C1715 They Were Ready to Fight

Profound Sky Sect.

Cao Jiaze sat with perfect posture within a palace suspended in the sky, pulling a Heaven Palace Seal from within his robes. Within the square seal, rivulets of spiritual energy condensed, revealing the image of the Profound Dao Flag.

From the flag, the soul shadow of Han Miaoyuan emerged, his face warm with a benevolent smile. "Little Zai, what's the matter? You seem quite eager to reach out. Is there an issue at the sect that you can't resolve? Remember, in my absence, you have full authority over all sect affairs!"

"Little Zai, I have complete faith in your abilities. I'm getting on in years, and the mantle of sect master for the Profound Sky Sect will inevitably fall to you."

Despite the distance, Han Miaoyuan's gaze conveyed immense satisfaction as he looked upon Cao Jiaze. It was as if bringing Cao Jiaze to the Profound Sky Sect was the crowning achievement of his lifetime.

"Sect Master, where are you?" inquired Cao Jiaze with a hint of wonder.

"I'm on the moon, beyond the Vast Ocean," Han Miaoyuan responded, his voice still carrying a trace of mirth.

"Yu Yuan seems to have returned to the Vast Ocean."

As Cao Jiaze spoke, his eyes never left the Heaven Palace Seal, watching for any flicker of emotion on Han Miaoyuan's face. Unfortunately, he detected no significant reaction.

"I've noticed movements from the Thunder Sect and Wai Zhuo, as well as the Spirit Void Sect. The Sword Sect, Taiyuan Sect, Cold Yin Sect, and the Water Moon Sect also appear to be consolidating their power," Cao Jiaze said, his brow furrowed with concern. "What are they planning?"

Han Miaoyuan offered a serene smile. "Concentrate on your study of the Dao Arts and pay no mind to the shifting tides of the external world."

Cao Jiaze was no fool. The moment those words were spoken, he understood that the old sect master, somewhere beyond the heavens, must be aware of the delicate shifts occurring within the Vast Ocean. After all, the newly ascended Supreme Lord of the Thunder Sect held the old sect master in high esteem. Even Wai Zhuo's ascension to his Supreme God Seat had been achieved with Han Miaoyuan's permission and assistance. Thus, if Wai Zhuo intended to undertake a significant endeavor in the Vast Ocean, he would surely have consulted with the old sect master first, securing his tacit endorsement.

"Do you know Yu Yuan has returned?" Cao Jiaze exclaimed.

"It's merely a Yin God. He's just manifested in the forbidden area, and both Wei Zhuo and the origin of the Yin Meridian have sensed it. They've even reached out to me." Han Miaoyuan said with an unchanged expression and a smile, "Right now, I'm outside of our world, trying to figure out what's happening in the Gray Domain, but I haven't pieced it together yet. Yu Yuan's return as a mere Yin God is inconsequential to us."

After a brief pause, Han Miaoyuan spoke with gravity, "Little Ze, it's time for me to start taking care of things for you!"

"Taking care of things for me?" Cao Jiaze was taken aback.

"Yu Yuan has moved too quickly; he's already reached the Unrestrained Stage ahead of you, and you've always been more cautious with your breakthroughs. Since he's a direct disciple of that individual and has mastered the Ghosting Arts, his ascension to the Supreme God Seat is in direct conflict with yours."

Han Miaoyuan's face bore an expression of inevitability, "He belongs to the Divine Soul Sect, a successor of that person. A confrontation with us is inevitable. Now that the threat from the Origin Realm Gate is eliminated and the Great Demon God Beilstein has ventured into the abyss, it's time to settle our longstanding disputes."

"Consider this: Desolate God, Lvliu, and Yu Zhu have all been summoned to the Fallen Realm by the Demon Palace. With Desolate God absent, we can obliterate the Secular Bird's nest in the Great Swamp. Alternatively, we could exile it beyond our realm. And the passage to the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area? We'll take control of that ourselves."

"This is an opportunity that comes once in a millennium."

"Don't fret. The upcoming actions of Wei Zhuo and the Spirit Void Sect are merely the appetizer. The main course won't take place in the Vast Expanse; we'll save that for the outer realm."

"With the Yin Meridian at our disposal, and allies like Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, Wei Zhuo, and the Great Sword Immortals of the Sword Sect, it's time to settle the score."

Han Miaoyuan spoke with ease.

Cao Jiaze's frame shook slightly, and after a long moment, he murmured, "So soon?"

