Chapter 1998: Brothers Reunited
After 800 years apart, Kong Lanyou had finally met the reborn Zhang Ruochen again, so how could she allow anyone to hurt him again?
Forget mere mortals, even if her foe was a god, she would fight him to the end.
Just like last time, even when she knew Chi Yao had already ascended to godhood, Kong Lanyou still went ahead to look for Chi Yao, just for Zhang Ruochen, in order to seek justice for him.
“Insolence. To think you can destroy all of us with just you alone. I’ll tell you the truth, Shengming City had already fallen, and Zhang Ruochen threw himself right into a trap. I’m afraid he has already been captured at this point. Just wait, you’ll be able to see him soon,” Si Han sneered.
Although his strength was nowhere close to Kong Lanyou, there were many top elites of the Heavenly Realm faction present, so he could speak without fear of repercussions.
Hearing that, Kong Lanyou’s expression changed again as the cold glint in her eyes grew even brighter. She knew very well how important Shengming City was in Zhang Ruochen’s heart. If the Heavenly Realm faction had set up a trap in Shengming City, there was no way for Zhang Ruochen to avoid it.
“For you to dare act against my junior brother, who gave you the balls to do that?”
At this moment, an explosive, fiery voice thundered.
As the voice boomed, several figures flew from deep inside the Peacock Manor and came to Kong Lanyou’s side.
The person who spoke earlier was a very strongly-built man with nebula clouds floating around his body. There was a vertical eye on his forehead that was deep and abyssal as if an astral plain was contained within it.
This person was none other than one of the five disciples of Emperor Ming, Bao Lie, the famous general Bao Lie of the Shengming Central Empire back in the day.
Beside Bao Lie were two persons, one had long golden hair, with each strand of hair seemingly cast out of divine gold and emanating a dazzling metallic gleam.
Not only his hair, but even his eyes were also golden, and his gaze was so piercing that no one dared to look him in the eye.
His body might have looked frail but the aura that radiated out of it was extremely fearsome.
As for the other person, he looked extremely normal, like a normal person, without any special traits about him.
But if one were to observe closely, there were lightning flashing in his eyes from time to time, as if a sea of thunder was hiding within it that could be unleashed at any moment.
The man with golden hair was the third disciple of Emperor Ming, named Jin Yu. He was not human, but instead a ancient primordial being, the Goldwing Roc, and his speed was mind-numbingly fast.
The normal-looking person, was Emperor Ming’s fourth disciple, named Luo Chen. Of the six of Emperor Ming’s great disciples, he was considered the most low-key.
Back then, after Bao Lie went his separate ways from Zhang Ruochen at the Sword Vault, he started to search for clues to track down his senior brothers, and he never expected to actually find his third and fourth senior brother in the end.
The reason Jin Yu and Luo Chen had disappeared without a trace all these years was because they had entered a very special Dimensional Canyon.
This dimensional canyon was extremely hidden away, it was neither in Kunlun Realm, nor was it in the Void, and normal person would never be able to locate it, much less enter it.
Back then, after Emperor Ming disappeared, and Shengming was in internal turmoil, the Chiqing Central Empire took advantage to attack, and several disciples of Emperor Ming led their armies to resist the invasion.
Over at the Eastern Region’s Darkmourn Mountains, Emperor Ming’s first disciple Hong Ya, third disciple Jin Yu and fourth disciple Luo Chen, led the army as they fought desperately against the Chiqing Central Empire.
In the end, Shengming lost, and Hong Ya was killed by the number one God of War of Chiqing Central Empire, Xue Wangchao while Jin Yu and Luo Chen were seriously wounded, and managed to escape.
Seeing that their fate was sealed, with Emperor Ming missing and the crown prince dead, no one could turn the tide any longer.
Both Jin Yu and Luo Chen were demoralized, and for the safety of their kinsmen, the two brought all of their kinsmen to hide in that Dimensional Canyon, and lived a life of seclusion with no quarrel with the outside world.
The cultivation environment inside the Dimensional Canyon was extremely good with many treasures of heaven and earth being nurtured within it. That allowed Jin Yu and Luo Chen’s cultivation to rise steadily and within several hundred years, they had cultivated to the level of a Nine-step Saint King.
In fact, Jin Yu and Luo Chen had thought of coming out of seclusion, but they found that the Dimensional Canyon could not be entered or left at all.
It was only until recently that the two managed to get out of the canyon, and by chance, ran into Bao Lie.
Jin Yu and Luo Chen had many doubts about what happened eight hundred years ago, and that was why they came to the Peacock Manor with Bao Lie.
In their opinion, Kong Lanyou must know many secrets.
