Within the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, in the territory of the Silent Destruction Sect, the Twisted Jungle grew ever denser, its ancient trees gnarled and menacing. A palpable sense of Eerie Power and Ominous Power thickened in the air, growing more concentrated with each passing moment.
Deep within the Great Tombs of the Twisted Jungle, the true body of the Silent Destruction Old Man had awakened, yet he remained confined, still lying within his ancient coffin.
“Why hasn’t the Second Heaven and Earth Change begun yet?” the Silent Destruction Old Man muttered to himself, his voice raspy with impatience.
The Bronze Ancient Palace had vanished almost three months ago. By now, it had likely moved on to one of the other four domains. The lack of Star Stones in this era was a crushing blow to his grand ambitions!
“The Supreme Fruit Position, ah!” The thought alone fueled his growing hatred for the Grand Dao Sect. And then there was Xuanji Holy Lord!
Just then, several elders returned to the Twisted Jungle, entering the main hall. “Old Ancestor,” one reported, “Xuanji Holy Lord still refuses to cooperate!”
The Silent Destruction Old Man’s clone, seated on the ancient throne, grew even more sinister. “Preposterous! Times have changed; what is she being so arrogant about? Her cultivation has plummeted to the Seven-star Emperor Realm. Does she still believe herself a Quasi-Dao Supreme?”
This was already his third attempt to contact Xuanji Holy Lord. The first two times, the elders he sent were killed! This time, they even enlisted other magnates from the Forbidden Zone as intermediaries, hoping to exchange for Star Stones, yet she still refused.
The Silent Destruction Old Man’s face twisted into a snarl. “Xuanji Holy Lord, don’t push me too far, or I’ll snatch them directly!”
However, targeting Xuanji Holy Lord required careful handling of the other magnates within the Forbidden Zone. After all, Xuanji Holy Lord was one of the founders of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone; a rash move might provoke their interference.
Suddenly, a Grey-robed Elder entered. “Old Ancestor, the Yao Family has sent an invitation for their Centennial Pill Grand Event. Shall we attend?”
The Silent Destruction Old Man scoffed. “Go to hell! If that White Robe shows up, wouldn’t we just be walking into our deaths?”
“However, we can entrust a Merchant Guild to acquire some pills for us,” the Grey-robed Elder suggested. “I’ll see to it immediately.”
The Silent Destruction Old Man pondered for a moment, then strode out of the main hall, muttering, “It seems I’ll have to contact other fellow Daoists to jointly move against Xuanji Holy Lord!” With a thunderous boom, the Silent Destruction Old Man soared into the sky, leaving the Twisted Jungle behind.
***
Meanwhile, on Dark Shadow Island. Within that Minor World, several islands floated amidst endless azure waves, now marred by cracks. The last time Lu Xuan had forcibly inserted a mountain range through their entrance, its Dao patterns had shattered the very ‘momentum’ of this place. The endless mist, born from Dao patterns, swirled and flowed, but it was noticeably unstable.
In Dark Shadow Island’s main hall, several Dark Shadow Monarchs had gathered. Xiao Nuo, the head of the Eight Killers, cloaked in black, gazed at the fractured islands of Dark Shadow Island, his expression icy. “That damn White Robe almost destroyed our Minor World!”
Another Dark Shadow Monarch chimed in, “Indeed! This Minor World is so delicate that one false move could bring down the whole structure. Thankfully, the Lord intervened, or we would have been forced to emerge prematurely and be annihilated by the Heavenly Dao!”
“It’s all because of that White Robe! He truly deserves to die!” Xiao Nuo’s face was etched with killing intent, his brow furrowed into a deep line. He slowly continued, “For this Yao Family Pill Grand Event, the Lord has already decreed that we are not to send anyone directly. We can, however, commission a Merchant Guild to purchase pills on our behalf.”
Hearing this, the other Dark Shadow Monarchs in the hall erupted in even greater fury. “When has our Dark Shadow Island ever suffered such humiliation? We received an invitation, yet we cannot attend!”
Xiao Nuo replied, “Just endure a little longer. Once the Second Heaven and Earth Change begins, that White Robe will have no place to stand!”
