“Yes, a major one.” Ancestor Tianyu nodded. “Ever since the Primordial Ancient Sacred World shattered and the Chaos Void continued to expand, the Annihilation Fiends were born at the edges of the void. Over the long ages, their numbers have grown, and the pressure to resist them has intensified. They are born solely for destruction. Perhaps this vast Chaos Void itself seeks to annihilate us and give birth to a new cosmos. Though we are strong, before the Supreme Laws, we are likely nothing more than slightly stronger ants.”
Dongbo Xueying was taken aback.
He recalled the glimpse he once had of a higher-level world through the aperture passage of the ‘Black Mist Sphere.’
“Although the Annihilation Fiends grow ever more numerous, we always believed our defenses were flawless, impenetrable,” Ancestor Tianyu said gravely. “However, not long after I wandered the cosmos and created many universes—roughly equivalent to the fifth epoch of your home universe—we discovered that Annihilation Fiends had actually infiltrated the Five Great Sacred Worlds!”
“What?!” Dongbo Xueying was stunned. “Annihilation Fiends have entered the Five Great Sacred Worlds? Weren’t they always intercepted outside?”
Even in the intelligence he had received, the Annihilation Fiends were supposedly perfectly barred from entry, with not a single one slipping through!
“We, too, thought our defenses were impeccable. But the evidence is undeniable—some have indeed infiltrated,” Ancestor Tianyu shook his head. “Upon careful reflection, we suspect that during several of their large-scale assaults, they pushed all the way to the final spatial barrier. We believed we had repelled them perfectly, but at least once, a few must have slipped through.”
“To date, we have detected traces of Annihilation Fiends over a hundred times, all of them Golden-Armored Fiends. We’ve confirmed at least fifteen distinct individuals. They are cunning and cautious, capable of altering their auras, disguising themselves as ordinary cultivators. They only reveal themselves when committing mass slaughter, which is why we’ve yet to capture even one.”
“They are born for destruction, so eventually, they will seize an opportunity to unleash a cataclysmic massacre.”
“Publicly… we attribute such incidents to devouring-type demonic overlords running amok. We dare not reveal the truth about the Annihilation Fiends.”
Ancestor Tianyu sighed. “Moreover, as their numbers swell at the void’s edge, the frequency of their large-scale attacks increases. Occasionally, they breach the final spatial barrier, leading to a corresponding rise in the discovery of their traces within the Five Great Sacred Worlds and the Chaos Void.”
“Everyone understands.”
“For now, we still hold the upper hand. But as time passes, our advantage will wane until we are at a disadvantage—and ultimately, overwhelmed.”
“It’s infuriating that the Sacred Master refuses to assist. With his help, our burden would be far lighter.”
Dongbo Xueying remained silent.
Even if the Sacred Master did help… it would likely only delay the inevitable.
“Perhaps the Sacred Master also realizes the Annihilation Fiends will grow ever more rampant. He has lost the patience he once had,” Ancestor Tianyu mused. “In the past, he was exceedingly patient, willing to bide his time for his goals. But this time, merely to vent his rage, he expended a portion of his accumulated origin power to kill your master, Gu Qi. No gain, just spite? That’s something the old Sacred Master would never have done.”
“Internal strife and external threats.”
Ancestor Tianyu shook his head. “Of course, the Sacred Master is hardly our greatest concern. He cannot shake the grand scheme! The true existential threat remains the Annihilation Fiends. Perhaps the Chaos Void is fated for destruction, but we must delay it as long as possible. The longer we hold out, the greater the chance for a miracle.”
“Our defenses at the void’s edge are already at their limit.”
“What truly worries us now are the infiltrators. They are exceedingly cautious. Even when Cosmic Gods have secretly investigated multiple times, the Fiends seem to sense their presence and refuse to reveal themselves. Chaos Realm experts who attempt to confront them stand no chance of victory—and may even lose their lives. Of the ten most recent Chaos Realm fatalities, two fell at the void’s edge, two perished in internal conflicts, and the remaining six were ambushed and slain by these infiltrators.”
“Ah.” Dongbo Xueying was shocked, immediately recalling the names of the ten fallen Chaos Realm experts.
