Chapter 338: Imperial Ancestor

He Pingsheng obtained the body technique spell!

And it was the original.

So he directly tossed the body technique spell into the Treasure Basin for enhancement.

The next morning, the body technique had been enhanced into two.

Two jade slips.

One silver, one red.

He first took out the silver jade slip and glanced at it.

Name: Three Thousand Thundering Steps.

Rank: Heaven Grade.

Effect: After cultivation, it can instantly activate fivefold speed.

This is similar to He Pingsheng's supreme magic treasure, the Golden Pattern Treading Cloud Boots.

Of course, this speed should stack with the Golden Pattern Treading Cloud Boots.

The Three Thousand Thundering Steps can unleash fivefold speed instantly, but only for a moment—it cannot be sustained.

This can be used to evade an opponent's attacks.

When used during offense, it produces unexpected effects.

He put away the Three Thousand Thundering Steps and took out the red jade slip for a glance.

Name: Earth-Shortening Technique.

Rank: Heaven Grade!

Effect: After cultivation, it increases one's own speed by threefold.

"This is good!" He Pingsheng muttered to himself: "Once cultivated, it can still be used in the Golden Core realm!"

Of course, after the Golden Core realm, the Earth-Shortening Technique becomes useless.

Because once past Golden Core, one enters Nascent Soul, and travel then relies primarily on instantaneous teleportation—no need for Earth-Shortening Technique.

Of the two, the Three Thousand Thundering Steps, which grants instant speed bursts, is more useful.

This technique shows extraordinary effects in battle and can be used continuously, whether in Golden Core or later in Nascent Soul.

…

Outside the secret realm

On the vast square, crowds surged.

It was the final day of the secret realm's opening; ninety-nine percent of those inside had already emerged.

In the most prominent spot on the square stood a massive golden immortal ship.

On the ship was a large building for temporary passenger rest, its interior packed with countless small rooms like a beehive.

Opposite this building, at the very front of the deck, stood a small palace.

The palace was tiny—only twenty zhang wide and thirty zhang tall.

Inside the palace lay layers upon layers of intricate arrays, enclosing a spacious chamber.

On the main seat sat an ancient elder with white hair and beard.

The elder's gaze was benevolent, his body showing no trace of spiritual power—but none here dared underestimate him.

Even the Fotu Elder bowed his head, standing respectfully on the ground.

"Any more?" asked the Gouwei Elder, his voice calm.

"Ancestor!" said the Ninth Imperial Prince below: "Also, I am the true first to obtain the 【Black-White Lotus Root】. Ancestor, rest assured—once Xu Kunlun emerges, he will return it to me!"

"If Ancestor doubts me, I am willing to submit to soul-searching!"

Plop—the Ninth Imperial Prince knelt before the elder.

At this, the Thirteenth Imperial Prince panicked.

Just moments ago, he had been arguing with the Ninth Prince: the Ninth claimed the Black-White Lotus Root was his, but the Thirteenth insisted the Ninth had stolen it from him.

Neither had the Black-White Lotus Root now—only waiting for He Pingsheng to emerge.

But this Ninth Prince was willing to undergo soul-searching?

If soul-searching occurred, would the truth not be revealed?

"Are you mad?" said the Thirteenth Imperial Prince. "Ninth… after soul-searching, you'll become a fool!"

"Not necessarily!" said the Ninth Prince. "I willingly submit to Ancestor's soul-searching—if Ancestor controls it well, I'll remain unharmed!"

"Enough, enough…" the Thirteenth Prince waved his hand. "Brothers quarreling within the walls—how tragic. Fine, if the Black-White Lotus Root is yours, I won't fight you for it!"

This made him appear magnanimous.

"This is trivial," said the elder. "Ninth, if you truly obtained the Black-White Lotus Root, I shall reward you—and the Emperor will grant you generous rewards!"

"Go now. After the secret realm closes, bring Xu Kunlun to me."

"Yes!" The Ninth Prince bowed and departed.

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince followed him out.

Inside the hall remained only the elder seated above, and four other Nascent Soul experts, including the Fotu Elder.

"What do you think?" the Ancestor asked the four.

The Fotu Elder said: "Ancestor, the others don't matter—ice marrow or fire essence are irrelevant. But the Phoenix Egg must not leave with him!"

"Mm," the Ancestor nodded. "Naturally. If the Phoenix Egg is taken out, it will disrupt the Imperial family's fortune and unbalance heaven and earth."

"Yet this is still not the most important."

"According to the Imperial family's recent investigations, Xu Kunlun is almost certainly He Pingsheng, who fled from Qi State!"

"This man is suspected to be a Great Destiny-Bearer!"

Hearing this, the four Nascent Soul experts were stunned.

The Ancestor continued: "Qiao Huizhu, who crossed the Eight-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, is his Dao partner. Thus, I believe Qiao Huizhu's success in crossing the tribulation was likely due to her association with his destiny."

Otherwise, how could this youth have nearly monopolized all heavenly treasures within the Five Dragon Gully Secret Realm?"

The Fotu Elder drew a deep breath, stunned: "It's almost certainly so… Ancestor, if he is a Great Destiny-Bearer, what should we do?"

"First, we must confirm he is a Great Destiny-Bearer," said the Gouwei Ancestor. "Fotu, go with him. When he emerges, bring this youth to me."

"I will test how much destiny he carries."

…

Several days later!

Hummmmm…

A white flash passed.

He Pingsheng suddenly appeared on the square.

At this moment, he made no effort to alter his appearance.

There was no need—he would have to reveal the 【Black-White Lotus Root】 to exchange for the Imperial family's 【Blood Jade Purple-Skinned Jujube】.

Thus, the moment He Pingsheng appeared, he was spotted.

The Ninth Imperial Prince arrived at his side immediately.

"Xu Daofriend?" The Ninth Prince beamed: "Ha ha… Excellent… That… uh… cough cough…"

He Pingsheng pulled out the Black-White Lotus Root. "Here… Don't forget to give me the 【Blood Jade Purple-Skinned Jujube】 later."

The Ninth Prince laughed heartily. "Good, good, excellent!"

At that moment, the Fotu Elder also landed beside He Pingsheng.

"Hehehe…" The Fotu Elder smiled warmly at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng's heart jolted. "Greetings, Elder!"

"Mm," said the Fotu Elder. "You're Xu Kunlun, right? Come with me…"

"I have something to discuss with you."

Without waiting for He Pingsheng's reply, the Fotu Elder turned and left.

He Pingsheng followed reluctantly, and at the same time swallowed a Double-Spirit Pill.

In his hand, he gripped a talisman.

A fourth-grade talisman: Teleportation Talisman.

Should anything happen, he was ready to crush it and flee.