Ye Fan stood suspended in mid-air.
Looking down at the pale-faced Xu Mingwei, he felt no joy in victory.
Instead, a wave of absurd shame welled up within him.
He forcefully suppressed his complicated emotions and let out an arrogant laugh. "What bullshit 'Arrow Demon'? You are nothing much!
I will spare your life today, so heal your wounds well! Haha!"
Before his laughter even faded, he transformed into an ink-black streak of light, shooting toward the horizon as if fleeing for his life, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
At the Immortal Martial Alliance Headquarters, countless people were engaged in widespread discussion.
"The undefeated Grand Elder lost?"
"Who exactly is this Scar-Faced Wanderer?"
A storm questioning the identity of the Scar-Faced Wanderer swept across the entire Land of Imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the person in question, Ye Fan, restored his original appearance hundreds of kilometers away and quietly returned to Dongxi.
However, the moment he set foot into his courtyard, he saw Xu Deyue standing before the steps, her beautiful face filled with anger.
"You still know how to come back?" Xu Deyue glared at him with her beautiful eyes. "Had enough of showing off out there? You even dared to injure Uncle Mingwei?"
As it turned out, the result of the battle at the Immortal Martial General Alliance had rapidly spread back.
The core figures of the Xu family all knew that the Arrow Demon, Xu Mingwei, had been injured by a mysterious Scar-Faced Wanderer.
Although they did not know the Scar-Faced Wanderer was Ye Fan, how could Xu Deyue not know?
Ye Fan's scalp went numb. He groaned inwardly but could only force an apologetic smile. "Calm down, madam."
Xu Deyue scolded, "It was just an act, but you did not hold back at all!
When the news arrived, who knows how many clansmen were filled with righteous indignation. If they knew it was your doing, they would probably drown you in spit!"
Xu Mingwei's status in the Xu family was undoubtedly second only to Xu Chuan!
Ye Fan found it hard to speak in his defense and could only repeatedly beg for mercy.
In his heart, he cried out in endless misery: 'Honored Master, oh Honored Master, you have truly doomed your disciple!'
Under the Withered Glory Tree.
Xu Chuan, who was focused on deducing a Divine Sense Secret Method, suddenly sneezed without any warning.
He furrowed his brows slightly.
"Strange, is someone cursing me?"
He muttered to himself, then chuckled and shook his head. "It must be that brat, Ye Fan."
After a brief thought, he decided it did not matter.
After all, Ye Fan had fought four Golden Core cultivators in a row on this trip, which was truly exhausting.
It was truly wonderful to have a capable disciple!
The corners of Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly as he continued cultivating his Divine Sense Secret Method.
Only the ancient tree rustled, as if chuckling softly.
After being scolded by Xu Deyue, Ye Fan arrived at the Jade Cold Pool.
"Honored Master," Ye Fan said, bowing with his hands clasped and a bitter expression on his face.
"Why the long face?" Xu Chuan asked with a light laugh. "Alright, tell me about the progress of your trip."
Ye Fan detailed everything that had happened at the Great Wei Imperial Palace, Great Jin's Demon-Controlling City, and the Great Liang Imperial Palace.
"Honored Master, from what your disciple can see, Great Wei either lacks a powerful trump card or is the most deeply hidden among the three.
Great Jin is hard to say; after all, your disciple is not very familiar with the heritage of the Demonic Dao.
However, for Great Liang, it should be that Fortune Secret Technique and the method for refining Fortune Secret Treasures.
Your disciple feels that if we can obtain them, it would be highly beneficial to our Xu family.
After all, compared to Great Liang, our Xu family's providence is far more prosperous!"
Hearing this, Xu Chuan nodded slightly. "It is hard to say without having seen that secret technique. It could be an Imperial Dynasty's Fortune Secret Technique, or it might be something else entirely.
However, using providence to nourish magic treasures is extremely rare.
Perhaps it could help our Xu family cultivate a true clan-suppressing magic treasure!"
Pausing for a moment, he looked at Ye Fan and added, "You have worked hard this time. If there is anything you desire, as your master, I will grant it."
Ye Fan lowered his head in deep thought for a moment before looking up. "Your disciple hopes that when the Great Tribulation arrives, Honored Master will allow me to protect the Zhou family.
Before joining the Xu family, your disciple only ever experienced familial love within the Zhou family.
If possible, your disciple does not want Grandmaster to perish in this Great Tribulation.
