Chapter 527 – The Tianyuan Team's Fame Spreads Again, Instant Illusion Annihilation

Among these gifts was an outstanding-grade communication tool and several outstanding-grade materials that appeared to be local specialties of the other territory.

Their value wasn’t particularly high, but they essentially conveyed goodwill.

Mu Yuan ordered his subordinates to store them away.

While he accepted them, it was merely an acceptance and didn’t signify any special transaction.

Of course, if it were just about engaging in some commercial cooperation, he wouldn’t object.

The distance between Taixuan and Divine Radiance was vast; ordinary lords might never collaborate even once in their lifetimes. But for those above the Legendary Realm… cooperation and trade between lords of the two nations were neither rare nor common.

“It seems this Diamond Queen is also somewhat dissatisfied with Divine Radiance’s policies.”

“However, having risen from a relatively ordinary background to secure a position among the seven super lords, she is naturally no pushover.”

After all, in the Divine Radiance Empire, it was far more difficult for lords of ordinary origins to make a name for themselves compared to in Taixuan.

Even in projects like the Super Lord Plan, which seemingly offered massive investments to genius lords, there were plenty of pitfalls.

Mu Yuan shook his head.

The visit from the Divine Radiance envoy was, in his eyes, a trivial matter not worth much attention.

Perhaps there were some schemes or tricks involved, but rather than exhausting himself thinking about and guarding against potentially non-existent conspiracies, it was better to steadfastly continue vigorously developing his territory and enhancing its overall strength.

As long as one was sufficiently powerful, any kind of scheme or trick would lose its impact.

Once these three left the vicinity of Tianyuan City, there was no need to keep monitoring them. The Ten Directions Island Region was now seething with undercurrents; he couldn’t even say how many Legendary Realm monsters were lurking in the shadows. A few more or fewer Legendary Realm beings were no longer worth worrying about.

「Ding!」

「Prompt: The Miracle Building ‘Bone Prison’ has been infused with special power, undergoing a transformative upgrade and has been promoted to the epic-grade building ‘Ninefold Bone Tower’.

——

“Ninefold Bone Tower”

“Category: Special & Defensive Building”

“Ability ①・Imprisonment: The Ninefold Bone Tower contains hundreds of prison cells constructed from sturdy bones. Within these cells, the continuous control skill ‘Bone Bind’ can be applied to targets. Additionally, the interior of the bone tower is equipped with various bone traps.Ability ②・Bone Spears: The Ninefold Bone Tower can transform externally into a war fortress, possessing the capability to unleash tens of thousands of bone spears per second in sweeping attacks.Ability ③・Gate: The Ninefold Bone Tower is connected to a gate leading to an unknown location.」

“It actually leveled up?”

The bone tower was just a bone tower; the Ninefold Underworld was not included within it.

It had merely received some nourishment, yet it underwent an incredible transformation.

Now, the epic-grade bone tower not only had a significantly larger internal space but could also confine even Legendary Realm beings in peak condition for a period of time.

“Truly heinous criminals still needed to be imprisoned in the Ninefold Underworld. However, for less wicked convicts, sending them directly to the Netherworld wasn’t quite appropriate—like the recently captured fugitive lord, for instance.”

Mu Yuan was still hoping someone would come to pay the ransom.

With his vast enterprises and numerous elites on the verge of meeting the requirements for a Legendary breakthrough, he was both wealthy and impoverished at the moment, and he would never turn down extra money.

Such prisoners were perfectly suited to be detained in the surface layers of the bone tower.

At the same time,Vivian, the brown-haired youth, and a certain passerby lord were preparing to summon their flying mounts to leave the boundaries of Tianyuan City.

They weren’t in a hurry to depart, secretly observing Tianyuan City through various means.

In fact, the Empire had assigned them another task: to find a way to plant intelligence agents within Tianyuan City.

But neither Vivian nor the other two lords, who were more loyal to the Empire, took this opportunity to deploy their elites or trusted aides.

They weren’t complete fools.

