Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm, An Acquaintance?

Their exchange made Bing Jian's face flush alternately pale and crimson. The young prodigies around them broke into grins. A burly man said, "Senior Brother Bing Jian, they're slandering you like this and you can endure it? Why not use your eighth-layer Ancestral Blood Art to strike upward and challenge Blood Robe on the eleventh layer?" This burly fellow was clearly looking for amusement, his tone dripping with cheer. The other prodigies looked at Bing Jian with anticipation. They, too, wanted to test the depth of Blood Robe, the foremost prodigy of Ziyuan Heaven, whom Ancestor Ziyuan held in such high regard. "Hmph, I've never liked striking upward. I prefer bullying the weak. How about I challenge you at your fifth layer?" Bing Jian refused to take the bait. As far as he was concerned, staying far away from Blood Robe was best; getting close would only bring misfortune. Though he was also curious about Blood Robe's true depth, given that Blood Robe could slay Mona, in terms of sheer strength, he was likely a cut above himself. Just how much stronger remained unknown. He was also curious about how wide the gap was between Blood Robe and... Hei Jian. This was merely a minor interlude. With their own thoughts and growing anticipation, everyone set off toward the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference. The Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference was the greatest grand event in the Sixth Heaven. It was also their only chance in this lifetime to see so many Yang Gods gathered in one place. ... In the Sixth Heaven, within the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm. Radiant light shimmered with dazzling colors, and various terrifying auras leaked out, only to coil back into dormancy. A man clad in a black-and-white robe had eyes as blazing as the scorching sun. Ordinary Yang Gods dared not meet his gaze at all. "Is there still no news of Ten Suns Heavenly Venerable?" Heavenly Venerable Taici spoke, his voice carrying an intense, sweltering heat. Heavenly Venerable Taici was an Ultimate Principle Realm Yang God of Taihuang Palace. He was also the Ultimate Principle of Taihuang Palace with the greatest hope of stepping into the realm of Great Ultimate Reason. Not long ago, ten suns had hung in the sky, declaring war against Taihuang Palace. This matter had shaken the Sixth Heaven, infuriating Taihuang Palace to no end. Locating Ten Suns Heavenly Venerable to capture or execute him had become Heavenly Venerable Taici's task. "Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, Ten Suns Heavenly Venerable's origins are unfathomably mysterious, and there is no information," a Yang God replied. "He should be from the lower realms, perhaps lying low in the First Heaven. The First Heaven is far too vast and boundless; even if we spent our entire lives searching, we could hardly cover it all." Another Yang God wore a troubled expression. When contact was lost with the Three Thousand Realms into which that Taihuang Palace exalted figure had descended, they deduced it was connected to Ten Suns Heavenly Venerable. Especially... the Canglan Realm, from which a Yang God had once emerged. Because the guard assigned to that realm had fled and vanished. "Naturally he hails from the lower realms. To possess such might, he must have walked the path of an alternative Yang God, yet to reach the Ultimate Principle Realm. He should be attending this Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference. Be vigilant; keep an eye on any unfamiliar Yang Gods of mysterious origin," Heavenly Venerable Taici said indifferently. "Understood. We will also send word to the Moluo Clan and have them keep watch for us," a Yang God said. "Good!" Heavenly Venerable Taici nodded. Before that exalted figure emerged from secluded cultivation, he needed to resolve this matter thoroughly. If he did, he might receive a reward that would raise his chances of stepping into the Great Ultimate Principle. After all, Taihuang Palace had only two Great Ultimate Principles. Now, with the Linya Molt approaching, this was his opportunity! "By the way, I hear there has been some unusual movement from the Moluo Clan lately?" Recalling something, Heavenly Venerable Taici inquired. The biggest anomaly was that the Moluo Clan had stopped offering tribute to the Black Demon Abyss. The Moluo Clan had always yearned to return to the Sixth Heaven, making