“When do you plan on leaving for the Ancient Wasteland Domain?”

Zhao Tailai had followed Lin Xun back to Mind Cleansing Peak.

Lin Xun was taken aback. “Why do you suddenly ask?”

Zhao Tailai said, “Signs of the Great Dao Catastrophe have already begun to appear, and the passageway from the empire to the Ancient Wasteland Domain has begun to become unstable. If you intend to go, you’d better hurry up. According to the Heavenly Seer, there’s at most half a year before a great change occurs to the ‘lower plane’. By then, it will be too late to leave.”

Lin Xun’s heart shivered. “Does that mean I won’t be able to return even if I manage to leave safely?”

Zhao Tailai chuckled. “Who can say what will happen in the future? Even Saint experts are unable to predict all of the variables of this Great Dao Catastrophe. No one will dare to make any bold predictions about what will happen after.”

“I will take note of this.”

Lin Xun fell into thought. He had originally planned to polish his strength to perfection in the Blood Kill Battlefield. However, things often didn’t go as planned, and there were still some places where he felt he was still lacking.

For example, he had yet to learn the last three transformations of the Tribulation Dragon Nine Transformations.

His cultivation was still stuck at the perfect Dao Ripple stage, and it would take him some time and effort to break through to the Dao Meaning stage.

Moreover, dao comprehension also required luck and timing. It wasn’t something that hard work alone could overcome.

“When you decide when to leave, I will bring you to see the emperor. He will personally send you off.”

Zhao Tailai’s following words shook Lin Xun’s heart. He realized this must have been a task entrusted to Zhao Tailai by the emperor himself.

“Alright.” Lin Xun nodded and agreed.

Zhao Tailai soon departed. The old fox always looked as if he was in a hurry and was rather elusive.

Lin Xun had already grown used to it. He stood on the summit with his hands behind his back as he peered at the distant sea of clouds. The mountain breeze blew past, making his clothes and hair flutter around him.

The earlier battle had been uninspiring even though it did cause him to recall the past.

All those years ago, Yun Qingbai had killed all the main clan members on Mind Cleansing Peak.

Today, someone from the Omega Sword Sect had challenged him to a duel under Yu Qingbai’s instructions.

There was no doubt that he was aware of Lin Xun’s existence.

However, Lin Xun wasn’t worried. Zhao Tailai had guaranteed that Yun Qingbai wouldn’t be able to reenact a similar massacre even if he returned to the Ziyao Empire.

The only thing Lin Xun couldn’t figure out was Yun Qingbai’s goal since he had not instructed Qing Zhe to kill Lin Xun.

Lin Xun muttered, “Perhaps I’ll only find out after I reach the Ancient Wasteland Domain and try to learn more about this enemy of mine…”

The setting sun’s rays dyed the sea of clouds red as the mountain wind arrived with a trace of bone-chilling cold and wetness.

Lin Xun silently stood there for a long time before he finally turned around and left.

He had made the decision to start making preparations for the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

……

The Ziyao Empire, Qingyuan Palace.

This was the accommodation prepared by the imperial family for the Omega Sword Sect.

In the room, Qing Zhe wore a dark and cold expression as he bitterly and resentfully declared, “Elder, I am certain that some kind of heaven-defying change of fate must have occurred to him. Otherwise, a baby who should have died years ago could not possibly have achieved such accomplishments!”

“Is that what Qingbai asked you to find out?” To the side, Gu Dongting pondered.

Qing Zhe grunted in acknowledgment. Even now, recalling how he had been defeated by Lin Xun in public made him nearly go mad from hatred.

“Heaven-defying change of fate?”

Gu Dongting frowned as if unable to understand. “A baby who lost his Origin Aeth Artery is fated to die. Even if there was some miraculous elixir that could save him, he would end up a cripple that could never cultivate. How did he do it?”

Qing Zhe icily snorted. “Elder, do you think I’m lying? You saw the battle as well. He defeated me with his Heaven Ascension cultivation. Almost no one in the Ancient Wasteland Domain is capable of such a feat!”

To admit his opponent was too weak would only prove that he was even more pathetic. Qing Zhe did not wish for Gu Dongting to consider such thoughts.

“You misunderstand.”

Gu Dongting shook his head as light surged within his eyes. “If he is the baby from back then, it is probably as you have guessed. Some kind of heaven-defying change of fate must have occurred to him!”

At this point, he hesitated somewhat before he said, “In fact, I suspect that he has grown a new Origin Aeth Artery!”

Clatter!

The cup in Qing Zhe’s hand fell to the ground. However, he did not seem to register it at all as horrifying azure light shot out from his eyes. “That must be it! The Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer is an extremely mysterious and unfathomable talent from the ancient era. It was this very talent that Senior Brother Yun used to attain the complete supreme path!”

He paused and took a deep breath before he continued, “It’s definitely no coincidence that Lin Xun also attained the supreme path!”

