Chapter 1593: Heavenly Calamity Descends

Cloud Che's tone was calm, yet his words caused all the Yun clan powerhouses to frown deeply.

"Heh..." Yun Xiang chuckled. In that moment, he suddenly realized how ridiculous his earlier explanations and continuous "concessions" had been. The anger on his face vanished, replaced only by contempt and disgust. "You? A mere Divine King?"

"Saving Chang'er is not an excuse for your wild behavior here," Yun Fu, the Second Elder of the Yun clan, said with a heavy frown. "You should be grateful that the Clan Chief is magnanimous and values kindness. Otherwise, any single word you just uttered would have resulted in severe punishment."

"This is your last warning... get out of here immediately!"

Profound energy surged, spreading ripples like water waves through the Ancestral Temple. It seemed that if Cloud Che and Qianye Ying'er hesitated any longer, they would face immediate action without warning.

"Qianying," Cloud Che whispered, "Kill them..."

BOOM!

A colossal thunderclap suddenly erupted from outside, accompanied by heaven-shattering spatial tremors and widespread chaotic shouts of alarm.

All twenty-two Divine Sovereigns in the Ancestral Temple instantly rose. Yun Xiang sharply exclaimed, "Someone is forcibly entering the Thunder Domain!"

"No... they've already breached it," Yun Ting said. "And this aura..."

"The Thunder Domain has been interfered with," the First Grand Elder's aged voice resounded heavily. "It's the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan."

"Wha... what!" Yun Xiang and the other elders gasped in unison, utterly horrified.

"No, it's not just the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan," Yun Ting turned around, slowly clenching his hands. "It's also the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace."

Just then, a soul-shaking voice, carrying the might of a Divine Sovereign—a peak Divine Sovereign at that—reached them from afar: "Clan Chief Yun Ting, Nine Luminaries has come to visit. Please grant us an audience."

"This... this is! The Nine Luminaries Palace Master!"

This voice, along with that terrifying spiritual pressure, indicated that the arrival was none other than the Grand Palace Master of the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace—the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign!

"Is it for the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill again?" Yun Xiang gritted his teeth.

"Such a large-scale deployment, I fear it's not as simple as just the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill," Yun Ting sighed heavily, his heart filled with sorrow. "Only seven days remain until my limit. Someone was bound to try to profit before then... Let's go out. The three Grand Elders, please join us as well."

Normally, he almost never utilized the power of the three Grand Elders, but this time, he proactively suggested it.

"Clan Chief, are you intending to..." The elders exclaimed in unison. Given Yun Ting's physical condition, exerting his full power would not only consume profound energy but also his life force.

Yun Ting waved his hand. "The Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign's strength far exceeds your imagination, not to mention the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan. If I don't act now, I fear we won't even last until the final day... No more words, let's go."

They had personally witnessed the dazzling hope on Yun Chang, only to extinguish it completely with their own hands.

The sudden shattering of that hope, coupled with feelings of gloom, guilt, and culpability, left him utterly disheartened.

Disregarding Cloud Che, Qianye Ying'er, and even Yun Chang, they all flew up and departed the Ancestral Temple.

Cloud Che remained still. With no outsiders present, Yun Chang's body and profound veins were healing at an uncommonly rapid pace under the surging light profound energy. Her face gradually lost its pallor, but she remained in a deep coma, unable to awaken.

Qianye Ying'er stood quietly by, watching in silence... She was certain that Cloud Che had never been so focused and concentrated when using the Miracle of Life to restore her profound veins.

Above the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan, hundreds of figures now floated. Though not numerous, each possessed an astonishing aura. There were at least thirty Divine Sovereign auras among them, exceeding the total number of Divine Sovereigns in the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan.

The two leaders, in particular, exuded an oppressive aura that completely solidified the surrounding space, clearly indicating their status as peak Divine Sovereigns!

These figures were not only human. Above the Thunder Domain behind them, colossal dragon shadows coiled and flew, some a thousand feet long, others ten thousand feet, their bodies shimmering with lightning. As they soared and circled, they literally carved a path through the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan's protective Thunder Domain, allowing even mortals to pass through safely.

In the Qianhuang Realm, the most proficient force in lightning power was certainly not the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan, but rather the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan. Their clan's Desolate Sky Demonic Thunder could easily be called the strongest thunderous power beneath the King Realms of the Northern Divine Region.

