Protect Our Patriarch
Book 5: Chapter 126: Is this a celestial plant? Or a magical plant?

……

"How is this possible?!" Wei Donglai's face was stiff with disbelief, yet he still forced himself to shout angrily, "Impossible, this is impossible!! Ji Lingxiao, how could you possibly know about our scheme?"

He believed that although his plan wasn't flawless, it was still a well-thought-out strategy.

Ji Lingxiao and her group might have sensed something was amiss, leading to the plan's failure, but how could they be so certain that he, Wei Donglai, was the mastermind behind it, and then immediately make a counterattack decision?

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the sweet voice of the pretty little girl beside Princess Luojia chimed in, "Sister Lingxiao, I've already uploaded the confession video from the Wei Clan to the Heavenly Recording Disk of the Great Qian. No matter how capable they are, they can't overturn this."

"Well done, Lixian!" praised Princess Luojia, patting her head, "I never expected you to have such skills, being able to send the evidence back from so far away."

"It's nothing, I've used this trick before, and it works quite well," Wang Lixian replied calmly, as if she had just done something trivial, "Father told me that if you want to keep something secret, don't do it. Especially for bad people, once they think they've got everything under control, they tend to get careless."

"Father said this phenomenon falls under human psychology, regardless of intelligence. When a villain finally succeeds after plotting for a long time, they always have to show off their skills and relieve the pressure they've accumulated as a villain."

"It's like when I finally manage to pass an exam, I have to brag a bit and let everyone know, it's the same principle."

"Your father knows a lot," Princess Luojia remarked with some admiration, "I heard people praise your father to the skies, and I thought it was just exaggerated stories."

The two chatted as if no one else was around, while Wei Bo Yu, Wei Donglai, and the others listened with stiff expressions.

They didn't understand what "upload" meant, but from the context, they could guess that the girl might have sent their conversation to the Great Qian.

What kind of divine power is this? Even True Immortal Realm experts haven't heard of such abilities!

"You brat, stop talking nonsense!" Wei Donglai shouted angrily, "Our Wei Clan is not the villain! Why should the Ji Clan, so incompetent, hold the country's great power? Since the founding of the Northern Zhou, our Wei Clan has made countless contributions and conquered many lands. Why can't we take their place?"

"Sigh, my father also said that many villains don't even realize they're villains," Wang Lixian shook her head, sighing, "Because they always find a bunch of reasons to justify their illegal actions, but these reasons only fool themselves."

"Don't they think about how many laws they've broken and how many people's interests they've harmed?"

"Especially when they collude with enemy forces for personal gain, betraying and harming their own side, they're villains among villains."

Wang Lixian's words were clear and logical, and the Yuanping Emperor nodded approvingly.

He looked coldly at Wei Bo Yu across from him, his voice filled with anger, "King Wei, Wei Bo Yu, listen! These are principles even a child understands, but you don't. Before you make a huge mistake, why not stop now and confess to the Immortal Emperor? Maybe you can still preserve some of the Wei Clan's lineage."

"Yuanping, in terms of cultivation, I'm two levels higher than you, and in a one-on-one fight, you're probably not my match," Wei Bo Yu sneered, "Do you think having the title of Emperor gives you an edge over me? Today's events are far from over."

Having lived for over three thousand years, even when faced with exposure, he remained calm and decisive.

After confronting the Yuanping Emperor, he instructed those behind him, "Donglai, while I battle Yuanping, quickly capture Wang Shouye and Ji Lingxiao. We need them alive. Then, while Yuanping is occupied, return to Muxian City and lead all our clan members to retreat swiftly. Since we've been exposed, we might as well defect to the Red Moon Demon Dynasty."

"Yes, Ancestor!" Wei Donglai's eyes sharpened, his heart filled with anger, "Attack, capture Wang Shouye and Ji Lingxiao."

"Hmph~ Wei Donglai, we're not your Wei Clan's subordinates, don't try to boss us around," sneered a masked man in black behind him, casting a sinister glance, "You've failed in your task, and I'll deal with you later."

