Chapter 167: The Momentum to Split the Mountains

A formidable array of Dark Race elites launched their assault with remarkable coordination. Leading the charge were the Arachne and Werewolf Marquises, while the Blood Kin and Vampires circled the periphery, seeking opportunities to strike. The counts moved in pairs, providing cover for each other, harassing the enemy with relentless ranged attacks.

The four Dark Races, now working in unison, complemented each other’s strengths and compensated for their weaknesses, greatly enhancing their overall power. It was evident why the Empire placed such high value on Ye Kuang; only she could bring these four races together, setting aside their differences to train and cooperate. If the four races ever united, the Empire would find it exceedingly difficult to withstand them.

However, this well-organized attack, effective against most elites, failed to deter Qian Ye. He directly unleashed his domain, and a crushing pressure descended upon the battlefield, making even the counts struggle to move. The blazing light of dawn within his domain seared them, causing unbearable pain and blinding their vision.

Within Qian Ye’s domain, ordinary Dark Warriors fell in droves, unable to resist. Though Qian Ye’s domain covered only a hundred-meter radius, far smaller than Ye Kuang’s, its destructive force was far more terrifying. Any below the rank of noble who entered the domain would be instantly obliterated by the scorching dawn and the oppressive deep sea force.

With the domain established, Qian Ye raised Dong Yue, and in an instant, he slashed out eight sword strikes, each one cleaving a powerful foe in two.

**Stabilize the Eight Directions!**

“Stop!!” Largo roared in fury.

Alas, it was too late. Seven elites, including three marquises, perished instantly under Qian Ye’s sword. Only one Marquis of Honor managed to escape, though he suffered a severe, nearly disfiguring wound, slicing diagonally across his body. He clutched the injury and soared into the sky, fleeing so swiftly that he did not even stop at the central command.

In that moment, Largo’s anger flared, mingled with a wrenching pain in his heart.

Both of the Blood Kin Marquises were his confidants, one even being a distant relative. Their deaths at Qian Ye’s hands significantly weakened his clan. He had never anticipated that Qian Ye’s attack would be so devastating, reaching its peak from the very start, with every move being a lethal strike. Largo’s warning came too late.

Only then did Largo understand why Marquis Ma Ge had fled upon seeing Qian Ye. In combat with Qian Ye, it was a matter of life and death from the first blow, and by the time one realized the need to flee, it was already too late.

Largo wavered for a moment, hesitant about whether to continue facing such a fearsome opponent. He could see clearly that Qian Ye’s domain and sword skills were indeed at the Duke level, perhaps slightly inferior to his own, but the gap was minimal.

But he quickly noticed that after stabilizing the eight directions, Qian Ye’s aura plummeted, his face turning pale. Such a devastating technique had a tremendous cost. Instantly slaying three marquises and four counts had taken its toll on Qian Ye as well.

Largo made up his mind and let out a long, derisive laugh, his face darkening as he bellowed, “Foolish human brat, I, Largo, will take your life!”

Qian Ye stood, leaning on his sword, slowly retracting his domain, and merely crooked his finger at Largo.

Enraged, Largo leapt hundreds of meters in a single bound, instantly appearing before Qian Ye. He landed heavily, and a burst of primal force created a shockwave, pushing away the surrounding warriors and clearing the area.

Qian Ye sneered, “Afraid of hurting your subordinates? Is your control over primal force really that poor?”

Largo’s fury intensified. He genuinely didn’t want to harm his own people; at his level, a casual movement could create a death zone within tens of meters. Within Qian Ye’s domain, the Dark Races faced certain death. But his considerate actions were mocked by Qian Ye.

“Enough talk. With so many to accompany you in death today, you should feel honored! Die!”

Largo drew a pair of short blades and lunged at Qian Ye with lightning speed, aiming for his vital points. As a duke, he had full confidence in close combat.

This attack was so swift that most enemies would have no time to react. Although Qian Ye blocked it masterfully, he was slightly slower, and the blade sliced through his robe, leaving two gashes.

Largo withdrew his attack and instantly retreated ten meters, narrowly avoiding Qian Ye’s retaliatory slash of Desolation.

“How about that? Those who underestimate our Blood Kin have paid the price. You are next!” Largo’s laughter echoed as he darted behind Qian Ye, striking with both blades again.

In a flash, they exchanged several blows, and Qian Ye’s body now bore several shallow cuts.

Largo’s speed was astonishing, and his agility in short distances was unparalleled, almost like wisps of smoke, unaffected even in this new world. Even Qian Ye, when it came to sheer speed, was a step slower.

Speed and agility seemed to be Largo’s innate talents, uncommon among dukes. Though Largo’s attacks were somewhat weak, over time, multiple shallow wounds could lead to significant blood loss.

Qian Ye seemed lost in thought, while Largo’s eyes widened at the sight of Qian Ye’s wounds. Each slash left only shallow marks on Qian Ye’s skin, as if he were cutting through battle armor.

