Yang Zhen swaggered towards the Ghost Festival, all the while reflecting on the matter of the Heavenly Demon Fist.
The Heavenly Demon Fist was an upgraded combination of two distinct martial arts, one from the Heiyan Sect and the other from the Demon Sect, that had risen to the rank of a Heaven-level martial skill.
Each layer of the Heavenly Demon Fist would significantly increase its power, consuming more and more of the user's vigor. Because this martial skill was derived from personal insight, Yang Zhen had already mastered the nine transformations, but he was not able to fully utilize it yet.
Given Yang Zhen's current bodily strength, he was barely able to endure the sixth level of the Heavenly Demon Fist. The raging power within him was like a vast sea with demonic waves towering to the sky. The terrifying impact could almost instantly destroy his body.
"It seems like I need to find a way to enhance my body's strength. Otherwise, I might explode before the fight even begins... I..."
Bang!
Preoccupied in his thoughts, Yang Zhen hadn't paid attention to his surroundings and bumped his head into a towering tree on the roadside. He rubbed his forehead and continued walking forward.
Being too receptive to knowledge, his head was filled with so much information that he would often daydream, sometimes even slipping into a moment of enlightenment.
Being able to move while in a state of enlightenment would be terrifying indeed. It was said that in the Netherland Continent, a powerful being once accidentally moved into enlightenment and walked directly to the Northernmost Land. He almost breached the wilderness barrier, killing countless demon beasts along the way. This horrified those iron-blooded practitioners guarding the Netherland Continent.
All these powerful beings had eccentric personalities. Yang Zhen suddenly understood that it was not that these powerful beings were weird, but it was impossible for ordinary people to understand their feelings. While others sought the opportunity for enlightenment all their lives, these powerful beings could experience it at any moment. It would be strange if anyone could understand that.
"I truly am a genius!"
Yang Zhen looked back at the towering tree, chuckling to himself.
Phat!
An intrigued young woman in a group of people nearby laughed out loud at the sight of Yang Zhen.
The rest of the group also laughed heartily, looking somewhat baffled.
"It seems like we have all sorts of people these days. A man who can walk into a tree still claims he's a genius."
"Hey, sir. If you're a genius, then am I on par with the Saints and Gods?"
Superpowers like the Nether Realm cultivated Saints and Gods, or Saintesses and Goddesses. These people were the proud children of Heaven, possessing high cultivation at a young age and admired by all young practitioners.
The stout man who made this comment seemed to feel superior from finding someone he could intellectually dominate. The crowd burst into laughter.
Upon seeing this group, Yang Zhen felt no interest at all. Firstly, it was because too many practitioners had gathered here for the explosively powerful Qi treasures. Secondly, all these practitioners were in the Foundation Establishment Stage or lower. Even if they had something good, it would not catch Yang Zhen's eye.
"This person is quite strange, carrying such a large bundle on his back. Isn't he burdened by it?" The young woman who had laughed earlier said to her Senior Brother beside her.
The Senior Brother was a refined gentleman who chuckled at her words, "Perhaps he is just an astonishing weirdo."
Yang Zhen gave a glance at the Senior Brother, chuckled and then turned around to leave, leaving behind a mysterious silhouette.
"How can you trash understand my realm? It's not that I want to belittle you, but what I meant was, you and everyone present... are all trash!"
Yang Zhen's words were arrogantly unrestrained. Suddenly, a terrifying aura burst from his body, sweeping out like a wild wave, inducing awe in everyone present.
The young woman's eyes lit up, she murmured to herself, "Such a high state of mind, only our Master would be comparable... This... this aura, did he breakthrough?"
"What?" All the people stared stunned at Yang Zhen's proud figure from behind. The wild aura vanished in a blink, returning him to his ordinary appearance, looking somewhat burdened carrying a large parcel on his back.
"Others laugh at me for being too mad. I laugh at them for their lack of insight. What a great poem, a truly great poem."
Yang Zhen's voice echoed, sounding frantic and even somewhat unkempt, yet for some reason, looking at Yang Zhen's retreating figure, there was a sense of irony lingering amongst all the onlookers. They had regarded him as a jester, only to discover, in the end, that they themselves were the real fools.
