Chapter 657: Possession

“What’s going on? This is a Land of No Master. How could it possibly be yours!”

“Exactly, how could it be yours! The Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom is strong, sure, but this place only became available because the Phoenix Race destroyed the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom. Who’s to say the Phoenix Race won’t come to take it over soon?”

“If the Phoenix Race shows up, let’s see how you’ll handle it!”

Everyone was filled with righteous indignation and profound dissatisfaction. The Phoenix Race hadn’t said a word, so what gave the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom the right to occupy this place? They were even more resentful about being forced to stop their exploration. Rumor had it there was a great inheritance here; how could they possibly miss this chance?

“If the Phoenix Race comes to claim it, we will hand it over without hesitation. Since this is a Land of No Master, we are managing it on the Phoenix Race’s behalf to prevent chaos.”

Master Sky Cyan said coldly, “If any of you wish to proceed, you are welcome to do so, but you must first obtain our permission. Otherwise, you are absolutely forbidden from making any attempts!”

“Besides, you’ve all already tried and failed. I advise you to leave as soon as possible.”

Master Sky Cyan’s words sounded noble and self-righteous. ‘Managing it for the Phoenix Race, indeed—what a load of sanctimonious nonsense.’ Still, many Cultivators began to consider retreating. They had all tried already, and all had ended in failure.

They might succeed if they stayed, but they might also continue to fail. Now that the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom had taken over, however, they, as mere Loose Cultivators, stood no chance against a Divine Country Power.

In terms of rankings, the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom probably wasn’t even in the top ten, but it was a Divine Kingdom nonetheless. Its power was certainly not weak. While it might not have any Saint King Powerhouses, there were surely plenty of experts at the Spirit King Stage. Master Sky Cyan himself had an impressive cultivation level and was also a Divine Rune Grandmaster.

His rank might be on the lower side, but his status was still a cut above most of the people present.

“We want to try again!” one of the smaller groups declared, stepping forward.

“Very well. Each person must hand over one mid-grade Soul Artifact for the privilege of trying,” Master Sky Cyan announced.

“What!?” The crowd was stunned, then furious. “That’s impossible! This is a Land of No Master, what right do you have to charge a fee? You just said all we needed was your permission, so why the fee now?”

“We are collecting this fee on behalf of the Phoenix Race. Although they haven’t come to take possession, we must ensure the place is well-maintained for the day they do. Upkeep requires considerable resources. Your fee will be considered an offering to the Phoenix Race!” Master Sky Cyan’s argument was so deceptively plausible that it left them speechless.

If the Phoenix Race People truly came, the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom would certainly hand it over willingly. Even without this incident, they wouldn’t dare to oppose the Phoenix Race; the two were in completely different leagues. But if the Phoenix Race *didn’t* come, it meant the territory was theirs for the taking. Their scheming was plain to see.

“My territory? Since when did you have the right to charge fees here?”

Just then, a figure emerged from the crowd. All eyes followed the sound, landing on a young man who had just stepped forward.

“It’s you!” Master Sky Cyan erupted in fury upon recognizing Yi Tianyun. He had been nursing a grudge ever since the last time he was viciously humiliated, and seeing him again sent him into a towering rage.

“My territory, when did it become your place to call the shots?” Yi Tianyun said coldly. “The Phoenix Race hasn’t said a thing. What gives you the right to occupy this place?”

Yi Tianyun found it amusing. ‘The Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom really knows how to exploit a loophole. Seeing that the Phoenix Race hasn’t claimed the territory, they rush in to claim it first. They’re even doing it under the banner of ‘helping’ the Phoenix Race. That way, if the Phoenix Race actually shows up, they can immediately hand it over and curry favor with them. What a clever little scheme.’

“Your territory?” Master Sky Cyan looked as if he was about to explode. “What a joke! If the Phoenix Race finds out about this, even dying a hundred times won’t be enough for you!”

“Then go on, call the Phoenix Race over. Let’s see if they’ll make me die a hundred times,” Yi Tianyun said coldly. “Now, get down here!”

He raised a hand, tracing a line through the Void, and a fierce slap shot forward. SLAP! Master Sky Cyan went tumbling down the stairs. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, he rolled over several times before landing in a heap on the ground, his face already swelling up grotesquely.

The onlookers gasped. ‘This newcomer has quite a temper. And more importantly, his cultivation seems impressive?’

“That kid is a dead man. The Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom is not to be trifled with! Especially when they’re ‘assisting’ the Phoenix Race. Whether they’re actually helping or not, for this kid to barge in like this is just asking to die!”

“Exactly! The Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom is just trying to win favor with a borrowed gift. They’re taking advantage of the transition period to ‘help out.’ That way, whether the Phoenix Race accepts the territory or not, the Divine Kingdom comes out ahead!”

“The kid’s too young and naive to see what’s really going on. He probably crawled out of some mountain village, completely unaware that he just provoked a behemoth!”

The bystanders couldn’t help but sneer, thinking Yi Tianyun was just a reckless brute.

“You dare hit me? I am the National Preceptor of the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom!” Master Sky Cyan scrambled to his feet, pointing an enraged finger at Yi Tianyun and roaring, “Seize him! Drag him to the Phoenix Race to atone for his crimes! I was managing this place on behalf of the Phoenix Race, and this man tried to trespass! It’s a grave offense!”

“Yes, National Preceptor!”

The guards standing by were stunned for a moment before charging at Yi Tianyun, intent on capturing him.

“It’s been a while, and now you’re the National Preceptor of the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom? The Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom must have been kicked in the head to appoint you.” Yi Tianyun sneered. “Now scram, and I don’t care where you roll off to!”

He lashed out with a backhand. The guards were sent flying, coughing up blood. Even if the blow didn’t kill them, they were all gravely injured.

This action stunned the crowd. They were shocked by Yi Tianyun’s astounding cultivation. The guards’ cultivation levels weren’t particularly high, but they were still at the eighth or ninth level of the Void Spirit Stage. Yet, he had sent them flying with a single, casual slap. ‘Doesn’t that mean this young man’s cultivation is at least at the Spirit King Stage?’

On the other hand, they were also shocked by his sheer audacity. To dare to confront the Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom… wasn’t that a death wish? Even an expert at the Spirit King Stage was insignificant when facing the might of an entire Divine Country Power.

“You… Are you determined to oppose both our Dragon Taming Divine Kingdom and the Phoenix Race?” Master Sky Cyan demanded, clutching his face and staring in horror.

“And what if I am?” Yi Tianyun replied coldly. “You’re in my way. This Ascension Divine Altar is my territory. I don’t care what power comes here—if they provoke me, they die!”

His words made many in the crowd gasp. ‘What arrogance! To disregard every major power?’ The real question, however, was whether he could even get inside.

With that, Yi Tianyun lifted his foot and started walking toward the Ascension Divine Altar. He hadn’t gotten far before an uproar erupted from the crowd.

“The Divine Envoy from the Phoenix Race is here…”

“It really is the Divine Envoy of the Phoenix Race! Now things are about to get interesting…”

A wave of schadenfreude rippled through the crowd as they all anticipated the very interesting scene that was about to unfold.