Chapter 464 - 462: Saint Child Ji Que

Terrified, the Nether Emperor Insect let out a SQUEAK and turned to flee. It was clearly frightened of the Fire Phoenix manifested from the Heaven and Earth Essence Fire.

After all, Li Qiye’s Ten Thousand Furnace God was the foremost furnace in existence. Having devoured countless Heaven and Earth Essence Fires, its Fire Source was the absolute purest and most refined in the world—it could even refine anything.

The Nether Emperor Insect feared no ordinary Furnace God’s Fire Source. However, encountering the Ten Thousand Furnace God’s Fire Source was like meeting its nemesis. Even for a creature as powerful as it, being devoured by this fire meant certain death. In fact, for the Ten Thousand Furnace God, a creature like the Nether Emperor Insect was a powerful tonic!

"Come back!" The Ghost Insect Demon Child hastily gave chase. The Nether Emperor Insect immediately shot back into his head wrap, trembling in fear and not daring to emerge again.

Seeing its target gone, the Fire Phoenix manifested from the Essence Fire flew back into the Ten Thousand Furnace God.

Everyone gasped. They all knew how vicious the Nether Emperor Insect was; the creature was normally fearless. Yet just now, it had been scared out of its wits, fleeing on sight as if it had met its nemesis. How could this not be astonishing?

Many found it unbelievable. It had always been others who feared the Nether Emperor Insect; never before had anyone seen the insect itself show fear.

Many of the Cultivators present also realized that the small furnace in Li Qiye’s hand was clearly an extraordinary treasure.

"You think a mere furnace makes you invincible?" the Ghost Insect Demon Child said, his tone chilling.

In the past, anyone who saw his Nether Emperor Insect would be scared out of their wits, desperate to get as far away as possible. As its master, the Ghost Insect Demon Child savored that feeling. He never imagined that today, the roles would be reversed; his Nether Emperor Insect had fled in terror, causing him to lose all face.

"If you think you have what it takes, then bring it on. If not, then scram. Don’t waste my time," Li Qiye said slowly, not even bothering to glance at him.

Everyone exchanged glances. They all felt this kid was far too arrogant and brazen. How many people dared to provoke an heir of an Emperor Immortal Gate like the Ghost Insect Demon Child with such insolent words?

Even Qiu Rong Wanxue was startled and couldn’t help but worry for Li Qiye. After all, the Ghost Insect Demon Child was a renowned genius in the Ghost Sacred Realm.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s expression turned incredibly foul. Outside of an invincible existence like Di Zuo, who in the younger generation dared to challenge his prestige so blatantly?

"You court death..." The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s eyes flashed with malice. Ghost Qi billowed around him as his aura surged to the heavens, making him look just like a Yin Ghost. The sight was made even more horrifying by the Nether Emperor Insect writhing frantically inside his head wrap.

"Be careful!" Qiu Rong Wanxue hurriedly whispered to Li Qiye.

"Amitabha, goodness, goodness—" Just as the Ghost Insect Demon Child was about to strike, a Buddhist chant suddenly rang out.

A monk instantly appeared beside Li Qiye. He looked at the Ghost Insect Demon Child and said with a wide grin, "Ghost Insect, looking for a fight? Come, come, let’s exchange a few moves. I heard you made a bold claim that among all the heirs of the Emperor Immortal Gates, you’re number one besides the Three Heroes. Today, I’ll be so bold as to test if you’re really number one!"

This monk was none other than the wife-fearing Master Dazhi, though it was unclear when he had arrived.

Just a moment ago, Li Qiye had provoked the Ghost Insect Demon Child, and many people already thought he was too arrogant. Now, a monk had popped up to issue a challenge as well. ’What is going on today?’ they wondered. ’Can just anyone step out and trample on a genius now?’

"Jian Xuan!" The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s expression tightened as he said coldly, "This has nothing to do with you!"

Master Dazhi had a shaved head and was dressed as a monk, so most people didn’t recognize him. But upon hearing the name "Jian Xuan," everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.

"Jian Xuan, the heir of Mingdu Marsh, a genius from North Marsh!" Many people now recognized the monk’s origins. At the same time, quite a few settled in to watch the show, curious to see how things would develop.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que were both famous heirs of Emperor Immortal Gates, but Jian Xuan was one as well. Mingdu Marsh, founded by the Mingdu Immortal Emperor himself, was in no way weaker than the Ju Que Holy Land or the Insect Emperor Dynasty!

Compared to the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que, Master Dazhi, as the heir of Mingdu Marsh, was certainly far less high-profile, and his reputation was not as widespread.

However, in the Ghost Sacred Realm—especially among the younger generation of geniuses in North Marsh—absolutely no one dared to underestimate Master Dazhi. As far back as ten years ago, rumors had spread from Mingdu Marsh that the leadership was to be passed to Jian Xuan. Unfortunately, this heir shirked his duties and ran away, having no desire to shoulder such a great responsibility.

Keep in mind that the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que were merely heirs who had yet to assume their leadership roles. Jian Xuan, on the other hand, could have taken his position ten years ago. This meant he had long since earned the approval of the Mingdu Marsh Elders. It was easy to imagine just how remarkable he must be.

Master Dazhi put his palms together and chanted, "Amitabha. This originally had nothing to do with me, but I’m afraid you might die an early death. If you were to die at Brother Li’s hands, how would I ever get the chance to test your bold words?"

