Chapter 467: To the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace!
It wasn't just the elders of Dao Sect who arrived—Sect Master Ying Xuanzi himself also made his way over.
Seeing everyone gather, Ying Huanhuan blushed slightly and gently separated herself from Lin Fan.
What followed was a round of reunions and catching up that need not be detailed.
With Ying Xuanzi's permission, Lin Fan brought Xiao Diao and the rest into Dao Sect to stay temporarily.
In the days that followed, Lin Fan and Lin Dong worked together to eliminate the Yi Mo King suppressed by the Great Desolate Tablet, finally freeing the ancient relic. At the suggestion of the Ancestral Stone's spirit, the tablet chose to follow Lin Dong.
When Chen Zhen saw the Great Desolate Tablet taken away by Lin Dong, he couldn't help clicking his tongue in regret. After all, it had been the pride of the Desolate Hall—the very core of the Great Desolation Sutra.
Although the technique was so profound that only a few in history had qualified to comprehend it, it had still served as the hall's symbol. Now, with the tablet gone, the Desolate Hall lost some of its mystique.
Lin Dong exchanged glances with Lin Fan, then formed a seal with his hand. A small stone stele formed from spiritual power appeared and he tossed it to Chen Zhen.
"Uncle Chen Zhen, within this is the method to cultivate the Great Desolation Sutra. However, this technique is extremely profound. Without exceptional talent, it's not only useless but potentially harmful. Anyone who wants to study it must first undergo strict selection."
Chen Zhen hurriedly caught it, joy lighting up his face. He nodded quickly. "Don't worry, I'll be cautious."
At that moment, Lin Fan added, "Now that the tablet has been settled, and the three-year deadline is near… it's time to march on Yuan Gate!"
During this period, Ying Xuanzi had updated Lin Fan on the Eastern Xuan Region's situation and Yuan Gate's movements.
Although Yuan Gate had grown even stronger in the past three years, with more Reincarnation-level experts added to their ranks, Lin Fan felt no fear.
The people he brought back from the Demon Region were all peak-level powerhouses. Not to mention—he himself now possessed strength capable of crushing anyone below the Samsara Stage.
Even so, Ying Xuanzi couldn't help but voice his concern. "Lin Fan, are you sure you want to directly strike Yuan Gate? They're not easy opponents. Why not stay here in Dao Sect and wait for them to come? It would give us the advantage."
Lin Fan smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Sect Master. Yuan Gate may be strong, but we're not weak either. I said it three years ago—I'll be the one to personally crush them. Now that the time has come, I intend to fulfill that promise."
"I'll go with you," Ying Huanhuan said immediately.
Ying Xuanzi thought for a moment, then nodded. "In that case… I'll join you as well."
Back in the City of Annihilation, Ying Xuanzi had been unable to act and had carried guilt ever since. Now that a full-scale war was inevitable, there was no need for further restraint.
Soon, everyone mobilized, preparing to march on Yuan Gate.
But just as they exited Dao Sect's protective array, they noticed two powerful figures rapidly approaching.
"Be on alert!" Ying Xuanzi ordered.
He could sense both figures were Reincarnation Stage experts.
Moments later, two familiar figures appeared—Zhou Yi and Zhou Li, the brothers whom Lin Fan had sent to escort Lan Ying's group to safety at the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace.
"No need to be tense—they're our allies," Lin Fan said with a smile, easing the tension among Dao Sect's disciples.
The two landed and respectfully greeted Lin Fan.
"No need for formalities," Lin Fan waved them off. "Did you see them safely there?"
Zhou Yi clasped his fists. "Yes. We delivered them to the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace safely. After asking for Dao Sect's location, we rushed here."
"Well done," Lin Fan nodded. Then asked, "What's the situation over there?"
"We don't know the full details," Zhou Yi replied, "but not long after we left, we noticed many hostile forces headed toward the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace."
Hearing this, Lin Fan immediately recalled the original timeline—in which Yuan Gate's Grand Elder led an attack on the Taiqing Palace, resulting in the death of Ling Qingzhu's master.
He looked toward Ying Xuanzi. "Sect Master, let's head to the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace first."
"After all, besides Yuan Gate, the only other surviving super sect in the Eastern Xuan Region is them. If they fall, it won't benefit us either."
"Not to mention, if we help them now, we'll also take out a chunk of Yuan Gate's forces early."
"You're right. I agree," Ying Xuanzi said after a brief pause.
Ying Huanhuan's gaze lingered on Lin Fan for a long moment, but she said nothing.
With their decision made, the group immediately set out toward the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace.
Worried about Ling Qingzhu's safety, Lin Fan moved ahead of the main force, leaving the rest under Ying Xuanzi's command.
Ying Huanhuan, however, insisted on going with him.
…
The sky was blue, the earth serene. Majestic mountains sprawled like sleeping dragons, stretching endlessly toward the horizon.
It was a land filled with grandeur and natural beauty—like an immortal paradise.
This was the domain of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, one of the Eight Great Super Sects of the Eastern Xuan Region.
But this paradise was now drowned in the sounds of battle.
A dark cloud hovered over the palace—Yuan Gate had arrived.
Leading the charge was none other than Grand Elder Lu Feng.
Behind him stood several other Reincarnation Stage powerhouses.
On the side of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, no one of equal strength remained—they could only rely on their protective formation.
But even that couldn't hold for long under the relentless assault.
Shhhhk!
A sword beam laced with violent yuan power tore through the air, sending blood flying as several defenders were struck down.
Cries of pain rang out, their bodies twitching before going still.
From the dark clouds above, Yuan Gate's cultivators poured forth like locusts, flooding the floating island palace with a wave of killing intent.
Despair filled the eyes of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace disciples.
At the front of their line stood a young woman in a green dress, wielding a long sword and cutting down enemy after enemy.
If Lin Fan were here, he would have recognized her instantly—this was Su Rou, the timid girl from years past, now standing firm in battle.
"All disciples, defend the main palace!"
Su Rou shouted, yuan power surging as she sent a cluster of Yuan Gate cultivators flying in a bloodied arc.
But the more Yuan Gate disciples fell, the more brutal the counterattack became.
The situation for the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace grew ever more dire...
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