Xiao Xuan

Alchemist Guild, top floor quiet room.

Du Jun was originally enjoying tea.

Suddenly, a vast, majestic, yet somewhat familiar formation fluctuation swept through the entire Capital City like ripples.

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the roof, looking towards the direction of the fluctuation—the Ministry of Justice Heavenly Prison.

"What a powerful formation fluctuation. This aura... seems to be from that old guy Xiao Xuan?

Why is he out of seclusion?

And using such powerful formation energy?

What happened at the Heavenly Prison?"

Du Jun was filled with doubt and surprise.

Xiao Xuan, the Imperial Family's only Grandmaster expert, was also the Imperial Family's true pillar of support.

Due to his advanced age, he had been in seclusion for years. Unless it was a matter of the Imperial Family's survival, he would never easily appear, let alone go to such lengths to activate the Heavenly Prison's grand formation.

"No, I have to go see. What if this old guy went mad from practicing his techniques and blew up the Heavenly Prison?"

Du Jun put down his teacup, his body flickered, and he vanished from the quiet room like a ghost.

As a late-stage Innate expert, his movement technique was naturally extraordinary. Under full exertion, he arrived outside the heavily guarded forbidden area of the Imperial Clan's Ancestral Hall in moments.

"Halt! Who dares to trespass into the Imperial forbidden area?"

As soon as his figure appeared, several burly Xiao family disciples flashed out from the shadows, shouting sternly.

Du Jun frowned slightly, about to announce his name.

"Let him in."

An old, ethereal, yet undeniably authoritative voice suddenly sounded above everyone's heads.

The Xiao family disciples trembled upon hearing this, bowed, and cleared a path: "As you command, Old Ancestor!"

Du Jun's heart tightened upon hearing this.

It was indeed Xiao Xuan. He had personally given permission, which meant the situation was even more serious than he had imagined.

He no longer hesitated and stepped into the core area of the forbidden grounds.

As soon as he entered the main hall, Du Jun felt a heavy and oppressive atmosphere wash over him.

Inside the hall, core members of the Imperial Family were gathered. From Emperor Xiao Zhengshan himself to several princes and county kings, all had grim expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy.

And in the center of the hall, an old man in a simple gray robe, with white hair and beard and a rustic face, sat cross-legged. His hands were pressed above a crystal array disk emitting a soft glow, which he was fully activating.

It was the Imperial Family's only Grandmaster, Xiao Xuan.

At this moment, Xiao Xuan's face was flushed, veins bulging on his forehead. He was clearly channeling all his power, attempting to regain control of the grand formation.

"Hmph!"

Suddenly, Xiao Xuan let out a muffled grunt, his body trembling violently, and his hands were uncontrollably flicked away from the array disk.

He staggered back half a step uncontrollably, his face instantly becoming paler.

"Old Ancestor!"

"Imperial Grandfather!"

Seeing this, everyone was greatly alarmed, exclaiming in unison, their faces filled with panic and disbelief.

Even the Old Ancestor's personal intervention... failed?

"How is this possible... even the Old Ancestor couldn't regain control?"

"Who is in that Heavenly Prison? Could it be a legendary Great Grandmaster?"

"What do we do now? Do we really have to destroy the Heavenly Prison's grand formation?"

Everyone discussed amongst themselves, their words filled with despair.

Destroying the Heavenly Prison's grand formation would not only mean the collapse of the defensive system the Imperial Family had spent a century of effort and countless resources to build, but it would also affect the Imperial City's grand formation, and possibly even harm the dragon vein qi luck beneath the Capital City.

The price was too great! Too great for even the Imperial Family to bear.

"Old friend, what's wrong?

What has forced you to this point, even bringing out your ultimate trump card, the 'Profound Heaven Array Disk'?"

Du Jun walked forward, looking at the grim-faced Xiao Xuan, and asked in a deep voice.

Xiao Xuan took a deep breath, calming his surging blood and qi.

He glanced at Du Jun, a hint of helplessness and bitterness flashing in his eyes: "Old brother Du, you're here. Alas, it's strange, the Heavenly Prison's grand formation... its control has been seized."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, even Du Jun, who had seen much, couldn't help but gasp:

"The Heavenly Prison's grand formation was seized?

How is that possible?"

One of the foundations your Xiao family has built for hundreds of years, and with you personally overseeing its core, who could possibly have such incredible means?"

He was momentarily surprised.

"The Heavenly Prison..."

Du Jun's brow furrowed. Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind like lightning—Zhang Yu.

He abruptly turned his head, looking in the direction of the Heavenly Prison, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Could it be him?

That young man whom he regarded as a genius in alchemy with boundless potential?

That young friend who was imprisoned yet remained so mysterious?

But... how is this possible?

He had personally witnessed Zhang Yu's alchemy talent and was astonished by it.

However, the path of formations was entirely different from alchemy; it required countless efforts and time to study.

How old was Zhang Yu?

This was unreasonable; it completely defied common sense.

"No, it's impossible..."

Du Jun subconsciously shook his head, dismissing the wild thought.

It must be some unknown old formation monster still imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, or perhaps a Formation Grandmaster sent by an opposing force who took the opportunity to strike.

"Brother Du, do you have any ideas?"

Xiao Xuan looked at Du Jun, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

The Alchemist Guild had profound foundations and extensive connections; perhaps they could come up with a brilliant strategy.

Du Jun gave a wry smile and shook his head: