Chapter 281: Dominance Unleashed, Massacre Ensues

The 17th Elder of the Xuanyuan Clan, his once-mighty soul now dangling helplessly in the grip of the Heavenly Poison King, was consumed by terror. His expression twisted between disbelief, fear, and despair.

Across the battlefield, those who had witnessed the scene—Yun Xiaoyao, Su Wuqin, and even the spectators like Xuanming and Du Tian—were frozen in shock.

“This… this can’t be real!”

“The 17th Elder of the Xuanyuan Clan, a Great Emperor at the Seventh Heaven, was subdued in an instant!”

“Who is this Heavenly Poison King?! What kind of monster is the Jiang Dynasty hiding?!”

As murmurs of disbelief swept through the gathered crowd, the Heavenly Poison King suddenly turned his gaze toward a specific spot in the air. His finger shot forward, releasing a blast of toxic energy.

BOOM!

The poison exploded in the hidden space, shattering its veil. Five figures, drenched in black poison and grievously injured, were violently hurled to the ground.

The crowd collectively gasped as the identities of the ambushed figures became clear:

The Five Great Guardian Elders of the Xuanyuan Clan, each a Great Emperor at the Ninth Heaven, had been gravely injured before they could even act.

The Quasi-Emperor Elders of the Xuanyuan Clan turned pale.

“The Guardian Elders were supposed to be our trump card! They can even hold their own against Tianzun-level opponents! How could they be reduced to this state before even fighting?!”

The 17th Elder, still suspended by the Heavenly Poison King, let out a shuddering breath of despair. The intricate plan of the Xuanyuan Clan and the Celestial Palace had completely unraveled.

Yun Xiaoyao, Su Wuqin, and the other leaders of the Celestial Palace trembled. The once-imposing force now seemed fragile and defenseless.

The wounded Guardian Elders, struggling to stand, coughed up black blood as toxic energy coursed through their veins. Xuanyuan Huo, one of the elders, gritted his teeth and growled:

“A Heavenly-level expert? So, the Jiang Dynasty has been hiding such power!”

Before he could continue, Zuo Xuanqi stepped forward with a sneer.

“Hiding? No, you simply failed to see the truth.”

His voice was full of mockery as he added, “Did you think the Jiang Dynasty was weak because we didn’t flaunt our strength? How foolish.”

Turning to the Heavenly Poison King, Zuo Xuanqi smirked.

“These elders still think they have the right to speak to His Majesty. Ridiculous. They’re not even qualified.”

Seated on the warship’s deck, Jiang HuanYu smiled faintly at Zuo Xuanqi’s remarks. His calm demeanor radiated supreme confidence.

“Well said, Zuo. But let’s not waste time on trash.”

Turning his gaze to the Guardian Elders, Jiang HuanYu spoke with chilling clarity:

“You speak of vengeance, of Xuanyuan Fen and his pathetic aspirations. Do you think I care?”

Jiang HuanYu tightened his grip on Xiao Qingli’s waist as he continued.

“I hear Xuanyuan Fen wanted my Empress for himself, but she wouldn’t give him the time of day. Pathetic.”

The disdain in his voice was palpable.

“He even went so far as to create a substitute, naming his daughter Jiuyou. How tragic. He’s a man destined to kneel before me, never worthy of standing at my level.”

The crowd was stunned into silence by Jiang HuanYu’s brazen taunts.

As Jiang HuanYu spoke, one of the Guardian Elders, Xuanyuan Mu, roared in fury:

“You dare insult the Xuanyuan Clan?! You’re nothing but a—”

BOOM!

Before Xuanyuan Mu could finish, Jiang HuanYu casually glanced at him. A ripple of chaotic energy flickered in Jiang HuanYu’s eyes, and Xuanyuan Mu’s body disintegrated instantly—his soul and flesh reduced to nothingness.

The remaining four Guardian Elders stared in horror, unable to comprehend how one of their own had been erased so effortlessly.

Jiang HuanYu stood, his voice calm yet commanding.

“This farce is over. Heavenly Poison King, extract the necessary information from their souls. Leave no one alive.”

Turning to his generals, he issued the final command.

“Jiang forces, slaughter them all. Leave no one standing.”

The Heavenly Poison King crushed the 17th Elder’s soul as a parting gesture before moving on to the other captives.

With Jiang HuanYu’s orders, the Jiang Dynasty’s army surged forward like a tidal wave.

Tie Poyun, Zuo Xuanqi, and King Jiang led the charge, their troops tearing through the Celestial Palace’s disciples and Xuanyuan Clan’s forces like paper.

The dynasty’s Quasi-Emperors—Wanjian Shen, Feipeng, Zhonglou, and Medusa—targeted the remaining Celestial Palace and Xuanyuan Clan leaders.

Dark One led the Shadow Guards, swiftly escorting the survivors of the Ziwei Divine Sect onto the warships before joining the fray. Alongside the Shadow Guards, the Slaughter Guards unleashed unparalleled carnage, cutting down enemy combatants with ruthless efficiency.

The square was bathed in blood, the wails of the defeated echoing as the Celestial Palace and Xuanyuan forces were systematically eradicated.

The dignitaries from other factions sat frozen, their faces pale. None dared speak or intervene. The overwhelming power of the Jiang Dynasty was clear, and even the thought of opposition was laughable.

In less than an hour, the battlefield was painted crimson, and the once-proud forces of the Celestial Palace and the Xuanyuan Clan lay in ruins.

Jiang HuanYu’s voice rang out once more, piercing the silence.

“Let this be a lesson. The Jiang Dynasty does not forgive, and it does not forget.”

The era of the Jiang Dynasty had truly begun, and its reign promised to be one of unmatched dominance.

Chapter 282: Yun Xiaoyao’s Demise, Settling Scores

The battlefield was a scene of unparalleled carnage. The Jiang Dynasty’s army, led by the likes of Zuo Xuanqi, King Jiang, and the Heavenly Poison King, continued their unstoppable onslaught. The once-proud disciples and elders of the Celestial Palace fell one by one, their blood painting the ground crimson.

The Fall of Yun Xiaoyao

In the skies, Yun Xiaoyao, the Celestial Palace’s master, struggled against the relentless assault of Wan Jian Shen (God of Ten Thousand Swords). Each exchange left him more battered, his movements slower, and his despair deeper.

“How is this possible?!” Yun Xiaoyao roared, his voice laced with fear. “How can your dynasty possess so many Quasi-Emperor experts?!”

His disbelief was palpable. The sheer number of high-level experts among the Jiang Dynasty’s ranks defied all logic.

Just then, Fei Peng joined the fray, having already dispatched Su Wuqin. With a mighty swing of his Demon-Slaying Sword, he struck Yun Xiaoyao’s back, sending him crashing through the air. Blood sprayed in all directions as Yun Xiaoyao’s injuries worsened.

“End this!” shouted Wan Jian Shen, summoning three lightning-infused sword auras. The energy dragons roared through the air, striking Yun Xiaoyao’s chest and obliterating his physical form.

