Chapter 151: Ulterior Motives

Zhu Wannian's tone was exceptionally cold. Under his control, several fiery dragons surged forward to meet Duanmu Shenxu. The oncoming wave of heat caused Duanmu Shenxu's charge to falter. He then let out a cold snort, and hundreds of Azure Wood Thunders met the charging fire dragons.

Explosions resounded continuously. Duanmu Shenxu was sent flying backward, reappearing beside Wang Xu. Glaring furiously at Zhu Wannian, he shouted coldly, "Old Ghost Zhu, what on earth are you trying to do? Could it be that your Fire God Valley intends to make an enemy of the entire Continent of Battles?"

Wang Xu's expression was equally unsightly. As an envoy of the Heavenly Saint Palace, he represented the entire Heavenly Saint Palace itself. For Zhu Wannian to openly oppose him now was equivalent to going against the entire Heavenly Saint Palace. Pondering this, Wang Xu was naturally extremely displeased.

"Brother Zhu, has my word truly lost all weight even now? This alien invasion is a matter of paramount importance to our Continent of Battles. Since we have found some clues here, it is only natural to enter and investigate. I believe Brother Zhu should understand this," Wang Xu said coldly. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that he and Duanmu Shenxu had completely stood on the same front. Pressuring Zhu Wannian together and saddling him with numerous accusations, their "well-intentioned efforts" were glaringly obvious.

Dilongzi rolled his eyes, calculating in his heart how to escape amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, the disciples of the three sects gazed at Dilongzi with glowing eyes, as if looking at a peerless treasure.

Zhu Wannian's expression remained unchanged as he continued to block everyone's path. He bowed slightly and said, "Elder Brother Wang, my Fire God Valley naturally wouldn't dare to make an enemy of the entire Continent of Battles. However, at the very least, our Fire God Valley protects the entire Heavenly Fire Empire. This is a vital military stronghold of the Heavenly Fire Empire. If you wish to barge in whenever you please, where would the dignity of our Heavenly Fire Empire remain? I trust that with the prestige of the Heavenly Saint Palace, you wouldn't commit such discourteous acts."

Zhu Wannian smiled faintly and pointed casually at the barrier behind him. The fiery glow on the barrier flickered, and all the fire-attribute battle energy dissolved into Zhu Wannian's body. The Nine Fire Dragon Realm vanished completely.

"Everyone, the Nine Fire Dragon Realm has dissipated. If you are not afraid of provoking a conflict, you are entirely welcome to go inside and take a look. If the Heavenly Saint Palace wishes to use its power to bully others, we of Heavenly Fire can only swallow our resentment in silence. However, Hu Yuhu's temper is so unpredictable that even this old man cannot fathom it. If he were to suddenly go mad, it would likely end in mutual destruction. I have said all that needs to be said, please proceed as you wish," Zhu Wannian said with a cold laugh, his gaze repeatedly sweeping over Duanmu Shenxu, containing nothing but utter contempt.

It must be said that Zhu Wannian's words immediately cornered both Wang Xu and Duanmu Shenxu. What Zhu Wannian mentioned was precisely what they least wanted to consider, yet it was also of the utmost importance. With the five major sects and the Heavenly Saint Palace gathering in Flame City, the Heavenly Fire Empire as the host had performed impeccably. If rumors of the Heavenly Saint Palace using its power to bully others were to suddenly spread under such circumstances, cleaning up the mess would not be simple at all.

Consequently, the situation on the scene became extremely awkward. Zhu Wannian had thrown open the doors and invited the "thieves" in, but those "thieves" were now hesitating, standing at the entrance of the parade ground in a stalemate, with no intention of entering for a long time.

This state of affairs lasted for about a quarter of an hour. The tightly shut gates of the parade ground suddenly swung open, and thousands of soldiers clad in crimson armor rushed out. They emanated an innate aura of ferocity, and the moment they appeared, the sky itself seemed to grow dim.

The Heavenly Fire Empire's Fire God Army was the strongest military force of the Heavenly Fire Empire. As the saying goes, "It is easier to shake the heavens and earth than to shake the Fire God Army." They enjoyed an exceptionally lofty reputation both domestically and abroad.

Riding a single-horned warhorse and draped in a qilin cloak, Hu Yuhu led those thousands of Fire God Army soldiers in a mighty charge out of the parade ground. The tyrannical momentum they projected was enough to make even Martial Saints like Duanmu Shenxu and the others change their expressions.

