"Tsk tsk tsk—
So Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had preparations all along."
High above, gale-force winds whipped past.
Du Busi lounged sloppily atop the Titan Gryphon, idly plucking feathers the size of his forearm—zero dignity for a powerhouse, more like a street ruffian.
"Xiao Chen had foresight," Zhi Yong said calmly, seated like an ancient tree with roots deep in earth. "Sun Moon's ultra-high-altitude detection soul tools scan over a thousand meters up. Without this mount, their garrisons would've spotted us—drawing pursuit from the Sun Moon and Holy Spirit Cult elites. Escape would've been impossible."
"Never imagined Sun Moon's soul engineering reached such heights," Du Busi mused, stroking his chin—his ruffian act replaced by grave seriousness.
The palace raid had shaken him deeply.
Especially that artillery barrage—chilling.
He prided himself on peerless physique, but without breaking through to Level 99? He doubted he'd have survived unscathed.
And that's without counting Kong Deming's group.
But—
"Heh heh heh… Sun Moon's basically tailored this wedding gown for us," Du Busi cackled darkly. "Let's see them start a war now."
The eerie laugh made Zhi Yong sigh and Xuan Zi shudder.
"Damn it, Old Poison! What's gotten into you?! Just 'cause Sun Moon took a beating?"
Yet Xuan Zi's own lips twitched upward. The more he thought about it, the giddier he grew—until he joined Du Busi's sinister chuckle.
Zhi Yong could only stare in speechless exasperation.
—
On the gryphon's opposite side—
"Brother Chen, we owe you much," Long Aotian said, spine straight despite his arrogance, gratitude clear in his tone. Their rescue spared the Body Sect and Tianhun Empire heavy casualties.
No one mentioned leaving the rescued disciples to break through below on foot.
Titan Gryphon's back was spacious—but finite. Carrying their group stretched capacity; adding dozens more was impossible.
Better to take none than pick favorites—and risk discord.
"Brother Long speaks truth," Xu Jiujiu chimed in, lips curved as her gaze drifted toward Ning Tian beside Chen Junting. "And with your tournament performance and tonight's planning… this little lady might just offer herself in marriage."
"Princess Xu jests," Ning Tian smiled gently—yet steel glinted beneath silk. "But if Her Highness wishes, I'd gladly welcome you as a sister-wife. After all—if His Majesty of Xing Luo can have an empress and consorts… surely Brother Junting may have secondary wives too."
Every word dripped ladylike grace—yet blades hid within. Xu Jiujiu instantly dropped the flirtation, pivoting smoothly:
"This operation crippled the Sun Moon Empire severely. They won't dare wage war for a decade—perhaps maybe even fifty years."
Both princesses envisioned a bright future.
Fifty years later? Their generation would've matured, absorbed tonight's spoils—and they'd be the ones launching invasions.
But Chen Junting doused their optimism with cold water:
"Don't be so hopeful. We destroyed supplies—not military strength. If Sun Moon pursues 'war to sustain war,' it's entirely feasible."
Their smiles vanished.
Indeed—Sun Moon's soul engineer legions were peerless. If they went all-in on conquest to seize resources? The Three Great Empires would suffer terribly.
Headaches returned instantly.
"Brother Chen… any other ideas?"
"None for now."
Years ago, when Sun Moon hadn't yet severed inter-empire trade, economic warfare might've worked.
But Sun Moon's strategists were shrewd—they'd ensured self-sufficiency before unification wars.
Now? Only covert tactics remained: intelligence, internal strife, propaganda.
Which they were already deploying.
"A pity," Xu Jiujiu sighed with genuine regret.
As the journey continued, elders erected barriers against the gales.
Everyone settled into meditation—no scenery at this altitude, so cultivation was the only sensible pursuit.
—
But heaven's whims are fickle.
"Boy—there are powerhouses approaching!"
Elder Electrolux's voice cut through Chen Junting's sea of consciousness.
