“So, Qin Xiao managed to cheat death in such a way,” an observer named Chen Changsheng noted, secretly recording the matter onto an Ancient Jade Slip.
It seems that when dealing with the people of the Supreme Profound Sect in the future, I’ll have to make sure to scatter their ashes more thoroughly, making sure nothing is left. He sighed inwardly.
The Supreme Profound Sect truly lived up to its reputation as an overlord faction that had stood since the Ancient Era. Not only was their foundational technique, the Supreme Scripture, rumored to be the ultimate offensive art, but they also possessed numerous other Supreme Secret Arts. This was the true heritage of a major power—something a small rogue cultivator like him could only look up to!
With that thought, Chen Changsheng turned his gaze toward Ye Chen and the others.
Ye Chen was unaware that Qin Xiao had survived. He stood guard, letting Liu Xuan and the others take the healing pills he had refined to regulate their energy.
Liu Xuan’s red lips parted, her voice charming and pleasant, a seductive smile gracing her face as she looked at Ye Chen. “Your healing pills are truly excellent, Junior Brother Ye Chen. Help me refine a few batches when we get back.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Of course, Senior Sister.”
Fang Yan spoke up loudly. “Junior Brother Ye Chen, I want some too!”
Ye Chen chuckled. “No problem.”
For a moment, the other top true disciples chimed in with their own requests.
Only Luo Lingkong remained silent, his eyes dim.
Ye Chen hesitated before asking, “Senior Brother Luo Lingkong, are you alright?”
Luo Lingkong’s eyes were shadowed. “I’m fine. I just need a moment of peace.”
He slowly rose and walked over to a nearby spot, staring at the ancient, withered tree roots and the mottled Imperial Palace, lost in thought.
In the past few months, he had lost too many times! Every time he gained a new insight and felt supremely confident, he would suffer another crushing defeat!
Ji Fuyao had long since surpassed him, stepping into the Profound Saint Realm. And now, he was no match for Ye Chen! He couldn’t even defeat Qin Xiao!
As a sword cultivator, he was constantly defeated. Where should his 'Dao' lead him next?
Watching Luo Lingkong’s retreating figure, Liu Xuan whispered to Ye Chen, “Don’t worry about Senior Brother Luo Lingkong. His Dao Heart won’t shatter that easily.”
Ye Chen nodded. “Senior Sister Liu Xuan, once you’ve all recovered, we’ll enter the underground palace together.”
Liu Xuan’s eyes sparkled, captivating and charming. “Sounds good.”
Not far away, Chen Changsheng continued his observation, with no intention of entering the underground palace early. He was a patient man.
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan lay leisurely on his recliner in front of the thatched cottage, gazing at the clouds drifting across the sky. His mood was, as always, peaceful and serene.
Smoke curled gently from the chimney of the cottage, where Ji Fuyao was cooking.
Several days had passed since the Great Emperor Dao Pattern baptism. Ji Fuyao had completely absorbed the power of the Dao Patterns, and her cultivation had directly advanced to Six-star Profound Saint. This time, the Old Ancestor hadn’t focused on artificially boosting her realm but rather on improving her innate talent, tempering her body, and imprinting her Dao Foundation. This would ensure Ji Fuyao’s potential was even greater in the future!
Soon, Ji Fuyao emerged, carrying the dishes. Today’s meal was Braised Spirit Stinky Mandarin Fish, which Lu Xuan had specifically requested. Her brow furrowed slightly. “Master, dinner is served.”
This was Ji Fuyao’s first time making the dish. It smelled... pungent. Frankly, she had been reluctant to make it. Just smelling the aroma made her delicate lips tremble, and she truly lacked the courage to put it in her mouth.
Lu Xuan, however, ate with gusto. He smiled at Ji Fuyao. “Eat, Fuyao. It smells stinky, but it tastes fragrant.”
Ji Fuyao struggled internally. This was cooked in the Dao Profound Iron Pot and infused with Azure Nether Celestial Water. How can I waste it?
Finally, she gathered her courage and took a bite.
“Wow!”
Ji Fuyao smoothed her hair, her eyes shining with spiritual light, revealing a captivating smile. “Master, it really is delicious!”
Lu Xuan said mildly, “See? I told you.”
Ji Fuyao smiled radiantly. Master would never deceive me!
A moment later, a strange light flickered in Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes. “Master, I wonder how Junior Brother Ye Chen is doing in the secret realm?”
Lu Xuan replied, “If nothing unexpected happens, he should be fine.” After all, he had Yao Yan protecting Ye Chen, and Elder Mu and the Peak Masters were guarding the secret realm entrance.
