Immortal of the Nine Realms

Within the endless Qingming void, a grand and majestic formation of immortal boats sailed forward.

Chen Feifei let out a sigh. "Tracing back to the origin, the first-generation Immortal Emperor of the Demonic Beasts Race actually originated from the God Dao Sect. Even Monarch Yan of the Underworld and the overlords of the Nine Mortal Realms all hail from the God Dao Sect."

Beside him were Fang Chen, Wang Chongsong, Xie A'man, Wang Ye, Chen Enxue, and several others. The immortal boat they were currently on was the strongest in the Enlightenment God Palace and belonged exclusively to Chen Feifei. Fang Chen estimated that, with Chen Feifei's cultivation controlling this immortal vessel formation, the power it could unleash should have already reached the Limit Breaking Realm. However, he wasn't sure whether it had reached the second step.

Chen Feifei shared, "According to historical records our human race has uncovered, the God Dao Sect at its peak was probably far more powerful than the Human Race during the Nether Ruins era. The first Immortal Emperor of the Demonic Beast Race, who condensed an Immortal Realm Inner Domain, was not someone an ordinary Saint could compare to. At the very least, he must have been on the same level as Saint Long."

Xie Aman seemed to have known about these matters for a long time. As for Wang Ye and the others, Chen Feifei had given them a few pointers along the journey, so they had also learned something about what had happened before the human race's migration.

Wang Chongsong smiled faintly. "Saint Long's level... No, he might be even stronger than that. For a faction with such power, even if it didn't establish itself in the Divine Realm, it should have had some connection with the Supreme Qingming Alliance."

Fang Chen's expression shifted. "Is there any information regarding this? Before the current era of the Nine Realms, did it ever exist as a vassal to a certain faction originating from the Supreme Qingming Alliance?"

Chen Feifei nodded with a smile. "Your speculation is quite reasonable. We secretly investigated this matter. Although we lack concrete, definitive evidence, we can infer that the Nine Realms were by no means isolated from the rest of the world in the past. There were intricate and complex relationships behind it. Perhaps, due to circumstances similar to those our race encountered, they ultimately fell into decline."

Wang Chongsong added, "Supposing that the demonic beasts of the God Dao Sect had interacted with the Supreme Qingming Alliance in the past and even had some great figure back them. If that great figure later encountered trouble, or was simply suppressed by a hostile faction, then it would make perfect sense for the Divine Dao Sect to sever that connection in order to protect itself.

"They might even have gradually sealed away all information regarding the matter to preserve secrecy. In the end, only an extremely small number of demonic beasts would have known the truth. Then, because they lost contact with that side—perhaps the method of the Saint Canon was severed, or their aptitudes were no longer sufficient to produce Saints—the Nine Realms eventually reached an era where no Saints remained. That was when someone discovered the path of the Heavenly Dao."

Wang Chonsong continued, "At first, the path of the Heavenly Dao was even stronger than the method of the Saint Canon. One could use the Nine Realms as an Inner Domain and have the entire realm nourish them. But an Inner Domain is far more profound and possesses a seemingly endless source of power. On the other hand, the power of the Nine Realms would eventually be exhausted. After discovering this, the demonic beasts who knew of the Supreme Qingming Alliance must have formed the Dao Seeking Faction. They eventually reached the Divine Realm and became slave soldiers for the Flame Race."

The core disciples exchanged subtle looks. How does Senior Taixu know so much?

They had begun to suspect that this Senior Taixu before them might also be the reincarnation of some mighty expert.

Fang Chen stated, "With such a profound foundation, they wouldn't easily put all their eggs in one basket. They will invariably retain some backup plans and hidden trump cards. The Ancient Dragon God Palace claims to have blockaded the ancestral sect site of the God Dao Sect, but I suspect we won't gain much when we arrive there."

Wang Chongsong nodded. "That makes sense. If they didn't possess some special means, your old man wouldn't have had to wait until recently for an opportunity to enter the Demonic Ruins and steal that Sarira. I estimate they still command Limit Breaking power. Their overall comprehensive strength shouldn't be weaker than the Ancient Demonic Sect. Right now, there are two possible outcomes. First, they use this power to settle everything with us once and for all. Second, they take that power with them, evacuate ahead of time, and begin a life in exile."

Everyone's expressions shifted. So there was a chance they would arrive to find an empty shell. Or they might be forced into a battle no less dangerous than their clash with the Ancient Demon.

Just remembering the terrifying might of the Ancient Demon made their hearts pound uneasily. If something hadn't gone wrong with the Ancient Demon's Inner Domain, preventing it from using too much of its power, then even those extraordinarily powerful Yin Soldiers would have been killed one after another by the Ancient Demon.

***

Shenwang Realm.

The various top factions, spearheaded by the Ancient Dragon God Palace, had completely encircled a scenic and beautiful valley. The valley was embraced by mountains, where peach trees bloomed endlessly, seemingly untouched by changing seasons.

At the center of the valley was a long staircase wreathed in immortal qi. Following those stairs all the way upward would lead directly to the gates of the God Dao Sect.

At present, those gates were shrouded in white mist. Only occasionally could one catch a glimpse of a tiny portion of what lay within.

Saint Long sighed with emotion. "Who could have imagined that so many of the Nine Realms' mightiest experts once descended from these very stairs?"

A ninth transformation immortal responded, "The glory of the past will eventually perish. No one can remain prosperous forever. The demonic beasts are no exception."

They had returned to the Mortal Realm from the Underworld, gathered a large contingent of their core forces, and rushed here without stopping. As long as they settled matters with the God Dao Sect, the situation in the Nine Realms could finally be stabilized. Moving forward, they would only need to consider the impending arrival of the outsiders, without ever needing to worry about internal strife breaking out again.

"It seems someone is descending the mountain."

Everyone's expressions shifted as their gazes simultaneously turned toward the area wreathed in immortal qi.

A figure could be faintly seen through the haze, walking down the mountain one step at a time. When the figure reached the halfway point, the clouds and mist surrounding him seemed to thin considerably. Only then did everyone clearly see that he was a dark-skinned, middle-aged man. He wore plain hemp clothes and held a short staff in his hand. His honest, simple face gave no indication whatsoever that he was a powerful cultivator emerging from the God Dao Sect. Instead, he looked far more like a traveling peasant farmer.

Saint Long suddenly chuckled. "Sect Master of the God Dao Sect. Could it be that within the grand God Dao Sect, you are the only one left?"

"God Dao Sect's Sect Master?"

The seventh- and eighth-transformation Ancient Immortals present looked intrigued as they curiously studied the man. For countless years, they had never once laid eyes upon the God Dao Sect's Sect Master. Even during the previous battle within the Underworld, he had never shown his face.

"Everyone within the sect has already evacuated." The Sect Master offered a small smile toward Saint Long. "Only a few old fellows refuse to leave. I suppose I'm one of them."

Everyone's expressions changed slightly.

They were the absolute top-tier factions of the Shenwang Realm. If the God Dao Sect planned to evacuate, how could they have not caught wind of it? They had even stationed people nearby to monitor the God Dao Sect's movements before the battle in the Underworld had ended

Saint Long's gaze shifted. "You know that your race would encounter unknown perils within the Demonic Ruins, so you evacuated out of the Nine Realms completely? Before that battle within the Underworld took place?"

The Sect Master refrained from answering. Instead, he countered, "Dragon God, you are neither a human nor a demonic beast. Why have you chosen to stand on their side? Strictly speaking, you should be considered one of us."

A faint disdain appeared in Saint Long's eyes. "One of you? The demonic beasts?"