Chapter 864: A Handsome Man As Cold As Ice
The majority of the crowd eventually regained their composure a long time after seeing Mei Aonan and Ye Qingcheng disappear into the sky. A few great characters lost their patience and even gave up on entering the beastworld. They surged into the sky in order to enter space.
It was very beneficial for these big shots to watch the fight with their own eyes. A fight between supreme geniuses could spark a new enlightenment. Such comprehension would allow them to further understand their own merit laws, to break the chains and venture to the next level.
Soon after, the Ninehead Lion Emperor also followed them into space, leaving behind the eighteen Young Celestials. These eighteen youths glanced at each other, and one of them spoke in a serious manner: "A life for a life. The demonic Imperial Edge has killed many of our brothers and friends from the Celestial Array School, so they must pay with their lives!"
A different youth screamed: "That's right, blood for blood. The demons from the Imperial Edge must pay with their lives!"
"Kill, for the Celestial Array School!" Another Celestial Youth rushed forward on his horse with many experts right behind him.
"Kill, vengeance for the school!" The eighteen youths quickly began their march towards the Imperial Edge. Their armies rushed inside like an unstoppable flood.
Thunderous hymns filled the sky. Treasures and weapons began to assault the Imperial Edge with their mighty and ferocious power. The eighteen Young Celestials and their armies seemed to be able to sink the continent!
The sudden attack astounded many spectators. They didn't expect the Young Celestials to attack right away with all of their forces.
"This, this is insane! Are they trying to break all pretensions already?" Everyone was horrified by this sudden attack.
Although Ye Qingcheng and Mei Aonan's fight was unavoidable due to the competition for the Heaven's Will, sects normally wouldn't interfere between these geniuses. To mobilize armies for the sake of destruction would cause too much antagonism.
However, the eighteen youths chose to do so. The moment they ordered the attack was no different from dragging their own sects into this war. Nevertheless, they didn't do so without any prior planning. Although they were furious from Mei Aonan’s contemptuous words earlier, they had a clear strategy.
Naturally, their sects were wary of Mei Aonan. Although everyone knew that she left the Jianlong Clan to establish her own power, she was ultimately one of their disciples, a part of the clan.
The eighteen powers did not necessarily want to fight against a sect with three emperors for Ye Qingcheng's sake. However, the Young Celestials were hot-headed. Under the urging of the Cloud Soaring Venerable, they decided to take action during the heat of the moment. Their goal was to attack the floating continent while Ye Qingcheng and Mei Aonan fought each other.
They were confident about destroying the continent when they worked together alongside their armies. After destroying the Imperial Edge, everyone in the world would know of their fame. This was to build a solid foundation for their future. Thus, the positions of the eighteen generals beneath the future Immortal Emperor would eventually fall into their laps!
"Rumble!" The continuous rumbling continued as the armies marched on.
"Ah!" Next were series of shrill screams. Pitiful shrieks reverberated across the sky, making it clear that the battle had begun.
"Can the Imperial Edge withstand the onslaught of this flood-like cavalry?" Someone murmured right outside of the beastworld after hearing the screams.
In many spectators' minds, the force of the eighteen sects led by the Young Celestials could sweep through a lineage. Although the Imperial Edge was powerful, it was not necessarily able to withstand this torrential onslaught.
"Ah…" A sharp howl echoed through the air as if a terrible war was taking place within.
Someone recognized this scream and startlingly exclaimed: "What, that's the voice of a Young Celestial!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" At this second, the gallops from the cavalries became chaotic. The shocked spectators saw several hundred riders escaping from the continent.
The leaders of the pack were three young men with hundreds of riders right behind them. There were many Heavenly Kings in the group.
"These three are part of the Young Celestials." The crowd was astounded at this new development.
The three Young Celestials and the riders were covered in blood and injuries. They looked tattered as they escaped; it was apparent that they had met a formidable enemy.
