Jiu Liansheng and Ye Xiu exchanged blows with unrestrained vigor. His wine gourd swung rapidly from left to right, and finally, at a crucial moment, he closed in on Ye Xiu again, saying, “That’s enough, I think it’s time for you to win.”
“Don’t you want to fight me fairly?” Ye Xiu was a little unconvinced; a victory that came too easily was actually frustrating.
Jiu Liansheng nodded, his eyes showing extraordinary resolve. “When your Heaven’s Scorn Sword technique cultivation is complete, I will certainly seek a life-and-death spar with you. Draw your sword, hmph.”
“Whoosh…” Ye Xiu spun his body, and the Heaven’s Scorn Sword unleashed another burst of crimson, radiant light. The halo spread outwards, immediately scoring deep, bloody gashes across Jiu Liansheng’s white robes.
“I yield!” Jiu Liansheng raised one hand, looking at the injury on his abdomen. The Heaven’s Scorn Sword was indeed swift. If Garuda hadn't arranged this, he wouldn't have lost to Ye Xiu so easily. “No more fighting, I yield!”
“Hmph… Giving up just like that?” The crowd below, who had been eagerly anticipating such a peerless battle, began to snatch up rotten eggs and vegetables to hurl onto the stage when they saw Jiu Liansheng’s performance. “What kind of garbage is that? A complete coward!”
The official once again confirmed Jiu Liansheng’s surrender before raising his hand and roaring, “Battle for the Heaven’s Gate Stage, Ye Xiu is victorious. Proceed to the next match.”
“Good boy, another magical artifact gained!” Old Liu was delighted for Ye Xiu from below the stage. Looking back, ever since Ye Xiu entered the Netherworld, he had absorbed so much from the Netherworld Realm, and his increase in strength was evident to all.
Ye Xiu looked up towards the Sky Ladder Pavilion. On the upper floor, Jiaye already displayed a satisfied smile, while Garuda and Yun Xin were especially full of praise. He returned a smile before walking towards the edge of the arena.
“Ye Xiu, you rascal!” Old Liu navigated the crowd with ease, instantly teleporting beside Ye Xiu and slapping his back, shouting, “You’re doing quite well, aren’t you!”
Ye Xiu turned and saw Old Liu, his heart surging with unexpected joy—this was far more exciting than winning the Heaven’s Gate Stage. “Why are you here? Representing Myriad Dao Mountain in the Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage? I didn't see you before.”
Old Liu shook his head with a distressed sigh. “Myriad Dao Mountain is not what it used to be. The current Sect Master, Long Xuan, has an overwhelmingly heavy malevolent aura, and his cultivation is extremely mysterious. He’s forcing me, using a venomous curse, to snatch the Beast Flame Celestial Key!”
“Snatch the Beast Flame Celestial Key!” Ye Xiu exclaimed in shock, also feeling confused. “The current Sect Master? Didn't the Infinite Dao Master send you back to assist Senior Brother Long Xuan? What happened to that guy?”
“I’m not sure either. Myriad Dao Mountain is suppressed under black clouds day and night now. I suspect Long Xuan has also been controlled by some power.” Old Liu gazed at the plaza. Sure enough, the second battlefield was for the Beast Flame Celestial Key, and the two people vying for it were already fighting with everything they had. “All I know is if I don’t return within five days, this curse will turn me into a bat.”
Although Ye Xiu had connections with several members of the Desolate Bone City royal family, Old Liu was his true brother. He scanned his surroundings, unable to think of a solution. “This Desolate Bone City is full of masters, and you haven't even entered the Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage. Just going up there to snatch the Beast Flame Celestial Key seems unlikely.”
“I was planning on following whoever wins and robbing them!” Old Liu was also cornered. Any sense of righteousness became mere vanity when it conflicted with one’s own life. “We’re brothers, you wouldn’t refuse to help me, would you?”
