King of Creation
Chapter 172 - 170 Ye Zhen’s Epiphany

Chapter 172: Chapter 170 Ye Zhen’s Epiphany

"Ten years ago, Meng Chuan, as the winner of the Qiyun Sect Inner Gate competition, represented Qiyun Sect with five other disciples to participate in the Five Countries Conference. At that time, half of the slots for the Five Countries Conference from Black Water Kingdom were taken by Qiyun Sect!"

Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing recalled with infinite emotion.

"It should be said that Meng Chuan and the others did their best, not only them, but also the martial artists from Phantom Divine Empire, Sword Origin Empire, and Gu’an Kingdom who participated in the Five Countries Conference, they all did their utmost.

However, that year, the martial artists from the Southern Barbarian Tribe were too powerful, one Spirit Master even brought as many as five demon servants of mid-grade Earth Level, and furthermore, their luck was incredibly good!"

In the end, of the six disciples of Meng Chuan who went to participate in the Five Countries Conference, three died in battle, and nearly half of the thirty-four martial artists from the other three countries perished as well. Yet, the War Soul Blood Flag was ultimately seized by the Southern Barbarian Tribe!"

"What happened next, you all actually know. A year later, that is, nine years ago, the Southern Barbarian Tribe launched a massive invasion from Yin Mountain Canyon, and with the help of the War Soul Blood Flag, two hundred thousand Barbarian Army soldiers slaughtered all three border defense regiments stationed at Yin Mountain Border County overnight!

Three hundred thousand border defenders, wiped out overnight by a two hundred thousand-strong Barbarian Army, and the casualties of the Barbarian Army were less than fifty thousand!" Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing said.

Hiss!

The sound of sharp intakes of breath simultaneously came from the mouths of Ye Zhen, Gao Xinglie, and Han Shi.

"Elder Zhong, the border counties of Black Water Kingdom are not peaceful, and our Black Water Kingdom’s Border Army is among the elite of the elites. Facing a two hundred thousand Barbarian Army with a three hundred thousand-strong force, and having the advantage of terrain, even if we might not be victorious, shouldn’t it be impossible to be slaughtered overnight?"

"The Barbarian Army only lost fifty thousand; that’s too inconceivable, isn’t it?" Ye Zhen exclaimed in shock.

"Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible! However, with the aid of the War Soul Blood Flag, everything changes!" Elder Zhong sighed deeply.

"What exactly is the use of the War Soul Blood Flag?" Han Shi asked urgently.

"The War Soul Blood Flag, it is said, is a Demon God Army Soul Flag passed down from ancient times. When the War Soul Blood Flag waves, it stirs the souls of ancient demon gods, enhancing the combat power of soldiers from the lowliest foot soldier to martial artists at the Spirit Transformation Realm, by ten to twenty percent!"

"What does a ten to twenty percent enhancement in the combat power of an ordinary soldier mean to you?"

"Under normal circumstances, an ordinary Southern Barbarian soldier could only battle against one of Black Water Kingdom’s border defense soldiers. However, under the enhancement of the War Soul Blood Flag, one could easily deal with two, three, or even four soldiers, easily cutting down foes that were previously evenly matched..."

"The combat power of all soldiers and martial artists...all of them...enhanced...by twenty percent..."

Elder Zhong’s words left Han Shi so shocked that he stammered.

"Yes, a twenty percent increase in combat power can turn decay into a miracle! That year, the three hundred thousand border defenders were wiped out just like that!"

Elder Zhong sighed once again and, under the successive questions of Ye Zhen and the others, continued to speak about the War Soul Blood Flag.

It was about a hundred years ago, within the territory of the Southern Barbarian Tribe, bordering Sword Origin Empire and Gu’an Kingdom, that Demon Soul Mountain had an ancient battlefield discovered by a Phantom Divine Empire martial artist who was training there.

This martial artist gathered friends and explored the ancient battlefield many times. Finally, with more than ninety percent of them dead or injured, the War Soul Blood Flag from the ancient battlefield was brought out.

After another year, the special function of the War Soul Blood Flag was unearthed and studied. Thus, with the War Soul Blood Flag, the Phantom Divine Warring Kingdom began to expand rapidly. The present vast expanse of Phantom Divine Empire was conquered during that period.

The Phantom Divine Empire’s armies even reached the capital city of Gu’an Kingdom.

However, just as the Gu’an Kingdom was on the brink of annihilation, the War Soul Blood Flag of the Phantom Divine Empire suddenly flew away uncontrollably, transforming into a streak of blood light.

The powerhouses of the Phantom Divine Empire gave chase to the War Soul Blood Flag. Meanwhile, the strong warriors of Gu’an Kingdom, as well as those from Sword Origin Empire, Black Water Kingdom, and even the Southern Barbarian Tribe, who were watching from afar, all noticed this clue!

