Chapter 934: Chapter 189: Achieving Imperial Fame, Divine King’s Invitation (+4K Guaranteed Extra 13)

Deep within the Divine Hall, the dark brown crystal had long disappeared. Upon the dust-covered divine throne, a figure clad entirely in jagged armor sat upright like an immovable ancient boulder. In his palm rested a massive black sword, its tip protruding forward as he gazed downward at the steps before the throne.

When Ying Xiaoxiao arrived with her grandmother, there were already many elders of the clan present besides them.

These reclusive clan elders, some usually in deep slumber and others concealing themselves in shadows, had all gathered here now.

Kneeling before the divine throne, their expressions were devout and fervent as they awaited the instructions from the Ancestor of their clan.

With just a single order, they would set forth immediately to wage war across All Heavens.

The day of vengeance had been awaited for far too long.

As the Goddess, Ying Xiaoxiao recognized these clan elders, and although they were all present here, she could still discern the absence of many familiar faces among them.

A faint sorrow emerged deep in her eyes, but she quickly lifted her gaze toward the towering figure seated on the divine throne. The restrained, yet potent aura emanating from him, reminiscent of a dormant volcano on the verge of eruption, commanded reverence. Even now, as she had ascended to becoming a Saint, she could still feel a bloodline-deep tremor of awe.

Her grandmother took her hand as they walked down the central aisle to the steps before the divine throne. Her grandmother knelt and lowered her head in respect, saying:

“Unworthy descendant, pay respects to our Ancestor.”

Silence enveloped the Divine Hall. After a brief moment, the imposing Divine King seated on the throne seemed to return from the depths of memory spanning endless eras. Slowly, he raised his head and surveyed the many figures prostrated in the hall, most of whom were Semi-Saints.

These were all his bloodline descendants.

“Have all matters been arranged?”

He spoke slowly, his voice low and filled with authority.

Ying Qingshuang responded with deference: “All prepared, Ancestor. All clansmen have been assembled and are ready, awaiting your command. Over these years, our clan has meticulously extended its influence into numerous forces, infiltrating seventeen minor worlds and controlling 83 Divine Dynasties. Just one order, and rebellion shall ignite at any moment!”

“Good.”

The Divine King nodded, a flicker of chilling light flashing in his candle-like, dignified eyes. He turned his gaze to the goddess kneeling near the front of the crowd and said:

“You mentioned earlier this Saint Haotian–who would have thought he’d perform so remarkably at the Dao Debate Assembly? It seems he could be won over. If at a critical juncture, he can deal a fatal blow to the Source Ancestor, it would be an extraordinary merit!”

Ying Xiaoxiao paused briefly, lifting her head to meet the Ancestor’s piercing gaze, only to lower her eyes once more quickly.

This time, the Ancestor agreed to her earlier proposal, but she felt no joy as before. Instead, an uneasy weight settled over her.

Li Hao had already slain the Void Ancestor, the Green Lamp Buddha, as well as Saints implicated in the ancient conflict. All were his sworn enemies. Now, to invite Li Hao would leave no grounds for reasoning.

Moreover, to attempt a surprise attack on the Source Ancestor–such a venture was inherently fraught with peril. The Source Ancestor was no ordinary being; not only a Supreme Saint but the eldest Saint of them all. Even the Ancestor had suffered greatly at his hands before finally breaking free from imprisonment after countless epochs.

Her gaze grew complicated as memory carried her back to that day at the tea stall, her first encounter with the young man. Their conversation still stayed vivid in her mind.

“My name is Ying Xiaoxiao. Ying, as in fated to rise; Xiaoxiao, as in carefree elegance. What shall I call you?”

“You can call me Haotian.”

“What’s your surname?”

“I have no surname.”

She had been curious–how could someone lack a surname?

Just as when she was born, her grandmother had reminded her: “Remember, your surname is Ying–Ying, as in attuned destiny. You bear this name, and it signifies the pride and dignity of All Heavens.”

As her curiosity led her to learn of the boy’s past, she came to realize just how arduous his journey had been. Beneath that carefree, unruly smile lay scars too poignant to describe.

Now, after enduring tribulation, he had finally achieved becoming a Saint–only to be asked to assassinate the Source Ancestor. The risk of failure in such an endeavor foretold inevitable doom–obliteration, body, and soul.

“In response to the Ancestor–Source Ancestor is wily and deeply suspicious. When battling Ancestor, it’s unlikely he’d grant any openings. If we’re to enlist Saint Haotian’s help, it may prove more effective to task him with dealing with the other implicated Three Calamities Saints instead. Our clan’s manpower remains insufficient; these Three Calamities Saints will pose grave threats to us.”

Ying Xiaoxiao bowed her head as she spoke.

She wished Li Hao wouldn’t recklessly gamble his life on such a dire mission. But simultaneously, she hoped he could lend aid to the Divine Clan, strengthening the Ancestor’s cause.

From a young age, what Ying Xiaoxiao had seen and heard had taught her well of the injustices plaguing the Divine Clan. Noble as it was, their destiny had been reduced to that of rats hiding in sewers.

“As the Goddess, don’t you understand? This war’s outcome hinges entirely on the confrontation between myself and the Source Ancestor. Once the Source Ancestor falls, the remaining Three Calamities Saints will pose no further concern. Those unwilling to submit–I can erase with a mere wave of hand!”

The Divine King’s eyes radiated cold indifference, as he continued: “Inflicting harm upon the Source Ancestor far surpasses eliminating ten or a hundred Three Calamities Saints.”

Ying Xiaoxiao undoubtedly grasped this truth. Yet, her concerns extended to two dilemmas: the peril of assassination and the potential toll from the remaining Three Calamities Saints, whose threat–while insufficient to harm the Ancestor–could destroy many clansfolk.

For years, the Divine Clan had scrambled in hiding. Besides herself and her grandmother, there were merely five other Saints within the clan.

When weighed against All Heavens, this number was woefully insufficient. Once war erupted, with the Ancestor locked in battle with the Source Ancestor, the remaining Three Calamities Saints would have to be fended off by the others–inevitably at great cost of bloodshed.

If Li Hao could aid her in curbing the other Three Calamities Saints, the clan’s casualties could be vastly reduced.

Already, countless clan elders had fallen in the effort to revive the Ancestor. Now, even more lives would likely wither away.

“That man has become the strongest contender below Supreme Saint; he is bound to be courted by the Source Ancestor. If we act first, the opportunity is rare–let him feign allegiance to the Source Ancestor, then seize the chance to strike.”