“Of course I’ll help, I’m just trying to think of a foolproof plan.” Ye Xiu stroked his chin, thinking deeply. The Beast Flame Celestial Key was right there in the plaza, under the gaze of thousands. It was impossible to force an opportunity; the only way was to have its owner, Beast Elder, designate a successor. But that Beast Elder…
“Kaka!” At that moment, the earth beside Ye Xiu suddenly began to churn, and a pair of steel pincers emerged first. Ant Da finally revealed a portion of his face, “Hall Master Ye, Hall Master Ye…”
Ye Xiu lowered his head to see Ant Da covered in dirt, clearly having dug for a long time. “Ant Da, what are you doing here? Is something happening with the Demon Insect Sect?”
Old Liu, startled by the tentacles poking out of the ground, was momentarily shocked before remembering that this guy Ye Xiu was now a revered Hall Master of the Demon Insect Sect. He thought to himself that the members of the Demon Insect Sect were truly bizarre, specializing in all sorts of unorthodox methods.
Ant Da glanced around, ensuring no outsiders were present, and said, “The Demon Ant Strategist has set up the Insect Emperor’s Myriad Poison Pearl upwind outside Desolate Bone City. We know the Ferocious Beast Sect is preparing to attack Desolate Bone City. When the various clans fall into chaos, we will use the poison of the Myriad Poison Pearl to attack the entire city. We can take it without shedding blood—it will be the Demon Insect Sect’s time to shine.”
“Why are you only telling me now!” Ye Xiu’s heart instantly chilled. He grabbed Ant Da’s collar and roared, “What does the Corpse Drought Insect Emperor mean? Is he trying to drag me down with him? Didn’t you see I was about to secure the Heaven’s Gate Stage!”
“So, I might have a chance to snatch the Beast Flame Celestial Key amidst the chaos?” Old Liu calculated his own possibilities and was suddenly filled with hope upon hearing this.
“Hall Master Ye, I snuck away to tell you this. The Insect Emperor… the Insect Emperor he…” Ant Da stammered when he spoke. Besides himself, Spider Lady, and Snake Beauty, the rest of the Demon Insect Sect seemingly did not regard Ye Xiu as one of their own.
“You can go, I understand.” Ye Xiu let out a long sigh. It seemed the lives of everyone in Desolate Bone City had nothing to do with him. However, the royal family members, especially Qi’er, were currently in danger. He couldn't wait and prepared to ascend the Sky Ladder Pavilion to take Qi’er away. “I need to go up there for a moment. You heard what was said; this Desolate Bone City truly is a place rife with trouble.”
Old Liu spread his hands helplessly, his gaze fixed on the Beast Flame Celestial Key in the plaza. “Go take care of whatever worries you have. I won’t leave until I obtain the Beast Flame Celestial Key.”
This time, Ye Xiu didn't wait for any ladder. He activated the Soul of a Hundred Insects and leaped into the air, soaring towards his residence in the Sky Ladder Pavilion. Qi’er was still resting in bed, recovering from the fright of that night.
“Qi’er, Qi’er, wake up?” Ye Xiu called out softly, afraid to alert the surrounding maids. He picked up Qi’er, intending for her to leave first. “Wake up quickly.”
“Ah, what’s wrong…” Qi’er awoke groggily. Seeing Ye Xiu there, she immediately perked up. “Big Brother Ye Xiu, you’re here! Did you win your match? Did you get the Heaven’s Gate Stage?”
“Shh…” Ye Xiu motioned for Qi’er not to panic, lowering his voice. “Can you walk by yourself? It’s dangerous here. You’d better sneak back to the Fox Demon Palace. I heard the Demon Insect Sect guys plan to poison Desolate Bone City.”
“What? Then you’re not coming with me?” Qi’er immediately grasped the severity of the situation. She grabbed Ye Xiu’s robes and shouted, “If we go, you have to come with me! Sister A’Bi just died, I don’t want you…”
Ye Xiu patted Qi’er’s back comfortingly. “Don’t worry, who do you think I am? I won’t die easily in a place like this. Go back and tell your Empress, the Netherworld Realm is about to descend into chaos. Tell the Fox Demon Palace to prepare for battle early. Time is short, hurry and go!”
