"Palace Lord, retreat quickly! This person's kingly aura is blazing today, like oil added to fierce fire, possessing the bearing of an Emperor. Against such overwhelming momentum, resistance is futile!"

Qingming instantly recoiled in shock. The speaker was none other than one of her martial uncles, named Rong Bi, also a venerable figure of the Saint Realm in the Daoist path, capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Cheng Xin.

She knew this man specialized in the art of gazing upon Qi and observing forms. If not for Rong Bi's timely arrival, they would never have found Yuan Wushang, who would have already infiltrated the Primordial Lotus World silently.

But what did the phrase, 'kingly aura is blazing, like oil added to fierce fire, possessing the bearing of an Emperor. Against such overwhelming momentum, resistance is futile,' truly mean?

What exactly had her martial uncle seen just now?

Rong Bi seemed afraid she wouldn't understand, and further explained, "This youth's great momentum is already established; it cannot be reversed. Observing his Qi, he is encircled by Dragons and Tigers. If you forcefully obstruct him, you will suffer a backlash! Leave quickly!"

Within his gaze lay a hint of confusion. Although his art of observing Qi and forms was profound, the 'kingly Qi' emanating from this person possessed aspects he couldn't decipher.

He felt this 'Qi' was excessively pure, even blindingly so, hurting the eyes. Merely glancing at it had forcibly stripped away a significant portion of his cultivation. This left him bewildered and astonished.

Zong Shou, listening from the opposite side, found the situation quite amusing. This was the first time he had encountered someone resembling his father-in-law, Kong Rui.

This person possessed the skill of Qi observation; how much had he truly perceived? Did he really have 'Dragons and Phoenixes' entwined above his head? Were they truly pure white?

Looking at Qingming, Zong Shou clearly saw a flicker of indecision. Though she hadn't made a move yet, the intent to retreat had already surfaced.

Zong Shou couldn't help but chuckle: "The ancients said it is impolite not to return a favor! The grudge from the assassination attempt by the Formless Divine Demon must be repaid. If you all manage to slip away so easily, I will be exceedingly displeased—"

Qingming hesitated no longer, subtly flicking her sleeve. Cheng Xin and Rong Bi understood immediately, swiftly gathering the scores of people around them and retreating rapidly toward the distant void.

Zong Shou, however, burst into loud laughter again. The sword intent shielding Yuan Wushang spread out once more, stretching out remotely toward the direction of the Daoist cultivators, locking onto Qingming and the two Saint Realm figures, disregarding the others.

Cheng Xin and Rong Bi were instantly startled, slamming their escape lights to a halt. All other movements ceased immediately. Cold sweat beaded on their faces. Zong Shou’s sword intent had reached the middle stage of the Soul Realm.

Yet, lacking sufficient power to support it, it was only equivalent to an ordinary initial-stage Saint Realm expert, not truly a threat in their eyes. However, they had just experienced a sensation where their internal tides surged backward—a feeling that if the two of them fled without regard, one of them was certain to perish on the spot!

But what was the source of this sense of crisis?

Was it Ye Xuan, the peerless swordsman Dao Xiaoyao from back then? Though he was only a Divine Realm cultivator, his single sword was enough to challenge three, defeating three Saint Realm experts. Decades of cultivation must have made him even stronger than before. But this person's aura remained restrained, and his killing intent hadn't risen; it couldn't be him.

Then it must be Ao Yi or Ao Kun? These two hadn't shown themselves; they were still in hiding. It couldn't be them either—

In just one breath, the gazes of Cheng Xin and Rong Bi simultaneously fell upon the one hundred and eighty-four cultivators standing behind Zong Shou, clad in simple magic robes and holding Fourth-Grade magic swords.

These people had not previously concerned them. At this moment, their pupils contracted sharply, confusion and serious attention appearing in their eyes. What kind of Dao Soldiers were these?

One hundred and eighty-four Immortal Realm cultivators, seemingly all willing participants who had dedicated themselves to cultivating the Dao Soldier method. Where had Zong Shou found so many Immortal cultivators?

"Since you've arrived, why the rush to leave?"

Zong Shou caressed his sword, his killing intent rising. Being ambushed the moment he returned to the Primordial Lotus World was truly irritating.

But just then, a strong sensation struck him. Zong Shou frowned, turning his gaze toward the other side of the void, where the noble and magnificent colossal flying ship floated.

A look of helplessness crossed his face. Zong Shou had no choice but to temporarily retract his sword intent slightly.

—The master of this place seemed to have grown impatient.

In the very next instant, several vast streams of intent suddenly swept across the sky, piercing through the area. Not just Zong Shou's side, but everyone present felt their breath catch. Rong Bi and Cheng Xin on the opposite side also frowned simultaneously.

This oppressive will was too obvious. Most of the concentrated mental pressure was focused behind Zong Shou alone.

They breathed a sigh of relief, momentarily freed from the killing intent of Zong Shou and his companion. Yet, they shook their heads inwardly, speechless. A combined effort by several Saint Realm experts to suppress a mere initial-stage Immortal Realm cultivator here was not impossible.

However, after learning of the hidden cards Zong Shou possessed, they couldn't help but feel a trace of sorrow for the fate of these few individuals. Even if they were eager to seek reincarnation, there was no need to be so impatient—

And in only an instant, a cold, mocking voice echoed from afar.

"You are the sovereign of Da Qian? Truly audacious! Arriving with such fanfare, does this mean you refuse to obey my Emperor's decree to withdraw from the Primordial Lotus Cloud Realm, insisting on settling the score with my Nine Capitals Immortal Court here?"

