The Lieyu Battleship hovered above the sea of clouds in the center of the Mist Hidden Realm.
Li Mu’s fingertips swirled with Chaos Qi, outlining a profound Formation pattern in the Void Realm.
This pattern took root upon landing, instantly transforming into myriad streams of light that permeated every wisp of mist and every silver-gray tree in the Mist Hidden Realm.
“With mist as the guide, and the realm as the foundation,” Li Mu’s voice was steady, his surrounding Chaotic Dao Domain expanding and merging with the Origin mist of the Mist Hidden Realm.
“While in the Mist Hidden Realm, this Formation still requires the power of the Mist People to take shape.”
The Mist People leader stepped forth through the mist, lightly tapping the ground with his mist spear.
Billions of tiny mist threads, as if guided, converged towards the core of the Formation pattern.
Under the catalysis of the Chaos Qi, these mist threads transformed into resilient Formation ropes, connecting the spiritual pearl at the fallen solitary peak with the Lieyu Battleship, forming a net.
Blood Slaughter Divine Lord and Sword Sect Old Ancestor stood on the east and west sides, respectively, injecting their essence blood and Sword Intent into the Formation eyes.
Crimson and golden streams of light intertwined in the sea of mist, like two giant Dragons circling, extending the Formation’s defensive range to the entire realm’s edge.
Kushan Buddhist Lord, meanwhile, laid down Buddha patterns deep within the sea of clouds.
The Buddha Light merged with the mist, forming a gentle protective shield that could both purify external incursions and nourish the living beings of the Mist Hidden Realm.
King Zhenhai and Brahma Valley Master, one controlling water and the other fire, merged water and fire, adding another layer of power to the Formation and enhancing its strength.
Three months later, the Formation was initially complete.
The entire Mist Hidden Realm was enveloped by a translucent light curtain, upon which flowed interwoven patterns of Chaos, blood fiend, Sword Intent, and Buddha Light.
Blue water and red fire surged, creating a beautiful scene.
From the outside, this realm still appeared as surging white mist, but in reality, it secretly contained profound mysteries.
The sea of clouds where the Lieyu Battleship docked became the core hub.
The surrounding floating islands were transformed into defensive strongholds, and the liquid light from the silver-gray trees served as warning lights for the Formation eyes; any intruder would be instantly locked onto by the Formation.
The Mist People moved through the Formation’s Veins, their mist bodies resonating with the Formation patterns, becoming the most natural Formation guards.
Li Mu stood on the Lieyu Battleship’s bridge, watching the smoothly operating Formation below, his fingertips lightly tapping the railing: “This Formation can withstand several full-force attacks from enemies at the Grand Luo level; that’s sufficient for now.”
Everyone present was elated upon hearing this.
Enemies at the Grand Luo level, like Shadow Ancestor, could be resisted by this Formation for several full-force attacks, its strength far surpassing ordinary Formations.
It should be noted that before absorbing the Origin power of the Night Shadow Realm, the Lieyu Battleship was almost contaminated by the strange substances from the Void Cavity Giant Tree and Light Eating Tundra when facing a single attack from Shadow Ancestor, and Blood Slaughter Divine Lord and others were on board, everyone almost exerting their full power, yet even so, it was ultimately Li Mu who resolved the crisis.
On the deck of the Lieyu Battleship, craftsmen were busily setting up temporary workshops.
Spiritual materials brought from the Da Qian Immortal Dynasty were taken out one by one and mixed with the special products of the Mist Hidden Realm—the sap of silver-gray trees and crystals condensed from mist—to refine Formation Plates and Magic Treasures suitable for this environment.
Li Mu was adjusting the spiritual pearl; after being nourished by the Chaos Origin, this pearl could now stably absorb the mist of the Mist Hidden Realm and convert it into pure spiritual energy.
Kushan Buddhist Lord, led by the Mist People, ventured deep into the sea of mist, searching for land suitable for planting Spiritual Plants.
