Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest, Dao King’s Doubt

"A message, Brother Dao King. Please come out for a word."

Suddenly, a strand of Divine Sense transmitted into Dao King’s mind. Bu Linglong and the young man in linen remained reverent, unaware of the voice.

"You go and rest first."

Dao King’s gaze flicked slightly, and he vanished from the spot.

After a few breaths, Dao King appeared within a great hall. The hall had gathered the Great Emperors representing the colossal powers, including those from the Mystic Law Sect, the Holy Mother Palace, and the Empress Nuwa Clan.

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor sat at the head of the table, clearly acting as the host.

"Brother Dao King."

Seeing Dao King enter the hall, everyone rose and bowed respectfully towards him.

This respect stemmed not only from Dao King’s strength but also his position as the Sect Master of the Taihao Heavenly Sect.

Among those present, Dao King held the highest status.

Dao King swept his gaze around the room; surprisingly, even Lin Qianmo and others were present.

"Brother, no need to be puzzled," the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor explained. "This Daoist friend is quite powerful herself and has a close relationship with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. At crucial moments, she might help us forge a connection."

"Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest?"

Dao King didn’t inquire further, merely uttering the four words lightly.

"Hahaha… Brother’s remarkable wisdom is truly admirable!" The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor laughed heartily.

"Stop wasting time, get on with it," urged the Empress of the Holy Mother Palace.

Their gathering here had only one purpose: the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

Ever since they saw the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor produce the Seven-Treasure Mystic Spirit Fruit at the Hidden Dragon Gathering, everyone understood he possessed some secrets about the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

However, none had anticipated that the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor would take the initiative to invite them and discuss the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

Lin Qianmo also frowned slightly.

The Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest was an extremely ancient place, rumored to be a treasure land left from the Primordial Era. It was said to be the only location in all the worlds that connected the Upper and Lower Realms.

This point alone made countless people flock to it.

Not to mention that the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest was said to contain innumerable precious treasures and wonders.

"The legends surrounding the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest are, I assume, known to all present. I will not elaborate further," the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor said, his expression turning serious. "To be frank, the Mystic Law Sect does not know the exact location of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest."

"Bullshit!"

The Great Emperor of the Holy Sect of Transformation was hot-tempered. "If you don’t know, where did that Seven-Treasure Mystic Spirit Fruit come from? You’re just talking nonsense!"

The others remained silent, but their expressions made it clear they shared this skepticism.

"Brother, don’t be impatient," sighed the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor. "That Seven-Treasure Mystic Spirit Fruit did indeed come from the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest."

"Where exactly did it come from?"

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor solemnly announced, "A month ago, our sect master entered the Sea of All Realms seeking news of the Void Tomb. While in Tianxu, he unintentionally subdued an ancient ferocious beast and obtained it from that creature."

"Tianxu?"

The mention caused an immediate stir among the gathering.

Tianxu had endured since time immemorial, an edifice nearly as ancient as the Return to the Ruins. Legend claimed it was the buried ruin of an entire epoch.

Others whispered Tianxu served as a prison where ancient celestial halls exiled and confined the most vicious criminals.

Regardless of its origins, Tianxu’s history stretched into profound antiquity.

Moreover, Tianxu overflowed with peril; even beings of the Emperor Venerable level might meet their end there.

"The Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest cannot lie within Tianxu."

Dao King interjected coldly, "That cursed place births not a blade of grass, harboring only strangeness and malevolence. Call it the source of the Burial Soil, and perhaps I might believe that."

"Elder Brother speaks with wisdom."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor offered flattery before adding, "Our sect master also investigated thoroughly. Not the faintest trace of it exists within Tianxu."

"So," the old monk from Little West Heaven Temple pierced through the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s scheme, "your purpose extends beyond leading the delegation to the Hidden Dragon Gathering. You also seek to solicit the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion for news of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest?"

"Correct."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor nodded. Though their factions usually clashed like fire and water, mutual benefit demanded a degree of restraint now.

"Presently, Tianxu stands as the sole potential location for the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest, yet we possess no other tangible clues," the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor smiled. "In all the vastness of the mortal world, if any soul knows the forest’s whereabouts, it would surely be the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

Indeed, his decision to dispatch the bull demon during the Hidden Dragon Gathering hinted at this very goal.

