Chapter 401

403. Chapter 395: Please have the Grand Supervisor step in to suppress the Underworld; the temple gods resonate—come quickly, my Gather Immortal Banner【seek monthly ticket】

"Quick! Quickly go to the Imperial Observatory and request the Grand Supervisor!"

"Quick quick quick——!!!"

The Emperor's words, as if tearing apart the wind and waves, echoed across the entire White Jade Plaza that had fallen into ruin, shattered and dilapidated.

Heaven and earth seemed to fall silent at this moment.

As if plunged into dead silence.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Even the dignified and luxurious Empress, whom the Emperor used as a defensive shield in front of herself, upon hearing the Emperor's panicked voice behind her, felt a moment of confusion.

Your Majesty…… Is this being frightened by the Underworld Yama King?!

The Empress was dumbstruck; on her exquisite, beautiful face, a look of bewilderment inevitably appeared; she opened her red lips, momentarily stunned.

However, this bewilderment was soon gathered by her, and a gleam of brilliance flashed in her eyes.

As husband and wife, as the Empress of the Emperor, she immediately guessed something; given her understanding of the Emperor, although the Underworld Yama King, with its extremely overbearing and powerful strength, slew the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird—the three leaders of the Black Guard whom he personally cultivated.

But how could such a bit of wind and waves possibly frighten the Emperor?

And how could it possibly drive the Emperor to the point of involuntarily calling for someone to fetch the Grand Supervisor?

You should know that the relationship between the Dàjǐng court and the Imperial Observatory has now developed a huge rift, to the extent that the Dàjǐng court even regards the Imperial Observatory as the Twelfth Great Divine Sect within its domain!

The relationship between the Emperor and the Grand Supervisor has become even more gradually estranged.

This point, the Empress, as a woman of the Gongshu clan, feels it most clearly.

Perhaps because of the rift between the Emperor and the Grand Supervisor, the Emperor has produced a sense of resistance and estrangement toward her, this woman who comes from the Ancient clan, the Gongshu clan.

Thus, it also gave Consort Ji and the woman sent from the Su clan of Primordial Origin Dao City, Su Da, Consort Su, the opportunity to rise, becoming the two who captured the Emperor's favor.

Thus, this brought considerable trouble to the Empress; behind Consort Ji stands the Ancient clan Ji family, but the problem is not great, because the Ji family is the lowest among the three major Ancient clans in Shendu.

Although their foundations are equally deep, with a God‑Tribulation Ancestor seated in seclusion within the Mysterious Void, they still cannot match the Gongshu clan and the Yue clan.

But the one who truly brings threat and considerable trouble to the Empress is that little girl from the Su clan who came from Primordial Origin Dao City……

Su Da, a very strange girl.

Of course, the main reason for the emperor's estrangement from the Gongshu Clan is still because of the Grand Supervisor.

But this time...

The Grand Supervisor actually, due to the threat brought by the Underworld Yama, sent people to call out to the Grand Supervisor?

The Empress is somewhat unable to understand...

No, rather, since the emperor wrote that edict granting marriage to Li Nuanxi as Crown Princess, the Empress has begun to find the emperor's actions and intentions hard to comprehend.

The Empress felt the panic of the person behind her.

One Underworld Yama... is it necessary?

The Empress's brows and eyes slightly sank; she knew nothing, knew nothing!

The emperor had some plans, but he never told her any of them.

She was like a puppet, following the threads drooping from the emperor, constantly being manipulated and arranged by him.

The Empress's eyes flickered slightly, and many scenes involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

In the scene...

She couldn't help but see the emperor who, upon first seeing her, showed admiration, holding her in his palm as if holding a lump of white snow afraid to melt; to win her smile, he took her south to Jiangnan, toured Guangling, ascended Jiannan, and wandered the mountains and rivers of the Dàjǐng realm.

However...

I don't know when it started.

