“My Evasion Art is so swift that even the Hall Master couldn't catch me. I doubt that magnate on Azure Mystery Peak will be able to stop me either. Once I capture Ji Fuyao, he’ll only be able to watch me leave.”
This was the absolute confidence of Gu Lang the Great Emperor. He knew that the moment he captured Ji Fuyao, he could instantly return to the Heavenly Net General Hall in Tianluo State. Hall Master Duan Hunsheng had promised that once they reached the General Hall, even if the Tianyuan Old Ancestor or the Azure Mystery Peak magnate arrived, he could annihilate them.
Why? Because the Heavenly Net General Hall was protected by the Ultimate Killing Weapon, a gift from the Silent Destruction Old Man!
Hall Master Duan Hunsheng was utterly confident. “No matter who dares to step into the Heavenly Net General Hall, they will be annihilated, their Form and Spirit Destroyed!”
Gu Lang felt his heart settle. He quickly ordered the Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors to leave the Yinzhou branch and seek opportunities. Several Great Emperors had already secretly staked out the Blackflame Mountain Range and the Qingcheng Ye Family, but they held back.
Gu Lang had given them four months. It wasn't necessary to risk attacking the loyalist families until the very last moment, especially since Ye Chen and Ji Fuyao were still safe within the Grand Dao Sect.
In the shadows, several Great Emperors lurking near the Grand Dao Sect had gathered intelligence, but nearly a month had passed, and Ji Fuyao showed no signs of leaving. This made them anxious. If Ji Fuyao didn't leave the Grand Dao Sect within the four-month window, they couldn't possibly launch a direct assault on the sect! Infiltrating Azure Mystery Peak to seize her was suicide.
Several Great Emperors requested instructions from Gu Lang. “Grand Elder, why don’t we trap the Blackflame Mountain Range or the Ye Family to force Ji Fuyao to show herself?”
Gu Lang refused, worried that the Tianyuan Old Ancestor would intervene. “Wait longer,” he commanded.
Under orders, the Heavenly Net Hall members continued to wait in the dark, monitoring Ji Fuyao's every move.
***
Days later, a message arrived from the Great Emperors ambushed near the Blackflame Mountain Range.
“Report, Grand Elder! The Fuyao Dynasty remnants in the Blackflame Mountain Range are moving! Seven of them have attained Great Emperor status, and they are sweeping through the region, subduing several Emperor-tier spirit beasts!”
Gu Lang smiled faintly. “Excellent. Excellent. Don’t alert them yet. If I’m not mistaken, these remnants intend to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty!”
The Great Emperors’ eyes widened. “We wonder if Ji Fuyao will descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range?”
Gu Lang nodded. “Based on my understanding of Ji Fuyao, she will almost certainly descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range. This woman has a fatal flaw: she likes to handle things personally. She fell into our trap in Liucheng before. People always stumble over the same rock twice. Ji Fuyao is no exception. How could she miss such a monumental event? Just wait.”
The Great Emperors grew excited. “Grand Elder, this is our chance!”
“Temporarily remain hidden,” Gu Lang instructed. “We will ambush her midway.”
Gu Lang secretly transmitted the news to all the Great Emperors. A smile of certain victory spread across their faces. “As long as that magnate doesn’t appear, dealing with Ji Fuyao is as easy as lifting a finger.”
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan was sprawled comfortably on his Profound Ice Bed, engrossed in a storybook.
Ding! Host's Eldest Disciple Ji Fuyao is cultivating. Initiating cultivation synchronization!
Ding! Host's Second Disciple's alchemy attainment has improved. Initiating synchronization!
Ding! Host's Third Disciple is cultivating the Scripture of Non-Action. Initiating insight synchronization!
A surge of pure spiritual energy and two streams of profound enlightenment flooded Lu Xuan's body. His mind was instantly crammed with new information. He simply shifted his position on the bed, feeling utterly content.
Ah, the feeling of gaining without labor is truly sublime. Everyone hates passive gain, but only because they aren't the ones benefiting. That’s why I keep a low profile.
At that moment, Chen Changsheng’s voice entered Lu Xuan’s mind via a Transmission Jade Slip. “Master, did the Sect Master mention he was coming to visit Azure Mystery Peak?”
