Luo Li nodded, put away the Western Emperor Pagoda, and asked softly, "Do you have any definite information about those two?"
"Nothing yet. However, the Yaoguang Holy Land, the Ji Family, and the Solar Divine Dynasty have all dispatched a large number of people to gather in the direction of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land. We speculate that those two are likely hiding near the Forbidden Land."
" The Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land..." A hint of worry flashed in Luo Li's beautiful eyes. "That's an ominous place. Well, since we've been ordered by the Holy Mother, we must go there. You will each select ten disciples to accompany me. Remember, this is only for forming bonds; unless absolutely necessary, you must not engage in conflict with anyone."
"Yes."
Central Province, the Great Xia Dynasty.
Inside an ancient pavilion, a young man dressed in a python robe stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the bustling imperial city. He had a handsome face and an innate air of nobility between his brows. He was none other than Xia Wuyou, the seventh prince of the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Seventh Prince, the secret guards have determined that the last place the black-clad youth and the mysterious woman were seen was an abandoned ancient city on the edge of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land." An old man in black appeared out of thin air and knelt on one knee.
"An abandoned ancient city..." Xia Wuyou turned around, "Can you find out the origin of that young man in black?"
"No clues yet. This person seems to have appeared out of thin air; there are no records of him in the Eastern Wasteland, Central Province, Northern Plains Southern Ridge, Southern Ridge, or Western Desert. It's as if... he sprang from a stone."
Xia Wuyou laughed, "Interesting. Appearing out of thin air, yet possessing at least the cultivation of the Immortal Platform Second Heaven Realm, and accompanied by a woman whom the Azure Emperor Scripture its master. This Big Dipper is truly becoming more and more interesting."
"Your Highness, what do we do next..."
"Pass on my orders: the secret guards continue the investigation, but do not alert the enemy. Also, prepare the carriage; I am going to the Eastern Wasteland myself."
The old man in black was startled. "Your Highness, you're going personally? That's too dangerous! All sorts of forces are gathered in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land now; it's a chaotic mix. What if..."
"It's alright." Xia Wuyou waved his hand. "Although my Great Xia Dynasty doesn't vie for supremacy, it's not someone anyone can provoke. Besides, wouldn't it be a pity if I missed such a lively scene?"
"Yes, this old servant will arrange it immediately."
Just as the major forces in the Big Dipper were stirring up trouble, deep within the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, beneath the Emperor Burial Abyss, the Snow Empress's transformation was also entering its most critical moment.
Three Elements in One
"Click--"
A clear cracking sound came from inside the stone coffin. The ice layer on the Snow Empress's body cracked inch by inch, revealing her golden skin underneath. Her hair gradually changed from ice blue to light gold, with a wisp of green light Entanglement the ends. The Green Lotus Mark between her brows became clearer, and fine golden patterns appeared on the lotus petals.
"Roar--"
A deep roar emanated from within her, not a human voice, but a sign of the awakening of some ancient, savage being.
Lin Hao finally moved.
He took a step forward and arrived in front of the stone coffin. He formed hand seals and cast one complex rune after another into the Snow Empress's body. Each rune that landed caused a violent energy shock, and the entire altar hummed.
"The Three Elements unite as one, forging the foundation for the supreme Dao!"
Lin Hao shouted, unleashing the final rune that struck Snow Empress squarely between the eyebrows.
"Boom--"
The entire Emperor Burial Abyss trembled violently, and pieces of the ghastly green crystals embedded in the rock walls fell off and shattered. The ancient runes on the altar lit up one by one, radiating a powerful force that suppressed heaven and earth, which barely stabilized the space.
Inside the stone coffin, the Snow Empress suddenly opened her eyes.
His left eye was ice-blue, with snowflakes falling; his right eye shone with golden light, brimming with vitality; Green Lotus bloomed between his brows, radiating boundless life force.
Three kinds of light flowed and merged in her eyes, eventually transforming into a deep dark gold. Deep within her pupils, a strange phenomenon of a Green Lotus blooming in the snow could be faintly seen.
It's done.
Lin Hao withdrew his hand, stood with his hands behind his back, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
The Snow Empress slowly rose and stepped out of the stone coffin. Her aura was completely different from before; it was no longer pure extreme cold, but rather contained a vast, boundless Bloodline Power and qi, as well as the ever-renewing vitality of the Green Lotus. The three powers merged Perfect World, forming a new and special Dao Body that transcended ordinary physiques.
"How are you feeling?" Lin Hao asked.
Snow Empress clenched her fist, feeling the surging power within her, and said softly, "Very strong. More than ten times stronger than before. And..."
She stretched out her hand, palm up. On the left, ice crystals condensed, transforming into an ice lotus; on the right, golden light gathered, forming a fist imprint; at the center, a green light flowed, full of vitality.
"The three forces work together seamlessly, like an extension of an arm or finger, without any further conflict."
"Very good." Lin Hao nodded. "You have now established the Three-Origin Dao Foundation. In terms of physique, you are no less than any divine or Sacred Body. But this is only the beginning. The path ahead is for you to walk yourself."
" Snow Empress understand," she said, kneeling on one knee. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your life-saving grace."
"Get up," Lin Hao said, gesturing for him to rise. "There's no need for this between us. Now, it's time to go out. It's probably already quite lively outside."
"Your Majesty, the outside world..."
" With the Azure Emperor Scripture in the world, all the forces will certainly not stand idly by. Right now, the entire Big Dipper's attention is probably focused on the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land," Lin Hao said calmly. "This is exactly what you need—real combat is the best way to test your cultivation."
A fighting spirit flashed in the Snow Empress's eyes. " The Snow Empress is willing to clear all obstacles for Your Majesty."
"No." Lin Hao shook his head. "This time, I won't act rashly. Unless some old monster disregards his reputation and suffers a terrible fate, you will be the one to deal with all the enemies."
Snow Empress was taken aback, but then she understood Lin Hao's intention.
Flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and rain. Only by fighting in blood and fire can they truly grow.
"Yes!"
"Let's go, it's time to get out."
With a flick of his sleeve, Lin Hao unleashed a divine light that swept up the Snow Empress, sending her soaring into the sky and flying towards the top of the abyss.
Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, desolate land.
This ancient city, whose founding date is unknown, has long since fallen into ruin, leaving only broken walls and remnants. But today, it is unusually bustling.
Divine Rainbow occasionally streaked across the sky, and powerful auras descended, occupying various parts of the ancient city.
To the east, the forces from the Yaoguang Holy Land arrived first, led by the Holy Ye Chen. More than ten disciples, all experts above the Four Extremes Secret Realm, set up Holy Light Grand Formation, turning an area into a pure land.
To the west, the Ji Family arrived, led by a handsome young man in purple robes with eyes that held the brilliance of the Sun Moon and moon— Ji Haoyue, the Holy Son of the Ji Family. Beside him were two Ji Family elders, both Mighty One at the First Heaven of the Immortal Platform Realm.
To the south, the people of the Solar Divine Dynasty were the most flamboyant. Ten Golden Crow Guard stood in the air, radiating a scorching aura. The leader was a young man in a golden robe with an arrogant face and pupils that seemed to burn with the sun—it was none other than the Tenth Prince Jin Wuyan.
To the north, the people of Jade Lake Holy Land kept a low profile. Yaochi Holy Maiden Luo Li, along with ten female disciples, stood quietly in front of a dilapidated palace, setting up the Yaochi Formation to isolate themselves from outside detection.
In addition, many independent cultivators and members of small and medium-sized sects gathered in various parts of the ancient city, observing the situation openly or covertly.