Chapter 5931 - 5940
About an incense stick’s time after they left,
the void above the valley distorted, and three figures clad in jet-black soul armor silently appeared.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a sinister face. He looked down at the empty valley below, sensing the lingering battle fluctuations in the air, his brow furrowed.
“Such strong vengeful spirit fluctuations… and a strange, chilling aura of power.”
He raised his hand, and a wisp of grayish energy was detached from the air, hovering in his palm. The energy seemed ordinary, yet it subtly possessed the power to devour and annihilate everything.
The sinister man tried to probe it with his soul power, but the wisp of energy suddenly surged violently, devouring nearly half of his soul power!
“Pfft!” He groaned, his face turning pale, and hurriedly shook off the wisp of energy.
“My lord!” Two Soul Hunters behind him rushed forward.
The sinister-looking man waved his hand, a flicker of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes: “This power… seems to have a natural restraint on soul power. Report this to Lord Puppet General immediately! Also, send men to search the surrounding thousand miles for any suspicious individuals!”
“Yes!”
The three figures vanished swiftly.
Three hours later, Kai and his companions arrived before a ruin covered in vines and ancient trees.
Kai parted the tall weeds, revealing a dilapidated array platform beneath.
The platform was constructed of a bluish-gray spirit stone, its surface covered with ancient beast-shaped runes, most of which were now blurred and indistinct.
The core of the spirit stone in the center of the platform was riddled with cracks, with only a faint spiritual light occasionally flashing.
“It is indeed an ancient teleportation array.”
Master Xuanwei crouched down to examine it carefully. “The rune system is quite different from today’s, but the core principle is the same. As long as the missing runes are completed, the core cracks are repaired, and enough energy is injected, it should be able to activate.”
Kai nodded and looked at the little fire qilin: “Little guy, it’s up to you.”
The little fire qilin jumped off Kai’s shoulder, trotted around the array platform, and brought its nose close to the incomplete runes, occasionally letting out a low “woo-woo” sound.
After a moment, it raised one of its front paws, and a crimson gold light appeared on the tip of its paw. It carefully touched a certain spot on the array platform.
“Buzz…”
The array platform trembled slightly, and a missing rune line was actually completed by the crimson gold light, illuminating a faint light.
“It really works!” Su Qianyue said in surprise.
Kai also crouched down, his palm circulating chaotic immortal power, carefully sensing the energy channels inside the array platform.
Chaotic immortal power can generate all kinds of laws, and its perception of the energy structure of arrays far exceeds that of ordinary spiritual power.
He quickly discovered that three key energy nodes had dried up and five rune connections had broken.
“Brother Lin, Miss Su, please help me stabilize the outer structure of the array platform.” Kai said in a deep voice, “Senior Chi Yun, when I repair the core, I need you to use your demonic flames to scorch the cracks and remelt the spirit stones.”
Everyone took on their respective roles.
Lin Xiao and Su Qianyue stood on either side of the array platform, their sword light and sound waves intertwining to form a net, enveloping the platform and preventing energy leakage that could cause it to collapse during the repair process.
Kai placed his hands on the center of the array platform, his chaotic immortal power seeping into the core of the spirit stone like threads.
The core seemed about to shatter, but its internal structure was exceptionally resilient. Kai’s immortal power acted like the finest scalpel, meticulously removing impurities from the cracks and guiding the spirit stone’s own spirituality to heal the wounds.
At the same time, Chi Yun Demon Lord’s demonic flames descended at just the right moment.
The dark red flames were extremely hot, yet precisely controlled below the melting point of the spirit stone, remelting the cracked spirit stone as if forging a divine weapon.
Earth Fire Ancestor and Xuanwei True Person stood guard on the perimeter, vigilant against any potential dangers.
An hour later.
“Buzz!!!”
The entire array platform erupted with a dazzling azure light!
The incomplete runes were pieced together, and the ancient beast-shaped patterns seemed to come alive in the light, with faint echoes of a hundred beasts roaring.
In the center of the array, space began to distort, and a blue vortex about ten feet in diameter slowly took shape.
“It’s done!”
Kai stopped, his face slightly pale.
Repairing the ancient array had taken a heavy toll on his mental energy, but his eyes were filled with excitement.
Xuanwei Zhenren carefully inspected the teleportation array and nodded, saying, “The stability is acceptable, but this array is too old. It can only teleport a maximum of five people at a time, and the destination may be slightly off.”
“Five people are enough.”
Kai looked at everyone. “Ancestor Earthfire, Senior Crimson Cloud, Xuanwei Zhenren, Brother Lin, and I will go first. Miss Su and Little Fire Qilin will stay here to guard the array. If we don’t return within three days, or if the array shows any unusual activity, immediately destroy the array and evacuate.”
Although Su Qianyue was reluctant, she knew the importance of the task and nodded in agreement.
Little Fire Qilin rubbed against Kai with a “woof,” seemingly reassuring him.
The five stepped into the blue vortex.
The world spun around them; the spatial pulling force far exceeded that of ordinary teleportation arrays.
Kai used all his chaotic immortal power to protect his body, yet he still felt his internal organs shifting.
He didn’t know how much time had passed—perhaps a moment, perhaps a very long time. ”Boom!!!”
The five stumbled and fell from mid-air, below them a continuous, verdant mountain range.
“Is this the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range?”
The Crimson Cloud Demon Lord steadied himself, his scarlet demonic eyes scanning the surroundings.
From within the mountains, the roars of various beasts and the cries of birds could be faintly heard. In the distance, a massive bird shadow swept across the sky, its wingspan exceeding ten zhang; deep within the valleys, the muffled sound of running echoed, shaking the ground slightly.
But even more striking was the black and red resentment rising into the sky from the northwest, about a thousand miles away, and… the earth-shattering sounds of battle!
“Not good!”
Xuanwei Zhenren’s expression changed. “That’s the direction of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts! The Evil Path Hall is indeed attacking!”
A cold glint flashed in Kai’s eyes: “Go!”
The five transformed into five streaks of light, rushing towards the direction of the most intense battle.
…
The Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, outside the protective array.
A massive army of Soul Hunters, like a dark cloud, numbered over five thousand!
They formed a bizarre “Soul-Capturing Array,” the grayish-white energy of reincarnation weaving into a giant net covering dozens of miles in the air. The net continuously contracted, eroding the protective shield of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.
Within the shield, thousands of demonic beasts, under the command of their beast tamers, launched a frenzied counterattack.
Flaming lions breathed fireballs, thunderwing golden eagles summoned lightning, armored rhinoceroses formed a charging formation, and swift wolf packs transformed into azure whirlwinds… The beast tide was like a sea, yet it could not break through the eerie grayish-white giant net.
Even more terrifying were the three figures with terrifying auras ahead of the Soul Hunters’ team.
On the left was a giant puppet, two zhang tall, its body wrapped in soul-locking chains. Every step it took shook the earth; it was the “Soul-Suppressing Puppet General” of the Evil Path Hall.
On the right was a withered old man holding a white bone banner, its surface painted with countless painful and distorted faces. With a gentle shake, a shrill soul-wrenching sonic wave impacted the protective shield, causing ripples to constantly spread across its surface.
In the center stood none other than Kai’s old acquaintance, the Soul Devourer!
He was still clad in dark red scale armor, his six wings spread, his greyish-white eyes coldly fixed on the struggling Beast Valley below.
Though expressionless, the greyish-white spear in his hand, formed from the energy of reincarnation, tore a crack in the protective barrier of the valley with each thrust.
Inside the Beast Valley, on a high platform built of beast bones
, a burly old man with a full head of red hair, dressed in a beast-skin cloak and bristling like a lion, was directing the battle with bloodshot eyes.
Crouching beside him was a five-zhang-tall, three-headed, ferocious flaming lion, none other than Valley Master Li Baichuan and his natal battle beast, the Three-Headed Flaming Lion King.
