Countless purple demon runes shot up into the sky, forming an impenetrable barrier before Qin Zhanyu.
The next moment, the runes shook violentlyâbut never shattered.
Qin Zhanyu glanced down at the circular pendant at her throat.
âTrying to drag me into an illusion realm? How naĂŻve!â
Ye Yu remained silent, though he could hardly conceal his astonishment: even the
Thousand Dreams Illusion
could be stopped.
It was clear that the circular jade pendant around Qin Zhanyuâs neck was a rare treasure. No wonder the Lord of the Demon Realm Sanctuary would carry such a high-grade demon artifact.
Just then, the blood-soaked brothers Zhuo Kong and Zhuo Yi arrived at Ye Yuâs side. They reported that every enemy within the sanctuary had been eliminated, and the three demon envoys controlled by the
Divine Heart Control Technique
had fallen in battle.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yuâs expression grew grave. All the enemies defeated? That sounded impossible. According to the Soul-Summoning Bannerâs tally, it had only devoured thirty-odd soulsâbarely an appetizer. Yet the sanctuary boasted over a hundred
Sacred Envoys
, and all Eight Elders had awakened. Where had they gone? Even discounting Huang Zhufeng, there were still seven Elders unaccounted for. They couldnât all be in retreat when the sanctuary lay in ruins.
After a momentâs thought, Ye Yu turned his gaze to Qin Zhanyu. âIt seems your sanctuary has been quite busy. So many Elders and Envoys are absent, leaving only this handful. What have they been doing?â
Her fingertip twitched as she sketched several demon runes in midair. With a single palm strike, the runes shot forward.
Ye Yu met her head-on and ordered Zhuo Kong and Zhuo Yi, âTake Yue Wanqiu outside. This fight isnât for themâthey should clear the area!â
With a thunderous roar, the sanctuaryâs interior began to collapse under their clash. Neither held back; countless demon artifacts and treasures emerged as they fought. But Qin Zhanyu, as Sanctuary Lord, commanded the power of demon runes and cultivated at a higher level than Ye Yu. Slowly, she gained the upper hand.
Realizing he couldnât continue like this, Ye Yu created some distance, then summoned Qing Ci with a thought.
After many days apart, she looked far more vibrantâno longer the frail beauty she once was.
âMaster, why summon me today?â
âTo kill a demon.â
His answer was simple. He raised his right hand, and Qing Ci nodded, âUnderstood.â
As their hands clasped, the
Qian Kun Rebirth Staff
(the Imperial Measuring Rod of Rebirth) appeared. In that instant, a surging wave of immortal power swept the entire hall.
Qin Zhanyuâs eyes widened as she stared at the staff. Her voice trembled, âT-Tiandao Imperial Weapon? Who... who are you?â
As Lord of the Demon Realm Sanctuary, she recognized legendary treasuresâand the
Tiandao Imperial Weapon
was certainly one of them.
âImpressive recognition,â Ye Yu replied, âbut letâs see if you can withstand this!â
He swung the staff forward. For the first time wielding the
Tiandao Imperial Weapon
, he was eager to test its might.
Immortal power poured from his body like a tidal waveâdraining faster than he ever imagined a Sovereign Realm cultivatorâs reserves could. Yet the
Qian Kun Rebirth Staff
lived up to its reputation. Everything in its pathâQin Zhanyu, the shattered stones of the sanctuaryâturned starkly black and white, contrasting sharply with the surrounding ruins.
In two breathsâ time, Qin Zhanyu disintegrated into fine sand, scattering across the floor. Every object her power had touched was likewise sealed in monochromeâincluding her potent demon artifacts.
Within moments, a true vacuum opened before Ye Yu: a space of absolute nothingness, as if all had vanished into void. This was the true power of the
Tiandao Imperial Weapon
âterrifying indeed.
But then a wave of weakness washed over him: a sure sign his immortal power was exhausted. Ye Yu sheathed the staff and sat upon a chunk of rubble to recover, wincing at the steep price paid. Powerful as the weapon was, it had also consumed every piece of Qin Zhanyuâs gear in a single stroke.
Outside, Yue Wanqiu heard the silence and hurried in. When she learned Ye Yu had slain the sanctuary lord, her joy was plainâavenging her own ambush in the dream realm.
After regaining some strength, Ye Yu and Yue Wanqiu departed the sanctuary and stepped onto the passage to the Celestial Realm. Their minds were fixed on one goal: find Nangong Jingtang quickly. If he werenât in the Celestial Realm, he might wander elsewhereâand that would be trouble.
What Ye Yu did not know was that half an hour after they left, a young woman approached the ruined sanctuary. Her face was grave as she surveyed the wreckage. Had Ye Yu still been there, he would have recognized her instantlyâshe was the very Qin Zhanyu he had just slain.
They looked identicalâbecause they were the same demon. The woman before him now was Qin Zhanyuâs true body; the one he had struck down was merely a soul fragment. Before it dispersed, it had transmitted everything it saw back to her.
Hence her return.
Tiandao Imperial Weapon
? She never imagined something like that would appear. The world surely had many surprises in store!
Soon, Elder Qiao Wensong and his nephew Shang Jinleng arrived. In the mortal realm, both were alive and wellâyet knowing nothing of what had transpired here. Qiao â NĐŸvĐ”lŃĐłht â (Donât copy, read here) Wensongâs voice rang out in anger, âDamn itâwho dares destroy the sanctuary?â
âYou neednât concern yourselves with that,â Qin Zhanyu said, striding past. âJust carry out my orders. Tell the other Elders to speed up their workâtime waits for no one!â