“It was Baixue who sent you, wasn’t it?”
Qin Wang shook his head. “I came on my own.”
Nanchenzi scoffed, having long seen through the charade. He was well aware of the secret dealings between Nangong Baixue and Qin Wang over the past few days.
However, Nanchenzi held no disdain for Nangong Baixue’s calculated seduction of Qin Wang. The most venomous heart belonged to a woman, after all. In the long history of the Southern Wilds, which cultivator possessing the Primordial Yin Body hadn’t become a ruthless figure?
The annihilation of the Ancient Qin Family had forced Nangong Baixue to mature; she was no longer the weak girl who only knew how to weep. In the hearts of Nanchenzi, Yuan Qingzi, and the Sect Master, their approval of Nangong Baixue grew. Utilizing the Primordial Yin Body to manipulate men was a viable path to power and the Supreme Fruit Position.
Qin Wang hesitated, then requested ten million Contribution Points from Nanchenzi, Yuan Qingzi, and the Sect Master.
Nanchenzi sneered. “This Baixue certainly has a large appetite. Give him eight million Contribution Points. I want to see what this girl can achieve.”
In the end, the Sect Master handed Qin Wang eight million Contribution Points and sent him away.
***
Grand Dao Sect.
Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan, Ye Chen, and Chen Changsheng were enjoying their meal.
Chen Changsheng recounted the news of the Tianyuan Old Ancestor being pursued and severely injured.
Ye Chen was stunned. “How could this happen?”
In his memory, the Tianyuan Old Ancestor was overwhelmingly powerful, practically invincible. Moreover, he had personally witnessed the battle between the Tianyuan Old Ancestor and Duan Hunsheng in Cloud State via his Master’s Divine Sense transmission. They had been evenly matched! How could the Tianyuan Old Ancestor be severely injured now?
Lu Xuan took a slow bite of food. “It seems this Duan Hunsheng really does have some skill.”
Chen Changsheng sent a mental transmission to Lu Xuan. “Master, I’ve caught wind of some rumors. Several magnates in the Southern Wilds are planning to make a move against you to seize the Supreme Secret Art you possess!”
Lu Xuan chuckled internally. That was his Invincible Stance! It was impossible for others to steal.
Lu Xuan replied casually, “Let them come. I am invincible, they are free to try.” He then settled back leisurely into his recliner.
Ye Chen reassured his junior brother. “Third Junior Brother, don’t panic. Anyone who dares to steal Master’s Supreme Secret Art is simply courting death.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Indeed.”
Ye Chen then asked, “With the Tianyuan Old Ancestor severely injured, won’t Overlord-level Powers like the Supreme Profound Sect seize this opportunity to attack our Grand Dao Sect?”
Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. “It’s highly possible.”
After all, the Grand Dao Sect had been too high-profile lately in the Southern Wilds. Coupled with the widespread rumors of the secret art, When the Time Comes, Heaven and Earth Work Together, the sect’s ambition to contend for the Supreme Fruit Position in this Great Era was clear. Now that the Tianyuan Old Ancestor had been severely injured by Duan Hunsheng, it was inevitable that some Overlord-level Powers would try to make a move.
Especially since the Tianyuan Old Ancestor still held that wisp of Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace! That artifact had been confirmed as the key to opening the palace itself. The temptation of the key was too great for any Overlord-level Power to resist.
“Word has it that Duan Hunsheng has lost the trail, and the Tianyuan Old Ancestor has shielded the Heavenly Secret, his whereabouts unknown,” Chen Changsheng said. “As for those foreign Great Emperors and demon Great Emperors who want to find Master, they are simply sending themselves to their deaths.”
He wasn’t worried. If the sky fell, Lu Xuan would hold it up. He was just the third disciple.
The three of them stopped discussing the matter.
Soon after, Lu Xuan finished eating and returned to his cave dwelling to lie down leisurely.
