Chapter 1580: The Anomaly of the Stone Stele

One after another, regal crowns radiating boundless Origin power, supreme and noble, stood towering between heaven and earth, mysterious light flowing across them, drawing the world's energy into constant rumbling as if in worship.

Earth, wind, water, fire, and numerous ancient beast visions manifested in the sky.

The King-realm experts of the two great Heavenly King lines, Li and Qin, all appeared at this moment.

Both sides activated their Origin power, sealing this space layer upon layer, cutting off all escape routes for the Spirit-Eye Nether King and Qin Jiujie. Clearly, this time the two great Heavenly King lines intended to join forces to keep the two of them here.

Li Luo watched this scene, and his massive Heavenly Dragon body began to shrink, finally transforming into human form. With the situation having reached this point, there was no longer any place for him to intervene.

At the same time, he retreated some distance to avoid being caught in the terrifying aftershocks of the King-tier battle.

Then from behind, several streams of light came piercing through the air. Among them, a graceful figure radiating sacred fluctuations stepped upon radiance and appeared beside Li Luo—it was Jiang Qing'e.

"Li Luo, are you alright?" Jiang Qing'e's beautiful eyes, like molten gold of the setting sun, examined Li Luo as she asked with concern.

Li Luo smiled and shook his head, saying, "Good thing Mother arrived in time, otherwise I really would have suffered a major loss at the hands of those two old fellows."

"You were too reckless. The situation here was unclear, you shouldn't have barged in rashly." Jiang Qing'e said worriedly.

Li Luo nodded. He also understood that venturing alone into that earth abyss was somewhat risky, but judging by the results, this adventure was still worthwhile. From the agitated expressions of the Spirit-Eye Nether King and Qin Jiujie earlier, the "golden fruit" he had obtained seemed quite important to the Return-to-One Hall, and most importantly, this fruit had actually been able to provoke an unusual reaction from the "Heavenly Thunder Bamboo" that Li Li Jingzhe had transformed into, which presumably would be of great use to the latter's rebirth.

This was what delighted Li Luo the most.

With this item, it might be possible to accelerate Li Li Jingzhe's rebirth.

While Li Luo was conversing with Jiang Qing'e, suddenly a pale blue water-light swept over from the Qin Heavenly King line's side.

It was like a figure in aqua stepping on waves through rippling waters, frosty skin and jade bones between misty brows, transforming into a cool, clear gaze—it was the Water Immortal Qin Yi.

"Li Luo Line Head, congratulations. In clearing this strange calamity for the Li Heavenly King line this time, you deserve the top credit." Qin Yi's eyes were like a rippling lake surface, enchanting and intoxicating, and her gentle voice was like a spring breeze.

"Palace Master Qin Yi is too kind. The fact that the Qin Heavenly King line chose to lend aid at the most critical moment of the battle also surprised me." Li Luo said with a smile, his form of address quite formal.

After all, one still had to use official titles when working.

"It was I who persuaded the three Palace Masters to abandon their cooperation with the Zhao Heavenly King line and join forces with the Li Heavenly King line to resolve the strange calamity first." Qin Yi stated frankly.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised. They had previously found it strange that the Qin Heavenly King line had suddenly changed its strategy, and hadn't expected this to be Qin Yi's doing. However, did she really have that kind of authority within the Qin Heavenly King line?

After all, Qin Yi was not like Li Luo, who was now the Line Head of the Li Heavenly King line.

"I carry the decree passed down by the Old Ancestor. The Old Ancestor's vision is far-reaching, and he is unwilling to antagonize the Li Heavenly King line." Seeing their confusion, Qin Yi explained.

Li Luo suddenly understood. So this had the Qin Heavenly King's tacit approval behind it—no wonder Qin Zhongyuan and the others had made such a major shift.

And at the same time, he understood Qin Yi's purpose in coming over: this was a gesture of goodwill, easing the relationship between the two great Heavenly King lines, and pushing for deeper cooperation in the future.

However, within the current Qin Heavenly King line, the person best suited to do such a thing did seem to be Qin Yi. Otherwise, if it were Palace Masters like Qin Zhongyuan, they might not be able to bring themselves to do it. And Qin Yi sought to release goodwill toward him precisely because he was now not only the sixth Line Head of the Li Heavenly King line, but his mother Dantai Lan was also the Line Head of the Dragon Fang Line. It could be said without exaggeration that now, when Li Luo spoke within the Li Heavenly King line, even Li Li Tianji, the Mountain-Holding Line Head, had to give his words careful consideration.

Li Luo pondered briefly, but did not refuse the goodwill Qin Yi brought. Although the strange calamity had now subsided, the Three-Eyed Demon King of the Mysterious Womb still lurked menacingly in the Boundary River Domain, and there was also the malignant tumor that was the Return-to-One Hall. The two great Heavenly King lines were neighbors, and having fewer disputes was ultimately a good thing.

"I hope the Qin Heavenly King line has sufficient sincerity, and isn't simply seizing the opportunity to reap post-war benefits." Li Luo reminded her.

Qin Yi smiled faintly, her snow-white skin radiating a mesmerizing luster, her elegance moving: "If Li Luo Line Head were not already married, there would even be thoughts of a marriage alliance within the clan. This sincerity is certainly genuine."

"Marriage alliance?" Li Luo was stunned. From the sound of it, did the Qin Heavenly King line still want to use Qin Yi for a marriage alliance with him? Wasn't this the same thing Qin Qin Lian and his father Li Taixuan had gone through back then?

