Revenge of the Nine Mystical Palace

Revenge of the Nine Mystical Palace...

Upon the leak of Xiao Lan's death, Diyi, who had been on the verge of leaving Chu, abruptly changed his plans. He issued orders for the remaining students to disperse far from the Royal Capital of Chu. Their hope was that by scattering, the Nine Mystical Palace would have a harder time tracking them down individually.

On this particular day, Chu Tianjiao led a group of people to stand in formation at the entrance of the Royal Capital, awaiting an unknown arrival.

From the distance, the roaring and screeching of gigantic demonic beasts filled the air. Towering flying creatures, massive in stature, soared across the sky. As they descended, the forceful gusts from their wing flaps buffeted Chu Tianjiao, who dared not reveal any sign of irritation. He remained in a respectful posture, ready to greet the approaching guests.

As the creatures descended, several figures disembarked from the backs of these demonic beasts, casting cold, scrutinizing glances at the assembly around Chu Tianjiao. Finally, one of them fixed their gaze on Xiao Lǜ.

"Are you the Snowcloud Crown Prince?" the man inquired, his voice like ice. Xiao Lǜ bowed respectfully, replying, "I am Xiao Lǜ, a member of the younger generation, paying my respects to the clan elder."

"Enough," the man responded indifferently. "Tell me everything, and tell the truth. If I detect any deception, you will bear the consequences."

Xiao Lǜ bowed again and began recounting the events, detailing how Xiao Lan clashed with the Emperor Star Academy, how Diyi slaughtered the Nine Mystical Palace's Yuanfu experts, how Diyi ultimately spared Xiao Lan, and how Xiao Lan met his demise outside the Royal Capital.

Listening to Xiao Lǜ's account, the man shifted his gaze to Chu Tianjiao and inquired, "Your Chu Clan should have a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. Why did they not intervene in the battle, allowing disciples of my Nine Mystical Palace to be massacred?"

His words carried an overwhelming pressure that made Chu Tianjiao tremble in fear.

"I was unaware of the presence of a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign in the Emperor Star Academy," Chu Tianjiao replied humbly. "By the time we realized what had occurred, it was already too late. I acknowledge my responsibility for Xiao Lan's death and am willing to accept any punishment." His response appeared courteous, but it subtly shifted the blame away from him for Xiao Lan's demise.

"If you were ignorant in the past, we can overlook it. But now that you know of his existence, I command the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign of Chu to eliminate Diyi," the man insisted with tyrannical authority. Chu Tianjiao's heart turned icy, but he dared not display any sign of disobedience. He could only respond respectfully, "This junior will inform my ancestor."

The man didn't deign to respond further. After Chu Tianjiao departed, the people he had brought with him trembled with fear and trepidation, not daring to utter another word.

Some time later, a terrifying aura surged from the Royal Palace in Chu, shocking all who felt it. An elderly figure emerged from the palace, emanating an oppressive blood-might aura that swept aggressively toward the Emperor Star Academy. Anyone within its proximity felt their bodies corroding, emitting bloodcurdling screams before transforming into pools of blood.

"The Mandate of Blood. It appears that the second level of the Mandate of Blood he comprehended was the insight of corrosion," murmured the members of the Nine Mystical Palace in hushed tones, sensing the overwhelming blood-might.

This oppressive aura of blood-might weighed heavily on the entire land, causing the Royal Capital to quiver with fear. However, a few moments later, as if in response, an equally terrifying aura emanated from the direction of the Emperor Star Academy. In an instant, those near the academy felt as though their movements were restricted, causing discomfort as if someone were choking their throats.

The two overpowering auras clashed in midair, prompting countless people to flee. This time, the situation differed from when Diyi had slaughtered the Yuanfu experts of the Nine Mystical Palace. This time, even the aftershocks from their clashing auras were deadly.

From a distance, Chu Tianjiao watched the battlefield, sighing inwardly. Their Chu Clan's old ancestor was meant to be a last resort, a trump card only to be deployed if their clan was on the brink of destruction. Yet, because of Xiao Lan's death, he was forced into action against the Heavenly Dipper Sovereign Diyi. This fueled Chu Tianjiao's determination to one day make the Nine Mystical Palace dance in the palm of his hand once he became powerful enough.

"The Mandate of Blood clashing with the Mandate of Force, both at the second level, but it seems Diyi has the upper hand," whispered a powerful figure from the Nine Mystical Palace. "Diyi should be from the secretive Azure Faction of the Azure Emperor Palace."

With these words, members of the Nine Mystical Palace swiftly headed toward the scene where the clash of mandates was unfolding.

The confrontation between Diyi and the Chu Clan's Ancestor reached terrifying heights. Diyi's Astral Mandate held the advantage, but he had only two Astral Novas, while his opponent boasted three. Both had four Astral Souls, but nurturing all four into Astral Novas was an astronomical task, requiring an immense amount of Astral Energy. Even with the resources of an entire country, the Chu Clan's Ancestor couldn't achieve it.

The Chu Country was simply too small for a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. At a certain level, cultivation resources became scarce.

Dyi's robes billowed in the wind, and as he noticed the approach of the Nine Mystical Palace members, a determined glint appeared in his eyes.

