Li Mu used the Five Elements Escape Technique and the Time-Space Wheel Sutra, alternating between the two, moving as fast as lightning, flexibly traversing the Void Realm, closely pursuing the direction in which the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron had disappeared.
Although the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron possessed boundless power, it was currently without a master's control, so its speed was not swift. Li Mu, relying on his exquisite control over spatial power, could barely capture its trajectory. However, just ahead, the Void Realm suddenly tore open, and a vast, boundless Devilish Qi surged forth like a tide.
Li Mu's heart jolted, and he quickly halted his movement, reined in his Aura, and skillfully concealed himself within a Void Realm crack.
"Hahaha! The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron has indeed become an ownerless treasure!" A burst of arrogant laughter suddenly erupted, followed by a Demon God, a hundred zhang tall, stepping out from the Void Realm crack. He was clad in pitch-black Demon Scale Armor, with twin horns on his head curved like a new moon, and his eyes flickered with crimson light. It was none other than the Black Vulture Demon God.
"Black Vulture, you move quite fast!" Another chillingly cold voice then sounded, as the Void Realm split open again, revealing a massive crack. A towering Demon God with a stern face stepped out. He was surrounded by an unceasing gloomy Demon Mist, which was as deep as a black hole, seemingly capable of devouring all life in the world. His eyes were like abysses, revealing endless indifference and murderous intent, and his body exuded a terrifying, heart-palpitating Aura.
The Black Vulture Demon God snorted coldly, his gaze greedily fixed on the rapidly fleeing Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron: "Eternal, this Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron is a nine-rank divine object, let's each compete for it with our own abilities, how about it?"
The Eternal Demon God smiled sinisterly: "Just as I intended!"
The two Demon Gods attacked simultaneously. The Black Vulture Demon God swung his giant claw, and a pitch-black demonic light shot towards the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron. The Eternal Demon God opened his mouth wide and spewed out a stream of black Devilish Qi, attempting to envelop the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron.
However, just as the two Demon Gods were about to touch the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron, a cold snort suddenly echoed in the Void Realm: "How dare you two covet a Human Race supreme treasure?"
That voice was like the Nine Heavens thunder, shaking the Void Realm.
Immediately after, a brilliant Sword Light streaked across the sky, as if everything between heaven and earth paled in comparison to this one sword. Wherever the Sword Light passed, the techniques unleashed by the Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God were instantly shattered, turning into nothingness.
"Grand Profound!"
"It's you again, daring to ruin my plans!"
The Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God's eyes flashed with a hint of dread, and they were furious.
Grand Profound Sword Revered stood in the Void Realm, his figure like a sword. He wore a green robe, his face was stern, and he carried an ancient longsword on his back. Runes faintly flowed on the sword's body, emitting a heart-palpitating Sword Intent. His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the two Demon Gods, and he said indifferently: "The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron is a Human Race supreme treasure, how can you Demon Abyss scum lay your hands on it? Retreat quickly, or don't blame this Revered for being merciless with his sword!"
The Black Vulture Demon God snorted coldly, his crimson eyes blazing: "Grand Profound Sword Revered, with the two of us joining forces, we may not be afraid of you!"
The Eternal Demon God sneered: "Indeed, the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron is an ownerless object, and those who see it have a share. You want to monopolize it?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Profound Sword Revered's lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of mocking smile: "Why should this Revered explain his actions to the likes of you? Since you insist on seeking death, then I shall fulfill your wish!"
Before he finished speaking, the longsword on Grand Profound Sword Revered's back suddenly unsheathed. The Sword Light was like a rainbow, pointing directly at the two Demon Gods. Sword Intent crisscrossed, and the Void Realm seemed to be cut into countless fragments. The terrifying pressure caused the Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God's expressions to change drastically.
"You want to die! Today, I shall grant your wish!" The Black Vulture Demon God roared, his body's Devilish Qi surged, transforming into a giant Black Vulture phantom. Its wings spread, covering the sky and obscuring the sun.
The Eternal Demon God was not to be outdone, his body's gloomy Demon Mist surged wildly, forming a giant Demon God phantom, holding a pitch-black demonic halberd, the tip of which pointed directly at Grand Profound Sword Revered.
The two Demon Gods joined forces, their Devilish Qi soaring to the heavens, as if they wanted to swallow the entire Void Realm.
Grand Profound Sword Revered faced the combined assault of the two Demon Gods with an unperturbed expression. With a gentle flick of the longsword in his hand, the Sword Light poured out like a galaxy, instantly cleaving the Black Vulture phantom and the Demon God phantom in half. The Sword Light's momentum did not diminish, pressing directly towards the two Demon Gods' true forms.
Just as Grand Profound Sword Revered and the two Demon Gods were locked in intense combat, a subtle change suddenly occurred in one corner of the battlefield. A barely perceptible five-colored light quietly streaked across, moving at an astonishing speed, directly pursuing the ownerless Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron that was floating erratically in the Void Realm.
