In the mortal realm, within the Spiral Star Domain. This was the very day that Gu Xichen had decreed months prior for the convocation of the Myriad Immortals Assembly.
Within the Grand Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiend Star Formation, a straight avenue had been opened, leading directly from beyond the Star Domain into the Imperial City of Yafeike.
The avenue spanned a hundred li in width, a thousand li in height, and stretched for tens of light-years. Thirty-three successive archways, each three hundred and sixty li tall, were aligned in the avenue, encircled by clouds of golden mist and purple haze supporting these structures forged from exquisite gold and jade. The light of the myriad stars illuminated them, causing these crystalline marvels to shimmer brilliantly in the void, their radiance piercing ten thousand li.
Beneath each archway stood vast formations of Immortals clad in golden armor and breastplates, cinched with blood-red cloaks. These Immortals were arrayed in neat V-shaped flights on either side of the archways. The leading Immortals all possessed the cultivation of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, each supported by sixteen deputies at the peak of the Grand Yi Golden Immortal realm. The weakest among the remaining Immortals were still at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm.
Ten thousand Immortals were stationed beneath every archway. Across the thirty-three archways, there were sixty-six Grand Luo Golden Immortals and three million peak Golden Immortals. This force far surpassed any power in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths; neither the Yuanluo Palace nor the Three Gods Palace of old could muster such a number of Grand Luo Golden Immortals, nor could they field millions of peak Golden Immortals.
Not to mention that every single Immortal was equipped with standardized, top-grade immortal artifacts. The golden armor and breastplates were top-grade immortal artifacts; the cloaks on their backs were top-grade immortal artifacts; the golden belts at their waists were top-grade immortal artifacts; the cloud boots on their feet were top-grade immortal artifacts; and their weapons—the long swords in their hands, the long spears and halberds on their backs—were all top-grade immortal artifacts.
Gazing upon these Immortals whose entire bodies radiated divine light, each piece of equipment emitting powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy, the Immortals arriving from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths would have been utterly ashamed, feeling like a gathering of beggars attending a banquet organized by the richest entities in the entire cosmos.
Having received the invitations dispatched by Gu Xichen, the Immortals who arrived at the Spiral Star Domain with various motives and intentions, found themselves bowing their heads before these stalwart, proud, and imposing, formidable Immortals, carefully concealing the myriad thoughts in their hearts.
When these overlords of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths first heard the news that the Evil Dragon Venerable Gu Wuchen intended to convene the Myriad Immortals Assembly to proclaim himself ‘Saint’—they were dismissive, their hearts filled with derision. Although the vast majority of Immortals had accepted the invitation to the Spiral Star Domain, many harbored ill intentions, hoping mainly to embarrass Gu Xichen at the Assembly and thus gain renown.
However, the sight of these welcoming Immortals alone caused these magnates from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths to discard some of their nefarious notions.
Composing their expressions with mouths observing noses and noses observing hearts, they followed the guiding Immortals, traveling by cloud through the lengthy avenue toward the venue prepared by the Spiral Star Domain.
Suddenly, a First-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortal from the High Void Pure Bright Heaven casually flicked out a beam of sword light, aiming it at the dense, silver-ingot-like radiance on the right side of the avenue. This Grand Luo Golden Immortal suspected the gleaming silver avenue was some illusion; it seemed impossible for such a solid avenue to be formed from such intense and dense stellar power.
Dozens of groups of Immortals behind and ahead turned to watch the result of this Grand Luo Golden Immortal’s probing strike. All the gathered Immortals watched with bated breath.
A horrifying event occurred. From the smooth, clean avenue wall, which seemed cast from a silver plate, erupted a colossal sound like collapsing mountains and surging seas. A thick silver beam shot out from the wall, adhering to the Immortal like a lizard’s tongue snapping at a bug, instantly dragging him into the silver light.
With three clear and melodious peals of thunder, a bright, glorious radiance burst forth within the avenue. The Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths could no longer sense the presence of that Immortal. Those who had been eagerly anticipating a spectacle now turned ashen-faced and hurried onward through the avenue, daring not to harbor further mischief.
The restrictions within this avenue were not mere illusions but a genuine killing formation capable of instantly slaying a First-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
Since it could instantly kill a First-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortal, it could certainly gravely wound Middle-Grade and Upper-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortals. Immortals below the Grand Luo realm were mere cannon fodder within this passage. Looking upon this starlight avenue, subtly radiating lethal intent, the Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths became exceedingly docile.
Exiting the avenue, a sudden brightness greeted them. One hundred and eight massive silver stars quietly appeared before the assembled Immortals.
