No more than one strike is needed.

Shen Xue frowned. If the lady in the plain skirt came from a lower martial civilization, how could she reach the Divine Dao Realm? Her intuition told her that Ye Guan's protector was definitely extraordinary. However, she was only speculating at this point and couldn't voice her suspicions.

Yuanshi said, "I will continue to look for other gods to see if they are willing to participate. After all, it's our teacher's journal we're talking about. I think many gods won't refuse."

Shen Wu nodded, "That would be excellent."

For them, the more people they had, the better.

Yuanshi suddenly asked, "What is the attitude of the Primordial Spirit Land?"

The Primordial Spirit Land. Shen Wu was slightly taken aback before shaking his head, "I don't know."

The Primordial Spirit Land was a truly transcendent power. The world knew very little about the people from this place, including the God Clan. Shen Wu only knew that even the renowned First God had not been well-received when he went there.

He was genuinely not welcomed! It's worth noting that the First God was already the most outstanding figure of the Old Era at that time, yet even so, he didn't gain the favor of the Primordial Spirit Land. This showed just how proud and aloof that place was.

Furthermore, the people from this place seldom interacted with the outside world, making it quite mysterious to outsiders.

Yuanshi frowned, "Are they interested in the First God's journal...?"

Shen Wu immediately shook his head, "I don't think so. The people from that place are extremely proud and powerful. I believe they wouldn't covet First God's journal because it would be beneath them. Such a force is very concerned about their reputation."

Yuanshi remained silent, feeling somewhat displeased.

Although they had betrayed First God, they still held a deep respect for him. In fact, they didn't have a good impression of the God Clan either, considering that First God was driven out by them. But for the sake of their interests, Yuanshi could only set aside his displeasure for now. After all, their teacher had already fallen.

Suddenly, Shen Xue asked, "Why does the Zhen Clan stand firmly by Ye Guan's side?"

This wasn't normal at all.

At this moment, Yuanshi suddenly suggested, "Could it be that Ye Guan traded that journal..."

Shen Wu said in a deep voice, "That's possible. After all, the only thing that could tempt the Zhen Clan would be that journal."

Yuanshi nodded slightly, finding this explanation reasonable. Shen Xue, however, remained silent. Her intuition told her that things weren't that simple.

Yuanshi noticed Shen Xue's furrowed brow and smiled slightly, "Being cautious is good, but being overly cautious can be detrimental. We all know Ye Guan isn't simple, and neither are the forces behind him. But at this point, we have no other choice. We can only confront him. When the time comes, we'll see who's strong and who's weak."

Shen Xue nodded slightly, "Thank you for the advice, senior."

Indeed, at this point, overthinking was meaningless. They had to confront him.

Yuanshi looked at Shen Wu, "When do we make our move?"

Shen Wu replied in a deep voice, "We need to wait a bit longer."

"Hmm?" Yuanshi frowned.

Shen Wu explained, "We still need to visit two more places."

Yuanshi was curious, "Where?"

Shen Wu answered, "The Black Death Realm and the Chu Palace."

Yuanshi fell silent. He knew these two places well, as they were once very famous.

Soon, Shen Wu and Shen Xue left.

...

Not long after, Shen Wu and Shen Xue arrived at the Black Death Realm. Shen Wu looked at the ruins in the distance and asked, "Ye Guan came out of there?"

Shen Xue nodded, "Yes."

Shen Wu frowned deeply. Even he wouldn't easily enter the Black Death Realm. This place belonged to the Black Death Sovereign.

Today, they came to recruit the Black Death Sovereign, and Shen Wu was confident because he knew the Black Death Sovereign couldn't refuse the journal.

Shen Wu and Shen Xue entered the Black Death Realm. As soon as they stepped inside, a mysterious aura locked onto them.

Shen Wu cupped his fists slightly, "I am Shen Wu, representing the God Clan. I request an audience with the Sovereign."

As soon as he spoke, a woman in a black robe appeared before them. Shen Wu's expression turned serious. The woman in front of them was none other than the Black Death Sovereign, Ruo Ming.

Ruo Ming looked at Shen Wu expressionlessly, "What is it?"

Shen Wu said, "We want to invite you to join us in killing Ye Guan."

"Killing Ye Guan!"

Ruo Ming was slightly taken aback. That was her newly recognized brother. She blinked, "What do you mean?"

Shen Wu said in a deep voice, "This person possesses the First God's journal, which contains the method to break through after the eighty percent divinity. If you help us kill Ye Guan, the God Clan is willing to share it with you."

"Share the journal!"

Ruo Ming looked at Shen Wu without speaking, but in her heart, she already harbored killing intent. After all, when she had asked for that journal, Ye Guan had handed it over without hesitation.