"Hmm?" Grand Profound Sword Revered keenly caught this subtle movement, and his heart jolted. He realized that a third party had taken advantage of the chaos, intending to seize the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron.
Grand Profound Sword Revered quickly adjusted his offensive, maintaining pressure on the two Demon Gods while shifting some of his attention to the quietly departing figure.
"Hmph, trying to snatch the treasure amidst the chaos, did you ask this Revered first?" Grand Profound Sword Revered's voice was as cold as frost. His figure flickered, leaving several afterimages in the air, pursuing the five-colored light at an unbelievable speed.
At this moment, the Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God, who were entangled with Grand Profound Sword Revered, also noticed this change and immediately became anxious.
"Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor!" The Black Vulture Demon God recognized the newcomer at a glance.
"Hmph, daring to lay hands on the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron means making an enemy of me!" The Eternal Demon God snorted coldly, his tone revealing an undeniable resolve. Although they were hostile to Grand Profound Sword Revered, they had a subtle understanding when facing an external enemy—the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron must not fall into the hands of others.
Thus, as Grand Profound Sword Revered pursued the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor, the Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God temporarily put aside their grievances and chased after the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor together. Their speed was extremely fast, almost instantly closing the distance between themselves and the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor. Devilish Qi and Sword Qi intertwined, forming dazzling yet dangerous scenery.
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor clearly sensed the urgency of the pursuers behind her, but she did not show the slightest panic. On the contrary, her speed increased, and the five-colored light flickered, as if dancing with the Void Realm. Each flap of her wings seemed to cross endless distances. Her goal was only one—the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron.
However, just as she was about to touch the treasure cauldron, a fierce Sword Light attacked from the side, aiming directly at her vital point.
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor shifted her body, avoiding the blow with astonishing agility. At the same time, her wings suddenly spread, and a scorching Phoenix flame erupted from her body, transforming into a wall of fire, attempting to block the advance of Grand Profound Sword Revered and the two Demon Gods.
"Trying to stop me? Not that easy!" Grand Profound Sword Revered snorted coldly, and his Sword Light flashed again, directly piercing through the wall of fire, continuing to close in on the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor.
The Black Vulture Demon God and the Eternal Demon God both attacked, outflanking from both sides. For a time, four powerful individuals engaged in a thrilling chase and fierce battle in the Void Realm.
Li Mu, hidden in the Void Realm crack, observed everything with his Divine Thought from afar, sighing inwardly. With his current strength, he was simply unable to compete for the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron with existences like Grand Profound Sword Revered, Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor, and the two Demon Gods. If he were to act rashly, he would only throw his life away for nothing.
"The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron is good, but life is more important." Li Mu muttered to himself, then quietly retreated, flying in another direction.
Li Mu clearly understood that the struggle for the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron had exceeded his capabilities. Instead of wasting time here, it was better to seek other Opportunities.
While Li Mu sped through the Void Realm, he concentrated his mind, sensing the four wisps of divided souls through his Divine Soul, and sensing the approximate locations of the remaining four nine-rank divine objects.
Among the four nine-rank divine objects, the Earth Vein Divine Fire was the closest to his current location. Li Mu's heart stirred, and he decided to change course and speed towards the direction of the Earth Vein Divine Fire. While the two Demon Gods, the Immortal Emperor, and others were chasing the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron and were preoccupied, it was more important to quickly gather the seven nine-rank divine objects.
Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Following the guidance of a wisp of divided soul, Li Mu traversed layers of the Void Realm and finally arrived before a magnificent active volcano.
This Ling Peak soared into the clouds, its body crimson, as if carved from burning flames. The crater constantly spewed out rolling thick smoke, accompanied by deafening roars, and waves of scorching hot air swept around, causing the surrounding Void Realm to twist and deform.
The area around the Ling Peak was barren, with no grass growing, only winding lava rivers shimmering with an eerie light. However, at the summit of the volcanic range, sat a magnificent black architectural complex, with tens of thousands of Cultivator activities within the city.
Li Mu concealed his figure, quietly observing the black architectural complex standing at the summit of the volcano. The complex was built along the giant volcanic terrain, well-arranged. The palace walls, built of black stone, were tall and sturdy. The palace roofs were covered with dark black demonic crystals, shimmering with a cold and mysterious light in the afterglow of the setting sun, adding a sense of grimness and oppression to this Demon Palace.
Around the Demon Palace, black-robed Cultivator patrolled continuously with neat steps and stern expressions. The weapons tightly held in their hands emitted dense Devilish Qi, clearly demonic weapons that had undergone special refining. The air was filled with a sense of oppression and unease, instilling fear in people's hearts.
Li Mu's Divine Thought slowly expanded, attempting to penetrate the Demon Palace's defenses and peek into its internal secrets.
