Chapter 402 : Battle of the Three Realms
Chapter 402: Battle of the Three Realms
“Still trying to put up a final struggle!”
Looking at the dazzling Immortal Golden Core, Chen Beiwu let out a light laugh. He did not even need to act. Golden Egg opened its mouth, swallowed it in one bite, and used the Three Forms Furnace to refine it.
Five breaths later, Golden Egg spat out a glistening Golden Core, which floated before Chen Beiwu.
“Has the remnant soul already been dealt with?” Chen Beiwu asked through his thoughts.
Although he possessed divine sense comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, before his Pure Yang Nascent Soul was formed, he would not risk searching the soul of a Golden Core left behind by a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
After all, he had yet to prove his Dao and become a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Resolved, but something feels off.” Golden Egg smacked its lips, its eyes filled with confusion.
“You mean True Monarch Shang Yi is not dead yet?” Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow.
“No, that is not it.”
Golden Egg shook its head, its tone confident. “Once my Manipulating Three Lights True Domain is activated, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch will perish and become nourishment for the True Domain. This guy’s Nascent Soul has collapsed, so he is definitely dead.”
At this point, Golden Egg paused slightly before changing the subject. “It is just that he might not have died completely. One soul and one spirit were not there.”
Chen Beiwu immediately understood the implication behind Golden Egg’s words.
For a Nascent Soul True Monarch, as long as one soul and one spirit among the Three Souls and Seven Spirits successfully escaped, there was a possibility of reconstructing the Primordial Spirit and continuing their Dao path.
The reason was simple. A cultivator’s soul was the foundation of the Primordial Spirit, carrying a portion of their true spirit and memories.
Some Nascent Soul True Monarchs could use special secret methods to nourish one soul and one spirit, gradually condensing the remaining souls and spirits, ultimately reconstructing their Nascent Soul.
However, this required a massive amount of time and came with an enormous price, making it inferior to directly finding a suitable furnace cauldron for possession.
But some Nascent Soul True Monarchs with special circumstances would decisively change their cultivation methods and step onto the path of Loose Immortals or Ghost Immortals, continuing their Dao path.
Therefore, Golden Egg’s answer seemed contradictory, but its meaning was clear: the might of Manipulating Three Lights True Domain was unparalleled. The reason it failed to completely annihilate True Monarch Shang Yi was because the other party had already prepared a backup plan before entering the Mountain Burial Realm, splitting away one soul and one spirit in advance and hiding them.
Even the most skillful woman could not cook without rice.
No matter how powerful Golden Egg’s Manipulating Three Lights True Domain was, it could not use True Monarch Shang Yi’s remaining two souls and six spirits to cross realms and suppress the unknown soul and spirit hidden somewhere.
“However, if True Monarch Shang Yi dares to appear again next time, I can directly lock onto his aura and make it so that he cannot escape to heaven or hide beneath the earth!” Golden Egg patted its chest and guaranteed.
“It does not matter. Although True Monarch Shang Yi has not fallen, he is merely struggling to survive. There is no difference from being dead, and he cannot stir up much trouble.” Chen Beiwu reached out and stroked Golden Egg’s dragon head, his tone calm.
Even True Monarch Shang Yi at his peak was not his opponent. Even if one soul and one spirit remained, what could he do against him?
The only unfortunate thing was that True Monarch Shang Yi’s personality was far too cautious. The memories within the remnant soul’s sea of consciousness, such as pill formula insights, Azure Spirit Sect’s strategy, and the purpose of this journey, had all been sealed with special restrictions. Once external force attempted soul searching, the predetermined annihilation restrictions would activate.
Golden Egg was not particularly skilled at soul searching to begin with. After going through the entire process, the amount of information it obtained was extremely limited.
With this thought, Chen Beiwu looked toward the ancient seal left behind by True Monarch Shang Yi.
That ancient seal was only the size of a palm. Its entire body was a profound black color, and the seal itself was neat and square. The seal knob was not a common auspicious beast, but rather a strange creature that resembled neither a tiger nor a dragon.
Sensing Chen Beiwu’s curiosity, Golden Egg moved its thoughts, causing the ancient seal to float up and reveal its bottom.
The seal bottom had only two seal-script characters engraved on it, and they had suffered some damage.
Even with Chen Beiwu’s extensive knowledge and his reading of countless books from the Southern Wasteland, he could not identify the origin of these two characters. He could only vaguely sense an indistinct artistic conception.
