Lin Xuantong saw that Guanghan Palace was willing to dispatch eighteen Ancestors. Although the foundation of Mount Taihua Sacred Land was not as profound as Guanghan Palace’s, if Lin Shiyu were willing to act and bring along a few Ancestors, it would still be a formidable force.
Everyone finalized their decisions, waiting to see if Lin Shiyu would agree to take action.
“Ancestors, please be cautious. The Void harbors too many dangers—we cannot afford to lose your invaluable fighting power.”
Li Heng did not forget to remind the leading Ancestor.
This Ancestor was a graceful and radiant immortal maiden. Though her outward appearance seemed around Li Heng’s age, she was senior to Li Heng by well over ten generations.
“I have ventured into the Void before, which is why I agreed to go.”
The Ancestor spoke calmly, unperturbed.
Among the eighteen Guanghan Palace Ancestors, she was personally leading the team.
Lu Changsheng secretly transmitted a voice message to Xia Ningxue: “Xue’er, what is the background of this Ancestor?”
Xia Ningxue replied: “This Ancestor is named Li Lingfei—she has experienced two ancient wars.”
“Could she be the Guanghan Palace immortal maiden once called ‘Lingtian Sword Maiden’ during ancient times?”
“Yes.”
Lu Changsheng was secretly astonished.
He had come across records about the Lingtian Sword Maiden in ancient tomes.
During the era of war between the Human Race and the Demon Race, she had originally been just an ordinary human cultivator. But as she defeated more and more demons, she gradually emerged as one of the elites of humanity, later joining Guanghan Palace and becoming an Elder.
After humanity defeated the Demon Race, the internal factions split into the Heavenly Court and the Demon Realm, igniting the second major ancient war. By this time, Li Lingfei was already a Great Expert of the Longevity Immortal Realm. In one confrontation, she used unparalleled swordsmanship to tear through the heavens and severely injure a Demon Lord, earning her the fearful title of “Lingtian Sword Maiden” within the Demon Realm.
This Guanghan Palace Ancestor who had been through two ancient wars was undoubtedly a powerful existence.
For her to agree to Su Yun’s request meant she was certainly more than ordinary.
“You have just taken position as Guanghan Palace Master and still have many matters to manage. You don’t need to join this expedition. Su Xiaoqi is my disciple, and since this venture is about rescuing her clan, as her master, I cannot stand idly by.”
Lu Changsheng asked Xia Ningxue to remain behind and decided to accompany these Ancestors in exploring the depths of the Void.
“Lu, is it because this trip is too dangerous that you don’t want me to go with you? As Dao Companions, we should face challenges together and share life and death.”
“Be good. Listen to me—I have the ability to protect myself.”
Lu Changsheng planned to bring a disciple along, as his system allowed him to simulate the disciple’s safety. This enabled him to predict dangers and avoid them in time, making it exceptionally difficult to harm him.
Lu Changsheng then followed the team from Mount Taihua Sacred Land back to their base.
Lin Shiyu, upon hearing the sequence of events, said: “I only ventured into the Void once before, and that was with my elder sister. Since Guanghan Palace’s Lingtian Sword Maiden is willing to lend her aid, and the reputation of the ancient Su Clan has always been outstanding, they might prove to be a great ally in the future. You few, come with me to lend a hand to the ancient Su Clan.”
Su Yun was overjoyed to hear this: “If our Ancient Su Clan succeeds in escaping, we will undoubtedly offer great gratitude!”
“That’s a matter for later—don’t be too optimistic now. I have a feeling this will not be an easy journey.”
“Understood. Thank you, Senior.”
Su Yun was already immensely grateful to have recruited so many eminent cultivators for the rescue mission—this might be her last opportunity.
Elder Ancestor of the Lin Clan asked: “If all of us leave the Sacred Land, who will guard Mount Taihua? If a Demon Lord takes this chance to attack the mountain, wouldn’t it…”
“Someone will keep watch over the Sacred Land. You needn’t worry about that.”
Lin Shiyu made her decision; Mount Taihua Sacred Land would have her leading six Ancestors in their team.
Thus, Guanghan Palace dispatched eighteen Ancestors, and Mount Taihua Sacred Land sent seven Ancestors, totaling twenty-five Ancestors with Ancestor-level combat ability. The weakest cultivation level among them was at least a Greatly Accomplished God-King.
This level of battle power would dominate most places in the Immortal Realm with ease.
Yet, even with such might, the expedition into the Void to rescue the Ancient Su Clan’s Ancestors would proceed cautiously.
The Void was unlike the Immortal Realm—fraught with danger and the unknown, and inhabited by Void Behemoths. If they encountered a powerful Void Behemoth, even their twenty-five Ancestors might end up annihilated.
