Minutes later, Li Xuan's figure reappeared in the crowd's sight. The wooden box in his hand immediately captured everyone's attention.
"Keep this Grand Sovereign's token on you. If you encounter trouble on the way back, you'll have a chance to successfully bring back Grand Sovereign Lin Yi's token," Li Xuan said as he handed the wooden box to Supreme Zhang Chao, who waved his hand and stopped him.
Hearing this, Li Xuan's expression immediately tensed, and he asked, "Supreme Zhang Chao, is there any news?"
Supreme Zhang Chao looked at the people in the room and, after a moment of thought, said, "Very well. After I set off, I detected that Liu Feng of the Myriad Ancient Domain was also on his way. Nine times out of ten, it's for this Grand Sovereign's token."
"For safety's sake, if it's on you, I can focus without distraction."
"Liu Feng of the Myriad Ancient Domain..." Li Xuan frowned upon hearing this.
"Liu Feng is one of the eight Venerable Kings of the Myriad Ancient Domain. His strength is the same as Supreme Zhang Chao's, both at the Soul Treasure Realm level," Elder Geng Tian explained softly to Li Xuan.
"It seems the Myriad Ancient Domain is deliberately trying to stop us from retrieving the Grand Sovereign's token," Zhou Qingzi said with a slight frown.
Supreme Zhang Chao waved his hand and said, "If it were just Liu Feng, I wouldn't be afraid. He's not enough to defeat me. However, if I were to face Liu Feng, I might not be able to take care of you."
"As for the Myriad Ancient Domain's team, they will undoubtedly attack you. Therefore, the key to breaking through this situation lies with you. If you are truly outmatched, escape if you can, and prioritize saving your lives."
"Also, Li Xuan, you carry the Grand Sovereign's token. If you find an opportunity, escape immediately!"
"Supreme Zhang Chao, don't we have any escorting Supremes?" Li Xuan asked with a frown.
Supreme Zhang Chao sighed slightly and said, "The Supremes of our Heavenly Yi Domain, including the Grand Sovereign's wife, number only eight. The Myriad Ancient Domain not only has eight Venerable Kings but also two Great Protectors."
"It was a close call for me to come here. If another Supreme were dispatched, the defenses of Heavenly Yi Domain might be exposed. Now, we can only rely on ourselves."
"Could it be that the Myriad Ancient Domain isn't just sending Liu Feng?" Li Xuan asked after a moment of thought.
Supreme Zhang Chao nodded with a smile, appreciating Li Xuan's caution, and said, "Don't worry. Even if two people are sent, it will take them half an hour to defeat me. This time is crucial for your breakthrough. Remember, you must protect the Grand Sovereign's token. And you must stay alive."
"We understand," Li Xuan and the others responded solemnly.
Outside the auction house, Li Xuan and his twelve companions emerged. Meng Tianyun, who had been waiting, stepped forward, cupped his fists, and greeted Supreme Zhang Chao, "Greetings, Supreme Zhang Chao."
"Supreme Zhang Chao, this is Brother Meng Tianyun, who is escorting us," Li Xuan introduced.
Supreme Zhang Chao nodded slightly and looked at Meng Tianyun. "As far as I know, after the Six Domains Auction Assembly concludes, you all return to your respective domains. The ones who guide us are usually disciples from your Six Domains Island. Why are you waiting for us here?"
"Supreme Zhang Chao indeed has sharp eyes. I do have something to remind you of," Meng Tianyun said with a smile.
Amidst the crowd's puzzled gazes, Meng Tianyun continued, "This Six Domains Auction Assembly has benefited me greatly thanks to everyone's efforts. Furthermore, I feel a connection with Pavilion Master Li Xuan, so I should reciprocate."
"Brother Meng, if you have something to say, just say it directly," Li Xuan said.
Meng Tianyun glanced around and then said softly, "According to reliable sources, people from the Myriad Ancient Domain have arrived."
"And after the Myriad Ancient Domain, other domains have also sent representatives. To my knowledge, the relationship between the Heavenly Yi Domain and the Myriad Ancient Domain is not harmonious, and the Myriad Ancient Domain is close to the Azure Canopy Domain. Your journey back might not be smooth. Therefore, I am waiting here to give you a heads-up."
"Thank you, Brother Meng," Li Xuan's expression became serious.
Although he already knew that Liu Feng of the Myriad Ancient Domain was coming, he hadn't realized that other domains had also sent powerful individuals comparable to Supreme Zhang Chao.
Meng Tianyun smiled and waved his hand, then cupped his fists at Li Xuan and the others. "I'm merely expressing my gratitude. Pavilion Master Li Xuan and everyone else need not be so formal. Well, my task here is done, and I should return to report."
"I wish you all a safe journey, and I hope to see you again at the next Six Domains Auction Assembly."
"Rest assured, Brother Meng, when we meet again, I will definitely treat you to a drink!" Li Xuan nodded.
"In that case, I shall await good news!" Meng Tianyun bowed.
"Brother Meng, farewell!" Li Xuan and the others clasped their fists in return and, led by Supreme Zhang Chao, walked towards the teleportation array on the outskirts of Six Domains Island.
As Li Xuan and his party could only vaguely see their retreating figures, a silhouette slowly appeared before Meng Tianyun.
"Disciple greets Venerable Miao," Meng Tianyun bowed respectfully.
The newcomer was Miao Yunxiao, who waved his hand and said, "We have given them the necessary reminders. As for the rest of the journey, they can only rely on themselves now."
