"How is Fuyao handling the Drunken Immortal Pavilion situation? No unexpected trouble, I hope?" Lu Xuan checked the System, which confirmed Ji Fuyao's status was "all systems go."
A day later, Lu Xuan and Ye Chen were sharing a meal outside the thatched hut.
Ye Chen, ever the diligent one, asked, "Master, the three-month mark is almost here. Is Senior Sister returning soon?"
Lu Xuan nodded casually. "Indeed."
Ye Chen smiled, a subtle competitive gleam in his eyes. "I wonder what stage of the Profound Venerate Realm Senior Sister has reached now?"
Lu Xuan simply smiled, saying nothing.
Just then, a divine rainbow surged from the distance, rocketing toward Azure Mystery Peak.
Boom!
The Sect Master, clad in a grey robe, landed heavily on the peak. Seeing Lu Xuan and Ye Chen eating, he frowned slightly. "The matter of the Bronze Ancient Palace has finally settled."
"And?" Lu Xuan asked, unhurriedly taking another bite.
The Sect Master sighed deeply. "I have good news and bad news."
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "The Bronze Ancient Palace ran away?"
The Sect Master nodded. "Even with numerous Emperor-tier experts intervening, they couldn't stop it. It truly lives up to its name as an Ancient Supreme Artifact. Its power is monstrous, unbound by external forces, traversing the void and roaming the four seas like a soaring dragon."
"And the good news?"
The Sect Master managed a small smile. "The good news is that near the Heaven Blade Sect, where the Bronze Ancient Palace first appeared, an Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm has been discovered."
Ye Chen was slightly stunned. "Sect Master, what kind of Secret Realm is it?"
The Sect Master shook his head. "The Emperor-tier experts are still working together to explore it and break the restrictive seals. However, the initial report from the Cangxuan Old Ancestor suggests that Emperor-tier experts cannot enter. The specific rules are still being investigated."
Ye Chen's eyes shone with excitement.
The Sect Master chuckled, looking at Ye Chen. "Ye Chen, I know you're itching for a fight with Qin Xiao. This Secret Realm might be your chance. Just wait for the Emperor-tier experts to finalize the rules."
Ye Chen nodded, his voice firm. "Understood, Sect Master."
Soon after, the Sect Master soared into the sky, leaving Azure Mystery Peak.
***
Meanwhile, news of the Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Bronze Ancient Palace, escaping the grasp of the Emperors spread throughout the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds. Human cultivators everywhere were buzzing with discussion.
"What a shame! So many Emperor-tier experts tried, yet they couldn't contain or suppress the Bronze Ancient Palace!"
"Heh. That's an Ancient Supreme Artifact for you. Throughout the history of the Southern Wilds, every time it appears, it heralds a massive upheaval. If you check the ancient texts, its emergence is never accidental—a momentous event is surely about to unfold!"
"Exactly. If the Bronze Ancient Palace appearing is anything to go by, a Great Era is descending! Prodigies will rise in droves, hegemonic powers will surface, and the myriad races will clash. The Southern Wilds is on the verge of change!"
"This time has been particularly interesting. On the Heaven Blade Sect's territory, Ye Chen of the Grand Dao Sect displayed terrifying martial prowess, slaying over a dozen of their blade-cultivating geniuses and utterly humiliating the Ancient Qin Family. It's a pity Qin Xiao didn't get to fight Ye Chen in the end."
"No matter. Since an Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm was found near the Heaven Blade Sect, if the prodigies enter, a battle between Ye Chen and Qin Xiao is inevitable!"
***
In Cangzhou City, within a secluded pavilion, Ji Fuyao sat cross-legged. Her fiery red dress flowed around her perfectly contoured figure as she cultivated the Heaven-Burning Art, faint divine radiance circulating around her.
Today marked the final day of the ten-day deadline she had given Wei Yan of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Soon, Qing Yan and Wang Man, her Dragon Guards, returned.
Ji Fuyao slowly retracted her aura and looked up. "Well? Did Wei Yan return?"
Wang Man was furious, his eyes blazing with killing intent. "Your Imperial Majesty, Wei Yan played us again! He never came back to the Cangzhou headquarters. He's still at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion branch in Willow City!"
