“The Grand Dao Sect has such deep foundations?” Nangong Baixue was surprised by how quickly the news arrived.
The Old Ancestors quickly explained, “It was the White Robe Great Emperor… no, White Robe Supreme now. He turned the tide.”
“Thank the heavens we didn’t make a move this time! The consequences would have been unimaginable!”
Nangong Baixue’s gaze was icy. “Ye Chen’s master, you say?” She had always been curious: who exactly was this White Robe? When had such a powerful figure ever appeared in the Southern Wilds?
Nangong Baixue frowned. “Have you managed to uncover his origins?”
The Old Ancestors replied, “No. This person appeared out of thin air, as if from nowhere. His cultivation techniques are similar to Ji Fuyao’s and Ye Chen’s, yet he uses them so casually, never employing any other methods.”
“Now, all the provinces of the Southern Wilds are speculating that this White Robe is none other than the Grand Dao Sect Ancestor, Dao Yi.”
Nangong Baixue looked puzzled. “Dao Yi? I find that highly unlikely.”
The Old Ancestors were confused. “Why so, Saintess?”
Nangong Baixue replied, “Because he didn’t come to me.”
Everyone was speechless. Yet, they all felt Nangong Baixue had a point. After all, Nangong Baixue had now received the Ancestor’s inheritance, making her, in a sense, “half” of Ancestor Liu Ruyan herself. This was why they were willing to follow Nangong Baixue’s counsel. The Ancestor’s wisdom, after all, was far beyond their grasp.
The Old Ancestors sighed with emotion. “This era’s Supreme Path will likely see Dragons and Snakes Rising. This White Robe Supreme is sure to become a formidable enemy for our sect.”
“The current landscape of the Southern Wilds is undergoing great changes unseen in endless years. Several other Supreme-tier powers are eyeing us covetously, and factions like the Grand Dao Sect, Yao Family, and Cangmu Academy harbor their own schemes. This era’s Supreme Path… it will be difficult!”
Hearing this, Nangong Baixue gently waved her delicate hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. “No matter. Everything is under my control.”
The Old Ancestors were stunned. Qin Wang looked at her with boundless admiration. “Baixue is truly amazing now! Wisdom and beauty, perfectly combined!”
A moment of silence. The Old Ancestors asked, “Saintess, what is your profound insight?”
Nangong Baixue’s gaze swept over them dismissively. “These factions in the Southern Wilds are, in my eyes, not worth mentioning.”
The Old Ancestors’ pupils contracted slightly.
Nangong Baixue slowly spoke, her demeanor radiating the authority of a supreme ruler. “I see the Southern Wilds as nothing but trash. Dark Shadow Island? A bunch of Shadow Rats.”
“The Demon Court lacks intelligence, and the Holy Alliance’s three major forces are without strategy.”
“The Grand Dao Sect? Dry Bones in a Tomb.”
“The Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone? A bunch of Dying Ones.”
“As for the other factions—the Yao Family, the Pill Fragrance Sect, Cangmu Academy… merely Frogs in a Well.”
The Old Ancestors were greatly alarmed. They hadn’t expected the Saintess to evaluate the Southern Wilds’ major powers so disparagingly. Not a single major power could earn the Saintess’s approval! Could it be… that the Supreme Fruit Position of this era was already secured? After all, Nangong Baixue had now received the Ancestor’s inheritance, as if the Ancestor herself had descended!
Nangong Baixue said indifferently, “From now on, just follow my arrangements.”
The Old Ancestors nodded. “Saintess, your wisdom shines brightly.”
After the Old Ancestors left, Qin Wang tightly embraced Nangong Baixue. “Baixue, you’re absolutely amazing!”
Nangong Baixue raised an eyebrow, a hint of triumph in her smile. “It’s not that I’m clever; it’s that everyone else in the world is too foolish.”
Qin Wang gave a thumbs-up, lowering his head. “Awesome!”
***
Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone.
Within the Silent Destruction Sect’s territory, twisted jungles spread endlessly, dark Dao patterns surged like a black tide, and Eerie Power and Ominous Power grew increasingly dense, almost solidifying. Above the numerous great tombs, black mist swirled, and an eerie aura permeated the air.
In an ancient hall deep within the twisted depths, dim light struggled to penetrate. The pale moonlight, a manifestation of the Forbidden Zone’s Dao patterns, cast eerie shadows, and the hall remained steeped in a chilling, ghostly atmosphere.
The Silent Destruction Old Man sat cross-legged on an ancient throne, his face growing increasingly sinister. “How did this Grand Dao Sect survive another calamity?” This time, so many powerful experts had launched an assault on the Grand Dao Sect, only to be completely wiped out? He couldn’t understand it.
In the hall, the many elders still felt a lingering fear. “Thank the heavens we didn’t make a move this time! The consequences would have been unimaginable.” It wasn’t that they didn’t want to invade the Grand Dao Sect; it was because they were tainted with Eerie Power and Ominous Power. Every time they left the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone and made a move, it consumed a vast amount of life force. And their reserves were already low! To make matters worse, they hadn’t obtained any Star Stones from the Bronze Ancient Palace this time! So, they hadn’t taken action. They hadn’t expected to narrowly escape a disaster!
