Chapter 680: Breakup (Two-in-One)
The heart-wrenching scream of the little palace maid instantly shattered the tranquility of the imperial harem in the early morning.
Liu Feng stood rooted to the spot, his mind blank as he stared at the familiar yet lifeless delicate body on the ground.
How could this be... Yue'er... is dead?
Who? Who killed her?!
"You! It must have been you!!"
The little palace maid looked at Liu Feng, her eyes blazing with fury.
"What did you say?!"
"Say that again!!!"
Liu Feng grabbed the little palace maid's throat. She instantly felt an intense suffocation, but fueled by unknown courage, she remained relentless.
"Aside from Lord Liu visiting this morning, no one else entered Her Ladyship's room afterward, so it must have been you!!"
"Why? Her Ladyship treated you so well, why would you kill her!!"
"I... visited this morning?"
He suddenly looked at her. This detail, which he had previously ignored, was terrifying upon reflection.
The little palace maid's face turned purple from being strangled. Unable to speak, she could only nod with difficulty, her eyes filled with fear and resentment.
Liu Feng was struck dumb. He released his grip and stumbled back two steps, crashing into a folding screen with a loud clang.
The little palace maid collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently, but a hateful glare still flashed in her eyes.
"You ungrateful bastard! I'm going to report you! I'm going to ask His Majesty for justice!"
"No! It wasn't me!!"
"Shut up!"
Liu Feng was on the verge of collapse. His aura erupted, and how could a little palace maid withstand it? Her body instantly exploded.
Red and white matter splattered everywhere, instantly startling Liu Feng awake.
"No, Xi'er, I... I didn't mean to."
Staring in horror at everything that had transpired, Liu Feng felt nothing but regret, coupled with a single thought: escape. He had to leave this place now!
But the moment he left Mu Fei Palace, several figures clad in golden armor appeared and blocked his path.
"Lord Liu, what happened in Consort Mu's sleeping quarters? Why are you here?"
The leading Commander's gaze coldly swept over the bloodstains on Liu Feng's body as he spoke in a low, stern voice.
Liu Feng's face was deathly pale. His heart was filled with extreme panic, and the growing sense of unease made him lose his composure.
"Commander, assassins infiltrated Consort Mu's sleeping palace and murdered Consort Mu and the palace maid Xi'er."
"I fought them earlier and sustained minor injuries. The immediate priority should be to thoroughly search the harem and find the killer, only then can the safety of the other consorts be ensured."
"Lord Liu, we are already aware of this matter."
"Before this, someone already reported the deaths of Consort Ning and Consort Xia. Now, please come with us."
"What?!"
Liu Feng felt as if he had been struck by five bolts of lightning. He instantly froze, his mind completely blank.
Ning Xiner... Xia Lianlian... are dead too?
Including Mu Yue... his three confidantes in the harem, the three consorts who were most deeply involved with him and offered him the greatest assistance, had all died, one after another, on the same day?
"What's wrong, Lord Liu? Do you have a problem?!"
"N-no..."
"Very well, please come along."
The voice of the Eternal Guards Commander was cold and brooked no argument.
The Eternal Guards behind him had subtly spread out, forming a circle of encirclement, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. If Liu Feng dared to make a move, they would strike without hesitation.
Liu Feng's expression shifted constantly. His suspicion was the highest; forcibly resisting now would turn everything he had done into an illusionary bubble.
The only course of action now was to gamble, to gamble that Di Shitian would believe his explanation.
If he was allowed to find the killer of the three women, he would certainly tear them into ten thousand pieces!!
Although he was escorted away by two Eternal Guards, Liu Feng still firmly believed that he had a chance to turn the tables!
...Golden Imperial Hall.
Di Shitian sat high upon the Dragon Throne, his expression grim.
In the center of the Grand Hall, Liu Feng was forced to kneel on the ground, escorted by two Eternal Guards.
"Liu Feng, I have treated you well, haven't I? What do you have to say now?!"
Liu Feng knelt on the ground, trembling under Di Shitian's terrifying Oppressive Might, which felt like it could crush him.
"Your Majesty, Your Servant has been wronged! This morning, Your Servant was patrolling the palace as usual and happened to detect an unusual spiritual energy fluctuation near Consort Mu's sleeping palace."
"That's why I went in to check, but I never imagined Her Ladyship had already been murdered! As for Consort Ning and Consort Xia, Your Servant has never approached their sleeping palaces! Someone must be framing me. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!!"
"Framing you?"
Di Shitian sneered, "Then tell me, who else possesses the ability to break into the Imperial Palace and kill my consorts right under my nose?"
"When did the Imperial Harem of my Eternal Imperial Dynasty become someone else's private garden?!"
The intimidating Oppressive Might made it almost impossible for Liu Feng to breathe, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
"Your Majesty, Your Servant can swear by his Dao Heart that he absolutely did not harm the consorts."
"This is definitely a deliberate scheme to frame me, aimed at inciting your suspicion toward Your Servant and undermining the stability of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty!!"
"Hmph..."
"Liu Feng, Liu Feng, you still try to argue now? Do you really think those things you did were seamless?"
Di Shitian's voice was frigid, and his aura burst forth explosively.
"What?!"
Liu Feng's expression changed abruptly, a chill running from the top of his head to his heels.
"Mu Yue, Ning Xiner, Xia Lianlian... these three deceased consorts, your relationship with them wasn't shallow on ordinary days, was it..."
"Tell me, why is it such a coincidence that they were the ones assassinated today?"
"Even if you didn't do it, you probably aren't unrelated. Don't tell me you thought that without witnesses, your audacious actions could be hidden forever?!"
"Liu Feng! Why force my hand? I originally intended to keep you around for a while longer, to settle accounts with you after the matter of the Phoenix Slaying Platform was concluded."
"Yet, I never thought you would be so impatient!!"
Di Shitian was truly enraged. His Great Emperor cultivation erupted, and a palm strike slammed down toward the crown of Liu Feng's head.
This palm strike looked unremarkable, but it contained terrifying Imperial Might capable of shattering mountains and rivers.
The vast Imperial Palace trembled along with it. Liu Feng's pupils constricted; the aura of death instantly enveloped him!
He had no doubt that if this palm strike landed, he would surely die, his Soul Annihilated!
"No...!!"
At the brink of life and death, Liu Feng let out a desperate roar.
At the same time, an ancient jade pendant on his chest suddenly erupted with dazzling golden light, shaking off the surrounding Eternal Guards.
A massive force protected him, forcibly blocking Di Shitian's attack.
The Phoenix Slaying Platform was about to open. Di Shitian was currently at his weakest; he couldn't fully mobilize the Power of National Destiny, and his attack power was weakened by more than one level.
"?!! How could this be..."
Watching his power be neutralized by Liu Feng's backup plan, Di Shitian felt a sense of self-doubt.
What kind of monsters are these guys... With his Emperor-level cultivation, how could he not even be able to stop a Quasi-Emperor brat?
He was about to increase his strength, but an even stranger power entangled Liu Feng's body.
Di Shitian was extremely familiar with this power—it was the Law of Space.
The person behind Liu Feng was also very well prepared.
"Di Shitian! You fool!"
"So what if you attacked me today? Those three women were long since enjoyed by me, and every part of their bodies is permeated with my aura."
"Even before they died, the person they were thinking of was me, not you, you deadbeat!"
"Hahaha, what Eternal Imperial Dynasty Emperor? You can only bully a soft persimmon like me."
"Don't worry, none of this is just a coincidence. I will keep watching, watching until the day your Eternal Imperial Dynasty is destroyed!!"
A flicker of madness crossed Liu Feng's eyes. He didn't hesitate to burn a portion of his vital blood and soul. The immense spiritual energy drilled into the jade pendant, allowing him to move faster.
Pfft!
Finally, he spat out a mouthful of vital blood mixed with organ fragments, but his body had already vanished from the Golden Imperial Hall, following the shattered void.
Di Shitian looked at the spot where Liu Feng had disappeared, his face terrifyingly grim.
The follow-up attack missed, slamming heavily into the ground and forming a huge crater.
If the Golden Imperial Hall hadn't been made of special material, it might have been completely destroyed by his attack.
Swish, swish, swish. Countless Eternal Guards arrived belatedly, kneeling before Di Shitian.
"Your Majesty! Your servants were late in coming to your aid. Please punish us!"
Jin Wufeng was drenched in cold sweat, his voice trembling.
"Trash! A bunch of trash!"
"Damn it, with so many people, you couldn't even stop one Quasi-Emperor!"
"What use are you to me!!"
Di Shitian exploded in rage, kicking Jin Wufeng directly in front of him!