Qing Yan's chest heaved with indignation, her jade hands clenched tight. "That scoundrel, Wei Yan! This is outrageous! What kind of supreme treasure is being auctioned in Willow City that he's been guarding it for ten days and still hasn't returned?"
Ji Fuyao frowned slightly. Killing intent had already begun to stir in her heart. She knew that Wei Yan had almost certainly made up his mind to escape her control. But how could she possibly allow such a betrayal?
The Dragon Guards in the room were all filled with righteous indignation, their murderous intent palpable.
Three thousand years ago, Wei Yan and his faction had absconded with most of the Fuyao Dynasty's cultivation resources. Now, having used those resources to rise in power, they intended to sever ties and betray Empress Fuyao? They would never permit it!
Damn Wei Yan! Damn the Drunken Immortal Pavilion! For days, Wei Yan and his cohorts had been mocking and trifling with their Imperial Majesty and the Dragon Guards!
Suddenly, with a heavy thud, Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the other Dragon Guards dropped to their knees before Ji Fuyao. "Your Imperial Majesty, you have given the Drunken Immortal Pavilion multiple chances, but they have not cherished them. Instead, they continue to make a mockery of you," Wang Man declared, his voice thick with emotion. "Wei Yan must be executed! The Drunken Immortal Pavilion must be destroyed!"
Ji Fuyao's face was cold as ice. "Rise. Send a message to Ye Beichen and the others. They are to reach Willow City within one day!"
Wang Man and the others immediately stood up.
Qing Yan took out an Ancient Jade Slip and transmitted the order to the Ye Family Old Ancestor, Ye Beichen.
Ye Beichen's reply was instantaneous: "Your Imperial Majesty, your command is our will! We shall descend upon and surround Willow City within one day!"
"Then let us also move," Ji Fuyao said. "We head for Willow City!"
Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the Dragon Guards nodded in unison.
Just then, the communication slip in Wang Man's possession vibrated violently.
Wang Man injected his divine sense, frowned, and looked at Ji Fuyao. "Your Imperial Majesty, it's that scoundrel, Wei Yan!"
Wei Yan’s voice was frantic: "Your Imperial Majesty! I have made a grave mistake this time! Please let me explain! Please let me explain! There was an unexpected turn of events at the Willow City auction, which is why I couldn't return to Cangzhou City!"
"Your Imperial Majesty, I swear it wasn't intentional!"
Ji Fuyao remained cold and silent.
Seeing this, Wang Man roared, "Wei Yan, spit it out! What pathetic excuse do you have this time?"
Wei Yan's voice trembled slightly. "Your Imperial Majesty, I told you ten days ago that there was a very important auction here in Willow City that I needed to organize. I had everything ready and planned to leave yesterday, but the owner of the supreme treasure insisted I remain in Willow City. He wouldn't trust anyone else."
Wang Man scoffed. "What kind of damn treasure is more important than your Empress?"
Wei Yan spoke meekly. "Commander Wang Man, the auction is a crucial part of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's business. The owner of the treasure insisted I stay; I was truly helpless!"
Qing Yan asked coldly, "What treasure?"
Wei Yan fell silent.
After a moment of heavy stillness, Wei Yan spoke again. "My apologies, Commander Qing Yan, but this treasure is extremely shocking, and per the client's request, I must keep it confidential."
Wang Man exploded, cursing loudly. "Damn it! You're keeping secrets even from the Empress?"
Wei Yan sounded awkward. "Your Imperial Majesty, why don't you come to Willow City and take a look at our auction? Once it's over, I will swear a Heavenly Dao Oath in front of you, pledging my loyalty to you and the Fuyao Dynasty!"
Ji Fuyao replied coolly, "That was my intention."
Wei Yan sounded excited. "Your Imperial Majesty, I await your grand arrival! The auction begins tomorrow. You can inspect the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's business in Willow City. After the auction, I will personally come, bearing thorns, to beg for your forgiveness!"
"We heard you!" Wang Man snapped.
Moments later, Wang Man put away the communication slip.
"Let's proceed to Willow City," Ji Fuyao commanded.
Soon, Ji Fuyao and her Dragon Guards set off, utilizing Cangzhou City's teleportation array to quickly cover the distance.
