CHAPTER 444: GAZING DOWN UPON GREAT QING, SAPLING OF XUANTIAN

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The years passed by quietly.

It had been fifteen years since the Righteous Dao Alliance's great victory in the war.

Jin Yun Valley, Evergreen Peak Dao Ground.

In a secluded chamber, Lan Chang'an, seated cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. His pitch-black pupils shone with divine light akin to the stars, emitting waves that outlined mysterious Dao patterns.

“The Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art has finally reached the seventh layer!”

Lan Chang'an felt his spiritual sense undergo a minor transformation, now fully reaching the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

And this was in his normal state, without the empowerment of his fourth life.

At present, Lan Chang'an was 450 years old. He was at the early Nascent Soul stage, having only broken through seventy years prior.

The Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art was a top-tier secret art for cultivating spiritual sense and refining puppets. Back then, Lan Chang'an had devoured a Thousand Mechanisms Sect elder and forcibly obtained the technique, ignoring soul restrictions.

Advancing to the seventh layer not only significantly enhanced his spiritual sense but also greatly improved his use of soul-based secret arts and his abilities in puppet crafting and control.

“In my regular state, my spiritual sense is already comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul giant. If my fourth life descends... just how powerful will I become?”

Lan Chang'an was both curious and expectant.

After half a month of stabilization, he decided to test it, now that he had a rough sense of his limit.

If his spiritual sense became too powerful, his Nascent Soul essence might not withstand it. That would be dangerous during actual combat.

Besides, with his soul now stronger, illuminating the fourth life would be faster.

Lan Chang'an calculated the day’s fortune. Seeing no issues, he closed his eyes and connected with the Nine Seal Stele.

Boom!

As the shadow of his fourth past life descended, Lan Chang'an’s Nascent Soul shook violently. His soul power surged to unprecedented heights.

In that instant, his divine consciousness experienced an immense expansion, followed by a subtle, piercing discomfort.

Whoosh, the light in the chamber distorted. Chairs, scrolls, and jade slips began floating under invisible forces.

The surrounding spiritual energy converged naturally, as if encircling an ancient sage.

“So... so strong!”

Lan Chang'an was shocked to his core, barely managing to steady himself.

At that moment, his divine soul and consciousness were inflated to an unprecedented degree. A domineering belief surged from within, a sense of looking down upon the world.

The soul pressure emanating from him exceeded that of the leaders of the demonic path!

If the Beast King’s Grand Elder were to face Lan Chang'an in this state, even he might be shaken.

“Could this be... the perception of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator?”

Lan Chang'an felt that his spiritual sense might be brushing against the threshold of a true Nascent Soul Great Cultivator.

Perhaps not yet equal to an actual Great Cultivator, but among those below the late Nascent Soul stage, he stood alone at the pinnacle, a true ceiling of power.

Even this heightened sense alone gave him the feeling of dominating the Great Qing, of holding all beings in his grasp.

It showed just how powerful a complete Nascent Soul Great Cultivator truly was. No wonder they could decide the fate of entire provinces.

Buzz—

The restrictive formations inside the chamber trembled violently under the pressure of his near-Great Cultivator spiritual sense, their lights flickering in resistance. They could not contain his spiritual might.

Not good!

Lan Chang'an's expression changed as he hurriedly retracted his overpowering spiritual pressure.

Though the formations weren’t broken, a faint trace of residual aura leaked out.

...

Dozens of li away.

Also within the fourth-rank spiritual vein of Jin Yun Valley, Zhang Tianfeng was meditating in his own cave abode.

“What was that...?”

Zhang Tianfeng’s soul suddenly quivered, a wave of dread rising within him.

But the aura was too faint, and at a distance, it vanished in a flash.

Zhang Tianfeng’s heart pounded as if in shock, but then it felt like nothing more than an illusion. The moment of dread disappeared just as quickly.

Yet, the incomplete spiritual treasure on his body also trembled ever so slightly just now.

“Senior... that feeling just now...”

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Tianfeng instinctively looked toward Evergreen Peak.

“Such a powerful spiritual sense... in someone only at the early Nascent Soul stage. Could he truly be... Yan-”

The artifact spirit murmured, clearly shocked and wary.

It seemed to realize something.

Zhang Tianfeng fell silent and, together with the artifact spirit, remained wordless for a long time.

...

Evergreen Peak Dao Ground, Cave Chamber.