"That was just something Brother Ghost Insect said in jest. Why take it so seriously, Brother Jian Xuan?" As a voice rang out, a short man walked over.

Although the man was short, his aura was immense. No one dared to underestimate him due to his stature. He was none other than Saint Child Ji Que.

Seeing the newcomer, many felt a jolt and couldn’t help but exchange looks. The heirs of three different Emperor Immortal Gates had suddenly gathered together. This was getting interesting.

Meanwhile, Li Qiye, the main character of the recent disturbance, was now left forgotten on the sidelines.

"Is that so?" Master Dazhi said with a grin. "While I have no interest in fighting to be number one, if someone insists they hold that title, then I’m more than willing to test their claim."

"Brother Jian Xuan, you jest," Saint Child Ji Que quickly tried to smooth things over. "Your talent is peerless, Brother Jian Xuan. Who in the entire Ghost Sacred Realm doesn’t know of it?"

Li Qiye glanced at them, too lazy to speak, and turned to leave with Qiu Rong Wanxue.

"Trying to leave? Not so fast!" The Ghost Insect Demon Child blocked Li Qiye’s path, his voice cold and overflowing with killing intent. Li Qiye had humiliated him today; how could he possibly let this Human Race ant get away?

Li Qiye simply lifted his eyelids lazily and said, "If you’re going to make a move, then get on with it. Stop dithering like a woman."

"Goodness, goodness. Brother Li, there’s no need to use an ox cleaver to kill a chicken. I can handle this," Master Dazhi said, stepping forward before Li Qiye could even act.

"Jian Xuan, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you! You’re deliberately trying to oppose me!" Seeing Jian Xuan stand against him at every turn, the Ghost Insect Demon Child’s rage flared.

Master Dazhi was completely unconcerned. "So what if I am?" he said with a wide grin. "Ghost Insect, you think a monk like me is afraid of you?"

The Ghost Insect Demon Child’s expression instantly turned venomous as he glared furiously at Master Dazhi.

However, Master Dazhi had a point. Both were heirs of Emperor Immortal Gates. The Ghost Insect Demon Child had always been arrogant, but as the heir of Mingdu Marsh, Master Dazhi had just as much right to be. Naturally, he had no reason to fear him.

"Brother Jian Xuan, is this really necessary?" Saint Child Ji Que hurriedly interjected again. "For us of the Ghost Race to fight amongst ourselves over a mere human... We’d be a laughingstock if word got out. Why are you so determined to stand up for a human, Brother Jian Xuan?"

"I never claimed to be representing the Ghost Race!" Master Dazhi shook his head, a wide grin on his face. "But, if Ghost Insect wants to make a move today, then I’m dead set on joining in. I just don’t like the look of him, so what? If you’re not happy about it, bring it on!"

His words were utterly domineering, nothing like the tone of a monk. Then again, this fake monk wasn’t a real one to begin with.

The young Cultivators present, including the other geniuses, all stood by as spectators. Although Master Dazhi’s words were incredibly arrogant, he indeed had the right to be so domineering.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child was so furious he could have spat blood. "Jian Xuan," he said with cold arrogance, "do you really think I’m afraid of you? Both of you can come at me together. I’ll deal with you all the same!"

"Both of us together?" Li Qiye glanced at them and said slowly, "Just you? You’re not worthy. You," he said, pointing at the Ghost Insect Demon Child, "and you," he added, pointing at Saint Child Ji Que. "Both of you can come at me."

"Such arrogance!" Saint Child Ji Que said coldly. "This is not a place for a member of the Human Race to run wild!" In truth, Saint Child Ji Que had already planned on detaining Li Qiye. He had heard from the Hundred Schools’ Sons that Li Qiye knew a way to reach the Other Shore, which was why he had rushed over.

"Too much talk—" Before his words had even faded, Li Qiye stomped down. A colossal foot blotted out the sky, descending with the force of countless Divine Peaks and an unending whistle.

Seeing this, Saint Child Ji Que’s expression sank. His body moved like a Spiritual Snake as he shot out from under Li Qiye’s foot at an impossible angle.

"Die!" In that same instant, the Ghost Insect Demon Child struck like lightning, unleashing a surging wave of Ghost Qi that swept forward like a vast ocean.

"Amitabha, goodness, goodness—" Master Dazhi chanted. His entire being seemed to transform into a Vajra incarnation. With a flick of his Buddha Beads, he easily blocked the Ghost Insect Demon Child’s attack as if they were a heaven-propping pillar.

After escaping from under Li Qiye’s colossal foot, Saint Child Ji Que said to Master Dazhi, "Brother Jian Xuan, you and I are both from North Marsh, and we’ve always coexisted peacefully. But if you insist on protecting this human ant today, then don’t blame me for teaming up with Brother Ghost Insect. Once we defeat you, we can deal with this human ant all the same!"

Both the Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que were extremely wary of Master Dazhi. One wanted to kill Li Qiye to avenge his humiliation, while the other wanted to capture him alive. Regardless of their motives, Master Dazhi’s interference was spoiling their plans.

"Team up—" Li Qiye hadn’t even shown any anger, but Master Dazhi’s reaction was even stronger. He let out a great laugh and declared, "Then both of you, come at me together!"

As his voice fell, a resonant BUZZ echoed out. An endless torrent of Emperor’s Divine Force and Immortal Force erupted from his body, as if an Immortal Emperor personally stood behind him.