“Congratulations, Old Ancestor, on your triumphant return!”
The remaining Blood Demon Race cultivators, who had been hiding in the shadows, mistakenly believed that the Stone Demon Race Old Ancestor had been annihilated, and thus their own race was safe. They were gravely mistaken.
Chen Changsheng, silent and efficient, quickly arrived at the source of the Blood River. It was a deep, churning lake, its waters boiling with countless bleached bones—human, beast, demon, and even Blood Demon kin. The Blood Demon Race cultivated through the power of vital essence, necessitating endless slaughter.
Chen Changsheng wasted no time. He tossed large quantities of specialized powders directly into the blood-red lake: Sleeping Incense, Nine Revolutions Soul Dispersion Powder, Netherfall Heartbreak Powder...
One day later, the Blood Demon Race fell into a deep stupor.
Two days later, they were all lost in blissful illusions.
Several days later, the Blood Demon Race members, one after another, willingly leaped into the Blood River. Their bodies dissolved, annihilated by mysterious Dao patterns, becoming part of the endless crimson flow.
With that, the Blood Demon Race was completely wiped out. Chen Changsheng then provided a thoughtful, one-stop service: salvation, scattering ashes, and rebirth.
With a flick of his sleeve, Chen Changsheng produced an Ancient Black Plate and collected the vast essence of the Blood River into the artifact. Next, he dispatched numerous Wooden Puppet Clones to meticulously empty the Blood Demon territory of all resources. Once the site was restored to its original, pristine state, he tore open the void, dusted off his hands, and left the eerie valley.
***
Several days later, Chen Changsheng returned to the Grand Dao Sect.
He handed several Storage Rings to Lu Xuan. “Master, this is the entire accumulated wealth of the Blood Demon Race and the Stone Demon Race.”
Lu Xuan swept his Divine Sense through the rings. Inside, he found a Supreme Spirit Crystal Mine. There were also mountains of High-grade Spirit Stones, countless Array Plates, vast quantities of high-level spirit herbs, and numerous high-grade cultivation techniques and elixirs.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly and casually tossed the rings back to Chen Changsheng. “You keep them. I don’t need them.”
Chen Changsheng caught the rings, a ripple of emotion stirring in his heart. He asked himself if there was anyone else in this world who, like his Master, Views Supreme Treasures as Dirt. There was none. Chen Changsheng sighed softly, deeply satisfied with his decision to join Lu Xuan’s tutelage. More importantly, all of his accumulated Causality had been successfully shifted onto his Master.
“How is Fuyao doing now?” Lu Xuan asked. “Have your clone check in.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “Senior Sister is currently annihilating the remaining Heavenly Net Hall Branches. She is completely unstoppable! I have secretly dispatched Wooden Puppet Clones to escort her. There is a ninety-eight percent chance that nothing will go wrong.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Excellent.”
Chen Changsheng continued, “Although many major powers are assisting her, Senior Sister is growing rapidly. She has been fighting relentlessly, and her strength has transformed once more. If all goes well, Senior Sister will soon step into the Half-step Emperor Realm!”
Half-step Emperor Realm!
Lu Xuan chuckled. That was wonderful news. He still had a System reward pending for the quest “Ji Fuyao Reaches Saint King Realm.” If she reached Half-step Emperor Realm, it would be an over-completion of the task, and the reward would surely be substantial. He looked forward to it.
Following the discussion, Lu Xuan and Chen Changsheng lay down in front of the thatched hut, watching the clouds drift by, their minds clear and tranquil.
After a short rest, Chen Changsheng entered the hut to cook. It was his turn today. He was preparing Spicy Golden Crow, Golden Crow Ribs, and Drooling Golden Crow.
A faint, savory aroma drifted from the hut, making Lu Xuan rub his stomach. He had to admit, Chen Changsheng’s cooking skills now surpassed both Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen. He deserved praise!
Chen Changsheng sent a quick message to Ye Chen, then placed the steaming dishes on the stone table. The three of them began to eat.
***
Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone.
In the Silent Destruction Sect’s territory, within the Twisted Jungle.
The Silent Destruction Old Man and his elders had returned to the ancient hall. The hall was dim and lifeless. Only the faint light of the residual moon, derived from Dao patterns in the Forbidden Zone’s sky, filtered in, illuminating the white bones scattered in the corners. Over a dozen elders stood silently, like decaying wood. In the faint light, patches of dense, Eerie Red Hair could be seen protruding from the robes of some of the elders.
