Chapter 2302 The Mystery of the Earth-Shattering Duel

One day later, Xi, Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor and the others returned after pursuing the fleeing White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clan experts.

Although the chase had been rushed and yielded little direct results, it utterly shattered the morale of Bai Lingzhen, Wu Xiuxing and their forces. They were driven out of the Celestial Phoenix World like panicked stray dogs.

Two days later, Lin Xun woke up from deep meditation, his qi fully restored and his condition back to its peak.

That same day, news of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise armies’ crushing defeat swept through the Celestial Phoenix World like a raging storm, shaking the world to its core.

However, neither Lin Xun nor the Celestial Phoenix Lineage paid it any mind.

Their focus was on preparing to leave this place.

“In the beginning of the primeval era, our progenitor ancestor led our clansmen across the starry sky. After years of searching, they finally settled here, but now, after this catastrophe, we can no longer remain.” Huang Cangtian sighed deeply.

He had already issued an order. In seven days, he would lead the entire clan in a mass migration and leave this world behind.

Lin Xun understood the decision. The deaths of Luo Xingfeng and Luo Chen would undoubtedly enrage the Luo Clan from the other side of the cosmos, and they were bound to retaliate.

Given the current foundation of the Celestial Phoenix Lineage, it was impossible for them to contend with such a formidable force.

“In three days, I will personally open the route to the Ancient Nebula Road and see you off.” Huang Cangtian declared.

Lin Xun nodded and cupped his fists in gratitude.

Counting the days, he realized that nearly three years had passed since he entered the True Dragon World through the Xuan Clan and later arrived in the Celestial Phoenix World.

He couldn’t help but wonder how much had changed in the Ancient Nebula Road during his absence.

Just before his departure, Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor came to find him. “Your sword cauldron contains the power of the Phoenix Flame of Order. Even when you return to the Ancient Nebula Road, it will be enough to protect you from the taboo law power that blankets the world.”

In the following conversation, she shared valuable insights on the cultivation of the great dao and offered him a lot of guidance.

At the end of their discussions, Lin Xun hesitated for a moment before asking, “Where will you go from here?”

Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor fell silent in thought before answering, “Maybe we will explore a new world, but we will definitely not return to the Ancient Nebula Road.”

After the answer, Lin Xun understood that the vastness of the starry sky was beyond comprehension. Apart from the Ancient Nebula Road and the other side of the cosmos, countless scattered worlds existed across the infinite void.

Just like in the beginning of the primeval era, when the Four Great Primordial Clans, Celestial Phoenix, White Tiger, True Dragon and Black Tortoise, journeyed across the boundless void like pioneers and ultimately found worlds to call their own.

Three days later.

In front of the Divine Forge Workshop, Little Five carefully gathered all the divine materials used for constructing the Heaven Slaughtering Dao Severing array—a gift from the Celestial Phoenix Lineage.

Lin Xun did not refuse.

Boom!

Huang Cangtian and a group of Celestial Phoenix Lineage elders worked together to activate an ancient dao altar. Through the altar’s teleportation array, Lin Xun and the others would be able to return to the Ancient Nebula Road.

Stepping onto the altar Lin Xun turned and bowed deeply, “Elders, thank you all for everything!”

“Little Friend, take care!”

Huang Cangtian, Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor, and the others stood together, watching as Lin Xun prepared to depart.

“Brother Lin, I hope we can meet again on this road of cultivation someday!” Luo Jia waved from a distance.

Lin Xun nodded with a smile.

Buzz—

As the ancient altar hummed with power, strange ripples of spatial energy surged forth. A mysterious force of law and order enveloped Lin Xun, and in the next instant, he vanished.

......

Ten days later.

Ancient Nebula Underworld.

After successfully returning to the Ancient Nebula Road, Lin Xun spent ten days traveling through the starry sky under Big Yellow’s lead.

“Let’s go to the Dark Lair first.” Big Yellow said, its voice tinged with excitement. To the dog, returning to the Dark Lair was like returning to its homeland.

At this moment, Lin Xun and his companions arrived in White Rainbow Region of the Ancient Nebula Underworld, a territory that formerly belonged to the Copper Sparrow House.

Lin Xun shook his head. “Let’s gather some information before heading there.”

Three years ago, under the command of his second senior brother Zhong Qiu, all the forces of the Copper Sparrow House in the Ancient Nebula Underworld had gone into hiding.

In those three years, who knew what had happened?

Without delay, Lin Xun and Big Yellow stepped into a nearby city within the White Rainbow Region. After some inquiry, they couldn’t help but frown, a chill creeping into their hearts.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Only then did they realize that during the three years they left for the True Dragon World, Heavenly Emperor Shi had already returned to the Ancient Nebula Road!

At the time, his return caused a massive stir across the world. Everyone had been eagerly anticipating Heavenly Emperor Shi’s reaction. How would he, as the ruler of the cosmos, respond upon learning that Emperor Daoyuan had seized the fortune of the Eternal Supreme?

What punishment would befall Copper Sparrow House, which had once protected Emperor Daoyuan?

It was also then that many major forces suddenly discovered that Copper Sparrow House, one of the Three Dark Giants, had completely disappeared. It was as if it had vanished from existence, erased without a trace.

However, the most unbelievable part was that after Heavenly Emperor Shi returned, he did not take immediate action. Instead, he chose to enter closed-door cultivation!

Soon after, an even more earth-shattering revelation shook the world—Heavenly Emperor Shi had sustained serious injuries in the Return Dominion!

A single stone stirred a thousand ripples. The entire world trembled at the news. No one had ever imagined that Heavenly Emperor Shi, a being who wielded taboo law power and ruled over the cosmos like a sovereign deity, could actually be wounded in the Return Dominion.

Unbelievable!

When Big Yellow first heard the news, it was overjoyed.

Unfortunately, as more information surfaced, its excitement quietly faded.

Two years ago, the Lord of Copper Sparrow House suddenly appeared and openly challenged Heavenly Emperor Shi!

The moment the news spread, the entire Ancient Nebula Underworld ignited into chaos, sending shockwaves through the cosmos.

On the third day after the challenge was issued, Heavenly Emperor Shi, who was still recovering from his injuries, gave his response: He accepted.

However, to everyone’s astonishment, this unprecedented duel was agreed to take place in the Kunlun Dominion, one of the four great dao dominions.

Rumor circulated that the location was chosen by the Lord of Copper Sparrow House himself.

However, the Kunlun Dominion was no ordinary place.

Even old monsters at the Emperor Stage would struggle to enter without exceptional fortune or great opportunity.

As a result, when this grand duel, which had attracted the attention of the entire world, finally took place, not a single person was able to witness it!

Astonishingly, even after two years had passed, the outcome of this great duel remained a mystery.

Neither the Lord of the Copper Sparrow House nor Heavenly Emperor Shi had been seen since entering Kunlun Dominion.

No one knew the outcome of the duel, and no one even knew whether the two were dead or alive!

Over the past two years, countless ancient sects and clans had exhausted every means imaginable to uncover the truth. Despite that, not a single piece of information had been found.

To this day, this earth-shattering duel that had shaken the entire world remained the greatest mystery in existence.

However, the taboo law power still loomed over the starry sky. From this, many concluded that Heavenly Emperor Shi had not perished.

As for the Lord of Copper Sparrow House—his fate was impossible to determine.

Many of the ancient clans and sects suspected that he had likely fallen.

After all, his opponent was Heavenly Emperor Shi, a being who commanded taboo law power and was revered as the ruler of the starry sky.

Upon hearing the news, Big Yellow’s expression darkened, a deep sense of unease clouding its face. “How could Master be so reckless?! Didn’t he agree to wait for us before making a move? He, he, he...” its voice trembled with worry.

Lin Xun remained silent for a moment before speaking, “I believe Second Senior Brother must have acted upon learning that Heavenly Emperor Shi was injured. That was likely what made him resolute in his decision to strike. Besides, you know how Second Senior Brother is. He is no reckless man. If he dared to do this, then he must have had a reason—he must have had confidence.”

No reckless person could have stood guard in this Ancient Nebula Underworld for countless years, patiently waiting for the lotus to bloom!

Furthermore, the location that Zhong Qiu had chosen for the duel two years ago was deeply significant.

Kunlun Dominion!

This was one of the four mysterious great dao dominions in the world.

As far as Lin Xun knew, Fangchun Mountain, their sect, had intricate ties with Kunlun Dominion.

For example, in the area where the Fengshan Platform was located, Ninth Senior Brother Ge Yupu had once suppressed Demon-Beast Emperor Dutian for countless years.

For example, on Fengshan Platform, the Lord of Fangchun Mountain himself had left his legacy behind.

For example, in the secret realm of Imperial Dragon Mountain, Li Xuanwei had once obtained the Dao Immeasurable Bottle and also received the accompaniment of the Dao Ruleless Bell.

And in the Peach Utopia Secret Realm, a maiden as ethereal as violet clouds continued to wait for Eldest Senior Brother’s return...

Clearly, Second Senior Brother Zhong Qiu’s decision to hold the battle in Kunlun Dominion had been deliberate, carefully planned long before the duel took place!

Big Yellow still felt uneasy, and it said anxiously, “But it has been two years, and there is still no news of Master. Meanwhile, the taboo law power controlled by Heavenly Emperor Shi still covers the starry sky. Doesn’t this mean...”

“No, all we can say is that there has been no news. That alone isn’t enough to conclude that Second Senior Brother has met with misfortune,” Lin Xun interrupted decisively. “Don’t forget, Heavenly Emperor Shi has also not returned from Kunlun Dominion.”

Big Yellow fell silent for a moment, then it clenched its teeth, its eyes blazing with determination. “I’m going to the Kunlun Dominion to find my Master!”

The moment it spoke, it turned, ready to take action.

Lin Xun felt a weight settle in his heart. Seeing Big Yellow’s reckless determination, he couldn’t help but scold, “Big Yellow, do you think you can enter the Kunlun Dominion with your ability?”

Big Yellow gritted its teeth and replied, “I’ll do whatever it takes to get in!”

Lin Xun took a deep breath and said, “If you listen to me, I promise to take you there to investigate. You may not know this but I once entered the Kunlun Dominion to train. I understand the situation there far better than you do.”

Big Yellow hesitated visibly.

“We’ve only just returned, and our understanding of this situation is still incomplete. If you ask me, we should hold off on making any rash decisions until we fully grasp the whole picture.”

Lin Xun’s dark eyes were unfathomable, “More importantly, with Second Senior Brother’s intelligence, do you really think he wouldn’t have left behind any instructions or arrangements for us before challenging Heavenly Emperor Shi?”

Big Yellow froze for a moment and then nodded repeatedly, “You’re right, then we should return to the Dark Lair immediately. If Master made any preparations for us, they must be there!”

Lin Xun nodded in agreement.

Just then, a burst of urgent shouting rang out from afar. “Quick! Hurry, remnants of the Copper Sparrow House are hiding in the city, we must not let them escape this time!”

As the voices echoed, a group of fierce, powerful figures streaked through the air like flashes of light, sweeping over the streets nearby.

From the auras emanating from them, Lin Xun knew they were from the Holy Illumination Ancient Sect!