165: Insurgency

At this moment, Xiao Zhuo's Sea of Consciousness was filled with a terrifying, immense power, which seemed to contain a higher-level energy far surpassing spiritual power.

Xiao Zhuo already had a guess in his heart: Old Ancestor Blood Heaven had probably already advanced to True Immortal, but had been suppressing himself and had not undergone Undergoing Tribulation and Ascension.

Back then, from the Sacred Soul Sect's destruction battle simulated by Void Soul, Xiao Zhuo knew that Blood Heaven's ambition was to elevate the Blood Demon Realm to a Major Thousand Worlds.

Moreover, it was obvious that Blood Heaven, the strongest individual in the world who spearheaded its elevation, would gain immense benefits. Therefore, it was reasonable for Blood Heaven to remain in seclusion within the Blood Palace, even after reaching the True Immortal Realm.

However, this immense power, which now filled his Sea of Consciousness, was continuously probing every inch of his Sea of Consciousness. His soul infant Main Body, hidden by the Thousand Illusions Demonic Art, even felt as if it was on the verge of exposure several times.

Fortunately, the Split Soul was constantly absorbing this immense power, giving Xiao Zhuo a chance to breathe, and thus preventing Blood Heaven from discovering his soul infant Main Body.

As the Split Soul continuously absorbed the conferment power, its fifth-stage Soul Power grew stronger. The Soul Power, which had almost dropped to the fourth stage due to the Split Soul's division into two, had now recovered to its pre-Split Soul level.

And there was still an abundance of conferment power within his Sea of Consciousness.

A considerable amount of conferment power had also spread outside his Physical Body, beginning to temper Xiao Zhuo's Physical Body and spiritual power.

His Integration Stage Realm, which had originally been consolidated, was now advancing towards the Middle Stage.

Countless people in the field looked at Xiao Zhuo's continuously rising aura with envy. During the Saint's promotion ceremony, the Old Ancestor would bestow conferment power, which could generally help the Saint improve by one or two minor Realms. Moreover, it was not a superficial improvement, but a comprehensive one, even their Foundation would be tempered.

The pillar of light in the sky extinguished, and Old Ancestor Blood Heaven's projection cast a final, faint glance at Xiao Zhuo and Xue Qin, who was seated on the Palace Lord's throne, before slowly beginning to disappear.

Xue Qin rose and led everyone in a bow towards the projection, saying, "Respectfully seeing off Old Ancestor!"

Amidst the respectful farewells of the crowd, Blood Heaven's phantom completely vanished.

Xiao Zhuo had also initially accepted the conferment power, but most of it was contained within his Sea of Consciousness, requiring subsequent slow refinement.

The conferment ceremony continued, and after the Old Ancestor's projection appeared, the atmosphere in the venue became noticeably more solemn.

The conferment ceremony was undoubtedly also an opportunity to display the Blood Palace's majesty to its affiliated forces. The envoys from the three direct lineages and Five Great Sects all became even more respectful.

Old Demon Tian Tu secretly glanced at the man with blood-red hair and a dignified demeanor like a royal descendant, seated to Xue Qin's lower left. Seeing the other party's subtle nod, his heart hardened.

He had long secretly pledged allegiance to First Holy Son Ye Kongwu. His earlier challenge was also at Ye Kongwu's behest, intending to undermine Blood Sea's prestige at the conferment ceremony.

Although he had been suppressed by Palace Lord Xue Qin earlier, there would be a segment later where the Saint would accept challenges. He intended to make Blood Sea lose face then.

After all, Blood Sea's Divine Soul was now comparable to a Tribulation Crossing Realm Soul Cultivator, and it was in line with the rules for him, a Late Tribulation Crossing Stage Cultivator, to challenge him.

On the other side, Immortal Master Profound Bone, who had long noticed Heaven Slaughter's abnormality, revealed a cryptic smile at the corner of his mouth.

He naturally also knew the rules of the Blood Palace Saint's conferment ceremony, including the segment where the Saint accepts challenges from Cultivators of the same Realm. Given Heaven Slaughter's cultivation, Blood Sea would undoubtedly have to fight with all his might, and at that time, he could carefully discern whether the other party had truly mastered the Sacred Soul Scripture.

On the platform, the Ritual Officer had finished reading the conferment eulogy. Xue Qin would engrave Blood Sea's name onto the Blood God Platform. All that remained was a formality: announcing that the new Saint would begin accepting challenges from those of the same Realm. Once no challengers came forward, the ceremony would conclude. After all rituals were completed, a grand conferment banquet would be held on the Blood God Platform.

The Ritual Officer's resonant voice echoed across the solemn Blood Palace square: "The Saint's conferment is complete! According to our Blood Palace's ancient teachings, the newly promoted Saint may accept three challenges from Cultivators of the same Realm, to prove the Saint's might and win the hearts of all Cultivators! If there are any challengers, step onto the platform immediately!"

As his voice fell, a profound silence descended upon the square.

