Above the void, Xing Wu leaned on the sofa she carried with her, her gaze cast downward, observing the unfolding events.
Since what she came for wasn't urgent, it was rather pleasant to witness some interesting happenings along the way. For instance, the slaughter among others was quite a delightful spectacle.
As for how she, with her cultivation at the sixth level of the Life and Death Realm, managed to bypass the blockade of the various immortal palaces, that was another story.
Within the fray, under their combined assault, the spirit beasts were swiftly slain one by one.
With that, the true confrontation began. Who would obtain the Huangquan Ice Flower would inevitably be decided by their mutual combat.
Everyone stood on high alert, especially the several Venerable cultivators present. They eyed each other's movements, lest anyone seize the Huangquan Ice Flower first.
At this moment, Lin Xueyan smiled and said to Bai Xiaoxiao beside her.
"Junior Sister, rest assured. Senior Sister will do her utmost to help you obtain this Huangquan Ice Flower!"
"Mm, thank you, Senior Sister!"
Bai Xiaoxiao nodded. Though they often vied for favor when their master was around, their relationship was quite good in matters of great importance.
The atmosphere among them grew increasingly tense. More and more people, drawn by the commotion, gathered around, but no one dared to make the first move, fearing encirclement by other powerful individuals.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, a cold voice echoed from afar.
"No need to fight over it. I shall take this Huangquan Ice Flower."
Upon hearing this, a peak Emperor-level cultivator instinctively roared.
"Who the hell is spouting nonsense? Who do you think you are? You say you'll take it, and you will?"
However, in the next instant, a sharp light streaked through the space, arriving before the Emperor cultivator in a flash. Without question, it pierced his vital spot, and blood splattered.
Before he died, his eyes were wide open, fixed on a certain spot, his face etched with regret.
This bloody and swift assassination sent shivers down everyone's spines. They couldn't help but look up. Upon seeing the approaching figure, their expressions all changed.
"Who am I? I am the Young Palace Master of the Xuanming Immortal Palace!"
As his voice faded, Mu Yangchen's figure emerged. Accompanying him were ten cultivators of the Life and Death Realm, each at the peak of the first level.
Within the various immortal palaces, cultivators had directional guidance to find their teammates easily.
And the team Mu Yangchen led was undoubtedly one of the most formidable in the entire Tomb of the Sages!
Mu Yangchen gazed down at the crowd from the air, his expressionless face cold as he said, "I repeat, I want this Huangquan Ice Flower. Does anyone have any objections?"
His words caused the entire area to fall into dead silence. Facing Mu Yangchen's terrifying entourage, who dared to utter a single word of dissent?
Seeing no response, Mu Yangchen let out a soft hum and instructed his guards to retrieve the Huangquan Ice Flower.
The others exchanged glances. Although they were extremely displeased with Mu Yangchen's blatant interception, none dared to step forward and obstruct him. They could only watch helplessly as he took the Huangquan Ice Flower.
With matters having reached this point, everyone was powerless. Many departed with sighs.
Lin Xueyan also sighed, "I'm sorry, Junior Sister. It seems we won't be able to get the Huangquan Ice Flower."
"It's alright. Who could have expected people from the Xuanming Immortal Palace to be nearby..."
Bai Xiaoxiao also sighed softly, feeling a sense of missed opportunity for a great fortune. But with their master not present, they were no match for an immortal palace.
Glancing at Mu Yangchen in the sky, Bai Xiaoxiao lowered her voice, "Forget it, let's leave quickly to avoid being noticed."
After all, Mu Yangtuo had died at their master's hands, and this Mu Yangchen was Mu Yangtuo's elder brother. Encountering them alone would be extremely dangerous.
But just as they turned to leave, Mu Yangchen's cold voice came from above.
"The two female cultivators over there, stop for this young master."
Immediately, three figures swooped down, encircling Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao. This action surprised everyone, who couldn't understand what was happening.
Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao's expressions changed slightly. Lin Xueyan looked up and asked with a frown.
"Palace Master Mu, is there something you need?"
Mu Yangchen was currently scrutinizing them, as if appraising them. After a moment, he said sternly.
"Just a few days ago, my brother Mu Yangtuo met his end in the Ancient Dragon Mountain Range. And on your bodies, I detect the aura of the person who killed my brother."
"Do you have anything to say about this?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao's hearts sank.
They were very close to their master, so it wasn't strange for them to carry his scent. They just hadn't expected him to notice from such a detail.
