Xuan Ming asked nervously, "You must be planning to open the Heavenly Ascension Road and enter the Third Heaven, right?"
Chen Nan nodded.
Xuan Ming said, "You should know that there's an agreement among the four major tribes. To open the Heavenly Ascension Road, at least three parties must agree."
"However."
"Our tribe's ancestor never intended to open the Heavenly Ascension Road."
"He already suppressed the fragments of the Heavenly Ascension Road painting beneath the Cold Blade."
"Unless the Cold Blade is drawn, it's impossible to gather all four fragments of the Heavenly Ascension Road painting."
Chen Nan looked at him incredulously, "Why would your Cold Blade tribe's ancestor make such a decision?"
Xuan Ming sighed lightly, "He might have been afraid that restarting the Heavenly Ascension Road would attract a large number of异魔 (yì mó)."
"Foolish!"
"Foolish!"
The Nine-Headed Flame Lion roared in anger, its voice like thunder, "Perhaps he had his concerns, but did he ever consider the aspirations of the cultivators in the First and Second Heavens who strive to cross the Nine Heavens to reach the Heavenly Court?"
"Did he ever consider that we are merely in a temporary disadvantage, not utterly defeated?"
"Did he ever consider that after recuperating, we could counterattack the 异魔 and drive them out of the Divine Realm?"
"He cannot sever the path to the Third Heaven because of temporary concerns!"
Xuan Ming shook his head helplessly, "I also cannot comprehend why our ancestor made such a decision."
Chen Nan said, "As you said, if the Cold Blade is drawn, won't we obtain the fragments of the Heavenly Ascension Road painting?"
"That's the logic!" Xuan Ming gave a wry smile, "But the Cold Blade is no ordinary object; it is a high-grade divine artifact."
"The might of a divine artifact is beyond our reach, let alone drawing the Cold Blade."
"He must have simply not wanted anyone to open the Heavenly Ascension Road and cause unnecessary trouble."
"Yes!"
"I admit that this is the act of a coward."
"But..."
"We cannot deny that this action can ensure that fewer 异魔 enter the Second Heaven, and even the First Heaven!"
"We have no right to judge past events," Chen Nan changed the subject, "Where is the Cold Blade? May I go and try?"
Xuan Ming looked troubled, "Old Ancestor, this matter... is rather difficult. The ancestral instructions are very clear: only members of the Cold Blade tribe can go to the sacred land to draw the Cold Blade."
"Although I wish for you to draw the Cold Blade, I cannot violate the ancestral teachings!"
"Right!"
"I absolutely cannot tell you the location of the sacred land."
"I am a man of my word. Even if I were drunk, I couldn't tell you where the sacred land is."
???
Chen Nan looked utterly stunned.
There was more to this old man's words than met the eye!
"Old Ancestor, no matter your purpose in coming to our Cold Blade tribe, I am happy that you have come!" Xuan Ming looked at his son, "Go, prepare some wine. Tonight, I will drink and converse with Old Ancestor."
"Yes!"
Xuan Ji bowed and left.
A moment later.
Xuan Ji brought some wine with others.
Under the full moon.
In the bamboo forest.
Two men and a lion sat around a table made of bamboo.
Xuan Ji stood by, pouring wine for them.
"I never imagined that parting ways with Misty Valley back then would become a farewell to that old fellow Xia Yuan!" Upon learning that Xia Yuan had died at the hands of the 异魔, Xuan Ming's eyes welled up with tears.
They already knew each other, let alone having lived in Misty Valley for twenty years.
"However, the annihilation of the 异魔 is great news for the three major tribes."
"Come!"
"Let us toast Xia Yuan, that old fellow, with this cup!"
"And to the tomorrow of the Second Heaven!"
The two raised their cups.
Even upon learning of Xia Yuan's death in battle.
Xuan Ming did not feel overly saddened.
Because for them in the Second Heaven.
Dying in battle was the greatest honor.
Chen Nan asked, "Now that the 异魔 in the Second Heaven have been annihilated, have you considered merging the three tribes?"
"We hadn't considered it before," Xuan Ming said, already a bit tipsy, "But this suggestion is worth considering."
Currently, the three tribes have only a little over a hundred thousand people.
To flourish.
Merging was the best solution.
Unknowingly.
Xuan Ming became very drunk.
With a drunken demeanor, he slurred, "Old Ancestor, let me tell you, don't set your sights on the Cold Blade!"
"Although you are my benefactor."
"I cannot violate the ancestral teachings and tell you the whereabouts of the Cold Blade in the cave behind the mountain."
"I would die before I violate the ancestral teachings."
"And also."
"I cannot tell you that the sacred land has formations, and no one can approach it at night."
"Our tribesmen generally go to the sacred land during the day to observe the Cold Blade and comprehend the blade's intent."
Hearing this.
Xuan Ji on the side rolled his eyes.
Is this what you call keeping your word?
Is this "cannot violate ancestral teachings"?
You are practically about to take Chen Nan to the sacred land to draw the Cold Blade!
"No, I've drunk too much, I need to go back and sleep!" Xuan Ming said, staggering to his feet.
Seeing this, Xuan Ji quickly helped his father into the bamboo house behind him.
Before entering, he kicked his son away and angrily said, "I am not drunk. You quickly take Old Ancestor to rest. If you neglect him, I'll skin you alive!"
Xuan Ji looked like he had lost the will to live.
He was, after all, the current leader of the Cold Blade tribe.
Couldn't you spare me some dignity?
"Old Ancestor, how do you feel about the drink? Did you enjoy it? Shall this junior accompany you for a few more drinks?" Xuan Ji said to Chen Nan with an awkward smile.
Chen Nan stood up and said, "No need, take me to rest!"
Since arriving in the Divine Realm.
He hadn't had a good night's sleep.
He had intended to draw the Cold Blade at night.
But the sacred land could only be entered during the day, so he had to wait for the night.
He also planned to take this opportunity to sleep soundly.
"Then please follow me!" Xuan Ji led the way, taking Chen Nan to an antique room in the tribe, "You can stay in this room for the night. If you need anything, just call for this junior."
Chen Nan nodded, then closed the door.
The bedding in the room was as white as snow.
However, it felt cold and empty.
Giving the impression that no one had lived there for a long time.
He took off his clothes and lay on the bed. Numbed by alcohol, he soon fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, he quickly traversed the Nine Heavens.
During this period, he also attained the cultivation of an Upper God Venerable, becoming a powerful being comparable to Yang Jian.
However, he was still far from the level of the Jade Emperor.
Fortunately, he successfully reached the Heavenly Court and found the Stone of Three Lives.
Then, he returned to Earth with the Stone of Three Lives.
Concurrently.
Azure Dragon had also found many reincarnated celestial gods and awakened their past memories.
Then.
He led the gods into the Divine Realm, marching towards the Lingxiao Palace.
As they fought the 异魔.
He suddenly smelled a unique virgin fragrance emanating from a woman.
This jolted him, and he instinctively opened his eyes.
The scene before him made his scalp tingle and a chill run down his spine.
A tall, stunningly beautiful woman was leaning in his arms, breathing evenly, fast asleep.
Chen Nan was bewildered, "What is going on? How is there a girl here?"