Chapter 422: Sea King Sacrifice (4K)

"If I leave, they'll definitely suspect you, and you'll be in trouble!"

Bai Shuang looked at the two of them, her expression somewhat weary.

Zhang Jian said calmly: "Eldest sister, don't worry—what can the Qingping Sea Dragon do to us?"

Bai Laiying also turned her gaze toward Bai Shuang.

"Eldest sister, His Majesty is the Emperor of the Great Xia, and moreover the orthodox successor of the Tongshan Dao lineage—Qingping Dragon Palace would not dare to be disrespectful to His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Shuang's expression tightened.

As the principal consort of Xuanli, she naturally understood the weight of the Tongshan Dao lineage elder.

After thinking it over, she couldn't help but ask.

"Fourth sister, may I venture to ask—what is your brother-in-law's current cultivation level?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Laiying's expression froze; she seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Cultivation level and realm are the lifeblood of cultivators; unless one is exceptionally close, they are not usually revealed lightly.

Otherwise, it is only in special circumstances that one might reveal a portion of their strength to avoid trouble—otherwise, cultivators would not easily expose their true strength.

Although she and Zhang Jian are husband and wife, she still cannot recklessly divulge Zhang Jian's details.

She turned her gaze toward Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian glanced at Bai Shuang and said.

"Eldest sister, do you have any other plans?"

Bai Shuang nodded slightly and said.

"If your brother-in-law's cultivation is sufficient, I happen to have an opportunity here—perhaps it won't help him much, but it could allow your sister's magical power and bloodline to advance further, even prematurely purify her dragon blood and attain the form of a dragon carp!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

Although Bai Laiying has now shed her fish form and taken human shape, her true body is still a Xuanming Black Carp.

The Xuanming Black Carp is a spirit beast of the carp clan.

However, its bloodline is not particularly strong.

But the dragon carp is different—its bloodline is special, enough to be compared with flood dragons.

Especially the Xuanming Dragon Carp.

If one could transform into a dragon carp's form, for Bai Laiying, it would naturally be a great fortune.

Zhang Jian faintly guessed Bai Shuang's thought, and he secretly sighed.

This woman—no, this female demon—when she gets fierce, is not to be trifled with.

He then said: "My cultivation and magical power should be nearly that of a true immortal; if I employ certain methods, even a true immortal might not be able to withstand me for long!"

As soon as he spoke, not only did Bai Shuang glance sideways, but Bai Laiying also turned her gaze toward him.

Zhang Jian's cultivation level had unknowingly reached such an astonishing degree?

Bai Shuang glanced at Bai Laiying with her lovely eyes and said enviously.

"We four sisters—still, the fourth sister is the most fortunate!"

Bai Laiying glanced at Zhang Jian, and deep in her eyes there was also some joy.

Bai Shuang looked toward Zhang Jian again and said.

"Since your brother-in-law's cultivation and magical power have reached this level, the problem is actually simple!"

"Fourth sister, brother-in-law, do you know the core process of the Qingping Dragon Palace's Sea King Sacrifice?"

Zhang Jian and Bai Laiying exchanged a glance, both nodding slightly.

The Qingping Sea Dragon Palace's Sea King Sacrifice, held every three hundred years, is grand in scale—all the scattered branches outside will return to participate.

The Sea King Sacrifice actually compares the 'sincerity' of the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace's various dragon clans sacrificing to their ancestors.

As long as this 'sincerity' is recognized by the ancestral treasures, one can naturally participate properly in the subsequent main sacrifice and baptism.

Bai Shuang then said calmly:

"According to the rules, if one obtains qualification for the main sacrifice, besides the chief sacrificer, one may also accommodate a dragon clan deputy sacrificer beside them."

"In fact, this deputy sacrificer can be considered a benefit arranged by the dragon ancestors for other branch dragon clans, and also a means for the main lineage dragon clan to seek out, unite the clan, and create favorable opportunities—while also intending that the dragon clan must never forget the ancestral teaching to broadly form good bonds!"

