Soaring the Heavens - Chapter 426

Bai Ziliang and Kong Zhi were the only two people left. Lost for words and feeling helpless by the situation, they returned in the end, albeit resentfully.

Following beside Kong Zhi, Ba Jie grumbled, "This woman had better not let me catch her. One day, I swear I'll have her return everything with interest."

Meanwhile, Yue Yao tilted her head to look at Miao Yi and transmitted her voice over, "Yan Beihong, I'd say you didn't hand those things over to me in vain, wouldn't you?"

Miao Yi remained silent. On the other hand, Zhao Fei and the others behind him were overjoyed. They were lucky to have Yue Yao shoulder the responsibility for them. Otherwise, the matter probably wouldn't end with them returning all the things they stole.

Yue Yao called out to Miao Yi again and said, "I asked you a question. Why aren't you replying?"

"Thanks!" Miao Yi gave a short word of thanks.

"Don't just pay me lip service. You still have two vacant spots on your team. After this, I'll arrange for two more members to join you. If you can help ensure the survival of two more Celestial Nation cultivators, then try your best to do just that." As she said this, Yue Yao couldn't help but sigh softly. There was a trace of helplessness in her eyes. Here in the Sea of Constellations, she had no choice but to play the role of a strong woman and consider the benefit of the Realm Beyond Heaven whenever she could.

At the end of the day, women were different from men. Truthfully, no woman in the world was willing to act strong and give the impression that she was more powerful than a man.

The carnage then resumed once more. The battles were as brutal as ever. Heads were constantly flying, and blood spurted everywhere as agonizing screams occasionally resounded. This was definitely a type of baptism to all the cultivators present. Those who were able to live through such bloodshed would never be the same once they returned, particularly the aura they wielded.

The sun rose and set as the days passed. The members of all six camps were gradually decreasing, but the air around the arena seemed to grow even tenser instead.

Those who were still alive knew that there was nothing left to do but push on even harder than before now that they'd come this far. The chance to make it out of this alive was right before their eyes, and everyone going up to battle was pulling out all the stops. Even though the number of participants was decreasing, the battles were becoming more intense, and the frequency at which the same participants were stepping up to the arena was steadily increasing. Every single participant was constantly surpassing their own limits and performing beyond their normal standards.

Gu Sanzheng and the others couldn't contain their astonishment as they bore all this violence before them. They probably wouldn't be able to hold their own if they were in the other party's shoes. Those who were able to kill their way this far were evidently in another league of their own. They were definitely the top-tier elites of the battlefield.

During this time, Yue Yao realized that Miao Yi seemed to be acting strangely. He no longer acted nonchalantly in front of her. Instead, he was strangely quiet. Even when she tried to start a conversation from time to time, Miao Yi would just give short answers, causing Yue Yao to feel somewhat disheartened.

It was soon time for the final battle. As both parties stepped up to the battlefield and started clashing with one another, they immediately pulled out all the stops and went into a murderous frenzy.

Hoofbeats constantly resounded as the dirt on the ground was sent flying about by the waves of transcendence energy. The riders charged madly, clashing with one another time and again. As the battle waged on, men were overturned from their mounts, and dragon steeds neighed in agony.

Hei Wuya of the Ghost Nation and Yun Feiyang of the Devil Nation were both watching with widened eyes—the final battle was between their two camps.

Eighty-nine participants weren't currently on the battlefield, which meant that out of the twenty participants involved in the final battle, only eleven needed to survive for the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade to be over. The final eleven survivors would be borne from this group of twenty. And although their hopes of survival were quite high, it was almost equally slim at the same time. They were walking a fine line between heaven and hell.

Those who had to fight last were the most pitiful, having to walk a fine line between life and death. The chance to leave the Sea of Constellations alive was just before their eyes, yet they had to face the maddened attacks of their opponents before they could get there. The feeling of hope and despair existing simultaneously was enough to drive one insane.

As the riders continued to be overturned from their mounts, the Devil Nation managed to seize the upper hand. There were casualties on both sides. As the fight became a seven versus five battle, the spectators could feel their hearts racing. Even the silent Miao Yi was holding his breath and observing the battle attentively.

After toiling tirelessly for almost ten years, the final outcome rested upon the shoulders of one man. It could be said that there was still one final spot left. Who wouldn't be nervous about that?