Originally, the Mist Hidden Realm was resource-scarce, but under the influence of the Formation, the nourishing components in the mist became increasingly rich, and Spiritual Plants had already quietly taken root under the silver-gray trees.
Ji Yu held the Three Thousand Realms Map, his eyes barely concealing his excitement: “With this Formation protecting us, we can continue our conquests!
The foundation of the Immortal Dynasty is within our grasp!”
…
Yin Realm Starfield.
The news of the Night Shadow Realm’s destruction, like a stone thrown into the stagnant water of the Yin Realm Starfield, finally caused some ripples three months later.
In the Yin Realm, within a black palace suspended above a sea of blood, a middle-aged man twirled a dark purple Jade Slip between his fingers.
The Jade Slip flickered with light and shadow, showing the current state of the Night Shadow Realm—its realm Origin lost, the Light Eating Tundra rampant within, and the entire realm reduced to desolation.
“It’s merely a low-tier realm.
As long as it wasn’t done by another realm, there’s no need to pay attention, but I fear…”
The man’s voice was hoarse, his crimson eyes devoid of any emotion, his expression slightly grim.
Beside the man, a figure stood silently, respectfully saying: “King, there was nothing unusual about the realm’s destruction, but the entire Origin power of the realm was plundered; this is something no ordinary realm could achieve.”
“It’s nothing more than some high-tier realms wanting to plunder the Origin power of low-tier realms to elevate their realm status.
If the Origin power of dozens or hundreds of low-tier realms can allow a high-tier realm to elevate its status, then why not?”
The man, referred to as the Yin King, crushed the Jade Slip: “Issue an order for the low-tier realms near the Night Shadow Realm to be more vigilant.
After all, low-tier realms have to pay a lot of tribute every year.”
“King, do we need to warn those high-tier realms to behave themselves?”
“Hmm, go do it.”
The man waved his hand, and then his entire being, like flowing water, sank into the shadows.
The figure standing beside him also vanished into the shadows after the man completely disappeared.
Near the Night Shadow Realm, several low-tier realms similar to it, such as the Bone Realm, Cold Water Realm, and Night Ghost Realm, were now in a state of panic.
Especially the Bone Realm, which was closely adjacent to the Night Shadow Realm, had already entered a state of full military alert.
The Bone Clan Leader stood on the city walls piled with white bones, gazing in the direction of the Night Shadow Realm, his brows tightly furrowed.
His Bone Clan warriors were already fully prepared, ready at any moment to face the potential disaster of realm destruction.
“Clan Chief, why don’t you retreat to the edge of the realm first?”
The Grand Elder of the Bone Clan, a Bone Clan being born from the body of a deceased Grand Luo will, suggested: “That way, even if our Bone Realm is truly the next target, you can safely leave.”
The Bone Clan Leader, however, shook his head: “The Yin King will not allow unlimited slaughter by high-tier realms.
If I really leave, and other high-tier realms take advantage of the vacuum, then our Bone Clan will have no place to stand in the future.”
The Grand Elder said nothing more upon hearing this, but even though he was a mere skull, one could vaguely discern his tension.
And on the other side of the Night Shadow Realm, in the Water Clan palace of the Cold Water Realm, the Cold Water Realm Master was fretting over a water mirror.
The mirror surface displayed the current scene of the Night Shadow Realm; being close by and having frequent interactions with the Night Shadow Realm allowed them to glimpse some of its state.
Although the Cold Water Realm Master was staring at the mirror, his mind was filled with the image of a single person killing Shadow Ancestor with one punch, followed by the appearance of the realm’s Origin power.
“Father, why don’t we seek aid from the Yin Realm?” a young man anxiously asked: “Our clan’s water domain defenses might not be able to withstand the attacks of other high-tier realms.”
The Cold Water Realm Master remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand to disperse the water mirror: “Issue an order to activate the ‘Myriad Waters Returning to Void Formation’, concentrating all sources of water in the realm into the core to form a liquid barrier.”
