The Fuyao Dynasty!
Hearing this, the Patriarch, the Grand Elder, and all the others were utterly stunned. They had heard whispers before, but never imagined their bedrock of support was the long-fallen Fuyao Dynasty!
"Three thousand years ago, our Ye Family was a force under Empress Fuyao's command! In the final battle, the Fuyao Dynasty was assaulted by the Heavenly Net Temple, and with traitors sowing discord from within, the Dynasty nearly crumbled! Yet, Her Imperial Majesty, with her own formidable power, single-handedly fought off three Great Emperors from the Heavenly Net Temple, splitting her elite forces into three contingents, allowing them to escape. Our Ye Family was one of them! Afterward, Her Imperial Majesty, using an ancient secret art, found a sliver of hope and has now returned to re-cultivate! Three millennia have passed, and our Ye Family has seen the fall of several Quasi-Emperors and Half-Emperors, but we have finally awaited Her Imperial Majesty's return! The three of us have already established contact with Her Imperial Majesty, and she will descend upon our Ye Family on the day of our grand family gathering!"
As their voices echoed, like thunderclaps through the Ancestral Land, everyone was utterly shaken. A thought flashed through the Patriarch's mind, and he respectfully asked, "Old Ancestor, if Her Imperial Majesty descends, could she perhaps intervene and suppress the Ominous Power within Chen'er?"
Hearing this, a Grey-robed Old Ancestor shook his head faintly. "Impossible."
The Patriarch was taken aback. "Why?"
The Grey-robed Elder sighed, "It's not that I'm unwilling to ask Her Imperial Majesty, but rather that she is currently re-cultivating, and her cultivation has yet to reach the Profound Saint realm!"
Not even a Profound Saint! The hope in the Patriarch's heart was once again shattered!
At this, an elder frowned and asked, "Old Ancestor, the Empress is no longer at her peak. Does she still have the right to lead our Ye Family?"
"Heh heh," the Grey-robed Old Ancestor chuckled softly and spoke slowly. "Firstly, we few here have all sworn an oath: should Her Imperial Majesty return and summon us, we shall answer without fail! Secondly, Her Imperial Majesty's primary force, the Imperial Dragon Guards, still exists. If our Ye Family were to choose betrayal, only annihilation would await us!"
As his words fell, the faces of the many Ye Family elders grew solemn. With matters having reached this point, they had no choice but to follow the Old Ancestors' arrangements.
Amidst the murmurs in the hall, voices could be heard: "If Empress Fuyao can lead our Ye Family to rise again, then serving under her is no disgrace!"
"But our enemy will be the Heavenly Net Temple! Over these past millennia, the Heavenly Net Temple has grown increasingly formidable. The numerous sect and clan annihilation tragedies in the southern wilderness were all their doing, and yet, no one could stop them!"
"Our Ye Family is but a Quasi-Emperor tier faction; we have little room for choice."
Moments later, the three Old Ancestors swept their sleeves, silencing the discussions. "Over the next few days, we will impart to you some of the supreme secret arts of the Fuyao Dynasty!"
"Your combat prowess will undoubtedly increase! Her Imperial Majesty will surely be pleased to see it!" The many Profound Saints of the Ye Family were all somewhat agitated. Supreme secret arts!
At this, the Grand Elder frowned and asked, "Old Ancestor, the family gathering is in a few days, and the Nangong Family might also descend. Will there be a conflict...?"
The Grey-robed Elder merely smiled faintly. "You're asking about the Young Master challenge and that annulment? Heh heh. Those are but petty squabbles."
"The Young Master position is naturally a competition among the younger generation; let them fight for it. As for the Nangong Family's annulment, our Ye Family will soon be once again serving under Her Imperial Majesty. A mere Nangong Family's departure is utterly insignificant!"
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. The most crucial matter for the Ye Family now was Empress Fuyao's arrival. As for the Young Master challenge, or Nangong Baixue's annulment, those were mere trifles! The Old Ancestors didn't care a whit!
