"A True Lord-level cultivator, in the Spirit Realm would have already touched the Linghe Source. If you cross over, you will directly interact with the Linghe Source, and thus your strength will soar!"

"But you must understand, the Linghe Source began to weaken thousands of years ago. Now, it can barely support a few Celestial Humans and Martial Artists of the Spirit Realm. If you go there, you will be contending with them for the Linghe Source."

Everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

Asking themselves honestly, if they were Spirit Realm powerhouses, what would they do?

Kill!

Kill them all, clean and thorough!

Fight to the death!

This is no longer a matter of allegiance.

"Why did the Linghe Source weaken?"

Xu Yang furrowed his brows tightly. This was the key.

The consequences of its weakening were not hard to imagine.

"I do not know."

"Perhaps Heaven and Earth have reached their end."

Can Sutian's face was expressionless.

"Soon, I will negotiate with the Spirit Realm's Celestial Humans. As for the result, it is still uncertain for now; however, no matter how difficult, a scorched-earth outcome will not happen."

Can Sutian gave a cold laugh and said, "If it truly becomes do-or-die, then even at the cost of my life, I could shake the Linghe Source and take more than one Celestial Human with me. I could inflict heavy damage on the Spirit Realm, accelerate the collapse of the Linghe Source!"

"You should all return for now, and make your preparations; whether you go to the Spirit Realm or not is up to each of you!"

With that, Can Sutian waved her hand.

The assembled powerhouses wore complicated expressions, exchanging glances. Suddenly, Tang Yan spoke up: "May I ask what His Majesty intends to do?"

Can Sutian gave a slight smile: "Take back everything that once belonged to Daqian, and seek a way out of this predicament!"

Tang Yan's eyes flashed, and he then respectfully bowed and quickly withdrew.

The powerhouses seemed thoughtful and left the ancient hall one after another.

Gu Jun glanced at Xu Yang and drifted away.

Soon, only Xu Yang and Can Yunwu remained in the hall.

Can Sutian said slowly, "If you wish to remain in Daqian, this vast empire will be yours."

When Can Yunwu heard this, her heart trembled.

Xu Yang grinned, "You should already know my choice!"

Can Sutian let out a light laugh, then sighed deeply: "Worthy indeed of being my royal brother's son."

"Yunwu, what about you?"

He abruptly looked at Can Yunwu—his only daughter!

Can Yunwu slowly raised her head, met Can Sutian's gaze, and bit her lip: "Daughter wishes to stay in Daqian!"

Spirit Realm?

She was somewhat tempted, but snuffed out the thought in an instant.

How powerful are Spirit Realm Martial Artists?

Who could she contend with?

Once there, she would just be a marginal figure.

"Go get prepared."

Can Sutian seemed to have anticipated this, and waved her hand casually.

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Can Yunwu bowed respectfully. Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at Xu Yang. His face showed no emotion, as if he had no lingering attachment to Daqian whatsoever.

For some reason, even after getting what she wanted, she felt no joy at all.

This was something tossed to her because another did not want it.

This was a second-rate choice she got only because she was unqualified to pursue something higher.

Can Yunwu exited the main hall, leaving Xu Yang alone.

"Sit,"

Can Sutian flicked her finger, and a meditation cushion appeared in front of Xu Yang.

A trace of complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

Xu Yang sat down cross-legged, gazing at Can Sutian: "I want to understand the layout of the Spirit Realm!"

Upon learning of the Spirit Realm's existence, naturally he would not stay.

That is where the martial path peaks!

The Linghe Source is failing. Perhaps, one day, even the Spirit Realm and the Great Qian Heaven and Earth will collapse in the end, but that is not his present concern.

Before that day arrives, he will become as strong as possible!

Seek his own opportunity!

"Nowadays, the Spirit Realm has three Sacred Grounds and four Major Clans—that is its entire structure!"

"Of the three Sacred Grounds, there are three Celestial Human Realm experts, one for each ground. The four major clans—only one clan possesses a Celestial Human."

