Chapter 271: Omnipresent Sovereign

Chapter 271: Omnipresent Sovereign

As Ji Jingqiu held the jade token in his hand, everyone's eyes gleamed with envy.

The Cosmic Light Fragment was a place of both danger and opportunity, and such a life-saving item was not something easily obtained.

Even the Ten Directions Sect and the True Sage Bodhimanda only bestowed it upon their most important disciples.

Even Han Qingxun couldn't help but feel a hint of envy. Although he was a disciple of the Jade Pool, his lineage wasn't known for its wealth. Otherwise, why would he be wandering the outside world?

He wished he could be "slandered" like that!

Ji Jingqiu glanced at the jade token and changed his tone, speaking with enthusiasm, "Senior, what are you talking about? Misunderstandings are like the wind, they blow away without leaving a trace on the heart."

The gatekeeper laughed, a fellow who was easily swayed by money.

In his eyes, after Ji Jingqiu achieved Mind-Body Integration, he would likely transcend the Heaven-Human Boundary and enter the realm of Divine Prohibition!

This was a future Divine Prohibition, worth befriending, especially at this moment when they were about to enter the Grand Universe.

Once the Grand Universe was initially developed, the first to rush in would be a large number of Heart Image and Heaven-Human practitioners. And a Divine Prohibition, upon entering the Heaven-Human realm, would become an invincible existence.

By befriending him early on, perhaps he could look after a few of their younger disciples.

It was a pity that such a talented jade wasn't from their own lineage.

"Senior, what level of danger is inside this Cosmic Light Fragment?" Han Qingxun asked.

This involved the Ten Thousand Phenomena Divine Lord, no laughing matter.

"It's temporarily set below the Heaven-Human level, and currently, no one above the Heaven-Human level has appeared."

The gatekeeper shook his head,

"It's just a fragment of a world, not a complete one, and only allows entry for Heart Image practitioners. It won't be too dangerous. The real danger doesn't lie in the world itself but in your fellow travelers."

"After you enter, your primary goals, besides gathering resources and searching for the Light Dao Melody, will be to find the secret treasury of the Omnipresent Heaven and look for important information."

Finally, the gatekeeper, out of respect for Ji Jingqiu, gave them an additional reminder:

"The timeline of this Cosmic Light Fragment is set on the eve of the Omnipresent Heaven's ascension to the Grand Universe. If you're lucky, you might uncover related secrets."

Han Qingxun's face paled as he exclaimed, "The secrets of ascension?! Why aren't the major powers making a move?!"

"Hehe, the first batch of disciples has just emerged, and the news is spreading. Wait and see; soon, the various powerful figures will arrive with their core disciples."

As the gatekeeper spoke, he couldn't help but glance curiously at Ji Jingqiu.

This young man must be at the very core of the Heavenly Holy Lake, a direct descendant. How could he be out here without a guardian?

The two elders at the Heavenly Holy Lake seemed to trust this Divine Prohibition to wander freely.

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu held the jade token in his hand, communicating with Hela about the Omnipresent Divine Lord.

"He follows the path of omnipresence, seemingly similar to your Formless Path, but they are different. In terms of superiority, with your Formless Path commanding omnipresence, you naturally surpass the singular omnipresence. Moreover, you can advance and retreat, seeking the Formless Path and retreating to omnipresence... You ask about his relationship with you? He's naturally half an enemy on the Great Dao!"

"Hehe, in the struggle for the Dao, there's no room for compromise. Of course, you're not yet qualified to contest the Dao with him. Wait until you reach the Seventh Realm."

Finally, Hela spoke seriously, "Your 'Mind Manifestation Technique' has progressed well, and you've indeed stumbled upon good fortune. This time, as you enter the Cosmic Light Fragment, first seek the Light Dao Melody, and second, search for the hidden scriptures of the Omnipresent Heaven."

