Indeed, the Azure Heaven Dao Master was a being who survived the previous million kalpas.
Back then, he was already at the ninth tier.
Of the vast Fifth Land, with its billions upon billions of beings, only he escaped.
Even if he had escaped alive, death was inevitable.
He was consumed by a worm corpse.
Long since dead, he returned with the worm corpse, driven by his final will.
This was no longer hatred, but a desperate cry from the abyss, a life born from the embrace of death.
He returned from death… solely for revenge.
At this moment, Cang Yue's expression was graver than ever before. He felt a sense of crisis.
In the distance, a fierce battle raged.
The insects were not only controlling corpses to fight, but many unattached insects were constantly burrowing into the bodies of their enemies.
On the surface, the forces of the Upper Nine Heavens seemed to have the upper hand.
Each time a powerhouse from the Upper Nine Heavens struck, they annihilated millions of insects.
But the reality was that everyone was greatly depleted. The insects were too numerous, an endless tide.
If this continued, they would all become food for the insects.
"Kill."
Cang Yue could not bear to wait any longer.
Coming to the Fifth Land had been a terrible misfortune; he had gained no advantage whatsoever.
This place had been utterly transformed into an underworld, no longer deserving of its former name.
"Screech, screech, screech."
A golden insect let out a cry.
Its form, like a streak of golden light, vanished from its original spot.
*Pfft!*
Blood splattered, soaring ten meters high.
Cang Yue Dao Master froze, looking down at his own heart.
He was shocked.
The golden insect's speed was too great, so swift that he had no chance to evade.
Yet, what happened next made his scalp tingle even more.
The golden insect had actually left an egg in his heart. It was visibly absorbing his Great Dao power to incubate, and then it plunged into his Dao Origin.
"No."
Cang Yue was instantly terrified.
He wanted to expel the insect from his body.
But the insect within him was different from those outside.
This golden insect was utterly unfazed by his Great Dao tremors, and it swallowed his Dao Origin in one gulp.
…
Cang Yue's body froze in place.
For a cultivator, the Dao Origin was as crucial as the heart was to an ordinary person.
His Dao Origin had vanished.
It had been devoured by the insect.
His soul began to wither, his physical body started to weaken, and even the Great Dao river within him was constantly dissipating.
"No."
Cang Yue was consumed by terror.
Never since he had become an Emperor had he experienced such fear.
Unimaginable despair drove him into a frenzy.
"Roar."
A ninth-tier being in a state of madness would do anything.
*Pfft!*
His palm pierced directly through his heart, grasping the golden insect: "Give it back to me."
In his madness, Cang Yue began to exert force.
Under Cang Yue's brutal grip, the insect writhed, emitting pained 'screeching' noises, struggling to break free.
Unfortunately, Cang Yue had no intention of letting it go.
*Bang!*
The golden insect was crushed by Cang Yue.
But his Dao Origin had vanished without a trace.
"Hahaha."
In the distance, the mother worm, possessing the Azure Heaven Dao Master, let out a maniacal human laugh.
Cang Yue's Dao Origin had, at some unknown time, appeared on the insect's claw.
"Give it back to me…" Cang Yue instantly ignited his essence blood and lunged towards the golden insect.
*Bang.*
On the insect's claw, Cang Yue's Dao Origin shattered.
"No…"
Desperate, Cang Yue let out a piercing scream.
Driven mad, he sought revenge, but the shattering of his Dao Origin had cost him everything.
His Great Dao began to dissipate, and his soul instantly withered.
Only the energy still existed within him, but the source of its power was gone.
"I…"
The weakened Cang Yue's eyes were filled with despair: "I am unwilling…"
These were his final words.
Many had died in the battle to encircle the Lord of Order, but he had survived.
Survival meant he was destined to enjoy life and reach the pinnacle.
But now, all was gone.
His millions of years of existence had come to an abrupt end.
"Hahaha."
The Azure Heaven Dao Master laughed.
His laughter was filled with manic pleasure: "Everyone will die, haha, none of you will survive, hahaha…"
The insectoid army, pervading the entirety of the Fifth Land, began to feast on humans.
On the side of the Eighth Heaven, after the demise of Cang Yue Dao Master, everyone panicked.
They desperately tried to flee, unwilling to become food for the insects.
Was there any chance?
No.
Their downfall had already been sealed.
A one-sided slaughter plunged the Fifth Land into despair.
…
"With a million kalpas, the Upper Nine Heavens will surely be the ultimate victor." Huan Zong's expression eased slightly.
This temporary victory offered him a glimmer of hope.
"Others will come."
Chen Fan understood what the other meant.
He said in a deep voice, "Victory in a single corner seems unable to influence the overall victory. Therefore… after victories appear in other regions, we will all be surrounded and annihilated."
"More than that,"
Lord of Light interjected, "Because the one standing at the absolute peak of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands has yet to make a move."
His name was not needed, Chen Fan already knew who it was.
The Son of Heaven.
The sole existence above the Great Emperor within the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
The Lord of Light continued, "The First Heaven is a forbidden zone. It is said that besides the Son of Heaven, there are nine Illusory Gods under his command. I am not entirely certain of the specifics."
It was already remarkable that he knew this much.
"Illusory Gods?"
Zhan Chen pondered, his mind replaying fragmented memories of the past.
Finally, he could only shake his head helplessly: "I have no recollection. During the war back then, I never heard the name Illusory Gods, nor did such people exist."
This statement effectively concluded their current discussion.
Everyone fell into thought.
Illusory Gods, the Son of Heaven… the forbidden First Heaven.
Many matters remained unanswered.
"Never mind."
Ultimately, Chen Fan shook his head and said, "We'll discuss this later. What we need to determine now is whether we should go to the Seventh Heaven next."
"Of course, we must go."
The Dragon King answered.
He had always been a proponent of action.
Even when faced with immense danger, he would not falter.
"Ji Zhu."
Chen Fan waved his hand, summoning the solitary figure standing at the periphery.
The battle had not yet fully integrated Ji Zhu into their circle.
Therefore, during the discussion of important matters, Ji Zhu had wisely stood aside.
Only when Chen Fan called his name did Ji Zhu approach, bowing, "City Lord."
"There's no need to be nervous."
Chen Fan said softly, "You have already presented your pledge of allegiance. No one will harm you."
Ji Zhu smiled without speaking.
I know… but I am still nervous.
Putting aside others, the gazes of those under the Sword Master towards him were unfriendly. Ji Zhu felt as though they might suddenly strike and kill him.
During the previous encirclement, many powerful figures from the Sword Realm had perished.
Seeing this, Chen Fan said no more and then asked, "Do you know which faction invaded the Eighth Land?"
"I know."
Ji Zhu dared not conceal anything.
Since he had chosen to pledge his loyalty, concealment was no longer necessary.
He stated directly, "For some unknown reason, the Eighth Land was originally meant to belong to the Seventh Heaven. However, the Seventh Heaven and Sixth Heaven later swapped positions."
"The Sixth Heaven?"
Chen Fan's eyes instantly lit up, his breathing becoming rapid. "The Sixth Heaven, the Flipping Clouds Realm, is it also among the invading forces?"