The most ferocious of the hands was a green one, threaded with wisps of yin energy — like a ghost emperor reborn. It was the first to reach forward, grasping toward Ye Tong’s body.

This green hand was hundreds of zhang in length — like a mountain toppling from on high, enough to stop one’s breath. This was without question a Dao-severing sovereign, and an extraordinarily powerful one at that.

To strike at a junior in such a manner was an extreme action — an unmistakable declaration of absolute annihilation, intent on burying a genius in the cradle of his growth, denying him any chance to rise.

Ye Tong reacted quickly. Solar sacred fire flickered at his feet. He had cultivated the “Walking Word Art” passed down by Ye Fan to a considerable degree of mastery, combining it with his own primordial nature — moving like a golden crow crossing the sky. In the hairsbreadth of an instant, he evaded the certain-kill blow of the Dao-severing sovereign!

The void was like a sheet of ricepaper, torn to pieces by several enormous hands. Four or five Dao-severing sovereigns had moved in sequence, identities unknown, cutting across the heavens, launching an absolute slaughter.

The nine heavens and ten lands shook together. The great laws of heaven and earth resonated. Each person’s technique touched upon the power of order — chain after chain of divine order pierced through the void, weaving together into a brilliant world of Dao principles.

“How dare you!”

In the distance, a great shout rang out. Dongfang Ye made his move. Standing on a mountain, he hadn’t shifted an inch — but he opened his mouth and spat a mouthful of Savage King blood-qi, which transformed into a collapsing mountain and crashed down in mid-air.

Like a mountain collapsing and the sea overturning — the stream of primal blood from within the Savage Divine King’s body was unparalleled, like a star detonating. It sent out tens of millions of shockwaves that swept in every direction.

“Dare to touch my nephew, are you all tired of living?!” the Savage Divine King bellowed. His true form descended — hair flying wild, like a savage who had become a god.

He swung his fists and feet, shaking the winds and clouds in every direction. Even mountain ranges dozens to hundreds of li away exploded apart. He was like a god of war descending upon the mortal realm.

In the distance, a faint smile curved at Ye Fan’s lips. He knew that with these old friends present, it was very likely there would be no need for him to act.

Tong Tong had dared to come to this place — she had surely notified some of her uncles in advance. The little one had grown up and now knew how to make use of relationships and resources rather than acting on impulse alone.

“The Savage Divine King has acted — in his day he and Ye Fan were life-and-death companions. Those few Dao-severing sovereigns will have difficulty snuffing out this genius.”

“The warrior bloodline of the Southern Range is second only to the human Holy Body. Today, the toughness of his body and the strength of his combat power are without equal!”

People murmured in astonishment. The duel between two young geniuses had now triggered a standoff between Dao-severing sovereigns — the atmosphere at the scene was wound to breaking point.

Roarr!

A long howl rang out. In the distance, demonic energy surged to the heavens; a sea of purple mist spread forward. Right from the start, it launched an attack. A blurred silhouette lurked within — only a pair of eyes, sharp as lightning, sent divine light piercing through the mist and shooting outward!

“The Heavenly Demon King has also acted — he too is the Holy Body’s old companion. With his fearsome reputation shaking the world today, who would dare cross his blade?”

“In the old days, the Heavenly Demon Constitution was born with inadequate innate talent — while still in the womb, someone tried to secretly destroy it. It took decades of bitter effort to restore its aptitude. And now, having severed the Dao, it is as though a demon god has been reborn!”

Yao Yuekong made his move — and his first strike was the Heavenly Demon God-Slaying Form. His entire being transformed into a demonic blade that swept across the world in a horizontal slash.

Splat!

A spray of blood flew. He had cleaved one of the enormous hands in two; blood burst forth and the severed hand fell tumbling through the long sky.

A roar of fury rang out. The wrist-severed arm quickly retreated and vanished into the void, having suffered a great loss — blood stained heaven and earth.

Flash!

