1
Lin Yuan watched as Situ Ming departed.
He had used his blood to reshape Situ Ming's physical body, but there was another effect—imprinting his own mark.
The human heart is fickle, and even the most loyal followers might change over time. One could ensure loyalty for a hundred or two hundred years, maybe even three or five hundred years. But what about eight hundred or a thousand years? When Lin Yuan's stay limit approached and he left this world, would Situ Ming still maintain absolute loyalty?
Situ Ming, now transformed by the five-colored lotus, could easily live for thousands or tens of thousands of years. Over the long years, everything could change. By imprinting with his blood, Lin Yuan ensured that Situ Ming's soul and body were crafted by his own hands, eliminating any capacity for divergent thoughts.
"Continue your cultivation."
Lin Yuan closed his eyes, delving once again into enlightenment.
As time slowly passed, twenty years later, the changes in the world surpassed those of the past two hundred or even two thousand years. Genius experts emerged one after another, and legacies thought to have vanished from history resurfaced.
Major forces in the Five Realms underwent several upheavals. However, due to the presence of the Tenth Realm expert, Tianjianzi, the status of the Tianjian Sect remained unshaken, overlooking the world.
Yet, more than a decade ago, when Tianjianzi and other Five Realms powerhouses realized they couldn't wait for Xiahou Yuan any longer, they had no choice but to disperse. In the face of the rapidly changing world and the emergence of new powerhouses, they couldn't afford to remain idle on Tianjian Mountain.
If it were a different time, they might have persevered. But with the ever-changing world and constant emergence of new talents, these old folks had to act before their foundations were depleted.
Tianjianzi had no choice but to speculate that something might have happened to Xiahou Yuan. Perhaps he had realized that Tianjianzi had reached the Tenth Realm and chose not to come. In the underground palace, next to a fire vein, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, radiating a surging heat. After twenty years of cultivation, Lin Yuan had entered a completely new realm.
His current strength was roughly equivalent to the Fourteenth Realm in this world. He stood unparalleled in his achievements.
Even the concept of the Fourteenth Realm was created by Lin Yuan, as no being had entered this domain before.
For tens of thousands of years, the strongest in this realm was the Tenth Realm. Perhaps fifty or one hundred thousand years ago, there might have been entities surpassing the Tenth Realm, at most reaching the Eleventh Realm. But the Fourteenth Realm? That was a joke.
"Almost there."
Lin Yuan took a deep breath, and the low-sounding breath made the nearby fire veins tremble.
"Exhale."
Lin Yuan exhaled, and the hot airflow, breaking through layers of soil, traveled dozens of miles, impacting a certain underground stratum.
This stratum disintegrated into powder with a bang, and the terrifying shockwave spread in all directions, causing vibrations on the ground.
"Now."
Lin Yuan opened his eyes, and the emitted aura quickly converged. In just a few breaths, he appeared no different from an ordinary person.
"Tianjian Sect."
Lin Yuan slightly raised his head, looking towards the direction of the Tianjian Sect.
"Go, go and annihilate the Tianjian Sect."
Lin Yuan's mental command prompted a figure shrouded in the power of Taiyin, with a blurred face, to emerge from the sea of consciousness in his brow.
This figure bowed slightly to Lin Yuan, took a step, easily passing through the thick soil, reaching the surface, and promptly disappearing.
This figure was Lin Yuan's Yin Spirit, the Taiyin Divine Spirit.
In fact, if Lin Yuan hadn't discovered the great changes in the world twenty years ago, he might have gone to eradicate the Tianjian Sect eighteen years ago, after reaching the Thirteenth Realm. But it wasn't too late now.
No matter how the world changes due to the great cosmic cycles, there are limits. No matter how cultivated, this world cannot produce superpowerful beings like those in the main world.
With Lin Yuan's current Fourteenth Realm strength, he was more than enough to crush everything, even with just a Yin Spirit.
Over twenty years ago, Lin Yuan had split his Tai Chi Divine Spirit into Yin and Yang Spirits. At that time, if both Yin and Yang Spirits exerted their power, they could cover a distance of thousands of yards.
Now, more than twenty years had passed, and compared to before, Yin and Yang Spirits were at least ten times stronger.
Tianjian Mountain.
On this day, the Tianjian Sect was lively with guests coming and going to celebrate Tianjianzi's eight hundredth birthday.
As the strongest and the only Tenth Realm expert in the current era, Tianjianzi's birthday celebration was naturally grand. Many forces from the Five Realms and numerous powerful individuals attended. Who would dare to disrespect the occasion?
On this day, the peak of Tianjian Mountain.
Tianjianzi sat high on the main seat, looking at the numerous guests below. His mood was good.
For a Tenth Realm expert, eight hundred years were just a small part of life. With a lifespan of two thousand years at the Tenth Realm, Tianjianzi was in high spirits.
"Congratulations to Senior Tianjianzi on your eight hundredth birthday."
A middle-aged man walked over, bowing slightly to Tianjianzi.
This middle-aged man was a Ninth Realm expert, still showing a bit of deference in front of Tianjianzi, who had already reached the Tenth Realm.
"Mm."
Tianjianzi nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. Only when a Ninth Realm expert stood up to congratulate would he show some response. For those below the Ninth Realm, he would only signal with his gaze.