"Aoooo!" A dragon roar resounded across the battlefield the moment these Young Celestials escaped from the continent. A huge dragon flew out from within. It was completely clear as if made from ice.
The three youths and the riders were scared out of their minds after seeing this dragon taking flight. It caught up to them in an instant and swung its claws. A whirlpool of blood erupted along with horrifying screams. Several hundred riders were massacred instantly.
"No…" Two of the three youths had their chests pierced by the claws and died on the spot.
Eventually, the huge dragon disappeared with a flash. The last Young Celestial was captured alive and gripped by the neck up high in the air.
At this time, people finally saw the person floating in the sky with one hand grasping the young celestial's neck, coldly glaring at him.
It was a young man dressed in a robe that was even whiter than snow. A cloak hid his tall stature while he emitted a chilling aura. He was handsome to the point of being a bit demonic, almost resembling a girl. People would believe if people said that he was a woman in disguise.
"I, I am from an imperial lineage…" The youth hanging by the neck lost his mind from fear at this moment and shrieked.
"Pluff!" Blood spurted everywhere. The other young man didn't listen to him and stabbed his chest with one hand, killing him on the spot.
The young man then threw away this body like a piece of trash and slowly wiped the blood from his hand with a snow-white handkerchief. He casually threw the cloth away as well when he was done. The blood-stained pattern on the white cloth resembled a peony in full bloom. It was especially beautiful as it fluttered down to the ground.
He coldly glared at the group then turned around and went back inside the Imperial Edge. Even though he was gone, the group couldn't forget those cold and emotionless pupils. They felt a cold chill running down their spines the moment his glare swept over them.
From start to finish, he didn't say a single word, yet he left behind an indelible impression!
After the young man went back inside, the Imperial Edge turned quiet again as all the screams subsided as if the battle had concluded.
"The eighteen Young Celestials and their armies were completely annihilated!" Someone finally realized something and murmured with a cold chill.
Although no one saw how this fight unraveled, they understood that it was possible that this young man was the only one who took action from the Imperial Edge's side.
One person to annihilate an entire army — just how frightening was this? Everyone quivered after thinking about this and felt that this young man was simply too terrifying.
"Just, just who is that young man?!" Many experts from the previous generation couldn't recognize him. Such a powerful and terrifying youth couldn't be anonymous.
"Icebound Young Noble, Mei Aoxue!" An old man from the Stone Realm with great ties to the Jianlong Clan calmed down after trembling and murmured: "The Jianlong Clan's descendant, Mei Aonan's big brother!" 1
Very few people in the Stone Medicine World had heard of this unknown name. Perhaps this was the first time they came across it. However, the words "Jianlong Clan's descendant" shook everyone's mind. This clan had three emperors, so even though the Icebound Young Noble, Mei Aoxue, was previously unknown, just the fact that he was its descendant was more than enough to astound people!
Despite the fact that the clan had always kept a low-profile, their descendant showed that he was definitely not a weak and useless person. They must have unbelievable strength to win the position of being the main descendant.
Someone couldn't quell their curiosity and asked this old man: "Just how strong can this Icebound Young Noble be?"
The old man pondered for a bit before gently shaking his head: "I don't know either. I've only met him once. Very few people actually understand the Jianlong Clan's situation."
The crowd was disappointed after hearing this. Everyone knew about the notorious Mei Aonan who swept over the world and that she came from the Jianlong Clan. However, the truth was that they understood very little about her. No one knew her position within the clan or who her parents were and especially not why she left the clan to form her own force!
"Boom!" With a loud blast, the Imperial Edge actually flew out of the first firmament to reach outer space.
Someone saw the disappearing continent and asked: "The Imperial Edge went to spectate as well, should we go too?"
"Not me. I heard someone had found Bi'an City so I'm going in." A few rushed into the beastworld instead.
Many composed themselves right afterward and quickly entered the beastworld as well. Only a few traveled to space to watch the fight.
