“Fourth Junior Sister, Master and I are here!” Ji Fuyao’s voice echoed. A thunderous boom! Within the Eerie Sect's star, an endless tide of black Eerie Power swirled, transforming into a dense fog that enveloped the entire celestial body. Xuanji Holy Lord, clad in a flowing purple gown, ascended from the abyss of Eerie Power, a flicker of surprise and joy gracing her features.
“Master.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “After a while, you can go to the Eerie Sect's Main Sect to cultivate. For now, I’ll boost your cultivation!”
Xuanji Holy Lord’s eyes shimmered. “Understood.”
Lu Xuan casually crushed the Cultivation Infusion Jade Slip. Crack! With a flick of his finger, a torrent of divine radiance surged into Xuanji Holy Lord’s body. Spiritual energy, like a raging river, crashed through her limbs and bones. Deep within her, her Dao Foundation bloomed with a dark, divine brilliance. Xuanji Holy Lord’s cultivation began to skyrocket! Two-star Supreme! Three-star Supreme! Four-star Supreme!…Finally stopping at Nine-star Supreme Initial Stage!
Xuanji Holy Lord examined her body with astonishment. She found her cultivation foundation incredibly solid. A perfect state!
“Thank you, Master!”
At this moment, the System’s voice rang in Lu Xuan’s ear.
“Ding! Host’s Eldest Disciple, Ji Fuyao, has broken through to Nine-star Supreme! Initiating cultivation synchronization!”
“Ding! Host’s Fourth Disciple, Baili, has broken through to Nine-star Supreme! Initiating cultivation synchronization!”
As the notification faded, a massive wave of Cultivation Feedback surged into Lu Xuan’s meridians. A tingling sensation washed over him once more! Boom! His cultivation also began to skyrocket! He directly advanced from Five-rotation Star Venerate mid-stage to Seven-rotation Star Venerate Initial Stage! This meant that, empowered by his Invincible Stance, he could now instantly annihilate cultivators at the One-star Myriad Phase Realm!
Moments later, Lu Xuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon Ji Fuyao and Xuanji Holy Lord. “Let’s head back to Azure Mystery Peak first.”
Both disciples nodded. A brief respite, then their journey to Cloudrise Holy Land would begin.
…
Near the Second Star Ring.
Within the hidden sanctuary of the Charm Sect.
Liu Ruyan, in a long gown, sat cross-legged, endless divine radiance swirling around her. A faint smile graced her exquisite face. Several Old Ancestors had already departed, leaving her to cultivate in this abyss. The Starry Sky Power here was incredibly dense! Previously, after receiving cultivation infusions from several Old Ancestors, her cultivation had directly reached Six-rotation Star Venerate Realm! This had, in turn, left the Old Ancestors somewhat weakened!
Liu Ruyan murmured to herself, “These Old Ancestors are truly desperate to reach the First Star Ring!” Yet, in her eyes, they were nothing more than tools.
Half a day later, Liu Ruyan emerged from the abyss, and several Old Ancestors immediately gathered around her. They had secretly laid countless Illusion Arrays within the Charm Sect’s domain. What was real? What was fake? As long as one believed it, it became real. This was the ultimate profound insight of Illusion Arrays. Their goal was simply to make Yun Zeng, the Sixth Prince of the Shenwu Empire, believe it was utterly flawless.
Liu Ruyan inspected the Charm Sect’s Illusion Arrays, her expression one of dissatisfaction. “Esteemed Old Ancestors, we must further strengthen these formations. We have but one chance, and we absolutely cannot afford to fail.”
Hearing this, the Old Ancestors’ expressions turned incredibly solemn. “Continue strengthening the arrays!” As Liu Ruyan said, they couldn’t afford to lose! If Yun Zeng were to discover their deception, the entire Charm Sect would face annihilation! Not only would Yun Zeng himself harbor murderous intent, but the entire Shenwu Empire would also never tolerate their continued existence! This time, they had to pour every last ounce of their effort into this scheme.
Soon, the numerous Old Ancestors of the Charm Sect secretly began strengthening the arrays. Liu Ruyan then contacted Yun Zeng, the Sixth Prince of the Shenwu Empire in the First Star Ring. “I’ve made up my mind, Yun Zeng. I am willing to be yours.”
