Chapter 723: Saint's Fire

When Shengyuan's voice rang out again, the atmosphere throughout the land became somewhat delicate.

The gazes of the various magnates flickered. Within Cangxuan Heaven, the Saint Palace was currently the strongest, with the Cangxuan Sect slightly behind. However, a deep enmity existed between these two major powers, so a confrontation was inevitable whenever they met.

Other magnates could therefore sit back and watch the battle unfold. However, no one had anticipated that just as the Cangxuan Sect prepared for confrontation, Shengyuan would instantly shatter them by revealing a shocking secret. The Cangxuan Sect was now in disarray, not only having lost a Peak Master but also facing a formidable new enemy who had entered the Dharma Domain realm.

Consequently, the Saint Palace now possessed an unparalleled momentum.

Zhou Yuan, observing from the void, naturally perceived the situation. A look of worry immediately appeared in his eyes. The Cangxuan Sect was, after all, his primary support. If even they couldn't contend with the Saint Palace, it would put him in an extremely precarious position.

However, as a mere Divine Palace realm practitioner, he had no standing to participate in the current predicament and could only fret helplessly.

Silence lingered above the Thunder Pool for a moment. Suddenly, Tianjian Sovereign of the Sword Asking Sect coughed. His aged face was solemn as he slowly stated, "While the Cangxuan Sacred Seal is indeed valuable, our Cangxuan Heaven's current order is stable. Should it be forcibly obtained, it would likely unleash a torrent of bloodshed, ultimately only weakening the overall strength of our Cangxuan Heaven."

Amidst the pervasive black mist, Manor Lord Moluo of the Heavenly Ghost Manor patted his round belly and said with a smile, "But now that the Cangxuan Sacred Seal has appeared, we can't simply pretend it doesn't exist, can we?"

The honest-faced Ancient Whale Palace Master from the Northern Underworld Dragon Suppression Hall, who resembled an old farmer, offered a simple smile and asked, "Does Manor Lord Moluo aspire to become the supreme Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven?"

Palace Master Dan Qingzi of the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace stated indifferently, "The Heavenly Ghost Manor likely lacks such capability."

Saint Yuan Palace Master listened to the other magnates and chuckled softly. "I do have a suggestion," he said. "Our six sects could form an alliance and take turns safeguarding the Cangxuan Sacred Seal. This would avert any conflict."

The other magnates paused, their eyes reflecting contemplation.

Headmaster Qingyang suddenly let out a cold laugh. "If it's an alliance," he remarked, "there will naturally be a hierarchy and order. From your words, Shengyuan, it sounds as though you wish to be the leader of this alliance and thus be the first to safeguard the Cangxuan Sacred Seal?"

Saint Yuan Palace Master offered a faint smile, his tone tinged with arrogance. "My Saint Palace is inherently the strongest," he declared. "If we don't take the lead, will it be your fragmented Cangxuan Sect?"

He made no denial, clearly having intended this all along.

Headmaster Qingyang glanced at the other magnates and stated, "I merely fear that at that point, Shengyuan, your ambition might not be limited to the Cangxuan Sacred Seal. You might also seek to annex the other major sects and truly dominate this entire realm."

Tianjian Sovereign, Dan Qingzi, and the other magnates' eyes flickered. Though their expressions remained unchanged, a flicker of vigilance appeared in each of their gazes.

If Saint Yuan Palace Master were indeed allowed to take charge of the Cangxuan Sacred Seal first, it was highly probable he would privately study and master it. Should he succeed, his power would surge, allowing him to break through the Dharma Domain and enter the Saint Realm. At that point, no one in all of Cangxuan Heaven would be able to oppose him.

At that juncture, persuading him to relinquish the Cangxuan Sacred Seal would become an exceedingly remote possibility.

Saint Yuan Palace Master naturally perceived the vigilance in the eyes of the other magnates, and a hint of darkness flickered within his silver pupils. He smiled faintly. "It appears, then," he said, "that none of you are particularly interested in my proposal?"

The other magnates all remained silent.

Observing their silence, Saint Yuan Palace Master let out a deep sigh, speaking with a seemingly compassionate air. "I had hoped this matter could be resolved peacefully," he lamented, "but it seems it must ultimately be settled by force..."

Even before his voice faded, a silver-glowing Dharma Domain shield expanded from his body, forming a protective barrier around him. A terrifyingly powerful Dharma Domain had already erupted from within him. His expression remained indifferent as he took a step, his form appearing like a specter directly before Headmaster Qingyang.

Saint Yuan Palace Master's fingers curled slightly as silver light rapidly converged in his palm—the power of the Dharma Domain. Concurrently, the Dharma Domain merged with vast source qi, forming a unique force only controllable by those at the Dharma Domain level: Dharma Domain Source Qi!

That power was the very essence of a Dharma Domain expert!

The space around Saint Yuan Palace Master's palm fractured directly, clearly unable to withstand such force. If measured by the intensity of Source Qi Stars, Saint Yuan Palace Master's every movement at this moment likely commanded the power of hundreds of millions of Source Qi Stars.

Boom! That destructive palm instantly pierced through the void, hurtling towards Headmaster Qingyang. It was clear Shengyuan intended to cripple him and thereby intimidate the other magnates.

"How dare you!" Elder Xuan instantly detected Saint Yuan Palace Master's intent and roared. A Dharma Domain shield emerged from his body as he moved to intervene.

However, Lei Jun suddenly appeared before him, delivering a punch that surged with Dharma Domain power, accompanied by thunderous roars, effectively blocking Elder Xuan.

In the current predicament, Lei Jun knew he was no longer welcome within the Cangxuan Sect. Thus, his allegiance naturally shifted towards the Saint Palace; only through their victory could he hope to escape unharmed.

"Lei Jun, you traitor!" Elder Xuan furiously cried out, his attacks ruthless. Lei Jun, however, remained expressionless, activating his Dharma Domain to fend off Elder Xuan's onslaught.

Meanwhile, the other magnates and various top experts, seeing that the two sides had finally engaged in battle, all retreated some distance. They clearly intended to continue watching from the sidelines. Although the Cangxuan Sect was internally unstable, the Saint Palace would undoubtedly pay a heavy price to completely dismantle it. At that point, with the Saint Palace weakened, it would likely find it much harder to maintain its dominance.

"Shengyuan, if you think you can kill me to assert your dominance, you greatly overestimate yourself!" Headmaster Qingyang retorted coldly, a green-glowing Dharma Domain shield enveloping his body. Both he and Shengyuan were at the Grand Completion of the Dharma Domain realm, so it wouldn't be easy for the latter to defeat him.

Upon hearing this, Saint Yuan Palace Master's lips curled into a strange smile.

"Is that so?" Roughly a foot above Saint Yuan Palace Master's head, a wisp of golden smoke suddenly began to swirl upwards. Moments later, a faint whisper seemed to emanate from within the smoke, and then, a single golden flame formed precisely above Saint Yuan Palace Master's head.

The instant that golden flame materialized, the entire world seemed to halt. Where the golden flame burned, the void began to incessantly collapse, resembling a scorched oil painting. An indescribable tremor was born within the heavens and earth.

The golden flame appeared capable of incinerating all creation, utterly unstoppable.

The golden flame was simultaneously reflected in the eyes of Headmaster Qingyang and the other magnates. At that very moment, an expression of unbelievable horror etched itself onto their faces.

"That... that's a Saint's Fire?!" Moments later, a chorus of utterly terrified, sharp cries rang out.

"Shengyuan... he's entered the Saint Realm?!"

Beyond the Dharma Domain lies the Saint Realm—the supreme cultivation level in all creation! Yet, since its inception, the only true Saint Realm existence in Cangxuan Heaven had been Patriarch Cangxuan himself. And now, had Saint Yuan Palace Master also achieved this breakthrough?!

Amidst the widespread cries of horror, Saint Yuan Palace Master thrust out two fingers. The golden flame pierced through space, appearing directly at his fingertips, then swiftly tapped onto the green-glowing Dharma Domain protecting Headmaster Qingyang's body.

The golden flame flickered, and the Dharma Domain—indestructible in the eyes of ordinary individuals—was instantly incinerated as if it were mere paper.

"Qingyang, go join your master..." Saint Yuan Palace Master's lips curved into a sinister arc. The finger, burning with golden flames, directly pierced through the Dharma Domain and ruthlessly thrust towards Headmaster Qingyang, whose eyes were wide with terror.

If that golden flame were to land, even a Dharma Domain expert would be incinerated into nothingness. For that was a Saint's Fire.