Ancient, desolate, and incomparably vast fluctuations of stellar power rolled toward them. These one hundred and eight stars had already compressed their volumes to the extreme, yet each still possessed a diameter of nearly half a light-year. This expanse of void had clearly been augmented by a Grand Power with a spell akin to the Sumeru in a mustard seed; these one hundred and eight colossal primordial stars floated quietly in this space without appearing too crowded.
However, the divine senses of the Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were sufficiently strong. Their divine consciousness swept across the surroundings, clearly discerning the true size and substance of these stars. Such immense stars, emitting such an ancient and distant aura, caused some of the older Grand Luo Golden Immortals to begin suspecting the true identity of these stellar bodies.
The guiding demon Immortal from the Nine Hells Dao, with an air of smug satisfaction, slowly led these magnates from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths past the tops of these one hundred and eight great stars, intentionally slowing their escape light so that more and more Immortals gathered above them.
Just as almost all the Immortals who had come upon Gu Wuchen’s summons for the Myriad Immortals Assembly, along with their retinues, had arrived, a blazing starlight erupted from the one hundred and eight great stars. One hundred and eight bizarrely shaped colossal beasts surged and floated within the starlight. Each beast was strange beyond mortal imagination, and every one emanated the palpable, formidable magical fluctuations characteristic of Grand Luo Golden Immortals. “Heavens! The One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends!”
An aged Grand Luo Golden Immortal from the Utmost Limit Heaven cried out in terror, recognizing what these one hundred and eight strange beasts represented—the true forms of the Innate Star Lords, the One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends, had manifested!
Earth-shattering laughter boomed from the mouths of the colossal beasts. The pervasive starlight retracted, and one hundred and eight Immortal Lords, adorned with starry coronets and cloaks of celestial light, whose eyes held swirling nebulae, manifested simultaneously. Behind these one hundred and eight Immortal Lords, over ten million Immortals, their bodies wrapped in silver starlight, surged forth from the stellar radiance. These silver-armored Immortals, gripping longswords of uniform design, roared in unison, their immense clamor causing the very starry expanse to tremble.
With soaring battle intent, vast fluctuations of stellar power transformed into sharp sword qi that shot skyward. These over ten million Immortals were the main army of the One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends, who specialized in the life-bound stellar power cultivation method of the Star Lords. Once they formed the Grand Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiend Star Formation, their destructive power was comparable to the most renowned killing formations of the ancient Jie Sect.
The numerous Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths followed the guiding demon Immortal of the Nine Hells Dao in a dazed, enchanted manner. The One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends had appeared with their main forces; what other terrifying sights awaited them? Among those over ten million main Immortals of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends, almost half possessed the cultivation of Grand Yi Golden Immortals. The total number of Grand Yi Golden Immortals across all realms of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths was roughly equivalent to this contingent, but how could these Immortals compare to the main Stellar Immortals of these Star Lords? These were seasoned elites who had trained according to orthodox military methods and sparred against each other for countless eons!
The anxious assembly of Immortals slowly flew past the star domain controlled by the One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends. Suddenly, another fierce radiance burst forth ahead.
Three hundred and sixty colossal, ancient stars floated in the void. Another three hundred and sixty great beasts swaggered within the starlight for a while before three hundred and sixty Star Lords appeared, leading over ten million Immortals clad in silver-purple armor amidst the starlight. This was the true manifestation of the Three Hundred and Sixty Star Gods of the Heavenly Cycles, and the over ten million purple-armored Immortals were their main Stellar Immortals.
Here were another three hundred and sixty Grand Luo Golden Immortals, the true forms of the ancient Star Lords themselves, and about thirty percent of their subordinate Stellar Immortals possessed the cultivation of Grand Yi Golden Immortals. This represented yet another immense force comparable to any single celestial realm in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Tremblingly, they traversed the stellar expanse controlled by the Three Hundred and Sixty Star Gods of the Heavenly Cycles. Ahead, another blinding light soared into the sky.
Twenty-eight enormous stars, surpassing even those of the One Hundred and Eight Star Lords of the Celestial Dipper and Terrestrial Fiends and the Three Hundred and Sixty Star Gods in scale, flashed in the void. The Twenty-Eight Constellation Star Lords manifested their true forms, flying through the air, leading millions of their main Stellar Immortals who were practicing formations amidst the starlight, demonstrating the Four Symbols Grand Formation of the Azure Dragon of the East, the Black Tortoise of the North, the White Tiger of the West, and the Vermilion Bird of the South. The spectacle was one of rampant murderous intent that caused the faces of the Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths to change drastically.
