The Nine Celestial Emperors studied Yue Dekong's soul-searching scroll for a while longer before Shangguan Zhi, the matriarch of the An'Yun Pavilion, asked suddenly, "Among these people, which one is the cook you hired?"
The Grand Elder's heart skipped a beat. He quickly answered, "In response to Your Excellency, originally, I intended to hire Miss Ruan from the Myriad Blossom Pavilion as our head chef."
"But once the Patriarch heard that Young Master Song had a particular fondness for dishes made with rice wine, he ordered Cai Quan to search for a new cook instead."
"Cai Quan has always been meticulous and dependable, so we trusted him completely."
"From searching to bringing the cook here, everything was handled solely by Cai Quan. I didn't interfere, nor did I ever see the person in question."
"As for the individuals depicted in the scroll… they all look unfamiliar. Even their accents don't sound local to our region."
"Does he have a soul tablet?" Shangguan Zhi asked.
"He was merely a squad leader within the Yue Clan's spiritual guard. He didn't qualify for a soul tablet," the Grand Elder replied, shaking his head.
"No soul tablet?" Beiye Xun frowned deeply. "That'll make finding him much harder."
"You have five days," Guan Song said coldly, glancing briefly at Yue Qingqian. "Make sure you find that man."
"Yes, Your Excellency. The Yue Clan will spare no effort," Yue Qingqian answered promptly and respectfully.
Only then did Guan Song nod in satisfaction. "We'll be taking this Akong with us for now. Once you locate Cai Quan, this Celestial Emperor shall reward you handsomely."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Joy flickered in Yue Qingqian's eyes. A reward from a Celestial Emperor was sure to be something extraordinary.
"Let's go." Guan Song summoned his spirit vessel, and the group boarded the ship and left in a flash of radiant light.
"Farewell, Your Excellencies," Yue Qingqian said, bowing deeply.
Only after the celestial vessel vanished from sight did Yue Qingqian dare to wipe the cold sweat from his brow. "Grand Elder, mobilize every capable hand in the Yue Clan. Find out where Cai Quan has gone."
"Yes," the Grand Elder responded with a solemn nod. "Patriarch, rest assured. I will find Cai Quan."
And then I'll eliminate him. Only then can I rest easy.
I won't risk my soul being read by a Celestial Emperor.
On the spirit vessel, Fu Yishu asked, "So, are we still heading to the Tower Beyond?"
"Well, we're already out and about," Wen Xin replied with a casual smile. "We might as well stop by. Who knows—maybe their sect tokens have been redesigned."
"Sister Wen has a point," Shangguan Zhi added coolly. "And while we're at it, we should swing by the Land of Descent in the Western Flame Continent."
"There's been activity there?" Xue Yi asked, raising a brow.
"Not exactly," Shangguan Zhi replied. "Just faint, prolonged fluctuations. Nothing strong, but definitely unusual."
"Something like this hasn't happened before," she added.
"We've been trapped in this wasteland for nearly ten thousand years," Guan Song said darkly. "Now that we finally have a lead, we cannot afford any mistakes."
"I was planning to check it out anyway," Shangguan Zhi responded.
Zhuo Xiyan remained silent, lips pressed tightly together.
From Yue Dekong's soul memory, it was clear: the mysterious figure who repelled the lightning tribulation wasn't a fraud or illusion.
That was the power of a true supreme being.
Compared to that existence, even in their former peak states, the Nine Celestial Emperors were like dust to a mountain.
With such a figure now walking the realms, could their plan still succeed?
She didn't want to be stuck in this desolate world forever. She had a lover. She had a child.
"Should we prepare gifts?" Wenren Jiu asked.
"Even if that token doesn't belong to the Tower Beyond, just in case, it wouldn't hurt to bring something," Wen Xin suggested.
The Nine Celestial Emperors, all extremely wealthy, quickly selected various rare and valuable items.
They then teleported to the Western Flame Continent via the intercontinental teleportation platform, and from there, used a nearby sect's platform to reach the Tower Beyond.
When the Tower Master of the Tower Beyond received word that all Nine Celestial Emperors were arriving together, he was so shocked that he hastily woke up the two reclusive Elders.
Their names were Zhao Defu and Zhao Deli—twin brothers.
"Your Excellencies' presence brings immense honor to our humble Tower Beyond," Zhao Defu greeted, bowing deeply.
"No need for such formality," Guan Song said with a friendly smile. "We happened to be passing by and thought we might rest our feet here."
Until it was confirmed that the mysterious powerhouse had no ties to the Tower Beyond, it was best to be cautious and polite.
"Please, right this way," Zhao Defu said, stepping aside to welcome them in.
He ordered attendants to bring out the tower's finest spiritual fruits and teas.
Once the pleasantries concluded, Guan Song asked, "Tower Master Zhao, might we trouble you to show us your sect's token?"
Though disciples had greeted them upon arrival, the setting was too busy for them to get a clear look.
Zhao Defu blinked in surprise.
Guan Song continued, "Not long ago, a disciple of ours was in the Western Flame Continent on a training mission and found themselves in danger."
"They were saved by someone who left without revealing their identity."
"Our disciple only caught a glimpse of their sect token. He described it as resembling yours… but with a few discrepancies. That's why we wanted to confirm."
Zhao Defu ordered someone to retrieve a sect token.
The Nine Celestial Emperors gathered around as one.
The token was black, engraved with a pointed tower at the top and a large "Outer" (外) character below.
There were no star patterns.
The Nine Celestial Emperors exchanged glances, then all shook their heads.
It seemed the supreme being had no affiliation with the Tower Beyond.
Still, Guan Song probed once more. "Recently, a powerful cultivator has emerged across the Five Continents. Have either of you heard rumors?"
"A powerful cultivator?" Zhao Defu and Zhao Deli blinked in unison. "Has someone broken through to the Celestial Emperor stage again?"
Zhao Deli added, "Do you know which continent this person hails from?"
Certainly not the Western Flame Continent—if someone of that level emerged here, they'd have sensed it.
Guan Song noted their genuine surprise and frowned faintly. "We've only heard whispers. No firsthand encounters."
Finding nothing in the Tower Beyond, the group soon took their leave, journeying on toward the Land of Descent.
On the way, Wenren Jiu suggested, "We should send the image of that half-token to the Alliance Council. Let them investigate quietly."
"We don't have a better plan," Guan Song agreed with a nod.
"Tell them to look into newly emerging sects," Shangguan Zhi said, reclining in her seat. "None of the established powers match that token."
"But if it's a new sect, how could they possess such strength and heritage?" Wen Xin asked, perplexed.
"Perhaps a great power toying with the mortal world," Wenren Jiu mused aloud.
"This counts as the mortal world?" Zhuo Xiyan shot back coldly.
At that, silence fell.
The atmosphere inside the spirit vessel chilled instantly. The Nine Celestial Emperors each fell into brooding thought.
Soon, they arrived at the Land of Descent.
This place was unlike any other. Surrounded by a natural formation, it barred entry to anyone below the Celestial rank.
Every few years—or sometimes decades, or even centuries—a chosen child would be born here. A "Child of Descent."
These children possessed extraordinary talent and perception. If nurtured properly, they were guaranteed to rise to prominence.
There were five such Lands of Descent in the Great Wasteland—one in each of the Five Continents.
But all had long since fallen under the control of the Nine Great Factions of the Central Continent.
Every single Child of Descent was claimed by those nine powers.
As for the other sects?
They couldn't even catch a whiff of the leftovers.