Meanwhile, in a remote starry region of the First Star Ring.
This region had once been utterly desolate, shrouded in perpetual darkness. But with Yun Zeng establishing his military encampment here, it had sprung to life. Numerous major powers had taken root, and countless merchant associations had emerged, transforming it into a bustling, prosperous hub.
Inside a secluded cave dwelling, Yun Zeng, clad in brocade robes, with sharp, heroic brows and eyes that sparkled like stars, cut an exceptionally handsome figure. He sat cross-legged, immersed in cultivating a profound technique, the powerful aura of the Myriad Phase Realm constantly emanating from him.
Soon, he received Liu Ruyan’s voice transmission. Upon receiving the news, Yun Zeng immediately burst forth from his seclusion. He was utterly ecstatic, his mind no longer capable of focusing on cultivation. Yun Zeng prepared to depart at once for the Charm Sect in the Second Star Ring.
Just then, his trusted Ya Fu, Ju Shou, approached. Ju Shou, clad in a simple grey robe, wore a solemn expression, a deep furrow etched between his brows. “Yun Zeng, what has you so agitated?”
Yun Zeng chuckled, a wide grin on his face. “Ya Fu, they say there are three great joys in life: achieving a breakthrough, reaching the pinnacle, and finding a true confidante. With your invaluable assistance, I’ve steadily accomplished the first two. Now, the third has finally arrived!”
Ju Shou’s frown deepened. “Has that Liu Ruyan bewitched you once more? Our current priority is to fortify our defenses, gather our forces, and secretly expand our influence, all while you focus on your cultivation. It is entirely inappropriate to involve yourself with Liu Ruyan now; that woman spells nothing but trouble!”
Yun Zeng gave a dismissive wave. “Ya Fu, I know you disapprove of Liu Ruyan. And yes, I’m aware she has many flaws. But Ya Fu, you’ve never truly loved a woman in your life; you simply wouldn’t understand.”
Ju Shou paused, a flicker of surprise in his stern eyes. “I wouldn’t understand?”
Yun Zeng’s expression softened, a look of profound affection on his face. “Even if I have a hundred reasons to dislike Liu Ruyan, as long as there’s one reason to love her, that is enough. That is what love is.”
Ju Shou’s brows furrowed so tightly they seemed to knot. “That’s love? I beg to differ.”
“Yun Zeng, you must remember, your path to success is far from complete. How many powerful factions within the Shenwu Empire are watching your every move? It would be an immense tragedy if you were to be ruined by a mere woman.”
“In the annals of the Shenwu Empire, no Sixth Prince has ever successfully staged a comeback!”
“Yun Zeng, I urge you to exercise patience a little longer. Once you ascend to the Ancient Ancestor Realm, you can directly assault the Shenwu Imperial Capital. As for Liu Ruyan, if your affection for her is truly genuine, it wouldn’t be too late to take her as your wife then.”
Hearing this, Yun Zeng shook his head decisively. “Ya Fu, I simply cannot wait. Do not interfere with this matter. From now on, I will heed your counsel in all other affairs.”
Ju Shou let out a heavy sigh. “Very well, then.”
Soon after, Yun Zeng departed. But Ju Shou, ever cautious, secretly dispatched several Myriad Phase Realm experts to discreetly follow Yun Zeng, ensuring his protection.
A sudden boom! Near the First Star Ring, Yun Zeng abruptly spun around, his gaze piercing the void behind him. “Come out, all of you!”
Instantly, several black-clad figures materialized before Yun Zeng. “My Lord, we are here by the direct command of Advisor Ju Shou to secretly protect you!”
Yun Zeng gestured sharply towards the encampment. “Return!”
The black-clad men remained unmoving. Yun Zeng’s voice turned icy. “Return!!”
Still, the black-clad men did not stir. Yun Zeng’s voice, now laced with fury, boomed, “Return!!!”
Hmph! With a furious flick of his sleeve, a Spirit Sword shot forth, its tip pressing directly against the forehead of one of the black-clad men. A thin stream of blood began to trickle from the man’s brow, then splattered onto the ground. Yun Zeng’s face twisted into a ferocious snarl, his voice dripping with menace. “All of you, get back to the encampment! Otherwise, you’ll die right here!”