Five-colored divine light flickered. The Peacock King appeared — resplendent colors soaring into the sky — and swept away the blurred bodies of the several enormous hands’ owners, sending them flying through the void.

In the distance, people couldn’t help but draw sharp breaths. The Heavenly Demon Constitution, Dongfang Ye, and others from years past had all become sovereigns in their own right. Combined with an established old lord like the Peacock King — with these figures protecting Tong Tong, who would dare act?

“Even though the Holy Body has departed, his disciple is not someone to be bullied. The companions he left behind have all become Dao-severing sovereigns who command their own domains.”

Setting aside the others, these three alone, standing here, were enough to give a crowd of powerful individuals headaches and fear. Any one of them could dominate an entire domain.

“Quite the imposing display — three kings appearing together, coming out to stand up for a junior. For nothing more than the disciple of a Holy Body — is it worth it?” A cold sneer drifted from the distant sky, its tone unfriendly, as two figures walked this way.

Yao Yuekong said coldly: “Some people have no self-respect — this was originally a duel between juniors, yet they had to insert themselves and attempt to kill a genius. And they have the nerve to blame others?”

“The world always has shameless individuals who must meddle in the affairs of the young, forcing all of us to act in turn.” Dongfang Ye spoke plainly and without any courtesy whatsoever.

“Tong Tong, head back first. Let your uncles here have a little… ‘catching up’ with them.” The Peacock King said.

“Thank you, Peacock King great-uncle. It’s all right — I’ll just watch from the side for a bit before leaving.” Ye Tong smiled shyly.

When he wasn’t fighting, he looked quite refined and gentle — the picture of harmlessness, worlds apart from the ferocity and dominance he had displayed moments ago.

“Ha — a Dao-severing sovereign exchange, and a little nobody dares to join in? He doesn’t know what’s good for him.” The newcomers laughed coldly.

These were two men who appeared divine and martial, their spirit energy abundant, with surging divine flames leaping between their brows. One of them had a single horn growing from his skull — like a divine being enthroned.

“These two are the Heavenly Emperor’s Son’s twin great generals. In this era without Saints, wherever they pass every clan shows deference — there is no equal for them under heaven.”

“So it’s these two. They represent the Heavenly Emperor’s Son’s will. They are immensely powerful — these years they have swept through countless rivals, and no one knows how many overlords they have slain!”

Everyone’s expressions changed. These were two individuals of considerable renown, celebrated powerhouses among the ancient clans who had pledged themselves to the Heavenly Emperor’s Son. Today, nearly no one would dare antagonize them.

“What Dao-severing sovereign? The Black Emperor said — sooner or later he’ll catch you both and keep you as battle-pets.” Ye Tong taunted, meeting them blow for blow. Even facing two of the standout figures among Dao-severing sovereigns, he showed no fear.

At the mention of the great black dog, an entire group of people felt their foreheads twitch. The two ancient clan powerhouses’ eyes turned cold and ruthless, projecting killing intent.

“We’ll butcher it one day!” one of them said coldly.

The moment these two appeared, several others who had struck earlier converged as well. The situation was dire — both sides faced each other with hands on weapons, a single spark from igniting.

“Ha — it’s been too quiet these last years. No battles to stoke the fighting spirit, nothing elegant to break the monotony. Today is finally interesting.”

A man in silver-white battle armor — tall and slender, a fang-bladed halberd strapped across his back — walked forward. He appeared quiet and gentle, yet his eyes would occasionally flash with soul-shaking light!

“This is the young lord of the Demon God Clan — one of the standout figures among Dao-severing sovereigns in recent years. From the day he entered the field until now, he has never tasted defeat.”

Not only did many human cultivators change expression — even people of the ancient clans were moved. No one had expected yet another Dao-severing sovereign of real standing to make his move.

The Demon God Clan was a magnificent and powerful lineage — a name no one dared take lightly. Though it had once experienced a period of decline, it always rose again, and the Dao-severing sovereigns of this clan were never to be underestimated.