“Nope,” Lu Xuan replied casually. “He rarely comes around.”
“Understood,” Chen Changsheng murmured. He glanced toward the approaching figure of the Sect Master, noting the Sect Master had just broken through to the Quasi-Emperor Realm—a clear sign the Grand Dao Sect Old Ancestors had intervened. This is Azure Mystery Peak. The Sect Master must abide by our rules: No entry without invitation! Chen Changsheng decided to let the Sect Master be the first to test the array. Since he’s the first intruder, let him hit the wall first.
The Sect Master, now a Quasi-Emperor, flew toward Azure Mystery Peak, carrying a Storage Ring from the Tianyuan Old Ancestor.
Boom! He slammed directly into an invisible barrier and was thrown back several hundred yards. The Sect Master stared blankly at the faint, shimmering divine light. “A formation? When did Azure Mystery Peak get a formation?”
Chen Changsheng watched, curious about the Sect Master's reaction. He had designed the Nine Revolutions Heaven Sealing Array so that intruders wouldn't trigger the main killing array but would instead be instantly teleported. However, he decided to give a friendly warning first.
That’s much more considerate.
Soon, the Sect Master saw the first wooden sign floating in the void.
“Azure Mystery Peak is a restricted area. Entry without permission is forbidden. —Left by Lu Xuan.”
The Sect Master’s face turned black. “That scoundrel! This is clearly Lu Xuan’s handwriting! Is he trying to start a rebellion?” He tried to kick the sign, but it was merely an illusion derived from the formation patterns. He saw the second sign: “The formation is boundless. Turn back now.”
The Sect Master’s expression grew furious. “I refuse to believe that magnate would be this childish! I’ll see what’s so strange about this formation!” He accelerated, only to see a third sign: “Please leave.”
“I absolutely will not!” he roared, taking a decisive step forward.
Whoosh! A profound, complex array pattern erupted around the Sect Master. Endless, brilliant spiritual runes swirled like stars. Before he could react, a terrifying transmission force ripped through space.
“Lu! Xuan!” he bellowed, unleashing his Quasi-Emperor power to resist, but it was useless. The Sect Master shot out of Azure Mystery Peak like a streak of light, heading straight for Ethereal Peak.
***
Meanwhile, on Ethereal Peak, the Ethereal Peak Master was relaxing in her spiritual pool. Her delicate, alluring body was submerged, veiled by a gentle mist. The scene was utterly tranquil and inviting.
Boom! The Sect Master materialized, wide-eyed and disoriented, right in the middle of her private cave dwelling. Their eyes met.
The silence was deafening.
The Ethereal Peak Master, momentarily forgetting to cover herself, stammered, “Sect Master, what... how did you get here?”
The Sect Master’s face was crimson. His toes curled in embarrassment. “Would you believe me if I said that scoundrel Lu Xuan did this to me?”
The Ethereal Peak Master’s eyes flickered, and she shook her head, then nodded politely. “I believe you.”
The Sect Master roared, slamming his foot down in frustration. “Agh! Lu Xuan!”
The Ethereal Peak slightly trembled. The Sect Master quickly fled Ethereal Peak, leaving behind several female disciples who were already gossiping.
“The Sect Master came out of Master’s cave dwelling!”
“Could it be that…”
“Is the Sect Master going public? He came out so openly!”
The Sect Master’s old face flushed red with fury. He was filled with righteous indignation and immediately headed back to Azure Mystery Peak.
Chen Changsheng transmitted to Lu Xuan: “Master, the Sect Master seems to be looking for you.”
Lu Xuan, still unaware of the full extent of the chaos, said faintly, “Oh, got it.”
Instantly, the Sect Master’s thunderous voice echoed across Azure Mystery Peak. “Lu Xuan! Get out here!”
Lu Xuan slowly rose from the Profound Ice Bed. His Divine Sense scanned the area, finding the Sect Master standing in the air, face flushed scarlet. “Sect Master, what happened?”
“Stop pretending, you brat!” the Sect Master raged.
