266: Shocking all worlds

As soon as these words were spoken, Great Emperor Qingheng immediately snorted coldly, the aura around him suddenly surging, his tone full of anger and unwillingness: "Face? My Qingxuan Empire has given enough Face to the Reincarnation Emperor Lord for millions of years."

"Over the years, the Shengyuan Empire, relying on its strong national power, has repeatedly sent troops to invade the territory of my Qingxuan Empire and seize my cities. We have sent people to seek help from the Reincarnation Emperor Lord time and again and reported this matter to the Myriad Heavens Emperor Alliance, but what was the result?"

"The Reincarnation Emperor Lord either turns a blind eye or only offers verbal mediation, which has no practical effect at all. On the contrary, the Shengyuan Emperor Lord's arrogance has become increasingly rampant."

The Qingxuan Emperor Lord looked at the furious Great Emperor Qingheng, his Face full of bitterness, and slowly spat out a single word. That word was as light as a feather, yet it expressed endless helplessness and sorrow: "Alas, who told us to be... weak?"

The word 'weak' expressed all the heartache and the Law of the Myriad Heavens where the strong prey on the weak.

The Qingxuan Emperor Lord restrained the bitterness on his Face, his expression becoming firm again. He gave orders to the two Old Ancestors in a deep voice: "I am heading to the Creation Secret Realm this time, and the date of my return is uncertain. The safety of the Qingxuan Empire is fully entrusted to you two Old Ancestors."

"Domestic defense, Sect mobilization, and border defense will all be decided by the two Old Ancestors. You must protect the territory of my Qingxuan and not give the Shengyuan Empire any Opportunity."

Great Emperor Qingcang and Great Emperor Qingheng looked at each other and bowed in salute. Their voices were powerful and resonant, carrying the determination to protect to the death: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. We will give our all to protect the Qingxuan Empire and will never let the Shengyuan Empire's wild ambitions succeed."

Great Emperor Qingcang took another step forward and looked at the Qingxuan Emperor Lord, his tone full of concern: "Your Majesty, please be careful in everything on your trip to the Creation Secret Realm. There are not only dangerous Restrictions in the Secret Realm but also powerful experts from all sides eyeing it covetously. Especially the Shengyuan Emperor Lord; this person has great ambition and holds a grudge against our Qingxuan Empire. If you encounter him alone in the Secret Realm, you must be extra vigilant and avoid a direct conflict with him."

"Mm." The Qingxuan Emperor Lord nodded slightly, taking the two Old Ancestors' reminders to heart.

A moment later, the Qingxuan Emperor Lord said no more. Surrounded by Qingxuan Immortal Qi, he took one last look at the familiar Qingxuan Imperial Palace, turned, and stepped out of the hall. He transformed into a streak of clear light, tore through the void, and sped toward the Creation Secret Realm, his back lonely yet resolute.

Almost at the same moment the Qingxuan Emperor Lord set off, a more grand and eye-catching piece of news, centered on the Reincarnation Emperor Palace, swept through the entire All Heavens and Myriad Realms like a thunderclap.

"The Reincarnation Emperor Lord wishes to open the ancient Creation Secret Realm. Six creation keys have been gathered, but three are still missing. All those who hold a creation key, head to the Creation Secret Realm to gather, jointly open the Secret Realm, and share the Opportunity."

As soon as the news came out, the Myriad Heavens were shaken, and the ten thousand realms were in an uproar.

Immortal Realm, Heavenly Palace, Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

The palace was grand and magnificent. On the beams and pillars, carved dragons and phoenixes were lifelike, with every line flowing with immortal charm. Thirty-six star treasure lamps hung from the ceiling of the hall, their flickering flames casting ten thousand points of golden light, making the hall appear even more solemn and dignified.

The Heavenly Emperor was surrounded by a faint Chaotic Immortal Light, sitting on the throne. Although he stood still, he possessed a supreme majesty that ruled over the Immortal Realm and looked down upon all living beings.

