Chapter 1663: Can't Win! Can't Win!

The battlefield was thrown into an uproar.

How arrogant!

That was everyone's first reaction. Yet surprisingly, no one stood out to challenge or question him. On the contrary, the crowd's expressions turned even more serious, cautious, and curious.

After all, those who could reach this place were all top geniuses from various civilizations. Whether in strength or intelligence, they were undoubtedly elite.

In their view, this man in the black robe had not only gained the approval of a Supreme artifact, but he had also remained utterly calm while facing so many powerhouses. He treated everyone as if they were nothing.

Someone like that was either invincible or had a terrifyingly powerful background.

And whoever moved would surely die.

Ye Guan walked away with his companions. He didn't carry the slightest arrogance or domineering presence. On the contrary, he looked calm and refined, like a scholar, not the least bit threatening.

And that was what made the onlookers even more afraid to move.

Meanwhile, the Nan Clan's powerhouses all wore incredibly dark expressions.

They had realized by now that Ye Guan was not simple. While everyone else could choose not to act, they had to move. If they were to let Ye Guan walk away just like that, the Nan Clan would lose all face.

Besides, everyone knew that the supreme artifact was still too tempting. Once someone took the first shot, everyone would rush in to fight for it.

The key was surviving Ye Guan's first strike. He had declared that those daring enough to move would die. However, if someone moved and ended up surviving, the crowd would no longer be afraid. They'd swarm him like wolves and tear him apart.

The problem was... who would move first?

Nan Zhao looked at a young clansman next to him.

The young man's face instantly changed.

What the hell?! You're sending me?! Ling Lie was forced to kneel with just a word. I'm weaker than him, and you want me to go?

Nan Zhao stared at him.

The youth quickly shook his head. Offending Nan Zhao was better than dying outright.

You're sending me to my death, so why would I still try to please you?

Seeing the youth's refusal, Nan Zhao wasn't angry. Instead, he turned to Tuogu Lin, not far away. "Brother Lin, someone has impersonated a member of your clan. Are you really going to ignore it?"

Tuogu Lin calmly replied, "Nan Zhao, don't play tricks. No one here is stupid."

Nan Zhao asked, "Want to go together?"

Tuogu Lin looked toward Ye Guan and fell silent for a moment, then said, "That man's been playing weak. We're no match for him."

At first, he had underestimated Ye Guan. But after seeing Ling Lie forced to kneel with one word, and watching the supreme artifact yield to Ye Guan, he realized... this man was strange.

Especially the fact that Ye Guan had remained unfazed when facing geniuses from the Nothingness Sect and the Gate of Bitterness. In other words, Ye Guan wasn't just powerful; his background was terrifying.

Tuogu Lin knew most of the young prodigies from the five supreme civilizations. But there were two groups he didn't know at all. One was the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, and the other was the Guanxuan Domain.

That made his heart grow heavy.

What if...

He dared not continue that thought. But he had decided.

Don't get involved. Time to cut losses.

Everyone would make dumb decisions sometimes. They just had to avoid being dumb forever.

He glanced at Nan Zhao, whose face was gloomy, and said, "Brother Nan Zhao, he didn't kill Ling Lie; he just suppressed him. That means he's not trying to become your enemy. That was just a warning. But if you go further, be prepared to drag your whole Nan Clan down with you."

Nan Zhao went silent.

He knew that making another move would mean war.

A war of life and death.

Supreme artifact... clan pride...

Nan Zhao's face darkened further.

Suddenly, from where he still knelt on the ground, Ling Lie trembled and said, "Big brother... let it go."

Nan Zhao turned to him.

Ling Lie cried out, "We can't win! We can't win...!"

He had been trying to resist the suppression, but it was completely useless. If Nan Zhao made a move, who could know for sure what would happen?

What he did know for certain was that he'd be the first to die.

Screw this. I give up. Life matters more.

Nan Zhao stared at Ye Guan. After hesitating for a long time, he ultimately didn't make a move.

When the others saw that even two superpowers had backed down, they stayed still as well.

The Supreme artifact was tempting, but not as much as staying alive.

Tuogu Yuan and his companions finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a light chuckle came from the sky. "Did you really just say that? How bold."

Everyone turned and saw a man in a purple robe, looking all noble.

When he appeared, the crowd gasped, "Someone from the Divine Dao Civilization!"

The Divine Dao Civilization!

Tuogu Yuan and Xiao Yuanqi turned deathly pale. Even Mu Xinghe looked extremely serious.

The Divine Dao Civilization was the oldest of all the civilizations in the Origin Universe. They were also the first to arrive here and their roots ran deeper than anyone could imagine.

Nan Zhao lit up in excitement. He rushed up to the man.

Although he tried to act respectful-but-equal, his deep bow betrayed him. "Brother Qi."