What remained was a flickering, heavily damaged soul, struggling to hold itself together.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Poison King had executed Xuanyuan Clan’s 17th Elder, shattering his soul after extracting every last memory. The remaining four Guardian Elders, all Great Emperors at the Ninth Heaven, launched a desperate counterattack.

Burning their Emperor souls and bloodlines, they unleashed their strongest technique:

“Four Spirits Heavenly Judgment!”

A thunderous vortex of lightning appeared in the sky, imbued with a faint trace of heaven’s power. The ground trembled under its weight, and an oppressive force swept across the battlefield.

But the Heavenly Poison King remained unfazed.

“Futile,” he muttered.

His hands came together, summoning an immense field of purple poison energy, which engulfed the four elders. Within the toxic domain, glowing fangs of poison erupted from the ground like venomous serpents, piercing their defenses and bodies.

“AHHHHH!!!”

The four elders screamed in agony as the poison corroded their flesh and souls. Their once-imposing forms dissolved into pools of blood, leaving nothing behind but the poisonous residue of their demise.

With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Poison King extracted fragments of their memories from the blood, a display of horrifying efficiency and mastery.

Final Command: Annihilation

Standing atop the warship’s deck, Jiang HuanYu observed the battlefield. The Celestial Palace’s forces were nearly obliterated, and only a handful of Quasi-Emperors still clung to life.

“Don’t waste time,” Jiang HuanYu commanded, his voice cold and decisive. “Finish them all.”

The Heavenly Poison King raised his hands, summoning streaks of poisonous light, which he fired toward the remaining enemies.

BOOM!

The lights struck the remaining elders and disciples, exploding on impact. The toxic energy obliterated their physical forms, leaving no trace of life. Even Yun Xiaoyao, in his fragile soul state, was hit by one of the beams.

“No… no…!” Yun Xiaoyao’s final cries echoed before his soul disintegrated into nothingness.

With the deaths of the 17th Elder, the Guardian Elders, Yun Xiaoyao, and the Celestial Palace’s remaining forces, the battle concluded. The Jiang Dynasty’s forces emerged unscathed, their strength and tactics flawless.

The battlefield was a macabre scene of blood and ruin. The Ziwei Divine Sect, once on the brink of annihilation, now stood as witnesses to their unexpected salvation.

The sect’s survivors looked upon Jiang HuanYu and his forces with awe and gratitude, their hearts filled with reverence for the emperor who had rewritten their fates.

As the dust settled, Bai Mengmeng turned her gaze toward the Ancient White Tiger Clan’s delegation, her steps slow and deliberate as she walked toward them.

“What is she doing?” whispered a trembling observer.

Bai Lingxi, standing among her clan, clenched her fists in rage and fear.

“That bastard dares approach us?!” she hissed.

The tension in the air thickened as Bai Mengmeng stopped before them. Her expression was calm, yet her eyes burned with a mix of contempt and determination.

“You,” she said, pointing at Bai Lingxi. “It’s time we settled our debts.”

The onlookers held their breath, sensing that the next act of this bloody drama was about to begin.

Chapter 283: The Death of Bai Lingxi and the Submission of the Radiant Divine Sect

At this moment, Bai Lingxi watched as Bai Mengmeng walked toward her, her gaze fixed solely on her. Fear finally crept across Bai Lingxi’s face, and her body instinctively shrank backward.

Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan, the two powerful figures of the Ancient White Tiger Clan, stood frozen in place, not daring to make any rash moves. They had just witnessed Bai Mengmeng’s overwhelming power firsthand.

The Realm of Quasi-Emperor!
With just a wave of her hand, Bai Mengmeng effortlessly annihilated several Eternal Realm elders from the Celestial Palace.

The most shocking revelation came from the words of the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan’s people earlier: Bai Mengmeng was none other than the legendary White Tiger Empress of Emperor Continent!

This revelation was utterly mind-blowing. The illegitimate daughter of their clan leader turned out to be the famed White Tiger Empress of Emperor Continent. It was as though they were trapped in a surreal dream.

Even now, Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan were still struggling with deep confusion and terror in their hearts.

Bai Mengmeng now stood before them, motionless.

“Lady… Lady Bai, we… we…” Bai Qingyun stammered nervously, struggling to form coherent sentences.

Before he could finish, Bai Mengmeng ignored him entirely. She extended her hand, and a surge of power erupted from her palm. Bai Lingxi was forcefully pulled toward her and lifted into the air by her neck.

“Miss!!!” Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan cried out in shock, their faces contorted with fear.

But the gap in strength rendered them helpless. Even though they wished to save Bai Lingxi, they could only stand in place, overwhelmed by despair.

The other faction leaders, such as Xuan Ming and Du Tian, along with others present, silently observed the scene. Their expressions were filled with complexity.

Though they were merely bystanders at this gathering, they had come at the Celestial Palace’s invitation. None of them had anticipated such a dramatic turn of events.

The Celestial Palace and the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan had been completely annihilated.

Meanwhile, the army of the Jiang Dynasty was busy clearing the battlefield. The dynasty’s powerful figures remained unharmed, and Jiang HuanYu had yet to declare his stance.

This left the onlookers in a state of inner turmoil. They were neither able to leave nor daring to stay, torn apart by their indecision.

At this moment, Bai Lingxi grasped Bai Mengmeng’s hand with both of hers. Her face was flushed red, and she was on the verge of suffocation. Bai Mengmeng’s power was far superior to hers.

Though Bai Lingxi was considered a prodigy among the younger generation in the Zhongsheng Continent, she was as insignificant as an ant before Bai Mengmeng.

“Lady Bai, Lingxi is your relative!” Bai Qingyun pleaded anxiously. “I beg you to spare her for the sake of the clan leader!”

“Relative?” Bai Mengmeng sneered coldly. “Old man, don’t you find that laughable? When I returned to the Ancient White Tiger Clan, who tried to kill me and banished me?

“And now, when the situation has changed, you want to talk about family ties?”

“How ridiculous! Bai Lingxi, of all people, is unworthy!”

“If I hadn’t been recovering my strength back then, I would have killed her on the spot!”

Her icy gaze silenced Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan.

Indeed, it had been Bai Lingxi who first sought to kill Bai Mengmeng. Were it not for the clan leader’s protection, Bai Mengmeng would have perished within the clan long ago.

Their enmity was one of life and death, impossible to mediate.

“If you dare kill me, my father… he will never forgive you!” Bai Lingxi choked out with a pained expression.

“Forgiveness? What a joke. Since when have I ever needed his forgiveness?” Bai Mengmeng retorted with disdain.

“A man who abandoned his wife isn’t even worth my consideration. His so-called protection of me was merely a token gesture to assuage his guilt.

“You and he both deserve to die!

“However, my hatred for him has mostly faded. Ever since I left the Ancient White Tiger Clan, Bai Tianfeng and I have had no connection.

“As for you!” Bai Mengmeng’s eyes turned cold. “Anyone who seeks my life will not be allowed to exist in this world!”

With those words, a surge of power erupted from her palm, enveloping and consuming Bai Lingxi entirely.

“No!!!” Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan screamed in despair, rushing forward to intervene, only to be repelled by a force from Bai Mengmeng.

Amidst the terrifying beastly aura, Bai Lingxi’s anguished screams echoed before her form disintegrated into dust in the sky.

Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan climbed to their feet, staring in disbelief at the empty air where Bai Lingxi had been. Their expressions were blank, their bodies stiff with shock.

After killing Bai Lingxi, Bai Mengmeng left indifferently, as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, on a flying warship, Jiang HuanYu’s gaze swept over the faction leaders present before settling on Xuan Ming, the leader of the Radiant Divine Sect.

Xuan Ming flinched under the piercing gaze.

“Your Majesty HuanYu!” Xuan Ming immediately bowed deeply, nearly falling to his knees.

The other members of the Radiant Divine Sect followed suit, bowing their heads in submission, not daring to meet his eyes.

Dreamlike whispers beside Jiang HuanYu came from Meng Bingyun: “Your Majesty HuanYu, Xuan Ming is cunning and opportunistic, a man who sways with the wind. His loyalty would be superficial if he submitted.

“As for Du Tian of the Ancient Roc Clan, he is even worse—despicable and treacherous. He has long been an enemy of our Ziwei Divine Sect, a feud spanning generations…”

Jiang HuanYu nodded as Meng Bingyun detailed the personalities of the leaders.

“Xuan Ming,” he said, addressing the man directly, “Yun Xiaoyao is dead, and the Celestial Palace has been destroyed.

“My Jiang Dynasty seeks to unify this land of Xuanzhou. What does the Radiant Divine Sect intend to do?”

“Your Majesty HuanYu!” Xuan Ming exclaimed reverently. “You are a supreme force, a man of unparalleled destiny. Serving the Jiang Dynasty would be a blessing for the Radiant Divine Sect.

“I, Xuan Ming, vow to lead the Radiant Divine Sect into submission under the Jiang Dynasty from this day forth. Please grant us this opportunity!”

Jiang HuanYu smiled faintly. As Meng Bingyun had said, Xuan Ming was indeed a weathercock, swaying whichever way the wind blew.

But Jiang HuanYu had his own methods to deal with such people.

Chapter 284: The Miserable Fate of Du Tian

“Very well.”
“Since Sect Master Xuanming is so sincere, I shall grant your wish,” Jiang HuanYu said with a smile, nodding his agreement.

He cast a glance at the Heaven Poison King, who immediately understood. With a flick of the Heaven Poison King’s hand, several streaks of black light shot out, transforming into black pills that appeared in the hands of Xuanming and the other members of the Radiant Divine Sect.

“Your Majesty HuanYu, what are these?” Xuanming asked, perplexed as he examined the pill in his hand.

“These are pills that will help enhance your aura and strength,” Jiang HuanYu explained calmly.
“Since you’ve pledged loyalty to the Jiang Dynasty, I naturally won’t treat you unfairly. Taking these pills is my way of rewarding you.”

Despite Jiang HuanYu’s reassurances, Xuanming’s heart was heavy with unease. The pills in their hands looked far from beneficial; they resembled poison pills more than anything else, capable of claiming their lives at a moment’s notice.

But with Jiang HuanYu’s words out in the open, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, refusing to take the pills would be tantamount to disrespecting him, a situation far worse than swallowing them.

“Thank you, Your Majesty HuanYu, for the reward!” Xuanming had no choice but to force a smile as he swallowed the pill.

Seeing their leader take the pill without hesitation, the other high-ranking members of the Radiant Divine Sect followed suit, swallowing theirs one after another.

Jiang HuanYu’s smile deepened as he watched them comply. With this, the Radiant Divine Sect was firmly under his control, incapable of causing any disruption.

“Next, as the Jiang Dynasty prepares to govern all of Zhongsheng, you, as leaders of your respective forces, should also make your stance clear today,” Jiang HuanYu announced, turning to the remaining onlookers.

Most of those present were leaders of mid-tier and top-tier factions. None dared to contradict Jiang HuanYu, especially given the unstoppable rise of the Jiang Dynasty.

The Celestial Palace’s Yun Xiaoyao and Su Wuqin were dead. The Celestial Palace itself was on the brink of destruction, while both the Radiant Divine Sect and Ziwei Divine Sect had already fallen under the Jiang Dynasty’s banner.

Resistance was futile. There was no need to throw their lives away.

“We pledge allegiance to the Jiang Dynasty!” One by one, the leaders in the crowd lowered their heads and declared their submission.

“Excellent,” Jiang HuanYu said with satisfaction.

He gestured to the Heaven Poison King, who distributed another batch of pills to the newly loyal leaders. Having seen Xuanming swallow the pill earlier, the other leaders understood the implications. Refusing to comply would likely mean they wouldn’t leave alive.

In no time, they all consumed the pills without hesitation.

“Your Majesty HuanYu, why don’t I have a pill?”

A sudden voice broke the silence. It was Du Tian, the leader of the Ancient Roc Clan. Glancing around, he noticed that everyone else either had already consumed their pills or was preparing to, yet he had received none.

This left him utterly baffled. Was this Jiang HuanYu sparing him out of trust, or was there another reason? His heart wavered between hope and dread.

“Clan Leader Du Tian,” Jiang HuanYu said with an unreadable smile. “There’s no need to waste pills on you.”

“Huh?”
“Your Majesty HuanYu, does this mean I don’t need to take the pill to pledge allegiance to the Jiang Dynasty?” Du Tian asked, his face lighting up with joy.

Xuanming and the other leaders couldn’t help but cast envious glances at Du Tian. Why did he get special treatment? Why wasn’t he forced to take the pill?

Jiang HuanYu’s smile grew wider. “Clan Leader Du Tian, I believe you’ve misunderstood.

“You see, a delicacy loses its flavor when you add unnecessary ingredients.”

“De… delicacy?” Du Tian echoed, completely at a loss.

The next moment, two figures appeared behind him: Wan Jian Shen and Chonglou. Without warning, they attacked, their power surging into Du Tian’s body, suppressing him on the spot.

“Your Majesty HuanYu, what is the meaning of this?!” Du Tian exclaimed in panic.
“I am a loyal citizen! I swear unwavering allegiance to the Jiang Dynasty, even if it means walking through fire or braving boiling oil! Please, give me a chance to prove my worth!”

“Of course, I will give you a chance,” Jiang HuanYu said with a casual air. “Not only you but your entire Ancient Roc Clan will have the honor of contributing to the Jiang Dynasty.

“You will be prepared as a feast—fried, roasted, and served as an exquisite wild game to reward my soldiers.

“This, too, is a way for you to serve the dynasty. Didn’t you say you were willing to brave fire and boiling oil? Then you shall do just that.”

“Chonglou, take him aboard the warship. Prepare a grand cauldron—we’re having roasted roc tonight!” Jiang HuanYu ordered, his tone lighthearted.