"Additionally, the Omnipresent Heaven possesses the 'Omnipresent Heaven Instrument'. Although you won't find the genuine item there, it has thirteen replicas, each capable of observing the omnipresent Dao, which will greatly benefit your cultivation."

Ji Jingqiu inquired about the Omnipresent Heaven Instrument, learning that this divine weapon, like the Supreme Power, had initially transcended the River of Time and couldn't be replicated by the Cosmic Light Fragment.

The group prepared for a moment before stepping into it.

The crowd that had scattered earlier now gathered around Ji Jingqiu, sincerely expressing their apologies.

Ji Jingqiu waved his hand generously, earning him a round of praise.

Together, they stepped into the Cosmic Light Fragment.

Ji Jingqiu's previous worries vanished, and the gatekeeper didn't even ask for his identification.

This was the treatment reserved for geniuses.

As they passed through the gateway, their vision blurred for a moment before clearing. In the next instant, they found themselves in a city.

Ji Jingqiu's mental waves spread out.

The city's style leaned towards the medieval era, with narrow, winding streets lined with stone houses. The most prominent building nearby was a church with a towering spire and lancet windows.

At that moment,

Everyone's gaze turned towards a spot, from where cries of despair and wails of agony could be heard.

It was a language they had never heard before, but the emotions of despair it conveyed transcended language barriers.

Ji Jingqiu took the lead, leaping to a high spot and looking into the distance. What he saw was a gruesome scene.

Countless streams of blood were being drawn from below, like meandering creeks, converging towards several men in blood cloaks high above.

Han Qingxun's voice was grave as he spoke to Ji Jingqiu beside him, "Those are disciples of the Blood Demon Palace."

Ji Jingqiu scanned the dry corpses strewn across the ground. Almost every living being in the city was here, and although it was just a small town, it had a population of over ten thousand.

He fell silent. This blatant harvesting of blood, like mowing down grass, treated lives as insignificant.

Was this the true face of the Three Thousand Floating Worlds? The harsh reality was that in front of the strong, the weak were but cultivation resources, to be slaughtered without hesitation, especially if they weren't "on the same path."

It was no wonder that the Many Worlds instinctively resisted outsiders; there was a reason for it.

Seeing his expression, Han Qingxun's respect for his junior, Tian Qiu, grew even more.

It seemed that Tian Qiu hadn't been "brainwashed" into becoming one of those "heavenly beings" who viewed all living beings as insignificant ants.

Han Qingxun, who had once lived in the lower world, had seen too many such examples, and it was precisely because of this that he had climbed his way up, eventually becoming a disciple of the Jade Pool Immortal Land.

But he still reached out and held Tian Qiu back, speaking in a low voice, "Don't cause trouble, Tian Qiu. Although we also dislike the actions and conduct of the Blood Demon Palace, these demons are not weak."

Tian Qiu asked about the background of the Blood Demon Palace.

Han Qingxun thought to himself that Tian Qiu was indeed "isolated in the mountains" and lacked experience, so he sternly warned him, "They belong to the Ten Directions Sect. The disciples of this sect are extremely cruel, advocating killing to resolve karma. They have grudges with various battlefields, and their strength is formidable. There's no need to provoke them."

Tian Qiu was puzzled. If they had grudges with their own sect, why not seek revenge?

Han Qingxun sighed and spoke with a hint of bitterness, "What does the grudges of other lineages have to do with you? Even if you take the initiative, will others appreciate it? We, who come from the lower world, must prioritize self-preservation. What if you get seriously injured..."

Just then, a chilling, eerie laughter echoed from the front.

"Perfect, we're short on manpower. Pick a few to help us collect essence blood. Don't move, I'll choose a few of you."

A wave of mental force surged forward, chilling to the bone and filled with obvious malice.

"You, you, and the two of you, stay here."

A Blood Demon Palace disciple approached, draped in a blood cloak, his entire body crimson, standing over three meters tall, and with a pair of large bat-like wings behind him. In his forehead was embedded a blood bodhimanda.

