Chapter 501: Resolving the Issue, Mandala's Deception
"If it exists, then it is reasonable. I can answer your first question. As for the others, just assume I stumbled upon the knowledge by chance."
In Dragon Phoenix City, Tianluo Continent, Xiao Tiance's calm voice carried an air of confidence as he observed the curiosity lingering on Mandala's youthful face.
With a slight smile, he elaborated:
**"Regarding your first question, I seek the divine ability One Qi Transforming into Three Purities as a means to break through the Saint Heavenly Sovereign realm and ascend to the Dominator level.
Though the Extraterritorial Demons have temporarily retreated, their threat still looms over the Grand Thousand World. Even I cannot guarantee success in repelling their next invasion.
From my analysis, mastering One Qi Transforming into Three Purities may provide the opportunity to break through to the Dominator realm and secure our world."**
Mandala's Reaction
Hearing this, Mandala wasn't entirely surprised. The Ancient Heavenly Palace was once a formidable power.
The palace boasted Five Halls and Nine Houses, each led by a master. While the Heavenly Palace Lord, known as the Heavenly Emperor, was a Saint Heavenly Sovereign, the five hall leaders were Quasi Heavenly Sovereign level experts, and the nine house masters were Earth Sovereigns.
Although the Ancient Heavenly Palace was far less powerful than the White Jade Capital of today, its strength was undeniable, especially with the Heavenly Emperor wielding One Qi Transforming into Three Purities. This divine ability effectively turned the Heavenly Emperor into three Saint Heavenly Sovereigns in one body.
Even so, the Heavenly Emperor ultimately fell in battle. Xiao Tiance's pursuit of such a technique was certainly justified.
"Then I want to see Lu Huan first," Mandala responded after some thought.
"No problem," Xiao Tiance agreed immediately.
Target: Lu Huan
Lu Huan was merely the Heavenly Emperor's mount, an ancient Blood Jiao (a dragon serpent hybrid). After the fall of the Ancient Heavenly Palace, Lu Huan betrayed Mandala, ambushing her during the chaos.
Now, he was the Palace Lord of the Holy Demon Palace in the southern region of Tianluo Continent. Despite being an Upper Earth Sovereign, his unstable mind left him susceptible to manipulation by the Extraterritorial Demons, particularly the Devouring Heavenly Demon Emperor.
Xiao Tiance knew the Devouring Heavenly Demon Emperor remained sealed within the ruins of the Ancient Heavenly Palace, and resolving both issues would be a decisive step.
Equipping Mandala for Revenge
Xiao Tiance realized that the forces of Thunderclap Mountain and Golden Condor Manor, though dominant in the northern region, were insufficient to crush the Holy Demon Palace quickly. He decided to empower Mandala directly.
With a flick of his wrist, two Earth Sovereign Peak level Heavenly Puppets emerged from his storage ring, standing imposingly before Mandala.
"Mandala," Xiao Tiance explained, **"these are Heavenly Puppets, among the three treasures of White Jade Capital.
Their physical strength alone is nearly unbreakable, even by Heavenly Sovereign attacks. The jade pendants hanging from their chests are their control cores. Take them off, infuse them with your blood, and you'll be able to command them as easily as your own limbs.
Lu Huan may have some tricks up his sleeve, but these two puppets should easily overpower him.
Rather than relying on me, wouldn't avenging yourself be far more satisfying?"**
Mandala's Awe
Mandala gasped audibly at the overwhelming aura emanating from the two puppets. "So this is the fabled Heavenly Puppet of White Jade Capital... No wonder it's coveted by so many experts. Their sheer presence is suffocating."
Following Xiao Tiance's instructions, she pricked her finger and dripped her blood onto the jade pendants. A faint red glow emitted from the pendants as her consciousness linked with the puppets.
Suddenly, two pairs of golden eyes snapped open, and Mandala felt as though she had gained two indomitable guardians.
