The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1270 - 676: You Should Call Me Master!

A thousand years ago, was that the point when this forest became unreachable?

Inside the tent, the candlelight evenly spilled over each person’s face. Zhao Douan, the Empress, and the Old Heavenly Master exchanged glances, all seeing the gravity in each other’s eyes. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

A thousand years is indeed a long time, so long that many records have been lost.

Therefore, the information provided by Tuoba Weizhi brought quite a shock to the few of them.

"Explain clearly," Zhao Douan urged in a deep voice, "What do you remember?"

Tuoba Weizhi shook her head and said, "I remember very little, only this. It is said that a thousand years ago, although the north was cold, the Mubei Forest wasn’t so dangerous at the time. Back then, the forest even had residents, and regular caravans would come and go; this vast forest was like a rich mine. During that time, Qi Country wouldn’t miss such opportunities, so maps were made. But about a thousand years ago, I vaguely remember... it seemed like one day, a disaster star streaked across the sky and fell straight into this forest, sparking a massive wildfire. Countless animals fled in panic, and people also ran away. But after the wildfire extinguished, those who tried to return found suppression against cultivators, and ordinary people who entered almost never came out again. The entire Mubei Forest seemed to become a forbidden area, completely sealed off. Back then, it was considered ominous."

Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment and murmured, "I’ve seen snippets in the royal family’s books, but the words are vague, only noting that the Mubei Forest has always been a forbidden area."

After a pause, she looked at Zhang Yan Yi and earnestly asked, "Heavenly Master Zhang, your Heavenly Master Mansion lineage, from founding to now, is about a thousand years too. It is said the first ancestor even entered. Do you know anything?"

Zhang Yan Yi sat cross-legged on the ground, his long brows and eyes heavy, "Regarding this matter, Your Majesty, why ask again? Wasn’t the Xu Family’s ancestor also entering? Yet nothing was left recorded. The first-generation Heavenly Master indeed entered once after the Mubei Forest became a forbidden area but remained silent about the events that occurred and only brought back a banyan sapling, as you know."

Xu Zhenguan sighed and nodded, "Indeed. Historically recorded, the strong who have entered the forbidden area can be counted on fingertips. Moya Practitioner, Qingshan Ancestor, Ksitigarbha, the first Heavenly Master, my royal ancestor...none left records."

Zhao Douan couldn’t weigh into the topic, but he suddenly frowned and asked, "Wait, I have a doubt. Was the founding of the Qingshan Sect also about a thousand years ago?"

Xu Zhenguan seemed to understand his thought and nodded, "Indeed. The timeframe for establishing the Qingshan lineage and the Heavenly Master Mansion is within a hundred years apart, whereas Western Regions Buddhism is much older. But later, the followers of Moya Practitioner established the Divine Dragon Temple many years later."

She lamented, "That’s why generations of cultivators sought to enter this place. Historically, those major forces and figures often inadvertently entered the Mubei Forest, and after returning, they transformed, founding great enterprises. Moya for Divine Dragon, the first Heavenly Master for Heavenly Master Mansion, Qingshan Ancestor for Qingshan, Grand Ancestor Emperor for Yu Country... Even if not for the Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha six hundred years ago, Ksitigarbha would have established a great enterprise before being besieged and killed."

Zhao Douan exclaimed, "So, the source of all this is linked to that point approximately a thousand years ago. After the Mubei Forest was set ablaze by the ’disaster star,’ turning into a forbidden area, was the first known entrant the Moya Practitioner?"

Zhang Yan Yi nodded slightly, "It should be this way."

Zhao Douan fell into deep thought.

The Empress looked at him, probing, "What did you think of?"

Zhao Douan shook his head, "Nothing, just strange..."

At that moment, the four suddenly felt the ground underfoot seem to jolt.

The four froze simultaneously, and Tuoba Weizhi sharpened her ears, alertly gazing outside the tent in a certain direction.

"Something is approaching." The Old Heavenly Master, who resembled a Gandalf in black robes, said solemnly, his gaze sharp, "It’s dangerous, far stronger than the beasts we encountered during the day. Be ready to fight."

Zhao Douan’s heart tightened as he hurriedly stood up, gripping the sword hilt nearby.

The whole day had passed without danger, but after nightfall, the forest finally bared its fangs.

The four quickly exited the tent, standing by the bonfire, following the tremor sound. However, the forest at night was dark, obstructing their sight and forcing them into passive vigilance.

Suddenly, the ground shook again, closer this time with a stronger tremor, yet the direction had changed!

"Is there a second beast?" The Empress’s expression altered slightly.

Zhang Yan Yi shook his head, "Not a second one, but it changed position; it’s underground, not on the ground. Something is creeping around us!"

What?

A creature hidden underground? Zhao Douan was startled; this place is all frozen soil, what beast could swim freely through such robust soil? Clearly, it must be something related to an Earth God, a monster with the ’Escape Technique.’

"Back to back, and be vigilant!" he swiftly commanded.

The four, each possessing at least half-step celestial cultivation, were like soldiers in battle, backing against each other, guarding each direction.

"It’s still shifting position! The distance to us is closing in!" Tuoba Weizhi expressed her anxiety.