Chapter 284: Sweeping the Courtyard and Cleansing the Den

The Black Pepper Secret Realm has a maximum diameter of over nineteen million light-years, making it quite vast among the numerous Cosmic Secret Realms scattered throughout the boundless universe.

After all, although the boundless universe contains countless Cosmic Secret Realms, the diameter of most of them is merely hundreds of thousands or millions of light-years.

Given the vast expanse of the Black Pepper Secret Realm, it naturally harbors numerous opportunities and dangers within.

Originally, despite the many dangers in the Black Pepper Secret Realm, numerous powerful beings still came here to venture forth.

However, after the leader of the Black Pepper Clan broke through to the Universe Master realm, most of the opportunities within the Black Pepper Secret Realm were seized by the Black Pepper Clan; other powerful beings who came to this Black Pepper Secret Realm could only explore areas not controlled by the Black Pepper Clan.

Moreover, if these powerful beings encountered strong members of the Black Pepper Clan while exploring, they would voluntarily retreat.

After all, the entire Black Pepper Secret Realm has been tacitly recognized as the territory of the Black Pepper Clan; if a conflict were to arise with the Black Pepper Clan's powerful beings within the Black Pepper Secret Realm, it would certainly offend the Black Pepper Lord.

Yet now that the Black Pepper Lord has perished, it is no longer possible for the Black Pepper Clan to continue seizing the opportunities within the Black Pepper Secret Realm.

After the Black Pepper Lord's demise, numerous Universe Zhenzhe of the Black Pepper Clan immediately took action.

Some advocated leading the clan to survive in more remote regions of the universe, while others advocated relying on the Liu Lan Alliance behind the Black Pepper Clan to continue occupying the Black Pepper Secret Realm and its surrounding territories...

Of course, while discussing these matters, they were also consciously preparing a way out for the entire clan.

After all, with the demise of the Black Pepper Clan's most powerful leader, who was also its sole Universe Master, they were no longer a powerful clan.

Even though the Black Pepper Clan still possessed six Universe Dominators, they could only be considered a relatively strong ordinary clan.

But just as they were hesitating, disaster struck!

Within a dangerous area of the Black Pepper Secret Realm, inside the 'Mist River Galaxy'.

This Mist River Galaxy contains numerous islands, upon which various cosmic treasures are occasionally born; some of the more precious ones can even rival heavy treasures.

Before the Black Pepper Clan became a powerful clan, certain special life forms originally lived within this Mist River Galaxy, with the strongest among them possessing power at the Universe Zhenzhe level.

However, even these special life forms found it difficult to completely dominate the Mist River Galaxy, so many powerful beings from the universe would come to explore this Mist River Galaxy; some would perish because of it, while others would return with full loads.

Later, after the leader of the Black Pepper Clan became a Universe Master, they quickly annihilated the special life forms living in this Mist River Galaxy, and the Black Pepper Clan further occupied the core stronghold of the Mist River Galaxy, the 'Mist Island'.

Although Mist Island is called an island, it is actually a rather vast landmass with a diameter reaching over ninety million kilometers.

At the core of this Mist Island stands a Misty Fruit Tree; this tree blooms once every ten million epochs, bears fruit once every ten million epochs, and the fruit matures after another ten million epochs.

Every thirty million epochs, the Misty Fruit Tree produces ten Misty Fruits, each of which can rival an ordinary heavy treasure (equivalent to one heavy treasure point in the Human Clan).

Precisely because of this, Mist Island can be said to be the most core area within the Mist River Galaxy; even an ordinary Universe Zhenzhe would not be qualified to occupy this place.

After the Black Pepper Clan annihilated the special life forms originally living in the Mist River Galaxy, they transformed Mist Island into one of the clan's strongholds, with a Universe Dominator stationed there at all times.

At this moment, on an ordinary island within the Mist River Galaxy, a hazy light suddenly brightened, and from it emerged dozens of figures.

Among these dozens of figures, one figure wore purple-gold battle armor with a resolute face; this was Lu Qingshan, who had already attained the power of a High-Level Universe Zhenzhe.

The powerful beings around Lu Qingshan were naturally his many teammates during this sweep of the Black Pepper Secret Realm, with Venerable Yao Guang, Zifeng Zunzhe, and Beiyue Zunzhe among the five Universe Dominators leading them.

"Everyone!"

