“Master, I sense killing intent!” Chen Changsheng’s voice was a low murmur, but it cut through the air with an undeniable urgency.
Lu Xuan, ever casual, activated his Insight Eye, sweeping his gaze across the Blackflame Mountain Range. Deep within the void, several High-star Great Emperors lurked, their forms concealed, clearly observing them.
“Lao San,” Lu Xuan said to Chen Changsheng, his tone unconcerned, “go deal with them.”
Chen Changsheng simply nodded. “Understood.”
Moments later, the group stepped into the main hall of the Blackflame Mountain Range. The place was utterly transformed. Grand palaces now stood tall, adorned with intricate Formation Patterns that pulsed with mystical Qi Mechanism/Aura, sparkling like constellations. Crystals and treasures gleamed, making the entire area breathtakingly magnificent and splendid.
Above, the sun cast its golden rays upon the Blackflame Mountain Range, and wisps of purple Qi Mechanism/Aura drifted from around the palaces, hinting at their extraordinary nature. The surrounding Spirit Wood had been meticulously trimmed, the wild, untamed aura of before replaced by an imposing grandeur.
Wang Man and Qing Yan swiftly entered the hall, bowing respectfully to Lu Xuan. “Peak Master Lu, this time, in addition to several major human factions, a few Overlord-level Powers will also descend. Cangmu Academy, the Ancient Yao Family, and the Ancient Wang Family are all coming to Attend the Ceremony!”
Lu Xuan chuckled. “Since that’s the case, our display of prestige must be impeccable.”
With that, he produced the corpse of the Nine-star Great Emperor Red Serpent that Chen Changsheng had hunted down, handing it to Wang Man. “At the ceremony, we shall Host/Treat everyone with this Nine-star Emperor-tier Red Serpent Meat!”
Wang Man and Qing Yan, along with the others, visibly swallowed, utterly stunned. They were going to eat Nine-star Emperor-tier Demon Race meat?! This was beyond impeccable; it was an act of audacious power! This was a Nine-star Great Demon! Its physical body contained terrifying Blood Essence Power, imbued with Dao and Essence. Even a High-star Great Emperor would greatly benefit from consuming it! The only question was, would anyone actually dare to eat it?
Lu Xuan smiled. “I’ve already purged all the toxins from this Red Serpent. It’s ready to be cooked and eaten!” He then took out a Recipe Jade Slip and handed it to Wang Man and Qing Yan. “Follow this, and prepare it.”
Wang Man and Qing Yan bowed respectfully. “As you command!”
Lu Xuan turned to Ji Fuyao, a gentle smile on his face. “Fuyao, I’ll upgrade your Heaven-Burning Art for you.”
Ji Fuyao nodded, her slender hand retrieving the jade slip containing the Heaven-Burning Art and presenting it to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan immediately activated the Dao Derivation Jade Slip.
Boom! A profound, mystical Qi Mechanism/Aura surged around Lu Xuan, enveloping the jade slip of the Heaven-Burning Art. With a thought from Lu Xuan, brilliant golden Divine Radiance flowed continuously. Countless minuscule Ancient Characters, each radiating Divine Radiance and containing Heaven and Earth Principles, materialized around him, constantly reorganizing and condensing. Whoosh! These Ancient Characters, though tiny, held profound mysteries, like countless stars, pouring into the Heaven-Burning Art’s jade slip, continuously transforming the Spirit Art/Technique.
Moments later, the celestial phenomena around Lu Xuan vanished, and a brand new cultivation technique had been derived. The Heaven-Burning Art had been upgraded to Nine-star Emperor-tier!
Chen Changsheng, observing from the side, was secretly astonished. Lu Xuan’s method of upgrading cultivation techniques, displayed once again, completely overturned his understanding. He made a mental note: once his Scripture of Non-Action reached Great Perfection, he would definitely ask his Master to upgrade its tier again.
Lu Xuan’s Divine Sense swept over the jade slip. This technique, like the Desolate Heaven Art, was still Incomplete. He handed the jade slip back to Ji Fuyao.
Ji Fuyao took the jade slip, examining it carefully, her eyes gleaming with surprise. “Thank you, Master!”
Lu Xuan nodded faintly, a smile playing on his lips. “Fuyao, the Fuyao Dynasty Founding Ceremony is in three days. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just treat it like any other day.”
