Chapter 24: Xiao Xuan Returns, Shocking the Supreme Temple

Deep within the Tianxuan Continent lies an ancient and magnificent palace.

Inside this hall, rows of massive divine sources are displayed, each standing ten zhang tall and emanating the aura of Tianxuan, a testament to the passage of time.

If Wu Xuan, the eighth ancestor of the Wu family, were present, he would surely be struck dumb with shock, for this is the Supreme Divine Palace, the pinnacle sanctuary of the Primordial Covenant of the Human Race.

At this moment, several powerful and vast auras permeate the hall, originating from the great beings seated upon the divine sources. Three figures sit silently upon the ancient pedestals.

The first is a middle-aged man clad in black-gold armor adorned with dragon patterns. The second is an elderly man with flowing silver hair, draped in robes of immortal gold. The third is a woman dressed in flowing emerald palace attire. Though their forms differ, they share a common trait: their bodies are wreathed in chaotic energy, each radiating the majesty of the Imperial Realm.

"Cang Yan, that good-for-nothing, is dead. It seems the Great Emperor of the Gu family from one hundred thousand years ago has returned. What are your thoughts?"

The elder in the immortal gold robes speaks first, his voice indifferent yet tinged with gravity. A Human Great Emperor arriving from the Heavenly Abyss, crossing the Boundary Sea—under normal circumstances, this would be a blessing for Tianxuan. But if this Emperor has returned with a heart set on vengeance, the implications are terrifying.

"Thoughts? Why, we simply meet force with force and water with earth. You are far too nervous, Fellow Daoist Taiyi. A Great Emperor on the verge of collapse has reached his limit by killing a Quasi-Emperor; what waves could he possibly stir up?"

"If this Xiao Xuan dares to return, I shall strike him down where he stands!"

The Emperor in the black-gold dragon armor smiles dismissively, his voice booming like thunder. His body emanates waves of killing intent, causing even the black-gold dragon patterns to pulse with a dark, eerie light.

"Wu Qian is right."

"Even if Xiao Xuan returns to Tianxuan and discovers that the Imperial Clans have abandoned the covenant, what can he do? One hundred thousand years have passed; the era of Xiao Xuan is long over. Today, the Supreme Divine Palace stands in power, guarded by many ancient emperors. Are we to fear a mere Xiao Xuan?"

The woman in the green dress giggles, speaking with utter nonchalance.

"That may be, but what worries me most is not Xiao Xuan, but the situation with the demons of the Otherworld. With no one guarding the Heavenly Abyss, what if they were to invade Tianxuan? After all, the invasion one hundred thousand years ago brought catastrophe to this land. With the abyss unguarded, I wonder if those otherworldly demons might seize this opportunity to strike again."

Ancient Emperor Taiyi lowers his gaze slightly. His concern lies with the state of the Otherworld; a mere Xiao Xuan is not worth mentioning. If the demons were to attack, the nine Supremes of the Otherworld alone would keep the Supreme Divine Palace in turmoil for a long time.

"Fellow Daoist Taiyi, you are truly worrying over nothing."

"Even with the aid of the Elixir of Immortality, an ancient Great Emperor’s lifespan rarely exceeds twenty or thirty thousand years; only the most exceptionally gifted might live for fifty thousand. Ten thousand years have already passed. Xiao Xuan should have long since returned to dust. If he is still alive, it only means he has 'slashed himself'—like those existences in the Forbidden Life Zones—to stall the depletion of his life essence and vitality, allowing him to linger on until now."

"Do you truly believe that Xiao Xuan alone held back the otherworldly demons for one hundred thousand years?"

Hearing this, the woman in green laughs with disdain. It is impossible for an Emperor who has slashed his own cultivation to hold back the powerhouses of the Otherworld for a hundred thousand years. The fact that there has been no invasion in all this time proves they have long abandoned their designs on Tianxuan. It could not possibly be Xiao Xuan’s doing.

"Hah, Fellow Daoist Green Luo, we certainly do not believe Xiao Xuan held them back single-handedly." As the woman spoke, Ancient Emperor Taiyi and Wu Qian could not help but laugh.