Jin Wufeng spat out blood and slammed heavily into a palace pillar, yet he dared not utter a single complaint, struggling to kneel properly again.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This Subordinate was derelict in his duty!"
Jin Wufeng kowtowed, his voice shaking. "This Subordinate will immediately seal off the Imperial Capital, activate the Grand Formation, and search for Liu Feng!"
"He is severely injured and burned his vital blood and soul; he definitely cannot escape far!"
"Seal off the Imperial Capital?"
Di Shitian was so angry that he laughed instead. "I've already been humiliated enough! How much more commotion do you want to cause?!"
Jin Wufeng lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
"Enough. Go guard the Phoenix Slaying Platform."
"As for Yunshu, have the Imperial Physicians increase the dosage. Even if it means overdrawing her future, she must recover as soon as possible!"
"Dispatch some manpower. The entire Eternal Imperial Palace is under martial law. Tell those Concubines that they are not allowed to leave their sleeping quarters without my command!"
"Furthermore, activate the Defensive Grand Formation. Although Liu Feng escaped, his words might not be baseless. If someone truly infiltrated, you must find them even if you have to dig three feet deep!"
"Yes! This Subordinate receives the decree!"
Jin Wufeng took his leave, cold sweat having long since soaked his clothes.
Di Shitian stood alone in the empty Grand Hall, looking at the gloomy sky outside the palace. Murderous intent and madness intertwined in his eyes.
"No matter who you are... if you want to ruin my great plan..."
"I will make you... pay the price!"
He turned and took out a communication stone: "Kummu, I have discovered Feng Lingxiao's whereabouts."
"Are the preparations ready over at the Qixia Mountain Range?!"
...Cining Palace.
Ye Qingcheng was originally lying bored on the couch when a young man suddenly appeared in front of her, startling her.
"What are you doing? Why are you suddenly back!"
After standing ready for a moment and realizing it was Gu Yun, Ye Qingcheng finally relaxed and lowered her guard.
Gu Yun did not answer immediately, as system prompt sounds were ringing continuously in his ears.
[Ding! Host slays Protagonist of Fortune Ning Xiner and Xia Lianlian, Child of Destiny Liu Feng's destiny value decreases by 5000 points, rewarding Orange Treasure Chest * 4]
[Ding! Host forces Liu Feng and Di Shitian to break up prematurely. Liu Feng loses important assistance and trump cards, destiny value decreases by 2000 points.]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Liu Feng's relationship with Protagonist of Destiny Ye Qingcheng is severed, destiny value decreases by 10,000 points. Current remaining destiny value: 4000 points. Can be slain.]
"What's wrong with you? Answer me~~"
Ye Qingcheng poked Gu Yun's cheek with her finger, speaking coquettishly.
Gu Yun, however, seemed to act on reflex, grabbing her mischievous finger and rolling over to pin her directly onto the couch.
"You... what are you doing?!"
Ye Qingcheng was caught off guard and cried out in surprise. She tried to struggle but found Gu Yun's arm was like an iron hoop, firmly restraining her beneath him.
Before the young man in front of her, her Quasi-Emperor Eighth Layer cultivation was completely useless. How was this possible? She was also a genius capable of fighting opponents beyond her rank.
"Goddess Ye, you and I should have been like well water and river water, staying out of each other's business. Isn't randomly touching me crossing the line?"
Gu Yun asked with a cold voice.
Their faces were inches apart, extremely close, and they could hear each other's heartbeats.
Ye Qingcheng froze slightly, her cheeks flushed. "W-what are you talking about? I was just checking on you."
"Sitting here without saying anything the moment you returned—anyone would find that strange."
"N-now hurry up and let me go, you're hurting me."
Just then, a respectful knock sounded outside the sleeping quarters door.
"Empress Dowager, His Majesty has decreed that the Imperial Palace is under martial law to investigate suspicious individuals."
"This Subordinate and others have been ordered to patrol all palace chambers. We hope Her Ladyship can grant us convenience."
It was the voice of the Eternal Guards Commander!
Ye Qingcheng's body instantly tensed, and a trace of panic flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"Y-you still won't move..."
She whispered, but Gu Yun's expression remained unchanged. "Our fake Empress Dowager, tell me... what should we do now?"
Warm breath sprayed onto her sensitive earlobe. Ye Qingcheng trembled, feeling both shy and annoyed, yet daring not to make too much noise.
She glared at Gu Yun, took a deep breath, and tried hard to make her voice sound calm and authoritative: "I am currently in quiet cultivation and cannot receive guests!"
"You should search elsewhere. There are no suspicious persons in my Cining Palace!"
The Eternal Guards Commander outside the door was silent for a moment, clearly feeling awkward. "Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. His Majesty strictly ordered that all palace chambers must be investigated as a precaution. Please understand this subordinate's duty."
"Impudence!"
"I am the Mother of the Nation! Do you think I would harbor criminals?"
Ye Qingcheng's voice suddenly rose, carrying unquestionable authority and anger. "What? If I don't agree today, are you going to force your way in?!"
Outside the door, cold sweat poured down the Eternal Guards Commander's face.
"Empress Dowager, please calm your anger! This Subordinate would not dare!"
"Since Her Ladyship's noble body is safe and sound, the Cining Palace must be fine."
"This Subordinate will now lead my men to search elsewhere and will not disturb Her Ladyship's quiet cultivation."
After speaking, he quickly left with his subordinates, their footsteps fading into the distance.
Inside the sleeping quarters, Ye Qingcheng sighed in relief, her tense body relaxing.
//681//
Chapter 681: Resistance, Feng Yunshu's Resolve (Two-in-One)
Hearing the footsteps outside the door fade away, Ye Qingcheng's suspended heart finally settled, immediately followed by a surge of annoyance.
She pushed Gu Yun hard, but couldn't move him. Instead, due to her excessive force, their bodies pressed even closer together.
"You... why aren't you getting up yet!!"
Ye Qingcheng's beautiful eyes were filled with indignation as she glared at Gu Yun, the blush on her face yet to subside.
Gu Yun took the opportunity to sit up, a flicker of amusement in his eyes and a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Thanks, Your Highness the Divine Maiden."
"Thank me for what? You almost got me killed!"
"If they found you here, both of us would be finished!"
"But we weren't discovered, were we? I didn't expect you, this Fake Empress Dowager, to play the part so convincingly."
"Of course..."
"Alright, quickly tell me what happened. You only went out once, and you caused such a huge commotion?"
Ye Qingcheng calmed her mind and asked seriously.
She didn't need to think; the sudden lockdown of the Imperial Palace was definitely related to the guy in front of her.
"Nothing much, just killed a few people."
"Killed a few people? That's all?!"
Ye Qingcheng's eyebrows shot up; she was clearly terrified by Gu Yun's words.
"To cause such a massive reaction from Di Shitian... could it be that you attacked those Imperial Concubines?"
Ye Qingcheng gained a new understanding of Gu Yun's audacity.
"When the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact. I merely moved their death date up a bit."
"Moreover, they enjoyed the blessings of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty, yet they wholeheartedly plotted treason and sided with outsiders."
"Tell me, if Di Shitian knew about the schemes his concubines were running behind his back, would he perhaps thank me for killing them?"
Gu Yun spoke with a smile, but Ye Qingcheng felt a chill run down her spine. This seemingly harmless young man was utterly ruthless when he got serious.
Having lived in the Deep Palace for a long time, she understood the women within the Imperial Palace.
Though not peerless beauties, they were all stunning enough to topple nations, yet Gu Yun showed not an ounce of pity for them.
It seemed the rumors circulating previously about the Gu Family Emperor Child being obsessed with women... were highly exaggerated.
"Aren't you afraid of alerting the enemy?"
"Di Shitian is suspicious by nature. Now that this has happened, he will definitely be more cautious."
"If he wasn't cautious, how could I catch them all in one net?"
"If a few fish slip through the net, like Liu Feng, that would be a true endless calamity."
"Liu Feng?"
Ye Qingcheng paused slightly: "It wouldn't be the Liu Feng I know, would it?"
"That's right, it's him."
"He's just a Minor Eunuch of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty. Is he worth pursuing across a thousand miles?"
Ye Qingcheng was somewhat confused.
"If you cut the grass but fail to remove the roots, it grows again with the spring breeze. If you knew who his father was, you would understand my actions."
"Oh? Are there secrets I don't know about?"
Gu Yun couldn't be bothered to hide it. The threads of karma between them had already snapped, and the desperate Liu Feng wouldn't be given another chance by him.
"His father is Liu Yuntian."
"Liu Yuntian?"
The slightly unfamiliar name caused Ye Qingcheng to fall into contemplation.
