“No need for that, then.”
The Sect Master’s dismissive attitude made it clear he held no high hopes for Chen Changsheng.
Lu Xuan merely smiled. Unless Chen Changsheng himself chose to expose his true power, no one, not even a Nine-star Great Emperor, could detect his foundation or background. Chen Changsheng glanced at Lu Xuan, a faint, almost invisible smile playing on his lips—the perfect mask of mediocrity.
The Sect Master turned to Lu Xuan. “Oh, right, Lu Xuan. The Tianyuan Old Ancestor has summoned you. We should go together. It’s a good opportunity to introduce Chen Changsheng to everyone.”
“Sounds fine,” Lu Xuan replied casually.
In the next instant, the Sect Master swept his sleeve, and a divine rainbow surged forth, carrying the three of them toward the hidden gathering place. Along the way, the Sect Master explained to Lu Xuan and his disciples that the Tianyuan Old Ancestor had invited other Overlord-level Powers to study the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng immediately sent a mental transmission to Lu Xuan. “Master, with so many Nine-star Great Emperors present, won’t my cover be blown?”
“Relax,” Lu Xuan assured him.
Moments later, the Sect Master led them into the secluded location.
“Old Ancestors, Lu Xuan and his disciples have arrived.”
The Jiujun Old Ancestor, Nanchenzi, and the others looked at Lu Xuan with curiosity. “So, you are the Peak Master Lu, famous throughout the Southern Wilds?” the Jiujun Old Ancestor asked with a chuckle.
Lu Xuan adopted a serene, ancient demeanor. “Indeed, that would be me.”
The Sect Master internally roared, fighting the urge to kick Lu Xuan. How dare he act so puffed up in front of a gathering of Nine-star Great Emperors?
Jiujun Old Ancestor stroked his beard, recalling how the Heaven-tier Alchemist Cang Li had once described Lu Xuan as a “shameless fellow.” He burst into laughter. “Interesting, very interesting.”
Nanchenzi merely snorted. The other Old Ancestors cupped their hands toward Lu Xuan in mock reverence. “Peak Master Lu, we have long admired your reputation.”
Lu Xuan nodded, maintaining his air of supreme authority, which only caused the Sect Master’s face to twitch uncontrollably.
At that moment, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor pointed at Chen Changsheng, frowning slightly. “Who is this person?”
“My third disciple, Chen Changsheng,” Lu Xuan announced.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor, Cangxuan Old Ancestor, and Tianxing Old Ancestor exchanged glances. He took another disciple?
Chen Changsheng adopted a wooden, dull expression and bowed to the magnates. “Chen Changsheng greets all Old Ancestors.”
Nanchenzi shook his head slightly, thinking, Terrible talent, mediocre foundation. He will never achieve greatness.
Jiujun Old Ancestor, Yao Quan, and the others also discerned Chen Changsheng’s average talent, but they were too polite to say so. Instead, they smiled and offered congratulations to the Tianyuan Old Ancestor. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend, congratulations! The Grand Dao Sect has gained another late bloomer!”
Late bloomer, Lu Xuan thought wryly. These Old Ancestors certainly know how to phrase things nicely. They clearly think Chen Changsheng is useless, but they have to use ‘late bloomer’ to save face. A bunch of old foxes.
Nanchenzi turned to Lu Xuan. “Lu Xuan, I heard you are proficient in the art of ‘Fishing for Dao Enlightenment’?”
Lu Xuan replied flatly, “A slight understanding.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor smiled and handed Lu Xuan a fishing rod. “Lu Xuan, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor himself admits your fishing skills surpass his. Show us your technique!”
Lu Xuan nodded and immediately sat cross-legged by the long river, beginning his ‘Fishing for Dao Enlightenment’ session.
Just a few breaths later, the first Spirit Fish bit the hook.
Ji Fuyao, who had been standing nearby, quickly placed the wooden bucket she had prepared next to Lu Xuan.
Soon, the second. Then the third.
In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the bucket beside Lu Xuan was completely full.
The Great Emperors stared at each other in disbelief.