Tianyuan City had numerous powerful figures. According to incomplete statistics, there were over ten Legendary Realm experts, each a powerhouse among legends. The Tianyuan City Lord had even nurtured a General who reached the Soul Realm.

Calling Tianyuan City a dragon’s den and tiger’s lair would be no exaggeration.

Under such circumstances, sending elites to infiltrate would be pure suicide. Even deploying trusted aides carried significant risks.

Even the brown-haired youth, who kept muttering “Tianyuan doesn’t know what’s good for him,” wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he could surpass the Taixuan Lord.

If an accident occurred and their trusted aides were lost in Tianyuan City, the Empire certainly wouldn’t compensate them with a Legendary Realm expert.

Taking such great risks for such a matter was completely unnecessary.

For now, observing and having some content to report upon returning was sufficient.

“However, in my opinion, Tianyuan City is just average. It’s not even as magnificent as my own territory,” the brown-haired youth said stubbornly.

Suddenly, a black light shot into the sky in the distance, its intangible, chilling essence shaking heaven and earth.

The brown-haired youth seemed to envision mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and the depths of hell.

He swallowed hard. “It may not appear magnificent on the surface, but I imagine its true essence is hidden where we cannot see. I think we should leave quickly.”

Earlier, Micah Duke had already had an unpleasant exchange with the Tianyuan City Lord.

He feared that what they had just witnessed was some secret of Tianyuan City.

What if…

What if the Tianyuan Lord wanted to keep them there?

Vivian, that super lord, might be able to escape, but the two of them would be in danger.

It was all that old duke’s fault!

…

“Your Grace, with our approach to recruitment, it’s indeed unlikely that Tianyuan would agree. Of course, that young man also doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

In the Divine Radiance Empire, within Micah Duke’s territory, an old attendant who had served for decades expressed his confusion.

This time, however, Micah Duke did not deny it.

“Do you truly believe I wanted to recruit that Tianyuan?”

“Tianyuan is indeed the unparalleled lord of this generation, having created numerous miracles along his journey. It’s evident that he possesses many epic generals, many of whom were recruited early, during the initial stages of territory development. This laid the foundation for his miraculous advancement speed.”

“But walking fast doesn’t necessarily mean walking far. For the vast majority of lords, Tianyuan has already reached the summit, scaled the peak. But for our entire Divine Radiance Empire, unless one reaches the Law Realm or even the pinnacle of the Law Realm, having one more or one less makes no difference. It’s not worth expending such exaggerated costs to recruit.”

It wasn’t that Micah believed Tianyuan couldn’t even step into the Law Realm.

But the early advantages of epic troops had been exhausted. In the future, Tianyuan’s progress would inevitably normalize.

The Empire had also considered poaching Tianyuan aggressively, which would, in turn, deal a heavy blow to Taixuan.

However,

if they were to poach aggressively and spend an enormous cost to recruit him, who would bear that cost?The wealth of the Divine Radiance Empire essentially belongs to a few major financial conglomerates and Families, and none of them are willing to contribute such an enormous sum.

Their Family was no exception.

“Rather than trying to recruit that Tianyuan, it might be better to… Of course, if Tianyuan agrees directly, our Divine Radiance Empire would naturally welcome him.”

…

Pioneer Group.

The command center now had significantly more personnel than before.

Many of these staff had previously worked in non-frontline, non-combat departments and had been urgently reassigned here to assist with operations.

General Chen stared intently at the large screen.

His area of responsibility covered the entire Twilight Great Domain and the Sorrowful Domain. The combat situations in these two domains had stabilized, though many potential threats like the Crimson Twin-Headed Dragon remained uneliminated.

Suddenly,

an adjutant approached him and whispered in his ear.

“What!”

General Chen’s eyes blazed with fury.

The adjutant hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from the General.

“Based on current information, envoys from Divine Radiance have indeed entered Tianyuan City, and the delegation is led by Micah Duke, younger sibling of the Divine Radiance’s Arcane King. This demonstrates how seriously Divine Radiance is taking this matter.”

The adjutant carefully asked, “Should we contact the Tianyuan City Lord to inquire about the situation?”

“Why ask Tianyuan!”

