Ling Quan dared not utter a single harsh word. Deep down, he knew with absolute certainty that if he let so much as a stray thread of arrogance slip from his lips, he would not leave this place alive.
The more he pondered his plight, the more aggrieved he felt. Within the clan, he had been pampered and flattered since birth, elevated far above the common crowd. Yet in his entire life, he had only crossed paths with Xiao Tian twice—and on both occasions, he had been beaten into an unrecognizable pulp.
Overcome by a sudden, choking wave of humiliation and fury, Ling Quan spewed a mouthful of crimson blood before his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed into total unconsciousness.
Xiao Tian looked down at the unconscious youth with indifferent eyes, then turned away. As he took his first step, his gaze casually drifted toward Third Commander Yang Hao.
Yang Hao's heart skipped a beat. In an instant, a cold sweat broke out across his back as if the glare of an ancient, terrifying predator had locked onto his soul. He swallowed hard, his throat bone-dry.
When Xiao Tian averted his gaze without taking action, Yang Hao let out a long, silent sigh of relief. He secretly cursed his luck while feeling profoundly grateful that he had hesitated before speaking earlier; otherwise, he would be the one lying in a pool of his own blood right now.
For a cultivator, having one's hard-earned Dou Qi base forcibly stripped away was a fate far worse than death.
Without his strength, his coveted position as Third Commander of the Black Annihilation Army would be stripped away instantly—the army operated under a ruthless law where power alone dictated rank. Worse still, a damaged foundation meant that even with time, recovering one's peak realm was next to impossible.
Returning to Xun'er's side, Xiao Tian paused as she stepped forward. With tender care, her slender fingers reached out to smooth the faint wrinkles on his robes.
"Then... Xun'er will take her leave first," she whispered softy, her eyes glistening with warmth. "I will wait for you."
"Alright," Xiao Tian smiled gently. He reached out, gently patting her soft hair. "It won't take long. When the time comes, I won't keep you waiting."
Hearing his tone, a faint memory surfaced in Xun'er's mind, making her realize the deeper context behind his words. She shot him a charming, mock-glare, her cheeks flushing with a delicate pink hue.
Xiao Tian took her hand, leading her out of the grand hall into the crisp air. Behind them, Gu Qing and Gu Feng followed at a respectful distance.
Passing the trembling ranks of the Black Annihilation Army, Xun'er glanced at the soldiers, her expressive warmth instantly replaced by an ethereal, indifferent calm. "Move out," she commanded neutrally.
Third Commander Yang Hao and his subordinates bowed their heads in shame, hurriedly marching out while two soldiers hauled the unconscious Ling Quan between them.
Behind them, the members of the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace dispersed, feigning a return to their guard posts. Only a few remained behind to clean the ruined main hall, which was still speckled with blood. After all, when the sect elders had pummeled the invaders earlier, they had explicitly targeted their mouths and faces.
Upon reaching the vast entrance plaza, a soldier of the Black Annihilation Army drew a silver whistle and blew a long, shrill note. Moments later, the Four-Winged Beast—which had fled during the chaotic clash between Wen Yan and Yang Hao—flapped their massive wings and descended gracefully from the clouds.
"I am leaving... I will be waiting for you," Xun'er murmured. She stood on her tiptoes, lightly pressing her lips against Xiao Tian's cheek before retreating like a startled spirit.
She fled rapidly, terrified that if Xiao Tian reacted in time, he would pull her into his arms for a deep, breathless embrace in front of so many onlookers.
In truth, her worries were endearing but entirely unnecessary. Xiao Tian knew better than anyone how timid she could be. Even when he held her in the privacy of their inner chambers alongside Medusa and the others, the slightest display of affection would cause her to blush furiously.
Leaping lightly onto the back of the lead Four-Winged Unicorn, Xun'er looked down, her deep eyes locked onto Xiao Tian's figure.
Xiao Tian gave her a gentle nod. Though neither spoke another word, the silent understanding passed between their eyes was clearer than any speech. A fleeting trace of reluctance flickered within Xun'er's gaze, but it was swiftly burned away by unyielding resolve. The grand clan ceremony was approaching soon—their separation would not last long.
Gu Qing and Gu Feng stepped forward, cupping their fists toward Xiao Tian with profound respect. Over the past two days in the Primordial Heaven Realm, they had sampled peerless spiritual wines and rare delicacies, even exchanging deep insights on cultivation principles with Xiao Tian. Both elders had benefited immensely from the experience.
