A young cultivator who had just arrived in the Stele Forest Imperial City gazed at the hundreds of neatly arranged figures in the sky, his eyes filled with undisguised amazement. "A routine patrol has mobilized a hundred True Annihilation Realm cultivators, with an Eternal Silence Realm deacon personally leading the team. Such resources are truly astonishing."
Many cultivators around them shared the same sentiment. Especially those from small clans who had brought their younger members specifically to curry favor and seek protection, their envy grew even stronger. For an ordinary clan, having a few True Annihilation Realm cultivators in charge was enough to dominate a region and establish a stable foothold.
A routine patrol of the Chi Lineage's territory could easily mobilize a hundred True Annihilation Realm disciples. Furthermore, the magnificent scene of all races coming to pay homage at the manor gate, with its profound foundation and ever-increasing momentum, was enough to make all races yearn for it.
Among the hundred-person procession, Shen Qingchen and Su Qingyuan were prominently featured. Shen Qingchen stood in the middle of the line, listening to the rising and falling discussions below, his gaze sweeping over the massive crowds outside the mansion. Banners from various clans stretched out along the ancient path leading to the stele forest.
Ancient ships descended one after another from the sky, creating a magnificent scene of all races paying homage. His eyes were clear and resolute, and an undisguised pride welled up in his heart. He then turned to Su Qingyuan beside him and whispered with a smile, "Senior Sister Qingyuan, look at the grand scene today. In the past, the gate of the manor has never been this lively when we set off on patrol."
Su Qingyuan followed his gaze and looked into the distance.
The cold, sharp edge he usually possessed during cultivation had completely vanished, replaced by a gentle, relaxed gaze. Looking at the group of cultivators who had traversed countless multidimensional universes to seek his guidance, a warm smile graced his lips as he softly replied, "They have all come to join our clan because of its reputation. Young Master Qin's assistance in winning the martial arts competition has already spread throughout the Eternal Nonexistence Limitless Domain. Seeing our clan's growing power, various forces have naturally sought to curry favor, seeking interaction and protection."
Shen Qingchen nodded with pleasure and looked down at the magnificent scene below once more. The foreign clans that he rarely interacted with in the past and the ancient clans that had lived in seclusion for many years were now all taking the initiative to come and bow down to show goodwill. As a member of the Chi Lineage, witnessing the rise of his clan and its power that shook the world, the pride in his heart grew stronger.
As the two chatted in hushed tones, the Eternal Silence Realm deacon at the head of the line slowly turned around. The hundred-person line Ji Ran instantly. The deacon's gaze slowly swept over everyone, and after confirming that all the patrolling disciples had arrived, he raised his heavy palm and gently pointed his index finger upwards into the void.
Buzz!!!
A thick, primordial ripple spread from his fingertips, covering the sky. The once Space Silence sky suddenly became filled with a fine, dazzling light. Then, a hundred jade slips, each about half the size of a palm, appeared simultaneously from the depths of the light. Each jade slip was engraved with the unique Chi Family Lineage pattern, and a thin ray of primordial light slowly floated inside, exuding vitality.
A hundred jade slips hovered above everyone's heads, paused briefly, and then precisely locked onto the Fate Soul essence of each disciple. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of something cutting through the air rang out as jade slips fell one after another.
Shen Qingchen raised his hand and steadily caught one, while Su Qingyuan simultaneously received her own jade slip. The other disciples all raised their hands to collect theirs, their movements perfectly synchronized.
The leading deacon stood with his hands behind his back at the front of the group, exuding a calm and imposing aura, naturally radiating a dignified authority. He did not rely on his cultivation level to exert pressure; his composure alone commanded the respect of the entire group.
"Today's patrol mission is the same as in previous years." His voice was clear and resolute, steadily reaching the ears of every disciple. "This patrol will cover one of our clan's territories— the Azure Wood Divine Forest."