“Valley Master! The protective barrier in the southeast corner is about to collapse!”
A beast tamer covered in blood staggered in.
Li Baichuan roared, “Send the ‘Iron-Backed Earth Dragon’ to the front! Move all earth-type demonic beasts to the southeast corner to reinforce the defenses!”
“Valley Master, our demonic beasts are being affected by the soul howl of that white bone banner; they’ve begun to show signs of agitation and backlash!”
another elder cried urgently.
Li Baichuan gritted his teeth, looking at the white bone banner in the sky, a resolute glint in his eyes: “Lion King, follow me and charge out! Destroy that banner!”
The three Flaming Lion Kings roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
But just then,
“Valley Master Li, wait!”
Five streaks of light descended from the sky, landing on the high platform. It was Kai and his four companions!
Li Baichuan turned around abruptly, his sharp, beast-like gaze sweeping over the five. When he saw the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord, his expression clearly hardened: “Demonic cultivators? Who are you?!”
Xuanwei Zhenren stepped forward, flicking his whisk: “Xuanwei of the Azure Nether Sword Sect, bringing friends to assist us!”
“Azure Nether Sword Sect?”
Li Baichuan was taken aback, then a look of sorrow appeared on his face. “Old Daoist Xuanwei… your sword sect, too…”
“Valley Master, now is not the time for reminiscing.”
Kai stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the three figures in the air, lingering for a moment on the Soul-Devouring Puppet. “The most urgent task is to defeat the enemy.”
Li Baichuan sized up Kai, seeing that he was only a third-grade Celestial Immortal, and frowned: “Junior, this place is dangerous, not something you can…”
Before he could finish speaking, Kai had already leaped off the high platform, the Dragon-Slaying Sword clattering as it was drawn!
“Chaos – Creation!”
A hazy gray sword aura shot into the sky, not attacking the Soul-Devouring Puppet, but directly slashing at the massive gray-white net that covered the heavens and earth!
Wherever the sword aura passed, the massive gray-white net seemed to have met its nemesis, emitting a “hissing” sound as it melted away, and was forcibly torn open with a gap a hundred feet long!
“What?!”
The withered old man holding the white bone banner was shocked.
The Soul-Devouring Puppet’s gray-white eyes suddenly turned to Kai, and for the first time, a fluctuation appeared in its empty pupils—the instinctive reaction of the rules of the Reincarnation Land to the power of chaos!
“It’s you.”
The Soul-Devouring Puppet’s mechanical voice rang out, “The person the master wanted.”
It twirled its gray-white spear, abandoning its attack on the protective barrier, and transformed it into a gray-white lightning bolt that shot straight at Kai!
“Well done!” Kai’s eyes burned with fighting spirit, and he met the attack with his Dragon-Slaying Sword!
“Clang!!!”
The spear and sword clashed, erupting with a thunderous sound like metal striking metal!
Kai’s body was forced back ten feet, his tiger’s mouth split open, and blood stained the hilt of his sword. The power of a peak Immortal Realm cultivator was indeed terrifying.
However, the Soul-Devouring Puppet was also forced back three steps, and a fine crack appeared on the gray-white spear in its hand. The restraint of the Chaos Immortal Power on the Qi of Reincarnation was far beyond imagination!
“Attack together!”
The Crimson Cloud Demon Lord roared, and the Demon Flame Blade reappeared, rushing straight at the Soul-Suppressing Puppet General.
The Earth Fire Ancestor raised his hand and pressed down, and a crimson-gold fire lotus bloomed. The boundless Earth Fire True Flame transformed into nine fire dragons, coiling around the withered old man holding the White Bone Banner.
Xuanwei True Person and Lin Xiao charged into the Soul Hunter Army. Wherever their sword light passed, soul armor shattered, tearing open a counterattack path for the demon beasts of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts. Seeing this, Li Baichuan didn’t hesitate any longer, roaring to the sky: “Disciples of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, heed my command! Counterattack!”
“Roar!!!”
The three-headed Flaming Lion King was the first to break through the protective barrier, its three heads spewing flames, ice, and lightning respectively, instantly clearing out a group of Soul Hunters.
The Iron-Backed Earth Dragon emerged from the ground, its massive body like a moving hill, smashing the Soul Hunters’ formation into pieces.
A flock of Thunderwing Golden Eagles swooped down from the sky, golden lightning raining down.
The Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts’ counterattack had begun!
In the center of the battlefield, the battle between Kai and the Soul-Devouring Puppet was the most intense.
Every collision between the gray-white spear and the Dragon-Slaying Sword unleashed an impact at the level of rules.
The Soul-Devouring Puppet’s moves were devoid of any fancy flourishes; every strike went straight for the vital points, and its power, speed, and angle were terrifyingly precise—it was the ultimate killing technique stripped of emotion, retaining only the instinct for battle.
But Kai’s Chaotic Immortal Power subtly suppressed the opponent’s Cycle Qi.
More importantly, as the battle progressed, Kai discovered that while the Soul-Devouring Puppet’s moves were fierce, they lacked variation—like a fixed program, perfect yet predictable.
“Chaos Evolution – Earth Fire True Flame!”
Crimson-gold Earth Fire True Flame suddenly erupted from the Dragon-Slaying Sword, mixed with a hazy, chaotic aura.
The sword thrust forward, and the Soul-Devouring Puppet instinctively parried with its spear, but the Earth Fire True Flame spread along the spear, scorching the reincarnation patterns on its body.
The Soul-Devouring Puppet’s movements faltered slightly, for only a moment, but Kai seized the opening.
“Dragon-Slaying – Breaking Army!”
The sword light, like a dragon, pierced straight into the gap in the Soul-Devouring Puppet’s chest scales!
“Pfft!”
The gray-white scales were pierced, the sword tip penetrating three inches into the flesh!
Dark red blood, mixed with gray-white aura, spurted out.
The Soul-Devouring Puppet looked down at the sword wound on its chest, the vortex in its gray-white eyes spinning rapidly, yet remaining devoid of emotion.
He didn’t even retreat; instead, his left hand shot out, his five fingers like hooks, grabbing straight for Kai’s face!
A trade of injury for life!
Kai’s pupils contracted, and he drew his sword and retreated hastily, but his chest was still struck by the claw’s wind, his clothes torn, leaving five bloody marks.
“As expected, a puppet…” Kai spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes growing colder. “No pain, no fear, only absolute mission execution.”
Such enemies are the most troublesome.
On the other side, the battle between the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord and the Soul-Suppressing Puppet General was nearing its end.
Although the Soul-Suppressing Puppet General possessed immense strength, his moves were clumsy. The Crimson Cloud Demon Lord used demonic flames to transform into countless fine threads, binding his joints, and finally beheaded him with a single strike, his massive body collapsing with a crash.
The Earth Fire Ancestor was even more swift and decisive; nine fire dragons trapped the withered old man, and a crimson-gold fire lotus suppressed him from above, directly reducing the white bone banner and the old man to ashes.
With the two puppet generals and the elder fallen, the Soul Hunter army was thrown into chaos. Xuanwei Zhenren and Lin Xiao seized the opportunity to charge, and the demon beast army of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley, like a burst dam, completely shattered the Soul Hunters’ formation.
The Soul Devouring Puppet glanced around, its gray-white eyes flashing with data-like light for a moment, then turned without hesitation, its six wings flapping, transforming into a gray-white streak of light and fleeing towards the sky!
“Trying to escape?”
Kai gritted his teeth, wanting to give chase, but was stopped by the Earth Fire Ancestor.
“Don’t pursue a desperate enemy. If he’s determined to escape, you won’t be able to catch him. Besides…”
The Earth Fire Ancestor looked at the wound on Kai’s chest, “Your injury is quite serious, healing is the priority.”
Kai looked in the direction where the Soul Devouring Puppet had disappeared and gripped his sword hilt tightly.
