Chapter 668: Engagement Ultimatum

## Chapter 672: Engagement to Force a Battle

The scent of osmanthus permeated the air on the night of the full moon, when a battle to the death was set to take place at the summit of Purple Mountain.

Everyone in the Eastern Barren Lands awaited this inevitable heaven-shattering battle between the Sacred Body and the Northern Emperor, a conflict seen as a preview of a Great Accomplishment Sacred Body's contention with an ancient Great Emperor. This news had a profound impact, quickly spreading to the Central Lands and the Southern Ridge, with everyone eagerly anticipating the clash, as it concerned who would ultimately achieve the Dao in the future.

With just over ten days until the full moon, the battle was not far off; it would arrive very soon. This impending, world-shaking struggle between two titans was destined to capture the attention of the entire world.

Wang Teng had no reason not to accept the challenge; retreat was impossible for him. As powerful as he was now, he could look down on all of the younger generation and was comparable to a Holy Lord. Indeed, after Ye Fan issued his world-shaking battle cry, Wang Teng immediately responded, declaring from the Ji family that he would cut down the Sacred Body at Ancient Emperor Mountain on the night of the full moon.

Autumn in the Northern Region was cold, with yellow leaves drifting down, creating an atmosphere of desolation. A gust of wind sent fallen leaves dancing, marking the arrival of a bleak season.

As the epic battle approached, Ye Fan remained calm, showing no ripples of emotion; people could not discern anything from him. During this period, he visited Miaoyu Nunnery but did not find An Miaoyi. He learned that this captivating woman had already gone alone to the Western Desert, seeking a profound technique to cultivate both Buddhist and Taoist paths.

The Northern Region was a vast, barren land with few oases and no osmanthus flowers, yet on that day, the battle would commence under the moon. With more than half a month remaining, osmanthus trees miraculously grew in front of Purple Mountain, their strong fragrance wafting from afar, their petals rustling and falling in the wind.

Under the moonlit night, Ye Fan walked alone across the blood-colored land, passing through the osmanthus grove and circling Purple Mountain. He did nothing specific, and soon after, he drifted away.

"The Sacred Body only recently entered the Sendai Realm. Can he defeat the Northern Emperor? What does he rely on for this confrontation?""Ye Fan was too reckless in this battle; he's likely to face more misfortune than fortune."During this time, many cultivators discussed the matter, believing Ye Fan would likely lose this crucial battle, having been too impulsive.

In the ensuing days, Ye Fan traversed the Northern Region, visiting nearly all the ancient mountain ranges, leaving his footprints across countless peaks and valleys. Several days later, news spread from the Southern Region: the Northern Emperor was to be engaged to Ji Ziyue, and the event was imminent.

A commotion erupted across the entire Eastern Barren Lands. This was too sudden; why such an arrangement before the decisive battle? It astonished everyone.

"Sacred Body brat, do you think challenging my son can change all of this?" Wang Teng's father in the Southern Region sneered, "I've long heard that you are close to the Ji family's jewel. Do you think you can change all of this with a single battle? Dream on!"

"Elder brother, there's no need for this. The Sacred Body is bound to die anyway. His actions are merely an attempt to resolve the so-called 'predicament' of the Ji family's Little Moon. Forcing him into a fight with Teng'er? How could he possibly be an opponent? He's walking to his death!" said a mighty elder of the Wang family.

Wang Chengkun, Wang Teng's father, stood by the window, a cold sneer on his face. "My suggestion for an immediate engagement was to make all his efforts futile, disturb his state of mind, and hasten his demise."

"But the Ji family might not agree at such a critical moment."

"Several Ji elders have an unshakeable friendship with us and resent the Sacred Body's past actions. You can go to them for assistance. Even if they don't agree, once we've spread the rumor, they won't say much," Wang Chengkun replied.

The news that the Northern Emperor, Wang Teng, would become engaged sparked a great uproar, yet no word came from the Ji family, leaving the world in suspense.

"Too fast!""Why so soon?"People were confused. Why an engagement before such a grand battle? It seemed illogical.

Wang Chengkun, Wang Teng's father, sneered, "Do you think choosing Ancient Emperor Mountain, with its advantageous terrain, will allow you to cut down my Teng'er? I'll make you come to the Southern Region to die first."