“The entire Jin Yun Valley is laid bare before me...”

Lan Chang'an cautiously controlled his unprecedentedly powerful spiritual sense, careful not to alarm other cultivators in the valley.

He saw Zhang Tieshan silently meditating like a block of wood.

In the past, though his spiritual sense was strong, certain forbidden areas in Jin Yun Valley would trigger restrictions if he attempted to probe them.

Now, with his spiritual sense brushing the threshold of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, he was on a higher plane of perception.

If he willed it, there was almost nothing in the valley that could be kept from him.

“If I had this level of spiritual sense back during the Evergreen Battle, even with Cyanwood True Monarch’s soul-based treasure, he wouldn’t have escaped death.”

Lan Chang'an sighed in a low voice, a trace of regret in his tone.

Unfortunately, Cyanwood True Monarch hadn’t given him the chance and struck first.

Cyanwood True Monarch wasn’t foolish. He had perfected his early Nascent Soul stage and, with the Azure Profound Sword Formation, a fourth-rank peng bird, and a Yi-Wood Clone, he launched a swift attack against the recently advanced Lan Chang'an.

Had he delayed until Lan Chang'an reached peak early Nascent Soul with his treasures and secret arts matured, Cyanwood’s chances of victory would’ve dropped sharply.

Cyanwood True Monarch’s spiritual sense rivaled that of mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Lan Chang'an chose to advance the Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art to its seventh layer to maximize his odds before pursuing him.

“The Azure Profound Sword Formation has also reached mastery. My other secret techniques and divine powers have all improved...”

Lan Chang'an was preparing to pursue Cyanwood, possibly across several regions of the Great Qing. With this level of preparation, his safety was much more assured.

On his journey, he would inevitably pass through regions affected by the demonic war, and would need to stay vigilant against schemes from the major demonic sects.

Over the years, Cyanwood True Monarch had likely reconstructed his physical body. There was even the possibility he had colluded with the demonic path.

After all, Lan Chang'an’s presence had drastically altered the demonic sects’ invasion plans in the Eastern Region, his "threat level" now far exceeded what Cyanwood had once posed.

Before heading out, Lan Chang'an had a few matters to handle.

He got up and entered the underground palace of Evergreen Peak.

Deep within it lay a heavily protected secret garden.

The Xuanmu Vine Gourd, rooted in the earth’s energy, grew secretly here, tended to year-round by the Profound Water Turtle.

Splash—

The great turtle swam over from the lake and hidden rivers of Evergreen Peak to Lan Chang'an’s feet.

Compared to its state when they first returned to the Great Qing, the Profound Water Turtle’s power was now even more refined, reaching the pinnacle of third-rank spiritual beasts in water affinity.

The giant turtle stretched out its head and affectionately rubbed against Lan Chang'an.

Earlier, the aura Lan Chang'an released during his spiritual sense breakthrough, though fleeting was distinctly sensed by the turtle due to their contract link.

“No need to rush. I’ve prepared sufficient spirit herbs and pills to help you charge toward the fourth-rank Turtle King realm.”

Lan Chang'an smiled, reaching out to pat its head.

The Profound Water Turtle had acquired more of the Xuantian relic aura back then, absorbing innate turbid qi and developing a mutated heaven-grade bloodline.

In terms of potential, fortune, and longevity, the tortoise far surpassed the likes of Lord Earthrock.

Its advancement required different main ingredients than those used by human cultivators.

Currently, Lan Chang'an still lacked enough spirit resources for its advancement.

Due to taboos around the Human-Faced Flood Dragon, he couldn’t act rashly against fourth-rank beast kings deep in the Black Fog Mountain Range to harvest essence cores to refine the advancement pill.

Meanwhile, the Beast King Valley remained withdrawn and defensive over the years.

Lan Chang'an planned to hunt for spirit resources while pursuing Cyanwood True Monarch, possibly bartering for rare materials in the more prosperous Central Region.

He glanced once more at the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

The gourd bud growing along the vine had grown considerably thicker compared to its initial sprouting phase. Its forms had begun to faintly take on the outline of a young sapling.

'It’s almost reaching the second stage, the Sapling Phase.

A pleased smile appeared on Lan Chang'an’s face as he raised his palm and poured his Evergreen mana into the Xuanmu Vine, nourishing it for half an hour.

