Chapter 2098: The Purpose of the Altar

Zhang Xuan frowned. "His soul aura is identical, his understanding of martial arts has reached the Heavenly Dao level, and he is invincible in battles of the same rank..."

Deep down, he couldn't believe this person was the revered Master Teacher of All Ages.

Yet, he couldn't find a single flaw.

While an identical soul aura might be faked, his understanding of martial arts and combat prowess at the same level could not possibly be a disguise.

If it hadn't been for his clone breaking through to the Half-God realm, combined with the assistance of so many Half-God spirit beasts and weapons, victory would have been impossible.

This meant the opponent's combat power at the same level was either stronger than his or at least equal, despite Zhang Xuan cultivating Heavenly Dao techniques.

If it wasn't him... who else could have achieved that?

Furthermore, he couldn't ascertain the opponent's exact identity. Besides this individual, a supreme expert who had achieved "Heavenly Dao of Order," who else could remain concealed from the Library's illumination?

"I have fought Kong Shi multiple times throughout my life, and I know exactly what kind of person he is. This individual before us, despite having Kong Shi's appearance and soul aura, is definitely not him! Furthermore, if it were truly him, do you honestly believe your clone and these spirit beasts could defeat him?" the Ruthless Man stated.

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Based on Kong Shi's past, he was invincible and always triumphant. Even with a dozen more Half-Gods, success would likely be exceedingly difficult.

"Back then, I captured one of his disciples. He could have easily feigned ignorance, but despite knowing the danger, he rushed in without hesitation... He knew he would die, yet for his disciple, he went willingly and courageously. Though he is my lifelong adversary, I admire him tremendously; he would never engage in such behavior as this person before us."

The Ruthless Man continued, "The Imperfect Heavenly Dao is indeed powerful, but the Heavenly Dao of Order is no weaker! If one lacks even that much conviction in their Dao, how could they achieve eternal renown?"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The Heavenly Dao of Order was indispensable for Kong Shi's immense achievements.

Since he already possessed a part of the Heavenly Dao, if he were to come and steal from Zhang Xuan, he might very well be assimilated by the Heavenly Dao and die on the spot. If it were truly Kong Shi, how could he not be aware of this?

Even Zhang Xuan himself possessed such steadfastness and wouldn't envy others; his opponent surely did as well.

But... if not Kong Shi, then who could it be?

"There's no point in thinking so much. Let's rescue Du Qingyuan; she might know more secrets..."

The altar had already been taken by the "Kong Shi" imposter, and there was nothing left to linger for. Zhang Xuan found the exit of the folded space and left the so-called Tongshén Hall headquarters, only to discover it was less than a hundred kilometers from the Sky-Connecting Stone!

Despite its close proximity, none of the Six Great Sects had ever discovered it; it was indeed remarkably well-hidden.

Following the Sky-Connecting Stone to its peak, he saw that the Sky-Reaching Bridge had indeed vanished, and the distant Divine Hall had once again disappeared into the night sky, leaving no trace.

"Sect Leader... are you alright?"

Upon his appearance, Kui Xiao, Han Jianqiu, and the others were utterly disbelieving.

The Sky-Reaching Bridge had retracted, and Elder Hongwu and others who had advanced to Half-God had returned. However, Zhang Xuan remained unseen, leading them to believe he had encountered danger and was unable to return. To their surprise, he wasn't flying from the direction of the Divine Hall but rather from below the Sky-Connecting Stone.

"It's a long story. Where are Sect Leaders Bai Xuansheng and Gu Zhuiyun?" Zhang Xuan said, looking around.

These two sect leaders, who had defected to the Tongshén Hall, had now vanished without a trace.

"Not long after you entered the Sky-Reaching Bridge, they departed in a great hurry. We don't know exactly where they went..." Han Jianqiu said.

"Not long?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It seemed they had used some special method to learn that he had killed their geniuses and had fled beforehand!

Over ten hours had passed, so attempting to find them now would likely be futile.

"Do you know how to enter the Divine Hall without using the Sky-Reaching Bridge?" Zhang Xuan asked.

The others shook their heads simultaneously.

If they knew, they wouldn't have to wait once every century.

"There must be other passages besides the Sky-Reaching Bridge..."

Zhang Xuan pondered.

Since Kong Shi could slaughter everyone in the Divine Hall and replace them with Tongshén Hall members, it indicated he must have had his own method of entering the Divine Hall, not simply by crossing the bridge.

Otherwise, if the bridge only appeared for a single day each time, there wouldn't be enough time!

With the Sky-Reaching Bridge gone, there was no point in staying. Zhang Xuan and the others flew down from the Sky-Connecting Stone, and before they even reached sea level, Wu Chen came to meet them.

To avoid revealing his strength, he had not climbed to the summit with the others but had remained waiting here.

"Palace Master Du, did she ever mention any other ways to enter the Divine Hall?" A thought struck him, and Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

Han Jianqiu and the others didn't know, but perhaps Du Qingyuan did. Wu Chen had followed her for a long time and should know something.

"She didn't mention it..." Wu Chen shook his head, "Besides the Sky-Reaching Bridge, she likely doesn't know any other method to enter the Divine Hall."

Zhang Xuan gave a bitter smile.

It seemed his hopes were too high. Indeed, not just Wu Chen, but Du Qingyuan herself certainly wouldn't know.

