The reason Divine Lord Yu Qin was able to deceive everyone so easily was largely because the other Heavenly Venerables did not keep many slaves. Even if they had any, most had already been dispatched elsewhere. For a time, news of their deaths was not immediately known. This was unlike figures such as Heavenly Venerable Nanming, who had far more oath-bound subordinates.
Of course, elders of this level would not casually form oaths with others. Only those with higher cultivation or real value would be bound by vows.
As for the rest, they were left to be managed by subordinates. Only important followers were required to swear loyalty. It was precisely by exploiting this loophole that their plan succeeded—otherwise, once exposed, everything would have been over.
After all, once a master dies, those bound by oath immediately sense it. Divine Lord Yu Qin sensed it the moment it happened. Even while dragging her injured body, she had to leave at once. If an investigation followed, she would certainly be dead.
Not long after her departure, news of Heavenly Venerable Nanming's death spread rapidly. Many God Generals had sworn oaths to him, and the moment he died, they sensed it immediately.
They quickly gathered together. The Sacred Peak main hall was filled with an oppressive atmosphere. Once they confirmed Heavenly Venerable Nanming's death, everyone realized something was terribly wrong—it likely meant total annihilation.
If even Heavenly Venerable Nanming had fallen, how could the others be any better off?
"Nine Heavenly Venerables… they may all be gone," said one Heavenly Venerable at the side, his expression icy, his voice colder than an abyss, filling everyone with fear.
These were nine Heavenly Venerables—not nine Divine Lords, and certainly not nine Heavenly Monarchs. If it had been Divine Lords or Heavenly Monarchs, no one would care much. But nine core combat forces had died—this was an entirely different matter.
"Yes. Losing nine Heavenly Venerables means the power of Sacred Peak God Domain has been cut in half," another Heavenly Venerable said grimly.
"If this continues, Sacred Peak God Domain will struggle to gain any advantage in the God Domain War."
"Domain Lord Sacred Peak, your performance has truly disappointed us."
The Heavenly Venerables from the Inner God Domain all looked extremely displeased. They had originally believed this mission would rescue the captured elders. Instead, not only were they not rescued, even more people were lost. No one could possibly be happy about this.
If losing four Heavenly Venerables before was like severing one arm, then now both arms were gone—along with a leg. Nine Heavenly Venerables, including a powerful Grand Elder—how could they not be furious?
"It must be Wan Tian God Domain!"
Domain Lord Sacred Peak finally exploded in rage, leaping to his feet.
"They must have ambushed us with all their Heavenly Venerables there. That's the only way this could have happened! We'll attack them now and wipe them out!"
"What did you say?"
The Heavenly Venerables turned their cold gazes on Domain Lord Sacred Peak. Just one look caused his momentum to falter, and he dared not utter another word.
Seeing him calm down, several Heavenly Venerables spoke coldly,
"No matter what, you must endure it for now. Wait until the God Domain War begins. Charging in again would only fall into their trap and waste more of our people."
It wasn't that they didn't want revenge—it was that revenge now would ruin everything. Continuing to charge in would be walking straight into the enemy's net and placing themselves in an even worse position.
Think about it—Three Realms God Domain might already be covered in a heavenly net, with most of Wan Tian God Domain's forces lying in ambush. Unless they launched a full-scale war, they would only suffer defeat.
Thus, they had no choice but to restrain themselves and wait for the God Domain War to begin. That would be the time for vengeance.
"Y-yes…"
Domain Lord Sacred Peak gradually calmed down. He had always been hot-tempered, the type who would repay any slight in blood. Anyone who touched his reverse scale would be crushed mercilessly.
Yet now, he had to swallow this rage and endure it, waiting for the God Domain War to begin before striking back.
"By the way, how did that girl manage to escape alive?" one Heavenly Venerable suddenly said, sensing something amiss.
"Capture her immediately. Interrogate her thoroughly and search her soul!"
"Yes!"
The guards immediately went to seize Divine Lord Yu Qin. Moments later, they rushed back in panic.
"Reporting, my lord! Divine Lord Yu Qin has vanished without a trace. Her whereabouts are completely unknown!"
"As expected!"
That Heavenly Venerable crushed the jade cup in his hand into powder. The other Heavenly Venerables immediately realized what had happened.
A trap. Everything had been a trap.
At the time, they hadn't questioned it too deeply. Now it was clear—it had all been a deception.
"How tragic! To think we fell for something like this. Truly careless!"
Everyone present had been fooled. The humiliation burned deeply. For dignified Heavenly Venerables to be played like this—it was nothing short of disgrace.
"When the God Domain War begins, we must annihilate Three Realms God Domain—and Wan Tian God Domain as well!"
One Heavenly Venerable's eyes glinted with killing intent. No matter what, Three Realms God Domain had to be destroyed completely. As for Wan Tian God Domain, it had effectively been forced to take the blame—having done nothing, yet being made the scapegoat.
This was the only conclusion they could reach. How else could a mere first-grade God Domain kill nine Heavenly Venerables without the support of a powerful force?
In reality… no support was needed at all.
Within Three Realms God Domain, Yi Tianyun was calmly waiting, watching to see if any more powerful enemies would dare to come.
"Killing nine Heavenly Venerables really yields great experience," Yi Tianyun chuckled.
"It's enough for me to level up several times over."
The harvest was astonishing. Just the Heavenly Venerable spirit treasures alone numbered more than nine, not to mention the other valuables.
When all of it was added together, it was an absolutely staggering fortune.
"But they probably won't dare come again," Yi Tianyun sneered.
"If they do, they'll have to rely on external forces. I'm actually looking forward to it—more experience is always welcome. Only then will I truly have a chance to win this war!"
If his cultivation broke through to the Heavenly Venerable realm, the God Domain War would essentially be secured. Just imagine—reaching the Heavenly Venerable level and unleashing one hundred and twenty-eight times power. Who could possibly withstand that?
"Hm?"
Yi Tianyun's brows twitched. He vanished instantly, reappearing at the edge of Three Realms God Domain.
A figure was slowly flying toward him—it was Divine Lord Yu Qin.
She was still heavily injured, her face pale as she forced herself to fly here before fully recovering.
"You're injured?"
Yi Tianyun immediately flew over to her.
"Y-you came…"
Divine Lord Yu Qin smiled faintly and collapsed straight toward him.
Yi Tianyun caught her by the shoulders and found that she had already passed out. Her injuries were extremely severe. After a brief examination, he realized these wounds were not fresh—but old.
In that instant, he understood everything.