Chapter 098: Storm of Chaos

  The sudden attack crushed the void, its overwhelming force causing the very fabric of space to tremble and crack. A deafening roar echoed as the immense pressure bore down, threatening to annihilate everything in its path.

  "Old bastard!" Yang Tian's expression darkened, his sharp eyes locking onto the colossal hand descending from the heavens. The attacker's power was terrifying, far beyond anything he had faced before.

  "Get lost!" The Great Commander reacted instantly, his violet fist surging forward, crackling with purple lightning. In an instant, it expanded to hundreds of zhang in size, colliding with the massive hand like a mountain crashing into the sky.

  Boom! The void shattered under the force of their clash. Space itself fractured, revealing glimpses of the chaotic void beyond. The two forces were evenly matched, their immense energies creating shockwaves that forced onlookers to retreat hastily. Even a fraction of this power could obliterate anyone caught in its wake.

  "Huang Quan, what is the meaning of this?" the Great Commander demanded, his voice icy. He hadn't expected the Yellow Dragon Valley to intervene. Dealing with just the Li family had been troublesome enough, but now the situation had escalated.

  Huang Quan! The name sent ripples of unease through the crowd. A rising star of the Yellow Dragon Valley, he had reached the peak of the War King realm at just over thirty years old—a true prodigy.

  "I'm here for Yang Tian's life. Step aside," Huang Quan's voice boomed, shaking the void itself. His power was undeniable.

  "Yang Tian is under my protection. No one touches him today," the Great Commander declared, his gaze fixed on the faint silhouette in the void.

  "Fool! Move!" The massive hand descended again, its force even more devastating. The void cracked like a spider's web, unable to withstand the pressure.

  The Great Commander shot into the sky, his violet fist clashing with the hand once more. The resulting shockwaves rippled through the air, their battle now hidden within the void, only the terrifying energy fluctuations betraying their ferocity.

  The clash of two War King experts drew the attention of everyone present. Though their figures were invisible, the sheer force of their battle was enough to send shivers down the spines of all who felt it.

  "Take care of yourselves. I need to go," Yang Tian said, his expression grim as he glanced at the ongoing battle. He turned to Qing Yuan and the others with a forced smile.

  "Yang Tian, don't be in such a hurry. The Ancient Li family invites you for a chat. Come with me," a voice echoed as a golden hand materialized, reaching for Yang Tian.

  "Old fool," Yang Tian sneered, preparing to crush his spatial jade slip.

  "Haha... Li Ren, Young Master Yang is under the protection of the Thundercloud Sect. I'm afraid he won't be going with you," an elderly voice interjected, shattering the golden hand with ease. The old man stood calmly in the void, a faint smile on his lips.

  "Second Grandfather!" Yun'er's face lit up with joy as she waved at the old man, her eyes sparkling with relief.

  "Good, good! The legacy of the Array Sect—excellent!" The old man chuckled inwardly, having been briefed by Xing Hao about the events at Martial Mountain.

  "Focus on protecting that little girl of yours. Yang Tian's life is not yours to guard," a cold voice sneered as another hand descended, its power far greater than before.

  "That's none of your concern," the old man retorted, his sleeve flicking out to release a barrage of sharp sword energy. The sky filled with a rain of blades, clashing violently with the descending hand.

  Boom! As Yang Tian watched the battle, yet another hand appeared, this one entwined with the energies of yin and yang, hurtling toward him.

  "By the heavens, how many enemies has Yang Tian made?" The onlookers gasped, shocked to see yet another War King-level attack aimed at him.

  Today's events had drawn powerful figures from across the land, figures rarely seen in public. Was the peace of the Eastern Continent, maintained for decades, about to shatter because of Yang Tian?

  "Seems everyone's here," Yang Tian muttered through gritted teeth. He then produced a mark in his hand and hurled it toward the crowd. "This is the key to the Danxuan Sect's core region. I gift it to you all!"

  The Danxuan Sect? Many eyes gleamed with greed as the mark flew into the crowd. Several figures lunged for it.

  "Thank you for the gift, young friend," a white-clad figure emerged, snatching the mark and disappearing into the void with a laugh. "I am the Bandit King!"

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  The Bandit King! The name sent murmurs through the crowd. A lone expert of the Eastern Continent, his strength at the War King level made even major factions wary of crossing him. Known for plundering ancient tombs, he left nothing but desolation in his wake.

  "Yang Tian, you bastard!" Wang Zhe roared in fury, chasing after the Bandit King. The Danxuan Sect's key was too important to lose. Failure would mean severe punishment.

  "Yang Tian just threw away the Danxuan Sect's mark..." The younger generation whispered among themselves, marveling at Yang Tian's audacity. Wang Zhe was a notorious figure, feared by many.

  "That tomb raider's got guts," Yang Tian remarked, watching the Bandit King disappear. He hadn't expected the old man to be so bold.

  "Yang Tian, how will you escape?" Qing Yuan asked, concern evident as he glanced at the numerous hostile figures in the sky. Many coveted Yang Tian's techniques, though some hesitated, wary of the powerful figures who had stepped forward to protect him.

  "Brother Yang, come with us to the Thundercloud Sect," Yun'er pleaded, her large eyes filled with hope.

  "Yes, it's too dangerous out there," Xing Hao agreed, urging Yang Tian to stay.

  Yang Tian smiled but remained silent, touched by their loyalty. He then produced a jade slip. "This is a spatial jade slip. Feel better now?"

  "Ah, that's a fine treasure," Qing Yuan said, his eyes lighting up. The protective barrier around the slip made it nearly indestructible, even to War King-level attacks.

