Chapter 53: The Great Wilderness Forest
After days of hardship, Xiao Chen finally arrived at South Heaven City.
As soon as he entered South Heaven City, he heard news about Jun Xiaoyao.
Upon hearing this news, a thunderous roar echoed in Xiao Chen's mind, and his face turned pale.
"Jun Xiaoyao has become even stronger than before." Xiao Chen clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth.
For some reason, whenever he faced Jun Xiaoyao, he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness, as if he were an ant trying to shake a tree.
"Xiao Chen, steady your mind. Your current strength is not weak. If you can obtain the ancient dragon bones in the Supreme Secret Vault, surpassing Jun Xiaoyao is not impossible."
The voice of the Azure Dragon Master echoed in Xiao Chen's mind.
Xiao Chen took a deep breath and said, "The ancestor is right; it's my heart that has been disturbed. I must seize this opportunity."
Xiao Chen had a resilient spirit, which was why he had been able to persevere until now.
However, what Xiao Chen did not know was that a woman shrouded in a large gauzy robe was following him from a distance.
Her face was covered with a layer of white veil, revealing only her pair of eyes that shimmered like autumn water.
It was none other than the runaway princess of the Panwu Divine Dynasty, Wu Mingyue.
"It seems Xiao Chen won't encounter any danger for the time being," Wu Mingyue murmured to herself.
Then, she recalled the discussions surrounding Jun Xiaoyao during this time.
"That rumored Jun family divine son is truly powerful, able to easily suppress even the fifth sequence of the Jun family."
Wu Mingyue sighed inwardly.
As the eldest princess of the Panwu Divine Dynasty, her status was extremely high.
Yet even she felt a sense of needing to look up to Jun Xiaoyao.
Jun Xiaoyao's noble status was something that even she, as a divine dynasty princess, found hard to reach.
"I've heard that the Jun family divine son has a countenance like that of a celestial being. I truly want to see what kind of extraordinary person he is," Wu Mingyue couldn't help but feel curious.
She was not the type to be superficial about appearances; otherwise, she wouldn't have taken a liking to Xiao Chen.
However, the extraordinary reputation of Jun Xiaoyao piqued her curiosity.
...
In the pavilion where the Jun family resided in South Heaven City.
Jun Xiaoyao was sitting cross-legged, adjusting his breath, waiting for the Supreme Secret Vault to emerge.
Before long, Jun Zhantian and other clan elders returned.
They had also learned about the matters concerning Jun Xiaoyao and Jun Wanjie.
"Xiaoyao, you did the right thing. Sometimes, it is indeed necessary to take decisive action; only then can your position in the Zero Sequence be secured."
Jun Zhantian not only showed no signs of blame but was rather supportive.
"Will the other clan elders have any objections?" Jun Xiaoyao asked.
"Objections? Who would dare? You are the divine son appointed by the Eighteen Ancestors, coupled with your unparalleled talent. Not to mention making Jun Wanjie your servant, even if you were to kill him, no one would dare to do anything to you," Jun Zhantian replied.
Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly; this was within his expectations.
"Regarding the Supreme Secret Vault, our several immortal sects have already come to an agreement. In a few days, the vault is expected to open."
"At that time, our several forces will seal the heavens and lock the earth, allowing only the younger generation to enter. The Supreme Secret Vault will be your stage."
Upon hearing this, Jun Xiaoyao nodded lightly and said, "Grandfather, rest assured, Xiaoyao will never tarnish the Jun family's reputation!"
"Haha, Grandfather believes in you," Jun Zhantian laughed heartily.
He had immense confidence in his grandson.
...
A few days later.
In the vast wilderness outside South Heaven City, within the Taihuang Forest, a sudden tremor echoed.
A supreme pressure spread out, and strange black mist began to seep from the depths of the Taihuang Forest.
Wherever the gray mist passed, various beasts, ancient species, and pure-blooded beings all had their eyes turn red, starting to roar as if they had gone mad.
"Hmm? This doesn't seem right with the Supreme Secret Vault..."
In the void, several figures flickered in and out of sight.
The one speaking was an old man from the Dao Extreme Sect.
Nanyuan Dao Prefecture was the stronghold of the Dao Extreme Sect, and as the strongest of the sect, the old man naturally took on a coordinating role.
At this moment, he looked towards the gray mist spreading from the depths of the Taihuang Forest, his white brows furrowing slightly.
"Why does this gray mist feel somewhat similar to the dark matter from another realm?"
An elderly man in splendid robes hesitated to speak.
He was an elder from the Ancient Ji family, named Ji Bangyin, and was also the protector of Ji Xuan on this trip.
Upon hearing his words, the other prominent figures all felt a chill in their hearts.
"It is somewhat similar, but it is far from being comparable to true dark matter."
Among the prominent figures was Jun Zhantian, who pondered for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
Dark matter from another realm is an extremely strange and terrifying existence.
Even a slight touch could drive beings into madness and aberration, or worse, lead to their death.
While this gray mist was also strange, it was still not comparable to true dark matter.
"Hehe, if your Jun family is afraid, you can always retreat like a turtle."
An elder with green dragon horns and dressed in a sky-blue robe coldly sneered.
He was an elder from the Canglong lineage of the Ancestral Dragon Nest, here to protect Long Bi Chi.
Upon hearing this, Jun Zhantian coldly snorted, "What, do you want to follow in the footsteps of that black-skinned mudfish?"
Hearing Jun Zhantian's words, the elder from the Canglong lineage turned pale and huffed heavily but said no more.
The Jun family's Eighteen Ancestors had severely shaken the Ancestral Dragon Nest by slaying the Ghost Dragon Supreme.
At least until the Ancestral Dragon Nest was prepared, they would not dare to engage in large-scale conflict with the Jun family.
"Given this situation, should we continue with this trial?"
On the other side, a thin, gaunt elder asked.
He was an elder from the Ancient Jiang family, who had also brought the Jiang family's prodigies along.
And among them was none other than the Jiang family's divine daughter, Jiang Shengyi.
Although Jiang Shengyi was nominally Jun Xiaoyao's aunt, she was only twenty-four years old and also a prodigy of the younger generation.
"Of course we must continue. If we retreat at the first sign of difficulty, then when the path to the emperor opens, these prodigies won't need to participate," Ji Bangyin said, feigning seriousness.
But in truth, his real goal was to let Ji family's Ji Xuan gain fame.
After some negotiations, the leaders of the several immortal sects reached a consensus.
Meanwhile, in South Heaven City.
Jun Xiaoyao and the others also sensed the commotion coming from the Taihuang Forest.
"Is it finally starting?" Jun Xiaoyao stood up and walked outside.
Dressed in a stunning white robe, he gazed into the distance.
In another pavilion in South Heaven City, the young sage Ji Xuan also stood up, his right arm, fused with the bone of the Saint King, resting behind him, exuding an air of calm confidence.
After all, he had already gained the upper hand, possessing the Supreme Order of the Yuan Heaven, ancient talismans, and knowledge of some secrets within the vault.
Ji Xuan was a step ahead of everyone.
"The reputation of my Ji family's prodigies will be established by me in the Supreme Secret Vault," Ji Xuan revealed a confident smile.
In a tavern in South Heaven City, Xiao Chen, having eaten and drunk his fill and prepared himself, also set off.
"The Supreme Secret Vault, the ancient dragon bones, I, Xiao Chen, must obtain them!"