When the Nine Heavenly Venerates saw the strange ability of the barrier, they finally remembered where they had seen it, and along with that, they guessed the origins of these people.
They were precisely the Spirit Devouring Tribe, recorded in the Soul Hall's ancient texts as having been annihilated by the Soul Clan.
Understanding their origins, they suddenly lost interest in the inheritance of this place.
They knew that the Soul Hall, or rather the power behind the Soul Hall, had already obtained the Spirit Devouring Tribe's inheritance, and had even integrated it completely, creating their own Cultivation Technique – the one cultivated by the Soul Hall was a prime example.
Killing intent surged in the Nine Heavenly Venerates' hearts, and their attacks became even fiercer.
Meanwhile, Zhao Li, mixed in the crowd, was surprised and somewhat disbelieving upon hearing the Nine Heavenly Venerates' words.
Zhao Li frowned. He remembered this tribe being mentioned only briefly in books. According to the people of the continent, it was a very evil and sinister tribe, completely different from the records within the Chaos Spirit Tribe.
Suddenly, Zhao Li's mind stirred slightly, and he looked at the Black Mist within his Primordial Spirit. It seemed to fit the description of the Spirit Devouring Tribe even more.
Recalling that mysterious sigh, Zhao Li was inwardly shocked:
Could it be, they really are the Spirit Devouring Tribe?
Soon, Zhao Li shook the thought out of his head. Whether it was the Chaos Spirit Tribe's records or the Spirit Devouring Tribe theory, they were just one-sided accounts. He only believed what he saw – the spirit passed down by the people of this world would not be false.
No longer dwelling on it, Zhao Li looked at the battlefield.
Time flowed by. Seeing the barrier withstand attack after attack, seemingly reaching its limit, Zhao Li's heart tightened.
If the barrier was broken, he didn't know how the Great Elder would face everyone.
"Pop~"
With a light sound, like a bubble bursting in water, the barrier then faded until it disappeared.
The Imperial Court was exposed to the air. The Great Elder stood alone, his expression calm, facing the outsiders. Only, the light in his eyes seemed to have vanished.
Seeing the barrier shattered and the Great Elder struggling alone, the Nine Heavenly Venerates' killing intent soared. They assigned tasks:
"You go find the inheritance. You come with me and slaughter this world."
The Nine Heavenly Venerates' killing intent even startled their companions.
Someone, confused, asked:
"Is it necessary to create such needless slaughter? Just make him hand over the inheritance."
The Nine Heavenly Venerates looked at the speaker as if they were an idiot:
"Do you believe that what he gives you is everything? Having formed such a great enmity, can you sleep soundly if you let him live?"
That person's face flushed red, unable to speak, and could only obey and leave.
The others, however, didn't know about the Spirit Devouring Tribe, nor did they understand why the Nine Heavenly Venerates were acting this way. They simply wanted to find the inheritance before others.
At this moment, Zhao Li also understood why the Great Elder had to fight to the death. Whether he handed over the inheritance or not, as long as his strength was inferior, he would ultimately just be fish on a chopping block.
Only by showing some strength could there be a chance for negotiation. As the saying goes, seeking peace through compromise leads to the death of peace, while seeking peace through war leads to the preservation of peace.
Seeing this, the Great Elder no longer held any hope for these people. He looked at the Emperor Lord statue again, sighing inwardly.
He took out a strange whistle from his sleeve and blew it gently.
As the whistle sounded, the Imperial Court trembled.
Immediately, the city walls bulged, revealing numerous Stone Coffins, nearly a hundred of them. Everyone lying inside emitted the aura of a Dou Venerate.
As the whistling continued, the people in the coffins opened their eyes.
Nearly a hundred Dou Venerates. Even before the fighting began, their mere aura was enough to be terrifying. The outsiders all paused for a moment, not daring to step forward.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Li sighed inwardly. He feared this was the Great Elder's confidence. He let out a light breath. With these people, they could temporarily survive this calamity.
At least until the Saint outside made a move, these people couldn't do anything to the Great Elder.
Suddenly, the Nine Heavenly Venerates' voice came, causing everyone to look at the people in the coffins again, their eyes filled with fervor.
