Chapter 97: The Radiant Palace's Dominance

Chapter 97: The Radiant Palace's Dominance

"In the beginning, when my clan was annihilated, I barely managed to escape to Great Shang," said the Withered Tree True Monarch, his tone indifferent as if narrating a third-person account.

Qi Yuan listened intently, and he suspected that this 'opportunity' was the Withered Tree True Monarch being captured by the Desired Demon Sect and forced to become a spy within the Divine Light Sect.

"After my clan's destruction and the loss of my people, a treasured item from my clan was lost and ended up as a reward for the Eastern Land Exalted List's top hundred rankings," the Withered Tree True Monarch continued.

"In four years, the Eastern Land Exalted List will be finalized. I need you to enter the top hundred and retrieve my clan's treasure." The Withered Tree True Monarch shared more details with Qi Yuan.

The Eastern Land Exalted List offered rich rewards for the top hundred, even including a chance to enter the Purple Mansion Realm.

Among these, those with higher rankings could choose their treasures first.

The Withered Tree True Monarch's clan treasure was extremely valuable, but outsiders were unaware of its worth. They treated it as an ordinary precious item and included it in the Eastern Land Exalted List's treasures.

"The top hundred? No problem, Sect Master. But what exactly is this great opportunity you mentioned?" Qi Yuan couldn't stop thinking about this grand opportunity.

Hearing this, the Withered Tree True Monarch's eyes, calm as a deep well, showed a hint of pain. "This item is called the Void Light Soul Wood. Below the Purple Mansion Realm, consuming it can slightly enhance one's Divine Soul strength."

This was undoubtedly a true treasure.

Its greatest use was for consumption during the late Divine Infancy stage to break through into the Purple Mansion Realm, increasing the chances of surviving the Purple Mansion Tribulation.

The Withered Tree True Monarch had never used it, saving it for this very moment of breakthrough.

Now, he was giving the Void Light Soul Wood to Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan opened the small gourd and immediately saw a jelly-like substance shaped like a stick.

He examined it closely and, upon confirmation, his eyes lit up with joy. "Sect Master, you truly are a great person. Even if you're a spy for the Desired Demon Sect, I'd still acknowledge you."

Currently, what he lacked the most was treasures like the Void Light Soul Wood that could enhance his Divine Soul.

"This item is incredibly precious. You should keep it for when you break through to the Purple Mansion Realm," the Withered Tree True Monarch reminded Qi Yuan, his lips twitching upon hearing his words.

Since it could enhance the Divine Soul strength by a small stage below the Purple Mansion Realm, the later it was used, the better the effect.

"Is it also better to use the Heavenly Way Foundation Establishment later?" Qi Yuan asked.

The Withered Tree True Monarch paused, then replied, "Most likely, yes."

He had never seen the Heavenly Way Foundation Establishment either, so how would he know? Qi Yuan understood upon hearing this.

No matter how precious this treasure was, it was best to consume it first and enhance his strength.

"For now, focus on improving your cultivation. When the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle begins, I'll tell you more," the Withered Tree True Monarch said, turning to leave.

But at this moment, Qi Yuan called out to him, "Sect Master, may I make a small request?"

The Withered Tree True Monarch looked at Qi Yuan, "Don't be too greedy!"

"It's not excessive, Sect Master. My wife has a small hobby—she enjoys snacking," Qi Yuan brought up Xiao Jia.

"Get to the point." The Withered Tree True Monarch's expression turned stern as he looked at Qi Yuan.

"The Blood Crystal Mine in Bloodless City—I want the sect to buy it, and all the blood crystals should be brought to me."

The Withered Tree True Monarch glanced at Qi Yuan and scoffed, "And you call this a small request?"

The Blood Crystal Mine in Bloodless City was well-known among solitary cultivators. Many relied on it to enhance their strength.

If the Withered Tree True Monarch monopolized the blood crystal mine and didn't manage it well, it could provoke hostility from solitary cultivators.

But for the Divine Light Sect, this hostility was insignificant.

As the sect's leader, he had to consider the overall situation and decide how to maximize benefits.

"Give me five days," the Withered Tree True Monarch said, turning to leave.

In the simple wooden house, only Qi Yuan and Xiao Jia remained.

Qi Yuan stared at the Void Light Soul Wood in the small gourd, his eyes gleaming with greed.

"I hope this can help me reach the late Foundation Establishment stage!"

Only then could he officially start the second game and truly descend into the game, no longer trapped in the Flowing Wind Realm.

Qi Yuan held the Void Light Soul Wood and began to devour and digest it.

...

In the Great Shang Empire's palace, over a thousand civil and military officials knelt, creating an awe-inspiring scene.

"First sacrifice to the heavens!"

"Second sacrifice to the gods and deities!"

"Third sacrifice to our ancestors!"

The voices resounded, and everyone who heard them bowed in reverence.

Colorful flags fluttered, and the heavy drumbeats accompanied the majestic and clear music.

