“If you don't know how to cook, you can learn. Oh, and you can hand over those Insight Jade Slips to me. Let me take a look; perhaps I can give you some pointers.”
Chen Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then handed over all his Insight Jade Slips to Lu Xuan. Although his submission was only “half-hearted,” he felt that Lu Xuan’s cultivation realm and mastery of the Great Dao were far beyond his own. If his Master offered guidance, the benefits would be immeasurable.
Lu Xuan took the dozens of slips, smiling faintly. Heh. If I wanted to, I could guide Chen Changsheng right now in the Dao of Arrays, the Puppet Art, the Dao of Medicine... everything he knows, I know better, thanks to the System synchronization. But revealing that would be far too shocking.
A moment later, Lu Xuan retired to his adjacent cave dwelling to rest. Battling Chen Changsheng for three days had been surprisingly exhausting. Lying down on his bed, ready to sleep, the System's voice chimed in his ear.
“Ding! Third disciple Chen Changsheng is comprehending the Scripture of Non-Action. Synchronization initiated!”
A wave of profound, mysterious enlightenment flooded Lu Xuan's mind. Lu Xuan smiled. He's already started cultivating? That's my boy. He had to admit, all three of his disciples were incredibly diligent. He decided to rest for a few days, giving Chen Changsheng time to settle down, before having him lead the way back to the Grand Dao Sect.
***
At the Supreme Profound Sect, within the main hall of Supreme Peak. The Old Ancestor Nanchenzi, Sect Master Wei Qianhan, and others had just returned from Yanzhou. They had failed. The Grand Dao Sect had moved with terrifying speed; before they could arrive, the Ancient Qin Family had already been annihilated. Nanchenzi and the Grand Dao Sect's Tianyuan Old Ancestor had clashed, resulting in a draw, but the matter was left unresolved.
Sect Master Wei Qianhan’s face was etched with fury. “Old Ancestor, are we truly going to let this matter drop?” They had established a cooperative alliance with the Ancient Qin Family! Now the Ancient Qin Family was gone, and all their cultivation resources had been plundered by the Grand Dao Sect. What truly shocked them was the Grand Dao Sect's sheer decisiveness; returning from Cloud State (Yunzhou) only to immediately head straight to annihilate the Qin Family!
Nanchenzi’s expression was dark. “The Supreme Profound Sect has recorded this debt. This matter is far from over!”
Sect Master Wei Qianhan felt a bitter taste in his mouth. In the past few months, the Supreme Profound Sect had been thoroughly humiliated twice by the Grand Dao Sect. First, during the Pill Refining Exchange Conference, when over a dozen talented alchemists were killed by Ye Chen. Old Ancestor Yuan Qingzi personally went to the Grand Dao Sect to confront the Cangxuan Old Ancestor, but the conflict was shelved. Now, the Ancient Qin Family, which they had agreed to protect, was annihilated, and the clash between Nanchenzi and Tianyuan Old Ancestor ended abruptly. Worse still, even after all this, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor had brazenly threatened to kill Pill Saint Yunyang! The Supreme Profound Sect was completely on the defensive.
Nanchenzi’s face grew solemn. “This time, the Grand Dao Sect acquired a wisp of the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace from the Martial Emperor Secret Realm. Tianyuan Old Ancestor intends to invite numerous Overlord-level Powers from the Southern Wilds to study this Dao Rhyme together and unlock the secrets of the Bronze Ancient Palace. Tianyuan Old Ancestor has also extended an invitation to the Supreme Profound Sect. We will still have to go to the Grand Dao Sect.”
Sect Master Wei Qianhan gritted his teeth. “Even in the Ancient Era, the Supreme Profound Sect was constrained by the Grand Dao Sect. Our founder eventually achieved the Supreme Fruit Position, leaving behind countless opportunities! Why are we still subject to the Grand Dao Sect now?”
Nanchenzi stated in a deep voice, “Rest assured, the Supreme Profound Sect will settle this score eventually. However, the Supreme Path has not yet opened. There is no need to launch a decisive battle against the Grand Dao Sect right now.”
Wei Qianhan suppressed his internal rage and nodded. “Very well.”
