Universe Bracelet, the Terrifying Dragon Head

Historical records stated.

In the autumn of the Empress's eighteenth year.

In the western outskirts of the Capital City, strange fire fell from the heavens into the wilderness. The blaze raged for three days, burning everything without exception.

It was said that several Martial Arts Masters had perished within the Heavenly Fire.

Their identities were unknown.

Within the Imperial Observatory.

Li Chunfeng secretly settled Bai Su and Yao Luochen there.

The plan was to wait until this disturbance had passed.

Then secretly escort Bai Su and Yao Luochen out of Great Gan.

Ren Xiaoyao naturally did not involve himself in any of this.

From beginning to end.

Other than Li Chunfeng.

No one else knew of his strength.

Throughout the vast Imperial Observatory.

Everyone believed Ren Xiaoyao was still one of those pitiable, obscure little nobodies.

Inside the room.

Lines of text appeared before Ren Xiaoyao's eyes.

[Congratulations, you have obtained a magic item: Universe Bracelet]

[Universe Bracelet: High-grade magic tool, polished and carved from a Mustard Seed Stone. It contains a vast amount of storage space and can store any item without signs of life.]

Upon seeing the description of the Universe Bracelet.

Joy appeared on Ren Xiaoyao's face as well.

The Universe Bracelet was essentially portable storage space.

This was a magic item every Cultivator needed.

He swiftly accepted the inheritance of the Universe Bracelet.

A string of ancient, desolate bracelets fell into Ren Xiaoyao's hand.

Ren Xiaoyao attached his Spiritual Sense to it.

He immediately sensed the storage space within the Universe Bracelet.

The Universe Bracelet had twelve separate beads in total.

Within each bead was a storage space one zhang long, one zhang high, and one zhang wide.

Moving external objects into the Universe Bracelet was also very simple.

Ren Xiaoyao merely needed to attach his Spiritual Sense to both the Universe Bracelet and the external object at the same time.

Then, once the Universe Bracelet sensed the connection between itself and the external object, as long as the storage space could contain it, it would automatically store the item within the bracelet's space.

"Good treasure!"

Naturally, Ren Xiaoyao was in high spirits.

He carefully played with the Universe Bracelet for a while.

After becoming proficient in how to use it.

Only then did he continue to Inhale and Exhale in cultivation.

The matter of Bai Su and Yao Luochen hiding within the Imperial Observatory did not remain secret for long. After all, when Li Chunfeng had helped Bai Su and Yao Luochen escape earlier, he had been seen by others.

A few days later.

Ying Huai hurried to the Imperial Observatory once more.

He found Li Chunfeng.

And asked bluntly.

"Chunfeng, you hid Bai Su and Yao Luochen in the Imperial Observatory? This is no small matter. According to intelligence obtained by Facing Heaven Pavilion, a great number of Martial Artists from every province of Great Gan are converging upon the Capital City. These are all Great Gan's foremost Martial Artists, and they have only one goal: to obtain the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng in Yao Luochen's possession."

Even Ying Huai.

This pavilion elder who had weathered great storms and seen towering waves.

Only felt his scalp tingle now.

His face was full of worry.

The crisis the Imperial Observatory was about to face this time.

Far surpassed the previous one.

The last crisis faced by the Imperial Observatory.

Had essentially been orchestrated by the Empress. Yet her control over the martial world was not particularly strong, so the only top-tier strong person she had invited was Zhao Luoxia, the Martial Arts Alliance Leader from Twenty Years Ago.

But this time was different.

Across the entire Great Gan Land.

Those strong people living under assumed names.

Those Martial Artists from legends who had supposedly died of old age many years ago.

They had all gone mad over the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng.

After all, it was said that the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng could extend one's lifespan by a hundred years.

It was equivalent to living another lifetime.

Such temptation.

No one could resist.

Especially for those Martial Artists whose lifespans were nearing their end.

Who would not wish to gamble for another life?

Li Chunfeng nodded and said, "I considered this matter before as well, but we must protect Bai Su and Yao Luochen."

Ying Huai said.

"Besides those people from the martial world, although the Empress has not said so openly, she cannot possibly be unmoved by the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng. This time, you will very likely face pressure from both the martial world and the Imperial Court."

At this moment.

Fang Yuan beside Ying Huai asked curiously.

