Gate of God

Chapter 724: Going Berserk and the Blood Sacrifice

…

Fang Zhengzhi felt puzzled as he stared at the glittering lake water at a distance away. Normally, Yan Xiu would have already came to him.

However, the reality was that Yan Xiu didn’t even respond to him, not to mention coming over.

“Something’s wrong!”

“There’s something going on!”

“Yan Xiu couldn’t possibly ignore me, unless…Something has happened to him!?”

Fang Zhengzhi was thinking hard and fast, but he didn’t slow down at all. This was because the people from the Heaven Dao Pavilion was on his tail. Furthermore, if something bad had really happened to Yan Xiu, he must help him.

“Closer, I’m getting closer!”

Fang Zhengzhi became growingly anxious as he neared the lake.

“Yan Xiu, where are you?” Just as Fang Zhengzhi was almost close enough to find out what was going on, he felt a slight movement.

It was a faint noise, and Fang Zhengzhi wouldn’t have caught it if he hadn’t grown up hunting in the woods, which made him extremely sensitive to the forests’ noises.

Just as he heard that noise, a man in black dashed out from the bushes on his left, and he was extremely fast.

“There is really an ambush?” Fang Zhengzhi was only guessing that there was an ambush, but when he saw the man in black, he realized that he might be caught in a tougher spot than he had expected.

Without any hesitation, he threw a handful of nails at the man.

“Hmph?” The man was surprised by Fang Zhengzhi’s reaction, and he subconsciously evaded the pile of silvery objects that were coming for him.

“Pop pop pop…”

The man in black turned around, only to discover that those were nothing more than nails. He was clearly startled by his discovery.

After all, this type of ‘lousy’ concealed weapons was very rare in the Holy Region.

“Kid, you’re not going anywhere!” The man’s face turned red before he chased towards Fang Zhengzhi.

However, Fang Zhengzhi was not in the mood to bother with him.

He was only thinking about Yan Xiu’s safety. After the sneak attack from the man in black, he became more worried.

After all, Yan Xiu was in a special condition now.

However…The sneak attack wasn’t that simple.

After Fang Zhengzhi evaded the first attack, two men rushed out from the bushes on his left and right.

At the same time, he felt a chill coming from above his head. He didn’t have to look to know that there was someone on the tree as well.

“There are four of them?!” Fang Zhengzhi was taken aback, because he could sense that the man who attacked him wasn’t weak. On the contrary, he was very strong.

If he wasn’t mentally prepared because Yan Xiu didn’t respond to him, and there weren’t any nails in his hand, he couldn’t have dodged that attack even if he caught the movement.

In that case, he couldn’t dodge the three simultaneous attacks.

This had nothing to do with his mental preparation. It was his strength. He was too weak to escape unscathed from their attacks.

That was because they were too fast.

“Boom!”

With a muffled bang, Fang Zhengzhi’s body left the ground. He avoided the sword on top of his head, but he couldn’t avoid the two palms that came from the front.

The massive power hit his chest, sending him flying backward uncontrollably. At this moment, an incredible force struck his back. It was another palm, which obviously came from the man who failed his sneak attack.

“Pfftt!” Fang Zhengzhi spat out a mouthful of blood after being attacked from both the front and the back.

He would have collapsed onto the ground if he hadn’t known that he must pull through.

“I didn’t think that the four of us needed to work together against a kid at Rebirth State. This is very surprising!” One of the men in black exclaimed.

“The fact that he hasn’t collapsed is the biggest surprise!” Another man in black exclaimed.

“Kid at Rebirth State…Four of us needed to work together…They are Sages?!” Fang Zhengzhi soon deduced their strength when he heard them talking.

Only an expert in the Sage State would comment on a Rebirth State in such a superior tone.

Four Sages…Appeared below the Heaven Dao Pavilion at the same time?

Fang Zhengzhi couldn’t help but be astonished.

During his time at the Heaven Dao Pavilion, he had more or less figured out the strength of the five sects in the Holy Region. In the Heaven Dao Pavilion, there was one Pavilion Master and seven Elders, and about a dozen disciples who had reached Sage State as well.

In other words, there were only about 20 Sages in the entire the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

From that, he guessed that the other four sects had around 20 Sages each.

After some calculations, he concluded that there were only about 100 Sages in the five sects of the Holy Region.

There weren’t too many or too few of them.

After all, once a person entered Sage State, his life expectancy would go beyond 100 years, so it wasn’t too surprising that there were around 100 Sages in the entire Holy Region.

However, one question remained unanswered.

Fang Zhengzhi had heard of the ‘one pavilion, four sages, thirteen constabularies’. According to their ranking, it wasn’t unreasonable that the the Heaven Dao Pavilion was ranked above the four sages, since it was more powerful.

However, since there was the the Heaven Dao Pavilion, why were there four other sages?

And why didn’t any of the four sages interfere with the battle at the Southern Region? If sages weren’t allowed to interfere with the wars between the countries, why could Yan Qianli do it?

This was a conflicting matter.

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi had asked Heavenly Oasis Saint about this through Wu Yuer.

However, Heavenly Oasis Saint didn’t answer his question directly, and instead told him that he would know everything once he entered the Holy Region.

But now…Fang Zhengzhi had entered the Holy Region for an entire month, and he even read through the books in the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s Repository, but he still failed to find the answer.

Of course, this wasn’t the time for him to be thinking about that.

There were four sages around him, and they were definitely here to kill him. This was an overkill.

Did the Heaven Dao Pavilion plan the ambush?

That was unlikely.

Fang Zhengzhi was quick to shoot the idea down, because even he himself wouldn’t know what could happen in the Divine Rain Pond. If so, how could the Heaven Dao Pavilion set this up beforehand?

If that was the case…There was only one possible explanation.

Just as Chi Guyan had suspected, the people of Nine Pinnacles Mountain and Yin Yang Hall would likely come after him once he exited the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

“Are they from Nine Pinnacles Mountain or Yin Yang Hall?”

“Did both sects send their men?”

Fang Zhengzhi stopped guessing, because he had roughly figured out their identities. However, this meant that he was in a never-before-seen tough spot.

Behind him, were the people of the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

In front of him, stood the people of Nine Pinnacles Mountain and Yin Yang Hall.

Under normal circumstances, he had no way out of this alive.

“Is this fate?” Fang Zhengzhi had wondered if he would be less ill-fated if he didn’t act so rashly in the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

Just a day ago, he wasn’t so sure about this, but now, he was entirely convinced that everything was fated to be.

Even if he had chosen to join the Heaven Dao Pavilion normally, he couldn’t have watched as the people from Nine Pinnacles Mountain went after Chi Guyan. In that case, the war in the Heaven Dao Pavilion would have broken out anyway. Even if he did not create any trouble, Nangong Hao would have sparked the war with his own methods.

The only difference between the two was the process, but the outcome was identical.

Since he couldn’t avoid his fate, he had to fight against it.

However, the problem was that he couldn’t fight against his fate, because there were four sages around him, and three elders and hundreds of disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion chasing after him…

How was he going to fight against anything?

“Sixth Elder, Second Elder, Fourth Elder, I’ve discovered the enemies hiding below the Heaven Dao Pavilion. Hurry up!” Fang Zhengzhi shouted.

“Hmm?” The four men in black were startled by his words, but they soon sneered and said, “Kid, are you trying to trick us? How could the elders of the Heaven Dao Pavilion…What?!”

Before they could finish the sentence, they heard a massive group of people approaching, following which, the Sixth Elder, along with hundreds of disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, appeared in their sight.

Apart from them, there were two men in the sky. They were the Second and Fourth Elders, who were standing atop their beasts.

This massive army was obviously enough to leave them shocked and dumbfounded.

Three elders and hundreds of disciples moving at the same time…

Were they really coming them?

The four men in black were puzzled. After all, if the people of the Heaven Dao Pavilion happened to be passing by, how could there be so many of them?

Meanwhile, the elders and disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion were equally surprised to see the four men in black.

They weren’t surprised by what Fang Zhengzhi said, they were surprised that there were actually ‘enemies’ hiding beneath the the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

“Who are you guys?” The Sixth Elder asked, as their faces were covered by their hoods.

The four men looked at each other, following which, one of them slowly took a step forward.

“I pay my respects to the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s Sixth Elder. We are but nobodies who held some personal grudges against Fang Zhengzhi. To the best of our knowledge, Fang Zhengzhi isn’t the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s disciple, and we aren’t enemies of the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s enemies either. Is this a misunderstanding?”

“Misunderstanding? I don’t care about the grudges between you guys. We must bring Fang Zhengzhi back to the Heaven Dao Pavilion, and I’d like you guys to come with us for an explanation!” The Sixth Elder wasn’t courteous with his words, since they were in the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s territory. Moreover, they were right below the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

To put it bluntly, how could the overbearing Heaven Dao Pavilion allow others to create troubles in their territory. Quoting our ancient ancestors, “How could I let someone else sleep on my bed!”

The man in black who stepped out noticeably stiffened up when he heard the Sixth Elder.

“Bring Fang Zhengzhi back?”

“Come with us for an explanation?”

He couldn’t agree to either of the conditions. They had originally expected their plan to be flawless, after all, given their combined strength, they could easily take Fang Zhengzhi away even if they were at the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s doorsteps.

However, they never dreamt that…So many people came to ‘rescue’ Fang Zhengzhi. The appearance of three elders and hundreds of disciples was the last thing that they expected.

What should they do?

Fight the Heaven Dao Pavilion?

That wasn’t possible. However, they weren’t going to sit back and let the Heaven Dao Pavilion take Fang Zhengzhi either, because they were on a do-or-die mission.

They hesitated, but Fang Zhengzhi didn’t. He made the choice for them before they could even think of a solution.

“Die!” Fang Zhengzhi charged towards one of the men in black and attacked with the glowing Traceless Sword.

“Hmm?” The man didn’t expect Fang Zhengzhi to take the initiative, but he still reacted quickly and dodged his blow, after which, a red radiance shot out of his hand.

This was a move that consisted of both defense and offense.

However, the man was clearly wary of something, so this was a very normal move that didn’t contain much power.

Fang Zhengzhi’s lip curled into a smile at this moment.

This was what he had been waiting for.

As a red radiance shot towards him, his hands started ‘panicking’. Although he eventually avoided the attack, it almost scraped past his hand.

Following which…An accident happened.

After Fang Zhengzhi evaded the red radiance, it somehow shot towards the Sixth Elder ‘accurately’, and even exploded when it got close to him.

“…”

“…”

Both the Sixth Elder and the man in black were dumbfounded when the red radiance blew up.