Though Largo was not known for his strength, as a duke, his strikes still had considerable power. Yet, they felt as ineffective as attacking a Great Lord Arachne.

Still, the strategy of gradual blood loss was valid. Largo steeled himself and resumed his rapid, snake-like strikes.

But suddenly, Largo felt intense heat around him, and his body became heavy. Despite no change in the light, his eyes felt as if they were being seared by direct sunlight.

This was the effect of Qian Ye’s Dawn Domain. As long as the Dawnforce persisted, it continued to burn the Dark Races.

Largo’s movements slowed, but fortunately, Qian Ye, showing a momentary lapse, failed to evade a short blade that cut into his rib, reaching the bone.

The blade met the bone with a sharp *ding*—the blade was repelled by Qian Ye’s ribs. Largo, stunned, saw dark-golden, metallic ribs peeking through the wound.

“Are you a Great Prince?” he exclaimed in shock.

Before Largo could recover from his surprise, Qian Ye’s Dong Yue appeared before him, seemingly from nowhere. Restrained by Qian Ye’s domain, Largo’s evasion was delayed, and the sword grazed him. He cried out, retreating instantly and pressing his hand to the wound.

Qian Ye’s strike was far heavier, severing two of Largo’s ribs.

Largo, uncertain and shaken, found Qian Ye’s metallic rib disturbing. Typically, this physical transformation occurred in Dark Races at the Great Lord or Great Prince stage.

Arachne, known for their robust bodies, could strengthen their bones at the Duke level. Blood Kin needed to reach the Overlord stage to fully transform. Largo was just beginning to attempt this, with limited success.

Vampires, usually somewhere between Arachne and Blood Kin, should undergo skeletal transformation at the Great Duke stage.

Could Qian Ye be a Great Prince?

Largo dismissed the thought. If Qian Ye were a Great Prince, he would have already been driven off. Furthermore, the idea of such a young Great Prince was unheard of, unless a Divine Awakened being had somehow awakened in the human race.

Largo channeled his demonic energy to seal the wound and attacked Qian Ye again. This injury did not yet impede his fighting.

But Qian Ye stood his ground, countering with a downward slash. Knowing Qian Ye’s monstrous physical strength, Largo was smart enough not to exchange injuries with him.

As Largo lunged at Qian Ye again, the domain’s power surged, doubling the burden on Largo. Under the immense pressure, Qian Ye’s domain acted like a black hole, drawing Largo closer.

Largo barely had time to think, “Not good,” before Dong Yue struck with the force of splitting mountains.

Largo shrank back, recalling his blades, and focused entirely on defense. As a seasoned duke, his strength was formidable, and he managed to block Qian Ye’s first strike with crossed blades.

Although the blow was heavy, Largo felt he could handle it. Normally, the Stabilize the Eight Directions technique would follow up with slashes around the perimeter. However, Qian Ye’s entire body resonated with the power of the technique, layering each successive strike, all aimed at Largo.

By the seventh strike, Largo was trembling, blood pouring from his mouth and nose, but he held firm.

Then came the eighth strike.

Qian Ye’s aura changed, like an ancient, primordial beast opening its eyes!

At the peak of his Mountain-Splitting Strength, Qian Ye activated his divine general ability, compounding the effects of the Stabilize the Eight Directions technique. The eighth strike sent Largo reeling in shock.

Largo’s blades snapped under Dong Yue’s force. As the sword descended again, Largo managed to sidestep slightly, narrowly avoiding being split in two. Yet, a long, deep wound ran from his shoulder to his leg, an injury too severe to be sealed.

In desperation, Largo threw something, shouting, “Take this,” and fled.

Recognizing the object, Qian Ye instinctively caught it. In that moment of hesitation, Largo was already a kilometer away, his speed increasing, and it was too late for Qian Ye to pursue.

Suddenly, a clear, high-pitched voice rang out on the battlefield: “Lord Largo, don’t run! The battlefield is here! Why are you fleeing, my lord? Duke Largo, the troops are here!”

The voice carried far and had great penetration, indicating the speaker’s considerable strength. Largo, hearing it, was infuriated, his demonic energy surging, reopening his wound. His face flushed, he used his energy to block his ears and escaped.

A moment’s delay would mean death.

The one calling out was none other than Marquis Ma Ge. His shout utterly destroyed Largo’s reputation. The flight of a Duke was far worse than that of a Count, given the difference in status.

Seeing Largo disgraced, Ma Ge felt a great sense of vindication. Just as he reveled in his triumph, a voice whispered, “Nice shouting.”

Ma Ge froze, turning to see Qian Ye standing nearby, watching him.

Panicking, Ma Ge pointed toward the fleeing Largo, “He’s a duke. He can’t get far, hurry and chase him!”

But Qian Ye did not move.

“Duke…” Ma Ge’s mouth filled with bitterness.