On this day, countless cultivators flooded the depths of White Emperor City, eager to witness the final battles of the Earth Battle Grand Assembly. Yet, the usual excitement was subdued. The memory of the champion's one-against-ten clash lingered, a spectacle so grand that future tournaments might pale in comparison.
The name Wen Lang had become a legend among the youth. Many swapped their weapons for heavy swords, dreaming of emulating his heroic, indomitable presence.
"I heard Wen Lang vanished. No one knows what happened," a spectator whispered.
"My elder said a Body Unity powerhouse took him, and even His Majesty was powerless," another replied.
"That serious? He might not claim the championship honorably now," a third sighed.
"Such a pity. The champion's rewards are incredible—access to the Scenic Land for cultivation and a Spirit-Grade Martial Technique from the Imperial Dynasty," another added.
The crowd buzzed with regret for the ill-fated champion.
At the tournament's sandy arena, a fortified square battle platform stood, reinforced by arrays at each corner.
Bai Lie and his nine peers stood on opposite sides, their wounds mostly healed after a month's recovery. Their expressions varied starkly.
Bai Lie and Bai Yang smirked smugly, thrilled by Wen Lang's absence. Today's stage was theirs to reclaim the imperial family's honor.
Yu Chen's face was grim, torn between facing two imperial princes. Winning would complicate matters, but losing grated on his pride.
Qi Ming and the others appeared indifferent, ready to concede. Reaching this stage already earned them rich rewards; they sought no more.
Only Da Ling burned with battle intent, the Great Earth Tribe refusing to yield easily.
On the high platform, Emperor Bai Sa sat with the dynasty's elites: the Seven Bai Sa Elders, Duke Bai Zhi, Princess Bai Lian Hua, and Crown Prince Bai Tian.
Wen Lang's month-long disappearance darkened their moods. It felt as if Desert Fury and Sky Rupture were slipping further from their grasp.
Recalling those techniques' devastating power, Bai Sa's eyes glinted with rare regret. Someone had likely stolen their prize.
But their expressions froze as they looked in one direction.
A young man with unremarkable features, a heavy sword strapped to his back, strolled in casually. He found a tall rock, sat cross-legged, and eyed Bai Lie's group with eager anticipation, as if urging them to fight quickly.
His arrival ignited the lackluster atmosphere, erupting into cheers.
"Heavens, it's Wen Lang!"
"Wasn't he missing? What's with the pig-stirring act?"
"He looks cheerful, not like someone just kidnapped!"
"The champion's back!"
Bai Sa and the elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with question marks. They'd scoured the dynasty without a trace of him, yet here he was, slapping their faces with his sudden return.
No one showed anger, though—only covert joy. Wen Lang's presence meant a chance to seize Desert Fury and Sky Rupture.
"Act now!" Bai Zhi sent telepathically, sneering.
"No rush. In broad daylight, how can we touch him?" the elders countered, unwilling to tarnish the Bai Sa Dynasty's reputation.
"Then when?" Bai Zhi growled, seething. Bai Chun still hadn't left her bed, and he burned for revenge against Lan An.
"When he enters the Scenic Land, he's ours to mold," Bai Sa replied coldly.
The Great Elder, noticing their odd behavior, frowned, his sharp mind sensing a plot.
Bai Lian Hua's gaze fixed on Bai Sa, her heart sinking at the greed in her father's eyes as he looked at Lan An. Her mother's words were true—they coveted his techniques.
"Wen Lang, who kidnapped you? Speak, and I'll bring them to justice!" Bai Sa stood, addressing Lan An sternly.
The crowd nodded. Though Wen Lang was safe, the kidnapper's crime couldn't be ignored.
But Wen Lang's face twisted in distress. "She was a Body Unity Stage powerhouse. How could I know her identity?"
"A woman? The kidnapper was a woman?" Bai Sa's face stiffened. "What did she want with you?"
Tears welled in Wen Lang's eyes, his head shaking like a wronged bride, evoking pity.
The crowd's curiosity surged. What horror could reduce the great Wen Lang to such "fear"?
"Speak without fear. The Bai Sa Dynasty will find her and deliver justice!" Bai Zhi declared boldly.
Spectators scoffed inwardly. Everyone knew Bai Zhi's grudge against Wen Lang. His sudden righteousness reeked of ulterior motives.
Wen Lang hugged his knees, shaking his head, refusing to recount his "tragic" tale.
Bai Sa's lips twitched, his tone hardening. "Wen Lang, confess the truth for our investigation, or you'll be charged with shielding a criminal. Your championship could be revoked. Think carefully."
The crowd agreed. The dynasty's laws were clear: shielding a culprit was a grave offense.
Wen Lang's eyes flashed with conflict before he mumbled, "She… she took me to…"
Thousands leaned in, itching with curiosity, frustrated by his soft voice.
Tears streamed down as he mustered courage and blurted, "She… she violated me!"
"Pfft!" A burly man spat, flipping Wen Lang the middle finger.
The crowd gaped, dumbfounded. A Body Unity woman kidnapped him to violate him? Who'd believe that?
Yu Chen and the others nearly choked. This was their stage, yet Wen Lang stole the spotlight again.
