Chapter 496 – Noble Clans’ Tree (8)

Inside the Council of Elders of World Tree.

Even after sending out Golden Thunder, the First Elder gave various instructions to her subordinates.

They could not allow an uninvited guest who clearly harbored hostility to reach World Tree’s main body.

“The Council of Elders must not be caught up in the battle that will soon unfold. You must move quickly. Deploy the Protective Meridian at full power.”

The martial artists of the Council of Elders disappeared as soon as they heard her command.

Wuuuung!

The First Elder activated all eight formations, each possessing different abilities, dyeing the hall in hazy mist.

Formations that were generally difficult to even overlap in pairs harmoniously mixed together and began emitting dense natural earth energy.

There was more.

She sent communications to the clan masters who were widely scattered and living in seclusion inside World Tree, and by briefly playing a mystical grass flute, instructed Heaven-Reaching Bow Spirit to deploy the long-range killing strike of ‘Soul-Transcending Bow Technique.’

It would not be an exaggeration to say she had mobilized the entire city.

World Tree’s First Elder.

This was possible because she possessed the separate title of Grand Elder.

The Soul-Transcending Bow Technique was a peerless archery art that became the foundation for the Ten-Li One Kill created when Thirteen Evil Sects’ Dark Palace Leader betrayed the clans, and even the contemporary Divine Sword Group Leader with his Half-Dragon Body had unhesitatingly drawn his rainbow-colored internal energy sword immediately after receiving that arrow once.

This had happened after he first visited World Tree’s great city and mocked the noble clans as being ‘like leisurely giant pandas.’

At that time, it was the Yong Family man who achieved victory.

But a strike of Soul-Transcending Bow Technique shot from a blind spot during chaotic battle would be different. It would truly be equivalent to a killing strike.

‘However…’

As always, the clan’s best method differed from the Han race.

There was nothing to gain from clashing with the purple at close range. They had to push him as far away as possible immediately.

Golden Thunder could do it.

The new purple was said to possess neither the ignorant tyrannical force like the Ma family nightmare, nor the dizzying formless swords of the Yong Family man who had mockingly toyed with the sky in seven brilliant colors.

As long as he used metal as his weapon, he would inevitably face difficulties against Golden Thunder. Regardless of the superiority of strength.

The First Elder had raised him that way herself.

“Drive him away before he sets foot on the Council of Elders’ threshold…”

But before she could even finish her words, one entire wall of the hall shattered into pieces.

The semi-transparent ripples that burst forth pulverized countless stone fragments into powder and swept in like a storm, and that alone caused the tremendously high tiled roof to rapidly shatter, leading to the hall itself being half-destroyed.

It was such a sudden occurrence that it could only approach like a dream-like scene.

Immediately after, explosive sounds swept through the hall.

Kwakwakwakwakwak!

It was the sound of the formation axes that had been activated in advance being crushed.

The jade wine bottles placed on the table, scrolls that appeared precious at a glance, and go boards carved from marble all burst on their own, creating extremely thick dust.

All the chairs in the hall also collapsed like piles of earth.

It was due to the formless energy that had filled the hall in an instant.

Could a peerless talent have made an enemy of sorcery martial arts? These were energy waves that fundamentally blocked techniques that created specific harmonies in the air.

The first arrangement had collapsed in one strike.

‘Thorough and tyrannical temperament…’

The First Elder stood upright in place while facing the strong wind.

Her hair, like melted dense gold, fluttered roughly behind her back, and the deep green long garment hem from her tall stature was covered in dust.

A state where one couldn’t distinguish even an inch ahead.

She didn’t blink once but was rarely surprised.

Seeing the tyrannical force of a hero from ten years ago in the strike that had pierced through the wall was momentary. An energy she had once felt seemed to briefly appear and disappear.

“No, the energy is heavy… it’s not Taoism. It’s Buddhist martial arts.”

She deliberately spoke aloud and minutely shook her head.

There had been a time when the vast world was filled with the name ‘Zhang Sanfeng.’ A time when the reputation of the world’s greatest overwhelmingly pressed down even on the clans’ loftiness.

At that time, Golden Thunder used to come covered in mysteriously light and spiritual energy throughout his body.

Thanks to that, the First Elder had also achieved great martial advancement, but the formless waves the current intruder was emitting were not the same.

Step.

The human shadow that had walked in with violent roaring sounds brushed out one sleeve hem long.

