If one is prepared, one can succeed; without preparation, one will fail.

The wisest decision Ning Fan made was to send an across-domain communication and give an order to the two servants, the Earth Controlling Devil Star and Iron Crow, who were far away in the Qianqiu Sect, before entering the Blood Prison.

To migrate the entire Qianqiu Sect into the Blood Sea Starfield where the Slaughter Palace was located, relocating the base!

Since he was determined to be a good Eight Generation Slaughter Emperor, Ning Fan naturally could not divide his attention between two places, so he decided to move the two major forces together, making it convenient for joint management.

Of course, the Qianqiu Sect and its affiliated forces did not directly merge into the Slaughter Palace but existed independently as guests in the Blood Sea Starfield. This was because the Qianqiu Sect was Ning Fan’s private property, while the Slaughter Palace was different; it would eventually pass down to the Ninth Generation Slaughter Emperor and was only temporarily under his management, not his personal possession.

As such, if these two different forces were merged, many problems would arise, so it was better not to do so.

During the half-year period when Ning Fan was in the Blood Prison, the Qianqiu Sect’s relocation plan had long been completed and finished perfectly.

The matter of relocating the sect did not require Burying Moon and others to take action; even letting individuals like Earth Controlling Devil Star and Iron Crow, who were Eternal Immortal Venerables, handle it seemed like overkill. With two Eternal Immortal Venerables leading the way, a total of thirty-seven Cultivation Stars were relocated, having a massive impact and becoming a significant event that shook the Eastern Heaven. Sects encountered along the way would often voluntarily clear the Star Path, allowing these thirty-seven Cultivation Stars to pass through their domain; as for numerous bandits along the way, upon hearing it was the Qianqiu Sect migrating stars, they restrained their greed and dared not offend, for the name of the Thousand Autumn Ancestor Ning Fan as a demon was famous, naturally deterring the petty.

These thirty-seven Cultivation Stars, aside from the main star where the Qianqiu Sect was located, were all forces that later affiliated with the Qianqiu Sect, such as the Medicine Sect and the Six Desires Sect, all of which, at the very least, were True Immortal powers in scale.

After the thirty-seven Cultivation Stars moved to the Blood Sea Starfield, they were warmly welcomed by the Slaughter Palace cultivators, as Ning Fan had already informed the Minghai Celestial King about this.

Ultimately, all thirty-seven Cultivation Stars of the Qianqiu Sect were relocated to a place not far from the Slaughter Star, merging into the same star system as the Slaughter Star.

Throughout the long history of the Blood Sea Starfield, countless exclusionary incidents have occurred, making it difficult for external forces to establish a foothold here; but this time it was different because Ning Fan was the ruler of both the Slaughter Palace and Qianqiu Sect, so there was no interference from local cultivators when the Qianqiu Sect migrated here.

Everything proceeded smoothly, step by step, proceeding in an orderly manner.

After settling the Qianqiu Sect, the cultivators of the Slaughter Palace continued to be busy with the emperor’s coronation ceremony. This was a major event for Ning Fan, and for the Slaughter Palace, it was of utmost importance, a grand occasion that should have been celebrated throughout the entire Eastern Heaven.

Unfortunately, according to the Minghai Celestial King, it was unfortunate that it was rare for any of the old monsters of Eastern Heaven to want to be involved this time; the vast majority wanted to disassociate themselves from Ning Fan and the declining Slaughter Palace.

After the quiet rumors of the Seventh Generation Slaughter Emperor’s fall spread, the entire Eastern Heaven was shocked. After all, without a Quasi-Saint, the Seventh Generation Slaughter Emperor was considered the strongest among the Eastern Heavenly Emperors, and for such a powerful figure to fall silently, it left everyone sighing.

Everyone believed that the Slaughter Palace, which had flourished for seven generations, would completely decline from the eighth generation onwards!

Ning Fan would succeed as the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor? So what! Ning Fan was just an Eternal Immortal Venerable, no matter how strong, he could not compare with a true Immortal Emperor, arguably making him the weakest Slaughter Emperor in the history of the Slaughter Palace!

"Rain Immortal Monarch? Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor? Ha ha, it’s all nonsense! All previous Slaughter Emperors of the Slaughter Palace had Immortal Emperor cultivation, with the weakest succeeding with six calamities cultivation, and the strongest even succeeded with seven, eight calamities cultivation. When did an Eternal Immortal Venerable become eligible for the title of Slaughter Emperor? The Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor is no emperor, truly laughable! It would be better to call him Slaughter Venerable! Hahaha!"