Eventually, with the return of the War Soul Blood Flag to that ancient battlefield, the mightiest from the Five Countries converged, and a world-shaking battle unfolded. The elder Sect Leader of the Qiyun Sect, after that battle, succumbed to his grave injuries and died.

In that war, over half of the powerhouses of the Five Countries perished, and none wished to let any country possess the War Soul Blood Flag, for its power was too terrifying.

After years of stalemate, the Five Countries Conference as it is known today came to be. The powerhouses from the Five Countries each sent one Commander and eleven martial artists to enter the ancient battlefield, and whoever obtained the War Soul Blood Flag would claim it as their own.

As a result, the War Soul Blood Flag from the first Five Countries War was snatched away by the Southern Barbarian Tribe.

That year, the Southern Barbarian Tribe launched successive attacks on the Four Countries, resulting in untold misery among the people. According to Elder Zhong, in those five years, the population of the Four Countries decreased by thirty percent!

Fortunately, when the five-year period ended, the War Soul Blood Flag would automatically return to the ancient battlefield and the gates to this battlefield would open once again. Thus, the Five Countries Conference, held every five years, has continued to this day.

Ever since the Southern Barbarian Tribe seized the War Soul Blood Flag a hundred years ago and wreaked tremendous havoc, the Four Countries have become more vigilant. They did their utmost to prevent the Southern Barbarians from capturing the War Soul Blood Flag, and in the event that it was seized, the entire nation would be on alert.

However, sometimes, precautions prove ineffective.

Ten years ago, the Southern Barbarian Tribe once again captured the War Soul Blood Flag, leading to the great battle at Yin Mountain Blood Gorge!

"After the Five Countries Conference, Meng Chuan blamed himself and had been roaming the Yin Mountain borders, which led to that later great battle!" Elder Zhongli Jing explained.

"Elder Zhong, that battle, they say Meng Chuan resisted for seven days and nights before the reinforcements arrived? Such a major incident, why didn’t people from our Sect come to the rescue? With the flying speed of our Sect’s powerhouses, wouldn’t it take only a day or two to arrive?"

"Who says no one went to the rescue?"

Elder Zhong’s eyes suddenly bulged in anger.

"The Southern Barbarian Tribe had rallied nine Spirit Sovereigns, and even one of the only two surviving Spirit Kings had come! At that time, almost the entire Qiyun Sect was mobilized, with the Sect Leader personally battling the Southern Barbarian Spirit King.

It was not just the large-scale attack from the Southern Barbarian Tribe; our sworn enemy, Sword Origin Empire, was also eager to move, stationing four hundred thousand troops at the border. That was almost a war of annihilation. In the Qiyun Sect, not even a single True Disciple remained to guard the Sect; all were dispatched..."

"In that battle, one Sect Elder of the Qiyun Sect fell, two True Disciples died in combat, and the Sect Leader was seriously injured. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been a chance for the rise of the Lishui Sect...." Elder Zhong lamented.

"Elder, now the Royal Family holds us in such low regard. If we calculate like this, doesn’t that mean our Qiyun Sect has suffered a loss?" Han Shi complained.

Nobody expected that Han Shi’s complaint would provoke a severe reprimand from Elder Zhong!

"What loss or gain! In that battle, our Qiyun Sect protected hundreds of millions of common people. That is our Sect’s greatest honor, our greatest achievement!"

"You live in luxury within the Qiyun Sect, wearing brocade and jade, in residence with maids, esteemed by officials, and feared by all people wherever you go. One person reaches enlightenment, and the whole clan prospers! This is the luxurious treatment you enjoy for the sake of your formidable power!"

"But with great power comes great responsibility! If you enjoy the benefits, you must also bear the burdens!"

"When disaster strikes, you powerful warriors must stand up and shield the common people from calamities and woes!"

"Remember, for the people, for all the people! This Five Countries Conference is the time for you to shoulder your responsibilities!" Elder Zhong admonished sharply, yet Ye Zhen’s heart suddenly felt a sense of clarity.

"As for the Royal Family, hmph, as long as Qiyun Sect is willing, we can instantly set up a Puppet Emperor at our side, regardless of whether they look favorably upon us or not. Princes, I’ve killed them before too!"

Ye Zhen and the other two all showed shocked expressions.

Elder Zhong’s words were exceptionally domineering and, to some extent, also represented the attitude of Qiyun Sect towards the Royal Family of the Black Water Kingdom.

Above the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon, the atmosphere instantly turned oppressive.

Perhaps feeling that he had scared his three disciples with his words, Elder Zhong spoke after a while, "Of course, the treasures of the Ancient Battlefield aren’t limited to the War Soul Blood Flag.

The Ancient Battlefield is said to be the site of bloody battles by the armies under the Ancient Demon God, leaving behind many relics. When it opens every five years, disciples from major sects of the Four Countries vie fiercely for a spot, even coming to blows over it!"

