Over the vast sea of magma, sudden surges of waves erupted, forming an enormous whirlpool thousands of feet across in the molten realm. Seeming to arise from the very heart of the vortex, something incomprehensible was clearly preparing to emerge, sending unusual pulsing waves rippling throughout Heaven and earth. The unexpected turbulence on the ocean of flames had captured the eyes of countless spectators, all wearing expressions of astonishment. Xiao Yan too fixed his gaze on the turbulent whirlpool beneath him, his expression grim, his eyes filled with deep vigilance. He could very well recall the ancient cavern dwelling outside of which lurked a hidden, mystical guardian. If ever such a beast broke loose, it could certainly change the fate of this conflict irrevocably.
With a sudden “Zhi!”, space behind Xiao Yan trembled subtly, and then out emerged a battered elderly figure. The heavy aura of death which once clung to its body had dissipated a thousandfold, clearly bearing the form of a severely injured old man.
“So he didn’t die after all?” Xiao Yan twisted round instinctively and gazed sharply upon the old wisp beside him with surprise flashing through his eyes. But as he turned to the lifeless shadow tightly grasped in hunshengtian’s arms, realization dawned. The lifeless man, who had once fought alongside Hunyuanti was none other than Hunyuantang…
Xiao Yan’s numerous blasts of Destroying Flames Lotus combined explosively with the Seal of Silence, resulting in power beyond comprehension even enough to shake even seasoned cultivators to their cores—both terrifying and deadly. Although hunyuanti and hunsuantian stood proudly at the venerable Peak Stage of Great Sages (8 star), this assault had been enough for death to claim one, and grievous wounds the other.
Revealing himself now, Hunshengtian let loose torrents of blood, his visage pale with fear momentarily glancing upon Xiao Yan. His gaze flickering with deep hatred, Hunshengtian was wise enough to know he stood no chance at full force against this enemy at present. Tight-lipped, he dragged his battered mortal container into retreat.
Xiao Yan glanced at the escaping Hunshengtian but held back the hunt. He knew, though he had dealt grievous damage—killing and maiming his former opponents—it had taken its considerable toll. Furthermore, with the Ancient Emperor’s Hidden Hall soon due to reveal itself, it was not advisable pursuing a retreating adversary. Hunshengtian would have no hand left to play here.
“Hou! Hou!” The mighty molten vortex continued spiraling more violently with a tremendous noise echoing through skywards realms.
“Pfft!” All of a sudden erupted a deafening roar in the skies, where three silhouettes tumbled backwards in disarray. Of them two had faired worse, their deadly auras all but disintegrating into nonexistence, leaving them weakened severalfold. Against overwhelming strengths unleashed on the scale of the might of ancients, even minor grazes spelled grave consequence.
“Mr Void,” one of the death-cloaked men rasped, his face drained pallid as his gaze met with the disarrayed Void-Devouring Flames that rumbled along with its Master Void Devourer at their side.
Black flames in Void Devourer’s gaze flickered momentarily reflecting grudging acknowledgment. It was unanticipated indeed; even reaching a Soul Sovereign’s Imperial Grade still fell short before the strength of Ancient Yuan. At this short distance, if his compatriots not held fast, they would not endure to stand where now was safe footing.
Not too far from them, Yuan made another manifest appearance, his gaze sweeping over the three with aloof disdain. He had considered it feasible from inception that if Void-Devourers had truly attained the Imperial realm, he might not need to bother himself with dispatch two lesser adversaries. Yet, with both still alive, albeit weakened, his mind quickly perceived the underlying objective of the trio; delay, at whatever risk it entailed was the sole motive.
“Hotontai.” Ancient Yuan cast an upward glance at the figure controlling Tuo Sha Imperial Jade, eyes flaring with cold light. Stepping out forward in one stride, he caused ripples across spatial fabric itself, appearing immediately behind Hotontai’s back. Swirling Heavenly Tides were summoned and amassed into immense Tidal Hand and slammed violently upon Hotontai’s back.
“Boom!” Yet in facing this, HunTiandi’s laughter arose amidst all, releasing an overwhelming punch shattering Void itself, taking down directly with brutal impact Ancient Yuan’s strike unflinchingly.
Ancient Yuan! It’s late, all preparations lead henceforth unto Tuo Sha Cavern’s emergence!”
Stepping gracefully away following this, Hotontai clutched tightly Tuso-Huojad in trembling grip. Hearing Hotontay’s declaration Ancient Yuan wore a dark expression, casting an uneasy peek toward the distant magma ocean, already perceiving, that indeed: The whirlpool above had expanded twentyfold all at once.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!” With the vortex’s expansion, volcanic streams up to 3,000 feet in thickness surged heavenwards, indiscriminately wreaking devastation upon all parties engaged below. Both warring fronts, suffering heavy casualties instantly.
Observing the chaotic spectacle now displayed upon molten waters beneath, HunTiand’s ecstasy was apparent, unmistakably growing ever higher. A surge of intense blazing surged forth power resonating deeply through Toso Imperial Jewel tightly grasped at hand.
“Rum!” A column three kilometers high leapt furiously from deep below then collapsing down forcefully into molten waters anew, spaying droves of burning magma far and wide while slowing gradually the furious churn.
As rotation eased magma flows now lifted skyward in bulging swell formations rapidly spreading wider into scarlet oceans. And at last beneath that receding magma tide, an enormity of ancient stone doorway arose silently upward amidst gazes brimming with reverence like fire across all onlookers’ hearts.