Dong Xian slowly ascended the steps. The ministers held jade tablets, pledging their loyalty and service, while eunuchs raised the ceremonial feather, symbolizing the royal family's supreme authority.

Under everyone's gaze, Dong Xian took his place on the throne.

"The new emperor ascends..."

All the officials knelt once more.

Dong Xian, adorned in dragon robes, exuded an air of authority.

At this moment, his heart was filled with excitement and a sense of unreality.

Without hardship or peril, with simplicity, he had become the emperor of Great Shang.

The throne, a position he had once dreamed of attaining.

Dong Xian couldn't help but ask Qi Lao, "Old Qi, is all this a dream of mine?"

Qi Lao's voice echoed in his mind, "Hmph, you young lad lack experience. What's so special about being an emperor of Great Shang? In the Hundred Kingdoms, there are hundreds of emperors."

"But not a single one has reached the Purple Mansion Realm."

"You should focus on cultivating. Strive to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm within a few thousand years and help me rebuild my body."

Qi Lao's words shattered Dong Xian's previous joy.

Indeed, what's so special about being an emperor? Wasn't his father also an emperor of Great Shang? The outcome was foreseeable.

Dong Xian's excitement faded, and the pride he had felt earlier vanished.

Becoming an emperor was merely a means to gain more resources and enter the Purple Mansion Realm sooner.

Of course, the coronation of a new emperor was still a cause for celebration.

Just then, a loud voice echoed across the sky.

"The Emperor of Great Shang, attend to this matter!"

In the sky, a cultivator in the early Divine Infancy stage flew, emanating a powerful aura.

"Who dares to interrupt?" asked the Divine Infancy stage monk, Wudian, as he levitated barefoot, blocking the newcomer.

"I am from the Green Cloud Continent's Radiant Palace, sent by the Palace Lord to officially include Great Shang in the Radiant Sect." The Divine Infancy stage cultivator from Radiant Palace spoke from above, tossing a letter that landed in Wudian's hand.

Wudian scanned the letter with his Divine Soul, finding no issues, and presented it to Dong Xian.

Dong Xian opened the letter and skimmed through it, his face turning angry.

The cultivator from Radiant Palace continued, "Within half a year, or at most three years, the Hundred Kingdoms Blood War will commence.

The Radiant Sect will engage in battle with the Demon Sect.

As Great Shang does not have rampant demonic cultivators, and the Palace Lord is kind-hearted, we wish to include Great Shang in the Radiant Sect.

When the Hundred Kingdoms Blood War begins, Great Shang and other nations of the Radiant Sect must send troops to fight the Demon Sect!"

The cultivator from Radiant Palace spoke from a position of superiority, as if bestowing a favor upon Great Shang.

Dong Xian's mind was filled with anger.

This Radiant Palace was so unreasonable! Great Shang was not their servant; why should they join the Radiant Sect?

Moreover, the Hundred Kingdoms had to follow Radiant Palace's orders and start the Hundred Kingdoms Blood War.

What logic was this? Was Radiant Palace the master of the Hundred Kingdoms? Dong Xian was furious.

However, he knew that Radiant Palace was a true powerhouse, with numerous cultivators in the Purple Mansion Realm.

Even if all the forces in the Hundred Kingdoms joined forces, they would not be a match for Radiant Palace.

The cultivator from Radiant Palace continued from above, "Before that, you must hand over Kang Fulu and Qi Yuan, disciples of the Divine Light Sect, and send them to Radiant Palace."

He made another impudent request.

Hearing this, Dong Xian immediately refused, "Impossible!"

The cultivator from Radiant Palace was momentarily surprised but then narrowed his eyes and smiled, "If Great Shang refuses, then during the Hundred Kingdoms Blood War, Great Shang will be considered part of the Demon Sect.

All nations of the Demon Sect must be eradicated.

Great Shang... may face destruction!"

Radiant Palace would support the nations of the Radiant Sect, while the nations of the Demon Sect would naturally face dire consequences.

Ideally, they would suffer complete annihilation.

Dong Xian, upon hearing this, felt indignant and extremely frustrated.

This Radiant Palace was truly overbearing! "If you do not hand over Kang Fulu and Qi Yuan from the Divine Light Sect within seven days, Great Shang will be considered part of the Demon Sect," the cultivator from Radiant Palace declared, turning into a stream of light and leaving arrogantly.

Dong Xian was left with a face full of anger.

Handing over people was out of the question!

...

Qi Yuan was unaware of the events unfolding in the Great Shang Imperial Court.

At this moment, he entered the game, his face filled with joy.

As a late-stage Divine Soul cultivator, he no longer needed Ning Tou's help to enter the game effortlessly.

However, he first went to the underground palace within the Heart Palace.

"You're awake?" Ning Tou, standing not far away, opened her eyes, her half-face not covered by the black veil, as beautiful as a plum blossom in the snow.

She looked at the Demon Egg, bound by eighteen chains, and her eyes revealed deep apprehension.

