186: A small test of skill, vying for supremacy in the spirit world!

Hearing this, the nine Void Refining Cultivators all held their breath, their eyes wide as copper bells.

Fearing they would miss any detail.

Chen Xu's palm suddenly glowed with a strange fluctuation.

It wasn't the light of spiritual energy.

Instead, it was a pure spatial distortion.

Three inches above his palm, the Void Realm began to collapse and fold.

Like dough being kneaded by a pair of invisible hands.

Immediately after, a ball of chaotic mist formed out of thin air, swirling around his palm.

"Open."

Chen Xu softly uttered a word.

The chaotic mist instantly exploded, but did not spread outwards.

Instead, it was tightly confined within that small space.

Immediately after, a scene that everyone present would never forget appeared.

After the mist dissipated, Chen Xu's palm wasn't empty; instead, there was a "ball".

Or rather, a world model miniaturized to the extreme.

This was not an illusion!

Everyone present was a Void Refining mighty figure, with incredibly powerful Divine Sense, and could tell at a glance if it was an illusion.

They could clearly sense that the walnut-sized light orb truly contained extremely complex spatial Laws and life fluctuations.

Chen Daochu couldn't help but lean closer, almost pressing his face against Chen Xu's palm.

"This... this is..."

He saw it clearly.

Inside that light orb, the sun and moon were actually rotating!

Although the sun and moon were only the size of grains of rice, the radiance they emitted was real Yin and Yang Qi.

Below were continuous mountain ranges, with hair-thin rivers rushing through them.

One could even see blurry shadows running and multiplying in the miniature forest.

It was a complete and vibrant world!

Though rudimentary, though tiny.

It was indeed a plane independent of the Spirit Realm.

"Is this... One Palm, One World?"

Lan Shuyao murmured to herself, her eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

As a Sword Cultivator, what she pursued was a single sword strike that could break all techniques, the ultimate destructive power.

But at this moment, seeing such a method comparable to that of a creator, the sword heart in her hand couldn't help but tremble.

The Xuan Shui Dragon Turtle's two green bean-like eyes were almost popping out as it stretched its neck.

Greedily sniffing the traces of Origin Qi emanating from the world in the palm: "Goodness... this is true Spatial Origin! If I could Cultivate in there for three to five hundred years, this old turtle might just transform into a Dragon!"

"Want to go in?"

Chen Xu glanced at it with a half-smile: "This world is newly opened, and its rules are not yet perfect. It is indeed suitable for cultivation now, but it is also extremely dangerous. Because in there, I make the rules."

With that, Chen Xu ignored the old turtle's embarrassed expression and casually reached for the side table.

There was a deep-sea luminous pearl placed there for decoration. Although it was a mundane treasure.

In the eyes of Cultivators, it was merely a prettier stone.

"Watch closely."

Chen Xu flicked his finger.

"Whoosh—"

The fist-sized luminous pearl transformed into a streak of light, flying straight towards the miniature world in his palm.

Everyone's gaze closely followed the pearl.

A bizarre scene unfolded.

The pearl, which was originally only the size of a fist, did not bounce off when it touched the boundary wall of the palm world.

Nor did it shatter the fragile Small World.

On the contrary, the moment it passed through that world barrier, its size began to expand wildly!

No, it wasn't just expanding.

It was undergoing an essential transformation under the influence of that world's rules.

In everyone's vision, the pearl seemed like a falling meteor.

It crashed towards a barren plain in the center of the Small World with a world-destroying Aura.

But during its descent, its surface luster quickly faded, replaced by the roughness and heaviness of rock.

It grew larger, becoming incredibly massive, as if it would burst through that tiny world.

Boom—!!!

Although no sound could be heard through the world barrier, everyone seemed to hear a huge roar deep within their Souls.

The pearl landed and took root, not causing a devastating impact.

Instead, it was like a seed encountering fertile soil, instantly shooting up from the ground.

In the blink of an eye, it was no longer a pearl.

But a majestic divine mountain, towering into the clouds, radiating a shimmering precious light throughout!

This Peak stood in the center of the Small World, becoming the pillar of that heaven and earth.

On the mountain, the cold Qi inherent in the luminous pearl transformed into pristine white snow, covering the mountaintop.

