181: Heavenly Reward, Heavenly Triple Slash

Terrifying Heavenly Might surged, and the clouds were like a boiling sea of lead, pressing heavily on the hearts of every living being.

Countless living beings trembled, feeling as insignificant as dust under the glorious Heavenly Dao.

The vast pressure completely descended, and the heavens and earth suddenly shone brightly. Auspicious multicolored light cascaded from the Nine Heavens, and a golden pillar of light, piercing through heaven and earth, emerged from the Void Realm, completely enveloping Qin Wushang's figure.

Immediately after, a Great Dao sound, as if originating from the dawn of time, resounded throughout the entire Desolate Heaven Domain.

"Qin Wushang of the Great Chu Empire in the Desolate Heaven Domain, ignited the Divine Fire with the fire of ten thousand Daos, Using the Body as a Seed, stepped onto an invincible path, breaking a record unprecedented through the ages. Reward: Forbidden Saber Technique Three Slashes of the Heavenly Dao, and one Great Dao Baptism."

"Rumble!"

Accompanying the Dao sound, a line of golden characters, condensed from pure Dao patterns, was imprinted upon the highest firmament, radiating boundless light that all beings in the Desolate Heaven Domain could see!

At the same time, two more solid golden streams of light separated from the pillar of light and landed directly on Qin Wushang.

His entire body immediately glowed with golden light, as if he had transformed into a human sun.

"Rumble!"

The rumbling within his body was incessant; it was the myriad Great Daos resonating with his newly born inner Universe.

The three thousand Great Dao runes previously imprinted on his flesh and bones now shone together, becoming incomparably brilliant and dazzling, making him appear as if a Dao Ancestor had descended.

Immediately after, an ancient and vast stream of information exploded in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, transforming into countless flowing runes.

Three Slashes of the Heavenly Dao!

This forbidden Saber Technique consists of three slashes!

The first slash: Heavenly Dao Judgment!

When the saber is drawn, Dao patterns are naturally generated on its blade. Amidst its humming vibrations, it can forcibly draw down the most fundamental Judgment Lightning from the Nine Heavens.

Its saber light is like a silver streak that cleaves the order of the Universe. Whatever it strikes, whether tangible or intangible, will have its authority to exist in heaven and earth forcibly stripped away.

Even more terrifying is that anyone or anything covered by this saber light who does not completely perish will be branded with the mark of a Heavenly Dao Abandoned Child.

From then on, Heavenly Luck will abandon them, the Great Dao will distance itself from them, disasters will accompany them throughout their lives, and every step will lead to decay!

The second slash, Dao Tribulation Devourer... Qin Wushang's mind was greatly shaken, completely taken by surprise.

This Three Slashes of the Heavenly Dao was actually a forbidden Saber Technique that forcibly borrowed a portion of the Heavenly Dao's authority at the cost of burning one's own Divine Soul and Lifespan!

Every slash would inevitably trigger the most fundamental malevolence and tribulation of heaven and earth. Its power was unparalleled, yet it was also extremely perilous, a true life-and-death technique that transcended the boundaries of life and death.

With his current cultivation at the initial Heavenly God Realm and the strength of his Divine Soul, he would probably reach his limit by unleashing one Heavenly Dao Judgment with all his might, and he would certainly suffer severe backlash afterward.

"Demanding requirements, immense cost... but the first slash alone can cut off one's Luck and sever one's Dao path. It truly lives up to its name as a forbidden technique bestowed by the Heavenly Dao."

Qin Wushang whispered, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

High risk often comes with high reward.

He no longer hesitated, sitting cross-legged in the Void Realm, discarding distracting thoughts, and fully accepting the Great Dao Baptism that came with the reward.

This was a pure gift from the Heavenly Dao, the best opportunity for an Epiphany.

He had already entered the Heavenly God Realm and needed to comprehend the Laws of heaven and earth to condense his own Dao.

"I possess the Thunder Emperor Law. The Dao of Thunder is fierce and violent, possessing the greatest offensive power. Perhaps I can start from here and initially integrate the Law of Thunder into my Saber Intent..."

With his mind set, he quickly entered a deep state of Epiphany. Wisps of purple lightning began to appear around him, interweaving with the golden light.

Below, countless living beings looked up at the celestial phenomenon, utterly astonished.

"Great Dao Baptism! He... he entered an Epiphany directly!"

"Heavens! I cultivated for two thousand years and never once entered a state of Epiphany! He did it so easily..."

"Forbidden Saber Technique! That's a forbidden technique personally bestowed by the Heavenly Dao! Its power is probably even above the Heaven Mending Art, right?"

"The Heaven Mending Art is a mending technique, a beneficial Cultivation Technique, while this Three Slashes of the Heavenly Dao is clearly an invincible killing technique! The two cannot be compared!"

