Chapter 164

In Wan Sheng Sea, outside the tomb of the Xuan Ming Dao Lord, the people of the four great superpowers have already arrived!

Translation: "Myriad Saints Sea, outside the Profound Dark Daoist Monarch's Tomb Grotto, the people of the Four Great Superpowers have already arrived!"

Check: we need to keep punctuation? We'll keep similar but English. We'll not add extra.

On the left, Ouyang Lie, head of the Ouyang clan, stands with his hands behind his back, wearing a purple‑gold python robe that flutters, his expression stern, his eyes like blades; behind him stand several members of the Ouyang clan, two of whom are Dao Lord realm experts!

Translation: "On the left, Ouyang Clan Head Ouyang Lie stood with hands behind his back, his purple-gold python robe rustling, his face stern, his eyes like blades; behind him stood several Ouyang Clan members, two of whom were Daoist Monarch Realm powerhouses!"

We need to keep meaning. Ensure we include all info.

On the right, the army of the Qinglin Sea Empire is arrayed; thousands of sea‑demon warriors clad in green scales wield polearms, their formation strict; at the forefront stands a being with a human body and a flood‑dragon's head, clad in azure‑gold battle armor, towering firmly—this is Qinglin True Lord Ao Zhan.

Translation: "On the right, the Azure Scale Sea Empire's army formed ranks, thousands of sea demon warriors clad in azure scales holding polearms, formation strict; at the front, a being with a human body and a dragon head, wearing azure-gold battle armor, stood towering—this was Azure Scale True Monarch Ao Zhan."

We need to keep "halberd" as polearms (or halberd). We'll use "polearms".

Ao Zhan's eyes blaze like torches, his dragon whiskers flutter, and a substantive azure dragon qi coils around him; the overwhelming pressure of a peak Dao Lord realm erupts unchecked, boiling and swirling the sea water for millions of li around.

Translation: "Ao Zhan's eyes blazed like torches, his dragon whiskers fluttering, azure dragon qi coiling around him; the pressure of a Daoist Monarch Realm peak was unleashed without reserve, boiling and swirling the sea within millions of li."

We need to keep "a radius of millions of li" as "millions of li". We'll keep "millions of li".

Not far away, the Xuan Yuan Empire's Xuan Ming heavy water transforms into a vast deep‑blue domain that likewise stretches for millions of li; at its center sits Xuan Yuan True Lord Cang Wuji, legs crossed in meditation.

Translation: "Not far away, the Profound Abyss Empire's Profound Dark Heavy Water formed a deep-blue domain, likewise covering millions of li; at its center, Profound Abyss True Monarch Cang Wuji sat cross-legged!"

He is stalwart, his skin dark blue, covered with naturally grown mysterious runes; he closes his eyes, seeming to merge with the surrounding heavy water, yet his deep, weighty Dao Lord pressure is no less than Ao Zhan's.

Translation: "He was burly, his skin dark blue, naturally growing mysterious runes; he closed his eyes, seeming to merge with the surrounding heavy water, yet his deep, solemn Daoist Monarch pressure was not inferior to Ao Zhan's."

The three peak Dao Lord realm experts have personally arrived, sealing the tomb entrance so tightly that not even water can leak through.

Translation: "Three Daoist Monarch Realm peak powerhouses personally came, sealing the tomb entrance so tightly not even water could leak."

The atmosphere is so oppressive it feels suffocating!

Translation: "The atmosphere was oppressively suffocating!"

In another area, farthest from the tomb cavern entrance, the Xia family's forces have also arrived.

Translation: "In another area, farthest from the grotto entrance, the Xia Clan's forces also arrived."

Xia Xuan Zhou, head of the Xia family, also came in person, with Bai Lian Yue standing beside him.

Translation: "Xia Clan Head Xia Xuan Zhou also came in person, with Bai Lian Yue standing beside him."

"Lian Yue, what on earth is going on?" Xia Xuan Zhou turned his head curiously toward Bai Lian Yue beside him, "How did Xia Xu come to befriend a Dao Lord realm expert and even enter the tomb cavern together with her?"

