"The Grand Dao Sect does not require your Excellency's concern," Elder Mu stated firmly. "For half the history of the Southern Wilds, the shadow of our sect has been cast upon it. Who are you to speak so presumptuously of us?"

Hearing this, the Grey-robed Great Emperor from the Tianluo Hall merely scoffed but remained silent.

The assembled major powers couldn't help but feel a surge of respect. Elder Mu spoke the truth; the Grand Dao Sect had endured the long river of the Southern Wilds' history. Its foundation was unfathomably deep, and it was not to be underestimated.

The Great Emperor of the Pill Fragrance Sect, seeing the atmosphere grow tense, offered a mild smile. "Everyone, perhaps we should take a short rest before attempting to decipher the Dao and Essence secrets of this Bronze Ancient Palace."

The Yao Family Great Emperor clapped his hands in agreement. "Precisely my thought. Excellent."

Soon, everyone departed with a tacit understanding.

A divine rainbow formed beneath Elder Mu's feet, shooting toward Ye Chen and the others.

Ye Chen was sitting cross-legged in cultivation, a faint divine light flowing around him, an aura of profound mystery radiating outward, making him appear ethereal and transcendent.

Elder Mu called softly, "Ye Chen."

Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes and replied respectfully, "Elder Mu."

Elder Mu spoke, a solemn look on his face. "Ye Chen, I assume you've heard about Fuyao's situation."

Ye Chen nodded. "I never expected the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to betray her."

Elder Mu's gaze was profound. "The person behind Fuyao intervened, which is why she survived the ordeal."

Ye Chen fell silent. He knew it had to be his Master, Lu Xuan, who had finally made a move. Damn the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and the Tianluo Hall! He clenched his fists, hating his own weakness for being unable to help. Rage!

Elder Mu lowered his voice. "The Cangxuan Old Ancestor had long noticed the signs around Fuyao, suspecting a connection to the Fuyao Dynasty. Now that her identity has been revealed, she is indeed the Dynasty's successor."

Ye Chen frowned slightly. Successor? Had his Senior Sister's secret of reincarnation not been exposed? He knew the truth about her rebirth was a matter of immense gravity; if it were revealed, it would ignite the entire Southern Wilds!

Although the Grand Dao Sect was a dominant power in the Southern Wilds, it might not withstand a siege from numerous hegemonic forces! But thankfully, Master is here... Even if the Grand Dao Sect were on the verge of collapse, Master would surely intervene! Thinking this, Ye Chen relaxed, managing a wry smile. "Elder Mu, did you all discover my identity before as well?"

Elder Mu chuckled. "Fuyao brought you back, your talent was astonishing, you resonated with the Grand Dao Bell, yet you insisted on joining Azure Mystery Peak. It was quite obvious you shared a connection with the Fuyao Dynasty." Ye Chen was slightly taken aback.

Elder Mu smiled and patted Ye Chen's shoulder. "Ye Chen, don't worry. The Cangxuan Old Ancestor asked me to give you a message: don't feel any pressure. So what if the Tianluo Hall is targeting you? The Grand Dao Sect will never abandon any of its disciples! No matter who the enemy is!"

As the words fell, Ye Chen's body trembled slightly. He murmured, repeating the vow: "The Grand Dao Sect will never abandon any of its disciples! No matter who the enemy is!" A warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Elder Mu. "Thank you, Elder Mu."

Elder Mu nodded. "Rest assured. Even among hegemonic powers, there are unwritten rules. The grievances of the younger generation are generally not interfered with by the elders. But if the Tianluo Hall, the Ancient Qin Family, or the Supreme Profound Sect dares to bully the weak or use their power to oppress, our Grand Dao Sect will never let it go!"

Ye Chen agreed.

Just then, the Body Tempering Peak Peak Master asked, "Elder Mu, how many days until that Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm opens?"

Elder Mu pondered for a moment. "A few more days. Once we extract that wisp of Dao and Essence left by the Bronze Ancient Palace, the secret realm can be opened." He turned his head to Ye Chen. "Oh, right, Ye Chen, this ancient secret realm holds the inheritance of a Martial Dao Great Emperor. It will be extremely beneficial to you."

Ye Chen replied, "Understood, Elder Mu. I will give it my all to obtain this Martial Dao Great Emperor Inheritance."

A moment later, Liu Xuan, clad in a flowing purple dress, her long, slender legs moving gracefully, approached Ye Chen. Behind her, Luo Lingkong, Fang Yan, and the other top true disciples also rose and gathered around him.

Liu Xuan offered a charming smile, radiating allure. "Junior Brother Ye Chen, you don't need to worry about Junior Sister Fuyao. She has returned to the sect and is safe now."

Ye Chen nodded, feeling a wave of warmth. "Thank you, Senior Brother, Senior Sister."

Fang Yan patted Ye Chen's shoulder. "Junior Brother Ye Chen, you will definitely be targeted once you enter the Inheritance Secret Realm. Stick with us. We're worried the Tianluo Hall or the Supreme Profound Sect will try to make a move against you!"

Ye Chen agreed. "Alright."

***

Supreme Profound Sect. Supreme Peak.

Qin Xiao had sealed his cave dwelling with countless restrictions. He was embracing Nangong Baixue, kissing her cheek. She played the role of the demure, shy lover in her elegant dress, her tongue like a nimble snake exploring his mouth. Qin Xiao's hands roamed her body, eliciting soft moans.

"Qin Xiao, be gentle..."

"My husband..."

Soon, Qin Xiao tore her dress. The seductive scene made Qin Xiao's heart pound, and he buried his head... Nangong Baixue's body writhed.

A short while later, Nangong Baixue slowly sat up, her face flushed with a seductive charm. "Husband, it's my turn." She knelt down...

After a dozen breaths, Qin Xiao lay breathless on the purple cedar bed, utterly spent. Everything was tasteless.

Nangong Baixue lay beside him, her eyes burning with resentment. "I can't believe that trash Ye Chen is actually a remnant of the Fuyao Dynasty!"

Qin Xiao nodded flatly. "And that waste Lu Xuan somehow managed to take on two disciples, both connected to the Fuyao Dynasty!"

Nangong Baixue's chest heaved, her eyes burning with hatred. "If only the Tianluo Hall had completely wiped out the Fuyao Dynasty three thousand years ago! Then neither Ji Fuyao nor Ye Chen would exist today!"

Qin Xiao gently stroked her cheek. "Indeed. If that were the case, your past, present, and future would belong only to me."

Nangong Baixue traced a finger across his chest. "I often feel a slight stain on myself because of that engagement to the waste Ye Chen."

Qin Xiao tightly grasped her hand. "No, you don't. You are as pure as white snow. You possess the Primordial Yin Body; you are flawless!"

Nangong Baixue smiled. "Husband, could you secretly contact the Tianluo Hall to eliminate that trash Ye Chen? I imagine the Tianluo Hall must absolutely despise the Grand Dao Sect right now!"

Qin Xiao scoffed. "I am the Scion of the Ancient Qin Family and the future Divine Son of the Supreme Profound Sect. Why would I need the Tianluo Hall to act? I will enter the secret realm this time with one goal: to kill Ye Chen and take his head!"

A sharp glint flashed in Nangong Baixue's eyes. "Husband, you must be careful of Ye Chen. Although he is certainly no match for you, he is incredibly cunning and ruthless. Next time you encounter him, please do not lower your cultivation to fight him again!"

Qin Xiao sneered. "Relax, Baixue. Crushing Ye Chen is like crushing an ant. I will cut off his head and display it in my cave dwelling."

Nangong Baixue was slightly stunned. "Husband, why would you do that? I don't want to see that trash Ye Chen again; he disgusts me!"

Qin Xiao gave a wicked smile. "I want his head to watch us..." Saying this, Qin Xiao lunged at Nangong Baixue again. He felt the energy returning.

Nangong Baixue feigned shock. "Husband, you can go again?"

Qin Xiao nodded. "I can! Am I fierce?"

Nangong Baixue stammered. "Fierce!"

***

Grand Dao Sect. Azure Mystery Peak.

Lu Xuan lay in front of his thatched hut, leisurely basking in the sun, watching the clouds drift by like white dogs and shifting scrolls. His mind was clear, free of distraction, truly embodying the state of "watching the clouds shift, the heartless one, transforming the void."