"In these decades, the number of Ninth Realm experts has increased several times."
Tianjianzi looked around, silently contemplating the changes in the Five Realms. As the head of the number one force in the world, he naturally understood the changes in the Five Realms.
"But to give birth to the Tenth Realm, it will still take several decades, maybe even a hundred years."
"At that time, perhaps I..."
A hint of desire appeared in Tianjianzi's expression. Another hundred or two hundred years, and he might reach the pinnacle of the Tenth Realm. By then, he might even challenge the Eleventh Realm, which had only appeared fifty thousand years ago.
Of course, it was still early to think about such things now. Currently, Tianjianzi had not even perfected his cultivation to the Tenth Realm, let alone beyond.
While Tianjianzi was contemplating, a veteran below spoke loudly, "Master Tianjianzi's prestige is unmatched. Twenty years ago, Xiahou Yuan was so frightened that he didn't dare to come here for revenge."
This statement immediately sparked a chorus of agreement. Even though only twenty years had passed, with the exponential rise of Ninth Realm experts, the fear of Xiahou Yuan had unconsciously diminished.
In this era, powerful individuals emerged continuously, especially those most dazzling, nearly reaching the pinnacle of the Ninth Realm, not much weaker than Xiahou Yuan back then.
If Xiahou Yuan dared to reappear now, he would probably be overwhelmed by the younger generation of powerful individuals.
In the present world, a new era had arrived, and besides Tianjianmen maintaining its position, other forces were on edge, afraid of sudden 'elimination.'
"Xiahou Yuan?"
Tianjianzi was slightly stunned. If no one had mentioned this name, he might have forgotten about it.
"He's nothing but a dead dog. There's no need to mention him."
Tianjianzi shook his head slightly. The younger generation of powerful individuals outside was the group he needed to pay attention to. As for Xiahou Yuan? He wasn't even worth a second look.
"Yes, yes, yes."
"What's Xiahou Yuan? Is he qualified to be brought up at Master Tianjianzi's birthday celebration?"
"I heard that someone from the younger generation outside has a close relationship with Xiahou Yuan."
"Close or not, what can be done? Even if Xiahou Yuan lost to Master Tianjianzi, what waves can he create now?"
Numerous guests began discussing disdainfully. Tianjianzi, at the lower end.
"Big Brother Xiahou."
Bai Qing'er, dressed in a white gown, her delicate wrists dragging along her chin, said, "So many years have passed, and you haven't even looked over to see Qing'er?"
Outside Tianjian Mountain, in a dense forest, Situ Ming gazed at Tianjian Mountain from afar, his expression revealing a hint of gloom.
"Tianjianzi, if it weren't for His Excellency not willing to bother, would you still be alive?" Situ Ming thought to himself.
Twenty years ago, Lin Yuan allowed him to enter the world. With the terrifying talent of the Five-Colored Lotus, Situ Ming broke through to the Ninth Realm within a little over a decade, becoming one of the most dazzling figures among the younger generation.
Of course, Situ Ming's rapid advancement to the Ninth Realm was because he was already an Eighth Realm expert before becoming the Five-Colored Lotus. Even though his physical body and divine soul had to start from scratch after becoming the Five-Colored Lotus, his foundation remained, quickly restoring his strength to the Eighth Realm, and eventually advancing to the Ninth Realm.
"Someday, even if His Excellency doesn't make a move, I will still trample you, Tianjianzi, underfoot," Situ Ming said deeply as he looked at Tianjian Mountain from a distance of hundreds of miles, intending to leave.
Currently, he was far from being a match for Tianjianzi, who was at the Tenth Realm.
Suddenly, at this moment, Situ Ming's expression changed slightly. He looked towards a certain direction and saw a person approaching slowly from a distance.
Although described as slow, the person's speed was extremely fast, crossing several hundred feet with each step. This individual had ordinary features, but there was a unique charm in their every move.
Especially the crimson eyes emitted an extraordinary allure.
"Xiao Huo?" The moment Situ Ming saw this person, he immediately associated him with someone: Xiao Huo.
Xiao Huo, the current leader among the younger generation in the Five Realms, possessed the pinnacle strength of the Ninth Realm. It was said that when Xiao Huo was in his teens, he displayed extraordinary talent. After three years, his talent disappeared completely, suppressed by his family. In the end, he left his family in anger.
In the following twenty years, Xiao Huo rapidly grew as if he had activated a cheat code. Breaking through the Ninth Realm, he eventually stood at the pinnacle of the Ninth Realm.
"Situ Ming?" Xiao Huo maintained a calm expression, smiling at Situ Ming. "I heard that you have quite a connection with the great demon Xiahou Yuan from a few decades ago?"
Seeing Situ Ming's wary expression, Xiao Huo shook his head slightly and said, "Rest assured, I have no interest in Xiahou Yuan, nor any hostility."
Xiao Huo left something unsaid; he had never taken a fancy to Xiahou Yuan. In Xiao Huo's eyes, there was only one opponent, Tianjianzi, at the Tenth Realm.
"Xiahou Yuan has a deep enmity with Tianjianzi. Coincidentally, our visit this time is also to deal with Tianjianzi. In a way, you are still our friend," Xiao Huo said with a smile.
"Us?" Situ Ming's gaze slightly condensed.
"Yes."