However, Lin Xueyan feigned composure and replied without any ripple.
"I'm sorry, we don't know what you're talking about. We have never met the Mu Yangtuo you mentioned from beginning to end."
In reality, Mu Yangchen wasn't entirely certain if they were involved in the killing. Although it seemed they did carry the killer's aura, it was extremely faint.
But to him, this was a matter of "better to kill ten thousand by mistake than let one go."
"Whether you are involved or not, you will know when you return to the Xuanming Immortal Palace with this palace master!"
Lin Xueyan snorted, "By what right? Do you have any proof? We haven't done anything wrong, why should we go with you?"
"Or is your Xuanming Immortal Palace simply a force that bullies others by relying on its strength?"
She then looked at the surrounding onlookers and raised her voice.
"Everyone around, you've all seen it, haven't you? The dignified Xuanming Immortal Palace, acting so arrogantly, arbitrarily labeling others as enemies without any basis."
The cultivators present were already displeased with Mu Yangchen's earlier actions. But that was about a treasure, and it was reasonable for the strong to possess it. Now, witnessing the Xuanming Immortal Palace's bullying, they felt disdain towards it.
These words caused Mu Yangchen to frown as well. Especially as more and more cultivators gathered around, the one-sided public opinion made him hesitate whether to act by force.
Although the Xuanming Immortal Palace was powerful, if other immortal palaces seized the public opinion, it would not be beneficial for his future governance of the immortal palace. Crucially, he was indeed unsure if these two were related to the perpetrator, and he was struggling with whether to take the risk.
The situation became a stalemate, and Mu Yangchen even felt a hint of retreat, planning to find another opportunity later. Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed from a distance.
"Palace Master Mu, you may not know this, but these two female cultivators are disciples of the renowned Ye Yun from our Eastern Region."
"And that Ye Yun is a ruthless individual who even dared to kill the Young Palace Master of the Fulong Immortal Palace. If he were the one who killed your brother, wouldn't that be quite reasonable?"
Upon hearing they were Ye Yun's disciples, Mu Yangchen's killing intent flared.
He raised his eyebrows, looked in the direction of the voice, and coldly asked, "Are they truly Ye Yun's disciples? Also, who are you?"
Hearing this, the young man grinned and said with utmost respect.
"I am Han Zimo, from the True Martial Heavenly Sect. I met them at the Four Sects Grand Competition before, so I can confirm it!"
Seeing him step forward to aid the forces of the Western Region, some cultivators from the Eastern Region couldn't help but curse him as shameless.
From the Jin Tao Heavenly Sect's team observing from afar, Wu Tiankuang couldn't help but exclaim angrily.
"What a magnificent use of borrowed knife to kill! This Han Zimo is truly utterly shameless!"
"Yes, no matter what, they are all people of the Eastern Region. Doing this is truly despicable."
Wu Chuan beside him shook his head, but couldn't help but say.
"However, with this, they are in great trouble."
As expected, upon learning of Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao's identities, everyone present was greatly surprised.
Mu Yangchen's expression turned cold. This fact alone was enough to explain a lot!
"Did you hear that? Do you two have anything more to say?"
Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao both glared fiercely at Han Zimo, enraged by his betrayal.
As for Han Zimo, he wore a triumphant smile. Although he didn't know who killed Mu Yangtuo, framing them was good enough.
You think you're powerful? Then go clash with the Xuanming Immortal Palace.
Seeing Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao fall silent, Mu Yangchen let out a cold hum and was about to order someone to capture them.
At this moment, someone beside him volunteered, "Palace Master, for these two, it's not worthy of a senior from the palace to act."
"Why don't you let this disciple capture them?"
Mu Yangchen looked at the young man before him. This person was named Mu Qianyi, a top genius among the younger disciples of their Xuanming Immortal Palace, reaching the fifth level of the King Realm at a very young age.
He was also a subordinate whom Mu Yangchen highly regarded and intended to cultivate intensely after his succession, even imparting him a top-tier Earth-grade profound skill.
Seeing him step forward, Mu Yangchen pondered. Considering Ye Yun's name, and his two disciples, Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao, who were currently in the limelight on the continent.
Especially Lin Xueyan, who was known as the foremost sword cultivation genius among the younger generation in the Eastern Region. If Mu Qianyi could capture them, it would be an opportunity to bring glory to the Xuanming Immortal Palace.