Chapter 128: A Breakthrough in Mental Power

"Wave Devourer!"

Seeing that his opponents were numerous, Yaoye hoped to severely wound Hua Nong first, before Peng Yu and the others reached their limit.

"Well struck!"

Hua Nong drew a trident and parried the giant sword’s blade, deflecting it to the side. As their weapons clashed, both men instinctively frowned.

"What a bizarre weapon, and such immense strength."

Hua Nong immediately abandoned his contempt, gazing at Yaoye with a solemn expression. Yaoye used the momentum to perform a backflip, landing steadily on the ground, though his heart felt increasingly heavy.

"This is the first time anyone has broken my technique in such a way. It seems my plan is about to fall through."

Hua Nong gripped his trident, rotating it slightly, then stomped hard on the ground and charged at Yaoye. Yaoye stowed the Sky Scar and drew the Blood Weeper, his feet dancing with the lightness of willow catkins. The Blood Weeper in his hand moved in constant, fluid rhythm with the incoming strikes of the trident.

"Hmm? A remarkable talent."

The old man in the brocade robe stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. In the center of the battle, Hua Nong felt increasingly uneasy with every strike.

"At such a young age, he is not only proficient with both a greatsword and a longsword but possesses internal energy equal to my own. He must have been cultivated by some powerful faction. Since we have already offended him, he must not be allowed to leave."

Fearing that a delay would bring unforeseen changes, Hua Nong unleashed a fierce strike and then ceased his assault. Seeing Hua Nong retreat, Yaoye became secretly vigilant. Hua Nong threw the trident into the air and began to weave complex hand seals. As his hands danced, vast amounts of vital energy surged toward the trident suspended in the void.

"Wait!"

The black-robed old man leaped between the two. Hua Nong desired to kill Yaoye, but he dared not offend this elder. With no other choice, he retracted his trident.

"Boy, what is your name?"

Seeing the aura Hua Nong was exuding, Yaoye knew the man intended to kill him. Facing the elder's inquiry, Yaoye replied with caution.

"My name is Ye. I presume you are of the Demon Clan?"

The old man was not offended by Yaoye exposing his identity; instead, he chuckled softly.

"Indeed. I have a mind to take you as my final disciple. Would you be willing?"

"Special Envoy Fang, this is unwise. This boy cannot be left alive."

Seeing Hua Nong interrupt him, the elder’s face darkened, and he turned to glance coldly at Hua Nong.

"What is unwise about it?"

"This boy, at such a young age, has such profound skill. He must be the disciple of some great figure..."

"Silence! Who I, Fang Li, choose to take as my disciple is not for you to dictate."

Hua Nong’s expression became incredibly unsightly. He opened his mouth several times, but ultimately said nothing. The elder turned back, looking at Yaoye with a smile.

"Boy, I am Fang Li, an Elder of the Saint Clan from the Eastern Theater. Are you willing to take me as your master?"

*Since he has the intention to take me as his disciple, why not make use of him? I will deal with Hua Nong first.*

Having made up his mind, Yaoye bowed slightly. "Many thanks for your favor, Elder Fang. As for the apprenticeship, could we discuss it later? Allow me to finish my duel with Hua Nong first."

Ever since his escape, this was the first time he had encountered a well-matched opponent. A burning fire of battle shone in Yaoye’s eyes. Hearing Yaoye’s response, Fang Li was quite satisfied; he nodded and stepped aside.

"I agree. Do not disappoint me, or I shall be very displeased! Hua Nong, watch yourself. If you dare to kill him, I will take your life."

Hua Nong was speechless. He glared at Yaoye in frustration. "Come on then, boy. I will show mercy, heh!"

"Use whatever skills you have. If you show mercy and end up dead, don't blame me!"

"Hmph, sharp-tongued. I just wonder if you are all talk and no substance."

Yaoye did not reply. He raised his middle finger at Hua Nong and curled his lip in disdain, a gesture that was incredibly irritating.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Yaoye’s expression, Fang Li burst into laughter. Hearing the laughter, Hua Nong’s face turned grim, and he charged at Yaoye with his trident.

Yaoye’s figure became agile once more. The Blood Weeper clung tightly to the trident, constantly drawing away its power. Yaoye moved like a falling leaf drifting with the wind. Hua Nong’s attacks missed him by a hair's breadth every time. It felt as if he were punching the air, which was incredibly frustrating, so he broke off the assault.

"Tch, is that all? All bark and no bite!"

Facing Yaoye’s mockery, Hua Nong could no longer save face. Without a word, he threw his trident into the air again.

"Now this is interesting. Come, let me test your domain!"

"Enjoy your arrogance for a moment longer. Let's see if you can still laugh in a moment."

Hua Nong continuously channeled energy into the trident. It grew brighter and brighter, trembling incessantly as if it had come to life.

When the trident reached its peak brilliance, Hua Nong flew toward it, slowly merging with the weapon. A powerful pressure radiated from the trident, bearing down directly on Yaoye’s spirit.

Seeing this, Yaoye’s fighting spirit soared to the heavens. "Perfect. I shall use you to perfect my domain! Do not disappoint me!"

Before Yaoye had been captured by the Demon Clan, he had already touched upon the threshold of a domain, but during his clash with Song Qi, he had not had the time to properly comprehend it.

"Heh heh, Yaoye, don't blame me if you die!"

Hua Nong’s voice echoed from the trident. Yaoye drew the Sky Scar and pointed it defiantly at Hua Nong.

At this moment, the trident resembled a fierce dragon, powerful and soul-devouring. Thanks to the existence of the Creation Cauldron, Yaoye feared nothing more than mental attacks. Facing Hua Nong’s psychic assault, Yaoye sneered.

"Don't try to use these childish tricks on me. You’re embarrassing yourself! Hahaha!"

Hua Nong gripped the trident and roared as he descended from the sky. "Heaven-Shocking Strike, Shatter the Firmament!"

Facing Hua Nong’s overwhelming aura, all the buildings in the courtyard collapsed into ruins. Yaoye’s body couldn't help but bend under the pressure, and the ground beneath his feet cracked like a spiderweb.

"Ah!"

Yaoye let out a roar, struggling to straighten his back; he refused to lose the battle of wills. He pushed his mental energy to the absolute limit, constantly resisting the pressure. As the trident drew closer, Yaoye split his focus: one part resisting the crushing force, the other pouring energy into the Sky Scar.

"Bang! Crackle..."

The pressure compressed Yaoye’s mental energy to the breaking point. With a series of sounds, his eyes grew brighter, and his heart leaped with joy.

"I didn't expect my mental energy to break through! Wonderful!"

With this breakthrough, the speed at which Yaoye channeled energy increased. He used his mental energy to forcibly bind his vital essence with the unique energy of his Demon Core. A sudden epiphany washed over him.

"What is this boy doing? Is he tired of living? Faced with such a powerful attack, not only does he not dodge, but he closes his eyes and stops resisting?"

Fang Li grew anxious and prepared to intervene. At that moment, a unique energy rippled out from Yaoye’s body. This energy swept across the entire scene, forcing everyone currently fighting to stop. They were all pinned to the ground by the sheer force of this energy, unable to move.