# Chapter 2459: Ice Imperial Palace Arrives
"Swish!"
A crystal arrow dragged a long tail as it flew out.
The layers of formations within Divine Maiden City were like paper before it, easily pierced through.
From leaving the bowstring to reaching Wuma Jiuxing's presence took less than a single instant.
Wuma Jiuxing's body hair stood on end. He planted his legs in a horse stance, his body turning red-hot like a furnace, and gripped his blade with both hands, letting out a loud roar.
The blade traced a circle.
Breaking through the circle, he swung the blade to meet the arrow.
The blade edge and crystal arrow collided with precision. Instantly, a powerful, unmatched radiance burst forth, tearing apart the Dao locks, inscription patterns, and formations within Divine Maiden City.
Screams rang out throughout the city.
There were over a thousand formation masters and spiritual power saint masters in Divine Maiden Tower, yet in that single moment, nearly half of them died. Those still alive had all suffered varying degrees of injury.
Wuma Jiuxing's gaze was sharp, fixed on the crystal arrow. His fiery red hair fluttered in the wind.
"Crack!"
The crystal arrow could not withstand the blade energy and shattered, dissolving into countless Heavenly and Earthly Rules, fading into nothingness.
Yet at the center of the crystal arrow was a small arrow, a foot in length.
This small arrow was formed from Fu Xiangnü's arrow Dao rules.
As the small arrow collided with the blade edge, the inscription patterns beneath Wuma Jiuxing's feet shattered completely. His feet slid backward, carving two deep furrows.
After retreating thirty zhang, the small arrow's power finally exhausted itself, turning transparent and then vanishing entirely.
Although Wuma Jiuxing had blocked this arrow, the momentum he had built up from killing five of the Ten Deaths in succession was completely shattered. His chest and abdomen ached violently, and a mouthful of blood threatened to burst forth.
Yet he forcibly swallowed the blood that had reached his throat.
In the blade Dao, momentum was paramount.
If his momentum remained intact, Wuma Jiuxing was confident he could slay all ten Deaths before falling.
Sword cultivators focused on heart and intent; blade cultivators relied on a single breath of momentum.
Now that his momentum was broken, not to mention slaying all ten Deaths, even fighting one-on-one with a single Death and killing them had become extremely difficult.
"Heavenly Dao Arrow, living up to its reputation."
Wuma Jiuxing forcefully rallied his momentum, his tiger-like eyes blazing with light.
Fu Xiangnü, like a beautiful elven goddess, stepped on a rain of light and landed in the middle of the long street. "To be able to block my arrow while under siege and severely wounded—this achievement may not represent this entire eon, but it can at least represent the blade Dao of this eon."
For gods and cultivators striving to reach the divine realm, an eon was an era.
Gods might not necessarily leave their names through the ages, but the representative figure of an eon could be recorded in ancient texts, studied and remembered by later cultivators.
Zhang Ruochen could currently only be called an eon-level genius.
"Genius"—for other cultivators, it was an honor.
For him, it was a label that had to be erased.
In this present age, who would still call Xue Jue War God and Desolate Heaven Great God eon-level geniuses?
Footsteps sounded.
Yan Yu, holding the Dark Heavenly Mechanism Umbrella, walked along the long street, stepping up to stand beside Fu Xiangnü.
Although no one could see him beneath the umbrella, everyone knew the identity of the umbrella holder.
Wuma Jiuxing's pupils contracted slightly, his gaze fixed on the dark area beneath the umbrella. "Half-God of Gods Yan Yu, I didn't expect you to come too. What a pity—you should have come earlier. If you had come earlier, you might have had a chance to fight me one-on-one."
Being called "Half-God of Gods" showed Yan Yu's status below the divine realm.
The god among half-gods.
Yan Yu said, "It is indeed somewhat regrettable."
"What I didn't expect was that your Yama Clan would get involved," Wuma Jiuxing said.
Yan Yu replied, "Isn't it precisely because there are so many unexpected variables in this world that it becomes especially interesting? Your appearance and your strength were also something I hadn't anticipated beforehand."
The remaining five Deaths were all supporting their Gates of Destiny.
Five beams of Fate Light shone down on Divine Maiden City, making all cultivators in the city feel as if they had lost their cultivation, reduced to mere mortals.
"Whoosh!"
A sixth Gate of Destiny rose from behind Wuma Jiuxing.
Wuma Jiuxing didn't turn around but knew who had arrived. He laughed, "The day I defeated Zhuo Yunong, you were nearby. You wanted to strike but didn't. From that moment on, your spirit had already been defeated by me. If you try to attack me now, you will surely die."
Wuyue Ming Clan walked down the center of the street, the Gate of Destiny behind him rising like a square sun, its light growing stronger.
He said, "Your momentum has been broken. The one who will surely die is you."
Strength and realm were always the most important.