Chen Changsheng quickly reminded Lu Xuan: “The Sect Master didn’t enter Azure Mystery Peak just now. He was teleported by the array.”
Lu Xuan frowned slightly. “I thought it was something serious. Changsheng, let the Sect Master in.”
“As you command, Master.”
The formation power dissipated. The Sect Master stormed into Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, gritting his teeth. “Lu Xuan, explain this formation!”
Lu Xuan looked utterly unperturbed. “Oh, that? The Supreme Magnate set it up.”
“Really? Why did those wooden signs have your handwriting?” the Sect Master challenged.
“The magnate told me to exercise my creative freedom,” Lu Xuan shrugged.
For the first time, Lu Xuan realized how incredibly useful this fictional magnate was. From now on, anything that goes wrong, he can take the Scapegoat.
In his own cave, Chen Changsheng watched. Seeing his master willingly take the blame for him, he was so moved he nearly cried. As expected of Master! The feeling of having someone bear my Causality/Karma is too wonderful!
A moment later, the Sect Master suppressed his internal rage. “Next time, inform me about these things.”
“Will do,” Lu Xuan replied. “Oh, right, Sect Master, why did you come here?”
The Sect Master took out a Storage Ring. “The Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the others have deciphered a trace of the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace. This ring is the Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s reward for Ye Chen, for capturing that Dao Rhyme.”
Lu Xuan nodded and immediately transmitted messages to Ye Chen and Ji Fuyao. They quickly entered the cave. Lu Xuan handed the ring to Ye Chen, who bowed to the Sect Master. “Thank you, Old Ancestor, thank you, Sect Master.”
The Sect Master nodded. Lu Xuan glanced at Ji Fuyao, who immediately understood and informed the Sect Master of her plan to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty.
The Sect Master smiled. “Excellent! Excellent! Since you already have several Great Emperors under your command, it is indeed time to consider this matter.”
Ji Fuyao’s eyes shone. “Thank you, Sect Master.”
The Sect Master looked at her fiercely. “Fuyao, rest assured. If any petty faction dares to harm you, my Grand Dao Sect will not tolerate it! I will report this to the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the others. They will certainly support this.”
Ji Fuyao bowed in gratitude. With her master’s support and the Grand Dao Sect’s backing, success was assured!
After a few minutes, the Sect Master glared at Lu Xuan one last time and left in a huff.
Lu Xuan was speechless. What the hell? I genuinely didn't do anything this time.
***
Days later, Ji Fuyao entered the thatched hut and smiled at Lu Xuan, who was lying on his recliner. “Master, I must depart now.”
Lu Xuan smiled back. “Very well. If anything goes wrong, call my name, and I will appear.”
A warmth spread through Ji Fuyao’s heart. “Yes, Master!”
Today, Ji Fuyao cooked. The stone table was soon laden with a rare feast: Spiritual Lamb Spine, Spicy Spirit Fish, Spicy Spiritual Chicken, Fire Dragon Egg Drop Soup, and more. The steam rose, fragrant and potent.
Ji Fuyao felt a deep sense of warmth. Looking at her master and two junior brothers, she smiled. “This feeling is truly wonderful.”
Ye Chen grinned. “Azure Mystery Peak is home.”
Chen Changsheng chimed in, “Second Senior Brother is right!”
Lu Xuan finished quickly and returned to his recliner. Ji Fuyao and her two junior brothers ate slowly, savoring the Dao essence infused in the meal.
Several hours later, Ji Fuyao finished tidying up and bade farewell. “Master, Second Senior Brother, Changsheng Junior Brother, I’m leaving. You must all cultivate diligently.”
Ye Chen nodded solemnly.
A divine rainbow rose beneath Ji Fuyao’s feet. Her fire-red dress fluttered as she soared toward the sect’s teleportation array.
Lu Xuan quickly returned to his cave dwelling to rest.
Chen Changsheng secretly dispatched several Wooden Puppet Clones to follow Ji Fuyao.
***
Half a day later, in Yinzhou, Gu Lang the Great Emperor received a secret transmission via Supreme Secret Art.
“Grand Elder! Excellent news! Ji Fuyao left the Grand Dao Sect alone! She has no protection!”