In such silence and solemnity, a figure landed steadily in the center of the hall like a streak of light. Clad in black tight-fitting clothes, his posture was as straight as a pine tree. A gold-plated war saber hung at his waist, and a silver-scaled cloak was draped over his shoulders. The words 'Heavenly Guard' were embroidered on the cloak; he was none other than the leader of the Heavenly Palace's Heavenly Guards, Shen Tianlong.

The moment he landed, Shen Tianlong bowed slightly toward the Heavenly Emperor on the Nine-Nine Throne. His movements were standard and respectful. The slight sound of his black clothes rubbing together was exceptionally clear in the empty Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

His tone was extremely respectful, every word powerful: "I, Shen Tianlong, leader of the Heavenly Guards, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

The Heavenly Emperor's voice came slowly, deep and majestic, with a power that penetrated the heart. It was naturally commanding yet revealed a hint of gentleness: "Rise."

"Your expression is solemn; I presume you have important news to report. What is it?"

Shen Tianlong spoke in a deep voice, reporting the news he had received truthfully, his tone unable to hide a bit of gravity: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Heavenly Guards just brought news that the Reincarnation Emperor Lord intends to open the Creation Secret Realm in the deepest part of the Heavenly Road."

"Creation Secret Realm?"

Upon hearing these four words, the Chaotic Immortal Light surrounding the Heavenly Emperor sitting on the Nine Dragon Throne stagnated slightly.

A flash of surprise suddenly crossed his eyes, and his originally indifferent expression finally rippled. His tone carried a hint of indiscernible shock as he leaned forward slightly and asked: "Oh? The Creation Secret Realm has been sealed for ages and can only be opened by gathering nine creation keys. Could it be that the Reincarnation Emperor Lord has already gathered all nine creation keys?"

The fame of the Creation Secret Realm was known to everyone in the ten thousand realms.

It was a supreme Secret Realm that had existed since the beginning of creation. Rumor had it that it contained creation divine artifacts, Great Dao legacies, and even opportunities that led directly to the Creation God.

However, the opening conditions were extremely harsh. The nine creation keys were scattered throughout the Myriad Heavens, and no one had been able to gather them for hundreds of millions of years. How could the Reincarnation Emperor Lord's actions not cause surprise in the Heavenly Emperor who ruled the Immortal Realm?

Shen Tianlong hurriedly bowed and reported, explaining the detailed information gathered by the Heavenly Guards one by one, clearly and without error: "In response to Your Majesty, they have not yet been fully gathered. According to the Heavenly Guards' various investigations, the Reincarnation Emperor Lord only has three creation keys in his possession. Among the remaining known keys, the Yin Yang Emperor Lord, the Six Paths Emperor Lord, and the Shengyuan Emperor Lord each hold one. In total, there are only six, three short of the nine required to open the Secret Realm."

After a pause, he added, his tone becoming increasingly solemn: "The Reincarnation Emperor Lord has spread the news of his intention to open the Creation Secret Realm and his urgent search for the remaining three keys."

"Such earth-shattering news will surely be known by the entire All Heavens and Myriad Realms, up to the top Empires, very soon."

The Heavenly Emperor spoke slowly, his tone having returned to its original indifference and majesty, revealing no joy or anger, as if the surprise from just now had never appeared: "Good, I know. This matter is of great importance. You may step down for now and continue to order the Heavenly Guards to closely monitor the movements of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, as well as those forces that might hold creation keys. Report any news immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, Shen Tianlong immediately bowed and accepted the order, his tone respectful and firm.

He knew the Heavenly Emperor had his own plans and did not dare to say more. After bowing once again toward the Nine-Nine Throne...

He turned and transformed into a streak of light, exiting the Lingxiao Treasure Hall as fast as lightning. His figure vanished into the sky full of rosy clouds in an instant, leaving only a faint trace of immortal power that was soon dissolved by the peaceful immortal charm of the hall.

The Lingxiao Treasure Hall returned to silence. The Heavenly Emperor still sat on the Nine-Nine Supreme Throne, his Crown Tassels hanging low, so no one could see his expression.

Only the Chaotic Immortal Light flowing around him rippled slightly. Thoughts surged in his eyes, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the many barriers of the hall.