Chapter 425: Crazy Development, Doomsday Approaches (Two-in-One)

"How many are there now?"

"About seventy or so!"

"Have you made a list?"

"Yes, Young Lord, please take a look!"

On the Flying Boat, Wang Mu took the booklet handed over by Meng Po and scanned it, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. "A full seventy-some prodigies, all from famous Sects, and yet every single one of them belongs to the Soul Race!"

There was not the slightest hint of concealment in his tone.

The air in the sky fell slightly silent.

Wang Mu's gaze swept over the Sect leaders and others mentioned on the list, his expression half-smiling. "Could it be that you all didn't notice even a little bit?"

Everyone's expressions looked slightly unsightly.

"This… the Soul Race's methods of concealment are too sophisticated; we truly did not perceive it!"

"Indeed, had we known earlier, we would have certainly cleared the Sect ourselves and never sent these people into the Heavenly Ruins!"

"…"

They were still arguing.

Wang Mu said slowly, "There's one more thing that's particularly interesting! All the Sects harboring members of the Soul Race are either vassals or allies of the Absolute Beginning and Qiankun Holy Lands…"

Hearing this, Xiao Chenzhou of the Absolute Beginning Holy Land narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "That's normal. The Northern Dark Holy Land is located in the North Sea; perhaps the Soul Race hasn't had the chance to reach out to the North Sea yet!"

Wang Mu nodded, "Makes sense! However, the Four Ancient Clans have always been secluded, and even the entrances to their ancestral lands are extremely hidden, yet they also have Soul Race members hidden within… It seems most of those Soul Race members can't swim, which is why they stayed far away from my Northern Dark Holy Land and the various North Sea forces, hahaha—"

He laughed heartily, and the leaders of the various forces allied with the Northern Dark Holy Land all echoed his laughter.

Yet their eyes held deep solemnity.

If it were one or two, it could be called a coincidence.

But with so many Sects and so many prodigies, each of whom was a focus of their Sect's cultivation, all turning out to be Soul Race members while the Sect leaders and Elders insist they didn't know.

Could they truly be so incompetent?

With so many people, could they not discover even a single clue?

Even if the Soul Race's Legacy is ancient and their methods unique.

And ordinary methods couldn't detect them.

But surely the Four Ancient Clans wouldn't be unable to?

These are Emperor Clans; how profound is their foundation?

If the Soul Race were truly powerful to this extent, why would they need to hide like this? Wouldn't it be better to just invade the Northern Region directly?

Most likely, the inability to discover them is a lie, while collusion is the truth.

Thinking of this.

The experts of the North Sea forces exchanged glances and moved closer to each other inconspicuously, their eyes filled with more caution and vigilance as they looked toward the Absolute Beginning and other forces.

Sensing the subtle change in atmosphere.

Xiao Chenzhou, Su Muyu, and the others took a deep breath, looked at each other, and said with a smile, "Young Master Wang's words are incorrect. The Prodigy Assembly has only just begun, and there are still many people in the Heavenly Ruins… It's impossible to say for sure which force still has Soul Race members hidden within… Perhaps the next Soul Race member will appear among the North Sea forces?"

Hearing this.

Wang Mu nodded in agreement, "Makes sense. This Junior was being narrow-minded. Let's continue watching then!"

Xiao Chenzhou did not respond.

Amidst the clouds and mist.

His eyes flickered, and his Divine Sense quietly drifted out.

"Something is wrong! They must know something; this isn't just a simple probe!" Xiao Chenzhou sent a voice transmission.

"Did the news leak?" Su Muyu frowned. "Wasn't it said that the Saint Advent Society never makes mistakes?"

"There's no point in dwelling on that now; the plan must change!"

"How should it change?"

"Our cooperation with the Saint Advent Society must never be known by anyone…" A voice rang out, not from Xiao Chenzhou, but from Jiang Baiyi.

His eyes were deep, and his expression was incredibly cold. "Originally, we only planned to kill a few people, but now… we must start a massacre! I will send word back immediately to inform the Holy Lord…"

…A moment later.

Within the Absolute Beginning Holy Land.

Ling Xiaozi received the news.

His entire face changed drastically.

Then he fell silent again.

He was very decisive, directly tearing through the Void Realm to reach that hidden small world and lighting up that ancient altar. "The situation has changed; move the operation forward!"

…Inside the Heavenly Ruins, everything was proceeding step by step.

A few days later.

Lin Yan and his group arrived at a volcanic area.

The volcano was originally dormant.

Suddenly, the mountain split open.

From deep within the mountain, clusters of explosive flames like blazing suns suddenly gushed out. A world-destroying heatwave spread and spewed in all directions. Wherever it passed, many Cultivators fled in panic; those who couldn't dodge in time were instantly evaporated, their Divine Souls extinguished.

Pillars of fire shot up into the sky.

Dense lava rain fell from the sky, the temperature especially terrifying. The Cultivators' protective Magic Treasures couldn't withstand it at all and were instantly corroded.

Within a hundred-mile radius, it was as if it had turned into a domain of fire, and no one dared to approach.

"Everyone, get back!"

Little Nannan's expression was solemn as she led the group to retreat. Even she felt a strong sense of danger from that terrifying temperature.

As for Dugu Qianxue, she detested the heat even more and retreated far away, her body enveloped in Extreme Yin Qi.

Only Lin Yan.

Looking at the red light flashing deep within the volcano, an indescribable excitement burst from his eyes.

"Pure World Immortal Flame… Teacher, is that the Pure World Immortal Flame?"

"This aura, it can't be wrong!" Dan Xuan was also exceptionally excited. "After so many years, it finally emerged just as you arrived! This is fate; this is destiny!"

"Lin Yan, what are you doing? It's dangerous!"

Seeing Lin Yan rushing toward the sea of fire, Xiao Wanmeng couldn't help but speak out to stop him.

Lin Yan paused slightly and turned back with a smile, "Everyone, my Opportunity has arrived!"

Opportunity?

Xiao Wanmeng was slightly stunned, then she understood something and stopped trying to persuade him, instead offering a reminder: "Don't push yourself too hard, be careful!"

"Don't worry!" Lin Yan cracked his neck, his eyes full of confidence. "I've experienced similar situations several times already; I'm long used to it! I'll be right back!"

Then.

Without looking back, his entire body turned into a streak of rainbow light and plunged into the terrifying sea of fire, disappearing from sight.

"Is he really going to be okay?"

Dugu Qianxue felt the terrifying aura coming from deep within the sea of fire and couldn't help but ask suspiciously.

Xiao Wanmeng took a deep breath and said, "None of the people Little Mumu values are simple characters. This blazing fire might be a threat to us, but perhaps to him, it's like a spring breeze!"

Just as she finished speaking.

A series of screams and roars like a pig being slaughtered rang out from the sea of fire.

"Arghhh—it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"

"Awooo—so hot, so hot!"

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die—"

Everyone: "…"

…At first, everyone was still discussing how to rescue Lin Yan.

But after a while.

They found that although Lin Yan was still screaming, he was still full of energy, with no signs of exhaustion or weakness.

Later on, it didn't even sound like screaming anymore; instead, it seemed like he was enjoying it in a "pain and pleasure" sort of way.

Thus, they understood.

Lin Yan seemed to have already adapted to his current state.

He was starting to get into the swing of things.

After some discussion, the group decided not to go far. They would wander nearby to look for other opportunities and hunt some Soul Race members along the way.

Soon.

Half a month passed.

There was no longer any movement in the sea of fire.

Lin Yan had been silent for a very, very long time.

If it weren't for the occasional intense sound from deep within the sea of fire, like a heartbeat, Xiao Wanmeng and the others might have thought Lin Yan had died inside.

