Chapter 1367: Chapter 1368: Let Me Show You a Treasure
“Roar!”
The Saint Realm Godzilla let out a long howl toward the heavens. Even though the Saint Realm Godzilla was still confined within the cultivation limits of the Central Origin Realm, it could not break through to the mysterious grey zone brimming with unfathomable power. Hence, it had no choice but to attempt a remote bombardment to gauge the depth of this “Sky-Piercing Path.”
From the clouds above the firmament, massive fiery thunder dragons shot forth, crashing onto the grey-hued staircase filled with oppressive energy.
The overwhelming force, capable of easily tearing apart forbidden areas and sects within the Central Origin Realm, failed to make even the smallest ripple upon the staircase. That earth-shattering power dissipated into an eerie wisp of blue smoke the moment it entered the steps.
The staircase appeared calm on the surface, but hidden within was an even more volatile and terrifying energy, capable of obliterating all things.
“It seems that relying on the power of the Central Origin Realm alone won’t be enough to break through the first level.”
Li Xiaobai looked at the grey-hued staircase before him, visibly troubled. He swung his longsword, unleashing Demon-Sealing Sword Qi in an earth-shattering arc of brilliance, yet it too silently vanished upon touching the staircase.
Even Hellfire was powerless; he’d tried it before. The moment Hellfire clung to the staircase, it was forcefully extinguished in mere breaths. The powers of the Immortal Gods Realm were beyond comprehension—so overwhelmingly strong there were no words to describe them.
Staring at the massive rift in the skies above, Li Xiaobai threw another Hellfire into the chasm.
He wanted to test whether Hellfire could pass through the rift and enter the Immortal Gods Realm. The black flame, as dark as ink, encountered no resistance as it traveled through the fissure, disappearing shortly thereafter. There was no way to tell if it had been extinguished inside the rift or had successfully entered the heavens.
If it had entered the Immortal Gods Realm smoothly, given its limitless growth potential, the Immortal Gods would surely intervene to cultivate it. That would create an opportunity for yet another wave of exploitation—the endless green fields of loyal resources.
Unfortunately, judging by his current equipment, he still couldn’t ascend this heavenly staircase. Even with the Rivalling Heaven Set, he wouldn’t survive for more than a second amid the grey energy. The only way through was by upgrading his defensive power, but advancing defensive power depended entirely on touching the Heavenly Dao, an unyielding prerequisite.
What exactly was the Heavenly Dao? Where could it be found? No one had the slightest idea, nor could anyone explain it clearly. It was a vague concept that perhaps only the entities of the Immortal Gods Realm understood, or perhaps Xueshenzi had known before, but his disappearance had been far too abrupt.
“All of you, fight among yourselves. Enter this staircase a moment before disappearing.”
Li Xiaobai directed his thoughts, commanding the group of Godzillas to commence mutual destruction up in the skies. During their final moments, golden light shimmered beneath their feet as they vanished without a trace.
One hundred Saint Realm Godzillas fought fiercely, stepping onto the staircase in the last second before their time ran out. This would maximize the amount of attribute points gained.
With this wave, the system interface’s attribute points might just reach a record-breaking threshold, fulfilling the quest for one trillion points.
…
A quarter-hour later.
Li Xiaobai left the Western Continent Buddha Nation and returned to the Sword Sect’s Second Peak on the Eastern Continent.
At the foot of the mountain, the crowd was overwhelming. The Second Peak of the Sword Sect was completely surrounded. Not only were Eastern Continent cultivators present, but also those from other continents who had caught wind of the news. Supposedly, with the Immortal Gods Realm invasion imminent, the Peak Master of the Sword Sect’s Second Peak, Li Xiaobai, was the only one with a viable solution. However, seeking protection required payment first.
Li Xiaobai summoned Godzilla to help him meld into the void as he wandered through the crowd, listening to the chatter and discussions of the surrounding cultivators with an odd expression.
Perhaps this was what people meant by “word-of-mouth communication,” although it evidently deviated further from the truth with each retelling. Within just two hours, the news had spread across the entire Central Origin Realm. None of Li Xiaobai’s declarations from the mountaintop had reached the masses; all anyone heard was one sensational statement: the Immortal Gods Realm was planning a brutal invasion of the Central Origin Realm, a devastating slaughter was impending, and even Xueshenzi had been killed in one move. Only Li Xiaobai could save the masses from peril.
Thus, everyone came rushing over, unsure where they’d even heard this rumor. Still, most decided to come—choosing not to simply wouldn’t feel appropriate.
Li Xiaobai had no words to offer. Regardless, the outcome was exactly what he wanted: to gather all available power on the Eastern Continent. Moreover, everyone was required to contribute resources upon arrival—free money knocking right at his door. Why not take it?
Returning to the mountaintop, Chen Yuan was still tallying accounts. The amount of resources being collected was so colossal that he dared not entrust the work to anyone else. Handling it personally slowed things down a bit but guaranteed security. Li Xiaobai nodded approvingly; this was the right approach. It was precisely because of lax oversight that major temples in Buddha Country had once collapsed under scrutiny, losing vast wealth. This was a lesson every worker should remember.
“Senior Brother, more and more cultivators are coming to our Sword Sect—South Continent, North Continent, and even Western Continent cultivators are all converging on the Eastern Continent Sword Sect. Many have already set up camps. If this continues, the Sword Sect won’t be able to handle it.”
Chen Yuan quickly reported the situation. Li Xiaobai understood. Even though the Sword Sect had expanded, it couldn’t withstand such an influx, let alone the entire continent being flooded with cultivators. If they all clustered on the Second Peak, the sect would face unbearable pressure.
“This is inevitable. The Immortal Gods Realm could act at any moment. We must be ready at all times, gathering people for better distribution later. We’ll expand the Sword Sect and claim the entire continent as our headquarters.”
Li Xiaobai replied nonchalantly.
This issue was easily solved. He’d let Sect Master Ying Diao handle it soon enough.
Returning to the Peak Master’s hall, Li Xiaobai opened the door only to be startled by a small old man peeking out with an aged, wrinkled face.
“What the—are you a ghost or a man?!”
On instinct, Li Xiaobai drew his sword, only to hear a familiar voice.
“Kid, it’s me!”
“Come in quickly! This old man has something great to show you!”
The voice belonged to Xiao Lao Di, who had been hiding sneaky and muddied, as if he’d just crawled out of the Underground World.
Li Xiaobai silently stared. This old man had been missing for days, only to suddenly show up again, ever mysterious.
“Senior, what sort of treasure might it be?”
Li Xiaobai asked.
“Take a look!”
With a mischievous air, Xiao Lao Di lifted the corner of his trousers and pulled out a purple-gold object. It quickly expanded in the wind, swelling in size rapidly, until it filled the entire room within a matter of breaths.
“Kid, do you know what this is?”
Xiao Lao Di chuckled sinisterly.
Li Xiaobai frowned and asked, “Senior, what’s the point of revealing this?”