Chapter 329: The Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace Emerges

Chapter 329: The Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace Emerges

The Double-headed Stone Beast flew through the sky for about half an hour before a dazzling tricolored radiance appeared on the distant horizon, resembling three-colored flames burning brightly.

The horizon was bathed in white, crimson, and golden light, forming a luminous border as if the entire world were ablaze, exuding an awe-inspiring and majestic aura.

As they flew closer, Ning Xiaochuan saw a massive white divine palace suspended within the tricolored radiance. Tens of thousands of steps led up to its gates, which stood over a hundred meters tall. Seventy-two colossal Celestial Pillars stood like pillars holding up the heavens and the earth.

The white divine palace floated above the clouds, slowly descending toward the ground.

"So the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace was hidden within the Black Clouds. No wonder no one could find it—no one can fly into the Black Clouds. We could only wait for the palace to emerge on its own," Ning Xiaochuan realized.

The Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace couldn't remain hidden in the Black Clouds forever. Given enough Time, it would naturally emerge.

Based on Ning Xiaochuan's judgment, the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace likely appeared only once a year, making this opportunity exceptionally rare. Missing it would mean waiting another year.

The Double-headed Stone Beast stopped about 50 km away from the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, folding its wings as the Massive stones composing its body shifted and rearranged, transforming into a stone mountain that settled on the ground.

Once a stone beast's cultivation reached a certain level, it could freely alter its form, becoming a stone palace, mountain, or even a city. The Double-headed Stone Beast's power had grown to a terrifying degree, capable of battling a Martial Venerable. Changing its form was no challenge at all.

Ning Xiaochuan wasn't planning to charge in immediately. He intended to observe the situation first.

The emergence of the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace had already drawn many Martial Artists and high-level Mystic Beasts. Some stood beneath the palace, while others, like Ning Xiaochuan, lurked in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to act.

Tap, tap. Footsteps sounded.

Yu Qing strolled boldly toward the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, his arm wrapped around the waist of a stunning young noblewoman.

No— That wasn't a young noblewoman. It was a high-level Mystic Beast.

Beneath the hem of her skirt, a fluffy fox tail swayed. Her figure was curvaceous and alluring, her face enchantingly beautiful, her gaze seductive as she clung to Yu Qing's arm, playing the role of a delicate maiden.

"The Little Prince truly lives up to his title as the 'Little Whirlwind of Flowers.' Wherever he goes, he has a beauty by his side," Ning Xiaochuan remarked as he stepped out from the stone mountain.

Yu Qing's eyes lit up with joy. "Brother Ning! Finally, I see you again. You have no idea how rough things have been for me lately—I nearly lost my life!"

Ning Xiaochuan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the gorgeous young woman in his arms with a faint smile. "That bad? From where I stand, it looks like you're living more comfortably than anyone."

"Ah, appearances can be deceiving. Let me introduce you—this is Hu Xiaoyao, the future heir of the Phantom Fox Clan. Xiaoyao, this is the renowned top genius of the Imperial City, Ning Xiaochuan, the Minor Marquis of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House!" Yu Qing announced.

Hu Xiaoyao wore fragrant, sheer robes, her snow-white chest exposed, her waist as slender as a willow branch. She cooed sweetly, "The Minor Marquis is so handsome."

Yu Qing chuckled softly, "Brother Ning, if you fancy a fox maiden, Xiaoyao is definitely the top choice—she’s quite the charmer. How about letting Xiaoyao serve you for a night?"

The lives of the princes in the Imperial City were steeped in extravagance, with countless wives, concubines, and beautiful attendants. Exchanging lovely concubines among themselves was a common practice.

Hu Xiaoyao blinked her eyes, lightly pursed her lips, and actually found herself drawn to Ning Xiaochuan.

Ning Xiaochuan hastily declined and changed the subject, "Little Prince, you mentioned earlier that you nearly lost your life. What exactly happened?"

Yu Qing’s expression darkened, his eyes brimming with intense killing intent. His entire aura shifted dramatically as he spat out, "It was none other than Ye Nan Tian! He wanted to steal the Three-Leaved Life Grass from me and resorted to a sneak attack. If not for my life-saving measures, I’d already be dead by his hand."

"Are you certain it was Ye Nan Tian?" Ning Xiaochuan harbored no particular dislike for Ye Nan Tian and found it hard to believe he’d act this way.

At least on the surface, Ye Nan Tian was a man of grace, capable of captivating countless young noblewomen and even earning the loyalty of many talented youths.

Yu Qing said, "He wore a mask and shrouded himself in Profound Qi, but I’ve crossed blades with him more than once. I know his Martial Path techniques inside out—no matter how he tried to conceal them, he couldn’t fool my eyes. And he dares call himself the Sword Saint’s Successor? Pretending to be a righteous gentleman, yet he’s nothing like the noble image he projects."

"Without proof, it’s best not to speak such words lightly. You wouldn’t want to bring hatred upon the Divine Dragon King’s Residence."

Ning Xiaochuan frowned. Deep down, he believed Yu Qing’s words, but such accusations couldn’t be carelessly thrown around. The slightest misstep could ignite a bloody feud between two major factions.

Yu Qing nodded solemnly in agreement.

"Brother Ning understands propriety. The Little Prince truly shouldn’t speak recklessly. My reputation is of little consequence, but the Sword Saint’s honor is another matter entirely."

