Chapter 1495: Vastness

Dawn broke, and Nan Yu was in an uproar, filled with shocked exclamations. The events of the previous night had been too immense—countless Jinwu Clan members were slain, and over a hundred branch halls were wiped out in a single night.

"Is this the big show Ye Chen mentioned?" Xiao Yuan Huang and the others gathered once more, climbing to a high vantage point, their expressions a mix of excitement and amazement. As sworn brothers, they were certain this was Ye Chen's doing.

"What Ye Chen?" Yuan Huang, Kui Niu Huang, and the others were stunned, staring at them in disbelief.

"Dad, that guy Ye Chen is still alive," Xiao Yuan Huang grinned broadly. "Full of life and energy."

"This..." Even the great emperors were taken aback, their eyes wide with incredulity. They had seen it clearly that day—Ye Chen had turned to ashes under the barrage of attacks. Now, hearing that the Holy Body was still alive, even their wisdom was left in a daze.

"We really underestimated him." After a few seconds, the emperors sighed and shook their heads. "Back in the ancient city of Dong Huang, he managed to escape, and tonight, he must have done the same."

"He's played a huge joke on the world again!" Kui Niu Huang clicked his tongue, scratching his head vigorously. "I was heartbroken over his death. What a waste of a fine Archaic Holy Body with such talent and power. Now, I'm seriously doubting life."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Yuan Huang stepped forward and kicked Xiao Yuan Huang, while the other emperors did the same to their own sons, scolding them for hiding things from their fathers. They deserved the kicks.

"Well, you know now, don't you?" Xiao Yuan Huang and his five companions laughed shamelessly. "That day, we sneaked treasures from our families to give to him. He invited us to watch the big show."

"A nine-million Yuan Shi production—truly spectacular." The emperors stroked their chins thoughtfully, wondering how Ye Chen had orchestrated this play. It was a thunderous strike that caught the Jinwu Clan completely off guard, leaving them no time to react or call for reinforcements.

Like them, many other races had gathered on high ground, their expressions grave as they speculated about the perpetrator. Though the damage wasn't as extensive as that from the cultivator armies, the scale was still impressive—raiding all the Jinwu branch halls in a single night required a substantial force.

Races that were enemies of the Jinwu Clan were already itching to join in and strike.

However, their elders held them back. With the Ten Thousand Clans Truce Agreement in place, getting involved could easily spark a war. Besides, the self-sealing great arrays were active, making it unwise to fight.

"Old Ancestor, in your view, which clan could have done this?" On a mountain peak of the Kongque Clan, the Kongque Holy Lord and the elders all turned to Kongque Daming Wang. "Could it be that the Jinwu Clan's enemies are taking revenge before self-sealing? It's not impossible."

"To know who directed this show, we'll just have to wait and see." Kongque Daming Wang smiled, a meaningful glint in his aged eyes, as if he had already guessed most of it.

"Issue orders to all branch halls: Increase security." In the grand hall of the Kunpeng Clan, Kunpeng Huang's ethereal voice echoed. "Send all disciples and elders stationed outside back to the clan immediately. No mistakes."

"Father, you're overreacting." Kunpeng Taizi chuckled lazily, lounging in his chair with a playful smirk. "He's targeting the Jinwu Clan, not us Kunpeng."

"What do you know?" Kunpeng Huang snorted coldly. "The clan is about to self-seal; we can't afford any chaos. And you, stay put in the clan. You've been too bloodthirsty lately and might have made enemies. The Jinwu Clan's bloody lesson is a warning for us."

"Understood." Kunpeng Taizi replied casually, fiddling with the ring on his thumb.

Throughout the land, discussions raged on. In teahouses, taverns, and shops—wherever people gathered—groups chatted excitedly.

"This was a brilliant move. It's about time the Jinwu Clan suffered. They've caused so much bloodshed."

"I can almost picture Jinwu Huang's furious face." A group of old fortune-tellers stroked their beards. "Let me calculate—Jinwu Taizi must have been slapped silly."

"What a grand opening salvo. If they took down the Jinwu Clan's nine main halls too, that would be world-shaking. I'd worship that person as a god and bow to him every day."

In the midst of the chatter, an ethereal voice suddenly rang out, echoing across the heavens, its source unknown and tone cold and desolate.

"Jinwu Clan, if you want your eighth prince back, come to Cangmang Mountain in Nan Yu. No extensions.

And your Jinwu Taizi must be there."

This statement sent the already buzzing world into another frenzy. Everyone who heard it grinned and clicked their tongues.

"Is this outright blackmail? They killed people, raided all the branch halls, and now they're demanding ransom in broad daylight. That guy's got some nerve."

"It's been ages since anyone dared to demand ransom from the Jinwu Clan like this. This is a first."

"Let's go check out Cangmang Mountain." People were already heading to the teleportation arrays in the cities. "I want to see which senior expert it is. I love his bold style."

"Damn it." From the Jinwu Clan, nine figures shot out—each a Great Saint.

Jinwu Taizi's face twisted in rage as he followed, flying out of the immortal mountains. Since he was specifically named, he had to be there. Besides, he was eager to see who this enemy was.

The Jinwu Clan's movements were massive. After Jinwu Taizi, waves of figures poured out—countless experts, or rather, the cultivator army, numbering over a hundred thousand when tallied.

