Chapter 503: The Emperor's Mausoleum – A Show of Presence
Within the Ancient Heavenly Palace stood many landmarks: the Dragon Ascension Gate, the Celestial River, the Nine Palaces, and the Five Halls. However, Xiao Tiance's destination was the Emperor's Mausoleum, the very site where the Heavenly Emperor fell.
This mausoleum, constructed by the Heavenly Emperor himself before his demise, was a self contained realm. Only this place could safely accommodate Earth Sovereign level beings without causing a spatial collapse. In other areas, the presence of such power would immediately destabilize the space.
Changes in the Heavenly Palace
No sooner had Xiao Tiance and Mandala entered the Heavenly Palace than the tranquil scene before them underwent a sudden, violent transformation. Thunder roared, dark clouds gathered, and an oppressive, divine will surged forth, seemingly intent on eradicating Xiao Tiance's avatar and Mandala.
Xiao Tiance's avatar smirked faintly, extending his hand to rest atop Mandala's head. In an instant, her power, which was previously at the lower Earth Sovereign level, was suppressed to the peak of the Ninth Grade Sovereign level.
"Thank you, Immortal Sovereign."
Mandala immediately felt the oppressive threat dissipate and hastily expressed her gratitude.
"A trivial matter," Xiao Tiance's avatar replied casually.
Moments later, his own aura dropped to match Mandala's newly suppressed Ninth Grade Sovereign peak level. Instantly, the gathering thunder dispersed, as if deterred by an unseen presence.
Scanning the Heavenly Palace
Xiao Tiance unleashed his spiritual power, allowing it to sweep through the entire Heavenly Palace.
In an instant, he discerned the locations of the Celestial River, the Dragon Ascension Gate, the Nine Palaces, and the Five Halls. He also pinpointed the locations of all the treasures hidden within the Heavenly Palace.
Without consulting Mandala, he placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"Let's head straight to the Emperor's Mausoleum. What I seek lies there."
Mandala hesitated briefly before asking: "Immortal Sovereign, aren't you interested in the treasures scattered throughout the Heavenly Palace? Why not take some with you?"
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly. "Treasure, while precious, is merely a tool for those at my level."
With a wave of his hand, a spatial tunnel appeared before them. Without further ado, he led Mandala into the rift.
Ignoring Lesser Treasures
During his earlier scan, Xiao Tiance had identified many treasures described in the original Great Ruler novel. These included the Stellar Demon Suppressing Tower, Phoenix Worm, Wind God Fan, Dragon Spirit Pearl, and Sea Breaking Pearl. Any one of these artifacts could ignite fierce contention among the world's most powerful factions.
However, only two items piqued his interest: the Heavenly Emperor's Sword and the One Qi Becomes Three Purities, one of the Thirty Six Absolute Divine Abilities. Beyond these, he had a fleeting appreciation for the Dragon Ascension Gate, a sacred artifact used in the Heavenly Palace to assess the potential of disciples. Sadly, the artifact's spiritual consciousness had been destroyed, leaving it a mere shell of its former self.
Ultimately, Xiao Tiance resolved to focus solely on his mission: obtaining the One Qi Becomes Three Purities.
Arriving at the Emperor's Mausoleum
Before them stretched the vast, ominous expanse of the Emperor's Mausoleum, a sight so vast it seemed endless. The surrounding space was fractured and unstable, riddled with jagged spatial tears that pulsed with destructive power.
Two distinct auras enveloped the area, each exuding overwhelming pressure. One was eerily familiar to Xiao Tiance the lingering presence of the Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor. The other was undoubtedly left by the Heavenly Emperor himself.
These two ancient powers cast an oppressive pall over the heavens and earth, making the very skies tremble under their weight.
Xiao Tiance Presses Forward
Xiao Tiance's expression remained calm. Such oppressive environments were far from the worst he had encountered.
However, Mandala stood frozen in place, her golden eyes locked on the fragmented space surrounding the mausoleum. Her body tensed as fear crept into her heart. To her, the mausoleum appeared like a massive black hole, its very presence exuding dread.
"Don't worry. With me here, nothing will harm you."
Xiao Tiance's words carried a reassuring warmth that steadied Mandala's nerves.
Encouraged, Mandala nodded. She knew that having a powerful figure like Xiao Tiance beside her provided unparalleled security.
Navigating the Chaos
In the distance, the mausoleum seemed to drift within a void like dimension, surrounded by swirling spatial debris and razor sharp spatial currents that formed a natural barrier.
The two ancient forces emanating from within the mausoleum created a domain of pure oppression, where even space itself groaned under the strain.
"Let's go." Xiao Tiance spoke calmly.
To Mandala, the fractured space and oppressive auras were death traps. To Xiao Tiance, they were trivial obstacles.
With a thought, his avatar activated his spiritual power. Every fragment of space and shard of rock became inconsequential before his overwhelming presence. Like a dragon weaving through the heavens, Xiao Tiance led Mandala forward with ease.
Moments later, they emerged unscathed within the dark expanse of the mausoleum itself.
The Power of the Mausoleum
As soon as their feet touched the ground, an invisible pressure descended upon them. It clung to their bodies, slowing their movements and causing their spiritual energy to stagnate.
"Impressive. Even after all these years, the Heavenly Emperor's methods remain potent," Xiao Tiance's avatar remarked, his voice tinged with genuine admiration.
Both he and Mandala activated their spiritual energy to resist the oppressive force, quickly regaining their composure.
