Chapter 683: Chapter 113 You Must Obey the Command!
"You are truly a bunch of garbage, unable to even protect a palace residence."
Lilith looked at the ruins of the palace residence, deeply disappointed, and couldn’t help but scold in a cold voice.
The expression on Palace Master Song Qianxue of the Beixue Heavenly Palace turned unsightly, but she dared not voice any complaints, instead, she felt utterly helpless.
She bent her body slightly, showing an extremely humble demeanor, all to quell the anger of Madam Lilith.
Previously, when they faced attacks, the Elders and Protectors and other high-ranking members of Beixue Heavenly Palace thought it was just some minor scuffle, believing that with the palace’s strength, nobody would dare to be so reckless.
Later, when the Heavenly Palace Forbidden Land was destroyed, it was already too late to react. Not only that, even the disciples of the palace suffered innumerable deaths and injuries, resulting in tremendous losses.
Now that they were facing accountability, the Elders shifted the blame onto the Protectors, the Protectors onto the Hall Masters, but not a single person was willing to take responsibility.
"Are the people of the Beixue Heavenly Palace all so arrogant and self-conceited? If this continues, the future looks worrisome. It seems I, as the Palace Master, am truly unfit for the position."
Song Qianxue sighed silently in her heart, her eyes also filled with profound disappointment.
However, facing the rage of Madam Lilith, she could only bear all the responsibility.
"Madam, it is Qianxue’s incompetence, failing to protect our land, leading to the destruction of the palace residence by the nefarious fiends from the Heavenly Soul Hall. If you do not despise me, Madam, Qianxue is willing to offer up the Spirit Pond Immortal Palace of Beixue Heavenly Palace, hoping it meets your discerning eye."
Song Qianxue spoke respectfully, her words laced with a pleading tone.
But Lilith didn’t pay her any attention at all.
At that moment, Song Qianxue couldn’t help but set her pleading gaze on Hou Tianjian, who stood beside Lilith. Unfortunately, besides Netherworld Goddess Mu Qingyan, Hou Tianjian paid no attention to anyone else, not even Lilith, behaving extremely coldly and peculiarly.
Out of options, Song Qianxue then turned her pleading eyes toward Princess Yilan, who was also beside Lilith.
Before, she hadn’t taken Yilan and Qian He seriously—after all, by comparison, Yilan and Qian He were younger, while she was someone who could sit on equal footing with Yilan’s father.
But now, it seemed that Lilith valued Yilan more than her.
Yilan, noticing Song Qianxue’s gaze, blatantly ignored her and didn’t say another word in appeal, acting as if she saw nothing.
"This Yilan, she’s also heartless when turning her back on someone. Xiao Xiao also doesn’t know the kind of people she’s associating with. They’re truly disgraceful."
Song Qianxue thought to herself.
She felt somewhat uncomfortable in her heart, believing that Yilan’s actions were a slight to her own dignity.
"Spirit Pond Immortal Palace? You dare to call that wreck of a place an ’Immortal Palace’? Have you ever seen a real Immortal Palace? Even the residence of your Immortal Palace above wouldn’t dare to exaggerate so."
Lilith remarked sarcastically.
She didn’t give the Beixue Palace Master any face, deriding her with cold jeers and heated mockery.
The numerous Elders and Protectors of the Beixue Heavenly Palace listened quietly, like grandchildren, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"Yes, it is Qianxue’s foolishness, and I have not fulfilled my duties, disappointing you, Madam."
Qianxue, left with no choice, pitifully admitted.
Lilith sneered inwardly, thinking these people were truly shortsighted. This Yilan’s master, Zhou Yan, had the backing of the formidable ’Heavenly Venerate.’ Not knowing to curry favor, they genuinely did not know how to behave.
As Lilith thought this and saw that these people still did not value Yilan and her companion, her heart felt increasingly discontented.
