With Han Yi's speed, the journey from Donghuang to Age Candle now took only a few breaths. Although his Immortal Path cultivation realm had regressed, falling back to the Dao Fruit stage, his Divine Race cultivation remained at the High-Tier Immeasurable Realm. By manifesting the Immeasurable True Realm, his speed had reached the peak of the Dao Realm.
Upon his return, Han Yi sensed Dao Ancestor Xuanzang undergoing deep seclusion within the Profound Repository Palace. The aura emanating from the palace was remarkably calm yet brimming with explosive power. Han Yi deduced that, after so many years, Dao Ancestor Xuanzang's previous injuries must have fully healed. Perhaps, when he emerged from seclusion, he would even recover the External Dao Realm.
As Han Yi entered Sui Zhu Hall, Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor turned to him, his expression subtly shifting.
"Junior Brother Han, your aura... what has happened?"
Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor could clearly see that Han Yi's aura had diminished rather than strengthened, radiating a sense of weakness—a weakness he had once observed in Profound Repository.
This was a clear sign of a fallen cultivation realm, with severe damage to the Dao Fruit.
Han Yi replied, "Fellow Daoist, please don't worry. My situation is fundamentally different from Dao Brother Profound Treasury's initial condition. Although I've fallen back to the Dao Fruit Realm, my recovery will actually be quite straightforward."
Myriad Tribulations frowned slightly.
Two millennia ago, when Han Yi had pursued the Ancient Vault Dao Ladder into the Chaos, Dao Ancestor Xuanzang and Yu Guang Dao Ancestor had returned to the Primordial World. From their accounts, Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor learned that Han Yi had single-handedly forced a Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact to flee and then pursued it.
At the time, the three of them had deduced that Han Yi likely possessed the strength of the Dao Harmonization Realm.
Now, after his return, although Han Yi appeared physically unharmed, his aura was surprisingly weak. This strange contradiction puzzled Myriad Tribulations deeply.
Noticing Myriad Tribulations' lingering confusion, Han Yi added, "Fellow Daoist, please be patient. Let me explain slowly."
He settled back onto his Silver Dao Seat, which had stood here for over ten thousand years. Every time he returned and sat upon it, his heart found a sense of belonging, becoming calm and serene.
By this time, Yu Guang Dao Ancestor had also arrived. Sensing the change in Han Yi's aura, his expression shifted subtly. However, he didn't rush to ask questions. Instead, he exchanged glances with Han Yi and Myriad Tribulations before taking his own seat.
From their expressions, Myriad Tribulations looked grave, while Han Yi remained relaxed. This calmness radiated a profound confidence in his own strength.
From this, Han Yi knew they would seek an explanation.
As expected, after Yu Guang sat down, Han Yi began to speak:
"As you can see, I do indeed bear a Dao Injury. My Dao Fruit has been damaged, and I have fallen from the External Dao. This is an undeniable fact."
"However, you should understand that I cultivate two paths simultaneously. While my Immortal Path is weakened, my cultivation as a member of the Divine Race remains largely intact. My strength, though not at its peak, has not diminished significantly."
"Moreover, this Dao Injury from my Immortal Path remains manageable. With normal cultivation, it can be resolved within a millennium. At that point, restoring my External Dao cultivation will not be difficult."
"There's no need for you to worry about me."
Han Yi's explanation didn't completely dispel Myriad Tribulations and Yu Guang's doubts, but it made them realize he understood the extent of his Dao Injury and there was no need for excessive concern. Thus, they held their tongues.
"For the next millennium, I will remain within the Sui Zhu Hall, refraining from venturing into the Chaos to recuperate."
"However, there is one matter that requires the joint decision of Fellow Daoist and Junior Brother."
Han Yi's gaze sharpened, the shift in his aura unleashing a terrifying surge of vital energy that suddenly filled the Sui Zhu Hall. Myriad Tribulations and Yu Guang's expressions subtly shifted.
At that moment, both men felt an illusion: the aura emanating from Han Yi seemed to rival that of the Celestial Venerable Suizhu when he first ascended to the Heavenly Venerable realm.
This overwhelming vital energy left them with no inclination to resist. The gap between them and Han Yi was now immense, akin to the disparity between an Immortal Monarch and a Dao Ancestor.
The Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor quickly recovered from the fleeting impact of this vital energy. For Han Yi, with his currently terrifying combat prowess, to bring this matter up for discussion—and with such a grave expression—it was clearly no ordinary affair.
"Junior Brother Han, please speak," Myriad Tribulations said, his heart now hanging in suspense.
Han Yi paused, deep in thought, before slowly beginning:
"My injury occurred over eighty years ago, when I encountered an External Daoist from the True Saint Palace while traversing the Chaos. Later, I discovered his identity: Daoist Suxi. However, the key is not this External Daoist, but the Ancient Artifact he wielded."
"The artifact is called the Great True Saint Sword, a foundational relic of the True Saint Palace. Though sealed away for unknown reasons, this Ancient Sword remains immensely powerful."
