Chapter 1284: Once Again Famous Throughout the World

The boundless battlefield, a barren, dark red land where even weeds were scarce, was nonetheless not desolate in the early morning. Golden morning rays bathed the land, pouring down vibrant life, making even this barren stretch appear to have a touch of vitality.

An enticing aroma filled the air as Chu Feng roasted meat. In the early morning, he was once again barbecuing the Second Ancestor's flesh, which was golden and fragrant, its scent drifting far. Some people were simultaneously shocked and filled with awe, lamenting that this master and disciple duo were using the Northern Grand Figure's leg as food. It was simply too wicked, too demonic!

Many watched with wide eyes, speechless as Chu Feng ate the Second Ancestor's thigh. This was simply too outrageous. In the distance, Chi Xu, Elder Silver Dragon, and others felt their scalps prickle. Previously, they had been defiant and resentful, but now, seeing that even the Northern Second Ancestor had been consumed, they were all horrified, their souls trembling. One by one, they were utterly... convinced!

There was no choice but to submit. As soon as Number Nine appeared, he brought back the Second Ancestor's legs, to be roasted, braised, and even eaten raw—every kind of preparation imaginable. If it were merely a rumor, perhaps they would only be surprised. However, the evolvers who had actually followed Number Nine to the North and carried those legs back were utterly horrified. Those who understood the Second Ancestor's true power felt their scalps prickle, a deep tremor of fear resonating from their very souls.

Who was the Martial Lunatic's second disciple? He was a fearsome powerhouse, renowned across the world since prehistoric times. As vast stretches of time passed, he naturally grew even more formidable, capable of annihilating one orthodoxy after another, a great malevolent being chronicled in historical records. Yet, such a creature, after successfully completing his transformation today, suffered this calamity: being brought back by Number Nine to be eaten. Who wouldn't be terrified? Who wouldn't be struck by dread?

To this day, many refuse to believe that Number Nine simply went North and picked up two legs and a heart. A vast majority unanimously concluded that the Second Ancestor was killed by Number Nine during his transformation.

"I didn't do it!" Number Nine directly retorted, having overheard their discussion. People were horrified. They had only been discussing it through secret sound transmissions, yet even that had been detected?

That morning, the world was rocked by news that the Martial Lunatic's second disciple had been slain by Number Nine and consumed, his legs carried off. The report spread like wildfire. Instantly, Number Nine's fearsome reputation reverberated throughout the Yang Realm!

"I genuinely didn't kill him; this is slander," Number Nine corrected with an air of righteousness. Yet, who would believe him? Seeing him return with two bloody legs, how could it not be his doing? Outsiders simply dismissed any claims that the Second Ancestor had gone berserk, failed his evolution, or suffered misfortune on his own.

"I warn you all, do not spread rumors!" Number Nine spoke sternly, threatening everyone on the battlefield. Everyone was speechless. With him gnawing on a leg in one hand while making such claims, it was entirely unconvincing. They were certain he was responsible. The evolvers who had previously accompanied Number Nine to the North remained tight-lipped, saying nothing, neither spreading nor refuting the rumors.

Crucially, while battlefield discussions were minor, the mainstream opinion across the Yang Realm was that a full seventy percent of people believed the ruthless Demon Lord-level creature, Number Nine, had delivered the fatal blow and killed the Second Ancestor. Everyone realized that a colossal battle was brewing, one that would shock heaven and earth and make ghosts and gods weep—the most terrifying and significant conflict since prehistoric times. Many believed the Martial Lunatic would inevitably emerge from seclusion. Such an affront—his second disciple being killed and consumed—could not be tolerated. How could he remain indifferent, how could he sit idly by? Such a creature, a monumental figure in martial arts, a peerless madman whose might echoed through history, incomparable—he would surely come to the Three-Way Battlefield! It would then be up to Number Nine to withstand him. If he proved no match, even his lineage from the First Mountain Under Heaven would offer no protection.

