Chapter 1386: Must Die

When Palace Master Shengyuan's avatar completely dissipated, the people on the city wall finally breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Only then did they come to their senses and realize they were drenched in sweat.

Even Xi Jing, Wu Yao, Su Youwei, and Zhao Mushen had grave expressions, their eyes filled with deep apprehension. The oppressive feeling emanating from Palace Master Shengyuan was even more formidable than that of Taixuan from the Sacred Race.

However, this was not surprising. No matter how strong Taixuan was, he was still ultimately in the Law Domain stage. Palace Master Shengyuan, even if only a Half-Saint, had one foot in the Saint stage after all. The two could not be compared on the same level.

Shen Taiyuan gently patted his chest, calming his still-shaken nerves. After all, Palace Master Shengyuan's notoriety in Cangxuan Heaven was immense. Not to mention him, even the current sect masters of the other four Saint Sects would likely feel deep apprehension, or even fear, when facing Palace Master Shengyuan.

He looked at Zhou Yuan and said with a sigh, "You are truly audacious."

Zhou Yuan had shown no fear when facing Palace Master Shengyuan; he had even taken the initiative to destroy the latter's avatar. Such courage was truly astonishing.

However, Shen Taiyuan also understood that if anyone in Cangxuan Heaven could pose even the slightest threat to Palace Master Shengyuan, it would likely be Zhou Yuan alone.

This made Shen Taiyuan sigh with emotion. The young calf from back then had now emerged like a latent dragon from its abyss. It was foreseeable that soon, Zhou Yuan's name would shake all of Cangxuan Heaven.

"It was just an avatar; there's nothing to be afraid of," Zhou Yuan said with a smile.

Shen Taiyuan sighed helplessly, "Only you could say something like that."

Zhou Yuan stared at the spot where Palace Master Shengyuan's avatar had dissipated and asked, "Has Palace Master Shengyuan's true body ever personally taken action in recent years?"

Shen Taiyuan pondered for a moment before replying, "When the Heavenly Ghost Mansion was destroyed previously, he must have personally intervened. Otherwise, a massive Heavenly Ghost Mansion couldn't have been annihilated overnight."

"But apart from that, he seems not to have acted with his true body in these years. Otherwise, our situation would probably be even worse."

Zhou Yuan mused thoughtfully, "Are his injuries not fully recovered? Although it was just an avatar earlier, the power it displayed was definitely stronger than before... Or is it that the old dog Shengyuan hasn't acted for many years because he has a larger scheme in mind?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered. If one were to consider Shengyuan's greatest scheme, there was no need to think twice: it must be to take the final step and become a true Saint.

"Peak Master, what is the current outcome of the struggle for the Cangxuan Saint Seal fragments all these years?" Zhou Yuan asked.

"Ever since you shattered the Cangxuan Saint Seal back then, the struggle for its fragments has never ceased. In the early years, the Six Great Saint Sects fought amongst themselves, each vying for the fragments. That was the most chaotic period."

"Afterward, the Sacred Palace gradually distinguished itself, and its power rapidly expanded. Even though Palace Master Shengyuan never appeared in person, it still posed a threat to the other five Saint Sects. Therefore, the five great Saint Sects later chose to unite to resist, gradually stabilizing the decline. However, after years of struggle, the Sacred Palace has likely acquired over sixty percent of the Saint Seal fragments," Shen Taiyuan stated solemnly.

"Over sixty percent..."

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. This outcome clearly showed that the Sacred Palace held an absolute advantage in strength.

"It's all because a 'God Blood Altar' suddenly appeared in the Sacred Palace. Palace Master Shengyuan used it to create the Holy Devil Army, which practically swept across Cangxuan Heaven," Shen Taiyuan said with a wry smile.

"That God Blood Altar must be the work of the Sacred Race," Zhou Yuan said slowly. "Otherwise, with only his Half-Saint cultivation, Palace Master Shengyuan couldn't possibly have created such a wondrous treasure."

"This Shengyuan is truly a scoundrel of our Cangxuan Heaven!" Shen Taiyuan said with some anger. The All-Heavens and the Sacred Race are irreconcilable enemies with deep-seated grudges, yet this Shengyuan willingly serves as a lackey for the Sacred Race. It's utterly despicable.