Han Yi first encountered Daoist Suxi outside the Myriad Journeys Palace, unaware of his true identity at the time. However, after leaving the Void Profound Great World, he used his Dao Realm Avatars to gather intelligence.
Over the years, Han Yi established the Great Wild Dao Palace in the Eastern Sovereign Territory. Contrary to appearances, this and other major powers in the Four Lands had not remained dormant in the Primordial World. As stability grew around the Age Candle, their influence gradually spread into the Chaos.
In both the Transcendent Dao Trace and other regions of the Eastern Realm, Han Yi maintained numerous low-profile Dao Realm Avatars. These avatars primarily focused on gathering intelligence and cultivating alone to accumulate Proficiency.
Through these avatars, he learned that news of his battle had spread beyond the Myriad Journeys Palace, gradually reaching the entire Dao Domain and even crossing its boundaries. Some even carried visual records of the conflict.
He had anticipated this development.
"I barely escaped that terrifying battle, pushing myself to my absolute limits for a narrow victory. Even my External Dao was severely damaged, its Dao Fruit stripped away, causing it to fall from its cultivation realm."
He paused, allowing Myriad Tribulations and Yu Guang a moment to process this information.
As expected, both Myriad Tribulations and Yu Guang Dao Ancestor were visibly shaken. While they were unfamiliar with Daoist Suxi, they knew the True Saint Palace intimately. As for Myriad Tribulations, before Age Candle ascended to the rank of Heavenly Venerable, he had spent years roaming the Chaos, gaining unparalleled knowledge of both the True Saint Palace and Daoist Suxi.
"So it's an External Daoist from the True Saint Palace, Daoist Suxi, and it involves a Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact," Myriad Tribulations said gravely.
When Han Yi first entered the Dao Realm, he had clashed with the True Saint Palace, even forcing Myriad Dynasties Dao Ancestor to pursue him to the Immortal Court. However, Myriad Tribulations Dao had remained unconcerned, as the Immortal Court was protected by a Dao Formation left by a Heavenly Venerable. Even External Daoists entering the Dao Realm would be powerless against it.
But an External Daoist wielding a Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact was a different matter entirely.
More importantly, cultivators of this caliber, when advancing further, would inevitably summon...
A Heavenly Venerable.
In other words, the next time someone arrived at the Primordial World and approached the Immortal Court, it could very well be one of the True Saint Palace's Palace Masters—a Heavenly Venerable-level powerhouse. Even with the Heavenly Venerable's Dao Formation, the Sui Zhu Immortal Court would be utterly defenseless against such an adversary.
At this thought, Myriad Tribulations felt a chill run down his spine, and he gasped inwardly.
Nearby, Yu Guang Dao Ancestor's eyes lit up with realization. "I knew it!" he exclaimed. "Brother Han truly possesses a Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact!"
His expression was visibly agitated.
When they first emerged from the Ancient Vault Dao Ladder, Dao Ancestor Xuanzang had suggested that Han Yi might already possess a Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact. Now, it turned out his intuition had been spot-on. Han Yi smiled, raised his hand in a calming gesture to Yu Guang Dao Ancestor, and explained:
"I do indeed possess an Ancient Artifact—a combat-strength Divine Venerable Ancient Artifact, acquired through a heaven-defying stroke of fortune when I was still a low-tier Immortal."
"However, this Divine Venerable Ancient Artifact has sustained damage during a fierce battle with the Great True Saint Sword. Now, if it were to face a fully intact Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact or even a Heavenly Venerable themselves, its unleashed power would be severely limited. A single misstep could even cause it to shatter completely."
"Therefore, unless as a last resort, I will not use this damaged Ancient Artifact again."
Han Yi turned to Myriad Tribulations and continued:
"As you rightly surmised, Fellow Daoist, our greatest problem is no longer confined to the Dao Realm; it now involves the Heavenly Venerable."
"I fear that the True Saint Palace might deploy a Heavenly Venerable to the Primordial World. Whether they come to kill me directly or use the Immortal Court's might to force my appearance, either scenario would spell catastrophe for the Immortal Court."
"What I wish to discuss with you, Fellow Daoist, is the Immortal Court's future arrangements."
"I had prepared a contingency plan. In the Eternal Life Realm, there exists a Dao Realm force called the Void Tomb Sect. This sect is now completely under my control. Initially..."
Han Yi took a deep breath and explained how he had gained control of the Void Tomb Sect. Throughout his account, he omitted the fact that he had transformed all the sect's Dao Realm cultivators into Myriad Nether Avatars. Instead, he simply stated that all the Dao Realm cultivators of the Void Tomb Sect had pledged their allegiance to him.
In truth, in terms of strength, excluding the Celestial Venerable Suizhu, the Sui Zhu Immortal Court was actually weaker than the Void Tomb Sect. The sect's leader and Supreme Elder practiced the External Dao, and they boasted seven Dao Realm cultivators—far surpassing the Sui Zhu Immortal Court in power.
However, Han Yi later slew the Void Tomb Sect's leader, the Palace Master of the Great Wild Dao Palace known as the Wild, and ambushed the Supreme Elder, transforming him into a Dao Realm Avatar. In one fell swoop, Han Yi eliminated the entire leadership of the Void Tomb Sect.