If the Jinwu Clan's old ancestor hadn't been in slumber, he would have come too, likely bringing an imperial weapon.

Cangmang Mountain stood at the heart of Nan Yu, a colossal peak soaring eight thousand zhang high.

In ancient times, the area where Cangmang Mountain now sits was a vast plain. Legend has it that a great emperor meditated there, causing the plain to rise into this towering mountain.

That emperor was Cangmang Great Emperor, one of the 130 emperors of Xuan Huang. No one knows his origins, and the truth of the legend remains unverified, lost to the mists of time.

The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. From above, the land was filled with streams of people converging on Cangmang Mountain like rivers, turning the area into a sea of humanity.

At the summit of Cangmang Mountain, Ye Chen sat cross-legged—it was his true body, not a clone, using a Great Saint-level physique. Unless a Quasi-Emperor struck, no one could kill him instantly.

He had specifically demanded Jinwu Taizi's presence to make his move here and eliminate that scum.

Others might think he was mad, but he had lured them out and wouldn't miss this opportunity. He had full confidence in slaying Jinwu Taizi.

Most importantly, the Jinwu Clan's old ancestor was in slumber, as was their imperial weapon. Without those two, things would be much easier. If all went well, he could succeed.

Figures from all directions had gathered, and the early arrivals couldn't wait to observe Ye Chen, only to be stunned on the spot.

"The true body here for the ransom? Has this guy lost his mind?"

"He must not have done this before. Who shows up in person?"

"No one can see his true appearance or bloodline. Which clan is he from?" Many activated their heavenly eye techniques to probe Ye Chen's secrets, but the Zhou Tian Secret Art concealed everything, leaving his identity unknown.

"The Jinwu Clan is here!" Someone shouted, drawing all eyes to one side. There, clouds churned as if thousands of troops were charging, their murderous aura making the void rumble and shake, startling everyone.

"Damn, it's the cultivator army!" The onlookers quickly retreated, their faces pale with shock. They hadn't expected the Jinwu Clan to bring the army for a ransom exchange—was this turning into a battle?

"That's at least a hundred thousand strong!" People gasped, watching as the Jinwu Clan's cultivator army encircled Cangmang Mountain from all sides. Their momentum and pressure were overwhelming, making the heavens tremble. Those unused to such spectacles turned pale with fear.

"They sure think highly of me." Ye Chen glanced around, a cold smile playing on his lips. Numbers meant little to him; if he wanted to escape, no one could stop him.

As he spoke, Jinwu Huang, the eight Jinwu Great Saints, and Jinwu Taizi ascended to the summit, their footsteps nearly collapsing the mountain. Their golden eyes had turned blood-red.

But when they saw it was Ye Chen's true body, the ten of them narrowed their eyes slightly. They had expected a clone for the exchange, but now they wouldn't have to hunt him down.

"No wonder they're the Jinwu Clan—such a grand display. Oh, and Jinwu Taizi really showed up." Ye Chen chuckled leisurely, eyeing them with interest, completely unfazed.

"Who the hell are you?" Jinwu Huang roared, his primordial spirit sword humming as if ready to strike.

"You'll have to ask your precious Taizi about that." Ye Chen stretched lazily. "Three months ago, he wiped out a Ye family. Unlucky for you, I'm from that Ye family."

"So, there were fish that slipped the net." Jinwu Taizi sneered viciously, grinding his teeth like a demon.

"I'm just lucky to have survived—I was out training and missed the massacre." Ye Chen shrugged, spinning his tale despite having no real connection to that Ye family; it was just a convenient excuse.

"My son killed your clansmen, and now you've slain mine. That should settle it." Jinwu Huang said coldly. "Release our people, and our two sides can live in peace from now on."

"You're making it sound too simple, Jinwu Huang." Ye Chen pulled out a pipe and puffed on it casually, looking like an immortal in the swirling smoke. "There was no grudge between our families to begin with. It was just because of my surname Ye, and because the young master of my Ye family is named Ye Chen, that your Jinwu Taizi wiped us out. What did my Ye family ever do to deserve that?"

"Just because your family has someone named Ye Chen, they deserved to be destroyed." Jinwu Taizi laughed menacingly, baring his sharp white teeth, driven mad at the mention of that name.

"Look at this— they wiped out my whole family and act like they're in the right. Who can I even complain to?" Ye Chen pursed his lips and took another puff, the picture of ease.

"What exactly do you want?" Jinwu Huang shot a glare at Jinwu Taizi before turning back to Ye Chen.

"I already said: Pay up." Ye Chen waved his hand and produced a spirit talisman, releasing a young disciple from within—it was one of the Jinwu Clan's lesser princes. "This is your prince, right? Not too pricey: nine million Yuan Shi. And whatever you do, don't try anything funny. I've linked his life to mine with a secret art. If I fall, so does he."

"Nine million!" Ye Chen's words caused gasps all around—this was an astronomical figure.

"My friend, you're asking for far too much." Jinwu Huang suppressed his raging killing intent, trying to stay calm. They were at a disadvantage and couldn't afford to provoke him.

"Too much? Well, the Jinwu Clan is rich." Ye Chen tapped his pipe against a nearby rock. "Besides, my whole family is gone, so you owe me some compensation for my retirement fund."