"Meng Tianyun, you seem to have a good impression of that Li Xuan. I suspect you would have privately informed them about the arrival of people from other domains even if I hadn't asked you to."
Meng Tianyun nodded. "This person has extraordinary bearing, and in many aspects, he resembles me. Therefore, I have a good impression of him and am naturally inclined to favor him."
"It's fine. Although we Six Domains Island do not interfere in the disputes between various factions, this action does not break the rules. And that young man named Li Xuan seems to have some connection with me."
"However, we have only done what we can. What happens next is beyond our control," Miao Yunxiao said.
"Yes!" Meng Tianyun bowed in response.
In front of the Six Domains Island teleportation array, Li Xuan and his group arrived, and a disciple at the qualitative change realm approached them.
His name was Kou Zhong, the duty disciple of the teleportation array.
"Are we the only ones from Heavenly Yi Domain who haven't left yet?" Li Xuan asked Kou Zhong after cupping his fists.
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, I am not sure about that, as we have five teleportation arrays on Six Domains Island. However, there are seven teams from various factions that have passed through my hands," Kou Zhong replied with a smile.
"Thank you," Li Xuan said, cupping his fists, although he hadn't received definite news.
Kou Zhong bowed in return and then asked, "Do you wish to use the teleportation array to leave?"
Li Xuan's gaze shifted to Supreme Zhang Chao, as he wouldn't make a decision without Supreme Zhang Chao's presence.
"Let's go," Supreme Zhang Chao said after a moment of thought, nodding.
"Activate the array!" Kou Zhong turned and shouted to the four disciples in front of the teleportation array.
Buzz!
As the four disciples moved their hands, the teleportation array emitted a buzzing sound. Then, arrays of light lit up, forming a circle.
"Go!" Supreme Zhang Chao stepped directly towards the teleportation array. Li Xuan and the others followed suit.
"Everyone, be vigilant and cautious," Supreme Zhang Chao said in a low voice as they entered the teleportation array.
"Yes!" Li Xuan and the others nodded in response.
Li Xuan and the others had previously learned from Supreme Zhang Chao that although the teleportation array of Six Domains Island could allow them to leave quickly, they could not control where it would eventually appear.
According to Supreme Zhang Chao's plan, once they appeared, he would immediately activate the array to escort the eleven of them back to Heavenly Yi Domain. However, this process would take at least five minutes. Once Supreme Zhang Chao completed it, Li Xuan and the others would be safe.
However, there was a possibility of variables. If the people from the Myriad Ancient Domain discovered them or prepared an ambush in advance, they might have to resort to their second plan and fight for a chance to escape.
Boom!
With a roar, Li Xuan felt a powerful force draw him into the void and move rapidly. This force was naturally the spatial power of the teleportation array. Li Xuan allowed this force to act upon him, closing his eyes and waiting.
After all, the path ahead would only become clear when they faced it.
Time passed gradually. After an estimated ten minutes, Li Xuan felt his body lighten, indicating that the teleportation array was about to stop.
One minute later, as the array light dissipated, Li Xuan's eyes brightened. He saw lush vegetation around him, a wilderness.
"Supreme Zhang Chao, greetings."
Just then, an old voice rang out, immediately drawing Li Xuan and the others' attention.
Looking up, they saw the team from the Myriad Ancient Domain.
At the forefront, an old man smiled at Supreme Zhang Chao, ripples like water waves rippling and dissipating around him.
Li Xuan's heart sank. He hadn't expected the Myriad Ancient Domain's team to be waiting here. And that old man was likely Liu Feng, one of the eight Venerable Kings.
"Venerable King Liu Feng is here. Do you have something to say to me?" Supreme Zhang Chao showed no surprise at Liu Feng's appearance.
While speaking to Liu Feng, a telepathic message entered Li Xuan's mind: "Remember, you must protect the Grand Sovereign's token. If anything unexpected happens, the Grand Sovereign's token must not fall into the hands of the Myriad Ancient Domain!"
"Supreme Zhang Chao, let's be direct and straightforward. If I'm not mistaken, the Grand Sovereign's token was acquired by you through auction. Such a treasure, I believe, should be studied together. What do you think, Supreme Zhang Chao?"
Liu Feng smiled, then his expression turned stern as he directly stated his intention.
"Venerable King Liu Feng, what do you mean by that? Even if the Grand Sovereign's token was obtained by my Heavenly Yi Domain, it was through auction. What, is your Myriad Ancient Domain planning to overpower us?"
Supreme Zhang Chao's heart skipped a beat. Although he didn't know how Liu Feng knew that Li Xuan had acquired the Grand Sovereign's token through auction, it seemed like a confrontation was unavoidable.
Furthermore, given the animosity between the Heavenly Yi Domain and the Myriad Ancient Domain, even if they hadn't openly fought, they had long been irreconcilable enemies in private. How could they part peacefully now?
Liu Feng smiled, then his expression became more serious. "Supreme Zhang Chao, I am discussing this with you, not forcing you."
"And if I recall correctly, you only entered the Soul Treasure Realm about two thousand years ago? I entered the Soul Treasure Realm a thousand years before you. If a battle were to occur, what do you think your chances of winning are?"
Supreme Zhang Chao snorted coldly. "If you could truly defeat me, why would you be acting so pretentious? Venerable King Liu Feng, you and I know the feud between your Myriad Ancient Domain and our Heavenly Yi Domain. If you want to fight, I will proceed."
"However, with Liu Feng alone, you probably can't do anything to me!"
"If Venerable King Liu Feng cannot defeat you, what about with my help?"