Chapter 1305: Ghost Sea Palace Master

The Divine Emperor Hetong is dead!

A mighty mid-level Divine Emperor, one of the three disciples of the ‘Ghost Sea Palace Master,’ a perfected Divine Emperor (Supreme) comparable to the master of the Demonic Heart Society—was just slain like this? The white-robed man carrying the divine sword before them—does he truly fear no retaliation from the Ghost Sea Palace Master?

“How terrifying.” The City Lord of Lingfeng stared in shock at the approaching white-robed man. “With just a single finger, he annihilated Divine Emperor Hetong, even causing the surrounding void to tremble and distort. Among late-stage Divine Emperors, only a handful could achieve such a feat. Normally, only a perfected Divine Emperor could manage this.”

A single strike to obliterate a mid-level Divine Emperor.

Truly horrifying. Ninety-nine percent of late-stage Divine Emperors could never be this powerful.

Yet he did not know… while Dongbo Xueying appeared to have executed a technique from the Void Path, he had simultaneously unleashed the ‘Illusory Realm Killing Strike.’ Before comprehending the third killing move, even the weaker Divine General-level (mid-level Divine Emperor) beings of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range would succumb before him—let alone now, with the third strike’s power multiplied severalfold. Divine Emperor Hetong had no chance to resist before his soul was utterly extinguished!

“Thank you, Venerable One, for saving my daughter and my entire Lingfeng Clan.” The City Lord of Lingfeng immediately bowed deeply, his voice choked with gratitude.

“Thank you, Venerable One, for your life-saving grace.” Lingfeng Yurong’s clothes reformed around her as radiant light swirled across her body. She gazed at the white-robed man, whose aura was as sharp as a blade’s edge, feeling both profound gratitude and an inexplicable stirring of admiration.

“No need for thanks.” Dongbo Xueying strode forward, waving his hand to collect Divine Emperor Hetong’s corpse. He glanced at the City Lord and Lingfeng Yurong. “With Hetong dead, the Ghost Sea Palace Master—given his temperament—will not let this go. While I have no fear of him, you should prepare yourselves. Do not let his wrath fall upon you.”

“Understood.” The City Lord of Lingfeng tensed inwardly.

Yet he felt no panic.

The current situation was far better than before!

Divine Emperor Hetong had given him two choices, but either way, the City Lord of Lingfeng would have died—because Hetong was cautious. A grudge with an early-stage Divine Emperor like him had to be settled with death. After all, though breaking through was difficult, who knew when an early-stage Divine Emperor might advance to mid-level and become a true threat? Thus, Hetong had sought his demise.

But now?

The one who slew ‘Hetong’ was this mysterious powerhouse before them. Though the Ghost Sea Palace Master was infamous for his cruelty, he was still a perfected Divine Emperor (Supreme). In this matter, the Lingfeng Clan had been the wronged party. If they temporarily left Lingfeng City, the lofty Ghost Sea Palace Master would likely disdain pursuing and slaughtering them.

“Make haste with your preparations.” Dongbo Xueying waved his hand lightly and turned to leave, transforming into a streak of light as he flew out from the tavern’s second floor.

On the distant streets, many onlookers had long been watching from afar. The denizens of the Divine Realm were innately powerful, and despite the distance and obstructing structures, they could still clearly ‘see’ everything that had transpired in the tavern. They knew—Divine Emperor Hetong was dead, slain by the white-robed man.

“Incredible.”

“Killed in a single move!”

“Divine Emperor Hetong couldn’t even resist.”

“The Lingfeng Clan is fortunate. Facing such a disaster, with the City Lord seemingly doomed, they had a supreme expert in Lingfeng City who intervened, slaying Hetong and saving them.”

“Divine Emperor Hetong was one of the Ghost Sea Palace Master’s three disciples—his background is immense! Yet this expert dared to kill him!”

“Hmph, with the power to slay Hetong in one strike, this expert might very well be a perfected Divine Emperor himself! Naturally, he would dare—he cares not for the Ghost Sea Palace Master’s pride.”

The denizens of the Divine Realm whispered among themselves, watching before swiftly dispersing.

Such a place of turmoil was no safe ground to linger.

Back in the tavern’s second floor—

“Quickly.”