“We’ve kept this secret concealed to prevent panic among the countless cultivators of the Five Great Sacred Worlds and the Chaos Void,” Ancestor Tianyu explained.
“Sigh…”
“Cosmic Gods cannot approach without driving them into hiding.”
“Chaos Realm experts lack the confidence to confront them, and even those with ninth-level combat power dare not take the risk,” Ancestor Tianyu said grimly. “After all, among the fallen were two at the peak of the eighth level.”
“Thus, we seek a Chaos Realm expert with ninth-level combat power and the ability to perform ultra-long-distance teleportation for escape,” Ancestor Tianyu continued. “But ninth-level combatants are exceedingly rare, and adding the teleportation requirement narrows it down to just three—before you.”
Dongbo Xueying understood.
Ultra-long-distance teleportation was an exceptionally rare ability. Even among Cosmic Gods, only a handful could perform it. Among the larger pool of Chaos Realm experts, a few possessed it—but only three met the ‘ninth-level combat power’ criterion.
“One is from the Ancient Sacred Cult, one from the Mother Goddess Cult, and the last is of the Myriad Realms Tower lineage,” Ancestor Tianyu said, frustration evident. “None hail from the Six Great Holy Lands or the Eternal Sacred World.”
“But you… you offer hope,” Ancestor Tianyu said, looking at Dongbo Xueying.
“You possess ultra-long-distance teleportation and are already at the peak of the eighth level. Once you reach the ninth level, you will be the ideal candidate.”
Dongbo Xueying nodded but couldn’t help asking, “If even peak eighth-level experts have fallen, with no time for rescue, does this mean the infiltrators include Cosmic God-level Annihilation Fiends?”
“That’s precisely why we believe a ninth-level expert with teleportation is the best choice,” Ancestor Tianyu said solemnly. “Though we lack proof, we suspect Cosmic God-level Fiends have infiltrated. At the ninth level, you would at least not be instantly annihilated—you could hold out briefly. Combined with teleportation, survival would be assured.”
“Of course, we will also prepare a grand gift for you! With it and your own strength, you will be safe.”
“From now on, focus on honing your survival techniques to make them even stronger,” Ancestor Tianyu advised. “Your current bodily resilience ranks among the top thirty in the Chaos Realm. If you master the ninth rotation of the ‘Balong Legacy,’ combined with your ‘Virtualization’ ability and concealment within the illusory world, your survival skills should break into the top ten.”
Dongbo Xueying grasped the implications.
Among Chaos Realm powerhouses, roughly twenty possessed ninth-level combat power, with many more at the peak of the eighth level. Relying solely on the eighth rotation of the Balong Legacy, his physical defense would rank outside the top hundred—after all, devourer-type physiques were formidable, as were those of the strongest warrior lineages, witch cultivators, and certain ancient cultivation systems with unique talents. Many excelled in survival.
For Dongbo Xueying’s physical defense to rank in the top thirty was astonishing. Breaking into the top ten would likely allow him to withstand attacks from Cosmic Gods.
“With our gift added to the mix, you’ll be even safer,” Ancestor Tianyu said with a smile. “Of course, your offensive capabilities are still lacking. Your current attack power ranks around fiftieth among Chaos Realm experts. We hope you can eventually confront the most formidable infiltrators. If you cannot kill them swiftly, they can disperse and escape.”
“Understood,” Dongbo Xueying acknowledged.
“Go to the void’s edge and train well. Most ninth-level experts of the Star Tower emerged only after enduring countless battles there.”
“Yes.” Dongbo Xueying felt a surge of anticipation.
Battling Annihilation Fiends at the void’s edge served dual purposes: tempering oneself and absorbing the unique energy they released upon death—similar to Sourceworld Stone energy, but far more potent for the soul. The stronger the Fiend slain, the greater the benefit. The energy from ordinary Gray-Armored Fiends matched that of standard Sourceworld Stones. Crimson-Armored Fiends surpassed them, and Golden-Armored ones were truly extraordinary, elevating the soul’s very essence.
Thus, fighting there not only honed experience but also enhanced the soul. It was no wonder most ninth-level Chaos Realm experts of the Star Tower emerged from such trials.
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