When a Ghost cultivator finally fell to the hands of three other Devil Nation cultivators, the other four participants from the Ghost Nation immediately retreated, unconcerned for the status of their comrade. "AHH!" They raised their heads to the sky and shouted, announcing to the crowd that they had survived until the end. 

All the other participants immediately shouted in glee as well.

However, something unprecedented suddenly occurred. One of the Devil Nation cultivators had lost himself in a frenzy, failing to hear even the cheers of so many people. He continued on in a murderous rage, charging out on his dragon steed and madly attacking with his sword.

"Psh!" As his sword fell, the head of an unprepared Ghost cultivator was instantly chopped off.

All the participants were startled by this, and the cheers immediately stopped. Even the two groups on the arena were utterly dazed.

Meanwhile, that Devil Nation cultivator had clearly lost himself in a frenzy. He completely ignored the reactions of everyone around him, and just proceeded to charge straight for the other three Ghost cultivators.

Who would still continue to risk their lives going against this guy? Even if they could win, the three Ghost Nation cultivators didn't want to take the risk against such a lunatic, and hastily bolted back to the Ghost Nation's camp.

"You're courting death!"

A furious bellow resounded, then a black cape fiercely billowed as a massive three-eyed wolf instantly rushed out like a typhoon.

Hei Wuya suddenly brandished his spear and charged straight towards that crazed Devil Nation cultivator on his own. He was really pissed. The final outcome had already been decided, and everything was over, but the other party had still caused his Ghost Nation to lose one survivor.

"Hei Wuya! You dare!"

Yun Feiyang also bellowed angrily. He brandished his spear, then immediately charged out on his Mad Satan Bull.

As the members of both camps came to realize the gravity of the situation, they rushed out almost immediately as well, following the backs of their leaders. These were the trusted subordinates of the two representatives. The normal participants wouldn't be risking their lives any more at this point.

Meanwhile, as he saw the people beside him rushing out, Yan Beihong actually decided to follow suit as well. Miao Yi was utterly lost for words when he saw Yan Beihong shouting and charging forward with a longsword in hand.

Everything was supposed to be already over. Who could have thought something like this would actually happen? The other nation's cultivators all exchanged glances with one another. 'We won't get dragged into this as well, right?'

Hei Wuya's mount was evidently stronger than the frenzied Devil cultivator's dragon steed. As soon as both parties clashed, the three-eyed wolf abruptly brandished a jaw full of sharp fangs and bit down on the heel of the frenzied Devil cultivator's mount, causing blood to instantly gush out everywhere.

The dragon steed lost its leg, then— boom! —the Devil cultivator was immediately sent flying away by Hei Wuya's spear.

Coming from behind, Yun Feiyang swiftly launched his spear and clashed head-on with Hei Wuya. Beneath the two, one mount bit down with its sharp fangs, while the other tackled with its fearsome horn as the two sides quickly brushed past one another.

As he passed by Hei Wuya, Yun Feiyang rushed straight towards the Devil cultivator, who was now sane after his fall to the ground and pulled the latter onto his back.

There was no helping it. Currently, Hei Wuya had to take justice for the Ghost Nation cultivators, while Yun Feiyang couldn't just watch as his Devil Nation cultivators suffered. It was just like how Yue Yao had saved Gu Sanzheng and the others from Bai Ziliang.

As he passed by Yun Feiyang, Hei Wuya rushed straight for the Devil Nation's cultivators who were charging over. He was dead set on killing a few Devil Nation cultivators to vent out the frustration of his Ghost Nation members.

The three-eyed wolf he was sitting on was incredibly powerful. It continued to bite here and there, helping Hei Wuya knock several of the Devil Nation cultivators off their steeds.

Hei Wuya was about to take this opportunity to kill off a few members and vent out his frustration when suddenly a longsword came swinging by the corner of his eyes. The force behind that blade was like a mad devil, causing Hei Wuya to jump up in fright. It would have killed him if he hadn't been careful. Fortunately, his three-eyed wolf had swiftly bitten down with its fangs and helped him avoid the perilous situation.

The attacker was none other than Yan Beihong.

However, as Yan Beihong's cultivation was inferior to the other party's, and because his weapon and armor didn't have an impact-mitigating effect like Miao Yi's, he ended up slightly on the losing end. That said, relying solely on his powerful sword art, Yan Beihong ultimately forced Hei Wuya to go on the defense, not giving him the chance to turn around and kill Yun Feiyang's trusted subordinates who had been knocked off their mounts. 

