While the Jade Maiden Sect’s election for a Sect Leader candidate was in full swing, at that very moment, in a dense, dark primeval forest in the remote south of the Eastern Profound Domain.
"We’re back. After drifting in the Southern Wind Domain for over a thousand years, the Purple Vein has finally returned! HAHAHAHAHA!"
A man in white gazed at the vast landscape before him, a fervent heat simmering in his otherwise calm eyes. His cultivation was condensed and solid, so profound that it was absolutely unmatched in the current generation. He could be considered a supreme expert in the entire Eastern Profound Domain.
If Wen Qingye were present, he would have surely recognized this man. The man’s meridians were exceptionally solid, and they were, surprisingly, purple. He was from none other than the Purple Vein Clan—one of the hundreds of branches of the Spirit Race from the Immortal Realm.
Suddenly, a figure in black swiftly landed beside the man in white. "Bantou, after several months of investigation, we’ve gathered most of the information."
"Speak," the man in white said coolly.
The black figure slowly reported, "The Li Family has gone completely dormant, mainly operating within the Ancient Shang Country. As for the Taiyi Pavilion, the ones who expelled us, their power has only grown stronger over the years. They still dominate the eastern part of the Eastern Profound Domain, and no one dares to challenge their might."
The man in white muttered to himself, "The Li Family, which rose to prominence during the Middle Ancient Era, actually chose to go dormant... That I find a little strange."
The black figure replied respectfully, "One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. If the Li Family hadn’t gone dormant, the Taiyi Pavilion would never have let them be. Without our Purple Vein lineage in the picture, who could possibly be a match for the Taiyi Pavilion? Choosing to lie low was, in fact, the wisest decision they could have made."
The white figure snorted. "Hmph. Back then, the Taiyi Pavilion drove our clan out. Now, the time has come for our return. This comeback will mark the moment our clan rebuilds its glory in the Eastern Profound Domain!"
A sharp glint flashed in the black figure’s eyes. "By the way, Master, I also found out something else. Three Dragon Scales have appeared in the Eastern Profound Domain. They seem to be from the same set as the ones that appeared in the Southern Wind Domain. And rumor has it that these Dragon Scales are the keys to opening the Ancient Secret Realm."
"What? The Ancient Secret Realm?" the man in white asked, stunned. "Does the Ancient Secret Realm from the Dragon Scale legends actually exist?"
The black figure slowly explained, "That’s right. Currently, besides contending with the second-largest Major Sect, the Celestial Profound Sect, the Taiyi Pavilion is relentlessly searching for these Dragon Scales, hoping to open the Ancient Secret Realm."
The man in white took a deep breath. "This matter of the Ancient Secret Realm has implications far too great for the Taiyi Pavilion to handle alone. The Taiyi Pavilion, the One Dust Sect of the North Hill Domain, and the people of Emperor Ridge in the Southern Wind Domain are in a mutual defense pact and have extremely close ties. This endeavor is surely not the idea of the Taiyi Pavilion Sect alone. The shadows of their allies, or even other superpowers, are definitely involved. Besides, gathering all the scattered Dragon Scales is next to impossible. Let’s set this aside for now. Our most urgent priority is to rescue our clan’s Zi Lianhuang from the Demon Prison Sea."
The black figure said gravely, "Countless islands are scattered throughout the Demon Prison Sea, as numerous and complex as the stars in the nine heavens. It’s also called the Demon Prison Star Domain. Within this domain lies an Array from ancient times, rumored to be a Sealing Array related to the legendary Nine Heavens Ten Extremes Array. Once someone enters, they can never leave. That is why anyone in the Eastern Profound Domain who commits a heinous crime but cannot be executed is exiled there. As a result, everyone inside is a supreme expert, and each one is ruthless, cruel, and monstrously evil. Furthermore, the Demon Prison Sea borders not just the Eastern Profound Domain, but also the Southern Wind Domain, the Western Wilderness Domain, and the North Hill Domain. This makes it perhaps the most terrifying place in the world... And it’s been several thousand years. I suspect Zi Lianhuang may have already..."
The man in white shook his head. "We shall see. Zi Lianhuang is the most remarkable genius our clan has produced since ancient times. His cultivation must have reached a profound state long ago. Furthermore, our clan has a special constitution. Once our cultivation reaches the Three Tribulations realm, living for a thousand years is not an issue. I can faintly sense that he is still alive."
Shock appeared on the black figure’s face as he murmured, "He’s... still alive?"
The man in white said slowly, "Go. I have a feeling that any incident in the Demon Prison Star Domain will become the trigger for everything to erupt. Those eight Dragon Scales are a Supreme Treasure capable of shaking this world, but everything ultimately depends on strength. Our most urgent task now is to quickly rescue our clan’s experts. When the time is right, we can contact factions like the Li Family and the Celestial Profound Sect to deal with the Taiyi Pavilion together. On their own, they are no match for a behemoth like the Taiyi Pavilion, whose allies are also extremely powerful."
"Yes!"
The black figure nodded and then departed immediately.
"The great chess game of heaven and earth... has it already begun? It seems this will be another era that gives rise to heroes."
With his hands clasped behind his back, the man in white gazed into the distance, his eyes serene and calm.
.......
"’Questioning Emotions’? What does that mean?"
Everyone present was slightly baffled and confused.
TWANG.
Fang Huatong took out an antique zither and placed it before the crowd. With a gentle pluck of a string, a clear, pleasant sound rang in everyone’s ears.
The Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect stepped forward with a faint smile and addressed the crowd, "Our Jade Maiden Sect emphasizes not only personal cultivation but also the development of one’s character. We have dedicated Elders to instruct disciples in the four arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting. Bringing out the Phoenix Tail Zither today is a test of that inner character."
When it came to Zither Technique and Melody, the Jade Maiden Sect had its own unique path.
This was especially true of their four most renowned musical scores, "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon." A single performance could captivate the world, expressing the ineffable charm of mortal existence. Playing these pieces could calm the mind, bringing serenity and clearing it of all distracting thoughts.
Playing these scores when on the verge of a breakthrough offered indescribable benefits for a successful advancement.
Among the Three Thousand Great Dao, the Zither Dao was one.
It had to be said that the Jade Maiden Sect was truly a righteous and Famous Sect, placing great importance on the cultivation of its disciples’ character.
Most of the people present turned to look at Yanm Fang.
"Doesn’t Senior Sister Yanm Fang cultivate the Zither Dao?"
"Senior Sister Yanm Fang has mastered those four scores to perfection. In a competition of Zither Dao, she’s practically guaranteed to win!"
Yanm Fang’s face lit up with joy. After all, the Jade Maiden Sect had two main paths, one of which was the Zither Dao. And within the Sect, those who cultivated the Zither Dao were exceedingly rare—practically nonexistent.
Therefore, a competition of Zither Technique was a stroke of incredible luck for her.
Hearing this, a delighted Ling Tianyu, who was standing nearby, smiled at Yanm Fang. "In that case, I wish Junior Sister Yanm the best of luck in taking first place in this test."
"But of course," Yanm Fang said, tilting her head back with a proud smile.