Chapter 297: The Respect He Desires, Variables

Chapter 297: The Respect He Desires, Variables



Ge Hong stood in the void, gazing at the Four Shrine Star not far away, his eyebrows tightly knit.

Not long ago, a piece of news spread like a storm among the warriors of Zhujie, claiming that the Yanhuang Federation had produced at least one True Holy Saint ten thousand years ago, and the opportunity for enlightenment was on this very Four Shrine Star.

Although everyone had their doubts, after all, if there really was a chance for sanctification, why wouldn't the warriors of the Yanhuang Federation seize it for themselves? Why would they wait until today? But this didn't stop everyone from gathering towards the Four Shrine Star.

At least some parts of this news were highly credible, such as the fact that the Yanhuang Federation had indeed produced a True Holy Saint in the past, and it took only a few hundred years for them to cultivate the Dao!

This single piece of information was enough to drive countless warriors in the Three Thousand Yanfu into madness! Even those lofty Tianzun Daozu would find it hard to remain calm.

As of now, there had been no less than a dozen waves of people attempting to infiltrate the Four Shrine Star to gather intelligence on the Federation.

However, the six dazzling divine lights rising from the six paths had cut off all possibilities of infiltration.

It was inconceivable that a planet was guarded by at least six Seven-Realm Deities! It was as if they had reached the core of various sects and sacred grounds.

Despite being limited by the Grand Universe, these deities could not fully manifest their power, but no one dared to advance recklessly.

Ge Hong thought to himself that the Yanhuang Federation was shrouded in layer upon layer of mist, and as one layer was lifted, another would appear.

But in a way, this indirectly confirmed the rumors.

Otherwise, how could a small planet have such an impressive formation?

"The opportunity for sanctification..." Ge Hong muttered, "Could the rumors be true? Is the fall of the Fourth Dream Demon related to the Yanhuang Federation, and is its true form sealed within the Four Shrine Star?"

Ge Hong's gaze swept across the void, and just then, a warrior claiming to be from the Xue Mo Palace had transmitted a message to him, seeking to gather various parties to join forces and break into the Four Shrine Star.

Including himself, there were quite a few warriors from Zhujie who, fearing the earthquake-inducing Ji Jingqiu from not long ago, chose to remain as spectators.

A Shen Jin who would be in an invincible state for the next five to ten years, there was no reasonable cause to offend him.

Moreover, they didn't believe they could actually break into the Four Shrine Star.

According to the information Ge Hong had gathered, the Federation's deity system was known as the Four Shen Zhu and the Twelve Deity Generals!

But similarly, they wouldn't stop the actions of the Xue Mo Palace.

Ge Hong scanned the figures in the void, thinking that the group from the Xue Mo Palace was quite persuasive, as they had already convinced some people.

At the moment, there were still many who feared Ji Jingqiu's deterrence.

However, if the fervor surrounding the Four Shrine Star continued to ferment, by the time the various sects received news and arrived, there would be even more people, and many warriors would choose to take the risk.

Among the warriors of Zhujie, there was no lack of rational individuals, nor would there be a shortage of gamblers.

Even Ge Hong himself, if he could truly confirm the existence of a great opportunity on the Four Shrine Star and saw a glimmer of hope in breaking in, he would definitely take the chance to bet on his future!

Suddenly, Ge Hong realized that someone had entered the Grand Universe from the location of the Four Shrine Star, and their Qi energy spread like a tidal wave, unabashedly engulfing the void and heading towards them all!

Before they could even plan their infiltration, the Yanhuang Federation had launched a counterattack!

What kind of world was this?

He looked around, piercing through the void, and saw the source of this Qi energy.

He saw an overly young man.

The young man also noticed him, and in the void, a pair of deep and fathomless eyes slowly opened, as if gazing into an abyss.

In that instant.

Ge Hong's mind was struck by thunder, and a bone-chilling wind silently swept through, causing the world to lose its colors and plunge into endless darkness.

In this shadowy world, Ge Hong saw only Ji Jingqiu's deep and unfathomable eyes.

Within those pupils, he saw himself, but it was a completely opposite version of himself!

Ge Hong's expression turned pale with fright. He tried to move, but suddenly realized that his body was out of his control. Every bone, every piece of flesh and blood, seemed to have developed its own will, attempting to split and break free from his command.

This was...

A strong sense of palpitations surged, and Ge Hong cried out, finally realizing what he had encountered! The rumors were true!

This person could indeed use a divine ability to stir up the demonic thoughts in their hearts, regardless of cultivation level!

