Deep within the Di Clan was an ancient hall. Seated on the main seat was a figure who looked incredibly lifelike. A regular person would not be able to see that the figure was actually a clone, not a main body.
The figure was the clone of a God. With a phoenix crown on his head and an armor of phoenix feathers on his body, the clone was wrapped in a layer of flame energy that made him look like a living phoenix emanating boundless grace and grandeur.
That was the clone of the current Di Clan’s patriarch. In the Di Clan, in particular, the patriarch was addressed as the Di Monarch. It was said that the Di Monarch was an emperor of emperors, omnipotent and possessing the majesty to rule all land under the sky.
In the main hall were several people bowing respectfully. They didn’t dare to look straight at the Di Monarch’s face.
“What is it? Why are you in such a rush?” asked the Di Monarch coldly.
Apart from Di Mie, every single person in the room was a God. One ought to admit that the Di Clan was truly a powerful clan.
“Di Monarch, Eunuch Dong wa-was killed!” said a gorgeously clad middle-aged man nervously.
“Oh? What happened?” asked the monarch indifferently.
The middle-aged man gave a simplified version of all that had happened. Meanwhile, Di Mie was waiting silently by the side. He might be someone from the monarch’s branch and had even been appointed as a prince, but before the monarch, he was nothing. Furthermore, he was the reason why Eunuch Dong had died. If the monarch held him accountable, he would suffer.
“Is the woman with the phoenix physique here?” asked the monarch.
“No,” said the middle-aged man with his head lowered.
“No?” The monarch laughed coldly before sighing and saying, “I wonder if the Di Clan is simply useless or if she’s just too good.”
Di Mie clenched his teeth and said, “Monarch, Yu Caidie is Xiang Shaoyun’s woman. Xiang Shaoyun is Lord Guardian Ge Yi’s personal disciple. I suspect Eunuch Dong’s death has something to do with Ge Yi.”
Right after he spoke, the monarch snorted. The snort slammed into Di Mie’s chest like a thunderclap, sending him flying while coughing blood.
“You can’t even deal with a woman. What gives you the right to talk bad about anyone else?” said the monarch in a displeased manner. “With our bloodline, we are more than capable of perfecting our phoenix physique. But it seems like things have degraded when it comes to the latest generation.
“After experiencing nine deaths with the Undying Phoenix Sutra, the holder of a phoenix physique will undergo true rebirth, pushing the bloodline to its peak. However, you have actually stooped so low that you’re trying to steal someone else’s phoenix bloodline? You bring shame to the Di Clan!”
Not only was the monarch dissatisfied with Di Mie, but he felt the same about everyone present as well. There was no doubt that the Di Clan’s Undying Phoenix Sutra was one of the strongest cultivation methods in existence. Paired with their phoenix bloodline, they would be able to forge a true undying body. The monarch himself had relied only on himself to reach the point of true rebirth with the sutra. That was why he had grown confident enough to let the Di Clan end their seclusion.
Unfortunately, their phoenix bloodline seemed to have become more and more sparse among the younger generations. Not even the monarch could do anything about it. The new generation only had themselves to rely on if they wanted to stimulate the bloodline to an even higher height. He wouldn’t be able to do much for them.
“Calm your anger, monarch. That woman’s phoenix bloodline is truly powerful. She even has a phoenix as her mount. We wouldn’t have permitted the prince to do so otherwise,” said the middle-aged man.
“Oh? Interesting. Looks like the Yu Clan is doing well after all,” said the monarch with a curious expression. “Investigate Eunuch Dong’s death. If Ge Yi is really the one behind it, refrain from doing anything for now. If it’s not him, kill the culprit, whoever he is. Nobody can hope to keep on living after offending our Di Clan.”
“Yes, monarch,” everyone answered.
Right that moment, the Di Monarch raised his brow and looked up. “Looks like you don’t have to go look for the culprit anymore. They’ve arrived.”
Then, the monarch’s clone vanished from the seat. At the same time, Xiang Shaoyun was seated atop Money in the sky above the Di Flame City. His father, Purple Lightning Marquis, Scarlet Flame Monarch, and the other experts from the Ziling Sect had arrived with him.
“The Di Clan has truly grown rapidly. A tiny city has grown into such an imposing city,” gasped Purple Lightning Marquis in astonishment.
“However imposing this city is, I’ll flatten it one day,” said Xiang Shaoyun resolutely.
“That’s right. We shouldn’t even waste our breath talking to them. Let’s charge inside and finish our business here,” said Xiang Yangzhan.
He then sent a finger beam shooting toward the centermost city. The beam was akin to a massive lightning bolt, flooding the city with a bright purple radiance. The beam was terrifyingly powerful, capable of instantly turning a regular city into a massive crater. Just as the attack was about to land, a figure appeared noiselessly and blocked the beam.
“Impudent! You dare attack the Di Clan?” said the Di Monarch’s clone as he appeared before their eyes.
With his appearance, the god-grade formation in the city activated, forming a tough defensive barrier around the city. The formation’s sudden activation gave all the Di Clan members a big fright.
“What happened? Why is the formation active?”
“Look up! Is someone attacking us?”
“I saw a lightning bolt coming for us earlier. Someone must be attacking us. What an ignorant fool.”
“That figure looks so familiar. Is he the Di Monarch?”
…
Sounds of discussion broke out all over the clan as all of them prepared for battle. Among them was Di Batian, who was staring at Xiang Yangzhan and Xiang Shaoyun with fear in his eyes.
He might have gained much strength over the years, becoming a peak Heaven Battling Realm expert, but Xiang Shaoyun had grown at an even faster pace. Furthermore, Xiang Yangzhan had also reappeared. Di Batian had always feared Xiang Yangzhan. Thus, it was almost instinctive for him to feel fear at the sight of Xiang Yangzhan.
“Xiang Yangzhan, Xiang Shaoyun, both of you are courting death,” said Di Batian with a sneer after taking some time to compose himself.
As a member of the Di Clan, he was naturally aware of how powerful the clan was. They wouldn’t have been able to conquer the Di Flame Province so rapidly otherwise. For him, Xiang Yangzhan and Xiang Shaoyun were as good as dead the moment they had stepped foot in their city. A large number of Di Clan Gods soared into the sky, and a large battle seemed to be imminent.
