“Heh. Beyond the Fourth Star Ring, there’s nothing our Cloudrise Holy Land can’t accomplish!”
The guard’s words drew no dissent; instead, the onlookers nodded in fervent agreement. After all, within the four great Star Rings, Cloudrise Holy Land was the undisputed gatekeeper of the Fourth Star Ring! The Fourth Star Ring served as a barrier, separating the high-star Supreme factions from the outside world. To step into its depths and bask in the richer Starry Sky Power, one simply couldn’t bypass Cloudrise Holy Land. Ancient Ancestor Power permeated the Star Rings, and Cloudrise Holy Land, wielding the Imperial Sword of Authority, held absolute sway over the countless Small Realms beyond the Fourth Star Ring, deciding their fates with a mere whim.
The reason was simple: only one quota was granted every ten years for entry into the Fourth Star Ring. And beyond it? Countless Small Realms existed, like the Tai Chu Realm, too numerous to count!
Just then, Chen Changsheng and the Silver-haired Woman approached. The Silver-haired Woman hissed, her voice barely a whisper, “Such audacity! By the Beast Arena’s own rules, any demon beast brought here must fight! Cloudrise Holy Land is practically courting death!”
Chen Changsheng’s gaze was profound, a slight frown creasing his brow. “I suspect there’s more to this than meets the eye,” he murmured. “Cloudrise Holy Land previously captured a remnant of the Supreme Fox Clan, but they kept it under wraps, vehemently denying the rumors that spread. Now, they’re openly admitting it, even forcing this fox remnant to fight to attract major powers from around the Fourth Star Ring. Something is definitely amiss.”
Chen Changsheng extended his Divine Sense, quickly realizing the announcement wasn’t just in Cloud City; it was displayed across many Great Realms.
The Silver-haired Woman pouted, turning to Chen Changsheng. “You have to help me,” she insisted. “In ten days, we must rescue my clan’s remnant. This fox possesses an Ancestral Bloodline Reversion! Nothing can happen to her!”
Chen Changsheng simply said, “Let me think.”
Nearby, a white-haired elder addressed the Beast Arena guard. “Might I inquire about the combat prowess of this little fox demon?” he asked. “I heard she’s quite young, just a small one. Will her fight be entertaining?”
The Beast Arena guard sneered with disdain. “Don’t let her undeveloped state fool you. This fox remnant possesses an Ancestral Bloodline Reversion. Do you even know who the previous Ancient Ancestor of the Supreme Fox Clan was? It was Tamamo-no-Mae!”
Tamamo-no-Mae! Everyone gasped in astonishment. She was a legend! Though a fox, her combat prowess was unparalleled. When her nine tails unfurled like blooming flowers, the Starry Sky itself would erupt with endless killing intent! Even Ancient Ancestors of the same cultivation realm were no match for her. It was said that several Ancient Ancestors had to join forces just to gravely wound Tamamo-no-Mae before she vanished without a trace.
Everyone then recalled the Supreme Fox Clan’s two great talents. First, the Charm Art, a bloodline power ingrained in their very bones. It was rumored that the Charm Sect particularly favored capturing foxes, drawing upon the Alluring Charm in their bloodlines for their cultivation. Second, the Battle Intent, a power inherited directly from their Ancient Ancestor, Tamamo-no-Mae!
Any race or faction that produced an Ancient Ancestor would have that Ancient Ancestor Power passed down through their bloodline! This was precisely why Ancient Ancestor-level forces often stood unyielding through the ages. Their descendants were born into a Bloodline Advantage, standing at a height that countless cultivators in the Third and Fourth Star Rings could only dream of reaching in a lifetime! The difference was simply incomparable.
At this point, the Beast Arena guard offered a mysterious smile. “I can tell you this,” he began, “the combat talent of this fox remnant is heaven-defying. Before her Ancestral Bloodline Reversion, she was merely a high-star Emperor Realm cultivator. But once she reverted, her power skyrocketed directly to Quasi-Dao Supreme, and in just these past few days, she’s already stepped into the Supreme Realm!”