"My Master's Crown Prince Brother, who died long ago."
Gu Yun revealed the answer directly, and Ye Qingcheng showed a look of realization: "No wonder you pursued him across a thousand miles. So that's the connection."
"Alright, next I plan to rest for a while. When the Phoenix Slaying Ceremony begins, that's when you wake me up."
Gu Yun yawned, turned around, and once again burrowed into Ye Qingcheng's blanket.
"You! That's my blanket!"
"It's all the same, and it has a strange smell. Did you not bathe?"
"Bullshit! That's natural fragrance, you country bumpkin!"
Ye Qingcheng was furious, but her mood actually lightened considerably.
Hiding alone in this Deep Palace, she hadn't felt such a vibrant and real presence for who knows how long.
Although Gu Yun was a jerk, at least in front of him, she didn't have to maintain her facade. It was a perfect ending to this dull life.
Watching the boy's defenseless figure, Ye Qingcheng turned and sat cross-legged.
She didn't need sleep every night. Gu Yun had taken her space, but she couldn't possibly take Gu Yun's space back—that would be too embarrassing.
She was the Divine Maiden of the Shadow Immortal Palace; how could she do something so undignified?
Cultivate!
Once she breaks through to the Quasi-Emperor Ninth Layer, she'll pin Gu Yun down and rub him into the ground... Yunshu Hall. A gift given by Di Shitian to Feng Yunshu during her coming-of-age ceremony, it had now turned into a gorgeous cage.
Inside the hall, there was no sign of life; outside, layers of restrictions were placed.
The Eternal Guards stood like statues, their aura cold.
Feng Yunshu sat by the window, her eyes hollow as she stared at the sky outside, which was cut into squares by the high walls.
Several days had passed since Gu Yun was taken away.
She didn't know how she had managed to endure it.
After being forcibly brought back to Yunshu Hall that day, she became like a puppet whose soul had been extracted, neither eating, drinking, nor speaking.
She refused to cooperate with anything Di Shitian wanted her to do.
She just sat there blankly, waiting for a person who might never return.
The wound on her wrist had scabbed over, but the wound in her heart was difficult to heal.
That man destroyed her family and stole her hope. What else did he want from her?!
Bastard! She would die before letting his plan succeed!!
Early this morning, several Imperial Physicians, accompanied by the Eternal Guards, arrived at Yunshu Hall again.
"Your Highness the Princess, it is time for your medicine."
The leading Imperial Physician held a bowl of Black Medicinal Decoction, giving off a rich herbal scent. His tone was respectful, but his eyes carried an air of non-negotiation.
If Feng Yunshu remained uncooperative like the past few days, he would immediately summon the Eternal Guards to use coercive measures.
This was a task assigned by Di Shitian, so he naturally had no reservations.
"Alright..."
Only this time, Feng Yunshu was unusually cooperative.
She took the medicine bowl from the Imperial Physician, looking at the dark, heavy medicine with absolute resolve in her eyes.
Resistance was useless. Better to... drag everyone down with her!
Without any hesitation, Feng Yunshu tilted her head back and drank the decoction in one gulp.
The medicinal liquid flowed down her throat like scorching magma, bringing a violent burning sensation.
Immediately afterward, a strange heat current rose from her stomach, rapidly spreading throughout her limbs and integrating into her bloodline.
Feng Yunshu could clearly feel her life essence being extracted and converted into pure Phoenix True Blood.
She had run out of chances; she had to risk everything.
"Your Highness the Princess, please rest well. This Humble Subject will return at the same time tomorrow."
The Imperial Physician was very satisfied with Feng Yunshu's cooperation. After bowing respectfully, he withdrew from Yunshu Hall.
The hall door closed once more.
Feng Yunshu slumped onto the soft couch, biting her lip tightly.
"Brother Yun, I hope you can still see that Yunshu... is not a coward!"
Over the next few days, Feng Yunshu remained highly cooperative.
Her vitality and blood gradually recovered, and all her previous deficiencies were replenished. She quickly met Di Shitian's requirements.
Di Shitian was extremely happy upon hearing the news. He immediately recalled all the Eternal Guards who were searching the Imperial Harem and dispatched them to guard the Phoenix Slaying Platform.
All actions seemed to foreshadow that the day would finally arrive.
The entire Eternal Imperial Palace was shrouded in a solemn and tense atmosphere. Gu Yun was in the Cining Palace, clutching a shadow recording stone in his hand.
"Di Shitian, are you... ready?"
A curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. How could he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed? The existence of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty... was truly too much of an eyesore.
On this day, Feng Yunshu rose as usual, but no Imperial Physician came to deliver medicine.
Instead, a procession of palace servants, dressed in solemn ceremonial robes and holding ceremonial staffs, arrived outside the hall, led by a High-ranking Inner Eunuch.
"The hour has come! Respectfully request Your Highness the Ninth Princess to move your carriage—!"
The Inner Eunuch's sharp, high-pitched voice penetrated the hall door and reached Feng Yunshu's ears.
The hall door was slowly pushed open from the outside.
Sunlight poured in, illuminating the slightly dim interior of the hall.
Feng Yunshu slowly stood up.
She had changed into an extremely gorgeous Crimson-Gold Phoenix Pattern Palace Dress, wearing a Pearl Crown and exquisite makeup.
At this moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful, yet as cold as a statue.
She walked out of Yunshu Hall step by step, heading toward the Magnificent Imperial Carriage that was waiting outside.
"Start the procession—!"
The imperial carriage slowly started moving, surrounded by the solemn ceremonial procession, heading toward the depths of the Imperial Palace.
Along the way, Feng Yunshu could feel countless gazes falling upon her from all directions.
She ignored them.
Her heart was like an ice-sealed volcano, waiting for the moment of final eruption.
The imperial carriage passed through layers of palace gates and finally stopped below the Phoenix Slaying Platform.
No one had told Feng Yunshu the purpose of this trip, or why she was brought here, as if it fundamentally... didn't matter.
"Your Highness the Princess, please proceed."
Feng Yunshu stepped down from the imperial carriage, looked at the majestic and magnificent Altar before her, and walked forward, carefully ascending the nine steps. She finally saw the man she had resented for so long—the one she used to call Father Emperor, but who was actually the culprit who ruined her happiness for life!
Behind Di Shitian, several Imperial Princes stood tall, but in their eyes, there was no trace of the indulgence of the past, only coldness... bone-chilling frost!
"Shuer, you've arrived."
Looking at Feng Yunshu, Di Shitian forced a gentle smile: "No need to be nervous. Today is the Marrow Cleansing and Muscle Refining Ceremony that Father Emperor has prepared for you for decades."
"The goal is to transform your Profound Phoenix Body, giving you higher innate talent. At that time, your Phoenix Bloodline will not only fully revert to the ancestral state and reach perfection, but it will also connect with the Imperial Dynasty's National Destiny, granting you immense fortune and limitless future achievements!"
"My Eternal Imperial Dynasty will also usher in unprecedented glory because of you!"
"Shuer, are you... ready?"
Di Shitian's words were full of temptation and passion, as if he were truly a Loving Father.
But Feng Yunshu was no longer the person she used to be. Her beautiful eyes were consistently cold, devoid of any warmth.
Patience. She still needed patience. She was holding onto her last trump card.
After the Yin and Yang Union with Gu Yun, she discovered an extra power within her that helped her refine spiritual power faster.
That power was colorless and formless, seemingly insignificant, yet capable of erupting with formidable might.
She knew this was a gift Gu Yun had given her.
He was always like this, silently doing many things for her without expecting anything in return.
Now... she would carry his will and persevere.
"Thank you, Father Emperor. What does your daughter need to do now?"
Seeing her so compliant, a trace of triumph flashed in Di Shitian's eyes.
He slightly turned his body, clearing a path for Feng Yunshu.
The girl quickly saw a strange distortion in space. The scene before her was exactly like what she had seen that time on Qixia Mountain.
It was a pool of black-red Blood Pool, bottomless. The blood was thick like mercury, constantly churning, as if countless vengeful spirits were struggling and wailing within it.
Feng Yunshu clearly knew that once she stepped into it, the purest Phoenix Origin within her would be contaminated, leading to her rampage.
Looking back at Di Shitian's smiling, hideous face, Feng Yunshu felt an indescribable disgust in her heart.
"Yunshu, go..."
Di Shitian urged her, already growing impatient.
Feng Yunshu no longer hesitated. She knew this was her last chance.
With resolute steps, she directly stepped into the Blood Pool.
"It's done!!"
Di Shitian was overjoyed. Only by using impure blood to contaminate Feng Yunshu's True Blood and cause a self-induced frenzy could he strip away the purest Phoenix Origin from the chaotic energy.