"The jade slips in your hands contain a detailed map of the entire Azure Wood Divine Forest, with key patrol areas clearly marked. Once inside the forest, form your own groups and patrol in the designated order. If you notice anything unusual, immediately record it on the jade slip. If you encounter a crisis that you cannot handle, do not act rashly; remain where you are and wait to relay a message."
The hundred disciples all wore solemn expressions, listening attentively to the order. The steward's gaze swept across the entire area again, and he continued in a deep voice, "Three days later, all of you will return to your clan with the jade slips to report." "Did you hear me?" The hundred disciples bowed in unison, their voices resounding through the sky. "Yes, sir!"
The resounding and clear response echoed through the sky, once again drawing the attention of all the cultivators from various races below. The steward nodded slightly and said no more. The next moment, he turned to face the void outside the mansion, raised his sleeve slightly, and calmly waved his five fingers forward.
Buzz!!! The tranquil sky suddenly trembled violently.
A thin, long void rift burst forth from the center of the sky, rapidly extending vertically and instantly widening to tens of feet. Within the rift, there was no violent spatial turbulence. As the Deacon's essence continued to flow in, layers upon layers of ancient array patterns spread and intertwined from the edge of the rift inward, eventually condensing into a magnificent and vast teleportation light domain.
At the core of the light domain, a deep and serene shade of green wood emanates.
Fine spatial ripples spread continuously along the surface of the barrier, and through the teleportation portals that stretched into the distance, one could vaguely glimpse the outline of the vast, desolate mountains and forests. Layer upon layer of ancient forests and mountains rose and fell, with towering trees and intertwined branches. Even just looking across the barrier, one could sense the vastness and boundless expanse of the Azure Wood Divine Forest.
The steward stood before the barrier, his robes fluttering in the surging spatial winds. He turned to look at the hundred disciples and gave the order in a deep voice, "Depart." The first dozen or so disciples stepped forward first.
The moment their figures touched the teleportation light domain, a layer of clear spatial radiance instantly enveloped them, quickly fading along the flowing light patterns and completely dissolving into the barrier within a few breaths. The second batch of disciples followed closely behind, their figures rushing forward one after another and disappearing into the azure light in succession.
Shen Qingchen gripped the jade slip in his hand, raised his eyebrows slightly at Su Qingyuan beside him, Su Qingyuan nodded gently, her mind calm.
The two moved steadily forward with the procession. The moment they stepped into the light domain, the hustle and bustle of the Stele Forest Imperial City was completely shut out. A radiant spatial light rose from beneath their feet, slowly enveloping them. A moment later, the two, along with the entire procession, disappeared into the depths of the profound Green Wood Barrier.
One hundred disciples entered the domain in turn, and in just a few breaths, all the figures in the sky had disappeared.
The leading deacon took one last look at the stable teleportation barrier, and after confirming that everyone had successfully entered the forest, he also took a step forward, leaping into the blue light, and his figure disappeared in an instant.
As the last deacon's figure was completely swallowed up, the azure glow floating at the edges of the teleportation barrier that connected the Azure Wood Divine Forest in the sky began to slowly converge inward. The vast aura of Fate Soul that had previously filled the entire sky faded away layer by layer at a visible speed and completely disappeared into the void, leaving only a slender and narrow spatial rift hanging quietly in the sky.
After only a few breaths, the final rift completely closed, Wuhen no trace. The turbulent space around it returned to stability, and the entire sky Return to One tranquility and clarity.
Outside the Chi Lineage mansion below, the area remained bustling with noise and chatter.
Cultivators from various clans originating from the Skeleton Star Sea, the Destruction Labyrinth, the Annihilation Continent, and the Void Dharma Realm native land still thronged the long street of the Stele Forest, with a constant stream of people.
Some gazed up at the sky where the barrier had just dissipated, whispering excitedly about the imposing presence of the Chi Lineage's patrol team; others remained in orderly queues, presenting their visiting cards and gifts; and still others were members of several powerful, reclusive clans...