Translation: ""Lian Yue, what on earth is happening?" Xia Xuan Zhou turned his head curiously toward Bai Lian Yue beside him, "How did Xia Xu meet a Daoist Monarch Realm powerhouse and enter the tomb grotto together with her?""

Note: "Lian Yue" is part of Bai Lian Yue's name; we keep as "Lian Yue". "Xia Xu" is Xia Xu.

What happened inside the tomb cavern has also been transmitted to Xia Xuan Zhou via a sound‑transmission talisman by Xia Hai.

Translation: "What happened inside the tomb grotto was also transmitted to Xia Xuan Zhou by Xia Hai via a sound transmission token!"

"I don't know either; that person is a white‑clad youth who told me and Xia Xu that he comes from a lower realm." Bai Lian Yue gripped her sword, "I can't see through him, and even the four Dao Lord realm guardians of the tomb cavern can't tell he's a Dao Lord—don't believe me, ask Elder Xia Mu."

Translation: ""I don't know either; that person is a white-clad youth who told him and Xia Xu he came from the Lower Realm." Bai Lian Yue gripped her long sword, "I can't see through him, and the four Daoist Monarch Realm guardians of the tomb grotto can't tell he's a Daoist Monarch Realm cultivator either—don't believe me, ask Elder Xia Mu.""

Elder Xia Mu said: "Earlier I saw two people following Miss Xia Xu into the tomb cavern; I intended to stop her and bring her back, but Elder Bai Lian Yue suddenly appeared and told me not to disturb Miss Xia Xu."

Translation: "Elder Xia Mu said, "Earlier I saw two people following Miss Xia Xu into the tomb grotto; I wanted to stop her and take her back, but Elder Bai Lian Yue suddenly appeared and told me not to disturb Miss Xia Xu!""

"As for those two following Miss Xia Xu, their auras are indeed quite ordinary, nothing like a Dao Lord realm expert."

Translation: ""As for those two following Miss Xia Xu, their aura is indeed ordinary, in no way resembling a Daoist Monarch Realm cultivator.""

This Elder Xia Mu is precisely the person the Xia family sent to guard the tomb cavern.

Translation: "This Elder Xia Mu is the person the Xia Clan sent to guard the tomb grotto."

Upon hearing this, Xia Xuan Zhou fell silent for a long while; his daughter had left home for the first time, befriended a Dao Lord realm expert, yet none of their people could tell—this could be rather dangerous!

Translation: "Xia Xuan Zhou fell silent upon hearing this; his daughter's first trip away from home had led her to befriend a Daoist Monarch Realm powerhouse, yet none of their people could tell—this could be dangerous!"

It would be best if that Dao Lord realm expert bore no ill will toward Xia Xu; if he harbored malicious intentions toward her, that would be troublesome!

Translation: "It would be best if that Daoist Monarch Realm powerhouse bore no ill will toward Xia Xu; if he harbored malicious intent toward her, trouble would ensue!"

"I said we shouldn't let that headstrong girl run wild; outside there are many factors we can't control." Xia Xuan Zhou said, looking at Bai Lian Yue, clearly dissatisfied with her decision.

Translation: ""I said we shouldn't let that little girl run wild; outside there are many factors we can't control." Xia Xuan Zhou looked at Bai Lian Yue as he spoke, clearly dissatisfied with her decision."

"Letting her experience these things early is also good." Bai Lian Yue replied, unconcerned, "Besides, I'm watching over her—if anything happens, I'll rush in immediately."

Translation: ""Letting her experience these things early is also good." Bai Lian Yue showed no concern, "Besides, I'm watching over her—if anything happens, I'll rush in immediately.""

"Xia family head, what do you say?" Just then, Ao Zhan's voice rumbled like muffled thunder, vibrating through the sea and clearly reaching the area where the Xia family was.

Translation: ""Clan Head Xia, what do you say?" At that moment, Ao Zhan's voice rumbled like muffled thunder, transmitting through the sea and clearly reaching the area where the Xia Clan was!"

Xia Xuan Zhou's expression remained calm as he lifted his gaze to the three great forces, his voice calm yet carrying far: "Everyone, that white‑clad youth Li Changsheng is not a member of my Xia family; he is merely a friend my daughter met while traveling abroad."

