Chapter 754: Ancient Village Tragedy

Ye Fan stood tall and strode away from the stone platform. Many people glanced at him, and a few individuals, feeling suspicious, looked at his receding back, finding it somewhat familiar.

"Who is that person? His blood energy is so powerful; it's as if a wild, horned dragon coils around him," someone said, startled.

Ye Fan walked with the imposing gait of a dragon and a tiger, presenting a very heroic back. No one would have guessed it was him returning; the world was too vast, and few had truly seen him.

"Let's go take a look too. The Wang family is truly powerful, having an unshakeable relationship with the Primordial Race. To dare to come to the Southern Ridge to annihilate an entire clan, they are indeed formidable."

"Alright, let's go see. Battle clouds are gathering over those ancient ridges; there will surely be a life-and-death struggle."

Battle fervor surged in Ye Fan's heart; he wished he could immediately rush to the front. He yearned to enter the Northern Plains and uproot the Wang family.

"That clan truly believes they can dominate alone? As long as I, Li Tian, the Divine Son, am here, they can forget about ruling the world exclusively. My Human Desire Dao lineage will flourish here!" Li Tian declared, treating this battle as his debut upon this ancient star.

Murderous intent churned in Ye Fan's heart like a vast sea. His gaze seemed to pierce through the land. The Southern Ridge would also be a battlefield, becoming a road of no return for invaders; however many came, they would all perish.

"Is there a teleportation array here?" he inquired, afraid of being late. If he arrived too late, he would truly fail Oriental Ye's clansmen.

An elderly alchemist, past sixty, said, "There's an array platform up ahead, but it's quite dilapidated and often causes trouble when traveling through space. However, many people are using it, saying they're going to some wilderness ridge to watch the battle."

Ye Fan strode quickly, with Li Tian and Yan Yixi following closely behind. Like three streaks of lightning, they surpassed everyone and appeared on an ancient platform.

This divine array was indeed very dilapidated, clearly having existed for tens of thousands of years. It was barely functional. When the three men's powerful presences emanated, no one dared to contend with them.

"What if the Northern Emperor is alive? This time, we'll send them a cold corpse, disintegrate his spirit, and make him truly dead, with no hope of ever living again," Li Tian said after stepping onto the array platform. This remark terrified the onlookers, who all retreated, trembling, as they watched the trio's figures vanish.

The Southern Ridge was characterized by numerous mountains and ridges, abundant earth veins, and rampant wild beasts and exotic birds. Ancient lands were especially common, with many areas having miasma and numerous primitive tribes.

Oriental Ye's clansmen resided in an ancient mountain range. Now, with a formidable enemy at hand, boundless killing intent filled the air. A large number of experts had arrived and surrounded the area.

In the sky, dark clouds rolled. Battle drums shook the heavens, banners fluttered, and ancient chariots rumbled, pressing down on the firmament. Cold light gleamed on iron armor, signifying an unknown number of powerful cultivators.

This was a small tribe, living in seclusion within the primitive mountains, originally free from worldly disputes. But today, disaster loomed.

An old man, small and withered, wearing patched, simple clothes and disheveled white hair, flew out from the mountains and rose into the air. He asked, "Who are you, and why have you come to attack our tribe?"

"You're just a bunch of uncivilized primitives. I can't be bothered to talk much with you. Today, not a single one of you will be left; your entire clan will be annihilated. No one will leave alive."

In the sky, a massive silver warship, gleaming with cold metallic luster, exuded a terrifying aura. Onboard, a middle-aged man looked indifferent and arrogant. After speaking, he unleashed a punch that descended with boundless might and astonishing combat power. Divine light pierced the sun, like a colossal mountain pressing down.

The mountains and forests collapsed as a giant fist manifested, striking the old man directly. He had no time to dodge and was instantly broken apart, his blood staining the sky as he fell into the ancient village below. Only a corner of his old, patched clothing, stained with blood, slowly drifted down from the sky, a sight too painful to behold. A simple old man had his body shattered in such a manner.

"Sixth Uncle!" A cry of sorrow echoed from the ancient village, and a group of people became incredibly furious.

"Old Seventeen's temper is too volatile. Why did he strike so heavily without even questioning first? We might have gained something from interrogation, and then a bloodbath wouldn't have been too late," said a slightly older middle-aged man on another golden warship.

"Our clan has been too frustrated in recent years, with so many killed by that so-called Sacred Body, even Teng'er died in regret. Old Seventeen had been in seclusion and came out full of suppressed anger," said another person nearby.

"Where are you villains from, coming here to commit atrocities?" A man in his twenties, bare-chested with bulging bronze muscles, flew into the sky, wielding a large axe.

"You're courting death. A mere grain of rice dares to shine? Just a bunch of uncivilized people." On the silver warship, the middle-aged man, Old Seventeen, was utterly cold. With a flick of his finger, a divine ray shot out, instantly piercing through the young man.

*Pfff!*

A spray of blood bloomed as half of his body instantly shattered. Only the blood-stained giant axe remained relatively intact, falling from the sky with him, a truly tragic sight.

"Brother Quan!"

