The Immortal Martial God of the Apocalypse: The Immortal Martial God of the Apocalypse, #5

By Fuge Luan Shi

In the city of Sishui, the young Ye Ling from the Lin family steps onto the talent detection ritual platform amidst ridicule and insults. The legitimate heir of the Lin family, Lin Yu, shows astonishing talents, while Ye Ling appears dim and lackluster. Despite his seemingly unruly demeanor, Ye Ling's eyes reveal deep solitude. Just as everyone mocks him for not even being a low-level genius, Ye Ling faces the shattered crystal, and the hidden truth is about to be unveiled.

After fifteen years of cycles and humiliation, the young man emerges from the bloodshed in the backyard of the Lin family, reborn from destruction. With a mysterious physique and extraordinary mental strength, he rises from the desolate land.

What is a genius? I, Ye Ling, am the genius!
 

 

---

 

 Within the Youmen Mansion Star Domain, on every Second Level Source Star, there is a place called the Youmen Tower. 

 This is a dedicated place for the Youmen Guard to receive and accept missions, directly under the jurisdiction of the Youmen Mansion Star. It records all the mission information within the entire Youmen Mansion Star Domain.

 Leaving Wangshan City, Ye Ling flew on his sword to the largest city in the entire Beichuan Star, North River City, and found the Youmen Tower there. Sword in hand, he entered.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: He Qiao Qiao
• Release date: May 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224665242

Book preview

Chapter 397: Youmen Mansion Task

Within the Youmen Mansion Star Domain, on every Second Level Source Star, there is a place called the Youmen Tower.

This is a dedicated place for the Youmen Guard to receive and accept missions, directly under the jurisdiction of the Youmen Mansion Star. It records all the mission information within the entire Youmen Mansion Star Domain.

Leaving Wangshan City, Ye Ling flew on his sword to the largest city in the entire Beichuan Star, North River City, and found the Youmen Tower there. Sword in hand, he entered.

The Youmen Tower has six floors, with each floor corresponding to the level of the missions, from one-star being the easiest. Ye Ling did not go upstairs, but went to the counter on the first floor.

Your identity. The woman in yellow robes at the counter said, eyeing Ye Ling. In front of her was a pearl the size of a fist, with countless words flowing within it, seemingly recording something.

Ye Ling, disciple of the South Palace. Ye Ling replied. The woman in yellow robes paused, then looked up at Ye Ling again, before turning her gaze to the pearl. Her hands moved across the pearl, as if searching for something. After about half a minute, she looked at Ye Ling, her expression changing.

You are the Fifth Palace Lord of the South Palace? She said in a low voice, but it still caught the attention of the people around, who all turned to look at Ye Ling, their expressions tightening before shaking their heads.

‘Palace Lord’ was a title only the personal disciples of the Palace Masters could have. Even the Palace Lords of the East, West, and North Palaces were respected, but the South Palace’s Palace Lords were only met with shakes of the head.

The South Palace had fallen to the extreme in the eyes of the world, and the whereabouts of its Palace Master were unknown. The only reason the South Palace still existed was because of a woman, Han Shanyue.

Han Shanyue was a true demonic existence, even the Palace Masters of the Three Palaces were unwilling to provoke her lightly.

Facing the strange gazes of the surrounding group, Ye Ling remained calm and indifferent. He looked at the woman at the counter, nodding, and she snapped out of her daze.

Fifth Palace Lord Ye Ling, do you wish to publish a mission or accept one? She continued.

Accept a mission. Ye Ling replied.

Very well, Lord Ye Ling, please wait a moment. She said, her fingers sliding across the pearl, then handing it to Ye Ling.

Immerse your spiritual sense into the Youmen Pearl, and you will be able to see all the one-star missions in the entire Youmen Mansion Star Domain. You can then choose the one you wish to accept.

Ye Ling nodded and took the Youmen Pearl, immersing his spiritual sense into it and seeing a series of missions.

Eliminate the Star Thief on Qilian Star, one-star mission.

Find the tomb of the Emperor of the Abyss Sea, one-star mission.

Chase and capture the renegade Zhu Sheng from Ling Star, requirement to bring back his severed head, one-star mission.

...