"Even if I die, I have no regrets. But before that happens, I must eliminate the source of this threat to Chu," Diyi thought with calm determination. He was prepared to sacrifice his life to protect Chu. If he could bring down the Chu Clan's Ancestor, and if the Nine Mystical Palace refrained from taking action against Qin Wentian, then he would consider his mission accomplished.

With this resolve in mind, he stepped forward. The oppressive aura of blood-might surged toward him, but Diyi positioned himself, his hands reaching out. In an instant, tens of thousands of fist shadows filled the sky, defending against the blood-might as he seized his opponent's body.

The Chu Clan's Ancestor froze, was Diyi seeking death?

"KILL!" The Ancestor stepped forward, a bloody glow enveloping Diyi and instantly corroding his body. Yet, despite this, Diyi continued to close the distance between them.

BOOM! Heaven and earth trembled as the Ancestor of Chu felt his body sinking under an unimaginable force, countless formless fist shadows holding him in place. Diyi accelerated, becoming a streak of light, hurtling towards him.

Amidst the sparkling light and howling winds, Diyi embraced the certainty of death, his only regret the one he carried in his heart.

BOOM! A colossal, earth-shattering force mercilessly slammed into the Chu Clan's Ancestor. Diyi's entire being was being corroded, yet he clung to the remnants of his strength. He forcefully thrust forward, releasing an enormous palm-shaped Astral Nova that seemed to have no boundaries, tightly imprisoning the Ancestor.

"Have you lost your mind?!" the Ancestor of Chu roared in terror. Diyi's face remained ruthless as he clenched his fist, producing a nightmarish sound. Before succumbing to death, his opponent transformed into a torrent of blood-red light, hurtling towards Diyi, drenching his body in crimson. Half of his body had already succumbed to the corrosive power.

Bzzz~ From the direction of the Nine Mystical Palace, a silvery light erupted, and chains pierced through Diyi's shoulder, securing him as blood sprayed profusely, staining the ground red. Then, mercilessly, Diyi was hoisted into the sky.

"I am innocent of Xiao Lan's death," Diyi stated, still unperturbed. He knew that the Nine Mystical Palace would not spare him, so he made his stance clear, hoping they wouldn't unleash their wrath on the students of the Emperor Star Academy.

The members of the Nine Mystical Palace remained silent as they paraded Diyi through the air. The people of Chu watched in shock, realizing just how feeble their nation was compared to the Nine Mystical Palace. It was a painful revelation.

Chu Tianjiao seethed with anger. They had captured Diyi, but at the cost of the Chu Clan's Ancestor's life. The Nine Mystical Palace had callously allowed the Ancestor to die when they could have intervened earlier. Now, they sought to exact vengeance for Xiao Lan's death.

"Eradicate every member of the Emperor Star Academy, leave none alive. Also, find out who the killer was," ordered the powerhouses from the Nine Mystical Palace. They mounted their demonic beasts and soared away. Diyi's chained body dangled in the air, a pitiful sight to behold.

Chu Tianjiao's eyes gleamed with icy resolve. He understood that if he chose to send students to the Nine Mystical Palace for cultivation now, they would face a dire fate.

"Issue my command: capture all students from the Emperor Star Academy," Chu Tianjiao ordered coldly, his voice echoing throughout the Royal Palace. It seemed that the Chu Country was about to be engulfed in another storm of blood.

In the outskirts of the Dark Forest, a white crane gracefully glided through the skies. Perched atop the crane was Mo Qingcheng, her beautiful eyes filled with worry and concern. She knew that Qin Wentian had ventured into the Dark Forest, and with Diyi captured and the Emperor Star Academy disbanded, if Qin Wentian encountered the Royal Clan, his fate would be sealed. She needed to reach him and implore him not to return.

However, the Dark Forest was vast and treacherous, making it extremely challenging to locate someone within. Mo Qingcheng had been searching for Qin Wentian for nearly half a month, but there was still no sign of him. Her clothing was stained with dirt, and her appearance had grown haggard. It was a heavy burden to bear, the constant worry for someone else's safety, and she feared that Qin Wentian might return to Chu.

"Demonic beasts," Mo Qingcheng whispered as her countenance froze. She spotted several powerful demonic beasts staring in her direction, exuding a brutal aura.

"Go," she urged the white crane, which soared into the sky with great speed. However, the relentless beasts pursued the crane, their roars and howls attracting even more demonic creatures to join the chase.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian sat cross-legged beside the two statues in the heart of the Dark Forest. The celestial constellations' magnificent manifestations enveloped the space around him. He could keenly sense the immense power of their wills. This feeling was reminiscent of when Xiao Lan's will had directly entered his mind back in Chu. It was also a form of willpower.

Of course, Xiao Lan's strength couldn't compare to the sheer might emanating from the constellation manifestations. The presence of the two statues beside him gave him a faint impression that the door to a higher realm in cultivation was gradually opening.

Astral Novas, why were they so potent? And how were Constellation Manifestations brought forth?

He released his Astral Souls and contemplated them in silence. A multitude of demonic beasts still lingered behind him, while Little Rascal displayed extraordinary aggression, growling and brandishing its fangs and claws at them. If Mo Qingcheng were present, she would undoubtedly find this scene amusing. The usually docile puppy now appeared to be taming these ferocious and brutal demonic beasts!