Perhaps most disciples of Tianjian Sect didn't know what Tianjianzi's emergence from seclusion this time really meant.

But the deputy sect masters and the elders of Tianjian Sect were well aware that Tianjianzi's emergence from seclusion this time might mean taking that step—transcending the Ninth Stage and becoming one of the rare experts of the Tenth Stage in tens of thousands of years.

"Master."

An elder of Tianjian Sect looked at Tianjianzi, his eyes turning red. In this generation of Tianjian Sect, a Tenth Stage expert had finally emerged once again. Along with Tianjianzi's emergence from seclusion, a breath that surpassed the Ninth Stage spread throughout Tianjian Sect.

Inside Tianjian Sect, those strong individuals who had come because of Xiahou Yuan's matter suddenly changed their expressions. Over a dozen figures shot up into the sky, incredulously looking at Tianjianzi who stood with hands behind his back.

"Tianjianzi, you?"

These over a dozen figures were naturally Ninth Stage experts. They had gathered here just to await Tianjianzi's response.

"Tianjianzi, have you taken that step?" An old Ninth Stage expert's voice trembled as he couldn't help but ask.

As a Ninth Stage expert, he naturally noticed that Tianjianzi's aura had completely surpassed the Ninth Stage—not halfway, nor close, but completely.

If Ninth Stage experts were like the bright moon in the sky, overlooking the mortal world from above, now Tianjianzi was like the vast starry sky, even if as large as the bright moon, still just a corner of the sky.

"Correct."

Tianjianzi nodded slightly, his expression proud. "We have seen the Sect Master," over a dozen Ninth Stage experts from various major forces took a deep breath and bowed together.

Since ancient times, there had indeed been those who transcended the Ninth Stage and reached the Tenth Stage.

But for tens of thousands of years, such individuals could be counted on one hand, each one a legendary figure who dominated an era.

And now, in their era, was such an extraordinary existence going to appear once again?

Over a dozen Ninth Stage experts looked at each other, feeling both joy and worry in their hearts. Joy because since Tianjianzi had taken that step, Xiahou Yuan naturally posed no threat.

Worry because now that Tianjianzi's strength had truly reached invincibility, could the major forces of the Five Realms still maintain their equal status with Tianjian Sect?

After over a dozen Ninth Stage experts and the practitioners gathered in Tianjian Sect paid their respects to Tianjianzi, this newly ascended Tenth Stage expert was asked how to deal with Xiahou Yuan.

"Now that I have reached the Tenth Stage, Xiahou Yuan poses no threat," Tianjianzi said calmly, continuing, "However, Xiahou Yuan is cunning and deceitful. If we actively seek him out, we might just alert him."

At this statement, the strong individuals present nodded one after another. Indeed, Xiahou Yuan was not a fool. If the righteous forces took the initiative and showed confidence, they would definitely scare off Xiahou Yuan.

At that time, Xiahou Yuan might investigate the reasons and upon learning that Tianjianzi had broken through to the Tenth Stage, it would be even less likely for him to come knocking.

"So, this time I broke through, I used secret techniques to suppress my aura as much as possible, so that the breakthrough phenomenon did not spread outside Tianjian Sect."

"In other words, currently in the world, only you all know that I have reached the Tenth Stage."

With this, Tianjianzi paused for a moment before continuing, "To ensure that this matter does not leak out, everyone will stay here for a while."

"In the past, when I suppressed Xiahou Yuan, I formed a deep enmity with him. As long as he regains his strength, he will definitely come seeking revenge."

"All we need to do is wait for him to come to us."

Tianjianzi's expression was confident.

"Master has a good plan," the others in the field suddenly realized.

With Xiahou Yuan's strength, even a Ninth Stage expert might not be able to find him if he truly wanted to hide. The vast and expansive land of the Five Realms, if Xiahou Yuan nestled in a corner, how could a Tenth Stage expert find him?

But by utilizing Xiahou Yuan's enmity with Tianjianzi, concealing information, and letting Xiahou Yuan come of his own accord, it was definitely the best strategy.

At that time, even if Xiahou Yuan recovered to his peak, he would only be at the Ninth Stage, probably unable to even struggle in front of Tianjianzi who had already reached the Tenth Stage.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, several years had passed.

In the underground palace, Moyang Demon Lord, and the other nine Demon Lords guarded the Spring of Qi, preventing any accidents from occurring during Lin Yuan's seclusion.

"I wonder how His Majesty's seclusion is going?" Moyang Demon Lord, looked a little curious. In these years, he keenly felt the concentration of the surrounding natural Qi decreasing at a terrifying rate.

And the obvious reason for this was Lin Yuan swallowing the Spring of Qi.

However, the more this happened, the more unbelievable it seemed to Moyang Demon Lord. After all, the Heavenly Spring of Qi was no ordinary object.