Several hours later, Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng also finished their meal. After tidying up the thatched cottage, Chen Changsheng sought out Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan was engrossed in reading a storybook, having long since forgotten the matters discussed at the stone table.
Chen Changsheng wore a bitter expression. “Master, those foreign magnates and demon magnates are about to descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range. If you aren’t there, won’t they come looking for me?”
Lu Xuan paused, then said lightly, “That’s right. Since you’re here, I don’t need to go.”
Chen Changsheng was speechless for a moment.
He smiled wryly. “Master, I don’t have absolute confidence! If you were to make a move, it would be different.”
Lu Xuan asked, “How much confidence do you have?”
Chen Changsheng estimated conservatively. “Sixty percent?”
Lu Xuan smiled, pointing at Chen Changsheng. “Old Third, stop hiding. Don’t think I don’t know your true strength.”
Chen Changsheng insisted. “Master, if those demon magnates and foreign magnates descend upon the Blackflame Mountain Range, please handle it yourself! I can assist in the shadows.”
Lu Xuan said mildly, “Alright, fine.”
Chen Changsheng finally smiled. “It’s just that this kind of direct confrontation is not my forte.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “I understand, I understand.” He knew his third disciple preferred to strike from the shadows. This was Chen Changsheng’s ‘Dao,’ and Lu Xuan didn’t want to break it, especially since he was counting on Chen Changsheng’s cultivation speed to increase.
Chen Changsheng hesitated, then asked, “Master, what are you reading?”
“Some unofficial history about the Grand Dao Sect’s founder,” Lu Xuan replied. “Do you want to read it?”
Chen Changsheng quickly shook his head. “No, thank you.”
He thought to himself: At Master’s level, his cultivation methods have long transcended common sense. He appears to be lying on a recliner doing nothing, but in reality, his cultivation is constantly increasing! Perhaps once I fully comprehend the Scripture of Non-Action and the Grand Dao Scripture, I can achieve the same state as Master.
Lu Xuan said, “Changsheng, your talent is quite good. You reached the Minor Accomplishment Stage of the Grand Dao Scripture in just a few days.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “Master, how fast were you in comprehending it?”
Lu Xuan answered truthfully. “In the same few days, I only reached the Great Accomplishment Stage. You are only slightly worse than me.”
Chen Changsheng was utterly shocked. He knew his own talent and comprehension were among the best in the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds, yet Lu Xuan had casually surpassed him.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Changsheng, watch closely. I will demonstrate the power of the Grand Dao Scripture at the Great Accomplishment Stage. You can gain some insight.”
As his voice fell, a wisp of the Grand Dao Scripture’s Dao Rhyme flowed from Lu Xuan’s fingertip. It was incredibly profound and obscure, and the sound of the Great Dao faintly echoed in Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, causing Chen Changsheng’s mind to feel clear and his spirit to soar.
In that moment, Chen Changsheng felt Lu Xuan’s Body in Harmony with the Dao, completely merging with Azure Mystery Peak and even becoming inseparable from this corner of Heaven and Earth. Dao! Dao! Dao!
This was the Dao Rhyme of the first volume of the Grand Dao Scripture at the Great Accomplishment Stage!
Chen Changsheng’s heart trembled, and he immediately began to contemplate it. Clearly, his Master was intentionally guiding him! What shocked him even more was that this wisp of Dao Rhyme felt tailor-made for him.
A flash of lightning crossed Chen Changsheng’s mind. It was as if Lu Xuan had stepped into the River of Time, traveled to the future, seized Chen Changsheng’s ultimate comprehension, and then displayed it to him.
With this thought, Chen Changsheng recalled Lu Xuan’s previous claim that he had stepped across the River of Time. He had been skeptical then, only mentioning it to Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen to fit into the ‘Master Worship’ atmosphere. But now, he was shaken to his core.
Chen Changsheng asked, “Master, this insight seems to originate from me, yet it surpasses me.”
Lu Xuan laid his cards on the table. “That is your future comprehension.”
***