He then turned to the other Divine Realm cultivators, "Brothers and sisters, please lend a hand. Our master won't forget this contribution."

In his view, the master's strategic intent was to use the King of Wei's Mansion to swallow the entire Northern Zhou Kingdom. Now that the plot has been exposed, at most, the King of Wei's lineage can defect to the Zhou Kingdom, far from the original strategic intent.

Returning, Zhao Yiming might face the master's wrath.

As a hereditary family general of the Chao Clan, all he could do now was try to salvage the situation.

"Rest assured, Brother Yiming," a tall and burly man stepped forward, eyeing the old nanny in Princess Luojia's group, "If I'm not mistaken, this must be Ling Nanny, who has served the Northern Zhou royal family for generations. I'll handle this Divine Realm expert."

With that, black demonic energy spread around him.

"Swish!"

A pair of uniquely shaped black demonic wings unfurled behind him, covering the sky like a vast canopy.

Under the dense black demonic energy, the wings flapped, and he shot into the air like lightning, wielding a demonic spear as he charged at Ling Nanny like an eagle swooping on a rabbit.

In an instant, the sky was filled with demonic energy, and the chilling killing intent made one's heart tremble.

"Blackwing Prince!"

Ling Nanny immediately recognized the black wings, her expression changing.

These wings were no ordinary item.

They were crafted from the wings of a pure-blooded outer demon king, slain and cut off, forged by the late renowned artifact master of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, [Shentu Duantie], making it a high-quality Divine Spirit Artifact.

Killing a pure-blooded demon king was no easy feat, let alone obtaining its body.

Thus, these black wings were famous in the Eastern Ji Demon Kingdom, a Divine Spirit Artifact passed down through the Blackwing Prince's lineage.

As nations of different factions on the Muzhen Continent, the Northern Zhou and Eastern Ji Demon Kingdom have been at war for at least ten thousand years, with Divine Realm experts as key targets. Naturally, they were familiar with each other.

Knowing the Blackwing Prince was formidable, Ling Nanny's black iron cane struck the ground, and her slightly hunched body straightened instantly.

In a flash, the might of a Divine Realm expert erupted.

A fierce and domineering aura, like iron horses and icy rivers, swept through the surroundings.

Amidst the surging waves, she advanced instead of retreating, soaring into the air like an unsheathed sword. The black iron cane swung fiercely, emitting golden light as it counterattacked the Blackwing Prince.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening explosions echoed across the sky.

In an instant, Ling Nanny and the Blackwing Prince were locked in fierce combat.

Both were Divine Realm experts, each wielding a Divine Spirit Artifact, with little difference in overall strength, leading to a stalemate.

However, Ling Nanny was older, with a physical condition not as robust as the Blackwing Prince in his prime, likely resulting in her eventual defeat.

Almost simultaneously, the others joined the fray.

One Divine Realm expert, shrouded in blood energy, wielded a blood-red chain with a hooked end, looking menacing and terrifying, exuding an aura as if emerging from a sea of corpses and blood, chilling to the bone.

Upon seeing this figure, Princess Luojia immediately recognized him.

This was the Blood Prison Prince, one of the princes of the Southern Nether Demon Kingdom.

The Blood Prison Prince was notorious for his brutality, often taking pleasure in torturing enemies on the battlefield.

Two or three hundred years ago, a [Prince] from Princess Luojia's main lineage of the Ji Clan was captured and tortured to death by him, sparking another fierce conflict.

The Ji Clan of Northern Zhou and the Blood Prison Prince had a deep-seated blood feud.

"Blood Prison Prince! So it's you, you old demon dog!" Upon seeing this demon, Princess Luojia's eyes blazed with anger, "Very well! Since we've met today, I must avenge Prince Yingxian."

"You think you can, little girl who just entered the Purple Mansion Realm?" The Blood Prison Prince sneered, his smile filled with mockery, "Perfect. Let me send you to meet your ancestors."