Ruo Ming didn't make a move but instead asked, "Share the journal?"

Shen Wu nodded, "Yes, as long as you are willing to assist, the God Clan will share the journal with you once the deed is done."

Ruo Ming sneered inwardly but kept her expression neutral, "Really?"

Seeing Ruo Ming's interest, Shen Wu hurriedly said, "Of course, the God Clan is willing to swear an oath."

Ruo Ming nodded slightly, "I agree."

Shen Wu was momentarily stunned but then felt elated, "Really?"

Ruo Ming replied calmly, "What, do you think I would lie?"

Shen Wu quickly said, "Of course not..."

Ruo Ming nodded slightly, "Notify me when you plan to act. I will assist then."

Shen Wu nodded, "Alright."

Without further words, Ruo Ming turned and vanished from sight.

Shen Wu was overjoyed. With her joining them, their chances of success would greatly increase. After all, she was at the peak of eighty percent divinity. Having such a strong ally would be a significant advantage for their side.

After leaving the Black Death Realm, Shen Xue suddenly said, "She agreed too readily."

Shen Wu looked at Shen Xue, "Do you think something is off?"

Shen Xue nodded, "Yes."

Shen Wu frowned, "Shen Xue, you are usually very astute, but sometimes overly cautious. The reason the Black Death Sovereign agreed so quickly is obviously because of that journal. Besides, she has no reason to deceive us, does she?"

Shen Xue remained silent. She felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what exactly.

Shen Wu continued, "Don't overthink it. The Black Death Sovereign is a well-known figure. She has no reason to lie. Even if she doesn't assist the God Clan, it's unlikely she would help Ye Guan, right?"

Shen Xue nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

Shen Wu said, "Let's head to the Chu Palace."

Shen Xue was curious, "The Chu Palace?"

Shen Wu replied softly, "A place completely forgotten by the world."

About an hour later, the two arrived at a vast mountain range. As soon as they stepped into this range, Shen Xue frowned because the entire area was filled with a corrosive stench.

Shen Xue, curious, asked, "What is this Chu Palace?"

Shen Wu replied, "A very, very ancient power, predating even our God Clan. Back then, the Chu Palace was incredibly formidable, rivaling the Primordial Spirit Land. However, over time, the Chu Palace gradually declined and was eventually destroyed by the Primordial Spirit Land."

Shen Xue said in a deep voice, "For such a powerful force to fall..."

Shen Wu nodded, "The quickest way for a force to decline is through internal strife..."

He stopped there, but Shen Xue understood.

Internal strife? The God Clan had experienced that too. If the First God had insisted on fighting the God Clan to the end, even if the family hadn't been destroyed, it would have certainly fallen to the status of a third-rate power. First God's strength back then...even if the God Clan had called upon their ancestors, they couldn't have defeated him.

Sensing her thoughts, Shen Wu nodded slightly, "Since that incident, our family has been especially cautious and diligent in nurturing talents, fearing a repeat of such events..."

He sighed, eyes filled with regret. Although First God had left the God Clan, the family's descendants still greatly respected this ancestor. If First God had stayed, the God Clan would have surely surpassed the Primordial Spirit Land, and they wouldn't now be seeking his journal.

Shen Wu shook his head slightly, then looked into the distance, "We are almost there."

Shen Xue suddenly asked, "Since they were destroyed by the Primordial Spirit Land, would the Primordial Spirit Land allow them to continue existing?"

Shen Wu said softly, "To the Primordial Spirit Land, they no longer pose a threat."

Shen Xue remained silent.

Soon, they arrived in front of an ancient desolate city. The entire city was extremely barren, like a ghost town, eerily desolate.

Shen Wu led Shen Xue into the city. Shen Xue glanced around. The houses were empty with no sign of life. She turned to look at Shen Wu, who said nothing and continued walking, prompting her to follow quickly.

After an indeterminate amount of time, an old woman suddenly appeared not far in front of them. The woman wore a wide, tattered robe, holding a black cane, her hair white with age, and her face covered in wrinkles.

Shen Wu slightly bowed, "Madam Chu."

The old woman stared at Shen Wu without saying a word.

Shen Wu got straight to the point, "We are here to seek Chu Palace's assistance in killing a young man."

Madam Chu's expression remained unchanged, "Your God Clan needs help to kill a young man?"

Shen Wu nodded, "This person has the support of the Zhen clan, and the forces behind him are not simple."

Madam Chu immediately said, "Not interested."

With that, she turned to leave.

At that moment, Shen Wu suddenly said, "That young man is the inheritor of the First God and possesses the First God's journal."

Upon hearing this, the old woman immediately stopped.