“Liu Ruyan, get out here, now!”
His voice, a thunderclap, ripped through the entire encampment. Though merely a Nine-star Myriad Phase Realm clone, it pulsed with a wisp of Shenwu Emperor Tianye's Ancient Ancestor Dao Rhythm.
Boom! A terrifying surge of Ancient Ancestor's Might, like an unstoppable tide, crashed down upon the land.
Thud! Thud! The countless cultivators in the encampment dropped to their knees, the entire legion, whatever their task, frozen in place, prostrate on the ground.
“All hail Shenwu Emperor Tianye!”
“All hail Shenwu Emperor Tianye!”
A wave of shock rippled through the ranks. Never before had the Shenwu Emperor Tianye personally graced this encampment. Yun Zeng, for all his recent growth and the flourishing power he'd amassed with Ju Shou's guidance, was still, at the end of the day, Shenwu Emperor Tianye's son. The Ancient Ancestor's Might radiated in all directions. As they gazed at the majestic and formidable Shenwu Emperor Tianye in the sky, a storm raged within their hearts. This was Ju Shou's posthumous strategy, finally bearing fruit, compelling Emperor Tianye's clone to descend! Could it be that Liu Ruyan... was doomed?
Just then, Liu Ruyan's chambers slowly opened. Clad in a flowing gown, her face betrayed not a hint of surprise or panic as she emerged, accompanied by the Sixth Prince, Yun Zeng.
Tianye's divine sense flickered, and a wisp of it instantly pierced Yun Zeng's body. Within Yun Zeng, the Charm Seed Flower bloomed invisibly, already fused with his very being. Yet, to Tianye's discerning eye, such a technique had nowhere to hide.
“Excellent, excellent, excellent.” Tianye was so enraged, he could only laugh. He had dominated the Fallen Star Sea for countless years, yet someone dared to act so brazenly right under his nose. Yun Zeng, for all his faults, was still his son. But now, his Ancient Ancestor bloodline had been drained, the Charm Seed Flower planted, turning him into Liu Ruyan's puppet. What audacity! Though Liu Ruyan had brazenly defied him, Tianye couldn't help but acknowledge her ruthlessness. After all, a figure of Ju Shou's caliber had been driven to his death by her!
At that thought, a vast, boundless power surged from Shenwu Emperor Tianye, and he stared down at Liu Ruyan. “Kneel!”
Boom! A terrifying force locked onto Liu Ruyan.
Liu Ruyan's expression remained as calm as a placid lake. Slowly, she raised a slender, pale hand to her lips and uttered a single word: “Charm!”
Shimmering divine light enveloped her, endless streams of radiance swirling around her, emanating a profound Dao Rhythm. Within her, a third of her ancient seal had broken, and the power of an Ancient Ancestor slowly began to flow forth. Though she was currently only a Five-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivator, with the aid of this Ancient Ancestor power, she could contend with Shenwu Emperor Tianye's clone! After all, she was an Innate Ancient Ancestor, inherently far superior to an Acquired Ancient Ancestor like Tianye! A towering aura of dominance erupted from Liu Ruyan, spreading outwards, making her seem like the true sovereign of this realm.
Thud! Beside her, Yun Zeng immediately dropped to his knees before Liu Ruyan.
Shenwu Emperor Tianye paused, slightly stunned. “Ancient Ancestor Dao Rhythm? Who exactly are you?” He had underestimated Liu Ruyan! To possess such Ancient Ancestor power meant she was no ordinary individual!
Liu Ruyan met Shenwu Emperor Tianye's gaze calmly. “In the past,” she said coolly, “if you dared to be so presumptuous before me, I would have crushed you with a single palm.”
Hearing this, everyone was astonished. They had already noticed that ever since Liu Ruyan returned from the Qianhuan Sect, she seemed like a completely different person.
Tianye's brows furrowed slightly. Liu Ruyan then said, “Come in, let's talk.” With that, she turned and re-entered her chambers, Yun Zeng following her like a shadow. Tianye, having shed his disdain for Liu Ruyan, descended from the sky and entered her room. With a flick of his sleeve, he cast numerous seals and restrictions, isolating them.
Liu Ruyan looked at Tianye, a glint in her eyes. “Tianye, we can cooperate. The Star River Alliance is nothing but a rabble; they won't be able to protect you.”
Tianye frowned, taking a seat. “Who exactly are you!”
Liu Ruyan's lips curved into a faint smile. “Don't you already have your answer?”
“Mei!” Tianye's voice trembled slightly. “But weren't all of you back then...”
Liu Ruyan scoffed softly. “Innate Ancient Ancestors are born from the heavens and earth; how could we fall so easily? You Acquired Ancient Ancestors are simply not on the same level as us.” Her expression and voice dripped with arrogance and disdain. Though Tianye was an Ancient Ancestor and she had yet to fully return to that realm, she still looked down on him. In fact, she looked down on everyone, save for Sir.
Tianye said flatly, “No wonder you, Liu Ruyan, could rise from the Tai Chu Realm. Not to mention that the Tai Chu Realm's destiny has long waned, decaying into ruin, and with the Four Star Rings dominating the Star Sea, it's impossible for an ordinary person to ascend so swiftly, not even with a Primordial Yin Body! The true secret is that you are Mei, one of the most powerful Ancient Ancestors of the Ancient Era!” Tianye knew, in her prime, Liu Ruyan would have been an opponent he couldn't hope to defeat!
Liu Ruyan stated calmly, “Sir has returned.”
Tianye was stunned. “What?!”
Liu Ruyan continued, “That White Robe Star Venerate, Lu Xuan, is Sir.”
Tianye shot to his feet, utterly shocked. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” If Liu Ruyan and the other Innate Ancient Ancestors were among the strongest of the Ancient Era, then Sir's power was unparalleled! He was the strongest, period! Back then, Sir faced the combined assault of countless forces, including the betrayal of Innate Ancient Ancestors like Liu Ruyan, the direct siege from the Eerie Plateau, and even the treachery of many of his own “students.” Even under such circumstances, Sir remained invincible! His “demise” wasn't a defeat; if he hadn't wished to die, he simply couldn't have been killed.
Tianye and Liu Ruyan exchanged glances, both recalling the words Sir had uttered at his “demise”: “With me in the world, the world is joyous, and I too am joyous!” Boundless shock welled up in both their hearts. That event had transpired ages ago, suppressed deep within their memories, but now, with the recollection unleashed, it surged forth like a torrent, crashing against their inner beings.
After a moment of silence, Tianye suddenly spoke, “No, no. The White Robe Star Venerate absolutely cannot be Sir! His actions bear no resemblance to Sir's! A leopard cannot change its spots. Sir never harbored disappointment for this world.”
Liu Ruyan calmly replied, “I, too, was reluctant to admit that Lu Xuan is Sir. But his invincibility is already manifesting, a trait so strikingly similar to Sir's. Furthermore, it's possible Lu Xuan hasn't yet unsealed his true power.”
Tianye's eyes widened in realization. An Innate Ancient Ancestor's seal! If Lu Xuan hadn't unsealed his power, then he was merely Lu Xuan! But if he had, he was indeed Sir!
Liu Ruyan looked at Tianye. “You also betrayed Sir back then. Even if Sir returns and spares you, Lu Xuan will not. We need to cooperate!”