Volume 10, Chapter 676 – The Heaven-Mending Crystal

The punch thrown by the man surnamed Jiang carried an unstoppable momentum, revealing the unshakable confidence within his heart.

“So strong!”

A group of his companions exclaimed in hushed voices.

CRACK!

Jiang’s massive fist slammed hard against what seemed to be a rather thin protective shield, followed by a crisp, ringing sound.

“The shield’s broken? Martial Venerable Jiang truly lives up to his reputation!”

The people on the bait team gasped in amazement.

“The shield isn’t broken. His hand is.”

Martial Venerable Jiang slowly turned his head, only to find his thick wrist completely deformed, his features twisted in pain.

“PFFT!”

Qi Huang burst out laughing. She had expected this outcome all along. That Divine Sense shield possessed at least the strength of the early Heavenly Tribulation Realm, whereas Martial Venerable Jiang was, at best, equivalent to a peak Divine Realm cultivator. How could he possibly break through it?

“Haha, your face is truly thick enough. This protective talisman was personally infused by our Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader Cao. The divine shield inside reaches the strength of the early Heavenly Tribulation Realm, and you, a mere little Martial Legend Realm, dare to speak so boldly?”

Outside, Elder Kang let out a relieved laugh. He knew that after retreating without a fight earlier, he would inevitably face punishment when he returned. Naturally, he was eager to see Jiang, the instigator of his troubles, suffer humiliation.

“Nonsense!”

Elder Zheng barked out a rebuke and turned toward Jiang. “This isn’t any Heavenly Tribulation shield. It’s clearly just at the Divine Realm level. Why don’t you try hitting it a few more times? Perhaps it’ll break.”

“Yes, yes, exactly! It’s only a Divine Realm shield. If you call over your companions and strike together, there’s a good chance you can break it.”

Elder Kang immediately caught on and quickly chimed in.

“You two old foxes are scheming to drain my strength? Keep dreaming!”

Jiang snarled through gritted teeth, clutching his broken hand.

“That’s right. Everyone, don’t fall into their trap. They’re trying to exhaust our power and then swoop in to capture us all in one go.”

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Emperor Jin quickly warned.

“His Majesty speaks wisely. This shield is strong, yes, but it will gradually weaken over time. Sooner or later, we’ll break through it.”

The National Preceptor of Yang supported his words.

“And besides, those few from the Immortal Alliance have inhaled the Qi-Leaking Powder. Their True Qi will only continue to deplete. Time is on our side.”

Emperor Tang analyzed calmly.

“But what about my daughter? Her injuries can’t withstand any further delay!”

The Emperor of Xuanwu, Zhao Xi’s father, burst out anxiously.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xi remained unconscious, her arm severed, and because of the Immortal Alliance’s negligence, she was burning with fever. Her condition was critical.

“Brother Zhao, don’t panic. The National Preceptor of Yang is not only a cultivator but also skilled in medicine. With him here, your daughter won’t die.”

Emperor Jin reassured him.

Understanding his role, the National Preceptor of Yang approached Zhao Xi’s carriage and began examining her injuries.

“No, we must leave immediately.”

Emperor Zhao, however, was far from reassured.

“Why?”

Emperor Jin looked at him in confusion, as did everyone else nearby.

Emperor Zhao’s expression flickered with struggle before his eyes suddenly lit up. “Have you all forgotten? The Immortal Alliance still has two leaders at the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. It’ll take them only a few hours to get here.”

“You’re the Emperor of Xuanwu, Zhao Ming, aren’t you? Hah, not as foolish as you look.”

Zheng Chi mocked sarcastically.

“What do we do now? If the Immortal Alliance’s leader and vice leader arrive, won’t we all be doomed? They’ll never allow us to expose any of this.”

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“We have hundreds of people here, including four emperors. Do they really dare slaughter us all?”

“If they kill every last one of us, who would be left to tell the tale?”

The crowd’s expressions shifted subtly at those words, anxiety quickly spreading among them.

“But we can’t possibly get out right now. If Brother Zhao has a way to escape, we’d gladly follow.”

Emperor Jin looked at him with hope.

Zhao Ming sank into deep thought, but judging from the pained look on his face, it was obvious he was grasping at straws.

At that moment, several women from the Honghua Sect sauntered over to Tang Yuning, giggling and mocking her.