Xiao Huo paused for a moment, then raised his tone, "Are you two not going to show yourselves yet?"
As soon as he spoke, two profound auras quietly appeared within Situ Ming's perception range.
Situ Ming looked up.
The figure on the left was a woman, with a fleshly body and a terrifying mental fluctuation that almost made Situ Ming fascinated.
"Yang Bixing?" Situ Ming was surprised.
Yang Bixing was also a leading figure among the younger generation, possessing the pinnacle strength of the Ninth Realm.
Yang Bixing had a pitiful background, having been a beggar in childhood. Somehow, she obtained a technique called the 'Divine Refining Art,' and it happened to be extremely suitable for her cultivation. Later, Yang Bixing soared to the Ninth Realm pinnacle.
"Hahaha. Since Brother Xiao said so, how could I, Shen Lang, stay hidden?" A hearty laughter rang out as a figure approached, hair fluttering like a lion.
"Shen Lang." Situ Ming was already prepared in his heart.
Shen Lang, also named by Xiao Huo and Yang Bixing, was a leading figure among the younger generation.
Unlike the former two, Shen Lang came from a prominent family. However, at the age of twenty, he was killed by an enemy. Forced by circumstances, Shen Lang had to jump off a cliff.
But Shen Lang didn't die from the fall; instead, he obtained an inheritance from someone who seemed to be a level eleven expert from fifty thousand years ago.
"You guys?" Situ Ming looked at the three.
Xiao Huo.
Yang Bixing.
Shen Lang.
The three most dazzling figures among the younger generation in the current Five Realms, even surpassing most of the older generation at the Ninth Realm.
"We came here to challenge Tianjianzi and step into the Tenth Realm." Xiao Huo's tone was gentle but carried a powerful intent for battle.
With their strength, only someone at the supreme Tenth Realm could exert pressure on them. By leveraging this pressure, they aimed to further advance into the Tenth Realm.
"Situ Ming, would you like to join us on this journey?" Xiao Huo extended an invitation.
"Back then, Xiahou Yuan was suppressed by Tianjianzi, and we're here to avenge him," Shen Lang added slowly.
His gaze remained fixed on Tianjian Mountain hundreds of miles away, without any wavering.
"It is said that the lady, Bai Qing'er, of Tianjian Sect, is the number one beauty in the world. Back then, she captivated Xiahou Yuan. I'm curious to see what kind of beauty she is," Yang Bixing said softly, stroking her hair.
"You guys..." Situ Ming took a deep breath.
He realized that these three individuals had never regarded him, or even their own leader, with much importance.
The talk about revenge was just a casual remark; even without their leader, they would still challenge Tianjianzi.
"The revenge of our leader will naturally be avenged by me," Situ Ming said in a cold tone.
"Hehe." Xiao Huo was about to speak upon hearing this.
At that moment, standing beside them, Shen Lang, who was gazing unwaveringly at Tianjian Mountain, suddenly stiffened.
His body's aura surged uncontrollably.
"What's going on?" Xiao Huo frowned, following Shen Lang's gaze along with Yang Bixing.
However, as soon as they looked, they witnessed an unforgettable scene.
In the high skies of Tianjian Mountain, with the vast sea of clouds rolling and descending, there stood a colossal figure in silence.
Tianjian Mountain, a renowned mountain in the Central Domain, rose several dozen miles high, usually shrouded in swirling clouds, resembling a fairyland.
But at this moment, before that colossal figure, towering over Tianjian Mountain, it only reached the ankle.
The next moment, under the astonished gazes of Xiao Huo, Yang Bixing, and Shen Lang,
that towering figure slowly lifted its right foot toward Tianjian Mountain.
Then,
it stomped down.
On the summit of Tianjian Mountain,
Tianjianzi sits high above, overlooking the many guests with an indifferent expression.
As the protagonist of the banquet, Tianjianzi is undoubtedly the most eye-catching figure.
"Those three youngsters should be here soon," Tianjianzi's face carries a hint of coldness.
As the leader of the world's top force, Tianjianzi is well aware that the three most dazzling figures among the younger generation in the current Five Domains are gearing up to challenge him, aiming to step on him and ascend the divine throne.
It's not that Tianjianzi holds grudges against these three.
Over the past few decades, Tianjianmen has not suppressed the younger generation, but it wouldn't have been possible anyway. It's just that Tianjianzi has been pressing down on the strong figures in the Five Domains for too long. The three young leaders want to break Tianjianzi's legend, using his pressure to forge their own paths.
"Foolish."
"Today, I will let you know what the Tenth Realm is," Tianjianzi thinks to himself.
If given enough time, Tianjianzi doesn't deny that these three individuals might have the potential to enter the Tenth Realm. But now?
Only at the Ninth Realm, what do they have to challenge Tianjianzi with?
"This time, I must not hold back."
"After dealing with these three, the younger generation of the Five Domains will be severely weakened, and they won't pose a threat to Tianjianmen for the next hundred or even several hundred years."
"So, I can also go to that place with peace of mind."
Tianjianzi's thoughts fluctuate, and his gaze faintly looks toward a direction – the north.
That's the north of the Northern Domain, beyond the endless sea.
Since stepping into the Tenth Realm, Tianjianzi has vaguely felt a calling from the heavens and the earth, prompting him to head north.