After all, if Ye Xu couldn’t resolve even a mere bull demon at the Quasi-Emperor level, he likely possessed no knowledge concerning the forest’s location.

"How amusing."

Lin Qianmo’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Honored sir summons us holding not a shred of genuine evidence. Is the design to distribute the inquiry’s cost upon us all?"

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor could only force an awkward laugh.

"My intention was merely to fulfill a dream cherished by all present!"

The Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest bore an origin too vast, one that the Mystic Law Sect alone could never hope to wholly devour.

Better then to unite the paramount powers from multiple realms, collectively storming the forest.

What treasures each secured would depend solely on their own abilities and resolve.

Swoosh!

Seizing that instant, Dao King struck.

His hand clamped around the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s throat. Instantly, the power of the Path of Oblivion enveloped the latter. A single thought from Dao King would suffice to scatter his very soul.

"The truth."

Dao King’s voice dripped frost, murder gleaming in his eyes. "Should your tale prove this shallow, then today marks the moment you tried playing me for a fool. And for that, you shall pay with your life."

Hiss!

Dao King’s sudden assault plunged them all into terror.

A Great Emperor lay helplessly subdued before him, utterly incapable of mounting any defense.

"Dao King, you kill me before everyone. Aren’t you afraid that the Mystic Law Sect will go to war with the Taihao Heavenly Sect?" The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor showed no change in expression, feigning composure.

Bang!

Dao King’s magic roared as the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s head exploded. His primordial spirit was clenched in Dao King’s palm, teetering on the brink of complete shattering at any moment.

"Hold on."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor backed down, truly terrified. Dao King seemed utterly unconcerned about the risk of war, as if certain he was still hiding crucial information.

"He really was hiding things from us," the Empress of the Holy Mother Palace sneered coldly.

"Luckily he hid it, otherwise he’d be dead already," another Great Emperor gloated with morbid satisfaction.

"Speak."

Dao King’s voice was icy.

He didn’t truly know whether the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor had concealed anything. But by applying pressure, he knew the latter would inevitably crack, forced to confess every detail.

As for war?

He doubted the Mystic Law Sect would dare start a war against the currently flourishing Taihao Heavenly Sect over the death of a single Great Emperor. And even if they did… Dao King feared nothing.

"Our sect master obtained fragmented memories within the mind of an ancient ferocious beast. They revealed the location of part of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest, hidden within Tianxu. But just before death, that beast destroyed those remaining memories."

"The memories recovered by the sect master were incomplete. Thus, we couldn’t find the exact hiding place."

"Sect Master Dao King, that is absolutely everything I know."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s voice trembled with fear.

Bang!

Dao King hurled the Great Emperor’s primordial spirit onto the ground, his gaze like frozen steel. "If the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest is truly in Tianxu, how is it that the Mystic Law Sect failed to find it?"

Eyes turned toward Dao King, strange expressions flickering. Had he forgotten? Mere moments ago, he had emphatically declared the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest could not be in Tianxu. Now, faced with this truth, wasn’t he contradicted?

Lin Qianmo’s expression remained deeply serious.

She didn’t believe a single word Dao King said.

Who knew if his earlier proclamation wasn’t merely an attempt to provoke the truth out of someone?

"Senior Brother Dao King," interjected the Empress of the Holy Mother Palace, subtly defending the captive spirit, "the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest drifts like a rootless duckweed; it is infamously difficult to locate. If it were easy to find, it would certainly have been discovered many years ago."

"If you wish to cooperate, abandon your petty schemes." Dao King’s chilling glance swept over the Great Emperor’s flickering primordial spirit as he forcibly withdrew his killing intent.

He strode toward the head seat with deliberate steps, his bearing transforming seamlessly into that of the chief leader.

None present dared dissent.

"What say you all concerning an alliance?" Dao King’s voice boomed down upon them, authority radiating from his stance.

"Agreed."

The Empress of the Holy Mother Palace nodded.

"The Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest has spanned epochs," Royal Prince Bao stated with utmost seriousness. "Now that we possess a clue, we absolutely cannot remain passive. The Holy Ancestor Dynasty consents to the alliance."

"Amitabha," the old monk chanted, pressing his palms together devoutly. "This humble monk represents the Little West Heaven Temple and agrees to ally with the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

"The Moon God Clan is willing to join forces."

