Chapter 129: Divine Sense Assault?

Chapter 129: A Spiritual Consciousness Attack?

Tang Youyou drifted away, flying deeper into the profound blue sky—toward the pitch-black vacuum that lay beyond.

What could have happened to cause Tang Youyou to suddenly exhibit such uncanny behavior?

His receding figure appeared both desolate and graceful, conveying a sense of profound detachment. It was as if all the arrogance, madness, violence, and ruthlessness that had once defined him had suddenly fallen away. Tang Youyou seemed like a monk who had attained sudden enlightenment, possessing an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

Yet, everyone knew that his condition was dire. He seemed to have lost his mind. More accurately, he had lost his consciousness. That departing silhouette was nothing more than a walking corpse—a moving shell devoid of thought or awareness.

While the others were still struggling to process the scene, Tang Youyou’s subordinates descended into chaos.

Dammit, who was Tang Youyou? He was the King of the Northwest You Heaven, a nobleman, a relative of the imperial family, and the nephew of the Haotian Jade Emperor. With him in such an inexplicable state, his Heavenly Venerables and guards would undoubtedly face severe retribution.

Would the Haotian Jade Emperor investigate? Naturally. Even if Tang Youyou were not a favorite of the Emperor, and even if he were a black sheep shunned by all his royal kin, the Jade Capital’s imperial court would never let such an incident slide. To ignore it would be to compromise the dignity and face of the throne.

Since Tang Youyou was heading toward the vacuum, his subordinates dared not dally. One of the Heavenly Venerables immediately issued orders, splitting the group into three factions.

The first, led by a Heavenly Venerable, was to pursue Tang Youyou and prevent him from entering the vacuum at all costs. The second was to fly directly to the Jade Capital to report the incident to Lady Tang and ensure the Haotian Jade Emperor was informed as soon as possible. The final group was to remain at Green Field Fairy Trace to apprehend the foreign sovereign and his party, escorting them to the Grand Court of Justice for interrogation.

***

With the orders set, the first two groups departed. The remaining Heavenly Venerable, whose eyes burned with fury, shouted, "Take them!"

Tang Youyou’s guard contingent was vast, and even with two groups dispatched, thousands remained. At the command, they swarmed forward, encircling Little Lei, the little pig, and the dragon guards.

Just as the Heavenly Venerable was about to order his men to strike, a booming voice echoed: "Insolent!"

The Heavenly Venerable turned to see the Thunder Ancestor standing there, hands behind his back, staring at him with a cold, piercing gaze.

Among the powerful figures currently on Bisu-2, the Thunder Ancestor held the highest rank and status. While Yue Jian, Yu Ming, and Xu Ana Tian were lords of their respective heavens—akin to the Four Heavenly Kings or the Lord of the Devas in Buddhist lore—they were nothing compared to the Thunder Ancestor. As one of the Nine Venerable Emperors of the Shenxiao Jade Capital, even the Great Emperor Ziwei could not directly command him. What were mere lords of a heaven to him?

In this hierarchy, official rank crushed all, regardless of personal power. While this Heavenly Venerable’s cultivation base was slightly higher than the Thunder Ancestor’s, the gap in their social standing was immense.

How dare a mere lackey bark orders in front of the Thunder Ancestor?

The Heavenly Venerable was frantic. If anything happened to Tang Youyou, his eighty lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it. In his desperation, he had forgotten the presence of this titan. He dropped to one knee and bowed: "Tang Tian pays respects to the Thunder Ancestor."

The Thunder Ancestor asked indifferently, "What were you doing just now?"

Tang Tian gritted his teeth: "Apprehending the culprits..."

The Thunder Ancestor scoffed: "Oh? Culprits? Has anyone here died?"

Tang Tian was left speechless. It was true; Tang Youyou had left of his own accord. No one had lost their life, so to speak of "culprits" was pure nonsense.

Tang Tian stammered, thinking to himself that his master had clearly suffered a terrible affliction. Could the Thunder Ancestor not see? Was he deliberately taking sides?

The Thunder Ancestor sneered: "Since no one has died, it was merely a group of hot-blooded youths having a scuffle. Is that so serious? Does it warrant such a massive mobilization involving the Jade Capital and the Grand Court of Justice?"

Tang Tian stood up, feeling a surge of irritation. If he gave the Thunder Ancestor face, he was a legend; if he didn't, what was he? A royal relative had met with disaster, and the Thunder Ancestor was trying to dismiss it as a minor squabble?

The problem was that Tang Youyou needed to be brought back, and he needed to be brought back in his right mind. But looking at how he had just acted, was that even possible? If he returned without Tang Youyou in one piece, the Tang clan would never let them off.

Since he was doomed either way, Tang Tian lost his reservations. He straightened his back and protested: "I ask the Thunder Ancestor to observe clearly. My King clearly left this place due to an injury to his spiritual consciousness and a breakdown of his awareness. Everyone involved in this brawl bears responsibility!"

The Thunder Ancestor raised a brow: "Oh? That statement isn't entirely without merit. However, while our Heavenly Court values hierarchy, we value reason even more. I will not dismiss your claim yet. But you must have evidence. Which eye saw anyone attacking King Tang Youyou’s spiritual consciousness? Furthermore, you are a Heavenly Venerable yourself—look at those involved in the fight. Whose cultivation is high enough to surpass King Tang Youyou’s, let alone possess the ability to damage his consciousness?"

Tang Tian was rendered speechless. Everyone had thought the same thing, but as the Thunder Ancestor pointed out: who had seen it? And who could have done it?

Since no one had seen it, and no one present had the power to harm Tang Youyou’s consciousness, wasn't Tang Tian’s accusation just utter nonsense?

Tang Tian was so furious he could have vomited blood, but he had no evidence to refute the Thunder Ancestor. His face turned a deep shade of purple as he struggled to find words.

The Thunder Ancestor looked around at the crowd and added: "Has anyone seen who harmed King Tang Youyou? Or, more accurately, can anyone prove that his consciousness was harmed at all?"

Xiao Suhe, as the host, was the first to speak, stating that she had seen no one harm the King’s consciousness and that it could not be proven that any such injury had occurred. After all, if Tang Youyou had been harmed on her territory, wouldn't she be held jointly responsible?

The others quickly followed suit, echoing her sentiments. People were naturally inclined to protect their own interests. With so many great powers present, how could they allow Tang Youyou to be harmed? Were they trying to frame them?