Even giving rise to streams of spiritual energy-rich waterfalls.

Cascading down the mountain, nourishing the land below.

Creation!

True Void Realm creation!

Although it was only a transformation using existing materials.

The methods involved had completely subverted common sense.

"Gulp."

A synchronized sound of swallowing echoed in the main hall.

Overlord Blade touched the great saber on his back; normally, he felt this saber was as heavy as a thousand jun and indestructible.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt a bit dull.

"I've been chopping people for half my life, thinking my saber techniques were divine."

Overlord Blade scratched his head, his honest face showing a hint of frustration: "But after seeing the Family Head's move, I feel like a child playing in the mud."

"Family Head, if you can throw a stone and turn it into a mountain, wouldn't throwing a saber in there turn it into a divine weapon that can cleave heaven and earth?"

"It's not that exaggerated."

Chen Xu lightly clenched his palm.

The dazzling Small World instantly collapsed, transforming back into a chaotic airflow, then drilling into his palm and disappearing.

Only the luminous pearl remained, falling perfectly intact onto the ground with a crisp sound.

However, the pearl's original flowing luster had dimmed considerably.

Clearly, a portion of its essence had been drawn away by that Small World.

"This 'One Palm, One World' is both a Divine Ability to trap enemies.

And a Sharp Weapon for killing."

Chen Xu withdrew his hand and explained in a calm tone: "If I'm fighting an opponent, I just need to flip my hand over and pull them into my world."

"Inside, the flow of time, spatial gravity, and the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements are all determined by my single thought."

"Unless the opponent's cultivation is far higher than mine and they can forcibly break the world barrier, they will be a turtle in a jar."

"Furthermore..."

A glint flashed in Chen Xu's eyes: "As my understanding of the Laws deepens, this world will become more and more perfect."

"One day, it might evolve into a true Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land. At that time, I will be the Creator God of that heaven and earth."

The main hall fell into a dead silence.

Everyone was stunned by the future Chen Xu described.

Creator God.

What an arrogant, yet how desirable a Realm.

"Father's Divine Might!"

Chen Daoxuan was the first to recover, his excitement evident on his face: "With this Divine Ability, coupled with Father's Body Integration Stage cultivation, our Chen family in this Northern Region finally has the confidence to speak with our heads held high, even when facing a Holy Land!"

"We must stand tall, but we still need to take things one step at a time."

Chen Xu leaned back into his chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest.

This was his habitual action when thinking.

The previous demonstration was both a deterrent and a morale booster for everyone.

Now that the effect had been achieved, it was time to discuss serious matters.

"Dao Chu."

Chen Xu looked at his eldest son.

"Your son is here."

Chen Daochu immediately stood up.

"You said earlier that the Ascending Immortal Gate from Central State has already sent people into the Northern Region, and they're doing it under the banner of 'eliminating demons and defending the Dao'?"

Chen Xu asked.

"Precisely."

Chen Daochu's expression became solemn as he reported: "Not only the Ascending Immortal Gate, but according to the latest intelligence, several other major aristocratic families from Central State are also stirring."

"The leader of that so-called 'vanguard army' is a Grand Elder of the Ascending Immortal Gate, named Xu Sen, a Body Integration Late Stage Cultivator."

"They are currently stationed at Duan Tianya, the border between the Northern Region and Central State, and haven't rushed to the front lines for support. Instead, they are recruiting Loose Cultivator forces from the Northern Region, seemingly... staking out territory."

"Hmph, what 'eliminating demons and defending the Dao'? They're clearly taking advantage of the situation."

Chen Xu sneered: "The Tianyu Holy Land has been crippled by the Demon Race, and everyone wants a piece of this fatty."

"Family Head, how should we respond?"

Murong Zhuyun asked with some concern: "That Xu Sen is a Body Integration Late Stage mighty figure, even stronger than Gu Qingfeng of the Tianyu Holy Land."

"If they set their sights on our Tianxuan City..."

Although Chen Xu had already advanced to Body Integration, he was only in the Early Stage.

In the Cultivation World, a small Realm gap often meant an insurmountable chasm.

Let alone the difference between Early Stage and Late Stage.

"What if he's Body Integration Late Stage?"