“How did that happen, I was…” The man in black knew that he controlled his strength precisely, so under normal circumstances, his attack would never have gone for the Sixth Elder, much less explode in front of him.

The Sixth Elder also didn’t expect that man’s attack to be directed at him. He was engulfed by the exploded red radiance since he couldn’t react in time.

“How dare you!” A chilling light flashed across his eyes as he raised his sword high, summoning a white and green light barrier from the ground.

Nevertheless…His cloth was torn, his face covered in dirt, looking battered.

“How dare he attack the Sixth Elder without warning!”

“Form the sword formation!”

“Understood!”

The hundreds of disciples were furious to see this. They were already mad about Fang Zhengzhi’s nails while they were pursuing him. As their anger built up, how could they possibly tolerate the act of striking the Sixth Elder with a sneak attack? Furthermore, he did that in the face of all of them, while they were at the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s doorstep.

The disciples drew their swords one after another, and each of their bodies shone brightly.

Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes lit up at this moment.

He couldn’t possibly wait for the two groups of people to fight each other, because he knew that that wasn’t going to happen. After all, both the Sixth Elder and the four men in front of him weren’t stupid.

In other words, the misunderstanding that Fang Zhengzhi created, was just a catalyst. However, if he wanted them to ‘explode’ on the spot, a catalyst alone wasn’t enough.

They needed a motivation, and that motivation, was Fang Zhengzhi.

This was a simple logic. Since everyone was targeting him, even if they were to start fighting, they had to be sure that Fang Zhengzhi couldn’t escape.

Hence, an ordinary mess wasn’t enough.

He needed to create a huge mess!

The prerequisite for that was for him to escape!

“Heavenly Descent!” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t hesitate to use Heavenly Descent because it was the best way for him to break through their encirclement and escape. He even used Nine Pillars of Heavenly Descent at once.

Nine sky-blue rays of light appeared in the air.

They were pure, pure as the sky, but the three elders’ and four men in black’s expressions changed.

They could obviously tell that Fang Zhengzhi was trying to create friction between them.

However, even if they knew that, what could they do?

The Nine Pillars of Heavenly Descent had already appeared and Fang Zhengzhi was getting away. No matter how much they wanted to stay calm, they couldn’t idle around and let him escape.

“Don’t let him get away!” The Sixth Elder exclaimed.

“How did he master Heaven Dao?! But…Don’t think that you can escape so easily!” Although they were caught by surprise, the four men in black didn’t hesitate to attack Fang Zhengzhi.

Four streams of light lit up and formed a light screen which completely surrounded the nine blue light pillars in an instant.

However, at this moment…The Second and Fourth Elder attacked as well.

Their sword radiances descended from the sky and combined into one as if they were attracted to each other, forming a gigantic, transparent gold sword.

“Boom!” The giant sword pieced through the light screen with a loud bang and continued stabbing towards one of the blue light pillars.

“Slash!” A stream of blood spurted out of the blue light pillar, but at the same time, another pillar appeared at the opening on the light screen that was created by the giant sword.

In the next moment…a person crashed onto the ground nearby, but he bounced up as soon as he hit the ground and bolted towards the lake.

He was none other than Fang Zhengzhi.

“Follow him!” The four men in black disregarded the Heaven Dao Pavilion and headed towards Fang Zhengzhi.

The three elders also looked at each other at this moment, and they also chased Fang Zhengzhi without any hesitation.

“Fang Zhengzhi, you can’t escape. If you follow us back to the Heaven Dao Pavilion obediently and accept the Master’s punishment, your life might be spared. If you continue to be unrepentant, you’ll die today!” Shouted the Second Elder as he chased after Fang Zhengzhi.

“Follow you back? So that I can wait for my death?” Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t so naïve.

Of course, the Second Elder wasn’t just spouting nonsense. Under normal circumstances, if he actually followed them back to the Heaven Dao Pavilion, he could live for while more, and his life might even be spared.

However, now that he had destroyed the Divine Rain Pond, it was impossible for him to leave the Heaven Dao Pavilion unscathed. Even if his life was spared, he wouldn’t be far away from dying.

In that case, he would still be dead three months later.

He had to fight for his life!

He had escape alive!

Fang Zhengzhi was injured, but he had no time to think about it. He gritted his teeth and ran towards the lake without stopping.

He was getting close…

He could see it!

He was finally at the lake.

But, what about Yan Xiu? Where was he?

“Yan..Yan Xiu?!” Fang Zhengzhi froze, because he found Yan Xiu beside the giant teal stone near the lake.

However, Yan Xiu was covered in blood. The ink paintings on his cloth were stained by big patches of blood.

Most importantly, Yan Xiu was kneeling on the ground, more specifically, he was kneeling in a pool of blood. His arms were hanging at his sides lifelessly, and his cold face was now pale as a sheet.

Chapter 725: Back Off Because I am About to Start Killing

“I didn’t expect that you could get here even after we ambushed you. It seemed like my decision to take Yan Xiu hostage was right!” At this moment, another man in black walked out from behind the teal stone, with his hood covering his face.

However, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t reply, or rather, he wasn’t listening to him at all, because he was only focused on Yan Xiu, looking at his pale expression. Be it in his previous life, or the current one, Fang Zhengzhi was never a merciless killer. Yet now, for the first time, he was feeling a strong desire to kill someone.

“Crack!” He clenched his fist tightly. Instead of running forward, he was standing on the spot quietly, not caring a single bit about the hundreds of people who were coming for him.

“You seem to be very angry?” The man behind Yan Xiu smirked when he saw Fang Zhengzhi’s reaction. From his expression, the man knew that he had made the right choice.

Just as rumored…Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu were very close friends. Of course, to the man in black, such a friendship was a joke for an expert who was trying to survive in the Holy Region.

“Hmm?!” The man was about to say something, but he saw something that kept his mouth shut.

This was because, there was such a huge commotion that he couldn’t help but notice it.

At the meantime, hundreds of people appeared before him. More importantly, he saw a few familiar faces.

Three Heaven Dao Pavilion’s elders?

This was enough to take him by surprise.

Just as the man in black was shocked, so were the elders and the disciples of Heaven Dao Pavilion.

They were shocked that Fang Zhengzhi had stopped running, because wasn’t this the perfect opportunity for him to escape?

However, their question was soon answered, because they all saw Yan Xiu, who was kneeling beside the teal rock.

“Yan Xiu? There are…Five of you?!” The Second and Fourth Elder looked toward each other, both sharing the same expression.

The Sixth Elder stopped moving as well.

They had to deal with Fang Zhengzhi for destroying the Divine Rain Pond, but he couldn’t ignore the five men who showed up here.

After all, if five sages showed up below Heaven Dao Pavilion’s Sword Peak at the same time, something serious must be going on.

“Who the hell are you guys? Why did you have to attack Yan Xiu? He is just a normal person now!” The Sixth Elder exclaimed angrily.

He was already stunned that four sages had ganged up on Fang Zhengzhi, but now, they even held Yan Xiu hostage.

Normally, an expert would never do something like this, unless they had received a do-or-die mission, a mission that they must complete.

“Big brother!” Two of the men behind Fang Zhengzhi bowed towards the person beside the teal rock shamefully.

“It’s ok.” The man behind Yan Xiu waved his hand, turned towards Yan Xiu, and said with a smirk, “Yan Xiu, I didn’t lie to you, did I? If you died too soon, how could you know if your friend would abandon you?”

“Ahh!!!!!” Yan Xiu roared. His expression became ferocious, sweat dripped down his forehead, and he slowly stood up.

The man behind turned slapped Yan Xiu’s shoulder cruelly when he saw that.

“Crack!” The sound of bones breaking was heard, but Yan Xiu never knelt down completely. Even against the attack of a sage, even though his legs were almost distorted, he still gritted his teeth and kept quiet as he bled profusely. He didn’t ask for Fang Zhengzhi’s help, not once.

“Yan Xiu, don’t move! Trust me…Trust me!!!” Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes turned red as he knew what Yan Xiu was trying to do.

If he was in the same position, he would seek death as well. That was right, Yan Xiu was seeking death.

However, how could he let Yan Xiu die?

He knew well that he wasn’t the one in the worst pain, it was Yan Xiu, who had become a hostage.

To someone like Yan Xiu, who would rather die than to be threatened, the mental torture was much worse than the physical pain he suffered.

“Trust…” Yan Xiu’s body trembled at this moment. He looked towards Fang Zhengzhi, his face still pale, but when he saw Fang Zhengzhi’s bloodshot eyes, he eventually nodded his head softly.

“Who the hell are you guys? Why do you have to set Yan Xiu up below Heaven Dao Pavilion’s Sword Peak? Do you guys not care about your reputation at all?” The Sixth Elder clenched his fist as well, obviously disgusted by the fact that they were holding Yan Xiu hostage.

“Reputation? That’s right…How could I forfeit my reputation?” The man raised his head slightly and continued, “I was a reputable man, but it’s a pity that Heaven Dao Pavilion ruined my reputation!”

“Heaven Dao Pavilion ruined his reputation?”

“What does that mean?”

“Who is he?”

The disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion looked at each other, all looking confused.

Meanwhile, the man became somewhat emotional as he continued, “It seems like…We can’t continue to hide our identities anymore!”

“Big brother!” The other two men sounded desolated as well.

“Second brother, Third brother, since our reputation had been ruined already, we can’t care about it anymore, or else, this bastard might set us up against each other and become the ultimate victor!” The man paused at this moment and looked at his brothers, and they all nodded at the same time.

Just as he had said, if Fang Zhengzhi had not set them up against each other, there was no way he could have escaped from the four of them.

“Yuan Rong, representing the Three Brothers of Black Moon Island, pays his respect to the Second, Fourth, and Sixth Elder of Heaven Dao Pavilion!” As he said that, the man removed his hood, revealing his aged appearance.

The other two men also removed their hoods and revealed their identities at this moment.

“It’s you guys! The three sages of the Black Moon Island!” The Sixth Elder finally understood what Yuan Rong meant earlier.

“So, they are the three sages of the Black Moon Island…”

“No wonder…”

“It’s them…”

The disciples of Heaven Dao Pavilion also quickly realized what was going on.

Just as the leader of the three sages of Black Moon Island, Yuan Rong, had said, their reputations were indeed destroyed, and the culprit was obviously Chi Guyan.

The Second and Fourth Elder looked at each other again. Given their prowess in logical deduction, they naturally figured out why the three sages had to fight dirty, and even hold Yan Xiu hostage, in order to kill Fang Zhengzhi.

Just as they had suspected, this was a do-or-die mission given to them by Nine Pinnacles Mountain, and it was likely their last chance.

The only thing left was…Who were the other two men?

