In the Tianfeng Holy Land, in front of the Ancestor Hall.
Azure gales howled. Although the two Heaven-Observing martial cultivators had deliberately lessened their power, they still inadvertently injured others.
“Yin Canglong, stop now!”
Yan Cangxuan shouted, “You are a senior elder of our Tianfeng Holy Land. Why would you betray us and side with the Heaven Alliance?”
“You wouldn’t understand. The Heaven Alliance is too powerful. We’ve already passed the point of no return!”
Yin Canglong unleashed a series of palm techniques, each one stirring up sand and rocks with terrifying power: “Moreover… both Tian Can and Di Que are here directing matters. Do you really think the outside help you’ve brought can last long?”
Struck at his hidden concern, Yan Cangxuan’s face darkened, yet he pressed forward relentlessly.
Roar! Roar!
Cry! Cry!
At that moment, strange phenomena appeared in the sky nearby, manifesting as a scene of dragon and phoenix harmonizing together.
“Tian Can and Di Que, the dragon and phoenix lamenting together?!”
Yin Canglong was startled, then burst into laughter: “The two elders, Tian Can and Di Que, have actually used this technique. Even if you’ve invited the Storm Martial Sage, today you’ll have to leave empty-handed, hahaha… hahaha…”
Swish!
However, his laughter had not yet ended when a long river suddenly appeared, sweeping up the dragon and phoenix images. Instantly, Yin Canglong felt as if his throat had been clamped by a vise, unable to utter a sound for a long time.
Whoosh!
A white-clothed figure strode forward atop the waves, clearly Wu Ming.
With a flick of his hand, the unconscious Tian Can and Di Que were thrown down like two dead dogs.
“What now? Will you still stubbornly resist?”
Wu Ming slightly raised his hand, and an astonishing aura swept across the entire battlefield, causing the faces of all the rebellious disciples to turn pale.
Yin Canglong, even more shaken, lost his composure. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Cangxuan struck a finger at his chest: “Pure Breeze Brushing Willow Finger!”
Thud!
Yin Canglong’s face turned pale, and he collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
“Fourth Elder, spare my life! Spare my life!”
Seeing Yin Canglong’s defeat, the disciples of the second and third factions immediately knelt to the ground: “We were forced by threats from Yin and Ge. We never had the slightest thought of rebelling against the sect!”
“If you truly repent and have no major crimes, I shall forgive all past transgressions!”
Although victorious, Yan Cangxuan refrained from mass slaughter. Looking at the battlefield littered with corpses, his eyes filled with sorrow. He knew that even though the crisis had passed, the Tianfeng Holy Land had suffered a heavy blow, one that might take decades to recover from.
…
Seven days later, atop a snowy mountain peak.
“Tianfeng thanks you, young master, for your aid. In the future, should you have any need, just summon us with this token, and the entire Tianfeng Holy Land shall respond without hesitation, no matter the danger!”
The Tianfeng Patriarch bore a striking resemblance to Yan Cangxuan, with two strands of white hair hanging down, exuding an aura of ethereal elegance.
At this moment, he sincerely expressed his gratitude and pressed a token into Wu Ming’s hand.
“Although my martial cultivation has been stabilized by your Xuan Water True Qi, preventing a disastrous backlash, my power has definitely been greatly diminished. Do you still plan to participate in the Lotus Sect affair?”
Wu Ming accepted the token carelessly, stuffing it into his robe as he casually asked.
“I must go!”
The Tianfeng Patriarch sighed bitterly: “The Heaven Alliance’s ambitions have never ceased. After absorbing the Lotus Sect, they will surely target us next. I have already sent messages to the other three cultivator experts, hoping that what happened to me will push them to decisive action. Even if they refuse, I will still do everything to stop this!”
As he spoke, his gaze full of expectation turned toward Wu Ming.
Clearly, he also understood that to counter the immensely strengthened Dugu Ao after his retreat, only this even more unfathomable exiled immortal could possibly succeed!
“Hmm… Originally, I had no intention of troubling Dugu Ao. However, I’ve already made a promise to someone. Besides, reciprocation is only proper!”
Wu Ming’s eyes darkened: “This person has schemed against me repeatedly, treating me as if I were a soft persimmon to be squeezed… I will participate in this matter and lend you a hand!”
“Thank you, young master!”
The Tianfeng Patriarch’s face lit up with joy. At this point, he probably regarded Wu Ming as an extraordinary martial expert of divine or demonic caliber. With such a powerful ally, their chances of success had greatly increased.
“Actually… I do have one condition!”
Wu Ming smiled slightly. Although he had no intention of refusing to ally with the Tianfeng Patriarch, certain terms naturally needed to be settled beforehand.
“Young master, please speak freely!”
“I am quite interested in the final whereabouts of the Martial Emperor and his hidden treasures…”
Wu Ming gave a slight hint, and the Tianfeng Patriarch immediately understood: “No problem… You may choose first from the secret vaults of the Tianyuan, Di Ji, and other holy lands. Furthermore, after our success, the great holy lands will promise to grant you access to all resources, ensuring your desires are fulfilled.”
“Excellent. There’s also a small favor I’d like to ask. I have a disciple…”
Wu Ming casually mentioned Situ Che’s matter. The Tianfeng Holy Land was a dominant force in the Northern Wind Territory. Having them handle it would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—effortless and efficient.
“A trivial matter indeed. Leave it to me!”
The Tianfeng Patriarch immediately agreed without hesitation upon hearing it.
