The wine’s off the table now, with such a big disturbance.
Lan Xiuzhi sighed in resignation. "Never mind, never mind. This princess will deliver the Phoenix Cauldron now and come back for wine later. It’ll save us from these people bothering us day in and day out."
"Thank you, Princess!" Jin Chan spoke. "But... I think, since this fellow Daoist is the princess’s friend, shouldn’t we invite him to come along to the Mo River and witness it?"
Chen Pingping suddenly became uneasy. "Is that really appropriate? This is a major affair for the three Great Dynasties and the Purple Gold Divine Clan. As an outsider, wouldn’t it be improper for me to be involved?"
Lan Xiuzhi’s eyes lit up, and she burst into a brilliant smile. "No problem, let’s go together! Seeing the Phoenix Cauldron’s revival is a rare spectacle indeed!"
"Exactly!" Jin Chan laughed, but his smile seemed particularly eerie.
He was currently uncertain whether the little black dog in Chen Pingping’s arms was the one from the Heaven Martial Continent. However, he knew that as soon as Chen Pingping acted again, or after the Phoenix Cauldron broke the Spatial Barrier, he would be able to confirm it.
Lan Xiuzhi suggested again, "Let’s buy a few jugs of wine to take with us. We can drink while we watch. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
It’s all over, all over!
Chen Pingping felt the situation was becoming serious. He had intentionally gotten close to Lan Xiuzhi precisely to stop the Phoenix Cauldron, but if Jin Chan was nearby, he’d have no chance to make a move!
The crucial point was that this guy was still suspicious of him. If he insisted on them going together, and Chen Pingping entered the ranks of the three Great Dynasties, wouldn’t it be a life-or-death situation?
Refuse? Forcefully refuse? That wouldn’t be appropriate. Following them might still offer a chance to act.
After some thought, Chen Pingping made his decision and said, "Alright then!"
「Before the Mo River.」
The State Preceptors of the three Great Dynasties had already arrived.
The Heavenly Dragon Dynasty’s representative was an old man in white, plainly dressed, with sparse white hair, a wrinkled face, and a sallow complexion. However, his deep-set eyes exuded an unfathomable aura.
The State Preceptor of the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty was an old crone, stooped and leaning on a weathered, grayish-brown walking stick. She appeared even more ordinary compared to the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty’s State Preceptor.
The Ancient National Master was a middle-aged man brimming with vitality. His eyes were bright and piercing, his face firm, commanding an awe-inspiring presence without needing to show anger. He had many terrifying battle achievements to his name, stories of which still circulated among the people to this day.
The three stood in their respective places, having not spoken for several hours.
They were all waiting.
After a long while, the figures of Lan Xiuzhi and the others appeared on the small path.
The armies of the three Great Dynasties all looked over in unison.
The Heavenly Dragon leader sighed in relief. Finally, they’ve arrived.
If the Little Princess didn’t come soon, I really wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer!
"Master!" Lan Xiuzhi shouted excitedly from a distance. "Hurry up and beat up Jin Chan! He just bullied me."
Jin Chan was bewildered.
The crowd was speechless.
You’re the treasure of the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty, showered with endless affection, from the Emperor down to the common folk. With such backing, who would dare bully you?
The old crone simply ignored Lan Xiuzhi’s last statement and smiled. "Has my precious disciple arrived? Come, let Master see if you’ve lost any weight."
"BOO HOO!" Lan Xiuzhi began to pout coquettishly. "Of course, I’ve lost weight! You have no idea what inhuman treatment I’ve endured staying in the palace every day..."
She ran forward with large strides.
Following behind, Chen Pingping sensed the old crone’s aura fluctuate. He held his breath and asked Jin Chan beside him, "Who is this?"
"The State Preceptor of the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty, who is also the one in charge of the Thirteen Armies," Jin Chan said, the corner of his mouth lifting. "She is known as the Human Butcher. Her famous military exploits include once annihilating three million troops from the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty and the Ancient Dynasty."
