“...If you can capture Ji Fuyao, Grand Elder, I guarantee your path to becoming a Nine-star Great Emperor! For all others who contribute, I will ensure an immediate one-star realm increase, and you will be granted the right to cultivate the Supreme Secret Art of the Silent Destruction Sect!”
The announcement sent the assembled elders into a frenzy.
Even the Grand Elder, Gu Lang, felt a sharp glint of ambition flash in his eyes. He had been stuck at the peak of Eight-star Great Emperor Late-stage Great Perfection for centuries. Nine-star Great Emperor status felt perpetually out of reach. If the Silent Destruction Old Man could grant him the opportunity for that breakthrough, he would personally capture Ji Fuyao without hesitation.
Duan Hunsheng then turned to the Grand Elder, flicking his sleeve to send a Heavenly Net Token flying out. “Gu Lang, from this moment forward, you are in full command of this operation. You may mobilize the General Hall and all remaining branch halls, including every elder—save for myself.”
The Grand Elder’s body trembled slightly as he respectfully accepted the Heavenly Net Token. “I obey, Hall Master!”
This was unprecedented delegation! For millennia, despite holding the title of Grand Elder, he had been little more than a messenger for Duan Hunsheng. Now, holding this token, he was second only to the Hall Master in the entire Heavenly Net Hall.
Duan Hunsheng flicked his sleeve again, and three shimmering, golden Hall Master's Decrees shot out, hovering before the Grand Elder, Gu Lang.
“These three Hall Master's Decrees contain the full force of three of my all-out attacks,” Duan Hunsheng explained. “Should you encounter a Nine-star Great Emperor, they will ensure your self-preservation.”
Gu Lang accepted the three decrees, his excitement overwhelming, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Hall Master!”
The other elders watched with profound envy.
Gu Lang surveyed the crowd, a new, fierce authority settling on his face. “In this mission, none of you should fear death! If we obtain the Secret of Reincarnation and Re-cultivation from Ji Fuyao, every member of our Heavenly Net Hall will attain Longevity!”
The promise of eternal life electrified the room.
The elders bowed in unison. “We await the Grand Elder’s command!”
From his main seat, Duan Hunsheng finally allowed a subtle smile of satisfaction to cross his lips. “Excellent. Truly excellent.”
...
At the Grand Dao Sect.
Boom!
The void shattered. Space twisted violently.
A gray-robed elder slowly stepped out of the spatial rift, his body surging with the terrifying pressure of a Nine-star Great Emperor, roaring through the heavens like a crashing ocean wave.
This was the Nine-star Great Emperor, Jiujun Old Ancestor, from the Cangmu Academy in Cloud State (Yunzhou). He had accepted the invitation from the Tianyuan Old Ancestor to study the wisp of Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
Immediately, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the Cangxuan Old Ancestor stepped into the air, bowing in greeting. “Jiujun Daoist Friend, I trust you have been well.”
Jiujun Old Ancestor returned the bow. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend, thank you for the invitation.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor smiled and nodded.
A moment later, the void tore open again, and another Nine-star Great Emperor emerged.
It was the Nanchenzi Old Ancestor of the Supreme Profound Sect! Nanchenzi was inwardly resentful; although the Supreme Profound Sect and the Grand Dao Sect had deep, recent enmity, that wouldn't stop him from coming to study the profound Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
“Nanchenzi Daoist Friend, please,” Tianyuan Old Ancestor offered.
Nanchenzi gave a curt, cold nod.
Soon, many other Overlord-level Powers arrived, including the Yao Family, the Pill Fragrance Sect, and the Ancient Wang Family.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor had only invited human magnates, deliberately excluding the Demon and Alien races.
Yao Quan, the Yao Family Old Ancestor, looked at Tianyuan Old Ancestor and spoke gravely. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend, I’ve heard whispers that the Demon and Alien races are quite displeased that the Grand Dao Sect did not invite them to study the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor scoffed. “It matters little! This is a human opportunity. Why should we cooperate with them?”
Jiujun Old Ancestor nodded in agreement. “Indeed. While there are grievances among our human factions, when the doors are closed, these matters are strictly human affairs.”
The others agreed.
The group of Old Ancestors followed Tianyuan Old Ancestor into a secluded, hidden realm.
