The celestial beacons within the Sky-Ox’s Seventh Sanctum, and the disciple, ever-dwelling within the Sea of Essences, were all hidden daggers of the Grand Soul Sect!

If the Grand Soul Sect so desired, the very refining of the Sea of Essences would not have been as simple as it appeared. Though the Green Demon Continent possessed formidable scouts, their art of deduction could not rival the ancient patriarch of the Grand Soul Sect, whose wisdom spanned countless ages.

For that patriarch was the inheritor of secrets whispered from the ancient Dao Wanderer, the lineage now whispered within the court of the Immortal Emperor!

The jade scroll of Azure Bull Ancestor was not gifted solely to Wang Lin, but to four elders of the Grand Soul Sect in total!

Wang Lin rose, a wisp of a smile playing on his lips, and with a swift sweep of his sleeve, walked with practiced grace from the summit. As he crossed the threshold, the sea of flames upon the mountain roared forth in unison, coalescing into the true form of his Fire Origin, which melded with his own, vanishing from plain sight.

With a single stride, Wang Lin transformed into a streak of light, hurtling towards the Grand Soul Sect’s mountain gate.

Another bolt of light followed close behind, mimicking his path, rushing towards the gate in pursuit.

Both moved with astonishing speed, yet before long, the pursuing light overtook Wang Lin, arriving at the gate a breath before him. The radiance resolved into a green-robed man of unassuming appearance, who turned to regard Wang Lin as he arrived.

“Elder Wang, I am Lü Wendan!” the man declared, casting a meaningful glance towards Wang Lin.

Wang Lin landed with quiet dignity, his gaze calm as he met the newcomer’s.

“Elder Lü is unfamiliar to me.” In his time with the Grand Soul Sect, Wang Lin had made note of all the elders save for the most reclusive ancients, yet this man he had never encountered.

“Ha, I was dispatched on long-term assignment by Grand Elder some years ago, returning only recently. It is natural that Elder Wang would not recognize me.” Lü Wendan offered a polite smile.

As he spoke, two more streaks of light descended from the mountain gate, transforming into a man and a woman before them. The woman was Yan Luan, while the man was a Daoist youth.

“Yan Luan greets Elder Lü! I had not anticipated your participation in this mission.” Yan Luan greeted the man with a smile.

“It is my honor to accompany Elder Yan Luan and Elder Xu Dongde,” Lü Wendan replied with a booming laugh.

“Greetings, Elder Lü.”

The Daoist youth offered a respectful bow with little emotion, then fell silent, as if by nature.

Wang Lin studied the trio. Each was at least in the initial stage of the Void Tribulant Realm, with Lü Wendan himself reaching the middle stage – akin to the Seven-Colored Immortal Sovereign of old, yet lacking that entity’s overwhelming presence!

The combined force of these three was considerable, against whom Wang Lin’s Voidspirit peak cultivation seemed but a fleeting candle flame.

While Wang Lin took measure of the others, save for Yan Luan, the other two returned his gaze. In recent days, Wang Lin had made a name for himself within the Grand Soul Sect.

“He who dared to ascend to the seventh and eighth level of the Scripture Depository cannot be underestimated,” Xu Dongde thought to himself, his eyes scanning Wang Lin.

“He who emerged unscathed from the Sea of Essences, and even triggered its premature eruption…such a being must not be judged by appearances. And the speed with which he returned from the Sea of Essences is astounding!” Lü Wendan mused. He too had returned from the Sea of Essences, but by means of a vessel left behind by his Grand-Uncle-Master, a treasure of the Grand Ancestor, of unimaginable speed.

“Enough, all are assembled. The mission before us is to travel to the Sky-Ox’s Third Sanctum and hold it against the Green Demon Continent’s incursion. The journey will be fraught with peril. Let vigilance be our guide!” Lü Wendan declared, bowing slightly to the other three.

Wang Lin said nothing, and Yan Luan and Xu Dongde merely nodded in response. The four then transformed into bolts of light and hurtled towards the horizon, leaving the Grand Soul Sect behind.

Similar bands had departed the Grand Soul Sect in recent days, all answering the Patriarch’s summons to defend strategic points.

Each of the four moved with incredible speed, particularly Lü Wendan, whose middle-stage Void Tribulant cultivation left a wake of thunderous echoes in his wake.

Yan Luan and Xu Dongde were no slouches themselves.

Wang Lin found himself unable to match their speed over time. With a glint in his eyes, he summoned his Mosquito Beast, sitting cross-legged upon its back.

The appearance of the Mosquito Beast drew the attention of the others, who recognized its significance.

“Elder Wang, that beast of yours moves with a speed comparable to a Void Tribulant cultivator! Where did you find such a treasure?” Lü Wendan inquired with a smile.

His words spurred Yan Luan and Xu Dongde to take note.

“From my homeland,” Wang Lin replied simply, with indifference.

“Oh? And where might your homeland be, Elder Wang?” Lü Wendan pressed, feigning interest.

