Still holding the posture of having slain Shenxiao, utterly motionless. The great halberd pointed forward, an imposing, almost arrogant stance.

If only those eyes weren't darting around, the pose would have been perfect. The pity was not that Zong Shou didn't want to move, but that he couldn't.

The essence of Shenxiao he had absorbed was far too pure, so pure that Zong Shou simply could not let it go. Naturally, the source of Shenxiao's vital blood essence, and the inner elixir hidden within, were also highly coveted treasures—things that would make any cultivator's mouth water.

And so, this absorption became an unstoppable torrent. Primordial energy, like a surging great river, poured in from the tip of the halberd.

It caused his meridians throughout his body to constantly writhe and bulge, inflating to their absolute limit. Yet, he could still only accommodate less than a tenth of it.

His entire body was now like a balloon stretched to the breaking point, certain to rupture sooner or later. Thus, Zong Shou decisively channeled the remaining essence into the spiritual network of the Blood Cloud Cavalry formation.

First, he used it to repair the injuries of the more than four thousand riders, but this only consumed one or two percent. Zong Shou, helpless, then proceeded to cleanse their marrow and temper their bones for everyone.

This entire process took a full quarter of an hour. Only then was about seventy percent of the essence consumed.

However, by this point, even Zong Yuan and Yin Yang had their faces flushed crimson, looking at Zong Shou with pleading eyes. Even the two Seventh-Rank experts could hardly endure it anymore.

Zong Shou could not turn back, but he could feel the resentful gazes coming from behind. Under the circumstances, he had no choice but to release the Blood Cloud Cavalry for now.

Still, there remained two-tenths of the Divine Realm True Essence. To simply abandon it now would be a true waste.

Just as he was thinking this, Lei Dong Tianqi and Zhao Yanran, among others, were arriving on the mountaintop. Seeing the scene, the latter let out a cold laugh, "Is this the 'handsome' and 'cool' you described to Xue'er?

How much longer must you put on this display?" Zong Shou felt slightly awkward, but at that very moment, a surge of intent flowed into his left arm. Instantly, a small joy flared within him—Xiao Jin had awakened from its slumber.

Without hesitation, he funneled the entire remaining two-tenths of the Divine Realm Essence into Xiao Jin's body. This little creature now acted like a bottomless pit, frantically gulping down the Shenxiao essence.

Afterward, it seemed unsatisfied, as if it hadn't eaten its fill, constantly complaining to him. Zong Shou finally felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He lowered the halberd and sheathed his broken sword. As for Shenxiao's inner elixir, he naturally accepted it with a smile, letting it transform into a drop of golden liquid that sank into his Qi Sea.

However, he was in no mood to examine it now. The very first thing he did upon recovering was lightly wave his sleeve, releasing Xuanyuan Yiren from the spatial ring.

Yiren blinked first, her eyes filled with confusion. Looking towards the horizon, the overwhelming pressure that felt capable of crushing the very sky had vanished without a trace.

"Did the True Lord Shenxiao retreat?" The surrounding people fell silent. It was Tianqi who finally spoke, "A person of immense power intervened just now, obscuring the Heavenly Secrets.

However, True Lord Shenxiao appears to have perished!" Xuanyuan Yiren immediately froze, "How could that be? He was a Divine Realm expert.

By whose hand did he fall—" In her estimation, Zong Shou at best could have driven Shenxiao out of this realm; that would have been impressive. This entire situation arose because Zong Shou had pushed matters too far, causing this powerful figure to disregard the rules of the Cloud Realm entirely.

The other few looked at the blood-armored youth before them, their gazes filled with unspoken questions. "Who else could it be?" Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, a hint of triumphant smugness in his voice, "Besides me, who else in this realm could slay Shenxiao?

He was seeking his own death!" As these words fell, the expressions of everyone around him were filled with skepticism. Zhao Yanran, who had momentarily wondered if Zong Shou had truly felled Shenxiao, now secretly mocked herself for being foolish enough to think such a thing.

This Zong Shou truly had no sense of shame, daring to boast so brazenly. The others shook their heads as well.

Xuanyuan Tong mused that Shenxiao's demise must have been the work of another supreme being, but there was no harm in Zong Shou boasting like this; it cost him nothing and could intimidate the various cities. As for the major sects, he doubted anyone would believe it.

Tianqi nodded slightly, "The Boundary Protecting Venerables were quite impartial this time. If these foreign seniors could openly bend the rules to interfere in the affairs of our Cloud Realm, this realm would surely descend into chaos.

There are quite a few powerful elders in the various sects!" Xuanyuan Yiren also concluded that Shenxiao's end could only be the result of the Boundary Protecting Venerables making a move. She felt Zong Shou had won this battle purely by luck.

Thinking back, Xuanyuan Yiren felt a lingering fear. Her brow furrowed deeply, "Zong Shou, you should take today's events as a lesson.

Unless absolutely necessary, and only when you have absolute certainty, you must never push your opponent to the point of mutual destruction." Zong Shou inwardly chuckled silently. It wasn't that he lacked absolute certainty; it was that he had been treated as a pawn!

Although he was a member of the Azure Life Dao himself, why did he feel so deeply disgruntled? Once this matter concluded, upon returning to the Azure Life Dao Palace, he would certainly have to seek an explanation from the sect.

Zong Shou smiled and casually tossed the blood halberd in his hand to the side. "Zong Yuan!

You will command the Blood Cloud Cavalry in my stead and conquer the various sects! This time, any sect or aristocratic family that dares oppose Mount Qiantian shall leave nothing standing!

