Chapter 673

"Is this also the information your inside contact gave you? Is the Tree Ancestor of the Divine Clan truly within the Dao Ruins?" Xian Wushang found it hard to believe.

The Tree Ancestor has been dead for who knows how long—how could he still be alive in the Dao Ruins?

"There's no mistake—he's one of my direct disciples, and he would never lie about something like this," Shu Ziche's tone was absolute.

"Can you contact him? Or get him to return?" Xian Wushang's voice grew urgent.

If the Divine Clan's Tree Ancestor is still alive, this is no small matter.

Shu Ziche shook his head:

"My disciple says he's currently hiding at the edge of the human defense array in the Great Star Wastelands—this defense array blocks not only Divine Clan and beastfolk, but also human cultivators from passing through."

"He's merely hiding at its edge, where the Divine Clan cultivators can't touch him."

"That's why I came here today—I want to see that defense array. Other routes are too dangerous; I plan to enter the Great Star Divine Range through your Liyin Shengude Sect."

Xian Wushang suddenly stood up: "What's there to hesitate about? Let's go together."

Shu Ziche and Xian Wushang soon arrived at the location of Great Star Peak.

"Wushang, if I remember correctly, your sect's Great Star Peak is an outer disciple outpost of the Defense Array Branch—why is the outer defense array here a Level-Four Divine Array?"

Seeing the Level-Four Divine Array outside Great Star Peak, Shu Ziche was startled.

Logically, outer disciples recruited merely to guard the sect's defenses—even if they had array masters among them—wouldn't be capable of setting up a Level-Four defense array.

Not to mention a Level-Four; even a Level-Three Divine Array would be remarkable.

Think about it—a Level-Four Divine Array master could go anywhere and be begged to join, even granted direct entry into the inner sect.

So why would someone like that come here to be an outer disciple guarding a defense array? Did he eat too much?

Xian Wushang also saw the Level-Four Divine Array—his divine sense couldn't even penetrate it.

A Level-Four Divine Array—even he, as Lord of the Shenwang Sect, could barely construct one.

Xian Wushang frowned slightly, sent out his divine sense, then his expression changed—he vanished in a flash and landed directly at the edge of the array.

After observing for just a dozen breaths, Xian Wushang sneered:

"Good. Since you joined Liyin Shengude Sect and became an outer disciple of the Defense Array Branch, enjoying the sect's resources, how dare you abandon your post? How bold."

The sole duty of outer disciples of the Defense Array Branch is to guard the sect's defense array.

Because beastfolk and Divine Clan cultivators could attack Liyin Shengude Sect from behind the defense array at any moment.

Thus, Liyin Shengude Sect has always stationed guards along the side facing the Great Star Wastelands.

The guards are outer disciples recruited by the sect—they receive the sect's protection and resources, and in return, they must serve here.

Xian Wushang saw no guard here—his fury was obvious.

"I'd like to see what they've been cultivating inside Great Star Peak."

Shu Ziche stopped Xian Wushang from acting: "Wushang, look—has this defense array been attacked at all? If it had, the damage marks would be obvious."

Xian Wushang calmed down—he saw now that Liyin Shengude's defense array had not been attacked recently.

Not only had it not been attacked, but even the traces of past attacks were gone.

This section of the defense array was even better maintained than other areas.

Seeing Xian Wushang stunned, Shu Ziche spoke again:

"Wushang, could it be that these defense array disciples knew that the Holy Ancestor Huan had set up a barrier against the Divine Clan, so they dared to close themselves off for cultivation?"

Xian Wushang fell silent—it was very possible.

Otherwise, how would Liyin Shengude's outer disciples dare to cultivate so brazenly?

But if the Divine Clan's attacks on the sect's defense array are truly blocked, Great Star Peak will become a highly coveted location.

Such a prime spot is meant for inner disciples and true disciples to compete for—it cannot be occupied by outer disciples.

"Wushang, let's first go see the barrier that blocks the Divine Clan, then head to Great Star Peak and question these outer disciples?"

"Agreed."

Xian Wushang agreed with Shu Ziche.

Liyin Shengude Sect's main defense array is a Level-Seven Divine Array—Xian Wushang couldn't construct it himself, but he possessed the main array flag.

This defense array is under his control.

Xian Wushang pulled out the main array flag and easily activated the array's foundation—a passage appeared before them.

Ding Huan, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes—he saw the two entering the Great Star Wastelands with the main array flag and ignored them.

These were clearly the sect lord or a Supreme Elder of Liyin Shengude Sect—no one else could possess the main array flag.

Shu Ziche and Xian Wushang entered the Great Star Divine Range and immediately sensed its silence.

Not a single beastfolk.

Before this, even without conflict with the Divine Clan, attacks were daily and beast surges occurred every three, five, or nine days.

Now they saw not a single beast—this proved the killing defense array was real.

After half a day, they stopped.

They saw a long, continuous defense array—its Dao resonance flowed, and its killing aura could be felt from afar.

Their divine senses were instantly blocked upon contact.

