Chapter 958: Obtaining Dragon Platform's Treasure
Father and son for war; trusted brothers to fight a tiger. Chi Tianyu was also supporting his junior brother at this point! 1
"No, brother, our Pureblood School does not bully people, so we won't bully him either." The Swiftsword Marquis smirked: "Brother, I was a bit hasty with my words. However, I just said it like it is in order to wake him from his daydream."
The marquis then glanced at Li Qiye and laughed arrogantly: "You said enlightenment from Tiger Hill and treasures from the Dragon Platform; very well, if you can obtain a treasure here, then I will apologize to you. No, I am a much more sincere person. If you can obtain a treasure, then I'll commit suicide for not being able to recognize a master despite having eyes."
"A master in your eyes must at least be of the Godking level." A young expert laughed and said: "But as for others, can they really claim to be a master?"
Loud laughter ensued from the crowd. They were very pleased to see their love rival, Li Qiye, being attacked.
"Really now?" Li Qiye wasn't angry at all. He smirked at the marquis and said: "So if I obtain a treasure, you will actually commit suicide?"
"Haha, are you dreaming?" Even Chi Tianyu burst out in laughter and looked at Li Qiye with contempt: "Do you really think you are an Immortal Emperor? The popular phrase isn't for a mortal like you. According to the records, only a single Immortal Emperor obtained a treasure from here. Someone like you is not good enough!"
"Haha, Brother, just let him continue being an idiot. We want to see what kind of treasure he can get, right? Who knows, he might pick up a pebble and actually think that it is a treasure." The marquis was the next to mock Li Qiye: "Go for it then, I've been waiting to commit suicide for so long now."
Li Qiye leisurely answered: "What else can I say if you wish to die so soon?"
Many saw his confidence, but they didn't believe it either. One sneered: "Who does he think he is? Heh, if he can get a treasure from the platform, then I would be able to lay claim to every single item in the trove."
"Brother Shan, don't you know? Some people think that there is nothing they can't do after obtaining some favor. The truth is that they are nothing more than clowns." Another young expert snorted. He was particularly jealous of Li Qiye winning Ye Chuyun's favor!
"Hold on!" Chi Tianyu called out right when Li Qiye was about to take action.
"What, got a problem?" Li Qiye glanced at him and smiled.
Chi Tianyu coldly responded: "My brother is a straightforward person. If you obtain a treasure, then he will commit suicide, but what if you don't? What are you going to do? Hmph, my brother's life can't be as valuable as your words."
"So you are saying that you have something in mind." Li Qiye grinned.
As the saying goes, brothers are of the same mind. The marquis naturally knew what his brother wanted to do. He sneered: "My life is one hundred times more precious than yours. However, I will not take back what I have said. Nevertheless, if you can't get a treasure, then you will have to end yourself! If I have to do it for you, the outcome will be much worse!"
The marquis believed that this was a rare opportunity to deal with Li Qiye, to rid his brother of a rival. Moreover, this would be carried out in a justified manner. Even if Ye Chuyun was to protect him, his image in her heart would drop several levels due to his incompetence.
Li Qiye glanced at the two brothers and slowly uttered: "Why not? Since you two want my life, I'll bet on it then."
Even the two of them didn't believe that Li Qiye would accept it so readily. The rest of the crowd glanced at each other as well. This brat was way too confident, nearly to the level of ignorance.
A Blood-devil expert coldly laughed and cruelly said: "Haha, just wait for him to end himself then."
"Countless geniuses have never obtained anything, let alone a mortal like him." Even those who had no ill will against Li Qiye couldn't help but shake their heads after seeing his confidence.
For so many years now, brilliant geniuses and Godkings had tried to obtain something, but they all went home empty-handed. Enlightenment from Tiger Hill and treasures from the Dragon Platform — this was only a legend after all.
Li Qiye ignored them and continued to go around the giant hole. However, he reversed his direction this time. His pace became quicker and quicker, causing his heartbeat to increase as well. His pulse and the rhythm of this location began to synchronize.