  "Brother Yang, take care of yourself," Yun'er said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

  "You too," Yang Tian nodded, his gaze lingering on them for a moment. Then, he crushed the jade slip. A flash of silver light enveloped him as space trembled, cracks forming around him.

  "A spatial jade slip! No wonder he's so confident," many murmured, realizing Yang Tian's escape plan.

  "Xing Jue, get out of my way!" The Li family elder roared in frustration. He hadn't expected Yang Tian to have connections with the Thundercloud Sect, nor to possess a spatial jade slip.

  "Yang Tian's life is under my protection today. I keep my word," Xing Jue said calmly, focusing solely on defense.

  "Bastard!" The Li elder continued his assault, but their powers were evenly matched. He couldn't break through.

  "Farewell," Yang Tian said, stepping into the spatial tunnel.

  "Young friend, there's no need to rush. The Ancient Holy Land invites you for a visit." Suddenly, a jade-like finger stretched across a thousand miles, appearing in an instant to suppress the spatial tunnel.

  The finger radiated immense energy, ancient and unyielding, like a slumbering lion awakened. It stood firm in the heavens, its power undeniable.

  "A War Emperor!" The crowd gasped in shock, even Xing Jue's expression faltered. The Ancient Holy Land was not an entity the Thundercloud Sect could easily oppose, especially with a War Emperor involved.

  "Ah—" Yang Tian's body was instantly immobilized. The pressure from a single finger was enough to nearly crush him. Blood poured from his nose and mouth as his bones cracked under the strain.

  "Bastard!" Qing Yuan roared in fury, his anger shaking the heavens. Xing Hao and the others clenched their fists, knowing even a fraction of a War Emperor's power could end their lives.

  "Why is the Ancient Holy Land interfering?" The Great Commander's expression darkened. The newcomer was none other than the previous Holy Land's Saintess, a peer of his who had reached the War Emperor realm.

  In the distance, a figure approached, clad in white robes. Her figure was graceful, her legs long and slender, her presence cold and aloof. Yet, the sneer on her face marred her beauty.

  "Aunt Ling, it's him! Capture him!" Gu Mo shouted, pointing at Yang Tian with a triumphant laugh.

  "Gu Mo!" Yang Tian's eyes burned with killing intent as he glared at Gu Mo. He hadn't expected the Ancient Holy Land to target him over a mere technique.

  "Ancient Holy Land!" Yang Tian's bones continued to crack under the pressure, his gaze fixed on the figure in the void. A War Emperor, targeting a mere martial artist!

  The situation was dire. The space within a thousand zhang of Yang Tian was completely sealed, the spatial tunnel crushed.

  "The Ancient Holy Land is truly impressive, sending a War Emperor to capture a mere martial artist. How laughable." A sultry voice suddenly rang out, dripping with sarcasm.

  Beside Yang Tian, a seductive figure appeared, her narrow eyes glancing disdainfully at the woman in the void. Behind her stood an elderly man with cloudy eyes.

  "Brother Yang, are you alright?" The woman, Meng Yunxi, turned to Yang Tian, her brows furrowing in concern as she saw his battered body.

  "I'll live," Yang Tian forced a smile, his eyes meeting hers.

  "Who is she?" Yun'er's eyes flashed with jealousy as she scrutinized Meng Yunxi, her hands clenching unconsciously.

  Meng Yunxi noticed the girl's gaze and rolled her eyes, amused by the obvious hostility.

  "The Meng family can barely protect themselves. What right do you have to interfere?" The woman in the void sneered, her tone dripping with contempt.

  "Annoying woman," Meng Yunxi muttered, her lips curling into a smirk.

  "Child, did your elders fail to teach you manners?" The woman's eyes flashed with anger as she pointed a delicate finger toward Meng Yunxi.

  "Elder Zhou, stop her," Meng Yunxi said lightly, clapping her hands. The old man beside her moved instantly, his sleeve flicking out to release a strange light that shattered the incoming attack.

  "Fine, fine!" The woman in the void was furious now, her rage palpable. A jade hand materialized in the sky, bypassing space itself to appear above Elder Zhou's head.

  "Begone!" Elder Zhou's fist shot upward, tearing through the void and forcing the jade hand to retreat.

  "Brother Yang, you should leave now. Things might get messy," Meng Yunxi said, her concern evident as she saw Yang Tian's near-crippled state.

  "Right," Yang Tian nodded, suppressing the pain. The woman's attack had been ruthless. Without the Ancestral Dragon Ring's protection, his dantian would have been destroyed.

  "How dare you!" The woman's expression darkened as she saw Yang Tian about to enter the spatial tunnel.

  "Ugly hag, worry about yourself first," Meng Yunxi sneered, her tone dripping with disdain.

  "Ugly hag?" The woman was momentarily stunned before her face flushed with anger. She lunged toward Meng Yunxi, intent on killing her.

  "Begone!" Elder Zhou struck without hesitation, his punch tearing through a thousand zhang of void and forcing the woman back.

  "Farewell. We'll meet again," Yang Tian said, smiling at his friends before glancing at Meng Yunxi. "Remember your promise. Goodbye."

  With that, Yang Tian stepped into the spatial tunnel. The tunnel trembled violently before collapsing, leaving no trace of him.

  "Damn it!" The woman's face twisted in rage, her eyes blazing with fury as she scanned the void for any sign of Yang Tian.

  "It seems we need to train harder," Qing Yuan said, his smile hiding a chilling determination as he watched the woman's retreating figure.