it vital for them to curry favor with the Black Demon Abyss. To suddenly stop trying to please them now was extremely bizarre. What was more, their cooperation with Taihuang Palace had also decreased considerably. "That is indeed true. It is rather strange." "Oh? What do you think is the reason? This does not fit the Moluo Clan's usual style." "Could it be... that a prodigy has appeared... within the Moluo Clan?" a Yang God deduced. Only the emergence of a prodigy with the aptitude for the Great Ultimate Principle could make the Moluo Clan's wings grow strong. Because once the Moluo Clan produced a Great Ultimate Principle, they would no longer need to grovel before the Black Demon Abyss to return to the Sixth Heaven. "Perhaps." Heavenly Venerable Taici's gaze remained calm, without much ripple. A mere prodigy with the aptitude for the Great Ultimate Principle. When the Linya Molt arrived, Taihuang Palace would be the master; the other Yang Gods were nothing more than chess pieces. ... Meanwhile, within the array, Qi Yuan pursed his lips. "Shameless Taihuang Palace, actually setting up an inescapable dragnet at the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference just to look for me." Just moments ago, Qi Yuan had received information from his Divine Infant. For this Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference, Taihuang Palace's Yang Gods would lie in wait to search for Ten Suns Heavenly Venerable. They had even asked the Moluo Clan to join the search. What was the meaning of this? Asking me to hunt down myself? And the bounty was shockingly generous—Qi Yuan almost wanted to report himself to swindle the reward. "Tsk tsk, daydreaming again!" Ziyuan Daxue looked at Qi Yuan with utter disdain. "Your tangled web of love and hate with that fellow from Taihuang Palace really is something. He even set up an inescapable dragnet to find you. Could it be... you're Taihuang Palace's runaway darling wife?" "Get lost!" Qi Yuan glared at Ziyuan Daxue. "Just wait until this big sister reaches Yang God—I'll make you roll across the floor in front of me!" Ziyuan Daxue declared proudly, her bull horns held high. Qi Yuan didn't feel like bothering with Ziyuan Daxue. This girl was truly too unhinged. Traveling from the Black Demon Abyss to the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm had relied entirely on teleportation arrays. Even so, it had taken them nearly a month of steady travel to finally arrive. The moment they stepped off the teleportation array, every prodigy present immediately sensed spiritual energy concentrated to the absolute extreme. Within that spiritual energy, there seemed to be an inexplicable element that left cultivators feeling relaxed and refreshed. "Heavenly Venerable Kurong, long time no see! Have you been well?" Just then, an Ultimate Principle Realm Yang God stepped forward to greet them, a warm smile on his face. This person was a Yang God of the Ultimate Principle Society named Heavenly Venerable Xuanji, tasked specifically with welcoming guests. Heavenly Venerable Kurong offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Just scraping by. We can't compare to your Ultimate Principle Society, basking daily in the influence of the Wall of Ultimate Principle, your cultivation progressing by leaps and bounds." "What use is rapid progress in cultivation? What I comprehended was merely an Earth-grade Ultimate Principle; the hope of stepping into the realm of Great Ultimate Reason in this lifetime is exceedingly slim." Heavenly Venerable Xuanji sighed with a hint of bitterness. His gaze landed on Hei Jian, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. "Is this the foremost prodigy of the Black Demon Abyss, Hei Jian? "Truly, just as the legends say, gathering the spiritual grace of heaven and earth in one body. "An elder once remarked that Heavenly Venerable Hei Jian would comprehend a Supreme Ultimate Principle. It truly leaves one marveling in awe." Heavenly Venerable Xuanji looked utterly envious. That was a Supreme Ultimate Principle! In the entire Sixth Heaven, the Yang Gods who had comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle numbered fewer than ten. The surrounding gazes also converged on Hei Jian—envy, jealousy, admiration, everything imaginable. Though he was merely a Heavenly Position Yang God, he had become the focus of everyone present at this moment. "I have not yet comprehended an Ultimate Principle, so I dare not speak of such things," Hei