“You! How is this possible?!… You’re dead! Duan Hunsheng is already on his way to Yunzhou!”
The world fell into a terrifying silence. Everyone was stunned. A Seven-star Great Emperor in white robes had just annihilated the Thirteenth Elder with a single punch! How could this be? Among the Emperor realms, a single star represented a gulf as wide as the heavens. Yet, this white-robed Emperor had shattered that boundary!
What kind of supreme secret art was this? Even the Grand Dao Sect could only temporarily borrow the authority of the Dao within their own territory to bridge such a gap. This white-robed Emperor defied all known cultivation logic. Beyond shock, a boundless terror seized their hearts. This supreme art was utterly unreasonable; they couldn’t even begin to comprehend its power. That punch wasn't the culmination of martial arts; it was merely a casual flick of the wrist, yet it instantly killed the Thirteenth Elder.
The powerful cultivators of Yunzhou immediately recorded the fight onto their Ancient Jade Slips. Throughout the long river of history, the Southern Wilds had never witnessed a secret art of this caliber! To ignore the chasm of a star-level Emperor realm without relying on an Emperor Weapon was truly heaven-defying!
Instantly, countless divine senses and spiritual probes shot toward Lu Xuan, attempting to discern his secrets. Alas, none could see through him.
At that moment, the remaining Great Emperors, Elders, and disciples of the Heavenly Net Hall branch were utterly disheartened. Thud! Thud! Several Great Emperors led the entire branch to their knees, falling like a tidal wave. The aura emanating from this white-robed Emperor felt comparable to their own Hall Master, Duan Hunsheng! Against absolute power, resistance was futile.
A Four-star Great Emperor in gray robes stammered, "S-Senior, we are willing to submit to the Grand Dao Sect!" They kowtowed repeatedly. "We are willing to sign a master-servant contract..."
Lu Xuan replied indifferently, "I don't need you."
As his voice faded, Lu Xuan flicked his sleeve. An incomparably terrifying divine radiance instantly swept across the Heavenly Net Hall's territory, like a colossal sun sinking directly onto the earth, crashing down upon the Yunzhou branch. The next instant, Lu Xuan stepped into the air and turned away.
He didn't spare a glance backward as he soared out of the Heavenly Net Hall's formation. Behind him, the divine radiance he unleashed erupted like a celestial fireworks display, a cataclysmic force that brought death and destruction wherever it touched! The bodies of the Heavenly Net Hall members instantly burst apart!
No one could withstand this power. Even a Five-star Great Emperor was instantly reduced to ash, vanishing between heaven and earth. Puff! Puff! Puff! Everyone else was annihilated in the blink of an eye, their lives and cultivation extinguished. Total annihilation!
Lu Xuan stood tall in the void, his back to the ruins of the Heavenly Net Hall, his white robes billowing, his expression utterly serene, like an peerless Divine King. The Yunzhou Heavenly Net Hall was destroyed!
Everyone watched the scene, utterly speechless. What terrifying methods! This was true power—the ability to bestow life or death at a whim! This white-robed Emperor's power was truly heaven-reaching!
After a moment of silence, the surrounding cultivators erupted in cheers. "The Heavenly Net Hall is gone! It's finally gone!" "Thank you, Senior! Thank you!" The crowd was ecstatic. Many local factions and rogue cultivators had suffered directly or indirectly under the Heavenly Net Hall's tyranny. How could they not be thrilled by its demise?
Elder Mu suppressed the shock in his heart, looking at Lu Xuan. "This Fellow Daoist is truly too strong," he murmured.
Ye Chen's eyes were blazing. "Master, I understand!" His Master was teaching him hand-to-hand! Every move his Master made was a projection of a stronger, future version of himself! My Master has been watching me all along, Ye Chen thought, and has evolved my future martial path for me! The Desolate Heaven Art, as demonstrated by his Master, might not be the ultimate form, but it surpassed the ultimate! His Master's painstaking efforts were truly profound!
