All eyes were fixed on Lin Xun, who stood atop the ninety-nine stone steps. “Once we kill this fiend, perhaps we’ll find a stroke of fortune from this forbidden area. That would finally make all our days of relentless pursuit worthwhile.” Heng Xingzhou said, his voice rumbling with emotion. For days, they had searched the Dao Ruins with the goal of capturing and killing Lin Xun, passing up countless opportunities for fortune along the way. The others were equally stirred, their emotions surging. After all their searching, they had finally cornered their target. It felt as though the clouds had parted and the moon had at last revealed itself! “You two...knowing this fiend is our sworn enemy, and yet you still side with him. Are you tired of living?” Wen Taolue’s gaze swept past Lin Xun to land on Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu. His voice was cold and laced with murderous intent. The surrounding cultivators also frowned, their expressions filled with disdain and icy hostility. Yue Duqiu’s face clouded over, but Xiang Xiaoyuan remained composed. “Old man, using numbers to bully someone? I can play that game too.” As she spoke, she flipped her hand, and a golden talisman soared into the air, spinning in place. A radiant treasure seal manifested, surrounded by stars that shimmered across the void, radiating boundless celestial might. “The Great Astral Dao Seal!” In an instant, Wen Taolue and the others narrowed their eyes in shock. “You’re from the Liuxiang Clan of the Seventh Heaven Domain?” Luo Shentu frowned. The Liuxiang Clan! A wave of realization swept through the crowd, and astonishment flickered across many faces. The Great Astral Dao Seal was a sacred treasure of the Liuxiang Clan, an ancient imperial immortal clan that wielded Heaven Rank laws and possessed a foundation as vast and deep as the stars. Xiang Xiaoyuan’s expression remained unchanged. “I’m not the kind of person who relies on someone else’s power to intimidate.” It was only then that Lin Xun learned that Xiang Xiaoyuan’s mother hailed from the Immortal Imperial Liuxiang Clan. Everyone realized that the situation was becoming thorny, and their expressions grew grim. Last time in Taiyi City, Bai Jianchen had suddenly interfered and ruined their siege at the critical moment. Now, with the sudden appearance of a descendant from the Liuxiang Clan, an oppressive weight settled on their chest. “We have no intention of offending the Liuxiang Clan, but if you insist on interfering, don’t blame us for being rude.” Luo Shentu’s eyes were icy cold. Though she looked old and frail, with hair like frost, she exuded a commanding and awe-inspiring presence. “What if I do?” Xiang Xiaoyuan asked calmly. Luo Shentu’s brows furrowed. After a moment of silence, she said coldly, “Then I’ll have no choice but to capture you alive. Once that fiend is killed, I’ll let you go.” The other's eyes lit up. Whether it was the Wen, Heng, or Luo Clans, none could match the foundation of the Liuxiang Clan, which had deep roots in the Seventh Heaven Domain. But they were only facing someone who claimed to be from the Liuxiang Clan. As long as they didn’t harm her and only restrained her, it likely shouldn’t stir up too much trouble. A heavy feeling sank into Xiang Xiaoyuan’s chest. She had thought that revealing her identity would be enough to intimidate them...or at the very least, make them think twice before acting. To her surprise, in order to kill Lin Xun, they were clearly prepared to risk everything! Just as Xiang Xiaoyuan was about to speak, Lin Xun stepped forward and stopped her, “They’re already doomed. Why bother wasting words on them?” Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu exchanged a glance, both smiling wryly in their hearts. This isn’t Taiyi City... There’s no Bai Jianchen here to intervene. Brother Lin, how can you still be so carefree? “Vile creature, still spouting nonsense even with death at your door. You must be tired of living!” In the distance, Lin Xun’s words made the faces of the cultivators from the three Immortal Imperial Clans darken. They were so enraged they nearly laughed out loud from fury. Luo Shentu suddenly stepped forward, her eyes sharp as lightning as she fixed her gaze on Lin Xun. She said expressionlessly, “The Ancient Nebula Road actually produced someone like you. Before even stepping into the Emperor Stage, you could already contend with actual Emperors. A genius like you only appears once in a thousand years. If you’re willing to bow your head now, I promise not only to spare your life, but also make you a core figure of the Luo Clan. With your foundation, once it fully matures, you could one day reign supreme over the world.” Her words stunned everyone present. Wen Taolue and Heng Xingzhou’s expressions turned gloomy. Luo Shentu was clearly trying to recruit Lin Xun. This went against their prior agreement and this stirred deep dissatisfaction. Unfortunately, before they could speak, Luo Shentu continued calmly, “Don’t worry, our previous agreement still stands. And if you’re willing to accept the terms I just proposed, our Luo Clan is prepared to offer ten times the original price!” Luo Ling’s pupils contracted. The Luo Clan had already paid a massive price for this alliance with the Wen and Heng Clans, one that no Emperor could easily turn down. If they now paid tenfold... That would be a staggering loss, enough to make the Luo Clan bleed! The expressions of Wen Taolue, Heng Xingzhou and the others shifted. The offer was simply too tempting. Furthermore, they weren’t worried that Luo Shentu would go back on her word. In the Sixth Heaven Domain, Luo Shentu was a renowned and formidable Ancestor. She was only a step away from the threshold of the immortal path. She wielded mastery over lightning laws and myriad divine arts, with power over life and death itself. Among those of the same cultivation stage, she was unmatched! Given her status, her word was as good as law. Despite that, doubt stirred in their hearts. Why was Luo Shentu so adamant about sparing Lin Xun. Could there be some hidden reason? “Lin Xun, as you can see, this is your one and only chance.” Luo Ling spoke. She had figured it out too. It would be best if Lin Xun stopped and made peace. As long as she could bring him back to the Luo Clan, it would be the same as bringing back the Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer! “You really think I don’t know what you’re after?” Lin Xun chuckled, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “Let me tell you this...Luo Clan, I will definitely pay a personal visit. As for you all...do you really believe today’s victory is guaranteed, and that you have me beaten?” Luo Shentu’s frown deepened, lightning flickering in her eyes. “Lin Xun, I’ve tolerated you and given you chance after chance, but you remain stubborn. In that case, I have no choice but to completely annihilate you!” At this moment, Luo Shentu's anger also flared. Half of Lin Xun’s bloodline was that of the Luo Clan, and he also possessed the rare talent of the Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer. This was why she hesitated to kill him before. Now, she had utterly lost her patience and made up her mind. If she couldn’t capture him alive, she would kill him and then use a secret technique to preserve his corpse and extract his bloodline. “That’s how it should’ve been from the start!’ Wen Taolue and Heng Xingzhou stepped forward, their auras menacing. “You two, just stand and watch.” Lin Xun said softly, taking a step forward. His blood and qi roared like a furious sea. “Rise!” Luo Shentu raised her hand. A purple lightning pillar that pierced the heaven and reached down the earth surged from her body. Within it, a seven-foot-seven-inch-long bamboo staff gradually took shape, glowing with a translucent purple luster. It was crystal clear, wreathed in arcs of purple lightning, and surrounded by stars that floated and sank, exuding an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth. The Star Chasing Staff! This was a treasure imbued with immortal matters and said to be able to split the galaxy and scatter stars with a single tap. Its power was terrifying beyond imagination. The moment Luo Shentu grasped the Star Chasing Staff, her aura surged, shaking the void. Above, dark clouds churned, thunder rumbled, and lightning danced wildly. It was as if the world had returned to an age of primal chaos. On the ninety-nine stone steps, Lin Xun stood with eyes deep and unfathomable. Suddenly, the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron flew forth and hovered above his head, radiating billions of dazzling rays of light. Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu both felt their hearts tighten. “Go!” Luo Shentu raised the Star Chasing Staff and tapped lightly in the air. A bolt of purple lightning appeared and instantly transformed into a purple lightning dragon thousands of feet long. As it roared through the void, crackling sounds burst forth, accompanied by a wave of violent, destructive killing intent that swept across the sky. This strike fully displayed the might of an Ancestor. The power of the lightning resembled divine punishment from the heavens, crashing down to erase Lin Xun from existence. Lin Xun soared into the air to meet it. The Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron erupted with dazzling light, exuding a boundless force that seemed capable of suppressing past, present, and future. With an earth-shattering boom, the torrent of purple lightning slammed into the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron, unleashing a devastating force, only to be quietly and completely neutralized in the blink of an eye. The Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron remained unscathed. Lin Xun also remained completely unharmed. His moon-white robe rustled in the wind, his black hair billowing, and his imposing figure stood like a demon god, radiating a terrifying might that threatened to engulf all directions. “Old hag, I failed to kill you back in Taiyi City. This time, you won’t escape again.” Lin Xun roared and took the initiative to attack. As Lin Xun stepped forward as if he was upon the stars of the Big Dipper, his power stirred the clouds and wind, tearing the void apart. Like a colossal abyss sweeping across the heavens, he charged at Luo Shentu. Everyone was stunned. Lin Xun was simply too domineering, as if he was completely unaware of the danger he was in. His assault was fierce, unrestrained and without hesitation. No one could believe their eyes. Luo Shentu’s face darkened. She swung the Star Chasing Staff and met his strike head-on. In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged hundreds of blows, plunging the world into chaos. The void collapsed, and disorder unfolded in every direction. Suddenly, with a deafening boom, the Limitless Abyss Dao Sword slashed forth, striking Luo Shentu with such force that her figure shuddered, and she was nearly sent flying. Her expression changed subtly. She could tell that compared to their battle in Taiyi City, Lin Xun’s cultivation hadn’t advanced, but instead his combat strength had surged to an entirely new level! There was no doubt. Within this forbidden zone, Lin Xun had most likely acquired some extraordinary fortune that dramatically boosted his power! Just then, a figure soared through the sky. It was Heng Xingzhou. His body was tall and imposing, rugged like a barbarian god. In his hands, he held a beast-hide drum covered in dense dao runes. As he struck it, a terrifying sound like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing turned into a surging golden torrent, roaring toward Lin Xun. The drumbeat shook the heavens and earth, stirred the wails of gods and demons, and dimmed even the sun and moon! The instant he made his move, it was already a deadly strike, but that wasn’t all! A streak of light tore through the void. Wen Taolue also joined the battle. He wielded a bronze halberd in one hand and controlled the Demon Searing Lantern with the other, unleashing monstrous might. Back in Taiyi City, they had already joined forces to take down Lin Xun, so they knew all too well how heaven-defying his strength was and he must not be underestimated! On the battlefield, a blazing torrent of dao energy swept through the void. Lightning, thunderous drumbeats, spear shadows, divine flames...all surged toward Lin Xun. Within a thousand feet around him, the space was completely engulfed by powerful Ancestor-level forces. Each strike carried the power to burn the heavens and destroy the earth, imbued with various divine abilities and mystical arts. When unleashed together, even Ancestors of the same realm would be forced to retreat before such devastating might! Within a flash, Lin Xun was besieged from all directions. In front of the Great Taiyi Hall, Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu felt their hearts clench, their expressions shifting drastically.