“Enemy attack!” Chen Changsheng shouted, his voice tight with alarm.
He instantly recognized Nanchenzi. The Nine-star Great Emperor was cloaked in shadow, attempting to conceal his presence, but a faint, unmistakable killing intent still clung to him.
Nanchenzi paused, realizing he had stepped into an array. He spotted a simple wooden sign planted in the dirt.
“Azure Mystery Peak Restricted Area. Entry by Invitation Only! — Lu Xuan.”
Nanchenzi scoffed, utterly dismissing the warning.
Suddenly, an incomparably profound set of array patterns, shimmering like starlight, surged from the ground beneath his feet, enveloping him.
Nanchenzi’s face darkened with fury. “Fellow Daoist, if you refuse to meet me face-to-face, why resort to hiding like a common thief?”
There was no response.
Chen Changsheng watched from the shadows, utterly fascinated. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, was taking a nap.
Nanchenzi’s eyes blazed with rage. He immediately unleashed the full power of his Nine-star Great Emperor realm. He swept his sleeve, and terrifying force surged forth, transforming into a torrent of starlight. His fist strikes were like falling stars, the immense power slamming directly into the array patterns.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Yet, the stronger the force he unleashed, the stronger the array patterns became, absorbing his power and amplifying their own defense.
A sense of dread washed over Nanchenzi. “Damn Tianyuan! He actually set a trap for me!”
Recalling the incident a month prior, where he was nearly crushed by the Grand Dao Bell, Nanchenzi felt a surge of paranoia. He was convinced Tianyuan Old Ancestor was trying to eliminate him.
With this thought, Nanchenzi’s internal power erupted like a volcano.
Suddenly, towering spatial array patterns manifested.
“Eight Trigrams: Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, Fire, Lake!”
The dazzling array patterns spun in a circle, and Nanchenzi was instantly teleported away.
Crack! The void tore open, and space twisted violently.
Nanchenzi shot across the sky above the Grand Dao Sect like a falling meteor, forced to Traverse the Void.
At that moment, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor was startled. His Divine Sense swept out, and when he saw the spectacle, his jaw dropped.
“Did that magnate on Azure Mystery Peak just blast Nanchenzi away?”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor looked toward Azure Mystery Peak, a deep sense of fear flickering in his eyes. The one on Azure Mystery Peak—he was not someone to provoke!
Meanwhile, Nanchenzi was horrified. He realized he had no control over his trajectory. An ancient array had been secretly imprinted onto his body, locking onto a distant location. Until he reached that destination, the array would not dissipate.
Nanchenzi’s face was twisted in a snarl. “Damn your ancestors, Tianyuan! I will remember this debt!”
He had no idea where he was being sent. The insidious array was constantly drawing power from his body, specifically locking onto his Great Emperor Dao Pattern to fuel the spatial travel. Since he wasn't a Formation Great Emperor, he couldn't break it.
Nanchenzi was so enraged he almost laughed. “Is this the method of the Fellow Daoist on Azure Mystery Peak? To use such despicable, underhanded means instead of fighting me honorably?”
He tried multiple times to break free, but eventually gave up. Once the bizarre array was attached, it was impossible to shake off.
An hour later, Nanchenzi was still Traversing the Void.
A day later, the array patterns finally began to weaken. Nanchenzi extended his Divine Sense and muttered, “Where in the hell is this?”
In an instant, his expression changed drastically.
This was the gathering place of the Demon Races! The aura of powerful Great Demons was vast and boundless, like an endless ocean, causing Nanchenzi’s blood to boil.
Clearly, there were Nine-star Great Demons here—and more than one. These powerful auras belonged to the Fire Dragon Race and the Golden Crow Race!
Nanchenzi was so furious he cursed aloud. “Tianyuan! You bastard! You sent me to the borderlands of two Demon Race states!”
The next second, two massive figures, like soaring mountain ranges, rose up between heaven and earth.
One was the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor, who manifested his true form. His body was like a continuous mountain range, surging with scorching flames. His terrifying scales were like rolling hills, and his two massive legs, like celestial pillars, slammed into the ground, leaving an infinite sea of fire in their wake.