Translation: "Xia Xuan Zhou's expression remained calm as he looked toward the Three Great Powers, his voice calm yet carrying in all directions: "Everyone, that white-clad youth Li Zhangsheng is not of my Xia Clan; he is merely a friend my daughter met while traveling abroad.""

Xia Xuan Zhou also knew that the white‑clad youth and Xia Xu were very close, which caused the other three powers to misunderstand; he could only explain it this way.

Translation: "Xia Xuan Zhou also knew that the white-clad youth and Xia Xu were close, causing the other three powers to misunderstand; he could only explain it this way."

"Oh?" Ouyang Lie snorted coldly, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, "Xia family head, you've washed your hands clean, but my men personally saw your daughter Xia Xu walking side by side with him—their relationship is anything but shallow."

Translation: ""Oh?" Ouyang Lie snorted coldly, eyes sharp as an eagle, "Xia Clan Head, you've washed your hands cleanly, but my men personally saw your daughter Xia Xu walking side by side with him—their relationship is not shallow.""

"Now that person has obtained the complete inheritance of the Xuan Ming Dao Lord, and you think a single 'not of my Xia family' lets you wash your hands of it?"

Translation: ""Now that person has obtained the Profound Dark Daoist Monarch's complete inheritance, and you think a single 'not of my Xia Clan' lets you stay out of it?""

"Xia Xuan Zhou." Ao Zhan's eyes flashed with a hint of severity, "The rule was set jointly by the four great powers: Dao Lord realm experts may not enter."

Translation: ""Xia Xuan Zhou." Ao Zhan's eyes flashed with a hint of severity, "The rules were jointly set by the Four Great Powers; Daoist Monarch Realm cultivators are not allowed to enter.""

"Now not only has someone violated the rule and entered, they've also taken the core inheritance; if this person truly has no relation to your Xia family, then your Xia family ought to join us in capturing this wretch, retrieving the inheritance, and upholding the rule."

Translation: ""Now not only has someone entered in violation of the rules, they've taken the core inheritance; if this person truly has no relation to your Xia Clan, then your Xia Clan ought to join us in capturing this scoundrel, retrieving the inheritance, and upholding the rules.""

Cang Wuji slowly opened his eyes—pits of pure black with no white, deep as if they could swallow all light; he spoke nothing, merely gazing silently at Xia Xuan Zhou, yet the intangible pressure he exerted was more oppressive than any words.

Translation: "Cang Wuji slowly opened his eyes—pitch-black pupils with no whites, deep as if they could swallow all light; he spoke nothing, merely gazing silently at Xia Xuan Zhou, yet the invisible pressure was more oppressive than any words."

The many experts of the three great powers also turned their gazes in unison onto Xia Xuan Zhou!

Translation: "The many experts of the Three Great Powers also turned their gazes in unison onto Xia Xuan Zhou!"

Xia Xuan Zhou fell silent for a moment!!

Translation: "Xia Xuan Zhou fell silent for a moment!!"

That white‑clad youth is, after all, a friend of Xia Xu!

Translation: "That white-clad youth is, after all, a friend of Xia Xu!"

Inheritance moves the heart, especially the complete inheritance of a peak Dao Lord like the Xuan Ming Dao Lord; even he cannot treat it lightly.

Translation: "Inheritance moves hearts, especially the complete inheritance of a peak Daoist Monarch like the Profound Dark Daoist Monarch—even he could not take it lightly."

However, the three great powers will absolutely not allow an outsider to walk away with the inheritance, nor will they let the Xia family take a share.

Translation: "However, the Three Great Powers would never allow the inheritance to be taken by an outsider, nor let the Xia Clan take a share."

If he were to firmly defend that white‑clad youth, the Xia family would instantly become the target of everyone's wrath, provoking war with the three great powers—too costly a price!

Translation: "If he forcibly defended that white-clad youth, the Xia Clan would instantly become the target of public criticism, go to war with the Three Great Powers, and the cost would be too great!"

Finally, Xia Xuan Zhou spoke slowly: "Rules must naturally be observed; since this person violated the rule by entering and taking the inheritance, how to deal with him is up to the three of you."

