“I’ve secured a fragment of a Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern from the main branch,” the Thirteenth Elder announced, his voice cold. “When the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm opens, we’ll use it to scatter Mu Yunhai, Ye Chen, and their group to isolated locations and execute them!”
Luo Yunyang and the others exchanged chilling smiles. “This time, the Grand Dao Sect will learn a lesson they won’t soon forget!”
The Thirteenth Elder flicked his finger, and a spiritual energy map materialized before them—a precise depiction of the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm.
His expression was grim. “The Hall Master, Duan Hunsheng, has given the command: Mu Yunhai and his entire entourage must be annihilated. Not a single person is to be spared! We will make the Grand Dao Sect pay dearly!”
“Understood,” the group nodded in unison.
The Fourteenth Elder’s voice was low. He pointed to the map. “We will split into two waves. The first will focus on eliminating Ye Chen and the top True Disciples. The second will target Mu Yunhai and the Peak Masters.”
Luo Yunyang spoke up, “Fourteenth Elder, it is said Ye Chen has a Quasi-Emperor protector. We must be wary.”
The Fourteenth Elder scoffed lightly. “He’s just a Quasi-Emperor protector. To ensure nothing goes wrong, we’ll dispatch three Two-star Great Emperors!”
Luo Yunyang shook his head. “Fourteenth Elder, I still feel that’s insufficient. Allow me to go myself and execute Ye Chen and the others! What if Mu Yunhai possesses a Supreme Secret Art and manages to save Ye Chen’s group? Our entire plan would fail.”
The Fourteenth Elder frowned, sinking into thought. He knew Luo Yunyang was desperate to personally kill Ye Chen to avenge his son, Luo Feng. However, Luo Yunyang’s point held merit.
Mu Yunhai was a Five-star Great Emperor. If he chose to save Ye Chen and abandon the other Peak Masters, then the Three-star and Two-star Great Emperors they sent would be nothing more than ants before him, completely helpless.
They had already gathered Great Emperors from ten regions. The Fourteenth Elder internally calculated that, besides himself and the Thirteenth Elder, they had two Six-star Great Emperors and three Five-star Great Emperors. With this force, he and the Thirteenth Elder didn’t even need to move.
Two Six-star Great Emperors are enough to wipe out Mu Yunhai! he thought.
He looked at Luo Yunyang. “Very well! Take a few of them and go eliminate the Grand Dao Sect’s True Disciples.”
Luo Yunyang bowed deeply. “Thank you, Fourteenth Elder, for granting me this opportunity! Rest assured, once I make my move, they will surely die!”
Thirteenth Elder and Fourteenth Elder finalized the plan. They would not need to act unless the Cangxuan Old Ancestor or the Tianxing Old Ancestor were alerted.
Soon after, the Great Emperors of the Heavenly Net Hall tore through the void and descended near the Secret Realm, a dozen of them concealing their auras as they lay in wait.
Luo Yunyang said coldly, “It seems we still have to wait a while. Who knows when this Inheritance Secret Realm will open?”
The Grey-robed Great Emperor beside him pointed toward the Grand Dao Sect’s encampment and sneered. “No need to rush. Look, Mu Yunhai hasn’t even noticed us.”
Luo Yunyang clenched his fists, his eyes burning with vengeful fury. “I wish the Secret Realm would open now so I could slaughter that little thief Ye Chen! I won’t grant him a quick death; I’ll make him suffer endless agony, begging for death but unable to find it!”
The Grey-robed Great Emperor chuckled. “Hall Master Luo, there’s no need to be impatient. We are waiting for the Secret Realm to open, while the Grand Dao Sect is simply waiting to die!”
***
At the Supreme Profound Sect.
The Qin Family Old Ancestor, Qin Wuyang, tore through the void with Nangong Baixue and landed directly on Taishang Peak.
Taishang Peak soared into the clouds, shrouded in mist and spiritual radiance. The dense spiritual energy was almost tangible, and ancient palaces, adorned with brilliant golden light and shimmering Dao patterns, sat atop the summit like celestial dwellings.
Boom!
Qin Wuyang and Nangong Baixue landed before the ancient palace.