"Brother Li Quan!"

Cries erupted from the village below. Several children wept heartbreakingly, surrounding the dying man.

"I'll leave you your remaining life; I enjoy appreciating death, it's a tempting flavor," Old Seventeen of the Wang family said with a cruel smile.

"Tempting your mother's ass!" roared a burly man from the village, about to charge skyward, wielding a large iron rod.

"Come back!" Just then, a low cry came from the village. An elderly man, leaning on a walking stick, emerged. He was dressed in hemp robes, bony and emaciated, with sparse hair, looking extremely old.

"Fifth Grand-Uncle..." Many people gathered around him, their voices choked with tears. In the ancient village, one elder and one youth lay shattered, their life force fading, bleeding and dying. Everyone was heartbroken and utterly furious.

"Ring the alarm bells! Have Old Seven and Old Nine come out of seclusion," the old man said gravely. Then he soared into the sky.

"I've long heard that certain primitive tribes hide unparalleled experts. It seems the rumors are true. A small village like yours actually has a powerful cultivator like you, and apparently two more are in seclusion. It looks like you've obtained some ancient inheritance, and an extremely powerful one, probably a Saint's ancient scripture. So, after we butcher your village, there will be great gains," Old Seventeen of the Wang family sneered.

"Old Seventeen, leave this one to Brother Thirteen. I haven't fought anyone in many years," another middle-aged man flew out of a warship.

"Aren't there two more coming out of seclusion? Let's have a competition to see who kills more, and who kills faster," Old Seventeen said with a cruel laugh.

"You need to change your character. Even the Old Ancestor said back then that you were too bloodthirsty. Even after so many years in seclusion, it hasn't worn off," the other middle-aged man shook his head and said.

"Sirs, we have always lived peacefully, never offending outsiders, hiding in the wilderness. We have no grievances or grudges with you. Why do you kill our clansmen and destroy our homes?" asked the Fifth Grand-Uncle of the village.

"Do I need to give you a reason for my Northern Plains Wang family to kill?" Old Seventeen of the Wang family sneered, his hands clasped behind his back, black hair fluttering, composed and ruthless.

The old man sighed, "My clansmen have always been simple and honest, never engaging in deception, cruel schemes, or murder for profit. For you to come here and slaughter us, intending to butcher our village, is simply too much bullying."

"So what if we bully you?" Old Seventeen said indifferently, completely unconcerned.

Old Thirteen of the Wang family said, "Alright, let's make you all enlightened ghosts. Oriental Ye came from here, didn't he? He provoked people he shouldn't have, aligned himself with the Sacred Body, and became an enemy of our clan. Your entire village must atone with blood."

"Even if Ye'er is your enemy, you shouldn't direct your anger at our entire village. There are too many innocent people here, those children who are only a few years old, what do they know? Do you intend to slaughter them all?" said the Fifth Grand-Uncle of the village.

"Hand over your scriptures, and I'll grant you intact corpses. Otherwise, your bodies will be utterly destroyed and you'll suffer endless torment," a chilling voice echoed from the largest warship in the sky.

"For a small, peaceful tribe like ours, living in the wilderness year after year, to ultimately face such a great disaster, it seems the world truly has fallen into chaos," sighed the Fifth Grand-Uncle of the village, then his eyes sharpened as he declared, "Everyone must die eventually! Our clan will show our resolve with blood; there are no cowards here. At worst, we'll all die in battle!"

"Fight! Even if we all die, we'll fight them to the last!" Below, in the ancient village, men, women, old, and young all roared. Even three-year-old children waved small wooden sticks, their eyes filled with defiance.

"Well said! Our clan has never had a coward. At worst, we'll all die in battle, fighting them to the end!" In the distance, from a cliff, two old men soared into the sky and quickly flew over.

"Poor mountains and harsh waters breed unruly people; it's true. Only in such uncivilized places would the people be so fierce," Old Thirteen of the Wang family sneered.

"It's quite something. A small village producing three powerful cultivators is truly frightening. It's fortunate we came fully prepared, or we might have suffered a minor loss. Let's act now. Leave no one alive; kill them all and purge this village with blood. As for the Saint's ancient scripture, keeping one old immortal's spirit alive will be enough."

Finally, the Wang family was about to make their move. The sky rumbled with thunder. In addition to seven warships, there were dozens of chariots, all loaded with cultivators. In the gaps, numerous powerful cultivators floated, filling the sky densely with figures everywhere.

Dark clouds rolled, and battle drums deafened. The firmament itself seemed about to crack. Banners fluttered, wild beasts neighed, and iron armor gleamed, as if a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals had descended. A vast aura surged, and killing intent swept in all directions like an ocean, engulfing the entire ancient mountain range.

In the distant sky, cultivators watching the battle were all astonished. The Northern Plains Wang family had actually deployed such a grand formation; they truly intended to annihilate the clan, not wishing to let anyone escape. Seven warships signified that seven terrifyingly high-ranking figures from the Northern Plains Wang family had arrived, at the very least, extremely powerful cultivators. Such a massive mobilization, deploying so many chariots and powerful individuals just to destroy a small tribe, was a rare and significant act in recent years.

