Chapter 4525
Even though Zuo Tianzheng had visited the temple before, the experience never failed to terrify him. The air itself seemed heavy with power. At the entrance to the grand hall, the guards were all Mahayana monks — figures of immense strength. Inside, sixth and seventh-grade Mahayana cultivators lined the walls, standing silently, not even worthy of sitting. And this was only the tenth temple — the weakest among the ten. The thought of the strength held by the higher-ranked temples sent chills down Zuo Tianzheng’s spine.
“Father,” the Tenth Prince called out as they entered, his voice unusually deferential.
Seated on the main throne was a middle-aged man clad in a yellow robe and crowned with authority. His eyes were cold, his presence overpowering. This was the Tenth Palace Master — the supreme authority in the tenth temple.
Zuo Tianzheng dared not look directly at the Palace Master. The monks seated in the hall, far stronger than those standing, also kept their eyes downcast. He knelt in the center, his former confidence as the leader of the Demon Sealing League utterly gone.
“Defeated?” the Tenth Palace Master’s voice was low and chilling.
The Tenth Prince remained silent, glancing at Zuo Tianzheng.
With a trembling voice, Zuo Tianzheng spoke. “Palace Master, we only made a temporary retreat. The Xiao Dynasty is on the brink of collapse. But… an old Taoist appeared at the last moment and blocked the Tenth Prince’s path.”
“Wuji?” the Tenth Palace Master’s gaze sharpened.
“Yes, Palace Master. Taoist Wuji,” Zuo Tianzheng confirmed, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
The Tenth Prince opened his mouth to explain, but his father’s cold glare silenced him. “Enough! Go face the wall and reflect on your failure. You disgrace the God Clan.”
The Tenth Prince paled, shooting a warning glance at Zuo Tianzheng before retreating from the hall, his shoulders hunched in shame.
The Tenth Palace Master turned his icy gaze to Zuo Tianzheng. “You promised me victory — the unification of the Celestial Realm. And yet, you cannot even conquer the Xiao Dynasty.”
The weight of failure bore down on Zuo Tianzheng, and he bowed his head lower, knowing that his next words could decide his fate.
The Tenth Palace Master’s gaze hardened as he asked, “How can we unify the world of heaven and man?”
Zuo Tianzheng’s heart pounded. “Palace Master, the Demon Sealing League has the power to unify the realm. We just need more time.” He hesitated, then added, “But a man named Kai interfered, disrupting our plans. And Taoist Wuji… he’s been secretly protecting demon cultivators, undermining our influence.”
The Tenth Palace Master’s eyes narrowed. “Are you making excuses?”
“I dare not,” Zuo Tianzheng said quickly, his voice trembling. “The old Taoist Wuji even injured the Tenth Prince and… humiliated him. He told the Prince to ‘come back and suck his milk.’”
The hall went silent. Insults against the God Clan were not tolerated.
A surge of rage flared in the Tenth Palace Master’s eyes. “Someone dared to insult my God Clan? He courts death.”
From the left, a muscular man with a towering presence shot to his feet. His voice boomed like thunder. “I’ll crush him with a single punch!”
The Tenth Palace Master turned to him. “Luo Ta, can you handle this old Taoist?”
“Of course, Palace Master,” Luo Ta growled, flexing his massive fists. “I’ll smash him to pieces.”
“Good,” the Tenth Palace Master said, his voice like steel. “But avoid conflict with Sun Moon City. Wuji is a VIP there.”
Zuo Tianzheng blinked in confusion. Sun Moon City? He’d never heard of such a place in all his years leading the Demon Sealing League. None of the five major regions of the Celestial Realm had a Sun Moon City.
“Yes, sir!” Luo Ta saluted, then grabbed Zuo Tianzheng like a ragdoll and vanished in a flash.
As they disappeared into the void, Zuo Tianzheng’s mind spun with questions. The more he learned about the hidden powers of the world, the more fragile his own position seemed.