864 TeaserThe majority of the crowd eventually regained their composure a long time after seeing Mei Aonan and Ye Qingcheng disappear into the sky. A few great characters lost their patience and even gave up on entering the beastworld. They surged into the sky in order to enter space.
It was very beneficial for these big shots to watch the fight with their own eyes. A fight between supreme geniuses could spark a new enlightenment. Such comprehension would allow them to further understand their own merit laws, to break the chains and venture to the next level.
Soon after, the Ninehead Lion Emperor also followed them into space, leaving behind the eighteen Young Celestials. These eighteen youths glanced at each other, and one of them spoke in a serious manner: "A life for a life. The demonic Imperial Edge has killed many of our brothers and friends from the Celestial Array School, so they must pay with their lives!"
A different youth screamed: "That's right, blood for blood. The demons from the Imperial Edge must pay with their lives!"
"Kill, for the Celestial Array School!"
[collapse] Mei Aoxue is a much more feminine name than Mei Aonan. Xue means snow. ↩Chapter 865: Divine Monastery
The carriage slowly crossed hills and streams for miles and miles in this silent world. It seemed that there was only the grinding of the wheels… no, there was also the shouting coming from Long Jingxian.
Li Qiye's group continued to move in an indiscernible direction. They were only following Li Qiye's whim.
Along the way, despite meeting many ferocious beasts, Jian Wushuang and Long Jingxian easily dispatched them. Long Jingxian didn't mind wasting blood energy. This little pepper once enraged was like an unstoppable dragon.
They went through a few villages and cities without any inhabitants. Despite the passage of millions of years, they retained the original pristine condition. Fierce beasts protected these lands without any inhabitants, creating a creepy scene.
Just imagine, there was no one living inside the beastworld yet there were so many villages and cities. Such a thing would make others think twice and shiver.
Long Jingxian continued to shout after going through these places since she wanted to rush in for the treasures. However, Li Qiye denied all of her requests, resulting in her becoming even louder. She was very unsatisfied with Li Qiye.
Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of a bamboo forest. This place was completely silent. The forest was lush and had running streams, giving others the feeling that they had transcended.
There was a lone bamboo cottage in this place. There was nothing else, so it seemed that there could be a seclusive immortal living inside.
Li Qiye looked at the bamboo cottage and told the madam: "Zi Yan, go inside, this place is right for you."
She didn't say another word and went down from the carriage then walked towards the hut. Once she got close, a phoenix cry could be heard. A green phoenix flew down from the forest and blocked her path.
It was carved from jade and exuded an oppressive spirit energy. Each of its feathers emitted the horrifying power of the grand dao. Without a doubt, this creature was extremely powerful.
"We'll gather at Bi'an City later." Li Qiye glanced at the bird and didn't provide assistance. He only told the madam where they would meet before leaving.
Since the madam stayed behind, Jian Wushuang became the new driver for Li Qiye as they trod forward under his leadership.
Long Jingxian curiously asked: "Ey, Smelly Qiye, there are so many villages and cities here, so why are there no people? There's not even a single person."
"It's not like there are no traces of people here." Li Qiye gently shook his head and smiled: "In fact, there are many living creatures in Bi'an City. However, these lifeforms are different from us. They rely on the power of the city to hibernate. To put it simply, they are unstained by mundane life."
"But what about outside of Bi'an City?" Long Jingxian gave him a look and asked: "If, say, there is no one in the beastworld, then who created these cities and villages? Their existence must mean that people had been living here before."
Li Qiye chuckled: "This is related to the origin of the beastworld, but I'm afraid no one knows the exact details and reasons. This is due to how this place was founded in an archaic timeline; it is far too old for research. Some people even speculated that this place came before the old Desolate Era. Perhaps it's even older than the Legendary Era."
"Bah, it's fine if you don't want to say it, there's no need to trick me." Long Jingxian gave Li Qiye a dirty look. This little pepper was very dissatisfied since she wasn't so easily fooled. She knew that Li Qiye definitely knew a thing or two, it's just that he didn't want to tell her.
