Chapter 351: The Battle Between the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and the Demon Sect

Chapter 351: The Battle Between the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and the Demon Sect

The Lifeless Dao Leader was furious, as if he had been slapped in the face by the Jian Pavilion Marquis. He raised his arm and brought it crashing down toward Ning Xiaochuan's head.

He was making his move against Ning Xiaochuan.

Ning Xiaochuan could already sense the overwhelming surge of Demonic Qi. Looking up, he saw dark clouds churning in the sky, as if all the air in the world had been sucked dry.

A massive palm descended from the clouds, stretching over 100 meters long. Its terrifying aura crushed many wooden structures on the ground into splinters in an instant.

This was the power of a Daoist Master-level figure from the Demon Sect, far beyond what an ordinary Martial Venerable could match.

At the same time, the Old Marquis, seated within the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, hurled a pristine white exquisite pagoda into the sky. It soared upward, instantly arriving above the Divine Sword Palace.

The originally small and delicate pagoda transformed into a colossal Divine Tower in the blink of an eye, unleashing a terrifying might that swept across the entire city.

"Boom!"

Just a single pulse of energy from the Divine Tower shattered the Lifeless Dao Leader's palm imprint, dispersing it into wisps of Demonic Qi that retreated.

"The Jian Pavilion Marquis House's supreme treasure—the Jian Pavilion!" The Lifeless Dao Leader's expression shifted slightly.

Indeed.

This pagoda was the legendary "Jian Pavilion," a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact.

The Jian Pavilion was forged from nine minor worlds, an ancient Mystic Artifact. Once its full power was unleashed, a single strike could annihilate an entire city.

The Jian Pavilion was the treasure that Suppressed the Marquis House's fortune, its might so immense that even a Martial Venerable could barely control it. It was rarely activated, perhaps once in a hundred years. Simply put, as long as the Jian Pavilion remained in the Marquis House, anyone who sought to oppose it would have to carefully consider whether they could withstand the assault of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact.

Ninth-grade Mystic Artifacts were the pinnacle of deterrence. Fewer than twenty could be found in the entire Yulan Empire, each one horrifyingly powerful. If their full force was unleashed, even a Martial Venerable would be reduced to ashes in an instant.

Of course, wielding the full power of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact came at a steep cost, even for a Martial Venerable.

Take the Jian Pavilion Marquis, for example. If he truly unleashed the full might of the Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact in battle, it would cost him at least ten years of his lifespan.

A Martial Venerable's power simply couldn't withstand the operation of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact. Forcing its activation would inevitably inflict severe damage to the Martial Venerable's body, drastically shortening their lifespan.

For this reason, unless faced with a life-or-death crisis, no one would fully unleash the power of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact. These artifacts primarily served as deterrents, which was why the Jian Pavilion hadn't been summoned for over a century.

Earlier, the Jian Pavilion Marquis had merely tapped into a sliver of the Jian Pavilion's aura, not its true power.

"Jian Pavilion Marquis, do you truly dare to wield the Jian Pavilion? Aren't you afraid of sacrificing your own life?" Under the deterrence of the Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact, even the Lifeless Dao Leader hesitated to act recklessly.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis's Martial Soul Avatar emerged from his body, hovering in the void as he laughed heartily. "Since the Demon Sect seeks to oppose the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, they must be prepared to pay a heavy price. The Marquis House already has successors. Even if I sacrifice this old life of mine, there will be no regrets."

Ning Xiaochuan's expression was unprecedentedly grave, sensing an ominous atmosphere, as if a storm was imminent. Even the Old Marquis had resolved to face death, indicating that this crisis was far more severe than he had imagined.

The entire Imperial City was shrouded in oppression. Many marquises emerged from seclusion, sensing the overwhelming aura of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact being activated. The scale of this storm had escalated beyond most people's expectations.

The confrontation between the Jian Pavilion Marquis House and the Demon Sect had erupted once again after fourteen years.

"Summon the Nine Dukes and activate the 'Heavenly Aura Grand Array' immediately. The Imperial City is about to witness a once-in-a-century battle," the Jade Emperor declared from his dragon throne, gazing at the black clouds and smoke above the city. He issued nine Royal Decrees in succession, transforming into nine golden streaks of light that shot toward the nine Taoist temples in the Imperial City.

The Nine Dukes were the most powerful figures in the Daoist sect, second only to the first-rank State Preceptor, Tai Chu Wen Hua. They stood at the pinnacle of the court, each revered and influential, with disciples spread across the land.

All nine were second-rank State Preceptors, their status no lower than that of marquises.

Upon receiving the Royal Decrees, the Nine Dukes immediately activated the Heavenly Aura Grand Array. Nine dazzling beams of light erupted from the Taoist temples, piercing the sky and tearing through the clouds as if reaching into the cosmos.

As the Heavenly Aura Grand Array began its operation, it enveloped the entire Imperial City in protection.

The moment the array was activated, many sensed the extraordinary tension in the air.

"Let the battle begin! Today, we shall uproot the Jian Pavilion Marquis House entirely!" The Lifeless Dao Leader's face darkened as he made a resolute decision. Raising his palm, enveloped in Martial Path Origin Qi, a blood-red grindstone slowly ascended into the sky.

This was also a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact—the supreme demonic weapon of the Lifeless Dao, the Slaughtering Life Grindstone!

To counter the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, the Lifeless Dao Leader had brought this supreme artifact, normally used to suppress their sect's sacred ground, intending to withstand the Jian Pavilion Marquis's "Jian Pavilion Divine Tower."

