“Impressive, truly impressive.”
Nine Dongbo Xueyings sat separately atop a colossal lotus, meditating while experimenting with various techniques of application.
Weapons, after all, are only as powerful as the wielder who commands them.
Dongbo Xueying had already fused eight meridians and stood just one step away from the Ultimate Realm. Having cultivated the *Hunyuan Seven Strikes* and even innovated his own *Flying Snow Combat Art*, his foundation was undeniably profound. This ‘Voidfire Lotus’—he could unleash its full might! The only challenge lay in integrating the Voidfire Lotus with his *Flying Snow Combat Art* to elevate his strength to its absolute peak!
**Boom!**
Upon the massive flaming lotus, the nine cross-legged Dongbo Xueyings blurred, splitting from one into two, two into three, three into countless. The entire lotus now hosted innumerable spatial layers, each containing a Xueying executing different techniques.
The petals of the flaming lotus abruptly expanded, folding inward.
As the lotus sealed shut, everything was enveloped within. A vast surge of Hunyuan energy permeated the space, and the closed lotus faintly resonated with the essence of a Source World.
“This technique is now mastered.”
The lotus unfurled once more, revealing the nine avatars. “This Voidfire Lotus was worth every effort. No wonder even second-tier Cosmic Gods covet such a peak treasure—the sensation of unleashing Ultimate Realm techniques is truly exhilarating! Combined with my *Hunyuan Seven Strikes*, it amplifies my overall power by severalfold.”
“It’s time to head to the Ancestral Ancient Nation. Without the Voidfire Lotus, my chances against Black Monarch were slim. Now, I’d say seven or eight out of ten.” A cold glint flashed in Dongbo Xueying’s eyes.
Were the outside world to learn of this, jaws would drop.
Killing a Venerable—one backed by an invincible presence of an ancient nation? The difficulty was astronomical. Black Monarch had cleared twelve trials in the Heartstar Palace, surpassing even the likes of the Hunter and Pusu the Great! Among Venerables, he ranked at the forefront. Across the entire Heartstar Continent, fewer than ten of his peers could claim the ability to slay him.
—
**Ancestral Ancient Nation, Black Monarch City.**
**Black Monarch’s Estate.**
“Black Monarch,” a grotesque elder bowed respectfully. “Within my city, I’ve discovered a youth of extraordinary talent. I’ve brought him here for your consideration.”
“Oh?”
Seated upon the throne was none other than Black Monarch himself.
Black Monarch arched a brow. “Extraordinary talent, you say?”
“Indeed. Exceptionally so. He’s reached the tenth level of the Chaos Realm in just over a billion years. His temperament is… somewhat eccentric due to the loss of his wife,” the elder explained deferentially. “But rest assured, he will be most obedient in your presence.”
“Such rapid cultivation… It reminds me of the Snowhawk Emperor of the Southcloud Nation, who once ventured the Heartstar Palace with me. Poor fool—his misfortune was my fortune.” Black Monarch smirked. “Mala, leave the boy here. I’ll inspect him in a few days.”
“As you command.” The elder bowed deeply before withdrawing.
“Go on.” Black Monarch’s benevolent smile never wavered.
Under the Nightstar Ancestor’s banner, two factions thrived.
One consisted of direct disciples, led by the Nine Nightwalkers—special demonic constructs forged by the Nightstar Ancestor himself, bound by absolute loyalty. This faction included only those whose souls bore the Ancestor’s mark, ensuring unwavering fealty.
The other faction, however, was led by Black Monarch and Flame Monarch—Cosmic Gods who valued freedom above all. They served the Nightstar Ancestor solely for the benefits he offered, reciprocating with service. Among them, only Black and Flame Monarchs held the rank of Venerable.
“My luck only improves,” Black Monarch mused with a grin.
Ever since ambushing the Snowhawk Emperor in the Heartstar Palace, fortune had favored him. The rewards from the twelve trials, combined with past accumulations and the merits of eliminating Xueying, had earned him a long-coveted peak treasure from the Nightstar Ancestor—who believed strictly in fair exchange.
“Mastering the Shadow Avatar Art secured my entry into the Heartstar Palace. This stroke of luck has granted me yet another peak treasure, amplifying my strength and deepening my comprehension of the Ultimate Realm’s mysteries—bringing me closer to breaking through.” Black Monarch pondered. “The Nightstar and Eternal Night Ancestors are scheming again. I hope their plans don’t backfire.”
His allegiance to the Nightstar Ancestor was purely self-serving.
His true goal? Attaining the Ultimate Realm. He had no intention of eternal servitude.
—
**Elsewhere in Black Monarch City.**
“Hmm?”
Dongbo Xueying, disguised as a black-robed youth, leisurely dined in a tavern. In this ancient nation, recklessness was unwise. Since the Nightstar Ancestor’s attempt on his life in the Heartstar Palace, enmity had been sealed. The Ancestor might dismiss him as insignificant, but flaunting his presence would surely invite another strike.
“Not here? Where is he?” Xueying frowned. “Only an avatar oversees the city?”
A mere ordinary avatar.
But this was unsurprising. True doppelgangers were rare across the Heartstar Continent—limited to Void Path and Ancient Cultivators. Even among invincible beings, most lacked such abilities. Without talent in the Void Path, it simply wasn’t possible.
Avatars handled trivialities while true bodies secluded themselves for cultivation or critical matters.
“Where is his true form? I’ll have to search carefully.”
—
In the following days, Xueying appeared to indulge in the nation’s culinary delights while covertly hunting Black Monarch.
Logically, his vendetta remained unknown. Even if revealed, Black Monarch would likely scoff at the notion. Hiding entirely made little sense.
“Nothing.”
“Still nothing.”
He scoured Black Monarch’s estates and secluded retreats—all empty.
Xueying even employed Illusory Realm techniques on the monarch’s closest attendants. Of course, he restrained himself to ordinary Cosmic God-level illusions, careful not to expose his second-tier prowess. The weak-willed servants offered no resistance, their memories sifted without a trace.
“Even his personal servants are clueless. Has he left for some urgent matter?” Xueying pondered.
Days turned to weeks.
With no leads, Xueying wandered the Heartstar Continent, savoring its vistas and flavors—until one day, the Southcloud Sacred Sect relayed news: Black Monarch had been spotted in the Windheavy Nation!
“Hah! As expected of a top-ten sect—their intelligence network spans everywhere. Unless he actively conceals himself, he’ll be found.” Xueying grinned, immediately setting off for Windheavy Nation.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage