Chapter 246: Chapter Six: A Single Swipe of the Finger

"The Origin Continent is only so large; logically, such a powerful figure shouldn't suddenly appear." Di Qing mused, "I'll ask the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds if it's him."

The eleven Emperor Lords also waited, their greatest suspicion also falling on the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds.

The Emperor Consort who had previously identified the Black Robe as Luo He now harbored doubts. After all, how long had Luo He been a Divine King? Yet he had crushed eight Emperor Lords working together—and left not a single trace?

"Whir—"

Di Qing sat there.

Yet a ripple had already crossed vast distances and descended upon the capital of the Ten Thousand Worlds.

"Lord." A thought-impulse arrived in the capital.

The Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds was currently in seclusion; his towering form and gentle face looked up at the spectral image of Di Qing Ningju before him, and he couldn't help sighing, "Old friend, your strength has become even more unfathomable."

In this age, only the two of them on the Origin Continent had comprehended the Complete Dao! They were rivals, yet also companions.

Yet Di Qing's resources far surpassed those of the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds, allowing him to reach the level beyond Divine King first—and to venture beyond, widening the gap between them.

"Venturing beyond is more dangerous, but you see more opportunities." Di Qing smiled at the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds. "I invited you to come with me back then, but you refused."

"You only ventured out after reaching the level beyond Divine King. I'm still stuck at the Ultimate Realm," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds said. "The gap between the Ultimate Realm and the level beyond Divine King is qualitative. Ordinary Ultimate Realm cultivators... struggle to survive beyond."

"We are all beings born of the Source World; the Supreme Rules of the Source World protect us," Di Qing said. "Even if our avatars die beyond, our avatars here at home can restore their strength and send out new ones."

This was the advantage of Source World beings.

Born in the Source World, and possessing the Avatar Technique—death becomes exceedingly unlikely.

"I've heard there are great dangers beyond, dangers that might even affect our avatars here," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds said.

"Yes."

Di Qing said, "If you're truly unlucky and encounter a High-level Hunyuan Lifeform! Their life tier, their realm... far surpass ours. Even if the Supreme Rules block many attacks, soul corruption is unavoidable."

"Once we're corrupted, every avatar's soul becomes tainted."

"Severe corruption can cause even avatars to die completely," Di Qing said.

Luo Feng's Divine King Ultimate Realm spiritual will, merely a dream image, had already left him in mild corruption.

"High-level Hunyuan Lifeforms are this terrifying," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds was stunned.

"The probability is low," Di Qing said. "Seniors like Yuan are also trying to protect us, nurturing us. So we mostly face Low-level Hunyuan Lifeforms. If a Low-level Hunyuan Lifeform somehow evolves into a 'High-level Hunyuan Lifeform'—and we happen to encounter it? Then it's just bad luck."

"Look at the Founders of the Two Nations—they've lived this long," Di Qing chuckled. "As long as you're careful, avoid dangerous places, we Source Worlders with avatars are still relatively safe."

"I heard most beings beyond don't have avatars?" the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds asked curiously.

Di Qing nodded: "Only beings born in the Source World can possess avatars. That's our advantage!"

The Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds understood.

"By the way, do you know the identity of the Black Robe who killed Di Yuan?" Di Qing asked.

"That battle was enormous—I watched from afar, saw only endless blood rivers and the Eight Phases of Hunyuan Space Array, but couldn't discern the Black Robe's identity," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds said. "You didn't suspect me?"

"On the surface, among all on the Origin Continent, you're the most likely to have done it," Di Qing smiled. "But I know you too well—it's not your style."

The Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds nodded: "I'm also wondering—who is this Black Robe? Even I couldn't stand against the Eight Phases of Hunyuan Space Array used by eight Emperor Lords, yet he overpowered the entire formation."

Di Qing frowned: "If not you, and not the Founder of the Eastern Pole Region—who could it be?"

"Strong ones rise through stages—Chaos Realm, Divine King First Layer, Second Layer, Ultimate Realm—growing step by step. There should be traces," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds said.

"The Lord of Shadow Heaven cultivates both 'Matter' and 'Infinite' Dao. If he achieves Ultimate Realm and opens a new Dao, the Infinite Space will recognize it and reward him with a powerful artifact perfectly suited to him—possible to achieve such power," the Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds said. "Infinite Space rewards those who open new Dao paths highly."

"Fire Ancestor, favored by Yuan, also has a slight chance."

"And that Luo He—when he first entered Chaos Realm, he was already a transcendent Chaos Realm cultivator. When he first became a Divine King, he became the strongest Divine King First Layer in history. When he reached Divine King Second Layer... he could clash with the Dark Lord of the Destruction Legion. This Luo He is also capable of creating miracles."

The Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds thought: "After careful consideration, only these three on the Origin Continent could create miracles, perform the unthinkable. Other cultivators' talents are inferior to these three."

