Chapter 69: The End, and Also the Beginning
Boom!!!
The two had just returned to the loft not long ago when, from beyond the distant mountain gate, a tremendous explosion suddenly echoed forth.
Rumble!!!
Thunder rolled endlessly. In that instant, as the cacophony erupted, a fleeting flash of violet glimmered deep within Lin Hao’s eyes. Then, as yet another unprecedented roar shattered the air—
An ancient voice abruptly rang out:
“Today, the Qingluo Sect shall be annihilated!”
The words were brief, but they resounded like the thunder of the heavens, rolling forth in all directions.
Rumble!!!
Another deafening detonation followed. As the endless forests quaked, a figure emanating a terrifying aura suddenly emerged above the boundless void. A chill gleamed in his eyes and his garments fluttered as he shouted again:
“Old Ancestor Qingluo, are you not coming out to meet your death!?”
But it did not end there.
Rumble!!!
Rumble, rumble!!!
At the very moment when wave after wave of explosions erupted, an unprecedentedly dreadful aura surged from the lands of the Qingluo Sect. In the sky, a piercing sword cry resounded. Instantly, a figure in a billowing azure robe appeared in the void above, sweeping his sword directly toward the deepest hall of the Qingluo Sect. He spoke coolly:
“Disciples of Qingluo Sect, you beset and killed disciples of the Li family. Today, I, Li, have come to demand justice!”
“Hahaha…”
“Old Ancestor Qingluo, hurry out and meet your end!”
At that, another elderly voice roared. An old crone in a plain white robe strode across the void, her cackling laughter hoarse and aged. Empowered by spiritual energy, her words thundered like a rolling storm toward the Qingluo Sect!
“You all have some nerve!”
Just then, from the depths of the Qingluo Sect, a frail and raspy voice sounded, and the entire sect trembled. The land heaved and forests were destroyed. A figure wreathed in vigorous azure light slowly ascended. As the glow faded, an emaciated elder in azure silk robes revealed himself!
As he spoke, his eyes shone with an unprecedented sharpness, like a sword piercing the heavens. As he swept his gaze across the crowd, a terrifying aura surged around him, and he suddenly took a step forward, unleashing a crushing blow upon his foes!
In an instant, the azure light blazed. Within its bounds, as if empowered by some ultimate force, the glow gathered to form an illusory figure clad in azure armor, which came crashing down upon the attackers!
Divine Manifestation!
It was the Divine Manifestation Technique!
Sensing the overwhelming destructive force within the elder’s spell, the crowd tensed, their pupils contracting as if facing a cataclysmic wolf. Their expressions grew grave. They shouted:
“Fiend! How dare you!”
Without hesitation, everyone summoned their treasures, icy malice filling their eyes. A fearsome aura surged as they hurled their artifacts at the old ancestor’s Divine Manifestation.
Rumble!
Rumble, rumble!
Though described at length, it all happened in the blink of an eye. From the old ancestor’s attack to the crowd’s united counterstrike, it took but a fleeting moment. As an unprecedented crash resounded, a chilling storm erupted here, sweeping outward in an instant!
“Intriguing. Today, I shall test the depths of your power!”
Cold light flashed in the old ancestor’s eyes. With an abrupt, chilling laugh, a terrifying aura at the pinnacle of Nascent Soul swirled about him. Forming a hand seal at lightning speed, he pointed skyward!
Suddenly, the world trembled with a resonant hum. The crowd’s pupils shrank as a powerful force sliced through the heavens. In the golden sunlight above, a horrifying fluctuation burst out, radiating in all directions!
Visibly, the golden beam enveloped everyone in the blink of an eye—not even the old ancestor or the entire Qingluo Sect could escape its seal!
Clearly, this was the old ancestor’s sealing spell!
“This…”
The crowd’s faces grew even more somber as they beheld the scene before them, their expressions heavy with dread.
“Break the formation, quickly!”
Someone shouted. With a surge of dreadful energy, everyone swiftly formed seals, their auras soaring skyward as they conjured their arts!
They struck at the golden barrier above, seeking to shatter it!
Though it seemed slow in narration, all unfolded in an instant—from the sealing spell to the crowd’s efforts to break free, it took but a moment!
Rumble, rumble!
The moment their spells met the golden barrier, two immense forces collided. An earth-shaking explosion erupted, and without delay, a tempest swept rapidly across the Qingluo Sect, engulfing all!
Again, though the tale is slow, it all transpired in a flash—from the clash of magics to the storm’s onslaught, destruction fell upon the land in the space of a heartbeat!
“Die!”
As the cry rang out, the golden seal trembled, showing signs of fracturing!
Without further hesitation, the crowd pressed forward, drawing near the old ancestor.
The Li family patriarch, eyes glinting with cold fury, let out a thunderous roar as he approached. His sword radiated deadly light, and like a furious lion, he brought it down upon the old ancestor!
Buzz!!!
The blade’s shrill cry echoed, making the patriarch seem unstoppable and ferocious. Yet as all this unfolded in an instant, the old ancestor’s eyes flashed with icy brilliance. He suddenly raised his hands and flicked his fingers!
Rumble!!!
In a mere instant, the Li patriarch was sent flying by a single flick of the old ancestor’s finger!
“Die!!”
At that moment, a haggard female voice sounded. The crone had somehow appeared behind the old ancestor, slamming her palm at his back!
