At all costs, capture Qing Muling alive. This was the established strategy of the Heavenly Human Clan’s high command.

Since the last failed operation against Qing Muling, the Baiyuan and Yuanxi Emperors had not given up. Instead, they decided to escalate their efforts. Even if it meant several Quasi Holy Emperors getting injured, they were determined to capture this child of fortune from the Great Void, this anomaly in the river of fate.

If this mission succeeded, the Heavenly Human Clan’s goal of seizing control over the Great Void would be halfway achieved.

After a brief discussion, the Heavenly Human Clan’s Emperors decided to act individually. One Emperor would remain at the Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar, while six Quasi Holy Emperors, nearly a thousand Great Golden Immortals, and tens of thousands of Taiyi Golden Immortals would be dispatched to raid the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace Main Altar.

This force was equivalent to the entire strength of six ancient Supreme Dao Lineage powers in the Great Void. If they targeted a single Supreme Dao Lineage, they could completely devastate it.

Previously, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had only about one-tenth of this number of Great Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals at its peak.

However, since Qing Muling’s rise, the Supreme Elders who had been severely injured and in deep slumber in the Hidden Cave Mystical Realm had all recovered. Many peak Golden Immortals had also crossed their tribulations to become Taiyi Golden Immortals, thus surpassing their previous numbers.

This didn’t include the forces from other female cultivator Dao Lineages. To ensure Qing Muling’s safety, they had also stationed some Great Golden Immortals at the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace Main Altar, including five female Emperors.

Although the Heavenly Human Clan’s high command had heard rumors about the formation of the female cultivator alliance, they had no spies within the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace to know the current strength of its garrison.

At this moment, deep within the void land where the Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar was located, in an underground area thousands of miles deep, former Sect Master Yun Miaozhi walked unhurriedly along a rock corridor over a hundred feet high and wide, with Holy Maiden Mei Qingfeng following closely behind.

Despite being driven out of the Main Altar by sudden events, Yun Miaozhi, as the Sect Master, still had some secret cards up his sleeve.

For instance, this time, Yun Miaozhi had secretly returned to the Main Altar with his direct disciple, completely unbeknownst to the Heavenly Human Clan’s high command. He knew of a special backdoor in the Mountain Protection Array.

“Master,” Mei Qingfeng asked softly after a while, “Will the founding ancestors who ascended to the upper realm really return at this time?”

“Of course,” Yun Miaozhi replied with a slight smile. “After this major tribulation in the Great Void, there will be a long period of prosperity. Not only will the spiritual energy of heaven and earth fully recover, but it may even return to the golden age of the ancient immortal era.”

“If our Calamity Fate Palace can control the fortune of this world during this recovery, it can become the next immortal sanctuary, just like the Origin Star Palace of old!”

“As for the founding ancestors, they will find an opportunity to break through and achieve the eternal, indestructible Harmony Saint Supreme Dao fruit!”

“At that time, the entire Great Void will become the domain of our Calamity Fate Palace. All other sects and clans will no longer need to exist!”

“I understand, Master!” Mei Qingfeng said with sincere admiration. In this underground area, there was a special formation array that communicated with the upper realm, known only to successive Supreme Sect Masters, not even the core elders.

Although some retired Supreme Elders had once served as Sect Masters, unless the Heavenly Human Clan’s high command forcibly used soul-searching techniques, they wouldn’t know these secrets.

After Yun Miaozhi escaped the Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar with a few disciples and elders, the surviving Supreme Elders immediately submitted and allowed the Baiyuan Emperor to place restrictions on their divine souls. However, her only mistake was not thoroughly probing their divine souls.

Thus, today’s scene unfolded.

Yun Miaozhi had returned at this time because he had recently received a secret message from the upper realm. Overjoyed, he immediately took action.

Many strong figures from the Calamity Fate Palace had ascended to the upper realm. If a few Quasi Holy Emperors could return, driving out the Heavenly Human Clan and reclaiming the sect’s foundation would be a matter of course.

