Boom!
A resounding explosion echoed through the sky as Bai Li Hao Tian unleashed his most formidable strike, sending tremors rippling across the heavens. Ye Tian's Taiji diagram shattered instantaneously, and a terrifying wave of energy surged toward him.
"This is dire!" A bitter smile crept upon Ye Tian's lips; he had long anticipated that the Taiji diagram would be insufficient to withstand Bai Li Hao Tian's self-detonation of his small world. With resolve, he raised his blade to shield himself.
Like a deluge, the vast energy collided with his Xuan Tie war blade, overwhelming him with its dreadful force, enveloping the sky in a blaze of radiant light.
"Father!"
Bai Li Chang Feng's anguished cry pierced the air.
The remaining members of the Bai Li clan stood behind him, fists clenched, their faces etched with sorrow.
"Flee! Do not let me down again; do not seek vengeance for me!" Bai Li Hao Tian's voice boomed, his body radiating a divine light, resembling a war god as he relentlessly struck at Ye Tian.
In this moment, Ye Tian found himself unable to counter, forced to defend with his Xuan Tie war blade. The Taiji diagram was shattered repeatedly, and despite his cultivation of the second layer of the Nine Turns Battle Body, he suffered injuries.
Ye Tian had never experienced such despair, merely able to endure the onslaught without the means to retaliate.
With the self-detonation of his small world, Bai Li Hao Tian's combat power surged, each blow infused with immense energy, causing Ye Tian to spit blood and be sent flying.
Yet, Ye Tian remained unperturbed, his gaze icy as he fixed his eyes on Bai Li Hao Tian. He could sense the latter's aura rapidly waning; it would not be long before he could strike back.
Bai Li Hao Tian was acutely aware of his own diminishing strength, thus he harbored no illusions of slaying Ye Tian. He merely hoped to delay Ye Tian until the energy of his small world was fully expended, allowing the Bai Li clan members to escape.
It must be said that his plan succeeded; Ye Tian, ultimately too weak in cultivation, was unable to divert his focus to confront the remaining Bai Li clan members.
Finally, after the passage of an hour, Bai Li Hao Tian's aura reached its nadir.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Tian swung his blade, unleashing ten blood pills from within his body, a torrent of true essence surging into his Xuan Tie war blade, causing it to radiate a fierce brilliance.
Boom!
A blade of light, hundreds of feet long, cleaved through the sky, shattering the void as it struck Bai Li Hao Tian with devastating force.
At this point, Bai Li Hao Tian's aura had weakened considerably; the energy from his self-detonation was nearly depleted, and he could only watch helplessly as the unmatched blade descended upon him, unable to defend himself.
"Die!"
Ye Tian wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and delivered another strike, the overwhelming intent of his blade solidifying the air as it pierced directly through Bai Li Hao Tian's chest.
Bai Li Hao Tian's expression froze; he stared at Ye Tian, his face a mask of regret and a flicker of resentment.
"It matters not if you are unwilling; after all, we are enemies. If I do not kill you, you would surely kill me!" Ye Tian replied coldly.
However, Bai Li Hao Tian's aura had vanished entirely; he was dead beyond revival, his body plummeting from the sky to crash heavily onto the ground.
Ye Tian hovered above, gazing down at the ruin below, his expression impassive.
The entire Bai Li Manor resembled a hellscape, the scene utterly tragic, and all of it was wrought by his own hand.
Aside from the previous skirmish at Blood Jade City, this marked his first time taking so many lives. Despite the enmity between them, Ye Tian felt a twinge of discomfort in his heart.
Yet, he had no choice; if he did not kill them, they would kill him.
This was a world that revered the strong, governed by the brutal law of the jungle—kill or be killed.
Whoosh!
A gentle breeze swept by, accompanied by a soft sigh as Ye Tian vanished from the sky.
He did not pursue the remaining Bai Li clan members, for he had more pressing matters at hand—arranging for the safety of his family in Ye City.
With today's battle and the news of Yi Xue Han's demise, concealment was no longer possible; retribution from the Hundred Poisons Sect awaited Ye Tian.
While he was unafraid, what of Ye City? Ye Tian did not wish to witness the massacre of Ye City at the hands of the Hundred Poisons Sect.
Thus, he had to make preparations without delay.
For over ten consecutive days, Ye Tian flew with great urgency, racing toward Ye City, as time was of the essence.
"According to Bai Li Hao Tian's last wishes, as long as Bai Li Chang Feng is not a fool, he will certainly not inform the Hundred Poisons Sect immediately," Ye Tian mused inwardly.
Though Bai Li clan had been deceived by him and were the victims this time, the Hundred Poisons Sect was no righteous faction. Once they discovered the destruction of the Wan Poison Pool and Yi Xue Han's death, the Bai Li clan, rendered useless, would become the first target for the sect's wrath.
Bai Li Hao Tian understood this outcome, which is why he urged Bai Li Chang Feng to leave the Great Yan Kingdom to evade the vengeance of the Hundred Poisons Sect.
Moreover, Bai Li Hao Tian forbade them from seeking revenge, knowing that with Ye Tian's talent, as long as he was not killed by the Hundred Poisons Sect, his future achievements would be boundless.
Thus, as long as Bai Li Chang Feng was not foolish, he would lead his clan away from Nan Lin County without delay, and during this time, they would certainly not notify the Hundred Poisons Sect.
