I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 652 652: Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian Return

"They've finally arrived. I figured they'd hold out a little more."

A faint smirk tugged at Chu Feng's mouth as he uttered those words laced with scorn. Since the Three Ancestors divided the Hongyuan Continent into four major regions three years back, the spiritual energy across the land had steadily waned.

This drop hit the three outer continents hardest, while the Central Continent saw the smallest loss in spiritual energy, despite all the ongoing battles.

Should this pattern persist, one area fading while the other thrives, eventually the spiritual energy in those three continents would pale utterly against the Central Continent's, and the whole Hongyuan Continent's fortune would fall entirely to the Central Continent.

At that point, the three clans would bow out of the contest for dominance over the Hongyuan Continent. Having battled for more than a decade and schemed for hundreds of years, they sure wouldn't allow the prize so close to their grasp to slip off.

Particularly since the Sword Ancestor from the Nameless Sword Sacred Land and the Body Ancestor from the Tyrant Fist Sacred Land had already pinned down demon gods from those three clans.

The Three Ancestors were forced to step in. Though their wounds weren't completely mended yet, for the sake of their grand ambition, they'd pour everything into this fight no doubt.

Noticing how his Master brushed off the Three Ancestors entirely, Ji Jiuwu inquired, "Master, do you plan to intervene and crush the Three Ancestors yourself?"

"Indeed."

With a grin, Chu Feng remarked, "It's high time this ridiculous show wrapped up. If those three geezers keep clashing on, they might just wreck the whole Hongyuan Continent."

He aimed to prove the Dao and ascend to the pinnacle—he couldn't just sit idle while the Three Ancestors turned the continent to rubble. Should more extraterrestrial demons invade, he might not manage to fend them off.

"What could the Three Ancestors be aiming for?"

Ji Jiuwu muttered under his breath.

Chu Feng chuckled, "Do I need to spell it out? It's obviously our Wendao Sect."

Those words left Ji Jiuwu utterly stunned. He'd been expecting to spectate an epic spectacle, but his Master's revelation that the big showdown would unfold right at their Wendao Sect caught him off guard.

Wearing a confused expression, he questioned, "Master, why pick our Wendao Sect over any other spot?"

"Sharp observation."

Chu Feng explained leisurely, "Jiuwu, shut your eyes and tap into your Great Dao Truth to detect the spot with the thickest fortune across the Central Continent."

Ji Jiuwu ignored Chu Feng's instruction. He replied instantly, "Master, that's obvious. It has to be our Wendao Sect. I've checked it out using the Heaven-Viewing Mirror already."

"Alright, then tell me—what's at stake in the battle for supremacy?"

Chu Feng meant to quiz his top disciple. Merely steering his cultivation path wasn't sufficient—he had to impart lessons on ruling as a Human Emperor too.

"Obviously, territory and supplies."

Ji Jiuwu couldn't fathom why his Master posed such a basic query. Wasn't that just basic stuff?

"You're right, but only halfway."

Chu Feng paused on purpose: "There's a proverb: in the fight for power, fortune is the true prize. Had fortune favored all three clans, dominating the entire Hongyuan Continent could've been within reach. Yet the three clans erred—they sought backups for themselves, splitting the Hongyuan Continent apart.

For leaders in high places, that decision made sense. Still, it left none of the three clans with substantial fortune. Without snatching fortune from the other hundred clans, forget toppling the rival two—even holding their ground would prove tough. At this pace, the three clans are bound to fade within a millennium."

Hiss...

Ji Jiuwu inhaled sharply on reflex and probed, "Master, is the contest for fortune truly so deep?"

"Absolutely."

Chu Feng grinned and declared, "I'll call your two senior brothers home now. The showdown with the three clans begins."

Though his voice stayed even, it ignited a surge of thrill in Ji Jiuwu's veins.

Ji Jiuwu exclaimed, "Master, I can't explain it, but I feel all pumped up."

"Hahaha..."

Chu Feng burst into booming laughter and added, "That's the spirit. Come on, let's spread word to your junior brothers about this so they're in the loop and won't get blindsided."

"Understood."

Once Ji Jiuwu agreed, he trailed after his Master.

It wasn't long before every disciple in the Wendao Sect caught wind of the news. Learning their Master would strike to subdue the Three Ancestors, excitement lit up each of their faces.

Over in the Nameless Sword Sacred Land at the same time.

The message from Chu Feng reached Xiao Chen. As he read it, eagerness flashed in his eyes, and he swiftly summoned his disciples close.

"Jian Yi, Jian Sheng—come here."

"We're here, Master!"

Both emerged from the group at once. The rest of the disciples wore jealous looks at the sight. Their first and second senior brothers had grasped the Master's core lessons and reached the Harmonization Realm, on the verge of grasping Sword Dao Truth.

