“Master!”
In the next instant, Chen Changsheng’s figure materialized in the void above. He was clad in a white robe, which billowed slightly, wrapped in endless Divine Arc light. His true face was obscured, and his cultivation realm was utterly undetectable.
Ji Fuyao’s heart swelled with excitement. Her Master had arrived!
Chen Changsheng flicked his sleeve, sending an Emperor-tier Healing Pill flying toward Ji Fuyao. “Take it.”
She immediately swallowed the pill.
At that moment, the numerous Great Emperors from the Heavenly Net Hall froze solid. The White Robe Emperor had descended!
Damn it! The Grand Elder had explicitly confirmed that Ji Fuyao had no powerful protector! They had fallen into a trap!
Terror seized them. This White Robe Emperor was the one who had instantly killed the Thirteenth Elder—an Eight-star Great Emperor! Their strongest among them was only a Seven-star Great Emperor. How the hell were they supposed to fight this?
Chen Changsheng surveyed the dozen or so Great Emperors, perfectly mimicking Lu Xuan’s casual, arrogant tone. “I’ll give you a chance. Come at me. All of you, if you like. I am invincible. Do as you please.”
The world fell into a dead silence. The Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors trembled uncontrollably, and the local cultivators in Luozhou didn't dare to breathe.
Ji Fuyao, having taken the healing pill, watched Chen Changsheng with burning admiration. In her Master’s presence, these powerful figures were nothing more than worthless dogs, utterly vulnerable.
Suddenly, a black-robed elder stammered, “Senior, we were only following orders—”
Chen Changsheng cut him off with a cold flick of his sleeve. “Did I give you permission to speak?”
Whoosh! A wisp of the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame shot out, striking the black-robed elder. He instantly burst into flames, incinerating into dust that scattered on the wind. Annihilated in a second!
The remaining Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors were utterly aghast. This White Robe Emperor was terrifying!
After a moment of silence, Chen Changsheng spoke, his voice flat. “I already gave you a chance. Now, die.”
He flicked his sleeve again, and the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame descended upon the heads of the Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors.
Sizzle! They had nowhere to run. They tried to tear the void to escape, but the terrifying power of the Spirit Fire suppressed them completely. The flame blazed like a brilliant sun, its explosive aura searing the space around them. Wherever it touched, Great Emperor Dao Patterns, Emperor Weapons, and defensive formations were instantly refined and melted.
This was the supreme, scorching power of the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame!
The Great Emperors of the Heavenly Net Hall were burned to death before they could even scream, their Form and Spirit Destroyed. Total annihilation.
Moments later, Chen Changsheng collected the scattered Storage Rings, suppressed the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame, and tossed the rings to Ji Fuyao with a gesture.
“Fuyao, continue your journey to the Blackflame Mountain Range.” He then slowly dissolved into the void.
Ji Fuyao nodded, watching her Master’s vanishing figure. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She felt her Master was acting a little strange today, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
Soon, Ji Fuyao piloted her spirit boat, leaving a Divine Arc in her wake as she sped toward the Blackflame Mountain Range.
In Luozhou, the local experts were left reeling. The White Robe Emperor was truly terrifying! They had finally witnessed the might of the White God!
***
Far away, Chen Changsheng’s other puppet clone was diligently reciting the Scripture of Salvation. Though the enemies had been turned to ash, one final step was required.
He couldn't perform this ritual in front of his Senior Sister.
“Heavenly Dao Lord, dust returns to dust, and ashes to ashes. The Great Emperors of the Heavenly Net Hall harbored malicious intent toward my Senior Sister. They were not killed by me, but by the force of Causality / Karma! Their cultivation has returned to Heaven and Earth, and their karma is concluded!”
After completing the meticulous process, Chen Changsheng reflected on his performance, mimicking his Master. Truthfully, he was highly unaccustomed to such a high-profile fighting style. He preferred to remain hidden.
“I hope I didn’t let Senior Sister spot any flaws,” he muttered to himself.
***
Grand Dao Sect. Azure Mystery Peak.
Chen Changsheng reported the entire sequence of events to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan, amused by Chen Changsheng’s impersonation, chuckled. “How did it feel?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “Er… that fighting style is not really suited to me. However, Senior Sister gained immense benefit from these life-and-death battles over the past few days.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly and nodded. Ji Fuyao had been through one life-and-death battle after another. The constant life-or-death crises had pushed her potential to the limit, allowing her to break through to the Saint King Realm ahead of schedule.
It made sense. After cultivating in the Fire Refining Secret Realm for a month, coupled with the residual power from the Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism, the recent blood battles had transformed her, allowing her to reach the Saint King Realm early.
