Chapter 222

Feng Yi said that the matter of the immortal vein was ordered by that Immortal Lord named Zhu Yan. Moreover, this Zhu Yan seemed to have ties to both the Southern and Western Celestial Courts. As for which side he was truly working for, that remained unclear. The incident with the Devouring Beast also bore traces of Zhu Yan’s meddling.

Feng Yi was right. Now that both of these plots had been uncovered, that Zhu Yan would undoubtedly come knocking. But what Yun Jiao didn’t expect was that he would come so soon—and not quietly either. He came openly, boldly, without the slightest hint of guilt for being exposed.

It had been less than a month since the Xuanmen Grand Competition ended when the protective mountain array of the Heavenly Master Hall opened once again. Unlike the time when Feng Yi had appeared—when the sky was filled with dark clouds—this time, the sky above the Hall was dazzlingly bright. It was as if the heavens had opened a gate, and seven-colored light poured down from above, illuminating everything within a hundred miles. Ethereal celestial music drifted from the sky, faint yet echoing everywhere. Waves of divine energy poured down from the heavens, condensing into a sea of auspicious clouds.

Countless celestial beings appeared above, surrounded by radiant light and overflowing immortal aura, so bright that no one could see their true forms.

Every disciple of the Heavenly Master Hall raised their heads, staring in stunned silence. This was the descent of true immortals—beings they had always aspired to become. Under normal circumstances, they would have been thrilled, even awestruck. But after learning who these beings were and what they had done, their excitement turned to cold dread. Complex emotions filled their hearts, and none could tell what they felt anymore.

Yun Jiao had not hidden what Feng Yi’s dragon soul had told her, including the earlier incident with the evil flood dragon. She had reported everything truthfully to the Hall. Naturally, everyone could guess what purpose these so-called immortals from the Upper Realm had in descending now.

The celestial beings in the sky put on full airs of superiority. For a full quarter of an hour, the seven-colored glow blazed like a grand display, and only then did the brilliance fade a little, the divine music tapering off as if ending a performance.

Hall Master Xu frowned. As the master of the Hall, he was the first to step forward. He took one step ahead and was just about to speak—

When a deep, resonant male voice descended from the heavens, heavy with celestial pressure and icy contempt.

“Ignorant mortals! How dare you scheme against the Dragon Clan of the Upper Realm! You have offended the wrath of Heaven and must be destroyed!”

The next instant, before anyone could even react, countless golden beams shot down from the glowing clouds like a torrential rain—each carrying the intent to annihilate the entire Heavenly Master Hall.

The protective mountain array activated immediately. A translucent white barrier rose up faster than the golden light itself, blocking the deadly onslaught.

Everyone’s expressions changed drastically—they instantly understood. These so-called immortals had not come to talk. They had attacked without warning, without care for collateral damage. No—that wasn’t right. They didn’t care whether they killed innocents or not!

A boundless anger surged in Hall Master Xu’s chest. His desire to reason vanished completely. Without hesitation, he drew out a talisman and activated the return array within the mountain barrier.

In an instant, tens of thousands of golden beams shot upward—this time aimed not downward, but straight into the heavens. The attack pierced through the celestial clouds, turning that sea of divine aura into a shattered beehive.

The immortals above had not expected a counterattack. For a moment, their brilliant radiance and serene bearing scattered like mist, and faint screams could even be heard. Only when a transparent barrier appeared, blocking the rebounding golden light, did the chaos above finally subside.

The blinding seven-colored brilliance that had obscured the sky finally dispersed, revealing hundreds of slightly disheveled figures. They were all dressed in white immortal robes embroidered with flowing celestial sigils.

Among them were men and women—some old with white beards, others young like immortal children barely waist-high. All stood respectfully beside one man who sat cross-legged on a blazing golden-red wheel. The fiery wheel blazed with restrained flames, circling him obediently. He held a hand seal before him—the very technique that had just blocked the counterattack.

“Impudent mortals!” one celestial envoy beside him shouted furiously. His robe had a gaping burn mark, and his hair was singed. He glared viciously down at Hall Master Xu and the others.

“How dare you show such disrespect to the Immortal Lord! Are you not afraid of invoking Heaven’s punishment?!”

Hall Master Xu sneered. Whatever reverence he once held for the so-called celestials had long since vanished.

“With such courtesy as yours upon arrival, it’s only proper that we return the favor.”

“You—!” The envoy trembled with fury and was about to strike when the man on the flaming wheel turned his head slightly and gave him a look. The envoy instantly backed down, swallowing his anger. Gritting his teeth, he said coldly,

“We are here seeking Dragon Lord Feng Yi. His immortal spirit was severed in this place. You dare claim it wasn’t your doing? You must have secretly murdered him!”

Hall Master Xu’s brows furrowed deeply.

“Indeed, some days ago, a rock dragon broke into our Heavenly Master Hall. But it was the one that attacked first—and even allowed its own son to slaughter countless innocent lives. We acted only in self-defense. If you wish to assign blame, why not first investigate what that dragon did?”

“Absurd!” the envoy snapped, clearly unwilling to listen. His eyes were filled with scorn.

“Our noble Dragon Lord of the Upper Realm would never harm your mortal kind. What utter nonsense! You mortals are ever greedy—clearly, you coveted the Dragon Lord’s treasures and slew him for them! Hand over what you took, and perhaps your lives will be spared!”

Treasures again. So these so-called immortals from the Upper Realm all used the same excuse when they came to plunder.

“Yes, we did slay that dragon,” Hall Master Xu admitted with a frown. “But we took no treasures. If you mean the Soul Origin Pearl that our Master Yun mentioned, then it seems that’s what truly matters to you. You’ve come one after another for the same thing—how shameless.”

“Still lying!” the envoy snorted coldly. “Since we dared to descend here, we have already investigated everything. How could our immortal methods be fooled by you ignorant mortals? Before the Dragon Lord perished, he sent a message to the Celestial Realm himself—your theft has already been confirmed!”

“Nonsense!”

Before anyone could respond, a familiar panicked voice interrupted, trembling with rage.

“You lying bastard Zhu Yan! What nonsense are you feeding them?! I never sent you any damn message!”

Feng Yi’s dragon soul suddenly shot out from beside Yun Jiao, twisting himself up like a knot in panic. His expression was full of despair as he looked at Yun Jiao.

“I didn’t! I swear I didn’t! He’s making this up! I was blown to bits in an instant—how could I have had time to send any message?! Immortal, you have to believe me!”

Feng Yi was practically sobbing—he’d barely managed to preserve his soul, and now that heartless Zhu Yan dared to slander him!

“I know,” Yun Jiao nodded calmly.

Feng “Little Yellow” finally let out a sigh of relief. His soul was safe—for now.

“Dragon Lord Feng Yi?!”

The man on the golden wheel finally spoke, his voice low and resonant. His eyes locked on Feng Yi below, flashing with surprise. Something flickered in his expression, and his face began to change as though he had suddenly realized something.

(End of Chapter)