…… The Holy Radiance King's expression shifted abruptly, and he hastily withdrew his hand, but the skin across the entire appendage was already scorched black in an instant by the white flame. Consider this: the Holy Radiance King was a peak mid-stage Soul Transformation master, standing at the apex of all strong practitioners across the Six Domains and Nine Continents; how astonishing must his physique be? Ordinary flames could not harm him in the slightest, not even the formidable Six Extremes Yang Fire, which would be hard-pressed to scorch him in such a short span. "Extreme Yang True Fire." The Holy Radiance King sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes revealing a look of awe toward that token. Above the Six Extremes lay the Nine Suns, and above the Nine Suns resided the Extreme Yang. Extreme Yang True Fire, a flame several tiers higher than the Six Extremes Yang Fire, was certainly not something the Holy Radiance King could afford to disregard. Forget the Holy Radiance King; even the Purgatory Demon King, accustomed to dwelling within flames, would earn the right to share the King's surname if he could survive the Extreme Yang True Fire for even a moment. So it seemed: this Celestial Clan Supreme Decree must be genuine. Once the Holy Radiance King confirmed this, his reverence shifted from the Supreme Decree to Tantai Bingyun herself. His gaze held a hint of helplessness mingled with deference. "Esteemed Celestial Envoy, please forgive my presumption." His scorched hand trembled uncontrollably. "Heh heh, Uncle need not be so distant," Tantai Bingyun smiled faintly with artificial warmth. "Earlier you mentioned that Ajiana is your niece, and I, Bingyun, am Ajiana's friend; naturally, I am also your niece. Although Bingyun holds the title of Envoy, we are still kin, after all. Holy Radiance Uncle, your hand is injured; treat it quickly."

"Just a minor injury, nothing serious." The Holy Radiance King was unwilling to hide his power. Without any discernible movement, a faint, pure white light manifested around him. Tiny, minute white light particles, as if imbued with life, gathered toward his blackened hand, soothing and healing the burn. In merely seven or eight breaths, after all the white particles had melted into his skin, the Holy Radiance King possessed a long, slender, and perfectly restored hand. "Uncle truly lives up to his reputation as one of the two Radiant Kings standing at the pinnacle of the Six Domains and Nine Continents. This healing technique, displayed by you, appears effortless, yet it has clearly reached a state of perfection. Seeing this small display reveals the profound level of cultivation in your Great Brightness Art, Holy Radiance Uncle." Tantai Bingyun, utilizing her discerning eye, nodded in praise. "Heh heh, I am getting old, getting old," the Holy Radiance King's mood lightened slightly. In truth, he did possess deep insight and understanding regarding his cultivation of the Great Brightness Art. Every member of the Winged God Clan knew that healing technique, but performed by anyone else, it would be impossible to mend a hand burned by Extreme Yang True Fire in seven or eight breaths—not even his renowned brother, the Radiant Glory King, could achieve it. Looking at Ajiana and Tantai Bingyun, who remained visibly shocked, he chuckled. "I didn't realize it before, but seeing such outstanding young people suddenly makes me feel my age. Ajiana."

"Yes, Uncle," Ajiana replied somewhat flusteredly. "Child, cultivate diligently. When you reach the mid-stage of Soul Transformation, Uncle will wholeheartedly support you in becoming the undisputed true King of the entire Winged God Clan, leading our people to unimaginable glory." The Holy Radiance King spoke with utmost seriousness. "Don't worry about your father; I will go and persuade him."

The moment Ajiana heard her father mentioned, her expression darkened slightly, and she replied with clear displeasure, "Uncle, I don't wish to hear you mention him."

"What kind of talk is that?" The Holy Radiance King’s face stiffened, showing a flicker of anger. "No matter how wrong Big Brother might be, he is still your biological father. Moreover, concerning your mother's death, that was an accident; it wasn't..."

"Uncle, I feel unwell and must take my leave." Ajiana seemed fiercely determined on this matter, rudely interrupting the Holy Radiance King for the first time. After offering a brief bow, she departed directly, transmitting a sound wave to Tantai Bingyun as she went: "Bingyun, I’ll wait for you outside the palace." With that, she drifted away elegantly. The Holy Radiance King looked genuinely angry but did not detain Ajiana. After a long silence, his composure gradually returned, though his eyes held a touch of gloom. He apologized to Tantai Bingyun, "Bingyun, I apologize for letting you witness such a scene. The accidental passing of Big Sister-in-law truly weighs heavily on our entire family. In fact, the person most affected is not Ajiana, but my elder brother, the Radiant Glory King. For years, he has lived in self-reproach and despondency. As for Ajiana, she has misunderstood that her mother’s death was her father’s fault, and my brother refuses to explain, resulting in an extremely poor relationship between father and daughter. As his younger brother and her uncle, I truly cannot bear to see them continue like this, which is why I lost control just now."

"Holy Radiance Uncle’s deep affection and integrity deeply impress Bingyun," Tantai Bingyun sighed sympathetically. "This matter must be Sister Ajiana's internal struggle. Bingyun will endeavor to counsel her more in the future."

The Holy Radiance King’s face lit up with joy, and he stood up gratefully. "Bingyun, if you are willing to help, Uncle will reward you handsomely for this favor."