Two other predecessors of the Tenth Realm from Tianjianmen had experienced the same. After following the calling to the north beyond the endless sea, they never returned.
Therefore, after entering the Tenth Realm, Tianjianzi had been suppressing this kind of calling. However, in recent years, the calling has become stronger. Tianjianzi vaguely realizes that if he further delays, something terrifying might happen.
"Xiao'e, when did you cultivate to the pinnacle of the Ninth Realm?" Tianjianzi's gaze shifts slightly, landing on 'Bai Qing'er.'
Bai Qing'er, originally named 'Luan'e,' is widely known outside as Tianjianzi's childhood sweetheart.
In reality, Luan'e is just Tianjianzi's younger sister. However, since the incident with Xiahou Yuan, Luan'e directly treated 'Bai Qing'er' as her real name.
"Soon," Luan'e casually responds.
"When you reach the pinnacle of the Ninth Realm, I will do my best to help you enter the Tenth Realm," Tianjianzi says.
"Master, when will you make a move and capture Xiahou Yuan for me?" Luan'e suddenly says.
"Xiahou Yuan?" Tianjianzi frowns.
He hasn't cared about Xiahou Yuan for a long time now.
However, seeing Luan'e like this, it's evident that she still bears a grudge from the incident years ago.
"Enough."
Tianjianzi sighed in his heart.
Even at the Tenth Realm, if Xiahou Yuan is deliberately hiding somewhere, there's not much Tianjianzi can do. However, after decades of cultivation, Tianjianzi has delved deeply into the Tenth Realm and comprehended several secret techniques left by the Tenth Realm predecessors. If he pays a certain price, it's still possible to pinpoint Xiahou Yuan's location.
"After the banquet, I will bring Xiahou Yuan back. However, Luan'e, you must fulfill the promise you made to me," Tianjianzi said in a calm tone, as if bringing back the legendary Xiahou Yuan, who once dominated the Five Domains, is as trivial as picking up stray cats and dogs by the roadside.
"Thank you, Master," Bai Qing'er responded immediately, her joy evident. At this moment, she has already begun to envision various scenarios after capturing Xiahou Yuan.
Suddenly, at the top of Tianjian Mountain, where numerous powerful individuals had gathered to congratulate Tianjianzi, they noticed that the sky and earth seemed to darken.
The previously sunny and mist-covered summit of Tianjian Mountain abruptly became gloomy.
"What is that?"
Some strong individuals looked up at the sky, seeing a massive shadow resembling a continent rapidly descending towards Tianjian Mountain.
"Not good."
"Run quickly."
"What is this thing?"
Although many strong individuals didn't understand why this 'continental' shadow appeared here, they realized that staying would lead to no good.
They frantically fled in all directions. As long as they could escape the coverage of the 'continent' shadow, they should be safe.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
This 'continental' shadow descended too quickly, and the boundless lunar power diffused, transforming into a terrifying pressure that restricted the speed of all the strong individuals.
Boom.
Tianjianzi soared into the sky, his aura as a Tenth Realm expert erupting, shaking the heavens and the earth.
Others could run, but Tianjianzi couldn't. Beneath his feet was Tianjian Mountain, the core of Tianjianmen. If he fled and something happened to Tianjian Mountain, wouldn't he become the sinner of Tianjianmen for tens of thousands of years?
Most importantly, Tianjianzi faintly felt that even if he wanted to run, he couldn't.
Surrounded by the invisible and unknowable lunar power, Tianjianzi's speed, despite being a Tenth Realm expert, was greatly reduced, with no hope of escaping the 'continental' shadow before it descended.
"Stop for me!"
Tianjianzi's eyes turned bloodshot as his aura surged once again, like a deity, attempting to delay the descent of the 'continental' shadow.
However.
Bang.
Tianjianzi's entire being suddenly exploded.
The 'continental' shadow showed no sign of stopping, continuing its descent towards Tianjian Mountain.
With a deafening roar, as the 'continental' shadow continued to fall, Tianjian Mountain began to collapse.
Powerful individuals quickly exploded, their flesh, blood, and souls continuously turning into fragments and falling. Some strong individuals noticed that they couldn't escape and chose to resist in place. However, it was meaningless; they all exploded in succession.
In just a few breaths, the towering Tianjian Mountain was flattened, leaving behind a crater several dozen miles deep.
Viewed from thousands of miles away, the crater resembled a giant footprint, magnified countless times.
Buzz.
The breath of countless souls turned into flowing lights, rushing in all directions.
The rich scent of blood diffused. The previous stomp shattered the physical bodies of numerous powerful individuals. Although they lost their physical bodies, their souls remained. Even though the souls were severely damaged, many strong individuals' souls were not completely shattered.
Now, seizing the opportunity, they naturally fled like mad.
At this moment, another massive 'shadow' descended from the distant sea.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice that this giant 'shadow' resembled a human face, with blurry facial features that made it impossible to discern a specific appearance.
The face opened its giant mouth and took a deep breath.
Boom.
In the face of the terrifying suction force, whether souls or scattered blood and qi, everything turned into long dragons and poured into the giant face's mouth.
Hundreds of miles away, in a dense forest, leaders of the highly anticipated younger generation, including Xiao Huo, Shen Lang, and Yang Bixing, were now pale, their bodies stiff.