Otherwise, he would have to rely on Feng Yunshu willingly offering it up, which was clearly too difficult.
However... after waiting for a long time, the anticipated scene did not appear.
This caused Di Shitian's brow to furrow almost imperceptibly. Feng Yunshu had stepped into the Blood Pool, but the thick blood only covered her ankles, and there was no further reaction.
She slowly turned around, looked at Di Shitian, and a cold, mocking curve appeared on her lips.
"Father Emperor... the effect of this Marrow Cleansing and Muscle Refining—seems a bit mediocre."
As she spoke, her aura erupted instantly. The entire churning Blood Pool surged towards her body and was completely devoured in an instant!
The hem of Feng Yunshu's crimson-gold palace dress was stained with a trace of dark red, but there was no sign of her losing control.
Di Shitian's smile froze on his face.
His eyes suddenly became sinister. How could this be?!
This Blood Pool was refined by him using countless efforts, collecting tens of thousands of Impure Blood and Vengeful Spirits, and integrating Secret Techniques. It was created specifically for contamination.
Given Feng Yunshu's cultivation level and the purity of her bloodline, she should definitely have been contaminated.
But now, it seemed he had shot himself in the foot. The expected scenario hadn't happened; instead, Feng Yunshu had temporarily gained control of this complex power.
She briefly possessed explosive power comparable to the Emperor Realm. Although... she definitely couldn't maintain it for long, it was enough for the girl to drag everyone down with her!
"Di Yunshu! What have you done!!"
Di Shitian roared.
"That's a question I should be asking you, Di Shitian!"
Feng Yunshu no longer called him Father Emperor, and hatred burst forth from her eyes: "When you killed my Birth Father and imprisoned my Birth Mother, why didn't you consider what you were doing!!"
"And now you want to completely wipe me out? Do you even deserve to be called a human being?!"
"Today, I will completely sever this filthy plan of yours!"
"Remember this: I am not some bullshit Di Yunshu. My name is—"
"Feng Yunshu!!"
//682//
Chapter 662: Threat, Guo Yunwan's Remnant Soul
The young girl's roar echoed above the Phoenix Slaying Platform, carrying a sense of finality and monstrous hatred.
"Vile creature!"
Di Shitian's face turned ashen. He never expected that the Blood Pool he had meticulously prepared would not only fail to corrupt Feng Yunshu, but instead become the source of her temporary power.
What enraged him even more was that this daughter, who had always appeared submissive and even somewhat dull-witted, would actually erupt in such resolute resistance at the final moment!
"Bastard! It's time to pay back the debts you owe!!"
Feng Yunshu held a longsword condensed from True Flame, its tip pointing directly at Di Shitian.
Even though she had forced her cultivation level to rise, the gap in strength between them remained obvious. Yet, Feng Yunshu still wanted to try and see if she could use her own power to make this beast, who was less than a pig or dog, pay the price!
"Just with you?!"
Di Shitian laughed out of extreme anger. "Even if you temporarily possess the power of the Emperor Realm, it is still a castle in the air."
"Crushing you is still as easy as turning my palm for me. Allowing you to live until now was already an act of mercy. Not only are you ungrateful, you even dare to speak so insolently!"
"Stop talking nonsense. Today, either you die, or I do!"
"Di Shitian, give me back my parents' lives!"
"Fine, I'll give them back to you!"
Feng Yunshu roared, about to charge at Di Shitian, but she froze in place when she heard those words.
She saw Di Shitian slowly raise his hand. Within his palm was a damaged jade talisman flickering with a faint white light.
Feng Yunshu's heart suddenly constricted, and her pupils trembled.
A familiar aura emanated from the jade talisman, and an illusory figure emerged.
It was the phantom of a gentle and beautiful woman dressed in elegant palace attire. Her figure was extremely faint, as if a gust of wind could blow her away, yet her eyes were filled with endless sorrow and maternal love as she gazed tenderly at Feng Yunshu.
"Shuer..."
The murmur was so faint it was almost inaudible, yet it struck Feng Yunshu's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Mo... Mother?!"
Feng Yunshu's entire body shook violently as tears burst from her eyes. "It's you... it's really you?!"
"Di Shitian, have you been imprisoning my mother's remnant soul all these years?!"
She whipped her head around, her blood-red eyes staring fixedly at Di Shitian.
"Imprisoning?"
Di Shitian gave a light chuckle. "Shuer, how can you say that? If I hadn't preserved Wan'er's soul back then, she would have completely dissipated long ago. How else would there be a day for you mother and daughter to meet again?"
"You should be thanking me instead!"
"Bullshit!"
Feng Yunshu roared, "Give my mother back!"
She was about to move, but Di Shitian's hand was already gripping the head of Consort Wan's remnant soul. "Little Shuer, you'd better think carefully. If you take one more step, I will completely obliterate the last bit of True Spirit your mother has left in this world."
"When that happens, she won't even have the chance for reincarnation."
Murderous intent was plain in Di Shitian's eyes. He applied a slight pressure with his fingers, causing the light on the jade talisman to flicker violently. Guo Yunwan's phantom let out a pained groan, her figure becoming even more faint, as if she might vanish at any moment.
"No... don't!!"
Feng Yunshu screamed, her heart feeling as if it were being pierced by needles. The resolute momentum she had just gathered collapsed in an instant.
On one side was a blood feud, the expectations Gu Yun had died to protect, and her own determination never to compromise.
On the other side was the final existence of her biological mother, her only solace during countless lonely nights.
What should she do?!
"Shuer... don't... don't worry about me..."
Guo Yunwan's intermittent voice came from the jade talisman. "Mother... being able to see you again... is already... enough..."
"Run quickly... leave this place... live on... for your father... avenge him..."
"Don't... be threatened... by this demon... he... is not worth your..."
"Shut up!"
Di Shitian barked, intensifying the suppression on the jade talisman. Guo Yunwan's remnant soul let out an even more painful wail, its light flickering like a candle in the wind.
"Yunshu, my patience has limits!"
"If you truly don't care about your mother's True Spirit, then I'll just..."
"Wait... I, I promise you!!"
Feng Yunshu cried out hoarsely, "As long as you let Mother go, I'll agree to anything!"
The fire in her eyes died out, leaving only endless pain and despair.
She could disregard her own life and fight to the death, but how could she watch her mother's final existence vanish before her eyes, losing even the chance for reincarnation?!
"Very good."
A satisfied smile appeared on Di Shitian's face as he partially released his suppression on the jade talisman. "That's my well-behaved Shuer."
"Now, dissipate your power and walk to the center of the Phoenix Slaying Platform."
Feng Yunshu's whole body trembled as she took a difficult step forward. The mixed powers within her began to slowly dissipate. With every bit that vanished, her face grew paler and her eyes became more hollow.
"Father, Brother Yun... I'm sorry... Yunshu is useless..."
"Yunshu is coming to find you..."
Seeing Feng Yunshu about to step into the formation of her own accord, the excitement on Di Shitian's face was beyond words. Keeping Consort Wan's remnant soul had always been intended for a threat at the final moment; after all, a voluntary effect was far superior to a forced one.
Now, things were proceeding steadily according to his plan, but at that moment... a sudden change occurred!
An incomparably sharp, pitch-black sword light containing pure destruction and a cold aura erupted without warning from behind Di Shitian's side!
This sword strike was not aimed at Di Shitian himself, but... with absolute precision, it slashed toward the jade talisman in his hand that sealed Guo Yunwan's remnant soul!
The timing was perfect, catching the exact moment when Di Shitian's concentration had slightly relaxed!
"Who is it?!"
Di Shitian was startled. He never expected that anyone could infiltrate this heavily guarded Phoenix Slaying Platform.
He instinctively dodged, which left the jade talisman completely exposed.
Crack!
A very faint sound of fracturing was heard.
The jade talisman did not shatter completely, but a tiny crack had been sliced into it!
It was this very crack that caused the seal to loosen for an instant!
"No—!!"
Di Shitian was both shocked and furious. He looked at the newcomer, his eyes spewing endless rage. "Emperor Wuming!"
"Just what do you think you are doing?!"
The person who had attacked was someone no one expected: the Sixth Prince... Emperor Wuming.
This famous playboy of the Eternal Imperial Capital had, at this moment, erupted with an unprecedented and terrifying power.
The other surrounding princes rushed forward to surround him, only to be blown back by the terrifying aura radiating from 'Emperor Wuming'. Crimson flames burned around him as he looked softly at Guo Yunwan's remnant soul, which was gradually dissipating in the sky.
An incredibly gentle expression appeared on his face.
"Wan'er..."
