Chapter 117: Boring
“Ding! Lin Hao’s actions have been prohibited, affecting his destined opportunities to a certain extent. His Destiny Value has decreased by 100. The host is rewarded with 1,000 Destiny Points.”
Well, here I am sitting comfortably at home, while points rain down from the heavens.
A destiny configuration of 990,000 truly cannot be compared with a mere 10,000...
All I had to do was take out a single pill and issue a couple of casual orders, and my Destiny Points began soaring.
If I personally took action, would that not cause the heavens to collapse and the sun and moon to lose their light in an instant?
Compared with him, Lin Hao was having a much harder time.
“My lord, today’s affair was truly due to my poor arrangements. I beg your forgiveness.”
After Lin Hao and Wang Youcai had been dragged away, Zhao Ming hurriedly knelt before Li Changsheng and kowtowed repeatedly.
He looked every inch the sycophantic underling who had failed to complete his task.
Ordinarily, this lord would not bother holding it against them. After all, they had fawned over him so shamelessly just moments before.
But formal deference still had to be shown.
“Boring.”
How could Li Changsheng not understand what Zhao Ming was thinking? He sneered inwardly and softly uttered those two words.
After setting down his teacup, Li Changsheng paid no further attention to anyone present. He turned and walked toward the outer hall.
The maidservant Zhao Wan’er, who had earlier crippled her own cultivation, also moved with light steps and hurried after him.
Inside the great hall, more than a dozen figures dressed in black vanished in an instant, their disappearance utterly bizarre.
They were all attendants accompanying Li Changsheng.
To use Li Changsheng’s own words, they were merely lowly servants unfit to appear in public, occasionally tasked with clearing away trash.
Yet the very “trash” Li Changsheng spoke of were renowned overlords throughout the Land of Chu Ling, and even across the entire Eastern Region!
Before these people, Zhao Ming, the master of the One Sword Sect, did not even dare breathe too loudly.
“Ding! Lin Hao’s state of mind has been damaged. His Destiny Value has decreased by 200. The host receives an additional 2,000 Destiny Points.”
I can gain Destiny Points just by walking?
Li Changsheng was astonished. He spread out his spiritual sense and swept across the entire One Sword Sect, finally discovering what had happened.
After Lin Hao was locked away in an exceedingly foul-smelling water prison, the seal within Wang Youcai’s body shattered, restoring his freedom.
Clearly, the sect master had deliberately released him.
And when Lin Hao saw this, his mentality collapsed completely.
His opportunities were heaven-defying. He was now the true heir of an ancient demon immortal lineage. How could he not be furious after being provoked again and again by such a lowly wretch?
“I imagine your supposed support will be arriving soon.”
Sweeping his spiritual sense over the nearly deranged Lin Hao, Li Changsheng gave a disdainful smile.
An ancient demon immortal? The eighth generation?
That must be the lifeline supporting the Child of Destiny.
If I cannot cut you down, then I will cut down your guardian.
Harvesting fate?
An eighth-generation demon immortal was hardly worth Li Changsheng’s interest. He had no desire to toy with a grown man.
He would simply crush him beneath his feet.
“As for you, why have you imprisoned my disciple without cause?”
Just as expected, after several dozen breaths, a man dressed in a blood-red robe appeared in the distant void before Li Changsheng. His aura soared into the heavens.
A strange presence surged around him, murderous light flickering in his eyes. He looked as though he would attack the moment a disagreement arose.
“Elder Sword, kill him.”
Li Changsheng could not even be bothered to lift his eyelids as he spoke calmly.
Clang!
The instant his voice fell, a terrifying sword cry suddenly rang out!
From all directions, a vast and overwhelming sword intent descended upon the blood-robed figure.
“Yes...”
As an extremely respectful old man’s voice sounded, a savage gale suddenly swept through the area.
Countless blades of wind rapidly took shape. In the blink of an eye, they enveloped the entire region.
The space was sealed completely!
“Ah! A Primordial-Realm cultivator!”