The hidden realm felt like a world unto itself, surging with the power of the Grand Dao Scripture. The sky was clear, the mountains and rivers were blessed, and every blade of grass and tree seemed to align with the Heavenly Dao, filling the Overlord-level Power Old Ancestors with profound awe.
The Grand Dao Scripture truly lives up to its name!
The power of Heaven and Earth manifested in numerous auspicious phenomena, cleansing their minds and souls. Even as Nine-star Great Emperors, they felt the subtle, profound influence of the 'Dao and Essence' here.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor chuckled. “Gentlemen, there is no need to rush. We might as well try Fishing for Dao Enlightenment in Cangxuan’s river first. Catching a few Spirit Fish would be quite a pleasant diversion.”
Jiujun Old Ancestor was intrigued, looking at the long river manifested by the Cangxuan Old Ancestor. He smiled. “I've long heard that Cangxuan Daoist Friend cultivates the Grand Dao Scripture through the art of fishing. Seeing it today, it is indeed profound.”
The Old Ancestors gazed at the river. It was clear and mirror-like, incredibly serene, reflecting the sky above like a beautiful, tranquil painting.
A gentle breeze blew, and the water remained undisturbed.
In that moment, the Old Ancestors felt a profound spiritual connection, a sense of unity with the Dao.
A few Spirit Fish swam leisurely in the river, seemingly content.
“Marvelous! Truly marvelous!” the magnates exclaimed, laughing heartily.
They understood the profound mystery of this river: the Spirit Fish were manifestations of the Heavenly Dao captured by the Cangxuan Old Ancestor. Fishing here was, in essence, meditating on the Heavenly Dao and achieving spiritual unity.
With such a rare opportunity, none of the Old Ancestors refused.
Soon, each held a fishing rod, sitting cross-legged, temporarily setting aside the matter of the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace to try their hand at Fishing for Dao Enlightenment.
A half-day passed. Nanchenzi grew slightly impatient. Everyone else had caught at least one Spirit Fish, but he had caught nothing.
A full day passed. Nanchenzi still had zero catch.
Tianxing Old Ancestor chuckled, trying to comfort him. “I haven't caught anything either!”
Nanchenzi shot him a look. “...”
The next instant, Tianxing Old Ancestor leaped into the river and stomped a Spirit Fish to death with his foot.
The other Old Ancestors stared at him, dumbfounded.
Nanchenzi flicked his sleeve. “Crude!”
Everyone laughed and quickly distanced themselves from Tianxing Old Ancestor.
Tianxing Old Ancestor pouted.
Two days later, the Old Ancestors were still fishing.
Several days later, they still showed no intention of studying the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
The Sect Master, observing this, felt his face twitch. Even Nine-star Great Emperors cannot resist the lure of fishing! Once you’re hooked, there’s no stopping!
The Sect Master cleared his throat and walked over. “Ahem, Seniors, time is getting short. Perhaps we should...”
Before he could finish, he was cut off by several voices. “Just a moment.”
A few more days went by.
Nanchenzi finally gave up, unable to maintain his composure. His mind was too restless, and thus, no Spirit Fish would bite his hook.
He looked at the Cangxuan Old Ancestor. “Cangxuan, there is something wrong with your Spirit Fish.”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor replied calmly, “There is not.”
The other Old Ancestors looked at Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s bucket. Unsurprisingly, he had caught the most.
Jiujun Old Ancestor sighed faintly. “Cangxuan, as the master of this river, you naturally catch the most Spirit Fish in the Grand Dao Sect.”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s face twitched as he remembered Lu Xuan. “Not so! Lu Xuan catches far more than I do.”
The magnates were puzzled. “Lu Xuan? You mean the Azure Mystery Peak Master who enjoys a certain 'reputation' in the Southern Wilds?”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor nodded.
Nanchenzi frowned. “Summon Lu Xuan here. I want to see what ability he possesses!”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor looked at the Sect Master. “Go bring Lu Xuan over. Bring Fuyao and Ye Chen as well.”
The Sect Master nodded, stepping out of the hidden realm. A divine rainbow appeared beneath his feet, and he sped toward Azure Mystery Peak.
...
Meanwhile, Lu Xuan arrived back at Azure Mystery Peak with Chen Changsheng.
