Hearing this, the people around them who possessed the Mystic Heaven Mirrors quickly opened them.
One by one, the previously pitch-black screens of the competition mirrors lit up.
At the very back of the crowd, there was a group of onlookers who weren’t from Dizhou or Qingzhou—just pure spectators here for the show.
The love of gossip is universal, so this faction was far from small.
Since one Mystic Heaven Mirror could only display one screen, they craned their necks eagerly, looking back and forth in curiosity.
Shen Hefeng remained motionless at the distant starting point, but his entire body looked as if he had just escaped a raging fire—charred even worse than before the Mystic Heaven Mirror went dark. If not for the pained expression on his face, everyone would have suspected the madman was already dead.
The remaining four monks from the Divine Evolution Temple weren’t faring much better—either still struggling on the path of inheritance or arduously exploring the halls of legacy.
Then there was Lu Jiayao, unconscious.
Aside from them, every disciple was now gathered in the sacred hall, locked in combat with Di Qi.
The incident had happened too suddenly. When Lu Jiayao was sent flying by the sword energy, no one had reacted in time.
Wen Shuangbai moved the fastest, immediately shattering the black dragon’s shadow with a kick and lashing out with her Fire Feather Whip to catch the falling Lu Jiayao—but the whip somehow missed?
She had aimed perfectly, even brushed against Lu Jiayao’s sleeve, yet failed to snag him.
Damn it.
Wen Shuangbai cursed inwardly.
Lu Jiayao had always been lucky—why did it fail him now?
"It’s you! It’s you!" The Thin Monk, who had been pushed to safety by Lu Jiayao at the last moment, stared at his grievously injured senior brother and the bloodied, lifeless Lu Jiayao. His eyes nearly split from fury as he scrambled up and charged recklessly at Di Qi. "I’ll kill you! I’ll avenge my senior brother and Little Lu!"
Hearing the shout, Wen Shuangbai immediately flicked her Fire Feather Whip, yanking the Thin Monk back and kicking him down the steps. "Little monk, do us a favor and go find our Lu Jiayao, will you?"
The Thin Monk was the weakest cultivator present—not only useless in a fight, but likely to get himself killed.
After swiftly issuing her order, she dashed forward a dozen steps in an instant, joining forces with Senior Sister Zhuohua to confront Di Qi.
Down below the sacred mountain, among the crowd—
Many cultivators from other states sensed something amiss and began questioning, "Why is Di Qi even inside the sacred hall?"
The majority of the crowd, however, were staunch supporters of the Di family.
To them, the Di family was their deity—the ones who had elevated the Purple Flame Realm to the pinnacle of the Mystic Heaven, made Dizhou the foremost of the seven states, and bestowed endless glory upon its people.
In their eyes, everything Di Qi did was justified, every action had a noble purpose.
Faced with the outsiders’ accusations, one Dizhou cultivator shouted passionately, "Young Master Di Qi must have ventured into the sacred tower alone to save the Mystic Heaven! Facing multiple opponents single-handedly—such righteousness!"
"Righteous indeed! Young Master Di must win, crush these villains, and restore purity to the world!"
"Bless Young Master Di." Some even began weeping, closing their eyes in devout prayer. "If Young Master Di triumphs in this battle, this humble believer vows to abstain from meat for life."
More and more Dizhou followers joined the prayers, infuriating the disciples of the three major sects stationed nearby—they nearly lost control and attacked, if not for Cao Xing’s timely intervention.
Elder Cao had long been tempered by Shen Hefeng and his disciples’ antics, his patience unshakable. Calmly, he advised, "No need for haste. Just wait and watch."
He believed Di Qi wouldn’t disappoint.
Having said that, Cao Xing focused intently on the Mystic Heaven Mirror, closely monitoring the battle unfolding in the sacred tower.
Inside, Xie Ziyin—having just dealt with the black dragon’s shadow—stood to the side, stabilizing Huaiming Buddha Son’s injuries while coolly assessing the fight.
Wen Shuangbai and Li Zhuohua had clearly broken through to new realms, their power now leagues ahead of before. Their seamless teamwork amplified their strength far beyond mere addition.
But—
Di Qi, for some reason, remained effortlessly composed against the sisters’ relentless assault.
His cultivation… seemed to have already reached the highest realm in the Mystic Heaven Continent—the Saint Realm.
His steps were unhurried, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
He showed no urgency to seize the flag, instead deliberately inflicting wounds on Wen Shuangbai and Li Zhuohua with every exchange.
Soon, Wen Shuangbai’s left cheek and Li Zhuohua’s right cheek were drenched in blood.
He was humiliating them.
Just as he had done earlier to Huaiming Buddha Son.
Xie Ziyin’s face remained expressionless, betraying no emotion.
Yet Jiǔqiānwàn (Nine Million) shuddered involuntarily.
Oh no, oh no.
The man-eating flower, despite having lost several petals to Di Qi’s attacks and trembling in pain, suddenly reared up again. Its maw gaped wide as it chomped down on an incoming black dragon’s shadow—then, with a grotesquely contorted face, forcibly swallowed the entire creature.