Ji Fuyao continued, “Master, that time, you instantly took us from Cangzhou to Qingzhou, then to the Black Flame Mountain Range, and back to Azure Mystery Peak. What kind of Supreme Secret Art was that?”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “It was nothing more than A corner of a supreme Great Emperor formation pattern.”
Ji Fuyao’s eyes widened, waves of shock rippling through them. She couldn't remain calm. She stared at Lu Xuan. “Master, A corner of a supreme Great Emperor formation pattern is that powerful?” Even a Peak Great Emperor might not be able to traverse the void as effortlessly as her Master.
Lu Xuan felt a flicker of confusion in his heart.
Just then, the System’s voice sounded. “Host, don’t ask.”
Lu Xuan: “...”
After a brief silence, Lu Xuan smiled at Ji Fuyao. “Fuyao, if you ever find yourself in a life-or-death crisis in the Southern Wilds, just call my name, and I will descend.”
Ji Fuyao’s face was filled with astonishment. “Really? Master, did you truly hear my call from Azure Mystery Peak last time?”
Lu Xuan nodded.
A surprised smile appeared on Ji Fuyao’s flawless face. “Master, have you truly become invincible in the Southern Wilds?”
Lu Xuan said serenely, “More or less.”
The System couldn't help but interject. “Host, you’re more pretentious than a storage ring.”
Lu Xuan’s lips curled up slightly.
Ji Fuyao’s eyes sparkled, bright and moving. She murmured, “With Master here, I can walk through the Southern Wilds with much greater peace of mind.”
Lu Xuan nodded. Now, as long as his disciple encountered a life-or-death crisis, the System would issue a warning, and he could instantly activate the supreme Great Emperor formation pattern to travel anywhere in the Southern Wilds.
The two continued eating.
Soon, Lu Xuan finished his meal and lay back on the recliner. “Fuyao, after you finish, come to my cave dwelling. I will give you one final treatment to completely eliminate any lingering issues in your body!”
Ji Fuyao’s face flushed, and her heart skipped a beat. “Yes, Master!” she said.
Before long, Ji Fuyao finished eating and went inside the cottage to clean up.
Her eyes shone, and she tilted her snowy neck slightly. “Master, is this truly the last treatment?”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Indeed. The Great Emperor Dao Pattern baptism has greatly improved the hidden ailments in your body. This time, I will check you one last time to ensure there are no other injuries.”
Ji Fuyao said, “Understood.”
She quickly finished tidying up.
Lu Xuan slowly rose. “Follow me.”
Ji Fuyao followed Lu Xuan into the cave dwelling. She immediately sat down cross-legged, her fiery red dress flowing around her. Her black hair cascaded down, revealing her soft, delicate neck. Her jade arms rested across her chest, sparkling faintly with divine radiance. Her face was exquisite, her eyes twinkling like stars, utterly beautiful and moving.
A faint, delicate fragrance wafted through Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling.
Lu Xuan instructed, “Fuyao, turn around. I’ll be behind you.”
Ji Fuyao softly replied, “Oh.”
She turned, her back creating a perfect curve beneath the red dress. A light breeze stirred, and the graceful outline of her slender, soft waist was faintly visible.
Lu Xuan sat down cross-legged behind her.
“Snap!”
He instantly activated the spiritual formula of the Medical Scripture, placing his palm on Ji Fuyao’s back. A profound power surged into Ji Fuyao’s inner world.
Lu Xuan used the power of the Medical Dao to observe her inner world. Only a few meridians still required healing from the Medical Dao’s power; the rest had recovered. Her bones were crystalline and pure, shining like brilliant stars. Her secret reservoirs of power surged with divine light, incredibly profound. Her Dao Foundation was snowy white and flawless, already inscribed with Dao Patterns that continuously emitted profound Dao and Essence. While not yet a Perfect Dao Foundation, it already surpassed that of countless geniuses.
Lu Xuan’s power was incredibly gentle, like a feather brushing against Ji Fuyao’s inner world, causing her body and mind to tremble slightly. Her delicate teeth gently bit her soft lip, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of confusion. It was an indescribable sensation.
At this moment, Lu Xuan spoke calmly. “Excellent. Your root bones are much better now than when you first arrived at Azure Mystery Peak.”
Ji Fuyao nodded her snowy neck. “Thank you, Master.” Her heart was filled with emotion. She had indeed benefited immensely since coming to Azure Mystery Peak. The few months of cultivation here were comparable to decades, even a century, of arduous effort elsewhere!
Lu Xuan said softly, “Alright, I’ll treat you one more time.”
Instantly, a profound and gentle aura flowed through Ji Fuyao’s back and into her meridians, like a gently flowing stream, emitting a soft, clear sound.
Ji Fuyao slowly closed her eyes, feeling the power continuously moving through her body. Beneath her fiery red dress, her exquisite jade body rose and fell slightly. Her skin, white as jade, began to glow, making her appear incredibly sacred and pure.
