Yuan Gang was stunned. “The Dao Bell? What is that?”

As a saint’s reincarnation, Chu Kuang was far more level-headed than ordinary cultivators. Few things ever managed to disturb him.

Yet, at the mention of these words, even he couldn’t hide his reverence and yearning. “The Great Dao is mysterious and wondrous, giving birth to numerous divine artifacts. Every so often, it manifests in the world, selecting those with outstanding natural endowments to bestow fortune. The Dao Bell is among them, considered one of the great opportunities.”

Yuan Gang was somewhat puzzled. “Why have I never heard of it?”

Chu Kuang shook his head. “That’s normal. The last time the Dao Bell appeared, it was three thousand years ago!”

Yuan Gang’s heart was greatly shaken. “Three thousand years?!”

No wonder he didn’t know. A Half-Step Transcendent expert could live for at most around a thousand years. Even should a few scattered words endure, they would have long since drowned in time’s relentless current.

After a long while, he regained his composure. "What exactly is the Dao Bell’s use?”

Chu Kuang took a deep breath. “Strike and ring the Dao Bell, and the Great Dao shall respond with its gifts—comprehension, talent, strengthened physique, bloodline purification, or augmented fortune. What manifests depends on the individual. Back then, I managed to elicit six rings from the Dao Bell. That was how I obtained the heaven-defying opportunity to step into the Saint realm.”

“Six rings?”

Chu Kuang nodded. “Yes. Three rings from the Dao Bell can be called outstanding natural endowments. Six rings from the Dao Bell can be called one in ten thousand. Nine rings from the Dao Bell can be called peerless and matchless. In fact, it wasn’t just me. On this Divine Continent, quite a few people achieved the Saint realm by borrowing this opportunity. Otherwise, with our aptitude and opportunities, wanting to step into the Saint realm would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.”

Yuan Gang felt extremely regretful. “What a pity I missed that era...”

Chu Kuang’s gaze became deep and distant. “Missed? That’s not necessarily true...”

Yuan Gang’s heart stirred. “Hmm? You mean...”

Chu Kuang took a deep breath. “You Fang’s words were somewhat similar to my deductions in the previous life. It’s just that my cultivation was damaged too severely back then, so the deductions probably had some deviations...”

Yuan Gang hesitated. “Junior Brother, back then...”

Instead of replying, Chu Kuang clenched his fist tightly. Hundreds of years ago, he was about to find a hidden site to properly establish a Holy Land or great sect. That way, he could cultivate his own forces and foundation as his cultivation gradually stabilized. Unfortunately, after suffering that sword strike, everything was gone. His hatred for Chongming and that old man was almost ten times that for Gu Han.

He forcefully suppressed his hatred. “Forget it! It’s better to go to the Myriad Transformations Holy Land and have a personal talk with this old friend!”

Yuan Gang didn’t understand. “About how to deal with Gu Han?”

Chu Kuang sneered. “As long as that Nine-Chi Coiled Dragon Seal exists, the Myriad Transformations Holy Master won’t recklessly make a move against him.”

Yuan Gang fell silent for a moment. “Is there a Saint realm expert supporting Gu Han?”

He wasn’t stupid. That Nine-Chi Coiled Dragon Seal’s power considerably surpassed Chu Kuang’s Saint Weapon. If someone said Gu Han had no backing, he wouldn’t believe it even if he were beaten to death.

Chu Kuang’s face twisted. “Hmph! So what? Once I become the Holy Son and unite several great Holy Lands, he won’t be as big of a threat! Moreover, Gu Han has repeatedly ruined my major plans. We must eliminate him at all costs!”

Before he chose to possess a body, his preparations could be said to be flawless. Even his Barbaric War Physique was something he spent a lot of effort and cost to find. His plan was simple: enter the Yuqing Sect, rise with a heaven-shaking momentum by subduing the other families, unify the Northern Domain, develop his own forces, then join the Myriad Transformations Holy Land. Afterward, he would ally with Saint Realm experts to seek heaven-defying opportunities such as the Profound Pill Pavilion and the Dao Bell to restore his former cultivation.

