There was a light wind and drizzling rain and a refreshing smell of grass and trees in the air.

The old monk’s robe was damp from the rain, but he was completely unaware because his focus was solely on the chessboard in front of him.

The person playing against him was a man wearing a lotus flower hat and a black robe. He looked rather young like a teenager, but his eyes seemed to have seen all the ups and downs of life.

“From the Ancient Nebula Underworld, both our Earth Treasury Realm and Holy Illumination Ancient Sect are taking part in this game, but we have not seen any movement from the Copper Sparrow House. Don’t you find that strange?” The young man in black robe twirled a white chess piece in his hand.

“It’s not that strange.”

The old monk said aloud, “No movement is the biggest movement. This game involves an incredible chaos treasure. Given Copper Sparrow House’s usual style, they definitely will not stay out of it.”

The black-robed young man smiled. “I think so too.”

After a long period of silence, the old monk suddenly spoke, “It is now certain that Jin Duyi is a chess piece planted by Fangchun Mountain. Fellow Daoist, do you think those wandering souls scattered in various places will have the courage to show up this time?”

The black-robed young man was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist, you are wrong. Jin Duyi is a disciple of the Absolute Origin Dao Court. His identity has been confirmed by Qingye.”

The old monk raised his eyes and indifferently studied the young man opposite him, who was actually an old antique who had been watching over the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect for countless years. “This matter can be concealed from other people, but it can’t be hidden from you, Emperor Ancestor Shenxu.

Emperor Ancestor Shenxu!

Anyone in the Ancient Nebula Underworld would tremble with fear at the mere mention of this title.

The black-robed young man smiled disapprovingly, “Fellow Daoist, why bother with the trivial details? Whether it is Absolute Origin Dao Court or Fangchun Mountain, it is not important. What is important is how to play this game well and score a victory in the end.

The old monk was silent for a moment, then said, “Everyone in the world is fighting for it. This chess game...is not easy to play.”

“In the end it all depends on who makes the best move.” An unfathomable smile spread across the black-robed young man’s face.

The old monk’s Dharma name was Niekong and he had been overseeing the Earth Treasury Realm since ancient times. He possessed an unfathomable cultivation.

The Ancient Nebula Underworld respectfully called him Emperor Ancestor Niekong.

……

In the forbidden grounds of Mythical Huang Dao Court, a calm voice rang out, “Qingye, from today on, go into closed-door cultivation in the sect.”

Emperor Ancestor Qingye frowned. “Why?”

“Do you still not understand? The matter of the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone involves many things. Tensions are rising across the world and it’s no surprise that a huge storm will break out in three months.” The voice sighed, “We already have the Mythical Huang Dao Stele, so why do we need to seek another chaos treasure?”

“Even so, why do I have to go into closed-door cultivation?”

Emperor Ancestor Qingye’s frown deepened.

After a long silence, the voice sounded again, “I can only tell you that Jin Duyi has already become the eye of the storm. When everything in the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone comes to an end, it doesn’t matter whether he holds the chaos treasure or not.” ʀ

Emperor Ancestor Qingye narrowed his eyes, vaguely guessing something. “Is someone targeting Absolute Origin Dao Court?”

“Yes and no. You will understand in three months.”

The voice became serious, which was very rare. “Remember, in this storm, our Mythical Huang Dao Court must remain neutral and not get involved. Otherwise, we will suffer disastrous consequences.”

Emperor Ancestor Qingye did not respond.

He sensed that the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone appeared to be a competition for the chaos treasure on the surface, but there was actually a huge shadow taking advantage of the opportunity!

However, he could not figure out why...

Why would it target Absolute Origin Dao Court?

Could it be that the conflict between factions that broke out at the end of the primeval era and the ancient era was going to happen again in this era?

Last time, the sect Fangchun Mountain was destroyed.

This time, would Absolute Origin Dao Court also meet its end?

Thinking of this, Emperor Ancestor Qingye trembled inwardly.

“I understand.” He uttered and retreated into his place of closed-door cultivation.

……

“The storm is coming...”

On an isolated cliff, a woman in a dress with rosy pink cloud patterns was gazing quietly at the sea.

Her long black hair was pinned back with a hairpin, revealing a face so stunningly beautiful that the world would seem dim in her presence.

She had a slender figure, soft and fair skin, and a pair of clear phoenix eyes that were as bright as the stars. The natural elegance she exuded from just standing there would take anyone’s breath away.

Dark clouds were constantly accumulating on the sea surface as if to suffocate the sea.

After staring silently at it for a long moment, she stretched her body and raised her captivating phoenix eyes, chuckling, “Senior Brother Pu Zhen, after hiding for so many years, there still seem to be people in this world who think that we were defeated at their hands…”

Silently, an honest-looking man appeared on the edge of the cliff. He had dark skin and was wearing a bamboo hat like a farmer.

He scratched his head and gave a simple smile. He responded irrelevantly, “Junior Sister, I think you look better when you are not pretending to be a man.”

Shua!