***
Within the Demon Court’s Minor World, the main hall stood majestically atop a peak, surrounded by towering mountains. The three Three-rotation Quasi-Dao Supreme Old Ancestors of the Supreme Bloodlines had all arrived, their presence filling the hall with an overwhelmingly terrifying aura. There was Titan Ape Ancestor Tian Nu, Insect Race Ancestor Lü Yun, and Xuan Turtle Ancestor Feng Wanshan!
Ancestor Tian Nu produced a jade slip. “The Yao Family’s Pill Grand Event is in a few days. I’ve listed some pills; do you have any additions?”
Ancestor Lü Yun and the other looked over the list, adding several more types of pills.
Ancestor Tian Nu sighed. “We can only arrange for others to exchange for these pills. The Second Heaven and Earth Change hasn’t begun, so we’re confined here, forced to watch that White Robe clown prance around the Southern Wilds.”
The other two great demons lamented, “Indeed. In an era without heroes, even a clown can rise to prominence! A mere ant, yet the human race calls him ‘White God.’ How utterly laughable.”
***
At the Yao Family. In Sin Valley, Yao Liuli, dressed in a long gown, gazed with a hint of anticipation.
The Pill Grand Event was just three days away; finally, she would see Ye Chen. “Chen’er,” she thought, her eyes welling up with tears.
Just then, Yao Baili entered, his face grim. “Saint Daughter! The Saint Son’s Lineage has gone too far! Ancestor Yao Feng actually intends to make you read the Book of Sins publicly, to humiliate you before the entire Southern Wilds!”
Yao Liuli gently shook her head, her eyes red. “As long as I can reunite with Chen’er, I will do anything.”
Yao Baili slammed his fist against the wall in a fit of rage. “But they change their demands daily, finding every conceivable way to humiliate our lineage! How can we tolerate this?”
Yao Liuli offered a sorrowful, bitter smile. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”
Yao Baili said, “Liuli, this isn’t your fault. Why don’t you tell Peak Master Lu about the humiliation you’ve endured all these years?”
Yao Liuli quickly stopped him. “No! You mustn’t! If Peak Master Lu were to know of these matters, he would probably wipe out the entire Saint Son’s Lineage in a bloodbath!”
She had heard tales of Lu Xuan. He was a veritable God of Slaughter! In Yao Liuli’s heart, the Yao Family’s interests were paramount, and she was unwilling to see such a major lineage vanish into thin air.
Yao Baili suddenly asked, “What if the Saint Son’s Lineage intends to kill you?”
Yao Liuli paused, slightly stunned. “They wouldn’t go to such extreme lengths, surely.”
Yao Baili scoffed. “I suppose not,” he said, though his tone was laced with sarcasm.
***
Meanwhile, in the chambers of Ancestor Yao Feng of the Saint Son’s Lineage, he looked at several elders. “Only with Yao Liuli’s death will the other lineages truly see our resolve to consolidate the Yao Family. What are your thoughts?”
The other elders nodded in agreement. “Ancestor is wise!”
Ancestor Yao Feng sneered. “The last Saint Daughter is more valuable dead than alive! At the event, before the entire Southern Wilds, we will publicly abolish and kill Yao Liuli, reasserting our lineage’s dominance!” “As you command!” they responded.
***
At the Grand Dao Sect. On Azure Mystery Peak, Lu Xuan looked at Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, you are already the number one alchemist in the Southern Wilds!”
Ye Chen bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master!”
Beside him, Ye Chen’s father, Ye Changfeng, was visibly emotional. “Chen’er…”
Ye Chen nodded, gripping his father’s hand tightly. They understood the unspoken thoughts in each other’s hearts.
A moment later, Lu Xuan said, “Let’s go!”
Above Dan Peak, divine radiance surged. A colossal Ancient Spirit Boat hovered, and Dan Peak Master Gu Yuefang was busy directing everyone aboard.
Boom! Ye Chen, Ji Fuyao, Lu Xuan, and Yao Yan arrived, streaking through the air on divine rainbows.
Gu Yuefang looked at Ye Chen. “Excellent. For this alchemy competition among the younger generation, I hope you truly shine!”
“I will definitely be first!” Ye Chen declared.
Boom! Another divine rainbow shot forth, and Dao Yuan Old Ancestor, clad in a grey robe, flew over. He was leading the delegation this time!
A moment later, Dao Yuan Old Ancestor waved his sleeve. “Depart! To the Yao Family!”