Ten Suns Across the Sky

Tonight, the night was bright as day. Across the plateau, multiple blazing suns hung in the sky, illuminating every quarter. The delicate patterns on tree branches, the lush, dripping sheen of fresh buds, and the tiny antennae of flying insects were all distinctly visible, rendering the entire world vividly alive. Patriarchs of both the Newborn path and the immortal path had appeared, descending upon the plateau; their outward radiant light dispersed the pervasive night mist. The atmosphere grew extraordinarily tense. Was a ferocious clash about to erupt between the two paths? If patriarchs clashed, it would inevitably shake the heavens and earth! Without a doubt, once conflict broke out between both sides, it would be the most severe incident in years. Many people felt their minds tremble, their scalps tingling with shock. Were the heavens about to change? "People of the Newborn path truly are stirring up trouble!" a renowned elder from the outer realm remarked, his expression graver than ever before. Upon hearing this, some experts of the immortal path also underwent a shift in expression. Was a bitter battle imminent? Because they could sense that this time, the patriarchs of the Newborn path truly intended to raise arms in earnest, not merely putting on a display of false bravado. "Who started stirring up trouble in the first place? Do you really have no sense of shame?" Yu Gensheng retorted with a frosty countenance. Quite a few people nodded inwardly. Pu Heng and his kind were steeped in malice, specifically targeting the Newborn path and actively provoking this incident. "Heh..." High above, Cao Qianqiu let out a cold laugh. He radiated terrifying fluctuations as immortal dao runes flickered, shrouded in crimson dawn glow that stained that swath of the firmament blood-red. Faced with such a critical situation, he remained as domineering as ever, brandishing the rust-pocked spear in his hand with an arrogant, solitary supremacy. "Is your mouth crooked? Laughing like such a clown," Patriarch Qingtian spoke, standing amid the blinding radiance like a titan cleaving the heavens. Older figures all knew that he had always favored breaking techniques with sheer force, rough-hewn and extraordinarily ferocious. As for the middle and younger generations, many were seeing the burly figure within the light curtain for the first time, all completely dumbfounded. Did this patriarch of the Newborn path truly speak in such a "down-to-earth" manner? As Cao Qianqiu's eyes opened and closed, lightning shot forth, utterly terrifying. He gripped the spear retrieved from Black-White Mountain, poised to strike right away. At this moment, everyone was shaken to their core, gazing at the several "suns" above the great steppe. Even breathing grew difficult; their legs went soft, nearly collapsing to the ground. And this was with figures of the patriarch level restraining their pressure. Immediately afterward, the crowd snapped back to reality and rapidly retreated. Once figures of that level clashed, above, the dense cloud canopy would shatter, and below, the vast earth would be reduced to scorched wasteland, bringing desolation to all living things across the entire territory. Fortunately, this was on the plateau outside the Third Peril, far from densely populated mega-cities, making it ideal for those atop the pyramid to exchange blows. Within a brief moment, it was as if vast herds of races were undertaking a great migration along the plateau's outer edges, quickly fleeing far from this place. Beneath the vast sky, heavenly light shone in all directions and spear radiance shot forth violently; without question, patriarch-level figures had already exchanged a blast once. There, dark clouds detonated, and the ground shook violently as if about to cave in completely. Chills ran down the spines of many. How many years had it been since the leaders of different paths clashed so openly? Today, a scene of patriarch-level figures engaging in a fight to the death was truly about to unfold. In truth, people knew that titans of this level might engage in shadow wars in ordinary times, crossing hands in private, but rarely did so out in the open. Multiple patriarchs confronting one another before the world, an unreserved grand melee, a massive explosion of contradictions between two paths—this was a singular occurrence in many years. "Everyone, calm down first. A battle of this scale carries too great an impact and affects too much; let us not rashly initiate war," Sun Taichu spoke. He stood beside Cao Qianqiu. Though he had previously slammed tables with him, when push