“Master, what do you think?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Lu Xuan replied casually, “Just don’t make too much noise.”
Chen Changsheng understood instantly. The Master meant: just ensure the commotion doesn't alert the Grand Dao Bell. Other than that supreme treasure, nothing in the Grand Dao Sect could possibly threaten him.
Over the next few days, Chen Changsheng worked in secret, meticulously setting up the formation. No one in the Grand Dao Sect noticed a thing. Chen Changsheng’s foundation was immense; he could complete this heaven-defying array solely through his years of accumulated knowledge.
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen, focused entirely on their cultivation, noticed nothing unusual.
Lu Xuan, however, was intensely curious. He had taken on his third disciple several days ago. Why hadn't any of the other Peak Masters come to take a look? When he accepted Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen, those Peak Masters had been practically tripping over themselves to recruit them.
***
Meanwhile, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and many other Old Ancestors from Overlord-level Powers were gathered in a hidden location, diligently studying the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace.
This wisp of Dao Rhyme was infinitely profound. After days of study, the magnates remained confused. However, they had discerned one crucial clue: this Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace was likely the key to opening it.
In other words, the next time the Bronze Ancient Palace appeared, whoever held this wisp of Dao Rhyme could step inside.
Jiujun Old Ancestor pondered for a moment. “We can’t be certain yet. But we can confirm that the Bronze Ancient Palace appearing near the Heavenly Blade Gate’s Martial Emperor Secret Realm was no accident. And the palace leaving behind this wisp of Dao Rhyme was certainly no coincidence!”
Nanchenzi Old Ancestor snorted coldly. “Now, the Heavenly Blade Gate and the Ancient Qin Family are no more.”
At his words, the expressions of the assembled magnates tightened. They knew Nanchenzi was deeply unhappy that the Grand Dao Sect had annihilated the Ancient Qin Family and its subordinate forces. After all, the Supreme Profound Sect had already formed an alliance with the Ancient Qin Family, promising them protection. This incident had caused the Supreme Profound Sect to lose immense face!
After a moment of silence, Yao Quan Old Ancestor spoke, his gaze distant. “We know too little about the Bronze Ancient Palace. Since the Ancient Era, it has appeared several times, but always like a fleeting shadow. It opens only once during the opening of the Supreme Path.”
The Dan Xiangzong Old Ancestor added, “The most mysterious part is that the powerful cultivators who entered the Bronze Ancient Palace completely forget their experiences inside upon leaving, though the opportunities they gained remain.”
Everyone looked toward Nanchenzi. “Daoist Friend Nanchenzi, your sect’s founding ancestor also gained an opportunity in the Bronze Ancient Palace. Did he leave behind any information about it?”
Nanchenzi shook his head. “Even a figure as mighty as the Supreme Profound Sect’s founder forgot his experiences within the Bronze Ancient Palace.”
The Old Ancestors sighed slightly. They currently only had a theory that this wisp of Dao Rhyme was left intentionally by the palace.
But when would the Bronze Ancient Palace appear next? And where?
They had no way of knowing.
After another beat of silence, Jiujun Old Ancestor said, “There is one more matter. The next time the Bronze Ancient Palace descends, it will likely open its inner world. Although we hold the key, the non-human races and the demon race will definitely spare no effort to enter.”
The magnates frowned slightly. The strength of the non-human and demon races across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds was not to be underestimated. Furthermore, compared to human cultivators, these races possessed violent and savage bloodline power. It would be difficult to stop them.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor gave a cold huff. “They will not be allowed to enter the Bronze Ancient Palace easily.”
The other Old Ancestors looked at Tianyuan Old Ancestor and nodded. Since the Grand Dao Sect had obtained the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, according to previous agreements, the Grand Dao Sect had the right to decide how to use it.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor inviting them here was already a sign of great respect. If the non-human and demon races wanted to force their way into the palace, the Grand Dao Sect would surely demand astronomical prices. Those factions would have to pay a massive cost to gain entry, allowing the Grand Dao Sect to harvest a wave of top-tier cultivation resources.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor saw through their thoughts and smiled faintly. “Daoist Friends, let us continue our research.”
