Di Haotian was a proud man.
Even without Rebirth, he was already the proud Young Emperor of the Immortal Court.
Not to mention now, he possessed the memories of a past life.
Di Haotian did not believe he would lose.
He certainly wouldn't lose to a Prodigy of the current age.
The defeat in the Virtual Heaven Realm was just a minor interlude for Di Haotian.
It wouldn't affect his plans or the overall situation.
"What's truly important is this."
Di Haotian took out the fragment of the Immortal Stone Disc.
It was this fragment that allowed him to return to the Early Stage of this golden prosperous age.
But there were three other fragments, their whereabouts unknown.
"Ancient history, the secret of Immortal Ascension, and the turmoil that arose because of it—I must find the remaining three fragments."
"Because this might be the greatest Opportunity in the Early Stage of this golden prosperous age!"
Divine light burst forth from Di Haotian's silver pupils.
He knew things others didn't, which allowed him to seize the initiative and proceed cautiously, step by step.
"Bai Luoxue," Di Haotian said.
"Young Emperor!"
A woman in a white dress, with exquisite beauty and an ethereal aura, appeared. It was Bai Luoxue.
"I need to find the remaining three missing pieces of this ancient artifact. Mobilize the Immortal Court's power to search for them."
Di Haotian said, holding the fragment of the Immortal Stone Disc.
"Yes, Young Emperor."
Bai Luoxue took a deep look at the Immortal Stone Disc fragment.
She was very smart and did not ask what it was or what use it had for Di Haotian.
Sometimes, as a subordinate, one just needed to follow orders.
Only then could one gain importance.
As the strategist among the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders, Bai Luoxue naturally understood this simple principle.
"Right, don't make a fuss or cause any big commotion. I don't want others to know," Di Haotian said.
"This subordinate understands." Bai Luoxue nodded.
"Luoxue, you are very clever, so I am very confident in entrusting this matter to you," Di Haotian said with a faint smile.
"It is this subordinate's honor to receive the Young Emperor's appreciation!" Bai Luoxue's eyes showed joy.
"Go." Di Haotian waved his hand.
Bai Luoxue retreated.
Di Haotian's eyes showed contemplation.
"In the Virtual Heaven Realm, the Cang Clan and Forbidden Families appeared one after another."
"As expected, the Forbidden Families should start revealing themselves next; they are the vanguards of the Life Forbidden Zone."
"Jun Xiaoyao, formerly an Ancient Sacred Body, should naturally be opposed to the Forbidden Zone."
"Furthermore, there's news that he is the Luan Gu successor and should have grievances with that lineage's Forbidden Zone. If that's the case…"
Di Haotian had another idea.
He suddenly said, "Purple Flame Heavenly Lord!"
Outside the golden palace, a flash of fire streaked by.
A man in purple clothes with purple hair appeared.
The man had a strong physique, enveloped in a mass of purple divine flames, and his eyes seemed to spew fire.
His aura was incredibly powerful, standing there like a dazzling purple sun.
"What is it, Young Emperor?"
Unlike the other riders of the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders.
The Purple Flame Heavenly Lord did not bow subserviently to Di Haotian; instead, there was a hint of challenge in his eyes.
"Purple Flame Heavenly Lord, after all this time, your personality hasn't changed."
Di Haotian didn't mind.
This Purple Flame Heavenly Lord ranked third among the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders.
He was once one of Di Haotian's challengers.
Legend has it that the Purple Flame Heavenly Lord had no parents, but was a being nurtured from a dazzling purple sun, naturally controlling all fires.
In that era, the Purple Flame Heavenly Lord was an absolute dark horse Prodigy, rising rapidly and defeating countless prodigies from Immortal Forces.
He only lost to Di Haotian in the end, and then willingly became his follower.
Therefore, his temperament was different from other followers; he was not overly humble.
"It's been a long time since I've sparred with the Young Emperor, and I'm itching for a fight," Purple Flame Heavenly Lord said.
"Don't worry, once this matter is handled, I will give you an Opportunity to hone your skills," Di Haotian said.
"What is it?"
"Go and secretly investigate information about the Forbidden Families. Report to me constantly. At necessary moments, I need to contact them," Di Haotian said.
"Alright." Purple Flame Heavenly Lord nodded slightly and departed as a ball of fire.
"Next, let's see what the Forbidden Families do, but no matter what, Jun Xiaoyao, you cannot defeat me."
"Sooner or later, you will voluntarily ask me to accept you as a follower." A smile played on Di Haotian's lips.
"Oh, I almost forgot something. Go to the Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain and contact that Little Demon Queen. Her background is quite extraordinary."
Di Haotian was about to call someone, but then shook his head.
"Never mind, I will go personally to show my sincerity in cooperation."
With that, in front of Di Haotian, magical power intertwined, and light surged.
A Dharma Body reappeared.
His true body's aura had not yet fully integrated with the aura of this era, so it was inconvenient for him to go out for now.
After Di Haotian's Dharma Body left.
His true body remained seated in the golden palace.
"Proceeding cautiously, my plan is flawless. Next, I will quietly await the opening of that place."
"That place is incredibly important to my Immortal Court, concerning its unification and integration. There can be no mistakes."
Di Haotian's eyes sparkled.
All events and crucial historical nodes were in his memory.
How could Jun Xiaoyao possibly contend with him?
…
Di Haotian's arrangements and plans did not alarm anyone.
The Nine Heavens Immortal Domain was as usual.
However, Cultivators noticed that some Immortal Court personnel began to frequently patrol various Star Domains.
It felt less like patrolling and more like searching for something.
Of course, this did not attract much attention.
The Immortal Academy side was also very calm.
After returning from the Virtual Heaven Realm, no one foolish enough dared to provoke Jun Xiaoyao or those around him.
Many Immortal Academy Disciples, after obtaining their Opportunities, also began to Cultivate diligently.
Because the Cang Clan and Forbidden Families that appeared in the Virtual Heaven Realm made them feel a subtle unease.
It felt like the calm before a storm.
So they Cultivated desperately.
A little more strength meant a little more self-preservation.
As for Jun Xiaoyao, after returning to the Immortal Domain, he specifically had the Grand Elder select a secluded cultivation spot isolated from the outside world.
He would not be disturbed by anyone.
And shortly after Jun Xiaoyao entered seclusion.
Astonishing news came from the Huantian Immortal Domain.
In that Star Domain, an ominous bloody star appeared, flickering on and off, seemingly illuminating a certain area.
That star was named Yinghuo, rumored to be an inauspicious demon star.
But what was surprising was not Yinghuo itself.
But rather, it was related to one of the seven wonders rumored in the Immortal Domain.
The seven wonders are the seven forbidden, eerie legends of the Immortal Domain.
Among those Jun Xiaoyao had experienced were the Bronze Immortal Palace, the Nineteenth Level of Hell Star, and so on.
And the legend related to the yinghuo demon star.
It was one of the seven wonders, the Forgotten Country.
Legend has it that it was an ancient forbidden land, forgotten by time, normally not appearing in the world.
Only when the yinghuo demon star appeared, the place it illuminated was where the Forgotten Country revealed itself.
And then, even more astonishing news spread.
The important ruins of the Ancient Immortal Court were actually within the Forgotten Country!