"It's almost time. According to the message Elder Mu sent back, the Great Emperors have joined forces and are close to capturing that wisp of Dao Rhyme from the Bronze Ancient Palace! Once they succeed, the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm will open immediately."
Lu Xuan nodded, "Got it."
A moment later, Lu Xuan put away the communication jade slip and relayed the Sect Master's message to Ji Fuyao.
Ji Fuyao was momentarily stunned.
The Tianxing Old Ancestor was going to grant her a Great Emperor Dao Imprintation? This was a heaven-defying opportunity!
A Great Emperor could condense their own ‘Dao’ into Great Emperor Dao Imprintation patterns. The Imprintation process involved pouring a massive amount of Dao Essence into the cultivator, refining their entire being. During the ritual, the Tianxing Old Ancestor would deliberately erase his own ‘Dao Rhyme’ aura, leaving only the profound mysteries, ensuring it wouldn't interfere with Ji Fuyao's own developing Dao.
Ji Fuyao took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with divine light as she looked at Lu Xuan. If she could receive the Tianxing Old Ancestor's Great Emperor Dao Imprintation, her Dao foundation would be branded with more marks of the Grand Dao Scripture. Forging the legendary perfect Dao foundation would be within reach!
Beyond that, the Great Emperor Dao Imprintation would temper her physical body, soul, and meridians—its benefits were boundless.
With this thought, Ji Fuyao's delicate body trembled slightly. "Thank you, Master."
Lu Xuan smiled. "You should be thanking the Tianxing Old Ancestor."
Ji Fuyao bit her lip, her heart racing. Images of her months spent in the Grand Dao Sect flashed through her mind. Since becoming Lu Xuan's disciple, the stream of opportunities had been endless!
She had initially joined the Grand Dao Sect only for the Grand Dao Scripture, the sect's foundational technique, which could repair her damaged Dao foundation and help her forge the perfect one, perhaps even allowing her to comprehend the legendary 'Ultimate Realm.'
But now, she was no longer satisfied with just that.
The Grand Dao Scripture was infinitely profound, a gateway to all mysteries, and forging a perfect Dao foundation was merely one of its many uses.
In this life, cultivating the Heaven-Burning Art and the Grand Dao Scripture, and most importantly, having Lu Xuan as her Master, she was certain she could step onto the absolute peak of cultivation and become a true magnate.
Ji Fuyao continued to eat as she thought, diligently transforming the profound energy of the Azure Nether Celestial Water and the Dao Profound Iron Pot.
Before long, Lu Xuan had finished his meal and was lying back on his recliner.
Ji Fuyao, however, continued to eat at a snail's pace.
***
Near the Heavenly Blade Gate.
The Martial Dao Great Emperor Inheritance Secret Realm.
A massive rift had opened in the sky here, leading into the Secret Realm—a self-contained world, seemingly independent of the greater cosmos.
Ever since that wisp of Dao Rhyme from the Bronze Ancient Palace had surged into the Inheritance Secret Realm, Elder Mu, along with Great Emperors from the Supreme Profound Sect, Tianluo Hall, and several other powerful factions, had been working for days, trying to intercept it.
Divine light surged here, brilliant rays shooting into the sky. Endless, dazzling Great Emperor Dao Imprintation patterns flowed outward, shrouded in an ancient, obscure aura. The wisp of Dao Rhyme was right in front of them, yet it felt a million miles away.
Elder Mu and the others constantly changed their spiritual seals, condensing obscure, ancient power into Dao patterns, which they repeatedly slammed into the Martial Dao Great Emperor Inheritance Secret Realm.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Within this small world, the profound Dao Rhyme was like flowing water, like a spring breeze—visible, yet impossible to grasp. Even with the combined efforts of multiple Great Emperors, they couldn't capture it.
Days passed.
The Great Emperors from the Supreme Profound Sect, Tianluo Hall, and other forces had gone from cautious to crude, and now they were losing patience.
They had laid down countless seals and restrictions on the wisp of Dao Rhyme, but it was as slippery as an eel, constantly escaping their grasp!
Just then, a Black-robed Great Emperor from Tianluo Hall angrily flicked his sleeve. "What the hell! Dao Rhyme! What kind of crap are you?! I'm done with this!"
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone’s heart tightened.
Although the Black-robed Great Emperor was cursing the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, his eyes were fixed on Elder Mu.
His true target was not the Dao Rhyme.
