98: undercurrent

The battle at the Obsidian Star Belt was truly exhilarating!

The people of Star Palace are incredibly formidable now. Previously, they had to rely on their Palace Lord, Lin Xuan, to bear the brunt alone. But now? High-level powerhouses are breaking through one after another, and the disciples below are all unbelievably fierce.

That so-called Blood Butcher Prince of the Asura Clan, who arrogantly led his army, was beaten black and blue by us. He left behind countless corpses and fled in disgrace. I heard that when that old fellow escaped, he was so furious he almost broke his own horns.

When news of the great victory on the front lines reached back, the entire Star Palace erupted. Cheers filled the air, and disciples walked with a spring in their step, chests puffed out in pride! We are now one of the toughest forces in the Immortal Realm; anyone who dares to offend us will be beaten!

Lin Xuan, the boss, saw that morale was high—a good thing indeed! He waved his hand, “Hold a grand celebration banquet! All brothers who participated in the battle will be recorded with great merit and their rewards doubled! The brothers in logistics have also worked hard, and they will all receive a share! Let’s have a good time!”

As soon as the order was given, the entire Star Palace became as lively as a pot of boiling dumplings.

Over at the Merit Hall, Governor Liu Ruyan was bustling about, her feet barely touching the ground. She is now the Grand Steward, overseeing millions of Sky Patrol Army soldiers and internal affairs. The banquet arrangements, distribution of rewards, and personnel assignments all fell to her. However, she is now a Golden Immortal powerhouse, so she handled these matters with ease and perfect order. Everyone below her was convinced; Governor Liu’s work is fair and reliable!

Over at the Void Palace, Elder Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace was much more relaxed. With the battle over, his main task was to maintain the teleportation arrays so everyone could return quickly to drink and feast. He, himself, strolled back to the main hall with his hands clasped behind his back, found a comfortable spot to lean, and watched everyone busy themselves, a slight smile playing on his lips. As an Immortal Venerable, he had to maintain his composure and not get overly excited like the younger generation.

The most boisterous were the killers who returned from the front lines.

Mo Sha, carrying his axe, which had grown to an unknown size, and with the killing aura still lingering around him, roared as he charged into the feasting plaza, “Where’s the wine! Where’s the meat! I, Old Mo, can eat a whole dragon! Brother Kong Ming, come quickly, today you have to drink to your heart’s content with me!”

Little Monk Kong Ming—oh no, he’s now a powerhouse at the mid-stage Heavenly Immortal realm—had reined in much of his Buddha's Light, but the honest smile on his face remained unchanged. While applying healing Buddha's Light to a few injured brothers, he smiled at Mo Sha, “Senior Brother Mo Sha, wine and meat pass through the gut, but the Buddha remains in the heart. This junior will use tea as wine to accompany you to your heart’s content.” Mo Sha rolled his eyes at this, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

Leng Yuechan and Ye Chen, the Annihilation Duo, were the last to return. They were responsible for covering the rear and clearing out remaining enemies, carrying an aura of coldness that warned people to keep their distance, and a scent of blood. Upon their return, they didn’t join the commotion but found a quiet corner to sit. Ye Chen was like a shadow; almost no one noticed when he sat down. Leng Yuechan had a “don’t bother me” expression, meticulously wiping her sword. But those familiar with her could see that the excitement from the great battle hadn’t completely faded from her eyes.

Yun Qingyao, as the Senior Sister and frontline commander-in-chief, was one of the busiest. She had to report the battle situation to Lin Xuan and Bai Li, comfort the wounded, and coordinate the withdrawal and rest of various units. Yet, she handled everything flawlessly, her cool demeanor radiating composure, which put everyone at ease. Many disciples looked at her with eyes full of admiration.

Jin Bao and A Zi, those two lively characters, had long since revealed their true forms. A majestic five-clawed golden dragon and a small thunder beast wreathed in purple lightning chased and played in the sky above the plaza, snatching the most delicious immortal fruits and roasted beast legs, splattering juice and sparking electricity, which drew hearty laughter from everyone, though no one truly tried to stop them. These two were great heroes, having blown up several large Asura Clan strongholds.

Ling Long and You Ye didn’t return with the main force; they seemed to have found another promising target and disappeared halfway. Su Yuan, upon his return, immediately dove into his intelligence room, where screens flashed rapidly as he began analyzing data and predicting possible next scenarios. This guy was a complete workaholic.

