Terran Guardian - Chapter 3871

Chapter 3847 Triumphant Return

While secretly gathering information at Zhenyuan Pass, Qin Cang had already returned to the imperial court.

Upon learning this news,

Qin Xiaoxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

His greatest fear was Qin Cang’s demise.

If this ancestor were dead, it would be a huge problem.

After all, the Immortal Qin Dynasty only had three Tribulation Half-Saints enter the Ancient Immortal Realm this time. Wu Jue had already perished, and if Qin Cang were to fall as well, then only Su Yufeng would be left to maintain order.

In this case,

the Immortal Qin Dynasty would suffer a significant loss of strength.

More importantly,

Su Yufeng was not a royal Half-Saint, and even if Qin Xiaoxuan wanted to command him, it would be difficult.

If that person had other intentions, then no one in the Immortal Qin Dynasty could contend with him.

Therefore,

the news that Qin Cang was not dead undoubtedly dispelled the gloom that had been weighing on Qin Xiaoxuan’s heart for many days.

Immediately, he went to pay his respects to Qin Cang.

“Junior pays respects to Ancestor!”

Upon arriving at the Immortal Abode, Qin Xiaoxuan bowed respectfully before straightening up to look at the Ancestor before him.

In that instant, Qin Xiaoxuan sensed something amiss.

Just as he was about to ask, Qin Cang spoke first: “As you can see, although I returned alive, I was severely injured!”

These words caused Qin Xiaoxuan’s heart to sink.

“May I ask, Ancestor, what is the origin of the force at Zhenyuan Pass, and who was able to defeat you?”

In his view, Qin Cang’s strength was not to be underestimated even in the Nine Heavens Immortal Realm. There were many powerful figures in the Xuandu Immortal Domain, but among the many prominent figures, this one was certainly among the best.

He had originally thought that with this Ancestor’s intervention, he could easily suppress the opponent.

Unexpectedly ,

this battle ended in a crushing defeat.

Yet, to this day, Qin Xiaoxuan still had not figured out the origin of that force.

Upon hearing this…

Qin Cang slowly said, “The force that seized Zhenyuan Pass was the Seven Profound Dao Sect, and I was defeated by the Seven Profound Dao Lord!”

The Seven Profound Dao Sect!

The Seven Profound Dao Lord!

Upon hearing Qin Cang’s words, Qin Xiaoxuan’s expression finally changed.

“The Seven Profound Dao Sect of Taiyuan Prefecture in the Star Luo Immortal Domain—”

He never expected that the force attacking Zhenyuan Pass would come from Taiyuan Prefecture.

In just a moment, Qin Xiaoxuan understood.

It was clear without thinking that the Seven Profound Dao Sect’s actions were undoubtedly revenge for what happened with the Zhen Tian Army.

Understanding this,

Qin Xiaoxuan felt a surge of anger, not only from the Seven Profound Dao Sect but also from Wu Jue.

If the latter hadn’t attacked the Seven Profound Dao Sect, how could this situation have arisen?

If the other party had been confident in destroying the Seven Profound Dao Sect, it would have been fine, but unfortunately, he lacked the ability to annihilate the Seven Profound Dao Sect and instead brought trouble to the Immortal Qin Dynasty.

How could Qin Xiaoxuan not be furious?

But amidst his anger, a deep sense of dread welled up within him.

The Seven Profound Dao Sect was stronger than he had anticipated; not only had they captured Zhenyuan Pass in just a few days, but even Qin Cang was no match for them.

If the Seven Profound Dao Lords were to launch a full-scale invasion, how would the Immortal Qin Dynasty resist?

Qin Cang saw through his thoughts and said in a deep voice, “The Seven Profound Dao Sect is powerful, that’s undeniable. However, our defeat this time was not only due to the formidable strength of that Seven Profound Dao Lord, but also because the Seven Profound Dao Sect had two other Half-Saints in charge.

My own strength is ultimately insufficient to contend with so many Half-Saints.

If we could mobilize the entire court to maintain order, then the Seven Profound Dao Sect would find it difficult to advance an inch.”

“Ancestor is absolutely right!”

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoxuan’s previously tense mind relaxed slightly.

“However—”

But just as the weight lifted from Qin Xiaoxuan’s heart, Qin Cang changed the subject again.

“The Seven Profound Dao Sect’s control of Zhenyuan Pass is tantamount to holding the lifeline of the Northern Frontier in their hands. The Northern Frontier is practically undefended for them. How could the Seven Profound Dao Sect possibly abandon such a vast territory? Leaving aside

other factors, the numerous immortal cities within the Northern Frontier alone are enough to tempt the Seven Profound Dao Sect.

Therefore, Your Highness should be prepared for the worst-case scenario: abandoning the Northern Frontier to secure other territories!”

Qin Cang’s words silenced Qin Xiaoxuan.

Zhenyuan Pass was a fortress of the Northern Frontier, the very lifeline of the entire region, but that didn’t mean it could influence the entire Immortal Qin Dynasty.

Beyond the Northern Frontier, the Immortal Qin Dynasty also possessed numerous fortresses and important cities in its other territories.

Even if the Northern Frontier were lost, the Immortal Qin Dynasty wouldn’t face annihilation due to its other resources.

But the problem was…

the Northern Frontier couldn’t be lost.

At least in Qin Xiaoxuan’s view, the Northern Frontier couldn’t be so easily abandoned.

If news of its loss reached him, his position would be severely affected.

That was definitely not a situation Qin Xiaoxuan wanted to see.

