226: Holy Land Changes

The Holy Domain's civil war saw new changes. Sima Jinghan and Lin Qianqiu never expected that their cooperation with Nalan Shu would ultimately lead to betrayal.

In a single exchange, the two Immortal Realm cultivators died on the spot.

When their two heads were presented to Yu Xiyan, she didn't even glance at them. She simply raised a finger: “From now on, your identity as Prince Jing is restored.

All existing Immortal Dynasty military forces will be commanded by you on my behalf. Eradicate the Haoyang Sect as quickly as possible. Do you have any difficulties?”

Nalan Shu frowned slightly: “Your Majesty, this prince fears he cannot fulfill this task. It’s not due to insufficient strength,

but because the Haoyang Sect’s main headquarters has never been fixed. As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows; finding it will be difficult.”

Yu Xiyan pointed at the two heads at her feet: “Then lure them out, and then follow the vine to find the melon. That's not a bad option either.”

Nalan Shu: “Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. This prince understands.”

After Nalan Shu left, a large Phoenix chair materialized behind Yu Xiyan. She rested her hand on her forehead, sitting silently alone.

“Shen Zhao, if you saw me now, grown up, would you be pleased? Would you be willing to accept me?”

“I truly miss the Glazed Begonia tree you personally planted for me that year.”

“Can we... truly never go back?”

...As the Holy Domain's skies changed, Shen Lian, after dealing with Gu Xichao and the other two, sat in the netherworld chariot, slowly heading to the Abyss of Buried Gods to retrieve his Origin power.

“My cultivation has now reached the eighth level of the Immortal Realm, still some distance from the Limit-Breaking Realm. How then can I enter the Abyss of Buried Gods?”

Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a slight movement on the carriage.

“Who’s there?”

“Friend, I am Yan Xingge. I see your chariot is quite distinctive. Could you give me a ride?”

“That depends on whether you are worthy.”

As Shen Lian’s voice fell, the Spiritual Qi around him surged.

Immediately, a vast surge of primal energy erupted from the netherworld chariot, spreading outwards.

“Whoa, you have quite a temper.”

Yan Xingge on the carriage leaped up. As his feet left the carriage roof, he spun to evade the Spiritual Qi attack and directly sat in front of the carriage curtain.

“Hmm?”

Shen Lian frowned slightly, then a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

“To dare provoke Shen Lian, you have courage.”

As his voice fell, the carriage curtain lifted for an instant, and Shen Lian’s palm strike was already heading towards Yan Xingge.

“Friend, why such a temper?”

Yan Xingge flashed to the side, and as he raised a hand to block, the currents generated by their colliding palms swept across the surroundings instantly.

“You’ve piqued my interest.”

Seeing that the opponent could easily block a palm strike, Shen Lian’s Battle Intent was fiercely ignited.

What followed was a shocking close-quarters battle.

“No, I just wanted a ride. Do you really have to be so aggressive?”

“Enough nonsense. Since you chose to provoke, then bear the consequences.”

Yan Xingge was helpless and had no choice but to retaliate.

The Spiritual Qi on both of them was restrained. On the speeding chariot, they exchanged punches and palms, each collision causing the surrounding air to twist.

Bang bang bang—

In the blink of an eye, the two had fought from the front of the carriage to the roof.

Between the clashing bare palms, it was a competition of combat techniques and Moves, and even more so, a test of their Foundation.

Shen Lian's attacks were seven parts offense and three parts defense. His Moves seemed grand and open, but in reality, he guarded his every inch, giving his opponent no chance to counter.

Yan Xingge maintained his Origin. Facing Shen Lian’s incoming Moves, he countered them as they came, likewise giving the other party no opportunity.

The netherworld chariot sped forward, but the receding scenery was not even a fraction as dazzling as the two entangled in battle.

At this moment, both sides attacked more frequently, offense and defense alternating several times, yet neither could gain the upper hand.