"Is the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng really in Yao Luochen's hands? If it truly comes to that, just hand it over and let those outside fight and scramble for it until their heads are smashed and blood flows!"

"How could it be as simple as you imagine?"

Li Chunfeng glanced at Fang Yuan and said.

"Leaving aside whether Yao Luochen even has the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng, even if he does and hands it over, do you think Yao Luochen will then be safe and sound?"

"What do you mean?"

Fang Yuan's face was full of confusion.

Ying Huai snorted and said.

"Fang Yuan, you are capable when it comes to fighting and killing, but when it comes to worldly affairs, you truly have the brain of a block of elm wood! If Yao Luochen really hands over a Ten-thousand-year Ginseng, will those outside not think he has other similar medicinal treasures on him? If that happens, Yao Luochen will forever be seen as a piece of fat meat. The danger surrounding him will never be resolved!"

"So that was it!"

Fang Yuan nodded repeatedly.

Then.

Ying Huai looked at Li Chunfeng and said.

"Chunfeng, I cannot help you much with this crisis. But if you truly intend to face it head-on, I can evacuate the other disciples from the Imperial Observatory, such as Ren Xiaoyao, so they will not distract you during the melee."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunfeng hurriedly said.

"Ying Huai, you worry too much. I have only this one disciple. With him staying in the Imperial Observatory, I can still rest easy. If he leaves the Imperial Observatory and is kidnapped by someone with ill intentions to threaten me, that would be even more troublesome."

Evacuate Ren Xiaoyao from the Imperial Observatory.

Ying Huai.

Are you trying to get me killed?

Li Chunfeng frantically complained inwardly.

Upon hearing this.

Ying Huai nodded as well.

At this moment.

Li Chunfeng also recalled Ren Xiaoyao's reminder.

He leaned close to Ying Huai's ear and whispered.

"However, Ying Huai, there truly is one matter I need to ask of you. Recently, I came into contact with an exceedingly mysterious force called Qianqiu Pavilion. If it is convenient, secretly investigate it for me."

Qianqiu Pavilion was surely an immensely vast and mysterious force.

Yet regarding this force.

Li Chunfeng and Ren Xiaoyao knew practically nothing.

This placed them in an extremely passive position.

Although Qianqiu Pavilion might not currently have its sights on Ren Xiaoyao.

Ren Xiaoyao had a premonition.

That sooner or later, he would erupt into an even greater conflict with Qianqiu Pavilion.

They had to prepare in advance.

Within the Capital City.

Princess Taiping's Residence.

Princess Taiping and Phoenix Hall Master looked over the secret report in their hands.

Phoenix Hall Master's expression was incomparably ugly as she said.

"What exactly happened? The seven Venerable Envoys of Qianqiu Pavilion, all in the Heavenly Human Realm, were reportedly killed in that sudden Heavenly Fire? Are you certain this secret report contains no mistake?"

Phoenix Hall Master was also a member of Qianqiu Pavilion.

But she was still in the True Man Realm.

She had yet to reach the Heavenly Human Realm.

Thus, her status was below that of the Venerable Envoys in the Heavenly Human Realm.

"There is nothing to be done about it. How can human strength contend against Heaven?"

Princess Taiping Shook Her Head, though a Cold Laugh appeared on her face as she said.

"However, those seven Venerable Envoys lost their lives in the Heavenly Fire because of the information about the Ten Thousand Year Great Medicine provided by Your Majesty. It seems our Your Majesty will have quite the headache for some time."

"Perhaps this is your best opportunity, Princess?"

Phoenix Hall Master's eyes lit up as she said, "If Your Majesty loses Qianqiu Pavilion's trust, Qianqiu Pavilion will surely place all its chips in your hands!"

But Princess Taiping Shook Her Head and said.

"It is still too early for that, but it is indeed a good opportunity. Perhaps we can secure more resources from Qianqiu Pavilion."

At this point.

Princess Taiping looked at Phoenix Hall Master and said, "I heard that Ren Xuanji's eldest son, Ren Ruohai, was selected by Qianqiu Pavilion not long ago and became one of Qianqiu Pavilion's Core Disciples?"

"Correct!"

Phoenix Hall Master nodded and said.

