Chapter 411: The Spirit Emperor Escapes

"The sect's treasure has been stolen; I wish to conduct another purge. If the Ancestor feels my actions inappropriate, I humbly beg for a divine decree to guide me."

It waited silently until the three incense sticks burned out, and the towering stone statue still gave no response.

The old dog respectfully raised its front paw: "Since the Ancestor has agreed, I accept the order."

Amidst the curling wisps of blue smoke, a pale face appeared.

That person was hung upon the Ancestor's statue.

He looked like a youthful boy, indistinguishable from ordinary humans, save for his two eyes, outlined as if with vermilion paint, shaped like phoenix eyes.

He was naked, his entire body pierced through with nail-like wooden spikes covered in talismans; even his blood seemed to have drained away, leaving only shriveled, dry flesh at the wounds.

His skin was sickly pale, as if he had not seen sunlight in many years.

"..."

The Spirit Wind Divine Emperor involuntarily shuddered—who could have imagined that the most feared Divine Emperor of the First Cave had been hanging here all along?

"I must guard the Main Hall; today I must release this demon. I beg the Ancestor's forgiveness."

Watching the old dog's solemn demeanor.

The youthful boy finally opened his phoenix eyes, his voice hoarse: "I feel sick. Can you please speak more quietly?"

As he spoke, a sneer curled his lips: "You're a mere watchdog, your strength built entirely from pills. It's only natural you fear my supreme heavenly talent."

"Wretched beast, collect your reward."

The old dog acted as if it heard nothing; as it spoke, the wooden spikes suddenly detached from the boy's body.

It watched coldly as the boy fell to the ground.

It extended its dog paw, and a snow-white silver-armored cloak floated out from the rear hall and landed upon the boy.

Then two short swords followed.

One after another, beams of light shot forth, all drilling into the boy's palm.

"Beast, do you not receive the Ancestor's decree? Destroy the remnants, reclaim my Nan Yang Sect's treasures."

"Huh... huh..."

The Spirit Emperor struggled to rise, laughing until he could barely breathe.

He tossed the two short swords in his hands, and a thread of true flame rose in his crimson phoenix eyes.

A series of crisp metallic sounds rang out.

As he stepped forward, the silver armor clicked into place upon his body, and a long white cloak fluttered slightly.

"Don't regret this."

The boy sneered as he strolled toward the hall's exit, casually slinging an arm around Spirit Wind's neck: "It's been many years. Did you miss me?"

"I've always longed for the Divine Emperor."

Before Spirit Wind finished speaking, he was flung away, tumbling down the stone steps.

The other was still severely wounded and needed much nourishment to return to peak condition, yet he dared not resist—it was the bloodline suppression between demons.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

The Spirit Emperor's youthful face turned cold: "Do you expect me to walk out of the Thousand Demon Caves myself?"

Spirit Wind Divine Emperor trembled again, instantly transforming into a fearsome, eyeless beast, crouching as he waited for the boy to step onto his back.

"Come."

The Spirit Emperor gestured with a finger toward the side.

The Great-Horned Divine Emperor swallowed hard, not understanding why the old dog had suddenly released this monster.

But he obediently curled into the boy's arms, letting him touch him anywhere.

"Old dog, you've truly grown old."

The boy let out a sharp, triumphant laugh and, riding Spirit Wind, vanished instantly into the sky.

Years ago, though limited by talent, he was at least powerful and ruthless.

Now, he dares not even lift a hand himself, clinging stubbornly to this hall, terrified someone from Mount Wutong might sneak in.

If he's not ruthless enough, then keep being a dog.

Da Qian, Imperial Capital, Wumiao.

A towering statue nearly ten zhang high sat beside the main hall, its dark golden radiance drawing attention.

It silently watched over Court Jia.

This Prison-Sealing Statue had returned about ten days ago.

At first, it drew the gaze of everyone in the capital; Da Qian had other living Golden Bodies, but none so tall, nor placed so prominently.

But soon, those within the temple with true status realized something was amiss.

This Golden Body was clearly protecting something.

Many recalled that most exalted name.

Simultaneously, the Wumiao unusually activated its newly constructed array, a pale blue barrier enveloping the entire capital.

The branch residences the temple had prepared across the lands gradually filled with people.

With Outside Qingzhou's status, it could not possibly access such news.

But when Elder Chen Qiankun came seeking Chen Ji and encountered the Wang Fu upheaval, he, mindful of Chen Ji's unfamiliarity with the place, stayed longer.

After forming a vague suspicion in his heart,

he sent messages to his most trusted few.

"They've come?"

Elder Chen watched several hurried figures approaching the courtyard.

He rose somewhat uneasily to welcome them.

"Where is he? Did something really happen to him?"

You Longtao walked briskly into the courtyard, so cautious he dared not even mention Shen Yi's name.

Fang Heng followed nervously behind, while Lin Baiwei bit her lip tightly, her face turning much paler.

"I don't know."

Chen Qiankun had no qualification to access matters of the Wumiao; he was merely making an inference from the suddenly tense atmosphere.

"This is... Crown Prince Chen Ji, and this is Princess Jinyu."

The old man led the group inside, fearing You Longtao might say the wrong thing, and introduced them beforehand.

"Chen Ji pays his respects to the General."

The youth in magnificent robes had already performed a grand bow with his sister ahead of time.

"This will not do."

You Longtao hurriedly supported the other man, smiling bitterly: "At a time like this, let's not play these games. What exactly happened, and how should we inquire? You old man surely don't want to worry us to death."

"Inquire?"

Chen Qiankun seemed to have a plan already; he lowered his voice and said, "I actually have a method; it depends on your performance."

"Speak quickly." You Longtao was so anxious his cheeks ached.

"Your junior sister is also in this courtyard... but she is no longer an ordinary person now; she is the thirteenth disciple of Mount Wutong."

Chen Qiankun led the crowd toward another courtyard.

Before they even drew near, they saw a figure in black robes leaning against the outside of that courtyard, frowning while playing with a golden thread between his fingers.

Merely the aura overflowing from him made others feel their breathing become difficult.

Add to that his cold face, and there was an even stronger sense that strangers were not welcome.

"This is Elder Tong of Mount Wutong."

Chen Qiankun was at least of an age and had some means of gathering information.

The group's whispered conversation was no different from someone banging a bronze gong loudly in Tong Xinchuan's ears.

He reined in the impatience in his eyes and looked at the group with hostility.

Sneaky; what are your intentions?

When You Longtao was swept by that gaze, his entire body froze in place, completely unaware of what a terrifying realm this was.

It was the Miss in white robes behind him who stepped forward quickly and respectfully said, "Lin Baiwei, a demon catcher from Outside Qingzhou, pays her respects to Elder Tong. We have come to seek Senior Sister Jiang... Senior."

"She is not here."

Hearing Tong Xinchuan's faint response, Chen Qiankun helplessly lowered his head.

The gap between them and Shen Yi had reached a point where even wanting to know the other's news was as difficult as climbing to the sky.

What the old man did not expect was...

Tong Xinchuan put away the golden thread from his fingers, straightened his body, and nodded lightly: "Everyone, follow me."

From Outside Qingzhou, coming to find Lin Shimei Jiang at a time like this.

This was hardly looking for Jiang Qiulan; they were clearly here to seek Shen Yi.

(End of this chapter)