One represented life, while the other represented the world.
His instincts told Chen Beiwu that this ancient seal was extraordinary.
After all, True Monarch Shang Yi was not a fool. When his Nascent Soul left his body, he only brought his Golden Core and ancient seal instead of his storage ring, which was enough to demonstrate the importance of this ancient seal.
Furthermore, the confidence revealed in True Monarch Shang Yi’s eyes during their battle had not been fake.
If Chen Beiwu’s guess was correct, this ancient seal should have been True Monarch Shang Yi’s ultimate trump card. It was only that something had gone wrong at the critical moment.
“Could it be a seal-type Profound Treasure specifically used for possession? That is rather rare.”
Chen Beiwu reached out and grasped the ancient seal, intending to activate his divine sense to investigate.
“Crack!!!”
At this moment, with the fall of the Profound Talisman’s owner, this peculiar space that isolated heaven and earth could no longer be maintained and began to collapse.
……
“Junior Brother!”
Seeing Chen Beiwu’s figure appear, both Yun Yishu and Li Wan’er’s eyes contained undisguised urgency.
However, fearing that they would become burdens, neither woman rushed forward due to their momentary worry.
“Rest assured, I am fine.”
After speaking, Chen Beiwu raised his head and looked toward the sky.
Within his divine sense perception, a True Monarch’s aura was rapidly approaching.
Meanwhile, Golden Egg extended its dragon claw and directly grabbed True Monarch Shang Yi’s corpse, fearing that the Nascent Soul True Monarch flying over at high speed would snatch away the spoils of war.
Seeing Golden Egg’s shameless appearance, Chen Beiwu could not help but smile.
At the same time, sensing the familiar aura appearing at Dan Star Market, True Monarch Chengyuan paused mid-flight and slowed down his escape light before descending.
“Disciple Yun Yishu.”
“Disciple Li Wan’er.”
“Greetings, Supreme Elder.”
Upon seeing the newcomer, the two women relaxed inwardly and hurried forward to salute.
Chen Beiwu also greeted her according to sect etiquette.
“No need for formalities.”
True Monarch Chengyuan waved her hand. Her gaze landed on Chen Beiwu, and her heart was filled with shock.
The reason was simple. Golden Egg’s claw was holding a corpse, a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s corpse!
“Azure Spirit Sect, True Monarch Shang Yi Li Song?”
True Monarch Chengyuan’s breathing paused as she looked at Golden Egg with a solemn expression.
As a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch herself, she had also interacted with the renowned True Monarch Shang Yi.
As one of the Ten Great Pill Kings of the Yellow Derivation Realm, True Monarch Shang Yi’s strength might not have surpassed other True Monarchs of the same realm, but his wealth was abundant. He possessed countless Profound Treasures and Profound Talismans, with countless life-saving methods.
Even if she personally took action, it would be extremely difficult for her to suppress and kill True Monarch Shang Yi. At most, she could only force him back.
Yet the famous True Monarch Shang Yi, renowned throughout an entire realm, had actually fallen here and become a cold corpse.
“Daoist Son, what happened?”
True Monarch Chengyuan revealed a kind smile and humbly asked for guidance, completely lacking the imposing manner of a Supreme Elder.
There was no helping it. The existence capable of killing True Monarch Shang Yi could naturally threaten her life as well.
Even if there was only a one in ten-thousand possibility that the Daoist Son was responsible, it was still enough to make her treat the matter with utmost caution.
“I only came out of seclusion not long ago, so I do not know the exact situation.”
Chen Beiwu turned his head toward Yun Yishu. “True Monarch, it would be clearer if you asked Junior Sister Yun.”
Hearing this, True Monarch Chengyuan inwardly relaxed.
Since the Daoist Son did not know, it meant that the existence who suppressed and killed True Monarch Shang Yi was not the Daoist Son.
Indeed, for a Golden Core cultivator to defy realms and kill a Nascent Soul True Monarch was already sufficiently absurd, not to mention that the one killed was someone like True Monarch Shang Yi!
“If the Daoist Son had not arrived in time to rescue us, we would have likely…”
Yun Yishu did not conceal anything and truthfully recounted the entire situation.
“Wait!”
True Monarch Chengyuan’s expression became serious, and she suddenly interrupted.
“Are you saying that the Daoist Son arrived in time, suppressed and killed the Three Hundred Solar Radiance Army and True Monarch Shang Yi, and saved all of you?”