At first, Ye Chuyun didn't realize anything. However, after one complete circle, she furrowed her brows and felt that something was amiss. Alas, no matter how hard she looked, she was unable to see through the profundities in his steps.
In fact, Si Yuanyuan had been watching for a very long time now. She, as a genius who excelled in self-study, also failed to figure it out. Ye Chuyun had only just arrived, so she naturally couldn't see through the esoteric events either.
Li Qiye's pace became quicker and quicker. The rhythm became more and more abstruse. Now, his heartbeat was no longer synchronizing with the area, it was actually leading the area's pulse.
He was the only one who knew the mysteries of Tiger Hill, the Dragon Platform, and even the Hidden-dragon Mountains. In order to open this mysterious treasure trove, one must be able to control the pulse of this area!
"Obtaining the treasures at the Dragon Platform relies on fate. Even if you walk around ten thousand times, it is still useless." Chi Tianyu laughed and mocked him.
The marquis added: "Brother, the guy is only stalling for time. Heh, it's fine, just let him walk ten thousand laps around the hole. In short, no matter how many laps he makes, it won't change the dire situation he is in. Wait until he is tired, then we'll take his life…"
"Open!" But before the marquis could finish his sentence, a shout came from Li Qiye. No one could clearly see what happened as the entire hill and platform began to shake as if there was an earthquake.
"Boom!" In the blink of an eye, a golden light surged out from the cavern like a geyser or an unstoppable volcanic eruption.
Such a sudden change left everyone on the platform terrified. Many people in the Holy City were alarmed as well and looked towards the direction of the platform.
"Did someone obtain a treasure at the Dragon Platform?" Someone from the previous generation was startled and murmured after seeing this.
Once the golden light disappeared, a treasure could be found in Li Qiye's hand. He grabbed the item flying out from inside the light with incredible speed.
This treasure resembled a little Golden Dragon. It emitted golden rays that resembled willow branches that were seemingly filled with life.
Before everyone could see what it was, Li Qiye took out a box and carefully stored the treasure inside.
He smirked after doing so. Beneath this earth were too many good items. In the past, the Ancient Ming failed to drain this land dry. Even the absolutely stunning Immortal Emperor Tian Tu couldn't do so after personally coming here, let alone other people.
The only thing that made him sad was that only one treasure would escape each time the trove was opened; it was impossible to take more than one item at a time.
In just a brief moment, the platform turned extremely quiet. Many people had their mouths wide open and couldn't close them right away. They were all astounded by this event.
After what seemed like an eternity, someone suddenly woke up from their daze and took a deep breath. Even at this moment, they couldn't believe their own eyes. This was simply too astonishing!
A young expert murmured: "This, this can't be real." Even though they had witnessed it themselves, they still found it unbelievable. Countless brilliant geniuses and God-Monarchs had tried to obtain something, but all of them failed to receive anything of value.
The popular phrase became part of the legends for the future generations, but today, it actually happened. The legend played out before them in such a stunning manner.
Bai Jian composed himself and muttered: "The legend is true, Immortal Emperor Xue Xi obtained an incredible item from this place!"
As for the Swiftsword Marquis and Chi Tianyu, their expressions kept on changing colors from white to red. Earlier, they wanted to take Li Qiye's life, but now, they were violently slapped in the face.
"I recall that someone wanted to hand over his dog life." After putting away his box, Li Qiye lazily glanced over at the marquis.
The marquis stood still. At this moment, he was riding a tiger and had to follow through in this difficult and embarrassing situation. He couldn't commit suicide. Who didn't value their own life?
But now, if he went back on his word, he would lose all of his reputation and wouldn't be able to show his face in the Barren Earth any longer.
The first phrase is just awkward to translate into English. It is a phrase meaning that you should go into battle with those you trust. A commander is the father while his troops should be his children, whether it is metaphorical or literal. As for the latter half, fighting a tiger requires precision and trust, so it is best to do so with your brother who you know won't betray/abandon you. ↩Chapter 959: Swiftsword Marquis' Quick Draw
The marquis' expression suddenly turned ugly. He stood there not knowing what to do while the crowd was staring at him.
