Chapter 1800: Hongtian Battles Bu Yu

The person before me can activate the Ruthless Expert's skeleton using their blood. This suggests only one possibility: they share the same origin and bloodline.

'He is my grandfather!' Chen Yonghuang revealed without hesitation.

'Grandfather?' Zhang Xuan was stunned. He had assumed it would be a descendant many generations removed, not such a close relative. The Ruthless Expert was a supreme powerhouse who lived tens of thousands of years ago. Given that Chen Yonghuang is his grandson, the longevity of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe is truly incredible.

No wonder the emergence of the sternum had attracted him.

'Spirit God informed me that Young Master has already collected many of my grandfather's bones and instructed me to cooperate fully. Given this, I will give you these arms. While they might not restore my grandfather to his peak power, it should be enough to bring him back to the Droplet Rebirth realm!' Chen Yonghuang flicked his wrist, and the arms that had fallen to the ground flew towards them.

'Thank you!' Zhang Xuan was indeed collecting the Ruthless Expert's skeleton, so he saw no need for formality given the offering. The Path to Heaven Grimoire flew out. With a gentle shake, the arm bones seamlessly merged with the Ruthless Expert within the book.

'Did you eliminate the will within them?' Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled, as he felt the arms perfectly merge with the skeleton without any conflict that would normally cause the Ruthless Expert to fall unconscious.

'Spirit God helped me eliminate the will that had previously formed. What remains now is my own will, and since I'm presenting this to Young Master, I naturally wouldn't dare to retain any part of it,' Chen Yonghuang affirmed with a nod.

He had witnessed Zhang Xuan's talent firsthand, and coupled with his relationship with Spirit God, Chen Yonghuang dared not act presumptuously. The true might of Spirit God, something Chen Linghuang and Chen Xinghuang knew little about due to limited interaction, was something Chen Yonghuang understood profoundly. Just as Spirit God had stated, if unleashed, the Master Teacher Continent would be unable to withstand it and would simply shatter.

Given that such a formidable entity favored and admired Zhang Xuan, his future achievements were bound to be extraordinary. Therefore, Chen Yonghuang would certainly not pass up this opportunity to foster a good relationship, especially since Zhang Xuan had just saved his life.

'Much obliged!' Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, appreciating Chen Yonghuang's foresight. Without any clash of wills, the Ruthless Expert would not fall into a coma. This meant that with sufficient power, he could recover to his former state, and perhaps even stronger!

With a flick of his finger, a jade bottle containing the blood of an Otherworldly Demonic Ancient Sage entered the book. The next moment, the hand bones seamlessly merged with the Ruthless Expert's body, and surges of powerful energy erupted. 'Consolidate your cultivation well...' Zhang Xuan instructed, then closed the Path to Heaven Grimoire and returned it to the library.

'Oh, Young Master,' Chen Yonghuang said, pointing to the air, 'that straw cloak was left by my grandfather. If you can refine it and merge it with the skeleton, it can completely generate flesh and blood!'

'It can generate flesh and blood?' Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up. The Ruthless Expert within the Path to Heaven Grimoire was still a mere skeleton. According to the original method, generating flesh and blood required devouring Master Teachers, an option Zhang Xuan naturally couldn't pursue, thus putting the process on hold. He had never imagined this straw cloak could achieve such a feat. No wonder the formidable arms had halted upon encountering the cloak; this item possessed such remarkable power.

His body swayed as he appeared before the straw cloak, gently reaching out to touch it.

'What are you doing? That is the Spirit Emperor's most precious treasure...' Old Ghoul Yu, who was healing, scowled upon seeing Zhang Xuan's actions. Before he could finish speaking, a sword gleam shot straight towards him. *Pfft! Pfft!* Two bloody holes immediately appeared on his body, and blood gushed out.

'Zhang Hongtian, what in the world are you doing?' Old Ghoul Yu spun around, on the verge of madness. Though they had a history of grievances, they had just fought side-by-side against Chen Yonghuang. Why was Zhang Hongtian attacking him directly now?

