Chapter 99: The Soul Coffin Lantern’s Reckoning

Outsiders were exploring the Secret Realm.

After such a long period of exploration, each team had reaped abundant rewards, and the rankings among the disciples of various sects became fiercely contested.

The current top few were:

First Place: Heavenly Sound Sect, Saint Bailian.

Second Place: Penglai Island, Liu Le.

Third Place: Heavenly Chosen Palace, Li Shuyi.

Fourth Place: Zhenhai Gate, Jiang Chengcheng.

Fifth Place: Haixin Island, Luo Yuliang.

Sixth Place: Fire Cloud Palace, Hong Yun.

Seventh Place: Eternal Sacred Land, Xin Ling.

Eighth Place: Jiufeng Island, Le Zhen.

Ninth Place: Three Flowers City, Bai Chen.

….

Observing the rankings, Ke Xiaonan, the Master of Shattered Star Island, provocatively cast a glance at Shen Xiulan, mocking her, “Island Master Shen, it appears your disciples’ strength is somewhat lacking.”

Shen Xiulan retorted, her voice unwavering, “Indeed, your sect’s disciples are truly peerless in their elegance, yet it is a pity they have encountered a true prodigy of heaven today.”

“Hmph.”

Ke Xiaonan scoffed disdainfully, thinking to himself, ‘To think they believe themselves extraordinary, simply by relying on Liu Chenyan, a second-generation Saint!’

Of course, he understood in his heart that he could not provoke them openly, or Liu Ruyan would intervene to punish him.

Ke Xiaonan still vividly remembered how the Grand Void Sword God had directly injured an elder of the Southern Family before.

He certainly did not wish to invite trouble.

To the Lesser Saints and Dao Venerables, all living beings were but pawns in a grand game.

To escape the shackles of others, one had to transcend the Dao Venerable realm.

Yet, was achieving such a breakthrough truly simple?

One first had to comprehend their own Great Dao, then undergo the trials of tribulation, before finally entering the three stages of the Dao Venerable realm.

This single step had caused countless talents and geniuses to fall, unable to cross the threshold.

To step into the Dao Venerable realm was by no means an easy feat.

****

Eastern Sea, Peach Blossom Island, Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Inside the main hall of the sect.

Several elders cast furious gazes upon their former female disciple.

“Ji Lingguang, as the Senior Disciple Sister, you led the disciples in exploring the Secret Realm, yet incurred a five-tier loss. What atonement can you offer for such a transgression!”

“Ji Lingguang, you have utterly disappointed this Venerable One!”

“…”

All the elders were rebuking the stunning immortal maiden kneeling on the ground before them.

Ji Lingguang knelt within the sect’s main hall, the elders’ accusations piercing her heart like sharp blades.

She had initially believed this Secret Realm exploration would allow her to demonstrate her capabilities, never anticipating such a monumental error.

Closing her eyes, she felt the elders’ fury and disappointment, a wave of powerlessness and regret surging within her.

Suddenly, a gentle voice broke the heavy silence.

“The Senior Disciple Sister is not entirely to blame; I also bear responsibility.”

Jiang Yueyue softly walked to Ji Lingguang’s side, raising her head, her gaze firm as she looked at the elders.

“Great Elder,” she began, “Senior Sister Ji is not entirely to blame; I also bear responsibility.

During the Secret Realm’s exploration, I failed to detect the danger in time, which led to our five-tier loss.

I implore the Great Elder to grant us another opportunity, allowing us to prove ourselves anew.”

The elders’ expressions softened slightly upon hearing Jiang Yueyue’s words.

At that moment, Ji Lingguang’s divine soul, as she knelt on the ground, shuddered, and she instantly lost consciousness.

‘Where is this?’

A foreign soul suddenly manifested within Ji Lingguang’s sea of consciousness.

Annihilation regarded the elders before her with profound confusion.

‘Where is this place? Why am I kneeling here? And who are they? Had she not been utterly annihilated by Liu Ruyan?’

Annihilation circulated her power, only to discover that this body possessed only immortal essence.

Without needing to ponder, she knew this was not her original body.

