The news spread too quickly.
As the supreme master of the Bloodblade Tavern and the mentor of Dongbo Xueying, His Majesty the Divine Emperor Bloodblade naturally received the news swiftly.
In a hidden underground hall.
Before a massive crimson bronze furnace, the Divine Emperor Bloodblade sat cross-legged. His mastery of doppelgangers was unparalleled across the Divine Realm and the Abyss, possessing three bodies in total, including his true form. Even when venturing into an ancient cave abode left behind by the master of Heartlake Island, he only dispatched one of his avatars. His true body remained here, observing the Cosmic Bronze Furnace. To the likes of the Bamboo Mountain Mansion Master and the Ancient Zang Emperor, that ancient cave abode held immense significance.
But for the Divine Emperor Bloodblade, it was merely a decent opportunity. However, to take that fundamental step forward, even if the master of Heartlake Island descended personally to guide him, it would likely be of little use.
Because at this stage, guidance was no longer effective.
“Hiss—hiss—hiss—”
Within the crimson Cosmic Bronze Furnace, flames roared, occasionally flickering with traces of black energy.
The Divine Emperor Bloodblade silently observed.
Suddenly, a trace of surprise flashed across his face. “Xueying?”
The black bird that had been slumbering on his shoulder awoke and exclaimed, “Wow, Bloodblade, your disciple is truly impressive. Just one trip to the Dark Abyss, and he’s already stirred up such a commotion.”
“Hahaha, every cultivator, as they grow more extraordinary, becomes increasingly favored by the cosmos. Fortune naturally gathers around them,” the Divine Emperor Bloodblade chuckled. “This represents opportunity, but also calamity. These trials may temper Xueying into something greater—or they may break him entirely.”
The Divine Emperor was content to watch it unfold.
Every powerhouse had walked such a path. What he had endured in his youth far surpassed what Dongbo Xueying was facing now, both in scale and danger. Only then had he reached his current position, standing at the very pinnacle of existence.
“The *Bloodfiend Scroll*—that’s one of the Demon Ancestor’s six great legacies, isn’t it?” the black bird said in astonishment.
“Mm.” The Divine Emperor Bloodblade nodded lightly. “The Demon Ancestor—among the countless cosmic epochs, his strength was second only to the master of Heartlake Island.”
The master of Heartlake Island had always ranked first across the ages.
The Demon Ancestor was second, the closest to him.
“The Demon Ancestor’s cultivation was more chaotic, excelling in many fields. The master of Heartlake Island, however, focused on purity and refinement. Their rivalry drove both to unparalleled heights. The cosmic epoch they were born in… was the most formidable of all.” The Divine Emperor Bloodblade smiled faintly. “Comparatively, my own path is also rather chaotic, more akin to the Demon Ancestor’s.”
…
Though aware of the situation, the Divine Emperor Bloodblade merely observed. He understood that the path of cultivation was one Dongbo Xueying had to walk himself. The brighter one shone, the greater the trials they must endure—either ascending to greater heights or being utterly crushed. Such was the way of cultivation. One must rise again and again from setbacks, pressing forward with unwavering resolve.
…
Among the first fifty layers of the Dark Abyss, there was only one existence at the Ruler level—the White Monarch.
“Eating, drinking a few cups—truly carefree.”
The White Monarch lounged leisurely on a bamboo chair, swaying a bamboo wine flask as he took occasional sips, his expression one of pure bliss. This layer of the Abyss was serene, with clear skies and tranquil beauty.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
“The *Bloodfiend Scroll*, Upper Volume? One of the Demon Ancestor’s six great legacies? To think both the upper and lower volumes have appeared in our cosmic epoch.” The White Monarch’s eyes gleamed. At his level, even the complete scroll held little temptation—he had already forged his own path. At most, it would serve as a minor reference.
“Dongbo Xueying? This genius from the Divine Realm is truly bold.”
“The first fifty layers of the Abyss are my domain. If he manages to take the *Bloodfiend Scroll* out of the Abyss, I’d lose all face.” The White Monarch rose to his feet, a faint smile playing on his lips as he sent a karmic message—
“Annihilation, do you want the *Bloodfiend Scroll*, Upper Volume?” the White Monarch transmitted.
…
The 199th layer of the Dark Abyss.
