Chapter 333: Divine Blood Obtained

Chapter 333: Divine Blood Obtained

The lotus leaves in the pond shimmered with a lush green hue, exuding the fragrance of lotus blossoms and brimming with vibrant vitality.

Ning Xiaochuan shouted, "Nine Palaces Eight Winds—Fire God Refining Wind!"

This was the wind of destruction among the eight winds.

From his palms, wisps of crimson fire essence scattered, condensing into clusters of scarlet flames that slowly surged forward, forming a scorching wind of fire.

"Crackle—"

A wind woven from flames.

The lotus leaves on the pond were reduced to ashes by the fire, their blackened remnants sinking into the water. The once-clear pond gradually turned a deep crimson.

This was no ordinary pond—it was a pool of blood!

An illusion. Only those who knew how to break illusions could see the true form of the Blood Pool.

The pool of blood gradually coalesced, condensing into a single radiant drop of blood that rose from the water, hovering in midair.

Ning Xiaochuan's heart pounded with excitement as he swiftly collected the drop of Divine Blood.

To him, this was the most precious treasure within the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace.

Compared to this single drop of Divine Blood, all other treasures paled into insignificance.

Just as Ning Xiaochuan stored the Divine Blood, the White Fox Heir caught up, striking at his back with a palm.

Ning Xiaochuan unfurled his dragon wings and soared into the air, avoiding a direct clash. He arced through the sky, landing on the eaves of a divine palace.

Gripping his sword with both hands, he unleashed a slash of Sword Qi.

"Whoosh—"

A crimson dragon-shaped Sword Qi shot forth, aimed straight at the White Fox Heir.

Ning Xiaochuan was now at the peak of the Ninth Level of the Transcendent Realm. Even without the Demonic Sword or the power of the Small Red Dragon, he could already challenge Martial Venerables.

Now, merged with the Small Red Dragon and transformed into the "Battle Saint Dragon Envoy," his combat strength had multiplied severalfold. Every sword strike shook heaven and earth, enough to rival the veteran Marquises of the imperial court.

"Boom!"

The White Fox Heir's power was terrifying. His axe strike tore a rift in space itself.

Ning Xiaochuan leaped from the palace eaves, his massive dragon wings carrying him through the air.

The White Fox Heir pursued relentlessly, his body swelling to over 100 meters tall, transforming into a towering giant. He unleashed a palm strike capable of annihilating the world.

"White Fox Heir, if we keep fighting like this, others will take all the treasures in the Divine Palace. That benefits neither of us," Ning Xiaochuan said, deliberately misleading him to conceal the fact that he had obtained the Divine Blood.

In truth, Ning Xiaochuan had no interest in the other treasures within the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace.

He knew that the true treasures of the palace could not be taken away by anyone. The Divine Blood was likely the most valuable prize.

The White Fox Heir sneered, "I don’t care about any treasures. I’ll take your life first. Then, Ye Nan Tian and Nie Lanxin—none of you will escape."

"White Fox Heir, do you still wish to return to the Yulan Empire?" Ning Xiaochuan's voice turned grave.

"You know the way back?" The White Fox Heir's attacks slowed slightly.

"Of course I do," Ning Xiaochuan replied with confidence.

"Then I'll capture you first and execute you once we return to Yulan Empire." The White Fox Heir showed no intention of stopping, extending a massive hand to strike Ning Xiaochuan, sending him flying.

Fortunately, Ning Xiaochuan was clad in the Divine Dragon Armor, or else he would have suffered severe injuries.

It seemed the White Fox Heir had not only turned his body to stone but his brain as well.

Ning Xiaochuan was tempted to refine the Divine Blood right then, breaking through to the Earthly Venerable Realm and grinding the White Fox Heir into stone dust.

But the thought only flickered briefly in his mind before he restrained himself with reason. Now was not the time to refine the Divine Blood.

The existence of the Divine Blood must never be revealed to anyone. Otherwise, even if he refined it and reached the Earthly Venerable Realm, countless experts would come after him, eager to drink his blood.

Some might even capture him and refine him as a mystic medicine.

For the sake of the Divine Blood, even figures of the Sword Saint’s caliber would undoubtedly target Ning Xiaochuan.

Thus, the Divine Blood had to be refined in secret—no one could know.

Boom!

The chaotic space was continuously torn apart as many people stormed into the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, collecting treasures they could take away.

This was once the dwelling of the Heavenly Emperor. Even a mere bronze lamp was undoubtedly a remarkable Mystic Artifact.

While everyone else was scrambling for treasures within the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, Ning Xiaochuan and the White Fox Heir were locked in battle, neither gaining the upper hand.

There were eighteen divine palaces in total. Some contained ancient texts, others held Mystic Artifacts, elixirs, or mystic stones... Though most items within the palaces couldn’t be taken, many rare treasures were still found. Every Martial Artist returned with at least one extraordinary treasure.

Before long, all portable treasures within the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace had been looted, and all the Martial Artists gathered outside the seventh divine palace.

There lay a dried-up small lake, its bottom engraved with intricate formation patterns. Everyone speculated that these patterns formed the Portal Formation leading back to Yulan Empire.

Only a drop of the Spiritual Void Venerable’s blood could activate the formation.

In truth, this dried-up lake was once the lotus pond that held the Divine Blood. When Ning Xiaochuan took the Divine Blood, he had noticed the formation patterns at the bottom, which was why he had confidently claimed to know the way back to Yulan Empire.

