Mu Qianxue, Ziwei Dou Shu

Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Eunuch Su strode quickly towards the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Along the way, all the eunuchs, seeing him in his bright red python robe, knelt early to pay their respects.

Eunuch Su's expression held a hint of solemnity. Ignoring the eunuchs along the way, he went straight to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau had nine floors, reaching straight into the clouds.

The Director of Imperial Astronomical Bureau resided on the ninth floor. Apart from the Emperor, anyone else wishing to ascend to the ninth floor had to report first and receive the Director's permission.

"Go inform the Director, I have an urgent matter to discuss…"

Before Eunuch Su could finish speaking.

A voice came from above the clouds.

The Director seemed to have anticipated Eunuch Su's arrival.

"Eunuch Su, this old man is feeling unwell today."

"The Divine Abomination case, I'll leave it to my young apprentice to handle."

Hearing the Director's words, Eunuch Su was first stunned, then showed a look of surprise.

As expected of the Director.

He even deduced the Emperor's decree.

The ninth floor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, towering into the clouds, was filled with an ethereal aura.

A tall young woman, dressed in white, with skin fairer than snow and an otherworldly temperament, looked like someone from a painting.

She stood quietly beside the Director, her expression cool and seemingly devoid of any emotion.

"Qianxue, make a trip to the Prince's residence."

"Understood, Master."

Mu Qianxue did not question the Director's instruction and rose to leave.

It was nothing more than going to deduce the whereabouts of a Divine Abomination.

Watching Mu Qianxue slowly depart, her slender legs gracefully moving, a faint glow flickered in the Director's deep eyes.

Qianxue, this is your tribulation!

Only by overcoming this tribulation can you inherit my mantle.

As Mu Qianxue descended, her ethereal aura attracted the gaze of countless Heavenly Mechanism Masters in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Mu Qianxue seemed to have long been immune to these gazes, showing no reaction.

The moment Eunuch Su saw Mu Qianxue, he was stunned.

The Director had actually sent his closed-door disciple.

Eunuch Su was quite familiar with the young woman before him.

She was the Director's closed-door disciple, usually cherished immensely.

Eunuch Su had thought the Director would only send a common disciple to assist the God Slaying Department and the Ministry of Justice.

He hadn't expected it to be her.

"Immortal Mu, time is short, let's go."

"Mm!"

Mu Qianxue nodded slightly, exuding the aura of a cool and aloof goddess.

In less than a quarter of an hour.

Mu Qianxue, in her white robes, lightly touched her toes and descended from the sky into the Prince's residence.

Her descent from the sky, like a fairy from the Moon Palace, instantly captivated Fang Heng.

Left Minister Yin Tingshu's pupils slightly contracted when he saw the person from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and a considerable ripple formed in his heart.

The person from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was actually the Director's closed-door disciple.

Yin Tingshu was truly surprised.

It must be the Emperor's oral decree, sending Mu Qianxue to investigate the case.

Otherwise, how could that old man, the Director, bear to let his closed-door disciple get involved?

The Ninth Prince holds the Emperor's favor.

His standing in the Emperor's heart is much higher than he had anticipated.

Perhaps, it would be wise to have the Second Prince try to win over this rising Prince.

The congratulatory gift sent earlier seems a bit meager.

Seeing the two, Fang Heng stood up and asked.

"Eunuch Su, this is…"

"Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is to cooperate with the God Slaying Department and the Ministry of Justice to investigate the traces of the Divine Abomination."

"This is Miss Mu Qianxue, the Director of Imperial Astronomical Bureau's disciple."

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Greetings, Miss Mu."

Fang Heng couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Mu Qianxue.

Over the past decade or so, he had seen no small number of beauties.

Just the concubines in the imperial harem alone each had their own unique charms.

Yun Menglan, Shen Qiushui, and his second senior sister were also top-tier beauties.

However, the moment he saw Mu Qianxue, Fang Heng was surprised to find that such a beauty could actually exist in this world.

She was serene and ethereal, seeming untouched by worldly concerns, like a fairy from the moon palace.

It felt as though even an extra glance would be a desecration of her.

Mu Qianxue's clear eyes lit up when she saw the young man before her.

He had sword-like brows and starry eyes, like a jade tree and fragrant orchid.