Before the Second and Fourth Elder could ask that question, they already removed their hoods and revealed their faces. It was an old man and a middle-aged man.

“Shi Fan?!” The Second Elder’s expression changed. Instead of looking at the old man, he fixed his gaze on the middle-aged man.

“His surface is Shi…Shi Fan?!”

“Could he be the one from the Yin Yang Hall…”

“Yes, Shi Fan…There’s no doubt about it, he’s Yin Yang Hall’s Ninth Elder!”

All the disciples stared at the middle-aged man when they heard the Second Elder.

If the appearance of the three sages of Black Moon Island was within their expectations, then Shi Fan’s appearance was definitely something that they didn’t expect. This wasn’t entirely due to his identity, but also due to his strength.

“Shi Fan, as an elder of the Yin Yang Hall, how could you…”

“First, I’ve to clarify that I’m more than an elder of the Yin Yang Hall, I’m also Wan Lei’s first master when he joined the Yin Yang Hall!” Shi Fan waved his hand and interrupted the Sixth Elder, before continuing, “Since Wan Lei died in the Heaven Dao Pavilion, don’t you guys owe us a reasonable explanation?”

“This…” The Sixth Elder’s expression changed, for he didn’t know about Wan Lei and Shi Fan’s relationship.

The Second and Fourth Elder also creased their brows. They weren’t too worried about the three sages of the Black Moon Island, but they had to be wary of the Yin Yang Hall’s Shi Fan.

To put it simply, since Nine Pinnacles Mountain Leader Tian Xing died in Heaven Dao Pavilion, the grudge between the two sects couldn’t possibly be resolved. There could only be a stalemate.

However, if Yin Yang Hall became part of the conflict, the situation would change completely. After all, the misunderstanding between Heaven Dao Pavilion and Yin Yang Hall was resolvable.

The infighting between the five sects of the Holy Region had always existed. Even the Heaven Dao Pavilion couldn’t make too many enemies at once.

“Now that we’ve revealed our identities, I’ll make it short and simple. I’m here to avenge Wan Lei, so Fang Zhengzhi has to die. Whether Heaven Dao Pavilion wants peace or war, is up to you!” Shi Fan looked at the Sixth Elder and said.

“What about the Yin Yang Hall? Do you guys want peace or war?” The Second Elder’s eyes lit up.

“Haha…can’t the Second Elder tell what’s going on? If we wanted a war, how would we hide our identities? Let me put it this way, if the Heaven Dao Pavilion doesn’t interfere with this, we’ll bury the hatchet. Trading Fang Zhengzhi, who isn’t even the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s disciple, for our Yin Yang Hall’s top disciples, is as sincere as we could be!” Shi Fan smiled.

“We need to discuss about this!” The Second Elder nodded, but he didn’t give a reply right away.

“That’s fine. Is 15 minutes enough?” Shi Fan didn’t push it too far, because he knew that once they revealed their identities, Heaven Dao Pavilion would make the easy choice.

“Yeah!” The Second Elder nodded and landed on the ground with the Fourth Elder, before joining up with the Sixth Elder.

“Old Six, you’re the one who looked after the Divine Rain Pond, why don’t you tell us what has happened?”

“Ok, the Divine Rain Pond is destroyed…” The Sixth Elder briefly updated them about the incident at the Divine Rain Pond.

“I see…” The Second Elder nodded seriously after he heard the news.

“Second brother, since Fang Zhengzhi would be killed anyway if we bring him back to Heaven Dao Pavilion, why don’t we…Go with the flow?” The Fourth Elder expressed his opinion.

“Old Six, what do you think?”

“We have to defend Heaven Dao Pavilion’s reputation! Although Fang Zhengzhi would die anyway, but if we allow them to kill him at our doorstep…”

“I got it, I’ll handle this!” The Second Elder nodded again.

“Ok!” The Sixth and Fourth Elder agreed.

The Second Elder slowly turned around, looked at Yan Xiu and Yuan Rong, then he turned towards Shi Fan.

“We’ve discussed about it, you guys can do whatever you want with Fang Zhengzhi, but we have to bring his corpse back to the Heaven Dao Pavilion. Additionally, you can’t harm Yan Xiu, and you have to treat his wounds. After this, the three sages of the Black Moon Island will follow us back to the Heaven Dao Pavilion and explain to our Master about this!” The Second Elder exclaimed.

Hearing him, Shi Fan looked towards Yuan Rong. After Yuan Rong nodded, he smirked and said, “Well, we’ll do as the Second Elder said. In that case, could the people of the Heaven Dao Pavilion back off, because I’m about to start killing!”

Chapter 726: Fusing the Bloodline, Destroying a Sage with a Single Punch

“I want to kill!”

“… kill!”

Shi Fan’s voice was not loud. In contrast, it was rather relaxed and carefree. However, everyone present heard it.

After Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Sixth Elder heard his words, the three of them exchanged a look and instantly waved their hands at the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples.

“Listen up, Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples. 36 of you shall form one team. You will lay down the sword formation in eight different positions, in case an accident happens!” Sixth Senior instructed quickly.

“Yes!” The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples accepted the order and quickly, they split up. Instantly, in all eight positions, they lay eight sword formations.

When Shi Fan saw this, he naturally knew what the Heaven Dao Pavilion was doing. Both sides had to be blamed for this accident. Doing this would prevent Fang Zhengzhi from running, and it would prevent them from going back on their words.

Of course, to him, this was not an issue.

This was because his main target this time was Fang Zhengzhi. If Fang Zhengzhi died, then all his problems would be resolved.

“Fang Zhengzhi, do you now know where you have gone wrong? If you can show remorse now, I’ll give you a quick death and I’ll guarantee you an intact body!” Shi Fan looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who said nothing yet, as if he was staring at a dead man.

Of course, he was not alone. Everyone else all looked at Fang Zhengzhi as if he was a dead man.

He was surrounded by three elders of the Black Moon Island, a Sage State cultivator from the Yin Yang Hall, three elders and a few hundred disciples from the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

Under this situation…

How could he live?

“Wrong? Hurhur… what have I done wrong?” Fang Zhengzhi finally opened his mouth. His eyes did not betray any look of panic or desperation. Instead, he was smiling.

In fact, the moment he saw Yan Xiu, he knew that the situation could not be changed. Running off again? That was almost impossible.

“Tian Xing, the Leader of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, died because of you. My disciple, Wan Lei, died because of you too. A life for a life, how can you say that you have done nothing wrong?” Shi Fan appeared to be enjoying the sensation of passing judgment. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was a dead man. To kill a dead man, he had to be in a morally superior position.

After all, his trip here was not glorious.

Of course, none of these was important. Strength was what was important. After all, he was a powerful cultivator and a winner. Hence, he could determine the life and death of those weaker than him.

“So dying because of me puts me in the wrong? So, what about you bunch of hypocritical ‘false sages’? I am only in the Rebirth State but to catch me, four Sage State cultivators ambushed me and even took hostages. Is this a job well done?” Fang Zhengzhi laughed. He laughed very loudly. “Furthermore, Second Elder and Fourth Elder of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, don’t you want to capture me and bring me back for trial in front of Mu Qingfeng? Why aren’t you catching me now?”

Fang Zhengzhi looked at Second Elder and Fourth Elder. Then, he turned to Sixth Elder, who was next to them, and he said, “Sixth Elder, I think you know very clearly why did I not make it to the Ninth Heaven after I entered the Divine Rain Pond, but instead, I appeared in the Jungle of Mysteries.”

“This…” Sixth Elder choked on his words. He naturally knew what Fang Zhengzhi was talking about.

When Second Senior and Fourth Elder heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they looked at Sixth Elder together. They both had ugly expressions on their faces.

“That’s right. Chi Guyan can’t lose, but I can. Right?”

“That’s right!” Sixth Elder nodded his head and said, “Chi Guyan is the Chosen One. How can she marry someone like you, who’s going to die? Stop dreaming!”

“That’s right… Hence, you think that you can decide whether I live or die here. You can watch as the blood drains from Yan Xiu’s body and you can ignore all their wrongdoings in the territory of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, right? You read so many books on the virtues of the Dao, but you do not behave as if you have learned them. How can you call yourself a Sage?!”

“You…” Sixth Elder’s chest heaved and his face turned red.

“Fang Zhengzhi, destroying the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s Divine Rain Pond carries with it the penalty of death. All we’re doing now is to hand you over to them, where’s the difference?” Fourth Elder opened his mouth and spoke.

“If I kill your entire family, will you still be willing to hand me over to them for execution?” Fang Zhengzhi asked.

“You… foul-mouthed rascal. How dare you speak rubbish!” Fourth Elder was so angry that he stuttered as he spoke.

“Hurhur… for Tian Xing, the Leader of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, he tried to kill me. So why can’t I kill him in my defense? For Wan Lei, he tried to backstab me when I was not aware as he tried to steal my body’s medicinal power with his Dao of Yin Yang. So how can he not die because of me? If we want to discuss guilt, aren’t you just using me as a scapegoat? Judge me? You are not worthy!” Fang Zhengzhi roared with laughter.

In fact, since his birth, he knew about the ‘rules’ of this world. When he was in the Southern Mountain Village, Li Huer had a father who was the vice-squad leader of the hunting squad. This was how he earned the right to join the Hall of Dao.

In the Hall of Dao examinations, he became the Double Roll Champion, but what was the result?

He was borne into a poor family.

This meant that he had no power and no background. For someone like him to have it easy in life, the best way was for him to depend on someone powerful and abandoned his identity and disavowed his own parents…

Fang Zhengzhi did not do so. Hence, his path was more arduous than others.

In the words of other people, this was ‘staying guarded against others’ and ‘playing the game of thrones’. If one could not use a particular talent for himself, the best thing to do would be to kill him!

It was a simple rule.

In the Holy Region, the rules were even crueler.

The five sects of the Holy Region ruled this place. Fang Zhengzhi did not make enemies out of any one particular faction. However, he was embroiled in their conflict. Hence, the fate that awaited him was death.

The reason was simple. He did not join any of the five sects and hence, he had no background. His birth was modest and he had no powerful backer behind him.

Hence, even though Tian Xing’s death had nothing to do with him, and even though Wan Lei brought his own death upon himself, the end result was still his fault.

Just like the scene that took place earlier.

In less than two hours of deliberation, they could determine the life and death of a person.

Shi Fan had the right to discuss because behind him stood the Yin Yang Hall. Even the three elders of the Black Moon Island had the support of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain.

What did Fang Zhengzhi have?

