“Hand over the Ancient Ancestor Inheritance, or your sect will be annihilated!” The voice boomed, echoing like thunder across the heavens and earth where the Qianhuan Sect resided.
The Grey-robed Old Man froze, his face turning grim. He glanced at Liu Ruyan, standing atop the Cloud Ship. Rumors had spread that Liu Ruyan and Yun Zeng were entangled, but he hadn't expected it to be true—that Yun Zeng would actually demand the Qianhuan Sect's Ancient Ancestor Inheritance for her!
Meanwhile, Liu Ruyan gazed down at the several Stars where the Qianhuan Sect was located, a ripple of emotion stirring within her. The Illusion Array here was colossal, covering the vast starry sky. Its dense Dao Patterns were incredibly mysterious and recondite, far surpassing anything the Charm Sect possessed.
The Grey-robed Old Man turned to Yun Zeng, bowing respectfully. “Sixth Prince, this matter…”
Yun Zeng cut him off coldly. “Too much nonsense. You will hand it over today whether you want to or not.”
At his command, dozens of Spirit Boats behind them bristled with activity as all the guards stepped forward. An overwhelming momentum surged!
Yun Zeng ordered, “Attack the Qianhuan Sect!”
Immediately, numerous Commanders brandished their Spirit Weapons, ready to strike. Killing intent filled the air, an overwhelming momentum rising. The Grey-robed Old Man’s face turned ashen.
Just as Yun Zeng’s forces were about to advance, a voice echoed from within the Qianhuan Sect. “Give Liu Ruyan one Inheritance!”
An ancient, ethereal projection materialized. The figure’s aura was weak, looking like nothing more than decaying wood.
Yun Zeng scoffed, “Wise choice.”
Liu Ruyan slowly descended from the Cloud Ship, followed by several High-star Myriad Phase Realm experts, and stepped into the Qianhuan Sect’s main compound.
The ancient projection led Liu Ruyan into the Inheritance Land. “Liu Ruyan, after the Ancient Ancestor’s disappearance, the Inheritance was split into two. You may choose one.”
A cold smile played on Liu Ruyan’s lips. She extended her jade-like hand, clenching it. “I’ll take both!”
The ancient projection frowned. “Liu Ruyan, do not be so greedy!”
Liu Ruyan smiled alluringly. “Then let’s fight! See if your Qianhuan Sect can withstand the Sixth Prince’s army! Or, even if the Sixth Prince’s army is annihilated, can you withstand the Shenwu Emperor’s wrath?”
“You…” The ancient projection trembled with rage.
Liu Ruyan said nothing more, stepping directly into the Inheritance Land.
Moments later, several Qianhuan Sect Elders emerged. They watched Liu Ruyan’s retreating figure, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
The Elders turned to the ancient projection. “Old Ancestor, must we truly let Liu Ruyan take our sect’s Ancient Ancestor Inheritance?”
The ancient projection secretly transmitted, “We have no choice now. The Supreme Fox Clan is about to open the Fox Fortune Holy Land. We must secretly assist them; this is a rule set by our Ancient Ancestor.”
The Elders continued, “We heard a genius named Liu Xuan emerged from the branch sect. Her Talent is said to rival an Ancient Ancestor’s. If Liu Ruyan seizes the Ancient Ancestor Inheritance, our sect will lose all hope of rising again.”
The ancient projection smiled faintly. “No matter. These two Inheritances are mutually exclusive, containing two different ‘Dao’. Liu Ruyan cannot possess both.”
At this moment, within the Inheritance Land, two paths appeared. The two ‘Dao’ of the Ancient Ancestor Inheritance! The Dao of Illusion!
Liu Ruyan gazed at the two paths of the Dao of Illusion, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Her long skirt billowed. She finally understood why the ancient projection had said she could only receive one Inheritance. These two paths were ‘mutually exclusive’!
One was ‘True,’ the other ‘False.’ What was known as Illusion could also lead to reality. And reality, too, could lead to Illusion.
The ‘True’ Dao of Illusion wasn’t merely about immersing oneself in a scheme, like her manipulation of Sixth Prince Yun Zeng. It demanded genuine sacrifice. If she had walked the ‘True’ path then, she would have truly lost herself to Sixth Prince Yun Zeng, not merely within an Illusion within an Illusion.
The ‘False’ Dao of Illusion, however, was about making others believe it was real, when in truth, everything was fake. These two paths could not coexist.
Liu Ruyan scoffed. It seemed the ancient projection already knew which ‘Dao’ she would choose.
Soon, Liu Ruyan stepped onto the ‘False’ path.
Boom! A terrifying aura erupted from within the secret realm. The power of Illusion transformed into countless threads, weaving an endless Illusionary Realm. Dense Dao Patterns surged, and the Ancient Ancestor’s power poured forth relentlessly.
Liu Ruyan immediately sat cross-legged. Endless Divine Radiance emanated from her body. The Qianhuan Sect’s Star Power continuously poured into her.
She murmured to herself, “What is truly real in this world?” “It’s all just playing a role.”
Searching her heart, even when she met Dao Yi in her youth, it had merely stirred a fleeting ripple. As for all the men she’d encountered since, they were nothing but fleeting shadows, passing guests.
The aura of the ‘False’ Dao grew stronger and stronger around Liu Ruyan. Simultaneously, her cultivation soared! One-star Myriad Phase Realm! Two-star Myriad Phase Realm! Finally, it stabilized at Three-star Myriad Phase Realm!
Just then, Crack! A trace of the Ancient Ancestor’s imprint within her body suddenly shattered. Boom! Her inner world, like a vast and ancient cosmos, was incredibly recondite and archaic, even comparable to the Qianhuan Sect’s Star itself.
A fragmented scene flashed before her, leaving Liu Ruyan utterly stunned… Her true identity from the Ancient Era! She, too, had once been an Innate Ancient Ancestor, Mei. In that era, this entire Star Sea revered the Ancient Ancestor, Sir. That was how everyone addressed him. For he was the very first Ancient Ancestor of this heaven and earth, born alongside creation itself.
Though she was also an Innate Ancient Ancestor, she had been born after Sir. In terms of comprehension and power, she was far inferior to him.
Back then, Sir, clad in white robes, with faint Divine Radiance flowing around him, would lecture on the Dao from atop the heavens. Even she listened with rapt attention. And more importantly, she seemed to have… loved Sir?
Liu Ruyan stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded. This… was her previous life’s true form? She hadn’t expected to be an Ancient Ancestor herself! And an Innate Ancient Ancestor, stronger even than the Shenwu Emperor or the Star River Alliance Leader!
But what had happened later? How could someone as powerful as her have fallen into the Cycle of Reincarnation? Sir was invincible, perfect in every way. His only imperfection was that he didn’t love her.
At this thought, a trace of longing for Sir rose in Liu Ruyan’s heart. Even a fragmented memory was enough to rekindle the desire within her. She hadn’t realized she, too, had once loved someone.
“Hahahaha!” Liu Ruyan laughed. She understood now. Why, in the depths of her being, she had always preserved her Primordial Yin Body. It was meant for Sir!
Wait. Liu Ruyan’s brows suddenly furrowed. “If even I didn’t truly die, then Sir must also have been sealed. He definitely isn’t dead! Who is he in this life? Sir was a man of grand vision, capable of governing the heavens and earth; he wouldn’t remain dormant in this Star Sea.”
Boom! Countless figures flashed through Liu Ruyan’s mind. Moments later, she uttered a name: “White Robe Star Venerate, Lu Xuan?”