A short while later, Nanchenzi summoned Qin Wang and Nangong Baixue. Nangong Baixue, wearing an elegant, light-colored dress, entered the hall with a faint smile, followed closely by Qin Wang. Their eyes constantly met, weaving together like an unbreakable thread. The Sect Master frowned slightly, sighing inwardly. He had already noticed the illicit affair between Nangong Baixue and Qin Wang. This was predictable, however, as Nangong Baixue possessed the Primordial Yin Body. The Primordial Yin Body naturally attracted men, and both Qin Xiao and Qin Wang had undoubtedly fallen into the same deep obsession.
In the hall, Nangong Baixue and Qin Wang bowed respectfully to Nanchenzi and the Sect Master, their faces wreathed in smiles.
Sect Master Wei Qianhan sighed. “Qin Wang, Baixue, I have some bad news.”
Qin Wang chuckled. “Sect Master, please tell us.” He was in high spirits, having finally obtained what he had long desired—though he hadn't yet reached the 'ultimate destination,' he had certainly witnessed and sampled it.
The Sect Master slowly delivered the blow: “The Ancient Qin Family has been annihilated by the Grand Dao Sect.”
The announcement struck Qin Wang and Nangong Baixue dumb. What? The Qin Family was destroyed? How was that possible? The Ancient Qin Family had existed for tens of thousands of years. Even if they were past their peak, they were still the strongest Overlord-level Power in Yanzhou! And hadn't the Supreme Profound Sect promised them protection?
Qin Wang's voice trembled as he looked at Sect Master Wei Qianhan. “Sect Master, is... is this true?”
The Sect Master nodded.
Nangong Baixue’s face instantly turned ashen, her mind blank. Shock! Beyond the shock was overwhelming terror. She had abandoned Ye Chen precisely because she valued the strength of the Ancient Qin Family—an Overlord-level Power boasting an Eight-star Great Emperor! How could they be overthrown so suddenly? She refused to believe it. This couldn't be happening! If the Ancient Qin Family was wiped out, she would be a rootless weed, a tree without a foundation. Furthermore, Qin Wang had only just become the Young Master, and their engagement had not been publicly announced yet.
Nangong Baixue knew she possessed the rare Primordial Yin Body, but her own Nangong Family was too weak to offer her any support. A sudden hatred flared in her heart for her own family. If the Nangong Family had a Nine-star Great Emperor, would she be forced to transfer between Qin Xiao and Qin Wang like this? The Primordial Yin Body was powerful, but it required dependence on others.
Nangong Baixue looked at Qin Wang, an overwhelming sense of disappointment washing over her. This man, who had been the Young Master of the Ancient Qin Family last night, was now nothing more than an ordinary person. Qin Wang's talent was inferior to Qin Xiao's, and with the Qin Family destroyed, Qin Wang was utterly worthless. She knew his future had reached a dead end. Instantly, an intense feeling of revulsion for Qin Wang surged within her. He's just a waste! Besides, she never truly liked Qin Wang. She needed to find a new path immediately.
A moment later, Qin Wang finally emerged from his shock. He reached out and placed his hand on Nangong Baixue’s delicate wrist. “Baixue, now I only have you left.”
Nangong Baixue violently snatched her hand away. Her expression was stern and utterly cold. “Qin Wang, please show some respect. Although the Qin Family has been destroyed, there is no longer any relationship between us. Furthermore, I am your nominal sister-in-law.”
Qin Wang froze in astonishment. What? What is wrong with Baixue? Last night, hadn't they been intimate, exploring the 'ultimate destination' together, even swearing vows to be like paired birds in the sky and intertwined branches on earth? Thinking this, Qin Wang said in disbelief, “Baixue, but we were just in the cave dwelling yesterday, we already—”
Before he could finish, Nangong Baixue delivered a sharp slap across his face. Snap! The outline of her fingers was clearly imprinted on Qin Wang’s cheek, leaving him utterly rigid.
Nangong Baixue suddenly choked up, bursting into tears. She turned to the Sect Master. “Your Eminence, please uphold justice for me! Yesterday, I only went to Qin Xiao's cave dwelling to retrieve some old belongings, but I was unexpectedly assaulted by Qin Wang! I was no match for him and suffered this humiliation... I beg the Sect Master to intervene!”
