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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 142 (397): [Utter Despair]
(142nd of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The Holy Infant was one of the primary culprits behind the cataclysmic event a millennium ago when the Nether Realm of the Dead devoured the Lingxiao Life Realm.
For a thousand years, it had remained the Lingxiao Life Realm's greatest enemy, frequently orchestrating massacres and earning Yu Yaozi's deepest desire for its annihilation.
The moment the Ghost Infant incident erupted, the Second and Third Palace Masters sensed something amiss, suspecting the Holy Infant's involvement.
The death of such a formidable being would shock not only Xing Yue Nu but the entire Martial-Mystic Cultivator community of the Lingxiao Life Realm once the news spread.
Li Weiyi said, "Perhaps the Holy Infant has been dead for a long time. There must be hidden truths at the Transcendent level that we're unaware of. We must report this to the Third Palace Master immediately - the Demon Child is the key to everything."
Xing Yue Nu understood the gravity of the situation. This indirectly confirmed the truth of Long Xiangcen's confession.
The timing of the Ghost Infant outbreak roughly coincided with the Demon Child's arrival in the Lingxiao Life Realm.
How could a cultivator at the ninth level of the Dao Seed Realm influence so many women who had drunk from the Mother-Child Spring, leaving even Transcendent beings helpless?
The only explanation was that the Mother-Child Spring itself was flawed.
It was highly likely that the Great Palace Master had seized the spring from the Holy Infant.
The Holy Infant's death heralded the Demon Child's emergence.
It was clear that the Demon Child and the Holy Infant shared an extraordinary connection, allowing them to influence the Mother-Child Spring.
Xing Yue Nu arrived outside the Demon God's Residence, which was completely surrounded by troops.
Beyond them, the surrounding area was enveloped in formations, scriptures, and radiant light, emitting terrifying energy that made it impossible for anyone to approach.
She called out loudly, "Master! Xie Chucai has confessed that the Holy Infant's death led to the Demon Child's emergence. The key to everything lies with the Demon Child. I request permission to mobilize the entire city and capture him at any cost."
No response came from within the Demon God's Residence.
The Third Palace Master, who was playing chess, wore a grave expression: "If I'm not mistaken, the Holy Infant died twenty-two years ago, right? You and Senior Sister collaborated to kill him. She took the Mother-Child Spring, while you took the Demon Child. The seeds of this calamity were sown at that very moment."
Ten steps away, the elder from the Holy Dark Family trembled, his face nearly pressed to the ground.
Xie Chucai's revelation of such a secret would bring disaster upon the entire Holy Dark Family.
The figure sitting opposite the Third Palace Master pinched a chess piece between two fingers and said calmly, "Third Palace Master, you seem to know a great deal. But if you move against my people without evidence, the consequences will be more than Lingxiao Palace can bear."
The Third Palace Master's tone turned icy.
"What exactly did you come to the Lingxiao Life Realm for?"
The figure said, "They say Xianmin, is the most formidable of the Three Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace, but I see you're the one with the true audacity, daring to address me in such a manner."
The Third Palace Master raised her fingers, and instantly, nine ancient celestial beasts roared in unison across the heavens, their roars echoing through the myriad formation patterns that surged like a starry sea.
The figure sighed softly: "I underestimated you. How about a game? I'll give Lingxiao Palace a chance. Only cultivators of the same realm may participate. If you capture the Demon Child within half a month, I'll concede defeat and reveal a secret of immeasurable value. But if you fail, well, that's your problem. Blame your Lingxiao Life Realm and Immortal Realm's first-stage Martial-Mystic Cultivators for being too weak. Fair enough?"
The Third Palace Master countered, "Does Your Highness truly believe you can withstand the Great Nine Heavens Cloud Formation left by the Mist Master?"
"Attacking from within, the formation remains unbreakable. Attacking each other from within, both sides will suffer grievous losses," the figure replied.
"Perhaps you'll die while I merely get injured?" the Third Palace Master suggested.