When the Azure Dragon roared in fury, azure lightning bolts flew everywhere; when the Black Tortoise bellowed, vast seas of dark, heavy water swept across the firmament; when the Vermilion Bird cried out, the Southern Pure Fire threatened to collapse the sky; when the White Tiger pounced, countless golden sabers and flying swords spun across the void, their chilling aura sweeping tens of millions of li in every direction.
This Four Symbols Grand Formation alone, enacted by the Twenty-Eight Constellations, was enough to effortlessly slaughter every Immortal in any single realm of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
The Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths looked at one another; the last vestiges of any ill intent in their hearts vanished without a trace. Circumstances dictated their actions; who would dare risk their life to offend an entity possessing such formidable martial power?
Yet, these Immortals were puzzled: weren't these Star Lords and Heavenly Soldiers and Generals all supposed to have followed the Haotian God to another world to carve out territory? Why were they here? Could it be—could it possibly be...
Every Immortal from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths shuddered violently. Could the backer behind the Dragon Venerable Gu Xichen be the Haotian God? Some Immortals suddenly looked revitalized, their complexions flushing red.
If Gu Xichen truly had the backing of the Haotian God, the paramount authority of the Three Realms, the benefits of aligning with Gu Wuchen would be immense! It would be akin to bandits and vagrants being granted amnesty by the government, receiving an official title and gaining an ultimate patron—this was a great fortune!
With varied thoughts churning, the Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths proceeded onward.
Along the way, they observed the Five Peck Star Lords leading their main forces in drills; the Six Ding and Six Jia Deities patrolling with countless Heavenly Soldiers; various Heavenly Generals commanding their troops to sweep across the firmament; and countless known and unknown powerful Heavenly Generals leading cavalry through the void.
Just traversing this stretch of land, they had seen no fewer than ten thousand Heavenly Generals and Divine Lords at the Grand Luo Golden Immortal cultivation level. Their subordinate Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were robust and formidable. That level of martial might, that aura of slaughter, that overwhelming majesty, had terrified the Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths until their courage was no greater than a white rabbit’s.
Even the most brutal and violent demon kings from the Ten Directions Hell had stooped their backs, grinning broadly as they ingratiated themselves with the guiding demon Immortals of the Nine Hells Dao, constantly referring to their ‘Esteemed Senior Elder, the Evil Dragon Venerable.’ The sycophantic expressions they wore were likely something they had never shown even their own fathers.
This was only the force witnessed along the route; this strength alone was sufficient to sweep through the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths and flatten all Immortal factions therein.
When these Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths arrived at the main venue of the Myriad Immortals Assembly—the Thirty-Three Heavens Heavenly Court constructed by Gu Xichen—the magnates of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths simultaneously gasped, lowering their heads obediently, daring not to utter another sound.
Within the thirty-three layers of densely packed palaces and pavilions, spanning an area unfathomable in its immensity—though the count was indistinct—there were countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, numbering at least in the billions, drilling in formation. Innumerable Immortals and Divine Lords rode upon flood dragons, celestial cranes, qilin, and celestial deer, traversing the air. Countless fairy maidens, celestial boys, and Yellow Turban strongmen were busy setting up banquets with endless celestial fruits and fine wine in various halls.
Above the main Southern Gate of the First Heaven, an imposing and majestic archway stood tall. Inscribed upon it were three gilded ancient divine characters. An Immortal who recognized the ancient script cautiously read the three characters aloud: they were indeed 'South Heaven Gate'!
Beneath this archway stood four Heavenly Generals, their chests thrust out, their bearing imposing and dignified: the four brothers of Mo Li. Though not the originals, they were still the authentic Grand Marshals guarding the South Heaven Gate—the famous Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo Family!
Beside these Four Heavenly Kings, the five brothers of Xin Jia stood arrayed, leading millions upon millions of Yellow Turban Strongmen in formation—this was precisely the Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare Grand Formation, upon which the ancient Heavenly Court relied to awe the Three Realms. At the core of the formation stood a tall pagoda, upon which hung a gleaming, bright mirror, thirty-six feet high, continuously spewing forth purple qi and cyan haze.
A sharp-eyed Immortal glanced into the mirror and clearly saw the myriad scenes of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths displayed within. The hearts of these Immortals sank heavily once more.
The Haotian Mirror—there was no mistake; it was the formidable treasure the Haotian God relied upon to monitor the Three Realms, the Haotian Mirror itself! With the Haotian Mirror present, there was no room for doubt: the Evil Dragon Venerable’s backer was the Haotian God. One only needed to observe the countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals here; their grandeur and murderous aura could not be faked by ordinary Immortals.