Molten flows cascading rapidly down from stone walls as if rejecting it; emanating then from this structure was a sense, archaic, savage and primal—a presence so overwhelming it silenced every soul present; awe and trepidation gripping tightly all within the vicinity as a result. Even formidable figures like Yuan and HunTiandi felt involuntary stirrs deep within primal nerves awakened only by might greater yet than their own dominions—a true mastery towering omnipresently above both realms entirely.
Multitudes focused their stares now solely towards the ancient towering gate, drawn irresistibly by the ancient inscription now revealed above this monumental door:
“Emperor’s Hidden Hall!”
At witnessing this inscribed decree at the moment of revelation HunTiandi’s very eyes radiated a blinding ferocity unlike his otherwise steady temperament—his inner world shaken violently from within after gazing on this long-anticipated revelation. Pursued across centuries of endless endeavors—now at long last unveiled before his grasp.
“At last we have reunited…”
Utensily whispering in reverent tones, HunTiandi at last gave into raucous thunderous laughter unshaken echoing heavenwards.
Was this truly, that Legendary Imperial Secluded Dwelling?
Ancient Yuan too found himself momentarily transfixed, staring motionless at the silent structure now towering mightily before molten waves once disturbed now still again. That lingering force radiating through his whole perception made him realize—this wasn’t mere fabrication conjured through dreams; it instead stood authentic—unmistakably the relic of legendary Dou di himself—the might left imprinted by a mythical Dou帝 figure able to bring trepidation through even an Ancient’s might.
Fixing a final lingering stare at that still silent entrance ahead, finally breaking free momentarily Ancient yuan could not prevent a hint of deep contemplation flickering through expression once returned thereto. Through eons countless battles scarred ancient clan legacies; though now but the remnant strength of Four Great Clans remained among the initial Eight that contested its ownership. Never had it appeared to be attainable… yet, here it arose at present in final days beyond a thousand years’ passage.
Rising imposing and immense above a turbulent molten abyss, the ancient colossal doorway rendered every individual upon the battlefield minuscule—reminiscent almost of a new dimension itself—imbued with profound enigma.
Inhaling deeply while gazing upon this now second glimpse of towering monumental door—XiaoYan’s thoughts stirred anew—although previously beheld this entrance already before; yet his soul stirred still. Detecting increasingly oppressive power the closer approached—an unavoidable weight to even formidable beings within proximity—demonstrating a truth that he suspected indeed; few upon this battlefield could dare attempt an approach unharmed through sheer crushing pressure upon their beings, let alone dare stand boldly at its fore.
“Hmm…” With a deep long breath escaping lips, XiaoYan’s attention turned keen as he noted yet absence; with this ancient sealed gate at long revelation—his immediate contemplation centered on HunTiandi and the impending attempt to seize Imperial Embryonic Pill sealed beneath… Yet why remained silent? No further signs shown themselves, no signs revealed the ancient hidden Guardian beast that had slumber until yet unknown depth within magma?
Care fully searching through turbulent terrain across now still seathing waves—intuition stirred—under the current pressure emanating beyond ancient gate structure—he noted with concern that even his Imperial graded soul was unable to read hidden dangers beneath this molten surface.
Above meanwhile deep and hard gulps of breath controlled the rising emotions in HunTiandy’s frame as he slowly held aloft in steady raised grasp TuoSha Imperial Orb. Ripples shimmered in golden hues along its polished surface.
At that same time, as Orb shimmered everbrighter—the towering closed seal ahead reflected flickering light—hinted at perhaps, a possibility stirring to awaken this millennia-sundered lock.
The sight of light sparking life brought exultant anticipation to HunTiandy’s heart, though his actions would be cut short…
Suddenly a silhouett shot into the scene; intent to wrest the treasured imperial orb from its owner. The intruder revealed himself—none other than Yuan.
“Heh—Ancient Yuan, could you no longer restrain?”
Not skipping rhythm HunTiandidy sneered coldly at the interruptor who had dared interfere; with single decisive step he instantly withdrew into safe distance; easily avoiding Yuan’s approach.
Desire open such sealed gate, was it ever destined thus easily?
Ancient Yuan smirked at his retort with equal tone; once again moving at impossible speeds he dogged HunTiandy’s trail relentlessly like his very shadow—robbing precious moments to attempt re-opening such gate.
“Argh!” Frustrated by relentless pursuit now evident, eyes filled with rising homicidal intent, HunTiandy realized full understanding his strength stood at par with that same rival before, unless he found a method breaking contact, his hands would be too pre-occupied.
Across the sky many spectators clenched white their fists, forced idle bystanders as they were unable breach such titanic battle’s sphere.
“Hou! Hou!” A sudden ripple caught Xiao Yan’s auditory senses mid-sky engagement, instantly turning gaze downward in alert back to magma sea.
The sight which greeted was strange—utter calmness where chaos should be abound… He observed, eyes narrowing slightly without looking away, his piercing vision locked on the sea below…
After about five minutes like this passed unyielding focus finally paid fruit as his irises narrowed to a single bead suddenly as he let off a fierce shout echoing all directions:
Stay Clear the Magma now! Move!”
The exact moment his cry rang, tranquil magma surface exploded in violent torrent a tens upon hundreds of feet into the air; a world shaking roared arose violently across Heavens & Earth.
Simultaneous with the distant terrifying primal warcry reverberating across skywards, expressions across Yuan & Hun Tiandidi shifted instant shock—feeling this power now resurfacing—it equaled them if not surpassed.
“Hahahaha!” An ear-splitting roar thundered skyward as volcanic eruption hundreds upon hundreds of feet tall surged violently upwards revealing a source whose terrifying blood-soaked malevolence roared out violently in return—darkening the skies while turning landscapes pale with fear as from beneath volcanic tides rose forth the presence—the newly released dread sovereign at last emerging from millennia’s ancient sealing! The long slumber, ended.
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