Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Though Thousands Oppose Me, I Will Go Forth

Jiang Chen’s expression changed abruptly.

The True Essence Blade pulsed with a terrifying, cold light. Bright silver light coiled around it, carrying an incomparably sharp and murderous aura as it pressed down on Jiang Chen.

A True Martial Realm expert has comprehended the true meaning of the Martial Dao. With a single punch, they can even make a thundering waterfall reverse its flow or shatter a colossal boulder...

Facing this mid-air strike from Yun Haoran, Jiang Chen felt an immense pressure.

The aura of death enveloped his entire being.

It was an endless darkness that wrapped around Jiang Chen. Negative emotions like cold, despair, and more felt like countless sharp claws reaching out from the Abyss of Hell, constantly pulling at him, crushing him, trying to drag him down into the chasm of death.

The terrifying destructive force of the True Essence Blade alone was enough to make a trickle of blood seep from the corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth, a sign of internal injury.

The dreadful True Essence Blade surged forward with even greater ferocity, aiming to kill Jiang Chen in a single blow!

"Jiang Chen is finished!"

"That fool doesn’t know what’s good for him. Daring to provoke the Special Envoy is just courting death!"

"What a shame. After being useless for over a decade, he finally made a name for himself at the Zhenjiang Stele, only to have his life cut short..."

The crowd sighed and murmured among themselves.

Jiang Ziyou’s eyes narrowed into two crescent moons, a chilling light glinting within them. ’Trash is trash, in the end. So what if you surpassed me at the Zhenjiang Stele? I don’t even have to lift a finger to have you killed!’

However...

Just as everyone thought Jiang Chen was doomed, a streak of white light shot out from the side. With a sharp CLINK, the white light collided with Yun Haoran’s True Essence Blade. They both dissipated, vanishing without a trace.

This was followed by an indifferent voice. "Yun Haoran, you are a dignified Elite Disciple of the Saint Martial Sword Sect. To attack a junior who only entered the Martial Arts First Stage Realm a mere two months ago... isn’t that going a bit too far?"

"Hm?"

Yun Haoran’s face fell. He looked toward Bai Ling, his expression turning grim, and snapped, "Bai Ling, you dare meddle in my affairs?"

"I just can’t stand watching you bully the weak with your power. What are you going to do about it?" Bai Ling was like an iceberg. As she grew angry, wisps of icy True Essence surged around her. Her cultivation was clearly no less than Yun Haoran’s.

Yun Haoran’s face shifted between shades of green and white, a truly ugly sight.

But Bai Ling’s strength was equal to his own. Moreover, the power backing her was not to be underestimated. He really couldn’t do anything to her.

His expression flickered slightly before Yun Haoran regained his nonchalant demeanor.

"Since Junior Sister Bai insists on protecting this little bastard, then I, as your senior, will naturally give you face."

He looked at Jiang Chen with contempt and said, "Kid, you’re lucky today that Junior Sister Bai is protecting you! Ants like you... I could crush a whole batch with a wave of my hand. I advise you to keep a low profile from now on. Otherwise, you might not be so lucky as to have a woman step in for you again! HA HA HA..."

Yun Haoran laughed wildly and arrogantly.

He showed no regard for Jiang Chen whatsoever. Or perhaps, just as he’d said, Jiang Chen was nothing more than an ant he could crush at will!

"Special Envoy, please calm down. Getting angry at an ignorant little bastard like him is beneath you!"

"Let’s go up to the high platform and enjoy the Yulan River Hunt!"

These top experts of Yandu City, usually proud and arrogant, were now all wearing fawning expressions and flattering him.

Yun Haoran smiled with satisfaction. Head held high, he strode toward the high platform like a star surrounded by the moon.

From beginning to end, he didn’t spare Jiang Chen another glance.

Jiang Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He glared sideways at the domineering figure on the high platform and gritted his teeth, a towering inferno of rage burning in his heart.