Su Yun took on the role of guide.
Su Yun’s cultivation was not weak; she herself had been cultivated by the Ancient Su Clan as the next-generation Family Head and had reached a level nearly equivalent to a Greatly Accomplished God-King.
But all the Ancestors of the Ancient Su Clan were trapped deep in the Void, forcing Su Yun to prematurely step into the role of Family Head.
“I intend to bring a disciple along to accompany the seniors on this venture.”
Lu Changsheng wanted to experience for himself what the depths of the Void entailed.
Jiang Family Ancestor immediately erupted in anger: “Are you mad? The deep Void is no playground! It’s exceedingly perilous—even we old folks listed on the Divine King Ranking could perish. If you go and something happens, Mount Taihua Sacred Land will have no succession!”
Elder Ancestor of the Lin Clan also interjected: “Even Xuantong, I don’t let him go. You’re still too young—wait until you advance to the Longevity Immortal Realm before exploring the Void. It won’t be too late then.”
“I have a premonition that this trip will require my involvement.”
“…”
The assembled Ancestors looked at one another, unsure how to respond.
Lu Changsheng had always been enigmatic. If he claimed this expedition necessitated his participation, could he genuinely possess a sixth sense—or celestial foresight?
“Take him along—he might indeed prove useful.”
Lin Shiyu gazed at Lu Changsheng for a long time, sensing that this young man was anything but ordinary. If the worst came to pass, she would do everything in her power to preserve Lu Changsheng’s life to keep Mount Taihua Sacred Land’s legacy alive.
“Elder Sister, I want to go too.”
Su Xiaoqi was unwilling to remain behind while her master and elder sister embarked on such a perilous journey.
“You mustn’t. If Elder Sister does not survive this expedition, you will be the only direct Su Clan bloodline remaining.”
Su Yun shook her head firmly.
As an ancient cultivator clan, their mission was to ensure the lineage continued—placing all hope on a single person was too great a risk.
“But…”
“Nothing will happen this time—let her come along.”
Lu Changsheng was contemplating which apprentice to bring, and Su Xiaoqi’s Body of Nothingness happened to be perfectly suited for the Void. Bringing Su Xiaoqi along made sense.
“This…”
Su Yun was still uneasy.
Su Xiaoqi said: “Elder Sister, my master is risking himself to aid our Su Clan—how could I, as a descendant of the Su Clan, shrink back and cling to survival?”
“Very well, then.”
In the end, Su Yun was swayed.
Thus, the team was finalized.
Mount Taihua Sacred Land was led by Lin Shiyu, along with Elder Ancestor of the Lin Clan, Jiang Family Ancestor, Patriarch Ye, and three other Ancestors. Adding Lu Changsheng, Su Yun, and Su Xiaoqi, the group totaled ten members.
Guanghan Palace, led by “Lingtian Sword Maiden” Li Lingfei, comprised eighteen Ancestors.
Before departure, Lu Changsheng picked up Daoist Earth Hound, who was lazily basking on a rock.
“I’ve heard that in ancient times, the Three-Eyed Divine Canines could devour stars and plunge the heavens into darkness. Who knows—you might unearth some potential by venturing into the Void.”
“Woof, woof, woof!”
Daoist Earth Hound barked with a tone that seemed laced with sobbing.
The Void was dangerous, and as an Immortal Emperor Realm dog, such a place was far beyond what its courage could endure.
Li Lingfei arrived at Mount Taihua Sacred Land at the agreed time, leading her team.
“Senior Li, it has been quite some time since we last met.”
Lin Shiyu brought her six Ancestors to greet Li Lingfei.
“Aren’t you the little girl who used to tag along with Lin Shiyun back in the day, always with a runny nose and messy hair? It seems time has passed—you’ve reached the Immortal Realm now.”
Li Lingfei recognized Lin Shiyu.
Lin Shiyu felt a bit awkward being addressed as a “messy-haired little girl” in front of the descendants of Mount Taihua Sacred Land.
Still, Li Lingfei and Mount Taihua’s Goddess were contemporaries, and her seniority certainly surpassed Lin Shiyu’s.
Su Yun summoned an exquisitely crafted wooden vessel from her palm. The vessel expanded in the wind, becoming a grand ship large enough to accommodate thousands of people.
“The Su Clan truly lives up to its reputation as an ancient Void-dwelling family—even possessing four of such treasures. This Void Boat alone can withstand Dao Artifact-level attacks without breaking.”
Li Lingfei inspected the Void Boat, expressing admiration.
Lu Changsheng, however, silently mused.
He also owned a Void Boat.
But a single Void Boat was already sufficient to comfortably carry their group, so there was no need for him to show off his own treasure.