Although Chi Tianyu really wanted to help his junior brother, he couldn't come up with any plan at this moment either.
The marquis couldn't go back on his word in public like this or else he would lose all credit and be cast aside in the future. He gnashed his teeth and made his decision before slowly walking towards Li Qiye while coldly uttering: "My life is right here, take it if you can!"
"Ah, backing out now? Too reluctant to commit suicide." Li Qiye glanced at him and smiled.
The Swiftsword Marquis drily said: "The strong should die in a suitable manner. Suicide is an affront to the soul of our Blood-devil tribe! Come kill me if you can. As long as you can take it, my life is yours!" The marquis was not willing to commit suicide, so he came up with this plan to let Li Qiye come and kill him.
Ye Chuyun coldly glared at him and spoke: "Shameless."
The marquis' expression kept on changing colors. However, he pretended not to hear her, for his life was too precious to him.
"Schoolmaster Ye, according to our Pureblood School's teachings, suicide is wasting one's life. Even after entering hell, the offender would be spit on by the souls of our ancestors. We only have people who die in battle, not cowards." Chi Tianyu quickly backed his brother up.
Ye Chuyun only glanced at him without replying.
"Come, I won't attack; you can do as you please. As long as you have the ability, go ahead and take my life!" The marquis shouted at Li Qiye.
Such words were not well-received by the crowd. Although they might seem heroic, anyone could see through them. This Li Qiye was not much different than a mortal. Even if he was a cultivator, his cultivation wouldn't be strong at all.
On the other hand, the marquis was a famous young expert in this southern region with peerless speed. Even if he didn't attack and let Li Qiye do as he pleased, Li Qiye still wouldn't be able to take his life.
Since it was impossible for Li Qiye to do so, his words were only heroic and straightforward on the surface. He had already calculated this much.
Li Qiye looked at him and smirked: "So after all that, it is just that you don't want to die. Very well, I am someone who likes to break other people's fantasies and crush their hope. If you don't want to die, I'll make you die in agonizing despair!"
"Since your title is Swiftsword, this means that your swordplay is very fast. Very well." Li Qiye smiled: "I'll stand in front of you and you can make the first move. If your sword is faster than me, you win. Not only will you be able to save your life, you will also be able to take mine."
At this point, Li Qiye's smile widened like a rippling wave. It turned into a free yet gentle laughter.
Others didn't understand this smile, but Ye Chuyun did. When Li Qiye smiled like this, it meant death. It was a reaper’s smile. No matter who they might be, they would surely die no matter how many rescuers came running to their aid!
Many people on the platform stared at him in disbelief. This might have been the most insane thing they had ever heard, so absurd that they were doubting their own ears.
Everyone knew that although the marquis' cultivation was not as strong as Chi Tianyu's, even his senior brother was not necessarily faster than him in terms of speed.
But now, Li Qiye wanted to compete in speed with the marquis — this was simply crazy. They stared at Li Qiye and thought that he was either a madman or someone hiding his ability.
However, they were very skeptical because no matter how they looked at him, he just seemed like an ordinary mortal!
"Hahaha…" The Swiftsword Marquis laughed wildly with the same gaze as everyone else, thinking that Li Qiye was insane: "Good, good. Even a junior like you is looking down on me. Very well, if you are so confident, then what else can I say? Deference is no substitute for obedience!"
With that, his eyes lit up while gazing at Li Qiye: "If my sword isn't as fast as you, then there's no need for you to do anything, I will jump down into the cave!"
Even Chi Tianyu revealed a cold grin at this moment. The situation had reversed. Li Qiye was foolish to the point where he would help the marquis recover from his difficult situation by courting death.
Competing in speed with his junior brother? Chi Tianyu sneered at the sight of Li Qiye courting death. He couldn't have wished for anything better.
The Half-moon Princess also stared at him in astonishment. She naturally didn't want this crazy guy to die, but she was not in the position to say anything. Otherwise, Chi Tianyu would be unhappy with her.