As he approached, a strange fragrance wafted towards them, a mixture of stench and exotic scent that made people dizzy.

He rudely pointed at two women from Tian Qiu's group and even chose Tian Qiu himself, acting quite domineeringly.

Han Qingxun's expression immediately turned somber, and he lost his temper, "You're asking for it!"

With a fierce shout, Han Qingxun took the lead in attacking. Being from the Jade Pool Immortal Land, his moves were ethereal and detached, surrounded by a veil of smoke and mist, as if untouched by the mortal world.

Tian Qiu, standing behind, couldn't help but be amazed.

Just a moment ago, Han Qingxun was advising him to be prudent, but now, without a word, he had torn off the facade and unleashed his full force. What a ruthless person!

Or perhaps, was this the standard in the Three Thousand Floating Worlds?

Han Qingxun took the initiative to attack, displaying considerable strength. With the help of those around him, they quickly subdued the Blood Demon Palace disciple in a few moves.

As they fought, several other Blood Demon Palace disciples rushed over to support their comrade, and a fierce battle erupted instantly.

Tian Qiu wasn't idle either; he worked with Han Qingxun and the others to capture all the disciples of the Blood Demon Palace.

"Hmm, my estimation was off. I thought these people would be strong, and it would be a tough battle, but I didn't expect it to be over so quickly."

Someone on Tian Qiu's side spoke softly, eliciting agreement from the others.

In the Many Worlds, the difference between the Ten Directions Sect and the True Sage Bodhimanda lay in their top-tier combat power. Among the warriors below the heavenly beings, the gap was determined by individual strength.

Han Qingxun was also surprised that the battle was so easy. The Blood Demon Palace disciples were most adept at a secret art that involved burning their essence blood, which drastically increased their combat power. They were often reckless and would resort to desperate measures at the slightest provocation, which was why he had been reluctant to provoke them earlier.

But to his surprise, the opponent didn't even use this secret art before the battle ended.

Standing behind Han Qingxun, Tian Qiu coldly glanced at the captured Blood Demon Palace disciples.

The disciples recalled the thunderous might they had felt during the brief clash, and they shuddered involuntarily, their eyes filled with terror.

This person's physique was so formidable it was terrifying!

Han Qingxun interrogated the captured disciples about the local intelligence and then suddenly asked, "Do you have any life-saving measures?"

The Blood Demon Palace disciples shook their heads.

Han Qingxun nodded and suddenly took action, beheading a few of them with his sword. At the same time, his sword energy erupted, shredding their mental force.

Then, amidst the shocked and admiring gazes of the crowd, he slowly sheathed his sword and said calmly, "Tian Qiu, you lack experience, so I'll give you a demonstration today. There are numerous factions in the Three Thousand Floating Worlds, and every family has a background. So, if you can avoid making enemies, don't. But if you do make enemies, you must be decisive and leave no room for future troubles."

Tian Qiu replied solemnly, "Tian Qiu accepts your teaching."

Then, Han Qingxun once again demonstrated a 'corpse examination' lesson for Tian Qiu, leaving him impressed once more.

He had never cultivated such a good habit, whether in the Federation or on the ancient roads, and he felt ashamed.

After cleaning up the aftermath, the group prepared to leave.

Before departing, they saw ordinary people lying beside corpses in the city center not far away, crying bitterly. The group fell silent.

Han Qingxun suddenly spoke without expression, "Let's go, everyone. This Cosmic Light Fragment won't last long, and these people will die eventually."

The group remained silent.

This was reality.

Tian Qiu pushed out his palm, and a vast mental force swept over like a gentle breeze, causing those people in front to fall into a deep sleep.

He couldn't save these people, but he could at least let them have a good dream.

Although they were just passing by, he truly experienced the cruelty of alien invasions, where entire races could be wiped out in an instant.

