Chapter 1679: Delusions Arise, Spirit Darkness Vanishes

On the surface, the Heavenly God, Qingyang, and Baitian seemed to be the biggest beneficiaries of this incident. However, He Xiao's gains were not apparent, which is why others did not suspect him of being the mastermind.

Talented outsiders are dangerous, Qingyang mused; the more talented they are, the greater the threat. You can never know if their offers to help, provide money, or share ideas conceal sinister motives. Those not of our kind are sure to have different intentions. Qingyang chuckled, stating that unfortunately, the State of Yao would never get to learn this lesson.

"This lesson..." Bai Ziqi mused, turning the cup in his hand. He suspected He Xiao was involved in the Star-Plucking Tower fire incident from years ago.

Qingyang stated that the wanted Spider Queen was on his Yangshan Islands, pulling a note from her pocket. She explained that when she returned to Youhu Cottage last night, the note had been pinned to the large tree outside with a red arrow, and she thought he might find it interesting.

The note had only three elegantly written words: Inverted Sea.

It had no header, no ending, and no signature. Bai Ziqi's eyes narrowed, and he remained silent for a long moment.

Few people in the world knew about the Inverted Sea to begin with.

Narrowing it down further, who else knew that Bai Ziqi was searching for the Inverted Sea?

"He Xiao," Bai Ziqi whispered. The window was open, and he took a deep breath, feeling a chill in his lungs. He realized that the ambush by Ling Mountain on his way back was also He Xiao's doing.

He had already hypothesized that He Xiao was the masked individual who set the Heavenly Palace ablaze years ago. In that case, a connection between He Xiao and Ling Mountain seemed entirely logical.

He Xiao, Ling Mountain, the Great Emperor Jiuyou!

Connecting these clues revealed the depth of He Xiao's foresight.

Most people might not accomplish one earth-shattering feat in their entire lives, yet he seemed to welcome more.

He said to Qingyang that it seemed Ling Mountain was setting up a grand scheme in the Blazing Gold Plains. He added that the temple needed a few days to prepare what he had requested, and after the Imperial Nectar, he would set off for the Inverted Sea, asking what her plans were.

Qingyang looked at the silver frost on the branches outside the window and shook her head, explaining that True Master Qianhuan's Dharma form was very powerful, her internal injuries were difficult to heal, and she needed time to recover. Furthermore, the situation in Tianshui City was volatile, and more chaos was likely to follow, so she had to stay to consolidate their gains.

As the instigator of this earth-shattering upheaval in the State of Yao, she was also responsible for guiding the subsequent course of events.

This was what it meant to see things through from beginning to end.

Bai Ziqi said it was a pity he wasn't there when True Master Qianhuan's Dharma form escaped, crossing his hands on the table. He asked if she could describe the battle with True Master Qianhuan, as it would aid his pursuit.

After half an hour of discussion, Bai Ziqi stood up to bid Qingyang farewell.

He also intended to visit Yongquan Manor to see if he could find any more clues.

Qingyang personally saw him to the cottage door, watching his eager figure slowly disappear into the darkness.

From somewhere, the cry of an owl echoed, its drawn-out wail particularly desolate.

Bai Ziqi was originally considered one of her enemies, yet she found herself unable to hate him.

When he investigated the Elixir of Immortality case years ago, he was strictly professional, without any personal grudges.

For all these years, not just the Heavenly Palace but the entire upper echelon of Lingxu City knew that Bai Ziqi was a dedicated individual who spoke plainly and never targeted anyone specifically. However, those he set his sights on rarely came to a good end.

Qingyang knew that this man also pursued advancement; he longed to wield great power and fully display his talents.

Above him, there was only Chief Minister Douyun.

He was just one step away from achieving his ideal.

But Bai Ziqi disdained the ways of officialdom; he intended to ascend in his own manner.

Qingyang did not like Bai Ziqi, but she believed that having a person like him was a blessing for the Heavenly Palace.

She gazed blankly into the darkness for a long while before asking Yuan Xuan, who was beside her, if he thought Bai Ziqi could apprehend the Great Emperor Jiuyou.

Yuan Xuan thought for a moment, replying that when Lord Bai took action, it seemed no suspect was beyond his grasp.

Everyone in Lingxu City knew that no matter how difficult the task or how elusive the target, Chief Bai could always resolve it.

It was as if his very existence was to solve problems.

Yuan Xuan had an impertinent thought he dared not voice: no one dared to take on the Elixir of Immortality case back then, but wasn't it eventually handed to Bai Ziqi for investigation, leading to the downfall of National Master Qingyang?

Qingyang murmured, asking if he truly thought so.

Yuan Xuan opened his mouth to reply, but Qingyang cut him off.

She didn't want to hear the answer.

For so many years, Bai Ziqi had always been successful, so it was no wonder that Chief Minister Douyun was so wary of him.

Bai Ziqi's ambition, like his ability, was undisguised.

But his opponent this time was He Xiao, the Great Emperor Jiuyou, and possibly even the mastermind behind the chaos in the Heavenly Palace and the theft of its treasures!

Bai Ziqi had been deceived by him many times, just like Qingyang.

Facing He Xiao, she didn't believe Bai Ziqi would have a sure victory, even if Bai Ziqi would undoubtedly be fully prepared.

Who would have the last laugh on this journey to the Inverted Sea?

She sat back down under the tree, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

He Xiao's methods were very similar to her own when she was young: shrewd, capable, and full of ingenious ideas.

She recalled the Battle of Panlong City years ago, where numerous heroes from Beijia gathered, and even gods clashed, yet she still stood out, establishing her foundation in Lingxu City and beginning her path to ascendancy.