//683//
Chapter 663: Crashing the Party, Feng Lingxiao's Last Dance
Crimson flames erupted from "Emperor Wuming," his body expanding within the fire until he finally transformed into an upright phantom with crimson-gold feathers and an ancient, majestic aura!
To Di Shitian, this figure was all too familiar; it was none other than Feng Lingxiao!
"Lingxiao, it's you... it's really you!"
From the cracks in the jade talisman, Guo Yunwan's figure slowly emerged. The two held hands in the void, embracing each other tightly.
"I'm sorry, Wan'er... I'm late!"
Only a few short decades had passed, yet it was already a life-and-death separation.
If Gu Yun hadn't left this final soul imprint before his own death and then found an opportunity to release him disguised as Emperor Wuming...
How could he have had the chance to see Wan'er again? Until this moment, he truly accepted this son-in-law whom he regretted meeting so late.
Now... let me pave a broad path for them!
"Feng Lingxiao!! You really are still alive!"
"Where is Wuming? What did you do to him?!"
Di Shitian roared, his aura exploding and soaring to the heavens, his eyes filled with extreme rage and killing intent.
Swish, swish, swish—several figures appeared.
The Lord of the Black Water Prison, the Grand Commander of the Eternal Guards, and the Chief Steward of the Inner Palace—a total of over a dozen cultivators with Great Emperor cultivation appeared, surrounding Feng Lingxiao and Guo Yunwan.
However, Feng Lingxiao ignored all of this.
His gaze remained gentle, resting on Guo Yunwan and then on their daughter.
At this moment, Feng Yunshu's delicate body was stiff. She had already stepped one foot into the formation, but she stopped herself by force.
She stared blankly at the scene, her heart deeply moved.
"Fa... Father!"
Seeing this majestic and familiar phantom again, tears blurred her eyes.
"Shuer, my good child, you've done well!"
He looked at his daughter, his eyes full of pride and affection. "Remember, you are the daughter of the Phoenix, possessing the most noble bloodline in this world. No threat can bring us down!"
"Now... your father and mother will use our final strength to fight for a sliver of life for you!"
He reached out and pulled, and Feng Yunshu's figure was suddenly yanked out, away from the formation's range of influence.
"Presumptuous!! How dare you!!"
Di Shitian instantly flew into a rage. "Go! Kill them!"
Several Emperor Sovereigns attacked together, drowning the two phantoms of remnant souls.
"No!! Father, Mother, don't!!!"
Feng Yunshu reached out, filled with resentment that she could do nothing.
Was she... going to lose them again?!
"Silly child... we were just a wisp of a remnant soul. Now that we've finally escaped control, you should be happy."
Guo Yunwan's gentle voice echoed in Feng Yunshu's ears. "Shuer, at the moment of death, being able to see you and Lingxiao again, your mother has no more regrets."
The two figures held hands, shining brilliantly under the scorching sun as if they were merging into one.
"Live on, Shuer. For our sake, live... live a brilliant life!"
Something astonishing happened: the two figures merged into one, and in an instant, an even more magnificent crimson-gold divine fire illuminated the heavens and earth!
"Wan'er, today let us fight one more battle!"
"Fight for Shuer!"
"Fight for Shuer!!"
Boom—!!
The remnant souls of the two completely fused, transforming into a more substantial crimson-gold phoenix phantom.
As a human, yet able to give birth to Feng Yunshu with an even purer bloodline alongside Feng Lingxiao, Guo Yunwan's own constitution was naturally extraordinary as well.
The two joined forces, instantly pushing Feng Lingxiao's aura back to its peak level!
Seven Tribulations!
They burned their final soul power, pouring all their love and protection into their daughter.
"Shuer, go!!"
"Go find your Brother Yun; he has been waiting for you!"
The fused phoenix phantom let out a heaven-shaking cry, its wings snapping open as crimson-gold flames swept out like a world-destroying flood toward the dozen or so Great Emperors of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty who were rushing forward!
The dozen or so Great Emperors of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty were caught off guard. Their formation was thrown into chaos by this desperate final blow; several groaned and retreated, while those with weaker cultivation spat blood, their auras weakened.
"Thinking you can break through our encirclement alone is nothing but wishful thinking!"
"Feng Lingxiao, it's been decades. Surely you don't think my cultivation hasn't progressed at all!"
The aura on Di Shitian's body erupted, instantly suppressing the two.
"Father, Mother!!"
Looking at the two phantoms blooming with their final brilliance in the flames, Feng Yunshu felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart, and tears poured down like a fountain.
But she knew this was her last chance; she absolutely could not fail her parents' expectations!
Wiping away her tears, she turned into a streak of crimson-gold light.
Go find Brother Yun. Brother Yun was still alive; this was her last chance.
"Stop her!!"
Seeing this, Di Shitian immediately gave the order.
After all, Feng Lingxiao and Guo Yunwan were just remnant souls, and their counterattack was instantly suppressed. Jin Wufeng, the Lord of the Black Water Prison, and others found an opening and chased after the direction Feng Yunshu had fled.
Even with the addition of external power, the strengths of the two sides were not on the same level.
The Lord of the Black Water Prison was extremely fast, and seeing that Feng Yunshu was about to be caught, he said, "Ninth Princess, do not make a deathbed struggle!"
The distance was already close at hand as he slowly reached out his palm, intending to capture Feng Yunshu.
"Hehe, Di Shitian, it seems your plan wasn't that thorough after all."
Just then, a cold voice rang out. The Lord of the Black Water Prison groaned as a dagger pierced his chest, and his body plummeted from mid-air as he wavered.
"Who is it?!"
Jin Wufeng arrived late, but he was as alert as if facing a great enemy.
"The methods of the Shadow Tower."
The Lord of the Black Water Prison clutched his chest. A Great Emperor's resilience was formidable; although this sneak attack had heavily injured him, it was not immediately fatal.
Dark Wing ignored the two of them and went straight for Feng Yunshu.
"Get away from me!"
A crimson-gold light flashed in Feng Yunshu's eyes, and the searing Phoenix True Flame roared out like a furious dragon, slamming hard toward Dark Wing!
Dark Wing's eyes narrowed slightly, and his body twisted strangely in the air, narrowly avoiding most of the flames, though a small corner of his robe was scorched.
"Little Phoenix, quite a temper you have."
"But before me, it's not enough!"
"Come with me. Don't worry, the Shadow Tower won't make things difficult for you."
Dark Wing sneered, his speed not decreasing at all as he closed in again like a relentless shadow.
Although Feng Yunshu had improved, compared to these veteran Great Emperor powerhouses, she was still completely outmatched.
Seeing that Dark Wing was about to succeed, Di Shitian could no longer sit still.
His gaze swept around frantically as he roared, "Kumu! Have you forgotten what you promised me?!"
"Still not making a move? How much longer do you intend to wait?!!"
//684//
Chapter 664: The Four Emperors of Qixia Appear, Is the Situation Settled? (Two-in-One)
Di Shitian's roar echoed above the Phoenix Slaying Platform.
"Why would Brother Di say such a thing? We only wanted to see if this Feng Lingxiao was a man or a ghost. How could we go back on our word?!"
An old, dry voice rang out from the void, carrying a hint of playfulness.
Buzz—!!!
A terrifying sonic boom crushed through the void. The space around the four sides of the Phoenix Slaying Platform distorted violently without warning, exploding into four bottomless, dark giant holes!
Immediately after, an indescribable prehistoric ferocity descended from within.
The first thing to emerge was an indescribably massive vine. Its color was withered yellow, like a burial shroud from several eras ago. A strange Dao charm of intertwined life and death flowed over its body. It was one of the old monsters from the depths of the Qixia Mountain Range—the Withered Wood Demon Emperor!
His aura had unexpectedly reached the peak of a Seven-Tribulation Demon Emperor.
Thump!
After a dull, heavy sound, a colossal figure smashed through space and stepped onto the earth.
It was a terrifying giant ape, thousands of feet tall. Its entire body was muscled as if cast from Primordial Divine Gold, bulging in blocks that contained the great power to move mountains and fill seas.
The rough stone pillar in its hand merely hung down naturally, yet the ground below collapsed silently, and the laws wailed!
One of the Four Emperors of Qixia Mountain—the Mountain-Moving Ape Emperor, with a Seven-Tribulation cultivation.
Hiss—!
A sharp hiss pierced the soul as a giant serpent, its body winding like an ancient mountain range, slowly slithered out.
Its pupils were vertical, cold, and ruthless.
The Nine Nether Netherworld Snake Emperor, also with a Seven-Tribulation cultivation, occupied its own territory like an incarnation of death.