The group set off again. Although this Cosmic Light Fragment was incomplete, it was still vast, with dragon-like mountain ranges, inland seas, and numerous cities.

On their journey, Ji Jingqiu communicated through spiritual transmission:

"Senior Brother Han, I heard that the Jade Pool Immortal Land is hunting down someone from the Grand Universe. I also heard that one of your genius disciples was killed by him?"

Upon hearing this question, Han Qingxun's expression changed, and he instinctively scanned the surroundings before responding through spiritual transmission, "This is a taboo topic, don't ask about it."

Ji Jingqiu was puzzled, "You know about it, and it's still considered a taboo?"

Han Qingxun felt a bit embarrassed. This matter involved their founder, and the fact that he knew about it was due to information leaked by high-ranking members of other factions.

Finally, Han Qingxun spoke cautiously, "That Ji Jingqiu, he's arrogant and disrespectful, thinking his talent makes him superior to all. That's why our sect is after him."

Ji Jingqiu contemplated Han Qingxun's words.

So, as he stepped into the Unwarranted Mountain, who exactly was the founder of the Jade Pool Immortal Land?

The group continued their journey, traversing mountains and valleys, using their spiritual power to scan the surroundings for opportunities within the Cosmic Light Fragment.

At a lake, Ji Jingqiu discovered a strange area. When the others arrived, Han Qingxun exclaimed with joy, "This is the Light Dao Melody! Indeed, Heaven Autumn Junior Brother, you are a lucky one!"

Under Han Qingxun's guidance, Ji Jingqiu learned to absorb the Light Dao Melody with his spiritual light. In the end, they divided the Light Dao Melody among themselves.

To be honest, Ji Jingqiu couldn't quite grasp the essence of it, as the moment he tried to contain the Dao melody with his spiritual light, the Bodhi Tree demanded it.

Hela commented, "Giving it to you is not as good as giving it to the tree. Even if you try to digest it, most of it would be wasted. Giving it to the tree ensures complete digestion."

Finally, Ji Jingqiu observed a leaf on the Bodhi Tree with intricate Dao patterns, not yet knowing its purpose.

Please... You... Collect 6...9... Books...

As soon as they entered the Cosmic Light Fragment, they found the Light Dao Melody, and everyone reaped great rewards, their spirits soaring. The desire to "find treasures" was at an all-time high.

The group spread out, maintaining a safe distance while searching. They eventually stopped at a plain.

At the end of the plain stood a dilapidated ancient city. Above the city, the void raged, rumbling loudly, as various divine abilities erupted, threatening to tear the sky apart.

An intense battle, beyond anyone's expectations, was about to unfold.

The group gathered, their expressions grave, as they slowly approached the scene.

"What are they fighting for?"

"No matter what they're fighting for, it must be something valuable. Let's get closer and see if we can join in."

Han Qingxun's eyes shone with experience.

"Senior Brother Han, you're brilliant!" Ji Jingqiu gave him a thumbs up.

Han Qingxun's eyes glowed, and he used a Pupil Technique, gazing at the battlefield and taking in every detail.

He intended to first identify the factions involved and then decide which side to support. But as he looked closely, his heart skipped a beat.

Ancient Sheng from the Cangxuan Realm, Zuyan Heaven, Suigong, Hanshan Realm...

A collective gasp filled the air.

What a battle!

This Cosmic Light Fragment had gathered so many exceptional warriors from various factions! He even spotted several core disciples among them! To reach the level of stepping into the core disciple tier, one must either have broken through the Heaven-Human Boundary or possess extraordinary talent. Even he was still striving to enter the core disciple ranks...

"Heaven Autumn Junior Brother, let's wait a bit before joining the fight..."

Han Qingxun suddenly stopped, reaching out to pull Ji Jingqiu, but he grabbed thin air.

He turned around in confusion, only to find that Ji Jingqiu had disappeared without a trace.