came to shove, there was no need to question whom he would back—after all, both hailed from the pure land. "Indeed. We have lived through so many years of peace; why take up arms today?" A dark-haired man walked over, immortal light beneath his feet blanketing the clouds as he traversed the horizon to arrive above the plateau in an instant. His name was Zhao Wenhan, a patriarch-level figure from the Fangwai Immortal Land. Though his dark hair was lustrous, the vicissitudes in his eyes and the crow's feet at their corners showed he was advanced in years. Upon his arrival, he took up a position on Cao Qianqiu's other flank. "Are you implying that after you targeted the Newborn path, you still expect us to remain calm and maintain the status quo?" Lu Yu stood proudly in the void, clad in the blazing sun, radiating boundless heavenly light that tore through the deep night curtain. His words were mild, yet a terrifying killing intent already surged like an ocean, aggressively expanding forward. "Having not stepped into the world for long, some fools think we are enduring in silence, even expecting us to get used to it. Are you people of the immortal path sick in the head? Today, we must cure you of it!" Patriarch Qingtian stood within the dazzling curtain of light, tall and imposing like an upright mountain. Then, another blazing sun followed, arriving alongside Lu Yu and Patriarch Qingtian, illuminating all ten directions. "At worst, it's just a battle!" Within the sun, one could see a short-haired elderly man holding prayer beads, speaking with calm detachment. Though his entire being was imbued with Zen rhyme, fearsome heavenly light force now churned around him, wrapping his body like thunderbolts. Present Rulai had also arrived. He uttered few words, but that aura and heavenly light weighed down so heavily that the plateau vibrated faintly—exceptionally terrifying. The Newborn path and immortal path: three against three patriarch-level powerhouses. The suffocating tension spread, making the entire night sky tremble as though heaven and earth were about to overturn. Compared to the past, Cao Qianqiu was already showing immense restraint. After all, they had only had two people on their side moments ago, outnumbered by the opposing side; in a life-or-death battle of this caliber, he was naturally extraordinarily cautious. Now, however, Zhao Wenhan had arrived, evening the numbers. "You old bastards, you really can endure, can't you?" Cao Qianqiu said coldly. He had spent his entire life kicking steel plates and did not mind a bloody battle here. He distinctly sensed the aura of decline clinging to the three opposing patriarchs and felt that today might be an opportunity to fully test the Newborn path's mettle! For he recalled the confidential reports received by the immortal path: the Newborn path's patriarchs were all faltering, in dire condition. Sun Taichu and Zhao Wenhan both frowned. Naturally, they knew Old Cao was eager to fight, but once a confrontation began, just as they had said, the ramifications would be far too vast. Especially with people of the esoteric sect on the sidelines, having not yet stepped into the fray. The patriarchs of the Newborn path possessed vastly differing temperaments—some gentle, some taciturn, and some wildly fiery. "Cao Qianqiu, you little whelp!" No one expected Patriarch Qingtian to blurt out such words. His temper was even fiercer than Cao Qianqiu's; all his life he had been unyielding and fierce, tolerating not a single speck of sand in his eye. In the distance, everyone was dumbstruck. Old Cao was also a figure in the realm of patriarchs, yet he was addressed in this way? With his long hair disheveled, Qingtian's gaze pierced the void like lightning as he barked, "Impudent brat, you're begging for a thrashing! Even your master took slaps to the face from this old man—what right do you have to posture before us? The distance between you and your master is nothing more than two slaps!" Silence fell in all directions. Everyone was dazed. Was this patriarch dropping a massive bombshell? He truly dared to say anything! Everyone knew Qingtian, Lu Yu, and the others possessed immense lifespans, but rarely did anyone know the exploits of their earlier years, or that such explosive history existed. Cao Qianqiu's eyes turned chillingly cold. Having surpassed his master, he was far stronger than his predecessor, and now his killing intent surged wildly. Without a doubt, both sides could erupt into a bloodbath at any moment! "What do you think? How is their condition?" Zhao Wenhan sent a secret transmission. "It's somewhat complicated," Sun