Li Qiye couldn't help but smile. He looked at her and said: "Little girl, since you are a natural born Immortal Fate, you should be destined for greatness. You have set foot in the beastworld for quite a while now, have you sensed a location that is different from the others?"
"Mmm…" She tilted her head a bit and pondered carefully for a while before speaking: "Yes, there's a fluctuation of beastly energy. It feels that there is a great power here, ferocious and tyrannical as if there exists a divine beast!"
"Aizz, this little girl, you are wasting your talents." Li Qiye was somewhat at a loss because of her answer and gently shook his head: "What you're sensing is correct, but don't forget, you should be able to gain far more than just this if you actually take the time to try with your Immortal Fate."
No one could compare to her peerless Immortal Fate and talents. Alas, she only wanted to play around instead of searching for enlightenment. Otherwise, an honest effort from her would definitely yield a frightening harvest.
"Don't blame this on me, you clearly don't want to tell me." She glared at him and pouted.
"Okay, if you want to learn more secrets, you will have to listen to me. I'll slowly tell you more in the future." Li Qiye smilingly replied.
Rehabilitating this little girl couldn't be done in one or two days. He needed to take his time.
"Hmph, what's so special about this land? I don't care for it anyway." She said with disdain, but despite her words, she listened to him very well in the recent days.
Eventually, Li Qiye brought Jian Wushuang and Long Jingxian to a different location. This place was dreary and much more desolate compared to the other locations in the beastworld. There were neither cities nor villages here.
However, a solitary temple could be found on top of this desolate area. It survived the withering of countless years. A majestic aura permeated the air when one got close to this temple. It seemed to be even more ancient than all the other villages and cities in the beastworld. One could say that this temple dated back to the beginning of the beastworld itself.
"Why did you take us here?" Long Jingxian glanced at the divine temple and spoke: "Hmph, If this place only has treasures and merit laws, then forget it. Our long journey would have been boring if it is for treasures and laws."
Although others yearned for treasures and laws, Long Jingxian simply didn't care for them. She had a lot of treasures and countless emperor laws.
He looked at her and said: "Little girl, if you weren't a natural-born Immortal Fate and if Wushuang wasn't someone I valued, I definitely wouldn't take you two to this place! Don't look down on this temple as it precedes even the beastworld. Don't think that only Bi'an City is the place of creations, a few things require one's own stroke of fortune."
"What items are inside?" Such words piqued Long Jingxian's interest, prompting her immediate inquiry. Li Qiye gently shook his head: "There are no important items in here. It can even be said that this doesn't even matter. The crucial thing here is…" He paused and pointed at his heart before continuing to speak: "… perseverance and training through the tribulations with one's dao heart."
Li Qiye went on: "If both of you can pass through this temple, the rewards in the form of treasures no longer matter since you will have transformed. You will gain an extraordinary heart that allows you to calmly meditate and become enlightened."
He gazed at them and spoke in all seriousness: "I didn't bring you two here for any treasures but for the training within. Later on, feel free to argue and fight with each other. However, there must be a congeniality between the two of you; you must be able to rely on each other in life or death situations, a harmony forged from ice and fire!"
"Hmph, I don't want to. Who says I want to fight together with Jian Wushuang?" Long Jingxian was not very happy.
"It is not up to you to decide." Li Qiye put on a solemn expression: "If you want to travel the world with me, then you have to be together with Jian Wushuang! Yes, your talents are incredible, but Wushuang still has many aspects that you need to learn from. At the same time, Wushuang can also comprehend things from you that she wouldn't be able to otherwise! Your comprehension is as great as an immortal's, but you do not have an undaunting and persistent dao heart like her!"
"I'll give both of you a serious piece of advice." Li Qiye had a rare moment of austerity: "If you two don't work together, you will not be able to traverse this temple. Without trust and teamwork, you will definitely perish. If this is the outcome, I will be very disappointed."
"Fine, we'll team up then." Long Jingxian finally yielded: "Hmph, I'll just handle the loss and let Jian Wushuang bask in my radiance."
