With the combined strength of four peak powerhouses—Liu Yuan, the Snow Empress, Kong Deming, and Jing Hongchen—the journey that would normally take a long time was drastically shortened.
They traveled aboard the Sun Moon Empire's most advanced high-speed passenger flying soul tool. Powered at full capacity by several Class 9 soul tool thrusters, the silver craft streaked across the sky like a shooting star, flying directly toward the Clear Sky Fortress hidden deep within the northern clouds.
Huo Yuhao sat quietly in a corner of the cabin, his elbows resting on his knees as he supported his forehead with both hands. Anxiety filled his eyes.
Every few minutes, he would glance toward Liu Yuan, seemingly drawing reassurance from the latter's calm expression.
Liu Yuan, meanwhile, rested with his eyes closed.
Inside his body, the two soul cores resonated in perfect harmony, gradually stabilizing the immense spirit power that had become somewhat turbulent after his breakthrough to Rank 85.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside the God King Hall of the God Realm Committee...
Tang San sat upon his icy throne as the Divine Power Mirror before him clearly displayed the flight soul tool speeding toward the Clear Sky Fortress.
When he saw that Huo Yuhao had actually brought Liu Yuan and the others straight there, the last trace of composure on his face disappeared.
"Bastard..."
"He actually dared to bring outsiders to invade the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang San's voice was dark and hoarse.
His eyes remained fixed on Huo Yuhao's trusting expression in the mirror as he slammed his hand onto the jade armrest of his throne.
Crack!
The armrest instantly shattered into powder.
"Huo Yuhao..."
"So you've truly forgotten where you came from."
"In my eyes, you were nothing more than an obedient hound."
"But now you've chosen to bare your fangs at your master and even seek refuge under someone else."
"In that case..."
"I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
His eyes grew even colder.
To Tang San, Huo Yuhao's betrayal was an unforgivable challenge to his authority as a God King.
Originally, he had intended to force Huo Yuhao's growth by using Wang Dong'er's life as leverage.
Now...
He intended to tame this runaway pawn through even crueler means.
With that thought, Tang San closed his eyes.
His Divine Sense instantly crossed the planar barrier, connecting directly with Tai Tan and Niu Tian inside the Clear Sky Fortress.
---
At that moment...
Inside a secret chamber at the highest level of the Clear Sky Fortress...
Tai Tan and Niu Tian sat cross-legged beside the Ice Marrow coffin containing Wang Dong'er's body.
Suddenly, both men's bodies trembled.
Tang San's icy decree echoed within their Sea of Consciousness.
"Tai Tan."
"Niu Tian."
"Prepare for battle immediately."
"Huo Yuhao has completely defected."
"He is leading Liu Yuan, the Snow Empress, and the two Soul Engineers from the Sun Moon Empire toward the Clear Sky Fortress."
"Their objective is not to obtain dragon blood."
"They intend to seize Dong'er's body by force."
Tai Tan's eyes snapped open.
A savage light burst from his enormous eyes.
"Rest assured, Lord Tang San!"
"That ungrateful brat actually dares bite the hand that fed him."
"He thinks bringing a few helpers means he can run wild inside the Clear Sky Fortress?"
"He's courting death!"
Niu Tian also rose to his feet.
His expression remained calm, but the green aura surrounding him surged violently.
He asked through Divine Sense,
"Lord Tang San..."
"If Liu Yuan really comes..."
"How should we deal with him?"
Tang San answered without hesitation.
"Kill him."
"Liu Yuan is an enormous variable."
"As long as he lives, he will continue interfering with my plans."
"Since he's foolish enough to come here himself..."
"Kill him."
"As for Huo Yuhao..."
"Cripple him."
"Bring him before me."
"I'll personally erase his memories once again."
"Understood."
Tai Tan grinned viciously as his muscles cracked loudly.
"It's been a long time since I've had a proper fight."
"If that brat dares show up..."
"I'll personally snap his neck."
After delivering his orders, Tang San's Divine Thought withdrew.
Tai Tan and Niu Tian immediately left the secret chamber and placed the entire Clear Sky Sect on maximum alert.
An oppressive silence spread throughout the fortress.
Countless black heavy swords gleamed with icy light atop the mountain peak.
---
Back on Liu Yuan's side...
The flying soul tool landed on a level cliff approximately three miles from the Clear Sky Fortress.
Liu Yuan was the first to step outside.
Looking up, he gazed at the dark fortress hidden within the mist and freezing winds.
To his senses...
The fortress resembled a gigantic beast opening its bloody jaws, radiating unconcealed killing intent.
"Brother Liu Yuan..."
"The Clear Sky Fortress is just ahead."
Huo Yuhao spoke softly from behind him.
The Snow Empress gave a cold snort.
The frigid aura of her Emperor Sword instantly froze the snow beneath her feet.
Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen exchanged a glance before simultaneously activating the defensive barriers of their Class 9 soul tools.
Numerous detection soul tools floated into the air, locking onto every inch of space hundreds of meters ahead.
The group slowly advanced along the steep mountain path toward the fortress gate.
However...
The instant Liu Yuan stepped onto the first black stone tile before the entrance—
The air ahead suddenly twisted violently.
Boom!
With a deafening impact...
Tai Tan descended from the sky like a falling mountain, crashing directly in front of the group.
At the same moment...
Niu Tian, dressed in green robes and carrying a massive heavy sword, appeared silently beside him.
There were no greetings.
No negotiations.
No warnings.
"Die!"
Tai Tan roared like thunder.
His enormous arms drew back before launching two pitch-black fist blasts straight toward Liu Yuan and Huo Yuhao at the front of the group.
Each strike carried destructive power approaching that of a Limit Douluo, scorching the surrounding air.
Kong Deming reacted instantly.
He thrust his right hand forward.
Three silver Class 9 spatial-folding spheres exploded before the group, creating layered spatial barriers that forcefully intercepted the incoming attacks.
Boom!
The violent collision sent terrifying shockwaves in every direction, blasting countless rocks apart.
Huo Yuhao looked at the two sect masters and shouted desperately,
"Great Sect Master!"
"Second Sect Master!"
"Please listen to me!"
"We're not here to fight!"
"I'm here to save someone!"
"Brother Liu Yuan really can save Dong'er!"
"He possesses a Divine-grade medicinal herb—"
"Shut up!"
Tai Tan roared, cutting him off before he could finish.
He pointed directly at Huo Yuhao.
"You ungrateful traitor!"
"We placed all our hopes on you!"
"And you repaid us by bringing these Sun Moon Empire rebels here to steal Dong'er's body?"
"'Saving her?'"
"That's nothing but an excuse for your theft!"
Niu Tian slowly raised the massive sword in his hand.
His expression was utterly devoid of warmth.
"Huo Yuhao."
"The moment you chose to return with them..."
"You ceased being a friend of the Clear Sky Sect."
"Today..."
"Not one of you will leave this place alive."
As soon as those words fell...
Tai Tan took another step forward.
Dark golden light erupted around his body.
Behind him, the colossal phantom of a giant ape rose into the heavens.
With another furious roar...
He launched an even more devastating attack directly at Liu Yuan.