Chapter 1891: Soul Offering

After being purified and refined by Xu Yang's potent life essence, an Elemental Core crystal, roughly half the size of a palm, solidified.

"My goodness, to completely refine the power within an Elemental Core this large would probably take half a year. If successful, even a Golden Core realm expert could potentially achieve a level comparable to a Martial God in ten thousand years, all thanks to this power."

As a knowledgeable disciple from the empire's foremost sect, Lan Ling'er quickly recognized the true value of the Elemental Core crystal with her keen eye. Undeniably, possessing this crystal meant the potential to add a Martial God-level powerhouse to the empire.

Unfortunately, no one in the team could consume it. They had yet to reach the true peak of Mahayana cultivation; forcibly absorbing such a massive amount of Elemental Core power would tear their bodies apart.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Yang presented the Elemental Core crystal to the old emperor. The emperor was initially stunned, then met Xu Yang's brilliant gaze with a shocked expression.

"Sir, what is your intention?"

Xu Yang chuckled softly.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to be formal. This Elemental Core crystal can be used to cultivate a truly trusted confidant. Currently, the impostor emperor has complete control over all the ruling classes within the empire. Even if you return, it will be difficult to regain power quickly. The true purpose of this Elemental Core crystal will become apparent in the future. The few of us cannot stay with you indefinitely in the imperial palace. After we escort you back to the palace and eliminate that High Priest, we will immediately depart for the empire's border battlefield. The imperial palace will ultimately require your sole management. Whether you can reverse the tide of this situation depends entirely on your own abilities. More importantly, the empress's fractured soul essence is currently sealed within you. Perhaps this Elemental Core crystal will prove greatly useful in your hands in the future."

Xu Yang's gift was truly invaluable. A Martial God-level powerhouse holds a value to an empire comparable to several city-states combined. The old emperor felt unworthy of such a grand gift, but after a moment of consideration, he agreed that Xu Yang's counsel was sound and that he could indeed make good use of the item.

"My gratitude for this immense kindness goes beyond words, Sir Xu Yang. I will engrave your contributions to me personally and to the entire empire deep in my heart. Rest assured, Sir, that once I successfully reclaim power, you will become the sole object of faith for the entire empire in the future."

The old emperor understood that for someone of Xu Yang's cultivation level, worldly possessions held no significance. Only by offering true power of faith could he genuinely assist Xu Yang's future path. Thus, this offering was the only valuable token the old emperor could provide to repay Xu Yang.

After resolving the troubles on the plains battlefield, Xu Yang wasted no time, immediately leading his companions rapidly towards the imperial capital. Xu Yang had a premonition that the High Priest would not give up so easily. He was certain the High Priest would make the imperial palace the centerpiece of their final confrontation.

This was ultimately an unavoidable calamity, and millions of residents within the imperial capital were destined to be affected. Yet, Xu Yang still underestimated the High Priest's ruthlessness. As soon as his phantom body rejoined his main form from the plains battlefield, the old man wasted no time in orchestrating his next defensive strategy.

With a wave of his staff, a spectral light flashed, and ten Martial God-level devotees, clad in golden robes, swiftly appeared within the imperial palace.

"Greetings, High Priest!"

The High Priest, seated upon the emperor's throne, sighed with resignation.

"The information you reported back earlier regarding Xu Yang's strength was indeed accurate; he is far more powerful than anticipated. Over half of the five hundred soul puppets I deployed were destroyed by that young man. The cultivation legacy he practices appears to have no discernible weaknesses, and he possesses many hidden trump cards. I predict this young man will become a major obstacle to our plans. We must do everything possible to stall him here, within the imperial palace grounds. If we allow him to escape, the consequences will be unimaginable."

At the High Priest's words, the ten golden-robed devotees' expressions grew serious. They exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to proceed.

"Your Eminence, if we are to confront that individual head-on, our collective strength is simply not enough. Only with your personal intervention, High Priest, can we hope to retaliate effectively."

This time, the High Priest did not feign modesty, instead shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Honestly, I have no certainty of being able to stop that young man. I am almost certain that during our recent clash on the plains battlefield, he was far from unleashing his truly terrifying trump cards. A human wave tactic will have no effect on him whatsoever. Therefore, according to my plan, to halt his advance, we must find his weakness – and that weakness is not inherent to him."

Hearing the High Priest's words, the golden-robed devotees below seemed to grasp his true intention.

"Your Eminence, are you suggesting... you plan to cause disruption within the imperial capital itself?"

The High Priest nodded, a faint smile on his lips.

"There is no other way. I summoned the ten of you to gather your collective strength and, in the shortest time possible, construct a power transmission array for me. This will allow me to harness enough power to unleash forbidden martial arts techniques. In this battle, the millions of residents throughout the imperial capital will serve as our greatest resource. If we can fully exploit their value, we can certainly create immense trouble for that human youth."

The ten golden-robed devotees simultaneously bowed with clasped fists towards the High Priest seated on the throne.

"Your Eminence is wise; we shall proceed immediately!"

As he watched the golden-robed devotees disappear, the High Priest on the throne drew a sharp breath. Instinctively tightening his grip on his staff, he slowly began to speak.

"Regardless, this battle must be won, no matter the cost. As long as we can prevent that young man from aiding the border battlefield, and once this soul offering is complete, my power will reach the true peak of the Martial God realm. At that point, why would I fear that human youth?"

***

Meanwhile, Xu Yang's team had arrived outside the imperial capital's main gate. To Xu Yang's surprise, Long Kun and the Ancient Great Serpent had, at some unknown time, already left their original city-states and arrived early outside the capital, awaiting Xu Yang and his companions.

"Hahaha, Boss, what took you so long? This smelly snake and I have been waiting for you for two days."

Xu Yang and his companions responded with delighted surprise.

"Has the threat to your respective city-states been completely neutralized?"

Long Kun nodded, laughing heartily.

"It's strange, but for some reason, the dozens of ten-thousand-year disciple-level powerhouses originally stationed in our city-state were suddenly all transferred away by a single order. We seized that opportunity to rush to the imperial capital and await your arrival."