"This concerns a secret of the highest order, one I cannot disclose fully," the Remnant Sun Great Emperor said, his voice grave. "But I can offer a hint: it ties directly to the fall of the Fuyao Dynasty three millennia ago."
The Fuyao Dynasty!
At the mention of the ancient name, the elders in the Celestial Net Temple’s branch hall immediately pulled out their Ancient Jade Slips, searching for information. The slips glowed with a mysterious, flickering light, accessing the Temple’s exclusive intelligence network that spanned the entire Southern Wilds.
They quickly found the records. After a careful review, the elders frowned. "Hall Master, the Fuyao Dynasty was merely a common Emperor-tier faction, and it was annihilated three thousand years ago. Even if a few elites escaped, what kind of threat could they possibly pose now?"
The Remnant Sun Great Emperor merely smiled, choosing to remain silent. Only he and two other Great Emperors in this branch knew the full scope of the matter. Those two had already departed for the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in Cangzhou, tasked with capturing Empress Fuyao.
The secret of reincarnation and rebirth! he mused internally. This is too terrifying.
Even a mere rumor of the Reincarnation Secret Art had been enough to alarm the main branch’s Hall Master, Soul Severer, and several high-ranking officials. The main branch had designated this information as top-secret, planting a restrictive seal on the Remnant Sun Great Emperor’s divine sense. If he dared to reveal the full truth, his body and soul would be instantly annihilated.
He couldn't fathom the value of this secret. For the absolute peak powerhouses of the Southern Wilds, it was priceless, especially now that the Ancient Supreme Artifact, the Bronze Ancient Palace, had appeared, signaling the imminent opening of the Ultimate Path and the dawn of a Great Era.
He knew he was not qualified to touch such a secret. It was only because Wei Yan, the Lord of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, had sought out their branch that they had received this heaven-sent opportunity. The main branch had gifted him a supreme secret art for cultivation and a life-saving trump card: a projection of Elder Blood Fiend Great Emperor’s power.
Now, they simply waited for the two Great Emperors to return from Cangzhou with Empress Fuyao.
Suddenly, several black-robed men burst into the hall, their faces pale with panic. "Hall Master! Hall Master! Something terrible has happened!"
The Remnant Sun Great Emperor instantly grew displeased. "Why the panic? Where is your decorum!"
The black-robed men stammered, "Hall Master! The life plaques of Elders Chen Sanqian and the other one—they suddenly shattered! Their soul lamps are extinguished!"
The Remnant Sun Great Emperor froze, a cold dread washing over him. Chen Sanqian and the other elder were the two One-star Great Emperors he had dispatched to Cangzhou.
They died!
Soul lamps extinguished meant instant, total annihilation. Sweat instantly beaded on the Remnant Sun Great Emperor’s brow, trickling down his face.
"Damn it!" he roared, grinding his teeth. If only he had gone to Cangzhou himself! He had assumed that since the Fuyao Dynasty had no Great Emperors, sending two One-star Great Emperors would be overkill. Yet, they had perished.
Terror seized his heart. If Empress Fuyao escaped Cangzhou and he failed to capture her, the Blood Fiend Great Emperor would surely kill him upon arrival. Her value was now paramount.
"Hall Master, what is wrong?" the other elders asked cautiously, seeing his horrified expression.
The Remnant Sun Great Emperor wiped the sweat from his face, his voice now heavy with murderous intent. "Emergency assembly! Notify all Emperor-realm elders to follow me to Cangzhou!"
Moments later, five Great Emperors materialized: two Two-star Great Emperors and three One-star Great Emperors. The Remnant Sun Great Emperor led them, tearing the void open and streaking toward Cangzhou, his killing intent soaring to the heavens.
Whoever dares to help Empress Fuyao escape, I will kill them! No matter who they are!
"Faster! Move faster!" he urged.
Their destination: Cangzhou, Cang City.
***
On Azure Mystery Peak, within the Grand Dao Sect.
Lu Xuan lay stretched out on his recliner outside the thatched hut, basking in the sun. Inside, Ji Fuyao was preparing a meal.
Ji Fuyao sighed internally. The last time she had eaten food prepared with the Azure Nether Celestial Water and the Dao Profound Iron Pot, combined with the Cangxuan Old Ancestor's Profound Spirit Fish, her body had been saturated with the essence of the 'Dao and Essence.' The energy was too vast for her to fully digest, but it hadn't been wasted. It had all gathered on her Dao Foundation, circulating like brilliant starlight.
She had inspected her inner world and found her Dao Foundation subtly transformed. While not yet a perfect Dao Foundation, the tempering from the 'Dao and Essence' had made it profoundly mysterious, beyond her own comprehension. She marveled at how much stronger her foundation was in this life compared to her previous one.
And Master said there were still more treasures!
