“The contention for the Grand Dao is a battle of life and death. If not now, when?”
Every opening of the Ultimate Path is a trial by fire. No one will give the Grand Dao Sect a pass just because they chose to compromise years ago. This might be the last chance to step onto the path to the Supreme Realm, and every major power will charge forward!
Soon, the discussions across the various states came to a close. All eyes turned to the Heavenly Net Palace, eager to see their reaction. The Palace Master, Duan Hunsheng, had issued a fierce threat, but would he truly dare to retaliate against the Grand Dao Sect?
One Great Emperor commented, “The Heavenly Net Palace is a bunch of madmen. They’ve destroyed far too many human powers in the Southern Wilds over the years! Although their opponent this time is the Grand Dao Sect, I don’t think they’ll just admit defeat!”
Other Great Emperors agreed. “They are people who disregard the rules. They’ve broken many unwritten rules in the Southern Wilds over the past few millennia, and yet no one has been able to stop them! If the Heavenly Net Palace retaliates, they will likely target the Grand Dao Sect’s younger generation!”
...
Many powerful figures suddenly realized that the younger generation of the Heavenly Net Palace would also enter the upcoming Secret Realm near the Heavenly Blade Gate. A bloody battle was inevitable!
Moreover, the Grand Dao Sect had offended more than just the Heavenly Net Palace recently. There was also the Ancient Qin Family, the Supreme Profound Sect...
In this upcoming Secret Realm, the Grand Dao Sect’s disciples were guaranteed to be targeted by multiple factions!
***
Meanwhile, on Azure Mystery Peak, within the Grand Dao Sect.
Ji Fuyao brought out the steaming dishes. “Master, dinner is ready.”
Lu Xuan slowly rose from his recliner and walked to the stone table. Time to eat!
He had to admit, Ji Fuyao’s cooking had become quite exceptional.
Ji Fuyao smiled radiantly. “Master, is it delicious?”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Not bad.”
Ji Fuyao’s heart swelled with joy, her eyes sparkling. As she ate, a shadow crossed her face. She leaned her slender neck forward, looking at Lu Xuan. “Master, I didn’t realize the matter of the Fuyao Dynasty would cause such a huge stir…”
Lu Xuan said calmly, “It’s fine. I have everything under control.”
Ji Fuyao’s gaze was troubled, and she hesitated before speaking. Her trip to Cangzhou had spiraled beyond her control. While the public exposure of the Fuyao Dynasty was acceptable, the critical issue was the exposure of her reincarnation secret! The Heavenly Net Palace now knew, and though they hadn't announced it, they held a fatal threat over the sect. Given the appearance of the Bronze Ancient Palace and the impending opening of the Ultimate Path, the value of this ancient secret had multiplied countless times.
Reflecting on it, she realized her actions were too careless. Even as an Empress in her previous life, the Fuyao Dynasty was only a One-star Emperor-tier power, and her experience was limited. Her mistakes were too many, especially failing to anticipate the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's betrayal and walking confidently into their trap in Liucheng. If not for her Master’s timely intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
The situation was precarious. The Heavenly Net Palace was a blade hanging over their heads.
With this in mind, Ji Fuyao looked at Lu Xuan and recounted her thoughts.
Lu Xuan listened carefully.
Ji Fuyao concluded, “Master, I will be more meticulous in my actions from now on.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Fuyao, being meticulous and cautious is good. But don’t let it cost you your Invincible Stance.”
“For us cultivators, the road is long and arduous. We must constantly seek the Dao. One step back is a hundred steps back.”
Ji Fuyao murmured, “One step back is a hundred steps back…”
Lu Xuan continued, “Don’t worry, Fuyao. I won’t intervene in battles between peers; that is your trial. But if anyone tries to bully you with superior strength or status, I will personally annihilate them.”
Ji Fuyao was momentarily stunned. Her Master’s words instantly restored her Dao Heart to its original, unyielding state.
“Master, I understand!” Ji Fuyao nodded earnestly.
Lu Xuan smiled. “The Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Bronze Ancient Palace, has appeared, and the stage for this Great Era belongs to your generation. Fuyao, I have high hopes for you.”
Ji Fuyao’s heart swelled. She clenched her delicate hands and bit her lip. “Master, I will cultivate with all my might.”
Lu Xuan nodded.
