Faced with the peculiar gazes of the crowd, Ye Tian chose not to elaborate. He merely cast a cold glance at Wu Ding, whose face was adorned with a mocking smile, before addressing Elder Zhang Zhengyi with a calm demeanor: "I have heard that the true disciples of the Divine Star Sect possess the right to challenge any elder. It is said that any elder who receives such a challenge is not permitted to refuse. Elder Zhang, when I ascend to the rank of true disciple, I shall seek your guidance."
This statement carried an implicit threat and an unquenchable spirit of combat, plunging the entire mission hall into an immediate silence.
Having uttered these words, Ye Tian turned and departed, leaving behind only a figure shrouded in indifference.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhengyi's expression shifted dramatically. As he observed Ye Tian's retreating silhouette, his eyes brimmed with a venomous intent.
The inner disciples nearby were left dumbfounded, their gazes fixed on Ye Tian's back, silently giving him a thumbs up.
Only Ye Tian would dare to threaten an elder of the mission!
…
"What a despicable man."
"Is he truly called Zhang Zhengyi? With such behavior, he does not deserve that name."
Having exited the mission hall, Ye Tian made his way toward his palace, muttering curses under his breath.
According to the regulations of the Divine Star Sect, inner disciples who possess a palace must vacate it upon departure, allowing other inner disciples to cultivate within, to be returned upon their return.
Of course, the seventy-two inner disciples on the Divine Star Ranking were exempt from this rule; as long as they had not been promoted to true disciples, they retained permanent rights to their palaces.
Upon reaching his palace, Ye Tian hefted a large iron box containing his mysterious iron blade onto his back. With a firm stomp, he soared into the sky, darting toward the exit of the small world.
Unbeknownst to him, as he departed, a pair of cold eyes were silently observing him.
That person was Wu Ding.
"Impressive talent, but you should not have crossed me!" Wu Ding wore a chilling smile.
Recalling the moment when he was defeated by Ye Tian in front of a crowd, becoming a stepping stone for Ye Tian, Wu Ding's heart surged with a boiling desire for revenge. However, Ye Tian's formidable strength compelled Wu Ding to temporarily suppress this murderous intent.
With a whoosh… outside the small world, a figure emerged amidst a ripple in space.
Upon exiting the small world of the Divine Star Sect, Ye Tian beheld a lush forest and an expansive mountain range—the Meteor Mountain Range.
Reflecting on his experiences here a year prior during the assessment, Ye Tian couldn't help but smile faintly; time truly flies, and in the mountains, one loses track of the years.
I wonder how my friends in Blood Jade City are faring? And what of Ye Cheng? Have my family members learned of my promotion to inner disciple?
Ye Tian resolved to return and see.
Gently channeling his true essence, he soared through the air like a great eagle, racing toward the horizon.
His speed was astonishing; it was no wonder the Divine Star Sect stipulated that only inner disciples could venture out for training, as the outside world was vast and daunting. If one could not even fly, relying solely on foot, how could they traverse distances or engage in training?
Soaring high above, savoring the rapidly receding scenery, Ye Tian, enveloped in a protective barrier of true essence, felt an exhilarating rush and could not help but roar with joy.
Flying!
This was the dream of every martial artist; even ordinary people envy the birds that soar in the sky. In his past life, Ye Tian could hardly have imagined that he would one day glide through the heavens.
To borrow a phrase from his previous life: this feeling is absolutely exhilarating!
As he flew high above, gazing down at the earth, the landscape unfolded clearly beneath him. While in flight, he contemplated the information he had gathered from the elder guarding the battle hall:
The Star Poison Mountain Range, located to the west of Nanlin County, is a desolate expanse of mountains shrouded in toxic mist year-round. Without the strength of a Martial Spirit, entry would mean certain death.
Originally nameless, this mountain range became the subject of contention between the Divine Star Sect and the Hundred Poisons Sect due to the presence of spirit stone veins. Yet neither faction could dominate the other, resulting in a stalemate as they each established a foothold there, engaging in relentless conflict.
Thus, the locals dubbed this mountain range the Star Poison Mountains, signifying it as a territory jointly controlled by the Divine Star Sect and the Hundred Poisons Sect.
The elder from the guarding battle hall informed Ye Tian that the Star Poison Mountains were initially discovered by the Hundred Poisons Sect, and the toxic mist was a ploy of theirs to conceal the presence of spirit stones from prying eyes.
However, given the limited expanse of Nanlin County and the number of disciples from the Divine Star Sect, it was inevitable that the area would eventually be uncovered.
Considering the significance of spirit stones and the adversarial relationship between the two sects, a fierce conflict was unavoidable.
Neither side was willing to relent, for the value of spirit stones was too great for anyone to abandon.
Consequently, the Star Poison Mountains became a protracted battlefield between the Divine Star Sect and the Hundred Poisons Sect, but only powerful inner disciples who possessed palaces dared to venture there; ordinary inner disciples would not tread these grounds.
In simple terms, anyone within the Star Poison Mountains possessed a martial spirit level of seven or eight or higher.
This was why the inner disciples in the mission hall had gazed at Ye Tian with expressions akin to those witnessing a death sentence when Zhang Zhengyi assigned him this task.