“As you command, Your Majesty,” Chonglou and the Shen replied, grabbing the stunned Du Tian and hauling him onto the flying warship.

Du Tian’s mind reeled. They were really going to cook him!

“No! Your Majesty HuanYu, you can’t do this to me!”
“My Ancient Roc Clan has done nothing to offend you! Please, spare us!”
“Your Majesty HuanYu!”

His desperate cries echoed as he was dragged onto the warship, where he was promptly sealed away.

Xuanming and the other leaders blinked in shock, some even gulping audibly. Any envy they’d felt toward Du Tian vanished in an instant, replaced by a hint of pity.

What a tragic end.

The mighty Ancient Roc Clan, once proud and untouchable, was now destined to become mere provisions for the Jiang Dynasty’s troops.

And yet, some couldn’t help but think: If only we could get a taste of that roasted roc…

Chapter 285: Dividing Forces to Annihilate!

After Du Tian was subdued and taken aboard the flying warship, the battlefield at the Ziwei Divine Sect’s square had largely been cleared by the Jiang Dynasty’s army. Every valuable item had been confiscated, including the storage rings of Yun Xiaoyao, Su Wuqin, and the other Emperor Realm figures. These resources were handed over to the Heaven Poison King, who in turn presented them to Jiang HuanYu.

“Your Majesty, based on Yun Xiaoyao’s memories, the Celestial Palace’s Poison Hall Master and Array Hall Master have joined forces with Su Tianmo, the Grand Elder of the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan. Su Tianmo has already seized control of the clan and declared himself its leader. They are leveraging Su Linfeng and Su Qing’s lives to threaten Empress Su Fei. Would you like me to personally handle this?” the Heaven Poison King reported expressionlessly.

Jiang HuanYu pondered for a moment before responding calmly, “There’s no need. Two mere hall masters don’t require your intervention.

“Dark One (Àn yī), Feipeng,” he called out.

He stepped forward and stood respectfully before him. “Your Majesty!”

“You two will go to the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Mountain and eliminate Poison Qianqiu, Array Baimei, Su Tianmo, and their accomplices,” Jiang HuanYu ordered.

The fate of the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan itself was of no concern to him. However, Su Tianmo, despite being granted a chance by the empress, had conspired with the Celestial Palace to usurp power. His collusion and rebellion against the Jiang Dynasty left Jiang HuanYu no choice but to bring him to justice.

With Feipeng and Dark One, both Quasi-Emperor powerhouses, dispatched, Poison Qianqiu, Array Baimei, and Su Tianmo had no hope of survival.

“Understood, Your Majesty!” Feipeng and Dark One acknowledged the command and immediately departed.

Jiang HuanYu then turned his gaze toward Zuo Xuanqi, standing nearby. “Zuo Xiang, take a contingent of troops to assist the Ziwei Divine Sect in clearing the battlefield. Free all imprisoned disciples from the celestial dungeon. Once you’ve finished, return directly to the Tianyuan Forbidden Zone.”

“As you command, Your Majesty!” Zuo Xuanqi replied, bowing.

Entrusting this task to Zuo Xuanqi was appropriate. As the husband of the Ziwei Divine Sect’s Grand Elder, he had the ties and insight necessary to handle the post-battle reconstruction. The extensive damage to the sect’s square, nearby buildings, and peaks required immediate attention and reorganization.

“We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s assistance in leading the Jiang Dynasty’s forces to help us. We cannot thank you enough,” the Ziwei Divine Sect’s elder patriarch said, leading the sect’s elders in a formal gesture of gratitude.

Jiang HuanYu nodded slightly. “There’s no need for excessive courtesy. The Ziwei Divine Sect is now a vassal of the Jiang Dynasty. If anyone dares to provoke you, I will not stand idly by.

“This matter is resolved, but the larger battle is far from over.

“Wan Jian Shen, Chonglou,” he addressed two other figures. “You two, along with the imperial consort, will lead three million troops to the Ancient Roc Clan. Subdue every member of the clan and bring them all back to the dynasty, no exceptions.

“As for the rest, follow me to the Celestial Palace. By tomorrow, the name of the Celestial Palace will be erased from Xuanzhou’s history!”

Standing on the deck, Jiang HuanYu’s commanding voice exuded imperial majesty and unshakable dominance.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the Jiang Dynasty’s army responded with fervent shouts.

The troops moved out in well-organized formation, leaving the Ziwei Divine Sect. Medusa, Chonglou, and Jian Shen led their contingent toward the Ancient Roc Clan, while Jiang HuanYu, Xiao Qingli, and the Heaven Poison King spearheaded the main force toward the Celestial Palace.

Their objective was clear: eradicate the Celestial Palace in one decisive strike, paving the way for the swift unification of Xuanzhou under the Jiang Dynasty.

After the departure of the Jiang Dynasty’s forces, the Ziwei Divine Sect’s square was left with its original leaders, including Meng Bingyun and Yin Lan, as well as Zuo Xuanqi and a group of Jiang soldiers. The remaining faction leaders from Middle Saint Continent, who had already consumed the poison pills, lingered awkwardly.

Among them, an Eternal Realm elder stepped forward and respectfully addressed Zuo Xuanqi, “Prime Minister Zuo, what should we do now?”

Jiang HuanYu had given them no further instructions before leaving, leaving them unsure whether they were free to depart.

Zuo Xuanqi smiled. “The matters here are resolved. You are free to go. Those who wish to leave may do so without any restrictions.”

The crowd finally exhaled in relief.

“Sect Master Zuo, since the Radiant Divine Sect is now under the Jiang Dynasty, and the Ziwei Divine Sect has suffered heavy losses, we are willing to stay and help with the reconstruction,” Xuanming offered eagerly.

Seeing Xuanming’s initiative, others quickly caught on.

Clearly, Xuanming was trying to curry favor with Zuo Xuanqi, who was known to be a close confidant of Jiang HuanYu. Building rapport with him could smooth the path for their factions under the Jiang Dynasty’s rule.

“Prime Minister Zuo, we will also stay to assist with rebuilding the Ziwei Divine Sect’s halls!”
“Prime Minister Zuo, our Li family volunteers as well!”
“Prime Minister Zuo, the Mountain and Sea Sect will give its all today!”
“Prime Minister Zuo, and the Moving Mountain Sect too…”

One by one, the leaders pledged their help, their voices filled with enthusiasm.

Zuo Xuanqi chuckled, seeing through their motives but making no objections. Having extra help would only expedite the sect’s recovery, which was beneficial overall.

“Very well. Those who wish to stay and help may start now. However, I must clarify—this is entirely voluntary. I have no rewards to offer,” he stated plainly.

“Of course!” the leaders replied in unison, quickly organizing their forces to repair the sect’s square and rebuild the destroyed halls. Progress was swift.

A few leaders, however, chose to leave. Among them were Bai Qingyun and Bai Ziyan.

With Bai Lingxi dead, they had no idea how to explain this to their clan leader. Moreover, the revelation of Bai Mengmeng’s identity as the White Tiger Empress was a matter far beyond their control.