They had originally wanted to send Zhang Ruochen a message, and get him to come to the Peacock Manor to meet, but they did not expected such a thing would happen first.
Seeing the trio that appeared, a strange look appeared in Shang Ziyan’s eyes as he growled. “I never thought the Peacock Manor would have so many powerhouses prowling in it. It seems like all of you have something to do with Zhang Ruochen. That’s fine, by taking all of you down together, it’ll save me a lot of trouble.”
Forget the three Nine-step Saint Kings that had just appeared, even if a dozen were to appear now, Shang Ziyan would not panic.
“Shang Ziyan, you dare destroy Shengming City, and plot against my junior brother, your life is mine!” Bao Lie growled as a murderous intent raged in his body.
His figure flashed, and Bao Lie charged straight out of Peacock Manor as a majestic nebula emerged from his body, transforming into a Nebula Leopard as it charged at Shang Ziyan with murderous intent.
Shang Ziyan’s eyes were cold, saying. “Just you?”
As he said that, Shang Ziyan deployed the Five-colored Merits Stele and suppressed the charging nebula leopard.
The Five-colored Merit Stele was an artifact condensed from the power of merits. It was extremely powerful, and at this moment, it was as majestic as an ancient sacred mountain.
“Raaawr!”
The nebula leopard let out a sky-shaking roar, as its sharp claws ripped at the Five-colored Merit Stele.
Bammm!! Baaamm!!
The Five-colored Merit Stele came crashing from above, and no matter how the nebula leopard struggled it was useless. Its body exploded and transformed into a cloud nebula again, entering Bao Lie’s body once again.
“How is that possible?” Bao Lie’s eyes widened, and he felt incredulous.
In any case, he himself was also a Path’s Anterior elite, and that full power attack was actually no match for a junior who had not even condensed his Precept Dominion.
Bao Lie stared intently at Shang Ziyan as he said to himself. “Could it be that this Shang Ziyan is really comparable to junior brother?”
Although he had focused his energy on searching for his senior brothers, he was very concerned about Zhang Ruochen’s situation too. He knew that Zhang Ruochen already had the power to fight against Path’s Anterior elites in the Northern Region. Plus, after returning to the Central Region, he had even defeated Cang Long of the Fane of Youshen.
However, in his opinion, Zhang Ruochen was a special case, and it should be very difficult to find another person that was comparable to Zhang Ruochen in this world.
Unexpectedly, he would meet one now.
Shang Ziyan was very strong in all aspects, with many trump cards hidden in his hand. It would be impossible for any common Path’s Anterior elite to be his match.
“Capture Shang Ziyan, and trade him for junior brother.”
The golden gleam in Jin Yu’s eyes flickered, transforming into a golden light as it shot out of the Peacock Manor at lightning speed.
It was so fast that it had closed in on the warship in an instant, as one hand of his transformed into a claw and grabbed at Shang Ziyan.
The speed was so fast that many of the Heavenly Realm elites could not even react at all.
However, just as Jin Yu’s hand was about to touch Shang Ziyan, Shang Ziyan moved away in an instant, avoiding Jin Yu’s grasp with much agility.
One of the three supreme saint paths that Shang Ziyan cultivated was the Path of Flowing Light, which specialized in speed.
At the same time he shifted his position, the Bloodbairn appeared in Shang Ziyan’s hand as he slashed at Jin Yu’s claws.
Dense golden light patterns appeared on the surface of the Bloodbairn, unleashing a burst of brilliant and intense power.
Before the sword even reached him, a monstrous wave of fire had already swept before Jin Yu.
Jin Yu’s expression changed a little as his body shook and a pair of golden wings appeared on his back. Each of his feathers looked like a razor-sharp dagger.
The golden wings flapped, releasing a dazzling golden light as it crashed against the monstrous wave of fire from the Bloodbairn.
Boom!! Boom!!
Jin Yu slashed apart the flame wave, destroying the power from the Bloodbairn as he struck at Shang Ziyan.
It was clear that, compared to Bao Lie, Jin Yu was much, much stronger.
“Insolence!”
As a dull voice rang, a middle-aged man in a Tri-Color Meritorious Armor stood before Shang Ziyan.
The middle-aged man delivered a simple punch, and a surge of flames instantly rushed out.
Dush!! Dushhh!!!
The golden light that was flying over shattered, and was instantly reduced to nothingness.
Seeing this, Jin Yu did not press the attack, but instead quickly fell back to Bao Lie’s side.
The man standing before Shang Ziyan wore a jasper crown, his eyes were sharp and deep, and his body naturally exuded a terrifying aura of majesty.
Anyone could clearly see that there were tens of millions of saint path precepts flowing on the surface on his body, and many of the precepts were extremely powerful, belonging to the three thousand main paths, and even seventy-two Supreme Saint Paths.
