“Grand Elder! Excellent news! Ji Fuyao has left the Grand Dao Sect alone! She has no protector accompanying her!”
Upon hearing this, Great Emperor Gu Lang was overjoyed. He flicked his sleeve. “Scout again! Report back immediately!”
Half a day later.
Great Emperor Gu Lang received confirmation.
The Grand Dao Sect had sent no protector to follow her!
A sinister smile spread across Great Emperor Gu Lang’s face. “The Grand Dao Sect is blindly arrogant. Do they truly believe that their last transmission across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds has made every faction fear them? Self-conceit will blind them. The Grand Dao Sect has overestimated themselves and profoundly underestimated our Heavenly Net Hall!”
With this thought, Great Emperor Gu Lang issued his command: intercept and capture Ji Fuyao along the way, denying her the chance to step foot into the Blackflame Mountain Range. They must act swiftly and decisively!
At this moment, Ji Fuyao had just stepped out of the teleportation array in Fangzhou. She wore a fiery red gown, her figure exquisite, her long, slender legs like pillars of jade, appearing as if she had walked straight out of a painting.
Suddenly, the Transmission Jade Slip in her hand vibrated slightly.
She injected her spiritual energy.
The voices of Dragon Guard Commanders Wang Man and Qing Yan transmitted through the slip.
“Empress! Our plan to conquer the Blackflame Mountain Range is proceeding smoothly. This time, over ten Great Emperors are acting together, and we have successfully subdued four One-star Emperor-tier Monster Beasts. The entire Blackflame Mountain Range is now under our control.”
Ji Fuyao’s star-like eyes shimmered. “Excellent. I am currently on my way to the Blackflame Mountain Range.”
Wang Man replied, “Understood, Empress! Before your arrival, we will proceed to conquer the nearby cities surrounding the Blackflame Mountain Range!”
Ji Fuyao nodded. “You may proceed.”
A moment later, Ji Fuyao put away the Transmission Jade Slip, a slight ripple in her heart.
Since Master provided those massive cultivation resources, the cultivation speed of her subordinates had increased severalfold! The number of One-star Great Emperors now exceeded ten! This surpassed the peak prosperity of the Fuyao Dynasty three thousand years ago, when she was the only One-star Great Emperor in the entire imperial court.
Times had truly changed. Ji Fuyao smiled faintly. Now, ironically, she was the only one not yet in the Great Emperor realm. She needed to redouble her efforts.
With that thought, Ji Fuyao rose into the air, heading toward the next teleportation array.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred!
A terrifying, peerless Great Emperor aura surged toward her, washing over this corner of the world like a tsunami. Brilliant Great Emperor Dao patterns condensed from the void, shining with dazzling, celestial light.
Crack!
The void tore open! Space twisted violently!
Four figures slowly emerged from the spatial rift. All were Great Emperors, cloaked in black robes to conceal their identities, appearing utterly mysterious. They were the Great Emperors of the Heavenly Net Hall, sent by Great Emperor Gu Lang to capture Ji Fuyao!
There was one Four-star Great Emperor and three One-star Great Emperors!
However, before the Four-star Great Emperor could fully emerge from the spatial rift, he was suddenly enveloped by a massive force and abruptly vanished from the sky.
The Four-star Great Emperor roared in confusion and disbelief, “Who?! Who is attacking in secret?!”
In the next instant, he realized with horror that his voice was useless. His Sea of Divine Sense was sealed, his Great Emperor Dao patterns could not condense, and his Dao Foundation was locked down! He felt utterly weak and powerless!
He panicked! What the actual hell was happening? To strike him without warning, the attacker had to be at least one realm higher than him!
The Four-star Great Emperor felt his scalp tingle, cursing internally, “F*ck! Didn’t they say Ji Fuyao had no protector?” He felt dizzy, his breathing labored, his body swaying precariously.
Just then, an elderly voice, pinching the back of his neck like he was holding a dead pig, said with a gentle smile, “Don’t worry, dizziness is normal.”