"Senior Brother Han, Heaven Autumn Senior Brother has already charged in!"

A companion nearby swallowed and pointed ahead.

As Han Qingxun looked, he saw a figure descending from the sky, crashing into the center of the battlefield. It was as if a massive roller had passed through the sky, causing everyone to change their expressions.

A gigantic palm, as white as jade, slowly pressed down from above. The palm was majestic, like a mountain, and its palm lines resembled a vast network of rivers and streams. It seemed to contain a grand heaven and earth within, with blue lotuses blooming in the palm, swaying gracefully...

This palm contained an overwhelming pressure, as if suppressing all the disciples below.

At the same time,

An extraordinary scene unfolded, with the sea and sky merging as one. The tide whispered, and despite it being daytime, a thin veil of moonlight descended, reflecting off the clear waves like a mirror.

In an instant, an invisible field enveloped the area, crushing the intertwined Mind Realm Domains of the crowd. It took control of the battlefield, capturing the power of heaven and earth!

Even the powerful warriors in the field were like floating weeds in a raging sea, struggling to stabilize their bodies in the air.

The massive Dharma Forms seemed like paper cutouts, easily toppled by this field.

Han Qingxun took a sharp breath, his eyes twitching, and his face twitched thrice.

Who was this fearless warrior?

Among the strong warriors from various factions, some hadn't even recovered from the shock when they were pressed into the ground by a single palm.

The thin veil of moonlight, though seemingly light, weighed down like a heavenly realm, pinning them to the ground!

"Who dares?!"

A disciple from the Cangxuan Realm roared, and behind him, a Bodhisattva's body of green wood soared towards the sky, trying to support the heavens. A warrior from Zuyan Heaven had a sea of fire raging behind him, ready to burn the world. Another from Suigong had a broken mirror floating above his head, emitting a chaotic light...

At this moment, everyone unleashed their divine abilities.

They had no choice but to fight with all their might. The opponent's palm not only possessed overwhelming divine might but also encompassed everyone!

If they were all suppressed by that palm, everyone present would become a laughingstock!

Ji Jingqiu's palm pressed down, weighing the abilities of the various disciples.

"Huh?"

Ji Jingqiu's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to look at the figure with a broken mirror hanging above his head.

The broken mirror, despite its shattered appearance, exuded a sense of natural Dao principles, ancient and profound, intertwining to form a "Dao" above the laws of the world.

A divine radiance shot forth, not causing any earth-shattering commotion but rather, it was as calm as water, like a drifting cloud, yet it sent a chill down Ji Jingqiu's spine.

This divine light also contained a portion of the power of time! Ji Jingqiu's eyes narrowed, and he sidestepped to dodge the light, simultaneously changing his open palm into a fist. The ethereal and airy aura around him suddenly transformed.

In an instant, in the eyes of the crowd below, the calm blue sea surged into a terrifying storm, transforming from stillness to motion, following the movement of his fist. It was like a torrential flood, relentlessly crushing everything in its path!

The one controlling the broken mirror paled in shock and took several steps back.

It wasn't that he didn't want to manipulate the mirror again, but the previous divine light had exhausted much of his strength, and it wasn't something he could activate continuously in a short time. Otherwise, no one here would be a match for him.

In the inner world, Hela spoke, "Hmm, the replica of the Suigong's palace-guarding divine weapon... Back then, when He Donghuang broke through his realm, Suigong had tried to stop him."

Ji Jingqiu's eyes turned cold, filled with killing intent for the first time. His spiritual light locked onto this person, and he took a step forward to pursue him.

"Who dares to intrude here?"

At that moment, someone in the field finally shouted.

"Tian Sheng Lake, Tian Qiuzhi."

A voice, overwhelming everyone else's, fell indifferently, echoing in everyone's ears like thunder.

As they watched, Ji Jingqiu took a step across the void, directly chasing after the Suigong disciple. The disciples of other factions wanted to intercept him but ultimately hesitated.

