Chapter 545: The Battle for Hongze Heaven and Earth, the Lord of Heaven and Earth

Chapter 545: The Battle for Hongze Heaven and Earth, the Lord of Heaven and Earth

Following the direction of Xu Yan's finger, Cang Haigui saw a vast expanse of darkness as if there were a colossal entity standing in the Land of Non-Transformation. Even from a distance, one could sense the dead silence within that dark expanse.

"Indeed, it is Hongze Heaven and Earth!" Cang Haigui exclaimed excitedly.

The heaven and earth lay silent and gloomy, shrouded in darkness that obscured even the haze.

"Be cautious," Jiang Buping warned in a low voice. "There might be some unforeseen changes within Hongze Heaven and Earth."

"Yes, we must be careful, especially of the powerful beings from the Temple of Non-Transformation," Cang Haigui nodded vigorously.

The flying boat slowed down and activated a concealment formation, silently gliding closer to the dark area.

As they drew nearer, the outline of a massive heaven and earth gradually came into view.

However, unlike the brilliant pearl that was the Great Wilderness standing amidst the haze, this heaven and earth was dull and lifeless, more barren and desolate than the mountains formed by the deceased True Spirits.

Xu Yan's eyes gleamed with a soft light as he quietly observed the distant heaven and earth, probing for any hidden dangers. Meng Chong, Fang Hao, and Jiang Buping did the same.

The flying boat slowed to a crawl, occasionally taking refuge in the small mountains along the way before continuing its slow approach. The closer they got to Hongze Heaven and Earth, the stronger the sense of desolation and stillness became.

In this area, there were no Unchanging True Spirits to be found.

It seemed that even the Unchanging True Spirits were unwilling to approach this silent heaven and earth, unable to bear the desolation it exuded.

"This silent heaven and earth emanates a mournful aura, and within it, I sense an ominous presence," Xu Yan murmured.

Cang Haigui's voice trembled slightly, "Should we go closer? After all, we've never encountered a dead heaven and earth before. We have no way of knowing what changes might have occurred, and what calamity might befall us if something truly sinister lies within."

"Old turtle, if you're afraid, you can wait here for us," Meng Chong patted Cang Haigui's head. "This heaven and earth is already dead, so what's there to fear? The unknown is always worth exploring!"

"It's just a little fear. I'll overcome it in no time!" Cang Haigui replied with a forced smile.

"Then stop shaking," Fang Hao shook his head. "If we're ambushed, I doubt you'll be able to react, let alone control the flying boat!"

"I'm not scared, I'm excited!" Cang Haigui retorted stubbornly.

"Take your time then," Fang Hao smiled wryly.

As the flying boat drew ever closer to Hongze Heaven and Earth, the sense of desolation and gloom washed over them like a tidal wave, as if a dark aura enveloped the entire heaven and earth.

Xu Yan and his three sworn brothers silently fixed their gazes on the heaven and earth before them, taking in the uneven ground devoid of any signs of life, not even a single plant.

It was as if an ominous aura permeated the entire heaven and earth.

In front of Hongze Heaven and Earth stood a massive mountain. This mountain seemed to have originated from within Hongze Heaven and Earth rather than being formed by the deceased True Spirits. It had been severed from the heaven and earth and now accompanied it everywhere.

"Let's stop at that mountain for a moment," Xu Yan said solemnly.

The silent heaven and earth seemed to be shrouded in an ominous aura, and the people from the Temple of Non-Transformation were also searching for Hongze Heaven and Earth. Caution was essential.

Xu Yan had already observed that mountain, and it appeared equally desolate but devoid of any potential dangers or signs of ambush by the strong from the Temple of Non-Transformation.

"Oh, oh!" Cang Haigui's voice shook even more, and his control over the flying boat's formation plate was visibly trembling.

Xu Yan glanced at him, realizing that the turtle had been traumatized long ago. Even after such a long time, just approaching Hongze Heaven and Earth caused him to lose control and tremble.

He finally understood why Cang Haigui had given up on Hongze Heaven and Earth, despite the potential opportunity it presented.

The turtle was simply too scared. Hongze Heaven and Earth had become a source of fear for him, and when fear couldn't be controlled, even the greatest opportunities could turn into disasters.

The flying boat slowly approached the mountain, drawing ever closer. Xu Yan and the others maintained their focus on Hongze Heaven and Earth ahead.

Suddenly, a thunderous rumble echoed through the air, causing Cang Haigui, who was controlling the flying boat, to shrink back into his shell in an instant.

Snap!

Cang Haigui fell onto the flying boat, his breath seemingly leaving him in that moment. He became a mere ordinary dead turtle, only his shell remaining. The formation plate also fell to the ground.

