The tectonic plates beneath the Dark Temple vibrated, creating sonic waves and shockwaves that caused countless cultivators outside the temple to collapse to the ground.
“Swish! Swish! Swish…”
The temple gates were shattered by a blindingly bright force. Six consecutive beams of divine light burst forth from the darkness.
The six beings enveloped in the divine light were all humanoid, but the auras they emitted were entirely different.
They were the six old clan emperors of the twelve ancient races, originally sealed within stone skins. When the formation of the Boundless Divine Sea was breached, the power of the black hand seeped in through the fractured space.
Just like during the battle at the Sword God Temple, upon sensing the power of the black hand, they were stimulated even while sealed within their stone skins.
It was precisely this stimulation that helped them completely break free from their stone skins.
“Ten epochs have already passed, and we have arrived in a brand new era of the future.”
“This place… is the Upper Realm…”
…
The six figures stood above the Dark Temple. The aura they released was so oppressive that the Sword Realm deities guarding the area were forced to prostrate themselves on the ground, bleeding from their seven orifices.
“The aura fluctuation is too strong. We are still very weak and must leave immediately.”
Sensing the terrifying spiritual power fluctuations rising from the direction of the Bronze Divine Tree, the six old clan emperors dared not linger at the Dark Temple. They immediately left the Sword Realm and, following spatial rifts, scattered and fled towards the Heaven of Parting Sorrows and the Void World.
At this moment, the Master of Godfall Island sensed the changes at the Dark Temple, but he could not attend to them. His gaze was fixed tightly on the black hand in the starry sky.
Within his pupils, he clearly saw a tall, humanoid phantom standing behind the black hand.
The humanoid phantom possessed a majestic momentum capable of swallowing star rivers, yet it merged with the “Dao”, representing the true form of the dark and诡异 entity.
However, those with insufficient cultivation could not see this image at all.
He was composed of rules, composed of order, and locked eyes with the Master of Godfall Island.
Beneath the Master of Godfall Island, trails of light paths stretching tens of thousands of miles each formed a formation. Containing infinite formation inscriptions, they instantly repaired the dilapidated defensive formation above the Boundless Divine Sea, restoring the space to its original state.
“Whoosh”
With a single finger pointed out, he gathered the collective strength of all living beings from a thousand realms through the formation, clashing directly with the Thunder God Hammer struck by the black hand.
It must be known that the collective strength of living beings gathered from the thousands of great worlds above the Boundless Divine Sea was in no way inferior to that of the Heavenly Court.
The Heavenly Court universe, along with the ancient civilisation factions, possessed ten thousand worlds, but only cultivators at the Saint realm and above could enter them. Furthermore, this only included a portion of the Saint realm cultivators from those ten thousand worlds.
However, the thousands of great worlds above the Boundless Divine Sea included all living beings, and even encompassed the world spirits, spiritual veins, and saint veins of those great worlds.
The Heavenly Court’s desire to gather the ten thousand worlds and construct a Ten Thousand Worlds Great Array to deal with the Ancestor’s Calamity lay precisely in this purpose.
The trails of light paths beneath the Master of Godfall Island perfectly condensed the power of all the great worlds together, achieving flawless utilisation.
The might of the formation instantly ascended to a major new tier.
“Boom!”
In a single clash, the humanoid phantom standing behind the black hand actually shattered into pieces.
The black hand, holding the Thunder God Hammer, was blasted away and subsequently vanished into the depths of the universe.
Zhang Ruochen, Xutian, and the Star Sea Angler piloted the Heaven and Earth Great Array, chasing for three entire star regions before finally losing the black hand’s trail.
The voice of the Master of Godfall Island echoed within the Heaven and Earth Great Array: “Do not pursue any further. He has been injured and will likely not reappear in the short term. The six stone figures have escaped. Pursuing and retrieving them is the most important matter.”
“Injured the black hand?”
Xutian felt a sourness in his heart.