Although True Monarch Chengyuan had already made some preparations in her heart, hearing this still left her somewhat dazed and incredulous.
The Origin Beginning Golden Core forged by the Daoist Son was actually this powerful?
To be able to join forces with a fourth-realm Demon King and suppress True Monarch Shang Yi… this was simply too…!
“Reporting to Supreme Elder, everything we said just now is true. There is not a single word of falsehood.” Yun Yishu spoke seriously.
“This matter concerns great importance and involves many parties. What you saw and heard today, especially the matter of the Daoist Son suppressing and killing True Monarch Shang Yi, must remain buried in your hearts. You must not mention it in the slightest!” True Monarch Chengyuan said solemnly.
She clearly understood the severity of this matter. Once it spread, it would certainly shock the entire Southern Wasteland Domain, and the Daoist Son would become the target of everyone!
“Disciple obeys.” The two women nodded together.
“The reconstruction tasks and logistical tasks of Dan Star Market will be handed over to the two of you.”
After arranging Yun Yishu and Li Wan’er’s tasks, True Monarch Chengyuan looked toward Chen Beiwu, who was patiently waiting nearby. For a moment, she actually did not know how to begin speaking.
A reputation was like a stack of eggs. Building it up was extremely difficult, yet its collapse could happen in an instant.
Although the Daoist Son’s reputation had shaken the Earth Derivation Realm, because he had spent too long traveling outside the sect, especially after the Battle of the Three Realms began, flames of war spread everywhere, and the prodigies of various sects had all made names for themselves on the battlefield.
Only the Mirror Moon Daoist Son had disappeared without any news, never appearing again, causing many sect disciples to raise objections.
At first, the sect disciples still held expectations, believing that the Daoist Son was traveling in search of breakthroughs, and it was normal that no news had been received.
Once the Daoist Son learned of the Battle of the Three Realms, he would definitely return to the sect, enter battle, kill enemies, and display the might of Mirror Moon.
But as time passed, the frontline battles became more intense and casualties increased, this expectation gradually turned into disappointment and resentment.
Some sect disciples even believed that the Mirror Moon Daoist Son was nothing special, becoming a deserter before the sect’s war, causing disciples of the Beast Taming lineage to lower their heads whenever they went out and consider themselves inferior,
Even some sect higher-ups discussed the matter, believing that unless the Daoist Son had secluded himself and refused to leave, he should have heard news of the Battle of the Three Realms, making him somewhat suspicious of fleeing the sect.
However, True Monarch Chengyuan clearly understood that the reason some people slandered the Daoist Son behind his back was merely because enemy sects were creating momentum, hoping to force the Daoist Son to reveal himself and find an opportunity to eliminate him.
Yet True Monarch Chengyuan never expected that the Daoist Son’s absence would mean nothing, because once he appeared, he directly gave her a surprise powerful enough to crush all doubts.
“True Monarch Xin, what is the current situation of the sect’s battles?” Chen Beiwu asked with concern.
Matters of reminiscing with fellow disciples could be postponed.
True Monarch Chengyuan was a Supreme Elder with high status and authority, so she would definitely know the sect’s recent battle situation.
Putting aside feelings and favors, if Mirror Moon Sect fell, Chen Beiwu would need to spend far more effort and time to establish another cultivation force to gather fortune. Moreover, he simply could not abandon those connections.
“The battle situation is fairly stable. The sect currently holds the upper hand.”
True Monarch Chengyuan’s storage ring flickered with light, and a jade slip fell before Chen Beiwu.
Chen Beiwu activated his divine sense and touched it. A series of information surged into his mind.
Fifty years ago, many traces of Demon Sect cultivators and unidentified cultivator corpses appeared in the Earth Derivation Realm. However, the sect-affiliated cultivation families suppressed the information and did not report it to Mirror Moon Sect.
Forty years ago, some affiliated families under the sect, blinded by greed, secretly colluded with Demon Sect cultivators and were discovered by the sect’s Moon-Seeking Envoys. They then launched a rebellion and fled into the West Derivation Realm.
At first, the sect believed that only one or two cultivation families had lost their way.
Who would have expected that the number of cultivation families that launched rebellions in various places actually accounted for one-fifth of the sect’s affiliated cultivation forces.
The sect’s Supreme Elders immediately ordered suppression and issued decrees warning the three great Demon Sects of the West Derivation Realm not to accept the rebellious disciples.