Following this, the three Old Ancestors sat cross-legged, hovering in the void, their bodies radiating brilliant Quasi-Emperor Dao patterns. Slowly, they began to speak, revealing the supreme secret arts of the Fuyao Dynasty, sealed away for a millennium! As the three Old Ancestors imparted their knowledge, it was like a grand Daoist chant, with 'Dao and Essence' intertwining between heaven and earth, a profound aura continuously flowing through the area. The many Profound Saints of the Ye Family began to listen attentively, all sitting cross-legged and circulating their spirit arts. For a time, within the Ye Family's Ancestral Land, resplendent divine light interwoven ceaselessly, like a boundless starfield, like a majestic celestial river.
***
In the Blackflame Mountain Range, Ji Fuyao had been cultivating for over ten days. Within the pavilion, Ji Fuyao, clad in a fiery red gown, shimmered with radiant light, her curvaceous figure outlined by intricate patterns. Her body was like jade and ice, flawless and pure, as if an ethereal immortal had descended to the mortal realm.
She slowly opened her eyes. During these days, she had been channeling the Heaven-Burning Art with all her might to cultivate! Her cultivation speed had increased severalfold! Not only that, but she also continuously purified her Dao Foundation using the Grand Dao Scripture. Now, her Dao Foundation had become incomparably crystalline, with faint Dao patterns emerging, gradually transforming towards a Perfect Dao Platform. A Dao Foundation determines a cultivator's potential height! Today, her Dao Foundation had already surpassed that of her previous life! But this was merely the beginning! She believed she could forge a perfect Dao Foundation, perhaps even stepping into the legendary Ultimate Realm! Even if she encountered difficulties, she could always seek guidance from her Master, Lu Xuan! With this thought, Ji Fuyao slowly rose, retracting her aura.
She had already stepped into Late-stage Profound Sovereign Complete! Her Path of Spirit Fire was just one step away from Perfected Mastery! This journey to the Blackflame Mountain Range had been incredibly fruitful! Before her eyes, Lu Xuan's image involuntarily appeared. "I wonder how Master is doing now?" Ji Fuyao murmured. "Master, once I've dealt with the Ye Family's matters, I'll return to Azure Mystery Peak immediately."
Next, Ji Fuyao stepped out of the pavilion. Outside, Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the others were already waiting. Their faces were alight with joy, having long known of Ji Fuyao's soaring cultivation. They smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty! Your cultivation is a step closer to your former peak!" Ji Fuyao tilted her snowy neck slightly and asked, "Are there any Profound Sovereign Fire Spirit Beasts in the Blackflame Mountain Range?"
Qing Yan immediately retrieved a jade slip from her embrace and probed it with her divine sense. "Your Imperial Majesty, there happens to be a territory of Fire Spirit Beasts nearby, but their leader is at the Profound Venerate realm!"
Ji Fuyao's lips curved into a faint smile. "Mere Profound Venerates! I have already reached Late-stage Profound Sovereign Complete, and my Path of Spirit Fire is but a step away from Perfected Mastery. A mere Profound Venerate Fire Spirit Beast poses no threat." A dense battle intent erupted from her! After all, in her previous life, the Fuyao Dynasty was built through her own struggles and battles! Battle intent was etched deep into her bones!
Qing Yan handed the map jade slip to Ji Fuyao. "Your Imperial Majesty, then we await your good news."
Ji Fuyao nodded. "Once I return from the Fire Spirit Beast territory, we shall depart for the Qingcheng Ye Family."
Wang Man respectfully replied, "As you command! We have already contacted the Qingcheng Ye Family. Conveniently, their family gathering is in a few days; we can observe it then."
Ji Fuyao said coolly, "Very well."
As her words fell! Ji Fuyao ascended into the air, an arc of spirit fire appearing beneath her feet, carrying her directly towards the Fire Spirit Beast territory. Several hours later, in the Fire Spirit Beast territory, Ji Fuyao's figure descended gracefully, radiating a faint divine brilliance. With a thought, a terrifying, peerless aura exploded from her.