When the Master of Godfall Island’s spiritual power fluctuations had erupted earlier, Xutian had already harboured suspicions.
Yet he still could not quite believe that an old fellow imprisoned in the Fate Temple for a hundred thousand years had not only avoided death from spiritual exhaustion, but had actually advanced his spiritual power further, reaching a height that all spiritual power cultivators could only dream of.
It was truly infuriating!
“This old man has sensed the aura of one of the escapees. I must go in pursuit now and will not return to the Boundless Divine Sea with you! Zhang Ruochen, if you want the Abyssal Divine Sword, you know what to do. Come to the Hell Realm to find me.”
Xutian did not wish to see the Master of Godfall Island. Whether he had truly sensed the escapee’s aura or not, he used this as an excuse and vanished from the Heaven and Earth Great Array.
The Ancient God of Panyuan and the Azure Deer God King departed one after another, pursuing towards the Heaven of Parting Sorrows and the Void World respectively.
…
Beyond the Heavens of the Yama Outer Realm.
The Yama Supreme Elder, clad in a greyish white long robe, his figure tall, solitary, and gaunt, stepped out of the Supreme Azure Cloud Hall. Gazing in the direction of the Boundless Divine Sea, he sighed with endless emotion: “Imprisoned in the Fate Temple for a hundred thousand years, he has still managed to walk ahead of everyone else.”
“Let it be. The current world is in chaos, and it is indeed time for a half ancestor of spiritual power to emerge! Only in this way can spiritual power cultivation run parallel to martial dao cultivation.”
“When facing the wind, one must erect a banner!”
An elderly man at the eighty eighth tier of spiritual power approached from behind the Yama Supreme Elder and bowed: “Master, the power of the black hand is sufficient to destroy any realm in the universe. Now that he has fled, the future troubles will be endless. Where should our Yama race go from here?”
Although the battle at the Boundless Divine Sea saw the Sword Realm repel the black hand, an achievement that could make all cultivators in the starry sky who paid attention to this battle breathe a sigh of relief, it also caused even more cultivators to live in constant dread.
The Sword Realm possessed the Dragon Nest, the Heaven Tripod and Earth Tripod, the Thousand Realms Great Array, and furthermore, the emergence of a half ancestor of spiritual power, which was how they managed to repel the black hand.
How would other factions and other great worlds resist?
The Yama Supreme Elder said: “Since the Sword Realm has produced a half ancestor of spiritual power and is garrisoned by multiple experts at the Indestructible Boundless magnitude, they will naturally confront the black hand.”
“But what if the Sword Realm chooses to stand by and do nothing?”
The Yama Supreme Elder replied: “Anyone in the world might stand by and do nothing, but Zhang Ruochen will not.”
That eighty eighth tier spiritual power elder was the third disciple of the Yama Supreme Elder. Having dealt with Zhang Ruochen before, he knew that Zhang Ruochen was indeed a rare and great bearer of responsibility in this world.
Not to mention the crisis of the Yama race in the past, but even during the several major upheavals in the Hell Realm, which originally had nothing to do with him, he could still advance against the current and fear no hardships.
If not for this, Xutian, the Azure Deer God King, and the Ancient God of Panyuan would not have done him such a massive favour this time, daring to clash head on with the black hand.
Because they trusted Zhang Ruochen, knowing that giving a peach would certainly be repaid with a plum.
All calculations of gain and loss were tied to their past understanding of Zhang Ruochen.
The Yama Supreme Elder continued: “Furthermore, Emperor Fengdu, Lord Wentian, and the Patriarch of the Universe are only one step away from becoming half ancestors. Within the next tens of thousands of years, someone will inevitably break through to that realm. When that time comes, the black hand will no longer be a cause for fear!”
“Then what about the legendary Ancestor’s Calamity?” the elder asked.
“That is no longer a matter we can worry about!”
