Chapter 886: Threat

“Ancestor, Elder Dongbo has already attained the strength of the sixth level of the Star Tower,” the Hall Master of Wentiandian immediately reported the matter and also relayed the intelligence regarding ‘Black Demon suspected to be a member of the two great sects’ to the Realm Ancestor. After all, matters involving the two great sects required the unity of the three Sacred Realms.

“Dongbo Xueying?” Ancestor Tianyu was somewhat astonished.

“Yes, he is currently in the Ancient Sacred Realm…” The Hall Master of Wentiandian recounted the details.

“Hahaha! Back when he was still a True God Ruler and had mastered the Second Sword of Annihilation, I knew his future was boundless. Now, he has already achieved such heights. His comprehension of the Void Path surpasses even that of the Slaughter Path,” Ancestor Tianyu said with great delight. He had founded the Taixu Heavenly Palace and devoted himself to nurturing his disciples.

Encountering a prodigy of such monstrous talent naturally brought him joy. To possess such strength at the Unity Realm meant that upon advancing to the Chaos Realm, he would swiftly attain the eighth level of the Star Tower, with the ninth level within reach.

The disparity among Chaos Realm giants was vast.

The weaker ones barely reached the sixth level, while veterans like the Sect Master of Tianku were at the seventh.

Powerful figures like the Hall Master of Wentiandian stood at the eighth level.

The eighth level… was the limit for ordinary Chaos Realm cultivators. Reaching the ninth level was as difficult as ‘attaining the seventh level in the Unity Realm.’

The entire Taixu Heavenly Palace had only one Chaos Realm expert who had reached the ninth level—’Chaos Hall Master.’ His offensive prowess even placed him among the ranks of ultimate existences. Achieving this as a Chaos Realm giant was something even some Cosmic Deities couldn’t match. If he were to face the Sect Master of Tianku, it would be an instant obliteration.

In the Star Tower’s hierarchy of strength, a two-level gap meant the difference between annihilation and survival.

Of course—

There was one Chaos Realm giant who defied all norms: Lord Luo! The Star Tower itself was created by Lord Luo, and even among Cosmic Deities, many were suppressed by this Chaos Realm titan. Though a select few, like the Blade Emperor, the Witch Ancestor, and the Realm Ancestor, could still overpower him.

“I wonder when this lad will break through to the Chaos Realm,” mused Ancestor Tianyu, his avatar appearing beside him as he observed the battle through the void projection displayed by the Hall Master of Wentiandian.

“Given his speed, it shouldn’t take long,” the Hall Master replied.

“It’s not that simple. Transcending realms is inherently difficult, and breaking into the Chaos Realm is far more challenging than any bottleneck he’s faced before,” Ancestor Tianyu said.

There were those who had reached the sixth level of the Unity Realm but remained stuck there indefinitely—some even perishing in the end.

This illustrated just how arduous the leap to the Chaos Realm was.

However, historically, the two geniuses who had reached the seventh level of the Unity Realm had both successfully advanced to the Chaos Realm. For talents of that caliber, breaking through was no longer a significant hurdle.

…

While the Taixu Heavenly Palace observed from afar, the disciples of the Realm Ancestor, having received the news, also had experts keeping watch. None of them rushed to intervene.

They were waiting—

Waiting to see if the two great sects would dispatch experts to rescue Black Demon.

…

Above Windrider City.

The panicked fleeing cultivators had halted, watching the distant battle from afar. A white-robed youth stood mid-air as countless blades manifested from the void, slashing against Black Demon, whose body was shrouded in a faint glow. Even from a distance, the sheer force of the attacks sent shivers down their spines—a primal fear born of instinct.

Yet, Dongbo Xueying, with the aid of the Panbo Diagram, shielded Windrider City below, ensuring none of the battle’s devastation reached the ground.

Black Demon, despite his protective treasures, found escape impossible.

“I can’t hold on much longer,” Black Demon muttered, sensing the energy of his defensive artifacts depleting rapidly. A look of relief gradually spread across his face. Though he knew the Ancient Sacred Sect had not sent reinforcements, he bore no resentment. Sacrificing himself for the Sacred Master was the highest honor.

