563: Chapter 563 Senior Brother

Three days later.

Daoist Lord Lihuo had been staying in the Star Palace without any clear purpose, putting immense psychological pressure on Liu Xuan.

Although he had tucked away several high-grade treasures, there were still many unusual things about the Liu Family.

The Pill Refining Tower, the Artifact Refining Workshop, the thousand star flying sword industry chain, the Sun-class Battleship, as well as various Alchemy processes and Clan School cultivation teachings... none of these could be changed in a short period of time.

The longer Daoist Lord Lihuo stayed, the more the Liu Family's secrets would be exposed, and there was no telling when he might strike.

Previously, Liu Xuan had dared to put on an act before Ghost King Lianyue because Lianyue's true body would never leave the Black Death Marsh; only a Dharma Incarnation had come, and all the treasures in his hands countered ghost Cultivators.

The current Daoist Lord Lihuo was different. He had come in his true body, and the Li Huo path was not countered by karmic fire or lightning. If Liu Xuan tried to act like a hidden Revered Master as he had before, he would likely expose his methods prematurely and end up being beaten miserably.

'Revered Master, I hope you don't force my hand!'

Liu Xuan was helpless. He had done everything he could. Now that Daoist Lord Lihuo was staying in the Star Palace, how things developed would depend entirely on the man's whims.

This was the Cultivation World; when someone's cultivation Realm was a level higher, no amount of schemes, conspiracies, or even Opportunities could easily bridge the gap.

Over the next few days, Liu Xuan did not dare to make any unusual moves. There were no major changes to the Pill Refining Tower, the Artifact Refining Workshop, or the Merchant Alliance; everything proceeded as usual.

Only in the Clan School and the Liu Family's back courtyard did Liu Xuan issue some orders, suspending most external missions and trying to keep everyone inside the estate to make it easier to flee at any moment.

The Star Palace.

Daoist Lord Lihuo stood at the edge with his hands behind his back, gazing south. His mind was not on Liu Xuan or the Liu Family at all.

He had come in his true body this time for only one enemy: Demon Saint Xuanyu!

The minor secrets on Liu Xuan's person were only a matter of temporary curiosity to him. How could he have the energy to fixate on the trivial matters of the Liu Family?

Ultimately, Liu Xuan was merely an Early Stage Nascent Soul True Monarch. No matter how many secrets he had, he posed no threat; instead, he was an asset for developing the Daoist lineage.

Even if Liu Xuan had ulterior motives, it didn't matter. Once the war was over, he could be slowly disciplined. He would never be able to escape the palm of his hand.

“Demon Saint Xuanyu, as you wished, I have come. I hope you don't disappoint me!” Daoist Lord Lihuo muttered to himself, his gaze narrowing as he looked south.

Demon Saint Xuanyu wanted to force his true body to appear. Although Daoist Lord Lihuo wasn't certain, he could guess as much.

However, this was an open scheme. Even if he suspected a trap, he had no choice but to come.

If he didn't come, Demon Saint Xuanyu wouldn't hesitate to expend his Origin to drag the war out for another few hundred years, which wouldn't be a problem for him.

Demon Saint Xuanyu could afford to wait, and Lady Yaoguang could afford to wait, but he could not!

He had just ascended to become a Spirit Transformation Dao Lord. The sooner he established a sanctuary and founded his lineage, the greater his future prospects would be. He couldn't afford to wait several hundred years!

If some other variable occurred in the meantime and the delay stretched even longer, the impact on him would be devastating. It might even lead Lady Yaoguang and the Beast Taming Sect to withdraw their support for him.

Suddenly, a speck of green light flickered beside Daoist Lord Lihuo, and an old Daoist in green robes with an immortal air revealed himself.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qingxuan!”

Daoist Lord Lihuo addressed him as a Fellow Daoist but performed the etiquette of a Junior, his attitude extremely respectful.

Old Daoist Qingxuan hailed from the Central State Dao Court and had founded the Qingxuan lineage over a thousand years ago. Both were in the Early Stage of Soul Transformation, but the gap in their strength was immense; even two of himself might not be a match for Old Daoist Qingxuan.

Knowing that Demon Saint Xuanyu had a scheme, he still dared to come because Old Daoist Qingxuan was one of his sources of confidence.

