Great Emperor Xue Li's soul was seized by terror, his scalp tingling with dread! He was locked down by the Heavenly Dao's killing intent, and it would not cease until he was dead!
"Grand Dao Sect, if you dare kill me, my Heavenly Net Palace will never let you go..." Xue Li roared.
But the Cangxuan Old Ancestor merely snorted, completely ignoring the threat. If this man didn't die, what face would the Grand Dao Sect have left? The Grand Dao Sect didn't seek trouble, but it certainly didn't fear it.
Xue Li turned to his two Emperor-level servants and screamed, "Lend me your strength!"
In the next instant, the two Emperor servants self-destructed. An Emperor-realm self-detonation was terrifying beyond measure, instantly transforming them into a boundless sea of blood that surged into Xue Li's blood pool.
Everyone was stunned. So, these two Emperor servants were merely Xue Li's reserve blood banks!
Xue Li screamed and cursed, desperately fueling the blood pool while summoning his Emperor Weapon to try and block the Heavenly Dao's killing intent!
But it was useless!
Boom!
Crack!
The Heavenly Dao's killing intent was the ultimate arbiter of life and death—it could not be stopped!
Moments later, Xue Li's miserable shrieks echoed across the sky.
"My Heavenly Net Palace's Nineteenth Elder, Emperor Mo Ying, is coming with the Palace Lord's decree!"
"Grand Dao Sect, my Heavenly Net Palace will never forgive you..."
Before he could finish, Great Emperor Xue Li was utterly extinguished.
The sky returned to a clear, pristine blue. Great Emperor Xue Li was annihilated, his body and soul reduced to dust, leaving nothing behind.
His Dao was extinguished, his body destroyed! Erased by the Heavenly Dao, he would never enter the cycle of reincarnation!
The world fell silent.
In the distance, the powerful experts from various states watched the Cangxuan Old Ancestor in shock. The mysterious aura around the Old Ancestor began to recede. The borrowed Heavenly Authority had returned to the world.
A Grey-robed Great Emperor gasped, "Within this small domain, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor, though only a Six-star Great Emperor, can instantly kill a Seven-star Great Emperor!"
Everyone was shaken. On the Grand Dao Sect's territory, their Emperors could crush peers and even instantly kill those a realm higher! This was the terrifying might of the Grand Dao Scripture! And this was merely the supreme secret art of the Grand Dao Scripture's second scroll!
Many Emperor-realm experts immediately used ancient secret arts to spread the news. A high-star Great Emperor of the Heavenly Net Palace had been wiped out by the Grand Dao Sect! This was a monumental event!
Moreover, Xue Li's dying words revealed that the Heavenly Net Palace's Nineteenth Elder, Emperor Mo Ying, was arriving with the decree of Palace Lord Duan Hunsheng. It seemed this matter was far from over!
The descent of the Palace Lord's decree, in a sense, was equivalent to Palace Lord Duan Hunsheng himself demanding an explanation from the Grand Dao Sect.
In an instant, the distant void tore open again. Boom! More Great Emperors arrived, eager to witness the clash between two hegemonic powers.
A Grey-robed Great Emperor sighed, "Alas, we are too late. I heard Great Emperor Xue Li has already been annihilated by the Cangxuan Old Ancestor!"
A few elders nearby smiled faintly. "Indeed! You didn't witness the Cangxuan Old Ancestor's Heavenly Dao killing intent. That was the legendary 'When the time comes, Heaven and Earth lend their strength,' controlling the authority of the world and borrowing its killing intent. Such a supreme secret art is truly astonishing!"
At this moment, a Great Emperor wearing a black hooded robe spoke with profound meaning, "That supreme secret art involves the secrets of the Ancient Era. It is a killing move personally bestowed by the Heavenly Dao. You cannot simply envy it."
At his words, only a handful of people nodded. The other Great Emperors were bewildered and shocked. A killing move personally bestowed by the Heavenly Dao! This was too earth-shattering! What exactly had the Grand Dao Sect done to earn such a reward from the Heavenly Dao?
Many Great Emperors bowed respectfully to the mysterious Black-hooded Great Emperor. "Senior, could you enlighten us? What happened to the Grand Dao Sect in the Ancient Era?"
The Black-hooded Great Emperor pondered for a moment. "Very well. The matter is ancient, but not entirely secret. I shall tell you..."
He began to narrate. In the Ancient Era, when the Ultimate Path to the Supreme Realm opened, the Grand Dao Sect and the Supreme Profound Sect were far superior to all other forces. The Supreme Realm opportunity in the Southern Wilds ultimately fell to these two hegemonic sects.
Soon, a great war erupted between them! Their philosophies were fundamentally opposed. The Grand Dao Sect advocated aligning with the Heavenly Dao, becoming one with the Dao, a philosophy the Grand Dao Scripture embodied to the extreme. The Supreme Profound Sect, however, advocated defying Heaven, using the Heavenly Dao's methods to control the Heavenly Dao.
Their paths diverged, and they could not coexist! The world-shaking war between the two sects was essentially a conflict of philosophical Daos!
