Venerable Invades

After breaking through to the middle stage of the Great Grandmaster realm, Li Jiusheng's strength increased significantly, surging from the original five hundred Dragon Elephant Power to one thousand Dragon Elephant Power.

His accumulation was deep enough, his Qi like golden rainbow, his Blood Essence like lead and mercury. Just his Blood Essence alone could condense phantom images of Savage Elephants and True Dragons around him.

The improvement in his physical strength, along with his Domain and Primordial spirit power, also expanded, reaching a range of four hundred li.

For Li Jiusheng, this breakthrough was all-encompassing.

"Within the Great Grandmaster realm, I am invincible. I wonder if I can contend with a Venerable?" In the tea room, the Little Fox lay quietly. Li Jiusheng sipped his tea, lost in thought.

He felt he should be able to handle someone who had just entered the Venerable realm.

"My junior brother is about to break through to the Ancestor Realm, and I, as his senior brother, am only at the middle stage of the Great Grandmaster realm. It's far from enough." Li Jiusheng felt no excessive surprise, but rather a greater drive to push himself.

"With this breakthrough, I've accumulated more. Next, I'll break through to the late stage of the Great Grandmaster realm, accumulate again, and when I enter the Venerable realm, I should be able to experience a third rebirth." Li Jiusheng calculated silently, placing great importance on each rebirth.

This physical body originally had extremely poor roots. Even after obtaining the Innate Sword Body, its potential was halved due to its advanced age.

Only rebirth could bring new vitality.

Each rebirth was a transformation into a new self within the existing body. For Li Jiusheng, this was the best way to continuously tap into his own potential.

He believed that after ten or a hundred rebirths, even the most gifted peerless prodigies would not compare to him.

"These past few months have been calm. The Human World must have recovered. I wonder what Emperor Wu of Zhou of the Luochuan Sect is plotting. It's too peaceful, which makes me uneasy, like the calm before the storm." Li Jiusheng looked out the window, a hint of worry in his eyes.

He monitored the Shangqing Palace area daily with his Primordial spirit and Domain, but found nothing. Not even scouts had appeared.

Li Jiusheng knew this was not peace, but the calm before the storm.

The Human World had lost over a dozen Great Grandmasters and six Venerables; they would not let this matter rest.

Emperor Wu of Zhou of the Luochuan Sect had suffered such a great loss. With his vengeful nature, he would not stand by and watch Li Qingshan break through.

What were these people plotting?

"I wonder when my junior brother will break through?" Li Jiusheng glanced at the golden-roofed main hall of Shangqing Palace. Li Qingshan was inside. With his Primordial spirit perception, he sensed a deep Sword energy fluctuating within the golden-roofed hall, constantly emitting the sound of hammering.

It was as if he were forging a peerless sword.

The day the sword was completed would be the day Li Qingshan broke through to the Ancestor Realm.

The Luochuan Sect, ninety thousand li away from Shangqing Palace, had not been peaceful recently.

With the Grandmaster in seclusion, the Luochuan Sect had gone all out to find the Yishan Clan for Emperor Wu of Zhou. Under their treatment, Emperor Wu of Zhou finally stabilized his injuries.

Although his Primordial spirit was destroyed, causing him to fall from the Ancestor Realm, the Yishan Clan's supreme medicine had barely helped him re-enter the Ancestor Realm.

However, he could not make any moves recently, lest his realm collapse again.

In the Luochuan Sect's Sect Master Hall, a voice came from Emperor Wu of Zhou's seclusion: "I've been recuperating during this period and haven't had time to concern myself with external affairs. Have the assassins from the Human World completely disrupted Shangqing Palace?"

The Sect Master of Luochuan Sect bowed his head and replied, "They have not disrupted it."

"What?" Emperor Wu of Zhou was furious. He roared, "It's been months, and the assassins from the Human World still haven't succeeded?"

