Chapter 1360: Chapter 1361: In the Central Origin Realm, only I am the true God
“Brother Blood God, cease your malevolent deeds! Since our last meeting a thousand years ago, your actions have been nothing but devastation to innocent lives and common folk. If you are willing to abandon evil and repent, lay down your weapon and confess everything, perhaps there may still be a path for survival!”
From the depths of the void, Yan Zuzi and Yitilou emerged. They had been hiding in the shadows for a long time, afraid to reveal themselves, only daring to observe the black eye in secret.
“Utter nonsense! Without my protection, the Central Origin Realm would have long been a slaughterhouse for the Immortal Gods Realm. Where then would there be prosperity or peace? If there is anyone in the Central Origin Realm who truly cares for all living beings under heaven, it is none other than me!”
The blood-red demon in the void roared angrily, its voice deep and hoarse, emitting an increasingly terrifying aura. Above its head, three faintly visible Sky Lanterns swayed in the wind.
Li Xiaobai, witnessing this scene, felt deeply shaken. Could this Xueshenzi possibly have lit the three Sky Lanterns of the Saint Realm, becoming a legendary figure capable of breaking through barriers and ascending to the Upper Realm?
“Sect Master Xue, please calm down for a moment. I have come under orders from the Helmsman to deliver a single message.”
From the horizon, an aged voice echoed forth. Only the voice was heard, but the figure remained unseen. Yet those familiar instantly recognized the speaker—it was Edward, the steward who served Beichen Feng!
Beichen Feng, permanently secluded within the small Secret Realm of the Eastern Continent’s enforcement helm, had yet to make an appearance, sending only his steward to publish his message.
The rotund elder, whose presence carried a hint of humor, strode across the void. His body transitioned from illusion to reality, also revealing his Saint Realm cultivation level. With a golden decree unrolled in his hands, he read aloud in a solemn voice:
“Master, stop now. Young Master Li has already shown you the utmost benevolence. Not slaying you at the first opportunity was already a stroke of fortune. Your path has veered off course.”
These were Beichen Feng’s words. He had chosen not to meet in person but instead to speak through this decree.
And with this remark, an earth-shattering revelation was unveiled—Xueshenzi was Beichen Feng’s master!
Not only Li Xiaobai but even Yitilou and Yan Zuzi gaped in shock, their jaws hanging as they stared blankly at the decree in Edward’s hands.
“The Helmsman’s message has been delivered. I, Edward, greet all seniors present, and pay my respects to Young Master Li. A courteous bow to you all!”
Edward flashed his trademark smile before swaying his plump body and departing slowly.
“I recall hearing in the Immortal Spirit Continent that Beichen Feng’s master was known as the Great Immortal Zhenyuan, a preeminent figure of the Confucian Path. He soared to the Central Origin Realm long before Beichen Feng. Could Xueshenzi be that Great Immortal Zhenyuan?”
Li Xiaobai was finding this revelation difficult to believe. The relationships were far too intricate—Great Immortal Zhenyuan was truly a saint of the Confucian Path, a master of Confucian studies who single-handedly established its lineage to forge a path for scholars of the realm. Though his efforts had ultimately ended hastily and never fully uplifted scholars, his achievements and cultivation prowess were nonetheless revered by countless people, sung and celebrated far and wide!
Such a person ought to exude celestial grace. How could he have transformed into a cold-blooded killer like Xueshenzi, let alone collude with the Immortal Gods Realm?
“Xueshenzi is Beichen Feng’s master!”
“So that’s how it is. No wonder! No wonder! Both of them ascended from the Earth Spirit Realm. Who would have thought there was such an enigmatic connection hidden between them?”
Yitilou and Yan Zuzi exchanged glances, their eyes equally filled with shock. This revelation was far too explosive; they were hearing it for the first time as well.
“And what of it? Xueshenzi is a disciple personally taught by me!”
“I possess unparalleled genius. Who could have imagined that the foolish child of yore would one day become the celebrated Confucian Path master in the mouths of men? I have always relished challenging endeavors. Beichen Feng was merely the clumsiest among countless students back then, yet under my tutelage, even the most inept, lowest-tier disciple could rise to the pinnacle of this realm!”
“But such things matter not. Whether the Central Origin Realm raises mediocrities or talents is irrelevant, for your lives are not your own. They serve to feed the insatiable hunger of the Immortal Gods, thwarting repeated attempts at invasion. Without me, would you have a birthplace at all as latter-generation cultivators?”
The expression of Xueshenzi grew dark as his aura surged madly. His form grew increasingly massive, swelling until the Divine Demon’s shadow expanded monstrously, threatening to shroud half the heavens.
Li Xiaobai did not act in haste. If he wanted to suppress the foe, a single strike would suffice. He asked calmly, “Sect Master Xue, what do you mean by this? You’ve devastated all living beings under heaven. How many cultivators have perished because of you? The Blood Demon Sect, as the pinnacle of the Demon Path, secretly colludes with the Buddhist Sect, committing countless atrocities. Since you claim to be the Great Immortal Zhenyuan, where is your virtue, where is your path of Confucianism?”
“What we see is merely a demon heading forth daily to sacrifice lives, betraying his own kind just to eke out an existence!”
“You ignorant fool!”
“You understand nothing!”
“The Immortal Gods Realm demands offerings. The Immortal Gods devour mortals!”
“Without sustenance, they would tear through the heavens, invading the Central Origin Realm. Only delectable offerings can pacify them. You are but a latter-generation cultivator. You cannot fathom what fate awaits this realm. Each of you is identical! Long ago, only my sect dared to venture into the Immortal Gods Realm, but I chose to return, all for preserving the grand scheme, for the lives under heaven. So what if a few insignificant, petty cultivators die?”
“And why conceal anything? Young one, even back on the Immortal Spirit Continent, I had already set my sights on you. The Blood Sacrifice Fragment was my tool for refining the Immortal Spirit Continent, yet who would have thought you would sabotage it? You cannot kill me. No one can kill me!”
“I, Xueshenzi, have connections above!”
Xueshenzi spat these venomous words.
Li Xiaobai listened and felt as though crucial details had been deliberately withheld by Xueshenzi, leaving him in partial confusion.
Suddenly, before Xueshenzi had finished his discourse, changes began to unfold within the rift above the heavens. The blood-red river vanished, replaced by a gargantuan hand inching downward in search. The hand, hairy and covered with thick fur, seemed to belong to some terrifying beast.
The scene was eerily reminiscent of a child unpacking a gift, slowly exploring the box’s contents, relishing the thrill of decoding and discovery.
Except this time, the explorer wasn’t a child—but the so-called “Immortal Gods”!
“This is bad! An assault is happening from the other side of the rift again!”
“Quickly, activate the Formation and respond immediately!”
Yitilou and Yan Zuzi’s expressions shifted drastically. This time, the arrival was a hand—a genuine hand belonging to an Immortal God—a threat leagues more lethal than the blood river.
“Damn it!”
“Who dares meddle with the Central Origin Realm without my approval?!”
“You insolent fools! Who gave you the audacity?!”
Xueshenzi raged in hysteria, letting out a terrifying screech as his dark aura surged around him. The Divine Demon’s shadow enveloped him like an enormous bat, hurling itself wildly at the massive furry hand, a torrent of blood flames raging toward it, intending to forcefully drive the hand back.