Ninth In the World

“Eh? You’re Ye Yimo?” The first person Chu Manhe saw when she came out was Ye Yimo. She had seen Ye Yimo before and knew that the latter’s father was as powerful as Ning Cheng.

“Sister Manhe?’ Ye Zifeng exclaimed excitedly upon recognizing Chu Manhe. She was finally seeing an acquaintance. After all, Ye Yimo was not considered one in her opinion.

Ye Zifeng looked at Di Jiu and chuckled. “Not bad. You obtained the two Soul-Gathering Immortal Lotuses from Yi Ji for the sake of saving two women. However, Yi Ji is currently crying, as the Quintessential Essence of the Universe you gave him was fake.”

Itinerant Yi Ji, who had just arrived at the square, shuddered subconsciously when he heard Ye Zifeng’s words. In fact, he’d felt chills when he had realized that the Quintessential Essence of the Universe was fake. The first memory of him crying was a distant but distinct one.

However, Yi Ji had still come to the square immediately. He was wary of Di Jiu but he’d had no choice but to come. After all, the Quintessential Essence of the Universe would affect his Dao.

He had yet to speak with Di Jiu about the Quintessential Essence of the Universe but he was already alarmed by Ye Zifeng’s words. The fact that Ye Zifeng knew his Quintessential Essence of the Universe was fake meant that his actions were all under the surveillance of that person.

He used to be an apex expert of the universe who possessed the Golden Page World. Anyone who saw him would have to bow and respectfully address him as Saint. Now, he had failed to even sense that someone had placed him under surveillance.

What could be more sorrowful than this?

At that moment, he wished his fate would be like Xuanhuang Guyan’s. He should either die or forget everything and get reincarnated.

“I hope you still have some Quintessential Essence of the Universe on you. Otherwise, I will not let you die so easily…” Ye Zifeng threw a punch at Di Jiu.

Di Jiu felt a formidable oppression as his Dao Integration domain shattered. Without any hesitation, he took out his Heavenly Aqua Saber and slashed out. The Wind-Rustling Move carried an indomitable aura and landed on the fist shadow of this fist move.

The Principal Spirit exploded and all the laws shattered.

Boom! The dense saber aura of the Wind-Rustling Move could not block Ye Zifeng’s fist shadow. It transformed into supernormal ability nomological fragments before exploding in mid-air.

Pfft! Di Jiu spat out a mouthful of blood. That terrifying fist shadow paused for a short moment and aimed at his chest once more.

Di Jiu knew that this fist move would cause him to sustain severe injuries, even though he possessed a body superior to the Sacred Body. As expected, everything was meaningless against domineering strength.

However, Di Jiu was not someone who could be easily killed, no matter how strong Ye Zifeng was. Di Jiu took out the Heaven-Opening Writing Brush, prepared to block the fist move and take Po Xu and company with him as he fled.

Boom! Violent Divine Essence exploded in the air. The laws in the Dao Abyss became chaotic as cracks appeared in the air.

Di Jiu’s Heaven-Opening Writing Brush stopped moving. Someone had actually helped him block Ye Zifeng’s fist move?

“Who are you? How dare you interfere with this Saint’s business?” Ye Zifeng’s face turned slightly purple as he stared at the man standing beside Di Jiu coldly. This man was wearing a gray robe and looked as though he had just woken up from a nap.

The gray-robed cultivator burst into laughter. Then, he pointed at Ye Zifeng and mocked him. “You are the second person besides Du Bu to call yourself a Saint in front of me. Du Bu did not impart anything to me but he did let me analyze the Primordial Dao Law for a while. I consider him my Master. What are you worth then? You didn’t even exist when I, Du Zihen, was wandering in the universe.”

“Du Bu… Du Zihen…” Ye Zifeng’s facial expression suddenly changed, as he had evidently recalled who Du Zihen was.

Di Jiu was extremely pleased. “Zihen, have you attained the third step?”