The Sect Master of Luochuan Sect replied softly, "Reporting to the Grandmaster, Shangqing Palace has sealed its gates and is not interacting with the outside world. The assassins from the Human World infiltrated twice. The first time, they dispatched over a dozen Great Grandmasters. The second time, they dispatched six Venerables. All were killed without exception. Not only that, but the Human World's influence in the Old Land was disrupted, resulting in heavy losses. During this period, internal power struggles have been intense, and they have no time to deal with Shangqing Palace."

"Idiots, a bunch of idiots! And they dare call themselves assassins? What a joke." Emperor Wu of Zhou cursed angrily, his face grim. Thinking of how he had fallen from the Ancestor Realm because of Shangqing Palace and almost couldn't return, he couldn't control his surging killing intent.

The Sect Master of Luochuan Sect kept his head bowed, his breathing tense, daring not to speak.

After Emperor Wu of Zhou finished cursing, he immediately said, "Don't count on the Human World; they're a bunch of trash. We'll do it ourselves. Have Yunshan make a move. He just broke through to the Venerable realm. Go kill the old man guarding the Scripture Repository Pavilion in Shangqing Palace and reclaim my Grandmaster Pure Land."

"Grandmaster, Shangqing Palace has Li Qingshan, who is at the peak of the Venerable realm. Yunshan is no match for his swordsmanship," the Sect Master of Luochuan Sect hurriedly said.

"I know that. Li Qingshan will be dealt with by someone else. Now, write a letter and send someone to Yunxia Mountain to invite the Sword Hiding Elder. Tell him he owes me a life from back then and that it's time to repay it. Have him deal with Li Qingshan. Three hundred years ago, the Sword Hiding Elder was at the peak of the Venerable realm. He has accumulated for three hundred years. Even if he hasn't broken through to the Ancestor Realm, he should be more than enough to deal with Li Qingshan," Emperor Wu of Zhou said decisively and swiftly.

The Sword Hiding Elder was an unworldly genius from Yunxia Mountain. Three hundred years ago, he had encountered a disaster and sought help from Emperor Wu of Zhou. Emperor Wu of Zhou had helped him resolve the trouble and saved his life. The Sword Hiding Elder had promised Emperor Wu of Zhou one request.

Emperor Wu of Zhou had not used it all these years.

Now was the time.

The two people he hated the most were Li Qingshan. If not for him, Emperor Wu of Zhou would have left long ago after secretly obtaining the Grandmaster Pure Land.

The other was Li Jiusheng, who guarded the Scripture Repository Pavilion. His remnant soul had tried to possess Li Jiusheng's body and return to the Luochuan Sect, but he was killed by Li Jiusheng instead. His remnant soul shattered, and the Grandmaster Pure Land he had finally obtained was taken by Li Jiusheng. Emperor Wu of Zhou's realm directly fell from the Ancestor Realm. If not for the Yishan Clan's excellent medical skills, it would have been extremely difficult for him to return to the Ancestor Realm.

Hearing such a detailed plan, the Sect Master of Luochuan Sect cupped his fists and said, "I will arrange it immediately. Please rest assured, Grandmaster."

Meanwhile, the assassin organization of the Human World, after completing its power transition, also set its sights on Shangqing Palace.

The loss of over a dozen Great Grandmasters and six Venerables at Shangqing Palace was a great humiliation for the Human World, which had to be avenged.

The newly appointed leader was decisive. He said coldly, "For years, the Human World has been invincible in the Old Land. No one has ever made us attempt an assassination a second time, let alone lose assassins. Only Shangqing Palace has made us lose face completely. If we don't regain our honor, the world will think we are just bluffing."

In the shadows, the various assassin leaders nodded in agreement.

No matter what, Shangqing Palace had to be eliminated.

"Shangqing Palace is actually easy to deal with. Over the years, they have become increasingly decadent. There is only one Venerable realm expert, Li Qingshan. As long as Li Qingshan is killed, nothing else is to be feared," one assassin said coldly.

"Yes, there is only Li Qingshan, but this one Li Qingshan can hold back an army of thousands," someone in the shadows said.