With demonic thoughts sprouting in their minds, even for just a moment, it was enough to decide the outcome of a battle. After Ge Hong fought against his inner demons and regained control of his body, the first thing he did was to quickly retreat and flee into the depths of the void.

Insane!

Ji Jingqiu had actually come to the Four Shrine Star!

Suddenly, a strong wave emanated from the cold and empty void, like the roar of a celestial bull, shaking the void. It was the spread of a heavenly Dao field across the universe.

It was a warrior with a bull's head and a human body, with a wide mouth and protruding fangs, and a pair of black-gold horns rising towards the sky.

At this moment, his Law Body manifested behind him, also with a bull's head and human body, but towering at a thousand zhang tall. He held the power of wind and thunder, his body wrapped in dark clouds, and his eyes were like thunderbolts. His black fur shone, and he exuded ferocity and grotesqueness. The ground beneath his feet transformed the surrounding thousand li of void into a Dao field!

Within the Dao field, dark clouds gathered, and mountains rose from the ground. A pair of bull horns tore through the void!

In the infinite heights, a rolling thunder-like voice echoed, carrying the might of the heavens as it spread through the universe.

It was the Bull Demon Tribe's Niu Yi, rumored to be a candidate for the Demon Race's Lesser Holy Saint, and he seemed to have been persuaded by Han Yan from the Xue Mo Palace...

Ge Hong's thoughts raced like lightning.

"Moo!"

A loud roar shattered the remnants of stars ahead, carrying with it a formidable mental power, resembling the initial form of a roar that could shatter the stars.

In the vast expanse of the universe, a powerful figure emerged, its demonic aura soaring as it transformed into a towering mountain of darkness, rushing forward like a bolt of black lightning towards Ji Jingqiu.

The next moment, like two meteors colliding in the starry sky, a massive explosion occurred, sending shockwaves rippling across the heavens.

"Roar..."

The thousand-foot-tall Law Body was shattered from the right shoulder, and mountains within the cosmic arena were flattened as if crushed by the towering black figure's furious roar. Yet, it was no match and was sent flying.

Just as a mountain would collapse, Niu Yi spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest bearing the imprint of a palm. Compared to his massive demonic Law Body, this injury seemed insignificant, but it was the primary source of his wounds. His bones creaked, and his black, glossy fur stood on end.

The surrounding warriors in the void watched with their scalps tingling.

Among the demon race, the Niu Mo tribe was renowned for their immense strength, yet they had failed to block even a single move! Niu Yi grunted, and a divine light burst from within him, accompanied by a crackling sound as his broken bones rapidly healed. Still unyielding, he charged forward again, wild and untamed.

This time, a soul column suppressing the river of stars appeared above his head, thick and heavy, its surface adorned with intricate dark patterns like coiling dragon scales or swirling flames, faintly emitting a dark red bloodlight.

"The ancestral weapon projection of the Niu Mo tribe, the Hong Tie Gun!" someone exclaimed in surprise.

Niu Yi's Law Body clung to the tip of the soul column, barely managing to wield the iron staff, sweeping it horizontally. The staff was enveloped in a myriad of laws and principles, a dazzling and boundless display akin to an ocean, engulfing thousands of miles of land!

A quiet green lamp quietly appeared, emitting a boundless, serene, and pure light like a surging tide, immobilizing the Hong Tie Gun that seemed capable of sweeping across the universe.

No matter how much Niu Yi roared, he couldn't move the staff an inch further.

A golden palm once again entered Niu Yi's vision, drawing closer and closer.

His expression was stern as he braced himself, receiving a portion of divine power from the ancestral weapon despite it being restrained. He prepared to forcibly lift it.

Crack!

With a single palm pressing down, Niu Yi heard the sound of a mortal's bones shattering, his arms broken as the palm struck his chest.

The thousand-foot-tall Law Body shattered with a loud bang, and a massive black demonic figure tumbled in the void.

"I yield, I yield! This old bull is convinced!"

The once-boisterous voice now sounded subdued, as if he had regained his senses and calmed down.

The crowd only saw a completely reverted black demonic bull, one of its horns broken, as it crashed into the Sea of Suffering, fleeing without a backward glance.

Just as Ge Hong stood at a distance, feeling relieved with his choice, a voice from the Xue Mo Palace rang out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this child's audacity knows no bounds. Now is the perfect time for us to join forces, whether it's to gauge his true strength or take this opportunity to eliminate him. Even if he's powerful, can he still be a match for our united might?"

Ge Hong's face twitched as he witnessed numerous warriors being swayed by Han Yan's words.

The main reason for their anger was that Ji Jingqiu was not satisfied with just Niu Yi; he had already set his sights on another person, which left the crowd feeling a mix of astonishment and fury.