Chen Xu chuckled: "This is the Northern Region, the wilderness. Even a powerful Dragon can't suppress a local snake."

"Moreover..."

He glanced at his palm, where a trace of the world's Law lingered.

"The current me is just short of a few suitable test subjects to perfect the ecosystem of my world in the palm."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the main hall immediately became subtle.

Everyone looked at Chen Xu's half-smiling expression and felt a chill run down their spines.

Treating a Body Integration Late Stage mighty figure as a "test subject"? This was too insane!

But for some reason, looking at the man sitting firmly in the main seat, they couldn't harbor any doubts.

Instead, they felt a faint sense of... anticipation?

"Issue the order."

Chen Xu put away his smile, his voice becoming deep and powerful.

"First, effective immediately, Tianxuan City will lift its lockdown, open its gates wide, and welcome all Cultivators displaced by the war."

"Regardless of their Sect, as long as they abide by the rules of our Chen family, they will all be accepted!"

"Second, the Sword Washing Pavilion, Overlord Blade Camp, and Myriad Beast Hall, the three major battle divisions, are to immediately mobilize and prepare for war."

"Since the people from Central State want to play a game of staking out territory, then we'll play along with them. With Tianxuan City as the center, including Zhenyuan City, all will become the Chen family's territory!"

With Chen Xu's command, Tianxuan City, as vast as a giant beast, suddenly awoke from its slumber.

There was not much clamor or panic. Over the past thirty years, the Chen family had established itself in the perilous wilderness, developing an almost instinctive state of combat readiness.

Although the lockdown was lifted and the city gates were opened wide, this did not lead to Chaos within the city.

Instead, the influx of outside Cultivators brought a different kind of vitality and restlessness.

Loose outside, tight inside—this was the strategy formulated by Chen Daoxuan.

On the surface, Tianxuan City was still peaceful and prosperous, with shops open as usual, even busier than before.

But secretly, the three major halls responsible for combat—the Sword Washing Pavilion, the Overlord Blade Camp, and the Myriad Beast Hall—had silently completed their mobilization.

“Father, everything is ready.”

In the plaza outside the City Lord's Mansion, over a dozen massive black flying boats hovered in mid-air.

These flying boats were entirely crafted from ten-thousand-year-old Black Iron Wood, and their hulls were covered in complex defensive and acceleration array patterns.

Each one could accommodate thousands of people.

Chen Daoxuan stood beside Chen Xu, his expression solemn: “For this expedition, five hundred thousand elite troops will remain at home with the Overlord Blade Camp, and the City Protection Grand Array will be activated at full power.”

“Besides Pavilion Master Lan, Little Hei, and Mysterious Water, the accompanying personnel include one thousand Sword Cultivators from the Sword Washing Pavilion and three thousand Beast Masters from the Myriad Beast Hall.”

Chen Xu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the ready-to-depart faces below.

“No need for further words. Depart.”

Chen Xu's figure flickered, and he instantly appeared on the largest flagship leading the fleet.

Following his command, the flying boats emitted a low roar, and the surrounding space slightly twisted.

Immediately after, the massive hulls transformed into streaks of light, instantly tearing through the clouds and speeding toward the south.

The target of this journey was Zhenyuan City.

On the deck of the flying boat, the fierce wind howled but was isolated by a layer of transparent Spiritual Qi Barrier.

Lan Shuyao stood at the bow, holding her longsword, her robes fluttering.

Watching the mountains and rivers rapidly flashing past below, a complex look crossed her eyes.

“Zhenyuan City... the largest stronghold established by Tianyu Holy Land on the edge of Beiming.”

Lan Shuyao said softly, her tone carrying a hint of emotion: “Thirty years ago, that place was stronger than our Tianxuan City!”

“Who would have thought that today, we would be going to conquer it.”

“Times change.”

A lazy voice came from the side. The Xuan Shui Dragon Turtle was lying on a soft couch, a Spiritual Plant dangling from its mouth, and it mumbled indistinctly: “Back then, we were just country bumpkins who had just arrived, but now the Master is a Body Integration Mighty Expert. No matter how big Zhenyuan City is, it's nothing more than a piece of meat right next to the mouth.”