The Old Ancestors nodded in agreement.
***
In another hidden location, the Tianxing Old Ancestor, Cangxuan Old Ancestor, and others had summoned the Sect Master and the various Peak Masters.
With the Great Era descending, the cultivation realms of the Sect Master and the Peak Masters were deemed too low. Tianxing Old Ancestor planned to use the Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism to rapidly elevate their cultivation.
They arrived at a cascading waterfall. This was a place where the fundamental principles of Heaven and Earth had converged, surging with the power of the Grand Dao Scripture. Infinite, profound spiritual energy permeated the air, causing the Sect Master and the others to tremble with excitement.
Tianxing Old Ancestor spoke in a deep voice, “Prepare to step into the Dao Pattern Celestial Pool!”
As his voice faded, the Sect Master and the Peak Masters rose into the air, their bodies shimmering with divine radiance, and descended into the pool beneath the waterfall. The moment they entered, countless brilliant Dao patterns surged up, continuously infiltrating their inner worlds, refining their meridians, foundations, souls, and Dao hearts.
In the next instant, the waterfall above them roared, and the Great Emperor Dao Patterns transformed into a torrential deluge, washing over their bodies. Immediately, the cultivation of the Sect Master and the Peak Masters began to soar.
Tianxing Old Ancestor instructed, “You have one month to cultivate here. How far you advance depends on your own destiny.”
The Sect Master and the Peak Masters bowed. “Thank you, Old Ancestor!”
***
During this period, the Sect Master and the Peak Masters were in closed-door cultivation in the hidden location. Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, Fang Yan, and the other top true disciples, having received numerous cultivation resources from Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen upon their return, had also entered seclusion long ago.
For a time, Azure Mystery Peak was completely undisturbed.
Ji Fuyao bid farewell to Lu Xuan and entered the third layer of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds to begin her intense cultivation. Before leaving, she specifically urged Chen Changsheng to cultivate diligently.
After spending several days with him, Ji Fuyao had accepted her new Junior Brother in her heart. Although the Third Junior Brother was plain-looking and seemed a bit dull, his heart was simple and pure, without any schemes—a truly honest person.
With Ji Fuyao gone, Ye Chen resumed his relentless routine: cultivation, eating, cultivation. He lived a two-point-line life between his thatched hut and his cave dwelling. During this time, Ye Chen pursued dual cultivation, picking up his long-neglected alchemy practice again.
Chen Changsheng, meanwhile, secretly deployed a massive army of Wooden Puppet Clones to set up the array on Azure Mystery Peak. The timing was perfect, as no one in the Grand Dao Sect was paying attention to the peak.
Chen Changsheng’s progress was rapid. Ye Chen was completely oblivious, and even Yao Yan, residing in the jade pendant, failed to notice anything.
Only Lu Xuan, occasionally glancing up, could see the subtle, cryptic formation patterns surging in the heavens, like dim, obscure stars.
Chen Changsheng’s mastery of the Puppet Art was exquisite. The four-layered array he was building was colossal, completely covering Azure Mystery Peak and extending thousands of feet underground. The formations were complex, profound, and incredibly mysterious.
But Chen Changsheng had his army of Wooden Puppet Clones working day and night. This batch of puppets had been upgraded after Lu Xuan passively gained insights into the Puppet Art and transferred them to Chen Changsheng. Fortunately, the upgraded puppets were much more resilient and “hard-working.” If he had relied on the previous batch from the Martial Emperor Secret Realm, they would have collapsed long ago.
Chen Changsheng informed Lu Xuan that once the heaven-defying array was complete, it would be seamless and natural. Only those who forcibly entered would discover it. From then on, Azure Mystery Peak would be the Grand Dao Sect’s impenetrable fortress.
Chen Changsheng had set up thousands of random teleportation points within the displacement array. These included locations like Ethereal Peak, the Grand Dao Sect’s hidden cultivation grounds, and the area near the Grand Dao Bell.
For supreme magnates who dared to trespass, Chen Changsheng had included coordinates for the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone and the Supreme Profound Sect, among others. With tens of thousands of coordinates, the teleportation was truly random.