"Ning Xiaochuan and that stone man are still fighting—they’ve been at it from start to finish without pause."

"Ning Xiaochuan is truly unlucky. He was the first to enter the divine palace but ended up facing a formidable enemy, forced into battle and gaining nothing. Heh."

Many Martial Artists gloated, their Heaven and Earth Bags stuffed with treasures, convinced they had reaped great rewards.

"The Cloud Marquis and Prince Jindu clashed, each seizing half a river of condensed Heaven and Earth Essence," a young Martial Artist said enviously.

Above the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, three rivers of condensed Heaven and Earth Essence had once flowed. The largest was taken by the Spiritual Void Venerable, while the Demon Sect Saintess claimed another.

The Cloud Marquis and Prince Jindu were a step behind the Nie Sisters, splitting control of the third river of condensed Heaven and Earth Essence.

"It's said the Nie Sisters jointly seized a mysterious Ancient Battle Artifact, at least a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact, possibly even half a Supreme Imperial Artifact."

Everyone was astonished. "How is that possible? The Tianyin Sect's treasured artifact, the Tai Xuan Zither, is only a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact. It’s precisely because of the Tai Xuan Zither that the Tianyin Sect has stood unshaken for over a thousand years, becoming one of the few major sects that commands awe across the land. Now, if they gain another Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact, wouldn’t they grow even stronger?"

"If half a Supreme Imperial Artifact emerges, the Tianyin Sect might surpass the Yiyuan Sect and become the foremost sect in the world, powerful enough to intimidate even the imperial court."

Nearly everyone had obtained remarkable treasures, though some kept theirs hidden while others accidentally revealed theirs, drawing attention.

"Look, the Nie Sisters are here."

All eyes turned toward the Nie Sisters, and among them, some formidable Martial Artists gazed with greed in their eyes.

Nie Lanxin's sharp gaze burned like fire as a Martial Soul Avatar surged from her body, materializing into the form of a purple ancient zither hovering above her head.

"Heavens! A Martial Soul Avatar—she’s broken through to the Earthly Venerable Realm!"

Those who had intended to snatch the treasure immediately suppressed their impulses.

A Martial Venerable’s combat prowess was terrifying, enough to make others hesitate before acting rashly. Moreover, a Martial Venerable’s survival skills were exceptional—unless one possessed ten times their strength, killing one was nearly impossible.

Defeating a Martial Venerable was one thing, but killing one was an entirely different challenge.

"Sister, hurry and save the Minor Marquis! He’s being chased by that giant stone beast!" Nie Lanzhi, aware of the Stone Beast Giant’s might, was deeply worried for Ning Xiaochuan’s safety.

Nie Lanxin’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She could clearly sense her sister’s affection for Ning Xiaochuan, which unsettled her. No matter what, she couldn’t allow Lanzhi to become entangled with him.

Softly, she reassured, "Don’t worry. The Stone Beast Giant is indeed powerful, but Ning Xiaochuan has the Divine Dragon’s protection. He won’t die so easily."

"But the Minor Marquis is already injured! If you won’t help him, I will!" Nie Lanzhi’s anxiety was palpable, her large eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears.

Ning Xiaochuan had saved her more than once and treated her with great care during their year together. Nie Lanzhi had long developed genuine feelings for him—not mere admiration or respect, but true affection.

Nie Lanxin activated a Martial Arts Divine Ability to restrain her, refusing to let her interfere further with Ning Xiaochuan.

Nearly all the Martial Artists had gathered by the dried-up stone lake.

Yet, someone did step forward to aid Ning Xiaochuan—Yu Qing, standing atop the Seventh Divine Hall, summoned a Mystic Artifact and unleashed attacks on the Stone Beast Giant.

Yu Qing had also reaped benefits within the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Palace, breaking through to the Earthly Venerable Realm and multiplying his cultivation.

Deploying his Martial Soul Avatar, he fought with wild ferocity, simultaneously wielding eight Mystic Artifacts to pose a grave threat to the Stone Beast Giant.

"Thank you for your assistance, Little Prince," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"Why so much talk between brothers? Once we return to the Imperial City, you must treat me to a good drink at the Jade Viewing Tower. Best if you invite Miss Yu Ningsheng to sing a tune—that would be truly wonderful." Yu Qing burst into laughter, as if completely unafraid of the White Fox Heir's retaliation.

The three mighty experts battled fiercely, with Mystic Artifacts and Martial Arts Divine Abilities flying everywhere.

"Whoosh!"

The Spiritual Void Venerable soared through the air, her figure enveloped in a hazy white mist, graceful and poised as she hovered above the dried-up stone lake. A drop of blood fell from her fingertip into the lake's depths, instantly activating the Formation at its bottom.

"Whoosh—"

A crimson light erupted from the lakebed, radiating dazzling brilliance as it enveloped the Spiritual Void Venerable. In a flash of light, she vanished from above the stone lake.

Soon after, the Cloud Marquis, Prince Jindu, Ye Nan Tian, and others all departed through the Portal Formation.

Half an hour later, only Ning Xiaochuan, Yu Qing, and the White Fox Heir remained locked in combat, while the Demon Sect's experts stood by the dried-up stone lake, observing the battle.

The Demon Sect Saintess stared intently at the clash of the three experts, her eyes filled with urgency. Only after everyone else had left did she speak: "Ning Xiaochuan once aided our Demon Sect. I cannot stand idly by. Ling'er, lead the others away first. I will lend him my assistance."