For a time, the various realms in the Yin Realm Starfield were either on alert or observing.
The destruction of the Night Shadow Realm was like a stone dropped into a lake, its ripples slowly spreading.
Three days later, ten pitch-black battleships sailed out of the Yin Realm.
Their hulls were unadorned, yet they exuded a suffocating aura of deathly stillness.
On the lead battleship, the Nether River, a figure clad in dark iron armor stood on the bridge.
What seeped from the armor’s seams was not spiritual energy, but pure, chilling Death Qi.
He was Nether Slaughter, the commander of the Yin Fiend Guards, a capable general under the Yin King, and even ordinary realm masters were no match for him.
“King’s decree: Stabilize the order of the low-tier realms.”
Nether Slaughter’s voice, like two pieces of ice rubbing together, transmitted through the communication Formation patterns to each ship.
The ten battleships transformed into ten black shadows, tearing through the Void Realm and speeding towards the vicinity of the Night Shadow Realm.
On the white bone city walls of the Bone Realm, the Bone Clan Leader was gazing intently at the Void Realm.
When the ten black shadows appeared on the horizon, the Bone Clan warriors behind him all tightened their bone blades, their knuckles turning white from the exertion.
The Nether River hovered above the Bone Realm, and Nether Slaughter’s Divine Thought swept across the entire realm like a searchlight, finally landing on the Clan Chief.
“Bone Realm Master.”
A cold voice exploded directly in the Clan Chief’s Sea of Consciousness: “King’s decree: Within three days, gather all Bone Clan Cultivators who are training outside and close the realm passages.
If any high-tier realm provokes trouble, use this token to request aid.”
A pitch-black token pierced through the Void Realm and landed in the Clan Chief’s hand.
The skull carved on the token had flickering ghostly flames in its eye sockets, exuding the might of the Yin King.
The Clan Chief gripped the token tightly and bowed in salute: “I humbly obey the King’s decree.”
Nether Slaughter said no more.
The Nether River turned, and the ten battleships, like specters, vanished from the Bone Realm’s horizon.
The Bone Clan warriors’ tense bodies suddenly relaxed.
The Clan Chief gazed at the ghostly flames on the token and murmured: “With the Yin Fiend Guards personally present, even high-tier realms with intentions will likely not dare to act rashly anymore.”
The situation in the Cold Water Realm, however, was somewhat tricky.
Although the Cold Water Realm Master had activated the “Myriad Waters Returning to Void Formation,” the Water Clan Cultivators within the realm were restless due to fear, and some Elders proposed surrendering to the neighboring high-tier realm, the Profound Ice Realm, for protection.
When the Nether River arrived, the people of the Cold Water Realm were discussing with the Cold Water Realm Master, once again proposing to surrender to the Profound Ice Realm.
Due to the Myriad Waters Returning to Void Formation, no one detected the arrival of the Nether River.
When Nether Slaughter heard someone suggest defecting to the Profound Ice Realm, he couldn’t help but clench his fist.
In the Yin Realm Starfield, the Yin Realm was the sole King; this was common knowledge.
Now, someone was openly suggesting defecting to a high-tier realm right under his nose, which naturally infuriated Nether Slaughter.
The main cannon of the Nether River immediately began to charge.
The next moment, a beam of light, containing a dense, chilling Death Qi, shot out, directly reducing the Myriad Waters Returning to Void Formation to ashes.
Without giving those who were advising in the palace a chance to speak, several figures emerged from behind them, followed by the sight of heads rolling to the ground.
“The Yin Realm is the only King in this Star Domain.
Today is merely a warning.
If there is a next time, the Cold Water Realm will surely be destroyed!”
Nether Slaughter’s gaze lingered on the remaining Elders and the Cold Water Realm Master.
Death Qi invaded their Sea of Consciousness, making their Primordial Spirit feel as if it had fallen into an ice cave.
“King’s decree: Guard your realm well, and harbor no disloyalty.
