174: Chapter 173 The Golden Palace Master

"Everyone, almost everyone has arrived."

Wu Huan, the Elder of the Golden Crow Clan, scanned the surroundings.

"The entrance to this Ancient Yao Emperor's ruins has yet to be found. We need to find a way."

Lang Yue, the Elder of the Heavenly Wolf Clan, said indifferently:

"The ruins are within these mountains, but the entrance is hidden by a Restriction."

Feng Yao said with a chuckle:

"Then let's join forces and try. We can't have come all this way for nothing."

Shi Xuan nodded in agreement:

"Elder Feng has a point. With so many Yao Emperors present, if we work together, the ruins will surely be unable to stay hidden."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding Void Realm, and raised his voice slightly:

"Fellow Daoists, it's time to show yourselves, don't you think?"

As his voice fell, several figures suddenly emerged from the surrounding Void Realm.

They had been hiding in the shadows, unwilling to show their faces, but now they saw that the various clans had reached a consensus.

Realizing that everyone's strength was needed, they no longer remained hidden.

About a dozen Great Emperor-level auras appeared out of thin air. Men and women of various forms, they were all famous experts of the Yao Race.

Among the onlookers, someone whispered:

"I wonder which race this Ancient Yao Emperor actually belonged to?"

"I only heard there were ruins here, but I don't know which one left them behind."

"Yeah, there isn't a single clue."

"Who cares? It's a Yao Emperor regardless, so the things inside definitely won't be bad."

Discussions rose and fell, but no one could clearly say who the master of these ruins was.

No one even knew where the news had originally come from.

Jin Yuanhao stood on the periphery of the crowd, listening to these conversations. He didn't have much interest in the ruins.

He only wanted to find the Yunling Tea Tree and quickly return to complete his task.

However, among the Yao Emperors who had appeared, there was no sign of the Yunling Tea Tree.

Could the information be wrong?

He whispered to Da Bai on his shoulder, "Lord Bai, have you sensed the aura of the Yunling Tea Tree?"

Da Bai scanned the surroundings and shook its head.

It didn't smell that familiar tea fragrance, nor could it sense the existence of the tea tree.

Jin Yuanhao's heart sank.

Lord Bai was an Immortal Beast; if even it couldn't find it...

Did the Yunling Tea Tree really not come?

The Yao Emperors gathered together, their Divine Sense sweeping across the entire Cangmang Mountains like an overwhelming tide, not even sparing the depths of the Void Realm.

But after a long time of searching, they found nothing.

No Restriction, no gateway, they couldn't even sense a trace of the ruins' aura.

Wu Huan, the Elder of the Golden Crow Clan, frowned.

"Did you feel anything?"

Lang Yue, the Elder of the Heavenly Wolf Clan, shook his head.

Feng Yao also shook her head. Shi Xuan's brows were tightly knit.

Ao Yuan's face was grim, and he remained silent.

"Damn it, could it be fake news?"

A hot-tempered Yao Emperor couldn't help but curse.

"A waste of excitement! Don't let me find out who spread this, or I won't let him off!"

Everyone looked at each other; no one knew where the news had first originated.

For a moment, cursing filled the air. Some sighed, some shook their heads, and some had already begun packing their things to leave.

In the distance, the Black-robed Man hid in the shade of the trees. Watching this scene, a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes.

Fake news? Excellent.

Once these Yao dispersed, he could focus on his own business in peace.

Jin Yuanhao stood on the periphery of the crowd and shook his head, whispering to Da Bai:

"Lord Bai, it seems we've come here for nothing. Let's look somewhere else."

Da Bai was just about to jump down from his shoulder when suddenly...

The earth shook violently.

An emerald-green figure soared into the sky from the depths of the mountains at an incredible speed, like a streak of light crossing the horizon.

Spiritual light flowed around the figure, its branches and leaves swaying, emitting a refreshing and heart-soothing fragrance.

"That's..." a Yao Emperor exclaimed, "the Yunling Tea Tree!"

"When did it arrive?"

"No, it looks like it's running for its life!"

The Yunling Tea Tree, in its panic, flew toward the group of Yao Emperors.

Its voice was filled with terror:

"Fellow Daoists, save me! Someone is chasing me!"