"It seems the Slaughter Palace is really going to decline, looking for an Eternal Immortal Venerable to be the Slaughter Emperor, and what’s more, this Eternal Immortal Venerable still has a big grudge with a secret tribe, unwise, unwise indeed."

"The once top Immortal Emperor power that dominated the Eastern Heaven is finally to be reduced to a power of Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings... pitiful, lamentable."

"Rumor has it that the Slaughter Palace holds a grudge with a certain secret tribe of the Southern Heaven, and this Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor about to be succeeded also has a grudge with the Dark Clan. Hmph! Without an Immortal Emperor holding fort, daring to offend two secret tribes, the end is predictable, absolutely can’t bounce back for long! Although we’ve received invitations, we better not go to the Slaughter Palace and get too involved with this hall!"

After Ning Fan and the Minghai Celestial King finalized the details of the emperor’s coronation, he flew away from the Slaughter Star, standing alone in the starry sky of the Blood Sea Starfield, his long hair billowing without wind, his Rain Sense quietly spreading, reaching out to one distant starfield after another.

Under the cover of Rain Sense, he heard too many rumors and gossip from the Eastern Heaven cultivators, hearing one cold sarcasm after another.

No one had confidence in the Slaughter Palace, much less confidence in him as the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor.

The weakest Slaughter Emperor in history, huh...

Heh heh...

Ning Fan smiled calmly, shaking his head, not giving rise to unnecessary emotions due to others’ views.

His Rain Sense was more inclined to probe a place called the Dark Continent in the Eastern Heaven.

It was a continent floating in the starry sky of Eastern Heaven, with no known dimensions, as it was said that all who entered had perished, even an Immortal Emperor would undoubtedly die if they ventured in.

Throughout history, Eastern Heaven cultivators only knew the Dark Continent as a desolate place in the Eastern Heaven Immortal Realm, yet very few knew that the so-called Dark Continent was actually the dwelling of a certain secret tribe!

The Dark Clan!

This matter was rarely known, but since the war invitation from the Dark Clan to Ning Fan spread throughout Eastern Heaven, it was no longer a secret.

The Dark Tribe, long sealed within the river of history, has reappeared in the world!

"There must be some connection between the Dark Tribe and the Demon-Sealing Peak; otherwise, that Baizu Daoist wouldn’t have protected the Dark Tribe cultivators while entering the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain..."

"It’s been half a year since I entered the Blood Prison. Baizu Daoist has most likely left the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain by now. Did he not come to kill me because he has other plots, fears my master Ancient Chaos’s prestige, or perhaps, has yet to return..."

"The great commotion I caused in the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain, has the Dark Tribe already learned of it... After the second war challenge, will there be a third, urging me to head to the Dark Continent for a decisive battle..."

"Going to the Dark Continent is just a matter of time. Before that, the sealing emperor ceremony is what’s most important..."

"Each successive Young Emperor has gained three benefits: First, Listening to the Saints; second, on the day of sealing the emperor, summoning the Big Dipper Endless Sea for a baptism; third, after the baptism, ’Incense Burning and Dao Picking’... When I listened to the saints, I heard my own heartbeat... not an ordinary heartbeat, but one spurred by the ethereal spirit sense... I now have a new perspective on Divine Skills and Spells, just as I’m about to try it out. The second and third benefits during the sealing will be the best opportunity for me to refine all I’ve learned..."

"Since I walked out of the Blood Prison, there are ten days left until the sealing emperor ceremony..." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Ning Fan’s figure flickered and disappeared from the starry sky. It’s unclear whether he returned to the Slaughter Star or went to the nearby Qianqiu Sect.

Ten days passed in a blur; during those days, there were occasionally sparse escape lights flying in from the distant starry sky, coming to grace the Slaughter Hall and attend the sealing emperor ceremony.

Indeed, it was just a trickle of escape lights; the guests were very few, even less than when Slaughter Hall recruited disciples back then, far from matching the unparalleled grandeur of the previous Slaughter Emperors’ successions when millions of Immortal Emperors came to celebrate.

The majority regarded Ning Fan’s succession as the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor as a joke. Unfortunately, the majority view does not always mean it is correct!

No matter what others do, Ning Fan doesn’t care. At least, within the Slaughter Hall, they are very happy for his succession as the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor; it’s just this happiness isn’t suitable to be shown since the Seventh Generation just passed, and no one can genuinely laugh yet.

In the starry sky, there were no red star lamps traditionally hung in previous sealing emperor ceremonies, no celestial music and dance, no dazzling lights, no fireworks celebrations. Since it’s not suitable for celebrations now, Ning Fan simply ordered everything to be simple.

Only on the Slaughter Star, a simple sacrificial altar was built, surrounded by a venue where all the guests were seated outside the altar.

