Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Just as Xia Jin fell into a deep sleep in the Yuanling Pool, a figure emerged from a distorted spatial rift within the Three Heavens.

It was an old man. To be precise, it was a robust old man who was unforgettable at first glance.

He was extremely burly, with short, gray hair standing on end like the mane of an angry lion.

But at this moment, he looked somewhat tired.

At the same time that the old man appeared in the Third Heaven, Yang Qingxuan, who was weeding in the spirit field, suddenly stopped what he was doing.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over the edge of the spirit field, looking in the direction where the old man had appeared.

"Hmm? The Second Palace Master is back?" he said in a low voice, a hint of surprise in his voice.

But he soon frowned. Could something have happened?

He slung the hoe over his shoulder and walked out of the spirit field.

He took just one step, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to fold up the instant he stepped on it, appearing directly in front of the old man.

"Disciple Yang Qingxuan greets the Second Palace Master."

"You arrived quite quickly." The Second Palace Master nodded to Yang Qingxuan upon seeing him.

Before Yang Qingxuan could speak, he heard a whooshing sound behind him.

"call out!"

A figure descended from the western sky. Before the person even landed, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over.

The person who arrived landed on his feet was none other than Li Zhan.

His face was still flushed, making him look like a drunkard who had just been pulled out of a wine vat.

But at this moment, although the smell of alcohol on him was strong, there was no longer any drunkenness in his eyes.

"Second Palace Master." Li Zhan cupped his hands and stood beside Yang Qingxuan, his gaze falling on the old man, a hint of solemnity hidden deep in his eyes.

Almost at the same moment, the third figure arrived.

Zhou Chu was dressed as a Taoist priest.

He walked closer, bowed to the Second Palace Master, and then quietly stood on the other side of Yang Qingxuan.

The three disciples of the "Hun" name arrived at almost the same time.

The old man looked at the three of them and nodded slightly, as if confirming something. But after his gaze swept over them, his brows furrowed, and he asked, "Why are there only three of you?"

The voice wasn't loud, but there was a clear hint of dissatisfaction in it.

Yang Qingxuan, Li Zhan, and Zhou Chu exchanged glances. Yang Qingxuan, as the second senior brother, stepped forward and explained, "Second Palace Master, Elder Chu went out some time ago and has not yet returned."

"Oh?" The old man raised an eyebrow, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his tired eyes. "Lord Chu has gone out? Where did he go?"

"This..." Yang Qingxuan paused slightly, "When Boss Chu left, he didn't say it clearly. He only said that he was going to take care of something. However, judging from the days, he should be back soon."

The old man didn't press further, only humming in response, then shifted his gaze to the direction behind Yang Qingxuan, "Where's Wu Feng?"

"As for Junior Brother Wu... this time should be..."

However, Yang Qingxuan hadn't finished speaking.

"boom!"

A loud bang came from afar, and the whole earth trembled.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

On the distant mountain path, a round figure was seen rushing towards them. With each step the figure took, a ring of air would explode from the ground beneath its feet, scattering rocks everywhere.

He was a fat man.

An extremely obese person,

After the smoke cleared, the fat man stood steadily, carrying a huge steak on his shoulder.

"Hehehe..."

He chuckled a few times, then took the ribs off his shoulder, carried them in one hand, and respectfully bowed to the Second Master.

"Disciple Wu Feng greets the Second Palace Master."

The old man looked at his lively disciple, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly, but ultimately refrained from uttering any words of reproach. He simply nodded slightly, then glanced at the four people present and said in a deep voice:

"Let's go inside and talk."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards a small courtyard next to him.

The Second Palace Master walked into the main hall and sat down in the main seat. His physique was so imposing that even sitting on an ordinary wooden chair, he was more than half a head taller than the average person, giving people an invisible sense of oppression.

Yang Qingxuan, Li Zhan, Zhou Chu, and Wu Feng took their seats on the guest chairs on both sides.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat somber.

After the Second Prince sat down, he did not speak again, but simply closed his eyes slightly. After about half a cup of tea's time of silence, he finally opened his eyes.

"Have you... already guessed the reason for my return?"

After exchanging glances, Yang Qingxuan spoke first: "Second Palace Master, please speak frankly with us about what's on your mind."

"it is good."

The Second Palace Master nodded, then raised his right hand and casually waved it.

A surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted from his palm, instantly transforming into a clear image.

The main hall was completely silent.

Yang Qingxuan and the other three pairs of eyes stared intently at the scene, motionless.

Time passed little by little.

Half an hour later, the image slowly faded away, but the atmosphere in the main hall was even more somber than it had been half an hour earlier.

Yang Qingxuan's expression also darkened.

In the end, it was the Second Palace Master who broke the silence.

He slowly stood up and glanced at everyone.

"This time... if there are no unforeseen circumstances, the alien team that has descended upon our world will be one of these three."

"You should all understand their strength. To be honest, winning against them... with your abilities, will be very difficult."

"However..." A glint flashed in the Second Palace Master's eyes, "I still hope that with your best efforts, even if we don't win, we can at least create a chance for Marquis Chu."

To buy the Duke of Chu a sliver of hope!

After saying this, the old man did not linger.

He stood up and walked towards the door.

He paused when he reached the door.

He didn't turn around; he simply stood with his back to the four people and said:

"You guys should get ready in the remaining ten days or so."

Then he strode out and disappeared from everyone's sight.