He had nothing. He did not join the Heaven Dao Pavilion and he did not keep a low profile while abiding by the rules. He wanted to change his destiny in the Holy Region…

“So naïve!” Fang Zhengzhi looked up into the sky as he watched the clouds floated past him. At this moment, he felt that he was like a cloud which was floating across the Holy Region.

His plan was to find rare treasures in the Holy Region. He wanted to do his best and he wanted to search for treasure here without any restraint.

However, it seemed like his thinking was really naïve.

This was because as long as he entered the Holy Region, he would be inescapably dragged into its conflicts. How could he not face restraints?

What if his lifespan was not limited?

Then, what would be the result of him impersonating as a disciple of the Heaven Dao Pavilion?

What if he did not choose to leave the Heaven Dao Pavilion?

What would be his fate after he destroyed the Divine Rain Pond?

Yes!

There was no ‘if’.

Fang Zhengzhi no longer cared for all these. He picked this path himself. Hence, even if it led to a dead-end, he would continue on it.

For himself, and for Yan Xiu.

Personally…

He had to rescue Yan Xiu from Yuan Rong.

Personally…

Kill Yuan Rong!

Even if the result was death!

“So are you guys coming up at one-by-one, or together?” Fang Zhengzhi did not wait for Shi Fan and the rest to reply. He had already lifted the sword in his hands up.

Shi Fan’s mouth started to move. He seemed as if he wanted to debate Fang Zhengzhi, but when he saw him lift his sword, he guffawed.

“Hahaha… not bad. Too bad you can’t hold a candle to my radiance! So what if you are a scapegoat? You are too showy but you have no background. Even the Heaven Dao Pavilion couldn’t stand you. So… how can you not be a scapegoat? Who else can be one?” After Shi Fan said these, he smiled gleefully.

When the three elders of the Black Moon Island heard this, they gritted their teeth because they knew that Fang Zhengzhi was telling them the truth. They were indeed using him as a scapegoat.

This was because they could not exact revenge on Chi Guyan.

Hence…

They could only have Fang Zhengzhi.

Similarly, this was the current situation of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain. There was no way they could fight the Heaven Dao Pavilion. However, they had to find a way to regain their lost dignity.

“Elder Shi, there’s no need to debate with this rascal. The situation is already as such, kill him straight away!” An old man who stood next to Shi Fan said.

“Yes. Since you are unwilling to admit your guilt, let me send you on your final voyage!” When Shi Fan heard the old man’s words, he nodded his head gently too.

“Elder Shi, he’s only in his Rebirth State. If you kill him personally, it’ll sully your name. Let me do it,” said the old man once more.

“That’s fine, but please be careful. He’s… not weak!” When Shi Fan heard this, he fell silent for a while before nodding his head.

“Please don’t worry, Elder Shi. We struck him with our palms twice just now. He’s putting on a final show of bravado. In three moves, I’ll end this!” The old man smiled coldly. Then, he took five steps forward and stood in front of Fang Zhengzhi, before saying, “Rascal, my name is Yin Sen. I entered the Sage State three years ago. When you’re on the other side, remember this name. Of course, with your age, you should refer to me as ‘Elder Sen’!”

“Swoosh!”

Right after Yin Sen said that, a figure was already in front of him. A look of surprise flashed across his eyes.

More shockingly, he saw a pair of eyes.

This was a pair of bright but transparent eyes. In this pair of eyes, countless images swirled. More importantly, in that diagram, golden symbols flashed.

“So fast!” When Second Senior, Fourth Senior, and even Sixth Senior, saw this scene, they could not help but exclaim.

They knew how fast Fang Zhengzhi could be.

However, when they last saw him on the Heaven Academic Altar, his speed was incomparable to now.

How could he become so fast?

Could it be because of the Divine Rain Pond…

Just when they were marveling at his speed, another shocking scene took place. This was because they saw a shadow on Fang Zhengzhi.

An incorporeal shadow.

However, without knowing why, they felt that this shadow was familiar. They felt as if they had seen it before.

Of course, this was unimportant.

Importantly, why was there a shadow on Fang Zhengzhi?

Could Fang Zhengzhi possess a Gifted Bloodline? Impossible. This was because if he did have one, why did he not use it during the battle at the Heaven Dao Pavilion?

They did not understand.

However, the shadow behind Fang Zhengzhi was real. Furthermore, countless golden symbols flowed in the shadow.

As the golden symbols flowed, Fang Zhengzhi’s hands started to shine with a faint black light. To be precise, this did not seem to be just a black light but instead, a black armor.

“Boom!”

At this moment, a huge sound could be heard. Then, a figure flew into the air instantly afterward. Blood spewed from his mouth.

“F*ck you, old man Sen!” An enraged voice roared out.

Then, the flying figure landed with a ‘thump’ onto the ground. Its face was pale and it wore a look of utter disbelief.

Silence.

The original ruckus completely died down.

All of the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at the kneeling figure. They looked at the blood trickling out of his mouth, and the bloody hole in his shoulders. They did not know what to say.

One punch!

Just one punch!

It was actually enough to severely injure Yin Sen, who was in the Sage State.

“Cough cough… this rascal actually has a Gifted Bloodline?” Yin Sen spat out two mouthfuls of blood as his eyes bulged.

After all, he was very clear about Fang Zhengzhi’s strength.

While he had never fought him before, he knew that Fang Zhengzhi possessed both the Heavenly Rebirth Dao and the Near-Life Dao. He was a stunning genius.

Even though he was only in his Rebirth State, he did not dare to underestimate him.

However, his intelligence did not tell him that Fang Zhengzhi had a Gifted Bloodline. Hence, when he saw the shadow float out from behind Fang Zhengzhi, he was surprised.

This tiny moment of surprise…

Almost cost him his life.

That punch came too quickly and was way too vicious. It struck his heart. If not for the fact that he forced his body to sink down, the punch would not have pierced his shoulder but his heart instead.

Chapter 727: The Full Extent of my Dominance, Whoever Blocks Me Shall Die!

Too fast!

How could Fang Zhengzhi, who was in the Rebirth State, be so fast?

Yin Sen could not believe it. However, right now, he was in no state to ponder this problem, because Fang Zhengzhi was in front of him once again.

“Rascal, do you think that I, who am in the Sage State, can’t beat you?!” Yin Sen narrowed his eyes. As a powerful cultivator in the Sage State, he naturally possessed the dignity of a Sage.

Even though he only attained the Sage State less than three years ago.

However, even though he became a Sage only three years ago, a Sage was still a Sage. In terms of strength, it was fundamentally different from someone in the Rebirth State.

“Boom!” A powerful aura surged from Yin Sen’s body. At the same time, a complicated red symbol appeared on his forehead.

It was like a ball of flames.

The moment the symbol lit up, the aura from his body turned blazing hot. The aura turned blazing hot and golden.

He fully unleashed his absolute strength.

This was Yin Sen’s choice. At the same time, this was the best option a Sage State cultivator could use against a Rebirth State cultivator because the difference between the two lay in terms of strength.

If you could not get near me, how could you fight me?

However, the moment Yin Sen unleashed his intense heat, he saw a sword, which appeared to be coated in purple blood.

Furthermore, on the blood, there was a layer of black light.

The sword reached!

The blazing fire burst open!

“How can this be possible?!” Yin Sen could not believe it, because this went against all logic. How could the strength of someone in his Rebirth State defeat someone in the Sage State?

However, regardless of whether he believed it or not, the sword was already in front of him. It made its way toward his throat and it was so fast until there was no chance of him dodging it at all.

“Pwist!” His throat tore open like a piece of paper.

When the Traceless Sword entered Yin Sen’s throat without any resistance, it hummed softly as if it was delighted and excited when it drew blood.

Blood flew everywhere and some drops of it landed on the Traceless Sword.

However, it disappeared instantly as well, as if the Traceless Sword had absorbed it. At the same time, the blood from it turned even more demonic.

“This sword… is odd!” Shi Fan did not worry about it at first. After all, even if a Sage State cultivator had his throat pierced, it would not be fatal.

However, when he saw the Traceless Sword absorb Yin Sen’s blood, he suddenly felt that something was amiss. This was because even for a Sage, there was no chance of living after all his blood had been drained.

“Ooo…” Yin Sen’s mouth was open and he seemed as if he wanted to say something. However, his throat had been pierced and every drop of blood in his body appeared to be surging toward the sword which was in his throat. How could he make any sound?

“Attack!” Shi Fan could not just watch Yin Sen die like this. Hence, instantly, he ordered the other two of the three Sages of the Black Moon Island to strike.

However, it was too late.

This was because Fang Zhengzhi had already lifted up his sword. At the same time, a bloodied head flew into the air. Then, Fang Zhengzhi’s sword came down once more as he pierced Yin Sen’s heart.

Quick and decisive.

He did not drag it out.

This time, Fang Zhengzhi killed extremely quickly, because this was the first time he wanted to kill so badly. He wanted to kill everyone who had harmed Yan Xiu, and their accomplices. He wanted to kill them all!

He kicked Yin Sen’s corpse aside.

Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yin Sen once more. An incomparably demonic purple light shone from his body. It swirled like a purple dragon as it rose from underneath his feet before slowly reaching the top of his head.

At the same time, the black armor on his body appeared to have gotten heavier and heavier. From his elbows, it stretched all the way to his arm.

“He killed Yin Sen?!”

“How… how is this possible? He was in the Sage State!!”

“A Rebirth State individual killed a Sage State cultivator? Furthermore, from start to end, he only used one punch and two strokes of the sword?!”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples were all stunned. They knew that Fang Zhengzhi was exceptionally talented and they knew that he was exceedingly strong. However, they never knew that someone in the Rebirth State could be this powerful.

Was he really still in the Rebirth State?

“It’s the bloodline of the Heaven God, this armor… it’s master’s Heaven God’s bloodline!” The Third Elder from the Black Moon Island who wanted to rush forward paused in shock before he exclaimed in surprise.

“What? Bloodline of the Heaven God?” When the Second Elder of the Black Moon Island heard it, he too stared intently at the black armor that covered Fang Zhengzhi’s entire body. He knew that his junior would not lie, because before his junior became a Sage he had been Tian Xing’s disciple.

“Bloodline of the Heaven God?!”

“How is hits possible, isn’t that Tian Xing’s…”

“Fang Zhengzhi had the… bloodline of the Heaven God?!”

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard the words of the three Sages of the Black Moon Island, they almost collapsed. Fang Zhengzhi possessed the bloodline of the Heaven God. How could they believe it?

However, when the three Sages of the Black Moon Island said it, they all looked intently at Fang Zhengzhi and the thick black armor he was wearing…

A chill rose from behind his back.

It really was the Heaven God’s bloodline.

