A Stunned Hei Jian, and "Thank Nature for Its Bountiful Gift"

Within Demon Pass, dark clouds loomed, heralds of an impending storm. From time to time, mighty Yang Gods emerged from the Black Demon Abyss and made their way to Demon Pass. Meanwhile, within Guiyu Heaven's Heaven Beyond Heaven, a profound aura surged, with two Great Ultimate Principles vaguely holding the fort. How many more powerhouses lurked in the shadows remained unknown. Because of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, tension between the two factions crackled with the scent of gunpowder. Inside his cramped immortal's cave, Qi Yuan consumed the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, cultivating the Ancestral Blood Art. These fifteen days had felt exceptionally long to him. He had constantly worried that some Yang God would suddenly pop out of nowhere and launch a sneak attack. Fortunately, everything had remained peaceful up to this point. "Blood Robe, Bing Jian's cultivation had a massive breakthrough! He's hosting a banquet and invited quite a few little vixen spirits. Want to come out and listen to music with me? We can eat some mushrooms while we're at it!" Just then, a transmission arrived from Ziyuan Daxue. Without a second thought, Qi Yuan refused outright. "No thanks. I don't like eating mushrooms." At present, Qi Yuan was dead set on keeping his head down like a turtle in its shell. "These aren't ordinary mushrooms! Big sister made them herself with exquisite ingenuity!" "Then I'm definitely not eating them. I don't trust the culinary skills of you Black Demon Abyss cultivators. The food you cook tastes awful, and you don't even know how to stir-fry. "Say... do you think if I opened a New Oriental Culinary School here, I'd make a fortune?" Qi Yuan mused on a sudden whim. After thinking it through, he shook his head. While he missed the delicacies of Blue Star, there truly was no comparison with the ingredients of the cultivation world. It was mostly nostalgia playing tricks on him. After further thought, Qi Yuan felt he should do it the other way around: after returning to Blue Star, he would open a chef training school and run New Oriental into the ground. With one more venture added to his Blue Star entrepreneurial plans, Qi Yuan felt in high spirits. Roughly an hour later, Qi Yuan suddenly looked up at the sky. High in the firmament, two scorching, blistering auras leaked through, resembling divine great suns. Within Demon Pass, the prodigies snapped their heads up at that exact moment. "That's... Great Ultimate Principles!" "Great Ultimate Principles mobilized... Is something major about to happen?" The prodigies were bewildered. They had no idea what changes had occurred over on Guiyu Heaven's side, nor did they know about the appearance of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. This time, the powerhouses of the Black Demon Abyss made no effort to conceal their presence. For experts of their caliber, raw combat power was the only weapon that truly mattered. An Xunlu looked toward the heavens, worry in her eyes. "Big Brother Hei Jian went as well. It must be something huge. I hope nothing happens to them!" "The Linya Molt hasn't begun yet. Even if there is a clash, it won't be a disaster. Everyone, put your minds at ease." Bing Jian spoke, the past gloom completely wiped from his expression, replaced by glowing smugness. During this recent period, he had stealthily stepped into the Yang God realm. However, he had not revealed or publicized it. He still needed a great deal of time to consolidate his foundation. Furthermore, because Hei Jian and Blood Robe had stolen all the limelight lately, he had virtually zero presence beyond laying eggs. His plan was to wait until Taihuang Palace surveyed the heavens, searching throughout the world for Yang Gods. When starlight converged upon his body, he would stealthily astonish all those prodigies. *See that? Aside from Hei Jian and Blood Robe, the Black Demon Abyss also has a peerless prodigy named Bing Jian!* *Not only can he lay eggs, but he's also a Yang God who reflects across the heavens!* During this time, he had already been secretly plotting out the details of reflecting across the heavens. For some reason, however, Bing Jian could not shake the feeling that his embryonic star looked rather odd—remarkably like an egg. ... Guiyu Heaven, Heaven Beyond Heaven. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan sat cross-legged in the void. A Ten Thousand Soul Banner stretched across the expanse, blotting out the sky and sun while concealing his figure. Below him surged the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, radiating a blood-red brilliance. From within the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, soul emissaries slowly submerged themselves into the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, only to swiftly depart. By doing this, Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan was defiling the ancestral blood. In another half month, the Black Demon Ancestral Blood would be completely polluted, reduced to useless waste blood. Just then, a slender figure entered. Looking at the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, her eyes held reverence. "Third Ancestor, the Heavenly Venerables of the Black Demon Abyss have departed Demon Pass!" Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan's eyes. He nodded, then asked, "That emissary from the Human Sovereign Hall—have you found his whereabouts?" Last time, the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary had appeared out of nowhere and slain a Yang God of Guiyu Heaven. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan had struck out in fury, yet failed to detain the emissary, leaving him feeling deeply humiliated. Throughout this past period, he had continuously handed down orders, determined to locate the hiding place of the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary. "Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, we have not found him." The slender figure trembled slightly. Even though she was also a Yang God, facing an expert of the Great Ultimate Principle realm instinctively filled her with dread. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan's gaze turned dark and profound. "Stand down!" Relieved, the slender figure quickly retreated. At that moment, a vast voice rang beside Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan's ear. "What, still brooding over that so-called Human Sovereign Hall Emissary?" The one speaking was the other Great Ultimate Principle stationed in Heaven Beyond Heaven, named Guizui. Heavenly Venerable Guizui was slight in stature, with the character for "Sin" etched into his face, entirely unhidden. "Hmph! A mere Yang God who hasn't even attained an ultimate principle dared to talk big to this old man. He is courting death!" Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan snapped irritably. "Alternative Mythologicals truly are bizarre, buzzing in one's ear like mosquitoes—utterly vexing," Heavenly Venerable Guizui remarked. "Once this matter is concluded, this old man will personally join you in dragging him out. Daring to disrespect Guiyu Heaven? It seems everyone in this Human Sovereign Hall... wishes to join my soul banner!" "Do you think this Human Sovereign Hall is connected to the Black Demon Abyss? Will he... come in person this time?" Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan's eyes flickered with killing intent, shadowed by deep wariness. The methods of that Human Sovereign Hall Emissary were unfathomable; he had managed to vanish into thin air right before his eyes. Heavenly Venerable Guizui chuckled sinisterly. "If he dares to come, he shouldn't dream of leaving." At this, Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan looked delighted. "Could the Banner Lord be coming in person?" Heavenly Venerable Guizui shook his head. "The Banner Lord is confronting that old fellow from the Black Demon Abyss; neither can afford to make a rash move. However, the Banner Lord lent me a sub-banner of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner. It contains an ultimate principle killing technique, more than enough to keep that Human Sovereign Hall Emissary here forever!" The sub-banner lent to him this time was nothing like the ones Heavenly Venerable Da Le had carried. The one Heavenly Venerable Guizui held possessed a tenth of the true Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner's power. Otherwise, it would never have been able to withstand the Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique. It was prepared specifically to deal with the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary. As for using it against the Great Ultimate Principles of the Black Demon Abyss... its effect would actually be quite poor. Even if they could immobilize a Great Ultimate Principle for a single breath, they lacked the means to slay them, or even severely injure them. Of course, they understood their role: they only needed to hold their ground here. The Banner Lord had his own schemes. Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, five days passed. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan and Heavenly Venerable Guizui remained stationed in Heaven Beyond Heaven, defiling the Black Demon Ancestral Blood amid an eerie stillness. The surrounding area was deathly quiet, shrouded entirely in chaos. Such a place could not be entered by anyone beneath the Yang God realm. Stepping inside would cause one to be assimilated by the primal chaos, turning muddled and becoming part of the spatial fabric. Even for Yang Gods, their destructive power was drastically muted within Heaven Beyond Heaven. It was like two ordinary men fighting in thick mud, their movements severely restricted. Suddenly, without the slightest warning— A golden hand tore through space, reaching across Heaven Beyond Heaven to scoop toward the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. The primal chaos trembled; space destabilized, sending ripples through the void. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan snapped his eyes open, his gaze burning like ghostfire. "Finally, they've come!" With a loud shout, he shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Runes flashed; ghostly flames flared and dimmed. Wind surged and clouds rolled as a chilling gale swept through. Countless pale, ghastly faces surfaced upon the banner—the elderly, children, women, and men. Ghostly wails and wolf-like howls erupted as the shrieks of ten thousand souls swept outward, making the scalp of anyone who heard it tingle with numbness. Lurking, sorrowful, and grotesque—there was no telling how many lives this Ten Thousand Soul Banner had claimed. The banner unfurled across the sky, intercepting the gigantic golden hand. Countless ghosts shrieked, roaring as they swarmed out. Without a word spoken, the battle ignited instantly. "Hmph!" A cold snort rang out, followed by the sweep of an incomparably sharp sword intent. The chaos of Heaven Beyond Heaven shattered in an instant as a slender black sword struck from afar. A single point of cold light flashed across the heavens. The soul emissaries upon the Ten Thousand Soul Banner showed expressions of terror. A white-robed Hei Jian strode forward with sweeping steps, his figure imposing, his tread heavy. That sword strike just now had been dealt by him. A single blow, utterly destructive. The soul emissaries on the banner scrambled over one another to retract. As for those too slow, they sizzled like yin ghosts exposed to the midday sun, turning into ashes and smoke. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan narrowed his eyes, wariness filling his gaze. "Worthy of a Supreme Ultimate Principle. Before even stepping into the Great Ultimate Principle realm, you possess such might. If you were to truly enter the Great Ultimate Principle realm, I fear... you could slay this old man with ease!" A wave of lingering fear washed over Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan. It was fortunate that Guiyu Heaven had aligned itself with Taihuang Palace. Otherwise, if Hei Jian were allowed to grow, with his terrifying power, Guiyu Heaven's future would have been bleak indeed. "Since you know you are outmatched, hand over the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. If we meet in the future, I can spare your life," Hei Jian said, slender black sword in hand. Dressed in white robes like a heavenly god, his voice was cool and indifferent. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan grinned. "The Linya Molt is about to begin. Whether you will ever have the chance to grow into a Great Ultimate Principle remains to be seen." His words dripped with blatant killing intent. He sounded as though he were announcing that an Honored Exalted would perish in this upcoming Linya Molt. And Hei Jian was one of the targets. "Cut the chatter! Let our fists do the talking!" Ancestor Ziyuan was hot-tempered. He couldn't be bothered with idle banter and struck out immediately. Within the Astral Realm, the stars flickered. Ancestor Ziyuan unleashed his dharma idol. A terrifying giant materialized, larger than an entire world. A massive golden hand, capable of crushing a sun, reached out toward the two Great Ultimate Principles. A battle of this magnitude would have torn Demon Pass to shreds had it occurred there. Yet here in Heaven Beyond Heaven, even the overflowing aura alone was enough to make ordinary Yang God Heavenly Venerables tremble. "Ancestor Ziyuan, allow this old man to experience your brilliant moves!" Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan roared, deploying his own dharma idol. Two horrifying titans clashed at this moment. Ultimate principle killing moves erupted ceaselessly. Even the primal chaos of Heaven Beyond Heaven could not withstand such energy, collapsing and folding upon itself. Hei Jian stood amidst the chaos, gripping his slender sword. "Fifth Senior Brother, please take on Heavenly Venerable Guizui!" Hei Jian called out calmly to the old man beside him. The Fifth Elder of the Black Demon Abyss was the Old Ancestor of Yinhun Heaven, bearing a sinister countenance and an aura as deep as the sea. He stood ominously at Hei Jian's side, suddenly chuckling. "We are all Great Ultimate Principles. Even if we fight until tempers flare, we cannot harm one another. Why not sit down and talk?" As he spoke, the Old Ancestor of Yinhun Heaven actually sat down. Heavenly Venerable Guizui remained rooted in place, a smile playing in his eyes. "What you say makes sense. If an offensive Creation Treasure does not appear and the Honored Exalted do not step forth, we could shatter the heavens and still fail to determine a victor." Above them, Ancestor Ziyuan and Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan fought fiercely. In a clash of this tier, mere shockwaves could obliterate ordinary Yang Gods. Yet the two at the epicenter remained completely unharmed. Even though Ancestor Ziyuan held a slight upper hand, he still had no way to finish off Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan. Wind rushed through, snapping Hei Jian's robes violently. Looking at the Fifth Ancestor, he spoke with sudden regret in his voice: "Fifth Senior Brother... you and I share the same origin... Why betray the Black Demon Abyss?" The Fifth Ancestor showed no surprise upon hearing this. Instead, he looked at Ancestor Ziyuan. "This old man simply does not want his descendants' bloodline severed. This old man wishes to see... Moon Goddess Yuanjun die!" At the mention of Moon Goddess Yuanjun, bone-deep killing intent flared in the Fifth Ancestor's eyes. Clearly, he harbored a profound grudge