As the master and disciple walked and talked, they eventually reached the end of the corridor, where a massive door, over a thousand feet high and two hundred feet wide, covered in Glutton cloud patterns and sun, moon, and star designs, came into view.

Yun Miaozhi carefully inspected the surroundings, ensuring there were no abnormalities before taking out two palm-sized bronze talismans from his robe. He chanted a series of incantations, slightly awkwardly fitting the two talismans together seamlessly.

He then raised his hand, and the talisman transformed into a stream of light, embedding itself into a special slot in the giant stone door.

Moments later, like a pebble dropped into a calm pond, ripples spread out at an almost infinite speed, reaching far and wide.

The giant stone door trembled slightly, emitting a low hum. The sun, moon, and star patterns on its surface gradually lit up, becoming dazzlingly bright.

Soon, a thunderous mechanical sound came from within the stone door. The massive door split in two from the middle, slowly retracting into the walls, revealing the world beyond.

It was a hall spanning tens of miles, with nothing inside except a massive formation array platform.

On the platform was a formation array with a style completely different from the Great Void’s cultivation civilization, exuding an “alien” aura, as if it didn’t belong to this world.

Mei Qingfeng scrutinized the formation for a moment, realizing that with her knowledge of formations, she couldn’t understand its mysteries at all.

“This is the time-space passage to the upper realm, personally set up by the founding ancestors. Even I can only understand seventy to eighty percent of it. Your cultivation isn’t enough, so don’t force yourself,” Yun Miaozhi said.

“Yes, Master,” Mei Qingfeng nodded, watching as Yun Miaozhi activated the formation step by step.

As the first formation pattern lit up, the array seemed to awaken from a long slumber, exuding an indescribable, yet vast and majestic aura that filled the entire hall.

Mei Qingfeng quickly hid behind her master. With her current Xuan Immortal cultivation, she couldn’t withstand the pressure of the formation.

Moments later, the formation fully activated. Golden and purple clouds rolled, boundless radiance enveloped the platform, and celestial music seemed to echo at the divine soul level.

In Yun Miaozhi’s perception, a deep, dark time-space passage slowly formed at the center of the array, gradually solidifying and stabilizing.

It was said that the ancestors had ascended through this passage, but Yun Miaozhi didn’t know what lay on the other side.

“Master, why have there been so few ascensions since the founding ancestors’ generation?” Mei Qingfeng asked softly. She didn’t believe that the later Quasi Holy Emperors wouldn’t want to ascend. Any powerful being seeking further advancement would have this desire.

“That’s because the Great Void has been in decline for tens of millions of years, with constant tribulations and dwindling spiritual energy. The upper realm closed the ascension passage until recently,” Yun Miaozhi explained.

In other words, the upper realm had lost interest and deprived this world of the right to ascend.

Mei Qingfeng’s lips tightened, her face turning pale after a few moments of thought. “Master, if that’s the case, won’t the upper realm send people to compete for this world’s fortune and origin?”

“That’s inevitable,” Yun Miaozhi said expressionlessly. “So what we’re doing now is saving the Great Void, ensuring this great world doesn’t become a mere pasture for the upper realm’s elites. Unfortunately, the high command of other Dao Lineages are short-sighted, constantly guarding against our Calamity Fate Palace, unaware of the imminent crisis.”

A Great Void drained of fortune and world origin would become lifeless, unsuitable for any living beings, with no chance of revival.

Yun Miaozhi always believed that his plans for the Great Void’s future, even if they involved some unscrupulous methods, were for the greater good and insignificant in the grand scheme.

In contrast, the high command of other Dao Lineages were narrow-minded and selfish, unwilling to sacrifice even a bit of their interests. Otherwise, the Calamity Fate Palace wouldn’t be in its current state.

Yes, once the founding ancestors returned, the established plans must be unwaveringly implemented. Only by making the Calamity Fate Palace the supreme ruler of this world, integrating all resources, could they resist the upper realm’s elites.

Suddenly, a blazing golden light emerged from the depths of the time-space passage, quickly spreading beyond the passage and filling every corner of the hall.

