Chapter 2504 - 504: The War Begins

The subordinates arranged the massive Long-toothed Rat Swarm first, and Wanyan Second Master, accompanied by his skilled fighters, went directly to the flatland, facing Ye Qing and his group from afar.

"Mr. Ye, we meet again!" Wanyan Second Master looked at Ye Qing, then at Mount Wendao, smiled lightly, and said, "Same place, different people. I wonder if Mr. Ye feels the same as the last time?"

Ye Qing also smiled faintly, glancing at the Long-toothed Rat Swarm that had been released at the foot of the mountain, though he was actually quite worried. However, at this moment, Ye Qing certainly couldn't show it openly.

"Last time at Mount Wendao, Mr. Wan Yan suffered such a huge loss. I thought Mr. Wan Yan wouldn't dare return to Mount Wendao again in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, Mr. Wan Yan has returned, and brought so many little things..." Ye Qing looked at the endless Long-toothed Rat Swarm and said with a smile, "Mr. Wan Yan isn't afraid these Long-toothed Rats will also be used as food here?"

"Whatever!" Wanyan Second Master said loudly, "My Wanyan Family has so many Long-toothed Rats; let them eat hundreds of thousands, so what? As long as this battle can decisively settle the score, sacrificing these Long-toothed Rats is worthwhile!"

"Mr. Wan Yan is so confident, are you sure you will win this battle?" Ye Qing replied coldly.

"Whether I'm confident or not isn't the key. The key is, Mr. Ye, are you confident?" Wanyan Second Master sneered coldly, casually glancing at the people behind Ye Qing, and said, "To be honest, I really didn't expect you, Mr. Ye, to dare come to Mount Wendao. I thought you'd keep hiding like a turtle, afraid to show your face like before. Truthfully, mentally, I'm still not prepared for this!"

Wanyan Second Master's words made the people behind Ye Qing somewhat angry, but Ye Qing remained calm and said, "Speaking of hiding, the Wanyan Family is truly adept at it. Hiding for a thousand years, only showing your true strength today. If we're turtles, wouldn't the Wanyan Family be millennial tortoises?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd burst into laughter. The anger from Wanyan Second Master's taunt instantly vanished.

The Wanyan Family members were extremely angry, Wanyan Second Master shouted angrily, "Ye, I won't compete with you in verbal battles. Since we're going to battle today, let's speak with strength."

"Of course, otherwise, are we here just to argue?" Ye Qing replied coldly.

"Hmmph!" Wanyan Second Master snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping coldly over the people behind Ye Qing, and said, "Before we start fighting, there's one thing I'd like to say. Our Wanyan Family intends no harm to the world's heroes but wants to lead them in achieving greater goals. Therefore, anyone willing to assist our Wanyan Family is our friend, and our Wanyan Family will definitely share what we have. Those unwilling to assist us won't be forced, as everyone has their own aspirations!"

Wanyan Second Master paused and continued coldly, "However, if anyone wants to oppose our Wanyan Family, don't blame us for being ruthless. Today, I say it again, those willing to join our Wanyan Family will enjoy endless prosperity and wealth. Those who don't want to join us but also don't want to oppose us can stand aside and watch, and can cooperate with us later. Those who oppose us, today, I will ensure they are left with nothing!"

As Wanyan Second Master spoke his last words, his voice became much colder, clearly threatening the crowd here. However, the people on Ye Qing's side weren't moved. Standing here meant they'd all experienced life-and-death battles before, naturally understanding the strength of the Wanyan Family. But they hadn't joined the Wanyan Family before, and certainly wouldn't be scared off by Wanyan Second Master's words today.

"Wanyan Number Two, you don't need to waste your breath!" Ye Qinglang said loudly, "This battle, fight if you can, if not, get lost immediately and stop wasting time here!"

Wanyan Second Master ignored Ye Qing, coldly surveying the crowd. Seeing no one willing to join the Wanyan Family, he slowly nodded and said, "Since that's the case, there's no need for more words, let's start the battle!"

After speaking, Wanyan Second Master took a step back, and four people immediately stepped forward beside him. They were the four Acme Masters from their side.

As these four stood forward, four people also stepped forward on Ye Qing's side, the Sect Masters from the Sword Saint Sect.

The Sword Saint Sect Master looked at the four Acme Masters from the Wanyan Family and said loudly, "This battlefield is too small, not suitable for us to fight, why don't we move to another place?"

"That would be best!" the leader shouted coldly.

"Good!" The Sword Saint Sect Master shouted aloud, soaring into the sky, and headed directly toward a distant mountain top. The other three sect masters followed closely behind.