A medium-sized Heavenly Spring of Qi, just the daily exuding of natural Qi, was enough for several Ninth Stage experts to practice daily.

And now, with the surrounding concentration of natural Qi plummeting, it was clear that the Spring of Qi was being consumed frantically.

For Moyang Demon Lord, if one were to swallow a Heavenly Spring of Qi to this extent in such a short time, one's entire body would probably be blown up by the massive amount of Qi.

"His Majesty must be fine."

Nuan Shu glanced at Moyang Demon Lord, beside him.

She had an almost 'admiring' trust in Lin Yuan. Seeing Moyang Demon Lord, murmuring like this, she thought he must be up to no good again.

"You can trust me completely" Moyang, the Demon Lord, quickly said. Although Nuan Shu's cultivation was far inferior to his own, he couldn't deny her high status in Yuan's heart.

Especially in the past twenty-plus years, while other Demon Lords hesitated, only Nuan Shu tirelessly served the Master.

Comparing this, even though Moyang and other Demon Lords were not saying, Nuan Shu's importance had definitely risen in the Master's eyes. If Nuan Shu spoke ill of him in the Master's ear, Moyang, the Demon Lord, really couldn't bear it.

At this moment, Moyang, the Demon Lord, regretted a bit. If he had known the Master could emerge from the abyss, he would have been the first to rescue him.

"Hmph."

"I hope so," Nuan Shu coldly snorted again, not pursuing further.

Just then, boom! A vast aura surged out from the space where the Spring of Qi was located, filling the entire underground palace. Before this aura, even strong individuals like Moyang, a Ninth Stage expert, couldn't help but retreat repeatedly, unable to withstand it.

"Master, is this a breakthrough to the Tenth Stage?" Moyang, the Demon Lord, was greatly shocked. Actually, with the massive consumption of the Spring of Qi, he had already speculated.

Who else besides challenging the legendary Tenth Stage would consume the Spring of Qi like this?

For cultivators, natural Qi was like food. But eating too much food could burst one's stomach.

Only through cultivation breakthroughs would large amounts of natural Qi be consumed to replenish oneself.

"The Tenth Stage?" The other eight Demon Lords glanced at each other.

Since ancient times, the limit for cultivators in the demonic path had been the Ninth Stage. There had never been a Demon Lord who reached the Tenth Stage.

Twenty-five years ago, if Lin Yuan had broken through to the Tenth Stage, there wouldn't have been any involvement with Tianjian Sect. The entire Five Realms would have fallen under the control of the demonic path.

While Moyang and the others were in turmoil, a tall figure walked out from the space where the Spring of Qi was located. Lin Yuan's face was calm as he leisurely walked out, emitting no aura, resembling an ordinary person.

But Moyang and the other Demon Lords became even more respectful, understanding that this was the realm of returning to simplicity.

"Master." Moyang, the Demon Lord, followed behind Lin Yuan and arrived at the main hall of the palace.

Next, Moyang reported on what had happened over the past few years. When he finished, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, have you entered the Tenth Stage?"

This question caught everyone's attention.

This was the Tenth Stage—the realm that no Demon Lord had ever entered. Even in the Five Realms, Tenth Stage experts were extremely rare, numbering no more than five individuals in tens of thousands of years.

"The Tenth Stage?" Lin Yuan looked down at everyone and shook his head slightly. "I'm not at the Tenth Stage."

Lin Yuan indeed wasn't at the Tenth Stage. He was at the Fifth Rank, a Tier 5 Evolver in the main world, known as the "Land-Sinking Level". As for the Tenth Stage in this world, strictly speaking, it was only equivalent to a transitional stage between the Fourth and Fifth Ranks.

If one had to compare, at least it would be the Eleventh Stage to be equivalent to the Fifth Rank.

"The Fifth Rank." Lin Yuan felt the immense power within him. It was a terrifying power that could shatter continents and bring about the end of life on a planet.

In the main world, a Tier/Rank 5 Evolvers were hailed as the strongest beings on the surface. The battle between two Tier 5 Evolvers was enough to cause the deaths of countless beings on a planet.

Even some powerful Tier 5 Evolvers could turn a life-bearing planet into a dead one, where life would never be born again for tens of millions of years.

"Just take it slowly."

"It's only been thirty years."

"There's still a hundred and seventy years."

Lin Yuan wasn't in a hurry. It was still early for him to leave this world.

"Not the Tenth Stage?" Moyang, the Demon Lord, was a bit puzzled. Just based on the immense aura Lin Yuan emitted while cultivating, how could he still be at the Ninth Stage?

You had to know, Moyang, the Demon Lord, was at the Ninth Stage, the pinnacle of the Ninth Stage, but even so, he couldn't withstand the aura Lin Yuan had just emitted.

