Chapter 723 - 724: Issuing a Challenge

What?

Everyone stared dumbfounded at Ye Xuan, who stood upon one of the Restriction Arrays. Even the few Peak of Second Layer Martial Emperors preparing to step forward froze in their tracks.

For a mere Tier Seven Martial King to try and occupy a Restriction... wasn’t that just absurd?

But at this moment, no one felt like laughing. Instead, they all turned their gazes to Xu Guanglin and his group.

Based on the situation so far, Ye Xuan had always been with the four members of the Xu family. In their eyes, Ye Xuan definitely wouldn’t have stepped forward on his own. The fact that he dared to do so must mean he had the Xu family’s tacit approval.

Sure enough, Diao Minghuang’s expression darkened. He frowned and said, "Brother Lin, I said nothing when your Xu family occupied two Restriction Arrays. After all, it’s a distribution based on strength. But for your people to now want to occupy a third... isn’t that a bit much?"

Jiang Chonghuang narrowed his eyes and said, "There are only eight Restriction Arrays here in total. Brother Lin, you want to take three for yourself all at once. Heh heh, isn’t that..."

Xu Guanglin was also stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected Ye Xuan to make such a move at all. He immediately said, "Young Master Ye, what are you...?"

Ye Xuan said flatly, "This is my own doing. It has nothing to do with your Xu family. And Brother Lin, don’t you forget the agreement between us."

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the Xu family members changed.

According to the agreement between the Xu family and Ye Xuan, they were to give Ye Xuan thirty percent of any treasures they obtained in this mysterious land.

In other words, thirty percent of the two Restriction Arrays occupied by the Xu family also belonged to Ye Xuan.

Xu Ping immediately spoke up. "Young Master Ye, of course we haven’t forgotten the agreement. However, our current situation is different from before. Shouldn’t the previous agreement be changed? Besides, it was only thanks to my Xu family that you were able to enter these ruins in the first place, Young Master Ye. The Xu family has helped you quite a bit."

Ye Xuan’s gaze instantly turned cold. "Elder Xu Ping, are you saying you intend to go back on your word?"

"How is this going back on our word? Times have changed. Isn’t that so?" Xu Ping said coldly.

They had agreed to Ye Xuan’s terms before solely because of the obstacle posed by the Bone-Rotting Spirit Miasma. But in this mysterious land, Ye Xuan’s usefulness had greatly diminished. Making the Xu family give up thirty percent of their gains would naturally lead them to have second thoughts.

Ye Xuan’s expression grew even darker. "That’s right, times have changed. But don’t forget, if it weren’t for me just now, do you really think you could have blocked the attack from that blood-black demonic shadow?"

"That’s not necessarily true," Xu Ping said coldly.

Ye Xuan was so angry he laughed. The other party’s words made it clear they were dead set on going back on their deal.

At this moment, Elder Xu Zhen’s face was ashen. He said, "Xu Ping, what do you mean by that? If it weren’t for Young Master Ye, we might not have even made it here! Ancestor, I believe that since it’s an agreement, it must be honored."

Xu Ping’s gaze turned cold. "Elder Xu Zhen, don’t forget your place. You are an elder of the Xu family, not someone’s lapdog."

A surging murderous intent erupted from Xu Zhen. "Xu Ping, what did you just say?" he roared.

The onlookers were all dumbfounded. ’What in the world is going on? Why are the Xu family and that young man arguing? Aren’t they on the same side?’

"Enough! What’s all this shouting? Show some decorum."

Xu Guanglin shouted coldly, then said flatly, "Young Master Ye, I naturally remember the terms of our agreement. I will not forget them."

Ye Xuan’s expression finally softened a little. "As long as Brother Lin remembers, then there’s no problem."

Xu Guanglin frowned and continued, "However, our agreement does not cover your current actions. By occupying a Restriction Array, you could easily give others the misunderstanding that it is my Xu family who has taken it."

"You don’t need to worry about that, Brother Lin." Ye Xuan immediately announced to the crowd, "This Restriction Array has been claimed by me personally. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Xu family. You all saw how much effort I put into the battle just now. Occupying one Restriction Array shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

No problem? What a joke. Of course it was a problem. A huge problem.

The gazes of many Martial Emperors had already turned cold. It was true that if it weren’t for Ye Xuan, they might not have fared well against the blood-black demonic shadow’s assault.

But that was one thing, and this was another. Faced with the lure of treasure within the Restriction Arrays, how could anyone be bothered with such details?

To occupy a Restriction Array, one needed sufficient strength. Yet with so many Tier Eight Martial Emperors still without a spot, a mere Tier Seven Martial King like Ye Xuan wanting to claim one for himself was simply preposterous.

Where did a Tier Seven Martial King like him get the nerve to do something like this?

"In that case, this last Restriction Array belongs to us."

Just then, several Second Layer Martial Emperors suddenly flew up and landed on the final Restriction Array.

These Martial Emperors had extraordinary auras. Their internal Profound was condensed, giving off a feeling as vast as the ocean. Their cultivation was clearly not low.

The leader, in particular, had long, sinister hair and a ghastly green face, exuding a ghostly aura.

"It’s You Yuanming from Ghost Origin Valley."