Were they being treated as prey?

A mighty gust of wind swept through the distant void, its aftermath fierce. Just as they were grappling with their thoughts, another warrior from the Zhujie was struck and exploded.

He was a handsome young man with a set of pitch-black wings on his back, resembling a fallen angel from mythology. Dark electric sparks swirled between his wings.

Ji Jingqiu was intrigued by the wings and reached out to grab one of the black wings. It felt smooth and warm to the touch, provoking a mix of astonishment and fury in the young man.

He plucked a feather, feeling its hardness and sharpness surpassing that of iron. With a gentle flick, a metallic sound resonated in his heart.

"You go too far!" The handsome man's eyes turned crimson, feeling as if he were being treated like a caged pet, his feathers plucked at will.

Half of the wings on his back had transformed into pure white, imbued with a hint of Yin-Yang Taiji energy.

Ji Jingqiu's eyes widened in surprise. Could they change color?

He reached out, supporting the evolved cosmic arena of the One Qi into Three Pure, ignoring the other's angry strike, and grabbed the transformed white wing. Simultaneously, he threatened, "Move again, and I'll tear it off."

For a moment, the powerful figure from the Fallen Angel tribe froze, his voice low and urgent, "Our tribe is the direct lineage of the Holy King!"

Ji Jingqiu's words silenced him, and he became completely docile.

"I've even cut through the projection of Chi Ji. What are you compared to that?"

Ji Jingqiu grabbed the young man's wing, discovering that it wasn't the Yin-Yang Qi he had imagined but a pure force of purification.

"Tian Shen Light?"

Just as he was about to make a discovery—

Several figures, ghostly and swift, burst out of the void, encircling them for a joint attack!

One figure curved its body, transforming into a dragon, tearing through the void in an attempt to sever Ji Jingqiu at the waist; another evolved into endless morning light, becoming a divine sword; a third, with hands forming a sword seal, drew a bloodline silently across the void, killing without a trace...

The Fallen Angel tribe's Tianren shuddered, feeling as if he were facing a deadly calamity, even though the attack wasn't directed at him.

"Rabble."

A cold voice echoed through the universe.

The universe seemed to whisper with the sound of waves, and a gleaming blade light rose like a full moon, dazzling and illuminating the dark void for a fleeting moment.

"Pfft—"

Three blood flowers bloomed almost simultaneously in the void, like crimson clouds dyeing the night sky, evoking a sense of tragic beauty.

With a single slash, the three Tianren were decapitated, their blood splattering in the void!

This scene, unfolding in the blink of an eye, caused the brows of the crowd, who were still deliberating, to twitch, and they instinctively took a step back.

"The rumors seem to be true... It appears that the Shen Jin of Wu De Palace couldn't withstand a single strike from this person..." Someone gasped, their voice filled with awe.

Ji Jingqiu's palm struck the Tianren of the Fallen Angel Tribe on the forehead, sending them flying. Despite the dizziness and disorientation in the void, they managed to survive and turned to leave without a backward glance.

"I've realized that you truly lack respect for a Shen Jin."

Ji Jingqiu turned back, standing tall in the void, his expression cold as he faced the multitude of martial artists.

The Federation Tianren guarding the Four Shrine Star nearby gathered, but Ji Jingqiu refused their assistance.

He didn't retreat; instead, he advanced, fixing his gaze on his next prey. With his mind connected to the void, he appeared before a Tianren from Zhujie who harbored ill intentions towards him.

This incomprehensible "godspeed" caused the Tianren's expression to change drastically. As a trail of blood appeared, a head fell from the void.

Ji Jingqiu showed no mercy, crushing the Tianren's spiritual sacred fetus.

He looked up, "Or should I say, all the Shen Jin in the Three Realms are too modest, allowing you to be unable to distinguish strength?"

With these words, the martial artists who had been itching for action could no longer hold back. Several of them joined forces to seal the void, cutting off Ji Jingqiu's escape!

Then, the martial artists acted in unison, unleashing their most powerful abilities and surrounding Ji Jingqiu with anger.

A towering Law Body descended, its face obscured, towering thousands of zhang high. It stomped down, piercing through the void!

A flying dagger, imbued with the power of flying immortals, transformed into a silver speck, incredibly sharp and precise. It traced a path of perfection, aiming directly at Ji Jingqiu's glabella, causing him to sense a deadly threat.

In the void, a woman wearing a ghost mask took action. It was as if the hell of death had descended upon the world, with countless skull mountains and blood pools manifesting. She launched an ultimate killing move against Ji Jingqiu!