The emperor and she had become strangers, unknowingly for many years, so many that she forgot the days, never once stepping into her sleeping quarters.

The rift between husband and wife, it seems...

growing larger and larger.

……

……

On the White Jade Plaza.

Chaotic winds surged and swayed, and there was a rich, rolling scent of blood.

Not only was the Empress shocked, but everyone else also fell into bewilderment and astonishment.

Emperor... how could he utter such words?

Although the Underworld Yama is ferocious, although the Underworld displays a domineering and strong presence, even before the emperor, it shows no intention to retreat.

But...

But it's not enough to scare the emperor like this, to go request the Grand Supervisor?

This invitation to the Grand Supervisor clearly amounts to abandoning the Dàjǐng emperor's dignity to seek aid from the Grand Supervisor?!

One Underworld Yama, is it necessary?!

The foundation of the Dàjǐng court is certainly not just what is before us!

The Ji Clan, Yue Clan, and Gongshu Clan all have a Divine Tribulation forefather seated in the Mysterious Gate; could the Dàjǐng court possibly lack one?

Surely there is; among the emperors of Dàjǐng throughout history, many have achieved peace and retired successfully!

It can be said that although the Dàjǐng imperial family lacks the age of the myriad ancient clans, as a dynasty that suppresses the world, how could its foundation possibly be weaker than that of the myriad ancient clans?

Since the imperial family possesses a Divine Tribulation, if they truly wish to suppress the Underworld Yama, why bother requesting the Grand Supervisor?

Bewildered...

Even if Ji Moli grips the umbrella-spear, his eyes also reveal a hint of astonishment and bewilderment.

Afterward, there was a faint, barely perceptible look of contempt.

This is the Dàjǐng emperor?

Absolutely ridiculous!

Such an emperor simply throws away all face!

He, Ji Moli… it is not impossible to take his place!

However, this thought had just flickered and was then completely suppressed by him, producing no further disturbance.

Hum—

Li Che wore the black-and-white split Yama mask, and he exchanged a booming blow with Ji Moli, who had revealed his Dao Yun Tribulation Fire and Netherfire.

Feeling the terrifying power of a half-step Divine Tribulation, he chose to retreat; the erosive force of the Dao Yun Tribulation Fire, following that clash, eroded his flesh like a bone‑deep ulcer.

However, all the damage he sustained was borne by the sovereign avatar atop the city tower.

Moreover, Li Che's now overwhelmingly powerful pure martial body meant the damage he suffered existed, but was slight.

And now, what Li Che cares about is no longer Ji Moli.

Ji Moli cannot be killed for the time being; having revealed his Netherfire and displayed his Dao Yun Tribulation Fire power, he has become even more troublesome.

However, merely exposing his cultivation is enough; Ji Moli revealing this level of cultivation will surely invite much trouble, so Li Che also cannot be bothered with him, his eyes flashing with starlight as he looked toward the clumsy‑acting emperor on the high platform.

It was as if a single thread had strung everything together.

Temple god resonance?

The emperor is doing this for temple god resonance!

Perhaps provoking a great uproar at the Peach Banquet is the emperor's aim and original intention; he wishes to produce some resonance with the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao.

Mainly, the emperor's offhand line 'Quickly go to the Bureau of Astronomy and summon the Grand Supervisor' inadvertently triggered Li Che's memory resonance, that intense déjà vu making him inexplicably feel strange.

His heart twitched slightly—could there be some clue in this world guiding the temple god resonance ritual?!

Otherwise, how could the emperor have schemed such a grand performance?

"Temple god resonance?"

Under the black-and-white mask.

The hoarse voice of the Underworld Yama King broke the silence, echoing faintly, as if unintentionally pointing out the emperor's purpose.

As soon as these words were spoken, they startled many!

Temple god resonance?

How could that be?

Many gazes turned toward the emperor on the high platform; the Guiyi Miao's temple god resonance… everyone was feeling their way like crossing a river by feeling stones, unaware of what conduct is needed to produce resonance with the Guiyi Miao!

