Chapter 934: Concealed Resolve

In the sky outside the Blade Emperor City.

“Xun Yi, it is your fortune to be accepted as a disciple under Elder Dongbo. Make sure to cultivate diligently on this journey. If you can one day step into the Chaos Realm, it would be a wonderful tale for both father and son to reach such heights.” Emperor Xinghuo stood there, his aura—even when naturally restrained—exuding an oppressive, domineering coldness that weighed heavily on every cultivator present. Though he treated Dongbo Xueying with courtesy for his son’s sake, he was, after all, a being standing at the pinnacle of the Chaos Realm, with combat power rivaling that of a Cosmic God.

“Yes, Father,” the golden-robed youth Xinghuo Xun Yi replied solemnly, his heart brimming with determination.

“Go ahead,” Emperor Xinghuo nodded.

Whoosh.

Xinghuo Xun Yi immediately flew toward Dongbo Xueying, the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall, and the dozens of disciples nearby. Aside from the core ten selected during the Star Conference, there were also 190 who passed the preliminary rounds, each choosing one of the six great sacred lands. Many had opted for the Voidsky Palace, though the resources they would receive were relatively modest.

“Your Majesty, we shall take our leave now,” the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall and Dongbo Xueying announced loudly. A twisted spatial corridor manifested beside them.

The Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall led Dongbo Xueying and the others as they flew into the corridor.

Emperor Xinghuo watched until they had all vanished.

“It’s already good that this boy has regained his spirit. I hope Elder Dongbo can work some miracles with him,” Emperor Xinghuo mused silently. Unlike his eldest son, who had endured many hardships, his youngest son Xun Yi had been born when he was already at the ninth level of the Star Tower. Xun Yi had faced fewer setbacks, remaining more naive, growing from an infant under his watchful gaze…

With a flick of his sleeve—

Rip!

A dark spatial tunnel appeared before him. Emperor Xinghuo stepped into it and vanished.

—

“Is this the Voidsky Palace?”

Dongbo Xueying and the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall observed the disciples beside them, all of whom were marveling at the vast space before them, their first glimpse of the Voidsky Palace.

In the distance, suspended above a massive landmass, the towering ‘Voidsky Hall’ radiated boundless light, illuminating every corner of the space and casting a luminous glow over the countless structures on the floating islands.

“Whoosh.”

A figure approached from afar—a green-robed man who bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall, Elder Dongbo.”

“Arrange accommodations for these newly admitted disciples,” the Hall Master instructed.

“Yes,” the green-robed man replied deferentially before turning to Xinghuo Xun Yi and the others. “Junior brothers, follow me.”

Thus, Xinghuo Xun Yi and the rest obediently departed to settle in, beginning their cultivation lives within the Voidsky Palace.

“Come, come. Many of the Hall Masters have already prepared a banquet, waiting just for you,” the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall urged.

“Oh?” Dongbo Xueying was surprised.

“Haha, many have come in their true forms. Even two Hall Masters stationed at the void’s edge, resisting the Annihilation Demons, have rushed back,” the Hall Master chuckled. “You’ve got quite the reputation.”

Dongbo Xueying quickly replied, “Let’s hurry then. We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“Let’s go.”

The Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall and Dongbo Xueying transformed into streaks of light, flying toward the ‘Chaos Hall’ at the center of the massive landmass.

The Chaos Hall occupied an enormous area. Within an elegant chamber, a grand feast had long been prepared.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dongbo Xueying and the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall landed outside the hall’s entrance and stepped inside. Seats were scattered irregularly, some already occupied by figures tilting wine jugs back, others engaged in lively conversation.

“Dongbo’s here! Hurry, hurry!”

“You’re the last one missing.”

The Hall Masters noticed Dongbo Xueying’s arrival and immediately urged him forward.

Dongbo Xueying spotted the sole remaining empty seat. As for the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall? His true form had long arrived, while his avatar dissipated like a bubble.

“Dongbo has brought great honor to our Voidsky Palace this time—a seventh-level Unity Realm! Haha, our Voidsky Palace finally has a peerless prodigy at this level,” Hall Master Tianshui laughed.