"Thank you, Palace Master Xiao, for your boundless hospitality over these past few days," Gu Qing said warmly.
"It was nothing," Xiao Tian smiled, returning the gesture. "I will have to rely on you two seniors to ensure Xun'er's safety on the return journey."
"Rest assured, Palace Master Xiao. Protecting the Young Miss is our highest directive. Even if it costs us our lives, we will bring her back to the clan unscathed."
The two elders spoke with solemn gravity. The moment their words fell, the surrounding space rippled like disturbed water. With a subtle warp of spatial energy, they vanished, reappearing instantly upon the back of the Four-Winged Unicorn.
Around them, the remaining Black Annihilation Army soldiers spread their magnificent Dou Qi wings, soaring up to take their positions on the beasts.
With a breathtaking smile illuminating her features, Xun'er gazed down at the young man below. "Brother Xiao Tian... when I return to your side next time, make sure this Divine Emperor Imperial Palace is grand enough to hold me."
Without waiting for his answer, she flicked her silk sleeve. The Four-Winged Unicorn let out a clear cry, whipping up a fierce gale as its powerful wings launched the group straight toward the horizon beyond Sky Heaven City.
Xiao Tian stood silently, watching the majestic silhouettes shrink into specks against the azure sky until they dissolved entirely into the clouds.
Only then did he turn back toward the grand hall. The moment he crossed the threshold, the elders who had participated in the beatdown rushed out from behind the pillars, their faces split into broad, triumphant grins.
"Palace Master, your foresight is truly divine!" Old Hai Bodong stroked his beard, chuckling heartily as he approached Xiao Tian. "Those arrogant fools carried themselves as if they owned the heavens, looking down at everyone through their nostrils!"
However, Hai Bodong lowered his voice slightly, asking with a hint of caution, "Still, given how harshly we handled them today..."
Xiao Tian waved a hand dismissively, a cold, sharp smile playing on his lips. "It matters not. I simply wanted them to understand that our Heaven Punishing Divine Palace is not an easy target. We do not seek out trouble, but we certainly do not fear it when it arrives."
His eyes swept across the gathered elders. Every single one of them held their heads high, their faces flushed with the adrenaline of combat—some even looking as though they hadn't gotten enough action.
"Very well," Xiao Tian chuckled softly. "Keep what transpired here today among ourselves. If outsiders inquire, simply state that they breached our grounds and provoked us first."
Turning to Hai Bodong and Wen Yan, he added, "Old Hai, Old Wen—everyone who took action today shall be rewarded with a Seven-Star Rank merit."
The moment those words left his mouth, the eyes of every elder in the hall lit up like blinding lamps. A wave of unrestrained excitement swept through the room.
In the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace, rewards were categorized into nine distinct star tiers. A Seven-Star Rank reward was exceptionally high—containing rare Tier-6 and Tier-7 Medicinal Pills, high-grade spirit crystals, and specialized cultivation manuals. How could they possibly contain their joy?
"Understood, Palace Master!" Hai Bodong and Wen Yan bowed in unison. Even Wen Yan, who was now a formidable Dou Zun, could not hide the look of satisfaction on his face.
"We thank the Palace Master for his supreme generosity! Long live the Palace Master!"
The elders clasped their hands tightly, their thunderous shouts shaking the vaulted ceiling of the grand hall.
Xiao Tian smiled, nodding in approval before stepping directly into a shimmering spatial teleportation array, vanishing from their sight.
The moment the Palace Master departed, a burly elder rubbed his hands together, chuckling heartily toward Hai Bodong. "Grand Elder, if another mission like this comes up in the future, you must assign it to me again!"
"Hahaha, well said! This mission was utterly glorious!" another elder laughed so hard his face resembled a blooming chrysanthemum. "Not only did we get to vent our frustration on those arrogant brats, but we also scored such a massive reward. I feel completely refreshed! Tonight, I am definitely visiting the Immortal Spring Pavilion for a few rounds of wine!"
"In your dreams!" Hai Bodong scolded playfully, though a smile tugged at his own lips. "Enough chatter. Clean up this mess and restore the hall to its proper glory. The merit rewards will be delivered to your courtyard residences by tonight."
"Rest assured, Grand Elder! Leave it to us—we guarantee this place will shine cleaner than a divine mirror!" The elders slapped their chests proudly, instantly springing into action with energetic laughter echoing through the halls.