[Jade Pool Wonderland - Tensions Rise]
The air inside the Lingxiao Palace seemed to solidify into tangible mercury, so heavy it was suffocating.
Donghuang Taiyi stood up.
He didn't move, but his quasi-saint-level aura, like a collapsing Mount Buzhou, pressed down relentlessly on the black-clad man blocking Shen Qingqiu's path.
"A mere ant dares to bark here?" The killing intent in Taiyi's eyes solidified into tangible golden flames.
The Chaos Bell in his hand, sensing its master's rage, began to tremble slightly.
Clang— He didn't strike it forcefully.
The bell merely swayed gently.
A visible, dark yellow ripple spread outwards from Taiyi.
Time paused at that moment.
That was the privilege of a primordial treasure—suppressing space and time.
Falling petals hovered in mid-air, flowing wine solidified into amber. All the powerful Golden Immortals present felt their thoughts falter.
Only the man in black remained responsive.
"Ant?" Seventeen looked up.
In that frozen world, data streams frantically scrolled through his purple electronic eyes, exceeding the speed of light.
[Warning: High-dimensional spacetime blockade detected.]
[Solution: Singularity collapse.]
Seventeen didn't retreat.
Instead, he took a step forward.
His right arm, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly lashed out.
Not for attack, but for…devouring.
Boom!
A tiny black dot appeared in his palm.
That was the **"miniature singularity"** he had simulated after devouring countless mirror images and combining them with black hole engine technology.
The spacetime ripple, powerful enough to freeze a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, was sucked in like water encountering a whirlpool the moment it struck this black dot.
Crack.
That was the sound of space shattering.
Seventeen's sleeve ripped open, revealing a mechanical arm covered in dark red demonic patterns and starlight.
Fine cracks appeared on his skin, seeping silver-red blood beads.
To withstand a supreme innate treasure with one's bare body, even with a body of divine metal, was suicidal.
But he blocked it.
He stood there, like a stubborn nail, firmly fixed in front of Shen Qingqiu, shielding her from the torrent of time and space.
"Hmm?" A hint of surprise flashed in Donghuang Taiyi's eyes.
Although this bell wasn't struck with full force, it was still far from ordinary. This person had no magical fluctuations, relying purely on his physical body?
This is… an Ancestral Witch?!
"Interesting." Taiyi sneered, finally becoming serious.
He extended a finger and lightly flicked the bell's surface.
Clang—!!!
This time, the bell's sound was no longer a ripple.
Instead, it transformed into a gigantic, golden holographic phantom of an ancient bell, carrying world-destroying power, descending upon Seventeen.
It was meant to pulverize him, soul and all.
"Seventeen! Back off!" Shen Qingqiu cried out from behind.
But how could Seventeen possibly retreat?
One step back, and she would die.
[Mode Switch: Xing Tian · War God Armor.]
[Energy Core: Overclocked 300%.] The golden ring in Seventeen's eyes spun wildly.
He let out a beastly growl, his hands supporting the sky, advancing instead of retreating, actually using his flesh and blood to catch the descending golden bell phantom.
Thump!
The enormous impact shattered countless star-shaped gems on the dome of the Lingxiao Palace.
Dust billowed.
The immortals looked on in horror.
They saw the man in black kneeling on the ground.
His feet sank deep into the millennia-old warm jade floor, spiderweb-like cracks spreading around his knees.
Bleeding from all seven orifices, his dark robe shattered into pieces.
But...
his hands, desperately, held onto the edge of the golden bell's illusory form.
His spine remained ramrod straight.
Like an ancient demon god, unfeeling pain and fear.
"Seventeen…" Shen Qingqiu stared at his retreating figure, her heart aching as if gripped tightly by a hand.
She knew why he wouldn't retreat.
Because he was a weapon.
The destiny of a weapon is to break before its master.
"Taiyi!" Shen Qingqiu abruptly looked up at Donghuang Taiyi on the high platform.
The golden pupils in her eyes instantly transformed into a dazzling cyan-gold.
In that instant, her previously aloof demeanor changed drastically. She became ancient, desolate, and filled with an inviolable, sacred majesty.
She was no longer the weak woman who needed protection.
She was a chess player from the end of time.
"You really think…" Shen Qingqiu stepped out of Seventeen's protective circle and walked towards the golden bell.
"This bell, is it named after Donghuang?"
She stretched out her hand, palm up.
The rusty **[Bronze Fragment]** that she had always kept hidden in her bosom slowly floated into the air.
Donghuang Taiyi had originally wanted to mock her overestimation of herself.
But the moment he saw the fragment, his smile froze.
Because the Chaos Bell itself in his bosom suddenly trembled violently.
Not a tremor of attack.
But… fear, even… longing.
Buzz—
Shen Qingqiu looked at the fragment, her eyes as gentle as if she were looking at a child lost for many years.
"The bell tongue returns to its place, all laws are empty."
She spoke softly, her voice not loud, but carrying a strange rhythm.
It was the sound of **[Great Dao Inscription]**.
This was the true name bestowed upon the bell by the great god Pangu at its creation.
"Return."
Boom!
The illusory golden bell pressing down on Seventeen's back suddenly stopped moving.
It no longer obeyed Taiyi's commands.
It began to shrink, began to deform, and finally transformed into a stream of light, obediently circling around Shen Qingqiu.
Like a puppy called back by its master.
"This...how is this possible?!" Donghuang Taiyi's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly.
He frantically activated his primordial spirit, trying to regain control.
"Come back! That is my innate treasure! What have you done, you vixen?!"
