“Go. The future of our Silent Destruction Sect rests on your shoulders. When you return, I will personally perform the Dao Pattern Washing for you, sending you into the Half-step Supreme realm!”
The two elders nodded, their voices resolute. “Old Ancestor, we will do our utmost!”
Not long after, the two elders departed the twisted jungle, their forms blurring as they concealed themselves. They traversed the treacherous Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone for two days, finally reaching its formidable entrance.
The grey-robed middle-aged man glanced back, then swallowed another mouthful of Life Force, surveying his surroundings. “Xuanji Holy Lord hasn’t noticed. Let us leave this place quickly.”
The young man in brocade robes gave a curt nod. “Agreed.”
Obscure, ancient Dao Patterns shimmered around their bodies. They activated the Ancient Jade Slip bestowed upon them by the Silent Destruction Old Man. A sinister Eerie Power began to corrode the Restriction guarding the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone. In just over ten breaths, a subtle flaw appeared in the fabric of this sealed realm.
The next instant, the two Silent Destruction Sect elders seized the fleeting opportunity, soaring into the air and stepping directly out of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone.
The grey-robed middle-aged man couldn't help but sigh, a hint of awe in his voice. “The Old Ancestor’s plans are indeed meticulous. The last time he sent Elder Qianduo to test the Heavenly Dao of the Southern Wilds, he actually left a Sealing Restriction at the entrance. It was all in preparation for us to step out of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone today.”
The young man in brocade robes nodded. “Naturally. If those useless fools from Stabbing Heaven Palace and Demon Hall had been of any use, we wouldn’t have had to risk ourselves like this!”
They dared not linger, immediately Traversing the Void. They continued their journey for half a day before finally pausing.
They scanned the space behind them; nothing seemed amiss. Xuanji Holy Lord hadn’t discovered them!
The Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone was a self-contained world. Once one left its confines, it was impossible to detect its existence without activating a supreme secret art.
The grey-robed middle-aged man raised a hand to shield his eyes. The colossal sun was rising in the distant sky, and the myriad lands of the various states stretched out before them. He sighed, a profound weariness in his tone. “Another epoch. Ever since we were tainted by Eerie Power and Ominous Power, we’ve been forced to hibernate in Great Tombs like old turtles, unless the Supreme Path opens.”
The young man in brocade robes’ eyes were dim. “Indeed. For these past few millennia, if the Heavenly Net Hall hadn't collected vast amounts of Life Force, we wouldn’t have survived until now. Once tainted by Eerie Power and Ominous Power, one must constantly consume Life Force to counteract these corrupting energies.
Powerful figures like Xuanji Holy Lord, Bai Li, never consume Life Force. That’s why her cultivation has continuously fallen. She is now merely at the Eight-star Emperor Realm.”
The grey-robed middle-aged man added, “Yes, according to the Old Ancestor, the Eerie Power and Ominous Power have already invaded Xuanji Holy Lord’s Meridians and Divine Soul. It’s only one step away from descending upon her Dao Foundation. Once her Dao Foundation is corrupted by Eerie Power and Ominous Power, Xuanji Holy Lord will only have two choices: either die, or consume Life Force!”
The young man in brocade robes nodded. “Precisely. The Old Ancestor has already prepared a large amount of Life Force, waiting for the Eerie Power and Ominous Power within Xuanji Holy Lord to erupt! What do you think, will Xuanji Holy Lord consume Life Force then?”
The grey-robed middle-aged man fell into thought. After a moment, he replied, “I feel that a powerful figure like Xuanji Holy Lord, who established the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone several epochs ago, even if pushed to her absolute limit, probably wouldn’t consume Life Force. What a pity, the Ancient Era’s Number One Beauty, to fall like this!”
The young man in brocade robes said in a deep, cold voice, “Our paths diverge, so we cannot conspire together! Now that we have embarked on the path of consuming Life Force, there is no turning back! Xuanji Holy Lord is indeed worthy of awe and respect, but she has become an adversary of our Silent Destruction Sect.”
The grey-robed middle-aged man nodded. “Indeed, if Xuanji Holy Lord were at her peak, she would certainly have detected us stepping out of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone like this. But now, she is far from her peak, her strength having fallen greatly, which is why we were able to seize this opportunity to leave.”