The altar was different from ordinary altars, with high sides and a low center, shaped like a square ’concave’ character. That depression seemed to be for storing water, but the disciples of Slaughter Hall did not pour water into the altar’s center; instead, they waited for the sealing emperor ceremony to begin, when the altar would fill with seawater on its own.

It was said that each successive Slaughter Emperor could be baptized in the seawater of the Big Dipper Immortal Domain’s Endless Sea, a benefit not small; guests observing the ceremony could also gain slight benefits. In the past, guests would fight tooth and nail to attend, with no empty seats; this time, however, the guest seats were filled with vacant spaces, often with dozens of seats occupied by only one family.

Minghai Celestial King sighed softly, arriving early at the ceremony site, accompanied by many elders of Slaughter Hall.

He silently counted: only about a hundred powers came to congratulate Ning Fan’s succession, most of which were just small forces of East Heaven; how could this not evoke emotion and sorrow.

Is my Slaughter Hall truly going to decline?

No, as long as the young master is here, there is still hope!

Seeing the Grand Elder of Slaughter Hall arrive, none of the hundred something powers dared to be arrogant. They stood, saluted with clasped fists, exchanged greetings, and then sat back down.

Among the hundred or so powers that came to congratulate, there were only four Eternal Immortal Venerables, all of whom owed great debts to the Slaughter Hall, thus braving the world’s disapproval to attend.

Not a single Immortal King was seen... clearly different from the day Ning Fan joined the Slaughter Hall.

"Where are that little fellow’s friends? Why hasn’t a single one shown up? The powers that have arrived are only those with deep ties to the Slaughter Hall... Oh right, that little fellow’s character is cold and assertive; probably there aren’t many genuine friends in all of East Heaven..."

Yao Qingyun gritted her silver teeth, feeling uneasy about the lackluster sealing emperor ceremony for Ning Fan.

Suddenly, a stream of light burst forth from a distant star realm, heading straight for the Slaughter Star venue.

The guardians of the Slaughter Hall, seeing the light come recklessly, were about to intercept it when they saw it send a signal, indicating it was someone from the hall, so they gave way and did not obstruct it.

Thinking that the person must be a Slaughter Hall cultivator eager to return from outside, rushing to attend the sealing emperor ceremony might explain this eager demeanor, understandable though.

The stream of light, without wearing a mask, entered the venue and apologized to the guardians, offering a congratulatory gift and seeking a seat near the back.

He was Wu Chen, who, after completing a mission in the wildlands, was reassigned to watch over the former slaughter branch hall.

The succession of the Eighth Generation Slaughter Emperor was indeed important, but Ning Fan had instructed not to rush back just for the sake of formality from those stationed outside the Ten Thousand Realms Starfield.

The branch hall masters stationed outside, constantly toiling, busied with receiving tasks, and there were some whose tasks were already halfway executed, nearing success... If they had to cross countless starry skies back to the main hall, many would have to abandon tasks they had poured countless efforts into, requiring massive resources and effort to travel, which wasn’t worth it.

As a branch hall master, Wu Chen, both emotionally and rationally, had no need to hurry back this way, and as a disciple of the main hall, he wasn’t obligated to send a congratulatory gift.

But he insisted on returning, insisted on going through the motions. He wasn’t one to care for formalities, but he could not fail to support a friend! Even if he was just a little Truth-Transcending cultivator, even if the congratulatory gift he painstakingly found was trivial in the eyes of countless old monsters, he had to come!

Behind Yao Qingyun, a certain elder recognized Wu Chen, who disrupted the ceremony’s order, and frowned with displeasure, saying, "This Wu family boy is too reckless. The Imperial Ceremony is such a formal occasion, yet it’s disrupted by this one person. Could it be that the joy of his recent Enlightenment has made him lose himself, thinking he can rule the world? It seems necessary to find an opportunity to give this young one a slight reprimand to knock some sense into him. This is also for his own good!"

Another elder, more like a peacemaker, advised, "Let it go! This young one is the Branch Hall Master, and his branch hall is quite far from the main star. Considering that he was willing to rush back, his intentions are good. There’s no need to punish him!"

"As a disciple, I vaguely know that Wu Chen and the Young Master have a deep friendship... I recall seeing the Young Master visit Wu Chen’s branch when his own cultivation was still weak. They seemed to enjoy a lively conversation..." Suddenly, a Fate Immortal standing beside the elder remarked.

As soon as this was said, all the elders’ expressions changed, and several seriously inquired about the time and place Wu Chen and Ning Fan interacted.