However, these three prehistoric giants, capable of making any Imperial Dynasty tremble, were currently trailing half a step behind.
In front of the three stood a Golden-Winged Great Peng with a terrifying aura. Its entire body shimmered with a dark gold luster, its eyes were as sharp as knives, and its wings spread out to cover the sky and blot out the sun!
In terms of status, he was the new emperor of the Qixia Mountain Range after Feng Lingxiao's death!
The Golden Peng Demon Emperor, an Eight-Tribulation Great Emperor!!
Terrifying Imperial Might swept across heaven and earth, making it hard to breathe.
Fortunately, he was not completely reckless. After appearing, his gaze remained fixed on the crumbling phantom of Feng Lingxiao in the sky.
"Feng Lingxiao, my old friend. I've looked for you for so long. I didn't expect you would only have this wisp of a remnant soul left to linger on."
"How pathetic. To make yourself like this for a human woman—do you even deserve to be the king of the Qixia Mountain Range? Do you even deserve to be the only Phoenix in this world?!"
Golden Peng's words were filled with undisguised ridicule.
The situation in the field completely changed with the arrival of the four peak Demon Emperors of the Qixia Mountain Range.
The phantom formed by the fusion of Feng Lingxiao and Guo Yunwan appeared even dimmer and more precarious under this majestic pressure.
"Golden Peng!"
"Back then, I treated you as a brother and entrusted you with great responsibilities. Is this how you repay me?!"
Feng Lingxiao's phantom looked at the dark gold Peng shadow that covered the sky, his voice hoarse and filled with endless sorrow.
"Brother?"
The Golden Peng Demon Emperor let out sharp sneers, his voice making the void tremble: "Feng Lingxiao, do you have any idea how ridiculous your words are right now?!"
"Put away your hypocritical act. You are nothing but an extremely selfish person. For a human woman, you ventured alone to the Eternal Imperial Palace. Back then, did you ever think of me as your brother? Did you ever think about what the Qixia Mountain Range would become without you, the Phoenix Demon Emperor?"
"No... you didn't. Your heart was only filled with romantic feelings."
"I regret it. I truly regret why I let a waste like you be the King of Qixia. Look, I am no longer what I used to be. My Golden-Winged Great Peng bloodline has completely returned to its ancestors. Now, it is a top-tier bloodline that is not inferior to you, a True Phoenix!"
"Qixia will create even greater glory under my leadership!"
"As for you... dying early might allow us to put a perfect end to our tens of thousands of years of friendship!"
"Golden Peng, why waste words with a remnant soul?"
"What we did back then already made us irreconcilable with him. There is no better opportunity than now."
The Withered Wood Demon Emperor's voice was dry. "Resolve this quickly, lest delays bring trouble."
"Correct!"
"Di Shitian, leave Feng Lingxiao to us. Go do what you want to do."
"But remember, once the matter is settled, not a single bit of what you promised can be missing!"
The Mountain-Moving Ape Emperor spoke in a booming voice. As the four demons moved, they had already formed a circle of encirclement.
Di Shitian's face was grim, but he felt a secret sigh of relief in his heart.
"Rest assured, everyone. I will never go back on what I promised!"
Di Shitian replied in a deep voice, and then his gaze turned cold, falling upon the stiff-bodied Dark Wing.
With a flash of his figure, he appeared in front of Dark Wing: "Dark Wing, your Shadow Tower truly is persistent."
"It seems the lesson I gave you outside the Imperial Capital earlier wasn't enough!"
"I just didn't expect you to be this foolish. Do you really think that by yourself, you can cause any waves in my territory?"
"By himself, it is certainly not enough!"
Just then, a cold female voice suddenly rang in Di Shitian's ear.
The Eternal Emperor Lord's expression changed slightly. His mindset was on the verge of exploding. He only wanted to consolidate the luck of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty. Had he somehow committed some heavenly crime?!
Why did people keep coming one after another to spoil things? When would it ever end!
Filled with rage, he looked up sharply, but this time, his jaw almost hit the ground.
"M-Mother?!!"
"What is the meaning of this?!!"
Looking at that elegant figure, Di Shitian's face was first filled with shock, which then turned into extreme bewilderment and disbelief.
This Empress Dowager of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty was now displaying a temperament completely different from before—cold and aloof.
What angered Di Shitian even more was that two people were following her.
One was Gu Yun, who had been thrown into the Black Water Prison by him and should have been heavily injured and dying. The youth still looked weak, but he had regained his freedom.
The other person was an old man with an ordinary face but an aura as deep as the abyss and sea. He was clad in a gray robe, and his eyes were murky.
But occasionally, as they opened and closed, they seemed able to pierce through the void, making even Di Shitian feel a surge of palpitations.
This old man was actually also... an Eight-Tribulation Great Emperor!
"N-No, you are definitely not Mother. Who exactly are you?!!"
Di Shitian shouted in questioning, warning bells ringing wildly in his heart.
How was it possible? His own mother, who should have been his closest relative, had been replaced by another person right under his nose, and he had been completely unaware.
Shadow Immortal Palace—how ruthless were their methods, how great was their power?!
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng no longer feigned her appearance, revealing that young face capable of toppling nations.
A faint smile curled at the corner of her mouth: "What, my good Imperial Son, do you not even recognize your own mother?"
Looking at that beautiful yet unfamiliar young face, Di Shitian only felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head. His mind was severely shaken!
He stared fixedly at Ye Qingcheng: "Who are you?! Where is my mother?!"
"Her?"
"She passed away several hundred years ago. By now... she should have already been reincarnated, or... had her soul extinguished."
"Shadow Immortal Palace!!" Di Shitian gnashed his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. "Fine methods, truly fine methods!"
He finally understood now why the Empress Dowager had lived in seclusion all these years. Because he was busy preparing for the Phoenix Slaying plan, he never had time for anything else.
He never expected that the position closest to him had long since fallen.
A great humiliation! This was simply a great humiliation!
"A hundred years of plotting, revealed today. It seems you intend to tear faces with me?!"
"Perhaps it won't have to come to that. As long as the Eternal Emperor Lord hands over the Phoenix Bloodline, we will naturally withdraw!"
As he spoke, Dark Wing had already arrived behind Ye Qingcheng. The void behind them shattered, and Night Shadow, along with a group of Emperor-level assassins from the Shadow Tower, stepped out.
Their gazes were all fixed on Di Shitian, standing ready.
"Good, very good!"
"Your courage is indeed not small. But... just with you lot?!"
Di Shitian laughed out of extreme anger. He really didn't know where this Ye Qingcheng got her confidence from.
On his side, he had the powerful foundation of more than a dozen Great Emperors of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty!
He had the assistance of the four peak Demon Emperors of the Qixia Mountain Range. Whether in terms of quantity or quality, he would completely crush the opponent.
"Indeed, you hid it from me for a long time."
"However, it is meaningless. Before absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are futile!"
"Today, I shall let you see what... true despair is!"
He waved his hand suddenly, and a golden light flashed.
Comparing foundations?!
Don't forget, this is his Eternal Imperial Dynasty!
"I, Di Shitian, respectfully invite the Ancestor to emerge!!"
As the golden light streaked across, the expression of the old man beside Ye Qingcheng changed abruptly. His figure flashed as he moved to intercept it.
The great battle broke out instantly.
No one expected that the reinforcements from the Qixia Mountain Range were not Di Shitian's greatest trump card. He had actually awakened a Royal Ancestor long ago, just to wait here for the prey to walk into the trap.
Ye Qingcheng's expression became somewhat unsightly: "You knew my identity all along?"
"Just taking precautions, Shadow Goddess. Now that your last reliance is gone, how else will you stop me?"
"This Phoenix, I am determined to slay today. No one can stop me!"
"The same goes for you dregs of the Shadow Tower. Not a single one... should think of escaping!"
His cold gaze swept over Ye Qingcheng. Dark Wing hurriedly stepped forward to block in front of her, even as a chill crossed his own heart.
"Goddess, this matter is not feasible. Why don't we withdraw for now?"
"This Di Shitian is calculating and well-prepared. With only our current manpower, I'm afraid we can no longer take the Little Phoenix."
Ye Qingcheng remained silent, only fixing her gaze on Gu Yun, who had gone to Feng Yunshu's side.
"Is the current situation also within your expectations?"
"Of course..."
"Then if you have any trump cards and don't use them now, there won't be another chance."
"Shh!"
"Just watch my performance."
A cold smile curled at the corner of Gu Yun's mouth.
"Brother Yun, am I dreaming? I can actually see you again."
"Of course it's not a dream."
Gu Yun gently embraced the tearful Feng Yunshu, his fingertips wiping away the tear stains on her face, his voice gentle.