These were not thousands of scattered individuals, but rather a seamless, unified entity. Headed by Hu Yuhu and composed of thousands of warriors, the battle energy of every single person was supremely concentrated together, emitting a towering battle intent.

"I am unaware of the esteemed sect masters and envoys gracing the West Mountain Parade Ground with your presence. This general apologizes for failing to welcome you from afar, and I ask for your forgiveness," Hu Yuhu said loudly. His tone was neither humble nor overbearing, displaying the demeanor of a generation's military god without reservation.

"Grand Marshal Hu exaggerates. We have interrupted Grand Marshal Hu's troop training, and we truly find it rather remiss. We hope the Marshal will be magnanimous," Wang Xu said with a smile, carefully choosing his words.

Hu Yuhu was now greeting them in the most formal posture of the Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Fire Empire, representing the entire Heavenly Fire Empire. Because of this, Wang Xu could not afford to be the slightest bit careless.

Hu Mo rode a white horse, his entire body's battle energy completely restrained. He smiled as he watched the masters and envoys of the major sects, having basically seen through what each person was thinking in their hearts.

The Twelve Fire Soul Generals and the warriors of the Starry Brigade had not emerged. The final result of that earlier clash had been a draw. If one were to truly debate success and failure, the Twelve Fire Soul Generals had still won by a slight margin, because those seventy-one warriors had mostly collapsed from exhaustion and would not wake up for some time. Meanwhile, the Twelve Fire Soul Generals were injured and unable to stand, sitting cross-legged to heal their wounds. This was also the first time they had suffered such a blow.

Although Hu Meimei had not sustained any injuries, her identity was far too sensitive. If she were to appear before these old monsters, it would undoubtedly stir up monstrous waves. No one could predict what might happen then.

Therefore, Hu Meimei could only obediently hide within the parade ground, healing the injured Fire Soul Generals. As a wood-and-fire-attribute battle beast, her healing proficiency was truly top-tier; of this, there was no doubt.

Hu Yuhu patted his warhorse, leaped forward a dozen zhang, dismounted, and walked up to Wang Xu.

"Then, may I ask what business brings the Envoy and the esteemed sect masters and envoys here today? If there is anything this marshal can assist with, Envoy, please feel free to state it. If the Envoy holds a token from His Majesty, you may even enter the parade ground to instruct those younger juniors; that would be their greatest honor," Hu Yuhu said with a smiling expression, though the subtext was already glaringly obvious. Without the emperor's token, wanting to enter the parade ground was utterly impossible.

Wang Xu was slightly startled, then burst into laughter and said, "Marshal Hu is too polite. This old man merely sensed extremely intense battle energy fluctuations here and came out of mere curiosity to take a look. As for the purpose of the Palace Master sending me here, along with the gathering of the other five major sects in Flame City, I imagine Marshal Hu understands it in his heart. These are troubled times, after all, and certain matters are bound to stir up various forces—such as the situation here today."

Wang Xu's gaze swept past Hu Mo, locking eyes with him for a moment. Hu Mo smiled indifferently, his expression entirely calm as he gently stroked his warhorse.

"It wasn't just a simple feeling; there is definitely something else inside the parade ground," Wang Xu muttered to himself, his eyes filled with doubt.

Duanmu Shenxu, on the other hand, was calm and detached, wearing the expression of a spectator watching a good show. The other three major sects remained silent as well, leaving all authority for speech entirely in Wang Xu's hands.

"Hahahaha, Envoy, you certainly know how to joke. This is the training ground of the Fire God Army of the Heavenly Fire Empire. What is wrong with having intense battle energy fluctuations? Would you have this marshal's soldiers play chess and amuse themselves in the parade ground every day without training? That really wouldn't make much sense," Hu Yuhu said with a loud laugh. His words actually amused Hu Mo to the point of a chuckle; he hadn't expected Hu Yuhu capable of joking around.

Wang Xu's expression became somewhat awkward. Beside him, Zhu Wannian, who had been maintaining a gloomy face all along, twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth while secretly laughing inwardly. Hu Yuhu's tactic was actually quite skillful.

His gaze shifted toward Hu Yuhu, happening to meet Hu Yuhu's disdainful expression, which made him snort coldly in deep displeasure.

