Chapter 1731 - 1732: Nine-Rank Lotus
Zeus didn't dodge or evade, merely looked at Yang Fei calmly, with a cold smile.
"It seems Old Master Wang's place in your heart is just like this. Do you really not want his life anymore?"
As he spoke, the jade snuff bottle in his hand was raised high, and suddenly with a crack, he crushed it to pieces.
Yang Fei's body instantly froze.
He landed full of hatred, standing not far from Zeus, seething with rage.
"Zeus, do you have any shame?"
Although An Zichen was drowsy, she pulled herself together and dashed to Yang Fei's nine o'clock position, forming a pincer movement, ready to act.
Zeus snorted and said lightly, "If the Divine Master didn't want to spare you, do you think you'd have any chance to act?"
At this, Zeus turned around and raised three fingers towards Yang Fei.
"You only have the duration of an incense stick. If by then, you haven't obtained the Nine-Rank Lotus, just be ready to take back Old Master Wang's corpse."
With these words, his figure flickered, leaving behind a trail of afterimages, disappearing without a trace.
Yang Fei's form turned into a series of afterimages and pursued Zeus.
All the afterimages left by Zeus were pierced by Yang Fei, yet none was the real Zeus.
"Kid, the Divine Master could change his mind at any moment. That would be your time of death."
From within the void, Zeus's voice echoed, indistinct and endless, eventually fading away.
Yang Fei halted his steps, his heart filled with shock.
Zeus's mastery of Martial Arts had reached such a profound level that Yang Fei couldn't even catch his shadow, let alone deal with him.
For most, encountering such a formidable enemy would lead to discouragement, but Yang Fei felt invigorated.
"Damn it, one day, when I master the Nine Extremes, I'll execute this bastard, feed him to the dogs, to honor the spirits of the Evil Dragon Brothers."
Since Yang Fei started cultivating the Nine Extremes, he had often encountered strong foes and even faced Spiritual Martial Arts Masters.
Yet, he always managed to adapt and prevail with his divine sniping skills.
But now, for the first time, Yang Fei felt a sense of defeat.
Zeus's Martial Arts Realm was unfathomable, and Yang Fei couldn't even capture his form.
However, Yang Fei perceived the undertone in Zeus's words.
Before losing his memory, even Zeus was quite wary of him.
This indicated that a decade ago, he was at least of the same caliber as Zeus.
Thinking this, Yang Fei calmed his raging emotions and made a silent vow in his heart.
"Ten years ago, I could beat you into submission, and ten years later, I surely can again."
An Zichen, seeing Yang Fei in a daze, approached with a sigh.
"Yang Fei, he's right. Neither you nor I are his match now."
"Revenge is a dish best served cold. Don't let it weigh too heavily on your mind."
Yang Fei chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"No worries. I'm just wondering, what realm is this guy in? Is there a level beyond Spiritual Martial Arts?"
An Zichen shook her head: "I don't know, but the duration of an incense stick is short. We should find the Nine-Rank Lotus first."
Considering Old Master Wang's safety, Yang Fei felt tense, yet as he looked at the towering Spirit Mountain, his face twisted in frustration.
"How the heck can I find the Nine-Rank Lotus in the time of an incense stick? Damn it!"
An Zichen spoke softly: "Don't worry, since he needs you to find the Nine-Rank Lotus, he won't harm the old master. I won't go up to avoid slowing you down."
Yang Fei was quite puzzled.
"Logically, this guy shouldn't need the Heavenly Secret Talisman. Why does he want the Nine-Rank Lotus?"
An Zichen shook her head: "I don't know, but this miscreant is definitely up to no good. Be cautious."
Yang Fei nodded, advising An Zichen: "Wait here, keep cultivating, and don't fall asleep."
An Zichen nodded, her expression becoming tender.
"You... be careful. Brother Ming Tai is missing, and you're my only family left."
Usually pure and graceful, An Zichen now appeared gentle and docile.
In a trance, Yang Fei seemed to see the mischievous yet gentle An Zichen from ten years ago.
Seeing Yang Fei in a daze, An Zichen's face blushed slightly.
"What are you daydreaming about?"
Yang Fei laughed, suddenly grabbing An Zichen's hand and giving it a gentle kiss.
"Don't worry. I'll return safely and take you back home."
Feeling the tickling sensation from the kiss on her hand, An Zichen's heart raced.
Normally, An Zichen would have teased him with a few words.
But at this juncture, they both realized the danger and felt a burgeoning bond and a touch of reluctance to part.
An Zichen stared at Yang Fei, her eyes reddening.
Yang Fei chuckled, turned around, waved at An Zichen, and marched toward the summit of the Spirit Platform.
This time, not needing to look after An Zichen, Yang Fei's ascent up Spirit Mountain quickened significantly.
A tidal wave of drowsiness continued to swamp Yang Fei, as heavy as a mountain.
But Yang Fei gritted his teeth, using Turtle Extreme to maintain clarity in his mind, climbing step by step toward the peak of Spirit Mountain.
Half an hour later, Yang Fei finally reached the summit.
The oppressive drowsiness never left Yang Fei's heart.
Several times, his vision filled with stars, seemingly on the verge of sleep, but with Turtle Extreme spinning, he kept his mind clear and finally reached the zenith of Spirit Mountain.
Step by step, Yang Fei climbed the stone steps.
Upon finishing the last step, he plopped down, gasping for air.
The Great Thunderclap Temple, seen from the Spirit Mountain's foot, looked increasingly majestic, resplendent and towering into the sky, with a long corridor extending upward to the Great Heroic Hall.
The Great Heroic Hall stood solemnly. In front of it was a lotus pond, where the lotuses of various colors bloomed beautifully.
The pond teemed with life, the sole vibrant element in this Jile World.
The green lotus leaves brimming with vitality, and the blossoms shone like the sun.
Curious, Yang Fei wondered if there was truly a Buddha at the Great Thunderclap Temple.
He crossed over the Eight Treasures Merit Pond and stepped into the Great Heroic Hall.
But inside, there was nothing, not even a single god statue, let alone the Buddha.
Aghast, Yang Fei surveyed the empty Great Heroic Hall, its light dim, lacking the grandeur of the legendary Ten Thousand Buddhas Dynasty.
After a bit, Yang Fei exited the Great Heroic Hall and headed toward the Eight Treasures Merit Pond.
In the pond were nine lotuses, red and white, blooming vigorously, like fire, like mist.
Thinking of Old Master Wang's peril, Yang Fei hesitated no more, grabbing a lotus, and gave it a fierce yank.