He refused to move to Dongxi because he cannot let go of the Zhou family.
This is something your disciple cannot change.
Just as your disciple would absolutely never leave if the Xu family faced such a massive disaster."
Xu Chuan pondered for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "It is rare for you to have such filial piety, so I will agree to it. The Zhou family is only a bit over five hundred kilometers from Dongxi.
If a massive battle breaks out, you will naturally be able to sense it."
"Thank you, Honored Master!" Ye Fan's face lit up with overwhelming joy, and he hastily bowed with clasped hands.
Afterward, he continued to ask, "Then regarding the defenses left behind at Dongxi, what arrangements has Honored Master made?"
"With Mingxian's grand array in place, we can deploy illusions and isolate divine sense probing. Furthermore, this place is remote, so it is debatable whether anyone could even find it. If any malicious guests do come knocking, we will certainly make sure they never return."
'It seems this is the reason why Honored Master agreed to my request,'
Ye Fan thought to himself secretly.
'If the Xu family itself was in danger, Honored Master definitely would not scatter our forces.'
"By the way, Honored Master, your disciple ran into Brother Wen in Great Jin this time."
"Dewen?" Xu Chuan's brow sharply arched. "How is he?"
"When I ran into Brother Wen, he was putting on a rogue cultivator's classic act of disguising as a pig to eat a tiger. If we had not recognized the Six Harmonies Absolute Sealing Formation, we probably would not have been able to acknowledge each other."
Ye Fan smiled and said, "From what your disciple can see, Brother Wen should be reaching Core Formation soon as well.
He must have comprehended seven or eight tenths, or perhaps even more, of the true intent required to grasp the basics of a Divine Ability."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly as he listened.
As expected of someone who possessed two top-tier Demonic Dao fate talents.
In just five short years, he had gone from knowing absolutely nothing about divine abilities to the point of nearly grasping their basics.
"However, when your disciple asked if he needed any auxiliary items for Core Formation, he refused. He mentioned that his situation is unique...
Honored Master, what is going on with that?"
"Do not inquire further into this matter. Dewen has his own path to walk."
"Understood, Honored Master." Ye Fan replied. "If there is nothing else, your disciple will return to the Grand Manor to cultivate."
Xu Chuan nodded.
In merely three or four days.
Great Wei, Great Liang, and Great Jin all learned the news that the Scar-Faced Wanderer had challenged the other Golden Core cultivators.
The news of Xu Mingwei being injured also reached the ears of the Golden Core cultivators of those factions.
Yet, they were not surprised in the slightest.
After all, they had all truly crossed blows with him.
With his Dual Cultivation of Dharma and Body, he could be called a prodigy of his generation.
Although Xu Mingwei was strong, compared to such a prodigy, he was still a notch weaker.
Great Wei Imperial Palace.
Underground Palace.
"Ancestor," Cao Dezhang said, bowing with clasped hands before the palace doors.
"Has there been any news of that Scar-Faced Wanderer lately?"
"To answer Ancestor, ever since his battle with Xu Mingwei, his whereabouts have been unknown." Cao Dezhang paused before adding, "Ancestor, do you think that Scar-Faced Wanderer could be Xu Chuan in disguise?
After all, he seems highly skilled in such methods."
"Do you think that is possible? He majors in wood-element cultivation, a fact known to all, whereas that Scar-Faced Wanderer practices some top-tier Fire-Element Cultivation Method.
Body-tempering cultivation methods are incredibly rare. Even in the outside world, not many forces possess them.
And to nurture someone capable of dual cultivating both dharma and body to the Golden Core level... only a top-tier Nascent Soul sect could possibly achieve such a feat."
"Ancestor, do you mean to say that person comes from a top-tier Nascent Soul sect from the outside?"
"The Scar-Faced Wanderer's strength and potential absolutely qualify him to be an heir to such a force. Of course, whether he actually is one is hard to say. This is all just my speculation.
Continue to keep an eye out for him. The moment you get any news, inform me immediately."
"Understood, Ancestor. Does the appearance of outsiders mean that the Great Tribulation is approaching?"
"Perhaps in a few months, perhaps in a year or two."
Cao Jiyi's indifferent voice drifted out. "Regardless, have the array masters conduct a comprehensive inspection of the grand array. That is a crucial barrier determining whether the Imperial City can survive this tribulation."
"Understood."
"Should we inform the Lei family?"
