Unsurprisingly, the Soul Heaven Emperor was annihilated.
Futile resistance proved insufficient to shake the three, and
he ultimately chose to self-destruct in grief and rage. The detonation of a peak Dou Sheng was earth-shattering. Even though Chen Guan and the other two combined to block 99% of the force, the aftermath still sent shockwaves through the magma world, instantly annihilating countless Fire Lizardmen.
Several Dou Zun masters still engaged in battle further out were also caught in the aftermath, falling powerlessly without resistance.
The enormity of this event horrified the outsiders, who fled in all directions, their Dou Qi wings radiating from afar as the roiling magma gradually calmed.
But for a while, no one would dare venture near.
The sight of even a Dou Zun master perishing without a fight was too horrifying for them.
At the entrance to the Ancient Emperor's cave,
the violent energy gradually subsided, and the Soul Heaven Emperor was no longer visible.
Yet, upon closer inspection, they could still sense a shattered soul lingering.
This exemplified the power of an Emperor-level soul!
Unfortunately, Chen Guan, the Old Dragon Emperor, and Gu Yuan were all powerful beings of the same level, and would not allow the Soul Emperor even a single chance to escape.
Zhu Kun, transformed into a humanoid form, effortlessly captured the Soul Emperor's shattered soul. At this moment, a simple squeeze of his hand would completely dissipate the once-powerful Soul Emperor.
Chen Guan and Gu Yuan immediately glanced toward the entrance to the Ancient Emperor's cave abode. They saw three fragments of ancient jade scattered before the massive door.
The only thing capable of surviving the Soul Emperor's self-destruction was...
the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade!
Just as Gu Yuan was about to move, a hand rested on his shoulder, pinning him down.
A flash of golden light carried Chen Guan to the entrance of the Ancient Emperor's cave abode, where he unhesitatingly gathered up his spoils.
"No, the Soul Emperor should have four ancient jades from the Spirit Clan, Stone Clan, Ancient Clan, and Soul Clan. Elder Zhukong
and the others haven't found any within the Soul Clan, so they're still missing one!" Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan quickly arrived.
His vast soul perception spread, but he still couldn't find the missing jade.
Could it have been swept away by the energy storm during the Soul Emperor's self-detonation?
The thought flashed through Gu Yuan's mind,
but he quickly dismissed it. This place had been sealed off by the combined efforts of the three. While the aftermath rippled outward, there was no way the jade could escape under their noses.
Chen Guan, aware of this, glanced at the old Dragon Emperor.
The old Dragon Emperor blinked at him.
"I'm trapped by the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor. I must gather all the ancient jades and unlock the Ancient Emperor's cave before I can escape. Since I can't find the remaining jade, I'll just torture the Soul Emperor. You can deal with matters outside first. I'll thoroughly discipline him and ensure the whereabouts of the final jade!"
With these words, the Old Dragon Emperor formed a series of hand seals and, without further ado, set up a massive formation at the cave entrance, sealing the Soul Emperor's remaining soul within.
Given the Soul Emperor's lingering state, the Old Dragon Emperor personally oversaw the interrogation, ensuring no accidents.
Hearing his confident words, and seeing Chen Guan's lack of anxiety, Gu Yuan, no fool, immediately guessed something.
Only a peak Dou Sheng from the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan could steal an ancient jade so quietly amidst that terrifying energy storm.
Perhaps this behavior... meant... that
they didn't want to play with him?
Or perhaps, perhaps they didn't trust him enough to enter the Ancient Emperor's cave with him.
Feeling scorned, Gu Yuan frowned slightly.
Chen Guan, however, thought of more information. The old Dragon Emperor had some knowledge of the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion. At the very least, he knew that it contained the inheritance of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor and the Emperor-grade embryonic elixir.
In other words, only two people could become emperors!
With so many monks and so little meat, it was undoubtedly best for one's own people to enter. It was
human nature, and there was nothing wrong with that.
In terms of closeness, Chen Guan unhesitatingly favored the old Dragon Emperor.
He nodded immediately.
"Alright, then, I'll go out and take care of the rest. It's a good opportunity to visit the Ancient Clan. I'll leave the interrogation of the Soul Emperor to my uncle. What are your plans, Clan Leader?"
