Chapter 456: Human greed is never satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant

Heifeng, Qingyun, Heibai Shuangsha and the others heard this, exchanged glances and smiled, their eyes revealing schadenfreude toward those cultivators fighting over the ancient talisman.

Having followed Longling for this time, they have grown accustomed to Longling's game of controlling the situation, and have begun to adapt to the cultivators' struggles and suffering.

Heifeng let out a cold snort.

"The boss's methods are truly brilliant; these cultivators, over a few flat peaches, actually slaughter each other—truly laughable."

Qingyun, upon hearing this, lightly shook his head in contempt.

"No matter how high one's cultivation level, their disposition is no better than this."

"Under the temptation of the ancient talisman, they still reveal their true nature."

"Human greed is never enough, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant; the greedier they are, the more advantageous it is for us."

Heisha also chimed in with a low voice.

Baisha added with a sinister tone: "After they lose both sides in mutual destruction, we will then strike."

"The ancient talisman will be the boss's prize!"

Longling nodded slightly.

He appeared quite satisfied with these reactions from his subordinates.

"We must exploit their greed and foolishness to achieve our goal."

"One who cannot tolerate small slights is no gentleman; one who is not ruthless is no true man."

"The Ancient God Sect's divine treasure is not so easily obtained."

"Within the secret realm, one must never be soft-hearted or lenient."

Longling instructed calmly.

"Those cultivators of the Heavenly Spirit Realm who were subdued in the secret realm are powerful aids for future earth cultivators entering the Tianji Shengyu."

"Some new Earth concepts must be introduced early to these Huanyu cultivators, to break the shackles of their conservative thinking."

Boom—

Just as they were discussing, the battle inside the Azure Wandering Palace had already entered a white-hot stage.

The cultivators' strength was continually depleted, while the struggle over the ancient talisman grew ever fiercer.

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the Underworld Palace Dream Sovereign, among other major forces, facing the current chaotic situation, each had their own calculations.

This battle was not only a contest for the ancient talisman, but also a test of strength.

In their eyes, the fruit of the Flat Peach Holy Tree was an enticing reward, and the inheritance of the Ancient God Sect remained an absolute treasure.

Jiangqiang of the Void Divine Dynasty, as a cultivator of formidable strength, had his eyes flash with a yearning for power.

Only by mastering more ancient talismans could one gain an advantage in this battle.

Jiangqiang waved his hand, and the Mountain-River Bell trembled in the void, beams of divine light shooting from within the bell, pointing directly at those cultivators who possessed the ancient talisman.

Yaoshuntian of the Witchcraft Gate likewise refused to be outdone.

He was versed in witchcraft, able to summon ancient witchcraft spirits to aid in battle.

Yaoshuntian chanted incantations, formed seals with both hands; instantly, streams of black qi rose from the ground, transforming into ferocious witchcraft spirits that lunged at the surrounding enemies.

Boom—

The battle grew ever fiercer, cultivators each displaying their divine abilities.

Thunder roared and lightning flashed in the sky, magma spewed on the ground, and the entire Azure Wandering Palace seemed to become a battlefield of carnage.

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the Underworld Palace Dream Sovereign, among others, also covertly employed tactics, striving to seize more ancient talismans amid the chaos.

However, just as the battle reached a white-hot pitch, a far stronger power suddenly erupted from the Flat Peach Holy Tree.

This power differed from any previous fluctuation; it carried an ancient, mysterious aura, making all cultivators feel an unprecedented pressure.

Longling and Heifeng sensed this power outside the illusion, their eyes showing surprise.

Longling whispered: "Cultivators of the Ancient Tree Royal Clan have also acted; this power might change the entire situation."

Heifeng nodded, his eyes flashing with excitement; following Longling's gaze, he saw a familiar figure.

Seeing this, Longling smiled slightly, lightly waved his hand, and formed another hidden seal.

At that moment, ancient runes gradually appeared on the trunk of the Flat Peach Holy Tree.

These runes emitted a faint light, resonating with the ancient talismans held by the cultivators.

The cultivators discovered in astonishment that when their ancient talismans touched these runes, they could actually unleash powerful forces.

Seeing this, the Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and others immediately realized what was happening. They began directing their forces, attempting to place the ancient talismans in the correct positions according to the runes' guidance.

As the ancient talismans were placed, the branches and leaves of the Flat Peach Holy Tree began to change gradually; the flat peaches that had previously disappeared reappeared, and this time they were not illusions but real fruits.

The cultivators were overjoyed; they began to frenziedly vie for the ancient talismans, hoping to obtain more flat peaches in this battle.

However, they did not realize that all of this remained under Longling's control.

Longling and Heifeng silently observed from outside the illusion, waiting for the optimal moment.

Boom—

Just then, an even greater power surged from the roots of the Flat Peach Holy Tree, causing the entire Azure Wandering Palace to tremble violently.