Excellent, excellent. My good disciple, Ji Fuyao, has swallowed the cake I drew for her! Lu Xuan thought, feeling satisfied.
He had figured out the art of being a master. It was all about non-action.
Draw a grand picture for the disciples, absorb their cultivation feedback and insights, let them take the heat when things go wrong, go ‘fishing’ (slacking off), ‘eat the melon’ (watch the drama) of the Southern Wilds, let the disciples step on a few landmines, let the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master blow off some steam, and have the Heavenly Net Palace and Supreme Profound Sect stab them in the back…
See? Teaching disciples is easy! You can do it too.
The life on Azure Mystery Peak is so simple and happy.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, having fully grasped the Dao of teaching disciples.
After a brief silence, Ji Fuyao asked curiously, “Master, have you ever encountered a life-or-death crisis?”
Lu Xuan replied, “No.”
I spend all my time lying down, mostly on Azure Mystery Peak. A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall. I don’t go to dangerous forbidden zones or perilous lands. Why would I have a life-or-death crisis?
Ji Fuyao was utterly shocked. “Master, are you serious? You’ve cultivated all this time and never encountered one?”
Lu Xuan shook his head. “Never.”
Ji Fuyao’s heart was deeply moved. This means Master has been invincible all along! He has never tasted defeat! This is my Master! She looked at Lu Xuan earnestly, understanding why he was so low-profile. Master has already stood at the peak, becoming the highest mountain and the longest river. The affairs of the Southern Wilds are truly beneath his notice.
Seeing her expression, Lu Xuan chuckled. Oh dear. What fantastical scenario is Fuyao imagining now? I’m simple. I just want to lie down and passively gain some cultivation and enlightenment, that’s all.
At that moment, Ji Fuyao was slowly chewing the spiritual rice, her delicate lips opening and closing as she carefully savored the conversation and the meal. The profound power of the Azure Nether Celestial Water and the Dao Essence from the Dao Profound Iron Pot—it was smooth on the tongue and warming to the soul!
Just then, the Ancient Jade Slip in Lu Xuan’s robe vibrated incessantly. He injected spiritual power and quickly heard the Sect Master’s booming voice.
“Lu Xuan, the Heavenly Path Old Ancestor asked me to inform you: he’s preparing a great fortune for Fuyao!”
Lu Xuan was slightly surprised. “What fortune?”
The Sect Master chuckled. “I was going to keep it secret, but I’ll tell you early. The Heavenly Path Old Ancestor is going to give Fuyao a Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism!”
Lu Xuan frowned slightly. “A Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism? What’s the use?”
The Sect Master quickly explained, “Uh... it has many wonderful uses. Simply put, it can perfect her Dao foundation and improve her aptitude, soul, body, meridians, and so on.”
Lu Xuan smiled. “Excellent, excellent.”
The Sect Master paused, then burst into loud laughter. “Oh, right. The Old Ancestor thought about it and decided not to give up on you either! He’s going to give you a Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism too, just to see if your Congenital Cultivation Waste Body can finally undergo some kind of transformation, like a withered tree meeting spring!”
Lu Xuan was momentarily dumbfounded.
The Sect Master laughed again. “Hahaha! Good. I’ll let you know when the Old Ancestor is ready.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Alright.”
The Sect Master continued, “Also, tell Fuyao not to worry about the Heavenly Net Palace. We won’t interfere in battles between the younger generation, but if any strong expert dares to strike, our Grand Dao Sect will definitely protect Fuyao. Just tell her to cultivate in peace.”
Lu Xuan said, “Understood, I’ll pass it on.”
The Sect Master pressed on, “One more thing, Lu Xuan. You better not wander off and leave the Grand Dao Sect right now. You’re a famous figure in the Southern Wilds now, and you’ve accumulated a massive amount of Power of Destiny! Someone is definitely watching you! Forces like the Heavenly Net Palace might target you! Remember how the Blood Fiend Great Emperor wanted to take you away?”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. “I know.” That old bastard Blood Fiend... good thing he’s dead.
After a moment of silence, Lu Xuan asked, “By the way, Sect Master, how is Ye Chen doing? Has that Ancient Secret Realm opened yet?”
The Sect Master’s voice turned serious. “Soon. According to the news from Elder Mu, the Great Emperors are close to capturing that wisp of Dao Essence left by the Bronze Ancient Palace! Once they succeed, the Ancient Secret Realm will open immediately.”