Taichu replied. The two carefully sensed through pure yang consciousness, conducting a solemn and earnest appraisal. In the night mist world, rumors had circulated for years that the Newborn path's patriarchs were relying on life-extending measures and could not afford to fight. It seemed they were past their prime; lacking sufficient lifespan, once they unleashed their power, their decay would accelerate, perhaps failing even to endure an entire battle. Yet now, three patriarchs had arrived in unison, shocking everyone. Such figures served best as a deterrent without making a move; once their lifespans were exhausted, it meant the current Newborn path would be severed. One could say the consequences were exceedingly dire, more than the Newborn path could bear. At this moment, Sun Taichu sent a voice transmission to a grand figure of the esoteric sect. In an instant, an elderly man whose form was composed of divine wisdom shot up into the sky amid dazzling radiance, arriving nearby. "Fellow daoists..." Just as he began, he was cut off. Patriarch Lu Yu sent a secret transmission: "You of the esoteric sect shouldn't meddle. Better go check on that peerless powerhouse of yours; who knows, those oldest monsters of the immortal path might just dig him out of the Fourth Peril." In an instant, this prominent figure of the esoteric sect fell silent, his eyes growing profoundly deep. Was someone setting fire to their own backyard? Regardless of whether the news was true, he had to have someone investigate! Although the one who had single-handedly carved through the Fourth Peril shouldn't be cause for concern, one had to guard against certain possibilities. At the very least, he noticed that the number of immortal path patriarchs didn't add up; someone had vanished from the plateau. "Cao, you little whelp, today I'll definitely blow you to pieces!" Patriarch Qingtian stepped forward, actually preparing to strike. He stirred terrifying heavenly light force that caused all the clouds in the distant sky to clash violently. Outside the plateau, the onlookers were both awed and bewildered. Cao Qianqiu was such a terrifying figure, practically unmatched in his life, overwhelmingly dominant and stained with blood, yet he was repeatedly called a "little whelp" by a patriarch of the Newborn path. It was truly a novel, bizarre sight. "Qingtian, Lu Yu, Rulai, come at me all at once! This old man will fight until your lifespans run dry and send you all on your way!" Cao Qianqiu's domineering nature had long become instinctual. He had swallowed a bellyful of fury today, and now that it was about to erupt, he advanced with the spear engraved with divine runes. "Why must it come to this?" A woman soared into the sky. With long dark hair, she appeared around thirty years of age, her beauty unaging and swathed in dense immortal light. She possessed outstanding grace and was a patriarch from the Fangwai Yang Land named Yu Shaohua. "Lu Yu, how have you been?" She was actually catching up on old times. Because she had very good relations with certain patriarchs of the Newborn path, she genuinely wished to prevent a massive clash between the two sides. "Not bad, just feeling a bit frustrated in my mind, wanting to stretch my muscles," Lu Yu said, and then his gaze locked onto Cao Qianqiu. Though his tone was peaceful, just like Patriarch Qingtian, he dearly wanted to pummel Old Cao to pieces, making no effort to conceal his intent and actions. "Fellow Daoist Yu, please step this way. I have something to ask." At this moment, in the distant night sky, a clear glow cascaded down like an emergent sea of stars. It was a type of surging, vast heavenly light force blanketing the sky. "Patriarch Yuqing has arrived as well!" Zhao Ziyuan smiled broadly, overjoyed. The people of the immortal path, however, turned pale. The Newborn path truly intended to stir up towering waves—were all their patriarchs going to descend in person? Cao Qianqiu's expression also stiffened. The situation was completely wrong! Every faction felt their hearts pounding, having realized what was happening. This time, the Newborn path was not making threats or posturing; they genuinely intended to wage a major war! At this moment, even people outside the plateau understood that today's soaring killing intent had long been presaged, destined to shake the world. Qin Ming understood now. No wonder Lu Zizai had told him to fight with everything he had back then—it turned out that long ago, the patriarchs of the Newborn path had already prepared to enter the fray. According to the rumors, Qingtian, Yuqing, Rulai, and the others didn't