Instantly a strong wind arose with a whoosh and dispersed the dust in the hall, soon revealing the intruder’s appearance.

“……”

It was just as the First Elder had heard. A youth who had gathered nature’s ultimate harmony in his features. Because he had his back to the outside of the hall, his purple long robe appeared in complete violet.

“What rudeness is this?”

The First Elder asked quietly.

World Tree’s main body was behind her back.

At this moment, if she opened the curtain of countless twisted wet leaves hanging long, the most important space under heaven would be revealed.

That curtain itself was originally a dharma treasure that separated the mundane world from paradise. Wasn’t it unharmed even after facing the storm the purple had created right now?

“Your master is not wasting three days for no reason. Those who have business at World Tree must properly go through the appropriate customs. Leave first. I will send word later.”

“What I said outside.”

The youth who had been staring at her intently slowly continued.

“Didn’t you hear?”

It was an equally quiet question.

“I didn’t feel the need to particularly refute it.”

The First Elder answered with an indifferent expression.

The youth before her eyes was too young for her to show emotion. From when the new purple was born until reaching the present, had World Tree’s age wheel turned even once?

No, it would be fortunate if even a degree had been carved. It was a curve absurdly short to know the world.

“What do you know about the Zhu imperial family and our clans? It’s not a matter to argue about with narrow insight.”

“It’s already sufficiently broad.”

Rustle.

The consistently sharp youth straightened his waist like an adult. Due to his appearance close to absolute beauty, it was an extremely natural sight.

His strange conduct rather captivated the observer’s gaze. The First Elder lowered her eyes to his Adam’s apple among his entire body’s vital points and parted her lips.

“Purple is a sword. It shouldn’t have a mouth to privately discuss the master’s methods. You said that where national funds are involved, interference from the Administrative Office and Desolate Fortress is inevitable? You’re wrong. Above the Great Ming Code stands the Son of Heaven.”

“Are you now mentioning the late Emperor?”

“Yes. The Emperor Qian-ling I know would never wish for purple’s deviation. Because it’s a power that must be thoroughly controlled.”

Instantly one corner of the youth’s lips rose minutely.

The First Elder waited for his answer, but instead only the sound of leather shoes taking a step came back. It meant he would no longer exchange words.

Light like green jade flashed from her eyes. It was the radiance of eye technique.

‘It would be one of two things…’

The answer didn’t come quickly.

Was his arrogance so excessive that he didn’t even consider the imperial family?

Though it was a remote possibility, perhaps Emperor Jianling had openly given the youth some kind of hint.

Then the youth who had spread his hand wide briefly muttered.

“You don’t know much either. Now step aside.”

“Come back with your master according to the clans’ legitimate ceremonies. If you approach any further…”

Whoosh!

A cool wind wrapped around the First Elder’s body. It was the energy emission she had created.

This was the energy technique characteristic of noble clan masters who could emit energy waves and meridian bursts without large movements. The First Elder was formidable.

The High Priestess who presided over all ceremonies of the clans.

As far as her vessel allowed, she could take countless things possessed by other clans with World Tree’s mystical abilities and secret great methods.

The types were unlimited.

Not only internal energy, but even memories and temperaments could be taken without particular cost.

She was the one who had made the clans’ Four Great Protectors flawless through such losses.

In that process, the First Elder had also risen to the ranks of transcendent masters.

The Zhu imperial family members who periodically went in and out from outside had once said. Even leaders of considerable major sects would not dare look down on the First Elder.

Though she wasn’t a martial artist who stepped to the front lines and couldn’t melt her life into a single technique, formidableness sufficient to make that unnecessary flowed through all the meridian points of her body.

Thwack!

The moment their hands collided, she spread her fingers wide and suppressed the impact sound. It was thanks to interlocking hands along with the energy emission.

The meridian waves that had been rippling semi-transparently from their palms completely subsided without trace with that movement.

Unlike collisions between typical internal energy masters, no destructive aftermath extended outward.

It was the First Elder’s scheme, who had somehow twisted her lips.

Immediately invisible lightning struck the youth’s hand like internal energy multiplication technique.

Crackle crackle crackle crackle!

The surroundings momentarily became transparently distorted.

Lightning from her wood energy. Clan internal energy once taken from Golden Thunder, which greatly contributed to enhancing the First Elder’s role within World Tree.

Thanks to this, Golden Thunder stopped the wood energy refinement that would endlessly elevate lightning and ruin his body, and learned metal energy that could control lightning.

