King of Creation

At this moment, Ye Zhen held an onyx-colored jade piece the size of his palm with spiritual power, and with a glance, it appeared as if flames were flickering inside the dark red jade block.

Before his body could move forward, the intense heat emitted from within made those martial artists who didn't cultivate fire spiritual power unable to withstand the overwhelming firepower and retreat.

A slight divine sense probe revealed a vast, surging fire spirit power within, startling the onlookers. More importantly, this vast fire spirit power lacked the usual violent aura of fire spirit power; along with its intense heat, there was a gentle and smooth feel to it.

"Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade!"

"This is Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade. Only Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade could give the aura of fire spirit power a touch of jade-like moisture," one of the martial artists exclaimed.

As for Palace Master Chu Yang of the Green Sun Palace, his eyes widened as he stared at Ye Zhen in astonishment.

He had searched for so long for the treasures to repair the low-grade soul artifact Purple Flame Golden Lamp, and Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade was one of them. He was completely familiar with the characteristics of Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade.

The moment Ye Zhen took it out, he believed it was indeed Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade.

"How… how could you possibly have Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade? I've scoured the entire True Spirit Domain and couldn't find even half a piece, how could you…"

"How I have Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade isn't something you should worry about! I have it, that's all there is to it. Why are you so nosy?" Ye Zhen interrupted Chu Yang's exclamation with dissatisfaction.

In fact, this Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade came from the treasures left inside the Red Moon Soul Ring by the Earth Core Fire Commander for Ye Zhen.

The treasures left by the Earth Core Fire Commander inside the Red Moon Soul Ring were numerous, but over nearly ten thousand years, those that could be preserved were all kinds of heavenly materials and earthly treasures that could be stored for long periods.

For the Earth Core Fire Commander's collection, treasures containing pure fire spirit power accounted for a considerable proportion.

This Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade was one of the Earth Core Fire Commander's collections, and there were actually three pieces.

Not only the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade, but also the other two heavenly materials and earthly treasures that Chu Yang, the Green Sun Palace Master, sought to purchase were in Ye Zhen's Red Moon Soul Ring: Earth Core Fire Balm and Fire Dragon Herb.

The amount of Earth Core Fire Balm was substantial, weighing several hundred pounds. However, the Fire Dragon Herb was relatively precious, with only one stalk.

"So, are you daring enough to make this bet at Yixiao Building?" Ye Zhen asked, waving the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade in his hand.

However, as soon as he asked this, Ye Zhen felt a bit regretful.

Was his expression too eager?

Was he underestimating this Green Sun Palace Master, Chu Yang? As the leader of the largest sect in the True Spirit Domain, who knows how many life-saving methods this guy has?

If this guy were to unexpectedly deal with him, Ye Zhen would be completely finished.

In fact, the reason Ye Zhen impulsively took out the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade was due to a spur-of-the-moment idea.

Back in the Demon Clan Fortress in the Ground Fire Heart Palace, during their first encounter and after witnessing the power of Chu Yang's Purple Flame Golden Lamp, Ye Zhen had this spontaneous thought.

If he ever had the chance, he should seize the Purple Flame Golden Lamp for himself.

However, due to the vast difference in strength at the time, this thought was quickly extinguished by Ye Zhen.

Later, when Ye Zhen acquired the Earth Core Fire Commander's martial arts inheritance and began cultivating the Impermanence Mysterious Fire Scripture, such thoughts emerged several more times.

Considering the martial meridians within Ye Zhen's current body, in terms of quality, the Black Dragon Martial Meridian and the Xuan Fire Martial Meridian were similar, but in terms of attack power, the Earth Vein Heavenly Fire triggered by Xuan Fire Spiritual Power was the strongest.

The power of the Three Formation Profound Fire Drill condensed with Earth Vein Heavenly Fire by Ye Zhen was comparable to the power of a mid-grade spirit artifact fully activated by a king of the sixth or seventh establishment stage; upon hitting, it could injure beings of the eighth stage establishment realm.

The formidable power of Earth Vein Heavenly Fire is evident.

However, among the spiritual artifacts Ye Zhen possessed, excluding the soul artifact Longevity Banner, none were fire-attribute, making it impossible to unleash the full power of the Xuan Fire Spiritual Power.

Ye Zhen had considered more than once that Chu Yang's Purple Flame Golden Lamp might be the best fire-attribute treasure he had ever seen that suited him.

Although it was a soul artifact, Ye Zhen believed that with the quality of his Xuan Fire Spiritual Power, he ought to be able to activate the Purple Flame Golden Lamp.

Unfortunately, on that day within the Demon Clan Fortress, after seeing the Purple Flame Golden Lamp once, there was no further opportunity.

Now, upon meeting Chu Yang again, and with Chu Yang coincidentally seeking to purchase treasures to repair the Purple Flame Golden Lamp while also challenging Ye Zhen to a public duel at Yixiao Building, this spurred Ye Zhen into a momentary thought.

Ye Zhen felt that this was possibly a great opportunity to obtain the Purple Flame Golden Lamp, and perhaps the only opportunity. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, it was practically impossible for Ye Zhen to kill Chu Yang and seize the Purple Flame Golden Lamp amidst the protection of the two Supreme Elders of the Green Sun Palace.

In such circumstances, Ye Zhen produced the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade, which he had kept hidden and never revealed!

However, shortly after taking it out, Ye Zhen felt a tinge of regret.

Seizing the Purple Flame Golden Lamp could require long-term planning, but now indeed involved some risk!

With this thought, seeing Chu Yang still hesitating, Ye Zhen laughed heartily, "Palace Master Chu is still considering? Actually, I'm just kidding you!

With my cultivation, facing you at Yixiao Building, even if you agree, I won't! I'm leaving, see you!"

Casually putting away the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade, Ye Zhen turned and walked away.

But the Green Sun Palace Master, Chu Yang, who was in the midst of his contemplation, urgently moved and blocked Ye Zhen's path.

"Wait, you can't leave!"

Ye Zhen's eyes narrowed sharply, "I can't leave, what do you mean? Is Palace Master Chu intending to make trouble? If you don't step aside, I'll call the guards of Shuili Island!" Ye Zhen warned, shaking the Identity Jade Token in his hand.

This Identity Jade Token contained a Talisman Lead, which could be used to send a talisman communication to the island's guard commander in case of trouble.

Seeing Ye Zhen use this as a threat, Chu Yang also stepped back, knowing that if the guards of Shuili Island were truly summoned, at best, he would be warned and reprimanded; at worst, he would be driven off the island, which would be troublesome.

However, Chu Yang still blocked the way, not allowing Ye Zhen to leave, with a face full of hesitation!

In fact, he had previously wanted to draw Ye Zhen to Yixiao Building for a public duel to avenge his grudge.

But Ye Zhen's attitude made him hesitate a bit.

He had witnessed Ye Zhen's formidable strength firsthand. Even with his current cultivation at the sixth stage of the Vein Forging Realm, Ye Zhen had been able to heavily injure King Zhenshan while at the fourth stage, and even escape under his watchful eye.

In the end, Ye Zhen had activated a killing move that gravely injured him.

The time when Ye Zhen damaged his Purple Flame Golden Lamp and injured him had always been a painful memory for Chu Yang.

Therefore, deep down, Palace Master Chu Yang of the Green Sun Palace felt some trepidation toward Ye Zhen.

Especially after the ordeal at the Ground Fire Heart Palace, when it was ultimately proven that Ye Zhen had obtained the Earth Core Fire Commander's martial inheritance, Ye Zhen had been quite formidable even before obtaining the martial inheritance. How powerful would he be after obtaining it?

Of course, Chu Yang also understood that before this, Ye Zhen's divine soul power was somewhat formidable, and that killing move was terrifying, but other than that, nothing special.

But Chu Yang was worried, what if during the final battle, Ye Zhen pulled the same trick on him again?

Not only would he lose, but he would also lose the Purple Flame Golden Lamp, that would simply be a double loss!

His hesitation at this moment was indeed because of this reason!

However, now that Ye Zhen was leaving, he got anxious!

You can't catch the wolf if you're not willing to sacrifice your child, gritting his teeth, Palace Master Chu Yang of Green Sun Palace made up his mind. After all, after that battle ended, he had carefully contemplated the situation of that day and devised various countermeasures. Even if Ye Zhen used that killing move again, he might not necessarily lose.

"Alright, Ye Zhen, I agree to your conditions! You and I will go to Yixiao Building for a match, each of us staking the Purple Flame Golden Lamp and the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade...."

"Do you take me for a fool? I'm not going!"

Before Chu Yang could finish, Ye Zhen sneered and directly refused, once again turning to walk in another direction.

Chu Yang immediately became anxious, it was hard to find the whereabouts of the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade, how could he give up so easily?

"Didn't you just say you wanted to go to Yixiao Building with me?"

"Are you deaf? Wasn't I just joking with you?"

Poor Chu Yang, the palace master of the largest sect in the True Spirit Domain, was usually flattered everywhere he went, with everyone revolving around him.

Poor thing, now he dared not block Ye Zhen but could only keep negotiating behind Ye Zhen's back. The two Supreme Elders of Green Sun Palace also watched helplessly.

It happened on Shuili Island, otherwise, he might have already made a move elsewhere to kill and seize the treasure.