“There is no need for such formalities between us!” Old Daoist Qingxuan waved his hand. “Lady Yaoguang instructed me to look after you. In the future, your Lihuo Lineage will be neighbors with mine, so we must support each other.”

“Naturally! I will not forget your assistance and will surely repay you generously in the future!”

After some pleasantries, Daoist Lord Lihuo asked about the matter he was most concerned with. “Has Fellow Daoist discovered any unusual movements from Demon Saint Xuanyu? I always feel as if he is trying to force me to show myself.”

Old Daoist Qingxuan was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. “Based on my understanding of him, your feeling is likely correct.”

“Demon Saint Xuanyu is not one who likes to compromise. If you want to be safe, it would be best to wait a few hundred years. After his lifespan reaches its limit, the Endless Demon Court will ultimately be yours.”

Old Daoist Qingxuan was also inclined to maintain the current situation. He was old and lacked drive; being able to develop steadily and gain some benefits was enough for him.

However, looking at Daoist Lord Lihuo's expression, this young man clearly thought differently.

“If you are unwilling to wait, then take control of the Biyou Pool array as quickly as possible. That is the core of the Beast Taming Sect's Earth Vein Grand Array in the Endless Demon Court. As long as you have full control, you can retreat safely regardless of what Demon Saint Xuanyu has planned.”

Daoist Lord Lihuo showed hesitation. He now faced two choices: head to Biyou Pool immediately, or go directly to the front lines to confront Demon Saint Xuanyu head-on and restart the war.

There was likely a problem with Biyou Pool. The way that place was captured back then was very suspicious; going there directly certainly carried risks.

However, if he didn't go to Biyou Pool and wanted to restart the war on the front lines, he would have to personally deal with Demon Saint Xuanyu to dispel the fear among the army of Cultivators. This move also carried significant risk, perhaps even higher.

Biyou Pool was currently the core of the entire Beast Taming Sect territory in the Southern Border. Once he personally took control of the array, the front line could advance at least a hundred thousand miles.

At that time, bolstered by the power of the array and a continuous stream of Cultivators, no matter how Demon Saint Xuanyu struggled, he couldn't possibly hold out for a hundred years.

“I have decided. I will head to Biyou Pool in three days!”

Since both options were risks, it was better to choose the one with the greater reward. Daoist Lord Lihuo bowed to Old Daoist Qingxuan. “If any changes occur, I ask for Fellow Daoist's assistance.”

“As long as you have decided, I will come when the time comes!”

After all, Daoist Lord Lihuo was someone Lady Yaoguang valued. Although young, he wouldn't be so easily defeated by Demon Saint Xuanyu. Old Daoist Qingxuan did not try to persuade him further; his body shifted, turning into a streak of green light as he vanished.

After Old Daoist Qingxuan left, Daoist Lord Lihuo used the li huo decree to order his Disciple Li Xihe to come to the Star Academy immediately.

Once Li Xihe arrived, he simultaneously summoned Liu Xuan and Li Xihe, ordering them to come up together to see him.

Li Xihe was full of confusion. She didn't understand why Revered Master hadn't gone to her place first upon arriving in the Southern Border, but had instead stayed in the Star Palace and summoned her there.

Liu Xuan's expression was calm, but he was somewhat nervous inside. He needed to analyze the deep meaning behind any slight movement from Daoist Lord Lihuo.

There was no other way; the slightest mistake could affect the fate of the Liu Family or even the entire Southern Border. He couldn't afford not to overthink it.

“Disciple pays respects to Revered Master!”

“Disciple pays respects to Revered Master!”

Li Xihe and Liu Xuan bowed simultaneously. Li Xihe suddenly glanced at Liu Xuan, her expression even more confused. Since when had Liu Xuan also become Revered Master's Disciple?

Daoist Lord Lihuo ignored Li Xihe and instead looked at Liu Xuan with a smile. “Liu Xuan, your cultivation Realm is higher. From now on, you are my Eldest Personal Disciple. In the Lihuo Lineage, you are the Senior Brother.”

After speaking, he looked at Li Xihe beside him. “Xihe, Liu Xuan is your Senior Brother from now on. When I am not around, you are to follow all of your Senior Brother's orders. Do you understand?”