They didn't waste this period either.

They successfully found an ancient Spirit Medicine garden and caught several Soul Race members trying to break into it.

Afterward, they rested nearby, refining their gains along the way and converting them into their own combat power and cultivation.

Within a few days.

Little Nannan was the first to break through to the Soul Transformation Realm.

The world changed color.

A terrifying golden vortex enveloped a hundred-mile radius, and all Laws seemed to disappear at that moment.

Little Nannan stepped into the Void Realm, carrying a bottomless heavenly abyss on her back that was continuously devouring everything around her.

That was her Dao Domain.

A unique Dao Domain.

Without her needing to actively control it, it would naturally devour the Spiritual Qi and all other energies between heaven and earth, turning them to her own use with extreme dominance.

Of course, this was only one of its abilities; the intricacies of this Dao Domain went far beyond this.

Immediately following.

Dugu Qianxue broke through to the Half-step Soul Transformation Realm.

Xiao Wanmeng broke through to the Peak Nascent Soul Realm.

Han Li successfully condensed his Nascent Soul. Although it wasn't an emperor nascent soul, it was an extremely rare heaven grade nascent soul.

It was not inferior to Dugu Qianxue's in the slightest.

This situation instantly shocked countless people.

One must know that as the Kunlun Saintess and possessor of the Lunar Saint Physique, Dugu Qianxue's resources, Aptitude, and other factors were far beyond what Han Li could compare to.

Furthermore, he had been cultivating for a short time.

His foundation should also be far behind.

Yet he could also condense a heaven grade nascent soul?

Who would believe this if it got out?

"Strange, too strange!"

"Is the Young Lord of the Wang Family's vision truly so sharp? Does this Han Li really possess some monstrous Physique that we cannot see?"

"I always thought that among this group, Han Li's talent and cultivation were the weakest, and that he only joined the Prodigy Assembly by taking a shortcut through the Wang family's power. But now it seems that's not the case."

"This lineup is simply too luxurious. Two emperor nascent souls, two heaven grade nascent souls, and that Lin Yan, who can go deep into such a terrifying sea of fire to seek opportunities…"

"If these people don't die and achieve success in their cultivation in the future, every one of them will be a titan. And such a group of people all follow the Young Lord of the Wang Family's every command!"

"…"

As everyone thought of this, their hearts shook, and they felt a chill run down their spines.

Especially those from the two Holy Lands and the Ancient Clans.

Though they didn't speak.

The heavy atmosphere and the increasingly cold and determined killing intent in their eyes already revealed their inner thoughts.

The Northern Region doesn't need so many formidable people!

If these people don't die.

Then it will be them who perish in the future!

…Another half a month passed.

The sea of fire covering a hundred-mile radius suddenly showed movement.

The immortal fire filling the sky retracted.

It condensed into a dazzling great sun, quietly suspended in the void like a giant egg.

One could faintly see.

A youth sat cross-legged within the great sun, like a deity from legend who controlled the blazing sun.

Buzz—

Lin Yan opened his eyes, and the void cracked, every fissure tainted with flames.

All the flames were drawn into his body.

An unprecedentedly terrifying aura erupted.

An endless domain of fire was reflected behind him, appearing as if even this firmament could not contain it.

At the center of his brow.

An ancient "Fire" Dao Script flickered, adding a touch of divinity to him.

"He also broke through to the Soul Transformation Realm!" Han Li murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with deep yearning.

When would he be able to possess such a terrifying aura… [Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a cultivation effect return from Lin Yan; the Imperial Flame Saint Physique has advanced!]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a cultivation effect return from Lin Yan; you have obtained—Pure World Immortal Flame!]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a cultivation effect return from Lin Yan; your mastery over Fire Attribute Laws has significantly increased!]

[Congratulations, Host, you have received a cultivation effect return from Lin Yan; your Dominator ability over Fire-type Divine Abilities has been greatly strengthened!]