"I'll go back with you. The Soul Clan is now annihilated, and we need to make arrangements within the clan. I'll find time to come and chat with the Dragon Emperor later."
Gu Yuan had originally planned to stay. The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion was a sight that captivated everyone. He wouldn't miss it, determined to see it all.
But upon hearing that Chen Guan was going to the Ancient Clan, and realizing that the old Dragon Emperor couldn't sneak in without him, he softened his anxiety.
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"Okay, then I'll leave this to Uncle for now."
"Well, go ahead. Opening the Ancient Emperor's Cave is a matter of great importance, and thorough preparations are essential."
With the old Dragon Emperor's impatient wave, Chen Guan and Gu Yuan departed.
...
Arriving in the Ancient Realm.
Gu Yuan's first act was to summon the Ancient Clan's leaders to a meeting in the main hall to officially announce the good news of the Soul Clan's demise.
Chen Guan showed little interest, but he attended out of courtesy.
After Gu Yuan's announcement, the atmosphere in the hall erupted in excitement, with laughter emanating from the air. Some of the Ancient Clan elders offered indirect flattery, occasionally bringing up Chen Guan.
Unfortunately, Chen Guan ignored them.
Instead of focusing on these idle words, he took a closer look at Gu Xun'er, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
Gu Xun'er sat diagonally across from Chen Guan, like a lotus in a pond, completely out of place amid the croaking frogs and toads on the edge. Her beauty remained as stunning as ever, her youthful beauty undimmed, she immersed herself in an ancient book, paying no attention to Chen Guan, and even less interest in the conversations of the surrounding elders.
Suddenly, an elder of the Ancient Clan turned to Chen Guan and Gu Xun'er and broached a sensitive topic.
"Alliance Master Chen, we are fully aware of what happened between you and the young lady. Although it was an accident, it's a done deal, and the young lady is..."
Gu Xun'er glanced over, her cold gaze instantly silencing the old man.
Gu Yuan, seated at the head, watched silently, neither interrogating nor expressing a view.
Seeing this, another elder, braving Gu Xun'er's stern gaze, rose.
Gu Dao, one of the Three Immortals of the Ancient Clan!
This figure held such high status that even Gu Xun'er was treated with respect in his presence.
"The young lady's matter is of grave importance. Reason and proper, Lord Chen, please give us an explanation."
Though insistent, his tone was low, not daring to utter a single threat, instead relying on reason and emotion as a key point.
Strength was everything, and this moment was fully revealed.
Every pair of eyes stared at Chen Guan, but Gu Xun'er glanced at him and then looked away, as if nothing had happened.
This gesture made her attitude clear.
Chen Guan smiled faintly and looked directly at Gu Xun'er.
"Perfect, let's get this straight once and for all. I've never denied this, and I won't shirk responsibility. But you all know my situation. I already have a family, and I won't abandon them just because of this. If Xun'er is willing to be with me, I'll be grateful. If not, I can't help it."
The whole thing hinged on Gu Xun'er's attitude.
Looking at Chen Guan and then at Gu Xun'er, whose expression remained calm, Gu Yuan and the other elders understood.
Each of them had their own temperaments, or perhaps even pride.
Chen Guan was willing to take responsibility, but he would never grovel in pursuit. And Gu Xun'er, on the other hand, didn't feel bound to Chen Guan simply because she had the facts.
If this continued, the end result was predictable.
Everyone frowned slightly, but soon they relaxed again. They could not break the deadlock by themselves, but there was one person who could do it!
"Alliance Master Chen, we are not in a position to interfere in the affairs between you and the young lady, but there is one thing I think I need to tell you..."
"Chief!"
Before Gu Dao finished speaking, an urgent cry suddenly came from outside. Looking outside the hall, Gu Qingyang had already appeared there.
Being stared at by so many strong men, Gu Qingyang felt overwhelmed and shrank back unconsciously.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Gu Yuan frowned.
"Report to the chief, Xiao Chen... He has lost his mind and gone crazy because of the stimulation of his people. The Black Annihilation Army can't resist him at all. At present, many people in the tribe have been killed or injured. Even Lingquan and Gu Yao were defeated by him. Please ask the chief and the elders to quickly control the situation."
Gu Qingyang reported with a stiff upper lip.
"What! Insolent!!"