Under the pitch-black night sky, the usual colors were lost. Dazzling, eye-catching celestial light illuminated the mountain range, bright as day, even more conspicuous than the sun.
Mountains and ravines trembled violently as if struck by a terrible earthquake, the rumbling roar echoing endlessly.
A terrifying fluctuation erupted deep within the mountain range, accompanied by the celestial light piercing the dawn.
That roar was so loud, deafening, drowning out all other sounds, capturing everyone's attention.
Everyone's faces changed with alarm. Could it be that the world's most terrifying Demonic Beast turmoil was about to descend?
This was too fast; the world was not yet fully prepared.
The people panicked. Outside the city, the three hundred thousand strong army was also rapidly preparing. Various terrifying war weapons like crossbows, cannons, and demon-piercing arrows were rolled out, all aimed at the main exit of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
The moment a beast tide formed by thousands of demonic beasts appeared, all weapons would erupt at the first instant, unleashing the most devastating first wave of attacks, causing countless casualties in a flash.
However, after waiting for a long time, the anticipated beast tide did not appear. The main exit remained calm, with nothing happening.
But within the mountain range, brilliant divine light still erupted towards the heavens, illuminating the entire night sky and scattering large patches of dark clouds.
The terrifying fluctuations continued to erupt, like spring thunder, rumbling continuously for most of the night, drawing the attention of everyone inside and outside the city.
Two powerful surges of blood energy soared into the sky, filling heaven and earth, dyeing the dark clouds blood-red as if burning with flames. Divine light burst forth, mountains and ravines trembled, and the earth shook.
Later, people changed their speculation. They believed it was not the beginning of turmoil, but surely some terrifying existence was engaged in a great battle within the mountain range, causing such massive fluctuations. Even from dozens of miles away, the terrifying fluctuations could be clearly felt. The entire city trembled slightly, a power surpassing the Xiantian realm.
Despite this, everyone in Zhenyao City remained panicked throughout the night. The three hundred thousand strong army stood ready, prepared to engage at any moment.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night that these terrifying fluctuations gradually subsided and never reappeared.
The next morning, news spread like lightning through the streets and alleys of Zhenyao City, capturing everyone's attention.
The news claimed that the terrifying fluctuations in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range last night were suspected to be caused by Martial God Changfeng from the royal capital. Around midnight, Semi-God Changfeng had ventured alone into the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, after which the astonishing battle fluctuations occurred.
When Semi-God Changfeng returned in the early morning, the Martial God battle armor he wore was shattered, his war sword broken, his crown destroyed, his hair disheveled, his face pale, and blood stained the corner of his mouth. He returned injured, leading to the emergence of this rumor.
Immediately, some speculated that Semi-God Changfeng, unwilling to see the Demonic Beast turmoil occur, had entered the Demonic Beast Mountain Range alone to face the many terrifying demonic beast enemies, attempting to prevent the most terrible Demonic Beast turmoil in history from happening.
Strangely enough, after Semi-God Changfeng's return, the oppressive atmosphere in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range dissipated considerably, gradually returning to a state where birds took flight and demonic beasts roared.
This speculation gained the agreement of the vast majority, and respect for Martial God Changfeng grew solemnly.
Regardless, this single act alone deserved everyone's respect—striving with all his might to prevent the Demonic Beast turmoil, bringing peace to the people. This was the true demeanor of a Martial God.
Regarding these rumors, Ye Chen merely raised an eyebrow, gazing towards the Demonic Beast Mountain Range where the blood energy had vanished. "Did Martial God Changfeng truly stop this most terrifying Demonic Beast turmoil alone? I find that hard to believe."
Old Yan appeared, crossing his arms and nodding. "You guess correctly. This Demonic Beast turmoil is far from over; it has merely been postponed for a month. If not successful in a month, it will still be launched."
Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this. Without turning his head, he said, "Old Yan, stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me everything."
"Really no fun, Little Chen. Not a hint of humor. I truly don't understand why so many girls like a blockhead like you."
