Appointment at Phoenix Palace

Inside the Dao Seeking Palace. Iceberg Overlord Woman gazed at the sky and suddenly froze. "Why did the sun just flicker?" Great Sun Flame Emperor was also bewildered. Weren't the two suns in the sky Origin Celestial Venerable's Golden Cores? The sun had flickered, yet it hadn't plummeted toward the Canglan Realm—unlike last time. Where... did this Stellar Golden Core fall? "I don't know what happened either," Great Sun Flame Emperor admitted honestly. "Why do you two care about the sun in the sky?" Lord Feng spoke up, sounding displeased. Right now, the Blood-Robed Sword God was locked in fierce combat with the Four Generals of the Lei Family in the Void Realm. Yet his own grandson was obsessing over whether the sun in the sky flickered. Great Sun Flame Emperor was at a loss for words. He couldn't very well tell his grandfather that the sun in the sky was the Blood-Robed Sword God's Golden Core, could he? Even if he said it, no one would believe him. Besides, it was best not to expose Origin Celestial Venerable's true strength. In the distance, Old Man Qishang had a complex look in his eyes. "The battle... should be decided soon. Our fate is about to be sealed as well." Right now, he desperately wanted to grab the jade slip and make a run for it. After all, that was a divine art—a divine art capable of bringing spring back to an old, withered tree like him. At this moment, countless gazes turned toward the Dao Seeking Palace from afar, awaiting the outcome. Suddenly, space rippled, and all the high cultivators looked over. A rift split open in the firmament, and a handsome man clad in blood-red robes emerged, a brilliant smile in his eyes. The moment they saw his figure, almost everyone gasped, their breath catching in their throats. "It's actually him!" "The Blood-Robed Sword God is out!" "How is that possible? The Four Generals of the Lei Family were terrifying beings that destroyed Great Venerable Chiyan!" Every Yin God's heart shook violently. They couldn't help their shock. Every single one of the Four Generals of the Lei Family was a Six Steps of Sky Treading existence. For the Blood-Robed Sword God to defeat them... was beyond their imagination. Old Man Qishang narrowed his eyes and suddenly gave a soft laugh. "Fortunate that this old man didn't run." A thousand li away, curiosity flickered in Great Venerable Moli's eyes. "How did he win?" From the ancient mirror, the voice of the silhouetted figure spoke: "It took him nearly five hundred breaths to conclude the battle. His strength is merely so-so." If it were a Mythological figure, the fight would have ended in under thirty breaths. He had an even clearer grasp of the Blood-Robed Sword God's strength now. "However..." The silhouetted figure in the mirror shifted the conversation. "His body... is very tempting. I want to obtain his secrets as well." "When will Master claim his corpse? Playing with Master like that might be quite entertaining." Great Venerable Moli ran her fragrant tongue across her lips, exuding sheer allure. Living in such an environment, Great Venerable Moli's psyche had warped long ago. "Give me a few days..." murmured the silhouette in the ancient mirror. Great Venerable Moli's eyes were filled with immense anticipation. "The body of the Blood-Robed Sword God, and Master's soul... What supreme bliss would that be?" Unfortunately, Qi Yuan knew nothing of her thoughts. Qi Yuan could trace an ethernet cable to beat someone up, but he wasn't omniscient. If he knew what Great Venerable Moli was thinking, he would definitely obliterate this repulsive woman on the spot. At this moment, Qi Yuan looked at the crowd in the Dao Seeking Palace and said softly, "The Four Generals of the Lei Family have been dealt with. Great Venerable Wujun, please help me contact the other branches of the Dao Seeking Palace. Tell them... my Origin God Sharing Society seeks to unite the realm's heroes, gather all the cultivation arts in the world, eradicate the Dark Sun, and overturn the Great Tribulation!" Gathering cultivation arts was still necessary. Even mosquito meat was meat; Qi Yuan wouldn't turn his nose up at it. Great Venerable Wujun's eyes shone with excitement. The outcome of this battle had not