However, Ye Tian could also surmise that once Bai Li Chang Feng felt secure, he would undoubtedly send word to the Hundred Poisons Sect.
After all, the blood feud of a slain father could not be overlooked.
"They will need at least three months to leave Nan Lin County. By the time they inform the Hundred Poisons Sect and the sect tracks me down, it may well be half a year later."
"This means I must arrange for the Ye family within six months."
"In Nan Lin County, aside from the Divine Star Sect and the King of Nan Lin, no other force can contend with the Hundred Poisons Sect."
Ye Tian's eyes gleamed with determination as he contemplated his plan.
A few more days passed, and Ye Tian finally beheld the familiar sight of Ye City. However, the transformation of Ye City nearly rendered him unrecognizable.
Though the city's size remained unchanged, the earthen walls had been replaced with stone, and towering structures now loomed where once there were mere buildings, exuding an imposing grandeur.
Compared to Blood Jade City, it still fell short, yet it was a tenfold improvement over the previous Ye City.
"Hmm? How could this be?" Ye Tian was taken aback; such a transformation of the entire city would require substantial funds. The meager savings of the Ye family could scarcely afford even a single wall.
With confusion in his heart, Ye Tian flew directly toward the Ye family, not bothering to conceal his presence, for he was about to depart.
Soon, the residents of Ye City noticed the unexpected visitor in the sky, their eyes widening in shock.
"Grandfather, there's someone flying in the sky!" a young boy exclaimed to the elder beside him.
Smack!
The elder gently patted the young boy's head, chiding him with a smile, "You little rascal, do not lie! At such a tender age, you already know how to deceive. What will become of you in the future?"
"But there really is someone flying! Waaaa... I am not lying!" The young boy cried out, pointing at the sky in distress.
The elder looked up, his expression turning to one of astonishment.
In the sky, a youth donned in a robe adorned with celestial patterns glided effortlessly, as if floating on clouds, strolling through the heavens.
"My heavens! I truly see someone soaring through the sky!"
"Indeed!"
"I have heard that only those who surpass the Martial Master realm possess the ability to fly. Hiss... How could such a powerful being come to our Ye City?"
Instantly, Ye City erupted in excitement, with many rushing out to witness the spectacle.
"Make way! Make way!" A squad of armored soldiers dashed down the street, their piercing gazes filled with lethal intent. At the forefront was a formidable one-armed man, exuding an even more astounding presence.
"It's the Ye Family Army!"
"The Ye Family Army has arrived!"
Upon witnessing this, the residents of Ye City hastily parted to create a path.
The leader was Li Tie, who had received the news and promptly rushed over. Ye Feng, Ye Meng, and other members of the Ye family were also making their way to the scene.
"Hmm?"
Spotting the blue figure in the sky, Li Tie was taken aback, realizing the individual was a formidable presence above the Martial Spirit level. He immediately clasped his hands in greeting from afar, exclaiming, "I am unaware of which esteemed elder has graced Ye City with their presence. I, Li, apologize for not welcoming you properly and beg your forgiveness."
Li Tie was secretly perplexed; what could such a powerful figure want in a small place like Ye City? A sense of unease crept into his heart.
"Li Tie!"
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
As Li Tie discerned the figure in the sky, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Ye Tian descended from the heavens, hands clasped behind his back, directly approaching Li Tie. A broad smile adorned his face as he glanced at the Ye Family Army behind Li Tie, nodding in satisfaction. "Well done; you have not disappointed me."
Ye Tian could see that, despite the Ye Family Army's relatively low cultivation levels, each soldier radiated an aura of ferocity, clearly having been tempered through countless battles.
To cultivate such warriors in just a few short years filled Ye Tian with immense pride.
"Y-Your Excellency!" Li Tie was so overwhelmed with excitement that he could scarcely articulate his words, dropping to one knee before Ye Tian. He could hardly believe that Ye Tian had returned.
"It is Ye Tian!"
"Indeed, it is Ye Tian!"
"I must be dreaming; Ye Tian has truly returned!"
The residents of Ye City soon recognized Ye Tian, for he was the foremost genius of Ye City, a name well-known to all.
Moreover, a year prior, the Blood Jade City had personally come to congratulate them, elevating Ye Tian's prestige to unprecedented heights.
"Ye Tian!"
"Little Tian!"
Suddenly, joyous exclamations rang out from a distance.
Ye Tian looked up to see Ye Shi, Ye Feng, Ye Meng, and others rushing toward him. Seeing these familiar faces brought an even wider smile to his face as he hurried to greet them.
"Hahaha, what a fine lad! You have advanced to the Martial Spirit realm so swiftly—truly, you have not let me down." Ye Ba clapped Ye Tian on the shoulder, his face brimming with excitement.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Ye Shi exclaimed three times in succession, his face alight with joy. The Ye family had finally produced a powerhouse who surpassed the Martial Master realm, a tremendous honor! Their ancestral graves must be smoking with pride!
"Father... Grandfather, Uncle Feng, Uncle Ba..." Ye Tian greeted each of his relatives in turn.
The members of the Ye family were not only thrilled by Ye Tian's return but also by the formidable power he now possessed.
At this moment, Ye Tian had become a spiritual leader for the Ye family. Although he often traveled away, as long as Ye Tian was present, the family was filled with vigor, and the younger generation brimmed with youthful energy.
On this day, the Ye family was enveloped in joy, and Ye City buzzed with excitement.