Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Ancestor of Taihao Heavenly Sect

Spirit Realm.

Taihao Heavenly Sect, Taihao Divine Hall.

A group of elders were like ants on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the hall, with anxious expressions.

Before long, the second elder walked into the great hall in a black robe.

"Second Elder, the situation is dire," said Third Elder, with disheveled white hair, bloodshot eyes, leaning on a cane, and strong exhaustion showing in his eyes. "The ancient Ji clan has occupied the Holy Mother Palace and the Holy Ancestor Dynasty, seizing two-thirds of the territory in the Mysterious Realm, and they are now eyeing us covetously."

"Darn it!"

The second elder flew into a rage. "These ancient divine clans have insatiable appetites."

Half a month ago, the ancient Ji clan dispatched troops to the Mysterious Realm, targeting Taihao Heavenly Sect, and began contending for territory with Taihao Heavenly Sect. In just half a month, they annexed half of the Mysterious Realm’s territory.

"They took advantage of our Taihao Heavenly Sect being leaderless to plunder us during the chaos," said Fifth Elder bitterly.

On the day of the transformation, Dao King leveraged power to face the tribulation and attain immortality, but he was severely wounded by Ye Xu, fled escaped, with his whereabouts unknown. Until today, there had been no news.

Without Dao King, Taihao Heavenly Sect was nothing but a paper tiger.

And the ancient Ji clan, with abundant strength, had dispatched eighteen Emperor Venerable level experts in just one Mysterious Realm. They not only proactively attacked Taihao Heavenly Sect, but also supported local forces in the Mysterious Realm as puppets, naturally achieving consecutive great victories.

"In three more days, if the sect master still does not return, order our forces in the Mysterious Realm to withdraw; we cannot let them die for nothing," commanded the second elder.

The Hall Master’s Elder had retreated to the Immortal Realm, and Dao King’s news was non-existent. Currently, in Taihao Heavenly Sect, only he could preside over the overall situation.

"We obey the order," the crowd said solemnly.

"Report!"

Suddenly, a Great Emperor rushed into Taihao Divine Hall and said, "Reporting to the respected elders, the divine son… the divine son is on his last legs."

The expressions of the elders grew stern.

The divine son was naturally Yan Duxing.

Back then, Yan Duxing risked his life charging into the heavenly tribulation forbidden zone, attempting to awaken Dao King’s awareness. However, he was severely injured by the Dao-merging tribulation. If not for Dao King sending him out in time, Yan Duxing would have already died.

But even so, Yan Duxing was haunted by that power, all his cultivation was erased, turning him into an old man at the end of his days, on the verge of death.

Over the past half month, Taihao Heavenly Sect had been using top-grade divine medicines to sustain his life, keeping him breathing by a thread, but it was all in vain.

"Our cultivation is limited; we cannot remove the heavenly tribulation force from him, unless the sect master returns," the second elder sighed lightly. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to save him, but that they were powerless.

"But presently, we cannot contact the sect master. How can we save him?" Third Elder sighed.

Yan Duxing was loyal and deeply devoted to emotions. Although his talent wasn’t top-tier, his actions that day had won the respect of the entire Taihao Heavenly Sect.

"Let’s go see him," the second elder shook his head and sighed, bringing along the elders, they went together to Yan Duxing’s residence.

On his sickbed, Yan Duxing was already scarcely breathing.

He had not a shred of cultivation left; it had all dissipated completely. He was at the brink of death.

"Master…" Yan Duxing murmured, his eyes opened a slit. The figures in his vision were blurred indistinct, and he couldn’t see clearly.

"Disciple."

The second elder wore a sorrowful expression and said, "The sect master still has no news."

"Cough…" Yan Duxing coughed violently, his eyes revealing unwillingness. He was in his prime and did not want to die.

Now, only Dao King could save him.

Recalling his past actions, he actually regretted them.

Because even without him, Dao King would not have been deceived by the merging with the Dao tribulation. His sacrifice was completely meaningless.

"Grand disciple, go in peace."

The second elder let out a long sigh and said, "We will give you a grand burial, and your name will forever be passed down among the descendants of the Taihao Heavenly Sect."

"No…"

A fierce light shot out from Yan Duxing’s eyes, seemingly a final resurgence.