A guiding demon Immortal from the Nine Hells Dao extended a hand, gesturing to the stunned Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, smiling, “Welcome, esteemed seniors! Our Great Master and the Matriarch Empress are waiting for you inside.”
The Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths lowered their heads and cautiously passed through the South Heaven Gate, ascending toward the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Suddenly, a female Immortal of Middle-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortal cultivation separated from the ranks and approached Mo Lihong, bowing respectfully, “Senior, do you still recall this junior? During the Peach Banquet years ago, this junior followed her master to pay respects to you.”
Mo Lihong paused, furrowed his brow, and looked at the female Immortal, then burst into laughter, “I remember! You are that little Taoist nun who accompanied Yun E Xian? Hah, you’ve cultivated to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm after so many years? Not easy, not easy! It's a pity about your master—alas, why did she wade into those troubled waters back then?” He clapped the female Immortal heavily on the shoulder and sighed, “Regarding that incident back then, your master was struck until her soul scattered by an Outer Domain Great Sage right before my eyes! Alas, my four brothers and I were too late to render aid—we are ashamed, truly ashamed!” The female Immortal stared at Mo Lihong in horror and exclaimed, “Are you truly Senior Mo Lihong?” Mo Lihong’s face darkened, and he snorted coldly, “Is there anyone else who dares impersonate me?”
Shaking his head, Mo Lihong patted the female Immortal’s shoulder and chuckled softly, “Because you are an acquaintance’s disciple, I’ll give you some good advice: you must not provoke the Supreme Being. Take your disciples and descendants and join the Nine Hells Dao; never, ever think of opposing the Supreme Being!”
Mo Lihong’s eyes flashed like cold steel as he casually swept his gaze over the nearby Immortals who were straining their ears to listen. He then gave the female Immortal a push, directly sending her onto the Nine Hells Palace above the Thirty-Three Heavens.
The hearts of the Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths grew heavier still. This female Immortal was a famous hegemon among them, enjoying no small reputation in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. The fact that she had a connection with Mo Lihong and recognized him proved that the Four Heavenly Kings guarding the gate were indeed the very ones who guarded the South Heaven Gate in the past.
This realization set the minds of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortals stirring. Confront the Haotian God? They did not possess the courage for that!
Unless one was an ancient Sacred Being of the Primordial Chaos level, who would dare provoke the Haotian God unnecessarily? The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were established precisely to house those Primordial Chaos level entities; they had little to do with the minor Immortals of the current era. Even if these individuals possessed cultivation at the peak of Upper-Grade Grand Luo Golden Immortal, their power was insignificant in the context of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Tens of millions of Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths slowly ascended the cloud steps. Along the way, they passed countless exquisitely detailed palaces and pavilions, and witnessed countless elite troops and fierce generals of the Thirty-Three Heavens. Finally, they arrived before the Nine Hells Palace.
In the square before the Nine Hells Palace, covering nearly ten thousand li in area, stood legions of disciples of the Nine Hells Dao, clad in luxurious robes and holding various great banners, pennants, and countless ritual implements. The more accomplished among these disciples possessed Grand Luo Golden Immortal cultivation, while the lowest were merely at the Golden Core stage, even including some beast-faced, rat-headed disciples who had only just achieved semi-human forms.
These disciples of the Nine Hells Dao had been selected randomly from among the various cultivation tiers within the Dao, specifically so they could observe this grand assembly.
The disciples of the Nine Hells Dao had flushed faces, staring intently at the Immortals who were trembling with fear of incurring disaster. Their excitement was so intense they nearly fainted.
Many of these disciples had entered the Nine Hells Dao even before Gu Wuchen, and they had watched as Gu Xichen led the Dao step-by-step to its present state.
From Earth—a minuscule planet—a common faction, leading to today’s tremendously powerful and flourishing situation.
The myriad Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths bowed their heads; the countless sentient beings of the Three Realms and Five Elements submitted; such majesty, such glory—how could they have ever imagined this in the past?
Especially during the period when the Kunlun and Zhongnan Sects tormented the members of the Nine Hells Dao, the disciples had felt bewildered, despaired, and had cursed the heavens hysterically. But today, all that pain was cast beyond the farthest reaches of the sky.
From this day forward, the Nine Hells Dao would reign supreme in the Three Realms, its might extending throughout the Nine Heavens. Within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, no faction would dare look upon the current Nine Hells Dao with anything less than utmost deference.
The veteran disciples of the Nine Hells Dao raised their heads, watching these proud overlords from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths with pride, and roared in unison, “Immortals from all regions of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, register your names and enter the Nine Hells Palace!” Register and enter? The Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were filled with indignation. To be told to register! This was too insulting, too humiliating—they were being treated as less than human! But before the Immortals could unleash their anger, an overwhelmingly powerful pressure surged down from the entrance of the Nine Hells Palace.