Jian Wushuang only glared at her. She didn't bother arguing this time.
Li Qiye gently caressed her hair and said: "Go, you two must trust each other. Jingxian will be very beneficial to you, allowing you to learn many new things. This training session is required and very important. In the future, you will need someone you can trust as you ride into battle. You need to learn how to trust others!"
She had always been proud and aggressive, thus she had no friends outside of the elders in her family. It was likely that no one else could earn her trust besides Li Qiye!
He deliberately let these two go together since only Long Jingxian could earn the trust of someone as arrogant as Wushuang. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to get into her sight!
Wushuang didn't say anything and just coolly went down from the carriage.
"Ladies, try hard. If you can come out alive, then you will understand in the future that no one in this world can stop the combination of you two!" Li Qiye smiled and rode away in his carriage.
Chapter 866: Unbeatable Legion
After leaving the temple, the carriage continued on. Li Qiye went alone for an unknown amount of time as if he wanted to reach the end of the beastworld.
Eventually, the lone carriage and man climbed up a high plateau. In this place, the mountain range reached straight into the sky. These hills were like giant guardians protecting this location.
Anyone who could reach this plateau would be shaken by the majestic sceneries ahead. This was the place closest to the sky!
However, the sceneries were not the only reason for astonishment, it was the fact that the entire area was completely sealed!
This place was broad with countless mountains. Someone had laid an eternal framework at this area, a framework with numerous powerful laws nailed into the ground. Each mountain had been refined, causing the entire plateau to become one that was rooted in the deepest location of the beastworld.
It was as if this place was connected to the most mysterious location of the realm. All the mysticisms of the beastworld were sealed in this plateau!
This framework was unbelievable with its untouchable seals and supreme existences guarding it. Even an Immortal Emperor might not be able to break through this place!
Li Qiye stood before the plateau with all kinds of feelings in his heart. This place shouldered the greatest glory. It had the most powerful legion in this world buried beneath its soil, a slumbering force that had once protected the human race!
Here was a legion that had bathed the nine worlds in blood. Here, a cavalry capable of trampling all things lied. Here, an invincible army that could shake even Immortal Emperors could be found!
Li Qiye sighed softly and opened his mind. In the deepest part of his sea of memories, mysterious and magical Immortal Emperor laws derived and transformed themselves. Eventually, they became a supreme amnesty decree.
"Buzz…" This supreme decree hovered above his head. The most profound dao runes emerged and continued to spread, forming an ocean.
"Crash!" A bronze bridge emerged above this plateau right below Li Qiye's feet. This bridge could only be activated with the amnesty decree that belonged to Li Qiye.
Li Qiye drove his carriage on top of the bridge towards the depths of the plateau. One could see the panorama from above the bridge. This place was very steep and dangerous without any signs of life.
Such a place was where Li Qiye decided to spend countless efforts to seal after destroying the Divine Beast Realm. Later on, Empress Hong Tian performed blessings and graced this place with her protection.
Li Qiye sealed his most powerful force here along with his crowning glory.
At the end of the bronze bridge was a palace that occupied the deepest location of the plateau on the highest and most majestic peak.
This palace had withstood countless moons as if it had been there since the beginning of the heaven and earth.
"Clank—" The bronze doors slowly opened as Li Qiye arrived in his carriage. They closed once more after he went inside.
It seemed that the door ruptured the ties with the outside world, even on a temporal basis. Inside the palace was a different scenery. Bright sunlight directly shone down from above as if this was heaven itself.
A fountain could be found in the center of the palace. However, it was not gushing out water but an indispensable and thick worldly energy. The energy here was ancient as if it had been here since time immemorial.
However, this was not the craziest part. Countless natural treasures surrounded this fountain, including incredible immortal stones and jades as well as exceedingly rare fate metals.
These ores here were full of life force. This rich life force cultivated the existences here to offset the erosion of time. They piled on like mountains. Just a single piece appearing in the world would drive everyone crazy. It would definitely result in a bloody competition between experts.