Right away, she affectionately took Yilan’s hand and said, "Yilan, we don’t know when your master and the Goddess will return, so let’s go outside and wait for them. It shows our sincerity. Besides, this ruined residence is only spoiling our mood upon sight; better not to look at all."
"Madam, it would be an honor for Yilan if you would wish it."
Yilan didn’t understand the purpose behind Madam Lilith’s actions, but she also vaguely knew that the identity of her master could impress even Madam Lilith, so she felt proud and her mood uplifted.
Hence, she spoke respectfully and yet with joy.
"Yilan, since we clicked at first sight, as if we were sisters, don’t be so formal with me. Don’t call me ’Madam’; just call me ’Lilith,’ and I’ll call you ’Yilan.’"
Lilith said on the spot.
Song Qianxue, Song Xiaoxiao, and Guardian Song Shuixin and others, upon witnessing and hearing this scene, were utterly dumbfounded.
"Madam, this, how could this be appropriate?"
Yilan was shocked too, feeling flattered beyond measure.
"What’s wrong with feeling embarrassed? You think I’m not worthy? If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine; it’s rare for us to hit it off so well." Lilith said somewhat domineeringly and somewhat endearingly.
"Uh – well, alright then." Yilan couldn’t resist Lilith’s forceful yet adorable advance and quickly caved in.
"Hee hee, that’s more like it."
Lilith said with a giggle.
Saying this, her eyes narrowed, and she glared at Palace Master Qianxue, "Aren’t you going to hurry and prepare the honor guard to welcome the return of the Goddess and ’Master Zhou’?"
Lilith intended to say Zhou Yan but, considering Zhou Yan’s terrifying background with the backing of ’Heavenly Venerate,’ and now that she and Yilan had become ’sisters,’ she changed the address to ’Master.’
"Master... Master Zhou?"
Palace Master Song Qianxue went blank upon hearing this, seemingly at a loss for what to do.
Guardian Shui Xin seemed to realize something. She felt a sense of dread and thought to herself that this trouble had escalated significantly.
From the situation with Yilan and Lilis, she had surmised that the young man known as ’Wei Li Zhou Yan’ was probably not so simple. Although she had considered this before and thought that Wei Li Zhou Yan was extraordinary, she did not believe he could contend with the status of Beixue Heavenly Palace. He should just be a minor figure with some background.
A minor figure with some background was still a minor figure, incapable of causing any significant waves.
But now, it seemed likely that they had made a blunder.
If the palace residence had been undamaged, it would still be excusable, without any mistakes. Not even the Netherworld Goddess could find fault to criticize them. But now, with preparations on all fronts being inadequate, there were plenty of faults to be pointed out.
Thinking this, Guardian Shui Xin’s face immediately turned pale.
As for Song Xiaoxiao, she was then struck with self-reproach and regret. She berated herself for hesitating back then; she should have wholeheartedly sided with Yilan. If that had been the case, everything would be much better now.
Unfortunately... despite the regret, there was no choice but to take one step at a time.
Song Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but sigh, her mood incredibly somber.
Unlike Song Xiaoxiao, Qian Hezhen was feeling utterly relieved in both body and mind.
He had always wanted to knock down the arrogance and pompousness of the people of Beixue Heavenly Palace but never had the chance, nor the ability, so he had been harboring resentment. Now that Lilis had acted in such a manner, he felt as sweet and comfortable as if he had eaten honey, and his impression of Lilis had greatly improved. No matter how he looked at her, she seemed immensely agreeable now.
"Indeed, Master Zhou, the Master Zhou who went to help the Goddess repair the Ancient Array! The Master of Princess Yilan, what, you didn’t even know this? Humph, I think you short-sighted people, only focused on immediate benefits, surely did not. Of course, if you had known, the palace residence wouldn’t be a ruin now, but would have been repaired by Master Zhou long ago. He can easily resolve even the destruction of interstellar arrays and space nodes!"