"But although the ancestors of the Qingping Sea Dragon Clan thought well of this, they did not anticipate this manner of inheritance—by now it has gradually deteriorated, and the main lineage dragon clan merely takes advantage of this opportunity to seek private gain!"

Bai Shuang's eyes held a hint of mockery.

At this moment, Bai Laiying's eyes showed a thoughtful glimmer.

"Eldest sister, you mean..."

Bai Shuang faced Bai Laiying and Zhang Jian's gazes, and on her cold, beautiful face appeared a hint of a smile as she said.

"If Xuanli encounters an 'accident,' as his principal consort, I can substitute for him in participating in the Sea King Sacrifice—then, as the chief sacrificer, I would have a quota for an accompanying deputy sacrificer, and naturally I could bring along the fourth sister!"

"Oh, this is indeed no small fortune!"

Zhang Jian nodded calmly; during this period, as he had more contact, he also gained some understanding of the Sea King Sacrifice process.

In the Sea King Sacrifice, as long as the prepared offerings are recognized by the dragon ancestors, one can obtain a 'Sea King Baptism'—a fifth-rank immortal method, by which one can baptize their own bloodline, allowing it to advance further.

Especially for native dragon clans, the benefits are enormous.

He gazed deeply at Bai Shuang for a moment, then said calmly.

"Eldest sister, are you wishing for Xuanli to disappear, or for some other 'accident' to occur?"

Beside her, upon hearing this, Bai Laiying's expression tightened slightly; she furrowed her willow brows slightly and looked toward Bai Shuang.

Bai Shuang let out a soft sigh; there was a hint of recollection in the depths of her eyes, and she spoke softly.

"He too once had affection and righteousness, but because he failed too many times, he temporarily lost himself—now although my affinity with him has ended, I also do not wish to go too far; as long as brother-in-law can find a way to prevent him from participating in the Sea King Sacrifice, that will suffice!"

"That's easy to do!"

Zhang Jian gave a faint smile.

"Princess, you stay here for now and keep the eldest sister company; I'll be right back."

Bai Li Ying glanced at Zhang Jian.

Obviously, Zhang Jian was preparing to act immediately!

Though Bai Li Ying was not worried about Zhang Jian's methods, given he possessed the terrifying innate divine ability of the Golden Lotus Hidden Breath Technique.

Zhang Jian's figure flickered, and he vanished directly from his spot.

When he reappeared, he had already entered the Xuanli Hall.

At this moment, in the Xuanli Palace.

Xuanli was meditating, while Huo Nu'er had already gone out, taking the opportunity to tour the Sea King's Ward Market.

Zhang Jian's figure appeared, and without giving Xuanli any chance, he raised his hand, and a profound black talisman condensed from the depths of his palm.

The profound black talisman was covered with countless dense divine patterns, containing within it a mighty and magnificent power.

This is the Spirit-Sealing Talisman.

Since Zhang Jian mastered the Spirit-Sealing Technique, he has rarely used it.

The only time was when he captured a divine general to ask for directions.

At this moment, as he waved his hand, the Spirit-Sealing Talisman instantly turned into a black light that sank into Xuanli's body.

Xuanli, who was meditating and regulating his internal mana, was greatly alarmed in his heart; he only felt a divine light enter his body, and his yin spirit and the divine office of the River God of the Li River completely lost their response.

Including the protective secret treasure hidden deep within his yin spirit.

But the panicked thought had not yet fully formed.

After a moment, his five senses were sealed, and he completely lost control over the outside world.

"Stand up!"

At this moment, as Zhang Jian focused his will, he saw Xuanli rise from the cloud-bed like a puppet.

He then walked down from the mat.

In Zhang Jian's divine sense, he was like a clay puppet or wooden doll.

This technique had long since been elevated by him to a Divine Spirit Immortal Technique, originally capable of seizing high-ranking deities; using it to control Xuanli was more than sufficient.