Xu Yan and the others were speechless.

Fang Hao picked up the formation plate and looked at Cang Haigui, who was feigning death with his turtle breath technique, and could only shake his head in silence.

Meng Chong rubbed his head, puzzled.

"It sounded like a battle!"

Xu Yan's expression turned solemn. The dull rumble had traveled a great distance, yet it still reverberated through the air.

Furthermore, just from the roar, one could sense that it was undoubtedly an intense battle between extremely powerful beings—likely a clash between Lords of Heaven and Earth.

"Could it be two True Spirits fighting?"

Jiang Buping asked, astonished.

It wasn't unusual for True Spirits to engage in bloody battles.

Rumble!

Another sound echoed through the air, this time with a prolonged resonance as if two powerful offensive techniques were clashing against each other.

"It doesn't sound like a True Spirit battle!"

Xu Yan said in a low voice.

True Spirit fights were always accompanied by ferocious roars. However, aside from the booming clashes, there were no such roars to be heard.

Moreover, judging from the reverberations, it seemed more like a confrontation between mighty cultivators who were wielding powerful secret arts.

"Hey, old turtle, stop pretending to be dead and get out here!"

Xu Yan kicked the turtle shell lightly.

After a long while, a head poked out of the shell.

"What's going on?"

Cang Haigui's eyes darted around, and he seemed ready to retract into his shell at any moment.

"There are powerful beings fighting within the Land of Non-Transformation!"

Xu Yan stated gravely.

At that moment, the flying boat had already reached the mountain and nestled within it, effectively camouflaging its presence.

"Powerful beings are fighting?"

Cang Haigui was perplexed. After listening for a while, he realized that the fading sounds were coming from a great distance. Only then did he fully emerge from his shell and resume his original form.

"Ahem, this is a life-saving tactic. You guys are too slow. In the Land of Non-Transformation, when you sense something unusual, the first thing you should do is hide and conceal your presence. It's all about experience!"

Cang Haigui spoke with a serious expression.

Xu Yan didn't bother to respond to the turtle's excuses for his cowardice.

"Alright, old turtle, we get it. Listen, that sound clearly indicates a battle between powerful beings, and they must be at the Lord of Heaven and Earth level. Aside from the Temple of Non-Transformation and the seven former Lords of Heaven and Earth, are there any other Lords of Heaven and Earth in the Land of Non-Transformation?"

Xu Yan asked, patting Cang Haigui's head.

When it came to serious matters, even Cang Haigui turned solemn.

"Aside from the Lords of Heaven and Earth among the Unchanging True Spirits and the seven former Lords of Heaven and Earth, there shouldn't be any other Lords of Heaven and Earth among the cultivators, according to what I know."

At that moment, the distant sounds of battle had ceased.

"Could we have heard wrong? Maybe it was a battle between Lords of Heaven and Earth among the True Spirits?"

Cang Haigui wondered aloud.

After all, as far as they knew, the only Lords of Heaven and Earth among cultivators were the seven former Lords, and now only the Temple of Non-Transformation remained.

Of the seven former Lords, only Ming Yu was known to have survived, but he had already pledged allegiance to the Temple of Non-Transformation.

So, unless there was an internal conflict within the Temple, there shouldn't be any other Lords of Heaven and Earth-level cultivators.

"True Spirit battles are always accompanied by roars. After all, the True Spirits in the Land of Non-Transformation are powerful but unintelligent beasts. However, the noise we heard earlier was the sound of a powerful offensive technique, not a True Spirit!"

Xu Yan explained.

Rumble!

Just then, another intense sound reverberated through the air, growing more violent as if the battle had reached its climax, with both sides unleashing their most potent attacks.

Cang Haigui swallowed hard, his eyes widening in shock. "What's going on? Could it really be a battle between Lords of Heaven and Earth? Did Ming Yu turn against the Temple of Non-Transformation?"

His mind immediately jumped to Ming Yu, as he was the only known survivor among the seven former Lords.

"Ming Yu has already sided with the Temple of Non-Transformation. The chances of him rebelling against them again are slim. Unless he's not afraid of that person from the Temple?"

Xu Yan shook his head doubtfully.

Ming Yu must have had his reasons for joining the Temple, and the strength of that individual from the Temple was unparalleled. Ming Yu was no match for them, so why would he choose to rebel and bring about his own demise?

Unless Ming Yu believed he had the strength to rival that person.

But clearly, Ming Yu didn't possess such power.

Cang Haigui exclaimed excitedly, "Could there be internal strife within the Temple of Non-Transformation? If so, that would be fantastic!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Hao stroked his chin and speculated, "Could it be the Blood Devil? Sister and Tianzi are plotting against the Blood Devil, right? Could the Blood Extreme have succeeded in replacing the Blood Devil? But in doing so, did he expose himself, leading to this battle?"

