The border of Grandhaven Prefecture.
Cultivators continuously went in and out. Among them, Xuanyuan Liqun's expression was grim. Beside him, Old Bear clawed madly at the ground.
Years had passed, and the current Old Bear's eyes were bloodshot, his fangs and claws even sharper, and black runes flowed across the giant panda's forehead.
Behind him were the cultivators of the Xuanyuan Clan and Iron-Eating Beasts one after another.
The Xuanyuan Clan established their foundation upon Iron-Eating Beasts; when their cultivators and Iron-Eating Beasts fought side-by-side, the resulting power was far from a simple one plus one equals two.
"Reporting to the Old Ancestor, the Seven Ironclads and the Mad Blood Demon Lord of the Azure Cloud Li Clan are harassing various locations within the Blood Moon.
However, their operations have grown increasingly difficult in recent years. The awakened immortals and half-immortals have already developed countermeasures."
A cultivator from the Xuanyuan Clan gnashed his teeth.
"The Li Clan has alerted the enemy. Now, both the half-immortals and immortals are extremely vigilant. If not for them, we would have captured an immortal long ago."
"Shut up!" Xuanyuan Yuanhua rebuked sternly. "If the Li Clan hadn't drawn their attention, how would we ever dare to make a move against the immortals?"
The Xuanyuan Clan cultivator hurriedly lowered his head, though still muttering under his breath, "What's so great about them... Our Xuanyuan Clan is the one truly suffering on the front lines."
Xuanyuan Yuanhua ignored the junior.
He looked at the Old Ancestor. Seeing Xuanyuan Liqun's calm expression compared with Old Bear's frantic state, he asked with concern, "Old Ancestor, are you two still able to act?"
After obtaining the Red Dust Immortal's immortal method, Old Ancestor Xuanyuan Liqun began seeking ways to deal with immortals.
After years of lying in wait, he managed to capture a half-immortal whose body contained an immortal equivalent to the Void Refinement realm.
Even so, the Old Ancestor still had to resist the immortal's bewitchment every single day.
As for Old Bear, he had cultivated a demonic art but had not fully transformed into a demon; his condition was deteriorating by the day.
"I am fine."
Xuanyuan Liqun shook his head, pacifying the frantic Old Bear, and said to Xuanyuan Yuanhua,
"In Grandhaven Prefecture resides the Spirit Lord, who dominates everything within it.
Besides him, there is another Heavenly Immortal.
Through the shared intelligence of our Three Prefectures, we know of no fewer than fifteen immortals and half-immortals, and an unknown number of hidden ones."
"Our target this time is Wen Yan, a former general of the Western Frontier."
"She is the weakest among the known half-immortals. I will hold off the Body Integration realm half-immortal; I leave the rest to you."
"When the Seven Ironclads strike next, that will be our opportunity. We must act swiftly. From entering to exiting, we only have two days. You must absolutely not sustain any injuries, otherwise..."
Xuanyuan Yuanhua's expression was grave. "Your child understands. A single half-immortal... since your child has mastered an immortal method, it won't be a problem."
...
Two months passed.
A figure flew into the Blood Moon like a streak of lightning.
The auspicious clouds beneath Li Zhiheng's feet were dyed blood-red by the glow of the Blood Moon. He furrowed his brows. "A good opportunity to eat an immortal?"
Two months ago, High Ancestor Yunbing, sealed within the divine tower, had sought out the clansmen, claiming he had received news from within the Blood Moon that a perfect opportunity to eat an immortal would soon arise. However...
As a demon whose sheer wickedness even Lu Niang marveled at, the High Ancestor only mentioned an 'opportunity' and said nothing more, simply stating that today was the best time to reap benefits and strengthen the family.
Thinking of High Ancestor Yunbing's sinister smile, Li Zhiheng felt his scalp tingle.
Not to mention him, even the consciousness of the Heavenly Dao Divine Heart had incessantly urged him to get away immediately upon seeing High Ancestor Yunbing.
It was his first time seeing the Divine Heart so panicked.
Upon asking, he found out that the High Ancestor had threatened the Divine Heart, saying he would raise it in a pool, slice off a piece every day to feed the entire city, and then let the Divine Heart consume resentment to grow new flesh, only to feed them again...
"The High Ancestor only said the opportunity was right before our eyes, but where is it?"
Li Zhiheng suppressed the unease in his heart.
Returning to this place, Li Zhiheng exhaled a long breath; the Blood Moon could not affect his half-immortal physique.
His divine sense scanned in all directions. Besides searching for the 'karmic opportunity' the High Ancestor spoke of, he also wanted to find a certain person: Banshu Qingping.
The man who had devoured countless commoners and cultivators of Grandhaven Prefecture.
Even though they shared the same stance of resisting the Blood Moon, Li Zhiheng could not conceal his murderous intent toward him.
Firstly, the Heavenly Dao Divine Heart was itching to devour Banshu Qingping immediately to repay the 'hidden merit' it owed from eating in Grandhaven Prefecture.
Secondly, back when he had wandered through Grandhaven Prefecture, he had made a promise to the residual souls of its commoners to avenge them.
Regardless of what Banshu Qingping thought or what his ultimate goals were, Li Zhiheng didn't care.
A debt owed must be paid, a life owed must be repaid, and a promise made must be kept.
It was just that simple.
"Banshu Qingping and the Fox Saint must definitely still be here."
Amidst his thoughts, Li Zhiheng suddenly frowned.
"Hum!"
He saw faint, nearly imperceptible ripples undulating in the air.
These were the subtle shockwaves of a Spiritual power eruption from far away, taking half a day just to reach this spot.
"Which High Ancestor is making a move?"