Chapter 392: Chapter 244: Aid from All Directions, the Mountain and Water Deity Lady Qingqiu, and Seeing Zhao Xuanwu Again

"It seems the Founder’s instructions from long ago were indeed fated. The Crown Prince of Great Yan is truly a dragon among men."

A sharp glint appeared in the Elder Celestial Master’s cloudy eyes.

"Don’t get too arrogant, Elder Celestial Master."

A woman in red appeared above the Demon Country’s army.

The woman in the red dress had a placid aura. She held a wooden staff, and patterns of flowing light emerged on the hem of her skirt while an insignia shone on her brow.

She had protected a squad of the Rakshasa Army from the Celestial Master Seal.

The Wutong Saint Mother.

One of the Great Nether Divine Venerables.

"Your Highness, allow me,"

the Elder Celestial Master said with an indifferent expression, taking a step forward to face the Wutong Saint Mother.

"Alright. I’ll leave it to you, esteemed elder."

Lu Mingyuan nodded.

’Of course he wouldn’t go looking for trouble with a Great Nether Divine Venerable.’

’In his current state, he was no match for the Great Nether Divine Race.’

He swallowed an Elixir.

Lu Mingyuan left the area, heading toward the rear.

As he saw the Cultivators and the Demon Country’s army battling along the way, a cold light flashed in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, a vast expanse of Divine Flame rippled outward.

Wherever the ripples passed, the bodies of the fleeing Blood Wing Cultivators immediately stiffened before shattering into clouds of blood mist.

The Treasures on the Demon Country cultivators, along with the wisps of Evil Qi from their bodies, were all collected by Lu Mingyuan.

An intangible power was absorbed into his body.

’My power really has increased a bit. The improvement is faint, but it’s there.’

Just then, three streaks of rainbow light shot out from the depths of the Celestial Water, arriving directly before Lu Mingyuan. It was Luo Ying, a muscular man he didn’t recognize, and a black-robed Fuchen Taoist.

Luo Ying said respectfully, "Your Highness, we took advantage of the chaos to suppress the Blood Burial Duke."

The Blood Burial Duke was in a miserable state, bound by layers of chains, covered in wounds, and dripping with blood. The strands of the Duster had pierced his body, controlling him so completely that he couldn’t even die if he wanted to.

As a top-tier expert of the Blood Race with a terrifying reputation, a respected Duke of the Court, and someone with the aptitude to reach the Upper Three Grades, the Blood Burial Duke had likely never dreamed he would one day fall into such a pitiful state.

Lu Mingyuan’s eyes were indifferent, holding not a hint of pity. ’Who knows how many of the Central Earth Human Race died at his hands, cruelly devoured by him.’

’This man was the main culprit behind Qi Xingyan’s death.’

"We can’t let him die too easily."

His gaze shifted to the two people beside Luo Ying, his expression questioning. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"And you two are..."

The muscular man on the right was the first to cup his fist and say:

"Luo Shengmiao, Golden Court Mountain Master of Luoshui Cave Heaven."

The Daoist on the left also spoke softly:

"Master Bai Yue of the Nether Moon Celestial Sect, from Jade Toad Continent."

Lu Mingyuan recognized the names of both places.

Recognition sparked in his mind immediately.

’Luoshui Cave Heaven is one of the seventy-two Grotto Heavens in the world, ranked as Grade A, second only to top-tier powers like the Celestial Master’s Mansion.’

’Golden Court Mountain is world-renowned for its fist arts, said to be as powerful as the scorching sun.’

’I never expected him to be a member of the Infinite Faction as well.’

Lu Mingyuan had also heard of the Nether Moon Celestial Sect.

’In the Ancient Era, Jade Toad Continent worshipped the Moon God, so religion flourished there, with the Nether Moon Celestial Sect being a leading power.’

’Its followers are spread throughout Jade Toad Continent, and its status is perhaps comparable to that of the White Lotus Ancient Sect.’

’However, the White Lotus Ancient Sect is a true Demon Sect, whereas the Nether Moon Celestial Sect incorporates more folk traditions.’

’Both were hegemons of their own continents, yet they were willing to serve the Eastern Palace Mansion.’

’Lu Mingyuan had no idea how Luo Ying had managed to persuade them.’

’Sometimes, having a capable subordinate really saves a lot of time and effort.’

"You’ve arrived at the perfect time."

"Now, follow me into the city to retrieve Elder Mr. Qi’s coffin!"

"Yes!"

Master Bai Yue and Fist Venerable Luo Shengmiao nodded in agreement and sped off toward the Demon Country’s army.

Suddenly, Lu Mingyuan sensed something and could not help but turn his gaze toward the depths of the Celestial Water.