against her. "Sigh. During the previous Linya Molt, the Black Demon Abyss was weak, possessing only five Great Ultimate Principles, yet we were like brothers, weathering the storm together. "This time, before the Linya Molt has even begun, the Black Demon Abyss is stronger than ever before. Yet someone wishes to leave. It truly is..." Hei Jian's voice sounded desolate. He shared a common origin with the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. He did not wish to see the Black Demon Abyss fall apart. The Fifth Ancestor looked at Hei Jian with mocking amusement. "Even if you become an Honored Exalted, you remain a pitiable figure, influenced by your bloodline your entire life." Hearing this, Hei Jian sighed softly. "Aside from you, who else plans to break away from the Black Demon Abyss? Who orchestrated this behind the scenes?" Heavenly Venerable Guizui sat nearby like a spectator watching a spectacle, a grin plastered across his face. The Fifth Ancestor offered no answer. Hei Jian said, "I agree to let you leave the Black Demon Abyss without interference. "As a condition, I must take the Black Demon Ancestral Blood here with me!" Within Hei Jian's gentle tone lay a thread of sharpness. Though loath to see the abyss splinter, if someone wished to depart, he would not bar their way. "That... is not enough." The Fifth Ancestor looked toward Ancestor Ziyuan, murder in his eyes. "He must stay." Hei Jian's heart gave a sudden leap, and his gaze finally turned grave. From the Fifth Ancestor's words, he sensed a massive conspiracy brewing. "It seems there is nothing to discuss." Hei Jian urgently sent a voice transmission to Ancestor Ziyuan, warning him to be careful. "It isn't up to him." A grim smile broke across the Fifth Ancestor's face. He reached out, and a porcelain-white jade bottle appeared in everyone's view. A faint red light pulsed within the jade bottle. Everyone heard a rhythmic thumping sound. Hei Jian's originally calm expression finally showed a hint of panic. "Root Demon Blood!" Seeing this, Heavenly Venerable Guizui in the distance also revealed a look of dread. "It really is Root Demon Blood!" Though he had agreed to cooperate with the Fifth Ancestor under Taihuang Palace's coordination, he had not anticipated the Fifth Ancestor producing Root Demon Blood. To a Yang God—especially one in the Great Ultimate Principle realm—Root Demon Blood was an absolute terror. It was enough to plunge a Yang God into the Root Demon Tribulation. Entering the Root Demon Tribulation without preparation meant nine chances out of ten of perishing. For someone like Ancestor Ziyuan, who was desperately suppressing his cultivation realm, a sudden descent of the Root Demon Tribulation left virtually zero chance of survival. High above, Ancestor Ziyuan caught the scent of the Root Demon Blood. In an instant, his scalp prickled with numbness, sensing boundless danger. Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan chuckled. "Ancestor Ziyuan, it seems this will be the final battle of your life." "Hmph!" Ancestor Ziyuan snorted coldly. Though anxiety gripped him, his combat momentum did not waver. He had never expected the enemy to procure Root Demon Blood. Moreover, to use an item as precious as Root Demon Blood just to deal with him? A bitter taste filled his mouth. To think that right after receiving the new Ancestral Blood Art, he would face such a catastrophe. Hei Jian's slender sword trembled as he stared at the Fifth Ancestor with profound vigilance. Clutching the Root Demon Blood, the Fifth Ancestor strode toward Heavenly Venerable Guizui, a mad grin on his face. The smile on Heavenly Venerable Guizui's face broadened as well. Victory was assured. This time, Guiyu Heaven would claim a total triumph. With Ancestor Ziyuan pinned down by Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan, there was no chance of escape. Once the Root Demon Blood was unleashed, where could Ancestor Ziyuan flee? Yet at this critical juncture, Hei Jian suddenly spoke, his aura turning razor-sharp. He roared at the Fifth Ancestor: "Strike!" The Fifth Ancestor's betrayal was fake—a ruse staged by his master and the Fifth Ancestor solely to hunt down a Great Ultimate Principle of Guiyu Heaven! Hei Jian had only learned of this through a transmission from his master right before departing. He shouted, preparing to launch a joint attack against Heavenly Venerable Guizui. Yet at that moment, the corners of the Fifth Ancestor's mouth curled into a cold, callous sneer. He said softly, "Strike." Those two words matched Hei Jian's exactly. Yet hearing them, the smile in Heavenly Venerable Guizui's eyes deepened. A Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner materialized, radiating a terrifying, suffocating aura. It felt as though a single shake of the banner could annihilate an entire world. A vast, unfathomable ultimate principle killing technique, channeled through the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, locked on... directly toward Hei Jian! Hei Jian's mind went completely blank, utter disbelief written across his face. *It's...