Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land

"We were one step too late."

After Ye Xu and the others had left for half an incense stick’s time, dozens of people descended upon the Sea of All Realms. Sensing the chaotic and shattered Great Dao rules, the dozens of divine clan experts had gloomy expressions.

"Junior Brother Pan Zhi and Junior Brother Kun Yu were both top-level Emperor Venerable experts. They concealed their auras, so ordinary people couldn’t detect them. It seemed we had encountered tough opponents this time," said a man from the Pan Yao divine clan with a furious expression. This one was a semi-immortal, a master at the same level as the old woman from the Bi Fang divine clan.

"They must pay in blood," said the leader of the Kunpeng divine clan, extremely angry.

"This group’s strength is indeed not weak," said people from the Zhuque Divine Clan and Yinglong Divine Clan as they exchanged glances, their eyes revealing intense interest.

"Since we emerged into the world, we hadn’t encountered any outsiders; this time was perfect for testing their skills and seeing how much progress they had made over millions of years."

"Pursue," Semi-Immortal Pan Yao gave the order and chased after Ye Xu and the others.

The group moved swiftly with the flow.

"In my opinion, Pan Ao and Golden-winged Garuda, killed by Daoist Friend Ye, were merely the frontrunners from the ancient divine clans. The real experts are still behind," Su Mu said gravely. "The Pan Ao clan excels at tracking; our auras are hard to escape their detection."

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital had stern expressions.

"These ancient divine clans really learn no lesson; don’t they fear the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion getting angry?" Great Emperor Ziwei asked, puzzled. The bloody warning from the Bi Fang divine clan was right before their eyes.

"Young fellow, you are too naive," Dragon Lord laughed. "These ancient divine clans are greedy; how could they let such a windfall slip by?"

"They had been sealed away for millions of years and grown arrogant; why would they care about a Heaven’s Secret Pavilion?"

"Sixth Brother, you are wrong," Heavenly Talisman Old Man said. "They still held reverence for Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Otherwise, they would have attacked us the moment we left Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"Know that the Bi Fang divine clan acted against the people from the Temple of Ten Thousand Paths in the Yuan Realm; these two had been tracking us but delayed their moves precisely for fear of provoking Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"That makes sense," Nine Palaces Emperor Venerable nodded.

"Those who commit evil bring ruin upon themselves," Ye Xu said with a faint smile. "A group of small fry; no need to pay attention to them."

"Indeed," the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces.

One day later, the group finally arrived at the Lower Cang Realm.

The layout of the Lower Cang Realm differed greatly from the Yuan Realm. It was covered in high mountains and steep ridges, with treacherous terrain, perpetually shrouded in dark clouds and fog, and the climate was damp.

Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land was situated at the center of the Lower Cang Realm.

After another half day, the group finally reached the center of the Lower Cang Realm. It wasn’t as prosperous as one might imagine; instead, remnants of broken walls were everywhere, like ruins.

Judging by the traces of the buildings, it had been at least a million years.

"The center of any world is abundant in spiritual energy and blessed with flourishing fortunes; this center of the Lower Cang Realm declined to such a state mostly because of Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land."

The Nine Palaces Emperor Venerable had considerable expertise in the flow of earth veins. He gazed toward a great earth abyss, the convergence point of all earth veins. Its abrupt termination there was no accident.

"I shall investigate first." Great Emperor Ziwei marched toward the earth abyss.

"Halt."

Su Mu raised his hand to stop him, saying, "The surrounding million miles are influenced by the power of the Chaos Great Dao. Space and time are scrambled—one misstep could transport you to another era."

"Truly that perilous?" Great Emperor Ziwei felt chills creep down his spine.

"Senior Tian Ji gave us the jade slip. Let us first see the safe routes recorded within." Qin Fei Yan’s voice was soft and soothing, like a cool spring flowing through one’s soul.

The group each produced their jade slips to review.

The slips contained information on the surroundings of the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land.

For ninety-eight thousand miles around, the influence of the Chaos Great Dao permeated everywhere. The closer one ventured toward the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land itself, the more potent the interference. The slightest misstep could plunge one into grave peril.

Great Emperor Ziwei broke out in a cold sweat.

"The Senior’s slip does indeed show a safe route," Qin Fei Yan observed.

"However, this route requires us to channel our magical power to locate the spatial singularity within the Chaos Great Dao. Only then can we forge a path to the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land."

The Heavenly Talisman Old Man frowned slightly. "This Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land reeks of strangeness. Recklessly wielding our magic power might invite disastrous consequences, no?"

"Master Uncle, it seems you doubt our Senior,"

Great Emperor Ziwei retorted. "Senior Tian Ji comprehends all celestial mysteries; there is nothing he fails to see. Why would he deceive us? If we distrust his guidance, why even undertake this journey?"

"Perhaps it would be safer to turn back right now."

"Silence!"

The Nine Palaces Emperor Venerable sharply rapped Great Emperor Ziwei’s head with a knuckle. "What insolence, boy! After not seeing you for some time, you start lecturing your elders! How your temper has grown."

"Heh heh…" Great Emperor Ziwei scratched his head. "Uncle Master Two, I meant no disrespect. I simply spoke the truth."

