Chapter 1457: Cang Xuan Prepares for Battle

When Grand Ancestor Wan Zu’s terrifying might permeated the world, Zhou Yuan’s eyes also narrowed. A truly enraged veteran Dual-Lotus Saint was indeed not to be trifled with.

However, did Grand Ancestor Wan Zu truly believe that Zhou Yuan was still the junior whose ten fingers could be casually severed?

Boom! As Zhou Yuan's thoughts stirred, thick thunderclouds gathered in the boundless sky. The Genesis Qi of heaven and earth vibrated within, finally erupting in a low rumble of thunder.

All the Saints present could sense that, at this moment, this world was brewing an astonishing heavenly might.

Clearly, facing a veteran Dual-Lotus stage expert, Zhou Yuan did not underestimate his opponent and directly unleashed the power of Cangxuan Heaven.

Both sides were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

“Haha, Wan Zu, don’t bully my junior brother just because my master isn’t here.” Just then, a hearty laugh echoed.

A red light swept from the distant horizon, finally transforming into two figures that landed deep within the royal palace.

The two figures consisted of a man and a woman. The one with short, wine-red hair, who looked heroic and spirited, was naturally Chi Jing, while the other man, tall and carrying a large scarlet gourd on his back, was none other than Zhou Yuan’s Senior Brother, Zhuan Zhu.

Upon his arrival, Zhuan Zhu observed the two confronting figures. He clapped his palm directly onto the gourd, and a scarlet torrent immediately surged skyward. Within the torrent, endless red sand seemed to swirl, scorching hot and capable of incinerating the sky.

“Zhuan Zhu, do not be presumptuous!”

When Green Willow saw Zhuan Zhu suddenly burst in, his face immediately darkened. Streams of green light spewed from the top of his head, transforming in the void into gigantic, hideously twisted venomous beasts that displayed formidable ferocity.

The other Saints, witnessing the two sides immediately come to blows, exchanged glances, unsure of how to react.

“All of you, stop right now!”

Just as the Saints were feeling troubled, a furious roar, sudden as a clap of thunder, resounded.

A purple mist surged skyward like a purple galaxy, directly separating the clashing auras of both parties.

Beneath the purple galaxy, Grand Venerable Zixiao’s intelligent and elegant face was covered in frost, her almond eyes wide, and anger flickered in her gaze.

Grand Venerable Zixiao’s chest rose and fell dramatically, revealing her inner fury.

“Have you two had enough?!”

“If you truly want to cause trouble, I suggest you go directly to the Return to Ruin Temple!”

Grand Ancestor Wan Zu and Zhou Yuan both fell silent for a moment. Although their expressions remained cold, the concentrated pressure did weaken slightly.

Both sides understood that, given the current circumstances, it would be difficult for them to truly engage in combat; their earlier actions were merely to express their respective stances.

Grand Venerable Zixiao took a deep breath, rubbed her fair hand on her brow, and said, “Heaven Master Zhou Yuan, we primarily came to Cangxuan Heaven to assist in its defense. There’s no hierarchy between us. I suggest that the three of us make decisions collectively, and all actions can be discussed and agreed upon. What do you think?”

Zhou Yuan heard this and smiled, “If everyone were as reasonable and understanding as Grand Venerable Zixiao, there would be far fewer conflicts.”

In truth, he didn’t particularly care who was in charge, but Grand Ancestor Wan Zu clearly intended to suppress him. If he didn’t act strongly, it would inevitably damage his authority as Heaven Master in the eyes of others in Cangxuan Heaven.

Grand Venerable Zixiao rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Grand Ancestor Wan Zu, saying, “Wan Zu, you and Cang Yuan may not get along, but there’s no need to trouble Zhou Yuan. We are now burdened with a heavy responsibility. If anything goes wrong here in Cangxuan Heaven, neither of us will be able to explain ourselves.”

The immense pressure emanating from Grand Ancestor Wan Zu completely dissipated. He said indifferently, “I have no selfish motives; I simply believe he lacks the capability. However, since you’ve put it that way, I will naturally give you face.”

“I only hope that when he encounters those veteran Saints of the Sacred Race, he can be as unyielding as he is today, because they won’t be as restrained as I am. And if Cangxuan Heaven falls then, the first to suffer will only be him, the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven.”

After speaking, he didn’t even glance at Zhou Yuan again. His figure gradually blurred, then vanished into thin air.

Green Willow and several other Saints, clearly aligned with Grand Ancestor Wan Zu, also departed.

Not far away, Zhuan Zhu and Chi Jing approached. The former eyed Zhou Yuan up and down, then gave a thumbs up. “I’ve long disliked that old geezer who loves to act superior. Junior Brother, you acted boldly; that was satisfying!”

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhuan Zhu, a smile appearing on his face. Although he had, strictly speaking, only met his Senior Brother once, Zhuan Zhu’s straightforward and carefree personality had made him quite fond of him.