From the start, this person had taken everyone as his enemy, and his strength was indeed astonishing, almost dominating the entire field.

"When did Tian Sheng Lake produce such a powerful person?"

"Did Tian Sheng Lake's core disciple arrive first? Damn, our lineage is still slower!"

"Is Tian Sheng Lake allowed to be so domineering?"

"The strong are prone to break, and Tian Sheng Lake's arrogance will lead to consequences. Our Lu Yu Palace will demand an explanation later!"

Some whispered and discussed, while others coldly hummed, secretly taking action to block Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu remained indifferent, his spiritual sacred embryo communicating with heaven and earth. Instantly, he locked onto the hidden enemy and punched out, causing the void to collapse, and blood to splatter on the spot!

The Suigong disciple, targeted by Ji Jingqiu, cursed him as a madman. There were others who had also taken action, so why was he being singled out?

"Everyone, let's join forces to suppress this madman and make Tian Sheng Lake give us an explanation!" The Suigong disciple quickly retreated, shouting loudly to incite the crowd to take action.

In an instant, many people in the field were itching to make a move.

Ji Jingqiu was very powerful, and if they could join forces to eliminate him first, it would be the best choice!

Ji Jingqiu took a step forward, chasing after the Suigong disciple. Anyone who tried to stop him was met with a ruthless attack, leaving behind corpses as he fought his way through without mercy.

From a distance, Han Qingxun was stunned by what he witnessed.

This Tian Qiuzhi... has he learned too fast?

He had said that once an enmity is formed, one must be decisive, striking like thunder and leaving no loose ends. But what good is decisiveness in such a public setting? The news will spread, and the enmity will remain.

As Han Qingxun watched the figures being obliterated by Ji Jingqiu's fists, he suddenly took a deep breath.

This trip might result in Tian Sheng Lake being targeted by various factions.

Just then, Ji Jingqiu finally caught up to the Suigong disciple, who roared and desperately tried to activate the broken mirror, but it was like blocking a chariot with one's arm. Ji Jingqiu swallowed him with the Origin of Unity.

A punch that killed!

While Ji Jingqiu was chasing and killing the Suigong disciple, the spectators in the field didn't stop watching the show but instead began fighting more fiercely.

Ji Jingqiu turned back, ready to rejoin the battle, but Hela suddenly stopped him.

"Wait... look at your left!"

He looked over in confusion and saw a young man hiding behind a stone wall, looking flustered.

"Is he... no, how could it be him?"

Suddenly, Hela's exclamation echoed in the inner world.

This was the first time Ji Jingqiu had seen La Jian lose her composure, and he couldn't help but be curious. Who was this person?

"No... how is he leaving traces in the river of time? He should have already transcended and left long ago!"

"Who is he?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

"The Omnipresent Divine Lord! The Divine Lord of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Divine Kingdom!"

Hela spoke in a deep voice, "When the Heavenly Demon's true body first descended upon this Grand Universe Cluster, he was the first to sense and confront him, guided by the Great Dao. In the end, he was severely injured, alternating between consciousness and chaos, while the Heavenly Demon retreated to the outside world and never descended in his true form again."

Ji Jingqiu's heart trembled, and he gained a clear understanding of the power of the Omnipresent Divine Lord.

"What level of existence is the Omnipresent Divine Lord?"

"He follows the path of the gods, standing among the upper-level gods. His realm is equivalent to your eighth realm, and in terms of combat power, he is no less than those True Sages."

Hela paused, then continued, "After that battle, he was severely injured, and his divine core was damaged, leading to a situation similar to that of your Supreme Buddha."

Ji Jingqiu recalled the times he had sensed the gaze of the Omnipresent Divine Lord.

That gaze was majestic and cold, transcending the boundaries of language, like a god who dispassionately maintained the birth and death, and the operation of the myriad phenomena in the world.

But at the same time, it also carried a sense of chaos.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end