After a brief familiarization, Zhang Jian continued to control Xuanli to sit back on the cloud-bed, waiting for Huo Nu'er's return.

Since the Heavenly Fire Palace was involved in this matter, Zhang Jian naturally wanted to once and for all resolve the problem for the Bai clan.

Unexpectedly, Huo Nu'er did not return all night.

Only the next day did she return, her face flushed red.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's eyes held a strange look.

But this was actually better.

Under his divine sense control, Xuanli's face darkened as he opened his eyes and harshly rebuked.

"Where did you go last night?"

Seeing Xuanli's unpleasant expression, Huo Nu'er was first startled, then her expression showed no concern as she smiled charmingly.

"Your Highness, where could I go? I merely received a message from my father, went to find someone to cooperate with Your Highness, and first eliminated a few opponents for Your Highness!"

As she spoke, she twisted her willow waist and pressed against Xuanli's chest.

"Is that so?"

At this moment, there was something strange in Xuanli's eyes.

Upon hearing this, Huo Nu'er's expression showed some dissatisfaction.

"Your Highness, why don't you trust me? I have wholeheartedly helped you seize the position of Sea King Sacrifice Champion..."

Her words had not yet finished when her expression suddenly changed and she retreated backward.

However, it was already too late, and she saw countless Li River divine powers condense in Xuanli's hand into a sharp spike, like lightning piercing into Huo Nu'er's body.

The divine power burst forth with blood light.

Huo Nu'er's figure was also flung backward by the blood light, severely wounded and collapsing to the ground.

"Fourth Prince, why is this?"

Covering her chest, Huo Nu'er's eyes were filled with disbelief; no matter how she thought, she never expected Xuanli to strike her.

'Xuanli' now rose, his heroic face bearing a fierce and sinister expression, and he spoke coldly.

"Lowly servant, do you think this Prince is foolish? What have you done? Don't think this Prince doesn't know; you dare betray this Prince, and this Prince cannot tolerate you!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Nu'er immediately covered her chest and lamented.

"Your Highness, I have not; my heart is wholly with Your Highness, how could I betray Your Highness? How could Your Highness misunderstand me so?"

'Xuanli''s face showed a hint of cold indifference.

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, it no longer matters!"

"I originally wanted to tolerate you a few more days, but since you don't observe wifely virtue, this Prince no longer wishes to indulge in empty pleasantries with you!"

"The mere Heavenly Fire Palace is nothing but heretical ways; this Prince is the Dragon Prince of the Qingping Dragon Palace, of heavenly noble lineage—how could you possibly control me!"

"Today, this Prince will first abolish you, then report to my father, using your life and that of your foolish father's to regain my father's trust!"

Saying this, 'Xuanli' stepped forward with a look of 'triumph'.

"Lowly servant, you never thought—your Heavenly Fire Palace is also this Prince's prey!"

"This Palace shall perish with you!"

At this moment, the eyes of Huo Nu'er, lying on the ground, were entirely icy cold; as a practitioner of heretical ways, judging others by herself, she completely believed 'Xuanli's' words; a flash of ferocity crossed her eyes, and in an instant, a crimson talisman appeared in her mouth, transforming into red light that shot straight into the face of the advancing 'Xuanli'.

The red light shattered the air, faintly carrying a fluctuation surpassing that of the Divine Spirit level.

This is the Heavenly Fire Palace's secret treasure, the 'Primordial Heavenly Fire Talisman', given to her by her father, the Heavenly Fire Ancestor, as a life-saving item, containing a strike equivalent to a Golden Body-level Divine Spirit Immortal Technique.

Seeing Huo Nu'er still have the strength to resist at this moment, 'Xuanli' was caught off guard; only a black dragon scale appeared within his body, and in an instant, his figure was blown away by this intense firelight, smashing through the palace wall, his life or death unknown.