Two days later, the Wang family sent their betrothal gifts from the Northern Plains: a Phoenix Stone, which could ward off all evil and accelerate cultivation by a full twenty percent—truly a supreme treasure! This gift was undeniably precious. While warding off evil was minor, the ability to increase cultivation speed by twenty percent was a heaven-defying treasure, yet the Wang family was willing to part with it.

"The Wang family's foundation is too powerful. Such an item is priceless even to Saints, yet they give it away so generously. They must have even more valuable things within their clan." Many people were envious of this gift, but there was nothing they could do; who would dare to seize it?

Three days later, a Ji family elder publicly announced that the two families would soon be united in marriage, with the engagement taking place today, confirming the earlier rumors.

"Eighth Ancestor, what is the meaning of this?" Ji Ziyue's father looked grim. He respected his daughter's wishes and did not want her to suffer, but he could not withstand the family's pressure.

"I merely spoke casually; it's going to happen sooner or later anyway," the Ji family's Eighth Ancestor replied.

"By saying that, aren't you confirming the rumors spread by the Wang family? We haven't even agreed to the engagement! How can you speak so casually?!" Ji Ziyue's father, also a forceful character, retorted.

"Ji Yanzhi, you are not yet the family head," the Eighth Ancestor said, glancing at him dismissively before saying no more.

Outside, waves of discussion surged as everyone talked about the engagement of a brilliant jewel of the Eastern Barren Lands. Chosen at such a sensitive time, it created much話題.

"Ji Ziyue and Ye Fan are known to be close. The Wang family is setting a trap to force Ye Fan here, to eliminate him preemptively. How ruthless!"

"Ye Fan is in the Northern Region, where he can use source techniques to fight even peak Holy Lords. But the Wang family wants to force him to the Southern Region before the decisive battle, making him lose his greatest advantage!" Some quickly deduced this, feeling a chill in their hearts. This was a decisive move to eliminate the Sacred Body, leaving him no chance.

If Ye Fan did not come and failed to take Ji Ziyue away, it would leave him with eternal regret, his Great Dao would be flawed, impacting his state of mind. Even in the upcoming decisive battle, he would be greatly affected. His mind would be flawed, and even if the duel took place at the summit of Purple Mountain, he would likely suffer a bitter defeat.

"Is the Wang family arranging this engagement during this period? This is a trap, forcing the Sacred Body to traverse the void, thereby negating all his advantages.""It might not even be a real engagement; spreading the rumor might be enough. The effect is achieved: it forces Ye Fan to come, otherwise, if anything goes awry, no one can bear the consequences.""The Northern Emperor is already so powerful, yet his father, Wang Chengkun, is still scheming like this. How utterly ruthless! He wants to avoid any accidents. Regardless of the Sacred Body's choice, he will be in peril.""If Ye Fan comes to the Southern Region, he will lose all his advantages, essentially walking to his death. If he doesn't come, his mind will be flawed, unable to find peace, and he likely won't be able to exert his full combat strength on the night of the full moon."

In the Northern Region, Ye Fan received the news. He stood on an ancient mountain range, gazing at the sky, silent for a long time, unmoving as if petrified. He was caught in a dilemma.

At the same time, in the Qishi Mansion in the Central Lands, Pang Bo, Dongfang Ye, Li Heishui, and others also received the news and were all astonished.

"Little Ye Zi will face that scoundrel Wang Teng in a decisive battle on the night of the full moon. This battle is too soon! He hasn't accumulated enough strength yet!"

"Damn it! The Wang family is despicable! The Northern Emperor already has every advantage, yet they still scheme like this, forcing Little Ye Zi to come to the Southern Region for an early fight. How hateful!""No, we must stop Little Ye Zi! No accidents can happen!""Alright, the great war in the Eastern Barren Lands is about to begin anyway. The Immeasurable Bell will draw out the ancient creatures. I'll go there in advance to participate in the battle and gain some experience," Dongfang Ye declared.

That very day, Ji Haoyue said nothing, traversed the void, and rushed from the Central Lands to his family, appearing in the mansion immediately.

"Wang Teng, get out here!"

