The Terrifying Grand Array of Radiant Lake Palace

After Joe Di finished speaking, he raised his hand and tossed out several array flags. At the same time, his divine sense constructed two sets of rule flags in the void, initiating the explosive Immortal Array.

Without waiting for Nate Shee to intervene, an even more terrifying explosion erupted. Violent tremors shook the ground beneath everyone's feet, accompanied by the sounds of collapse. In this moment, it felt as if the end of Radiant Lake Palace had arrived.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The wild explosions continued unabated, and the various defensive arrays of Radiant Lake Palace were destroyed like paper, one after another.

With all the defensive arrays destroyed, everyone's spiritual sense swept out without obstruction. They immediately realized that not only the outer defenses, but even the golden staircase they had ascended was obliterated. The once magnificent Radiant Lake Palace was now reduced to a solitary Radiant Lake Peak and the Radiant Lake beneath their feet.

"You court death..." Nate Shee charged at Joe Di in a frenzy, reaching out to grab him.

Joe Di didn't move, nor did Zhong Ao. Yin Wushang stood up and threw a punch.

Boom! Endless immortal essence erupted, and the surrounding pavilions were blasted to rubble. Both Nate Shee and Yin Wushang looked slightly pale.

Whether the two had gone all out or not, this clash was evenly matched.

Joe Di said coolly, "Nate Shee, I'll give you a little more than half a stick of incense. If I still don't see you bring Guildmaster Qu here, I will destroy your entire Radiant Lake."

Nate Shee calmed down. Joe Di had destroyed the palace's defensive arrays, the golden staircase, and everything outside Radiant Lake Palace—all because Joe Di had secretly set up explosive Immortal Arrays that Nate Shee hadn't detected.

Here, above the Radiant Lake, he sat with unshakable confidence—no matter how great Joe Di’s abilities, he could not destroy his Radiant Lake. Joe Di had already obliterated the protective array of Radiant Lake Palace; this was now a feud to the death.

Nate Shee clasped his fists to the crowd and declared, "Today, Joe Di has gone too far—he has destroyed the protective array of Radiant Lake Palace and committed violence in our halls. Any cultivator willing to speak for Radiant Lake Palace, please step forward. If you wish to avoid this matter, kindly withdraw from the field of battle for now."

Joe Di spoke calmly, "Friends, I believe everyone here knows the true cause of today’s conflict, and who is truly abusing their power. Today, between me and Nate Shee, it is a fight to the death. Those who stand with Nate Shee become my mortal enemies. If you do not wish to be involved, please leave Radiant Lake now."

No matter how many remained, Joe Di felt no fear. His strength today far surpassed what it had been at the Peace Hotel. Now, not only did he command a ninth-level immortal slaughter array, but he also had formidable allies like Yin Wushang and Zhong Ao. Even though Sam Shen was a fourth-level Immortal Emperor, Joe Di did not expect him to contribute much.

Five Immortal Emperors stepped to Nate Shee’s side, clearly preparing to face Joe Di together. What puzzled Joe Di was that Ethan He, whose arm he had destroyed earlier, did not join Nate Shee.

A moment’s thought revealed the reason—Ethan He was the Pavilion Lord of Aurora Elixir Pavilion, which belonged to Nate Shee. Ethan He had always worked tirelessly for Nate Shee; even his attempt to seize the Cloudrealm Banner from Joe Di was obviously for Nate Shee’s sake.

Yet, for the sake of his reputation and to righteously imprison Joe Di, Nate Shee had not openly supported Ethan He’s attack. This left Ethan He disheartened and weary.

Ethan He was, after all, a Grand Immortal Emperor—one with his own dignity. And with Joe Di’s side now boasting not only Zhong Ao but also Yin Wushang, Ethan He, who knew Yin Wushang’s true strength better than anyone, hesitated.

Moreover, Joe Di had secretly set up a grand array, detonating the protective formations and many buildings of Radiant Lake Palace. This made Ethan He unwilling to risk his life for Nate Shee.

Nate Shee saw that only five Immortal Emperors had come to his aid, and among them, only Jed Carey was a true powerhouse. According to his plans, at least ten should have stood with him. Ethan He’s withdrawal filled him with a deep, burning fury.

Even the two sycophants who had always tried to curry favor—Fang Qi and He Weiwei—now seemed eager to leave Radiant Lake and withdraw from the conflict.

Clearly, after Joe Di destroyed the protective array, many no longer believed in Nate Shee. It was rumored that Radiant Lake Palace held an array beyond even the immortal level, but this was only legend—no one had ever seen it.

"Sect Master Zhou, what is the meaning of this?" Nate Shee was trying to rally allies, but when Zhou Bujian, Sect Master of the Swordshifting Immortal Sect, walked over to Joe Di’s side, Nate Shee’s expression changed instantly.

