In the dim, demonic-aura-filled space, the three factions sized each other up, none daring to approach the Heavenly Demon Mountain. The air grew still, eerily silent, as if a pin drop could be heard.
The seven Bone Clan Venerables were visibly displeased. They had been poised to deal with Zhang Ruochen and Little Black when the Blazing Sun Civilization intruded at the worst possible moment.
If it were only the Blazing Sun Prince and his hundred-strong entourage, the seven Venerables wouldn’t have cared.
The problem was the presence of the formidable Golden Sun Twin Kings, who made the Venerables wary.
Zhang Ruochen was also quietly assessing the Twin Kings. As twin brothers with a telepathic bond, any saint technique they performed together doubled in power, making them a headache for anyone to face.
Normally, the Twin Kings would have rushed to the depths of the Dragon God Temple ruins to compete with top powerhouses for treasures. Yet, they stayed by the Blazing Sun Prince’s side.
The reason was that the Prince was the divine grandson of the Blazing Sun Civilization’s old Heavenly Lord, with noble blood and exalted status.
The Twin Kings, saved in childhood by the Prince’s father and taken as disciples, owed a great debt of gratitude. They had sworn to protect the Prince and aid his rise to become the new Heavenly Lord.
The ruins were perilous, and even with numerous guards, the Twin Kings couldn’t rest easy.
If anything happened to the Prince, they couldn’t face his father or the old Heavenly Lord.
The Blazing Sun Prince stepped forward, declaring boldly, “The treasures here belong to the Blazing Sun Civilization. Leave now if you don’t want to die.”
Backed by the Twin Kings, the Prince exuded confidence, glaring at Zhang Ruochen and the seven Venerables.
In perfect sync, the Twin Kings released a powerful aura. Behind each, a golden divine sun rose, amassing immense power that shook the hidden space upon appearing.
Simultaneously, dozens of Blazing Sun Civilization Saint Kings formed a battle array, their killing intent spreading, ready to strike.
These were the Prince’s guard team, all above the Seventh Step Saint King level, trained in a potent battle formation that could rival top Ninth Step Saint Kings.
“Threatening me? Think the Twin Kings make you untouchable?” the Eight-Armed Venerable retorted, radiating intense killing intent.
The Prince’s pupils constricted, his scalp tingling, his body feeling as if it might tear apart. He instinctively retreated two steps.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head inwardly. Unable to withstand even the Eight-Armed Venerable’s killing intent, the Prince’s mental fortitude and will were mediocre at best.
“Insolence!” the Twin Kings shouted, their combined power forming a fearsome golden beam that slashed at the Eight-Armed Venerable.
The beam was razor-sharp, unstoppable, reaching the Venerable in an instant.
Reacting swiftly, the Eight-Armed Venerable raised a dozens-zhang-tall shield, a top-tier Ten Thousand Inscription Saint Artifact. Infused with dark power, it activated 120,000 inscriptions, forming a robust defense.
“Crack!”
The shield shuddered, unable to block the beam, splitting in two.
Though diminished, the beam’s remaining power couldn’t harm the Eight-Armed Venerable.
The other six Venerables moved, rallying around the Eight-Armed Venerable. Torrents of dark aura surged, forming a dark tide that roiled the space.
“Roar!”
The Eight-Armed Venerable bellowed, a black light shooting from its skull, transforming into a thick black-gold staff.
Fueled by the seven Venerables’ dark power, the staff’s surface glowed with secret inscriptions, unleashing waves of supreme power, as if it could pierce the heavens.
The Twin Kings’ eyes narrowed. Combining their power, they summoned a golden ancient cauldron.
The cauldron trembled, exuding an ancient aura, radiating brilliant golden light. A golden crow pattern emerged vividly, then flew out from the cauldron.
“Clang!”
The black-gold staff extended rapidly, striking the cauldron.
Two opposing supreme forces clashed like colliding stars, unleashing a cataclysmic shockwave.
A torrent of intertwined golden and black destruction surged toward Zhang Ruochen and Little Black.
“Trying to drag us into this?” Zhang Ruochen thought, instantly summoning the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror.
The mirror revived swiftly, releasing thick demonic qi, manifesting shadows of ancient, towering demonic mountains.
“Bang!”
The mountain shadows collapsed one by one, but the destructive torrent was rapidly dissipated.
After this intense clash, the seven Venerables and Twin Kings gauged each other’s strength. Eliminating the other in a short time was nearly impossible.
