Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

「Yan Province.」

Bright sunlight spilled down, and the tall, majestic city walls cast vast shadows upon the land.

On the open ground outside Flame City, a deafening roar echoed as the massive hull of the Cloud Mist Tower Ship began to slowly ascend, rising into the sky under the power of its various arrays.

"Three days really passed in the blink of an eye."

"I was planning on drinking with my old friend for another day, but I didn't expect to stay drunk until now."

On the deck of the Cloud Mist Tower Ship, Mo Tianyun and his group stood watching the city below shrink into the distance. He spoke with a face full of emotion.

"Senior Mo, if you hadn't gotten dead drunk, causing us to waste so much time looking for you, we wouldn't have nearly missed boarding the Cloud Mist Tower Ship."

Jiang Yuzhe, standing nearby, coughed twice and couldn't resist speaking up.

"Hahahaha, my fault, my fault. It's all my fault for being so impulsive this time."

Mo Tianyun sounded a little embarrassed, trying to cover up his awkwardness with laughter.

In truth, with his level of cultivation, it would have been a trivial matter to use his Spiritual Power to expel the effects of the alcohol.

But it was a rare reunion with an old friend, and he naturally didn't want to spoil the mood. He just wanted to drink with his friend until they couldn't drink anymore.

He just never expected that this moment of spontaneity would almost make everyone miss the ship.

"Speaking of which, I'm surprised the Saint Temple actually just swallowed their anger and let it go."

As the group chatted idly, Cang Lao suddenly brought up this serious topic.

"That was a favor owed to our Demon Exorcism Institute. I heard a senior from our institute once saved that Superior Minghui's life. I doubt he'd dare to go back on his promise."

Mo Tianyun said nonchalantly.

Of course, this was also because their Demon Exorcism Institute was a top-tier, influential power in the Central Province, backed by the imperial family of the Great Hong Dynasty.

If it were an ordinary, minor faction, given Superior Minghui's power, what could they do even if he broke his promise? If he were more ruthless, it wouldn't be impossible for him to repay kindness with cruelty!

Ultimately, it was because they had enough strength and backing to make Superior Minghui honor his promise.

Naturally, Mo Tianyun wasn't worried that the higher-ups in the Demon Exorcism Institute would blame him for this matter.

In the eyes of a behemoth like the Demon Exorcism Institute, the Yan Province Saint Temple was just an insignificant minor power. No one would really care about using up a favor from them.

Only the Jingkong Temple, the power behind the Saint Temple, could make them pay a little more attention.

"In any case, we've set off now."

"Once we leave Yan Province, no matter how unwilling the Saint Temple is, they won't be able to do anything to Young Friend Ye Chen."

The moment his words fell, Mo Tianyun's expression suddenly changed.

"Senior Mo, what's wrong?"

Luo Rou noticed Mo Tianyun's strange behavior and couldn't help but ask.

"I think... I saw someone from the Saint Temple?"

Mo Tianyun furrowed his brows and focused his gaze.

"What?"

Everyone was startled and quickly followed Mo Tianyun's line of sight.

But the deck there was completely empty; not even a single shadow of a person could be seen.

This made everyone wonder if Mo Tianyun's eyes were playing tricks on him.

But only Mo Tianyun himself knew.

He was absolutely sure he hadn't been mistaken about what he had just seen.

He had seen that person at the Saint Temple before.

It was Lord Shakyamuni!

The head of the Saint Temple's current Twelve Saint Monks!

'Could he... have also snuck aboard the Cloud Mist Tower Ship?'

...

"Excellent! I've grasped the opportunity for a breakthrough!"

"If you give me another month, I should be able to smoothly break through to the Divine Might Realm!"

「In Hongyu Pill Venerable's room.」

Hongyu Pill Venerable opened her eyes. The surging aura around her slowly calmed, and an unconcealable joy appeared on her face.

For some time now, she had been going to Ye Chen every day to ask for guidance on her Alchemy Skill.

Many of the things Ye Chen had said were like a beacon in the darkness, pointing her in the right direction so she wouldn't have to fumble about on her path of cultivation like a headless fly.

Ye Chen's earnest and heartfelt admonishments, in particular, had polished her heart for cultivation, which had been gathering dust, until it shone brightly once more.

Hongyu Pill Venerable carefully contemplated Ye Chen's advice, continuously gaining insights during her cultivation, which finally allowed her to sense the opportunity for a breakthrough.

Hongyu Pill Venerable was thrilled. Despite her status as the number one alchemist in the eastern part of the dynasty and her high position, in terms of age, she was really just a young girl.

The young woman hurriedly stood up, wanting to find Ye Chen and share her joy with him.

But as soon as she entered the main hall, she froze.

There, standing in the middle of the hall, was none other than Lord Shakyamuni of the Saint Temple, smiling as he spoke with a cold and beautiful woman.

And that woman was Murong Dai of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce!

"Oh?"

"Isn't this the esteemed Hongyu Pill Venerable?"

Seeing Hongyu Pill Venerable, Lord Shakyamuni immediately looked over with great interest, his eyes, which glowed with a Buddhist light, held a deeply profound meaning.

"You... what are you doing here?"

Hongyu Pill Venerable felt a chill run down her spine, but she quickly composed herself and asked in a low voice.

"And why can't I be here?"

Lord Shakyamuni raised an eyebrow.

"When did you buy a ticket for the Cloud Mist Tower Ship?" Hongyu Pill Venerable asked with a frown.

You have to understand, the Cloud Mist Tower Ship was so popular that tickets often had to be purchased several days in advance.

For instance, this Cloud Mist Tower Ship had been docked in Yan Province for three days.

And even before it docked, the cultivators in Yan Province who wanted to board had to go to the local Treasure Pavilion to buy their tickets ahead of time.

There was no way Lord Shakyamuni could have already prepared a ticket at that time!

"I don't need to buy a ticket."

"Commander Murong specifically invited me aboard."

Lord Shakyamuni smiled.

Hearing this, Murong Dai, who stood to the side, her expression as calm as still water, offered no explanation, clearly giving her tacit approval.

"She invited you aboard?"

An ominous premonition flashed through Hongyu Pill Venerable's mind.

'Ye Chen is an enemy of the Saint Temple; the two sides have clearly torn away all pretense of peace. But at a time like this, the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce actually extended a special invitation to someone from the Saint Temple? Has the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce already decided to stand against Ye Chen?'

She looked at Murong Dai in anger and frustration. "Commander Murong, are you planning to make an enemy of Young Master Ye?"

"Make an enemy?"

Murong Dai couldn't help but laugh. Her gaze towards Hongyu Pill Venerable was filled with amusement and mockery.

"Hongyu Pill Venerable, I've been putting up with you for a long time."

"I might as well tell you, the Saint Monk of the Saint Temple is an honored guest of our Chamber of Commerce. It's not up to outsiders like you to tell us who we can and cannot invite!"

Her tone was icy and full of disdain. "Besides, the grudge between that kid and the Saint Temple has nothing to do with our Chamber of Commerce, does it?"

"If he's scared, he can just come and bow his head to me. It's not like our Chamber of Commerce can't offer him protection."

"But if he insists on doing things his own way, then I can't be bothered with him."