Novel Full Chapter 1601: 1698: Danby Unveils
Chapter 1601: Chapter 1698: Danby Unveils
In the Extreme North Land, atop the towering Boundless Peak, was the Sky Swallowing Palace, rivaling the heights of the heavens.
Cao Xuesheng, with his Wolf Head Mask, and Juechen, wearing a Tiger-Head Mask, stood guard outside the great hall. Inside the chilly and sinister hall, Dugu Nian leaned lazily upon the black throne, idly surveying the person standing below her.
And that person standing in the hall looked back at Dugu Nian unconcernedly, their eyes filled with a hint of bewilderment.
This person was none other than the Talent of the Scholar Sect, Yin Wuyan!
Yin Wuyan had come alone on this occasion, enduring countless hardships along the way, evading the watchful eyes of the Nine Countries, deceiving the informants of the three sects, to finally reach the heart of the Sky Swallowing Palace and meet with Dugu Nian.
The two of them just looked at each other, neither willing to speak first, as if both were waiting for the other to break the silence.
Dugu Nian was in no hurry, lounging there nonchalantly, occasionally teasing the golden-furred puppy lying beside her feet.
Yin Wuyan, toying with the small bell hanging at her waist, caused clear, crisp chimes to echo throughout the hall from time to time, bringing a semblance of vitality to the usually desolate place.
However, Yin Wuyan was the first to grow restless and took the initiative to speak: “I came here to tell you something.”
“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Yin Wuyan replied, but by her demeanor, she seemed not to take much interest in what Yin Wuyan had to say.
Yin Wuyan frowned slightly but didn’t beat around the bush, stating directly: “The second war is about to begin.”
“Oh.” Dugu Nian’s response was still indifferent, as if she had heard something utterly mundane.
Yin Wuyan looked at Dugu Nian in astonishment, wondering what her ‘oh’ meant. Did she not care at all?
“This time, the three sects will not be like the last; the ancient magic tree has awakened, the person of Heavenly Mandate from the Buddhist Sect has gained enlightenment, and ancestors from my Scholar Sect and the Taoist Sect have emerged from seclusion, ready to clash with the top powerhouses of the Nine Countries to settle the outcome,” Yin Wuyan said.
Dugu Nian faintly smiled: “Done speaking? Then you can leave. If you don’t want to leave, you can stay here.”
Yin Wuyan glared: “To you, is the conflict between the two lands starting again really so insignificant?”
Even with a smile on her face, Dugu Nian’s eyes were ice-cold: “Even if your three sects don’t come to me, I would still go and slaughter every single one of your three sects’ members to the last.”
Yin Wuyan’s expression soured but she sneered: “You have no idea how terrifying the three sects will be this time. Just the ancient magic tree alone is something your Nine Countries cannot hold back.”
“Heh, the ancient magic tree is not something you three sects can control. As for who will suffer first, it really isn’t certain. Moreover, even if the two lands go to war again, my Sky Swallowing Palace can remain aloof or take the opportunity to go to your Seven Seas for a joyful killing spree,” Dugu Nian said with a smile.
Yin Wuyan huffed loudly and turned to leave, feeling that it was impossible to have a conversation with this woman.
“Why did you come to tell us all this? Do you wish to become a traitor to the three sects?” Dugu Nian casually asked.
Yin Wuyan paused for a moment but did not respond, walking straight out of the great hall.
The pair outside immediately intercepted Yin Wuyan’s path.
“What’s the matter? Want to stop me?” Yin Wuyan revealed a trace of cold smile, and as the bell on her waist gently swayed, Juechen and Cao Xuesheng felt a blur before their eyes, and Yin Wuyan had already leaped away.
“You’re a hundred years too early to swagger around in my Sky Swallowing Palace!” Dugu Nian’s voice rang out, and a strange force struck, landing on Yin Wuyan.
Yin Wuyan let out a muffled groan, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. She glanced back at the Sky Swallowing Palace, biting her silver teeth as she hastily made her escape.
Within the great hall, Dugu Nian’s eyes held a tinge of contemplation. She didn’t force Yin Wuyan to stay, but she did leave a mark on her, ensuring that no matter where Yin Wuyan went or what she did, she would not escape Dugu Nian’s surveillance.
Dugu Nian was curious whether Yin Wuyan had come just to stir up trouble with alarming statements or to truly deliver these messages.
As for whether the two sides would go to war again, that was of little importance, for one way or another, a battle with the Seven Seas was inevitable for the Sky Swallowing Palace; the grudge from the past had to be settled.
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Fang Lin put down the Jade Slip, now aware of the events transpiring at the Sky Swallowing Palace. His mind whirled with calculations.
“The outbreak of war between the two parties should also present an opportunity,” Fang Lin’s eyes sparkled, not overly concerned. After all, with the Great Sage Equal to Heaven presiding over the land of the Nine Countries, the people of the three sects would maintain a bottom line no matter how the fight ensued. If even the Great Sage Equal to Heaven were to be provoked, then they would face immense pressure.
And the Sky Swallowing Palace, far in the Extreme North Land, was beyond the reach of war flames. And what if they were to spread there? With the current strength of the Sky Swallowing Palace, not even the elite masters of the three sects could necessarily take it down.
In the worst-case scenario, they could simply relocate the Sky Swallowing Palace deeper inside the Extreme North Icefield, like how the Sealing Sword Pavilion was hidden away, impossible to find.
However, the awakening of the ancient magic tree surprised Fang Lin. He speculated whether the ancient magic tree, which the three sects had revived, was the same one that had died within the Ghost Mountain Blood Lake?
Fang Lin felt it necessary to confirm this. However, not now – he would have to wait until the matters here concluded before making a trip to the Ghost Mountain Blood Lake. If the roots of that Demon Tree were indeed gone, then it likely was the very same one.
“Troubles always come in droves, alas,” sighed Fang Lin lightly.
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The competition between the Pill Alliance and the Alchemy Tao families finally began that day.
Early in the morning, people from the Pill Alliance, Alchemy Tao families, and the royal family of Tang Country all arrived, inviting Fang Lin to watch the contest and to sit beside several bigshots, including the Tang Emperor.
Fang Lin did not refuse the offer and followed the group there. Cheng Jinhai, too, shamelessly clung to Fang Lin’s side, seizing the opportunity to meet these influential figures.
The Tang Capital was a hive of excitement, akin to a deserted marketplace with throngs of people crowded outside the Royal City, a sea of heads visible from a vantage point.
A temporary elevated platform for the contest had been erected, with shield-bearing soldiers circling several layers around the platform, keeping it isolated so the onlookers wouldn’t disturb the contestants.
Besides, both overt and covert royal experts were present in great numbers, along with elite masters from the Alchemy Tao families and the Pill Alliance, vigilant for any unexpected developments.
Above the Royal City Tang Tower, those who could sit there to watch the contest were indeed very important figures; any one of them was a person of impressive repute.
Fang Lin, with Cheng Jinhai in tow, arrived grandly, and immediately, all the distinguished individuals turned their gaze towards Fang Lin.
ps: The fourth update is here; more to follow tomorrow. I have many things to attend to today and will be heading back to my hometown in a few days, but updates won’t be affected. Don’t forget to vote.