Chapter 157.2: You Carry On. I've Taken the Wrong Path

Bound tightly by an Immortal-Binding Rope, Hong Lian’s aura was weak, yet any Nascent Soul cultivator could tell his cultivation level at a glance.

"Violet Palace!"

"That's a Violet Palace cultivator!"

Seeing a Violet Palace expert tied up like a dead dog and thrown before them obviously shook them. For most of them, it was the first time in their lives seeing a powerhouse up close.

Elder Xuanchong’s heart lurched, his emotions crashing all at once. "Hong Lian, you old bastard!"

How could he ever forget that face? The man had driven the holy empress to death, annihilated the Wood Clan, and slaughtered his entire family and lineage. Night after night, Hong Lian’s condescending eyes haunted Elder Xuanchong’s dreams.

Lord Withered Tree was no calmer than Elder Xuanchong. He stared at Hong Lian, shock, exhilaration, and confusion intertwining in his heart.

"Our alliance leader said this man is yours to deal with," Meishan said calmly. "We must return to the Blood-Clothed Alliance shortly to report back. To avoid any mishaps, it would be best if you behead Hong Lian publicly."

For hatred this deep, a simple death was far from enough. In the Canglan World, such executions were not uncommon.

Lord Withered Tree stared at Meishan and Xu Yeli, then bowed solemnly. "Thank you, both of you. Please convey my gratitude to the alliance leader of the Blood-Clothed Alliance."

He did not know who that alliance leader truly was, but he was certain that the person had an extraordinarily deep connection with Qi Yuan.

Perhaps even

...

Suppressing the thought, he turned back to Hong Lian. Hatred blazed in his eyes, fierce enough to devour flesh and grind bone. Half an hour later, the beheading assembly began.

Lord Withered Tree stood solemn and composed, while Hong Lian lay there like a beaten horse, terror filling his eyes.

"If you kill me, the Shuixian Continent will go to war with the Cuiyun Continent!" he screamed, struggling wildly. He refused to die, least of all at the hands of a mere Nascent Soul cultivator!

The surrounding elders and disciples watched in stunned silence. Their first encounter with a Violet Palace cultivator was seeing one lose his head.

Lord Withered Tree raised his sword, ready to avenge his people.

Just then, a terrifying aura swept down once more. A brown-robed Violet Palace expert appeared outside, rage written across his face. "You dare kill my disciple?! Divine Radiance Sect, what nerve you have! Has it been so long since I last appeared that the name of Violet Palace no longer inspires fear?! Today, your sect will know no peace!"

His gaze fell on Lord Withered Tree, then froze when he caught sight of a bound, helpless cultivator. And not just any cultivator—the man’s aura radiated deep, powerful energy. He was unmistakably mid-stage Violet Palace. How could someone like him be tied up here? His mind went blank.

At that moment, someone with a rousing voice roared, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Offer the sacrifice. Execute!"

With those words, light flared along Withered Tree's blade.

Swish!

The sword fell. Hong Lian's head rolled across the ground, his body collapsing as his soul slowly faded into nothingness. Only then did everyone turn to look at the brown-robed old man in the sky.

He stood there, suspended in midair, utterly stunned.

What did I just witness? A mid-stage Violet Palace powerhouse is beheaded by Divine Radiance Sect? Had I come to the wrong place? Am I still half-asleep?

Either way, the situation was far too bizarre, it was better to retreat while he still could. "You all, carry on. I must have taken a wrong turn..."

Just then, someone with a gentle voice said right behind him, "Fellow Daoist, please stay."

The brown-robed old man tensed up. It was a late-stage Violet Palace cultivator talking opposite him.

***

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Mm, my Golden Core Path is progressing nicely. Is the True Sun Fire I've accumulated so far enough to swallow a star now?

Qi Yuan pondered.

After some thought, he decided to stockpile a bit more. Swallowing a star wasn't the same as swallowing a planet. The difference was immense. Moreover, if he recalled correctly, every star around his Core was larger. He had devoured more than a dozen planets, yet the size difference was still enormous.

If I gather a bit more True Sun Fire and take down a star in one go, I should be able to beat Venerable Ye Qiong, right?

He mulled it over.

"Before I swallow another star, I'd better keep a low profile." Qi Yuan felt far too weak. "

Haa...

Why is my Golden Core in another world? Otherwise, I'd have charged straight at a Yang Spirit already."

Of course, that was all talk. He wouldn’t act rashly until he understood how strong a Yang Spirit truly was.

From outside the hall, the Cloud Court Master called, "Alliance Leader!"

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up. "Is the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle over?"

The Cloud Court Master entered the hall. "Yes. It has ended, and the Moonwatch Continent has opened."

Qi Yuan was visibly pleased. "Good. Let's go to Moonwatch Continent."

