After listening to You Feng Yu, the Palace Master of the Heavenly Pool Palace earlier, Lei Ying managed to piece some things together. Since the elder on the third floor and the two prodigious disciples on the second floor survived, she was certain Duan Ling Tian had asked the titled Celestial Emperors to spare them. Otherwise, with their volatile temper, they would not have spared the guards of the prison. This meant it was not necessary to kill the guards on the first floor. However, her son and the elder on the third floor had died. She learned that Xuan Bing, the Profound Ice Celestial Emperor, had killed the elder on the third floor. She did not know why the elder was killed, but she was certain Duan Ling Tian did not kill her son out of necessity when he summoned the two Ning Dragons. It felt like he had intentionally taken the time just to kill her son.
“Why?!” Lei Ying asked again in a low voice.
Although Duan Ling Tian was surprised by the change in plan, he was not afraid. If it were necessary, he would borrow the strength of the Five Divine Elements to deal with the titled Celestial Emperors from the Heavenly Pool Palace. He knew exposing the fact that he possessed the Five Divine Elements was no different from digging his own grave. However, he had no other choice since he had to save Huan’er’s parents and preserve his life. Based on the killing intent flashing in You Feng Yu’s eyes, it was clear You Feng Yu had no intention of letting him live.
Following that, Duan Ling Tian looked at Lei Yin and replied unhurriedly, “He tried to kill me many times… Why is it wrong if I kill him? If he didn’t try to kill me, I wouldn’t have killed him since he was Huan’er’s Second Senior Brother…”
Lei Ying was taken aback by Duan Ling Tian’s words. Although she could not confirm if Lei Jun had tried to kill Duan Ling Tian, she had a feeling he was telling the truth. After all, he had spared the two prodigious disciples on the second floor. If there was no enmity between him and her son, he would have likely spared her son’s life.
Nevertheless, as Lei Jun’s mother, how could Lei Ying blame her son, especially now that he had died? Her gaze was icy and she looked as though she could not wait to tear Duan Ling Tian into pieces as she said, “Since you killed my son, I’ll avenge him today!”
As soon as Lei Ying finished speaking, purple lightning bolts flashed around her. She was emitting a terrifying energy as well.
Duan Ling Tian said indifferently, “Get in line. You’re not the only one who wants to kill me.”
Since Duan Ling Tian had decided to go all out, he was fearless. So what if Lei Ying was a titled Celestial Emperor? It was not like he had never killed a titled Celestial Emperor before. Moreover, Lei Ying’s strength should be on par with Dugu Wen, the Hundred Variants Celestial Emperor, whom he killed.
As Duan Ling Tian and Lei Ying confronted each other, Xu Lang sent a Voice Transmission to Duan Ling Tian. “Duan Ling Tian, did you really join the Heavenly Pool Palace only to free Pei Yuan Ji?”
“Teacher, I’m really sorry.” Duan Ling Tian truly felt guilty about Xu Lang. After all, Xu Lang had treated him sincerely and had taken good care of him during his time in the Heavenly Pool Palace. He knew he had put Xu Lang in a tough spot because of his actions. He explained, “It’s true that Huan’er and I joined the Heavenly Pool Palace to free the prisoners. However, it was not to free Brother Pei. Although I knew Brother Pei for a long time, I was unaware that he was imprisoned here until recently.”
“If you’re not here for Pei Yuan Ji… You’re here to free Lian Qiu?” Xu Lang asked.
“That’s right,” Duan Ling Tian replied truthfully, “Huan’er and I joined the Heavenly Pool Palace not only to rescue Senior Lian Qiu, but we’re here to free Senior Du Xuan as well. They’re Huan’er’s parents…”
Duan Ling Tian said remorsefully, “Teacher, I’m sorry. I admit I had ulterior motives for joining the Heavenly Pool Palace. However, I sincerely felt a sense of belonging with you and the other seniors. For the first time in more than 200 years since I ascended to a Devata Realm, I felt at home. However, I really need to free Huan’er’s parents. I’m really sorry I have to leave the Heavenly Pool Palace in such a manner. I only hope my actions won’t bring trouble to you and my seniors…”
Xu Lang sighed inwardly. After a beat, he replied, “Silly boy, you should’ve spoken to me about this. We could’ve resolved this in a much easier method with Ya Si’s help. Although I didn’t oppose the imprisonment of Lian Qiu and his wife, it doesn’t mean that I agree with it. Ya Si and I could have helped you to free them. However, you really crossed the line by releasing Pei Yuan Ji, the other titled Celestial Emperors, and so many others just to rescue Huan’er’s parents. Moreover, the Heavenly Emperor of the Boundless Heaven had personally captured Pei Yuan Ji. By releasing Pei Yuan Ji, you’re going to incur the wrath of the Heavenly Emperor. Since the situation has escalated to this extent, I won’t be able to help you openly. After all, I still need to consider your senior brothers and senior sisters.” He sighed again after he finished speaking.
