Chapter 1125: No Rival Since Leaving the Cave (Third Update!)
Within the White Emperor Heavenly Palace, Crown Prince Qingzong was in a state of utter disarray. News had arrived from the Nine Provinces Realm: the nine ancient gods of the Nine Provinces had been slain, and even the identity of the killer was unknown. Furthermore, the Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods had vanished without a trace.
White Emperor had only just led his army away from the Western Heaven when such a major incident occurred. If White Emperor returned, he would surely berate him for his incompetence and lack of ability. Whether he could even retain his position as Crown Prince was now uncertain.
"Your Highness, news has come from the Nine Provinces. The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge connecting the Nine Provinces to the Heavenly Court has been destroyed. Hao Tian's disciple, Minister of Earth and Star Lord Jing Baichuan, was found dead in the Cloud Luo Heavenly Palace..."
The divine general delivering the report hesitated for a moment, then said, "None of the accompanying gods and demons survived either. Yun Luo Emperor's disciple has also vanished without a trace..."
"Jing Baichuan is dead?"
Crown Prince Qingzong's head felt as if it might explode. He roared in anger, "Can anyone tell me what the hell is happening in the Nine Provinces? Why has such a huge mess erupted? Where are the Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods?"
The divine general shook his head. "No trace of the Three Pillar Heaven has been found. However, the deity guarding the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge reported seeing the Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods enter the bridge and arrive at our White Emperor Heavenly Palace..."
Just then, another divine being hurried forward and reported, "Your Highness, the disturbance in the lower realm has been identified. The Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods ran to the White Emperor Heavenly Palace, secretly descended to the lower realm, and were devouring people in a village down there."
"Those three old bastards, utterly reckless and without any sense of priority!"
Crown Prince Qingzong flew into a thunderous rage, slamming the table and shouting, "What kind of time is this? And they still come here to eat people! Summon them at once! I want to ask them who exactly went on a killing spree in the Nine Provinces!"
The divine being hesitated, then said, "The Three Pillar Heaven are dead..."
Crown Prince Qingzong's blazing fury was instantly doused by this news. He slumped back onto his throne behind him, muttering, "Dead?"
The divine being said, "The Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods died outside a town in the lower realm. The deity responsible for monitoring the lower realm reported seeing layers upon layers of heavens expanding outward, countless in number, with a celestial sphere hanging at their apex. Within those heavens, treasures shone like stars, bombarding the Three Pillar Heaven to death."
Crown Prince Qingzong had never heard of such treasures. He shook his head, dejected, and said, "Father God ordered me to guard the Western Heaven. The Heavenly Court conscripted him to attack the Great Void. The Black Emperor, Green Emperor, and Red Emperor were also conscripted. The Heavenly Court even deployed all ten legions and various armies. And now this mess happens. Twelve ancient gods killed in the Western Heaven. This crime is no small matter, but it can't be hidden..."
His head throbbed with pain.
The divine being hesitated. "Your Highness, should this matter be reported to the Heavenly Court?"
"It must be reported to the Heavenly Court. There's no way to hide it!"
Crown Prince Qingzong declared decisively, "Request the Heavenly Court's Divine Capture Brigade to investigate and find out who did this! Also, immediately seal off all Spirit Energy Transfer Bridges within our territory! The one who killed the twelve ancient gods is still in the Western Heaven and hasn't left. We must ensure he remains trapped here!"
Just as the divine being was about to leave, Crown Prince Qingzong called him back. "Also, order someone to immediately notify all ancient gods within the Western Heaven territory. Tell them to set off at once and rush to the White Tiger Heavenly Palace!"
The divine being hurried away.
"The one who killed the twelve ancient gods is extremely powerful, and those dozens of heavens are likely an incredibly formidable exotic treasure. With the White Tiger Heavenly Palace guarding us, plus the dozens of ancient gods in the Western Heaven, that person probably can't breach the White Tiger Heavenly Palace."
Crown Prince Qingzong paced back and forth, then gritted his teeth and turned to walk outside. He thought to himself, "I must personally go and inspect the place where the Three Pillar Heaven ancient gods died, to see if any clues were left behind!"