"Uncle, Bingyun's actions stem only from her close personal bond with Ajiana; it is not a desire for Uncle's reward." Tantai Bingyun frowned slightly, showing a hint of displeasure. "That, that is true; it was just Uncle getting carried away and speaking carelessly," the Holy Radiance King quickly clarified, then swiftly changed the subject. "Since Bingyun’s journey here is for the Nether King Banner, it would be improper for Uncle to delay any further, lest Bingyun think ill of me."

With that, a Winged God Clan member, exuding an extraordinary aura, arrived bearing a precious casket. The Holy Radiance King took the casket and presented it solemnly to Tantai Bingyun. "Bingyun, this is the Nether King Banner you requested. However, when I first acquired it, the banner was already in a half-damaged state. Since the Nether King Banner is useless to me, I haven't had the inclination to gather materials to repair it. If Bingyun is not in a hurry, Uncle can immediately issue orders to prepare the necessary materials and have the banner repaired before giving it to you."

Tantai Bingyun frowned slightly upon hearing the Nether King Banner was broken, but, as the saying goes, delays breed complications; she was unwilling to let the banner remain in the Holy Radiance King's hands any longer. Using a special method, she sensed the object within the casket; sure enough, she detected the presence of the Nether King Banner. Immediately, she expressed gratitude. "Bingyun appreciates Uncle's kind intentions. This mission was merely to obtain the Nether King Banner; whether it is functional or not falls outside Bingyun's purview. However, I trust the superiors have ample means to repair such an item."

Tantai Bingyun’s display of being strictly businesslike and unwilling to press the issue further somewhat eased the Holy Radiance King’s lingering suspicion. After all, if Tantai Bingyun were a fraud, she would inevitably covet the materials needed to repair the Nether King Banner—a renowned Chaos Spirit Treasure whose repair components must be extraordinarily precious. Yet, the Holy Radiance King seemed unwilling to fully let go and began polite probing. "Bingyun, forgive Uncle for asking presumptuously: which Celestial Clan predecessor is your master in the Upper Realm?"

Tantai Bingyun saw no reason to conceal this and stated without hesitation, "My master in the Upper Realm is Immortal Maiden Azure Wave, who serves beneath the Supreme Seat."

"What? Immortal Maiden Azure Wave?" The Holy Radiance King's cheek twitched several times. He certainly knew the name Immortal Maiden Azure Wave as if it were thunder in his ears. She was among the most outstanding figures in the history of the Celestial Clan, having achieved near-infinite lifespan, a terrifying existence capable of challenging the Supreme level. However, following the great battle with the Nether King, rumors vaguely suggested that Immortal Maiden Azure Wave had declared retirement, with many subsequent reports indicating she had perished, as no one had seen trace of her for countless ages. Instantly, the Holy Radiance King’s expression turned exceptionally reverent. "It truly surprises Uncle that Bingyun's master is Immortal Maiden Azure Wave. However, Uncle heard that Immortal Maiden Azure Wave long ago retired from worldly affairs..." Out of caution, he dared not speak directly of her supposed demise, as such a remark reaching her ears might cause him considerable trouble. Even within the Three Realms, few beings could match Immortal Maiden Azure Wave. "Bingyun has also heard such rumors," Tantai Bingyun replied with a calm smile. "It is true that my Master entered secluded cultivation for a period, withdrawing from worldly affairs, but that was only because she sought to breach the Supreme Realm."

The Holy Radiance King flinched. "Then, did she succeed?"

Tantai Bingyun shook her head slightly. "Uncle, how monumentally difficult is it to assault the Supreme Realm? Across the entire Three Realms, there are but three Supremes. My revered Master has only gained slight insights; she remains a considerable distance from the Supreme level. However, exactly how far, your junior dare not inquire too deeply."

The Holy Radiance King pondered internally; this explanation seemed more plausible, and his faith in Tantai Bingyun’s identity strengthened. He immediately lowered his stance, seeking to curry favor. "Bingyun, Ajiana waits for you outside; Uncle will not detain you further. But do try to stay in Holy Radiance Main City for a few extra days before you depart."

"Uncle, Bingyun must report back. After completing my duties, I shall return to trouble you again." Tantai Bingyun bowed, and then her form transformed into a wisp of pale green vapor, gradually dispersing until it unfolded into vast, rolling azure waves, presenting a scene of immense, ethereal mist, quite the spectacle filled with Celestial Spirit Qi.

"Azure Wave Divine Art?"

The Holy Radiance King's eyelids jumped; he reacted instantly. This was the Azure Wave Divine Art that had made the renowned Immortal Maiden Azure Wave famous. Others could be deceived, but a cultivation technique was difficult to counterfeit. The surging azure display was saturated with the unique Celestial Spirit Qi of the Celestial Clan, something others could hardly imitate. Moreover, though this phenomenon appeared unassuming, it caused the Holy Radiance King to feel an oppressive, suffocating pressure—clearly, the technique was of an extremely high rank. Otherwise, how could a mere peak Nascent Soul human inflict such an imposing pressure upon him?

By the time everything settled, Tantai Bingyun had completely vanished.

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