Hu Mo was accustomed to it, though he did not know what had transpired between Hu Yuhu and Zhu Wannian. Yet, based on his understanding of Hu Yuhu, that matter was definitely not simple; otherwise, how could this father-in-law and his biological son-in-law clash so fiercely?

"Hehe, Grand Marshal Hu, this old man spoke out of turn. However, the aura this old man sensed earlier didn't seem quite so simple... Dilongzi, what did you see here earlier? Speak out, or this old man won't mind employing the Soul-Searching Secret Technique," Wang Xu said with a smile. Although there was a smile on his face, the bloodshed hidden behind it was self-evident. The Soul-Searching Secret Technique was a phrase that would make anyone tremble upon hearing it.

Dilongzi's expression shifted slightly, a bizarre, wicked smile curving the corners of his mouth. He nodded hurriedly and said with ingratiation, "Heavenly Saint Envoy, since you ask thus, how dare I conceal anything? Even if you hadn't asked, I would have told you. However, before that, please keep an eye on Valley Master Zhu. I truly fear being silenced before I finish speaking. Although I am a condemned criminal, living a few more days or hours is still a good thing, wouldn't you agree?"

"Stop chattering. Rest assured, with this old man here, no one can touch you for the time being. You only need to state what you saw; other matters do not concern you." Wang Xu's soul power emanated outward, truly locking onto Zhu Wannian. After all, this was Zhu Wannian's territory; if he were to suddenly kill Dilongzi, Wang Xu wouldn't be able to do much about it.

Zhu Wannian didn't even glance at Dilongzi. He closed his eyes like an old monk in meditation, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

Dilongzi continued to look around with a cheeky grin, his shifty eyes causing Wang Xu to frown involuntarily. Had Dilongzi not still possessed some value, Wang Xu would have slapped him to death long ago.

Hu Mo's expression shifted imperceptibly, a sudden intent to kill Dilongzi rising in his heart. However, with so many people watching and Wang Xu providing special protection, killing Dilongzi was no simple task. Furthermore, no matter how lacking Dilongzi might be, he still possessed Martial Saint strength. Let alone killing him, simply avoiding being killed by him was already a formidable challenge.

"Since the Envoy is willing to temporarily spare my life, I shall speak boldly. Just now, outside this parade ground, I saw it crystal clear. They were indeed engaged in a mutual sparring match, but the combat was extraordinary. One side employed a Battle Soul Fusion Technique, and its power approached a Heavenly-Tier battle skill; while the other side was even more remarkable—they actually utilized a formation resembling a divine array—heh, a formation that can merge with the stars in the heavens is truly a rare sight!" Greed surfaced on Dilongzi's face, and as he stared fixedly at Hu Mo, he began to drool.

Wang Xu's eyes lit up, instantly piquing his interest. He looked at Dilongzi and asked in a deep voice, "Is the person who set up the formation here?"

Upon hearing this, Dilongzi immediately turned his head in all directions, smiled wickedly, and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Envoy will see it the moment you step into the parade ground. Hehe, if this formation were to belong entirely to the Heavenly Saint Palace, then... hehe, Envoy, you can decide."

Dilongzi very sensibly clamped his mouth shut because he saw a trace of displeasure cross Wang Xu's face; after all, speaking of such matters so blatantly was somewhat disgraceful.

Hu Yuhu's expression was exceptionally gloomy. Although he was only a Tier 3 Martial Emperor, the momentum he exuded at this moment made even Wang Xu feel somewhat uneasy.

"Marshal Hu, you surely understand the renown of a divine array. Back when the Profound Battle Continent split apart, a vast number of formations were seized by the Profound Continent, which is why the Profound Continent has always prided itself on its formations. Now that such a wondrous formation has suddenly appeared here, shouldn't Marshal Hu offer an explanation, or perhaps allow us to enter and inspect it?" Wang Xu said with a smile, his tone gradually becoming aggressive.

Hu Yuhu let out a cold laugh and was just about to speak when Hu Mo, who had remained motionless until now, suddenly spurred his white horse and appeared beside Hu Yuhu. He dismounted, bowed with cupped hands, and smiled, "Wang Envoy, if you want to usurp my Hu family's formation, just say so directly. Why bother wrapping it in such pleasant words?"