Chapter 304: Chapter 304: He Really Rolled Away

Ye Xuan’s single word, "Scram," was like a vicious slap across his face. He’d been utterly humiliated in front of so many Soul Refiners and their disciples. At this moment, Tai Xin was so enraged he nearly coughed up blood.

"Good, kid. You refuse to accept a toast, so you’ll have to drink a forfeit. Since it’s come to this, this old man would like to see for himself just how strong you are to dare speak to me like that."

Tai Xin’s face was ashen. With an angry roar, two black rings appeared in his hands. Each ring was about half a meter in diameter with razor-sharp edges. With a flick of his wrists, the two black rings transformed into two fierce blades of light that shot viciously toward Ye Xuan.

At the same time, a black, crescent-moon-shaped martial soul materialized above Tai Xin’s head. A hazy glow enveloped the ring blades, and the black light radiating from them instantly intensified.

Before the blades of light even reached Ye Xuan, their biting aura preceded them. It was a piercing, sinister cold that threatened to freeze the very flesh on his bones.

Ye Xuan frowned. ’In terms of cultivation, this Tai Xin isn’t much stronger than Ge Lihui, but his martial soul is far stranger. That ghastly, cold sensation even makes my Soul Power feel uncomfortable.’

’But it would be laughable if Tai Xin thinks he can defeat me just by relying on his weapons.’

Without a second thought, the Dragon Pattern Sword at Ye Xuan’s waist flew from its sheath. In the next instant, a dense torrent of sword light, like crashing waves, materialized. Layer after layer of light surged forward, relentlessly striking the two black rings.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

A series of metallic clashes rang out. The two black rings were forcefully stopped a meter in front of Ye Xuan. No matter how violently the black light surged, it couldn’t get an inch closer.

"Shattering Void Sword Intent—Break!"

While Tai Xin was still in shock, a sharp glint flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes. With a twist and a thrust of his longsword—ROAR!—a clear dragon’s cry echoed through the heavens. The sword light transformed into a roaming dragon, slipping through the gap between the two rings. It instantly struck Tai Xin’s chest, sending him flying with a single slash.

SPLURT!

Blood blossomed in midair. A gash several feet long was sliced across Tai Xin’s chest as he was sent flying backward. He landed on one knee. Having lost his control, the two black rings also fell to the ground with a crisp clang.

Ye Xuan coldly sheathed his longsword. He looked down contemptuously at the kneeling Tai Xin, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

’Trying to suppress me with weapons? This Tai Xin is still far too naive.’

"Do you need me to say it again? Scram!" Ye Xuan barked, turning his gaze away.

Everyone watching was, once again, dumbfounded.

"This Ye Xuan is terrifying. His Fist Skill is so formidable, but I never expected his Swordsmanship to be this astounding."

"Did you see that last strike? It had the profound mystique of a flood dragon emerging from a deep pool, a true dragon soaring through the sky. It’s horrifying."

"It’s a good thing President Tai Xin reacted quickly. If that had been me, I’m afraid I would have been sliced in two. So scary."

A string of similar discussions broke out, and everyone stared, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.

In two confrontations, the strength Ye Xuan had displayed was not that of a disciple at all. It was on the level of the presidents of the various kingdoms.

But judging by his age, Ye Xuan wasn’t even twenty. How could such a genius exist in this world?

Even Luan Hong’s pupils constricted, and he grew secretly wary.

At Ye Xuan’s cold command, Tai Xin’s face flushed red. With a dark expression, he quietly picked up his weapons and walked off the teleportation platform without a word. The dejected way he left truly did look as if he were "scramming" away.

"Aoxue, this second spot is yours," Ye Xuan said lightly.

Yun Aoxue, who had already stepped onto the platform, finally snapped back to her senses. Her expression was still a little dazed. In the short month since they had last met, Ye Xuan had grown to a point where he seemed like a stranger to her.

After Yun Aoxue went up, there was only one spot left on the array.

But everyone just looked at each other. After what had happened to Ge Lihui and Tai Xin, no one dared to step forward.

The few disciples from Liuyun Kingdom, however, were anxious and looked at Ye Xuan with anticipation, wondering if he would call them up.

Seeing that no one was coming forward, Master Zhu Tianlan of the Celestial Gold Kingdom’s eyes couldn’t help but light up.

"Little friend Ye Xuan, your strength has truly been an eye-opener. To think that a genius like you has appeared in our Thirteen Nations Alliance... it is truly a blessing for the Alliance." Zhu Tianlan smiled as he stepped out of his own teleportation array, his face full of admiration.

When the crowd saw Zhu Tianlan’s actions, they were all taken aback. ’What is Master Zhu Tianlan trying to do? Didn’t the Celestial Gold Kingdom already claim a teleportation array? Does he intend to seize Ye Xuan’s last spot as well?’

As expected, they heard Master Zhu Tianlan say with a smile, "Little friend Ye Xuan, let’s not waste words. This old man sees that one spot on your teleportation array remains unfilled, so I presume you don’t have anyone else in mind. This old man has an impertinent request, and I hope little friend Ye Xuan will do me the honor."

"Please speak, Master Zhu Tianlan," Ye Xuan said calmly.

