298: Chapter 298 The Storm in the Immortal City and the Sword Sect Inspector

Outside the massive harbor of Qinghe Immortal City, a mountain wind laden with the heavy Laws of the Great Desolate True Realm blew slowly, dispersing the last traces of gray powder that had once been the Wang Clan of Xuanming's warship into nothingness.

Tens of thousands of Cultivators stood frozen in place; the entire harbor was deathly silent. Not a single person dared to breathe loudly. Even the city guards, who usually held themselves high while maintaining order, now kept their heads low, their hands gripping their halberds drenched in cold sweat.

A Family Head at the Middle Stage of the Daluo True Monarch Realm and an indestructible top-tier warship had been reduced to primordial void by a single palm strike from across the air, right before everyone's eyes. This absolute suppression, which exceeded the limits of everyone's cognition, caused every living being present to tremble from the depths of their Divine Soul.

Under the gaze of countless reverent eyes, the crimson Cui Clan flying boat sailed unimpeded into the widest docking berth within the Immortal City.

After the flying boat came to a steady halt, Cui Yuanshan walked quickly to the main cabin door on the deck and bowed deeply.

Cui Yuanshan said with utmost respect, "Senior, we have successfully arrived at Qinghe Immortal City. The clan has already prepared the finest detached courtyard at Purple Cloud Peak. Please, Senior, follow me."

The cabin doors slid open silently to both sides.

Zhou Wannian stepped out of the cabin with his hands behind his back, his pace steady and leisurely. His Green Robe was as neat as new, and his expression remained just as calm and relaxed as if the person who had just obliterated a regional hegemon outside the harbor wasn't him at all.

Zhou Wannian said in a casual tone, "Lead the way. I'd like to see what's so unusual about an Immortal City in this Great Desolate True Realm."

Cui Yuanshan felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve and hurriedly led the way. Cui Mingyue and the other Cui Clan disciples followed closely behind, not even daring to breathe heavily.

As the group stepped off the flying boat, a luxurious jade carriage from the Cui Clan was already waiting at the harbor. This jade carriage was drawn by eight pure white Auspicious Beasts radiating the pressure of a Golden Immortal. The carriage body was crafted entirely from ten-thousand-year warm jade, surrounded by the faint glow of a defensive Formation.

Zhou Wannian boarded the jade carriage with a composed demeanor. Cui Yuanshan personally sat on the carriage shaft to drive the Auspicious Beasts. The jade carriage took flight, soaring smoothly toward the inner city.

Through the glazed windows of the jade carriage, Zhou Wannian quietly observed the massive Qinghe Immortal City.

The Space Law of the Great Desolate True Realm was exceptionally dense, and the architectural style here reflected a sense of stability and weight. The streets were incredibly wide, paved with star-patterned black stone that emitted a faint shimmer. The merchant shops and pavilions on both sides rose hundreds of feet high, all constructed from stacked, hardened archaic giant stones. In the sky, patrolling city guards occasionally flew past in warships, leaving behind low rumbles.

The jade carriage flew over the Immortal City for about half an hour before a massive mountain peak shrouded in mist and brimming with Spiritual Qi appeared ahead. This was the location of the Qinghe Cui Clan's ancestral grounds, Purple Cloud Peak.

Purple Cloud Peak pierced into the clouds, its slopes carved with countless Immortal Caves and palaces. A massive waterfall, like the Milky Way, cascaded down from the summit, the water crashing against the rocks and stirring up thick Innate Spiritual Qi.

When the jade carriage landed on the white jade plaza in front of the Purple Cloud Peak's main hall, the highest echelons of the Qinghe Cui Clan were already lined up and waiting.

Standing at the very front was an old man dressed in a dark gold robe with white hair and a white beard. He radiated the thick pressure of an Early Stage Daluo True Monarch, and the faint phenomenon of stars being born and destroyed flickered in his eyes. This man was the pillar of the Qinghe Cui Clan, Supreme Grand Elder Cui Tianhai.