This meant he had completed the System’s limited-time cultivation quest: “Allow Ji Fuyao to enter the Saint King Realm within six months!”
He just had to wait for the time to expire to claim the reward.
The System chimed in: [Ding! There are still two months remaining to claim the reward! The final reward will be based on Ji Fuyao’s ultimate cultivation realm at that time!]
“Sounds good,” Lu Xuan agreed.
Meanwhile, Ye Chen noticed that for several days now, his Third Junior Brother had followed their Master’s example, placing a recliner in front of the hut and lying flat alongside him. Since their Master hadn't said anything, Ye Chen felt obligated to intervene.
That day, when it was Ye Chen’s turn to cook, he served the steaming dishes. Before they began eating, he turned to Chen Changsheng with a serious expression. “Third Junior Brother, there are some things Master won’t say, so I must.”
Chen Changsheng replied respectfully, “Second Senior Brother, please speak.”
Ye Chen nodded and launched into a heartfelt lecture.
“Third Junior Brother, we are different from Master. Master can lie flat because his power has reached the peak of the Dao. But you are only a small Profound Sovereign right now! You absolutely cannot lie flat in the future…”
Chen Changsheng listened intently, showing no sign of disagreement, appearing completely receptive to the advice. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, had already started eating.
After a moment, Ye Chen asked earnestly, “Cultivation is perfected through diligence and ruined by sloth. Do you understand, Third Junior Brother?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Second Senior Brother is absolutely right.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Then let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat,” Chen Changsheng echoed.
He knew Ye Chen was genuinely looking out for him, but he truly didn't require arduous cultivation. He needed to comprehend the state of ‘Body in Harmony with the Dao’ by observing his Master.
The stronger a cultivator became, the harder it was to maintain a clear and tranquil state of mind. Yet, his Master was like an innocent child, a profound Dao Rhyme flowing naturally from him.
Therefore, while cultivating the Scripture of Non-Action, he needed to stay close to his Master and contemplate his profound aura.
Chen Changsheng decided he should tell his Second Senior Brother this, but not immediately. If he spoke up right after the lecture, it would cause Ye Chen to lose face.
Soon, Lu Xuan finished his meal and returned to his recliner to rest.
Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng continued to eat, slowly converting the ‘Dao and Essence’ within the food.
Chen Changsheng marveled internally. Such massive Dao essence required his full concentration to convert, yet his Master consumed it effortlessly. The gap between them was immeasurable.
He looked at Ye Chen. Ye Chen’s body radiated a faint divine light, resonating with a deep, booming sound like a great bell. His soul was robust, almost comparable to a Profound Saint, and his Dao Foundation was crystalline, transitioning toward a flawless state.
Chen Changsheng knew that under the terrifying baptism of Dao essence on Azure Mystery Peak, Ye Chen’s Dao Foundation would eventually become flawless and perfect. His future achievements were incalculable!
Chen Changsheng controlled his eating speed, waiting until long after Ye Chen had finished before slowly setting down his bowl and chopsticks.
“Second Senior Brother,” Chen Changsheng said, “Master actually permitted me to lie here.”
Ye Chen looked at Lu Xuan, confused.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Changsheng is not wrong.”
Chen Changsheng produced an Ancient Jade Slip and placed it in Ye Chen’s hand. It was the technique for the Scripture of Non-Action.
“Second Senior Brother, please look. This is the cultivation method Master gave me. You can see that my cultivation path is somewhat unique.”
Ye Chen hesitated, then probed it with his Divine Sense. He was slightly shocked. A Nine-star Emperor-tier technique!
“The Dao of Non-Action, the Non-Action of the Dao. Non-Action is Action, and Action is Non-Action. Act without acting, do without doing…”
Ye Chen found the text incredibly obscure and profound. He recognized all the characters, but together they were unfathomably mysterious.
“The Dao of Non-Action,” Ye Chen murmured. “Is this your Dao, Third Junior Brother?”
He returned the Ancient Jade Slip to Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng nodded. “It is, Second Senior Brother.”
Ye Chen laughed. “In that case, not only do I not object to you lying flat, but I fully support it! However, when Senior Sister returns, you must tell her about your Dao. Otherwise, knowing her temper, she might see you lying flat with Master and instantly suppress you!”
Chen Changsheng was speechless for a moment.
Ye Chen smiled and patted Chen Changsheng’s shoulder. “Third Junior Brother, from your battles with Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan, I can tell you are not simple and have other secrets. But don’t worry, Azure Mystery Peak never lacks secrets. I have my own secrets too.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Thank you, Second Senior Brother.”
He already knew Ye Chen’s secrets. Before arriving at the Grand Dao Sect, he had secretly investigated Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen. Ye Chen was the son of Yao Liuli, the Yao Family’s former Saint Daughter, who was currently imprisoned in Sin Valley. And Ji Fuyao was deeply connected to the Fuyao Empress of three thousand years ago!