If they fought to exhaustion, injuring both sides, wouldn’t that let Zhang Ruochen take advantage? His reputation as a formidable figure made them wary.
Ceasing their attacks, they turned their attention to the Heavenly Demon Mountain.
Oddly, despite the powerful shockwaves, the mountain stood unmoved, all forces dissipating upon nearing it.
At the mountain’s peak, a dragon-shaped seal appeared, faintly glowing with divine light.
“A sealing talisman,” everyone realized simultaneously.
Sealing talismans were typically used to seal treasures, powerful cultivators, or even entire worlds, crafted only by spiritually powerful talisman masters.
The intricate complexity of this talisman suggested it was created by an exceptionally strong Great Saint talisman master, using special powers to sustain it long-term.
“This emperor knew it. Treasures stored by the Dragon Clan aren’t easy to claim. With the sealing talisman, no force can affect the mountain. A domain outside suppresses saint qi, so climbing requires pure physical strength,” Little Black said, then transmitted, “Zhang Ruochen, let’s climb now, grab the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription first, then figure out how to take the mountain.”
Zhang Ruochen didn’t hesitate, stowing the mirror and, with Little Black, transforming into a streak of light toward the mountain.
Seeing this, the Eight-Armed Venerable swung the black-gold staff at Zhang Ruochen.
Unfortunately, it was too slow. The sealing talisman flared with divine light, immobilizing the staff, failing to hit Zhang Ruochen.
“You won’t succeed!” Unable to stop him, the seven Venerables flashed to the mountain’s base.
Zhang Ruochen had begun climbing, but the mountain’s powerful domain felt like a mountain pressing down, slowing his pace significantly.
As Little Black said, climbing required physical strength and a strong saint soul to withstand the pressure.
Only top powerhouses could hope to summit; the weak could only gaze from below.
“Quick, seize the treasure at the peak,” the Blazing Sun Prince urged, anxiety in his eyes as Zhang Ruochen and the Venerables climbed.
The Twin Kings, saying nothing, stowed the cauldron and swiftly followed.
The thousand-zhang mountain was no easy climb for anyone.
Zhang Ruochen, moving first, held the lead, reaching a hundred zhang in moments.
“There are inscriptions on the mountain,” Little Black, perched on Zhang Ruochen’s shoulder, said, eyes gleaming.
Zhang Ruochen looked where Little Black pointed, spotting peculiar texts in medieval seal script.
Scanning them, his eyes flickered. “This is a ghost-grade demonic cultivation technique.”
Finding cultivation techniques inscribed on the mountain was unexpected, especially at such a high grade.
“There’s more above,” Little Black said, astonished.
Zhang Ruochen climbed agilely, like a nimble ape, soon reaching another inscribed section.
As expected, it was another ghost-grade demonic cultivation technique, more refined than the one below.
Climbing hundreds more zhang, he found five ghost-grade techniques, each more sophisticated than the last.
He saw only one face of the mountain; the other three likely held different techniques.
“Though different, these techniques share the same root, likely derived from the same Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription,” Zhang Ruochen realized.
They were likely created by the same person.
It was a pity they only reached the Saint King realm, with no further progression.
Still, creating multiple ghost-grade techniques up to Saint King was remarkable, beyond most.
For cultivators of the same inscription, these techniques would be a godsend.
Few sects possessed techniques reaching the Great Saint realm; Saint King-level ones could serve as core sect techniques.
Ghost-grade techniques were especially valuable, coveted by many.
King-grade or higher techniques were rare, guarded by top factions, inaccessible to most.
Everyone sought top techniques, as they directly impacted cultivation speed and ultimate potential.
Great Saint cultivation required at least ghost-grade techniques.
Zhang Ruochen glanced briefly, uninterested. His *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture* was far superior.
Higher up, he found more texts, including saint techniques—low-tier at first, then mid-tier.
“The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription is profound, containing boundless demonic truths. Different people glean different techniques and arts from it,” Zhang Ruochen marveled.
He felt deep admiration for the ancient god who created the inscriptions, unable to fathom their demonic mastery.
Finally, nearing the peak, Zhang Ruochen could clearly see the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription through the dense demonic qi.
“The Heavenly Demon Prison-Suppressing Diagram!” Little Black exclaimed, visibly excited.
The inscription depicted an unrivaled demon god standing in the cosmic starry river, crushing hell beneath its feet.
Such domineering presence, trampling hell and gazing disdainfully at the heavens, inspired awe and an urge to worship.