Cui Tianhai had lived for tens of thousands of years and possessed immense experience. When he received the urgent message from Cui Yuanshan that a supreme powerhouse capable of obliterating Wang Chongshan with a flick of his fingers was about to arrive at the Cui Clan, he immediately ended his seclusion. He gathered all the Elders of the clan and prepared the highest level of etiquette for the welcome.

Seeing Zhou Wannian step down from the jade carriage, Cui Tianhai did not put on any airs of a Daluo True Monarch. He stepped forward quickly and, while still three zhang away from Zhou Wannian, knelt on both knees without hesitation, performing a full prostration.

Cui Tianhai's voice was loud and filled with awe as he said, "Junior Cui Tianhai of the Qinghe Cui Clan, along with the entire clan, welcomes Senior's arrival. Senior has shown the Cui Clan the grace of rebirth; all members of the Cui Clan are willing to go through fire and water for Senior, even unto ten thousand deaths."

Behind him, hundreds of Cui Clan Elders and elite disciples also knelt in unison, their voices of welcome echoing over Purple Cloud Peak.

Zhou Wannian looked at this grand display, his deep eyes showing not a single ripple. He had never been interested in these empty displays of etiquette, but he didn't go out of his way to stop them either.

Zhou Wannian said in a steady tone, "Rise. I am only passing through to rest for a moment and look for some things I need. There is no need for such a massive commotion; too much noise is merely annoying."

Hearing this, Cui Tianhai's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly stood up and waved for the disciples behind him to withdraw.

Cui Tianhai said with extreme submissiveness, "Senior's lesson is noted. This Junior has prepared fine tea in the main hall. Please, Senior, take the seat of honor."

Zhou Wannian nodded slightly and, led personally by Cui Tianhai, entered the magnificent main hall of Purple Cloud Peak.

The interior of the main hall was decorated in an elegant, ancient style. It lacked extravagant or flashy decorations but exuded the heritage of an Immortal Family that had been passed down for many years. Zhou Wannian unceremoniously took the main seat at the top, his posture remaining just as relaxed.

Cui Mingyue personally served a cup of freshly brewed Peerless Grade immortal tea and then obediently retreated to the side.

Zhou Wannian picked up the teacup, gently brushing the tea leaves on the surface, and looked calmly at Cui Tianhai and Cui Yuanshan standing below.

Zhou Wannian asked with a flat expression, "Since you are the local powers of this Cangwu Ancient Domain, you must be very familiar with the various Heaven And Earth Treasures of this world. I have just come out of seclusion and need to find some archaic divine objects containing the purest Origins of Gold, Water, Fire, and Earth to deduce a Cultivation Technique. In your Qinghe Immortal City, or within this Cangwu Ancient Domain, is there any word on the whereabouts of such treasures?"

Hearing this inquiry, stormy waves instantly rose in Cui Tianhai's heart.

Archaic divine objects containing the purest Origins—what level of supreme treasure was that? Taking out even one would be enough to stir up a bloodbath across the entire Great Desolate True Realm; even those high and mighty Great Desolate Saint Ancestors would fight over such things.

A layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his mind raced, fearing that his answer might dissatisfy this Senior.

Cui Tianhai replied with utmost respect, "Reporting to Senior. The items Senior seeks are of an incredibly high level. Although our Qinghe Cui Clan's treasury has some heritage, we would never dare to use mundane items to fool Senior. However, this Junior does know the whereabouts of two Origin divine objects."

Zhou Wannian set down his teacup, a flicker of faint interest crossing his eyes.

Zhou Wannian said casually, "Oh? Let's hear it."

Cui Tianhai swallowed hard and cautiously continued his report.

Cui Tianhai said with a solemn expression, "The first item is the clan-protecting treasure of the Wang Clan of Xuanming, known as 'great sea true water.' This water evolved from the very first drop of heavy water in the world when the Great Desolate True Realm was first created, and it contains an exceptionally pure Origin of Water. The Wang Clan has always kept it sealed within a Secret Realm in their ancestral lands, using the aura it emits to nurture the younger generations of the clan who possess water-attribute Spiritual Roots."