Zhou Bujian was no ordinary Immortal Emperor. Though there were now six on Nate Shee’s side, including himself, even Jed Carey might not be Zhou Bujian’s equal. If Zhou Bujian aided Joe Di, the situation would truly escalate.

The sword without a sheath on Zhou Bujian’s back hummed with resonance as he said calmly, "I still have questions for Alchemy Emperor Di. Besides, I do know what he spoke of earlier—Guildmaster Qu did indeed disappear within Radiant Lake Palace. On this matter, Alchemy Emperor Di is in the right."

A chill crept into Nate Shee’s heart. Radiant Lake Palace did indeed possess a top-tier natural array, but even for him to activate it would cost immense effort. Now that Zhou Bujian had joined the other side, Nate Shee realized he might have to unleash the grand array to have any hope of victory.

Before Nate Shee could decide, Mo Luexue, the Snowmelt Immortal Emperor of Yaohua Snow Mountain, not only refused to withdraw but actually stepped over to Joe Di’s side alongside Zhou Bujian.

"Master, didn’t you always say we should keep a low profile..." Ai Qingbing, seeing her master side with Joe Di, hurriedly sent a voice transmission.

This was no trivial matter—it concerned the very survival of their sect. Her master had always taught caution, but now seemed anything but cautious.

"Justice must always exist. Guildmaster of the Alchemist Guild’s disappearance was indeed suspicious." The Snowmelt Immortal Emperor replied to Ai Qingbing without hesitation. As for the truth, perhaps only he knew it in his heart.

"Thank you, Sect Master Zhou and Sect Master Mo, for keeping justice in your hearts." Joe Di hadn’t expected the Snowmelt Immortal Emperor and the Swordshifting Immortal Emperor to stand with him. He had never feared Nate Shee, but now, with their support, he was even less afraid.

Joe Di had barely finished speaking before he saw Fang Qi and He Weiwei trying to leave. He smiled lightly and said, "Fang Qi, He Weiwei, don’t go just yet. I’ll settle accounts with you later."

Hearing Joe Di ask them to stay, Fang Qi and He Weiwei only hurried their steps, trying to leave even faster.

Joe Di’s words made one thing clear: he did not fear Nate Shee at all, even if those two joined the fight. It made no difference to him.

But as they took only a few steps, the world around them shifted—a blade aura surged, and the immortal slaughter array trapped both of them. Neither had seen when Joe Di had set up the formation.

This time, Nate Shee didn’t even bother questioning. He drew out a blue array flag and tossed it forward, his blood essence surging wildly.

As soon as Joe Di saw the flag, his spirit soared. He was certain it was a genuine Azure Lotus Treasure Banner. Nate Shee possessed not only a counterfeit, but also a true Azure Lotus Treasure Banner.

In the next instant, even those standing above Radiant Lake could feel a terrifying surge of primal energy. Such energy, Joe Di thought, was perhaps one percent of what could be found in Daihe Hall.

Joe Di was astounded—if he could cultivate beneath such supreme primal energy, his strength would surely soar again.

Just how terrifying would a grand array powered by such energy be?

Just as Joe Di pondered this, a thunderous roar erupted, and the entire space vanished. It felt as if he were trapped beneath a curtain of slaughter; the next moment, a terrifying blade light pierced his chest, leaving him no time to resist—he was nearly torn in half by its force.

This was truly an array surpassing the immortal level. At this moment, not only Joe Di but several other Immortal Emperors suffered heavy injuries. Not just the Swordshifting and Snowmelt Immortal Emperors—even Yin Wushang was wounded in several places by the killing force of the array.

Joe Di drew a sharp breath. Things could not go on like this—if they did, his side would be utterly annihilated. This grand array was truly fearsome, even more so than Yin Wushang had warned.

"Joe Di, I cannot break this array in a short time. You must protect yourself—I am certain the enemy cannot maintain this array for long," Zhong Ao’s timely voice rang out.

Joe Di ignored Zhong Ao. As another blade light tore through his leg bone, he managed to construct an activation array flag. He wondered—if not for his mastery of cosmic laws, even with countless law flags, he might still be unable to activate the grand array here.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions echoed, waves surged violently, and every cultivator trapped within the immortal slaughter array felt the space collapsing. The Radiant Lake beneath their feet tilted and trembled.

Nate Shee, who had activated the grand array, already had hair turning gray; now his face grew deathly pale. None knew the truth better than he did—Radiant Lake was being torn apart by Joe Di.

He controlled the top-tier immortal slaughter array over Radiant Lake, and his mind was clear as a mirror. But after Radiant Lake shattered, he suddenly lost control over the array.

In that instant, even Nate Shee finally understood—the true core of the natural immortal slaughter array at Radiant Lake Palace was the lake itself. Yet just as he realized this, the array core was destroyed.

A wave of despair flooded his heart. Why was the array core of such a mighty immortal slaughter array so fragile?