Gazing at the characters formed from the Nine Heavenly Decrees, the woman fell into thought, unease and wariness flickering in her eyes.
However, it wasn't long before an old woman stepped into the palace.
"This old servant greets Lady Lingyi." The old woman bowed upon entering.
This woman was none other than Jia Lingyi, daughter of the Dao Elixir Immortal Sect's Master. She was also the mastermind behind the harm done to Chu Feng's grandmother all those years ago.
"Granny Jiang, why have you returned?" Jia Lingyi asked. She had clearly sent this woman away. For her to come back now, something must have happened.
"Lady Lingyi, the Sect Master of the White Spirit Sect's Life Pearl has shattered." As Granny Jiang spoke, she opened her palm to reveal a cracked Life Pearl.
"Oh? It seems he has failed." Jia Lingyi glanced at the Life Pearl, her thoughts growing even deeper.
"Not long after the White Spirit Sect Master's Life Pearl shattered, the Totem Nine Dao issued the Nine Heavenly Decrees."
"Perhaps the Totem Nine Dao have been personally protecting Chu Feng all along, and the White Spirit Sect Master was killed by them."
"Moreover, the White Spirit Sect Master was not one to keep his mouth shut under pressure."
"Therefore, I suspect the Totem Nine Dao have already learned that our Dao Elixir Immortal Sect gave the order — which is why they released the Nine Heavenly Decrees." Granny Jiang analyzed.
Jia Lingyi did not respond immediately. Instead, she narrowed her eyes slightly, analyzing the situation before her. After a moment, a smile actually curved the corners of her lips.
"Lady Lingyi, you..."
Seeing how dire the situation was, yet Jia Lingyi had suddenly smiled — it left Granny Jiang puzzled.
"If they already know our Dao Elixir Immortal Sect was behind this, and still merely released the Nine Heavenly Decrees, it's just to scare us."
"But that is completely unlike the Totem Nine Dao's style. There was no need for them to do this."
"So if that truly is the case, then this is actually good news," Jia Lingyi said.
"Lady Lingyi, what do you mean?" Granny Jiang asked.
"If the Totem Nine Dao truly know we were behind this and truly wish to protect Chu Feng..."
"...then given their usual methods, they would most likely come straight to our door. Even if they didn't act directly, they would demand answers."
"There would have been absolutely no need to resort to the Nine Heavenly Decrees."
"In my opinion, they are bluffing," Jia Lingyi said.
"The Totem Nine Dao are bluffing?" Granny Jiang was still puzzled, because with the Totem Nine Dao's strength, there was absolutely no need for them to bluff.
"Yes. The only reason they would be bluffing is because, right now, they simply lack the ability to protect Chu Feng."
"But they fear for his safety, so out of desperation, they resorted to this," Jia Lingyi said.
"Lady Lingyi, are you saying that rumor is true? Dragon One, Dragon Two, Dragon Three, and Dragon Four of the Totem Nine Dao — those four Daoists really went to the ruins of the Zu Wu Realm Sect?" Granny Jiang asked.
"That is very likely the case. They may already be trapped there, with little time left."
"After all, even the current Seven Realm Sacred Mansion does not dare to step lightly into the ruins of the Zu Wu Realm Sect."
"For the Totem Nine Dao to charge in recklessly would be tantamount to courting death," Jia Lingyi said.
"The Zu Wu Star Domain has been in decline for so long, and yet the ruins left behind from their peak remain the most terrifying in the vast world of martial cultivation."
"How powerful was the Zu Wu Star Domain at the height of its glory?" The mention of the Zu Wu Realm Sect's ruins drew an involuntary sigh from Granny Jiang.
Setting aside the others of the Totem Nine Dao, the strength of Daoist Dragon One and Daoist Dragon Two was known to virtually everyone in the Totem Heavenly River. Yet even with that level of power, if it was said they were trapped within the Zu Wu Realm Sect's ruins, virtually no one would question it. Because compared to the Totem Nine Dao, the ruins of the Zu Wu Realm Sect were even more fearsome.
"After the ancient era, to rapidly dominate the vast world of martial cultivation — the people of the Zu Wu Star Domain back then certainly had their capabilities."
"But that no longer matters. They have long since fallen into decline."
"Now that the Era of Gods has begun, geniuses from every Heavenly River are surging forth like a tide. In the future, the powers of every realm will surely reach entirely new heights."
"Surpassing the Zu Wu Star Domain at its peak is practically inevitable."
"When that time comes, the ruins they left behind will naturally be opened."
"But certainly not by the current Totem Nine Dao."
"So if the rumor proves true, the Totem Nine Dao are nothing to fear."
"After all, once you remove those four, the rest are nothing but pawns," Jia Lingyi said.
"Then Lady Lingyi, following your reasoning?" Granny Jiang asked.
"Continue hunting Chu Feng. That boy must not be left alive. Notify the Immortal Slaughter and have them act as well," Jia Lingyi said.
Although she suspected that the Totem Nine Dao could barely protect themselves at this point, yet upon learning that they were actually willing to protect Chu Feng, she felt all the more certain that he could not be allowed to live and must be eliminated as soon as possible.
"Lady Lingyi, but what if those of the Totem Nine Dao didn't go to the ruins of the Zu Wu Realm Sect and are perfectly safe right now?" Granny Jiang voiced her concern.