Hearing the words 'Wang Clan of Xuanming,' the corners of Zhou Wannian's mouth curled into a faint, indiscernible arc.

Zhou Wannian said flatly, "So that Wang Family had such a good thing. Had I known earlier, I would have left a fragment of Wang Chongshan's soul to search outside the harbor. No matter, the monk can run, but the temple can't. What about the second item?"

Cui Tianhai wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice becoming even lower.

Cui Tianhai said tremblingly, "The second item is a fire-Origin divine object called the 'nine nether earth core lotus.' Unfortunately, this item is not in Qinghe Immortal City. Instead, it is held by the hegemon power of our Cangwu Ancient Domain, one of the Three Supreme Daoist Sects, the 'Xuantian Sword Sect.' It is said that this lotus grows deep within the Sword Tomb, a Forbidden Ground of the Sword Sect, where it is used to suppress the Evil Qi of ten thousand swords."

After listening, Zhou Wannian nodded slightly.

Xuantian Sword Sect—he had heard Cui Yuanshan mention this name earlier on the flying boat. As the rulers of this ancient domain, it was only reasonable for them to hold one or two archaic divine objects.

Zhou Wannian arranged in a steady tone, "great sea true water and the nine nether earth core lotus. Very good. My trip to Qinghe Immortal City was not in vain."

He shook his wide green sleeves.

A dazzling streak of dark gold light instantly shot out from his cuff, landing steadily on the white jade floor in the center of the hall.

The Gold-Devouring Immortal Golden Child manifested its fist-sized body. Deep spatial Formation patterns faintly flowed over its indestructible carapace. It had already heard about the 'great sea true water' and the Wang Family's treasury while inside the sleeve; at this moment, its bean-sized eyes were full of greed and fervor for top-tier resources.

Looking at Golden Boy, Zhou Wannian extended a slender finger and casually drew a direction in the void.

Zhou Wannian instructed in a gentle tone, "Since Wang Chongshan is already dead, leaving the Wang Clan of Xuanming's treasury would be a waste. Go to the Wang Family's ancestral lands and bring back that drop of 'great sea true water' intact. As for the high-grade Ore veins and scrap metal in the Wang Family's treasury, you can have them all as snacks. Go, and be quick about it."

Hearing this, Golden Boy let out a cheerful insect chirp that could pierce gold and crack stone. It didn't even look back at the stunned members of the Cui Clan, transforming directly into a streak of dark gold lightning that tore through the hall's Formation light screen. It vanished into the horizon instantly, racing toward the Wang Family's ancestral lands on the other side of Qinghe Immortal City.

Cui Tianhai and Cui Yuanshan both gasped as they watched the beetle disappear. They could feel a terrifying, fierce aura from that inconspicuous beetle that was enough to tear apart a Daluo True Monarch's Physical Body. A pet that this Senior kept casually actually had the strength to wipe out a top-tier Family; it was simply despair-inducing.

Zhou Wannian ignored everyone's shock. He leaned back against the chair again, closing his eyes to rest as he quietly awaited Golden Boy's return.

On the other side of Qinghe Immortal City, at the massive estate of the Wang Clan of Xuanming.

The news of Wang Chongshan's fall had not yet fully reached the Family. The Wang Family was still immersed in its past arrogance and luxury. The Wang Family's defensive Formation was open year-round, emitting a thick black light sufficient to withstand the combined attacks of several Daluo True Monarchs.

However.

When that streak of dark gold lightning descended over the Wang Family, all defenses became as flimsy as paper.

Golden Boy didn't even bother looking for flaws in the Formation. It simply opened its bottomless little mouth and bit directly into the Wang Family's supposedly indestructible clan-protecting Formation.

Crack.

A tooth-aching sound of shattering echoed through the clouds.

The Formation light screen that could block a Daluo True Monarch was bitten through, leaving a massive hole under Golden Boy's sharp teeth. Like a tiger among sheep, Golden Boy turned into an afterimage and charged into the Wang Family estate.

