188: Cao Yunqing's invitation

The newcomer was clad in a blood-colored brocade robe, with a handsome face and a gentle, jade-like demeanor, a faint smile playing on the corners of his lips. It was none other than Cao Yunqing, the Second Saint of the Blood Palace!

He did not intentionally release his pressure, but merely by standing there, he seemed to become the center of this world.

His seemingly gentle eyes swept across the battlefield. Blood Vulture, Hun Xiao (Soul Owl), the Yellow Springs Valley Protector, Pan Shan (Mountain Anchor), and the Corpse Fiend Sect Protector who controlled the black coffin, all felt a chill in their hearts, subconsciously retracting their Aura.

"Blood Vulture, and fellow Daoists," Cao Yunqing's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable weight, "The Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm is about to open, with Opportunities everywhere. Why waste your Qi here entangled with two beast kings protecting their master, needlessly depleting your power and suffering casualties?"

Xue Jiu's (Blood Vulture) expression shifted. Suppressing the unwillingness in his heart, he bowed to Cao Yunqing: "Your Highness, Saint! It is not that we are seeking trouble; it is truly that this beast first injured a true Legacy of my Demon Palace, and is vicious and untamable! If such a hidden danger is not eliminated, it might lead to future troubles!"

Cao Yunqing's gaze lightly swept over Tu Lie (Slaughter Ferocity), who was embedded in the mountain wall, unconscious, and the four heavily injured Disciples in the distance. His tone remained unperturbed: "A slight offense, a minor punishment as a warning is sufficient. As for hidden dangers? Heh, with this Saint here, what is there to worry about? The matter here ends now. Take your people and withdraw."

"Your Highness, Saint..." Blood Vulture wanted to speak again.

Cao Yunqing's gaze suddenly turned cold. Though he said nothing, the noble pressure originating from the depths of his Bloodline suddenly intensified for a moment.

Blood Vulture felt as if he had been struck hard, his face instantly turning pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The words he was about to say were forcefully swallowed back.

He knew well the status of this Second Saint in the Blood Palace and his unfathomable strength!

Although the Slaughter Demon Palace had secretly pledged allegiance to the First Holy Son, Ye Kongwu, they dared not openly defy Cao Yunqing!

"Yes! We respectfully obey the Saint's command!" Blood Vulture gritted his teeth and lowered his head, not daring to show any further defiance.

He waved his hand, sweeping up the unconscious Tu Lie (Slaughter Ferocity) and the four heavily injured Disciples, transforming into a blood-red rainbow and swiftly retreating.

Hun Xiao (Soul Owl), the Yellow Springs Valley Protector, Pan Shan (Mountain Anchor), and the Corpse Fiend Sect Protector, although their respective forces either relied on different Saints or maintained neutrality, none dared to act presumptuously in the face of Cao Yunqing, a core Saint of the Blood Palace, especially when he had clearly intervened and displayed his authority.

With complex gazes, the few of them looked at the still wary Yuan Tian and White Phoenix, then deeply at the profound Immortal Cave Restriction, before ultimately choosing silence. They each reined in their Aura, leading their Disciples, and retreated rapidly like a tide, disappearing into the vast green sea.

In an instant, the clamorous battlefield returned to a deathly silence, leaving behind only a scarred land and lingering energy ripples.

Cao Yunqing's gaze did not linger on the departing crowd but instead pierced through the rippling Restriction light screen outside the Immortal Cave, as if he could directly see into the depths of the Immortal Cave.

The gentle smile on his face deepened a few shades. He said aloud, "Senior Brother Xue Hai, your Senior Brother has come to visit. Could you show yourself for a meeting? The tea brewed with 'Profound Green Dew' is just right. If you don't come out soon, the tea will get cold."

In the depths of the Immortal Cave, Xiao Zhuo, who was sitting cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes.

Hearing Cao Yunqing reveal the name "Xue Hai," there was not much surprise in his eyes; instead, a hint of understanding flashed within them.

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from Senior Brother Cao." Xiao Zhuo's voice calmly passed through the Restriction, carrying a hint of imperceptible coldness.

With a slight thought, the Restriction light screen outside the Immortal Cave parted like a water curtain, revealing a passage.

Xiao Zhuo's figure slowly emerged, his dark cloak dignified, his Aura restrained like a deep abyss. His gaze calmly met Cao Yunqing's on the treetop.

Cao Yunqing's figure swayed, and he landed like a light feather not far in front of Xiao Zhuo, indeed holding a jade cup filled with swirling Spiritual Qi and overflowing with tea fragrance.