Combined with the Heavenly Emperor’s Son’s two capable generals, the three walked at the front, immediately blocking Dongfang Ye, Yao Yuekong, and the others.

The four at the rear immediately gained confidence. Advancing through the hazy mist with wide strides, they meant to hold Ye Tong and the others accountable and snuff out this genius.

“Head back, nephew.” Dongfang Ye said. What followed would surely be a clash of Dao-severing sovereigns — and if someone brought out a sacred weapon, matters would turn very grim indeed.

“Understood — I’m leaving now.” Ye Tong replied.

Yao Yuekong and the others weren’t worried about Tong Tong either — because this child had been raised by the great black dog, and the odds and ends on him were too numerous to count. A single formation array and he could break free from any encirclement — and might even turn the tables on a few in the process.

They knew that dog’s temperament all too well. Dare to touch a single hair on its charge, and it would bite back ten times as hard. It would never allow Tong Tong to come out and suffer a genuine loss.

“They say the Holy Body was so remarkable — I think it’s nothing but an inflated reputation. It’s a pity he left too early by a dozen years or more. Otherwise, the Heavenly Emperor’s Son would have slashed him to ashes long ago!”

Two powerful Dao-severing sovereigns laughed aloud as they spoke. Their words were arrogant, their eyes holding only the Heavenly Emperor’s Son — these men had followed loyally by his side for years.

They knew well: the Heavenly Emperor’s Son had old grievances with the human Holy Body from long ago. Today, they were here to provoke — to find an opportunity to kill Ye Fan’s disciple.

With words like these from the two of them, apart from a small number who chimed in agreement, most people chose silence. Who would dare speak this way?

In his time, Ye Fan’s reputation truly had been carved out in battle. In his final days before departure, at the Heaven-Severing Mountain Range — blood had run and run until it turned the entire mountain range red. He had killed until the sun and moon lost their light.

Even those of ancient emperor bloodlines like Yuangu, even those as radiant as the fallen-immortal Hua Yunfei — all had been cut down by him. His resounding name had been forged entirely through real combat.

Ye Tong laughed coldly: “My master has been gone for more than ten years, and only now do you dare say such things. Why didn’t you dare jump out in his time and get cleanly killed?!”

The two laughed with cold disdain and made no effort to bandy words further, advancing with wide strides. Dongfang Ye and the others’ expressions sank at once, and they immediately blocked the path.

“In five years, I will fight the world on my master’s behalf. Any one of you who comes — I will take on!” Ye Tong declared, his words clean and resonant.

Everyone’s expressions changed. They looked at Tong Tong with even sharper killing intent — all of them wanting to strike with brutal force and cut this genius down.

In the distance, people exchanged glances with one another, all of them shocked. To fight the world on behalf of one’s master — those words sent a profound tremor through every heart.

“Though the Holy Body has departed, he has cultivated an excellent disciple who carries on his imposing might.” Many people sighed.

BOOM!

Astonishing energy radiated outward — as if carrying faint threads of ancient sagely might. People were startled. Both sides might be about to draw upon sacred weapons.

Dongfang Ye, Yao Yuekong, and the others faced off against the Heavenly Emperor’s Son’s two generals and the Demon God Clan’s young lord. Not one of them dared move rashly — if sacred weapons were truly brought out, matters would spiral completely out of control.

However, the other four had not stopped. They rushed forward together, converging in a killing charge toward Tong Tong.

“Uncles and great-uncles — I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for today.” Ye Tong bid farewell to Dongfang Ye, the Peacock King, and the rest, preparing to activate a formation altar to open a gateway through the void and depart.

In the distance, the divine brilliance in Ye Fan’s eyes pulsed. These few Dao-severing sovereigns were going too far — bullying with force, cornering his own disciple into flight.

At this moment, Dongfang Ye and Yao Yuekong were locked in a standoff, guarding against attacks from sacred weapons, unable to act freely.

