Chapter 553: Task

North of Shengzhou Continent stood Sheng Palace.

Majestic white buildings, resembling snowflakes, dotted the continuous mountain ranges. A solemn aura pervaded the world.

On the edge of a mist-shrouded cliff, a figure sat cross-legged. Dressed in a robe, he had silver hair and eyes of the same mysterious, unfathomable hue.

It was the Sheng Yuan Palace Master of Sheng Palace.

At this moment, he held a bamboo pole, which extended out over the cliff, with a white line dangling downwards.

Below the cliff, a surging, dim river flowed, from which a malevolent aura ascended. Enormous dark shadows could vaguely be seen moving through the water. Yet, whenever these menacing figures passed, they seemed to sense a terrifying, transcendent pressure, daring not to make the slightest sound, trembling in fear.

Suddenly, a whooshing sound echoed between heaven and earth as three figures descended from the sky, landing behind Sheng Yuan Palace Master. They respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Palace Master."

They were two men and one woman.

The leader was a handsome man with white hair. His white hair was tied back, with two strands falling by his cheeks, each adorned with a blood-red bead that emitted a faint crimson glow.

He always wore a smiling expression, his narrow eyes somewhat small, making him appear extremely approachable and kind.

However, whether in Sheng Palace or on Shengzhou Continent, his name alone was enough to make countless prodigies blanch.

Sheng Palace, Jiang Taishen.

Ranked first on the Shengzhou Continent's Holy Son List.

This top rank was not merely bestowed upon him; rather, he had carved it out himself over the years, fighting his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Beside Jiang Taishen stood a young girl with a slender, delicate figure, clad in a black dress. She possessed an exceptionally exquisite and enchanting face, with crimson lips that held a bewitching allure.

Beneath the black dress, her slender, snow-white legs were strikingly long and assertive.

Her skin was snowy white, almost morbidly pale, giving her a delicate appearance. Her eyes were particularly unique, with pupils that seemed to be a blood-red color.

She stood there gently and quietly, yet exuded a strangely alluring charm.

However, it was unlikely any disciple in Sheng Palace dared to approach her, for her name was Zhantai Qing. Within Sheng Palace, she was second only to Jiang Taishen, and on the Shengzhou Continent's Holy Son List, she held the third rank. Most who had crossed swords with her had ultimately become mummified corpses.

The third person was a tall, upright man with brilliant, golden hair. When he smiled, he revealed stark white teeth, and his golden vertical pupils held no trace of emotion, sending shivers down one's spine.

Jin Chanzi, ranked fifth on the Holy Son List.

These three were currently the most outstanding disciples among Sheng Palace's younger generation.

Their formidable reputations had long resonated across the Shengzhou Continent.

Holding his bamboo pole, Sheng Yuan Palace Master turned to face the three, smiling slightly. "In a few more days, the Xianyuan Cave will likely appear in the South Sea. Sheng Palace's quotas have been confirmed, and the three of you will lead the team this time."

Jiang Taishen, Zhantai Qing, and Jin Chanzi all nodded respectfully. Although they were prodigies blessed by heaven, they clearly understood that the one before them was a towering existence capable of dominating the entire Cangxuan Heaven.

Compared to him, they still had an unimaginable distance to cover.

"Every struggle for the Xianyuan Cave will impact the reputation of various factions. I hope that after this, more people will come to know the formidable reputation of my Sheng Palace."

"After all, many still believe my Sheng Palace doesn't deserve to be called the top sect in Cangxuan Heaven," Sheng Yuan Palace Master said with a faint smile.

Jiang Taishen's narrow eyes narrowed further. He chuckled, "Palace Master, how many Holy Sons from other sects do you think should perish?"

"You handle it as you see fit." Sheng Yuan Palace Master wasn't overly concerned, as in his view, some so-called Holy Sons weren't even worthy of his attention.

He paused, then slightly raised his silver eyes. "Those Holy Sons are irrelevant, but there's a task I need you to complete then."

"Please instruct us, Palace Master."

"The Cangxuan Sect has a chief disciple named Zhou Yuan. He should also be participating in this Xianyuan Cave expedition. Find a way to capture him." Sheng Yuan Palace Master gazed at the torrents in the abyss below, swaying his bamboo pole slightly, the white line dangling into the depths as if he were fishing.

This time, Jiang Taishen, Zhantai Qing, and Jin Chanzi couldn't help but be startled. Even with their composure, a hint of astonishment appeared. The three exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Given Sheng Yuan Palace Master's status, even the Holy Sons of other sects didn't warrant his attention. Even the three of them were likely just promising saplings in his eyes.

Thus, they found it somewhat incredible. What capabilities did this chief disciple of the Cangxuan Sect, named Zhou Yuan, possess that made him worthy of the Palace Master's mention?

"Can it be done?" Sheng Yuan Palace Master asked softly, his gaze fixed on the surging torrent.

Jiang Taishen nodded and asked, "Palace Master, do you want him dead or alive?"

Sheng Yuan Palace Master said languidly, "Alive is best, but if not possible, a corpse will suffice."

Jiang Taishen nodded again, committing the matter to memory. Although surprised that the Palace Master himself would bring up such a task, he figured that dealing with a mere chief disciple should be easily accomplished.

Sheng Yuan Palace Master gave a few more instructions, then waved his hand, dismissing the three.

After Jiang Taishen and the others departed, another figure reappeared behind Sheng Yuan Palace Master. The cloaked figure, upon raising their head, revealed a familiar face.

It was none other than Wu Huang.

Sheng Yuan Palace Master didn't turn around, merely smiling. "Wu Huang, although you are now a Blood Asura Body, you are extremely important to my Sheng Palace, and it's truly not advisable for you to go out and take risks."

"Therefore, I shall deal with your adversary for you first. Of course, the most important thing is to extract the Sheng Palace Qi from his body again and infuse it into yours."

Wu Huang lowered his head. Though he regretted not being able to personally slay Zhou Yuan to avenge his ruined body, he dared not object to Sheng Yuan Palace Master, and immediately assented respectfully.

Sheng Yuan Palace Master paid no mind to Wu Huang's thoughts. The bamboo pole in his hand suddenly quivered slightly.

The surging torrent was suddenly ripped apart, and a slender white line was pulled taut. A colossal dark shadow, ten thousand zhang in size, was violently fished out from the abyss, struggling wildly, its monstrous malevolence raging throughout heaven and earth.

"Heh heh, how could a prey eyed by this Palace Master escape?" Sheng Yuan Palace Master chuckled. The white fishing line coiled around the massive dark shadow, binding it. With a gentle tug, amidst piercing screams, the ten-thousand-zhang dark shadow directly shattered. All its flesh and blood melted away at that moment, finally transforming into a stream of blood-red mist.

Sheng Yuan Palace Master's mouth slightly opened, and he swallowed the stream of blood-red mist in one gulp.

He glanced at Wu Huang behind him, then smiled as he gazed upon the world.

Once he retrieved that portion of the Sacred Dragon Qi, he would be able to sacrifice it and thus perceive the heavens and earth. At that time, the Cangxuan Sacred Seal, painstakingly hidden by Ancestor Cangxuan for hundreds of years, would be detected by him.

"Cangxuan..."

"Even in death, you still cause this Palace Master discomfort. Once I become the new Heavenly Master, I will personally erase your bothersome Cangxuan Sect completely..."

"At that time, your disciples and grand-disciples can join you. Consider it this Palace Master's final gift to you."