Ambush at Zixiao Palace

The Celestial Realm was vast and magnificent. Xiao Chen had set foot there more than once but had never traversed all its lands. In truth, it was impossible to cover every region, for this world was too immense, its borders endless—a lifetime would not suffice to explore it all. Each time he entered the Celestial Realm, Xiao Chen felt deeply the insignificance of the individual and the overwhelming majesty of heaven.

Amid a colossal, majestic ancient mountain range, sheer cliffs rose ten thousand zhang—towering, magnificent, and perilous. Peering ahead, countless peaks thrust into the clouds, lush and verdant, a scene of boundless vitality. This was the stronghold of the Otherworld faction in the Celestial Realm, a true treasure land of spiritual excellence, gathering the ancestral veins of ten thousand ridges and the essence of a hundred rivers.

Drawing closer, one marveled still more. Thousand-zhang waterfalls cascaded from the lovely mountains like bolts of white silk, their misty spray roaring like ten thousand galloping horses—a spectacle of extraordinary grandeur. On the peaks that gathered the spiritual excellence of heaven and earth, halls and towers rose amid flying waterfalls and flowing springs, ethereal and magnificent.

For several thousand years, the Otherworld had developed rapidly. Lang Ya himself presided here, and by allying with several Celestial Realm kings, the Otherworld had secured its position, expanded its influence, and gained a decisive foothold.

Lu Zhan, accompanied by the young man, flew into the towering mountains and vanished from sight.

Xiao Chen dared not approach too closely. Lu Zhan's power was frightening—he was an old-guard king, and one careless move would expose him.

Here he waited quietly for several days. He sensed several powerful Ancestral Gods rise from the Otherworld stronghold and fly off in all directions. After cautious exploration, he learned they were going to invite others. That top Ancestral Gods served as messengers showed how extraordinary the invited figures must be.

Yet in the following days, only two Stone Kings were successfully invited; not all Ancestral Gods had been reached.

Xiao Chen's expression tightened. One of the Stone Kings was Shi Shi, the Stone Corpse, with whom Xiao Chen harbored deep enmity. In the Little Stone Emperor's tomb, Shi Shi's body had been destroyed, and he had fled to another realm, only to reappear after several thousand years. The other man's face was unclear—he arrived shrouded in mist and entered the Otherworld stronghold.

Xiao Chen was not surprised. Lu Zhan was an old fossil like that; if he wished to form alliances in the Celestial Realm, he could naturally pull in several kings of comparable strength.

Suppressing himself with the Five Emperor Tower until he was nearly completely extinguished, concealing all aura, Xiao Chen crept into the magnificent mountains.

"A very powerful presence... hard to imagine. Apart from the Little Stone Emperor, there could be someone like this."

"He should not exist in this world, yet he has returned by accident. I think this figure cannot live long."

This was the discussion within the Otherworld stronghold. The two invited Stone Kings wore grave expressions. Originally, the demon shadow dwelling within the stone gate at the end of the Ninety-Nine Stone Steps had already alarmed the Stone Kings. Now another terrifying, mysterious figure had appeared—this was no good news.

Shi Shi and the other Stone King each had their own calculations. Several thousand years ago, they had not participated in sealing the Otherworld's stone gate, but afterward they wholeheartedly supported the action, unwilling for anyone to rise above the Stone Kings. Yet now the Celestial Realm had again produced a power that transcended limits. Though they showed nothing outwardly, inwardly they wished the being who dwelt at the end of the Ninety-Nine Stone Steps would immediately wither and die.

"Since he bears enmity toward the descendants of the Five Emperors, I think we can be certain: he is a great power from before the Primordial Age."

"Indeed, I once heard it said that in the age before the Primordial, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were truly strong enough to rule all worlds. Naturally, such figures had enemies. I believe this must be an adversary of the Five Emperors, returned to the world. It is hard to imagine how he has survived to this day."

"The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are vague, ethereal legends, but now it seems they are confirmed; such beings truly existed."

"The Five Emperors have already fallen in the long river of time. How could this figure have lived until now? How did he manage it? A perplexing question."

Lu Zhan, Lang Ya, Shi Shi and the others discussed but could not ascertain the true identity of the mysterious being entrenched at the end of the Ninety-Nine Stone Steps.

"Do you not know either?" Lu Zhan asked, looking at Shi Shi, for this ancient fossil was considered a living fossil even among the Celestial Realm kings, his origins extremely mysterious.

"My stone body alone is indeed ancient enough," Shi Shi said with a hint of pride, for he was a king who had gained sentience by cultivating from a corpse. "But I do not remember my past life. In a sense, I am the same generation as you."

In truth, including Lu Zhan, many Stone Kings suspected that Shi Shi was most likely an 'ancient man' from before the Primordial Age, very possibly a corpse from the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors that had cultivated sentience over endless years. To think, this fellow did indeed have extraordinary origins—he was a natural-born Stone King corpse, and later gave birth to wisdom to become the Stone Corpse King.

