Xia Ziheng frowned. "Given the care that Grandmaster Gu Yan has shown his apprentice, why would he not grant him at least this much face?"

"He claimed to be in the middle of studying a sourcebox array and that, if he succeeds in his research, the array has the potential to become the next Ceaseless Impetus. That’s why he says he can’t go anywhere," Xia Xing said.

Xia Ziheng snorted contemptuously. "That’s nothing but an excuse! What ‘next Ceaseless Impetus?’ Does he believe himself to be Progenitor Hui? Since ancient times, Progenitor Hui has remained unmatched when it comes to lockbreaking, and none could match up to his expertise even during the Heavens Sect era. Gu Yan might be the greatest living Array Grandmaster, but he still falls far behind Progenitor Hui."

Xia Xing said, "Let’s just forget it. We can’t force things if he refuses to come. As long as Yu Hao belongs to us, Grandmaster Gu Yan will never work against us, and that won’t change."

Xia Ziheng nodded. "The ceremony to worship the ancestors is fast approaching. Since Yu Hao is willing to join my Shenwu’s Sky, there’s no need to worry about that matter, but we do need to make sure to keep an eye on those three old monsters. I will handle that, and I’ll have to trouble the sect master to prepare everything for the ceremony."

"This is how things should be," Xia Xing replied. He watched as Xia Ziheng headed towards the valley that had been given to “Yu Hao.”

Semi-Progenitors had completely surrounded the valley,...