“Fang Zhengzhi, he…,” Second Elder and Fourth Elder exchanged a look. Their minds were both tumultuous. After all, before today, they ascertained that it was impossible for Fang Zhengzhi to possess a Gifted Bloodline. However, this fact proved all arguments wrong.

“No… it’s not the bloodline of the Heaven God. It’s different, it’s not the Heaven God’s bloodline!” The Third Elder of the three Sages of the Black Moon Island, who was previously unsure, suddenly shook his head once more.

“It’s not?! Third brother, are you sure? I think it resembles Tian Xing’s…” The Second Elder of the Black Moon Island asked in shock when he heard what his third brother had said.

“It’s different, it’s slightly different… Master’s Heaven God’s bloodline exuded dominance and solemnity, but his exuded a powerful killing intent, and it’s razor-sharp too, just like his sword!”

“Razor-sharp like his sword?!” When the Second Elder of the Black Moon Island heard this, he suddenly thought about the moment when Fang Zhengzhi attacked.

With one punch, he pierced Yin Sen’s shoulder.

Then…

With one slash, he broke through Yin Sen’s defenses and then killed him straight away. It all happened very quickly, but just like what Third Elder had said, it was like a sword. An unsheathed sword!

“Next!” Fang Zhengzhi’s voice interrupted the discussion among the three Sages of the Black Moon Island. This time, when he raised his sword once again, the shadow behind him became even clearer.

Gifted Bloodline?

He naturally did not possess it!

However, just because he did not possess it did not mean that he could not use it, because his body had more than 1000 different types of Dao. After the Baptism by the Divine Message, they all turned into countless golden symbols.

It was just like when he witnessed the dragon in the Divine Rain Pond’s Seventh Heaven. The dragon was the end result and all transformations and types were concentrated onto a single form.

For Gifted Bloodlines, the result was the same.

Fang Zhengzhi had not seen many types of Gifted Bloodlines, and he did not fight with many of them. They included Shan Yu, Tian Xing, and Chi Guyan.

If he were to choose…

Fang Zhengzhi felt that Shan Yu’s Gifted Bloodline, if it appeared behind him, would be too dark. He did not like it. As for Chi Guyan’s Gifted Bloodline, he felt that it was too feminine.

A woman standing behind him?

This was slightly overboard.

Of course, the most important reason was that his current Gifted Bloodline was fake. To be precise, Fang Zhengzhi forcibly imitated it.

Such a Gifted Bloodline was terrifying.

However, in terms of actual effects, it was still not completely like a real Gifted Bloodline. For example, Chi Guyan’s special spiritual pressure and control was something he could not do.

However, this did not mean that it was useless.

Fang Zhengzhi could not copy the uniqueness of Gifted Bloodlines, but he could fuse what he wanted from them, like right now.

He wanted sharpness.

A sharpness that could pierce a Sage.

Hence, he combined the sharpest Dao of All Creation into this Gifted Bloodline and broke through Yin Sen’s defenses with one move. With this, he killed him straight away.

In fact, there were other factors involved too. For example, Yin Sen never expected Fang Zhengzhi to be so fast, and he never expected him to breach his defenses.

This created the perfect opportunity for Fang Zhengzhi.

If not for that…

Fang Zhengzhi felt that he would need at least three moves!

“Elder Shi, I think that the two of us should attack him together. I want to see how strong this rascal’s Gifted Bloodline is!” Second Elder from the Black Moon Island looked at the sword in Fang Zhengzhi’s hand and slowly took a step forward. His eyes glinted with a black light.

“No need, let me do it!” Shi Fan waved his hand slightly and instantly, his expression turned dark and murderous.

As an elder of the Yin Yang Hall, he naturally had his mission. While this mission was a death mission, it was not considered difficult.

Five Sages…

Trapping and killing a newbie who was only in his Rebirth State?

If not for Wan Lei, Shi Fan would not have come.

However, no one could change the fact that he was here.

The result was that another Sage of the Yin Yang Hall died anyway. Furthermore, he died right in front of him, and without an intact corpse! How could he be absolved of responsibility?

“Shi Fan wanted to kill him personally?!”

“He’s the Ninth Elder of the Yin Yang Hall, and I heard that he’s also the most powerful one!”

“That’s right, while Shi Fan entered the Sage State only around ten years ago, I heard that he was only 30 years old. Furthermore, he’s widely known as the top genius of the Yin Yang Hall!”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion looked at Shi Fan, who was walking toward Fang Zhengzhi, and held their breaths. After all, Shi Fan was unlike Yin Sen. While they were both in the Sage State, the difference in their strength was enormous.

“Fang Zhengzhi…” Yan Xiu’s lips twitched as he looked at Shi Fan, who was walking step-by-step toward Fang Zhengzhi. His face was pale and blood flowed non-stop from his body. His two hands could not move, but he gritted his teeth so tightly as if he wanted to shatter them.

Chapter 728: Hell on Earth, Entering the Sage State with One of the Six Daos

“Yan Xiu!” Fang Zhengzhi could naturally sense Yan Xiu’s pain right now. Hence, because he could sense it, he knew what he should do.

He could not just watch as Yan Xiu in front of him. At the same time, he knew that Yan Xiu did not want to die in front of him.

Escape?

There was no way he could escape!

Hence, all he could do was to fight. He did not think; he did not need to think. All he could do was to kill without thinking. He would kill whoever dared to block him!

Shi Fan saw the expression on Fang Zhengzhi’s face. However, what he did not expect was that even after he stepped out, Fang Zhengzhi continued to look at Yan Xiu.

Was he being ignored?

This was the first time Shi Fan felt something like this. However, he did not give it much thought. After all, he would make the one who ignored him pay the price.

For example, Fang Zhengzhi who stood in front of him.

“I heard that you possess both the Heavenly Rebirth Dao and the Near-Life Dao. Furthermore, you can also use the Hell Near-Life Chains. Honestly, when I first heard this, I was surprised. So, do you know what Hell is like?” Shi Fan stopped when he was five steps away from Fang Zhengzhi.

At the same time, a sword appeared in his hands. The sword was completely black and without a single glimmer of light. It did not look like a weapon but instead, a shadow.

“Is this Shi Fan’s weapon?”

“He is using his sword at the start. It seems… he’s going to use his full strength!”

“Yeah…”

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples saw Shi Fan unveil his weapon, they looked at each other. They knew a huge fight was at hand.

Fang Zhengzhi retracted his gaze. However, he did not reply to Shi Fan. Instead, he quietly looked at Shi Fan, as if he was looking at a fool.

“It seems that you don’t have…”

Before Shi Fan could finish, Fang Zhengzhi moved and instantly, he appeared in front of him as he stabbed at Shi Fan’s chest with his Traceless Sword.

From the beginning to the end, Fang Zhengzhi said nothing.

However, Fang Zhengzhi’s action told Shi Fan of a principle.

Attack and don’t waste time blabbering!

He stabbed forward with his sword and the purple light shone intensely. The dragon roar that came from it was ceaseless. Fang Zhengzhi did not use any fancy move and he did not hesitate because right now, all he wanted to do was to kill!

“Humm!” The sword hummed.

A demonic purple light flashed and the Traceless Sword pierced into Shi Fan’s chest like a bolt of lightning. Instantly, it pierced through his body.

“So fast!”

“It’s really too fast!”

“Impossible? Has it ended?”

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples saw Fang Zhengzhi pierce Shi Fan’s chest, looks of disbelief plastered across their faces.

After all, they knew in their hearts that Shi Fan was known as the top genius of the Yin Yang Hall. One could not compare Yin Sen’s strength with his.

“It seems that you really want a quick death, so let me fulfill your wish, die!” Just when everyone was looking on in disbelief, a voice rose from behind Fang Zhengzhi’s back.

As the voice spoke, Shi Fan, who had been standing in front of Fang Zhengzhi, disappeared like a fleeting snowflake without a trace.

“It’s a faint shadow!” The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples realized what was going on.

If Fang Zhengzhi was fast, then, Shi Fan was even faster. Swiftly, he appeared behind Fang Zhengzhi.

“Swoosh!” A noise cut through the air.

Then, a black sword radiance which looked like a crescent moon shone from Fang Zhengzhi’s back. Shi Fan, like Fang Zhengzhi, did not hesitate as he attacked Fang Zhengzhi from behind.

Two rays of blue light shone at this moment.

One shone at where Fang Zhengzhi originally stood and the other one appeared above his head. At the same time, the tip of the Traceless Sword on top of Shi Fan’s head.

It was a blazingly-fast way to attack.

From the moment Fang Zhengzhi struck, to the moment when Shi Fan appeared behind him, to the moment where Fang Zhengzhi appeared above Shi Fan’s head, the time in between was way too little.

It was so fast until most people could not even see what had happened clearly.

However, a smile curled on Shi Fan’s lips. When he saw the tip of the sword appear above his head, his body disappeared from where it had stood.

Then…

An odd scene appeared.

The ground appeared to be hit by a heavy force. It actually split open instantly.

“Kaboom!” A huge sound.

The originally flat ground sank by one entire inch. At the same time, cracks appeared on the surface of the ground. It seemed to form some special diagram.

It was a very sudden scene.

It was so sudden to the point whereby Fang Zhengzhi did not even manage to rush out from the blue light.

However, the moment the diagram appeared on the ground, Fang Zhengzhi’s body fell down with a loud and heavy ‘thud’. He felt as if some force had dragged him down.

“Do you know what’s hell on earth?” Shi Fan’s figure slowly started to appear once again in front of Fang Zhengzhi.

When he appeared, eight balls of fire started to burn on top of the huge diagram. These eight balls of fire were not red, but peculiarly black.

“What is this?!”

“So strong!”

“He actually dragged Fang Zhengzhi down from the sky?”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at this scene in utter shock. They could not even speak. After all, it all happened too quickly.

“The Hell Dao of the Six Rebirth Dao Techniques!” Second Elder suddenly spoke. As he looked at Fang Zhengzhi, he inspected the huge diagram on the ground carefully.

“It’s the Eight Winters Hell! It seems that Shi Fan entered the Sage State via the Hell Dao!” The Fourth Elder nodded his head lightly as he spoke.

“Hell Dao?”

“So this is the Hell Dao?”

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard the words of Second Elder and Fourth Elder, they all looked at the scene before them. They were all shocked.

The Six Rebirth Daos were originally the most supreme of the Great Daos.

Anyone who possessed one of the Six Rebirth Daos would be known as an absolute genius. However, to enter the Sage State with one of the Six Rebirth Daos was extremely rare, even in the entire Holy Region.

Shi Fan was one of the few people who made it.