Little Hei, who was completely shrouded in a black robe nearby, remained silent, merely wiping a Black Bone Flute in his hand.

Several colorful poisonous insects leaped around his fingertips, emitting a dangerous Aura.

Chen Xu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze profound.

“Zhenyuan City has a unique geographical location, guarding the vital passage from the Barren Lands to the inland.”

Chen Xu analyzed calmly: “In the past, Tianyu Holy Land was powerful, and we could only avoid its sharp edge, hiding in the deeper poor mountains and treacherous waters.”

“But now, Tianyu Holy Land is tied down by the Ancient Demons, and those people from Central State want to come and snatch the rewards.”

“If we don't take Zhenyuan City, within half a month, it will be flying the banner of Ascending Immortal Gate from Central State.”

Saying this, Chen Xu curled his lip into a cold smile: “Since everyone is fighting for territory, let's see whose movements are faster and whose fists are harder.”

The flying boat's speed was extremely fast; traveling ten thousand miles a day was nothing.

Everything seen along the way was desolate and bleak.

Although the main battlefield of the Northern Region was in the south, these thirty years of turmoil still reduced countless small Sects and Mortal cities to ruins.

Bandits ran rampant, Yao Beasts wreaked havoc, and piles of white bones were visible everywhere.

But this precisely proved the correctness of Chen Xu's judgment.

In times of Chaos, order was the most expensive luxury.

Whoever could provide shelter would gain the hearts and populace... A few days later, Zhenyuan City was faintly visible in the distance.

Unlike the devastation outside, this magnificent city.

Currently appeared exceptionally prosperous.

The City Protection Grand Array shone with a soft light, isolating the wind, snow, and danger outside.

Within the city, towers stood tall, Spiritual Qi was abundant, and countless escape lights rose and fell.

Due to the surge in population, the scale of Zhenyuan City had even expanded several times compared to thirty years ago.

It subtly possessed some of the majestic atmosphere of a Holy Land main city.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, the sounds of string and wind instruments were pleasant, and the aroma of wine permeated the air.

A middle-aged man in brocade robes with a square face was seated squarely in the main seat.

In his hand, he was toying with a rare jade cup made of Emerald Jade in this Realm.

This person was none other than the City Lord of Zhenyuan City, Zhao Wuji.

Unlike the Sub-Branch Master thirty years ago who was timid and had to constantly watch the Tianyu Holy Land's reaction when acting.

The current Zhao Wuji could be described as high-spirited and vigorous.

The saying that heroes emerge in times of Chaos was best proven by him.

With the main force of Tianyu Holy Land being restrained, their control over the peripheral cities dropped to freezing point.

Zhao Wuji took the opportunity to intercept the massive amount of resources that should have been offered as tribute to the Holy Land, not only expanding his Personal Guard Team tenfold.

Furthermore, by relying on the accumulation of vast amounts of Spirit Stones, he successfully broke through his Bottleneck a year ago.

Stepping into the Late Stage of Refinement Void Realm.

The Late Stage of Refinement Void, placed in the rear of the Northern Region today, was a top-tier fighting force, akin to a Regional Lord.

“City Lord, the Elder from Ascending Immortal Gate has left.”

A Trusted Attendant walked in softly and reported in a low voice: “They left word before departing, saying that you must consider carefully and reply as soon as possible!”

The attendant paused, not daring to continue speaking.

“If there is no reply, they will bring a large army to flatten my Zhenyuan City?”

Zhao Wuji snorted lightly, drained the Spirit Wine in his cup, and revealed a disdainful smile.

“That is exactly what they meant.”

The attendant cautiously watched Zhao Wuji's expression.

Zhao Wuji put down his cup, stood up, and slowly paced within the hall.

“Ascending Immortal Gate... the Overlord from Central State.”

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes: “That old man Xu Sen relies on being in the Body Integration Stage and wants to acquire something for nothing, making me, Zhao Wuji, take this huge enterprise and serve him like a dog? That's far too disrespectful.”

The attendant hesitated and asked: “But City Lord, Ascending Immortal Gate is ultimately a massive power, and Xu Sen is a Body Integration Mighty Expert. If we truly anger them, relying solely on the power of our Zhenyuan City, I fear...”

“What is there to fear?”