Along the way, Qing Yan relayed the rumors she had gathered about the Bronze Ancient Palace incident.
Ji Fuyao smiled radiantly. "Junior Brother Ye Chen is doing well! Very well! He has truly embarked on the path of dual cultivation in alchemy and martial arts, and he is now making a name for himself in the Southern Wilds."
The Dragon Guards all voiced their admiration.
However, the loyalists also harbored some concern.
Qing Yan furrowed her brow. "Your Imperial Majesty, Ye Chen has completely antagonized the Ancient Qin Family and the Supreme Profound Sect. This situation seems quite precarious."
They knew that even at the peak of the Fuyao Dynasty's power, they could not have contended with hegemonic forces like the Ancient Qin Family and the Supreme Profound Sect. Those powers could easily wipe out the dynasty!
Wang Man, however, was dismissive. "It doesn't matter. Powers as strong as the Ancient Qin Family and the Supreme Profound Sect are nothing more than ants in the eyes of Peak Master Lu. If they dare to bully the weak and use their strength to oppress the young, Peak Master Lu will certainly intervene."
Ji Fuyao tilted her head slightly, giving a calm nod.
Qing Yan hesitated before adding, "Your Imperial Majesty, the Heaven Net Hall also appeared where the Bronze Ancient Palace manifested. It seems the other hegemonic powers are beginning to acknowledge the Heaven Net Hall's existence."
Ji Fuyao's beautiful eyes flickered with divine light. This was indeed bad news. In the three thousand years since her fall, the Heaven Net Hall had risen too quickly, becoming a newly established hegemonic power! While their foundation might still lag behind the Ancient Qin Family or the Grand Dao Sect, they had secured a foothold in the Southern Wilds.
Considering this, Ji Fuyao stated, "After this trip to Willow City, we must formulate a long-term strategy."
The Dragon Guards nodded in agreement. The enemy is strong, and we are weak. The advantage is not ours.
***
Half a day later, Ji Fuyao and her party arrived near Willow City.
Qing Yan immediately contacted the Ye Family Old Ancestor, Ye Beichen, and his forces.
Ye Beichen sent a message back: "Your Imperial Majesty, we will arrive near Willow City in a few hours!"
Ji Fuyao instructed, "Good. Once you arrive, do not enter the city. Guard the perimeter of Willow City."
"Understood!" Ye Beichen replied.
Counting the Ye Family experts, Ji Fuyao had assembled over a dozen Quasi-Emperors, dozens of Half-Emperors, and numerous Saint Kings and Saints! Qing Yan had already investigated the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, which, on the surface, only possessed four Quasi-Emperors.
The Dragon Guards stood on the mountain peaks outside Willow City, gazing toward the small city, their hearts filled with fighting spirit. Over a dozen Quasi-Emperors against four Quasi-Emperors! Compared to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the advantage is clearly ours.
Qing Yan frowned slightly. "I'm very curious about what the final, centerpiece treasure of that auction could be."
Wang Man stroked the Quasi-Emperor Blood Axe in his hand, his killing intent fully revealed. "Your Imperial Majesty, Wei Yan is already a dead man. Why don't we watch the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's auction before we make our move?"
Ji Fuyao nodded. "Very well."
They immediately prepared to enter Willow City.
Suddenly, Ji Fuyao's delicate body trembled. She swept her gaze across the mountains surrounding Willow City and frowned deeply. "The four directions of Heaven and Earth, the mountains encircling this place... there is a faint, ominous aura emanating from Willow City."
Everyone was startled. Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the Dragon Guards also began to probe the surrounding landscape.
They saw that endless, continuous mountain ranges locked down Willow City. The peaks were lush, dark rivers flowed underground, and the natural momentum of Heaven and Earth had coalesced into the aura of a place of great ill-fortune. Willow City was only a moderately sized town, even smaller than Ye Chen's hometown, Qingcheng. Yet, nestled within the embrace of the surrounding mountains, the city's destiny was being devoured and its heavenly secrets were being secretly seized by the momentum of the rivers and mountains.
The natural power of this place sent a cryptic, chilling sensation through Ji Fuyao and her party.
A Great Omen of Ill-Fortune!