"I said I would accompany you. In the days to come, I won't leave you alone."
Feng Yunshu tightly grabbed his lapels and buried her face in his chest, greedily absorbing this familiar and warm scent, as if to vent all the fear, despair, and grievances of these past days.
Her nerves had been strained for too long.
At the moment Gu Yun appeared, they snapped. She seemed to have found her pillar of support. She could rely on him without reservation, just like when they were in the Qixia Mountain Range.
"Brother Yun, Father and Mother..."
"Rest easy, I will give them a good final resting place."
"And... at least before they completely dissipate, I can let them see their own revenge being taken today!"
"Revenge?"
Di Shitian's figure appeared. He looked at Gu Yun and let out a wild laugh full of ridicule: "What boastful talk. Kid, you might have some skill, but today, on this Phoenix Slaying Platform, in my Imperial Palace, everything is developing according to my plan."
"My foundation is something you simply cannot imagine!!"
"Watch closely. I am right here. I want to see how you are going to take revenge!"
He spread his arms as if embracing the entire world, his voice filled with endless confidence and arrogance.
"You can't do it. You can't do anything!"
"Even you yourself are nothing more than an ant that can be crushed at will!"
He reached out his hand, intending to slap this jumpy Quasi-Emperor Gu Yun to death. However... this ever-successful attack failed to have any effect.
In front of Gu Yun, a peerless figure dressed in a crimson-gold long dress stepped out.
She merely stood there, yet seemed to gather all the light and majesty of heaven and earth.
Her long fire-red hair was like a burning waterfall. Her beautiful face carried a cold killing intent, and her gaze was disdainful, like a goddess from above the nine heavens looking down upon all living beings.
Heaven and earth fell silent. Even the distant battlefield hit the pause button because of her appearance!
With just an effortless wave, Di Shitian's palm power, which was enough to shatter stars, instantly crumbled without even causing a ripple.
"Liu Tianhuang?!!"
"How could you appear here!!"
Di Shitian's pupils shrank suddenly, terrified beyond measure!
Something truly beyond his control had appeared, causing his heart to leap into his throat.
"Di Shitian, who gave you the courage to lay a hand on Yun'er?!!"
Yun'er... Di Shitian was stunned. He looked at Gu Yun, who was being protected behind Liu Tianhuang. The youth's aura was as thin as a thread, and he was currently being held in the arms of another female emperor.
After Shangguan Yaya had previously detected Gu Yun's traces, she immediately locked onto the target—the Eternal Imperial Dynasty.
Although she was angry, she did not lose her reason and naturally notified Liu Tianhuang at the first opportunity.
And Liu Tianhuang naturally thought of more. She and Gu Yun were of one mind; they didn't need much communication to understand each other's thoughts.
This bastard seemed not to care, but in reality, he had already recorded the grudge of Di Shitian surrounding and attacking him in the Northern Border deep in his heart. Now, by entering the game himself, he was also giving himself and the Immortal Ancient Gu Family a logical reason.
In that case... she absolutely could not let go of this opportunity the youth had created with his life.
Since she decided to act, she would strive for a one-hit... certain kill!
"How is it possible? He is Gu Yun?!!"
"No, impossible. If it were really him, how could I not recognize him?!"
"Di Shitian, I'll f*ck your mother! You dare to lay hands on Little Yun'er? Did you treat everything I told you before as a fart?!"
Before the shock could end, a wild and unrestrained roar of anger exploded.
Immediately following, a world-stunning blade light slashed through the void.
Before the blade light even arrived, that terrifying blade intent, which dominated the world and brooked no rivals, had already pressed down like billions of divine mountains!
Di Shitian's face changed drastically. He instantly mobilized the spiritual power around his body to protect himself, only then barely managing to block it.
His figure was forced back by the blade light, flying backward in a sorry state.
Looking at the newcomer, his eyes were filled with... a trace of terror.
"Gu... Chang... Ge!!!"
//685///
Chapter 665 – A Crime Deserves No Excuse
Gu Changge.
The three words left Di Shitian's mouth, yet plunged the entire hall into suffocating silence.
The Eternal Emperors of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty recalled the recent terror: after the Heavenly Thunder Domain incident, Gu Changge had charged in alone, single-handedly fought the dynasty's entire star-studded lineup, and walked away unscathed—only after Di Shitian burned the last of the nation's dwindling fate did he barely force the man to retreat.
This fearsome monster who still roamed the Three Thousand Dao Domains unchecked had definitely reached the pinnacle of Emperor rank.
He could be called… a Heavenly Emperor!
The dazzling blade-light between heaven and earth faded, revealing a figure as towering as a mountain range. Wielding the Purgatory Demon Blade, he stood proudly in the void.
His features were heroic, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. "Di Shitian, not bad. Haven't seen you in a short while and you've already improved so much."
"Looks like you were toying with me last time—holding back your full strength. Do you take me for a joke?"
He rested the blade on his shoulder, eyes disdainful. Di Shitian dropped his disguise; his aura was extraordinary, close to the Eighth Calamity, yet still not worth Gu Changge's regard.
Di Shitian was Eighth Calamity because that was all he could be.
Gu Changge was Ninth Calamity because, in the current Three Thousand Dao Domains, Ninth was the absolute ceiling.
That was the gap—seemingly one celestial layer, in truth an unbridgeable chasm.
"Gu Changge!"
"You dare come in true flesh—are you going to ignore the safety of the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains?!"
Seeing Gu Changge's true state, Di Shitian's face turned extremely ugly.
Earlier it had merely been a clone and it had nearly forced out his final trump card; now this battle-maniac had arrived in person—who the hell could withstand that?
"The safety of the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains?"
Gu Changge sneered. "What's that to me? I guard the Primordial Battlefield purely because I enjoy slaughtering the creatures of the forbidden zone."
"I've toiled tirelessly, fought through hell in the forbidden zone—not so that a mongrel like you could stab us in the back and target the young unicorn of our Immortal Ancient Gu Family!"
"Di Shitian, I warned you already—why won't you listen?"
"If you want to accuse me, any excuse will do."
"Had the boy not concealed his identity, how would I have thrown him into prison!"
"So… did little Yun commit some unforgivable crime against your Eternal Imperial Dynasty?"
"Yet he just told me he escorted the Ninth Princess of your dynasty all the way back to the capital, doing his best to repair relations between our two dynasties.
"Never did we expect His Majesty the Eternal Emperor to be so overbearing—jailing him without giving him the slightest chance to explain."
"Had Goddess Ye not been present, were you planning to let the heir of my Supreme Divine Dynasty die just like that?"
Liu Tianhuang rose slowly, her chest heaving—clearly furious.
"I…"
Di Shitian opened his mouth, still wanting to argue.
But Shangguan Yaya slowly peeled away the clothes on Gu Yun's upper body; the shocking wounds made every witness grieve and every listener weep.
"Brother Yun…"
Feng Yunshu's trembling fingers touched him, her face full of heartache.
One could imagine how much pain Gu Yun had endured.
"It's fine, just minor injuries. As long as Shuer is alright."
Gu Yun smiled lightly.
"Di Shitian!!"
"What else have you got to say!!"
"I'll wreck your dam, damn it! Hitting him this hard—if I don't level your Eternal Imperial Dynasty today, I won't carry the surname Gu!!"
Seeing this scene, Liu Tianhuang and Gu Changge exploded in fury. Though they knew that with his formidable Myriad Transformation Body Gu Yun couldn't be in mortal danger, the indescribable rage was impossible to suppress.
Di Shitian's face was livid; a jade talisman already appeared in his hand.
"Liu Tianhuang, Gu Changge, Gu Yun concealing his identity was a fault on both sides."
"Fortunately no irreversible harm has been done. How about each of us takes a step back? Afterwards my Eternal Imperial Dynasty can offer you some compensation."
"What do you think?"
Before the two could answer, an icy, majestic voice rang from the heavens.
"Di Shitian… since when does a flippant apology wipe away the grievous injuries suffered by my son?!"
"If word of this spreads, won't the heroes of the world laugh that the Immortal Ancient Gu Family has no one left!"
In the void Gu Changqing tore space open and strode forth.
He held the Heaven-Piercing Celestial Gourd, his dignified bearing at odds with the rare fury on his handsome face—sixty to seventy percent similar to Gu Yun's.
"Little Yun, how did you end up like this after just one trip out."
"Let Third Uncle take a look—how badly are you hurt?"
A refined voice of concern sounded as Gu Changjue, the Gu Familys Pill Emperor, clad in an emerald Daoist robe, descended from the void to Gu Yun's side.
Since ancient times alchemy and medicine were one family; as an Alchemy Emperor he was also versed in the healing arts.