have much lifespan remaining. Several patriarchs were intentionally striking with overwhelming force under the world's gaze, considering the future and wishing to deter all sides, perhaps even willing to take down Cao Qianqiu at any cost. At this moment, Sun Taichu and Zhao Wenhan's hearts sank. Now, it was no longer a question of numbers on either side, but their terrifying realization that the other party truly intended to make their move—they were utterly fearless of death, unafraid of exhausting their lifespans! Such patriarchs who dared to fight and kill were the most terrifying of all! Sun Taichu and Zhao Wenhan were filled with immense dread. Under extreme circumstances, Qingtian, Lu Yu, and the others might very well trade their lives one-for-one, dragging along the immortal path titans who harbored the deepest malice toward the Newborn path. At this juncture, even Cao Qianqiu spoke no further provocative words. Arrogant as he was, he had no desire to fight madmen to the death. If others were set on dragging him down with them and he actively stepped forward, wouldn't he, in the prime of his life, be suffering an immense loss? Sun Taichu said, "Fellow Dao brothers, hold on. None of this is beyond resolve. If you have grievances, we can sit down, have tea, and talk." Qingtian said, "There are far too many grievances! Have some people forgotten? Back when heaven and earth changed, my Newborn path stood alone against giant beasts, mountain-sized plants, and various anomalous creatures, holding up the sky by ourselves. What tragic, bloody history was that? Back then, your paths hadn't even appeared, hadn't yet risen, relying entirely on the Newborns to sustain everything! Now that you feel your wings are full, you target those on the Newborn path at every turn. Have you no shame?" Zhao Wenhan said, "How could we forget? The Newborn path served as the foundation; multiple paths engaged in benign competition, and during the Great Reclamation, we were all brothers!" Lu Yu spoke, touching upon everything from the Newborn path's say in affairs to the distribution plan for future grand developments, and down to their respective safety boundaries. "And one very important point: some people are utterly shameless! Do you not know your exalted status and your age? To bully the weak, killing the juniors of our Newborn path—such insanity must be cured!" Evidently, such "down-to-earth" words could only be spoken by Qingtian. Though he named no names, everyone knew he was cursing Cao Qianqiu. "Whoever dares to stretch out their hands to deliberately stifle the geniuses of our Newborn path, we will repay them manifold!" This time, Patriarch Qingtian pointed straight at Cao Qianqiu's nose, laying his cards openly on the table. Cao Qianqiu gripped the spear with such force that his knuckles cracked. Sun Taichu grabbed hold of him, preventing him from stepping forward. Lu Yu said, "Back then, during our seclusion, the Overlord met with disaster. Though many years have passed, that matter has not ended. Today, we settle the score!" Cao Qianqiu's gaze was murderous; his rage was about to boil over. "Let's not dwell on the past for now. Today's matter was merely sparked by a misunderstanding between juniors," Zhao Wenhan said, changing the subject, unwilling to settle old accounts. Qingtian said, "Today, as long as one isn't blind in eye or mind, everyone knows the situation. Once again, it's the thieving Cao's lineage, full of venom, targeting the Newborn path." Hearing this, Cao Qianqiu could endure it no longer! "Cao, you little whelp, roll yourself over here!" Before Old Cao could erupt, Patriarch Qingtian took the offensive with unmatched ferocity. Cao Qianqiu was enraged. When had he ever suffered such grievance? Today, fearing that several old fellows would trade lives and drag him down, he had been brooding with frustration for far too long. Now, he had no more fear! In truth, once the patriarchs of the Newborn path finished laying down their terms, they were bound to wage a fierce battle regardless; otherwise, no matter how much was said, it would be useless. And the one they had set their sights on was Cao Qianqiu. For all these years, he had pranced around the most and acted the most arrogant; they wanted to give him exactly what he asked for. Even if other immortal path patriarchs intervened and shielded him, preventing them from killing him, they would still beat him black and blue, giving him a thrashing he would never forget in his lifetime. If he dared stretch his hands out again, he would first have to remember today's bloody ordeal. Cao Qianqiu bellowed, "Old bastard, I've