"Innate?" Shen Qingqiu sneered, her red dress fluttering.
She reached out and grasped the bronze fragment, pointing it directly at Donghuang Taiyi.
"It merely borrows your hand to temporarily reside in this era."
"It has no tongue; it is mute. It cannot utter a true sound."
"And I..."
Shen Qingqiu suddenly pushed the fragment forward.
The fragments transformed into a streak of azure light, slamming violently into the illusory golden bell.
Clang—!!!
This sound was unlike any before.
It was crisp, resonant, and brimming with spirituality.
It pierced through the Lingxiao Palace, through the Thirty-Three Heavens, and even through the River of Time.
This was the first true sound emitted by the Chaos Bell in this era.
Pfft!
Donghuang Taiyi, suffering a backlash, immediately spat out a mouthful of golden divine blood.
He was horrified to discover that his spiritual connection with the Chaos Bell had been severed for a fleeting moment!
The entire arena fell silent.
All the powerful beings stared in disbelief at this scene.
The Demon Master Kunpeng dropped his wine cup.
A thoughtful glint flashed in Nuwa's eyes.
An unknown, rogue female cultivator.
had actually turned the Chaos Bell against him right before Donghuang Taiyi's eyes?
This was simply the biggest joke and the most terrifying story in the primordial world! Shen Qingqiu didn't press her advantage.
Because she knew that with her current strength, she could only temporarily disrupt him, not truly seize the prize.
Besides, Seventeen was about to collapse.
She withdrew her hand.
The golden bell phantom, losing its support, slowly dissipated.
Shen Qingqiu turned, ignoring the gazes of the crowd, and rushed towards the man kneeling on the ground.
"Seventeen!"
She supported his swaying body.
He was covered in blood, and the clothes she had knitted herself were ruined.
"I...I'm alright." Seventeen raised his head, and on his blood-stained face, he managed a smile more painful than a grimace.
He reached out his trembling hand, wanting to wipe away the tears from her eyes, but then hesitated, afraid of soiling her face, and stopped mid-air.
"The bell...didn't hit you, did it?"
He asked.
In his logic, as long as she hadn't lost blood, the battle was won.
"Idiot! Big idiot!"
Shen Qingqiu cried and cursed, grabbing his hand and pressing it against her face.
"Clothes can be rewoven if they're torn, but if you're ripped, where am I supposed to find materials to repair you?"
Just then.
On the high platform, the Demon Emperor, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
"Enough." Di Jun's voice was majestic, carrying an unquestionable imperial authority.
He glanced at the disheveled Taiyi, then at the mysterious woman who could control the Chaos Bell.
Normally, if Taiyi were insulted, he would kill the person responsible.
But now…
That woman's value was immense.
The *Star River Record*, and her control over the Chaos Bell, both proved that she harbored a shocking secret.
"Fellow Daoist Shen." Di Jun slowly descended from the high platform and approached the two.
He didn't get angry; instead, he revealed a humble smile.
"Taiyi was reckless and his probing was excessive. I apologize on his behalf."
The entire audience was shocked.
The Demon Emperor apologized? This was unprecedented!
Shen Qingqiu helped Seventeen to her feet.
She wiped away her tears, regaining her cool composure.
She knew this was Di Jun's political maneuvering. It was also their only chance to survive.
"Your Majesty is too kind," Shen Qingqiu said, neither humble nor arrogant.
"It was merely a friendly spar. My husband is stubborn and doesn't know how to hold back, damaging Your Majesty's floor. Please forgive him."
Di Jun laughed heartily.
"The floor? Nothing to boast about!"
He glanced at Seventeen, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"What a fierce warrior! Such a physique is probably only comparable to the Ancestral Witches. Fellow Daoist Shen is truly blessed."
He waved his hand, and two Nine-Turn Golden Pills (authentic Taishang Laojun version), emitting a rich medicinal fragrance, flew to Shen Qingqiu.
"These pills can heal the body; consider them an apology."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shen Qingqiu accepted the pills without any hesitation.
The banquet could no longer continue.
Supporting Seventeen, Shen Qingqiu slowly withdrew from the Lingxiao Palace amidst the awe, curiosity, and apprehension of the assembled immortals.
...Outside the South Heavenly Gate, above the sea of clouds.
The wind blew, carrying away the stench of blood from within the palace.
Seventeen leaned against Shen Qingqiu, her steps unsteady.
"Qingqiu."
He suddenly spoke.
"That bell...do you want it?"
Shen Qingqiu looked into his eyes, which remained resolute even in his severe injuries.
"Yes."
She answered honestly.
"It's the key to home."
Seventeen nodded.
He turned back, gazing deeply at the magnificent Lingxiao Palace, as if trying to etch that coordinate into his very core.
"Alright."
He promised softly, his tone as calm as if he were going to pick a peach.
"Next time I come."
"I won't just smash the floor."
"I'll kill that bird (Taiyi), and get the bell...back for you."
Shen Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat.
She knew he was serious. Anything she desired, even the stars in the sky, even a saint's treasure,
he would seize it.
Even if it meant being shattered to pieces.
"Alright." Shen Qingqiu gripped his hand tightly; it was a hand stained with blood, yet incredibly warm.
"We'll seize it together." The two stepped onto the blue lotus and disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.
Leaving only the Lingxiao Palace, with Donghuang Taiyi's venomous eyes and that… Chaos Bell, still trembling slightly, as if anticipating something.
"Who controls the Chaos Sound, Donghuang?"
Today's battle has already revealed the answer in the bell's tolling, self-evident.
That wasn't Taiyi's bell.
That was… Shen Qingqiu's bell.