This time was just a test, next time… it would definitely be a fight to the death.
Half an hour later, the battlefield was cleared.
Of the five thousand Soul Hunters, more than three thousand were killed, and the rest fled. Ten Thousand Beasts Valley also suffered heavy losses, with hundreds of beast tamers killed in battle, thousands of demon beasts perished, and many parts of the valley’s protective formation damaged.
But no matter what, this battle was won.
On the high platform of beast bones, Li Baichuan strode up to Kai, his imposing figure like a small mountain. He carefully examined Kai, then suddenly clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
“Young friend, I will never forget your life-saving grace! Please forgive my previous neglect!”
Kai quickly returned the bow: “Valley Master, you flatter me. The Evil Path Hall is the common enemy of the world; it is only right that we unite against it.”
Li Baichuan straightened up, his red hair flying, his voice booming: “Speak! You came here not just to lend a hand, were you? What do you need the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts to do? As long as it doesn’t violate our principles, I, Li, will not refuse!”
Kai and Xuanwei Zhenren exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and slowly said:
“We would like to ask the Valley Master… to join forces with the Heavenly Sword Pavilion and the Five Elements Sect to form an ‘Anti-Demon Alliance’ to jointly destroy the Evil Path Hall!”
Li Baichuan’s pupils shrank, and he remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he nodded heavily.
“Good! The Evil Path Hall slaughtered thousands of my fellow disciples, this hatred is irreconcilable! As for the alliance, the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts… joins!”
“However…”
He changed his tone, looking at Kai, his eyes flashing with the sharpness of a beast king, “That stubborn old man Dugu Ao of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, and that slippery Jin Buhuan of the Five Elements Sect, they won’t be easy to persuade. Young friend, if you really want to forge an alliance, the road ahead… won’t be easy.”
Kai gripped his sword hilt, his gaze resolute: “No matter how difficult, I will walk it.” ”
Since you are so determined, young friend, rest in the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts for a few days, so I can thank you for saving my life!” Li Baichuan said.
“Alright!” Kai nodded!
Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, Beast Bone Hall.
Li Baichuan set up a simple but sincere banquet to entertain Kai and his party.
Despite the war, the valley still brought out its treasured “Hundred Beast Blood Brew” and “Spirit Fruit Candied Fruit”. The bonfire in the center of the hall crackled, illuminating the solemn faces of everyone. “That old scoundrel Dugu Ao, three hundred years ago, we debated Dao at Tianjian Cliff and almost came to blows over a piece of Star Iron.”
Li Baichuan took a big gulp of blood wine and wiped his red beard. “With his bad temper, once he’s made up his mind, not even nine oxen can pull him back. You want him to bow his head and form an alliance with outsiders… it’s difficult.”
During the meal, Li Baichuan spoke again to Kai.
Master Xuanwei stroked his beard and said, “Although Pavilion Master Dugu is arrogant, he is not unreasonable. The Evil Path Hall is powerful, and the Heavenly Sword Pavilion cannot support it alone. He should understand this.”
“Reason?”
Li Baichuan scoffed, “Trying to reason with a sword fanatic? His mind is filled with nothing but swords! Unless you can surpass him in swordsmanship, no matter how much you talk, he will only reply with ‘noisy.’”
Kai pondered, “Surpass him in swordsmanship…?”
Li Baichuan glanced at Kai and said, “Young friend, although Dugu Ao is only at the peak of the ninth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, his swordsmanship is said to have reached the threshold of ‘man and sword as one.’ Although you are strong, you are not a specialist in swordsmanship…”
“We don’t necessarily need to completely surpass him in swordsmanship.”
A glint flashed in Kai’s eyes. “As long as he sees that there is a higher level of Dao beyond swordsmanship, it will be enough to make him take us seriously.”
He turned to Li Baichuan: “Valley Master, what about the Five Elements Sect?”
Li Baichuan’s expression became even more strange: “That old fox Jin Buhuan… Let’s put it this way, the Five Elements Sect has been fighting among its five branches for hundreds of years. Jin Buhuan was able to hold onto his position as sect leader not because he had the highest cultivation, but because he was the best at weighing things and knew how to maintain balance.”
“If you want to persuade him, you need to figure out how to resolve the internal strife within the Five Elements Sect. Otherwise, the moment you leave, the five branches will be arguing about whether or not they should form an alliance.”
The Earth Fire Ancestor slowly said: “The root of the Five Elements Sect’s problem lies in the imbalance of the five elements. The five branches of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth are vying for sect resources, each wanting their own branch to become dominant. If we can help them find the way to balance the five elements, the internal strife will resolve itself.”
“The balance of the five elements…” Kai pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at the little fire unicorn on his shoulder. “Little guy, you are naturally close to the rules of heaven and earth. Can you sense the flow of the five elements?”
The little fire unicorn nodded with a “roar,” its little claws tracing patterns in the void, outlining five-colored light spots that chased and flowed together, forming a miniature cycle of the five elements.
“Wonderful!”
Xuanwei Zhenren’s eyes lit up. “Although the Five Elements Sect cultivates the Great Dao of the Five Elements, each disciple cultivates a different lineage, thus losing the true meaning of the mutual generation and balance of the five elements. If we can use the Chaos Immortal Power as a guide, supplemented by this little guy’s perception of the rules of heaven and earth, perhaps we can truly help them reconstruct the balance!”
Kai stood up: “Then let’s go to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion first. Valley Master, can we borrow a few flying demonic beasts for transportation?”
Li Baichuan waved his hand: “Don’t say borrow! Thunderwing!”
A loud eagle cry came from outside the hall, and a giant eagle with a wingspan of more than fifteen zhang and its body wrapped in golden lightning landed. It was the Thunderwing Golden Eagle King, one of the guardian beasts of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.
“Let it carry you there. This eagle is extremely fast; traveling 100,000 miles a day is no problem. Also…”
Li Baichuan took out a beast tooth token, “With this token, all the demonic beasts within the jurisdiction of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts will not attack you. If you encounter danger, crush the token, and I will immediately lead a beast tide to your aid!”
Kai solemnly accepted it: “Thank you, Valley Master.”
…
Three days later, Heavenly Sword Mountain Range. The mountains, like swords, pierced the clouds. The entire mountain range was permeated with a sharp sword aura; ordinary cultivators would feel a stinging pain on their skin if they approached within a hundred miles. At the center of the mountain range, a majestic palace, entirely cast from black iron, stood atop the highest peak—the Heavenly Sword Pavilion. Even
the Thunderwing Golden Eagle King dared not venture further than a hundred miles away—the sword aura here naturally suppressed demonic beasts.
Kai and his group of five flew through the air, and as soon as they entered the mountain range, several sword lights pierced the sky.
“Halt!”
Seven white-robed sword cultivators blocked their path. The leader was a handsome young man with two swords on his back, his aura sharp and powerful; he was already a seventh-grade Heavenly Immortal.
His gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment on the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord, his brow furrowing slightly.
“The Heavenly Sword Pavilion’s forbidden area, all irrelevant personnel must leave immediately!”
True Person Xuanwei stepped forward: “Xuanwei of the Azure Nether Sword Sect, accompanied by a friend, requests an audience with Pavilion Master Dugu.”
“Azure Nether Sword Sect?”
The young sword cultivator was taken aback, then his expression softened slightly. “So it’s Senior Xuanwei. We have already heard about your sect’s affairs… please accept our condolences. However, the Pavilion Master is currently in seclusion, comprehending the sword path, and will not receive outsiders.”
“In seclusion?”
Kai spoke up, “Then please inform him… that someone wishes to duel with him.”
The young sword cultivator looked at Kai, seeing that he was only at the third rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and shook his head, saying, “I appreciate your kindness. However, the Pavilion Master only allows duels with swordsmanship experts. You should…”
Before he could finish speaking, Kai pointed his fingers like a sword and lightly made a stroke.
