Yao Xing was indeed a remarkable figure — a peerless genius from the same era as Zhan Haichuan.
Back then, had the Ancient Battle Clan not produced Zhan Haichuan, Yao Xing's abilities would have long since obliterated them from existence.
Although Yao Xing was ultimately defeated by Zhan Haichuan, who crippled his cultivation, leading to his miserable decline and death within a few short years...
Yao Xing's great name was still deeply etched into the hearts of all in the Ancient Battle Clan. They knew full well how terrifying he had been.
A secret technique crafted by anyone else — they might doubt it. But one crafted by Yao Xing? They genuinely believed it. Because Yao Xing had that kind of power.
"Once you are struck by my secret technique, you will no longer be able to drive the Ancient Battle Axe. If you continue to force it, you will suffer a backlash."
"The harder you push, the stronger the backlash. If you insist on driving the Ancient Battle Axe now, the backlash alone will be enough to kill you."
"So from this point forward, you can no longer use the Ancient Battle Axe. And without the Ancient Battle Axe — what will you use to fight me?"
"Your Ancient Battle Clan is destined to perish today," the Demon Clan's Clan Master declared.
"GRAAAAH!!!"
Suddenly, Zhan Yuanmo let out a piercing roar as his left palm struck out, attempting to drive the Ancient Battle Axe once more.
Pfft—
But just like before, a massive mouthful of blood erupted from his lips almost immediately.
In the next instant, his body lurched and he plummeted from midair, having lost even the power to remain airborne.
"Father!" The Battle Clan's Clan Master rushed forward and caught Zhan Yuanmo.
But the man in his arms was now even weaker than before. He could no longer hold the Ancestor Weapon in his hand — he had been completely stripped of all fighting power.
"Haha! The Ancient Battle Axe, the three great secret techniques — so it was all a joke."
"Zhan Yuanmo, had I known you were this pathetic, why would I have bothered waiting a full two years?"
The Demon Clan's Clan Master's laughter thundered through the air, yet to the ears of the Battle Clan, each word was like a blade driven into their hearts — piercing their dignity, their last remaining hope.
Every member of the Ancient Battle Clan, their Clan Master included, wore the ashen look of the dead. They knew that if even Zhan Yuanmo had fallen, their doom was truly upon them.
"Damn it — I won't just sit here and wait for death!"
Yet in the moment when all hope had been extinguished, Zhan Lingtong let out an enraged shout.
Everyone heard it — both the Demon Clan and the Battle Clan turned their gazes toward him. In their eyes, Zhan Lingtong's cry was nothing more than a futile attempt at rallying spirits. What good were words like that now? Everyone regarded Zhan Lingtong as a laughingstock.
But no one had noticed that before he let out that roar, Zhan Lingtong had already crushed the circular token in his hand to dust.
Swish—
Far away, in the deepest reaches of the Ancient Battle Clan — on the third level of the Enlightenment Ground — a pair of eyes snapped open.
"The Demon Clan has finally come?"
A voice of quiet exclamation rang out as the figure slowly rose to his feet and turned his gaze toward the distant battlefield.
It was Chu Feng. His aura remained at the ninth-grade Half Ancestor, identical to two years ago. But whether in bearing or in gaze, he was now entirely different from the man he had been two years prior.
If one had to describe the difference, it would be this: confidence.
Compared to two years ago, he was a hundred times more confident.
……
Plop—
At that very moment, the Demon Clan's Clan Master did something no one could comprehend — he knelt in midair, raised the Ancestor Weapon above his head toward the heavens, and bowed his head to the ground.
"Lord Yao Xing, the grand ambition you were never able to fulfill — today, this junior has accomplished it on your behalf."
"Lord Yao Xing, if your spirit watches from above, then open your eyes."
"I wish for you to witness this — the glorious moment when my Demon Clan destroys the Battle Clan."
Having spoken those words, the Demon Clan's Clan Master rose to his feet, his eyes once again blazing with killing intent.
Seeing the look in his eyes, every member of the Ancient Battle Clan felt their hearts turn to ash. In their eyes, the catastrophe that had long hung over their clan had finally arrived.
They were unwilling — so unwilling. Countless among them silently prayed in their hearts that someone, anyone, might come to save their Ancient Battle Clan.