The Cloud Court Master's expression turned solemn. "The situation in Moonwatch Continent is unclear. Aside from the three Venerables, I'm afraid no one truly knows what's happening inside. It can be dangerous if you enter rashly. Why not select some juniors to go in first and scout the situation?"

The Cuiyun Continent only had the Blood-Clothed Sword God as a Yin Spirit powerhouse. If something happened to him, they would have no way to survive the coming great calamity.

"You make a good point," Qi Yuan nodded. "If Venerable Ye Qiong ambushes me, that'd be a massive loss."

The Cloud Court Master smiled. "Shall I make the arrangements?"

"Why arrange others? I'll go myself," Qi Yuan said, his appearance undergoing a dramatic transformation. His blood-red robe was replaced with a dark, plain garment. "I was a Core Formation cultivator to begin with. I only pretended to be Violet Palace in front of you before. Who would even pay attention to a mere Core Formation cultivator entering?"

The Cloud Court Master fell silent, unsure what to say.

***

Prodigies gathered like clouds at the Moonwatch Continent’s entrance. All nineteen of the top-ranked figures on the Prodigy Rankings were present.

Gu Xiaoyao stood in black robes. With Heavenly Dao class, he rightfully claimed first place on this year's rankings. True Lord Great Wisdom stood with his eyes closed, apparently dozing off. Jiang Ya was among the crowd as well, calm and composed. Xu Tongchen's eyes gleamed sharply. With the fall of the Bright Palace, he no longer held back. His True Sun Fire incinerated everything, pushing him into the top twenty.

"Where's the last one?" a woman from the Shuixian Continent asked, her tone laced with mockery. "I’m eager to see which prodigy dares to use connections to gain entry."

She was Ling Jiao, ranked third. Her water divine techniques far surpassed her peers; even those ranked twentieth to thirtieth combined were no match for her.

The other prodigies warily stared at her. Ling Jiao had every right to be proud. Not only was her talent exceptional, she hailed from Water Cloud Palace, which possessed Yin Spirit artifacts. Moreover, her mother was the beloved youngest daughter of the Northern Lands’ Yin Spirit. She was a prodigy born with a golden spoon in her mouth.

Just then, someone said, "Sorry, sorry, I came a bit late."

Everyone turned to look and saw a bundled up man, with layer upon layer of protective robes. At a glance, there were dozens of them, each robe seemingly extraordinarily precious. A dragon crown sat atop his head, obscuring his face. Most absurd of all, a pair of turtle shells were strapped to his chest and back.

"Sorry I'm late. I brought everyone some buns and soy milk," he said, holding up the many bags in his hands.

He was, of course, Qi Yuan. For the trip to the Moonwatch Continent, he had made extensive preparations. Even his countless defensive robes had thick layers of talismans pasted inside.

Before swallowing a second star, he decided to turn over a new leaf and keep a low profile. In other words, he was disguising his identity, making sure Venerable Ye Qiong wouldn't recognize him. Hence why he arrived a bit later than the others. Of course, he wasn't actually late. There was still time before the entrance to the Moonwatch Continent fully opened.

His buns and soy milk flew toward the gathered prodigies. Exchanging glances, the other eighteen accepted them. Ling Jiao snorted coldly and waved her hand, knocking the bun and soy milk to the ground.

Qi Yuan stared at her, full of remorse. "Ah, I assumed everyone liked sweet soy milk like I do. I didn’t realize you preferred savory. If I’d known, I would’ve bought that instead."

Ling Jiao disdainfully glared at Qi Yuan. "So this is the one who slipped in through the back door. Too much of a coward to even show his face."

Yet doubt flickered in her heart.

So it wasn't the Blood-Clothed Sword God?

This man definitely wasn’t him. He had none of a powerhouse’s bearing. Then who was this, entering Moonwatch Continent in his place? Ling Jiao had to find out, as per her mother’s instruction. Hence why she deliberately provoked Qi Yuan.

The other prodigies also stared at Qi Yuan with curiosity. Only Xu Tongchen wore a strange expression, not daring to look at him.

"How am I not showing my true face?" Qi Yuan said seriously. "I'm just wearing a few extra layers. Aren’t you wearing clothes too? How can you say that? That’s the pot calling the kettle black! How about this? Take off one layer, and I’ll take one off too. Then we’ll both reveal ourselves, yeah?"

Ling Jiao's expression changed.

How many pieces am I wearing? This man has dozens! Shameless!

The other prodigies watched on with amusement.

True Lord Great Wisdom, chewing on a bun, said, "I think this brother has a point. Let's all strip."

Ling Jiao snorted and said nothing more. "

Hmph!

"

In her heart, she had firmly marked Qi Yuan. What had once been provocation at her mother’s behest had now turned into a real grudge.