330: Luck decline

Nan Dou Region.

West Island.

Scarlet, scorching hot blood flowed across the ground, staining the entire surface a deep crimson.

The Demonic Body Clone, its face obscured by a mask, bent down to pick up the items dropped from the kill.

He placed them into the storage space of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

At the same time.

Xiao Shi, who was observing this scene through the Demonic Body Clone’s perspective, clearly saw that after the Demonic Body Clone killed the Demonic Path forces martial artist in front of him, streams of black qi suddenly floated out from the martial artist’s body and were absorbed into the Demonic Body Clone’s physique.

These black qi… were precisely the Demonic nature possessed by all Demonic Path forces martial artists!

When the Demonic Body Clone absorbed the opponent’s Demonic nature, its own Demonic nature immediately surged.

Xiao Shi knew.

This was currently how the Demonic Body Clone was forming its own system.

The Demonic Body Clone would use a large amount of Demonic nature to construct its powerful strength system in the Martial Demon Realm.

Typically, for Demonic Path forces martial artists.

The stronger their Demonic nature, the lower their humanity.

When the Demonic nature reached a certain level, it would completely replace humanity.

Anyone who cultivated to become a Martial Demon.

Had long lost their humanity.

But the Demonic Body Clone’s uniqueness meant that no matter how strong its Demonic nature became, it remained within Xiao Shi’s control.

Xiao Shi was not worried that its Demonic nature would increase and cause it to escape his control.

In fact, based on his understanding of the Demonic Body Clone.

He had anticipated that the Demonic Body Clone’s power system in the Martial Demon Realm would be related to Demonic nature.

Currently, the Demonic Body Clone mainly built its power system by killing Demonic Path forces martial artists and absorbing their Demonic nature.

Although Xiao Shi could not actively help the Demonic Body Clone construct its system.

He had given the Demonic Body Clone an instruction early on.

That was, the power constructed by the Demonic Body Clone must be a powerful, ultimate power.

It could not just be an ordinary power.

In terms of strength, it must reach a level no weaker than Xiao Shi’s own ultimate power.

A few days later.

Xiang Zizhen successfully advanced to a Saint!

The Great Wu Dynasty thus successfully gained another Saint!

Although this matter completely went against the Great Wu Crown Prince’s wishes.

Due to various factors, he still publicly expressed his congratulations and conferred a title upon Xiang Zizhen.

After all, a Saint on the Tianwu Continent was already an existence akin to a feudal lord.

Even if the Great Wu Crown Prince was extremely displeased with Xiang Zizhen.

These deserved titles and rewards could not be omitted.

At the same time, with Xiang Zizhen’s advancement to a Saint.

This Nan Dou Region also became Xiang Zizhen’s Saint Domain.

Completely under Xiang Zizhen’s control.

When Xiao Shi met Xiang Zizhen.

Xiang Zizhen’s entire aura and demeanor were fundamentally different from before.

The powerful aura emanating from Xiang Zizhen made Xiao Shi feel as if the Xiang Zizhen in front of him had undergone a complete transformation, utterly unlike his former self.

This was even with Xiang Zizhen’s aura somewhat restrained, not fully revealed.

Even so.

Xiao Shi felt that the Xiang Zizhen in front of him was like a giant, and that indescribably powerful feeling caused an extremely strong impact on him.

This was his first time confronting a Saint up close.

Before this.

He had never had the opportunity to encounter a Saint.

Even though he now had a certain understanding of Saints, when he truly encountered one.

That sense of power and invincibility made him deeply realize the vast difference between a Saint and the Martial Demon Realm!

As the pinnacle of the middle three realms of martial arts.

The difference between a Saint and the Martial Demon Realm was not just a matter of one realm.

Between the two, there was also an extremely exaggerated watershed.

Once one stepped into the Saint realm, it was not just an improvement in strength; the entire level would become different.

This could be seen from the numbers of each.

There were many Martial Demon Realm cultivators throughout the Tianwu Continent.

But Saints… were fewer than a hundred!

Now, with Xiang Zizhen becoming a Saint.

Xiao Shi could use Xiang Zizhen to understand the higher levels of the Tianwu Continent.

Currently, what he needed to focus on understanding.

Mainly involved two aspects.

Firstly, whether there were still areas on the Tianwu Continent that could be refined; he needed to find an area that could be refined to prepare for his own future Impact Saint realm.

Secondly, whether the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect still contained deeper secrets; Xiao Shi needed to use this to determine if the existence in the black coffin could be revived through the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect.

These two points were incredibly important to Xiao Shi.

At the same time.

The matter of Xiang Zizhen breaking through to the Saint realm not only attracted attention within the Imperial Domain.

