Chapter 620: Was He Always There?

Chapter 620: Was He Always There?

North Flood, Immortal Residence.

In the quiet hall, a figure sat cross-legged, enveloped in Purity Qi, his eyes tightly closed, feeling the vast Merit gradually flowing into his body. A smile crept onto his lips.

His unintentional actions had caused a slight turmoil in Hongze for a while, yet they managed to gather such an enormous amount of Merit.

Even if luck was poor and there were no suitable tasks, this amount of Merit was enough to exchange for a Seventh Rank Immortal Register.

Why hadn't he thought of this before?

Well, even a poor village has its advantages.

He only hoped those fools could handle the matter well, causing as much carnage as possible. If the Merit from this time was not enough for him to return to the Immortal Court, it would be a consolation to have the chance to try again.

Of course, it would be best if it succeeded the first time. There was no rush to use similar methods in the future.

He just hoped the gourd he sent up could serve its purpose.

With this thought, Shi Ren slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Golden Body Incarnation before him, shaking his head with a hint of emotion. "You..."

Just as the words left his lips, his expression changed, and he suddenly turned his head to look outside.

"Roar—"

In the Immortal's pupils, the towering White Rhino instantly awoke, its massive hooves slamming down across the four Floods. In the unseen world, the natural energies of the four Floods transformed into boundless waves of energy, sweeping through the air.

A rare expression of fury appeared on the face of this lifeless being.

Under its hooves, the Immortal Power of the four Floods was tightly locked, unable to be mobilized at all.

"Seeking death!"

The smile on Shi Ren's face quickly faded, and a fierce look appeared in his eyes.

Where did this evil demon come from, daring to tamper with the natural energies controlled by the Immortal Court's seal?

Do they still respect the Immortal Court, the Three Teachings, and the Glorious Heavenly Majesty?

He suddenly waved his sleeve and extended his palm, a small, exquisite Jade Seal appearing in his hand, resembling a mighty White Rhino, echoing the enormous White Rhino shadow in the sky.

The Jade seal felt warm to the touch as Shi Ren slowly clutched it.

At the same time, the Immortal power of the four Floods was entirely under his control. Feeling the familiar, powerful energy surge through him, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he finally felt at ease.

He truly disliked the feeling of being supervised, so when he came down, he deliberately drove away a few subordinates, took their Immortal Rations, and used them to win favor, enjoying the taste of being adored by ten thousand people.

After all, they were just a few commoners without any background, not disciples of the Three Teachings, and unrelated to the court. They thought that reaching the Dao Realm and enduring until the Immortal Court had vacancies would ensure a bright future.

They probably still think they were driven back to the mortal world for breaking some heavenly rules due to not understanding the rules.

"Hmph, Dao realm, what's the use of it." Shi Ren put away the jade seal, sneering, with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"So... you treated Xuanqing and zi yang like this..."

The Imprisoning Hell Golden Body trembled, using all its strength to lift its head slightly. Despite the weak, mosquito-like voice, it still managed to emit a low, deep laugh.

Rustle!

The Hongze Great Immortal suddenly raised his palm, and an invisible force instantly gripped the Golden Body's neck.

He coldly looked over. "My parents were disciples of the Triad Immortal Sect, who died while governing chaos. Their colleagues treated me like a legitimate son. What do you commoners have to mock me?"

"Forget it."

Shi Ren calmly released his hand, saying disdainfully, "You don't even understand what the Triad Immortal Sect is. I don't want to waste words on you."

"I understand..."

The Imprisoning Hell GoldenBody slowly retracted its smile. Qingyan had learned many stories from its owner and knew what this Immortal had just done, why he enjoyed exterminating entire families and deliberately leaving survivors to suffer for life.

"What do you understand?" Shi Ren looked at him with interest.

Then he saw the Golden Body spit casually and laugh, "I understand that you're an... orphan, your mother is dead."

Slap—

The Immortal suddenly waved his sleeve, transforming Purity Qi into a hand, and struck the Golden Body's face hard!

His breathing quickened, and a fierce look appeared in his eyes.

Even his Flowing Cloud White Robe trembled slightly.

The Golden Body Incarnation's face was nearly half shattered, but the remaining half still bore an unmasked mocking smile.

"Keep smiling, once I deal with that evil demon... you wait."

Shi Ren bared his white teeth, returning a smile, nodding lightly, "Wait for me to return."

"Alright."

What surprised the Hongze Great Immortal was that the Golden Body, which had been nearly broken down, was unusually resolute today.

It still wore that damned smile, its broken, eerie face making the smile even more terrifying. Its voice was faint, like a whisper, "I'll wait for you."

The hall became quiet again.

Qingyan watched Shi Ren walk out of the hall, her numb eyes gradually regaining a glimmer of light.

The master said, only strive for the present.

...

West Flood.

Countless figures began to converge from all directions.

They wore different clothes, their expressions dejected, clearly all cultivators of various realms, yet they looked like refugees, completely lacking vitality.