Jiǔqiānwàn: See? See? It’s trying its best to eat! It’s not slacking off!
Four Hundred Bucks also refused to back down, drawing a killing array in the air to help fend off the giant black dragons.
After stabilizing the injuries of Huaiming Buddha Son, Xie Ziyin ceased his healing efforts and swiftly moved to Jade Rhino Valley using the Nine Infants Phantom Steps, handing the Buddha Son over to the valley’s medical cultivators.
He approached, stopping at a measured distance from Di Qi, then sat cross-legged on the ground. Closing his eyes, Xie Ziyin formed a hand seal in front of him.
As the incantation took effect, glimmering starlight radiated outward from him, spreading like ripples. Sensing the demonic aura, the starlight drifted toward Di Qi.
Di Qi, who had been effortlessly dominating the battle, suddenly paled. With a flick of his sleeve, he dispersed the starlight, flipping backward to evade and retreating to the periphery of the starlight’s domain, wary of approaching again.
Wen Shuangbai quickly pulled back Senior Sister Zhuohua, who was about to charge forward again, and tossed her a bottle of spirit pills. "Senior Sister, regroup first."
Both she and her sister had sustained heavy injuries, and their spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Di Qi’s strength was shockingly formidable, far beyond Wen Shuangbai’s expectations.
But there was good news—he seemed terrified of the Starlight Essence.
Back in the Divine Evolution Temple, a fallen half of a starstone had once detonated the demonic bone, nearly killing Di Qi.
It was clear now—Ye Qingrong and the others had deliberately left the starstone in Star Moon Valley, knowing that Starlight Essence naturally countered demonic energy.
This starstone was a lifeline prepared by their predecessors five hundred years ago.
Realizing this, Wen Shuangbai swiftly retreated with her sister to the center of the starlight’s domain, sitting down to heal and replenish their spiritual energy.
Di Qi could only watch helplessly.
Outside the sacred tower, Cao Xing glanced at the furious crowd, incensed by Di Qi’s forced retreat, then locked eyes with a certain water-surnamed cultivator lurking at the back.
The water-surnamed cultivator gave an imperceptible nod, pretending to check the Mystic Heaven Mirror before turning to the rogue cultivators beside him. "Something’s off. Di Qi’s power… it’s unnaturally strong, don’t you think?"
"You’re right," the rogue cultivators, ever opinionated and self-important, began analyzing. "Wen Shuangbai and Li Zhuohua are among the top disciples, and even with the Jade Rhino Valley’s demons, they couldn’t hold their own against Di Qi just now?"
The water-surnamed cultivator added, "Years ago, I saw Sect Leader Di in action. Honestly, some of Di Qi’s moves just now… they reminded me of him."
He paused, then under the curious gazes of his companions, hesitated before continuing, "Never mind, I shouldn’t say more."
"Out with it! Who stops mid-sentence like that?"
"Yeah, tell us! What move?"
"Fine, fine," the water-surnamed cultivator sighed, feigning reluctance. "But don’t take this seriously. I’ve heard demons have a forbidden technique—one that lets them drain another’s cultivation. Sect Leader Di just died, didn’t he? His body was withered. Could Di Qi have… absorbed him?"
The rogue cultivators gasped, exchanging uneasy glances.
Their voices weren’t quiet, and many nearby eavesdroppers stiffened. Di family loyalists immediately lashed out, "What nonsense! Sect Leader Di was murdered by Qingling Mountain’s Xu Jingshu!"
The water-surnamed cultivator retorted, "I’m just a nobody, not siding with Qingling Mountain. But where’s the proof? If there’s evidence, why hasn’t Qingling Academy arrested the killer?"
A counterattack came: "With Sect Leader Di dead, who dares touch Xu Jingshu? Rumor has it she practices demonic arts!"
"Exactly! I saw that Qingling Mountain elder eyeing you earlier! You’re one of them!" someone shouted, pointing accusingly. "Don’t listen to him—he’s sowing chaos! Xu Jingshu killed Sect Leader Di! We demand justice!!"
Enraged, the water-surnamed cultivator blurted out, "You’re the ones spreading lies! If Pavilion Master Xu really killed Di Xiuyuan, do you think she’d let you all stand here shouting like this?!"
"So you admit it—you’re from Qingling Mountain!" The crowd surged forward, clawing at his face, yanking his hair, tearing his robes, and beating him mercilessly.
Chaos erupted.
From a distance, Cao Xing watched the scene unfold, speechless.
He was about to send someone to rescue the undercover agent when Di Qi’s voice suddenly rang out from the Mystic Heaven Mirror.
Di Qi stared at Xie Ziyin through the sacred banners, his gaze dark.
He hadn’t expected Ye Qingrong and those dead fools to leave such a trap—hiding the starstone in Star Moon Valley, costing him the demonic bone he coveted in the Divine Evolution Temple!