Immediately, Ye Chen sat cross-legged. His white robes billowed, and a faint divine radiance flowed around him. Behind him, the Martial Dao Furnace condensed, and he began to comprehend the Dao. The image of Lu Xuan's strike flashed through his mind: A single martial punch, destined to Suppress all enemies in the world!
Lu Xuan quickly returned to Ye Chen's side to guard him during his enlightenment. The System's voice sounded in his ear.
[Ding! Host's second disciple, Ye Chen, has gained insight into the Desolate Heaven Art. Synchronization commencing!]
Instantly, a vast, profound comprehension surged into Lu Xuan's mind. This time, it was a fourfold gain.
Ji Fuyao's beautiful eyes sparkled as she quietly asked Lu Xuan, "Master, is it true that everything we learn, you already know?"
Lu Xuan nodded. "I dabble. Just remember, I'm only a little bit stronger than you two. In fact, I learn a lot from you."
Ji Fuyao let out a soft "Oh," a radiant smile blooming on her face. A little bit. She knew her Master was merely being humble. Detached from his supreme status, yet possessing the heart of a student... Truly worthy of being her Master!
Just then, the Ancient Jade Slip in Elder Mu's robe vibrated. He injected his divine sense and heard the voices of the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master. A moment later, Elder Mu gasped. "Our Tianyuan Old Ancestor has actually emerged from seclusion?" He looked at Lu Xuan. He hadn't realized that the Tianyuan Old Ancestor had been awakened by this Fellow Daoist's earlier broadcast across the Southern Wilds! The Tianyuan Old Ancestor was a Nine-star Great Emperor from the Grand Dao Sect's 'Heaven' lineage!
Elder Mu suppressed his excitement and relayed the entire sequence of events to the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master. After listening, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor's expression was grave, filled with disbelief. "Yunhai, did you discern any clues about the supreme offensive secret art used by that white-robed Emperor?"
Elder Mu looked utterly bewildered. "That Fellow Daoist's supreme art is beyond my comprehension. It's even more terrifying than our sect's Grand Dao Scripture. It doesn't need to borrow the authority of the heavens; it can be directly unleashed to strike down a superior, instantly killing someone across an entire major realm!"
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor was deeply shaken. Such a supreme secret art was unheard of in the entire history of the Southern Wilds! He was now desperate to meet this white-robed Emperor!
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor then gave a few instructions, telling Elder Mu and the others to wait in Yunzhou for their arrival.
A moment later, Elder Mu put away the Ancient Jade Slip and looked at Lu Xuan. "Fellow Daoist, good news."
Lu Xuan asked, "What is it?"
Elder Mu replied, "When you broadcasted your message across the three thousand states of the Southern Wilds, our Grand Dao Sect's 'Heaven' lineage, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor, was awakened from his deep slumber! He has now rendezvoused with the Cangxuan Old Ancestor, Tianxing Old Ancestor, and the Sect Master, and they are on their way to Yunzhou."
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. "That's excellent. What is the Tianyuan Old Ancestor's cultivation level?"
Elder Mu stated, "A Nine-star Great Emperor! He is worried that Duan Hunsheng will rush here, so he is coming to meet us."
Lu Xuan glanced at the enlightened Ye Chen and nodded. "Then we shall wait here for the Old Ancestor's arrival."
Just then, an incomparably massive, ancient spirit boat sailed out of the deep void. It shimmered with divine radiance, and Great Emperor Dao patterns interwove like lightning, forming four large characters: "Cangmu Academy!"
The cultivators of Yunzhou were shocked. They hadn't expected the Cangmu Academy to arrive!
On the spirit boat, the Cangmu Academy's Chonglou Old Ancestor, clad in black robes, stepped out of the giant palace. Great Emperor Dao patterns surged beneath his feet as he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Mu Yunhai, long time no see!"
Elder Mu smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist Chonglou, you are well!"