Yuan Qingzi and Sect Master Wei Qianhan immediately emerged, their faces solemn.
Sect Master Wei Qianhan said, “I have heard about Qin Xiao’s situation. Many of our sect’s disciples who followed him also had their life tablets shatter and soul lamps extinguish.”
Yuan Qingzi said, “Fellow Daoist Qin Wuyang, please come inside and let us talk.”
Qin Wuyang nodded.
Nangong Baixue, seizing the perfect moment, began to weep, clear tears streaming down her face.
Sect Master Wei Qianhan sighed. “Bai Xue, let me summon your master.”
Soon, Pill Saint Yunyang entered the main hall.
Nangong Baixue immediately dropped to her knees before him.
Thud!
She clutched at Pill Saint Yunyang’s robes, wailing in profound grief. “Master, you must seek justice for me! My husband, Qin Xiao, was surely murdered by that waste Ye Chen! You must avenge Qin Xiao!”
Her cries were loud and heart-wrenching, a theatrical display of sorrow.
Yuan Qingzi and the others frowned slightly.
Pill Saint Yunyang flicked his sleeve, sending a divine light into Nangong Baixue’s body. She instantly went limp and fainted, bringing a measure of quiet back to the hall.
Qin Family Old Ancestor Qin Wuyang respectfully bowed to Yuan Qingzi. “Fellow Daoist Yuan Qingzi, I have come to discuss the matter of the Divine Son candidate.”
Yuan Qingzi raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Qin Wuyang continued, “Qin Wang has now become the Young Master of my Qin Family. His talent is also excellent, though he has been suppressed by Qin Xiao for many years. Qin Wang survived the Secret Realm. If I am not mistaken, he has already integrated Qin Xiao’s soul and has gained all the insights from Qin Xiao’s Supreme Scripture. He can be considered half a disciple of the Supreme Profound Sect!”
Yuan Qingzi’s gaze was deep, and he fell into contemplation.
Qin Wuyang produced a storage ring and handed it to Yuan Qingzi. “Fellow Daoist Yuan Qingzi, this can be considered a new opportunity. I can represent the Qin Family and swear a Heavenly Dao Oath that for the next three thousand years, the Qin Family’s interests will only align with the Supreme Profound Sect. This is our sincerity.”
Yuan Qingzi accepted the ring and scanned it with his divine sense, his eyes widening slightly. Qin Wuyang had truly put everything on the line: a dozen Emperor-tier Spirit Herbs, three Emperor Weapons, and nearly a million supreme-grade Spirit Crystals.
Yuan Qingzi said faintly, “It is acceptable for Qin Wang to enter my Supreme Profound Sect and compete for the Divine Son position.”
Qin Wuyang broke into a radiant smile.
Pill Saint Yunyang bowed to Qin Wuyang and asked, “Senior, how should we handle the marriage contract between Nangong Baixue and Qin Xiao?”
Qin Wuyang sighed. “That depends on Bai Xue. She feels she owes the Qin Family too much and refuses to dissolve the contract. And Qin Wang, well, he’s always had an eye for her. But of course, we old-timers naturally won’t interfere in the affairs of the young…”
Pill Saint Yunyang frowned, understanding the unspoken meaning. Nangong Baixue had become a political object, circulating between the two Young Masters. She would remain the Young Master’s wife, but the Young Master was no longer the original one.
Yuan Qingzi waved his hand and said calmly, “This is an internal matter for the Qin Family, and my Supreme Profound Sect will not interfere. However, the Qin Family is a magnate-level power, and has always enjoyed a certain reputation in the Southern Wilds. Some things require careful consideration.”
Qin Wuyang nodded. “Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist.”
Before long, Qin Wuyang departed the Supreme Profound Sect with Nangong Baixue, tearing the void to return to the Qin Family.
Regarding Qin Wuyang’s suggestion that Qin Wang and Nangong Baixue renew the marriage contract, Nangong Baixue played coy. “Old Ancestor, please give me time. My heart cannot hold two people at once.”