"Don't look at me like that. What I say is true. In fact, I should have a connection with the world inside the stone gate at the end of the Ninety-Nine Stone Steps. There, I felt a familiar aura..." Shi Shi steered the topic off track, then brought it back. "Speaking of Celestial Realm Stone Kings, the one who knows most and understands many of the secrets before the Primordial Age is Zixiao Stone King."

"But hasn't Zixiao King fallen?"

"How could he have fallen? He feigned death!" Shi Shi laughed coldly. "In the past, he fought fiercely with the Holy Maiden of the Heaven-Defying Clan. How could he have utterly perished? He merely hid himself with this pretext. If my guess is not wrong, he must be trying to make a new breakthrough."

The several Stone Kings all drew in cold breaths. Lu Zhan and Lang Ya especially—they had once had close contact and cooperation with Zixiao King, never expecting the news of his fall to be false.

Xiao Chen could not hear everything. In fact, the above information was sifted from the memories of Otherworld cultivators. He dared not approach the kings.

In the end, Shi Shi and the other Stone King departed.

A full three days passed before Lu Zhan and the young man flew out, shooting toward the east of the Celestial Realm with a divine light escape technique, streaking across the vast land like two meteors.

This was the eastern region of the vast Celestial Realm: a great lake—or rather, one could call it a 'sea'—spanning tens of thousands of li, no less than a true ocean. Yet it was fresh water, surrounded by a vast expanse of land.

Looking from afar, faint purple mist coiled above this immense freshwater lake, and the spiritual energy was exceptionally dense.

"Zixiao King, come out and meet me..." Lu Zhan stood on the shore, his voice transmitting like rolling thunder; the sound waves stirred the placid great lake into surging waves.

But even after a long while, no one answered.

"Zixiao King, come out and see me..." Lu Zhan continued to transmit; in an instant, great waves soared into the sky.

"I know you are not dead. I have important matters to discuss. If you do not come out, I will not force you." After a slight pause, Lu Zhan continued, "I have a path to reach the absolute peak to share with you. The adversary of the Five Emperors from before the Primordial Age has returned. I think he might be able to guide us toward a bright road..."

"Rumble"

At that moment, from within the boundless great lake, streaks of purple auspicious energy surged, and the waters for tens of thousands of li trembled ceaselessly.

Purple qi came from the east. In the eastern void, an endless mountain range suddenly appeared, floating upon the lake's surface. Ten thousand mountains, without limit, all purple in color. At the center, on the main peak, stood a magnificent purple palace.

"I knew you weren't dead. Zixiao Palace has reappeared in the world..." Lu Zhan laughed heartily, led the young man into the waters, flew toward the Ten Thousand Purple Gold Mountains, and headed for Zixiao Palace on the main peak.

Xiao Chen did not approach; he only watched from afar. Through the purple haze, he saw a broken, battered stone man sitting cross-legged on the ground, covered in dust, as if he had not moved for endless ages.

"It's him!" Xiao Chen's expression changed. He felt it was unbelievable—that stone man was far from unfamiliar! He had seen him in the Death World, but never imagined such a result. The ruined Zixiao King was identical to Hongjun of the Death World!

The aura emanating from within Zixiao Palace was extremely oppressive. Though Zixiao King's stone body appeared damaged and decayed, almost buried in dust, the formidable energy he exuded was more hair-raising than that of an ordinary Stone King.

A person's aura was hard to change. Xiao Chen could now determine that Zixiao King had a profound connection with Hongjun of the Death World—not only alike in appearance, but their auras were identical.

"This Zixiao King is truly extraordinary. His original body is here, yet he has been reborn in the Death World. A Stone King body—what is he planning?" In an instant, Xiao Chen thought of many questions. At the same time, he thought of the Heavenly Emperor, who also had one body in two cities.

"We have had contact, but never faced each other so directly. Please, sit." Zixiao King's demeanor was composed, without any sign of inferiority despite his damaged stone body. He was very confident and calm. As he spoke, the thick dust on his stone form fell away.

"Zixiao King is indeed extraordinary. Many years have passed, yet your momentum is fiercer than ever. I suspect few Stone Kings are your match." Lu Zhan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in Zixiao Palace. The young man paid great respects to Zixiao King, then stood silently by Lu Zhan's side.

"The same to you. You too have grown unfathomable." Zixiao King replied calmly.

"In the past, when our clan fought against the criminals of the Chaos Land, I thank you and Stone Corpse for wanting to aid us across worlds. Though you ultimately did not succeed..."

Hearing Shi Shi say this, Xiao Chen recalled the passage connecting the Chaos Land to the Celestial Realm. From the clues, at a critical moment, someone in the Celestial Realm had wanted to forcefully break through, but was blocked by the ancient scroll sealing the passage. That had been an unsolved mystery, but today Xiao Chen had uncovered the truth. Simultaneously, he remembered the Holy Maiden of the Heaven-Defying Clan mentioning that Zixiao King was among those who had cast the curse on that clan.

"What business do you have with me?" Zixiao King's voice was as calm as an ancient well.