However, the three great Demon Sects of the West Derivation Realm ignored Mirror Moon Sect’s decree and openly provoked them, stating that Mirror Moon Sect could not even completely control the Earth Derivation Realm and had no qualification to interfere with the West Derivation Realm.
The conflict between the four sects began escalating. The other four great factions of the Earth Derivation Realm not only did not intervene but instead watched with satisfaction until demonic chaos and blood sacrifices appeared among their own subordinate forces.
Thirty-five years ago, the five great factions of the Earth Derivation Realm, connected by mutual support, officially declared war on the West Derivation Realm. In only five years, they cleared out all Demon Sect cultivators within their territory and struck deep into the West Derivation Realm.
Thirty years ago, the four great factions of the Yellow Derivation Realm neighboring the West Derivation Realm could no longer remain still. Fearing that they would suffer after the downfall of their ally, they hurriedly intervened, stating that harmony was the priority.
However, the five great factions of the Earth Derivation Realm had long since been angered. Ignoring the demands of the four great factions of the Yellow Derivation Realm, the Yellow Derivation Realm and West Derivation Realm joined hands, and the cultivation forces of the three realms began to clash.
Twenty years ago, after ten years of bloody battles, the three great Demon Sects of the West Derivation Realm behaved strangely. Their strength not only did not decline but increased instead. They officially allied with the Yellow Derivation Realm, forming the Three Sects and Four Factions. The sect’s higher-ups suspected that the Eight Desolations Sect was directing things from behind and providing various resources.
To prevent the battlefront from becoming too long and unexpected incidents from occurring, the five great factions of the Earth Derivation Realm voluntarily withdrew from the West Derivation Realm and Yellow Derivation Realm. However, the Three Sects and Four Factions, having lost many resources, refused to stop and directly invaded the Earth Derivation Realm.
Ten years ago, Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the various sects on the borders of the Earth Derivation Realm confronted one another. The Battle of the Three Realms stabilized, forming a cruel war of attrition with repeated back-and-forth struggles on the frontline. Countless cultivators fell.
The sect’s higher-ups suspected that the Three Sects and Four Factions had obtained the inheritance of the Blood Demon True Venerable and had long planned everything, intending to achieve some special purpose through blood sacrifices.
Fifteen days ago, the battle at the frontline Mirror Sky City became intense. True Monarch Suspended Mirror took action, heavily injuring Red Sun Sect’s True Monarch Liming in one move, suppressing five Golden Core True Persons and more than two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Five days ago, at the frontline Flowing Flame City, Flame Burning Sect Master Luo Zhan set up a great formation, heavily injuring Black Female Sect’s True Monarch Taohua, suppressing eight Golden Core Demon Sect cultivators, and refining countless Black Female Sect cultivators…
‘Good heavens!’
The more Chen Beiwu read, the more surprised he became.
The five great factions of the Earth Derivation Realm truly deserved to be cultivation forces inheriting ancient Dao sects. Facing the Three Sects and Four Factions of the two realms supported by the Eight Desolations Sect, they had not only avoided falling into a disadvantage but instead gained the upper hand and seized many resources from the West Derivation Realm and Yellow Derivation Realm.
No wonder Red Sun Sect cultivators had become desperate enough to send an elite force into the Mountain Burial Realm, attempting a surprise attack on Dan Star Market. It turned out they wanted to muddy the waters and use a victory to boost morale.
“If the sect truly gets serious, defeating the allied army of Red Sun Sect, Azure Spirit Sect, and Blood Fortune Sect should not be difficult.”
Chen Beiwu slightly furrowed his brows, unable to understand why the sect’s higher-ups continued cooperating despite clearly knowing the plans of the other sects.
“Defeating the allied army is not difficult. The difficult part is the Eight Desolations Sect behind these sects.” True Monarch Chengyuan sighed.
Without Divine Transformation, Mirror Moon is unrivaled.
However, the masterminds behind the West Derivation Realm and Yellow Derivation Realm were the Eight Desolations Sect, which had Divine Transformation True Venerables guarding it.
If the sect used its full strength, there was no guarantee that the Eight Desolations Sect would not continue interfering, or even personally enter the battlefield.
Of course, the most important matter was that the Ancestor seemed to have another plan, possessing knowledge of the goals of the West Derivation and Yellow Derivation Realms, and was even actively cooperating.