"Li Qingshan is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Ancestor Realm. We cannot let him succeed, so we must have the Assassin King make a move. With his assassination techniques, I believe Li Qingshan will not survive," a leader of the assassins suggested.

Within the Human World, assassins are also divided into ranks. Below Venerable, there are no titles. Above Venerable, all assassins aim to become Assassin Kings.

The first requirement for an Assassin King is to have peak Venerable cultivation. The second requirement is to assassinate ten targets of the same realm.

Only after meeting these two requirements can one obtain the title of Assassin King.

In the Old Land of the Human World, only one Assassin King has been cultivated in recent years. As he has already touched the threshold of the Ancestor Realm, he has not accepted missions for some time, focusing his efforts on breaking through to the Ancestor Realm and becoming an assassin of the Grandmaster level.

Now, facing Li Qingshan's might, the Human World can only dispatch the Assassin King.

After a moment of thought, the newly appointed leader decisively said, "Immediately send someone to notify the Assassin King. The target is Li Qingshan, the head of Shangqing Palace."

"As you command!" Someone immediately sent a message via carrier pigeon.

"Li Qingshan will be handled by the Assassin King. The other high-ranking officials within Shangqing Palace will be handled by the six of you." The new leader pointed to six shadows lurking in the darkness and said coldly, "Your predecessors all perished at Shangqing Palace. Now that you have inherited this position, you must avenge them. You are all Venerable cultivators, and dealing with a group of Great Grandmasters should be no problem, right?"

The six shadows said in unison, "Leader, rest assured, we will complete the mission!"

Time passes like dusk, and time waits for no one.

In the blink of an eye, another three days have passed.

The heavy snow that had fallen for three days finally stopped, but the chill in the air grew even more intense.

The mountains withered, their bare branches and fallen leaves buried under the snow, creating a vast expanse of white. It was truly a desolate scene.

Li Jiusheng, wrapped in a thick coat, climbed to the roof of the Scripture Repository Pavilion and gazed into the distance.

The mountains were hidden in the mist, the sea of clouds churned, and the Daoist temples appeared and disappeared, resembling a fairyland that inspired longing.

Dong!

A bell chimed, its sound deep and distant, echoing among the mountains. The spiritual energy of Shangqing Palace's leylines overflowed, giving it the aura of a renowned Daoist mountain.

These past few days, he had not been idle. He had stabilized his breakthrough realm and continuously browsed through various scriptures, under the dim lamp and yellowed scrolls.

However, every time he flipped through a book, Li Jiusheng felt restless and unable to calm his mind and enter a state of meditation. He couldn't observe with the same tranquility as before, let alone activate his comprehension.

"The Innate Sword Body seems to be sensing something and constantly reminding me," Li Jiusheng said with a serious expression, knowing this was unusual and unprecedented.

"In ancient times, those with extraordinary talent and profound cultivation would have premonitions or feel uneasy before a major event. This is a sign," Li Jiusheng stroked his beard thoughtfully, feeling that his worries were about to come true.

The Human World and the Luochuan Sect would absolutely not let this matter rest.

The conspiracy they were brewing was about to unfold.

Li Jiusheng's heart was heavy. Within Shangqing Palace, only Li Qingshan could be considered peak combat power, but he was currently in seclusion.

He only had mid-stage Great Grandmaster cultivation. Could he withstand the invading enemies?

Boom!

Li Jiusheng's Primordial spirit and Domain expanded, covering all the territory of Shangqing Palace at any moment, and he detected an anomaly.

An old man carrying a sword approached. Without any concealment, he brazenly walked to the mountain gate of Shangqing Palace and stopped.

The old man tapped his sword and said loudly, "Where is Li Qingshan? Cangjian has come to your door today. Please offer your guidance."

As the old man's voice fell, with a boom, a dazzling radiance accompanied by sharp sword energy surged forth, instantly kicking up countless snowflakes. The cold wind howled, rushing straight towards the golden-roofed main hall of Shangqing Palace.

