Secret Buyer

Chapter 561 - 346: The Fall of a Great Divine Power User, the Chime of Jade Void Rings Out

(Please excuse the 3,000-word break to adjust. Tomorrow we’ll resume updates and make up for it.)

Starry Sky Ruins.

"This time, you’ll take the lead."

The two men beside him spoke in low voices, shrouded in black robes, their faces unseen.

Shen Baobao retracted her head slightly, feeling that the explorers arranged by Mr. Zhang were quite strange.

Just a direct encounter gave her an eerie feeling, and they were said to be Celestial Humans... yet the sense of danger was unparalleled.

During this time, she had not been idle. True Man left will clones in each High Heaven Order,

allowing the order controllers to trade with myriad beings directly,

Shen Baobao’s clone stationed at Golden University nearly turned the place into her backyard during this time,

trading to extract numerous cultivation events, and her true self had long verified the Celestial Human Realm!

Though they were both Celestial Humans, these two seemed as if they could kill her in an instant.

Something was off.

As thoughts raced, Shen Baobao’s expression didn’t change much, but she felt confident in her heart:

"I don’t have much experience exploring ancient ruins. Though Director Zhang ordered me to lead the team, I have to rely on you two."

With that, she cupped her hands to the two peculiar black-robed figures, their faces hidden, only nodding stiffly.

Director Zhang appeared at some point, his expression slightly grim:

"Something seems off."

The three saluted simultaneously:

"Director."

After a pause, Shen Baobao curiously asked:

"Director... what’s happened?"

Director Zhang furrowed his brow tightly:

"The detectors placed around the nearby Star Sea have sent messages; a large number of Star Beasts are approaching, and they’re no ordinary Star Beasts."

"Predominantly Level 4 Star Beasts, and even appearances of Level 5 Star Beasts."

Shen Baobao was shocked. Though Star Beasts lacked intelligence and couldn’t cultivate,

a Level 4 Star Beast is born as a Venerate Divine Spirit, and a Level 5 Star Beast?

That’s even more terrifying.

The entire expanse of the World Plateau is scorched earth, shrouded in the fog that never disperses, beyond the gaze of the Divine Spirits,

because of the attack by a Level 5 Star Beast—a pure-blooded Golden Crow!

It’s said, the weakest of Level 5 Star Beasts is comparable to a [Great Divine Power User],

while the strongest...

is born as a True Saint, even a [Celestial Venerate], [Buddha]!

Shen Baobao swallowed, speaking cautiously:

"Could the Star Beast tide be related to this mysterious Taoist Palace and ancient ruins?"

"Nine out of ten chances."

The old director’s face showed a hint of concern:

"Previously, when unearthing the ancient ruins, the remaining array was destroyed, causing the energy to diffuse into the starry sky—especially reaching its peak after excavating Douluo Palace."

After a moment, he furrowed his brow slightly:

"Once Douluo Palace opens, your first task upon entering is to explore the shadows not illuminated by the furnace, out of sight."

"Look for special objects suppressing certain matters in the shadows."

The two black-robed figures nodded stiffly again,

Shen Baobao felt an inexplicable panic, but recalling the presence in her own Divine Realm, she relaxed,

She gathered her courage and asked:

"Director, you seem quite knowledgeable about Douluo Palace?"

Director Zhang gave her a deep look, then simply stated:

"Be prepared, Douluo will open, remember what I said before."

Seeing he was unwilling to answer, Shen Baobao had no choice but to let it go, silently watching the tightly closed door of Douluo Palace.

Time passed, second by second,

the Celestial Stele engraved with "Taiqing" seemed to flicker for a moment,

At that moment, the great gates of Douluo burst open.

"Enter!"

The old man shouted.

Shen Baobao barely had time to react before being practically carried into Douluo Palace by the two black-robed figures.

The three entered, and within three breaths, the gates of Douluo Palace slammed shut once more.

It would take another hour for it to open again.

Mr. Zhang stood with hands clasped behind him, suspended in mid-air amidst the torn earth’s chasm, gazing at the majestic Taoist Palace,

the void beside him gently rippled, after which a figure emerged.

The middle-aged man stretched, causing the void’s ripples to gradually calm:

"Old Zhang, the Star Beast tide is approaching; aren’t you going to flee?"

Mr. Zhang rolled his eyes:

"I’ve already notified the other researchers to enter the teleportation array. If things turn bad, I will have them temporarily teleport away to avoid the Star Beast tide."

"What about you?" The middle-aged man asked curiously: "The Star Beast tide contains Level 5 Star Beasts."

After a pause, he continued:

"From what we’ve discovered, there are pure-blooded Golden Crows, Roc Pengs, and five-clawed true dragons, with Golden Crows and Roc Pengs comparable to True Saint creatures."

"Moreover... there’s the suspected presence of top-tier Level 5 beings, comparable to ancient Buddhas and Venerates, in the Fifth Realm of the Divine Path!"

Hearing his words, Mr. Zhang shook his head slightly:

"I’ll take a gamble, if I lose, I lose this body, but if I win?"

His eyes were bright with resolve:

"With the Taiyi Chapter, I calculate that today, here, I might witness the progenitor!"

The middle-aged man spoke speechlessly:

"I can’t restrain you, and I’ll plan to escape soon anyway."

Mr. Zhang chuckled, glanced sideways:

"Why, you, the Pope of the Eastern Sect, lack confidence? What of the old true spirit your sect awakened?"

After a pause, the old man continued:

"Didn’t that old true spirit claim the wisdom stripped from the Star Beasts might be inside Douluo Palace? Don’t you trust it?"

The middle-aged man rolled his eyes again:

"First, the old true spirit said it’s possible; second, even if true, those three youngsters can’t unsettle or unseal it, can they?"