Ancient Fiend Dragon Emperor

Seeing Nihility Delusion looking over, that Dragon Venerate Realm elder Bai Nanxing had a calm expression. He said, "It doesn't compare to the handiwork of the Cultivator Alliance. At the Holy Spirit Palace's peak, we only had about twenty million disciples, while the Cultivator Alliance has surpassed a hundred million. In terms of disciple numbers, no sect across the entire Dragon Martial Continent can compare to the super sects."

"Senior, don't belittle yourself."

Nihility Delusion revealed a bitter smile, "Twenty million disciples, all of whom belong to the Holy Spirit Palace, whereas the Cultivator Alliance is an assembly of many forces, impossible to truly manage. I couldn't refuse my current position, thus I took it on. But to say I really have authority... it can't be compared to the absolute dominance of the Holy Spirit Palace."

Bai Nanxing did not speak again, his gaze drifting elsewhere.

"Su Zun, perhaps we should first..."

Nihility Delusion was about to speak, but once again Su Han interrupted.

Pointing towards the highest floor of the Hall of Dragon Guardians, Su Han seemed very curious and asked, "Senior, on the highest floor of that palace, there should be a strong Dragon Venerate Realm presence, right?"

Upon hearing this, Nihility Delusion's face changed once more, but he quickly recovered.

Others were all observing the barren lands around them, including Eastern Ancestor, Northern Ancestor, and others. After all, they had traversed a great distance and engaged in fierce battles to get here. Their tense nerves had only just begun to relax.

Moreover, looking at Nihility Delusion's kind and gracious smile, few would harbor any suspicion against him.

But Su Han's divine sense remained focused on Nihility Delusion!

With Su Han's power, even if scanning with divine sense, Nihility Delusion would be unable to detect it.

What made Su Han's heart sink was that twice now, Nihility Delusion had reacted with a color change because of the palace.

What shocked Su Han more was that, given Nihility Delusion's many millennia of life as a Peak Dragon Emperor Realm expert, his state of mind should be extremely calm. Even if there were indeed a conspiracy, it should remain unfazed and undetectable.

But now, he repeatedly changed expressions. What kind of conspiracy could force such changes in a Peak Dragon Emperor Realm super strong practitioner? How significant must it be?

"If there is indeed a conspiracy, then it must originate from that palace, and... it must come from the highest floor of that palace!" Su Han thought to himself.

"That palace is called the Hall of Dragon Guardians, implying it protects the Dragon Martial Continent. As for what kind of powerhouse exists on the highest floor, I truly have no idea, for even I have never ascended." Nihility Delusion's expression appeared somewhat respectful.

This respect did not appear feigned.

But his words and his demeanor made Su Han even more certain of his suspicions.

A Peak Dragon Emperor Realm super strong practitioner never ascended?

How is that possible!

Even if there is indeed a Dragon Venerate Realm existence on that highest floor, Nihility Delusion would still have the qualifications to ascend. Yet he claims he never did—there's only one explanation, he's... hiding something!

"Su Zun, you are now safe here, and that palace has long..."

"Senior, if possible, I would like to visit that palace..."

"Su Zun!"

This time, when Su Han interrupted Nihility Delusion again, Nihility Delusion's face finally turned somber.

To the others, Nihility Delusion was, after all, a Peak Dragon Emperor Realm. As the master here, being interrupted repeatedly by Su Han might be interpreted as a loss of face, hence his dissatisfaction.

But Su Han knew that Nihility Delusion was not dissatisfied; he was worried that he might actually go and take a look at that palace!

"Su Zun, since a resting place has already been prepared for us, shall we not rest first?" Bai Nanxing looked towards Su Han.

He truly wished to rest, as his body needed recovery.

Beyond that, he also wanted to offer Su Han a way out. With Nihility Delusion's sour expression, it wouldn't be good to become strained when they had just arrived.

"Alright."

Su Han glanced back at Bai Nanxing. This glance caused Bai Nanxing to pause slightly, then he frowned.

Initially, Bai Nanxing thought Su Han might be discontented with his interruption, but the more he reflected, the more he felt that Su Han's glance was unusual.

Su Han wasn't someone who didn't understand the bigger picture, so why interrupt Nihility Delusion repeatedly?

Why... give him such a look?

Within that look, it seemed as if there was something he wanted to convey to him but couldn't speak aloud.

After all, Bai Nanxing was a Dragon Venerate Realm. When he realized this, he immediately exchanged a glance with the middle-aged man Chen Dongli and then looked back at Nihility Delusion with calm eyes, though beneath that calmness lay caution.

Nihility Delusion did not notice these actions. His only concern was leading Su Han and the others into the palace, and hearing Su Han agree, his previously somber expression finally softened as he smiled, "Then please follow this old man."

...

The Barren Land was vast, spanning tens of millions of kilometers in diameter. Yet, on its edge, the massive palace complex could already be seen, indicating its immense size.

Su Han and the others followed along with Nihility Delusion for about half a day's journey, not too hurriedly. By evening, they finally arrived before the palace complex.

On their way, Su Han saw countless Cultivator Alliance members, either standing at the edge of the Barren Land or between the edge and the central palace complex, forming concentric circles as if guarding the Barren Land.

And the number of these people... far exceeds the billion Nihility Delusion mentioned, at least over two hundred million!

At the same time, everyone felt the desolation of the Barren Land.

Here, there wasn't a hint of spiritual energy, and even the air seemed extremely turbid. When one looked up, the sky was dark and gray. Within the clouds above, layers upon layers of dense dust floated, making it hard to breathe without feeling the urge to cough.

"The people of the Cultivator Alliance have stayed here for many years; how do they train? Do they use spirit stones? Even if they use spirit stones, in such a place, the spiritual energy within them would gradually dissipate, right?"

There were whispers of shock about the desolate conditions here.

"No choice."

Nihility Delusion's voice came again, "Given the current state of the entire Dragon Martial Continent, surviving is commendable enough, let alone talking about cultivation."

"True." Everyone nodded.

Nodding, they also gazed at the palace complex. Standing below it, despite being millions, they appeared as insignificant as ants.

A massive wall, a hundred meters high, was erected around the palace complex, enclosing it entirely.

The Hall of Dragon Guardians within it appeared even more magnificent and majestic, a feat of cultivators that mortals could not even fathom achieving.