Elder Mu immediately let out a cold snort, a terrifying aura surging from his body. A violent spiritual energy condensed around him as he glared at the Black-robed Great Emperor. "What is the meaning of this?"
The area instantly fell silent.
The atmosphere was instantly deadly, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Everyone knew that over the past few days, a conflict had erupted between Tianluo Hall and the Grand Dao Sect. The Tianluo Hall's Blood Fiend Great Emperor, the Nineteenth Elder Mo Ying Great Emperor, and even a projection of the Hall Master Duan Hunsheng had all been annihilated by the Grand Dao Sect!
The Black-robed Great Emperor from Tianluo Hall had been itching for a fight!
Coupled with the fact that the Dao Rhyme remained elusive, the Black-robed Great Emperor had simply thrown his hands up in frustration.
Elder Mu and the Black-robed Great Emperor locked eyes, a murderous intent flickering in both their gazes. Their auras intensified, ready to erupt into combat at any moment!
Seeing this, the Great Emperors from the Pill Fragrance Sect and the Yao Family quickly stepped forward. "Fellow Daoists, please calm your anger for now."
The Pill Fragrance Sect Great Emperor pulled Elder Mu aside, while the Yao Family Great Emperor restrained the Black-robed Great Emperor.
Suddenly, the Supreme Profound Sect Great Emperor cried out in alarm, "No! That Dao Rhyme is about to completely slip into the Inheritance Secret Realm!"
Hearing this, everyone immediately acted, brilliant spiritual runes shifting rapidly, endless divine light surging as they tried to restrict the wisp of Dao Rhyme.
But it was too late!
The Great Emperors sighed in resignation.
The wisp of Dao Rhyme had completely vanished into the Secret Realm!
Since the deed was done, they couldn't blame the Black-robed Great Emperor or Elder Mu.
The Pill Fragrance Sect Great Emperor suggested, "Since that is the case, we will each inscribe our Great Emperor Dao Imprintations and give them to the younger generation. We will then open the Inheritance Secret Realm and see if they can capture that wisp of Dao Rhyme!"
The Supreme Profound Sect Great Emperor's eyes were somber. "We have no other choice."
After a brief discussion, they agreed to spend three days inscribing the Great Emperor Dao Imprintations for the younger generation.
Three days later, the Secret Realm would open!
The Great Emperors dispersed.
As he left, the Black-robed Great Emperor from Tianluo Hall sneered at Elder Mu and made a clear 'throat-slitting' gesture.
Elder Mu scoffed, flicked his sleeve, and departed.
At the Grand Dao Sect's temporary station, Ye Chen, Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, and others were cultivating cross-legged.
Elder Mu didn't disturb them. He found a secluded spot, casually set up numerous seals and restrictions, and brilliant Dao patterns emerged.
He sat down, his gray robe billowing, his eyes burning with focus, and began to inscribe his Great Emperor Dao Imprintation.
Shing!
Spiritual seals shifted in his hand, an incredibly profound aura flowing. With a thought, his Great Emperor Dao Imprintation slowly materialized, swirling like water, filling the area with an ancient, obscure power.
Elder Mu took out several Ancient Jade Slips and began injecting his Great Emperor Dao Imprintation into them!
***
Tianluo State.
The main headquarters of Tianluo Hall.
This was an endless mountain range known as the Tianluo Mountains. Perched atop the numerous peaks were towering, magnificent palaces. These palaces shimmered with brilliant Dao patterns and radiated divine light, looking like stars crowning the mountains.
At the entrance to the Tianluo Mountains, four ancient jade pillars formed a colossal gate. The pillars were thick, interwoven with runes, and permeated with Dao Rhyme, giving off an incredibly fierce and imposing aura. A massive plaque was inscribed with three ancient characters:
"Tianluo Hall!"
Within this colossal gate stood two other Heavenly Gates, equally towering and majestic.
The three Heavenly Gates concealed profound mysteries, inspiring endless awe and pressure.
At the summit of the mountains was the main hall of Tianluo Hall.
The main hall was even more brilliant and magnificent, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. The jade pillars and doors were inscribed with phantoms of mountains and rivers. The hall was so high that endless clouds wrapped around it, making it seem to stand in the void.
At this moment, numerous Emperor-realm experts were gathered in the main hall. They stood respectfully, looking toward the mysterious figure seated on the high throne.
This person was Duan Hunsheng, the Hall Master of Tianluo Hall.
