"The Myriad Dao Red Lotus helps your Blood Race people comprehend the Blood Sea and absorb the energy of the Nether Blood Sea, right?" the God Emperor said from the side.
"Yes, but only the elders have access to it. We have no way to get close," Shi Yan replied.
"Do you know where the Myriad Dao Red Lotus is usually kept?" Xu Zimo asked.
"The forbidden land of the Blood Race, within the Forbidden Nether Realm," Ye Feiyang answered from the side.
"I know a bit about this, the Forbidden Nether Realm merges with the Blood Sea. It's not a pure space. It's said that only there can the power of the Myriad Dao Red Lotus be amplified to the fullest, but it's also dangerous. Many elders have died in there."
Hearing this, Shi Yan nodded and added, "The only problem now is, how do we enter the Forbidden Nether Realm? Only the elders know how to open it."
"If all else fails, we’ll just force our way in. But I’m not sure how strong your Blood Race really is," Xu Zimo said.
"I can tell you everything I know, but you have to agree to one condition," Shi Yan said.
"Let’s hear it," Xu Zimo raised his head and asked.
"After you obtain the Myriad Dao Red Lotus, help me become the leader of the Blood Race," Shi Yan said clearly and firmly.
"Fine. We only want the Red Lotus. As for who becomes Patriarch, and the fate of your race after that, it has nothing to do with me," Xu Zimo nodded.
"Good. Our fate is in our own hands. If the elders are cruel and unjust, then I’ll fight for it myself," Shi Yan replied.
"Tell me about your Blood Race," Xu Zimo asked.
He really had no interest in internal family disputes.
"Our Blood Race has a long history, but very few true powerhouses have emerged. The so-called Divine Blood Lord is one, I guess," Shi Yan thought for a moment and said.
"As for whether our ancestors are still alive, I don’t know either. Currently, there are eight remaining elders."
"Have all your elders reached the Path of Immortality?" Xu Zimo asked.
If that were the case, then the Blood Race’s power would be considerable.
Eight Immortal beings could easily wipe out a typical imperial lineage.
"Reaching immortality isn’t that easy. Most spend countless years stuck at the God Meridian Realm and eventually die in solitude," Shi Yan said. "From what I know, among the eight elders, only two have truly become immortals."
"That’s not bad for forcing our way through. The only real threat is your famed ancestor," Xu Zimo said.
"Do you have a plan?" Shi Yan asked.
"Take us near the forbidden land tonight. If needed, we’ll force our way in," Xu Zimo said.
Shi Yan nodded. "Then rest here for now. Try not to go out and be seen. We’ll leave tonight."
Xu Zimo nodded, then turned to the God Emperor and asked, "Now that you’ve reclaimed your Immortal Realm alone, do you feel confident?"
"Immortal Realm? Back in the day, they were nothing but souls under my command," the God Emperor said calmly, eyes deep and cold.
"Even if my Heaven’s Will is shattered now, I can still fight all eight elders alone."
"I’ll have Chaos stall them. I’ll go open the forbidden land’s entrance," Xu Zimo nodded.
The group continued discussing and refining their plan. Once it was settled, they agreed to act that night.
Shi Yan left the cave. As the current head of the Divine Blood Lineage, many people were likely watching him.
……
The Nether Blood Sea has no distinction between day and night.
Although it refracts some sunlight, the blood sea blocks most of it.
So even during the day, it remains dim, the sunlight tinged red.
By afternoon, as things grew darker, a group of uninvited guests arrived at the ruined mountain peak.
"Shi Yan, aren’t you coming out to greet this young lord? Is your Divine Blood Lineage always this rude?" a loud voice rang out.
The shout echoed across the mountainside, full of authority.
Shi Yan slowly stepped out from the left cliffside, his expression indifferent as he looked at the visitors.
They wore dark red robes or long garments, with blue patterns embroidered on the sleeves.
Their leader was a young man with short hair and a handsome face.
"Yao Yang, what are you doing here?" Shi Yan asked flatly.
The man was from the Demon Blood Lineage, a leader among the younger generation and a rising star in the Blood Race.
Shi Yan used to be on equal footing with him, but now, with the fall of the Divine Blood Lineage, his attitude naturally changed.
"If the elders hadn’t told me to come, I wouldn’t waste time in a dump like this. Just a bunch of good-for-nothings waiting to die," Yao Yang said coldly.
"What do you want?" Shi Yan asked.
"Tomorrow, the elders will enhance the foundations of the younger generation in the forbidden land. Your Divine Blood Lineage gets one spot," Yao Yang said indifferently.
"Wasn’t it ten spots per lineage? What, did you take the other nine for yourselves?" Shi Yan sneered.
"Shi Yan, don’t be ungrateful. If not for the elders’ sentimentality, your lineage wouldn’t even get one spot," Yao Yang said flatly. "Whether you come or not is your business."
After saying that, Yao Yang turned to leave.
To him, the Divine Blood Lineage was beneath notice.
Just as Yao Yang was about to go, a massive palm descended from above.
It enveloped Yao Yang and his group.
The palm was powerful but didn’t slam down immediately, it restrained the group instead.
Then, without warning, it stirred up swirling winds and silently crushed them all in its grasp.
"No!" Shi Yan cried out in shock from the front.
But it was too late, blood splattered in midair, and they didn’t even have time to scream.
Shi Yan turned his head and saw Xu Zimo’s group emerge from the mountain wall nearby.
The God Emperor clapped his hands, as if he had just swatted a few bugs, completely unfazed.
"You killed them?" Shi Yan asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Don’t you hate them, Shi Yan?" Xu Zimo asked with a smile.
"I do. But do you know who they were? Killing them now will bring major trouble," Shi Yan said urgently.
"They won’t notice for a while. Besides, we’ve already prepared for all-out war. What are you afraid of?" Xu Zimo replied.
"Don’t you trust me?" Shi Yan asked with a frown.
Xu Zimo’s action in killing Yao Yang’s group was clearly meant to tie them all together on the same ship.
At this point, even if Shi Yan wanted to defect, the Demon Blood Lineage wouldn’t spare him.