Only Bai Jian quietly watched amidst the crowd, as if he wanted to catch the coming event in its entirety.
"I wonder if you will really jump down at that point." Li Qiye smiled and inched closer towards the marquis: "Make your move. I hope your sword is as fast as your title claims."
The marquis' expression turned ugly after being disdained like this.
"Clang!" He slowly unsheathed his sword. It chafed against the scabbard, creating a continuous sword hymn.
He coldly stared at Li Qiye and shouted: "Prepare yourself! Once I make my move, I'm afraid you won't even know the reason for your death."
"Is your sword as slow as your mouth?" Li Qiye lazily retorted without looking at the guy.
In a split second, the marquis' eyes turned cold and focused on Li Qiye. At this particular junction, he was able to grasp every single change in Li Qiye.
Even though he didn't put Li Qiye in his eyes, he still came from a great lineage. In battle, he would be very attentive of his enemy's actions before delivering a fatal blow.
The rest of the crowd watched on with bated breaths. The marquis was quite famous for his fast sword techniques. Many people here had seen his swordplay themselves. The sword shall see blood. More often than not, it was a one hit kill as well.
A glint flashed. The marquis unleashed his sword. It was too swift to visually discern and went straight for Li Qiye's throat in an instant!
Everyone's heart skipped a beat. If it was them in this situation, they wouldn't necessarily be able to dodge its speedy tip!
In the blink of an eye, time seemed to have stopped. Everything came to a halt like a picture. The rest of the crowd became wide-eyed and watched in disbelief.
Two fingers were gripping the sword. Naturally, it was Li Qiye's fingers that stopped the marquis' attack. Li Qiye seemed so relaxed, but the marquis couldn't pull back his sword; it was as if his sword was stuck between two mountains.
Everyone saw the marquis' attack, but no one saw Li Qiye's counter and how he managed to catch the blade.
Ye Chuyun only shook her head for this was within her expectations. Someone of the marquis' level was simply an ant in Li Qiye's eyes. Just think about that year back in the Heavenly Dao Academy, when his simple actions destroyed a group of ancestors! This marquis was nothing in comparison.
"Crack!" Before anyone could regain their wits, the sound of bones snapping ensued, followed by blood spurting everywhere.
"Ahh!" A shrill scream full of agony soared to the sky. The crowd finally saw that both the marquis' hands and legs were crushed by Li Qiye. He quivered after falling to the ground in great torment.
Li Qiye stomped on the marquis and leisurely said: "Claiming to be Swiftsword at this level?"
Everyone felt suffocated after seeing this. Li Qiye was way too fast. No one could see how he crushed the limbs of the marquis at all.
Even though Li Qiye's dao foundation was sealed, his four Immortal Physiques were still there. Was there anything faster than the Soaring Immortal Physique in this world?
"Halt your impudence!" Chi Tianyu was shocked and shouted after seeing the marquis being trampled on by Li Qiye.
"What are you planning to do?" Ye Chuyun's eyes turned cold as she spoke gravely after seeing Chi Tianyu making a move.
With great anger, Chi Tianyu took a deep breath before looking at Li Qiye to make a deal: "If possible, my Pureblood School is willing to redeem my brother's life. Just name the price."
The two brothers were indeed very close. Chi Tianyu naturally didn't want to see the marquis die miserably at Li Qiye's hands.
"What does a small sect like the Pureblood School have to tempt me?" Li Qiye smiled and said: "I want his life, so his life I shall have!"
"Reconsider!" Chi Tianyu stressed: "If you spare my brother, you will be richly rewarded, but if you end him, you will become enemies with my Pureblood School and my Blood-devil Tribe!"
The majority would feel trepidation after hearing this. The school was a great sect in the southern region, and it was needless to say more about the Blood-devil Tribe as it was considered the biggest tribe in the area.