The holding of the Peach Banquet Victory Assembly is also the method, after generations of court exploration over long ages, found to produce temple god resonance with the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao.

And now, the Underworld Yama King actually says the emperor is engaging in temple god resonance?

The emperor shows panic, shouting for the Grand Supervisor to come to his aid—is that temple god resonance?

Such purposefulness is so intense…

Could it truly be temple god resonance?!

Has the emperor obtained some clue, giving him such a clear aim to carry out this temple god resonance?!

Everyone present is not foolish; at this moment, they vaguely seem to have guessed something.

Including the emperor's decree of marriage to the Peach Banquet Victory Assembly's young dragon champion, which is entirely to force Lü Taibai to turn hostile and cause a great uproar at this Peach Banquet!

Otherwise, the emperor would have no need to make things so rigid, letting the Peach Banquet turn into such a farce and joke.

After all, if this were to spread, this session of the Peach Banquet would very likely become a ridiculous joke, which would not be good for the emperor's and empress's reputations.

Yet the emperor still did this.

At this moment, everyone, upon reflection, feels the emperor did this intentionally.

It's as if…

Someone told the emperor that such behavior could invite temple god resonance!

On the high platform.

The emperor's eyes involuntarily flashed a hint of unusual color.

He fixed his gaze on the Underworld Yama King, astonishment evident in the depths of his eyes.

Because he never expected the Underworld Yama King to instantly guess that his actions were for temple god resonance!

This Underworld is unfathomable!

How does this Underworld Yama King seem to know everything?!

A flash of sternness passed through the emperor's eyes.

However, he did not cease his actions, regardless of whether the Underworld Yama King saw through his temple god resonance.

The arrow is on the bow; it must be released.

Compared with the benefits gained after completing the temple god resonance, everything is worth it!

First, he will obtain the Three Pure Divine Weapons that the Dàjǐng royal clan has expended great effort and time to seek within the Queen Mother of the West's Guiyi Miao.

Second, from this Three Pure Queen Mother of the West Guiyi Miao he can obtain clues to a higher‑rank Guiyi Miao of the divine factions of the 【Dark Heavenly Court】 originating in the Guique.

As for the source of the temple god resonance, the emperor has verified it and found it trustworthy.

Originally, the emperor's scheme targeted Lü Taibai; from the start he also arranged for Lü Taibai, hoping to have him cause a great uproar at the Peach Banquet to fulfill his desired temple god resonance.

Because if Lü Taibai concealed his cultivation, merely being a top‑tier expert ranked sixth at the Heavenly Gate Pass would not be sufficient to achieve the temple god resonance effect he desired.

So he consulted with the State Preceptor Xie Yunshen, planning to force Lü Taibai's Dao Yun Tribulation Sword cultivation to surface.

A half‑step Divine Tribulation cultivator would barely qualify.

But he never expected a Underworld to appear midway!

The Underworld Yama King is even more domineering and powerful, having slain three of his Xuanwei commanders under his command!

Let the emperor, while furious, also feel a hint of joy……

Because, the Netherworld, compared to Lü Taibai……

Clearly more in tune with the temple-god resonance!

Simply heaven helps me!

So the emperor couldn't stop, and didn't want to stop.

Now the situation has come to this.

Naturally, we must continue to complete this temple-god resonance!

The emperor turned his head to look at the second prince.

The second prince, Lü Hengyi, had already risen to his feet, stunned speechless by the sudden shift in circumstances, and then felt the emperor's gaze projected upon him.

After a slight pause, the second prince, Lü Hengyi, immediately understood what it was, and uncontrollably a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.

Beside him, the third prince, Lü Litzong, also realized something; his face instantly turned deathly pale, his whole body swaying on the verge of collapse, as if a terrifying force had violently pierced his chest.

His heart instantly emptied!

