Years passed, and Qingzhu Town remained unchanged.
The Qingzhu Spiritual Domain also saw no significant alterations.
However, the spiritual energy in this region had become so dense it was almost liquid. Yet, without Chen Jiuyang's consent, no one could absorb it.
This was one of the foundations of a supreme power.
At this moment, both inside and outside the Qingzhu Spiritual Domain were people from the True Demon Sect, along with those from the Immortal Alliance lurking in the shadows.
Chen Jiuyang was about to undergo tribulation and ascend to the Imperial Dao, a matter of great importance.
...
Chen Jiuyang, Qin Rouyu, Wang Jiguang, and Ye Tiannan settled into a courtyard deep within the Qingzhu Forest.
Ye Tiannan, having known Chen Jiuyang for so many years, had never been here before.
Since Chen Jiuyang ascended to the position of Sect Master of the True Demon Sect years ago, people from the True Demon Sect had been constantly patrolling this area.
Wang Jiguang took Ye Tiannan to tend to his injuries, leaving Chen Jiuyang and Qin Rouyu alone.
Qin Rouyu asked, "Jiuyang, now that I've fled the Immortal Alliance, will they target my parents?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled and replied, "Your parents are ordinary mortals living in Fengcheng, under the protection of the Town Guardians. If cultivators from the Immortal Alliance dare to harm your parents, it will be more than just a conflict between righteous and demonic factions."
Even when Emperor Yan was assassinated by the Five Great Sacred Lands, the Town Guardians did not launch an attack against them. They maintained a principle: as long as mortals were not targeted, the Town Guardians would remain mere guardians.
Qin Rouyu breathed a sigh of relief, her long, trembling eyelashes finally calming slightly. She looked at Chen Jiuyang and asked, "After you brought me away from the Immortal Alliance, what are my plans for the future?"
Chen Jiuyang took her hand and smiled, "Hahaha, are you afraid I won't take responsibility?"
"My Chen family needs to expand, and you need to help."
Hearing Chen Jiuyang's words, Qin Rouyu's beautiful eyes sparkled. "This is something we should have done years ago. If you had given yourself to me in the office that day, our child could already be running errands by now."
"Hahahaha," Chen Jiuyang laughed, embracing her. "It's not too late now."
Back then, after he emerged from the Sharp Blade Legion and returned to Fengcheng, he intended to find Qin Rouyu to reinstate his student status. She had seduced him in her office. Although he was tempted and attracted to Qin Rouyu, his mind was preoccupied with resolving his father's release from prison.
Looking back now, it made one reflect on destiny.
Upon hearing Chen Jiuyang's words, Qin Rouyu directly embraced him and kissed him.
After a tumultuous and difficult journey, they could finally be together, fulfilling their feelings from that time.
After a passionate encounter, they spent time recounting their experiences over the years.
For the first time, Chen Jiuyang shared with someone the deductions he had made in Yuan Yan Town years ago.
Over the years, Chen Jiuyang had also kept certain secrets from those close to him.
However, his current success, his knowledge of the truth, and his opportunity to save Yao Zixuan were all thanks to Qin Rouyu.
If Qin Rouyu hadn't cared for him, she wouldn't have risked her life to leak information. Otherwise, he might still be unaware of the truth, a pawn of the Five Great Sacred Lands.
Qin Rouyu held Chen Jiuyang, resting her head on his chest. "In Kunlun, Ancestor-level figures have already awakened... they have methods to draw Immortal Realm immortals down to the mortal world..."
Chen Jiuyang replied, "Don't worry. The foundations of the Demonic Path are no less than those of the Sacred Lands, perhaps even stronger than the Five Great Sacred Lands..."
No matter how strong the foundation, if it doesn't belong to the current era, its utility is limited.
Even a Martial Saint would not dare to appear and act without the influence of destiny and karma.
"Wait a moment. You and Tiannan should go to the True Demon Sect. I have something to do here."
Chen Jiuyang caressed Qin Rouyu's silky smooth, fair, and tender skin.
He had now reached the peak of the Venerable Realm, his Dao and Martial Furnace forged, ready to challenge the Imperial Realm and attract heavenly tribulation at any moment.
Countless individuals, both openly and in secret, were watching him.
With his own strength, it would take an unknown amount of time to locate Yao Zixuan in the Lesser Immortal Realm. Once he destroyed the earthly lineages of the Five Great Sacred Lands, he could allow Chongming Sea to return to the Central Continent of the Lesser Immortal Realm, enabling the Ancestors within Chongming Sea to search for Zixuan on his behalf.
Within this small Qingzhu Spiritual Domain alone, countless people were lurking.
"Within the True Demon Sect, you can cultivate safely. It is... very safe..."
After spending a long, affectionate time with Qin Rouyu, Chen Jiuyang helped her dress and retrieved the Yan Sheng Saber guarding the courtyard entrance.
"Wumian," Chen Jiuyang spoke through the embroidered robe he wore.
In the next instant, the figure of Ancestor Wumian appeared.
"Open the passage to the Sacred Sect and send my woman to the Han family's forbidden grounds," Chen Jiuyang commanded.
"Your sect leader's decree shall be obeyed!"
Ancestor Wumian glanced at Qin Rouyu. "Miss Qin, come with me."
Hearing Chen Jiuyang refer to her as "my woman" and seeing an Ancestor-level figure escorting her, Qin Rouyu felt a slight dizziness.
Someone of Ancestor Wumian's caliber should be comparable to her master in Kunlun.
The ability to tear open spatial rifts for teleportation was a hallmark of Ancestor cultivators in the Tribulation Transcending stage.
In the martial path, only reaching the Martial Saint stage could achieve this.
Qin Rouyu departed.
Chen Jiuyang's heart was no longer uneasy but filled with an unprecedented calm and fluidity.
He saw the heavens, saw all beings, and saw himself.
It seemed he could feel a layer of film above his cultivation waiting to be torn, after which he could truly roam freely and dominate the world.
The Venerable Realm nurtured the Dao, forged the Martial Furnace, achieved Dao, and then ascended to the Imperial Realm, or perhaps achieved Dao at the moment of ascending to the Imperial Realm.
Upon ascending to the Imperial Realm, one would have to forge their own path completely and utterly. Wherever they went, they would be an Ancestor-level figure capable of establishing their own lineage.
Chen Jiuyang looked inward at his Martial Furnace. Engraved upon it was a character that did not belong to any dynasty, yet Chen Jiuyang knew it meant 'Yuan'.
Upon ascending to the Martial Imperial Realm, one would gain their own Great Dao character.
After entering the Imperial Realm, there were thirty-three layers of heaven.
This was also known as the Ascension Platform.
If one could successfully reach the thirty-third layer of heaven, they could suppress immortals.
In a great era, only one person could ascend to this thirty-third layer of heaven, holding the position of Great Emperor!
The Heavenly Geniuses of all races had revived in this era to contend for this position of Great Emperor.
After ascending to the Imperial Dao, the path of the Ascension Platform could not be taught, nor could any Dao be imparted. Everyone walked their own path.
Everything depended on seizing opportunities and improving oneself.
With his mind calmed, Chen Jiuyang unconsciously walked step by step onto the surface of the river.
He seemed to be contemplating something, brewing something, sensing something, or making a decision.
He stood there for three days.
Countless powerful beings, both openly and in secret, were observing Chen Jiuyang.
On the Demonic Path side, led by Ancestor Wumian, they waited with closed eyes.
If anyone were to make a move against Chen Jiuyang, it would inevitably be after Chen Jiuyang had triggered the heavenly tribulation.