused to listen,” Ye Chu said, looking at Ye Yuanwang. His own face was somewhat pale. Using a great cultivator’s power consumed far too much. Fortunately, the Three-Yin Coloured Pattern Killing Spider in his qi sea continuously leaked power to replenish him. This allowed him to remain steady without falling into the drowsy state he had experienced last time.
Everyone stared blankly at Ye Yuanwang. Even Shangguan Minda and the others had not anticipated such an outcome. Defeating a Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator with Innate Realm strength was not unheard of, but it was extremely rare. Only those with astonishing talent and peerless aptitude could achieve it.
Yet no matter how one looked at Ye Chu, he did not seem like a peerless genius. If he truly were, how could he only be at the Innate Realm now?
“What the hell!” Pang Shao cursed inwardly. The imbalance in his heart grew even heavier. This fellow was clearly more of a scoundrel than he was. How could he possibly be this strong? Ye Yuanwang was a prominent figure among the younger generation in the capital, yet he had been defeated by Ye Chu!
Ye Chu dragged his body over to Qing Wenting’s side. He also noticed that the empire’s prince and several great cultivators had subtly surrounded them.
“Let’s go!” Ye Chu said to Ruoshui and Qing Wenting. He could see these people harboured ill intentions.
The empire’s prince looked at Ye Chu with a bright smile. “Young Master Ye Chu truly surprises this prince. With only Innate Realm strength, you have created one miracle after another. However, there is one thing this prince must ask you to clarify.”
“Speak!” Ye Chu raised a brow, staring at the empire’s prince.
“Could Young Master Ye Chu tell me where the Three-Yin Coloured Pattern Killing Spider has gone?” As the empire’s prince spoke, the other great cultivators also fixed their gazes on Ye Chu.
Ye Chu did not answer. Instead, he swept his eyes over the crowd. He saw quite a few strong experts among them.
The empire’s prince naturally possessed a heaven and earth artifact. There were also five or six other great cultivators. Many more cultivators watched from the periphery. Though they had not acted yet, if there was a chance to claim a share, they would surely be more than willing to join in against him and Ruoshui.
Ye Chu glanced at Ruoshui. Seeing her weakened state, he knew she had little fighting strength left. This was understandable. Not everyone had his special physique. Surviving the Three-Yin Coloured Pattern Killing Spider’s invasion of the body was already a miracle. Heavy injury was inevitable.
The empire’s prince and his group dared to act against them precisely because they knew this. Otherwise, with Ruoshui’s strength, who would dare provoke her?
Qing Wenting still had fighting power, but even she could only hold off the empire’s prince at best. Blocking everyone else would be nearly impossible. Pang Shao had brought only one great cultivator. Ye Jingyun might help them for Qing Wenting’s sake, but it would still fall far short.
Ye Chu understood clearly. Right now, they were the weakest. Yet the most precious items had all fallen into their hands. And these people still did not know about the black iron in his possession. If they knew its divine effects, they would go completely mad.
“Are you also going to join them in robbing us?” Ye Chu’s gaze fell on Ji Die. He noticed her eyes were fixed on Ruoshui.
Ji Die glanced at Ye Chu. Her voice was pleasant yet cold and aloof. “I said in the tomb that I would only take the golden book.”
With that, Ji Die said no more. She turned and walked away. Though Ye Chu had surprised her, he still did not register in her heart. This man would have no connection to her in the future, and she had no desire for any.
Seeing this woman once again treat him as though he did not exist, Ye Chu rubbed his nose. He thought to himself that even being handsome was not omnipotent.
“Ye Chu, I believe the Three-Yin Coloured Pattern Killing Spider is not on you. But only by seeing it with my own eyes will I be convinced,” the empire’s prince said. “How about this? Let me search your entire body. If there is nothing, you may leave!”
Ye Chu looked at the empire’s prince. “I do not have the habit of letting men search me. If you find a beauty to do it, perhaps I might agree!”
The empire’s prince laughed. “Truly a romantic character. Under normal circumstances, I would agree. But right now, in this wilderness, I cannot find a beauty for you. So I must apologise.”
Seeing the empire’s prince approach Ye Chu, Qing Wenting shouted, “You dare try!”
Qing Wenting activated her saintess crown. Majestic pressure descended.
“Saintess, I do not wish to be enemies with you. But do not provoke me either. Though your sect is powerful, the empire is no pushover. Moreover, your sect is far from here. Its deterrence against the empire is not as strong as you might think. If you truly act, I will fight you. We both possess heaven and earth artifacts. Do you think you can gain the advantage?” The empire’s prince stared at Qing Wenting. He was wary of her, yes, but he did not fear her. As long as he did not kill her, seizing items that did not belong to her in the first place would not provoke a massive retaliation from her sect.
The other great cultivators feared even less. If they seized Qing Wenting’s treasures and hid somewhere, who could find them? And if they succeeded, the rewards would be maddening.
The great general’s primordial spirit! Obtaining it would surely lead to soaring fortunes and explosive growth in strength!
With the empire’s prince taking the lead, they surrounded Ye Chu and the others. Three of the most precious treasures had been obtained by them. Pang Shao’s elder had taken two sun-and-moon artifacts. Even if they could not claim the two supreme treasures, seizing one sun-and-moon artifact would still be worthwhile.