"To become this lord's meal is your honor. Which of you shall be first?" Qiong Qi swept its fierce gaze across the crowd, issuing a deep roar.
No one dared answer. Every Emperor Realm cultivator wore a deathly pale expression, their bodies trembling slightly, hearts weighed down by an overwhelming sense of dread.
"Silence, is it?" Qiong Qi's tone dripped with mockery. "If no one speaks, then this lord will simply pick one myself. You can't escape regardless — it's merely a matter of sooner or later. Don't be afraid…"
"Lord Xiao!" Zi Yuan Trading Association Vice President Luo Chi could not help but cry out, his face earnest as he gazed toward Xiao Yuyang, seemingly pinning all his hopes on the man.
Xiao Yuyang's expression darkened. He realized that if he did not act now, it would be too late. He could only produce a golden, mirror-like object that gleamed brilliantly, and the moment it appeared, it suddenly shattered into pieces.
And at the same time that the mirror-like object burst apart, a gentle yet unfathomably deep aura of pressure descended from the heavens. From within that shattered space, a towering silhouette slowly materialized.
Everyone turned to look, their expressions immediately turning solemn, each person showing a look of reverence and veneration toward the apparition.
This figure wore a jade belt and a golden crown, standing tall and straight as a mountain, his aura deep as an abyss, his presence utterly unfathomable.
When he first appeared, his form was ethereal and intangible, clearly not a physical body. But in the next instant, two gazes as solid as substance pierced through the void, locking directly onto Qiong Qi.
Even as formidable as Qiong Qi was, it could not help but rein in its aura, snorting coldly. "A Great Emperor's soul descent?"
From this phantom, it had sensed an aura that only a Great Emperor could possess. It understood immediately what this figure truly was.
This was none other than the overlord of this realm — a wisp of the divine soul of Great Emperor Mingyue!
Like two blindingly radiant lights in the darkness, just as Qiong Qi had directed all of its attention toward the Great Emperor, the Great Emperor was likewise scrutinizing the beast with the utmost focus.
"I had no idea that a Qiong Qi existed between heaven and earth," Mingyue spoke suddenly.
"Hmph." Qiong Qi showed no deference whatsoever, its voice cold. "When this lord was roaming free and unrestrained, you probably hadn't even been born yet. Don't put on airs in front of me!" It wore an expression that showed it did not think Mingyue worthy of concern, sneering dismissively. "What? You think a mere wisp of a soul descending is enough to frighten this lord?"
As these two exchanged words, their clashing auras manifested like waves of tangible energy, the collisions causing the void itself to collapse. Pressures flooded the heavens in every direction. Tiny spatial rifts skittered in all directions, and in an instant, the sky went dark, sand and stones flew, and the nameless valley seemed on the verge of crumbling apart entirely.
Xiao Yuyang and the others did not dare make a single sound. Each stood there with grave expressions, secretly circulating their Source Power to resist the terrifying pressure pressing in from every direction.
"Lord Qiong Qi jests," Mingyue said. As one of the most formidable powerhouses in all the realm, Mingyue showed not the slightest offense at Qiong Qi's arrogant manner, even smiling faintly. "I merely wished to congratulate you, my lord, on finally gaining your freedom and breaking free from your confinement!"
Qiong Qi's gaze darkened, and it demanded in a low voice, "What do you know?"
Mingyue replied, "In my youth, I once heard that Lord Suiyue had a companion — none other than the Sacred Spirit Qiong Qi. Regrettably, after Lord Suiyue passed into eternity, this companion also vanished without a trace. Tens of thousands of years have passed. I wonder, my lord, do you still remember those happy times of old?"
"Suiyue, is it…" Qiong Qi seemed to be awakened by Mingyue's words to memories that had lain dormant for countless ages. The arrogant and violent aura gradually dissipated, and within its burning beast eyes, an unmistakable look of reminiscence appeared.
Mingyue stood quietly, making no effort to disturb it. Xiao Yuyang and the others did not dare so much as move.
After a long while, Mingyue finally spoke, "I wonder whether Lord Qiong Qi would be willing to visit my Star God Palace for a conversation. I happen to possess a relic of Lord Suiyue, which I could perhaps present to you!"
"Hmph. Flattery won't work on me!" Qiong Qi shook its head with a grunt, then added, "This lord is hungry."
Mingyue smiled and replied, "I will naturally have everything prepared for your arrival, My Lord!"
"That's more like it!" Qiong Qi announced in a booming voice. "Since you've invited this lord with such sincerity, then to give you some face, what's the harm in a brief visit!"
"Mingyue will await your favorable reply, My Lord. This is the location of my Star God Palace!" As she spoke, she pointed forward, and a ball of luminous white light slowly drifted from her fingertip, coming to a stop before Qiong Qi.
Qiong Qi swallowed the light orb in one gulp, stood still for a moment in contemplation, then turned in a new direction and vanished into a streak of fire.
After Qiong Qi departed, Xiao Yuyang and the others finally let out a collective, sharp breath. A cool breeze swept over, revealing the cold, sticky sweat drenching their backs.
Mingyue turned and glanced at the assembled crowd without another word. Her form quivered, dissolving into countless motes of white light that scattered and faded between heaven and earth.
"We respectfully send off the My Lord!" all the Emperor Realm experts bowed and intoned.
A good while later, the six Emperor Realm cultivators slowly straightened up. They exchanged glances, each seeing the lingering fear reflected in the other's eyes. They were all considered powerhouses in the world, yet since ascending to the Emperor Realm, never before had any of them been so close to death as they were today!
"Thanks to Lord Xiao, otherwise this matter today..." Zeng Yuan said, his face still pale with fright.
"Indeed. If not for Lord Xiao, I fear we would truly have perished here today." Lou Chi nodded in agreement.
Xiao Yuyang's mouth twitched into a bitter smile. "It was the Great Emperor who saved us... not my doing. However... with the appearance of Qiong Qi, I'm afraid the Southern Domain will face repeated calamities."
Hearing him speak, everyone's hearts sank.
Qiong Qi was a vicious beast, an embodiment of disaster and war. Its emergence would undoubtedly trigger some unpredictable and terrifyingly ferocious tidal waves of chaos. They silently resolved that upon returning to their Sect, they must immediately report this matter to the Sect Master and prepare early defenses.
……
Within the Four Seasons Land, Yang Kai journeyed alone, crossing the Mountain of Two Seasons and heading towards the Domain of Winter.