As one of the top ten Destruction Demon Gods among the three thousand Primordial Chaos Demon Gods, her power consisted entirely of the Great Dao of Destruction.

Furthermore, how could this fellow’s Immaculate Immortal Physique possibly compare to her own Primordial Chaos Demonic God Body?

‘Liu Ruyan, since I have not perished, I shall surely kill you!’

Annihilation’s divine sense fluctuated violently.

Towards the end of the Human-Dragon Tribulation, after rebelling against the heavens, Liu Ruyan had led humanity in expanding their territory.

As one of the few Primordial Chaos Demon Gods to survive the Divine Demon Tribulation and the Heaven and Earth Tribulation, she had planned to stage a comeback, only to be slain by Liu Ruyan—who could tolerate such an insult!

‘And to claim I harmed humanity excessively? In the world of cultivation, weakness was the original sin! Was I truly mistaken for eliminating humans?!’

Annihilation composed herself, then began analyzing the current situation.

It was unfortunate that she lacked the original owner’s memories; otherwise, she would not be so passive.

“Disciple, you must provide an explanation at this moment. We elders have discussed it, and if you simply hand over your Immortal Bone to Jiang Yueyue, all past offenses can be forgiven,” Ji Lingguang’s master stated.

Annihilation gazed at the old man’s proposal with incredulity, thinking, ‘Ha? You, a mere Tribulation Transcender, accompanied by five Mahayana-stage ants, dare to demand an explanation from a True Immortal? Are you utterly insane!’

Filled with disdain, Annihilation, as a Primordial Chaos Demon God, stood up forcefully.

“An explanation? To whom must I give an explanation!”

“You made a mistake leading the team, causing the sect to lose five tiers of disciples, and even harming your junior sister. Should you not offer an explanation for that!”

“No, no, no, my meaning is, what explanation does a True Immortal like myself owe a group of ants like you?”

Annihilation looked at them with contempt; she was too lazy to waste words on this group of ants.

Upon hearing these words, the elders instantly flushed crimson with rage.

‘How dare a mere disciple speak to an elder in such a manner!’

However, the elders were also bewildered.

How could Ji Lingguang, who had always considered the sect’s welfare and was exceptionally benevolent, utter such words?

“Rebellious disciple, have you lost your mind! You dare to defy your superiors; do not force me to expel you from the sect!” her master roared, thinking, ‘Surely you will relent now.’

“Ji Lingguang, if you admit your mistake, there’s still room for discussion!”

“Ji Lingguang, look at your junior sister! She’s still defending you; how can you face her!”

Everyone began to condemn her.

“Hahahaha!”

Annihilation couldn’t help but let out several bursts of wild laughter, then directly seized Jiang Yueyue by the throat.

“Senior Sister, you…”

Jiang Yueyue was pinned by an immense force, finding it difficult to breathe for a moment.

She had never imagined that her usually weak and easily bullied Senior Disciple Sister would have such a side.

She regretted not realizing this sooner and designing her punishment.

“Release Junior Sister at once!”

“Rebellious disciple!”

Seeing Jiang Yueyue being choked, the elders were also utterly stunned.

‘Was this truly Ji Lingguang?’

“You want my Immortal Bone? I’ll give it to you right now!”

Ji Lingguang flashed a fierce smile, and the void beside her began to ripple.

Subsequently, a crimson-black coffin appeared beside her.

This coffin was incredibly eerie, with a lantern emanating destructive aura affixed to its head.

“What kind of artifact is this?!”

“I’ve never seen it before!”

“I don’t know!”

“The aura of this artifact is extremely strange!”

The elders had never encountered such an artifact, but they could confirm it was a Heaven-grade artifact!

“My Soul Coffin Lantern, all my belongings are inside.

Those who desire them, enter and take them.”

However, none of the elders moved, for they all sensed something ominous about this object, and the Ji Lingguang before them was definitely not the Ji Lingguang they knew!

She would never possess such an artifact!

“Disciple, why is your Soul Coffin Lantern emitting black smoke?”

The elders intended to stall for time, while also attempting to cast a spiritual art to call for help.

“Don’t talk nonsense; mine is so dark it appears black.”