Chapter 73: Awakening II

"They're here! Everyone, prepare for battle!" Elder Fu opened his eyes and was the first to soar into the sky.

At the sound of his voice, the other four immediately stood up and joined him in the air. The five of them watched the distance intently as two shadows swiftly approached, coming to a halt not far from them.

"Heh! Well, well, look who it is—Fu Yuxuan, you old wretch! If you're not throwing your weight around in Divine Wind, what are you doing here?"

"Hmph! Chi Lian, do you own this primeval forest? If you can come, why can't I?"

"You—!" Chi Lian jabbed a furious finger at Elder Fu, but Xiong Batian quickly stepped in to calm him.

"Elder Chi, let’s not be hasty. There are only two of us—we're no match for them. We can only stall for time until reinforcements arrive."

Chi Lian shot Xiong Batian a scornful glance and curled his lip but said nothing more.

Xiong Batian’s eyes flickered as an idea formed. "Elder Fu, whatever grievances lie between you and Elder Chi, please don’t hinder me from capturing Yao Ye. He stole my clan's most treasured artifact!"

Elder Fu's gaze was cold and lethal as he regarded Xiong Batian in silence. "If you want to seize Yao Ye, go ahead. What does it matter to me?"

Xiong Batian forced a genial smile. "Elder Fu, let’s not play games. The disturbance in the Heaven Demon Wolf Clan’s ancestral shrine—the shifting energies of heaven and earth—must be the result of an awakened bloodline! Yao Ye is undoubtedly inside!"

"Hmph! Bloodline awakening? I know nothing of it. My academy’s students are simply here cultivating. No one is permitted to disturb them!"

"Oh? If your students are truly inside, I won’t interfere. But may I at least take a look?"

"Hmph! Xiong Batian, who do you think you are? If your fate weren’t already sealed, do you think I’d allow you even one more day of life?"

Xiong Batian jabbed a finger at Fu Yuxuan, his face flushed with anger. "You! Very well! Fu Yuxuan, I respected you as a senior and gave you face, but you clearly don’t want it! Hmph!"

Just then, a large group of people flew over from afar and landed before Xiong Batian, dropping to one knee with fists pressed to their chests. "Greetings, Demon Emperor!"

Xiong Batian cast a disdainful glance at Elder Fu. "Fu Yuxuan, I’ll ask you one more time—will you let us pass or not?"

Elder Fu looked at Xiong Batian and his followers with utter contempt. "Hmph!"

"Very well, you refuse a toast and demand punishment instead! Men, attack! I refuse to believe you can protect the Gate of Space!"

At his signal, Xiong Batian’s subordinates surged forward to assault the ancestral shrine.

"Do you not know that once one reaches a certain level of cultivation, numbers no longer matter? Today, I’ll teach you what it means to be a person!"

With those words, Elder Fu charged into the fray, leading the attack.

"Fu Yuxuan!" Chi Lian called out as he lunged at Elder Fu. "Last time in the forest, we were evenly matched. Today, let’s see who is superior!"

"Chi Lian! Your opponent is me!" Wei Bo intercepted Chi Lian.

"So it’s you, Wei Bo! Hmph, it seems you’re well prepared. Good! Let me see what the so-called Demon-Slaying General is capable of!"

"Try me and you won’t be disappointed!"

"Xiong Batian! Let me take you on!" Tang Lin launched himself at Xiong Batian.

At that moment, two more figures flew in.

"Well, well! What a lively scene!"

On seeing the newcomers, Chi Lian brightened. "Mang Yuan, Mang Huang, what are you waiting for? Come and help!"

Mang Yuan pointed at Chi Lian and laughed. "Look at that old fox, Chi Lian—he can't take the pressure anymore!"

Mang Huang laughed as well. "You go help Chi Lian; I’ll take on Fu Yuxuan!"

The two exchanged glances, then charged at Elder Fu’s group. Seeing this, Liu Xin hurriedly unleashed her vital energy toward her companions.

A mysterious force enveloped them, causing everyone to turn in astonishment to Liu Xin.

"How is this possible? Such a massive amplification!" Elder Fu, Wei Bo, and the others exchanged shocked glances, their mouths agape.

Meanwhile, deep within the blood pool, Yao Ye was oblivious to the fierce battle raging outside. As the pool’s power continued to reshape him, his bones cracked and popped incessantly.

In his true form, Yao Ye’s body had nearly doubled in size, his entire being awash with a tingling, almost painful itch. Unable to suppress himself, he let out a soft, contented hum.

The shadowy figure beside him watched the transformation intently, nodding at times and letting out soft laughs of satisfaction, eyes brimming with pride and joy.

Yao Ye’s wings were gradually turning black, growing from frail to robust.

The shadow murmured to itself, "It seems the bloodline will awaken today. Heaven bless my Heaven Demon Wolf Clan—the ancestral bloodline will appear again! Hahaha!"