"It’s all because of you, all because of you!!!"
Nangong Yu suddenly thought of something and shouted at Nangong Duanchen, "Fourth Uncle already said that your avatar should go. Why didn’t you? Moreover, with your strength, even if it was at the final moment, you could have just rushed over! But you simply didn’t. Why?!!!"
"Sigh..."
Looking at his daughter, who seemed to be on the brink of madness, Nangong Duanchen sighed deeply and shook his head, saying, "You silly girl, do you think your father didn’t want to go? But your father simply cannot go!"
"Wahhh..."
Nangong Yu didn’t say another word. She knew that Nangong Duanchen’s explanation was not false. The One Slash Palace had its own matters to attend to. If it were possible, Nangong Duanchen would certainly have acted.
Even if not for the relationship between herself and Su Han, solely considering Su Han’s aptitude, Nangong Duanchen would never have simply stood by and watched him be killed.
After all, they had already sent so many powerful experts. The price paid was enormous. If Nangong Duanchen had truly been able, why wouldn’t he have acted?
"Someone, come!"
Nangong Duanchen sighed again before solemnly ordering the guards outside, "Send this message back to the Phoenix Sect. Relay my command as well: protect the Phoenix Sect from any impact at all costs. Just say it’s my decree. If the Phoenix Sect is willing, they can come under One Slash Palace’s jurisdiction. If they are unwilling, absolutely no one is allowed to make a move against them. Otherwise, don’t blame One Slash Palace for turning hostile!"
"Yes!"
The guards immediately responded and left, knowing Nangong Duanchen was determined to ensure the Phoenix Sect’s safety.
It made sense, after all. Though unable to save Su Han, at the very least the Phoenix Sect must be preserved.
Moreover, the Phoenix Sect’s strength was undeniably formidable. If brought under One Slash Palace’s command, their addition would provide immense aid.
"Wahhh..."
After the guards departed, the hall sank into silence once more, the only remaining sound Nangong Yu’s unabashed sobbing.
Three days later, members of One Slash Palace arrived at the Phoenix Sect.
Upon hearing the news of Su Han’s death, Xiao Yuhui fainted outright, while Xiao Yuran remained silent for a long time, only letting twin streams of tears slide down her cheeks.
Su Qing and Su Yao were still young and did not fully understand the gravity of the situation, but they could discern that something major must have happened, as their mother and aunt were both overwhelmed with grief.
As for Su Yunming, his hair turned white overnight, his body was weakened to the point of collapse, and his cultivation base disintegrated entirely, causing him to cough up blood.
From that day forward, Su Yunming remained bedridden, gravely ill.
At this time, the question of whether the Phoenix Sect would join One Slash Palace or not was temporarily set aside.
In the Jade Void Palace, numerous figures had gathered, including Yuani Ling, Moo Qinghai, and others.
"That Su Baliu is already dead, yet One Slash Palace still declares that we’re not allowed to make moves against the Phoenix Sect. What exactly is the meaning of this? Do they truly think we’re easy to bully?" Moo Qinghai sneered coldly.
"The Phoenix Sect’s overall strength is indeed formidable. If we disregard the Dragon Emperor Realm, it could unquestionably reach the level of a First-Class Sect, even surpassing most First-Class Sects. It’s understandable if One Slash Palace wishes to draw the Phoenix Sect under their banner," Yuani Ling replied, shaking his head.
"So what do we do? Just leave them alone? I was planning to wipe out the Phoenix Sect entirely!" Du Yuehui frowned.
"Let it be."
After thinking for a while, Yuani Ling said, "In reality, the Phoenix Sect poses little threat to us. The true threat was only Su Baliu. Now that Su Baliu is dead, the Phoenix Sect may well crumble like falling leaves. If One Slash Palace tries to take custody, they’re unlikely to succeed—not even if the Phoenix Sect agrees."
"Furthermore, without Su Baliu, the Phoenix Sect is no longer cohesive. If they genuinely join One Slash Palace, that’s one thing. But if they don’t, as time goes by, they’re bound to disband. Allowing them to perish on their own saves us some trouble as well."
Upon hearing this, Moo Qinghai and the others knitted their brows but ultimately conceded. It seemed logical.
Without Su Han, the Phoenix Sect held no value in their eyes. If there weren’t such deep animosity, they might have considered annexing the Phoenix Sect. But at this moment, the Phoenix Sect undoubtedly hated them to the core.
Most importantly, One Slash Palace had already spoken. Though One Slash Palace had failed to protect Su Han, they were clearly unhappy and held disdain for them. If they were to go against One Slash Palace now and destroy the Phoenix Sect outright, One Slash Palace might genuinely retaliate.
Comparatively speaking, One Slash Palace still commanded their fear and respect. Even if they managed to destroy the Phoenix Sect, the consequences for themselves would be significant.
The idea of "hurting one while injuring oneself severely" was undesirable. Letting the Phoenix Sect self-destruct seemed the better option.
...
Time flows backward, returning to the moment Su Han was killed.
After annihilating Su Han, that so-called "Imperial Ancestor" berated One Slash Palace’s three Dragon Slayers for a moment before leaving.
Meanwhile, nearly ten Dragon Emperor Realm beings from the Five Great Super Sects followed suit, leaving with cold sneers.
Only the three Dragon Slayers lingered where Su Han was slain, waiting until Su Han’s presence completely vanished before sighing and departing.
From then on, the area was left entirely desolate.
Shortly afterward, a stream of black mist suddenly rose from Black Wind Cliff.
The mist hovered in the void for a moment before morphing into a humanoid figure. Its appearance was indistinct, but its glowing red eyes radiated an unsettling aura of darkness.
"Hehe, such a powerful soul—what a divine gift!"
The figure let out a chilling laugh before extending its hand to manipulate the void. Moments later, a faint illusory figure materialized and was clasped in its grasp.
At this moment, the apparition was only palm-sized, but anyone who saw it would instantly recognize that the apparition resembled Su Han!
Su Han’s primordial spirit had already been obliterated by the Imperial Ancestor, scattering into Heaven and Earth. Yet, with a mere wave of its hand, the being composed of black mist recomposed Su Han’s remnants into form—its terrifying prowess was simply staggering.
"Eighty-three thousand years... Eighty-three thousand years!"
Gazing at the palm-sized figure, the black mist being suddenly erupted into ecstatic laughter.
"Eighty-three thousand years, for so long I’ve been suppressed by that wretched creature, only because I lacked this one remnant soul!"
"Back then, those younglings banded together, and I thought that was enough. But who knew their courage was so feeble; they retreated swiftly, leaving behind nothing but scraps of spirit—not nearly sufficient!"
"Finally! Hahaha... With this remnant soul, once I devour it and weaken that wretched creature, it won’t be more than three thousand years before I consume it as well. By then, who in this Heaven and Earth could possibly stop me!"
As the echo of his laughter persisted, the figure’s mouth suddenly opened wide and swallowed Su Han’s remnant soul whole.

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