If any high-tier realm provokes trouble, use this token to request aid.”
The Cold Water Realm Master hastily stepped forward to receive the token, cold sweat pouring down his forehead: “Your subordinate understands.”
Nether Slaughter glanced at the churning Returning to Void Formation and snorted coldly: “This Formation is full of flaws.
Three days from now, the Yin Fiend Guards will send a Formation diagram for repairs.”
With that, his figure disappeared, leaving only the trembling Cold Water Clan in the palace amidst the deathly silence.
Three days later, the Yin Fiend Guards finished their patrol of all low-tier realms near the Night Shadow Realm.
On their way back to the Yin Realm, Nether Slaughter received a secret report: The Profound Ice Realm had secretly dispatched a battleship, which was hovering outside the Night Shadow Realm.
“Seeking death.”
Nether Slaughter condensed a wisp of gray mist on his fingertip: “Order: Intercept and kill.”
A Profound Ice Realm battleship was disguised and hovering near the Night Shadow Realm, having not yet made any moves.
Suddenly, the Void Realm tore open, and the Nether River appeared like a ghost.
The pitch-black beam of light shot from its bow instantly pierced through the Profound Ice battleship’s spiritual energy shield, completely destroying its defensive System.
Subsequently, several figures instantly vanished from the Nether River and then reappeared on the Profound Ice Realm battleship.
Approximately a quarter of an hour later, all the Yin Fiend Guards who had just been dispatched returned to the Nether River, bringing back a head.
“Take their heads to the Profound Ice Realm.”
Nether Slaughter stared at the head in his subordinate’s hand, his voice incredibly cold: “Tell the Profound Ice Realm Master that if he dares to cross the line again, next time it will be his.”
At the same time, the Yin King’s decree quickly reached several high-tier realms.
These high-tier realms all shared one characteristic: they were just one step away from being top-tier realms, and their realm masters were not mediocre.
When something like the Night Shadow Realm’s Origin power being plundered occurred, they were the most suspicious, and each of them had more or less received warnings from the Yin Realm.
When Nether Slaughter’s subordinate arrived at the Profound Ice Realm to deliver the head and the warning, the Profound Ice Realm Master was hosting a banquet for seven other high-tier realm masters.
The banquet was held on the “Myriad Years Cold Pool” of the Profound Ice Realm; the pool water was condensed from ten thousand years of Profound Ice, and a table of spiritual food floated in the center.
“The Yin Fiend Guards are getting serious.”
A green-robed old man put down his jade chopsticks; he was the Poison Realm Master, with dark green poisonous smoke swirling around him.
“The destruction of a low-tier realm is normally a small matter, but the Yin King actually sent the Yin Fiend Guards in person.
It seems the destruction of the Night Shadow Realm is not simple.”
The Profound Ice Realm Master’s face was ashen, and he threw the head onto the ice table: “The Yin King has spoken; if I cross the line again, this will be my fate.”
“Brother Profound Ice should restrain himself.”
The Blood Hell Realm Master, sitting opposite him, chuckled, his body enveloped in blood-red light.
The Profound Ice Realm Master snorted coldly: “I merely wanted to see who took the Origin power of the Night Shadow Realm.”
“No matter who it is, this is not a good thing for us,” someone who had been silent suddenly spoke, implying something.
The banquet fell into silence.
The realm masters clearly understood that this move by the Yin Fiend Guards was a warning to one of them to observe the rules.
It was acceptable to seek to advance one’s status by devouring realm Origin power, but they shouldn’t target realms within their own Star Domain, or else they shouldn’t blame the Yin Realm.
The Poison Mist Realm Master suddenly smiled, looking at everyone: “Actually, what we should be more concerned about is who exactly took the Origin power of the Night Shadow Realm, and how they managed to do so without the Yin Realm’s detection, and without incurring the Yin Realm’s punishment?”
At these words, the seven people present simultaneously turned their gaze to the only woman in the room. (End of chapter)