"I want to live."

Bang!

He struggled desperately to rise, but as soon as his back left the bed, he fell down with a thump. He had no strength left at all.

"We are powerless."

The Third Elder looked pained and said, "That is the true immortal heavenly tribulation. We are too weak to resolve it."

"Hehe…"

Yan Duxing laughed, his eyes staring vacantly at the ceiling beam.

His aura grew weaker and weaker.

The room fell into complete silence.

Hum!

At that moment, a ball of golden divine light suddenly appeared out of thin air in the room, like a sun, dazzling and radiant.

"I don’t want you to die, not even the Heavenly Capital can claim you!"

A figure stepped out from the light, tall and imposing with extraordinary presence—it was none other than Dao King.

His injuries seemed to have healed, and his cultivation was even stronger than before.

Boom!

Dao King activated the Taihao Tai Xuan Classic, and in a single step, he arrived beside Yan Duxing. The terrifying power swept all the elders away with a force that flung them aside. He pressed his palm against Yan Duxing’s head, and immortal power erupted.

Immense divine power surged into Yan Duxing’s body.

Immediately afterward, an astonishing change occurred.

Yan Duxing’s white hair quickly turned black, the death spots on his body scattered away at a visible speed, and his skin became smooth and delicate, returning him to youth.

Vast life force emanated from Yan Duxing’s body.

His cultivation madly recovered.

Saint realm!

Saint King perfection!

Boom!

Finally, his cultivation solidified at the great sage level.

"I… I’m not dead?" Yan Duxing rejoiced with overwhelming surprise, flipping off the bed in one swift motion. "Your disciple kowtows in gratitude for my master’s life-saving grace!"

Surviving such calamity surely brings future blessings.

The elders, too, stood utterly astounded.

This was nothing short of inconceivable power.

A hint of a smile touched Dao King’s eyes. "Good disciple, this master arrived late. For letting you endure such prolonged torment, I hope you bear no resentment."

Throughout these days, he had been solely focused on healing his injuries.

Even now, his wounds remained unhealed.

Ye Xu’s power was too tyrannical, leaving Dao King unable to purge it entirely.

Nevertheless, Dao King had regained roughly sixty to seventy percent of his strength—sufficient to stride unhindered across all realms.

"Your disciple wouldn’t dare," Yan Duxing murmured, lowering his head.

"Welcome, Sect Master!"

The elders knelt as one.

Dao King gave a slight nod.

"Sect Master, the ancient Ji clan…" The second elder began reporting matters of the Mysterious Realm, but Dao King raised a hand. "Save it for later."

"More pressing matters demand my attention now."

"Yes."

Though unaware of the details, none dared defy Dao King’s command.

"My good disciple, rest well. Your master has urgent affairs," Dao King said warmly.

"Your disciple obeys."

With those words, Dao King vanished.

Within a few breaths, his figure materialized within the ancestral tombs.

These tombs had endured ever since the Taihao Heavenly Sect’s founding.

He strode unhurriedly into the deepest chamber. Inside an ancient hall, rows upon rows of portraits lined the walls—forty-eight in total, depicting both men and women.

These were the Taihao Heavenly Sect’s successive patriarchs who had successfully ascended to the Immortal Realm.

Each portrait contained a wisp of the primordial spirit’s imprint. Should catastrophe befall the sect, these imprints would unleash their hidden power.

Dao King swept his hand through the empty air.

Hummm!

The void rippled like water. The first portrait—the Founding Patriarch’s—began to distort, twisting into a vortex. From the vortex’s opposite end drifted an aura of profound, unfathomable darkness.

"The Immortal Realm’s order is unstable, and this spatial channel holds briefly. You have thirty breaths. Speak."

A voice resonated from beyond the vortex.

"Patriarch, this disciple has attained immortality."

Dao King’s gaze burned like fire. "Yet… I felt no ascension pull. The Immortal Realm’s order nears collapse. Patriarch, now is the time for you to descend."

"This patriarch must still anchor the Immortal Realm. Departure is impossible," the sect ancestor replied. "But I will send another to the lower realm."

"Your wounds are severe—inflicted by one wielding the pinnacle of the Great Dao of Creation. Take this: a Taiyi Creation Pill."

A single pill flew from the vortex.