Jiang Chen clenched his fists so tightly he felt his lungs would explode. His eyes blazed with fury as he ground his teeth. ’Yun Haoran... good, very good. You think you’re so great just because you’re a True Martial Realm expert? Trying to kill someone over a single disagreement? Calling me an ant you can crush at will? You just wait. It won’t be long before I’m stomping you under my foot. Then you’ll know who the real ant is.’

As if sensing Jiang Chen’s murderous gaze, Yun Haoran, on the high platform, frowned slightly and glanced down at him.

The corner of his mouth curled up. He raised a hand and slowly drew it across his neck in a mocking, cold gesture.

’That bastard...’ Jiang Chen’s fists tightened, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Are you furious?"

Bai Ling’s voice sounded beside him.

Jiang Chen was taken aback. He turned to look at the icy woman. Before he could speak, he heard Bai Ling’s clear voice continue, "Fury alone is not enough. If you want revenge, you must become stronger."

With that said, Bai Ling turned and walked away.

She sat alone on the high platform, as cold as ice, deterring anyone from approaching her.

...

Qian Duoduo wiped the sweat from his brow and announced, "I will now declare the rules for the Yulan River Hunt. Everyone will have five days to enter the Yulan River and hunt Demon Beasts. Each of you has a Token. For every Tier One Low-level Demon Beast you kill, you will receive one point. Killing a Tier One Middle Level beast is worth five points, and as for a Tier One High-level Demon Beast, each one is worth ten points."

"After five days, you will return here, and we will determine the winner based on the number of points. Now, I declare the Yulan River Hunt officially... begins!"

At Qian Duoduo’s command, the eight war drums beside the altar began to beat simultaneously.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...

The drums thundered, shaking the heavens and the earth.

Lin Yu suddenly shouted, "All members of the Lin Family, move out with me!"

Chen Fan said nonchalantly, "Everyone from the Chen Family, gather up!"

Large groups of followers immediately gathered behind Xu Qilin, Jian Shisan, Jiang Ziyou, and the others. Over thirty thousand people were entering the second phase of the Yulan River Hunt, many of whom were experts and vassals from the various great clans.

The Yulan River Hunt was only judged by points, regardless of whether you personally killed the Demon Beast.

It was even possible for a large group to help capture a Demon Beast and present it to one person to kill, allowing them to accumulate a high score.

Because of this, the major powers had all schemed and sent numerous experts to assist their young masters and mistresses, striving for a higher rank in the hunt.

Jiang Ziyou, surrounded by followers like the moon by stars, walked up to Jiang Chen. More than five hundred people followed her, far more than Lin Yu and the others had.

Like a proud swan, Jiang Ziyou looked down on Jiang Chen and said meaningfully, "The Yulan River is full of danger. A single misstep could be fatal. Good luck!" A slight smirk touched her lips, and her gaze held a sinister chill, making Jiang Chen feel as if needles were pricking his back.

Lin Yu followed close behind. Pausing as he passed Jiang Chen, he looked at him mockingly. "Well, well, if it isn’t the great waste, Jiang Chen? Why are you all alone? Do you want this young master to help you out? Just kneel and beg me, and this young master will be merciful and let you tag along. How about it?"

"You ignorant piece of trash, daring to offend the Special Envoy. You deserve to have no one to team up with for the hunt..." Chen Fan curled his lip and said with disdain.

Jian Shisan said coldly, "Death would be too good for you!"

Xu Qilin sneered, "What happened at the Zhenjiang Stele yesterday displeased me greatly. You’d better pray you don’t run into me during the hunt!"

If Jiang Chen hadn’t offended Yun Haoran, given his outstanding performance at the Zhenjiang Stele, even if the Four Great Clans wouldn’t take him in, experts from other powers would have invited him to team up and hunt Demon Beasts.

But now... 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Who would dare risk offending Yun Haoran to invite Jiang Chen?

Watching the vast crowd depart, Jiang Chen seemed particularly desolate. He stood alone against the wind, his long black hair fluttering.

With a sudden stride, he charged toward the Yulan River, all by himself...

As long as he had a sword in hand, he would advance, even against a thousand armies!

One man, one sword, and boundless heroic spirit!