Lilis herself didn’t know the extent of Zhou Yan’s abilities, but she deliberately exaggerated a bit.
After all, Zhou Yan had the support of a Supreme behind him, so he must be extraordinary.
With her words, the entire Beixue Heavenly Palace fell eerily silent all at once.
Everyone was stunned.
They had never imagined that in this world, there would be someone capable of repairing such interstellar Ancient Arrays. What terrifying power this must require! And what a formidable status and identity such a person must have!
Especially for Guardian Shui Xin, she felt an impulse to tear her own mouth open. If possible, she even wished to slap herself in front of Zhou Yan—she had managed to thoroughly offend such an important figure. This was truly ’bringing destruction upon oneself’!
Guardian Shui Xin felt this way, and so did Song Xiaoxiao, who was somewhat at a loss. She regretted not getting along with Zhou Yan earlier. It was her arrogance that led to such an unsavory outcome...
Song Xiaoxiao warned herself that she must change this bad habit in the future, to not let the arrogance inherent in her bone show in her everyday life and interfere with her cultivation progress, adding chaos to herself.
...
Seeing everyone holding their breath, Lilis felt extremely proud and let out a proud smile, "Alright, hurry and prepare the ceremonial guard!"
Lilis spoke, and suddenly paused, tilting her head to listen for a moment.
Then, with a delicate and beautiful gesture, she pointed at the Void. Space shattered, revealing a Heavenly Dao trajectory, extending straight ahead.
This move, this technique, was utterly domineering and invincible.
Even Palace Master Song Qianxue, witnessing this powerful thrust, couldn’t help but be shocked.
If that finger were to strike a person, even a Saint would be instantly killed without the hope of escape.
Because of this, a chill ran down Palace Master Song Qianxue’s spine.
Not just Palace Master Song Qianxue, but Guardian Shui Xin and others as well, all felt a cold shiver down their backs as if falling into an ice cellar.
This Lady Lilis, who was merely a maid beside the Goddess, possessed such invincible power in every gesture. If, because of their lackluster reception, the Goddess became angry, it would likely spell a great disaster for Beixue Heavenly Palace.
At that moment, not a single Cultivator inside Beixue Heavenly Palace harbored any thoughts of pride, nor dared retain a trace of arrogance.
"Mhm, alright, Goddess, I will immediately give the command. Okay, wait a moment, Goddess, Lilis will take care of it right away."
Lilis said these cryptic words as if communicating with the depths of the Void.
Such a technique once again astonished many.
"Making a big fuss over nothing, you unsophisticated natives."
Lilis muttered disdainfully. These remarks made Song Qianxue, Guardian Shui Xin, and Song Xiaoxiao flush with embarrassment.
"Alright, stop staring, everyone listen up!"
Suddenly, Lilis became very serious.
At that moment, even Yilan, Qian He, and Chen Tianjian became serious.
"The Transmission Array on Luo Shi Ancestor Star is completely destroyed, the space nodes shattered. Lord Zhou Yan needs to open new space nodes and establish an Ancient Interstellar Array! This time, it’s Beixue Heavenly Palace’s chance to show itself. You have been lacking in reception this time, so make amends for your mistake, bring out all of the resources you’ve collected and transport them to where the Ancient Array is being established, allowing Lord Zhou Yan to lay out the array.
Furthermore, all the Cultivators in the Sword Tribulation Realm and above from Beixue Heavenly Palace should go and help move the array materials, following Lord Zhou Yan’s commands!
Now, immediately prepare to accompany me to meet the Goddess and together we’ll head to the Ancient Array site!"
Lilis asserted with dominating authority.
Hearing this, Palace Master Song Qianxue’s heart quivered, but she immediately recognized it as an opportunity and readily agreed.
And Guardian Shui Xin, Song Xiaoxiao, and the Cultivators who knew the inside story of Zhou Yan all felt a chill in their hearts and wore grimaces worse than crying.