If they forced penetration, they'd be instantly shredded. "There truly is a defense array—and it completely cuts off the Divine Clan's path into the human realm…"

The Divine Clan had two ways to enter the human realm.

One was through the defense array between the two races, located at the Great Battlefield.

That array was a Level-Nine Divine Array—an ancient one.

It was divided into two parts: one controlled by the Divine Clan, one by the humans.

But after so many years of repairs and patches, it was no longer Level-Nine—now barely a Level-Eight Divine Array.

Either side, if determined, could shatter this defense array.

Another place is the Great Star Wasteland Range.

The Great Star Wasteland Range actually lies within the Void, but is connected to the Divine Clan.

Within the Void, the Great Star Wasteland Range consists of an endless forest mixed with wasteland, containing trees of all kinds and various heavenly and earthly treasures.

This work has been organized and uploaded ~~

It is therefore also called the Void Forest.

Although most of the Great Star Wasteland Range is connected to the Divine Clan, a small section is connected to the Human Clan.

The place where Xian Wushang and Shu Ziche are located is the section connected to the Human Clan, but it has already been sealed off by a protective array.

"This is a Level Seven Divine Array. The one who set it up is extremely skilled. Could it be that our Human Clan truly has a Union-Spirit Ancestor?"

After carefully examining the protective array, Xian Wushang's tone grew grave.

Shu Ziche said nothing, but sent out a message.

Not long after, Shu Ziche's communication bead lit up.

"Is it your disciple?" Xian Wushang asked.

Shu Ziche nodded: "He has nowhere else to go. If he leaves this protective array, he is dead. Wushang, this array reminds me of someone."

"Who?"

"That Ding Huan, wanted by all the Geda Sects."

"You mean the Ding Huan who can walk through the Cycle Swamp?"

"Yes, him. I even suspect this protective array is connected to him."

Xian Wushang stared at Shu Ziche, mouth slightly open, wondering if Shu Ziche had lost his mind.

"Ziche, are you out of your mind? This is a Level Seven Divine Array, with a killing Dao principle specifically designed to slaughter Divine Clan cultivators.

Do you know what that means? It means even if you and I were Level Seven or Eight Divine Array Emperors, we could not set up this array."

Shu Ziche waved his hand: "Don't rush. Let me finish. Have you heard about the tree roots killing people in the Dao Ruins?"

Xian Wushang nodded: "I know. After that Stone Courtyard was discovered, everyone who entered vanished inside.

Later, dozens managed to escape, supposedly using a Level Nine Array-Breaking Talisman. It was said the interior was a dark space, chaotic like primordial chaos.

After that, tree roots began attacking people there."

Shu Ziche nodded: "Right. After the tree roots began killing, someone set up a blocking array. Do you know about that? I even went in to inspect it myself.

That blocking array was a Level Three Divine Array. I sensed traces in it that can be found in this Level Seven Divine Array. I heard that the Level Three Array was set up by Ding Huan…"

"You mean these two arrays were set up by the same person?"

"Probably not the same person, but I suspect some connection. If this protective array was set up by the Union-Spirit Ancestor Huan, and Ding Huan also has the character 'Huan' in his name, could he be related to that Ancestor?"

Xian Wushang grew more confused as he listened. He looked at Shu Ziche: "Ziche, just say what you mean directly. Don't beat around the bush."

Shu Ziche said seriously: "Since the great war between the Human Clan and the Divine Clan ended, the Dao Ruins Guild is investigating the two people who robbed their guild building in Dao Ruins Street.

I just received word they've uncovered many clues—and even…"

Shu Ziche did not continue.

Xian Wushang frowned: "Ziche, what kind of relationship do we have? Just say it outright."

Shu Ziche took a deep breath:

"They've determined the two people who robbed the Dao Ruins Guild in Dao Ruins Street are very likely now in your Liyin Divine Valley, and one of them is undoubtedly Ding Huan.

I estimate that soon, the Dao Ruins Guild will come to your Liyin Divine Valley demanding you hand them over."

"You mean Ding Huan is in my Liyin Divine Valley?"

Shu Ziche nodded: "Yes. I believe even I received this message—it's unlikely to be false. If Ding Huan truly is in Liyin Divine Valley, he must be on Great Star Peak.

Combined with the connection between these two protective arrays, Wushang, I want to ask you for a favor…"

Before Shu Ziche could finish, Xian Wushang interrupted: "Ziche, how could that be? First of all, whether the person hiding in my Liyin Divine Valley is Ding Huan—"

Xian Wushang fell silent himself.

Whether the person hidden in his Liyin Divine Valley was Ding Huan was easy to verify. Since the Dao Ruins Guild said so, this might well be true.

The Dao Ruins Guild's capabilities in this regard cannot be ignored.

(I suffer from cold-type chronic bronchitis. This cough lasts half a year. It's truly terrifying—when severe, I can't even straighten my back. I suspect it's a lingering illness from exploring cold-region secret realms in my youth.

I can't hold on anymore. I left Suzhou overnight and am now staying in a warmer place for a few days to see if it helps.)

(End of Chapter)