The Four-star Great Emperor turned his head, vaguely seeing a kindly smiling, grey-robed elder, before losing consciousness.
The grey-robed elder murmured softly, “Three One-star Great Emperors. That should be enough for Senior Sister to handle, right?”
***
On the other side, the three remaining One-star Great Emperors appeared above the Fangzhou teleportation array, causing widespread panic among the onlookers.
What was going on? What did these people want?
Everyone was terrified, as the three black-robed Great Emperors exuded overwhelming killing intent, clearly having come prepared.
The three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors spoke with icy voices, flicking their sleeves and pointing directly at Ji Fuyao. They roared, “Unrelated personnel, retreat immediately!”
Instantly, masses of cultivators rapidly fell back, watching the confrontation from a distance. The scene was chaotic.
The three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors did not rush to attack, having already jointly sealed the surrounding void. In their minds, Ji Fuyao, a mere Nine-star Profound Saint, had nowhere left to run.
Ji Fuyao, in her fiery red gown, stood calmly, a faint crimson divine light flowing around her beautiful figure. Her star-like eyes fixed on the three One-star Great Emperors in the sky, completely devoid of fear.
When she left the Grand Dao Sect, she had anticipated that her journey would not be smooth. But she hadn't expected the Heavenly Net Hall to arrive so quickly!
However, armed with the six-star Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending and the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame, she had nothing to fear from One-star Great Emperors! During the battle in Liucheng, she was only a One-star Profound Saint, and with the boost from Soul Combustion, she could fight a One-star Great Emperor. Now, her strength had increased dramatically, making her incomparable to her former self.
War intent surged from Ji Fuyao. She spoke coldly, “Heavenly Net Hall, since you’ve come, why hide yourselves?”
The three Great Emperors denied it. “We are not the Heavenly Net Hall.”
As soon as they spoke, the three paused, feeling that something was amiss. They immediately looked around.
Wait. Where was their leader?
Hadn't he just arrived with them?
A middle-aged man frowned. “Did the boss perhaps gift this immense fortune to us?”
The elder beside him grinned savagely. “Forget it! Capture Ji Fuyao first!”
Fearing unforeseen variables, the three Great Emperors immediately struck with lightning speed.
Boom!
Three terrifying, abyssal auras instantly filled the sky. The Emperor aura burned like a blazing sun. The three dispersed, encircling Ji Fuyao.
“Suppress!”
The three raised their hands, unleashing overwhelming power, intending to instantly confine Ji Fuyao in place.
Flames ignited in Ji Fuyao’s eyes, and battle intent boiled on her face. She extended her delicate hand, and a long spear suddenly appeared—the six-star Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending!
Crack!
As the spear emerged, it surged with scorching divine light, shaking the void and twisting space. The immense power surged outward, capable of swallowing mountains and rivers.
The Heaven-Rending spear had now unlocked several seals, allowing it to unleash the power of a One-star Great Emperor.
Holding the spear, Ji Fuyao stood in the void and swept it out!
In an instant, a terrifying, peerless force erupted from her body. The power of the Spirit Fire was overbearing and majestic, gathering like a raging river, charging straight toward the three Great Emperors’ confinement force.
Shing!
Endless divine light splashed out, like the collision of stars.
A deafening crash echoed through the void. Ji Fuyao was thrown back several hundred feet, spitting a mouthful of blood!
But at the same time, the Emperor-tier seal above her head shattered with a crash!
One strike! She had destroyed the combined suppression and sealing power of three One-star Great Emperors!
Seeing this, the world fell into a dead silence.
The three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors looked utterly incredulous.
A six-star Emperor Weapon!
Among the distant onlookers, someone recognized Ji Fuyao and gasped, “That woman seems to be Lu Xuan’s Senior Disciple, Ji Fuyao! That Spirit Fire aura—it’s definitely her!”
The crowd was stunned. “She is only a Profound Saint, yet she possesses a six-star Emperor Weapon?!”
