# Chapter 1826: No Choice
The white-bearded Martial Emperor's aura was faint, his gaze fixed on Lin Feng as he spoke: "Since things have come to this point today, I will die without regret. However, before I die, can you tell me where exactly you people come from? Let me die with understanding."
The white-bearded Martial Emperor had witnessed Lin Feng torturing Nichen, and then the young men jointly offering up their Imperial weapons. This made him understand that the force Lin Feng and the others belonged to was by no means as simple as Yao Ye Island. Yao Ye Island did have an Emperor-level expert, and its Emperor, Lord Yao Ye, was unfathomable. But he was ultimately just an Emperor; there was no record of him having stepped into the Heavenly Emperor level. Yao Ye Island could not possibly produce so many powerful Imperial weapons, let alone entrust them to these youths.
"How much do you know about the Qingxiao Continent? What is its central region?" Lin Feng stood before the white-bearded Martial Emperor, looking down at the faint figure as he calmly asked.
"I have heard that above the Qingxiao Continent, there are eighteen Heavenly Lord Cities. Among these eighteen Heavenly Lord Cities, there are three most important ones, which harbor all kinds of terrifying forces. The experts of those forces have nearly reached the pinnacle of the martial path, becoming saints and ascending to emperors—they are Saint Emperors. It is said that within those three most important Heavenly Lord Cities, there are also some academies. These academies only recruit geniuses. Most of those who emerge from them can become powerful figures in their own right. In fact, most of the figures who dominate the Qingxiao Continent come from these academies. I had originally planned to travel abroad in another ten years to see this world. Unfortunately, there is no hope now."
The white-bearded Martial Emperor's voice carried a faint trace of sorrow. A thousand years of time, long years—he had spent most of his time in the Qing Di Mountain region, occasionally traveling abroad and seeing some of the outer continents, where experts were as numerous as clouds and geniuses from all paths competed. In the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region, he could be a figure of some standing, claiming dominance and supremacy. But outside, he had to keep his head down and live humbly. Now, trapped at the Mid-rank Emperor realm for many years, he had decided that in ten years, he would go out and travel the world.
"The place we come from is exactly the place you just mentioned. You can rest in peace." Lin Feng said softly. A sharp light suddenly flashed in the white-bearded Martial Emperor's dim eyes. He took a deep look at Lin Feng, then at Wu and the others, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "So that's how it is. I can indeed rest in peace."
"Return to Heavenly Terrace." At this moment, Lin Feng announced loudly. Immediately, figures flickered and departed in waves. The crowd watched the people of Heavenly Terrace set off, their expressions varied. But the shock of today lingered long, refusing to dissipate. They feared they would never forget what they had witnessed today—a Lower-rank Emperor torturing and killing a High-rank Emperor, Imperial weapons appearing, and more than one. If Qing Di Mountain could not eradicate Heavenly Terrace this time, then no one could stop its rise. It would be just as Lin Feng had said: from now on, in the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region, Heavenly Terrace would reign supreme.
The white-bearded Martial Emperor's eyes slowly closed. He did not choose to live in humiliation but died by his own hand. The Medicine King Immortal Palace had abandoned him. What meaning was there for him to continue living as a cripple?
But one person had not left. Tantai's figure surged, hovering in the void. His gaze swept coldly over those who had betrayed Heavenly Terrace, his pupils filled with brutality as he said coldly: "Lin Feng said he would forgive you. But I am not so magnanimous. You come to Heavenly Terrace when there are benefits, and the moment danger appears, you immediately withdraw. There is no such cheap deal in this world!"
Tantai's words made those people's expressions freeze, terror appearing in their eyes. Then, a crackling, rolling sound came from Tantai's body, as if every bone was exploding, every muscle was bursting open.
A lion's roar shook heaven and earth. Behind Tantai appeared a terrifying lion king phantom. The void suddenly fell silent—great sound has no sound.