Translation: "Finally, Xia Xuan Zhou spoke slowly: "Rules must naturally be observed; since this person entered in violation and took the inheritance, how to deal with him is up to the three of you.""

"As long as it doesn't involve my Xia family's people, I will stay out of it—after all, that person is a friend my daughter made while abroad; I'm doing this, do you have any objections?"

Translation: ""As long as it doesn't involve my Xia Clan people, my Xia Clan will stay out of it; after all, that person is a friend my daughter made while traveling abroad—I'm doing this, any objections?""

He chose neutrality, or rather, to wait and see!!

Translation: "He chose neutrality, or rather, to wait and see!!"

"Since the Xia family isn't intervening..." Ouyang Lie's eyes flashed, "then that person's inheritance has nothing to do with the Xia family; once we capture him, you must not come over to take a share."

Translation: ""Since the Xia Clan isn't intervening…" Ouyang Lie's eyes flashed, "then that person's inheritance has nothing to do with the Xia Clan; once we capture him, you'd better not come over to take a share.""

"Naturally." Xia Xuan Zhou smiled and said.

Translation: ""Naturally." Xia Xuan Zhou smiled and said."

Ao Zhan's dragon whiskers trembled as he let out a cold snort; he was still not fully satisfied with Xia Xuan Zhou's non‑interference, but the immediate priority is the inheritance, and he doesn't want complications.

Translation: "Ao Zhan's dragon whiskers trembled as he let out a cold snort; evidently still not fully satisfied with Xia Xuan Zhou's non-interference, but the immediate priority is the inheritance, and he doesn't want complications."

Cang Wuji closed his eyes again!

Translation: "Cang Wuji closed his eyes again!"

The three forces once again focused all their attention on the sea eye, waiting for the white‑clad youth who had seized the opportunity to emerge.

Translation: "The Three Powers once again focused all their attention above the Sea Eye, waiting, waiting for the white-clad youth who seized the opportunity to emerge!"

Soon!

Translation: "Soon!"

Hum!

Translation: "Hum—"

The sea eye shuddered with a wave of vibration!

Translation: "The Sea Eye trembled with a wave of vibration!"

Here they come!

Translation: "Here they come!"

Everyone's hearts tightened, their aura surging upward!

Translation: "Everyone's hearts jolted, their aura surged!"

Ouyang Lie stepped forward!

Translation: "Ouyang Lie stepped forward!"

Ao Zhan's dragon qi surged around him!

Translation: "Ao Zhan's dragon qi surged around him!"

The heavy water beneath Cang Wuji began to slowly rotate!

Translation: "The heavy water beneath Cang Wuji began to slowly rotate!"

Xia Xuan Zhou also focused his gaze!

Translation: "Xia Xuan Zhou also focused his gaze!"

In a flash of light, several figures shot out from the sea eye.

Translation: "In a flash of light, several figures shot out from the Sea Eye!"

Leading them was a figure in pure white robes, unstained by dust, with a calm, composed face—none other than Li Changsheng!

Translation: "Leading them, a figure in spotless white robes, face calm and serene—it was Li Zhangsheng!"

At his side followed Xia Xu, her pretty face showing a hint of worry, and Huyan Que, Xia Hai, and others with complex expressions.

Translation: "At his side followed Xia Xu with a worried expression, as well as the complex-looking Huyan Que, Xia Hai, and others!"

Li Changsheng shot out from the sea eye, his gaze casually sweeping the surroundings.

Translation: "Li Zhangsheng shot out from the Sea Eye, his gaze casually sweeping the surroundings!"

Even while inside the tomb cavern, he had already sensed the commotion outside!

Translation: "Even while inside the tomb grotto, he had already sensed the outside commotion!"

What a formidable formation!

Translation: "What a grand spectacle."

The three peak Dao Lord experts led the way, each followed by several more Dao Lord cultivators; killing intent soared, their pressures combined, sealing this sea‑area space as tightly as an iron barrel!

Translation: "Three Daoist Monarch Realm peak cultivators led the way, with several more Daoist Monarch Realm cultivators following; killing intent surged, pressures combined, sealing this sea area space like an iron bucket!"