Bai Sa and his men's faces darkened. Was this kid mocking them? Yet his expression seemed genuine.
Bai Lian Hua's face flushed, itching to bite him for slandering her mother.
Hidden in the spatial folds, Hua Qing Zhu's face burned with love and hate, glaring at her shameless man. He'd gotten the better end and still boasted.
"Kid, cooperate honestly!" Bai Zhi snapped, envious. Violated by a Body Unity woman? Why not him?
The Great Elder chuckled wryly. This kid was too much.
Seeing their disbelief, Lan An shouted, "It's true! I'm handsome and a peerless genius. It's normal for her to lust after me!"
Some bold women nodded, wishing they had the power to snatch any man they fancied.
Bai Sa's lips twitched. "Assuming you're truthful, what else did she do besides… that?"
"She used me three times a day for a month, leaving me no peace. What energy did I have for anything else?" Wen Lang covered his face, as if his purity was gone.
The men exchanged glances, jealous. Violated by a Body Unity woman for a month? They wanted a taste.
Envious eyes locked onto him.
Before Bai Sa could press further, the Second Elder tugged his sleeve, whispering telepathically, "True or not, once he's in the Scenic Land, he's ours."
Bai Sa's eyes lit up. Nodding, he announced the start of the Earth Battle Grand Assembly's second round.
The crowd shifted focus to the platform, setting Wen Lang's tale aside.
Bai Lie and his peers sighed in relief, regaining some presence.
Ice Heaven Continent – Yan Clan
The atmosphere crackled with tension.
A stunning, mature woman stood proudly, her curvaceous figure veiled by a golden crow robe. Her phoenix-like eyes and fiery red lips exuded unmatched allure.
Opposite her, nine elders—men and women—unleashed their auras. Leading them was a middle-aged man, his Void Refinement Perfect Stage presence shaking the heavens.
Yan Yue Qi's face darkened as she faced these familiar elders, who'd watched her grow. Now, they glared with hostility, ready to strike.
Betrayal stung her heart. Though her nature dismissed such sentiments, the pain of kin turning against her was undeniable.
"What's this? Gathering before me with such intent?" Her commanding aura, ingrained as the Yan Clan's matriarch, silenced many elders, who avoided her gaze.
"Simple. The Yan Clan reveres strength. I've broken through to Void Refinement Perfect Stage and deem myself fit to lead," the lead man, Yan Wu Chen, said calmly, as if it were natural.
Freshly rejuvenated, his youthful vigor restored, he brimmed with confidence.
"Oh? Your breakthrough is a clan joy, worthy of celebration. Why rush to claim my seat?" Yan Yue Qi smirked, her tone laced with meaning.
"I'll celebrate after taking the matriarch's throne," Yan Wu Chen replied coolly.
"Even at Void Refinement Perfect Stage, do you think you can defeat me?" Yan Yue Qi asked, lightning flashing in her eyes.
Yan Wu Chen, prepared, responded, "I know you're a Golden List genius, capable of fighting above your level. But strength alone isn't enough. A matriarch needs the elders' approval. You've neglected the clan, letting it decline. Do you feel no shame?"
The elders nodded silently, agreeing with him.
"Haha!" Yan Yue Qi laughed coldly, her voice sharp. "Neglected the clan? I've guarded it, ensuring no force dares challenge us. Without me, could you have safely secluded to break through, Yan Wu Chen?"
He fell silent, stumped.
The Second Elder stepped forward, speaking softly, "Yue Qi, I'm old as your grandfather, so I'll speak fairly. Your reputation deters enemies, but that's not enough. A matriarch prioritizes the clan's interests. Our territory needs reform—strength should rule. Why treat weaker forces as equals?"
The Yan Clan's equality policy, set by Yan Yue Qi, had long irked them. They believed the clan should dominate, with lesser forces submitting resources to fuel their growth.
"I spit on that!" Yan Yue Qi snapped. "You cowardly old fools! If you're brave, wage war on stronger powers and seize their resources. I'd support you fully. But bullying the weak for gain? That defies our ancestors' teachings!"
"Why risk fighting mighty foes when we can safely harvest from weaker ones?" Yan Wu Chen retorted boldly.
Yan Yue Qi took a deep breath, suppressing her rage. Scanning their faces, she asked coldly, "Who agrees with Yan Wu Chen?"
The elders exchanged glances, then raised their hands resolutely.
"Good, good, good!" Yan Yue Qi sneered, disillusionment settling in.
These once-heroic elders, softened by years of comfort, had lost their warrior's spirit. They sought to exploit the weak for unearned gains.
If the Yan Clan was filled with such people, its decline was near. A clan without ambition deserved to fade.
Her attachment to the clan waned. Her parents were long gone, her daughters thrived with Lan An, chasing their dreams. She should join them wholeheartedly.
Her heart lightened. Nodding, she declared, "Fine. Let the Yan Clan fend for itself. My daughters and I sever all ties with you!"
Before the elders could react, she turned to leave.
"No!" a desperate cry rang out.
Yan Ri and Yan Yang approached, their faces twisted with greed and lust.