Chapter 452: Wind and Cloud (Fourth Update)

However, Situ Xingchen did not stop there; instead, she began to devour the surrounding heaven and earth energy at an even faster pace!

Clearly, that cyan-red pillar of light was responsible for this.

Watching the churning dark clouds in the sky and the lightning that flashed from time to time, Chu Liuyue’s brow furrowed slightly.

Generally speaking, such celestial phenomena only appeared when a heavenly treasure manifested in the world.

And for a cultivator to trigger such a massive commotion, they would have to be at least a breakthrough-level Fifth-Stage Martial Artist!

One had to remember that when Chu Ning’s old injuries had healed and he broke through to the Fifth Stage, it hadn't looked anything like this at all.

If this continued, Situ Xingchen would most likely continue to break through!

Furthermore, the fluctuations from the wooden box inside the Qiankun Bag were growing stronger and stronger!

Chu Liuyue could no longer ignore it.

She even felt as if there was something inside that wooden box trying to burst out!

At that moment, hearing the commotion, Emperor Jiawen suddenly turned his head.

Chu Liuyue immediately hid behind the writing desk.

Emperor Jiawen’s mind was currently scattered; the tiny bit of remaining sanity and attention he possessed was entirely focused on that sky-piercing pillar of light outside, so he didn't notice Chu Liuyue at all.

He walked slowly to the window. The window had been locked from the outside and could not be opened, making it impossible to see the situation outside.

He could only see the reflections of light and shadow upon the windowpane.

"How can it be... how can it be like this..."

Emperor Jiawen murmured in a daze, looking lost.

"Ruyue... in the end, I have failed you..."

Chu Liuyue was stunned.

Ruyue?

Wasn't that Consort Wan from years ago, the biological mother of Rong Xiu?

What did Emperor Jiawen mean by saying this now?

Moreover, his voice sounded filled with deep regret and self-reproach.

Rumor had it that back then, Emperor Jiawen doted exclusively on Consort Wan; among the three thousand women in his harem, none could compare to her.

But later... not long after Consort Wan gave birth to Rong Xiu, she had a massive argument with Emperor Jiawen and moved directly out of the palace to go to Tianlu Academy.

After staying at the academy for two years, she passed away.

It was normal for Emperor Jiawen to be unable to forget her, but why did he bring her up specifically at this moment?

Just then, Emperor Jiawen took something off his neck.

Because he was facing sideways relative to Chu Liuyue's position, she could only see a vague outline and couldn't make out exactly what it was.

"You are still blaming me. It's true, I was wrong... is that why I have ended up like this today?"

Emperor Jiawen murmured softly. Looking at the object in his hand, he seemed to be laughing, yet also as if he were crying.

Suddenly, a faint light surged from the object in his hand! Like a stream of water, it spread along Emperor Jiawen's arm and across his entire body!

Soon, Emperor Jiawen was completely enveloped in that strange light!

Chu Liuyue's pupils contracted!

Because—the aura on Emperor Jiawen's body was actually gradually strengthening!

However, that power was clearly surging from within his own body!

A strange pattern suddenly appeared above his head.

Chu Liuyue took a quick glance and discovered that the pattern was exactly the same as the pattern on the cyan-red pillar of light outside!

Only in comparison, the one above Emperor Jiawen's head looked much more normal; it didn't possess the extremely eerie and chilling aura of the one outside.

*Crack!*

A crack suddenly appeared upon that pattern!

As the crack formed, the momentum emanating from Emperor Jiawen actually became even stronger!

Chu Liuyue finally realized something!

—There was a seal within Emperor Jiawen's body!

And now, he seemed to intend to break that seal!

Clearly, Emperor Jiawen's strength was by no means as ordinary as it appeared on the surface!

Chu Liuyue suddenly thought of something, and her heart skipped a beat.

If the pattern appearing above Emperor Jiawen's head was a seal, then what was the one outside?!

*Rumble!*

A bolt of lightning, like a silver snake, darted through the heavy black clouds and finally struck the pillar of light!

*Crackle! Pop!*

As the piercing sound rang out, the eerie pattern existing on the pillar of light also split open with a crack down the middle!

But because the light on the pillar was constantly flickering and the pattern was being stretched almost out of shape, almost no one noticed this change.

Most people's attention at this moment was entirely focused on Situ Xingchen, who was positioned in the middle of the pillar of light!

Rong Jiu stared intently.

He had actually already recognized that the person was Situ Xingchen.

It seemed she had been confined in the palace all this time, but for some reason, she had suddenly begun to break through.

And the aura on that pillar of light... was identical to that of the bronze vat!

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

The people behind him looked at one another in confusion.

Was it possible to just let this happen?

But it seemed impossible to approach and stop her now...

Rong Jiu said in a heavy voice

"Seal the palace gates! Be ready to activate the Xuanming Array at any moment!"

Everyone was startled.

"Your Highness, activating the Xuanming Array requires an enormous amount of manpower and resources. To deal with a mere Fourth-Stage Martial Artist, it seems a bit excessive..."

A head of a prominent family spoke up tentatively.

Rong Jiu turned back to look at him and sneered

"From the looks of it, does Head of the Su Family wish to take the lead himself?"

The man's expression changed, and he hurriedly shook his head.

Are you joking!

The aura on that pillar of light was so dangerous that even a Fifth-Stage Martial Artist like Wei Lin was powerless against it, let alone anyone else?

"Since no one is willing to go... then get down and prepare the Xuanming Array immediately!"

With Rong Jiu's fierce shout, the man was startled. Not daring to say anything more, he hurriedly retreated.

Soon, some of the others nearby followed suit.

Rong Jiu looked back at Situ Xingchen, and then suddenly thought of something.

"Where is Elder Ye now?"

At this moment, Elder Ye was once again locked in combat with Elder Zong Ye.

After coming out, he had intended to go and stop Situ Xingchen, but he had been blocked by Elder Zong Ye.

The two were of comparable strength, and now that Elder Zong Ye no longer had any burdens, his combat effectiveness was much stronger than before.

Thus, after several exchanges, the two remained evenly matched!

Seeing that Situ Xingchen had already broken through to the Fourth Stage and intended to continue, Elder Ye grew increasingly anxious.

"Zong Ye! Do you even know what your precious niece is doing?!"

Elder Zong Ye sneered.

"What is she doing? Don't you know very well? If you want to stop this heaven-sent opportunity, you'll have to get past me first!"

The pillar of light contained extremely powerful energy; Situ Xingchen had already successfully broken through from a Third-Stage Martial Artist to the Fourth Stage!

Before long, she might even break through to the Fifth Stage!

Her talent in medical arts was excellent, but her progress as a martial artist had always been mediocre.

As long as she seized this opportunity, she would surely become a hundred times stronger than before!

Elder Ye was filled with fury. This fool actually truly believed that this was an opportunity Situ Xingchen obtained simply through good luck! She even expected her to break through continuously and become a top-tier powerhouse!

Truly beyond redemption!

"In that case, I won't stop her! You stay here and watch, and see if she actually becomes a top-tier powerhouse in the end!"