“It’s the legendary *Heavenly Demon Prison-Suppressing Diagram*. No wonder the Dragon Clan hid it so carefully,” Zhang Ruochen said, eyes gleaming.
Of the thirty-six inscriptions, this one was the most unique, with the strongest demonic aura.
Few had cultivated it, and even fewer succeeded, as its intent was too overwhelming for most to study or comprehend.
Successful cultivators mostly used copied diagrams, far inferior to the original, missing its true essence.
“No matter what, we can’t let this inscription fall to the Hell Realm or Blazing Sun Civilization,” Little Black said gravely.
As one of the Kunlun Realm’s six wondrous books, the inscription was a vital legacy and the foundation of its resurgence.
Zhang Ruochen understood this. Without hesitation, he climbed with full effort, aiming to reach the peak before the seven Venerables or Twin Kings.
One hundred zhang, seventy, fifty… Zhang Ruochen drew closer, but his speed slowed.
The nearer the peak, the greater the resistance. Each step demanded immense effort, with the risk of falling if careless.
At the final ten zhang, a stone staircase appeared, leading to the peak with exactly one hundred steps.
Stepping onto the first, Zhang Ruochen’s body trembled as a terrifying demonic aura struck him.
His gaze resolute, he murmured, “A test? Let’s see if it can stop me.”
At that moment, the seven Venerables and Twin Kings also reached the staircase.
Zhang Ruochen glanced calmly at both sides, then focused, climbing with full concentration.
They faced the same trial; the first to summit would claim the inscription.
“Damn it, the inscription’s aura suppresses Hell Realm cultivators,” the seven Venerables cursed, stopping after a few steps.
The aura made them uncomfortable, their saint souls trembling, on the verge of shattering.
Persisting could cripple or kill them before reaching the top.
Reluctantly, they gave up.
Moving swiftly, they descended, far easier than climbing.
“First, let’s deal with this blasted Blazing Sun Prince. He’s an eyesore,” the Venerables said, radiating killing intent as they lunged at him without warning.
Clearly, they needed to vent their frustration.
The Prince’s eyes widened in alarm, retreating quickly.
His guards rushed forward, forming a battle array, conjuring a golden divine sun to strike the Venerables.
“Break!”
The Eight-Armed Venerable swung the black-gold staff, bolstered by the other six, striking with full force.
The staff unleashed terrifying supreme power, dark aura surging like a tide, overwhelming the guards’ array.
“Boom!”
The golden sun shattered, frail against the assault.
The staff, unstoppable, demolished the guards’ formation.
“Pfft!”
All guards spat blood, flung backward.
A golden sun at the Prince’s brow glowed brilliantly, illuminating the space in dazzling gold, blindingly intense.
A radiant golden sun flew from his brow, emitting scorching heat, raising the space’s temperature as if in a sea of fire.
The space rippled, as if unable to withstand the sun’s heat, on the verge of melting.
Protected by the sun, the Prince neutralized the staff’s supreme power, avoiding the guards’ fate.
“Cease your rampage!” the Twin Kings shouted, sensing the danger.
Unable to climb further, they turned, diving downward swiftly.
From a distance, they summoned the golden cauldron, unleashing supreme power against the seven Venerables.
The Prince’s face darkened, snarling, “You dare attack this Prince? You’ll all die.”
He rallied his injured guards to help him wield the golden sun, attacking the Venerables.
Forged from a withered star’s core, the sun held vast power, capable of burning skies and boiling seas if fully unleashed.
—
Meanwhile, in the chaotic battlefield near the thunder storm, Lin Xiao faced a dire situation. The Whisker Sky Moon’s tendrils had ensnared many, but he had seized the chance to behead the agile youth from the Cao Clan.
The handsome youth, enraged, charged with a dagger, his power nearing the Martial Venerable realm, threatening to trigger void thunder punishment.
Just then, a petrified force streaked across the sky, striking the handsome youth with terrifying speed.
Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed, recognizing the stone-like power. It was a rare technique, likely from an unknown powerhouse intervening.
The handsome youth staggered, his aura disrupted, the near-Martial Venerable momentum faltering. The void thunder above dissipated.
“Who dares interfere?” the handsome youth roared, scanning for the attacker.
Ruxian, seizing the moment, launched another sword strike, but the youth’s fist shattered it, knocking her back again.
Lin Xiao, undeterred, charged with the Yaoguang Broken Sword, his petrified arm ready. He unleashed another black-azure vortex, aiming to engulf the youth.
