The massive form of Emperor Shiyuan emerged from the void, casting a terrifying shadow over the floating island. Even the Deathblight Clan members, including their long-awakened ‘Emperor,’ were struck with fear.
“He’s hunting again,” murmured the ‘Emperor’ of this floating island—a seemingly frail woman clad in red robes. She stood at the heart of her clan’s territory, flanked by her subordinates, all gazing at the colossal figure in the distance. Ever since Emperor Shiyuan arrived, he had become the true ruler of this floating island. The Deathblight Emperor dared not challenge him.
Though she could preserve her life, she was utterly powerless against Emperor Shiyuan’s might. Fortunately, he had little taste for the Deathblight Clan, preferring to slumber on the island and only awakening to devour the native inhabitants or wandering cultivators.
**”Sssssuck—!”**
Emperor Shiyuan’s gaping maw yawned wide, unleashing a terrifying suction force.
Light twisted into darkness. Space and time warped. An overwhelming power bore down on Dongbo Xueying, the Insect Ancestor, and the Swordmaster.
“Brother Swordmaster, it’s all up to you now. Though even if we perish, it’s no great loss—just a bit of time and effort to recover,” the Insect Ancestor transmitted mentally.
“Swordmaster, you’re our only hope. I can’t do anything here,” Dongbo Xueying added.
With a cold flick of his hand, the Swordmaster withdrew both Dongbo Xueying and the Insect Ancestor into his spatial treasure.
But one of Dongbo Xueying’s primary combat avatars, which had been scouting ahead, was too late. Caught in the monstrous suction, it was helplessly dragged toward Emperor Shiyuan’s gaping maw. Deep within that abyss-like mouth lay a swirling, distorted crimson void. As he was swallowed, Dongbo Xueying felt an unbearable, searing heat—
Even though his body had been refined to the level of a third-tier Cosmic God, it still began to disintegrate under the overwhelming force.
“A single avatar stands no chance against such a monstrosity,” Dongbo Xueying lamented inwardly. Emperor Shiyuan was far stronger than even the imprisoned ‘Myriad-Tentacled Dragon Scion.’ Yet, the Heartvoid Continent’s overall strength was formidable. The most terrifying beings among the low-tier Primordial creatures, the native tribes, and the Deathblight Clan could not breach the barrier separating the Broken Tooth Mountain Range from the Heartvoid Continent.
According to intelligence, all the Primordial creatures within the Broken Tooth Mountain Range were low-tier, and exceedingly rare. Encountering one among the countless floating islands was already unlikely. Most were manageable, and even invincible existents could usually escape with their lives.
But among them, eight stood above the rest—revered as the **Eight Great Sages.**
Emperor Shiyuan—also known as **Sage Shiyuan**—was one of them. Even if the Xia Emperor wielded his supreme treasure, survival would still be uncertain. For Dongbo Xueying and his companions? The odds were nearly nonexistent.
Yet, the true rulers of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range were not the Eight Great Sages, but the **Five Supreme Monarchs**—three from the Deathblight Clan and two from the native tribes.
These beings were so terrifying that even the Undying Nether Emperor or the Xia Emperor, using every means at their disposal, would be effortlessly annihilated. It was no wonder the Undying Nether Emperor had been desperate to forge his ‘Deathwalker,’ resorting to mass sacrifices—until Dongbo Xueying thwarted his plans.
Now, even the Undying Nether Emperor dared not venture too deep into the mountain range, for the most precious resources and unique locations were all under the control of the Five Supreme Monarchs.
—
But the Five Supreme Monarchs were beyond their concerns. Right now, Emperor Shiyuan alone was enough to make Dongbo Xueying, the Insect Ancestor, and the Swordmaster tremble.
“I thought low-tier Primordial creatures were rare? We’ve explored over thirty floating islands, and not only did we encounter one, but one of the Eight Great Sages—Emperor Shiyuan!” the Insect Ancestor groaned inside the spatial treasure.
Dongbo Xueying, meanwhile, continued to exert his illusion techniques through the treasure, enveloping the surroundings. Though only a fraction of Emperor Shiyuan’s body was affected, the illusions seeped into his soul.
But Primordial creatures were fundamentally different. Their bodies were manifestations of the supreme laws—every scale, every bone held profound mysteries. Their souls were equally formidable. Even if their intellect was lacking, the illusions only slightly hindered Emperor Shiyuan, reducing his strength by a mere ten percent.