Countless missions, like an endless sea of mist. This was the entirety of the one-star missions in the Youmen Mansion Star Domain.

After searching for a moment, Ye Ling found the mission he was looking for.

Kill the renegade Jiang Qing from the Beichuan Star East Palace, requirement to bring back her corpse, one-star mission.

As expected, Jiang Qing had also been added to the one-star mission list of the Youmen Tower. The Seventh Palace Lord of the East Palace had turned the pursuit of Jiang Qing into a mission, and with it entered the Youmen Tower, her information now exposed to all the Youmen Guards in the Youmen Mansion Star Domain, making her the target of endless pursuit.

Jiang Qing, a woman from the Windfall Star, at the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial, skilled in a wind-attribute whip technique...

All the information about Jiang Qing, including her appearance, was recorded in the mission details. With this, it would be difficult for Jiang Qing to survive. Seeing this, Ye Ling’s expression tightened, a hint of coldness emerging.

How many people have accepted this mission? Ye Ling asked the woman at the counter, his gaze causing her to shudder. She took the Youmen Pearl from Ye Ling’s hand, looked at it for a moment, then back at Ye Ling.

A total of one thousand three hundred and twenty-seven people have accepted this mission, including you, that makes one thousand three hundred and twenty-eight.

She said, and Ye Ling’s heart sank. After a moment of thought, he looked at her with a focused gaze.

How can this mission be revoked?

Revoked? The woman was taken aback, shaking her head.

Unless the person who issued the mission actively revokes it, this mission will continue until it is completed.

She said, and Ye Ling, looking at her, nodded and accepted the mission, then left.

A group of people watched Ye Ling’s retreating back, their expressions tightening as they gathered around the counter, inquiring about the mission he had accepted.

Although he is from the South Palace, he is at least a Palace Lord. For him to accept such a mission, and even try to revoke it, could it be that he knows this woman named Jiang Qing?

It’s rare to see someone from the South Palace at the Youmen Tower, let alone accepting a mission.

I heard that the Youmen Guard competition in Wangshan City even had someone from the South Palace participating. It seems the South Palace people can no longer bear their isolation, but with the South Palace’s strength, competing with our Three Palaces is too difficult.

The group continued discussing, their words reaching Ye Ling’s ears. Ye Ling remained calm and indifferent, then took a step, crossing the sky and flying back towards Wangshan City, where the Youmen Guard competition should still be ongoing.

As for the rules of the Youmen Guard competition, he did not care. It was impossible for him to go there and compete one by one. Meng Jiang had told him to make the South Palace proud, so he could not be too low-key.

He had killed Kong Quan and provoked the East Palace’s Grand Elder, and now Jiang Qing was being pursued by the Seventh Palace Lord of the East Palace. It seemed the East Palace was now entangled with him. The Youmen Guard competition could be considered a way to collect some interest.

He went there only to kill. If he wanted the world to remember him and the South Palace, he could only do it through slaughter.

Behind him, he had the South Palace, the countless strong cultivators of Zhongnan Mountain, and his Third Martial Sister. Even if the sky fell, they would be there to support him. As long as he remained in the Beichuan Star, no one could kill him.

In Zhongnan Mountain, Meng Jiang went to the Sword Valley, and the group of sword cultivators there all bowed to him.

Fellow disciples, Ye Ling has gone to participate in the Youmen Guard competition. There may be people from the Three Palaces trying to harm him. If they dare to oppress our South Palace disciple, who is willing to leave Zhongnan Mountain to protect him?

Meng Jiang said, and the people in the Sword Valley all stepped forward, their actions speaking volumes. Meng Jiang looked at this scene and smiled faintly, shaking his head.

Just a bunch of trash, we don’t need this many people. A few will suffice.

Meng Jiang said, selecting five Emperors. The five Emperors looked at him, and one had a trace of worry on his face.

Fourth Palace Lord, the Third Palace Lord does not allow us to cause trouble. If we leave Zhongnan Mountain...

Don’t worry, the Third Martial Sister is not in Zhongnan Mountain right now, and I am the highest. If the Third Martial Sister blames anyone later, I’ll take it all. Ye Ling is the Fifth Palace Lord of our South Palace. How can he be bullied by those people?

