Chapter 1968: 18: Return and Rewards, Meeting Emperor Red Star!_4

"The mysterious magic techniques on the Void Ancestor Shedding Bone must be handed over. Without the suppression, should both plant soldier types be transplanted together? I wonder how the Empire will arrange my affairs."Zhao Xing felt some trepidation. The acquisition was too great; it might not be kept secure. He even thought that the journey back to the Empire was unsafe.

The Void Ancestor Shedding Bone is a secret of the Primordial Heavenly Palace. The Demon Race Emperor was caught in a cause and effect trap because of him. Jin Yan also knew he had cultivated the Taichu Avatar, obtaining two mighty plants in the Transmission Building. Now that the True Spirit Heavenly Poison was gone, would Wei Tianchen find out?

As Qing Yu Zi said, after the Cause and Effect Battle, he became a ’valued target.’ On the way back, would someone assassinate him?

The Xuanling Star Domain is not absolutely safe either!

Zhao Xing tried to call Qing Yu Zi, but there was no response.

As previously mentioned, Qing Yu Zi would no longer respond to him; even the Tianyou Country Lord from the Desolate Domain’s first 22 epochs was merely a prearranged method.

At that moment, the Mountain Cat Boundary Ship suddenly decelerated. A triple-tower building appeared in the Void River ahead.

It emerged abruptly, directly damming the Void River and pulling Zhao Xing’s Mountain Cat Flying Boat toward the triple towers.

"What?!"

As feared, it has come true. Zhao Xing looked intently and discovered those were the ’Imperial Palace,’ ’Formless Palace,’ and ’Clear Void Palace’ of the Primordial Heavenly Palace.

The Primordial Heavenly Palace often handles external affairs through the Imperial Palace, but it is rare for the three palaces to act together.

Yet here they were, all appearing!

And they had intercepted him.

"It’s because the Primordial Heavenly Palace has the Void Ancestor Shedding Bone. If I obtained information on another piece of shedding bone, the Primordial Heavenly Palace would be the first to react." Zhao Xing suddenly sensed a looming calamity.

Since the Guluo River does not manage affairs of the Primordial Realm, mainly handled by the Five Poison Emperor and Zuo Qiyu, Zhao Xing could not contact Guluo River immediately after leaving Academic City. It’s normal for the Primordial Heavenly Palace to be quicker.

"Boom~"

In a flash of lightning and thunder, the Mountain Cat’s gate automatically opened.

Above the three palaces, a mist staircase extended downward, reaching Zhao Xing’s feet.

Zhao Xing looked up and saw three glorious golden virtual shadows at the top of the stairway. The overwhelming pressure made it difficult for him to breathe.

Though he knew the visitors were hostile, Zhao Xing still respectfully greeted, "Zhao Xing of the Primordial Realm, pays respects to the three Palace Masters!"

"Zhao Xing, hand over the Secret Technique accompanying the Void Ancestor Shedding Bone." A voice descended from the top of the staircase, ethereal and indifferent, devoid of emotion.

As expected, they came for this!

Zhao Xing knew he couldn’t conceal it, but he still wanted to delay for a bit.

Bowing, he said with difficulty, "Three Palace Masters, this junior doesn’t know anything about Void Ancestor Shedding Bone."

"Even if I had it, I—I wouldn’t want to hand it over."

"Aren’t you afraid of death? Killing you, we could still obtain what you have. Just considering the Empire’s face, we refrain from using force."

Zhao Xing remained silent, only shaking his head.

If he handed it over, could the Empire let him go?

The most feared is indecision in choosing a side; if killed by the three Palace Masters, the Empire might still resurrect him.

After all, he no longer had the True Spirit Heavenly Poison on him, making the cost of resurrection not as high as before.

So long as the three Palace Masters didn’t take extreme measures.

He waited a long time, yet the imagined death didn’t arrive, and Zhao Xing heard a voice of gentle tone.

"Very good, Zhao Xing, you may rise."

Feeling the oppressive force vanish, Zhao Xing raised his head, bewildered.

Above him, where had the palace and mist ladder gone?

At the original palace location, there appeared two figures: a white magic robe embroidered with a Divine Tree worn by Guluo River.

Beside him stood a burly man wearing strange battle armor, the armor’s surface blending with the void’s color, seeming embedded with stars and moons. On a glance, it looked as if the entire map of the Xuanling Star Domain was set upon the armor.

Guluo River and Emperor Red Star?!

Zhao Xing frowned, wondering if earlier was an illusion or if now was an illusion?

But this was easy to judge.

Earlier the three Palace Masters didn’t appear in his sight, his detection panel couldn’t even display their names.

Yet now, directly looking up, the names of Guluo River and Emperor Red Star were shown.

Indeed, it was a test.

Thinking about it, with the Yuanhai Ancient Country’s matters until now, he had encountered so much, so many anomalies! Without some tests... that would be abnormal! When nothing major occurred before, Qing Yu Zi’s influence made it irrelevant, but now it’s different.

Having tests indicates that he won’t be discarded, truly to be accepted by the Empire!

Fortunately, he made the right choice, not pledging allegiance to the Primordial Heavenly Palace.

Otherwise he’d be in trouble.

Suddenly understanding everything, Zhao Xing adjusted his clothes, and calmly saluted, "Minister, Sea Communication Envoy Zhao Xing, pays respects to Your Majesty!"