However, he also understood that such anger was futile. He turned to Zhou Yuan with a hint of relief and said, "But now, with this powerful reinforcement led by you, the situation should be vastly different."

This reinforcement army led by Zhou Yuan comprised over twenty Law Domain experts alone, with the rest being Nascent Soul peak practitioners. To put it bluntly, no single sect among the other four, apart from the Sacred Palace, could contend with such a lineup.

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Peak Master, please return to the Cangxuan Sect immediately. Inform Sect Master Qingyang and ask him to invite the principal leaders of the other three Saint Sects to the Cangxuan Sect to discuss an expedition against the Sacred Palace."

"This batch of reinforcements will also accompany you to the Cangxuan Sect. They will help stabilize the situation in various regions across Cangxuan Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Shen Taiyuan was overjoyed and immediately said, "This news will surely make Sect Master Qingyang and the others incredibly happy!"

Although he had been guarding the Great Zhou Dynasty all this time, the Cangxuan Sect constantly relayed news to him, so he understood how overwhelmed Sect Master Qingyang had been over the years. Especially after the Heavenly Ghost Mansion was destroyed, this usually calm Sect Master began to worry about the future of the Cangxuan Sect.

The arrival of Zhou Yuan and this powerful reinforcement was truly a timely rain for Cangxuan Heaven.

"As for me, I'd like to stay in Great Zhou City for a few days first to spend time with my father and mother, and then I'll rush to the Cangxuan Sect."

Shen Taiyuan expressed his understanding. Zhou Yuan had been away from home for over a decade, and Zhou Qing and Qin Yu had constantly worried about him. Now that he had returned, it was natural for him to spend quality time with his parents. With the powerful reinforcements Zhou Yuan brought, the current situation should be stable.

"There's no time to lose; I'll depart now," Shen Taiyuan said, eager to leave.

Zhou Yuan nodded, and with a gentle wave of his hand, the powerful reinforcements who had followed him appeared high in the sky, cupping their fists in salute towards his position.

Shen Taiyuan also cupped his fists at Zhou Yuan, and with a movement of his body, shot up into the sky.

The next moment, nearly a hundred streaks of light soared across the sky, vanishing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Yuan watched them depart, then turned around to see two graceful figures standing together. He was a little surprised. He wasn't surprised that Su Youwei would stay, but Wu Yao hadn't left either...

It was important to remember that it was within and outside these very city walls that King Wu had entered the city years ago, seizing Zhou Yuan's Saint Dragon Qi and infusing it into Wu Yao and Wu Huang.

The saying 'Python and Sparrow Devour Dragon' originated from this event.

Thus, it was a painful memory for both sides. Zhou Yuan endured much suffering because of it before he could gradually cultivate, while Wu Yao, in a sense, lost her mother because of it, and eventually, she was the only one left of the entire Wu family.

As Zhou Yuan's thoughts churned, Wu Yao walked up to him, her phoenix eyes calm. "The mistakes of the past were all made by my father," she said. "Though he is gone now, what has happened cannot simply be erased. Since I've come, I naturally won't choose to evade it."

Zhou Yuan paused, stunned. This woman was truly incredibly stubborn. Was she here with the intention of atoning for King Wu's sins?

He sighed softly inwardly and did not offer any further words of comfort. Given Wu Yao's personality, these emotional knots could not be untied with a few words. She could only truly let go of these past grievances herself.

Su Youwei, at this moment, changed the subject. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Zhou Yuan, and after a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Are you confident you can deal with Palace Master Shengyuan?"

Wu Yao also looked on intently. Palace Master Shengyuan's earlier avatar alone had possessed immense power, indicating that his true strength would far surpass that of Taixuan from the Sacred Race.

Although Zhou Yuan was hailed as the foremost figure below the Saints of the All-Heavens, the enemy he was about to face this time was no ordinary person, but a Half-Saint!

Zhou Yuan looked up, gazing at the cloud layers in the sky that resembled burning clouds. He slowly said, "This conflict concerns the future of Cangxuan Heaven. This is where I was born and grew up; I will absolutely not allow Shengyuan to destroy it."

He lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with a surging killing intent.

"Therefore... no matter what, Shengyuan must die."