"Hmph!"

Princess Luojia sneered, soaring into the air to confront him.

Simultaneously, two beams of light, one gold and one green, shot out from her, swirling around her.

These were two Divine Spirit Artifacts.

One was a dark golden, weight-like artifact called [Hun Jin Tuo]. Though small and delicate, it could strike with immense force. She had used it to break open the Xuan Dan Secret Realm.

The other was a cyan sword, an ice-element Divine Spirit Sword called [Qingshuang Sword], equally powerful.

If it were just these, it wouldn't be much.

As the most favored royal daughter of the Northern Zhou royal family, carrying two Divine Spirit Artifacts was normal.

However, Princess Luojia's aura began to soar.

Her suppressed profound energy erupted like a vast ocean, breaking through the second level of the Purple Mansion Realm, reaching the strength of the third level, and continued to climb, reaching the fifth level in moments!

For any Basalt cultivator, crossing from the early to mid-stage of a realm marked a transformation.

If bloodline, cultivation methods, and equipment were on par, a mid-stage cultivator could easily fight two early-stage ones.

"Mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm?" The Blood Prison Prince's voice changed, shocked, "How is this possible? You're just a great prodigy B-grade! Could it be you..."

Normally, in the eyes of a Divine Realm expert like the Blood Prison Prince, the difference between early and mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm was negligible. Even a great prodigy level Purple Mansion Realm was insignificant; after all, who among Divine Realm experts wasn't a great prodigy?

But with Princess Luojia, it was different. She was well-known among neighboring countries, with hopes of becoming an Empress, making her personal information nearly transparent.

It was known that Princess Luojia wasn't initially so favored. She only elevated her bloodline to great prodigy B-grade with a Rebirth Immortal Pill at the Celestial Realm.

In this context, reaching the second level of the Purple Mansion Realm at her age was already impressive.

But now, her revealed cultivation was at the fifth level of the Purple Mansion Realm!

Don't underestimate these three extra levels. For ordinary prodigies, each level in the Purple Mansion Realm was a chasm, becoming increasingly difficult to cultivate.

A great prodigy bloodline shouldn't reach the fifth level of the Purple Mansion Realm at this age, no matter how abundant the resources.

Even with pills and spiritual food, there's a limit; the body can't absorb beyond a certain point.

Princess Luojia's cultivation speed could only be explained by her bloodline being beyond great prodigy level!

"Indeed," Princess Luojia no longer concealed, her starry eyes shining brightly, her aura surging like an unsheathed sword, "I, Ji Lingxiao, have long been a Peerless Prodigy, merely hiding my true self."

Her words shocked not only the Blood Prison Prince but also Wei Bo Yu and the Yuanping Emperor.

Princess Luojia was a Peerless Prodigy!

Even outsiders didn't know this, not even the Yuanping Emperor.

Wei Bo Yu's face darkened instantly.

Ji Lingxiao's deep concealment was clearly to guard against the Wei Clan. Her cunning far exceeded his estimation.

In contrast, the Yuanping Emperor quickly recovered, laughing heartily, "Wonderful! I never imagined our Ji Clan would produce a Peerless Prodigy! Truly, the ancestors of the Ji Clan bless us."

The Ji Clan's bloodline was ancient, tracing back even before the Shenwu Royal Dynasty. During the founding of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, the Ji Clan of Cold Moon was a staunch supporter of the Yun Clan.

In comparison, even the current super Wu Clan was a latecomer.

"What of being Peerless?" The Blood Prison Prince's voice was cold, "A Peerless in the Purple Mansion Realm is merely a Great Saint Body. I, too, possess a Great Saint Body. You hold no advantage over me. But my cultivation is in the Divine Realm, with far more experience in divine arts, and my profound energy can suppress you."

"Swish! Clang~"

As the Blood Prison Prince finished speaking, he attacked first.

In an instant, his Divine Spirit Artifact, the [Blood Spirit Lock], shot towards Princess Luojia like a snake chain.