"That boy possesses tremendous potential. After entering Qianqiu Pavilion, he was taken in as an Elder's Closed-Door Disciple. If the Princess wishes to seize the realm in the future, Ren Ruohai is someone you must win over."

"Tremendous potential?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Taiping chuckled and said.

"No matter how tremendous Ren Ruohai's potential may be, can he compare to Ren Xiaoyao? It is merely a pity that Ren Xiaoyao has Luo Mengshen, that legendary mother. He is destined to die a miserable death!"

Within the Imperial Palace.

The Empress looked at the memorial Phoenix had handed her.

Even as the Son of Heaven, her face was pale. She took a deep breath and said, "Dead? All seven envoys in the Heavenly Human Realm are dead? How am I supposed to explain this to Qianqiu Pavilion?"

"But all seven died in a natural disaster. It has little to do with you, Your Majesty."

Phoenix knelt upon the ground and said.

"Moreover, Your Majesty, perhaps this is also an opportunity."

"Those seven previously held a firm grip over key positions in the Shadow Guard and the army. Now that they have died so suddenly, authority has returned to our hands for the time being. We must hold it tightly in our grasp."

The Empress took another deep breath.

Her expression became solemn as she said, "If that is so, I shall temporarily cease competing for the Ten Thousand Year Great Medicine. I will firmly seize Great Gan in my own hands."

That night.

Liu Ruyan infiltrated the Imperial Observatory once more.

As usual, Liu Ruyan found Ren Xiaoyao.

She brought him a piece of news and said.

"Ren Xiaoyao, the Imperial Observatory is truly in danger this time! All those legendary figures from the martial world who once had great reputations are rushing toward the Imperial Observatory. They intend to flatten it and seize the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng. Why not take this chance and flee with me?"

As she spoke.

Liu Ruyan sighed and said.

"These old fellows with one foot already in the coffin are completely mad. The Ten-thousand-year Ginseng's medicinal potency is indeed fierce, but its toxicity is equally terrifying. If it is truly swallowed, how could it extend one's lifespan by a hundred years? I fear one would die violently on the spot!"

Ren Xiaoyao nodded as well.

Every medicine contained some poison.

The Ten Thousand Year Great Medicine was even more incomparably toxic.

Even taking ten thousand steps back.

If the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng truly could extend one's life by a hundred years,

it would have long since been consumed by the first person who discovered it.

How could it have been passed down?

"Someone has actually been fanning the flames behind the scenes!"

Liu Ruyan said.

"According to my father's investigation, Yuan Tiangang once created a force called the Dragon Capturing Organization."

"Its Dragon Head was named Xiao Qingfeng, and he cultivated the Great Evolution Tome passed down by Yuan Tiangang."

"This man's talent was terrifying. Relying only on a fragment of the Great Evolution Tome, he attained the realm of Heavenly Human, surpassed Yuan Tiangang, secretly killed Yuan Tiangang, and completely seized control of the Dragon Capturing Organization!"

"Xiao Qingfeng's true objective was not the Ten-thousand-year Ginseng at all, but the complete Great Evolution Tome in Li Chunfeng's hands within the Imperial Observatory!"

"He deliberately drove Bai Su and Yao Luochen into the Imperial Observatory. In fact, several times, aside from my father secretly helping Bai Su and Yao Luochen, Xiao Qingfeng had also covertly helped them escape danger."

"Otherwise, Bai Su and Yao Luochen would have been captured long ago. How could they have had the right to flee?"

After hearing Liu Ruyan's words,

Ren Xiaoyao nodded as well.

He had previously heard of the Dragon Capturing Organization from Ying Huai.

The Dragon Capturing Organization was different from the Demonic Cult.

The Demonic Cult stood opposed to the Imperial Court, but it had no intention of rebelling.

Thus, the Imperial Court could tolerate the Demonic Cult's existence.

But the Dragon Capturing Organization made its intention to rebel perfectly clear. It was something the Imperial Court could absolutely not tolerate, yet even so, the organization had continued to grow stronger.

And as the core of the Dragon Capturing Organization,

the Dragon Head was naturally a peerless figure.

"Three days!"

"At most, within three days, these old monsters will finish gathering beneath Fulong Mountain. Then they will swarm forward, and the entire Imperial Observatory will likely be trampled flat!"

Liu Ruyan's voice was filled with dread.