Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates

In the Duel Arena, amidst the clamor, Xiao Ye took a seat in the area designated for the Yang Family. In secrecy, he consumed another drop of Heavenly Sacred Water and activated the Heavenly Saint Technique, beginning the process of refining the surging energy within his body. He strove to break through the last barrier, aiming to achieve King Body Completion.

Suddenly, all the noise around Xiao Ye faded away from his ears, and his spirit wholly submerged into his endeavor. His Blood Qi emitted a continuous, torrential roar, reminiscent of a ceaseless, surging sea.

Yang Wudao and others cast surprised glances at Xiao Ye, then couldn't help but smile wryly.

They hadn't expected Xiao Ye to be able to cultivate at such a time, under such circumstances.

"Alright, everyone, pay attention, don't disturb Young Hero Xiao!" Yang Wudao coughed lightly, addressing the Martial Artists who had followed the Yang Family to the site.

Immediately, everyone's gaze landed on Xiao Ye, and upon realizing what was happening, they too wore strange expressions and hurriedly refrained from causing any disturbance.

As time slowly passed, more and more Martial Artists filled the Duel Arena. Representatives from Barbarian Valley City's Ten Great Families had all arrived, while those who'd come to enjoy the show found their places, waiting for the Heavenly Pride Battle to commence.

While they waited, they heatedly discussed which family might claim the top three spots in today's Heavenly Pride clash.

Naturally, most of their attention was fixed on Han Tian from the Han Family, this included the representatives from the other Eight Families.

There was no helping it; the Han Family was simply too ostentatious.

When Han Tian achieved his breakthrough in Physical Body Power, he even went specifically to the City Entrance Stone to test his strength. Once he demonstrated four rings of Taoist Light, all the spectating Martial Artists were shocked to their cores. This news quickly rippled across Barbarian Valley City, becoming known to all.

This revelation exerted immense pressure on the Nine Major Families aside from the Han Family.

Physical Body Power reaching the level of Han Tian's practically labeled him as the number one in the younger generation of Barbarian Valley City. Only the older generation of Martial Artists could suppress him. Among his peers, it was hard to find anyone who could match him.

"Ha!" noticing the surrounding gazes, Han Ying, the Family Head of the Han Family, couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Do you feel confident about securing the first place in this contest, my son?" Han Ying turned his head, looking at Han Tian beside him, and asked in a low voice.

Upon hearing these words, Han Tian arrogantly glanced over the other Nine Major Families with confidence, smiled, and said, "Father, rest assured, the title of first place has already been reserved by your son."

"The youths from the other Nine Major Families are nothing more than a ragtag bunch!"

"Ha ha!" Amused by this declaration, Han Ying burst into satisfied laughter. "Poor Yang Wudao; those ten Snow Lotus Sky Fruits were first discovered by him, but now, he will have to hand over six of them to our Han Family."

"He will surely be so infuriated that he'll spit blood. I'm really looking forward to his reaction at that time."

Hearing Han Ying's words, Han Tian also broke out into laughter.

The Yang Family?

Aside from Yang Qianfan, who was somewhat worthy of his attention, there was no one else he considered worth noticing.

Moreover, Han Tian had learned that Yang Qianfan had not yet achieved a breakthrough in Physical Body Power. Therefore, the title of first place in the Ten Great Families' Heavenly Pride Battle had already been deemed a sure win by him.

"Big brother, don't forget to avenge me. I heard that kid is going to represent the Yang Family in the battle," piped up Han Feng, who had been sitting behind all this while.

"Scoff, you should have practiced more! Facing a Martial Artist with strong Physical Body Power, you were bound to suffer," Han Tian rebuked Han Feng coldly.

"Big brother, I..." Han Feng shrank back, his face brimming with grievance.

"Enough, be at ease. Even if you're not strong, you are still my brother. If someone bullies you, as your elder brother, I will certainly seek justice for you!" Han Tian's tone softened, and he narrowed his eyes slightly. He looked up towards the Yang Family's area and his gaze settled on Xiao Ye.

He was already aware of Han Feng's bullying incident and had paid special attention to Xiao Ye, recognizing him at a glance.

As for Xiao Ye's victories over Yang Xikang and Yang Qianyu within the Yang Family, Yang Wudao had even issued a command to keep it secret, preventing the news from spreading. Therefore, the Martial Artists of Barbarian Valley City's understanding of Xiao Ye remained the same as it was a month ago when Xiao Ye first entered Barbarian Valley City.

This was normal; breakthroughs in the Physical Body Power were difficult to achieve. Apart from Xiao Ye, no other Martial Artist in Barbarian Valley City had ever made such rapid progress in their Physical Body Power within a mere month.

"Hm?"

When Han Tian saw Xiao Ye with eyes closed and in deep concentration, he was initially taken aback, then scoffed: "This kid, thinking he can cram at the last minute, seems like a worthless weakling who has neglected cultivation."

With just that glance, Han Tian shifted his attention away, too lazy to pay more attention to Xiao Ye.

For him, the ones he needed to watch out for were Yang Qianfan from the Yang Family and a few Heavenly Prides from the other families.

As for Xiao Ye, he simply planned to wait until Xiao Ye stepped on stage, give him a lesson, and vent frustration on behalf of his brother.

As time trickled by, the hour for the Ten Great Families' Heavenly Pride Battle drew nearer.

On his seat in the Yang Family's area, Xiao Ye's Blood Qi was surging mightily and growing increasingly robust. His expression turned solemn, sweat flowing from his body, resembling a titanic furnace, radiating intense heat.

This transformation stunned Yang Wudao, Yang Qianfan, and Yang Qianyu—father and sons—surprised, and a flicker of excitement shone through.

Could it be that Xiao Ye was about to achieve a breakthrough in his Physical Body now?

This thought had only just arisen when suddenly, the Blood Qi around Xiao Ye plummeted, and all the activity ceased.

At the same time, Xiao Ye slowly opened his eyes, his face filled with frustration: "Failed again!"

Merely a step away from reaching King Body Completion, but each attempt by Xiao Ye to break through ended in failure, as if that threshold was as insurmountable as a Heavenly Chasm.

"It seems I'll only be able to break through after this competition," Xiao Ye said helplessly.

Just then, the bustling Duel Arena suddenly became quiet, and a black-robed elder leaped onto the grand fighting stage: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Heavenly Pride Battle of the Barbarian Valley City's Ten Great Families is about to commence. Please remain silent and watch without causing a disturbance."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ye's spirits lifted; the battle was finally starting, and he was very much looking forward to it indeed.