This layer was bisected by a river—a river so utterly black it seemed to absorb all light, devoid of any impurities. Just gazing upon it sent shivers down one’s spine. This black river even seeped into the layer below.
By the riverbank.
A burly man clad in purple armor sat cross-legged. Two black curved horns protruded from his head, and his exposed arms were thick and powerful, veins coiling like dragons. Even seated, his overwhelming aura suffused the entire layer of the Abyss. His domineering presence was absolute.
Even an ordinary True God entering this world would be forced to their knees under such pressure! While most could achieve this, few would do so—but the Annihilation Emperor was infamous for his ruthlessness.
His tyranny, his brutality—these were legendary.
“Annihilation, do you want the *Bloodfiend Scroll*, Upper Volume?” The White Monarch’s voice echoed in his mind.
“Hmph. I don’t even care for the lower volume, let alone the upper. Keep it for yourself.” The Annihilation Emperor opened his eyes, purple pupils flickering with lightning as he snorted disdainfully.
“The complete scroll is one of the Demon Ancestor’s six great legacies,” the White Monarch tempted further.
“I’ve already transcended the *Bloodfiend Scroll*’s influence and forged my own path,” the Annihilation Emperor replied coldly.
“If it no longer affects you, why not take a look at the complete legacy? Are you… afraid?” the White Monarch pressed. “Afraid it might sway you too much?”
“Afraid? White Ghost, you just want the lower volume from me to study the complete legacy, don’t you?” The Annihilation Emperor sneered. “Fine. If you can obtain the upper volume first, we’ll exchange.”
“Deal.” The White Monarch smiled.
Standing before his bamboo chair, the White Monarch sent karmic orders to the Monarchs of the first fifty layers: “By my command, unite against Dongbo Xueying! The one who contributes most to securing the *Bloodfiend Scroll*, Upper Volume, shall be granted the right to inherit it.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
The White Monarch’s authority was absolute. None dared defy him—for even if one seized the scroll alone, they would not live to enjoy it.
…
“What’s going on? Why is this Sword Realm Monarch suddenly going berserk, blocking me so desperately? Even his true body has appeared.” Dongbo Xueying stood atop the Starfield Ark, effortlessly fending off the Sword Realm Monarch while navigating the spatial tunnel. The Sword Realm Monarch’s true body was cunning, shifting forms seamlessly, making him nearly impossible to kill.
Fortunately, the gap in power was vast.
Dongbo Xueying suppressed him with ease.
“Boom—”
The Starfield Ark finally arrived at the 39th layer of the Abyss.
The moment he arrived, Dongbo Xueying’s expression shifted. He sensed three formidable auras in this layer—one native, the other two having just arrived through spatial tunnels.
“Dongbo Xueying!” A seductive red-clad enchantress manifested countless copies of herself through a boundless body technique, her eyes burning with greed. “Hand over the *Bloodfiend Scroll*!”
“Whoosh—”
Another was a towering mountain-range demon, his rock-like body gleaming like polished metal. His aura was the strongest of the three—the only one at the Paragon level. He growled, “Dongbo Xueying, don’t struggle. You cannot escape.”
“Your Highness Dongbo, just surrender the *Bloodfiend Scroll*,” the third voice came from a hazy green mist-formed phantom.
“Dongbo Xueying, you truly deceived me. Hand it over!” A spatial ripple erupted behind him as the Clear Radiance Emperor, wrapped in tattered cloth, stepped out of a tunnel. The shriveled elder, the Sword Realm Monarch, also summoned countless world clones to harass him.
Dongbo Xueying was stunned.
He had barely escaped the Sword Realm Monarch’s pursuit and arrived at the 39th layer—yet in mere moments, so many powerhouses had surrounded him! Even the Clear Radiance Emperor had caught up.
“*Bloodfiend Scroll*? What *Bloodfiend Scroll*?” Dongbo Xueying was utterly baffled.
At that moment, he received a message—from Fiendfire.
“Brother Dongbo, I just heard you entered the Dark Abyss, killed a Four Heavens World God, and obtained the *Bloodfiend Scroll*, Upper Volume?” Fiendfire’s voice was laced with urgency. Though concerned, he was trapped in the ancient cave abode, unable to assist.
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