Wearing a crown and clad in a black robe like a goddess of the night, Fu Ya-Ming appeared silently at the Palace entrance, flanked by a retinue of female Immortals. Five-colored celestial light rippled around her. A vast imperial pressure, transformed into dense Profound Yellow Qi, pressed down upon their heads. She activated her Profound Yellow Indestructible Body cultivation method, employing the Three Forms Divine Abilities of Lunar, Solar, and Settling Heaven that Gu Xichen had comprehended. The immense pressure swept down like a tsunami.
With a deafening crash, nine-tenths of the millions of Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths in the square fell heavily onto both knees, unwillingly kneeling before Fu Ya-Ming. They did not wish to kneel, but the Emperor’s pressure released by Fu Ya-Ming was too astonishing; these Immortals felt as if dozens of great mountains had crashed down upon them, leaving them no choice but to submit.
Fu Ya-Ming let out a disdainful cold laugh as she gazed upon the remaining few, the exceptionally powerful Immortals who were desperately using all their magical power to resist her pressure.
Throughout the entire arrangement, she had intentionally used the Innate Star Lords to intimidate these Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—it was all designed to subdue them without a fight. Now that their will had been broken by the mighty army led by the Innate Star Lords, yet they still struggled before her, was that not self-deception?
With a strange sound, a divine light shot up from the crown of Fuya 7Ming, and the Empress incarnation from her Three Corpses Primordial Spirit ascended from the light, bearing the ruined patterns of the Haotian Pagoda. A terrifying pressure, tens of thousands of times stronger than before, bore down upon them. Instantly, all the Immortals, save for a few at the peak of Daluo Jinxian, fell heavily to their knees. The muffled thud of knees striking the ground rose and fell in succession, and a vast, dark mass of Immortals knelt across the plaza.
To the Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the Imperial might unleashed by Fuya 7Ming was truly like Mount Tai bearing down, like a hurricane charging head-on. But for the disciples of the Nine Nether Path and the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, it was like the gentle breeze and nourishing rain; torrents of warm energy flowed down upon them, multiplying their vital essence, spirit, and mental energy several times over.
Especially for those Heavenly Soldiers and Generals who had received Heavenly Seals, their immortal power surged rapidly, drawn by the Imperial might of Fuya 7Ming. In the span of a single breath, their magic power actually increased significantly. They cheered and shouted in unison, wildly blowing war horns, the immense sound shaking the heavens and earth into chaos.
Finally, the frenzied fighting intent of these Heavenly Soldiers and Generals was skillfully woven together by Fuya 7Ming’s Imperial pressure, transforming into a tangible, massive force that blasted directly toward those Immortals, who were clinging desperately to their footing, possessing the cultivation of Daluo Jinxian peak.
An old Immortal whose hair resembled verdant wood and whose body was as slender as a green bamboo trembled violently, struggling to resist the terrifying pressure imposed by Fuya 7Ming. With a wave of his hand, one hundred and eight bamboo leaves transformed into a thicket of emerald vapor, enveloping his entire body and firmly sheltering him within the green light. However, the Empress incarnation of Fuya 7Ming merely glared, and the immense pressure in the void was immediately drawn by her gaze, coalescing into two invisible, colorless, and soundless terrifying forces that blasted toward the old Immortal’s protective green light.
With two soft pop sounds, the old Immortal’s body shook violently as if struck by lightning. His protective green light was shattered into dust, and his bamboo-like body retreated several hundred paces before finally collapsing heavily to his knees.
This pressure was the powerful battle intent emanating from hundreds of millions of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals from the Thirty-Three Heavens, amplified and converged by the Haotian Pagoda, and then manifested as the Imperial pressure generated by Fuya 7Ming through the Xuanhuang Indestructible Body, a cultivation technique exclusively practiced by the Haotian God. To resist such pressure with the power of one person against the countless Immortals and Divine Lords of the Thirty-Three Heavens was impossible for any Immortal, save a Saint.
The other few peak Daluo Jinxian also eventually knelt in resignation after two or three of their protective treasures were smashed. They struggled desperately within the tsunami of rolling pressure; this immense force not only crushed their physical bodies but also attacked their primordial spirits. If they were not careful, their primordial spirits could be completely obliterated by this pressure, leaving them as puppets with no consciousness, obeying only the commands of Fuya 7Ming.