Raising his gaze, Xiao Tiance surveyed the vast expanse of the mausoleum. His spiritual sense picked up countless floating mountain peaks and an endless terrain of fractured earth. Deep chasms scarred the ground like the trails of black dragons, adding to the mausoleum's ominous atmosphere.
"The space here has been utterly shattered, and even the natural laws are chaotic. It seems the battle between the Heavenly Emperor and the Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor was truly earth shattering." Xiao Tiance's tone carried a hint of awe.
Mandala nodded, her face lighting up with pride. "Of course! The Heavenly Emperor was one of the greatest powerhouses in the Great Thousand World!"
Inside the Ancient Heavenly Palace.
Xiao Tiance's destination was clear: the Emperor's Mausoleum, the place where the Heavenly Emperor had fallen. This site, created by the Emperor himself, was a self contained realm capable of withstanding the presence of Earth Sovereign level beings without triggering spatial collapse.
Power Unleashed
With a soft chuckle, Xiao Tiance's avatar lifted the seal he had placed on Mandala.
In an instant, a surge of Lower Earth Sovereign level energy erupted from her body, spreading outward and sending debris flying in all directions.
As Mandala adjusted to her newfound strength, Xiao Tiance's avatar released his suppressed energy. In just seconds, his aura rose to the pinnacle of the Great Earth Sovereign level. However, as he prepared to channel even greater power, the surrounding space in the Emperor's Mausoleum began to destabilize, threatening to shatter again.
Realizing this, Xiao Tiance reined in his power.
"Phew." Exhaling deeply, he looked toward the distant horizon.
In the sky ahead floated an enormous, broken mountain. Its peak had long since been reduced to dust, exposing a spacious plateau within.
There, at the heart of the plateau, stood a lone figure. Though unmoving, the figure exuded an indescribable aura of majesty and strength, its presence spreading across the entire area.
Recognition and Disdain
Xiao Tiance's avatar smirked, speaking to himself. "I didn't expect him to appear so quickly. At least he knows better than to waste my time."
Mandala, however, couldn't remain calm. Her body trembled uncontrollably under the oppressive aura emanating from the figure, making her feel insignificant like a speck of dust in a vast universe.
"Buzz!"
Xiao Tiance raised his hand, instantly blocking the overwhelming pressure. Mandala's face regained its color, though her eyes remained fixed on the distant figure, disbelief etched across her expression.
"The Heavenly Emperor?" she murmured, her voice quivering.
Xiao Tiance chuckled, his tone laced with contempt. "He's no Heavenly Emperor just a pest."
A Deceptive Figure
Standing at the center of the plateau was a man clad in a green robe. Handsome and imposing, he radiated an aura that seemed to transcend the heavens and the earth.
The space around him twisted and shifted at his will, creating an almost divine image. His mere presence was enough to make him appear godlike.
"A bit weak." Xiao Tiance glanced at him dismissively, his tone casual.
Mandala froze in shock. Though her own strength was at the Lower Earth Sovereign level, she knew her power was far inferior to this figure. His aura suggested only one possibility: he was a Heavenly Sovereign.
In the Great Thousand World, a Heavenly Sovereign was an unparalleled existence a figure of such immense power that none could ignore their presence. Yet, here was Xiao Tiance, dismissing this being as "a bit weak."
Mandala's Doubts
Unable to contain her curiosity, Mandala asked cautiously, "Immortal Sovereign, if he's not the Heavenly Emperor, how does he look exactly like him?"
Xiao Tiance laughed lightly. "That's simple. Those pests from the Extraterrestrial Demon Race love these kinds of cheap tricks."
Mandala's golden eyes widened, her voice trembling. "But… he looks just like the Heavenly Emperor."
Memories flooded her mind visions of the Heavenly Emperor saving her from near death, raising her in the Ancient Heavenly Palace, and protecting her during the invasion by the Extraterrestrial Demon Race.
When the Heavenly Emperor sealed her to preserve her life during the palace's fall, he had become like a father to her.
Her heart churned with emotion. The memories of her rescue, the destruction of the palace, and her eventual betrayal by Lu Huan all replayed in her mind.
Regaining her composure, she stared coldly at the figure. "Immortal Sovereign, please kill him for me. I don't want anyone using the Heavenly Emperor's appearance to deceive others."
Clenching her small fists, Mandala's eyes burned with killing intent.
Xiao Tiance's Plan
Xiao Tiance's avatar chuckled. "No need to worry. Aside from acquiring the 'One Qi Becomes Three Purities,' my other goal here is to eradicate that impostor completely."
Before they could act, the figure moved. A crystalline longsword materialized before him, its surface exuding an ancient and primal energy. Though simple and unadorned, the weapon radiated a terrifying power, its cold glint capable of slicing through space itself.
The Heavenly Emperor's Sword?
Xiao Tiance narrowed his eyes. "Is that the Heavenly Emperor's Sword?"
He had never seen the weapon before and couldn't confirm its authenticity. While the sword emitted an extraordinary aura, he knew the Extraterrestrial Demon Race was notorious for creating elaborate deceptions.
The crystalline blade was embedded in the ground at the figure's feet. At its tip was a blackened skull, roughly half the size of a human. Though decayed, the skull exuded a bone chilling malevolence, its aura suffused with an indescribable evil.
Mandala shivered. "Immortal Sovereign… could that black skull belong to the Demon Emperor who invaded the Ancient Heavenly Palace?"
Xiao Tiance's avatar remained calm, his voice steady. "Whether it is or isn't doesn't matter. Once I deal with him, all your questions will be answered."
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