Before the Sacred Body could even unleash his might or fight the Northern Emperor, the Divine King of the Eastern Barren Lands became enraged. He returned to his family, saw his sickly sister, and roared these words. Ji Haoyue, with disheveled hair, his Divine Sea Rising Moon phenomenon manifested, appeared like a god. He stormed through nine family halls, smashing a grand ancient hall with a single punch, and entered Wang Teng's secluded cultivation spot.

"Haoyue, what are you doing?!" a Ji family elder rushed over.

"No one can decide my sister's marriage but her!" Ji Haoyue bellowed, not even bothering to step forward to pay his respects. His black hair, like a waterfall, wildly danced. "Wang Teng, come out and fight me!"

This roar echoed for hundreds of miles, immediately reaching the outside world and causing an earthquake in the Southern Region. The Divine Body of the Eastern Barren Lands, who had been silent for so many years that no one knew his true strength, had erupted today, challenging the Northern Emperor to a fight.

Smoke and dust billowed skyward as a tall figure emerged from the ruins, radiating brilliant light that engulfed the heavens and earth. Above his head, dragons and phoenixes harmonized, and he stood upon a golden ancient war chariot.

"Wang Teng, others may fear you, but I do not care! Today, we fight to the death!" Ji Haoyue's dark hair wildly danced, his eyes like lightning, pressing forward like a god.

"Teng'er, do not be impolite." Wang Chengkun appeared, speaking before the Northern Emperor could respond, stopping him.

"Haoyue, why are you doing this?!" Ji family elders also stepped forward, blocking Ji Haoyue.

"Eighth Ancestor, get out of my way!" Ji Haoyue roared, his entire body radiating the Divine King's precious brilliance. A vast azure sea appeared behind him, and a bright moon slowly ascended.

*Bang!*

The Eighth Ancestor was knocked, stumbled, and his expression instantly changed. "Insolent!" he exclaimed. Figures flickered as more Ji family elders appeared, blocking both sides and preventing the two young men from fighting. News spread that day that Ji Haoyue had been imprisoned, with several elders personally intervening to make him "calm down."

"Family Head, why is this happening?" In an ancient cave, Ji Haoyue sat cross-legged, his eyes like lightning, asking in a low voice.

"I did not agree to this engagement at this time. That was merely the Eighth Ancestor speaking carelessly. You need not worry," the Ji family Holy Lord said before turning and leaving.

"But this matter is so significant, how can one speak so carelessly? This concerns a matter of life and death!" Ji Haoyue called out, but the ancient cave fell silent, with no one responding to him.

"I will die before I get engaged! Release my brother!" In a palace, Ji Ziyue was vexed. She tried to escape several times but was always caught. At this moment, she finally became afraid, worried that someone might interfere and actually arrange the engagement. She angrily declared, "Someone will come to rescue me and crush the Northern Emperor!"

"Child, don't speak in anger. In this world, who dares to act wildly within my Ji family?!" the Eighth Ancestor chuckled, then tried to persuade her. "What's wrong with Wang Teng? His future is limitless. Even if an unforeseen event occurs, at worst, he will still become a saint."

"I am not your bargaining chip! I am Ji Ziyue of the Ji family; I am a person of flesh and blood, not an item for your transactions! I detest the Northern Emperor!" Ji Ziyue couldn't help but cry.

"Foolish child, you'll understand when you think clearly," the Eighth Ancestor continued to persuade.

"I am not a bargaining chip! I am your Ziyue! You cannot decide my future like this!" Ji Ziyue pleaded, then angrily added, "Someone will definitely come storming in and rescue me!"

"In this era, who dares to invade my Ji family? No one dares to act wildly!" Then, he comforted her again, "Ziyue, you will understand later. We are doing this for your own good."

In the Northern Region, Pang Bo, Dongfang Ye, Li Heishui, and others arrived and entered the Divine City, searching for Ye Fan, but they could not find him or any trace of him.

"Where did Little Ye Zi go? He couldn't have actually gone to the Ji family, could he?""Even kings who go there will die; the south is a den of dragons and a tiger's lair!"

In the Southern Region, a void portal opened, and a figure stepped out. The southern region was a world where spring reigned all year round, filled with fragrant flowers and singing birds, lush vegetation, and tinkling spiritual springs. Birds showed no fear of people; it was a very peaceful place.

Ye Fan muttered to himself, looking up at the sky with unwavering determination. "Southern Region, I have returned! I am here!"