Outside the tomb, Snow Empress looked back at the Ice Seal cave, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
The truth of the battle 30,000 years ago was now clearly imprinted deep within her consciousness— the Ice Emperor did not die during her tribulation as rumored, but was betrayed at a crucial moment by her most trusted fellow disciple, Xuanming, who stole her half-finished Dao Fruit that had already touched the Emperor Realm and destroyed the foundation of the Ice God Palace's inheritance.
" Supreme Xuanming..." Snow Empress murmured the name, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
She never imagined that one of the Supreme who stirred up the winds and clouds of the Big Dipper 30,000 years ago and ultimately fell into the forbidden zone was once a disciple of the Ice God Palace and the senior sister of the Ice Emperor. This hatred, spanning 30,000 years, now rests on her shoulders.
"Don't overthink it," Lin Hao's calm voice came. "On the path of cultivation, grudges and entanglements are the norm. Since you have inherited the Ice Emperor's Way, you must naturally accept this karma. But right now, your most important task is to solidify your foundation and completely refine the Ice Emperor's Heart."
The Snow Empress nodded respectfully and said, "Your Majesty's reprimand is correct."
The two returned along the icy path they had come from. After Snow Empress broke through to the Dragon Transformation Third Heaven, the Daoist aura around her flowed naturally, and wherever she passed, the frost automatically parted, as if welcoming her new master.
"Your Majesty, where shall we go next?" the Snow Empress asked.
Lin Hao continued walking, saying calmly, " Southern Region of the Eastern Wasteland, the Demon Emperor's Tomb."
The Snow Empress paused slightly, " The Demon Emperor's Tomb? Legend has it that it's the Azure Emperor's mausoleum, which appeared ten thousand years ago and sparked a bloody war, but was later covered by the power of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land and disappeared into the void turbulence. Could it be that it's about to reappear?"
"Not bad." Lin Hao gazed into the distance, his eyes seemingly sparkling with stars. "Although the Azure Emperor has been dead for ten thousand years, there is still something in his tomb that will be useful to me."
The Snow Empress didn't ask any further questions. She knew that Lin Hao's plans were far beyond her current comprehension. However, she was well aware of the dangers of the Demon Emperor's Tomb —when it appeared ten thousand years ago, several Saint perished there, and even Great Sage was severely injured and forced to retreat.
"Your Majesty, the appearance of the Demon Emperor's Tomb will inevitably attract fierce competition from the major powers of the Eastern Wasteland, and even powerful figures from the Central Province and the Western Desert may descend. We..."
"It's alright," Lin Hao interrupted her. "Fight for what you should fight for. Opportunities in this world are meant for the capable."
Snow Empress remained silent. She suddenly realized that although she had broken through to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, in the eyes of this unfathomable "His Majesty," she was probably still just a fledgling who had just embarked on the path of cultivation.
The two left the glacial area and returned to the snowy plains. It had taken them several days to travel there, but now that the Snow Empress's cultivation had greatly improved and she possessed the Ice Emperor's Heart, her control over the Lunar Power had reached a new level, increasing her flight speed several times over.
Lin Hao continued to walk unhurriedly through the air. With each step, Dao patterns naturally appeared beneath his feet, Shrinking the Earth to an Inch. He seemed to be strolling leisurely, yet he always maintained a distance of three zhang in front of the Snow Empress.
As Snow Empress watched his retreating figure, her awe grew even stronger. This mastery of the Space Great Dao had reached a state of perfection; she had only seen it in parts of the Ice Emperor's memories—a skill possessed only by Quasi-Emperor level beings.
"Your Majesty, what level has your cultivation reached?" the Snow Empress finally couldn't help but ask.
Lin Hao turned and glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Guess."
Snow Empress was speechless for a moment and dared not ask any more questions.
Three days later, the two had crossed the Northern Plains and entered the Eastern Wasteland.