Qin Wang was utterly dumbfounded. How could she do this? The Sect Master shook his head slightly, glancing at Old Ancestor Nanchenzi, who maintained a neutral expression, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding before him. The Sect Master immediately felt a headache coming on. He pulled out a Transmission Jade Slip and sent a message to Pill Saint Yunyang. He hadn't expected Nangong Baixue's first reaction to be such a decisive break from Qin Wang! Truly worthy of the Primordial Yin Body! She cuts emotional ties with ruthless speed! Sect Master Wei Qianhan mused that Nangong Baixue distancing herself from Qin Wang was actually beneficial for the Supreme Profound Sect's reputation. If the Ancient Qin Family were still intact, Qin Wuyang might have insisted on Qin Wang and Nangong Baixue marrying, making it the Qin Family's internal affair. But now the Ancient Qin Family was gone, and both were disciples of the Supreme Profound Sect! Nominally, Nangong Baixue was Qin Wang's sister-in-law. If they married, the Supreme Profound Sect would lose all face!
Soon, Pill Saint Yunyang, clad in a gray robe, hurried into the main hall. Nangong Baixue, sobbing hysterically, stumbled toward him and threw herself into his arms. “Master, please seek justice for me...” Nangong Baixue wailed, her tears falling like rain.
Pill Saint Yunyang gently patted her back—a light palm strike that knocked her unconscious. The hall immediately quieted down.
Qin Wang stared blankly at Nangong Baixue’s delicate, pale form. Last night, they were within arm's reach; today, they were worlds apart. Why did this happen?
At that moment, Sect Master Wei Qianhan said, “Yunyang, take Baixue back.”
Pill Saint Yunyang nodded, picked up Nangong Baixue, and flew toward Cloud Yang Peak on a divine rainbow.
The Sect Master turned to Qin Wang. “Qin Wang, I will retain your candidacy for the Divine Son position. How high you climb will depend entirely on your own destiny.”
Qin Wang felt desolate, his mind blank. He slowly rose, bowed respectfully to the Sect Master and Old Ancestor Nanchenzi, and staggered out of the hall. His heart was bleeding. Returning to his cave dwelling, Qin Wang felt utterly lost. He looked at the memory projection of Qin Xiao and asked blankly, “Brother, what do we do now?”
***
Meanwhile, in a hidden location within the Grand Dao Sect. The Tianyuan Old Ancestor gazed at the wisp of the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, marveling inwardly. The Dao Rhyme was brilliant, flowing with dazzling divine light like a river of stars. It constantly manifested phenomena: the mountains and rivers of the Southern Wilds, ancient palaces, and complex, mysterious imprints that even he could not fully decipher. Although it was only a single wisp, it allowed them to glimpse the profound secrets of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
Beside him, the Tianxing Old Ancestor and the Cangxuan Old Ancestor were equally astonished. The Cangxuan Old Ancestor spoke, “In the past, whenever the Supreme Path opened, those mighty figures who ultimately achieved the Supreme Fruit Position all gained opportunities from the Bronze Ancient Palace. If the Grand Dao Sect wishes to produce a Supreme this time, we must enter the Bronze Ancient Palace and seize the opportunity!”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded. “Exactly! During this Supreme Path era, we must follow the founder's instructions and secure the Supreme Fruit Position!”
The three studied the Dao Rhyme for several days but were still unable to unlock its secrets. Tianyuan Old Ancestor then said, “I have already invited over a dozen Overlord-level Powers to the Grand Dao Sect to study this together. This time, we must pool our collective strength to decipher it!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor pondered for a moment. “Tianyuan Senior Brother, this move kills two birds with one stone. Not only can we leverage the collective power to decipher the mysteries of the Bronze Ancient Palace, but it will also help ease the tension between the Grand Dao Sect and the other major human factions in the Southern Wilds.”
Tianxing Old Ancestor stroked his bristly beard. “Indeed, indeed.”
***
In Tengyue State. Chen Changsheng had cultivated the Scripture of Non-Action for several days, temporarily setting aside his internal frustrations. Since he had become Lu Xuan's disciple, he would follow his Master back to the Grand Dao Sect. After all, his Master had said, “Only by entering the world can one leave the world.”
With this thought, Chen Changsheng arrived at the entrance of Lu Xuan's cave dwelling. “Master, I am ready.”
“Oh?” Lu Xuan smiled faintly.
The next instant, ten Lu Xuans walked out of the cave dwelling! Each wore a white robe, bore a gentle smile, and radiated dazzling divine light, like ten descending Divine Kings.
Chen Changsheng was utterly stunned by the sight. “Master, do you also practice the Puppet Art?”