This man was Shendao Qi, a direct descendant of the Divine Dao Clan.

One of the core young prodigies of the Divine Dao Civilization.

Shendao Qi glanced at Ling Lie, who was still kneeling. He chuckled, "Nan Zhao, having trouble? We're friends, aren't we? Why didn't you ask for help?"

Nan Zhao immediately understood, Shendao Qi wanted the artifact.

He quickly said, "Brother Qi, this area was discovered by us, our Nan Clan, the Nothingness Sect, and the Gate of Bitterness. But out of kindness, we allowed others to follow us in. And then, they secretly took the divine artifact and suppressed my clansman, made him kneel... Please, uphold justice."

A moment ago, Nan Zhao had no confidence.

But now?

He was overflowing with it.

You may be tough but can you beat the Divine Dao Clan?

Shendao Qi looked at Ye Guan and his group, then turned to Wuyun Zai and Yang Seng. "Long time no see."

Wuyun Zai smiled. "Shendao Qi, your friend's not telling the full story. Yes, we discovered the place. But if Young Master Yang hadn't shattered the seal, none of us would've gotten in.

"And we agreed that if he succeeded, the place would be shared. As for that guy who got suppressed... He tried to steal the artifact. He lost so he deserves it."

Tuogu Yuan and the others exhaled in relief, at least someone was fair.

Nan Zhao's face, however, turned ugly but he dared not argue.

Shendao Qi didn't react to Wuyun Zai's words, but instead asked, "You two aren't interested in the Supreme artifact?"

Wuyun Zai replied, "Of course we are. That's why we're still here. We just want to see what kind of artifact it is. But we have no intention of taking it for ourselves."

Yang Seng nodded.

Just as Shendao Qi was about to speak, Ye Guan suddenly smiled. "If you two want to take a look, it's no problem."

Wuyun Zai smiled. "You're willing to let us see?"

Ye Guan nodded. "Of course. But... only for you two. No one else."

The crowd's faces darkened.

That was clearly directed at Shendao Qi.

Damn! This guy's got guts!

Even the Divine Dao Clan?!

Shendao Qi maintained a smile but it was starting to turn cold. No one had ever dared reject the Divine Dao Clan like this.

But he didn't explode. He simply smiled, keeping his poise.

Wuyun Zai glanced at Shendao Qi, then turned to Ye Guan. "Thank you, Brother Yang."

He opened his palm and a single leaf appeared, radiating green light.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Guan, Wuyun Zai, and Yang Seng were transported to a separate dimension.

Ye Guan looked around, surprised, his senses and spiritual awareness had increased tenfold, his mind more lucid than ever.

Wuyun Zai smiled. "This is the Bodhi Leaf World, a special world I created through cultivation. It dramatically enhances comprehension."

Ye Guan nodded. "No wonder!"

Then he opened his palm. The Painting Swordappeared before them.

Wuyun Zai and Yang Seng looked surprised and moved closer.

Yang Seng asked, "May I touch it?"

Ye Guan was speechless.

Yang Seng gave a very innocent look.

Ye Guan smiled. "Go ahead."

"Thanks!" Yang Seng gently touched the sword. With Ye Guan's permission, the sword offered no resistance.

After a while, Wuyun Zai and Yang Seng looked at each other. They were visibly shocked.

Wuyun Zai said seriously, "This is a Supreme artifact from the Ancient Era. Brother Yang, you're very lucky. It actually recognized you as a master."

Ye Guan smiled. "Just good luck."

Wuyun Zai knew he was being modest and smiled back. Then he warned, "Brother Yang, Shendao Qi is no pushover. He's strong and narrow-minded. Be careful."

He dissolved the realm. They returned to the battlefield.

Ye Guan looked toward Shendao Qi and asked, "Do you want to steal it?"

Shendao Qi smiled. "Now that you've asked... if I don't try to take it, wouldn't I look weak? So yes. Just as you wish. Today, I will try to take it."

They were now in direct confrontation. The crowd around them gasped.

Tuogu Yuan and Xiao Yuanqi truly panicked. This wasn't Nan Zhao... they were now facing a Supreme Divine Civilization!

One word from this guy could wipe out their entire world. In his eyes, they were nothing but ants.

Even Mu Xinghe looked grim. He wasn't afraid of super divine clans.

But a Supreme Divine civilization...?

If he sided with Ye Guan, the Stellar Civilization would be finished. If he were to leave now, it would be a betrayal of loyalty.

Mu Xinghe glanced at his sister. He would follow her without any hesitation.

Understanding his hint, Mu Xingchen stepped out. She raised her bow high and declared, "If Divine Dao Civilization wants war, then there shall be war! Our Stellar Civilization will never abandon a friend!"

Fuck...

Mu Xinghe nearly collapsed on the spot.