The battle between the two of them actually persisted for a while. Even with the three-eyed wolf supporting him, Hei Wuya was unable to gain much of an advantage.

The crowd was completely amazed as they wondered who the attacker was. Given Hei Wuya's strength, and with the three-eyed wolf supporting him, he was actually unable to defeat this person in a head-on battle!

Yan Beihong was frustrated with the three-eyed wolf as well. Its fur was incomparably supple and tough. He couldn't damage it in the slightest even after dozens of strikes. Instead, he was the one being helplessly pushed back.

Meanwhile, Yun Feiyang was quickly holding off Hei Wuya's subordinates and preventing them from attacking his own. Both parties were incredibly stubborn. Neither side was using their transcendent artifacts, as they didn't want to look weak in front of the other party.

When he saw that Yan Beihong was gradually losing, Miao Yi couldn't sit still any longer. He unfastened the bag strapped around his back and tossed it behind him to Zhao Fei. He then spread out his arms, and the black fog wrapped around his body, donning both man and steed in armor, and the Inversed-Scales Spear appeared in his hand.

Yue Yao was utterly shocked. She shouted, "What do you think you're doing?"

However, Charcoal had already shot out like an arrow. With spear in hand, Miao Yi charged straight towards the fight between Hei Wuya and Yan Beihong, wishing to help save the latter from his predicament. He bellowed furiously, "Yan Beihong is here!"

The crowd was completely astonished. 'The reaper that tricked everyone is making his move. Is he after Hei Wuya's life?'

Casting a sideways glance at Miao Yi, Hei Wuya was shocked by his sudden appearance. 'Why is this guy suddenly joining in? Oh shit. I forgot he was from the Devil Nation's camp to begin with.'

Zhao Fei and the others were jolted as well. 'This fight is between the Devil Nation and Ghost Nation. Brother, what are you involving yourself for?'

When they saw Miao Yi donning his armor, Zhao Fei and the others quickly put theirs on as well. Zhao Fei hurriedly fastened the bag onto his back, then charged after Miao Yi with his square-sky decorated halberd in hand.

And the moment he charged out, Sikong Wuwei also brandished his broadaxe and followed suit.

Behind them, Gu Sanzheng, Tan Lao, Ye Xin quickly bolted out as well. Even Tao Yongchun and Pi Junzi held no regard for their own feeble strength and recklessly charged out. Not a single one of them hesitated.

Only the two people who were subsequently forced into the group by Yue Yao stood there helplessly, completely lost on what to do. They initially thought that they were lucky to be able to join this team. They never expected something like this to actually happen. Were these people trying to get them killed or something?

Yue Yao was going mad. 'I know Yan Beihong has the strength, but why are you all joining in the mix as well? Do you really think Hei Wuya is some kind of pushover? Once you guys step in, even if Hei Wuya were to use his transcendent artifact, he wouldn't be breaking the rules. Do you all think that my Celestial Nation has too many survivors, so you wish to kill off a few of your own volition?' 

Yue Yao flicked both her hands, and six crescent moons quickly shot out afterward, cutting in between the two parties who were in the middle of battle. And at the same time, she shouted, "Stop!"

She was breaking the rule of using a top-tier transcendent artifact on the battlefield. However, at this point, there probably wouldn't be anyone who would criticize her for it.

Under the terrifying might of the six crescent moons, as well as the sudden flare of golden light emanating from the Geotranscendence Bangles on everyone's wrists, the battle came to a standstill. There was also a rumbling voice echoing from the direction of the ship that had stopped on the nameless island, saying, "Board the ship! No delays will be tolerated!"

This message was evidently an announcement marking the end of the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade.

Only now did everyone on the battlefield calm themselves down. They finally managed to find a reason to stop.

Hei Wuya and Yun Feiyang looked at one another, then snorted in contempt almost simultaneously. Their men quickly followed after them as they left.

Yun Feiyang saw how valiant Yan Beihong was, that he could actually contend head-on against Hei Wuya. Not to mention, Miao Yi had suddenly stepped in to help as well. Yun Feiyang couldn't help give out a hearty guffaw as he looked at the two of them.

Meanwhile, Hei Wuya, whose eyes were the only facial feature visible, had turned around to gaze deeply at Miao Yi and Yan Beihong. Yan Beihong, in particular, had almost caused him to lose his life just now, had he not been careful. Hei Wuya could sense that Yan Beihong was only inferior in terms of cultivation. Once his cultivation was high enough, with his skills, he would become a force to be reckoned with.