"What a Prodigy! Using the Body as a Seed successfully, receiving the Heavenly Dao's praise, and thus embarking on an invincible path... Among his generation, who can contend with him?"

"Probably not just his generation! Even ordinary cultivators newly entering the God King Realm, whose Domains are not yet stable and Laws not yet refined, might not be able to suppress him!"

"His Physical Body, having undergone the imprinting of three thousand Great Daos and the tempering of the Violet Heaven Divine Lightning, is simply comparable to a human divine weapon! Even a God King's Domain might find it difficult to suppress him!"

"A God King is no match for him! Only a more powerful Saint might be able to fight him!"

Everyone discussed animatedly, their tones filled with astonishment, envy, and jealousy.

Meanwhile, in the Noble Families' seating area, Chu Tianhai and Murong Di's faces were so grim they looked as if they could drip water.

They already had a grudge, and the more glorious Qin Wushang became, the more their hearts burned with jealousy and hatred.

Their eyes met, and they instantly reached a consensus.

Murong Di was the first to rise, his voice infused with Saint power, clearly resounding throughout the entire venue.

"Grand Princess Your Highness! The grand competition has been delayed for too long. The opening time of the Ancient Desolate Secret Realm was set in ancient times and concerns the core interests of all Noble Families. How can it be repeatedly delayed because of one person?"

"This subject respectfully requests Your Highness to immediately restart the Arena and proceed with the battle for the top eight from the top sixteen!"

Chu Tianhai immediately cupped his hands in agreement, his tone earnest.

"Imperial Sister, what Brother Murong said is very true."

"Many Prodigies and spectators have waited for a long time. Rules cannot be abolished, and timing cannot be missed."

"Please, Imperial Sister, issue the order to continue the grand competition!"

As soon as these words were spoken, several Noble Families' patriarchs whose children had advanced to the top sixteen immediately understood the deeper meaning!

Qin Wushang was in an Epiphany. If the next round of duels were forcibly started now, he would be unable to participate and would be considered to have automatically forfeited!

Patriarch Li stroked his beard and slowly spoke.

"Grand Princess Your Highness, Patriarch Murong and King Tianhai are right. The grand competition is a grand event of the Empire, and rules should be prioritized. How can public matters be abandoned for private reasons?"

Patriarch Wang also nodded, rising to speak.

"Indeed, the opening of the Secret Realm is the most important matter in the Desolate Heaven Domain. If delays cause unforeseen changes, none of us can bear the responsibility. We ask Your Highness to prioritize the overall situation and continue the grand competition!"

"We second that! Please, Your Highness, continue the grand competition!"

Several patriarchs spoke in unison, subtly forming a coercive stance.

As long as the grand competition started now, Qin Wushang would either have to end his Epiphany or give up the grand competition.

Whichever it was, it would be harmless to them.

On the high platform, Princess Chu Yuelian's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

How could she not know these people's schemes?

Qin Wushang represented the Imperial Family in the battle. If he lost his qualification because of this, the Imperial Family's prestige would be damaged, and the Secret Realm's interests would also be affected.

But the crowd's intentions were fierce, and their stated reasons were outwardly righteous... Just as she was weighing her options, a cold voice filled with supreme majesty resounded throughout heaven and earth.

"The grand competition will be postponed by half a day."

Space subtly warped, and a figure, pure white as snow and cool as the moon, was already seated on the central main seat.

It was Empress Chu Yuehua!

The moment she appeared, the air throughout the Chu Clan Ancestral Land seemed to solidify.

The previously noisy patriarchs instantly paled, becoming silent as cicadas in winter.

"Your Majesty!"

Patriarch Li steeled himself and bowed, saying, "Postponing by half a day, what if we miss the precise opening time of the Secret Realm...?"

"What if we miss it?"

Chu Yuehua didn't even lift an eyelid, gently tapping the armrest with her fingertip.

"Even if we miss it, this Empress will use the mountain and river emperor sword to break through the Secret Realm's barrier and forcibly open it for three days."

She slowly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below. Her gaze wasn't sharp, yet it made everyone who met it feel their Divine Soul turn cold, as if falling into an ice cave.

"Or are all of you here..."

Her voice remained calm.

"Do you think this Empress's will is less important than that rigid time set in ancient times?"

"This subject and others dare not!"

Led by Patriarch Li, the few who had spoken earlier hurriedly knelt on the ground, cold sweat soaking their backs.

Imperial Might like a prison, words becoming Law!

This was the peerless Empress who had ruled the Desolate Heaven Domain for a hundred years and suppressed all dissent!

However, Chu Yuehua's assertiveness did not completely dispel the thoughts in some people's hearts; it merely suppressed their dissatisfaction and schemes deeper.

Just as Qin Wushang was comprehending... [Ding! Triggered a selection quest...]