Somewhere in Sakura Country.

Xia Chan weaved through the streets, arrived at the church, and pushed open the large doors.

Sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows onto the high platform, making the enormous triangular frame appear colorful and even more mysterious.

Chen Xuanbao knelt before the frame, hands crossed with his palms resting on his collarbones, devoutly praying.

After a while, he stopped praying and slowly rose to face Xia Chan.

"You're awake?"

Xia Chan asked, "Did you need me for something, Archbishop?"

A month earlier, after entering the Void rift blasted open by the Tri-Star Clock at the Ancient Shu Base, Xia Chan and Xue Xiao had been tossed through spatial turbulence, eventually landing in the distant South Pole.

The two faced great hardships before they managed to reach Sakura Country and find Chen Xuanbao.

Chen Xuanbao cut right to the chase. "The Shi Wu Great Reef competition is about to begin. I've reserved a spot for you on M Country's team."

Hearing this, Xia Chan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You mean I'm to represent M Country in the Shi Wu Great Reef?"

Chen Xuanbao spoke slowly, "The Lop Nor Secret Realm is worth exploring. It has prehistoric ruins, and deeper within, Divine Skills exist.

"Lu Nianjiao has chosen that location for this year's Shi Wu Great Reef competition with the intent of letting the new generation of geniuses seek out Divine Skills.

"Furthermore, the members of Sakura Country's team are all elites of our religion. Their mission this time is twofold: to assist you in acquiring the Divine Skills, and to assassinate the martial geniuses of other nations to weaken their martial strength."

Xia Chan was confused. "Then why arrange for me to join M Country's team, Archbishop?"

Chen Xuanbao explained, "Because you have a mission as well. Not only must you obtain the Divine Skills to enhance our religion's strength, but you must also assist the Spirit Martial God in capturing Zhang Yi. We have confirmation that the young princess from the Proud Sun Sect will also be at the Shi Wu Great Reef."

"The Spirit Martial God?"

At the mention of his name, Xia Chan frowned, involuntarily recalling that lecherous and disgusting old man.

Chen Xuanbao continued, "On M Country's team, there's a member named 'Mark.' He is the Spirit Martial God's striped Clone. You two will need to help each other."

"Yes, Archbishop."

Although Xia Chan was very reluctant, Chen Xuanbao was the Archbishop, after all. She had no choice but to obey his arrangements.

Chen Xuanbao sighed softly. "Finally, there is one more thing I feel I must inform you of."

"What is it?"

Chen Xuanbao said, "Half a year ago, Di Xuanji personally led the Ghost Tiger Corps to Danlong Ancient Mountain."

Xia Chan's eyes widened in shock, and she hurriedly asked, "What was the result? How is my father?"

Chen Xuanbao's expression grew grim. "The entire Danlong Ancient Mountain has been sealed. No one can get out, and no one can get in, so there's no news about the old ancestor. However, I've heard that the Empress and the old ancestor perished together."

"No, that's impossible!"

Xia Chan exclaimed anxiously, "With my father's strength, how could that young Empress possibly..."

"This is just speculation for now!" Chen Xuanbao interrupted her. "Regardless, as cultists of the Holy Boi Religion, we must do what is required. As an Envoy, you should understand this more than anyone—duty comes before personal feelings!

"Welcoming the descent of the Holy Boi Religion God and completing the great purification of the world is what we should be focused on!"

Tears welled in Xia Chan's eyes as she nodded gently.

"Yes, Archbishop."

"Go now. Your plane ticket has been booked. Go to M Country and meet up with your teammates."

"..."

「Ghost Valley Mountain.」

Luo Xiu left the medicinal field, cursing all the way back to the wooden building.

At this moment, Dou Dou and Yaya were rolling iron hoops in the open space in front of the building, a toy from Luo Xiu's childhood.

The glass marbles and wooden spinning top he used to play with as a child had also been unearthed by the girls, who rummaged through his things like little thieves.

Luo Ying, however, was quiet. Aware of the rich Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth here and unwilling to waste it, she sat cross-legged in meditation to absorb it.

"Young Master, you look quite angry. Did someone upset you?" Luo Ying asked with concern upon seeing him return.

"Ugh, it's a tale of woe!" Luo Xiu sighed deeply, his voice laced with utter anguish. "That wretched old man! It's one thing that he's gone, but he completely cleared out the medicinal field. He didn't leave a single blade of grass behind!"

Luo Ying couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

Suddenly, Luo Xiu said, "Go and pack your things. It's time to leave the mountain."

Dou Dou hurried over and grabbed his hand, shaking it. "But it's so much fun here! Dou Dou wants to stay a few more days."

"I want to play some more too," Yaya huffed, glancing away.

Then she added, "By the way, Little Mule, Sister Luo Ying just told me that the Indestructible Divine Flame you got can refine Magical Treasures. Can you help me out?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiu suddenly recalled the Indestructible Divine Flame mentioning it would leave behind a 'True Fire Body' for his use. He immediately tried to channel the flame floating above his Spiritual Ocean.

The next moment, a ball of fire erupted in his palm.

"This thing can really refine Magical Treasures?" Luo Xiu asked, looking at Luo Ying with curiosity.

Luo Ying smiled faintly and said, "You've used the Indestructible Divine Flame to repair the War Sword before, Young Master. You even said that any damaged or old Magical Treasure could be re-forged with this fire."

"It's that amazing? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Luo Xiu rolled his eyes.

"You never asked," Luo Ying replied, the picture of innocence. "We were just talking, and when Dou Dou and Yaya mentioned the Indestructible Divine Flame was inside you, I just brought it up offhandedly."

By this time, Dou Dou had brought her "Stewed Kun Divine Nation" over to Luo Xiu, her little face filled with anticipation.

Following her lead, Yaya also took out her "Acne-Removing Divine Hoe."

「One clear morning, three days later.」

Luo Xiu got up early and stood before a mirror, sticking needles into his face to transform himself into the likeness of "Chen Shuisheng."

Luo Ying was busy making the bed and cleaning up.

Dou Dou and Yaya, like little thieves, had swiped all of Luo Xiu's childhood toys and brazenly claimed them as their own.

"You three stay in the Land of Lawlessness for now. We can save money on three bus tickets that way."

"I'll let you out once we get to Capital City."

"..."

An old bus, bound for the county town, rattled as it drove along the winding mountain road.

The middle-aged lady sitting next to Luo Xiu had body odor, and under the seat was a chicken cage with several chicks squawking and chirping nonstop. They had even pooped, nearly driving Luo Xiu insane.

To make matters worse, the lady was sleeping soundly and snoring loudly. Despite Luo Xiu's well-meaning attempts to get her attention, she didn't respond.

Faced with the thought of several more hours on the bus, Luo Xiu felt utterly despondent.

To think that I, the Azure Emperor, once fought alone across the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm, and now I'm miserably stuck on a bus.

The mountain road was in such poor condition that his high-end sports car, with its low chassis, couldn't possibly drive on it.

He suddenly remembered he had a phone he could use to kill time.

While he had been roaming the Secret Realm, there was no signal, so a phone had been useless.

After taking it out, the signal returned, and he saw he had many unread messages.

A quick glance revealed they were from several girls: Xu Qianqing, Su Shanyue, Sun Li, and Zhang Yi...

After reading them, he called his Eldest Senior Sister, but no one picked up. He then called Lu Nianjiao, and the call connected after a few moments.

"Hello, Third Senior Sister. I'm back in Hua Country and planning to come to Capital City to find you."

"You're back just in time! I saved a substitute spot for you in the Shi Wu Great Reef. Hurry up!"

"Huh?"

Luo Xiu was bewildered.

Lu Nianjiao said, "You'll participate under the name Chen Shuisheng."

"Hey, wait, I don't understand what you're talking about... What is this Shi Wu Great Reef? Why do I need to participate?" Luo Xiu was completely exasperated.

I am the exalted Azure Emperor, who fought alone in the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm! Even if I've lost those incredible memories, I recently wandered through the Shanhai Territory. And now I'm supposed to participate in some boring competition? To make matters worse, I'm just a substitute!

"It's very necessary," Lu Nianjiao said.

Luo Xiu lowered his voice and said playfully, "Alright then. But I want you to welcome me wearing black stockings."

"Get lost! I only have flesh-colored ones. If you want black stockings, ask your Second Senior Sister to wear them for you; she likes them. Oh, by the way, Little Mule, did you find Second Senior Sister when you went to the bottom of the sea?"

"Well..."

The smile vanished from Luo Xiu's face. "It's a long story. I'll tell you when I get to Capital City."

Lu Nianjiao was quiet for a moment, then said, "Alright, then hurry over. For this Shi Wu Great Reef, your main task is to look after the girls."

"..."

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