“Sacred Master.”

Black Demon formed a seal with his hands, invoking the Sacred Master’s name with reverence. His body began to dissolve into nothingness.

Dongbo Xueying watched silently before collecting the artifacts left behind. “So, he was from the Ancient Sacred Sect. I wonder when he was soul-controlled.”

…

Far away in the Ancient Sacred Realm.

Chaos Realm ‘Saints’ observed the scene from a distance. They had not dispatched reinforcements, knowing full well that Dongbo Xueying’s backers—the Taixu Heavenly Palace and the disciples of the Realm Ancestor—were also watching. Sending aid now would risk annihilation, for this was the territory of the Realm Ancestor and the Witch Ancestor.

Unless the Sacred Master himself descended, no one from the Ancient Sacred Sect could save Black Demon.

“Dongbo Xueying of the Taixu Heavenly Palace has already reached the sixth level of the Star Tower. Though it seems his offensive prowess stems from the techniques of the former Dark Realm Lord, his other aspects remain mediocre,” the Saints mused. They cared little for Dongbo Xueying in his current state but recognized that, left unchecked, he might one day become another Chaos Realm giant for the Taixu Heavenly Palace.

Such matters were beneath the notice of the exalted Sacred Master.

Yet, the Saints had taken note.

“He’s progressing this quickly?”

In an underwater palace, the green-robed Saint Wangming sat cross-legged in meditation, droplets of water floating around him. A smile crept onto his face. “Good. This should make some of the sect’s Saints feel threatened. Inner Hall Elders with fifth-level Star Tower strength are common and insignificant. But reaching the sixth level… Once he becomes a Chaos Realm giant, he’ll be at least eighth-level—a formidable enemy for us Saints!”

The Ancient Sacred Realm was the largest of the Five Sacred Realms, boasting the greatest number of Chaos Realm giants.

Yet, their strengths varied greatly. Saint Wangming was among the weaker ones, barely matching the sixth level of the Star Tower. Compared to Dongbo Xueying, even if he was stronger, the difference was marginal.

“If I can rally some of the old-timers, perhaps we can devise a plan to eliminate Dongbo Xueying,” Saint Wangming thought. He had long sought vengeance for his younger brother, the most important kin in his long life. How could he let his brother’s killer go unpunished?

Thus,

Saint Wangming began visiting fellow Saints within the Ancient Sacred Realm, forging alliances. Alone, he stood no chance against someone of Dongbo Xueying’s caliber.

Because the moment Dongbo Xueying sensed an ambush, he would activate his defensive treasures and report it immediately. Ancestor Tianyu himself might even intervene.

Thus, any strike had to be meticulously planned—a single, decisive blow!

Throughout history, how had geniuses who reached the sixth level of the Star Tower met their ends? Many had fallen to the schemes of the two great sects!

…

“Rumble—”

Outside Windrider City, the distorted sky rippled as a figure emerged—the silver-haired, dark-skinned Hall Master of Wentiandian. Though it was merely an avatar.

“Hall Master,” Dongbo Xueying called out, flying over. “Why have you come personally?”

“You’ve stirred up quite the commotion. Though the Ancient Sacred Sect didn’t rescue Black Demon, they were undoubtedly watching. They’ve taken note of your strength! While they may not act against you immediately, the Taixu Heavenly Palace must remain vigilant,” the Hall Master said. “History shows that many promising talents from our Three Sacred Realms have fallen to the Ancient Sacred Sect’s schemes.”

Dongbo Xueying tensed.

Caution was indeed necessary.

Though confident in his survival skills, the Saints of the Ancient Sacred Sect were numerous. If they sent someone like the Chaos Hall Master, a single strike would obliterate him—defensive treasures be damned!

Such artifacts might hold against ordinary Chaos Realm giants, but against the Chaos Hall Master? A joke. Even Cosmic Deities were only marginally stronger than him.