Jiang Yuan and Mo Fan, led by a Golden Radiance Knight, stepped through a tall bronze door.
"Rumble."
The incredibly heavy bronze door closed, and the two were immediately sealed within the palace, but their Minds were entirely elsewhere.
Jiang Yuan walked ahead, following the light of the flames. The stone pillars on both sides, under the dim light, lacked any sense of holiness or solemnity; instead, they appeared eerie and terrifying.
Reaching the innermost part, a brazier of flames burned fiercely.
A massive holy pillar stood in the center of the holy fire altar, and at its base, thick silver chains bound a frail woman.
Ye Xinxia did not cry out, nor was she in despair.
Her face was extremely pale, and she was emaciated and haggard, devoid of her usual vitality.
Her eyes looked at the two who had entered.
"Am I dreaming? Brother Jiang Yuan, Brother Mo Fan, have you come?"
Jiang Yuan's brows furrowed.
Even though he had anticipated this scene, seeing it with his own eyes still filled him with unbearable pain and anger.
What was the necessity of the Pathenon Temple's existence?
It monopolized the Light Element and numerous Healing resources with powerful auxiliary abilities, yet it brought little benefit.
It utterly wasted Athena's original intention in establishing the Pathenon Temple!
"Xinxia!!" Mo Fan shouted, rushing over impatiently.
Jiang Yuan was even faster, instantly teleporting to Xinxia's side.
"Brother Jiang Yuan, it really is you."
Xinxia looked up, the emotions in her eyes utterly indescribable, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Upon seeing the most familiar people, Ye Xinxia's emotions finally could no longer be hidden.
"How dare those scoundrels arrest you! I'm going to tear down this rotten temple!!!" Mo Fan said furiously.
Jiang Yuan unbound the chains on Xinxia and used water vapor to wash away the dust on her, making her look a little better, though she remained haggard.
"Don't worry, Mo Fan and I will take you out," Jiang Yuan said.
Xinxia bit her lip lightly, and after a long while, said, "They said I am Salang, and that there's another person living inside my body."
"Salang? Isn't that the Black Vatican Red Cardinal? How could it be you! They're just spouting nonsense!" Mo Fan cursed.
How could such a lovely Xinxia be the cruel and utterly evil Black Vatican Red Cardinal?
"But that's what they said. My blood can also merge into Salang's Cardinal Bloodstone, and I did kill Penny Jia. Her blood is already on me," Xinxia lowered her head, her expression sorrowful.
"Someone must have manipulated you. The Pathenon Temple has so many Mind experts; who knows who's pulling strings in the dark? Didn't they make you a Goddess candidate? It must be related to that!" Mo Fan said with conviction.
What he said indeed made a lot of sense.
Xinxia looked up again and said, "I still remember some scenes, and those scenes are very bad."
"I told you it's not you, someone is framing you!" Mo Fan said.
"It's not you, I know who Salang is," Jiang Yuan suddenly said.
"Really?" Both looked over.
Jiang Yuan nodded: "Salang is indeed in the Pathenon Temple, but she is not Xinxia."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's quickly go drag her out and clear Xinxia's name!" Mo Fan didn't care how Jiang Yuan knew; he only wanted to clear Xinxia's name.
"It's useless. Someone has planned a lot for Xinxia. She must enter Dark Judgment, otherwise those people won't give up," Jiang Yuan said coldly.
"Brother Jiang Yuan, you seem to know a lot of things," Xinxia said.
She suddenly couldn't see any emotional fluctuations in Jiang Yuan's eyes; there was no emotion, only indifference.
So unfamiliar.
Jiang Yuan had entered an overclocked state, and his control over the armored robe had reached the most crucial moment.
"I do know a lot of things. I even know who your mother is. You probably have some guesses too, Xinxia?" Jiang Yuan confessed frankly.
By now, there was no longer any need to hide many things.
Having the armored robe for so long, he hadn't truly enjoyed the feeling of an Emperor's unbridled power.
It was truly a regret.
Starting today, he could finally enjoy it a little.
"..." Xinxia fell silent, but the light in her eyes flickered continuously.
"What are you two talking about?!" Mo Fan stood foolishly to the side.
He hated riddles the most in this life!
"Alright, let's take Xinxia out," Jiang Yuan turned around.
"Then the Pathenon Temple..."
Mo Fan's words were cut short by Jiang Yuan: "Didn't we come here just to take Xinxia away? Why are you still dawdling?"
"Okay, let's go!" Mo Fan was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming extremely serious.
"Xinxia, do you want me to carry you or Mo Fan to carry you?" Jiang Yuan turned back and asked.
"I want to walk myself!" Xinxia stood up determinedly, following behind the two, step by step, towards the door!
The heavy bronze door slowly opened, and rays of sunlight fell upon the three.
What should have been a bright scene felt incredibly heavy at this moment.
On the high steps, rows of Golden Radiance Knights stood imposingly, surging magical pressure sweeping towards the three!
Looking further, all the Judgement Mages of the Pathenon Temple's Judgement Hall were there, their hands shining with magical light, as if they would turn the three into ashes the next moment!
Even further away, Penny Jia's funeral was being held, with almost all the Pathenon Temple's high-ranking officials present, as well as guests from many factions.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the three!
"You two intend to violate the Holy Judgment Court's procedure and take Ye Xinxia from us?" The Grand Sage looked at the two, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
Want to challenge the Pathenon Temple?
No one could do it!
"Truly ignorant and fearless, thinking that clearing the Star River Mountain Path means you can be enemies with our Pathenon Temple?" said Golden Radiance Knight Ya Fa. He was Penny Jia's Guardian Knight and the one who detested Ye Xinxia the most!
"You can try to stop us," Jiang Yuan said indifferently.
"Boastful! Do you think you're very strong? In front of true experts, you are nothing!!!"
Ya Fa shouted furiously, dazzling constellations forming around him, the seven constellations combining to form a magnificent and majestic Star Palace.
The Star Palace radiated light, and endless power gathered before him.
"Thousand Leaf Blade Wind Slash!"
In an instant, the golden storm transformed into a thousand wind blades dancing in the sky, finally converging into an incredibly sharp golden scythe that slashed down, vowing to annihilate the arrogant Jiang Yuan!
However, facing this terrifying Super-Level magic, Jiang Yuan took step after step forward, an ancient armored phantom gradually appearing behind him.
Helmet.
Breastplate.
Shoulder guards.
Neck guard.
Cloak.
With each step, a part of it emerged.
Mo Fan's pupils suddenly dilated, and his mouth involuntarily opened wide. The armored figure slowly overlapped with the image in his memory.
Overwhelming Emperor's might descended!
"Ancient King!!!"
Behind Jiang Yuan, the Ancient King's phantom raised his right hand.