"If others fear the repercussions," Su Mu interjected, "allow me to proceed."

"Daoist friend Su Mu, I shall undertake this venture with you," Ye Xu offered.

"You all seem to underestimate us, the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital."

Dragon Lord expressed displeasure. "We are allies. Since action is required, we advance together. There is no reasoning that would have just the two of you face the peril alone."

"Indeed."

One of the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital—the man known as the "Teacher and Craftsman"—nodded expressionlessly.

"Then let us act as one," Su Mu suggested solemnly. "Follow the method recorded in the jade slip. Locate the spatial singularity of the Chaos Great Dao and open a passage."

Book of All Mysteries, Great Profound Point!

Su Mu activated the Book of All Mysteries, channeling his mana and condensing it into a single fingertip. An elusive, profoundly mysterious aura began to emanate faintly from his person.

At this moment, he seemed detached from the world, existing in a state of semi-transcendence.

Ye Xu felt profound surprise within his heart. The Book of All Mysteries, recorded within the Gate of All Mysteries, truly lived up to its mystique. No wonder the Dao King had coveted it instantly upon laying eyes upon it.

Ten Thousand Appearances Heaven’s Silk Sword!

Ye Xu initiated the Creation Heart Sutra. The Ten Thousand Appearances Heaven’s Silk divine ability surged forth explosively. Vast magical power coalesced into a sword of creation essence. Acting in unison with Su Mu, he slashed toward the great earth abyss.

The Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital summoned their magical instruments and channeled their magical power, unleashing their might toward the abyss within the earth.

"Is this the Secret Realm?"

Semi-Immortal Pan Ao murmured, his eyes deep and profound: "I wonder which Secret Realm it is on the Secret Realm Ranking?"

"These individuals possess powerful cultivation, yet they collaborate to explore a single Secret Realm. This alone speaks volumes about the Secret Realm’s extraordinary origin. All we need to do is wait for them to open the passage, then seize the Secret Realm information. This Secret Realm will become ours for the taking." The elder of the Yinglong Divine Clan gazed fervently, his heart pounding with excitement.

Semi-Immortal Pan Ao’s brow furrowed slightly.

There was something distinctly odd about this Secret Realm; the aura of the Chaos Great Dao differed markedly from any he had encountered before.

Though mighty, the Chaos Great Dao shouldn’t be capable of reversing time and space.

Yet, the Chaos Great Dao before him shattered his preconceptions.

"It is always wiser to err on the side of caution." Semi-Immortal Pan Ao cast a discreet glance towards the members of the three divine clans, thinking: "Better to let the Kunpeng divine clan, Zhuque Divine Clan, and Yinglong Divine Clan make the first move."

Boom!

As the divine arts of the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital, Su Mu, and Ye Xu struck the Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land, the heavens and earth underwent a violent upheaval. The earthly abyss transformed into a colossal vortex, swirling with the power to devour the heavens and devour the earth, seemingly ready to consume everything.

"The spatial singularity has appeared. Locate it swiftly!"

Su Mu activated the techniques of the Book of All Mysteries, his eyes blazing like divine lightning. Twin beams of light pierced the vortex, scouring for the spatial singularity with terrifying speed.

Ye Xu employed the Creation Divine Eyes, operating the Great Dao of Creation to deduce every transformation.

Within moments, Ye Xu located the spatial singularity first.

That spatial singularity was hidden deep within the twenty-seventh layer of the depths of Time and Space. Without the profound mysteries of the Great Dao of Creation, locating it so quickly would have been difficult.

"Follow me!"

Ye Xu led the charge, plunging towards the spatial singularity.

The eyes of the Seven Immortals of Cloud Capital lit up.

"This young friend Ye is truly a prodigious talent." The Heavenly Talisman Old Man sighed. "Possessing such skills at such a young age… this old man feels truly inadequate."

"Master Uncle, if you keep musing like this, we’ll fall behind Brother Ye," Great Emperor Ziwei urged.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

They all hastened to catch up to Ye Xu.

Bang!

Ye Xu blasted through the twenty-seven layers of Time and Space and punched at the spatial singularity. The order of the Chaos Great Dao was shattered by his blow; space returned to normal, the heavens and earth restored to clarity. A broad, majestic road unfolded before their eyes.

An immense aura surged forth from the end of the Great Dao—deep, mysterious, and instilling an involuntary sense of awe among the group.

Their expressions turned solemn.

According to the jade slip, this Heaven Deficiency Forbidden Land was once the sacred hall of an Innate Divine Being. After that Innate Divine Being perished, a spiritual embryo had coalesced within it.

Innate Divine Beings had been revered as lofty presences since ancient times; it was impossible not to feel reverence.

"Hahahaha…"

"As the saying goes, see you share."

Semi-Immortal Pan Ao made his appearance, leading the Emperor Venerables of the four divine clans. His gaze swept over Ye Xu and his companions as he boomed with laughter: "Dear friends, would you care to share the origins of this Secret Realm with us?"

"Daoist brother, why waste words on these humans?"

The woman of the Zhuque Divine Clan spoke up, her eyes icy and sharp with unveiled killing intent. "Kill them. All treasures will be ours."

"Time to strike."