Chapter 375

Xu Xiuer offered her congratulations with a smile.

"Thank you both, elder sisters!" Sheng Bailan nodded, a smile appearing on her face. She cupped her hands in a polite gesture of thanks.

"Not bad, keep up the good work."

Ye Ruoshui feigned indifference and said calmly.

"... Yes, thank you, Sister Ruoshui!"

Sheng Bailan bowed slightly and thanked her respectfully.

"Alright, Ruoshui, let's get down to business!"

Seeing the atmosphere become tense, Lin Wanqiu changed the subject.

"Hmm." Ye Ruoshui responded, then said seriously, "Now that we have achieved the status of Supreme Beings, crossing the Sea of Boundaries is as easy as eating a meal. It's time to head to the Southern Wilderness and find His Highness."

Xu Xiuer added, "When they arrive in the Southern Wilderness, Sister Lin and Sister Bailan can also seek out the Supreme Beings of the Six Paths of Demonic Ways and have a contest, which can be considered as training."

Sheng Bailan naturally had no objection to this; in fact, she was more than happy to accept it.

Although Xiao Minghuang was only gone for a few months, they had actually spent hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years in the secret realm.

During these long years, apart from engaging in matters related to cultivation, they had nothing else to do. In their spare time, the first thing that came to mind was Xiao Minghuang's image.

The longer time passed, the more real and steadfast this figure became, as if it were imprinted deep within their souls, unforgettable for eternity.

Now that she has finally embarked on her journey, how could they possibly slacken their efforts?

"In that case, let's set off now!"

Sheng Bailan said.

"Don't rush, we still need to say goodbye to Senior A Yue and the others before we leave."

Lin Wanqiu reminded him.

"Yes, although I mentioned leaving before, when it's time to officially go, I can't just leave without saying goodbye."

Xu Xiuer also said.

"Okay, let's go then!"

Ye Ruoshui.

As they were talking...

The void suddenly trembled, and a void vortex condensed. A figure dressed in a moon-white dress stepped out and slowly landed in front of the women.

Her face was exquisite, her beauty breathtaking, her eyes as bright as the moon, and her expression serene and peaceful, giving people a sense of tranquility and purity.

The visitor was none other than Innate Osmanthus.

"Senior A Yue!"

Ye Ruoshui and the others bowed in greeting.

"Hmm." Innate Osmanthus waved her hand, then turned her gaze to Sheng Bailan and smiled, "Bailan has broken through to the Supreme Realm?"

"I broke through by sheer luck," Sheng Bailan said modestly. "It's all thanks to the guidance of my master and all the seniors!"

"Hehe..."

Innate Osmanthus smiled and said, "It's nothing."

She then looked them over for a moment and asked, "Is there something you all want to discuss here?"

"It's perfect timing that you're here, senior. It saves us the trouble of making the trip ourselves."

Ye Ruoshui cupped her hands and said, "Actually, the four of us have now all advanced to the Supreme level, so we have the ability to protect ourselves. We plan to go to the Southern Wilderness, firstly to reunite with Your Highness, and secondly to take this opportunity to gain some experience."

"Oh?" Innate Osmanthus asked in surprise, "You've only just achieved the Supreme Realm, yet you're already in such a hurry?"

None of the four responded. Xu Xiuer and Lin Wanqiu turned their heads away, while Sheng Bailan lowered her head. Only Ye Ruoshui stared intently at her, her gaze conveying everything without uttering a word.

However, Innate Osmanthus frowned and said calmly, "Although you miss Princess Xiao very much, it's probably not possible for you to leave the Mist Hidden Sea!"

"Why?"

Ye Ruoshui frowned and asked.

Lin Wanqiu, Xu Xiuer, and Sheng Bailan also turned their gazes toward the Innate Osmanthus.

"Because... it's too dangerous outside. You've been in seclusion for a while and are unaware of the situation outside. Although only a few months have passed, the situation in the Five Directions One Realm has already undergone tremendous changes!"

The Innate Osmanthus said in a deep voice, "Currently, the Holy Academy is under complete martial law within the Eastern Pole of Zhongtian, and has strictly ordered all major holy lands and families to enforce it. All Rogue Cultivator have been forcibly relocated to cities or secret realms controlled by the Holy Academy, major holy lands, families, and dynasties, and are not allowed to leave without permission!"