Clenching his fists, Di Qi seethed with hatred.
He looked at Xie Ziyin, whose face had turned pale and whose forehead was beginning to sweat, and said, "So what if you have the Star’s Essence? How long can you sustain this move? A quarter of an hour? Half an incense stick’s time?"
Wen Shuangbai and Li Zhuohua were busy healing their wounds and had no time to respond.
Yu Qianli of Jade Rhino Valley couldn’t hold back any longer and cursed, "Di Qi, you heartless, ungrateful wretch! You’ve harmed the Buddha Son like this—every cultivator watching through the Mystic Heaven Mirror will see your true face!"
Yu Xiaoli chimed in, "Senior Brother! Don’t say that about wolves and dogs—they’re much better than Di Qi!"
Di Qi paid no mind, merely scoffing as he repeated, "...See my true face?"
"You must have already turned off the Mystic Heaven Mirror," Wen Shuangbai, now mostly recovered, suddenly opened her eyes and said.
Though dressed in black robes, Di Qi made no effort to conceal his face with any secret technique. Instead, he stood there openly, utterly unafraid.
Among the crowd, the little spy had been beaten badly, and the Mystic Heaven Mirror in his hand had long since fallen to the ground.
Now, everyone could clearly hear Wen Shuangbai’s question echoing from within it.
The people who had been beating him, still firmly believing in Di Qi, kicked the spy in the face and spat, "This Wen Shuangbai—how dare she try to pin this filth on Young Master Di Qi..."
Before they could finish their excuses, from within the Mystic Heaven Mirror, the very man they worshipped, Di Qi, elegantly clapped his hands and praised, "As expected, Miss Wen is quite clever."
The crowd: "…………?"
The rogue cultivators nearby, who had stayed out of it because they couldn’t tell who was telling the truth, were baffled: "???"
The onlookers exchanged glances: "Huh? Di Qi admitted he turned off the Mystic Heaven Mirror himself??"
"He didn’t admit anything!" A burly man with an agenda desperately argued. "Young Master Di Qi’s words were implying that Wen Shuangbai was playing the thief crying ‘stop thief’..."
But then, in the Holy Hall, Di Qi turned his gaze to the sacred banner and added, "Actually, I haven’t decided yet whether to destroy the Holy Tower."
"…………" The burly man’s face flushed red—he couldn’t spin this anymore.
Couldn’t this Young Master Di just say less… or better yet, say nothing at all?!
The rogue cultivators, realizing something was amiss, quickly pushed the surrounding crowd aside and helped the little spy up.
"What does Di Qi mean by ‘destroy the Holy Tower’?"
"No idea. Keep watching—something’s not right here."
Di Qi was still speaking. Pacing leisurely, he suddenly chuckled and offered amiably, "How about we make a deal?"
Wen Shuangbai smiled back, though her eyes held no warmth. "Go on."
"You all know that pulling down the banner means the tower falls," Di Qi said. "If you commit suicide, I won’t destroy the Holy Tower."
"???" The crowd, who had earlier been full of righteous indignation, now looked at each other in confusion.
At the same time, a dozen or so people who had been stirring up the crowd earlier, sensing the shift in mood, quietly slipped away with the burly man.
Cao Xing saw this and sent men after them.
A muffled groan.
In the Holy Hall, blood suddenly trickled from Xie Ziyin’s lips, and he swayed unsteadily.
The Star Essence Domain around him began to fade, on the verge of vanishing.
Di Qi watched this scene with delight and mused, "Unlike my ancestors, I can accept the existence of the Holy Tower—as long as it remains in the hands of the Di family. After all, ghosts and demons are hard to control, but those ignorant commoners outside? Far more pliable."
The crowd witnessing this: "??????"
"Young Master Di Qi… just called me ignorant??" A citizen of Di Province pointed at himself, unable to believe it.
"That bastard—he said I’m easier to control than ghosts?!" someone roared. "To hell with him! I suddenly feel so disgusted."
"He… how could he say such a thing…"
Among the people, some were furious, some deeply disillusioned, and some—unwilling to believe it but unable to deny the truth before them—burst into tears.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Hall, Di Qi remained oblivious.
Enraptured by his own brilliant idea, he continued, "You righteous types claim you’d sacrifice anything for the common folk. Surely something as small as suicide isn’t beyond you?"
Li Zhuohua, now fully healed, charged at him with her sword and bellowed, "How about you go die instead?!"
"Fine." The smile vanished from Di Qi’s face. "Letting you kill yourselves would be too merciful. You’ll pay for my father’s death."
Di Xiuyuan was dead??
Wen Shuangbai raised an eyebrow, suddenly understanding.
"No wonder," she sneered, following Senior Sister Zhuohua into battle. "You sucked your own father dry of his cultivation and killed him, huh? How filial. Truly, you’ve ‘honored’ him to death."
"Ha… hahahaha…" Di Qi laughed and wept at once. "If not for you, I wouldn’t have had to do this—wouldn’t have been driven to this… All of you—DIE!!"