As the terrifying storm continued to rage, the blood-robed figure’s body was instantly torn apart.
When his mournful scream rang out, intense terror appeared in his eyes.
The person casting this spell was actually beyond the Immortal Realm—a cultivator of the Primordial Transformation Realm!
Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Refinement, Law Communion, Void Spirit, and Immortal Realm—
These minor realms were collectively known as the Spirit Immortal Realm. Upon entering it, one possessed a spirit-immortal body and could cultivate defying-heaven techniques.
The Immortal Realm itself was divided into three grades: Mortal Path, Earthly Path, and Heavenly Path.
The more immortal energy one possessed within the body, and the purer it was, the higher the quality upon opening one’s immortal veins at the moment of ascension.
It was much like ascending one level after another, with each step opening an entirely new world.
A Mortal-Path immortal could enjoy endless longevity, yet would never have the slightest chance of advancing further.
An Earthly-Path immortal could dominate battles across the ages and open the Gate of Heaven to rise another level.
As for a Heavenly-Path immortal, the moment one achieved that realm, one could easily crush the first two.
The Primordial Realm was a level that could effortlessly overwhelm even Heavenly-Path immortals!
If one became an immortal without transforming into the primordial, one’s path of cultivation was at an end.
Those who became primordial immortals could, after enduring another trial of life and death, touch the origin of all things.
They could proceed directly toward the Great Dao!
It could be said that those who had entered the Primordial Realm throughout the entire Azure Spirit Realm were rarer than phoenix feathers and unicorn horns!
Most were ancient ancestors of powerful factions or the hidden foundations of great clans.
No one had expected that a Primordial-Realm cultivator would actually be accompanying Li Changsheng!
“I refuse to accept this!”
After the blood-robed figure let out one final, anguished cry, his entire body exploded with a bang.
He transformed into a cloud of blood mist and drifted away...
“Ding! The main branch of Lin Hao’s destiny has been damaged. His Destiny Value has decreased by 500. The host receives an additional 5,000 Destiny Points.”
Only five hundred?
When the system’s voice rang out, Li Changsheng was astonished.
It seemed this person had not had much influence on Lin Hao’s growth...
A profound light appeared in Li Changsheng’s eyes. A faint conjecture gradually formed in his mind.
At the same time, throughout the Land of Chu Ling, the leaders of the Three Sects, Six Palaces, and Nine Schools—all except the master of the One Sword Sect—had gathered in the main hall atop the central peak of the Qingluo Sect.
“The One Sword Sect has long since lost the glory of its former days. After Sect Master Zhao Ming was injured last time, he is probably already at the end of his strength, with little battle power remaining!”
“We need only crush them and slaughter him!”
A burly, bearded man’s rough voice rang throughout the entire hall.
“Every one of us has brought our sect’s supreme treasure. Why should we fear a mere Zhao Ming?”
Another man’s eyes gleamed coldly as he spoke in a sinister tone.
The people in the hall displayed various expressions upon hearing this.
Some hesitated. Some agreed. Others merely sipped their tea in silence.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually became strange.
“You are all merely worried about how the spoils will be divided. The seventeen sect masters present today shall divide the spoils equally, regardless of cultivation level. What say you?”
After a long silence, the ancestor of the Qingluo Sect, seated at the head of the hall, broke the stillness.
As his aged voice echoed forth, a barely perceptible glint flashed through his eyes.
A pack of fools who want the benefits without contributing anything. Sooner or later, I will make an end of every one of you...
“Ancestor Qingluo is absolutely right. I agree.”
Upon hearing this, a young man rose and voiced his support.
“We second the proposal.”
“Agreed.”
“This old man agrees.”
After a brief hesitation, everyone present rose and bowed, expressing their approval.
“Since that is settled, we shall immediately proceed to the One Sword Sect and slaughter Sect Master Zhao Ming!”
Seeing this, Ancestor Qingluo wasted no more time. As his aged voice rang out, he rose and walked toward the outer hall.