The Divine Ability of the Xuanhuang Indestructible Body, the Haotian Pagoda, and the (Cangsheng Seal)—these were the divine abilities and profound methods by which the Haotian God reigned over the Three Realms. As the supreme being of Heaven and Earth, he naturally could not engage in life-or-death battles with mere swings of blades and spears like other Immortals. The application of imposing aura and the assault on the primordial spirit were the core essence of the Haotian God’s cultivation technique set.
Fuya 7Ming displayed a beautiful smile. She looked down from her height upon the kneeling Immortals and stated coolly, "All of you have traveled a great distance; from now on, you are all members of my Nine Nether Dao. You must obey my command. If any among you are unwilling, you may state it immediately." Ten thousand Immortals remained silent; not a single one could utter a sound.
A few demon Immortals from the Ten Directions Hell, who possessed steadfast natures and fiery tempers, attempted to raise their heads to curse Fuya 7Ming a few times. But the Empress incarnation of Fuya 7Ming merely swept a glance toward them. These few Demon Immortals were instantly struck as if hit by the heavy fists of tens of thousands of Guardian Heavenly Kings; they spat blood from all seven orifices and plummeted backward, blasted clear out of the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Mo Liqing, guarding the South Heavenly Gate, snorted coldly. Dozens of boundless divine chains shot out, piercing the vital points all over the Demon Immortals’ bodies, hanging them suspended in the boundless void. Heavenly fires, Heavenly lightning, and various golden blades swooped down from the sky, attacking and battering these Demon Immortals indiscriminately. The pain caused the Demon Immortals to howl mournfully, their piercing cries drifting all the way up to the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Fuya 7Ming coldly watched the panicked Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. After a full quarter of an hour, she slowly said, "I ask all Immortal friends to register your names now. Henceforth, you are all members of my Nine Nether Dao. Fuya 7Ming and my husband will treat you equally, without the slightest difference." Her figure flickered, and Fuya 7Ming stepped aside to reveal the gateway to the Nine Nether Palace.
The female Immortal who had just forged a connection with Mo Lihong was the first to stand up. She led nearly a thousand of her followers and subordinates slowly toward the steps before the Nine Nether Palace. With every step she took, she loudly announced her name and repeatedly professed her devout intention to join the Nine Nether Dao.
When the female Immortal reached the front of the Nine Nether Palace, Fuya 7Ming stopped her, immediately accepted her into her personal lineage, and bestowed upon her several thousand top-grade and superior-grade immortal artifacts. While the female Immortal and her followers were overjoyed, the somewhat wavering resolve of the other Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths began to slightly loosen.
After exchanging glances, several more Immortals slowly rose, bowing their heads as they led their subordinates and disciples forward.
Thus, after seven days and seven nights, everyone except those most stubborn peak Daluo Jinxian and their retinues had obediently submitted to the Nine Nether Dao.
Fuya 7Ming coldly stared at these few peak Daluo Jinxian, slowly raising her hand as if preparing to issue the command for their execution.
In Fuya 7Ming's view, since these stubbornly recalcitrant old Immortals refused to submit, eliminating them directly was the most satisfactory course of action.
Just as Fuya 7Ming was about to issue the kill order, a three-legged fire raven suddenly burst forth from the Nine Nether Palace. Solar Blazing Flames circled the fire raven, and rolling heatwaves swept across the Thirty-Three Heavens, the terrifying heat causing even those peak Daluo Jinxian Immortals to change their expressions.
The pitch-black Solar Blazing Flames revolved around these Immortals, burning their eyebrows and beards into green smoke that drifted away. The despair-inducing heat drilled into the Immortals’ internal organs, causing their bodies to continuously secrete torrents of hot sweat.
Having refined themselves into Immortals, they had long since transcended the Five Elements and were normally untainted by dust. For these old Immortals to be sweating profusely like this could only occur under one circumstance: the Five Decays of Heaven and Man! This was a phenomenon that only occurred when an Immortal was on the verge of vanishing and finally turning to dust.
The appearance of heavy sweat proved that these old Immortals had already damaged their fundamental vital essence; the essence, spirit, and mind they had accumulated over countless eons of arduous cultivation were continuously flowing away with the sweat.
The three-legged fire raven gazed coldly at the old Immortals and harshly reprimanded them, word by word, with chilling indifference: "Submit, or die!"
These old Immortals stiffened their necks, still trying to maintain the dignity of peak Daluo Jinxian and their last sliver of face. But a figure flashed, and the incarnation split from the Solar Primordial Spirit of Gu Xichen arrived before the gate of the Nine Nether Palace.
The Solar Profound Bead flew up from the Solar Primordial Spirit’s head, transforming into a vast expanse of fire that illuminated all directions. The terrifying heat threatened to melt the Thirty-Three Heavens’ Celestial Court, and the starlight throughout the heavens seemed on the verge of igniting from this heat capable of burning away everything.