Their only thought now was to return to their clan as quickly as possible to report the events.

Chapter 286: The Xuanyuan Emperor Clan in Shock!

The Xuanyuan Emperor Clan.

In one of the grand halls, Xuanyuan Su, the second elder of the clan, sat on the main throne. Beside him were three other elderly figures, all exuding the unmistakable aura of Heavenly Emperor-level cultivators.

They were the clan’s core leaders:

These four managed the entire Xuanyuan Emperor Clan and its territories during the closed-door cultivation of their patriarch, Emperor Xuanyuan Fen.

“How is the situation with the Heavenly Ghost Sect?” Xuanyuan Su asked, breaking the silence.

The Heavenly Ghost Sect was one of the most prominent and enigmatic factions in the Emperor Continent, ranking within the top ten. Its leader, the Heavenly Ghost Emperor, was a formidable Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse. At its peak, the sect boasted over a dozen Emperor Realm elders.

After the fall of the Cloud Emperor Palace, the Heavenly Ghost Sect was among the first to pledge allegiance to the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan, earning their trust through years of apparent loyalty.

No one had anticipated that it was all a carefully constructed ruse by the Heavenly Ghost Emperor.

A month ago, during a visit to the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan, the Heavenly Ghost Emperor had stolen the Cloud Emperor Sword and a treasured artifact of the Xuanyuan Clan before making his escape.

The Cloud Emperor Sword was the personal weapon of the infamous Evil Emperor Yun Che. The theft was discovered shortly after, prompting Xuanyuan Su to dispatch the three elders to hunt down the traitor.

“Second Elder, the Heavenly Ghost Sect has been destroyed,” Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye reported, his eyes flashing with lingering fury.
“However, the Heavenly Ghost Emperor is still on the run. The stolen items remain in his possession. He’s gravely injured, and we’ve sealed the Emperor Continent to prevent his escape. The elders are intensifying their search, and I vow to capture him alive.”

His expression turned grim as he added, “I was the one who vouched for him when he entered our clan, thinking him trustworthy due to our past camaraderie. I failed to see that he was an agent of Yun Che, scheming to retrieve the relics of his former master.”

Xuanyuan Qianjue scoffed, “The Heavenly Ghost Emperor is a fool. Yun Che is long dead, yet he sacrificed his entire sect and its people for relics of a bygone era. His recklessness cost him everything.”

Xuanyuan Su frowned. “The Heavenly Ghost Sect, under our support, had risen to the top five in the Emperor Continent. Its destruction is a significant loss to the overall strength of our realm.

“With the truce between the Heavenly Realm and the Demon Realm set to expire in three years, I’m concerned. Given our current state, can we truly repel the Demon Realm’s forces when the time comes?”

The three elders fell silent, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

Third Elder Xuanyuan Baizhan finally spoke, “Second Elder, we still have hope. The Boundless Emperor recently broke through to the Sovereign Realm, and with our patriarch leading us, we stand a chance against the Demon Realm.”

Xuanyuan Su shook his head. “The Boundless Emperor may have advanced, but how do we know that the Demon Realm’s leaders haven’t made similar breakthroughs?

“Our only true hope lies with my elder brother. If he can fully integrate the Half Immortal Soul, we might not only repel the Demon Realm but also suppress them entirely!”

The elders nodded, their expressions reflecting a shared hope in the patriarch’s success.

At that moment, hurried and panicked footsteps echoed through the hall.

An elderly figure, clad in the Xuanyuan Clan’s elder robes, burst into the room, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

“Elder Fifteen, what’s the matter?” Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye asked, his brow furrowing at the elder’s distressed appearance.

This man, the Fifteenth Elder, was responsible for overseeing the Life Lamp Hall, where lamps representing the lives of the clan’s key members were kept. The brightness of a life lamp indicated the individual’s vitality, and its extinguishment signified death.

“Second Elder, we have a major problem!” the Fifteenth Elder exclaimed breathlessly.
“Elder Seventeen’s life lamp, along with those of five guardian elders, has been extinguished! And they all went out within ten seconds of each other!”

“What?!” Xuanyuan Su and the three elders shot to their feet, their faces dark with shock.

“Impossible!” Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye’s voice trembled. “Extinguished within ten seconds? That means all six were killed almost simultaneously. Who in Xuanzhou has such power to wipe them out so quickly?”

“What about the Third Young Master? Is his life lamp safe?” Xuanyuan Su asked urgently.

The Fifteenth Elder nodded, his expression solemn. “Second Elder, the Third Young Master’s life lamp remains intact. For now, he appears to be safe.”

Xuanyuan Su sighed in relief. “At least Xuanyuan Jiuyou is unharmed.

“Regardless of the cause, we must act swiftly. Great Elder, use the clan’s secret arts to inform Jiuyou of the situation. Tell him to find a safe place to hide and await reinforcements!”

“Understood!” Xuanyuan Wanye immediately began casting the Xuanyuan Clan’s unique communication technique, sending a warning to the Third Young Master.

Once the message was sent, Xuanyuan Su turned to the Fifteenth Elder. “Did you bring the extinguished life lamps?”

“Yes, Second Elder. I anticipated the need for the Source-Tracing Technique and brought all four extinguished lamps with me.”

He carefully laid out the four darkened lamps.

Xuanyuan Su’s eyes narrowed, and he commanded, “Prepare to activate the Source-Tracing Technique. We need to uncover the truth behind this calamity!”

Chapter 287: The Source-Tracing Technique

The Source-Tracing Technique mentioned by the Fifteenth Elder was a unique secret art of the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan. By using extinguished life lamps, it could reconstruct the final ten seconds before someone’s death, showing the events leading up to their demise.

This powerful technique was their key to uncovering who killed the Seventeenth Elder and the five Guardian Elders of the Xuanyuan Clan.

Xuanyuan Su extended his hand, and the extinguished life lamps floated into the air under his control, hovering in the center of the grand hall.

“Great Elder, assist me in performing the Source-Tracing Technique to reconstruct their final moments,” Xuanyuan Su commanded.

“Understood,” replied Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye, stepping forward.

The two of them began chanting an ancient incantation, channeling their immense power into the life lamps.

Moments later, the extinguished lamps emitted a dazzling glow, and four vivid scenes materialized midair.

The images revealed events at the Ziwei Divine Sect’s square, showing the massacre. The Heaven Poison King was seen ruthlessly killing the Seventeenth Elder and then brutally slaughtering the five Guardian Elders, all of whom were peak Emperor Realm cultivators.

Surrounding the scene were countless figures from the Jiang Dynasty, as well as leaders from various factions in the Middle Saint Continent.

When Xuanyuan Su and the others saw the Jiang Dynasty’s flying warship and the individuals standing on its deck, their pupils constricted sharply, and their faces turned pale with shock.

The images soon faded, but the truth was clear.

The room fell into a stunned silence as the gravity of what they had witnessed sank in.

