The entire sky abruptly dimmed, a chilling gale swept through, and vast patches of pitch-black vortexes rippled across the void, creating an instantaneous vision of the apocalypse.
Figures arrived like shooting stars, settling in the air above. Each one occupied a section of space, instantly filling the immense area with dozens of terrifying auras. The sheer natural pressure radiating from them alone caused the flow of time in the surrounding space to become turbulent and unstable, manifesting as spider-web-like cracks.
Ye Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he quietly clasped Bai Yijun’s soft, smooth hand, as if her beautiful presence beside him rendered him fearless against any threat.
Just then, Bai Tian’s figure flashed, appearing before Ye Chen and the woman. His expression was solemn as he gazed at the suddenly amassed figures, his eyes flickering as he silently contemplated something.
At this moment, all the figures who had materialized noticed the situation unfolding. Some of the noisier individuals gaped, their faces etched with shock and unease as they stared at the pure, beautiful white figure standing at the center of the scene.
Ye Chen scanned the crowd and realized that some were alone while others had arrived in small groups. The auras of most present were on par with his master, King Tianwu, while a few others were slightly stronger, reaching the level of the former Demon Wuwang. Only seven or eight of them possessed a power level equivalent to the Big Dipper Six Stars.
“Master Tiandao really made quite a few enemies…” Ye Chen mused inwardly. A cold killing intent flickered in his eyes as he watched the swarm of God-Emperor level powerhouses approaching, his gaze sharp.
A figure slowly emerged from the center of the assembled crowd. He was a man clad in magnificent golden robes, tall and handsome, a smile perpetually playing on his lips. His eyes sparkled like distant stars, deep and captivating. He glanced briefly at the Lord of the Temple of Light before fixing his gaze on Hei Xue and Bai Tian. He paused slightly on the latter two before subtly flicking his eyes toward Ye Chen, a momentary glint appearing there, after which he swiftly returned his gaze, his expression gentle. “I didn’t expect the Lord of the Temple of Light to be here as well. It certainly makes for a lively gathering.”
The Lord of the Temple of Light gave him a measured look. “Clan Leader Long, long time no see.”
The man in splendid robes smiled. “If my estimation is correct, in a short while, the Ten Nation Emperors and the masters of the other nine temples will likely all arrive. If we don’t divide the Tiandao Sutra now, it will be even more difficult later!”
The Lord of the Temple of Light asked flatly, “Oh?”
The robed man continued with a smile, “Among those present, you, the Lord of the Temple of Light, are the most powerful. The entirety of the Nine Heavens Tiandao Sutra can go to you; I only require the Eighth Heaven Tiandao Sutra. I wonder what Clan Leader Bai Tian and Clan Leader Hei Xue think?”
Bai Tian stated calmly, “Didn’t I just send out an email? Didn’t you see it? He is already a member of my Bai family. Do you think you can just divide him as you please?”
The robed man’s eyes flashed. “Clan Leader Bai Tian has a clever plan, but if your Bai family tries to monopolize the Tiandao Sutra today, you are inviting disaster and courting self-destruction. Although White Spirit Mountain is the foremost divine mountain in the world, especially with an ancestor of your Bai family having established the mountain-protecting formation in ancient times, even if that formation is combined with the Tiandu River crossing, I doubt it can withstand all the God-Emperors from across the heavens. I suggest you hand over a portion for the sake of stability!”
“Whether we can withstand it, you will soon find out.” Bai Tian glanced at him dismissively, sweeping his voluminous sleeve to envelop Ye Chen and Bai Yijun, and declared, “Let’s go!” His figure shot away into the distance. The Lord of the Temple of Light beside him remained detached, allowing Bai Tian to sweep past her without making any move to stop him.
The man in splendid robes was clearly unprepared for the Lord of the Temple of Light to allow Bai Tian to escape with Ye Chen alone. He paused in astonishment, then stamped his foot in frustration, turning to Hei Xue beside him. “Clan Leader Hei, you and I will join forces and capture Bai Tian together!”
Hei Xue stared blankly at the figure of Ye Chen being swept away by Bai Tian, lost in thought, having not heard the robed man’s words. After a moment, she snapped back to attention, turned her head to glance at the robed man, and replied coldly, “If you want to go, go by yourself. This Clan Leader has no time to accompany you.”
The splendidly robed man choked, his handsome face flushing crimson. Amidst his anger, he was also deeply shocked. He could not fathom why Hei Xue, who had always been at odds with the Bai family, would abandon such a golden opportunity at this critical juncture.
As he called out to Hei Xue, the others around him simultaneously roared and surged forward to intercept Bai Tian, brandishing their weapons and shouting, “Bai Tian, leave the Tiandao Sutra behind before you go!”
“Stop right there!!”
“Don’t even think about taking it all!”
Dozens of figures flashed, arriving before Bai Tian in an instant, each gripping a weapon, staring coldly at him and blocking his path forward.
Bai Tian’s expression gradually darkened. His black hair moved without wind, his robes billowed, surging with an overwhelming aura. His eyes were icy as lightning as he swept over everyone in front of him and spoke chillingly, “If you don’t get out of the way now, don’t blame me for bathing the firmament in blood!”
As his bloodthirsty gaze swept over these dozens of individuals, a deep chill ran through them. They recalled that this madman, countless ages ago, had slaughtered over a thousand God-Emperors in his wrath over the death of his beloved wife, and a shudder ran through them.
