153: Chapter 153 Rakshasa Alliance
"You brat! You dare kill my son! Today, you will pay with your life!"
A violent Aura swept across the sea, accompanied by an icy, furious roar.
Instantly, the many Cultivators observing from the surroundings were shaken to their core, their faces paling with terror!
In the blink of an eye, a figure suddenly materialized high in the air, its murderous gaze firmly fixed on Ning Yuan.
Especially upon seeing the 'Kill' character hovering above Ning Yuan's head, the oppressive pressure enveloping the surrounding sea grew even more intense.
Ning Yuan's eyes swept over the figure suspended in the air, carefully examining the person who had cast the Hundred-Day Tracking Technique.
He wore an extremely simple gray robe, with hair streaked black and white. His face was deeply lined, appearing aged and frail, yet the cultivation base erupting from his body stood in stark contrast to his elderly appearance.
This person was none other than the renowned powerhouse of the Jinan Sea Domain, the Half-step Void Refining Cultivator, Zhang Yuan!
Upon clearly seeing who had arrived, the crowd immediately erupted into waves of exclamations, a cacophony of voices filling the air!
"It's actually him! That explains it; he doted on that son of his beyond measure!"
"If not for having a good father, could his son have survived this long?"
"This guy has kicked an iron plate; there's no escape for him today!"
"..."
Hearing the crowd's discussions, Ning Yuan also became clear about the newcomer's identity and some of his exploits.
Zhang Yuan, a major pirate in the Jinan Sea Domain, was a man of extreme cruelty and ruthlessness, taking the greatest pleasure in torturing his opponents.
Once someone fell into his hands, regardless of their cultivation level, he would employ every method to torment them. Watching them writhe in agony and scream brought him immense physical and mental pleasure.
Yet, such a man was utterly and excessively doting on his son, almost granting his every wish. This fostered his son's arrogant and domineering personality, making him notoriously infamous throughout the Jinan Sea Domain!
Perhaps fearing his son might be killed by some fool, Zhang Yuan had spent a great price to condense a Bloodline Mark, making it convenient to hunt down the murderer for revenge later, as Zhang Yuan couldn't always stay by his son's side.
"No one can save you today!"
A cold roar, brimming with barely concealed killing intent, rang out once more, spreading like a thunderclap, causing the sea surface to churn with layers of waves.
Zhang Yuan took a step forward, his figure bizarrely appearing right in front of Ning Yuan. His right hand clenched into a fist, and a punch imbued with terrifying power smashed towards Ning Yuan.
However, just as Zhang Yuan intended to kill Ning Yuan in one strike, a burly figure suddenly appeared before him. It, too, threw a punch, colliding fiercely with Zhang Yuan's fist.
Boom!
Under many horrified gazes, centered on the two combatants, a terrifying shockwave erupted, transforming into dreadful ripples that spread outwards in concentric arcs. The entire sea area began to tremble violently, boiling like a pot of hot water.
The cloud command boat beneath Ning Yuan's feet groaned under the strain, emitting cracking sounds as fine fissures spread all over its hull. It was on the verge of shattering into pieces.
Swish!
Right at that moment, the Refined Corpse sent Zhang Yuan flying with a punch. The immense force carved a long trail across the sea surface. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yuan vanished beyond the horizon.
Seeing the cloud command boat about to break apart, everyone on board immediately took to the air, leaving the vessel. In an instant, the cloud command boat violently exploded, transforming into a pile of fragments amidst a dazzling blaze before slowly sinking to the seabed.
Witnesses in the surrounding sea area couldn't help but narrow their eyes in shock. Many even rubbed their eyes, seemingly unable to believe what they had just seen.
But the outcome remained unchanged. Zhang Yuan had indeed been sent flying, his whereabouts unknown. Instantly, countless people stared with astonishment at the few figures standing in mid-air.
The residual shockwaves from the clash transformed into fierce gales that swept outward. Even those hundreds of miles away felt their faces sting from the force.
A Void Refining Cultivator had made a move!
Apart from this possibility, they couldn't think of any other explanation. This conclusion immediately filled countless hearts with dread. Their gazes towards Ning Yuan swiftly shifted to reverence, with none of the previous mockery or scorn.
Given their cultivation levels, they might not even have the qualification to spectate the events that followed. Thinking this, many began to retreat at full speed, distancing themselves from the area.
But at that very moment, Zhang Yuan's voice, brimming with rage, reached everyone's ears, transforming into rolling sound waves that echoed across the vast sea.
"Well, well, well! No wonder you faced this old man with such confidence. So, you possess a Void Refining level Refined Corpse!"
"However, this is my territory. It's not your place to run wild here!"
"Everyone, listen! In the name of a member of the Rakshasa Alliance, I hereby issue a bounty. Whoever kills this man and avenges my son will receive three fifth-grade magic treasures, three fifth-grade Medicinal Pills, and one fifth-grade Cultivation Technique!"
"Don't hesitate! I will handle his Refined Corpse. All you need to do is seize the opportunity!"
As soon as these words were spoken, those who had just been preparing to leave stopped in their tracks almost simultaneously. Their expressions underwent another astonishing shift. The gazes they cast upon Ning Yuan were now filled with avarice, greed completely suppressing the reverence from moments before.
Swish!
At that moment, Zhang Yuan's figure reappeared before everyone's eyes. His face was frighteningly dark, yet he showed little fear in the face of a Void Refining opponent. He coldly shouted:
"Don't think for a second that a mere Refined Corpse leaves me helpless against you!"
"What are you all waiting for? Is my bounty not enticing enough?" Zhang Yuan swept his cold gaze across the surroundings, causing everyone to shudder uncontrollably, some unable to meet his eyes.
"Hmph!"
Zhang Yuan let out a cold snort that reverberated like thunder in everyone's ears. Then, he charged towards Ning Yuan first, only to be naturally intercepted by the Refined Corpse, unable to get anywhere near Ning Yuan.
Subsequently, Zhang Yuan and the Refined Corpse erupted into a fierce battle. The thunderous sounds of their clashes constantly reverberated between heaven and earth. Moreover, Zhang Yuan intentionally drew the Refined Corpse away from the area, his purpose obvious.
Given Zhang Yuan's wealth, a mere bounty was easily affordable. He didn't believe no one would be tempted. As long as he could stall the Refined Corpse for a short while, it would be more than enough for Ning Yuan to die ten times over!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder he's confident he can hold off the Refined Corpse. So, he has comprehended a Concept!"
Regarding Zhang Yuan's action of luring the Refined Corpse away, Ning Yuan's face showed no trace of worry. Instead, he looked at Zhang Yuan with keen interest.
Another Concept Cultivator, and one who had comprehended the Wind Concept!
No wonder Zhang Yuan's speed was so astonishing earlier. That was likely a manifestation of the Wind Concept's characteristics.
Currently, with the Wind Concept's enhancement, Zhang Yuan was trading blows with the Refined Corpse. Fierce winds howled around him, transforming into invisible wind blades that continuously struck the Refined Corpse's body.
However, the results were less than ideal. The wind blades only left faint white marks on the Refined Corpse's body. Under a yellowish-brown glow, these marks healed almost instantly.
Perhaps because it was a Geomantic Vein Refined Corpse, its defensive power was extremely strong, but its attack power and speed were somewhat lacking. At least when facing Zhang Yuan, all its attacks were dodged one by one.