Outside the Imperial Domain.

The Three Heavenly Kings also closely monitored this event.

After all, the sudden surge in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny earlier had led the Three Heavenly Kings to suspect it was brought about by Xiang Zizhen.

Although they could not enter the Imperial Domain, they all had different channels to keep abreast of developments within the Imperial Domain.

Especially major events like the emergence of a new Saint, which could not be hidden from them.

When the Three Heavenly Kings learned of Xiang Zizhen’s advancement to a Saint.

They all immediately observed the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny.

They knew very well.

If the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny were to surge at this moment.

Then the person who had brought the Great Wu Dynasty a huge increase in destiny before, must be Xiang Zizhen!

However, under their observation.

The Three Heavenly Kings found that the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny not only did not increase but actually showed signs of decline.

“Hmm?”

This caused the Three Heavenly Kings to frown simultaneously.

They found the situation before them to be utterly baffling.

Normally speaking.

Every time a Saint was born in the Great Wu Dynasty, it would inevitably bring an increase in destiny.

Even if it was just an ordinary Saint, it would definitely bring an increase in destiny.

After all, with the birth of every Saint.

The entire Great Wu Dynasty would grow stronger by a fraction.

And if there was a significant increase, it would further indicate that this Saint was extraordinary and possessed unusual talent.

But now, with the birth of a Saint, the destiny not only did not increase but declined… This was very peculiar.

Out of curiosity, the Three Heavenly Kings inquired about the detailed circumstances of Xiang Zizhen’s breakthrough to the Saint realm.

Upon learning that he had achieved this by defying the Great Wu Crown Prince and forcibly refining the Nan Dou Region.

They immediately understood why.

“It seems this newly advanced Saint holds a great deal of resentment towards the Great Wu Dynasty…”

They realized that Xiang Zizhen’s heart was clearly not with the Great Wu Dynasty, and the Great Wu Crown Prince’s actions this time had caused this newly advanced Saint not to genuinely and sincerely pledge allegiance to the Great Wu Dynasty like others.

Therefore, after his advancement to a Saint, he did not bring an increase in destiny to the Great Wu Dynasty; instead, a decline occurred.

This situation was undoubtedly something the Three Heavenly Kings were pleased to see.

At the same time, it also confirmed one thing for them.

That is, the one who had brought the Great Wu Dynasty a huge increase in destiny before was definitely not Xiang Zizhen!

If it were Xiang Zizhen… the Great Wu Dynasty would absolutely not have experienced a decline in destiny.

Even if Xiang Zizhen’s heart was not with the Great Wu Dynasty.

He still bore the great wu mark of the Great Wu Dynasty; as long as he was a person of the Great Wu Dynasty, after breaking through to a Saint, he would inevitably bring a huge increase in destiny.

At most, the degree of destiny increase would be slightly reduced.

But unless he removed the great wu mark on his body and no longer belonged to the Great Wu Dynasty, it would be impossible for destiny to decline; it would still bring a certain increase in destiny.

This made the Three Heavenly Kings feel a pang of regret.

They now wished that Xiang Zizhen was the one who had brought the Great Wu Dynasty a huge boost in destiny.

The Great Wu Crown Prince chilling the heart of such an important person was undoubtedly the scene they most wanted to see.

It was a pity… they were already certain that Xiang Zizhen was not the one who had brought the Great Wu Dynasty a massive increase in destiny.

This made the Three Heavenly Kings deeply puzzled.

Not Xiang Zizhen… then who was it that brought the destiny increase to the Great Wu Dynasty last time?

...At the same time.

Besides the Three Heavenly Kings.

The Great Wu Crown Prince was also observing the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny with Chen Yuan and Cheng Riyou.

When the Great Wu Crown Prince saw that the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny had actually declined, his expression instantly turned gloomy.

Chen Yuan was also stunned by this.

He clearly knew what this scene meant… Logically speaking.

Now that Xiang Zizhen had broken through to a Saint, the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny should have seen a surge.

The result, however, was a decline… This clearly indicated that this newly advanced Saint harbored deep resentment towards the Great Wu Dynasty, to the extent that although his person was in the Great Wu Dynasty, his heart did not belong there.

The Great Wu Crown Prince’s eyes were filled with raging fury.

He hadn’t expected that this Xiang Zizhen… not only dared to defy and go against him.

But now even dared to harbor disloyal intentions!!

If Xiang Zizhen’s previous defiance and disobedience could be tolerated by the Great Wu Crown Prince for various reasons, with plans to settle accounts later.

Now, the decline in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny was already something he could not tolerate!

Because this clearly indicated the other party’s disloyalty!

