Chapter 113 - Freedom and Independence (2/2)

“Hmph, Steward Yi is becoming less and less reliable,” Xun Li’s expression darkened. He waved his hand and a burst of light shot forth. An array suddenly appeared in the sky, hiding the golden light and stopping it from illuminating the Qing Tong Immortal Abode. Then, he commanded, “Go to the Meeting Hall and ask a few people to destroy the Immortal Ascension Stage immediately.”

“As for the cultivator… we must stop him from ascending completely. Destroy his immortal bones and remove his soul. Keep him trapped in the Lower Realm.”

“Yes!” The immortal bowed and retreated.

Within minutes, he returned. “Your Excellency, something bad has happened! It’s… it’s up here!”

”

What?” Xun Li shouted. “Even the people in the Meeting Hall could not stop the man from ascending into the Upper World?”

“No… No, they didn’t stop him, but… he’s also not… he’s not a man.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” He frowned, his face contorting with anger. “Why are you panicking? What exactly is happening?” He cast a clarity spell onto the immortal.

“The lower realm… lower realm…” The man remained flustered, pointing toward something behind him. “Something bad has come up.”

“What bad…” Xun Li started to ask.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake and large cracks began to form, causing loud cracking noises to echo throughout the Upper World. The great hall also began to shake. Xun Li looked around in shock, then flew up into the air and steadied himself.

It was only then that he realised that the entire Qing Tong Immortal Abode, including the golden Immortal Ascension Stage, appeared as if it were falling into pieces. Cracks covered every surface and the immortal abode which stood tall just seconds ago collapsed onto the ground. Hundreds of immortals flew out from different directions. The Heavenly Beam penetrated through the cracks, illuminating the entire immortal realm.

What… is going on?

The golden light shone brighter and brighter. Something had broken through his suppressive array – the beam was now uncontainable.

Xun Li’s eyes widened, yet he still could not figure out what was happening. The immortal who had delivered the message earlier suddenly pointed to something and shouted, “Your Excellency, that thing… is up… up here!”

Xun Li turned around and saw the crack-covered ground. Something huge was sticking out of the middle of the Qing Tong Immortal Abode, and it seemed to be growing taller and taller, rising above the surface.

The ground shook more vigorously. There was a loud explosion and bricks flew in all directions. A huge body emerged out of the ground and flew several feet into the sky before landing on the ground with a loud bang. It landed where the Immortal Abode stood previously, threatening to shatter what was left of the ground into pieces.

In front of them was a patch of lush greenery.

What they were looking at seemed to be… a spiritual peak that flew up out of the Azure World!

Σ(°△°|||)

Nobody could bring themselves to say anything. A chilling voice suddenly said, “Well, who is the Stygian Immortal Xun… Xun… Xun what again?”

“Xun Li,” another voice responded.

“Oh, yes. Xun Li.”

The immortals looked up and realised that atop the peak stood three people – two males and one female. The one speaking was the female who was standing in the middle.

“Who is Xun Li?” Shen Ying asked once more.

All the immortals still seemed to be recovering from the shock of seeing an entire spiritual peak emerge from the ground. They dazedly turned toward the man standing in the center of all of them.

“I guess it’s you…” Shen Ying narrowed her eyes and studied Xun Li. “That. whoever…. I came here to tell you something. From today onward…” She suddenly stepped forward and enunciated each of the following words slowly and clearly.

“In the name of freedom, the Azure World is independent!”

“…”