Beiyue Zunzhe, one of the five Universe Dominators, soon said with a smile: "We have now arrived at the Mist River Galaxy within the Black Pepper Secret Realm!"

"Hahaha!"

Feeling the environment within the Mist River Galaxy, Venerable Yao Guang, clad in silver battle armor, could not help but exclaim: "This time, being assigned the mission to come to this Mist River Galaxy is thanks to you, Beiyue!"

"Indeed!"

Zifeng Zunzhe also said with a smile: "This time, our four peak clans joined forces to sweep this Black Pepper Secret Realm; among the many key areas assigned to our Human Clan, the resources in this Mist River Galaxy are definitely among the top-ranked; being assigned here means we've made a small profit!"

"Actually, I just happened to come to this Mist River Galaxy to venture forth before I became a Universe Zhenzhe!"

Beiyue Zunzhe soon said with a smile: "At that time, the core area, Mist Island, was already occupied by that 'Orange Heaven Zhenzhe' of the Black Pepper Clan; I certainly did not dare to go there, so I could only venture forth in these remote areas; before leaving later, I also left behind a divine token for auxiliary life here!"

"Enough!"

Another Universe Dominator soon said: "Let us first discuss how to proceed next!"

"Actually, our objectives for this operation are mainly two!"

Venerable Yao Guang soon spoke: "First, to kill Orange Heaven Zhenzhe and the other five Universe Zhenzhe by his side; this is the most important task, and we absolutely cannot let them escape; otherwise, if even one Universe Zhenzhe escapes, it might bring great trouble to our Human Clan in the future;

The second target is that Misty Fruit Tree capable of producing Misty Fruits; if we can bring it back intact to our Human Clan, we will certainly receive more contribution points!"

"The first matter is not very difficult!"

Beiyue Zunzhe soon spoke: "We have five Universe Dominators here, along with fifty Universe Zhenzhe; once the location of Orange Heaven Zhenzhe and the others is confirmed, it will be impossible for them to escape!"

"As for the second matter, it is more troublesome; if the powerful beings of the Black Pepper Clan see that they are no match for us, they might destroy that Misty Fruit Tree!"

"This is easy to solve!"

Zifeng Zunzhe, standing nearby, soon said: "We can teleport directly near that Misty Fruit Tree shortly; I possess a supreme treasure of the flying palace type, which can directly protect that Misty Fruit Tree; even Orange Heaven Zhenzhe will not be able to damage it by a hair's breadth!"

"That is indeed a good idea!"

Venerable Yao Guang soon nodded and said: "Then let us set off now; perhaps other teams have already started acting; if Orange Heaven Zhenzhe receives advance news, it would not be good!"

"Good! I will perform the unified teleportation!"

Zifeng Zunzhe soon said: "Everyone, for the sake of our Human Clan, set off!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than Zifeng Zunzhe quickly emanated his own divine power to envelop Lu Qingshan and his group.

Since Lu Qingshan and the others did not resist, Zifeng Zunzhe quickly led them away from their current location via teleportation, heading toward the core of Mist Island.

Teleportation is absolutely a taboo in the core area of the Mist River Galaxy, Mist Island!

Although many powerful beings on Mist Island who have received the acknowledgment of the Space Origin Law can perform teleportation, none of them use teleportation in their daily lives.

Even when wanting to travel to other areas, they rely directly on universe traversal.

Although most areas within a Cosmic Secret Realm cannot accelerate to light speed to enter the Dark Universe, some areas that have been swept by powerful beings naturally have no such problems.

Since the Black Pepper Clan occupied Mist Island, they naturally swept out numerous areas above Mist Island suitable for universe traversal.

As for teleportation, it is generally only used by alien powerful beings who come to Mist Island to steal treasures, because it is the fastest method.

As long as the powerful beings living on Mist Island do not use teleportation, once a spatial fluctuation of teleportation is detected, it naturally means that aliens have arrived on Mist Island.

However, under normal circumstances, no one would ever come to Mist Island to steal treasures, after all, this place is guarded by supreme experts of the Black Pepper Clan.

"An alien race!"

"Has an alien race arrived?"

On Mist Island, dozens of experts who sensed the teleportation fluctuation opened their eyes one after another.

And in the core area of Mist Island, within the several temples surrounding that Illusionary Fruit Tree, the Universe Zifeng Zunzhes of the Black Pepper Clan also instantly perceived this teleportation fluctuation.

