The black spirit energy entered Xuan Tian's core, ready to corrupt it.
And then –
An extremely pure spirit energy erupted from the core, obliterating the black spirit energy.
------------------------------
Far away, in another part of the Celestial Realm, a crystal orb shattered into a million pieces. A pulse of primal spirit energy erupted from it, sending the person who had been watching Xuan Tian's descent through the orb flying backward. He almost crashed into the wall, but managed to stop himself in time.
------------------------------
Back at Xuan Tian's residence.
"MASTER!" Jing Xue was yelling in Xuan Tian's mind. Jing Xue had sensed something sinister and rushed back to the residence, only to find Xuan Tian passed out in the garden.
Xuan Tian's eyes fluttered open.
Jing Xue was nudging him, trying to force him awake.
"Master! Are you okay? What happened?"
Xuan Tian groggily gripped Jing Xue's mane to help himself sit up.
"I told you not to call me 'Master,'" he mumbled, still disoriented.
Jing Xue rolled his eyes. "Yes, Ge. Happy? Now tell me what happened."
"I'm not sure. I think… I think I was being corrupted into a Dark Celestial," Xuan Tian said, blinking his now brilliant purple eyes.
"WHAT?!"
Xuan Tian flinched at Jing Xue's shout. "Don't yell into my mind."
"Sorry," Jing Xue blinked. "I was just surprised. Dark Celestial? Are you sure, Ge? Then why are you not dark yet?"
"I'm not sure," Xuan Tian replied, just as confused.
"What do you know, then?" Jing Xue grumbled. "Can I knock your head? Maybe that'll help."
Xuan Tian glared at Jing Xue, who immediately clammed up.
Xuan Tian crossed his legs, circulated his spirit energy, and checked his core. He was amazed at what he found.
My core… is fully healed? A wound that even a thousand-year-old spirit pond couldn't heal—yet now it was completely restored.
Not only that, his cultivation had grown stronger. His Celestial Core now shone with golden-purple brilliance. Realizing it, Xuan Tian quickly began cultivating to solidify his advancement.
"Guard me," he ordered.
Jing Xue, sensing the shift, dropped all sarcasm. He simply answered, "Yes, General."
------------------------------
Master was furious.
What was that spirit energy? That primal force—it stirred his memory, but he quickly denied it. He had never seen anything like it. Not from Xuan Tian. Not from any Celestial.
He had failed to corrupt Xuan Tian. The black spirit energy he had secretly planted when Xuan Tian was injured five years ago was gone. All for nothing.
"I thought I can accompany you in your mission, General. Ensuring you're doing everything according to my wish, but you rebelled!"
"It's not over yet, Xuan Tian!!" he roared.
------------------------------
Xuan Tian slowly opened his eyes, his purple eyes now touched with hues of gold. He could feel the raw power pulsating through his meridians. It was intoxicating. Xuan Tian closed his eyes again, calming his mind.
If I'm not careful, I'd get addicted to this. This is why Dark Celestials exist. They cannot resist this intoxicating feeling.
Xuan Tian exhaled loudly a few times. His mind was in chaos. Part of him was screaming for more power. Another part was clutching desperately to his sanity.
A smile as warm as the sun suddenly appeared in his mind, and with a determined look, it said, "You're Iron Wall."
Xuan Tian smiled faintly. "I am."
With that, his mind cleared. When he opened his eyes again, they were bright and steady—no clouds in his gaze or his thoughts.
She had saved me yet again. A little weak human girl, saving the Great General of the Celestial Realm. I guess I'm weaker than she is.
Xuan Tian's smile fully bloomed at the thought.
Jing Xue, watching him from nearby, stared in pure horror.
He's smiling?! Am I dead?!
Xuan Tian moved his gaze to Jing Xue.
"Your jaw dropped."
Jing Xue quickly closed his jaw. "Who you talking to?"
"No one," Xuan Tian deadpanned.
"Ge, what happened?"
"I was attacked." Xuan Tian's eyes narrowed.
"Someone had managed to slipped a sliver of black spirit energy into my meridians. It must've been there for a while now, waiting for the right moment."
"Impossible! You've always been alert. I was always at your side – well, almost always. Anyway, it is impossible for anyone to slip something that disgusting when you're not aware."
Xuan Tian agreed. He's always alert. He knew the danger of being high in cultivation. The stronger he is, the greater the temptation was.
But… five years ago, when he returned injured, there were plenty of times to slipped it in. Someone must've took the opportunity. But who?!
Xuan Tian smirked. They've failed. I'm sure they'll try again. I'll be waiting.
He clenched his jaw, furious that someone saw him as a target.
The shift in the air was noticeable.
Xuan Tian lifted his head, "Come in."
The barrier surrounding Xuan's Residence entrance rippled slightly before returning still. One entered.
He bowed and saluted, "General. You called?"
"Yes. I've heard doctor Lin's side of the story, it matches with your reports over the years."
Xuan Tian recounted his theory to One.
"I believe you are correct, General. It all fit."
"Not only that," Xuan Tian narrowed his eyes, his face turned menacing.
"I believe the Celestial Mastermind had also targeted me."
"You, General?"
One's eyes widened in disbelief when he heard about Xuan Tian near disaster experience.
"Are – are you alright, General?"
Jing Xue rolled his eyes. Idiot.
Xuan Tian nodded, "I'm okay."
He continued, "You know that I've felt something's off with the current mission. Now I know why."
Xuan Tian paused before continuing, "Because of the Celestial Mastermind. I understand why Tianjun gave me this mission. He must've suspected the mastermind's identity. And he was aware that his spies are everywhere. He couldn't trust anybody."
His jaw was clenched. "To think that even Tianjun couldn't move freely—it must be because there are spies around him too."
How dare they!
Xuan Tian's spirit energy burst out, pushing Jing Xue and One back.
"General!"
"General!"
Both called out.
Xuan Tian closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.
"One, I have another important matter I want you to investigate. Doctor Xu Yun and Doctor Zhao Zhi are both missing. Find them. They were last seen in Yunchuan City."
"Yes, General!"
"You have updates for me?"
One gave his report, "The Emperor has issued an Imperial Edict. As of now, all ICEB activities are suspended. All Enforcers are confined within the capital and cannot leave without Mu Cangtian's permission."
"This edict is the result of a new investigation conducted by the Imperial Guards and the Alliance. They found that when the Crown Prince was kidnapped, he was accompanied by two ICEB captains. Mu Cangtian is furious they couldn't protect Mu Yiran."
"One of the captains has already been executed. The other was given five days, but one day has already passed. Mu Cangtian is giving Han Zhaofeng a chance to find the Crown Prince during that time. If he fails, the second captain will be executed."
One exhaled and looked at Xuan Tian. "The other captain awaiting execution is Captain Bai Xunli."
Xuan Tian's gaze snapped onto One. "By the time we arrive at the Human Realm, another day will pass, leaving us three days to intervene."
"General," One treaded carefully, "is it wise for us to intervene? Our order..."
"ICEB may have information that is vital for this mission. What better way to make them indebted to us than saving one of their own when they are helpless to do it?" Xuan Tian smirked. "Besides, I was attacked. This is personal. I will gladly take every opportunity to ruin the Celestial Mastermind's plan."
He looked at One, amused. "Also, this mission? It's my order, not yours."
One smiled. "Yes, General!"
Xuan Tian's gaze sharpened. "So, here's what we're going to do."