Chapter 270: Old man, I didn’t expect you to be capable!

“Li Xuanfeng, I wonder what secret he holds. I’ve been divining for so many years, and I’ve never encountered such a bizarre situation!”

Feeling his empty eyes, the God Diviner’s mood was complex.

It was normal for a divination to suffer a backlash.

After all, this was forcibly prying into the secrets of the heavens, and a price had to be paid.

The more significant the divination, the higher the possibility of a backlash.

However, this was the first time the God Diviner had encountered someone like Li Xuanfeng, where merely divining his movement trajectory caused a backlash that couldn't be eliminated!

In the past, when he suffered a backlash, the price wasn't so great, and after some time of recuperation, the injuries from the backlash could be healed.

But this time, he knew that even if he achieved a Breakthrough in his Realm, his eyes would not regain their sight.

Li Xuanfeng’s cultivation speed was so exaggerated, so bizarre, completely defying logic, as if he was not restricted by the rules of heaven and earth.

The secret on him seemed to involve some kind of taboo between heaven and earth, something that could not be calculated, spoken, or observed.

“The backlash you suffered from divining Li Xuanfeng is not because he himself is incredibly powerful; the secret on him is the key.”

“I, the Emperor, also know a thing or two about the Dao of divination. If the backlash came from Li Xuanfeng himself, it would mean his strength should have already reached an astonishing level, enough to influence the secrets of the heavens!”

“But obviously, it’s not; instead, the secret on him might involve some heavenly secret, which is why it caused you a backlash.”

“Since the backlash comes from the secret on him, there is a possibility of mitigating the backlash.”

A faint voice sounded.

The speaker was a man whose complexion appeared somewhat sickly pale.

However, no one dared to underestimate him.

This person was the strongest here, a Cultivator in the Emperor Realm Late Stage from the Heavenly Puppet Sect—the Corpse Puppet Emperor.

After the God Diviner made his Move, at the cost of his eyes bursting and being permanently blinded, he divined that Li Xuanfeng might appear in three locations next.

Thus, the Four Great Powers arranged personnel in these three locations to ambush him.

The Corpse Puppet Emperor was the strongest here; besides him, there were three other Emperor Realm Cultivators.

The Xu Family Thirteenth Elder’s lineage, an Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivator, the Extinction Spear Emperor.

The Black Fire Sect, an Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivator, the Dazzling Emperor.

The Fan Family, an Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivator, the Ghost Axe Emperor.

Li Xuanfeng was no stranger to the Dazzling Emperor and the Ghost Axe Emperor; these two had appeared at the Refining Competition, and both harbored strong killing intent towards Li Xuanfeng.

However, with the Xuan傀皇 as a precedent, they deeply hid their killing intent, but were still restricted everywhere by the Spirit Emperor, failing to pose a threat to Li Xuanfeng.

One Emperor Realm Late Stage Cultivator and three Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivators were the personnel arranged by the Four Great Powers to ambush Li Xuanfeng here.

As for the God Diviner, although he was an Emperor Realm Early Stage Cultivator, he did not belong to the Four Great Powers.

The God Diviner was only skilled in divination, and in terms of combat, he was much weaker among those of the same Realm; furthermore, as an Emperor Realm Early Stage Cultivator, he wouldn't be of much help in a real fight.

“This is the Substitute Corpse Puppet that I, the Emperor, spent four hundred years to successfully refine. Now, you shall refine it, and it can help you withstand one backlash, even if that backlash is a death calamity for you!”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor extended his hand, and a Puppet, whose complexion also appeared somewhat sickly pale, materialized out of thin air.

“Since ambushes have already been set up on three paths, why go to all this extra trouble?”

The God Diviner faced the Corpse Puppet Emperor with his sunken eye sockets.

Actually, for them to ambush Li Xuanfeng, divining the three possible locations where he might appear next was already enough.

The Four Great Powers' current predicament was not that they couldn't kill Li Xuanfeng, but that they couldn't find him!

Now, ambushes had been set up in all three locations, just waiting for Li Xuanfeng to walk into the trap, so why continue divining?

The God Diviner was somewhat afraid of divining Li Xuanfeng; even with this Substitute Corpse Puppet, who knew if it could truly help him withstand the backlash.

“Rest assured, the Substitute Corpse Puppet is the culmination of my, the Emperor’s, Dao of Puppets, and it is sufficient to help you withstand the backlash from divination.”

“As I, the Emperor, said, I know a thing or two about the Dao of divination, and I have used this method to avoid backlash before.”

“However, this method can only be used once, and now is the perfect time to use it to divine Li Xuanfeng!”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor looked at the God Diviner, as if he would forcibly make him agree if he didn't.

The God Diviner remained silent for a long while, finally sighing in his heart, and had no choice but to begin refining the Substitute Corpse Puppet.

In fact, many years ago, he had calculated that he would Face a life-and-death calamity during this period.

If he overcame it, his achievements in the Dao of divination would soar to an astonishing level.

If he failed, his Physical Body would perish, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, never to recover.

He had initially thought his life-and-death calamity was related to the Ancient Demon Palace, as he was also preparing to contend for an Opportunity there, but now it seemed highly likely to be related to Li Xuanfeng.

“Forget it!”

The God Diviner shook off the distracting thoughts in his mind.

Having been in this line of work for so long, he knew that many things were destined, unresistable, and irreversible.

Essence blood flew out, merging into the Substitute Corpse Puppet; his Soul covered it, imprinting his Divine Sense mark.

With the help of the Corpse Puppet Emperor, the master who refined the Substitute Corpse Puppet, the God Diviner quickly began to refine it.

In just a few hours, he successfully completed its refinement.

“This time, you must accurately divine his next appearance location!”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor looked at the God Diviner.

The God Diviner said nothing, taking out a compass inscribed with various profound runes and an ancient tortoise shell.

Then he stood still.

Both the compass and the tortoise shell floated before him.

As the God Diviner's fingers moved gracefully, both the compass and the tortoise shell began to change.

Although his eyes were blind, his Divine Sense could still be used normally, and observation with Divine Sense was even clearer and more detailed than with the naked eye.

The Corpse Puppet Emperor, the Extinction Spear Emperor, the Ghost Axe Emperor, and the Dazzling Emperor all watched silently, not daring to disturb him.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Buzz!

After an unknown period, the compass needle suddenly began to violently shake erratically.

Crack!

A clear cracking sound also came from the tortoise shell, and tiny cracks appeared.

“Pfft!”

The God Diviner spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and blood also seeped from his eyes, ears, and nose.

Bang!

The Substitute Corpse Puppet beside him suddenly exploded into countless fragments.

“My five senses…”

“My five senses have been sealed!”

The God Diviner’s mouth was full of blood, and when he opened it, he found he couldn't make a sound, so he had to transmit his thoughts through Divine Sense.

“How is it?”

“Did you figure it out?”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor didn't care about his injuries, and his Divine Sense surged out, asking the God Diviner.

The God Diviner didn't respond, but stood blankly in place, as if his Soul had been lost.

The Substitute Corpse Puppet did indeed help him block one backlash, but it didn't block it completely, causing his five senses to be sealed; his sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch all disappeared, and would never recover!

If this happened to an ordinary Cultivator, he would become a complete cripple.

Fortunately, his Soul was powerful, and his Divine Sense could still replace his five senses.

But it was also equivalent to losing both arms, and his combat power was greatly reduced.

“Where exactly will Li Xuanfeng appear?”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor’s Divine Sense fluctuation came again.

“Right on our path!”

After a long silence, the God Diviner finally replied.

“What?!”

“Right on our path?”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor was first stunned, then both surprised and delighted.

Li Xuanfeng would actually appear on their path!

Besides wanting to quickly kill Li Xuanfeng, the Four Great Powers also coveted his secret of rapidly increasing strength.

Once Li Xuanfeng appeared here, that secret would pass through their hands first.

And here, his strength was the strongest; if Li Xuanfeng’s ability to rapidly increase strength could be replaced, then… thinking of this, the Corpse Puppet Emperor couldn’t restrain his excitement.

Refining a Substitute Corpse Puppet required an immense amount of effort and was a life-saving trump card for himself, which he usually wouldn't part with, so how could he easily give it to others?

The reason he brought it out at this time was to take a gamble, waiting for this Opportunity!

“Li Xuanfeng will appear here, and…”

The God Diviner’s Divine Sense transmission sounded again.

“And what?”

The four, including the Corpse Puppet Emperor, subconsciously asked.

“And very soon!”

The God Diviner lacked his five senses, but a look of hesitation still flashed across his Face.

“Very soon?”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor’s breathing even hitched; he was incredibly excited.

“Good, good, good, this time, let’s see where Li Xuanfeng can hide!”

“Relying on his profound secrets, thinking that others cannot divine him, he acts without scruples, disturbing our peace; now, he can finally pay the price!”

The Dazzling Emperor’s expression was excited, and a strong killing intent flashed in his eyes.

At that time, the Spirit Emperor protected him in Refining City, making it impossible to act, and the Dazzling Emperor had been holding back a lot of Qi.

He wished he could swear an oath with his Dao Heart like the Xuan傀皇, to grind Li Xuanfeng to dust, and now, the Opportunity had finally arrived!

This time, he would definitely not let the Opportunity slip away!

One Emperor Realm Late Stage Cultivator plus three Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivators, Li Xuanfeng was sure to die!

“I, the Emperor, have tolerated him for a long time!”

“Previously, with the Spirit Emperor protecting him, I, the Emperor, couldn't do anything to him; this time, let’s see how he escapes!”

“I, the Emperor, will definitely destroy his Physical Body and shatter his Soul!”

The Ghost Axe Emperor said even more fiercely.

Both he and the Dazzling Emperor hated and feared Li Xuanfeng; they hated him for a King Realm Cultivator defying the Emperor Realm Cultivators’ authority, not giving them Face in front of so many Cultivators, and not giving the major Four Great Powers any Face at all.

Those top ten on the king ranking were killed as he pleased.