"An alien race?"

Inside one of the temples, the Black Pepper Clan's supreme expert 'Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe', who sensed the spatial fluctuation caused by the teleportation, suddenly opened his eyes: "I never expected that just shortly after the leader's demise, an alien race would dare to provoke our Black Pepper Clan!"

But right after Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe released his Law Domain, his face instantly changed drastically. Because he discovered that beside the Illusionary Fruit Tree, dozens of dense figures had suddenly appeared.

And as soon as these figures appeared, one of them waved his hand to release a towering purple palace, directly completely wrapping the Illusionary Fruit Tree.

Seeing that the opponent intended to seize the Illusionary Fruit Tree, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe had no thought of stopping them; instead, he wanted to quickly flee this place to reunite with other experts of the Black Pepper Clan.

Because those dozens of figures were all existences of the Universe Zifeng Zunzhe level, and among them, the leading few were even stronger than him; they were Lu Qingshan and his group, who had teleported from a remote area of the Mist Star River.

But at the very same moment those dozens of figures teleported into existence, the surrounding space had already been completely sealed; even if he wanted to quickly flee this place, he could no longer do so.

Seeing this, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe could only quickly fly out of the mansion, and the other five Universe Zifeng Zunzhes of the Black Pepper Clan also soon flew out of the mansion one after another, then followed behind Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe.

"People of the Human Race!"

Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe looked directly at Lu Qingshan and his group, then asked very politely: "I wonder why all of you have come to this important place of our Black Pepper Clan? If it is for that Illusionary Fruit Tree, all of you may just take it!"

In fact, as early as the moment he saw dozens of Human experts appear, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe already felt something was terribly wrong in his heart.

However, since the matter had not yet reached the final step, he naturally would not strike first.

"Everyone, attack!" Zifeng Zunzhe immediately transmitted a voice to Lu Qingshan and the others.

Boom! Boom! Boom...

Accompanying Zifeng Zunzhe's command, Lu Qingshan and his group instantly ignited their own divine power, then simultaneously unleashed soul attacks.

However, the target of their soul attacks was not Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe, but another Universe Zifeng Zunzhe beside him.

This was something they had already discussed before making their move.

After all, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe was a Universe Hegemon, and on his person there was at least a heavy treasure of the soul type protecting him; although they had more than fifty people, among them not many were skilled in soul attacks; joining forces, relying solely on soul attacks, they feared it would be very difficult to kill that Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe.

Therefore, their first target after striking was the weakest Universe Zifeng Zunzhe beside Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe.

Seeing Lu Qingshan and the others ignite their divine power, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe and his group also naturally instantly ignited their own divine power.

But even so, that Universe Zifeng Zunzhe who was focused upon by Lu Qingshan and his group did not even have time to self-destruct before he was completely annihilated by Lu Qingshan and his group's soul attacks.

"Damn humans, you are looking for death!"

Seeing a fellow clan expert instantly perish before his eyes, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe's heart immediately rose with endless fury.

He knew that the moment of life and death for the Black Pepper Clan had arrived, and the moment of life and death for him had also arrived.

But even if he died, he would make these despicable human experts before him pay the price.

But unfortunately, facing the siege of dozens of Universe Zifeng Zunzhes, among whom were several existences not inferior to him at all, even if he wanted to make Lu Qingshan and his group pay the price, it would be very difficult.

"Cheng Tian, you must flee quickly; the clan still needs your protection!"

One Universe Zifeng Zunzhe of the Black Pepper Clan merely transmitted a voice to Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe, then immediately charged directly at Lu Qingshan and the others.

Before Lu Qingshan and his group's soul attacks could rush into his body, he chose to angrily self-destruct.

Boom boom boom!

Endless shockwaves instantly swept in all directions; its terrifying power was even enough to seriously injure an ordinary Universe Zifeng Zunzhe.

But Lu Qingshan and his group had a full fifty-plus Universe Zifeng Zunzhes, and among them there were also five Universe Hegemons.

Using the five Universe Hegemons as the core for defense, this Black Pepper Clan Universe Zifeng Zunzhe's self-destruct brought absolutely no harm to Lu Qingshan and his group; it merely slightly delayed their speed.

Just as Lu Qingshan and his group were about to continue attacking the other Universe Zifeng Zunzhes of the Black Pepper Clan...

Boom! Boom! Boom!

