Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

Two thunderous shouts rang out, and two Black Annihilation Army guards, clad in heavy black armor and exuding an aura as deep as a mountain, stepped forward, their spears clashing, instantly sealing off the entrance.

Their gazes were sharp as lightning, instantly locking onto the two uninvited guests.

Su Baichen remained calm, as if he had expected this scene, and was not angered by the other party's wariness.

He calmly took out an invitation from his storage ring, flicked it with his fingertips, and the invitation hovered in mid-air, emitting a faint fragrance.

"I have come to attend the ceremony at someone's invitation. This is an invitation personally signed by Miss Xun'er."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

The guard stepped forward and took the invitation. He scanned it with his divine sense and sensed the pure ancient clan bloodline imprint within it, but his expression grew increasingly solemn.

Although he dared not question the authenticity of the invitation, this was, after all, the entrance to the ancient realm, which concerned the safety of his clan. If someone with ulterior motives were allowed in, he would be guilty even if he died a hundred times over.

"This..." The guard looked troubled, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He couldn't make up his mind for a moment.

Just then, a cold voice came from the flank: "Let me see it."

Before the words were even finished, a tall and imposing figure strode over.

The newcomer wore a battle robe with dark gold patterns, and his brows revealed a hint of innate arrogance. He was none other than Ling Quan, who had been ordered to go to Canaan Academy to guide Xun'er back then.

Now, he is a core figure in the Black Annihilation Army. A few days before his coming-of-age ceremony, he will be in charge of inspecting the security and control of the outer perimeter.

Lingquan accepted the invitation but did not rush to check it. Instead, he first gave Su Baichen a deep look.

In that instant, he felt that although the man in front of him was young, his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, making it impossible to see through him.

He composed himself, a wisp of pure battle qi emanating from his fingertips, and slowly probed along the mark on the invitation.

A moment later, Lingquan's body trembled violently.

Although the soul imprint on the invitation was faint, it carried a familiar pressure—the pressure of the clan leader, who had left his mark on this letter.

(PS: The difference between an Emperor Realm soul and a Heaven Realm soul in their later stages is vast; Su Baichen didn't notice Gu Yuan's subtle actions.)

"It is indeed a personal keepsake from Miss, without a doubt."

Lingquan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and handed the invitation back with both hands, his attitude much more respectful than before.

"Your subordinate will open the entrance for you immediately."

Su Baichen nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Ling Quan's pragmatic performance.

As he passed by Lingquan, he paused slightly and casually patted the taut, rock-hard shoulder.

"Not bad, much better than the impetuous way you were last time."

These words struck Lingquan like a thunderclap.

He suddenly looked up, his pupils shrinking as he tried to see Su Baichen's face, only to find that the other party had already led the strange woman into the portal.

Lingquan remained frozen in place until the two figures completely disappeared into the light screen, his inner shirt already soaked with cold sweat.

"It's him... He's so young?!"

Within the ancient realm.

Passing through the light curtain, the scene before my eyes suddenly opened up.

A majestic city rises from the ground, its walls weathered and marked by the passage of time.

This is the ancient holy city of the ancient tribe.

Xiao Yu felt her breath catch in her throat, her beautiful eyes filled with shock. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single complete word for a long time.

This kind of visual impact that strikes straight to the heart is far beyond what can be described in rumors.

Su Baichen remained calm, though a barely perceptible hint of surprise flickered deep in his eyes.

Although this was his first time personally stepping into the ancient realm, his knowledge from his previous life was not enough to make him lose his composure.

He spoke calmly, trying to smooth things over for the girl beside him: "Don't be too surprised. After all, the ancient clans are the most prominent ancient imperial clans in the public eye, with unfathomable resources. They certainly have this kind of grandeur."

The two walked into the city side by side, and Su Baichen raised an eyebrow slightly.

The energy of heaven and earth here is so rich that it is almost liquefied, and spiritual energy flows freely through the streets like streams. Although it is still a little different from the small world inside his Heavenly Profound Pearl, it is not far off.

If one were to cultivate here, their cultivation speed would likely increase several times over.

"Mr. Su, where should we go now?"

Standing in this unfamiliar metropolis, surrounded by ancient clansmen with extraordinary auras.

Xiao Yu subconsciously moved closer to Su Baichen, her heart filled with unease, and could only place all her trust in him.

"No rush." ​​Su Baichen seemed completely at ease, as if everything was under control.

"Now that we're here, the news will naturally reach the ears of those who need it."

"Let's find a place to rest first. Whoever gets there first will go with us. After all, this is the territory of the ancient tribe, and we don't have the initiative."

They randomly chose a teahouse located on the street and sat down.

As the aroma of tea wafted through the air, Xiao Yu was about to say something when the light and shadow at the doorway dimmed, and an old man dressed in the robes of an ancient clan elder stood with his hands behind his back in front of the table, his expression calm yet exuding an undeniable authority.

"Mr. Su, we are here on the orders of the clan chief to invite you to come."

The visitor got straight to the point; although his tone was polite, it carried the commanding air of someone in a superior position.

Su Baichen smiled slightly, picked up his teacup and took a sip, already understanding the situation.

It seems that old fox Gu Yuan was the fastest; he found me so quickly.

"Please show me the way."

Su Baichen calmly got up and, with the still somewhat nervous Xiao Yu, followed the elder away.

However, less than half a cup of tea's time after they left, an anxious figure rushed into the teahouse like a gust of wind.

The newcomer had cascading black hair and an exquisitely beautiful face; it was none other than Gu Xun'er.

She looked around but couldn't see the person she longed for. Her beautiful face was instantly filled with disappointment and anxiety.

She grabbed the waiter who was tidying up the table and said urgently, "Have you seen a man and a woman, two strangers? I'm looking for someone!"

The waiter was startled by the sudden commotion. Upon recognizing the woman as the clan leader's daughter, he quickly bowed and said, "Miss, there was indeed a strange man and woman drinking tea here just now, but... but they were just asked to leave by an elder sent by the clan leader!"

"What? My dad called him away?!"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er's face paled instantly. She no longer cared about blaming her father for taking the man away. She had only one thought in her mind: she must not let him suffer at her father's hands!

Which direction are you going?

She pressed for an answer, her voice trembling slightly.

"They went...they went that way!" The shopkeeper pointed nervously into the distance.

Before she could finish speaking, Xun'er had already transformed into a streak of azure light and rushed out of the door, speeding off in that direction, leaving behind only a string of anxious shouts echoing in the air.

"Wait for me! Don't meet me so soon!"

Chapter 327 Discussing Power with Gu Yuan!

Within the ancient realm, amidst swirling clouds and mist, the council chamber of the ancient clan's sacred mountain wafted with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Su Baichen and Gu Yuan sat facing each other, the black and white pieces intertwined on the chessboard in front of them, a deadly intent lurking beneath the surface.

Su Baichen lightly twirled a white jade chess piece between his fingertips, his expression calm; while Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the ancient clan opposite him, frowned slightly, his gaze shifting back and forth between the chessboard and the young man in front of him.

"Young friend Su, what do you think of this move?" Gu Yuan placed the black piece in his hand with a soft sound, then looked up at Su Baichen with a hint of testing and probing in his eyes.

Su Baichen did not rush to make a move, but gently blew away the non-existent dust on the chess piece, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Clan Chief Gu Yuan, your seemingly sharp move was actually flawed because you had distracting thoughts in your mind."

"Or rather... you seem to have some 'misunderstandings' about me and the Ancient Dragon Clan of the Void?"

"Oh? A misunderstanding?"

Gu Yuan stroked his beard and chuckled, his expression unchanged, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Speak freely. Our conversation today is merely a discussion."

"Then I will speak frankly."

Su Baichen lowered his wrist, steadily placing the white piece in his hand on the side of the center position, instantly turning the tide of the battle.

"First of all, I have no deep relationship with the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. At most, I helped the little princess and her daughter who were stranded outside because I saw injustice. There is no connection between us, let alone the ability to command those arrogant ancient dragons."

Gu Yuan's expression hardened slightly; clearly, this answer wasn't very good.

Su Baichen didn't give him time to think and continued, "Secondly, Clan Chief, you want to use me, and even try to use this fabricated 'favor' to force the Ancient Clan to form an alliance with the Ancient Dragon of the Void to jointly destroy the Soul Clan."

"This is a matter of life and death for the clan. The clan leader of the Ancient Dragon Clan, Zhu Kun, would never risk the fate of the entire clan for personal favors."

"As for the third one..." Su Baichen raised his eyelids, his gaze suddenly becoming deep, and his tone turning colder.

“Clan Chief Gu Yuan, you have underestimated the Soul Clan. Similarly, you have underestimated the madman Soul Emperor.”

Gu Yuan smiled and said confidently, "Young friend Su, the first two points are debatable, but as for the third point, I have fought against the Soul Clan for so many years. How can a junior like you compare to me in understanding them?"

"Could it be... that you really know some secrets about the Soul Clan?"

"It's not really a secret; it's just that I happened to discover a very interesting phenomenon while traveling across the continent," Su Baichen said calmly, as if he were discussing the weather.

“Wherever a branch of the Soul Palace is located, deep underground, lies an ancient formation—the ‘Spirit Devouring Formation’.”

"Spirit Devouring Array?" Gu Yuan's pupils contracted sharply, and he almost dropped the chess piece he was holding.

"That's right!"

Su Baichen nodded and said, word by word, "Moreover, when I connect these scattered formations in my mind, they will become..."

"Soul Devouring Annihilation Array!" Gu Yuan suddenly stood up, his aged face showing undisguised shock and horror for the first time.

"This is a forbidden formation that the Soul Clan has lost for a long time! Once it is completed, all living beings on the entire continent... The Soul Emperor actually secretly laid such a vicious trap!"

At this moment, Gu Yuan was not only shocked by the madness of the Soul Emperor, but also by his own belated realization.

As the patriarch of an ancient clan, he was completely unaware that his opponent had planted such a terrifying spy right under his nose.

Su Baichen pressed his advantage, placing another piece, instantly forming an encirclement on the white pieces on the chessboard: "So this Soul Devouring Life-Severing Array is only what I can see in the open."

"As for what other trump cards the Soul Emperor has up his sleeve, who can say for sure?"

Su Baichen placed another piece, looked up at Gu Yuan, and smiled, "Clan Chief Gu Yuan, you've lost."