Chapter 79: Conspiracy

After Kongjue Sage finished speaking, he waved his hand gently, and Ouyang Lianfeng did not even have a chance to respond. He was instantly transformed into mist, dissipating into the air. The mist quickly merged with the earth, leaving no trace behind. From that moment on, the world knew no more of a person named Ouyang Lianfeng. The Holy Lord of Kongjue Sanctuary was gone. Kongjue Sanctuary itself began its journey towards extinction.

Meanwhile, the incarnation of Kongjue Immortal gradually faded away. He lacked the power to keep his avatar present in the Tianwu Realm, and so he too began to disappear. At the final moment, he turned to look in Ye Qingchen’s direction and said, “Please tell Huanyue and Ruofeng that now both of them are following this elder. If they so wish, they shall be the new Holy Lords of Kongjue Sanctuary.”

“All treasures left behind in Kongjue Sanctuary belong to them!”

Ye Qingchen would certainly help with such a simple task. Seeing Kongjue Sage’s earnest request, she nodded in agreement. Kongjue Sage smiled. Though Kongjue Sanctuary was gone, at least there remained these two, and moreover, they were learning from that elder.

He sighed, turning back for one last look at the mountains and rivers of Tianwu Realm. “It is a pity. I never had the chance to learn from the elder. Life is always incomplete.”

After this lament, Kongjue Sage’s figure finally vanished into the air.

Those present could not help but show complex expressions. They had witnessed the demise of a sanctuary with their own eyes. And the cause of its destruction was tied to their own ancestor—a truth difficult for anyone to accept. Yet all this was real, brought about by a single word from that elder.

Everyone fell silent.

Those who had never heard of Elder Zhu now knew of these events. Who could have imagined that in a humble village in Nan Yi, there lived such a terrifying powerhouse! Even immortals could only prostrate themselves before him; even sanctuaries could be erased at his command.

“There…” One supreme looked towards the little mountain village.

“It seems Tianwu Realm is about to change.”

“We have never met that elder, yet his legend is everywhere.”

All were filled with awe and wonder.

Lingji and Ziyang could not help but sigh as well. Kongjue Sanctuary had dominated the Central Continent for so long, its strength beyond the reach of ordinary sanctuaries—yet now it had been destroyed, and so swiftly and decisively.

“Perhaps we should leave as well?” Lingji and Ziyang said.

Now that matters were settled, there was no need to linger. Too much had happened recently; they all needed time to recuperate.

Ye Qingchen nodded, “You may go. But do not forget what the elder said—the Ascension Platform is only the beginning.”

“The elder bestowed power upon us not to nurture weaklings. Even if we are but chess pieces, we must be useful ones! Otherwise, I believe you understand the consequences.”

With these few words, Ye Qingchen turned away from those present and vanished into the air.

After hearing Ye Qingchen’s words, Ziyang and Lingji felt a bitter taste in their mouths. Was this not a direct warning against harboring ulterior motives? Even if Ye Qingchen had not spoken, they dared not disobey.

“The immortal is right, we truly are as he said.”

Lingji and Ziyang exchanged glances, finding nothing amiss. To know Elder Zhu—even as mere pawns in his game—was an honor.

“We are far luckier than Kongjue Sanctuary.”

“Let us leave, then. The people of Tianwu Realm must be watching, and we must take responsibility for this matter ourselves. Above all, we must not let anyone disturb the elder’s cultivation!”

Ziyang Holy Lord spoke.

The two departed, leading away their sanctuaries’ followers.

…

At this moment,

Above the clouds,

The aura of primal yellow churned, its presence dominating, as if the very center of the world. Amidst the swirling yellow air seemed to stand a tree—the World Center Tree of Tianwu Realm.

“This tree is rooted in Nan Yi.”

Above the clouds stood several figures clad in black robes, hands folded behind their backs as they gazed ahead.

“Rest assured, Xuan Yi has already gone to Nan Yi. He will use the Ascension Platform in the Nanling Mountains to manipulate the tree’s rules and annihilate all the powerhouses of Nan Yi!”

“By then, the tree will be no match for us. Its roots destroyed, it will amount to nothing!”

“Let us act—Xuan Yi should be nearly ready.”

“If we strike together, the World Tree will reveal its true form, and we can seize it!”

The black-robed man spoke.

Behind him, a group nodded in agreement.

Then, all dispersed, each attending to their tasks.

…

Tianwu Realm.

Northern Wasteland.

A vast palace sprawled across the land.

In front of the palace stood a stone, engraved with two characters—carved so deeply that the strength was palpable.

“Beichen!”

This was one of the sanctuaries of Northern Wasteland, named Beichen Sanctuary.

Suddenly, a giant hand descended from the sky, smashing directly onto the palace of Beichen. With a thunderous crash, all the protective arrays of the sanctuary activated at once.

“Who dares lay a hand on Beichen!” came a shout from within the palace.

Several supremes emerged, wielding Beichen Sanctuary’s quasi-immortal weapons, rushing to resist the descending palm.

Yet the palm’s force was overwhelming! Even the supremes armed with quasi-immortal weapons were powerless to withstand it.

The battle raged, the protective formation collapsed, and Beichen was utterly destroyed.

…

Eastern Yu.

Mighty rivers encircled the lands of an ancient family.

Though the atmosphere was harmonious, suddenly another palm appeared in midair.

There was hardly time to react as chaos erupted within the family; everyone mustered their strength in haste to defend against the attack.

“Prepare yourselves!” a commanding voice echoed across the family lands.

Several supremes soared into the air.

“Who are you, and why do you attack our family without a word?” the patriarch cried out.

The supremes joined forces, rivers surged, and the collective power formed a world-destroying force to resist the hand in the sky.

But everything was futile.

Despite their united strength, the palm seemed unaffected; with a mere gesture, all crumbled.

“No! We gathered so much power—how could it be destroyed so easily?”

Shouts of panic erupted.

The once peaceful family lands had become a living hell.

Everyone began to flee, but screams of terror echoed unceasingly…