"Shadow Heaven, Fire Ancestor, Luo He?" Di Qing smiled. "No rush. With such power, he'll reveal himself more and more."

The Lord of the Ten Thousand Worlds nodded.

The Black Robe's power was too terrifying—they dared not risk exposing his identity.

The Flame Wind Ancient Nation and Thunder Ancient Nation occupied the central, most prosperous region of the Origin Continent. Around them were two major first-tier nations—Heavenwood Nation and the Ten Thousand Worlds—and numerous second- and third-tier nations.

Tie Xiao, the Origin Continent's greatest sinner, originally ruled a second-tier nation, and even controlled over a dozen surrounding nations in practice, having once plundered twelve nations' populations. The surrounding Divine Kings had all fled—they didn't want to be his neighbors.

Now... Di Yuan was dead, and Tie Xiao had vanished.

The dozen or so surrounding nations lost their ruler—and naturally, hidden currents surged.

"Tie Xiao's actual controlled territory includes three second-tier nations and thirteen third-tier nations—a total of 359 Chaos States. Such a vast area qualifies as a first-tier nation."

"Many factions covet this territory."

"The two Ancient Nations' supported factions, three alien factions, and even the Black Robe might intervene."

At first, all sides held back, but as time passed, they gradually began fighting.

Hu Yang City, Governor's Mansion.

Luo Feng, inside the Star Tower, studied his spoils.

A red cloak, a set of armor, a pearl, a pair of gloves, a pair of battle boots.

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"Five artifacts beyond Divine King level," Luo Feng studied the mysteries within them. "Too bad—all five are perfectly suited to Di Yuan, each built around the 'World Origin Dao.'"

These five treasures.

Each centered on the 'World Origin Dao,' yet also incorporating countless other mysteries—clearly Divine King Above level.

"This pearl has some use," Luo Feng picked up a black pearl, inside which a deep abyss was evolving. "This pearl, centered on the World Dao, incorporates Life and Destruction Dao as well. The three Dao paths evolving together into the abyss... offers me slight help."

"These gloves also contain some Destruction Dao mysteries."

"The other artifacts—I can't use them at all."

Luo Feng felt helpless.

In the Infinite Space Treasury, you could freely choose—pick the most suitable artifact.

But the spoils from killing Di Yuan? No choice—they were all tailored to Di Yuan.

"Even this pearl is centered on the World Dao," Luo Feng frowned. This Abyss Pearl could aid cultivation, but wasn't suited for battle.

"These five artifacts in my hands are wasted—I must find a way to sell them," Luo Feng thought.

"Master, Master." Mo Luo Sa suddenly transmitted a thought.

Luo Feng activated his will, summoning Mo Luo Sa inside.

"What is it?" Luo Feng looked at Mo Luo Sa.

"Master, the territory once controlled by Tie Xiao is now being fought over by all sides," Mo Luo Sa blurted out. "Should we intervene and seize it?"

Luo Feng waved his hand, and a vast map of the Origin Continent appeared before him.

"Tie Xiao's actual controlled territory includes three second-tier nations and thirteen third-tier nations—quite a large area," Luo Feng observed.

"With Di Yuan backing him, he could control such territory," Mo Luo Sa said. "Now Di Yuan is dead, many factions are drawn to it. This vast region produces countless celestial treasures, collects fees from countless cultivators, and even hosts demons devouring life—many ancient beings will covet it."

"Their fighting now releases ripples that affect many weak cultivators," Mo Luo Sa looked at Luo Feng. "If you take control of this territory, you can bring stability."

Luo Feng carefully studied the Origin Continent map, then thought.

"Killing these great sinners leaves behind plenty of land," Luo Feng glanced, then casually drew a line. "Tie Xiao's territory, Black Vulture Ancestor's territory, Tian Hou Divine King's legacy—all lie in this region."

Luo Feng drew this line.

Tie Xiao's territory lay between the two Ancient Nations.

Black Vulture Ancestor's lay on the side of Thunder Ancient Nation.

Luo Feng's line enclosed both, plus parts of other nations, forming a long, narrow territorial shape.

"This territory has long been chaotic, hiding many demons," Luo Feng said. "We'll take it."

"Master, Black Vulture Ancestor is still alive—he still controls this territory! His actual domain spans 287 Chaos States. He controls it, but in truth, it's the Thunder Mountain Lords behind him," Mo Luo Sa blurted. "We just angered Flame Wind Ancient Nation—now we're going to seize such a vast territory from Thunder Mountain?"

"Does the Black Vulture Ancestor object? Or does the Lord behind him dare to object?" Luo Feng glanced at Mo Luo Sa.

Mo Luo Sa shuddered.

I'm still too timid!

"I follow Master's orders," Mo Luo Sa immediately replied.

Luo Feng looked at the territorial map—his single stroke had carved out a domain of 729 Chaos States! In size, it dwarfed Heavenwood Nation, Ten Thousand Worlds, and Eastern Pole Region, approaching the scale of the two Ancient Nations.

(End of Chapter)