"Three days from now, all True Sovereigns of Daqian!"

"Hiss!"

"Does His Majesty intend to reveal the truth behind all this?"

"It must be so. To call upon every True Sovereign, it can't be anything trivial."

"Trivial, my ass. Just look at this long river—even with your ass you know it's not simple. It's going to shatter our very understanding!"

...

For a moment, the expressions of the True Sovereigns wavered, their hearts filled with the utmost curiosity and anticipation, as well as unease.

Shatter our understanding!

But at the same time, they feared unimaginable dangers might await.

This was a normal reaction for anyone when facing the unknown, or a higher plane.

Even Xu Yang was no exception.

He drew a deep breath, slowly calming the waves in his heart, a flash of expectation crossing his eyes.

"At long last, the day has come."

He bowed his head, gazing at the spiritual radiance in his hand. It had dimmed, losing some of its luster.

Indeed, just as Can Sutian said, with the Barbarian God's instinct gone, only pure willful energy remained.

So strong!

"If I want to refine it, I'll have to wait a bit longer."

Until Song Yuanhao is completely devoured.

"Master, Mr. Tang, let's head back first," Xu Yang said.

"Go!"

Gu Jun and Tang Yan couldn't hide their excitement, unable to contain their anticipation for the coming truth.

No one had the urge to keep exploring; all scattered and left.

And meanwhile, the news of Can Sutian's return and his summoning spread at a shocking speed among the True Sovereign circles.

On the first day,

a True Sovereign arrived at the capital.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

That day,

at the side gate of the imperial palace,

figures approached one by one,

all True Sovereigns!

There were youths, middle-aged, and elders.

Some had old grudges and confronted each other with biting sarcasm; of course, no one dared start a fight here.

Those with close ties murmured quietly in small groups.

When Xu Yang arrived with Gu Jun, Tang Yan, and Jian Chuan, he and Gu Jun drew a sharp breath together.

With one glance, there must have been close to fifty.

Nearly fifty True Sovereigns!

It was a staggering number.

Before this, Xu Yang hadn't even dared imagine it.

Even Gu Jun was deeply shaken.

This amount of strength was enough to prove Daqian's might.

"Goodness, to think there are this many True Sovereigns."

Jian Chuan didn't dare raise his voice, quietly transmitting, "Among all the great clans and families of Daqian, most don't even have a True Sovereign sitting in their halls. I used to think at most there'd be twenty or so."

"But add the hidden ones in the royal court, and it's definitely over fifty."

This figure was jaw-dropping!

Xu Yang glanced at Jian Chuan, seeing that the typically 'arrogant' Jian Chuan appeared especially reserved here, like a child suddenly brought into a hall full of adults, shy and cautious.

"His Highness has arrived."

"Greetings, Your Highness."

At the sight of Xu Yang, the True Sovereigns came up with warmth and respect.

The battle atop Cloud Mountain Peak had let all True Sovereigns witness Xu Yang's power firsthand.

Unparalleled through the ages!

No exaggeration—he shocked the True Sovereigns into speechlessness with just the Realm of Myriad Phenomena!

Their enthusiasm now was not only for Xu Yang's status, but even more for his own strength and potential!

With such power and depth, once he stepped into the rank of True Sovereign, he'd surely be a leader among them!

"Mr. Tang, Mr. Gu."

"Hiss, is this the legendary Pill Emperor?"

"That Mr. Gu is still alive—what a rare joy!"

...

As the lively greetings continued, a figure stepped out from the palace.

It was Can Yunxiao.

"Everyone, His Majesty awaits inside the hall. Please."

Can Yunxiao watched everyone with solemn eyes.

At once, everyone stiffened their expressions, cupped their hands in salute, and then filed neatly after Can Yunxiao into the palace.

Upon entering the palace, even these mighty True Sovereigns kept quiet, faces grave!

As they proceeded, Xu Yang soon realized he was right at the front.

Looking back, he saw the other True Sovereigns smiling at him ever so slightly.

He made a helpless grin, but paid it no mind.