Having grasped the meaning hidden in the emperor's gaze, the second prince, Lü Hengyi, beamed with delight and fumbled to produce an Imperial Astronomy Command.

"Father Emperor! I, your subject, am willing to go and summon the Grand Director for you!"

The words fell.

The second prince, Lü Hengyi, without hesitation infused divine energy into the Imperial Astronomy Command.

He respectfully conveyed the invitation to the Grand Director.

The third prince, Lü Litzong, regretted immensely; he never imagined the emperor would pull such a stunt.

His Imperial Astronomy Command, which he had used to ask the Grand Director to divine who killed his birth mother, to feign filial piety and leave a good impression before the Grand Director, was now expended.

Now he could not produce the Imperial Astronomy Command.

The third prince beat his chest and stamped his feet in vexation.

Buzz buzz buzz——!!!

When the second prince, Lü Hengyi's, Imperial Astronomy Command completed its communication, however, one saw in the direction of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau in Shendu's Second City……

Eight Treasure Heavy Eaves Dripping Water Astronomy Tower.

The precious pearl suspended atop it suddenly burst forth with ultimate splendid radiance.

A buzz——

A ring of translucent ripple-like undulation instantly expanded at great speed, like a boundless wave crashing from the sea's surface!

In an instant it engulfed, striking everyone's hearts.

"Alas……"

A soft sigh echoed from the Treasure Tower of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

Instantly, two streaks of light shot up into the sky.

They were the two Vice Grand Directors of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen.

The two Vice Grand Directors rose into the sky, their wide-sleeved Daoist robes fluttering, as they lightly clasped their fists toward the void.

"Welcome the Grand Director!"

The words fell.

Above the Treasure Tower of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, it seemed…… as if a blade had sliced it open; instantly a crack appeared, its edges resembling a stack of black Russian blocks.

Shattering the void!

The prowess of a God-Tribulation Grand Master!

Everyone's gaze was drawn at this moment.

Accompanied by the spreading ripples surging back and forth, an immense, overwhelming pressure suddenly weighed upon everyone's hearts—a suffocating oppression.

Even Ji Molie, at this moment, gathered his qi, feeling his inner Netherworld Fire completely subside.

Li Che wore a black-and-white Netherworld mask, his brows involuntarily furrowing slightly.

The Grand Director……

Troublesome!

Boom rumble rumble——

The firmament instantly exploded with spring thunder; even the floating Mo City Fengdu swayed slightly beneath this aura.

Yet there, at the place where the void was torn open……

A figure whose visage was shrouded in misty immortal qi slowly stepped out from that rift.

An aura immense to the extreme surged downward like a turbulent tide, causing spatial ripples to grow ever more violent and trembling.

Clad in white Daoist robes, wide sleeves billowing, face veiled in immortal qi, treading the void, he slowly approached the White Jade Plaza.

With each step landing, ripples of water spread across the void; once the ripples surged and dispersed, the white-clad figure already stood upon their outermost edge.

Continuing to step upon the ripples, he advanced with a flickering semblance, as if performing spatial translocation.

Such an extraordinarily mysterious posture made even Li Che's pupils involuntarily contract slightly.

The Grand Director now bore no resemblance to the one previously seen in the Imperial Astronomy Bureau; the difference was vast.

The oppression was too strong!

Even above Mo City Fengdu, the obscured heavens had already gathered terrifyingly dense black clouds, as if about to descend upon the mortal world, exuding utter dread.

That was true heavenly might!

Compared to the heavenly might Li Che drew via the Victory Over Heaven Half-Child Dao Guide, this was far stronger!

Of course, lacking specificity, everyone merely felt weighed down, sensing a suppression and sluggishness of their divine energy.

The Grand Supervisor merely caused three ripples to spread in the void, and had already arrived above the white jade plaza.

His eyes, misty within the immortal aura, bore a transcendent, otherworldly leisure.

"Your Majesty... are you really going to toss this old man's old bones around like this?"

The Grand Supervisor said lightly.