“Ah?”

The adjutant was momentarily stunned. If that’s the case, then what was Your Excellency so angry about?

General Chen coldly demanded, “Where did this information come from?”

Adjutant: “It was just relayed from the fourth team responsible for intelligence gathering.”

General Chen: “Then hurry up and investigate! Find the source of this information, and once you do, arrest and interrogate them immediately. It seems some people are growing increasingly bold, engaging in dirty dealings while war rages on.”

It was time to investigate and purge certain individuals within the Pioneer Group who were either compromised or outright spies.

…

Boom—

Amidst billowing smoke and dust, a crater contained the pulverized remains of some Legendary Realm creature.

“It took us two full days of pursuit to eliminate just one Legendary creature. Our efficiency is far too slow.”

Asun sighed from mid-air.

Its partnership with Lu Liu was nearly invincible, unafraid of any powerful foe, but they still needed to actually encounter them.

Compared to Sophia’s squad’s high efficiency, theirs was much lower.

Clearly, it, Falcon Lord, possessed the greatest speed in the world!

This monster was utterly inconsiderate!

…

“Brother Uta, take it easy, will you?”

In another location, Xie Yi’s body clicked and clacked as dozens of mechanical cannons assembled around him. But before he could open fire, Uta took a few bounding steps, caught up with the fleeing Legendary monster, and with two thunderous punches, reduced the creature to bloody mist.

Just like that, it was over.

Two and a half days of tracking, two seconds of combat.

Thinking this, a nearby cannon from Xie Yi’s arsenal fired, helplessly lighting the cigarette he held between his lips.

“Let’s keep searching.”

…

Twilight Great Domain, Tianze City area, somewhere.

Red Robe and Tree Spirit Grandma’s squad were here searching for traces of the enemy.

Red Robe fully utilized her intelligence, gathering and compiling information from various surrounding cities, and even hired local guides to assist them. However…

Red Robe squad’s current battle achievements: zero.

“Honored ladies, this is the town that was tragically destroyed yesterday. Most of the townspeople had already relocated to the Tianze City urban area, but a few refused to leave. These individuals yesterday…”

The young guide clenched her fists.

“According to our Feipu City Association’s analysis, there’s still a relatively high probability that the Legendary Realm monster ‘Earth Dragon Fang’ remains in this area.”The young woman was the sister of the City Lord of Flying Waterfall City, a Fourth-Order Commander Tier expert who had once also been a Lord.

She possessed an even more legendary background.

Both her parents were Legendary Realm powerhouses.

Within the entire Taixuan circle, she could be considered a top-tier second-generation Lord, with few among her peers having a stronger background than hers.

Having followed her parents, the young woman had also witnessed many Legendary Realm experts.

However,

She herself was ultimately not at the Legendary Realm.

Well-traveled and knowledgeable, she clearly understood that all beneath the Legendary Realm were mere ants—especially these two…

She looked toward the two figures in the distance, clad in White-Purple Cloud Robes.

One had flowing black hair and an icy demeanor, holding two red silk ribbons in their hands—this was the renowned Lord of Netherworld.

The other, with a hood pulled up and a mask, was an unfamiliar powerhouse. Yet, judging by their demeanor, their status seemed no less than that of the Lord of Netherworld.

The capabilities of these two surpassed even her own backers.

As for whether these two could slay the Earth Dragon Tooth, the young woman had no doubt.

The only question was whether they could find it.

Rumors said the Earth Dragon Tooth possessed an earth-diving talent, capable of both hiding and escaping.

‘We must find it!’

No sooner had she thought this than—

“Boom—”

A deafening roar erupted in the distance, followed by a cloud of dust billowing into the sky.

The young woman looked toward the two in red robes.

“Let’s go.”

Red Robe, well aware of the principle of finishing early to clock out early, dared not delay.

She snapped her fingers, and a lifelike phantom of a Flying Luan materialized.

In the next moment, the phantom solidified from illusion into reality, carrying the three of them as it sped toward the source of the sound.

…

On the shattered earth lay a massive beast over twenty meters long, shaped like a crescent moon, completely devoid of life.

This was the monster known as the Earth Dragon Tooth, which had been wreaking havoc in the area for days.

“This monster has no eyes, or I wouldn’t have bothered to intervene.”

“Boss, several high-tier Materials can be harvested from the Earth Dragon Tooth. Killing it isn’t a loss.”

“Still, eliminating a threat for Taixuan is a bit irritating.”

Beside the Earth Dragon Tooth’s corpse stood four figures.

Three men and one woman, varying in height and build.

Their only common trait was the faint crimson glow in their eyes and the bloodstains speckling their faces.

Among the four, Fatty plunged their hands into the Earth Dragon Tooth’s corpse and immediately dug out a large, bloody chunk. Without caring whether the flesh was tainted with Filth, they devoured it raw.

“Tastes good.”

Suddenly, the boss looked into the distance. “Someone’s coming.”

A majestic great bird appeared in their line of sight, carrying three figures.

Red Robe, in a hurry to travel, naturally made no effort to conceal her aura.

Besides, this was Taixuan Territory, and she had considerable confidence in her combination with Tree Spirit Grandma. They could cut through chaos with ease.

However, the young woman on the Flying Luan’s back narrowed her eyes.

“The Earth Dragon Tooth is dead? Just now?”

“Is it another Taixuan Sky Patrol Squad?”

She shifted her gaze to the other figures and narrowed her eyes once more.

“It’s… it’s the Devouring Society!”

“It must be the Devouring Society!”

The Devouring Society was a dark organization that had emerged in the Tianze City region over a decade ago.

At that time, the organization had caused severe repercussions and led to the deaths of countless civilians.

The boss of the Devouring Society, codenamed Red Eye, had even killed two Taixuan Legendary Realm experts and devoured them alive.

Though this dark organization was later suppressed, their Legendary Realm boss had never been captured.

And now,The Devouring Society seemingly already possesses four Legendary Realm experts?

The powerful Earth Dragon Fang apparently struggled only briefly before perishing at the hands of these four.

The young girl quickly relayed the intelligence.

“So there are still people who recognize us.”

The leader licked his lips.

The three Legendary Realm experts – Fatty, Cloaked Man, and Bewitching Woman – also appeared to have spotted some delicious prey.

They had originally intended to take revenge on Taixuan and commence hunting.

Compared to monsters, human blood and flesh were truly delectable.

“But you don’t seem to recognize us.”

Red Robe crossed her arms, calmly controlling the Flying Luan to descend leisurely.

The young girl glanced left and right, her mouth slightly agape before ultimately saying nothing and shrinking behind the others.

At this point, there was nothing to do but keep believing.

The Devouring Society members had long been on Taixuan’s most-wanted list.

…

‘Two Legendary Realm experts, the remaining one isn’t worth mentioning.’

‘And all four of us are veteran Legendary Realm experts.’

‘Then…’

The leader exchanged a meaningful glance.

Immediately, Fatty slammed both hands on the ground, causing the earth to tremble as gigantic walls resembling mountain peaks rose around them, blocking the trio’s retreat.

Simultaneously, Bewitching Woman brandished twin cold daggers, dragging dozens of afterimages as she charged forward in the blink of an eye.

Her Domain instantly expanded.

“The enemies aren’t running away, but instead charging forward?”

“This is perfect!”

This would save them a lot of effort.

A smile curled at the corner of Red Robe’s lips as brilliant light swirled in her pupils, as if having witnessed the vicissitudes of time and the transformations of space.

In that moment, time stood still.

The vibrating gravel flying through the air, Bewitching Woman’s phantom charge… everything froze mid-air, with only Red Robe’s dreamlike eyes growing increasingly radiant.

Her gaze met Bewitching Woman’s eyes.

Epic Skill: Eyes of Reincarnation!

The next instant,

Time resumed its flow as if nothing had happened.

However,

Bewitching Woman, who had been dashing forward, suddenly collapsed face-first, her entire body appearing as if it had endured countless tortures, becoming broken and decayed.

She lay there, devoid of any life signs.

(End of Chapter)