Chapter 1053: Turn Around

The rumbling of the earth still echoed in its aftermath!

No matter how much the Seventeenth Sovereign struggled, he was utterly powerless to retaliate. His understanding of his own authority was clearly far inferior to Lü Lingzi's. Moreover, his injuries continued to worsen, with blood surging from countless wounds. Air from a million-mile radius infiltrated everywhere, seemingly intent on filling every crevice of the Seventeenth Sovereign's body and even his soul. Once completed, the Seventeenth Sovereign would be utterly destroyed, body and soul.

The commotion caused by this scene was astonishing. Thus, colossal figures, either in person or as divine thoughts, descended immediately from thousands of miles away. Some looked solemn, some bewildered, some thoughtful—each with a different expression, yet their inner turmoil was uniformly profound.

“Lü Lingzi's understanding of his authority has reached such a profound level.” “No wonder Emperor Ming Yan values him so highly, and no wonder the Lan family's schemes against him utterly failed.” “And Xue Chenzi is no ordinary person either. Besides the Ming Yan Secret Art, he must possess other hidden secrets. It's just a pity that his previous battle with the Western Demon was obscured by Lü Lingzi!” “However, judging by the traces of the Heavenly Demon's escape, formed from the Western Demon's authority, it can be surmised that the Heavenly Demon was made to betray him through some unknown method!”

Although the Heavenly Demon's authority is astonishingly destructive and allows its wielder to advance rapidly, its drawbacks are equally intractable, constantly posing a risk of betrayal and backlash!

As all parties stood in shock, thoughts surfaced in Xu Qing's mind. The Empress's arrival both relieved him and confirmed his previous assessment: the Empress sought initiative in Western Demon Plume. Now, that initiative had clearly been seized, leading to the scene where she effortlessly gathered air from a million-mile radius and directed it upon the Seventeenth Sovereign. This was an assertion of power! And a display of dominance! Xu Qing understood. From this event, he also learned some methods for handling affairs. This was knowledge he hadn't acquired from Seventh Master! His gaze then fell upon the Seventeenth Sovereign, observing his struggles and the contortion of his face. He could imagine the terrifying weight that had been placed upon him.

As for the Empress, her expression remained calm throughout; she did not choose to kill. Instead, at the moment the Seventeenth Sovereign was about to collapse, the blood-colored eye in her glabella closed. With her authority withdrawn, the great sun that had appeared in the sky due to her spear also closed and finally vanished. The air that had pressed down on the Seventeenth Sovereign dispersed with the wind, returning in all directions. Relieved of the immense weight, the Seventeenth Sovereign's injuries healed rapidly. His body blurred, vanishing from his spot, reappearing in mid-air. He gazed at the Empress with a complex expression, not uttering a single word. It wasn't just him; all the Sovereigns who had observed the battle now fell silent. This tactic of 'lifting high and letting fall gently' not only showcased a profound understanding of authority but also revealed the attitude of a powerful being.

“Can you still move?!” The Empress turned, glanced at Xu Qing, and spoke calmly. Xu Qing quickly nodded. “Then let's go. Shall we return to Eastern Demon Plume?” Having spoken, the Empress strode towards the horizon. Xu Qing dared not hesitate, rapidly ascending to follow her.

Thus, under the gaze of the Western Demon Plume's various Sovereigns, the Empress, with Xu Qing, calmly walked across the sky, gradually disappearing into the horizon. From beginning to end, no one appeared to obstruct them. As for the Western Demon, he seemed to have been forgotten. He was dead, and that was that. Only the Seventeenth Sovereign's expression became more complex as he looked at the withered, distorted remains of the Western Demon, formed by the Heavenly Demon's backlash. Finally, with a sigh, he collected the remains and turned to leave. This journey to the west concluded here.

The wind returned, sweeping across millions of miles, and with the wind, gazes also returned.

Within the wing-like Dao platform of Western Demon Plume, Emperor Moyu, seated in meditation, withdrew his gaze. “Interesting!” “Are you so certain that I would just let you do as you please?!” Emperor Moyu muttered to himself, his eyes holding deep meaning. As his words spread, a cackling laugh echoed above him. The laughter originated from the black-robed figure in mid-air, bound by chains and continuously burning. “It is, of course, certain!” Hearing this, Emperor Moyu looked up at the black-robed figure, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly began to laugh.

At this moment, at the junction of Eastern and Western Demon Plume, the Empress strolled ahead, with Xu Qing following behind her. Throughout the journey, the Empress remained silent, and Xu Qing also found it difficult to speak. He was recalling this western journey, attempting to glean more knowledge to learn from it.