The cultured and refined Senior Brother was taken aback at seeing the Junior Sister beside him reveal an admiring look, actually comparing Yang Zhen to their revered master. After hearing Yang Zhen's words, the Senior Brother's face instantly hardened, and he glared balefully at Yang Zhen.
Everyone present was both startled and furious, just when suddenly, an alarmed voice echoed, "The Princess, Princess Changyang is here!"
Upon hearing the name 'Princess Changyang,' all present were struck still, all turning to look at the direction indicated by the speaker.
In the depths of the valley, a group of people were slowly approaching. Leading them was a young woman, dressed in regal attire with a golden gown and a veiled neutral face, her steps calm and composed. The tranquil demeanor she radiated was captivating and drew gazes towards her. This was none other than the Princess Changyang of the Nether Sun Country.
Princess Changyang was renowned for her constant training outside her kingdom. Her exceptional talent and cultivation made her the cream of the crop among her peers. Particularly, after her return to the Nether Sun Country, her numerous victories against many established princes and princesses within the palace caused quite a sensation.
What was most captivating was that Princess Changyang was of unparalleled beauty. Her cultivation method gave her an ethereal demeanor, making her appear like a celestial maiden descended from heaven. She had countless admirers, yet no young talent had ever caught her eye.
Inside the valley, everyone who saw Princess Changyang – men and women alike – were left in awe of her charisma, standing respectfully their spots. Many had fascination written all over their faces, unable to pry their gazes away.
Even with her face under a veil, Princess Changyang's demeanor was so captivating that it threw everyone else in her vicinity into the shade. Only Yang Zhen merely shot Princess Changyang a glance before continuing on his way.
Yang Zhen had seen too many beautiful women – both naturally and artificially beautiful – all at the highest standards of aesthetics, so his immunity towards Princess Changyang's beauty was exceptionally high.
"Others laugh at me for being too crazy, I laugh at others for not seeing through…" Princess Changyang's lips slightly pursed, she looked at Yang Zhen and said: "The one who spoke these words earlier, it was him, wasn't it?"
A woman in black next to Princess Changyang nodded and said: "It should be him!"
"I didn't expect to meet such an interesting person here in the Nether Sun Country. Can his name be found out?" Princess Changyang looked at Yang Zhen's retreating figure, a trace of interest revealed in her expression.
The woman in black looked at Princess Changyang surprisingly and said: "I will bring him here."
"Let it be, we will run into him sooner or later. The Lei Yuan Wood will emerge soon. We need to fetch it quickly and return."
"Yes!"
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous sound exploded in the sky, followed by thousands of thunderstorms, whirling in the murky clouds above, leaving everyone in awe.
Yang Zhen lifted his head and clicked his tongue in wonder.
What on earth could cause such a terrifying celestial anomaly, a disturbance of the Heaven and Earth Qi, and command such power?
Following the thunderstorms, more celestial phenomena occurred frequently. The entire Ghost Cry Valley seemed to be blanketed in horrifying thunderstorms.
Everyone got excited and rushed deeper into Ghost Cry Valley.
With all of these celestial phenomena, whatever was about to emerge was bound to be a remarkable treasure. Nobody wanted to trail behind; everyone was pumping with adrenaline.
Yang Zhen followed the crowd, but not long after, he suddenly felt the earth shake beneath him. The Ghost Cry Valley seemed to flip completely over. Terrifying energy waves rose high into the sky causing numerous rocks to collapse while the mist from the sheer energy blinded the sun. The entire landscape appeared to have changed.
Voices of terror echoed from the people beside him. Caught unaware, Yang Zhen was thrown in mid-air, tumbling uncontrollably. The bundle he was carrying fell off. He hastily reached out to grab it but ended up getting hold of a woman's arm instead.
"You shameless vagabond! You're seeking death!" a woman's voice scolded and a sharp sword force surged towards him, fiercely unmatched.
"Did... did the bundle come to life?" Yang Zhen was startled and his eyes widened in surprise. He was sure he had reached for his bundle, how did it turn into a woman?