* A horrifying thought surfaced in his mind. The Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique, channeled through an offensive Creation Treasure, fell squarely upon Hei Jian! Hei Jian's body froze momentarily. Even his consciousness paused at this instant. Fighting in the distance, Ancestor Ziyuan looked over in horror. "How dare you!" He had never dreamed their true target was not him, but Hei Jian. Nor had he imagined the situation was this convoluted. He had received no word at all, completely left in the dark like an outsider. He roared in fury, attempting to break free of his opponent. Yet with Heavenly Venerable Guiyuan blocking his path, he could not break away. A brilliant smile blossomed across the Fifth Ancestor's face. "Junior Brother Hei Jian, you never imagined... our target was always you from the very beginning. Even Master was fooled by me, hahahaha..." The Fifth Ancestor laughed with unrestrained delight. Heavenly Venerable Guizui urged hurriedly, "Quick, use the Root Demon Blood! The ultimate principle killing technique can only bind him for half a breath!" Their exchange happened in the span of an instant. "Right." Halting his laughter, the Fifth Ancestor hurled the Root Demon Blood toward the immobilized Hei Jian. Instantly, the terrifying, pulsing blood emanated a horrifying aura, hurtling straight toward Hei Jian. Hei Jian stood frozen in place, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. *Was Master... outmaneuvered, or...* Yet there was no time to ponder. If anything happened to him, the Black Demon Abyss's fate in the upcoming Linya Molt would be catastrophic. A triumphant grin spread across the Fifth Ancestor's face. "An Honored Exalted will perish in this Linya Molt, but who could have known that a young Honored Exalted would die by my hands!" Yet right as he laughed, the smile suddenly froze on his face. Heavenly Venerable Guizui froze as well. A look of astonishment surfaced in Hei Jian's eyes. The Root Demon Blood hurtling toward Hei Jian took a sudden ninety-degree turn. Like a blood snake, it crashed straight into the void near the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. Space collapsed, revealing a man clad from head to toe in blood-red armor. He held a bowl in his hands, seemingly poised to ladle up the Black Demon Ancestral Blood, surprise flickering across his cool eyes. As if finding its kin, the Root Demon Blood plunged directly into the blood armor and vanished. Emerging from the void, an awkward glint flashed in the man's eyes. To think he'd been caught red-handed trying to steal the Black Demon Ancestral Blood. Soon, however, his expression turned icy once more. Following the tactics Qi Yuan had learned from Blue Star comment sections: Generally speaking, if you are in the right, reason with them. If you are in the wrong, muddy the waters. As the saying went: when the rules favor you, argue the rules; when the rules oppose you, appeal to emotion. When both the rules and the facts oppose you, stir the waters into chaos. Only then could one stand undefeated. Therefore, Qi Yuan seized the initiative! "The cowards of Guiyu Heaven truly have no martial virtue! I was merely traveling through the void, and you dared to ambush me with such a vile thing as Root Demon Blood! "My... my stomach hurts terribly now!" This blood-armored man was naturally Qi Yuan. As he spoke, he stealthily tucked the bowl away. With fifteen days having passed, Qi Yuan's strength had recovered, and he had decided to fish in troubled waters by taking the Black Demon Ancestral Blood back with him. In the end, the moment he arrived, he had been struck by the legendary Root Demon Blood. Fortunately, he was neither an ultimate principle nor a Yang God, so he had no so-called Root Demon Tribulation. Thus, when the Root Demon Blood approached, it failed to trigger any tribulation. It had merely squirmed around in his chest, feeling rather ticklish, so he had grabbed it and stuffed it into the Human Sovereign Banner. He would finish plundering the Black Demon Ancestral Blood first and study this Root Demon Blood once he got back. "You..." The Fifth Ancestor's eyes nearly split with fury upon seeing the newcomer. Most importantly... the Root Demon Blood was gone! Gone! His plan was ruined! Staring at Qi Yuan, Heavenly Venerable Guizui flared with rage as well. "Human Sovereign Hall Emissary, you court death!" Without hesitation, Heavenly Venerable Guizui struck directly at Qi Yuan. "The ones courting death are you! Not only did you try to steal my Human Sovereign Banner, but you even dared to ambush me! Today, I'm taking this Black Demon Ancestral Blood as your compensation!" Qi Yuan had been acting sneakily before, but now that he was exposed, he brazenly pulled out several bowls and furiously ladled the Black Demon Ancestral Blood into them. Just as he finished scooping, powerful attacks descended. Heavenly Venerable Guizui and the Fifth Ancestor joined forces to strike at Qi Yuan. Their immense might was enough to pulverize space. Facing the ultimate principle killing techniques of both foes, Qi Yuan could barely hold his own against one; taking on two would spell disaster. Fortunately, at that moment, an elegant voice rang out. "Fellow Daoist, I will assist you!" With time having passed, Hei Jian had broken free from the ultimate principle killing technique. A slender sword stirred heaven and