The next half hour was an absolute doomsday for the Wang Clan of Xuanming.

Golden Boy had no interest in killing people; its goal was clear: the Wang Family's treasury and ancestral Secret Realm. Wherever it passed, any Wang Family Elders or guards who tried to stop it couldn't even see its shadow before their Magic Treasures were chewed into fragments.

The massive treasury doors were smashed directly by Golden Boy. The mountain-like piles of rare Ores and top-grade Immortal Artifacts inside were all swallowed into its belly like a whale inhaling water.

Finally, Golden Boy rushed into the deepest Secret Realm of the Wang Family's ancestral land. There, it found a jade tripod wrapped in layers of Seals. Inside the jade tripod floated a black water droplet that emitted an endless, vast aura, like a miniature ocean; it was precisely that ancient divine object, the "great sea true water."

Golden Boy carefully swallowed the jade tripod into an independent space within its belly, then let out a satisfied burp and transformed into a golden light, departing.

Behind it, the Wang Clan of Xuanming was left in a mess, their treasury looted, and countless Elders wanting to weep but having no tears.

Purple Cloud Peak, the Cui Clan's main hall.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

A golden light shot in from outside the hall and came to a steady stop in front of Zhou Wannian.

Golden Boy opened its mouth as if presenting a treasure, and the jade tripod sealing the "great sea true water" fell into Zhou Wannian's hand. It rubbed against the back of Zhou Wannian's hand as if claiming credit, then, having devoured too many high-grade Ores, it burrowed back into his sleeve to sleep soundly.

Zhou Wannian looked at the jade tripod in his hand, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He casually wiped away the Wang Family's Seal on the jade tripod.

Boom.

A boundless and majestic aura of the Water Origin, as if it could submerge all the heavens and myriad worlds, instantly surged out from the jade tripod. The air in the entire Cui Clan main hall became incredibly heavy at this moment, and even a thick layer of water droplets condensed in the surrounding Void Realm.

Cui Tianhai, Cui Yuanshan, and the others were pressed back repeatedly by this aura, only managing to stand firm by circulating their full cultivation power.

Zhou Wannian's expression remained calm; without the slightest avoidance, he directly circulated the Great Five Elements Illusory World Art within his body.

One hundred and eight clusters of time dao patterns erupted with brilliant golden light inside him. The inner universe opened a gap to the outside, and an irresistible devouring force instantly sucked that drop of great sea true water into his body.

As the great sea true water entered his body, Zhou Wannian's inner universe immediately underwent an earth-shaking change.

The Water Law, originally condensed from Spiritual Qi, instantly transformed into a vast and boundless black ocean after being supplemented by this ancient divine object. This ocean surrounded the chaos jianmu, continuously providing the purest life nourishment for the jianmu.

Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire; the speed of the Five Elements' circulation instantly increased a hundredfold.

Under the washing of this massive Origin, Zhou Wannian's Physical Body became even more crystal clear, every inch of skin containing terrifying power capable of crushing star rivers. Although he still hadn't deliberately attempted a Breakthrough in his Realm, the foundation of his inner universe had become so profound that even he found it incredible.

The absorption process was exceptionally peaceful.

Zhou Wannian slowly opened his eyes; deep within those pupils, there seemed to be a bottomless black ocean.

He straightened his Green Robe, his demeanor returning to that Innate relaxation.

Zhou Wannian evaluated in a steady tone, "Not bad. This great sea true water is quite pure, saving me much effort in refinement. Next, only the Xuantian Sword Sect's nine nether earth core lotus remains."

Just as Zhou Wannian was about to stand up and ask the Cui Family for the specific location of the Xuantian Sword Sect.

A sudden change occurred.

Above Qinghe Immortal City, the originally clear sky suddenly darkened.

A sharp and peerless, terrifying Sword Intent, as if it were to completely split this world in half, descended over the entire immortal city without warning. This Sword Intent was so strong that it far surpassed Wang Chongshan's Daluo True Monarch Middle Stage from before, having shockingly reached the terrifying Realm of Daluo True Monarch Late Stage.

