“This was Master’s decision.”
Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen exchanged surprised glances. Their Master, who usually cared nothing for worldly affairs, had suddenly set up a massive array?
Lu Xuan’s face twitched, but he offered no explanation.
Ye Chen was baffled. Senior Sister was away, making him the senior disciple on Azure Mystery Peak. How was it that he knew nothing, yet Third Junior Brother was so well-informed?
Seeing Ye Chen’s confusion, Chen Changsheng smiled, ready to expose just a tiny fraction of his true capability. “Second Senior Brother, Master only told me because I have done a little bit of research into the Dao of Arrays.”
Ye Chen nodded in sudden understanding.
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful eyes sparkled. “Changsheng Junior Brother, what else are you skilled in?”
Chen Changsheng hesitated for a moment. “Arrays, medical arts, Evasion Arts… well, just a little bit of everything.”
Ji Fuyao smiled radiantly. “Changsheng Junior Brother, a person’s energy is limited. You must be careful not to cultivate everything. Master once said: ‘What will, what won’t. What you try to master everything, you master nothing.’”
Lu Xuan froze. He was dumbfounded. When the hell did I say that?
Chen Changsheng, however, nodded earnestly. “Senior Sister, I understand.”
***
Not long after, Lu Xuan finished his meal and settled back into his recliner.
Ji Fuyao looked at Lu Xuan. “Master, I will return to my cave dwelling to rest.”
“Go ahead,” Lu Xuan replied casually.
Ji Fuyao, clad in a fiery red dress, drifted away with a graceful air.
Inside her cave dwelling, Ji Fuyao’s slender hands moved, effortlessly casting several Restriction seals. Brilliant spiritual patterns surged forth like constellations.
Moments later, Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged and retrieved an ancient token—the Fuyao Token.
She intended to use a Supreme Secret Art to contact the loyalists in the Blackflame Mountain Range and the Ye Family in Qingcheng.
During her recent cultivation in the secret fire domain, she had received telepathic transmissions from Qing Yan and Wang Man, both of whom had mentioned the matter of Re-establishing the Fuyao Dynasty.
Now, after Master annihilated the Heavenly Net Hall Branch, the cultivation resources she had acquired were terrifyingly vast, and she had already distributed a portion to her subordinates.
In just one short month, seven more of her subordinates had attained Great Emperor status! The situation was excellent!
Ji Fuyao was deeply moved. The Great Era had arrived, and the Fuyao Dynasty would once again appear in the Southern Wilds!
It was time to discuss the details of Re-establishing the Fuyao Dynasty.
With this thought, Ji Fuyao changed her spiritual hand seals, and an obscure, ancient power drifted out from the Fuyao Token.
Instantly, the voices of Wang Man and Qing Yan, commanders of the Imperial Dragon Guards, transmitted through.
“Empress! Ye Beichen and the Qingcheng Ye Family are also in the Blackflame Mountain Range. Among the seven who achieved Great Emperor status this time, three are from the Imperial Dragon Guards, two from the Ye Family, one from the Xiao Family, and one from the Lin Family!”
Ji Fuyao’s eyes shone. “Excellent. Your cultivation foundations have been accumulating for three millennia; what you lacked was the opportunity to attain Emperor status. Now that we possess vast resources, the opportunities are abundant. You may all strive with full force to break through to the Great Emperor Realm!”
“We obey!” the loyalists responded in unison.
Ji Fuyao’s gaze deepened. Images of the past flashed clearly in her mind—the memory of the Fuyao Dynasty’s destruction was vivid. Her heart surged. Three thousand years had passed in a blink, from the dynasty’s fall to taking Lu Xuan as her Master… The memories spanning three millennia fused completely.
She was Ji Fuyao, Lu Xuan’s first disciple, and the Empress of the Fuyao Dynasty. She would Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty!
As for the location of the new capital, she had considered it carefully. It would not be in the former Fuzhou, but rather chosen between the Qingcheng Ye Family’s territory and the Blackflame Mountain Range.
The Blackflame Mountain Range was situated between the Grand Dao Sect and the Qingcheng Ye Family, and it also connected to the Xiao Family and Lin Family in Cangzhou, making its location clearly superior.