Jian replied modestly. Heavenly Venerable Xuanji laughed. "How could the elder's words be mistaken?" In the Ultimate Principle Society, anyone bearing the title of elder was invariably a Great Ultimate Principle powerhouse. "Lately, the Black Demon Abyss's fortunes have truly surged like a torrent. I heard another prodigy emerged and slew Mona of Guiyu Heaven. I wonder which one it might be?" As Heavenly Venerable Xuanji spoke, his eyes swept over Ziyuan Daxue and the others. "It's him!" Ziyuan Daxue pointed at Qi Yuan. Heavenly Venerable Xuanji glanced at him and offered a polite evaluation: "Not bad." After that polite remark, there was no further comment. This was only natural. After all, a Yang God Heavenly Venerable like Hei Jian was the one truly worth courting. Hei Jian stood in a league of his own, leaving a massive gulf between himself and the other young prodigies. Heavenly Venerable Xuanji and Heavenly Venerable Kurong walked shoulder to shoulder, with Hei Jian standing just behind them, followed by the other Yang Gods, and behind them came the younger generation of prodigies from the Black Demon Abyss. "I wonder when we'll be able to become the center of the world's attention like Big Brother Hei Jian!" the burly man sighed with envy. "Even if we can't be the center of attention, it would be nice just to be mentioned by a major figure," another prodigy said, shooting a glance at Qi Yuan. After all, that Ultimate Principle Realm Yang God hadn't mentioned them at all. Thus, the contrast and disparity were glaringly obvious. It was quite normal, really. Just like on Blue Star, if the top official of your province came to your school and singled out your desk mate by name, you would surely feel envious as well. "Being the center of attention isn't good at all; I have social anxiety," Qi Yuan remarked at that moment. "It's better to keep a low profile." "Indeed, staying low-key is better." Ziyuan Daxue surprisingly found common ground with Qi Yuan for once. Bing Jian cast a dark, sidelong look at the two of them. With what you two just said, you have the nerve to talk about keeping a low profile? An hour later, in the Central City of the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm. Countless silhouettes descended like divine visitations. As the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference commenced, an immense number of Yang Gods and prodigies of various races arrived. The population of Central City swelled to a terrifying degree. After all, the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference was the foremost gathering in the immortal realm. At this moment, amidst the crowd, a man in the Mythological Realm asked, "Mengxian, what's wrong? You seem a bit distracted." This Mythological Realm man hailed from the Second Heaven and belonged to the same faction as Yu Mengxian beside him. In order to earn merit and participate in the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference, their sect's Yang God Heavenly Venerable had been providing unpaid labor for the Ultimate Principle Society all this time, helping build the Hall of Ultimate Principle. "Nothing... I thought I saw an acquaintance, but I might have been mistaken." Yu Mengxian shook her head, also feeling that her eyes must have played tricks on her. She also wanted to find that Heavenly Venerable. When the Heavenly Venerable had abruptly vanished back then, someone had entrusted her to deliver an item to him. "An acquaintance?" The Mythological Realm man showed a thoughtful expression. "Looking at where you were gazing just now, that should be the Black Demon Abyss... You definitely mistook them." The Black Demon Abyss was a powerhouse of the Sixth Heaven. To people like them, it was an absolute Hegemon-level presence. Dispatching a single Yang God at will would be enough to shatter their sect. Yu Mengxian had cultivated her way up from the lower realms; how could she possibly have ties to such prominent figures from the Sixth Heaven? "Sigh, comparisons are truly infuriating. They can attend the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference, while we... can only work like dogs here and swallow our anger!" the Mythological Realm man lamented. "In this past year here, I've swallowed more anger than in my entire life." It was true. Back in the Second Heaven, he was a lofty Mythological figure. Any cultivator who saw him would respectfully address him as Patriarch or Senior. Yet upon arriving in the