Everyone’s heart tensed. You Yuanming was a core elder of Ghost Origin Valley. His cultivation was already at the Peak of Tier Eight Second Layer, his strength was extraordinary, and he was known to be close to Jiang Chonghuang.

With his level of cultivation, no one would dispute him occupying a Restriction Array.

’Damn it, You Yuanming beat us to it.’

The remaining Peak of Second Layer Martial Emperors thought to themselves, their faces ashen, as they finally turned their gazes to Ye Xuan.

Now that all eight Restriction Arrays were occupied, the one Ye Xuan stood on immediately became a coveted prize in the eyes of many.

But the only thing they were wary of was still the Xu family.

"Senior Xu Guanglin, are this person’s actions truly unrelated to your Xu family?"

A Second Layer Martial Emperor strode forward and asked Xu Guanglin loudly.

"This old man said it is unrelated, so it is unrelated," Xu Guanglin said flatly.

Receiving Xu Guanglin’s confirmation, the Martial Emperor’s icy gaze immediately fell upon Ye Xuan. He said coldly, "Young man, this Emperor has taken a liking to your spot. You should know that with your cultivation, you can’t possibly hold this position. Why not obediently hand it over to me? I can guarantee that if there are any treasures inside, I will give you ten percent."

Upon hearing this, everyone else regretted not being the first to step up. That guy was simply too shrewd. With Ye Xuan’s cultivation, holding a Restriction Array was impossible; the only thing anyone feared was the Xu family.

But since the Xu family had made their stance clear, they naturally wouldn’t dare to interfere openly. So, whoever went up only needed to promise the kid a small benefit. Surely with a brain in his head, the boy would know what to do, right?

For just a small price, one could gain the benefits of a Restriction Array. Who wouldn’t be willing to do that? What a shame they missed their chance.

"You talk too much bullshit. If you want the spot, speak with your strength. All this chirping makes you sound like an old woman."

But to everyone’s surprise, Ye Xuan’s only response to the Martial Emperor’s offer was a cold sneer.

"You’re courting death." The Second Layer Martial Emperor’s face darkened instantly. He cupped his fists toward Xu Guanglin and the others. "Senior Xu Guanglin, since this brat doesn’t know what’s good for him, don’t blame this junior for being merciless."

As his voice fell, the Second Layer Martial Emperor’s face turned ashen. He said coldly, "Brat, remember this Emperor’s name: Jiu Hong of the Profound Domain’s Slaughter Hall. Out of respect for Senior Xu Guanglin, this Emperor will spare your life."

After he spoke, a huge, crimson steel ring suddenly appeared in his right hand, and he smashed it down toward Ye Xuan.

The steel ring was only the size of a palm in Jiu Hong’s hand, but by the time it reached Ye Xuan’s head, it had already expanded to several meters in diameter. Wisps of dense fire power spewed from it, forming a fire dragon that surged toward Erhei, the beast beneath Ye Xuan.

This Jiu Hong was no idiot. He had clearly seen the scene when Ye Xuan first arrived at the ruins. The black toad beneath Ye Xuan was definitely a Demon Emperor-level Demon Beast. He figured the only reason Ye Xuan was so calm was because of this black toad’s presence. As long as he killed the toad, the kid would naturally surrender his position.

How could Ye Xuan not understand Jiu Hong’s plan? He sneered and gave Erhei a command.

"GWOAK!"

Erhei let out a strange cry and shot forward with a SWOOSH. It didn’t dodge or evade Jiu Hong’s attack at all. The massive fire dragon slammed directly onto its head.

BOOM!

The immense dragon of dense Fire Element Profound engulfed Erhei completely, burning with a crackling sound and releasing astonishing energy.

The onlookers were all dumbfounded. ’What is Xuan Ye’s Spirit Pet doing? Is it trying to tank Jiu Hong’s attack with its physical body?’

Many people present were well aware of Jiu Hong’s strength. He was by no means weak among Tier Eight Second Layer experts. Even a Peak of Tier Eight Second Layer Martial Emperor wouldn’t dare to take a direct hit from the Universe Fire Dragon Ring in his hand. After taking a blow like that head-on, the black toad must have been turned into a roasted toad by now.

Jiu Hong was also ecstatic. He had never expected Erhei to be so stupid. To ensure it had no chance to counterattack, he ramped up his Profound output.

WHOOSH!

The scorching waves of fire instantly shot up several dozen feet.

’Heh heh, that black toad must be deader than dead by now.’

Just as Jiu Hong was reveling in his excitement.

KABOOM!

The fiercely burning Fireball suddenly exploded, and a black shadow shot out from within. Who else could it be but Erhei?

Erhei’s surface Scale Armor was slightly scorched black, but underneath, it was completely unharmed.

What?

Jiu Hong’s heart trembled. Before he could react, with a PFFT, Erhei opened its great mouth and suddenly spat out a cloud of milky-white poisonous mist, completely enveloping him.

"AHHH!"

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the heavens. Before everyone’s eyes, Jiu Hong’s robes instantly started emitting white smoke with a SIZZLING sound of corrosion. In the blink of an eye, his robes vanished completely, revealing the defensive armor underneath.