Chapter 332
Chapter 332
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Felling Heaven, Destroying Worlds
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"Felling Heaven, Destroying Worlds!"
These simple four words carried implications that sent chills down the spine. In that instant, Celestial Immortal Minghua in Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's hand trembled violently.
"Impossible, Supreme One!"
Celestial Immortal Minghua still wanted to convince herself. After all, the Profound Spirit Realm still had a Supreme One—whose might she had witnessed firsthand. It was utterly impossible to withstand.
"No—!"
The next second, a roar filled with utter grief and indignation echoed from the dome of the heavens.
The roar shockingly came from that illusory Heavenly Court. At the center of its layered pavilions and towers, atop the foremost seat in the Empyrean Palace, stood a majestic figure whose features could not be discerned.
The Supreme One of the Profound Spirit Realm.
Strictly speaking, within the Profound Spirit Realm, this Supreme One's power was formidable indeed—it was his home ground, where in single combat he feared no True Lord.
Yet the problem was, no one was engaging him in single combat. True Lords struck from east, west, south, and north, while several more lurked in the shadows observing. It was pure overwhelming numbers—like Mount Tai crushing an egg—leaving the Profound Spirit Realm's Supreme One with not the slightest hope of reversal!
He couldn't even comprehend it.
Why, upon discovering this world held a full thirty fruition positions with strength far exceeding the Profound Spirit Realm, hadn't he fled at once?
Had he lost his mind?
Even more absurd, not only did he not flee—he counterattacked, dispatching Celestial Immortal Minghua and the others, thereby exposing his home realm's location outright.
The consequence? No sooner had Celestial Immortal Minghua and her group arrived than the long-prepared True Lords traced their path back and charged in. The Profound Spirit Realm—once separated by vast distances from this world—was forcibly dragged over by the True Lords acting in concert!
"A fated calamity..."
Witnessing this, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling sighed once more. "So that's how it is. No wonder they turned a blind eye to my actions and offered no response."
His trip to the Ten Thousand Men Pit had been meant to halt all this.
With his sword intent, he could have severed the Profound Spirit Realm's link to this world. Yet unbeknownst to him, the Profound Spirit Realm was already earmarked game for the various True Lords.
A mere perfected Foundation Establishment—how could he defy the collective will of the True Lords?
In the end, he achieved nothing. Worse, he became a mere tool for the True Lords to maintain order, preventing Celestial Immortal Minghua and her ilk from wreaking havoc.
"...Fine then."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling drew a deep breath, swiftly clearing the clutter from his mind. "At least I saved a few lives. It's not entirely fruitless."
With that, he produced his storage pouch.
He loosened the drawstring.
Lu Yang, standing right beside Perfected Being Demon-Quelling, stole a glance inside. His pupils shrank abruptly at the astonishing sight within the pouch's mouth.
Heads.
Countless, packed tight—innumerable heads. Severed from their bodies, yet not dead. They lived and breathed, chattering animatedly among themselves!
The bizarre spectacle seized Lu Yang's full attention.
It held until Celestial Immortal Minghua's head, along with those of the three Earth Immortals, tumbled in and were slotted onto a rack. Only then did he jolt back to awareness.
He looked up—straight into Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's eyes.
They brimmed with serenity, devoid of any malice.
"Forgive the fright."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling offered a wry smile. "Those are the ones I've beheaded. I spared their lives but couldn't release tigers back to the mountains, so I keep them close."
"After all... better alive and wretched than dead and gone."
'Hiss!'
Something's wrong! This Perfected Being Demon-Quelling was off—ninety percent off! He seemed the picture of righteousness through and through, yet profoundly wrong!
But where exactly?
Regardless, Lu Yang betrayed no reaction on his face. Instead, he wore an expression of deep reverence. "Senior's heart is merciful indeed. The Sword Pavilion truly deserves its place as leader of the orthodox path."
"You're too generous."
Perfected Being Demon-Quelling shook his head and turned his gaze skyward once more. By then, the vast, boundless Heavenly Court phantom suspended in the firmament had sharpened into ever greater clarity, even taking on tangible substance.
Faintly below it, bubble-like lesser realm-heavens hovered. One by one, they severed ties with the Heavenly Court and dissolved into nothingness. Only at the last did the Heavenly Court fully coalesce, manifesting truly in this world!
"Boom!"
In a flash, a thunderous crash erupted from within the immense Heavenly Court. It fractured in stages, ultimately shattering into four massive chunks!
Each bore a towering Heavenly Gate.
The four directional Heavenly Gates, hauling their quarter-shares of the Heavenly Court ruins, plunged separately into Southern Yangtze, Northern Yangtze, Western Jiangxi, and Eastern Jiangdong!
"The Profound Spirit Realm... is done for!"
At the sight, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling shut his eyes. "With the Lords themselves acting, that realm holds no life now, I wager."
"Another realm-heaven obliterated."
"And this remnant form? The Lords have supped their fill, tossing us lesser cultivators the leftovers to fatten the help."
Scarce had he spoken when Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's brows furrowed. Beside him, Lu Yang's hackles rose—his thoughts bogged down by inexplicable drag, an intangible weight bearing down. No omens appeared, yet experience told him at once:
'A True Lord is watching us!'
Within the Ten Thousand Spirits Banner, Ancestor Tingyou sensed it too but dared not emerge. Hatred darkened his eyes alone:
"It's him... [Orthodox Virtue]!"
[Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]!
Lu Yang fixed eyes on nose, nose on heart, silent. Mercifully, the True Lord's gaze spared him entirely, not pausing on his form.
The next instant, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling's eyes snapped open. He turned to Lu Yang.
"Hand over the [Shen Metal]."
"This junior complies."
Lu Yang produced the [Shen Metal] forthwith. Perfected Being Demon-Quelling rapped the hilt of his waist-hung [No-Kill] Sword, loosing a ray of sword light.
In a blink, the light plunged into the [Shen Metal], piercing through and through. Lu Yang then spied a crimson fleck lurking amid what ought to have been pristine Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend essence—blood-bright. The sword light scoured it away, reviving the dormant [Shen Metal]'s vigor.
"...There."
Task complete, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling returned the [Shen Metal] to Lu Yang. "Mark erased. No more worries about traps."
"Many thanks, Senior!"
Lu Yang accepted it with utmost respect, sparing it a glance—yet suspicion gnawed: Any fresh marks now?
Who knew!
'A true hot potato!'
Lu Yang's head throbbed. This [Shen Metal] essence was his goal, but could he trust it free of rival machinations?
'The [Shen Metal] alone is one thing. Worse is me.'
'Have True Lords marked my own body? If yes, even clean [Shen Metal] won't reach the main body safely.'
'Thus... reincarnation can't wait!'
Lu Yang mulled it over. Only the [Netherworld] could launder this soul-splinter clean—reincarnation fair to all.
Just then, Perfected Being Demon-Quelling spoke anew:
"A chunk of the Profound Spirit Realm's Heavenly Court has crashed into Southern Yangtze, set to form a new marvel. The True Lord bids me lead an expedition."
"Fellow Daoist Lu, care to join?"
Profound Spirit Realm Heavenly Court fragments?
Lu Yang's eyes gleamed. No hesitation—he bowed. "Glad to ease Senior's load."
Chance at last!
War Dead Secret Realm. Soul-splinter rebirth. Identity scrubbed. Sword Pavilion entry... Thoughts aligned, path clear in a heartbeat!
Though...
'I feel like I forgot something?'