Chapter 96

Thus line: Qingshi Jun, winds and clouds shifting, the situation like the calm before a storm, oppressive to the point of breathlessness. In the void, from time to time a powerful figure flashes by, as if foreshadowing an earth-shattering battle about to erupt.

Inside a grand traveling palace hall, several strong illusions slowly coalesced into form. The aura emanating from each was profound as an endless abyss; merely that intangible pressure was enough to instantly scatter the soul of a Di Xuan expert.

Leftmost seat is the Grand Elder of the Ten Thousand Sea Gate, Lan Xiao. Though he is only a first-level Venerable, his master is still alive and was once one of the main forces that besieged the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor back then, so he also carries considerable influence among these experts. Lan Xiao's expression solemn, he slowly said: "Fellow Daoists, according to the latest news, the master of Dongfang Yuan, namely the Grand Elder of the Profound Yang Sect, personally led the team and also carried a Heaven-rank killing formation. This formation's power is immense, capable of erupting with the strength of a Venerable-level; it must be a hidden ace left behind by the Profound Yang Sect back then. Already three lineages, a total of ten masters, have successively attempted three ambushes against it, all ending in failure. Various signs indicate that Dongfang Yuan is very likely the disciple who survived the Great Sun Nirvana Tribulation. If he continues to grow, he will inevitably become the next Yang Tian Venerable! If we do not keep him within the ancient ruins, later you all may find it hard to rest easy!" Lan Xiao spoke, his eyes like a hawk's, scanning all around.

Everyone knows that the Profound Yang Sect's deployed force this time is not to be underestimated. With a Heaven-rank killing formation in hand, ordinary early-stage Venerable cultivators of one or two cannot break through it. Moreover, the Profound Yang Guard is fully mobilized; those post-Heavenly Yuan masters are each decisive in killing, their strength formidable. If relying solely on one faction to suppress Dongfang Yuan, it is clearly a pipe dream; once he grows, he will surely become a grave threat. Furthermore, since Dongfang Yuan has already survived the Great Sun Nirvana Tribulation, his strength must be extraordinary; among the younger generation, hardly anyone can rival him. If we let him gain opportunity in the ancient ruins, his future rise would be unimaginable.

At this moment, an old man in plain white robes slowly spoke: "The divine son of our Floating Light Sect will personally act this time and has already broken through to the fifth level of the Spirit Transformation realm. We have also dispatched twenty true-transmission disciples, all of whom have entered the Spirit Transformation realm."

"My disciple will also personally rush over, and the fifteen true-transmission disciples of Spirit Transformation realm in our pavilion can also lend aid at any time." A middle-aged man in green robes said with a smile. He is the master of the Qingcheng Pavilion. Everyone knows that if we clash head-on with the Profound Yang Sect's Heaven-rank killing formation, our side of five could easily lose one. In this almost certain-to-win situation, no one wishes to casually throw away their lives; being dragged into this dangerous fight is truly not worthwhile. Moreover, settling Dongfang Yuan in the ancient ruins is an excellent opportunity. Even if his strength surpasses the ordinary, facing a siege of over a hundred Spirit Transformation cultivators, even if a Di Xuan expert personally arrives, they can only die with regret, with no chance of survival.

This foray into the ancient ruins has caused a tremendous commotion; all factions, unwilling to do others' work for them, have therefore summoned nearly all the genius disciples from their sects. If they could obtain a Dao-rank inheritance or treasure therein, their sect's strength would surely increase greatly. However, although they have temporarily formed an alliance, each harbors ulterior motives.