Feng Qiqi, Qing Xuan, and Mu Ling Nannan became the most popular people. Qi Qi used her Nirvana Flames to stabilize the severe injuries of the wounded, and Qing Xuan’s Light of Purification swept through, making everyone feel lighter from the blood-fiend aura and more at ease. Nuan Nuan was even more impressive; with a wave of her small hand, various spirit fruits and immortal wines magically grew from the spirit vines she cultivated, enough for everyone! She was practically a walking, self-propelled logistics depot.

Chu Xinghe didn’t participate in the initial revelry; he was busy leading people to inspect the formations. The Star Chain Barrier had rendered great service in this battle, but it had also consumed a lot of energy and needed urgent maintenance and upgrades. He chewed on a spirit fruit given by Nuan Nuan, tools in hand, happily engrossed in his work.

The celebration banquet finally began. The scene was truly a cacophony of gongs and drums, firecrackers, fluttering red flags, and a sea of people… Ahem, I’m getting ahead of myself. In short, it was incredibly lively!

On the huge plaza, long tables were laden with delicacies made from various immortal birds and spiritual beasts, their aroma wafting far and wide. chaos spiritual rice was served in abundance, and various immortal wines flowed freely. Disciples gathered in groups of three or five, chatting, boasting about their achievements, and drinking until their faces were red and their necks thick.

Lin Xuan and Bai Li sat at the head table, exchanging smiles as they watched the vibrant, high-spirited scene below.

Lin Xuan raised his wine cup and stood up. He didn't use a loud voice, but the entire plaza instantly fell silent, and everyone looked at him.

“Disciples of the entire sect,” Lin Xuan’s voice echoed throughout the venue, “This battle was well fought! It showcased the might of our Star Palace! Let those Asura brats know that we are not to be trifled with!”

“Awooo!!!” A chorus of ghostly howls and wolf-like cries of agreement erupted from below.

“The credit belongs to everyone! Rewards will not be lacking for anyone! But!” He changed his tone, “We must not get complacent! The Asura Clan suffered such a great loss; they will certainly not let it go. That Old Dog Xuan Gu is still brewing evil schemes in the dark!”

“So, drink your fill today! Eat your fill today! But starting tomorrow, those who should cultivate shall cultivate, those who should patrol shall patrol, and those who should stand guard shall stand guard! If anyone slacks off, don’t blame me for throwing him to feed Mo Sha’s axe!”

“Hahahaha!” Everyone burst into laughter. Mo Sha even cooperated by raising his axe and letting out a roar.

“Enough talk! To the Star Palace! Cheers!”

“To the Star Palace! Cheers!!!”

Everyone roared in unison, raised their wine cups, and drained them. The atmosphere instantly reached its climax.

Then it was time for unrestrained eating, drinking, and merrymaking. Lin Xuan and Bai Li also descended from the main table, drinking and chatting with the core members at various tables, without any pretense.

Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace, at some point, had quietly made his way to Lin Xuan’s side, handed him a cup of wine, and leisurely said, “Brother Lin, this scene, it’s truly wonderful. Much more interesting than those years I spent drifting in the Void.”

Lin Xuan clinked his cup with him: “There will be many more interesting days in the future. Your Void Palace is our eyes and ears; next time, we must make sure the Asura Clan can’t even find which way our door opens.”

“I’ll do my best.” Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace smiled and took a sip of wine.

Bai Li was quietly discussing something with Yun Qingyao, seemingly summarizing the gains and losses in command during this great battle. Yun Qingyao listened very attentively, nodding occasionally.

Liu Ruyan finally finished most of her tasks and took a moment to toast Lin Xuan: “Palace Lord, all rewards have been distributed according to merit, and the Sky Patrol Army has been arranged for rotation, ensuring the defenses are secure during the celebration.”

“You’ve worked hard, Ruyan.” Lin Xuan nodded, “Now that you are a Golden Immortal and the Sky Patrol Army is entrusted to you, your burden is even heavier.”

“It’s my duty.” Liu Ruyan replied calmly, but her eyes shone. From following Lin Xuan in the earliest days to now commanding millions of immortal soldiers, her efforts had been rewarded.

The celebration banquet gradually dispersed into the late night. Many disciples, drunk and stumbling, were helped back by their fellow sect members. But on everyone's faces, there were smiles and pride.

However, beneath this ocean of joy, there was not complete absence of shadow.

As Lin Xuan said, how could the Asura Clan, having suffered such a great loss, just let it go?

In a barren star domain extremely far from the Star Palace’s sphere of influence, a colossal palace, entirely constructed from blood-red skeletons, lay hidden.

This was Blood Butcher Prince’s temporary palace after his defeat.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was terribly oppressive. Blood Butcher Prince sat on a throne of bones, his face so grim it looked like water could drip from it. Below him knelt a group of Asura generals, all wounded and trembling.