The lean youth, fighting Mao Youtan, roared, “You’ll pay for killing a Cao Clan member!”
The battlefield was chaotic, with the beast tide raging, the Whisker Sky Moon attacking, and now an unknown force intervening. Lin Xiao knew he had to act fast to capitalize on the disruption.
—
Back in the hidden space, Zhang Ruochen climbed the stone staircase, each step heavier with demonic pressure. The Heavenly Demon Prison-Suppressing Diagram loomed closer, its aura daunting.
The Twin Kings, abandoning their climb to protect the Prince, clashed with the seven Venerables below. The golden cauldron and black-gold staff exchanged blows, supreme forces shaking the space.
Zhang Ruochen, undistracted, pressed on. At the fiftieth step, the demonic aura felt like a mountain crushing his soul, but his Five Elements Chaos Body and saint soul held firm.
Little Black, on his shoulder, muttered, “This inscription’s power is terrifying. Even sealed, it’s this strong. If unsealed, it could crush Great Saints.”
Zhang Ruochen nodded, his resolve unshaken. “We’re close. No matter the cost, we secure it.”
At the eightieth step, his body trembled, sweat beading on his forehead. The demonic intent invaded his mind, conjuring visions of hell and a towering demon god.
Gritting his teeth, he activated the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture*, its radiant power purging the illusions. His steps grew steadier.
Below, the battle intensified. The Prince’s golden sun scorched the air, but the Venerables’ dark tide countered, neither side gaining an edge.
At the ninetieth step, Zhang Ruochen’s vision blurred, the demonic aura nearly overwhelming. He channeled spatial laws, stabilizing his body, and pressed on.
Finally, at the hundredth step, he reached the peak. The Heavenly Demon Prison-Suppressing Diagram stood before him, its aura suffocating.
“Now!” Little Black urged.
Zhang Ruochen extended a hand, spatial laws swirling, attempting to unbind the dragon-shaped sealing talisman.
The talisman flared, resisting, but his spatial mastery prevailed. With a low hum, the seal weakened, and the inscription trembled.
“Got it!” Zhang Ruochen grasped the inscription, storing it in his storage ring.
Below, the Twin Kings and Venerables paused, sensing the peak’s disturbance.
“He’s taken it!” the Eight-Armed Venerable roared, abandoning the Prince to charge up the mountain.
The Twin Kings followed, leaving the Prince and his guards to fend off the remaining Venerables.
Zhang Ruochen, inscription secured, eyed the Heavenly Demon Mountain. “Little Black, can we take the mountain?”
“Its spirit is sealed, but moving it’s tricky. We need time,” Little Black replied.
“No time. They’re coming,” Zhang Ruochen said, glancing at the approaching Venerables and Twin Kings.
He activated the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror, unleashing demonic mountain shadows to block the pursuers.
“Hold them off!” he commanded Little Black, focusing on the mountain.
Using spatial laws, he enveloped the mountain, attempting to shrink and store it. The sealing talisman resisted, but his mastery chipped away at it.
The Venerables’ dark tide clashed with the mirror’s shadows, slowing their ascent. The Twin Kings’ cauldron bombarded the defenses, cracks forming.
“Hurry!” Little Black urged, fending off attacks with its own techniques.
With a final surge of spatial power, Zhang Ruochen collapsed the mountain into a palm-sized form, storing it in his ring.
“Done! Let’s go!” he shouted.
Little Black retracted its techniques, and they fled through the spatial rift, the mirror covering their escape.
The Venerables and Twin Kings roared in frustration, their prize stolen.
—
In the thunder storm battlefield, Lin Xiao’s vortex engulfed the handsome youth again, weakening him further. The mysterious petrified force struck again, blasting the youth into the ground.
“Now!” Lin Xiao shouted, diving with his sword.
Ruxian and Mao Youtan joined, their combined attacks overwhelming the youth. A final sword strike from Lin Xiao pierced his heart, ending him.
The lean youth, seeing his comrade fall, roared but was pinned by Mao Youtan.
The beast tide surged, but the Holy City forces, bolstered by Lin Xiao’s earlier explosion pills, held the advantage, cutting through the Nether Heaven Demon Palace remnants.
As the thunder storm rumbled, a blinding light erupted, signaling a treasure’s emergence. All eyes turned, the battle pausing.
Lin Xiao, panting, knew the real fight for the treasure was about to begin.