Hearing this, the assembled powerhouses were utterly stunned. Terrifying! This was the true Bloodline Advantage of an Ancient Ancestor-level force! And this was despite Tamamo-no-Mae, the Supreme Fox Clan’s Ancient Ancestor, being missing and her fate unknown. Otherwise, this little fox demon’s cultivation would be even more formidable!
Bloodline Power was a shackle that weighed heavily on countless cultivators in the Fallen Star Sea. Powerful factions, with their potent bloodlines, produced born powerhouses. Weaker factions, however, could strive their entire lives and, without some heaven-defying stroke of luck, would never truly soar.
Just then, another announcement regarding the fox remnant appeared in Cloud City’s Beast Arena: “In ten days, after the fox remnant’s arena battle concludes, an Auction will commence, with this fox remnant as the Headlining Item!” This news instantly spread to other realms, causing a frenzy among major factions. Not only was the fox remnant’s battle a draw—a rare chance for those outside the Fourth Star Ring to witness an Ancient Ancestor’s bloodline—but the fact that this fox could be auctioned off ignited countless ambitions! This was a direct descendant of an Ancient Ancestor, after all!
Upon seeing this, the Silver-haired Woman’s delicate fists clenched tightly, her teeth grinding in fury. “Argh… these damned bastards!” she spat, turning to Chen Changsheng. “You must help me!”
Chen Changsheng, still in a state of deep thought, replied, “I still believe this matter isn’t as simple as it seems.”
As his words faded, another line of Ancient Characters, dazzling and flowing with Dao Patterns, appeared above Cloud City: “The Star Venerate, Liu Ruyan’s Clone, will also descend upon Cloud City’s Beast Arena!” This news was equally explosive! Many factions, previously hesitant, now stirred, all deciding to make their way to Cloud City.
The reason was simple: Liu Ruyan’s reputation in the Fallen Star Sea was immense! Within the Third and Fourth Star Rings, she was undoubtedly the unattainable beauty in the hearts of countless cultivators. She possessed a Primordial Yin Body, was an Elder of the Charm Sect, and had now reached the Star Venerate Realm! Furthermore, she had risen from outside the Fourth Star Ring, giving her special significance to many factions. It was even rumored that her Primordial Yin Body remained intact! Liu Ruyan’s impending descent upon Cloud City undoubtedly caused a sensation outside the Fourth Star Ring. Since Cloud City was located there, the chance to witness Liu Ruyan’s Peerless Grace during the fox remnant’s battle was an absolute windfall. Even though it was merely a Clone, her presence was still incredibly alluring! In ten days, Cloud City would undoubtedly explode with activity!
Chen Changsheng turned to the Silver-haired Woman. “I believe this matter might be connected to Liu Ruyan,” he stated. The Silver-haired Woman frowned slightly; she, too, had noticed a hint of something amiss. After all, Liu Ruyan had captured many fox and similar races over the years to cultivate her Charm Art.
After a moment of silence, Chen Changsheng suddenly declared, “I think it’s time to invite Master to intervene!”
The Silver-haired Woman immediately agreed, “Then let’s return as quickly as possible!”
Swiftly, Chen Changsheng and the Silver-haired Woman departed Cloud City, traversing the Starry Sky towards the Tai Chu Realm. The Silver-haired Woman constantly urged him on. “Faster!” “Even faster!” Chen Changsheng replied, “I’m already moving at full speed.”
Days later, Chen Changsheng and the Silver-haired Woman returned to the Tai Chu Realm. The Silver-haired Woman surveyed the familiar world. “Little Qing is still refining the Star Core,” she observed. The Green-skirted Girl’s voice chimed in, “That’s right!”
Boom! Moments later, Chen Changsheng and the Silver-haired Woman materialized in the Imperial Capital of the Fuyao Dynasty in the Northern Plains. Lu Xuan was leisurely reclining, and Chen Changsheng’s voice echoed in his ears: “Master, I’ve returned.”