Based on his performance in the Floating Light Secret Realm, Ye Xuan’s impression of Master Zhu Tianlan, known as the number one Soul Refiner of the Thirteen Countries, was quite good. Not only did the man lack the airs of a top Soul Refiner, but on many occasions, he considered the interests of the entire Thirteen Nations Alliance rather than just his Celestial Gold Kingdom. Ye Xuan held a great deal of admiration for such a person.

Of course, admiration was one thing, but Ye Xuan knew exactly why Zhu Tianlan had stepped forward. He wasn’t going to just give the spot away for free. It all depended on what Zhu Tianlan had to say.

"I imagine little friend Ye Xuan has already guessed. What this old man wants is the last spot on your teleportation array. But rest assured, I won’t take advantage of you. How about this: I will give you fifty mid-grade Profound Stones as payment for this final spot. What do you think? Of course, if you’re not satisfied, we can negotiate."

Zhu Tianlan said with a sincere attitude.

The whole crowd burst into an uproar.

They had thought Zhu Tianlan would forcefully demand Ye Xuan’s last spot. With his strength and status, he was more than capable of doing so.

After all, Zhu Tianlan was not Ge Lihui or Tai Xin. In terms of status and strength, President Zhu Tianlan, known as the number one Soul Refiner, was far superior to those two. In the eyes of the crowd, no matter how arrogant Ye Xuan was, he wouldn’t dare refuse a request from President Zhu Tianlan.

But no one had expected that while President Zhu Tianlan was indeed asking for the last spot, he wasn’t demanding it forcefully, but offering to buy it with fifty mid-grade Profound Stones.

Mid-grade Profound Stones were extremely rare in the Thirteen Nations Alliance and thus exceptionally valuable.

While it was hard to say if fifty mid-grade Profound Stones was expensive or cheap for a spot on a teleportation array, the price was by no means a small sum.

"Deal," Ye Xuan said with a nod.

’In any case, I didn’t have anyone for the last spot. Getting fifty mid-grade Profound Stones for it is a good deal. At the very least, I can see Zhu Tianlan’s sincerity, unlike Ge Lihui and Tai Xin, who tried to rely on their strength to take it by force.’

Based on Ye Xuan’s previous behavior, the crowd had expected him to haggle, but they were all stunned when he agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

Although fifty mid-grade Profound Stones was a lot, compared to the opportunity to enter a ruin—and one that had never been explored before—the benefits definitely outweighed the costs.

What a pity.

Many people secretly regretted not having thought of that idea themselves.

"Xia Qixi, you can go over now," Zhu Tianlan said to Xia Qixi, who was standing at his side.

"Me?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Xia Qixi was taken aback for a moment, but she quickly understood and walked over to Ye Xuan’s teleportation array.

"We meet again," Xia Qixi said to Ye Xuan with a faint smile.

Ye Xuan hadn’t expected that Zhu Tianlan had bought the spot for Xia Qixi. He nodded at her.

’In truth, I wouldn’t have cared which person from the Celestial Gold Kingdom came up.’

All seven teleportation arrays were now filled.

Seeing that no one else was coming up to challenge them, at Zhu Tianlan’s instruction, everyone in the seven teleportation arrays simultaneously poured in their Profound Power. Dazzling array patterns lit up before them. Then, amidst a seven-colored rainbow light, the figures of Ye Xuan and the others slowly vanished, growing more and more indistinct.

At that moment, several miles from the canyon, a Profound Beast that resembled a qilin happened to see the seven-colored rainbow light shooting up into the sky.

’Damn it, those humans actually opened the teleportation array to the Forbidden Land! Huh? That guy who took my subordinate is there too? Crap, the Forbidden Land’s teleportation array is about to close!’

A furious fire ignited in Jin Lin’s golden eyes. Its body instantly transformed into a streak of golden lightning, hurtling toward the source of the seven-colored rainbow light.

In just a few breaths’ time, Jin Lin crossed the distance of several miles, arriving before the teleportation platform. Its golden body kicked up a golden whirlwind in the canyon.

"Who’s there?"

"Who is that?"

Angry and alarmed shouts immediately erupted from the crowd that hadn’t been able to teleport away.

Some Martial Artists couldn’t help but launch attacks in Jin Lin’s direction.

"Insignificant humans, get back!"

Jin Lin roared. Golden rays of light suddenly burst from its golden Scale Armor, instantly blasting the dozen or so Martial Artists who had attacked it into clouds of blood mist.

At the same time, Jin Lin’s gaze fell coldly upon the teleportation array, just in time to see Ye Xuan’s figure slowly blurring.

"That’s him!"

Jin Lin recognized Ye Xuan’s aura at a glance—it was identical to the one that had taken its subordinate.

’Did you think you could escape the pursuit of the great Jin Lin just by entering the Forbidden Land? How laughable.’

Golden light suddenly burst from the horn on its head, landing on various corners of the teleportation platform.

HUMMM!

The seven-colored rainbow light, which had already vanished, unexpectedly blossomed once more.

SWOOSH!

Jin Lin’s massive body plunged into the rainbow light and instantly disappeared, leaving behind a field of stunned human Martial Artists who had no idea what had just happened.