“Fang Zhengzhi, to be honest, you should feel happy that you can die in my Eight Winters Hell as a Rebirth State cultivator. It’s really an honor!” When Shi Fan looked at Fang Zhengzhi once more, the murderous cold look in his eyes became more intense.

“An honor indeed…” Fang Zhengzhi slowly stood up. His body trembled because the powerful attractive force from the ground continually pulled him down.

“Oh? It seems that you have finally realized it?” Shi Fan appeared shocked because this was the first time Fang Zhengzhi had answered him. Furthermore, from his tone, he did sound proud.

“Yes, I’ve realized it,” said Fang Zhengzhi as he nodded his head lightly. He looked up to see the eight black balls of fire burning above his head and his crystal-clear eyes started to glow with light.

“Hahaha… too bad it’s too late. I won’t let you die so quickly. I’ll let you experience how Hell is like!” Shi Fan laughed extremely happily.

As someone who wielded the Hell Dao, he loved this feeling of passing judgment.

Like one of the judges of Hell from legends, in his heart, he felt that he was a judge in the mortal world. He controlled life and death and could determine who was evil and who was wrong.

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard the exchange between Fang Zhengzhi and Shi Fan, they all fell silent. They knew that it was all over.

No matter how powerful Fang Zhengzhi was, no matter whether he wielded the Heavenly Rebirth Dao or the Near-Life Dao.

In front of him was someone who wielded one of the Six Rebirth Daos and used it to reach the Sage State. This disparity was obvious.

Many disciples slowly closed their eyes. They did not like Fang Zhengzhi, but they would still feel empty if they watched him die.

This was because of what Fang Zhengzhi had said earlier…

The real reason he died was that he was just a scapegoat.

It was a tragedy, which had happened many times in the Holy Region. However, it was also a fact, a fact that they could not change.

“Receive your judgment!” Shi Fan’s voice interrupted the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples’ thoughts. As his voice rang out, a ball of black fire descended.

“Whoosh!”

As expected, the black ball of fire landed on Fang Zhengzhi. Instantly, it ignited him.

As the fire burned, it sizzled and crackled. A look of extreme agony crossed Fang Zhengzhi’s face. His body started to twitch and convulse.

Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.

Then, he was engulfed by another ball of black fire. This time, steam did not even appear. This black ball of fire stuck itself to his body. From inside out, it ignited Fang Zhengzhi. No matter how he tried to hit it, it was impossible to extinguish.

“There’s no use in struggling. This is Hell’s freeze burn! There are eight types of freeze burns and each of them represented a different type of pain. From your skin to your muscles, bones, meridians, blood, organs…. And this is just the beginning!” Shi Fan looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was trying to pat out the fire on him, and his smile grew even wider.

“Eight types?” Fang Zhengzhi’s lips moved. A ball of black fire slowly appeared in his bright eyes. However, it was tiny compared to the black fire that burned around him. Naturally, no one noticed it.

Then, he started to roll around on the ground. As he rolled, he swatted the flames as he screamed in agony. He seemed to be in unbearable pain.

“Is your endurance this bad?” When Shi Fan saw how Fang Zhengzhi was suffering, he was slightly shocked. He did not expect this. He still wanted to play for a bit, but when he looked at Fang Zhengzhi now, it was clear that he could not hold out for long.

Chapter 729: Something Strange, Eight Fires Burning the Body

“It’s so cruel!” When Third Elder of the Black Moon Island saw this scene, he could not help but exclaim as he smiled coldly.

“It’s cruel indeed, but compared to the pain the three of us suffered, I think it is still incomparable,” said Second Elder of the Black Moon Island as he smiled coldly as well.

Compared to Second Elder and Third Elder, the leader of the three Sages of the Black Moon Island, Yuan Rong, was much calmer. All he did was to look coldly at Fang Zhengzhi, who was rolling about on the ground, as he clenched his fists tightly.

As someone from the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, it was slightly humiliating for him to accept the Yin Yang Pavilion’s help in completing this task.

However, no matter how great the humiliation was, he still had to endure it. This was because if the Nine Pinnacles Mountain wanted to maintain its position in the Holy Region, it must ally with the Yin Yang Hall.

“Fang Zhengzhi!” Yan Xiu’s body started to shake. A blood-red light started to flash in his eyes and he appeared to be visibly in pain.

Quickly, his trembling stopped because he noticed that Fang Zhengzhi had just winked at him. His pale face looked shocked.

Then, Yan Xiu fell silent.

Fang Zhengzhi, on the other hand, started to shout even more intensely. His shouts reverberated in the forests as if he was about to die.

“Hmph, it hasn’t ended!” A cold radiance flashed in Shi Fan’s eyes. Thanks to a momentary lapse, Fang Zhengzhi killed a Sage. How could he let Fang Zhengzhi die so easily?

The sword in his hand moved.

The second ball of black fire descended.

“Ah!” Fang Zhengzhi cried out in pain once again. His hands tore at his clothes and beads of sweat trickled out non-stop before evaporating before his eyes. It went on non-stop…

However, Shi Fan had no intention of sparing him. He waved his sword in hand once more and two more balls of fire descended.

Quickly, Fang Zhengzhi’s entire body was enveloped by black flames. His skin was set alight and his cries of agony rang continually.

However, what was odd was that…

He did not die!

Fang Zhengzhi was indeed struggling and he was screaming agonizingly. No matter how one looked at it, Fang Zhengzhi seemed incapable of sustaining it any longer.

However, no one knew why but he seemed to be hanging onto his last thread of life. No matter how agonizingly he screamed, he refused to die.

Shi Fan felt that this was odd.

According to his predictions, Fang Zhengzhi should not have been able to survive the second ball of fire. However, why had he not died even after the third and fourth balls of fire?

Shi Fan felt that something was amiss.

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples and elders shared his thought. After all, under normal circumstances, he should have died if it really did make him scream like this.

“It seems that he’s unwilling to die, but if you can survive just because you’re unwilling to die, then the Hell Dao does not deserve its name!” Shi Fan mumbled to himself. Then, his hands moved once more and the fifth ball of fire descended. This time, the black fire went straight for Fang Zhengzhi’s heart.

This fire burned his internal organs!

It was definitely not something that an ordinary person could endure!

Fang Zhengzhi could not endure it too. The moment it penetrated his chest, his body flipped and he curled up into a ball. He seemed to be on his last breath.

Of course, he was still alive.

“…” Shi Fan’s lips twitched and he wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say. However, his face instantly turned cold.

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples saw how cruel he was, they all turned their heads to the side. They could not bear to watch it anymore.

After all, after they personally witnessed such tortures, they felt that it was unnecessarily cruel too.

“Elder Shi, that’s enough!” Sixth Elder finally spoke. While he did not like Fang Zhengzhi, he could not bear to see him being tortured like this.

“That’s enough? The one who died is not from your Heaven Dao Pavilion, of course it’s enough for you!” When Shi Fan heard Sixth Elder’s words, his tone turned icy-cold and murderous.

“Shi Fan, you…,” said Sixth Elder as his face turned slightly red.

He wanted to say, “Does the crime of destroying the Divine Rain Pond exceed that of killing one of your disciples?” However, he swallowed his words.

This was because it was not wise to spread the word that Fang Zhengzhi had destroyed the Divine Rain Pond.

“Alright, since you can endure this pain, let’s see what’s your limit!” Shi Fan ignored Sixth Elder as his sword moved once more. The sixth ball of fire descended once more.

“Whoosh!”

This time, the entire ground was set alight. The intense flames made the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples frown. Beads of sweat fell from their foreheads.

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi’s cries became even more intense and pained. He clawed with his hands at the ground and was able to make two deep marks. Evidently, this was his final struggle.

However, he was still not dead.

“Rascal, I don’t believe you can bear the pain of an Incineration by the Seven Fires!” Shi Fan was finally enraged. He had no need to wait as the sword in his hand started to move. The seventh ball of fire descended straightaway.

“Ah…” Fang Zhengzhi screamed out in agony. His whole body convulsed vigorously and he was evidently dying.

“Hurhur, you evidently can’t take an Incineration by the Seven Fires,” said Shi Fans as a smile crept across his face.

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples saw this scene, they all shook their heads slowly.

“Has it finally ended?”

“He can endure an Incineration by the Seven Fires. Fang Zhengzhi’s will is strong indeed!”

“Yes, such a shame…”

As the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples shook their heads, they lamented too. None of them looked happy.

Waiting.

Shi Fan did not do anything else because he did not want to waste any more energy. Hence, the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples and elders could only wait at the side.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, 15 minutes had passed.

As for Fang Zhengzhi…

He was still convulsing.

“…”

“He’s still alive?!”

“How’s this possible?”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples finally spoke. They could not believe it. After all, the pain of an Incineration by the Seven Fires was something that was normally unbearable.

However, the reality was that…

Fang Zhengzhi convulsed for 15 minutes but he was still not dead.

Even though he really was convulsing, and he was convulsing as he lay straight on the ground and was evidently on the brink of death. Oddly enough, he was not yet dead.

“Rascal, I want to see if you’ll really die!” Shi Fan’s eyes started to bulge. At the same time, the eighth ball of fire, which had been hanging in the air all this while, finally descended.

“Whoosh!” Black flames rushed into the air and its dark sound echoed in the air. It was like the sharpest sound from Hell as it sent chills down everyone’s back.

Then, Fang Zhengzhi’s body finally stopped convulsing. He lay on the ground straight and did not move. He looked as if he was really dead.

“Finally dead!”

“He survived until the eight fire?”

“How strong is his will?”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was no longer moving, and then at each other. They all felt slightly helpless.

When he saw that Fang Zhengzhi was no longer moving, Second Elder took a step forward.

“Yuan Rong, the matter has been settled. Will you three Sages of the Black Moon Island follow me to the Heaven Dao Pavilion and settle this matter with our Pavilion Leader?” Second Elder asked.

“Alright, but we can’t hand Yan Xiu over to you just yet,” said Yuan Rong as he nodded his head.

“What do you mean? Do you think that the Heaven Dao Pavilion won’t keep our words?” Second Elder’s face changed as he said that. He was visibly enraged.

“This matter concerns the life and death of us three brothers. I feel that we should be more careful. After we have settled the matter and exited the territory controlled by the Heaven Dao Pavilion, we’ll naturally return Yan Xiu to you,” said Yuan Rong without any attempt at hiding his intentions.

“You want to threaten us?”

“We don’t dare to threaten you but we want to keep ourselves alive. The Heaven Dao Pavilion’s relationship with the Great Xia Dynasty is strong and if I remember correctly, this rascal is also known as Prince Yan. Oh right, I hear that he knows Chi Guyan so I think… you guys wouldn’t just stand idly by, right?”