Testing their movements, she was amazed by their physical prowess and durability. "Incredible. Their bodies are as strong as divine artifacts. Even if struck by Heavenly Sovereign level weapons, they'd remain unharmed!"
Mandala Departs for Revenge
Grateful and energized, Mandala bowed deeply to Xiao Tiance. "Thank you, Immortal Sovereign. I'll head to the southern region now to kill Lu Huan and return with the information you need about the Ancient Heavenly Palace."
"Good." Xiao Tiance waved his hand, creating a spatial passageway.
"You'd take too long traveling on your own. Let me send you there."
Mandala marveled once again at Xiao Tiance's power. For an Upper Earth Sovereign like herself, traveling from the northern to the southern region of Tianluo Continent would take an immense amount of time, given the continent's vastness. Yet Xiao Tiance could make the journey feel like an effortless stroll.
"Thank you, Immortal Sovereign." Mandala bowed once more and stepped into the spatial passage with the two puppets.
Mandala's Return
Within a day, Mandala returned to Dragon Phoenix City, standing before Xiao Tiance with a radiant expression.
"Immortal Sovereign, thank you for aiding me in avenging my grudge against Lu Huan."
Her aura had subtly changed. With the burden of her heart's shadow lifted, her state of mind had grown more serene and complete.
Mandala's true form was that of the Ancient Mandala Flower, a divine plant renowned throughout the Grand Thousand World. Legend had it that the Mandala Flower possessed unmatched mystical properties and innate intelligence.
If allowed to grow to its peak, it could rival even surpass some of the most powerful divine beasts. However, due to its rarity, the Mandala Flower often became a target for cultivation and experimentation by major forces.
Mandala had previously mentioned that unless utterly destroyed, she could always find a way to survive. This trait, unique to the Ancient Mandala Flower, placed her on par with Heavenly Sovereign level beings in terms of resilience.
Now, free from Lu Huan's betrayal, Mandala seemed poised to unlock her full potential.
As Mandala beamed with satisfaction, Xiao Tiance sighed softly and said, "Your avatar's strength is still too weak it was fooled by Lu Huan."
"What? I was deceived?" Mandala was startled, quickly asking for clarification.
Xiao Tiance nodded. **"That's right. Lu Huan isn't dead. The one you killed was merely one of his avatars.
When you battled him in the Holy Demon Palace, my spiritual consciousness, which I attached to you, detected it. The Lu Huan you fought was not his true body.
But don't worry. These two Heavenly Puppets can be my gift to you. With them, no one on Tianluo Continent should be able to oppose you.
As for Lu Huan, he's in hiding now. You can always seek him out for revenge later."**
Mandala's Disbelief
"How can this be? Immortal Sovereign, if Lu Huan tricked me, why would he hide?" Mandala blurted out without thinking.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. **"Do you really think you're the only one who knows that Heavenly Puppets are one of White Jade Capital's three treasures?
Lu Huan certainly knows.
Across the Grand Thousand World, apart from the fifty Heavenly Puppets stored in the Grand Thousand Palace, the ones I've sent out are few and far between. Whenever a Heavenly Puppet appears, it usually signifies the presence of someone from White Jade Capital.
While Lu Huan and the Holy Demon Palace may dominate the southern region of Tianluo Continent, their so called dominance amounts to nothing before White Jade Capital.
Even if you gave him several lifetimes of courage, he wouldn't dare openly challenge White Jade Capital."**
Mandala's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Covering her face, she mumbled awkwardly, realizing the truth in Xiao Tiance's words.
Indeed, with the Heavenly Puppets under her command, she had easily killed Lu Huan's avatar. It was only logical that Lu Huan would go into hiding rather than face such a force. Unless he could confirm that Mandala had no ties to White Jade Capital, he wouldn't risk showing himself.
Mandala sighed in frustration. "That vile Lu Huan! He never had abilities like this before. Yet now, he's even using avatars to escape. It's infuriating!"
