Blood Refining Realm

In the midst of his cultivation, Azrael sensed strong restriction. A restriction that prevents him from finally breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm. A barrier that force him to rebound and stopped with his advance

In an instant, Azrael saw himself standing in a foreign dimension. In this dimension everything is monochromatic, 'devoid' of all, even him, is no exception. He tried to look around and felt something that prevented him from moving and shackling his freedom, alas, his struggle was short-lived before he gained his freedom. His monochromatic skin and clothes revealed their true colors.

He turned his head and saw the only light in this monochromatic dimension.

A circular shining chain the size of 12 inches long. He walked towards it and tried to touch it but felt a force pushing his hands away. However, he only smiled provocatively and managed to offset the force, finally touching the circular chain.

When Azrael touched the chain, he felt something strange.

This chain is like a container of an ethereal, calm yet aggressive power. Like a foreign power yet fitted with the rules of this world. Like a tampered yet a natural born.

A strange sensation.

And his face formed a frown albeit temporary before a confident smile formed on his face.

He utilized the power of 3000 Great Daos. A powerful force field was created one centimeter around him that envelope his whole body like a very thin armor or another layer of skin. If someone were to touch him and were considered a threat by him even if they were a Saint Lord, they would definitely be erased including their soul, it doesn't matter if they were immortal or not.

He punched while utilizing the power of 3000 Great Daos.

A powerful clash happened in this monochromatic dimension. The power that prevents him from breaking through and all 3000 Great Daos collide.

The intense battle continued for hours; hours became days; days became months, and months became years.

One year, ten years, one hundred years, one thousand years, one million years! Azrael has been in this monochromatic dimension for one million years! Then..

Crack

A one-centimeter crack formed on the surface of the circular chain. For a million years of clashing and enduring the force of all Great Daos, only a small crack formed! One could only imagine how terrifying this Chain is.

One would expect that Azrael would lament and be disappointed. But he only wore a satisfied smile.

"This should be enough to let me cultivate my Unification Heaven unimpeded, well I expect that the Heavenly Dao would still send me tickles whenever I advance to a major and minor realm. Now, this is not the time to completely break you." He muttered.

Azrael didn't actually want to completely break the circular chain. His only purpose was to create a small crack that will allow him to completely break out and escape from the restriction.

"Now it is time to return to the real world." He said

Fortunately, the flow of time in this monochromatic dimension is much faster than in the real world. According to his calculation, only a few hours have passed in the real world, so it is not like his body would have aged when he returns.

In the real world.

A satisfied smile formed on Azrael's face. He clenched his fist feeling the power that flows in his blood. Essence Energy, the power that hides inside one's body.

Finally, an energy that wasn't available to the cultivators of the current cultivation world was now in his hands.

***

In an unknown location, a floating and slumbering figure's eyelids twitched. He opened his eyes that hold an immeasurable power that transcends all.

He looked in a certain direction, his face contorted into a deep frown.

"How!?" His deep voice thundered and caused the surroundings to shake.

He looked in a certain direction using all of his focus trying to peek at the past, present and future. Unfortunately, a powerful force prevented him.

"Damn! If not because of that damnable 'man', curse yo