From the depths of the water, a massive fox tail slowly rose. It split into nine parts, resembling a lotus flower. The nine enormous tails were like celestial pillars, looking as if they could pierce a hole through the heavens. It was clearly the aura of the Upper Three Grades.

’A Nine-tailed Fox?’

Lu Mingyuan looked at Luo Ying and asked, "Are there any Mountain and Water Deities nearby?"

Luo Ying nodded slightly. "Celestial Profound Continent is in the Northern Realm. This area is Beiyue. Strictly speaking, we are very close to Qingqiu Temple."

"This should be the True God who guards Beiyue, Lady Qingqiu."

Lu Mingyuan was surprised.

’He hadn’t expected that Lady Qingqiu of Qingqiu Temple, one of Great Yan’s Beiyue Mountain and Water Deities, would also be here.’

’She is a local Mountain God, presiding over the Destiny of an entire continent. Her power goes without saying.’

’By drawing upon the Destiny of the mountains and waters in her domain, she can match the power of an Upper Three Grades expert.’

"Kill!"

The army of Great Yan and Cultivators from various Immortal Influences arrived, all charging into Celestial Water City.

SPIT.

However, just as he stepped through the gates of Celestial Water City, Lu Mingyuan spat out a large mouthful of blood. His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed.

’His injuries were too severe. He could no longer suppress them.’

"Your Highness!? Your injuries!" Su Youhuai asked anxiously.

Su Youhuai, Luo Ying, and the others were shocked, completely unprepared for this to happen.

They quickly realized that Lu Mingyuan’s previous battle with the Great Nether Empress had been far from easy. Although he had severely wounded Wu Gongyu, he himself had also been gravely injured.

Lu Mingyuan coughed up several more mouthfuls of blood. His face turned exceptionally pale, and his aura weakened abruptly.

Clear cracks had appeared all over his skin; his entire Flesh Body was on the verge of shattering.

If one could see inside his body, they would discover that cracks had even formed on his internal organs.

It would take a long time to recuperate from such injuries.

"Army, hear my command! Target Celestial Water City! Charge through them!"

Two tall men clad in Armor appeared, sitting atop their warhorses and leading cavalry that moved like an iron curtain, wantonly slaughtering the soldiers of the Demon Country’s army.

Before long, a handsome man was standing in front of Lu Mingyuan.

"Father-in-law..."

Lu Mingyuan was visibly moved by the sight.

The Champion Marquis clapped a large hand on Lu Mingyuan’s shoulder and smiled gently.

"Rest easy, son. Leave the rest to us."

"We will retrieve Elder Mr. Qi’s coffin for you."

Lu Mingyuan nodded firmly.

"Yes."

"Hahaha!"

A hearty laugh rang out. A man wielding a four-meter-long Heaven-piercing Halberd appeared, his Heavy Armor making his two-meter-tall frame seem incredibly imposing. A cold light flashed as he beheaded an entire row of Rakshasa Soldiers.

Lu Mingyuan looked at the newcomer and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Senior Prince Zhenbei."

This was none other than Prince Zhenbei, whose fame resounded across the Border Pass. He was Great Yan’s only Alien King, having guarded the Northwest Two Continents for decades. His contributions were immense, and he commanded an army of 300,000 soldiers.

Upon seeing Lu Mingyuan, Prince Zhenbei, Yang Xiao, smiled in satisfaction and laughed heartily. "Truly, each generation brings forth its own great talents!"

Lu Mingyuan’s gaze, however, held a hint of assessment and probing.

’Because of Princess Consort Zhao, Yang Yingchan, he wasn’t sure of the man’s attitude. Had Yang Yingchan told her father what had happened within the Deep Palace?’

Lu Mingyuan had no way of knowing.

’He had originally assumed Prince Zhenbei was the steady, taciturn type.’

’After all, to be an Alien King in Great Yan, the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.’

’But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case at all.’

’Prince Zhenbei, Yang Xiao, possessed the heroic spirit of a man born on the battlefield, and his eyes burned with a loyal passion for his country.’

’This was not a man who seemed like he would carve out his own territory for the sake of power.’

Lu Mingyuan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Lord Taishan, was your timely arrival because of arrangements made by Elder Mr. Qi?"

A reminiscent look appeared in the Champion Marquis’s eyes, as if recalling something. He smiled faintly and said, "We can discuss this later. For now, let’s finish off the Demon Country’s army."

"And look who’s here."

Smiling, the Champion Marquis pointed toward the top of the city wall.

Lu Mingyuan discovered that at some point, a scruffy-bearded man in a woven bamboo hat, holding a wine gourd, had appeared atop the city wall. He was smiling down at him.

Upon seeing the man, Lu Mingyuan couldn’t help but cry out in surprise:

"Master!"

...