“What… what year is it?” Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others stared at Lu Xuan, looking as if they’d just woken from a profound, bewildering dream.

Lu Xuan chuckled, a faint smile playing on his lips. “The Emperor Realm Area? Consider it cleared. Old Ancestors, you can link up with Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the others. All the opportunities within are now exclusively ours.” His casual tone belied the immense power of his words.

Cangxuan Old Ancestor and the others exchanged stunned glances. The sheer audacity, the effortless declaration… it was almost too much to process.

“I took care of quite a few Great Demons,” Lu Xuan added, as if discussing a grocery run. “They’re all over in the Yanwu Sect’s territory.”

At this, Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go! Now!”

Their previous seclusion had been a strategic retreat, a way to avoid burdening Lu Xuan and Chen Changsheng. But with the Emperor Realm Area now swept clean of the Demon Court, Dark Shadow Island, and their ilk, a treasure trove of opportunities awaited.

Boom! In an instant, Lu Xuan, Chen Changsheng, and Cangxuan Old Ancestor, along with the others, Tore Through Space, vanishing and reappearing in a flash, soaring towards the Yanwu Sect’s territory.

Meanwhile, near the Boundary Wall of the Emperor Realm Area, a figure like a wild barbarian, Fang Yan, thundered across the landscape. His chest was bare, his skin glowed with a golden Radiance, and intricate, mysterious Dao Patterns pulsed beneath his surface. He roared, his voice shaking the very air:

“Senior Sister Ji Fuyao! Senior Brother Ye Chen! I’m coming for you!”

Each stride made the earth tremble. His body pulsed with the immense Aura of Power of a Half-step Emperor Realm expert, like a small mountain on the move. Within him, his internal world roared like crashing tides, and his face was flushed crimson with excitement.

Whoosh! High above, Luo Lingkong, with his sharp, sword-like brows and eyes that shimmered like distant stars, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, Flying on Sword. A subtle Sword Intent emanated from him, and a hint of aloof pride touched his lips as he murmured:

“The Dao of the Sword… I’ve comprehended it again!”

Behind Luo Lingkong, a soft Radiant Glow shimmered into existence.

“Pfft.” Liu Xuan’s eyes sparkled with amusement at his declaration, and she offered a charming, teasing smile. Beneath her delicate jade feet, luminous petals, condensed from pure Radiance, drifted away. Her long dress flowed around her, revealing slender jade legs that shimmered with a faint divine glow amidst the fierce winds of the void.

Luo Lingkong frowned, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “What’s so funny?”

Liu Xuan merely smiled, offering no explanation.

Moments later, all three arrived at the Boundary Wall of the Emperor Realm Area. Having all reached the Half-step Emperor Realm, they were practically vibrating with impatience to breach the Boundary Wall and seize the opportunities within the Emperor Realm Area. The main reason? Senior Sister Ji Fuyao and Senior Brother Ye Chen were already Quasi-Emperors, possibly even Emperors! The pressure to keep up was immense, and a distinct ‘sour’ feeling of envy was bubbling up in their chests. Surely they haven't Attained Emperor already? The thought made their Dao Hearts ache with a mixture of admiration and intense, competitive jealousy.

The trio gazed up at the Boundary Wall. Divine Radiance surged there, and strange Dao Patterns swirled ceaselessly, forming a shimmering, otherworldly membrane. Liu Xuan extended a delicate jade hand, unleashing a burst of power, but it instantly Disappeared Without a Trace, swallowed by the barrier.

“It’s entirely made of evolving Dao Patterns!” Liu Xuan exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Fang Yan’s face was a mix of excitement and apprehension. “Forget it! Let’s just go in together!”

Liu Xuan and Luo Lingkong exchanged determined nods. Without further hesitation, the three stepped directly into the Boundary Wall.

Boom! An incredibly profound power instantly enveloped Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan. Heaven-reaching spatial array patterns surged around them, causing a dizzying disorientation that threatened to make them black out. Forcing their way into the Emperor Realm Area at the Half-step Emperor Realm was proving to be quite the challenge. As their vision cleared, all they saw was brilliant divine Radiance flowing like a river of stars before they were sent sprawling, flying out in all directions.

Thud! Still dazed and blurry, a faint shock registered in their minds. Had they… hit someone?

Just then, an incredibly gentle medical Dao power surged into Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan’s bodies. It felt like a Gentle Touch, a spring breeze transforming into soft hands, caressing every inch of their being. All three groaned almost in unison. “Ah… ah!” It was exquisitely comfortable!

“Ugh… ah!” Liu Xuan’s reaction was the most pronounced. Her face flushed a deep crimson, as if Enchanting All Beings, and she collapsed directly into Lu Xuan’s arms. She looked utterly captivating, her entire body tingling and trembling faintly. In mere breaths, tiny beads of sweat, like precious Nectar and Dew, appeared on her snow-white neck, making her an intoxicating sight. She opened her eyes, still in a daze. The first thing she saw was Lu Xuan’s strikingly handsome face, flawless as a Divine King.

