He did not offer another bow. He had already given his deepest bow before, and now, only a respectful silence remained for a Taoist Master who had opened his doors to him. He felt the peaceful aura of the cave remain undisturbed, as if the Taoist Priest had truly merged with the stillness, ignoring the chaos and slaughter that had just occurred before him.

  Zhi Xuan stepped onto the bow of the Seven-Star Boat. He gazed toward the south, in the direction leading to the Central Continent. The Three Plains Competition. Time was growing short, and he now carried a foundation that was not only strong but also philosophically balanced. This foundation was the result of five years spent bearing the weight of every drop of blood and every soul he had harvested.

  He channeled essence into the Seven-Star Boat. It was no longer just the wild Laws of Wind and Lightning, but a combination of the five Laws now united into a single Dao. He used the Wind Law for pure speed, the Lightning Law for instant acceleration, and the Extreme Ice Law to freeze the space ahead of them, creating an empty path. However, the two newly forged Laws, Earth and Fire, also came into play.

  The Earth Law provided weight and stability to the boat, preventing it from vibrating or distorting amidst the terrifying speed, making it as unshakable as an iceberg floating in the air. Meanwhile, the Primal Fire Law, which now resonated as Diligence, became a stable source of pure energy, fueling the boat's essence without ever running dry.

  WHOOSH! ZRRTT!

  The Seven-Star Boat shot forward. Its speed far surpassed their journey when they first arrived. It left behind the Crimson Land Valley, the volcanic plains, and the remnants of the battles he had passed through. In just half a month, the distance to the Crimson Land Valley, which had taken months to reach, was now merely a memory buried in the north.

  They entered the air above the vast plains between the Northern and Central Continents—he had already crossed the territory of the Green Wind Sea, having navigated the boundary of the terrifying Wind Law, reaching plains more densely populated with mortals and weaker cultivation sects. The Seven-Star Boat, now moving at a speed that cleaved through space, left a faint five-colored trail streaking across the sky, a sight unnoticed by the cultivators passing below them.

  Zhi Xuan stood at the bow, receiving the blast of harsh wind that was now unable to tear his black robes. He felt every Slaughter Seal on his chest pulse, bearing the burden of sixty-one lives. This burden felt heavy, but he allowed it, making it an anchor for his soul and his Dao. He knew that every time he called upon this power, he called upon the destruction and the promises buried within the earth.

  WHUSH! WHUSH! WHUSH!

  The Seven-Star Boat stopped abruptly. Zhi Xuan moved his fingers to restrain the sudden spiritual impact, his ice-sapphire eyes sharpening while his silvery hair fluttered slowly. He stared at two carriages drawn by black Qilins that suddenly appeared in his path, carrying the aura of a Five Element perfection alongside a Soul Transformation expert within the carriage.

  The carriages, with striking gold and silver colors, carried the aura of an Ancient Clan that was powerful and oppressive. From one of the horse-drawn carriages, the curtain opened and two figures emerged, radiating an oppressive Soul Transformation aura. Among the two figures, one was the Holy Son of the Ancient Hua Clan, Hua Tianming, wearing snow-white robes with carvings of wooden roots and nature accents, his long black hair tied neatly with the jade of a prince, his gaze as sharp as the creeping dusk.

  Beside him stood an elegant woman wearing robes of a similar color to Hua Tianming, her hair styled with jade in the fashion of a princess, her eyes as black as the night itself, her face flawless and covered by a veil from her lips to her prominent nose. She carried a solid and cold Soul Transformation burden. She was the Holy Daughter of the Ancient Hua Clan, Hua Lian Xi.

  Zhi Xuan stood undaunted. The calm aura of his Five Element Perfection resonated with the weight of the Earth, making the Seven-Star Boat appear like an unshakable mountain in the middle of the air. The Ancient Hua Clan—one of the supporting pillars of the Hongmeng Empire. They were known as the descendants of the Great Emperor Hua, recognized for their flexibility and dazzling power throughout the ages. Their Dao was in harmony with nature and life, the opposite of the Dao of destruction he had forged.

  He felt the spiritual pressure from both Soul Transformation cultivators. The pressure was not crude but oppressive—like the roots of an ancient tree spreading slowly, suffocating the space around it. This was the elegant way of the Ancient Clan to test the depth of an opponent's foundation. Hua Tianming, the Holy Son, shifted his gaze from the tip of the Seven-Star Boat to Zhi Xuan's eyes. His neat eyebrows rose slightly, showing a hidden surprise. The speed of Zhi Xuan's boat, coupled with the calm yet extreme Five Element aura, clearly caught their attention.

  "Is this not the Black-Haired Devil spoken of throughout the Continent?" asked Hua Tianming, his voice calm, yet every syllable carried the oppressive resonance of Soul Transformation. "The Messenger of Fate, who entered the Tombs of Great Emperor Zhu and Great Emperor Hua."

  Zhi Xuan snorted softly, his hand holding the controls of the Seven-Star Boat moving slightly, calling upon a hint of Lightning aura within the hidden Heavenly Sword. He did not hide his identity; for the powerful Ancient Clans, hiding was a foolish and meaningless act.

  "This Zhi pays respects to the Holy Son and Holy Daughter of the Hua Clan," Zhi Xuan replied, his voice returning to a calm, flat tone. He clasped his hands and bowed slightly in acknowledgment. "That is correct, it is I. The Great Emperor's Tomb in the Ancient Desolate Land, years ago I entered and exited from there. Today, it is an honor to meet the descendants of the Great Emperor in person."

  Hua Tianming smiled thinly. The smile did not reach his sharp eyes. He nodded vaguely, acknowledging Zhi Xuan's polite demeanor which was far from the image of the devil being circulated.

  "The honor is ours. The Heavenly Path rarely brings a Devil and the Descendants of a Great Emperor onto the same track," Hua Tianming replied, his attention now shifting to the Seven-Star Boat. "Your artifact carries extraordinary speed. And the aura... Pure Five Elements. Your foundation has reached the peak, Daoist Zhi Xuan."

  Holy Daughter Hua Lian Xi, beside him, did not speak. She only stared at Zhi Xuan with unblinking eyes, as if measuring the depth of the abyss within the youth's soul. Her gaze, as black as the night, carried a gentle Law of Life, attempting to penetrate Zhi Xuan's cold aura.

  Zhi Xuan felt a subtle pull from that Law of Life—an attempt to read the essence of his Heavenly-Blood. However, the Extreme Ice Law and the newly forged Earth Law, which now enveloped him with impenetrable density, rejected the attempt. Zhi Xuan's aura remained calm and stable, like ancient basalt rock shrouded in mist.

  "The path I tread is filled with destruction," Zhi Xuan hissed, his tone neither acknowledging the praise nor denying the accusation. "The Ancient Hua Clan always seeks harmony. Our paths are two opposite sides of a spiritual coin."

  Hua Tianming laughed lightly, a laugh that echoed softly and elegantly. He slowly closed the carriage curtain again, the movement full of the Ancient Clan's courtesy.

  "However, the coin remains one," Hua Tianming replied from behind the now-closed curtain, his voice sounding soft yet carrying profound weight. "Right and wrong, light and dark—everything depends on who holds the control. Daoist Zhi Xuan, we heard you are heading South, toward the Hongmeng Empire. Exactly there, the selection for the Three Plains Competition is about to begin."

  The Qilin carriage pulling Hua Tianming hovered slightly in the air, as if waiting for Zhi Xuan's answer. Clearly, the Holy Son of the Ancient Clan had intentions beyond a mere exchange of greetings in the air.

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  "That is true," Zhi Xuan answered, his hand still on the controls. He knew that meeting the Ancient Hua Clan here was an unavoidable fate. The Hua Clan, with their extensive information network, must have known a great deal about him. "I go to seek a higher Dao. The Three Plains Competition is a gateway to opportunity."

  "The Ancient Hua Clan did not come to negotiate with you," interrupted Hua Lian Xi, who finally spoke softly yet pierced through to the depths of Zhi Xuan's being. "You possess a bond with Holy Daughter Zhu Qinglan. You surely carry secrets you have not told. The Ancient Hua Clan is not as soft as the Ancient Zhu Clan, who released you simply because you are a Messenger of Fate."

  Zhi Xuan looked up. Although he had anticipated such questions, the direct attack on his karmic points was still startling. He frowned slightly, restraining the urge to release the burning Lightning aura.

  "Holy Daughter Hua, I do not understand the meaning of your words," Zhi Xuan replied, his voice now shrouded in a colder layer of Extreme Ice. He allowed his gaze to meet Hua Lian Xi's night-black eyes directly. "My bond with Holy Daughter Zhu is one formed by Karma and Promise. An agreement that benefits both parties."

  Hua Lian Xi shook her head slowly, the movement subtle yet full of meaning. "The Ancient Zhu Clan is a clan that burns. They would never let an important seed of fate go simply because of an 'agreement.' If they let you go, it is because your fate is more complicated than they suspected, or because... you carry a seed of fate they wish to see grow beyond their control."

  "Holy Daughter Hua thinks too highly of me," Zhi Xuan hissed. He began to feel uncomfortable. The Ancient Clans, especially the Hua and Zhu Clans, were true chess players on the Central Continent. They saw other cultivators as pawns, and Zhi Xuan knew he was a pawn too valuable to ignore.

  Hua Tianming, inside the carriage, spoke again, his tone once more soft and soothing, but his words were full of veiled threats.

  "Daoist Zhi Xuan, do not misunderstand. We, the Ancient Hua Clan, value order and harmony. We see the path of your Dao. You have destruction at your fingertips, yet you have instilled the foundations of Earth and Fire—an effort to find balance that deserves respect."

  The carriage curtain opened slightly, revealing Hua Tianming staring at Zhi Xuan with the sharp thinking gaze of a prince.

  "We did not come to imprison you. However, we came to see what the capabilities of the Black-Haired Devil are, who is heralded until his name reached my ears. The grand field of the Hongmeng Empire will be a place where not only you are cheered, but all Five Element perfections will come, and only you walk above the Devils."

  Zhi Xuan narrowed his eyes. He knew the Holy Son's words were an invitation, or more accurately, a demand to participate in their game. Indeed, in the eyes of the Ancient Clan factions, he was an anomaly that had to be tested and mapped.

  "The words of Holy Son Hua are full of philosophy, yet within them lies the intent to test one's blade," Zhi Xuan replied. He did not smile. "The Three Plains Competition is a gate. That gate does not care who enters, as long as their foundation is worthy. This Zhi will come, not because of anyone's invitation, but because my own Dao demands the path there."

  Hua Tianming chuckled. The chuckle vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Good. A brave Daoist. In that case, allow us to go ahead. We wish to see how a Black-Haired Devil who carries a foundation of destruction and balance will shine amidst the pride of the Hongmeng Empire."

  The carriage curtain closed completely once more. The Qilin carriage pulling the Holy Son and Holy Daughter immediately shot away. Their speed was not wild, but graceful and stable, like a mountain sliding through the air. In the blink of an eye, the gold and silver carriage had become a small dot on the southern horizon, disappearing without leaving excessive spiritual ripples.

  Zhi Xuan stood still at the bow of the Seven-Star Boat, letting the hot wind of the Crimson Land Valley, now left far behind, swirl around him. Although the Ancient Hua Clan had gone, the spiritual pressure from that encounter was still palpable. They were figures not to be underestimated; every word was a trap, and every gaze was an attempt to peer into the secrets of his Dao.

  "Senior Zhi Xuan," called Ao Sheng, who had been silent at the bow during the conversation, his large eyes now filled with vigilance. "The Ancient Hua Clan. They are truly terrifying. Their pressure is not like a Sacred Devil, but more like the roots of an ancient tree slowly suffocating. I found it hard to breathe."

  Zhi Xuan exhaled. "They are the descendants of a Great Emperor, inheriting a Dao that emphasizes harmony and order. Their strength is not from destruction, but from the mastery of stable Laws. They see me as an anomaly, a blend of chaos and tranquility."

  The Seven-Star Boat shot forward again, cutting through the sky which now felt more open after the departure of the Qilin carriage. Zhi Xuan was in no hurry; he allowed the boat to move at a constant speed, the speed he needed to reconsolidate his thoughts. He turned toward the south, toward where Hua Tianming and Hua Lian Xi had disappeared. The Ancient Hua Clan, the legacy of a Great Emperor, always viewed the world through the frame of order. In their eyes, Zhi Xuan was a puzzle: a perfect five-element foundation, yet forged by destruction and devilish will.

  "They tested my depth, and they tested my intent," Zhi Xuan murmured, his voice returning to a calm, hoarse tone. "The Ancient Clans never move without a purpose. They want to ensure whether the 'Messenger of Fate' appearing from the Great Emperor's Tomb will bring destruction to their order, or if he will become a pawn they can utilize."

  The Central Continent, specifically the center of the Hongmeng Empire, the heart of the Xing Luo Plains, featured high mountains towering majestically, yet they were incomparable to the grandeur of an Imperial Palace, which towered high on the mountain peaks, stretching as a symbol of great power in the Xing Luo Plains. Waterfalls surrounded the entire mountain range, and white clouds clumped in several valleys and hills.

  Below it lay an Imperial City of such grandeur, far surpassing Green Cloud City or even the Thousand Heavens Sect. The cultivation monsters with unimaginable realms were no longer merely in the Consciousness Transformation realm; no cultivation was below the Five Elements. The hustle and bustle of luxuriously robed cultivators, towering buildings shimmering like a river of stars.

  "I heard that geniuses from the five continents are arriving today. They are all geniuses of the Five Element perfection!" said one cultivator with shimmering robes, radiating a calm Five Element cultivation aura.

  "Yes, did you hear? The Ancient Zhu Clan and the Ancient Hua Clan are arriving today," replied a female cultivator in golden robes radiating a three-element Five Element cultivation aura. "The pillars of power of the Xing Luo Plains, two Ancient Clans will truly shake things up."

  "The Young King of the Western Star, Shi Xing, received a direct invitation from the Hongmeng Empire," said another cultivator walking amidst the weapon market of the Imperial City. "The Young King of the Eastern Star, the Young King of the Central Star, even the Young King of the Southern Star all received direct invitations from the Hongmeng Empire! How grand the Three Plains Competition is this year."

  "Yes! They have all reached the Five Element perfection cultivation," replied the cultivator beside him, his face beaming. "Those four will surely be the envoys of the Xing Luo Plains for this Three Plains Competition."

  On the side of the road, all the cultivators gathered and stared at a man who was pinning up a painting canvas showing the silhouette of a man with black robes and red silk, with long black hair and depicted as terrifying with a blurred facial silhouette. Beneath the canvas was a painting depicting characters identifying the Black-Haired Devil.

  "Fellow Daoists," said the man who pinned up the painting, his eyes fiery with a sharp roar. "Today, the Devil heralded by all regions, who forged a bond with the Holy Daughter of the Ancient Zhu Clan, will arrive! We must stop him and not let him enter the Holy Hongmeng Empire! This Devil will ruin it!"

  A wave of protest immediately spread through the crowd. Some nodded in agreement with eyes full of hatred, while others sneered, considering it merely an attempt to seek a sensation. That man, who was a hardline Daoist from a small sect proud of order, stared straight up toward the peak of the Imperial Palace.

  "The Black-Haired Devil! The name Zhi Xuan is now a stain on the Grand Path! He brings an unforgivable aura of slaughter! He does not deserve to set foot on this holy ground, where the Path of Truth stands!" he roared, his voice amplified by spiritual essence.

  The reaction among the crowd was divided. Several young cultivation enthusiasts who heard his name immediately asked with curiosity.

  "Is he that strong, Senior?" asked a youth in blue robes holding a wooden sword. "I heard he stepped out of the Great Emperor's Tomb and broke the curse of the Ancient Zhu Clan?"

  "Strong? He is a disaster waiting to happen!" replied the hardline Daoist with disgust. "His presence ruins the order! The Hongmeng Empire must show its fangs, not let this stray dog enter!"

  "But was he not invited directly by the Hongmeng Empire?" asked one cultivator curiously. "The merchants say that even Imperial Elders with Divine Transformation cultivation were looking for him to give him a competition invitation, but the Black-Haired Devil is hard to find!"

  "Hard? Imperial Elders could kill him with just a single glance!" roared the man who pinned up the painting. "They are only giving him time; the Black-Haired Devil is now under the protection of the Ancient Zhu Clan! The Imperial Elders will not act as long as that Devil is still within their protection."

  "Yes, I heard he also slaughtered several Elders of the Shi Clan," exclaimed one cultivator, his face burning with disgust. "He brings a youth with a Dragon bloodline, and what is terrifying? He absorbs blood and captures the souls of the cultivators he kills; this is an abomination!"