Old Yan glanced somewhat helplessly at this fellow, shaking his head, but still spoke the truth. "To tell you the truth, last night, that kid Changfeng entered the Demonic Beast Mountain Range to negotiate with those little demonic beasts inside, hoping they would postpone launching the Demonic Beast turmoil, giving Xia Feng Kingdom enough time to retrieve the lost sacred artifact."
"Unfortunately, those little demonic beasts initially disagreed. But for some reason, the so-called Beast God actually had that kid Changfeng fight a little demonic beast. If he won, they would agree to the condition. Hence, last night's battle fluctuations. Naturally, in the end, that kid Changfeng won. The Beast God agreed to give Xia Feng Kingdom one month. If found, the Demonic Beast turmoil will not occur. If not found, it will still be launched, merely postponed by a month. Understand?"
Only an old fossil like Old Yan could so casually refer to Martial God Changfeng and super demonic beasts as "that kid" and "little demonic beasts."
But his simple words allowed Ye Chen to understand the sequence of events, grasping the general situation.
Martial God Changfeng was indeed as the rumors said—a hero of great righteousness. To prevent the Demonic Beast turmoil, he did not hesitate to enter the Demonic Beast Mountain Range alone, risking his life, confronting the powerful super demonic beasts within, even the Beast God who stood above them.
All this was solely for the peace of Xia Feng Kingdom's citizens. For this point alone, he indeed deserved the world's respect.
But unfortunately, forget a month, even a lifetime—that mysterious bone fragment could never be retrieved, because it was in Ye Chen's possession.
If it concerned his parents' safety as before, Ye Chen wouldn't mind handing over this bone fragment. To him, the kinship of this life was hard-won, a priceless treasure he would protect at any cost.
But now, with Old Yan's covert protection, that was another matter.
Since this bone fragment had come into Ye Chen's possession, it was his property. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never hand it over.
To say Ye Chen was devoid of humanity, indifferent and heartless, watching coldly as this most terrifying Demonic Beast turmoil in history occurred because of him, about to cause countless lives to be lost, would not be entirely accurate either.
Ultimately, he still lacked that subconscious sense of homeland towards Xia Feng Kingdom. The consciousness of that Battle Saint Qian Yue still dominated the present Ye Chen. Xia Feng Kingdom remained very unfamiliar to him.
In his previous life, he fought on the path of cultivation, witnessing the fall of too many dynasties and great nations along the way, even personally destroying one powerful hostile force after another. So, the complete destruction of a small kingdom like Xia Feng Kingdom wouldn't even catch his eye.
And sorry, not a bit of relation. He simply didn't care, as long as his loved ones were safe.
Moreover, looking at history, Xia Feng Kingdom almost experienced a Demonic Beast turmoil every one hundred and fifty years, each time causing countless casualties. This time, it was merely earlier.
Therefore, Ye Chen felt not a shred of guilt.
"So, you're heading to the royal capital next?" Old Yan finally asked.
Ye Chen smiled slightly, his gaze turning northward as if he could see the royal capital thousands of miles away. "Although Xia Feng Academy is just a small academy, it's not without useful things. Perhaps it can help my cultivation advance further."
Having fused with the memories of this life, he—the former genius disciple of Xia Feng Academy—naturally knew what the academy was like inside.
After this night, Ye Chen departed immediately. But he had a feeling he would eventually return to this Zhenyao City, perhaps when the Demonic Beast turmoil was launched, but not now.
He decided to set off, heading north to the royal capital, towards Xia Feng Academy.
As an important town in Xia Feng Kingdom, Zhenyao City naturally had mounts heading to various major towns within the kingdom.
At the relay station, he saw a strange breed of horse with six legs, tall, robust, and powerfully built.
The Six-Hoofed Steed—this was a strange breed, belonging to the demonic beast category, but relatively docile, no different from ordinary horses, capable of being tamed by humans. Moreover, being demonic beasts, they had astonishing endurance and incredible speed, a favorite mount for many, capable of traveling eight hundred miles a day.
Ye Chen didn't want to walk to the royal capital. Paying the price of ten gold coins, he purchased one of the Six-Hoofed Steeds, leaped onto its back, whipped it, and with a cloud of dust, charged towards the royal capital of Xia Feng Kingdom.
A lone rider, leaving all dust behind!