“I’ve already found a way to inform my father, the Emperor. From here on, it’s their matter,” Lin Yunhen said with a smile.

“If we stay, we’ll only alert the enemy and make things harder. Better we focus on studying at the Dao Court.”

Xu Zimo gave him a surprised look. Lin Yunhen saw things more clearly than Xia Wanqing did.

One should act only within the scope of one’s abilities.

“Let’s go,” Xu Zimo nodded.

The three left the inn, walked out of Green Serpent City, when suddenly a thunderous dragon roar split the air.

The massive figure of the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon was already waiting for them.

…………

Thousand-Ox Dao Court lay to the west of the Mortal Ascension Heaven.

In the ancient Eight Desolations Era of the Nine Heavens, it was not particularly famous.

But no one could have imagined that from such a small force would emerge an existence like the Hidden Ox Emperor.

Since then, the Dao Court was established, its might shaking all directions.

Westward, beyond the borders of the Mountain Dragon God-Dynasty, three billion miles of land lay under Thousand-Ox Dao Court’s control.

And spreading outward, hundreds of millions of miles of territory, all obeyed their command.

Yet, long ago, Thousand-Ox Dao Court was not so powerful.

It once stood alongside Martial Heaven Dao Court and the Nine Nights Holy Lands as equals.

But as everyone knows, both of those declined.

Their lands naturally fell under Thousand-Ox Dao Court’s rule, making it stronger than ever.

“With Brother Xu’s strength, once at the Dao Court, you’ll surely have a chance to make your mark,” Lin Yunhen praised.

The duel with Ancient Order had already convinced him that it was worth forging ties with Xu Zimo.

“I’m not going there to study,” Xu Zimo waved a hand. “I only want one thing from Hidden Ox Emperor.”

Hearing this, Lin Yunhen froze.

A trace of awkwardness crossed his smile.

He admitted Xu Zimo was powerful, but to speak of involving a Grand Emperor, that was boasting too far.

The Mortal Ascension Heaven was divided into two great regions: the Four Heavens of the north and the Azure Frontier of the south.

Including the various hidden Grand Emperors unknown to the world, the total number of Grand Emperors of Mortal Ascension Heaven did not exceed one thousand.

And the reason was clear.

Mortal Ascension Heaven could not compare to the others.

The Heavenly Court resided in the Calamity Immortal Heaven, while the Ten God Bloodlines were founded in the Absolute God Heaven.

In addition, the Primal God Race dwelled in the Grand Desolate Heaven, a world not belonging to humans, ruled entirely by gods.

As for Mirage Tides Heaven, it was the final destination of death.

It is said that when living beings in this world die, their souls drift of their own accord into the Mirage Tides Heaven.

There lies the boundary of life and death, leading directly to the Grand Dao.

There, one may reincarnate.

But these were only legends, for only the dead could enter the Mirage Tides Heaven.

Aside from these five, there were four more: the Godfiend Abyss Heaven, the Inferno Crucible Heaven, the Ghost God Heaven, and the Azure Mystic Heaven.

Together, these formed the Outer Heavens, vast beyond measure.

Each heaven had its own defining traits.

Only the Mortal Ascension Heaven was a patchwork of all things, a great hodgepodge.

…………

In the Mortal Ascension Heaven, Grand Emperors were revered above all.

Even the emergence of a Saint Sovereign would be hailed as the pride of the Mortal Ascension Heaven.

But Xu Zimo had no reputation. No one had heard of his deeds. Naturally, Lin Yunhen thought he was joking.

“Have you ever been to the Dao Court?” Xia Wanqing asked Lin Yunhen curiously.

“When I was very young, I followed my father there once, but I barely remember,” Lin Yunhen smiled.

“You’re the crown prince, yet even for you it’s difficult to visit?” Xia Wanqing asked, surprised.

“Even a dynasty is nothing,” Lin Yunhen explained.

“Under Thousand-Ox Dao Court’s dominion alone, there are seventy thousand God-Dynasties. Ordinary Dao Courts wouldn’t be so powerful and influential, but you know, here in the west, because Martial Heaven and Nine Nights declined, Thousand-Ox Dao Court became the sole overlord.”

“But being the only overlord isn’t necessarily a good thing,” Xu Zimo interjected. “Prosperity must always be followed by decline. That’s the unchanging cycle of all things since ancient times.”

“I don’t see decline. On the contrary, Thousand-Ox Dao Court has only grown stronger in recent years,” Lin Yunhen said.

“In all the years they’ve ruled the west, have they produced a second Grand Emperor?” Xu Zimo countered.

“No,” Lin Yunhen shook his head slightly.

“Then there you have it. Without advancing in the highest realm, all their middle-tier strength is but an illusion,” Xu Zimo said with a soft laugh.

Lin Yunhen did not argue further. There was little point.

…………

After about seven days, the three crossed the border of the Mountain Dragon God-Dynasty and arrived before Thousand-Ox Dao Court.

Dao Courts were different from other sects or forces.

Most sects chose mountains rich in spiritforce for their gates.

That was best for their disciples.

But Dao Courts didn’t need to consider that.

With the presence of a Dao Source, even a barren mountain could be remade into an immortal dwelling.

Thousand-Ox Dao Court’s size exceeded Xu Zimo’s imagination.

The Dao Court spanned roughly one hundred million square miles.

Even its Outer Court alone rivaled the strongest imperial lineages of the Primordial Heartlands.

Not to mention the Inner Court and core areas.

Most disciples within flew through the skies or rode strange beasts, the grounds were simply too vast.

“Thousand-Ox Dao Court is most famous for its Thirty Thousand Immortal Mountains and Thirty Thousand Immortal Caves,” Lin Yunhen explained eagerly. “Not only elders, even core disciples each have their own mountain and cave-dwelling. The stronger they are, the closer their residence lies to the Dao Source.”

“Remember, this is their stronghold. We should avoid unnecessary conflict,” Xia Wanqing said softly to Xu Zimo, worry in her eyes.

She knew his temperament, that he would never back down.

“I have my own plans,” Xu Zimo smiled.

He raised his head.

On both sides of the Dao Court’s path grew immortal trees of countless kinds. Above, God Beasts often spread their wings, while prodigies rode swords through the sky.

The great gates towered into the clouds.

It was all solemn, magnificent, and otherworldly.

“Everyone says the Dao Court surpasses all, greater than anything in the mortal world,” Lin Yunhen laughed heartily.

The three ascended the steps toward the gates.

There were 11,111 steps in total. Xu Zimo was about to take flight but was stopped by Lin Yunhen.

“Brother Xu, please stop!” Lin Yunhen explained.

“Outsiders entering the Dao Court for the first time must walk the Dao Steps. Otherwise, it’s considered an insult. Once we’re admitted, then we may fly.”

Xu Zimo shook his head with a smile. He didn’t wish to trouble the other two.

The Dao Steps held a peculiar force.

Each step brought down pressure, not on the body, but on the soul.

By the time one finished, one felt immeasurably small, while the Dao Court loomed vast and boundless.

“Please inform them, the Crown Prince of the Mountain Dragon God-Dynasty has come to pay his respects and study,” Lin Yunhen said humbly.

At the gates stood two young men in green robes.

Their eyes burned with light, carrying faint arrogance.

Even gatekeepers of the Dao Court were revered by countless people outside.