Meng Jiang said, and the five Emperors nodded, giving him a slight bow before flying towards Wangshan City on their swords. Meng Jiang watched their retreating backs, a smile on his face.

Chapter 398: Entering the Battlefield

From Wangshan City to North River City, and back to Wangshan City, a round trip took a day. The Youmen Guard competition had been underway for quite some time, with tens of thousands of guards now reduced to just over a thousand.

At the heart of Wangshan City, on a battlefield extending for dozens of miles, spears pierced through the air and swords crisscrossed in fierce combat between two individuals. The area around the battlefield was crowded with countless spectators shouting, cursing, or laughing, creating a lively scene.

Outside Wangshan City, a solitary figure, carrying a sword on his back, slowly approached. Passing through the city gates into Wangshan City, it was Ye Ling.

The streets were deserted, in disarray, as everyone had gone to watch the Youmen Guard competition. Only Ye Ling walked alone, his presence somewhat conspicuous, yet unnoticed by anyone.

As he moved closer to the battlefield, the crowd grew denser. People filled the streets, rooftops, and even the air. Upon seeing Ye Ling, they involuntarily made way for him.

Why they did so, they couldn’t say. Just by looking at Ye Ling, a shiver ran down their spines. Although he did not exude any aura, there was something about him that made them feel as if a sword was hanging over their heads.

Who is he?

Someone asked, but no one could answer. No one here recognized this young man.

Sixth Layer of Dao Martial, how can he have such a terrifying aura? It even makes me feel a sense of palpitations.

A group of people surrounded a young man who was looking at Ye Ling with a serious expression, saying this. Everyone around was surprised.

This young man was also a participant in the Youmen Guard competition, at the Seventh Layer of Dao Martial. He was only eliminated because he encountered Wu Qiuyu from the North Palace, but many still remembered him.

The Youmen Guard competition has been going on for so long; he must not be here to participate.

We have people from the Third Palace here, but no one recognizes him. Could it be he is not a Youmen Guard?

If he’s not a Youmen Guard, then he must be from Beichuan Star. Recently, there was someone on Beichuan Star named Ye Ling, also at the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial, capable of defeating opponents at the Dao Martial Peak despite his level. Could it be him?

...

The people around were all focused on Ye Ling, their expressions grave as they speculated about him.

Those who had been in the same assessment star as Ye Ling had almost all been eliminated when they encountered him. And those who had heard of Ye Ling only knew of his existence, but had never truly seen him.

On Beichuan Star, aside from the people of Zhongnan Mountain and the group from Windfall Star, no one else recognized Ye Ling.

A Sixth Layer of Dao Martial cultivator capable of defeating opponents at the Dao Martial Peak was considered a prodigy. No one would associate him with the South Palace, as the South Palace was seen as having declined to the extreme. Who would willingly join the South Palace with such a talent?

The crowd parted ways as Ye Ling approached the battlefield. Ye Ling’s expression remained calm as he walked towards the front of the battlefield. Finally, someone stepped forward to block his path.

Ye Ling, you are being too arrogant. This is the Youmen Guard competition. You are not a Youmen Guard, so what right do you have to be here?

Three people, their expressions grave, looked at Ye Ling and spoke. Ye Ling’s steps did not falter as he glanced at the three, continuing to walk towards them. The three tensed and took a step back.

Stop!

The three commanded, but Ye Ling did not stop. Their expressions changed, and their auras surged, tearing the void around them. The three were also at the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial, on par with Ye Ling.

Although your talent is remarkable, Beichuan Star is under the control of our Youmen Third Palace. You cannot act so recklessly. Fellow disciples, let’s subdue him...

The words were abruptly cut off as a sword beam slashed through the three, causing droplets of blood to spill. Ye Ling had already walked past them. The three turned their heads, trembling, to see Ye Ling’s retreating back as their bodies split in two.

They’re dead!

The surrounding people were all shocked. There were rules in the Youmen Army that Youmen Guards were not allowed to kill each other, and although not many cared about this rule, they did not dare to blatantly kill someone in front of so many Youmen Guards.

Moreover, Ye Ling was not a Youmen Guard, so this was a different matter altogether. For someone to kill a Youmen Guard in front of so many of them was too outrageous.