Based on Lan Chang'an’s understanding of the gourd spirit’s growth cycle, it consisted of four main phases:

Sprouting, Sapling, Budding, and Fruiting.

Once it reached the Fruition phase, the Xuantian Treasure should begin to gestate, awaiting the day of its birth.

After advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, Lan Chang'an’s Evergreen spiritual energy had drastically increased the vine’s absorption and nurturing efficiency.

In the past decade or so, Lan Chang'an had researched ancient texts and refined large quantities of cultivation elixirs, having the Xuan Water Turtle assist daily with watering and nourishing the vine.

Many spiritual herbs and rare materials he couldn’t use from past spoils were all refined into nourishing fluids and fed to the gourd vine.

As a result, the Xuan Heaven Gourd Vine had grown significantly faster than before.

However, according to Lan Chang'an’s calculations, this method of accelerated growth could only quicken its early stages. Restricted by the laws of heaven and earth, the later stages would inevitably slow down.

If planted in a fifth-rank Spirit Vein and nourished with even higher-grade spiritual fluids, the vine’s development would benefit immensely.

Of course, the most effective method remained using his Evergreen Technique to consume his lifespan and accelerate growth directly.

But since he had yet to seize Cyanwood's Dao Fruit, Lan Chang'an was unwilling to sacrifice large portions of his life span.

...

The next day.

Lan Chang'an officially exited seclusion and met with the new steward of the Evergreen Peak Dao Ground. He verified identification tokens and handled a few minor affairs.

Before long, the Grand Elder of Jin Yun Valley, Zhang Tianfeng, personally came to visit.

“Perfect timing, Fellow Daoist Zhang.”

Lan Chang'an smiled as he stood to welcome him. Before departing, he intended to speak with Zhang Tianfeng.

“Fellow Daoist Lan, you’ve been in seclusion for over a decade, your divine arts must have made great progress.”

Zhang Tianfeng sat down and carefully examined Lan Chang'an.

Surprisingly, he found that his old friend’s mana cultivation had shown no obvious leap.

If there was any change at all, it was that the current Evergreen True Monarch seemed even more composed, with a calm, effortless air.

“Just some minor insights.”

Lan Chang'an offered a slight smile, his calm gaze sweeping across.

Zhang Tianfeng’s heart suddenly tightened, gripped by the eerie sensation that all his secrets had been seen through.

He had a subtle feeling that Lan Chang'an’s cultivation and divine powers might have reached an even higher realm, and that his mindset had undergone a complete transformation.

In his mind, Zhang Tianfeng concluded that Lan Chang'an was likely the true number one figure in the Righteous Dao Alliance.

Back then, Chu Tianfeng had reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage and was hailed as an unparalleled genius of the allied nations, an Eastern Region giant who once dominated an era.

At that time, Lan Chang'an had merely been a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a small, obscure figure.

Who would’ve imagined that this former Turtle Talisman Master, through steady and patient cultivation, would become a late bloomer, ultimately overtaking his peers and rising to be the number one cultivator in the surrounding cultivation world.

In fact, throughout the Eastern Region, Lan Chang'an might be the strongest native-born human cultivator.

The two chatted for a long while, discussing the Righteous Dao Alliance and the greater Eastern Regoin landscape.

After the war with the demonic faction ended in victory, Beast King Valley and the Righteous Dao Alliance both entered a phase of recuperation.

Beast King Valley had suffered heavy losses, needing to rebuild its mountain gate. They also ceded a large portion of Feng Kingodm’s territory, including parts of the former Chen Kingodm.

Now, over seventy percent of Feng Kingodm’s lands had returned to the Righteous Dao Alliance’s control.

Parts of the reclaimed Chen Kingodm were merged into neighboring Feng and Jing Kingodms.

Jing Kingodm’s “Xuan Yin Sect” expanded its influence and cultivation power in the region.

Proud Moon Palace, led by Xia Wenyue, also reclaimed much of its lost territory, emerging as a post-war victor during the redistribution of interests.

Chu Tianfeng honored his promise by rebuilding the former Blood Sword Valley’s mountain gate, which now stood as a prominent Core Formation sect within Feng Kingodm’s borders.

This integrity earned Chu Tianfeng increasing respect and support in the cultivation world.

Although Lan Chang'an’s battle achievements, especially his ability to face off against the demon faction’s leaders, earned him the reverence and even fear of the major sects and True Monarchs within the alliance, he lacked that same level of public prestige.