Ji Fuyao voiced her thoughts, and the loyalists quickly agreed.
Wang Man’s battle intent was boiling. “Empress, I will immediately lead the Imperial Dragon Guards to conquer the entire Blackflame Mountain Range!”
They knew that several One-star Great Emperor tier demonic beast factions still lurked deep within the Blackflame Mountain Range, yet to be subdued!
Ji Fuyao inclined her snowy neck. “You may proceed! In a few days, I will also descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range to plan this matter together.”
Everyone was immensely excited.
Three millennia had passed in a flash. They had not failed Empress Fuyao, and Empress Fuyao had not failed them! They would restore the glory of the Fuyao Dynasty!
Ji Fuyao then shared Lu Xuan’s poetry with her subordinates.
The loyalists were ecstatic, reciting the verses in unison, their voices shaking the sky:
“He will gather the old troops in the Southern Wilds one day, ten thousand banners will cut down the Heavenly Net Hall! Slaying a million Heavenly Net soldiers, the blood still stains the sword at his waist!”
The fire of their Persistent Thought ignited in their hearts! They would annihilate the Heavenly Net Hall and forge the Fuyao Dynasty into an Overlord-level Power in the Southern Wilds!
One day, they would kill their way into the Heavenly Net Hall General Headquarters!
Ji Fuyao concluded, “The Blackflame Mountain Range is tentatively set as the new site for the Fuyao Dynasty. However, the final decision must be discussed with Master. Wait for my news.”
“We obey!”
***
That night.
Ji Fuyao arrived at the entrance of Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling and called softly, “Master, I have an important matter to discuss. May I enter?”
Lu Xuan replied, “Come in.”
Ji Fuyao informed Lu Xuan about the plan to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty.
Lu Xuan smiled. “Of course, I support it. Now that the Great Era has arrived, the world is in turmoil, and the Fuyao Dynasty can leverage this momentum to rise again.”
Ji Fuyao was deeply moved. As expected! She knew Master would support her!
Lu Xuan said lightly, “How you proceed is up to you. If this matter causes a storm and things get out of hand, I will intervene.”
Ji Fuyao’s starry eyes twinkled. “Thank you, Master. I may need to leave the Grand Dao Sect in a few days to prepare for this.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “You may go. Don’t forget to cultivate. Strive to reach the Saint King Realm within the next two months.”
Ji Fuyao hummed her assent and gracefully departed.
After Ji Fuyao left, Lu Xuan sent a mental transmission to Chen Changsheng. “Changsheng, come to my cave dwelling for a moment.”
Soon, a wisp of clear wind drifted into Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, and Chen Changsheng suddenly appeared. It was a Wooden Puppet Clone.
Lu Xuan smiled. “Changsheng, I have a task for you.”
Chen Changsheng subconsciously wanted to refuse, but he still replied, “Please instruct me, Master.”
Lu Xuan told Chen Changsheng about Ji Fuyao’s plan to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty.
“Old Third, after Fuyao leaves the Grand Dao Sect, you will secretly protect your Senior Sister.”
Chen Changsheng: “…”
Master isn’t going to act? In the end, I’m the one who has to bear the burden. But he wanted to lie flat!
Lu Xuan said leisurely, “Your Senior Sister is about to step into the Saint King Realm, and she possesses the Six-star Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending and the Heaven and Earth Strange Fire Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame. She can fight a One-star Great Emperor. You only need to secretly handle the high-star Great Emperors for her.”
Chen Changsheng sighed. “Understood.”
Lu Xuan’s eyes were deep. “If I’m not mistaken, the Heavenly Net Hall won’t give up so easily. You must remain hidden in the shadows.”
Chen Changsheng nodded.
***
In a secluded area of the Grand Dao Sect.
The Sect Master and the Peak Masters had already completed the Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism. The Sect Master, who had endured the longest, was the last to leave the Dao Pattern Celestial Pool.
Everyone had gained immensely this time!
The Sect Master had leaped to the Quasi-Emperor Realm!