Countless Cultivators in the immortal city looked up in horror.

High in the Nine Heavens, a brilliant sword shadow ten thousand feet long, like a sword of heavenly punishment, floated among the clouds. Standing atop the sword shadow was a young man dressed in white with a face as cold as ice. There was a silver sword-shaped mark on his brow, and his entire body radiated a domineering aura of being the sole supreme.

This person was the Inner Sect Inspector of the Xuantian Sword Sect, the top Sword Cultivator famous in the Cangwu Ancient Domain, Jian Wuchen.

Jian Wuchen was not only a powerful figure in the Xuantian Sword Sect but also the true backer behind the deceased Wang Chongshan. More than half of the vast resources the Wang Clan of Xuanming plundered each year were secretly offered to this Jian Wuchen. Now that Wang Chongshan had been publicly killed outside the port and the Wang Family treasury had been looted, Jian Wuchen was furious upon receiving the news and directly tore through the Void Realm to descend upon Qinghe Immortal City.

Jian Wuchen's cold gaze pierced through layers of clouds, locking directly onto the Cui Clan's main hall on Purple Cloud Peak.

His voice, mixed with endless killing intent, was like the resonance of ten thousand swords, booming loudly over the entire immortal city.

Jian Wuchen shouted angrily, "Qinghe Cui Clan, how bold of you. To dare collude with outsiders and kill a subsidiary Family of my Xuantian Sword Sect. Hand over the murderer immediately, then cripple your own cultivations and have the entire Family kneel outside the immortal city to beg for forgiveness. Otherwise, this envoy will ensure not a single blade of grass grows on Purple Cloud Peak today and that your Cui Clan's Bloodline Legacy is completely severed."

This extremely domineering threat caused the atmosphere in the entire Cui Clan main hall to drop to the freezing point instantly.

Cui Tianhai and Cui Yuanshan turned ashen, their bodies trembling violently. The Xuantian Sword Sect was the heaven of the Cangwu Ancient Domain. Jian Wuchen represented that high and mighty supreme Dao sect. In their deep-seated beliefs, offending the Xuantian Sword Sect was equivalent to being sentenced to death.

No matter how strong Zhou Wannian was, could he really contend with the entire Xuantian Sword Sect?

Cui Tianhai looked at Zhou Wannian in despair, his lips moving, but he didn't know what to say.

However.

Sitting in the main seat, Zhou Wannian didn't even frown at the terrifying Sword Intent pressing down from the sky or the deafening threats.

He unhurriedly picked up the teacup on the table, only to find that the tea had become somewhat cool.

Zhou Wannian put down the teacup, a hint of annoyance at having his peace disturbed flashing in his deep eyes.

Zhou Wannian spoke in a steady tone, with a composure and relaxation that made the Divine Soul tremble, saying faintly, "The dogs of this Great Desolate True Realm bark a bit louder than those in other places. I originally planned to visit in person to take that nine nether earth core lotus; since you insist on coming to seek death, I'll collect some interest first."

He ignored the despairing and horrified gazes of everyone in the hall.

Zhou Wannian stood up, hands behind his back, and took steady steps, strolling out of the Cui Clan main hall to the white jade plaza outside.

He slightly raised his chin, looking calmly at the insufferably arrogant Jian Wuchen high in the sky.

Jian Wuchen also noticed the Green Robe youth walking out of the hall. His Divine Sense swept over and found no cultivation fluctuations on the opponent, so he immediately sneered.

Jian Wuchen shouted with a cruel expression, "You are that murderous rat? To dare look at this envoy with such eyes is simply seeking death. This envoy will first pierce your heart with ten thousand swords and extract your Divine Soul to be used as a sky lantern."

Without the slightest hesitation, his right hand suddenly formed a sword Seal.

Xuantian Star-Shattering Sword Art.

This was a supreme killing technique of the Xuantian Sword Sect. The ten-thousand-foot-long brilliant sword shadow in the sky instantly transformed into tens of millions of sharp Sword Qi. Each strand of Sword Qi contained the destruction Law of the Daluo True Monarch Late Stage, interweaving into a sky-blotting sword blade storm that hacked down towards Zhou Wannian below with a terrifying whistle that tore through the Void Realm.