“Well, well! Isn’t this the esteemed princess? Weren’t you eager to return and enjoy a life of luxury? Why are you still here?”

Ruan Lingyu sneered.

“Yes, is it that you don’t want to leave… or that you can’t?”

Yun Fei added mockingly.

“Judging by your expression, I’d say you can’t, right? Does this mean my junior sister won the bet between you two?”

Shen Yuan questioned coldly.

“Don’t get cocky. We’re all trapped under this shield together. The Immortal Alliance’s blades won’t discriminate, be careful you don’t end up as collateral damage.”

Tang Yuning finally snapped back.

“The Immortal Alliance still needs us as bait to locate the Golden Fate Blossoms. They won’t harm us.”

Ruan Lingyu countered smoothly.

“Yes, but your father and the other emperors? That’s another matter entirely. They’re useless. Once the Immortal Alliance’s leader and vice leader arrive, their fate will likely be sealed.”

Yun Fei sighed melodramatically.

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Tang Yuning’s face darkened, losing all confidence to continue arguing.

Ruan Lingyu and the others exchanged triumphant looks, clearly savoring the sight of the haughty princess bowing her head.

Qi Huang, however, didn’t bother with these petty squabbles. Her attention was fixed on the Immortal Alliance’s elders, growing increasingly puzzled as time passed. By all logic, they should have sent for reinforcements immediately. So why hadn’t they?

“Everyone, don’t panic. Even if those two leaders come, they’ll need a few hours to get here. By then, the shield will have weakened significantly, and we’ll definitely be able to escape.”

Jin Xue stepped forward to calm the crowd.

“What a joke. You’re Emperor Jin Ze of Taiping, right? How could a Divine Sense shield at the Heavenly Tribulation level weaken that quickly? Even if its strength drops by ninety percent, you ants still couldn’t break through.”

Zheng Chi scoffed.

Upon hearing this, despair washed over the trapped crowd. They could clearly tell whose words carried more weight.

At that moment, Zhao Ming quietly walked into Zhao Xi’s carriage, carrying a bowl of water and a string of priceless jewels, which he handed to the National Preceptor of Yang.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

The National Preceptor looked puzzled as he treated Zhao Xi.

“Preceptor Yang, could I trouble you to place me and Little Xi into a spatial ring?”

Zhao Ming made his request.

“Your Majesty, what are you planning? The princess’s condition is critical. She must be treated immediately.”

The National Preceptor grew even more confused.

“I beg you, don’t ask. Please, I must insist.”

Zhao Ming bowed deeply.

“You’re humbling this humble servant, Your Majesty.”

The National Preceptor bowed in return. “Very well, if that is your command, I shall obey.”

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“Then I must thank you.”

Zhao Ming offered his polite gratitude.

The National Preceptor honored his promise and moved Zhao Ming and Zhao Xi into the spatial ring.

“What is he trying to do?”

Qi Huang noticed this and was instantly filled with curiosity. She focused her Shadow-Retaining Mirror on the ring, its penetrating view revealing everything within.

Inside, Zhao Ming pulled a small sachet from his waist and carefully unstitched it, pouring out the fragrant herbs within.

He rummaged through the pile of herbs and quickly retrieved a tiny cloth pouch no larger than a thumb.

Opening it, Zhao Ming revealed a small, perfectly transparent crystal, radiating a faint, multicolored glow.

The moment the crystal appeared, Qi Huang suddenly felt a sharp twitch where her blood-tear mark was on her right cheek. A wave of burning heat surged through it, as though set aflame.

‘What’s happening?’

Qi Huang touched the spot but found nothing unusual, wondering if she was hallucinating.

She turned her gaze back to the crystal, her curiosity deepening. “What is that thing?”

Without hesitation, Zhao Ming picked up the crystal, preparing to drop it into the bowl of water beside him.

But just then, an abrupt change occurred.

Zhao Xi’s waist pouch suddenly burst open, and from within, a spatial ring shot into the air. Several towering figures leapt out of it in an instant.

Startled, Zhao Ming stumbled backward.

“Heh… So the Heaven-Mending Crystal was in your hands.”

The tall elder at the lead sneered coldly.

Qi Huang froze, stunned into silence, for she recognized this man. It was none other than Cao Hong, the Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader, and Cao Yang’s second grandfather.