Chapter 843: The Valley

The Immortal Dao warship transformed into a crimson-gold divine light, streaking across this ancient land at tremendous speed under the control of the AI Hongji, heading toward Earth.

The Wildlands and Earth are interconnected; no interdimensional gate is needed to travel freely between them, but the dangers here are extreme—most evolvers and cultivators who come to this world perish, which is why few have ventured here.

But this situation is now changing.

When the Immortal Dao warship reached Beihuang City, it immediately detected several cultivation qi signatures, and the AI Hongji issued a warning.

"Have the cultivators from Xuanxian Continent reached Beihuang City?" Li Yi's gaze flickered, but he paid no attention.

Xuanxian Continent isn't fixated on Earth for its meager land—it's because Earth is merely a transit point, connecting to various strange worlds, which is why those cultivators spare no effort to establish themselves on Earth.

Just the resources of this single Wildlands are enough to make those cultivators gorge themselves.

Of course, the risks are real.

The divine-blood warriors of this world are immensely powerful—they can kill Mahayana cultivators bare-handed. If they encounter a Hundred-Mountain Lord or a deity, even an immortal would perish. Li Yi knows this well, so he explores the Wildlands with extreme caution; the only bold move he made was seizing Chijin Mountain.

But when the Immortal Dao warship passed Beihuang City and once again flew over the valley where the deity's remains were buried, Li Yi ordered Hongji to halt.

From high above, he gazed down at the valley and saw it entirely covered in red roots, swelling and pulsing like veins, as if alive.

These were the roots of the Golden Apple Tree—Li Yi had planted them here himself to absorb the residual divine power from the deity's remains.

"That's the aura of the Dark World," Xuan Yuezi said, frowning. She was highly sensitive to the evil aura of that realm, for she and Li Yi had once nearly been slaughtered by demonic gods while venturing deep into the Dark World.

Li Yi remained silent, instead observing the silver tree growing in the valley.

Now, a single fruit had grown on the silver tree—its entire body forged like silver, radiating a metallic luster, its surface etched with lightning-like patterns, surrounded by thunder, appearing profoundly divine.

"As I suspected—the original Golden Apple Tree seed here has finally blossomed and fruited." Li Yi's gaze flickered; he leapt forward, aiming to harvest the fruit.

The planting was done long ago; now was the time for harvest.

But soon—

Li Yi sensed a familiar aura. He flicked his finger, sending a surge of magic power toward the deity's valley.

As the magic power neared the valley's ten-kilometer boundary, countless array lights erupted skyward, transforming into countless piercing sword qi that obliterated the incoming force.

"Li Yi, this is the Protect-the-Clan Array of the Sword Controlling Sect—it means their experts have taken control of this place," said Luo Bing, the Mahayana cultivator, who immediately flew out of the warship and warned.

"I noticed. Earlier in Beihuang City, we detected cultivation qi signatures—people from the Xuanxian Continent have already extended their influence into this world. Of course they wouldn't ignore this valley where the deity's remains lie. After all, the Golden Apple Tree I planted here is extraordinary—anyone with eyes wouldn't let it go," Li Yi said calmly.

The activation of the array immediately drew the attention of the Sword Controlling Sect's experts.

They flew out from an inconspicuous cave outside the valley, like countless sharp swords, slicing through the sky.

"This land is now the Sword Controlling Sect's base. Leave at once, or don't blame us for being uncivilized," said the lead Mahayana sword cultivator, glaring fiercely at Li Yi and his group.

Had they not sensed the group's exceptional strength, they would have attacked immediately—no words wasted.

Li Yi merely glanced once, then gestured: "Luo Bing, Feixue, Xuanzhen Shiren—if they're experts of the Sword Controlling Sect, deal with them for me. Don't let a single one escape."

"Understood." Luo Bing's expression shifted; instantly, a crimson-gold divine sword appeared in her hand.

Though equally Mahayana, her strength was inferior to the Sword Controlling Sect's sword cultivators—but with the Crimson-Gold Divine Sword's enhancement, it was different.

Instantly, Luo Bing channeled her magic power and slashed—crimson-gold divine light erupted, overwhelming power flooding the heavens and earth.

"Foolish to die."

The Sword Controlling Sect cultivator roared in fury, thrusting his finger—his life-sword shot skyward with terrifying sword light, striking Luo Bing without hesitation.

But as the crimson-gold light struck, his life-sword was instantly flung away, and his body suffered severe damage—he staggered, spewing blood.

One strike—and he was already gravely wounded.

At that moment, Feixue and Xuanzhen Shiren also burst from the Immortal Dao warship, wielding Crimson-Gold Divine Swords and charging forward.

Seeing this, the sword cultivator's face turned ashen with terror.

So many experts—and weapons nearly on the level of immortals' relics—he couldn't possibly stand against them alone.

"Immortal, save me!" he shouted, shattering a small jade sword.