"The Empress Nuwa Palace is willing to join forces."

…

After a few breaths, everyone stated their positions.

No one was willing to miss the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

Dao King nodded with satisfaction.

"Looking across the world, only the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion could calculate it. So, everyone, you had better be prepared; this senior was a big profiteer."

Dao King said those words almost through clenched teeth.

Last time at Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, he had been extorted by Ye Xu, and even now, he couldn’t calm his resentment.

"We understand," everyone said in unison.

From the days they descended to the Yuan Realm, they had long known the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s nature: highly capable but with an even greater appetite.

Without filling his appetite, they definitely wouldn’t get the news they wanted.

"This matter, let’s leave it to Daoist Friend Lin."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor’s primordial spirit entered his body and grew a new head.

His gaze fell upon Lin Qianmo, saying: "Daoist friend, you have quite a connection with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion; I reckon you can bargain a bit."

"I’ll do my best," she said.

Although Lin Qianmo said so, she was unsure in her heart.

Ye Xu only recognized money, not face.

However, she couldn’t tell the truth, after all, one reason everyone invited her was because she had a connection with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

If she spoke truthfully, she might immediately be kicked out.

"Once the Hidden Dragon Gathering ends, we can plan this matter," the Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor laughed and said.

"Dao King sect master, you are virtuous and prestigious; this matter should be handled solely by you."

The Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor handed the initiative to Dao King.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

"Certainly not."

Who among the crowd dared to have an objection?

They didn’t want to become the next Mystic Law Sect’s Great Emperor.

"Then let’s disband for now," Dao King made the final decision.

"We will go together to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion to negotiate with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Farewell."

Everyone bid farewell, one after another.

"Daoist Friend Lin."

Lin Qianmo was about to leave when Dao King suddenly called out to her.

Qilou Yan was startled for a moment and wanted to stay with Lin Qianmo.

"Senior sister, you go first," Lin Qianmo said with a laugh.

"Be careful," Qilou Yan cautioned.

"I wonder, senior brother, why are you keeping me? What instructions do you have?" Lin Qianmo said lightly.

Dao King slowly walked over, staring at Lin Qianmo with a strange gaze.

"You, merely a quasi-emperor, can stand before me without arrogance or humility, calm and composed — that already surpasses that bunch of useless people earlier," Dao King praised.

"Senior brother, you overpraise me," Lin Qianmo said with a puzzled expression, not understanding Dao King’s purpose.

"’Red Dust Tribulation Sutra’, I’ve heard of it," Dao King said with implication in his words. "If I recall correctly, that’s a classic of the immortal path only available in the upper realm. Daoist friend, your fortune is truly deep to be able to cultivate such a technique."

Whoosh! Lin Qianmo’s heart jolted heavily, and her gaze turned sharp.

What did Dao King mean by this? Did he know her origins? She must remember that even she had sealed her own memories; only when her strength increased would her memories gradually unseal, allowing her to recall everything.

"Just luck," Lin Qianmo said, unable to fathom Dao King’s thoughts, and in her heart, she grew more cautious. "Daoist friend, did you call me to stop just to discuss Technique with me?"

"That’s not really it," Dao King said with a half-smile. "It’s just that I saw the technique you cultivate is quite extraordinary, so I wanted to ask for your guidance a little." "If you’re unwilling, then let’s forget it."

"Daoist friend, you are a top master in the world; how could I possibly be your match?" Lin Qianmo said indifferently. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"Take care on your way; I won’t see you off," Dao King watched as Lin Qianmo left.

"The ‘Red Dust Tribulation Sutra’…" After Lin Qianmo left, a strange light appeared in Dao King’s eyes.

"The origin of this technique is truly extraordinary."

"This person’s background is mysterious and chaotic, so much so that even I can’t see through it. Could it be that she’s the one whom the upper realm people spoke of, who was chased down to the lower realm?"

He had some connection with the upper realm. Therefore, Dao King knew many secrets. Moreover, regarding the Red Dust Tribulation Sutra, he had heard quite a bit.

From the moment he first saw Lin Qianmo, he was very curious. Having tested her today, there were indeed many clues on her.

More importantly, she was in the Yuan Realm. This was the ancestral home of the Heavenly Emperor from ancient times.

"Things in the future are becoming increasingly mysterious."

"However, that makes it interesting."