The original Demon Egg seemed to have been digested, now a ball of blood-red flesh, seemingly incubating an extremely powerful being.

"Little Ning Tou, may I ask you a question?" Qi Yuan inquired.

"Go ahead, my dear," Ning Tou replied, her phoenix eyes sparkling with a hint of displeasure at his choice of words.

Her black dress hugged her curves, accentuating her slender waist and delicate figure. Through the thin black silk, her long, white jade-like legs were captivating.

"In this world, who is the greatest evil?"

As Qi Yuan pondered the identity of the ultimate boss, he couldn't help but tease his wife, Ning Tao. "My dear, if we're talking about villains, the Northern Demon's Thirteen Fiends would certainly qualify as the most notorious." As he spoke, a hint of self-mockery flashed in Ning Tao's phoenix-like eyes beneath her delicate brows.

Qi Yuan paused, then found himself asking, "Can I see your other face?"

A momentary panic flickered in Ning Tao's eyes, but she maintained a smile, her charm captivating, "I'd rather not let you see, my love. I fear it might disgust you."

On half of her face was a scar, the character 'Yao' (Demon), making her appearance utterly repulsive to all who beheld it.

Since the 'Yao' character appeared on her face, even her once doting mother regarded her as a demon. While Ning Tao slept, her mother attempted to kill her with scissors.

The young Ning Tao escaped her home, but not without a new scar, right beside the 'Yao' character.

As she fled, she encountered countless cultivators who pursued her, all calling her the Demoness.

It was during this pursuit that she met Qi Yuan.

Her face was partially covered by a black veil.

No one ever saw the other half of her face again.

Even when she removed the veil, she refused to open her eyes, unwilling to see the character that even disgusted herself.

She didn't want Qi Yuan to see it either.

"Apart from the Thirteen Fiends, are there other major villains?" Qi Yuan asked.

In his eyes, the little Ning Tao was far from being the ultimate boss.

After all, Tianxin Palace held dominance in the Flowing Wind Realm, but it was still a step away from being the strongest.

"Where are the villains?" Ning Tao smiled gently, "To the southern cultivators, the north is full of villains; to the northern cultivators, the south is filled with villains."

There was more to Ning Tao's words.

For both the southerners and northerners, the true villain was the demon, even more so than the demon sects.

"Is that so?" Qi Yuan wasn't convinced and remained silent.

"My dear, it's rare to see you awake. When will you break free from your cocoon and join me in admiring the vast night sky?" Ning Tao fixed her gaze on Qi Yuan.

"No way," Qi Yuan was more inclined to play his game.

Why gaze at the night sky when there was no thrill in killing? Ning Tao didn't seem disappointed, "My dear, be good. Your little wife is off to make money for the family."

She draped herself in a layer of light silk, and her bare feet slipped into shoes.

She left the underground palace.

As the ruler of Tianxin Palace, she had numerous affairs to attend to.

Entering the palace, she looked up at the night sky.

The night was pitch-black, as if the world had been drenched in ink.

Seated on the jade throne, she examined the imperial edict, a thoughtful expression crossing her face, "Blood Demon, peerless... extremely dangerous?"

However, she soon smiled wryly.

As the Demoness, wasn't she also an extremely dangerous peerless being? The maids attending her noticed her smile, their bodies trembling.

Ning Tao glanced at them, her eyes reflecting a complex emotion.

These people, who claimed they would die for her, were terrified of her.

They trembled at her every smile and frown.

The Demoness...

...

In the underground palace.

"This mass of flesh and blood is so strange."

Qi Yuan's gaze fell on the place where his soul was temporarily residing.

Each time he looked at this mass, he received different answers.

The names he received also varied.

This time, he got...

【The Heavens Crave Blood, the Extreme of Desire.】

The last thing he saw was the Chaos Divine Blood.

"This must be a valuable treasure."

He speculated that due to his abnormal soul's residence, this object had also mutated.

Its form was constantly changing.

"What if I attach my soul blood to it?"

A thought emerged in Qi Yuan's mind.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

He didn't yet know what this mass was, and he couldn't afford to waste his soul blood.

He needed to at least understand the mass's approximate value before considering using his soul blood.

The current Qi Yuan sought rapid advancement.

"It's a pity I can't take it with me; otherwise, I could study it daily."

"Alright, it's time to leave here and enter the game."

As Qi Yuan thought this, he began switching into the game state.

Instantly, countless images flooded his mind.

He saw a majestic city, towering thirty zhang high.

Countless human cultivators and soldiers guarded the city.

Below the city, terrifying demon sects swarmed like a dense sea, surging towards the city walls.

Arrows rained down like a deluge, landing amidst the demons, but it was like a drop in the ocean.

Demons with hideous faces climbed the walls, turning the battle into a brutal melee.

Armored soldiers, armed with spears and swords, charged fearlessly into the demon horde.

The battle raged for three days.

The city walls were stained red with blood.

The walls of the city turned pitch-black.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end