This was impossible. The river before them contained profound mysteries. Only those with a clear Dao Heart, perfectly aligned with the Great Dao, could catch the Spirit Fish. Realm was secondary; the key was the state of mind and the degree of Dao compatibility.
Nanchenzi narrowed his eyes, observing Lu Xuan. “This young man, Lu Xuan, though only in the Qi Refining Stage, is subtly in the state of ‘Body in Harmony with the Dao’ and possesses immense Power of Destiny. That is why he can attract these Spirit Fish.”
The other Old Ancestors also saw the profound truth. They saw in Lu Xuan something they desperately sought. Unfortunately, this state of ‘Body in Harmony with the Dao’ was unlike the Power of Destiny; it could not be stripped away. It was simply a profound waste for such a marvelous Dao Rhyme to be possessed by a mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator.
A sharp glint flashed in Nanchenzi’s eyes. “Lu Xuan, are you truly still in the Qi Refining Stage?”
Lu Xuan shook his head. “No, I am a Four-star Great Emperor!”
The Sect Master froze, then laughed in exasperation. “Why not claim Nine-star Great Emperor while you’re at it!?”
Lu Xuan replied, “Because I am not.”
The assembled Old Ancestors burst into laughter. Not a single person believed Lu Xuan’s words. Even his three disciples remained skeptical.
Lu Xuan’s antics had completely ruined the Great Emperors’ desire to fish. Jiujun Old Ancestor smiled faintly. “We have spent several days here. It is time to begin studying the wisp of Dao Rhyme from the Bronze Ancient Palace.”
The other Old Ancestors nodded in agreement.
Nanchenzi suddenly looked at the Tianyuan Old Ancestor. “Since Lu Xuan has taken a third disciple, why don’t we test his aptitude? Perhaps we are shortsighted and cannot perceive Chen Changsheng’s true foundation.”
Upon hearing this, the other Old Ancestors looked at Tianyuan Old Ancestor. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend, what say you?”
They all knew that while Lu Xuan appeared to be the master, the true magnate was the hidden figure on Azure Mystery Peak. At that level, taking a disciple held profound, hidden significance. Perhaps Chen Changsheng was not as simple as he appeared!
Tianyuan Old Ancestor pondered for a moment. “Very well. Please excuse us for the spectacle.”
With a wave of his sleeve, Tianyuan Old Ancestor led Lu Xuan, Chen Changsheng, and the others, soaring toward the location of the Talent Stone Tablet. The Old Ancestors from the other factions followed closely behind.
Boom!
They descended before the massive Talent Stone Tablet. It was an ancient, towering monument that had stood for countless years, flowing with mysterious, obscure energy, resembling a mountain peak piercing the void.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor briefly explained the tablet’s function. The Talent Stone Tablet was One Hundred Zhang tall. Only talent reaching Earth-tier could activate its power and emit divine radiance. The height of the light indicated the level of talent.
In the Southern Wilds, talent was ranked: Yellow-tier, Human-tier, Jade-tier, Xuan-tier, King-tier, Earth-tier, and Heaven-tier. When Ye Chen and Ji Fuyao had tested here previously, the tablet had erupted with divine light, reaching the full One Hundred Zhang, illuminating the sky.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor looked at Chen Changsheng. “Changsheng, go ahead.”
Chen Changsheng nodded, approached the Talent Stone Tablet, activated his spiritual power, and pressed his palm against the stone.
A mysterious sensation flowed into Chen Changsheng, causing him to momentarily lose focus. Ten breaths passed. The Talent Stone Tablet remained utterly silent. A hundred breaths passed. Still nothing.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor sighed, slightly disappointed, and waved Chen Changsheng back. “Changsheng, return.”
Since Chen Changsheng failed to activate the divine radiance, his talent was clearly not even Earth-tier. His aptitude was utterly ordinary.
The Old Ancestors from the other factions smiled faintly, a collective sigh of relief washing over them. It seemed even the supreme magnate on Azure Mystery Peak could occasionally misjudge a person. This Chen Changsheng was indeed unremarkable.
Thank the heavens for that. The magnate already had two monstrous disciples, Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen. If Chen Changsheng were also a peerless genius, the situation would be terrifying!