Otherwise, the Star-Chasing Palace would have long become the leading power among the Six Great Sects, and wouldn't have been left defenseless against the Tongshén Hall's attack.

"Then... besides the Ethereal Boots, are there any other methods to directly traverse space?" After a pause, Zhang Xuan looked at Han Jianqiu and the others.

The imposter Kong Shi had taken him from the Divine Hall, traversing space using the Ethereal Boots to reach the Tongshén Hall headquarters. If they could find a similar item, perhaps they could also pass through the barrier left by the gods on the Sky-Connecting Stone and re-enter the Divine Hall!

"Traverse space?"

"It is said that only by reaching the realm of a true god can one achieve that..." Han Jianqiu and the others replied.

"A True God?" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

If true gods could truly appear in the Firmament, then this "Kong Shi" would have already achieved that status, and wouldn't be here trying to seize something from Zhang Xuan.

Having experienced the Sky-Reaching Bridge and the Master Teacher Continent, he knew it wasn't a matter of talent. Instead, this world also lacked a special substance that would allow people to advance to the God realm.

Without this substance, even if one reached the peak of the Half-God realm and possessed immense talent, successful advancement would be impossible.

Therefore... the answer that only a true god could traverse space was useless to him.

Just as he was filled with helplessness, unsure how to find the Divine Hall and rescue Du Qingyuan, a voice spoke up, "I know a method that might work..."

It was Wu Chen speaking.

"Tell me?" Zhang Xuan looked over eagerly.

Wu Chen said, "Traversing space is indeed normally impossible, but it can be accomplished with the help of sacrificial power. Back then... Young Mistress Luo used this power to consecutively traverse the barriers between two great worlds!"

Zhang Xuan slapped his forehead.

How could he not have thought of that?

When it came to traversing space, what could possibly compare to the unique sacrificial rites of the Spirit race?

Luo Ruoxi, as a Spirit God, used this method to cross the barriers between two worlds. If it was merely within the same world, it would certainly be much simpler.

Wu Chen continued, "However, to use this type of traversal, altars are required in both locations. A sacrifice performed on one side can transport a person to the other..."

On the Master Teacher Continent, when he captured the bronze-masked figure, he had used such an altar to easily teleport people from one place to another.

"If that's the case, perhaps... it really can be done. We could easily enter the Divine Hall without the Sky-Reaching Bridge!" Zhang Xuan said.

Although he didn't know where the "Kong Shi" imposter had gone, it was highly probable that, for safety's sake, he had returned to the Divine Hall.

As long as he returned, the altar would be in the Divine Hall, and Zhang Xuan could fully utilize this teleportation method to sacrifice himself into the Divine Hall.

"Return to Star-Chasing Palace!"

Without further hesitation, he quickly returned to the Star-Chasing Palace.

He found Elder Jiang Yao.

"This is the altar I used earlier when I disguised myself as the Palace Master..." Zhang Xuan took out the altar, and Elder Jiang Yao retrieved the various treasures required for the sacrifice.

Although she was merely an ordinary elder, she possessed extensive knowledge of sacrificial rites. Before long, the treasures began to burn, and a unique power emanated from them.

Zhang Xuan stood above the altar. Moments later, the treasures were completely consumed, but he had not been teleported away; he remained in place.

"It seems only that sect-protecting treasure can perform teleportation. Other altars are suitable for minor sacrifices, but incapable of larger ones..." After another attempt, Elder Jiang Yao shook her head helplessly.

The altar taken by the imposter Kong Shi was the Star-Chasing Palace's most treasured artifact, endowed with unique abilities.

The remaining altars within the sect were adequate for minor sacrifices, but they certainly couldn't teleport a peak Immortal King realm expert to an unknown location and through a barrier left by true gods!

"That altar is very likely in the Divine Hall..." Zhang Xuan felt helpless.

If he could find it, he wouldn't be in such a passive situation.

But these ordinary altars couldn't accomplish the task... It seemed the altar teleportation method was also useless.

"Young Master... ordinary altars won't work, but... if you could return to the Master Teacher Continent and retrieve the Spirit race's altar, it should be easily doable!" Wu Chen interjected.

"The Spirit race's altar on the Master Teacher Continent?" Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned.

That's right.

This altar had allowed Luo Ruoxi to enter the Master Teacher Continent from the Firmament. While its grade might not be as high as the Star-Chasing Palace's, its efficacy was certainly no weaker!

If he could get his hands on it, he could use a sacrifice to communicate with the altar on the other side and teleport himself to the Divine Hall.

Only...

This altar was still on the Master Teacher Continent. How could he possibly return?

Back then, when Luo Ruoxi entered, she required someone on the other side to perform a sacrifice for her to succeed. Even then, after entering the Master Teacher Continent, her cultivation had once dropped to the early Saint realm. Zhang Xuan was currently only at the peak of the Immortal King realm. Even if he knew the altar on the other side could be used, he wouldn't be able to retrieve it himself!

"Actually... returning isn't that complicated!" Knowing Zhang Xuan's thoughts, Wu Chen said.

Zhang Xuan frowned.

Wu Chen pondered for a moment, then said, "When the Spirit God arrived, the passage from the Firmament to the Master Teacher Continent was blocked and essentially impassable. However, after the emergence of the Spring and Autumn Annals, both time and space underwent changes, and cracks appeared in the passage... By the time Young Master arrived, it was already open. As long as you can locate the passage you used to come here, returning won't be difficult..."