The overwhelming aura fiercely impacted the twenty-odd Saint-level powerhouses, none daring to move an inch. As major forces gradually converged, they stood silently under this sudden oppressive atmosphere, eyes filled with awe. The entire Transverse Mountain Range was eerily quiet.
"All disperse. You know the consequences if there's a next time," the aura came abruptly and left just as quickly. Everyone gasped for air, looking at each other without saying a word.
"The rest is up to you," a Saint-level powerhouse said to his clan members before disappearing into the darkness. Other Saints hurriedly gave instructions before flying towards Miat City, leaving behind the stunned powerhouses of eighth and ninth order from various forces.
"Saint-level powerhouses can't help us now; we must rely on ourselves," the Holy Son of Light, Cesido, broke the silence first.
"What should we do? If this continues, our people will be killed one by one," voiced Raditz, an elite from the Swordsmen's Guild, raising a pressing concern.
"He moves too fast, coming and going without a trace. It's impossible to track him," said a leader from another major family.
After days of Ye Han's assaults, everyone had some understanding of his abilities, but they were helpless, having lost hundreds and three major families completely annihilated. His brutal and ruthless methods instilled fear in everyone. A snake lurking in the shadows was unpredictable and dangerous.
"Based on observations, our target mostly acts at night. From today onwards, we'll search separately during the day and gather at night to rest, preventing him from striking. If he attacks head-on, I can't believe we won't catch him with so many eighth and ninth order powerhouses here," Cesido proposed a plan, albeit not a perfect one.
"Hehe, that won't work. Even if we surround him, who can capture him before he uses his space magic? Not even the Saint-level powerhouses can," said Cecilia from the Dark Church, her seductive voice igniting a fiery passion in the cold air.
"What's your suggestion then?" Cesido's face darkened, having been constantly contradicted by Cecilia since Ye Han's first appearance, but he restrained himself due to the critical situation affecting his future position as Pope.
"Hehe, simple. The Asura Battlefield," Cecilia suggested, her sexy and enchanting body illuminated by firelight becoming even more tempting.
"Good idea, a public challenge. It will reveal his true capabilities and weaken him over a prolonged battle," everyone quickly saw the benefits of Cecilia's method.
"But what if he doesn't show up?" Cesido was skeptical.
"No, he will. A proud person won't back down from a direct challenge. And he is just such a person, having slaughtered in front of many Saints. His target is us," deduced Dolores from the Magic Guild, who was sharp-witted and shared a similar nature with Ye Han.
"Alright, let's do it. A direct challenge to understand his strength and reduce our losses."
"I agree," the leaders of the major forces concurred.
"Then, we'll spread the word tomorrow. In the Asura Battlefield, the ninth level, a direct challenge," Raditz concluded and headed towards Miat City with his group, followed by the others. The Transverse Mountain Range returned to its former tranquility.
From the next day, elite forces across the continent spread the news of the open challenge to Ye Han in Miat City, causing a huge stir.
Soon, news of Ye Han ambushing the forces in the Transverse Mountain Range spread, making his name famous across the Frost Empire. The entire continent was once again thrown into chaos by Ye Han.
Forces and families that had previously ignored Ye Han now joined in, seeking powerful cultivation techniques and strength for their clans. The continent was in turmoil.
The Heliang family and the Patrickli family from Kelt City, unable to sit idly by, sent their elites and Saint-level powerhouses to Miat City.
"Father, did we do the right thing?" Heliang Jinglei asked his father, Heliang Yun, with a worried face.
"Alas, who could have foreseen things turning out like this? We wanted to abandon a family outcast to avoid direct conflict with the Patrickli family, but..." The Heliang family, one of the two major families in Kelt City, had suffered heavy losses over the years.
The Heliang family's losses were much greater than the Patricklis. Losing a stronghold was a significant blow. A direct confrontation would have drastically reduced their strength, leaving them vulnerable to monster attacks from the Transverse Mountain Range.
Once they lost the stronghold, the Heliang family would be erased from the continent. Heliang Yun had to swallow his pride and let the Patricklis overstep, eventually sacrificing a son to save the family.
"Father, can we bring him back to the family?" Heliang Jinglei asked cautiously. Those expelled from their families on the continent couldn't return, as it was not only humiliating but would also bring ridicule to the family.
"It's impossible; he won't come back," Heliang Yun sighed deeply, his eyes filled with regret. A man who, in just a few years of cultivation, had thrown the entire continent into chaos could reach unimaginable heights given decades or centuries.
"Why?" Heliang Jinglei asked urgently.
"You, only skilled in leading troops, fail to understand people," Heliang Yun spoke gravely.
"Please enlighten me, Father."
"Isn't it obvious? With his appearances so far, he's shown to be proud. Imagine a proud person returning to a family that once abandoned him, especially considering..." Heliang Yun paused, leaving Heliang Jinglei confused.
"That incident?"
"His mother," Heliang Yun said heavily, suddenly seeming much older, his face weary, devoid of the aura of a Saint-level powerhouse.
"This..." Heliang Jinglei thought of his role in the death of Ye Han's mother, unaware of the deeper implications Heliang Yun implied.
In a few days, news spread across the continent, with more and more powerhouses arriving in Miat City. Yet, the main character of this event, Ye Han, had yet to appear. Everyone quietly waited, no one believing Ye Han would back down from the main challenge.
Four days later
Outside the gates of Miat City, crowds surged in and out. Despite being the focus of the entire continent, the commoners continued their daily struggle for survival.
"Xiaoya, this is the Miat City I told you about," said a person cloaked in a black robe to a delicate-looking girl beside him.
"Wow, it's so big, so crowded!" The girl's clear voice, like a songbird's, attracted the attention of everyone nearby.
Eyes brightened, and noble youths cast fervent glances at Xiaoya, who remained oblivious, excitedly gazing at the magnificent city walls. Her delicate, finely featured face showed an enchanting smile, bewitching to those who saw it.
A few bold nobles approached, feigning gentlemanly manners, "Is this your
first visit to Miat City, Miss?"
"Yes," Xiaoya answered innocently, looking at Ye Han for guidance.
Seeing her hesitation, one nobleman smiled at the man under the cloak, "Perhaps this gentleman..."
"Get lost," a cold voice came from under the cloak, chilling the air. The blunt words visibly upset the nobleman.
"You..."
"Do I need to ask you to leave?" A powerful aura suddenly emanated from the seemingly frail figure, causing the crowd to step back.
The approaching nobles, looking as if they had seen a ghost, rapidly changed their expressions. With many young powerhouses recently arriving in Miat City, these usually arrogant nobles had suffered. Ye Han's aura made them uneasy.
"We're leaving, we're leaving," they quickly apologized and disappeared into the crowd. No one wanted to wait around for trouble.