The Holy Sons of the Blood Palace were the top Prodigies within their respective Realms. Especially when the Old Ancestor's conferment power had just been infused into their Physical Body and their prestige was at its peak, a battle against someone of the same Realm would be akin to inviting humiliation, and might even offend Palace Lord Xue Qin. Everyone knew this matter was merely a formality.

The envoys from the three direct lineages and Five Great Sects kept their eyes downcast, none responding.

Xue Qin sat on the high platform, her gaze calmly sweeping across the entire venue.

Xiao Zhuo stood in the center of the blood jade high platform. His Early Stage Integration Stage aura, tempered by the conferment power, appeared robust and solid, subtly showing a tendency to advance towards the Middle Stage.

His expression was serene; he merely waited quietly. He had long noticed Heaven Slaughter, but was too lazy to bother with him.

He knew that beneath the calm, there must be an undercurrent.

Indeed, just as the Ritual Officer was about to announce the end of the challenge segment, with no one responding—

"Wait!"

A hoarse and malevolent voice, like a broken gong, suddenly rang out, instantly shattering the silence.

A blood-colored figure, like a vulture, shot out from the spectator seats and landed steadily opposite Xiao Zhuo. It was none other than the Late Tribulation Crossing Stage Old Demon Tian Tu!

His body surged with blood-fiend Qi. His withered face bore undisguised malice and provocation. He symbolically cupped his hands towards the high platform, but his gaze was fixed on Xiao Zhuo: "Palace Lord, please forgive me! My subordinate, Heaven Slaughter, is delighted by this hunt! Holy Son Blood Sea possesses extraordinary talent, favored by the Old Ancestor, and with the conferment power infused into his Physical Body, his cultivation must have greatly advanced! Though I am untalented and have been stuck in the Late Tribulation Crossing Stage for many years, deeply feeling the Bottleneck is hard to break, today I boldly wish to seek guidance from the Saint, and borrow the Saint's newly acquired supreme immense power to temper myself, in pursuit of even a small improvement! I hope the Saint... will not hesitate to enlighten me!"

Upon these words, the entire audience erupted in an uproar!

"Old Demon Tian Tu! Has he gone mad?"

"A Late Tribulation Crossing Stage challenging an Early Stage Integration Stage? This... this is simply bullying!"

"What guidance and tempering? He's clearly deliberately making things difficult, trying to make the new Saint lose face!"

"He must be acting under orders..."

Everyone discussed animatedly, their gazes involuntarily drifting towards First Holy Son Ye Kongwu, who was seated to Xue Qin's lower left.

Ye Kongwu's blood-red hair flowed like a waterfall, and his face was as beautiful as a demon's. At this moment, a subtle, playful smile played on his lips, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

On the high platform, Xue Qin's eyes instantly turned as cold as ten thousand years of ice, and an invisible pressure permeated the air.

However, she did not immediately react. The ancient teachings of the Blood Palace did indeed exist; as long as a challenger met the requirement of being in the same Realm, it was not a violation.

Although Xiao Zhuo's Physical Body and spiritual power were in the Integration Stage, his Divine Soul was powerful enough to be in the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Heaven Slaughter had exploited this loophole.

Immortal Master Profound Bone's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he thought, "Here it comes! Just in time for this old man to see the true depth of your Divine Soul, Holy Son Blood Sea!"

Xiao Zhuo sneered inwardly, but his face remained unperturbed.

He had long anticipated difficulties, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so impatient, and for Old Demon Tian Tu, an experienced Late Tribulation Crossing Stage, to personally step forward.

"Since Elder Heaven Slaughter has such an elegant interest, this Saint will naturally accompany him." Xiao Zhuo's voice was calm, yet it clearly spread throughout the venue, carrying an undeniable authority. "Please!"

"Good! How straightforward!" Old Demon Tian Tu cackled, his eyes blazing with blood-red light. "Saint, be careful!"

Before his words finished, his withered palm suddenly reached forward and grabbed!

There was no stickiness or erosion of the Demonic Path; instead, there was a pure, cold, and all-tearing will to kill!

Boom!

Vast, pitch-black Devilish Qi instantly condensed, transforming into a massive demonic claw that covered half of the arena!

Its talons were like sharp guillotines, carrying bone-chilling coldness and a piercing shriek that tore through space, fiercely grabbing down towards Xiao Zhuo!

The pure killing Demonic Path's power was fully displayed. Space seemed to freeze. An ordinary Integration Stage Cultivator would be torn to shreds instantly under this single claw!

Gasps of alarm rose from below the stage, and those with lower cultivation turned pale.

Xue Qin's eyes narrowed slightly.

Ye Kongwu's smile deepened, while a hint of playfulness flashed in Cao Yunqing's eyes beside him. Immortal Master Profound Bone's Divine Sense locked onto Xiao Zhuo's Divine Soul.

Facing this monstrously murderous demonic claw, Xiao Zhuo's pupils constricted slightly, and the dormant divine blood within him erupted with a roar!