Chapter 944: The Arrival of Luo Xingchen

"Are you also here for the Qiankun Cauldron?" Zhong Shan asked Ancestor Xue Mei.

At the mention of the Qiankun Cauldron, the previously clamorous disciples of Ancestor Xue Mei fell silent, all eyes fixated on Zhong Shan. Their gazes were filled with longing, highlighting the cauldron's allure.

Shaking his head, Ancestor Xue Mei replied calmly, "I don't need the Qiankun Cauldron."

"Oh?" Zhong Shan expressed his doubt.

"I just need you to leave Nuwa's realm immediately," Ancestor Xue Mei said plainly.

"Leave Nuwa's realm? Why?" Zhong Shan was puzzled.

"Because your presence will affect my plans," Ancestor Xue Mei said frankly.

"I will affect you? Ha, what makes you so sure I will impact your plans?"

"My calculations are never wrong. In this Nuwa realm conflict, you have become a pivotal figure. You will disrupt my strategies! Leave now, and I will pretend nothing happened," Ancestor Xue Mei stated.

Zhong Shan's expression shifted. Was he really the key? Was Ancestor Xue Mei trying to deceive him, or was there some truth to his words?

"What if I don't leave?" Zhong Shan asked solemnly.

"I know you have reached the Great Immortal realm and have faced Ancestral Immortal Burning Lamp before. But Burning Lamp was the weakest among Ancestral Immortals, and even he was difficult for you to handle. If I, an experienced Ancestral Immortal, were to act, what are your chances of survival?" Ancestor Xue Mei threatened.

Zhong Shan looked seriously at Ancestor Xue Mei. It was true; he was no match for an Ancestral Immortal, even if it was the weakest one like Burning Lamp. Against Ancestor Xue Mei, his chances were even slimmer.

"Then why don't you just take action?"

Suddenly, a female voice came from the distance.

The disciples of Ancestor Xue Mei frowned and looked towards the source of the voice. Ancestor Xue Mei, however, was not surprised and turned his head, "Serpent Empress Sect Leader, if you're here, come out!"

"Whoosh!" A woman in a hemp robe appeared in the valley.

It was the Serpent Empress Sect Leader, Magu!

"Greetings, Serpent Empress Sect Leader," Zhong Shan nodded.

Regardless of her motives, Zhong Shan was sure that Magu and Ancestor Xue Mei were not on the same side. The enemy of his enemy could very well be his ally.

"Sage King Zhong, has the Qiankun Cauldron been refined and returned to its origin?" Magu asked Zhong Shan.

Surprised by her knowledge, Zhong Shan nodded, "Yes."

"Did you assist in its refinement?" Magu seemed well-versed in the Qiankun Cauldron.

"Uh, I guess you could say that," Zhong Shan replied with a peculiar expression.

"Good," Magu nodded, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.

Turning to Ancestor Xue Mei, Magu said, "Ancestor Xue Mei, bullying the weak is not your style."

"There are some things I must do," Ancestor Xue Mei shook his head.

"Then why don't you take action yourself?"

"The Demon Summoning Banner is extraordinary. It has changed hands many times, and Zhong Shan is one of the crucial links. Therefore, Zhong Shan must leave," Ancestor Xue Mei explained.

"If you act against Zhong Shan now, under the will of heaven, you will never obtain the Demon Summoning Banner. Am I right?" Magu asked calmly.

"You understand the art of fate manipulation?" Ancestor Xue Mei asked with slight surprise.

"Fate manipulation? There are many fate manipulators in Nuwa's realm, but none have come for Zhong Shan. Only you, an outcast of the heavenly way, are so desperate!" Magu's tone turned sharp.

Outcast of the heavenly way? Ancestor Xue Mei's pupils constricted. He looked coldly at Magu.

"Are you trying to stop me?" Ancestor Xue Mei asked coldly.

"I'm not stopping you. I just want to see how you plan to force Zhong Shan out of Nuwa's realm without taking action yourself!" Magu replied calmly.

Zhong Shan listened, not fully understanding the concept of fate manipulation, but he gleaned something important from their exchange: Ancestor Xue Mei couldn't directly attack him.

This realization settled Zhong Shan's nerves.

"I may not be able to take action, but I have my disciples!" Ancestor Xue Mei suddenly smiled.

"Master, I am willing to serve you!"

"Master, let me fight!"

... Ancestor Xue Mei's disciples eagerly volunteered, each one ready to kill Zhong Shan.

"Serpent Empress Sect Leader, are you planning to stop me?" Ancestor Xue Mei asked.

Looking at Ancestor Xue Mei, Magu shook her head, "I said I wouldn't stop you. I'm just here to observe your disciples in action."

At that moment, on a distant mountaintop...

"Senior Brother, look, that's Zhong Shan! He has the Qiankun Cauldron. We should..."

"Stop!"

"Senior Brother? If we don't go now, those people in front of Zhong Shan will get there first!"

"Do you see who they are?"

"What? Ancestor Xue Mei? Serpent Empress Sect Leader?"

"Send a signal to inform our uncle!"

"Yes!"

A signal beam shot into the sky. Though their uncle had not yet arrived, the signal attracted a large number of strong cultivators.

In the valley below...

Ancestor Xue Mei looked at Zhong Shan, "It's not that I didn't give you a chance. I will send only two of my disciples. If you can defeat them, I will leave immediately."

