328: He didn't even kneel before the Lord of the Realm

As the words fell—

The Five Great Heavenly Venerables closed their eyes simultaneously!

In an instant, five transcendent Divine Senses, like five rivers of stars, swept out!

The Celestial Venerable Taichu's Divine Sense was like a heavenly net, covering every inch of space;

Fairy Zi Ming, the Celestial Venerable Taixu's Divine Sense transformed into a stream of myriad laws, penetrating every wisp of Spiritual Qi;

Old Ancestor Ming He, the Celestial Venerable Taiyuan's Divine Sense sank into the Yellow Springs, probing every trace of Soul;

Lord Chi Xiao, the Grand Flame Heavenly Venerable's Divine Sense transformed into heavenly fire, burning away all hidden things;

The Celestial Venerable Taiyan's Divine Sense deduced fate, tracing every past trajectory!

The Divine Senses of the five Ascension Realm experts jointly swept across the entire Tianqi Continent!

From the core of the earth to the nine heavens, from mountains to rivers, from ruins to Void Realm cracks, they searched meticulously, over a hundred times!

Not even the breath of an ant, or the tremor of a blade of grass, could escape their perception!

After a full hour—

The Five Great Heavenly Venerables opened their eyes simultaneously, and The Celestial Venerable Taichu slowly nodded, his tone resolute:

"It has been confirmed that Lu Chen's Divine Soul has been completely annihilated, with no trace remaining. He has suffered Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, forever falling into nothingness. You... can rest assured."

Emperor Qin and the other two exchanged glances, finally letting out a sigh of relief. The colossal stone that had weighed on their hearts for ten thousand years had finally fallen.

"Many thanks, Senior!" The three clasped their hands in unison, and were then enveloped by the Divine Ability of the five Heavenly Venerables, soaring into the sky, preparing to be taken to the Spirit Realm.

At this moment, Lin Fei stepped forward, taking the initiative to bow and salute:

"Wait, Seniors! I am the one who knows Lu Chen's background best! Please take me to the Spirit Realm with you!"

The Five Great Heavenly Venerables frowned slightly.

The threshold for the Spirit Realm was the Nascent Soul, but Lin Fei was merely a Golden Core Cultivator, his strength meager.

The Celestial Venerable Taichu's gaze sharpened, then he waved his hand grandly:

"Since that is the case, you shall accompany us!"

Ling Tian's peripheral vision caught sight of Liu Lanyan beside him, and he quickly reported:

"Seniors, wait! I have one more matter!"

The five Heavenly Venerables were a little impatient: "Speak."

Ling Tian pointed at Liu Lanyan: "This woman is named Liu Lanyan, she is Lu Chen's aunt. They depended on each other since Lu Chen's childhood, and she is his closest relative in this world! She most likely knows many of Lu Chen's secrets!"

Liu Lanyan's eyes were originally hollow, her heart ashen, wishing only for death to follow Lu Chen to the Yellow Springs.

At this moment, hearing the name "Lu Chen," a faint trace of pain flashed in her long-extinguished eyes.

And—

Lei Jicang, the Venerable of Heavenly Punishment who had just been laughing madly at Lu Chen's death, upon hearing the five words "Lu Chen's aunt," his eyes immediately turned blood red, and his killing intent surged!

"What?! She is Lu Chen's relative?!"

He suddenly turned around, lightning exploding in his eyes, thunderous light swirling around him, roaring like heavenly punishment descending:

"Good! Good! Lu Chen killed my five brothers, forced me to kneel and beg for mercy, bringing me immense humiliation! Today, though he has suffered Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, this blood debt—you shall repay it!!"

Before his words finished, his figure flickered, instantly appearing before Liu Lanyan!

Although Liu Lanyan was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, considered a strong person in one world, facing the Late Stage Undergoing Tribulation Lei Jicang, she didn't even have the right to resist!

"Boom—!"

Lei Jicang struck out with a palm, Heavenly Punishment Divine Thunder wrapped around his hand, directly piercing through Liu Lanyan's shoulders, lifting her like a rag, suspended in mid-air!

"Ah—!!!"

Liu Lanyan let out a tragic scream, her entire body pierced by Heavenly Punishment Divine Thunder, lightning raging within her, every nerve enduring the pain of ten thousand thunders devouring her body!

But she did not beg for mercy.

She merely looked up at the Void Realm where Lu Chen had self-destructed, tears silently streaming down her face.

She yearned for death, wishing her Divine Soul could follow the Reincarnation, even if it meant Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, she wanted to pursue Lu Chen's traces.

But how could Lei Jicang let her have her wish?

He sneered, increasing the lightning power, and said coldly: "Want to die? Not so easy! You are Lu Chen's relative, I want you to live! Live to endure endless torment! Your pain is the final judgment against him!"