As he spoke, the Black-hooded Great Emperor fell into recollection, and the hearts of the Great Emperors present surged, unable to calm down. Were the Grand Dao Sect and the Supreme Profound Sect truly that powerful back then?
Someone asked, "Senior, what happened next?"
The Black-hooded Great Emperor replied, "That battle was the most glorious time for the human race. Other foreign races were powerless and chose to remain dormant, awaiting the next opening of the Ultimate Path. Many major human forces chose sides, and the resulting bloodbath stretched for millions of miles, like a dragon fighting in the wilderness, its blood turning the earth yellow! It was too tragic! Half the Emperors in the Southern Wilds' history died in that chapter!"
"The Grand Dao Sect's overall strength and command were superior to the Supreme Profound Sect's! If the war had continued, the Grand Dao Sect would surely have won! But at that time, the Heavenly Dao issued its will: if the bloodbath continued, the Southern Wilds' world power would be shattered, and there would be no more Supreme Realm opportunity."
"The Supreme Profound Sect chose to defy Heaven, but the Grand Dao Sect chose to retreat strategically. In the end, the Supreme Profound Sect's founder stepped into the Supreme Realm and left this world. The Heavenly Dao bestowed the Heavenly Dao killing move upon the Grand Dao Sect, after which the Grand Dao Sect's founder disappeared without a trace..."
Hearing this, the Great Emperors were deeply moved. The choices of both the Grand Dao Sect and the Supreme Profound Sect founders aligned with their respective 'Daos'! But this was the Supreme Realm opportunity! The Grand Dao Sect founder had simply given it up!
One Great Emperor remarked, "So, the Heavenly Dao owes the Grand Dao Sect a Supreme!"
The Black-hooded Great Emperor nodded. "You could say that, but in the subsequent openings of the Ultimate Path, no one from the Grand Dao Sect has stepped into the Supreme Realm."
Everyone sighed with regret. The struggle for the Supreme Realm was a fleeting opportunity! There was no room for compromise! Nominally, the Heavenly Dao might owe the Grand Dao Sect a Supreme, but in reality, it was impossible for the Heavenly Dao to specifically grant the Grand Dao Sect the Supreme Realm opportunity. The struggle for the Grand Dao was like sailing against the current—fail to advance, and you retreat! Countless cultivators fought for it, and the path to Supreme was paved with ten thousand withered bones!
Many Great Emperors present couldn't understand the Grand Dao Sect founder's choice. Without reaching the Supreme Realm, one was ultimately an ant! If they became Supreme and left the Southern Wilds, why would they care if the world was flooded or shattered?
Some believed the Grand Dao Sect founder's Dao Heart was not firm. Others felt the founder had done a good deed for the Southern Wilds. Opinions were divided and varied.
Meanwhile, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor had already arrived beside Lu Xuan and Ji Fuyao. He recounted the historical events to them as well.
Lu Xuan frowned slightly, deep in thought.
A brilliant divine radiance surged around Ji Fuyao. The Grand Dao Sect founder's choice contained a profound 'Dao,' and Ji Fuyao was gaining insight.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor looked at Ji Fuyao. "Fuyao, if you were the Grand Dao Sect founder, what would you have chosen?"
Ji Fuyao tilted her snowy neck and shook her head. "I don't know."
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor turned to Lu Xuan. "Lu Xuan, what about you? What would be your choice?"
Lu Xuan looked utterly unperturbed, his expression one of complete detachment. "Me? I don't believe in 'even matches.' Any enemy that dares to show their face gets instantly obliterated. I'd have just wiped out the Supreme Profound Sect, and the Supreme Realm opportunity would have naturally fallen to us."
Hearing this, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master's faces twitched.
Ah, this...
"Any enemy who shows their face gets instantly killed!" Coming from Lu Xuan, this sounded utterly ridiculous! You're a Five-star Profound Saint, what the hell are you going to instantly kill?!
The Sect Master swallowed his words, looking at Lu Xuan with a complicated expression. He remembered Lu Xuan wasn't like this before. Why was he so fond of bragging now? Lu Xuan had changed.
Gu Yuefang, the Pill Peak Peak Master, cleared his throat. "Ahem... Lu Xuan, it's fine to say things like that here in the sect, no one will laugh at you. But don't say it outside the Grand Dao Sect, or I'm afraid you'll get beaten up!"
Lu Xuan: "..."
Ji Fuyao let out a soft giggle. She believed her Master! It was just that the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others didn't know his true strength yet! The day Master chose to reveal even a fraction of his power to the world, everyone in the Southern Wilds would be utterly terrified!
Just then, Ji Fuyao softly murmured, "Master..."
In the next instant, an incredibly mysterious aura surged around her, and a faint divine radiance rose. Her fiery red dress billowed as she instantly sat cross-legged in the void.
Her bones were enveloped in divine light, becoming crystalline and radiant, her hair shining brightly. Her entire being was wreathed in a fierce glow, like a Divine Maiden descending to the mortal world. Her slender jade hands moved, performing endless spirit seals. A profound, ancient aura permeated the surroundings, interwoven with a trace of 'Dao and Essence'!