Light flashed in Ye Fan’s palm. A black spear shaft appeared. He walked forward with steady, measured steps — one step at a time — moving to the center of the battlefield.

This person’s sudden appearance left many cultivators bewildered. No one knew which side he belonged to, or who he intended to strike.

“You can all leave your lives here.” Ye Fan’s measured words carried an overwhelming force of suppression, sweeping across the four Dao-severing sovereigns before him.

People were startled. This was clearly someone else stepping forward to defend Ye Tong — but why had no one ever seen this person before? Not a single person could recognize him.

“Who do you think you are — daring to spout such brazen nonsense?!”

“Even if Ye Fan himself returned, I’d be surprised if he dared speak like this!”

“The human Holy Body has become a relic of the past — his name buried in the dust of history. And yet you boldly defend his disciple without knowing your place!”

All four Dao-severing sovereigns wore expressions of cold indifference, their faces carved with cruelty and mercilessness.

Ye Fan said nothing more. A single spear thrust — plain, returning to simplicity, unembellished and natural, without great Dao resonance, without overwhelming force behind it. And yet it made all four of them change expression on the spot.

They knew they had encountered a terrifyingly powerful expert!

All four moved with everything they had, combining their power in an attempt to kill Ye Fan — yet what followed unfolded with a speed that defied everyone’s expectations.

One spear thrust.

Nothing more than a single spear thrust.

A clanging sound shook heaven and earth. Blood-light bloomed. A single piercing wail rang out, sending shivers through all who heard it.

The black spear shaft in Ye Fan’s hand had run through one of the Dao-severing sovereigns, pinning him high in the air. Blood dripped steadily — that sovereign struggled and thrashed atop it, unable to break free.

The sight petrified everyone. Every single cultivator felt their courage and spirit shaking — who in the world was this person?!

With a single spear thrust: at first it seemed plain, without splendor — but in the final instant, mountains lost their color and sun and moon went dark. A single thrust had skewered a powerfully Dao-severing sovereign and lifted him into the air!

Ye Fan stood there like a demon god. The remaining Dao-severing sovereigns went cold to the bone, trembling as they fell backward — they were truly frightened.

“It’s him — it turns out to be the living fossil from Wanchu Holy Land! He has now severed the Dao and risen to the rank of a sovereign!”

Someone cried out in recognition, having identified the powerhouse who had been run through and whose true face was now visible.

Ye Fan showed no expression. Holding the spear with one hand, he carried this Dao-severing sovereign impaled upon it and walked toward the Wanchu Holy Land’s assembled forces — leaving every last one of them ice-cold from head to toe.

His spear was like a mountain range of ten thousand tons pressing down upon the heart of every person in that holy land. With each step he took toward them, the minds of those assembled threatened to shatter.

Ye Fan walked as though in a place where no one else existed — spear raised high, carrying his skewered burden — and reached the front of the group. His expression was cold to the extreme, eyes sweeping across every face.

In that moment, utter silence fell. Every person from Wanchu Holy Land broke out in cold sweat. They had never imagined this would be the fate of their own elder after striking out.

Ye Fan raised the great spear high — the sovereign pinned upon it — and angled it forward until it nearly pressed against the front of the holy land’s master.

He did not speak a single word. His eyes held only cold indifference. His actions were the best reply of all — in full view of the entire world, he held their sovereign impaled on his spear. This was a resounding, murder-filled slap across their face!

The crowd went silent as a flock of frightened birds. Not a single person spoke — not even daring to breathe, every last person watching with rigid tension.

This was one man using his own power to intimidate an entire holy land.

Bang!

The black spear shaft in Ye Fan’s hand trembled once. The impaled living fossil of a Dao-severing sovereign burst apart on the spot — blood sprayed, and bones and gore rained down in a shower, dyeing the sky red.

This was naked, unadorned intimidation — impaling a holy land’s sovereign on a spear and destroying them in front of their own master.