Someone roared, "Even Shen Jin have been surrounded and killed before!"

The crowd surrounded Ji Jingqiu, and among them, the most dazzling trio made him feel threatened.

The Federation Tianren nearby paled in shock, wanting to intervene, but it was already too late!

Just as the flying dagger was about to pierce Ji Jingqiu's glabella, his figure suddenly vanished from their sight!

A muffled hum sounded, and the woman who had attacked from behind Ji Jingqiu in the void retreated, narrowly dodging the stomp of the Law Body. The flying dagger shattered her ghost mask, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

"Impossible! How could he break through the void's seal?!" Someone exclaimed.

Wu Yi, the Demon Race Candidate for Lesser Holy, stood there, observing the scene.

Just as everyone's mental power swept through the void, searching for Ji Jingqiu's figure...

A painful scream echoed from the direction where someone had previously shouted, "Even Shen Jin have been surrounded and killed!"

The crowd's mental scan, faster than their eyes, only found a lifeless body.

What kind of speed was this?!

Everyone was stunned, and as they felt the danger, a golden finger, as solid as diamond, pierced through the void, returning to the spot where Ji Jingqiu had been surrounded!

This finger pointed directly at the ghost mask's glabella, and the hellish world manifested, obstructing Ji Jingqiu's finger, but it was ultimately a step too late.

A surge of mighty force rippled, piercing through the glabella and crushing the mental sacred fetus, leaving behind an empty, beautiful shell.

The thousands-of-zhang-high Law Body sealed the heavens and the earth once more, stomping down with immense force!

However, Ji Jingqiu's figure vanished again, and the void sealed by the crowd seemed nonexistent. He traversed the battlefield at will, coming and going as he pleased, with no one able to stop him!

The crowd's faces turned pale with terror, and someone seemed to have guessed something, turning and fleeing without a backward glance.

A furious voice echoed from behind, "That's the Tian Wang Feature [Ubiquity]! Where do you think you can escape to?! Only by fighting to the death is there a chance to survive!"

These words instantly stirred up a terrifying wave, not only failing to slow down the crowd's departure but also accelerating the alliance's disintegration.

The one who had spoken earlier suddenly fell silent, his face turning pale as he realized his mistake.

Facing a martial artist who possessed the [Ubiquity] feature, the so-called surrounding and killing were useless. He could always maintain a one-on-one situation!

At this moment, the martial artists from Zhujie, at most, could only break through to Tianren. Standing in the First Heaven, even with the projection of ancestral weapons, they couldn't compare to Ji Jingqiu, who had the support of the unknown Qing Deng.

All they could do was run faster than others, hoping that Ji Jingqiu wouldn't target them!

"Ji Jingqiu, you're going too far! There are countless martial artists in Zhujie, do you intend to kill them all?!" A hidden martial artist shouted.

"If news of today's events spreads, you'll become the public enemy of Zhujie!"

"A mob dares to speak of courage?" Ji Jingqiu stepped forward in the starry sky, locking his gaze on every inter-world martial artist with malicious intentions. Despite the lack of killing intent, he exuded an air of transcendence. Yet, with each falling blade of light, a Zhujie martial artist fell.

His overwhelming dominance, treating the Tianren as insignificant, was suffocating to behold.

"From now on, remember that the Yanhuang Federation is not a place for you to do as you please."

"For at least the next ten years, in the Grand Universe, my words will carry more weight than those of Tianzun Daozu."

In the distance, Ge Hong's eyebrows furrowed, and he suddenly noticed a figure who had previously incited the crowd but was now not only fleeing first but also provoking the one he had encouraged.

Ge Hong acted decisively, blocking Han Yan and shouting, "Han Yan of Xue Mo Palace is here!"

Ge Hong shuddered, witnessing a smoky blade of light rising from Han Yan's body, as if slicing through his mind and devouring everything!

He couldn't help but shrink his neck, wondering what kind of sword technique or divine ability this was.

The heir of Xue Mo Palace, Han Yan, died just like that?!

A gaze swept over him, and Ge Hong suddenly regretted speaking up. He turned and ran, fortunately, the person didn't come after him.

From then on, no one dared to resist. The thousands of feet tall Dharma image rushed towards the distance like Kuafu chasing the sun, only to be shattered by the sword light from behind...

Dozens of figures fled in panic, fearing they would be slower than others and become victims of the blade.

The Tianren from the Federation who witnessed this scene remained silent.

"Is this the respect that the leader of the Ji clan desires?"

One of the Tianren from the Federation couldn't help but speak up.

If some of them had taken action, they could have defeated the enemy as well, after all, half of them were standing in the Second Heaven.