"Why?"

Xu Xiuer couldn't help but ask.

The Innate Osmanthus glanced at her and said, "Because the Epochal Annihilation may come sooner than expected."

"The Epochal Annihilation?"

Xu Xiuer asked doubtfully, "But isn't the Epochal Annihilation supposed to happen at least after the next era following the Eastern Pole Emperor? Shouldn't there be at least several more eras?"

"It's ahead of schedule."

The Innate Osmanthus explained, "According to the signs from the Sea of Boundaries, a major event seems to have occurred in the Southern Wilderness. The Heavenly Dao of the Southern Wilderness is decaying at an incredible speed. Perhaps in less than ten years, or even less, the Heavenly Dao of the Southern Wilderness will die completely. This will cause enormous losses to the Central Heaven Eastern Pole, including the Western Lands and the Northern Sea, which are connected to the Southern Wilderness world!"

With a solemn expression, she spoke each word carefully and earnestly, "The Eastern Pole of the Central Heaven has not only lost its destiny for several epochs, but will also face the Epochal Annihilation within this one!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Ruoshui and the others were immediately shocked. Of course, they knew that more than 100,000 years had passed since the beginning of this era, and at most 20,000 years until the end of this era.

In other words, the entire Five Directions One Realm will come to a complete end within 20,000 years!

"The moment the Epochal Annihilation arrives will be the first stage of the Epochal Annihilation. The Heavenly Dao Source will be sealed and cannot be perceived by any cultivator. In other words, no one in the world can become a saint; and those saints and supreme beings will be like water without roots, gradually losing their harmony with the world and falling from their original realm."

"In the second phase of the Epochal Annihilation, all Spiritual Qi in the world will be completely exhausted within a hundred years. No one will be able to Drawing Qi into the Body by any means, because there will be no more free Spiritual Qi in the world. In this process, Heaven and Earth Divine Object containing various Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and the origin of the Great Dao will no longer be born, and various rare and precious materials will gradually lose their spirituality and become mortal objects."

"In the third stage of the Epochal Annihilation, after all spiritual matter within the world has withered, all matter containing life will also wither. The sky will no longer gather clouds, nor will it send down rain, snow, or frost. The seas, rivers, lakes, and streams will dry up, flowers, trees, and plants will die, and living beings will no longer be able to reproduce, until all things containing life within the world have completely disappeared..."

"If this realm becomes completely desolate and isolated, it will transform into a Dead Star, rejected by the Cosmic Great Dao, and glide towards the outermost reaches of deep space..."

The Innate Osmanthus spoke slowly, its tone filled with regret and sorrow.

She is Innate Being, born before the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and will not be affected by the Epochal Annihilation. Even if the Five Directions One Realm perish, she can still travel to other worlds to continue her cultivation.

But this was, after all, the land where she grew up, and she had a deep affection for it, and she didn't want it to pass away.

After hearing this, Ye Ruoshui and the others fell silent, their emotions extremely complex.

Originally, the Epochal Annihilation was just a distant future in their hearts, and whenever they talked about it, it was like the ramblings of a madman.

But now, as the crisis was about to strike, the discoverers were filled with utter despair.

A short while later.

"Senior A Yue, please allow us to take our leave!"

Ye Ruoshui suddenly looked up, gazing at the Innate Osmanthus, and said earnestly, "If the world is about to be destroyed, I hope that in these last days, I can be with the one I love most!"

"If the end of the world really comes, I hope that on that last day, Your Highness and I will not be alone."

Her tone was resolute, and her gaze was unwavering.

She looked at Lin Wanqiu, Xu Xiuer, and Sheng Bailan.

The three of them nodded seriously.

Upon hearing this, the Innate Osmanthus said with difficulty, "I promised the princess that I would protect your safety. As long as you stay in the Mist Hidden Sea, Penglai and I will protect you and ensure you are not destroyed along with the Epochal Annihilation..."

The words had barely left his mouth.

Ye Ruoshui's gaze remained firm, and she was about to continue speaking to persuade him...

Suddenly.

A clear, cool voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, rang out.

"A Yue, stop teasing them..."

It was a woman's voice.