He did not use Chaos Immortal Power, nor did he activate the Golden Dragon Bloodline, only the purest sword intent.
“Chih…”
In the void, a crack as thin as a hair quietly appeared.
Around the crack, sword energy flowed spontaneously, evolving into illusory images of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and vegetation, as if a small world was contained within a single sword strike.
The young sword cultivator’s pupils constricted sharply, and the six sword cultivators behind him simultaneously took a step back, their longswords trembling uncontrollably!
“This is… Sword Intent Transformation?!”
The young sword cultivator’s voice trembled, “The legendary realm beyond ‘Man and Sword as One’?!”
Kai withdrew his finger, and the crack dissipated. He said calmly, “Now, may I report?”
The young sword cultivator took a deep breath, solemnly clasped his sword, and bowed, “This junior’s eyesight is poor; please wait a moment, senior, I will report immediately!”
He transformed into a beam of sword light and rushed straight to the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, returning in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, his attitude even more respectful: “The Pavilion Master requests your presence; please follow me.” The Heavenly Sword Pavilion, the Sword Debate Platform.
This is a circular platform suspended above a sea of clouds, entirely constructed of a black, strange stone called the “Sword Testing Stone.” The surface of the stone is covered with sword marks of varying depths, each retaining a sharp sword intent.
In the center of the platform, an old man dressed in hemp clothing, with disheveled gray hair, stands with his back to the crowd, gazing up at the sky.
A seemingly ordinary iron sword hangs at his waist, its scabbard weathered, but Kai can sense the terrifying sharpness contained within.
“Pavilion Master Dugu,” Xuanwei Zhenren bows.
Dugu Ao slowly turns around.
His face is ordinary, even somewhat disheveled, but his eyes are like two unsheathed divine swords, sharp enough to pierce the heart.
He doesn’t look at Xuanwei Zhenren, nor at anyone else; his gaze falls directly on Kai.
“Your sword intent is very interesting,”
Dugu Ao said, his voice hoarse. “It’s not pure swordsmanship, yet it’s broader than pure swordsmanship….”
Kai clasped his hands in greeting: “Junior Kai greets Senior.”
“Kai…”
Dugu Ao repeated the name, a glint of sword light flashing in his eyes, “Three months ago, in the Eleventh Heaven’s Heart Demon Abyss, it was you who severely injured the Soul Devouring Venerable?”
“Yes.” Kai nodded!
Although he didn’t know how Dugu Ao knew about this, knowing it allowed him to better understand his own strength.
“Very good.”
Dugu Ao nodded, “Being able to severely injure that old demon, you are qualified to stand here. Speak, what do you want with me? If it’s just a sword duel, we can begin now.”
Kai went straight to the point: “I would like to invite the Heavenly Sword Pavilion to join the alliance to jointly destroy the Evil Path Hall.”
Dugu Ao remained silent.
After a long pause, he slowly said, “The swords of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion are wielded only for themselves. If the Evil Path Hall doesn’t offend me, why should I offend them?”
“If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,”
Kai said in a deep voice. “The Evil Path Hall wants the souls of all cultivators, and the Heavenly Sword Pavilion will be no exception. After they finish dealing with the other forces, this place will be next.”
“Then let them come.”
A glint of fanaticism flashed in Dugu Ao’s eyes. “Perfect, my sword hasn’t drunk the blood of an Immortal in a long time.”
Kai shook his head and said, “Senior may not be afraid, but what about the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion? The Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin Formation is strong, but can it withstand the Soul-Devouring Puppet, the Soul-Suppressing Puppet General, plus Zhan E himself?”
Dugu Ao’s eyes turned slightly cold: “Are you questioning the strength of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion?”
“No.”
Kai looked directly into his eyes, “I am stating the facts. The Evil Path Hall has the Gate of Reincarnation, which can continuously refine puppets. If the Heavenly Sword Pavilion loses a disciple, it will lose one more. The balance is shifting, and the outcome is already decided.”
“So you’ve come to persuade them to surrender?” Dugu Ao’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
The atmosphere on the dueling platform instantly froze.
Master Xuanwei and the others broke out in a cold sweat. Demon Lord Chiyun was even secretly gathering his strength, ready to fight to the death to protect Kai if Dugu Ao really made a move.
But Kai just smiled. ”No. I’m here to give you, senior, a chance—a chance for the Heavenly Sword Pavilion’s sword to pierce the darkness that shrouds the Twelve Heavens, a chance for the true meaning of the sword to spread throughout the heavens.”
He stepped forward, his voice resounding: “If you close yourself off and guard your own gates, no matter how sharp your sword, it can only illuminate a corner. Only by joining forces with all heroes to annihilate the demonic path can the Heavenly Sword Pavilion’s sword truly ‘cut’ out a bright and clear world. At that time, who in the world won’t know the Heavenly Sword Pavilion? Who won’t respect Dugu Ao?”
Dugu Ao released his grip on his sword.
He stared at Kai, his eyes flashing with sword light, as if scrutinizing the truth of his words.
After a long while, he suddenly asked, “What was the name of that sword strike you just used?”
Kai was taken aback, then realized he was referring to the “Sword Intent Transformation” he had previously displayed.
“It hasn’t been named yet.”
“Then let’s call it ‘Chaos Creation Sword’.” Dugu Ao turned around and looked up at the sky again. “At the beginning of chaos, a single sword cut through the clear and turbid, giving rise to all things… It’s worthy of your sword intent.”
He paused, his back to the crowd, and slowly said, “The alliance can be discussed. But there’s a condition—” “Have
a duel with me. Regardless of victory or defeat, as long as your sword can show me a higher path, the Heavenly Sword Pavilion… will join.”
Kai took a deep breath: “When?”
“Now.”
Dugu Ao turned around, and his iron sword was drawn.
There was no earth-shattering aura, but the moment the mottled iron sword was drawn, all the sword marks on the entire dueling platform lit up simultaneously, and endless sword energy gathered, condensing behind him into a phantom giant sword hundreds of feet tall.
The sword hadn’t moved, but the intent had already arrived.
Kai felt as if his soul was being pierced by billions of fine needles, the pressure of pure sword intent.
But instead, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword was drawn with a clang, the three forces of Chaos Immortal Power, Golden Dragon Bloodline, and Earth Fire True Flame—united, yet not exploding, but rather contained within the sword, transforming into a layer of hazy gray sword energy that seemed capable of devouring all light.
“Please.”
With a single word, Kai drew his sword first.
Not a thrust, not a slash, but… a drawing.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword traced a circle in the void, within which Yin and Yang flowed, the Five Elements evolved, and a faint image of the creation of heaven and earth, the birth and death of all things, appeared.
“What a magnificent ‘Creation of Chaos’!” A terrifying light erupted in Dugu Ao’s eyes, and with a flick of his iron sword, the hundred-foot-long giant sword crashed down!
Sword light met the sword circle.
There was no explosion, no impact.
The giant sword pierced the sword circle, like a mud ox entering the sea, gradually being decomposed, devoured, and assimilated by the chaotic flowing sword intent. Meanwhile, the sword circle grew increasingly solid, showing a faint tendency to expand.
Dugu Ao was not alarmed but delighted, and let out a long roar: “Again!”
His figure transformed into a sword light, man and sword becoming one,
and he thrust straight at the core of the sword circle! This was a desperate strike, and also his most powerful sword strike—a sword heart that was clear and bright, man and sword becoming one! Kai’s pupils contracted slightly, knowing that this sword strike could no longer be “transformed.”
He gripped the sword with both hands, frantically pouring all the power within his body into it. The Dragon-Slaying Sword emitted a resounding dragon roar, and the chaotic energy on its blade transformed into a gray dragon phantom, roaring as it charged forward!
“Clang!!!”
This time, it was a true clash of metal!
