The clandestine meeting with the Sect Master, Garuda, was merely a baseline for Ye Xiu to secure his own safety net. The Insect Emperor of the Plague, in both character and cultivation, was clearly not someone destined to become the Lord of the Boundless Realm. Furthermore, Garuda's fusion with the Dao Profound Barrier only solidified Ye Xiu's choice—this was what taking a side truly meant.

The lands and rivers of the Boundless Realm were originally splendid, but following the invasion of the Divine Beasts, they were covered in withered weeds and desolate deserts. War was fatal to the Boundless Realm. "Whoosh..." At that moment, a single red maple leaf drifted down from the woods.

The shadow of that leaf transformed into a sharp blade, flying toward Ye Xiu and slicing across his cheek. Jun Bugu descended lightly, still clad in that familiar maple-red attire, though the azure-purple brilliance in his eyes had significantly diminished. "We meet again, Ye Xiu.

May I say it that way?" Ye Xiu retreated two steps. He certainly recognized this feeling; this Jun Bugu was the same tyrannical figure from before. "I suppose I see you every day now." Jun Bugu formed a claw with one hand, and the crimson maple longsword instantly appeared in his grip.

"It seems you remember me. How is that other fellow doing?" Ye Xiu had already heard about this figure’s actions from Garuda, but he needed personal confirmation. "In what capacity do you seek me now?

As a running dog for Sha Jun Tianxia, or something else?" "Running dog!" Jun Bugu circled Ye Xiu, tilting his head in disbelief. "Why wouldn't you assume I am one with Sha Jun Tianxia? We both originate from the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo.

It's just that he has currently seized the power of the fifth layer of the Primordial Embryo and still requires my layer." Hearing this, Ye Xiu sucked in a sharp breath; Jun Bugu had no reason to lie to him. "Are you saying Sha Jun Tianxia’s power is only at the fifth layer currently?" "The current Sha Jun Tianxia is merely a shell of the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo in the Human Realm. This shell cannot bear the Primordial Embryo's full power, which is why he needs my assistance," Jun Bugu smiled through gritted teeth.

"And today, I will help him eliminate the thorn in his side—you, Ye Xiu." Ye Xiu understood Sha Jun Tianxia's concerns, but he hadn't expected Jun Bugu to be the one tasked with this. "If that is the case, then there seems little left to say. May I ask you one final question." "I have plenty of time; ask whatever you wish!" Jun Bugu spread his arms wide.

Maple leaves now permeated the entire forest, swirling with the wind and completely encircling Ye Xiu. Activating his Azure Eye Brilliance, Ye Xiu immediately perceived the trajectory of Jun Bugu's power. This fellow currently wielded only Demon Realm energy, yet he was more formidable than ever before.

"I only wish to know why the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo's invasion of the Boundless Realm, much like the Underworld King of the Dead Kingdom, ultimately failed!" "That is a misconception. The Demon Realm Primordial Embryo did not fail; he simply gave up," Jun Bugu stroked his face, recalling scenes from antiquity. "The Demon Realm Primordial Embryo sent me as a vanguard into the Boundless Realm initially, but the environment there was too chaotic—it reached a point where moving one thread would shake the whole tapestry.

So, he withdrew." "Do you truly mean that?" Ye Xiu found it hard to believe. "When the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo entered, the Boundless Realm seemed newly formed; how could he give up so easily?" "The Heavenly Emperor, because of the Heavenly Emperor's power," Jun Bugu nodded steadily. "The Demon Realm Primordial Embryo discovered that the Heavenly Emperor's power was not confined to the Boundless Realm, so he retreated.

However, during his retreat, he forgot to recall the power within my body." Ye Xiu sighed softly. "It seems the most mysterious entity within the Boundless Realm is that Heavenly Emperor. What kind of role did this being play in the overall battle?

And what about the Underworld King of the Dead Kingdom?" "The invasion of the Dead Kingdom's army into the Boundless Realm was mostly due to the Heavenly Emperor as well. He originated from the Heavenly Sea Realm, though what that place truly is remains unknown," Jun Bugu moved rapidly toward Ye Xiu, seemingly losing patience. "That is all I know.

Shall we begin?" "Hmph!" Ye Xiu's Heavenly Scourge Sword was already in hand, currently parrying the blood-red Maple Sword held by Jun Bugu. "What benefit does Sha Jun Tianxia's Ice Breaking technique offer you!" "No benefit to me. When that time comes, I will return to the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo, enhancing Sha Jun's level of cultivation!" Jun Bugu flipped and leaped into the air, summoning endless maple leaves to surround Ye Xiu completely.

"You should know the might of the Maple-Red Blood Sea, shouldn't you?" Ye Xiu activated the Soul of a Hundred Insects and plunged into the earth beneath. To his surprise, the maple leaves began to dig three feet deep, forcing him back into the air. "I only need to know if I stand a chance against the single layer of power wielded by the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo." "Hahahaha!" Jun Bugu inverted himself, spinning his body, preparing to stab Ye Xiu.

The surrounding maple leaves instantly turned into a sea of blood, cascading down from the sky like a waterfall—a truly spectacular sight. "I have waited too long for this battle. Come, come and kill me!" Ye Xiu immediately unleashed the Heavenly Scourge Sword technique again.