Ji Fuyao nodded. “Understood, Master.”
Soon after, Lu Xuan led Chen Changsheng and Ye Chen into another pavilion. It was time to rest!
Chen Changsheng leaned in, whispering to Lu Xuan, “Master, I’ve already killed those Great Emperors.”
“Good,” Lu Xuan replied simply.
Chen Changsheng continued, “Those Great Emperors were just scouts, they didn’t seem to intend to attack. I estimate that when the Fuyao Dynasty Founding Ceremony begins in three days, forces like the Stabbing Heaven Palace and the Demon Hall will make their move!”
“No worries,” Lu Xuan said, licking his lips. “If the Stabbing Heaven Palace dares to come, we’ll bury them. If the Demon Race comes, we’ll slaughter them and eat them! I wonder if any Giant Ram Great Emperors will show up?” He mused, “It’s been a while since I had lamb skewers. Or perhaps, just a simple lamb head?”
***
Within the Secluded Valley of the Stabbing Heaven Palace.
Dense mist swirled around this Mysterious/Sinister Place, where no sunlight ever touched, and Spirit Wood grew in grotesque, eerie shapes. In the grand hall, Xiao Ke, the Master/Lord of the Stabbing Heaven Palace, reclined languidly on a high throne, her robes draped elegantly, revealing a hint of her fair neck. A charming smile played on her delicate face as she addressed the Elders gathered before her.
“Prepare to depart,” she said, her voice soft yet authoritative.
With a languid stretch, Xiao Ke rose, her enchanting and seductive figure perfectly outlined beneath her thin garments, revealing alluring curves. Such a captivating sight, yet none of the Elders dared to harbor any improper thoughts. For countless years, many powerful cultivators had pursued their Master/Lord, only to be secretly assassinated by her. Thus, the Southern Wilds trembled at the mere mention of Xiao Ke. Their Master/Lord was truly the King of Assassination, her skills far surpassing their own. Moreover, Xiao Ke was a descendant of an Emperor-tier Magnate from Dark Shadow Island, her status incomparably revered!
For their Master/Lord, they felt only awe and dread.
An Elder respectfully inquired, “Master/Lord, will you personally take action this time?”
Xiao Ke raised a jade-like hand to her luscious lips, letting out a delicate yawn. “Just to observe. I’m curious to see this White Robe Great Emperor. What Heaven-Reaching Ability does he possess? Which Old Ancestor of the Grand Dao Sect is he, exactly?”
Soon, over a dozen figures shot out from the Secluded Valley, their forms concealed within the clouds, their Qi Mechanism/Aura utterly undetectable as they began Traversing the Void.
***
Days later, a grey-robed Elder reported to Xiao Ke, “Master/Lord, the Elder we stationed in the Blackflame Mountain Range has been killed.”
A faint smile touched Xiao Ke’s lips, but her eyes narrowed, gleaming with icy Killing Intent. “No matter.”
***
The Demon Hall.
Within the vast and majestic Demon Hall, bathed in the brilliant sunlight of the day, golden light permeated every corner, filled with a domineering and powerful aura. Numerous Demon Race powerhouses had already gathered here, their Great Demon Qi Mechanism/Auras surging like an abyss, reverberating between heaven and earth.
The Red Serpent Old Ancestor sat high upon an ancient throne deep within the hall, his gaze profound as he surveyed the many Elders.
“Now, I shall begin selecting those who will go to the Blackflame Mountain Range!”
As his voice fell, many Great Demons grew incredibly excited, especially those who had only recently emerged from their long seclusion! Having slumbered for tens of thousands of years within their Small World/Pocket Dimension, this was to be their first battle since their re-emergence, and Overwhelming Battle Intent surged from each of them.
The Demonic Spider Woman, her black dress billowing, revealed an evil, charming smile. Her slender fingers kneaded together as she spoke, “These past few days, I’ve reviewed the White Robe Great Emperor’s deeds. He certainly has some tricks up his sleeve. I eagerly anticipate clashing with him!”
The Giant Ram Race Old Ancestor, clutching a massive Ancient Iron Hammer, slammed it onto the ground. His bulging muscles gleamed with divine radiance, seemingly indestructible. “Under my hammer, all are but dead souls! I wonder if the White Robe Great Emperor’s head can withstand a single blow from my hammer!?”