Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

As Lu Hao's voice rang out, one of the stone pillars slowly descended, and the figure sitting cross-legged on top of the pillar became increasingly clear.

The stone pillar landed steadily, and Lu Hao looked up at the figure.

The old patriarch of the Lu family above was unusually short and thin, as if a gust of wind could blow him away, but the aura emanating from him was incredibly heavy.

This person is Lu Tiancheng, one of the Lu family patriarchs who single-handedly repelled a million-strong coalition army from the three northern border states decades ago.

Lu Tiancheng slowly opened his eyes, looked at Lu Hao who was kneeling respectfully before him, and after a moment of silence, spoke: "Lu Hao, have you already chosen the next successor to the throne of the Great Qian Dynasty?"

"Reporting to Ancestor Tiancheng, the candidate... has not yet been chosen. The reason we have come to this forbidden area is to request the wisdom of the three ancestors to help us decide who should be selected."

Lu Tiancheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and his previously calm expression suddenly darkened: "Foolish!!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it struck Lu Hao's heart like a thunderbolt.

He shuddered, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes: "Ancestor...?"

Lu Tiancheng looked at him coldly: "Do you really think that the reason my Great Qian Dynasty has been able to stand tall in the Central Region for thousands of years is because of what? Is it the so-called diligent emperor on the dragon throne?"

Lu Hao's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Of course not! The reason why our Great Qian Dynasty can maintain its foundation for thousands of generations is entirely due to the presence and guidance of our esteemed ancestors!"

"Hmph, looks like you're not completely stupid after all." Lu Tiancheng snorted coldly, his tone gradually softening. "Remember, the Great Qian Dynasty will not fall as long as we are still here! The so-called throne, the so-called court situation, are nothing but appearances for the world to see. The successor to the throne doesn't need to be a great talent or a brilliant strategist; as long as he's not an utterly incompetent fool and can maintain the status quo, that's enough!!"

"Ancestor Tiancheng is right, I...I understand." Lu Hao nodded hurriedly, quickly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Lu Tiancheng stopped looking at him and sighed slowly: "You should know that my time is running out, and I must complete the 'transfer of power' as soon as possible. With your current strength at the peak of the ninth level of the Divine Travel Realm, with my help, breaking through to the Land Immortal realm is not too much of a problem! Go back and make preparations as soon as possible, and also decide on the new emperor. When the time comes, you can come back to receive the transfer of power."

"Yes!!" Lu Hao clenched his hands excitedly.

The Realm of Immortals on Earth! I really have a chance to break through and enter the Realm of Immortals on Earth!

"Thank you, Ancestor Tiancheng!" Lu Hao stood up and bowed deeply to Lu Tiancheng, then bowed deeply to the two figures, one black and one white, above the other two stone pillars.

The two figures, one in black and one in white, remained silent. However, the moment Lu Hao bent down, he could clearly feel two pairs of eyes falling on him.

Those two gazes caused the true energy of the "Qian Yuan True Scripture" within his body to freeze for a moment. Fortunately, those two gazes did not seem to linger for too long, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Lu Hao dared not show the slightest abnormality, maintaining a respectful posture as he slowly withdrew from the grassland.

Only after his figure completely disappeared at the entrance of the passage did the stone pillar beneath Lu Tiancheng begin to slowly rise.

As the stone pillar rose to the clouds, breaking through the cloud layer and becoming level with the other two stone pillars, the two figures, one in black and one in white, on the other two stone pillars opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

After exchanging a glance, both figures simultaneously revealed a satisfied smile.

The Lu family patriarch, dressed in black robes, smiled and said, "This Lu Hao... is truly remarkable. He's at the peak of the ninth level of the Divine Realm, with a solid foundation, surpassing even the previous Great Qian emperors who 'contributed to the cause.' He's arguably the strongest 'blood sacrifice' in the Lu family lineage in recent centuries."

"That's right, besides his cultivation level, the Lu family bloodline flowing through his body is also exceptionally strong. I can already smell the sweet fragrance in his blood... It's truly tempting!" On another stone pillar, the Lu family patriarch in white robes took a deep breath and unconsciously licked his lips.

Seemingly influenced by his emotions, the cloud beneath their feet suddenly swept outwards in all directions.

Lu Tiancheng looked at the two figures in front of him, picked up a wine gourd next to the stone pillar, uncorked it, and immediately a strong smell of blood wafted out.

He tilted his head back and gulped down several large mouthfuls without hesitation.

It didn't contain wine, but a wine-red, viscous liquid.

After taking a few sips, Lu Tiancheng wiped his mouth. His previously pale and withered face was flushed with a rosy glow, and even his cloudy eyes seemed to brighten.

"Hehehe... After devouring Lu Hao, the life essence of the three of us, which was nearly exhausted, can be extended for at least another fifty years! Fifty years... even if we can't break through again, it will be enough for us to find the next suitable 'cauldron'! Hahahahaha!"

The Lu family patriarch, dressed in black robes, nodded, a hint of mockery on his face: "It's a pity for these Lu family descendants, who have revered the 'Qian Yuan True Scripture' as an unparalleled treasure for generations. Little do they know that the more proficient they are in this technique, the more their bloodline is activated. Upon reaching the peak of the Divine Travel Realm, their essence, energy, spirit, and bloodline origin will condense into the most perfect 'tonic'... making it easier for us to harvest it."

......

On the other side, Xia Jin had also arrived at the imperial city of Daqian, Tianyu City!

Instead of going directly into the city to investigate, Xia Jin acquired an inconspicuous small rice shop outside the city.

At this moment, he was riding in the carriage of this rice shop, entering the Tianyu City with the flow of people!

On the carriage, besides Xia Jin, was the former rice shop owner, surnamed Qian, with the given name Fu. Although Qian Fu was old and had gray hair, he was a natural chatterbox, and this was the first thing he said on the journey.

"Master, look, this is Tianyu City!" Qian Fu pointed out the window, his tone tinged with pride, but then he lowered his voice and began to ramble, "However, Master, there are so many rules in Tianyu City! It's a very complex place! You might bump into someone on the street who is a distant relative of some royal family or an old acquaintance of some government official. You have to watch where you're going and be careful what you say, or you can easily get into trouble."

"But don't worry, I've been peddling rice and delivering goods in Tianyu City for fifty years! I know every alleyway and every government office, every time it opens! From now on, if you need any errands or inquiries, just let me know!"

Qian Fu patted his chest and looked at Xia Jin with a smile.

Xia Jin looked at Qian Fu, who didn't look old at all, and sighed helplessly: "Then let me ask you, Old Qian, in your opinion, where in Tianyu City can you get the fastest and most accurate information?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Fu became even more energetic. He stroked his sparse beard and said, "Master, you've come to the right person! If you asked anyone else, they'd probably lead you astray! But I, this old man, actually know a few places."

Xia Jin didn't reply, she just glanced at him.

Qian Laofu, after being swept over by that gaze, immediately dropped his smug expression and coughed lightly, "Ahem... Yes, yes, yes, look at my habit. Let's get down to business, boss. In Tianyu City, if you want to openly inquire about rumors in the streets, gossip in official circles, or find people or things, the first choice is naturally 'Fengluan Terrace'."

"The news from that place is a mix of truth and falsehood, and most of it is just gossip from below, or deliberately leaked information. If you really want to find out something... important, especially from 'above'..."

He pointed subtly upwards.

"...Then we still need to go to one more place—'Qianjinfang'!"