While the Yunling Tea Tree's voice was still echoing, the Yao Emperors had not even had time to react.

An even more terrifying aura surged from behind the tea tree, like the sky falling and the earth collapsing, pressing down until the faces of all the Yao present turned pale.

"This... what kind of aura is this?!"

"Holy shit!"

A Yao Emperor cried out in shock.

A massive pitch-black hand reached out from the Void Realm behind the tea tree, lunging fiercely toward the Yunling Tea Tree.

Despair appeared on the Yunling Tea Tree's face; it no longer even had the strength to flee.

At that moment, a silver-white figure dashed out from beside Jin Yuanhao.

Da Bai's body swelled rapidly, transforming into a massive, pure silver-white tiger.

It swiped a claw, colliding with the pitch-black hand.

The hand shattered inch by inch before the tiger's claw, dissipating into black mist.

The entire mountain range fell silent.

The Yao Emperors stared blankly at the giant tiger, their faces filled with disbelief.

"This... what on earth is this?!"

"What kind of Bloodline is this? Why have I never seen it before?"

"Wait... this pressure, it seems like the one that suddenly appeared a few days ago..."

A Yao Emperor's expression changed abruptly as he remembered the terrifying aura that had enveloped the entire Desolate Ancient Continent a few days ago.

At that time, all the Yao had felt the suppression deep within their Bloodlines. It turned out to be this tiger!

Da Bai lowered its head and stared intently at the Yunling Tea Tree.

It looked as if it were staring at a cup of freshly brewed spirit tea.

The tea tree felt its skin crawl under the gaze and spoke up with forced courage:

"Th-thank you, Senior, for saving my life..."

Da Bai didn't speak, still staring at it.

Jin Yuanhao ran over from behind, panting, and squeezed through the crowd:

"Lord Bai, wait for me!"

Only then did the Yao Emperors snap out of it. They hurried forward and bowed in unison:

"We did not know of your arrival, Senior, and failed to welcome you properly. May we ask who you are..."

Jin Yuanhao straightened his robes, puffed out his chest, and said loudly:

"I am the Jin Yuanhao of the Taixuan Sect's Spirit Beast Hall, Jin Yuanhao. This is Lord Bai of our Sect."

The entire field fell silent, followed by an eruption of low exclamations.

"Taixuan Sect? People from the Immortal Sect!"

"No wonder... no wonder this tiger is so terrifying..."

"The Jin Yuanhao of the Spirit Beast Hall, that's a high-ranking official of the Immortal Sect!"

Feng Yao stepped forward and cupped her hands:

"So it is Lord Bai and Jin Yuanhao Jin. My apologies for the lack of respect! I am Feng Yao of the Phoenix Clan."

"Our Saintess, Junior Sister Feng Li, is currently training as a Core Disciple at your noble Sect. Our clan is deeply grateful for your Sect's care."

Jin Yuanhao nodded and said politely:

"Junior Sister Feng Li trains very hard in the Sect, and the Sect Master often praises her. Your Phoenix Clan has indeed raised a fine talent."

The smile on Feng Yao's face deepened, and she nodded repeatedly:

"Yes, yes, that is all thanks to the Sect Master's cultivation and your noble Sect's excellent guidance."

Seeing this, the other Yao Emperors also stepped forward to curry favor.

Wu Huan, the Elder of the Golden Crow Clan, cupped his hands and smiled:

"Jin Yuanhao Jin, I have long heard of your name. If there is an opportunity in the future, please look after us."

Lang Yue, the Elder of the Heavenly Wolf Clan, also bowed slightly with a respectful attitude.

Shi Xuan was even more full of smiles:

"Lord Bai, Jin Yuanhao Jin, if you have any orders, the Heavenly Lion Clan will certainly be at your service."

Jin Yuanhao returned the greetings one by one, his expression calm, but he was secretly feeling smug.

Kui Po stood behind Shi Xuan, watching this scene, and felt even more bitter.

Back in the Eastern Territory's Yao Race, Jin Yuanhao's status was below his.

But now, even his own backer, Shi Xuan—

—a dignified Great Emperor, had to bow and scrape before Jin Yuanhao.

A wave of bitterness washed over his heart, and he lowered his head, not daring to look further.