The towering Tianjian Mountain was flattened by the colossal figure's foot, and countless powerful individuals on the mountain, including Tianjianzi, the Tenth Realm expert, had their shattered bodies and souls swallowed by the giant figure.
This... Xiao Huo and the others were left in a daze.
Especially Shen Lang, who had inherited the legacy of a supposed Eleventh Realm expert from fifty thousand years ago. However, even in the ancient past, such a shocking scene had never occurred.
"This... is the soul?"
Xiao Huo touched the ring on his right hand, barely suppressing the shock in his heart, and said in a low voice.
"The soul?"
"That colossal figure is the soul?"
Shen Lang and Yang Bixing took another deep breath.
Even the soul of a Ninth Realm pinnacle expert, exerting all its strength, could at most reach a hundred yards. The soul of a Tenth Realm expert might possibly reach several hundred yards. However, just now, that colossal figure was at least a hundred thousand yards. How strong could the owner of such a massive soul be? The Twelfth Realm? Thirteenth Realm? Xiao Huo and the others couldn't believe it. Even though they had countless encounters, at most, they thought they could reach the Tenth Realm. Shen Lang, inheriting the legacy of an Eleventh Realm expert, perhaps thought he had a faint hope of touching the Eleventh Realm. As for anything higher, they didn't dare to think about it. It was beyond the realm of reality.
"This is His Majesty, His Majesty's Taiyin Soul."
Compared to Xiao Huo and the others' shock and terror, Situ Ming was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in an excited tone.
When he was still the Five-Colored Lotus, he had spent a long time with Lin Yuan, becoming quite familiar with his aura. Although the towering figure now trampled Tianjian Mountain, demonstrating overwhelming power, the faint aura emanating from it was somewhat similar to the one Situ Ming had sensed from His Majesty.
"His Majesty?"
"Are you saying that this soul belongs to the Demon Sovereign, Xiahou Yuan?"
Xiao Huo and the others looked at each other in disbelief. They never expected Xiahou Yuan, who had long exited the stage of the Five Realms, to have cultivated to such an extent. Just a soul could support the heavens and the earth, which was simply unbelievable.
"Of course."
"I can still recognize His Majesty's aura."
Situ Ming was also shocked in his heart. He had thought Lin Yuan was very strong, and during the incident with his self-destructive method, he had vaguely sensed the vast aura emanating from Lin Yuan. However, Situ Ming never expected Lin Yuan to be this powerful. With just one soul projection, he had trampled Tianjian Mountain.
This trampling was not symbolic, such as sweeping away many powerful individuals of Tianjian Gate or crushing Tianjianzi. It was a physical trampling. The entire Tianjian Mountain was leveled.
"Xiahou Yuan."
Xiao Huo and the others carefully thought about it. They realized that Xiahou Yuan, with such deep enmity with Tianjian Gate in the Five Realms, would undoubtedly be considered an enemy. Moreover, Xiao Huo and the others didn't think Situ Ming had the guts to let their own monarch pretend to be such a powerful figure. If this news reached Xiahou Yuan's ears, the entire demonic path would be trampled just like Tianjian Mountain.
While Xiao Huo and the others were whispering, hundreds of miles away, the towering figure, after swallowing the souls of numerous powerful individuals, turned its massive head and looked towards the dense forest from afar.
Boom.
With just a glance, Xiao Huo and the others felt an unprecedented pressure, as if the heavens and the earth were collapsing, and everything was about to be destroyed.
"No."
Instinctively, Xiao Huo, Shen Lang, and Yang Bixing kneeled on the ground, not daring to continue staring at the towering figure.
Although the two were separated by hundreds of miles, Xiao Huo and the others were well aware that a few hundred miles, for that towering figure, was just a matter of 'taking a few steps.'
"Interesting."
It seemed that the Taiyin Soul had discovered something. Its figure suddenly dispersed, transforming into countless strands of Taiyin force, disappearing on the spot.
Until the Taiyin Soul left for nearly half an hour, Xiao Huo, Shen Lang, and Yang Bixing dared to lift their heads. After confirming the disappearance of the colossal figure, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
"What should we do now?"
After a long time, the gentle Yang Bixing asked softly.
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Huo and Shen Lang fell into silence.
Originally, according to their plan, they were supposed to challenge powerful individuals everywhere to pave their own path to the Tenth Realm. Tianjianzi, as the strongest in the Five Realms, was their natural target. However, with Tianjianzi already dead, the challenge became impossible.
Although Tianjianzi was dead, there was another figure far surpassing him—referred to as the 'Demon Sovereign Xiahou Yuan' by Situ Ming.
Challenging Demon Sovereign Xiahou Yuan?
Forget about the true body of Demon Sovereign Xiahou Yuan; even if it was just his gaze, they felt the heavens and the earth collapsing and couldn't bear it.
Challenge him?
Xiao Huo and the others had ambitious aspirations, but they weren't fools. Knowing it meant death, they wouldn't willingly jump into danger.
Their earlier challenge against Tianjianzi was because they had a chance of survival. Even if they failed, they could retreat safely. However, facing Demon Sovereign Xiahou Yuan, Xiao Huo, Shen Lang, and Yang Bixing all felt that the world was crumbling and could not bear the pressure.
Still, challenge?