This artifact was fierce and domineering; once it ensnared an opponent, the barbs would embed in flesh, draining blood and rendering the victim weak and helpless.

"Hmph!"

Princess Luojia seemed prepared. With a flip of her jade hand, a large bowl appeared in her palm.

The bowl seemed neither gold nor jade, with waves crashing inside, appearing extraordinary.

Amidst the shadows, a plump blue figure seemed to be "stirring the sea."

With a lift of her jade hand, the "sea bowl" flew into the air, tilting downward, spilling its contents like a hanging river, sweeping the Blood Prison Prince and his Blood Spirit Lock several miles away.

The "sea bowl" seemed to contain an entire ocean, flooding the landscape with torrents like a raging sea.

The water flowed with the terrain, roaring in all directions, its immense force terrifying.

The other Divine Realm cultivators' faces changed, quickly taking to the air to avoid it.

Meanwhile, within the "ocean," a giant formed of blue water energy, thirty meters tall, slowly stood, water cascading down its body, exuding an overwhelming presence like the embodiment of the sea.

Its inorganic eyes locked onto the Blood Prison Prince, raising a massive fist to strike.

"Boom!!"

"Boom boom!!"

The water-formed giant's fists descended repeatedly, seemingly slow but imbued with powerful laws, its might terrifying.

The Blood Prison Prince could only dodge repeatedly, trying to ascend, but the descending water from the sea bowl pressed him down, leaving him in a sorry state.

"[Endless Sea Bowl]?" Wei Bo Yu's face changed dramatically, "Yuanping, you even gave the Ji Clan's heirloom artifact to Ji Lingxiao?!"

Fortunately, Princess Luojia was only in the Purple Mansion Realm; if she were in the Divine Realm, wielding this artifact, the Blood Prison Prince would be suppressed in moments.

"Hahaha~ Lingxiao begged me for the artifact, how could I refuse?" The Yuanping Emperor laughed heartily, "But my Lingxiao is of Peerless grace, the future Empress of the Northern Zhou. Who else should inherit the royal heirloom?"

Upon confirming Princess Luojia's potential, the Yuanping Emperor made up his mind.

This Empress position must go to Luojia.

Even without inheriting the sacred texts, her Peerless grace was rare even in the Immortal Dynasty, more than enough to be Empress. Her performance in other areas was outstanding, ensuring the Northern Zhou's prosperity.

As for marriage, it was out of the question.

No clan would marry off a Peerless Prodigy, not even the Yun Clan of the Immortal Dynasty. Every Immortal Dynasty princess took the consort route.

"Hmph! Laugh after your Ji Clan survives this," Wei Bo Yu sneered, "Yuanping, let's not idle. This place is too small; let's duel above the clouds."

"Very well, today I'll show you I'm no pushover," the Yuanping Emperor agreed readily.

With that, the two Void Realm experts flashed, tearing through space to a height dozens of miles above the ground.

Next, the roars of a Fire Kylin and a Basalt echoed across the sky, like rolling thunder, spreading far and wide.

Wei Bo Yu and the Yuanping Emperor, one with a fire-element Kylin bloodline, the other with a water-element Basalt bloodline, both top-tier, clashed, summoning endless water vapor and flames.

The intertwining of water and fire quickly filled half the sky with red clouds.

From afar, the brilliant red clouds rolled endlessly, the terrifying energy waves dyeing the sky red, as if the apocalypse was imminent, ready to tear the world apart.

The spectacle was truly terrifying.

Both in the early Void Realm, with comparable equipment, the Yuanping Emperor and Wei Bo Yu's strength was evenly matched, making a quick victory unlikely.

Typically, Void Realm experts had deep profound energy reserves, capable of fighting for months without a decisive outcome.

Seeing the two Void Realm experts battling above, the remaining Divine Realm cultivators found their opponents and joined the fray.

Among them, Jiang Qingxue, a Wang Clan retainer, wielded a Red Dragon Sword against Zhao Yiming, a Chao Clan general.