A streak of sword qi silently passed by the farmer’s ear, making him shrink back. He smiled wryly. “Kill in the twinkling of an eye and leave nothing behind. Your sword skill is the most impressive. Junior Sister, if you do that again, I will be frightened to the point that all my cultivation will disappear into nothing.”

The woman was Jun Huan. She glared at Pu Zhen and said, “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” Pu Zhen looked confused.

“To disturb the storm.”

Jun Huan’s graceful figure gradually disappeared into the distance.

……

Cloud State.

Xuanji Dao Sect.

In the restricted area at the back side of the mountain, Bo Yazi, who was meditating in silence, suddenly snapped open his eyes and was greeted by a tall figure not far away.

Dressed in a white wide-sleeved robe, he looked confident and elegant, and he wore a smiling expression on his face that immediately put people at ease.

“Master!”

Bo Yazi sprang up with a look of surprise.

The person in front of him was none other than Li Xuanwei, the thirteenth disciple of Fangchun Mountain!

“Didn’t you always want to travel the world with me? Pack your stuff and I’ll come with me.” Li Xuanwei grinned.

Bo Yazi felt an indescribable warmth surge in his heart and exclaimed, “Alright!”

However, very quickly, he realized that something was wrong and asked, “Master, did something big happen?”

Li Xuanwei thought for a moment and said, “It’s not that big.”

Bo Yazi drew a deep breath and his eyes glinted with determination. “Master, no matter how big the matter is, I must fight alongside you this time.”

Li Xuanwei was a little flabbergasted, “You make it seem like we are about to go through boiling water and fire, and sacrifice our lives for a greater cause… It’s not time yet.”

“Master, please wait a moment. I need to arrange the sect’s matters before I can leave with you.”

Li Xuanwei stopped him and said meaningfully, “As long as you are not around, the Xuanji Dao Sect won’t have any problems to worry about.”

Bo Yazi’s head buzzed, and he thought of something. His face clouded over and he asked, “Master, are those enemies from back then coming to cause trouble again?”

“No, we don’t need to be in hiding anymore,” Li Xuanwei said with a smile.

……

On the same day that the participants headed to the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone.

Underlying turmoil was spreading across the world.

It was as if the curtains to a chess game were slowly being lifted.

……

The Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone.

Strands of chaos qi hung from the vast mountains and valleys like ribbons. A primitive and untamed aura permeated heaven and earth.

The mysterious great dao law power silently nourished this unknown world, making the mountains, rivers and other landscapes appear completely different from those in the outside world.

There was a forest spewing flames. The trees were rooted in midair, obscuring the sky, and casting mottled shadows on the earth.

There was a school of unusual-looking winged fish swimming in the void, sprinkling dreamy light upon the world as they beat their beautiful wings.

On the earth were jagged mountain peaks and oddly shaped mountain ranges. Occasionally, streams of light danced past, and from time to time, impressive ravines loomed in the depths of the clouds…

What a bizarre place!

The striking scenery took Lin Xun’s breath away.

All the mountains, rivers, and everything, whether it was a blade of grass or a tiny stone, contained traces of the ancient great dao.

Even the chaos qi in the air was full of life force, unlike that in the outside world.

He breathed in and felt as if his body had been cleansed by clear spring water and his mind had been cleared of all obstructions!

“What a magical world!” His dark eyes gleamed.

He checked the changes in his body and found that although the great dao law power that shrouded the world was different from that in the outside world, it had no negative effects on his cultivation.

On the contrary, if he could train and gain experience here, it would have unexpected benefits to his cultivation!

There was no doubt that this must be the world where the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone was located, a danger-ridden place that even Emperors would turn pale at the mention of.

Creak!

Lin Xun’s spirit sense spread out and once he confirmed that there was nothing unusual nearby, he was ready to leave, but then he heard a crack that sounded like bones snapping from below.

The ground was blanketed by a thick layer of decomposing leaves. He cleared away the leaves with his feet, only to see a rotten corpse lying on the ground.

The corpse had been buried for who knows how many years and had become extremely fragile.

Despite that, Lin Xun still trembled and gasped, because on the ground next to the corpse was a column of words in dried up blood—“So what if I have attained the status of Emperor? I am still as weak as a blade of grass here!”

It was hard to read the scribble, but each stroke was written with such force that it dented the ground and showed the writer’s endless bitterness, reluctance, and despair.

Those were the frightening last words of an Emperor.

Lin Xun’s heart churned, and when he looked at the unfamiliar world again, his eyes were more alert and vigilant than before.

How powerful was the Emperor Stage?

Yet, an Emperor saw himself as weak as a blade of grass. What terrible dangers were hidden in the Ancient Immortal Forbidden Zone?

Lin Xun felt chills just thinking about it!

“Senior Sister Jun Huan saw Mount Heedless when she came here back then, I wonder where it is and what kind of dangers she encountered before she finally returned unsuccessful.”

Lin Xun’s dark eyes flashed, and a strange scene silently surfaced in his mind.