The Emperor stood on the high platform, his eyes still bearing the enacted anxiety.

"Now that the Grand Supervisor has come, I am at ease."

"That rascal, the Underworld Yama, can no longer stir up trouble; I ask the Grand Supervisor to suppress this scoundrel!"

The Emperor said.

The Grand Supervisor took a deep look at the Emperor, then looked at the Second Prince Lu Hengyi, who knelt on the ground and had crushed the Prince's Heavenly Mandate Token.

He let out a soft sigh.

Originally, one Heavenly Mandate Token was given to each prince, but they have become pawns in the Emperor's schemes.

"Your Majesty, the princes' Heavenly Mandate Tokens are used one by one, dwindling—please cherish them."

The Grand Supervisor said lightly.

His words fell.

The Third Prince Lu Litung's face grew even paler, his legs turning weak.

As if he had lost all his strength.

He finally understood what foolish deed he had done.

In order to curry favor with the Grand Supervisor, he foolishly enacted the guise of a filial son, wasting the precious Prince's Heavenly Mandate Token...

He failed to gain favor, instead ending up with the persona of a fool.

He... regretted it!

His mother consort is already dead—what justice does he still seek for her?

However, just as he was about to collapse limp on the ground, a pair of strong, powerful arms seized him and lifted him up.

The Third Prince Lu Litung turned his head and saw Han Sixi's encouraging gaze.

"Your Highness, hold on, you still have me."

Han Sixi said.

Looking at Han Sixi's steadfast gaze, the Third Prince's heart involuntarily warmed, as if a furnace were roasting him.

"The marten temple... yes, and you."

"I still have a chance!"

Of course, at this moment, no one paid attention to the Third Prince's emotional shift.

With a single sentence, the Grand Supervisor was telling the Emperor that the princes' Heavenly Mandate Token... was the last bond between him and the Dàjǐng court.

Each token used means the bond diminishes by a fraction.

When they are completely used up, the Heavenly Mandate Bureau will have no further ties with the Dàjǐng.

The Emperor's gaze flickered toward the empress before him; his body swayed on the verge of collapse, and she, too, seemed to understand something, a hint of sorrow appearing in her eyes.

She and the Emperor likely could never return to how they were.

The Emperor said: "Please, Grand Supervisor, suppress the myriad fiends of the Underworld!"

His words fell.

The Grand Supervisor said nothing more, standing in the void, he slowly turned and looked toward the Underworld Yama wearing a black-and-white divided mask.

The Grand Supervisor's eyes shone with bright light, as if he wanted to see through the mask to the face beneath.

Beneath the mask, Li Che's brows furrowed sharply.

Hum—

A dazzling silver sword light burst forth; Lu Taibai's brow split, blood flowing, activating the Dao Essence Tribulation Sword, which blocked the Underworld Yama and the Grand Supervisor.

"Brother Yama, leave quickly, taking my Primordial Origin Divine Sect's disciples with you!"

Lu Taibai's silver hair flew, his wide sleeves surging continuously; sword qi rang out, pouring forth like a bursting river, rushing endlessly around him.

Lu Taibai's solemnity reached its utmost.

Terrifying heavenly might descended—this was the pressure of the Three Calamities Tribulation, for the emergence of a Divine Tribulation powerhouse brews such dreadful calamity!

The Grand Supervisor—

a true Divine Tribulation realm expert!

One who dares to judge the top-tier supreme martial artist of the Dàjǐng Heavenly Gate Pass, and the existence of the top-tier deity in the Divine Register!

Even within the Divine Tribulation realm, he is an extraordinarily special existence.

Absolutely not an ordinary Divine Tribulation!

I cannot stop it……

I have absolutely no confidence to block it!

Lu Taibai's heart had long sunk to the depths; he never imagined this battle would draw the Grand Supervisor's hand.

At this moment, Lu Taibai vaguely guessed that the Emperor had been scheming against him, treating him as a part of the temple god's resonance.