Chapter 960: Crimson Night Kingdom's Supreme Elder
Everyone was holding their breaths at this point. Chi Tianyu's declaration was not just an empty threat. They all knew full well that the Blood-devil Tribe had always been united with great solidarity…
"Are you threatening me?" Li Qiye smiled while pressing down harder on the marquis before leisurely answering: "Pureblood School? I don't care. Blood-devil Tribe? I also don't care. Should you provoke me, not to mention these two existences, even your entire Blood Race will live under the shadow of fear!"
The young generation here became dumbfounded after hearing this. Was this brat insane? Offending the Pureblood School was one thing, but now, his words had offended the entire Blood Race! There was nowhere else to go in the Barren Earth if one offended the Blood Race.
"Such bold words. Our Blood Race will live in fear? Do you think you are an Immortal Emperor?" A cold voice resounded with great immensity, causing others to become short of breath.
Two people stepped onto the Dragon Platform, one young and one old. The youth was the Crimson Night Duke while the other was an old man with gray hair. His blood energy was mist-like, as if his body itself was formed from it.
There were many visual phenomena of living beings behind him as if they were worshipping and giving him their energy. This energy would allow him to destroy this world with a simple gesture.
Without a doubt, this old man was an Early Era Paragon, one with plentiful blood energy.
Si Yuanyuan, standing behind Li Qiye, was startled to see this old man and cried out: "Supreme Elder…!"
The youths here quickly went to greet this old man for he was the Supreme Elder of Crimson Night. He had always been presiding over the Thunder Tower and held great fame.
With a backing this time, the duke was quite confident. He arrogantly stared at Li Qiye and laughed: "Junior, the Barren Earth isn't a place for you to do as you please. Quickly release Brother Swiftsword or your life will be forfeit!"
Chi Tianyu was glad to see the Supreme Elder arrive in person. Nothing could be better if he could drag the Crimson Night Kingdom into these muddled waters as well.
However, the duke's words went in one ear and out the other. Li Qiye didn't even bother looking at the Supreme Elder.
The duke felt humiliated and couldn't hold back. He shouted: "Junior, are you listening?! Kneel and beg for forgiveness immediately!"
"Crack!" More bones were broken as a shrill scream could be heard. Before anyone could see anything, the duke's legs were crushed by Li Qiye's kick. He fell straight to the ground and rolled in pain before Li Qiye stepped on his body as well.
"Finally got back to the Holy City after some time. I was feeling peaceful, but alas, a few idiots just had to spoil my good mood." With one foot on the duke and one foot on the marquis, Li Qiye slowly uttered: "It seems like if I don't massacre a few tens of thousands, people will actually think I am a batch of dough that anyone can knead."
"Junior, stop!" The Supreme Elder was alarmed by this sudden change. He thunderously shouted and caused the crowd to sway with distress.
"Oh? The old finally wants to protect these little kids?" Li Qiye glanced over at the elder. He was still nonchalant as if it was no big deal.
The elder took one step forward and his blood energy soared like a tidal wave, capable of engulfing the entire hill and platform. In the blink of an eye, a paragon's aura surged forth with a star-plucking momentum.
The elder's erupting aura caused everyone here to tremble. They had to take several steps backward.
Ye Chuyun grunted after seeing the aggressive gesture. She took one step forward as well. A pure lotus flower floated to the sky and illuminated the nine continents. It easily stopped the elder's aura.
Even though the elder was an Early Era Paragon, his cultivation was not a match for Ye Chuyun's. Early Era Paragons were the weakest among even ordinary paragons.
Ye Chuyun was very powerful as the first paragon of the younger generation. The group of Chi Tianyu couldn't compare to her at all. She had the power to fight against paragons from the previous generation!
Her involvement caused the elder’s expression to change. However, he wasn't afraid of her as he coldly spoke: "Schoolmaster Ye, I respect you as the leader of a school. However, this matter involves our entire Crimson Night! If you choose to protect this brute who hurt our disciples, then it is the same as becoming our enemy!"
Most people felt dread after hearing this. Many rulers and sect masters wouldn't want to antagonize the Crimson Night Kingdom.
It was very unwise to provoke a lineage with two emperors.