Terrifying air currents rolled through the void, as if countless ancient lions were surging and charging, breaking through heaven and earth. A rumbling, terrible sound rang out, and then the crowd watched as those figures' bodies exploded one by one, as if crushed into powder by some invisible force.
"Hmph. Those who didn't die are lucky." Tantai snorted coldly, then stepped away. The crowd stared at his retreating figure, their hearts trembling. Although these fellows were all young, not one of them was easy to deal with—they were all top-tier figures.
Lin Feng and the others returned to Heavenly Terrace. But at this moment, the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region was in an uproar, especially in this buffer city. Everyone was talking about the same topic: Heavenly Terrace!
After a day of silence from Heavenly Terrace, in the Questioning Heavenly Fortress, the Fortress Master had already sent Nichen Martial Emperor to notify Qing Di Mountain, telling them everything about Heavenly Terrace and the Imperial weapons. They had every reason to believe that even if the two generations of Azure Emperors were unwilling to meddle in the affairs of the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region, the Azure Emperor could not possibly be uninterested in Imperial weapons. Moreover, this matter also concerned Qing Di Mountain's face.
As for the Qi Heavenly Fortress and the Medicine King Immortal Palace, these two forces were now gathering their strength, recalling experts from all directions back to the Qi Heavenly Fortress and the Medicine King Immortal Palace, guarding against any attack Lin Feng might launch at any time. What they had to do now was wait—wait for the Azure Emperor to descend and annihilate Heavenly Terrace.
At this moment, within Heavenly Terrace, a group of figures surged. Their destination this time was surprisingly not the Questioning Heavenly Fortress, nor the Qi Heavenly Fortress or the Medicine King Immortal Palace, but rather the Great Zhou Immortal Palace.
When Lin Feng and the others descended upon the Great Zhou Immortal Palace with extraordinary might, the palace was immediately on high alert, as if facing a great enemy. Everyone seemed tense, their formations tightly arranged. No one dared to block Lin Feng and the others' advance. They all understood that would be suicide. Even Nichen Martial Emperor had been defeated by Lin Feng. Aside from the Immortal Palace Master himself, there was no one in the Great Zhou Immortal Palace who could contend with Lin Feng.
"Lin Feng requests an audience with the Great Zhou Immortal Palace Master." The enormous sound waves rolled and spread, reaching every corner of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace. Soon, from within an immortal palace, a group of figures rose into the air, stopping a thousand meters away from Lin Feng. The leader, clad in a golden long robe, smiled at Lin Feng and said: "Brother Lin Feng, a young hero. What instruction do you have for my Great Zhou Immortal Palace?"
"I once said that from now on, in the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region, there will be no more Questioning Heavenly Fortress, Qi Heavenly Fortress, or Medicine King Immortal Palace. Furthermore, the rules of this region will be set by my Heavenly Terrace, and it will no longer be under the jurisdiction of Qing Di Mountain. Does the Great Zhou Immortal Palace submit or not?" Lin Feng's voice was clear and crisp. But the domineering force contained in this calm voice made the people of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace all freeze, their expressions rather ugly.
Lin Feng and the others, riding the momentum of defeating Nichen and crushing the Medicine King Immortal Palace, descended upon the Great Zhou Immortal Palace and directly declared that from now on, Heavenly Terrace would reign supreme in this region. Did the Great Zhou Immortal Palace submit or not? Extremely arrogant.
"My Great Zhou Immortal Palace keeps to itself and does not wish to be drawn into disputes." The Great Zhou Immortal Palace Master said with a smile, neither agreeing nor refusing. With the outcome of the struggle between Qing Di Mountain and Lin Feng still undecided, it would be unwise to take a stand now.
"Does not wish to be drawn into disputes?" A cold smile appeared in Lin Feng's eyes. Was that possible?
