Has the Dragon Emperor's Palace already come looking

No longer exists?

Chen Chang'an understood what Lie Zhankuang meant by "no longer exists."

Long Wuqi had likely abandoned his original body—no one knew when exactly, but he must have performed a soul possession at some point.

And the timing of this possession was most likely five thousand years ago.

Precisely during the period when the Dragon Emperor Palace chose to enter seclusion as a whole.

So now, within the Central Heaven Domain, who exactly had Long Wuqi possessed? What identity had he taken on?

"So, after you were discovered, ten Emperor-level experts came after you—was that not Long Wuqi's order?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"I suspect not. The moment they spotted me, they immediately rushed out to chase me."

"What's even more terrifying is that I have a feeling the Dragon Emperor Palace has more than just these ten Emperor-level experts."

"But what's strange is that they were a bit slow, so they didn't catch up to me."

"Could it be because these people from the Dragon Emperor Palace forcibly broke through to the Emperor realm using some sinister method, making them weaker in actual combat?" Lie Zhankuang wondered aloud.

Hearing Lie Zhankuang's analysis, Chen Chang'an found it plausible.

"Very likely. After all, their strength was forcibly elevated through artificial means."

"From this, it seems the Dragon Emperor Palace recruited only those with ambition."

"Long Wuqi exploited their desire for power, luring them into colluding with him."

"No wonder the Dragon Emperor Palace has no younger generation—if young cultivators practiced such techniques, they’d be easily exposed."

"Then their secret wouldn’t remain hidden."

"Long Wuqi may be strong, but he also knows many would never allow him to do this."

"If the top factions united against him, even he wouldn’t be able to withstand them," Chen Chang'an said coldly.

"Ah, now that the Dragon Emperor Palace is hunting me everywhere, I’m out of options."

"Brother Chen, I think you’re in danger."

In danger?

Chen Chang'an paused for a moment but quickly grasped Lie Zhankuang’s meaning.

If Long Wuqi knew about him, he’d likely take an even greater interest in his body.

"He’d still need the capability to do so."

Chen Chang'an smirked disdainfully. His strength wasn’t limited to just his physical body—Mu Yunyao had once said that even she couldn’t contend with the intensity of Chen Chang'an’s soul.

If Mu Yunyao couldn’t handle it, could Long Wuqi?

In front of Mu Yunyao, Long Wuqi wasn’t even worth a fart.

"I knew you were reliable."

"Why else would I come to you?"

"Hehehe, Brother Chen, dear brother, Dad—"

"Stop. Why is it that good things never make you think of me?"

"Don’t try to sweet-talk me. I don’t have a moron like you for a son."

"Tell me, how many people are in the Dragon Emperor Palace? What are their strengths?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"Well… from what I observed, the Dragon Emperor Palace doesn’t have many members, but there are still close to a thousand."

"Not a single Void Refinement cultivator, not a single Supreme Realm expert—the weakest among them are at least at the Immortal Death Realm’s first layer."

"Terrifying, isn’t it?" Lie Zhankuang said with lingering fear.

The numbers weren’t vast, but their cultivation levels were no joke. It seemed that during their five-thousand-year seclusion, the Dragon Emperor Palace’s members had made significant progress.

With Long Wuqi absent, it was strange that so many powerful individuals remained obedient. These were hardly virtuous people—unless Long Wuqi had some method to ensure their unwavering loyalty.

Even if he was no longer in his original body or at his former cultivation level, they still didn’t dare betray him.

"Mm, not bad. But it’s none of my concern."

"The Dragon Emperor Palace has kept a low profile for so long. Why make such a huge commotion this time while hunting you?"

"How did so many people find out?"

This was something Chen Chang'an couldn’t quite figure out. Logically, they should have operated as discreetly as possible—ideally, without anyone knowing of their movements.

Besides, even if the news spread far and wide, how would that help them find Lie Zhankuang? It wouldn’t. There was no need for it at all.

"It’s strange. At first, they were indeed very low-key. But about half a month ago, it suddenly spread like wildfire."

"I have no idea what they’re planning. All I know is I don’t dare wander around anymore."

"It’s too damn scary!" Lie Zhankuang shuddered.

"Enough with the fear. Someone’s coming," Da Huang interjected.

Someone’s here?

Damn, they found us already?

How?

What a coincidence.

"Don’t look at me. I really don’t know."

"Before you arrived, I was never discovered."

"I swear I didn’t lead you here on purpose to lure them in."

Seeing the suspicious looks from Chen Chang'an and the others, Lie Zhankuang hurriedly defended himself.

"Wait a minute!"

"That’s not right. They showed up right after you did—did you bring them here?"

Lie Zhankuang flipped the accusation, mostly to clear his own name and crack a joke. But to his surprise, Chen Chang'an nodded and admitted it.

"Correct. I brought them."

"I’m with the Dragon Emperor Palace."

"Happy with that answer?" Chen Chang'an asked with a mocking smile.

"No, no! You’re my dear father, alright?"

"Ten Emperors—I can’t handle that."

"Damn it, I used to think Emperor-level experts were rare. Who knew they’d be crawling all over the place now?"

"How did they become so worthless?" Lie Zhankuang grumbled.

"The height you stand determines what you see."

"How many Emperors had you encountered before? Of course, you thought they were scarce."

"Most people go their whole lives without ever meeting one or even hearing of them. In their understanding, the Divine Transformation Realm might be the strongest."

"So, it’s a matter of perspective."

"Emperor-level experts aren’t abundant, but they’re certainly not as few as people believe."

"As for why they suddenly seem more numerous now… perhaps a golden age is approaching."

"You should know that during such times, fate becomes chaotic. Many restrictions in this world fade away."

"This period is one of utter disorder."

"But in the end, it only benefits a select few."

"In other words, during this era, the entire Profound Mystic Realm’s fortune is concentrated to elevate those few individuals."

"A golden age for a handful, a doomsday for the masses."

"Tragic, isn’t it?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.

His words were harsh, even brutal—but that was the truth, and no one could change it.

Perhaps sharing an era with these freaks was a misfortune, but wasn’t it also an opportunity?

During this time, many people’s destinies would shift.

"Bro, can we hold off on the lecture for now?"

"Those ten outside—are you confident against them?"

"I think they’re about to make a move."

"After we deal with them, I’ll listen to your teachings properly."

"I’ll learn whatever you say, alright?"

"Let’s focus on the urgent matter first, yeah?" Lie Zhankuang said helplessly.

"Young Master, against ten Emperors… the two of us probably won’t be much help," Gu Xian'er said apologetically.

"Your task has always been the Human Ranking, not battling supreme experts."

"As for these people, it’s perfect timing—I’ve just broken through recently. I’ll use them to test my skills."

Chen Chang'an had now successfully advanced to the first level of the Cave Void Realm. He was curious whether his current combat prowess could truly rival that of an Emperor-level expert.

"Da Huang, stay here and keep an eye on them. I’ll handle the ones outside," Chen Chang'an said to Da Huang.

"Fine, go ahead. It’s not like you can die anyway."

"If you can’t hold your own, just call me ‘Big Brother,’ and I’ll come help."

Call him "Big Brother"?

Back in the day, Da Huang had often used this trick to get the better of Chen Chang'an. But now… Chen Chang'an was no longer the powerless good-for-nothing he once was.

"Chances like that… I doubt you’ll ever get them again!"

"I’ll be back soon!"

"Damn it, the barrier isn’t even—oh right, you’re immune to barriers!"

"Freaking monster!"