The other was the Golden Crow Old Ancestor, who also revealed his true form. He spread his wings, Traversing the Void, his brilliant golden light illuminating the world like a river of stars. The blood essence within him boiled like a furnace, and a violent, aggressive aura filled the sky.
Two ancient voices boomed through the void.
“A Human Great Emperor dares to trespass upon our Demon Race territory! You shall remain here!”
Nanchenzi’s face was grim. Humans and the Demon Races had always been enemies. To enter their territory uninvited was an act of invasion, a natural hostility between the bloodlines.
With two Great Emperors attacking simultaneously, Nanchenzi had no choice but to unleash his Nine-star Emperor Weapon, the Heaven Overturning Seal!
Boom! The Heaven Overturning Seal transformed into a colossal mountain, hovering above Nanchenzi’s head, gathering the power of heaven and earth.
Nanchenzi swept his sleeve and shouted, his voice echoing across the sky. “I am Nanchenzi of the Supreme Profound Sect! Fellow Daoists, I entered unintentionally! Please do not escalate this conflict!”
The Fire Dragon Old Ancestor’s eyes spat fire. “Supreme Profound Sect? If we let you leave so easily, wouldn’t the Southern Wilds look down upon my Fire Dragon Race?”
From the other direction, the Golden Crow Old Ancestor sneered. “Nanchenzi! Die!”
As the voice faded, the Golden Crow Old Ancestor’s hundred thousand wings erupted in blazing golden light, like a rain of golden swords, suppressing Nanchenzi. His two massive claws blotted out the sky, aiming straight for Nanchenzi’s head.
The Fire Dragon Old Ancestor roared, his body transforming into a stream of fire. His massive form spun like a death coil, locking onto Nanchenzi’s Great Emperor Dao Pattern and slamming into him with raw physical force!
Nanchenzi activated the Heaven Overturning Seal. In an instant, the world seemed to flip over as a terrifying seal descended, crashing onto the two Demon Race Old Ancestors.
Clang! The Great Emperor Dao Patterns on the Golden Crow Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor roared, sounding like metal striking stone. This was the Demon Race’s inherent talent—their physical bodies were comparable to Emperor Weapons!
Three Great Emperors fought in the void, all unleashing their full power.
Nanchenzi gritted his teeth and activated the Supreme Scripture! The Supreme Scripture was known for its heaven-defying killing power, and for a time, Nanchenzi managed to turn the tide, fighting two Great Demons alone. Although he was at a disadvantage, he managed to hold his ground.
They fought for a day and a night.
The Golden Crow Old Ancestor lost many golden feathers, and the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor’s back was bleeding profusely. Nanchenzi was also severely injured, his blood staining the sky, but he eventually managed to escape.
His heart was filled with boundless fury. “Damn the Grand Dao Sect! We will remember this debt!”
Watching Nanchenzi’s retreating figure, the Golden Crow Old Ancestor said coldly, “Humans! The Grand Dao Sect didn’t invite us to study the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace, and now they dare to invade our territory?!”
The Fire Dragon Old Ancestor, who had transformed into an elderly human form, sneered. “Heh! The Bronze Ancient Palace—my Fire Dragon Race will enter it no matter what!”
Soon after, the Fire Dragon Race and the Golden Crow Race widely publicized the incident, building momentum for the Demon Races.
The news of Nanchenzi’s severe injuries spread like wildfire, shocking the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds.
What was happening? The Bronze Ancient Palace hadn't even truly appeared, yet a Human Nine-star Great Emperor was already fighting two Demon Nine-star Great Emperors?
In Cloud State, the Jiujun Old Ancestor looked bewildered. “Why did Fellow Daoist Nanchenzi run off to the Demon Race territory?”
At the Yao Family, the Yao Quan Old Ancestor frowned slightly. “When we parted that day, didn’t Fellow Daoist Nanchenzi say he was returning to the Supreme Profound Sect?”
The assembled Old Ancestors who had gathered at the Grand Dao Sect were incredulous. The entire affair was bizarre.