Bright as the blazing sun, illuminating all directions. The Solar Primordial Spirit pointed its finger at the Solar Profound Bead, spewing forth an incomparably intense heat to shock the four directions. He coldly looked at the old Immortals and sternly roared, "Submit or die! You have no other choice!"
The old Immortals exchanged glances, then suddenly roared in unison, "For us to lower ourselves to become your disciples? We would rather die than submit!"
The Solar Primordial Spirit burst into loud laughter. He clapped his hands forcefully and declared, "Excellent! Who said you would be mere disciples of my Nine Nether Dao? You shall be the Supreme Consecrated Elders of my Nine Nether Dao! You will possess authority second only to the Honored Self and Fuya! How do you find that?"
Looking arrogantly at these peak Daluo Jinxian, the Solar Primordial Spirit stated calmly, "Joining my Nine Nether Dao means you lose nothing; instead, you will gain the immense support of my Nine Nether Dao. Celestial treasures, profound methods—we have everything. Why do you still hesitate?"
With a wave of his hand, countless Primordial-level materials transformed into rolling tides that covered the vast plaza spanning tens of thousands of miles, laying a thick layer upon the ground. Among these Primordial-level materials were countless artifacts already forged to the top grade, some of which were of such excellent quality that integrating a sufficiently powerful divine soul could potentially transform them into Primordial-level treasures. The old Immortals glanced at each other and slowly rose from the ground.
Fuya 7Ming retracted her despair-inducing, terrifying pressure and smiled, nodding to the old Immortals in greeting.
The old Immortal who had used the green bamboo leaves for protection looked at the Solar Primordial Spirit and snorted coldly, "Since we are to be Supreme Consecrated Elders, then this gift of employment..."
The Solar Primordial Spirit laughed heartily. He flew over to these old Immortals and performed a very earnest bow, saying, "Esteemed Consecrated Elders, in my capacity as the current Sect Master of the Nine Nether Dao, I employ you all as Supreme Consecrated Elders of my Nine Nether Dao. Are you willing?"
Countless disciples of the Nine Nether Dao in the plaza simultaneously knelt on one knee toward the old Immortals and shouted in unison, "We implore the esteemed Consecrated Elders to take your positions!"
The massive shout made the Thirty-Three Heavens tremble slightly, and the old Immortals felt their faces light up, their expressions smoothing out into smiles.
Looking at the hundreds of millions of disciples of the Nine Nether Dao, looking at the countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals controlled by the Nine Nether Dao, and considering the faint, ever-present shadow of the Haotian God behind the Nine Nether Dao—tsk, tsk—becoming true Supreme Consecrated Elders of the Nine Nether Dao meant a future brimming with brightness.
It was clear that these old Immortals were merely local magnates in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, but once they became Consecrated Elders of the Nine Nether Dao, especially if the Haotian God truly stood behind them, they would transform from rustic local landlords of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths into major figures capable of manipulating affairs across the Three Realms. Even if their estimation was wrong, based solely on the current momentum and immense military power of the Nine Nether Dao, this exchange was a transaction with guaranteed returns.
The Solar Primordial Spirit put away the Solar Profound Bead, the fire raven shrieked, retracted the Solar Blazing Flames, and obediently flew to the Solar Primordial Spirit’s head, pecking sharply at the Spirit’s head several times with its beak.
The old Immortals glanced at the fire raven with a hint of terror. A strange beast capable of controlling the Solar Blazing Flames—this was an entity worthy of their awe.
The Solar Blazing Flames! The primordial pure Yang flame from the beginning of creation! Even as peak Daluo Jinxian, they dared not allow their bodies to come into the slightest proximity with the Solar Blazing Flames. The Evil Dragon Venerable, Gu Xichen, possessing such a monstrous beast, looked like someone with boundless potential in every aspect.
In the void, countless streams of starlight surged, and celestial flowers descended like silver rain, accompanied by enchanting, melodic immortal sounds. Innumerable Star Lords, Divine Generals, Divine Lords, Immortals, Heavenly Soldiers, and Heavenly Generals in the surrounding heavens cheered in unison. The massive fluctuation of magical power stirred up clouds of silver starlight, and great beams of starlight collided like massive bells and great drums, sounding a magnificent and grand celestial symphony.
From the First Heaven to the Thirty-Third Heaven, thirty-six million massive bronze chimes in each heaven were struck by musicians. These chimes were inscribed with countless talismans and spells; once sounded, their echoes resonated through the Three Realms—from the mortal world to the Underworld, from the Yellow Springs to the Nine Heavens, all divine beings and venerable Immortals possessing sufficient cultivation throughout the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths heard this grand and magnificent celestial melody.
