Chapter 480: Reckless

Observing the rippling magic array before him, Dongbo Xueying’s expression turned solemn. “To kill this prisoner, I must go all out.”

Whoosh. He immediately turned and swiftly departed.

…

In a quiet chamber within the Redstone Mountain of the Xia Clan world, the white-robed Dongbo Xueying sat cross-legged, murmuring softly, “I must accelerate time a hundredfold. At this magnitude, though I can’t comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, studying secret techniques and skills won’t be a problem.” The flow of time within the chamber surged violently, distorting even the natural laws—though fortunately, any faster would render it unsuitable for cultivation.

“I must push my strength to its absolute limit!”

Under the hundredfold time acceleration, the white-robed Dongbo Xueying calmed his mind and began his contemplation. First, he focused on the relatively easier tasks: elevating the *Myriad Tribulations Primordial Body* and *Great Chaos True Force*. Only then would he tackle the Lockworld Tower secret technique and his self-created skills, as those would prove far more challenging. Every aspect of his power needed refinement—otherwise, Dongbo Xueying had no confidence in slaying the prisoner.

…

Clad in simple black robes, Dongbo Xueying flew back from the mountain ranges and entered through the rear gate of the nearby Yinshi Villa.

“Senior Brother Dongbo.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother Dongbo.”

At the rear gate, a group of inner and nominal disciples awaited him eagerly. Most were first or second-level Heaven Gods, with only two third-level Heaven Gods leading them. Even these third-level disciples addressed Dongbo Xueying with utmost respect as “Senior Brother,” for they knew full well that a cultivator who reached second-level Heaven God in just five thousand years would soon surpass them.

Moreover, direct disciples of the Divine Emperor typically mastered peerless techniques—they could never be judged by ordinary Heaven God standards.

“Why are you all gathered here?” Dongbo Xueying asked.

“Senior Brother, now that you’ve been honored as a direct disciple, it’s only right for us juniors to congratulate you,” a lean, gold-robed man said with a smile. “We’ve prepared a banquet, and some of your relatives and friends have already taken their seats.”

The other disciples chimed in enthusiastically.

Yet, some among them secretly regretted their past behavior. “Who would’ve thought Dongbo Xueying would rise to such heights—a transcendent genius ranking among the greatest in the history of the Divine Realm? His future is boundless. We treated him coldly before; I wonder if he holds a grudge.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded. “Lead the way.”

Back when he had concealed his strength, some of these fellow disciples had whispered behind his back, while others had been indifferent. Dongbo Xueying was well aware of who had treated him kindly—those were the ones he naturally grew closer to. As for grudges? He harbored none. Aside from Gong Feng, who had repeatedly berated and insulted him, none of the others had acted so despicably.

Inside the grand hall, Dongbo Xueying, surrounded by his fellow disciples, naturally took the seat of honor, with his wife Yu Jingqiu beside him. The others then took their places one by one.

“Senior Brother.”

“Senior Brother Dongbo.”

A large group of disciples hurried in from outside, bowing repeatedly. At their head was Gong Feng, who now wore an ingratiating smile. “Senior Brother Dongbo, we waited anxiously at the main gate, only to miss you entering through the rear. We’re truly ashamed for failing to greet you properly.” Some of the disciples beside her muttered under their breaths.

For Gong Feng to grovel like this was a rare sight indeed.

“Take your seats,” Dongbo Xueying said.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.” They all complied.

“Senior Brother, now that you’ve been honored as a direct disciple, your ascension to Great Perfection is within reach. Though I have little to offer, please accept this humble gift—two unyielding stones I chanced upon, which possess wondrous effects on the Divine Heart.” A nominal disciple, a second-level Heaven God seated toward the back, stood and presented a tray bearing two peculiar yellow stones. A maid swiftly carried it to the table near Dongbo Xueying.

Dongbo Xueying raised an eyebrow.

*Minghuang Divine Stones—these two alone are worth five million divine crystals!* This was an extravagant gift from a nominal disciple he recalled as “Hao Hui, the Heaven God.”

“Junior Brother also has a modest gift to offer.” Other nominal disciples followed suit, presenting their tributes one after another.

