Ch. 99 - Demon Heir

“Elder Heiyan, what’s the situation with the Palace of Paintings?” the Grand Elder asked.

“I’ve already investigated it,” Heiyan replied. “The palace has restrictions, only those under the age of fifty can enter.”

“Then it’s fine. That works out perfectly, we can just send our disciples in,” the Grand Elder said with a smile.

Many legacies left behind by the predecessors are either intended for their descendants or for a chosen successor.

So most inheritances come with restrictions. No senior would want their legacy to be seized by the older generation.

That’s why the major sects brought younger disciples, they anticipated this.

“Is there a way to break this restriction?” Elder Xing from the Divine Sun Sacred Ground asked after some thought.

“Heartless Painter was no ordinary person,” Elder Heiyan shook his head. “The restriction he laid down can’t be broken by us. Unless we use an Imperial-grade divine weapon, there’s no chance. But from my observations, if we forcefully break the seal, the entire Palace of Paintings will self-destruct.”

“In that case, let the disciples enter. We’ll open the palace tomorrow morning,” the Grand Elder decided after a moment.

The other elders from the two sects nodded in agreement.

The Grand Elder turned to the crowd of scattered cultivators below and said loudly, “As decided by the three great sects, entry to the Palace of Paintings will commence tomorrow morning. Disciples of the three major sects will enter first. Others may follow immediately after, but maintain order. Anyone who causes trouble will suffer the consequences.”

His voice echoed throughout Violet Sun City.

Upon hearing that the palace would soon open, everyone’s spirits soared, eager and excited.

If someone were lucky enough to inherit Heartless Painter’s legacy, they could instantly rise to greatness.

Since the time was set for the next morning, many people dispersed for the night, returning to their rented inns.

Xu Zimo was just looking for a place to rest when he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He looked up and saw Meng Kuo, his father Xu Qingshan’s chief disciple, leaning out the window of a nearby tavern, shouting down at him.

Meng Kuo had played with him when they were younger, though they hadn’t seen much of each other in recent years due to cultivation.

Now at the peak of the Paragon Meridian Realm, close to breaking into the Imperial Meridian Realm, Meng Kuo no longer gained much from staying within the sect. He spent most of his time traveling and tempering himself.

Xu Zimo hadn’t planned to meet up with the True Martial Sacred Ground. He was going to enter the palace alone, he already knew its layout from his past life.

But now that Meng Kuo had seen him, it wasn’t something he could keep secret.

He headed up to the tavern’s second floor. Meng Kuo greeted him with a smile. “Junior brother, what are you doing here?”

“I’m out training. I heard the Palace of Paintings had appeared and thought I’d check it out,” Xu Zimo replied casually.

Meng Kuo stood tall, nearly two meters, with bulging muscles under his black robe. He radiated strength and power.

His hair was messy and voluminous, resembling a wild afro, and flared out in all directions.

“When did you get back, Brother Meng?” Xu Zimo asked as he stepped inside.

Looking around, he realized the second floor was filled with disciples from various sects, not just True Martial Sacred Ground, but also Purgatory Sacred Ground, Divine Sun Sacred Ground, and several others.

“I just returned a few days ago. Master asked me to accompany the Grand Elder to the Palace of Paintings,” Meng Kuo said with a laugh. “Who knows, this might be my opportunity to break through.”

Xu Zimo nodded. He knew Meng Kuo had been stuck at the same realm for quite some time.

The further one progressed, the harder cultivation became. Unlocking Meridian Gates got exponentially tougher.

“Since you’re here, go in with me tomorrow. I’ll protect you,” Meng Kuo joked.

Xu Zimo nodded, not objecting, he knew everyone would be split into different areas once inside the palace anyway.

While they chatted, a man and woman approached.

The woman was Sha Qinghua, Holy Daughter of the Purgatory Sacred Ground. The man beside her wore a black robe and covered his face with a black cloth, leaving only his cold, gloomy eyes visible.

“What do you want?” Meng Kuo frowned.

“Brother, he’s the one who injured me earlier,” Sha Qinghua said, pointing at Xu Zimo.

The man looked at Xu Zimo, his eyes were lifeless, like stagnant water, or like he was already looking at a corpse.

“What do you want, Demon Prince?” Meng Kuo slammed the table, full of anger.

This man was the Purgatory Sacred Ground’s Holy Son. Very few knew his real name, most just called him Tian Mozi, the Demon Prince.

Tian Mozi glanced at Meng Kuo, then locked eyes with Xu Zimo. His voice was low, carrying a chilling pressure.

“No one is allowed to harm my sister. I’ll let it go this time. But if it happens again, even if you’re the True Martial Sacred Ground’s crown prince, I’ll rip you to pieces.”

“You want to start a war with our sect?” Meng Kuo said grimly.

But Tian Mozi didn’t even acknowledge him. His eyes remained fixed on Xu Zimo.

“It’s fine, Brother Meng,” Xu Zimo said with a smile, shaking his head.

Then he looked back at Tian Mozi and spoke coldly, “You should teach your sister to keep her distance. Don’t let her provoke me again.”

He raised his right hand, clenched his fist tightly, bam bam bam, his knuckles cracked with force.

“Otherwise, next time, I’ll crush her head like a watermelon, and feed it to the dogs.”

He said it with a smile. His tone was calm, but the madness in his eyes was bone-chilling.

Tian Mozi’s expression changed.

In Xu Zimo, he saw a reflection of himself.

In many ways, they were the same, both were extreme, dangerous, and willing to do anything to achieve their goals.

Tian Mozi stared at Xu Zimo for a long moment, then turned and walked away.

“Brother, what are you doing?” Sha Qinghua asked, confused, following him.

“Don’t provoke him again,” Tian Mozi said quietly as he returned to his seat.

“Why not?” Sha Qinghua asked.

“Because… he’ll kill you.”

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