“This is all I can do. Swordmaster, it’s up to you now,” Dongbo Xueying sighed. Even with the Voidfire Lotus and all nine avatars combined, they could not resist Emperor Shiyuan’s devouring force.
**”Slash—!”**
A brilliant sword-light tore through the endless darkness.
The Swordmaster, gripping his blade, shattered the oppressive forces and surged forward.
**”Rip—!”**
A massive, stone-like claw emerged from the abyss, striking at blinding speed. The Swordmaster barely managed to deflect the blow.
**Boom!**
The sword-light shattered.
The Swordmaster coughed blood, barely managing to keep flying.
**”Hahaha…”** Emperor Shiyuan’s laughter echoed across the floating island, filled with amusement and excitement.
—
Inside the spatial treasure, Dongbo Xueying and the Insect Ancestor watched anxiously as the Swordmaster struggled.
“He’s still too strong,” the Insect Ancestor muttered. “Brother Swordmaster is an invincible existent, with flawless techniques. Even the Eternal Night Primogenitor or the Moonflower Monarch wouldn’t fare better.”
“But we’re facing Emperor Shiyuan,” Dongbo Xueying said helplessly. “And he’s treating this as mere entertainment—he hasn’t even gone all out. Worse, we can’t teleport on these floating islands. We can only fly, and Emperor Shiyuan knows we can’t escape.”
The Insect Ancestor’s scaly face twitched.
Dongbo Xueying frowned as he saw the Swordmaster’s body being sliced apart, only to rapidly regenerate—but now entangled with eerie gray energy.
Ten breaths later—
“Xueying, Insect Ancestor… I can’t hold on any longer,” the Swordmaster transmitted.
**Boom!**
The spatial treasure shattered.
Dongbo Xueying and the Insect Ancestor exchanged a resigned smile before making one last desperate attempt to flee in all directions. But under Emperor Shiyuan’s abyssal suction, they were all inevitably swallowed.
“It’ll take me a while to recover. Once I do, I’ll come to Snowfall City. Brother Xueying, make sure you keep my treasures safe,” the Insect Ancestor transmitted as he was devoured.
“Don’t worry, I won’t steal them,” Dongbo Xueying laughed.
And just like that, the trio of the Swordmaster, Dongbo Xueying, and the Insect Ancestor was annihilated.
—
**Snowfall City.**
Snow blanketed the garden as Dongbo Xueying stood alone, gazing at the sky. A figure materialized midair—the Swordmaster’s newly formed avatar.
“Xueying,” the Swordmaster descended, his expression rueful. “I let you down. I couldn’t withstand Emperor Shiyuan.”
“At least you could resist. I didn’t even get a chance to struggle,” Dongbo Xueying chuckled. “Besides, we knew the risks before entering the Broken Tooth Mountain Range. Losing treasures is unfortunate, but the gains from those thirty-three floating islands were substantial.”
The Swordmaster nodded. “No rush. We’ll divide them once the Insect Ancestor returns.”
“It’ll take him a while to recover. Without avatars, he must rely on his ultimate insect regeneration art,” Dongbo Xueying mused.
“This expedition yielded far more than expected, thanks to you,” the Swordmaster said. “But now that I’ve lost my avatar and weapon, my strength is greatly diminished. I won’t be returning to the mountain range anytime soon. I need to retreat and meditate on the insights I’ve gained.”
“You’re not going back?” Dongbo Xueying was surprised.
“Not for now,” the Swordmaster replied.
Dongbo Xueying nodded slowly. “But I must return. I still need to see those mysterious eyes.”
The Swordmaster smiled. “With your many avatars, you’ll have plenty of chances.”
“True.”
Though their gains had been immense, the Swordmaster’s loss of his supreme destruction-type treasure was a heavy blow. Without it, his combat prowess had plummeted. Venturing into the floating islands now would be pure luck, not skill.
And unlike Dongbo Xueying, the Swordmaster couldn’t afford to lose avatars so casually—each required painstaking effort to recreate.
Now, with the Swordmaster in seclusion and the Insect Ancestor recovering, Dongbo Xueying would have to rely solely on his avatars and his Illusory Void techniques.
Still, even with countless avatars, he knew reaching the core of a floating island would be near-impossible.
But with his illusions capable of sweeping away even King-class foes…
He still had a fighting chance.
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