As the Chi Lineage led their members slowly into the depths of the mansion, preparing for a formal meeting to discuss the alliance and submission, the ancient road was wide and bustling with people, never becoming deserted from beginning to end.
Amidst this bustling city and the bustling activity of all races, deep within the crowd, a pair of eyes, always hidden in the shadows, slowly narrowed.
This person was dressed simply and plainly. The style of his robes, his aura, his expression and posture were all Ultimate ordinary. He blended into the crowd and was inconspicuous. No one would give him a second glance.
But when the entire patrol team of the Chi Lineage, numbering a hundred, dissipated into the barrier and completely disappeared from the Stele Forest Imperial City, the deliberately feigned peace and gentleness in his eyes vanished instantly, and a sinister and ruthless glint flashed silently from the depths of his pupils.
His gaze never lingered on the imposing Chi Lineage mansion, but was fixed on the void where Shen Qingchen and Su Qingyuan had stepped into the teleportation area. After a few breaths of silence, he slowly withdrew his gaze, and his figure followed the flowing crowd, quietly retreating to the outer edge of the crowd.
He walked with ease, without any sign of haste, and looked around calmly, showing no sign of being spied on or flustered.
On the way, he encountered a clan procession that had just arrived in the capital and was on its way to pay their respects to the Chi Lineage. He even stepped aside to give way, his demeanor casual and ordinary, no different from the ordinary cultivators watching the spectacle.
He slowly retreated until he was several streets away from the main gate of the Chi Lineage, completely away from the noisy core of the main road, and arrived at a secluded and quiet deserted area in the Stele Forest Imperial City. He turned around and went straight between two towering ancient steles.
The place was dimly lit, with a leaning broken stele lying across the front, completely blocking the view of cultivators coming and going, and isolating them from all prying eyes. The surroundings were deathly silent and empty, without the slightest extraneous aura.
After confirming that no one was around and all was quiet, the man finally stopped. He listened intently for a moment, thoroughly checking the surroundings to ensure that it was absolutely safe before slowly extending his right hand from his wide sleeve.
On the palm of his hand lay a dark gray Soul Sound Talisman, about half the size of his palm. Its surface was dark and ancient, with a faint soul aura flowing within it, making it impossible for ordinary divine sense to detect even the slightest trace of it.
The man gently stroked the talisman with his thumb, and a faint, almost transparent Fate Soul pattern instantly lit up, its dim light reflecting on his cold, calm profile. He lowered his voice, his tone low and slightly hoarse, devoid of any emotion. "The Chi Lineage's patrol team has already set off." His words were extremely concise, not a single sound spreading outwards, completely locked within the Soul Sound Talisman.
"The two figures in the portrait also entered the forest." As the last word was uttered, the dark gray runes on the surface flickered twice, as if the message had been received and the transmission confirmed, rustling...
The next instant, the entire Soul Sound Talisman began to disintegrate layer by layer from its edges, transforming into countless extremely fine gray light spots. The light spots did not scatter and drift away, but merely swirled lightly above his palm before disappearing one by one into the depths of the void, vanishing without a trace in an instant.
The message had been successfully sent. The man slowly withdrew his hand, the sinister and ruthless glint in his eyes completely disappearing, returning to a calm and composed state. After a moment, he lightly slashed his right hand through the air in front of him—snap!
A long, narrow, and deep spatial rift silently opened. Within the rift, there was only Ultimate darkness, with not a ray of light shining through. The silence was chilling. The person raised his eyes for the last time, gazing into the distance towards the prosperous direction of the Chi Lineage mansion, his eyes devoid of any remaining emotion.
Immediately, he moved and stepped into the dark rift. The spatial crack behind him slowly closed and healed, eventually Wuhen completely. In just a few breaths, this dark and secluded corner between the monuments returned to deathly Space Silence, with no trace of human figure or aura remaining.