Jiang Buping shook his head and smiled. "Even if Blood Extreme succeeded, it wouldn't have been so soon. Besides, if he had truly succeeded, according to the plan, the chances of him being exposed are slim. He would continue to hide within the Temple of Non-Transformation under the identity of the Blood Devil. And if he had been exposed, how could he hold out for so long?"

The distant battle continued, with sounds coming intermittently, and as time went on, the clash became more and more intense.

"Is it possible that the seven Lords of Heaven and Earth didn't all die?"

Xu Yan pondered for a moment before speaking.

"What do you mean?" Cang Haigui was taken aback but then shook his head. "Unless they joined the Temple of Non-Transformation, how could they have survived? Tai Cang is dead!"

If someone as powerful as Tai Cang had perished, Ming Yu had only survived by pledging allegiance to the Temple of Non-Transformation, and there must have been a special reason for them to accept him.

As for the others, they probably didn't have such an opportunity.

Even if they had joined the Temple of Non-Transformation, they wouldn't dare to betray them and cause such a battle.

"Perhaps there's a force outside of the Temple of Non-Transformation in the Land of Non-Transformation. This battle is between them and a powerful expert from the Temple. The reason why the Great Wilderness has survived for so long is likely because the Temple is preoccupied with an enemy and doesn't have the resources to target it."

Meng Chong speculated, scratching his head.

"That's possible!" Cang Haigui's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

That would explain why the Temple of Non-Transformation hadn't invaded the Great Wilderness yet—they were busy dealing with another powerful enemy.

This was a plausible scenario, considering that the Temple of Non-Transformation had suddenly appeared after the establishment of the seven heavens and earths and a long period of time.

The Land of Non-Transformation was vast and boundless, and it was unlikely that the Temple of Non-Transformation was the only power there! The seven heavens and earths could be considered emerging forces in the Land of Non-Transformation, while the Temple was an ancient power. Because of the uniqueness of the seven heavens and earths, the Temple targeted them for invasion.

"That makes sense. The Land of Non-Transformation is vast and full of unknowns. We don't even know if it has boundaries. I wonder what lies beyond it?"

Xu Yan's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Boom!

Suddenly, a powerful rumble reverberated, and in the faint, they could feel the violent spiritual energy of the Land of Non-Transformation being swept away like a gentle breeze in the face of the booming sound.

Ah!

Following the rumble, a miserable scream echoed, filled with a sense of disbelief.

The battle had ended, and one side had fallen!

"Hide well. If they're fighting over Hongze Heaven and Earth, the victor might be on their way back soon."

Xu Yan spoke in a low voice.

Hearing this, Cang Haigui immediately retracted into his shell and pretended to be dead, using his Turtle Breath Technique.

Xu Yan and the others also concealed their auras, and the flying boat burrowed into the mountain, hiding within it.

In a distant place, far from Hongze Heaven and Earth, Wu Mo panted, his eyes gleaming with a sinister red light, cold and bloodthirsty.

His claws were embedded in the body of another person, who was now devoid of any vital signs, his flesh and blood withering away.

His essence was being devoured by Wu Mo.

"How dare you, a fake Lord of Heaven and Earth, try to hunt me? If I, Wu Mo, weren't still recovering from my injuries, I could kill three of your kind!"

Wu Mo coldly huffed.

"However, I must thank you for your flesh and blood essence, which has helped me recover faster. Let's see how many fake Lords of Heaven and Earth your Temple of Non-Transformation will send to chase me!"

Wu Mo's eyes glinted with a cold light.

There weren't many true Lords of Heaven and Earth-level experts in the Temple of Non-Transformation. Most of the so-called Lords were actually fake ones.

While they were stronger than the Lords of minor heavens and earths, their mastery over their own laws was inferior to that of genuine Lords.

"It's infuriating that killing a fake Lord of Heaven and Earth is so exhausting!"

Wu Mo flung away the withered corpse and gazed into the boundless haze, his eyes gradually hardening with determination.

"This boundless haze is endless, and I want to see how many pursuers your Temple of Non-Transformation will send after me. As long as I live, I will return one day. In my life, I've only lost to one person. That ancient monster from the Temple of Non-Transformation doesn't deserve his victory; he only won because he's been cultivating for longer!"

Wu Mo's heart was filled with cold determination.

"I can't stay here for long. If a true Lord of Heaven and Earth from the Temple comes, I'm no match for them in my current state!"

Wu Mo took a step forward and vanished from the spot, escaping into the endless haze. Only the aftermath of the battle lingered, reverberating through the air for a long time afterward.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end