Ye Chen's voice rang out, clear and unwavering. “Cultivation realms are meaningless before my master. Only the weak talk about realms.”
The two Great Demon Ancestors were utterly stunned. They were Nine-star Emperor Realm cultivators, yet concepts like the River of Time, Reincarnation, and the Ultimate Grand Dao were entirely beyond their comprehension. They stood there, dumbfounded. Had Nine-star Great Emperors truly become mere ants in this new era?
At that moment, Lu Xuan spoke calmly. “Come here, both of you. I will remove the poison afflicting you.”
The Golden Crow Old Ancestor and Fire Dragon Old Ancestor exchanged skeptical glances but ultimately sat down cross-legged, turning their backs to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan settled into a meditative posture. With a thought, a profound and gentle Medical Dao Power surged into the two demon ancestors' meridians. It felt like a spring breeze, soft and comforting. The old ancestors slowly closed their eyes. This Medical Dao Power was incredibly soothing, like a tiny snake weaving through their meridians, cleansing their entire bodies and souls. Their corroded meridians began to heal, and even the potent poison transformed directly into a rich Dao Rhyme Essence, flowing into their Dao Foundations.
They were utterly shocked. This was Nine-star Emperor-tier Medical Attainment! At this moment, all doubt vanished. They truly believed Lu Xuan was the White Robe Great Emperor! This was a sensation they had never experienced before, utterly profound and wondrous!
Suddenly, a low groan escaped the Golden Crow Old Ancestor's ancient throat, followed by a muffled cry from the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor.
“Mmm...”
“Urgh...”
Instantly, the entire gathering erupted in laughter. Wang Man and the others hadn't left precisely because they were waiting for this moment. The two demon ancestors' old faces flushed crimson with embarrassment. They were Nine-star Demon Emperors, ancient powerhouses who had cultivated for countless years in the Southern Wilds, yet they had just made such undignified sounds. But, in truth, the Medical Dao Power was incredibly comfortable! Peak Master Lu was truly a divine being!
Wang Man roared with laughter. “Hahaha, you two old geezers sound like a couple of delicate maidens!”
Qing Yan playfully elbowed Wang Man. “What are you saying?”
“Not about you!” Wang Man shot back, and the crowd laughed even harder.
The Golden Crow Old Ancestor and Fire Dragon Old Ancestor hastily tossed out several Storage Rings. “Please, just go!” they pleaded, their voices trembling.
Everyone accepted the Storage Rings, handed them over to Ji Fuyao, and slowly dispersed.
Inside Lu Xuan's room, indescribable sounds continued to echo.
“Peak Master Lu, please, a little slower...”
“Peak Master Lu, I...”
“...”
Half a day later, the Fire Dragon Old Ancestor and Golden Crow Old Ancestor emerged from the room, their faces radiating profound satisfaction. Peak Master Lu's Medical Dao Attainment was truly heaven-defying. The poison in their bodies had long been eradicated, transformed into Dao Rhyme Essence that had, in fact, strengthened them.
Following this, the two old ancestors relocated their respective races to territories near the Blackflame Mountain Range. With two Nine-star Great Emperors now under its banner, the Fuyao Dynasty's strength soared!
Lu Xuan slowly walked out of his room and summoned Ji Fuyao, Ye Chen, and Chen Changsheng. “I'm returning to Azure Mystery Peak.”
All three disciples immediately responded, “Master, we'll return with you.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Very well! The Bronze Ancient Palace will open soon. It's a good time for you all to cultivate back on Azure Mystery Peak.”
Moments later, Lu Xuan activated Supreme Great Emperor Formation Patterns, and with a flash, he and his three disciples vanished from the Blackflame Mountain Range, reappearing directly on Azure Mystery Peak.
Ji Fuyao immediately stepped into the thatched hut to prepare a meal. Lu Xuan, meanwhile, leisurely reclined in his lounge chair, a contented smile gracing his lips.
...
Meanwhile, on Dark Shadow Island.
Dark Shadow Island was a self-contained world, enveloped by endless azure waves and shrouded in perpetual mist. Brilliant Dao patterns flowed across its expanse, sometimes dim, sometimes blazing, indicating complete Heaven and Earth rules capable of resisting the power of time itself! This was not a single isolated landmass, but a mysterious archipelago composed of several islands, each emanating terrifying auras that surpassed the Emperor Realm.
