About half an hour later, a sound of breaking through the air came from the distant horizon. The golden-armoured guard who had left earlier returned with two cultivators whose auras were even more profound.
The leader was clad in silver armour, with a resolute face and a token engraved with the words “Divine King Palace” hanging from his waist. He was clearly the commander among the golden-armoured guards.
“The Fourth Hall Master has ordered to bring him into the palace.”
The silver-armoured commander’s voice was deep. His gaze swept over Chen Ping’s injuries, and a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. To withstand the heavenly backlash from two realms with only Earth Immortal Realm second-grade cultivation and still preserve his life showed remarkable resilience.
Two golden-armoured guards stepped forward, carefully helping Chen Ping up and supporting his arms as they boarded a flying artifact.
The artifact turned into a streak of golden light, speeding towards the horizon.
Chen Ping looked down and saw the grassland below spreading out like a green velvet blanket. In the distance, mountains rose and fell, with immortal qi so dense it almost condensed into substance, forming a stark contrast to the dead silence and darkness of the sixth heaven.
After flying for about an hour, the outline of a magnificent palace gradually emerged from the swirling clouds ahead.
The palace was entirely built from white jade, with its roof covered in golden glazed tiles that shimmered under the sunlight. Countless sacred runes flowed on the palace walls, emitting an aura of majesty that suppressed all things.
Around the palace were nine golden pillars of light, soaring straight into the sky. Golden-armoured guards could vaguely be seen patrolling between the pillars, their presence stern.
“That is the Divine King Palace.”
The golden-armoured guard beside him introduced in a low voice, his tone carrying undisguised reverence. “Since the ancient divine war, the Divine King Palace has been the sacred ground of the eighth heaven, jointly governed by the four Hall Masters, guarding the inheritance of the divine hall.”
The artifact slowly descended onto the square in front of the Divine King Palace. In the centre of the square stood a huge statue, clad in imperial robes, holding a sceptre, and overlooking all beings with a majestic gaze. It was the ancestor of the ancient divine hall.
Chen Ping was supported by the golden-armoured guards as he walked across the square. Each step landed on white jade tiles engraved with runes, and he felt a gentle force enveloping his body, easing his pain a little more.
Passing through layers of palace gates, the group arrived in front of a grand hall named “Clear Void Hall”.
At that moment, a woman stood in front of the hall door. Upon seeing her, the silver-armoured commander immediately stopped and bowed respectfully towards the hall. “Miss Yunxiu, the cultivator Chen Ping from the sixth heaven has been brought. Please report to the Fourth Hall Master.”
Chen Ping glanced at Yunxiu and was immediately delighted, after all, the two were old acquaintances, and Yunxiu had saved him before.
“Miss Yunxiu, long time no see…”
Chen Ping grinned and said.
Seeing Chen Ping like this, Yunxiu was somewhat surprised and said, “Your strength has grown a bit too fast. You’ve already reached Earth Immortal Realm second grade.”
“Miss Yunxiu is joking. Compared to you all, my strength isn’t worth mentioning.”
Chen Ping said very ashamedly.
“Don’t be modest. The Fourth Hall Master knows all about your deeds.”
Yunxiu smiled. It was obvious that Chen Ping’s every move was actually under the Fourth Hall Master’s surveillance.
Chen Ping was stunned for a moment and smiled helplessly.
“Let him come in.” A clear, gentle female voice came from inside the hall, like jade stones clashing, carrying an inexplicable authority.
Yunxiu waved her hand, the silver-armoured commander left, and then she led Chen Ping slowly inside.
The interior of the hall was extremely spacious. In the centre of the high platform was a white jade seat, on which sat a woman dressed in light cyan palace attire.
She appeared to be only about twenty years old, with skin as white as snow and features like a painting. Faint cyan spiritual light surrounded her body. Though she released no pressure at all, it made people involuntarily feel awe. This was the Fourth Hall Master of the Divine King Palace, Lingxi.
Lingxi’s gaze fell on Chen Ping, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her clear eyes full of doubt.
She waved her hand to release a stream of cyan spiritual energy, enveloping Chen Ping’s body. After a moment, the spiritual energy retracted, and her doubt deepened. “Nearly half of your meridians are damaged, your divine soul is eroded by the power of laws, and your cultivation is only at Earth Immortal Realm first grade.