Ji Fuyao muttered, "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; yet, the Dao also has its own path..."
She had observed the Cangxuan Old Ancestor's move and heard the Grand Dao Sect founder's choice, which cleared her mind and allowed her to capture a wisp of the 'Dao's' aura. The founder had given up the Supreme Realm to avoid shattering the Southern Wilds' destiny. Regardless of whether the choice was right, it fundamentally aligned with the founder's 'Dao'!
There were three thousand Grand Daos, and they often clashed or repelled each other! Furthermore, even those who cultivated the Grand Dao Scripture would comprehend different 'Daos.'
What was her Dao? Ji Fuyao sank into deep contemplation...
At this, the Sect Master and the others exclaimed, "This is the aura of the Grand Dao Scripture!"
Seeing this, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor gave a look, and the Sect Master and the others slowly retreated, forming a protective circle around Ji Fuyao.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor smiled faintly. "I didn't expect Fuyao to gain enlightenment just by observing my move!"
The Sect Master looked at Ji Fuyao with relief, then turned his gaze to Lu Xuan, smiling. "Lu Xuan, you've done well. If you hadn't exchanged the first scroll of the Grand Dao Scripture for Fuyao, she wouldn't have gained this insight."
Everyone nodded toward Lu Xuan in acknowledgment.
At that moment, the System's voice sounded in Lu Xuan's ear.
[Ding! Host's first disciple, Ji Fuyao, has gained insight into the Grand Dao Scripture. Synchronization initiated!]
As the voice faded, an incredibly profound aura surged into Lu Xuan's Sea of Consciousness. The comfortable sensation made Lu Xuan's body involuntarily twist, and a soft moan escaped his lips.
"Mmm~"
"Oh..."
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others froze, their faces filled with question marks.
Ah, what the hell is Lu Xuan doing now?
They saw him with his eyes closed, wearing a look of pure enjoyment!
The Sect Master's face twitched, and he shook his head repeatedly. "I don't understand, I just don't understand!"
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor said, "This boy always manages to surprise me with new antics!"
Suddenly, the Dao Essence around Ji Fuyao intensified, and the void above her head began to manifest various Heaven and Earth Phenomena: vast lands and rivers, ancient palaces, and a boundless sea of fire... The imagery was complex, obscure, and utterly mysterious.
Heaven and Earth Phenomena ascended!
The distant experts from various states were shocked. A Great Emperor pointed at Ji Fuyao, his face filled with disbelief. "Look closely! That is Ji Fuyao! A One-star Profound Saint can actually comprehend a wisp of Dao Essence! She is truly a monstrous talent!"
Many Great Emperors lamented, "No wonder the Heavenly Net Palace is so determined to have the Grand Dao Sect hand over Ji Fuyao! If she grows up, she will definitely be a hidden danger to the Heavenly Net Palace!"
Others expressed doubt. "I think the matter might not be as simple as it seems. Even if Ji Fuyao is a monster, it shouldn't warrant the Heavenly Net Palace mobilizing so aggressively against her!"
Everyone pondered this, sighing softly. The truth of the matter was likely only known to the Heavenly Net Palace and the Grand Dao Sect.
A Black-robed Great Emperor turned his gaze to Lu Xuan. "This Lu Xuan fellow has certainly been stealing the spotlight in the Southern Wilds lately! A monster like Ji Fuyao actually became his disciple. Why is that?"
Everyone was baffled. What did Lu Xuan know about teaching disciples? And was the Grand Dao Sect really comfortable with Lu Xuan? It was absurd!
Half a day later, Ji Fuyao slowly opened her eyes, her star-like pupils shimmering. She bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan, and then to the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others. "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Old Ancestor, Sect Master, and Seniors, for protecting my Dao!"
Lu Xuan nodded faintly, in a good mood. Ji Fuyao had gained insight into the mysteries of the Grand Dao Scripture, and he had gained a wealth of comprehension from the synchronization. It was profound and marvelous beyond words...
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor smiled. "Fuyao, you gained quite a bit this time!"
The Sect Master nodded. "The matter here is concluded. Let us return."
Just then,
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The void tore open! Space twisted violently!
An incredibly terrifying aura permeated the space above the void rift, as if a giant sun were burning within the crack, intensely blazing. Everyone in this part of the world felt an overwhelming pressure.
In the next instant, a massive, angular object appeared, followed by an incomparably ancient token, as huge as a mountain range. Dao patterns flowed across it like brilliant stars, and an ancient aura filled the heavens and the earth. The ancient token continuously flashed, and two incomparably dazzling ancient characters slowly emerged.
"Heavenly! Net!"
Everyone was stunned. Was the Heavenly Net Palace descending? This was their unique way of making an entrance!
Great Emperor Xue Li had mentioned before his death that the Heavenly Net Palace's Nineteenth Elder, Emperor Mo Ying, was arriving with the decree of Palace Lord Duan Hunsheng.
Could the arrival be Emperor Mo Ying?
Immediately, the powerful experts from all states extended their divine senses, staring intently at the void rift.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others also stopped, looking toward the depths of the distant void.