The Underworld is entirely entangled by him.

So now he only wants to impede the Grand Supervisor, even for a moment, letting the Underworld Yama take Li Che and the children of the Primordial Origin Divine Sect away.

Even if……

he would sacrifice this life.

Lu Taibai's silver hair fluttered without cease.

Bang!

The ground exploded with a boom!

Pure light-gold qi and blood surged rollingly, yet True Martial Divine Sect Sect Leader Shi Jian appeared, clad in black armor, stalwart and broad, his eyes flashing golden light, hovering into the air and standing shoulder to shoulder with Lu Taibai.

The Chief Supervisor gazed at Shi Jian in surprise, as if surprised that Shi Jian would step forward—Is True Martial Mountain not holding its ground?

"Underworld Yama……Pure Martial Peerless, I greatly admire."

"The Underworld is willing to support the True Martial Divine Sect's mechanism."

On Shi Jian's body, qi and blood rumbled, and he spoke in a deep voice.

The forthright Shi Jian directly expressed his intention to act.

The goods haven't been given—how can a person die?!

Suddenly.

Talismans fluttered up with a rustling sound.

Accompanied by cursing sounds.

"Damn! Lu Taibai, you trouble‑maker! My sister marrying you was blind!"

"Always causing trouble! Damn!"

Xuan Jiuzhuan hovered into the air, and countless talismans stacked up with a rustling sound.

However, the Chief Supervisor seemed to let out a light laugh: "How loyal and righteous……"

"No need for trouble."

The Chief Supervisor raised his hand, that palm seeming like jade carving, and lightly pressed downward.

In an instant.

Xuan Jiuzhuan and Shi Jian's expressions changed slightly.

Their hovering bodies were instantly pressed down by a terrifying force, as if an invisible hand rested on their shoulders.

As if they were being pressed onto the ground.

So strong!

Xuan Jiuzhuan and Shi Jian instantly felt helpless, giving Lu Taibai a look of being unable to help.

Lu Taibai exhaled a breath, his breath containing mighty sword intent.

The Chief Supervisor said: "Don't force it—the object of the emperor's temple‑god resonance was originally you, but now it's not you; you may leave."

"You have not yet fully mastered and refined your dao position; over‑stimulating it could easily cause the hard‑earned dao position to fall……"

"Not worth the loss."

The Chief Supervisor said.

Lu Taibai, however, smiled faintly, the Taibai Sword hovering above his shoulder, sword tip pointing to the heavens, sword energy shooting upward!

His sleeves bulged, hidden behind him.

"Everything began because of me, and thus must end because of me."

However.

Just as his words finished, the Underworld Yama appeared at his side.

Lu Taibai startled.

"Don't waste words."

Beneath the black‑and‑white divided mask, a pair of eyes shone brilliantly.

A hand lightly rested on Lu Taibai's shoulder.

Lu Taibai only felt the heavens and earth spin.

Next, his whole person had already appeared atop the city tower of Ink City Fengdu.

"I……"

Lu Taibai was astonished.

"Sect Leader Master!"

Xixi widened her eyes, shouted, and waved.

Lu Taibai's expression immediately softened considerably……

He let out a light sigh.

He looked toward Li Che, who wore a Horse Face Mask beside Xixi, and Li Che gave him a slight nod.

"Sect Leader, rest assured, the Yama will be fine."

"He perhaps just doesn't want you to hold him back."

Li Che spoke honestly and dutifully.

Lu Taibai: "……"

That hits home, Xiao Li!

"After all……bringing you along for the teleport, compared with the Yama's own teleport, there's still a gap."

"You're slow."

Beneath the Horse Face Mask, Li Che seemed to become extremely cold, his words becoming much more direct.

Lu Taibai was speechless.

Thinking of the Underworld's miraculous teleport……

There was nothing to say.

Standing atop Ink City's city tower, the scenery was different; raising his head, he saw the terrifying oppression of the black clouds piling and pouring down, the dreadful calamity brewing.

