530: rebel?

The first to bear the brunt was the Formation Breaking Sect, famous for its Formations but lacking in offensive power.

Outside Po Zhen Mountain, Lie Tianxiong stood suspended in the air, his Saintly Might like a prison, enveloping the surroundings.

Chen Tieshan, the Sect Leader of the Formation Breaking Sect, had reached the King Realm in his cultivation.

But now, looking at the figure outside the mountain gate who resembled a flame demon god, and feeling that suffocating Saintly Might, his face was filled with bitterness and struggle.

Putting up a desperate resistance? The mountain-protecting Formation could at most hold out for another half-day.

Was the foundation of a Legacy spanning thousands of years to be severed today?

"Chen Tieshan."

Lie Tianxiong's voice was not loud, yet it struck the hearts of every Formation Breaking Sect Disciple like a heavy hammer. "Submit, or be exterminated."

No superfluous words, just a naked threat, yet it carried an irresistible power.

Chen Tieshan clenched his fists tightly, his nails sinking deep into his palms as blood dripped through his fingers.

He looked around and saw nothing but pale, despairing faces.

Ultimately, as if drained of all strength, he slowly unclenched his fists and, facing the figure outside the gate, laboriously bent the spine that had never before yielded.

"The Formation Breaking Sect is willing to surrender."

When the news spread, Xuan Province was shaken!

An ancient Sect with a long Legacy had actually knelt and surrendered before the Saint's military might without even lasting a single day!

The power of a Saint was truly this terrifying!

Next, riding the momentum of his great victory, Lie Tianxiong pointed his military might directly at the Tianyan Sect.

In just a few days, four of the seven Sects of Xuan Province were gone!

The power of the Burning Heaven Palace swelled crazily like a rolling snowball, its territory expanding several times over, with countless resources and ancient texts plundered.

Subduing several Sects in succession brought Lie Tianxiong's ambition to its peak.

On this day, in the main hall of the Burning Heaven Palace, Lie Tianxiong sat on the main seat, his Saintly Might permeating the air.

His gaze swept over the Elders and generals below, finally landing on the Second Elder.

In his eyes, the Second Elder was his most loyal and capable subordinate.

"Second Elder,"

Lie Tianxiong's tone was full of determination. "Send a message to the Azure Profound Sect! Out of consideration for the favor Shi Wanshan once did me, I will give them a chance.

Within three days, submit to my Burning Heaven Palace and send Peak Masters and Elders of the Heavenly Human Realm or above to take orders, joining me in attacking the Myriad Law Pavilion!

Once I destroy the Myriad Law Pavilion and unify Xuan Province, I shall permit the Azure Profound Sect to be the second-in-command of this province and share in the glory!"

Once these words were spoken, the main hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the Second Elder.

According to past custom, the Second Elder would have immediately bowed and accepted the order, but this time, he stood where he was, motionless.

His posture was upright, and his expression was as calm as still water, showing neither respect nor agreement.

After a moment, the Second Elder spoke slowly:

"Sect Master, this move is inappropriate; it is not wise to make too many enemies.

The strength of the Azure Profound Sect is unknown. Forcing their submission rashly will only create a powerful enemy, which would be detrimental to attacking the Myriad Law Pavilion and even more so to the great cause of unifying Xuan Province."

Lie Tianxiong's face instantly darkened, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes.

He hadn't expected that the Second Elder, his most trusted subordinate, would actually contradict him.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, he turned to the Grand Elder on the side and said in a cold tone:

"Grand Elder, since the Second Elder is hesitating, you shall handle this matter! Depart for the Azure Profound Sect immediately to deliver this Saint's decree! There must be no mistake!"

However, to Lie Tianxiong's shock, the Grand Elder—who was usually obedient and had a fiery temperament—

Was now standing in place as if his feet were rooted to the ground, a trace of struggle on his face, yet he did not move.

"Grand Elder?!"

Lie Tianxiong's voice suddenly rose, filled with unbelievable shock and fury.

His Saintly Might spread uncontrollably, pressing down until the entire Holy Fire Hall was dead silent, the air seemingly frozen.

Two trusted Elders in a row had actually disobeyed his orders in front of everyone?

This was nothing less than a challenge to the supreme authority he had just established!

Just as the fire in Lie Tianxiong's chest was about to explode and he was prepared to shout a harsh reprimand,

The silent Second Elder suddenly let out a faint sigh.

"Sigh..."

This sigh was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

It carried an indescribable complexity of emotions—regret, helplessness, and even a hint of pity?

The Second Elder slowly raised his head and looked calmly at Lie Tianxiong, who sat high on the Saintly Seat with his face slightly distorted by rage.

And then.

The Second Elder's voice, steady yet clear enough for every grain of dust in the hall to hear, rang out:

"Palace Master..."

He paused, each word seeming to carry the weight of a thousand catties.

"Why must you... insist on rebelling?"

"Re... Rebelling?!"

Lie Tianxiong was stunned at first, as if he didn't understand the meaning of the word.

Then, a sense of absolute absurdity surged in his heart, followed by an explosion of rage at being utterly insulted!

"Presumptuous!"

He slammed his hand down and stood up from the Saintly Seat, red-gold Saintly Fire erupting around him, scorching the mural behind him—the symbol of the Burning Heaven Palace's supreme authority—until it warped and deformed.

Terrifying Saintly Might, like a physical tsunami, crushed everything around him as it radiated outward from his center!

"Second Elder! Have you gone senile?! This Saint is the Master of the Burning Heaven Palace, the future Dominator of Xuan Province!

You say this Saint is rebelling? Rebelling against whom?! In this Xuan Province, who else is worthy of having this Saint rebel against them?!"

He laughed out of sheer rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at the Second Elder standing below with hands at his sides, then swept his gaze over the Grand Elder, who also remained motionless.

And across the Elders of the Burning Heaven Palace in the hall, whose expressions had suddenly turned strange.

"Good! Very good! It seems this Saint has been too merciful lately, making you forget the hierarchy and the rules!"

Killing intent surged in Lie Tianxiong's eyes. He decided to use the most brutal methods to purge the Sect and restore his dignity!

First, he would start with this old fool who didn't know the meaning of death!

However, just as he gathered his Saintly Power, preparing to suppress or even kill the Second Elder on the spot with a single palm strike—

"Heh."

A very soft, mocking sneer abruptly rang out from a corner of the hall.

It didn't come from the Second Elder, nor the Grand Elder.

Instead, it came from the Elder lineup on the left, from the Fourth Elder, who was usually known for being taciturn and in charge of punishments!

Lie Tianxiong's hand, which was gathering Saintly Power, suddenly froze, and he whipped his head around in disbelief!

Under his gaze, the Fourth Elder slowly raised his head. Where was the usual submissiveness and rigidity?

There was only a near-indifferent calm, with even a trace of a lingering sneer on the corner of his mouth.

This sneer was like a signal.

"Hehe..."

"Sigh..."

Immediately after, the Third Elder, Fifth Elder, Transmission Elder, Deacon Elder... one by one, the trusted Core Elders whom Lie Tianxiong relied on as his right hand all raised their heads.

On their faces, there was no longer the former awe, fanaticism, or feigned loyalty.

There was only a uniform, icy calm.

A condescending, scrutinizing gaze, as if they were watching a play.

Even the elite guards of the Burning Heaven Palace standing at the hall doors, who should have been the most loyal and reliable, now straightened their backs one after another.

With hands on their sword hilts and eyes as sharp as blades, they formed a faint encirclement, trapping Lie Tianxiong within the throne area in the center of the hall!