"The First Mountain Under Heaven is Li's sect; it will not fear the Martial Lunatic."

"That's not necessarily true," someone countered. "Everyone says Li surpassed his master back then, but the Martial Lunatic is no weaker than Li. And with so many years of secluded cultivation, who throughout history could contend with him?!"

Many people were discussing, and the entire world was abuzz.

Even Cao De became renowned everywhere, as someone had captured a close-up photo of him gnawing on the Second Ancestor's golden, glistening leg. This particular shot was truly shocking.

"See that? Cao De, the current successor of the First Mountain Under Heaven, roasted the Second Ancestor's leg and ate it with such relish. Oh, and he is also known as Cao!" The world instantly erupted. Heaven's Morning Post, Taiyi Newspaper, and Tonggu Journal all ran front-page photos and highlighted the situation.

For instance, Heaven's Morning Post grabbed headlines with this: "Extra! Extra! Li's Junior Brother, Cao, Appears! Saint Cao De First Slays Seven Death Bodies, Then Eats Second Ancestor's Leg, Vowing with His Master to Fight the Martial Lunatic's Lineage to the Bitter End!"

Taiyi Newspaper, for example, published: "Shocking Secret: Prehistoric Mastermind Li Returns, Once Again Targets Old Foe; Suspected Reincarnation as Cao."

Chu Feng was speechless upon reading all this. That morning, he had become utterly famous. He went to the edge of the battlefield, found a place with internet, connected quickly, and immediately saw reports from all over. It was clear he was once again at the center of attention; the name Cao De had spread across the world, making it impossible for people not to talk about him. He grumbled inwardly, wondering if all these newspapers belonged to the "Shock Department," each report more exaggerated and outrageous than the last. He stared at the photo of himself gnawing on the Second Ancestor's golden leg, speechless. The angle was remarkably tricky, highlighting his white teeth and a relatively handsome face filled with cold ruthlessness. Now, some had even started calling him the "Leg-Eating Demon"! He really wanted to point out that Number Nine was the one who loved eating people's legs.

Cao De's name spread far and wide. The last time Ji Dade became infamous as one of the most wanted criminals with the highest bounty, causing a stir everywhere, it was no more significant than this. Now, Cao De's fearsome reputation was no less than Ji Dade's notorious infamy!

Number Nine was naturally also a hot topic, the center of attention, but he was very displeased. He insisted that he truly hadn't killed the "second elder" from the North; he had merely gone to pick up the legs. Later, he actually traveled directly north for this very reason, threatening everyone in the Martial Lunatic's second disciple's lineage to immediately refute the rumors on his behalf. This scene left Chu Feng speechless. Was Number Nine actually serious? The members of that lineage were terrified, their hair standing on end. This demon-lord-like living corpse had already departed with the Second Ancestor's legs, yet to refute a rumor, he had returned once more to intimidate them.

That very day, these individuals publicly clarified, informing the world that the Second Ancestor's transformation had failed on his own, causing his physical body to disintegrate, and that he had not been slain by Number Nine. Outside, who believed them? People unanimously concluded that it was a result of Number Nine's coercion. At the same time, people were utterly flabbergasted. "This must be intentional, right?" they thought. The ruthless Number Nine was clearly provoking the Martial Lunatic! People increasingly realized that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the being from the First Mountain Under Heaven and the Martial Lunatic were destined for a peerless battle that would shake both ancient and modern times!

"Master Nine, can you withstand him? It looks like the Martial Lunatic is bound to emerge!" Chu Feng whispered. The Second Ancestor had been carried away, reportedly to the Martial Lunatic's secluded cultivation site. His miserable state would most likely provoke the peerless madman into emerging from seclusion. Coupled with the outside world fanning the flames with various reports, constantly adding fuel to the fire, a battle between the two great powerhouses was inevitable.

"If I can't beat him to death, I'll run!" Number Nine declared, completely unburdened.