"Don't forget... there's still... the blood oath... constraint..."

Upon hearing this, the Seven Killings Hall Master's lips curled into a smile:

"The blood oath doesn't hold much constraint on you, moreover... the promise was that as long as Chen Yuan is around, Seven Killings Hall will not participate in worldly conflicts.

There's no restriction against my Seven Killings Hall helping others take action against him..."

"You... secretly resent... that he forced you... to sever your arm, don't you..."

"That's part of the reason, but not the entire reason. The disciple just thinks that if Chen Yuan truly ascends the throne and unifies the world, it will definitely not be a good thing for our Seven Killings Hall.

He's always been one to cut the grass, root and all, demolish families and annihilate sects. I understand now, back at Goddess Palace he spared us and let us go.

It wasn't because of mercy, but because that Earth Immortal might have already left. With Moluo alone, he couldn't capture the Grandmaster, plus it would chill the hearts of those from Heavenly Demon Hall, so he stopped.

Once his dominion solidifies, would he really spare the Seven Killings Hall, which has become a thorn in his side?

Taking action against him... is not just for benefits, but also for self-preservation!"

"What did... Xiang Qianqiu.... promise you?"

After a long silence, the Seven Killings Hall Immortal slowly spoke.

"Shall Xiang Qianqiu himself answer this question?" the Seven Killings Hall Master inquired.

"Is he... here?"

"He's been waiting outside the mountain all along."

"Good.... tactics..."

The Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster within the coffin was astonished, having not noticed any trace of the other party's presence; truly terrifying. The Xiang Family... are troublesome!

"Let... him.... come... in!"

"Yes."

The Seven Killings Hall Master nodded, lips slightly moved, sending a transmission:

"Friend Xiang, reveal yourself."

Instantly, ripples appeared again in the canyon's void, and Xiang Qianqiu's figure slowly materialized, looking much the same as before, but with subtle differences surrounding him.

Standing there, he melded with the surrounding world, emitting an intangible wave of rule. He raised a hand, clenched his fist courteously, and said:

"Long time no see, senior's style has become better."

The Divine Mark atop the Bronze Divine Coffin kept lighting up, solidifying the surrounding atmosphere, an immense force enveloped the entire canyon, as if a powerful beast was awakening.

"The... Divine Origin...?"

"No need to rush, senior. This time, Xiang is here to fulfill the previously promised condition." With that, Xiang Qianqiu's hand gleamed.

A piece of pale green jade appeared in his palm.

That jade exuded a refreshing aura, taking a breath made one's entire body feel soothed, as though transforming from a sweltering summer to a crisp autumn.

"Not... enough..."

The Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster continued.

"These Divine Origins are enough for senior to extend life for a few decades, indeed not enough, but this item is extremely precious, even the Xiang Family doesn't have much.

This accounts for about one-tenth this time."

"Haha... the condition."

What Xiang Qianqiu said was very clear. This time it's just a portion, but he still needs help, and after succeeding, he will offer more Divine Origins.

"Senior speaks frankly, thus Xiang won't conceal anything, Xiang hopes the senior can act, assist Xiang in stabilizing a void space, and lure Chen Yuan thoroughly inside.

Then the senior will block Moluo, preventing him from interfering in Xiang's matters with that rebellious child."

Xiang Qianqiu smiled faintly.

The Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster inside the Bronze Divine Coffin remained silent for a long time before making any noise again:

"With... your... strength... can't kill... him."

Was present for the entire previous confrontation between Chen Yuan and Xiang Qianqiu. Although Xiang Qianqiu was slightly stronger, the possibility of killing Chen Yuan wasn't high.

If Xiang Qianqiu failed again, it would completely tear relations between Seven Killings Hall and Chen Yuan, leading to an unending struggle henceforth.

It would be very dangerous for Seven Killings Hall!

"Couldn't kill him before, but after some time, it'll be uncertain." Xiang Qianqiu's eyes looked deep, tone solemn, hands behind his back, seemingly confident.