He was aware that the day would come, yet he hadn't anticipated its swift arrival. The danger posed by the Origin Realm Gate had only just been neutralized when the old sect master began making preparations, sharpening the proverbial blades for what was to come.

"Who allowed Beilstein to depart?"

Within the Profound Dao Flag, Han Miaoyuan appeared to be applauding, "The old demon didn't just leave; he also took the Origin Realm God with him, easing our concerns about internal strife. Our alliance with the Divine Soul Sect was born out of necessity, due to external threats so severe they could have shattered the Vast Expanse."

"Now that the two greatest threats have descended into the abyss, we must seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance to eradicate the remnants of the Divine Soul Sect. If not now, then when?"

"Alright, the path to divinity, opened with the Origin Soul, can only be walked by you, Little Ze!"

"Yu Yuan is your ally and part of the Divine Soul Sect, so I will show no mercy. And remember, do not let compassion cloud your judgment!" Han Miaoyuan's voice hardened towards the end.

"I understand," Cao Jiaze responded with a heavy sigh.

...

Red Devil Island.

"Girl, put aside your thoughts on the Dao Integration path of the Unrestrained Stage for now. The Sect Master has commanded you to venture into battle in the outer world. You mustn't linger in the Vast Expanse," the bald Faang Yao urgently informed Yuan Lianyao. "The Sect Master also insists you leave the Vast Expanse immediately and meet him on the moon beyond."

"Why such urgency?" Yuan Lianyao was confused.

"I'm not sure myself," Faang Yao replied, his face etched with concern. "Something might have happened that I'm not yet aware of. The Sect Master, having possibly received advance notice, is concerned for your safety and wants you to leave without delay."

"The Sect Master's actions are all for your benefit. Don't bother with further preparations; just head to the outer heaven to meet him as quickly as possible."

"Heed the Sect Master's words!" Yuan Qiufang advised.

Yuan Lianyao looked up at the fierce sun, imagining the spirited Sect Master watching over her from beyond. Resolutely, she declared, "I will set off for the outer heaven at once."

Babel Chamber of Commerce.

In the dimly lit secret chamber, the atmosphere was tense. Shi Jing'er, with her gentle demeanor, was accompanied by Jun Chen, Feng Zhong, and the recently returned Zhou You.

"Lord Yuv Qian, it seems we may need to take action soon."

Standing next to a massive, multifaceted crystal ball, Shi Jing'er gazed at the various scenes reflected within its surfaces. "The Thunder Sect, Spirit Void Sect, Cold Yin Sect, Taiyuan Sect, and Sword Sect—too many practitioners have altered their movements, quietly converging on the factions allied with the Divine Soul Sect."

"Particularly here," she said, her delicate finger touching one of the facets, which subtly outlined the Desolate Swamp. "With the Desolate God gone, this Great Swamp no longer has its protector. The Secular Bird Queen's nest inside is far from safe now. Should a supreme being venture there, the nest could well be destroyed."

With a whoosh, Yu Yuan emerged from Yuv Qian's embrace, his Yin God form casting a somber gaze upon the Great Swamp that Shi Jing'er had indicated.

"Yu Yuan!" exclaimed Jun Chen, Feng Zhong, and Zhou You in chorus.

Zhou You, still weak and recovering, was surprisingly the most agitated upon seeing Yu Yuan's Yin God. "President Shi, Old Feng, Jun Chen, there's no need for such concern. You haven't experienced the Gray Domain; you're unaware of the fierce battles that have taken place there, nor do you know the extent of Yu Yuan's power within it."

Shi Jing'er had been restless ever since deducing the adversaries' motives from the crystal ball's images. If Yuv Qian hadn't arrived, she would have already sent Feng Zhong to summon him, urgently needing to establish communication with the Divine King of the Divine Soul Sect.

"With Han Miaoyuan at the helm, and if Lin Daoke, Tan Xiaotian, Wei Zhuo, Qin Luo, and other high-ranking Primordial Spirits join forces, I fear we'll be utterly defeated due to our lack of preparedness," Shi Jing'er mused, her thoughts drifting to President Lyi.

Her business acumen was notable, yet when it came to sect conflicts, she often deferred to President Lyi's guidance.

Regrettably, her mentor, President Lyi, succumbed to the Geocentric Fire due to her relentless quest, turning into an unpredictable element in the conflict.

"Yu Yuan, what are your thoughts?" Feng Zhong inquired.

"Get ready for battle."

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