Ye Chuyun calmly stated: "My prestige is not for an elder like you to question!" Despite her gentle nature, each of her words was as heavy as the unshakable Mount Tai.
After all, she was an incredible Virtuous Paragon and the ruler of a country. Her acting as a virtuous woman around Li Qiye didn't mean that she was weak! She simply maintained a low profile, but once she was ready to go, the royal aura of a ruler and might of a paragon would vividly manifest.
Not only was the crowd stunned, but even the elder was shocked after hearing this. This sentence carried quite a heavy punch!
The younger generation felt that she was even higher than they previously thought — worthy of admiration. Prior to this, due to her low-key nature, the young ones in the Barren Earth, especially those from big lineages like the Pureblood School, had forgotten about her status and cultivation. They felt that they were on the same level and in the same generation as her.
But now, her showing such contempt towards the Crimson Night Supreme Elder and displaying her might was a rude awakening for them. The fact was that she was far above them!
The elder became sullen all of a sudden. Ye Chuyun was indeed above him in terms of cultivation. Although their kingdom had two emperors, the Pure Lotus School also had emperor laws. In a direct confrontation, he was not her match without an imperial weapon.
The elder gravely said: "Schoolmaster Ye, I admit that you are indeed stronger than me. However, there are people who you will never be able to provoke! I can forgive that junior for harming my disciples. However, I am under the orders of Ancestor Storm God to bring our Crimson Night Kingdom's disciples back!"
With that, he became more resolute and aggressive: "Think again if you want to oppose my Crimson Night!"
"Storm God!" The younger generation all gasped after hearing this title.
Si Yuanyuan was aghast as well. If the Storm God ordered her to come back, then no one would be able to oppose her.
Everyone here was completely tongue-tied. Even Bai Jian's group was full of apprehension. The Storm God was indeed a fearful title in the minds of the Barren Earth's inhabitants.
She was an ancestor of Crimson Night and rumored to be extremely powerful. Even if she didn't come into being, she was still a big threat to the region.
Her name was Feng Piaoluo, the second daughter of Immortal Emperor Chen Xue. She kept her mother's maiden name and was a very overbearing person. Her words were laws at Crimson Night. Not many would dare to go against her.
While the title of Storm God was scaring everyone, Li Qiye smiled and told Ye Chuyun: "Chuyun, get back. You shouldn't come out to defend me, lest people say that I am someone who can only hide behind women."
She didn't question his request and immediately went back to quietly stand behind him.
Chu Tianyu's eyes turned red from jealousy after seeing Ye Chuyun being so obedient towards Li Qiye. His teeth were about to break from him gritting them so hard. He didn't understand what kind of charm Li Qiye had to make her obey him like this.
After Ye Chuyun retreated, the Supreme Elder stared at Li Qiye and raised his voice: "Junior, let go of my disciples and I will forgive your sin of ignorance!"
"So I should be thanking you then?" Li Qiye smiled while keeping his feet on top of the bodies.
At this time, the duke could no longer endure the pain and cried out: "Elder, save me…"
"Junior, let my disciples go and hand over Si Yuanyuan, then I'll pretend that nothing happened today!" The Supreme Elder's attitude softened at this point. Since Ye Chuyun was willing to back Li Qiye, he didn't want to go all out against her.
Li Qiye smiled and slowly asked: "And if I don't?"
The elder turned cold and revealed a murderous intent. He awe-inspiringly declared: "Junior, you don't know the immensity of the heaven and earth. No one dares to breach the Storm God's orders. The offenders? Kill without mercy! No one can protect you in the Barren Earth!"
Si Yuanyuan turned pale after hearing this. She came from the Crimson Night Kingdom and knew that the Storm God's authority was unchallengeable!
"I, I will go back with you, Elder, as long as you don't pursue Young Noble Li's mistake." Si Yuanyuan stepped out and lowered her head.
She didn't think that her issues would reach the Storm God. She also didn't want to see Li Qiye being chased by the Storm God because of her!
She understood that her return would most likely result in being place under house arrest. However, she preferred this over Li Qiye dying for her sake.