Numerous islands encircled a particularly strange one, upon which an incredibly obscure ancient character was inscribed. It faintly exuded the power of a Quasi-Dao Supreme, the character 'Shadow.' This was the very place where Dark Shadow Island's Supreme had attained Dao in ancient times, known as the Sacred Island, and the 'Shadow' character was the essence of enlightenment left behind by that Supreme.
At this moment, within a magnificent hall on the Sacred Island, several Dark Shadow Monarchs had gathered. These were not their true bodies, but Nine-star Emperor Realm clones.
The Dark Shadow Monarch Xiao Zheng's face was grim, his ancient features twisted with fury. “A Ke is dead! How are we to explain this to the Sacred Lord? She was the Sacred Lord's third daughter, and the bloodline of our Supreme Ancestor flowed within her!” The Sacred Lord was the current ruler of Dark Shadow Island, a descendant of the ancient Supreme, currently in slumber, having entrusted the island's affairs to the Dark Shadow Monarchs.
Beside him, another Dark Shadow Monarch, Xiao Han, frowned. “Just who is this White Robe Great Emperor? How could the Grand Dao Sect produce such a ruthless figure?” A heavy silence fell over the group. Everyone knew that since its founder had abandoned the Supreme Fruit Position, the Grand Dao Sect had remained low-key for countless epochs, never pursuing the Supreme Path, seemingly content to remain aloof from worldly affairs. How could such a formidable Great Emperor suddenly appear?
Xiao Zheng's eyes gleamed with cold light. “I've spent the past few days poring over ancient texts. There has never been such a person recorded in the Grand Dao Sect's history.”
Xiao Han, idly toying with an ancient jade artifact, spoke gravely. “Logically, the Grand Dao Sect should be aware of Dark Shadow Island's profound heritage. Even if they didn't want a marriage alliance with A Ke, they should have spared her life. But this White Robe Great Emperor not only killed A Ke but also annihilated the Stabbing Heaven Palace. Something is truly amiss.”
Xiao Zheng sneered. “The Grand Dao Sect has no Supreme who attained Dao; in terms of foundation, they cannot compare to us! Since that is the case, then we shall be in 'undying enmity' with this White Robe Great Emperor and the Grand Dao Sect!”
Xiao Han said in a deep voice, “We could consider cooperating with the Silent Destruction Sect and the Demon Hall. In this era, the Grand Dao Sect is becoming far too arrogant. Those who are too arrogant will surely face Heaven's retribution!”
Xiao Zheng nodded. “I'll make the arrangements. The Heaven and Earth Change will soon begin, allowing Half-step Supremes to emerge. This White Robe fiend won't be able to hide much longer!”
...
In the Demon Court.
The stone statue of the Demon Lord, where the Demon Hall had previously been located, was one of the nodes connecting to a small world within the Demon Court. The Demon Lord, a Titan Ape, had carved out an independent space here, incredibly vast, spanning ten great states. Demonic power surged, like a miniature version of the Southern Wilds.
Here, mountains crisscrossed, spiritual energy was dense, and towering peaks intertwined with bottomless valleys, resembling a magnificent painting. Countless ancient stone palaces stood majestically, exuding an ancient, obscure aura. Before each palace stood a colossal Titan Ape statue, where many powerful demon cultivators sat cross-legged, cultivating their techniques. Above their heads, brilliant Dao patterns flowed between the stone palaces, manifesting the sun, moon, and stars, creating a grand and majestic spectacle.
In ancient times, the previous generation's Supreme, also a Titan Ape, had gathered many of the Demon Race's strongest cultivators, aiming to once again seize the Supreme Fruit Position in the Ninth Epoch. With four Supremes, the Southern Wilds' Demon Race would then overpower humans and other races!
Some time ago, the Demon Lord, while in slumber, had issued a decree for the Demon Hall to emerge first, to scout for news of the Supreme Path in this era. Who could have known that in such a short time, the Demon Hall had been annihilated by the Grand Dao Sect's White Robe Great Emperor?!
At this moment, atop the highest mountains, within a magnificent stone hall, numerous Demon Generals and Demon Kings had convened. Within the Demon Court, below the Demon Lord, were the Demon Kings and Demon Generals. The Red Serpent Race, which had emerged as a proxy for the Demon Court, had its Red Serpent Old Ancestor holding the rank of Demon General.
A violent atmosphere permeated the hall. A Pig-headed Demon General clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table, growling fiercely. “Outrageous! Our Demon Race has three Supremes, our foundation utterly crushes the Grand Dao Sect! This White Robe Great Emperor dares to disrespect our Demon Court!”