“Indeed, Fellow Daoist Han’s words make some sense.” Jin Cha also chuckled with a grin.
“Since several fellow Daoists wish to learn about the situation in the Origin Seal Land first, that is naturally acceptable. However, the truth is, we external Sacred Ancestors only have a general understanding of the situation there. The specifics remain unclear to us.” After a brief pause, the palace-robed woman nodded in agreement.
“Only a general understanding? How so? You should either know what happened in the Origin Seal Land or, as the rumors suggest, have never investigated it at all.” The bald, burly man’s expression darkened, clearly displeased.
“Brother Jin must have misunderstood. After the mishap in the Origin Seal Land, we external Sacred Ancestors indeed took little action. But the reason lies in a message transmitted from the Origin Seal Land before the incident occurred.” Saintess Xie Lian sighed, her tone bitter.
“I knew it. With so many formidable fellow Daoists of the same level in the Origin Seal Land, it’s impossible that no news could escape.” Jin Cha’s face brightened slightly upon hearing this.
“Don’t rejoice too soon, Brother Jin. That message was a vague piece of information hastily transmitted by Fellow Daoist Yuan Yan using a rare secret technique. It merely stated that the Origin Seal Land had suddenly undergone a change—the Mother of Screens seemed to have broken free from most of the ancient seals ahead of time and, by some means, had even gained partial control over the seal’s power, trapping all those who had gone to suppress it inside. However, the Mother of Screens hasn’t truly escaped the seal’s control and remains suppressed by the restrictions of the Origin Seal Land, unable to leave the area easily. Of course, this is also because the creature’s power was nearly exhausted again, forcing it back into slumber. The Screens now appearing in the Sacred Realm are merely manifestations of its unconscious leakage of aura during its sleep.” The palace-robed woman relayed the information methodically.
“So, we fellow Daoists from other realms, along with your Sacred Ancestors, are all trapped within the ancient immortal’s seal. This ancient seal is terrifying—even partial control can imprison so many peers.” Jin Cha inhaled sharply, his face a mask of shock.
“That seems to be the case. This message was the first and last to emerge from the Origin Seal Land. No further news has come since. It appears the Mother of Screens employed some isolating measure before its slumber, rendering Fellow Daoist Yuan Yan’s secret technique ineffective.” Xie Lian replied without hesitation.
“Fellow Daoist Xie Lian, you must be holding something back! If what you say is true, your external Sacred Ancestors should have acted long ago. Why wait until now to convene? Moreover, I fail to see why rescuing our fellow clansmen and suppressing the Mother of Screens cannot be done simultaneously.” Han Li stroked his chin before asking coolly.
“Do you know who first received the message from the Origin Seal Land, Fellow Daoist Han?” Xie Lian’s expression darkened as she countered.
“Who? Surely one of the Sacred Ancestors who remained outside?” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he answered slowly.
“Hmph, it was the very person you initially mistook me for.” Xie Lian snorted coldly.
“Bao Hua? It was her?” Han Li was genuinely taken aback.
“Indeed. The message was first transmitted to my elder sister. Perhaps Yuan Yan and the others believed only Bao Hua, as a Primal Ancestor, could save them.” The palace-robed woman replied grimly.
“So, it was Bao Hua who convinced you to delay action until now and claimed that suppressing the Mother of Screens and rescuing the others couldn’t be done at the same time?” Han Li frowned deeply before asking thoughtfully.
“It seems Fellow Daoist Han knows my sister well. Yes, she gathered the remaining Sacred Ancestors long ago, presenting Yuan Yan’s message as proof of its authenticity. Otherwise, given that she is no longer a Primal Ancestor, why would we heed her? According to her, the vague final part of Yuan Yan’s message hinted that the seal power the Mother of Screens wielded to trap them was unstable, cycling every few decades. This year marks the weakest point of that cycle. Simultaneously, the restrictions of the Origin Seal Land suppress the Mother of Screens most fiercely now, making it the optimal time for both suppression and rescue. As for why the two cannot be done together, that was Bao Hua’s conclusion after secretly infiltrating the Origin Seal Land through the sea of Screens upon receiving the message. Whether true or not, fellow Daoists must judge for themselves. But we Sacred Ancestors believe it, having once guarded the Origin Seal Land and knowing its ancient seal well. Bao Hua, despite her power, couldn’t deceive us all. Nor would she, as a member of the Sacred Realm, jeopardize its safety.” Xie Lian finally revealed everything, her expression icy.
Jin Cha and the long-haired burly man exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting shock.
Clearly, Xie Lian’s revelations were beyond their expectations, requiring careful consideration.
Han Li, however, sighed after a brief silence.
“If Bao Hua said it, it must be true. But if she dared to investigate the Origin Seal Land, I find it hard to believe you and the others didn’t attempt the same.”
“Had we been able to scout the Origin Seal Land, even just its periphery, we would have risked it. But Bao Hua’s foray alerted the Mother of Screens. Though dormant, the sea of Screens surrounding the land swelled tenfold, now harboring terrifying variants even we Sacred Ancestors avoid. Thus, further scouting became impossible.” Xie Lian’s face paled slightly, a trace of fear in her voice.
“Creatures even you dare not face—are they the high-tier Screens comparable to Body Integration cultivators?” Jin Cha couldn’t help but ask.
“No. They are a crimson variant, no longer than a foot, unseen elsewhere in the Sacred Realm. Fewer than a thousand exist, all near the Origin Seal Land.” Xie Lian shook her head.
“Are they as powerful as Mahayana cultivators? How else could such few deter you so?” Jin Cha’s eyes bulged in astonishment.
“No. Their aura suggests only Void Refinement-level power, with just two abilities. Yet those two grievously wounded two fellow Daoists who attempted to breach the sea, nearly killing them. We dared not try again.” Xie Lian’s lips twitched as she replied bitterly.
“Two abilities that repel Sacred Ancestors? I must hear of them.” Han Li’s pupils contracted slightly.
“Simple—teleportation and self-destruction.” Xie Lian answered bluntly.
“Teleportation and self-destruction!” The bald man stiffened, comprehension dawning.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly. “These abilities must differ from the norm to threaten Mahayana cultivators.”
“Indeed. Their teleportation is unavoidable—once detected, they appear instantly within reach, bypassing all defenses. Their self-destruction nullifies all protective spells and treasures, leaving only the body to endure the blast. Worse, their explosions taint the soul, harming all clones across realms. Weaker incarnations may perish outright.” Xie Lian explained gravely.
“Even clones are tainted?” The bald man gasped, disbelief written across his face.
Han Li’s heart sank.
“Now you see their terror. After Bao Hua’s initial probe, even she dared not risk the sea again under their threat.” Xie Lian added with a cold laugh, her animosity toward Bao Hua evident.
“If these Screens are so fearsome, does your gathering intend to counter them?” Han Li pondered before asking.
“Hmph, Fellow Daoist Han is sharp. We delayed action to gather reinforcements like you and Brother Jin, and to allow Bao Hua time to forge two artifacts specifically against these Screens. With them, we may neutralize their self-destruction.” Xie Lian replied with a snort.
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