“Yuan Rong, you…”

“Second Elder, the three of us have agreed to go to the Heaven Dao Pavilion and we are willing to settle this matter with you. Do you think we’ll kill Yan Xiu?” Yuan Rong said with a cold smile.

“Second brother, Yan Xiu’s injuries are serious. I think we should return to the Heaven Dao Pavilion before we do anything else!” Fourth Elder said timidly after he heard Yuan Rong had said.

When Second Elder heard this, he looked at Yan Xiu, who was half-kneeling on the ground, and his pool of bright-red blood. He gritted his teeth and said, “Alright, you don’t need to hand Yan Xiu over to us now, but if anything happens to him, you three brothers will never leave the Heaven Dao Pavilion!”

“Hurhur, don’t worry, Second Elder, we’re doing this just to stay alive. We don’t want to become the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s enemies!” When Yuan Rong heard this, he nodded his head. At the same time, he quickly took out a small bottle of medicines as he placed one inside Yan Xiu’s mouth.

“Please!” After Second Elder saw Yuan Rong feed Yan Xiu, he immediately waved at the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples who took up sword formations. “Stand down from the sword positions and return to the Heaven Dao Pavilion!”

“Yes!” The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples replied instantly.

“Bring Fang Zhengzhi’s corpse back too!” Fourth Elder looked at Fang Zhengzhi before instructing the disciples.

“Yes!” Two Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples ran toward Fang Zhengzhi.

“Wait a moment! Third brother, go and slash him two more times with your sword, I want to be sure that this rascal is dead!” Yuan Rong’s voice rang out once more. At the same time, he looked at Third Elder of the Black Moon Island.

Chapter 730: Rebirth Plate, Opening the Hell Dao

“Slash him twice more?” Third Elder of the three Sages of the Black Moon Island was stunned when he heard it. Then, he looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was completely immobile on the ground and as dead as he could be.

“Incinerated by the Eight Fires, how can he not die?”

This was what Third Elder thought. However, quickly, he still nodded his head and said, “Yes.” Then, he walked toward Fang Zhengzhi.

“Third brother, please be careful!” Yuan Rong was still worried as he said that.

“Okay,” said Third Elder of the Black Moon Island as he nodded his head again.

When Shi Fan heard that, and when he looked at Third Elder walking toward Fang Zhengzhi, a cold glint appeared in his eyes once more. His expression was murderous.

“Wait! Yuan Rong, the three of you are just disciples of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain. What’s the matter? Don’t you believe that I, Shi Fan, have killed this rascal?” Shi Fan’s tone was unpleasant. After all, as an elder of the Yin Yang Hall, he hated to be questioned.

“Elder Shi, please don’t be angry. The three of us respect you immensely and naturally, we don’t dare to suspect you. All we’re doing right now is to give ourselves some form of reassurance, in case the unthinkable happens,” explained Yuan Rong. When he heard what Shi Fan said, he naturally knew what he was thinking.

“How can the unthinkable happen? Do you think that Fang Zhengzhi can really endure an Incineration by the Eight Fires? Do you think I want to spare him?” said Shi Fan coldly.

“How can this be possible? Elder Shi’s presence today is a great honor for us. I think you have misunderstood us, Elder Shi. All I want is a peace of mind. After all, the mission is of utmost importance…. I believe that if Hallmaster Dao Hun is here, he’ll support my decision…”

“Are you trying to coerce me with Hallmaster?”

“I wouldn’t dare to do that. All I want is to…”

“Enough, there’s nothing else to be said. I’ll inspect him personally. You won’t have anything to say to that, right?” Shi Fan waved his hands and interrupted Yuan Rong.

“Hurhur… of course, if Elder Shi inspects him personally, the three of us won’t have anything to say to that,” said Yuan Rong as he frowned, but he quickly wiped the frown from his face and smiled.

“Hmph!” Shi Fan did not wait for Yuan Rong to say anything else and he took a few steps forward. He arrived next to Fang Zhengzhi and looked at the extinguished black flames on him.

When Second Elder, Fourth Elder, Sixth Elder, and the disciples from the Heaven Dao Pavilion saw this scene, they all stopped what they were doing.

Inspecting a corpse, to a confident and powerful cultivator, was a disdainful task. However, despite Yuan Rong knowing this, he still took the risk of offending Shi Fan by insisting that he did it.

From a certain perspective, it meant that…

Yuan Rong really wanted Fang Zhengzhi dead.

The other side of this matter was that the new potential Leader of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain was in a bit of a rut.

Of course, this was all expected.

After all, Tian Xing died too suddenly. No one had expected Tian Xing to meet with such an accident.

At this moment, Shi Fan lifted his leg up.

“Thump!” He kicked Fang Zhengzhi’s body and instantly sent him flying three steps away.

After he kicked him, Shi Fan did not even look at Fang Zhengzhi as he turned around. He swept Yuan Rong with his gaze and said coldly, “He’s dead!”

“This…” Yuan Rong’s lips twitched. He wanted to say something but after he saw Shi Fan’s dark look on his face, he decided to swallow his words.

After all, he knew that the Nine Pinnacles Mountain was no longer the same without Tian Xing. Without a supremely powerful cultivator, it would naturally be treated very differently.

Of course, as long as the Nine Pinnacles Mountain could be united, it would still be a force to reckon with. To ensure the unity of his sect, Fang Zhengzhi must be dead.

He did not say anything else. Yuan Rong pressed down on Yan Xiu’s shoulder and prepared to lift the half-kneeling Yan Xiu up. Afterward, he had to settle the matter back at the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

However, the moment he touched Yan Xiu’s shoulder, a shadow flashed across in the corner of his eyes. This made his eyes bulge.

“Shi Fan, be careful!” In shock, Yuan Rong did not even bother to address him as ‘Elder Shi’. He called him immediately by his name.

However, it was too late.

This was because the shadow was already behind Shi Fan. More importantly, in the eyes of the shadow, eight balls of fire burned. Eight black balls of fire.

If a single sentence could describe Yuan Rong’s feeling, it would be…

He would rather see a ghost than to see that pair of eyes!

“What?” Shi Fan was proud because he had every right to be. However, for him to survive so long in the Holy Region, how could he not be careful?

However, he was wary of the Heaven Dao Pavilion and its disciples, who had formed their sword formations, as well as the three elders.

He paid no heed to Fang Zhengzhi, whom he thought was dead without a doubt. Hence, only when a murderously cold killing intent appeared behind him did he realize…

He should have been careful of one more person.

“Pffslick!” An icy-cold sword stabbed him from behind and then pierced through his body like a bolt of lightning. The tip of this sword shone with a demonic purple light.

It all happened very quickly.

Other than Yuan Rong, no one else really saw what had happened. However, the fact was that Shi Fan now had a sword sticking out of his chest.

Blood spurted everywhere.

The demonic purple light made everyone’s heart tremble.

Silence.

The three Sages of the Black Moon Island, the disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, and the three elders all looked at the shadow which had appeared behind Shi Fan.

Its pair of crystal-clear eyes were so peculiar.

Even more peculiarly, its eyes seemed to project an image that was slowly taking shape. Eight balls of black fire burned in that image.

It was Shi Fan’s Eight Winters Hell!

“Ah!” Shi Fan roared in anger. At the same time, black flames which reached the sky rose from his body and completely enveloped it.

This was the first time Shi Fan was so angry. This was because the sword that had pierced his chest had hurt his heart. If not for him taking a few steps forward, the sword would not have merely injured his heart; it would have pierced right through it.

He did not wail in agony because at this moment, he was more enraged than pained.

However, the shadow behind Shi Fan had no intention of stopping just because he was enraged. After it stabbed him, the shadow struck Shi Fan’s back with its palm.

“Bleurgh!” Shi Fan spat bright-red blood out from his mouth. This blood mixed from the blood from his chest as he flew into the air and tumbled down some distance away.

“Not dead?!”

“How is he not dead!”

“How is this possible? How can something like this happen?!”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at the shadow far away, whose eyes danced with black balls of fire. They finally reacted to it.

However, they still could not accept what was going on.

Fang Zhengzhi was still alive…

In the Hell Dao, he endured an Incineration by the Eight Fires, and he did not die? Furthermore, he still managed to stand up as if nothing had happened and even stabbed Shi Fan with his sword. How could anyone accept something like this?

Was he a ghost?!”

If he really were a ghost, this would still be impossible!

This was something incomprehensible to the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples. Of course, they knew that to the three Sages of the Black Moon Island, this turn of events petrified them.

“Fang Zhengzhi is not dead!”

“How can he be not dead?!”

“He clearly…”

Even Yuan Rong, who was cautious and had insisted on slashing him twice more, was completely stunned when he saw Fang Zhengzhi stand up.

“His eyes…” Fourth Elder started to mumble. He did not look at Shi Fan but instead, he focused his gaze intently on the black balls of fire dancing in Fang ZHengzhi’s eyes.

“Can it be that this rascal…” When Second Elder heard Fourth Elder’s voice, an impossible notion flashed across his mind.

However, the moment this notion appeared, a huge round wheel of light before his eyes. To be precise, it appeared on top of Fang Zhengzhi’s head.

The huge wheel of light started to spin slowly. Its cerulean and emerald-green light flashed.

The Rebirth Plate!

Second Elder naturally knew what it was, but because of this fact, he had this unpleasant feeling in his heart. Furthermore, it seemed to come true.

The moment the Rebirth Plate appeared above Fang Zhengzhi’s head, the sky turned dark. Thunder boomed and rattled the sky.

“Kaboom!” A black light pillar came down like a black bolt of lightning. Yet, it was also completely straight and resembled a pillar that led into the heaven.

The black light pillar accurately landed on the Rebirth Plate. Then, inside the Rebirth Plate, opposite the cerulean light, the other lightless corner started to shine with a faint radiance. Finally, it turned into a black ball of fire.

“Mmm!” The qi of heaven and earth appeared to be triggered. At this moment, the Rebirth Plate started to turn furiously. Blue, green, and black lights intersected.

At the same time, Fang Zhengzhi’s black armor took shape once more. The shadow behind his back appeared again. This time, on his black armor and shadow, a layer of black fire burned.

Chapter 731: Kill, An Absolute Prodigy!

“Kill!” Fang Zhengzhi bellowed deafeningly. At the same time, an intense killing aura, which was as vast as the ocean, shot out from his body.

“Kill!”

“Kill…”

At this moment, the killing aura reverberated in the air like a tidal wave. It spread in all four directions like waves and pulsated on the ground.

This terrifying scene stunned the disciples and elders of the Heaven Dao Pavilion. Even the three Sages of the Black Moon Island were shocked by this scene. Some of the weaker disciples from the Heaven Dao Pavilion involuntarily took a few steps back.