Xiao Huo and the others had grand ambitions, but they weren't fools. Knowing it meant death, they wouldn't blindly charge forward.
Previously, they dared to challenge Tianjianzi because they had a lifeline, and even if they failed, they could escape unharmed. However, against Demon Sovereign Xiahou Yuan, Xiao Huo, Shen Lang, and Yang Bixing exchanged glances and instantly felt disheartened. Originally, they were full of confidence and self-assurance in their cultivation journey, believing they could surpass anyone with their efforts. However, after witnessing the colossal figure moments ago, their mental state began to crumble. What was the use of cultivation? Wasn't it just for the sake of being trampled by such a figure?
Even without a physical trampling, just a gaze or a hint of killing intent?
In the underground palace, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.
Hum.
Strands of Taiyin force gathered.
The Taiyin Soul appeared in front of Lin Yuan.
"Is it done?"
Lin Yuan casually asked.
As the true body, he shared the 'perspective' with the Yin and Yang Spirits.
Precisely speaking, his consciousness was divided into three, and he could see every detail of the Taiyin Soul trampling Tianjian Mountain. Lin Yuan could see it clearly if he focused on the patterns on his palm.
The question 'Is it done?' just now was merely an idle inquiry.
"A Yin Spirit of a hundred thousand zhang."
Lin Yuan's gaze was serene.
Regardless of which world it is placed in, a height of one hundred thousand zhang is already considered a colossal entity.
If converted into other units, considering one zhang equals 3.3 meters, then one hundred thousand zhang would be 330,000 meters.
In other words, six hundred li.
Even in the main world, such a massive body falls into the category of a fifth-order life form, considered one of the strongest beings on the surface.
Of course, the spiritual and physical aspects are different; the spiritual aspect is not limited by flesh and blood. As long as the realm is reached, it can almost infinitely surge.
"Those three sons of destiny."
Lin Yuan's expression fell into a brief contemplation.
What is a son of destiny? One who is favored by heaven and earth, encounters opportunities at every turn, and generally has extremely good luck, often turning adversity into good fortune and continuously growing stronger.
And today, Lin Yuan finally witnessed these points.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Huo, Yang Bixing, and Shen Lang would have gone to Tianjian Mountain to challenge Tianjianzi, paving their own path to the tenth realm.
If everything went smoothly, when the three reached the top of Tianjian Mountain, Lin Yuan's Taiyin Divine Spirit would descend, flattening Tianjian Mountain with a single step.
With the strength of the Taiyin Divine Spirit, regardless of the means employed by those three sons of destiny, death would be inevitable.
However, for some unknown reason, those three sons of destiny unexpectedly stopped midway, conversed with Sī Túmíng for a few moments, and even invited him to join them.
By delaying for this short time, these three sons of destiny avoided a catastrophic calamity.
It can only be said that the luck of these three sons of destiny is unbelievably good. Compared to them, Sī Túmíng, although a part of the younger generation, is not as fortunate.
Normally, even if Xiao Huo and the others encountered Sī Túmíng, they would not stop to chat, let alone engage in such a lengthy conversation as they did today.
"Is it really luck?"
"Or some kind of hint?"
Lin Yuan contemplated with a thoughtful expression.
In reality, with Lin Yuan's strength, if he truly had the intention to harm those three sons of destiny, no matter what favor they had from heaven and earth, it would be meaningless.
Those three would still meet their demise.
There is no room for luck.
In the face of absolute strength, only equivalent strength can resist.
As for anything else, it's just illusory.
However, Lin Yuan, who comprehends the world, faintly feels that even if he kills those three sons of destiny, it would be meaningless.
As long as this world exists, after several years or decades, the fourth, fifth, and sixth sons of destiny will still be born.
So, when his Taiyin Divine Spirit looked at those three sons of destiny just now, he said the word "interesting."
"Poor things."
Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.
Sons of destiny are favored by heaven and earth.
Or, they can be seen as embodiments of the world.
Their upper limit is the limit of the world.
And they can never escape the constraints of the world.
Certainly, there is the possibility that the sons of destiny could eventually overcome the consciousness of the world and turn defeat into victory.
However, the likelihood is very low.
Everything you have, all your means.
It all comes from heaven and earth, bestowed by the world.
What could you use to overcome it?
"Speaking of which, in recent decades, with the vigorous development of the world's fortune, three sons of destiny have successively emerged, and it is also influenced by me."
Lin Yuan's thoughts turned, and he suddenly said.
In recent years, Lin Yuan's strength has been continuously growing stronger, breaking free from past constraints time and time again.
Others may not be aware of it. Even those under his command, such as Sī Túmíng, Nuǎn Shù, and Mò Yáng Mó Jūn, are at most aware that Lin Yuan is very strong.
But how strong exactly is still unclear.
Or rather, it is unimaginable.
However, in this world, in this heaven and earth.
It can feel the changes in Lin Yuan's strength.
An excessively powerful individual brings a sense of crisis to the world.
This leads to the fluctuations in fortune, giving rise to the appearance of the sons of destiny.
In a certain sense.
The birth of these sons of destiny is to subdue the demonic.
To subdue Lin Yuan, this astonishing great demon.
However.
The birth of the sons of destiny also takes time.
Even if the power of an entire realm is poured into nurturing three sons of destiny, achieving the pinnacle of the ninth realm in just over twenty years is truly inconceivable.
