Chapter 1013: Horse Trampling Penglai

The city gate tower was very tall, grand, and majestic. Many magical arrays were carved upon it, covered in intricate patterns. Forcing one's way in would certainly trigger a deadly trap.

The young man on the city wall looked frivolous, not taking Zhang Qingyang and the others seriously. However, when he truly focused on Ye Fan, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"You look exactly like the Divine Statue of the Heavenly Emperor. Does this mean you are the Lord of the Heavenly Court?" The Young Heavenly Venerate on the city wall raised an eyebrow, not particularly bothered.

Ye Fan ignored him, sitting calmly on the dragon horse. Both rider and mount concealed their auras, appearing unremarkable, and he paid no attention to the Young Heavenly Venerate's question.

Beside him, Zhang Qingyang stepped forward. Several years ago, he had been severely wounded by this person, suffering dozens of broken bones. As a Young Heavenly Master of the Daoist sect, it had been a humiliating experience, but he had not seen this individual since.

"You destroyed our Heavenly Court's buildings and burned our divine statues. Since we've met by chance now, I ask for compensation," Zhang Qingyang said calmly, without any trace of anger.

"Hahahaha..." The young man on the city gate tower burst into laughter, his face full of disdain, as if he had heard the funniest thing. He shook his head and said, "You don't know your place."

Over the years, Zhang Qingyang had preached in various places, which had smoothed his rough edges. His demeanor was now steady, without a hint of anger. He simply reiterated his previous demand for compensation.

With Ye Fan present, a resolution would certainly be sought for him. He knew well that his master would not let him suffer injustice, so he had no worries. He remained composed, neither arrogant nor submissive.

"Frogs in a well, ignorant of the vastness of the world. How dare you people establish a sect called the Heavenly Court? I was just about to go check if it had disbanded, but you've come to me." The young man on the city gate tower was incredibly arrogant, and two cold bolts of lightning shot from his eyes.

Then, he stared at Ye Fan once more, scrutinizing him deeply... but to no avail. He couldn't discern anything, and said, "You are the Lord of the Heavenly Court. I was speaking to you just now. Why didn't you answer?"

Ye Fan continued to ignore him, remaining seated on the dragon horse, treating him as if he were air. His disciples beside him spoke on his behalf, as he seemed detached from worldly affairs.

The Young Heavenly Venerate of Penglai showed displeasure on his face. His status was exceptionally high, and no one had ever dared to ignore him. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Do you also wish to emulate the ancient demon gods, gather faith, and birth a demonic embryo? You're not worthy! I advise you to destroy your divine statues and burn down the Heavenly Court sooner rather than later, otherwise, when our Penglai Immortals act, you'll be in deep trouble."

"What are you? How dare you speak so brazenly in front of my master?" Long Xiaoque retorted coldly.

"One Heavenly Venerate in this world is enough. You want to establish a Heavenly Court, but you haven't received our permission. If you don't want to die, then burn it all down yourselves!" The young man on the city tower said indifferently.

Ye Fan's heart stirred. There must be something amiss here... it seemed to involve a struggle for faith. It looked like Penglai was also intending to spread its doctrines; otherwise, they wouldn't speak like this.

"What 'Heavenly Venerate demonic embryo'? I think you're cultivating yourself into madness. How vast is the world? Does my master need your permission and approval from Penglai to establish a sect?" Zhang Qingyang retorted.

"You're right. To establish such a great sect, you must have Penglai's consent. Otherwise, you'll only destroy your own foundations," the Young Heavenly Venerate on the city tower said chillingly.

Even the usually cheerful Phoenix Heavenly Maiden grew angry. Her expression turned cold as she said, "Penglai certainly has a lot of swagger. Does the Heavenly Court's existence depend on your approval? Who do you think you are?"

"Penglai has been a land of immortals since ancient times... holding supremacy over all cultivation traditions in the world. Before the ancient sages departed, they entrusted us to 'oversee the Central Plains' and deal with any spiritual traditions that go against the heavenly order," the young man on the city wall said coldly.

Someone spoke up, saying, "Our Kunlun, a sacred land of immortal gates, has never dared to claim such a thing. Yet you in Penglai presume so much. Do you truly believe you rule the world and are universally revered?"

"Kunlun?" The young man on the city wall laughed, shaking his head with a look of disdain. "Before ancient times, you were indeed an immortal capital. But times have changed. By the time the ancient sages departed, you had already declined. Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, the three immortal realms, have become the true orthodoxy."

"There's nothing more to say. Why don't we just flatten Penglai? No need for idle talk with him," the Dragon Horse said, known for its fiery temper and directness. Although it bore the name of an auspicious sacred beast, it possessed none of the elegance of an ancient holy emperor's mount, always displaying a bandit-like disposition.

"A mixed-breed wild horse dares to boast so shamelessly," the Young Heavenly Master of Penglai sneered. He had never imagined it was truly a dragon horse, as he simply didn't believe it.

"Master, I wish to attack the city and demand an explanation," Zhang Qingyang offered.