"Do you really think Qilin Zhuang and Qingluan aren't lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment? Do you truly believe all the officials under Lingxiao Palace's banner would dare oppose the Demon Kingdom and fully support you? I suspect Xianmin is already on her way back. Your chances of victory will improve when she returns," the figure concluded.
Beneath the Earth Demon Pine, a dungeon opened, releasing heretical path masters, Monster Race powerhouses, and Dead Spirit fiends who had been imprisoned in the Six Thoughts Zen Temple for the past sixty years. These figures transformed into streaks of afterimages, surging toward every corner of Lingxiao City.
Someone had deliberately freed them to sow chaos.
The Third Palace Master's voice reverberated throughout Lingxiao City: "The military is no longer stationed at the Six Thoughts Zen Temple. Focus all efforts on capturing these demonic heretics—l - show no mercy. All Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the first stage of the Immortal Realm, heed this command: hunt down the Demon Child - kill or capture it. Whoever secures it within fifteen days will be rewarded with a Ten Thousand Character Artifact, a Qilin Terrace Token, and thirty million Yongquan Coins."
The city surrounding the Six Thoughts Zen Temple erupted in a cacophony of battle cries as the army clashed fiercely with the newly freed heretical cultivators.
Upon hearing the Third Palace Master's decree, Li Weiyi, Jiang Ning, Tai Shiyu, and the others felt their hearts sink tenfold, as if crushed beneath a mountain, leaving them gasping for breath.
The withdrawal of the military made it clear that the forces within the Zen Temple were beyond their capabilities.
Restricting the hunt for the Demon Child to Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the first stage of the Immortal Realm revealed the Third Palace Master's compromise, even with control over the Great Nine Heavens Cloud Formation.
After descending the mountain, a contingent of Imperial Court forces remained in pursuit, their eyes fixed on Li Weiyi like a pack of wolves.
"Get in. I'll personally escort you out of the city. Lingxiao City is too dangerous for you now!" Tai Shiyu climbed into the driver's seat, his actions speaking volumes about his stance.
Li Weiyi's disappointment in the Imperial Court had reached its breaking point. He never imagined they had grown so weak, unable to maintain absolute control even within Lingxiao City.
'Is there any hope left?'
Li Weiyi glanced at Yin Jiu and transmitted a message: "Order Yin Yi to release Si Kong Jingyuan immediately. Tell Old Zhuo to lead all the Hidden Ones to evacuate."
'Leave!"'
That was Li Weiyi's only thought now.
Approaching the carriage, Li Weiyi looked at Jiang Ning, wanting to take her with him.
Jiang Ning understood Li Weiyi's feelings and sensed his despair.
But as a member of the Imperial Court, bound by its patronage, how could she abandon her duty in its hour of crisis?
"I'll stay and hold them off! I hope... we'll meet again someday."
Jiang Ning drew the Jing Yu Sword and turned away with the Song siblings, facing the approaching Imperial Court Martial-Mystic Cultivators.
"Crack!"
Tai Shiyu lashed out with a spiritual light whip, striking the beast pulling the carriage.
The carriage sped away.
Li Weiyi didn't sit inside but remained beside Tai Shiyu, silent and contemplative, weighing whether to reveal all the secrets he knew.
His only concern was Yao Qingxuan's situation.
Tai Shiyu's mood was equally grim, his gaze fixed ahead: "I'm in agony too. How can the Imperial Court be so weak? But I understand the Third Palace Master's helplessness. I suspect the Six Thoughts Zen Temple harbors a top-tier figure from the Demon Kingdom - someone untouchable."
"In Lingxiao City, some have likely already pledged their loyalty to the Demon Kingdom as their escape route. That's why they sent assassins after you and tried to capture you - all to curry favor."
"With the Western and Eastern Territories, the Monster Race, and the Heretical Sects all stirring trouble, I estimate there are only two or three Transcendent experts guarding Lingxiao City."
"Surrounded by enemies and divided from within, how can we dare to fight?"
Suddenly, Li Weiyi spoke: "I was indeed appointed as the Divine Son of the Twin Rice Cult."
