The Dilemma of Dandi City

To cultivate the Supreme Emotionless Art, one must immerse oneself in the world!

Wandering among the common folk, experiencing the warmth and coldness of human emotions, the joys and sorrows of different people—this is immensely beneficial for mastering the Supreme Emotionless Art.

Thus, Li Qiye's next task was to step into the world.

"Master, I understand," Li Qiye said.

"But what about you, Master?" he asked.

"Me? You have your own path to walk, and I have mine as well."

"Before I leave, I’ll leave you some cultivation resources."

"Also, inside this vial is a Celestial Spirit Fruit."

"This treasure is unparalleled for cultivation. Consuming it now would be a waste."

"It’s best to wait until your cultivation reaches the Transcendent Realm, or even the Divine Ability Realm, before consuming it. The effects will be far greater then."

After giving these instructions, Chen Chang'an handed Li Qiye a prepared spatial ring.

Inside, aside from the Celestial Spirit Fruit, there were many supplementary cultivation resources—enough to sustain Li Qiye for a while.

After all, he was just starting out; he couldn’t afford to lack resources, unlike Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu.

Given their current strength, they could acquire many resources through their own abilities.

"Master, are you leaving right away?"

"How can I find you again?" Li Qiye asked, reluctant to part.

"Hmm..."

"Let me give you a task. Do you know of the Heaven, Earth, and Man Rankings?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"I do," Li Qiye nodded.

"You’re only sixteen now. There’s still a year and a half before the Man Ranking concludes."

"Your goal in this time is to reach the top ten of the Man Ranking."

"Do you have the confidence?"

A year and a half to reach the top ten of the Man Ranking?

Did that mean he had to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm in just eighteen months?

"What? Does it seem too difficult?"

"Do you know how long it took Chen Yunxuan, the current top-ranked on the Man Ranking, to reach his current level?"

"This... I don’t know, Master."

"A little over a year. He reached the Divine Transformation Realm in just over a year."

"If he can do it, so can you."

"Oh, there’s one more thing I haven’t told you yet."

"Chen Yunxuan, the top-ranked on the Man Ranking, and Ye Zhiqiu, the second-ranked—they are both your senior brothers."

What?

The first and second on the Man Ranking were both his Master’s disciples?

If that was true, why couldn’t he do the same?

"Master, I understand. Rest assured, in a year and a half, my name will be among the top ten of the Man Ranking," Li Qiye declared with determination.

"Good. I believe in you."

"Remember, the most important rule when venturing into the world."

"Survival."

"Understood?"

"Yes, Master. This disciple will remember."

Seeing Li Qiye seriously contemplating his words, Chen Chang'an nodded in satisfaction.

He didn’t want to be searching for his lost treasures only to have to rush back and rescue a reckless disciple.

A reminder now would save him trouble later—lest Li Qiye get carried away like Chen Yunxuan and Ye Zhiqiu had.

After a few more days, Chen Chang'an didn’t linger any longer. Bidding farewell to Li Qiye, he set off once more toward Alchemy Emperor City.

Alchemy Emperor City

"I’d say your connections aren’t that great, old man."

"After searching for so long, this is all you could gather?"

"What good are these few?"

The big yellow dog, Da Huang, shot Yao Niming a disdainful look. After all this time, not a single Emperor-level expert had answered the call.

Had the title of Alchemy Emperor lost its influence?

"Perhaps I overestimated myself."

"Or maybe... they fear the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s power."

"I never expected so few to come."

Yao Niming could only smile bitterly. Had he sought help? Yes. Had people responded? A handful.

Only seven or eight had arrived, and their cultivation was merely at the Immortal Realm.

Though their strength was lacking, their courage was commendable—they were at least loyal enough to repay past favors.

"This doesn’t make sense. Senior is the only Alchemy Emperor in the Profound Heaven World. Countless people would vie for his favor."

"Including Emperor-level experts."

"Why hasn’t a single one come to help? Could there be some hidden reason?"