The City Lord of Lingfeng wasted no time. Scanning the surroundings, he commanded, “We were the wronged party here. Though the Ghost Sea Palace Master may not bother hunting down small fry like us, he may still vent his wrath. Therefore, immediately! The entire Lingfeng Clan will split into ten divisions, board ships, and enter the wilderness to evade this calamity. We shall return gradually in time.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

The responses came swiftly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

They transformed into streaks of light, darting out from the tavern’s second floor. The entire Lingfeng Clan mobilized at top speed—they had to be cautious. Any complacency, and a single casual strike from the Ghost Sea Palace Master could wipe out their entire bloodline.

—

Dongbo Xueying had shifted into black robes, his aura now far gentler, exuding only the presence of an early-stage Divine Monarch. He remained in Lingfeng City.

At an inconspicuous roadside tavern, he ordered a few simple dishes and a jug of wine.

Sipping slowly, he ate alone.

“The Ghost Sea Palace Master is notoriously protective. He will act swiftly.” Dongbo Xueying mused. Once he killed Divine Emperor Hetong, a being of the Palace Master’s power would instantly sense the disruption in karma—his disciple’s sudden disappearance. He would investigate immediately. “If he travels conventionally, by the time he arrives, this ‘culprit’ will be long gone. Thus, he will surely seek aid from those capable of ultra-long-range traversal to reach here at once.”

Though techniques like the Great World Piercing Void Travel were rare, similar methods existed.

Among Void Path Ascendants, only the strongest late-stage Divine Emperor could perform such feats. But the Divine Realm was vast, its experts numerous, their bloodline talents bizarre and varied. A select few could traverse ultra-long distances within the Divine Realm—each of them held lofty status, their weakest being late-stage Divine Emperor combatants. With the ability to flee at a moment’s notice, few could threaten them.

Those capable of effortless ultra-long-range traversal—

Even the three royal clans treated them as honored guests!

Perfected Divine Emperors held supreme status in the Divine Realm. There were only slightly over thirty such beings in total! Most could enlist the aid of those capable of ‘ultra-long-range traversal.’

“Hmm?”

Having drunk half the wine and emptied two plates, Dongbo Xueying suddenly looked up toward the distance.

High in the sky—

A radiant starlight erupted! A hazy, luminous pathway manifested as two figures emerged from the brilliance. One was a portly man draped in loose robes, a single horn gleaming with strange starlight upon his forehead. Beside him stood a gaunt, black-robed elder exuding overwhelming killing intent. With a single glance, countless denizens of Lingfeng City—though many could not see the figures in the void—felt an oppressive weight upon their souls.

“They’re here.” Dongbo Xueying set down his cup, watching silently. “Ghost Sea Palace Master, the Lingfeng Clan has already scattered and fled. Only ordinary citizens remain in the city. I hope you do not vent your wrath upon them. Otherwise… though I would prefer not to clash with a Supreme-level being now, there are times when retreat is not an option.”

Back in the Heart Realm Continent, even when his strength was still lacking, he had dared to oppose the Undying Netherworld Emperor—even foiling his sacrificial ritual.

Slaying Divine Emperor Hetong was just. But Dongbo Xueying would not allow the innocent citizens to suffer for it.

If the other showed any sign of striking—

That would be the moment Dongbo Xueying made his move!

—

The tavern’s second floor, where Divine Emperor Hetong had fallen.

The Ghost Sea Palace Master and his companion arrived.

Time reversed around them, rewinding to the moment Hetong seized Lingfeng Yurong. The scene played out—the instant annihilation of other guests and servers, the humiliation of Lingfeng Yurong, the threats against the Lingfeng Clan… But when the white-robed man carrying the divine sword appeared in the playback, the moment he turned his gaze, the entire vision shattered.

“It’s him.” The Ghost Sea Palace Master growled. “I cannot even discern what truly transpired. Such formidable power. Yet a white-robed man with a divine sword? Among the top hundred powerhouses of the Divine Realm, none match this description. Skulking in shadows, unwilling to reveal his true form—he must not be all that strong.”

A perfected Divine Emperor had no need for secrecy. Even in wickedness, they acted with brazen arrogance.

“If he dares not act under his true identity, this white-robed man must fear you, Ghost Sea Palace Master. Hence, he disguised himself to deal with Divine Emperor Hetong.” The portly man chuckled.

“Daring to kill my disciple… I will not let him escape.” The Ghost Sea Palace Master’s eyes burned with cold fury.