The dueling platform trembled violently, and countless cracks appeared on the testing stone.
The Xuanwei True Person and others watching the battle were forced back by the shockwave, and Lin Xiao, whose cultivation was slightly weaker, even had blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
At the center of the collision between the sword light and the gray dragon, space shattered inch by inch, revealing a pitch-black void.
Three breaths later, the light dissipated.
Kai stood calmly in place, his face expressionless.
Dugu Ao stood ten feet away, his hempen clothes torn, his gray hair disheveled, and a deep wound on his left shoulder that exposed bone—an injury inflicted by the chaotic sword energy.
But he was laughing, laughing heartily.
“Excellent… truly magnificent Chaos Opening Heaven Sword!”
He laughed heartily, “This sword strike has shown me the beauty beyond ‘man and sword as one’! It was worth it!”
He sheathed his sword, strode to Kai, and extended a hand.
Kai grasped it, using the leverage to stand up.
“The Heavenly Sword Pavilion has joined the alliance,”
Dugu Ao said decisively. “However, let me make this clear: within the alliance, the Heavenly Sword Pavilion will only obey your orders. Don’t come to me with any of that messy wrangling.”
Kai nodded: “Understood.”
“Also, be prepared, that old fox Jin Buhuan… is far more difficult to deal with than I am,” Dugu Ao said.
“I know what I’m doing!”
Kai said confidently.
…
Seven days later, Five Elements Mountain Range.
In stark contrast to the sharpness of the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range, the Five Elements Mountain Range has five peaks standing side by side, each displaying the colors of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five colors of spiritual energy converge and flow, forming a magnificent and fantastical landscape.
However, upon closer inspection, one could sense that the flow of the five-colored spiritual energy was not smooth, with occasional clashes and repulsions—a clear indication of the internal strife
within the Five Elements Sect. Kai’s injuries had already healed by 70% thanks to the Sword Essence Pill and his own regenerative abilities. The group had barely entered the Five Elements Sect’s territory when they were simultaneously surrounded by five groups.
Golden robes, green shirts, blue robes, red armor, and yellow skirts—these were the disciples of the Five Elements Sect’s five lineages of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, clearly distinct from one another, even subtly wary of one another.
“Who goes there?”
the leaders of the five lineages asked simultaneously, their tones varying.
Xuanwei Zhenren was about to speak when Kai raised his hand to stop him.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the five lineage disciples, when suddenly his hands formed a seal, and a point of chaotic light shone from between his brows.
Chaotic immortal power transformed into five-colored streams of light, shooting towards the disciples of each lineage.
The disciples of the Five Lineages instinctively went on the defensive, but the five-colored light did not attack. Instead, it transformed into five small cycles of the Five Elements in front of them—metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal, perfectly generating each other without any hindrance.
Even more miraculously, these five small cycles were interconnected, forming a larger, ever-renewing cycle of the Five Elements. ”This is…” The disciples of the Five Lineages were dumbfounded.
They had cultivated the Five Elements Dao for hundreds of years, and had never seen such a perfect and harmonious operation of the Five Elements.
Each of the five lineages within the sect cultivated one of the five elements. Although they knew the principle of mutual generation of the Five Elements, they had never truly practiced it due to sectarian differences.
“Take me to see Sect Master Jin.”
Kai withdrew his Chaos Immortal Power. “Tell him… someone can solve the Five Elements Sect’s thousand-year predicament.”
The disciples of the Five Lineages looked at each other, and finally the leader of the Jin lineage gritted his teeth and said, “Please come with me.”
Five Elements Sect, Five Elements Hall.
The hall was pentagonal, with the elders of the five lineages seated in five distinct directions.
At the head of the hall, a round-faced old man wearing a five-colored Daoist robe sat upright. He was none other than Sect Master Jin Buhuan.
“Young friend Kai, you’ve come from afar, I’m so sorry for not welcoming you properly.”
Jin Buhuan smiled warmly. “I heard that you debated swordsmanship with Old Man Dugu at the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, and even managed to make him bow down and join the alliance. I admire you greatly.”
Kai cupped his hands in greeting: “Sect Master Jin, you flatter me. I’ve come to invite the Five Elements Sect to join the Anti-Demon Alliance.” As soon as he
finished speaking, the elders of the five sects immediately began to discuss among themselves.
“An alliance? Our Five Elements Sect is protected by the Five Elements Reincarnation Array. The Evil Path Hall cannot break through it, why take the risk?”
“That’s right! Rather than going out to fight, it’s better to defend our sect and wait for them to weaken each other!”
“Nonsense! Don’t you understand the principle of ‘if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’? Once the Evil Path Hall destroys the other forces, we’ll be next!”
“If you want to fight, go fight us, Fire Sect! We Water Sect disciples are not good at fighting!”
The five sects each held their own opinion, and it looked like they were about to start arguing.
Jin Buhuan remained smiling, not stopping them, but just looking at Kai, as if waiting for his reaction.
Kai understood—Jin Buhuan was testing him. If even the internal strife among the five sects cannot be resolved, how can we talk about an alliance?
He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it drowned out all the arguments: “The predicament of the Five Elements Sect is not due to external enemies, but to internal strife.”
The hall fell silent.
Kai continued, “The Five Elements Dao should be mutually reinforcing and endlessly circulating. However, the five lineages of the Five Elements Sect each cultivate one element, competing with each other and refusing to yield, leading to an imbalance of the Five Elements and a deficiency in the Dao.”
“Therefore, although the Five Elements Reincarnation Array is powerful, it can never reach the perfect state of ‘endless generation’—because the disciples of the five lineages who set up the array are not of one mind.”
The elder of the Gold Lineage sneered, “Boy, you make it sound so easy! The mutual generation of the Five Elements is good, but resources are limited. How can they be allocated?”
“Why should they be allocated?”
Kai countered, “The Five Elements generate each other. Metal generates Water, so the metal energy dissipated during the cultivation of the Gold Lineage can help the Water Lineage cultivate;”
“Water generates Wood, so the water spirit during the cultivation of the Water Lineage disciples can nourish the Wood Lineage… In this cycle, with all five lineages cultivating together, resources will not only not be insufficient, but will actually increase due to the recycling.”
The little fire unicorn on his shoulder jumped out at the right moment, its little claws tracing in the air, once again outlining the perfect illusory image of the Five Elements cycle.
This time, Kai injected a wisp of chaotic immortal power into it.
The five-colored light shone brightly, the circulation speed increased dramatically, and it even began to actively absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from the void, transforming it into pure five-element power! ”This…this is…”
Elder Huo Mai suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with horror. “The Five Elements cycle automatically absorbs spiritual energy? How is this possible?!” ”
Chaos gives birth to all things, and can also give rise to the Five Elements,”
Kai said calmly. “Using the Chaos Immortal Power as a guide, the balance of the Five Elements can be reconstructed, supplemented by a special joint cultivation formation, and it can be done.”
He looked at Jin Buhuan: “Sect Master Jin, I can teach this method to the Five Elements Sect. There is only one condition: the Five Elements Sect joins the alliance, the five lineages abandon their past grievances, and fight against the demons together.”
The usual smile on Jin Buhuan’s face finally disappeared.
He slowly got up, stepped down from the main seat, and came to the illusory image of the Five Elements cycle. His withered fingers probed into the five-colored light, carefully feeling the perfectly flowing power of the Five Elements.
After a moment, a trace of shock flashed in his eyes, but it quickly turned into deep thought.
“The five elements generate each other, endlessly…theoretically, it is indeed feasible.”
Jin Buhuan withdrew his hand and looked at Kai. “But young friend, do you know why the Five Elements Sect has been unable to achieve this ideal state for thousands of years?”
Kai did not answer immediately, but instead looked around at the five elders.
He could sense five completely different auras permeating the hall:
the sharpness of metal, the vitality of wood, the resilience of water, the ferocity of fire, and the weight of earth.