But without exception, they all tightly clutched their most prized treasures in their hands and held their most skilled incantations.

Among them, there were even cultivators of the Heavenly Realm.

Ye Jiu was among this group, followed by his five remaining fellow disciples and the majority of cultivators from the Southern Seven Sects of Hongze.

As long as they had the cultivation of Soul Transformation and Void Return and could operate the treasure ship, even if they were newly admitted inner disciples, they were led by numerous elders and Dao disciples, rushing day and night from the border regions.

"Phew."

Su Hong stood at the front of the treasure ship. She had once particularly wanted to leave South Hong and participate in the competition among the geniuses of the entire Hongze.

But she never imagined that her first participation would be in such a terrifying scene.

She had never seen so many powerful cultivators, and among them were even those of her age who were not inferior to her in any way.

In front of these people, the Southern Seven Sects of Hongze had no advantage at all.

But at this moment, even cultivators with only Soul Transformation cultivation were not met with mocking glances; instead, their determination to wield their swords despite their low cultivation was even more commendable.

"I'm a bit nervous."

Despite her outstanding beauty, Jiang Qiulan seemed insignificant in such a vast crowd, easily overlooked if one wasn't paying attention.

"Because you haven't seen him?" Nie Jun made a sword flourish.

Leaving the sect with a resolve to die, how could she be nervous in such a situation?

They didn't even know what had happened, only that if they didn't draw their swords, they would never have the chance to do so again. Even if they could only tear a corner of a Northern Flood cultivator's robe, it would at least increase the chances of the opponent's demise.

Jiang Qiulan remained silent. She knew her end was near, but she really wanted to see him one last time.

The towering mountain in her heart, which had always stood so majestically, had suddenly vanished, leaving a void that was hard to fill.

She could wait forever, but she seemed to have no more time.

Of course, she was already extremely lucky. After all, there was a fellow disciple who was equally yearning, but didn't even have the chance to leave the treasure land to see who would kill her.

Yes... even in such a terrifying and horrifying scene.

They still felt that they were about to die.

But compared to being slaughtered in the treasure land, they chose a more active, though futile, way to die.

Because above this vast sea of cultivators.

Numerous powerful demons stood tall, countless Northern Flood cultivators soared through the clouds, and the Ten Thousand Li River and Mountain Map illuminated the area like a resplendent temple. Amidst the mountains and seas, a massive black dragon writhed continuously!

Though their numbers were few, each one exuded a formidable aura, like heavenly soldiers and generals, overlooking this world with a cold, detached gaze.

They were just waiting for Qi Tianchuan's command to turn this place into a hell.

Rumble—

A thunderous roar shook the air, the breath of the black dragon.

A wooden figure looked up, dazed.

His beloved master was dead, and so was the Eastern Dragon King who had taken care of him, both killed by the same person.

And he was still the same as he was a hundred thousand years ago, or perhaps even worse.

How could he have the right to leave South Hong and stand in this place again?

But Xuan Qing hesitated for a long time and ultimately decided to come.

Perhaps someone had once promised to take him to see the outside world again.

Of course, he wouldn't place all his hopes on Shen Yi, knowing that Shen Yi already had too much on his shoulders.

But that promise had stirred his dormant heart.

Just one more look, what did it matter if he had no cultivation? At worst, he would die and be free from his inner pain.

"It seems hard to win."

Qi Yan Sheng suddenly chuckled bitterly. He habitually compared the strengths of both sides and came to a conclusion that was somewhat disheartening.

No chance of victory.

This was why all the cultivators present wore grim expressions.

It was more like coming to die than fighting for their lives.

Above the sky, Qi Tianchuan sat in a commanding position, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

If they could be divided and defeated, the losses for the Northern Flood would be minimized.

Unfortunately, a group of demons interfered, forcing them to unite, which he hadn't expected. Even more surprising was that the Southern Flood barbarians had also rushed over, not to mention the cultivators from the other two Flood regions.

Today, there would be significant losses.

Thinking of this, he glanced sideways at the Elder Turtle, who had followed the Northern Dragon King for hundreds of thousands of years and was a key minister.

"Still, it's decisive." The Elder Turtle responded softly.

Only now, upon reuniting, did they realize the Northern Dragon Palace's losses were already extremely severe, to the point where it was difficult to account for them.

Fortunately, today's united effort of the three Flood regions could make other forces, including the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect, bleed, ensuring the Northern Dragon Palace's status remained unaffected. This was a good thing.

Moreover, for some reason, he had a chilling feeling, as if being watched by a pair of greedy eyes, which made the Elder Turtle somewhat uneasy. He urged, "Let's move."

Hearing this, Qi Tianchuan suddenly raised his hand. "Kill!"

A single word, like a thunderbolt, pierced through the heavens and earth, causing the cultivators below to change color.

Faced with the surging aura in the sky.