Zhong Shan looked at Ancestor Xue Mei and suddenly smiled. Was he being given a choice?

Since it wasn't Ancestor Xue Mei himself taking action, Zhong Shan saw no reason to be afraid.

"Then let the Serpent Empress Sect Leader be a witness!" Zhong Shan said, looking at Magu.

"As you wish," Magu nodded.

"Please," Zhong Shan gestured to Ancestor Xue Mei.

"Mei Xin, you go first!" Ancestor Xue Mei said calmly.

"Yes, Master!" An extremely pale-faced man responded excitedly.

The conversation quickly spread among the gathered strong cultivators, who began to understand what was happening.

"Mei Xin? Ancestor Xue Mei's top disciple, known for his unparalleled swordsmanship, a peerless expert."

"Zhong Shan versus Mei Xin? Can Zhong Shan match Mei Xin?"

"Hard to say, with Ancestor Xue Mei backing him up, it's unpredictable."

... As people discussed, the information about the Qiankun Cauldron had already spread. The first arrivals had told everyone that the cauldron had been refined and apparently was no longer with Zhong Shan.

This news disappointed many, but since it was confirmed by the Serpent Empress Sect Leader, they had no reason to doubt it. They were now intensely curious about Zhong Shan. Would the Demon Summoning Banner also be linked to him?

"Zhong Shan, please!" Mei Xin immediately addressed Zhong Shan.

Looking at Mei Xin, Zhong Shan showed a faint hint of disdain, "You? You're not even worthy of my attention!"

Wow!

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Was Zhong Shan's arrogance justified? Mei Xin was an Ancient Immortal, yet Zhong Shan claimed he wasn't worthy of his attention?

"You!" Mei Xin was furious.

"Zhong Shan?" Ancestor Xue Mei showed a hint of displeasure.

Having just agreed to a duel, now Zhong Shan was backing out?

"Sage King Zhong?" Magu, the witness, also looked somewhat disappointed.

Zhong Shan didn't respond but instead walked slowly towards a nearby palace, opening its doors.

Boom!

The doors of the palace shut with a thunderous sound.

"Uh?"

Zhong Shan's sudden action left everyone bewildered. What was he doing? Mei Xin's face grew dark.

Boom!

The doors opened again. Zhong Shan stepped out of the palace, and to everyone's surprise, another figure in a blue robe followed him.

Who is he?

Everyone quickly searched their memories, but no one could place this blue-robed man with a sapphire-like crystal on his forehead.

All eyes were on this new figure who followed Zhong Shan like a subordinate.

Ancestor Xue Mei squinted at the blue-robed man, unable to discern his cultivation level. Ancient Immortal? What was his relationship with Zhong Shan?

Returning to his original spot, Zhong Shan spoke again, "Luo Xingchen!"

"Your subject is here!" Luo Xingchen responded immediately.

Your subject? Zhong Shan's subordinate? How could Zhong Shan have a subordinate at the Ancient Immortal level? Ancestor Xue Mei frowned.

"This is Mei Xin. Defeat him in my stead!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Defeat him. Life or death, it does not matter!" Zhong Shan commanded again.

"I obey!"

Luo Xingchen's response left the surrounding experts stunned. Who was this person? Defeat Mei Xin? An Ancient Immortal was not so easily defeated. Life or death?

Mei Xin's face showed disdain. Zhong Shan was in the Great Immortal realm. How strong could his subordinate be? At most, another Great Immortal. While Zhong Shan's strength was indeed formidable, facing his subordinate should be less daunting. Was this a joke?

"Begin, and be careful!" Ancestor Xue Mei reminded.

"Master, rest assured. I will uphold your honor and defeat this person!" Mei Xin declared solemnly.

With a flicker, Mei Xin flew to the peak of a distant mountain.

"Go!" Zhong Shan said, waving his sleeve.

"Yes!"

Luo Xingchen leaped to the peak of another distant mountain.

The two peaks were far apart, with Mei Xin and Luo Xingchen staring at each other from a distance.

The surrounding experts moved away to watch this 'foregone conclusion' of a battle.

How could Zhong Shan's subordinate be a match for the Ancient Immortal Mei Xin? If Luo Xingchen was truly powerful, he would be well-known. This was a foolhardy endeavor.

Mei Xin looked at Luo Xingchen with disdain. He waved his hand, and a snow-white longsword appeared. The moment the sword was drawn, a vast amount of sword energy filled the air, forming an enormous sword formation around Mei Xin, grand and imposing.

One sword drew the awe of the world! The overwhelming sword energy shot in all directions.

Numerous experts quickly retreated.

"What a powerful Mei Xin!"

"What an impressive sword energy!"

"Mei Xin is establishing his dominance. He doesn't need such power against Luo Xingchen. He wants to end it with one strike!"

The onlookers were filled with amazement. Was this the power of an Ancient Immortal? Luo Xingchen was doomed.

On the distant peak, Luo Xingchen showed no fear. He drew a blue longbow from his side.

"What is this? His weapon is a bow?"

"Who uses a bow? A bow is practically useless. It can only shoot one arrow, while Mei Xin's sword energy is endless. Is he out of his mind?"

"A bow? Is he here to make us laugh?"

The spectators sneered. Bows were seldom used because many considered them the least effective weapons.

But was Luo Xingchen's bow really a joke? The weapon of the once greatest expert in the Reincarnation Territory was no laughing matter.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Jw-q2euGywY