Chapter 269: The Nine Heavens Tower and the Golden Proud Cult's Entrance

At this juncture, Jiang Chen's subordinates had completely decimated the advance troops of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, comprised of demonic cultivators from the Nether Soul Demon Clan.

Gu Ran had also taken down a number of these demonic cultivators, though their cultivation bases were of a lower tier. Despite combining the cultivation base he seized with his prior accumulations, it still fell short of the amount needed for him to progress to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm.

'Darn it!'

A fierce growl echoed from the depths of Gu Ran's heart.

It felt as if his destiny was being strangled!

Simultaneously, a system notification reverberated within Jiang Chen's mind.

[Ding! You've successfully implemented a minor plot alteration. Protagonist Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has dipped by 800 points!]

[Ding! You've accrued 1600 points of Villain Value!]

'His Heavenly Fate Value declined by 800 points.'

'Neither too significant nor too meager.'

Internally, Jiang Chen gave a slight nod, 'So, what remains of Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value now?'

Jiang Chen refrained from deploying the Villain's Eye to probe Gu Ran's current specifics. Instead, he revisited previous plot events in his mind. Shortly, he conjectured that Gu Ran should have a little more than 11,000 points of Heavenly Fate Value left.

'Still exceeding eleven thousand, huh?'

'This Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value is remarkably high.'

A chilly smirk materialized at the corner of Jiang Chen's mouth, 'Nonetheless, the longer he survives, the more rewards I stand to gain!'

Just then.

"Honored Holy Son."

"What's our next move?"

Using a transmission jade token, Liu Xiong reached out to Jiang Chen covertly.

"Tail Gu Ran and observe silently."

With a tone as cool as a calm lake, Jiang Chen issued the order through his divine sense.

This surge of demonic cultivators, serving as the vanguard for the Demon Race, was merely the opening act. Without a doubt, Gu Ran would soon come across fresh twists in the plot.

"Understood!"

Liu Xiong affirmed the order.

Subsequently, Jiang Chen communicated the same to Wu Qian using his divine sense.

In response, Wu Qian subtly nodded, signifying his comprehension.

"Young Master Gu."

"What's our next destination?"

With a respectful countenance, Liu Xiong turned to Gu Ran to inquire.

"Hmph!"

"You'd do well to stay away."

Still fuming, Gu Ran snorted dismissively and soared into the distance.

"This..."

Taken aback, Wu Qian watched Gu Ran.

He couldn't help but think that Gu Ran was exhibiting an inexplicable degree of arrogance, even going so far as to dismiss them, his seniors, without any regard. This encounter marred Wu Qian's initial impression of Gu Ran.

"My apologies."

"Encountering those demonic cultivators might have soured Young Master Gu's mood."

Liu Xiong brought his hands together in a gesture of apology and voiced his regret to Wu Qian.

"No matter."

"We should hasten to follow. We can't risk any harm coming to Young Master Gu."

Wu Qian shook off his concerns, then promptly pursued Gu Ran.

Liu Xiong fell in step, matching Wu Qian's pace.

For now, Jiang Chen decided against joining them. Instead, he returned to the location where Gu Ran had uncovered the historical records of the Cave Heaven.

Although this site was a considerable distance away for Gu Ran and Liu Xiong, for Jiang Chen—whose divine sense spanned a million kilometers—it was hardly a challenge.

Soon, Jiang Chen stood before the stone tablet, reading its inscriptions personally before obliterating it.

It was crucial to remember that this time around, the Demon Race had also gained entry into the Cave Heaven.

A million years prior, the Demon Race had been ambushed by the Human Race from within the Cave Heaven via a 'secret passage', an event that marked their downfall.

Now, the Nether Demon Clan had once again initiated an invasion, and their momentum was formidable.

To conquer the Demon Race, the tactic of stealthy infiltration into their territory could be reused.