“I… I didn’t see wrong, did I?” Third Elder Xuanyuan Baizhan broke the silence, his voice trembling with disbelief.
“Second Elder, that was the White Tiger Empress… and the Nine Nether Empress!”
“They’re alive?!”

Xuanyuan Su’s expression grew heavy. “When Sanfeng reported that there were women in the Jiang Dynasty resembling Xiao Qingli and Murong Xue, I sent the elders to investigate. I never imagined the report to be true!

“The images have confirmed it—Bai Mengmeng and Xiao Qingli are alive. Along with Sanfeng’s earlier claim about Murong Xue, it seems all three Empresses of the former Emperor Continent have survived!

“How is this possible?!”

Xuanyuan Su’s face darkened further. The survival of these three legendary figures, who had once dominated the Emperor Continent, defied all expectations.

“Second Elder,” Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye interjected, “there’s an even graver issue at hand.

“The survival of Xiao Qingli and Bai Mengmeng is alarming, yes, but the biggest problem is the Jiang Dynasty’s power.

“They have an Emperor Realm expert among them!”

The hall fell silent again as everyone processed this revelation.

Xuanyuan Wanye continued grimly, “The one who slaughtered our five Guardian Elders wasn’t just any Emperor Realm cultivator. Judging by his overwhelming strength in the images, he’s at least at the Third Heaven of the Heavenly Emperor Realm!

“This level of power is beyond comprehension. It’s not something we expected from a faction like the Jiang Dynasty.”

Xuanyuan Su clenched his fists, his brows furrowing deeply. The Jiang Dynasty’s sudden rise in strength and the inexplicable presence of an Emperor Realm powerhouse left him baffled.

Adding to the mystery was Xiao Qingli’s cultivation, which had reached the Second Heaven of the Great Emperor Realm. This defied the Xuanyuan Clan’s control over the only known Path to the Emperor Realm in the Heavenly Realm.

“No one can break through to the Emperor Realm without the Xuanyuan Clan’s permission,” Xuanyuan Su muttered.
“This is how we maintain dominance over the Heavenly Realm—by controlling the only Path to the Emperor Realm. Every Quasi-Emperor must align with us to advance further.”

“Could it be…” Second Elder Xuanyuan Qianjie hesitated before voicing his thought, “Could there be another Path to the Emperor Realm in the Heavenly Realm, one that the Jiang Dynasty discovered?”

“Impossible!” Xuanyuan Su shook his head firmly.
“The Path to the Emperor Realm is a celestial phenomenon, a gift from the Heavenly Dao, and there can only ever be one in any given world.

“The Jiang Dynasty cannot have access to another Path.”

“If that’s the case, how did they achieve their breakthroughs?” Xuanyuan Qianjie pressed, unable to hide his frustration.

No one had an answer. The silence grew heavy as the leaders struggled to make sense of this enigma.

Finally, Xuanyuan Baizhan, the Third Elder, broke the stalemate. “Second Elder, sitting here speculating won’t yield answers.

“I propose we take action. Let me travel to Xuanzhou personally. I can investigate the Jiang Dynasty and rescue the Third Young Master.”

Xuanyuan Qianjie nodded in agreement. “The Third Elder’s suggestion is sound. This situation is critical, and sending someone of his strength would be prudent.”

Among those present, Xuanyuan Su and Xuanyuan Wanye were both at the peak of the Heavenly Emperor Realm, the strongest combatants below the Sovereign Realm.

Second Elder Xuanyuan Qianjie was at the Ninth Heaven of the Heavenly Emperor Realm, and Third Elder Xuanyuan Baizhan, while slightly weaker, had reached the Eighth Heaven.

Xuanyuan Baizhan’s strength was among the highest in the Emperor Continent, and he was more than capable of handling most threats.

“Very well,” Xuanyuan Su declared. “Third Elder, you are to investigate Xuanzhou, uncover the truth about the Jiang Dynasty’s power, and ensure the safety of Xuanyuan Jiuyou.

“Prepare yourself. Failure is not an option.”

“Understood!” Xuanyuan Baizhan bowed deeply, his resolve evident.

With the strength of an Eighth Heaven Heavenly Emperor, he was confident that, unless the Jiang Dynasty had a Ninth Heaven powerhouse, nothing could stand in his way.

Chapter 288: Xuanyuan Jiuyou’s Escape

Xuanyuan Su sat quietly in thought, listening to the discussion around him. After a moment of consideration, he spoke cautiously:

“Third Elder going to Xuanzhou is indeed feasible, but the Jiang Dynasty’s current strength remains unclear. For safety, bring Yingliu, Qingling, and Ice Emperor Bingchen with you.

“Both Bai Mengmeng and Murong Xue have ties to them. Knowing they’re alive will unsettle them as much as it does us.”

The three individuals mentioned were famous Heavenly Emperor-level experts of the Imperial State.

However, among them, Qingling and Bingchen had deep-seated animosity toward Bai Mengmeng and Murong Xue. They were the key figures involved in the events that had led to their supposed deaths, in addition to the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan’s role.

“Understood,” Xuanyuan Baizhan agreed without hesitation.

“I’ll leave immediately. If there’s any significant development, I will use the secret art to send word back.” He turned and left the hall to make preparations for his mission.

After Xuanyuan Baizhan’s departure, Great Elder Xuanyuan Wanye turned to Xuanyuan Su. “Second Elder, should we inform Boundless Emperor Chen Pingtian about Xiao Qingli and the others still being alive?”

Boundless Emperor Chen Pingtian, the lord of the Boundless Palace, held power second only to the Xuanyuan Emperor Clan in the Emperor Continent. Under his leadership, Boundless Palace had gained immense influence.

In recent years, with Emperor Xuanyuan Fen in seclusion, Xuanyuan Su had managed the clan’s affairs. However, Chen Pingtian’s rising prestige had become a source of subtle concern for Xuanyuan Su.

Xuanyuan Su shook his head. “The fact that Xiao Qingli and the others not only survived but also reached the Emperor Realm so quickly suggests an extraordinary secret at play.

“If such a secret exists, it’s something our clan should secure for ourselves. Why share it with others?”

Xuanyuan Wanye nodded in agreement. Xuanyuan Su’s reasoning was sound.

Xuanzhou, Celestial Palace.

Once a grand and resplendent complex, the Celestial Palace now reeked of blood and ruin. The air was thick with the stench of death, and the landscape was a shattered wasteland of collapsed halls and scattered corpses of disciples and elders.

Amidst the devastation, the Jiang Dynasty’s soldiers were meticulously clearing the battlefield.

Standing on the deck of the Jiang Dynasty’s flying warship, Jiang HuanYu observed the scene with a cold, indifferent expression. Beside him, Xiao Qingli frowned slightly as she took in the carnage.

Moments later, the Heaven Poison King, King Jiang, and Tie Poyun approached.

“Your Majesty, we’ve searched the area thoroughly but found no trace of Xuanyuan Jiuyou or Zhuge Ning,” the Heaven Poison King reported.

“The Celestial Palace’s ancestors and surviving Grand Elders are also missing,” added King Jiang.

