CHAPTER 749: CHAPTER 173: ONE FINGER

Snow blanketed everything.

A gigantic ice glacier mountain range divided heaven and earth, resembling an ancient city encased within the cold ice, standing between the sky and the ground.

Cold ice, accumulated snow, the ruins after an ice collapse—all composed a series of scenes at the Time Origin Point.

Here, figures loomed everywhere, with young, handsome men and beautiful women cultivators occasionally descending.

More and more people gathered, with part of the outstanding cultivators from the Upper Plane converging here.

Jiang Yichen’s gaze was solemn, his expression cold as he stared at Zhou Yan, then glanced at Xiao Fei beside him and said coldly, "Taoist, this is no joke to make."

"You say you are Lei Yan King, so you are Lei Yan King? That little bastard Zhou Yan, I’d recognize him even if he turned into Tribulation Ash, Taoist, your joke has gone too far!"

Jiang Yiqing’s expression was icy as he stared at Zhou Yan, his gaze sharp as if to pierce into Zhou Yan’s body, his tone harsh and oppressive.

Zhou Yan, being very close to the two men, didn’t hide his aura, which, after a transformation, had receded, restoring the imposing manner he had before his transformation.

"It’s really you! You really have some nerve, daring to throw yourself into the net!"

Jiang Yiqing was taken aback, then cold, grim killing intent appeared. Jiang Yichen’s whole body bristled with war qi, as if ready to slay Zhou Yan in an instant.

Zhou Yan’s aura remained synchronized with what it was originally, only in this way could these people truly recognize his identity. He had hidden himself for half his life, but now, under such perfect conditions, he was unwilling to stay hidden any longer.

Zhou Yan took a few steps forward, closing in slightly on the Jiang brothers.

"So you want to kill me? Go ahead, I can’t wait to be killed by a flick of your finger, a clap of your hand."

Zhou Yan’s tone was mocking, scornful, as if belittling everyone present with a single sentence.

Many cultivators were somewhat moved; even if he boasted loudly, the name of Lei Yan King was terrifyingly fierce. When Zhou Yan declared his identity, many cultivators immediately withdrew a great distance in doubt.

And as Zhou Yan approached the Jiang brothers, they also instinctively stepped back a few steps.

Realizing their retreat seemed somewhat shameful, the Jiang brothers glared at Zhou Yan with reddening faces and eyes gradually turning bloodshot.

At that moment, the surrounding cultivators also noticed the situation here, all turning their attention to watch the developments around Zhou Yan.

"Although we are of Mystic Level genius like Xiao Fei of Netherworld Demon Soul Palace, we are no match for her. Lei Yan King Zhou Yan, are you planning to hide behind a woman?"

Jiang Yiqing stared intently at Xiao Fei, clearly wary of her.

Although Jiang Yichen didn’t speak, he was also fully prepared, not daring to take immediate action.

Zhou Yan knew in his heart that Xiao Fei must possess extremely astonishing talents for Xiao Wanting to send her here; otherwise, how could Xiao Wanting be at ease? That’s why it wasn’t surprising that Xiao Wanting could even overpower the Jiang brothers.

But Zhou Yan wasn’t going to rely on Xiao Fei to take the lead; he just looked at Xiao Fei indifferently and said, "Xiao Fei the Mystic, this is Lei Yan King’s own business. Don’t muddy the waters."

Xiao Fei hesitated, but recalling Zhou Yan Lei Yan King’s identity, and thinking of the way Zhou Yan had summoned a Heavenly Tribulation that annihilated a Void node, she made up her mind and obediently flew to one side.

Meanwhile, she pondered for a moment and thoughtfully said, "Netherworld Demon Soul Palace never takes part in any disputes. Whatever matters you have, you resolve them yourselves; I will watch quietly, Lei Yan King, apologies."

"Hmm." Zhou Yan nodded slightly, and Xiao Fei immediately understood his meaning.

If Xiao Fei still displayed her "loyalty" to guard Lei Yan King at this point, then the Netherworld Demon Soul Palace would get dragged in, becoming the place to vent fury after Zhou Yan left the Ancient Ice Glacier. This was not what Zhou Yan wished to see.