How fast time flew. The events of those years were still vivid, the battles still thrilling, yet when she truly looked, more than 150 years had passed!

Qingyang murmured that she was old.

Yuan Xuan, standing nearby, didn't hear clearly, asking if she said "Palace Lord".

Qingyang shook her head, saying it was nothing.

He Xiao leaving the note might have been an invitation to a challenge, but she had passed it on to Bai Ziqi.

The reason she gave Bai Ziqi was that she had to remain in Tianshui City to manage the aftermath of the coup.

This reason was, of course, very valid, and the Heavenly God also had this requirement.

After the coup in the State of Yao, she became the central figure for the Heavenly God and Beijia in managing the Blazing Gold Plains. How could she risk herself again? Bai Ziqi was well aware of this and had only asked casually.

But Qingyang knew that deep down, she was unwilling to go to the Inverted Sea, unwilling to confront He Xiao directly again.

Since the Elixir of Immortality case began, she had never gained the upper hand whenever she confronted him.

If only He Xiao had been born 150 years earlier. Back then, she was brave and fearless, and most likely would have, like Bai Ziqi today, enthusiastically sought to challenge He Xiao.

Now, she no longer yearned to confront difficulties head-on.

Being old, she lacked the bold ambition and sharpness of her past.

A late evening breeze swept through, and a faint jingling sound was heard.

Qingyang looked down to see the bell on her wrist chiming.

However, the wind couldn't have moved it. She sighed, patted her clothes, and stood up, remarking that it was so late, and still no peace.

She walked back into the room and told Yuan Xuan to close the doors and windows tightly before leaving.

Once alone in the room, she took out a statue, placed it on the offering table, and murmured a prayer. Then she took out a few tall incense sticks and gently shook them.

The incense sticks ignited by themselves.

The smoke gathered in mid-air without dispersing, forming a hazy human face.

Then, the voice of True Lord Tongming echoed through the room, stating that Goddess Fenghao had suffered severe losses and was exceptionally furious.

Goddess Fenghao's clone was destroyed by True Master Qianhuan's Dharma form. Was she not prepared for this before descending to the mortal realm? Qingyang's expression remained calm. She stated that although Goddess Fenghao's losses were heavy, the gains for the God Realm afterward would be exceptionally bountiful.

There is gain only through loss.

True Lord Tongming relayed that Goddess Fenghao believed Qingyang had not exerted her full strength in the battle, which led to one divine clone's death and another's severe injury.

Qingyang shook her head, asking if she had such ability, would she still need to invite gods to descend. She added that the enemy was True Master Qianhuan, and the Yao King's trump card was truly unexpected. It was pure luck, she claimed, that she survived being hit by that immortal art, and her injuries would take at least five months to heal.

In truth, Goddess Fenghao was not wrong; Qingyang had indeed not exerted her full strength.

Confronting a high immortal should have been the Heavenly God's task. Why should she overstep her bounds?

Qingyang was merely the planner of the Yao Palace coup. She had many more plans to execute afterward, so why should she risk her life against True Master Qianhuan's Dharma form?

True Lord Tongming slowly said that the Saint Venerable Lingxu had judged that although there were some omissions in this operation, it was largely successful, and Qingyang was worthy of commendation.

Upon hearing this, Qingyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The Saint Venerable Lingxu's statement indicated extreme satisfaction with her planning and execution of the operation. However, two other Heavenly Gods had suffered significant losses due to this action, and the Saint Venerable Lingxu would still need to appease and compensate them later.

As soon as True Lord Tongming finished speaking, two magical artifacts and two boxes of spiritual elixirs appeared on the offering table.

True Lord Tongming declared that from that moment, Qingyang was a Protector of the Heavenly Palace. He added that Bai Ziqi would track the Great Emperor Jiuyou, while Qingyang would continue to oversee the subsequent operations in Yao Land, and Chief Steward Liang of the Miao Zhan Heavenly Temple would cooperate fully with her.

Qingyang's expression was solemn, but inwardly she felt both amused and exasperated.

Just a few years ago, because of the Elixir of Immortality case, she became a prisoner of the Heavenly Palace. It was only due to the Demon Emperor's full protection that she was banished to the State of Yao, thousands of miles away.

After all this circling, she was now remarkably promoted to a Heavenly Palace Protector!

Protector was actually a title, not a regular position, exclusively given to high-ranking officials on external missions.

A grand title, after all, made things easier to accomplish.

Qingyang clearly understood that her receiving this honor was not just due to her great merits, but also because subsequent missions required a more suitable identity.

The State of Yao was virtually gone; what nation was there left for her to oversee?

It was time to transition to a new identity: Heavenly Palace Protector.

With this title, any force in the Blazing Gold Plains wishing to contact Beijia or the Heavenly God would have to come to her.

Well, except for Ling Mountain and the Great Emperor Jiuyou.

Qingyang rubbed her temples. Why was she thinking of He Xiao, that persistent annoyance, again?

Nevertheless, with the death of the Yao King and the collapse of the Yao court, power quickly consolidated in Qingyang's hands!

For the past year, while holding the title of Overseer of the Nation, she had no real power, only 'borrowing' it from the Yao King.

But now, with the emergence of a power vacuum in Yao Land, she once again had significant opportunities!

The Yao King's downfall meant her prosperity.

Qingyang mentioned that Baitian had just come to see her, hoping to receive the Heavenly God's blessing.

True Lord Tongming's hoarse laughter echoed in the empty room, as he questioned the idea of "blessings" for "mortals".

These mortals were far too presumptuous.

True Lord Tongming stated slowly that a single deluded thought could extinguish the spiritual essence, adding that Baitian was no more discerning than the Yao King.