Was this still the Ninth Stage?

Moyang couldn't understand. But Lin Yuan also had no reason to deceive him. Since he said he wasn't at the Tenth Stage, then he definitely wasn't.

"Could it be a half-step to the Tenth Stage?" Moyang, the Demon Lord, tried to think of a possibility. But even a half-step to the Tenth Stage would only make him slightly stronger. It wouldn't be enough to completely overwhelm others, right?

"Doesn't matter."

"Since the Master is out, whether it's the Ninth Stage or the Tenth Stage, it doesn't make a difference to me." Moyang, the Demon Lord, decided not to dwell on it.

Time passed.

Half a year went by.

On this day, Lin Yuan was in meditation.

Nuan Shu hurriedly walked in, stopped behind Lin Yuan, and whispered, "Master, someone is looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Lin Yuan opened his eyes.

"Yes," Nuan Shu also seemed surprised, even incredulous.

"It's the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect."

Nuan Shu hesitated for a moment before whispering.

"The Zhi Ge Sect?" Lin Yuan pondered.

The Zhi Ge Sect was a force in the Eastern Region, second only to Tianjian Sect, a behemoth known throughout the Five Realms.

"In every generation of the Zhi Ge Sect, there has been a Ninth Stage expert presiding, with deep heritage. Twenty-five years ago, during the conflict between the righteous and demonic factions, the Zhi Ge Sect also contributed to suppressing Xiahou Yuan."

"However, the Elder of the Zhi Ge Sect, although only at the Eighth Stage in strength, holds high status and authority within the sect. Even the current Ninth Stage Sect Master is his disciple."

"What does he want?" Lin Yuan pondered.

"He claims to have important information that he will only disclose to you, Master," Nuan Shu replied in a low voice. "But I suspect something is amiss with him. It's highly likely to be a ruse. Master, please be cautious and don't trust him."

"Let him in," Lin Yuan said casually.

According to Nuan Shu's suggestion, the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect voluntarily sealed his meridians to come and see Lin Yuan. Otherwise, as a mere Eighth Stage expert, he wouldn't even be able to approach the palace outside the underground.

If Nuan Shu hadn't been sure that the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect posed no threat, she wouldn't have brought him here.

A moment later, an elderly man with white facial hair entered the hall. On both sides, the nine Demon Lords cast sidelong glances, while a tall figure on the main platform looked down at him.

"Greetings, Demon Emperor," the old man said calmly, bowing slightly to Lin Yuan.

"How amusing," Lin Yuan's face broke into a smile. "You, an Elder of a righteous sect, have come to see me, a demon, and even bow in respect?"

From a standpoint of identity and status, for the Elder of the Zhi Ge Sect to encounter Xiahou Yuan without immediately attacking was already a sign of great restraint. But bowing in respect? That was beyond belief.

"The world is ignorant, only knowing that demons cause chaos. But Demon Emperor, you are different from other demons," the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect said calmly.

"Is that so?" Lin Yuan shook his head slightly. "I've lived for four or five hundred years. I've seen what the Five Realms were like before the Demon Emperor emerged."

The Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect paused for a moment, then solemnly continued, "Two hundred and eighty years ago, the Demon Emperor emerged. Before his emergence, demons roamed freely in the world."

"You old fool, what nonsense are you spouting?" Moyang, the Demon Lord on the right, frowned.

The Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect was correct. Before Xiahou Yuan's demonic powers fully developed, demonic overlords were rampant, often pillaging and destroying villages and towns.

"What exactly do you want to say?" Lin Yuan asked calmly from his high seat.

"I want to inform the Demon Emperor that the Tianjian Sect is now a dangerous place. Even if the Demon Emperor wishes to seek revenge, I advise against it," the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect said gravely.

As soon as these words were uttered, the Demon Lords on both sides were astonished. What had happened? Was this Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect here to pass on information to the Demon Emperor?

"In fact, twenty-five years ago, Tianjianzi wanted to fight against the Demon Emperor. I advised my disciple not to intervene, but it was futile," the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect sighed.

"With the Demon Emperor suppressed, as I expected, chaos has returned to the Five Realms."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Lin Yuan looked down from his throne, his tone calm.

"Because the Demon Emperor is a good person," the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts.

Describing Xiahou Yuan as a 'good person' was extremely contradictory to his identity as the Demon Emperor.

"Although you, Demon Emperor, are cold-blooded, ruthless, and cruel, with hands stained with blood, resorting to any means to achieve your goals," the Elder from the Zhi Ge Sect took a deep breath, then solemnly continued, "you are still a good person."

"A good person?" Lin Yuan's smile faded, and he said calmly to himself:

"A good person wouldn't commit so many atrocities."

...

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