If it weren’t for the restrictions of the Great Wu Seal.

Perhaps the other party would have directly left the Great Wu Dynasty, just like the Three Heavenly Kings did back then.

Even a monarch with the best temper.

Would inevitably be unable to tolerate such a situation.

Moreover, the current Great Wu Crown Prince was inherently a domineering person.

“…Sect Master Chen, what do you think should be done about this matter?”

The Great Wu Crown Prince looked at Chen Yuan, who was standing beside him.

His eyes were cold.

His face no longer held any trace of its usual gentle smile.

He had completely shed his disguise, fully revealing his domineering and indifferent side.

He was ostensibly asking Chen Yuan.

But in reality, he was conveying his attitude to Chen Yuan.

This Xiang Zizhen… he must be dealt with!!

The Great Wu Dynasty absolutely could not tolerate a disloyal Saint.

After Chen Yuan sensed the Great Wu Crown Prince’s attitude.

He also felt a great deal of pressure.

He said in a deep voice.

“Your Highness, please calm your anger… From my understanding of Xiang Zizhen, he is definitely not such a person. Even if this incident has caused him resentment, he would not be disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty. I believe… there must be some hidden truth here that we don’t know.”

Chen Yuan felt that the current decline in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny was not due to Xiang Zizhen.

But for other reasons.

Although Xiang Zizhen’s public defiance of the Great Wu Crown Prince this time was very unexpected, he knew that this was the most outrageous act Xiang Zizhen could commit.

Even if Xiang Zizhen harbored resentment towards the Great Wu Crown Prince.

He would not be disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty.

But now, the decline in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny pointed entirely to Xiang Zizhen!

Even if Chen Yuan felt something was amiss.

He couldn’t produce any strong evidence.

“Now that it has come to this, Sect Master Chen, please don’t continue to defend him, alright? Xiang Zizhen advanced to a Saint, and our Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny not only didn’t rise but declined. Besides his disloyalty to our Great Wu Dynasty, what other reason could there be?”

Cheng Riyou said coldly from the side.

Chen Yuan ignored Cheng Riyou’s words.

He became lost in thought.

He connected this incident with the previous surge in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny.

He always felt that these two events were somehow related.

It was just that he still hadn’t figured out what happened with the previous surge in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny.

“If the previous surge in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny was brought about by some mysterious person I don’t know…”

“Then is the current decline in destiny also due to this mysterious person?”

The reason for this association.

Was mainly due to his understanding of Xiang Zizhen.

He didn’t believe that Xiang Zizhen would become disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty because of this incident.

If Xiang Zizhen hadn’t become a Saint, perhaps this would be possible.

But now that he had become a Saint.

Even if he harbored resentment and dissatisfaction towards the Great Wu Crown Prince.

He wouldn’t become disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty because of it.

“Assuming the previous increase in the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny was due to a mysterious person joining the Great Wu Dynasty…”

“Now, for some reason, this mysterious person became disillusioned with the Great Wu Dynasty, and their heart no longer leaned towards the Great Wu Dynasty, causing the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny to decline!”

“It just so happened that Xiang Zizhen became a Saint at this time…”

“The destiny increase that should have been brought by Xiang Zizhen’s advancement to a Saint was unable to counteract the decline in destiny after this mysterious person no longer pledged allegiance to the Great Wu Dynasty!”

“Therefore, everyone thought all of this was caused by Xiang Zizhen.”

“In fact, even if Xiang Zizhen hadn’t advanced to a Saint, the Great Wu Dynasty’s destiny would have declined, and it would have declined even more…”

The more Chen Yuan thought about it, the more he felt that his conjecture was more reliable than Xiang Zizhen being disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty.

It was just that he currently lacked sufficient proof to substantiate his conjecture.

Under the Great Wu Crown Prince’s increasingly hostile and cold gaze.

Chen Yuan, before the Great Wu Crown Prince could speak, said solemnly.

“Please grant me some time to thoroughly investigate this matter, Your Highness. If Xiang Zizhen is truly disloyal to the Great Wu Dynasty, I will personally clean house, without need for others to intervene!”

The Great Wu Crown Prince looked deeply at Chen Yuan.

Although he had a domineering personality.

But Chen Yuan, as the pillar of the current Great Wu Dynasty, and now possessing the eye of imperial judgment.

He could not be too autocratic in his dealings with Chen Yuan.

“I’ll give you one month.”

“Within a month, if you cannot prove Xiang Zizhen’s stance…”

“Then bring me Xiang Zizhen’s head.”

The Great Wu Crown Prince said coldly.

“As you command!”

Chen Yuan respectfully nodded.