"Joking? Aren't you just playing with an old man?"

"So what if I am?"

Ye Zhen played it straight, and Chu Yang was helpless. Repairing the Purple Flame Golden Lamp was too important for Green Sun Palace.

"Um... Ye Zhen, are you selling that Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade?"

"Not selling!"

"I'll offer a high price?"

"No matter how high, it's not for sale!"

"Name your terms, even if it means an alliance between our Green Sun Palace and your Sun and Moon Divine Sect; I might even help you ascend to the position of Sun and Moon Divine Sect Leader...."

"Thanks, but no thanks...."

.....

Ye Zhen was unmoved, continuing to walk forward persistently, and Chu Yang helplessly trailed alongside. Finally, Chu Yang became thoroughly anxious and shouted, "Ye Zhen, you, stop right there!"

"I'm wagering something concerning your secret in addition to the Purple Flame Golden Lamp, to duel with you for that Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade!" Chu Yang shouted.

This statement, as hoped, made Ye Zhen stop.

"Concerning my secret, what secret?" Ye Zhen turned back to ask.

"You're from the Black Dragon Domain, is that right?" Chu Yang said.

"That's right!" Ye Zhen nodded, frowning. Seeing Chu Yang's earnest expression, Ye Zhen felt that Chu Yang wasn't just trying to be misleading.

"Exactly, you know, ever since the battle at the Ground Fire Heart Palace, I've been trying my hardest to gather information about you, and then I inadvertently came across this matter!" Chu Yang said.

"What matter?" Ye Zhen pursued the question.

This time, Chu Yang took the leading role, pointing in the direction of Yixiao Building, "Want to know? Defeat me at Yixiao Building, and I'll tell you!"

In the end, seeing Ye Zhen's hesitant look, Chu Yang quickly added, "Regardless of whether you win or lose, as long as you are still alive after the battle, I will tell you this matter!"

Chu Yang was afraid that Ye Zhen wouldn't dare go to Yixiao Building or wouldn't have confidence in winning, so he offered Ye Zhen an additional incentive.

This time, Ye Zhen considered for just a moment before nodding in agreement.

Ye Zhen already had his eyes on the Purple Flame Golden Lamp, and now that Chu Yang mentioned something involving his secret, especially something related to the Black Dragon Domain, Ye Zhen couldn't help but pay attention.

Seeing this, Chu Yang was overjoyed, "Great, let's go now!"

"Let's go now!"

With these four words, countless streaks of light shot up from the market, all heading straight for Yixiao Building at once.

In an instant, the sky looked like a meteor shower, a marvelous sight, yet Ye Zhen was dumbfounded watching the scene.

Why were these people more excited than Chu Yang upon hearing about going to Yixiao Building?

Moreover, it wasn't just these people; they kept sending out talisman communications, calling friends. In an instant, lights were shooting up in all directions on Shuili Island.

Possibly because the Ten-thousand-year Fire Jade had a lead, and Ye Zhen had agreed to go to Yixiao Building, Chu Yang felt quite pleased. Seeing Ye Zhen's puzzled look, Chu Yang explained a bit.

"Yixiao Building is the only place on Shuili Island where life-and-death duels can take place. It not only allows martial artists to witness rarely seen master duels but also to bet on the outcomes.

Of course, most importantly, the bets here are backed by Shuili Dan King's reputation. No matter how much you bet or win, it's guaranteed."

"Moreover, it's mainly because these martial artists have come here and are bored these days!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhen did not show much gratitude, slightly cupping his hand in salute, before his figure soared into the sky, flying toward Yixiao Building.

Yixiao Building, as the name implies, has a building!

But the pavilion named Yixiao Building, is just one structure in a complex of buildings referred to as Yixiao Building, three-story bamboo loft, with green bamboo swaying at the window, and a pot of aged wine emitting a fragrant aroma on a bamboo table.

If there is any foe who can dissolve enmity with a laugh, they may ascend this loft to drink this wine and resolve their grievances with a handshake.

It is said that Shuili Dan King also prepared small gifts for those who can dissolve enmity with a laugh.

But over the years, there have been a few pairs who could dissolve enmity with a laugh, but most of them ascend this loft only after a grand battle.

Ten miles east outside the loft is a specially designated martial arts arena spanning fifty miles, surrounded by dozens of open two-story bamboo lofts, roughly counting, there are probably over a hundred such spectator bamboo lofts.

By the time Ye Zhen arrived, each spectator bamboo loft was already packed with martial artists!

"Ye Zhen, come over here, to fight at Yixiao Building, you first have to sign a Life and Death Contract with the host over here before you can take the stage!" Chu Yang, who had just arrived, said. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) for recommended votes, monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)