Liu Lanyan's limbs were paralyzed, unable to move, unable to self-destruct or commit suicide.

And so—

Emperor Qin, Shen Wuya, Ling Tian, Lin Fei, and Liu Lanyan were all taken to the Spirit Realm... Spirit Realm, Tianshu Grand Hall.

Nine layers of jade steps unfolded, golden light shimmering, the hall's ceiling embedded with three thousand stars, rotating day and night, reflecting the heavenly mysteries.

This was the center of power in the Spirit Realm, the supreme sacred hall where Realm Master Ling Xiaozai governed all domains.

The entire Tianshu Grand Hall was prostrate, countless strong individuals holding their breath, not daring to breathe heavily.

Realm Master Ling Xiaozai personally came out of the hall, his face handsome, yet with a hint of fawning smile, he quickly stepped forward and bowed:

"Greetings to the five Heavenly Venerables upon your return! Fortunate for all domains, fortunate for the Spirit Realm!"

But before he finished speaking, Grand Flame Heavenly Venerable Lord Chi Xiao let out a cold shout, his voice like thunder exploding, shaking the glazed tiles of the grand hall:

"Spirit Firmament Child! What a mess you've caused! If not for the timely intervention of us five, your Spirit Realm would have been blown to nothingness by a mere Nascent Soul brat today! Even us five old fellows were almost wiped out by you!"

Spirit Firmament Child trembled all over, cold sweat instantly soaking his undergarments, he quickly knelt and kowtowed, his voice trembling:

"Heavenly Venerable, please forgive me! This Junior... this Junior never imagined that Lu Chen would be so terrifying! A mere Nascent Soul body, yet capable of self-destructing with a grotto-heaven star system, forcing back five Heavenly Venerables! It is truly... a disaster descending upon the world!"

He looked up, his face full of trepidation: "Fortunately, the five Heavenly Venerables possess boundless magical power, turning the tide, and averting disaster. Otherwise... the Spirit Realm's ten thousand-year foundation would have been destroyed in an instant!"

The Celestial Venerable Taichu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze profound, and said faintly:

"The trouble is not over. Lu Chen's origin is unknown, and his background may very well involve high-ranking figures in the Immortal Realm. If a powerful being behind him seeks to punish us, our Spirit Realm may suffer immortal retribution. We must quickly ascertain his true identity and why he ended up in this realm."

Spirit Firmament Child nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! This Junior has already issued orders to thoroughly investigate all traces of Lu Chen, not letting go of a single clue!"

Just then, five figures were led into the grand hall.

Emperor Qin, Shen Wuya, Ling Tian, and Lin Fei entered the hall, and though they were "invited," they held their heads high, showing no signs of humility.

Liu Lanyan, however, was escorted by two Starfall Envoys, Heavenly Punishment Thunder Chains wrapped around her, lightning constantly moving across her shattered Physical Body, causing her immense pain.

A guard sternly reprimanded: "Why do you not kneel before the Realm Master?!"

Emperor Qin sneered, standing with his hands behind his back: "I once was an Emperor of a realm, governing a billion living beings. I never kneel to anyone!"

Shen Wuya said indifferently: "I am the Master of Martial Soul. Though my civilization is destroyed, my integrity remains."

Ling Tian was even more direct: "Kneel? I, Ling Tian, dare to slay Heaven, and I never yield."

Although Lin Fei did not speak, he also stood with his head held high, not backing down in the slightest.

The grand hall erupted in an uproar, countless strong individuals glaring angrily, believing them to be utterly arrogant.

Spirit Firmament Child, however, waved his hand with a smile: "No matter, no matter. You are all Reincarnation powerful beings, with extraordinary identities. Grant them seats!"

He personally ordered four jade seats to be set up, his attitude extremely polite.

His purpose in inviting these people today was clear—to unearth all of Lu Chen's secrets!

Seated in the grand hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

Ling Tian was the first to speak, his voice steady, tinged with reminiscence:

"I was originally the Pavilion Master of the 'God Slaying Pavilion'. With one sword, I could open the Heavenly Gate; with one thought, I could sever the Heavenly Dao. In that battle, I, with my mortal body, went Heaven-Defying, forcing the Heavenly Dao to personally intervene. Ultimately, civilization was destroyed, and I underwent Reincarnation to cultivate anew..."

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall was in an uproar!

"Absurd!" The Starfall Envoy leader, Lei Jicang, sneered, "A mere Nascent Soul, yet you dare to claim you could force the Heavenly Dao to act? Daydreaming! I think your brain has been damaged!"

"Exactly! What God Slaying Pavilion? Our Spirit Realm's ten thousand-year records have never mentioned it!"