564: Chapter 564

The border of the Great Xia Holy Dynasty was marked by a colossal wall.

Beyond the wall lay the hunting grounds of the Yao Race.

As soon as Qin Yun stepped into this territory, he saw a squad of Yao soldiers escorting dozens of Human Race slaves.

Those humans were dressed in rags, their expressions numb, with crude chains around their necks, being driven like livestock.

Anyone who slowed down slightly would receive a lash from a whip imbued with Demonic Qi.

The lashes left their flesh torn and bloody.

Further away, a breached human village was still emitting black smoke; shattered bones scattered among the ruins had become food for wild beasts.

Yao children laughed and played beside the corpses, tossing human skulls back and forth like trophies.

Inside the wall was the pure land of the Human Race.

Crossing that border line guarded by the Holy Dynasty's great army, the scene was completely different.

Fields were crisscrossed with paths, and smoke from cooking fires curled upward.

Inside the cities, people came and went; though there were soldiers in a hurry, the common people still had peace on their faces.

This place, surrounded by the Yao domains, was the last habitat the Great Xia Holy Dynasty had held for the Human Race through the sacrifices of countless soldiers.

Qin Yun walked into a border town, where the atmosphere on the streets was somewhat heavy.

From the conversations of passersby, he quickly captured key information.

A new generation of Yao Emperor had risen in the Yao Race, unifying the major Yao tribes and launching a fierce assault on the Holy Dynasty's vital border town, 'Tianyang City'.

The battle was intense; the front lines were retreating step by step, suffering heavy losses.

It was at this moment that the main azure pagoda in Qin Yun's Sea of Consciousness sent out a clear ripple of fluctuation.

He looked toward the source of that fluctuation.

The direction was precisely the heartland of the Great Xia Holy Dynasty.

There, another sub-tower was located.

Qin Yun understood that if he wanted to get that sub-tower, he first had to enter the core of the Great Xia Holy Dynasty.

And the battle of Tianyang City before him was the best opportunity.

...

Outside Tianyang City, the sounds of battle shook the heavens.

Black clouds formed by Demonic Qi blotted out the sky, and the endless Yao Race army surged against the city walls like a tide.

Atop the city walls, the Human Race defenders suffered heavy casualties.

Soldiers were constantly being torn apart by the Yao's sharp claws or blasted into blood mist by Demonic Techniques.

Several sections of the wall had been breached, and Yao soldiers poured into the city through the gaps, engaging the defenders in a brutal street fight.

"Hold the line!"

"For the Holy Dynasty, for the Human Race, fight to the death and do not retreat!"

A general roared, cleaving a Yao soldier in front of him with a blade, but in the next moment, he was submerged by several Yao Beasts.

Atop the watchtower, a woman dressed in silver armor was personally beating the war drums.

She was peerlessly beautiful and possessed a noble temperament, her whole body radiating a holy glow; she was the most beloved Ninth Princess of the Great Xia Holy Dynasty, Xia Qingyue.

She was born with a Holy Physique and had come to the front lines in person just to boost morale.

However, the Yao Race's offensive was too fierce.

Several powerhouses at the Yao King level tore through the defenders' lines and charged straight toward the watchtower.

"Protect the Princess!"

The personal guards roared and rushed forward, only to be easily torn apart by the Yao Kings.

Seeing that those Yao Kings were about to reach Xia Qingyue.

Although she had a Holy Physique, her cultivation was still shallow, and she was no match for these Quasi-Supreme level great Yao.

Xia Qingyue drew her sidearm sword, her eyes showing no fear, only determination.

At this critical juncture.

A figure fell from the high sky.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, nor any brilliant divine light.

The figure simply landed calmly between Xia Qingyue and the several Yao Kings.

Qin Yun had arrived.

He didn't look at the princess behind him; his gaze fell directly on the leading Yao King.

It was an ancient variant, shaped like a lion-tiger, covered in scales, with a violent aura that had reached the Quasi-Supreme realm.

"Human, you seek death!"

The Yao King roared, Demonic Qi gathering on its sharp claws, which clawed at Qin Yun's head with a force that seemed to tear space apart.

Qin Yun did not dodge.

He simply raised his hand and threw a punch.

Taihuang Holy Venerable Sun Body.

The golden power of the Desolate Ancient Bloodline, mixed with the extreme Yang Qi of the Solar Holy Body, erupted violently.

That power formed a double suppression over the Yao Race on both the Bloodline and power levels.

Boom!

The Yao King's claws, along with its arm bones which were strong enough to tear apart Magic Treasures, shattered inch by inch under this punch.

The residual force of the fist print didn't slow down, smashing heavily onto its head.

Thud.

That massive head exploded on the spot.

Red and white brain matter and black Demonic Qi-infused blood splattered all over the ground.

One punch.

A Quasi-Supreme level ancient variant Yao King was killed on the spot.

The other Yao Kings were scared out of their wits and turned to flee.

Qin Yun did not give them the chance.

His figure flickered like a golden bolt of lightning, weaving through the battlefield.

With every punch that landed, a Yao King's body would explode.

In just a few breaths.

The several Yao Kings besieging the watchtower were cleared out by him alone.

The entire battlefield fell briefly silent.

The Human Race defenders on the wall and the Yao Race army still charging outside all stopped their movements, looking at this scene in disbelief.

Qin Yun did not stop.

He took a step forward, jumped directly off the city wall, and charged into the densest part of the Yao Race army.

He was like a blazing sun falling into a black tide.

Wherever he passed, golden-red Yang Fire rose, and swaths of low-level Yao soldiers were ignited, turning into charcoal.

Every time he threw a punch, he could blast a hundred-zhang-long path of flesh and blood through the Yao Race army.

He alone was an army.

