Chapter 114: Yearning to Spread One’s Wings (Part Three)

At this moment, not only did the Great Emperor Tang Hen, but everyone else as well, focus their gaze intently on Ye Tianya.

When the name Ye Zhantian was mentioned by the Great Emperor Tang Hen, the word "prodigy" immediately sprang to mind for all present.

Perhaps the younger generation did not fully grasp the significance of this name, but the elders knew well. That man had once singlehandedly stormed the headquarters of the Sacred Land, nearly turning it into a bloodbath.

Even though he ultimately retreated severely wounded, no one dared to underestimate the name.

When asked which force in the Martial Soul Continent was the most powerful in the mortal realm, everyone knew it was the Sacred Land.

Within the Sacred Land, factions were numerous, yet each faction possessed the strength to singlehandedly annihilate an empire. This spoke volumes about the terrifying power the Sacred Land wielded.

And yet, despite such overwhelming might, the enraged Ye Zhantian dared to charge in alone back then.

“I have searched everywhere for Big Brother’s trail, but to no avail!” Ye Tianya said with a wry smile, slowly scanning the crowd and shaking his head.

“In that case, I shall no longer hold any illusions,” Tang Hen replied with a bitter smile, choosing not to say more.

In the days that followed, troops and elite cultivators continuously moved through the imperial capital. These were no ordinary soldiers; rather, they were formations of cultivators akin to the Golden Scale Guards of the Ye family.

As more and more experts arrived, the nobles of the capital gradually settled their nerves. The anxiety and fear that had gripped them days before began to ease considerably.

A gentle breeze stirred, and the morning glow filtered through the dense forest, casting a serene comfort over the place.

When Ye Feng dragged his weary frame to join the members of the Heavenly King Alliance, many cast fervent glances his way. Having fought alone against dozens of Spirit Emperor-level experts, he had already become a young hero in their eyes.

After nearly ten days of relentless ambushes, the Sacred Land’s forces suffered heavy losses but failed to even graze Ye Feng. This outcome was a severe blow to the pride of the Sacred Land.

In the end, the Sacred Land’s people resolved to gather all their forces at the entrance to the ruins, hoping to lie in wait.

“We’ve already searched the ruins’ entrance, but there’s a problem,” Jin Ming said as Ye Feng approached.

“What do you mean ‘searched’? It’s clear the Sacred Land left markers all the way; we just followed their trail!” Lie Kuang sneered, seemingly mocking someone but no one in particular.

“Our people searched for days without finding the secret realm’s entrance. Yesterday, though, someone suddenly discovered that some tree trunks bore carved markers pointing toward the entrance!” Xiao Ye looked at Ye Feng and slowly explained, “It’s obvious the Sacred Land’s people can’t corner you in the jungle, so they want to settle this in one fell swoop at the ruins’ entrance.”

“Perfect! I can train for a few days there,” Ye Feng smiled faintly despite his exhaustion.

After days of assaults and counterattacks, Ye Feng was nearing his breaking point. If the Sacred Land’s forces could hold out a few more days, the defeat might well be theirs instead.

Now, things were unfolding as Ye Feng had hoped, at least giving him a chance to catch his breath — and that was more precious than anything.

“Do you have some clever plan to deal with the Sacred Land’s forces?” asked the bald Ao Yun, rubbing his head in surprise as he glanced at Ye Feng.

“As far as I know, the Sacred Land’s people can’t enter the ruins yet. There’s said to be a restriction barrier. If that’s true, then I do have a way,” Ye Feng said, looking around sheepishly.

“Oh?” Many eyes lit up as they asked, “What plan?”

Ye Feng lifted his head, his expression solemn as he surveyed the crowd. His gaze swept over each face, for his plan would likely bring about a profound transformation for them all.

“This plan isn’t perfect. Some brothers here may die. But after these days of fighting, I’ve deeply realized the gap between us and the younger generation of the Sacred Land,” Ye Feng said resolutely.

“In my view, only through baptism by blood can we grow swiftly. The disparity between us and the Sacred Land is simply too great!”

As he spoke, he noticed that many faces before him showed no fear or hesitation as he had expected. On the contrary, nearly everyone was filled with profound guilt and shame.

Everyone knew why Ye Feng had chosen to face the Sacred Land alone in the first place. It was because he was too weak to confront their experts alongside others. That forced him to contend with them singlehandedly.

In these past days, everyone carried some measure of remorse and self-reproach. Though they had vowed to share honor and disgrace, when the time came, they sadly realized they lacked the strength to stand with their盟主 and bear the burden together.

“盟主, you say it! A head lost is but a scar the size of a bowl, nothing more! Hearing of your danger these days, it pains me deeply. It pains me to be powerless, unable to help my brothers shoulder this burden!” one voice declared.

“Exactly. Even if we die standing, we will never choose to perish kneeling!”

“盟主, from the moment I, Liu Yi, joined the Heavenly King Alliance, I swore to be a true man. I once thought my strength was great. But after the battle in the Chaos Domain, I realized that the bodyguards I sparred with all this time deliberately held back and lost to me, fearful of wounding my pride!” When Liu Yi spoke these words, many others nodded vigorously. Clearly, many had experienced the same.

“They never truly understood what I sought. Perhaps even I didn’t know before. I always believed I was the number one under heaven. If I wished, I could pluck the stars from the sky!” At this point, Liu Yi’s eyes welled with tears of a fierce resolve.

“After leaving the Chaos Domain, I confronted my father, asking why the bodyguards had deceived me. But his answer left me ashamed and deeply self-reproachful.

He said every cultivator must possess an invincible heart, for only then can one truly become strong. But which father could bear to watch their own flesh and blood bathed in bloodshed, forging such an invincible heart?

Actually, I want to tell my father he was wrong!

A son who is always sheltered like a flower in a greenhouse—what achievements could he ever hope for?

Then I thought of the Ye family, and of our盟主.

Though the Ye family has fallen on hard times, it cannot be denied they still have countless experts. Yet why did the Ye family choose to send the盟主 alone to the imperial capital, to face the powerful nobles who prey like tigers and wolves?

This is the difference: only through battle and bloodshed can we truly grow. Even if the price of growth is our lives, I am willing.

At least then, I can prove to all that I, Zhou Yi, am no coward.”