“Alright!”
As Shui Miao focused his thoughts, he sensed the core of this spatial treasure lying beneath the pavilion on the small hill. From there, a continuous stream of celestial energy surged forth, rising through the lake and dispersing into the air.
The pavilion on the small hill was indeed the ideal place for cultivating and absorbing cosmic energy.
Shui Miao entered the pavilion, drew the bamboo curtains shut, and began to meditate.
Meanwhile, Fang Zhentian and Fang Ze climbed up the hill, secretly peering towards the backyard. From the window of the pavilion, they could faintly glimpse some alluring sights. Unfortunately, the curtains were soon drawn, leaving the two feeling frustrated. Although they possessed celestial powers, they dared not act recklessly and could only sit alongside Shui Miao in meditation.
As Shui Miao sat cross-legged, he spread his divine consciousness throughout the Xianyao Palace.
However, it wasn’t long before a voice echoed in Shui Miao’s mind: “Friend, what are you trying to do?”
The voice was steady and deep, belonging to a middle-aged man.
Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he quickly focused his consciousness, discovering an elderly man with white hair seated cross-legged on a cloud bed inside one of the palace halls, also in deep meditation.
“Senior, I meant no offense. I was merely curious, so… I apologize.”
Shui Miao, realizing his wrongdoing, spoke softly.
This old man was at least a Celestial Lord, a formidable expert whose power surpassed even that of Yuhua Celestial Lord.
Of course, Shui Miao was currently unaware of the fact that a Celestial Lord’s strength would be significantly weakened in the Realm of Rakshasa.
“Haha, I see! But do you know that it’s very impolite to snoop around like this? In the Celestial Realm, you’re the first Celestial Monarch to ever dare to probe into my cultivation. How do you think this should be resolved?” The old man seemed unwilling to let the matter rest easily.
Shui Miao furrowed his brow, slightly annoyed, and retorted, “So what if I looked at you? What are you going to do about it?”
“Hmm?”
The old man suddenly stopped meditating and opened his unusually bright eyes. “Friend, you’re quite bold! In the Celestial Realm, you’re the first Celestial Monarch who dares to speak to me this way.”
“Again with being the first? Can’t you stop being so conceited? It feels like you’re the only one who’s the strongest in the Ninth Heaven. If you’re really that powerful, why are you hiding in this Xianyao Palace? I accidentally sensed you, which was my mistake, but I’ve already apologized. For such a trivial matter, is it meaningful for you, a mighty Celestial Lord, to keep harping on it endlessly?”
Shui Miao became defiant and began lecturing the old man.
After hearing these words, the old man’s anger flared. With a thought, he immediately transported Shui Miao from the pavilion on the small hill of Jiuxiao Pavilion directly in front of him. “Young man, you have quite the nerve to speak to me like this. Do you even know who I am?”
“You…”
Shui Miao was slightly startled but secretly mobilized his celestial energy in preparation. Suddenly, he had the urge to test his current strength and smiled faintly. “Aren’t you just an old man with the power of a Celestial Lord? Oh right, you’re also an old man with a heart smaller than a needle’s eye and one who holds a grudge over even the smallest slight.”
The reason Shui Miao dared to speak this way was because his current strength had improved far beyond what it had been in the Realm of Rakshasa.
Shui Miao thought to himself that if he had been able to resist Yuhua Celestial Lord in the Realm of Rakshasa, then now that his power had increased manifold, a mere Celestial Lord should at least be able to fight him to a draw.
“You… This is… asking for death!”
The old man was truly enraged. Suddenly, he mobilized his celestial energy and pressed down on Shui Miao like a mountain collapsing on him, roaring, “Kneel down before me!”
In the Celestial Realm, a Celestial Monarch challenging the dignity of a Celestial Lord was unthinkable.
In the eyes of the Celestial Lords, even a Celestial Elder was nothing but a dog, let alone a mere Celestial Monarch.