In front, an ancient hall towered!

No other than the Guhua Hall he had entered before.

Stepping into Guhua Hall, Xu Yang was surprised to find Can Yunwu also in the chamber.

Seeing everyone arrive, Can Yunwu cupped her hands in a salute, then silently stood to one side.

With a brief glance, Xu Yang looked upward.

Can Sutian sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, three days gone, his face still pale as paper—his injuries clearly severe.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

All the strong bowed in respect.

This time, Xu Yang too saluted!

Can Sutian waved his hand casually, raised his eyes to the crowd, and said, "Today, I summoned you here to reveal all the secrets hidden behind this upheaval of heaven and earth."

Deep curiosity surged in everyone's eyes.

Just what kind of truth was it?

Xu Yang even held his breath, eyes fixed on Can Sutian.

"Let me start with Daqian's origins."

Can Sutian smiled faintly. "Daqian has stood for several thousand years, seeing rises and falls. But the first Qian Emperor—my own Can Clan ancestor—was not someone from this world."

The crowd's breathing suddenly turned chaotic inside the hall.

But then it subsided immediately.

Each gaze was filled with turbulent waves.

"My Can Clan ancestor originally came from the Spirit Realm." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"By chance, he obtained an ancient treasure, seeking a breakthrough in the spiritual path—hoping to transcend the peak of spiritual cultivation, to reach a higher plane. He stole the source of the Spirit River from the Spirit Realm, and was besieged by powers from all major factions there. In the end, he was defeated and retreated to this lower domain."

"The powers of the Spirit Realm sealed the lower domain, placing restrictions so the source of the Spirit River could not appear. Thus, martial cultivation in the Great Qian Heaven and Earth has been limited to the True Sovereign level!"

"The Spirit River's source is the wellspring of the spiritual path, and the key to breaking through the True Sovereign boundary. The so-called Body-Burning Realm here was merely an initial attempt by my Can Clan ancestor—it's possible, yet hopelessly faint, and even true breakthrough brings little chance of seizing the Spirit River's source!"

"That long river is the source of the Spirit River—the very origin of the spiritual path!"

As his words fell, the grand hall was so deathly silent a pin could drop!

All were petrified!

This truth left everyone utterly shaken!

Impossible to believe!

Xu Yang's heart was shaken to its core, his face changing again and again, until he burst out, "You broke the shackle?"

Many eyes turned wide.

Can Sutian smiled slightly, "Correct."

"Song Tianchou and his son were mere pawns, but it was only later I discovered he obtained a certain corpse. So, I went with the flow."

"I severed my own body, using the Qian King's Seal, the Spirit Tribulation Celestial Prison, and that realm-outside corpse to smash the shackles!"

"Luckily, in recent years those from the Spirit Realm have nearly forgotten about Daqian, and the source of the Spirit River has grown weak—otherwise, this shatter would not have come so easily."

After a short hush, a True Sovereign asked in a trembling voice, "May we ask, Your Majesty—have you reached the Heaven-Man Realm?"

Can Sutian nodded, "Indeed, but in battle with the powers of the Spirit Realm, I've been wounded, and it will take quite some time to recover."

Xu Yang couldn't help glancing at Gu Jun.

The latter was still dazed, digesting this shocking news.

"Your Majesty, now that the Spirit River appears, do we not have the chance to break through without heading for the Spirit Realm?" someone pressed further.

Can Sutian shook his head, "Although the Spirit River has manifested, most of its origin still mirrors the Spirit Realm. Here in Daqian, breakthrough is all but impossible."

"And the source of the Spirit River has been dwindling for thousands of years... Otherwise, my Can Clan ancestor would never have resorted to so crazed a theft!"

Xu Yang's pupils shrank, "If we were to journey to the Spirit Realm..."

Can Sutian gazed at Xu Yang, his voice somber, "Indeed. Martial Artists from Daqian who enter the Spirit Realm will become targets for all sides!"

"The Heaven-Men may not act personally, but all beneath them will show no mercy—death to any they see!"