Outrageous!

Someone shouted, their expression filled with anger, looking at Ye Ling. The surrounding people shared the same sentiment, but no one dared to make a move.

They were waiting for the powerful figures from the Third Palace to come and kill Ye Ling, but after a long wait, nothing happened. The strong ones from the Third Palace seemed to have disappeared, ignoring Ye Ling.

Boom!

On the battlefield, a loud rumble was heard as a person was sent flying dozens of miles away, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He then stopped and looked towards the other side of the battlefield, his expression grave as he slightly bowed.

As expected, you are truly the top genius from the last Youmen assessment of the East Palace. I concede defeat.

He said, then walked off the battlefield, thus being eliminated. All eyes turned to the person on the other side of the battlefield, this so-called top genius from the last Youmen assessment of the East Palace.

On the battlefield, a young man in purple robes stood aloft, holding a spear and surveying the surroundings with an air of arrogance. This was Yi Tian, the top genius from the last Youmen assessment of the East Palace.

Ye Ling also looked at this person, his gaze slightly narrowing before returning to a calm expression.

Yi Tian, at the Eighth Layer of Dao Martial, might be considered a genius in the eyes of the world, but he was far inferior to the people of Sword Valley. If Yi Tian were to enter Sword Valley, he would likely lose to any Eighth Layer Dao Martial cultivator there.

Those who joined the South Palace, even if they were not considered geniuses outside, once they entered Zhongnan Mountain, they would all be true geniuses, far beyond the so-called geniuses of the outside world.

Trash!

A faint utterance fell upon the battlefield, causing all eyes to focus. When they looked back at the battlefield, Yi Tian had disappeared. The crowd shook their heads.

Although Yi Tian is strong, he is too arrogant. He may not go far on the Martial Path.

Someone said, their words calm but with a hint of killing intent. Yi Tian’s arrogance had already offended many, but due to their fear of his status as the East Palace genius, they had suppressed their resentment.

Ye Ling watched this scene with a calm gaze, then turned his attention to the next battle that had begun on the battlefield.

Outside the battlefield, Ye Ling seemed like a mere spectator, remaining silent. The powerful figures from the Third Palace did not come, and the surrounding people did not dare to provoke him, leaving him a space of his own.

The battles continued, with one person after another taking the stage. Ye Ling watched quietly. Just when everyone thought he was only here to observe, he took a step forward and entered the battlefield, shocking everyone.

Chapter 399: Second Brother’s Sword Path

A faint voice echoed across the entire battlefield, reaching the ears of everyone present. All eyes turned to Ye Ling, and the world seemed to fall silent for a moment.

South Palace, Ye Ling!

These four words shocked countless people. The one who had stirred up a storm on Beichuan Star was actually from the South Palace, the only one from the South Palace to participate in the Youmen Guard competition.

Many had speculated about Ye Ling’s identity, but no one had ever thought he would be from the South Palace. How could someone at the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial be able to contend with those at the Dao Martial Peak, and yet be from the South Palace?

After a long silence, a person emerged from the crowd, looking at Ye Ling on the battlefield with a grave expression.

Ye Ling, since you are from the South Palace, you should follow the rules of the Youmen Guard competition. You are late, and your qualification has already been revoked. You have no right to stand on this battlefield.

His words caused everyone to turn their attention to Ye Ling.

Ye Ling stood aloft on the battlefield, holding a sword and looking at the speaker, a faint smile on his lips.

Is that so?

With a casual remark, he swung his sword, slashing across the battlefield. The speaker was startled and hastily retreated, but still had his arm severed. Seeing Ye Ling, his expression turned ugly.

Ye Ling, you are too arrogant. This is the Youmen Guard competition, in Wangshan City, not your South Palace. The South Palace is barely able to protect itself. Do you think the South Palace can protect you?

He said, looking at Ye Ling as his severed arm regenerated. There was a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes.

The South Palace, a reclusive sect that has existed for thousands of years, should have disappeared long ago. The Youmen Guard competition is not something the people of the South Palace can participate in. East Palace disciples, follow me and let’s kill him.

He stepped onto the battlefield, and dozens of people followed behind him, intending to surround and kill Ye Ling. Many in the audience were shocked by this sight.