He had calculated every step meticulously, yet Gu Han’s arrival threw everything into disarray.

He suppressed his anger again. “Let’s go. The main issue now is still to go to the Myriad Transformations Holy Land and confirm the truth of that news.”

Yuan Gang understood his meaning. “You mean the Dao Bell?”

Excitement faintly flickered in Chu Kuang’s eyes. “Senior Brother, if my deductions come true, the brilliance of three thousand years ago will reappear once more!”

***

The Divine Continent was vast, home to numerous Holy Lands, great sects, and even various hidden families. Nevertheless, the majority of them chose secluded cultivation, rarely interacting with the outside world. Most of them lay within vast secret realms dense with spiritual energy. Their gateways were hidden, their spatial barriers remarkably stable. Even if others discovered them, they simply couldn’t enter without special methods.

The Myriad Transformations Holy Land was also one of them. Immortal mist coiled within, casting the realm in the semblance of a celestial paradise. Mountain ranges stretched continuously almost without end. Spirit qi was heavy, nurturing countless spirit herbs and exotic fruits.

Disciples came and went, carrying a faint look of arrogance. After all, each was equally extraordinary, possessing superior aptitude and intelligence. They didn’t even spare a glance at the spirit herbs that, if found outside, would spark chaos and drive countless people into desperate fights.

Atop a strange peak, the soot-covered You Fang knelt before the cave dwelling. His voice lowered in respect. “Holy Master, the course of events is just as I said.”

A voice carrying a trace of saintly might drifted out. “I know. You may leave.”

“Holy Master, those people—”

“Hmm?”

You Fang broke out in a cold sweat from fear, not daring to say another word. “Yes! Yes! Understood!”

He instantly left.

***

Inside the cave abode, a young man with an imposing bearing bowed in salute. “Holy Master, should we just let this matter go like that?”

Opposite him, a middle-aged man sat upright. “That spirit seal belongs to the Flame Emperor.”

Clad in white robes, he emanated a layer of profound aura. Traces of Dao principles flickered within his eyes. He was none other than the Holy Master.

The young man fell silent, aware of his own family’s affairs. Since their Holy Land had just been established for a short time, its foundation was weak. Compared to those top-tier forces, there was a vast gap.

He frowned slightly. “Although the Great Flame Empire engaged in continuous warfare, their actions remain as overbearing as ever.”

The Holy Master said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter! Just consider this incident as me selling the Flame Emperor a favor. I won’t pursue it. With the Dao Bell about to appear, we must avoid unnecessary complications. Regardless, don’t blame me for not showing consideration if there is a next time.”

The young man was somewhat puzzled. “Holy Master, is the bell really about to appear? It’s quite a few years earlier than the time you deduced.”

In response, the Holy Master sighed. “Heavenly mysteries are unpredictable. How could I deduce them accurately? Moreover, this news came from the Central Continent, so it definitely isn’t mistaken. That’s also why I sent You Fang out early.”

The young man hesitated for a moment. “Holy Master, in my view, the Northern Domain is filled with mediocrity and complacency. Even their finest—Jiang Xuan—falls short of the Holy Son candidates we nurture. After I defeated him, his Dao heart nearly shattered. How could such people possibly stand a chance of becoming the Myriad Transformations Holy Son?”

The young man was somewhat dissatisfied with the practice of recruiting people from outside.

The Holy Master seemed to agree. “Ultimately, I achieved the Saint realm too late, and our foundation is too weak.”

Just as they spoke, someone else came to report from outside. “Reporting to the Holy Master! There’s a young man outside, holding your jade token, s-saying an old friend has come to visit.”

“Bring him in.”

“Understood.”

The young man’s brow furrowed again. “Holy Master, is this person Chu Kuang that You Fang mentioned?”

The Holy Master smiled inexplicably. “Yes. If all goes smoothly, he should be the one to succeed you as Holy Son.”