Ye Chen smiled, picking up the dishes and heading into the hut to wash them.
Chen Changsheng settled down next to Lu Xuan. Lying flat—he had finally achieved this goal!
Lu Xuan knew Chen Changsheng wasn't being lazy; he was constantly circulating the Scripture of Non-Action. At Chen Changsheng’s level, he was no longer constrained by the form of cultivation.
Moreover, Lu Xuan found that Chen Changsheng’s comprehension and talent were extremely high! He had only been exposed to the Scripture of Non-Action for a few days, yet he had already achieved Minor Accomplishment!
Thinking of this, Lu Xuan spoke. “Right, Ye Chen, Changsheng, follow me to the Grand Dao Hall later. I’ll exchange for the first volume of the Grand Dao Scripture for you.”
Both disciples nodded. “Thank you, Master.”
Not long after, a Divine Arc surged beneath Ye Chen’s feet, lifting Lu Xuan and Chen Changsheng. The three sped toward the Grand Dao Hall.
In the depths of the Grand Dao Hall, Elder Mu Yunhai sat behind a wooden table, as always.
Lu Xuan smiled and asked, “Elder Mu, how are your injuries? Do you still need treatment?”
Elder Mu recalled the terror of being treated by the White Robe Emperor, his old face flushing. He quickly said, “No need, I’ve taken some Emperor-tier Healing Pills. The issue is minor.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, handing his identity token to Elder Mu. “Elder Mu, I’m here today to exchange for the first volume of the Grand Dao Scripture for my two disciples.”
Elder Mu nodded and quickly retrieved two Ancient Jade Slips, handing them to Lu Xuan. Twenty million Contribution Points were instantly deducted! Lu Xuan now had over thirty million Contribution Points remaining.
Lu Xuan asked, “Ye Chen, Changsheng, do you need to exchange for any other supreme treasures?”
Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng both shook their heads. “Not for now, Master!”
The three quickly returned to Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan smiled and offered guidance. “Fuyao cultivates two techniques simultaneously: the Heaven-Burning Art and the Grand Dao Scripture. You can reference her approach. The Heaven-Burning Art focuses on offense, the external force. The Grand Dao Scripture aligns with Heaven and Earth, the internal power. They seem contradictory, but they can be merged, forming a circulation within the body’s cosmic cycle.”
Ye Chen exclaimed, “Senior Sister is truly brilliant.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Cultivating both internal and external power, merging seemingly conflicting forces—this is similar to the Scripture of Non-Action. Non-Action and Action, you are in me, and I am in you.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Exactly!”
Following this, Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng returned to their respective cave dwellings to cultivate. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, lay on his Profound Ice Bed, reading storybooks, utterly relaxed.
The System’s voice echoed in his ear.
[Ding! Host’s Second Disciple Ye Chen is cultivating the Grand Dao Scripture. Beginning synchronization!]
[Ding! Host’s Third Disciple Chen Changsheng is cultivating the Grand Dao Scripture. Beginning synchronization!]
As the voices faded, two incomparably profound insights surged into his mind, transforming into brilliant light clusters that spread through his Sea of Divine Sense. Lu Xuan contemplated the insights. The Grand Dao Scripture truly lived up to its reputation as the Grand Dao Sect’s foundational technique, containing infinite mysteries!
***
Grand Dao Sect, hidden location.
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor transformed into a Divine Arc, shooting out into the deep void. He sent a mental transmission to Lu Xuan.
“Lu Xuan, is that Daoist Friend still on Azure Mystery Peak?”
Lu Xuan replied, “Yes. Speak, Old Ancestor.”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor said, “I must leave the Grand Dao Sect for a period to search for the whereabouts of the Bronze Ancient Palace. During this time, if anything happens to the Grand Dao Sect, I ask that Daoist Friend intervene.”
Lu Xuan agreed. “I can do that.”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor continued in a heavy voice, “Daoist Friend, I heard that Fuyao intends to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty and is currently heading to the Blackflame Mountain Range, where she has been ambushed multiple times by Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors.”
Lu Xuan replied calmly, “No need to worry. Everything is under control.”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor nodded. “That is good. Since I am traveling through the Southern Wilds, I will also pay a visit to the Heavenly Net General Hall.”
Lu Xuan warned him. “Old Ancestor, please proceed with caution.”
The Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s eyes flashed with deep intent. “Naturally.”
Moments later, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor tore the void and vanished into the sky.
***
Yinzhou (Fallen State), Heavenly Net Hall Branch.
“Report! Grand Elder! We have a major problem! We were tricked! The White Robe Emperor intervened!”