Xiao Tiance Explains
Xiao Tiance laughed lightly. **"The avatar was likely created using a rare treasure that temporarily duplicates the user's full strength. Even if the avatar is destroyed, the original remains unaffected.
However, such items are exorbitantly expensive in the Grand Thousand World. Even someone like Lu Huan likely won't have another.
If you encounter him again, the two Heavenly Puppets I've given you will ensure he has no chance to escape.
That said, your own strength is still insufficient. You've only just entered the Earth Sovereign realm, and your physical condition limits you to being slightly stronger than an ordinary Ninth Grade Sovereign. It's understandable that you couldn't detect that Lu Huan was using an avatar."**
Xiao Tiance's gentle tone was laced with both an explanation and reassurance.
The Curse Removed
Suddenly, Xiao Tiance raised his hand, summoning a golden flame the Golden Emperor Flame of Burning Heavens that danced on his palm.
Mandala immediately felt the searing heat and the terrifying destructive power of the golden fire. Her expression turned grave.
"Immortal Sovereign, what are you doing?" Mandala asked nervously, fearing Xiao Tiance might harm her.
Seeing her flustered state, Xiao Tiance waved his hand dismissively. "Relax. I just find the curse in your body unpleasant to look at. I'll help you remove it."
Before Mandala could respond, Xiao Tiance's spiritual power enveloped her, immobilizing her completely. The Golden Emperor Flame entered her body through her mouth.
"Endure it for a bit. Using the Golden Emperor Flame to burn away the curse will hurt a little," Xiao Tiance said casually.
The next moment, Mandala's face twisted in pain. She let out a wretched scream that startled the Dragon Phoenix Pavilion elder outside.
Relief After the Pain
Thankfully, Xiao Tiance worked quickly. The intense pain subsided shortly, and a black mass of cursed energy emerged from Mandala's body, encased in golden flames.
The curse was utterly incinerated.
Mandala collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, her body drenched in sweat. Her childlike form spared the scene from becoming overly awkward.
"I Immortal Sovereign, couldn't you have warned me beforehand?" she asked with a trace of grievance.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. **"I prioritize efficiency. Warning you wouldn't have lessened the pain.
By the way, I'm curious. Both you and Lu Huan originate from the Ancient Heavenly Palace. Why does he harbor such deep hatred for you? Why go as far as placing such a vicious curse on you?"**
Mandala's Explanation
Mandala's golden eyes narrowed slightly as fragments of lost memories returned to her mind, now that the curse was lifted.
**"Back then, the Heavenly Emperor fought a powerful Demon Emperor from the Extraterritorial Demons. Their battle sealed the Heavenly Emperor's tomb and caused catastrophic damage to the entire Ancient Heavenly Palace.
I don't know all the details. When my consciousness returned, the Ancient Heavenly Palace was already in ruins. The only beings left with sentience were me and Lu Huan.
While investigating the palace, Lu Huan ambushed me, placed a curse on me, and forced me to sever my branches and seal my main body. My avatar barely escaped."**
Mandala paused, frowning in thought before continuing.
**"As for why he attacked me, it's simple. With the Heavenly Emperor and the other hall masters dead, the palace's treasures especially the Heavenly Emperor's inheritance remained.
If he obtained them, he might have found the opportunity to break through to the Heavenly Sovereign realm. I believe he wanted to monopolize the palace's legacy."**
Xiao Tiance's Reflection
Xiao Tiance nodded thoughtfully. The memories were distant and fragmented, even for him.
**"That makes sense. Greed is a common motive. The Heavenly Palace's inheritance is enough to drive anyone mad with ambition.
Still, Lu Huan's ruthlessness is shocking. To target a fellow disciple with such a heinous act speaks volumes of his character.
It's fortunate that your true form is the Ancient Mandala Flower. Otherwise, you might not have survived his schemes.
Now that your curse is gone, can you finally tell me how to access the Ancient Heavenly Palace?"**
Mandala, her burdens eased, replied with confidence: "Of course."
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