“Peak… Peak Master Lu?” Liu Xuan gasped, utterly stunned. She was actually lying in Peak Master Lu’s arms! Had she just crashed into him? After a moment, she scrambled to her feet, her eyes darting around in disbelief. “Peak Master Lu, I… I’m so sorry!”

Lu Xuan merely offered a faint, reassuring smile. “It’s fine.”

Meanwhile, Chen Changsheng found himself cradling Fang Yan. A similar healing force from Lu Xuan had entered Fang Yan’s body, and in his dazed state, the barbarian-like disciple had instinctively wrapped his arms around Chen Changsheng’s neck, his body wriggling and emitting low, rumbling growls like a contented tiger.

Nearby, Cangxuan Old Ancestor was holding Luo Lingkong. Suddenly, Luo Lingkong’s Sword Intent erupted, and his Spirit Sword zinged to life, slashing out with a thunderous clang! “Enemy!” Luo Lingkong cried out, unleashing his Instant Void Sword! This was the pure, unadulterated instinct of a master swordsman—to strike down foes even in a daze! He was about to cleave Cangxuan Old Ancestor in half with a life-or-death strike!

Cangxuan Old Ancestor casually extended two fingers, effortlessly pinching Luo Lingkong’s Spirit Sword between them. He chuckled, lightly flicking Luo Lingkong’s forehead. “Stinky brat, what in the world are you doing?”

Luo Lingkong slowly blinked his eyes open, and the sight before him left him utterly dumbfounded. A faint blush crept up his neck, but then he noticed Liu Xuan’s face was even redder than his own!

In that moment, all eyes turned to Fang Yan.

Fang Yan finally, slowly, opened his eyes. Chen Changsheng, without missing a beat, delivered a resounding slap to Fang Yan’s rear! SMACK! It sounded like two boulders colliding, Fang Yan’s hardened glutes ringing with a metallic clang.

Fang Yan, finally comprehending his predicament, gritted his teeth. “Chen! Chang! Sheng! What in the hell did you do to me?!”

Chen Changsheng simply tossed him aside.

Laughter erupted from the onlookers.

Liu Xuan, mortified, dug her jade-like toes into the ground.

After a moment, Fang Yan, still recovering, eagerly blurted out, “Peak Master Lu, have Senior Sister Fuyao and Senior Brother Ye Chen Attained Emperor yet?”

Lu Xuan gave a casual nod.

The trio’s faces twisted into a mix of ‘we knew it’ and ‘oh, for crying out loud!’ Back in the Martial Refinement Great Emperor's secret realm, didn't we swear to walk the cultivation path together? they thought, a wave of indignation washing over them. Now they've shot ahead and left us in the dust!

Just then, Cangxuan Old Ancestor chuckled. “You three should show a little more respect to Daoist Friend Chen Changsheng from now on.”

“Daoist Friend?” Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan cried out in unison, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Stronger than Tianyuan Old Ancestor? That would make him a Nine-star Great Emperor! Liu Xuan’s delicate lips formed a perfect ‘O’ of shock.

Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s smile widened. “Indeed. Daoist Friend Chen Changsheng’s power… it surpasses even Tianyuan Old Ancestor’s!”

The trio froze, utterly flabbergasted. How could that be? They simply couldn’t believe it. This revelation was even more mind-boggling than Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen having Attained Emperor!

Fang Yan’s face crumpled in despair. “Just kill me now. I don’t want to cultivate anymore!”

Liu Xuan stared intently at Chen Changsheng, her gaze piercing, as if trying to unravel the very fabric of his being. She couldn’t calm her turbulent thoughts.

Luo Lingkong’s body trembled, his Spirit Sword vibrating wildly in his hand. His Dao Heart felt on the verge of shattering.

After a beat of stunned silence, Fang Yan exploded in a furious outburst at Chen Changsheng. “Damn it all! I don’t care if you’re a Nine-star Great Emperor or some cosmic entity! If you’re so powerful, why did you use such underhanded tricks when we sparred?!”

Chen Changsheng simply blinked.

Then, Cangxuan Old Ancestor dropped the final bombshell, revealing Lu Xuan’s true identity.

Luo Lingkong, Liu Xuan, and Fang Yan nearly plummeted from the sky. This was beyond unbelievable! Utterly outrageous!

No wonder Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen were so heaven-defying! Their master… he was on a whole other level!

Luo Lingkong muttered, “I need a moment.”

“Me too,” Fang Yan echoed, his voice hollow.

Liu Xuan’s expression was a complex tapestry of emotions, her chest rising and falling with tumultuous waves in her heart.