"You... intend... to breakthrough?"

The Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster asked.

"Indeed, Fifth Realm couldn't kill him, then I'll use Sixth Realm Cultivation to kill him. I don't believe a Sixth Realm Immortal can't kill a Yang God True Monarch!"

Xiang Qianqiu frowned, gaze frosty.

He made a decision!

No longer obsessed with following the Grand Ancestor's path, for almost losing everything now, and Chen Yuan's cultivation progresses very quickly, time isn't on his side.

To truly overpower Chen Yuan, Xiang Qianqiu decided... to breakthrough!

He was already half a step away from Six Realms, traversing further on the path of rules than Manjusri and Ye Xiangnan, only suppressing his Realm for years because he sought the Martial God path.

Otherwise, he could have broken through decades ago with his cultivation.

After battling at Goddess Palace, he carefully weighed that without breaking through, he couldn't overpower Chen Yuan, and not only would he lose everything, Chen Yuan harboring ill will towards Xiang Family would surely want to kill.

Forced to extremity, he has only one path to pursue.

Continuing suppression, seeking opportunity to kill Chen Yuan, is simply foolish. He once considered, but regardless of calculations, killing Chen Yuan presents no chance of success.

And with time's passage, the chances would diminish further...

"Why... so... insistent..."

Not just the Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster puzzled, even the Seven Killings Hall Master showed some interest towards Xiang Qianqiu; truly unclear what deep animosity drives Xiang Qianqiu so insistent.

"This, senior need not concern, killing him ultimately has reasons...." Xiang Qianqiu's gaze was calm, extremely indifferent.

Chen Yuan's existence greatly blocked his path, the Martial God path was sealed, now forced to find another, hoping it's not much weaker than the Martial God path.

"Haha....."

"What does senior think?"

Xiang Qianqiu gazed at the Bronze Divine Coffin, continued to ask.

"What... can... you offer... me...."

Sound akin to dry bark scraping, quite ear-piercing.

"Half of all Xiang Family's Divine Origin accumulation, enough for extending senior's life by hundreds of years, plus the former condition, helping Seven Killings Hall rise to prominence.

From now, no longer living in darkness."

"Two-thirds...."

Xiang Qianqiu furrowed his brow, speechless, while the Bronze Divine Coffin also stayed silent, seeming certain Xiang Qianqiu would agree.

The surrounding void plunged into silence.

The Seven Killings Hall Master kept quiet, as fine a tool as they come!

"Alright!"

Moments later, Xiang Qianqiu nodded, agreeing to the Seven Killings Hall Grandmaster's demand.

"When... to act?"

"After Xiang emerges from retreat!"

Xiang Qianqiu spoke solemnly.

"Alright...."

...

In South State, Xiang Family Secret Realm.

Xiang Qianqiu sat alone in the Xiang Family ancestral hall, donned a bright yellow robe adorned with four golden claws, attire he wore when becoming Crown Prince of Great Chu.

Five claws signify the Emperor.

Regrettably, his father was the last Emperor, leaving him the last Crown Prince. Since Great Chu's fall, this was the first time he wore such attire again.

Hair tied up, at a glance, Xiang Qianqiu's appearance seemed very youthful, save for a trace of antiquity in his eyes, almost as if a man in his twenties.

Inside the ancestral hall were portraits of Xiang Family's former emperors, including the only one in history hailed as the unrivaled Chu Grand Ancestor, the God Slaying Spear placed before the Grand Ancestor's portrait.

Three Divine Incenses burnt in the incense burner, their smoke rising straight upwards.

"I don't believe you can truly defy the heavens and defeat immortals!"

Xiang Qianqiu gazed at Chu Grand Ancestor's portrait, murmuring, his voice echoed through the hall: heavy, dignified… and filled with resentment!

No one answered him, nor responded, the vast Xiang Family hall stood empty.

His eyes glinted with spectral Divine Light, his body rhythm more harmonized with the surrounding void, after a long silence, he continued mutter:

"If you can truly still win, then..."

——————