"Naturally. Residing within the Imperial City, they must certainly contribute their strength. Have them make preparations early, so they will not be caught in a panic when the time comes and fail to even gather enough people to fight."
"Yes."
Cao Dezhang promptly took his leave.
After his departure, Cao Jiyi muttered to himself within the great hall, "Scar-Faced Wanderer... Do not let me encounter you during the Great Tribulation. Otherwise, I will definitely let you taste the might of the Purple Firmament Heavenly Fiend Lamp!
I will have my revenge for the humiliation of being slapped!"
The Great Jin Sima Clan and the Great Liang Imperial Palace were also paying extremely close attention to news of the Scar-Faced Wanderer.
Their speculations were remarkably similar to Cao Jiyi's.
Although some also suspected a connection to the Xu family...
A genuine major battle, coupled with Xu Mingwei's injuries, thoroughly dispelled their doubts.
Furthermore, the Xu family had no one walking the path of Dual Cultivation of Dharma and Body.
After all, the major forces were well aware of which elemental cultivation methods Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and the others practiced, as well as what they excelled in.
As for the junior generation of the Xu family forming their golden cores earlier than the second generation, they naturally refused to believe it.
The commotion gradually died down.
In the blink of an eye, nearly a month passed.
On this day, outside Dongxi, a streak of light suddenly descended.
The arrival was an elderly man dressed in a green scholar's robe.
The man had a refined, scholarly face and grayish-white hair.
Beside him followed an extraordinarily magnificent black panther. Its body was sleek and agile, its fur as glossy and black as the deepest night, and faint wisps of mist naturally generated beneath its paws wherever it stepped.
They were none other than Zhao Qingyan of the Zhao family from Great Liang, along with their third-tier protective spiritual beast—the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard.
Zhao Qingyan looked up, only to see a faintly discernible azure light screen hanging in the air ahead, covering an area of ten to fifteen kilometers like a giant overturned bowl.
"The Xu family... is truly becoming more and more unfathomable," Zhao Qingyan muttered with a sigh.
The Black Cloud Spirit Leopard twitched its nose, its amber beastly eyes flashing with a sharp glint.
It spoke in a deep human voice, carrying a hint of solemnity, "This array is different from the one I saw during my last visit. It feels... somewhat similar to the grand array of your Great Liang Imperial Palace."
"A third-tier grand array?"
Zhao Qingyan's pupils constricted slightly as shock crossed his face. "It seems the rumors of Xu Mingxian spending years in secluded cultivation to deeply study the Array Dao are true. He really has made a major breakthrough.
With this array protecting them, the Xu family's foundation will become increasingly unshakable."
"Who goes there?!"
Right at this moment.
A squad of armored patrol guards approached, clad in the signature cyan-black spiritual armor of the Xu family.
The captain leading them grasped a long halberd, his gaze sharply locked onto the man and the leopard.
Zhao Qingyan and the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard politely descended from the clouds.
Taking a few steps forward, Zhao Qingyan calmly cupped his hands and spoke in a clear voice. "I am Zhao Qingyan of the Great Liang Zhao family, here specifically to visit Ancestor Xu. I trouble you to pass on the message."
"So it is our ally from the Zhao family. Please wait a moment, I will immediately send a message to the Family Head."
The captain offered a faint smile and immediately transmitted a message.
Upon receiving it, Xu Chonghui forwarded the message to Xu Chuan.
Xu Chuan slowly opened his eyes as the faint, imperceptible streams of light at his fingertips dissipated.
Just a moment ago, with a slight shift in thought, he had performed a brief divination.
"Zhao Qingyan... came at quite the right time."
A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "That girl, Mingshu, is slated to break through her bottleneck today. The Zhao family excels in Beast Taming and rearing. Taking them under our wing will only bring benefits and no harm to my Xu family."
He sent a voice transmission to Xu Chonghui.
Xu Chonghui personally arrived to escort Zhao Qingyan and the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard into Dongxi.
By the time he led them into the Main Hall of the Xu family residence, Xu Chuan was already seated in the position of honor.
Clad in simple cyan robes, the aura surrounding him clearly belonged to the Peak Foundation Establishment Stage.
Zhao Qingyan did not dare to be negligent and offered a solemn bow. "Fellow Daoist Xu, please forgive me for this presumptuous visit."
"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist Zhao. Please, have a seat."
Xu Chuan raised a hand in invitation, his gaze calmly sweeping over the Black Cloud Spirit Leopard.
