Chapter 1275: Unmatched Heritage

Divine Fall Palace.

Deep within the layers of opulent halls.

In a glazed palace.

Countless powerful auras sat in silence. Some had the appearance of youthful elders, others bore the marks of time, and some looked handsome and young, all exuding an unfathomable presence.

After a long while, no one spoke.

All eyes were fixed on the shattered life token on the table. The entire hall was filled with an almost suffocating sense of oppression!

On the life token were carved the striking characters—Liu Changfeng!

Even though it was shattered, the name was still clearly visible, enough to make everyone present feel as if a mountain was pressing down on them, foreshadowing an impending catastrophe.

Although they were all esteemed outer sect elders of the Divine Fall Palace, Liu Changfeng's father was an inner sect elder. That elder, Liu Runan, was a true Desolate Realm expert. If he were to become enraged, the entire Divine Fall Palace would tremble!

After a long, heavy silence, the leading elder spoke in a deep voice.

"Everyone, for tens of thousands of years, our Divine Fall Palace has never encountered such a situation. Elder Liu has been harmed. We must get to the bottom of this!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the other elders chimed in one after another.

"Elder Gong is absolutely right. Elder Liu's death concerns the dignity of our Divine Fall Palace. No matter who did this, we must tear them to pieces!"

"Exactly! We must spare no effort to capture the culprit!"

"We must exterminate the murderer's entire clan as a warning to others!"

"If this person is not dealt with, where will the prestige of our Divine Fall Palace stand?"

The elders present were all top figures in the divine realm, having endured countless trials and hardships to reach their current status. Naturally, they were all extremely astute. They spoke out one after another, considering both the overall reputation of the Divine Fall Palace and the face of the inner sect Elder Liu.

In just a few moments, the outer sect elders had reached a unanimous decision.

They all knew that even without prompting, someone would naturally report this matter to Elder Liu Runan. Thus, they all put on an appearance of furious indignation, and the entire outer sect was engulfed in rage!

As expected, before the outer sect meeting had even concluded, someone quietly made their way to the inner palace.

They stood before a nine-story tower, bowing and reporting with utmost respect.

After a long wait, a cold voice came from above.

"I am already aware. You may leave."

The person quickly bowed again, suppressing their inner glee as they departed.

Once the surroundings of the tower were completely devoid of any presence.

In the quiet room at the top.

An old man with white hair and beard gazed coldly at the soul flame before him.

"Did you hear all that?"

"After tens of thousands of years of cultivation, you've ended up like this. A dignified outer sect elder, now reduced to an opportunity for others to seek revenge and curry favor with me."

"Liu Runan has roamed the stars all his life, and my reputation has been tarnished by you, you wretch!"

The soul flame flickered, revealing the outline of a child's face, filled with guilt and panic.

Hearing these words, it trembled and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.

"Father, please forgive me, please forgive me..."

"It's not that I was incompetent, but that person was simply too powerful. I never expected their cultivation to be so terrifying, capable of killing my true body with a single sword strike..."

Watching Liu Changfeng cry like a child, trembling and begging for mercy.

Liu Runan remained expressionless.

Having weathered tens of thousands of years of trials and tribulations, this old man had long transcended worldly concerns. He had almost no ordinary human emotions left, and very few things could stir his heart.

Only after Liu Changfeng's soul flame had sobbed for a long time did Liu Runan finally lift his eyes and speak with a cold tone.

"Hmph."

"If it weren't for your slight talent, allowing you to reach the half-step Desolate Realm and condense a second soul, you would already be dead and gone. How could you still be here crying in front of me?"

Liu Changfeng, scolded, dared not raise his head, kneeling on the ground with a look of frustration.

"Father's teachings are correct..."

"But in my current state, this second soul is of little use. What am I to do now? Tian'er is still in that person's hands. He's your own grandson, Father. You must seek justice for us."

Looking at the child-like soul flame and hearing the pitiful words, even Liu Runan's cold eyes softened slightly.

"You truly are a disappointment."

"Ten thousand years ago, I warned you to focus on the path of cultivation. But you, relying on your position as an elder, acted arrogantly and domineeringly. How else could you have ended up like this?"

"You brought this upon yourself by not striving to improve, yet you dare to blame others? Who said the second soul is useless? It's only because your realm is too low that you can only manifest this child-like soul flame."

"If you could reach the Desolate Realm, this second soul could travel through the air. With further progress, you could even condense an external avatar, greatly increasing your combat power!"

Hearing these words, Liu Changfeng wept with regret.

His once bright future was now ruined, reduced to this ghostly state. He felt as if his intestines were turning green with regret, crying like a bullied child.

"Wuwuwu..."

Even in such a pitiful state, Liu Runan remained as calm and indifferent as ever, as if he no longer cared about familial bonds.

Only after Liu Changfeng had calmed down did the old man speak again.

"Consider this a lesson for you, to understand that there is always someone stronger. If you can focus on cultivation from now on, this might not be a bad thing. Since he was able to kill you, you will use his body in the future."

Hearing this, the child-like face within the soul flame slowly looked up.

"Use his body..."

"Father, do you mean...?"

Liu Runan stroked his beard steadily, a glint of sharpness flashing in his aged eyes.

"From what you've said, this person must be a true Desolate Realm expert. If we can capture him and use a supreme technique to seize his body, your second soul can take over his form. Not only will you be reborn, but you will also step into the Desolate Realm."

"This is the best option, and the most suitable path for you."

Liu Changfeng was overjoyed, his eyes filled with excitement!

"Seize his body?!"

"Sss..."

"That is indeed a brilliant plan! If I can seize his body, all my problems will be solved, and I might even turn this disaster into a blessing, greatly increasing my cultivation!"

"Father, you are truly wise!"

In his excitement, Liu Changfeng looked at his father's aged face.

Perhaps it was because of the great calamity he had experienced that made him somewhat remorseful, or maybe it was the terrifying sword strike that still haunted him...

After a few glances, Liu Changfeng suddenly stammered.

"But..."

"But this person is definitely a Desolate Realm expert. Capturing him won't be easy. Father, are you really confident?"

Hearing this, Liu Runan's gaze deepened.

"You've grown a bit from this ordeal."

"Don't worry. Even among Desolate Realm experts, there are differences in heritage. My tens of thousands of years of cultivation are not something a junior can match. You need not worry too much. Although this won't be easy, it's not too difficult either."

"After this, when you are reborn and step into the Desolate Realm, you must take this as a lesson and devote yourself to cultivation!"

Faced with this rare, earnest advice, Liu Changfeng's tears fell as he kowtowed!

"Your son will remember your teachings, Father!"

By the time he rose, the old man's figure had already vanished without a trace.

Such a profound movement technique left no trace for him to follow. Having such a formidable father was an unmatched heritage, both his honor and his absolute advantage.

Who would have thought?

What seemed like a catastrophic disaster could turn into an opportunity in the blink of an eye!

Thinking of the terrifying cultivation and that fearsome sword technique he would gain in the future, Liu Changfeng was deeply moved by his father's concern, while also unable to contain his excitement!

Even as a soul flame, the child-like face within it contorted into a fierce expression!

It wouldn't be long.

Soon, he would step into the Desolate Realm and look down upon all living beings!

By then, both he and his father would be among the inner sect of the Divine Fall Palace, and their family would prosper for eternity!