[…]

As a surge of majestic energy appeared within Wang Mu's body.

He couldn't help but shudder.

He shook his head repeatedly.

Almost… he nearly couldn't hold it back and broke through!

The successive Breakthroughs of several people and the surge in their cultivation brought feedback like a flood.

Furthermore, so many prodigies in the Heavenly Ruins who had benefited from Wang Mu were also continuously providing him with feedback.

It was no exaggeration to say.

He was now so close to the next Realm that not even a thin membrane remained.

It was entirely suppressed by Wang Mu's willpower.

At this moment, Wang Mu wasn't even sure to what extent his Realm would soar once he broke through… Lin Yan successfully subdued the Pure World Immortal Flame, and his strength increased greatly.

The group set out once more.

In the blink of an eye, another half a month passed.

A mirror lake appeared before them. The surface was not frozen, yet it emitted a bone-chilling cold that seemed capable of freezing even the Divine Soul.

Ordinary Cultivators dared not approach this place.

Someone tried to cross it, only to be frozen stiff on the lake's surface; even their Nascent Soul couldn't escape and directly shattered and perished.

"Finally, it's my turn…" Dugu Qianxue's red lips parted slightly, a hint of excitement in her eyes.

Along the way, just watching Lin Yan and the others obtain massive opportunities had made her envious.

Now, she clearly felt that something was brewing at the bottom of the lake that was exceptionally compatible with her Lunar Saint Physique. If she could obtain it, it would surely be like adding wings to a tiger, allowing her to make rapid progress.

Bang!

Without hesitation, Dugu Qianxue plunged to the bottom of the lake.

Dense Law runes appeared on the lake's surface, spreading out like ripples.

Bursts of Mysterious Yin Storms swept across the lake's surface.

Their power was enough to destroy heaven and earth.

Ordinary Cultivators would die upon approaching.

Like a natural barrier… ten days later, Dugu Qianxue emerged from seclusion, having broken through to the Soul Transformation Realm.

She had obtained an ancient Dao Script from the bottom of the lake—the word "Yin," which expounded the purest Lunar Law.

Legend had it.

Only by comprehending a Law to the extreme could one write a Dao Script, symbolizing the true meaning of the Great Dao.

To be able to control a Dao Script was no different from having one's words become Law.

Dugu Qianxue meditated for ten days, integrating the Dao Script into her Bloodline.

Her Physique grew even stronger, and her cultivation received a massive boost. More importantly, her understanding of the Lunar Law reached a new level; any casual strike of hers now carried pure Law energy, its power multiplied.

In the time that followed.

The group seemed as if they were using cheats, encountering opportunities tailored for them one after another.

Han Li accidentally entered an ancient Restriction, where he found a set of formation diagrams and three matching immortal Flying Swords. The formation diagram was named Immortal Slayer, and it came with a set of Immortal Slayer Sword Techniques, which were methods of ultimate slaughter.

Xiao Wanmeng obtained an ancient Cultivation Technique, the Supreme Induction Manual, in a dilapidated Immortal Cave.

It was extremely subtle and obscure. It was actually not inferior to the Northern Dark Emperor Scripture she currently cultivated, and there was even a sense of mutual complementarity between them…

While the group was developing at a frantic pace.

At the other end of the Heavenly Ruins.

The door of a sealed stone chamber suddenly exploded.

Amidst the filling dust.

Shi Huang slowly walked out, his face carrying a Battle Intent that looked down upon the world.

"As expected of the famous Divine Ability of an ancient emperor…" Shi Huang's lips curled slightly. "Before long, no one in this world will be able to compete with me! Wang Family, your doomsday is approaching!"

Just as he finished speaking.

Behind him, two more figures actually walked out. Their appearance and stature were exactly the same as Shi Huang's, and the aura they emitted was equally astonishing.

The three of them stood together.

The terror of that pressure was such that even the void seemed unable to bear it, continuously cracking open.