"Stop! No more fighting!" The voice echoed, and the Grand Dao Sect members froze, their gazes drawn.
Dao Feng Old Ancestor and the others had noticed that Qin Wang and the Black-robed Man hadn't made a move. Qin Wang was, of course, trash. But the Black-robed Man? He had to be a true powerhouse, the kind who always made their move last! What was stranger still, the Old Ancestors of the Dao lineage, including Dao Feng, had tried to probe the Black-robed Man's cultivation, but found nothing. His depths were utterly unfathomable!
All eyes turned to Qin Wang and the Black-robed Man. Could these two truly turn the tide for the Supreme Profound Sect?
Nangong Baixue's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "Soon, you'll understand what a true surprise feels like."
Qin Wang nodded, a smug, self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. He raised a hand, activating a Spirit Art. Boom!
From the depths of the void, the Grand Dao Bell erupted with a deafening roar, manifesting between heaven and earth. The countless Dao Patterns etched upon its ancient surface blazed to life, activating the intricate carvings of mountains and rivers, making the colossal bell appear infinitely ancient and weathered.
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! The Grand Dao Bell's chimes resonated, a profound, mystical sound that shook the very heavens and rattled everyone to their core.
Qin Wang chortled, then clapped his hand. Astonishingly, the Grand Dao Bell descended, hovering directly above his head, circling slowly.
Everyone was stunned. What was happening? How could the Grand Dao Sect's most sacred treasure, the Grand Dao Bell, be controlled by an outsider? And Qin Wang was merely a Nine-star Great Emperor!
Dao Feng Old Ancestor and the others stared blankly, a storm of disbelief raging within their hearts. Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
The Grand Dao Bell bore Ancestor Dao Yi's indelible mark! Only a true member of the Grand Dao Sect could activate it, and that required not only a secret art but also the power of the Grand Dao Scripture! Only Grand Dao Sect disciples could cultivate the Grand Dao Scripture, and to become an elder or disciple, one had to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath! An outsider simply couldn't control the Grand Dao Bell! Yet, since its founding, the Grand Dao Sect had never produced a single traitor!
Dao Feng Old Ancestor stared at Qin Wang, his face a mask of shock. "You... who exactly are you?"
Qin Wang's smug expression deepened. "I am your ancestor!" In his heart, there was no loyalty to the Grand Dao Sect. Though he was merely a wisp of Ancestor Dao Yi's obsession, his heart belonged solely to Nangong Baixue. He was her loyal dog!
"I am your ancestor," Qin Wang repeated, savoring the words. Dao Feng Old Ancestor's face darkened with fury. "You're asking for death!"
Every Grand Dao Sect member seethed with rage. Wasn't Qin Wang that fool from the ancient Qin Family? He'd become nothing more than a lapdog for the Supreme Profound Sect! How dare he insult them so brazenly!
Just then, the Black-robed Man, Ancestor Dao Yi's corpse, spoke slowly, his voice raspy and indistinct, yet every word was heard clearly. "He... is not wrong."
Dao Feng Old Ancestor scoffed. "And who are you?"
Dao Yi's corpse gazed at the Grand Dao Sect's mountains and rivers, his eyes devoid of complex emotion. This realm felt utterly alien to him. In his heart, only the approaching Liu Ruyan mattered. He withdrew his gaze, turning to Dao Feng Old Ancestor.
"Who am I...? All of you, kneel!" Kneel! The Grand Dao Sect members were utterly dumbfounded. What in the heavens? Was this man mad?
Suddenly, Boom! A terrifying surge of power erupted from Dao Yi's corpse—the power of the Grand Dao Scripture! A profound aura connected with heaven and earth, resonating directly with the very fabric of the Grand Dao Sect's domain. For tens of thousands of miles, the mountains and rivers of the sect pulsed with Dao Patterns, echoing the corpse's sinister presence.
Dao Yi's corpse raised both hands, and the power of the Grand Dao Scripture surged forth like a tidal wave, lashing out towards every corner and every individual within the Grand Dao Sect.
It was crucial to remember that the Grand Dao Scripture was the very foundation of the Grand Dao Sect! All its powerful cultivators practiced it, and Dao Yi himself had created it!