But Lin Yuan's growth rate is faster, so fast that the sons of destiny are far behind.
This leads to an awkward situation.
Facing Lin Yuan, the sons of destiny experience a mental collapse, not daring to have any thoughts of subduing the demonic, let alone act on them.
"Hoo."
Just as Lin Yuan was contemplating.
His Taiyin Divine Spirit in front of him slightly opened its mouth.
Two strands of divine power were expelled.
These two strands of divine power continuously condensed after coming out, transforming into two thumb-sized figures.
They were precisely Tianjianzi and 'Bai Qing'er.'
For other strong individuals, their blood and divine spirit would be directly nourished by the Taiyin Divine Spirit after being swallowed, without any hesitation.
However, these two individuals hold a 'special' position in the heart of Xiahou Yuan.
Of course, it's not a good position.
"Swallow them as well."
Lin Yuan looked down at the two small figures of Tianjianzi and Bai Qing'er.
For a moment, it all felt tasteless.
Before the two could awaken.
Without waiting for them to wake up and witness the shocked and terrified expressions when they saw Lin Yuan.
He directly summoned his Yang Divine Spirit and swallowed these two divine spirits as well.
Swallowing the divine spirits of living beings may easily contaminate one's own soul purity, but occasionally swallowing a few times is not a big problem.
At Lin Yuan's current level, unless he devours billions or even trillions of living beings in a short time, there won't be any hidden dangers.
After settling the grievances of the 'original body,' Lin Yuan began contemplating the next matter.
That is the 'transmission of Dao.'
As his status in the main world continued to rise, Lin Yuan noticed something—those super-strong individuals in the main world.
They would spread their own evolutionary paths or those related to them.
For example, the Primordial 'Ancient Gods' deep in the universe's starry expanse. With their abilities, there wouldn't even be an 'Ancient God' evolutionary path if they didn't wish it.
In fact, the Ancient Gods eagerly wanted evolutionary paths related to themselves to be spread among humans.
It was just suppressed by the Human Alliance.
Not just the Ancient Gods, even the high-level individuals of the Human Alliance.
They were deliberately or inadvertently spreading their own evolutionary paths.
The vast number of evolutionary paths recorded by the Cosmic Human Alliance is like an ocean, and it's not achievable by relying solely on forcing evolvers to upload. Evolvers must be willing.
Lin Yuan once asked his Senior Brother.
That is, the strongest among the thirteen disciples of the Red Carp Star Lord.
The strongest disciple among the thirteen.
Senior Brother told Lin Yuan that spreading one's own evolutionary path is related to the ultimate leap.
Of course, the ultimate leap is too far for Senior Brother.
Even the Red Carp Star Lord is far from reaching that level.
To truly reach that point, one must create a completely suitable evolutionary path, giving hope.
Currently, whether it's Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, or Third Senior Brother, they are all following the evolutionary paths of their predecessors.
Since most of the super-strong individuals in the main world are spreading their own evolutionary paths.
It means that this path is definitely correct.
In the main world, within the Human Alliance, thousands of evolutionary paths emerge.
Lin Yuan's created martial arts evolutionary path needs to undergo fierce competition to attract evolvers.
But in different worlds.
Lin Yuan spreading his own evolutionary path is naturally not difficult.
After all, with invincible strength, why fear that others won't practice?
However.
Spreading an evolutionary path.
It's a matter that consumes a lot of time.
Lin Yuan has extraordinary comprehension and a broad perspective.
He can reach the peak in just a few decades.
But what about others?
They might need several generations or even dozens of generations to achieve something.
To avoid the martial arts evolutionary path disappearing for inexplicable reasons during its spread.
Lin Yuan must cultivate a 'Guardian of the Dao.'
This Guardian must have an exceptionally long lifespan. If it's passed down from generation to generation, problems may arise.
And most importantly, it is absolute loyalty to Lin Yuan. No matter the past thousand or ten thousand years, he can still perfectly execute Lin Yuan's commands.
The 'Guardian of the Dao' chosen by Lin Yuan is none other than Situ Ming.
Situ Ming's true body is a Five-Colored Lotus, with a long lifespan, easily living for several thousand or even tens of thousands of years.
Coupled with his spirit and physical body, both originating from Lin Yuan, he is absolutely loyal. Even if Lin Yuan's stay in this realm reaches its limit, Situ Ming can replace Lin Yuan to ensure the enduring spread of martial arts.
When Lin Yuan saved Situ Ming, he spared no effort, using a Five-Colored Lotus, expending much time and effort, and even a drop of his blood.
It was all for this day.
Several months later, Situ Ming returned to the underground palace.
"Respected One."
Situ Ming knelt before Lin Yuan with unparalleled zeal.
Next to him, Warm Tree, Ink Yang Demon Lord, and others also showed great respect.
The news of a certain existence flattening the Heavenly Sword Mountain had long spread across the Five Realms at a hurricane-like speed.
After all, there were many mortals living around the Heavenly Sword Mountain, and there were even cultivators of the Fourth and Fifth Realms.
Under the foot of the Taiyin Yuan Shen, all the strong on the Heavenly Sword Mountain died out.
But outside the Heavenly Sword Mountain, many people witnessed this scene.
There were all sorts of rumors for a while.
