Ch. 1309 - A Sunbath, Avatar Completed

“That girl, isn’t it?” Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign looked at Wu Zhaodi. The answer was self-evident.

“It’s always easier talking to a smart man,” Ancient Ancestor Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign said with a laugh. “What do you think, Mystic Luan?”

“You mean to turn my Celestial Luan God Realm into a puppet under your control?” Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign replied. “If that’s the case, you might as well destroy us outright.”

Although there was some bitterness in his tone, his discontent was real. Their current Realm Lord had just been slain, and now these outsiders wanted to install a new one, someone of their choosing.

“Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign, you misunderstand. She’s the daughter of the former Realm Lord,” said Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign calmly.

“I know that,” Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign replied with a nod.

He had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, but such a major event as a change of leadership within Celestial Luan God Realm could hardly escape his knowledge. Whoever became the next Realm Lord was none of his concern, until now.

“She’s one of your own,” Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign continued, “not some puppet we’ve planted. To tell you the truth, we came today intending to destroy Celestial Luan God Realm. But this young lady pleaded on your behalf, so we’ve chosen this alternative instead.”

“If you’ve already decided, then why bother asking for my opinion?” Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign said flatly.

The meaning was clear, his agreement or refusal made no difference. Celestial Luan God Realm was nothing more than a fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of the knife.

“Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign, don’t take it to heart. Miss Wu will still need your guidance in the future,” Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign said with a smile.

On the side, Wu Zhaodi slowly approached Desolate Emperor and the few elders who had been the most vocal earlier.

“Miss Wu, spare us! We were forced into it!” the elders cried. “It was Desolate Emperor who threatened us with our families’ lives!”

Seeing their panic and desperate pleading, Desolate Emperor suddenly burst into laughter, as though he had resigned himself to his fate.

“Hahaha! So this is what you’ve become, groveling like dogs! And you call yourselves elders of Celestial Luan God Realm?” he sneered, then turned to Wu Zhaodi. “Yes, I killed your mother. If you want revenge, come take it. I’m not afraid. My only regret is that I let you escape that day.”

Wu Zhaodi said nothing. Her hand tightened around the purple hook.

She raised it high, and drove it straight through Desolate Emperor’s heart.

Blood gushed like a river from a broken dam. The purple hook churned within his chest, stirring up a storm of agony.

Desolate Emperor clenched his teeth, refusing to scream. No matter how the hook tore at him, he held his silence, face twisted but voice restrained.

“You want him to die in greater pain?” Xu Zimo asked, watching her.

“He doesn’t deserve an easy death,” Wu Zhaodi said coldly.

“That’s easy enough,” Xu Zimo replied with a faint smile. “Let’s give him a sunbath.”

He looked around and noticed a tall celestial tree nearby, its branches lofty and ethereal, its form almost divine.

With a wave of his hand, Desolate Emperor’s body was bound to the trunk of the celestial tree.

In the void above, a sun condensed from the Flame of Zhurong appeared, burning brilliantly.

“What terrifying fire…” someone murmured under their breath.

Xu Zimo’s blade intent flickered across his hand, and as it swept by, countless cracks appeared all over Desolate Emperor’s body.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Desolate Emperor shouted in panic.

Xu Zimo didn’t answer. The blazing sun in the sky grew hotter and brighter, its searing light pouring down upon him.

The heat enveloped him completely. Every wound on his body was exposed to the light, every nerve screaming in agony. There wasn’t a single spot on him that didn’t burn.

Cold sweat streamed down his face like rain, only to evaporate instantly.

“Kill... me... already!!” he finally roared, face contorted in unbearable pain.

“No rush,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “Take your time. Death like this isn’t something everyone gets to experience.”

Under the relentless sunlight, Desolate Emperor’s wounds began to dry out, his lips turned purple, and his body shriveled from dehydration.

His screams echoed through the air.

After a while, the celestial tree behind him caught fire, and soon, so did he.

The Flame of Zhurong blazed fiercely, consuming both flesh and soul alike.

Moments later, all that remained was emptiness, only a few drifting ashes scattered across the void.

The remaining elders, witnessing this, were terrified beyond measure. One by one, they began to beg, not for mercy, but for a quick death.

“Forget it,” Wu Zhaodi said coldly. “Killing these insects would only dirty my hands.”

Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign nodded slightly. With a casual wave of his right hand, an overwhelming pressure descended.

The elders exploded where they stood.

Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign closed his eyes, unwilling to watch further. There was nothing he could do but sigh in silence.

“They’re dead now. You can sit securely as Realm Lord,” Xu Zimo said, looking pointedly at Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign.

The message was clear, don’t stand in the way, or you’ll meet the same fate.

“With that, there’s no need for us to stay,” Qi Haoran said. “We’ll take our leave. When Miss Wu ascends as the new Realm Lord, Vast Heaven God Realm will be sure to send gifts.”

“Thank you, seniors of Vast Heaven God Realm,” Wu Zhaodi replied politely.

Qi Haoran turned toward Xu Zimo and smiled, “Our debt is repaid, but Young Master Xu will forever remain a friend of Vast Heaven God Realm.”

“You all go ahead,” Xu Zimo nodded. “I’ll stay here in Celestial Luan God Realm for a few more days before leaving.”

One by one, the cultivators rose into the air and boarded their airships.

The ships came swiftly and left just as fast. The thunderous roar of their engines echoed as they vanished into the distance.

“I’m done here,” Mystic Luan Saint Sovereign muttered, leaving a single sentence behind before turning away, heavy with frustration.

“Grandpa Wang, I’ve only just returned and still have much to learn. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of things,” Wu Zhaodi said with a smile.

“Of course, no problem at all,” Grandpa Wang replied with a hearty laugh.

The matter was over. But Wu Zhaodi knew the Realm Lord’s title meant little to her. What she truly cared about now was repaying Xu Zimo’s kindness.

She left the sect affairs entirely in Grandpa Wang’s hands and rarely interfered again, trusting him completely.

Over the next few days, Xu Zimo remained in Celestial Luan God Realm, helping Wu Zhaodi cultivate the consciousness for her second avatar.

After about seven days, Wu Zhaodi sat cross-legged in the grand hall, eyes closed in meditation.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, bright and clear.

Behind her, a figure identical to her own appeared.

It was her newly-formed consciousness body, her second external incarnation.

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