“I’m back,” Lu Xuan transmitted mentally to his disciples.
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen immediately stopped cultivating and rushed out of their cave dwellings.
They froze instantly upon seeing the middle-aged man standing beside Lu Xuan.
The man was utterly unremarkable—plain-looking, seemingly dull, and exuding the aura of a mediocre cultivator. He was only at Profound Sovereign Late-stage.
Chen Changsheng bowed respectfully to Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen. “Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, greetings. My name is Chen Changsheng.”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched internally. What the hell? This Old Third is even better at acting than I am! A Great Emperor bowing to a Profound Saint and a Profound Sovereign with such solemnity? How shameless!
Ji Fuyao scrutinized Chen Changsheng. She felt a pang of disappointment. He was only at Profound Sovereign Late-stage, looked to be thirty or forty years old, and his appearance was utterly average. He even seemed a bit slow-witted!
Her Master, on the other hand, was handsome, elegant, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, clad in white robes, like a divine king descending to the mortal world. The contrast with this Third Junior Brother was stark.
And Third Junior Brother... he’s just not good-looking.
Ye Chen was equally astonished. Who could have imagined they would get a seemingly ordinary middle-aged man with mediocre talent?
Chen Changsheng observed Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen’s expressions, immediately discerning their thoughts.
Heh heh... Exactly the reaction I was hoping for.
Chen Changsheng adopted a sorrowful expression. “Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, my cultivation talent is poor. I actually didn't want to take a master or come to the Grand Dao Sect, but Master insisted on forcing me here.”
Lu Xuan’s face darkened. This guy is already complaining about me behind my back!
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen looked at Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan offered a faint smile. “I choose my disciples purely by fate. When the connection arrives, I accept them. Please take good care of Changsheng.”
With that, Lu Xuan turned to head back to his cave dwelling for a nap.
Ye Chen walked over and patted Chen Changsheng’s shoulder, speaking earnestly. “Third Junior Brother, you must never give up on yourself. Talent is not the most important thing in cultivation. Diligence is key.”
Chen Changsheng clenched his fist. “I will be diligent.”
Ji Fuyao, stunning in her fiery red dress, approached Chen Changsheng and handed him a Storage Ring. “Changsheng Junior Brother, take these. Cultivate well, and do not disappoint Master.”
Chen Changsheng accepted the ring and scanned its contents with his divine sense. He was slightly stunned. Inside was an Emperor Weapon, several Saint Soldiers, millions of High-grade Spirit Stones, and countless high-tier spirit herbs and pills. The wealth was staggering.
“Senior Sister, this is too valuable,” Chen Changsheng said, feigning shock.
Lu Xuan turned back and waved a dismissive hand. “Just take it. Your Senior Sister is a small rich woman now.”
Ji Fuyao’s face flushed slightly at the compliment.
Ye Chen also handed Chen Changsheng a Storage Ring. He, too, was now a “Resource Magnate.”
Lu Xuan casually tossed Chen Changsheng to his senior siblings. “Alright, you three chat. I'm going back to sleep. Oh, right, there are empty cave dwellings on Azure Mystery Peak. Changsheng, pick one yourself.”
Just then, Boom!
The Sect Master, riding a divine rainbow, streaked across the sky and landed directly on Azure Mystery Peak.
He looked at the unfamiliar face of Chen Changsheng, utterly bewildered. “Who is this man?”
Lu Xuan replied, “My third disciple, Chen Changsheng.”
The Sect Master froze. Are you kidding me?
This was a mediocre middle-aged man! He looked dull-witted!
The Sect Master’s face twitched as he looked at Lu Xuan. “What exactly is your standard for accepting disciples?”
He couldn't understand. The first two were peerless geniuses, but the third was just... ordinary. This talent would barely qualify as an ordinary inner disciple in the Grand Dao Sect.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “No standard. Just following fate.”
The Sect Master was speechless.
Lu Xuan then asked leisurely, “Sect Master, when I accepted Fuyao and Ye Chen, you and the other Peak Masters were scrambling to recruit them. Now that I have a third disciple, perhaps he should go to one of the other Spirit Peaks?”
The Sect Master immediately waved his hands, shaking his head frantically. “No need! Absolutely no need for that!”