Various speculations circulated, like the Heavenly Sword Sect offending the heavens, hence the punishment, and so on.
However.
While people outside were speculating.
In the demonic path, there were also all sorts of speculations.
But all the speculations disappeared completely after Situ Ming's return.
Because Situ Ming told them that it was the doing of the Respected One.
"From today onwards, all demonic cultivators will practice this cultivation method."
"Furthermore, use all means to spread this cultivation method across the Five Realms."
Lin Yuan said indifferently.
In front of him were piles of booklets.
Recording the martial arts evolutionary paths recently organized.
To integrate the martial arts evolutionary path into this world as much as possible.
Under the premise of keeping its core unchanged, Lin Yuan made significant modifications.
"Yes."
Warm Tree and Ink Yang Demon Lord immediately agreed.
"To the north."
Sending away everyone, Lin Yuan continued to sit cross-legged beside the Fountain of Yuan Qi.
At Lin Yuan's current level, he had faintly sensed that in the extreme north, beyond the Northern Region, there was an even more distant and boundless northern sea.
A faint existence of a 'black hole' was present.
This black hole seems insatiable, constantly devouring the qi of heaven and earth.
As a result, the overall qi of heaven and earth decreases at a slow rate.
Fifty thousand years ago, a hundred thousand years ago, there were Eleven-Realm powerhouses born in the Five Realms.
But from ten thousand years ago to fifty thousand years ago, Eleven-Realm powerhouses had become legends, and even Tenth-Realm powerhouses were extremely rare.
As for now, in the last ten thousand years, the only confirmed Tenth-Realm powerhouse is Heavenly Sword Son.
Under the flourishing era of the world, the so-called heirs of fortune may enter the Tenth Realm, but it's only a temporary solution rather than addressing the root cause.
The so-called flourishing era merely consumes the potential for the next several thousand or tens of thousands of years.
After the heirs of fortune die of old age, this world might not even have a Ninth-Realm powerhouse.
And the main culprit for all of this is the gigantic 'black hole' that Lin Yuan remotely senses.
Located in the north of the boundless northern sea, the 'black hole' exists.
Eastern Region.
In a purple bamboo forest.
Xiao Huo, Yang Bixing, and Shen Lang, the three heirs of fortune, are staying here.
"Even if Xiahou Yuan is powerful, we shouldn't be affected. Others' strength is their business; we still need to continue cultivation," says Yang Bixing softly, but she's the fastest to recover among the three.
"That's right."
"The heavens are vigorous; gentlemen strive on ceaselessly," says Shen Lang, quickly recovering.
"Sorry."
Xiao Huo's eyes are now red, and he has also calmed down.
The three exchange smiles.
Just as they were about to continue chatting.
Deep in the purple bamboo forest.
A sudden roar erupts.
Seeing this, Xiao Huo and the other two immediately get up and approach.
They vaguely feel that the roar is extraordinary.
Soon.
The three arrive at a massive cave entrance.
The entrance is pitch black, but inside, there is a huge fluctuation of qi, as if it connects to another world.
"What is this?"
Xiao Huo frowns.
"This is? This is the entrance to the underground world, a place that hasn't appeared in tens of thousands of years," Shen Lang says after pondering for a moment, his expression turning excited.
With Shen Lang's explanation, Xiao Huo and Yang Bixing gain some understanding of the underground world.
The so-called underground world is the subterranean world of the Five Realms, vast and boundless. Most importantly, it retains the dense qi from tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand years ago.
In the past hundred thousand years, the entrance to the underground world has appeared a few times.
Every practitioner who enters comes out greatly strengthened, truly the most top-notch opportunity in the world.
"Hahaha."
"Even the heavens are helping us."
Xiao Huo and the other two exchanged glances and entered without hesitation.
When the three completely entered the entrance of the black hole, the ground trembled again, and chunks of debris fell, completely hiding the entrance.
Time passed slowly.
After a certain existence flattened Heavenly Sword Mountain with a single step, the truth gradually spread. The demonic lord Xiahou Yuan, having completed his demonic arts, sent out his divine sense, transformed into a towering god measuring a hundred thousand zhang, and flattened Heavenly Sword Mountain.
When this news first came out, most people didn't believe it because it was too incredible— a divine sense of a hundred thousand zhang, how powerful would that be?
However, as time passed, the demonic path continued as usual, and the number of believers quickly increased. After all, if this were fake, Xiahou Yuan should have quickly come out to deny it. Otherwise, wouldn't the next one to be flattened be the demonic path?
But Xiahou Yuan didn't deny it, and with no demonic head coming out to explain, it was considered an acknowledgment.
In this situation, Xiahou Yuan continued to live well, and it was likely that the news was true.
For a while, Xiahou Yuan was hailed as the strongest in the Five Realms by many powerful figures.
To be precise, he was the strongest in the last hundred thousand years or even a million years.
A divine sense of a hundred thousand zhang was simply terrifying.
And at this moment, a cultivation system called the "Way of Martial Arts" quickly spread across the Five Realms.
People without aptitude for cultivation began to try this system.
Even those in the Third and Fourth Realms, upon discovering the potential of the Way of Martial Arts, decisively abandoned their own cultivation and turned to martial arts.
And so, a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.
Wishing everyone a happy New Year.
By the way, seeking some monthly votes for January.
Pen core~~~~