This palace was huge. Outside of the central fountain and the piles of ore was a throne at the highest peak. This throne emitted a matchless aura, as if only the most powerful Immortal Monarch would be able to sit here. Others were simply not qualified!
Around the throne were countless bronze coffins. Each of them was wrapped in a large amount of Blood Era Stones to offset the passage of time.
Li Qiye got down from his carriage and slowly made his way into this palace. Eventually, he sat down on this supreme throne. Since the start of time, only he was eligible to sit down on this throne!
"Clickk—" Series of heavy sounds rang. The coffins here all slowly opened the moment Li Qiye sat on the throne.
There were bronze statues inside each of the numerous coffins. All of them had different shapes and expressions. It was as if each was cast from the most ancient of bronze ingots — cold and tough without any signs of life.
"No need for formalities. Time has not been merciful so continue to slumber." Li Qiye glanced at these statues as if he was counting his soldiers and generals.
With more clanking sounds, these coffins closed up. From beginning to end, Li Qiye was the only one who talked.
He leaned back on his throne from either fatigue or from returning to his realm, but he finally was able to relax.
He closed his eyes and seemed to have fallen asleep. Since the start of time, he had sat in this throne for far too long.
The entire chamber was quiet as if time had come to a standstill in this frozen space. After some time, Li Qiye finally opened his eyes to look at the coffins before him. He became quite sentimental and heaved a sigh. This sigh contained too many emotions; weariness, helplessness, and an indescribable melancholy…
"I'm also tired. For tens of millions of years during this long journey forward, I was fortunate to have all of you with me as we fought against the nine worlds and massacred myriad realms!" He emotionally said: "Massacre, yes… so many years have passed and I have nearly forgotten about those bloody days. Throughout the river of time, people have called me the dark hand behind the curtains while others cursed me as the myriad races' butcher! Some even considered me to be a devil…"
"I didn't care for any of this. The only thing that mattered to me was those by my side who continued to grow older one after another, those who died on the battlefield for my sake… No matter what, at least I still have all of you who are continuing to accompany me to the very end." Li Qiye bitterly smiled after thinking about the suffering throughout the ages.
"But no matter what, just like our bold claim of past, we shall fight to the very end, we shall pierce the sky! In the end, only we alone shall stand at the apex of the myriad worlds, only we alone shall be the last men smiling! Throughout history, how many have lost their heads and how many people continued to fight again and again?! We had no lack of Immortal Emperors and Immortal Monarchs in our invincible legions on this torturous and heroic path!" At this point, Li Qiye's eyes began to emit a blinding light as a supreme aura erupted from his body. He became a paragon of the ages. In this place, his untouchable aura had awakened!
"We shall take this journey all the way to the end. We will never falter and never speak of the word defeat!" His dominating voice echoed in the chamber: "In this generation, we will fight to the very last man. No matter how tragic this war will be, the victory shall belong to us!"
His powerful rhetoric echoed across the quiet chamber. The only listeners were the bronze statues lying in their coffins.
Li Qiye continued to sit in his throne quietly, a throne that even Godkings looked up to in reverence!
Unknowingly, the corners of Li Qiye's eyes became moist. No one saw this scene. There were only the quiet statues here with Li Qiye.
For ages, he was immortal and had obtained many things. However, this only meant that he lost more than anyone else. He became numb even to separations and goodbyes due to death.
However, who knew that the always tough and tyrannical Li Qiye who looked down on everything, had buried countless emotions, memories, and sorrows in the deepest part of his heart and mind!
There was only numbness after the endless suffering. Eventually, he chose to laugh at the world. His life was destined to be domineering and strong. He must carry himself freely and be true to his thoughts!
He sat here for a very long time. If possible, he was willing to stay here for the rest of his life. If there existed a home for him in this world, then this place would be considered one of them. Here, there were generals and soldiers that had fought along his side for generations with unrelenting loyalty. It wouldn't be bad to stay with them here for an eternity!