Ye Ling’s ability to represent the South Palace in Wangshan City meant he held a significant position within the South Palace. The person conversing with Ye Ling was also a talented figure from the East Palace, with connections to an East Palace disciple. This battle was not something they could interfere with or prevent.

Even if the South Palace had declined, it was still not something they could easily provoke.

Ye Ling looked at the dozens of people entering the battlefield, his smile only deepening.

East Palace disciples.

His faint words were not understood by anyone, but the next moment, a sword beam descended from the sky, slashing towards the dozens of people. Everyone watching was shocked.

He actually wants to fight the dozens of East Palace disciples single-handedly? These dozens are not weak, they are all East Palace elites, with several at the Eighth Layer of Dao Martial. He is being too presumptuous.

If he didn’t make the first move, the East Palace disciples would never dare to attack him. Although the South Palace has declined, they have an extremely protective figure, Han Shanyue. With her around, no one dares to make a move against the South Palace’s people. But he has taken the initiative, so now no one can protect him.

The crowd discussed, mentioning Han Shanyue with grave expressions. They did not fear the South Palace, but they feared Han Shanyue, the so-called Third Palace disciple, a terrifying existence.

Fool!

The East Palace disciples broke into smiles, their killing intent intensifying as they surrounded Ye Ling.

Shhh!

The sword was like the moon, with an unyielding, desperate momentum, slashing towards an East Palace disciple. The disciple’s expression changed drastically as he tried to retreat, but it was too late. The sword had already reached him, and he had no choice but to meet it head-on.

Blood sprayed across the sky, and with a single sword strike, an East Palace disciple was killed without the slightest resistance.

Insolent!

The others’ expressions hardened as dozens of attacks tore through the void, intending to rip Ye Ling apart.

Facing the surrounding attacks, Ye Ling’s face showed no fear. He looked in a certain direction and smiled, shocking everyone. In the next moment, they were all stunned.

Ye Ling did not defend, but instead raised his sword, unleashing a terrifying sword aura filled with an endless offensive intent, surging towards a specific direction.

Madman!

Too reckless, abandoning all defense and only attacking. Is he trying to take them all down with him?

The crowd said, stunned by Ye Ling’s actions. In their eyes, Ye Ling’s decision to forgo defense and solely seek offense was akin to seeking his own death, accelerating his demise.

Shhh!

Wielding his sword, Ye Ling became one with the blade, surging towards a void space where several East Palace disciples stood. Everything else seemed to have disappeared from his vision, and the terrifying sword intent of Sword Valley on Zhongnan Mountain began to emerge in his eyes.

This was the sword intent of the Second Brother, with no defense, only offense. If a single sword strike could slay someone, what need was there for defense?

The sword and Ye Ling became one, slashing through the void and soaring towards the sky, splitting it in two. Blood dyed the heavens, and countless people fell silent.

A single sword strike, and dozens of people were killed. He had truly slashed through the sky, carving out a path to survival amidst the surrounding attacks.

What kind of Sword Path is this? someone said, trembling, as the surrounding crowd paled.

Among those dozen or so people, there should have been at least one at the Eighth Layer of Dao Martial, yet he is only at the Sixth Layer. How is this possible?

A demonic prodigy, a true genius!

He is beyond even the Third Palace disciple. Is he truly from the South Palace?

This single sword strike had left a profound impression on countless people, etching Ye Ling’s name into their minds. If he did not die, he would undoubtedly become a terrifying existence in the future.

Kill him!

The East Palace disciples, momentarily stunned, now charged towards Ye Ling once more.

Ye Ling held his sword and met them head-on, still without any defense, only offense. His dao intent, his will, everything was focused solely on attack. To survive, he had to slay them all, and if he could not, he would die.

Such a Sword Path was the actions of a true madman, and the one who created this path must also be a madman.

The sword slashed across the sky, and with each strike, someone fell. Blood covered the heavens, belonging to both Ye Ling and the East Palace disciples. The East Palace disciples had lost half their number, while Ye Ling, covered in blood, still stood strong, his aura only growing more powerful.

This was an offensive, killing, and battle-oriented Sword Path. The more he fought, the stronger he became.