Furthermore, relay an order to Qiantian: appoint Qiu Tingzhu as the commander to attack Blazing Flame Mountain City and punish the rebellious! Within three months, I shall establish a kingdom and ascend the throne—" Zong Yuan caught the blood halberd, bowed deeply in salute, and immediately led the four thousand Blood Riders thundering away.

The Silent Sound couldn't help but interject, "My Lord commands four thousand Blood Cloud Cavalry; few in the Cloud Realm are your match. Eastern Cloud Continent will certainly fall into your grasp.

However, I implore my Lord to remember the suffering of the common people and the difficulty of life, and commit less slaughter!" Zong Shou ignored her, suddenly remembering something else. "Ah!

Right. You can take Commander Kong back with you.

When Qiu leads his army, have this woman sit in the commander's seat. Say she is my consort, standing in for me at the front lines.

The more people who know, the better. Yanran, please be troubled by this task—" This was an impulse—if he couldn't steal the corner of their wall, he would at least sow discord.

This could reduce the Great Shang's destiny by at least ten years! Kong Yao was furious, a suffocating rage building in her chest that she couldn't vent.

Her beautiful eyes widened as she glared at him in anger. This Zong Shou intended to make it impossible for her to ever return to the Great Shang, and furthermore, he intended to ruin her reputation!

How could such a person be so venomous? How could a person like this be worthy of being called a Saint King?

Of possessing that pure white Dragon Qi? Filled with indignation, a blood-red streak reappeared on Kong Yao's forehead.

The violent fluctuations of destiny had now ended. Viewing it through secret methods, although it still caused a sting, it was no longer as unbearable as before; it would only cost some longevity.

Then, she froze again. Why was the magnitude of this Dragon Qi even greater than before?

It was already vast and majestic, like fire blazing on oil or flowers embroidered on silk, but now it was surging, impossible to contain. —It seemed to have received some further assistance, possessing a faint aura capable of swallowing heaven and earth!

And it was that pure, flawless white! This made Kong Yao feel frantic.

The few Ancient Saint Emperors spoken of in legends were all saints of lofty moral character! How could Zong Shou, who slaughtered the innocent and committed every manner of evil deed, be placed in the same rank as those ancient emperors?

Zhao Yanran giggled, while Xuanyuan Yiren covertly pinched Zong Shou's waist. Zong Shou pretended not to notice, stepped firmly on the ground beneath his feet, and looked somewhat reluctantly at the dense spiritual energy that permeated the spiritual realm.

Even after an Immortal Realm level battle, the land showed no damage. "This Upper Firmament Spiritual Mansion will be given to the Kongqi Sect!

As for the spiritual lands and mineral veins of the various sects, the Seven Spirit Sect may claim thirty percent of whatever can be taken this time." Tianqi was overjoyed and bowed deeply, "My Lord's words are as unchangeable as a mountain! Tianqi is deeply grateful!" Thousands of years of management had barely allowed the Kongqi Sect to expand; today, one wise decision elevated the sect's ranking by several places— Shui Lingxiao also smiled, "My Lord's generosity is accepted by the Seven Spirit Sect without hesitation!" Zong Shou looked at the others again.

He saw that the eyes of Lei Dong, Jin Buhui, and the others held complex emotions, filled with contemplation, as if countless words were waiting to be spoken to him. He smiled, "Brother Brother and Brother Buhui, please wait a moment.

I, Zong Shou, still have two important matters to attend to. Whatever you have to say, we can discuss it back at Qiantian.

I promise a feast of a thousand toasts and a massive drunken revelry!" Xuanyuan Yiren's heart stirred immediately. One of the two important matters was surely finding her Uncle Weiran, who had sunk into the Cloud Sea and whose whereabouts and fate were unknown.

The other matter, she did not know. Zong Shou then gave her a slight nod of acknowledgment and directly shattered the void, stepping into the fissure of time and space.

After walking four steps outwards, he felt an immense strain. His internal Yuan power was still full.

However, contending with the temporal shifts, and the forces of tearing and compression, proved rather taxing. Indeed, being merely Eighth Rank was insufficient to traverse these spatial gaps.

After a short while, he finally stepped into a boundary river. The space here was relatively stable.

Just as he let out a breath of relief, Zong Shou saw an old man standing there quietly, hands clasped behind his back, waiting. With just one glance, Zong Shou knew that the person before him must be Long Ying.

Although this was their first meeting, Zong Shou felt an indescribable sense of intimacy, as if he and his master had spent countless times together, their connection perfectly natural. "Disciple Zong Shou pays his respects to Master!" "Rise!

I know you, Shou'er, are not one for excessive etiquette!" Long Ying turned around. Contrary to the fiery, booming voice implied, his appearance was that of a thin, refined, scholarly old man.

"Enough pleasantries! Ao Kun told me that you once had a chance encounter where you foresaw scenes using the World Observation Instrument, viewing the primordial state of the beginning?

His tone was filled with unconcealed impatience. Zong Shou laughed; he had already guessed his master would have such a temperament.

Without further ado, Zong Shou settled his mind into a state of deep stillness. In moments, an illusory scene manifested behind his head.

The core of the Primordial Beginning, the subsequent explosion, the unfolding of a world, and the formation of laws—all were displayed one by one. Although merely an illusion, the surrounding void stirred and became chaotic in response.

Cold sweat broke out across Zong Shou's forehead; the effort seemed immense. After only a few breaths, the illusion ended.

Then, he heard Long Ying's expression shift dramatically, "Is this the primordial scene you witnessed? How much longevity did it cost you?"