This step weakened the eight sword formations that they had formed.

In the next moment, with Fang Zhengzhi in the center, the ground sank once more. Then, a humongous diagram appeared on the sinking ground.

“The Hell Dao!”

“It really is the Hell Dao!”

“Fang Zhengzhi… he mastered the Hell Dao!”

“Oh my god! How can this be possible? He is able to master the Hell Dao just by fighting Shi Fan. Is… is he still human?!”

The faces of the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples were all pale-white. This time, they were all truly terrified. This terror reminded them of the battle which took place in the Heaven Academic Altar one month ago.

In that battle, Fang Zhengzhi mastered the Dao of Yin Yang. This was the main reason why Fang Zhengzhi was able to turn the tides of battle against the First Disciple of the Yin Yang Hall, Wan Lei, and beat him.

However…

At that time, everyone thought that Fang Zhengzhi had already been researching the Dao of Yin Yang. Hence, even though they were shocked, they were not terrified.

This time, the same thing happened before them again.

This forced the disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion to confront a ludicrous possibility. However, if it came true, then Fang Zhengzhi, who stood before them, was a true prodigy.

“He can master a Dao just by fighting it! It’s real!” Second Elder did not want to believe it as his rational mind told him that this was simply impossible.

However, reality showed to him that other than this possibility, there was no other way for him to justify what was happening before his very eyes.

“Master a Dao in a fight?!” Sixth Elder looked at Fourth Elder, who was silent, and he could not help but suppress the look of shock in his eyes.

At this moment, he suddenly recalled Fang Zhengzhi’s behavior in the Ninth Heaven.

The Ninth Heaven!

He did not depend on luck but absolute capability! Sixth Elder’s face turned red. He only understood that such a person really existed in this world at this moment. Nothing seemed ‘impossible’ anymore.

Shock.

Silence.

Time appeared to have stopped.

At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi moved too.

His body was like a bolt of lightning as he charged toward Shi Fan with a heaven-engulfing killing aura and black flames. The purple light from his Traceless Sword shone intensely, and it also formed a faint purple shadow.

“Die!” A murderous and cold voice that seemed to have come from Hell rang out, turning the air around it solid with fear.

“So fast!”

“He was even faster than before!”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples could barely see Fang Zhengzhi.

Shi Fan opened his eyes wide too. His injuries were not fatal, but at this moment, it was impossible for him to make a proper decision.

“Hell Dao?! He… he actually mastered the Hell Dao?!” Shi Fan could not believe the reality that was taking place in front of him because only he knew the difficulty of mastering the Hell Dao. It was a process which he did not want to recall. However, right now, Fang Zhengzhi was challenging him to a fight after he had fully mastered the Hell Dao. Furthermore, he could even use the Eight Winters Hell. “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!”

Shi Fan was evidently unwilling to accept it!

However, the black flames all around Fang Zhengzhi’s body were real. The huge symbol of the ground was real too. Even the powerful attractive force was real and rattled him deeply.

“Ah!” Shi Fan hated him. He had never felt this much hate in his life. He did not hate the fact that Fang Zhengzhi was still alive but instead, he hated the fact that Fang Zhengzhi had mastered his Hell Dao, which he took immense pride in.

This was utterly humiliating.

Close!

The Traceless Sword got closer and closer!

Shi Fan’s sense of injustice made his mouth turn sweet. He spat out another mouthful of blood. At this moment, his mind appeared to be rattled.

“Elder Shi!” Just when the Traceless Sword was less than one inch from his throat, a black shadow stood in front of Shi Fan, blocking him.

At the same time, a layer of light completely enveloped the black shadow and Shi Fan. The bright radiance illuminated the dimmed sky.

“Third brother!”

“Third brother!”

Yuan Rong and Second Elder of the Black Moon Island were shocked when they saw the black shadow which blocked Fang Zhengzhi. Then, they both cried out urgently.

However, it was too late, because Fang Zhengzhi’s sword had reached.

“All those who block me shall die!” Another murderous voice rang out and a ray of purple light slashed the light screen that covered Third Elder of the Black Moon Island and Shi Fan.

“Crraack!” The light screen trembled and instantly turned into many dots of light.

It did not even resist the slash.

“How is this possible?! I’m a Sage!” Third Elder of the Black Moon Island looked at the disappearing light screen and he could not believe his own eyes.

After all, in his heart, he knew that while Fang Zhengzhi had mastered the Hell Dao, he was still in his Rebirth State.

How could someone in the Rebirth State break through his defenses?

In other words, how could someone in the Rebirth State break through his defenses so easily?

He could not believe it.

However, the purple radiance not only broke through his defenses but it had also swiftly arrived in front of him. Furthermore, the dense killing aura it exuded made him shake.

“Pffsck!” Blood flew everywhere.

Before Third Elder of the Black Moon Island could react, he felt an intense pain from his shoulder. Then, blood spurted everywhere.

At the same time, he saw an arm flying, an arm which wore the sleeve of a black robe. Blood spurted everywhere like a fountain.

“Ah!” A cry of pain rang from the Third Elder of the Black Moon Island’s mouth. Even though he was a Sage, the pain of losing his arm still made his body convulse.

However, it was evidently not over yet.

This was because the moment his arm was cut off, Fang Zhengzhi appeared before him. Then, he threw a punch at him.

The fist was clad in black armor and burned with black flames. Furthermore, it brought with it a razor-sharp, sword-like aura.

“Fang Zhengzhi!” Third Elder of the Black Moon Island roared in fury. His mind told him to retreat, but he could not retreat anymore.

This was because this punch came too quickly.

If he retreated now, this punch would follow him and then, pierce his heart.

Hence, all he could do was to grit his teeth tightly and clenched his other fist before hitting out with it.

“Boom!” A huge explosion shook everyone’s heart.

The moment Third Elder of the Black Moon Island felt his fist hit Fang Zhengzhi, he felt as if an energy which seemed capable of pushing a mountain over surged toward him. It came at him ceaselessly and was as vast and powerful as the ocean.

More importantly, the sharp energy it exuded was too powerful. It seemed capable of piercing through his fist in one strike.

“No!” Third Elder could not understand why he, as a Sage, would lose to someone in the Rebirth State.

Demon!

This guy was a demon!

Third Elder suddenly felt his whole world crashing down around him. After all, this was the second time he was losing to someone in the Rebirth State.

The first was when the three Sages of the Black Moon Island fought against Chi Guyan. Then, he too was fighting a Rebirth State cultivator.

However, he accepted his loss then willingly.

This was because Chi Guyan descended from the number one bloodline of the Holy Region, the bloodline of Nüwa. Hence, even though she was just in her Rebirth State, he lost to her willingly.

However, this time…

He lost once more.

Furthermore, he lost in terms of absolute strength.

While this energy defeated him with its sheer sharpness, the result did not change. He still lost. Something like this should not be happening.

After all, in terms of the disparity in strength between the states, even Chi Guyan, who was known as the Chosen One, could not defeat a Sage in terms of absolute power.

However, Fang Zhengzhi did it.

Not only did he succeed, after his blow, he struck out once more. His attacks seemed infinite. Swinging his hand like a sword, he struck out at him once again.

“Boom!” Another explosion.

This time, the sound came directly from his shoulder. This one punch was able to almost completely shatter his shoulder.

An intense pain hit him.

It was not finished because the moment the second punch landed, Fang Zhengzhi punched a third time. Furthermore, he aimed this punch right at his chest.

“Puuutsk!” The eyes of Third Elder rolled. They were filled with blood and had turned entirely red.

His world turned red and in this red world, he saw a fist, a fist which penetrated his chest. On this fist, black flames burned.

The black flames started to spread rapidly toward his heart, burning. It even incinerated his Small Dimension.

“I will actually die… die by his… hands…” Third Elder looked at the fist that was approaching him. While he expected to die one day, he never expected to die at the hands of someone in the Rebirth State.

Furthermore, without even putting up a fight, his heart was pierced by his opponent. Furthermore, it was incinerated beyond saving by the Hell Dao.

He was unwilling.

However, he could not be unwilling to face death. His rapidly-draining energy told him that this time, he was truly defeated. He had no chance of fighting back.

A demon?

That was not right. Someone like him should not even exist!

“Bleurgh!” Third Elder spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his black robes red. At the same time, Fang Zhengzhi’s sword in front of him glowed in an even more demonic shade of purple.

Fang Zhengzhi did not stop.

After he punched a hole right through Third Elder, he aimed his Traceless Sword at Shi Fan, who was just before him. His eyes, which shone like crystals, had eight balls of fire dancing inside.

“Another Sage is… dead?!”

“He killed one of the Three Sages of the Black Moon Island, he’s…”

“How can this be possible?!”

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples looked at Third Elder from the Black Moon Island, whose eyes were closed. Their eyes betrayed confusion and horror because to them, this was impossible.

Surrounded by five Sages, three elders of the Heaven Dao Pavilion and hundreds of disciples should guarantee death.

Why…

Why was the result like this?!

When Fang Zhengzhi killed Yin Sen, it could be due to his luck and Yin Sen’s carelessness. This time, when Fang Zhengzhi killed Third Elder of the Black Moon Island, it was based on pure strength. This strength was horrifying indeed.

So fast!

From the moment Fang Zhengzhi attacked to the moment when Third Elder died, all it took was a few blinks of the eye. Furthermore, he only used one sword move and three punches.

“A prodigy, this guy is a prodigy!” Fourth Elder of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke. The shock in his voice was genuine and in it, there was an inexplicable terror.

That was right. He created this whole set-up with Second Elder.

However…

He never expected the result before him. When he made this decision, he only had a fleeting doubt about this.

Right now, his emotions were entirely different.

Worry!

This was the first time he started to worry for his own decision because Fang Zhengzhi, who stood before him, grown to a level he could not predict.

Three months…

If Fang Zhengzhi did not die after three months but instead, achieve the Sage State, what would be the results of the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s decision today?

Fourth Elder had never thought about this before.

However, he did right now. Furthermore, this thought filled each corner of his mind. He clenched his fists tightly.

“Fourth brother, I don’t think we can afford to let him live!” Second Elder’s voice entered Fourth Elder’s ears. It was not loud but clear enough.

“I’m afraid that we…” Fourth Elder’s lips moved and he wanted to say something. However, no voice came from his mouth.

“To prevent this trouble from plaguing us in the future, we have to do the unthinkable. This is no longer up to us. Like what they say, if we make one mistake, there will be no end to the number of mistakes!” Second Elder did not ask what Fourth Elder had wanted to say because, at that moment, he thought the same thing as him.