Chapter 2253 - 2254: Taking the Initiative! Second Update
Ye Qiu was acutely aware of his current predicament. On the Ancestral Land, if not completely surrounded by enemies, it was close enough. And because he was a descendant of the Dugu clan, the Celestial Palace, arguably the universe’s largest power, had begun to focus on him and started targeting him specifically.
Even if he didn’t provoke the Celestial Palace, they would find ways to pursue him.
Given this, it was better to take the initiative.
Ye Qiu and his mentor Miao Shan quietly left the small world. After leaving, they didn’t head towards the Eastern Wasteland but instead tore through the void directly, entering the cosmic galaxy.
Miao Shan held a star map in his hand, which was given to them by Xuan Ye before their journey. It recorded the geographical locations of life-bearing planets in the universe.
However, this time their target was not other life-bearing planets but the various branches of the Celestial Palace within the universe.
The Heavenly Emperor had eighteen children, each one ruling over a separate branch.
The eighteenth offspring, the youngest, was once brutally slain by Ye Qiu, provoking the Heavenly Emperor into a towering rage.
For now, only seventeen branches remained.
This time, the master and disciple were heading toward one of these branches.
The executioners of the Dugu descendants were still four disciples named Di Kun, Di Luan, Di Huo, and Di Cun. According to Xuan Ye, as they’ve slain the Dugu descendants, they should retaliate, but not by directly confronting the four disciples; instead, by targeting the Celestial Palace branches behind them.
Conveniently, all four disciples were currently in the Ancestral Land, leaving their branches unattended for an easy destruction.
Dugu Qing, Dugu Cheng, Dugu Yan, and others had already begun to take action. Their targets were the branches of Di Huo and Di Cun, as their skills were among the weakest of the Emperor’s children, and their branch’s strength was relatively low as well.
Ye Qiu had his eyes set on the bases of Di Luan and Di Kun.
Miao Shan focused on the star map, constantly adjusting direction, quickly advancing while standing on a flying magical treasure.
As countless shattered stars appeared before them, Miao Shan’s voice rang out, "We’re here."
Ye Qiu sprang up, scanning with his gaze, landing it on a region of stars ahead.
There, several life-bearing planetary continents resided, and from afar, one could sense the vibrant aura of this starfield.
The Heavenly Emperor commanded one of his offspring to guard this place, clearly harboring great ambition to use the threat of the Celestial Palace to dominate all life within this starfield.
The Ancestral Land, due to having numerous sects and powerful individuals, was not entirely subdued by the Celestial Palace despite its strength. However, for some other planets, the Celestial Palace had that capability completely.
Once at the destination, the two stored their flying treasures and began masking their presence, preparing to infiltrate quietly.
These life-bearing planets had their own Heavenly Dao laws limiting foreign powers from entering easily. Weaker individuals might pass unnoticed, but those surpassing the ’Shattering Void’ level found it much harder to conceal themselves.
Not to mention the two who were Supreme Saints and Celestial-level beings.
Anyhow, their purpose was not to enter these life-bearing planets.
At the center of this starfield floated a magnificent architectural edifice. From afar, its imposing aura could be felt.
Evidently, this must be one of the Celestial Palace’s branches.
"The thirteenth child of the Heavenly Emperor, this is where Di Luan’s branch is located," said Miao Shan.
Di Luan had left a deep impression on Ye Qiu. After all, it was rare for a female martial artist to reach the celestial realm. Even the talented Turquoise Pool Saintess he had known was still at the Supreme Saint level, with an undefined time until she could step into the celestial rank.
Yet Di Luan was not weak. In their confrontation, it was impossible to tell she was still relatively new to the celestial realm. Her combat experience and techniques were exceptionally seasoned.
What Ye Qiu remembered most about this Di Luan was how she differed from other female martial artists. She seemed cold and maniacal, the kind of woman Ye Qiu would prefer not to face unless absolutely necessary.
The mentor and disciple exchanged a glance and began to approach the location.
Outside the grand hall were heavily guarded, their strength generally at the ’Shattering Void’ level.
Before Ye Qiu left Earth, such strength would be unbeatable, considered immensely powerful.
But now, he was no longer the person he once was.
Neither he nor his mentor Miao Shan paid attention to these guards. In their eyes, ’Shattering Void’ level opponents were mere children, effectively insignificant.
Intimidating those just emerging from other life-bearing planets might work, but for those who had faced countless life-and-death situations, it was a joke.
After suppressing their presence, they flashed past without leaving a shadow in front of the guards.
One could only feel a slight shift in the air, one guard rubbed his eyes, saying, "I feel like something just flew past my eyes?"
Hearing this, another guard standing beside him paused in confusion, "No way. You must be mistaken. Don’t forget where we are; this is the Celestial Palace. Who would dare to act recklessly here? I’ve guarded this place for ten years and never seen anyone dare to trouble the Celestial Palace."
"Did I see it wrong?" the guard rubbing his eyes said, thinking it made sense. No one would dare oppose the Celestial Palace. Those who tried were long dead.
"You must be seeing things, brother. I bet you haven’t been with a woman in a long time."
"Haha, bro, not to hide it from you, I’m still a..."
"Haha, I understand. Leave it to me. Whenever a female martial artist reaches the Shattering Void level and reports here, I’ll ensure you become a real man."
The two guards shamelessly chatted about their intimate lifey topics, oblivious to the two who had already entered the palace behind them.
Apart from guards at the grand hall entrance, the palace was quite empty, with hardly a person in sight.
One could barely sense several presences settled deep within the hall.
However, the master and disciple hid their presence well, and as long as they didn’t make a move, they wouldn’t create any disturbance.
They crossed the grand hall, scouting in other directions, and soon, the two had infiltrated a white room.
Swish, swish.
The two revealed themselves.
There was no one here, and they need no longer remain hidden.
Di Luan’s branch, because Di Luan was in the Ancestral Land, was not heavily guarded or crowded. Instead, it was rather quiet, indicating the Celestial Palace’s confidence that no one would dare to intrude.
This slight negligence led to an empty hall, with only a few servants occasionally passing through.
However, this was advantageous for the master and disciple’s operation.
They had sneaked in here, not only to destroy this branch of the Celestial Palace but also with another purpose: to take all valuable things from this place.
They wanted the Celestial Palace to both hate and to grieve, since they were already enemies, they intended to take it to the extreme!