Four Celestial Humans?

Xu Yang was briefly stunned. That number was far too few.

He had thought, even if the Linghe Source was in decline, there would be at least seventy or eighty.

After all, Daqian could not compare at all to the Spirit Realm's environment and resources.

"The Spirit Realm's environment indeed far exceeds that of Daqian, but competition is much fiercer, so do not imagine the Spirit Realm as so terrifying." Can Sutian saw straight through Xu Yang's thoughts and said blandly, "With only four Celestial Humans, no one dares risk a fight to the death, so agreements have to be reached."

"Of course, these arrangements all disadvantage Daqian."

"Your strength, for your age, is among the best in the Spirit Realm as well."

Hearing this last sentence from Can Sutian, Xu Yang grinned and said, "I have nothing to do with the Can Clan."

With that one sentence, his attitude was clear.

He was a Daqian Martial Artist, but he did not wish for any deeper connection with Can Sutian, nor did he wish to keep following her plans.

Sigh!

Can Sutian let out a sigh.

"Very well. I won't force you."

"But let me warn you: once your identity is known in the Spirit Realm, you will face unprecedented hostility. Every step you take will be walking on thin ice!"

"Thank you for the warning!"

Xu Yang smiled faintly.

Hard?

Could it possibly be harder than when I first walked out of the prince's manor?

"Enclosed here is some basic information on the Spirit Realm. After I conclude negotiations with them, Can Yunxiao will contact you."

Whoosh!

A jade slip and a storage ring appeared before Xu Yang.

Xu Yang took the jade slip, sent a sweep of Spiritual Power through it, and his face immediately showed joy.

The data within was extremely detailed.

It was good fortune to be able to study carefully in advance.

He put away the jade slip, glanced at the storage ring, a look of puzzlement on his face: "This is?"

"Inside the ring are most of the materials required by Gu Jun to refine the Heaven and Earth Nurturing Elixir; only one ingredient is missing from Daqian."

"Earth Spirit Milk. The Earth Spirit Milk required to refine the Heaven and Earth Nurturing Elixir must be at least three thousand years old."

"Even in the Spirit Realm, this item is extremely rare. As for where to find it, there is a mark in the jade slip."

When she finished, Can Sutian waved her hand again.

Xu Yang's heart was shaken. A flash of surprise appeared and vanished, his expression turning slightly grave.

Spirit Realm?

A place with such Spiritual Objects could not be simple!

Still, being able to gather nearly all the components was an unexpected harvest.

"Thank you."

Xu Yang showed no politeness, stowing the jade slip and storage ring and turning to leave.

"By the way, the Divine Cauldron you carry is highly likely to have been left behind by an ancient powerhouse of the Spirit Realm tens of thousands of years ago. Whatever happens, do not expose it!" Can Sutian reminded him.

Xu Yang's footsteps paused, then he showed no further hesitation.

After Xu Yang left the ancient hall, Can Sutian narrowed her eyes, murmuring, "When I advanced to the Celestial Human Realm, even I could not grasp the secrets of that Divine Cauldron. If it is a treasure left by some ancient being of the Spirit Realm tens of thousands of years ago... Actually, after tens of thousands of years, the Spirit Realm has already severed ties with the Immortal Path. It shouldn't possibly be an Immortal Path artifact!"

Can Sutian suddenly shook her head and chuckled softly, "You don't want to remain under my control? But when you arrive in the Spirit Realm, no matter what you do, you will always be seen as one with Daqian."

"Xuan, now that you are gone, it's all over and at last truly easy for you."

"I have broken my shackles, yet ahead I face even harsher trials... sigh."

A long sigh echoed in the hall.

...

Tangyan Valley.

The four gathered.

Xu Yang, Gu Jun, Tang Yan, Jian Chuan!

"Break the heavens, only to discover there's a greater mountain ahead."

"Boy, the trouble up ahead will be several times worse than the Song Yuanhao father and son."