Ye Fan nodded. "If they respect me one foot, I'll respect them ten feet." Since things had come to this, it was better to let the Dragon Horse charge through directly.

"Haha..." The Young Heavenly Venerate laughed heartily, a hint of sarcasm playing on his lips. "A defeated foe dares to speak so wildly. Back then, I could crush you with one hand. What progress could you possibly have made now?"

As he spoke, he leaped down from the city gate tower, stepping through the void. He raised a hand and pressed down towards the Young Heavenly Master, acting boldly as if an elder disciplining a junior.

"Today, I'll break dozens more of your bones, to make you understand that Penglai's will cannot be defied!"

His palm and fingers shimmered with clear light, transforming into a mountain peak. This was a Dharma Seal, condensing the spiritual will of an ancient divine peak, combining it with his cultivation to suppress his opponent.

With a soft cry, Zhang Qingyang's body erupted with boundless light, forming a divine disc that supported him in the void, making him appear like a deity.

Then, with a wave of his hand, torrents of sacred radiance, like waterfalls, flowed from all directions of heaven and earth, lifting all the divine peaks and resisting the attack.

This was the power of faith. Ye Fan did not approve of cultivating it, believing that ultimately, everything should rely on one's own self. Because if the Heavenly Court's legacy were to cease, these powers would completely vanish.

However, the Young Heavenly Master was earnest in his teachings, dedicating his entire being to them. He inevitably walked this path, having specifically consulted Ye Fan. After careful consideration and deduction, Ye Fan also deemed it feasible, with no need for worry unless he, the Lord of the Heavenly Court, died, or the lineage was extinguished.

For this reason, Ye Fan made a special trip to the Vatican, where he consulted numerous ancient texts through the Divine Knights, found the secret arts of the Faith Chapter, and imparted them to Zhang Qingyang.

In the past few years, the Young Heavenly Master's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He had also undergone several thunder tribulations, receiving baptism, and with pure thought power empowering him, he had become a true Heavenly Master, capable of borrowing the Heavenly Court's power of thought!

"Boom!"

Zhang Qingyang moved freely... pure thought power flowed from the void... he manifested the True Dragon Seal, unleashing eighty-one celestial dragon strikes, each one raising its head and roaring, a magnificent sight.

"You've made some progress, but it's still not enough! Get back down and break your bones and tendons!" the Young Heavenly Venerate of Penglai shouted.

He opened his mouth and spat out a dazzling divine light. This was a precious seal called the Void Seal, formed from an ancient divine mountain refined and then fused with a segment of void law. It was renowned in ancient times, a truly royal treasure.

Four years ago, Zhang Qingyang had dozens of his bones broken by this divine seal. If Ye Fan hadn't taught him life-saving techniques, he would have died then.

Now, he showed no fear. Above him, magnificent waves surged as the Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron emerged, dropping layers upon layers of light curtains. Vast and endless, it completely blocked the Void Seal.

This was Ye Fan's cauldron, now a royal divine weapon. Inside, it contained boundless power of faith, heavier than mountains... eternally indestructible, a truly invincible treasure.

"Whoosh!"

The Void Seal transformed into a divine peak hundreds of feet tall, enveloping Zhang Qingyang, Ye Fan, and all the others below, intending to suppress them all. But at this moment, a cracking sound emanated from it, causing the Young Heavenly Venerate's expression to change instantly.

"Buzz!"

The void trembled. The Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron devoured the light like a whale gulping water, intending to draw the Void Treasure Seal into its interior.

"Rise!"

The Young Heavenly Venerate of Penglai roared... The Void Treasure Seal had captured a segment of divine law, containing the mysteries of the void within it. At this moment, with a flash of light, it attempted to vanish into nothingness.

Zhang Qingyang remained calm and composed. He formed a hand seal, his eyes deep, and activated the Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron. Ten thousand strands of silk ribbons descended, instantly fixing the Void Treasure Seal in place, drawing it into the cauldron without a struggle.

"What?" Only at this moment did the Young Heavenly Venerate of Penglai panic, realizing something was terribly wrong. Years ago, he had nearly beaten this man to death and trampled him underfoot, but now he was no match.

"Bang!"

The Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron descended, carrying boundless power of faith, like a vast ocean. It instantly shattered the Young Heavenly Venerate's bones and tendons, sending his body flying through the air to crash against the city wall.

The injuries were similar to those from four years ago, but the roles had been reversed. The Young Heavenly Venerate was almost suppressed to death, writhing like a dead fish. Zhang Qingyang then stepped on his chest.

"My master is not someone you can compare to, nor is the Heavenly Court something your Penglai can insult. Whether we establish a lineage or not, why do we need your permission or approval?"

"You..." The Young Heavenly Venerate of Penglai had dozens of broken bones. He looked at the large foot on his chest, so enraged that he spat out a mouthful of blood. Never had he suffered such humiliation.

