“This was Tianyuan’s supreme artifact for secluded cultivation, capable of resisting the erosion of the Power of Time. This Ancient Sarcophagus is truly extraordinary.”
Lu Xuan focused his gaze. Even with his Four-star Great Emperor cultivation, he could immediately discern its secrets. The Ancient Sarcophagus was forged from the Heaven and Earth Wonder Fallen Heaven Divine Wood, etched with supreme Dao patterns that pulsed, constantly fighting against the Power of Time. When sealed, the interior became a self-contained micro-world, dense with Dao Rhyme—a perfect sanctuary for Great Emperors seeking enlightenment. This was precisely the kind of treasure the ancient magnates of the Southern Wilds would kill for.
Just then, Chen Changsheng sent a mental transmission. “Master, could you perhaps suggest to Tianxing Old Ancestor that you keep this Ancient Sarcophagus?”
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. “What the hell do you need that for?”
Chen Changsheng insisted, “Master, it may be useless to an existence like you, but for me, it is profoundly beneficial!”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. This guy really is one of those greedy old magnates from the Southern Wilds, he thought. “Fine,” he agreed.
Tianxing Old Ancestor asked, “Lu Xuan, please convey to that Fellow Daoist that this artifact holds a trace of Tianyuan’s aura, which we can use to locate his hiding spot.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Understood. But how about leaving this sarcophagus here?”
Tianxing Old Ancestor paused, then his eyes widened in realization. “Of course! Lu Xuan, you are truly considerate. We cannot ask that Fellow Daoist to act without compensation. This item seals the Power of Time; it might be useful to him. I shall take the liberty of gifting it to him.” With a thought, Tianxing Old Ancestor placed the massive Ancient Sarcophagus into a Storage Ring and tossed it to Lu Xuan.
The Sect Master spoke with immense gravity. “Peak Master Lu, please tell that Fellow Daoist: we implore his aid!”
Lu Xuan pocketed the ring, smiling casually. “Sect Master, relax. Tianyuan Old Ancestor will be perfectly fine.”
The Sect Master and the others nodded, visibly relieved. “Then we shall await news from that Fellow Daoist.”
“Good,” Lu Xuan replied. Moments later, the Sect Master, Cangxuan Old Ancestor, and the other magnates ascended on brilliant Divine Arcs, soaring into the sky and vanishing from Azure Mystery Peak.
Once the coast was clear, Lu Xuan tossed the Storage Ring to Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng bowed deeply, accepting the ring with reverence. “Thank you, Master.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, clapping his third disciple on the shoulder. “Well, since you wanted the prize, you have to do the work. The mission to retrieve Tianyuan Old Ancestor is now yours.”
Chen Changsheng blinked, utterly dumbfounded. “Huh?”
Lu Xuan laughed. “You’re perfectly capable. You wouldn't want the Grand Dao Sect to lose a Nine-star Great Emperor, would you?”
Chen Changsheng was speechless. Seriously? Master is totally using me as a Tool Man! First the Blackflame Mountain Range, and now bringing back Tianyuan Old Ancestor.
Lu Xuan smiled. “This time, activate the fastest Spatial Power formation pattern. When you return, I’ll give you some pointers.”
Chen Changsheng nodded pragmatically. “Very well. Since I accepted Tianyuan Old Ancestor's Ancient Sarcophagus, I suppose I must save him.”
The next moment, brilliant divine radiance enveloped Chen Changsheng. He transformed into the feared White Robe Great Emperor persona, shrouded in boundless light, making it impossible for any outsider to distinguish this figure from the true magnate.
“Master, I'm leaving!” The power of the Spatial Power formation pattern surged, and Chen Changsheng vanished instantly.
Lu Xuan’s face twitched violently. He only sent a Wooden Puppet Clone! Chen Changsheng’s voice echoed via mental transmission: “Master, I have a ninety-eight percent chance of successfully retrieving Tianyuan Old Ancestor.”
Lu Xuan glanced at the spot where Chen Changsheng's true body remained, hidden in seclusion on Azure Mystery Peak. Lu Xuan sighed internally, his eyes filled with exasperation. Old Third, oh, Old Third, you are truly dedicated to the Ultra Low-Profile path.