As soon as these four people moved over, the four Unity of Heaven and Man experts of the Wanyan Family also charged upward simultaneously, bringing their battlefield to the mountain. Their power was simply too strong; if they were to fight among the peak masters, any random fluctuation of power could kill, making it unsafe for both sides.

Watching these Unity of Heaven and Man experts leave, Wanyan Second Master had a flash of cold smile on his face. He turned around to look at Ye Qing and said leisurely, "Alliance Leader Ye, do you think there's still a need to fight?"

"If you are truly shameless enough to always rely on these beasts to act for you, then we have nothing more to say!" Ye Qing replied coldly.

"Hahaha…" Wanyan Second Master laughed heartily, "What do you mean by shameless? Hmph, these Long-toothed Rats aren't raised by you. If they were, you'd certainly use them without hesitation. Maximizing the assurance that your own power does not diminish is the most critical thing; you don't even understand this simple truth?"

Ye Qing's face grew cold. He didn't speak, but slowly stepped back, revealing a long knife embedded in the ground.

Seeing this long knife, Wanyan Second Master's eyes immediately flashed with brilliance. During the Sword Saint Sect battle, he had been there; he recognized this long knife because it was precisely the Dragon-breaking Knife left by the Knife Saint.

On that day, the Knife Saint had said that whoever wields the Dragon-breaking Knife in the future would control all the Sword Saint Sect's power. They had searched the Sword Saint Sect for this Dragon-breaking Knife, and later learned it had fallen into Ye Qing's hands. Because of this, they had been truly angered for quite some time. They attacked the Sword Saint Sect to seize control over it, never imagining Ye Qing would take it in the end, which was the hardest thing for them to accept.

Now seeing the Dragon-breaking Knife again, Wanyan Second Master's heart was naturally excited. If he could obtain this Dragon-breaking Knife, the battle would be over essentially. Seizing control of the Sword Saint Sect would mean holding all its power, and once it was controlled, Ye Qing and his people would pose no threat.

Gazing at the Dragon-breaking Knife, Wanyan Second Master slowly stepped back and whispered to those around him, "Find an opportunity later to snatch the Dragon-breaking Knife, got it?"

The few people had already recognized the Dragon-breaking Knife, and without Wanyan Second Master needing to say it, everyone had their eyes set on it. Once Wanyan Second Master spoke, they understood his meaning right away and nodded in agreement.

As for Ye Qing's side, everyone slowly moved back. Taking advantage of the distance from the Wanyan Family, Ye Qing whispered, "Later, pretend to be chaotic and throw the Dragon-breaking Knife here, let them come and snatch it. Don't act too eager, or they'll see through it!"

Ye Qing's followers, including those from the Sword Saint Sect, all nodded. No one worried about placing the Dragon-breaking Knife here because they understood it well. The Dragon-breaking Knife wasn't a treasure but a trap. Apart from Ye Qing, who could withstand the absorbing force within the Dragon-breaking Knife?

As both sides faced off, the Long-toothed Rat Swarm from below the mountain gradually surrounded them. Wanyan Second Master awaited this moment; seeing the Long-toothed Rat Swarm ready, he shouted loudly, pointing to Ye Qing, "I offer you one more chance; if you don't want to be enemies of my Wanyan Family, leave the mountain immediately. Otherwise, my Long-toothed Rat army will ascend, and you will all perish!"

No one responded; no one cared about Wanyan Second Master's words. Everyone coldly stared at the Long-toothed Rat Swarm below the mountain, showing a resolve to face death.

Wanyan Second Master's face turned cold as he spoke deeply, "Since you wish to die here, don't blame me for my merciless action!"

Having said this, Wanyan Second Master let out a whistle, and the Long-toothed Rat Swarm around suddenly seemed stimulated, growing restless. Under his command, the swarm charged fiercely at Ye Qing and his group. Overwhelming in number, it was impossible to count how many Long-toothed Rats there were, appearing like a tide covering them. This vast swarm of Long-toothed Rats was terrifying, even frightening peak masters into weakening hands and feet. Millions of Long-toothed Rats attacking at once—who could withstand it?

Ye Qing's people, seeing such a scene, turned pale in some faces. Fortunately, they were mentally prepared; despite fear, they did not retreat.

Ye Qing frowned tightly, watching the charging Long-toothed Rat Swarm, suddenly stepped back, and shouted, "Prepare!"

Upon Ye Qing's command, people immediately sprang from the mountainside. These individuals must have been ambushing for quite some time; under Ye Qing's order, they appeared simultaneously. They occupied different positions specifically against the mountain range below, effectively surrounding the path with encirclement tactics.