Kill List . . .
Mo Xie's dark golden eyes bore into Zi Daoyang. Both of them had inherited a fraction of the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's legacy, and they were well aware that they couldn't fully unlock its supreme power with only a fragment. To reach their full potential, they needed to assimilate the inheritances of others and grow exponentially stronger. It was inevitable that a life-and-death battle would eventually unfold between them. However, at this moment, neither of them was eager to engage in that deadly confrontation. Their immediate priority was seizing the inheritance from Qin Wentian's demonic beast and Zhan Peng, who was still engrossed in comprehending it.
"Why don't you leave since you're already injured?" Mo Xie's voice cut through the tension, carrying an icy undertone that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. He exuded an aura reminiscent of a malevolent devil, with the dark tribulation force swirling around him.
Zi Daoyang displayed decisive leadership. He gestured for the Violet Sect's members to withdraw, creating a gap on the battlefield for Mo Xie's forces to occupy.
"Daoyang gege," Xiao Lengyue spoke in a hushed tone, her concern evident. "Are we giving up like this?"
"I underestimated them, Lengyue," Zi Daoyang confessed calmly. "Even if I can't secure the inheritance, it's my own misjudgment. If I stay and continue fighting, Mo Xie might take the opportunity to target me and the Violet Sect. It's wiser to retreat for now and let them battle amongst themselves. Sooner or later, Mo Xie and I will have our showdown. The combined inheritances we possess will eventually converge within one of us."
The members of the Evil Palace encircled the Qin Sect. Mo Xie's piercing gaze locked onto Qin Wentian, noting the absence of the God's Hand. He was aware that Qin Wentian's combat capabilities had dwindled significantly. Furthermore, the demonic beast had been wounded by Zi Daoyang earlier, which meant that the real threats were Qing'er and Nanfeng Yunxi.
"Qin Wentian, the odds are not in our favor. We should consider withdrawing," Nanfeng Yunxi communicated telepathically. Qin Wentian nodded silently. The situation was deteriorating rapidly. Many of their comrades had sustained injuries in their battle with the Violet Sect, and now that the Evil Palace had arrived, their fresh, undamaged forces held an overwhelming advantage.
Addressing the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect members, Qin Wentian's voice carried an icy warning, "I spared you once, and yet you chose to ignore my advice and align with the Evil Palace." His chilling gaze made the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect experts tremble as they recalled the grisly fate of Que Tianyi.
"I brought them into the Evil Palace, offering them a chance for vengeance," Mo Xie declared coldly, his arrogance undisguised. He pointed a finger at Little Rascal. "Hand over the beast, and I will spare your lives today."
Little Rascal responded with a thunderous roar, its eyes brimming with defiance.
"Stop daydreaming," Qin Wentian retorted coldly, his resolve unwavering.
Seeing the escalating clash, Mo Xie decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. His constellation materialized, and the malevolent tribulation force intensified around him. He extended his finger, unleashing a calamitous dark golden ray of energy, reminiscent of ferocious flood dragons. These dragons surged toward the Qin Sect experts with destructive power capable of tearing through the very sky.
Nanfeng Yunxi's ancient phoenix responded with a piercing cry. It manifested multiple smaller phoenixes that soared forth, enveloping the area in a radiant red glow. These fiery creatures collided with the dark golden flood dragons, creating thunderous explosions upon impact.
Meanwhile, Zi Daoyang observed the unfolding battle from the sidelines. He hadn't left yet. However, a sudden change in his expression caught everyone's attention. His gaze shifted to something behind him, and his eyes sparkled with sharpness. Moments later, a formidable army of experts became visible, exuding powerful auras.
"When did the City of Ancient Emperors acquire such a force?" Zi Daoyang turned to Xiao Lengyue, puzzled by this unexpected development. Could this power have risen during the time he was immersed in comprehending the Brahma Heavenly Emperor's inheritance?
"I'm not sure. There shouldn't have been any recent power established with so many experts," Xiao Lengyue replied, equally bewildered.
The members of the Evil Palace, initially poised to attack the Qin Sect, suddenly halted. Mo Xie's cold gaze swept over the area.
"Our sect's reinforcements have arrived!" Excitement welled up in the disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect within the Evil Palace.
Gusu Tianqi's eyes flickered with realization. He also recognized that this army of experts hailed from his Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Could they have been dispatched by his master?
It seemed improbable for such a formidable force to materialize suddenly in the City of Ancient Emperors. The crowd turned their attention to Qin Wentian, who had previously killed Que Tianyi, a personal disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, right before their eyes. These newcomers were likely here for revenge. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor must have been seething with humiliation. How could a junior have dared to disrespect him like that?