“Dongbo, take your seat,” the Demon Ancestor urged. “Every Hall Master who could come did so in their true form. Those who sent avatars are occupied with urgent matters, most still battling the Annihilation Demons at the void’s edge.”

The Demon Ancestor sighed inwardly.

In his home universe, he had once encountered a prodigy like the Swordmaster. Though he had harbored a competitive spirit, he knew the gap between them was vast. At first, he had been the undisputed overlord while the Swordmaster was still rising. Yet the Swordmaster’s cultivation speed was staggering, and once he surpassed the Demon Ancestor, the gap only widened. By the time the Swordmaster reached the Voidsky Palace, he had long become a Cosmic God, often in seclusion, likely making the disparity even more exaggerated.

And now, from the same home universe, another prodigy had emerged—Dongbo Xueying.

A seventh-level Unity Realm! Without a doubt, given time, he would reach the eighth-level peak, surpassing even the Demon Ancestor.

Dongbo Xueying sat down, surprised. “Resisting the Annihilation Demons? Is the situation that dire?”

“Ever since the Primordial Ancient Sacred World shattered, the Annihilation Demons appeared at the void’s edge. Over time, their numbers have only grown. Our Voidsky Palace is responsible for one sector. Thankfully, the Patriarch remains stationed there long-term, allowing us to rely on the Hall Master of the Inquiry Hall to return occasionally,” Hall Master Qianyi said, fluttering his wings slightly with a shake of his head.

“The Patriarch is stationed there?” Dongbo Xueying was taken aback.

“Indeed. The Patriarch’s presence in the Voidsky Palace is merely an avatar. Haha, his realm is so profound you couldn’t tell, could you?”

—

The gathering was a true meeting of peers between the Hall Masters of the Voidsky Palace and Dongbo Xueying. They all knew it wouldn’t be long before Dongbo Xueying became the thirteenth Hall Master of the Voidsky Palace.

Cloudsoar Peak.

Inside the quiet chamber of Dongbo Xueying’s abode.

After the banquet concluded, Dongbo Xueying returned to his chamber, lit incense, and sat cross-legged on a silver-threaded meditation mat to calm his mind.

“It’s time to focus on cultivation,” Dongbo Xueying thought. He needed to settle his mind and break through to the Chaos Realm in one go.

Closing his eyes, he shut out all external distractions, focusing entirely on the Dao of the Illusory Realm. He meticulously contemplated its mysteries, even though he had already created ‘Flower of Annihilation.’ He hadn’t yet fully digested the insights of the Dao of the Illusory Realm. Now, as he meditated, numerous realizations surfaced in his mind…

—

“Dongbo Xueying has entered seclusion. When he emerges, he’ll likely be at the Chaos Realm,” the hunchbacked old man, Patriarch Tianyu, chuckled from another part of the Voidsky Palace. “Our Voidsky Palace will gain another Chaos Realm expert. His mastery of illusions will be useful—there are matters we can entrust to him, tasks where he can contribute.”

The Swordmaster nodded.

Unity Realm cultivators typically roamed freely, taking on missions to temper themselves. Only after reaching the fifth level of the Star Tower and being listed as an Inner Hall Elder were they permitted to fight at the void’s edge. In truth, the battles there primarily relied on Patriarch Tianyu and the Chaos Realm powerhouses. Inner Hall Elders went partly for resources, partly for tempering.

Chaos Realm experts were the true backbone, the ones qualified to know deeper secrets.

“Dongbo Xueying is indeed extraordinary. Achieving so much without the slightest arrogance,” the Swordmaster praised.

“Perhaps the boy even dreams of challenging the Sacred Master,” Patriarch Tianyu laughed.

“Haha, the ignorance of youth can be a good thing,” the Swordmaster shook his head. “I, too, am preparing to enter seclusion again.”

“Good. Leave all other matters to me. Focus solely on your cultivation. When you’re absolutely certain, that will be our moment to act,” Patriarch Tianyu’s eyes gleamed coldly. “The other five sacred lands will support us without hesitation. Even if the Sevenstar Sea Sacred World collapses in the struggle, it’s worth it. We can always forge a new one.”

The Swordmaster nodded solemnly. “I will not disappoint you all.”