Chapter 914: The Withered Wolf

Guo Shifu left, departing with such ease and suddenness that Yan Chongzhi and the others were left in stunned silence.

Guo Shifu had vowed to bathe the Wheel Domain in blood, slaughtering billions to vent his hatred. His immense spirit, unwavering resolve, and terrifying aura seemed unstoppable. No one thought it could be reversed.

The reality was indeed as such. Two sages came, though merely their divine senses, but still sages nonetheless. One was driven away by Guo Shifu, and the other was defeated. Such an irreparable show of strength left even sages helpless.

But what was happening now?

"Make sure to deliver this to her," were Zhong Shan's final words.

"Rest assured, rest assured!" Guo Shifu's demeanor had suddenly turned exceptionally amicable.

This scene bewildered countless experts. Was this the same Guo Shifu, who had been filled with malevolence, ready to kill gods and Buddhas alike?

Yan Chongzhi was particularly perplexed. The Holy King's tongue was indeed the sharpest weapon in the world, surpassing any magical artifact. Even the unstoppable Guo Shifu, who sages couldn't handle, was now seemingly pacified by Zhong Shan, behaving like an old friend, and even agreeing to deliver messages for him.

Yan Chongzhi couldn't think of any prior relationship between Zhong Shan and Guo Shifu, so he concluded that Zhong Shan must have tricked Guo Shifu. Zhong Shan's image grew ever more divine in the eyes of Da Xi's soldiers.

Guo Shifu departed, and the Great Immortals were successively captured by Luo Xingchen and Wang Ku.

Escape? One Great Immortal tried to flee, but Luo Xingchen shot an arrow, instantly deterring many others from attempting escape.

As everyone returned, they saw Guo Shifu delivering a message for Zhong Shan, leaving them speechless.

No one asked questions; no one had the right to.

"Holy King, one Great Immortal was shot down, and the rest have been captured! Their powers have been sealed," Luo Xingchen reported immediately.

This capture was primarily due to Luo Xingchen's efforts.

"Good. Yan Chongzhi!" Zhong Shan called.

"Present!" Yan Chongzhi promptly responded, having just arrived.

"Escort these people back to Changjing!" Zhong Shan ordered sternly.

"Yes, sir!"

Turning, Zhong Shan looked towards the Wheel Hall, its carved railings and painted pillars, endless palaces, exuding grandeur, like the former capital of a holy court. To the east of the Wheel Hall, in the distance, a place filled with black aura lay—the legendary Land of Five Impurities.

"Mud Bodhisattva, Guo Shifu has broken the seal, and the malevolent aura outside the Wheel Hall has dissipated. Can we now open the Wheel Hall?" Zhong Shan asked gravely.

"Not yet," Mud Bodhisattva shook his head.

"Hmm?" Zhong Shan looked puzzled.

"The Wheel Hall is extremely complex, with many hidden chambers. I can only open this part. The true main hall is not here," Mud Bodhisattva explained.

Zhong Shan's frown deepened. What was the true origin of this Wheel Hall? Why so many mysteries?

"But I can manipulate some of the internal feng shui formations to cover the Wheel Hall," Mud Bodhisattva offered.

"Proceed," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

Changjing, Zhong Shan's study.

"I now leave these fifty Great Immortals in your hands," Zhong Shan said to Yi Yan.

"Rest assured, Holy King. With them, it won't be difficult to gain control of half of the Sixteen Heavenly Courts, if not all," Yi Yan assured.

"Xiao Wang, for now, join the campaign against the Sixteen Heavenly Courts. With you two strategizing together, the gains should be greater," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes, but Holy King, I'm more concerned about the south. In the southern Wheel Domain, Wang Jingwen has already taken three more Heavenly Courts. His momentum in conquering the world is too fast. If we don't pay attention now, once he gains enough power, he could rival our court," Xiao Wang immediately expressed his concern.

"Wang Jingwen? I have my plans for him. You just need to observe the situation's development. Do not act for now; I have arrangements," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Understood!" Everyone responded immediately.

"How is Xiang Xiang doing now?" Zhong Shan asked.

"In the northern Wheel Domain, Emperor Xiang Xiang has already subdued thirty percent of the wolf clan. The momentum is strong," Yi Yan smiled.

In the northern Wheel Domain, within a magnificent palace.

The Third Prince of the Heavenly Bestowment Mansion, which should be in the southern Wuxiang Holy Court, was mysteriously in the north.

"Third Prince, leaving like this, won't it cause problems?" an official worriedly asked.

"With Wang Jingwen's capabilities, what is there to worry about? He's already conquered eight Heavenly Courts. With this momentum, it's a blessing for the Wuxiang Holy Court!" the Third Prince smiled.

"But, you can't hand over the military tokens completely! What if...?" the official worried.

"There is no 'what if'. With the person sent by the Holy King, what is there to worry about? He won't betray the Wuxiang Holy Court," the Third Prince stated.