Their fear, however, was of his rapidly increasing strength.

Li Xuanfeng had already shown powerful strength when he killed the Xuan傀皇, but the Ghost Axe Emperor and the Dazzling Emperor still had confidence in killing him.

But they also understood that with Li Xuanfeng’s terrifying rate of progress, it wouldn't take long before the two of them would no longer be a match for Li Xuanfeng.

Therefore, the sooner Li Xuanfeng died, the better.

Now that the Opportunity had finally arrived, how could they not be excited, how could they not be thrilled!

In the past month and a half, Li Xuanfeng must have improved a lot.

But don't forget, there was also an Emperor Realm Late Stage Cultivator, the Corpse Puppet Emperor, here!

One Emperor Realm Late Stage Cultivator plus three Emperor Realm Middle Stage Cultivators, no matter how fast Li Xuanfeng improved, it was impossible for such a lineup not to take him down, right?

“Hehe, the feud between Li Xuanfeng and my Xu Family can finally end this time, right?”

“I have to say, although this guy is hateful, he is indeed troublesome!”

“This time, the Corpse Puppet Emperor sacrificed a Substitute Corpse Puppet, and the God Diviner also paid the price of sealed five senses, finally divining that he will appear here next. Very good, very good, everything can end this time!”

The Extinction Spear Emperor couldn't help but smile, even feeling a great sense of relief.

“To be safe, it’s still better to notify headquarters.”

The Extinction Spear Emperor’s eyes flickered, and a thought flashed in his mind.

He knew that the Thirteenth Elder was determined to capture Li Xuanfeng, not because Li Xuanfeng killed the Red Spear King, the Dark Spear King, and others, leading to an unending feud.

In fact, it was more out of coveting Li Xuanfeng’s secret of rapid strength improvement, wanting to understand the secret and then replace him.

Within the Xu Family, those who sided with the Thirteenth Elder on this matter all shared this idea.

Whether it was Li Xuanfeng’s mysterious Move that could sever the connection between Soul and Domain, or his ability to devour others’ Domains to strengthen himself, all of it made people incredibly envious.

Although they knew that doing so might carry huge risks, how many people could resist such a temptation!

“Li Xuanfeng’s matter has not yet been settled; I, the Emperor, don't think there’s a rush to notify others now. It’s not too late to notify them after we capture him!”

The Corpse Puppet Emperor, perhaps seeing through the Extinction Spear Emperor’s thoughts, couldn't help but speak.

The Dazzling Emperor and the Ghost Axe Emperor’s eyes flickered simultaneously; they said nothing, just nodded slightly.

Although their strength was inferior to the Corpse Puppet Emperor, they were not without their own ideas; Li Xuanfeng’s ability to rapidly increase strength, they might not necessarily be unable to replace him.

Both knew that notifying others at this time would actually be safer, but neither of them did so.

Only the Extinction Spear Emperor truly intended to do so.

The Extinction Spear Emperor’s expression stiffened for a moment; his gaze swept over the three, and with a sigh in his heart, he had no choice but to nod, giving up on notifying others.

After their excitement and agitation, the four suddenly remembered that the God Diviner seemed to have died, making no sound, and their gazes involuntarily focused on his Face.

The God Diviner’s eye sockets were sunken, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and a mix of despair and relief intertwined on his Face.

“You…”

The four were all stunned, simultaneously transmitting their thoughts to him via Divine Sense.

“I saw Li Xuanfeng coming, and I also saw my own death calamity, and also…”

The God Diviner’s Divine Sense surged, and after a pause, he continued: “And your death calamity!”

“Our death calamity?”

The four, including the Corpse Puppet Emperor, suddenly felt a bad premonition.

Damn it, why didn't this old man finish his sentence in one go, insisting on saying half and leaving half? Was it a side effect of divination?

The crucial thing was that he seemed to have been deliberately watching their performance just now; seeing them so excited, he didn't even think to remind them?

Was the God Diviner holding a grudge because the Corpse Puppet Emperor had just threatened him to divine Li Xuanfeng?

“This is destined; it cannot be avoided even if I remind you.”

The God Diviner’s Divine Sense detected what was in their hearts.

The four, including the Corpse Puppet Emperor, all changed their expressions dramatically.

They hadn't expected that forcing the God Diviner to divine this time, the most important thing wasn't divining Li Xuanfeng’s exact next location, but accurately divining their death calamity!

The words “death calamity” said too much!

There was no need for the God Diviner to explain!

The four were decisive enough; they immediately prepared to flee.

Clang!

A grand bell rang out, and a bell bottom as massive as a world descended, completely sealing the space where they were.

“Old man, I really didn’t expect you to have some ability; you actually divined that I, the King, would appear here.”

A slightly surprised voice sounded.

Thunder tore through the sky, arriving in an instant, and Li Xuanfeng’s figure clearly appeared before them.

The God Diviner’s divination had come true!

The four, including the Corpse Puppet Emperor, had extremely ugly expressions.

Li Xuanfeng had indeed appeared here, so would the death calamity divined by the God Diviner also come true?