‘Elder, I harbor no disrespect for Palace Lord Su, but the current situation truly requires Palace Lord Su to step forward and take charge. Palace Lord Su is hiding and refuses to come out now—what exactly does this mean?’
Ruan Changqing met the Great Elder’s sharp gaze and replied.
‘I’ve already made myself very clear. Palace Lord Su is currently in seclusion for cultivation. This session of seclusion is extremely important to her. She is not hiding and refusing to come out. Furthermore, Palace Lord Su becoming the palace lord was the Old Ancestor's will. Are you questioning the Old Ancestor's decision?’
The Great Elder spoke slowly.
‘I wouldn’t dare question the Old Ancestor,’ Ruan Changqing said, his expression shifting slightly upon hearing the Great Elder's words.
He knew that Lunhui Laozu held a supreme, unassailable position within the Reincarnation Palace. Anyone daring to question Lunhui Laozu would easily provoke the anger of the Reincarnation Palace's upper echelons.
‘Old Ancestor, Elder Ruan did not intend that. But in the current situation, Palace Lord Su simply must come out and take charge! She cannot let everyone down!’
Another elder, tall and portly, spoke up. This elder was also a Reincarnation Palace Elder.
At this moment, although the other upper echelon members of the Reincarnation Palace said nothing, their expressions clearly revealed a hint of discontent.
Back then, Lunhui Laozu had insisted over many objections to support a junior as palace lord, which had caused some dissatisfaction among these older-generation experts of the Reincarnation Palace. However, Su Qingluo’s monstrously talented performance over the years had left these seniors with nothing to say. But now, with the Reincarnation Palace facing unprecedented difficulties, Su Qingluo remained in seclusion and refused to come out to take charge, causing these older-generation experts to become discontent once more.
‘Old Ancestor? Great Elder, since Palace Lord Su is in seclusion and it’s inconvenient for her to come out and take charge, why not invite the Old Ancestor out and have him suppress the current situation?’
At that moment, one of the Elders suddenly spoke up.
‘I have been to the Old Ancestor’s seclusion grounds. It seems the Old Ancestor is still in seclusion,’ the Great Elder hesitated briefly before replying.
In fact, not long ago when the Great Elder went to find Lunhui Laozu, Lunhui Laozu told him to wait for Su Qingluo to emerge from seclusion, at which point she would handle everything.
‘What?! The Old Ancestor is also in seclusion for cultivation! Then who is supposed to take charge of our Reincarnation Palace now?’
As soon as the Great Elder finished speaking, Ruan Changqing cried out, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction.
‘Everyone, please calm down. We will wait for Palace Lord Su to emerge from seclusion,’ the Great Elder took a deep breath and said solemnly.
‘Great Elder, are you not aware that our Reincarnation Palace's branch strongholds spread outside can be attacked by the enemy at any moment? Our Reincarnation Palace members can be slaughtered at any moment! At a time like this, we are still supposed to wait for Palace Lord Su to emerge from seclusion?’ Ruan Changqing shouted again.
‘Elder Ruan, rest assured. I have already dispatched a group of experts and some headquarters troops to reinforce those branch strongholds,’ the Great Elder replied.
‘Great Elder, I believe what our Reincarnation Palace needs to do now is counterattack! We should take the initiative and strike against those major forces, not remain passively defensive! Otherwise, if things continue like this, our Reincarnation Palace’s casualties will only become more severe!’ Ruan Changqing said excitedly.
‘Great Elder, I think Elder Ruan makes a valid point. Our Reincarnation Palace cannot afford to remain purely on the defensive!’
At this moment, another Elder also spoke up. The other upper echelon members of the Reincarnation Palace nodded in agreement one after another.
‘Palace Lord Su, when exactly will you emerge from seclusion? I can no longer suppress these Elders! The Reincarnation Palace is now a dragon without a head!’
Seeing this scene, the Great Elder felt somewhat anxious in his heart.
Before Su Qingluo entered seclusion, she had instructed the Great Elder to handle all affairs. But now, the Great Elder was beginning to feel he could no longer suppress the palace's upper echelons.