Her body began to heat up slightly, and a blush spread across her delicate, fair skin. For some reason, she felt a wave of weakness wash over her.
“Mmm… Master…”
Her eyes rippled, and a soft moan escaped her throat.
Ji Fuyao froze. I... I couldn't control myself again!
She tilted her snowy neck and glanced at Lu Xuan, who wore a serious expression, his mind completely focused. Seeing this, Ji Fuyao’s pretty face turned even redder.
Several hours later.
Sweat beaded on Ji Fuyao’s charming face, and her breath came in soft pants. Her red dress was damp with perspiration, clinging lightly to her body and revealing her exquisite curves.
Lu Xuan said mildly, “We’re done.”
Ji Fuyao bit her lip and softly whimpered, “Understood, Master.”
Lu Xuan slowly stood up, smiling. “Fuyao, you can go back and rest now.”
Just then, the System’s voice rang out.
“Ding! Disciple Nurturing Quest issued: Have Ji Fuyao reach the Saint King Realm within six months! System rewards will be based on completion rate.”
Lu Xuan paused slightly.
Another Nurturing Quest for Ji Fuyao!
At that moment, Ji Fuyao woke from her daze, gracefully rising to her feet, her face still flushed. “Yes, thank you, Master.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Fuyao, just keep cultivating diligently. Let’s see if you can reach the Saint King Realm within six months!”
Ji Fuyao’s body trembled.
Master has given me another goal!
Six months to go from Six-star Profound Saint to the Saint King Realm—the difficulty was immense!
But since Master believed she could do it, then she could!
A look of fierce determination appeared on Ji Fuyao’s face. “Master, I will! I promise I won’t disappoint you!”
Lu Xuan nodded.
Ji Fuyao transformed into a light breeze and left with her long, beautiful legs carrying her away.
Lu Xuan returned to his Xuan Ice Bed, picked up a storybook, and began reading leisurely.
He asked, “System, where is my third disciple?”
The System replied, “The quest for a new disciple will be issued soon.”
Lu Xuan smiled. “Good! I’ll make a small wish: I hope the third one is a Quasi-Emperor, or even a Great Emperor!”
Meanwhile, Ji Fuyao returned to her cave dwelling and plunged herself into a steaming hot bath. Her delicate, beautiful body floated in the water, her perfect curves faintly visible. Her pretty face was still flushed, and she secretly made a firm resolution.
I must cultivate diligently now! I absolutely cannot disappoint Master!
***
Yunzhou, Tianluo Hall Division.
Here, several massive palaces stood clustered together, like a fortified city nestled among the mountains and rivers, exuding a fierce, ominous aura.
Inside the main hall, the Thirteenth Elder and the Fourteenth Elder sat side-by-side. Facing them were over a dozen Division Great Emperors, all of whom were Three-star Great Emperors or higher, with the strongest reaching Six-star Great Emperor.
The leader was Luo Yangtian, the Division Master of the Yunzhou Tianluo Hall and the father of Luo Feng, a Five-star Great Emperor in the initial stage. Beside him were the Great Emperors from the surrounding ten divisions of the Tianluo Hall.
This time, the Thirteenth Elder had summoned the Great Emperors of ten divisions under the pretense of the 'Soul-Shattering Poison' to carry out a major operation: hunting down Elder Mu Yunhai, the various Peak Masters of the Grand Dao Sect, and the prodigies like Ye Chen!
The Tianluo Hall intended to make the Grand Dao Sect bleed!
“Luo Yangtian,” the Thirteenth Elder said leisurely, “this is quite the coincidence. Three thousand years ago, it was you who ordered three Great Emperors from the Yunzhou Division to wipe out the Fuyao Dynasty! Ye Chen is also considered a remnant of the Fuyao Dynasty, so we’ll take care of him too!”
Luo Yangtian gave a sinister smile. “Indeed! It’s a pity Ji Fuyao escaped. Once we eliminate Mu Yunhai and the others, I will also wipe out the Ye Family of Qingcheng and the Dragon Guards of the Black Flame Mountain Range.”
The Thirteenth Elder nodded. “Agreed.”
Suddenly, Luo Yangtian’s expression turned incredibly ugly. He slammed his fist onto the wooden table in front of him.
“Boom!”
The table instantly disintegrated into dust!
The surrounding Great Emperors asked, “Division Master Luo, what happened?”
Luo Yangtian’s voice was icy, filled with monstrous killing intent. “The imprint on my son Luo Feng has been activated. Who killed my son? Who was it!”
Just then, a panicked voice came from outside the hall.
“Division Master Luo, terrible news! The life tablets of all the genius prodigies from our division who entered the secret realm have shattered, and their soul lamps have all been extinguished!”