Huonu'er didn't have time to check whether Xuanli was alive or dead; her face was panicked, and in an instant she turned into a streak of firelight and flew toward the outside of Xuanli Palace.

At this moment, in the void, Zhang Jian's figure appeared; he glanced at the chaotic scene, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

The matter is settled.

At this moment, Bai Shuang in the side hall heard the commotion and was the first to rush over.

She immediately saw the ruined hall and Zhang Jian standing in the center; Zhang Jian casually pointed, and a stream of light entered Bai Shuang's glabella, then his figure transformed into a radiance, taking Bai Laiying from the side hall and vanishing into Lilian Palace.

Bai Shuang had now come to her senses; she glanced at the ruins and saw Xuanli, whose fate was unknown, and immediately shouted loudly.

"Someone, the Crown Prince has been assassinated—quickly, seize the assassin!"

At the same time, she hurried into the ruins and saw Xuanli burned to black charcoal.

Huonu'er's final strike looked quite vicious.

However, Xuanli had a dragon scale bestowed by the Dragon Lord on his body, and on that scale was a life-preserving secret art that, at the critical moment, preserved Xuanli's life—though he did not die, he was left with only half a life, and without hundreds of years of rest, he likely could not recover.

Bai Shuang's expression fluctuated, but she still put on a look of extreme grief, hastily pulling out various precious healing medicines from her person and desperately stuffing them into Xuanli's mouth.

Only a dozen or so moments later, several streaks of light flew swiftly, and their figures appeared in Xuanli Palace.

The leader was none other than Qingping Dragon Lord Xuan Cheng.

At this time, he swept his gaze over the interior of the hall, his face grim.

Behind him were several Dragon Clan elders and a few Dragon Clan princes; at this moment, their gazes all fell upon Xuanli on the ground and Bai Shuang.

Xuan Cheng merely glanced and asked no further questions; his vast primordial spirit and divine sense, through the Qingping Sea God's Office, had already locked onto the fleeing qi mechanism, and his figure vanished instantly from the spot.

Shortly afterward, Xuan Cheng's figure reappeared.

At the same time, he had an additional figure in his hand—none other than Huonu'er.

At this moment, Huonu'er's face was filled with terror, her eyes full of pleas for mercy; but Qingping Dragon Lord's face was cold and stern, he fiercely grabbed her head with one hand, and strands of divine light enveloped her yin spirit, instantly causing her to emit an inhuman scream.

At this moment, inside the hall, the other Dragon Clan elders and Dragon Clan princes, upon seeing this scene, secretly felt a chill run through their bodies.

This is a forbidden technique of the cultivation world—the Soul-Searching Art.

At this moment outside, dense footsteps hurriedly approached, and then a dignified, noble lady in luxurious palace attire walked in from outside.

This was the Qingping Sea Dragon Mother.

Just a moment later, Qingping Dragon Lord had finished searching the soul; he tossed Huonu'er aside like trash, and at this moment Huonu'er's face was twisted, appearing foolish and dull, clearly her spirit had been damaged.

The Dragon Mother watched this scene but paid no heed, merely directing her gaze toward the Dragon Lord and sending a divine sense message.

"Your Majesty, what happened?"

Qingping Dragon Lord let out a cold snort:

"I searched this woman's soul—Li'er acted carelessly, and when the critical moment came, she was actually counter-killed; this fool, how have I usually taught him? At crucial junctures, one must never be careless!"

On Qingping Dragon Lord's expression, there was a hint of frustration, as if resenting iron for not becoming steel.

At the same time, he directed his gaze toward Xuanli lying on the ground.

Sensing Xuanli's nearly dissipated qi mechanism, his eyes flickered with gloomy anger.

"However, the Heavenly Fire Palace is also utterly hateful—they actually injured my Qingping Sea Dragon Crown Prince; I will never let that Heavenly Fire Old Ancestor off the hook!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Mother nodded slightly, but her eyes held a hint of suspicion as she glanced at Bai Shuang, who stood nearby with an anxious expression.