"Puppets? Refining ancestors into puppets, truly the behavior of an evil tribe. Today, I will let you know the vast difference between a puppet and a living Dou Venerate."
The Nine Heavenly Venerates were also startled to see nearly a hundred Dou Venerates. They feared this trip might be fruitless again, but soon, they discovered the difference in these Dou Venerates.
They didn't seem like living people, but more like puppets, and they immediately spoke out, revealing it.
Upon hearing this, everyone not only cast aside their fear but also looked at the puppets with a hint of fanaticism. Dou Venerate-level puppets were something no one could refuse.
They knew that since they were puppets, they had weaknesses, and it might even be possible to seize control. In that case, they would gain a Dou Venerate enforcer for free.
The Great Elder seemed not to hear, still blowing the whistle, emitting unique syllables to control the puppet army.
Zhao Li looked at the puppet army, a strange feeling rising in his heart. He seemed to feel that the Great Elder at this moment was also one of them.
Perhaps, they are the previous Great Elders?
Without reason, this thought popped into Zhao Li's mind.
The battle began.
Although the puppets' combat awareness wasn't very strong, they had the advantage of numbers and didn't feel pain. The outsiders, still thinking about subduing the puppets, were unwilling to damage them and simply engaged in skirmishes.
For a time, the battle was deadlocked.
Seeing that the battle wouldn't be decided anytime soon, Zhao Li thought about other things. So far, he still hadn't seen any living person in this world besides the Great Elder. Remembering what the Great Elder had said earlier about having made other arrangements, he felt relieved.
Staying here any longer is pointless; I might as well leave.
However, there are Saints outside this world, which makes things difficult. For a moment, Zhao Li didn't know what to do.
Zhao Li sighed, feeling quite helpless. If he had the strength, why would he be so restricted everywhere?
"Let's leave this place first."
Stepping lightly, Zhao Li quietly departed.
Two days later, Zhao Li found a Spatial Channel and hid nearby.
Seeing that people still occasionally entered and exited this place, Zhao Li's heart stirred. Perhaps he could blend in with the crowd and leave with them when the time came.
He didn't dare to go out alone, fearing that as soon as he showed himself, he would be killed by a Saint.
He waited for a full day. He saw a Soul Hall Dou Sect hurry over, likely a Protector.
Seeing that he intended to leave, Zhao Li knew his chance had arrived.
A massive Soul Power surged towards the Soul Hall Protector. Protector Qing felt a wave of pressure and stopped in mid-air:
"Who dares obstruct me here? If you delay the Saint's affairs, you cannot bear the responsibility."
Hearing this, Zhao Li paid no mind.
Putting aside the possibility that this person was just bluffing, even if there was something important to report to the Saints outside, Zhao Li wouldn't be in danger before the message was sent.
Seeing his hurried arrival, perhaps he knew something. Zhao Li lightly coughed, and an aged voice reached Protector Qing's ears:
"Unlucky for you, I am acting under the Saint's orders. Before the matters in this world are resolved, no one is allowed to enter or exit the channel. Please return."
Protector Qing was anxious; of course, he didn't believe Zhao Li's words. But being suppressed here, he was completely helpless.
Remembering the matters the Nine Heavenly Venerates had instructed him on, he grew even more anxious. If he delayed any further, he feared they would be completely wiped out. He continued to threaten:
"Who are you, hiding your face? Could it be you're falsely relaying orders, afraid of being punished by the Saint?"
Zhao Li completely ignored these words, but seeing how anxious this person was, he suspected there might be another change in the Imperial Court, and he became curious:
"I am also acting under orders. If you have something to say, perhaps I can relay it for you."
Protector Qing's eyes lit up, and he blurted out:
"There is a Saint within this world! Quickly inform the Saints outside and ask them to take action!"
It wasn't that he believed Zhao Li's words, but he believed that if Zhao Li knew such news, even if he wasn't allowed to leave, he would inform the Saints. Otherwise, no outsider in this world would survive, including Zhao Li, who was suppressing him.
Hearing this, Zhao Li's heart surged with emotion. This was truly beyond his expectations. He pressed further:
"What happened? Without proof, I wouldn't dare tell the Saint. You should know the consequences of playing tricks on a Saint."
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