This great Dao Realm sect now served as one of Han Yi's escape routes.
At the time, he hadn't given it much thought, merely out of habit, keeping a card up his sleeve. He never imagined that after just a few thousand years, it would actually prove useful.
Indeed, preparing for the future is far better than scrambling at the last minute.
"The Eternal Life Immortal Realm, Void Tomb Sect—I know of this sect. Long ago, the Palace Master of the Great Wild Dao Palace slew Daoist Xuling in the Eastern Sovereign Territory. Daoist Xuling was the Sect Leader of the Void Tomb Sect."
"I never expected Junior Brother Han to subdue the entire Void Tomb Sect."
Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor glanced at Han Yi. He had long been aware of the close relationship between Han Yi and the Great Wild Dao Palace, especially with that 'Wild'. Their connection was far from ordinary.
When Wild had slain Daoist Xuling, Han Yi followed up by subduing the Void Tomb Sect.
Considering this, it made perfect sense.
Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor never considered the possibility that Wild and Han Yi were the same person.
Wild was the Lord of the Great Wilderness Dao Palace, commanding nearly a hundred Dao Realm cultivators. His formidable reputation suggested he was likely a major force from the Chaos era.
In contrast, Han Yi, despite his formidable individual combat strength, could never have rapidly assembled a Great Power with over a hundred Dao Realm cultivators in such a short time.
As for Han Yi, he naturally wouldn't reveal the full extent of the Myriad Nether Tome. This mysterious Supreme Inheritance was one of the most enigmatic and feared legacies in the Nine Great Dao Domains.
Imagine a Great Sect suddenly finding one of its cultivators transformed into a Myriad Nether Incarnation, then turning against the sect to serve the power wielding the Myriad Nether Tome. Such a method was impossible to defend against and posed a catastrophic threat to any sect.
It was no wonder that when Myriad Nether City was destroyed, its entire power structure collapsed. Its disciples were relentlessly hunted down, and every trace of its existence was swiftly erased, leaving no chance for revival.
In fact, it was likely that the Ancient Profound Dao Sect wasn't the only Great Power involved. Other Dao Domain-level forces may have secretly intervened to completely annihilate this Overlord-level power.
These thoughts flashed through Han Yi's mind before he refocused and said:
"Fellow Daoist, the True Saint Palace might summon a Heavenly Venerable at any moment. Our immediate priority should be to transfer the Sui Zhu Immortal Court's Inheritance to the Void Tomb Sect in batches."
"There's a saying in the mortal world: 'A cunning rabbit has three burrows.' If a Heavenly Venerable truly descends and threatens our Immortal Court, we'll have a complete backup of our Inheritance ready at a critical moment."
Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor nodded slowly. "Junior Brother Han has considered this thoroughly. I was indeed too hasty."
"This vast Immortal Court inheritance should not be kept entirely on Sui Zhu Mountain. If we distribute a portion of it elsewhere, even in the most perilous circumstances, the Immortal Court will have a chance to rise again."
"Now, I will begin making arrangements."
Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor turned to Yu Guang Dao Ancestor. "Junior Brother Yu Guang, as a Primordial Dao Child with limitless potential, I entrust you with a crucial mission. You will lead half of the Immortal Court's Immortals and cultivators to the Void Tomb Sect, carrying the Heavenly Court's inheritance. What are your thoughts?"
Without hesitation, Yu Guang Dao Ancestor nodded. "Fellow Daoist, I will spare no effort to protect the Immortal Court's inheritance."
Noticing the solemn atmosphere, Han Yi smiled reassuringly. "Fellow Daoist Wan Jie, Junior Brother Yu Guang, there's no need for such gravity."
"As far as I know, all three Palace Masters of the True Saint Palace should be at the Dao God Sect in the Central Dao Domain, which is far from our Vast Heng Dao Domain. Returning there would be no easy task."
"Precisely because of this, the True Saint Palace sent Daoist Suxi with the Heavenly Venerable Ancient Artifact."
"By the time the three Palace Masters of the True Saint Palace are free, my combat strength may rival that of the Heavenly Venerable."
"Then, instead of us being on the defensive, I might even take the initiative to strike down the True Saint Palace and destroy this Heavenly Venerable power."
"Give me a little more time, and all of this is possible."
Han Yi's eyes shone with intense Divine Light, his vital energy momentarily swelling to a magnitude capable of swallowing the heavens, earth, Chaos, and even time and space. Myriad Tribulations and Yu Guang were deeply shaken, their minds momentarily stunned by the overwhelming force.
Recovering, Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor exclaimed, "Excellent! Junior Brother Han, with such ambition, even if we face countless difficulties, as long as you endure, the Immortal Court will never fall!"
Yu Guang Dao Ancestor's gaze brimmed with reverence. Though he was a Dao Child, he felt a vast gap between himself and Han Yi. The more he cultivated, the more he realized Han Yi's cultivation was unfathomable.
Sometimes he wondered: if he was a Primordial Dao Child, then Han Yi might be a Chaos-grade Dao Child. The two were simply incomparable.