Zhao Wuji sneered, and a powerful Aura belonging to the Late Stage of Refinement Void suddenly erupted from his body.

The candlelight in the hall flickered violently from the shock.

“Can't you see the current situation clearly?”

Zhao Wuji pointed north, then south: “Although Tianyu Holy Land is crippled, they are still local tyrants; a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.”

“They absolutely won't just stand by and watch Zhenyuan City side with outsiders.”

“And what about Ascending Immortal Gate? They are newcomers and urgently need a foothold.”

“We are now the coveted prize that both sides are fighting for.”

Zhao Wuji sat back down on his chair, an expression of having everything under control on his face: “At this time, whoever declares allegiance first is the fool. As long as I stall and remain neutral, neither side will dare to touch me easily. Instead, they will compete to offer higher prices to win me over.”

This was his way of survival—to hold out for the best price.

Zhao Wuji was able to rise from a mere Outer Sect Disciple to where he is today.

What he relied on was never loyalty, but the foresight to assess the situation.

“What's more...”

Zhao Wuji chuckled: “Currently, Zhenyuan City earns a huge amount of money daily. Just the entry fees and protection fees alone are enough for us to live off for generations.”

“Just give me a few more decades. Once I use these resources to charge toward the Half-Step Body Integration, or even the Body Integration Stage.”

“By then, even if Xu Sen himself comes, he will have to treat me courteously!”

Hearing this, the attendant immediately showed an enlightened expression and repeatedly flattered him: “City Lord's insight is brilliant! Truly brilliant! We call this sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight, and taking everything in the end!”

Zhao Wuji burst into hearty laughter, feeling excellent.

He seemed to already see his future as a Hegemon of the Northern Region.

A glorious scene where he was on equal footing with the major Holy Lands.

However, just as his laughter was still echoing in the hall.

Without any warning, the previously clear sky suddenly darkened.

“What's going on?”

Zhao Wuji's laughter abruptly stopped, and his brow furrowed sharply.

His Divine Sense instantly spread out, attempting to probe the situation outside.

But the moment his Divine Sense touched the Defensive Barrier above the City Lord's Mansion, he felt a mountain-like heavy pressure descend from the sky.

Forcing his Divine Sense back abruptly.

“Pfft—”

With his Divine Sense blocked, Zhao Wuji groaned, and his face instantly turned pale.

“Refinement Void Peak? Or... Half-Step Body Integration?!”

He was greatly alarmed; this kind of powerful Divine Sense pressure.

Was definitely not something an ordinary Cultivator could possess.

Could it be that old man Xu Sen from Ascending Immortal Gate had thrown caution to the wind and come knocking directly?

No, that's wrong!

An Elder from a major Sect like Xu Sen prioritizes formality and legitimacy; how could he attack without even a greeting?

Before Zhao Wuji could figure it out.

A low, vast humming sound spread throughout the entire Zhenyuan City.

At this moment, the millions of Cultivators within Zhenyuan City also raised their heads in terror.

They saw that high up in the sky, the light screen of the faint golden Grand Array that originally protected the city was now violently shaking, like a fragile piece of thin paper.

And outside the light screen, countless giant flying boats, like a black thundercloud.

Hung heavily above everyone's heads.

Especially on the leading flying boat, a Purple-Gold Banner flapped loudly in the strong wind.

Embroidered on the banner was a single, vigorously written character—Chen!

“Chen? Whose banner is that?”

“Is there a major power surnamed Chen in the Northern Region?”

“Heavens! Look at those few people at the bow of the boat, that Aura... they are Refinement Void mighty experts! And there's more than one!”

The city erupted in an uproar, and panic quickly spread.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion hall, Zhao Wuji's expression had become extremely grim.

His figure flashed, and he rushed directly out of the hall and into mid-air.

Looking at the massive ship overhead, Zhao Wuji's heart suddenly clenched.

Just as Zhao Wuji was filled with shock and uncertainty, the Man in Green Robes finally made a move.

Chen Xu did not roar loudly, merely glancing indifferently at Zhao Wuji below.

Subsequently, his voice was like a startling thunderbolt dropping from the Nine Heavens.

Causing people's Souls to tremble.

“City Lord of Zhenyuan City, where is Zhao Wuji?”