But when one reached the pinnacle levels of Wuma Jiuxing, the Ten Deaths of the Netherworld, Yan Yu, Wuyue Ming Huang, and Fu Xiangnü, the heart and spirit during battle became especially crucial.
If Wuma Jiuxing hadn't had that spirit, he could never have slain five Deaths earlier.
If Zhuo Yunong hadn't had the conviction to defend the dignity of the Destiny Temple, he could never have withstood seven of Wuma Jiuxing's strikes.
If Zhang Ruochen hadn't harbored the will to fight to the death and never return, that sword strike could never have hit Wuma Jiuxing.
In this cruel world, everyone was fighting, struggling, seeking only to realize the vision in their hearts.
Even surrounded by powerful enemies, Wuma Jiuxing didn't frown. He shouted loudly, "Are there any others who want my life? Come out together. Let me see if you're worthy."
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
A chill swept through the entire city.
Everyone looked up. In the snow-dancing sky, they saw a cyan sacred ship.
"It's the Ice Imperial Palace's sacred ship."
"The Ice Imperial Palace has indeed gotten involved."
"How could it not? The destructive power of so many top-tier cultivators below the divine realm fighting is terrifying. Earlier, it was suppressed by Divine Maiden City's formations and inscription patterns. Once it can no longer be contained, the battle fluctuations will surely spread for millions of li, and who knows how many cultivators will die."
...
The current palace master of the Ice Imperial Palace was Qing Yulou, no more than five thousand years old.
Although Qing Yulou rarely fought, the Ice Imperial Palace he governed ruled the entire Ice King Star. Even cultivators from the Ten Dark Powers, the Ten Clans of Hell, and even the Destiny Temple had to follow the Ice Imperial Palace's rules when they came to Ice King Star.
Qing Yulou stepped out of the sacred ship, his cyan robes like rippling waves, elegant as a jade tree, his long hair tied behind him, his brows clear and features refined. His voice was warm as he said, "Would everyone be willing to give the Ice Imperial Palace face and fight outside the star?"
Ku Sha said, "What if the Destiny Temple doesn't give this face?"
The Ten Deaths of the Netherworld had no emotions. They only knew killing and completing their mission.
Everyone knew that once they went outside the star, Wuma Jiuxing's chances of escape would greatly increase.
Qing Yulou smiled. "This face, the Destiny Temple must give."
Ku Sha's gaze turned cold, his killing intent surging.
Wuyue Ming Huang frowned slightly and transmitted to Ku Sha, "The master of the Ice Imperial Palace once announced to the world that the rules of Ice King Star are set by him. Whoever dares to break his rules, he will surely slay them. This is something even the gods of the Hell Realm have tacitly agreed to."
"In the Hell Realm, claiming territory and declaring oneself emperor? How is that possible? The Destiny Temple would never allow such a thing," Ku Sha said.
Wuyue Ming Huang said, "It's not claiming territory and declaring oneself emperor—it's drawing a circle and imprisoning oneself. Because he once swore an oath never to set foot outside Ice King Star for all eternity, imprisoning himself here."
"I know who you're talking about."
Ku Sha withdrew his killing intent toward Qing Yulou.
"Let's go. To outside the star." Yan Yu sighed lightly.
Wuma Jiuxing was the first to soar into the air. As he reached midair, a dragon's roar came from the clouds.
Yinglong's massive body dove down, and Wuma Jiuxing flew onto its back.
One by one, the powerful figures, including the cyan sacred ship in the sky, all vanished.
The saintly might that had pressed down on all cultivators in Divine Maiden City, making it hard for them to breathe, dissipated. Cultivators who had been kneeling on the ground stood up, many wiping cold sweat from their bodies.
Too terrifying.
Of course, the vast majority of cultivators had no idea what had happened. They only knew that powerful figures had been fighting in the city. As for what level of power, they had no way of knowing.
Some cultivators let out piercing screams.
Because they discovered in horror that they had lost all their cultivation, becoming ordinary mortals.
The number of cultivators who had lost their cultivation was not small. Most of them had been too close to the Jifeng Saint Mansion and had been struck by the Fate Light.
Today's great battle, triggered by Zhang Ruochen and Guyeshe Jing, had caused heavy losses to Divine Maiden Tower and dealt a severe blow to Divine Maiden City.
Bai Qinger stood on the highest jade platform of Divine Maiden Tower, looking down at the dust-filled city. Her clear, gentle eyes emitted the light of the Origin, as if searching for something.
Shang Yue stood behind her, looking up at the sky. "Master, shouldn't we lend Wuma Daren a hand? After all, Yan Yu, Wuyue Ming..."
"No need."
Bai Qinger said, "You must remember that the Goddess Twelve Pavilions has never intended to be an enemy of the Destiny Temple, nor can it be an enemy of the Destiny Temple. The Destiny Temple knows exactly where every Divine Maiden Tower is located. With a single command, all Divine Maiden Towers would be reduced to ashes. But does the Hell Realm know where the Qiankun Yiqitang is?"