Soon, the many Fire Spirit Beasts roared. "Damn human! How dare you trespass into our territory!" "A mere Profound Sovereign, seeking death!" A multitude of Fire Spirit Beasts charged out, their bodies engulfed in terrifying flames, like colossal suns, crushing down upon Ji Fuyao. Each Fire Spirit Beast was massive, like a small mountain, far stronger than the Trial Guardian Fire Beast of the Fire Abyss Trial Grounds' first layer. Hiss! The temperature between heaven and earth suddenly soared, and the area for dozens of miles instantly transformed into a sea of spiritual flames.
Ji Fuyao's expression remained serene. "This battle will be the perfect catalyst to help me achieve Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire!" The next instant, Ji Fuyao's figure vanished from her spot, stepping directly into the sea of spiritual flames. Endless spiritual fire formed a terrifying storm, the area now a blazing inferno, yet Ji Fuyao remained unharmed within it.
The multitude of Fire Spirit Beasts attacked simultaneously. Boom! Overwhelming spiritual fire morphed into blazing patterns, their offensive power truly unrivaled. Yet, Ji Fuyao simply extended her delicate hand and directly blocked the assault. Ji Fuyao said calmly, "Again."
Witnessing this, all the Fire Spirit Beasts were utterly shocked. This woman before them was too powerful. Though merely a Profound Sovereign, she could absolutely dominate their Profound Venerate brethren! Soon, Ji Fuyao took the initiative, sweeping through them like a hurricane, like autumn winds scattering fallen leaves. Wherever her terrifying attacks landed, Fire Spirit Beasts continuously perished. One-shot kills!
The Fire Spirit Beasts, with their fierce temperament, couldn't just stand by and watch. Soon, several of their strongest leaders chose to self-detonate! "Accursed human! We shall unleash all our power and be buried with you in this sea of spiritual flames!" "Die, human!" With a resounding boom, it was as if several miniature suns had exploded, endless spiritual fire pouring out in all directions. All the spirit trees for dozens of miles were incinerated, and spiritual fire raged both above and below. The self-detonation of several Profound Venerate Fire Spirit Beasts unleashed truly terrifying power!
Ji Fuyao remained expressionless, calmly observing it all unfold. She began to circulate the Heaven-Burning Art! Standing amidst the maelstrom of spiritual fire, she comprehended the Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire. Witnessing this, the last wisps of the Fire Spirit Beasts' remnant souls let out a desolate laugh, their final act of self-mockery. "This woman... she's terrifying!" "Our self-detonations, even as Profound Venerates, were merely a whetstone for her to comprehend the power of spirit fire!" And at this moment, the spiritual fire around Ji Fuyao had already begun to surge explosively!
***
In Qingcheng, at the Ye Family compound, Ye Chen was still cultivating diligently! Four days had already passed. Now, Ye Chen had successfully broken through to mid-stage Grand Profound King in one fell swoop! Reaching the Profound Emperor realm was merely a matter of time! Lu Xuan watched Ye Chen's arduous cultivation, thoroughly satisfied. A genius was indeed a genius! Ye Chen's cultivation talent was comparable to Ji Fuyao's; both possessed the potential of a Great Emperor, and their cultivation speed was simply heaven-defying! Now, with both disciples cultivating diligently, Lu Xuan's internal cultivation foundation was rapidly increasing. In just these past few days, Lu Xuan had effortlessly stepped into First Stage Profound Venerate!
A Profound Venerate respects and masters the power of heaven and earth, allowing them to touch upon a sliver of its essence. For other cultivators, after entering the Profound Venerate realm, the focus would shift to comprehension! Pure cultivation advancement would lead to a bottleneck, preventing them from entering the Profound Saint realm! What defines a Saint? Knowing one's own 'Dao.' Therefore, at the Profound Venerate realm, comprehension was even more crucial than cultivation itself. The instant he stepped into the Profound Venerate realm, Lu Xuan felt a slight coolness upon his crown. He had touched upon a sliver of heaven and earth's power! But Lu Xuan didn't bother to continue comprehending it. What's the point of all that trouble? He had been lounging around on Ye Chen's bed for several days. It was just more comfortable to lie down!