These five auras should have complemented each other, but at this moment they repelled and clashed with each other, like five ferocious beasts locked in a small cage, tearing at each other.
“Because each of the five lineages holds its own path, and each believes that its lineage is the most supreme among the five elements,”
Kai said, enunciating each word clearly. “The Metal lineage believes that ‘metal governs killing and is invincible’; the Wood lineage insists that ‘wood governs growth and is everlasting’; the Water lineage proclaims that ‘water benefits all things and nourishes the world’; the Fire lineage advocates that ‘fire burns away all evil and is righteous and upright’; and the Earth lineage firmly believes that ‘earth carries all things and is virtuous and capable of bearing all things.’”
With each sentence he spoke, the elder of the corresponding lineage straightened his back and showed a look of agreement on his face.
“The Five Lineages have been arguing for a thousand years, each claiming their own Dao is the foundation of the Five Elements. But…”
Kai’s tone shifted, his voice suddenly becoming deep and solemn, “The Five Elements generate and restrain each other; they are inherently one. Forcibly dividing them is like cutting a person into five pieces, each claiming to be a person, yet the meaning of wholeness has long been lost.”
The Metal Lineage elder retorted sharply, “You ignorant brat, what do you know! Metal is the head of the Five Elements; warfare and killing are the foundation of the Great Dao!”
“Nonsense!”
The Fire Lineage elder slammed his hand on the table and stood up, “Metal melts when it meets fire! Raging fire burns the heavens, purifying everything; this is the ultimate truth!”
“Water and fire in harmony constitute the Dao!”
The Water Lineage elder sneered. “Wood can solidify earth, and earth can generate metal; what do you know?” The Earth Lineage elder retorted defiantly.
The Wood Lineage elder remained silent, but a blue light flashed in his eyes, clearly indicating his disagreement with the other lineages.
Seeing the argument reignite, Kai suddenly stepped forward.
With this step, the air in the entire Five Elements Hall seemed to freeze.
He closed his eyes, slowly raising his hands, palms facing upward.
A point of chaotic light shone from between his brows. This was not the small-scale demonstration shown earlier, but the true release of his origin! A
deep hum emanated from Kai’s body, as if some ancient being was awakening.
A ball of blazing white golden light appeared in his left palm, and a ball of verdant wooden light appeared in his right palm;
blue water surged beneath his left foot, and crimson flames rose beneath his right foot;
and in the center of his chest, a thick, earthy-yellow light slowly rotated.
The power of the five elements manifested simultaneously!
“This… how is this possible?” The five elders stood up in unison, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The Way of the Five Elements—it was already rare for an ordinary person to master one of them, to master two was to be a genius, and to master all three was one in ten thousand.
Yet Kai was now simultaneously controlling the complete power of the five elements, and there was no conflict between them, but rather a harmonious fusion!
But this was only the beginning.
Kai took a deep breath, and the chaotic immortal power within his body surged into operation!
That chaotic immortal power, like the most skillful harmonizer, poured into the power of the five elements.
The five colors of light, which were originally independent, began to permeate and merge with each other.
Golden light merged with the water, transforming into flowing golden water; the water nourished the wood’s light, which grew flame patterns; the flames burned and turned to ash, which settled into thick soil; from within the thick soil, new golden light was born…
The five elements generated each other, cycling endlessly, forming a perfect circular halo of light three zhang in diameter around Kai!
Even more astonishingly, this halo was not static, but constantly rotating and evolving.
At times, the golden energy surged, transforming into countless sword energies; at other times, the fire spread like wildfire, scorching the sky and boiling the sea; at still other times, the water surged, encompassing all things… The five elements changed at will.
Inside the hall, all the disciples of the Five Elements Sect felt the five elements’ spiritual power resonating and trembling within their bodies, as if they had encountered a supreme being like a king.
Jin Buhuan’s eyes shone brightly as he stared intently at the five elements halo, his breathing becoming rapid.
Kai opened his eyes, his eyes swirling with five colors before finally settling into a chaotic gray.
“The debate over the Five Elements is laughable.”
His voice was calm, yet it resonated like thunder in everyone’s hearts. “Why can’t metal be soft? Why can’t water be hard? Why can’t fire generate? Why can’t earth be sharp? Why can’t wood be strong?”
With each question, the Five Elements Light Wheel manifested a scene that defied common sense.
Golden light transformed into soft silk threads, winding and flowing; water ripples condensed into sharp ice crystals, their edge fully revealed; red lotuses bloomed from the flames, full of vitality; the thick earth rose into the phantom of mountains, piercing the clouds; the surface of ancient wood shimmered with a metallic luster, indestructible.
“The Five Elements are inherently neither superior
nor inferior; their application lies in the mind.” Kai withdrew his hands, and the Five Elements Light Wheel slowly converged, finally transforming into five light beads the size of pigeon eggs, hovering above his palms, spinning rapidly. “To be fixated on one element or one path is merely to draw a circle around oneself. The true Great Way of the Five Elements is…”
He clenched his fist!
The five luminous beads collided and merged with a deafening roar!
Five distinct forces—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—were perfectly integrated under the harmonizing power of the Chaos Immortal Force, transforming into a strange, hazy bead containing flowing five-colored light.
The bead appeared ordinary, but the primordial power of the five elements contained within it caused a profound tremor in the souls of all the Five Elements Sect cultivators.
“The Five Elements unite.”
As he uttered these four words, the bead in Kai’s palm suddenly erupted with dazzling light, shooting skyward!
The light pierced the dome of the Five Elements Hall, shooting directly into the heavens. The five-colored spiritual energy throughout the entire Five Elements Mountain Range surged simultaneously, rushing towards the light as if paying homage to a king.
On the five peaks, the ancestral statues of the five lineages of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth lit up simultaneously, projecting five thick pillars of light that converged with the light released by Kai.
The Great Dao resounded throughout the heavens and earth!
Kai felt a long-dormant barrier within his body suddenly burst open.
Deep within his dantian, in that primordial chaos, a previously dim star suddenly ignited!
This was no ordinary star, but a primordial star—one that contained the flow of the five elements and emanated the aura of chaos!
“Buzz…”
The instant the primordial star lit up, Kai’s aura surged dramatically!
The bottleneck of the third rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm shattered instantly, his cultivation directly breaking through to the fourth rank, and continuing to climb, eventually stabilizing at the peak of the fourth rank!
More importantly, his understanding of the Five Elements Dao reached an unprecedented height.
Looking at the five elders of the Five Elements Sect now, the operation, defects, and potential complementarities of the five elements’ spiritual power within their bodies… everything was under his control.
“This…this is…”
Jin Buhuan’s voice trembled, “The resonance of the Five Elements Origin! You actually activated the ancestral power of the Five Elements Mountain Range!”
The five elders had already knelt on the ground, not out of fear, but out of instinctive awe at the manifestation of the Great Dao.
Kai slowly suppressed his aura, and the Five Elements Unity Pearl fell into his palm, transforming into a five-colored pattern that imprinted itself on the back of his right hand.
He looked at Jin Buhuan, then at the five elders, his voice calm yet firm:
“The conflict of the Five Elements can now cease. Today, I will use the power of Chaos Immortals as a guide to harmonize the origins of the Five Elements. Are you willing to observe and comprehend it?”
The Gold Elder was the first to kowtow: “The Gold Elder… is willing to learn!”
“The Wood Elder is willing to learn!””The Water Vein is willing to learn!”
“The Fire Vein is willing to learn!”
“The Earth Vein is willing to learn!”
The five elders ceased their disputes, their eyes filled only with a yearning for the higher Dao.
Kai nodded and pointed his hand into the void.
A five-colored light screen unfolded, within which the subtle principles of the five elements—how they generate and restrain each other, how they transform and merge, how they borrow strength to fight back—were presented in the most direct way.