"Disciple understands!" Shang Yue said softly.
Bai Qinger's two slender, willow-leaf-like brows furrowed slightly. "They escaped from the Jifeng Saint Mansion and just vanished like that. Even the Origin Divine Eye can't find their traces."
Shang Yue said, "That hedgehog by Zhang Ruochen's side is actually an undying bird transformed. It should be the Butcher Heaven Destroyer Emperor that has been causing several major incidents on Ice King Star recently. Although Zhang Ruochen and the heir of Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm are severely wounded, that Butcher Heaven Destroyer Emperor is extremely formidable. It must have used some secret technique to hide them."
"An undying bird of nine deaths and nirvana... Kunlun Realm... Could it be that the Ice Imperial Palace made a move?"
Just as she uttered this sentence, Bai Qinger shook her head. She had been paying close attention when the Ice Imperial Palace's sacred ship appeared. Even if Qing Yulou was extremely powerful, he couldn't have taken people away right under her nose.
"They must still be in the city," Bai Qinger said.
Shang Yue smiled. "If they're still in the city, finding them is just a matter of time. Divine Maiden City is the city of the Goddess Twelve Pavilions. No matter what form they take or where they hide, there will always be traces. I will definitely find them."
Bai Qinger said, "Good. Handle this matter. Continue using the formation to seal the city. Announce to the outside that cultivators from Paradise Realm have broken into Divine Maiden City, and the Goddess Twelve Pavilions is cooperating with the Ice Imperial Palace and the Destiny Temple to conduct a city-wide search."
Today's battle needed an explanation to the outside world.
Although many powerful figures knew what had happened, the powerful were only a tiny minority. Most cultivators were unaware.
The Destiny Temple had suffered heavy losses this time and clearly didn't want the truth to leak out. Bai Qinger's approach would both confuse the public and preserve the Destiny Temple's face.
The fewer people who knew the truth, the better.
...
...
Xiao Hei carried the severely wounded Zhang Ruochen and Guyeshe Jing, fleeing all the way. Just as they were about to leave the city, beams of light shot up from the city walls, forming a grand formation.
With his formation mastery, he could certainly force his way through the formation.
But once he did, his position would be exposed, and Bai Qinger would detect him.
One Bai Qinger was already incredibly difficult to deal with, and with the city full of experts from the Goddess Twelve Pavilions, even with the formation's power, even he might not escape.
So Xiao Hei acted decisively, breaking into a large saint mansion not far from the city wall.
This saint mansion was very large, with many empty rooms.
Xiao Hei randomly found a room, threw the severely wounded Zhang Ruochen and Guyeshe Jing onto the bed, then took out formation flags and set up an ancient ninth-rank concealment formation in the room.
Xiao Hei spread his claws and looked. On his claw was a deep blade wound, nearly severing it.
Sharp blade Dao rules had invaded his claw from the wound and then spread into his body.
"What a formidable blade technique. No wonder the little demoness was struck by that blade and severely wounded, transitioning from life to death, with the sacred Dao rules inside her constantly decomposing. Fortunately, this emperor is strong enough, or the consequences would be unthinkable."
Xiao Hei extended a claw and struck the flowing light merit armor on Zhang Ruochen's body.
"Whoosh!"
The armor faded away.
Zhang Ruochen's body at this moment had all its skin burst open. It was hard to find a single intact piece of flesh and blood. Even many bones had shattered.
"Showing off—just a Hundred Shackles Realm cultivator daring to fight a Supreme Realm Great Saint. He really doesn't know how to spell death. Eh? With such severe injuries, his life force is still so strong, and his wounds are healing quickly. Could he have swallowed some divine pill or divine medicine?"
Xiao Hei's eyes lit up. His gaze involuntarily moved from Zhang Ruochen's wounded body to the space ring on Zhang Ruochen's finger.
"This kid must have a lot of good stuff. Could he really have divine pills or divine medicine? No, no, that would be taking advantage of him. I can't do that."
"Why can't I?"
"This emperor saved his life. He should thank this emperor."
"That's right. He has so many supreme sacred artifacts. It's not excessive for this emperor to take one or two treasures from him."
"Besides, this emperor was injured saving him. Taking his treasures is for healing, for increasing strength, to better deal with the powerful enemies that might come chasing at any moment."
Xiao Hei rubbed his claws together, hesitated no longer, and reached for the space ring on Zhang Ruochen's finger, as if trying to convince himself, muttering, "This emperor only wants this one thing, nothing else. It's not taking advantage of him, nor stealing. It's just for better survival. Wuma and Xiao Bai are so powerful. This emperor must become stronger. Responsibility is on his shoulders. There's no other way. Really no other way. This emperor is forced by circumstances."