The Chonglou Old Ancestor swept his gaze over the ruins of the Heavenly Net Hall and chuckled. "Your sect has truly removed a great calamity for our Yunzhou. However, I must offer a warning. We have received news that the Heavenly Net Hall's main Hall Master, Duan Hunsheng, is on his way." Duan Hunsheng was a Nine-star Great Emperor!
Elder Mu frowned slightly. "Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist. But our other Old Ancestors are also en route."
The Chonglou Old Ancestor looked thoughtful. No wonder the Grand Dao Sect people are so calm! He glanced at Ye Chen, his eyes narrowing. "Ye Chen is indeed remarkable, a dual cultivator of alchemy and martial arts. Elder Cang Li often speaks of him since returning to the academy."
Elder Mu pointed to Lu Xuan. "This is the true Master of both Ye Chen and Ji Fuyao."
Hearing this, the Chonglou Old Ancestor's face immediately became respectful. He bowed to Lu Xuan. "Fellow Daoist, I have long admired you."
Lu Xuan nodded. "The feeling is mutual."
***
Deep in the void, several streaks of brilliant divine light sliced across the sky like meteors. The Tianyuan Old Ancestor had already met up with the Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the Sect Master, and they were traversing the void toward Yunzhou to meet the Grand Dao Sect contingent.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor's expression was solemn. "This time, that Fellow Daoist publicly announced the destruction of the Heavenly Net Hall. Given Duan Hunsheng's temperament, he will certainly not let this go and is likely rushing to Yunzhou as well."
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor snorted coldly. "I'd like to see what Duan Hunsheng is capable of." The Heavenly Net Hall had been constantly provoking the Grand Dao Sect recently. It was outrageous! The Grand Dao Sect had merely been quiet; they hadn't declined! How dare a hegemonic force that had only risen in the last ten thousand years challenge the Grand Dao Sect?
At this point, the Sect Master spoke. "Old Ancestor, I think it's necessary to tell that Fellow Daoist to be a little more low-key in the future."
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded. "That is true." That Fellow Daoist had broadcasted a message across the three thousand states of the Southern Wilds, claiming he might annihilate entire orthodoxies and factions! That was far too high-profile! The Southern Wilds was vast, containing not only humans but also foreign races, demon races, and several terrifying restricted zone powers. Moreover, with the recent appearance of the Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Bronze Ancient Palace, many ancient hegemonic forces were emerging! The bold claims made by that Fellow Daoist were likely already seen as a provocation by some of the foreign and demon races! While the Grand Dao Sect had deep foundations, they couldn't withstand being targeted by the entire Southern Wilds. If he had handled this, the Heavenly Net Hall branch would still have been destroyed, but never so ostentatiously!
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor added, "Elder Mu mentioned he has a memory image. This time, the Ancient Qin Family and Pill Saint Yunyang of the Supreme Profound Sect were involved. How should we handle this?"
A look of fury appeared on the Tianyuan Old Ancestor's face, and he spoke with immense authority. "I believe the Ancient Qin Family no longer needs to exist. As for Pill Saint Yunyang, he must die!"
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor and Tianxing Old Ancestor nodded in agreement. "We concur."
This matter was far from over! The three thousand states of the Southern Wilds were watching. If the Grand Dao Sect showed any weakness, wouldn't every hegemonic force feel they could bully the Grand Dao Sect's disciples? They had to use this opportunity to establish their dominance!
***
In Luohua State.
Millions of miles from Yunzhou, an incomparably vast, ancient spirit boat was traversing the void. It flowed with divine light, surging with power, and its passage across the sky caused the earth to tremble and the seas to roar.
Atop the spirit boat, a colossal palace, like a small mountain, was perched. Golden light shimmered across it, magnificent and imposing, exuding an overwhelming pressure. On the palace, dazzling Great Emperor Dao patterns converged into three ancient characters: "Heavenly Net Hall!"
This massive spirit boat was headed straight for Yunzhou!
At the peak of the spirit boat, the figure of Duan Hunsheng emerged.