Zong Shou's lips twitched. He temporarily let go of the dozens of Daoists opposite him. Unless they possessed some unknown stratagem, these people couldn't escape his grasp for now. No matter what method Qingming used, one of these three was destined to fall by his hand.

"And if so?"

His voice was cold, yet it resonated through the void. Using materialized spiritual energy as the medium, the sound carried clearly near this realm river. He remained standing tall; even with the mental pressure of nine Saint Realm experts bearing down on him, he did not bow even slightly.

The tortures of the Nine Deaths Prison hadn't broken him; even the formidable Jue Yan couldn't make him yield. What was this mere display before him?

As his words fell, hundreds of streaks of light began emerging from the void ship one after another, unfolding vast auras that permeated the surroundings. One-fifth of them were Divine Realm cultivators; surprisingly few were Immortal Realm cultivators. Peak Immortal Realm experts were usually world lords, commanding seven or eight slightly lower-ranked Immortal cultivators to guard a territory, making them difficult to mobilize.

Only about four hundred people were present now, two-thirds of whom were clearly the Heavenly Rank Dao Soldiers of the Nine Capitals Immortal Court—the Nine Capitals Blade Immortals!

Zong Shou glanced at them with curiosity before looking toward the others. His first impression was still their splendor! One hundred Divine Realm experts and three hundred Heavenly Rank Dao Soldiers—a magnificent and massive formation. The mere appearance of these individuals was enough to plunge many cultivation factions into despair!

The most eye-catching were the nine Saint Realm figures, each occupying a position, most wearing stern expressions and possessing icy gazes.

"The Nine Capitals Immortal Court's Liu Jue, Guan Zhong, Bai Daozi, Ju Yesheng, Xing Long, Zuo Liao—that red-haired person is named Ji Ming, from the Profound Spirit Association. I don't recognize the other one—the last is named Han Tao, one of the venerable masters of the Extreme Capital Immortal Court—his Talisman Dao is exceptional—"

Lu Wubing introduced the origins of each person behind Zong Shou, rattling off their specialized divine arts, techniques, and weaknesses as if reciting familiar household inventory. This domain, including undiscovered worlds, might be vast, comprising sixty thousand worlds. Yet, in terms of the supreme Saint Venerables and Saint Realm masters, there were only a few hundred, certainly not exceeding a thousand. Once one crossed the Saint Realm threshold, their experiences would be known across all realms.

Zong Shou listened impassively, though with slight curiosity. He noted that one person was missing among these nine.

It was precisely as he looked that the one hundred and eighty-four Demon Slayers of the Origin Sea behind him began to disperse. They automatically assumed their positions, arrayed according to the pre-rehearsed formation diagram—the Minor Heaven Supreme Demon Slaying Formation! One hundred and eight formed the core, while the remaining seventy-six organized into two Supreme Heavenly Gang Demon Slaying Formations on the flanks, serving as supplements and escorts to the main array.

Just then, an ornate jade carriage slowly emerged from the massive ship. Seated upon it was a figure dressed in a dragon robe. His attire was entirely purple-gold, conveying opulence without vulgarity. His features were square, his demeanor refined and elegant. Seated upon the jade carriage, he gave the imposing feeling of a giant mountain, vast and deep. His gaze, too, was detached and cold, looking down at Zong Shou as if regarding a mere child.

Zong Shou took just one glance and knew this must be the Lord of the Nine Capitals Immortal Court—Liu Muchen!

Amidst his surprise and unexpected discovery, the smile on Zong Shou's lips became even more pronounced. Others didn't understand why, but Qingming and the other two nearby knew a little of the reason. Their expressions grew increasingly grim, and Qingming couldn't help but grind her teeth.

Liu Muchen's personal appearance here clearly showed the extreme regard he held for Zong Shou, refusing to grant him even the slightest chance. Although his expression was contemptuous, it was, in reality, a sign of immense caution.

But did Zong Shou need others to grant him opportunities? Having fully spread his wings, he could mock the world at will. It would be best if the Nine Capitals Immortal Court aligned with his wishes; if not, it didn't matter—he could still capture the Primordial Lotus World, though the subsequent matters would be slightly more troublesome.

Conversely, the arrival of this Nine Capitals Immortal Emperor, in his 'regard' for Zong Shou, might push the entire Nine Capitals Immortal Court into the abyss of eternal damnation. If he hadn't come, there might still have been a chance. Now that he had arrived, it was unlikely anyone could restrain Zong Shou's Da Qian Immortal Dynasty in the short term. After seizing the Primordial Lotus World, what would Zong Shou do?

Qingming's thoughts raced, and then her heart sank. If the Primordial Lotus World fell, how could the surrounding minor worlds, guarded only by a few Dao Soldiers and a handful of Immortal cultivators, escape?

It would be a conquest!

When the Nine Capitals Immortal Court was severely wounded or even utterly collapsed, leaving a power vacuum, the major forces in the vicinity would inevitably fight desperately for dominance. No one would pay attention to what happened to the Primordial Lotus World or how the Da Qian Immortal Dynasty fared. Even if they were wary or took precautions, they couldn't attend to this matter immediately.

"You wish to settle the score with? Is that what you say? Worthy of a Supreme Realm practitioner, fearless and unrestrained in action. It is fortunate that personally came here—"

Liu Muchen remained oblivious, letting out a cold sneer: "Do you truly believe cannot kill you?"

His tone was authoritative and utterly frigid, an absolute killing intent sweeping across. Unlike the other Saint Realm figures, his pressure was overwhelmingly fierce.

"You are clearly a disciple of Long Ying. I give you one last chance. Withdraw now, leave the Primordial Lotus, and I may spare you once more."