Their already fragile spirits became even more unstable, desperately needing someone to lead and boost their morale.

"......"

Ye Jiu slowly drew his Flowing Light Longsword, his sleeves dancing in the wind.

Even if it was a rusty sword, it still held power. He took a step forward, then suddenly stopped.

Still unable to see that figure, Ji Jingxi's mind was in a daze. Just as she was about to follow, she looked at her senior brother in confusion, "Hmm?"

"It seems I don't need to lead anymore."

Ye Jiu clenched his longsword, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed into the sky.

The next moment, almost everyone saw the figure quietly appearing in the sky.

One figure... ten figures... dozens of figures!

Over fifty colossal figures, each as vast as the sky, silently suspended above the Three Hong cultivators.

Their appearance dimmed the entire area, as if blocking out the sun and moon.

In this situation, the five figures ahead suddenly appeared, capturing everyone's attention.

The majestic Dark Golden Robe of Law fluttered like a celestial sunset.

The majestic figure with an ancient dragon head atop its head, its eyes like shimmering gold, were among the few lights in the dark sky.

The petite and voluptuous figures stood on either side, each with captivating beauty, yet distinct in their allure.

Yue Tianji stood in the center, his expression calm as an ancient well.

Lastly, the most massive and round figure, with a fierce and greedy gaze, stared at the Elder Turtle beside Qi Tianchuan.

But in the moment these uniform Dark Golden Robes appeared.

Almost everyone knew their identity.

"I once told the stinking bugs of West Hong that this land and water belong to my Demon Palace."

"I didn't remind you, though."

"So, let's make some changes today."

The deep dragon's roar echoed like a giant bell, ringing in everyone's ears.

They stared blankly at the five figures in the sky, then felt an almost Dao-like terrifying aura spreading, enveloping heaven and earth, causing all beings to tremble.

The golden Azure Dragon, high above, looked down at Qi Tianchuan, "Now, Hongze belongs to my Demon Palace, including you all."

Before he finished speaking, a golden dragon claw as vast as the sky descended from the depths of the sky.

Within the sharp dragon claws, the Ten Thousand Li River and Mountain Map was instantly torn to shreds, and the ethereal shadows of several seated figures in the Dao Palace finally lost their composure, fleeing in panic.

Boom!!

With a massive boom, the dragon claw stirred up the waters, its fingertips dripping with scarlet blood and the corpses of North Hong creatures.

"..."

Qi Tianchuan sat in a daze on his throne, his hand still frozen in the air.

The Elder Turtle pulled him up, roaring, "Half-step Dao Realm!"

With Lu Xiao and the Dragon King absent, a demon of such a realm was almost invincible!

"What's there to panic about!"

In the distance, an elder from the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect soared into the sky, quickly forming hand seals. A towering, tangible stone tablet descended from the sky with boundless might!

"We've been waiting for you."

The elder's calm facade finally turned into a furious rage.

They had waited so long, suppressing their emotions, only to finally encounter these murderers who had killed several of their sect leaders.

"Form the Greedy Wolf Star Constellation Array!"

The elder's roar resonated, and the remaining sect leaders of the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect stabilized their figures and began forming hand seals.

In the sky, stars twinkled, outlining an enormous peach blossom, within which a true Dao Realm might was unleashed!

This overwhelming pressure caused the cultivators below, including Ye Jiu and his group, to turn pale.

However, it wasn't just them; even the elder who had roared was now pale.

"..."

The elder hung in the air, his lips trembling.

Their array formation couldn't have been so fast, let alone this powerful. This peach blossom... it wasn't from the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the peach blossom slowly rotated, enveloping the stone tablet in its glow.

Yue Tianji finally took a step forward, his right arm transforming into a giant hands. With ease, he grasped the ancestral tablet, and with a slight exertion of his five fingers, he slowly pulled it towards himself.

Another Half-step Dao Realm! Five Palace Lords, five Half-step Dao Realms!

As this thought flashed through their minds, both the North Hong creatures and the remaining Three Hong cultivators were struck with shock.

Adding to this, there was the star constellation, and over fifty Earth Realm or Heaven Realm demons.

The Demon Palace, hidden in Hongze, already possessed the strength to annihilate the North Dragon Palace or even the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect!

However, several people in the arena fell silent.

Ji Jingxi, Ye Jiu, and the others exchanged glances, seeing the trembling in each other's eyes.

The Demon Palace had the Greedy Wolf Star Constellation Annihilation Array, and they used it with such as the Greedy Wolf Star Constellation Annihilation Array, and they used it with such familiarity, almost instantaneously.

This scene made it easy for them to think of one person.

That familiar black robe quietly appeared in everyone's minds.

"Has he... been here all along?"

This question should have been easy to answer, but no one dared to give a definite reply.

A Heaven Realm Intermediate cultivator, with over fifty Fusion Dao cultivators under his command, including five Half-step Dao Realms—this was an absurd situation to imagine.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end