For Ye Tian, who had only recently entered the inner sect, even having defeated the Martial Spirit level eight mad blade, entering the Star Poison Mountains would mean certain doom.
Zhang Zhengyi was clearly wielding the knife to kill.
However, according to the regulations of the Divine Star Sect, aiding in the exploration of the Star Poison Mountains was indeed one of the duties of inner disciples; thus, even if his actions were exposed, it would bear no consequence.
Ye Tian could only lament his misfortune!
"Zhang—Zheng—yi!" Ye Tian's eyes turned icy, filled with a murderous intent. Upon learning of the information regarding the Star Poison Mountains, he vowed to settle the score with this task elder.
"Just wait! You are merely at the seventh level of Wuzong; how dare you scheme against me? Hmph, I will ensure you understand how to spell 'regret.'"
Grinding his teeth, Ye Tian concealed this murderous intent deep within; for now, he was not Zhang Zhengyi's match.
Boom!
Suddenly, a blade of murderous intent surged from below, radiating an overwhelming force that pierced the heavens, accompanied by a terrifying fluctuation of true essence, charging towards Ye Tian in the sky.
"Hmm?" Ye Tian's pupils constricted, his heart racing in shock and a hint of panic. He had no time to ponder; he swiftly unleashed a Stellar Palm towards the incoming blade of light.
Boom!
A colossal hand of true essence, imbued with unmatched energy, collided with the blade, erupting in a series of explosions that sent tremors throughout the sky.
Seizing this opportunity, Ye Tian hurriedly dove down from the sky, quickly descending to the ground. After all, remaining airborne would only render him a target.
Moreover, he sought to uncover the identity of the assailant bold enough to attack him so close to the Meteor Mountain Range. Did they not fear the retribution of the Divine Star Sect?
Boom!
Just as Ye Tian touched down, another fearsome blade of light shot forth. The surging energy fluctuations darkened his expression; he realized he was facing a formidable opponent, one significantly stronger than the Mad Blade.
With no time to hesitate, Ye Tian once more executed the Stellar Palm, but this time, the attack was pierced by the blade, a terrifying force rushing towards him.
Ye Tian quickly activated the Nine Transformations Battle Body, enveloping himself in a golden light that shielded him from the powerful shockwave.
However, he was still sent staggering back hundreds of steps, crashing into towering trees, leaving the forest in disarray.
"How powerful!" Ye Tian halted, his brow twitching as he gazed at a young man in black approaching from the distance, his eyes filled with astonishment.
The young man, of similar stature to Ye Tian, bore a long sword on his back. He was handsome, with striking features and long hair cascading over his shoulders, dancing in the wind.
At this moment, the black-clad youth fixed his gaze on Ye Tian, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he spoke with an air of surprise and arrogance, "Impressive, you managed to withstand two casual strikes from me at the fifth level of Martial Spirit. You are indeed worthy of my personal attention."
"Casual!"
Ye Tian's pupils contracted, his heart brimming with shock. The earlier powerful attack had been merely a whim of the opponent, which implied an extraordinary level of strength…
Taking a serious measure of the black-clad youth before him, Ye Tian realized he could not fathom the depths of his cultivation but felt an overwhelming aura of murderous intent enveloping him.
This terrifying malice was familiar to Ye Tian, for he too possessed such a presence.
"Indeed, the Divine Continent is not lacking in talent. This individual before me, seemingly of my age, possesses strength that surpasses my own by leaps and bounds," Ye Tian thought to himself, though he did not harbor pride and always acknowledged the existence of many geniuses stronger than himself. Yet, witnessing one such talent firsthand stirred a sense of discomfort within him.
As Ye Tian's thoughts raced, the black-clad youth slowly drew the long sword from his back, a glimmer of cold light emerging, sending a chill coursing through Ye Tian.
"Remember this: the one who seeks to kill you is named Yi Xuehan!" the youth declared coldly, an even more formidable wave of murderous intent sweeping forth, causing the temperature around them to plummet.
Ye Tian felt an overwhelming sense of danger and could not help but exclaim, "Who are you? Do you not fear the elders of the Divine Star Sect discovering your actions here?"
"You Divine Star Sect elders will be none the wiser!" Yi Xuehan replied with a chilling smile, his sword pointed directly at Ye Tian, exuding a sharp menace.
In that instant, Ye Tian sensed the world around him shift, the very fabric of reality twisting, while the air trembled violently. Ultimately, he found that apart from the black-clad youth, the entire scenery had transformed.
"Now, do you still believe your elders from the Divine Star Sect will notice?"
Yi Xuehan looked down upon Ye Tian with disdain, his icy gaze filled with mockery.
"Martial Sovereign!" Ye Tian's heart sank as he scrutinized the black-clad youth, coldly demanding, "A Martial Sovereign lies in ambush here? Who exactly are you, and why do you wish to kill me?"
Indeed, the young man before him was a Martial Sovereign, and Ye Tian found himself utterly powerless against the opponent, who effortlessly drew him into a small world.
At that moment, Ye Tian felt an immense threat closing in around him.