The cultivators felt an unprecedented crisis; they halted their fighting and gazed in terror at the Flat Peach Holy Tree.

A glint of triumph flashed in Longling's eyes; he knew the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

He lightly waved his hand; streams of seals flew from his fingertips, merging into the Flat Peach Holy Tree.

As the seals merged, a huge gate slowly opened on the trunk of the Flat Peach Holy Tree.

The gate radiated brilliant light, and powerful emanations flowed from it, leaving all cultivators deeply shaken.

They surmised that this was truly the Ancient God Sect's divine treasure, and the ancient talismans in their hands were precisely the keys to open this gate.

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak, the Underworld Palace Dream Sovereign, Jiangqiang, Yaoshuntian, and others, along with the other cultivators, began to rush madly toward that gate.

They knew that only by entering this gate could they obtain the true treasure.

However, just as they were about to touch the gate, a figure suddenly appeared before them.

That figure was a huge White Bone.

White Bone stood against the bright moon, its body surrounded by misty light, covered in carved golden runes; with each step it took, the Dao intertwined, supremely divine.

The astonishing White Bone glanced at them indifferently, a hint of a playful smile curling its lips.

"For longevity, all your ancient talismans belong to me!"

"This???"

The cultivators stared in shock, unable to comprehend.

The ancient talismans in White Bone's hand were more numerous than anyone's, and they encompassed all attributes.

Xianling Nanyue and the others gazed warily at White Bone, eyes fixed on the talismans in its hand, greed flashing in their gazes.

Meanwhile, with White Bone's appearance, the atmosphere inside the Azure Wander Palace instantly tightened to the extreme.

The cultivators' eyes locked onto the ancient talismans in White Bone's hand; those talismans emitted heart-pounding power fluctuations, each containing unimaginable strength.

A flicker of ruthlessness crossed Xianling Nanyue's eyes; if he could obtain these talismans, he could not only gain the Flat Peach but also exchange them for the Divine Treasury of the Ancient God Sect via its statue—under no circumstances could he allow White Bone's talismans to fall into other cultivators' hands.

Nanyue drew a deep breath; behind him, the void suddenly split, a huge phantom slowly coalescing—this was the Dharma Aspect he had cultivated for years, the Xianling Divine Mountain.

Seeing this, Mingdian Mengzun did not dare to show weakness.

He formed seals with both hands; streams of black qi surged from his body, quickly condensing into ferocious Nether Beasts that circled him, letting out earth-shaking roars.

Yao Shuntian also refused to be left behind, unleashing his strongest techniques.

The auras of the mighty intertwined, forming a massive force field that caused the surrounding space to twist and deform.

Their gazes converged on White Bone, eyes flashing with greed and killing intent.

White Bone seemed not to take these to heart; it glanced coolly at the surrounding cultivators, its smile deepening.

He knew these cultivators' greed would be their greatest weakness.

"Want the ancient talismans?

Then see if you have the ability."

White Bone's voice was cold and hollow, as if it came from the Nine Abyssal Lands.

As the words fell, the four powerhouses almost simultaneously attacked.

Xianling Nanyue's Dharma Aspect thrust a palm forward, carrying unmatched might as it pressed toward White Bone;

Mingdian Mengzun's Nether Beasts turned into streams of black light, lunging at White Bone from all directions;

Jiang Qiang's Mountain River Bell blazed with blinding light, pointing straight at White Bone's vital point;

Yao Shuntian's Witch Spirit Army let out a heaven-shaking battle cry, charging at White Bone.

Facing the combined assault of the four powerhouses, White Bone remained calm and unhurried.

He slowly raised his hand; the golden runes etched on his body suddenly blazed, beams of light shooting from the runes to form a huge shield that enveloped him entirely.

"Boom—"

The four powerhouses' strikes hit the shield simultaneously, emitting a deafening roar.

Yet the shield stood firm as a rock, showing no sign of breaking.

White Bone snorted coldly, its form suddenly turning blurry, as if merging with the surrounding void.

The next moment, his figure appeared behind Xianling Nanyue; he thrust a palm, striking squarely at Nanyue's back.

Xianling Nanyue, as if struck by lightning, flew backward, spitting a mouthful of blood.

White Bone's assault did not stop; its form darted among the four powerhouses, each strike accurately hitting their vital points.

Mingdian Mengzun, Jiang Qiang, and Yao Shuntian also could not escape; they were all struck by White Bone and suffered grave injuries.

White Bone's strength far exceeded their imagination.

Just then, Qin Cang, a cultivator of the Ancient Earth Royal Clan who had been watching from the sidelines, also made a move.

His silhouette appeared like a ghost, silently behind White Bone, a finger pointing straight at its brow.

White Bone seemed to have anticipated this; its form blurred again, dodging Qin Cang's attack.

