At Lu Xuan’s level, the so-called “road ahead” pointed almost directly toward that elusive Emperor Realm!
The implications of this matter were far too great!
The two Immortal Kings exchanged a glance, each seeing the resolve in the other’s eyes.
Lu Xuan was closely allied with the Ancient Realm, and had aided the Thunder Emperor in comprehending the Dao. Such karma was precisely something that needed to be repaid.
Moreover, if he truly could find the imperial path, it would also be an immense opportunity for the Ancient Realm.
“In that case, we shall guide the way for Fellow Daoist.”
Immortal King Wuzhong said solemnly.
“That forbidden zone lies in the borderlands of the Ancient Realm, in the chaotic region bordering the Realm Sea. The journey is long and fraught with danger. As for whether you can meet the master of the forbidden zone, that will depend on Fellow Daoist’s fortune.”
“Much obliged.” Lu Xuan nodded.
With Immortal King Wuzhong and Immortal King Liudao Lunhui personally leading the way, three rainbow bridges that pierced through the starry sky rose from the Central Heavenly Palace, pointing straight toward the most desolate borderlands of the Ancient Realm, where the laws were at their most chaotic.
Along the way, one could see stars extinguished, continents shattered, and spacetime twisted into warped forms. From time to time, terrifying void rifts devoured everything in their path.
There were even some primordial fierce beasts long thought extinct, lying dormant among broken stellar remains, exuding a heart-palpitating aura. This was a forbidden zone of civilization, a ruin of the laws.
After passing through who knew how many deathly silent star regions, an area that defied description finally appeared ahead.
There was no starlight there, no matter, not even a complete concept of space.
There was only an eternal, absolute darkness that seemed capable of devouring all light and hope.
At the edge of the darkness were spacetime fragments that flickered in and out of existence like mirror surfaces. Occasionally, scenes from unknown eras flashed through them for an instant before vanishing.
A power of severance that made even Immortal Kings feel dread spread outward, as though within that place, the Great Dao of heaven and earth had been cut off, and all things had returned to eternal silence.
This was—the forbidden zone!
“Fellow Daoist Donghuang, it lies just ahead. We can only escort you this far. Any farther, and we fear it may trigger unpredictable reactions from that region.”
Immortal King Wuzhong stopped and warned him in a grave tone.
Immortal King Liudao Lunhui also said, “Fellow Daoist, you must be careful. This place is strange, spacetime is disordered, and there are many indescribable dangers.”
Lu Xuan gazed at that expanse of absolute darkness. He could sense that the bronze fragment in his robes had begun to emit a faint warmth here, and that trace of kindred aura seemed to have become a little more active.
“Thank you both.”
Lu Xuan nodded in acknowledgment to Wuzhong and Liudao. Then, without further hesitation, he took one step forward, and his figure sank into that absolute darkness which seemed capable of devouring all things.
The instant he entered, the shattered spacetime fragments churned violently, as though some mechanism that had lain dormant for countless ages had been triggered.
Wuzhong and Liudao stood at the edge, able only to watch as Lu Xuan’s figure was swiftly swallowed by darkness and vanished from sight. Only a faint wisp of chaos qi lingered for a moment at the edge of the darkness before finally dissipating as well.
“I hope Fellow Daoist Donghuang can attain what he seeks…”
Immortal King Wuzhong sighed softly. Together with Immortal King Liudao Lunhui, he silently kept watch outside, though their minds were already taut as they paid close attention to every change in that deathly silent land.
After crossing that boundary which devoured all things, the expected chaos and stillness did not continue.
Only a single step separated them, yet it was as though he had entered another world.
His vision suddenly opened wide.
It was no longer the desolation of the Ancient Realm’s borderlands.
This was a pure land, tranquil to the extreme.
The sky was a clear azure, with a few wisps of white cloud drifting across it. Gentle radiance fell, not scorching, only warm.
Beneath his feet stretched a verdant meadow, dotted with nameless wildflowers that gave off a faint fragrance.
In the distance, low hills rose and fell, their contours gentle, their forests lush and green, flowing with a faint rosy glow.
What drew the eye even more was that at the center of this pure land lay a crystal-clear lake. Its waters were like colored glass, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. At the center of the lake was a small island, and on that island stood only a sturdy ancient tree and a simple thatched hut.
Spiritual qi wreathed this place, and Dao charm formed naturally. It stood in stark contrast to the outside world, as though it were a forgotten paradise beyond the world, independent of the laws of the heavens, unchanged through all ages.
Lu Xuan stood by the lake, his gaze sweeping across this pure land, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
He could sense that the peace and serenity here were no disguise, but rather the natural manifestation of some exceedingly high-level Dao realm, perfectly transforming the chaos and severing force of the outside world into inner balance and protection.
In the end, his gaze settled on the small island at the heart of the lake, before that thatched hut.
At some point, a figure had silently appeared there.
It was a man dressed in white robes as pure as snow. His figure was slender, his features handsome and refined. He looked no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His black hair was like ink, casually draped loose, and his bearing was transcendent and otherworldly, like an exiled immortal who had stepped out of a painting.
He stood there quietly, as though he had merged into one with this world. There were no powerful energy fluctuations around him, yet he gave off a sense of vicissitude, as if he had existed for countless ages.
What was especially striking was his state—
His figure carried an almost imperceptible illusory quality. He was not corporeal, but more like a wisp of obsession that had condensed and refused to dissipate.
He existed by relying on this special pure land.
Yet even this single wisp of obsession possessed an essence so lofty that Lu Xuan felt a trace of solemnity.
This was absolutely no ordinary remnant thought left behind after the fall of an Immortal King. In life, he must have been a giant who stood on an even higher level!
“An honored guest has come from afar. Forgive me for failing to welcome you properly.”
The man in white spoke, his voice warm and peaceful, like a spring breeze brushing over the lake, carrying a strange power that could soothe the heart.
His eyes were clear as he looked toward Lu Xuan, without the slightest surprise, as though he had long anticipated his arrival.
Lu Xuan cupped his hands, his tone calm.
“Forgive my presumptuous intrusion upon your quiet seclusion. My name is Lu Xuan. I have come to verify the road ahead, and wish to borrow Fellow Daoist’s strength to glimpse the Emperor Fall.”
He went straight to the point and stated his purpose. Before such an existence, there was no need to beat around the bush.
The man in white—the master of the forbidden zone—smiled faintly upon hearing this. That smile seemed to make the surrounding scenery brighten by several shades.
He did not answer directly, but instead reached out and pointed to the stone stool beside him. “His Majesty Donghuang’s name has recently shaken the Realm Sea. Even in this land beyond the world, I have heard of it. Please, sit.”
Lu Xuan did as he said. With a single step, he appeared on the island at the center of the lake and sat down on the stone stool.
On the stone table, at some unknown time, a pot of clear tea and two jade cups had already been placed. The fragrance of tea curled upward, refreshing the heart and spirit. It was brewed with sweet dew condensed from supreme Dao principles.
“The Emperor Fall Era…”
The master of the forbidden zone poured tea for himself and Lu Xuan. His gaze grew distant, as though piercing through spacetime to see the glory and sorrow buried deep within the river of years.
“That was a period of ancient history that was severed, an era that reached the pinnacle of splendor, only to collapse in an instant.
“It involved the fall of an ‘Emperor.’ The karma is far too great. Even I know only a limited amount, and most of it is fragmented.”
He looked at Lu Xuan, his eyes profound.