Instantly, within the inner worlds of the Old Ancestors from the "Heaven," "Earth," "Profound," and "Dao" lineages, the power of the Grand Dao Scripture transformed into an inescapable shackle, a towering mountain pressing down upon them.
Thud! Thud! Dao Feng Old Ancestor was forced to his knees before Dao Yi's corpse! One after another, the other Old Ancestors followed suit, collapsing to the ground. This was the absolute suppression from the very source of their power!
Everyone present was utterly dumbfounded by the sight. What was this? Had the Supreme Profound Sect truly invited a powerhouse so monstrously heaven-defying? He had forced everyone to their knees! How was this possible?!
But none could fathom the sheer terror and shock gripping the Grand Dao Sect Old Ancestors. A horrifying suspicion dawned on them. Could it be... could it be that only that person could achieve such a feat? Ancestor Dao Yi!
But how could Ancestor Dao Yi possibly help the Supreme Profound Sect fight against his own sect? Moreover, the Grand Dao Scripture power emanating from this man felt utterly alien to them—cold, chillingly cold, without any of the familiar resonance.
Within the Grand Dao Sect, all the Old Ancestors who cultivated the Grand Dao Scripture could sense each other's aura. It was a warm, comforting presence, drawn from and rooted in heaven and earth. But the Black-robed Man's power was utterly foreign!
At that moment, Nangong Baixue's lips curled into a slight, triumphant smile as she looked down upon the Grand Dao Sect members. She laughed. "This is the surprise I prepared for you!"
Then, she turned to Dao Yi's corpse. "Reveal your identity."
Boom! The black robe slowly peeled away from Dao Yi's corpse, revealing his true form. Countless divine senses locked onto him!
It was an ancient, decaying corpse, a terrifying sword qi piercing straight through its body. Its flesh had become grotesquely bizarre, like a spirit weapon, like jagged mountains, with endless Dao Patterns flickering within like lightning, an utterly sinister sight.
A sword qi scar also marred his face. Through the eerie mist, everyone stared intently at Dao Yi's features. Long-dead memories assailed them, and the terror of being dominated by Dao Yi resurfaced!
Someone shrieked in disbelief, "Dao Yi! He's Ancestor Dao Yi of the Grand Dao Sect!" "I can't believe he's not dead! He's alive!" "No! He might be dead! There's only sinister Corpse Qi in him now!" "But why would Ancestor Dao Yi help the Supreme Profound Sect against his own Grand Dao Sect?" "Didn't the Supreme Profound Sect and Grand Dao Sect clash in a great war back then? What truly happened?"
The Grand Dao Sect members were no less shocked than the outsiders. A myriad of questions flooded their minds. Why had their Ancestor become like this?
Dao Feng Old Ancestor and the others stared blankly at Ancestor Dao Yi. "Ancestor, why?"
***
On the Supreme Path, Lu Xuan was still leisurely lounging. Suddenly, the System's voice echoed in his ear.
"Ding! Disciple Quest Issued: Help Ye Chen annihilate the Supreme Profound Sect! Help Wuwu annihilate Liu Ruyan's avatar! Annihilate Cloudrise Holy Land invaders!"
As the notification faded, the System transmitted the unfolding events at the Grand Dao Sect directly to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan glanced at Ye Chen. "Disciple, return to the sect! It's your turn to act!"
Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes. "Yes, Master!" He had now broken through to One-star Supreme mid-stage!
With a thought, Lu Xuan activated a profound Spatial Array Patterns. A mysterious power enveloped him and Ye Chen, and the two instantly vanished.
***
Back at the Grand Dao Sect.
"Ancestor, why?" The Grand Dao Sect members all looked at Ancestor Dao Yi.
Dao Yi's eyes were cold and indifferent. He gazed into the depths of the void, sensing Liu Ruyan's aura drawing ever closer, and a dry, skeletal smile stretched across his face. "You've come."
Dao Feng Old Ancestor and the others looked bewildered. "Ancestor, what has come?"
Dao Yi abruptly turned, his intent to kill blazing as he prepared to strike down the Grand Dao Sect members. "Forgive me! For her, I can destroy the world!"