The Silent Destruction Old Man did not speak. The others remained silent.
The loss was immense. A Half-step Supreme, Elder Qianduo, had been instantly obliterated by the Southern Wilds Heavenly Dao Killing Intent.
The Silent Destruction Old Man’s face was grim and sinister. He couldn’t understand. “Why was the White Robe Great Emperor able to display Half-step Supreme power?”
After a moment of heavy silence, an elder suggested, “Old Ancestor, perhaps the White Robe Great Emperor is not truly Half-step Supreme, but his combat power is simply infinitely close to it!”
Upon hearing this, the Silent Destruction Old Man frowned, deep in thought. He recalled the words of the Xuanji Holy Lord: “The Southern Wilds Heavenly Dao has never changed.” Coupled with the death of Elder Qianduo, it confirmed that the Southern Wilds Heavenly Dao would still annihilate any Half-step Supreme who dared to leave the Forbidden Zone.
A moment later, the Silent Destruction Old Man suddenly laughed, his voice cold and echoing through the ancient hall with a Ghostly Aura. He said slowly, “If the White Robe Great Emperor is not Half-step Supreme, then this is easy to handle!”
The elders asked, “Old Ancestor, do you intend to send our sect’s Emperor Realm Experts out of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone to capture Ji Fuyao?”
The Silent Destruction Sect still had several Emperor Realm disciples sealed in ancient tombs, sleeping. However, the Xuanji Holy Lord and other magnates in the Forbidden Zone had issued a decree: those tainted by Eerie Power and Ominous Power were forbidden from leaving the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone until the Heaven and Earth Change occurred. This was an agreement reached between several Forbidden Zones and the outside world’s magnates.
The Silent Destruction Old Man shook his head faintly. “We cannot send our disciples out yet, or we will surely alert the Xuanji Holy Lord to intervene. I do not wish to conflict with her at this time.”
The elders asked, “Then we shall support new factions outside the Forbidden Zone!”
The Silent Destruction Old Man replied, “Naturally, we must support new factions to continue providing us with the essence of living beings! Secondly, I will issue a Must Kill Order across the Southern Wilds!”
A Must Kill Order!
The elders were slightly startled. “Will this not completely offend the Grand Dao Sect?”
The Silent Destruction Old Man sneered. “The Grand Dao Sect is no longer the power it was when its founder was alive. Over countless epochs, the years have taken their toll. The only reason the Grand Dao Sect has managed to survive is because they refused to enter the world and compete for the Supreme Fruit Position! Why should my Silent Destruction Sect fear a Declining faction?”
The elders nodded in agreement. After all, the Grand Dao Sect had fallen from its peak the moment its founder abandoned the Supreme Fruit Position. Now, after endless years, many ancient powers scoffed at the Grand Dao Sect’s actions. If the founder could make such a foolish decision, how good could the entire sect be?
The Silent Destruction Old Man continued, “We must obtain Ji Fuyao’s Reincarnation Secret Art! I owe you all a debt. When I moved the entire Silent Destruction Sect into the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, many elders and disciples were tainted by Eerie Power and perished. I wish to compensate everyone now.
If we can obtain the Reincarnation Secret Art, we can fully charge the Supreme Path. Even if we fall, we will have a chance to revive! I assure you, this is for the good of the Silent Destruction Sect, not for my own selfish gain!”
The elders remained silent. The events of the past were indeed the result of the Silent Destruction Old Man’s arbitrary decision, but who dared to utter a single word of dissent?
Just then, a Grey-robed Elder entered the hall. “Old Ancestor, the Xuanji Holy Lord has sent a message.”
The Silent Destruction Old Man commanded, “Speak.”
The Grey-robed Elder said, “She warns us that if she discovers any of our sect’s elders or disciples stepping out of the Forbidden Zone before the Heaven and Earth Change, she will kill them without hesitation.”
The Silent Destruction Old Man snorted coldly. “For now, I won’t allow anyone to leave the Forbidden Zone.”
The elders collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
The Silent Destruction Old Man produced a black, circular stone. He said slowly, “This is the Cangyuan Stone, unique to my Silent Destruction Sect. It can extract a cultivator’s Memory Image. Next, Elder Qianyun will refine a batch of Cangyuan Stones and distribute them to various trade organizations across the states.
As long as someone captures and kills Ji Fuyao, we can directly obtain her complete Memory Image.”