‘Everyone, I suggest we need not wait for Palace Lord Su any longer. Let us discuss how to counterattack! The enemy is advancing with ferocious momentum; we cannot continue sitting back and waiting for death! Let us directly dispatch troops and go to war!’
Ruan Changqing suddenly raised his voice, speaking loudly and clearly.
Hearing Ruan Changqing’s words, the other upper echelon members of the Reincarnation Palace were all momentarily stunned.
During this period, facing the step-by-step encroachment of several major forces from the Main World, the Reincarnation Palace had always adopted a defensive posture, avoiding conflict whenever possible and had yet to launch a frontal counterattack.
‘I agree! Those major forces are far too aggressive and overbearing. I cannot swallow this anger! Let everyone immediately discuss how to counterattack and engage them in full-scale war!’
‘I also agree! In recent days, the three strongholds under my responsibility were all attacked. Two were destroyed, with heavy casualties. This grudge must be avenged!’
...
Very soon, the other Reincarnation Palace upper echelons all voiced their support, agreeing with Ruan Changqing's words.
Ruan Changqing swept his gaze over the Great Elder, a trace of smugness flashing deep within his eyes.
‘Hmph! Who would have thought our Reincarnation Palace still harbors a traitor.’
Right at that moment, the cold snort of a woman rang out.
Then, a palace-attired beauty with an aloof, elegant temperament appeared within the palace hall, her majestic gaze fixed on Ruan Changqing.
‘It's Palace Lord Su!’
All the upper echelons within the palace hall were greatly shocked.
‘Palace Lord Su, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion! Splendid!’ Many of the upper echelon members were extremely excited.
After all, the Reincarnation Palace desperately needed someone to step forward and take charge, and Su Qingluo was precisely the most suitable candidate.
‘Our Reincarnation Palace still has a traitor?’
Remembering Su Qingluo's recent words, some upper echelon members had their expressions change slightly, realizing Su Qingluo must be implying something specific.
‘Elder Ruan, am I not correct?’
Su Qingluo stared coldly at Ruan Changqing as she asked.
‘Palace Lord Su, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,’ facing Su Qingluo's piercing gaze and questioning, Ruan Changqing’s eyes flickered somewhat evasively, appearing a little guilty as he spoke.
‘Elder Ruan, you definitely understand my meaning. You grew up within the Reincarnation Palace. Everything you have was given to you by the Reincarnation Palace. Yet, in the end, you betrayed the Reincarnation Palace. Are you worthy of our ancestors?’
Su Qingluo stared at Ruan Changqing with a disgusted gaze, speaking coldly.
‘What? Elder Ruan betrayed our Reincarnation Palace?’
Within the palace hall, the other Reincarnation Palace upper echelons, upon hearing Su Qingluo's words, were all extremely shocked and found it hard to believe.
Elder Ruan, who had just been eloquently declaring the need to dispatch troops and engage those major forces in full-scale war, was actually a traitor.
‘Palace Lord Su, I beg you not to slander me! Just because I spoke a few words criticizing you behind your back, are you going to frame me as a traitor? You are going too far!’
Elder Ruan flew into a rage, shouting furiously.
‘Since that is the case, from now on, I will not express any opinion nor involve myself in any matter concerning the Reincarnation Palace!’ Elder Ruan added, then with a flick of his sleeve, turned and started to leave.
‘You have no further chance to involve yourself in Reincarnation Palace matters. You cannot escape. Surrender yourself.’
Su Qingluo said coldly, taking a step forward.
Boom rumble…
A terrifying energy pressure directly manifested, surring mightily as it bore down on Ruan Changqing.
‘Su Qingluo, right under everyone’s eyes, are you truly going to so brazenly suppress someone who holds a different opinion from you? If this continues, the entire Reincarnation Palace will become your own one-man show!’
Feeling the energy pressure released by Su Qingluo, Ruan Changqing’s face changed drastically as he hurriedly roared.