earth, barring the Fifth Ancestor's path. Hei Jian's eyes burned with bone-deep killing intent. "There is another... Who is it?" That mighty sword strike carried suffocating pressure. Panic and profound fury mingled across the Fifth Ancestor's face. Today's grand scheme had collapsed into nothing. Without the Root Demon Blood, even if the Banner Lord arrived in person, they could not keep Hei Jian and Ancestor Ziyuan here. Realizing this, the Fifth Ancestor hurriedly sent a transmission to Heavenly Venerable Guizui: "Hurry, summon the Banner Lord!" The Human Sovereign Hall Emissary was not particularly strong and could never withstand a Great Ultimate Principle. However, his methods were mysterious, capable of vanishing into thin air. The Fifth Ancestor wanted to detain the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary and recover the Root Demon Blood. Heavenly Venerable Guizui clearly understood this as well. Just as he was about to send a transmission, he suddenly sensed something, wild joy erupting across his face. "No need to summon! The Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique has arrived!" Along with his words, every Great Ultimate Principle present sensed a world-destroying aura. That aura was peerless, unstoppable. Even Ancestor Ziyuan and Hei Jian caught the thick scent of mortal danger. Crossing boundless distances, the Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique was aimed directly at the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary. "Careful! That is the Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique—it can freeze space-time!" Hei Jian urgently warned. Ancestor Ziyuan grew worried for the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary as well. After all, the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary had just saved Hei Jian's life. If Ancestor Ziyuan were struck by the Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique, though he would be immobilized for several breaths, Guiyu Heaven lacked any means to slay him without Root Demon Blood; they could merely injure him, which was inconsequential. Yet the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary was different. He was not a Great Ultimate Principle. Once immobilized, unable to flee, he would surely die. Hei Jian shouted his warning, yet before his voice could reach Qi Yuan's ears, the ultimate principle killing technique landed upon Qi Yuan. Seeing this, wild joy covered Heavenly Venerable Guizui's face. "Brat... do you finally know how to spell the word 'death'?" With the Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique unleashed, the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary was guaranteed to be frozen. Now like fish on a chopping block, his life and death rested entirely in Heavenly Venerable Guizui's hands. Seeing this, Hei Jian swung his sword, desperate to buy the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary a single breath of time. Unfortunately, the Fifth Ancestor blocked him like an insurmountable mountain; he could not break through. "Guizui, the Root Demon Blood!" the Fifth Ancestor roared, reminding Heavenly Venerable Guizui to retrieve the blood. With a grin, Heavenly Venerable Guizui unleashed the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner in his hand. "Brat, enter my Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner and become a soul emissary!" The Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner shook, radiating a terrifying, grim aura. Under normal circumstances, Heavenly Venerable Guizui would never fight like this, attacking with complete abandon while ignoring all defense. Only because the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary was paralyzed by the ultimate principle killing technique did he dare act so recklessly to obliterate him. Yet just as the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner closed in on the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary, Heavenly Venerable Guizui's eyes suddenly bulged. For he clearly saw the supposedly immobilized Human Sovereign Hall Emissary curl his lips into a smile. Something even more terrifying occurred. A giant hand reached forth, latching onto the sub-banner of the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner. A bright, eerie voice rang out: "Thank nature for its bountiful gift!" Gripping the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner, his figure... vanished into thin air. And vanishing along with him... was the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner! "How is that possible!" Heavenly Venerable Guizui's eyes went wide, disbelief plastered across his face. The Banner Lord's ultimate principle killing technique could freeze all things in the world. How could the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary... still move? He was baffled, utterly bewildered. A look of shock crossed Hei Jian's face as well. Evidently, he had never imagined such an outcome. One had to understand: he had comprehended a Supreme Ultimate Principle, yet before attaining the Great Ultimate Principle realm, even he was vulnerable to the Banner Lord's killing technique. How had the Human Sovereign Hall Emissary... managed this? All of it... remained an enigma.