Interfering with the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan's protective Thunder Domain was effortless for them.

"Clan Chief Yun, it has been many years. I trust you have been well." The Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign, clad in a black robe with long hair and a long beard, possessed a gentle countenance that gave him a distinct air of immortality.

Yun Ting, however, ignored him and instead glared at the purple-robed man beside him. "Huang Ji! Our two clans share over a hundred thousand years of friendship! In the Qianhuang Realm, anyone can step on our Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan, but you, of all people, do not have that right! Your uninvited arrival with such a grand display today... Is it to visit your dying old friend?!"

Huang Ji was the Dragon Lord of the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan and also the strongest dragon in the Qianhuang Realm.

"Heh heh," the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord chuckled faintly, neither ashamed nor angry. "Clan Chief Yun, this Dragon Lord's presence today is merely to accompany the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign. Once the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign has achieved his purpose, this Dragon Lord will naturally withdraw."

Such nonchalance was undoubtedly the most absolute form of heartlessness. Yun Ting's expression grew even colder and more desolate. He said indifferently, "Good... very good."

He shifted his gaze, his voice cold and deep. "Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign, for a mere Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, you are so persistent. Have the resources and integrity of your Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace become so scarce?"

"Hahahaha," the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign also showed no anger; instead, he burst into laughter. The Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan, on the verge of extinction, only garnered their pity, having lost all qualification to provoke their wrath. This was undoubtedly a tragic reality. "Clan Chief Yun, you jest. How could a single ancient pill be worth this Heaven Sovereign's personal visit to this place of sin?"

"Beyond the Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill, this Heaven Sovereign also wishes to borrow something from Clan Chief Yun." With a smile, the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign slowly uttered, "The Cloud Heaven Cauldron."

"Bastard!" Yun Xiang could no longer tolerate it. He roared in fury, the Heavenly Dragon Thunder God Spear appearing in his hand. A dragon's roar echoed through the sky, startling thunder entwining the spear as its tip pointed directly upwards. "Even if our Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan falls into dust, you are not worthy to trample upon us!"

"Oh?" The Desolate Sky Dragon Lord glanced sideways. "Isn't that the Dragon Spear my clan bestowed upon you back then? To point it at this Dragon Lord now, how ridiculous!"

What was once a gift was now termed a "bestowal" by him. A black gleam flashed in his eyes. Instantly, the Heavenly Dragon Thunder God Spear in Yun Xiang's hand violently shook, its dragon's roar trembling, and its spear-might sharply plummeted.

"!!" Yun Xiang gritted his teeth fiercely, his grip on the spear trembling violently.

"Scram..." Yun Ting slowly uttered a single word, ruthless... yet powerless.

"Clan Chief Yun, you'd best think carefully," the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign said with a chuckle. "This Heaven Sovereign and the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord have both personally graced this place today. How could we possibly return empty-handed?"

"Only the Qianhuang Divine Sect has the right to punish our Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan." Yun Ting's face grew darker with each passing second. "Are you not afraid of offending the Qianhuang Divine Sect with this action?!"

"Well said!" Far from showing any apprehension at his words, the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign and the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord instead simultaneously revealed mysterious smiles. "Why we are here today, Clan Chief Yun, can you not use your mind to ponder it well?"

Yun Ting froze, then his expression abruptly changed, instantly turning from ashen to deathly pale. "Could it be... you..."

"Further words are meaningless," the First Grand Elder sighed. "Let's act."

A fierce battle thus erupted above the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan.

They had long been prepared for such a day, but they hadn't expected it to be today, nor had they anticipated their opponents would be the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace and the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan, rather than the Qianhuang Divine Sect.

All the Divine Sovereigns from the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace and the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan surged downwards. The moment they engaged, they completely suppressed the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan's Divine Sovereigns and elders.

Ten thousand years ago, the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan was a World King family, an undisputed supreme overlord. But bearing the name of a 'sin clan' for millennia, 'imprisoned' in this Domain of Sin, and subjected to one cruel sanction after another, they had long since completely decayed and withered.

Now, they had absolutely no power to resist either the Nine Luminaries Heaven Palace or the Desolate Sky Dragon Clan individually... let alone both clans arriving together.

"Clan Chief Yun, it has been many years since I've had the chance to experience your divine might," the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign said with a chuckle, his finger forming a sword-like aura.