Facing this peerless sword Formation that was enough to completely level the entire Purple Cloud Peak.

Zhou Wannian's expression was as usual; he didn't even release his protective immortal light.

He just very casually withdrew his right hand from behind his back, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and pointed calmly toward the sword blade storm pouring down from the sky.

Zhou Wannian said in a relaxed tone, without a hint of agitation, "Scrap metal dares to call itself a sword."

Buzz.

Along with this point of his finger.

Great Five Elements Illusory World Art, Space Law Great Perfection, Time Deprivation Law.

A transparent and almost imperceptible ripple of Law rippled out from Zhou Wannian's fingertip like a breeze, instantly meeting the sky full of destructive Sword Qi.

Under the ghost-like horrified gazes of the tens of millions of Cultivators in Qinghe Immortal City.

An incredible scene appeared.

The Xuantian Star-Shattering Sword Art, which was said to be able to shatter stars, was like hitting an invisible shredder the moment it touched this transparent ripple.

Starting from the Sword Qi at the very front, those sharp sword glows containing the Daluo Late Stage Law didn't even last half a breath before they rapidly dimmed, decomposed, and shattered at a speed that defied common logic.

This disintegrating power followed the connection of the sword Formation, surging upstream like an unstoppable force.

The rain of swords in the sky was like melting snow, turning into a harmless breeze and vanishing without a trace.

“This... this is impossible. What kind of sorcery is this?”

Standing high in the sky, Jian Wuchen's originally cold face was completely distorted. The pride deep in his eyes was replaced by extreme terror. He couldn't understand how his full-strength strike had been lightheartedly reduced to nothingness by someone using a single finger.

However, he had no time to think about the reason.

Because that transparent ripple of Law, after erasing the sword Formation, continued unabated and swept directly across his body.

Jian Wuchen was horrified to find that the indestructible sword bones and the vast ocean of sword essence within his body were like rotten wood before this power. He wanted to burn his Daluo Dao Fruit to escape, but that power of stripping away time had already completely frozen his time.

“I am an Inspector of the Xuantian Sword Sect, if you dare kill me, the Sword Sect will never...”

These were the last words Jian Wuchen left in this world.

In a ten-thousandth of an instant.

This top Sword Cultivator, a Daluo True Monarch Late Stage famous in the Cangwu Ancient Domain.

In mid-air, before he could even finish a complete sentence, he was completely erased of all traces of existence by that supreme power.

He turned into a cloud of extremely fine gray powder, drifting down over Qinghe Immortal City.

Instant kill.

A true absolute instant kill.

Whether it was Daluo Middle Stage or Daluo Late Stage; whether it was a declining Family or an Inspector of a supreme Dao sect. In the face of Zhou Wannian's absolutely relaxed and crushing strength, the outcome was always these two clean and efficient words.

On Purple Cloud Peak, there was dead silence.

Cui Tianhai, Cui Yuanshan, and the others were now completely numb. They stared blankly at the drifting ashes in the sky, their brains having lost all ability to think.

Zhou Wannian slowly lowered his right hand and casually brushed his Green Robe sleeves.

He looked in the direction of the Xuantian Sword Sect, a faint coldness flashing in his deep eyes.

Zhou Wannian said in a steady tone, "Since this Xuantian Sword Sect is so overbearing, there's no need for me to observe any etiquette. It's just a matter of taking a trip; I'll go get that nine nether earth core lotus and, while I'm at it, teach them what real rules are."

He no longer paid attention to the Cui Clan members kneeling behind him.

He took steady steps, treading on the heavy Void Realm of the Great Desolate True Realm, walking leisurely step by step toward the Xuantian Sword Sect.

In his Green Robes, he was upright and composed.

A storm that was about to overturn the entire Cangwu Ancient Domain's landscape was steadily approaching the gates of that supreme Dao sect along with his strolling footprints.