“Die, you wretch!!!”
A cold gleam flashed in the old ancestor’s eyes as he spat a mouthful of blood. With an unprecedented chill, he countered with a palm strike of his own!
Again, though slow to describe, all this occurred in a heartbeat. From the crowd’s attempt to slay the old ancestor to his cold, relentless retaliation, mere moments had passed!
“Qingluo Sect, how utterly despicable!”
At this time, another ancient voice was heard. Looking closely, an elder leaning on a cane walked through the void, a surging aura rising around him. Behind him, a massive spectral gourd rapidly coalesced!
“Face judgment, fiend!”
The elder’s shout became a streak of azure light, his dreadful aura erupting as he transformed into a cold beam, crashing down upon the old ancestor!
“It is you who will die, you old beast!”
The old ancestor, giving no quarter, his eyes burning with killing intent, pulled from his robe a jade pendant glowing with violet light. With a chilling glare, he gathered his spiritual power and hurled a devastating palm at the cane-bearing elder!
Again, though seemingly slow, it all transpired in a flash. From the old ancestor’s attack to the elder’s encounter with fate, it was but a moment!
Having done all this, the old ancestor wasted not a second. With cold, ruthless eyes, he transformed into a streak of icy light, slaughtering his foes. A dark light shone in his gaze as he glanced at Lin Hao, outside the loft on the mountainside.
A raspy voice spoke softly:
“Lin Hao.”
“Disciple greets the Ancestor!”
As their eyes met, Lin Hao’s gaze flickered with fear, and with grave respect, he bowed deeply to the old ancestor, his voice reverent.
“Greetings, Ancestor!!!”
At once, all the disciples of Qingluo Sect followed suit, bowing deeply to Lin Hao as well. To them, the old ancestor was their eternal pillar!
Without the old ancestor’s heroic deeds, there would be no Qingluo Sect, no refuge for cultivators, and no chance for themselves to cultivate.
The old ancestor of Qingluo stood as a paragon for all humble cultivators in the mortal world!
He was worthy of their deepest respect!
“Hand it over, Lin Hao.”
Now the old ancestor, having calmed the crowd, his eyes deep as the abyss, looked intently at Lin Hao, as if seeing through to his very soul, and commanded him calmly.
“Ancestor…”
Lin Hao met the old ancestor’s gaze, his own eyes growing heavy with foreboding. At these words, his heart skipped a beat. A cold light flickered in the depths of his eyes as he slowly straightened and spoke quietly:
“Ancestor, do you mean to rob your own disciple?”
“What, are you unwilling?”
The old ancestor’s eyes flashed with disdain. As he spoke, a subtle pressure pressed down upon Lin Hao, threatening to crush him.
“Wretch!”
Feeling the oppressive force, Lin Hao’s heart clenched. Redness flared in his eyes as rage and resentment surged within him. He barked out:
“Insolence!!!”
The old ancestor, proud and unyielding, could not tolerate such disrespect. His eyes cold as frost, he let out a chilling laugh and, with a single step, appeared before Lin Hao!
With a swift motion, he struck Lin Hao’s abdomen, his hand morphing into a claw that plunged into Lin Hao’s belly. He extracted a mass of silvery, ominous liquid!
It was none other than Heaven’s Bane!
“If you’d handed it over sooner, you would have been spared this suffering.”
Casting a casual glance at Lin Hao’s collapsing figure, the old ancestor’s eyes gleamed with disdain, his aura growing ever more terrifying.
Yet he had not taken two steps when his pupils shrank and a sense of dread surged within him!
He whirled around—behind him, Lin Hao’s form was fading away, dissolving into nothingness.
A fierce purple light burst forth!
Then, a calm voice sounded:
“Did you think you could take what is mine and simply leave?”
As Lin Hao vanished, a figure bathed in intense violet light swiftly manifested!
He wore a robe of black and gold embroidery, and his gaze was fathomless as an abyss. A majestic, ineffable aura radiated from him, striking terror into all who beheld him.
But most astonishing was the serenity in his expression, as if nothing in the world could move him. His voice was soft and slow, yet it carried an overwhelming sense of oppression—before this man, all life seemed as insignificant as ants.
“Who… who are you?!”
Confronted with this regal figure in black and gold, the old ancestor’s eyes filled with unprecedented fear. A dreadful aura spilled from him as he trembled uncontrollably, his voice quivering in terror.
“My name is Yintianzi.”
The youth cast a cool glance at the old ancestor, deep light swirling in his gaze. His voice was calm as he pointed slowly at the old ancestor.
The gesture was unhurried, but inescapable. It was hard to believe, but with that single point, the old ancestor’s body suddenly shattered!
In a spray of blood and mist, he was obliterated!
Afterward, the youth calmly gathered the malevolent liquid, his eyes thoughtful. He glanced lightly at Bai Li beside him and spoke softly:
“If you can reach the peak of this world and transcend it—”
“I will return Lin Hao to you.”
With these quiet words, Yintianzi did not linger. His gaze unfathomable, he stepped into the void and departed.
Soon, Yintianzi stepped once more into the deep vortex, slowly vanishing…
The cycle of ten thousand lifetimes—this first life was not quite a success, but he had obtained the demon source…
Yintianzi could nurture Bai Li into a transcendent Great Demon, but for himself, it seemed he still required more primordial power…
The second life begins…