While thinking this, Li Luo felt Jiang Qing'e's gaze sweep over him subtly. He immediately gave a dry cough and said, "There's no need for a marriage alliance. I already have a wife, and have no such intention."

Qin Yi's lake-clear beautiful eyes turned with a smile toward Jiang Qing'e, and she said softly, "Li Luo Line Head has a wife like Jiang Dragon Fang Emissary, whose talent and looks are both matchless. Ordinary willow-branch beauty naturally cannot catch your eye—how could I be so ignorant of my limits?"

"Besides, the grievances between you and me are complicated. If there really were a marriage alliance, I'm afraid it would cause endless turmoil in your household."

Jiang Qing'e met Qin Yi's gaze, smiled calmly, and said, "Palace Master Qin Yi worries too much. With me here, no woman in this household can stir up any trouble."

Qin Yi chuckled softly and nodded.

Li Luo, however, felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. He gave a dry cough and quickly changed the subject: "Let's not mention the marriage alliance again. The matter at hand hasn't been fully wrapped up yet. Let's wait for the Line Heads on both sides to capture those two culprits before we discuss cooperation in detail."

Hearing Li Luo's words, Jiang Qing'e and Qin Yi turned their heads and cast their gazes toward the confrontation of the Kings.

There, Qin Jiujie and the Spirit-Eye Nether King were squinting slightly as they looked at the Kings who had appeared. The situation having developed to this point was indeed somewhat beyond their expectations.

Not only had the Fate Fruit been taken by Li Luo, but even the two of them had now fallen into encirclement by the Kings of the two great Heavenly King lines.

"Everyone, are you truly planning to make a move against us here? Offending the Return-to-One Hall is no laughing matter. You have great families and great businesses—why take such risks?" However, even though surrounded by Kings, the Spirit-Eye Nether King showed not the slightest panic. Instead, he lowered his eyelids, his indifferent tone carrying a threatening edge.

Although these Heavenly King lines were strong, when it came to foundation, they were still far inferior to their Return-to-One Hall.

"The Return-to-One Hall is currently being driven to desperation by the Academy Alliance. Your four Heavenly Kings probably can't spare a moment either, can they? And yet you still dare to threaten us?" Li Li Tianji said calmly.

The Spirit-Eye Nether King gave a contemptuous laugh and said, "Driven to desperation? If that were truly the case, the two of us wouldn't have had the leisure to come here."

"On the contrary, it's the Academy Alliance that's truly stuck in the quagmire in the Outer Shenzhou. You'll eventually realize that declaring war on our Return-to-One Hall will be the Academy Alliance's most foolish decision."

Hearing the Spirit-Eye Nether King's words, Dantai Lan, Li Li Tianji, Qin Zhongyuan, and the others narrowed their eyes slightly. They also weren't clear on what the current state of the confrontation between these two super Heavenly King-level powers was.

"Enough of this nonsense. Today, the two of you aren't going anywhere." Dantai Lan said with a cold laugh. Regardless of the current situation between the Academy Alliance and the Return-to-One Hall, they and the Return-to-One Hall were opposed. With this chance to keep two Nether Kings here, it would also ease the pressure on the Academy Alliance.

After all, within the Return-to-One Hall, only those whose strength reached the Double-Crowned King level could be called Nether Kings.

Hearing Dantai Lan's words, Li Li Tianji also nodded slightly, then said to the three King-realm experts Qin Zhongyuan, Qin Qin Zhiming, and Qin Qu, "Palace Master Zhongyuan, let's join forces to suppress them first. How about it?"

"Naturally." Qin Zhongyuan responded without hesitation. After all, in this strange calamity, their Qin Heavenly King line had suffered the heaviest losses, which had greatly damaged their reputation in the Tianyuan Shenzhou. Capturing the Spirit-Eye Nether King now was the only way to salvage their reputation.

So the next moment, five King-realm experts and one Grand Unparalleled Marquis on both sides all activated their vast phase power. Instantly, dense Origin power filled the world, triggering numerous wondrous visions.

"Something feels off. They've fallen to this state, yet those two old bastards still look as if they have something to rely on?" Li Luo watched this scene from afar, but couldn't help furrowing his brow as he spoke.

Jiang Qing'e and Qin Yi also frowned slightly. The Spirit-Eye Nether King and Qin Jiujie were indeed too calm. Could they still have some means to resist five King-realm experts and one Grand Unparalleled Marquis?

While they were puzzling over it, the Spirit-Eye Nether King had already raised his head first. His gaze looked toward the shattered void, where layers of space had collapsed, connecting to the interior of the Boundary River Domain.

His gaze was cast upon the ancient blood bridge above the Boundary River Domain that connected to the surging Boundary River.

"Everyone, your target shouldn't be placed on us..."

"After all, do you really think that after clearing the strange calamity here, that one will remain completely indifferent?"

"Provoking a great Demon King is truly no small matter."

Hearing the Spirit-Eye Nether King's words, the faces of Dantai Lan, Li Li Tianji, Qin Zhongyuan, and the others all changed drastically. They then suddenly raised their heads, their gazes piercing through the void toward the ancient blood bridge in the Boundary River Domain's heavens and earth.

Boom!

At this moment, the ancient blood bridge began to tremble violently.

Crack!

On the blood bridge, the stone stele inscribed with Li Li Tianwang's pardon-text split open with crack after crack, silently.

Faintly, an extremely terrifying ripple surged out from deep within the stele, following the cracks.

Deep within the cracks, a black embryo seemed to flicker in and out of sight.

And within the embryo was a beast-fetus, its entire body rotted.