The others exchanged glances and reached a consensus.
They all rose and followed Ancestor Qingluo outside...
Several dozen breaths later, more than a dozen figures radiating powerful auras flew toward the One Sword Sect in imposing fashion.
Half an hour later...
Within the region occupied by One Sword Palace, Sect Master Zhao Ming sat quietly at the head of a magnificent, resplendent hall, his eyes closed as he regulated his breathing.
“Sect Master! This is bad! Every other sect in Chu Ling has come! Judging from their appearance, they seem intent on attacking our One Sword Sect!”
Suddenly, an elderly figure rushed inside, his face filled with panic.
His anxious voice rang out, and his expression was even more flustered.
This was ridiculous. He was merely an idle elder assigned to guard the gate. How could he withstand such a scene?
But with the sect master’s cultivation, he should have sensed this long ago. Since he remained so calm, he must surely have...
Some brilliant plan, right?
The gatekeeper elder was not certain.
After all, there were only eighteen sects in Chu Ling, and seventeen of them wanted to destroy you. Why were you still alive?
“Open the mountain gate wide and let them in.”
Sect Master Zhao Ming showed no sign of panic. They were merely seventeen sects. Let them come.
“But...”
The gatekeeper elder hesitated, still wanting to say something.
“Do as you are told. I have my own brilliant plan!”
Zhao Ming showed displeasure and let out a cold snort.
Seeing this, the gatekeeper elder did not dare delay. He hurriedly acknowledged the order with clasped fists and withdrew.
Boom!
At that very moment, a thunderous roar suddenly rang out. The entire territory of One Sword Palace trembled violently!
“Zhao, you little whelp! Come out and meet your death!”
“Zhao Ming, you despicable thief! Hurry up and crawl out!”
“You mangy cur! I have wanted your life for ages. Get out here at once!”
...
Fools.
As the shouts of men and women rang out, Zhao Ming sneered.
He took one step forward, and his figure vanished in an instant.
When he reappeared, he was already standing above the great hall.
“Are all of you here to pay your respects to that lord?”
Looking at the powerful figures hovering in the void, Zhao Ming waved his hand and withdrew the mountain-protecting formation. Then he gave an ill-intentioned sneer and spoke calmly.
“I will pay my respects to your grandfather!”
“Have you cultivated yourself into madness, Zhao Ming? Has your sea of consciousness been damaged?”
“Hahaha! This is the greatest joke under heaven!”
“With such a deranged sect master, it is only right that you die!”
Upon hearing this, the crowd displayed various expressions—anger, ridicule, disdain, and arrogance.
The one thing they shared was the killing intent in their eyes.
They brought out their powerful treasures, ready to strike at any moment!
“How laughable.”
The only response to the crowd was Zhao Ming’s cold sneer.
When those two words fell, fanaticism appeared in Zhao Ming’s eyes. He turned toward the void behind him, bowed respectfully, and shouted:
“Your servant is in danger! I beg the lord to save me!”
What?
Had Zhao Ming gone mad?
Your servant?
A chorus of question marks arose in everyone’s hearts, accompanied by even greater mockery and disdain.
“Die!”
At last, the hotheaded burly man could not hold himself back. With a thunderous roar, he brought out a pear-blossom mountain-splitting ax and swung it toward Zhao Ming!
The others also summoned their own treasures and followed close behind, charging toward Zhao Ming.
But at that moment, the entire void suddenly trembled!
Splash... splash...
As a sound resembling flowing water from the beginning of all things and the end of the world rang out, an exceedingly illusory river suddenly appeared above everyone’s heads!
Countless threads flickered in and out of existence overhead. A powerful sense of impending death suddenly rose within their hearts.
“Threads of karma!”
“How can someone here possess a technique that reaches through karma?”
“Zhao Ming really does have someone backing him!”
Terror appeared in their eyes. Their anguished cries rang out.
Then a calm male voice softly echoed through the air.
“Sever.”