Once it was confirmed that Wu Chen might indeed have a friendship with Ning Fan, even the previously stern elder who had threatened to punish Wu Chen dared not speak ill of him anymore.

The opportunists envied Wu Chen greatly. It must be known that the rarest friendship in the world is that of equals in humble beginnings. Wu Chen managed to genuinely befriend Ning Fan when he was still weak, surely holding a significant place in his heart. In the future, Ning Fan would undoubtedly become the de facto emperor within the Slaughter Hall. As the saying goes, ’Above as the Emperor’s mentor, at the center as the Emperor’s friend, below as the Emperor’s minister.’ Wu Chen is the Emperor’s friend, with a promising future ahead...

Those who valued relationships could understand Wu Chen’s urgency in returning to the Slaughter Hall. With Wu Chen’s cultivation level, rushing back across the starry sky from such a distant branch once he received the message, he must have been anxious to make his way back.

Traveling nonstop at maximum speed for half a year, anyone could see the weariness around Wu Chen. In fact, even his physical well-being seemed slightly compromised, and it was unclear why he appeared to be seriously injured...

Wu Chen’s arrival was to present a congratulatory gift.

Before long, the Gift-Receiving Attendant disciple completed their checks on Wu Chen’s gift and officially registered and accepted Wu Chen’s gift, announcing with a hint of surprise to those around, "Wu Chen, the Branch Hall Master, presents a gift of an eight-million-year-old spiritual herb."

Hiss!

Immediately, there were gasps of breath from the audience.

An eight-million-year-old spiritual medicine is a treasure even for the Fragmented Thought Elders, and yet Wu Chen, merely of the Enlightenment level, would possess such an item? Could he afford it!

No, no, that’s not right, it’s not purchased...

When the Gift-Receiving Attendant disciple opened the box to inspect the spiritual medicine, some observant individuals noticed that its roots still carried moist soil, with bloodstains on the soil, determined to be Wu Chen’s blood by its aura...

It turned out this herb was recklessly harvested by Wu Chen, risking his life at an Enlightenment cultivation level!

"Is Wu Chen insane?! To risk his life for an eight-million-year-old spiritual medicine at the Enlightenment level! Any place within Eastern Heaven that houses such herbs is extremely dangerous, posing a threat even to the Fragmented Thought Elders..." an elder murmured, slightly shocked.

When they looked at Wu Chen again, their eyes held a newfound respect, respect that went beyond mere association with Ning Fan.

Yao Qingyun was also slightly shocked, then smiled, nodding with satisfaction.

"Wu Chen’s cultivation may be mediocre, but his character is quite commendable... Ning Fan certainly knows how to choose friends."

This is indeed good, for even if fewer people attended this Imperial Ceremony, as long as a few of Ning Fan’s genuine friends arrived, considering his personality, he would not feel any regret.

Indeed, she was afraid that there might be some regret left over in Ning Fan’s life during this important Imperial Ceremony...

The auspicious time drew near, and suddenly, across the once quiet starry sky, another escape light arrived arrogantly.

Unlike Wu Chen, who was merely in the Enlightenment stage, his escape light was reckless, causing guards to intervene. However, even before the figure appeared, just judging by the escape light, it was recognizable as the presence of a heavenly powerful Immortal King, so none dared stop him, only ready to receive.

The Minghai Celestial King’s and other elders’ complexions relaxed and they sighed with relief at the arrival of this Immortal King. Up to this point, none of the guests of the Slaughter Hall had been of the rank of Immortal King, so the presence of this individual could shield the event’s pride a bit.

They were unsure who this Immortal King might be—whether it was the Spirit Communicating Immortal King, who had a deep friendship with the Minghai Celestial King, or the Ancient Boat Immortal King, who once promised a life debt to the Seventh Generation Slaughter Emperor, or...

While the elders speculated, they were suddenly taken aback, then sighed with a wry smile.

They were all wrong.

The one who arrived was not an Immortal King with an acquaintance with the Slaughter Hall, but rather... a friend of Ning Fan’s.

Scattered surprises filled the sparse gathering.

"It’s Plague King Lü Wen! Wasn’t he still in isolation for healing, how did he come out!"

"It’s rumored that the Plague King and the Rain Immortal Monarch share a sworn brotherhood, and now it seems true! Although the Plague King’s reputation isn’t great, his character still has commendable aspects. Given the imminent demise of the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor, everyone else is avoiding the Rain Monarch like a viper, yet he is still willing to support the Rain Monarch!"

