CHAPTER 1081: CHAPTER 1080: THE OPPRESSION OF YEARS PAST

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"Alright, Hu Gao, you should make a trip tomorrow and see what kind of village Devouring Sky Village really is!" Ye Tianchen thought for a moment and said.

"That’s not advisable, Brother Tianchen. Although Brother Hu Gao has the cultivation of a Middle Late-stage Martial Venerate, back then, there were strong individuals among those people from Devouring Sky Village. If Brother Hu Gao goes alone, it might be very dangerous!" Shi Hubo said with some concern.

"Let me tell you, Brother Hubo, our Desolate Stone Village, although kind-hearted and never causing trouble or bullying the weak, absolutely cannot allow ourselves to be at the mercy of others. Otherwise, over time, the people of Devouring Sky Village will surely take advantage of us. This is a prime example..." Hu Gao, somewhat intoxicated, interrupted Shi Hubo.

Shi Hubo glanced at Hu Gao, feeling naturally moved. Although Hu Gao was unreliable and a bit of a playboy, he never did anything unethical in Desolate Stone Village. Moreover, Hu Gao truly integrated into Desolate Stone Village, treating it as his own home and its people as his own family. He was genuinely angry because the people of Devouring Sky Village had gone too far.

"Brother Hu Gao, I know you want to stand up for the village, but the people of Devouring Sky Village aren’t as simple as you think. Although they seem like ordinary villagers just like us, each of them practices martial arts..." Shi Hubo still wasn’t reassured about Hu Gao going alone to Devouring Sky Village.

"It’s not a problem. Hu Gao’s cultivation realm is not low. Even if the people of Devouring Sky Village are strong, with a treasure at the Martial Saint Realm in his hands, he can retreat safely. Let him go!" Ye Tianchen nodded and said.

"It’s settled then. Isn’t it just a village? This is intolerable; I’ll make a visit tomorrow. Come on, let’s drink!" Hu Gao raised a wine jar and drank heartily.

Ye Tianchen and Shi Hubo exchanged a glance and also drank heartily. In this blood-soaked Martial Arts World, it was rare to have a few true friends, rare to have brotherhood through life and death, rare to have such a peaceful life where they could drink from large bowls and eat large pieces of meat!

The next day, when Ye Tianchen got up, he found Shi Hubo already waiting outside the door and couldn’t help but laugh and say, "Brother Hubo, no need to be so formal in the future; just knock if there’s something you need!"

"Brother Tianchen, I’m just trying not to disturb your rest. Brother Hu Gao went to the Heavenly Mountain Ancient Martial World early in the morning. I don’t know how he’s doing now; I’m a bit worried!" Shi Hubo voiced his concerns.

"Don’t worry. With Hu Gao’s cultivation strength, even if he’s outmatched, he can still retreat safely!" Ye Tianchen replied with a smile.

"But..." Shi Hubo was still uneasy, remembering all too well how aggressive and formidable the people from Devouring Sky Village were and fearing Hu Gao might encounter big trouble, even life-threatening danger.

"Rest assured, don’t overthink it. I’ll come up with a way to resolve this together with them. By the way, tell me in detail what you know about Devouring Sky Village back then so I can analyze it!" Ye Tianchen interrupted Shi Hubo and asked.

"Okay!"

Originally, over a hundred years ago, Desolate Stone Village was the only village in the Song Mountain Ancient Martial World. Among the three major Ancient Martial Worlds, villages of mortals surviving in these worlds were quite scarce. Of course, it wasn’t non-existent, because Earth was once a flourishing cultivation era. Many things have been passed down to today, which was a truly mysterious and magical place.

For a long time, Desolate Stone Village survived peacefully, despite being ravaged by Curse Power and Bloodline Power. They never gave up or abandoned themselves, continuing to live arduously until one day, a group of horse riders arrived outside Desolate Stone Village, claming to be from the Heavenly Mountain Ancient Martial World’s Devouring Sky Village. They demanded that the people of Desolate Stone Village hand over all useful things, whether food, clothing, shelter, or even women. Simply put, they had to surrender anything that could be of use, or face complete eradication!

The villagers of Desolate Stone Village were honest and kind-hearted, all ordinary people. Due to Curse Power and Bloodline Power, they couldn’t cultivate, but that didn’t mean they lacked spirit or dignity. How could they allow these unreasonable, inhumane bandits to run rampant? A few elders in the village resisted, only to face utter annihilation. It was only then that the people of Desolate Stone Village realized that their opponents were very strong, all trained in martial arts, and not ones they could rival.