The Yama Supreme Elder’s gaze stretched far into the distance, saying: “After today’s battle, the Sword Realm’s influence in the universe will be sufficient to rival the Heavenly Court universe and the Hell Realm universe. There will undoubtedly be many deities bringing their great worlds to seek refuge. Zhexian and Ying’er are over there, correct?”
“They went to the Kunlun Realm,” the Yama Supreme Elder’s third disciple replied.
The Yama Supreme Elder said: “When you have time, take Yu’er and Huangtu to visit them. In these perilous and chaotic times, the emergence of a half ancestor of spiritual power can be considered a great joyous event for the entire universe. Prepare a generous gift and go to congratulate them on behalf of the Yama race.”
…
Abyss of Darkness, White Clothes Valley.
Multiple heaven tier experts gathered here, all sensing the heavenly secret fluctuations transmitted from the direction of the Boundless Divine Sea.
That newly born, formidable spiritual power caused subtle changes in the laws of heaven and earth.
And in fact, historically, whenever any ancestor tier figure emerged, their immense power and aura would, to a certain extent, alter the laws of heaven and earth.
Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, Shi Tian said: “The crisis at the Boundless Divine Sea can be considered over!”
Qingtian’s eyes shone as brightly as blue sapphires, saying: “However, the crisis of the Abyss of Darkness is imminent. The black hand will inevitably attack White Clothes Valley to seize the other black hand suppressed within the Nine Heavens World. Regarding those six ancient evil fiends who escaped from the Boundless Divine Sea, everyone should be able to sense their auras, yes? That is the aura of ancient creatures. If they return to the Abyss of Darkness, they must pass through our territory.”
“Feng Tian and Lord Wrathful Heaven, you must also worry about another issue.”
“Back then, Huaying Cangjie was imprisoned in the Fate Temple and suffered endless torment, nearly being obliterated. He could endure this hatred and grudge in the past, but now that he has broken through to the ninety fourth tier, there is no longer any force in the world to balance him. Will he truly not seek revenge?”
“Even if Huaying Cangjie has a broad mind and can set aside personal grudges for the greater good, how many cultivators from the Kunlun Realm died back then? The Fate Temple, just like our Death race, was a pro war faction. Of course, this pro war faction also included your Stone race.”
“Everyone must not naively believe that the Sword Realm will be our friend. The only ones we can truly rely on are ourselves.”
Shi Tian said: “Although Qingtian’s words are somewhat harsh, they are highly reasonable and serve as a wake up call. In the battle one epoch ago, Xutian did not participate in the formation, so he could naturally swagger to the Boundless Divine Sea to offer assistance. But among us here, who can dare claim they can remain completely detached?”
Feng Tian fell into silence, unknown thoughts swirling in his heart.
Lord Wrathful Heaven was recalling the various events from one epoch ago. As a member of the pro war faction, although he did not directly participate in the war against the Kunlun Realm, how could there have been no indirect influence?
At this moment, a deep and resonant voice spoke. The Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall said: “Did not the interventions of Xutian and Emperor Fengdu serve to resolve past grievances? Facing the black hand and the impending Ancestor’s Calamity, everyone must unite as one. I believe Zhang Ruochen will also make efforts towards this end.”
The Second Elder said: “The younger generation is inevitably naive!”
The Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall replied: “Is the Life and Death Ruins of Tiannan afraid, wishing to tie all three upper races and the Fate Temple to their own chariot?”
The Second Elder narrowed his eyes deeply, but did not speak further.
The Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall continued: “The Heavenly Court and the Hell Realm, the Kunlun Realm and everyone seated here, indeed share deep grievances. However, I believe that Lord Wentian and the Master of Godfall Island are neither reckless nor the type to seek revenge for the slightest grievance. In the face of survival and life and death, only cooperation can help us weather the storm. At the very least, there is no need for anyone to worry until a conclusion is reached regarding the Netherworld Prison.”
The Second Elder asked: “And after that? The current Sword Realm possesses over a thousand great worlds. Will they be content to remain confined in the Boundless Divine Sea? To support the booming development of over a thousand great worlds, a vast expanse of starry sky is required. Where will this starry sky come from?”