"A being who surpasses the Stone King realm has appeared..." Lu Zhan pushed the young man forward, letting the powerful aura within his mortal body naturally flow out.

Only then did Zixiao King show emotion. "A great power from before the Primordial Age!"

After listening to Lu Zhan's account, Zixiao King nodded. "Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes. Where there are rivers and lakes, there are enmities and grievances. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors did exist; they are not legend. In their time, they defeated all enemies, naturally ruling all worlds. But not all their foes perished. Some escaped beyond heaven and earth, drifting in the void, in a state of neither birth nor death, as if exiled, unable to awaken or revive for eternity. But human calculations cannot match heaven's. The great power before the Primordial Age had heaven-defying means. Neither birth nor death is not true extinction. After endless ages, he still found his way back."

The Five Emperors had already fallen, yet one of their ancient enemies had returned against heaven—this was deeply alarming.

"Exactly who it is, no one can say for certain. But I imagine he has some connection with your clan's first Sacred Ancestor."

After hearing Zixiao King's words, Lu Zhan fell silent for a moment. He had always felt that the returned being was a double-edged sword.

"You may go out first." Lu Zhan said to the young man, wanting to speak privately with Zixiao King.

"It will be very difficult to control that great power..." Zixiao King's eyes flickered with light. "Unless we find the Five Emperor Tower, and at least two complete layers, not a scattered single layer..."

These were the last words Xiao Chen heard. As the young man walked out, the great doors of Zixiao Palace rumbled shut, sealing everything inside.

"Prepare to strike." At that moment, Xiao Chen suddenly received a telepathic message—the voice of Renmo Ge Qian.

"Strike here?"

"Yes, otherwise there will be no chance. They will soon return to the Otherworld." Renmo Ge Qian continued, "Lang Ya is in hiding. They are very cautious, afraid someone will strike from the shadows. Moreover, Shi Shi has been invited back to secretly guard them."

Xiao Chen was very startled. He secretly felt fortunate that he had been concealing his movements with the Five Emperor Tower; otherwise, he would truly be in danger.

"How did you detect my whereabouts?"

"I am the Tenth Son of the Ancestral Dragon. You are a descendant of the dragon—naturally I can sense you."

"Ahead are Lu Zhan and Zixiao King; in the shadows are Lang Ya and Shi Shi, who has returned. Can we succeed?" Xiao Chen was uncertain.

"No matter. A single fatal blow, then flee far away. I will buy you time!" Renmo Ge Qian said. "Shi Zhongdi is also nearby."

One had to say, the young man was extremely unlucky, targeted by both Xiao Chen and Ge Qian.

"Kill!"

Outside Zixiao Palace, Xiao Chen and Renmo Ge Qian struck simultaneously. The massive Five Emperor Tower crashed down like a mountain, while Renmo Ge Qian attacked with the ancient lamp.

The ancient lamp and the Five Emperor Tower were both the most mysterious and supreme treasures. Although this young Otherworld powerhouse had absorbed two Heavenly Marks and had his physique tempered by the great power before the Primordial Age with supreme methods, he could not withstand such heavy blows.

"Boom!"

In the sky, a rain of blood immediately fell. The seemingly young Otherworld powerhouse's body was smashed to pieces, and two Heavenly Marks rushed out.

"Collect!"

Xiao Chen did not absorb the Heavenly Marks himself. Instead, with lightning speed, he used the Five Emperor Tower to cover and collect them in an instant.

Roars and howls of fury erupted as Lang Ya and Shi Shi killed simultaneously. They had never expected such a change.

"Supreme King Turtle Fist!"

Shi Zhongdi merged with the old stone turtle, manifesting on the spot. With one punch, he sent the bodiless Lang Ya flying.

"Shi Zhongdi..." Shi Shi was shocked and enraged. He knew well how terrifying Shi Zhongdi was. He did not go to kill Xiao Chen but directly joined Lang Ya to pounce on Shi Zhongdi.

"Boom!"

The doors of Zixiao Palace burst open as Lu Zhan and Zixiao King rushed out.

Shockingly, the entire Zixiao Palace rose into the air, and from beneath it, a massive single-layer stone tower shot up, pressing down toward Xiao Chen.

The Five Emperor Tower! A single-layer Five Emperor Tower!

No one had imagined that Zixiao King possessed such a precious tower!

"You good Zixiao King! So this supreme treasure was indeed obtained by you. All these ages you feigned death, constantly refining it." Shi Zhongdi was very surprised.

Renmo Ge Qian, holding the ancient lamp, met Lu Zhan and shouted to Xiao Chen, "Go quickly!"

Now that the Heavenly Marks were secured, as long as they succeeded in fleeing, the mission was accomplished.

However, Xiao Chen did not flee. Instead, he rushed into his own Five Emperor Tower, controlled the female corpse within, channeled divine power, and directed the tower to meet the descending single-layer stone tower.

"Rumble..."

The two towers collided in midair, unleashing radiance that overflowed the heavens. The shockwave rippled outward, and the surrounding mountains collapsed into dust.