This was not a simple transmission of techniques, but a direct demonstration of the Great Dao!
The five elders observed, memorized, and comprehended with insatiable hunger. They could feel the bottlenecks that had plagued them for hundreds of years loosening, and their understanding of the Dao of the Five Elements deepening at an astonishing speed.
Jin Buhuan stood beside Kai, watching this scene, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
“Young friend, do you know that what you have done today is tantamount to rebuilding the Five Elements Sect?”
he said in a low voice. “A thousand years of internal strife has been resolved in a single day. The Five Elements Sect will never forget this kindness.”
Kai shook his head: “Sect Master Jin, you flatter me. The Five Elements Dao is originally one. I have merely cleared away the fog and revealed the truth.”
He paused and looked at the five-colored patterns on the back of his hand: “Moreover, I have also benefited greatly from it. I have illuminated the Origin Star and gained a deeper understanding of the Five Elements Dao. That is enough.”
Jin Buhuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly clasped his hands solemnly, performing the sect’s highest-level “Five Elements Unity Ceremony.”
“Young friend Kai, from this day forward, you are the ‘Guardian Elder’ of my Five Elements Sect, your status equal to mine. All members of the Five Elements Sect will obey your commands.”
He turned to face the Five Lineage Elders, who were still observing and comprehending, his voice echoing throughout the hall:
“Issue the order: the Five Elements Sect shall immediately join the Anti-Demon Alliance! All disciples of the Five Lineages shall cease all infighting and, within three days, must have a basic grasp of the Five Elements Combined Cultivation Method taught by Elder Kai! Seven days later, join the Alliance in the expedition to jointly destroy the Evil Path Hall!”
The Five Lineage Elders responded in unison, their voices resounding through the dome.
This time, there were no dissenting voices, only a shared determination to fight against the common enemy.
Kai felt the newly lit Origin Star within his body, then looked at the five-colored patterns on the back of his hand, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
The Five Elements had united, the Origin Star was beginning to manifest.
Next… it was time to go find the Evil Path Hall and settle the score.
The Five Elements Unification phenomenon in the Five Elements Mountains had not yet completely dissipated, but the winds and clouds in the Twelfth Heaven had already changed drastically. The headquarters of the Evil Path Palace.
Zhan E stood with his hands behind his back before the Gate of Reincarnation, his greyish-white eyes fixed on the slowly writhing runes on the door.
Behind him, a black-robed elder knelt on the ground.
“Pass down the word: as long as all the experts of the Twelve Heavens submit to my Evil Path Palace, we can spare them and even grant them eternal life through the Gate of Reincarnation.”
Zhan E’s hoarse, icy voice rang out!
Since Kai had already united with the three major sects to deal with the Evil Path Palace, Zhan E could not be careless.
After all, these three major sects were all quite powerful, not to mention that Kai had the Earth Fire Ancestor by his side.
“Yes, sir…” The black-robed elder left!
The news spread like wildfire throughout the Twelve Heavens!
Soon, a large number of cultivators poured into the headquarters of the Evil Path Palace.
The black-robed elder arrived to report, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement:
“Palace Master, three days after the news was released, over thirty-seven sects and nearly a hundred rogue cultivators have explicitly expressed their allegiance. Among them are eleven old monsters at the ninth rank of the Celestial Immortal Realm.”
A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhan E’s lips.
“Eternal life…resurrection…what a beautiful promise.”
Zhan E slowly turned around, his withered fingers gently stroking the bone surface of the Gate of Reincarnation. “What are those old fellows who have lived for tens of thousands of years most afraid of? Death. What do they want most? More time, to undo past regrets.”
“We gave them hope,”
the black-robed elder flattered. “Even if that hope is false, they are willing to gamble everything.”
“Such is human nature.”
Zhan E looked outside the palace, where hundreds of figures of varying strengths had gathered, all those who had come from all over to pledge allegiance. “Go, bring in the first batch of believers. Let them…witness the miracle with their own eyes.”
“Yes!”
…
Outside the main altar of the Evil Path Palace, the once desolate and lifeless area was now bustling with activity.
Cultivators from all corners of the Twelfth Heaven gathered here. Among them were elderly men with white hair and beards, decaying auras, middle-aged men with haggard faces and sickly longing in their eyes, and a woman clutching a tattered spirit tablet, her
expression crazed. All of them looked up at the gray-white pillar of light shooting into the sky from the depths of the plain, their eyes gleaming with fanaticism.
“The Gate of Reincarnation… can it really resurrect my son?”
A woman clutched the spirit tablet tightly in her arms; the inscription on the tablet was blurred by wear and tear.
“Fellow Daoist Li, you’ve lived for forty-eight thousand years, your lifespan is nearing its end. Why not take a gamble?”
A gaunt old man pulled another equally aged old man aside, urging him, “The Evil Path Hall has promised that as long as you perform meritorious deeds, you can enter the Gate of Reincarnation and gain eternal life!”
“I have cultivated for fifty thousand years, stuck at the peak of the ninth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm for a full twenty thousand years… There is no hope of breaking through, and my lifespan is less than a hundred years left.”
The old man called Fellow Daoist Li’s eyes flashed with struggle, which finally turned into determination, “So be it… so be it! Rather than sit and die in oblivion, I’d rather gamble this time!”
Similar conversations continued to play out among the crowd.
Suddenly, a long bell rang from the direction of the Evil Path Hall.
“The time has come—welcome believers into the hall to witness the miracle of reincarnation.”
Hundreds of black-robed Soul Hunters emerged from the gray-white pillar of light, lining up on both sides to form a passage leading into the depths.
All those who sought refuge entered in order of their cultivation level. Before the Gate of Reincarnation, Zhan E sat high on a bone throne, the Soul-Devouring Puppet standing silently beside him, expressionless.
The first group brought in were three ancient monsters at the peak of the ninth rank of the Celestial Immortal Realm, nearing the end of their lifespans.
“Greetings, Palace Master!”
The three bowed in unison, their eyes filled with both awe and an barely suppressed longing.
Zhan E slightly raised his hand: “No need for formalities. Since you three have come with such sincerity, I will let you witness firsthand… the power of the Gate of Reincarnation.”
He turned, his hands forming a seal, and a stream of grayish-white energy entered the Gate of Reincarnation.
The gate slowly opened a crack, revealing the grayish-white, lifeless world within.
But Zhan E had clearly tampered with it; the instant the crack opened, a phantom yet breathtakingly beautiful scene was projected behind the gate: magnificent palaces, celestial cranes and auspicious clouds, countless figures strolling leisurely within, and the faces of those figures… were none other than those of cultivators who had long since perished!
“That’s…that’s Senior Brother Qingyun!”
One of the three old monsters, an elder in a green robe, exclaimed in shock, “Didn’t he die under the Heavenly Tribulation five hundred years ago?!”
“And Fairy Zixia…didn’t she perish in the secret realm a thousand years ago?”
“My Daoist partner…she also…”
Tears welled up in the eyes of the three, and they trembled all over.
Zhan E spoke at the right moment, his voice carrying a bewitching magic: “The Gate of Reincarnation connects life and death, and spans the past and present. All who enter this gate can reunite their true spirit, reshape their physical body, and enjoy eternal life.”
“And those who have passed away…as long as you sincerely make offerings and perform meritorious deeds, the Lord of Reincarnation will grant them mercy and allow them to be resurrected.”
“Thump!”
The three old monsters knelt down at the same time, their foreheads touching the ground: “Great kindness from the Palace Master! We are willing to die for the Evil Path Palace!”
“Very good.”
Zhan E nodded in satisfaction, “From today onwards, you are the first batch of elders of the Reincarnation Envoy. Go, tell those people outside what you saw.”
The three excitedly got up, turned around, and rushed out of the hall.
Soon, their trembling voices of excitement echoed from outside:
“It’s true! It’s true! I saw Senior Brother Qingyun!”