To block Lu Qingshan and his group, and to buy Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe more time to escape, the other three Universe Zifeng Zunzhes of the Black Pepper Clan also successively chose to self-destruct!

Boom boom boom!

Endless shockwaves continuously swept in all directions; under such terrifying power, even the Mist Island below could not support itself, and even huge cracks appeared.

Of course, under the joint defense of Lu Qingshan and his group, the self-destruction of these three Universe Zifeng Zunzhes still caused them no harm whatsoever.

By the time Lu Qingshan and his group had completely eliminated the effects of these three Universe Zifeng Zunzhes' self-destruction, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe had not fled very far at all; even his speed was extremely slow.

Because at this time, Zifeng Zunzhe had already unleashed his Domain-type supreme treasure; although Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe was also a Universe Hegemon, he had no Domain-type supreme treasure protecting him; in this situation, not to say he could not move a single step, but escaping was impossible.

"So many of you attacking together, this must be a joint action of your entire Human Race, right!"

Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe soon roared: "Our Black Pepper Secret Realm and the territory of your Human Race are separated by such a vast distance; why do you want to attack us?"

"Moreover, although our leader has perished, we Black Pepper Clan are still a member of the Liu Lan Alliance; if your Human Race does this, are you not afraid to bear the wrath of the great Liu Lan Xingzhu?"

"Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe!"

Zifeng Zunzhe, while leading Lu Qingshan and the others to quickly chase after Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe, said coldly: "This time it is a joint action by our four peak clans; we want to open this Black Pepper Secret Realm as the eleventh Outer Battlefield. Do you think the Liu Lan Alliance behind you will still intervene? So you might as well submit and die!"

"A joint action by four peak clans? Opening an Outer Battlefield?"

After hearing Zifeng Zunzhe's words, Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe's heart was completely filled with despair.

Back when he had not yet broken through to Universe Zifeng Zunzhe, he had also ventured into that Outer Battlefield, where experts were as numerous as clouds and slaughter was endless.

Many places within that Outer Battlefield had numerous ruins left behind by the original inhabitants.

But most of those original inhabitants who originally lived in the Outer Battlefield had already been completely annihilated; even if some still survived, they were merely scraping by in mineral planets in remote areas, or within the Divine Kingdoms of experts.

If this attack on the Black Pepper Clan was an action by the Human Race side, then perhaps their Black Pepper Clan still had a sliver of a chance for survival;

but now that this action was a joint strike by four peak clans, even the Liu Lan Alliance behind them would not dare to have any objections!

"Cheng Tian Zifeng Zunzhe, you cannot escape!"

"Cheng Tian, you might as well submit and die!"

Within the human race's formation, one after another Universe Venerables unleashed various techniques to attack the Orange Heaven Venerable.

Those skilled in soul attacks launched soul assaults; mentalists controlled thought-force weapons to conduct ranged attacks...

With the aid of supreme treasures of the domain type, in merely a brief moment, Lu Qingshan and his group once again surrounded the Orange Heaven Venerable.

However, this time to prevent the Orange Heaven Venerable from self-destructing, the weaker Mid-Realm Universe Venerables and Low-Realm Universe Venerables remained at a greater distance, while only five Universe Dominators and numerous High-Realm Universe Venerables continued to besiege the Orange Heaven Venerable.

For even in one-on-one combat, Venerable Yao Guang and the other Universe Dominators could gain the upper hand against the Orange Heaven Venerable.

Let alone the fact that now the five of them were besieging him together, with the assistance of Lu Qingshan and numerous other High-Realm Universe Venerables.

Yet the Orange Heaven Venerable wore a supreme treasure armor; completely annihilating his divine power would still require considerable time, so they ultimately chose to suppress him.

But just as suppression was imminent, the Orange Heaven Venerable went completely mad.

"Aaaah!"

The Orange Heaven Venerable roared madly: "Damn humans, wanting me to die, wanting to annihilate my Black Pepper race, you shall not fare well either! Explode for me!"

Boom-boom-boom!

A Universe Dominator instantly self-destructed; the might contained within was how terrifying, even comparable to a casual strike from some weaker Universe Masters.

Endless waves of energy instantly surged outward in all directions.

"Indeed, he self-destructed!"

"Block it!"

Seeing the Orange Heaven Venerable self-destruct, Lu Qingshan and his group, who had been prepared, immediately joined forces to defend.

(End of this chapter)