Chapter 16: Setting Out for Sky-Evil Valley

When Han Tianyue and his companions arrived at the northern wall of the Kingdom of Women, they were shocked to find it reduced to ruins. Fang Zhe, deeply worried about the woman in white, searched the vicinity thoroughly, but she was nowhere to be found, and he had no idea where she might have gone.

Meanwhile, near a massive crater southwest of the Purple Bamboo Forest, Feng Shang and Lei Dong encountered the teachers and students of the Hanlin Academy. After hearing Lei Dong’s account, they glared with fury at the approaching Evil Star, the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers, and the Forty Great Protectors.

As the Evil Star approached, the surroundings were instantly enveloped in a malevolent aura. Feng Shang habitually retreated behind the crowd.

"Evil Star, we have finally found you!" declared Teacher Xia Zhi.

The Evil Star caught sight of the group from the Hanlin Academy. Though his expression shifted slightly, he maintained his menacing demeanor and said, "What a coincidence, to meet like this!"

"Damn you, Evil Star, pay with your life!" Another teacher, unable to contain his rage, lunged forward.

Teacher Xia Zhi, observing the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers and the Four Great Protectors flanking the Evil Star, quickly held the impulsive teacher back. "Evil Star, I never expected you to have recruited the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers and the Four Great Protectors of the Kingdom of Women!"

The Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers and the Four Great Protectors exchanged knowing smiles. "We didn't realize that men from the outside world were familiar with our reputations!"

Teacher Xia Zhi sneered, "Naturally, we know them. But what we didn't expect was that your Kingdom of Women would shield such a wretched creature. It is a pity for the reputation your kingdom has built over ten thousand years!"

"This is a domestic matter of the Kingdom of Women; it is not for outsiders like you to gossip about!" With that, the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers launched their attack.

Leading the charge was the Heaven-Shaking Elephant, whose massive, elephant-like body surged forward with a powerful, explosive impact directed at Teacher Xia Zhi.

Teacher Xia Zhi remained calm and composed. Just as the Heaven-Shaking Elephant closed to within three centimeters of him, the entire space seemed to freeze. One of the students behind Teacher Xia Zhi split into countless phantoms, positioning themselves between the teacher and the attacker. The phantom images neutralized the force of the strike, and the Heaven-Shaking Elephant was forced to retreat.

"The opponent is not weak!" The Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers attacked in unison. The Heaven-Shaking Tiger wielded twin hammers; the Heaven-Shaking Leopard was lightning-fast; the Heaven-Shaking Wolf launched a fierce assault; the Heaven-Shaking Elephant unleashed explosive power; the Heaven-Shaking Rat manipulated the earth; the Heaven-Shaking Snake commanded a swarm of serpents; and the Heaven-Shaking Peacock fanned its lethal plumage. A kaleidoscope of diverse skills rained down from the sky.

Several students prepared to step forward, but with a wave of Teacher Xia Zhi’s hand, they held their positions.

As the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers hovered above him, Teacher Xia Zhi’s expression shifted subtly. He tossed his hand toward the sky and shouted, "Fan Dance!"

Fans materialized around him, and as he pointed his finger, blades of light erupted from them, instantly dismantling the Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers.

"Hehehe, hahaha!" The Evil Star chuckled from the side, his voice dripping with malice. Watching the defeat of the Flowers, he stepped forward and scoffed, "How utterly useless!"

The Seven Heaven-Shaking Flowers glanced at the Evil Star and immediately retreated.

As the Evil Star drew near, Teacher Xia Zhi, who had remained calm until now, felt his expression change drastically. *This is no longer the Evil Star I once knew,* he thought to himself. *The malevolent aura he exudes is far more wicked and terrifying.*

Knowing he was no match for the Evil Star, Teacher Xia Zhi realized that fighting would be disastrous. However, because they were so close, fleeing would lead to a chaotic pursuit, and few would survive. Maintaining a facade of composure, he engaged the Evil Star in a war of words, hoping to buy time to escape.

Meanwhile, after Han Tianyue and his group had spent about fifteen minutes at the northern wall, the Ninth Generation Grandmother arrived, dressed in a high-profile phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes.

"Ninth Generation Grandmother!" Han Tianyue and the others bowed in respect.

The Grandmother looked at them, nodded, and asked, "Has the woman in white gone after them?"

Fang Zhe stepped forward. "She arrived here before us, but by the time we reached the wall, she was already gone."

The Ninth Generation Grandmother scanned the horizon calmly and looked toward the north. "It seems I have no choice but to make a trip to the Valley of Heavenly Evil."

Hearing this, Fang Zhe realized the woman in white must have headed there as well. "Ninth Generation Grandmother, I will go with you!"

Although they still didn't know Feng Shang's whereabouts, Han Tianyue and Mao Xuanzi, as his companions, were unwilling to be left behind. "We will go too!"

The Grandmother looked back at the three young men and nodded. "Follow me."

Though aged, the Ninth Generation Grandmother moved with agility, leaving the group far behind in the blink of an eye. Han Tianyue and his companions chased after her at full speed, yet they still struggled to keep pace as they followed her figure toward the north.