Behind them, the Phoenix Heavenly Maiden chuckled, mercilessly taunting, "Lord Heavenly Venerate, you command the four seas and are revered by the world. Don't lie there giving orders; it truly dishonors your status. You are supposed to hold supremacy over the world; this doesn't look very good."

The Young Heavenly Venerate almost fainted from rage, his teeth gnashing. He glared at the people before him, his anger flaring.

"It seems Penglai's Young Heavenly Venerate is far inferior to our Heavenly Court's Young Heavenly Master. Do we really need your nod to establish a sect?" Even someone with Zhan Yifan's temperament spoke out to mock him.

"Pfft!"

The Young Heavenly Venerate's fury surged, and he continuously coughed up large mouthfuls of blood. He who had always been high above was now trampled underfoot, filling him with extreme resentment and humiliation.

"How dare you! Who are you, coming to Penglai to cause trouble?" A sharp cry rang out. An elder appeared on the city gate, and another old woman also emerged from the distant sky, riding auspicious clouds.

The elder on the city wall possessed profound magical power. Compared to the Daoist sects of the Central Plains, he was clearly a great divine ability user. It was not surprising for someone with such mystical power to exist in Penglai, where spiritual energy had not dried up.

He extended a large hand, trying to seize the Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron, intending to forcibly take it. He was discerning, naturally recognizing that this could be an peerlessly rare treasure. His eyes glittered with surprise, yet also held a hint of hidden worry.

"Qingyang, come back," Ye Fan called out.

Over the past decade, his disciples' strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. In this Age of Dharma Decline, they were already capable of holding their own, but they were still no match for such powerful figures.

At this point, Ye Fan had dismounted, letting the divine steed run wild, as he faced Penglai's super experts.

With a long neigh, the Dragon Horse, having long disliked the people here, transformed into a streak of fire and charged forward. One of its hooves directly stomped on the Young Heavenly Venerate, instantly crushing a bloody hole and nearly tearing his body in two.

If it hadn't restrained its magical power, that stomp would have left nothing but bone fragments of the Young Heavenly Venerate, surely turning him into ashes.

"How dare you!"

The elder who had leaped from the city was enraged. He abandoned the Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron and charged towards the Dragon Horse, instantly unleashing a killing move.

Simultaneously, the old woman who had arrived on colorful clouds also reached them. She raised her dragon-head staff and struck down with a force exceeding ten thousand tons, intending to smash it into a pulp.

"Seniors, this is not our fault. It is this young man from Penglai who was too overbearing," Zhang Qingyang said calmly as he retrieved his cauldron and retreated.

"Regardless of anything else, daring to cause trouble here, we'll deal with you first!" the old woman shouted.

"What a fine 'regardless of anything else.' You truly are accustomed to being superior, with such great prestige. Dragon Horse, go ahead," Ye Fan finally spoke.

"Kill them without mercy. I'll take responsibility for any consequences," the Young Heavenly Venerate on the ground said.

With a long neigh, the Dragon Horse stood on its hind legs. Its two hooves struck down, smashing the weapons of the two into scrap metal. Its speed was incredible; it kicked each of them.

Two hoof marks appeared on their bodies, and they crashed directly into the city wall. With a rumble, the wall turned to dust. The Dragon Horse's eyes were filled with disdain as it said, "People like you dare to act so self-important? I could kill hundreds or thousands with a single kick!"

The two on the ground were horrified. They were considered super experts, half-step great powers with the strength to look down upon the Central Plains. Yet, this group of people was so incredibly powerful.

Just a horse, yet it knocked them down with a single kick each, and it seemed to have barely used any divine power. It was truly unimaginable.

"This is... a Dragon Horse!" Finally, the two were terrified, discerning the truth. This was an auspicious beast that only ancient holy emperors could ride. How had it appeared again now?

Beside them, the Young Heavenly Venerate was completely bewildered. The people from the Heavenly Court were this powerful? It far exceeded his expectations, filling him with a surge of panic.

"You... you..." His voice trembled. He hurriedly tried to cover his disemboweled abdomen, where a bloody hole had been left by the Dragon Horse's stomp, almost splitting his upper and lower body apart.

"What 'you'? When this dragon traversed Kunlun, who dared to disobey? You're just a mere Penglai Immortal Island, yet you dare to command the world? This Venerable One can stomp you flat with one hoof!"

The Dragon Horse acted like a bandit, looking down upon them. It paced back and forth in front of the few individuals, searching for spoils. Eventually annoyed, it nearly trampled them to death with a kick.

"Go report to the Sect Master, go invite the Heavenly Venerate..." The old woman, terrified, transmitted a message into the city. She knew they had encountered a formidable adversary, one they absolutely could not provoke.

The Young Heavenly Venerate was even more stunned, speechless.

"No need," Ye Fan said. "We'll go to Penglai Immortal Mountain ourselves as guests. I want to personally ask if establishing a sect in the Central Plains requires your permission from Penglai!"

Since things had reached this point, there was nothing more to say. If it truly came to a standoff, trampling Penglai underfoot would be no issue.