His name was Xing Yuan from the Fane of Merits, and he was also a disciple of Yanshen. Even Shang Ziyan had to call him senior brother respectfully.
Xing Yuan had been cultivating for more than one thousand and one hundred years, and was one of the top powerhouses beneath a Supreme Saint in the Fane of Merits.
Shang Ziyan had also expended much effort to get Xing Yuan to come.
The main reason was because Shang Ziyan was deeply favored by Yanshen, and his senior brother had to give him some face.
“Thank you, senior brother.” Shang Ziyan thanked him with a smile.
Xing Yuan’s face was sullen as he said in a deep voice, “Don’t delay anymore. Make this quick, and kill anyone who dares to resist.”
Seeing Xing Yuan’s giving orders, a look of displeasure appeared in Shang Ziyan’s eyes, but he did not show it out.
“Tap…tap…”
The sound of clear footsteps rang out, making many turn their heads around.
Under everyone’s gaze, the man walked out of the warship’s cabin. He was dressed in a white coat without any other colors as he held a jade fan and exuded a detached temperament.
The man’s features were very feminine and delicate, looking much more beautiful than many women.
Shang Ziyan greeted him and smiled. “Brother Di Feng, with just that few people in Peacock Manor, there is no need for you to join the fray.”
“Since I’m already here, I naturally have to contribute somewhat. Leave Kong Lanyou to me.” Di Feng cast his gaze on Kong Lanyou as a wicked smile appeared on his face.
Hearing that, Shang Ziyan immediately understood what Di Feng was going at.
Like Yan Ba, Di Feng also came from the Yinyang Realm, but his strength was much stronger than Yan Ba, and was the true top powerhouse beneath a Supreme Saint of the Yinyang Realm.
Shang Ziyan said. “With brother Di Feng joining the fray, taking down Kong Lanyou will come naturally.”
Xing Yuan glanced lightly at Di Feng, as a look of disgust faintly flashed past his eyes.
Even though they were in the same camp, Xing Yuan was obviously displeased with Di Feng.
“Fall back.”
Kong Lanyou frowned slightly.
Hearing that, both Bao Lie and Jin Yu did not hesitate, and immediately returned to the Peacock Manor at top speed.
There were many members of the Heavenly Realm faction here, and many among them were powerhouses. If they were to clash head on, they will definitely suffer.
“Hmm?” Kong Lanyou suddenly noticed something as a touch of joy appeared in her eyes.
Immediately, Kong Lanyou manipulated the formation array guarding the Peacock Manor, opening a gap intricately.
There was a slight ripple in the same, and Zhang Ruochen’s figure appeared inside the Peacock Manor out of thin air.
“Cousin.”
“Junior Brother!”
Kong Lanyou, Bao Lie, Jin Yu and Luo Chen all showed emotional looks as they darted to Zhang Ruochen’s side.
Earlier on, they had all been very worried, fearing that Zhang Ruochen had fallen for the plot.
Now that they saw Zhang Ruochen before them, they could finally let go of their worries.
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes moved about as he looked at the four people around him. He was naturally very familiar with Kong Lanyou and Bao Lie, but he did not know Jin Yu and Luo Chen, and only felt a little familiar with them.
Suddenly Zhang Ruochen thought of something and he could not help but exclaim. “Third senior brother, fourth senior brother, why are you two here?”
Zhang Ruochen recognized Jin Yu and Luo Chen and was extremely surprised. After all, Jin Yu and Luo Chen had disappeared for hundreds of years, and there was no news about them at all, with Zhang Ruochen even thinking that they were already dead.
He never expected to meet them again in the Peacock Manor.
Jin Yu and Luo Chen were also very emotional, and at the same time, a look of guilt appeared in their eyes. They had come out of their seclusion far too late and could not assist Zhang Ruochen in many things.
“Junior Brother. You’ve suffered a lot.” Jin Yu said with much guilt.
Zhang Ruochen hurriedly shook his head and said. “No, this is all my own choice. Third senior brother, fourth senior brother, it’s great that both of you are back.”
“Yes, this time we will no longer choose to escape. Whatever you want to do, we will definitely support you.” Luo Chen said very earnestly.
Zhang Ruochen nodded heavily as he held Jin Yu and Luo Chen’s hands tightly.
He had come for Kong Lanyou and Chi Kunlun, but he did not expect to see Bao Lie, as well as his third and fourth senior brothers, who had been missing for so many years. That really surprised him.
Zhang Ruochen did not get into recounting the past with the four of them. Instead, he turned his attention to Shang Ziyan, as he said coldly. “Shang Ziyan, hand over Chi Kunlun.”