‘Palace Lord Su, there may be some misunderstanding. Elder Ruan has always been extremely loyal to our Reincarnation Palace,’ an upper echelon member who usually had a good relationship with Ruan Changqing hesitated for a moment before speaking.
‘There is no misunderstanding. He cannot deceive me. I will prove it to you all now.’
Su Qingluo gave a cold laugh and reached out with a grab.
Boom rumble…
A great hand condensed from Samsara energy and Samsara laws materialized above Ruan Changqing's head.
‘Su Qingluo, don’t think I’m afraid of you!’
Elder Ruan erupted in fury. A white longsword shot out from above his head, continuously enlarging as it whistled towards the great hand.
Clang!
The great hand conjured by Su Qingluo extended a finger and gave a light flick, directly causing the white longsword to explode. Then it suddenly shot forth, directly grabbed Ruan Changqing's body, lifted him back, and fiercely hurled him onto the ground.
By now, Ruan Changqing had been sealed, unable to move a muscle, his face filled with terror.
Everyone’s expressions changed drastically.
This Elder Ruan possessed the strength of a Perfected True Immortal and had been immersed in this realm for a long time. His combat prowess had long since far surpassed that of an ordinary Perfected True Immortal, even approaching the combat strength of a Initial Earth Immortal.
But now, facing Su Qingluo, he was pathetically weak, like a little chick, with no ability to resist whatsoever.
‘Su Qingluo, you are suppressing dissent! I refuse to submit! Everyone, will you just stand by and watch as Su Qingluo arbitrarily attacks any Elder she dislikes? If this continues, what will become of our Reincarnation Palace!’
Ruan Changqing roared angrily.
‘Still trying to quibble?’ Su Qingluo said coldly, then extended a pure white jade hand aimed at Ruan Changqing’s head, gave a light grasp, and then a pull.
Roar…
Roaring sounds transmitted from within Ruan Changqing’s Soul Sea, followed by a succession of moving images emerging, appearing before everyone's eyes.
These images were equivalent to Ruan Changqing's memories, forcibly extracted by Su Qingluo using an ancient secret technique of the Reincarnation Palace.
‘This is the famously renowned soul-searching secret art from the ancient times of our Reincarnation Palace!’
The upper echelons of the Reincarnation Palace were all extremely shocked.
‘Ruan Changqing, you actually had contact with the Qingxuan Sect! You traitor!’
Very soon, one of the Reincarnation Palace’s upper echelon members roared in anger.
Among the images that appeared from within Ruan Changqing’s Soul Sea were scenes of Ruan Changqing secretly discussing matters with the upper echelons of the Qingxuan Sect, not long ago. Moreover, the spoken words were clearly presented, the specific content being that Ruan Changqing wanted to cooperate with the Qingxuan Sect to attack the Reincarnation Palace from inside and out.
‘You even had contact with the Dark Faction!’
Su Qingluo’s expression suddenly turned heavy as she saw the figure of a Dark Faction expert within Ruan Changqing’s memory images.
‘Who would have thought Ruan Changqing also had secret dealings with the Dark Faction!’
The other Reincarnation Palace upper echelons were also very surprised.
‘Ruan Changqing, what do you have to say for yourself now?’
Finally, Su Qingluo stopped the soul-searching, her indifferent gaze fixed on Ruan Changqing as she spoke.
‘Things have reached this point. There’s nothing left for me to say,’ Ruan Changqing said, his face full of despair. He knew there was no point in saying anything now.
The Reincarnation Palace upper echelons were each enraged, pointing at Ruan Changqing and cursing him vehemently.
‘Heh heh… Don’t be so smug. The Reincarnation Palace is bound to perish! When the time comes, all of you will die.’
Ruan Changqing laughed coldly. Knowing he was doomed today, he had no more reservations.
Puff!
Su Qingluo flicked her sleeve, and a terrifying energy shot out, crashing onto Ruan Changqing's body and directly blasting his body into a bloody mist, destroying both his form and spirit.
Everyone who saw this felt their scalps go numb.
‘Palace Lord Su’s strength seems even greater than before!’ Many upper echelon members secretly transmitted messages among themselves.