“Teacher…” Duan Ling Tian felt even guiltier when he heard Xu Lang’s words. He had prepared himself for Xu Lang to turn against him, but he did not expect Xu Lang to be so understanding and even wanted to help him. A mix of warmth and remorse surged in his heart immediately. After a moment, he said, “Teacher, please do what you need to do. You don’t have to be merciful to me!”
“Duan Ling Tian, you don’t stand a chance against them…” Xu Lang said.
Duan Ling Tian smiled faintly upon hearing Xu Lang’s words before he said, “Don’t stand a chance? We’ll see…”
Xu Lang was taken aback by Duan Ling Tian’s response. He wondered if Duan Ling Tian had a hidden trump card. Otherwise, why was Duan Ling Tian so confident? He was confused. Although Duan Ling Tian had killed Dugu Wen, the Hundred Variants Celestial Emperor, Duan Ling Tian had told him that he only managed to do so due to Dugu Wen’s carelessness. Moreover, Duan Ling Tian was not facing one or two titled Celestial Emperors now, but he was facing nine titled Celestial Emperors, including him.
At this moment, the Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor, who looked younger than his age, said coldly, “Duan Ling Tian, I would’ve killed you immediately at the Prodigy Arena if I knew you’re a traitor!”
The Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor had been dissatisfied with Duan Ling Tian ever since Duan Ling Tian killed his eldest disciple, Han Yun Jin. Now that he found out Duan Ling Tian was a traitor who only joined the Heavenly Pool Palace to rescue Pei Yuan Ji, he felt incredibly regretful that he did not kill Duan Ling Tian at that time and save his disciple.
“Kill me?” Duan Ling Tian faintly smiled. “You think you’re capable of that?”
The Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor who had lived a long life was infuriated by Duan Ling Tian’s words. He looked at Lei Ying and said, “I’ll help you kill Duan Ling Tian!”
Lei Ying decisively rejected him. “No. I want to end him with my own hands.”
“Let’s see if you’re faster than I am…” The Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor was so furious that he even snatched the opportunity to kill Duan Ling Tian from Lei Ying. If he was consumed by anger, he would not have done such a thing.
“Li Xuan Tian, how dare you!” Lei Ying growled.
Li Xuan Tian was the Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor. Not many people knew his name in the Heavenly Pool Palace. Apart from the titled Celestial Emperors in the palace, only a few elders who knew him in the early days knew his name.
At this moment, You Feng Yu said, “That’s enough! Lei Ying, you can kill Duan Ling Tian. After you’re done, help Xuan Tian capture Pei Yuan Ji. You Han, deal with Xuan Bing. Meng Chuan must be here for me so I’ll deal with him…”
You Feng Yu continued firing out instructions calmly. “Xu Lang, you deal with the White Deer Celestial Emperor; Gu Chang Jiang, deal with the Swirling Cloud Celestial Emperor; Yan Bo, the Golden Flower Celestial Emperor is yours; Yun Qin, take on the Thunder Hurricane Celestial Emperor; Xiao Tian, you’ll be our reinforcement. You’re free to help whoever needs it. Try to capture all of them as fast as you can. If that Lian Qiu from the Heavenly Sword Mountain dares to run away, kill him immediately!”
At this moment, it could be seen why You Feng You was the leader of the nine titled Celestial Emperors. When he was done instructing them, he said, “Attack!”
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
As soon as You Feng Yu’s voice fell, all of the titled Celestial Emperors from the Heavenly Pool Palace made a move, except for You Feng Yu. He looked at Meng Chuan solemnly.
Meanwhile, Lei Ying seemed to have transformed into a bolt of purple lightning as she shot toward Duan Ling Tian. “Duan Ling Tian, a life for a life. I’m going to kill you and avenge my son!”
“Pei Yuan Ji, let’s see what you’re made of!” Li Xuan Tian, the Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor, cried out as he shot toward Pei Yuan Ji.
As You Feng Yu had instructed, the Cold Gloom Celestial Emperor shot toward Xuan Bing, the Profound Ice Celestial Emperor, whose strength was only second to Pei Yuan Ji among the six titled Celestial Emperor.
It could be seen that You Feng Yu had put some thoughts into his arrangement when he instructed two of his strongest subordinates to deal with the two strongest titled Celestial Emperors who escaped from the Thousand Chains Prison.