“We inspected the treasury,” Tie Poyun continued. “The most precious resources were taken. The remaining items were left behind, likely due to lack of time during their escape.”

Despite the Jiang Dynasty’s rapid assault, the Celestial Palace’s key figures, including the Vice Palace Master and other elite fighters, had fled before the main forces arrived. Those left behind—ordinary disciples and core elders—had been wiped out by the Jiang Dynasty’s army.

Out of the Celestial Palace’s millions of disciples, only a small number training outside the palace survived. The rest were now corpses strewn across the ruins.

“How strange,” Jiang HuanYu mused. “After the Ziwei Divine Sect incident, I ensured a complete lockdown of information. Coupled with our swift deployment, Xuanyuan Jiuyou still managed to escape?

“Could there be someone within our ranks leaking information?”

Xiao Qingli, sensing Jiang HuanYu’s suspicion, offered an explanation. “Your Majesty, it’s likely due to the Xuanyuan Clan’s Life Lamps that Xuanyuan Jiuyou and the others escaped.”

“Life Lamps? What are those?” Jiang HuanYu asked.

Xiao Qingli explained the functionality of the Xuanyuan Clan’s Life Lamps: they could alert the clan’s leadership to the death of key members. The clan could then use a unique bloodline secret art to instantly transmit messages across space.

“This ability is exclusive to the Xuanyuan Clan and is unmatched by other factions in the Heavenly Realm,” Xiao Qingli concluded.

“So that’s it…” Jiang HuanYu nodded, now understanding the situation.

“No matter. Let them run,” he said dismissively. “The Celestial Palace is destroyed. Those few remnants won’t escape their fate for long.

“King Jiang, Tie Poyun, expedite the battlefield cleanup. Once done, return with the army to the capital.

“Heaven Poison King, pursue the fugitives. Do not disappoint me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the three leaders responded in unison.

The Heaven Poison King immediately set off to track Xuanyuan Jiuyou and Zhuge Ning, while King Jiang and Tie Poyun accelerated the cleanup process.

Once the battlefield was cleared, Tie Poyun set the ruins ablaze, turning the once-grand Celestial Palace and its corpses into ashes.

Meanwhile, on their march back to the capital, Jiang HuanYu received a report from Medusa.

Medusa, along with Wan Jian Shen and Chonglou, had subdued the leadership of the Ancient Roc Clan. Every member, from the Great Roc Ancestor to ordinary clansmen, had been captured and was being transported to the Abyssal Forbidden Zone.

The mighty Divine Roc Mountain was now desolate, its once-proud inhabitants reduced to prisoners. Soon, they would become little more than a feast for the Jiang Dynasty’s soldiers.

Xuanzhou’s resistance was crumbling, and the unification of the realm under the Jiang Dynasty seemed inevitable.

Chapter 289: Resolving Internal Strife

Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Mountain.

In the grand hall of the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan, Su Tianmo sat confidently at the topmost seat as the newly appointed clan leader. Below him, the clan’s elders, including Second Elder Su Lu, Fourth Elder Su Tianxi, and Seventh Elder Su Heiyang, were gathered.

“Clan Leader, now that Su Linfeng is imprisoned in the celestial dungeon, when do we deal with him?” Su Lu asked cautiously.

Despite having the backing of Poison Qianqiu and Array Baimei, as well as the Celestial Palace’s support, Su Linfeng’s cultivation far surpassed everyone else’s. Until he was eliminated, Su Tianmo’s position as clan leader would never truly be secure.

“No rush,” Su Tianmo replied, a smug smile on his face.
“Array Hall Master has advised waiting for news from the Ziwei Divine Sect. If the Jiang Dynasty has been eradicated at Ziwei Divine Mountain, then Su Linfeng will lose all value. At that point, we’ll kill him without hesitation.”

As he lounged comfortably in his seat, a loud, familiar voice echoed from outside the hall.

“Su Tianmo, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed!”

Su Tianmo’s expression darkened, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Through the doors walked Su Linfeng, who was supposed to be imprisoned, accompanied by Dark One and several peak Eternal Realm shadow guards.

“Su… Su Linfeng! How dare you!” Su Tianmo shouted, standing abruptly.
“Breaking out of prison?! This is treason!”

The elders aligned with Su Tianmo also rose in alarm, bewildered by how Su Linfeng had escaped. His powers had been sealed by Array Baimei—how could he possibly be free? And who were these black-clad, masked individuals with him?

“Who are you?” demanded Seventh Elder Su Tianxi, his tone icy.
“Daring to intrude on Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Mountain and aligning with a traitor. Do you wish to challenge our clan?!”

Slap!

A sharp, resounding noise echoed through the hall as Su Linfeng struck.

Boom!

Su Linfeng’s slap, infused with Eternal Realm power, sent Su Tianxi flying. The overwhelming force shattered his internal organs, obliterated his soul, and left him dead on the spot.

“Seventh Elder!”

“Su Linfeng, how dare you?!” Su Tianmo roared.
“You’re rebelling against the clan! With the two hall masters still in the clan, you dare murder an elder in front of me? This is treason of the highest order!”

In a panic, Su Tianmo sent a message to Poison Qianqiu and Array Baimei, urging them to come and suppress Su Linfeng.

Yet, strangely, neither hall master appeared, despite the commotion in the hall.

Moments later, a cold voice interrupted: “Are these the two hall masters you’re referring to?”

Two bloodied heads rolled into the hall, landing with a sickening thud on the floor.

When Su Tianmo and the elders saw the faces on the severed heads, their expressions twisted into utter disbelief and terror.

“No… Impossible!” Su Tianmo screamed, his face pale.
“It can’t be!”

The heads belonged to none other than Poison Qianqiu and Array Baimei.

As the hall descended into chaos, Feipeng, accompanied by the clan’s ancestral elder and several grand elders, entered the room.

“You… You’re that man from before!” Su Tianmo stammered, recognizing Feipeng.
He was the same individual who had accompanied the Empress of the Jiang Dynasty and Su Baijie during their last visit to the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan.

“Jiang Dynasty!” Su Tianmo exclaimed, finally understanding the situation.
“These people are from the Jiang Dynasty! Poison Qianqiu and Array Baimei were killed by them!”

Desperation overtook him. “You’re dooming us all! Su Linfeng, Su Wushan, you’ve colluded with the Jiang Dynasty to kill the Celestial Palace’s hall masters. When the Celestial Palace finds out, they’ll destroy the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan!”

“Stop deluding yourself, Su Tianmo,” Su Linfeng sneered.
“You don’t represent the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan. You never did.

“Here’s the truth: your time is up.

“The Celestial Palace has been destroyed by the Jiang Dynasty. Yun Xiaoyao is dead. The ones backing you are gone, and now so is your power!”

“Destroyed? Yun Xiaoyao dead?!” Su Tianmo exclaimed, refusing to believe.
“You’re lying! The Celestial Palace has deep reserves of power and the support of the Xuanyuan Clan. There’s no way the Jiang Dynasty could have defeated them! You’re making this up!”