The Eastern Wasteland is completely different from the Northern Plains. Although there are also frigid areas, most of the Ge Cao region has four distinct seasons and is rich in spiritual energy, making it one of the most prosperous ancient lands of the Big Dipper human race. Here, sects are numerous, aristocratic families are everywhere, and there are even Desolate Ancient Family and holy lands with intricate power dynamics.
"Let's go to the Yaoguang Holy Land first." Lin Hao suddenly changed direction.
The Snow Empress was taken aback. " The Yaoguang Holy Land? Your Majesty has a past with Yaoguang?"
"There's no past connection," Lin Hao said calmly. "I'm just going to retrieve something that rightfully belongs to me."
Snow Empress was puzzled, but seeing that Lin Hao didn't seem inclined to explain, she didn't ask any further questions and simply followed silently.
Located in the central part of the Eastern Wasteland, the Yaoguang Holy Land occupies the confluence of seven dragon veins. It is one of the top holy lands in the Eastern Wasteland, with a history of over 100,000 years and unfathomable depths. Its supreme cultivation technique, the Yaoguang Scripture, is said to be able to draw upon the power of the stars. When cultivated to its ultimate level, it can resonate with the stars of the heavens, making it unparalleled in combat power.
When the two arrived a thousand miles outside the gate of the Yaoguang Holy Land, they could already feel the majestic Daoist aura of the holy land. In the distance, seven divine mountains soared into the clouds, each ten thousand feet high, shrouded in mist and bathed in rosy light, with palaces and pavilions faintly visible among them, like a fairyland.
"Halt!"
Just as the two approached within a hundred miles of the mountain gate, a majestic voice came from the void.
Immediately afterwards, three figures appeared, all middle-aged, dressed in the standard Daoist robes of the Yaoguang Holy Land, exuding a powerful aura; they were all experts from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. The leader, in particular, had reached the Dragon Transformation Seventh Heaven, his eyes like lightning, scrutinizing Lin Hao and Snow Empress.
"This is a sacred and important Yaoguang Holy Land. No unauthorized persons are allowed to approach. State your name and what brings you here?" the cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Seventh Heaven Realm said in a deep voice.
Before Snow Empress could speak, Lin Hao stepped forward and said calmly, "Tell your Holy Lord that an old friend has come to visit, and ask him to come out and meet him."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of all three changed.
What is the status of the Yaoguang Holy Lord? He governs a holy land and overlooks the rise and fall of the Eastern Wasteland. Even if the Holy Lords of other holy lands come in person, they may not be able to get him to come out and greet them personally, let alone this "old friend" whose origins are unknown.
"Insolence!" shouted a cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Fourth Heaven on the left. "How dare you, Holy Lord, see us as you please? Leave at once, or don't blame us for being impolite!"
Lin Hao glanced at him but didn't say anything.
But with just that one glance, the cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Fourth Heaven was struck as if by lightning. He froze on the spot, his pupils dilated, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He couldn't even move an inch.
"What... what did you do to me?!" His voice trembled.
Upon seeing this, the other two's expressions changed drastically. They retreated in unison, summoning their magical weapons and watching Lin Hao warily.
"No need to be nervous," Lin Hao said calmly. "Just let him calm down. Go and announce that ' Tianxuan ' is visiting."
" Tianxuan?"
The three exchanged bewildered glances, clearly unfamiliar with the name. Seeing Lin Hao's unfathomable depth and realizing their fellow disciple, Dragon Transformation Fourth Heaven, had been inexplicably subdued, the leader hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, "Alright, you wait here, I'll go report right away!"
Having said that, he took out a jade talisman, crushed it, and a stream of light shot into the depths of the sacred land.
A moment later, a long Yaoguang Holy Land.
"When--"
The bell tolled, echoing for miles. The three cultivators outside the mountain gate paled instantly—this was the welcoming bell, rung only for the most distinguished guests. Moreover, that last bell tolled nine times!
"Nine jingles to welcome guests... This is the treatment of a Saint Lord!" The cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Seventh Heaven Realm gasped, and his gaze toward Lin Hao completely changed.