But Lan Chang'an didn’t care about hollow fame or reputation.

He had seen the grandeur of Great Yuan’s central region and pursued a far higher level of cultivation, his vision had long since transcended the boundaries of Great Qing.

...

“After the Demonic War, the Righteous Dao Alliance has become increasingly difficult to lead…”

Lan Chang'an had come to understand some of the recent developments: after the post-war division of spoils, the unity within the Righteous Dao Alliance was beginning to unravel.

Each major faction focused solely on protecting its own interests. Minor disputes and frictions had broken out over the distribution of resources, a far cry from the cohesion and solidarity shown during the war.

Chu Tianfeng was planning to rest and rebuild for another ten to twenty years before launching a new offensive, seeking to capitalize on the momentum and expand the gains, denying Beast King Valley any chance to recuperate.

At the same time, he intended to organize personnel to support the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, further tilting the balance of power across the Eastern Region.

However, the True Monarchs of the nascent soul sects were unenthusiastic. Most preferred to rest and rebuild for at least a century before engaging in any further conflict.

“Fellow Daoist Lan, are you asking about the Seven Kingdoms Alliance because you intend to go there?”

Zhang Tianfeng looked surprised.

In recent years, the Righteous Dao Alliance’s decisive victory had indirectly affected the battlefield on the Seven Kingdoms' side.

After Beast King Valley’s crushing defeat, not only had they withdrawn their support, but the Nether Spring Sect and Unseen Gate were also forced to divert manpower and energy elsewhere.

As a result, the pressure on the Seven Kingdoms Alliance from demonic forces was greatly reduced and their morale was significantly boosted.

Under Chu Tianfeng’s call, the Righteous Dao Alliance had offered some limited support to the region in terms of manpower and resources.

At the same time, the Ten Sects of the Xuan Gate, which had once secretly backed the Righteous Dao Alliance, had begun diverting more support toward the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

This shift dramatically changed the balance of power in the Eastern Region.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance had stabilized, and had even launched counterattacks to a certain degree.

Over the past decade or so, Lan Chang'an had received covert commissions from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance to refine several high-grade puppets.

After all, he had not entered a true life-and-death secluded cultivation. He maintained some communication with the outside world.

As a fourth-rank Puppet Grandmaster, Lan Chang'an received many commission requests.

He had the Jin Yun Valley help filter and handle these tasks, only accepting those with high rewards.

These included requests from the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, as well as sects like the Endless Palace and Xuan Yin Sect within the Righteous Dao Alliance.

During this period, he refined several fourth-rank puppets, further honing his puppet crafting techniques and accumulating more experience.

With Puppet Master Wei handling much of the tedious work, the burden on Lan Chang'an himself was minimal.

“Ah yes, this is the second quasi-fourth-rank puppet you commissioned.”

Lan Chang'an took out a storage pouch and handed it to Zhang Tieshan.

In the aftermath of the Demonic War, most of Zhang Tieshan’s spoils and resources were traded for rare materials used to repair the damaged spirit treasure.

As a result, he had few materials of fourth-rank and above left, just enough to commission Lan Chang'an to forge a second quasi-fourth-rank puppet for Jin Yun Valley.

...

Before leaving Jin Yun Valley, Lan Chang'an privately met with Zhao Tan’er, without alerting other cultivators.

Zhao Tan’er, now in the late-stage Core Formation realm, was a core elder of Jin Yun Valley and held immense power.

In her elder’s cave residence, Zhao Tan’er was instructing a few disciples in cultivation.

Among them, one female disciple was a member of the Zhao bloodline, but her spiritual roots were only average.

“Uncle Lan!”

Upon hearing Lan Chang'an’s voice transmission, Zhao Tan’er’s stern expression softened, and a faint brilliance lit up her calm eyes.

In the tea room, Zhao Tan’er hosted one of her only two elders still alive.

With Lan Chang'an’s current status, he had little in common to talk about with Core Formation cultivators. Aside from some guidance in cultivation, it was mostly catching up on old times.

The subtle emotions hidden deep in Zhao Tan’er’s eyes and the restraint in her heart did not escape Lan Chang'an’s perception.

“A pity. The prime age for forming a Nascent Soul has long passed. Reaching late-stage Core Formation is already the limit of her talent and foundation,” Lan Chang'an silently concluded.

Zhao Tan’er was well aware of this and refused Lan Chang'an’s offered gift.