Of course, if the Jian Pavilion Marquis refrained from using a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact, the Lifeless Dao Leader would not have resorted to this. But since the Jian Pavilion Marquis was determined to fight the Demon Sect to the death, the Lifeless Dao Leader would not back down, even at the cost of his lifespan.

"Allow me to assist you."

The Asura Dao Leader joined forces with the Lifeless Dao Leader, both channeling their Martial Path Origin Qi into the Slaughtering Life Grindstone. Combining the power of the two Demon Sect leaders, they gradually awakened the artifact's full might, unleashing a wave of malevolent energy that swept across the Imperial City.

The radiance of the Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact erupted in full force.

A blood-red grindstone, towering 100 meters high, hovered in the void, emitting a deep, resonant hum. The sight was like a hellish millstone capable of grinding all living beings into pulp.

"Boom!"

The Slaughtering Life Grindstone shattered a section of the city walls despite the Heavenly Aura Grand Array's protection, burying three palaces of the Divine Sword Palace beneath massive stones. Dozens of servants and maids were crushed into bloody paste under the rubble.

Once the full power of a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact was unleashed, even the Heavenly Aura Grand Array could not completely block its force.

The Jian Pavilion Marquis unleashed his full strength, a massive blood-red furnace manifesting behind him. Crimson light engulfed his body as he prepared for the ultimate clash.

The city below him had turned into a crimson world, while the Jian Pavilion Divine Tower, suspended in the sky, began to radiate blinding light, its volume expanding continuously until it resembled a towering mountain—majestic and awe-inspiring, striking terror into the hearts of onlookers.

The nine-layered Jian Pavilion Divine Tower stood 30 meters tall per layer, each containing a small world within.

"'Jian Pavilion' ranks sixteenth on the 'Weapon Ranking List,' while the 'Slaughtering Life Grindstone' ranks nineteenth. Let’s see today just how accurate the Divine Sword Palace’s rankings truly are!" The Lifeless Dao Leader laughed wildly as Demonic Qi surged around him, hurling the Slaughtering Life Grindstone forward to collide with the Jian Pavilion Divine Tower.

The clash of two Ninth-grade Mystic Artifacts unleashed a devastating shockwave, pushing aside the thick clouds above the Imperial City and causing the Heavenly Aura Grand Array to buckle inward, as if on the verge of shattering the great formation protecting the capital.

Martial Artists on the ground could barely keep their footing as the earth trembled, streets cracked, and wooden towers collapsed into ruins. The moat churned violently, its waves crashing skyward.

Ning Xiaochuan landed atop the Divine Sword Palace and declared coldly, "This isn’t fair. You two Demon Sect Dao Leaders jointly wield the 'Slaughtering Life Grindstone,' while the Old Marquis controls the 'Jian Pavilion' alone. If this battle must continue, count me in."

Controlling a Ninth-grade Mystic Artifact single-handedly naturally consumed far more energy than doing so with two people. Ning Xiaochuan sought to join forces with the Jian Pavilion Marquis in wielding the "Jian Pavilion" against the Demon Sect’s formidable enemies.

However, the Jian Pavilion Marquis knew Ning Xiaochuan was not yet capable of intervening in a battle of this level. He said gravely, "Return to the Marquis House at once and protect its people. We cannot allow the Demon Sect to destroy its foundation."

Expanding his Mental Energy, Ning Xiaochuan indeed sensed the Jian Pavilion Marquis House under siege by a horde of Demon Sect experts, with numerous Mystic Artifacts hovering above it.

The walls of the Marquis House had been breached. Demon Sect Martial Artists flooded inside, slaughtering its members indiscriminately—leaving behind a trail of Desiccated Corpses: elders, young talents, beautiful noblewomen, and armored guards.

The massacre spread unchecked through the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

The moment the Jian Pavilion Marquis clashed with the two Demon Sect Dao Leaders, their forces had already launched their assault, aiming to annihilate the Marquis House with lightning speed.

Ning Xiaochuan immediately activated his movement technique and raced toward the Marquis House, encountering Yu Qing and Shi Jindan along the way.

"Little Prince, can you mobilize the forces of the Divine Dragon King's Residence to aid the Jian Pavilion Marquis House?" Ning Xiaochuan paused briefly.

Yu Qing wore a troubled expression. "My father has already forbidden interference in the conflict between the Marquis House and the Demon Sect. However, as a friend, I can lend you my personal assistance, Brother Ning."

"If you’ll have me, I’d also like to help," Shi Jindan offered.

"Thank you both."

Ning Xiaochuan unleashed the speed of Rainbow Teleportation, his trajectory transforming into a Rainbow Bridge that spanned several tens of kilometers, allowing him to arrive first outside the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

With no Martial Venerable-level expert defending the Marquis House, its formations had been shattered by the Demon Sect’s powerhouses. The towering walls had been toppled, and hordes of Demon Sect Martial Artists poured in, setting fires, killing, and looting.

Inside the Marquis House, many buildings were engulfed in flames, with firelight scattering everywhere. The air was filled with incessant shouts and agonized screams, while the bluestone-paved ground was stained red with blood.

"Ji Bo, Ji Bo..."

Ning Xiaochuan found Ji Bo on the ground. The old retainer of the Marquis House was already cold and lifeless, his bones crushed into powder, with faint traces of Martial Path Origin Qi still circulating within his body.

It was a Demon Sect Martial Venerable-level expert who had killed Ji Bo.

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan's eyes blazed with fury, his gaze icy to the extreme. His long hair nearly stood on end as he unleashed a Great Palm Strike, annihilating over twenty Demon Sect Martial Artists to clear a path into the Marquis House.