"The mighty powers of the Spirit Realm have given Daqian a territory for establishing the Qian Imperial Palace—this will henceforth be Daqian's foundation in the Spirit Realm!"

"Martial artists of Daqian must journey from the Spirit Realm's entrance all the way to the Qian Imperial Palace; upon entering the Spirit Realm, there are three days to hide. After those three days, they'll be hunted down from all sides by the Spirit Realm's many factions—this is the hunt!"

"Of course, those entering the Spirit Realm from Daqian are mostly in the Myriad Manifestations and True Lord Realms, and those striking from the Spirit Realm are likewise of these two stages."

"Ultimately, only those who survive and reach the Qian Imperial Palace may walk the Spirit Realm in peace."

Can Yunxiao produced a map and spoke: "The entrance is on the southern edge of the Spirit Realm. After stepping inside, it's here—near Longdu City of the Southern Domain, within the territory of the Star Nebula Infinite Sea. The journey starts here, moving from south to north and cutting through the central axis of the Spirit Realm, only then you'll reach the Qian Imperial Palace!"

"Up north is Cangyue Mountain—this was once Daqian's stronghold. But after it was destroyed and driven out, it fell to ruin."

Xu Yang's expression grew grave.

From south to north, traversing the heart of the Spirit Realm!

A single straight line, yet even as shown on the map, it's exceedingly far!

On top of that, with the chosen ones and experts of every major Spirit Realm faction on the hunt—one can well imagine the strength of the Spirit Realm's martial artists, who hold a natural advantage.

The cultivation environment is several times, even dozens of times, stronger than Daqian's!

Cultivation techniques and divine techniques, divine weapons and spiritual objects, and even mastery over the Spirit River Source—these are all things Daqian can't compare with.

Even Daqian's top chosen ones are no match for the Spirit Realm's prodigies!

This fact, though he'd never witnessed it, even Xu Yang had to admit!

Calling it "brutal" would be flattering it.

Xu Yang fell silent for a long time before saying: "Given these conditions, how many people will go?"

Can Yunxiao spoke slowly: "Many will go."

Xu Yang immediately fell silent.

This is the Spirit Realm, after all.

A new world, a higher plane.

Fight, dare, and maybe—just maybe…

Besides, with Myriad Manifestations and True Lords, it's not just the chosen ones who'll go.

Some who were unable to become True Lords due to talent or other reasons but have reached the peak of Myriad Manifestations—there are quite a few of this class.

"What if I don't go to the Qian Imperial Palace?"

Xu Yang gazed at Can Yunxiao and asked.

"If you don't go…," Can Yunxiao hesitated, then gave a bitter smile, "Young Master, why do this? Even if you settle down upon arriving in the Spirit Realm, without Daqian's protection, you'll become a target. I fear…"

Xu Yang snorted coldly, "The Spirit River Source is about to fail. In years past, the first Qian Emperor stole the Spirit River Source, seeking escape. Now history repeats itself—Can Sutian's ambitions are certainly far greater than just returning to put down roots."

"I'm afraid if I follow, I'll be sold off till not even scraps are left!"

This is no empty threat!

Before leaving Guhua Hall, Can Sutian's final warning had made it clear he'd been eyeing the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod for some time.

Perhaps even Can Sutian doesn't know the origins of the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod, but for this item to be beyond his understanding—how could he not covet it?

Moreover, to put it bluntly, with Xu Yang's strength and potential, he's worthy of being called Daqian's top chosen one!

Being used as a pawn—let's not even mention it.

He'd struggled so hard, all to be free from manipulation.

If he had to go on being led by the nose in the Spirit Realm, he might as well have given up from the start.

Can Yunxiao sighed: "His Majesty foresaw that you'd make this choice. There is, however, another way."

A glint of sharpness flashed in Xu Yang's eyes.

This Can Sutian…

Once in the Spirit Realm, he must be endlessly cautious!

"Three Sacred Grounds, Four Great Clans!"

"At will, defeat the number-one chosen one of any of these seven top-tier powers—that counts as passing the hunt!"

"How strong are they?"

"Nobody knows!"

Can Yunxiao shook his head: "The Spirit Realm would never reveal such information."

This is indeed the case.

Xu Yang nodded slightly, cupped his fists in respect: "Thank you, Lord Zongzheng."

Can Yunxiao seemed to want to speak, but in the end, he just sighed and turned to leave.

Watching Can Yunxiao depart, Xu Yang turned and returned to the valley, his expression solemn.

Brutality was inevitable.

Their opponents' strength could be guessed—overwhelming.

"Right now, I've already refined Song Yuanhao's True Monarch Blood Bone and the Barbarian God's spirit light. Both my spiritual power and cultivation have risen greatly."

"By employing all my means, I could even contend with newly-ascended True Lords!"

"Heaven Locking Three Seals!"

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips suddenly rising: "The people of the Spirit Realm don't know I have such a technique!"