The Silent Destruction Old Man’s face twisted into a ferocious snarl. “My Silent Destruction Sect has fought the White Robe for so long, and every single time, we’ve lost! He truly deserves to die!”
The other elders asked, “Old Ancestor, we have no Star Stones this time. What should we do?” Without Star Stones, relying solely on life force would be far from enough! On the Supreme Path, the power of the starry sky was terrifying! Without Star Stones, they couldn’t resist the power of the starry sky!
The Silent Destruction Old Man pondered for a moment. “Seek exchanges with other factions. This time, haven’t some forces within the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone obtained quite a few Star Stones?”
“Come, move at once!”
Soon, many elders of the Silent Destruction Sect stepped out of the twisted jungle. Many factions, more or less, offered some Star Stones in exchange with the Silent Destruction Sect. Many powerful cultivators mentioned, “Didn’t you go to Xuanji Holy Lord? She likely gained a lot this time!”
After consulting the Silent Destruction Old Man, several elders traversed the void towards Xuanji Holy Lord’s secluded cultivation grounds. A Grey-robed Elder said, “There have already been unpleasant incidents between our Silent Destruction Sect and Xuanji Holy Lord. She even slaughtered her way into our territory.”
Another Black-robed Elder said, “We hope Xuanji Holy Lord will show us some respect. After all, it’s not easy for any of us.”
***
Meanwhile.
In the heart of a collapsed mountain range, Xuanji Holy Lord, Bai Li, sat cross-legged, her slender jade hands constantly shifting, brilliant Great Emperor Dao patterns radiating divine light and flowing around her. She murmured, “Why did I retain my memories after coming out of the Bronze Ancient Palace this time?”
In her memories, Lu Xuan had slaughtered all sides in the starry sky of the Bronze Ancient Palace. Lu Xuan had yielded many resources to her. She had obtained many Star Stones.
“Lu Xuan is a Supreme!” Bai Li thought to herself, utterly shocked. Although she had never spoken to Lu Xuan, he had indeed helped her a great deal. Perhaps it was because she had saved Ye Chen?
Bai Li shook her head faintly, no longer dwelling on these matters. She began to cultivate. She had now embarked on an unprecedented cultivation path: cultivating with Eerie Power and Ominous Power! Unfortunately, she had no suitable cultivation technique. She could only derive it herself.
“Boom!” Her hair suddenly unfurled, Three Thousand Zang of White Hair cascading like a waterfall. Each strand surged with brilliant Dao patterns, flowing down to envelop her jade-like body. Eerie Power began to circulate within her, making her entire being appear incredibly strange. Her perfect, proud curves were exquisitely beautiful. Without robes, her white hair served as clothing, making her appear incredibly alluring, radiating brilliant divine light and peerless grace.
Just then. “Boom!” “Crack!” The void tore open, and from within the spatial rift, several elders of the Silent Destruction Sect emerged. They saw the aura emanating from Xuanji Holy Lord and were instantly stunned. Such a profound sensation, unheard of, unseen! It transcended their understanding.
A moment of silence. The elders bowed respectfully. “Xuanji Holy Lord, we wish to make a transaction with you, to exchange for some Star Stones…”
Before he could finish, Xuanji Holy Lord cut him off. “Scram!” Her voice, like thunder, echoed through the void.
The elders froze for a moment, then one began, “Holy Lord…”
Suddenly, a crystalline strand of Xuanji Holy Lord’s hair floated up, condensing immense momentum, and shot forth from the void with overwhelming power. Just a single strand of hair, yet its killing intent was monstrous!
“Whoosh!” Xuanji Holy Lord’s crystalline strand of hair, like a bolt of white lightning, directly pierced the head of the Grey-robed Elder who had spoken. Blood splattered! Instantly killed! The Grey-robed Elder’s corpse plummeted from the sky! Deader than dead.
“Run!” “Xuanji Holy Lord, spare us!” The remaining elders were utterly terrified and fled in disarray! “Damn it! Xuanji Holy Lord is too terrifying! She kills without a second thought!”
Just as they thought they had escaped. “Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!” Several strands of Xuanji Holy Lord’s white hair streaked across the void like long rainbows, shooting towards them. The elders were aghast. They hastily summoned their defensive spirit treasures, divine radiance surging and illuminating the void, hoping to block the attack. But it was useless! Utterly useless!
“No! No…” “I don’t want to die…” In a thunderous instant, Xuanji Holy Lord’s terrifying strands of white hair pierced directly through the bodies of these elders! All instantly killed! Blood splattered everywhere!
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
The sun was high in the sky. Ji Fuyao called out from the entrance of Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, “Master, time to eat!”
Lu Xuan rubbed his eyes and walked out. “Slept comfortably.”