Du Zihen smiled slightly. “Ah Jiu, I haven’t attained it. I’ve simply regained some strength.”

“Du Zihen, you are an expert from the heaven-opening era as well. I have no grievances with you, so what’s the meaning of this?” Ye Zifeng became timid after hearing Du Zihen’s name.

One had to be wary when facing someone with the surname Du. It was said that Five-Element Sacred Lord Du Mo was Du Zihen’s junior brother. Ye Zifeng had witnessed just how frightening Du Mo was. Ye Mo might be powerful but he was no match for Du Mo. Ye Zifeng called himself a Sacred Lord there yet was aware that he was nothing compared to the real Sacred Lords.

Du Zihen eyed Ye Zifeng calmly. “The year when you ascended to the Mountain Gaze, I could have killed you easily when you walked past me. I let you climb up, but your greed caused the Creation Dao Rune Lakes to become a mess. I know that you are unqualified to reach the Mountain Gaze Peak. You must be thinking of heading to the peak after dealing with Di Jiu, right? Let me speak to you bluntly: Extinguish that thought, for you are unqualified to do so.”

The few dozens of third-step experts in the distance subconsciously retreated a little when they saw Du Zihen.

They would not have been so wary if the newcomer had been someone of Ye Zifeng’s caliber. However, everyone present knew who Du Zihen was. Even if they did not, they should know who Du Bu and Du Mo were.

Ye Zifeng’s Spiritual Force scanned his surroundings before he sighed silently. He knew that there was nothing he could do. Even if he did something, perhaps the others would help Du Zihen instead of him. Similarly, it would be easy for Du Zihen to ask the people there to help him deal with Ye Zifeng.

Upon seeing how terrified Ye Zifeng was, Ye Yimo said in disdain, “You are nothing but an ungrateful bastard. My father should have killed you back then.”

After he said that, Ye Yimo ignored Ye Zifeng. She turned and bowed in Di Jiu’s direction. “Thank you for your help, Big Brother. My remnant soul would most likely have dissipated otherwise. May I know how I should address you?”

Di Jiu waved his hand dismissively and replied, “My name is Di Jiu. I am friends with Xiaoshuang, so it was only natural that I would help you.”

“You know Sister Xiaoshuang…” Ye Yimo was pleasantly surprised but she felt happy for Ling Xiaoshuang.

Sister Xiaoshuang had high expectations from men so she had always thought that it would not be easy for her to find a partner. Di Jiu, on the other hand, fit Sister Xiaoshuang’s expectations like a glove.

In Ye Yimo’s opinion, Di Jiu and Ling Xiaoshuang had to be cultivation partners. Otherwise, why would Di Jiu take such a huge risk to come to the Dao Abyss in search of the Soul-Gathering Immortal Lotus simply to save a stranger like her?

Ye Zifeng took a death breath and suddenly sent a voice transmission to Du Zihen. When he heard the message, Du Zihen’s expression changed. He took a step and landed in front of Ye Zifeng before he demanded coldly, “Where?”

Ye Zifeng chuckled. “Du Zihen, I know that you’re very strong. However, you’re not strong enough to deal with me. Follow me if you believe me. Otherwise, it will be your loss.”

“Alright, I’ll follow you.” Du Zihen agreed solemnly.

Then, he turned and told Di Jiu, “Ah Jiu, I must take a trip with this person…”

Du Zihen waved his hand dismissively when he saw that Di Jiu was about to speak and added, “Ah Jiu, your Dao is very impressive. Even you failed to sense that your Dao has just started to undergo some changes. It must be something great, as I guess that you have gained some new insight after attaining the Dao Integration Realm. The reason you are not this person’s match currently is because your Dao has yet to fully merge. This person will be akin to trash in front of you once your Dao truly becomes what you want it to be and merges successfully. You will feel no fear for this person even if your cultivation level remains stagnant.”

Upon saying that, Du Zihen stared at Ye Zifeng and commanded her. “Lead the way.”