The crimson radiance instantly flooded the entire space, and his figure followed the speed of the blood sea: "Heavenly Scourge Descending Shadow Kill!" "Clang! Clang!" The continuous sheet of blood sea was instantly shattered by the Heavenly Scourge Sword technique. They rained down like droplets, dyeing the surrounding woods a deep crimson.

"Now, I shall let you witness the power of the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo." Jun Bugu raised his Maple Sword, and instantly, a sky full of sword rain descended like a tornado. As the rain struck his body, it stimulated an endless flow of blood-light. "Maple is everywhere, but the intent to kill resides only in my heart." "What..." Ye Xiu watched as countless illusions of himself were sucked into the tornado.

He tasted the metallic scent of blood on his face without knowing when it had happened. "When did you manage that?" "Whoosh..." Jun Bugu reappeared directly behind Ye Xiu, grabbing him from behind, and they both shot into the bloody tornado. "Try facing me in my wind." "Ah...

Ya..." Ye Xiu hadn't expected Jun Bugu to attack at close quarters. He tried to break free but was held fast. Now, barbs had sprouted from Jun Bugu’s limbs, locking him and Ye Xiu firmly together as they plunged into the wind.

Ye Xiu saw that the tornado was filled with blades, and grotesque creatures with bloody mouths and razor-sharp claws, capable of tearing anything apart, crawled out of the sea of blood. "Is this the scenery of the Demon Realm?" "Heh heh heh, in despair now, are you?" As Jun Bugu spoke, both vanished into the blood-wind. Inside, sounds of howling and piercing cries continued unabated, and drops of black blood were violently scattered outward by the wind.

Ye Xiu ignited his entire body with Black Flame, but the Jun Bugu behind him and the demonic entities were completely unfazed by the flames of the Dead Kingdom. In desperation, he thrust the Heavenly Scourge Sword into his own abdomen. Crimson and black blood immediately merged and spilled out.

"Agh!" "I... did not expect you to disregard your own body so completely." Struck by the Heavenly Scourge Sword, Jun Bugu naturally loosened his grip. He flipped away and vanished into the blood-wind.

"But that alone isn't enough, ha ha ha!" Ye Xiu clutched his wound, activating his Azure Eye Brilliance to search for an exit from the blood-wind. However, the wind was solid, and the demons within it were so obscured that even the Azure Eye Brilliance could not penetrate them. "Heavenly Scourge Sword, go!" "Clang!" The blood-wind acted like an impenetrable fortress; no matter how Ye Xiu swung his sword techniques inside, he could not break through.

Jun Bugu occasionally poked his head out to mock Ye Xiu. "What's wrong, Death God? With this level, how do you expect to contend with Sha Jun Tianxia?

Isn't that just suicide?" Enraged by Jun Bugu, Ye Xiu transformed into his fiery form and charged towards the top of the blood-wind, slamming against it violently. Yet, the structure was truly indestructible. "How can this be?

These blood droplets can form a barrier!" "What, you can't get out? Then watch this!" Jun Bugu burst out of the blood-wind, his Maple Sword aimed directly at Ye Xiu. Ye Xiu deflected one strike with his sword but was immediately seized by the demons behind him.

Consequently, Jun Bugu landed another strike on his limbs, causing immense pain. "Hah..." Jun Bugu hovered upside down in mid-air. This blood-wind was his domain; here, he could do as he pleased.

"Give up, Ye Xiu. Even if you possess the Ksitigarbha Buddha Power that makes even Sha Jun tremble, you cannot utilize it." "Blood-wind, is it!" Ye Xiu roared, the power in his chest beginning to churn restlessly. He swung the Heavenly Scourge Sword and sliced his own arm, causing a gush of scarlet blood to erupt.

"Today, I will show you the blood that originates from the Underworld!" "Rumble..." The blood droplets previously scattered in the air instantly surged like a mountain torrent. In a flash, the power of the Styx River Blood Sea burst forth from Ye Xiu's body, shattering the barrier of the blood-wind. "Whoa!" Jun Bugu's eyes widened as he was flung backward.

His face was covered in blood, and his previous agility was gone. "How could this be? What is this thing?" Ye Xiu’s senses were somewhat muddled as he fell into the bloody ground.

The Styx River Blood Sea rushed toward him, completely submerging the entire forest. He stood atop the blood-water and sneered, "What is it, power of the Demon Realm Primordial Embryo? You can't even withstand the might of the Styx River Blood Sea; how do you expect to force me to use the Ksitigarbha Buddha Power!" Jun Bugu rapidly flew into the air, looking down at the stream of blood flowing from Ye Xiu's arm, which had rapidly formed a river.

"Such potent bloody energy. No wonder Sha Jun Tianxia considers you his greatest enemy. How much different power lies latent within your body?" "Hahahaha!" Ye Xiu suddenly lost control, looking up and pointing the Heavenly Scourge Sword at Jun Bugu.

"What is it, Demon Realm Primordial Embryo? Is this the extent of your strength? If so, you could summon several more Sha Jun Tianxia, and they still wouldn't be my match."