“Lan Yu’er, take the Moonlight Sect disciples and leave. We old folks will stay and stand with Her Highness Moon Lady. Even if we die here, protecting Ling Xiao and Moon Lady is worth it…”
Golden Light Heavenly Venerate spoke up.
“Indeed!”
Heavenly Eye Heavenly Venerate nodded in agreement.
“This is likely the best course.”
Broad Cold Heavenly Venerate said calmly, seemingly unfazed by the prospect of death.
Moon Lady did not object.
Though these three were not as strong as her, they were still elite Heavenly Human Realm martial artists. If she were occupied, they might indeed be needed to save Ling Xiao.
“I’m not leaving!”
Lan Yu’er shook her head.
“If you don’t leave, I’ll kill you first!”
Moon Lady, not one for words, used the most direct approach to solve the problem.
Lan Yu’er froze, then understood Moon Lady’s intent.
Staying would only mean death. Better to die by their own hands than an enemy’s.
She gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and tearfully called the Moonlight Sect disciples to depart.
As the senior disciple, if she didn’t leave, Dai Yuling, Leng Hao, and the others wouldn’t either.
Though Dai Yuling and Leng Hao wanted to stay, they knew they’d be useless and a burden.
So, they followed Lan Yu’er and two inner sect elders, quietly leaving.
Boom!
The arena finally crashed to the ground. At this point, only Moon Lady, Golden Light Heavenly Venerate, Heavenly Eye Heavenly Venerate, and Broad Cold Heavenly Venerate remained from the Moonlight Sect.
The others boarded the Moonlight Treasure Ship and returned to the sect.
When Wu Xiang left earlier, he hadn’t used the treasure. With his high cultivation, he could return using just his movement technique.
At this moment, the Heavenly King Sect and the Holy Dynasty’s royal family were already stirring.
Ling Xiao’s crimes were numerous:
First, he ignored the Holy Emperor’s words.
Second, he defeated Holy Son Ji Mingkong.
Third, he destroyed the arena.
Other charges could be piled on, but these three were the most critical.
Of course, for finding fault, the third was the most presentable; the other two felt like flimsy excuses.
“Damn brat! If I don’t kill him, my rage won’t subside!”
The Holy Emperor was truly furious, his anger cracking the ground beneath him.
His face was ashen with rage and embarrassment.
Ling Xiao had dared to humiliate him publicly, calling him childish and ignorant. How could he endure it?
“Your Majesty, what should we do next? The Holy Son’s defeat, though not fatal, cost her the Ancient Nature Dragon Martial Soul. Her strength will surely plummet.”
Sikong Zun, cunning as ever, left such a universally offensive task to the Holy Emperor, unwilling to step forward too soon.
The Holy Emperor’s expression shifted, weighing the losses.
Ji Mingkong represented the Heavenly King Sect, the Holy Dynasty’s royal family, and the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
Her defeat today would undoubtedly disgrace both the sect and the royal family.
More critically, how could the Heavenly Dragon Academy be established under these circumstances?
As the Holy Emperor, beyond his daughter’s safety, he had to consider these factors and reclaim face.
But with so many witnesses, acting against Ling Xiao without a valid reason would worsen the royal family’s disgrace, possibly even threatening his position as Holy Emperor.
The referee who passed him the Holy Emperor’s title could just as easily strip it away. He couldn’t afford a misstep now.
“Honourable referees, hasn’t the match been decided? Won’t you announce the result?”
While the Holy Emperor pondered how to deal with Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao’s voice rang out.
“You’ve won!”
This time, the victory was indisputable. Ji Mingkong had not only fallen out of the arena but also lost the ability to fight.
Even if the head referee wanted to shield Ji Mingkong, there was no way.
As the referee announced the result, the abundant fortune behind Ji Mingkong surged into Ling Xiao’s body.
Buzz!
A resounding hum echoed through the heavens as nine cauldrons fully formed behind Ling Xiao.
But it didn’t stop there!
With the nine cauldrons complete, a massive figure appeared behind him, clad in armour, exuding martial prowess, like a war god from beyond the Mysterious Realm.
“It’s the Human King!”
“The Human King!”
“Your Majesty, the Human King!”
All martial artists knelt, including the Holy Emperor and Sikong Zun, not daring to show disrespect.
At this moment, Ling Xiao embodied the Human King’s will, untouchable.
The Human King’s shadow slowly opened its eyes, its gaze gentle yet commanding, soothing all hearts while radiating authority.
Even the four Yin-Yang Realm martial artists present dared not challenge its majesty.
“Unexpectedly, someone has truly condensed the fortune of nine cauldrons!”
The Human King’s shadow spoke, its voice like thunder crashing to the ground.
“Since this is so, they are worthy of entering the ‘Nine Cauldrons Illusion.’ I shall open it for them.”
With a light wave of its hand, the entire Holy City trembled again. The sky flickered, far more terrifying than the clash between Ling Xiao and Ji Mingkong.
The next moment!
Nine beams of cyan-yellow light shot from the ground, forming nine massive cauldrons.
The cauldrons floated, linked tail to head, spinning as the heavens changed colour.
Amid the terrifying surge of wind and clouds, a tear seemed to rip open the sky, revealing a black rift.
All of Holy City’s people knelt in prayer, fearing the end of days.
After this, the Human King’s shadow vanished.
Others felt nothing, but Ling Xiao sensed a foreign power in his body.
This power couldn’t merge with him but could temporarily protect him.
It seemed the Human King foresaw that a prodigy like Ling Xiao might face jealousy and needed safeguarding to prevent an early demise.
Even Ling Xiao, usually unshaken, felt a surge of shock, his heart racing.
Others were even more stunned, seeing the nine cauldrons circling a black hole-like void, filled with awe and fear.
“The legend of the Nine Cauldrons Illusion is real! The Human King planned so far ahead!”
“Indeed, after a hundred thousand years, the Human King foresaw this day!”