It's so light and beautiful, like celestial music that it's refreshing and delightful.

The sound came and rang out, and all the women were startled. They looked in the direction of the sound and were shocked to see a void gate suddenly appear, from which a slender figure stepped out.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows as delicate as a painting, her features exquisite, her dark eyes as dazzling as stars, her beautiful face like a painting, her glossy black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, making her waist appear even more slender and supple, and she exuded a noble and elegant temperament that captivated anyone who saw her at first glance.

Her steps were light and elegant, yet noble and dignified, as if she were walking on clouds filled with wisps of smoke, or strolling in a sacred and solemn temple. Her every move exuded a transcendent nobility, like an empress descending to earth.

Ye Ruoshui and the others were stunned for a moment, then they all revealed expressions of wild joy.

"Your Highness!"

Ye Ruoshui and the other three girls shouted excitedly, their faces filled with joy.

They never expected that His Highness would appear here!

Xiao Minghuang smiled slightly, walked up to her sisters, and looked at them with a tender look in her eyes, "Long time no see!"

Her voice was gentle and soft, seemingly containing boundless antiquity and longing, captivating the listener.

"Um!"

Ye Ruoshui and the other three women nodded vigorously, their eyes filled with deep relief and warmth.

Ye Ruoshui stepped forward, put her arm around Xiao Minghuang's slender waist, buried her pretty face in his chest, and murmured softly, her voice choked with emotion, "It's been so long, my Your Highness!"

Xiao Minghuang patted her shoulder gently and said, "My silly girl, it's only been a short time, why are you crying?"

"I..." Ye Ruoshui raised her head, opening her mouth to explain, but found her voice trembling slightly. "I just miss Your Highness so much..."

For Xiao Minghuang, only a few months had passed, but for her, thousands upon thousands of years had actually passed.

The other three sisters also came over and took turns embracing Xiao Minghuang.

In an instant, the five sisters were reunited, overjoyed.

Seeing this, the Innate Osmanthus revealed a look of satisfaction in its eyes, then quietly concealed itself and silently departed.

After a brief moment of tenderness.

Xiao Minghuang raised her eyes and looked at the four sisters in front of her one by one. She found that after being separated for several months, all four women had actually entered the Supreme Realm!

492. Sisterly lineage, shared distant ancestry

Lin Wanqiu, who originally had the highest realm, the Longevity Realm Eighth Heaven, has now reached the level of the Supreme Second Tribulation!

Even Sheng Bailan, who was previously only at the Nascent Soul Realm, has broken through to the Supreme realm!

Ye Ruoshui and Xu Xiuer also faced the ultimate tribulation.

Upon realizing this, Xiao Minghuang was utterly astonished.

"A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence, but after several months, you have truly impressed me!"

Xiao Minghuang said with a smile, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Thanks to the help of all the senior Earth Immortals, otherwise... we could never have achieved what we have today in just a few months."

Lin Wanqiu, Xu Xiuer, and the others exchanged glances and were all sincerely grateful.

Then, the group recounted how they had become disciples of various immortals during the time Xiao Minghuang was away.

"I never expected... that these Earth Immortals would be so selfless, sharing all their knowledge with you."

Xiao Minghuang sighed.

"Your Highness... I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

Ye Ruoshui hesitated slightly before speaking, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

Upon hearing this, all the women turned to look at her.

"What's there to hesitate about? Speak freely!"

Xiao Minghuang nodded.

"After His Highness left, under the guidance of Senior A Yue, we successively became disciples of four Earth Immortals Earth Immortal Xuan Du Primordial Earth Immortal, Penglai Earth Immortal, and the Old Ancestor Wang. They were all very generous to us, teaching us everything they knew without reservation. They even paid a great price, using many rare treasures from the heavens to construct a secret realm capable of distorting time and space for our cultivation, in order to help us improve our cultivation level..."

"I became a disciple of the Earth Immortal Xuan Du. He not only imparted all his cultivation insights to me, but also gifted me a magic treasure at the Earth Immortal level..."

As he spoke, Lin Wanqiu flipped his hand, and a flash of azure light appeared. A short sword appeared above his palm, radiating an extremely strong Dao rhythm. A sense of annihilation emanated from it, as if it could easily shatter the void and break through the boundary!