Chapter 41. Reflecting a Fragment of the Past, The Death of Chu Xinghe!
However, the instant the Heavenly Illumination Mirror appeared, many people held their breath, their eyes burning with fervor.
This was a national guardian sacred artifact!
An existence of terrifying power.
As for its origin, no one knew.
All they knew was that the Heavenly Illumination Mirror possessed overwhelming might.
The Heavenly Illumination Mirror was brought forth.
The Chu Emperor lightly tapped it with a finger.
BOOM!
In an instant, it arrived before Elder Zhao.
Elder Zhao’s expression was solemn. He placed the fragment of Chu Xinghe’s robe onto the Heavenly Illumination Mirror.
Buzz...
In the blink of an eye, the fragment of cloth seemed to possess a spirit of its own as it was directly absorbed into the Heavenly Illumination Mirror.
Immediately afterward, the Heavenly Illumination Mirror rose into the air on its own, suspended high above.
On its mirror surface, streaks of radiance burst forth.
Gradually, they began to form some kind of image.
At the same time—
The once radiant and youthful Consort Yun aged dramatically within the span of two breaths.
Her vitality seemed to be violently stripped away in an instant.
Along with it came the rapid decay of her body and appearance.
At this moment, Consort Yun resembled an old woman.
Yet she did not care in the slightest. She stared fixedly at the image about to take shape within the Heavenly Illumination Mirror.
Consort Yun was unwilling to accept this. Chu Xinghe had been the flesh of her heart; she could not bear for him to die without clarity.
Even if he had died, she had to see with her own eyes how Chu Xinghe had met his end.
Even if it cost half of her lifespan, she would not hesitate.
Lifespan was the most precious treasure between Heaven and Earth.
Although certain special methods could extend one’s life, it ultimately defied the heavens and could never achieve perfection.
Aside from that, only by constantly breaking through to higher realms could one increase longevity.
However, Consort Yun’s talent was ordinary. Her cultivation had already reached its limit, and with her background, she could not consume many life-extending treasures.
Even so, she did not regret it.
After the Heavenly Illumination Mirror absorbed the fragment of Chu Xinghe’s robe, more and more divine light blossomed from within it.
The light shone into the void.
Gradually, it formed scene after scene of incomparably clear images.
Within those images, Chu Xinghe’s figure appeared unmistakably!
Everyone present stared intently at the sight.
They were also deeply curious—how exactly had Chu Xinghe died?
Although the demonic beasts within the Royal Hunting Grounds had grown stronger this time—
Chu Tianchen and Chu Mengyao had both survived.
Logically speaking, Chu Xinghe should have been able to do the same.
Yet he had died, which was profoundly puzzling.
Within the scene projected by the Heavenly Illumination Mirror, Chu Xinghe had just slain a demonic beast, domineering and peerless.
Seeing that familiar figure, the now-aged Consort Yun felt tears well up in her eyes.
That was her son—Chu Xinghe!
After witnessing Chu Xinghe powerfully kill the demonic beast, Consort Yun became even more certain that his death was anything but simple.
Soon, the image showed that after slaying the beast, two Heir Apparents of the imperial clan stood behind Chu Xinghe.
Not long after, Chu Xinghe’s gaze shifted toward a certain direction.
It was as if he had discovered something.
At that moment, Consort Yun’s eyes sharpened. She vaguely sensed that this might be the truth behind Chu Xinghe’s death.
Chu Xinghe’s figure suddenly darted forward.
A moment later—
Consort Yun saw whom Chu Xinghe had discovered.
That familiar back view caused her breathing to falter; she already knew who it was.
In the next instant, the figure in the image turned around, revealing his face.
It was the Third Prince, Chu Feng!
“Is that Chu Feng?”
“Hiss... What was the Fifth Prince seeking Chu Feng for?”
“Could it be because of the matter of followers?”
Many secretly speculated.
Quite a few people knew Chu Xinghe’s temperament. He would not tolerate defiance; otherwise, he would erupt in fury, his anger blazing like fire.
Previously, Chu Feng had not complied with Chu Xinghe’s wishes. Instead, he had directly taken Xia Zixuan as his follower and even publicly humiliated Chu Xinghe. That likely caused the latter to bear a grudge.
At this moment, the fragment of the past formed by the Heavenly Illumination Mirror suddenly became somewhat blurry.
After a short while, the image stabilized once more.
This time, the once peerless and invincible Chu Xinghe was already severely wounded, lying amid ruins!
The crowd was shaken.
The one who had beaten Chu Xinghe so grievously that he lay in rubble—
Who else could it be but Chu Feng?
It must have been him!
Unfortunately, they had not seen how Chu Feng had made his move.
Many were filled with disbelief.
What exactly had happened? Was it Chu Feng’s own strength, or had some supreme treasure or magical artifact on him caused this?!
Chu Feng—a wastrel.
Chu Xinghe—a prodigy renowned for years.
How had the former defeated the latter?
It was incomprehensible.
“It was you...?!”
At this moment—
After seeing the general outline of the scene, Consort Yun’s heart surged with boundless malice.
Endless hatred flooded her body and mind.
She looked at Chu Feng, her teeth clenched.
“Members of the imperial clan are forbidden from slaughtering one another, yet you defied the rules?!”
“So my son’s death truly cannot be separated from you!”
Countless astonished and incredulous gazes turned toward Chu Feng.
At this moment, Chu Feng stood under the scrutiny of all.
Yet he appeared calm and composed.
“Your son was not killed by me.”
Chu Feng spoke casually, “I merely injured him severely. I did not deliver the killing blow.”
Consort Yun was stunned.
If he had not killed him, then how had her son died?
Just then, the image projected by the Heavenly Illumination Mirror shifted once more.
A massive Azure Demon Python suddenly appeared.
Its aura was terrifying. Even across the void, Consort Yun could sense that its strength was likely at the peak of the Life Palace Realm, perhaps even a Condensing Dao Realm Demonic Beast!
Next, the Azure Demon Python swallowed the two Heir Apparents in front of Chu Xinghe in a single gulp.
Then it charged straight toward Chu Xinghe!
The Azure Demon Python moved with astonishing speed, darting like black lightning.
Grievously wounded by Chu Feng, Chu Xinghe could not even exert one percent of his peak strength. Naturally, he could not escape the Azure Demon Python’s pursuit.
In the end, he was caught in its blood-soaked maw.
At that moment, Chu Xinghe’s Domineering King Physique activated, as though making a final struggle.
Consort Yun’s eyes widened as she watched.
She saw Chu Xinghe’s expression become filled with boundless panic. His gaze shifted toward Chu Feng, who stood not far away, strolling leisurely as if at ease.
Chu Xinghe’s lips moved.
Unfortunately, the Heavenly Illumination Mirror only projected images, not sound.
Yet from the shape of his mouth, Consort Yun could guess what he was saying.
He was begging for mercy.
Begging Chu Feng for mercy!
But Chu Feng remained unmoved, a faint smile on his face, as if he were merely watching a performance.
Then—
CRACK!
The Domineering King Physique could not hold out for long.
In the end, the Azure Demon Python bit through Chu Xinghe’s body in a single snap and swallowed him whole.
Before Chu Xinghe was completely devoured—
Consort Yun could still clearly sense his desperate will to live.