Upon returning to the sect, Qin Hanchu did not immediately apply for withdrawal.
He took the opportunity to lead his people into seclusion within his cave dwelling.
Another two thousand years passed, and Qin Hanchu finally reached the Great Perfection of the Divine Emperor realm.
At this moment, he was only a breath away from the Ancestor realm.
Axiang also followed suit, reaching the Great Perfection of the Divine Emperor realm decades later.
During this period, Yunmiao Divine Venerable had successfully cultivated into a Divine Emperor, taking the lead.
Furthermore, the God Replenishing Tree sent Qin Hanchu a second batch of God Replenishing Fruits.
After receiving the God Replenishing Fruits, Qin Hanchu began to nurture Ji Huairou and the others.
With the God Replenishing Fruits, they could also strive for the Divine Emperor realm.
While Qin Hanchu and the others were in seclusion, a fierce battle was unfolding in the desolate domain.
The combatants were the Ancient Dao Ancestor and several other Ancestors.
The reason for this battle was simple: the Ancient Dao Ancestor had obtained a treasure of origin during his pioneering efforts.
To seize this supreme treasure of origin, four Ancestor-level powerhouses engaged in a struggle.
Although the Ancient Dao Ancestor was an Ancestor-level powerhouse, he was among the weakest of them.
After a hundred years of intense fighting, he was forced to relinquish the treasure of origin.
How could the Ancient Dao Ancestor not be furious at the loss of the treasure of origin?
However, his opponents, being too powerful among the Ancestors, meant the injured Ancient Dao Ancestor dared not seek retribution.
Even though he could not defeat those Ancestors, the Ancient Dao Ancestor was unwilling to let the matter rest.
One day, the voice of the Ancient Dao Ancestor suddenly echoed from the Ancient Dao Academy.
"All those in the Divine Venerable and Divine Emperor realms, heed my command."
"In one thousand years, the Ancient Dao Academy will launch an attack on the Ten Thousand Demon Pool."
"All members in seclusion are to emerge as soon as possible, and all members training outside are to be recalled."
Qin Hanchu, who was studying an Ancestor-level divine skill, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Why is there a sudden war?"
Qin Hanchu had planned to apply for departure from the Ancient Dao Academy after some time, but he did not expect this to happen.
Now that a state of war was declared, the Ancient Dao Academy would absolutely not allow Qin Hanchu and his companions to leave.
"A war is about to break out?" Xiang also opened her eyes.
At that moment, Qitian appeared in the cave dwelling and said, "The Ancient Dao Ancestor must have had his treasure stolen, and he wants to vent his anger through a sect battle."
"You mean we're to be pawns?" Qin Hanchu asked.
Qitian nodded, "You can interpret it that way."
"There should be some good rewards, right?" Qin Hanchu mused.
Axiang: "No one will fight to the death without benefits."
"Let's wait and see, and act according to the situation then."
...
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. The Ancient Dao Academy was now shrouded in a terrifying aura of killing intent.
Tens of thousands of Divine Venerable realm cultivators stood in neat formations on the plaza.
In the sky, there were thousands of Divine Emperor realm experts, representing all of the Ancient Dao Academy's reserves.
Even those Divine Emperors who had no intention of pursuing the Ancestor realm emerged from seclusion to participate in the battle.
Qin Hanchu stood with Axiang, Yao Feifan, and Kuang Ling. Not far from them were Qingyue Divine Maiden and others.
"This formation is too formidable, and this doesn't even include the affiliated forces of the Ancient Dao Academy." Yao Feifan, though an old member of the Ancient Dao Academy, was encountering such a grand display for the first time.
"I heard that all affiliated forces have been assembled and will join us on the way to the Ten Thousand Demon Pool," Kuang Ling said.
"Let's see what the rewards are first. If they're not attractive enough, we'll just focus on ensuring our own safety."
With Qin Hanchu's current strength and resources, ordinary items did not catch his eye.
Unless the Ancient Dao Ancestor could offer precious Ancestor-level treasures, if the rewards were not generous, he would have his people simply go through the motions.
After another half-hour wait, the army of the Ancient Dao Academy was finally assembled.
Just then, a projection of the Ancient Dao Ancestor appeared.
"In the battle against the Ten Thousand Demon Pool, victory is mandatory, and defeat is not an option."
"All warriors participating in this battle can claim corresponding rewards based on their merits."
"Ancestor-level divine skills, supreme divine skills, and top-tier divine artifacts can all be exchanged for battle merits."
"Additionally, Ancestor-level divine pills can also be redeemed."
The words of the Ancient Dao Ancestor excited countless warriors.
For them, the benefits promised by the Ancient Dao Ancestor were highly appealing.
"If there aren't any substantial good items, we'll just follow the main force and get some merit," Qin Hanchu transmitted to Axiang and the other two.
Axiang lacked nothing, whether it was divine artifacts or divine skills.
Even Yao Feifan and Kuang Ling received several Ancestor-level divine skills from Qin Hanchu.
Aside from Ancestor-level pills, other items held little allure for them.
As Qin Hanchu was transmitting his thoughts, the Ancient Dao Ancestor continued, "This expedition will be divided into nine legions. I will now appoint the legion commanders for the nine legions, and these nine commanders will then organize their respective members."
"First Legion, Qingyue."
"Second Legion Commander, Long Hai."
"Third Legion Commander, Leng Ying."
...
"Ninth Legion Commander, Baili Hansu."
When Qin Hanchu heard his name, he was taken aback.
He never expected the Ancient Dao Ancestor to assign him the position of Legion Commander.
Among the many powerful individuals in the Ancient Dao Academy, the Ancient Dao Ancestor had noticed him.
While other Divine Emperors had their own factions supporting them, Qin Hanchu was a lone wolf.
"Ancestor, I believe..."
"I believe in your capabilities, and you have the Five Elements Divine Banners, which are needed to assist with travel," the Ancient Dao Ancestor interrupted Qin Hanchu directly.
Hearing the Ancient Dao Ancestor's words, Qin Hanchu said no more.
"The legion commanders can now recruit their members. We will depart in seven days."
"The overall commander for this expedition will be appointed by the Dean."
Under everyone's gaze, the Ancient Dao Ancestor disappeared.
"Should we go recruit members too?" Axiang asked.
"Let the other legions recruit first. We'll take the leftovers."
Qin Hanchu had no intention of showcasing his might, so he was not particularly eager to recruit for his legion.
There was likely a limit to the number of people in each legion, and even if Qin Hanchu did not recruit, someone would eventually be assigned to his command.
"Junior Brother Yao, Junior Sister Kuang, come here," Leng Ying said to the two beside Qin Hanchu.
This Leng Ying belonged to the same faction as Yao Feifan and Kuang Ling, which was why Leng Ying called out to them to join his legion.
Having become Qin Hanchu's servants, Yao Feifan and Kuang Ling naturally would not help Leng Ying.
"We have both joined Junior Brother Baili's legion. Senior Brother Leng should find someone else," Yao Feifan said.
Being refused by Yao Feifan, Leng Ying's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "What? Do you intend to escape using Junior Brother Baili's Five Elements Divine Banners?"
"What does this senior brother mean? If you don't wish to use the Five Elements Divine Banners for travel, then fly there yourselves," Qin Hanchu retorted.
Leng Ying hesitated to speak. Without using Qin Hanchu's Five Elements Divine Banners for travel, it would take them at least several hundred years to reach the territory of the Ten Thousand Demon Pool.