However, a fundamental prerequisite was ensuring the Demon Race remained oblivious to this; they couldn't be tipped off. If they were alerted, they'd be on guard, rendering the surprise attack ineffective.

'Earlier, despite my lengthy search, I couldn't uncover any pertinent records.'

'Only under the sway of the Heavenly Fate was Gu Ran able to locate this site.'

'As such, the probability of the Demon Race stumbling upon relevant records is extremely slim. Even a Demon Race powerhouse at the Transcendence realm would possess divine sense detection abilities akin to mine.'

'However, we shouldn't become complacent on this matter. Any suspicious records must be obliterated promptly!'

'...'

Deep in thought, Jiang Chen's gaze carried a hint of contemplation.

Without further delay, he pivoted and pursued the direction Gu Ran had taken.

Simultaneously, within the Ninth Heaven Domain on the Immortal Martial Continent.

'This is remarkable!'

'The traits of this passage mirror almost exactly those of the small Cave Heaven under our Nine Heavens Tower's control.'

'Indeed, this must be a Cave Heaven Secret Realm, likely a large-scale Cave Heaven abundant with opportunities even for the Transcendence realm!'

'Ji Mingxi and the others from the Purple Heaven Holy Land have been inside for quite some time already. I must hasten!'

'...'

Lu An stood at the massive spatial vortex of the Nine Heavens Tower, his eyes lit up with anticipation.

Without delay, he commanded, rallying all the experts of the Nine Heavens Tower to traverse the spatial channel collectively!

A similar scenario played out within the Golden Proud Cult, located in the Wind Gold Domain.

Following verification, they confirmed that the spatial channel indeed corresponded to the intel they'd received—it led to a massive Cave Heaven Secret Realm brimming with abundant opportunities.

Consequently, the Golden Proud Cult also rallied a considerable number of experts, who enthusiastically plunged into the spatial channel!

Moreover, the Golden Proud Cult took a more aggressive stance than the Nine Heavens Tower. They left only a handful of experts to safeguard their sect, while the overwhelming majority of their forces embarked into the spatial channel leading to the Cave Heaven.

This move could be perceived as an 'all-in' gamble, risking everything they possessed!

Such a measure was understandable. The Nether Demon Clan's invasion presented a grave threat to their very existence, and securing the most potent power was the only assurance of survival.

Meanwhile, Elsewhere.

"Sect Master!"

"Most of the disciples who ventured into the spatial channel have already perished!"

"Their deaths occurred in a very brief span, suggesting that they encountered a formidable adversary!"

"..."

Within the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, Sect Master Xu Yuqi was seated, absorbing the disciple's account.

"What?"

"They're dead?"

"All of them?"

Xu Yuqi's brows knitted together, and he inquired in a frosty tone.

"Reporting back to the Sect Master!"

"The departed include..."

The disciple tasked with reporting trembled as he spoke. He was already the tenth disciple appointed to this duty, as all the preceding ones had been executed by Sect Master Xu Yuqi.

"It appears..."

"Our forces have most likely encountered Ji Mingxi and his group."

Xu Yuqi queried, "What about the other domains where spatial channels have appeared, has anyone ventured into them as well?"

"We've just received an update."

"The two major powers from the Wind Gold Domain and the Ninth Heaven Domain have already dispatched people inside, but we couldn't ascertain the exact individuals who entered."

"We also heard about a spatial channel appearing in the Lustrous Yang Domain, but it's quite a distance from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, so they haven't ventured in yet."

"..."

With trepidation, the disciple continued his report.

"Mmm, very well."

"You may depart now."

Xu Yuqi nodded and made a dismissive hand gesture.

"Yes!"

Relief washed over the reporting disciple as he hastily left.

Without wasting a moment, Xu Yuqi executed a hand-seal, sealing off the entire room.

"Oh, mighty Master!"

"What should our next move be?"

Kneeling in front of the screen situated behind him, Xu Yuqi displayed utmost submission, akin to a docile dog.

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