At the headquarters of the Evil God lineage, Yunxiao Main God and Qin Heavenly Main God staggered back in a wretched state. There was no doubt that both looked dejected and defeated. Their two surprise attacks had ended in complete failure. Their moods grew even heavier, especially after learning of the deaths of the Demon Suppression Main God and the Farlan Main God.
Qin Heavenly Main God spoke up, his words clearly aimed at Yunxiao Main God. "If you had listened to me from the start, the plan would have succeeded. The effect might have been minor, but at least it would have been a success. We wouldn’t have ended up so disheveled and defeated!"
"Brother Qin Tian, that’s enough," the Main God of Spirit interjected.
"I’m just speaking the truth!"
Yunxiao Main God shot a cold glance at Qin Heavenly Main God before turning to Hu Ben Main God and the Main God of Spirit. "This was my mistake," he said. "I don’t intend to shirk my responsibility. It is all mine, and I will accept any punishment."
Qin Heavenly Main God immediately added fuel to the fire. "Brother Yun Xiao, at this point, even if you take all the blame, it won’t bring them back to life!"
"What do you mean?" Yunxiao Main God retorted, his voice sharp despite his dispirited state.
Hu Ben Main God looked between them. With the loss of two Main Gods, the Evil God lineage’s strong advantage has vanished. They are now merely on par with their enemy, and that isn’t even factoring in the Demon Clan. This is no time to alienate my allies.
"Alright, that’s enough from both of you," he said. "I doubt this is the outcome anyone wanted to see. Brother Yun Xiao, stop blaming yourself. Come, tell us how they died. I need to know what kind of power could take down two of our Main Gods in one stroke. This must be reported to the God Monarch Palace!"
Qin Heavenly Main God was visibly disappointed, but he was also inwardly satisfied. He had succeeded in his own way. If the Evil God lineage were to lose him now, they would surely fail. This was exactly the scenario he wanted—to be indispensable.
Yunxiao Main God’s expression was grim as he revealed his wound. The other three Main Gods were instantly horrified. The injury was so severe that even he, a Main God, could not suppress it.
"That boy has gained control of the ominous entities from the Outer Realm!" Yunxiao Main God explained. "He has three subordinates who can rival Main Gods!"
"But even with three fighters on par with Main Gods, you should have been evenly matched. Why were two of you killed?" Hu Ben Main God asked, perplexed.
"There is another who is even stronger," Yunxiao Main God said.
"What?" The three of them stared at him, hanging on his every word.
"At the last moment, just as the three of us were about to retreat, someone from deep within the Outer Realm made a move," he continued. "That expert unleashed three streams of aura! Two streams killed them instantly, while the third came for me. I had to burn my life force to escape, but I was still injured."
It was clear that his wound was caused by that very attack. The others gasped, sucking in a cold breath. To crush two Main Gods with a casual strike—the power was terrifyingly unthinkable. A chill ran down their spines. Even Hu Ben Main God felt uneasy. Although he was slightly stronger than his peers, he knew that if that expert had targeted him alone, he too would not have survived.
"This matter is extremely serious," Hu Ben Main God said gravely. "I will report it to the God Monarch Palace immediately and let them handle it. An expert of this caliber is someone that even the God Monarch Palace might not be able to suppress!"
This was the undeniable truth. While the old figures in the God Monarch Palace were powerful, the methods of this expert were enough to inspire horror and dread.
"As terrifying as those figures are, the most frightening one is still that boy!" Yunxiao Main God added.
"You mean Ye Fan from the Righteous Gods?" the Main God of Spirit asked.
Yunxiao Main God nodded. "Although that boy is only at the Divine General Level, his combat power is enough to make one despair. He exchanged twenty moves with me without being defeated! And I could tell he wasn’t even using his full strength!"
Once again, the others gasped. After all, who was Yunxiao Main God? In terms of raw power, he was a cut above both the Main God of Spirit and the Evil Punishment Main God. Not even five Divine Generals could withstand a single strike from him, yet Ye Fan had fought him for twenty moves without losing.
What did this imply? It implied Ye Fan’s combat prowess was already comparable to that of an ordinary Main God.
Back in the Great Wilderness Space, Ye Fan had been just a boy at the Nirvana Nine Heavens. How many years had passed since then? He had already become so terrifyingly powerful. His growth rate was astounding. They all had a premonition that if Ye Fan wasn’t killed, he would be their equal in twenty years at most. By then, killing him would be far from simple.
Even now, it was not an easy task. Not only was his combat power formidable, but he was also in the dreaded Outer Realm, where they were completely helpless against him.
"The situation has become more serious than we could have ever imagined," Hu Ben Main God stated. "Brother Yun Xiao, focus on your recovery! Brother Yu Ling, you and Brother Qin Tian will oversee things here. I must make a personal trip to the God Monarch Palace!"
"Him?" Yunxiao Main God and the Main God of Spirit both looked toward Qin Heavenly Main God. It was obvious what they were thinking. Qin Heavenly Main God was merely a traitor from the Righteous Divine Lineage. Wouldn’t it be too rash to suddenly entrust him with so much authority?
Qin Heavenly Main God remained silent, fully aware of their thoughts.
"Yes, him!" Hu Ben Main God declared firmly. "You may have reservations about Brother Qin Tian, but since he has joined our Evil God lineage, we must trust him without reservation! We cannot let him feel disheartened. He has done so much for our lineage. In any case, I, for one, trust him!"
"Brother Hu Ben, you overstate it. I was only doing my duty," Qin Heavenly Main God replied matter-of-factly.
"These are my arrangements," Hu Ben Main God said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Let’s proceed accordingly."
"Alright." Helpless, the two could only comply.
The God Monarch Palace was a mysterious place whose origins could be traced back to the very beginning of the Divine World, for it was the birthplace of the Evil God lineage. In this era, the palace was still home to over six Old God Monarchs, a testament to its formidable strength. Whenever the Main Gods of the Evil God lineage faced a decision they could not make, they had to report to the God Monarch Palace.
As he gazed upon the magnificent palace that shimmered in and out of view, Hu Ben Main God was at a loss for words. His feelings were a complex mix, and he couldn’t shake a sense of trepidation. He couldn’t help it. The Evil God lineage had been in a terrible state lately. His greatest fear was being held accountable by the Old God Monarchs—a burden he knew he couldn’t bear.
He bowed deeply and announced, "Junior Hu Ben Main God pays his respects to the elders!"
A staircase materialized from the Void, and Hu Ben Main God ascended into the God Monarch Palace. Inside, six Old God Monarchs were seated. They looked at him, their great age evident in their weary gazes.
Hu Ben Main God knelt again in reverence.
The leading Old God Monarch spoke. "Hu Ben, it’s been a long time. What important matter brings you here today?"
Hu Ben Main God reported, "Elders, for our battle against the Righteous Gods, we were thoroughly prepared, even after the Great Wilderness Main God defected. We were confident in our victory over the Righteous Divine Lineage. Unfortunately, an error occurred, and the situation for our Evil God lineage has become somewhat grim."
"How is it grim?" another Old God Monarch inquired.
"Because the ominous entities from the Outer Realm have intervened," Hu Ben Main God said. "They have killed two of our Main Gods!"