Chapter 864: Chapter 863: Eastern Ancestor Appears

If truly pierced, Su Han’s fate would undoubtedly match that of the Emperor’s Phantom–obliterated in an instant!

Not just his physical body, but even his very soul would die on this fishhook.

Moreover, Su Han had an ominous feeling that the fishhook was not an actual object but merely an illusion. If it truly pierced him, he would undoubtedly perish, and the fishhook… would absorb his memories!

In other words, even if Su Han was unwilling to hand over those Techniques, his death would result in those very Techniques falling into Liushui Mingxue’s hands.

This realization could be seen from the increasingly greedy glint in Liushui Mingxue’s eyes.

At this juncture, Su Han still possessed other secret techniques, but there was no time to execute them. Even if he could, they would not suffice to contend with Liushui Mingxue.

Ultimately, it all came down to having an insufficient cultivation base.

Those secret techniques were earth-shattering in power; even in the vast Starry Sky, they would evoke extreme envy.

Though Su Han could indeed unleash them by consuming his lifespan, the difference between using them and demonstrating their full power was stark.

Imagine handing a secret technique mastered by the Dragon Venerate Realm to an ordinary mortal. Even if the mortal could somehow utilize it, how much power could they truly wield?

It wasn’t as simple as mere addition, nor could one endlessly increase the power by draining more lifespan–ultimately, there were limitations.

As the fishhook raced toward him, Su Han’s eyes burned blood-red, his teeth clenched tight. At the critical moment, he shouted fiercely, “Master!!!”

“Sigh…”

A weary sigh echoed from the Void, and shortly after, the aged figure of the Eastern Ancestor slowly emerged.

The sigh was born from the regret of not having completed his plans, yet he understood Su Han well enough to know that he would only call out if he truly couldn’t hold on.

“Eastern Ancestor?!”

When Liushui Mingxue laid eyes on the Eastern Ancestor, his pupils contracted sharply. His assault with the fishhook instinctively paused, and he involuntarily took a step back, his face betraying fear and shock.

This fear and shock were entirely unhidden–Liushui Mingxue had no thoughts of masking them.

The Eastern Ancestor’s strength was overwhelming, so much so that the mere sight of him made Liushui Mingxue’s body tremble. Such was his power that Liushui Mingxue dared not make a move against him!

For the newer generation, the Eastern Ancestor’s reputation may have been limited to hearsay and thus less impactful.

But in the Dragon Emperor Realm–especially to someone like Liushui Mingxue, who had carved out an Imperial Domain–the fear inspired by the Eastern Ancestor was unmistakable!

But all of this dread and awe was fleeting. As Liushui Mingxue sensed the cultivation base of the Eastern Ancestor, he momentarily froze, his expression darkening soon after.

By then, he had confirmed: this Eastern Ancestor… was still just an avatar!

While he deeply feared the original body of the Eastern Ancestor, he held no regard for the mere avatar before him.

“Ye Lingchen, as expected from you. A Pseudo-Emperor Realm avatar’s cultivation can infiltrate my Imperial Domain without my notice,” Liushui Mingxue said.

The fear and awe on his face had vanished entirely, and he directly addressed the Eastern Ancestor by name, hinting at his disregard.

The Eastern Ancestor ignored him and spoke calmly, “Liushui Mingxue, Su Han is my disciple. You know well how fiercely I protect those under me.”

“So what?!”

Liushui Mingxue sneered coldly, “If your true self were here, I would kneel in apology without hesitation. I wouldn’t dare lay a finger on this brat. But with just your avatar, what right do you have to spit such nonsense here? You may be powerful, but my Giant Island isn’t afraid of you. Leave my Imperial Domain immediately, or neither you nor this avatar will be spared!”

“Are you certain?”

The Eastern Ancestor’s brow furrowed, his voice growing colder. “Let me remind you, my true body has already emerged. If you dare touch him, I won’t let you off easily.”

Upon hearing this, Liushui Mingxue’s voice faltered, leaving him momentarily speechless.

At the Eastern Ancestor’s level, his words carried weight. He wouldn’t speak lightly of such matters without meaning them.

Moreover, the Eastern Ancestor was a loose cultivator, unburdened by worldly ties. His cultivation base was astonishingly powerful; if he truly decided to seek trouble with Liushui Mingxue, it would warrant careful deliberation.

After a brief pause, Liushui Mingxue drew a deep breath and said solemnly, “This matter was planned by the Five Great Super Sects. Today’s efforts, the incredible cost incurred, have all been for the sole purpose of killing this brat. Though I am in the Dragon Emperor Realm, since I promised to act, I cannot interfere with this plan. So…”

“Enough.”

The Eastern Ancestor interrupted him with a wave of his hand. “I know what you mean–essentially, you neither fear me nor death, correct?”

Liushui Mingxue’s face twitched violently, his expression growing darker.

“Leave now.”

The Eastern Ancestor glanced at Su Han, saying, “Earlier, I’ve already mapped the path for you. Three hundred kilometers ahead is the Seventh Heaven-Trapping Screen; four thousand kilometers ahead marks the Eighth Heaven-Trapping Screen. Break past the Eighth Screen, head northwest for eight thousand miles, and you’ll reach Black Wind Cliff.”

Su Han’s body trembled, casting a deep, grateful look at the Eastern Ancestor.

So the Eastern Ancestor had refrained from acting earlier to scout the path for him…

Since his rebirth until now, Su Han had never felt such gratitude toward anyone before. Though embellishments were appreciated, true aid in times of desperate need symbolized real benevolence.

Prior to this, Su Han’s acceptance of the Eastern Ancestor as his Master was merely a means to leverage his authority. But at this moment, Su Han truly regarded the Eastern Ancestor as his Master.

Without further words, Su Han executed the Fourth Step of the Nine Steps of the Heavenly Dragon, increasing his speed eightfold.

Ahead, Liushui Mingxue stood as an obstacle. To advance, Su Han had no choice but to pass him.

Just as Su Han surged forward, intending to break through, Liushui Mingxue prepared to strike–but the Eastern Ancestor stepped into the Void, vanishing instantly. When he reappeared, he was directly in front of Liushui Mingxue.

Liushui Mingxue’s pupils contracted sharply. From this sheer velocity alone, he could see how powerful the Eastern Ancestor’s avatar truly was!

Putting other factors aside, in terms of speed alone, the avatar was astonishingly comparable to Liushui Mingxue himself, who had carved out an Imperial Domain in the Dragon Emperor Realm!

“Ye Lingchen, don’t overestimate yourself. Your mere avatar cannot stop me!” Liushui Mingxue bellowed.

Though he genuinely hesitated to engage the Eastern Ancestor, allowing Su Han to escape was unacceptable.

“Spare me the nonsense. If you think you can kill me, go ahead and try,” the Eastern Ancestor said indifferently.

As he spoke, a cage materialized in his hand.

The cage appeared to be constructed entirely of tree branches. Though its appearance was ordinary, a deep green radiance emanated from its surroundings, infused with an intimidating pressure.