“The Gate of Reincarnation can resurrect the dead! It can grant eternal life!”
“Join the Evil Path Hall! This is our last chance!”
The seekers outside instantly erupted in jubilation!
If there were any doubts before, seeing the three highly respected elders so excited now, all their concerns vanished.
“I want to join! I’m willing to offer all my treasures!”
“I’ll do anything to resurrect my daughter!”
“Give me eternal life! Give me a chance to break through!”
The fervent atmosphere spread like a plague.
In just half a day, the number of seekers doubled, with two previously hesitant medium-sized sects even joining with their entire sects.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the Twelve Heavens.
But what truly shook the entire Twelve Heavens was yet to come. On the fourth day, at noon.
Three hundred thousand miles east of the headquarters of the Evil Path Palace, a “deadly swamp” shrouded in mist year-round suddenly trembled violently!
“Rumble…”
Mud from the depths of the swamp shot skyward, revealing a colossal, unimaginably vast black palace complex below.
The palaces were ancient and eerie in style, countless pale skulls hanging from their eaves, and twisted runes carved into the walls, emanating a chilling aura that sent shivers down one’s spine.
Most terrifyingly, at the center of the palace complex, nine jet-black demonic energies soared into the sky, condensing in mid-air into nine ferocious demonic phantoms, roaring silently towards the heavens.
All the powerful figures of the Twelfth Heaven simultaneously sensed this terrifying aura.
“That’s… the Nine Netherworld Demonic Qi?!”
In the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, Li Baichuan suddenly stood up from the Beast Bone Throne, and the three-headed Flaming Lion Kings simultaneously roared, “Could it be…”
On the Sword Debate Platform of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, Dugu Ao’s iron sword trembled and hummed. He looked eastward, his eyes flashing with sword light: “Nine Netherworld Palace… they’re still alive?!” In the main
hall of the Five Elements Sect, Jin Buhuan’s face instantly turned pale: “Nine Netherworld Palace… the number one demonic sect that suddenly disappeared ten thousand years ago… they’ve emerged from seclusion?”
All the older generation of powerhouses who knew the name Nine Netherworld Palace felt a surge of overwhelming emotions.
Nine Netherworld Palace was the undisputed leader of the demonic path in the Twelfth Heaven ten thousand years ago.
The Palace Master, “Nine Netherworld Demon Lord” Xue Youming, was at the peak of the third rank of the Upper Immortal Realm. His three Ghost Kings were all at the first rank of the Upper Immortal Realm, and his nine Netherworld Envoys were all at the peak of the ninth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm.
The entire palace had three thousand disciples, the weakest of whom was at the fifth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm.
Ten thousand years ago, this sect suddenly closed its gates and vanished without a trace. Everyone assumed they had either been destroyed in internal strife or had found a way to a higher world and left.
But now… they have reappeared in this world at this time and place!
Even more unbelievable is that…
the massive black palace complex of the Nine Nether Palace is slowly rising into the air, moving towards the headquarters of the Evil Path Hall…!
“They want to… pledge allegiance to the Evil Path Hall?!” someone exclaimed in shock.
“That old demon Blood Netherworld is said to have less than a hundred years left to live…”
another murmured, “The promise of the Evil Path Hall… is a lifeline for him.”
“Even the Nine Nether Palace has pledged allegiance… who in the Twelve Heavens can stop the Evil Path Hall?”
Panic spread like wildfire.
Those forces that were still observing could no longer sit still.
“Quick! Prepare generous gifts and head to the Evil Path Hall!”
“The Nine Nether Palace has already pledged allegiance, what are we waiting for? To die?!”
“If we’re late, the credit will be stolen by others!”
In an instant, countless streams of light from all over the Twelve Heavens converged on the Plain of Resentful Souls.
Among them were many ancient monsters who had lived in seclusion for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, all breaking free of their
shackles, clinging to that sliver of hope for eternal life. On the outskirts of the Plains of Wraiths, the cultivators who had already pledged allegiance to the Evil Path Palace trembled with excitement.
“The Nine Nether Palace… even the Nine Nether Palace has come!”
“We joined early, we’ll be elders now!”
“Palace Master is mighty! Long live the Gate of Reincarnation!”
Meanwhile, within the black palace at the very center of the Nine Nether Palace,
an old man clad in a dark black demonic robe, his face withered like a dried corpse, sat upon a throne of white bones.
His eyes were sunken, his pupils pure black, without any whites, like two openings leading to the abyss of the Nine Nether. Surrounded by tangible Netherworld demonic energy, each breath slightly distorted the surrounding space. It was none
other than the Netherworld Demon Lord, Xue Youming.
“Ancestor, the Hall of Evil Paths is just ahead,”
a pale-faced youth in black robes bowed and reported. He was the Great Envoy of the Netherworld Palace. “The Hall Master of the Hall of Evil Paths, Zhan E, is waiting outside.” Xue
Youming slowly opened his eyes, a hint of mockery flashing in his dark pupils.
“Eternal life? Resurrection? Ha… just empty words to fool those fools.”
His voice was dry and hoarse, like two pieces of withered bone rubbing together. “But the Gate of Reincarnation… does indeed contain a trace of the rules of reincarnation. If I can obtain it, perhaps it can truly help me break through my shackles and extend my life by a thousand years.”
He stood up, his demonic robes fluttering without wind.
“Let’s go, let’s go see this Hall Master. Hopefully, he… knows what’s good for him.”
The Netherworld Palace descended upon the Plain of Resentful Souls.
Zhan E personally led his followers to greet them. Under countless gazes, the two smiled at each other.
One’s smile was cold and calculating; the other’s was fanatical and greedy.
At this moment, all the allies had only one thought in their minds:
“Even the Nine Nether Palace has come…we’ve made the right bet!”
“The Evil Path Hall will surely unify the Twelve Heavens!”
“Eternal life…is within reach!”
The frenzied cheers resounded through the sky.
Meanwhile, at the Five Elements Mountain Range,
Kai stood on the roof of the Five Elements Hall, gazing at the Nine Nether Demonic Qi soaring into the east, his Dragon-Slaying Sword trembling slightly.
Behind him, Jin Buhuan, Li Baichuan, Dugu Ao, Crimson Cloud Demon Lord, Earth Fire Ancestor, Xuanwei True Person…all the high-ranking members of the alliance were gathered, each with a solemn expression.
“The Nine Nether Palace…Blood Netherworld…”
Li Baichuan gritted his teeth, “That old demon could fight against a fourth-grade Upper Immortal ten thousand years ago. Although his lifespan is nearing its end, his strength is probably even more unfathomable.”
“The entire Nine Nether Palace has surrendered, and the Evil Path Hall now has at least six Upper Immortal level warriors.” Jin Buhuan’s voice was dry, “while we…only have three.”
Kai remained silent.
He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the five-colored patterns on the back of his hand, and the rotation of the primordial star in his dantian.
After a long while, he opened his eyes, his gaze devoid of fear, only a bottomless calm.
The hall was deathly silent.
Originally, the alliance of the three major sects, facing the Evil Path Hall, already had two peak Upper Immortals, Zhan E and the Soul-Devouring Puppet, plus puppets like the Soul-Suppressing Puppet General, making the outcome uncertain.
Now, suddenly, four Upper Immortals from the Nine Nether Palace appeared, including an old demon like Xue Youming…
The balance of power instantly reversed!
“Report!”
Another scout rushed into the hall, this time a beast tamer from the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, riding a wounded Thunderwing Golden Eagle.
“Urgent message from Valley Master Li!”
The beast tamer rolled to the ground, taking out a beast tooth communication talisman, “The Valley Master said that seventeen small and medium-sized sects have already sided with the Evil Path Hall, six of which have patriarchs who are nearing the end of their lifespans, all at the peak of the ninth rank of the Heavenly Immortal Realm! They… they all believed the lies of the Gate of Reincarnation!”