He hurriedly examined Gu Yun's condition, and an odd expression flickered across his face.
Meeting Gu Yun's gaze, he instantly grasped the youth's intent.
His face darkened. "Vital energy depleted, pulse weakening—clearly meridians damaged, dantian shaken, foundation injured!"
"Di Shitian… you've got some gall, striking so fiercely—clearly aiming to destroy our Gu Family's young unicorn!"
"Changjue offers his thanks to Goddess Ye here."
"My Gu Family… owes you a favor."
For the renowned Eighth-Calamity Alchemy Emperor of the Three Thousand Dao Domains to bow to her left Ye Qingcheng overwhelmed.
"Alchemy-Emperor senior, no need for courtesy; it was merely a small effort, hardly worth mentioning…"
"Goddess Ye, once this matter is settled my Immortal Ancient Gu Family will reward you generously. For now I still have to settle accounts with Di Shitian over how this debt is to be repaid!"
Gu Changqing locked his gaze on Di Shitian, slowly raising the Heaven-Piercing Celestial Gourd—should the other make any move he would instantly suppress him.
Di Shitian's face was ashen, yet he felt utterly wronged.
Even if Gu Yun bore injuries, they had nothing to do with him; Gu Yun had arrived at the Eternal Imperial Capital already wounded.
If anyone had dealt the heavy blows, it was most likely Dark Wing of Shadow Tower.
Yet the Gu Family treated Ye Qingcheng as their savior—so the whole black pot was dumped on him. What the hell kind of logic was that?
"Brother Changqing, you see clearly: young friend Gu's injuries were mostly inflicted by Shadow Tower's Dark Wing; I am at most guilty of negligence. Afterwards I can apologize specially to the Gu Family and to the young friend…"
"Damn it, Gu Changqing, did your sense of style fall into the toilet?!"
"Little Yun is beaten half to death and you're still wasting breath on this mongrel!"
Just then another violent roar shook the sky.
A rift split the eastern firmament and an extremely robust old man stepped out.
//686///
Chapter 666: Three Forces Converge
Lin Canghai—Gu Yun's maternal grandfather, Lin Qiushui's father, and the current palace master of Holy Water Immortal Palace—was a kindly grandpa in front of Gu Yun, but to outsiders he was a powder keg with no fuse; he'd explode at the slightest spark, showed no respect to anyone, and possessed none of the haughty bearing expected of a Great Emperor.
Lin Qiushui's usual overbearing manner had been shaped by this very old man.
Right now his bronze-bell eyes were glaring, beard and hair bristling.
The water-blue Imperial might around him surged like a raging ocean, locking firmly onto Di Shitian.
"You bastard! Di Shitian, you turtle-spawn, you dare lay a hand on my grandson!
,
Today if I don't dig up your Eternal Imperial Dynasty's ancestral graves and scatter the bones, I'll take your damn family name!
,
Tell Di Jiuyuan to crawl out here; this old man will teach him how to be human!!
As the words fell, the void behind him rippled.
A figure of gentle grace laced with sharpness stepped out leisurely, flanked by Holy Water Immortal Palace elders.
It was Gu Yun's mother—Lin Qiushui.
Her first sight was Gu Yun, supported by Shangguan Yaya and Feng Yunshu, and the savage wound across his chest.
In an instant the joy of reunion was drowned; the warmth in her eyes froze into frost.
"Yun'er!
She flashed to his side and gently gathered her son.
Gentle Holy Water Immortal power, soft as the finest silk, wrapped Gu Yun, probing his injuries.
"Ahem…
Gu Changjue, the Gu Familys Pill Emperor coughed, afraid Lin Qiushui would give the game away.
"Sister-in-law, actually—
,
Need you to tell me… shut your mouth; don't ruin Yun'er's plan!
Lin Qiushui snapped back mercilessly, her face still icy.
Feng Yunshu shrank timidly beside Gu Yun; the momentum she'd gathered earlier had vanished, and she was once more a mere First-Quasi-Emperor small-fry.
Across the Three Thousand Dao Domains, her age and cultivation had been dazzling enough to label her a heaven-sent beauty.
But now, faced with one terrifying presence after another—Seventh-Tribulation, Eighth-Tribulation, even deeper auras she couldn't fathom—she finally understood how vast heaven and earth could be, that beyond people there are always higher people, beyond skies yet higher skies.
She felt like a tiny boat adrift in a deep-sea storm, battered by towering waves, clutching the only driftwood within reach—Gu Yun's arm.
Yet her hands kept trembling, as though they might slip at any moment and the waves would sweep her away with nothing to cling to.
Fortunately Gu Yun's large hand pressed over hers; he gave her a brilliant smile
then introduced her to Lin Qiushui:
Mother, this is Feng Yunshu—she's a very good girl.
Lin Qiushui forced a gentle smile. "Well, Yunshu, Auntie came in haste today and didn't bring a gift; I'll make it up to you later.
,
N-no need…
Feng Yunshu waved her hands hurriedly, but Gu Yun pressed them down.
"Mother, the best greeting-gift is exactly what we're doing right now~
As he spoke, Gu Yun succinctly poured the whole story into Lin Qiushui's mind.
Understanding instantly, she rose, her gaze falling on Di Shitian; all gentleness vanished, replaced by killing frost.
With Lin Canghai's arrival, the pressure on Di Shitian peaked.
Immortal Ancient Gu Family, Supreme Divine Dynasty, Holy Water Immortal Palace—any one of these could make the Eternal Imperial Dynasty treat them with utmost gravity.
Now all three had gathered; their combined weight could snap the spine of any Imperial Dynasty.
Di Shitian's face turned from ashen to pale, cold sweat beading his forehead.
The Great Emperors and court-supplied vassals behind him were mute as cicadas in winter, their earlier arrogance gone.
If this matter went badly, it could mean the annihilation of the nation!
Di Shitian spoke with difficulty, trying to salvage the situation; how could he still covet the Phoenix Bloodline? All he wanted was to calm the storm. "Palace-Master Lin overstates the case; this must be a misunderstanding. Crown Prince Gu Yun is of exalted status; how would I dare slight him? At the time Shadow Tower assassins were lurking…
,
Enough crap.
,
I arrived just in time to see you beating little Yun'er. Forget explanations—stay here forever!
Gu Changge leveled his long blade, poised to strike.
"Gu Changge! You go too far; I've already yielded—what more do you want?!
,
I told you: his injuries weren't caused by me!
,
Heh…
With a cold laugh Gu Changge locked eyes on Jin Wufeng and casually slashed.
Whoosh—
The blade flashed so fast most present never saw the movement; Jin Wufeng's arm had already been severed.
"Gu Changge! What are you doing?!
,
I didn't do anything—what are you talking about?
Gu Changge spread his hands.
"Bullshit! Doing this in front of me—do you think the Eternal Imperial Dynasty has no one?!
,
Come on, I really didn't move a finger—who saw it?
,
Big brother, did you see?
,
Palace-Master Lin? Heavenly Phoenix Empress, did any of you see?
Everyone kept silent, only adding pressure to Di Shitian.
"See? No one saw; he injured himself.
Gu Changge stated matter-of-factly.
"Gu Changge!! This is intolerable!
,
I am the Eternal Emperor Lord—this is my Eternal Imperial Capital!!
,
Do you truly believe my Eternal Imperial Dynasty is made of mud?!!
,
Today I'm bullying you—what of it?
,
Fine, Gu Changge—very well! I hope you won't regret this!!
,
Summon—the Ancestral Patriarch!
Di Shitian's hoarse roar burst from his throat, filled with desperate madness.
He violently spat a mouthful of heart's blood onto an ancient dragon-patterned token; the token erupted in blinding golden light that shot to the heavens!
Buzz—
The entire territory of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty quaked beneath that radiance.
Countless eyes converged, nerves taut.
From the deepest part of the imperial palace, eight terrifying pillars of light pierced the sky!
Together with the royal ancestor who had fought the Shadow Immortal Palace's Grand Elder earlier, nine figures slowly appeared.
Each was different in form, yet all released incomparably dreadful Imperial might, like nine primordial divine mountains crashing onto every heart.
"Unworthy descendant Di Shitian has disturbed the slumber of his ancestors—ten thousand deaths cannot atone!
Di Shitian bowed deeply toward the nine ancestral spirits
voice mournful:
Yet today Immortal Ancient Gu Family, Supreme Divine Dynasty, and Holy Water Immortal Palace press us together; our Eternal Dao Lineage stands at the brink of annihilation.
,
Your descendant is powerless; I can only beseech the ancestors to act, to protect our realm from destruction and preserve our line of succession!