They would never believe that the Xiao family Emperor had spent the last one hundred thousand years in constant battle. It is simply impossible. Even an Emperor, with the aid of the Elixir of Immortality, can live at most thirty to fifty thousand years. Even if Xiao Xuan were powerful, living fifty or sixty thousand years would be his absolute limit.

Furthermore, when the Otherworld invaded one hundred thousand years ago, they deployed several ancient sovereigns comparable to the Emperors of the Tianxuan Continent. To suggest that Xiao Xuan has been fighting them ever since he entered the Heavenly Abyss is absurd. Not even the Void Great Emperor of human history, who spent his entire life in battle, could survive such a feat.

The only logical explanation is that after leaving Tianxuan, Xiao Xuan realized his lifespan was coming to an end and hid in the depths of the Demon-Burying Sea. Like the masters of the forbidden zones, he slashed his path and sealed himself within a divine source, falling into a slumber from which he has only now awakened. As for the demons, they likely found a better plane to target, which is why Tianxuan has enjoyed a century of peace.

In short, none of the Emperors in the Supreme Divine Palace believe the peace of the last hundred thousand years is the result of Xiao Xuan’s protection.

"In that case, there is nothing to worry about. The return of an aged, decrepit Emperor will stir up no storm."

"However, we must investigate the matter of the Otherworld carefully. Fellow Daoist Green Luo, go and explore the depths of the Demon-Burying Sea. If there are no signs of activity from the demons, we can rest easy."

Ancient Emperor Taiyi sets his mind at ease, his eyelids lifting slightly.

"Hehe, rest assured, Fellow Daoist Taiyi, leave it to me." Empress Green Luo nods slightly, accepting the task with ease. In her view, this is merely a simple trip. She is convinced that no activity exists in the depths of the Demon-Burying Sea; otherwise, the enemy would have already invaded. Perhaps the portal to the Otherworld has long since closed.

"If you ask me, there is no need for such trouble. Why not just summon Xiao Xuan, make him kneel before the Supreme Divine Palace, and interrogate him on the spot?" Wu Qian glances in the direction where Empress Green Luo has vanished, his voice booming.

"Xiao Xuan has only just returned to the continent; it is best not to startle the snake. Besides, I am currently in seclusion, comprehending supreme immortal techniques. It is inconvenient for me to act, and I do not wish to incite further trouble at this time." Ancient Emperor Taiyi lowers his gaze once more.

Hearing this, Wu Qian laughs, his voice like thunder: "Do not worry, Fellow Daoist Taiyi, this matter does not require your concern. Leave it to me. Though Wu Kun was a descendant of little consequence, he was killed for no reason. I, as an Emperor, must demand an explanation!"

Wu Qian’s words leave Ancient Emperor Taiyi in silence. Wu Qian is the ancestor of the Imperial Wu Clan; naturally, he will not let his descendant’s death at the hands of Xiao Xuan go unpunished.

"What do you intend to do?" Knowing Wu Qian seeks vengeance, Taiyi does not try to dissuade him.

"It is quite simple. I shall descend with a decree, summoning Xiao Xuan to the Wu family to kneel and beg for forgiveness." Wu Qian speaks with booming arrogance. "Though I currently have only an avatar on the Tianxuan Continent, as long as Xiao Xuan is not a complete fool, he will not dare to defy my command. After all, it is no longer one hundred thousand years ago!"

Wu Qian is confident. Even with only an avatar, he believes Xiao Xuan would not dare disobey him. After all, a hundred thousand years have passed. That Xiao family Emperor has long lost his former glory; perhaps his lifespan is exhausted and his blood essence withered. He likely cannot even muster the true combat power of an Emperor. Killing the Cang Yan Emperor was likely just a stroke of luck.

Wu Qian, having attained the Dao only a millennium ago, is at the peak of his power. How could Xiao Xuan ever compare to a Great Emperor in his prime?

The Xiao family Emperor who once reigned supreme over the world?

Ha! That era ended long ago!

Now, the age belongs to Wu Qian!