Chapter 668: Preparations in Advance
The sudden message stunned Xiao Ze for a moment before he quickly grasped the situation.
He had previously asked Uncle Gu Yuan to relocate all members of the Xiao family to the Ancient Realm for safety. However, one person had been left outside the one who remained in the Netherworld Flame Realm, Xiao Yan.
Though Xiao Yan had refined the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame and significantly increased his strength, perhaps even to the extent that the Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan couldn't defeat him, this time the opponent was none other than Hun Tiandi himself.
Even with the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, the gap between Xiao Yan and Hun Tiandi was insurmountable. The difference was so vast that even if Xiao Yan self destructed, Hun Tiandi could casually disperse the energy with a wave of his hand.
Energy Avatar in Action
Outside the crystal orb, one of Xiao Ze's spiritual projections gathered surrounding energy to form a slightly translucent avatar. Xiao Ze had long since studied Dou Techniques related to clones and avatars. Whenever he immersed himself in deep cultivation, he prepared an avatar in advance for emergencies.
Today, that preparation finally proved useful.
Without hesitation, Xiao Ze's energy avatar retrieved a dragon shaped jade token from the storage ring of his meditating true body within the crystal orb.
"Medusa, I'm currently at a critical juncture in my cultivation and cannot leave," Xiao Ze said through the avatar. "I'll send the Ancient Jade fragment to you shortly. Please deliver it to Uncle Gu Yuan and ensure he uses it to bring my third brother back."
Once Medusa agreed, Xiao Ze's energy avatar immediately connected the spatial channel using the Primordial Tree Root and passed the jade fragment through. He took out an iron box, opened it, and revealed the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, sending it to Medusa.
Before severing the connection, Xiao Ze instructed her to notify him immediately if anything went wrong. After making the necessary arrangements, his energy avatar sighed.
This unexpected turn of events further amplified Xiao Ze's sense of urgency. He was in the middle of refining the tenfold feedback reward, a process that couldn't be paused or interrupted. To abandon it halfway would mean wasting all the boundless energy he had accumulated.
Resolution and Priorities
Thus, the only option was to entrust Gu Yuan with the task of using the Ancient Jade fragment to rescue Xiao Yan. However, if the situation became dire enough to threaten Xiao Yan's life, Xiao Ze resolved to abandon his current progress, return to the Dou Qi Continent, and confront the Soul Clan himself.
Half a day later, as Xiao Ze anxiously awaited news, the dragon shaped jade token transmitted a message.
"Xiao Yan has returned safely, but the Soul Clan has now fully assembled all the Ancient Jade fragments," Medusa informed him.
Xiao Ze nodded. "As long as my third brother is safe, that's what matters most."
After a brief pause, Xiao Ze decided to share critical information about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's mansion with Gu Yuan.
Communication with Gu Yuan
"Uncle Gu Yuan," Xiao Ze began, contacting Gu Yuan through the jade token.
In the Ancient Realm, Gu Yuan's face showed a hint of guilt when he received Xiao Ze's message.
"Xiao Ze, regarding what happened with Xiao Yan…"
"Uncle, there's no need to feel guilty," Xiao Ze interrupted. "You've already done so much for my family. Now that my brother is safe, that's the best outcome we could hope for.
"I'm contacting you because I have something important to share about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's mansion."
Xiao Ze explained the mansion's location and how he had discovered it by chance.
"The Ancient Emperor's mansion is located beneath the magma world of Jia Nan Academy," Xiao Ze revealed.
Gu Yuan was momentarily taken aback but quickly grasped the significance.
"Xiao Ze, are you suggesting we intercept the Soul Clan's forces at Jia Nan Academy?"
"Precisely," Xiao Ze replied. "The Soul Clan will likely retreat to their territory for final preparations, but their ultimate destination will be the Ancient Emperor's mansion.
"However, I strongly advise against entering the mansion prematurely. The mansion likely contains mechanisms left behind by the Ancient Emperor. Without the Ancient Jade, even someone of your strength might become trapped inside."
Gu Yuan's expression turned solemn. "Understood. I won't underestimate a Dou Emperor's residence."
"Furthermore," Xiao Ze added, "there is a nine star Dou Saint peak level being forcibly confined within the mansion none other than the previous Dragon Emperor of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan."
Gu Yuan's eyes widened in shock. Any lingering complacency he had about the mansion vanished.
"The previous Dragon Emperor? That means…"
"Yes," Xiao Ze confirmed. "I didn't tell Zi Yan about this earlier to spare her unnecessary worry. When you mobilize forces to the Northwest Continent, please bring Zi Yan along."
Gu Yuan readily agreed, his admiration for Xiao Ze growing. He also reflected on how deeply Xiao Ze cared for those around him.
Preparation for the Future
After conveying this information, Xiao Ze left further arrangements to Gu Yuan.
"I don't need to micromanage the coalition," Xiao Ze thought. "Being in the Endless Void, I lack real time knowledge of their situation. Interfering too much could backfire."
Ending his communication with Gu Yuan, Xiao Ze refocused on the vast ocean of energy surrounding him, fully intent on furthering his cultivation.
Despite the unexpected twists, one thing was clear: the Soul Clan had taken a dangerous step forward. Xiao Ze feared they were inching closer to the events of the original timeline where Hun Tiandi successfully obtained the Emperor Grade Infant Pill, surpassing the peak of a nine star Dou Saint.
If that happened, Xiao Ze couldn't guarantee victory. The power gap between nine star Dou Saint peak and anything beyond was astronomical. The Emperor Grade Infant Pill had allowed Hun Tiandi to hold his own against three nine star Dou Saints and another early stage nine star Dou Saint simultaneously.
"I need to act quickly," Xiao Ze resolved. "The only way to completely negate Hun Tiandi's advantage is to surpass the nine star Dou Saint realm and reach the Dou Emperor stage!"
Now, bolstered by the overwhelming energy from the tenfold feedback, Xiao Ze finally saw a glimmer of hope. Combined with the Endless River a creation nurtured by Dou Emperor blood Xiao Ze believed he could achieve his goal.
All he needed now was time.
The Ascent Continues
After an indeterminate period, a resounding boom echoed as a radiant column of light erupted from the barrier of Primordial Tree Roots surrounding Xiao Ze. The golden brilliance tore through the Endless River, causing it to thrash violently in panic.
Amid the chaos, Xiao Ze's voice rang out confidently.
"Endless River, let's settle this once and for all!"
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