The tens of millions of Immortals from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths who had just joined the Nine Nether Dao bowed their heads in worship, prostrating themselves before the Solar Primordial Spirit enthroned on the treasure seat of the Nine Nether Palace.
The Solar Primordial Spirit looked down majestically at these forcibly inducted Immortals and unceremoniously pulled out a Primordial Spirit Restriction Tablet, ordering all Immortals to leave a wisp of their primordial spirit's divine sense on the tablet.
"It is easy to paint a dragon or a tiger but hard to paint their bones; one knows a person's face but not their heart. It is a great joy for you Immortal friends to enter the doors of my Nine Nether Dao. However, there may be those among you with insidious intentions. I must be the villain before being the gentleman: everyone must leave a primordial spirit restriction."
"After one Yuanhui, I will judge your performance, rewarding merit and punishing error. Those who have performed well may have their primordial spirit restriction removed and formally become disciples of my Nine Nether Dao. As for those who have erred... they will naturally vanish into dust!"
He smiled coldly and roared sternly, "I dare not belittle myself; in the current Three Realms, my cultivation is among the highest echelon, and I command armies numbering trillions upon trillions. There is no one in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths capable of withstanding a single blow from me. Therefore, today I proclaim myself a Saint! If anyone in the Three Realms disagrees, they may state their case to me face-to-face!"
Terrifying heat surged forth like a monstrous tide. Which of the millions of Immortals forcibly inducted into the Nine Nether Dao dared to utter a single word of dissent? With the power of the Nine Nether Dao being so terrifying, which fool would dare to argue with Gu Xichen now?
Immediately, all the Immortals kowtowed, one after another acknowledging Gu Xichen’s act of claiming sainthood. Furthermore, those demons originating from the Ten Directions Hell, especially the most obsequious and flattering riff-raff, rose one after another to offer Gu Xichen a long string of saintly titles.
But Gu Xichen claiming sainthood was merely a means to subdue the Immortal factions of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths; he had no interest in these titles.
Acting rather casually, he simply adopted a title he had fabricated years ago, changing two characters from Venerable Wu Long to evolve from Evil Dragon Venerable into the Evil Dragon Saint Monarch. He ignored all other titles like Spirit-Communicating, Manifested Sage, Profound Void, Pure and Tranquil, leaving the submitting Immortals dumbfounded.
Having established his saintly title, the Solar Primordial Spirit immediately commanded, "Bring forth the Earth Mother Goddess, Bholidevi, and allow this Saint Monarch to execute her as a sacrifice to heaven."
A swarm of fierce Heavenly Soldiers rushed out and dragged out Bholidevi, who was tightly bound by Xuan Bing Ropes.
Demon Lord Longken grinned gleefully, carrying a demonic weapon forged by the Daoist of Empty Dust, and snatched up Bholidevi, intending to drag her outside the Nine Nether Palace for execution and sacrifice to heaven.
The Immortals of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths all changed expression. The name of the Earth Mother Goddess Bholidevi was well-known even to them among the Protectors of the Heavens. Gu Xichen actually intended to slay Bholidevi as a sacrifice—how audacious! Was he not afraid of provoking the wrath of Buddhism and inciting a fierce backlash from the Buddhist Sect?
Just as Demon Lord Longken raised his long saber to cleave down upon Bholidevi's head, an enraged roar indeed came from the void: "Gu Xichen, how dare you! You truly dare to kill Bholidevi! I, Vishnu, swear eternal enmity with you!"
The Solar Primordial Spirit’s expression turned icy. He instantly shot a strong beam of light toward a certain spot outside the Spiral Star Domain.
His divine sense had already covered that void. There, Vishnu, riding a white elephant and leading an untold number of Asura Heavenly Soldiers, was roaring furiously and challenging him.
The Solar Primordial Spirit burst into loud laughter. He roared sharply, "Demon Lord Longken, kill Bholidevi! Disciples of the Nine Nether Dao, watch as this Saint Monarch sacrifices Vishnu to the heavens today!"
Overwhelming Solar Blazing Flames swept over the celestial army led by Vishnu like a torrential deluge. The space between heaven and earth was filled with surging, pitch-black flames.
Vishnu cursed furiously, waved his hand, and scattered a gigantic golden axe inlaid with Seven Treasures toward the head of the Solar Primordial Spirit. With a tremendous crash, the golden axe collided head-on with the Solar Blazing Flames. Vishnu’s body shook violently.
The Solar Primordial Spirit’s body shook violently.