Lu Taibai's eyes involuntarily showed a solemn hue.

In the future, as he assaults the God Tribulation Realm, he will ultimately have to face the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations.

I don't know how many calamities he can endure.

……

……

On the White Jade Plaza.

As Lü Taibai was transferred, he was sent into the Fengdu of Ink City.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon the Underworld Yama, whose dark robes fluttered and whose eyes beneath the black-and-white mask shone like rotating constellations.

"Finally, the troublesome fellow is gone."

The Yama said calmly.

The Grand Overseer looked at the Underworld Yama, smiled slightly, as if sensing a familiar aura.

Is it him?

The Grand Overseer restrained the urge to deduce.

"Yama, the Prince's Heavenly Order contains a pact between me and the Great Jing imperial house, tied to my calamities; it truly cannot be avoided, so I must offend."

"I will only make one move."

"If the Yama can escape, I will not pursue further."

The Grand Overseer's white Daoist robe fluttered, and his voice gradually carried a hint of a smile.

"This move of mine carries no killing intent, only suppressive power; if you can break free, the sea is wide for the fish to leap."

"Good."

The Yama said.

On the White Jade Plaza.

The Emperor stepped out from behind the Empress, his deep gaze fixed on the conversation between the Grand Overseer and the Yama above the heavens.

He had no excessive demands; merely his eyes grew slightly more fervent.

Boom——!!!

When the Grand Overseer slowly raised his hand, an extreme, terrifying pressure descended, like layers of hurricane clouds stacked.

Beneath the Yama's mask, Li Che lifted his hand and touched his brow.

The heavenly chessboard and Ink City instantly vanished.

Then, a terrifying yet splendid golden qi and blood exploded, the qi and blood of the Dragon-Elephant Crucible detonating!

Instantly, it was as if an ultimate, resplendent golden mushroom cloud burst forth between heaven and earth.

The ultimate, resplendent golden light almost stimulated everyone's sight.

The Grand Overseer's hair flew upward, his face shrouded in white mist, and the next moment he slowly pressed a palm toward the Underworld Yama.

Countless thick black clouds instantly descended, forming an enormous hand like a mountain, pressing down horizontally!

Li Che, wearing the Yama's mask, glanced at the colossal, mountain-like hand descending from the heavens.

He gave a light chuckle.

He tapped his toes in the void, and his whole body shot backward.

At the instant of the burst.

His five fingers clenched the Flying Thunder chess piece.

Instantly——

His entire body vanished from between heaven and earth!

On the high platform.

The Emperor's visage, intertwined with divinity and blood, grew suddenly heavy in breath at the moment the Underworld Yama disappeared.

His bright yellow robe sleeves suddenly swept.

"Return to the palace."

The words having been spoken.

The Emperor then ignored everyone and paid no heed to the outcome of the clash between the Grand Overseer and the Underworld Yama.

Because all he needed was for the Grand Overseer to act.

As for the Yama's result, whether he escapes or not is actually unimportant; it has little effect on the Temple God resonance ritual.

Because the Temple God resonance ritual ended the moment he summoned the Grand Overseer to act.

Enough.

The Emperor walked alone across the White Jade Plaza, not even bringing the Empress, paying no mind to the kneeling Second Prince, and giving no explanation or posthumous arrangements for the fallen Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird commanders of the Mystic Guard.

He simply walked along the main road; a single step seemed to span dozens of feet, and his stride grew ever longer…

After only a few breaths, he set foot within the Divine Capital's First City.

He entered the imperial palace hall of the Divine Capital's First City.

The Emperor then halted, his bright yellow robe billowing in the wind.

He sensed the immense, boundless divinity of the Temple God beginning to surge wildly within the Divine Capital's First City.

The Temple God resonance has ended!

He seeks the reward of the Temple God resonance!

Come on!

My…

Immortal-Gathering Banner!