***
At the same time, a seismic piece of news rocked the Southern Wilds. Tianyuan Old Ancestor, having fled to Wind State to recuperate in a secluded spot, was discovered and immediately ambushed by five Nine-star Great Emperors. Though the attackers masked their auras and refrained from using their signature techniques, the battle indicated that there were human, Monster Race Magnates, and Foreign Magnates among them! It was an unprecedented cooperation between Overlord-level Powers from three separate races. Their sole objective was to assassinate Tianyuan Old Ancestor and seize the wisp of Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace he held. Magnates across the states were shocked. This conflict had truly spiraled out of control. If Tianyuan Old Ancestor were to perish, it would be a catastrophic, fatal blow to the Grand Dao Sect.
Subsequent reports confirmed that Tianyuan Old Ancestor had managed to shield the Heavenly Secret using the Grand Dao Scripture and escaped the five Emperors! However, his injuries were now even more severe. The world was awestruck; to flee five Nine-star Great Emperors while Severely Injured was a testament to the Grand Dao Scripture's profound power. Of course, the fact that the five attackers dared not reveal their ultimate techniques also afforded Tianyuan Old Ancestor the sliver of opportunity he needed to survive.
The news quickly spread, causing a massive uproar across the states. In Cloud State, Jiujun Old Ancestor sighed toward the heavens. “Is the Southern Wilds truly facing a great upheaval? Tianyuan Fellow Daoist venturing into Tianluo State was a grave misstep! Now, the key to the Bronze Ancient Palace might fall into the hands of the Foreign Magnates or the Monster Race!”
The Yao Family Old Ancestor observed the situation with a deep gaze. “The current Great Era in the Southern Wilds is extremely volatile. First, that Fellow Daoist from Azure Mystery Peak forcibly roused the ancient powers, accelerating the chaos, and now Tianyuan Old Ancestor is Severely Injured and hunted. Even before the Bronze Ancient Palace fully emerges, the signs of a true chaotic age are clear.”
Nanchenzi of the Supreme Profound Sect seized the opportunity to publicly condemn the Grand Dao Sect. “If the Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace falls into the hands of the Foreign Magnates or the Monster Race, the Grand Dao Sect will be the greatest sinner in human history!”
When Nangong Baixue heard the news, she was overcome with maniacal joy. If the Grand Dao Sect collapsed, Ye Chen would certainly die, and the Ye Family would be annihilated! Lu Xuan and Ji Fuyao—they all deserved to die! Die! Die! Feeling exceptionally pleased, she decided to reward Qin Wang, and herself, once more.
On the purple phoenix wood bed, Qin Wang lay panting and sweating profusely next to her. Nangong Baixue immediately slapped him across the face. “You are a complete waste! How many breaths was that? I haven't even finished taking off my clothes!”
***
Meanwhile, in Yinzhou, at a Heavenly Net Hall Branch. Gu Lang Great Emperor had convened a meeting of numerous Emperor Realm Experts in the main hall. Gu Lang, seated high on his throne with a satisfied smile, looked down at the Black Robe Great Emperor. “Are all the arrangements finalized?”
The Black Robe Great Emperor reported, “Grand Elder! First, the long-distance teleportation array in Yinzhou has been reinforced, and a Hall Master's Decree has been embedded, capable of resisting a Nine-star Great Emperor's full attack. Second, I have already dispatched several Emperor Realm Experts to the Qingzhou Ye Family, and they are standing by! Everything is now ready! We only await your command to capture the members of the Qingzhou Ye Family and transport them here to Yinzhou!”
Gu Lang Great Emperor stroked his beard and roared with laughter. “Excellent! Truly excellent! Heaven itself is aiding my cause! Tianyuan Old Ancestor is besieged and on the verge of death! Now, that damned White Robe Great Emperor must be paralyzed by indecision—does he protect the Blackflame Mountain Range, or does he save Tianyuan Old Ancestor?”
A Green Robe Great Emperor chimed in, “In my view, Ji Fuyao is only a Profound Saint. While her potential is vast, the Great Era has begun, and she lacks the time to mature. Tianyuan Old Ancestor, however, is a cornerstone of the Grand Dao Sect. I believe the White Robe Great Emperor has surely gone to rescue Tianyuan Old Ancestor!”
“If that's the case, the Blackflame Mountain Range is exposed. Grand Elder, why don't we gamble and strike directly, capturing Ji Fuyao?”
Gu Lang Great Emperor scoffed, his eyes sharp. “Idiot! Why resort to gambling when we possess the superior strategy? What the hell is there to gamble on?”
The Green Robe Great Emperor immediately bowed his head. “The Grand Elder speaks the absolute truth!”
The next moment, Gu Lang Great Emperor swept his sleeve down. “Transmit my command: Capture the members of the Qingzhou Ye Family! Immediately! Move out now!”