“Planning ahead is by no means a bad thing. If an opportunity to weaken the Sword Realm arises in the future… heh heh, I am not saying we should do anything to破坏 the unity mentioned by the Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall, but we can consider whether we should stand by and do nothing? Haha, that still sounds too harsh. Let us call it acting according to our capabilities. We must act according to our capabilities.”
The Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall said: “If human hearts are divided, how can we speak of facing a common enemy?”
The Second Elder said: “Is the Hall Master of the Desolate Heaven Hall preparing a retreat path for himself? Could it be that seeing the emergence of a half ancestor of spiritual power, he wishes to go and seek refuge? That would indeed be human nature!”
Lord Wrathful Heaven tapped the table, saying: “Is there any meaning in us arguing like this? For the situation ahead, should we not be worried about the Sword Realm standing by and doing nothing?”
The Second Elder met Lord Wrathful Heaven’s gaze, and then turned his head slightly away.
Lord Wrathful Heaven said: “Excellent. Prepare a generous gift and go to the Boundless Divine Sea to congratulate the Master of Godfall Island on his ascension to the half ancestor realm. This will surely go down in history.”
Feng Tian followed up by transmitting a voice message: “Yourou, you represent the Fate Temple and make the trip! You may go see Zhang Ruochen first and ask him for advice. Regardless of past grievances or future directions, such a joyous event is beneficial to the entire universe.”
Shi Tian pondered thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Huangtian.
Huangtian seemed unable to sense his gaze, remaining as immovable as a mountain, showing no intention of heading to the Boundless Divine Sea.
…
Compared to the Hell Realm, the Master of Godfall Island breaking through to become a half ancestor of spiritual power had a much greater impact on the Heavenly Court universe.
After all, there were numerous great worlds that had once been close to the Kunlun Realm, the Heavenly Dragon Realm, and the Thousand Star Civilisation. Furthermore, the number of cultivators who had intricate relationships with the deities of those great worlds relocated to the Boundless Divine Sea was countless.
Most of them held no grudges against the Kunlun Realm and did not have as many concerns as the various races of the Hell Realm.
Even if there were some contradictions, they had not reached the point of no return and could absolutely be resolved.
“The Boundless Divine Sea has actually repelled the black hand. Such strength is sufficient to rival the Heavenly Court.”
“Hmph, the Master of Godfall Island has ascended to become a half ancestor of spiritual power. With him presiding over the formation, it will not be long before he can confront the Ancestor. When the prophesied Ancestor’s Calamity arrives, the Boundless Divine Sea will be the only place of peace.”
“Perhaps you have truly guessed correctly. The current Sword Realm has at least four spiritual power cultivators at the Heaven Round and Flawless magnitude. Who can compare to the defensive power they can arrange? Although the Heavenly Court is also constructing a Ten Thousand Worlds Great Array in an attempt to preserve itself, it falls far behind the Sword Realm in terms of spiritual power cultivator lineups, and may not truly be able to condense the power of ten thousand worlds.”
“The Sword Realm has forged this cohesion through this very battle! In contrast, although the Heavenly Court has a far greater number of Saint realm cultivators and deities, along with divine punishment light and heavenly order laws, their responses during the two battles against the Nether Sea and the dark诡异 entities always gave a sense of sluggish reaction and chaotic control.”
“The ten thousand worlds have not yet relocated, and it is already like this. Once the ten thousand worlds relocate, the number of cultivators will be more than ten thousand times the current amount. How chaotic will it become then?”
“In any case, before Heavenly Sovereign Hao returns, this deity remains sceptical of the Heavenly Court’s Ten Thousand Worlds Great Array.”
…
The turmoil in the Kunlun Realm and the Boundless Divine Sea had not yet completely subsided, yet various factions were already dispatching their deities to the Sword Realm to offer their congratulations.
A transformation spreading across the entire universe was quietly unfolding.