Their figures darted swiftly within the Azure Wander Palace, their clash so fast that the surrounding cultivators could not make it out.

The battle grew fiercer; energy fluctuations inside the Azure Wander Palace intensified, causing the whole space to tremble.

"I never expected Qin Cang to make a move as well.

Striking now, he obviously intends to seize the ancient talismans in White Bone's hand at all costs!"

Heifeng saw the familiar figure and exclaimed in shock.

But soon after, he was delighted.

If Qin Cang discovered that the Flat Peach was merely an illusion of the Longling boss, would he not rage to the point of collapse?

Heifeng thought of this, secretly glanced at the calm and breezy Longling Queen, then looked toward the Mist Mirror from years past.

In the Mist Mirror, as Qin Cang appeared, a figure stepped out from the void, wearing an ancient simple robe, a feathered crown, holding a staff whose tip was inlaid with a gem flashing strange light; this person was also a powerhouse of the Ancient Wood Royal Clan, Qin Zhixie.

Qin Zhixie's appearance shocked all the cultivators present.

Because the Ancient Wood Royal Clan is a legendary force, the sudden appearance of two descendants of the Ancient Wood Human Emperor means their power is unfathomable.

Especially Qin Zhixie, whose body emanated a deep red glow, giving an ominous, sinister feeling, as if his arrival must be accompanied by either miracle or disaster.

"Qin Zhixie, you are truly shameless!

Taking advantage of the situation, you've actually landed on my head!"

Xianling Nanyue clutched his chest, enduring the pain, and asked in a deep voice.

Qin Zhixie gave a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on White Bone.

"The ancient talismans must be taken by the descendants of the Human Emperor."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

The cultivators felt a jolt in their hearts; they realized that this powerful one of the Ancient Wood Royal Clan was determined to obtain the ancient talisman.

White Bone heard this and let out a cold snort, "Arrogant."

"Ignorant child, you truly do not know the height of heaven and the depth of earth."

As his words fell, the tremors in Biyou Palace grew more violent, and a suction force transmitted from the void became stronger and stronger.

Seeing this, Qin Zhexie lightly waved his magic staff, and beams of green light shot from the gemstone, forming a huge light shield that protected him.

At the same time, his other hand reached out and directly grabbed for the ancient talisman in White Bone's hand.

Seeing this, Qin Cang exchanged blows, and a willow branch crackled, quickly transforming into a towering ancient tree.

The terrifying runes flowing from the ancient tree fell upon Qin Zhexie, highlighting the opponent's godlike might, as if the ancient Wood Emperor had come to life, conquering the eight wildernesses.

Seeing this, White Bone's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness; the golden rune light on his body blazed forth, colliding with Qin Zhexie's green light and producing a dazzling radiance.

The duel of the two powerhouses caused the surrounding space to twist, forming a huge energy vortex.

The cultivators felt as if they were in the eye of a storm, liable at any moment to be torn to shreds.

Just then, Jiang Qiang's figure flickered, and he shot straight into the center of the energy vortex, arriving between White Bone and Qin Zhexie.

He formed seals with both hands, and a surge of powerful energy burst from his body; the Mountain River Bell rang loudly, forming an enormous bell shadow that instantly enveloped White Bone, Qin Zhexie, and the others.

The chime of the Mountain River Bell echoed within Biyou Palace, each resonance accompanied by a tremor of space.

The Ninth Prince of the Void God Dynasty, Jiang Qiang, relied on this supreme treasure, attempting to trap White Bone, Qin Zhexie, and the others inside the bell to seize control of the situation.

But White Bone and Qin Zhexie were both outstanding talents; how could they willingly be trapped?

The golden runes on White Bone's body flowed, their power fluctuations growing stronger; each flicker of the runes seemed to chant an ancient incantation, seeking to shatter all bonds.

Qin Zhexie, meanwhile, presented another scene: his magic staff burst forth with even more brilliant green light, containing endless vitality that could nurture all things or destroy them.

The power of the green light and the golden runes intertwined and collided within the bell, producing powerful shockwaves.

"Boom!"

Finally, under the might of the two powerhouses, the Mountain River Bell developed cracks.

Jiang Qiang's expression changed; he could feel that the power inside the bell was about to lose control, and if no measures were taken, the consequences would be unthinkable.

But just then, White Bone and Qin Zhexie exerted force simultaneously, and a even greater power burst forth.

With a deafening bang, the Mountain River Bell shattered in response, turning into countless fragments that scattered everywhere.

Jiang Qiang suffered a backlash; his whole body flew backward, spitting blood, his face as pale as paper.

Although he had exerted great power with the aid of the Mountain River Bell, he was ultimately no match for opponents like White Bone and Qin Zhexie.

The cultivators inside Biyou Palace all felt shocked upon seeing this.

The might of White Bone and Qin Zhexie once again refreshed their understanding.