Other foreign races were also stirred up.
The Blood Demon Race Old Ancestor sneered, “Nanchenzi, dare to visit my Blood Demon State? I’d like to see the power of the Supreme Scripture and the Heaven Overturning Seal!”
The Ghost Spirit Race Old Ancestor sent a message to the Grand Dao Sect. “Grand Dao Sect, I forgive you for not inviting us to study the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace! But when the Bronze Ancient Palace opens, my Ghost Spirit Race will definitely descend!”
Duan Hunsheng of the Heavenly Net Hall also spoke out. “Grand Dao Sect, this matter is not over! My Heavenly Net Hall repays all debts!”
In an instant, the peace of the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds was shattered, and the situation became chaotic. All human cultivators felt a sense of suppression. The Great Era had arrived, and a great war was inevitable.
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Two days later, Chen Changsheng reported the reactions of the Southern Wilds to Lu Xuan. Chen Changsheng had several Wooden Puppet Clones stationed outside the Grand Dao Sect, allowing him to know everything that happened in the Southern Wilds almost instantly.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, thinking that his third disciple was simply too versatile. With Old Third, he could know everything in the world without ever leaving the peak.
Chen Changsheng said, “Master, if the Bronze Ancient Palace appears, there will certainly be a war between the Grand Dao Sect and the Demon and Alien Races. We must prepare for the worst!”
Lu Xuan remained calm. “No worries. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Chen Changsheng thought internally: Master might not prepare, but I must. Preparation is key to success. He had survived this long by adhering to that principle.
With this in mind, Chen Changsheng continued, “Master, considering the battle between Nanchenzi Old Ancestor and the Fire Dragon and Golden Crow Old Ancestors, our human physical bodies are still far inferior to the Demon Races.”
Lu Xuan frowned slightly, licking his lips. “Fire Dragon Old Ancestor… the Fire Dragon Race?”
He suddenly missed the taste of Fire Dragon meat. It had been too long since he last ate it! He realized that the Fire Dragon Race actually occupied an entire major state in the Southern Wilds.
Lu Xuan nearly drooled. He muttered, “I wonder if Emperor-tier Fire Dragon meat tastes good?”
Chen Changsheng’s face twitched. “Master, you’re not planning on going to the Fire Dragon Race, are you?”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “Where is the Fire Dragon Race? Point me in the right direction!”
Chen Changsheng immediately produced an Ancient Jade Slip.
Lu Xuan took the jade slip, and his Divine Sense entered it, revealing a spiritual map of the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds. The Southern Wilds was vast, far exceeding his imagination.
However, he possessed the Corner of a Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern. He could go anywhere he wanted.
Chen Changsheng explained, “Master, this map is incomplete. Recently, ancient powers have been emerging, opening up their own minor worlds and integrating them into the Southern Wilds. Their exact locations are still unclear.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “No matter.”
Saying this, he immediately activated the Corner of a Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern. A profound, mysterious aura enveloped Lu Xuan, and he instantly vanished from Chen Changsheng’s sight, transforming into a wisp of light.
Moments later, Lu Xuan arrived in the major state belonging to the Fire Dragon Race.
His Divine Sense swept out, quickly locating a Four-star Fire Dragon Great Emperor.
Lu Xuan’s figure was like a phantom as he stepped directly into the Four-star Fire Dragon’s cave dwelling.
The Four-star Fire Dragon Great Emperor was instantly alerted and roared. “Human! Nanchenzi has already fled, yet another human dares to trespass on my Fire Dragon Race territory!”
The Fire Dragon Great Emperor’s body was massive, like a small mountain, and it charged forward, snapping its jaws at Lu Xuan.
Crunch! Golden light flooded Lu Xuan’s body, as if a deity had descended.
Myriad Laws Immunity!
The next instant, the Fire Dragon’s teeth shattered.
Lu Xuan smashed his fist toward the Fire Dragon’s skull. The punch surged with terrifying, overwhelming power, his fist shining brightly as it slammed into the beast, unstoppable!