tolerated you for long enough! Come! Today, Cao might just send every last one of you on your way!" Qingtian said, "Good, good, good! Today we came primarily for you; this old man will tear you apart with bare hands!" High above the plateau, the situation among the patriarchs changed in an instant. Just moments ago they were in talks, yet now they were about to fight to the death—in the end, it was unavoidable. Some of the immortal path's patriarchs had stayed behind in their ancestral courts, while others had indeed gone to probe the Fourth Peril; at present, they were at a numerical disadvantage. Right at that moment, black and white light flared brilliantly. A figure standing upon a Yinyang diagram arrived from the horizon in a flash. "Sure enough, the heavenly light baptism two hundred years ago was triggered by you—you too have reached the patriarch realm!" Sun Taichu spoke. The Master of the Yinyang Daoist Temple had descended; yet another patriarch of the Newborn path had arrived. "Boom!" Qingtian sprang into motion, possessing strength capable of holding up the heavens. Like an ancient divine titan cleaving the world, a single palm strike brought terrifying, boundless heavenly light that shattered all the dense dark clouds across the sky, slapping down toward Cao Qianqiu. Present Rulai, though largely taciturn and rarely speaking, charged directly into battle at this crucial juncture, his terrifying heavenly light erupting like a bursting sun. In an instant, immeasurable heavenly light submerged the area. He attacked Cao Qianqiu while also watching Sun Taichu and Zhao Wenhan. As his eyes opened and closed, runes intertwined and a domain materialized, manifesting ahead like a mysterious kingdom descending to block those two. Lu Yu struck as well, directing his first strike at Cao Qianqiu. Guiding the Six Qi, his fist light fell, projecting mountains and rivers; creation and destruction of all methods occurred in the snap of a finger. Following that, six figures stepped out from the Six Qi, all Six Imperials wearing beaded imperial crowns, exuding supreme majesty as they simultaneously bombarded Old Cao. In addition, black and white light shone, and the twin qi of yin and yang boiled as the old Temple Master of the Yinyang Daoist Temple erupted behind Cao Qianqiu as well! "I...!" Cao Qianqiu was shocked and furious; he had never fought such an aggrieved, helpless battle. Even though Sun Taichu and Zhao Wenhan mobilized to aid him immediately, Old Cao still suffered a savage beating, spurting a massive mouthful of blood on the spot, the spear in his hand nearly slipping from his grasp. Not only that, Yuqing charged in as well, drawing Yu Shaohua, the patriarch from the Fangwai Yang Land, into the fray. Though Yu Shaohua had to stand with the immortal path at this juncture, she was on good terms with the Newborn path patriarchs and fought rather passively. Boom! Cao Qianqiu went flying, bleeding from all seven orifices, his body covered in fractures. He was in the state of pure yang conscious spiritual light; bleeding profusely like this indicated he had suffered grave damage. At this moment, nine patriarchs were engaged in battle. If one counted the titan of the esoteric sect observing nearby, that made ten suns across the sky. Outside the plateau, Lu Zizai's fingers shone as several golden chains extended from his fingertips, binding Pu Heng and his two junior brothers, as well as Sun Taichu's second disciple, Wei Yunqi, capturing them all alive. At the same time, he told Qin Ming to enter the field and challenge the second-realm seeds of the immortal path. The people of the immortal path were shaken to their core. Had the Newborn path gone mad? From the elders to the juniors, they were going to clash to the bitter end against the immortal path today. "Who else? All of you come over!" Lu Zizai spoke, looking into the distance, setting his eyes on the other direct disciples of Cao Qianqiu, Zhao Wenhan, Sun Taichu, and others. Qin Ming followed the advice. Bathed in five-colored dawn light and carrying his saber, he immediately called out Li Qingxu, demanding he step onto the field, intending to start with him. Deep within the plateau, high in the night sky, Cao Qianqiu was overwhelmed with fury and alarm. Everyone had come just to beat him—slapping his face, pounding him with fists, and landing dirty kicks. He was practically about to explode on the spot. Most terrifying of all, the spear from Black-White Mountain in his hand, flowing with divine runes, actually caused him to unexpectedly plummet from midair, filling him with dread and uncontrollable rage.