Chapter 563: Ancient Yang City

Ye Xuan said confidently, "Don’t worry. This True Dragon Seal can only be opened by someone with True Dragon blood. Otherwise, not even a Nine Heavens Martial Emperor could break it by force. Besides, the mysteries of the forbidden area are incredibly well hidden. Without a guide, even a Seventh Grade, Lord Level Soul Refiner wouldn’t be able to discover its secrets."

Vice Director Ge and the others deeply understood this. If the forbidden area’s arrangements weren’t so profound, no director would have discovered its secrets over so many years. Even Director Huangfu Xiuming had failed.

But wait.

Suddenly, everyone froze. ’If even a Seventh Grade, Lord Level Soul Refiner couldn’t uncover its secrets, how did Young Master Ye manage it?’

The men exchanged glances, feeling that this disciple, Xuan Ye, was simply too uncanny.

With matters weighing on his mind, Ye Xuan parted ways with Jiuchen and the others. He made a trip to the outer courtyard before heading straight into a Soul Refining chamber in the inner courtyard. For several hours, not a sound was heard from within.

Inside the Soul Refining chamber, Ye Xuan stared with rapt attention at a drop of fresh blood on the Soul Refining Crystal Stone before him.

Under the instrument, the blood bloomed with a seven-colored light, and an inexplicable, divine aura flowed from it.

Ye Xuan looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes, and whispered, "It really is the blood of a True Dragon. From the same line as the Xia family of Dongling."

This was the drop of blood he had obtained from Xia Qixi earlier.

In his past life, he had once obtained the True Dragon blood of the Xia family and had researched it. He could naturally tell whether Xia Qixi’s blood belonged to the Xia family of Dongling. After all, in a world as vast as this, even two people with True Dragon blood weren’t necessarily from the same lineage.

But now, he was certain. Xia Qixi was one of the Xia family of Dongling.

’A member of the great Xia family, hiding away in the Thirteen Nations Alliance... Could it be that the Xia family of Dongling was truly wiped out?’

Ye Xuan’s expression turned grim.

In his past life, he had perished unexpectedly in the Profound Domain. It was called an accident, but he always felt that an unseen hand was pushing things from behind the scenes.

Not long after he perished, the Xia family of Dongling was wiped out. Although decades separated the two events, Ye Xuan had a gut feeling that there was some connection between them.

’Was it Infinite Mountain pulling the strings? Or some other power...’

A sharp light flickered in Ye Xuan’s eyes.

’After taking the Gumo Menglan pill, Xia Qixi has already broken through to the First Layer of Tier Six. However, the True Dragon blood in her body has yet to fully awaken, so she can’t possibly break the True Dragon Seal. Even if she breaks through to Tier Seven Martial Sovereign, it would probably still be very difficult. Looks like finding out what’s in the forbidden area is off the table for now.’

Although he was curious about the forbidden area, he also knew he couldn’t dwell on it. Right now, he needed to focus on the Profound Mystery Sect.

As time passed, the conflict between the Profound Mystery Sect and Gale Light Academy continued to escalate after the incident with Duan Tianlang.

The Profound Mystery Sect was furious, demanding that Gale Light Academy immediately hand over Duan Tianlang and the others and come to their door to personally apologize. Otherwise, they would raze Gale Light Academy to the ground.

Gale Light Academy, in turn, demanded that the Profound Mystery Sect release Luo Min and the others and compensate Gale Light Academy for its losses. Otherwise, they would fight the Profound Mystery Sect to the bitter end.

The two sides exchanged threats from afar, but of course, neither was willing to compromise. The clashes between them grew increasingly intense.

At first, only the garrisons near the two major powers were affected. But since the incident in Santafe City, the clashes between them had spread to the entire Dream Realm Plain.

It even spread into the territories of several other major powers.

Finally, the remaining top-tier powers couldn’t stand it anymore. They sent their own experts to persuade the two sects to sit down and talk things over.

Gale Light Academy stated that the Profound Mystery Sect must first release Luo Min and the others and issue a public apology.

The Profound Mystery Sect, however, demanded they hand over the culprit, Xuan Ye, and release Duan Tianlang and the others.

The result was another round of conflict. The entire Dream Realm Plain was dragged into it. In the end, it wasn’t just Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect; some smaller kingdoms and powers also rose up amidst the chaos, launching wars against each other.

The major top-tier powers could finally sit still no longer and held discussions overnight.

If they allowed the two sects to continue fighting like this, the entire Dream Realm Plain would descend into chaos, and the order that had been painstakingly stabilized over hundreds of years would surely collapse again.

Ultimately, the Nine Yang Sect—the last of the Dream Realm Plain’s three greatest powers—took the lead. They united with the Sky Empire, the Qingfeng Empire, the Bright Moon Empire, the Sword Sect, the Divine Sea Sect, the Profound Sound Valley, and the War God Tribe.

These eight top-tier powers joined forces to invite the experts from both Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect to a neutral city for negotiations.

If either side disagreed, they would be declared a public enemy of the entire Dream Realm Plain.

Faced with this alliance of eight powers, neither Gale Light Academy nor the Profound Mystery Sect could remain calm.

The Profound Mystery Sect, which had been unyielding until now, surprisingly expressed their willingness to accept peace talks in Ancient Yang City.

When the news reached Gale Light Academy, Ge Puzi and the others were stunned.

In a conference room in Gale Light Academy’s inner courtyard, Ge Puzi and the others gathered. Ye Xuan had also been invited.

"What is the Profound Mystery Sect playing at? They actually agreed to peace talks?"

"This doesn’t seem right. Knowing the Profound Mystery Sect’s temperament, they shouldn’t have been so agreeable."