exceeded his expectations. The Blood-Robed Sword God already possessed combat power comparable to the Mythological level. Defeating the Four Generals of the Lei Family was a walk in the park, wasn't it? "Understood!" Great Venerable Wujun replied. With this achievement under the Blood-Robed Sword God's belt, the Dao Seeking Palace might very well change its stance and support the Origin God Sharing Society. Old Man Qishang stood beside Lord Feng and the others, his thoughts racing. The way they looked at Qi Yuan was entirely different from before. At that moment, Qi Yuan turned to Iceberg Overlord Woman, Great Sun Flame Emperor, and the others, sighing with emotion. "I've realized that not only does the Canglan Realm's atmosphere need purifying, but the Upper Realm's atmosphere needs a good clean-up too." "Huh?" Great Sun Flame Emperor was bewildered. Old Man Qishang was also confused. The Upper Realm? To the people of the Canglan Realm, the Upper Realm was mere legend. Not a single Yin God from the Canglan Realm had ever ascended there. Shen Wushen, however, nodded earnestly. "The Upper Realm's atmosphere is indeed terrible. Cultivators carry far too much hostility. Sometimes I just make a casual remark, and someone wants to duel me to the death." The cultivators present were dumbfounded, especially Old Man Qishang, who looked at Shen Wushen with deep suspicion. Qi Yuan paused. "Looks like our views align. By the way, what did you say?" "A few years ago, my senior brother's Dao companion gave birth to a son. I simply said, 'Your son doesn't look like you; he looks a bit like me.' And the result was... sigh." Shen Wushen sighed. Hearing this, everyone fell dead silent. After a long pause, Old Man Qishang remarked, "You deserved the beating." Qi Yuan pondered seriously for a good while before saying, "That really is a bit too hostile. He lacked far too much trust in his Dao companion. "By the way, are you on good terms with his Dao companion?" "Very good terms. She's my childhood friend. Otherwise, why would I have been at her side when she gave birth?" Shen Wushen replied honestly. At that moment, Qi Yuan was rendered speechless as well. This wasn't even a matter of trust anymore. People with low emotional intelligence... should just be mute! Leaving aside the facts Shen Wushen described, the hostility in the Upper Realm was indeed intense. "If I ever go to the Upper Realm, I will definitely clean up their atmosphere," Qi Yuan declared seriously. "Fellow Daoist, you can't go to the Upper Realm. Why not pass your legacy to me? I, Shen Wushen, will definitely ascend and carry out your dying wish to purify the Upper Realm's atmosphere," Shen Wushen said impassionedly, his face full of anticipation. "Shut up!" Qi Yuan flared up. A Dao art landed on Shen Wushen's mouth, instantly silencing him. Qi Yuan felt things turn much quieter. No wonder the big bosses loved gagging people; silencing someone felt truly great. "Who said I can't purify the Upper Realm's atmosphere without going there? "A disciple from the Taihuang Palace was yammering on today, and what happened? Wasn't he still smashed to death by two of my Golden Cores!" Qi Yuan ranted furiously at Shen Wushen. Rogue Immortal Venerable's eyes widened. "Smashed to death by Golden Cores?" He suddenly recalled the star flickering in the sky during the battle earlier. So... Origin Celestial Venerable had been using his Golden Cores to smash someone. "Earlier?" Iceberg Overlord Woman looked up at the firmament. "You can smash all the way into the Upper Realm?" Lord Feng and Old Man Qishang listened in complete bewilderment, utterly clueless as to what they were talking about. "My Golden Cores reflect across the myriad heavens. Naturally, they can smash into the Upper Realm," Qi Yuan said seriously. Iceberg Overlord Woman was speechless. She had heard her grandfather say that 'reflecting across the myriad heavens' was merely an illumination or reflection. How could anyone take out actual stars and smash people with them as they pleased? "Give me coordinates, and I can trace the internet cable to beat someone up." Qi Yuan looked at everyone present and said slowly, "Three days from now, I will head to the Youtian Domain and personally eradicate