At that moment, a glint flashed in the eyes of the three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors. They exchanged glances and cackled, “We didn’t expect such a pleasant surprise! We’ll take this six-star Emperor Weapon as well… Heh heh heh!”
They became even more excited!
Ji Fuyao, holding Heaven-Rending, took the initiative to attack.
She stepped through the void with her long legs. With every step, her aura surged, and a Path of Heaven-Burning appeared in the sky.
Her battle intent soared!
“Heaven! Burning! Art!”
Instantly, boundless Spirit Fire raged around her, unleashing the power to burn the heavens and boil the seas. Her long gown fluttered, reflecting the vast sea of fire.
Ji Fuyao swung the Heaven-Rending spear again, tearing through the void. The spear intent, like a soaring dragon, swept toward the three Great Emperors.
The three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors no longer held back, unleashing their full power!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Ji Fuyao fought three Great Emperors alone. Though she was repeatedly repelled and knocked back, she was injured, but she quickly stabilized herself every time.
She grew stronger with every exchange!
Witnessing this, the surrounding crowd was utterly horrified.
Ji Fuyao was too powerful! Fighting three Great Emperors single-handedly! Truly worthy of being the disciple of the Azure Mystery Peak Magnate!
Meanwhile, the three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors roared and attacked frantically. Initially, they worried about accidentally killing Ji Fuyao, but they slowly realized that her combat power was continuously soaring, gradually reaching parity with theirs!
Profound energy surged from Ji Fuyao. The power of the Heaven-Burning Art grew stronger and stronger, causing the three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors to feel a creeping sense of dread.
Wait.
Where was their leader? Why hadn't he appeared yet? Their leader was a Four-star Great Emperor; he could capture Ji Fuyao in a single thought! Why were they forced into this bitter struggle?
***
At the same time, in a hidden location far away.
Chen Changsheng extended his Divine Sense, observing Ji Fuyao’s battle. He murmured, “Senior Sister is so strong! Those three Great Emperors won't last much longer.”
He then looked down at the unconscious Four-star Great Emperor at his feet and slammed his palm directly onto the man’s skull.
Soul Search!
A moment later, Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. “The Heavenly Net Hall is this insane? The reward for capturing Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother is far higher than for everyone else combined! This is clearly a targeted operation against them!”
“But why capture instead of kill? That is highly intriguing.”
Chen Changsheng stroked his chin. The Four-star Great Emperor’s memories held no answer to that question.
He mused, if he were Duan Hunsheng, why would he choose to capture Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother instead of simply annihilating them?
A flash of insight crossed Chen Changsheng’s mind.
Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother must possess a great secret! A secret coveted even by Duan Hunsheng and the Silent Destruction Sect!
But what was the secret?
A moment later, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. That was Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother’s secret. Whether they chose to reveal it or not, he would guard it for them.
With that thought, Chen Changsheng flicked his sleeve, and a Wooden Puppet Clone flew out, transforming into a middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man chanted softly, his spiritual seals shifting. Endless profound energy surged toward the Four-star Great Emperor on the ground. Firelight flared, and Buddhist profound energy permeated the area as the Scripture of Salvation was activated.
“Om Mani Padme Hum…”
Before long, the Four-star Great Emperor was utterly annihilated, his Form and Spirit Destroyed, turning into a pile of ash. Chen Changsheng collected the Storage Ring from the ground.
The middle-aged man smoothly flicked his sleeve, and a gentle breeze scattered the ashes, completely erasing all traces of the battle.
Once finished, the middle-aged man transformed back into a Wooden Puppet Clone and was collected by Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng immediately looked up at the void and said respectfully, “Heavenly Dao Lord, dust to dust, ashes to ashes. These cultivators harbored ill will toward my Senior Sister; they were slain by the force of Causality, not by me! Their cultivation returns to the world. The Causality is severed!”
The Heavens remained silent.
Chen Changsheng accepted that the causality had been broken!
