Ancestor Luoning emerged from seclusion, steadying everyone's hearts and leaving them utterly reassured.
But when Ancestor Luoning personally used the imperial weapon to divine the Black Robe Man's origins, all he saw was chaos, with only a hazy silhouette appearing.
The Black Robe Man's origins were difficult to determine.
"How could this be? With my cultivation, I still cannot divine this man's origins?"
Ancestor Luoning had the bearing of an immortal, with a beard reaching his knees, a rosy complexion, and a vigorous spirit. His eyes were as brilliant as two stars.
It was hard to tell that this was an old man with little lifespan remaining.
He was puzzled. With his Sage Realm cultivation and an imperial weapon, could someone in this world actually evade his divination?
The Sun Moon Cult Master stood behind Ancestor Luoning, watching the Sun Moon Star Seal spin in the air with a gloomy expression.
"Ancestor, if we cannot determine his origins, can we divine where he will go in the future? That way, we can intercept him in advance!" the Sun Moon Cult Master said.
Hearing this, Ancestor Luoning shook his head. "Merely tracing his movements would be easy, but he clearly carries a treasure that blocks divination. Probing any deeper would be difficult... unless..."
The Sun Moon Cult Master was clever. His eyes narrowed as he said, "Unless we have something closely connected to him. A drop of blood would be best, but even a strand of hair would do."
Ancestor Luoning nodded. "Exactly. Once something connected to him falls into another's hands, if that person also possesses a powerful magical artifact, he cannot escape divination even with a mighty treasure on him!"
The Sun Moon Cult Master thought for a moment, then said, "Why don't we... pretend to yield, win his trust, offer resources to make peace, and lure him here..."
"That would be difficult... Someone who acts so boldly is probably no fool. He won't take the bait easily." Ancestor Luoning shook his head. "If all else fails, I will go myself. In a few more years, I will have to enter imperial source and slumber anyway. Before that, I must eliminate this man, even if it costs me some lifespan."
Although Ancestor Luoning looked vigorous, he was strong on the outside but hollow within. With little lifespan remaining, he could not freely wield his Sage Realm strength.
Overusing his strength would quickly exhaust his lifespan.
That was why he wanted to establish the Black Robe Man's origins before acting, so he could resolve the problem at its root directly and effectively.
But his opponent had come prepared. At most, he could divine the man's general movements; his identity and origins were difficult to uncover.
"How will we know without trying?"
"If he doesn't take the bait, that only means the stakes aren't high enough. Saint weapons! Saint King Weapons! Great Saint Weapons! Our cult has them all. How could he not be tempted?"
The Sun Moon Cult Master declared boldly, "Although he is mysterious, he is very likely a powerful survivor of some sect our cult once destroyed, who has returned after completing his training to seek revenge."
"A man like that has nothing. He may seem determined to fight until the fish dies and the net tears, but that isn't really the case. Such a man is actually easier to win over!"
"Since he has nothing, we can give him everything. Our cult can provide resources, and even a place where he belongs!"
Ancestor Luoning turned to look at the Sun Moon Cult Master, somewhat surprised. He truly had not expected the current Cult Leader to be so astute!
If their opponent really was as they suspected, then they might genuinely sway him.
A powerhouse at least at the second transformation was absolutely worthy of recruitment by the Sun Moon Divine Cult!
As for the slain Great Elder and Moon Yin Right Emissary, in his mind, the dead were no longer of any use. The living Black Robe Man was far more worth winning over!
If they could bring the Black Robe Man under their command, the rumors circulating in the Eastern Domain would immediately change.
Mockery would turn into praise.
People would praise the Sun Moon Divine Cult's methods and magnanimity: not only could they win the Black Robe Man over, they could also accept him and let bygones be bygones!
Ancestor Luoning considered the plan feasible, and he genuinely wanted to avoid fighting if possible.
Once he acted this time, he would have to enter imperial source and slumber, becoming part of their hidden reserves for good!
But right now, the Sun Moon Divine Cult needed a Sage Tier ancestor openly presiding over it, remaining awake at all times to overawe the world!
Ancestor Luoning said, "You handle this. If you fail, it won't be too late for me to act."