Just then, Li Mu caught a scene that jolted his heart—deep within the Demon Palace, in various prison cells, hundreds of Human Race Cultivator, clad in rags and looking haggard, were tightly bound by iron chains. Their eyes were filled with despair and fear, clearly having been imprisoned for a long time.
Those Cultivator, more or less, bore wounds on their bodies, evidently having suffered inhumane torture. Although their cultivation had been Seal, from the occasional Aura that leaked out, one could still sense that they were once powerful individuals. At this moment, they huddled helplessly in corners, powerless against their impending fate.
Li Mu unleashed his Divine Thought Divine Ability—Star Concealment, his powerful Divine Thought comparable to a Great Vehicle Dao Lord, quietly peeking into the secrets deep within the Demon Palace.
There, in a hidden place near the crater, lay the core secret of the Demon Abyss forces—a sacrificial Demon Tower being refined with the aid of the Earth Vein's fiery energy, emitting a heart-palpitating Aura.
"Who!"
The instant Li Mu's Divine Thought touched that sacrificial Demon Tower, a cold, sharp shout suddenly erupted from deep within the Demon Palace. The voice was like thunder, shaking Li Mu's Divine Thought, almost scattering it.
Li Mu's heart tightened, and he quickly retracted his Divine Thought, his figure rapidly concealing itself in the Void Realm, not daring to make any further rash moves, knowing that his previous peek had attracted the attention of the powerful individuals in the Demon Palace.
Indeed, the next moment, a black shadow shot up from the Demon Palace, hovering in mid-air. A middle-aged man in a black robe appeared. His face was sinister, his eyes like lightning, and his body exuded dense Devilish Qi. He was clearly a Body Integration Demon Cultivator.
"Who dares to spy on our clan's important territory?" The black-robed man roared furiously, his terrifying Divine Thought sweeping in all directions.
The black-robed man continuously scanned the surroundings, his Divine Thought spreading like a tide, trying to find traces of the peeker. However, Li Mu's concealment technique was extremely profound, and coupled with his presence within a Void Realm crack, the black-robed man was unable to discover his existence for a time.
Before long, another figure suddenly arrived. He was clad in a purple robe, his figure burly, and purple demonic flames surrounded his body. In an instant, he appeared beside the black-robed man, clearly a Mahayana Demon Cultivator.
"Black Flame, why such panic?" The Mahayana Demon Cultivator's eyes were like torches, scanning the surroundings, trying to sense the peeking Aura.
Black Flame responded in a deep voice: "Clan Chief, just now, the Spirit Sacrificial Tower detected a hidden wisp of Divine Thought. This person's Divine Thought is extremely well-concealed. If it hadn't touched the Spirit Sacrificial Tower and caused a reaction, I might not have even noticed it."
Black Flame's face was ashen, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity.
Upon hearing this, the Mahayana Demon Cultivator slightly narrowed his eyes, his gaze like a knife, scanning the surrounding Void Realm. His Divine Thought was like an invisible net, covering the entire area, attempting to capture any abnormal fluctuations.
"Since this person dares to spy on our clan's important territory, he must have something to rely on." The Mahayana Demon Cultivator said coldly: "However, no matter who he is, anyone who dares to covet our clan's important territory must pay the price!"
Before he finished speaking, the Mahayana Demon Cultivator suddenly raised his hand, and a purple demonic flame surged from his palm, transforming into a giant Demon Dragon, roaring as it charged towards the surrounding Void Realm. Wherever the Purple Fire Demon Dragon passed, the Void Realm was scorched and distorted, and scorching hot air swept out, turning everything within a hundred miles into ashes.
Unable to find any trace of the peeker, the Mahayana Demon Cultivator's face grew even darker. Being able to conceal his figure and evade his Divine Thought detection, this person was certainly no ordinary individual.
"Black Flame, issue an order to strengthen the patrols around the Demon Palace. Any disturbance must be reported to me immediately." The Mahayana Demon Cultivator instructed in a deep voice, his tone revealing an undeniable authority.
Upon hearing this, Black Flame immediately bowed and accepted the order, then turned to the clan members and said: "Listen up, everyone, the Clan Chief has ordered that from now on, patrols around the Demon Palace are to be strengthened. There must be no slackness. Once any suspicious person is found, report it immediately!"
Upon receiving the order, the Cultivator's expressions tightened, and they responded in unison, their voices neat and powerful. They quickly adjusted their patrol formations, increasing the density of their patrols, not missing a single corner, attempting to find the peeker hidden in the Void Realm.
At the same time, the Mahayana Demon Cultivator did not stop there. His figure moved, transforming into a purple stream of light, instantly disappearing from his original spot, and once again initiated a carpet search of the entire Demon Palace. Since this person dared to spy on their Demon Palace's important territory, he must have a scheme, and they absolutely could not let him escape easily. (End of Chapter)
