Chapter 47: The Grand Guardian Technique Unleashed

“Master, please accept Huan Yue’s formal bow!” Zhu Xiaoyuan’s face was adorned with a smile; with this, the mission issued by the system was finally complete. It seemed that the day he could begin his cultivation was now within reach!

“Please, both of you, rise—no need for such ceremony,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said, inviting Huan Yue and Ruofeng to stand. Noticing the deepening night around them, he continued, “Since you have now acknowledged me as your master, you should stay and reside here from now on.”

He felt a surge of emotion in his heart—this courtyard had been constructed per the system’s instructions, and thankfully so. Only now did he realize its ample size was perfect for accommodating guests.

Huan Yue and Ruofeng nodded in agreement.

The darkness thickened, and starlight spilled across the sky. Zhu Xiaoyuan casually found a chair and sat down in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars overhead.

When would he finally become a cultivator? Or perhaps, would it never happen? Would he, Zhu Xiaoyuan, always remain an ordinary person…

“Meow, meow, meow…” The little white cat, Hong Xiaoyue, let out a series of soft exchanges.

Zhu Xiaoyuan looked down at the cat sleeping peacefully in his arms. She stuck out her little red tongue and licked the back of his hand, making him laugh and squirm from the ticklish sensation. He chuckled quietly and tapped the white cat’s head with his finger. “Lazy cat, what are you dreaming about? Are you so greedy, even in sleep?”

This cat, under his care, was becoming increasingly plump and glossy. As Zhu Xiaoyuan stroked her fur, he felt immensely satisfied.

…

Sacred Land of Extreme Action.

At this moment, the grand hall was ablaze with light and crowded with figures. Outside, many cultivators of the Great Ascension stage stood guard, encircling the main hall. From the outside, the Sacred Land of Extreme Action appeared shrouded in a mysterious halo, a sure sign that the sect’s grand protective array had been activated!

It was well known that the Sacred Land of Extreme Action was one of the most formidable sects in the Heavenly Martial Realm, and until now, no one had dared lay a hand on them. The grand protective array had almost never been deployed. Yet now, with no sign of any threat or attack, the array was fully activated—no one knew why.

Inside the ancient hall, elders sat in rows upon the seats.

Each individual present possessed truly terrifying strength. Supreme Master Hongxi and Supreme Master Xieming were among them, but even with their prodigious abilities, they only occupied seats in the middle. In fact, everyone present was at the Supreme level—eight people in all, four from the Sacred Land of Extreme Action and four from the Sacred Land of Ziyan.

It was likely that every Supreme within the two sects was gathered here.

At the upper left sat an elder clad in a purple robe, his hair snow white, his face kindly and ruddy—despite his age, there was no trace of frailty about him. This was the Holy Lord of the Sacred Land of Ziyan, Supreme Ziyang.

Opposite him sat another elder, draped in black robes, exuding an air of solemnity and power—his face was lean and composed. This was the Holy Lord of the Sacred Land of Extreme Action, Supreme Lingji.

Both Holy Lords were present in the great hall.

The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

“At present, we have activated the grand protective array of the Sacred Land. Not even the Evil God could sense any aura from within these walls,” Supreme Lingji declared. “Now, you may bring out the scroll.”

Immediately, all eyes turned solemnly toward Xieming and Hongxi. Everyone was burning with curiosity—what kind of scroll could warrant activating the sacred land’s grand protective array?

Normally, only a matter of great fortune, one that risked being revealed or sensed by others, would call for such drastic measures—but even then, the full array was rarely invoked!

Their curiosity was overwhelming.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Xieming and Hongxi stood up. After leaving Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard, they had not dared tarry, flying straight back from the Southern Ridge Mountains to the Sacred Land of Extreme Action. They feared attracting the likes of the Evil God, who might seize the treasure.

Both were Supreme Masters and fully understood: in the Heavenly Martial Realm, if certain treasures became known, even the heavens and earth could be thrown into chaos.

All the more so for a scroll from Senior Zhu!

Previously, in Senior Zhu’s courtyard, his domain shielded the scroll from any prying eyes. But now, it was different. Even within the Sacred Land, they dared not open the scroll carelessly in public—only after Supreme Lingji had activated the array did they feel a measure of safety.

“This scroll pertains to the Southern Ridge Mountains,” Xieming announced.

With a flick of his hand, a scroll appeared. “The fate of the Southern Ridge lies within! The path to immortality is clear and open!”

As he finished speaking, Xieming released the scroll, letting it unfurl fully.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed upon it.

As the scroll opened completely, its contents were revealed for all to see. The Supremes present could not help but gasp in astonishment, their faces filled with shock.

For a long moment, the hall was utterly silent.

Supreme Lingji and Supreme Ziyang, the two Holy Lords, could not restrain themselves—they both stood up, scrutinizing the scroll with awe.

It was as though everyone present had lost the ability to speak; not a word was uttered.

Only after a long silence…

“Is this truly a map of the Southern Ridge Mountains?”

“So vivid, so clear… Marvelous! This painting is extraordinary! I finally understand why so many have entered the Southern Ridge and never returned.”

“Indeed! The scroll shows countless mountains converging, resembling a divine dragon—surely this is a formation! An Immortal Ascension Array!”

“No wonder, after thousands of years, so many Supremes entered and not one emerged. Within this Immortal Ascension Array, dangers abound. Even if one ascends, the formation can slay immortals!”

The Supremes all voiced their amazement.

The appearance of this scroll shattered their preconceptions and exceeded their wildest imaginations.

They had never imagined that the Southern Ridge Mountains concealed such secrets!

The Holy Lord of the Sacred Land of Extreme Action, Supreme Ziyang, took a deep breath, pondered for two seconds, then gave a decisive order: “Activate the grand protective array of the Sacred Land in its entirety—now!”

The entire array?

The Sacred Land’s grand protective array was already formidable; even in its current defensive state, few could breach it. But that was not enough—now they were to fully activate it?

How priceless was this treasure, that even in defensive mode, its fortune could not be concealed?

“Do it! This painting is simply too important—if its existence is revealed, the consequences will be dire!”

“Besides, this holds the answer to an ancient mystery!”

“The fate of the Heavenly Martial Realm and the secrets of the Southern Ridge are all contained within!” Supreme Lingji declared gravely.