Chapter 108 Nascent Soul Self-Destruction

With the spatial passage about to open, the previously relaxed atmosphere turned heavy once again.

The smiles on the faces of the Righteous and Demonic Factions' Cultivators gradually faded, and the two camps became distinct once more, with tensions even starting to rise.

Working together to escape was one thing, but being on the verge of reaching safety was another.

If even one person couldn't resist making a move, a bloody slaughter would follow.

Fortunately, the preceding events had kept everyone's nerves from being too frayed; otherwise, even with Ye Fan and You Tan holding the line, it might have been futile.

After an unknown amount of time, the final inch of the spatial barrier was breached. The long-awaited sunlight left everyone dazed, momentarily unable to believe their eyes.

Both groups fled toward the outside without hesitation, fearing any further accidents.

Ye Fan looked around; the environment was completely different from the entrance. It seemed the two locations were quite far apart.

Due to the disparity in numbers, the Five Demonic Sects' Disciples didn't dare linger and scattered like startled birds the moment they emerged.

Some among the Nine Sect Disciples did have other ideas, but seeing the Profound Frost Sword blocking the way, they could only abandon those thoughts.

Seeing that both sides had mostly dispersed, Ye Fan breathed a small sigh of relief and turned to look at You Tan nearby.

"This is my communication Magical Artifact. Contact me if you need anything," Ye Fan said after a moment's thought.

"Heh, aren't you afraid of being accused of consorting with a demonic enchantress?" You Tan said with a pout.

"Of course I am, but I have so many witnesses. I was 'forced' to collude; I had no choice," Ye Fan chuckled.

"You..."

You Tan was momentarily stunned, then broke into an alluring smile.

"Come here, I'll tell you a secret," You Tan said after thinking for a bit.

"What secret?"

Ye Fan didn't suspect anything, but when You Tan leaned into his ear, she unexpectedly gave him a hard kiss.

"This is a gift from your big sister. Figure out how to explain it to your precious Murong Wan."

You Tan gave a cunning smile, and her Incarnation instantly dissipated into white lotuses, leaving Ye Fan standing there in a daze, his lips twitching.

"Beautiful women really are the best liars."

As expected, when Ye Fan looked back, Murong Wan's face was frost-cold, her beautiful eyes shimmering with Killing Intent.

However, she didn't explode immediately. It seemed he wouldn't escape some physical punishment once they got home.

The other Nine Sect Disciples were too far away to hear. They could only see the two talking and lamented that Ye Fan was suffering for them—still being tormented by that enchantress even after getting out.

Without the spatial barrier's interference, everyone's communication Magical Artifacts returned to normal. They quickly contacted their respective Sects, eager to know the state of the war.

Ye Fan hurriedly contacted Su Ningxue, only breathing a sigh of relief when her familiar voice answered.

After confirming each other's safety, both felt relieved. Too much had happened; it was better to talk in person.

At the same time, most of the Nine Sect Disciples had also reached their Sects. From their snippets of conversation, Ye Fan got a general idea of what had happened.

Shi Wushe's summoning of Golden Core Realm corpse puppets was indeed unexpected, but Su Ningxue's thunderous strike left everyone even more stunned.

Without that trump card, the Five Demonic Sects were no match for the Nine Great Sects. Seeing their casualties mount, they had no choice but to retreat.

The Nine Great Sects, fearing the enemy might do something desperate, didn't press too hard. They chased for a few miles before turning back.

Although they paid a price, the Nine Great Sects were undoubtedly victorious. Su Ningxue gained fame in a single battle, fully solidifying her reputation as Fairy Xuanji.

After a brief rest, the Nine Great Sects began researching ways to breach the spatial barrier. However, the Five Demonic Sects hadn't gone far and were camping nearby, engaging in guerrilla tactics.

Whenever the Nine Great Sects tried to open the spatial passage, those guys would launch a sneak attack and then flee.

The two sides went back and forth several times, neither able to overcome the other, and the rescue mission was delayed.

If Ye Fan and the others hadn't escaped on their own, the Nine Great Sects would likely have had to find a way to launch a final decisive battle.

Everyone hurriedly flew their swords toward the encampment. Only when they saw familiar figures did many finally feel certain they had truly escaped.

"This Disciple greets the Sect Head and... Revered Master."

Seeing Su Ningxue's pale face, Ye Fan couldn't help but clench his fists. He wanted to say something but couldn't, feeling incredibly frustrated.

"I must Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm as soon as possible."

Su Ningxue's throat also moved, but in the end, she only gave a soft "mm," struggling to maintain her persona as a strict teacher.

Before she could think of something to say, Qing Mingzi beside her couldn't contain himself.

"It's good that you're back! Hahaha! It's good that you're back! I knew heaven helps the worthy! How could the Dao Seed of my Joyous Union Sect die so easily?" Qing Mingzi laughed heartily.

Su Ningxue gave him an annoyed look and said, "Sect Head Senior Brother, yesterday you said if anything happened to Ye Fan, you wouldn't want to live. Why the change of tune now?"

"This..."

Qing Mingzi's old face flushed. He coughed twice to hide his embarrassment, acting as if nothing had happened.

"It was my incompetence that worried the Sect Head," Ye Fan said.

Qing Mingzi waved his hand quickly, saying it was nothing as long as he was alive. Then he asked what exactly had happened inside the Heavenly Demon Palace.

Ye Fan pondered for a moment, omitting certain things that couldn't be said, and quickly explained everything.

"Just as I suspected. Those wicked heretics haven't given up; they're still after the Heavenly Demon Palace's Divine Abilities and Cultivation Techniques," Qing Mingzi said, gritting his teeth.

Although You Tan had fished in troubled waters and taken many Jade Slips, Ye Fan knew her personality well; there was no way those things would leave the White Lotus Sect. So, he simply hid that fact.

Since everyone present at the time was dead, Ye Fan didn't have to worry about word getting out.

"Sect Head, what exactly happened during the great war a hundred years ago? What's with the crater in the core area of the Heavenly Demon Palace, and why did the Righteous Path Sects leave so hurriedly?"

Seeing that Ye Fan couldn't suppress his curiosity, Qing Mingzi told him the truth. Four simple words made Ye Fan's scalp tingle.

"Nascent Soul self-detonation."

"Nascent Soul self-detonation?!"

Although he had already suspected as much, Ye Fan still felt his breathing quicken.

A kilometer-wide crater in the core of the Heavenly Demon Palace and the entire Sect turned to ruins—Ye Fan couldn't imagine any other possibility besides the desperate self-detonation of a Nascent Soul Realm Great Power.

When the Righteous and Demonic Factions joined forces to besiege the Heavenly Demon Palace back then, that Nascent Soul Old Ancestor was strong, but he couldn't fight everyone at once. In his heavily injured state, he wanted to take everyone down with him.

The power of a Nascent Soul self-detonation was terrifying; almost the entire Heavenly Demon Palace was within its range of destruction.

If Qing Mingzi hadn't fled fast enough back then, he would have been buried there long ago.