The spirit leopard also gave a slight nod, emitting a low, friendly purr from its throat.
Spirit Tea was served, its fragrant aroma curling upward into the air.
After exchanging a few pleasantries.
Zhao Qingyan spoke up, "The last time Fellow Daoist Xu emerged from seclusion, my Zhao family, being far away in Great Liang and suffering from delayed news, was unable to come. I hope Fellow Daoist Xu does not mind?"
Xu Chuan set down his teacup and smiled faintly. "Naturally not."
"The Zhao family is not a vassal of my Xu family, so there is no need for you to come greet this one when leaving seclusion."
Zhao Qingyan stroked his beard with a light chuckle.
A short while later.
Xu Chuan's tone abruptly shifted. "With the period of the Great Tribulation slowly approaching, storms are bound to rise. I wonder, what are the Zhao family's plans?"
"My Zhao family has experienced a Great Tribulation once before, and it is recorded within our clan records. This Great Tribulation will have an extremely wide reach, and powerhouses at the Golden Core level will appear.
My Zhao family can only hope to protect ourselves."
"And how will you protect yourselves?"
Zhao Qingyan hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "To be completely honest with Fellow Daoist Xu, my Zhao family plans to split into two groups for this Great Tribulation.
Our main elites, along with our protective spiritual beast, will stubbornly defend our clan territory, relying on the geographical advantage of our formations to resist the danger.
Another portion of the clansmen, including children with decent aptitudes, will carry our family heritage and go into hiding.
It can be considered an insurance policy, preventing the bloodline of my Zhao family from being completely severed."
Xu Chuan had once harbored similar plans.
But things were completely different now.
The Xu family now possessed sufficient strength and heritage to survive this Great Tribulation.
However, regarding the construction location for the teleportation array...
Xu Chuan seemed to have some hesitations, which was why he had not yet had Xu Mingxian begin working on it.
"If that is the extent of your plans, whether you can survive this Great Tribulation will still depend entirely on luck."
"Oh?" Zhao Qingyan frowned deeply, asking in confusion, "Why does Fellow Daoist Xu say that? Even among the major forces, my Zhao family's heritage is second only to your Xu family, the Cao Clan, the Sima Family, and the Liu Family.
If my Zhao family can only survive relying on luck, wouldn't all the other major and minor forces be faced with nothing but despair?"
Xu Chuan's gaze deepened as he looked at him. "Fellow Daoist Zhao mentioned earlier that your Zhao family experienced a Great Tribulation before. It seems your Zhao family has not truly been established for over a thousand years!"
"That is indeed the case. What is the issue with that?"
Xu Chuan let out a faint chuckle. "Naturally. From what this one knows, while the Five-Hundred-Year Tribulation and the Thousand-Year Tribulation might seem similar, they are actually entirely different."
"How are they different?" Zhao Qingyan furrowed his brows tightly.
"The Five-Hundred-Year Tribulation is a human-caused demonic tribulation. However, the Thousand-Year Tribulation will not only feature a Demon Tribulation, but it will also be accompanied by an unprecedented beast tide!
This beast tide will not just engulf the Demon Tribulation; it will completely devour the territories of Great Wei, Great Jin, Great Liang, and my Immortal Martial Alliance.
When the time comes, there will be widespread suffering, with corpses littering the ground.
If you wish to survive, you can only rely on luck!"
"Fellow Daoist Xu, how do you know—"
Zhao Qingyan cut himself off abruptly mid-sentence.
Given the current heritage of the Xu family today, if they wished to unearth such deeply hidden secrets, they naturally had their methods.
Seeing his grave expression, Xu Chuan asked again, "By the way, if this one's guess is not wrong, your Zhao family only officially rose to power within the last five hundred years, correct?
The same goes for your Spirit Tamer Title.
You obtained the inheritance of some deceased cultivator?"
"Even this, Fellow Daoist Xu knows?"
"This one merely guessed. But it seems to be the truth."
Zhao Qingyan fell completely silent.
It was a tacit admission.
"Regarding the specifics of the Great Tribulation, the Cao Clan, Liu Family, and Sima Family should have a much clearer understanding. If Fellow Daoist Zhao still harbors doubts, you might as well seek an opportunity to verify this with the Emperor of Great Liang after returning."
Xu Chuan slowly continued, "If the Zhao family has no confidence in safely surviving this Thousand-Year Tribulation, this one can offer the Zhao family a way out."