Upon seeing the resistance from Desolate Stone Village, these bandits immediately wanted to go on a killing spree. It was at this moment that a light slashed out from within Desolate Stone Village, killing some of the strong members of the bandits’ group to the point where neither body nor spirit remained. Only then did the bandits not dare to approach recklessly, eventually making an agreement that every ten years, Desolate Stone Village had to tribute the best food to Devouring Sky Village. The old patriarch, Grandpa Shi, agreed for the sake of the entire Desolate Stone Village. Over the years, even though Devouring Sky Village increased the quantity of food demanded each year, fortunately, the robust men of Desolate Stone Village, despite not being able to train, were naturally strong and healthy. They could hunt some fine food, enough to barely pay tribute to Devouring Sky Village. However, what caught them off guard this time was that Devouring Sky Village actually wanted Desolate Stone Village to merge with them and have everyone become their slaves for generations, essentially wiping out Desolate Stone Village in a different, more insidious and vicious way.

"The people of Devouring Sky Village have not dared to slaughter our Desolate Stone Village over the years mainly because they feared that mysterious killing aura. Now that they’re fearless, it seems they have some backing!" Shi Hubo said thoughtfully.

Ye Tianchen nodded. Actually, when Shi Hubo mentioned Devouring Sky Village’s situation last night, Ye Tianchen had already been pondering. The reason Devouring Sky Village didn’t dare to slaughter Desolate Stone Village back then was probably because a protective stone tiger emitted a killing aura. However, at the time, that final protective stone tiger might have been nearing its end, otherwise, it would have eradicated Devouring Sky Village. For over a hundred years since that last stone tiger perished, the old patriarch, Grandpa Shi, did not allow anyone to leak this secret, likely to protect Desolate Stone Village, fearing that if Devouring Sky Village learned of it, they would immediately turn to slaughter.

However, Devouring Sky Village is a very mysterious place, different from Desolate Stone Village. Many in the village cultivate martial arts, and according to Shi Hubo, the inhabitants of Devouring Sky Village have significant battle strength. This puzzled Ye Tianchen. If such a village didn’t come from antiquity, why did it suddenly rise? If it had been handed down from ancient times with continuous cultivation methods, why hasn’t it been known widely in the three major Ancient Martial Worlds? The only possibility Ye Tianchen could think of was that Devouring Sky Village either accidentally acquired a Cultivation Treasure several centuries ago or received support from someone else. Otherwise, Devouring Sky Village couldn’t have become so powerful and assertive without evidence...

"After the last stone tiger protecting the village passed away, the secret has been kept hidden for many years. It seems it’s no longer concealable, as some information might have reached Devouring Sky Village, emboldening them to act rashly. This Devouring Sky Village is indeed peculiar. I had Hu Gao go first to check it out and probe the reality!" Ye Tianchen said.

"I hope Brother Hu Gao returns safely. The people of Devouring Sky Village are extremely aggressive and domineering, killing at a whim!" Shi Hubo said with some concern.

"No worries, if necessary, we can also respond in the same way!" Ye Tianchen said calmly.

Comforting Shi Hubo’s worried heart, Ye Tianchen continued to instruct his five disciples on the Cultivation Method. Among the five disciples, Feng Chan progressed the fastest, reaching the Early-stage Martial King Cultivation Realm in just a year. To think that Feng Chan is only nine years old; his talent and perception are exceptionally strong, making him a cultivation prodigy. Cai Meier’s progress was almost as fast, already approaching the Early-stage Martial King Cultivation Realm, catching up to Feng Chan. As for Tian Feng and Little Shitou, they both reached the Late-stage Martial Spirit, except for Little Shitou who has not yet broken through to the Martial Spirit Realm and hasn’t truly embarked on the path of Martial Arts Cultivation. Despite all the methods Ye Tianchen tried, he couldn’t help Little Shitou overcome his physical limitations. Overall, among the five disciples, four display remarkably high talent and understanding, which makes Ye Tianchen very pleased. He believes that for Desolate Stone Village, which has endured much hardship, these four gifted children will undoubtedly become mighty protectors, ensuring the safety of the entire Desolate Stone Village and bringing about a transformative future. (For more updates, whet your appetite for the cultivation journey and please vote! Visit qidian.com for more reading.)