The Peak Masters of Ethereal Peak and Body Tempering Peak had also reached the Quasi-Emperor Realm!
Tianxing Old Ancestor looked pleased. “The residual power from this Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism is enough to allow you to attain Emperor status! Next, you must carefully comprehend your own ‘Dao.’ You can go to the Grand Dao Hall to receive your respective opportunities to attain Emperor status from Elder Mu, and strive to reach the Great Emperor Realm as soon as possible!”
The Sect Master and the others bowed. “Thank you, Old Ancestor!”
The Great Emperor Realm! In the past few millennia, with high-star Great Emperors remaining hidden in the Southern Wilds, a One-star Great Emperor was considered a top powerhouse. But now, with the appearance of the Bronze Ancient Palace, the emergence of numerous ancient factions, and that powerful figure from Azure Mystery Peak transmitting his voice across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds, awakening more powerhouses, the Southern Wilds was no longer what it once was.
The Sect Master and the others knew they needed to quickly reach the Great Emperor Realm to qualify for participation in the Great Era.
In the distance, Tianyuan Old Ancestor, Jiujun Old Ancestor, and Yao Quan Old Ancestor were studying the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, and they had gained some insights. This wisp of Dao Rhyme was indeed the key to unlocking the Bronze Ancient Palace!
The only remaining question was when and where the Bronze Ancient Palace would open.
Jiujun Old Ancestor’s gaze was profound as he mused, “If I am not mistaken, if Daoist Friend Tianyuan carries this wisp of Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, it should resonate with the palace, allowing us to pinpoint its location.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor gave a wry smile. “The Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds are vast and boundless. I cannot possibly test every single one. However, I can investigate the major states where it is most likely to appear.”
Yao Quan Old Ancestor nodded. “That is feasible. We appreciate your hard work, Daoist Friend Tianyuan.”
Everyone’s eyes were burning with anticipation. The Bronze Ancient Palace was unique and independent. Although it had appeared several times in the Southern Wilds over the years, no one had ever subdued it, and no ancient texts recorded its secrets. Their knowledge of it was pitifully scarce. In the Ancient Era, some speculated that it might be related to the Supreme Realm, but this had never been verified.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor sighed. “I will travel the Southern Wilds for a while and attempt this.”
Jiujun Old Ancestor extended an invitation. “Daoist Friend Tianyuan, you can start with my Cloud State. Last time, our plans were shelved, and my Cangmu Academy has yet to fulfill its duty as host.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor smiled. “I accept.”
Following this, Yao Quan Old Ancestor, the Pill Fragrance Sect, the Ancient Wang Family, and other factions also extended invitations.
Finally, Nanchenzi hesitated for a moment and said lightly, “You may also visit my Tai Province.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded.
After a brief silence, Nanchenzi asked, “Right, Tianyuan, what is the status of the Grand Dao Bell investigation? Before we leave, we hope to receive an explanation.”
Hearing this, Tianxing Old Ancestor and Cangxuan Old Ancestor descended.
Tianxing Old Ancestor said, “We have examined the Dao pattern fluctuations of the Grand Dao Bell from that day. The Grand Dao Bell was suddenly activated, seemingly in response to some kind of sensation… Daoist Friend Nanchenzi, you didn’t do anything that day, did you?”
The atmosphere froze. Everyone looked at Nanchenzi.
Nanchenzi’s face darkened considerably. He flicked his sleeve and coldly snorted. “What? Are you all suspecting me now? This is preposterous!”
Tianxing Old Ancestor continued, “Then perhaps the Grand Dao Bell sensed Daoist Friend Nanchenzi’s aura?”
Nanchenzi was so angry his beard trembled. “Forget it, forget it. Let’s just pretend this never happened!”
Everyone remained silent.
Next, Tianyuan Old Ancestor proposed, “Fellow Daoists, why don’t we Discuss the Dao here for a few days before departing?”
Jiujun Old Ancestor nodded in agreement. “Since we are gathered, a discussion of the Dao is only natural.”
Everyone agreed. Nanchenzi hesitated again but finally gave a faint nod.