Finally, when only a dozen or so East Palace disciples remained, one of them fled, and the rest followed suit. They no longer dared to continue fighting, for they had been terrified by Ye Ling.

This was the work of a madman. If they continued to fight, even if they could somehow kill him, they would all perish. More importantly, they had lost all confidence in their ability to slay Ye Ling.

Chapter 400: The Reappearance of the Burial Sword Technique

Dozens of people, all formidable, had surrounded and attacked Ye Ling, yet he had broken through their assault with a single sword strike, slaying the majority of them. Though covered in blood, his aura had not diminished in the slightest. How could they possibly defeat such a person?

The dozen or so remaining disciples, covered in blood, fled the battlefield, disappearing into the distance in the blink of an eye. Countless onlookers watched this scene, their expressions shaken as they turned their gaze to Ye Ling on the battlefield.

Ye Ling had won, defeating dozens of East Palace Youmen Guards without being killed, despite being only at the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial. What a terrifying combat prowess!

On the battlefield, Ye Ling stood with his sword, his white clothes stained with blood, his expression calm as he surveyed the crowd. A single glance from him caused everyone to feel a chill in their hearts.

Ye Ling, from the South Palace, challenges all disciples of the Third Palace. Those who wish to accept the challenge, step onto the battlefield.

His faint voice echoed through the heavens, and countless people stared at Ye Ling on the battlefield, yet no one dared to step forward. The world fell into a brief silence.

After a long while, a light laugh rang out from the sky above. Everyone looked up to see a black-robed young man standing on a pavilion, smiling at Ye Ling.

Ye Ling, I’ve heard of you, a swordsman who has defeated countless powerful figures on Beichuan Star. I’ve been following your trail, but I never expected you to be from the South Palace. What a pity.

He took a step, and the world seemed to darken for a moment, as if his step had cast a shadow over the heavens and earth.

If you weren’t from the South Palace, perhaps we could have become friends and you could have joined the West Palace. But since you are from the South Palace, we can only be enemies.

He spoke, his killing intent towards Ye Ling and the entire South Palace barely concealed. Countless people watched him, their expressions hardening.

Suddenly, a group of people in a certain area knelt down before him, their expressions reverent.

Eleventh Palace Disciple!

The faint voice caused many to tremble. The Eleventh Palace Disciple, a disciple of the West Palace.

The West Palace was said to have only ten Palace Disciples, so when did they have an Eleventh Palace Disciple? Many in the crowd fell into contemplation, and after a moment, their expressions shifted as they recognized the man.

That’s Ji Qiancheng.

A single sentence caused a stir among the crowd, as they immediately understood. Ji Qiancheng, the rumored strongest genius the West Palace had recruited in their latest Youmen Guard assessment, had already been taken in as the personal disciple of the West Palace Master.

During the Youmen Guard competition, Yi Tian and Wu Qiuyu had both made appearances, but Ji Qiancheng was notably absent. It turned out he had been seeking out Ye Ling.

In a few steps, Ji Qiancheng entered the battlefield, and behind him, a dark shadow seemed to cover the heavens. Gazing at Ye Ling, a faint smile played on his lips, and a thread of cold laughter escaped, accompanied by a wisp of killing intent.

He had come to challenge Ye Ling, but also to kill him. For some reason, he had developed a hatred towards the South Palace and Ye Ling.

Ye Ling, you have the potential of a demonic prodigy, and I cannot match you. But why did you join the South Palace? Since you have joined the South Palace, I have no choice but to kill you.

He said, extending his hand. From the void, countless black mists began to converge towards his palm, emanating a deathly aura, as if they were about to turn the entire sky into a realm of death.

Ye Ling looked at him, his gaze hardening, then he smiled, still holding his sword with a calm expression.

Hehe, I’d like to know what the South Palace has done to make you harbor such hatred, that you would come here to kill me. Could it be that the South Palace didn’t want you, and that’s why you’ve come to resent them?

Ye Ling said lightly, a faint smile on his face, causing Ji Qiancheng’s expression to instantly turn cold.

It seems I was right. Ji Qiancheng, you are nothing but a waste that the South Palace didn’t want.