Lan Xiao saw the situation, his face gradually turning grim. He lowered his voice and said: "Fellow Daoists, do you really think that a monster who survived the forbidden lightning tribulation can be easily surrounded and killed just by relying on the younger generation? I, the Master of the Ten Thousand Sea Gate, will arrive at Thus line: Qingshi Jun tomorrow. We must not place all our hopes on the younger generation alone. I have a plan: since Dongfang Yuan could survive the forbidden lightning tribulation, he must bear great fortune. After he enters the ancient ruins, if the younger generation can suppress and kill him, that would be best; but if he rises against the odds and obtains opportunity within the ancient ruins, then trouble will ensue. Therefore, I propose that each lineage send two Venerables to lay a net of heaven and earth in Thus line: Qingshi Jun, burying the entire Profound Yang Sect there." Having said that, Lan Xiao's mouth corners slightly rose, revealing a faint cold smile: "My master previously calculated that the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor's lifespan is nearing its end, with less than a hundred years remaining. Do you think, at this critical juncture, he would not secretly protect the Way? We ten great Venerables gathered here will strike him down in one fell swoop, then divide the Profound Yang Sect's territory and resources—what do you all think?" Lan Xiao's eyes gleamed with greedy ambition; he knew that if the plan succeeded, obtaining the opportunity would cause the Profound Yang Sect to collapse, and the pattern of Canglan Yu would inevitably be reshuffled. Moreover, the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor's lifespan is short—how much strength could he muster to resist?

After hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Lan Xiao's plan clearly aims to eradicate both the older and younger generations of the Profound Yang Sect. They understand that when the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor falls, he will certainly choose one of the five great lineages to act, so as to relieve pressure on his sect and disciples. A powerful Venerable who fears neither life nor death is enough to make everyone tremble; no one knows how many Venerables he could take down with him in his final moments. But if they scheme while others are unaware, setting up a killing game here and seizing the advantages of timing, location, and harmony, even if Lin Wu Ren arrived, he would be hard-pressed to escape. After all, Lin Wu Ren broke through to the Venerable realm, his conduct is flamboyant, his strength overwhelming, and he has even previously overcome a Venerable. Now his strength has greatly increased; in a few hundred years, he might truly become the next Yang Tian Venerable. By then, the Profound Yang Sect, aided by his strength, could rise against the odds and sweep away these opposing forces—it is not impossible. Moreover, among the next generation there is Dongfang Yuan, who survived the Great Sun Nirvana Tribulation; given his talent, it is highly likely he will also pass through the Venerable realm.

After a long period of contemplation, the second elder of the Floating Light Sect flashed a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes: "Good! If so, our Floating Light Sect is willing to participate. Back then we struck the Yang Tian Venerable most ruthlessly, killing his two junior disciples. Now that he has momentum for a resurgence, we will utterly nip this bud in the bud! Our sect's Grand Elder will personally take the field and will also bring a Heaven-rank killing formation, fully mobilizing to encircle and slaughter the Profound Yang Sect. If the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor does not come, all the better; if he dares to come, we will eliminate him together! Moreover, I have another proposal: we will use vast resources to pile up a peak Spirit Transformation cultivator, and through the Heaven-and-Earth Baptism method, directly slay Dongfang Yuan in the ancient ruins. A bearer of great fortune must not be allowed to live and obtain opportunity; should any mishap occur, the consequences would be unimaginable. We must settle him the moment he enters the ancient ruins, to avoid prolonged trouble!" Everyone is not foolish; they have also heard tales of those bearing great fortune escaping dire straits and even destroying enemy sects. Even though Dongfang Yuan is currently only at the Spirit Transformation realm, to be safe we must give our all. Although using vast resources to forge a peak Spirit Transformation cultivator and undergoing Heaven-and-Earth Baptism entails enormous cost, enough to forge a Heavenly Yuan expert, at this moment killing Dongfang Yuan is the urgent priority, and everything else can be set aside.

"I, the Qingcheng Pavilion, agree! Back when we attacked the Profound Yang Sect, our nine Venerables encountered an ambush, and coupled with the strong strength of the Profound Yang Venerable, we ultimately suffered defeat. This time, if the Yang Tian Elder Ancestor leaves the Profound Yang Sect, he will lose the home-field advantage. Our ten great Venerables will encircle and slaughter, plus the carefully prepared killing formation with hidden ambush—even if Lin Wu Ren arrived, he would surely die. Moreover, in the ancient ruins, we have prepared five peak Spirit Transformation cultivators; even if they are merely piled up by resources, that is enough!"

"Good! Then it's settled, each prepare!" Lan Xiao laughed heartily, his eyes brimming with killing intent.