"Junior Brother, what excellent means," Cao Yunqing's smile was warm, yet his eyes were as sharp as blades, "In just one year, not only has your own cultivation progressed to a point where even I cannot fathom it, but you can also subdue such powerful beast kings. This Senior Brother truly admires you."

Xiao Zhuo's expression remained unchanged: "Senior Brother overpraises me. A mere Opportunity, not worth mentioning. May I ask, Senior Brother, why have you come? Surely it's not truly just for tasting tea and discussing the Dao?"

"Tasting tea and discussing the Dao is naturally part of it." Cao Yunqing took a sip of the spiritual tea, but his tone suddenly shifted, becoming deep and solemn, "But more importantly, it is for the enlightenment tea tree that is about to emerge."

He looked directly into Xiao Zhuo's eyes: "With the opening of the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm, that legendary Innate Spiritual Root, the enlightenment tea tree, must have matured. Its tea leaves contain the profound principles of heaven and earth. A single leaf can enhance a Cultivator's Aptitude, and even help one comprehend the Dao and Breakthrough Bottlenecks! Such an Opportunity is enough to drive everyone mad."

Xiao Zhuo understood in his heart and asked faintly, "What does Senior Brother mean?"

"Let's join forces!" Cao Yunqing said decisively, "The core area where the enlightenment tea tree is located is fraught with unpredictable dangers, and there are also Prodigies from several other Middle Thousand Realm Domains eyeing it. Fighting alone, even for you and me, it's hard to guarantee complete safety. If we join forces, our chances of seizing the enlightenment tea will increase by at least thirty percent!"

Xiao Zhuo was unaware that other boundary realm Prodigies would appear in the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm. Hearing this, he immediately became curious: "Joining forces is not urgent! However, Junior Brother has never heard that the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm would have Prodigies from outside. Please, Senior Brother, elaborate!"

Cao Yunqing was startled to hear this, realizing that Xiao Zhuo was completely unaware of encountering people from other boundary realms after entering the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm.

"Although the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm was left by an Immortal Senior of our boundary realm before his Ascension, it is not simple. This boundary realm not only connects to my Blood Demon Realm but also communicates with the Minghu Realm, the Dao Yi Realm, and the Nether Soul Realm. People from these Three Realms will also appear each time it opens. Each boundary realm possesses ten thousand myriad ages tokens, allowing thirty thousand people to enter the boundary realm." He slowly explained.

A hint of a smile appeared on the corner of Xiao Zhuo's mouth when he heard this. The more people there were, the happier he would be; he had no fear whatsoever. The Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm restricted bone age and soul age, and Xiao Zhuo did not believe anyone under five hundred years old could surpass him.

He was about to shake his head and refuse.

"Junior Brother, although you are powerful, you must also know that there are heavens beyond heaven!" Cao Yunqing saw his reaction and hinted, his tone carrying an unspeakable solemnity, "Especially for us in the Blood Palace... it's lonely at the top."

He looked into Xiao Zhuo's eyes, speaking each word, his voice as light as a mosquito, yet it exploded like thunder in Xiao Zhuo's ears: "Have you never considered why the Saints of the Blood Palace throughout history, no matter how remarkably talented like the first generation, or how ambitious like the Seventh Saint three thousand and one hundred years ago... all ultimately passed like shooting stars, either mysteriously disappearing or... 'accidentally' perishing? And Old Ancestor... though his Lifespan is long, he seems to have never truly chosen an heir?"

Cao Yunqing's voice carried a chilling insight into a secret: "You and I are both exceptionally talented individuals. In the Old Ancestor's eyes, are we the hope of Legacy, or... a more 'suitable'... resource?"

Xiao Zhuo's pupils suddenly constricted! Although he had long harbored similar suspicions and doubts, and had even sensed something from the power of his investiture, hearing Cao Yunqing state it so directly still piqued his interest.

At the same time, he also understood Cao Yunqing's meaning: the two of them could not only join forces in the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm but also in the Blood Demon Realm!

If Xiao Zhuo were truly an ordinary Prodigy, he would naturally not refuse. But Xiao Zhuo was a cheat; he didn't need to join forces with Cao Yunqing. Given him some more time, no matter what Blood Heaven was plotting, he could simply cleave him with a single saber.

But he also couldn't appear too indifferent.

Xiao Zhuo's expression remained calm, but a cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He slowly spoke, his voice carrying a calm insight: "What Senior Brother said... Junior Brother is not entirely unaware. But... as for joining forces, there is no need!"

After speaking.

Xiao Zhuo looked at Cao Yunqing with a slightly meaningful gaze, conveying an attitude of 'I don't trust Blood Heaven, and similarly, I don't trust you either.'