Ji Fuyao was cooking inside the hut, the smoke curling gently.

Just then, the jade slip in Lu Xuan's pocket vibrated slightly. The Sect Master's voice transmitted through it.

"Lu Xuan, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor has already secretly dispatched people to protect the Ye Family in Qingcheng, the Black Flame Mountain Range, and the Dynasty's Dragon Guards. You can tell Fuyao not to worry."

Lu Xuan nodded. "Understood, Sect Master. Has the Tianluo Hall made any moves?"

The Sect Master chuckled lightly. "Not yet. However, the day we left Cangzhou, we destroyed the projection of a Tianluo Hall Grand Elder. This person calls himself the Blood Fury Great Emperor and claims he will march upon our Grand Dao Sect to demand retribution!"

Lu Xuan paused, slightly stunned. The Tianluo Hall is that arrogant now? Daring to demand people from the Grand Dao Sect! He recalled that the Cangxuan Old Ancestor had hinted at the sect's true depth—its foundation was unfathomable, far exceeding what it displayed on the surface. The Grand Dao Sect had always been low-key and detached, rarely participating in the power struggles of the various domains, causing the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds to forget the sect's past ferocity. When it doesn't move, it's fine. When it moves, it leaves mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Seeing Lu Xuan's silence, the Sect Master laughed. "Lu Xuan, you don't need to worry. If this so-called Blood Fury Great Emperor dares to step into our Grand Dao Sect territory, even if his realm is one stage higher than the Cangxuan Old Ancestor's, the Old Ancestor has a way to erase him!"

Lu Xuan was slightly taken aback. Wait, what the hell... When did the Cangxuan Old Ancestor secretly learn my Invincible Stance? Killing enemies across realms! He knew that at the Great Emperor level, every star was a world unto itself—that was an iron rule! Thinking this, Lu Xuan asked, "What secret art does the Cangxuan Old Ancestor possess?"

The Sect Master smiled mysteriously. "You'll see when the time comes. It's a unique secret art of our Grand Dao Sect, derived from the Grand Dao Scripture."

Lu Xuan instantly felt a flicker of excitement. I should make sure Ye Chen and Ji Fuyao learn this secret art too!

Lu Xuan suddenly remembered Ye Chen and asked the Sect Master, "Oh, right, Sect Master, has Ye Chen entered that Inheritance Secret Realm yet?"

The Sect Master shook his head. "Not yet. The Bronze Ancient Palace briefly lingered there, leaving behind a wisp of Dao and Essence that has permeated the ancient inheritance small world. Elder Mu and the others are currently working together to extract that wisp. It will take a few more days before the secret realm can be opened. But I have good news."

Lu Xuan asked, "What good news?"

The Sect Master smiled. "That ancient inheritance belongs to a Martial Dao Great Emperor, and it is highly compatible with Ye Chen."

Lu Xuan nodded. "Very good."

A moment later, Lu Xuan put away the communication jade slip and murmured, "No wonder Ye Chen has been cultivating so diligently lately."

Soon after, Ji Fuyao brought the dishes out and placed them on the stone table. "Master, dinner is ready."

Lu Xuan slowly stood up and smiled. "Wonderful." He relayed the Sect Master's message to Ji Fuyao.

Ji Fuyao's star-like eyes shimmered. She hadn't expected the Grand Dao Sect to secretly protect her former subordinates. The Cangxuan Old Ancestor's vigorous protection during this crisis, and his decision to reveal her connection to the Fuyao Dynasty (while still concealing the reincarnation secret), filled her heart with goodwill toward the sect.

Lu Xuan murmured, "I wonder if that Blood Fury Great Emperor will actually dare to cause trouble at the Grand Dao Sect?"

Ji Fuyao let out a soft giggle. Why does Master look like he's watching the fun from the sidelines and hoping for more drama?

Lu Xuan said casually, "I won't be making a move anyway. The Sect Master said the Cangxuan Old Ancestor is going to show off a bit, and I'm looking forward to it."

Ji Fuyao tilted her snow-white neck, looking at Lu Xuan with her head cocked.

Lu Xuan's face twitched slightly. Ji Fuyao looks... so adorably silly like that!