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Chen produced two wooden slips. In a flat tone, he announced, "Draw these lots today, you two. The one who pulls the longer one joins me back to the ancestral land to honor your Master Ancestor. The shorter one takes my Sword Jade and defends the Nameless Sword Sacred Land."

His statement sparked chaos among the crowd. No one had anticipated their Master calling them for this purpose.

They'd heard their Master reference the ancestral land before, but he'd always just mentioned originating from the Wendao Sect without diving deeper.

One disciple clasped his hands and ventured, "Master, can I join you on the trip to the ancestral land?"

The other disciples nearby gazed with hopeful eyes too.

Xiao Chen pondered briefly before replying, "Fine, three more of you will get picked by lot to come along. We'll sort the draw soon."

"Many thanks, Master."

The disciples chorused happily, faces beaming.

Jian Yi and Jian Sheng stared intently at the wooden slips. They lifted their hands gradually, yet they shook before even grazing them.

Observing their nerves, Xiao Chen grinned and joked, "Relax, no need for jitters. I'm only bringing you to meet Master this round. There'll be other chances later."

Relieved by his words, the pair exhaled deeply. They were eager to witness the awe-inspiring might of that legendary Master Ancestor.

The draw wrapped up quickly. Clutching the longer slip, Jian Sheng cried out in delight, "I drew it! I drew it!"

Disappointment crossed Jian Yi's face next to him. Xiao Chen clapped his shoulder and instructed, "Little Yi, handle the next draw. We leave in a week. The Nameless Sword Sacred Land's yours to oversee. Consider it your trial. Impress me, and you'll rise as the Sword Son of our Nameless Sword Sacred Land."

At that, Jian Sheng's grin vanished in a flash, though thoughts of meeting the Master Ancestor brought it back swiftly.

Jian Yi bobbed his head firmly and vowed, "Master, I won't let you down."

Far off by ten thousand miles, within the Tyrant Fist Sacred Land.

As Cao Youqian clasped the hand of a five- or six-year-old girl, the transmission jade on his belt suddenly glowed. He glanced at it, and an thrilled grin spread across his lips right away.

"At last, this moment is here."

Lei Ruoxi, standing nearby, caught his mutter and asked with intrigue, "Husband, what's going on?"

After Cao Youqian had bested two demon gods in a row, Lei Ruoxi devoted herself fully to him, even giving birth to their daughter.

Cao Youqian beamed and offered, "I'm heading back to the ancestral land soon. Fancy joining me, or staying put in the Tyrant Fist Sacred Land?"

Lei Ruoxi's eyes darted as she mulled it over, then decided, "I'll remain here."

Currently, the Tyrant Fist Sacred Land split into two camps—one under her, backing their daughter Cao Ying for future leadership; the other under Lei Qilin, pushing Xia Kang for the role.

Cao Youqian saw right through Lei Ruoxi's schemes but chose not to call her out. He just smiled and said, "Very well, I'll bring Ying'er, Kang'er, and Da Lei to the ancestral land this go. You're in charge here."

As he spoke, Cao Youqian passed a jade pendant to Lei Ruoxi and noted, "It holds my Nine Strikes. I'd planned to pass it to Ying'er, but since she's with me now and doesn't require it, it's yours."

Lei Ruoxi snatched the jade pendant eagerly upon hearing that. Cao Youqian held his tongue further—a lady with limited foresight. He kept amusing his kid, keeping mum on the full extent of his Master's legacy for her.

Though she shared his bed, he couldn't be sure she wouldn't betray the sect someday.

A week on, Cao Youqian mounted Lei Qilin with little Ying'er in tow, setting off from the Tyrant Fist Sacred Land toward the Wendao Sect. Poor Xia Kang huddled miserably at Lei Qilin's feet still.

By day's end, Cao Youqian reached the base of the Wendao Sect's peak. No sooner had they halted than a breeze swept in from the side, bearing a voice he knew well.

"Da Qian, you rascal moved quick!"

Cao Youqian leaped off Lei Qilin's back at the sound and peered upward. Xiao Chen floated down with four disciples in tow. Smiling, he commented, "Senior Brother, you're no slouch yourself."

Next, he tweaked Ying'er's chubby cheek and urged, "Go on, greet your Eldest Uncle."

Ying'er chirped sweetly, "Eldest Uncle."

Only then did Xiao Chen spot the child. Grinning back, he said, "Well now, Da Qian, you sly one—you've gone and had a kid."

Cao Youqian chuckled dopily, "Hehe, Senior Brother, you have no idea about me. Come, let's head up and let Master bask in our happiness."

"Onward."

Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian strode together, chatting and chuckling while guiding their disciples up to the Wendao Sect...

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