The Netherworld Demon Soul Palace was not a small force like those on Sword Burial Ancestor Star, which could be ignored by those higher powers and not deliberately targeted. The Netherworld Demon Soul Palace was a top-level force, and if too close to Lei Yan King, it would face severe suppression.

This was also the reason why Zhou Yan and Xiao Fei were no longer so close on this journey.

Now that Xiao Fei understood instantly, Zhou Yan, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lei Yan King Zhou Yan? Recently, the name ’Zhou Yan’ has been as common as ’Zhang San’ or ’Li Si.’ But among them are indeed some remarkable figures. Lei Yan King is indeed divinely invincible, but his next life is too arrogant, having not yet grown enough but already so proud, this surely marks a short-lived fate."

"Fame is perilous when one lacks the abilities and cultivation of the previous life, yet still emerges; what is that if not courting death? A single statement has alienated all those who could have helped; Xiao Fei the Mystic really made a foolish mistake in aligning with such a person."

"Who would have thought Lei Yan King Zhou Yan intended to rise above by stepping on the ’Yi’ generation of talents from the Jiang family? But he truly underestimates the existence of an Upper-class Plane. An Upper-class Plane, even with a title like ’Mystic,’ is beyond the imagination of cultivators from the Lower Realm. He probably thinks ’Mystic’ and those below Sword Tribulation Realm like ’True Spirits,’ ’True Xuans,’ and ’Sword Soul geniuses’ are similar, haha."

"The ’Yi’ generation cultivators of the Jiang family, although slightly inferior in realm, are still first-rate geniuses. Now, with everyone on the same level, all being of the Nine Changes of Sword Void, there are likely few who can challenge them."

After a brief silence, a group of cultivators couldn’t help but start discussing fervently, these words even spoken outright without concealment, completely disregarding Zhou Yan’s face.

Zhou Yan said no more; he simply stood with his hands behind his back, coldly watching Jiang Yichen and Jiang Yiqing, as well as the people of the Returning to Truth Clan with them.

"Sooner or later you’re going to die, it seems you’ve realized that too. Originally if you had hidden and stayed here for three months, you might have had a slim chance of escape. But you’re too restless, not knowing how to bide your time. Well, it’s just as well, let you die by my hand, Jiang Yiqing, and it won’t disgrace you.

Remember, our Jiang family’s divine genius, Jiang Tianxin, is my uncle! You will have died by the hands of our line!"

"My uncle spared your life multiple times, merely to use you. But now that you are no longer of use, well, you shall die!"

"I said I would crush you with one finger, and I will make sure of it!"

Jiang Yichen coldly stated.

He looked upon Zhou Yan as if he was viewing a lamb ready for slaughter, the gaze like that of one overseeing a seed, or a domestic pig.

Jiang Yichen’s words were also not concealed in any manner, clearly heard by all cultivators present. As he spoke, he had already raised his arm.

In that fleeting moment, his arm bizarrely extended across the sky, manifesting as a Sovereign Heavenly Vaulting Giant Arm, the hand on it also a Heavenly Vaulting Giant Hand.

The giant arm manifested, then gradually began to disappear, all the way until only the hand remained, swiftly vanishing to leave only a giant Heavenly Vaulting Finger.

That immense finger, towering across the sky, like a Divine Sword, emitted an overwhelmingly invincible aura.

The giant finger appeared momentarily; then suddenly it plunged down, striking directly on Zhou Yan’s body. Zhou Yan’s body, along with that section of the Cold Ice Void, crumbled as if it had been turned into a furious mist of energy, making it impossible to see clearly.

"I’ve always said, Jiang Yichen is immensely powerful, with incredibly high talent. Lei Yan King, having cultivated only for a few days in this new life, battling Jiang Yichen is really seeking death."

"The bloodline inheritance of the Jiang family respects the Tao truly, manifesting such tremendous strength. This talent is indeed extraordinary!"

Many cultivators exclaimed.

Yet, when the furious energy and the white ice crystal fragments dispersed, almost everyone was stunned.

Those cultivators who were convinced Zhou Yan would surely die under that finger were now wide-eyed and speechless, swallowing back the rest of their words.