“No, I want to go with you!” Having lost her father and just recently lost a sister, Qi’er understood the pain of separation better than anyone. At that moment, she clung to Ye Xiu, absolutely refusing to let go.
“Klang…” Suddenly, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed in the chamber. It turned out Yun Xin, accompanied by a maid, had personally come to deliver medicine to Qi’er, but she happened to witness the moment Ye Xiu and Qi’er were embracing emotionally. Enraged, she swung her hand and smashed the medicine jar. “Ye Xiu, the two of you…”
Ye Xiu was too anxious to be sure if Yun Xin had heard his earlier warnings. He steadied his expression and said, “Qi’er’s mother wishes for her to return to the Fox Demon Palace soon. I was merely persuading her, but she is reluctant to leave here.”
Jia Yunxin hung her head, looking worried. She snapped, “Flirting openly in broad daylight! Hmph, I never realized you two had such a relationship. And to think you actually won the Heaven’s Gate Stage competition.”
Ye Xiu knew the significance of winning the victory. The immediate priority was to send Qi’er away without arousing suspicion. “It’s good that the Princess has arrived. It saves me the trouble of taking Qi’er to bid farewell to everyone. Qi’er bids farewell to everyone here and will see you all another day.”
Ye Xiu gently helped the weak Qi’er stand up. If she returned to the Corpse Demon Forest alone in her state, it wouldn't be a major issue. “Qi’er bids farewell to the Princess!”
Jia Yunxin’s face flushed red, clearly showing a bit of jealousy. She ignored Qi’er and walked out on her own. Ever since Ye Xiu won the match, she had considered him her husband, and seeing this scene was unbearable. “Ye Xiu, you’d best not wander too far. After the Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage concludes, Elder Brother will bestow all the honors upon the victor, including…”
“I know!” Ye Xiu replied affirmatively. However, some answers already lay settled in his heart. Right now, he only wanted to escort Qi’er out of Desolate Bone City as quickly as possible.
The contests for the other two battlefields were not as intense as the Heaven’s Gate Stage. In the final contest, a disciple from the Demon Peak Gate won the Heaven’s Punishment Unbow, while a member of the Sun-Blind Tribe snatched the Beast Flame Celestial Key. The Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage concluded amidst roaring cheers.
The Great Sect Master, Jiaye, descended from the Sky Ladder Pavilion under a throng of admirers, accompanied by Garuda and Jia Yunxin. This was the first time the Desolate Bone City royal family had mingled so closely with the common people.
A gust of east wind swept away the clamor of the crowd. Led by officials, Jiaye walked before the three divine artifacts. His demeanor was extraordinary, his presence grand. He announced, “As the Great Sect Master of Desolate Bone City, I am delighted to see the successful conclusion of this Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage. As the master of the Heaven’s Gate Stage, I am even more honored to present it to its rightful owner.”
“Jiaye, have you considered our questions? Are you willing to step down as Great Sect Master?” Just then, Beast Elder, the owner of the Beast Flame Celestial Key, also walked onto the plaza. He was hunched over, looking spiritless. “My Ferocious Beast Sect can no longer wait for your answer.”
Garuda glanced at Beast Elder and whispered, “We will discuss everything after the Heaven’s Bone Artifact Appraisal Stage is over!”
“Third Brother!” Jiaye called out, waving his wide sleeves. “Why is Elder Beast in such a hurry? Will the thousand-year foundation of my Desolate Bone City be shaken by a mere group of Ferocious Beast Sect soldiers!”
Hearing Jiaye’s words, Beast Elder gritted his teeth in anger. “Since the Great Sect Master has made his choice, then the flames of war in the Netherworld Realm shall begin!”
“Whoosh…” At this moment, a chilling wind descended from the plaza. A demonic-faced man, clad in a dark purple-gold robe, descended from the sky. His hair was severely tied, and his devilish mask was soul-stirring. As the owner of the Heaven’s Punishment Unbow, he naturally had to appear on the Appraisal Stage. “Beast Elder, keep your temper. Do you intend to use superior military strength to suppress Desolate Bone City!”