This was her first achievement related to the Four Great Protectors. The clan’s First Elder had accomplished what Zhang Sanfeng hadn’t prescribed in advance.

“Emperor Qian-ling’s death.”

The First Elder slowly moved her lips while gripping the youth’s hand.

“Proves that the world’s chaos has reached its extreme.”

“You keep casually mentioning the late Emperor.”

The handsome youth didn’t bother to meet her gaze. He just stared intently at his hand as if engraving the First Elder’s martial arts in his eyes.

She narrowed her eyes.

She couldn’t fathom what the opponent’s scheme was. Only the clans’ characteristic energy sense whispered in her ear. That the youth had never spoken a lie.

Hissssss—

Before she knew it, gentle light clusters surrounded his entire body while deflecting the lightning energy like morning dew.

With rough friction sounds and sparks flying up to illuminate all directions, he was indeed not an opponent to be subdued in one strike.

The First Elder quickly continued speaking.

“From ancient times, Desolate Fortress has been a target of wariness for all forces possessing power. Even the imperial family is no exception there, so would the martial sects facing chaotic times leave Desolate Fortress alone peacefully? Rather than doing this here, you should immediately run outside and prepare for the rare joint attacks under heaven. Isn’t this a situation where you’re creating enemies that didn’t exist instead of gathering allies? In your generation, Desolate Fortress might face annihilation.”

“I’ve already taken measures. It’s not for you to worry about.”

“Yes, come to think of it, the spiritual creature swallow that should be nesting in your embrace has left its place. Though today you despise World Tree’s clans, do you know that we raised that child called White Swallow? In any case, to discuss so lightly a matter where even giving your all would be insufficient… Whatever measures you’ve taken with your subordinates, if you’ve given up because Desolate Fortress lacks talent…”

“Do you dare insult our main fortress’s Blood Guardian Squad Leader?”

“…?”

The First Elder couldn’t express her confusion about the incomprehensible words.

It was because the youth’s knee had suddenly shot up like Heaven-Reaching Bow Spirit’s arrow and struck her abdomen.

Kwaaaaaang!

She nearly lost consciousness for a moment.

She was bouncing upward but exerted force in her interlocked hands.

‘I am the final guardian warrior.’

Her achievements so far flashed through her mind like lightning.

The things that had perfected the clans’ Four Great Protectors as warriors, which must never be stolen. Besides Golden Thunder’s internal energy, there were three others.

Wuuung!

Her trouser hem that had shot upward became sharp like a blade.

The leg technique that drew a large circle and struck down toward the youth below originated from Heaven-Reaching Bow Spirit’s memories.

Peerless techniques existed in the memories of her childhood spent with the Desolate Fortress Lord.

Furthermore, the First Elder swelled her wood energy with Northern Darkness Fist Lord’s water energy, and with the swollen wood energy made the lightning dwelling in her kick even more fierce.

The finishing touch was the intent of Dragon Finger Sword Technique overlaid on the divine skill technique. Explosive temperament instantly burst forth thunderous roars from her toes.

An explosive-type ultimate technique.

While Han people would need studies like Wudang’s Two Heart Divine Skill to skillfully handle various energies, at least regarding the energies of the Five Elements, noble clans didn’t need such things.

The First Elder’s eyes curved elegantly.

Craaaaaaaaash!

The Grand Elder’s instep that had drawn a semicircle from the peak downward was stepped on by the youth and buried directly in the ground.

Simultaneously, the youth extended his foot in reverse and kicked away her hand that had contained the internal energy of a counterattack technique, then as if nothing had happened, returned his leg to its place like lightning and broke the side of her shin with his heel with a thwack.

The First Elder collapsed with an unbelievably dull sound.

Desolate Fortress purple’s footwork.

Even saying “freely and naturally” was far insufficient.

He had used his legs like blades. The bearing of a master.

Step.

Even after such an exchange, was he showing respect for his elder? The handsome youth deliberately detoured around instead of stepping over her body.

The First Elder looked back at his retreating figure in a daze. With extreme regret in both eyes. She should have made him draw his sword.

The youth who had finally overcome all the clans’ interference.

There was no hesitation in his gesture of pushing aside the dense curtain.

Rustle.

Darkness quickly receded. World Tree’s mystical sanctuary, covered with countless fallen leaves like gold, mercilessly revealed itself following his unhesitating hand movements.

Jeong Yeon-shin faced the Desolate Fortress Lord.