Much more handsome than the Crown Prince with his bushy eyebrows.

Mu Qianxue's mood instantly brightened considerably.

Even the Director of Imperial Astronomical Bureau didn't know that his disciple was a fan of good looks.

Collecting herself, Mu Qianxue averted her gaze, her red lips slightly parted as she spoke with a gentle, orchid-like breath.

"Your Highness, do you happen to have any items that have come into contact with the Divine Abomination?"

"Will this Divine Seed work?"

Mu Qianxue glanced at the Divine Seed and nodded slightly.

"This Divine Seed carries the divinity of the Divine Abomination. It's perfectly suitable for divining heavenly mechanisms."

"But the Divine Seed is extremely well-hidden. How did Your Highness discover it?"

"It was all by chance, really!"

"In the ethereal realm, I felt a vague sensation and realized there was something wrong with the courtesan."

Fang Heng said with a humble expression, perfunctorily.

However, to Mu Qianxue's ears, it carried a different meaning.

"Your Highness has a clear spiritual perception; you have great talent for becoming a Heavenly Mechanism Master."

As she spoke, Mu Qianxue pointed her index finger and lightly drew a circle around the headless clay statue.

"Ziwei Dou Shu!"

Immediately, the Bagua disc at her waist began to spin.

A white light bloomed from the center of the Bagua disc.

It formed a light screen in the void.

Various images appeared on the light screen.

It gave Fang Heng the feeling of watching a holographic movie.

Within the light screen, images constantly shifted and flickered.

Before long, a sea of blood appeared on the light screen.

"The Blood Sea Lineage!"

Eunuch Su, Yin Tingshu, and Peng Xiaochuan almost exclaimed in unison.

They hadn't expected this Divine Abomination to be from the Blood Sea Lineage.

In ancient times, the Desolate Ancient Demonic Temple emerged.

Evil gods from beyond the realms used the Desolate Ancient Demonic Temple to bewitch people and spread their faith.

According to ancient records, there were countless evil gods at that time, as numerous as ox hairs.

All evil gods, big and small, had their followers.

However, after tens of thousands of years of imperial suppression and internal strife, only six lineages of Divine Abominations remained.

White Lotus, Blood Sea, Corpse Mountain, Six Desires, Eternal Life, and Witchcraft.

Among these six lineages of the Path of God Worship, the Blood Sea Lineage had been severely weakened by the battle twenty years ago.

Their main stronghold was destroyed, and their leader perished, causing them to disappear for a long time.

The appearance of the Blood Sea remnants left everyone present deeply worried.

At the same time, Yin Tingshu felt fortunate that the Emperor had tasked the Imperial Astronomical Bureau with investigating this case.

Among the six lineages of the Path of God Worship, the Blood Sea Lineage was renowned for its ability to preserve life and remain hidden.

After cultivating successfully, a Blood Sea Divine Abomination would often transform into divine blood and possess a host by attaching itself to their heart.

In fact, many of these hosts wouldn't even know they had been possessed by a Blood Sea Divine Abomination.

This method was extremely insidious and difficult to detect, let alone discover the true form of the Blood Sea Divine Abomination.

Fang Heng frowned as he looked at the Blood Sea in the light screen.

Why would the Blood Sea Divine Abomination target me?

Was it purely for revenge, because my imperial father attacked their mountain, destroyed their temple, and broke through the Blood Sea headquarters?

If it was just for revenge, wouldn't targeting the Crown Prince be more effective?

Or is there...another motive?

Fang Heng's mind was filled with questions.

However, Mu Qianxue's divination was not yet complete.

Her fingers moved rapidly, and the incantation in her hand shifted.

The scene in the light screen changed accordingly.

After about a quarter of an hour, Mu Qianxue's calm voice could be heard.

"Found it!"

As her voice fell, the light screen froze on a small boat on the river.

In the middle of the river, a small boat.

A young fisherman was fishing as usual.

Whoosh!

The fishing net was pulled from the water, and the continuous plop-plop of fish flapping against the deck filled the air.

Among the many fish, the young man's gaze suddenly froze when he saw a yellow croaker, the size of an adult's arm, in the net.

"A big yellow croaker!"

"It could fetch several hundred coins."

A joyful smile appeared on the young boy's naive face.

Just then.