Gu Dongting’s expression changed imperceptibly, having also arrived at the same conclusion

The unglamorous deed done by Yin Qingbai in the Ziyao Empire all those years ago was known by only a few people even in the Omega Sword Sect. However, Gu Dongting and Qing Zhe were not excluded from this group.

They knew full well that Yun Qingbai’s current accomplishments in the Ancient Wasteland Domain were closely tied to the Origin Aeth Artery he had ‘obtained’ back then!

Admittedly, Yun Qingbai was a natural-born heaven pride who possessed superior cultivation talent.

Without that ‘Origin Aeth Artery,’ however, it would have been impossible for him to attain that highly sought-after strongest path so quickly!

“Elder, I have a presumptuous request.” Qing Zhe suddenly rose to his feet and kneeled in front of Gu Dongting.

Gu Dongting’s eyes narrowed as if guessing what Qing Zhe wanted to ask, “You…can’t also be thinking of…”

Qing Zhe’s eyes were filled with desire and determination. “Elder, the battle of the great age will arrive in a few years. When that time comes, all the heaven prides will vie for the sole opportunity of becoming a Saint. It will definitely be an unprecedented event and I…do not wish to be left behind!”

Gu Dongting was silent for a moment before he said, “I’m afraid that I can’t help you with this matter. In the Ziyao Empire, even if I wish to help, my hands are tied.”

Qing Zhe hurriedly said, “The timing isn’t right yet. From what I know, Lin Xun will sooner or later head to the Ancient Wasteland Domain. I am confident of succeeding after he arrives!”

Gu Dongting shook his head. “I do not think this is the right move for you. Do you know how big of a price Yun Qingbai paid to integrate that Origin Aeth Artery? Moreover, Lin Xun has already matured. Even if you do succeed, it will be impossibly difficult to make that talent your own.”

Qing Zhe’s expression remained determined. “Elder, there is no need for you to worry about such matters. You only need to promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

With a deep breath, Qing Zhe gritted his teeth and said, “Conceal all information about Lin Xun, especially from Senior Brother Yun.”

Gu Dongting immediately fell silent.

The atmosphere became rather stifling for a time.

“Elder, the Azure Crane Clan will never forget this debt and will definitely repay you many-fold in the future!”

Qing Zhe suddenly said, “Elder, I heard that you are almost about to face the nine longevity tribulations. If Elder doesn’t mind, you can come to the Azure Crane Clan to undergo the tribulation. I believe my father will happily lend out the clan’s sacred ground for your use if he knows of this matter.”

Gu Dongting’s eyes flickered imperceptibly. In the end, he softly sighed and said, “Fine, on account of your determination, I will agree this one time. There will be no other exception.”

Qing Zhe immediately kowtowed. “Thank you for this huge favor!”

Gu Dongting could not help but ask, “When do you plan on taking action?”

“There’s no hurry. I will wait until he arrives at the Ancient Wasteland Domain.” Qing Zhe’s eyes were filled with confidence as he displayed a faint smile.

In the Ancient Wasteland Domain, with the Azure Crane Clan’s power, they would be able to capture even a true King expert, let alone the likes of Lin Xun.

Gu Dongting acknowledged with a soft grunt and suddenly said, “I recall he has a spirit weapon in his possession. Hmph, if I owned such a treasure in my younger days, I would have started my longevity tribulation long ago!”

Qing Zhe immediately said, “Elder does not need to feel regretful. I will personally give you the spirit weapon after we capture him.”

Gu Dongting laughed heartily as he supported Qing Zhe up from the ground. “I’m elated that you have such considerations.”

Qing Zhe also laughed although he inwardly cursed Gu Dongting’s greed. Not only did he intend to borrow the Azure Crane Clan’s sacred ground, but he also wanted the spirit weapon!

However, Qing Zhe soon cast aside such thoughts. It was a small price to pay to attain the same path as Yun Qingbai.

Qing Zhe inwardly muttered to himself, “Lin Xun, ah, Lin Xun, you’d better not die. I will be waiting for you in the Ancient Wasteland Domain!”

However, Qing Zhe would not know that his concealment of information would instead help Lin Xun avoid a calamity!

……

The Omega Sword Sect disciple, Qing Zhe, had been defeated by Lin Xun!

This news shook the Forbidden City, causing a tremendous uproar.

After half a year of silence, Lin Xun had once again shaken up the many powerful factions in the Forbidden City.

The factions on bad terms with the Lin Clan could not help but worry and feel uneasy. Lin Xun’s growth was too rapid and terrifying. He was no longer the frail young man from before and was now an extremely intimidating power!

The factions with good relations with the Lin Clan happily celebrated that they had picked up a treasure. The more Lin Xun grew, the more benefits they would receive.

On that same night, news of ‘Lin Twelve’s’ feats on the Blood Kill Battlefield began to spread…