Ah...

The Fifth Grand-Uncle of the ancient village stained the sky with his blood. After being attacked by two warships for a long time, he coughed up large mouthfuls of blood, his patched hemp robe turned to dust, and he fell.

"Fifth Grand-Uncle!" Many people in the village cried out in sorrow. Even many two- and three-year-old children clenched their fists, their eyes filled with tears.

*Bang!*

The Ninth Grand-Uncle of the village also suffered heavy injuries, struck down by two warships. His body was almost pierced through, not only by the divine attacks of two terrifying powerful figures but also by the formidable array formations of the two warships. Blood stained the sky as this white-haired old man also coughed up blood and fell. They indeed possessed strong combat power, but the sky was sealed off, turning into a cage, and with so many experts, the three old men were no match. Only one Grand-Uncle was still holding on, having suffered several heavy blows. However, he wore a divine silken jade garment, which was extremely resilient and could block attacks, preventing him from being pierced through.

"Fight! Fight them to the death!"

Throughout the ancient village, men, women, old, and young all roared, their expressions filled with fury. They helped up the two elders lying in pools of blood, and those who could fly carried them, attempting to break through the encirclement. Even very young children, carried on adults' backs, cried out, "Fight them! Avenge our great-grandfathers!"

"Waaah, fight them!" Some small girls did the same, holding weapons and crying out while clinging to their parents.

In this ancient village, everyone defied death, displaying unyielding determination, ready to perish with their enemies as they charged skyward together. With one heart, they faced death as if returning home, utterly fearless and incredibly tragic. Even if the entire village perished, not a single person would yield or beg for mercy.

"A bunch of uncivilized primitives, truly courting death. Since you wish to die, I shall grant you your wish," Old Seventeen of the Wang family sneered repeatedly. By this point, he had a free hand and pressed it downwards, intending to shatter everyone.

*Bang!*

The Seventh Grand-Uncle of the ancient village roared and flew over, taking a blow to his back as he met Old Seventeen's attack. *Boom!*

However, immediately, three warships bore down, not just with the attacks of three terrifying powerful figures, but also with the divine energy of the ancient ships, their power amplified. The Seventh Grand-Uncle ultimately bled profusely, critically wounded, and fell from the sky, his hair and beard bristling with grief and indignation.

"Grand-Uncle!"

"Great-Grandfather!"

Everyone in the ancient village cried out in sorrow. Men, women, old, and young, all who could fly, soared skyward together, like moths to a flame, roaring tragically.

The people of the Northern Plains Wang family were cold and merciless. Several powerful figures, numerous cultivators on the chariots, and countless experts in the sky all unleashed their attacks, suppressing downwards together, intent on butchering the ancient village and annihilating everyone.

Ah...

The Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Grand-Uncles roared skyward, blood bursting from the corners of their eyes. They bypassed their clansmen and, with their injured bodies, bravely charged upwards, holding up a barrier of light to block the destructive attacks.

"Barbaric people come from desolate lands! You wildlings truly aren't afraid of death. Very well, I'll grant you your wish. Today, this place will be thoroughly drenched in blood, and from now on, not a blade of grass shall grow here!" Old Seventeen of the Northern Plains Wang family said cruelly.

*Buzz!*

In the sky, eight warships, dozens of chariots, and countless powerful cultivators of the Wang family, their iron armor gleaming with cold light, pressed down. The barrier of light, sustained by the three elders of the ancient village burning their life essence, could not hold. It was on the verge of shattering. Tears welled in the eyes of everyone—men, women, old, and young—but their expressions were filled with defiance.

"All of you, die," the Wang family members sneered.

Those below despaired, filled with unwillingness and defiance. They desperately wished to drag a few of their wicked enemies down with them, but they couldn't, leaving them with immense regret.

"Brother Oriental will avenge us..." cried a few small children.

"Northern Plains Wang family, go to hell!"

Suddenly, an earth-shattering thunderclap echoed from the distant sky. This roar shattered a section of the mountain range, and a figure, enveloped in boundless golden blood energy, surged forward with extreme speed. In the distance, all who were watching the battle were terrified. They immediately retreated, fleeing as far and as fast as they could in a desperate escape. Because the approaching figure was too terrifying; his entire body surged with golden blood energy like a sea, engulfing the entire mountain range as it swept forward like a vast ocean.

Ah...

A long roar, and he arrived in an instant. The approaching figure's speed was terrifying.

*Boom!*

In the sky, a massive golden foot instantly crushed Old Seventeen of the Wang family's warship. Then, a golden hand reached down and, like picking up a chick, seized him by the neck with one hand, lifting him high into the sky.

"People of the Wang family, all of you, go to hell!"

The newcomer roared, and in the sky, an unknown number of Wang family experts were shattered by the raw force of his roar, turning into successive clouds of blood mist. One roar shattered mountains and rivers!

*Smack!*

Ye Fan did not kill Old Seventeen of the Wang family on the spot. Instead, he delivered a powerful slap to his face, directly sending his jaw flying off, detaching from his body, and shattering in mid-air.