Back when Yun Ting was a Supreme Divine Master, the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign was merely a junior who could only kneel in awe. Now, he dared to display such arrogance before him.

Yun Ting remained silent. A thunder spear appeared in his palm, and purple lightning spread across the sky.

RUMBLE!!

The moment Yun Ting and the Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign clashed, ten thousand bolts of lightning flashed simultaneously in the sky, black clouds covered the heavens, and the surrounding hundred-mile radius of space violently trembled. The world continuously churned and changed colors.

"Ungrateful wretch... die!" Yun Xiang roared furiously, charging directly at the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord.

"Heh heh, overestimating yourself." The Desolate Sky Dragon Lord's dragon eyes slanted downwards. Without moving his body, he raised his palm and gently pressed down.

Immediately, a thousand-foot-long dragon claw suddenly appeared in mid-air, slamming towards Yun Xiang with dark demonic thunder.

Where the dragon claw passed, layers of dark energy ripples spread through space, and black lightning surged like tumultuous waves in a vast sea.

Yun Xiang's figure paused, but he showed no retreat. With a roar, he unleashed his profound aura, meeting the attack head-on with even greater power than before...

BOOM—

The impact was incredibly dull and heavy. Beneath the dragon claw, Yun Xiang's Divine Sovereign aura was crushed like foam, vanishing without a trace. He plummeted like a falling meteor, smashing violently into the ground.

Yun Xiang, an eighth-level Divine Sovereign with blue Heavenly Sovereign divine power, was second only to Clan Chief Yun Ting in overall strength within the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan.

Yet, with a single blow from the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord... he was utterly defeated!

Everyone in the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan was greatly alarmed. Before they could even cry out in shock, the shattered ground suddenly exploded, and Yun Xiang's figure shot out like lightning, charging again at the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord with an earth-shaking roar and malevolent aura.

But... his figure had barely risen ten feet when the dragon claw, its power still unspent, slammed down again.

CRASH!!!!

The Heavenly Dragon Thunder God Spear flew from his grasp. Beneath the terrifying dark lightning, his robes shredded, his entire body gushed blood, and he was sent flying like a ruptured blood bag, crashing ten miles away... His body convulsed, but he couldn't immediately stand, clearly having suffered severe injuries.

"Xiang'er!!"

"Lord Yun Xiang!!"

This scene almost shattered the faith of most of the Yun clan members. Yun Ting let out a roar, distracted for a moment, and was directly struck in the chest by the Nine Luminaries Sword Array. A blood-red arrow streaked across the sky as he fell headfirst.

"Clan Chief!!" Roars from all directions became even more desperate and heartbreaking.

The Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign did not pursue. His gaze turned towards the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan's Ancestral Temple, and he said to the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord, "That is the Heavenly Sovereign Cloud Clan's Ancestral Temple. The Sacred Cloud Ancient Pill and the Cloud Heaven Cauldron must be there as well."

"You... dare!!" The Nine Luminaries Heaven Sovereign's words made Yun Ting's pupils contract, because their clan's most important Cloud Heaven Cauldron was indeed beneath the Ancestral Temple.

He flew up, but as profound energy surged, his face turned pale, and he violently coughed up over a dozen mouthfuls of crimson blood.

"Heh heh, as expected, the Heaven Sovereign was not mistaken." The Desolate Sky Dragon Lord chuckled faintly. He raised his arm, and the seemingly real yet illusory thousand-foot dragon claw slammed violently down towards the Ancestral Temple.

"St-stop!!" Yun Ting roared, spitting blood... but he was utterly powerless to prevent it.

BOOM!!

A powerful explosion shook the sky, ancient stones flew everywhere, and the Ancestral Temple instantly collapsed and shattered under the dragon claw.

However, the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord's smile suddenly froze.

Beneath the collapsing ancient temple, three figures appeared. A man stood with his back to the crowd, cradling an unconscious girl. A woman, her face obscured, leaned against a stone pillar, her posture elegant and languid.

The dragon claw, which had so easily defeated Yun Xiang, was frozen directly above them, seemingly halted deliberately... But only the Desolate Sky Dragon Lord knew that his dragon claw had suddenly slammed into an invisible barrier, unable to advance even a fraction of an inch, no matter what.

Even the oppressive might and destructive power of the dragon claw were completely extinguished, unable to unleash the slightest bit.