"Kill!"

On the city wall, it was unknown who shouted first.

The defenders who had survived the disaster had their bloodthirst thoroughly ignited by this scene.

They roared and followed Qin Yun's footsteps, launching a counter-charge.

At this moment, the tide of battle was forcibly turned.

The siege of Tianyang City was broken.

Xia Qingyue stood on the watchtower, looking at that figure sweeping through the Yao Race army, her eyes full of shock and gratitude.

...

The Capital of the Holy Dynasty.

Xia Qingyue overrode all objections and insisted on treating Qin Yun as an honored guest, personally escorting him back to the capital.

The news had already reached back.

When Qin Yun's Flying Boat arrived over the capital, he was met with the highest level of courtesy.

The Great Xia Holy Emperor, a middle-aged man with a deep aura and immense majesty, actually came out of the palace in person to welcome him.

"Sir, you saved my beloved daughter in her moment of peril and broke the siege of our border. Such great kindness, Great Xia shall never forget."

The Holy Emperor performed a solemn salute toward Qin Yun.

A grand state banquet was held in the palace.

All the civil and military officials of the court were present.

In front of everyone, the Holy Emperor personally conferred upon Qin Yun the title of 'Marquis of Zhenyun', a transcendent status second only to the Holy Emperor himself.

At the banquet, Qin Yun conversed with the Holy Emperor and the Princess.

He made indirect inquiries, steering the conversation toward the history and Legacy of the Holy Dynasty.

"This Junior has heard that the Great Xia Holy Dynasty is able to stand firm in this Yao domain entirely because of a National Treasure?"

Hearing this, a flash of pride appeared in the Holy Emperor's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a touch of worry.

"The Marquis of Zhenyun is correct."

"The Foundation of my Great Xia is a 'demon suppressing tower' that has existed since the Primordial Era."

"This tower suppresses our Great Xia's national fortune and guards the Human Race's Dragon veins. The aura it emits can naturally suppress the Yao Race's Bloodline, allowing our Human Race to find a sliver of life here."

Qin Yun understood in his heart.

The demon suppressing tower was that sub-tower of the azure pagoda.

He then continued to ask:

"This Junior has long admired such Primordial treasures. I wonder if I might have the honor of viewing the tower's body?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expression on the Holy Emperor's face became somewhat subtle.

The First Prince, who was nearby, even gave a direct cold snort.

The Holy Emperor pondered for a moment and said tactfully:

"The Marquis of Zhenyun may not know, but the demon suppressing tower is the core of my Great Xia's Dragon veins and national fortune, located in the Forbidden Ground in the deepest part of the palace. According to the laws of our ancestors, no one without the core Bloodline of the Imperial family may approach it."

"I ask for the Marquis of Zhenyun's understanding."

From the Holy Emperor's worried expression and the faintly declining national fortune of the Great Xia Holy Dynasty, Qin Yun had already confirmed his suspicion.

The power of this demon suppressing tower was declining.

This was the fundamental reason why the Yao Race dared to launch a full-scale war.

He spoke again, his tone sincere.

"Your Majesty, this Junior has a special Physique and has a special sensitivity to the treasures of heaven and earth."

"Perhaps, this Junior can assist in repairing the tower's body, extending a sliver of life for our Human Race."

This request caused the atmosphere in the hall to change instantly.

"Presumptuous!"

The First Prince suddenly stood up and shouted sharply.

"A National Treasure is not something for an outsider of unknown origin like you to covet!"

"Father, although this person has performed a great service, his interest in our National Treasure is so great that his intentions are hard to gauge! In my opinion, he should be expelled immediately, or even suppressed, to eliminate any future trouble!"

Xia Qingyue immediately stood up to defend Qin Yun.

"Brother! The Marquis of Zhenyun is a benefactor of our Great Xia, how can you speculate like that!"

"Father, I believe the Marquis of Zhenyun has no ill intentions. The demon suppressing tower concerns the survival of our dynasty. If there truly is a possibility of repair, why not give it a try?"

The Holy Emperor's brow was locked in a tight frown, falling into deep hesitation.

He was grateful for Qin Yun's kindness, but the demon suppressing tower was simply too important; he didn't dare take any risks.

Ultimately, reason triumphed over emotion.

"Let this matter not be mentioned again."

The Holy Emperor's voice carried an unquestionable majesty.

"The Marquis of Zhenyun's contributions shall be rewarded separately. But this Forbidden Ground must absolutely not be entered."

The state banquet ended on a sour note.

Qin Yun's request being rejected made him realize that it was no longer possible to come into contact with the azure pagoda through peaceful means.

And because of his extraordinary interest in the demon suppressing tower, the Great Xia Imperial family had shifted from their initial gratitude and respect to deep suspicion and wariness.

A rift that was difficult to resolve had thus formed between the two parties.

Qin Yun went from being an honored guest in the eyes of the Imperial family to a potential threat.

That night, the Holy Emperor ordered the strengthening of the guards at the palace's Forbidden Ground and secretly dispatched several powerhouses to monitor Qin Yun's every move twenty-four hours a day.

Qin Yun returned to the assigned manor, appearing calm on the surface.

He knew he had to find another way.

He began to familiarize himself with the layout of the capital, his Divine Thought quietly spreading out, secretly planning the route and timing to forcibly enter the Forbidden Ground and recover the azure pagoda.

At this very moment, a new urgent report arrived from the distant Demon Court.

The news of the defeat at Tianyang City had thoroughly enraged the newly appointed Yao Emperor.

A general offensive on an even larger scale, far exceeding anything before, was being prepared.

This was both an unprecedented crisis for the Great Xia Holy Dynasty.

And potentially, the best opportunity for Qin Yun to act amidst the chaos.