Qing Jun was the proudest disciple of the Blood Blade Divine Emperor, though he had long since left the Blood Blade Divine Court to establish his own faction! Many mighty figures had already pledged their allegiance to him.
Dongbo Xueying had received detailed intelligence from both Venerable Huo Chuan and his master, the Blood Blade Divine Emperor, and thus understood just how extraordinary his nominal senior brother, ‘Qing Jun,’ truly was. His influence among the highest echelons of both the Divine Realm and the Abyss was no less than that of a Ruler—indeed, in some cases, even surpassing them.
Why was this?
Because Qing Jun, like the Blood Blade Divine Emperor, had opened three distinct Daos, each cultivated to their absolute limits, standing just one step away from breaking through to the Ruler level. The combination of these three Daos rendered Qing Jun flawless—a being of terrifying perfection among Venerables.
Figures like the Blood Fiend Ruler, the Island Lord of Time and Space, the Master of Myriad Palaces, and Lady Qianhe had each mastered only a single Dao—though all had reached the Ruler level. Qing Jun, while slightly inferior in each individual Dao, compensated with their seamless synergy, making his combat power unparalleled.
Some Venerables could escape from Rulers, yet found themselves utterly countered by Qing Jun—who could trap and slay them with certainty. Even against Rulers, Qing Jun could hold his ground.
He was simply too complete, excelling in every aspect. In fact, the harmony of his three Daos surpassed even that of the Blood Blade Divine Emperor.
Moreover, Qing Jun was the only being in the entire Divine Realm and Abyss—aside from the Blood Blade Divine Emperor—to possess three bodies. Each of his avatars was already overwhelmingly powerful, and with three in total? Though Qing Jun claimed no territory, no fewer than fifteen mighty figures had sworn fealty to him—more than those under Lady Qianhe or the Primordial Master, and nearly matching the numbers of the Island Lord of Time and Space, the Master of Myriad Palaces, and the Blood Blade Divine Emperor himself.
In truth, Lady Qianhe’s deterrence over Venerables paled in comparison to Qing Jun’s.
As for the Primordial Master, his aloof nature made him disinclined to gather followers—so much so that Dongbo Xueying had never even heard his name before meeting Venerable Huo Chuan, a testament to his obscurity.
Thus, Qing Jun stood as the unspoken fourth great power in the Divine Realm.
“Senior Brother Qing Jun,” Dongbo Xueying stepped forward respectfully, not daring the slightest negligence. Qing Jun’s arrival carried the weight of a Ruler’s presence, and the mere fact that he had come demanded the utmost reverence.
“Junior Brother Dongbo,” Qing Jun strode forward barefoot, smiling warmly. “I’ve long heard of you. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”
Qing Jun studied this junior brother carefully. The Blood Blade Divine Emperor had taken many personal disciples throughout history, yet few had ever earned the privilege of meeting Qing Jun—most were beneath his notice. Many might never even transcend mortality, and even those who did often led unremarkable lives. But Dongbo Xueying was different.
First, he was the fastest in history to reach the Third Heaven Realm God stage—a record-breaking cultivator whose future, if he survived, would assuredly be extraordinary.
Second, he was the only known member of the Annihilation Legion besides Pang Yi. And this, Qing Jun found particularly intriguing.
“Pang Yi…” Qing Jun murmured inwardly.
Pang Yi had shaken him deeply.
In his prime, Qing Jun had been unrivaled among Venerables, disdainful of all others—he had once crippled the elite Venerable Pang Yi with a single strike. Yet Pang Yi had undergone a silent metamorphosis, later clashing with the Blood Fiend Ruler and even wounding him in direct combat.
Qing Jun, disbelieving, had sought Pang Yi out for a duel. The battle had no witnesses, but despite Qing Jun unleashing his full might, Pang Yi had matched him blow for blow—ending in a stalemate.
“I couldn’t defeat Niluo, yet he did—and he hasn’t even become a Ruler.”
“The Master once said Pang Yi’s self-created cultivation method is nearing completion. Once he breaks through to Ruler, he’ll become even more formidable. The Master holds him in the highest regard.”
“I’ve pushed myself to the absolute limits in every aspect, yet I still can’t surpass a mere Venerable.”
“As a Venerable, I failed the trials of the Annihilation Abyss—yet Pang Yi became a captain?” Qing Jun’s pride had been shattered. “Even the Fourth Heaven commander of the Annihilation Legion reveres him.”
……
Despite his overwhelming presence, Qing Jun exuded no oppressive aura—even ordinary mortals would feel no discomfort in his presence. Yet whether weak or mighty, all beings instinctively felt the urge to submit.
“The Master told me he’d taken on a remarkable disciple and asked me to visit when I had time,” Qing Jun said with a smile.
“I’m merely a Fourth Heaven Realm God, not even transcended yet. Senior Brother flatters me too much,” Dongbo Xueying replied, relieved that Qing Jun was approachable.
Qing Jun’s gaze shifted to Yu Jingqiu beside him. “Junior Brother Dongbo, this must be your wife. A Fourth Heaven Realm God as well—impressive. If you both transcend, you’ll attain eternal life together, the envy of countless cultivators across the Divine Realm and Abyss.”
Dongbo Xueying and Yu Jingqiu exchanged a smile.
Yet Dongbo Xueying knew from his intelligence that Qing Jun had never taken a wife—his entire existence was devoted to cultivation.
“Well, Fifth Uncle has arrived. I’ll leave you to it,” Qing Jun said before moving aside.
Dongbo Xueying turned his attention to the main entrance.
Whoosh—
A shadowy figure bypassed the sealing formations around Dongbo Xueying’s estate, materializing directly at the gates before darting inside. When it halted, it revealed itself as an unremarkable black bird, cackling as it eyed Dongbo Xueying.
“Not bad, kid. Among your master’s disciples, you’re already one of the top fighters. Cultivate harder—transcend soon and catch up to your Senior Brother Qing Jun!”
“Fifth Uncle, please come in. I’ll naturally strive my hardest in cultivation,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
The black bird grinned, plucking a single black feather from its body. “For your estate-opening feast, I’ve no grand gifts—just this feather. But make sure the food’s good. I don’t care what the others eat—I demand the finest. Bring out the best delicacies, or this ‘heavy gift’ of mine will have been wasted!”
Dongbo Xueying reached out to accept it, but his hand passed straight through the feather.
“Don’t use matter—use energy,” the bird instructed.
Understanding dawned. Dongbo Xueying channeled his Taihao Force, coating his palm in energy before successfully grasping the feather.
The black bird cackled once more, flapped its wings, and vanished into the estate’s depths.
“Are the guests all here now?” Yu Jingqiu transmitted silently.
“All the Realm Gods, at least. The mighty figures should be nearly complete,” Dongbo Xueying replied, studying the feather in his hand. Most gifts were received by attendants—only Fifth Uncle would hand his directly to the host.
“What kind of feather is this?” He could sense its extraordinary nature.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage