Chapter 456

Chapter 456: Chaos in the World

Qing Xuan plane.

A group of Immortal Emperors returned.

Daoist Qing Xuan looked with shock at the mysterious and profound Taihuang Ancient Realm hovering above the heavens and the universe, and asked, "Could that world be the Taihuang Ancient Realm ranked first on the Secret Realm Ranking?"

Immortal Emperor Xuanji, Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze, and others were deeply shaken in their hearts.

"Indeed, it is the Taihuang Ancient Realm."

Li Ruoyu nodded and said, "This world contains wonders beyond transcendence, and cultivators who have reached the end of the Great Dao are qualified to enter. Dear friends, if you do not wish to trade with the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, you can also go to the Taihuang Ancient Realm to seek opportunities."

"There is no need for that."

Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze said, "On this journey, we plundered six universes and caused a huge commotion, but we finally gathered enough resources."

"I would rather spend some extra money to guarantee perfect safety."

"That makes sense."

Immortal Emperor Xuanji and Daoist Qing Xuan nodded and said.

Immortal Emperor Taisu paid it no mind.

"How strange…" Daoist Qing Xuan said with a confused and solemn tone, "Since we entered the Qingyuan plane, the old monk vanished without a trace and has not returned yet."

"Could none of you contact the old monk?"

Daoist Qing Xuan looked at the Immortal Emperor from Lingshan.

That Immortal Emperor shook his head.

"Dear friends, have you all noticed that the Qing Xuan plane has changed?" Taishang Immortal Emperor frowned slightly and said, "The spiritual energy of the entire universe is scattered and overflowing. Compared to before we left, it is completely different."

"A minor issue."

Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze laughed heartily and said, "After returning to our sect, we will go straight to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"I will go ahead first."

Before his words had faded, Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze transformed into a ten-thousand-zhang divine dragon and soared away with a roar.

The others left one after another.

"Your Majesty, where are we going now?" Immortal Emperor Taisu inquired.

"Daoist Friend Lin sent me a message a quarter of an hour ago with some matters to discuss," Li Ruoyu said lightly. "I must go and see him."

"Emperor, I too have an appointment with Daoist Friend Lin to impart the mysteries of the Five Innate Elements to him," Immortal Emperor Taisu said with a smile. "I will accompany Your Majesty."

The two of them passed through the alien universe passage and returned to the Pangu universe.

…

After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, Daoist Qing Xuan and two Immortal Emperors arrived at the Primordial Daoist Sect.

"What is going on?"

Daoist Qing Xuan flew into a rage. Within the territory of the Primordial Daoist Sect, the spiritual energy was depleted, everything withered, and the entire sect was sealed by a great divine might, isolating it from heaven and earth.

"That bald monk!"

Daoist Qing Xuan knew it was the power of Amitabha Emperor at a glance. He summoned the creation sword map, and its vast sword light shattered Amitabha Emperor’s power, revealing the Primordial Daoist Sect.

This immensely glorious sect lay like ruins, filled with remnants of broken walls.

"What happened during my absence?" Daoist Qing Xuan summoned the semi-Immortal Emperor guarding the Primordial Daoist Sect, his face grim and his voice cold as he demanded.

"Sect Master…"

The semi-Immortal Emperor wailed, "Right after you left, the Abbot of Lingshan invaded our sect! He plundered the Primordial Dao Realm, taking all the accumulated wealth of tens of trillions of years from the Daoist Sect!"

"Not only that, he also stole the sect’s destiny."

"That bald donkey!"

Fury surged through Daoist Qing Xuan, making him spit out a mouthful of blood. His eyes were wide with rage and hatred. "If I do not destroy Lingshan, I swear not to be human again!"

"To Lingshan!"

Daoist Qing Xuan roared, his killing intent soaring to the heavens.

He finally understood why Amitabha Emperor’s aura had felt so strange earlier, and why he had vanished without a trace upon entering the Qingyuan World.

So it turned out, while they were raiding the alien universe, that old monk was secretly raiding their base!

"The height of shamelessness!"

The two Immortal Emperors cursed vehemently.

Destiny was the foundation of any sect. Any sect governing a territory would gather the destiny born from its populace. Now that the Primordial Daoist Sect had lost its destiny, great disaster was inevitable.

After the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Daoist Qing Xuan and the two Immortal Emperors descended upon Lingshan.

"Sect Master, Lingshan… why is Lingshan also like this?" One Immortal Emperor stared dumbfounded, finding it hard to believe.

"Daoist brother…"

The Immortal Emperor of Lingshan bore an expression of deep sorrow. "Lingshan has suffered a great calamity… Is this retribution?"

Swoosh!

A moment later, one powerful aura after another arrived. Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze, Immortal Emperor Xuanji, and Taishang Immortal Emperor, all radiating intense killing intent, also arrived at Lingshan.

"Abbot Yixin, this Emperor demands an explanation."

Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze fixed his dragon eyes intently on the Immortal Emperor of Lingshan, stating coldly, "Amitabha Emperor plundered the Lei Ze divine dragon lineage! That old scoundrel seized our riches and also stole our destiny!"

This was what infuritated Dragon Emperor of Lei Ze the most.

To any sect or lineage, destiny was crucial, relating directly to their prosperity, decline, survival, or ruin.

"That bald donkey raided the Hall of Ten Thousand Immortals."

"Taishang Palace was also robbed."

Immortal Emperor Xuanji and Taishang Immortal Emperor declared, their voices frosty.

"Ha… ha…"

Abbot Yixin’s face was ashen.

"Amitabha Senior Brother," murmured Abbot Yixin, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. "In the end, you could not resist the temptation of transcendence, at the cost of losing Lingshan." He gazed earnestly at the Immortal Emperors. "Can Yixin’s death buy the lives of the Lingshan disciples?"

"No."

Daoist Qing Xuan wore an expression of utter indifference.

"Venerable One-Heart, may you pass peacefully," Immortal Emperor Taishang stated impassively. "One day, we shall locate Amitabha Emperor and send him to join you."

Boom!

Venerable One-Heart remained sitting in lotus position as his primordial spirit, Dao path, and physical body perished in succession.

A generation’s Buddhist Emperor had entered nirvana.

Rumble!

Daoist Qing Xuan summoned the creation sword map. The sword diagram expanded, blotting out the heavens and eclipsing all sunlight, engulfing the entirety of Lingshan.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The next instant, countless sword energies rained down upon Lingshan.

Within mere breaths,

the mountain once radiant with glory was utterly erased from existence.

"What should be done now?"

Immortal Emperor Xuanji frowned. "Our deed cannot remain hidden long. Immortal Emperors from alien universes will likely seek vengeance swiftly."

"Gather our sect disciples and proceed to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion,"

Daoist Qing Xuan declared gravely, surveying each companion. "Dear friends, we are now grasshoppers tethered by a single thread – sharing weal and woe. Only through alliance and cooperation may we attain true transcendence."

"The Daoist friend speaks profoundly true,"

the group concurred with nods.

Whoosh!

The Immortal Emperors scattered, returning to their respective sects.

Boom!

Daoist Qing Xuan’s magic enveloped Primordial Daoist Sect. He transported the entire sect into his Purple Palace and soared toward Pangu universe.

—

Ding!

Simultaneously,

the eighteen Immortal Emperors who had just departed Place of Origin received transmissions from cultivators of their sects, empires, and sacred grounds.

Place of Origin existed as a realm apart, shielding all within from heavenly mechanisms. Thus timely external communication proved impossible.

Simply put, Place of Origin had no signal.

Hence, the moment these figures emerged from ultimate void, transmissions flooded in.

"My Divine Empire was pillaged?"

First came Chaos Immortal Emperor’s shock, then thunderous wrath ignited, his eyes practically gleaming with murderous intent.

"That bastard raided my Lingxiao Divine Empire?"

Martial Emperor Lingxiao roared, killing aura crystallizing around him. "Dammit! Which son of a bitch dared plunder what’s rightfully mine?"

"My sect has been robbed too…"

"…"

The eighteen Immortal Emperors simultaneously erupted with overwhelming killing intent.

However, Li Ruoyu and his companions executed their deeds with ruthless efficiency, concealing their appearances and traces so thoroughly that no clues remained.

"Though we don’t know their whereabouts yet, it doesn’t mean we can’t uncover them."

Simultaneously, they all thought of the same place.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion!"

In all the realms, nothing escaped Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s knowledge.

Immortal Emperor Yan ground her teeth.

"Discovering those thieves’ identities—the quickest way is to consult Heaven’s Secret Pavilion."

"I will tear them limb from limb!"

Whoosh!

Martial Emperor Lingxiao shot forth first, turning into a streak of sword light as he sped toward Linglong City.

The others followed closely behind.

…

A short while later.

Li Ruoyu and Immortal Emperor Taisu slowly arrived at the ultimate void.

Lin Qianmo and the Ninth Young Master walked forward to meet them.

"So you are the Heavenly Emperor who once unified heaven and earth in this cosmos?" The Ninth Young Master’s gaze held a scrutinizing edge as he regarded Li Ruoyu from the posture of a superior.

"Who are you?"

Li Ruoyu frowned.

The aura emanating from the Ninth Young Master felt intensely dangerous to him—a power surpassing even the Three Yuan Proof.

The figure before him was undoubtedly a true transcendent.

"How did she evade the monitoring of the Dao of Heaven and openly appear in the lower realm?" A sliver of doubt arose in Li Ruoyu’s mind.

Lin Qianmo said, "Daoist friend, this is the Ninth Young Master of the Hongmeng Dao Realm. We summoned you here because the Ninth Young Master wishes to meet you—he has a task for you."

"Swear fealty to my throne, and I shall aid your transcendence."

The Ninth Young Master declared with absolute confidence.

"Daoist friend, even without your aid, I can achieve transcendence," Li Ruoyu replied lightly. "Moreover, I’ve reigned supreme my entire life. Kneeling to another does not suit me."

"Your goodwill, Daoist friend, I acknowledge."

Li Ruoyu showed not a trace of fear toward the Ninth Young Master.

A transcendent? So what?

He too could become one!

"Taisu, we depart."

Those with conflicting principles walk separate paths.

Li Ruoyu turned and left without hesitation.

A cold glint flickered in the Ninth Young Master’s eyes, yet he refrained from attacking Li Ruoyu.

"Daoist Friend Lin, here is what you asked for."

Immortal Emperor Taisu handed a jade slip to Lin Qianmo and followed Li Ruoyu away.

Joy surfaced deep within Lin Qianmo’s eyes.

This jade slip contained the mysteries of the Five Innate Elements.

"My Liege, why not eliminate him?" the Divine Ancestor asked, perplexed.

"Merely an avatar."

The Ninth Young Master’s expression remained detached. "Slay the avatar, and the true self remains—a waste of effort."

Given his cultivation realm, he could naturally discern that Li Ruoyu was but an avatar.

Were it otherwise, Li Ruoyu wouldn’t have possessed such audacity to refuse the Ninth Young Master’s offer so swiftly and without hesitation.

A spark of interest rose in the Ninth Young Master’s eyes as he murmured,

"This cosmos I forged… it seems quite interesting."