“Uncle Lan! Thanks to my Master’s past ties, you’ve already granted me far more than I deserve. Without your protection, I might not have survived the war against the demonic path, let alone gained so much.”

Her expression was solemn and her tone resolute.

Lan Chang'an recalled something Zhang Tieshan had mentioned: that many outstanding Core Formation cultivators from the Righteous Dao Alliance had pursued Zhao Tan’er, yet she had shown not the slightest interest.

By modern standards, she could be called a “late-stage leftover woman.”

As they parted, Lan Chang'an gave a heartfelt remark:

“Tan’er, you’re not young anymore. Don’t follow your master’s path and live alone for the rest of your life.”

Zhao Tan’er’s figure stiffened slightly at his words, the brilliance in her eyes dimmed, and finally, she nodded silently.

She thought of her master’s final request before death but she had never taken that step. Her feelings for Uncle Lan were complicated, mixed with a yearning for fatherly affection.

“Master, perhaps even you couldn’t have imagined that Uncle Lan would reach such heights one day,” Zhao Tan’er murmured, gazing at the vanishing figure in white robes.

...

Lan Chang'an activated his Black Heaven Wings, dashing across the land and entering the cultivation world of Feng Kingdom, heading straight for Proud Moon Palace.

To outsiders, this was the first time Lan Chang'an had visited Proud Moon Palace in over a decade.

In truth, he had privately met with Xia Wenyue several times during his closed-door cultivation, practicing the "Dragon Phoenix Dual Cauldron Technique" together.

Over the years, Xia Wenyue had completely consolidated her control over Proud Moon Palace. Everyone in the palace either owed their positions to her or pledged their loyalty voluntarily.

With Lan Chang'an’s reputation, no external force dared interfere, at most, they whispered behind closed doors.

With such a backdrop, Lan Chang'an entered Proud Moon Palace openly.

He didn’t bother to hide it. He stayed directly in the palace master Xuanbing True Monarch's cave abode for three days and nights, the dragon and phoenix entwined.

Come morning, before the cold jade bed, palace robes, and embroidered shoes were scattered across the floor, and a faint fragrance of lotus lingered in the air...

“Will husband be departing again this time?”

A long while later, Xia Wenyue changed into a snow-white celestial dress, exuding an elegant and solitary orchid-like aura. Her beautiful eyes locked onto Lan Chang'an.

“Indeed! No one understands me like you, Wenyue.”

Lan Chang'an laughed heartily and briefly explained his travel plans.

If all went well, this trip would be a temporary mission, not a full-blown escape like before.

Lan Chang'an planned to cultivate to the peak of early Nascent Soul in the Great Qing before venturing into the Great Yuan and beyond.

Swoosh—

A white figure suddenly appeared in front of Lan Chang'an, a tall white-robed man nearly three meters in height.

“This is…”

Xia Wenyue’s gaze sharpened, under the robe was armor made of fourth-rank materials.

Lan Chang'an explained, “For this trip, I’ll be taking Lord Earthrock with me. This newly refined fourth-rank puppet will temporarily remain here in Proud Moon Palace.”

As he spoke, he handed over the puppet control token.

“Alright.”

Xia Wenyue noticed the puppet’s face shared some resemblance with Lan Chang'an’s, and couldn’t help but grow fond of it.

Such a puppet could not only serve as protection but also offer emotional solace during lonely, yearning nights.

Lan Chang'an’s fourth-rank white-robed puppet was partly made from war spoils and commissions from previous clients.

Proud Moon Palace’s treasure vault had also contributed rare materials.

When True Monarch Golden Moon was killed, she hadn’t brought all her possessions. Her sect’s vaults and personal secret stores still held many valuable items.

All of that was inherited by Xia Wenyue and helped accelerate Lan Chang'an’s puppet formation project.

Of course, Lan Chang'an was no freeloader.

Using the “compensation fund” for True Monarch Golden Moon’s death, combined with war loot and Proud Moon Palace materials, he had forged for Xia Wenyue one quasi-fourth-rank puppet and four third-rank puppets.

This small puppet army, with a few trained puppet masters, could defend the sect as effectively as having an additional Nascent Soul cultivator.

Proud Moon Palace’s thousand-year collection of high-grade materials for refining puppets and tools had been nearly exhausted.

...

That night, Lan Chang'an disappeared silently, unseen, unheard.

Lord Earthrock vanished with him.

