Chapter 1273: The News Spreads! Ye Lan Breathes a Sigh of Relief!

After handling the matter on Green Shade Star, Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang spent a moment in tender intimacy.

Then they returned to the real world and reunited with Ye Lan and the other two women.

Otherwise, delaying too long might attract suspicion.

Meanwhile.

In the Virtual Universe, the Imperial Palace of the Noah Empire, the Eternal Hall.

Kunte knelt prostrate on the cold star-patterned stone floor, his forehead pressed against the ground.

The entire hall was suffused with a suffocating pressure, as if even the air had solidified.

"You say... Di Er is dead?"

The voice from the high seat was not loud, yet it exploded in Kunte's mind like thunder.

Kunte struggled to lift his head and saw the Imperial Supervisor, the Immortal Noah Lans, gazing down at him.

Those eyes were like two burning stars, containing terrifying power capable of annihilating entire star systems.

"Y-yes, my lord."

Kunte's voice was hoarse and broken:

"The Prince's life orb suddenly went dark; I immediately launched a search.

I found traces along the route between the sixth and ninth planets of the Ling Shu Empire..."

Lans slowly rose from the Wang Zuo, clad in a silver-white robe.

With each step, stars extinguished and were reborn beneath his feet.

The light in the entire hall twisted and warped with his movements; space groaned under unbearable strain.

He was an Immortal-level powerhouse recognized by the Source of Light.

"Explain in detail."

Those three simple words made Kunte feel his soul might be torn apart.

Kunte forced down his fear and laid out everything he had discovered:

"I found nothing in the region where the Prince's mental energy ceased.

But that area still retained intense destruction fluctuations and demonic race aura.

Preliminary judgment: a demonic race powerhouse struck. The Prince... his body was utterly obliterated."

"Demonic race..."

Lans's voice was icy and piercing, "How dare you kill a member of the Noah Empire's imperial family!"

He turned to gaze at the vast starry expanse beyond the hall; his silver-white robe stirred without wind.

Though Di Er was an incompetent wastrel, barely reaching Star Rank One after ten thousand years of cultivation,

the dignity of the imperial family must not be violated!

He must also answer to Di Er's maternal clan.

"Issue my orders."

Lans's voice echoed throughout the entire space:

"First, investigate thoroughly—determine why the demonic race targeted Di Er.

Second, reinforce the Sacred Ground's defenses, especially the demonic race detection systems.

Third, dispatch an expeditionary force to purge ten border planets corrupted by demonic influence.

Let those filthy creatures know the cost of provoking the Noah Empire!"

As he spoke, the star patterns on the hall's ceiling blazed to life.

Countless orders instantly spread across the entire empire through the Virtual Universe.

In truth, the Ling Shu Empire should also bear some responsibility.

But they are a mid-tier civilization empire; the Noah Empire cannot issue commands to the Ling Shu Empire.

Soon, Lans's gaze returned to Kunte:

"As for you... dereliction of duty leading to the death of an imperial heir.

Considering your years of service to the empire, upon returning, you shall be imprisoned in the Star Prison for a thousand years, as a warning to others."

Kunte's face turned ashen, yet he dared not resist.

Not accompanying him was indeed Di Er's own order.

But Di Er's demise still made him liable.

As for fleeing, he had not even considered it.

After all, to a Cosmic-rank cultivator like him, a thousand years in prison was not excessively long.

The Noah Sacred Ground's celebration banquet was scheduled for seven p. m.

When Xu Jingming arrived with Lu Yunji, You Li, and Ye Lan, the banquet hall was already filled with guests.

Within the gilded hall, the Sacred Ground's prodigies gathered in small groups, crystal goblets brimming with starlit spirit wine.

"Ah, Ming-ge has arrived."

"Sister Yan, hello."

"Senior Lu."

"..."

The moment the four arrived, others immediately greeted them.

Many male competitors wore looks of envy.

Being accompanied by three stunning beauties—this was not something just anyone could achieve.

"Xu Jingming, you really have it easy."

You've taken the rewards from our sacred site, and now it's time for the rewards from the Lingshu Sacred Site.

You'll be heading to the Lingshu Sacred Spring soon, right?

Sol, at the peak of Starry Height, walked up and smiled.

"Yes, I plan to go after the banquet ends," Xu Jingming didn't hide it.

"The Lingshu Sacred Spring is truly excellent—you'll see once you experience it."

Sol laughed and patted Xu Jingming on the shoulder.

He had also bathed in the Lingshu Sacred Spring, but it cost him a great price to earn that privilege.

The final effect was also impressive—it optimized his bloodline somewhat.

"Then I'm looking forward to it," Xu Jingming smiled faintly and began chatting with Sol and the others.

As for Ye Lan, Lu Yunji, and Youli, each had her own circle of conversation.

At exactly seven o'clock, the banquet hall's doors slowly opened.

Niki stepped in with elegant strides.

A black evening gown, like night itself, wrapped her graceful figure, making her appear alluring and captivating.

Yet the entire banquet hall fell silent instantly, everyone bowing in salute to this Immortal Deity.

Niki nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over her students, lingering a moment longer on Xu Jingming and Ye Lan.

"First, congratulations on your outstanding performances in the exchange competition."

Niki's voice was soft, yet clearly reached every ear:

"Noah Sacred Site's achievements today would not have been possible without each of your efforts."

"Second, there is something you must pay special attention to."

Niki's expression turned serious:

"According to the latest intelligence, Prince Di'er has perished; preliminary investigations suggest the Demon Clan may be responsible."

All of you here are elites of Noah Sacred Site—remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately."

As her words ended, a murmur of low discussion erupted throughout the banquet hall.

"Di'er was royalty? Killed by the Demon Clan?"

"There are Demon Clan in Lingshu Empire?"

"Overreacting—non-human races haven't been assassinating human prodigies for just one day."

"......"

Though Di'er was from Noah Sacred Site, his arrogant personality made him unpopular.

So, aside from the prodigies with ties to the royal family,

the rest, though surprised, showed little emotion.

Ye Lan was also slightly startled, but mostly felt relief—even satisfaction.

This long-standing nuisance was finally gone; otherwise, she'd truly feared Xu Jingming might misunderstand something.

As for Xu Jingming, his expression remained utterly unchanged.

Di'er's death was within his expectations.

With the Domain of Annihilation, aside from knowing it was the Demon Clan's doing, he didn't think they could uncover anything.

His overt strength was only at Starlight Peak—no one could possibly trace it back to him.

"Enough on this topic—it's just meant to raise your vigilance."

"Of course, no need to worry excessively; Lingshu Empire has already deployed Cosmic-tier patrol squads—the assassin Demon Clan won't show its face again."

Niki waved her hand casually, "Tonight is for celebration—enjoy yourselves fully."

As music began, the banquet hall buzzed back to life.

After raising a toast in celebration, Niki herself left the banquet hall.

She knew that if she, this Immortal Deity, remained present,

Noah Sacred Site's prodigies could never truly relax.