Bang!
Bang... bang, bang...
As a series of muffled impacts rang out, the karmic threads above everyone’s heads snapped one after another the instant that male voice sounded.
As they rapidly dissipated, intense bewilderment appeared in everyone’s eyes.
It was as if their memories were being forcibly erased from their lives!
At the same time, throughout the Land of Chu Ling, the disciples of the Three Sects, Six Palaces, and Nine Schools suddenly gazed around in confusion.
As countless karmic threads emerged above their heads, the thread linking each of them to the sect masters snapped in an instant.
Severing karma.
With a single thought, all traces of existence belonging to countless living beings could be severed.
Throughout the entire Land of Chu Ling—the cultivation world, and even the cities of ordinary mortals—
the instant that single word fell from the man’s lips, a blank appeared in the minds of all.
The memories of every living being had been forcibly altered.
No one could escape.
“This...”
Only Zhao Ming, upon sensing those karmic threads break, revealed intense fear in his eyes.
From Zhao Ming’s perception, even if he broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm and entered the Law Communion Realm, he would still be utterly incapable of resisting this technique!
The only other person who felt the same way was an old man barely clinging to life.
That person was none other than Ancestor Qingluo.
At that moment, all the karmic threads above Ancestor Qingluo’s head had already been severed. Only the threads connecting him to Zhao Ming and the lord behind Zhao Ming remained.
Yet even so, this technique of severing karma had still damaged Ancestor Qingluo’s cultivation. Signs of his soul beginning to scatter faintly appeared.
“Take this man and unite all the sects throughout the Land of Chu Ling. Find every place that might contain a fortuitous secret realm. Come find me in three days.”
At that moment, the calm male voice sounded once more.
“I obey the master’s decree!”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ming shuddered violently. He hurriedly descended to the ground, knelt, and kowtowed repeatedly as he shouted.
This lord’s cultivation was unfathomably deep, and his techniques were beyond all convention. He was impossible to comprehend!
Not the slightest hint of rebellion could be entertained. All he could do was flatter him madly!
Hold on to this powerful patron and flatter him with all his might!
“Mas... Master...”
At that moment, the bewilderment in Ancestor Qingluo’s eyes slowly faded. Then, with a thump, he actually knelt before Zhao Ming.
Seeing this, Zhao Ming suddenly shuddered from head to toe. Suspicion and astonishment filled his heart.
He did not dare delay. He hurriedly swept Ancestor Qingluo up and turned to carry out the order.
Yes, this was the dignity of a divine being...
Sensing the effect of his single technique, Li Changsheng smiled with satisfaction.
“Ding! Uniting all the sects of Chu Ling has destroyed Lin Hao’s path to obtaining destiny to a certain extent. Lin Hao’s Destiny Value has decreased by 200. The host receives an additional 2,000 Destiny Points.”
When the voice rang out, Li Changsheng shook his head and chuckled.
It was only to be expected. Better than nothing.
With that, Li Changsheng stopped paying attention to the affairs of the One Sword Sect and stood quietly atop a mountain peak.
His expression was calm, his gaze deep as he stared toward the distant horizon, his mind constantly turning over the possibilities.
The main support for Lin Hao’s Destiny Value should have been the inheritance of the ancient demon immortal lineage. Yet after he severed the eighth-generation demon immortal, only five hundred Destiny Value had been deducted.
That was rather absurd.
If there were no other fortuitous opportunities, then Lin Hao’s Destiny Value must be rooted in the earlier generations of demon immortals...
Or in the inheritances they had left behind.
Perhaps there was even an inheritance within the Azure Spirit Realm itself...
Li Changsheng clearly remembered that, at the very end of the system’s identification of Lin Hao’s identity, there had been an alternative identity listed:
Lord of the Azure Spirit Realm.
“Could there be another Child of Destiny?”
Suddenly, Li Changsheng’s gaze sharpened, and he murmured inwardly:
“Open the attribute panel and inspect the person before me.”