Over the years, Lord Earthrock had hidden within Proud Moon Palace, protecting Xia Wenyue while also cultivating atop the sect’s fourth-rank spirit vein.

Its cultivation had nearly reached the peak of fourth-rank early stage.

It had been more than a hundred years since its advancement to the fourth rank. Its progress had mainly relied on vast amounts of resources, equivalent to several times what a Nascent Soul cultivator might receive.

The next day after Lan Chang'an’s departure.

A tremendous, overwhelming Nascent Soul aura surged in from the distance. Judging by the pressure, it had reached the peak of mid-stage Nascent Soul.

The visitor was a heroic man dressed in silver-trimmed cloud robes, hands behind his back, exuding peerless elegance. It was Chu Tianfeng.

“Alliance Leader Chu.”

Fairy Xia came out to meet him, bowing slightly. She spoke gently:

“Husband left just yesterday. He asked me to relay this to Alliance Leader Chu, he has no interest in the authority or future strategies of the Righteous Dao Alliance.”

Hearing this, Chu Tianfeng revealed a look of regret. After a moment of silence, he sighed softly:

“So be it.”

Sometimes, Chu Tianfeng truly envied Lan Chang'an.

Free and unrestrained. Carefree and unfettered. Not bound by fame or public opinion.

Lan Chang'an had visited Feng Kingdom but couldn’t even be bothered to meet the alliance leader.

Some in the alliance whispered that Lan Changqing was taking over Proud Moon Palace like a cuckoo in another’s nest.

But in truth, Lan Chang'an’s ambitions and vision had long surpassed the Eastern Territory. He was likely aiming for much greater heights.

...

A few days later.

At the border of the Fengyuan Kingdom, in the endless desert, a refined middle-aged man in a green robe appeared.

As he stepped into Fengyuan's territory, two invisible forces of fate and destiny clashed in the void.

The grand web of destiny covering this land cracked in countless places, sending subtle ripples through the River of Fate in the unseen world.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you've come."

A vast, distant voice echoed.

Amidst drifting wind, snow, and sand, the flakes coalesced into a snow-white statue of a Daoist in ceremonial robes, majestic like a divine deity.

"Heavenly Master Zhong, with your help, our previous plans went rather smoothly."

The green-robed man stood with one hand behind his back, his eyes fixed on the Daoist statue, curiosity flickering in his gaze.

"You—"

The statue trembled under an invisible pressure. Cracks spread suddenly across its head, and the divine light in its eye sockets shimmered with faint fear.

At that moment, atop the Snowy Mountain, Heavenly Master Zhong broke into a cold sweat.

He, the Heavenly Master known for manipulating fate and orchestrating the paths of many, realized that the moment the man entered his domain, he had lost control over his own destiny.

"The Righteous Alliance won the cultivation war. What brings Fellow Daoist Xu so far from home?"

The cracked statue spoke hoarsely, as if straining to form words.

"I’m here to ask you for another small favor."

The green-robed man replied calmly, retrieving a crystal ice coffin.

Inside lay the headless corpse of a man in a green robe, devoid of life, yet perfectly preserved.

Crack!

With a flick of his index finger, the green-robed man sent a frozen severed hand from the coffin flying onto the sandy ground.

"Once it's done, there will be a reward."

"Understood," came the flat reply.

A swirl of yellow sand swept in, engulfing the frozen hand and carrying it away.

"That’s all. I won’t trouble you with a visit to the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain."

With an unfathomable smile, the green-robed man turned and left.

The statue stood still and silent, unmoving.

Only after the green-robed figure had vanished into the vast desert did—

Crack!

The Daoist statue shattered into countless fragments as if breathing a sigh of relief.

At the same time.

Deep within Fengyuan’s territory, atop Snowy Mountain, Heavenly Master Zhong broke into a cold sweat, visibly relieved.

"This defies heavenly law!"

"How can someone still at the Nascent Soul early stage reach such terrifying heights? Just standing in his presence, my very life slipped beyond my control…"

He wiped his forehead, shaken and resentful.

From his divinations, Lan Chang'an’s divination skills hadn’t improved significantly.

That could only mean one thing: His cultivation had risen to a monstrous level, so powerful that even Zhong, hidden deep within the sanctuary of Snowy Mountain, could not resist.

For the first time in centuries, fear crept into the heart of the Heavenly Master who once ruled fate from afar.