However…

The Seven Profound Dao Sect is powerful, and if we don’t want to lose the Northern Frontier, the only option is to confront them head-on. However, Qin Cang is severely injured, and the Immortal Qin Dynasty’s strength has been greatly diminished. A direct confrontation won’t be easy.

But no matter what, the Northern Frontier must not be lost.

At least—

it cannot be lost so easily.

Otherwise, what face will we have left?

“The most urgent task is to get Su Yufeng back first. With Su Yufeng and the Ancestor’s strength, dealing with a Seven Profound Dao Lord should be no problem.

As for the Ancestor’s injuries, I will use all the resources of the court to search for healing treasures to help the Ancestor recover his strength as soon as possible!”

Qin Xiaoxuan said in a deep

voice. Qin Cang nodded upon hearing this: “That’s fine, but that Seven Profound Dao Lord’s strength isn’t that great. What’s truly important is that he possesses a top-tier treasure.

That treasure is of extremely high grade, even the Four Symbols Returning to Origin Diagram in my possession is hard to compare with.

If he hadn’t relied on the power of such a treasure, I might not have lost that battle!”

A treasure!

Qin Xiaoxuan’s expression froze slightly, and he instinctively thought of that creation treasure.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

While the Creation Treasure was important, the current situation made it difficult to focus his mind on it.

Suppressing his thoughts, Qin Xiaoxuan continued, “The Ancient Immortal Realm offers many opportunities; this junior will naturally try to find news of a top-tier treasure for the Ancestor.”

“The matter of a treasure is up to fate, but as you said, if Su Yufeng returns, our combined efforts might have a chance to suppress the Seven Profound Dao Lords!”

“In that case, this junior will take his leave!”

…

Leaving Qin Cang’s immortal abode, Qin Xiaoxuan dared not delay. He immediately ordered someone to send a message to Su Yufeng, instructing him to lead his army back to the capital to deal with the Seven Profound Dao Sect’s problem.

When this news reached them, within one sect, all the halls and buildings were reduced to ruins, and countless cultivators had perished.

Above the heavens, a terrifying force raged, the laws of the Great Dao obscuring the sky, vast and impenetrable.

Suddenly,

the clouds tore apart.

A Daoist fell from the void, immediately followed by a spear that pierced his chest, pinning him to the mountain wall.

“Ancestor!”

The sect cultivators cried out in grief at the sight.

The next moment ,

a middle-aged man in white robes slowly walked through the air, grasped the spear in his right hand, and with a powerful shake, the Daoist’s body was instantly shattered into pieces, all his soul and life force annihilated in an instant.

“Kill! Leave no one alive in this sect!”

Su Yufeng’s face was indifferent, revealing no emotional fluctuation. Even killing a half-saint was as easy as a matter of course for him.

Hearing this, the army’s morale soared.

In a short time, the sect was completely slaughtered.

“Reporting to the Commander, all the cultivators in this sect have been slaughtered!” A general

quickly stepped forward to report.

Su Yufeng nodded slightly, about to give the order, when his brow furrowed, and a jade talisman appeared out of thin air.

When his divine sense entered the talisman, his previously calm expression changed instantly.

Then,

Su Yufeng put away the jade talisman and said in a deep voice, “Pass down the order: muster the troops in half an hour, then return to the capital!”

“Return to the capital!”

The general’s face froze upon hearing this, seemingly surprised, but he dared not ask any further questions and immediately accepted the order and withdrew.

After the general left, Su Yufeng’s expression grew even more serious.

“The Seven Profound Dao Sect… I didn’t expect Wu Jue to fall into the hands of this force, and even Qin Cang has stumbled. That old man is always cautious; it seems this force is indeed not simple!”

Su Yufeng knew Qin Cang’s strength all too well.

He had initially heard of Wu Jue’s crushing defeat at the hands of the Seven Profound Dao Sect, and that his demise was inextricably linked to this force. While somewhat wary, he hadn’t paid much attention.

But now,

Qin Cang was severely injured.

The Northern Frontier army suffered a crushing defeat.

Even Zhenyuan Pass had been lost.

These events combined made it impossible for Su Yufeng to ignore them.

Unlike Wu Jue, Qin Cang was always cautious. Even he dared not claim to fully understand the foundation of this royal ancestor.

Because of this, Su Yufeng was increasingly wary of the Seven Profound Dao Sect.

Now that Qin Xiaoxuan had issued an order, he couldn’t disobey.

If this led to the loss of the Northern Frontier, or even the complete collapse of the Immortal Qin Dynasty, he wouldn’t be able to explain himself to the court after leaving the Ancient Immortal Realm.

The Divine Wind Army acted swiftly.

In less than half an hour, the army was fully mobilized.

Su Yufeng didn’t delay and immediately returned to the capital.

…

Zhenyuan Pass.

Inside the Immortal Mansion.

Shen Changqing sat alone. On the stone table before him lay a celestial diagram, its light dimmed and marked with obvious cracks.

The diagram contained the interplay of earth, water, fire, and wind, seemingly representing the creation of the primordial universe and imbued with boundless mysteries.

This

was the Four Symbols Returning to Origin Diagram.

Qin Cang had fled,

and this treasure had fallen into Shen Changqing’s hands.

“The Four Symbols Returning to Origin Diagram can manifest the power of earth, water, fire, and wind; in a sense, it shares a similar essence with the Twelve Heavens!”

Looking at the diagram, Shen Changqing discerned some of its secrets. Without hesitation, he began refining the treasure.

Because the treasure was damaged, the divine soul imprint left by Qin Cang was also weakened.

Therefore, the refining process was a natural progression.