Although their internal energy was restrained, every clash between the two sparring combatants was fraught with danger and incredibly swift, leaving onlookers dazzled.

One chariot, two shadows, three Pure Ones transforming, four directions moving simultaneously,

Shaking like five peaks, startling six heavens, locking like seven stars shifting eight formations,

Nine Heavens shocked, ten directions martial.

With Moves combining hardness and softness, and skilled, heavy offense and defense, unknowingly, the two had exchanged nearly a thousand Moves on the rapidly speeding chariot.

Ten parts martial, nine layers falling, eight directions absorbed, seven clever links,

Eyes observing six harmonies, reaching five realms, palms moving four seas, stirring three powers,

Two sides contending, a single moment deciding victory or defeat.

Bang—

After a thousand Moves, Shen Lian and Yan Xingge exchanged a palm strike, each retreating a step in perfect synchronicity, stopping their hands at the same time.

“Hahaha!”

Shen Lian suddenly burst into laughter, his eyes filled with admiration.

“Excellent! To be able to exchange over a thousand Moves with Shen Lian in a Move-based duel without revealing any flaws, you are the first.”

Yan Xingge smiled faintly: “Coincidentally, friend, you are also the first I’ve seen who can apply fist and palm Moves to such a pinnacle. Impressive, truly impressive.”

“Hahaha!”

The two looked at each other and laughed, without schemes or conspiracies.

“Friend, can you give me a ride now?”

“You’ve thoroughly entertained Shen Lian. Where do you wish to go?”

“The Holy Domain.”

After Yan Xingge finished speaking, he unfastened the wine gourd from his waist and tossed it to Shen Lian.

“This is Jade Pond Immortal Wine brewed by my wife. Have a taste.”

Shen Lian directly pulled open the stopper, and instantly a unique wine aroma permeated the air, intoxicating and mesmerizing.

“Holy Wine brewed with Jade Pond water and ten-thousand-year-old Peach Blossom Spring nectar. It seems your status is extraordinary.”

After speaking, Shen Lian took a shallow sip and tossed the wine gourd back to Yan Xingge.

The Holy Wine entered his stomach, instantly invigorating Shen Lian’s spirit. The heaven and earth root within him also seemed to have received external nourishment, accelerating the efficiency of Spiritual Qi flow.

“Status is merely a designation. I presume friend, you wouldn’t care for such things, right?”

Yan Xingge took a sip of wine, re-tied the wine gourd to his belt, and then sat directly on the carriage roof.

This time, Shen Lian did not object and sat opposite him, facing him.

“You are right, status doesn’t determine anything. It’s merely something ants admire.

True powerhouses don’t care about these dispensable external possessions.”

Yan Xingge: “Friend, actually, at Twin Peaks, I personally saw you defeat Feng Yutao. Your tactic of simulating all your internal energy as a mud pit truly opened my eyes. However, this process is extremely dangerous; a slight misstep could lead to eternal damnation. Didn’t you consider this?”

Shen Lian: “If you want to win by fighting the strong with the weak, mere skill and calculation are useless, especially against absolute power. If you don't take a risky path, all that awaits you is an unwilling death. Only by daring to gamble with your life can you carve out a path of blood. I believe you understand this principle.”

Yan Xingge nodded: “Yes, I used to be like you, reckless and daring to fight, but I can’t anymore.

I have a large group of wives and daughters to look after. What would happen to them if something went wrong? Honestly, I envy you a bit.

At least you dare to go all out, while I have too many considerations.”

Shen Lian: “Everyone has their own choices. If you were an ant from the bottom, when you said that, I would surely mock you for lacking ambition.

But with your current strength, I have no right to lecture you.

After all, starting a family and career is a human instinct. If you have the strength to protect your wives and daughters,

you can naturally set your own rules, and no one would dare defy them.

Reality is just like that. In this lawless world,

strength is the only reliance for setting rules.”