In the distance, the gazes of Xia Xuan Zhou and his companions also fell upon him, wondering what he was thinking.

Translation: "In the distance, the gazes of Xia Xuan Zhou and his entourage also fell on him, wondering what he was thinking."

"Li Zhangsheng, there are so many people outside, it seems they're coming for us." Xia Yu whispered a sentence!

At that moment, a mighty force descended, sweeping Xia Yu, Xia Hai, and the others away!

Shortly after, Xia Yu and Xia Hai and the others arrived in this area of the Xia family; it was Xia Xuan Zhou who reached out and brought them here, lest they be implicated.

"Father, that Li Zhangsheng is my friend; please help him." Xia Yu looked pleadingly at Xia Xuan Zhou, while Li Zhangsheng faced strong enemies on all sides, and she hoped Xia Xuan Zhou would intervene to help Li Zhangsheng.

Bai Lianyue spoke: "Alright, Xiao Yu, stop making a fuss. Our Xia family cannot help him in this matter, and out of respect for you we have refrained from acting against him; otherwise, our Xia family ought to take action against him."

"You..." Xia Yu looked anxiously at Li Zhangsheng, "Li Zhangsheng, you all run quickly!"

Li Zhangsheng smiled at her, indicating it was no problem!

His gaze fell upon the three leading Dao Jun peak experts!

"Kid!"

Ao Zhan's voice thundered like lightning as he struck first, his dragon might overwhelming the heavens and earth pressing toward Li Zhangsheng: "Do you know your crime?!"

Li Zhangsheng calmly replied: "What crime?"

"Hmph!" Ou Yang Lie sneered, "You trespassed the tomb jointly controlled by the four great powers, broke the rules, slaughtered my Ou Yang family, dozens of elite descendants of the Qing Lin Empire and the Xuan Yuan Empire, and even seized the tomb's cave dwelling core inheritance—each offense is a capital crime!"

Cang Wu Ji did not open his eyes, yet his indifferent voice rang out directly in the seawater, carrying the heavy pressure of deep water: "Surrender the inheritance, seal your own cultivation, await judgment, and you may leave with a whole corpse."

His words were overbearing, leaving no room for doubt!

The qi of the three Dao Jun peak experts had completely locked onto Li Zhangsheng; the surrounding spacetime solidified, the seawater ceased to flow, as if turned into a huge blue amber, while Li Zhangsheng and Huyan Que were the two insects trapped at its center!

In the Xia family region, Xia Yu's face turned pale as she clenched her fists tightly!

Xia Xuan Zhou looked on with an expressionless face!

The three Dao Jun experts joined forces to apply pressure; such might would likely make even an early-stage Dao Jun cultivator struggle to stand!

Yet, Li Zhangsheng, at the eye of the storm, did not even flutter a corner of his robe!

He even gave a light chuckle: "The inheritance is right here on me."

"Those unafraid of death, come and take it..."

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Everyone froze, almost thinking they had misheard.

Faced with the three superpowers, three Dao Jun peak experts, he... what did he say?

"Those unafraid of death, come and take it?"

Crazy?!

Arrogant to the extreme!!

"Hah... hahaha!" Ou Yang Lie laughed wildly in extreme anger, his laughter filled with icy killing intent: "Good, good, one who fears no death! I have cultivated for tens of thousands of years, yet this is the first time I have seen such an ignorant fool!"

"Since you insist on seeking death," Ao Zhan's eyes flashed with killing intent, showing no patience left, "I will grant your wish—move, seize him, search his soul and refine his spirit; I can still obtain the inheritance!"

As the final word fell, the three powers moved simultaneously!

No probing, no holding back—once they struck, it was a thunderous force of myriad jun, a deadly situation!

Ao Zhan's body burst with azure light, forming an incredibly ferocious azure dragon that bared fangs and claws, tearing through the seabed void, carrying the destructive battle intent of the dragon clan, and lunged straight at Li Zhangsheng!

Wherever the azure light passed, seawater evaporated and space split with black fissures!