"It’s said that the Plague King even holds an honorary title as a Guest Elder within the Qianqiu Sect... seems that this rumor is true too!"

```

"Is the Plague King also a guest elder of the Godly Void Pavilion? Could he be here representing Godly Void Pavilion?"

Hearing the murmurs in the crowd, Lv Wen laughed heartily and replied, "I’m not here on behalf of the Godly Void Pavilion, just attending personally to support my sworn brother. Although there aren’t many Daoists here, they’re all good people, really good people! Hahaha!"

His tone wasn’t disrespectful; instead, it was quite polite. By nature, he wasn’t a particularly courteous or articulate person, but today was important for Ning Fan, so he restrained himself from speaking carelessly to avoid causing trouble and ruining the atmosphere.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Minghai Celestial King and others, he entered the venue and presented his gift.

The Gift-Receiving Attendant opened the gift box, only to be met with a pungent smell, causing him to frown slightly. But upon identifying the source of the smell, his expression drastically changed to one of shock.

"An Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros’s ox whip fossil... This item... is genuine!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd was astonished, and several female cultivators blushed.

While an ox whip is generally not a respectable item, an Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros’s ox whip is an exception!

The Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros was one of the most beloved mounts of the Ancient Gods, a breed of rhinoceros that only a being with Ancient God Blood could tame! Though named Ironclad, its body had no scales, only thick skin. Any part of its body could withstand a full-force attack from a cultivator of the same level, making it a species bred for superior hand-to-hand combat! Even this ox whip, often a weakness for male cultivators, could pierce through a cultivator’s armor at the same level and be used as a weapon...

The Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros has long been extinct, and even fossils are extremely rare. Lv Wen’s effort in finding this item is a testament to his deep regard. This piece of fossil was so valuable that it would stir a slight interest even in some Immortal Emperors, and Immortal Kings would undoubtedly go to great lengths to obtain it for forging magical treasures...

"Plague King, do you have other parts of the Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros? We wouldn’t dare covet this ox whip meant for Rain Monarch, but if there are other parts, we’d be eager to acquire horns, hooves, or teeth... Should there be any, we’d be willing to pay handsomely for them!" asked a few Immortal Venerable guests, their eyes sparked with interest.

"Alas, if I had those parts, would I have given an ox whip to my sworn brother? I do know it’s not decent, but then I thought, an ox whip is great! My sworn brother practices the path of Dual Cultivation. If such a thing were as hard as a magical treasure, wouldn’t that be... cough cough, slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue, hahaha! You all catch my drift."

Hahaha!

Lv Wen’s bawdy joke amused many of the men in the venue, while quite a few female cultivators flushed with embarrassment.

Overall, it did help warm up the previously chilly atmosphere in the venue.

Yao Qingyun, blushing fiercely, silently cursed Ning Fan’s sworn brother for his lack of propriety. What kind of people are these? A brother gets crowned emperor, and they gift an ox whip, particularly an Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros’s one!

Does Ning Fan even need supplements? Without them, he already wears her down for three days and nights... With them, would she be poked to death...

Truly, the kind of sworn brother one has reflects the kind of person one is, shameless as they are!

However... he’s a good person to show up at such a moment, essentially standing against the Dark Clan. If Ning Fan were to be killed by the Dark Clan in the future, Lv Wen wouldn’t have a good ending either...

"That little guy may lack shame, but he really knows how to make friends... Today, with friends around and a brother present, he should have no regrets."

While Yao Qingyun was in thought, a loud, booming laugh came from the distant starry sky.

"Hahaha! What a coincidence, Brother Lv and I seem to think alike. You gifted the ox whip of an Ironclad Divine Rhinoceros, and I’ve brought the dragon essence of a Primordial Flood Dragon as a gift. We don’t worry about appearances when gifting; what’s important is the sentiment! We both wish for Brother Ning to excel even more on the bedchamber! Such earnest concern can’t be bought with money!"

Even before the person arrived, their laughter filled the venue, accompanied by the immense pressure of someone halfway through Emperor Ascension!

Everyone was stunned, even the Minghai Celestial King was surprised, having never expected the War King Luo Hou, on the brink of becoming emperor, to attend as well!

And he actually brought the dragon essence of a Primordial Flood Dragon, something reputed to be "worth more than Innate Spiritual Medicine"!

Numerous male cultivators were also eager about the dragon essence, while many female cultivators scolded it in shame.

Yao Qingyun blushed once more.

She never realized the War King Luo Hou was also such a person!

Truly... once someone befriends Ning Fan, they’re bound to get led astray! What a shameless bunch!

Yet the atmosphere in the venue was indeed animated by these people.

Perhaps, this was their true intention... not wanting Ning Fan’s auspicious day to be too somber and quiet...

Though they were a group of futile friends...

They were truly a group of good friends indeed...