Chapter 1199, Snatching the Sacred Energy Fruit

Translator: Silavin

  

“That guy…”

 

At the forefront, Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun had not yet reached the giant tree at the centre of the lake when the offensive they had driven forward had already sent the first few experts who charged over flying back in retreat.

 

Almost simultaneously, they perceived the disturbance at their backs as well.

 

Even though Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun had anticipated this in their hearts, four Peak Stage Martial Ancestors had still failed to produce any effect whatsoever. They could not help but feel alarmed.

 

One had to know that those four were by no means ordinary Peak Stage Martial Ancestors. Among the forces under their command, those four were already considered the absolute cream of the crop.

 

Even they themselves would have found it exceedingly difficult to achieve such a feat.

 

“We cannot drag this out any longer!”

 

Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun exchanged a glance, and each read the deep wariness in the other’s eyes. The next instant, the Yuan Energy within both men erupted completely, and they shot towards that giant tree with even greater speed.

 

In no more than a few breaths, Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun had left the other experts far behind, and the several Peak Stage Martial Ancestors who had previously stood in their path had long since been blasted aside.

 

At this moment, only each other remained as worthy opponents.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Yet, in a manner that caught everyone somewhat off guard, Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun did not turn upon one another at this juncture. Instead, with a remarkable and unspoken understanding, both men surged out two vigorous streams of Yuan Energy, shaping them into a pair of giant hands that reached forward to snatch the Sacred Energy Fruit right before their eyes.

 

The moment the Yuan Energy palms of both men entered the periphery of the glowing orb, which resembled a miniature radiant Sun, both their bodies gave a faint shudder. A peculiar ripple passed through them, and they suddenly felt the Yuan Energy hands they had manifested slip entirely beyond their control. They dissolve directly into nothingness, as though absorbed whole by that blazing orb.

 

“What an amazing treasure!”

 

Perceiving this development, neither man was alarmed, but rather delighted. Having their Yuan Energy consumed so soundlessly and completely was proof that this was without question the legendary Sacred Energy Fruit. Only the Sacred Energy Fruit held such an ability.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Immediately, Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun, at virtually the same instant, shot their palms outward like lightning and moved swiftly to pluck out that luminous orb.

 

*Splash!*

 

However, at the very moment both men’s hands were about to close upon it, an exceedingly subtle fluctuation abruptly surged upward from the lake beneath them.

 

Sensing that stirring, the faces of both men changed at once. They understood that this was the Azure Sky Demonic Flood Dragon gathering its power in readiness, intending to seize the moment when they were grabbing for the Sacred Energy Fruit to deliver them a lethal blow.

 

Though the two men’s strength was considered to be supremely exceptional even among Peak Stage Martial Ancestors, facing an Azure Sky Demonic Flood Dragon that had half a foot planted in the Saint Realm, even they did not dare engage it in direct confrontation.

 

In that instant, they could only grit their teeth and forcibly withdraw their arms, unleashing several ferocious strikes downward into the lake below.

 

Although the Azure Sky Demonic Flood Dragon had temporarily lost its Beast Core, it was unlikely to suffer any great diminishment in strength over a short period. Moreover, if it were to break through to the Saint Realm, that would in fact be a blessing of sorts for it.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Yet, in the single moment of distraction shared by Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun, a figure materialised before them like a phantom, and then, beneath their expressions of stunned disbelief, that radiant orb was simply plucked away.

 

“Leave the Sacred Energy Fruit behind!”

 

Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun stared at that figure with darkened faces, their hearts surging with fury. The next instant, two overwhelmingly oppressive auras erupted forth without restraint, condensing into two terrifying streams of Yuan Energy that swept overhead to envelop Qin Yichen.

 

Confronted by the combined assault of two of the strongest experts here, even Qin Yichen could not help but meet it with due caution. He stepped backward hard, his figure retreating in a burst, while both arms moved ceaselessly, driving stream after stream of Yuan Energy to tear through those two dreadful offensives.

 

*Sizzle sizzle…*

 

Those two fearsome offensives were torn apart at a distance of no more than a metre from Qin Yichen.

 

“Friends, treasures go to those who are fated for them. Since the two of you were unable to obtain it, why insist on forcing the matter?” Qin Yichen steadied himself, his voice rising calmly.

 

Seeing the three figures confronting one another above the lake, the many experts who had still been thinking to try their luck all came to a bitter halt.

 

The Sacred Energy Fruit, once it had entered the pocket of any one of those three, this meant almost no hope whatsoever for anyone else.

 

What intrigued the onlookers most at this moment was this young man who appeared neither striking nor imposing. Not a single person had anticipated that the one to claim the Sacred Energy Fruit first would actually be him.

 

In truth, being the first to seize the Sacred Energy Fruit was not the wisest course.

 

This would inevitably unite the other two against him, and so it was very likely that this had been a scheme Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun had arranged beforehand.

 

Now that Qin Yichen had obtained the Sacred Energy Fruit, no one knew whether he could withstand the combined assault of both Zhao Xueqi and Zhang Qun.

 

Though the strength he had displayed thus far had already proven he was no ordinary Late Stage Martial Ancestor, and was not far behind these two men in that regard. However, what he now faced was the Blood Hand Zhao Xueqi, whose hands were soaked in the blood of countless souls, and Smiling Tiger Zhang Qun, who had been forged through untold brushes with death in the Myriad Beasts War Domain.

 

Neither of these two was an easy flame to extinguish. Though the pair had never seen eye to eye, under the temptation of the Sacred Energy Fruit they had clearly, for the time being, aligned themselves on the same side.

 

“If you have any sense, you will obediently hand over the Sacred Energy Fruit and come under my command. I can see to it that your life is spared.” Zhang Qun said gravely to Qin Yichen, his overwhelming aura already locking firmly onto the latter.

 

“Oh… following the famed Smiling Tiger himself. Should I be honoured?” Qin Yichen gave a faint smile, displaying none of the alarm or terror the crowd had anticipated.

 

“Once you follow me, we shall be one Family. There is no need for gratitude. However, you must hand over that Sacred Energy Fruit.”

 

Watching Qin Yichen’s manner, Zhang Qun’s eyes could not help but narrow ever so slightly. With his experience, he naturally recognised that the latter was by no means a mediocre figure. Such bearing could only be tempered through considerable exposure to great occasions.

 

“Is that so?”

 

Under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Yichen gave a faint smile, and his next words caused the faces of both Zhang Qun and Zhao Xueqi to grow thoroughly dark. “And what if I refuse?”

 

With the last syllable of Qin Yichen’s words, the atmosphere of the entire space drew taut in an instant, and even the air seemed to cease flowing altogether.