The Eight Empresses Betrayed Me, Only to Deeply Regret It After Being Reborn

Chapter 60: It’s Not Because I’m Weak:

“What just happened?”

Outside the Prodigy’s Ancient Battlefield, a commotion erupted.

The powerhouses of the Supreme Imperial Court were in a frenzy. Moments ago, several of their strongest members had fallen, including the royal prince, Shangguan Wuchang.

“Who did this? Who killed the warriors of the Supreme Imperial Court?”

Bloodshot eyes filled with fury, a powerhouse roared, his killing intent surging like a tidal wave.

“The disciples of the Yin-Yang Law Sect have perished as well? Damn it! Was there another large-scale battle?”

“No, it wasn’t a battle. How could a battle end so quickly? This was a massacre!”

“Who was it?”

“Whoever it is, the Supreme Imperial Court will never let them go!”

Many who heard the Supreme Imperial Court’s roars frowned in irritation.

It had happened too fast. What on earth transpired inside the Prodigy’s Ancient Battlefield? So many prodigies falling in such a short time—it was terrifying.

Bai Qiulan’s expression turned suspicious. Something didn’t add up.

The Taishang Sword Sect, the Calamity Sect, and the Grand Dao Sect had not lost a single person. These three sects had always been closely allied. Now, several disciples from the Yin-Yang Law Sect were dead, two from the Mountain River Treasure Pagoda Sect, and countless from the Supreme Imperial Court.

It felt… like Lu Ye had acted.

Inside the Prodigy’s Ancient Battlefield, there was likely no one else capable of unleashing such devastating power.

She hoped it wasn’t Lu Ye. If he had clashed with these factions, there was a very real possibility they could be annihilated completely.

…

Inside the battlefield, a crowd that had marched with great fanfare moments ago now returned with heads hung low in utter defeat.

Lu Ye’s overwhelming display of power had shattered their confidence.

They were all prodigies. In the path of cultivation, some were ahead, and some were behind—that was natural.

But this wasn’t about being slightly ahead. It felt as if they were all running on the same track, only for Lu Ye to have already crossed the finish line and collected the trophy while they were still halfway.

Lu Ye’s presence was like a towering mountain blocking their path. While they could continue moving forward, he was an unavoidable obstacle for anyone who aspired to reach the peak.

Ding Yuqing was still grappling with how to explain this to everyone.

“My senior brother killed your senior brother?” Yue Hongling’s voice broke through as she reappeared, glaring at Lu Qingyan.

Lu Qingyan was speechless.

“Then it’s my turn to kill you next,” Yue Hongling declared, brimming with fighting intent.

Lu Qingyan was undeniably strong, making her the perfect opponent. Lu Ye’s rapid rise in power filled Yue Hongling with an urgent desire to improve herself.

“Hongling…” Ding Yuqing’s voice faltered, utterly exasperated.

Are you siblings planning to shake the heavens with your antics?

A prodigy from the Yin-Yang Law Sect stepped forward. “Five of my fellow disciples have fallen. They survived battles against demons and devils but died at the hands of their own kind. This cannot go unanswered!”

“The Mountain River Treasure Pagoda Sect will also demand an explanation from the Grand Dao Sect!” another voice added.

However, this wasn’t the time. Demanding explanations now could provoke Lu Ye to come out again.

“When we leave the battlefield, or when the final three layers open, we’ll address this!”

“Did the humans leave?”

“They seem to have left.”

“Let’s go see what happened.”

The other factions stirred. Earlier, the human forces were too overwhelming, leaving everyone too intimidated to approach. Now, with the humans retreating, they cautiously ventured closer, though still maintaining a safe distance.

From afar, they observed the scene.

Lu Ye sat calmly under the Enlightenment Tree, its branches swaying gently. Threads of light emanated from the tree, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

The traces of battle were evident—bloodstains and signs of destruction. The outcome was clear: Lu Ye had won.

The demons, ghosts, and divine factions were baffled.

What had just happened? The humans had arrived in such forceful numbers, only to leave dejected and defeated?

The demons and the Buddhist sects, however, let out sighs of relief.

It wasn’t because they were too weak. It was because Lu Ye was simply too strong.

“That’s him, the one who killed Tu Wuying with a single strike,” the son of the Demon Emperor, Ye An, murmured, his tone heavy.

“Him!” The demon powerhouses gasped in unison.

No wonder. No wonder the Enlightenment Tree remained untouched. Ye An had repeatedly warned them not to provoke the human beneath the tree.

Apparently, he had been scarred so deeply that the fear lingered in his heart.

“A prodigy like that emerging from the human race… What should we do?” someone asked.

Everyone understood the terror of an unparalleled prodigy.

Such a figure would rise with a tide of blood and fire. If this prodigy belonged to the human race, the ones to suffer would inevitably be the other factions.

“There’s only one option!” Ye An’s eyes gleamed with ruthless determination.

“What option?”

“When the final three layers of the Prodigy’s Ancient Battlefield open, the strongest of all factions must join forces to kill him!” Ye An declared.

“But won’t the human powerhouses intervene?” someone questioned.

Ye An sneered. “Haven’t you noticed? He prefers to act alone. If we strike swiftly, the humans won’t have time to respond.”

“Brilliant plan, Young Master!”

Ye An cast a deep, lingering glance at Lu Ye.

If this man wasn’t eliminated, the other races would lose their peace forever. He turned to begin rallying allies, preparing for the final phase.

…

Meanwhile, Lu Ye found himself mildly troubled.

What was his current cultivation level? Breaking the Nascent Soul Realm?

Within his dantian, the small manifestation of himself had grown into a miniature giant. If he wished, he could break through to the Void Refinement Stage at any moment.

But he hesitated, wary of unknown consequences. Breaking through might trigger dormant forces within him.

He decided to wait for the final three layers to open. With the Blood Sea Pure Pearl in hand, he could deliver a devastating blow to the Eternal Prodigy List. That strike would surely please the list, granting him immense power.

Afterward, he would ascend to the Void Refinement Stage in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, the battlefield lacked the last material for forging a third life—a withered person’s wood. Together with the Blood Sea Pure Pearl and the Golden Sky Sunflower, it would allow him to forge his third life.

This time, he planned to use every advantage. As he had jested to Bai Qiulan when he first arrived, if he reached the ultimate stage of merging nine lives into one, he might become the strongest saint in history.

His mind wandered with endless thoughts.

He had comprehended nearly all there was to grasp under the Enlightenment Tree. His understanding of the Dao was already near perfection. This experience had simply provided a new perspective.

Now that he had seen what he came for, he stood up, ready to leave.

Just as he prepared to vanish, a branch lightly tapped his shoulder.

The Enlightenment Tree swayed gently, emanating a silent plea. It was asking him to take it along.