Chapter Fifty-Five: Entering (Sixth Update)

Boom...

The moment the Eagle King’s black flames touched Fifth Master’s body, the purple-gold karmic fire immediately seized the opportunity, rapidly spreading up the Eagle King’s arm.

Soon, a massive field of spiritual power had formed around the two combatants, the intense pressure forcing Ye Feng to defend with all his might. Stubborn as ever, the boy refused to retreat even a single step.

He kept his eyes wide open, watching the clash between the two without missing even the smallest instant.

The Eagle King hovered in midair, one arm stuck fast before Fifth Master. He forced his demonic power to surge, but Fifth Master’s spiritual energy only continued to rise, showing no sign of slowing. The Eagle King realized he could no longer afford to hold back; his demonic energy exploded forth, desperately resisting the ferocious purple-gold fire.

Suddenly, Fifth Master’s eyes burst with dazzling golden light, forcing the Eagle King back, as a tremendous wave of spiritual power erupted.

Caw... Roc Meteoric Feathers!

Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh...

Within a span of dozens of meters, a storm of countless black feathers swept through, and Ye Tianya’s expression changed dramatically. He quickly shielded Ye Feng behind him.

Fifth Master was enraged, having been caught off guard—an insult he had not suffered in ages. In an instant, his terrifying spiritual energy swept through the area. It had been a long time since anyone had managed to truly anger him.

When the old man was furious, all was laid to waste. By the time the rampaging spiritual storm subsided, the surroundings had been reduced to ruins, and the Eagle King had long since vanished.

Ye Tianya stood perfectly still, the ground before him untouched by any trace of demonic power—a testament to Fifth Master’s masterful control.

“Tianya, are you alright?” Fifth Master turned, the muscles on his face twitching; he was clearly on the verge of losing control, unable to hide his fury even with his temperament.

“Cough, cough...” Several seconds passed before Ye Tianya finally stirred, a soft cough escaping him as a thread of blood trickled from his lips.

“That was intense... These damned feathers... Just a little stronger and I’d have died here today,” Ye Tianya muttered, moving his arm.

“Caw caw caw... Old man, are you serious? I’m finished... I’m done for... For the next ten years, I’ll be holed up just to recover!” In the distance, the Eagle King, now a thin black line, quickly returned, dragging a long trail of black smoke behind him.

Fifth Master ignored him for a moment, then shook his head slightly. “This time, I was careless.”

Ye Tianya shuddered slightly. He knew what those words meant—Fifth Master, who always put the bigger picture first, had not uttered such a thing in fifty years. Not even his enemies had dared force such words from him.

“Uncle, I have a spiritual fruit here. It should help your injuries,” Ye Feng offered him the fruit, remembering that Ye Tianya had been hurt protecting him.

“You brat, you actually have... ‘Fire Dragon Fruit’...” Ye Tianya snatched the fruit from Ye Feng, his eyes unblinking as he stared at it.

“Seems you’ve had some good fortune yourself,” Fifth Master remarked quietly.

“Old Fifth Ye! You old codger, I’m talking to you—stop pretending!” the Eagle King shouted from afar, clearly disgruntled. Today, he’d lost more than just face—his losses were severe.

“If you don’t shut that beak, I’ll roast you alive today!” Fifth Master turned, eyes cold and menacing.

“Uh...” The bird instantly fell silent, not daring to make another sound.

Ye Feng shook his head helplessly. Though everything around him was in ruins, his heart was in even greater turmoil. He had never imagined such formidable figures existed within the Ye family.

But then, thinking of the “Sanctuary,” his spirits fell again. Even someone as strong as Fifth Master had to show restraint—just how powerful was this “Sanctuary”?

“What happened today never happened. Next time we meet, we’re strangers—understand?”

“Alright.”

With a cold wave of his hand, Fifth Master vanished in a flash of rainbow light. “Only cultivators below the Spirit King level may enter here. All who qualify, go in now!”

At that moment, Fifth Master radiated the aura of a true king. His word was law—none dared question him.

Whether human or demon beast, no one objected. After all, his strength was beyond dispute, and this was what most had come for anyway; previously, no one had dared to declare it outright.

“He is a member of my Ye family. Once you reach the capital, his life or death is his own affair. But here—anyone who dares harm him will see their entire clan destroyed!” With these words, Fifth Master turned and left, leaving behind a stunned silence.

No one could fathom his reason for leaving, but he alone knew: if he stayed a moment longer, he feared he would not be able to resist killing the Eagle King.

The Eagle King remained, dazed, able to sense the faint killing intent that lingered. Fourteen years ago, he had lost to Fifth Master by a single move. Today’s display left him in utter despair.

It was a long time before the Eagle King snapped out of his memories. He no longer had any reason to fight for pride’s sake. At last, he turned and stepped into the void, vanishing from sight.

Pop...

Beneath the rainbow light, a fox-like demon beast was the first to slip through the transparent barrier and into the cave mansion. As it entered, ripples spread across the barrier at the entrance for all to see.

Elsewhere, the Xiao family elder stared wordlessly in the direction Fifth Master had left.

A hero of his era, he ought to have risen in these troubled times, but his temperament was too fierce. That was why, twenty years ago, his family and the royal clan suffered catastrophic defeat.

It was also the reason he had only now reached this level.

Though he had finally awakened to the truth, the years had taken their toll; the hero of old was no more.

“Go,” the Xiao elder said, his voice aged by decades in an instant. With a wave of his hand, he turned and left.

The dozen or so elders of the human side seemed moved by the atmosphere. They too shook their heads and sighed.

This world was no longer the one where their generation had once shone. It was time for the young to take the stage.

Ye Feng had never imagined that, because of him, the Tianwu Empire and even all the East would enter a new era. Almost all the elders had withdrawn from the world, sending their young scions out to brave the trials ahead.

And from that day forth, the struggles of the younger generation would go unchallenged by their seniors for a long time to come.

Taking the long blade Ye Tianya handed him, Ye Feng said nothing and stepped into the cave dwelling.

Thunk—

As soon as he crossed the threshold, his blade let out a mournful cry and crumbled to dust in his hands.

Startled, he looked around and saw that the others were equally bewildered, glancing in all directions, clearly experiencing the same thing.

Suddenly, a chill ran through Ye Feng. Could this place be... another “Domain”?