The terrifying pressure nearly suffocated Mei Qingfeng, sweeping over in waves, only calming down after thirty-six cycles.

Outside the time-space passage, a figure shrouded in golden light appeared, indistinct and unrecognizable, but the pure Quasi Holy Emperor aura was unmistakable.

“Ancestor!” Yun Miaozhi called out, pulling his disciple to kneel and pay their respects.

The figure looked around, his gaze falling on Yun Miaozhi. A voice, warm yet infinitely authoritative, echoed at the divine soul level: “Are you the current Sect Master of the Calamity Fate Palace? Why is your cultivation so mediocre? Hmm, you seem injured, so I won’t be too harsh.”

“What’s the current situation in the Great Void? Is the sect’s foundation intact?”

“Ancestor, it’s a long story…” Yun Miaozhi sighed. The Calamity Fate Palace’s situation, both internally and externally, was dire.

Externally, the Calamity Fate Palace’s reputation was in tatters, seen as traitors by almost all forces, a scourge of the Great Void’s cultivation world. Internally, the sect was entirely occupied by the Heavenly Human Clan, leaving only its name.

“No matter, tell me everything,” the ancestor said.

“Yes, Ancestor,” Yun Miaozhi replied, using divine senses to relay the events of recent years, especially the changes in the Great Void’s situation over the past decade.

A sudden, overwhelming force struck Yun Miaozhi, sending him flying dozens of feet, bleeding from his orifices. He crawled up, repeatedly kowtowing and apologizing.

At the time-space passage’s exit, seven figures shrouded in golden light had appeared, one of whom had attacked.

“Useless!” the figure snorted angrily. “Such incompetence, I don’t know how you became Sect Master. The sect’s members are truly getting worse with each generation!”

The current state of the Calamity Fate Palace was beyond the ancestors’ expectations. Always considering themselves chosen ones, they never imagined their stronghold would be overtaken.

The leading figure’s tone softened: “Although you have sinned, you are not entirely useless. What’s the situation with Qing Muling? Explain everything about him in detail!”

Yun Miaozhi hurriedly complied, using divine senses to communicate.

“I see!” the ancestor’s voice was filled with undisguised joy. “If he really came from the Origin Star Palace, doesn’t that mean he is the embodiment of the Harmony Spirit Seed?”

“That’s my current speculation,” Yun Miaozhi cautiously replied. “There’s about a fifty percent chance, but even without that connection, he is still the child of fortune, the key anomaly for the Great Void’s revival. Capturing him would greatly benefit the sect!”

“Indeed,” the ancestor’s voice carried a hint of satisfaction. “You have made mistakes, but they are understandable. We will handle this matter.”

“The position of Sect Master will remain with you for now, giving you a chance to redeem yourself.”

The other six ancestors remained silent. Having just returned from the upper realm, it was unwise to replace the Sect Master without understanding the Great Void’s situation. Moreover, there were few capable individuals left in the sect. Without Yun Miaozhi’s contingency plan, their return would have been much more difficult. If the Heavenly Human Clan had solidified their position, it would have been too late.

…

Outside the bronze hall.

On the square, over a hundred bronze ships, each three thousand feet long, were ready to depart. Teams of Taiyi and Great Golden Immortals boarded the ships in an orderly manner. Yuanxi, Baiyuan, and five other Heavenly Human Clan Emperors stood outside the hall, watching silently.

Zihuang and Lingxi stood behind the Baiyuan Emperor, remaining silent.

“This time, we will surely achieve a great victory,” the Yuanxi Emperor said confidently. “The Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace should be destroyed. Except for capturing Qing Muling alive, we should kill all the other female cultivators. Leave none alive! This will serve as a warning to other forces about the consequences of opposing us!”

Lingxi: “…”

She wanted to retort, but with her current low status, she couldn’t openly oppose the Emperor’s opinion. She could only discuss it privately with her ancestor, the Baiyuan Emperor.

At that moment, a faint tremor from the underground caught the attention of the seven Emperors.

“What is that noise?” the Yuanxi Emperor frowned.