But he was cautious. He summoned a hundred or so personal guards, all top-tier gods and demons of the Western Heaven, to escort him.
Crown Prince Qingzong also removed his robes and changed into the attire of a guard, then hurried out of the White Tiger Heavenly Palace with the group.
He had just stepped out of the Southern Heavenly Gate when he inadvertently saw a young man leading a Dragon Qilin walking past not far away, heading toward a Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge.
On the Dragon Qilin's forehead stood a small, plump blue sparrow.
The gods and demons guarding the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge had already sealed it off, but they seemed not to see this person at all, allowing him to walk onto the altar.
Crown Prince Qingzong was astonished, his heart stirred. Just then, he saw a tiny monster crawl out of the Dragon Qilin's ear. It looked like a Tu Bo, but was countless times smaller.
This tiny Tu Bo stood by the Dragon Qilin's ear hole, stretched lazily, yawned, and suddenly spotted Crown Prince Qingzong. It quickly shouted, "Xia!"
The Dragon Qilin and the young man turned around, coincidentally locking eyes with Crown Prince Qingzong.
Crown Prince Qingzong knew something was wrong. He let out a furious roar, and behind him, a series of large banners unfurled with a *shua* sound. Eight banners were planted on his back, flapping loudly in the wind!
He activated the Azure Blood Rust Banner Sutra, but at that moment, his gaze met the young man's eyes.
"He's a master at the Ling Xiao realm. No wonder my divine sense didn't confuse him."
Crown Prince Qingzong heard the young man's voice. The voice seemed very close, yet growing farther and farther away. Crown Prince Qingzong's consciousness grew hazy, his expression dazed.
"My divine sense cultivation isn't high enough yet. If I had reached the level of a Divine King like Gong Yun, he wouldn't have seen me. But since I've noticed him, I can perform a ritual targeting him."
The voice became increasingly indistinct. Crown Prince Qingzong felt his thoughts slowly stiffen, as if he were gradually turning into wood. His memories of the young man also began to fade. Then, a melodious, rhythmic song reached his ears, profound and far-reaching.
"The secret of the Rotten Chessboard is wondrous and divine, how many springs have passed in a single game? No rival since leaving the cave, where mercy is due, show mercy!"
The song ceased. Crown Prince Qingzong immediately shook his head, snapping out of his daze. He looked at the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge in confusion, then glanced behind himself.
"Why did I activate the Azure Blood Rust Banner Sutra, looking like I was facing a great enemy? I'm probably just too tense."
He couldn't help but laugh at himself. He dismissed the Azure Blood Rust Banner Sutra and shouted, "You soldiers over there, seal off the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge immediately!"
The soldiers guarding that bridge quickly snapped to attention and surrounded it tightly.
Suddenly, another Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge lit up. The divine being he had just sent out hurried back, accompanied by several ancient gods.
Crown Prince Qingzong was surprised. "So fast?"
The divine being bowed. "Your Highness, this trip took me ten days. I am fortunate to have succeeded in my mission..."
"Ten days?"
Crown Prince Qingzong looked bewildered, staring at him blankly. He blurted out, "How many days have you been gone?"
The divine being was a bit puzzled but still answered, "It has been ten days."
"Ten days... ten days..."
Crown Prince Qingzong shivered several times, a deep fear rising in his heart. He had only just arrived outside the Heavenly Palace, had only been dazed for a moment, and yet ten days had passed!
If he had been ensnared, then his personal guards had been too. For so many gods and demons to stand here with him for ten days—what a terrifying thought!
In his daze, a vague, indistinct voice sang softly in his mind again.
Crown Prince Qingzong followed the tune and hummed softly, "No rival since leaving the cave, where mercy is due, show mercy... where mercy is due, show mercy... Return to the palace!"
He waved his hand grandly and commanded, "Summon all the generals! Guard the White Emperor Palace and await the Heavenly Court's Divine Capture Brigade! Until White Emperor returns, cease all human blood sacrifices!"
————Happy birthday to Agoodboy~~