"No, my concern is not about betrayal."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm worried that his achievements will be too great!"

Too great? The Third Prince raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, the Holy King appointed you to oversee things here, not Wang Jingwen. If his achievements overshadow yours, when the Holy King judges, he might think you... you are..." The official hesitated to continue.

"What might the Holy King think of me?" the Third Prince frowned.

"Incompetent," the official whispered.

Incompetent? The Third Prince's pupils contracted.

"Third Prince, we should return to the Heavenly Bestowment Mansion. This way, no matter how great Wang Jingwen's achievements are, they will be credited to you," the official suggested.

The Third Prince thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Let's wait a bit longer."

"Wait for what? Why did you come to the north?" the official didn't understand.

At that moment, a figure flew into the hall.

"Reporting to the Third Prince, we found it! In the Withered Sea Abyss!" the person reported excitedly.

"Good, set off immediately!" The Third Prince was slightly excited.

Everyone followed closely, flying into the sky.

"Third Prince, what is this about?" the official, who had been questioning Wang Jingwen, asked in confusion.

"This is my goal for this trip, Emperor Xiang Xiang!" the Third Prince said solemnly.

"Emperor Xiang Xiang?"

"Yes, I want this Emperor Xiang Xiang, the Wolf Ancestor reborn, the Supreme of the Wolf Clan," the Third Prince said seriously.

"But, but Emperor Xiang Xiang belongs to Da Xi!"

"She will be mine, won't she? Hahaha!"

In the Withered Sea Abyss, an extremely dark environment located in the northern part of the Wheel Domain, Emperor Xiang Xiang stood atop a mountain peak with over a hundred distinctive-looking wolves, gazing down at the desolate landscape.

Heavy clouds covered the sky, with intermittent flashes of lightning streaking through, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

"So many dark thunders, this place truly is a site of malevolent energy," Emperor Xiang Xiang frowned.

Behind her, a group of wolves stood respectfully. One of them stepped forward, frowning, "Supreme, those inside are Withered Wood Wolves. They don't seem to be true wolf clan members."

"I don't care. Who told them to call themselves wolves? Using the name of the wolf clan means they must fulfill the wolf clan's mission!" Emperor Xiang Xiang declared.

The hundred wolves behind her were speechless. Fine, since the Supreme said so, it looked like the Withered Wood Wolves were in for some bad luck. Who told them to name themselves after the wolf clan?

"All wolf clan members, listen up. Now..." A gleam of battle intent flashed in Emperor Xiang Xiang's eyes.

"Wait, Emperor Xiang Xiang!" suddenly interrupted by the old man, Jiu Laotou, standing beside her.

"What is it?" Emperor Xiang Xiang frowned.

"I sense a dangerous aura approaching. It's best to leave here immediately," Jiu Laotou said worriedly.

"Every time you say that, although it's been risky, haven't I made it through each time? My grandfather grew stronger through battles of life and death. Without danger, there's no progress!" Emperor Xiang Xiang exclaimed.

"But this time is different, truly different!" Jiu Laotou insisted.

"All wolf clan members, follow me into the Withered Sea Abyss!" Ignoring Jiu Laotou, Emperor Xiang Xiang commanded.

"Roar!" The pack of wolves howled in unison.

Leading the pack, Emperor Xiang Xiang charged into the Withered Sea Abyss.

Jiu Laotou watched in dismay, then smiled bitterly, "This time, it really is different."

"What should we do now, sir?" asked one of the three guards behind Jiu Laotou.

"You three, take different paths and head to the nearest Da Xi outpost. Send word to Changjing, saying that Emperor Xiang Xiang is in danger and needs immediate assistance!" Jiu Laotou ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The three immediately responded.

As they left, Jiu Laotou could only follow the wolf pack from a distance, flying into the abyss.

The Withered Sea Abyss was once a great sea but had dried up, leaving behind a swamp heavy with malevolent energy. The dense yin energy made the place extremely eerie, giving birth to numerous ghosts.

However, the Withered Sea Abyss was most famous not for its ghosts but for a peculiar species that lived there in groups.

The Withered Wood Wolves!

This species was very strange. They looked like tree spirits but could reproduce. They appeared as wrinkled old trees with wolf faces protruding eerily from their trunks. Despite being called wolves, they were not wolves at all.

This was why one of the wolf clan members had advised Emperor Xiang Xiang not to venture there. However, the rumors said that the Withered Wood Wolves were not very powerful, so the wolf clan members let their Supreme do as she wished, hoping that once she saw the hideous appearance of the Withered Wood Wolves, she would abandon her initial plan.

It didn't take long before the group saw a vast forest ahead. The shortest trees were at least a thousand zhang tall, looking incredibly majestic.

A vast expanse of trees, appearing grand and imposing.

"Supreme, these are all Withered Wood Wolves!" a wolf clan member pointed to the forest ahead.

Emperor Xiang Xiang was slightly stunned, "Are there really wolves this ugly in the world?"