Alas, he eventually stood up and gently sighed: "I have to go now, but I will be back. The day when we brave warriors come into being shall be the day our war begins. Our pace will never cease. We will fight to the end, until even the high heavens is destroyed!"
With that, he turned away and left with resolution. He didn't want to turn around since he was afraid of not being able to bear it. After reaching far away from the palace, he still didn't turn back. He was afraid that he would shed tears.
No one knew that at this place was an invincible legion that had bathed the nine worlds in blood! Its name was the Brave Tiger Legion! This name had frightened the souls and courage out of many existences and lineages!
Chapter 867: Bi'an City
"Someone found Bi'an City!" This explosive news spread right when more sects rushed into the beastworld.
All of them poured towards the city since they wanted to enter!
"Bi'an City, wow. Maybe we will be able to get its treasures!" Anyone would frantically rush for the city after hearing this news.
Common sects and the ancestors of great powers who knew a little about the beastworld were excited as well since Bi'an City was the source of many legends. One stated that the Divine Beast Realm's rise had a lot to do with the city. It further explained that the beast realm could maintain their hegemony for several generations due to their control over the city!
Even though no one knew whether these legends were true or not, one thing was absolutely certain — the story about Immortal Emperor Bi Shi!
At that time, a divine stone fell down from the beastworld and was picked up by the Alchemy Kingdom. In the end, it became an Immortal Emperor with the title of Bi Shi who lorded over the nine worlds.
And yes, this divine stone was from Bi'an City. Thus, cultivators crazily rushed to Bi'an City in hopes for treasures. Some sects craved for a divine stone as well. Perhaps they would be able to groom it into an Immortal Emperor in the future!
Bi'an City was a huge stone city that towered all the way into the sky. It resembled a gigantic behemoth.
After seeing its appearance, anyone would know that this was the center and source of the beastworld!
There were many brown rocks made from unknown materials that rendered the city completely impenetrable. No one could scale it either.
The doors were closed shut. There were no guardian beasts here, but the closed entrance stopped everyone outside.
All the crazed cultivators here had no way of entering. No matter what they tried, they couldn't open these doors; even the ancestors found no success. They attempted to attack it with great weapons as well, but all was for naught.
"Why won't the gates open?" Everyone was anxious at this moment since no one could enter despite finding the city. They could only look on from in front of the gate.
"We need the Bi'an Immortal Rod in order to open the city!" Eventually, a very ancient ancestor on the verge of death revealed this secret after seeing the city.
"The Bi'an Immortal Rod? What is that?" Many people had never heard of such a thing.
The dying ancestor spoke: "According to the records of my kingdom, the beastworld does not come out by itself and needs to be summoned. The Bi'an Immortal Rod is the tool for this summoning. Legends told that for generations till now, this rod would change masters, but for some unknown reason, when the Divine Beast Realm came into possession of it, they were able to keep it, thus allowing the realm to control the beastworld for several generations…"
The ancestor coughed here before continuing: "Later on, the beast realm was destroyed and the rod disappeared. No one was able to find it, so the beastworld ceased to appear until now."
This revelation puzzled many people because no one knew who summoned the beastworld.
"Who is the summoner?" In a flash, everyone glanced around to find this unknown summoner.
Someone couldn't help but say: "Perhaps the summoner is in this crowd right now. Stand out and open the city so that everyone can get to the good stuff."
"Yes, open the city. No one will try to take your rod." A big shot spoke as well.
An ancestor from a great power even voiced a vow: "Open the city and I will make sure that no one will try to take your rod."
In just a moment, many people agreed with this suggestion and began to echo the sentiment. More great powers quickly assured that they wouldn't try to seize the rod.
However, no one stood out to open the city. This made everyone dejected. Don't even think about entering the city without the immortal rod!
While the entire crowd was quite downtrodden, a keen eye saw a carriage in the distance and whispered: "Fierce is here."