He was certain that anyone who forcibly intruded would feel his “warm welcome.”
Chen Changsheng planned that once the array was finished, he would place some helpful warnings in the first layer of the Nine Revolutions Heaven Sealing Array to guide the lost back to the right path.
For example:
“Azure Mystery Peak Important Area, No Entry Without Permission. —Left by Lu Xuan.”
“This path is blocked. Proceeding by force will result in consequences.”
“The array is boundless; turn back now and find salvation!”
“...”
Chen Changsheng detailed his design to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan frowned. “You know, the Sect Master and the Peak Masters often come to Azure Mystery Peak without telling me first. Your array will probably trap them directly. Their strength won’t be enough to break the Nine Revolutions Heaven Sealing Array.”
Chen Changsheng pondered for a moment. “Then we must ensure the Sect Master and the others develop the habit of informing Master before coming to Azure Mystery Peak.”
Lu Xuan was speechless. What the hell?
Chen Changsheng looked solemn. “Master, everything is for the safety of Azure Mystery Peak.”
Lu Xuan was too lazy to argue. “Do as you wish.”
Chen Changsheng internally: If anything goes wrong, Master will take the blame.
Lu Xuan internally: If anything goes wrong, that imaginary supreme magnate will take the blame.
The two exchanged glances, finding the arrangement perfectly acceptable.
A moment later, Chen Changsheng said, “Master, I have an idea. If the Sect Master and the Peak Masters arrive uninvited, we shouldn’t let them step into the Nine Revolutions Heaven Sealing Array. We should just randomly teleport them away immediately, otherwise, they might be trapped and die inside.”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. “You handle it.”
He had a terrible feeling about this, but he was too lazy to intervene. Chen Changsheng had claimed he couldn't focus on cultivation until the grand array was finished, and indeed, Chen Changsheng had been entirely immersed in array construction, neglecting his own cultivation. The passive feedback from Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen had been minimal, leaving Lu Xuan feeling a faint sadness.
***
One month later.
The array was finally complete.
Chen Changsheng, slightly excited, rushed to Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling and smiled. “Master, the array is finished! I will begin cultivating tomorrow.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Good.”
Finally...
Now, Azure Mystery Peak was as solid as a rock, an impenetrable fortress. Even a Nine-star Great Emperor who intruded would be instantly teleported away—likely to the territory of rival Overlord-level Powers, or even the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone. Truly heaven-defying!
That same day, Lu Xuan was having a meal with Chen Changsheng and Ye Chen.
Boom!
A searing crimson rainbow shot in from the distance. Ji Fuyao, clad in a fire-red dress, her long, slender legs moving like perfect jade pillars, appeared. Her figure was stunningly beautiful, and a radiant smile lit up her perfect face.
“Master, I’m back.”
Ye Chen looked up and smiled. “Senior Sister, welcome back.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Fuyao, your gains in the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds were substantial. You not only reached Nine-star Profound Saint but also elevated your Path of Spirit Fire mastery to Transcendent Realm Stage Two.”
Ji Fuyao’s starry eyes twinkled. “It is all thanks to Master’s guidance.”
At this point, Chen Changsheng leaned in mysteriously. “Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, I have something to tell you.”
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen replied, “Junior Brother Changsheng, what is it?”
Chen Changsheng lowered his voice. “During this time, Master secretly built a grand array on Azure Mystery Peak.”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched slightly. He’s using my name again...
Ji Fuyao tilted her snow-white neck, looking astonished. Ye Chen was equally bewildered. He had been on Azure Mystery Peak the entire time; how had he not known?
Inside Ye Chen’s jade pendant, Yao Yan frowned slightly. When did this happen?
A moment later, Chen Changsheng produced two jade slips and handed them to Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen. “These contain the array’s introduction. Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, you must keep this absolutely secret.”
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen nodded. After they finished reading, the two jade slips spontaneously combusted.
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen were stunned. They couldn't understand. When had Azure Mystery Peak become so mysterious?
Seeing their expressions, Chen Changsheng immediately shifted all the credit (and potential blame) to Lu Xuan. “These were all Master’s decisions.”
...