Kuang Zhongtang frowned. The Blood Slaughter Emperor was formidable, but not invincible.

Avoiding him out of fear didn’t seem like a sufficient explanation.

Though Kuang Zhongtang was a rough man, he wasn’t without insight. Something felt off about this situation.

"See? Even this fool can tell something’s wrong."

"Senior Da Huang, I’m not a fool."

Kuang Zhongtang gave Da Huang a helpless look. There was nothing he could do about the dog’s sharp tongue.

"Could the Blood Slaughter Emperor have warned them in advance?"

"Or promised them some benefit?" Lie Zhankuang wondered aloud.

"Benefits?"

"What could the Blood Slaughter Emperor offer that surpasses the Alchemy Emperor’s?"

"Don’t bother speaking. Your brain isn’t much better," Da Huang scoffed.

"Fine, fine. I’ll shut up. Then who should speak?"

"What about those two girls?"

"Still cultivating?"

Ever since arriving in Alchemy Emperor City, Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao had been training relentlessly, day and night.

Lie Zhankuang couldn’t help but admire their perseverance.

"What else can they do besides cultivate?"

"Expect them to fight the Blood Slaughter Emperor?"

"Look at us now—old, weak, sick, and crippled. How are we supposed to win?"

Da Huang glanced at Yao Niming and the others, his expression full of resignation.

"Old, weak, sick, and crippled?"

"Who’s crippled?" Kuang Zhongtang asked, puzzled.

"Medicine Destiny is weak."

"Yao Niming is sick."

"You two—crippled."

Huh?

Kuang Zhongtang and Lie Zhankuang exchanged glances. They were perfectly fine—all limbs intact. How were they crippled?

"Senior Da Huang, that’s unfair. What’s wrong with us?"

"We’re perfectly healthy."

"I meant mentally crippled."

"You—!"

"Wait, you mentioned ‘old.’ Who’s old?"

"Me, of course!"

"I’m ancient. I can’t be expected to fight."

Among them, the strongest was undoubtedly Da Huang, who had never even revealed his full power.

No one knew just how strong he was, but Yao Niming was aware—Da Huang was a qilin.

The only divine beast in the Profound Heaven World.

Chen Chang'an liked bringing Da Huang along not just because they were kindred spirits.

The main reason was the overwhelming sense of security the dog provided.

When Da Huang decided to act, he was merciless.

Everyone knew Da Huang was their strongest asset, but no one could command him.

He did as he pleased. Only Chen Chang'an could make him do things he didn’t want to do.

But Chen Chang'an wasn’t here right now.

"Master... do you think someone leaked news of your condition?"

"Back at Alchemy Emperor Manor, many people knew about your health."

Medicine Destiny’s sudden remark stunned the group.

After a moment of thought, it made perfect sense.

A physically frail, even terminally ill Alchemy Emperor would see his value greatly diminished.

"Right, right, Medicine Destiny speaks the truth."

"Perhaps only this could explain everyone's hesitation."

"Though an Alchemy Emperor's favor is valuable, a dying one..."

Kuang Zhongtang trailed off, glancing at Yao Niming's expression. Seeing no change in his demeanor, he sighed in relief.

"In that case, we truly can't expect any reinforcements to arrive."

"How long until the Blood Slaughter Emperor arrives?" Lie Zhankuang asked with a furrowed brow.

"Only seven days remain before the one-year deadline."

"By now, the Blood Slaughter Emperor is likely already on his way with his Blood Slaughter Army," Yao Niming replied calmly.

"Seven days? Can Chen Chang'an make it back in time?"

Chen Chang'an—could he really return by then?

"Famous Sword State is too far. Sigh. We can't pin all our hopes on Brother Chen."

"If the worst comes to pass..."

At this, everyone's gaze shifted toward the big yellow dog.

The dog glanced at Yao Niming and the others, baring its teeth in a grin.

"Brothel trip?"