The invisible time-space barrier isolated the surrounding heaven and earth. Two figures stood before Chu Zheng as if stepping out from an ancient scroll.
One was dressed in a plain white robe with no adornment, flowing with moonlight like water. Their countenance was obscured by the Space-Time Law, veiled in a layer of shifting luminosity, save for a pair of eyes, clear as deep pools, reflecting the stars of all heavens, so profound it incited a deep sense of awe.
The other wore a long blue robe, tall and slender, with an ancient jade pendant at their waist. Their face was equally indistinct, their aura restrained and peaceful, like a peerless Divine Weapon sheathed, exuding a harmonious and flawless presence, nearly blending with the Great Universe.
The gaze of the two seemed to penetrate through the ages, not observing the battlefield winding down, but with an indescribable scrutiny, they focused on Chu Zheng, sitting cross-legged with his aura returning to calm.
They came by the order of the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor, tasked to guard in secret, serving as the last barrier, ensuring that the "seed" cherished by the Immortal Ancestor would not meet an early demise in this cruel struggle for Taoist Orthodoxy.
Their original plan was to remain behind the scenes, watching with cold eyes.
This sixth line of defense was meant to be abandoned. Facing the assault of a newly ascended Martial Emperor and four Martial Monarchs, Chu Zheng arrived here, fundamentally unable to change the course of the battle.
Though the three of Taiyi Hongfeng were not weak in cultivation, they lacked deep foundations and could not hold for long.
According to their initial estimations, the sixth line was bound to be precarious within moments.
When the defense wavered, and Chu Zheng fell into a desperate situation, having played all his cards yet failing to turn the tide, that was the perfect moment for them to intervene and reverse the situation.
Striking then wouldn't only save Chu Zheng from peril but also maximize the gratitude for Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's timely aid, making Chu Zheng deeply remember this protective gesture.
They calculated the evolution of the battle, the limits of the three Immortal Monarchs, and even the potential cards Chu Zheng might possess...
But they failed to calculate Chu Zheng himself.
They didn't anticipate that Chu Zheng would defy the heavens to such an extent.
From the moment Chu Zheng tore through the starry sky to confront the Martial Emperor, until cutting down the last two desperately counterattacking Divine Martial Heavenly Generals, the entire process was swift as a thunderclap, sweeping away opposition as if it were dry timber.
Where was the desperate situation? Where was the need to reverse the tide?
Early-stage Immortal Monarch slashing a Martial Emperor.
This was not merely a battle across realms; this was a subversion of various Taoist Orthodoxy power level understandings, enough to shake the entire Immortal Domain, an earth-shattering achievement that startled the Great Universe.
The two Great Immortal Emperors exchanged a glance, seeing the same shock and an unprecedented gravity in each other's eyes.
Although it was due to having two Emperor Weapons in hand, it could not be separated from Chu Zheng's own mastery.
Even if a newly ascended Immortal Emperor held these two Emperor Weapons, they might not perform better than Chu Zheng has now.
The insight of the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor was indeed extraordinary.
Chu Zheng was not a mere mortal; the potential he displayed today far exceeded their initial estimate. Perhaps, the Immortal Ancestor's intention of making them Chu Zheng's amulet held far deeper significance than they comprehended.
The atmosphere in this isolated time-space suddenly turned rather subtle.
Chu Zheng's gaze swept over the two Great Immortal Emperors, and in an instant, he pierced through the time-space laws enveloping them, discerning their true nature.
Chu Zheng's gaze scanned over the one wearing the plain white robe, effortlessly penetrating the flowing moonlight, landing on the real contours beneath the blurred visage.
Beneath the time-space barrier was a woman with a clear and elegant appearance, an ethereal quality like the moon. She appeared to be in her thirties, with an immortal vein imprinted between her brows, containing boundless space-time power.
Her life origin aura, cultivation level, all information surged into Chu Zheng's Sea of Consciousness like a tide.
She was Xi Youyue, her cultivation was at Immortal Emperor Perfection. Her aura shared a source with the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor, suggesting a close relationship, even if not directly inherited.
Then, Chu Zheng's gaze turned to the other Great Immortal Emperor. Under the Spiritual Eye, he clearly saw the dormant power source within the other.
Under the blue robe was a middle-aged man with a square face, from whose life origin emanated a vastness and depth far exceeding typical Immortal Emperors.
Lei Chen, whose cultivation was also at Immortal Emperor Perfection.
The two shared an evident commonality; they were not from the Thirteen Clans, nor were they pure-blooded Immortal Descendants. Reaching this far was truly remarkable.
After a brief pause in thoughts, Chu Zheng stood, cupped his hands in salute, and said softly, "Thank you, two elders, for coming. Although this battle was won by luck, strong enemies lurk around, and the future is unpredictable. If there is any need to trouble you in the days to come, I hope you can be accommodating and bear with it."
"No need for formalities. The Immortal Ancestor commanded, and it is our duty. Fear not; before we came, the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor bestowed a great treasure. Unless an Ancestral Realm appears, not even a Half Ancestor can harm you."
Xi Youyue waved her hand, reminding him, "The news of our presence here is top secret, not to be disclosed even slightly. You should be aware of this."
"I understand," Chu Zheng nodded in agreement.
This sixth line is only guarded by three Immortal Monarchs, clearly showing that the current Immortal Alliance is stretched thin. At such a critical moment, deploying two Great Immortal Emperors here, the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor must have borne considerable pressure.
As his words fell, Xi Youyue and Lei Chen, the two Great Immortal Emperors, instantly vanished into the void. Their blurry figures melted into the scene like ink into water, becoming transparent and finally completely disappearing in the void distorted by their own time-space laws, leaving no trace to follow.