Chapter 9: Even Keeping a Low Profile Can Bring Trouble

Luo Yan sat listlessly by a stream outside the Can Peak, reflecting on which of the world’s Immortality Medicines were not guarded by supreme-level powerhouses.

First, there were two on Earth: the White Tiger Immortality Medicine within the ancient Kunlun Mountains, and the half-stalk of the Immortality Gastrodia Elata in Changbai Mountain. If Luo Yan were to choose, that would certainly be his primary target. Moreover, calculating the timeline, Ye Fan was about to be born; it seemed a trip to Earth was in order upon his return.

Earth was not merely home to Immortality Medicines; it also held one-third of the Green Cauldron of the Emperor of Heaven, along with the buried ancient corpses of several Great Emperors. These corpses had birthed new consciousnesses and would eventually sacrifice themselves to hold back the Forbidden Zone Supremes during the future Dark Turmoil.

However, reaching Earth required star charts. The universe was too vast; even as a Quasi-Emperor, Luo Yan could not claim to have set foot everywhere. To reach Earth, the only known path was to find the coordinates at the Five-Color Altar beneath the Ancient Forbidden Land. Yet, that was a place Luo Yan was deeply reluctant to visit, for it harbored two terrifying existences.

One was the Great Completion Saint Body, whose consciousness was often in turmoil.

The other was the Empress, whose state was equally detached, for she was traversing the mortal world.

Furthermore, there was a saying in this world: "Better to meet Wu Shi than the Ruthless One." Who was Wu Shi? He was an invincible figure who had swept across the world, capable of clashing with Supreme Imperial Weapons before he had even achieved the Dao. He was a man who stood alone at the pinnacle of heaven and earth, a hero whom even the Undying Emperor from a million years ago could not subdue.

The fact that such a rumor existed even regarding such a figure was enough to show the horrific memories the Ruthless One had left upon the world.

Beyond Earth, Luo Yan recalled that beneath the Northern Plains’ Myriad Dragon Nest lay a True Dragon Immortality Medicine. However, that place was controlled by the Primordial Imperial Clan, who possessed the Supreme Imperial Weapon known as the Myriad Dragon Bell. Most of them were still sealed in Divine Source and had yet to emerge, posing no immediate threat to him. This was a viable option.

Furthermore, the Divine Phoenix Immortality Medicine within the Purple Mountain of the Northern Region of the Eastern Wasteland was currently unguarded by any supreme being; he could try his luck there.

These were the unguarded Immortality Medicines in Luo Yan’s memory, and they would be easy to obtain.

For the moment, however, Luo Yan would not seize them in this era. He did not belong to this history, and even if he took them, he likely could not use them. Moreover, he was uncertain whether his interference would alter the future.

As he pondered, a paper boat drifted past the stream before him.

The boat was quite peculiar; while the material was rare, the craftsmanship was extraordinary. It was covered in Dao patterns exclusive to the Sendai Secret Realm. It was hidden so deeply that an ordinary person would never have noticed it.

But Luo Yan was no ordinary person. He effortlessly plucked the paper boat from the water. It had been folded by a woman—the technique was nimble and meticulous, a delicacy few men could replicate.

"There seems to be writing on it?" Luo Yan discovered, unfolding the boat.

[A senior of high standing returned to the Holy Land after venturing deep into the Ancient Forbidden Land. It is said they brought back news regarding the Path to Immortality. The elders of the Holy Land are deeply concerned and wish to mobilize the entire sect to attack. I feel uneasy; this matter seems ill-advised. Should I attempt to persuade them?]

The words were elegant and graceful, the handwriting as refined as the person herself. The owner of the paper boat was surely a peerless beauty.

Luo Yan stared at the question and sighed. The Heavenly Pivot Holy Land was currently at its zenith, its brilliance almost eclipsing all other ancient aristocratic families and Holy Lands.

Yet, it was precisely this decision that would lead to the overnight destruction of this incredibly glorious sect, causing it to vanish from the land, leaving only two lone survivors.

Holding the paper boat, Luo Yan mused for a moment before writing a single line upon it.

[Throughout history, how many Great Emperors and Ancient Sovereigns have pursued the Path to Immortality? Do they not know what lies beneath the Ancient Forbidden Land?]

After writing, Luo Yan refolded the boat and placed it back into the stream.

This stream wound through the entire Holy Land, flowing over a Divine Vein. The water carried the Source Qi from below to the surface, bathing the entire Holy Land in it—a legacy left by a peerless expert of the old Heavenly Pivot Holy Land to build a sanctuary conducive to cultivation for future generations.

The boat drifted away. He could not be certain if it would ever reach its owner.

Luo Yan wanted to attempt a change, but he could not say too much. That was the secret of the Heavens, which could not be leaked.

"I hope it helps!" Luo Yan knew well that this was but a negligible reminder; even if the recipient saw it, she might not take it to heart.

"You must be that Luo Yan, then?"

Several figures approached from the distance.

"And you three are..."

They arrived with an aggressive air, clearly here to stir up trouble. He had kept a low profile during his time here and had barely provoked anyone; how had he drawn enemies?

"We heard that the ancient mirror in Wei Yi’s possession, capable of reflecting the past, is yours? My young master is quite fond of it and has decided to buy it. Name your price! How much Source do you want?" the leader demanded haughtily, as if he were not here to negotiate, but to issue a decree.

Luo Yan’s eyes narrowed. Trouble caused by the Mirror of Time? Logically, the deity within the mirror was in a deep slumber, and with Luo Yan’s concealment, no one should have discovered its mysteries. How had it been targeted?

"My apologies, but that ancient mirror is my life-bound artifact. I am not selling," Luo Yan said calmly.

"Do you know who my young master is? You say you won't sell, and that’s that? I am here to inform you, not to seek your opinion!" the man shouted boldly, showing no regard for Luo Yan.

As members of one of the most powerful Holy Lands of the current age, they had the right to be arrogant. In their eyes, Luo Yan was merely an outsider, and his ability to cultivate within the Holy Land was an act of charity they had bestowed upon him.

Luo Yan stood up. "I do not know who your young master is, nor am I interested! But I do know this: if you walk away from here unscathed today, I shall no longer bear the surname Luo!"

Though suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, he was not someone a cultivator of the Dao Palace Realm could question!

Upon hearing this, the man clutched his stomach and roared with laughter, dismissing Luo Yan’s words entirely.

"Did you hear that? He says if we leave here unscathed, he’ll take our name! Does he really think he’s someone?" Min Tian continued to mock.

"A piece of trash crawled out from some unknown corner. If not for that little bastard Wei Yi, do you think you could have even stepped foot in here?"

But he did not laugh for long. Soon, he could no longer laugh, for he felt the life within him ebbing away, flowing out like water, never to return.

"Min Tian, you... why have you suddenly aged so much?" The others who had come with him were horrified, scattering in retreat as if fearing to be tainted by some omen.

Min Tian, filled with terror, scrambled to the edge of the stream. Staring at the aged reflection in the water and frantically touching his withered skin and face, he turned around in a rage and bellowed, "It was you! It must have been you! What have you done to me?"

"I warn you, restore me at once! Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead!"