Due to the valley's unique nature, the Sword Controlling Sect had stationed a sword immortal here to ensure they secured its opportunities without fail.

As the sword cultivator cried for help—

The next instant—

A divine sword, dragging spiritual energy from hundreds of miles, erupted into endless sword rays like an endless dragon rushing forth—this strike was like a celestial river collapsing from heaven, intending to obliterate everyone here.

This was the peak strike of a sword immortal—terrifying.

"Damn it!" Luo Bing, Feixue, and Xuanzhen Shiren all froze in horror.

They never imagined an immortal sword cultivator was hiding here.

Such vast sword qi engulfed them—there was no escape. But Li Yi remained unmoved.

He had fought sword immortals before—it meant nothing. Besides, it wasn't his turn to act.

From within the Immortal Dao warship, a fairy's figure shot out—within an instant, magic power interwoven with the Five Phases coalesced into an ultimate radiance. As this light appeared, heaven and earth split apart.

Even the torrential sword light of the celestial river could not drown them.

"A mere human immortal dares to act so boldly? This fairy shall slay you today."

Xiangxiangzi's expression was icy, brimming with lethal aura. Above her head, three blossoms bloomed—each petal fully opened, nine petals per blossom, perfected.

After spending so long in the Incense World and gaining countless opportunities in the Wildlands, Xiangxiangzi had now reached the pinnacle of cultivation—her strength could rival true immortals and demon kings.

With that,

Xiangxiangzi extended a finger—magic power condensed into a true dragon that lunged forward.

The dragon's roar pierced the heavens, its killing intent shocking the cosmos—just one bellow could shatter heaven and earth.

After reaching the pinnacle, Xiangxiangzi's every gesture summoned unimaginable power, commanding the forces of heaven and earth.

Seeing the magical dragon charge, the sword immortal seated atop the cloud sea narrowed his eyes—shaken by the roar alone, his body trembled, unable to stand against it.

"A true immortal?"

The sword immortal paled in shock. Without hesitation, he turned and fled, attempting to teleport—but the strike's power had already disrupted space, sealing his escape. He could only transform into a streak of sword light and flee deep into the Wildlands.

Though his escape technique was swift, the magical dragon's speed was faster.

In an instant, the dragon swallowed him whole.

The sword immortal screamed in terror, unleashing his peak combat power, wielding his divine sword and clad in battle armor, trying to cut his way out from within the dragon's belly—but Xiangxiangzi's magic power was too terrifying.

The dragon roared once—and the sword immortal's body shattered, his primordial spirit extinguished, leaving only his life-sword intact.

"Return." Xiangxiangzi waved her hand.

The dragon, sentient, turned and flew back, spitting out the divine sword as spoils of war.

"Good." Xiangxiangzi took the sword, nodding in satisfaction.

"A sword immortal was just slain?" Luo Bing, Feixue, and Xuanzhen Shiren all flinched, hearts pounding—they had assumed Li Yi's strength was limited to below true immortal level.

Now, with this fairy's first move, they understood—even true immortals would retreat.

Xuanxian Continent would face reckoning.

All three felt a chill.

As long as they could stand against true immortals, and with Li Yi's many cultivators rivaling great demons, they could roam Xuanxian Continent unchallenged—unless all true immortals united, they could never defeat them.

But that was impossible. True immortals each had their own agendas—how could they ever unite selflessly against a common enemy?

Still, they had already betrayed Xuanxian Continent; they couldn't care anymore. They must act swiftly, prove their worth—otherwise, they'd be swept away in the coming reckoning.

The three attacked again, swiftly slaughtering the Sword Controlling Sect's other sword cultivators, wiping out their base, and destroying the Protect-the-Clan Array.

Seeing the array destroyed, Li Yi flew toward the valley: "Wait here for me."

He was going to harvest the fruit.

And Li Yi realized—the sword immortal hadn't taken the silver fruit not because he didn't want to, but because he lacked divine blood. Any who entered the valley were immediately attacked by the residual divine power within.

Even a cultivator of this caliber couldn't ignore the power of a deity.

But Li Yi would not.

He was a direct descendant of divine blood. Entering the valley, he suffered no attack; instead, golden flames of the World Dragon coiled around him, suppressing the demonic creations.

Soon—

Li Yi reached the base of the massive silver tree. He saw a human face carved into its trunk—a face like an ancient deity, radiating an inexplicable majesty.

His approach disturbed the tree—the face on the trunk opened its eyes and awakened.

"My blood descendant—you've finally appeared."

The face on the trunk spoke, its voice echoing from the depths of ancient earth, ancient and desolate.

"The Golden Apple Tree, after absorbing the deity's remains, has mutated—the face seems to carry the will of the deities who perished here." Li Yi's expression changed; he immediately felt wariness.

He feared the deity's will had been corrupted by the demonic gods, becoming an uncontrollable, formidable enemy.

(End of Chapter)