the Dark Sun!" Qi Yuan announced yet another terrifying piece of news. Old Man Qishang's expression changed drastically. "Fellow Daoist, going to the Dark Sun... that cannot be done! There are bound to be Mythological-level powerhouses within the Dark Sun!" He feared that destroying the Four Generals of the Lei Family had made the Blood-Robed Sword God arrogant. Thus, he hurriedly warned him of the Dark Sun's immense might. "Precisely because of that, I'm waiting three days," Qi Yuan replied casually. To him, the most pressing matter right now was completing Shen Wushen's tasks. Upper Realm cultivation arts were the sweetest prize. Cultivation arts from the Canglan Realm, like those from the Dark Sun, were secondary. Having said his piece, Qi Yuan vanished. He was going to finish Shen Wushen's tasks. *** Meanwhile, in the Fengtian Domain, all the Yin Gods found themselves in quite an awkward position. First, the Blood-Robed Sword God had effortlessly obliterated the Four Generals of the Lei Family, defying all their expectations. Second, a divine art had appeared in the Origin God Sharing Society, tempting these Yin Gods beyond measure. That was a divine art, a legendary divine art! Even after becoming a Yin God, obtaining a divine art to reference would unquestionably allow one to rapidly bolster their strength. When facing the Great Tribulation, it would grant them a bit more capability to protect themselves. "What a pity that the divine art is too expensive. We can't afford to redeem it at all!" "Never mind redeeming it, we don't even have jade slips!" "I regret it so much! Why did we return our jade slips to the Origin God Sharing Society?!" These Yin Gods were filled with bitter regret. "The Blood-Robed Sword God will soon set out to destroy the Dark Sun. What do you all think?" These Yin Gods only dared to discuss the matter in hushed whispers; not a single one dared face the Blood-Robed Sword God directly. After all, the Blood-Robed Sword God was a terrifying expert capable of slaughtering the Four Generals of the Lei Family, a man who killed without batting an eye. They didn't dare see him again. "If the Blood-Robed Sword God dies at the Dark Sun... that would be wonderful," one Yin God muttered darkly. If that happened, all they had to do was crush the Origin God Sharing Society, and they could claim the divine art within. Many Yin Gods harbored stray thoughts. If the Blood-Robed Sword God were merely an ordinary Yin God, they might have swarmed him long ago to seize the divine art. Unfortunately, his power was simply too overwhelming. A day passed, and the Dao Seeking Palace remained as usual. Shen Wushen was crestfallen, kept continuously gagged. Great Venerable Wujun went about contacting the various branches of the Dao Seeking Palace. Old Man Qishang constantly reached out to old friends, pooling cultivation arts to redeem the divine art. At that moment, Long Can appeared once more, looking at Old Man Qishang with complex emotions in his eyes. "The Appointment at Phoenix Palace... have you heard of it?" "Mm..." Old Man Qishang narrowed his eyes. Ever since the Blood-Robed Sword God defeated the Four Generals of the Lei Family, undercurrents had been surging across the Fengtian Domain. Great Venerable Moli had suddenly invited all the Yin Gods to assemble at Phoenix Palace. According to the information Old Man Qishang had gathered, these people seemed to be preparing to unite and 'coerce' the Blood-Robed Sword God into handing over the divine art. "They are rather bold. This old man is very curious as to who gave them the courage," Old Man Qishang answered honestly. As for the gathering at Phoenix Palace, the Yin Gods on the Origin God Sharing Society's side naturally wouldn't attend. "I can't be bothered to go to this gathering either," Long Can said. Residing in the Fengtian Domain, he had also received an invitation. However, his current plan was to pool contribution points with Old Man Qishang to redeem that divine art. As for the matter at Phoenix Palace, he couldn't care less. "Perhaps Great Venerable Moli is willing to bring out the Mythological Secret Vault, unite the other Yin Gods, and pay a massive price to redeem the divine art," Old Man Qishang murmured thoughtfully, saying no more. Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Qi Yuan stretched his limbs. All the tasks Shen Wushen had brought had been resolved. After a few hundred breaths, Shen Wushen appeared beside Qi Yuan. "The tasks are all finished. Hurry back to the Upper Realm and help me redeem a divine art," Qi Yuan said expectantly. To him, obtaining a divine art was equivalent to condensing at least three Stellar Golden Cores. A single divine art advancing the Qi Yuan Scripture: Golden Core Chapter would yield at least three Stellar Golden Cores. So he wasn't gathering cultivation arts; he was condensing Golden Cores. "Why aren't you speaking? Don't tell me you don't want to trade with me anymore?" Qi Yuan asked, puzzled. "I even took the time to improve your cultivation art a tiny bit." "Mmph?" "Oh... right, I forgot you can't speak." Qi Yuan chuckled awkwardly. He had kept Shen Wushen gagged for three straight days. With a flick of a Dao art, Shen Wushen was finally able to speak. "Fellow Daoist, I must return to the Upper Realm shortly. Your journey to the Dark Sun's headquarters is fraught with peril, your survival uncertain. Pass your cultivation art to me—" Having been gagged for so long, the moment Shen Wushen could speak, words poured out of him like an endless torrent. "Shut up!" Qi Yuan hurriedly gagged him again. The fact that Shen Wushen had managed to stay alive until now was frankly ridiculous. "This Dao art will only last three days and will dispel on its own afterward. The jade slips are all here. Now hurry up and scram back to the Upper Realm!" Qi Yuan couldn't be bothered to waste more breath on him. Shen Wushen took the jade slips and looked at Qi Yuan, hesitating as if wanting to say something, his heart aching with sorrow. If Qi Yuan died at the Dark Sun and such a legacy was severed, it would truly be heartbreaking. However, since Qi Yuan wouldn't allow him to speak, he was powerless. He could only hope Qi Yuan survived the Dark Sun—it wouldn't be too late for him to die after they met again next time. Shen Wushen departed. Qi Yuan checked the sky. "Well, time to go pay the Dark Sun a visit." Just then, Old Man Qishang sent a voice transmission. "Fellow Daoist, Great Venerable Moli is hosting the Appointment at Phoenix Palace today and invites you to attend! "Right now, Great Venerable Moli is waiting outside the Dao Seeking Palace." Qi Yuan paused, delight appearing on his face. "Is she planning to confess her feelings to me?" "...Be careful, Fellow Daoist. There might be treachery," Old Man Qishang warned honestly. Qi Yuan shook his head. "What nonsense are you spouting? My left eyelid has been twitching nonstop; that means something wonderful is about to happen. "This means she's preparing to confess her love and gift me the Mythological Secret Vault. "Sigh, seems I misunderstood her. She's a good woman after all," Qi Yuan said with emotion. Left eye twitching meant wealth, right eye twitching meant disaster. Heading to Phoenix Palace while his left eye twitched constantly—someone was going to give him wealth. Wouldn't that be the Mythological Secret Vault? How could he obtain the Mythological Secret Vault? Very simple: Great Venerable Moli would gift it to him. Qi Yuan had easily figured out the logic behind it. "Tell me, if Great Venerable Moli confesses to me, should I accept?" Qi Yuan asked Old Man Qishang. He felt torn. He didn't really want to accept. Yet he seemed to have urged Great Venerable Moli to confess to him for quite a while. Wouldn't turning her down make him seem like one of those playboys stringing her along? Old Man Qishang was rendered speechless. Right at that moment, an alluring voice drifted in. "Is Fellow Daoist Blood-Robed Sword God at leisure? This humble one wishes to invite you to Phoenix Palace for a conversation." Great Venerable Moli stood before the palace, clad in a golden gauze gown. The sheer fabric around her supple waist was semi-translucent, revealing fair, rosy skin adorned with intricate demonic markings. Her navel was accented with delicate jewelry, making her appear extraordinarily bewitching. With a flash, Qi Yuan appeared before Great Venerable Moli. "Are you finally going to gift me the Mythological Secret Vault?"