Instantly, countless people turned around to look at the carriage that was slowly inching closer. Li Qiye was sitting in the carriage in a lazy manner as if he was still drowsy.
Everyone quickly made a path for the carriage; no one dared to block him. Who would want to annoy this brute who would destroy sects and kingdoms so quickly? Let alone offend him, no one would even dare to stand before him!
Offending someone like this was definitely seeking disaster. A single misstep might escalate into a sect-destroying calamity.
Li Qiye arrived before the gate. He slowly took out a bronze item that resembled a rod that wasn't a rod and raised it into the air.
"The Bi'an Immortal Rod…" The old ancestor stood up in shock after seeing the item in Li Qiye's hand.
"The Bi'an Immortal Rod!" Many cultivators in front of the gate were astounded as they stared at the item in his hand.
Of course, no one dared to have any funny thoughts towards Li Qiye or his possessions. The example from the Tombskull's group was still fresh in their minds. Who would want to take something from Li Qiye?
"Zzz—" The rod suddenly changed and became a pair of bronze gloves that covered both of his hands.
"Squeakkk—" He pushed the gate while wearing the gloves, causing the doors to slowly open.
Everyone quietly watched the scene play out. No one dared to rush forward before Li Qiye had entered.
After he went inside, everyone finally swarmed into the city like a broken beehive.
They were shocked by the scene inside. Bi'an City was gigantic. It was probably even bigger than the biggest city in the Stone Medicine World.
It was very orderly with millions of pavilions and buildings. Every single one of them was made from the same brown rocks as well.
Because of this, there was a seamless feel to the city as if it was all just one piece. It wouldn't be inaccurate to say that it was just a big piece of rock artfully carved into this form!
There were no signs of life in this huge city either, not even a cockroach, let alone a human.
The difference between this city compared to the other cities and villages is that there were many stone statues scattered on the streets and sidewalks.
They had different appearances and expressions. Moreover, there was a vivid feel to them as if all of them were a fine work of art.
The intruders were attracted by these statues. Some were completely marveled. Just who was it that expended so much effort to carve so many different looking statues?
Li Qiye maintained a fast pace after entering the city; he continued without pausing. Eventually, he made it to a very large stone mansion.
This was the master mansion of the city. A huge statue was situated on top of this mansion; it was the divine beast Bi'an. It was very animated and seemed that it could come to life at any moment to stomp on all existences before it. Everything was mere ants before its might.
The mansion gates were closed as Li Qiye came closer. He gently knocked on the gate while wearing the bronze gloves and spoke: "I am here!"
With a series of heavy squeaks, the gate slowly opened. Li Qiye stepped inside and the gate closed once more.
The main hall of the mansion was dark with statues standing guard on both sides. Each of them was different; some were standing, some were squatting, and some were even sitting on chairs.
One could only hear the slow and light footsteps from Li Qiye in this dark and silent hall. He eventually made it to the end of this lobby.
There were tables and benches along with statues situated around them.
Li Qiye's eyes fell onto the stone wall at the end of the hall. There was a huge painting drawn on this wall. It had spirited mountains and rivers in the midst of an endless space. At that place within the painting, it seemed that there was a boundless force with energy gushing from inside.
A closer look would show that this seemed to be real and not just a painting. The endless space inside seemed to be hiding countless great secrets!
Li Qiye struggled to look away and murmured: "Immemorial secrets, yearned by so many that wanted to become the lord of this place…"
With that, he sat on a stone bench. Then, he looked around at the statues and dismissively said: "After so many years, I finally managed to come again. Can't I get a better reception than this?"
The entire hall remained silent, no one answered him.
Li Qiye smiled and his hands that wore the bronze gloves began to change once more. Eventually, they turned into a crow mark that imprinted itself on the stone desk. Then, Li Qiye shot out a universal law from his mind, causing the entire desk to light up the hall!
"Your Excellency Dark Crow, long time no see. I almost didn't recognize you." A voice came from a dark and obscured corner of the hall.