Ou Yang Lie extended his palm, a boundless giant hand descending to crush Li Zhangsheng from above!

Cang Wu Ji opened his eyes; his pure black pupils held no emotion. He pressed his hands forward, and the vast ten-thousand-li Xuan Ming heavy water domain around him suddenly contracted and condensed into nine deep-blue Xuan Ming water dragons, which came from all directions to strangle Li Zhangsheng!

How terrifying is the power of the full-force strike from the three Dao Jun peak experts?

This sea region trembled!

The seabed mountain range collapsed, the earth cracked, seawater was pushed aside forming a huge vacuum zone; above, the sea surface rose into towering waves of tens of thousands of feet, the sky filled with dark clouds, lightning flashed and thunder roared, as if doomsday had descended!

This is the might of a Dao Jun peak expert—every gesture seems to herald an impending calamity!

Xia Xuan Zhou raised a brilliant light curtain to shield his own people; even he could hardly withstand such an assault head-on!

Xia Yu could not help but cry out in alarm, her face turning deathly pale!

Yet, facing this heaven‑shattering, earth‑rending joint onslaught, Li Zhangsheng merely lifted his right foot slightly and stepped down!

Thud!

This heaven and earth suddenly solidified!!

Ao Zhan, Ou Yang Lie, and Cang Wu Ji froze mid‑void!

"What?!"

"How is this possible?!"

"This... this is..."

The three of them wore expressions of utter shock and disbelief, for at this moment they could not move, being firmly suppressed by a tremendous force!

In the distance, within the Xia family region, Xia Xuan Zhou's face showed shock: "Dao... Dao Huang realm?!"

Only the Dao Huang realm possesses such terrifying pressure, capable of immobilizing even Dao Jun peak experts!

"What, a Dao Huang realm expert?!" Xia Yu, Xia Jie, and the others jumped in fright!!

They stared at Li Zhangsheng in utter shock—he was actually a Dao Huang realm cultivator!

"Good heavens, he... he actually is a Dao Huang realm expert?!" Xia Yu's mouth fell open; she never imagined that the person she had casually met would turn out to be a Dao Huang realm powerhouse!

In this frozen spacetime, only Li Zhangsheng could move; he raised his right hand toward the void ahead, about to grasp down...

"No!"

"No!"

"Senior, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!"

Ao Zhan, Ou Yang Lie, and Cang Wu Ji's faces showed terror; they were all frightened to tears!

Dao Huang realm!

It is actually a Dao Emperor realm expert!

Heavens!!

They actually dared to attack a Dao Emperor realm expert?!

"I just said, those who aren't afraid of death can go ahead and attack me; it seems you all aren't afraid of death!" Li Zhangsheng gave a mocking laugh, then clenched his fist!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Ao Zhan, Ouyang Lie, Cang Wují, together with all those who followed them, turned into blood mist in an instant, vanishing into ashes and smoke!!

The three major forces were instantly cleared out, leaving only the Xia clan members watching from not far away!

Hum!

Stasis lifted!

Time began to flow again, the sea restored its undulations, and the undercurrents continued to surge!!

Hiss!

Not far away, everyone of the Xia clan drew a deep breath of cold air!

"It's actually a Dao Emperor realm expert!" Bai Lianyue looked utterly shocked: "Those three major forces seem to have played themselves to death; this Wan Sheng Sea seems to have only our Xia clan left."

But why would a Dao Emperor realm expert enter a Dao Lord realm tomb to take a Dao Lord realm inheritance?

Bai Lianyue felt doubtful!

Xia Xuan Zhou casually waved his hand, bringing Xia Yu and a few others before Li Zhangsheng.

He stepped forward, respectfully clasped his hands before Li Zhangsheng: "I am Xia Xuan Zhou, clan head of the Xia clan of Wan Sheng Sea; I pay my respects, senior!"

"Wow, Li Zhangsheng, you're actually a Dao Emperor realm?!" Xia Yu blinked his eyes, curiously sizing up Li Zhangsheng.

"Little Yu, don't be rude!" Xia Xuan Zhou turned his head to glance at Xia Yu, saying, "This is a Dao Emperor realm expert; we must not be disrespectful..."