"As long as he shows himself, even if he refuses, we must seize the opportunity. If we cannot kill him, we must at least obtain a drop of his blood. Then he won't escape even if he sprouts wings!"
He intended to prepare for both possibilities.
If their opponent agreed to submit, everyone would be happy.
If he refused but dared to appear, they would do everything in their power to obtain a drop of his blood and use it to divine his whereabouts and origins.
If he neither agreed nor appeared, then Ancestor Luoning would have to go himself and kill him as quickly as possible with his Sage Tier strength, minimizing the loss of his lifespan!
"Leave it to me!"
The Sun Moon Cult Master nodded. "Ancestor, rest for now. I will find a place he considers safe for the exchange and lower his guard as much as possible."
"I will use the imperial weapon to conceal our traces and spread a net from heaven to earth around the area. The moment he refuses, we will strike first!"
Ancestor Luoning nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Go. I have slept too long and need to regain my bearings first. A Sage Tier expert acting in this age would cause enormous disturbances. I don't want to attract the Yaoguang Holy Land's attention."
The Sun Moon Cult Master nodded, turned, and vanished from the Sun Moon Divine Palace.
After he left, Ancestor Luoning's expression shifted uncertainly. Within his star-bright eyes, there seemed to be a vision of great stars falling.
That day, the Sun Moon Divine Cult secretly spread word to let the Black Robed Person know that they wished to make peace. He could name his terms, and they hoped he would come to Qingming Mountain Peak for a discussion.
This was done in secret, and few knew about it, but the Sun Moon Divine Cult believed the Black Robe Man would certainly receive the message.
Few would refuse an olive branch extended by a Supreme Dao Holy Land.
Even fewer would dare to refuse.
But...
"My mother taught me from childhood that humans and dogs cannot live under the same roof."
"Especially rabid dogs like you, biting people all day long!"
The Black Robe Man's words were conveyed most cordially to the Sun Moon Divine Cult.
Instantly, the Sun Moon Divine Cult's leadership erupted!
Some elders leaped high into the air in fury, their faces flushed and their eyes bloodshot.
He had gone too far, insulting their Sun Moon Divine Cult like this!
As a Supreme Dao Holy Land, when had they ever been treated this way?
Unlike their fury, the Sun Moon Cult Master's expression remained unchanged. The Black Robe Man's reaction was within his expectations.
Still, he did not give up.
If they wanted peace, they had to show at least a basic willingness.
The other party had the right to refuse, while he had to demonstrate his willingness to seek peace again and again.
"Although we do not know your identity, we presumably offended you first in the past. Regardless, three days from now, the Sun Moon Divine Cult will respectfully await your arrival at Qingming Mountain Peak."
After delivering those words, the Sun Moon Divine Cult made no further moves. No matter how the Black Robe Man mocked them, they remained unmoved.
They seemed to be quietly awaiting negotiations with the Black Robe Man at Qingming Mountain Peak three days later.
Atop a mountain.
The Black Robe Man stood there, his robes snapping and his hair streaming in the wind. Yellow Talismans covered him from head to toe.
These talismans were all meant to block divination. A single one could thwart the divination of a great power.
The Black Robe Man had still felt uneasy, so he had taken out a stack and plastered them all over himself.
Moreover, beneath his black robe, he wore a suit of soft armor, a quasi-emperor level magical treasure that could block divination.
Not long before, he had sensed an unfathomable force seemingly searching for him through the unseen, trying to track him down.
So he had taken out a stack of talismans and covered himself with them. Together with his soft armor, they had allowed him to evade the divination.
He knew perfectly well that the Sun Moon Divine Cult must have used its imperial weapon to divine his whereabouts.
He had also long since left the million-mile radius around the Sun Moon Divine Cult, hiding far away.
If he stayed too close, the imperial weapon's might would make it difficult to evade.
Clever as ever!
"My son really knows how to play it safe, preparing so many fine treasures."
"Good thing I was clever enough to swipe plenty of life-saving treasures before leaving. I've been running wild for thirty years, and they've saved me from fire and flood more times than I can count. Heh heh..."
Beneath his mask, the Black Robe Man smiled smugly.
He had this locked down tight!