The Red Dragon Sword was originally a Divine Spirit Artifact for Wang Shouye, but after acquiring an artifact, he lent it to Jiang Qingxue.

Their strength was evenly matched, making for an exciting battle.

Additionally, among the five enemy Divine Realm experts, two were women.

One, after removing her disguise, was a voluptuous woman.

She wielded a Soul Jade Bone Whip, containing numerous fierce souls. When swung, the whip howled, and the dozens of fierce souls within wailed.

These fierce souls were at least Purple Mansion Realm, with some at the Divine Realm, emitting strange soul waves that seemed to shake the heart.

"Giggle~"

The woman eyed Wang Shouye, laughing wantonly, "Is this handsome young man Ji Lingxiao's sweetheart? That little girl doesn't know how to cherish you. Why not come to me, and let me show you the 'ultimate pleasure'~~"

"Be careful, Young Master Shouye!" Princess Luojia, battling the Blood Prison Prince, noticed the commotion and warned from afar, "This witch is the [Jade Bone Demon Envoy] of the Southern Nether Kingdom's holy land! She's wicked and seductive, having ensnared countless young talents, often draining them and turning their bodies into bone specimens. Don't fall for her charms!"

"Don't worry, Lingxiao."

Wang Shouye remained calm, confidently summoning the Blue Flame Gourd.

In an instant, the small gourd expanded, its mouth opening to release a torrent of blue flames, cascading towards the [Jade Bone Demon Envoy] like a waterfall.

The flames flowed like water, yet carried a terrifying aura.

Under the blue glow, Wang Shouye's robes fluttered, his aura unknowingly rising to a terrifying level, like a monarch of fire.

He smirked slightly, "Jade Bone Demon Envoy, you must have been deceived by Wei Donglai. He probably didn't tell you not to provoke me lightly?"

"A fire-element artifact!"

The Jade Bone Demon Envoy's face changed, retreating rapidly while cursing, "Damn Wei Donglai! Once this is over, I'll drain you dry and turn you into a bone specimen for my collection!"

"Think about how to survive first," Wang Shouye summoned a cluster of Nine Nether Hellfire, tossing it out.

Fire naturally countered demonic energy, and combined with the soul-targeting Nine Nether Hellfire, the effect was far beyond mere addition.

The Jade Bone Demon Envoy was tormented by the two flames, her screams, curses, and pleas echoing endlessly.

Of course, the artifact's power was due to Wang Shouye's Peerless Prodigy C-grade bloodline.

In terms of bloodline, both had Great Saint Bodies, but he was several levels above the Jade Bone Demon Envoy, with far greater mastery of fire laws.

Otherwise, a Purple Mansion Realm great prodigy wielding an artifact couldn't achieve such power.

Everywhere, battles erupted, terrifying energy waves and colorful lights exploding, filling every inch of space with intense energy.

All this seemed slow, but only a short moment had passed.

"This is so exciting, I love this explosive scene."

Watching the chaos, the doll-like Wang Lixian wasn't afraid, but increasingly excited.

She glanced at the last unmoving female demon cultivator, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "The remaining Divine Realm woman, come quickly, I'm about to explode. What's your name? No, don't tell me. I'll capture you for my father as a concubine!"

As she spoke, fire dragon fruits appeared, filling the space around her.

These fire dragon fruits, improved over generations, each contained explosive power.

"Boom boom boom!"

The fire dragon fruits flew like a storm, bombarding the last Divine Realm female demon cultivator.

In an instant, the sky filled with fire, the deafening explosions overshadowing the battle of the two Divine Realm experts above.

Meanwhile, Wang Lixian's exuberant and arrogant voice echoed across the sky, "Hahaha, I can finally fight freely!"

"Explosion is art, hahaha~ explode for me!"

Nearby, the Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor watched, breaking into a cold sweat.

Lixian is too fierce! Is she a celestial plant or a demonic plant?

……