Unaware, when dealing with me, they'll pay dearly for their ignorance.

"Now I'm just waiting for Mr. Tang to finish forging the Asura Blood Saber."

"Once it's done, its power will be even greater!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Besides…"

Xu Yang's eyes flashed and he hurried away.

Half a day later.

A group gathered in the valley.

The Bai Family, the Zhang Family, and Meng Ziqiu and others.

Liou Yunfeng, after leaving with Gu Jun, had not yet returned.

Xu Yang looked at everyone earnestly: "Honored elders, that's the whole situation."

"This time, I don't expect to return soon after entering the Spirit Realm."

"Going to the Spirit Realm is a huge opportunity—and also a near-certain death!"

At this, Xu Yang paused, then continued: "My personal feud with the Can Clan is well known to all of you, so once in the Spirit Realm, I will not join the official Daqian party."

"That will make it even more perilous!"

"If any of you elders wish to take your chances in the Spirit Realm, I can have you placed with the royal retinue."

"Of course, you can also come with me."

The crowd was shaken to its core.

Even the Bai and Zhang Family experts, until now, had only sensed the turmoil of heaven and earth, making some guesses and associations.

But the true secrets—they never had the right to know!

Now, with Xu Yang laying everything bare, they were speechless with shock!

The Spirit Realm!

"The Spirit River Source—the very root of the spirit path—so that's why the Body-Burning Realm has declined."

"If we enter the Spirit Realm, just that cultivation environment would make my power soar!"

"But the danger…"

Excitement on some faces quickly froze!

Daqian, after all, would be targeted.

This hunt alone is a deathtrap!

"Young Master, I'm willing to go." Zhang Lingqiao suddenly stepped forward.

Xu Yang froze: "Mr. Zhang, you…"

He'd thought, even if someone from the Zhang Family wanted to go, it wouldn't be Zhang Lingqiao—he's the Clan Leader!

Zhang Lingqiao grinned: "Following you these last two years, the Zhang Family has grown fast. Even if I die, I could face the ancestors without shame."

"Now, with this chance, even with dangers all around—I want to give it a shot!"

"The family will be in Yuanshan's hands—I can finally relax a bit."

With that, he turned to Zhang Yuanshan: "From now on, you are the Zhang Family's Clan Leader!"

Zhang Yuanshan panicked: "Clan Leader, you can't throw down the burden! If anyone should go, it's me!"

"No, Young Master, my cultivation isn't weaker than the Clan Leader's—I want to go!"

Seeing this, Xu Yang's mouth twitched.

He could tell Zhang Yuanshan wasn't joking.

He was genuinely anxious.

"Shut it!"

"I'm the Clan Leader!" Zhang Lingqiao barked coldly.

Zhang Yuanshan snapped back: "Zhang Lingqiao, you've already handed me the position! As Clan Leader, I order you to stay and manage the Zhang Family. I'll go instead!"

"You…"

All around, everyone stared in shock.

Are you kidding me?

Wouldn't one think this was a vacation?

In short, the tense atmosphere completely evaporated.

Xu Yang was left speechless.

He waved a hand: "Sort it out amongst yourselves. I'll say it again—it's really dangerous!"

This isn't a joke.

After saying this, he turned and left.

Meng Ziqiu and Yang Yi exchanged glances, then grinned broadly and followed him.

After them, Zhao Mushen, Lv Xiu, and several other loyal loose cultivator martial artists trailed without hesitation!

Deep within the valley.

Xu Yang looked at Meng Ziqiu and the others and sighed: "Are you really going?"

Meng Ziqiu laughed: "Young Master, I'm nearly at True Lord already. Sure, there's hope in Daqian, but with the Spirit Realm's conditions, it should take only a little time. Staying in Daqian—there's no point anymore."

"Besides, if I reach True Lord, I'll be more help to you!"

"Me too!"

Yang Yi nodded immediately.

Though a bit weaker than Meng Ziqiu, it's no exaggeration—reaching the peak of Perfect Profound Realm as a loose cultivator shows his talent. With his foundation and these days' alchemy, it's remarkable.

Once in the Spirit Realm, with that environment, even without spiritual objects, he could soon reach True Lord.

Lv Xiu smiled: "Young Master, my wife and I have already died once. You gave us reason to live again. Now that the Spirit Realm has revealed itself, if we stay behind in Daqian, we'll only return to a muddled existence."

With Lv Xiu's decision, Zhao Mushen spread his hands as if to say: 'She's the boss at home!'

The others felt the same.

To be honest, even if they stayed in Daqian, their lives would be comfortable and eventually they might break through to True Lord.

But faced with the Spirit Realm's opportunity, and the impending collapse of the world, they never hesitated!

Even dying in the Spirit Realm would be worth it!

Xu Yang drew a deep breath, cupped his fists in salute: "Thank you all for following me!"

"We will follow Young Master to the death!"

Led by Meng Ziqiu, all saluted in unison.