Those with particularly valuable gifts would briefly describe them, though the weaker disciples—especially the first-level Heaven Gods—could scarcely afford anything too lavish.

As the gifts piled up, Yu Jingqiu sent a mental message, laughing softly, “Xueying, your juniors are quite generous. Given your shared ties as fellow disciples, and now these lavish gifts, if they ever come seeking favors in the future, you might find it hard to refuse even minor requests.”

“If it’s a small matter, helping them is no issue. For anything major, I’ll weigh it carefully,” Dongbo Xueying replied mentally to his wife.

To his fellow disciples, it was clear:

Given Dongbo Xueying’s cultivation speed, reaching fourth-level Heaven God would likely take only a million years—a mere blink for a Heaven God. As a direct disciple of the Emperor, wielding peerless techniques and unrivaled power, and as a ruler of the Material Realm, Dongbo Xueying’s future status would undoubtedly surpass even the likes of Lord Moxue and Lord Anhai.

A future overlord of the Divine Realm—now was the time to curry favor with gifts, lest such offerings become utterly insignificant in his eyes later.

The gifts continued in order: nominal disciples first, then inner disciples, starting with second-level Heaven Gods and ending with the third-level ones.

Gong Feng waited until the very end before rising. Smiling with an uncharacteristic softness, she adopted a humble posture. “Senior Brother Dongbo, this junior sister has also prepared some gifts.” She produced a long tray from her left hand, upon which rested five treasures.

“This is a supreme-grade ‘Coldstar Stone’ from the Moon Star,” Gong Feng began, immediately showcasing the extraordinary nature of her offerings—directly sourced from celestial bodies. “This is the Demon Heart left behind by a deceased Demon Monarch of the Dark Abyss. And this—”

Just five items, yet their combined value neared a hundred million divine crystals!

The total gifts from the other disciples barely matched hers. This was partly due to Gong Feng’s high status and long accumulation of treasures, but also because she genuinely feared expulsion from Yinshi Villa.

“Whoosh.”

A black-robed elder suddenly strode into the hall, flanked by two third-level Heaven God guards.

With a cold tone, the elder declared, “Gong Feng, by the Emperor’s decree, from this day forth, you are relieved of your duties as steward of Yinshi Villa.”

“W-what?” Gong Feng froze.

Without her position, she would lose her privilege to meet the Divine Emperor, becoming no different from any other inner disciple.

“It’s you!” Gong Feng whirled toward Dongbo Xueying, her face twisting with fury. “Dongbo Xueying! You complained to the Master, didn’t you?”

Dongbo Xueying frowned.

“So what if I slighted you a little? Was it necessary to be so ruthless? If you hadn’t hidden your strength, I wouldn’t have treated you like that!” Gong Feng raged, conveniently forgetting that had Dongbo Xueying revealed his power earlier, he might have been instantly slain by the enemy of the Red Dust Sage—the Black Fiend Patriarch. Would she have sacrificed her life in recompense?

“Being a direct disciple means nothing! I’m still a third-level Heaven God, and my rank in the Bloodblade Divine Court is the fourth tier!” Gong Feng flicked her wrist, making the tray vanish. “You’re unworthy of my treasures.”

Indeed.

Gong Feng’s high rank in the Divine Court meant even fourth-level Heaven Gods couldn’t casually kill her. Dongbo Xueying had no means to retaliate.

The others had presented gifts knowing Dongbo Xueying would soon become a supreme overlord of the Divine Realm.

“You’re right.”

From his elevated seat, Dongbo Xueying gazed down at the defiant Gong Feng and nodded. “It was I who informed the Master, costing you your position.”

“It was you! It really was you!” Gong Feng’s face contorted with rage.

“Such insolence—does this count as disrespect toward me?” Dongbo Xueying said coldly.

Gong Feng stiffened.

The black-robed elder beside her nodded. “An inner disciple disrespecting a direct disciple warrants severe punishment.”

The hierarchy within the sect was strict: direct disciples, inner disciples, and nominal disciples—each level commanded absolute deference.

“Let her taste a hundred lashes,” Dongbo Xueying commanded icily.