Chapter 620: Call Me... Priest

“Yes.”

Ce Tian spoke with indifference. In the next moment, his body shot forward like a soaring True Dragon, catching up to Wu Ruidi in the blink of an eye. A chain suddenly appeared in his hand.

“Trying to escape from within the Divine Palace? You’re overestimating yourself.”

As he spoke, the silver chain shot out like a giant python. But Wu Ruidi was not one to be captured willingly. His True Essence erupted as he blasted out streams of Palm Qi across the air.

However, the chain’s power far exceeded his imagination. With just a few lashes, it shattered his Palm Qi and, in the blink of an eye, bound him completely.

He unleashed his True Essence, manifesting its mysterious power in an attempt to break free from the chains.

But the silver chain merely flashed with light and tightened abruptly. In that instant, a series of sickening CRACKS rang out as Wu Ruidi’s bones were crushed!

“AHH!!”

The intense pain forced a miserable howl from Wu Ruidi’s lips.

Ce Tian slowly walked over. “Go easy,” he said. “Don’t kill him.”

At his words, the silver chain finally relented.

“Hmph. Wu Ruidi, you’ve got some nerve. After being exposed, not only did you show no remorse, you actually tried to escape the Divine Palace.”

Wu Ruidi gave a bleak laugh. “If I didn’t run, would I have any hope of living?”

“The Divine Lord will be the judge of all.”

Ce Tian then hauled Wu Ruidi, who was as limp as a dead dog, back into the Divine Palace.

“It was you. It was all you.”

“If it weren’t for you, I never would have ended up like this.”

Upon returning to the Divine Palace and seeing Qin Ya, Wu Ruidi’s face flushed with rage. His gaze turned utterly vicious, and like an enraged Fierce Beast, he lunged madly at Qin Ya.

“You brought all of this upon yourself!”

“Oh, right. I forgot to tell you—that whole story about the scent of herbs on your robes bursting into flame upon contact with Celestial Human Bone Blood? That was all a lie. I just dabbed some Fire Essence Meteor Liquid on your robes when you weren’t looking. The main characteristic of this fluid is that it combusts violently upon contact with any other liquid.”

“If you didn’t have a guilty conscience, why would you have run?”

Qin Ya said with an indifferent smile, his words stunning Wu Ruidi for a moment.

‘What? It was all fake?’

‘It was all a setup. I was actually tricked.’

He suddenly felt the world spin and his head grew dizzy. It was as if all the strength had been drained from his body. He collapsed limply to the ground, his eyes losing all their light.

Looking at Wu Ruidi’s ashen, defeated face, Ce Tian couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine. His gaze toward Qin Ya changed abruptly. ‘This young man is not to be trifled with.’

As for Meiying, a look of wistful contemplation appeared on her face.

‘Sigh. Back during the military draft, this kid had all those Noble Families of the capital wrapped around his little finger. What’s a single Wu Ruidi in comparison?’

The Divine Lord glanced indifferently at Wu Ruidi. With a wave of his hand, a Golden Scroll flew into Ce Tian’s grasp. “Ce Tian,” he said coolly, “transmit my Divine Intent. Imprison Wu Ruidi in the Death Prison. Strip him of his Celestial Nobility title. Confiscate all assets of the Wu Family, and forbid any Wu Family descendant from setting foot in the Divine Capital for one hundred years.”

“Yes.”

After Ce Tian dragged Wu Ruidi away, the Divine Lord turned to Qin Ya with a faint smile. “Young Friend Qin, we have you to thank for the successful capture of Wu Ruidi. I wonder, what reward would you like? Feel free to speak your mind.”

Qin Ya replied, “It was a trivial matter. You are too kind, Divine Lord.”

Mo Cang, meanwhile, was inwardly clicking his tongue in amazement. ‘This young man is truly something else. He dealt with Wu Ruidi in a couple of moves, and now he’s completely unfazed when offered a reward.’

‘And… that extraordinarily terrifying power!’

He couldn’t help but shudder when he recalled the clash between Qin Ya and Wu Ruidi.

‘He knew that if he had been the one to face Wu Ruidi’s surprise attack, it would have meant certain death. Yet Qin Ya had neutralized it with ease!’

‘Heavens, is he really just a King?’ ℓ.

‘Since when could a King fight a Half-Venerable? That’s terrifying.’

The Divine Lord pondered for a moment before saying, “How about this: since Wu Ruidi has been captured, you shall inherit his title of Celestial Nobility and all his territories. Would that be acceptable?”

Qin Ya froze for a second. ‘He’s awarding me a Celestial Nobility title?’

Just as he was about to politely decline, Meiying Venerable, who was standing to the side, tugged on his sleeve. He paused for a moment, then bowed. “Then I thank you, Divine Lord.”

Nearby, Mo Cang was already stunned speechless.

‘A Celestial Nobility? He was made a Celestial Nobility, just like that?’

One must understand that the aristocracy of the Divine Capital was divided into the Ten Great Celestial Marquis, the Seventy-Two Celestial Dukes, and the Eight Hundred New Nobles. One could only imagine the prestige that came with the position of a Celestial Nobility.

Examples of someone like Qin Ya skipping the rank of New Noble and being directly promoted to a Celestial Nobility were exceedingly rare in the history of the Divine Country. How could he not be shocked?

If word of this got out, countless people would be left utterly dumbfounded.

“Qin Tianjue, you and Mo Cang may go and rest for now. I will draft the Divine Intent shortly and have someone deliver the Celestial Nobility Seal to you,” the Divine Lord said calmly.

“In that case, I will take my leave.”

Led by a Divine Palace servant, Qin Ya and Mo Cang took their leave.

Within the Divine Palace Hall, only Meiying Venerable and the Divine Lord remained.

“Does he truly possess the abilities of a Pill King, as you claimed?”

the Divine Lord asked coolly, a rare note of disbelief in his voice. After all, every Pill King lived for hundreds of years. Someone as young as Qin Ya wasn’t just unseen—he was unheard of.

“Divine Lord, please see for yourself.”

With a flick of her wrist, a milky-white Elixir appeared in Meiying Venerable’s hand.

It was… the Holy Essence Undying Pill!

She casually tossed the Elixir to the Divine Lord. “The efficacy of this Elixir far surpasses that of any Healing Elixir I know. And this very Elixir was personally concocted by Qin Ya. His skill in the Alchemy Dao is truly a rarity in this world!”

The Divine Lord stared at the Holy Essence Undying Pill in his hand, a look of astonishment on his face. Even though he was no expert in the Alchemy Dao, he could sense the terrifying Medicinal Power it contained. He spoke coolly, “If this is true, then what would be the harm in granting him the title of Celestial Marquis? It seems this title of Celestial Nobility is too light a reward.”

Meiying Venerable replied, “He does not care for such things.”

The Divine Lord put the Elixir away. He looked at Meiying Venerable, his eyes flickering, and his tone took on a desolate edge. “What is it? Is she still unwilling to return?”

Upon hearing this, Meiying Venerable suddenly fell silent.

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

After a long moment, Meiying Venerable finally spoke. “What happened back then hurt her deeply. It’s only natural that she still resents it. However, this year is different. Mother-Concubine’s illness has become critical. She… she will definitely return.”

At the mention of “Mother-Concubine,” even Meiying’s voice wavered slightly. The Divine Lord, however, only sighed softly. “It is I who have wronged you both.”

“Divine Lord, you needn’t… blame yourself.”

“Hah… is that so?” The Divine Lord’s voice held a sliver of hope. “Do you have any idea how much I wish… you could just call me… Father!”