'Nothing much,' Zhang Hongtian retorted with a cold huff, raising the longsword in his hand, an aura of stern resolve emanating from him. 'We fought side by side earlier out of necessity; I was compelled to cooperate with you. Now, it's time to settle our personal grievances.' Previously, he had reluctantly allied with Old Ghoul Yu to avoid disrupting the plans of the Hundred Schools of Philosophers. With Chen Yonghuang's matter resolved, it was now time to address their long-standing animosity.

'Settle grievances? Very well, do you think I fear you!' Old Ghoul Yu rose to his feet. 'However, let's agree now: if you lose, you'll let us leave without trouble!' The battle was over, and he wasn't unwilling to depart, but with numerous Ancient Sages from the Hundred Schools of Philosophers and the Master Teacher Hall watching intently, he dared not flee. Since Zhang Hongtian wanted to settle their personal score, it presented an opportune moment to resolve this matter as well. Fearing that the human race would annihilate them after Chen Yonghuang's demise, Old Ghoul Yu had held back some of his strength during the previous fight. While he appeared injured, his injuries were far lighter than Zhang Hongtian's. In a true combat, the outcome of life or death remained uncertain.

'I agree!' Zhang Hongtian nodded, glancing around. 'Everyone, Old Ghoul Yu and I are settling a personal grudge today. If I am killed, it means I was inferior in skill. I ask that none of you seek revenge for me; simply allow him to depart.'

'Ancient Sage Hongtian...' Ancient Sage Yan Qing was taken aback by this decision, frowning as he moved to interject.

'My decision is final!' Zhang Hongtian waved his hand dismissively.

Even if it was part of the Hundred Schools of Philosophers' plan, collaborating with an Otherworldly Demon was a profound insult. Therefore, today, there was only one outcome: either he or Old Ghoul Yu would die; there was no other path. Otherwise, he would be unable to face the ancestors who had fallen in battle. This was his unwavering conviction and his pride.

'Let's begin!' Having made his decision, Zhang Hongtian wasted no further words. His longsword shot out, unleashing a rain of sword qi that immediately engulfed Old Ghoul Yu.

'Hmph!' Old Ghoul Yu let out a relieved breath, noting that his opponent's attack was indeed significantly weakened by heavy injuries. A pair of ghostly claws abruptly appeared. *Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!* The two engaged in fierce combat. Both were powerful Droplet Rebirth realm experts, possessing an array of techniques, and for a time, their battle was inseparable.

'Ancient Sage Hongtian exhausted all his strength battling Chen Yonghuang earlier, and his injuries are extremely severe. I fear he may not be able to defeat him...' an Ancient Sage from the Master Teacher Hall couldn't help but voice his concern.

'Old Ghoul Yu is incredibly cunning. His current offensive is clearly a delaying tactic, waiting for Ancient Sage Hongtian's stamina to dwindle before launching a counterattack... Should we intervene?' another Ancient Sage voiced with concern. The battle between the two appeared intricate and evenly matched, yet any Ancient Sage could easily discern that Ancient Sage Hongtian's power was significantly diminished. If the fight continued, he would only weaken further, potentially risking his life. Conversely, Old Ghoul Yu possessed far greater stamina and was consistently maneuvering, striking from the periphery, and seeking opportunities.

'Don't worry, Ancient Sage Hongtian will not lose!' Master Yang said with a smile.

'Will not lose?' The two Ancient Sages who had just spoken looked puzzled. Their own cultivation allowed them no such certainty, so how could someone who had only recently broken through be so confident?

Observing their confusion, Master Yang offered no explanation. Instead, he looked up at the young man in the air who was refining the straw cloak. This young man had given Ancient Sage Hongtian a jade token detailing Old Ghoul Yu's cultivation flaws. With this knowledge, Master Yang found it impossible to believe that Ancient Sage Hongtian would lose.