This was an energy circulation path Li Changâan had created himself to prevent his breakthrough into the Grandmaster Realm. His newly opened meridians had to withstand a terrifying flow of energy, and the slightest misstep could cripple him.
However, he wasnât particularly concerned about it.
âIf I get crippled, so be it. My gains in this world have already far surpassed my initial expectations anyway. Even if I returned to the Rebirth World right now, I wouldnât have many regrets.â
But if he succeeded, he would become the strongest Great Grandmaster in history, in a way no one could possibly imagine!
...
As his energy circulated cycle after cycle through the newly opened meridians, the excess energy overflowing from Li Changâanâs body was finally brought under control.
Meanwhile, as the path cleared, Li Changâanâs aura climbed steadily.
After an unknown amount of time, Li Changâanâs aura finally reached an unprecedented peak.
Li Changâan closed his eyes, carefully sensing his current state. He was startled to find that his entire being seemed to have merged with heaven and earth, yet at the same time, it felt as if he stood apart from them.
At that moment, he found himself in a profound and mysterious state. He could be called a Great Grandmaster, yet one could also say he was still within the domain of a Grandmaster.
He had grasped the authority of a Great Grandmaster, but he had not yet completely forged his own Dao Foundation!
Li Changâan was very satisfied as he sensed his current, incredibly powerful state. âThree Divine Objects left. Itâs time to visit the Four Major Sects and settle the score!â
That very day, he left the Imperial Palace to prepare for his final push.
The Xuanmen Taoist Sect was the closest of the Four Great Upper Sects to Great Derivation. It was located deep within a remote mountain range, nestled in an ancient forest, and of all the sects, it had the best relationship with Great Derivation.
However, despite this, the Taoist Sectâs patriarch had followed the Celestial Sect and the Earth Sect to the Great Derivation capital of Kyoto two years ago.
And so, Li Changâan came. He showed no courtesy, his voice booming like thunder. "Old Daoist! I am Li Changâan, Crown Prince of Great Derivation, and I have come today to demand one Qingxue Lotus!"
At the sound of his thunderous voice, the entire Taoist Sect, which lay concealed amidst the mountains and rivers, trembled violently.
An old Daoist with a salt-and-pepper beard and the ethereal air of a sage stepped forward.
He stared at Li Changâan for a long time before his expression soured. "Crown Prince of Great Derivation, you have already become a Great Grandmaster. What use could you have for a Divine Object?"
âAnd here we were, just plotting whether we should join forces to eliminate him before he could break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm!â
âWho would have thought that after such a short time, the Crown Prince of Great Derivation would reappear, having already reached the Great Grandmaster Realm...?â
âThis damn breakthrough speed... heâs not even human!â
Li Changâan looked at the grim-faced old Daoist and said coolly, "You donât need to concern yourself with what I want the Divine Object for. Just tell me: are you giving it to me or not?"
"If you donât, Iâll take it myself."
His attitude was nothing short of brazen.
Yet the old Daoist didnât fly into a humiliated rage. He could clearly feel the terrifying aura emanating from Li Changâanâa power so immense that even a slight sense of it was enough to make one tremble.
At that moment, the old Daoist understood. As long as Li Changâan remained alive, the Four Great Sects could never hope to be a match for Great Derivation.
He took several deep breaths, his eyes fixed on Li Changâan, sizing him up again and again. Finally, he said, "Please wait a moment."
âNow that Li Changâan has broken through to become a Great Grandmaster, the Four Great Upper Sects can no longer effectively restrain him.â
âTherefore, rather than making an enemy of him, itâs better to yield decisively.â
âAfter all, he had no desire to offend a Great Grandmaster who was merely thirteen or fourteen years old!â
âThe entire Taoist Sect would be plagued by nightmares.â
Coupled with what he had heard of Li Changâanâs usual methods, he immediately made the wisest possible choice.
Before long, the old Daoist returned with an exquisitely beautiful lotus that resembled a carving of pure white jade. He handed it to Li Changâan and said, "I was deeply offensive the other day. Please accept this Qingxue Lotus as my apology for my recent actions."
âThe Qingxue Lotus was precious, but compared to the survival of the Xuanmen Taoist Sectâs lineage, it was nothing.â
Upon receiving the lotus, the killing intent radiating from Li Changâan subsided considerably.
Looking at the old Daoist before him, who had crane-white hair but a youthful face, Li Changâan spoke with renewed interest. "I hear your Taoist Sect possesses a Divine Skill that can extend oneâs lifespan. I am quite interested in it. As it happens, I have some decent Cultivation Techniques myself. Why donât we make an exchange?"
...