“Earlier, I also relied on Senior Brother to momentarily block Green Willow, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to handle him.”

Zhuan Zhu waved his hand nonchalantly. “Grand Ancestor Wan Zu is powerful, and I can’t do anything to him, but what is that old Green Willow? Next time there’s an opportunity, let’s team up, you and I, and ambush him. That’ll make him avoid us whenever he sees us.”

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Grand Venerable Zixiao glared at him with displeasure.

Chi Jing quickly twisted Zhuan Zhu’s arm, and only then did he give Grand Venerable Zixiao a sheepish smile.

Grand Venerable Zixiao sighed, saying, “Your lineage truly is a handful. It would have been most appropriate for that old Cang Yuan to come here.”

“Why didn’t Master come?” Zhou Yuan asked, somewhat puzzled. Indeed, it would have been most appropriate for Cang Yuan to be here, but why did the Return to Ruin Temple send Grand Ancestor Wan Zu, who was at odds with him?

A hint of envy flickered in Grand Venerable Zixiao’s beautiful eyes. “Your master went into seclusion a year ago,” she said.

“Seclusion?”

Zhou Yuan was startled, then his heart trembled slightly. “Could it be… Master is about to break through to the Triple-Lotus stage?”

Grand Venerable Zixiao nodded. In the Return to Ruin Temple, the three Ancient Venerables held the highest positions, and below them were the veteran Dual-Lotus stage experts. Yet, despite many years of arduous cultivation, none had managed to advance to the Third Lotus.

Now, Cang Yuan suddenly showing signs of a breakthrough caused quite a stir in the Return to Ruin Temple. However, this was ultimately good news. If Cang Yuan could become the fourth Ancient Venerable, the Heavens would face significantly less pressure when dealing with the Sacred Race.

A joyful smile appeared on Zhou Yuan’s face. This was indeed good news. “You don’t ask about that little girl from my Zixiao Domain?” Grand Venerable Zixiao looked at Zhou Yuan and suddenly snorted coldly.

Zhou Yuan was startled, then understood. “You mean Youwei? What happened to her?”

Grand Venerable Zixiao said expressionlessly, “On the day of your grand wedding, that girl entered Mount Return to Ruin for cultivation. That’s where Saints in the Return to Ruin Temple temper their Saint power. For those in the Law Domain stage like them, it’s a forbidden place, fraught with deadly perils.”

“Once you enter Mount Return to Ruin, there’s no turning back. So there are only two outcomes: perish within, or successfully attain Sainthood.”

Zhou Yuan fell into a long silence. Finally, he sighed, his expression somewhat forlorn, and whispered, “I believe in her; she will definitely make it out.”

“I hope so.” Grand Venerable Zixiao’s gaze swept over the area sealed by the barrier behind them, then she said nothing more. After all, this was an emotional entanglement between juniors, and she wasn’t in a good position to get involved.

“The matter of assembling forces from all sides of Cangxuan Heaven will be entrusted to Heaven Master Zhou Yuan. We must reinforce our defenses as soon as possible,” she reminded.

“It’s my duty,” Zhou Yuan said, cupping his hands.

Seeing this, Grand Venerable Zixiao said no more, and her figure gradually dispersed.

Zhou Yuan watched her disappearing figure, then chatted with his Senior Brother Zhuan Zhu and Senior Sister Chi Jing for a while before turning towards Zhou Qing and Qin Yu.

“Yuan’er, are you alright?” Qin Yu held Zhou Yuan’s hand. Her eyes reddened involuntarily as she looked at his much thinner face.

“I made you worry,” Zhou Yuan whispered.

Qin Yu wiped away tears. She didn’t dare to ask about Yao Yao’s situation, fearing it would stir up painful memories for Zhou Yuan.

“Cangxuan Heaven will soon face major events, and I cannot stay here. Father King, Mother Queen, please be very careful,” Zhou Yuan said, comforting them.

Zhou Qing waved his hand. “At your level now, your Father King can’t help you much. But no matter what, this is your home. So even if Cangxuan Heaven is truly destroyed in the end, I hope you can return. At the very least, our family can face it together, leaving no regrets.”

Qin Yu, hearing this, immediately became so angry that she couldn’t help but punch Zhou Qing twice.

Zhou Yuan, however, chuckled, then nodded seriously.

“I understand.”

He said, then his gaze passed over the two, looking at the area sealed by the barrier behind them. Sadness flowed deep in his eyes.

Even now, it all felt like a dream, making it difficult to awaken from the past sweetness.

But now the Heavens faced a great calamity, and dwelling in sorrow was futile. Moreover, things hadn’t truly reached their most desperate point, just as he had told Yao Yao not to give up easily.

Therefore, he would not give up either.

He would wait for Yao Yao to awaken.

Even if by then she had truly become the so-called Third God, Zhou Yuan would still quietly wait for her return.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, finally embraced Zhou Qing and Qin Yu, then his figure gradually dispersed like a bubble.