“Useless! A bunch of useless trash!” Blood Butcher Prince’s voice was like a bone-scraping steel knife, “Ten times the troop strength! And you were beaten like this by a newly risen force! You have disgraced the Asura Royal Family!”

One general, emboldened, tried to explain: “Your Highness, Prince… it’s not that we didn’t fight with all our might, but that Star Palace… is too sinister! Their formations are powerful, they have many experts, and their coordination is seamless, especially that Immortal Venerable who can control space…”

“Shut up!” Blood Butcher Prince waved his hand, and the general instantly exploded into a mist of blood, “Defeated is defeated! What excuses are you making?!”

The other generals, terrified, buried their heads even lower.

Blood Butcher Prince panted heavily, blood-red light flickering in his eyes: “Lin Xuan… Bai Li… and that Kunpeng who plays with space… Good, very good! It seems that without resorting to ‘that,’ they cannot be dealt with…”

He seemed to be hesitating, his eyes struggling. Finally, he clenched his fist abruptly, making up his mind.

“Issue the order! Activate the Blood Source Altar! Request aid from the ancestral land! Tell them we’ve found a tough nut to crack here, and we need the true ‘Ancient Asura Warriors’ to awaken! Also, report all intelligence on Lin Xuan and his disciples, especially the peculiar chaos aura and life energy, with emphasis! Those old fellows in the ancestral land will surely be interested!”

Upon hearing this, the Asura generals below all looked up in shock!

“Your Highness, Prince! Activate the Blood Source Altar? Summon Ancient Warriors? This… the cost is too great! And it might alert existences deeper within the Immortal Realm…”

“I can’t worry about that much anymore!” Blood Butcher Prince roared, “If we don’t take them down now, once they fully mature, they will become a grave threat to our Asura Clan! Do as I say!”

“Yes… Yes!” The generals dared not object further and quickly withdrew.

Blood Butcher Prince sat alone on his throne, his fingers tapping the armrest, muttering to himself: “Lin Xuan… do you think you’ve won? Hmph, the real war has only just begun…”

On the other side, at Immortal Venerable Xuan Gu’s hiding place.

Several dark figures silently infiltrated, the same ones who had spied on the battlefield earlier.

They knelt before a person shrouded entirely in a black robe, whose aura was somewhat unstable (clearly still suffering from Lin Xuan’s previous attack), reporting on the battle at the Obsidian Star Belt.

“…My Lord, that is the situation. The Star Palace’s strength far exceeded our estimates. Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace has broken through to Immortal Venerable, and his spatial abilities are unfathomable. Lin Xuan’s disciples are all capable of holding their own, working seamlessly together. The Asura Clan… suffered a great defeat.”

The black-robed figure was none other than Immortal Venerable Xuan Gu. He listened in silence, his withered fingers tightly clenched.

“I understand.” After a long while, he spoke in a hoarse voice, filled with suppressed rage and… a hint of undetectable jealousy.

“How can Lin Xuan… possess such great fortune! Why are all those geniuses willing to fight for him!” Xuan Gu roared, an icy aura emanating from his body.

After venting for a while, he slowly calmed down, letting out a sinister chuckle: “Good, good. The more miserably the Asura Clan loses, the deeper the animosity between them. That fool Blood Butcher will surely be unable to resist using more extreme methods…”

He looked at his subordinates: “How are our people deployed?”

“Reporting, My Lord, we have utilized old connections, and several hidden agents have successfully infiltrated the outer Sky Patrol Army and logistics teams of the Star Palace, but the core leadership is currently inaccessible.”

“That’s enough.” Xuan Gu chuckled ominously, “They don’t need to do anything major. At a critical moment, a little transmitted information, a little created chaos, will be enough to give Lin Xuan a headache.”

“Furthermore, continue to closely monitor the movements of the Star Palace, especially the whereabouts of Lin Xuan and his precious disciples. We need a… suitable opportunity.”

“Yes!”

After his subordinates left, Xuan Gu sat alone in the darkness, his eyes flickering.

“Lin Xuan, go ahead and enjoy your triumph for now. When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits… When you and the Asura Clan are both severely wounded from fighting, that will be the time for me, Xuan Gu, to reclaim everything and trample you all underfoot! Hmph!”

The Star Palace’s celebration banquet was filled with thunderous joy, the elation of victory, and hope for the future.

But they did not know that the enemies in the dark had not retreated because of a single defeat. Instead, fueled by anger and greed, they were brewing an even more ferocious and unscrupulous counterattack!