“Elder Lü,” Wang Lin interrupted, frowning, and gave Lü Wendan a sharp look.

Lü Wendan realized he had overstepped and gave a faint smile before falling silent, but a cold snarl crossed his face.

The four flew in silence for seven days. Lü Wendan produced a jade scroll and examined it before pointing towards the land below.

“This is it. Here lies a teleportation array constructed by our Grand Soul Sect’s patriarch with great power. It can transport us near the Sky-Ox’s Third Sanctum. Normally, it is rarely used, but I have received the Patriarch’s permission to use it for this journey.” He descended swiftly, followed by Wang Lin and the others.

They landed in a valley surrounded by mountains. Lü Wendan entered the valley guided by the jade scroll, and the rest followed.

Soon, the valley filled with waves of oppressive power, followed by the echoes of celestial thunder. A blinding light erupted, lasting for half an hour before fading.
A desolate valley lay untouched beneath a sky warped with arcane energies. On the edge of the Celestial Steppe, a realm months of winged flight distant, the very fabric of existence shimmered. Through the swirling clouds, a blinding light erupted, and within its radiant heart, the figures of Wang Lin and his companions materialized, one by one.

As the light faded, Wang Lin turned, his gaze lingering towards the lands where the Grand Soul Sect resided. A shadow of gravity etched itself upon his face.

“Such a wide-reaching teleportation array speaks of deeply veiled principles…” That the Immortal Continent possessed such gateways was no surprise to Wang Lin. Its expanse was vast, and without such means of conveyance, lifetimes would be consumed in mere travel.

“I wonder if there exists such a bridge between continents. Though, in all likelihood, even should it exist, its activation would be a nigh impossible feat!”

The jade slip held by Lu Wenran had crumbled to dust upon their arrival, its purpose fulfilled. Wang Lin, though ignorant of the precise power dwelling within, the power that had sustained their journey across such immense distance, knew such items were scarce within the Grand Soul Sect.

This was precisely why the teleportation array was reserved for only the direst of circumstances. The cost, even for a mighty sect, was almost unbearable.

Wang Lin’s estimation was accurate. The Grand Soul Sect did indeed possess teleportation arrays, but each activation devoured resources on an unimaginable scale. Even the Sect’s profound foundations could not endure more than a hundred such journeys within ten thousand years!

As the quartet appeared, the day still clung to twilight’s embrace. Golden sunlight bathed the Steppe’s emerald grasses, lending the landscape an ethereal beauty.

“This is the location of the Celestial Bull’s Third Cavity. My Grand Soul Sect has established an underground palace here. Within its halls should already be gathered many cultivators from nearby sects, as well as independent wanderers,” Lu Wenran announced, his voice resonant. With a swift motion, he descended into the earth, vanishing into the depths.

Yan Luan and Xu Dongde followed closely, disappearing in his wake. Wang Lin, after a moment of contemplation, followed suit, his form melting into the soil.

They sped through the earth’s embrace, reaching a vast cavern carved deep beneath the surface. This was no mere cavern, but a sprawling complex of interconnected palaces!

Layer upon layer of protective enchantments warded the entrance, and had the four not possessed the tokens of the Grand Soul Sect Elders, passage would have been an impossibility.

Within the vast palace grounds, nearly ten thousand cultivators milled about. Most hailed from nearby sects and were independent practitioners, drawn by the Grand Soul Sect’s summons.

As Wang Lin and his companions approached, a chorus of hearty laughter echoed from the palace. Three figures emerged, streaking through the air like vibrant rainbows. They were elders, each offering a respectful bow.

“Brother Lu, after a millennium’s parting, you have finally arrived!”

“Brother Zhou, upon receiving the Ancestor’s command, I made all haste, lest I be delayed. I am relieved to see the Green Devil Continent’s forces have yet to appear,” Lu Wenran replied, greeting the elder with a friendly smile.

The other two elders bowed to Yan Luan and Xu Dongde, their faces suggesting prior acquaintance.

Wang Lin, however, received only the barest acknowledgement, a mere nod that spoke of his perceived lack of stature in their eyes.

Wang Lin remained impassive. The three elders were of middling strength. Two possessed cultivation at the mid-stage of the Empty Profound realm, while Zhou, the elder engaging Lu Wenran in conversation, was a cut above, his power approaching the sixth or seventh Tribulation of the Profound Calamity, on par with Du Qing.

“You have met Elders Yan Luan and Xu. This is Elder Wang, newly joined to our Grand Soul Sect. He accompanies us to the Devil Continent!” Lu Wenran announced, gesturing towards Wang Lin.

The gathered cultivators from the surrounding sects turned to observe the newcomers, their expressions reverent.

Upon hearing Lu Wenran’s introduction, the three elders exchanged surprised glances. They had initially assumed Wang Lin was a mere disciple, only to discover he was an Elder in his own right.

They offered polite bows, feigning warmth, yet after the gesture, they quickly dismissed Wang Lin, resuming their conversation with Yan Luan and the others.