"It appears His Majesty has given the order. Our revenge is imminent," an Evil Palace expert from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect declared as he prepared to join his fellow sect members. However, Mo Xie swiftly extended his arm, grasping the man's throat and lifting him into the air. His voice was icy as he questioned, "Are you planning to change sides after joining my Evil Palace?"
"Mo Xie, I was originally a member of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect!" the strangled expert protested in shock.
Crack! Mo Xie's fingers tightened, crushing the man's throat. Other Eastern Sage Immortal Sect members who had joined the Evil Palace watched in fear.
Mo Xie turned to address them, his tone unwavering. "I won't prevent the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect from seeking revenge. However, remember that the rules within the City of Ancient Emperors differ from the outside world. Here, since you've joined my Evil Palace, you can only leave with my permission. Attempting to defect to another faction without my consent will result in merciless death for all of you."
As the army of experts from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect arrived, a tense standoff ensued. Their gazes bore into Mo Xie, their voices sharp with a hint of defiance.
"Who are you?" one of their leaders demanded to know.
Mo Xie, unflinching in his demeanor, responded, "I am Mo Xie, the Sect Leader of the Evil Palace. Don't assume that your superior numbers grant you an advantage here. Interfering with my interests might lead to dire consequences for all of you."
The leaders from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect remained ice-cold in their resolve, undaunted by Mo Xie's threat.
"You underestimate us," one of them retorted.
Mo Xie, surrounded by an aura of devilish tribulation force, met their challenge head-on. However, one of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect leaders clarified their purpose, "Our mission is to follow the command of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor and eliminate Qin Wentian. Other matters can be discussed after we have achieved that goal."
The situation grew even more dire for Qin Wentian. In addition to dealing with the threats from the Violet Sect and the Evil Palace, now he had to face an army of over three hundred experts dispatched by the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, all because he had killed Que Tianyi. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had shown no mercy, determined to claim Qin Wentian's life.
Amid this mounting crisis, one group of experts from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect took to the skies. They consisted of eighty-one individuals who emitted an intense celestial energy. Their leader, standing at the pinnacle of this formation, channeled the strength of the eighty others, resulting in unparalleled power.
"Formation!"
The onlookers watched in awe as the surroundings, extending for ten miles, became adorned with intricate runes. These runic patterns coalesced into golden threads of light, forming an impenetrable barrier. Within this boundary, a network of sword runes brimming with a merciless killing intent took shape.
Xu Ruxue unleashed her whip, its reach seemingly boundless, and struck the golden screen of light.
Chi-chi! The impact unleashed devastating ripples of destruction, reducing her whip to tatters. Meanwhile, the sword runes multiplied exponentially, further constricting Qin Wentian's options for escape. Eighty-one experts collaborated to create an impenetrable seal, leaving Qin Wentian with no room to maneuver.
Qin Wentian's face was a mask of determination, but his words held an icy edge. The situation had escalated, and it appeared that the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor was sparing no expense in his pursuit of revenge. An expert from the approaching group coldly stated their mission, revealing the Emperor's specific orders.
"His majesty commanded us to kill Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, and Zi Qingxuan. We are not to harm Princess Qing'er, and as long as we don't kill the other experts of the Qin Sect, it isn't a problem even if we heavily injure them."
Clearly, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had his reasons for this directive. Qin Wentian and his companions had defied him during the immortal banquet, then refused his offer to become his disciples. They had managed to retreat safely, thanks in part to the intervention of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord. This trio had become a thorn in his side, and the Emperor was determined to eliminate them.
Qing'er, however, enjoyed the protection of an immortal emperor more powerful than the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor himself. She was untouchable.
As for the rest, this being the City of Ancient Emperors, it was wise not to provoke the ire of immortal kings and emperors by killing their descendants. The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor exercised caution by ordering that his disciples could, at most, inflict heavy injuries. Killing them outright would have consequences he wasn't willing to bear.
One of the group members added, "Qin Wentian, remember the rules of the City of Ancient Emperors. We won't use immortal-ranked weapons to kill you. But if you draw an immortal weapon first, more than three hundred of us will respond in kind."
The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's death command left no room for escape. Qin Wentian's fate seemed sealed, and even with wings, he would find it difficult to evade this orchestrated onslaught.
Watching from the sidelines, Mo Xie couldn't help but be intrigued. Little did he expect that, before he could make a move, the disciples of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect would be executing the Emperor's vengeance for him. The formation they had formed, bolstered by the combined strength of eighty-one individuals, was indeed a formidable sight to behold.
This was the advantage of belonging to the same sect—a seamless collaboration in using formation techniques to enhance their power.