Chen Pingping actually didn’t know this kind of widely known information. This indicated a significant problem—he was not from the Spirit Realm.
Now, all I need is to find evidence to prove it, and then I can make my move.
Chen Pingping was panicking.
Judging by her appearance, she looked kind and amiable, with a benevolent face. Who would have thought she was actually such a terrifying old woman?
Jin Chan continued, "The State Preceptor of the Heavenly Phoenix is extremely protective of her own. She has only one disciple, this dynasty’s Little Princess. If someone deceives the Little Princess..." Jin Chan chuckled softly. "...what do you think the outcome would be?"
"Oh, they would certainly die a miserable death," Chen Pingping said, covertly wiping away cold sweat. "But luckily, I am truly sincere in befriending the Little Princess."
Jin Chan scoffed coldly. "Do you know about the State Preceptor of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty?"
Chen Pingping shook his head.
"He once slew a Lord," Jin Chan stated.
That concise answer sent chills down Chen Pingping’s spine.
"The Ancient National Master once shook a resurrected Sacred Soldier with his bare hands," Jin Chan said, narrowing his eyes. While mentioning the two State Preceptors, he had been observing Chen Pingping’s facial reactions all along.
Sure enough, he knows nothing. This guy isn’t from the Spirit Realm; he’s from the Heaven Martial Continent. But without evidence, I can’t act directly, or else it would be hard to explain to Lan Xiuzhi.
"The Phoenix Cauldron has arrived. Let’s begin!" the Ancient National Master said lightly.
The State Preceptor of the Heavenly Phoenix nodded and spoke, "Lan, you step aside for now. We’re about to awaken the Phoenix Cauldron and break through the Spatial Barrier. This process is very dangerous."
Lan Xiuzhi also understood the gravity of the situation. After presenting the Phoenix Cauldron, she returned to Chen Pingping’s side and said cheerfully, "We can drink now! Watch while we drink."
Chen Pingping felt uneasy. He glanced at the Phoenix Cauldron, enveloped in flames not far away, then at Lan Xiuzhi beside him, his heart filled with worry.
Once the Phoenix Cauldron is awakened, the passage between the two realms could very well be opened. At that time, who in the Heaven Martial Continent could stop the slaughter from the Spirit Realm? The strengths of the two sides are not on the same level at all. The key issue is, I still can’t find an opportunity.
"Everyone, fall back!" the three leaders ordered. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
The imperial armies retreated in unison—ten miles, twenty miles, fifty miles. Lan Xiuzhi, Jin Chan, and their group also moved back, settling on a high mountain where they sat down quietly.
Before the altar, the three State Preceptors acted together, offering up the Phoenix Cauldron. The flames within it grew more intense, their heat spreading rapidly. Even fifty miles away, it still felt as though they were in a sea of fire.
The Phoenix Cauldron began to enlarge, transforming into a small mountain resting atop the altar. The Power of the Great Tao and the Heavenly Dao Laws within it were also slowly awakening.
The Power Path became increasingly terrifying.
The sky darkened, fierce winds howled, and the surrounding mountains swayed as if on the verge of collapse.
A sudden bolt of lightning split the overcast sky, as if a God in the Void was watching everything unfold below.
Lan Xiuzhi put down her wine jug, staring intently ahead.
Jin Chan muttered to himself, "Legend has it that the Phoenix Cauldron still harbors the resentment of the Ancient Phoenix. Each awakening brings about terrifying phenomena."
"Indeed! But that’s called the Divine Soul," Lan Xiuzhi affirmed. "My master practices the Phoenix Decree and can suppress it."
Hmph. Jin Chan smiled without saying anything.
I actually hope that old woman can suppress it. Otherwise, a failure in awakening it would be a terrifying prospect. Not only would they suffer a backlash, but we would also fail to break through the Spatial Barrier, wasting a great deal of time.