Since the Empress arrived in Western Demon Plume, Emperor Moyu's single decree first set the tone. Subsequently, various Sovereigns subtly expressed intentions to challenge. Xu Qing pondered in his heart. Considering the situation between Eastern and Western Demon Plume, it wasn't difficult for him to understand that this was a conflict between the two. Lü Lingzi, in particular, had a sensitive identity: not only was he a disciple of Emperor Ming Yan of Eastern Demon Plume and a peerless genius of Eastern Demon Plume, but he had also broken the Lan family's schemes, obtained sufficient bloodline power, and ascended to the rank of Sovereign. He then displayed extraordinary means, revealing Emperor Ming Yan's seclusion secret and sharing it with all parties. He united the other Sovereigns of Eastern Demon Plume without bloodshed and, with minimal obstruction, took over all of the Lan family's forces and resources. During this time, he also released several slots for accompanying entry into Emperor Ming Yan's secluded cultivation place, subtly implying the strategy of 'two peaches killing three warriors,' breaking down the barriers between east and west and making it possible for Western Demon Plume to also get involved. After careful recollection, Xu Qing learned from this, and also understood Western Demon Plume's stance. Given such a background, identity, and methods, coupled with his strong rise, Lü Lingzi naturally shone brightly in the Demon Plume Holy Land, drawing attention from many quarters. However, some matters are clearly not so simple to judge. Thus, after Emperor Moyu set the tone, suppressing Lü Lingzi to some extent became an unspoken task for Western Demon Plume. But the Empress did not accept the challenge; instead, she arranged for me to step forward and challenge, thereby gaining the initiative! Xu Qing summarized in his mind, knowing that he had perfectly completed this task.

Therefore, after the Seventeenth Sovereign descended, the Empress chose to act forcefully. So here's a key point: Did Emperor Moyu truly not see through it, or did he intentionally allow it for some unknown reason? Xu Qing looked at the Empress's back, and after some thought, a guess formed in his mind. And so, time passed.

Under the Empress's unhurried pace, as the afterglow of the sunset fell upon Tenth Sovereign Mountain, the proud cultivators surrounding the area saw the two figures returning in the sky. With excited and respectful bows, Xu Qing followed the Empress back to Tenth Sovereign Mountain.

Stepping into the main hall, after bowing, Xu Qing hesitated for a moment but still brought up the matter of the red candle totem on his back. Hearing this, the Empress calmly spoke. “I thought you would continue to hide it!” “Turn around and take off your clothes.” Xu Qing immediately removed his clothes, turning his back to the Empress, revealing his back covered in candle totems. The Empress's gaze fell upon them. She looked carefully for a few moments, a strange expression appearing on her face. After a while, she spoke calmly. “The origin of these candles is not in Wanggu, but in an ancient organization within this Ninth Star Ring.” “Before this, I had not heard of it transferring to cultivators. And if it is lit, it can hold souls!” “I can help you seal it, but for you, this item is both a calamity and a blessing. Everything depends on how you utilize it. Therefore, whether to seal it or not, the choice is yours.” After speaking, the Empress withdrew her gaze and sat cross-legged at the head seat. Xu Qing put his clothes back on, pondering in his heart. After considering the Empress's words, he did not immediately ask for a seal, but instead decided to research it further himself. He clasped his hands in thanks, about to turn and leave. The Empress's voice echoed once more. “You are not to leave Sovereign Mountain!” “Five days from now, take my token and go to the Eastern Demon Plume's Immortal Arts Hall!” Hearing this, Xu Qing blinked, and the image of his Senior Brother instantly appeared in his mind. He then looked back at the Empress. “Your Majesty, the Eastern Demon Plume Immortal Arts Hall…” The Empress let out a cold snort. “The Eastern Demon Plume Immortal Arts Hall issued an announcement yesterday, inviting representatives from all Sovereign forces of Eastern Demon Plume to witness its Grand Immortal Master Ceremony! And it informed all parties that Yue Dong, the disciple of the former Grand Immortal Master of Immortal Arts Hall, failed in his competition with the Grand Elder of Immortal Arts Hall for the position of this generation's Grand Immortal Master and was captured alive by him! In five days, the Immortal Arts Hall will commence the inheritance ritual to refine and strip Yue Dong of sixty percent of his Extravagant Immortal Arts! This ritual requires the acknowledgment of all Sovereign Mountains, hence this invitation and witness.” The Empress's voice fell into Xu Qing's ears, and his expression instantly became strange. He knew... the Empress must be aware of Yue Dong's identity! And his Senior Brother's failure to compete with the Immortal Arts Hall's Grand Elder for the Grand Immortal Master position—Xu Qing's first reaction was that his Senior Brother had done it on purpose! He knew his unreliable and crazy Senior Brother too well! “Go there and see Yue Dong. If he is stripped of his immortal arts...” The Empress glanced at Xu Qing. Xu Qing took a deep breath and loudly affirmed. Seeing Xu Qing like this, the Empress also raised a hand to rub her forehead with concern. Her greatest worry back then was the emergence of uncontrollable variables, which was why she had sent Xu Qing and 'ii Niu' away. Yet, they had still come! And each one was more troublesome than the last! “Regarding the Immortal Arts Hall, the stance of all Sovereign Mountains is not to interfere in internal affairs, but only to support the victor. When you go, do not escalate the situation! Also, inform your Senior Brother that the Supreme Sun God, one of the Three Gods of Blazing Moon, previously proposed recruiting him to join the Blazing Moon's war, but I politely declined!” The Empress said gravely. Xu Qing detected the underlying power in her words, bowed swiftly, and took his leave.

Watching Xu Qing depart, the Empress shook her head. It's no wonder their master let them roam freely instead of keeping them by his side!

Time flew by, and five days passed. Early morning, as the sun's light bathed the mountain, Xu Qing's figure shot forth from Tenth Sovereign Mountain, soaring directly towards the Eastern Demon Plume Immortal Arts Hall. His mood held no anxiety; instead, a sense of anticipation arose within him.