A dense black mist surged around him, concealing his figure and appearance. Duan Hunsheng sat on the main seat, his face sinister and contorted with rage as he stared down at the assembly.
Duan Hunsheng did not speak, and none of the Great Emperor Elders dared to utter a word.
Duan Hunsheng's strength was unknown—he grew stronger the stronger his opponent was—and his personality was chillingly cold, his decisions ruthless. Those who followed him prospered; those who opposed him perished.
In the past few millennia, Duan Hunsheng had only taken action a few times.
But every time, blood flowed like rivers. Wherever he went, not a blade of grass survived. The forces he destroyed had their cultivators' souls extracted and tortured endlessly, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation.
Therefore, everyone in Tianluo Hall held the Hall Master Duan Hunsheng in immense reverence and fear.
They would never dare to be disloyal!
The atmosphere in the hall grew colder and colder, and the elders felt a chill run down their spines.
After a long silence, Duan Hunsheng slowly rose. The surrounding black mist surged like a sinister ghost realm as he spoke in a measured tone.
"Gentlemen! How do you view the matter of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, where my Tianluo Hall was so utterly humiliated by the Grand Dao Sect? You may speak freely!"
At his words, the elders' bodies trembled.
The Third Elder of Tianluo Hall slowly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Hall Master, I believe our Tianluo Hall must never compromise! Although the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the 'Heaven's Lineage' Old Ancestor are powerful, they merely rely on the Heaven's Killing Intent! Once they leave the Grand Dao Sect's territory, their strength will be reduced by at least half!"
"If we fought outside the Grand Dao Sect, with your strength, Hall Master, even a projection could easily annihilate that damn 'Heaven's Lineage' Old Ancestor!"
Duan Hunsheng sneered.
Though it was a cold sneer, he was clearly pleased by the Third Elder's flattery. After all, he believed the same thing. In the Grand Dao Sect's territory, those Old Ancestors had the blessing of the Heaven's Killing Intent, preventing his projection from exerting its full power. If they fought in the outside world, he was confident he could easily destroy the Grand Dao Sect's 'Heaven's Lineage' Great Emperor!
At this point, the Second Elder also stepped forward. "Hall Master, we did miscalculate this time! In the future, unless absolutely necessary, we will not fight on Grand Dao Sect territory! Likewise, the Grand Dao Sect won't dare step foot in our Tianluo State!"
Duan Hunsheng let out another cold laugh. "Any Great Emperor from the Grand Dao Sect who dares to enter my Tianluo Mountains will surely die!"
Tianluo Hall was not as simple as it appeared on the surface!
They had powerful backers!
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to rise from nothing in the Southern Wilds over the past few millennia!
Their main headquarters also held terrifying trump cards!
With this in mind, Duan Hunsheng looked at the elders. "What do the rest of you think? Does anyone have a different opinion?"
The First Elder, Fourth Elder, and others moved their lips slightly, seemingly communicating in secret.
But they remained silent.
Duan Hunsheng noticed a few elders shifting their bodies, as if they wanted to speak.
He smiled and looked at them. "What are your thoughts?"
A Gray-robed Great Emperor hesitated before saying, "Hall Master, I think this matter requires a longer view. The Grand Dao Sect is, after all, a hegemonic force that has stood for countless ages, while our Tianluo Hall has only recently risen. Since we took a loss this time, perhaps we should temporarily avoid their sharp edge..."
Before he could finish, the First Elder and Second Elder began coughing loudly. "Cough, cough, cough..."
The atmosphere paused momentarily.
Duan Hunsheng waved his sleeve, a playful smile on his face. "Go on, keep talking."
Another Red-robed Great Emperor spoke up. "Hall Master, I agree. Our Tianluo Hall is not a force like the Supreme Profound Sect that can directly confront the Grand Dao Sect."
The others nodded in agreement. "Hall Master, I feel the same way..."
Suddenly, several wisps of black, mysterious mist surged from Duan Hunsheng's body, shooting directly toward the dissenting Great Emperor Elders.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The Great Emperor Elders didn't even have time to react. Blood instantly erupted from their eyes, noses, ears, mouths, and even their crotches!
Blood sprayed from their entire bodies like geysers!
Instantly, the Great Emperor Elders screamed in agony.
"Hall Master, spare us! Please spare us!"
"No! No..."
"Hall Master, we didn't know your true attitude... You told us to speak freely!"
Duan Hunsheng let out a chilling laugh. "I told you to speak, and you actually did? Heh heh heh!"