Qin Wuyang nodded, understanding her implication: she had already agreed to become Qin Wang’s wife. However, the matter couldn’t be rushed, lest it draw criticism from other forces in the Southern Wilds.
This matter, though it stains the reputation of the Ancient Qin Family, how can a Primordial Yin Body be wasted for the sake of mere reputation? Qin Wuyang thought.
He gazed into the void, sighing softly. For some reason, he felt a sense of impending doom hanging over the Qin Family.
He secretly contacted the Heavenly Net Hall’s Thirteenth Elder and learned that they were ready to move against the Grand Dao Sect. Everything was prepared, waiting only for the Secret Realm to open.
Seeing this, Qin Wuyang’s face turned icy. “Excellent! Excellent! Ye Chen must die! The Ye Family of Qingcheng must be annihilated!”
***
Inside the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm.
The Martial Refinement Tower’s Heaven-Reaching Steps!
Tens of thousands of steps soared into the sky, radiating brilliant divine light, like an endless river rising from the earth to reach the stars. The Martial Dao Will of the Martial Refinement Great Emperor flowed constantly, exerting a fierce pressure that weighed down on the body and soul of every cultivator who stepped onto the stairs.
At this moment, Ye Chen was the unrivaled leader!
He had already ascended to the eight-thousandth step!
Ye Chen’s white robes billowed, enveloped in a martial radiance. He shone like a rising star. Every step he took was accompanied by a crackling sound, like lightning coiling and storms gathering. The power of the Desolate Heaven Art circulated on its own, resonating perfectly with the Martial Refinement Tower.
Ye Chen’s aura was constantly climbing!
Behind him, Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, and the others had completely fallen behind, all stuck around the five-thousandth step. They were already sweating profusely and showing signs of exhaustion.
Fang Yan’s golden light was dimming slightly. He panted, “Junior Brother Ye Chen is too fierce!”
Liu Xuan’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled charmingly. “I never expected the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace to be right before us, yet we’ve already reached our limit!”
Luo Lingkong’s sword intent was slightly chaotic. He had been using his sword intent to resist the Martial Dao Will of the Great Emperor every step of the way. But the stronger his sword intent became, the stronger the opposing Martial Dao Will grew, making his ascent far more strenuous than Liu Xuan’s.
Luo Lingkong looked up at Ye Chen. The power of the Martial Refinement Tower was resonating with Ye Chen, making his climb easier and easier. This was completely incomparable.
Liu Xuan exhaled softly. “Look quickly, Junior Brother Ye Chen’s aura is growing stronger! He’s breaking through!”
Fang Yan slapped his thigh. “Sigh! We can’t compare! This is a destiny unique to Junior Brother Ye Chen!”
Liu Xuan turned her gaze to the other prodigies, who were struggling with every step, as if trapped in a swamp.
Yao Huanhuan smiled sweetly, looking at Ye Chen’s back, slightly stunned. “That Ye Chen is terrifying!”
Other Yao Family disciples nodded. “Senior Sister, it looks like we have no hope of competing for the fortune of the Bronze Ancient Palace.”
They were tens of thousands of miles behind Ye Chen, willing but unable to catch up.
Disciples from the Supreme Profound Sect and Cangmu Academy also shook their heads.
Everyone watched Ye Chen’s figure, growing more and more astonished.
Someone whispered, “Ye Chen is practically cheating! Every step we take feels like we’re carrying a thousand tons, but the Martial Refinement Tower is actually boosting him and helping him break through. It’s completely unfair!”
“Exactly!” others agreed. “We have no chance at the Great Emperor inheritance or the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace!”
Meanwhile, among the crowd, Chen Changsheng’s dozens of wooden puppets hesitated. If they allowed Ye Chen to continue, the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace would surely fall into his hands.
If the puppets revealed their true strength, they could certainly surpass Ye Chen and seize the Dao Rhyme in one fell swoop.
But the moment Chen Changsheng entertained the thought, he felt a chill on his brow, a premonition of something ominous.
With this in mind, Chen Changsheng, who was sitting cross-legged in a cave dwelling a thousand miles away, pulled out his Ancient Jade Slip to perform a divination.
“Let me see what the hell is going on here.”