Just how many supreme treasures does Master possess? she wondered.
Her divine sense drifted outside the hut. Lu Xuan was utterly relaxed, not a single trace of aura leaking from him—he looked like a simple mortal. Ji Fuyao smiled faintly. "It's wonderful. Master is truly wonderful."
Soon, Ji Fuyao emerged, holding the dishes. "Master, dinner is served."
Lu Xuan slowly sat up from his recliner. "Excellent."
They began to eat. With the Azure Nether Celestial Water and the Dao Profound Iron Pot, Ji Fuyao’s previous aversion to eating had vanished. Eating was cultivation.
If the cultivators of the Southern Wilds knew what they were consuming—a single bite was something even Emperor-realm powerhouses yearned for—the world would surely be turned upside down.
Watching Lu Xuan eat with focused concentration, Ji Fuyao smiled. Master could easily bear the immense 'Dao and Essence' in the food without needing to refine it. She still had no idea how strong he truly was.
In Cangzhou, Lu Xuan had only displayed the cultivation of a One-star Great Emperor, yet he had effortlessly ignored the attacks of another One-star Great Emperor and instantly annihilated him. It was unheard of.
She had replayed the scene countless times: terrifying martial attacks striking Lu Xuan, yet failing to even ruffle the corner of his robe. It was too terrifying.
Ji Fuyao hesitated before asking, "Master, when you eat, do you feel anything?"
Lu Xuan looked confused. "Feel what?"
"The food is made with a lot of Azure Nether Celestial Water," Ji Fuyao explained. "Don't you feel anything?"
She, a One-star Profound Saint, needed half a day to absorb just one bite!
Lu Xuan's face twitched. Ouch. Right in the feels. This was his sore spot.
He had drunk several large mouthfuls of the Azure Nether Celestial Water, and it truly was just like drinking water. His Dantian, his physical body, and his soul had shown zero reaction. His body was like a pool of still, dead water—nothing could stir a ripple in it.
A Congenital Cultivation Waste Body, indeed!
Anyone else who drank that much would have been instantly detonated by the sheer volume of Heaven and Earth Dao Essence, yet he was perfectly fine.
Lu Xuan forced a smile. "Didn't feel anything. Just the taste of the food."
Ji Fuyao’s body trembled slightly, her eyes widening in shock. As expected! Even a Heaven and Earth Wonder like the Azure Nether Celestial Water could no longer grant Master enlightenment. His true realm must surpass the Cangxuan Old Ancestor by an unfathomable margin!
Unable to contain her curiosity, Ji Fuyao finally asked, "Master, just how strong are you?"
Lu Xuan answered casually, "Just a little stronger than you." (Internal: I’m Five-star Profound Saint, she’s One-star Profound Saint. That’s a little stronger, right?)
To Ji Fuyao, this meant something entirely different. She knew her Master was always low-profile; his "little bit stronger" likely spanned the gap between heaven and earth.
"Master, do you still cultivate? I've never seen you do it," she pressed.
Lu Xuan shrugged. "No, no need. You guys cultivate, that's enough."
Ji Fuyao’s eyes shone with profound realization. It is true! Master was so powerful he no longer needed to cultivate! A wave of warmth washed over her at his final sentence, “You guys cultivate, that’s enough,” a profound statement of his devotion to guiding them.
Soon, Lu Xuan finished eating and returned to his recliner. "Right, Fuyao. After you finish up, come with me to the cave dwelling. I need to treat your injuries."
Ji Fuyao’s face flushed slightly, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "Yes, Master."
After washing the dishes and tidying the hut, she stepped out and looked at Lu Xuan, who was lounging lazily. She smiled faintly. "Master, I'm ready."
Lu Xuan nodded, slowly rising from the recliner. "Fuyao, follow me."
Ji Fuyao followed him into the cave dwelling. She sat cross-legged, her fiery red dress flowing around her, accentuating her exquisite figure. Her face was beautiful, her eyes sparkling with starlight. She looked up at Lu Xuan, her cheeks involuntarily turning pink.
Lu Xuan met her gaze.
Their eyes locked. Ji Fuyao felt time itself slow down, her heart racing. She nearly held her breath.
"Turn around," Lu Xuan said calmly.
Ji Fuyao blinked, the mysterious atmosphere instantly broken. She complied, her long black hair swaying as she presented her perfect back to him. "Master, your medical skills are truly powerful. After the last treatment, all the hidden ailments in my body were completely healed."
Lu Xuan simply said, "Oh," and didn't elaborate.
Ji Fuyao placed her slender hands on her knees, feeling a slight nervousness. She wasn't sure why she was nervous.
Lu Xuan sat cross-legged behind her. Seeing her delicate body trembling slightly, he spoke reassuringly, "Fuyao, relax. I won't be rough."