“You want me to kneel? You’ll have to earn that right!”
Shui Miao clenched his fists, mobilized his celestial energy to resist, and though it was somewhat difficult, he was not yet forced to his knees.
“You’ve got some skill!”
The old man suddenly sneered coldly. “But I’ve only used thirty percent of my strength. Today, I’d like to see just how much ability you, a mere Celestial Monarch, really have!”
“What? Only thirty percent!?”
Shui Miao’s heart suddenly jolted. He had thought the old man had already used eighty percent of his strength.
He must be bluffing, bluffing!
As Shui Miao’s thoughts raced, he began to exert his full strength, trying to break free from the old man’s grip.
The old man sneered, stepping toward Shui Miao one step at a time, increasing his pressure by ten percent with each step. There were about six or seven steps between them.
When the old man had taken three steps, Shui Miao began to feel something was wrong.
By the time the old man had taken five steps, Shui Miao was already struggling, but he persisted, continuously drawing on the celestial energy from his inner planet and the power of the Nuwa Stone to sustain his energy consumption.
“Kid, you’ve really got guts. I’ve already used eighty percent of my strength, and you’re still standing! If you kneel now and apologize, I might consider sparing you. But if you continue to resist stubbornly, I’ll take one more step, adding another ten percent of my strength. Your bones will be crushed, and if I use my full power, you’ll be reduced to dust.” The old man stopped, his expression serious as he looked at Shui Miao.
Under normal circumstances, a Celestial Monarch could withstand at most fifty percent of a Celestial Lord’s strength, which was already the limit.
Yet Shui Miao had endured eighty percent and was still standing upright, which was terrifying.
This could only prove that Shui Miao was exceptionally gifted, a rare talent worth nurturing.
Generally speaking, such individuals were either disciples of masters or key trainees in major sects.
Considering these factors, the old man had not directly killed Shui Miao.
Shui Miao’s legs trembled, his body shook violently, and he was on the verge of collapse.
“Master! Don’t kill him!”
“Lord Hu, please spare him! He’s the disciple of Celestial Lord Luotong!”
Jiao Gong, disheveled and followed by Fang Zhentian and Fang Ze, suddenly burst into the room behind San Niang.
When Fang Zhentian and Fang Ze suddenly noticed Shui Miao was gone, they were greatly alarmed and immediately rushed out to call for Jiao Gong regardless of everything else. Upon hearing this, Jiao Gong was shocked and hurriedly ran out to find San Niang. Knowing that in the Xianyao Palace, only the old master could teleport someone from Jiuxiao Pavilion, they hurriedly rushed in.
“What? You’re a disciple of Luotong!?”
The old man quickly withdrew his celestial energy.
The pressure on Shui Miao instantly eased, and he swayed weakly. Jiao Gong and Fang Zhentian quickly rushed over to support him.
“Yes, Lord Hu, he really is the disciple of Celestial Lord Luotong, the Saint King of Artifice. I wouldn’t dare to deceive you.”
“Lord Hu, this must be a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”
Jiao Gong and Fang Zhentian hurriedly explained.
Luotong, the Saint King of Artifice, was an extraordinary figure. Lord Hu dared not offend him, nor could he afford to. Quickly changing his expression, he handed Shui Miao a Nine Revolutions Rejuvenating Pill. “Kid, for Luotong’s sake, I won’t hold a grudge. Take this celestial pill now; it will not only heal your injuries but also greatly enhance your powers…”
“Heh, hehe… Do you take me for a beggar?”
Shui Miao weakly sneered. “Lord Hu, either kill me today or apologize to me. If you let me leave like this, I won’t let this matter rest. Within three days, I will definitely come looking for you again.”
A Celestial Monarch demanding an apology from a Celestial Lord!
Moreover, making such a bold statement astonished everyone present.
“What did you say!?”
Lord Hu hadn’t expected his tolerance to provoke further audacity. A wave of killing intent surged in his heart.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage