Western Heaven Continent, Lesser Western Heaven Realm, Luo God Clan.
Outside the Luo God Palace, the surging Luo River roared past. This was where its waters converged, the endless currents seemingly never ceasing, brimming with boundless vitality.
The Luo Shen Ceremony would begin here.
Thus, this entire area had long since been placed under strict guard. Armies radiating fierce auras guarded both banks of the Luo River, while even the sky was covered by a defensive net of knights riding Thunder Cranes. With defenses as impregnable as walls of iron and a moat of boiling gold, not even a fly could get through.
The instant the bells rang, several streaks of light shot out of the Luo God Palace and landed on an elevated platform suspended above the Luo River.
The platform seemed to have been fashioned from white jade, glowing lustrously beneath the sunlight, exquisitely beautiful. Yet the countless gazes did not linger on it for even a moment. Every eye was fixed on the graceful figure atop the White Jade Platform, whose beauty eclipsed heaven and earth.
She stood gracefully upon the White Jade Platform, the sunlight casting a dazzling sheen over her long hair, which glittered like the Milky Way. Her exquisite face was utterly flawless, and as her beautiful eyes swept across the crowd, she seemed like the most perfect work of art in all creation.
"We pay our respects to our empress!"
Countless deafening voices rang out, their fervent cries echoing throughout Luo Shen City, lingering without end.
Seeing the fervor of the Luo God Clan People, the various factions that had come from other regions to observe this Luo Shen Ceremony could not help looking somewhat shaken. They clearly had not expected the Luo God Clan, which had been tottering on the brink of destruction just a few years ago, to now possess such morale, with countless hearts beating as one.
"Let us begin."
Luo Tianshen drew a deep breath. All of Luo Li's earlier arrangements had been impeccable, which left him deeply gratified. Still, he knew that these were probably not the only things they needed to guard against, and Luo Li should have understood that clearly as well.
This Luo Shen Ceremony would likely be the most perilous one in all these years.
But no matter how perilous it was, they had no path of retreat.
Rich spiritual light blossomed atop the White Jade Platform, gradually forming a white jade lotus seat beneath Luo Li's feet. She sat cross-legged upon it, her long, Milky Way-like hair drifting gently, lending her a breathtaking beauty.
Luo Li lifted her lovely face and gazed at those countless expectant eyes. Almost every one of the Luo God Clan People was hoping for her success, for it symbolized the clan's future.
So this time, I absolutely cannot fail!
Luo Li drew a long, deep breath. Then, without further hesitation, she lightly bit the tip of her tongue with her pearly teeth. A mouthful of crimson blood essence immediately sprayed out, falling from the sky into the rolling Luo River below.
The blood fell straight into the churning Luo River, seemingly sinking into its deepest reaches.
Boom!
In that instant, the Luo River abruptly seemed to boil. Luo god flowers flew out, filling the sky. They gathered behind Luo Li, vaguely taking the form of a figure of light.
The figure of light was exceedingly slender. Although her features were indistinct, her silhouette alone possessed a heart-stopping beauty.
An ancient aura emanated from the figure of light.
The slender figure gazed at Luo Li and seemed to let out a light, melodious laugh. As that laughter spread, heaven and earth fell silent.
The slender figure extended a finger and gently touched it to the space between Luo Li's brows.
In that instant, endless spiritual light seemed to surge forth, pouring ceaselessly into Luo Li's mind.
At that very moment, six Earthly Sovereign auras swept toward them in a murderous assault.
They belonged to Xue Lingzi, patriarch of the Blood God Clan, and the Five Great Elders.
Luo Tianshen soared into the sky, charging toward Xue Lingzi.
Xue Lingzi blocked Luo Tianshen and smiled sinisterly before shouting, "Interrupt the Luo Shen Ceremony!"
With Luo Tianshen held at bay, one of the Blood God Clan's Five Great Elders broke through the blockade and charged toward the person on the White Jade Platform.
At this critical instant, a streak of black light shot down with indescribable speed, smashing the Blood God Clan elder hard into the ground.
Luo Li stared blankly at the figure who had descended before her like a heavenly god. For a moment, she seemed dazed, before abruptly coming to her senses. Then her beautiful, crystal-like eyes slowly widened.
A look of disbelief gradually spread across her exquisite face.
A torrential downpour cascaded before her. On the river's surface, the black-robed figure kneeling with one knee pressed against the Blood God Clan Earthly Sovereign's back lifted his head. As he gazed at the face that had haunted his every waking thought and dream, a gentle smile appeared on his young, handsome face.
Then he placed one hand over his chest, bowed his head slightly, and gave a soft laugh.
"My empress, your knight presents himself before you."
The newcomer was none other than Mu Chen.
High above, six figures stood in midair, with Futu Yijing looking down.
"Make the most of this time to recover. The strongest one down there is only an Upper Earth Sovereign, so let's watch for a while. Our junior senior sister needn't act just yet either. Give that boy a little more opportunity to show off before the girl he loves," Futu Yijing said with a smile.
Below, Mu Chen took on five Blood God Clan Earthly Sovereigns alone, putting on an undeniably dazzling performance.
Even after Mu Chen killed one and severely injured two others, they still did not reveal themselves.
Only when Mu Chen stated his origins once again did Futu Yijing have the others appear.
At that same moment, the space behind Mu Chen suddenly twisted. Then figures bearing vast fluctuations of spiritual energy stepped out into the air, appearing directly behind him before countless astonished eyes.
Including Mu Chen, there were five Earthly Sovereigns in total. Seeing the situation turning against him, Xue Lingzi called into the void.
"Elder Winter, please show yourself!"
Under the gazes of countless powerful experts, an aged figure slowly appeared. The Luo God Clan experts instantly turned ashen upon seeing him. Even Luo Tianshen broke into a cold sweat, staring in terror at the aged figure who carried the aura of a bitter winter.
For this old man enjoyed an illustrious reputation throughout the Western Heaven Continent: he was a supreme expert at the complete Earthly Sovereign stage!
Of course, what was even more terrifying was that he came from the Western Heaven Battle Hall!
Xue Lingzi turned his gaze back to Elder Winter before him and said respectfully, "Elder Winter, please take action this time and deal with that arrogant junior."
Yet just as everyone believed Mu Chen was certain to die, Elder Winter shook his head and said indifferently, "I cannot kill him."
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