A massive wave suddenly surged on the calm river.

The wave was three zhang high, like a towering wall.

It crashed down on the young man.

The small covered boat rocked violently.

It felt as if it would be swallowed by the giant wave in the next second.

The joy on the young fisherman's face instantly vanished, replaced by endless terror.

However, the fear in his pupils only lasted for a single breath.

The next instant, the fear flickered and was replaced by a cunning and ruthless look, unbefitting his age.

He uttered three cold words.

"God Slaying Department!"

"How did the God Slaying Department find this place?"

"Hm? It's actually the Imperial Astronomical Bureau!"

"It seems this sickly prince has licked the dog emperor quite well."

The Divine Abomination possessing the young fisherman awoke.

In a flash, it understood the situation.

It stomped its foot fiercely.

The terrifying force instantly shattered the covered boat.

The Divine Abomination fled south without looking back.

"Where are you going?"

A thunderous roar approached from a distance.

Immediately after, a brawny man in black dragon-scaled armor appeared on the river, blocking the Divine Abomination's path.

"Slay!"

A brilliant blue saber light slashed down from the sky.

The surging river was actually cleaved in two.

Even the reefs at the bottom of the river were exposed.

Terrifying saber energy tore through the air.

The extremely condensed killing intent contained within it made the Divine Abomination's pupils constrict sharply.

A bloody light flashed in its eyes.

The aura within its body seemed to boil, gushing out.

Pfft!

The youth's blood spurted out.

Crimson blood, under the sunlight, transformed into a blood lotus.

With a flick of the Divine Abomination's finger, the blood lotus shot out.

Boom!

The blood lotus and the saber energy collided head-on.

Blood and blue, two different colors, fiercely clashed and intertwined in mid-air, evenly matched.

The aftermath of the collision swept out in all directions.

After one exchange, the Divine Abomination had no intention of getting entangled with Peng Xiaochuan.

A blood-colored escape light made a ninety-degree turn in mid-air and shot towards the east.

But it hadn't gotten far.

A middle-aged man in a purple long robe stood on the river surface, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Heh heh—"

"You dare meddle with our Ministry of Justice? Today, I'll chop off your claws."

Seeing the newcomer, the Divine Abomination's pupils constricted sharply, and it blurted out instinctively.

"Yin Tingshu!"

How unlucky!

The Divine Abomination cursed inwardly.

The Three Prime Ministers and Seven Ministries had always been at odds with the God Slaying Department.

It never expected that to deal with it today, the God Slaying Department and the Ministry of Justice would actually join forces.

It formed a hand seal, and with another strange arc, turned north.

Yin Tingshu looked at this bizarre maneuver, raising an eyebrow.

"The Blood Escape Technique of the Blood Sea Lineage is indeed strange."

"However..."

Yin Tingshu shook his head, not finishing his sentence, nor did he show any intention of pursuing. Instead, he stood quietly on the river surface.

Because...

The next second, a white figure stepped over the waves.

Its aura was ethereal, like a celestial maiden from the moon palace, untouched by worldly affairs.

The bagua plate hanging at her waist swayed left and right with the steps of the white-clad woman.

"Imperial Astronomical Bureau!"

"Damn it!"

Although the Divine Abomination didn't recognize the person, seeing the bagua plate at her waist, it knew this person was a Heavenly Mechanism Master from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

The Heavenly Mechanism Masters of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau might not be strong in combat.

However, the people of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were proficient in Ziwei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology).

Once locked onto by Ziwei Dou Shu, even if it fled to the ends of the earth, it wouldn't be able to shake them off.

The Divine Abomination's ten fingers moved in unison, and an intangible, formless divinity emanated from its body.

It permeated the void, as if even the void itself was being distorted.

Immediately after, countless streams of blood shot out from the youth's body, like blood arrows.

The blood and divinity, under the Divine Abomination's control, subtly merged.

Figures of blood materialized out of thin air.

Following that...

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Thousands of bloody figures darted in every direction.

Their speed was lightning-fast.

Their numbers were like stars.

Yin Tingshu nodded slightly at the sight.

"The Blood Sea Lineage is known for its ability to preserve life and its stealth. Seeing it today, it truly is extraordinary."

"But… trying to escape my inescapable net? Wishful thinking!"