A moment later, he concealed his figure and flew toward Ji Fuyao’s battle, murmuring, “This puppet of mine can last for several months. I hope Senior Sister doesn’t encounter any particularly powerful enemies.”
***
Soon, Chen Changsheng returned, hiding among the many onlookers, watching Ji Fuyao’s battle.
In the midst of combat, Ji Fuyao gained a deeper understanding of the Heaven-Burning Art that Lu Xuan had demonstrated for her back in Cloud State (Yunzhou).
Her combat power continued to soar!
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors were in full retreat!
Their faces were filled with horror. From start to finish, Ji Fuyao had been treating them as mere whetstones, honing her own strength! This was an absolute insult to them!
How could a dignified Great Emperor be so utterly crushed by a Profound Saint ant?
One Great Emperor shouted, “F*ck! Where is the boss? We’re about to die here! Why hasn’t he shown up?”
Another snarled, “Ji Fuyao! What good is relying on an Emperor Weapon? If you have the guts, put down the Emperor Weapon and fight us!”
Ji Fuyao ignored them and said coolly, “It’s time to end this!”
With a supreme strike, the Heaven-Rending spear swept out, tearing the heavens and splitting the earth. The sky roared, and endless flames transformed into a blazing, rolling river.
The eyes of the three Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors nearly burst from their sockets. They screamed, “Flee!”
They immediately tore the void, attempting to escape.
But it was useless!
Swoosh!
A crimson rainbow streaked across the sky. The Great Emperor Dao pattern shields of the three men instantly shattered, and three heads flew into the air.
Blood spurted like a fountain!
Instant Kill!
Seeing this scene, everyone was dumbfounded.
An overwhelming wave of shock surged through their hearts. Ji Fuyao had killed three One-star Great Emperors!
No wonder the Azure Mystery Peak Magnate hadn't appeared! Because Ji Fuyao alone was more than enough!
A moment later, Ji Fuyao flicked her finger, and the black robes on the three corpses instantly burned away, revealing the uniforms of the Heavenly Net Hall.
Her gaze was icy. “As expected.”
Ji Fuyao collected the three Storage Rings and stepped back into the teleportation array, preparing to head to Hezhou.
Chen Changsheng followed in secret. Looking at the corpses on the ground, he flicked his sleeve, and the bodies instantly turned to dust, vanishing into thin air. The traces of the battle in the void were also immediately wiped away.
Chen Changsheng murmured, “Senior Sister, like Second Senior Brother, is poor on details.”
Two figures swiftly entered the formation and departed, leaving behind a crowd of still-shocked cultivators.
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Chen Changsheng reported the events that had just transpired to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Changsheng, well done. Keep up the good work. It’s good training for your Senior Sister.”
Recruiting this third disciple was absolutely perfect!
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Yes, Master.”
***
Grand Dao Sect, Hidden Sanctuary.
The gathered Old Ancestors concluded their discussion of the Dao and began to bid farewell.
Jiujun Old Ancestor smiled. “Fellow Daoists, I shall take my leave first. Tianyuan Daoist Friend, remember to visit my Cloud State (Yunzhou) to investigate the Bronze Ancient Palace.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded.
Yao Quan, Dan Xiangzong Old Ancestor, and others also bowed and departed.
Nanchenzi’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint. He asked, “Tianyuan, is that Daoist Friend who transmitted his voice across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds still on Azure Mystery Peak?”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded.
A moment later, Nanchenzi departed.
However, he secretly concealed his figure and stealthily approached Azure Mystery Peak. He had always been deeply curious about that magnate on Azure Mystery Peak! Who exactly was he? To dare transmit such a boast across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds—what immense audacity!
Nanchenzi’s gaze turned cold. He sneered, “I will personally meet this person! I will see what his true background is!”
With that, he stepped directly onto Azure Mystery Peak.
At that moment, Chen Changsheng sensed the intrusion. He murmured, “Enemy attack!”