From the sky, a streak of purple Sword Light descended, landing on the ground and coalescing into the form of a handsome, elegant man.

Like a Sword Light taking human form upon touching the earth.

Ye Nan Tian carried an Ancient Sword on his back, his long hair tied neatly behind him. A white crown adorned his head, and his pristine robes fluttered in the breeze. A faint smile graced his lips, exuding an air of warmth like a spring breeze.

An overwhelming Sword Intent radiated from him—every wisp of wind that brushed past him sharpened into a blade-like Sword Qi.

He resembled nothing less than the reincarnation of a Celestial Sword Immortal, his bearing beyond that of an ordinary man.

"Whoosh!"

Nie Lanxin retracted her Holy Light Wings and landed gracefully like an immortal maiden in white.

Under the orders of her sect elders, she had been exchanging Martial Path insights with Ye Nan Tian to foster synergy, preparing for a future alliance through marriage between their two sects.

Though her face was veiled, the deep worry in her eyes was unmistakable. Her heart ached for her younger sister, Nie Lanzhi. A year had passed without any trace of her, and she feared the worst.

Her beautiful gaze flickered toward Ning Xiaochuan for a brief moment before she averted her eyes.

"Ye Nan Tian, dare you deny that it was you who ambushed me half a month ago? If not for the Sword Pellet protecting me, I would have died by your hands!" Yu Qing was furious, ready to charge forward and fight Ye Nan Tian to the death.

Ning Xiaochuan held him back, preventing him from acting impulsively.

At this moment, Ye Nan Tian wasn’t just in the right—he was also a Sword Dao expert of the Earthly Venerable Realm, virtually unmatched among the younger generation. If Yu Qing attacked now, not only would he be at a disadvantage, but he might also suffer humiliation at Ye Nan Tian’s hands, with no benefit whatsoever.

Ye Nan Tian solemnly replied, "Little Prince, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I have been training and cultivating with Fairy Nie all this time and absolutely did not ambush you. Fairy Nie can vouch for this."

Nie Lanxin added, "Senior Brother Ye is indeed telling the truth. Little Prince, if you claim Senior Brother Ye ambushed you, did you clearly see the attacker’s face? Are you certain it was him?"

Yu Qing clenched his teeth tightly but said nothing.

Ye Nan Tian smiled faintly. "Since the Little Prince didn’t even see the attacker’s face, why insist it was me? Lanxin, let’s head to the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace first."

Nie Lanxin glanced at Ning Xiaochiao before unfurling her Holy Light Wings. Her graceful figure soared into the air, flying toward one of the gates of the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace.

"The Yiyuan Sect’s Ye Nan Tian and the Tianyin Sect’s Nie Lanxin are attempting to breach the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace. I wonder if their combined strength can break the Barrier outside the palace," murmured the Martial Artists gathered outside, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Over the past two days, more than ten Martial Artists had tried to force their way into the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace, only to be repelled by the Barrier. Some had even been injured by its counterattacks.

"Rumors say both Ye Nan Tian and Nie Lanxin possess Special Heart Palaces, their cultivation far surpassing others of the same realm. Perhaps they can break the Barrier."

Every Martial Artist who had made it here was an outstanding individual, but the most legendary among them was undoubtedly the Spiritual Void Venerable.

Not only was the Spiritual Void Venerable a descendant of the Heavenly Emperor, but she was also a master of the Daoist path. She had analyzed that the Barrier outside the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace had two gates of life—only if two experts attacked simultaneously could it be opened.

The Barrier grew stronger against strength and weaker against weakness.

The Spiritual Void Venerable had once attempted to breach a gate of life but failed. Unless she found a partner who could match her perfectly, the Barrier would remain unbroken.

Ye Nan Tian and Nie Lanxin were among the finest young experts of their generation, their coordination seamless. They had become everyone’s hope. If even they failed, no one would likely enter the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace.

BOOM!

A brilliant tricolored divine light erupted from the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace, followed by thousands of Lightning bolts as thick as a wrist, lashing out like tendrils toward Ye Nan Tian and Nie Lanxin.

"Retreat!" Ye Nan Tian’s expression changed drastically. He swiftly recalled his Purple Cloud Flying Sword, merging his body with the blade as he transformed into a streak of Sword Light, darting backward.

Nie Lanxin also sensed the terror of the Lightning and immediately activated her Swift Divine Ability, retreating 300 meters in an instant.

CRACK!

A bolt of Lightning morphed into a massive Short Sword, crackling as it slashed toward her head.

Nie Lanxin's forehead condensed into a crystal-clear divine light, shooting out a dazzling beam that struck the blade of the Short Sword, shattering it into pieces.

"Whoosh!"

She retreated with lingering fear, her palms drenched in cold sweat. She had nearly died under the Short Sword just moments ago—it had been far too dangerous.

Even Ye Nan Tian and Nie Lanxin joining forces had failed. Could it be that no one could break the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace's barrier?

They had already reached the outside of the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, yet they couldn't enter. This was nothing short of an eternal regret, leaving many Martial Artists unable to let go.

"This is an ancient barrier from the Mystic Gate Arts, with two gates of life—the Kan position and the Kun position." Ning Xiaochuan stood at a distance, carefully observing the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace. Having noticed some clues, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.