‘Palace Lord Su, currently at least five or six major forces have joined together, formally declaring war on our Reincarnation Palace. During this period, they have continuously attacked our various strongholds scattered throughout the Main World, causing us heavy losses,’ the Great Elder stepped forward and reported to Su Qingluo.
‘I already know. From now on, we prepare for a counterattack. Our Reincarnation Palace will not be bullied.’
Su Qingluo’s gaze looked out beyond the palace as she spoke coldly.
Boom rumble…
As Su Qingluo’s words fell, an utterly terrifying energy pressure manifested, soaring into the sky and almost flipping the entire palace hall over.
Swish!
After speaking, Su Qingluo took a step forward and vanished in a flash.
Aah! Aah…
The next moment, screams rang out one after another around the Reincarnation Palace headquarters.
‘There are people lurking within the space around our Reincarnation Palace headquarters! Palace Lord Su has discovered them!’
The other Reincarnation Palace upper echelons all followed behind Su Qingluo, witnessing her display of divine power as she instantly slaughtered more than a dozen experts in moments.
These dozen-plus experts all came from those major forces hostile to the Reincarnation Palace.
Among them were even two Initial Earth Immortals!
Both Initial Earth Immortals were directly killed by Su Qingluo within a single move, with no ability to resist whatsoever.
‘Palace Lord Su can already instantly kill Initial Earth Immortals! Just what level has her combat power reached?’
The Reincarnation Palace upper echelons following behind were both shocked and overjoyed.
Not long after, a piece of news spread rapidly throughout the Main World.
Two Earth Immortals had been forcefully slain by Su Qingluo near the Reincarnation Palace headquarters!
One was a high-ranking Elder of the Qingxuan Sect.
The other was a high-ranking Elder of the Western Sect!
The fall of two Earth Immortals was more than enough to cause an uproar in the Main World!
‘Declaration of war! Our Qingxuan Sect launches total war against the Reincarnation Palace!’
Upon receiving the news, the upper echelons of the Qingxuan Sect each flew into a thunderous rage.
‘Su Qingluo, you bitch! How dare you kill an Earth Immortal of my Western Sect! My Western Sect will definitely annihilate the Reincarnation Palace and take revenge!’
Upon receiving the news, the upper echelons of the Western Sect also exploded on the spot, their roars shaking the heavens.
Very soon, people saw troop after troop march out from the headquarters of these two major forces, the Qingxuan Sect and the Western Sect, their murderous aura billowing.
Simultaneously, the other three major forces—the Qiantang Empire, the Five Immortals Sect, and the Sky-Piercing Sect—also assembled large numbers of troops and marched out from their headquarters.
With Su Qingluo's emergence from seclusion, the already-tense situation within the Main World grew even tenser.
Everyone knew that a large-scale war had become unavoidable.
‘Palace Lord Su of the Reincarnation Palace has just emerged from seclusion and forcefully killed two Initial Earth Immortals instantly. Now, those major forces in the Main World hostile to the Reincarnation Palace are sending out their armies one after another, preparing to besiege the Reincarnation Palace!’
At this moment, Ye Yunfei was cultivating inside the Phantom Tower when he suddenly received a message from Yan Xiaoquan.
‘Oh? Instantly killing two Initial Earth Immortals? Looks like Qing Luo has definitely successfully refined that Heaven Immortal Soul Fruit!’
Upon hearing Yan Xiaoquan’s message, Ye Yunfei’s heart stirred.
Back in the Ancient God Remains, although the combat prowess Su Qingluo displayed was strong, it had not yet reached the level of instantly killing Initial Earth Immortals. Now that she could instantly kill Initial Earth Immortals, it indicated Su Qingluo’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.
To make one's strength advance by leaps and bounds in such a short time, there was only one possibility: Su Qingluo had already refined that Heaven Immortal Soul Fruit!
‘I wonder, after refining that Heaven Immortal Soul Fruit, just what level has Qing Luo’s true combat power reached?’ Ye Yunfei wondered to himself.