Soon, more than a dozen Old Ancestors sat cross-legged above the Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s long river of Dao. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the essence of the Dao and ruffling their white hair. Profound and obscure auras surged around them as they began to Discuss the Dao.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor looked at the Sect Master and tossed him a Storage Ring. “Ye Chen captured this wisp of Bronze Ancient Palace Dao Rhyme. This is his reward.”
The Sect Master accepted it and said respectfully, “I will make a trip to Azure Mystery Peak.”
Soon, the Sect Master left the secluded area, a divine rainbow rising beneath his feet, shooting toward Azure Mystery Peak.
***
The Heavenly Net Hall.
Grand Elder Gu Lang, now a Great Emperor, stepped out of Tianluo State to personally command the operation to capture Ji Fuyao. Hall Master Duan Hunsheng had promised him the opportunity to reach the Nine-star Emperor Realm and the cultivation method of the Silent Destruction Sect!
More importantly, this was the first time in the millennia since the Heavenly Net Hall’s rise that he felt such immense authority as the Grand Elder. The feeling of wielding the Heavenly Net Hall’s power and commanding immediate obedience was intoxicating.
Gu Lang internally vowed that this was his chance. He would let the Southern Wilds know that the Heavenly Net Hall had not only Duan Hunsheng but also Gu Lang the Great Emperor—a future Nine-star Great Emperor!
Furthermore, completing this mission would bring him to the attention of the Silent Destruction Old Man in the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone! Capturing Ji Fuyao and obtaining the Ancient Reincarnation Secret Art was a personal order from the Silent Destruction Old Man!
Of course, he would secretly extract a copy of the Reincarnation Secret Art for himself, essentially gaining an extra life.
Gu Lang the Great Emperor quickly issued orders to the Heavenly Net Hall Branches in various states, instructing them to mobilize.
Days later, Gu Lang the Great Emperor arrived in Yinzhou (Fallen State). This location, situated at the intersection of the Grand Dao Sect, the Blackflame Mountain Range, and the Qingcheng Ye Family, was convenient for issuing commands.
Soon, numerous Great Emperors from the Heavenly Net Hall gathered in Yinzhou.
Gu Lang the Great Emperor commanded, “From this moment forward, we will capture Ji Fuyao, Ye Chen, and the other top True Disciples of the Grand Dao Sect!”
He issued a Bounty List!
Ji Fuyao’s bounty included an Eight-star Emperor Weapon, an Eight-star Emperor-tier technique, a massive amount of Supreme Spirit Crystals, and a chance for personal guidance from Hall Master Duan Hunsheng.
Ye Chen ranked second, with a bounty of a Six-star Emperor Weapon and a Six-star Emperor-tier technique.
As for Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, Fang Yan, and the others, their bounties were only Four-star Emperor Weapons or Four-star Emperor-tier techniques.
Instantly, the Great Emperors of the Heavenly Net Hall were immensely excited. Clearly, the primary target was Ji Fuyao, with Ye Chen being secondary.
The crowd was in an uproar.
Gu Lang the Great Emperor did not reveal the true reason for capturing Ji Fuyao. Besides Ji Fuyao, everyone else on the bounty list was merely there to pad the numbers! The others were not qualified to know the real purpose of capturing Ji Fuyao, nor did they need to know.
Gu Lang the Great Emperor viewed the Heavenly Net Hall members as mere tools. He was extremely patient, ordering his subordinates to operate in secret and leave no trace. After all, that magnate from Azure Mystery Peak had warned that anyone who dared to bully the weak or rely on their power would be killed by him!
However, Gu Lang the Great Emperor was confident. He possessed three Hall Master’s Decrees. Although he might not be a match for that magnate, they were enough for him to escape!
After all, he had a little-known trump card: his Evasion Art!
He thought to himself, The Hall Master must have chosen me to lead this operation because of my Evasion Art. Once the mission is complete, I can quickly return to Tianluo State.
With this thought, the corners of Gu Lang the Great Emperor’s mouth curled up. “My Evasion Art is so fast that even the Hall Master cannot catch me. I doubt that magnate from Azure Mystery Peak will be able to stop me either. When I capture Ji Fuyao, he can only watch me leave.”