Ye Ling said, gripping his sword, as strands of sword intent began to radiate outwards, tearing the sky apart.

Ji Qiancheng, being the Eleventh Palace Disciple personally taken in by the West Palace Master, was naturally no weakling. At the Eighth Layer of Dao Martial, he was not someone an ordinary Eighth Layer cultivator could compare to.

Ye Ling’s words seemed to have touched upon some forbidden part of Ji Qiancheng’s heart, causing his expression to darken with malice. His palm emanated a deathly stillness, and with a step forward, the void shattered. Flipping his palm, a torrent of black mist poured out, engulfing the sky and descending upon Ye Ling.

Slay!

Ye Ling’s expression hardened, and he swung his sword, slashing through the void and the layers of black mist, only to find himself striking at nothingness. The black mist surged forward, transforming into black chains that bound Ye Ling, enveloping him in a black cocoon.

The battle has ended?

Countless onlookers watched the scene, their expressions filled with trepidation as they turned their gaze to the black cocoon surrounding Ji Qiancheng.

Ye Ling, a prodigy who could fight at the Dao Martial Peak while only at the Sixth Layer, had he really been killed just like that?

The South Palace, a palace that has been in decline for ten thousand years, dares to reject me. Today, by killing you, I will have taken the first debt owed to the South Palace. In the future, I will kill more from the South Palace.

He raised his hand, and the black mist converged, forming a black sword that emanated a chilling aura. With a single sword strike, he brought it down towards the black cocoon, causing everyone to gasp.

In an instant, they saw a sword beam, terrifyingly fast, slashing through the black cocoon and clashing with the black sword. The black sword was instantly annihilated, and the sword beam turned and struck towards Ji Qiancheng.

What?!

On the side of the battlefield, the group from the West Palace were all shaken, and Ji Qiancheng’s expression was one of horror. Faced with that sword strike, he had no desire to resist, only to evade.

Sizzle!

The sword sliced through the sky, as if parting the world. Ji Qiancheng’s legs were both severed, leaving him bleeding profusely, but still alive. He stared at the shattered black cocoon in shock.

The black cocoon gradually dissipated, and strands of sword intent slashed through the void. A figure stepped out, his body covered in wounds, drenched in blood, yet his aura remained unwavering.

He was still alive. The black cocoon had injured him, but it had not killed him. Instead, it had unleashed a terrifying sword strike that nearly killed Ji Qiancheng.

As expected, you are a waste. It seems the South Palace was right not to accept you. You are not worthy of entering the South Palace.

Ye Ling said calmly, sheathing his sword. In an instant, the surrounding void seemed to grow heavy, and Ji Qiancheng’s expression turned fearful as he took a step back. Ye Ling smiled.

You’re afraid.

Ye Ling said, looking at him with a calm expression. His sword was trembling, as if containing a terrifying power. Without even drawing the sword, he had caused the world to fall silent, and Ji Qiancheng’s expression shook as he made a move that no one had expected - he fled.

Just the mere gesture of drawing his sword had frightened him away. The previous sword strike had already shaken his resolve, and he dared not face Ye Ling’s sword again. Ye Ling watched as Ji Qiancheng retreated, sheathing his sword.

Chapter 401: Five Sword Emperors

A trace of blood trickled down the corner of his mouth, accompanied by a faint smile that caused those around to shudder.

Ye Ling was injured, not severely, but not lightly either. It was not due to Ji Qiancheng, but rather that sword technique - the Entombment Sword. By infusing his entire essence, energy, spirit, and Dao intent into the sword, and meditating on the scroll in his memory, he had unleashed a terrifying strike. However, it had injured him before harming his opponent.

To bury others, one must first bury oneself. This was the essence of the Entombment Sword, the sword technique Ye Ling had been cultivating since he could remember.

Three sword strikes, that was Ye Ling’s limit. After the third strike, he would be left without any fighting power. If he forced himself to unleash another sword strike, it would be akin to suicide.

Ji Qiancheng was no weakling, at the Eighth Layer of Dao Martial, having cultivated a peculiar path. Perhaps the South Palace did not accept him not because of a lack of talent, but rather, a deficiency in his mentality.