“In that case, thank you… I have other urgent matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave first. We shall meet again at the Tianyuan Holy Land…”
Wu Ming revealed his intention to depart.
“Other urgent matters? Could it be…”
The Tianfeng Patriarch’s eyes turned sharply.
“Indeed. Having obtained several volumes of divine-level intelligence from the Tianji Tower, I’ve confirmed that there may be Martial Emperor inheritances hidden in several perilous locations. I wish to investigate them… Farewell!”
Wu Ming turned and left, not taking a single cloud with him.
Even without looking back, he knew the Tianfeng Patriarch’s expression must be extremely colorful.
After all, a group had agreed to confront a great demon king, but halfway through, their main force suddenly decided to go treasure hunting. What a sense of utter collapse would that bring?
If not for the fact that the Tianfeng Patriarch couldn’t defeat Wu Ming, he might have strangled him on the spot.
Yet for Wu Ming, human affairs were as fleeting as a moment in eternity. Even if Dugu Ao unified the world and recreated the Martial Emperor’s golden age, what did it matter?
Without immortality or eternal existence, all would be mere ants before the great calamity of an era, or the terrifying destruction of the universe itself!
In the Divine Martial World, his primary goal remained obtaining the Master God components. Everything else could be ignored!
…
Time passed like flowing water, and days swiftly flew by.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed, and the wedding day of the Lotus Sect had arrived.
Inside the Lotus Sect.
“Divine Maiden, please stop resisting…”
In an elegant boudoir, two middle-aged women pleaded.
Dressed in long robes bearing blue lotus seals, their every movement exuded noble grace—clearly two of the Nine Lotus Holy Messengers.
Young Master Ao is a peerless genius, the perfect match for you. The Sect Leader has already approved this union!
One of them pleaded earnestly: “Our Eight Holy Lands originate from the Eight Great Clans of five hundred years ago. We’ve always maintained friendly relations and intermarried. It is only natural for you to marry into their sect, further promoting the unprecedented unification of our Eight Holy Lands!”
The other wore a cold expression: “Are you still hoping for the old man Shen Shui? He has already been captured for violating sect rules and is imprisoned in the water dungeon for reflection… Don’t indulge in foolish dreams…”
The two of them took turns, one gentle and one harsh, one coaxing and one threatening. After a prolonged back-and-forth, they coldly delivered their final warning: “We’ve said all there is to say. Divine Maiden, please think carefully!”
They immediately left, slamming the door behind them.
The Lotus Sect Divine Maiden remained expressionless, silently opening her dressing case.
Underneath various ornaments lay a hidden compartment containing several notes and small jade vials.
The mirror was crystal clear, reflecting the Divine Maiden’s graceful figure.
She silently gazed at her reflection, her expression suddenly becoming entranced.
“If my sacrifice can ensure the sect’s safety, what do I have to fear? But Dugu Ao is a wolf with hidden ambitions. After I marry him, he will surely covet the Ze Clan’s martial techniques and then swallow the entire sect…”
“The Lotus Sect has shown me great kindness. I cannot allow it to fall into such a fate. Even if my master disagrees, I must fight to the death!”
Water Ling’er’s eyes flashed with determination.
“With Master Shui captured, the line through the Cold Sword of Fen Shui is likely compromised…”
She bit her red lip, her face filled with unwillingness: “Fortunately, by chance, I’ve finally contacted the Tianji Tower and gained their trust. The secret agents within the sect can still be used…”
“On the day of the grand wedding, it will be a life-or-death struggle!”
…
“My Young Master!”
Elsewhere, Dugu Ao, dressed in brocade robes, stood alone atop a towering cliff, gazing at the vast lands below, his face filled with satisfaction, his eyes shining with unusual brilliance.
Behind him, Bi Qiu’s voice emerged: “We’ve confirmed it. The Lotus Sect Divine Maiden has been secretly plotting and has contacted the Tianji Tower. She plans to make her move on the wedding day. Shall we act directly?”
“No need!”
Dugu Ao shook his finger, the gem-encrusted ring on it clearly visible: “What a lovely little kitten. Let her keep playing… It will be much more amusing when I strike just as she believes she’s stolen the fish!”
To others, Water Ling’er’s conspiracy might seem like a terrifying flood.
But to Dugu Ao, the Lotus Divine Maiden’s small schemes were nothing more than a kitten’s playful threats.
To ordinary people, a tiger’s roar would naturally inspire fear, but if it were a cat, it would only seem amusing.
To him, Water Ling’er at this moment was like a puffed-up cat, claws and all, yet still only worthy of ridicule. At most, she provided him with some entertainment.
“While the Lotus Divine Maiden is not worth fearing, what about the alliance of the other holy lands?”
Bi Qiu’s face showed concern.
“The first four of the Eight Great Holy Lands are already completely under our control. Even if the remaining four unite, what do they have to fear?”
Dugu Ao coldly laughed: “You have too little faith in our Heaven Alliance… Even without our inside agents, given their conflicting interests, any forced alliance will be full of suspicion, giving me the perfect opportunity to eliminate them all at once!”
He stretched out both hands, gripping the air as if he had already seized the entire world.
“On the wedding day, I shall subdue the Eight Great Holy Lands in one fell swoop, unify the land, and revive the Martial Dynasty’s golden age!”
Bi Qiu gazed at Dugu Ao, who seemed like a deity descended into the mortal world, moved by his grand ambition: “Even if I were to be reduced to dust, I would help my Young Master realize this great aspiration!”
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