Chapter 4694
The Ten Palaces
In a dimly lit, secret chamber filled with an air of mystery, candlelight flickered against the hundreds of densely arranged soul lamps. Each lamp represented the life essence of an important member of the Ten Palaces.
Standing alone in this solemn space was the Tenth Palace Master—a figure of imposing majesty and depth. His sharp, falcon-like gaze remained locked onto a single soul lamp: Yun Li’s.
Yun Li, a prodigy of exceptional talent and intelligence since childhood, had committed an unforgivable sin in the eyes of the God Clan—falling in love with an outsider. This fateful encounter not only violated strict clan laws but also marked him as a traitor.
Yet, for the sake of his son’s happiness, the Tenth Palace Master had devised a plan. Under the pretense of assigning him a mission, he sent Yun Li away with his trusted followers, hoping he would seize the opportunity to escape with his beloved and live a simple, peaceful life.
However, at this very moment, the Tenth Palace Master’s heart pounded heavily, his eyes filled with anxiety and unease.
He knew that despite Yun Li’s departure, his soul lamp remained within the Ten Palaces. If Yun Li never returned, the temple would inevitably take notice.
And when that happened, he would be branded a defector. The temple’s enforcers would be dispatched to hunt him down—and the Tenth Palace Master knew he had no power to stop or interfere once that order was given.
Desperately, he considered his options: Could he secretly remove Yun Li’s soul lamp? Could he extinguish it himself?
If Yun Li’s soul lamp vanished unnoticed, the temple would remain unaware of his absence.
But just as he was lost in thought, staring intently at the flickering flame, Yun Li’s soul lamp suddenly trembled twice—then, without warning, it went out.
The Tenth Palace Master’s eyes widened in shock.
Yun Li was dead. His son was dead.
He had sent Yun Li to find Kai merely as a pretense—a means to help him escape the Ten Palaces.
As long as Yun Li left, he could take the woman he loved and disappear forever.
That was why he had insisted on Yun Li bringing his followers along.
But now, Yun Li’s soul lamp had gone dark.
“Did that foolish boy really go after Kai?”
The Tenth Palace Master’s body trembled slightly.
It took him a while to suppress the turmoil in his heart. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and slowly walked out of the secret chamber. Each step felt unbearably heavy.
When he entered the main hall, he found a man in a black robe standing silently. In the dim light, the beast patterns embroidered on the robe looked especially menacing. The man’s face was deathly pale, his deep-set eyes hollow, as if he had just returned from the underworld.
“Palace Master, Yun Li fell in love with an outsider, breaking the sacred laws of our God Clan. He is a criminal. How could you allow him to leave the Tenth Palace?”
The man’s voice was cold as he questioned the Tenth Palace Master.
“Huo Qing, I know you suspect me. You think I deliberately let Yun Li escape.”
“Let me tell you now—Yun Li is dead. He gave his life for the Tenth Palace.”
The Tenth Palace Master’s eyes burned with restrained fury.
“Yun Li is dead?” Huo Qing’s body stiffened, disbelief flashing across his face. “How did he die?”
“Do you really need to ask? He was killed by that boy, Kai. Yun Li’s soul lamp has gone out. If you don’t believe me, I can take you to see it for yourself!”
The Tenth Palace Master’s voice was laced with barely concealed anger.
“If that’s the case, I’ll see for myself…”
It was clear Huo Qing did not believe Yun Li was truly dead, nor did he accept that Yun Li had left the Ten Palaces seeking revenge against Kai.
Suppressing his frustration, the Tenth Palace Master turned and strode away, with Huo Qing following closely behind.
When they arrived at the secret chamber and saw Yun Li’s extinguished soul lamp, Huo Qing finally believed the Tenth Palace Master’s words.