Just as the Divine Abomination thought it had escaped to safety, The sky darkened!

A colossal palm, reaching the heavens, blotted out the sun.

At the source of this giant palm was an unremarkable eunuch.

"Eunuch Su!"

The Divine Abomination cried out in alarm, its voice laced with fear and panic.

It recognized at once that the one unleashing this heaven-reaching palm was Emperor Yuanchu's personal attendant.

Did I just stir up a hornet's nest?

Is the Ninth Prince really that favored?

The Divine Abomination felt so frustrated it could vomit blood.

It never expected a simple assassination attempt to attract someone of Eunuch Su's caliber.

Eunuch Su hovered in the air, looking down at the Divine Abomination, and shook his head.

"Just entered the Ninth Realm, and you haven't even mastered the Divine Descent technique yet?"

"I wonder who gave you the guts to act so brazenly in Yujing City."

As his voice fell, Boom—

The colossal palm, reaching the heavens, descended with a crash.

Thousands of blood shadows were instantly annihilated.

They had no power to resist whatsoever.

What seemed like a heaven-shattering palm felt like a gentle spring breeze.

With a light sweep, the entire world was purified.

As the thousands of blood shadows were annihilated, the Divine Abomination instantly suffered a severe blow.

Its true form was finally revealed.

A single drop of blood!

Divine Abominations of the Blood Sea Lineage, once they achieve cultivation, will refine their physical bodies into divine blood and entrust their souls within it.

In the void, this solitary drop of divine blood was its true form.

Eunuch Su flicked his fingertip.

Effortlessly, as if crushing an ant.

With one flick, he crushed the divine blood.

Exposing its soul.

Now, the Divine Abomination finally climbed.

An endless fear crept into its heart.

In its panic, there was no time for it to think.

It randomly changed direction and fled desperately.

Eunuch Su turned his right hand, intending to suppress the Divine Abomination, when he suddenly heard a clear crackle of thunder.

His hand paused; he didn't act immediately but stopped instead.

Crackling!

Azure lightning suddenly appeared out of thin air.

If a disciple of Evergreen Temple were here, they would surely recognize this as the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning, one of the four绝 of Evergreen Temple.

Fang Heng was observing from a distance and originally had no intention of intervening.

But the other party was too coincidental; it actually fled directly towards him.

Fang Heng had no choice but to begrudgingly kick it while it was down!

The violent Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning, in Fang Heng's hands, was as docile as dough, letting him mold it however he pleased.

At this moment, Fang Heng was like a nimble-fingered seamstress, weaving the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning into a giant net.

It fell, enveloping the Divine Abomination.

The Divine Abomination was already fleeing in disarray, and with the lightning net of the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning covering it like that, it was directly trapped within the net.

The Divine Abomination realized something was wrong and tried to break out.

The moment its divine soul touched the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning, it let out a shriek.

The intense pain was far more severe than having flesh stripped from bone.

With a change in hand seals, the lightning net transformed.

It shrank smaller and smaller, and in the blink of an eye, it became a prison of lightning.

If Daoist Xuanqing had seen this scene, he would have been utterly dumbfounded.

The Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning can be used like this?

Fang Heng has truly mastered it to an incredible degree.

The Divine Abomination was still unwilling to give up, but each collision with the lightning prison only brought endless agony, unable to shake the prison in the slightest.

With the blessings of the two Fate Attributes, Wood-Thunder Body and Soul Reaper Envoy, for the Divine Abomination, now only a divine soul, to escape was simply a pipe dream.

Eunuch Su saw the Wood-Thunder Divine Lightning being wielded so artfully by Fang Heng.

A faint light flickered in his eyes.

"The Ninth Prince has only been cultivating for a little over a month, yet his mastery of lightning spells is already so phenomenal."

"This talent... far surpasses that of the Crown Prince!"

"His Majesty will surely be pleased if he learns of this."

Eunuch Su thought to himself.

Compared to Eunuch Su, Yin Tingshu's shock was a hundred or even a thousand times greater.

"Lightning spells, known for their violence, are so docile in the Ninth Prince's hands."

"The Ninth Prince's strength cannot be underestimated."

"When I finish duty today, I must speak with the Second Prince about this."

"We should seize this opportunity to win over the Ninth Prince; he will surely become a tremendous asset."