He jolted awake—just as roars shattered the clouds overhead.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
Killing intent locked onto them—bone-chilling.
The Titan Gryphon shuddered violently, wings instinctively folding as it plummeted!
Only when all elites jointly resisted the pressure—and Di Yao secretly soothed the beast—did it stabilize. Yet it couldn't advance an inch, trapped in place.
Yellow! Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black! Black! Red! Red! Red!
Yellow! Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black! Black! Black! Red! Red!
Soul rings blazed—four colors dominating the sky. Martial souls manifested simultaneously:
- A dark green giant holding up heaven
- A Taotie Divine Ox treading mountains
- Heaven-piercing Azure Vines
- A divine eagle tearing wind and space…
A scene of utmost peril—proof of the newcomers' might.
The very next second—three figures materialized.
Yet these three froze every expert present.
They recognized only Ye Xishui (Death God Douluo)—but the other two radiated equal power. The one-eyed man in the center? Second only to Di Tian himself.
"Disaster! We're doomed! It's the EVIL EMPEROR!"
Inside Huo Yuhao's sea of consciousness, Skydream Iceworm wailed. He'd witnessed the Evil Emperor's invasion of Great Star Luo Forest years ago—even Di Tian needed prolonged recovery after that battle.
And now he's here?!
"What?! The Evil Emperor—the Second Ranked Great Beast?!" Huo Yuhao gasped.
Ice Empress finally snapped, tail-whipping Skydream away. "Enough! Your shrieking is unbearable!"
Yet her own face paled. "Yuhao… this is grave trouble."
"Junting… this is grave trouble."
The same words echoed in Chen Junting's mind. Snow Empress—usually aloof atop her spiritual mountain—now wore a battle-ready expression. "These three together could fell Di Tian. No—they're here for Di Tian."
"I know."
Chen Junting's tone stayed calm, face unreadable.
He knew Di Tian's strength—but these three thinking they could take both Di Tian and his group? Delusional.
Outside—
"Di Tian has departed," Ye Xishui observed the tense group, killing intent flaring—yet the Evil Emperor lost interest.
No Di Tian? No fight.
"Death God—you've wasted my time," the Evil Emperor declared.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale Empress glanced at Ye Xishui—sharin the same sentiment.
Du Busi's group exhaled in relief.
Only Ye Xishui? Manageable.
But—
"No. Di Tian will come."
Ye Xishui's eyes burned with madness. "Every time Di Tian intervened, it was for these people. Someone here can summon him—or he values them deeply. Kill them, and Di Tian must appear. We strike together—I'll owe you both a favor."
Oh?
The Evil Emperor and Whale Empress perked up. Motivated by Di Tian's bond with humans? Or that "favor"?
"Remember your words," the Whale Empress said coolly—committing to battle. The Evil Emperor's lone eye unleashed terrifying spiritual pressure.
Martial Soul True Body—Bloody Demon Puppet!
Du Busi's group swayed, near collapse.
They've decided to strike!
Chen Junting's hand closed around the reverse scale.
This can't continue. One touch—and we shatter.
In that instant, the Evil Emperor—who'd fought Di Tian before—sensed the dragon scale's aura. Spiritual pressure locked onto Chen Junting. "Death God… your guess was correct."
Ye Xishui and the Whale Empress fixed their gazes on him. Ye Xishui's killing intent surged like an ocean; the Whale Empress radiated curiosity beneath her lethal aura. Combined with the Evil Emperor's pressure—Chen Junting felt mountains crushing his shoulders.
Yet his hand never stilled.
The trio didn't attack further.
Not mercy—they plan to ambush Di Tian the moment he arrives.
Seconds ticked by.
The atmosphere turned bizarre. Even Chen Junting's allies shot him confused glances.
Where's Di Tian?
Why isn't he here yet?
We're waiting to go on a rampage with him!
But in that moment—Chen Junting's mind went blank.
I can't reach him.
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