At this moment, the entire Shangqing Palace was alarmed.

Elders and disciples alike turned pale with fright.

"This aura is terrifying, it's causing celestial phenomena! This is a Venerable!"

"Didn't Shangqing Palace seal its mountain? Why is this Venerable here?"

"They mean no good."

"Cangjian? Hiss, could it be him from three hundred years ago?"

"Impossible, right? That person was already at peak Venerable three hundred years ago. How terrifying must he be now?"

"Old Man Cangjian, Mount Yunxia, it must be him! Why is he here?"

Inside Shangqing Palace, everyone panicked, chattering amongst themselves.

The reputation of Old Man Cangjian was simply too resounding. They all looked towards the golden-roofed main hall in unison.

In the Scripture Repository Pavilion, Li Jiusheng's expression also changed, and he murmured, "He's still come."

He moved his body, intending to transform into a rainbow and depart.

His junior brother was in seclusion, likely at a critical juncture, and could not be disturbed. And within Shangqing Palace, no one could stop this Old Man Cangjian.

Li Jiusheng had no choice but to go himself.

"You are a whole major realm below him, you are no match," the Little Fox hurriedly stopped him, not wanting Li Jiusheng to step forward.

Li Jiusheng shook his head and said in a deep voice, "I have to go."

The Little Fox tried to stop him again, but suddenly she felt a chill run through her entire body, as if she were being stared at by some primordial beast. She immediately burrowed into Li Jiusheng's arms, warily watching the front.

Not far away, an old Daoist priest walked slowly. He stepped on the white snow without leaving any footprints. Dao Rhyme emanated from his body, and his expression was indifferent as he stared at Li Jiusheng and said, "You don't need to go. Hand over the item belonging to my sect's Grandmaster."

"Another Venerable!" Li Jiusheng's expression turned cold. He stared at the old Daoist priest and, based on his words, guessed his origin.

Sent by Emperor Wu of Zhou, to reclaim his lost Grandmaster Pure Land.

"You are a Venerable, but far inferior to the one at the mountain gate," Li Jiusheng sneered, killing intent surfacing in his eyes.

"Senior Cangjian, you have three hundred more years of time than I. It's normal that I'm not as good as him, but killing you is as simple as killing a chicken, more than enough." The old Daoist said calmly, not putting Li Jiusheng in his eyes at all.

Even though Li Jiusheng had the cultivation of a mid-stage Great Grandmaster, in his eyes, he was no different from a chicken to be slaughtered.

"What is a Venerable? A Great Grandmaster like you cannot comprehend it. One move is enough to kill you." The old Daoist's posture was very arrogant. With a flick of his finger, a brilliant Dao Rhyme erupted, transforming into a Dao diagram that flew towards Li Jiusheng, intending to suppress him on the spot.

"Venerable? Heh heh!" Li Jiusheng pointed his fingers like a sword and struck out. In an instant, a brilliant light flashed, accompanied by surging sword energy. All things roared, mountains and rivers wailed, surging forward from his center like a heavenly punishment, directly suppressing downwards.

Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique!

This sword strike carried a surging and magnificent Aura, like a world descending. In an instant, it tore through the Dao diagram and engulfed the old Venerable.

Seeing this, the old Venerable roared in shock and disbelief, "How is this possible? How can you have this power? This should be Venerable-level Dao Rhyme."

"Nothing is impossible. You only broke through to Venerable at such an old age, and you dare to act presumptuously before me?" Li Jiusheng said mockingly, then his body turned into a rainbow and flew away, not even looking at him.

The old Daoist was indeed a Venerable, but he had only just broken through. Li Jiusheng didn't take him seriously at all. Delivering a sword strike was the greatest respect he could offer.

"No!" The old Daoist roared in horror, his entire body emitting Dao Rhyme as he exploded, beautiful and brilliant like falling cherry blossoms, trying to block the surging sword energy, but to no avail.

The Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique descended, and he was instantly vaporized.