"Right, the reason Meng Chuan could single-handedly hold off the large army of the Southern Barbarian Tribe overnight at the peak of the Spirit Summoning Realm, slaying dozens of Spirit Practitioners and Spirit Masters, was also because he greatly benefited from the Ancient Battlefield!" Elder Zhong explained.

At this, Ye Zhen and the other two’s eyes immediately lit up.

"What benefit did Senior Brother Meng Chuan gain from the Ancient Battlefield that enabled him to take down dozens of Spirit Practitioners and Spirit Masters with his own strength?" Han Shi pressed.

"I don’t know! But, every warrior who comes back alive from the Ancient Battlefield has their strength increased, more or less!"

"Do you know about Liao Feibai? Five years ago, when Liao Feibai came back from the Ancient Battlefield, he established his reputation as the Demon-faced Rakshasa, and that strength..."

All were further amazed!

But Ye Zhen was different; Elder Zhong might not know the benefits Meng Chuan got, but he did.

Just thinking about this made Ye Zhen’s heart pound.

Meng Chuan had actually obtained a Vein Forging Divine Ability in the Ancient Battlefield, so what could Ye Zhen gain?

In an instant, Ye Zhen’s expression became one of great anticipation!

After the secrets of the Five Countries Conference were discussed, everyone was tired of listening and quietly sat in meditation on the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon.

The Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon flew extremely high, practically weaving through the clouds.

Boom!

A sudden clap of thunder came roaring from ahead, and in the moment of startle, Ye Zhen saw rolling black clouds and densely packed thunder clouds before him, his eyes shining brightly.

The Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon entered a region filled with turbulent black clouds and raging winds.

Seeing the gale winds and black clouds up close for the first time, Ye Zhen found it to be an extremely rare opportunity. With a calm mind and focused intention, amidst the howling winds, he immediately commenced his comprehension of the vague artistic conception of the Eight Directions Wind Cloud Fall of the Wind Cloud Sword Technique.

With thunder rolling overhead and endless black clouds, occasionally lit up by flashes of lightning in such terrible weather, even the Upper-grade Earth Level Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon had to slow its flying speed, inadvertently aiding Ye Zhen in his comprehension.

The black clouds were torn and collided in the gales, occasionally producing rumbling thunder. Bolts of lightning struck towards everyone on the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon, all of which were blocked by Elder Zhong.

Boom boom boom!

Six or seven black clouds collided fiercely, and at the moment the rumble sounded, a dazzling bolt of lightning struck down towards the ground below.

To Ye Zhen, who was peacefully focusing, this was an entirely different scene; through his eyes, the bolt striking down was like the Sword Light of the Eight Directions Wind Cloud Fall from the Wind Cloud Sword Technique!

Boom!

The true essence of the fourth move of the Wind Cloud Sword Technique, the Eight Directions Wind Cloud Fall, was cleanly depicted by the scene before him.

An overwhelming and inexplicable aura, akin to a sudden peal of thunder, began to gather around Ye Zhen, growing stronger and stronger, even causing the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon beneath everyone’s feet to cry out in restlessness.

"Senior Brother Ye is..."

"Enlightenment, don’t disturb him!" Elder Zhong stopped the others as he cast spells to soothe the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon, slowing it down again to assist Ye Zhen in his contemplation.

However, the Cloud Winged Tiger Cub next to Ye Zhen seemed unaffected.

The huge difference between a Spirit Beast blood sacrificed and a powerful warrior with a Divine Soul controlling a Spirit Beast with the Beast Taming Skill was starkly evident at this moment.

Cloud Qi began to gather above Ye Zhen’s head, his powerful aura even directly drawing in several black clouds!

Just as everyone was focusing their energy and spirit, Ye Zhen suddenly leaped from the Black Cloud Wind-breaking Falcon!

Whoosh!

The Sky Crystal Sword unsheathed, and the Eight Directions Wind Cloud Fall from the Wind Cloud Sword Technique was executed.

The moment the sword was drawn, whether it was Elder Zhong, Gao Xinglie, or Han Shi, their faces all changed drastically!

The Sword Momentum generated by Ye Zhen instantly formed several Sword Clouds in the high sky. The Sword Clouds, as if torn by some force, collided fiercely, and at the moment of collision, Ye Zhen slashed downward with his sword!

Boom boom boom!

Eight Directions Wind Cloud Fall, thunder rolled loudly!

Within the descending Sword Light, a bolt of lightning emerged from the Sword Clouds, mingling with the Sword Light, and thunderously cleaved downward like rolling thunder, splitting the sky and illuminating the gloomy heavens!

"What kind of artistic conception is this, to be so terrifying!" Han Shi and Gao Xinglie shouted in unison!

However, Seventh Elder Zhongli Jing seemed to have realized something, his face changed dramatically, and he suddenly roared, "Ye Zhen, quickly retract your sword!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a vote for recommendation, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)