"Are they planning some kind of trick?"

In the conference room, Elder Yao and the others were discussing animatedly. From what they knew of the Profound Mystery Sect, they weren’t the type to be so easily reasoned with. It was impossible that they would have such a change of heart just because the eight major powers had spoken.

Vice Director Ge and the others, who knew the true reason for the Profound Mystery Sect’s actions, were especially baffled. ’The Profound Mystery Sect’s goal is the ultimate treasure within Gale Light Academy. Now that they haven’t gotten the treasure, would they give up so easily?’

"Regardless of the Profound Mystery Sect’s objective, since they’ve agreed, we can’t continue this confrontation. We have to go to Ancient Yang City," Vice Director Ge said in a grave voice.

"Vice Director Ge, could this be a trap set by the Profound Mystery Sect?" an instructor asked worriedly.

"That’s not very likely, is it?" Another instructor shook his head. "Ancient Yang City is a neutral city on the Dream Realm Plain, with no connection to the Profound Mystery Sect. What’s more, top experts from the other eight major powers will also be there. Would the Profound Mystery Sect dare try any tricks in front of so many people?"

Everyone fell into contemplative silence.

Ancient Yang City was the Imperial Capital of the Ancient Yang Empire on the Dream Realm Plain several thousand years ago. Later, as time passed, the Ancient Yang Empire was dismantled by the major powers of the era, but Ancient Yang City was preserved, becoming a neutral city on the Dream Realm Plain.

A so-called neutral city was one not governed by any of the ten top-tier powers, but rather controlled by a collection of other, smaller forces.

Due to its special nature and geographical location, Ancient Yang City was the largest of the several neutral cities on the Dream Realm Plain. The powers within it were intricate and complex, but its commerce and trade were incredibly prosperous, making it one of the largest hubs for exchange between the major powers.

If the negotiations were held at the Profound Mystery Sect’s headquarters or that of another top power, they might worry about a conspiracy. But in Ancient Yang City, everyone’s guard was down considerably.

Ge Puzi said coldly, "Then let me see just what tricks the Profound Mystery Sect is playing." With Director Huangfu Xiuming’s whereabouts unknown, Gale Light Academy lacked the confidence to continue fighting the Profound Mystery Sect indefinitely. These peace talks were, in a way, an opportunity.

Besides, the whole reason Ye Xuan and the others had captured Duan Tianlang’s group was to ensure the safety of Luo Min and her group.

Soon, news spread between the two sides. In one month, with the eight major powers presiding, Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect would hold peace talks in Ancient Yang City and exchange hostages.

「Three days later.」

An Alchemy Flying Ship quietly departed from Gale Light Academy, speeding toward Ancient Yang City.

Aboard the Alchemy Flying Ship, Vice Director Ge, Elder Yao, Elder Dong, and others were gathered. Ye Xuan was naturally among them, as he was the one the Profound Mystery Sect had demanded by name.

In addition, a few other instructors were also accompanying them.

As for retainer Jiuchen, he had remained at the academy.

This trip to Ancient Yang City was just a negotiation; it wasn’t a case of "the more, the merrier." Moreover, they had to guard against the Profound Mystery Sect using the "lure the tiger from the mountain" stratagem to launch a sneak attack on Gale Light Academy.

Inside the Alchemy Flying Ship, Ye Xuan’s eyes were tightly shut. The Soul Seal in his mind circulated continuously as he faintly established a connection with Jin Lin.

’I don’t know what tricks the Profound Mystery Sect is playing with this negotiation, but no matter what, they’ll have to send a large number of people. That means the Profound Mystery Sect itself will be left relatively empty.’

This was the perfect opportunity to probe the Profound Mystery Sect’s true strength, and Ye Xuan had no intention of letting it go to waste.

「Deep within the Endless Mountain Range.」

Amidst the rolling, endless mountain ranges, there stood a simple palace.

A Demon Beast covered in golden Scale Armor was lounging on a recliner, stuffing its mouth with fruit. Beside it, two female Tier Six apes were massaging its shoulders, a picture of pure contentment.

"Mmm, mmm, not bad. A little harder."

Jin Lin’s eyes narrowed, looking extremely comfortable.

Suddenly, it stopped eating its fruit and gave the two female apes a cold look. The two apes, not knowing what they had done wrong, couldn’t withstand the terrifying pressure and immediately retreated in terror.

The Soul Thought in Jin Lin’s mind fluctuated continuously, and it nodded its head repeatedly. After a moment, it returned to normal.

’His Highness wants me to lead some Demon Kings to attack the Profound Mystery Sect?’

A sharp glint flashed in Jin Lin’s eyes, and it grinned. "Heh heh, it’s finally time for me, the great Jin Lin, to do something big. Hmm, I only have a few Demon Kings under my command, which makes things tricky. Looks like it’d be best to get the Wolf Emperor Hall to make a move."

Jin Lin instantly transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished over the horizon.

A moment later, it descended before a black mountain peak.

"What demon dares trespass in Wolf Emperor Hall without being announced? Halt!"

A thunderous roar echoed from the foot of the mountain.

Jin Lin snorted. "It’s me."

"Ah, so it’s Lord Jin Lin! To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

When the Demon King guarding the mountain saw Jin Lin, its furious expression instantly transformed into a fawning smile.

Jin Lin glanced at it and said nonchalantly, "Is your Lord Wolf Emperor in?"

"Yes, yes, he is," the Demon King nodded repeatedly.

"Hahaha, Brother Jin Lin, you’ve come all this way and didn’t even send word."

Just then, a booming voice resounded through the heavens. A demonic wolf, exuding a terrifying aura, flew down from the mountaintop, its demonic might filling the sky.