The Tianren in the Third Heaven, the gap was not insignificant, but it was impossible to have such dominance, causing so many to flee in disarray.

"Respect has always been earned through killing," Meng Jintian sighed, "I hope that one day, this respect will extend to the entire Federation."

...

...

Inside the Four Divine Lord Temple.

Li Yingtian, escorted by the Tianren of his clan, was now kneeling respectfully in the temple.

Above, the water curtain light projections of several Divine Lords clearly showed the battle not far from the Four Shrine Star.

Looking at the figure moving freely and dominating the battlefield, Li Yingtian's eyes shimmered like a pond with ripples spreading from the impact of falling stones.

At this moment.

A solemn and detached voice echoed in the vast and solemn temple.

"Have you been tired of living these years?"

Li Yingtian was stunned. Was this question directed at him?

Moreover, the tone seemed to be different from the "Ancestor" he remembered.

Every member of the four great families would be brought to the temple to pay respects to the Ancestor, hoping to be acknowledged by him.

But for thousands of years, not a single person from the four families had been chosen by the Four Divine Lords, not even a response.

It was as if they were being told that the one seated on the cold divine throne was no longer their ancestor but the common deity of the Federation.

"Your servant answers the Divine Lord..."

Li Yingtian took a deep breath, his throat moving several times before swallowing the rust-like taste spreading between his teeth. Each word revealed an undeniable exhaustion, accompanied by a trembling voice like shattered porcelain, filled with pain and struggle.

"The younger generation of the Li family dares not complain in front of the Ancestor!"

During the long silence, Li Yingtian could hear his own faint breathing and the beating of his heart in his chest.

Until a laugh that was hard to discern, whether it was mockery or self-ridicule, rang out, causing Li Yingtian to subconsciously hold his breath, his heart rising to his throat.

This wasn't the Four Divine Lords...!!!

"Are you blaming me?"

It was as if a divine being was looking down, and Li Yingtian's heart pounded like a drum. He lowered his head:

"The younger generation dares not."

The voice that echoed this time was distant and indifferent:

"If given a choice, would you choose to be a member of an ordinary family in the Federation or a descendant of the Li clan?"

Li Yingtian's expression froze.

What kind of question was this?

"Answer."

The authoritative voice pressured him to make a choice.

Li Yingtian remained silent for a moment, then said, "I have always been proud to be a descendant of the Li family."

"Since you take pride in the Li family bloodline, then kneel on the side."

The detached voice sounded again.

Li Yingtian subconsciously raised his head, and what he saw was not the faceless statue of the past, but a pair of deep and ancient eyes, with a hint of detachment and fatigue.

...

...

Ji Jingqiu did not annihilate them all, allowing some non-hostile warriors from various realms to escape from the vicinity of the Four Shrine Star.

As the news spread quickly, Ji Jingqiu's unreserved actions attracted the wariness of various powers.

"Ubiquity? Are you kidding me?!"

"This young man isn't boasting. If the Tian Wang Master doesn't show up, who in the Grand Universe can do anything to him? It's more like the other way around!"

"Aren't there other Shen Jin?"

"You fool, how could the various powers allow their own Shen Jin to come here and fight him? If they win, it's fine, but if they lose, it's a total loss!"

"It's getting absurd. Before today, if someone told me that a single Xin Xiang could make warriors from various realms bow down, I wouldn't even have the thought to argue. But now..."

"If Ji Jingqiu rides on the coattails of the various Daoist sects and attains the status of a founder of a teaching in the Grand Universe..."

"Are we witnessing the birth of a legend? A future True Holy Saint?"

Even though the warriors from various realms were reluctant, no one could resist due to Ji Jingqiu's overwhelming strength. Strength was the foundation.

They needed to reconsider their attitude and policies towards the Yanhuang Federation.

Many started to ponder whether they should change the location of their Feisheng Platform.

Given the current situation, there was no uncertainty regarding the ownership of this Feisheng Platform. It entirely depended on which True Holy Saint's Daoist sect could win over Ji Jingqiu.

Once the dust settled, with the massive number of Tianren in the True Holy Saint's Daoist sect and the invincible Ji Jingqiu, there was no suspense regarding the ownership of the Ninth Feisheng Platform.

Until a piece of news spread, causing a huge commotion.

"Breaking news! It's suspected that the various Saints have reached an agreement. No matter how powerful Ji Jingqiu is, the Saints will not choose him to establish a teaching and spread the Dao for their own sects!"

"What's going on? Where are the people from Huang Xue Palace? Didn't someone from the Sheng Shrine also make contact with Ji Jingqiu in advance?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end