Chapter Fifty-Four: A Terrifying Encounter

A shrill cry echoed from the distance—a divine eagle let out a piercing call, its form shifting rapidly until, in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a handsome and imposing man. Yet, unlike the three demon kings lurking deep within the forest, his transformation was not complete; he still retained the head of an eagle.

“King of Eagles!” The black-armored, massive tiger exhaled hot air from its flaring nostrils and spoke in a deep voice, “There’s an old man among them with formidable strength. We can’t handle him!”

“Oh?” The man with the eagle’s face radiated an aura so powerful that, though he hadn’t used his demonic energy, the oppressive force suffocated the nearby beasts. A supreme master at the first level among demon kings, his presence was scarcely inferior to the Fifth Elder—such was the might of the top beasts of the Falling Wild Goose Mountains.

Among humans, there were those on par with the King of Freedom. Likewise, among demon beasts, such beings existed too—and each of the three demon kings stood at the pinnacle of their kind.

Yet, for reasons unknown, Ye Feng felt no fear. Instead, a subtle excitement quietly blossomed within him. Witnessing a battle at this level would undoubtedly elevate his understanding of the Way by several degrees.

After all, one of the combatants was his family’s Fifth Elder. When family techniques were wielded by him, they took on a meaning wholly different from when used by others.

“I say, Old Ye the Fifth, do you really think that with the Great King gone, there’s no one left in the entire mountain range who can match you?” The Eagle King’s voice was forceful beyond compare, pointing at the Fifth Elder as he spoke.

Ye Tianya, who had been at ease, underwent an instant transformation the moment the three giant eagles appeared—a majestic aura surged forth, enveloping the entire battlefield. This was his true power. For decades, he had hidden and evaded, never daring to reveal his real strength.

A sharp cry cut the air as another divine eagle hurtled toward the Fifth Elder.

The Fifth Elder did not move. Instead, Ye Tianya sprang forward decisively to meet the attack. The men of the Ye family were not easily swayed by emotion; warriors face warriors, generals face generals—such a foe was not worthy of the Fifth Elder’s hand.

“Invading my tribe’s forbidden ground and imprisoning the apes—each offense warrants death.” The divine eagle in the void spoke with chilling clarity.

The clash erupted in an instant—demonic energy and spiritual power collided in midair. After a single exchange, the divine eagle soared high into the sky.

“You do have some strength. No wonder you’re so bold,” Ye Tianya said, his usual calm gone, pointing to the void.

After the first exchange, both combatants had sized each other up, though their expressions betrayed nothing.

Ye Tianya hadn’t intended to act at first, but he couldn’t stand by as such a paltry foe attempted to strike at the Fifth Elder—it was an insult to both the Fifth Elder and the Ye family.

He knew, however, that the longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for the human side. Though the bird claimed this was a forbidden ground for the eagles, off-limits to outsiders, who could say it was off-limits to other beasts? If swarms of high-level demon beasts arrived, the humans would be in grave trouble.

His spiritual power exploded in an instant—the hallmark of Ye Tianya’s fighting style, matching his proud and decisive nature. Once he committed to an action, he gave his all, never hesitating or holding back. In battle, unlike others who might test the waters, he attacked with full force, regardless of his opponent’s might.

Clearly, this man had been holding back for too long. Innate level—what did such cultivation amount to?

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light burst forth in the sky, streaks of golden lightning appearing. Ye Feng instinctively took a step back. Ye Tianya was even more formidable than he had imagined; this aura was far fiercer than when he had saved Ye Feng before. While Ye Feng couldn’t precisely gauge his true strength, he could at least guess.

Ye Tianya and the demon beast in the sky shared similar temperaments—one forged through life’s trials, the other born of nature. Cloaked in a dense golden radiance, Ye Tianya exuded an overwhelming dominance. When his aura erupted, he seemed a primordial beast reborn.

The Fifth Elder was equally surprised—he hadn’t expected Tianya to have reached such heights. Yet, on second thought, four years had passed since he’d last been here, so it was not altogether unexpected.

Crackling sounds filled the air as the divine eagle attacked, igniting its demonic power in a soaring burst, clearly unwilling to let its opponent fully unleash his aura, for then the battle would be lost.

“Netherworld Eagle Talons!”

Hovering in the void, the divine eagle spoke, and two massive shadows of talons crashed down from above.

With a thunderous roar, Ye Tianya’s left hand erupted in blazing golden fire—flames the color of purple and gold instantly enveloped his entire left arm.

The fiery arm collided with the eagle’s talons. The purple flames incinerated both talon shadows in a single blow. At the same time, Ye Tianya’s left hand shot upward, the purple-gold flames streaking into the sky, forming a giant hand that reached for the figure above.

In a flash, the divine eagle accelerated, appearing before Ye Tianya in an instant. One talon darted with lightning speed for his heart; with the eagle’s strength, it could tear out his heart, regardless of how powerful Ye Tianya was.

Ye Tianya calmly extended his right hand. The purple-gold flames in the air returned and swept outwards, covering such a wide area that even advanced demon beasts could not evade.

The divine eagle had no time to dodge. It folded its wings around its body, shielding itself, but even with all its strength, it was sent hurtling backward, only managing to escape the flames’ burning grasp after repeatedly unleashing its demonic power.

Below, all was silent—one could hear a pin drop. Everyone stared speechlessly at the scorched earth.

“From the eldest to the youngest, the whole Ye family is full of freaks—there’s not a single normal one among them,” someone muttered.

On the other side, the Eagle King, expressionless, caught the divine eagle. “Stand down.”

At his command, the divine eagle, poised to attack again, retreated quietly to the side, though its gaze never left Ye Tianya.

“Purple-gold Karma Fire! A nostalgic sensation, but you’re still too green. It only gives me warmth! If he were here, perhaps I’d be cautious!” The Eagle King gestured toward the Fifth Elder as he spoke.

For someone at the Eagle King’s level, Ye Tianya’s terrifying flames were nothing more than a comforting campfire, incapable of harm.

Before his words had faded, a nearly invisible shadow darted toward the Fifth Elder.

“Very well, let me grant you your wish! Just don’t get yourself roasted—if the Demon King finds out, it won’t be easy to explain!” The Fifth Elder swung his single arm, instantly becoming a man of living flame.

A thunderous boom—the Eagle King’s talon struck.

But how could one attack a man of fire? The Eagle King’s expression changed drastically. In that instant’s hesitation, the Fifth Elder struck.

Before the Eagle King could even react, he was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

His face turned colorful with emotion. “Old Ye the Fifth, you old monster—you’ve been hiding for decades, and now you’re this terrifying? Since you’re playing so ruthlessly, I’ll play along. Let’s see what you’ve learned all these years!”

The Eagle King’s figure grew blurred and illusory, streaks of black left in the air. This was the speed of the Roc—so swift and unpredictable that it left no trace.

Without reservation, the Eagle King launched another assault on the Fifth Elder, black flames swirling around him—he would not be burned by the purple-gold Karma Fire again.

All this time, the Fifth Elder had been quietly gathering his strength, waiting for this very moment. Spiritual power surged; golden light exploded forth like a mighty tidal wave, shaking the earth. Overhead, the clouds had silently turned to gold. Unlike Ye Tianya, the Fifth Elder drew power directly from the space around him.