Chapter 407: Chapter 406: A Direct Confrontation
Afterward, Ye Fan and the allied forces began their operation. Before launching this assault, Ye Fan had thoroughly researched everything about the Mo Sect. Currently, the most powerful person in the Mo Sect was Ancestor Mo. Of course, there was also the Young Master, Mo Yichen, the sect’s future heir who wielded the legendary Absolute Poison Gang. Although young, his achievements had already surpassed those of the two Sect Leaders. Mo Yichen was highly esteemed by Ancestor Mo and had begun challenging Ye Fan’s authority a month prior. Therefore, Ye Fan planned to confront this genius.
Of course, this didn’t mean Mo Yichen had fully mastered the Absolute Poison Gang. If he had, the Mo Sect would not have remained so reclusive; they would have started flaunting their power long ago.
Under the cover of darkness, Ye Fan walked at the head of the column, earning the admiration of the Heavenly King Hall Martial Artists. He was their Hall Master, yet he still charged at the very front. Inspired by his example, those Martial Artists who felt a flicker of fear in their hearts surged forward, unwilling to be left behind lest they become a laughingstock among their brethren.
The Mo Sect was a reclusive sect. Though they were known throughout the world, their movements were always mysterious. Without a Mo Sect Martial Artist to lead the way, anyone trying to find their headquarters would surely get lost. Ye Fan, still in the lead, unfurled a map he had acquired at great cost. It detailed everything about the Mo Sect and was worth careful study. With this map, their advance was sure to be unstoppable.
Suddenly, countless poisoned arrows rained down from above.
"AH!"
Two Martial Artists from the Heavenly King Hall were struck and died instantly. The arrows were coated in a venom so lethal that a single scratch meant certain death.
"Retreat!" Ye Fan roared.
Several Heavenly King Hall Martial Artists were a step too slow and were shot down. It was a truly tragic sight.
"Returning to the Sect Sword!" Ye Fan yelled, unleashing the technique. A powerful wave of energy exploded outward, inflicting a fatal blow upon the Mo Sect Martial Artists hiding and firing from within the trees.
As they pushed forward through the Black Fog, Ye Fan felt certain that the other two teams had also been ambushed. Their situations were likely no better than his own, but since they hadn’t called for aid, it meant their losses weren’t severe.
"Accelerate! Move forward!" Ye Fan commanded.
"Yes, sir!"
The more than two hundred men quickened their pace. Ye Fan continued to lead the way, ready to implement countermeasures should anything else happen. Just then, two large, black poison nets dropped down from above.
"Break!"
The Yuanhong Sword proved invincible, cleanly slicing through both nets. It was becoming clear that infiltrating the Mo Sect Headquarters would be extremely difficult. The Mo Sect Martial Artists were proving to be far too cunning. Everyone was fully equipped for this possibility; otherwise, the poisonous insects that occasionally emerged would have been more than they could handle.
"Reporting to the Chieftain, our intelligence indicates a canyon is just ahead!" a scout announced. "It’s a canyon that’s wide on the inside but narrow at the exit. Chieftain, should we enter?"
Tiancan couldn’t make up his mind. An obvious natural trap, they would be doomed if their exit was blocked.
At that moment, Ye Fan spoke decisively, "Of course we’re going in. If we don’t push through, we’ll never reach the Mo Sect Headquarters. As for their traps... let’s see what kind of tricks they have up their sleeves!"
"Yes, sir!" Tiancan nodded at once.
Ye Fan knew the Mo Sect Martial Artists would have to be fools not to lay a trap in such ideal terrain. They would never miss an opportunity like this. At this point, however, it seemed they had no other choice. He immediately ordered his men to charge ahead.
Upon entering the canyon, they were met with an eerie silence. Blackened bones littered the ground, a grim testament to the many who had died here before.
"Hahahaha! King of Heaven, I never expected you would actually dare to enter!" a voice boomed. The canyon’s open space caused the voice to echo endlessly, carrying a dangerous aura.
Ye Fan retorted, "We’ll see about that. There is no place in this world I dare not tread. Who are you?" He was eager to identify the speaker.
The voice rang out again. "I am Mo Yichen of the Mo Sect, wielder of the Absolute Poison Gang! I have come to challenge you, King of Heaven, and see who is superior!"
A black shadow shot forward.
"Look out!"
Tiancan and Duan Lang were shocked. The attack was simply too fast, reaching Ye Fan in the blink of an eye. Ye Fan reacted instantly, raising a hand to block the lethal strike. The two opponents sprang apart.
Ye Fan sneered, "I was wondering who it could be. So, you’re the one with the Absolute Poison Gang. Your strength is nothing special."
He showed his opponent no courtesy whatsoever.
Mo Yichen was inwardly shocked. He believed his power had already surpassed that of his father and martial uncle, so defeating Ye Fan shouldn’t have been difficult. Yet, to his dismay, he had fallen to a disadvantage after just a single exchange. Ye Fan’s tyrannical Inner Strength had washed over him, making his blood churn in his chest. This battle might not be as one-sided as he’d hoped.
He snarled at Ye Fan, "Don’t be so arrogant! Don’t forget, this is the Mo Sect, not your King Hall!"
"To me, everywhere is the same," Ye Fan said coldly. "The weak are weak. Stop making excuses."
Wasting no more words, he charged forward with the Yuanhong Sword. For Ye Fan, battle was about speed and decisiveness. The Yuanhong Sword unleashed two terrifying waves of Sword Qi, forcing Mo Yichen to dodge hastily. The immense sharpness radiating from the attack filled him with fear.
In response, he roared, "Absolute Poison Gang!"
The already pitch-black night seemed to grow even darker. His ultimate technique was unleashed, manifesting in various forms as it rushed toward Ye Fan. This promised to be a horrifying feast of poison.
"Fall back!" Ye Fan commanded his men.
Duan Lang led the men in a retreat. But as they neared the canyon’s entrance, they found it had been blocked. It seemed this was destined to be a desperate battle.
"Don’t panic!" Duan Lang shouted. The hundred-odd Martial Artists managed to regain their composure.
Seeing the toxins drifting toward his trapped men with nowhere to retreat, Ye Fan made his move.
"Nine Yang Power!"
A wave of Nine Yang Power surged forward, enveloping the toxins before redirecting them toward Mo Yichen. But Mo Yichen’s form flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished.
He disappeared? Why can I still feel his presence, but not pinpoint his location? Ye Fan wondered.
Indeed, though Mo Yichen had vanished in a flash, Ye Fan could still sense he was nearby. Such a bizarre concealment technique made his skin crawl.
"Hmm?"
As he was pondering this, a potent wave of poison gas suddenly struck at him from behind. Ye Fan immediately spun and swung the Yuanhong Sword, cleaving the poison cloud in two. Just then, Mo Yichen landed a solid punch on his chest.
"Absolute Poison Gang!" Mo Yichen shouted, attempting to kill Ye Fan with his most terrifying venom, but Ye Fan simply stood there, unfazed.
This is impossible! My poison arts have no effect at all. Why? Mo Yichen stared in disbelief.
A moment later, Ye Fan’s sword flashed, slicing off one of Mo Yichen’s fingers.