Feipeng, watching Su Tianmo’s hysteria, spoke coldly, “Enough. We don’t have time for your nonsense. This ends now.”

At his signal, Dark One and the shadow guards surged forward, launching a brutal assault.

Su Linfeng had intended to kill Su Tianmo himself, but Dark One’s swift action left no room for him to intervene.

Under Dark One’s quasi-emperor pressure, Su Tianmo and Su Lu were forced to their knees, unable to resist.

With a wave of Dark One’s hand, a blade-like black energy surged forth, slicing through their bodies. The two were obliterated, their bodies and souls annihilated.

Within seconds, the remaining elders loyal to Su Tianmo were dispatched as well.

The internal strife of the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan had come to a bloody end. Though severely weakened, the clan’s leadership returned to Su Linfeng, who resumed his role as clan leader.

Out of gratitude for the Jiang Dynasty’s intervention, Su Linfeng and Su Wushan pledged the loyalty of the entire Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan, formally becoming a vassal of the Jiang Dynasty.

With their mission complete, Feipeng and Dark One intended to return directly to the Abyssal Forbidden Zone. However, midway through their journey, they received an urgent message from Imperial Consort Han Wanxiang, redirecting them northward.

Chapter 290: The Jiang Dynasty Unifies Xuanzhou!

With the resolution of the Ziwei Divine Sect incident and the complete destruction of the Celestial Palace, the Jiang Dynasty finally lifted the information blockade and disseminated the news across the region.

The impact was immediate and explosive, sending shockwaves throughout Zhongsheng.

Leaders of many mid- and small-sized factions were stunned beyond belief as they absorbed the updates.

Not only had the Celestial Palace fallen, but word also spread that the Ziwei Divine Sect, Radiant Divine Sect, Xuanwu Island, Five Poison Sect, Underworld Sect, and the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox Clan, among others, had willingly submitted to the Jiang Dynasty, becoming its vassals.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the dynasty’s headquarters resided in the Abyssal Forbidden Zone, a place of immense mystery and danger.

This astonishing news spread like wildfire, dominating discussions in every city, sect, and noble house across the continent.

In the taverns of countless cities, the topic of conversation remained the same.

“Unbelievable! In less than two days, over 200 mid- and small-sized factions have already declared allegiance to the Jiang Dynasty, and the number keeps rising!”

“It seems clear now—Emperor HuanYu of the Jiang Dynasty intends to unify all of Xuanzhou!”

“Rumor has it that the Jiang Dynasty started as a small force in the northern region of Xuanzhou’s frontier. Over time, they expanded, first taking control of the northern territories, then the seas, and now the Middle Saint Continent.”

“With the Celestial Palace destroyed, its surviving disciples don’t even dare show their faces. If they do, they’re hunted down immediately. The Jiang Dynasty’s rise is unstoppable!”

“Did you hear? During the battle at the Ziwei Divine Sect, even Xuanyuan Clan experts came to aid the Celestial Palace, but they were defeated by the Jiang Dynasty’s powerhouses!”

“Word is, the Jiang Dynasty has a Heavenly Emperor Realm expert in their ranks!”

“What? Heavenly Emperor Realm?!”

“That’s unprecedented in Xuanzhou’s history!”

“And that’s not even the most incredible part. This Heavenly Emperor is reportedly a subordinate of Emperor HuanYu.

“The Emperor himself remains an enigma. Despite his numerous victories, he hasn’t made a single move personally. No one knows the true extent of his power—it’s terrifying to even think about!”

“Let’s leave speculation about Emperor HuanYu’s strength to the Xuanyuan Clan. We common folk should focus on surviving. If the heavens collapse, it’s not for us to fix.”

“Agreed! We’re nothing more than ants to these people, our lives as cheap as dirt.”

“Let’s just drink! Cheers!”

The Ancient White Tiger Clan.

In the clan’s forbidden grounds, Bai Ziyan and Bai Qingyun had returned. They recounted the events to Bai Tianfeng, who listened with a somber and conflicted expression.

His daughters, caught in mortal conflict. Bai Lingxi was dead, and Bai Mengmeng, it was revealed, was none other than the legendary White Tiger Empress of the Emperor Continent.

What an unfathomable turn of events.

“Clan leader, the Jiang Dynasty’s march toward unifying Xuanzhou is unstoppable,” Bai Qingyun reported.
“With the support of the Radiant Divine Sect and Ziwei Divine Sect, their influence has already surpassed that of the former Celestial Palace. It’s only a matter of days before the entire region falls under their banner.”

Bai Tianfeng remained silent, his heart weighed down by the consequences of his past decisions.

“Sigh…”

“This is the karma of your actions, Tianfeng,” came a calm, aged voice.

An elderly figure with snow-white hair emerged from the depths of the forbidden grounds—the clan’s Quasi-Emperor Patriarch.

“Ancestor, I…” Bai Tianfeng began, but the patriarch raised a hand to silence him.

“I understand your pain, but you must let go. Bai Lingxi’s death is the result of her own path and your youthful mistakes.

“As for Bai Mengmeng, whether she is the White Tiger Empress or not, her resentment toward you is entirely justified.

“Prepare yourself. Take valuable gifts, and we will go to the Jiang Dynasty together.

“The unification of Xuanzhou under the Jiang Dynasty is an irreversible trend. To oppose it would be to go against heaven itself.

“If Bai Mengmeng forgives you, so much the better. If not, then at least Emperor HuanYu will witness our sincerity in submission.”

The patriarch’s sharp insight into the situation left no room for doubt. His wisdom was clear.

“Yes, Ancestor,” Bai Tianfeng replied, bowing deeply.

After gathering treasures from the clan’s vault, Bai Tianfeng instructed Bai Qingyun to announce their unconditional surrender to the Jiang Dynasty. He then departed with the patriarch for the Abyssal Forbidden Zone.

Jiang Imperial Palace.

In the imperial palace, Emperor Jiang HuanYu listened to the news brought by Qian Xinrou.

“What? Jiuyou and Liyue snuck out to play?!” Jiang HuanYu asked in surprise.

“These children are quite mischievous. Were they accompanied by guards?”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” Qian Xinrou replied with a smile. “Imperial Consort Han Wanxiang has already caught up with them. She decided to let them enjoy their outing and has also summoned Feipeng and Dark One to ensure their safety.”

Hearing this, Jiang HuanYu relaxed. After giving some additional instructions, he left Qian Xinrou’s chambers to check on Xiu Luoyanran and the other consorts.

Within two days, through its immense prestige and the dramatic fall of the Celestial Palace, the Jiang Dynasty officially unified Xuanzhou.

With the efforts of Tie Poyun, Zuo Xuanqi, and others, Emperor HuanYu’s forces achieved what no power had before—universal acknowledgment of the Jiang Dynasty as the ruler of the Middle Saint Continent (Zhongshengzhou) and Xuanzhou.

The Jiang Dynasty had risen to become the indisputable master of the region, solidifying its legacy in the annals of history.