The South Palace did not only look for talent when recruiting, but also mental fortitude. The Illusion Heart Lake and the South Island were tests, and if one could not pass these two trials, they would never be able to enter Zhongnan Mountain. It seemed Ji Qiancheng had been blocked by these two trials.

Ye Ling was injured, and countless people around the battlefield were intently staring at him, the atmosphere tense, yet no one dared to make a move.

Dozens of Youmen Guards from the East Palace had surrounded and attacked him, but half of them had been killed. The Eleventh Palace Disciple of the West Palace, a peerless genius, had also been defeated. Who else in this Youmen Guard competition could defeat Ye Ling?

Yi Tian?

Yi Tian, though strong, was not even as powerful as Ji Qiancheng, let alone being able to face Ye Ling. Despite the intense battle on the battlefield, he had still not appeared, which could only mean one thing - he was afraid and had avoided the confrontation.

There was also Wu Qiuyu, the Thirteenth Palace Disciple of the North Palace, another genius who might even be stronger than Ji Qiancheng. Perhaps she had a chance of defeating Ye Ling, but she too had not shown up.

Outside the battlefield, about a mile away, in a secluded pavilion, a woman in blue stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the battlefield, and on Ye Ling. Her expression hardened, and she fell silent.

Disciple, although this Ye Ling is strong, he is definitely not your match. If you were to take action, you would surely defeat him.

The woman in blue was Wu Qiuyu, the Thirteenth Palace Disciple of the North Palace. Behind her stood a maidservant, who respectfully addressed her. Looking at Ye Ling on the distant battlefield, the maidservant’s expression was one of dissatisfaction.

Wu Qiuyu glanced at her, then turned her gaze back to Ye Ling, shaking her head solemnly.

I have already lost. Even if he and I were of the same cultivation, I would have no chance of defeating him. He is stronger than me, stronger than Ji Qiancheng, stronger than Yi Tian. The South Palace has truly produced an extraordinary individual.

Wu Qiuyu said, taking one last look at Ye Ling before turning and closing the window, leaving the scene.

In another part of the sky, about a mile away from the battlefield, Yi Tian stood surrounded by a group of people from the East Palace. They all looked at Ye Ling with grave expressions, their eyes filled with killing intent.

This person has killed so many of our East Palace, he cannot be allowed to live, said one person coldly.

The son of the Grand Elder died in the previous Youmen Guard assessment, and it seems he was the one who killed him.

I just investigated, and he and the Grand Elder’s son were in the same assessment star. If someone capable of killing the Grand Elder’s son is among them, he would be one of the suspects. The South Palace people seem to have not submitted to the Grand Elder’s questioning.

The group discussed the death of the Grand Elder’s son, their expressions turning icy. They could not kill Ye Ling themselves, but that did not mean there was no one who could. The culprit who killed the Grand Elder’s son had not been found, and they might be able to help the Grand Elder find this murderer.

The group looked at Ye Ling, their eyes brimming with killing intent, already planning how to kill him by using the Grand Elder’s authority as a pretext, so they could distance themselves from the act.

A figure, clad in white with a bloodstained sword, stood aloft on the battlefield. After a moment, no one dared to step onto the arena. Ye Ling looked at the surrounding people, giving a faint smile as he sheathed his sword.

Without a word, he stepped off the battlefield, heading towards the distant sky. The people in the sky parted to make way for him, watching his retreating figure.

It took a while for the people around the battlefield to regain their senses, all of them stunned. The final victor of the Youmen Guard competition was now clear.

Ye Ling, a person from the South Palace, had come with the cultivation of the Sixth Layer of Dao Martial and a terrifying Sword Path, and had decisively claimed the championship of the Youmen Guard competition. The South Palace, which had been silent for so many years, had produced such a prodigy.

Suddenly, the people realized that they had not seen any strong figures from the East Palace, as if they had all disappeared at some point.

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed, and the earth cracked open, a sword beam slicing through the sky, dividing the heavens. People from the East Palace flew out from the rift, their expressions filled with panic and fear.

It’s the Star Thieves, the Star Thieves have infiltrated Beichuan Star, right in Wangshan City! Quickly, notify the Three Major Palaces!

The powerful experts from the East Palace, at the Dao Martial Peak, were fleeing in terror