“Clan Leader Bai, why the rush to leave?” Suddenly, a gentle voice drifted down from above, landing directly in front of Bai Tian. It was a figure dressed in purple, enveloped by a noble violet mist that formed… ribbons of purple that circled her body. She was draped in a thin, sheer purple veil, her skin snow-white and smooth, her figure delicate and lovely, like a beautiful porcelain doll, giving an impression of liveliness and refinement.
“Lord of the Thunder Palace!”
“She came too!!”
“Holy crap!”
A collective gasp rose from the crowd as they stared in astonishment at the delicate young girl before them. Those unaware of her identity would never guess that this gentle and charming little girl was the renowned Lord of the Thunder Palace, nor would they imagine the terrifying power capable of tearing the heavens and earth erupting from her petite body!
Seeing this beautiful figure, Bai Tian’s face shifted slightly, his expression growing grim. “Lord of the Thunder Palace, are you also inserting yourself into this matter? Your Heavenly Thunder Divine Hall’s secret manual, the Heavenly Thunder Art, is famous throughout the world; why get involved in this murky mess?”
The purple-clad girl wrinkled her delicate nose charmingly, her sapphire-blue eyes flashing. She scoffed, “Why can’t I? Doesn’t your Bai family have the White Water True Art? That excellent ancient inheritance—aren’t you unsatisfied with it and trying to hoard the Tiandao Sutra all for yourself? Hmph!”
Bai Tian spoke coldly, “This person has become my Bai family’s son-in-law. How could I let him suffer a loss? This Tiandao Sutra is his property; no one can question it. Anyone who covets it must get past me first!”
“Tch!” The purple-clad girl looked disdainful. “You old fox, everyone knows the tricks you’re playing in that little stomach of yours. Stop pretending to be so sanctimonious; it makes me nauseous enough to spit up what I ate hundreds of years ago.”
Bai Tian’s face turned ashen, and he roared in fury, “Stop spewing slander! Don’t think you can look down on everyone just because you’ve reached that level. If it truly comes to a fight, my Bai family will not lose to you!”
“That sounds good!” The purple-clad girl’s eyes lit up. She stretched the joints of her soft, fair hands and chuckled wickedly, “Anyway, I’m just here for the excitement. If you’re not afraid of fighting me to the death, neither am I. If it comes down to life and death, the Tiandao Sutra definitely won’t fall into my hands, so it doesn’t matter if someone else takes it. I’m just here to play!”
Bai Tian was speechless, finding the Lord of the Thunder Palace, who spoke like a child, utterly exasperating. The most invincible thing in this world wasn't shamelessness, but pure, innocent shamelessness!
Bai Tian sighed and said, “Go on, what is your demand?”
A cute arc curved her lips. The purple-clad girl raised her hand and pointed at Ye Chen. “Little friend, you must be Tiandao’s successor, right? You look quite pleasing to the eye. Come here, Auntie has something to ask you.”
Ye Chen’s heart suddenly tensed, and he felt a prickle on his scalp. He raised an eyebrow and challenged, “Are you, like the Lord of the Temple of Light, also one of my master’s former lovers?”
The purple-clad girl looked utterly surprised. “How did you know?” Then, she seemed to suddenly realize, jumped up, and shrieked in exasperation, “What did you say? That bitch from the Temple of Light is also his woman? Impossible! I am his woman! Who told you that?!”
Ye Chen froze, and everyone else in the area was dumbfounded.
Such romantic entanglements…
Ye Chen pouted. “The Lord of the Temple of Light told me herself, and Clan Leader Hei, standing right there, is also my master’s lover. Didn’t you know?”
“Nonsense!” The purple-clad girl’s face was filled with rage as she glared at the distant Lord of the Temple of Light and Clan Leader Hei. She roared, “Is what this kid saying true or not?!”
Hei Xue felt intensely annoyed by her gaze. She had already been inexplicably vexed upon learning that Tiandao had so many lovers. She snapped coldly, “So what if it is? You little tramp, your body hasn’t even fully developed; are you also one of the bastards that creature fathered outside?”
“You’re the tramp! You are, you are, you great tramp, Black Tramp, dead tramp…” The purple-clad girl pointed at Hei Xue, raving madly. “I remember you! You played a part in killing Tiandao back then!”
Hei Xue sneered, “And weren’t you there too? I remember you struck the hardest blow against him. Heh, the power of the Heavenly Thunder Hammer was quite something!”
The purple-clad girl’s cheeks flushed red, and she shouted angrily, “That’s because he betrayed me! He was fooling around with other women outside, and when I killed that woman, he actually left me for it! That faithless scoundrel!”
Hei Xue pursed her lips. “When you meet someone like you, of course, one seeks new affections. Why don’t you look in the mirror and see what you look like!”
The purple-clad girl cried out loudly, “What’s wrong with me? He said he likes my small figure! You think you look good? You’re so long, like a limp noodle, hideous, and dressed all gloomy—do you think you’re some little mud eel?”
Hei Xue roared back, “You’re talking nonsense! He clearly said he likes someone like me and absolutely detests short figures, saying they’re hideous!”
“You’re the one talking nonsense!” The purple-clad girl shouted in anger. “You’re clearly jealous of me! You’re jealous that I’m naturally this beautiful and adorable!”
The onlookers felt a headache coming on watching these two women, thinking to themselves, just how much karma had Tiandao sown?