Curious about Xia Chan's statement, Luo Xiu asked, "Why do you say Divine Skills are the key to stepping through the gateway of the Great Dao? Does that mean a Cultivator without Divine Skills is certain to never cross that threshold?"

Xia Chan didn't answer, instead asking, "In your understanding, what realm lies above that of an Earth Immortal?"

Luo Xiu replied, "Above an Earth Immortal, one achieves Transcendental Sanctification and enters the Emperor Realm."

However, Xia Chan gently shook her head and started walking forward.

"Entering the Emperor Realm is not that simple. Above the Earth Immortal Realm, there is actually a 'Dao Jade Realm.' I once heard my father say that an Earth Immortal needs to refine at least one Dao Jade to step into the Emperor Realm. The so-called Dao Jade is formed by taking your understanding of your Divine Skills to its absolute peak, then sacrificing that understanding to the Great Dao in order to refine the jade. Once you possess a Dao Jade, when you undergo the tribulation to enter the Emperor Realm, the Great Dao's Cataclysmic Thunder will forge your Dao Jade into your very own Life Wheel."

Following behind her, Luo Xiu said, "So you're saying that without Divine Skills, one can only remain forever in the Earth Immortal Realm?"

Xia Chan said, "Theoretically, yes, but nothing is absolute. I believe there must be a very small number of special beings who don't need Divine Skills to refine a Dao Jade and can still step into the Emperor Realm."

At that moment, Luo Xiu couldn't help but think of Chi Sha. After reshaping her Physical Body, Chi Sha had directly entered the Emperor Realm, with a Life Wheel appearing behind her. Could this be because her Chaos Sacred Body is special?

Xia Chan smiled. "Of course, I've only heard these things; I don't understand the specifics. I'm still a long way from that level. In any case, you already possess two Divine Skills. By the time you truly reach that height, you will understand everything."

...

As they conversed, the two traversed the sea of flames, leaving the palace of Zhu Meique behind.

Outside the palace, Xia Chan suddenly stopped, turning to look back at the smoldering ruins. She let out a soft sigh, lost in thought.

Luo Xiu asked, "What's wrong?"

Xia Chan said with emotion, "It's only now that I understand. Only after truly hitting rock bottom does one realize who among those around you are friends and who are fiends. I used to think that although the Upper Nine Deities acted eccentrically, they were always loyal to my father."

Luo Xiu smiled faintly and changed the subject. "Where to next?"

Xia Chan replied, "We cross the Dragon Ridge Plains to reach Holy Star City. My father is there."

Luo Xiu took a deep look at her profile but said no more, simply striding forward.

She isn't even mentioning that we still have to face the Upper Nine Deities! But then again, I already figured she was using me to deal with those traitors and rescue the Holy Boi Religion Ancestor. This girl is quite cunning and her schemes run deep. Otherwise, she wouldn't have so readily given away something as precious as the Vermilion Bird Blood Element. I don't really mind, though, since I'm using her too. To me, she's just a hostage to hold against the Holy Boi Religion Ancestor.

...

It took them nearly a full day to walk out of the Dragon Ridge Plains.

Beyond the plains was a vast basin. Even from a great distance, Luo Xiu could see the majestic buildings deep within it.

That was Holy Star City. A mystical city hidden in the depths of the mountains!

As they continued forward and officially set foot on the city streets, Luo Xiu felt a resistance, as if the air had thickened, making every step require more effort. Moreover, the Xuanyuan Sheath in his hand began to react, trembling continuously as if to guide him somewhere. At this moment, he remembered what Lin Jianlong had said—the Xuanyuan Sheath would lead him to Di Xuanji.

In the silence, Luo Xiu spoke. "It seems this Holy Star City is covered by a formation."

Xia Chan nodded slightly, her mood growing heavier as she walked slowly onward. Unlike Luo Xiu, who held the Xuanyuan Sheath, Xia Chan felt an invisible, terrifying killing intent permeating her surroundings as she walked through Holy Star City. It was as if she were walking alone into an army of thousands, yet she couldn't see the soldiers, only feel the peerless aura of slaughter! She even experienced occasional auditory hallucinations, hearing the roars of dragons.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the legendary Nine Dragons Killing Formation. Once this Slaughter Array is activated, one can only enter, not leave. And for those who try to enter, if their strength is insufficient, they will be obliterated by the Dragon Qi within the formation." She warned gravely, "Chen Shuisheng, we need to be careful with every step from here on out."

Luo Xiu's face was expressionless. "It seems you know quite a bit."

...

Guided by the Xuanyuan Sheath, Luo Xiu navigated the city streets and buildings with a practiced familiarity, as if he were returning to his own home, with Xia Chan following him. Perhaps because of the Xuanyuan Sheath, the Nine Dragons Killing Formation did not activate, allowing them to proceed smoothly.

Along their path, however, they saw many corpses. There were the bodies of Holy Boi Religion Cultists, Hua Country warriors, and the city's ordinary citizens. Of course, these citizens were all peripheral followers of the Holy Boi Religion.

The entire Holy Star City was silent as a grave. If not for the golden light radiating from the formation, which lent it a touch of the sacred, the place would be no different from a ghost town.

After crossing a dense urban forest, the golden light ahead became blinding.

Before them stood an imposing ancient tower, but the tower was covered by a massive Golden Bell that seemed to have descended from the heavens. The Golden Bell was so immense it looked like a net cast across the sky. It was both ethereal and solid, dazzling with golden light, while shadows of dragons danced around it, exuding sanctity and majesty.

Xia Chan said, "This is the Ancient Mountain Residence. That Golden Bell should be the core of the Nine Dragons Killing Formation. My father is in there."

Without another word, Luo Xiu quickened his pace and ran. If Chu Yiguan is here, then Di Xuanji must be here too! And the Xuanyuan Sheath's final destination is indeed this Ancient Mountain Residence!

Seeing Luo Xiu suddenly run forward, Xia Chan cried out anxiously, "Be careful, don't run so—"

Before she could finish, Luo Xiu, who had been sprinting toward the Ancient Mountain Residence, came to an abrupt halt and leaped back, dodging a strange vine that had suddenly erupted from the ground before him.

"My dear Miss, your abilities are truly impressive. To think you could actually cross the Slaughter Array and reach this place." A sweet and pleasant voice, yet filled with a seductive charm, echoed from the Void. The voice was like a siren's call, intoxicating the mind.

The next moment, the vine that emerged from the ground suddenly burst into bloom, sprouting a vast bed of colorful flowers in an instant! Light swirled through the blossoms, which were shrouded in Spiritual Energy and exuded a rich fragrance that permeated the air.

A flower bud several meters tall emerged from within the light and quietly bloomed, its petals unfurling like the skirt of a dancing fairy, its beauty dreamlike and illusory. As the flower bud opened, Luo Xiu saw a graceful figure standing quietly among the petals.

At that moment, Xia Chan moved to Luo Xiu's side, her expression solemn. "This is the Demonic Flower God—Hua Muyan. Her original form is a demonic vine planted in the Ancient Mountain Residence. Because her roots are here, the power she can wield in this place... ranks in the top three among all the Upper Nine Deities. Chen Shuisheng, you need to be careful."

Luo Xiu gave a faint smile. "If you really wanted me to be careful, you would have told me this before we came here."

Xia Chan was momentarily at a loss for words.

Luo Xiu stepped toward Hua Muyan and said, "If you want to use me to deal with these traitors, just say so. There's no need to be pretentious."

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.