Tai Shiyu glanced at him: "I guessed as much! You saying you were 'appointed' shows your helplessness. Don't worry, I, Tai Shiyu, will always keep my promises."
Li Weiyi pondered for a long time before finally saying, "The Tai Shi Clan must safeguard the City-Protecting Formation and prevent those who shift with the wind from interfering. In truth, the younger generation of the Imperial Court is still full of vigor and hope, brimming with ideals and ambitions."
"What exactly are you trying to say? This doesn't sound good..."
Tai Shiyu narrowed his eyes, staring toward the end of the long street.
There, Yao Qian stood in the center of the road, hands clasped behind his back, clad in official robes.
Snowflakes coalesced in the air, forming razor-sharp barriers that blocked the carriage's path.
"Boom!"
A large contingent of Phoenix Terrace soldiers surged from the surrounding alleys, encircling Li Weiyi and Tai Shiyu.
Yao Qian strode through the suspended, motionless snow, his Dao Heart Manifestation - a manifestation of his Immortal Realm power - crushing the carriage-pulling beasts into whimpering, trembling submission.
"I am Yao Qian, Junior Minister of the Phoenix Terrace, here to apprehend the Heretical Divine Son. First Commander Tai Shi, please cooperate." He spoke with an air of condescension, completely disregarding Tai Shiyu's presence.
Tai Shiyu retorted, "Yao Qian, do you understand the consequences of offending the Tai Shi Clan?"
"You don't represent the Tai Shi Clan! If Clan Leader Tai Shi intends to rebel alongside the Heretical Divine Son, this official will apprehend him first and imprison him in the Phoenix Terrace Dungeon," Yao Qian declared.
Tai Shiyu pulled out a stack of talismans and transmitted a message to Li Weiyi: "Yao Qian is a mad dog. I can only take you this far! I'll stall him for a moment. Use the Governor's Robe to escape to the city defense camp and find my father. The old man is reasonable and will definitely help you leave the Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain."
Tai Shiyu jumped down from the carriage and strode forward: "Young Master Yao, do you have any evidence? Don't try to scare me."
Yao Qian stood ramrod straight, his figure like a spear piercing the heavens and earth.
"We've already captured several high-ranking members of the Heretical Sect. Under interrogation, they confirmed his identity as the Fourth Divine Son of the Heretical Sect..."
"Whoosh!"
Tai Shiyu unleashed his entire stack of talismans. Some transformed into electric pythons, while others exploded into fiery clouds, completely engulfing Yao Qian.
But in an instant, Yao Qian shattered through the talismans' energy. With a thunderous roar, he struck the carriage behind Tai Shiyu, reducing it to splinters with a single palm strike.
Tai Shiyu turned to see Li Weiyi had already transformed into a cloud of purple mist and vanished through a spatial rift.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief before erupting into a furious tirade: "You fucking coward! You're so brave bullying Martial-Mystic Cultivators below the Immortal Realm, but why don't you go face the Demon Child? Too scared, huh?"
Yao Qian sensed the spatial fluctuations and vanished from his spot, pursuing Li Weiyi.
"This carriage is worth ten million Yongquan Coins! You'll pay for this! This isn't over!" Tai Shiyu roared, his eyes filled with worry.
Could Li Weiyi possibly escape the pursuit of an Immortal Realm powerhouse?
Tai Shiyu immediately rushed toward the city defense camp.
Li Weiyi leaped out of the spatial rift and hastily activated his Disguise Technique, hoping to blend into the crowd.
But just as his face shifted, a soft, ice-cold jade hand gripped his wrist.
In the next instant, his vision blurred, and his body was yanked sideways at an impossible speed, hurtling into a passing carriage.
Li Weiyi's eyes focused.
Across from him sat a woman in white monastic robes, her fingers twirling prayer beads as she stared at him with icy detachment.
The one who had seized his wrist and dragged him into the carriage was Yao Qingxuan, now seated beside him.
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END OF CHAPTER
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