The Fire Dragon let out a muffled groan, its skull cracking. It screamed once, and then its life force was instantly extinguished.
Blood splattered everywhere. Instant kill!
Its massive body crashed to the ground, utterly lifeless.
Lu Xuan placed the Fire Dragon’s corpse into his Storage Ring, collected a few Fire Dragon Eggs from the cave, and left as quickly as he arrived.
Soon, the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor arrived. Seeing the ruins of the cave, he roared with fury. “Damn humans! They dare to step into my Fire Dragon Race territory again!”
He swept his sleeve, detecting the faint array patterns left in the air. He snarled, “They came prepared! Are they trying to provoke my Fire Dragon Race?”
The Fire Dragon Old Ancestor’s eyes were bloodshot. “Nanchenzi! Supreme Profound Sect! We will remember this debt!”
***
Meanwhile, Lu Xuan had already returned to Azure Mystery Peak.
He placed the Four-star Great Emperor Fire Dragon corpse, which was the size of a small mountain, in front of Chen Changsheng.
“Changsheng, you’re cooking today. We’re having Fire Dragon meat.”
Chen Changsheng was dumbfounded. His master was too fast! He remembered being subdued by his master’s spatial array mastery, and now he saw it again.
Chen Changsheng quickly put the Four-star Great Emperor Fire Dragon into his Storage Ring and smiled. “Master, I’m afraid the Supreme Profound Sect will have to take the blame for the death of this Fire Dragon.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “That’s fine by me.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and stepped into the thatched hut. He activated the Dao Profound Iron Pot, took a scoop of Azure Nether Celestial Water, added half a bowl of All-Reach Profound Powder, and chopped up a large piece of Fire Dragon meat.
Inside the hut, Dao Rhyme permeated the air. Chen Changsheng began to enjoy the pleasure of cooking.
Before long, Chen Changsheng emerged from the hut carrying several dishes. Lu Xuan and Ye Chen sat at the stone table.
Stir-fried Fire Dragon meat, deep-fried Fire Dragon meat, cold-tossed Fire Dragon meat…
Chen Changsheng had carefully processed the dishes. Otherwise, even a small piece of the Fire Dragon meat, which contained terrifying Emperor-tier power, would cause Ye Chen to explode.
Ye Chen commented, “Third Junior Brother, your cooking skills are truly exceptional.”
***
Supreme Profound Sect.
Nanchenzi had long since returned. In the main hall of Supreme Peak, Nanchenzi sat cross-legged, his face dark and sinister. He gritted his teeth. “Damn Grand Dao Sect, and that one on Azure Mystery Peak! Don’t let me see you again, or I will make you pay the price!”
Beside him, Yuan Qingzi sat cross-legged behind Nanchenzi, manipulating spiritual seals. A pale green aura surged from his sleeves and flowed into Nanchenzi’s body.
Nanchenzi endured the excruciating pain, his eyes burning with fury.
Beside them, the Sect Master and others looked worried. Who would have thought that even a magnate like Old Ancestor Nanchenzi would suffer such a defeat at the hands of the Grand Dao Sect?
This was the third time the Grand Dao Sect had utterly humiliated them!
The Sect Master’s killing intent soared. “Outrageous! Simply outrageous!”
Fortunately, the Grand Dao Sect had not publicized the matter. If the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds knew that the one on Azure Mystery Peak had humiliated Old Ancestor Nanchenzi, the Supreme Profound Sect would become the laughingstock of the entire Southern Wilds.
Nanchenzi’s gaze was sharp as a knife. “We will meet again on the Supreme Path, Grand Dao Sect!”
Beside him, Yuan Qingzi treated Nanchenzi while simultaneously refining medicinal liquid. In an ancient iron furnace nearby, numerous spiritual herb essences intertwined and fused, emitting a profound, swirling aura.
Several hours later, Yuan Qingzi’s mind moved, and the ancient iron furnace opened. He had refined a batch of white, viscous healing liquid.
The Sect Master immediately placed the viscous liquid into a stone cup and presented it to Nanchenzi. “Old Ancestor, please take this.”