Nanchenzi frowned slightly and looked at Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, you try it. Perhaps the Talent Stone Tablet is malfunctioning?”
Ye Chen looked at Lu Xuan, who smiled faintly. “Go ahead and test it.”
Ye Chen quickly stepped before the tablet, activated his spiritual power, and pressed his palm against the stone.
Shing!
Instantly, the Talent Stone Tablet erupted with divine radiance, shooting up to the maximum height of One Hundred Zhang. A pillar of brilliant light pierced the clouds, illuminating the void.
Seeing this, the Old Ancestors were secretly astonished. Ye Chen truly deserved his reputation as the one who crushed all prodigies in the Martial Dao Great Emperor’s Inheritance Secret Realm. His talent was terrifying!
Ye Chen returned to Lu Xuan’s side. Nanchenzi smiled faintly, thinking, This Chen Changsheng is indeed a mediocre talent.
Just as the crowd prepared to depart, a sudden, terrifying anomaly occurred.
Dong!
A deep, resonant chime echoed through the void, and the Grand Dao Bell suddenly manifested. Everyone looked up at the sky, where an immense, ancient bell appeared. Mysterious Dao patterns were carved upon its surface, flowing with endless, obscure energy. Suddenly, the bell erupted with dazzling divine light, like a colossal sun. All the Dao patterns glowed, and the light shone like a sea of stars, unleashing an overwhelmingly terrifying pressure.
It was descending, seemingly intent on annihilating everyone present!
Hiss! Jiujun Old Ancestor and the others were instantly on high alert, shouting in alarm. “Tianyuan Daoist Friend, what in the world is wrong with your sect’s Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Grand Dao Bell?”
At this moment, the Grand Dao Bell appeared fully activated, its Dao patterns crystalline and transparent, as if it had fully awakened. It shattered the void as it descended, roaring with murderous intent that was vast as the ocean.
The Great Emperors felt their scalps prickle. As expected of the Grand Dao Sect’s Ancient Supreme Artifact—the pressure was immense!
All the Old Ancestors stood firm, no longer concealing their auras, unleashing the full power of the Nine-star Great Emperor realm to resist the Grand Dao Bell. They looked at Tianyuan Old Ancestor with grave expressions, demanding an explanation.
This situation felt exactly like they were about to be suppressed and trapped here!
For a terrifying moment, the Old Ancestors from the Overlord-level Powers wondered: Is the Grand Dao Sect trying to use the Grand Dao Bell to keep us here under the guise of studying the Dao Rhyme?
If Tianyuan Old Ancestor fully activated this Ancient Supreme Artifact, it might truly be possible to suppress them all. However, they quickly dismissed the thought. If they were harmed here, the Grand Dao Sect would be besieged by the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds. Tianyuan Old Ancestor wouldn't be that foolish.
Nanchenzi swept his sleeve, unleashing the Nine-star Great Emperor pressure to resist the bell’s might. Tianyuan Old Ancestor frowned, stepping in front of the other magnates. He apologized profusely. “Fellow Daoist, please do not panic. I will handle this!”
He had no idea why the Grand Dao Bell had suddenly manifested and gone completely berserk. Tianyuan Old Ancestor waved his sleeve, soaring into the sky and unleashing his own Nine-star Great Emperor power. He formed complex spiritual seals, generating endless Dao patterns that resonated with the Grand Dao Bell.
But the Grand Dao Bell was like a falling star, its momentum unstoppable, subtly slipping out of Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s control. Tianyuan Old Ancestor was inwardly horrified. How is this possible?
Just then, Chen Changsheng sent a mental transmission to Lu Xuan. “Master, quickly, think of a solution! The Grand Dao Bell seems intent on annihilating me!”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. So, the third disciple was the culprit.
“Changsheng, what did you do to the Grand Dao Bell?” Lu Xuan transmitted back.
Chen Changsheng replied secretly, “Master, I was wrong. I saw the Grand Dao Bell hidden in the void just now, and I secretly probed it with a wisp of my divine sense. Who knew the damn thing would suddenly go crazy!”