Chapter 123: The Imperial Consort

“Have we arrived?” Lin Fan’s expression shifted instantly from joy to solemnity. He understood precisely what the Divine Spirit of the Demon-Suppressing Staff meant.

Aside from the looming threat of the Celestial Sovereign outside, the only matter truly demanding everyone’s attention was the woman sealed within the crystal coffin—and the Demon-Suppressing Staff had come specifically for her.

“Almost there. Though a bit late, we still have time,” the Divine Spirit nodded without a trace of emotion.

“Then let’s make our move,” Lin Fan said steadily, already mentally prepared. With a wave of his hand, he grasped the Demon-Suppressing Staff.

“What on earth are you two talking about?” Yi Xiaoxian and the Flowerfall Gentleman exchanged puzzled looks, unable to grasp the conversation between Lin Fan and the Divine Spirit.

“This involves matters too vast. I can’t say much now, but soon you’ll understand everything,” Lin Fan replied without elaboration, confident that the truth would soon be revealed.

At that moment, brilliant rays of light shimmered afar as the Celestial Sovereign outside struck the barrier again. A terrifying force swept across the Nine Heavens, causing everyone within the main hall of the Little Thunder Sound Temple to turn pale.

The Celestial Circuits Constellation Array emitted creaking sounds and began to tremble—an ominous sign that it was on the verge of collapse.

“Time waits for no one!” the Divine Spirit of the Demon-Suppressing Staff roared, even unleashing the Lion’s Roar technique of the Buddha’s gate. The resounding sound was like a morning bell or evening drum, awakening all present.

Almost simultaneously, the once still crystal coffin radiated streams of divine light. Two beams shot forth from the woman’s eyes.

“Move!” Lin Fan shouted, unleashing his full power. He even began to tap into the strength of the ancestral Dao robe, hoping to harness it to suppress the woman within the coffin.

The Divine Spirit of the Demon-Suppressing Staff fully awakened, regaining its ancient glory. An overwhelming aura filled the main hall of the Little Thunder Sound Temple.

“What in the world is happening?” the Flowerfall Gentleman asked, bewildered but beginning to form some guesses.

“Fearfully, this woman is about to awaken. Everything within the Little Thunder Sound Temple was designed for her. Truly a masterstroke,” Yi Xiaoxian said, her eyes filled with shock as she pondered the temple’s secrets and reached this conclusion.

“Ancient warriors are beyond comprehension, possessing invincible power and unrivaled spirit. We are far inferior,” the Flowerfall Gentleman shook his head. Having received the Buddhist inheritance, he had long transcended his earlier narrow views and now saw great possibilities even in the impossible.

Yi Xiaoxian did not deny this. The methods of ancient masters could only be described as unfathomable.

Lin Fan hovered above the crystal coffin, holding the Demon-Suppressing Staff. Countless rays of light surged from his head to the heavens, resembling a divine figure casting a spell—majestic and awe-inspiring.

“You do not belong to the present. You exist in the past, or perhaps your shadow will appear in the future, but never now,” Lin Fan murmured, his words resonating like an eternal bell.

The Demon-Suppressing Staff was beginning to turn to ashes, pouring all its strength into restraining the woman, forbidding her birth into this world.

“Do you truly intend to suppress me?” suddenly a voice emerged from the woman’s lips.

The moment the words fell, a mournful wail echoed through heaven and earth, faint cries accompanying it.

This was the Cry of Heaven—a sound that could not be conjured by any ordinary supreme warrior.

“You disturb my mind! Kill!” Lin Fan’s eyes flickered with hesitation, but he swiftly cast it aside, replaced by unparalleled resolve.

The Demon-Suppressing Staff in his hand moved slowly, striking the woman’s forehead—a technique to steady the mind, which in ancient times was a method of killing. Yet now, the staff held no murderous intent, only the desire to suppress her.

“Empress Consort, you should not awaken at this moment,” the Divine Spirit’s voice trembled. It recognized the woman, and the words “Empress Consort” revealed her identity—she was the consort of a most exalted emperor.

“Demon-Suppressor, you wish to restrain me?” the woman sneered coldly, her gaze icy. A mountain of corpses and rivers of blood manifested; snowflakes began to drift inside the hall, the temperature plummeting to an extreme. The formidable aura of an ancient warrior was unmistakable, even influencing the celestial phenomena.

This was unlike the strange phenomena the Flowerfall Gentleman had triggered during his ascension, which were mere environmental effects. This was a genuine manifestation. At the same moment, snow fell throughout the entire Little Thunder Sound Temple, freezing countless Condensation Vein cultivators into ice statues, ending their lives.

“If you truly are still that Empress Consort, I dare not offend you. But time has passed, so I must act—for the sake of all living beings. I beg you, Empress Consort, to atone,” the Divine Spirit of the Demon-Suppressing Staff declared firmly, unwavering in its decision.

“Good! Good! Such audacity! You have likely sacrificed yourself by now. But know this: the entire Buddhist order will become a thing of the past because of your actions. You should be aware of my methods. And you, little one, you are not him. When I emerge, it will be your downfall,” the woman inside the crystal coffin unleashed a murderous aura, causing the ceiling of the main hall to crumble into ashes instantly.

Yet, the Demon-Suppressing Staff ultimately descended, once more subduing the woman.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a tremendous explosion erupted in the distance. Starlight scattered like a shattered mirror as the Celestial Circuits Constellation Array finally fractured. A blade of light sliced downward, resembling the Milky Way inverted, as if the universe itself were being torn apart.

The small mountain erupted with terrifying energy, fractures appearing across its body as it unleashed a devastating assault without regard for its own integrity. This power was nearly on par with a true ancestral artifact.

The Celestial Circuits Constellation Array, having existed since ancient times, was inevitably vulnerable due to its age and lack of energy replenishment. Its destruction was expected, so the assembled warriors prepared for battle rather than express surprise.

But Lin Fan’s face changed drastically, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He sensed movement within the woman inside the crystal coffin. Her eyes, previously closed, now showed signs of reopening.

“Suppress her for me!” Lin Fan roared in fury, channeling the power of the Human Emperor Statue. Golden rays surged forth, the roaring of countless ancient ancestors echoing. This supreme force possessed destructive power greater even than the Buddha’s Flaming Essence.

With the aid of the Human Emperor Statue, the woman was finally silenced once more, without the slightest ripple.

Yet Lin Fan dared not leave, fearing another unforeseen event.

“Charge in! The opportunities here are for all to claim,” a mysterious voice sounded. The speaker, accompanied by a group of Celestial Sovereigns, charged into the Little Thunder Sound Temple’s main hall.

But then, the voice cracked in his throat, his face shifting from ecstatic joy to seething rage.

“You seek death!” he growled coldly.

Twenty Celestial Sovereigns had entered the main hall—but found nothing but emptiness and Lin Fan’s group standing firm.