Sixth Heaven, he suffered humiliation daily. Not to mention Yang God Heavenly Venerables—even those prodigies hailing from major factions who had just stepped into the Great Venerable realm looked down their noses at everyone. Yu Mengxian gave a bitter smile. "Even the Heavenly Venerable must provide free labor, so what right do we have to complain? If you want something, you must pay the price." "I just hope this Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference ends quickly!" the Mythological Realm man sighed. He didn't want to stay in this Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm for even a single day longer. Just then, Yu Mengxian's expression suddenly changed dramatically. "What happened?" the Mythological Realm man asked. "Qi Yi... has run into trouble!" Yu Mengxian hurried over in distress. Within dozens of breaths, Yu Mengxian and the Mythological Realm man arrived outside an inn. A beautiful young woman wearing tight-fitting attire and possessing an exquisite figure wore a furious expression, yet dared not lash out. Beside her, a burly woman holding a storage pouch looked at the Yin God next to the woman in tight clothing. "These few immortal jades should be enough to buy her, right?" This burly woman hailed from the Fourth Heaven and was named Tuoba Lingyu. The sect she belonged to was the Mixed Blood Sacred Land. This sacred land was somewhat similar to the Black Demon Abyss in that it placed immense emphasis on bloodlines. The stronger the bloodline, the greater the potential. The difference was that the bloodlines of Black Demon Abyss cultivators were mostly innate. In contrast, their sect focused on cross-breeding, extracting bloodlines, and improving bloodlines. Consequently, this sacred land frequently captured those with powerful bloodlines to devour and claim for themselves. Upon arriving in the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm, she had spotted the woman in tight clothing and recognized the extraordinary nature of her bloodline at a single glance. Seeing that the woman's background was ordinary, her audacity surged, and she directly took out several pieces of immortal jade, intending to purchase the woman outright. "Your Excellency is forcing someone against their will! Qi Yi is my disciple, not some piece of merchandise, and she is not for sale!" Yu Mengxian arrived in haste, her voice firm with refusal. "Oh? Which heaven and which faction are you from?" Tuoba Lingyu cast a sidelong glance at Yu Mengxian. "Second Heaven... Wind Spirit Sacred Land..." Yu Mengxian answered truthfully. "Oh, so it's that old man Fengling's sect. I never force people against their will. I'll write him a letter right now telling him to give this woman to me as a gift. Heh heh, by the way, I am Tuoba Lingyu of the Mixed Blood Sect." The burly woman gave a sinister chuckle. With a flick of her hand, a letter materialized and was thrust into Yu Mengxian's hands. Hearing that the other party came from the Mixed Blood Sect, Yu Mengxian's face instantly went pale. The Mixed Blood Sect had a terrible reputation. After all, they specialized in capturing bloodline practitioners to purify bloodlines, making their sins manifold. "I will report this matter to the Heavenly Venerable." With a pale face, Yu Mengxian pulled Qi Yi away. "Remember, give me an answer within ten days. Otherwise..." Tuoba Lingyu trailed off without finishing. The threat in her words was unmistakably clear. She was exceedingly curious about Qi Yi's bloodline. Observing it from afar, one could tell it was an unknown yet exceptionally powerful bloodline. She was determined to obtain such a bloodline. Of course, what she coveted most was naturally the bloodline of the Sixth Heaven's Black Demon Abyss. Unfortunately, the Black Demon Abyss was far too powerful; their Mixed Blood Sect didn't dare provoke them in the slightest. Only against a minor Second Heaven faction like the Wind Spirit Sacred Land did she dare throw her weight around. On the other side, Yu Mengxian led Qi Yi away in haste, her expression grave. "This Mixed Blood Sect has always committed atrocities and has a dreadful reputation. Qi Yi..." Beside them, the Mythological Realm man couldn't help but say, "Hopefully Lord Heavenly Venerable... can protect Qi Yi." Hearing this, Yu Mengxian's gaze hardened with resolve. She planned to offer the Tianyuan Miracle Stone to save Qi Yi's life. After all, Qi Yi was her disciple, and it was her responsibility to protect her.