The two Traversing the Void all the way, eventually acquiring a spiritual power map of the Southern Wilds’ various states. Several days later, they arrived at the Blackflame Mountain Range.
After a brief inquiry, they were stunned. The grey-robed middle-aged man frowned slightly, a puzzled expression on his face. “Blackflame Mountain Range, when did two Nine-star Emperor-tier Great Demons appear to guard it?”
The young man in brocade robes mused, “Perhaps it’s the Grand Dao Sect’s doing.”
The two took out an Ancient Jade Slip, which sealed a wisp of Ji Fuyao’s aura. The young man in brocade robes continuously changed his spiritual arts, and mysterious spiritual patterns surged as he activated the Ancient Jade Slip. After a moment, he reined in his aura, shaking his head faintly. “Ji Fuyao isn’t in the Blackflame Mountain Range. This jade slip shows no reaction.”
The grey-robed middle-aged man deduced, “Then it’s possible she returned to the Grand Dao Sect.”
Before leaving, the two secretly abducted an Imperial Dragon Guard from the Fuyao Dynasty, took him away, and immediately performed a Soul Search.
“Indeed, Ji Fuyao has returned to the Grand Dao Sect.” The grey-robed middle-aged man struck down the Imperial Dragon Guard with a single palm, then devoured all the blood in his body, revealing an incredibly refreshed expression. “Fresh blood still tastes the best.”
Not long after, the two began to conceal their figures, Traversing the Void, and flew towards the Grand Dao Sect. Several days later, they arrived.
The grey-robed middle-aged man looked around, seeing the Grand Dao Sect’s majestic mountain gate, with numerous spiritual peaks standing proudly on the earth, imbued with spiritual essence and magnificent. He sighed with emotion, “Once, our Silent Destruction Sect was also filled with such righteous grandeur, but everything has changed.”
The young man in brocade robes nodded, quickly composing himself, and reminded, “Be careful. Our mission is to capture and kill Ji Fuyao and obtain the supreme reincarnation secret art, not to fight the White Robe Great Emperor.”
The grey-robed middle-aged man stated, “Let’s go to Azure Mystery Peak.”
...
On Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan and Chen Changsheng were leisurely lying on lounge chairs in front of the thatched hut. Ji Fuyao was cooking inside the hut, with wisps of fragrant cooking smoke rising. Ye Chen hadn’t been on Azure Mystery Peak these past few days; he had gone to the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds for trials with Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan.
Just then, the jade slip in Lu Xuan’s embrace vibrated slightly. His divine sense probed it.
Ye Chen’s voice came through. “Master, I’m back.”
Lu Xuan nodded casually. “Good, your senior sister is cooking right now.”
Not long after, Ye Chen parted ways with Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan at the foot of Azure Mystery Peak.
Luo Lingkong said, “Junior Brother Ye Chen, although I lost this time, I’ve gained some insights. Let’s fight again next time!”
Liu Xuan smiled alluringly, looking at Luo Lingkong, and laughed without speaking. How many times had Luo Lingkong been defeated by Ye Chen, yet he still wouldn’t admit defeat?
A moment later, everyone parted ways, and Ye Chen began to ascend the mountain.
Just then, the two Silent Destruction Sect elders also arrived at the foot of Azure Mystery Peak.
The young man in brocade robes frowned slightly. “Isn’t that Ye Chen?”
The grey-robed middle-aged man said, “Don’t act yet. Our target is Ji Fuyao. Let’s follow Ye Chen up the mountain. If this spiritual peak has any Restrictions, we can avoid them. After stepping onto Azure Mystery Peak, we’ll first lie in wait and then strike when the opportunity arises.”
The young man in brocade robes nodded. “Well said.”
The two immediately followed Ye Chen up the mountain. Ye Chen, naturally, was completely unaware.
But on Azure Mystery Peak, Chen Changsheng slowly opened his eyes and whispered to Lu Xuan, “The aura of the Silent Destruction Sect. Master, two Nine-star Emperor Realm elders from the Silent Destruction Sect are following Second Senior Brother up the mountain. How do you wish to handle them?”