"When I left this region before, I vaguely remember the Great Zhou Immortal Palace's interception and killing of me. Now, I am setting aside past grievances and giving the Great Zhou Immortal Palace a chance. Yet the Palace Master tells me you do not wish to be drawn into disputes. Is that not somewhat laughable?" Lin Feng said coldly, then continued: "I will ask only one last time. Does the Great Zhou Immortal Palace submit or not?"
As Lin Feng spoke, light flickered, and the Heavenly Derivation Chessboard appeared beneath his feet. Tens of millions of chess pieces seemed to come alive, flashing with dazzling light, causing the hearts of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace members to tremble. Judging by this situation, if the Great Zhou Immortal Palace did not make a choice now, Lin Feng would destroy their palace.
The Great Zhou Immortal Palace Master's expression was rather unpleasant. Lin Feng's forceful arrival was already a clear threat. Among the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortresses, only his Heavenly Terrace would be supreme. Those who did not submit would be destroyed.
"If Heavenly Terrace has the strength to guard this region, then my Great Zhou Immortal Palace would naturally be willing to honor Heavenly Terrace as supreme." The Great Zhou Immortal Palace Master said. It was fine for me to honor you as supreme, but first, Heavenly Terrace must have the strength to defend the region.
"That is not something the Palace Master needs to worry about. Now, I will give you the time it takes to burn one incense stick. Please have the Palace Master personally lead the experts of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace to gather at the Qi Heavenly Fortress!" Lin Feng said coldly, causing the people of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace to freeze again. As expected, the visitor meant trouble. Lin Feng actually wanted them to go to war with the Qi Heavenly Fortress. This way, the Great Zhou Immortal Palace would have no choice left.
"Palace Master, did you hear my words clearly? You only have the time of one incense stick." Lin Feng seemed to worry that the people of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace had not understood, so he repeated himself.
"Since you say so, I will accompany you all on this trip." The Great Zhou Immortal Palace Master said, then waved his hand. Immediately, a group of experts from the Great Zhou Immortal Palace rose into the air in waves. Among this crowd, Lin Feng even saw Zhou Tianxiao's figure.
Lin Feng deliberately glanced at him, causing Zhou Tianxiao's expression to freeze. He did not even dare to meet Lin Feng's eyes. Thinking back to the time in the Small World when he had stood up for Zhou Tianruo, forcefully suppressing Lin Feng, saying that Lin Feng was not worthy to speak of martial arts in his presence—and now, just one look from Lin Feng could make his heart tremble.
A faint, mocking smile curled at the corner of Lin Feng's mouth. He did not continue to look at Zhou Tianxiao. That contemptuous cold smile made Zhou Tianxiao clench his fists, his heart filled with frustration. But there was nothing he could do. Now, Lin Feng had even become indifferent to him, not even needing to prove anything through force. Perhaps it was confirming what he had said back then—in front of Lin Feng, he was no longer worthy to speak of martial arts. From forcefully suppressing Lin Feng in the past to being ignored by him now—time had passed like a snap of the fingers.
"Everyone, let's set out." Lin Feng said indifferently when he saw the experts of the Great Zhou Immortal Palace gathering. Immediately, the group broke through the air in waves, heading toward the Qi Heavenly Fortress.
At this moment, the Qi Heavenly Fortress felt somewhat oppressive. The strength Lin Feng had displayed that day weighed on them like a great mountain pressing down on this vast fortress, heavy and suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
In the main hall of the Qi Heavenly Fortress, the Fortress Master asked a subordinate: "Brother Wen said whether the Azure Emperor would set out?"
"Lord Wen sent me to convey that Nichen Martial Emperor has already persuaded the Azure Emperor. Now, the Azure Emperor is already on the way. Lord Qi can rest assured. For now, you only need to lead your experts to my Questioning Heavenly Fortress. The three sides will gather, combine our strength, and then quietly wait for the Azure Emperor to descend." The person below slowly spoke. He had come to the Qi Heavenly Fortress precisely for this matter—to unite the three forces, preventing Heavenly Terrace from launching a surprise attack and breaking them one by one!