Chapter 459: Arrogance Must Also Pay a Price

Longling's gaze was cold as ice, tightly fixed on the cultivators of ancient forces such as the Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the Nether Palace Dream Venerable.

These cultivators were all the pride of their respective forces, each possessing an innate pride and unyielding spirit of the strong, and they also had an invincible fighting spirit.

Faced with Longling's threat, even in dire straits they refused to surrender easily.

"Do you really think that with these petty tricks you can make us submit?"

"That's nothing but a foolish daydream!"

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak let out a cold snort, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"What you have done today will surely draw the united assault of the Universe Cultivation World, and the Nether Palace will never let you off!"

The Nether Palace Dream Venerable also had a grim face, his voice tinged with mockery.

"Hmph, even though you've become a prisoner, you still keep a stiff beak like a dead duck."

"You still think you're the pampered darlings of the great sects as before?"

"Your life souls are under our control; you are nothing but rotten meat on a chopping board, to be whipped at our whim."

The cultivators' mocking words immediately aroused the displeasure of Heifeng, Qingyun, the Black and White Double Fiends, and others.

They, who followed Longling and were accustomed to his methods, felt indignant at these cultivators' lack of discernment.

"Lord Heifeng is right!"

"They now hang by a thread, yet dare to speak so arrogantly?"

"If it weren't for the boss showing mercy, they would already have become a wisp of resentful soul in the Myriad Soul Banner."

Qingyun gave a cold laugh, stepped forward, and said to the Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the others:

"Arrogance?"

"In the face of absolute power, arrogance is merely a fig leaf for the weak."

"If you are sensible, you should swiftly submit, lest you suffer further torment."

Bai Sha also added in a gloomy tone.

However, the Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak, the Nether Palace Dream Venerable, and the others remained unmoved, their eyes still flashing with determination and defiance.

They knew that once they submitted, they would forever lose themselves and become puppets in Longling's hands.

Longling looked at these cultivators, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes, as if he had anticipated their reaction.

"Arrogance?"

"Before me, arrogance is nothing but a laughingstock."

"However, I admire your courage and am willing to give you a chance."

He lightly waved his hand, suppressing his subordinates' discontent, and said calmly.

As he spoke.

Longling's hand seal shifted, and the Myriad Soul Banner once again spewed a stream of black mist that enveloped the Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the others.

Within the black mist, countless whispers seemed to entice, attempting to erode the cultivators' minds.

"How about we make a wager?"

"If you lose, from now on you will obey only me."

"If I lose, I will let you go."

Longling's voice echoed in the black mist, full of allure.

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the others felt a jolt in their hearts.

They knew this so‑called wager was merely another means for Longling to further subjugate and control them.

But everyone also understood that this was the sole chance to break free of control; if they could seize this opportunity to win, perhaps there remained a sliver of hope.

"Very well, I accept your wager."

"But if I pass, you must keep your promise and set us free!"

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak said in a deep voice, a flash of resolve in his eyes.

The Nether Palace Dream Venerable and the others also voiced their agreement.

This might be the only hope; even though the road ahead is unknown, we must give it a try.

Longling saw this and curled the corner of his mouth into a satisfied smile.

What he wanted were these cultivators possessed of indomitability and fighting spirit; only by letting these heavenly‑pride cultivators undergo utter rise and fall would his future consolidated forces become exceedingly strong.

He wanted an army of elite cultivators; these elites, no matter where, cannot be matched by ordinary cultivators, possessing the strength to take on ten or even a hundred, and thus they have an unyielding fighting spirit.

To make these people willing to submit to rise and fall, we must utterly shatter the reliance on their arrogance.

"As you wish."

Longling said lightly, his hand seal shifting again.

The whispers in the black mist grew clearer, the tempting power intensifying.

The Immortal Mausoleum Southern Peak and the others gritted their teeth and endured in the black mist; under the oppressive might of the Myriad Soul Banner's ferocious force, they all felt as if facing a formidable foe.

Soon the mist rolled and dispersed, revealing a dark ancient battle platform before everyone's eyes.

And at that moment.

Qin Cang and Chilian's figures stood out conspicuously in the chaotic crowd.

They once shared a deep bond with Longling.

But at this life‑and‑death juncture, that affection could no longer serve as their talisman.

Still, the two wanted to test Longling, hoping he might recall their past feelings and spare them.

Qin Cang spoke first, his voice trembling slightly but mostly firm: "Longling, we once fought side by side, weathering countless storms together."

"Now I only ask that you, for old times' sake, grant my brothers a path to survival."

Chilian, upon hearing this, immediately followed up, her voice thick with barely concealed pleading: "Yes, Longling, I am willing to give up everything, only wishing to leave safely."

However, Longling's face showed no flicker; that gaze was cold as ice, and his voice carried no emotion whatsoever: "Old affection?"

In my eyes, that is nothing but fleeting clouds.

Since you have chosen to be my enemies, you should have expected this outcome.

Heifeng, hearing this from the side, couldn't help but sneer.

"Truly laughable, Qin Cang, Chilian.

"Do you think a few soft words can move our boss?

"That's far too naive.

"In this world, only strength is truth.

Heifeng looked at Qin Cang and Chilian and sneered.

Qing Cang and Chilian's faces turned grim; they knew that to leave the Azure Wandering Palace alive today, they had to rely on their own strength and gamble against Longling.

They exchanged a glance, each seeing determination in the other's eyes.

"If that's the case, then we have no choice but to speak with our swords.

Qin Cang took a deep breath, slowly drew his long sword; the blade flowed with a faint green light, while the mysterious willow branch had already been snatched by Longling while he was unconscious.

He could only settle for using his long sword to resist.

Chilian was not willing to be outdone.

She formed hand seals, and rings of flame encircled her.

"Longling, today we will come to learn the true extent of your power.

"If you win, it doesn't matter even if I sink or float.

"Otherwise, you will know the consequences.

Chilian's voice was cold, her body radiating scorching power, her face utterly darkened.

She was not unaware of Longling's strength, yet even so, she wanted to fight this battle to gauge the true gap between herself and Longling.

The battle was about to erupt, and the atmosphere inside the Azure Wandering Palace grew even more tense.

Heifeng, Qing Yun, and the Heibai Shuangsha, etc., clenched their fists, ready to add fuel to the fire in this battle, making the situation even more chaotic.

However, Longling seemed to have already anticipated all of this.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, revealing a hint of contemptuous sneer.

"Do you think, relying on your strength, you can escape from my hands?

Longling's voice echoed in the hall, full of dignity and confidence.

Qing Cang and Chilian gave no response.

Things having come to this point, any words now seem pale and powerless.

Qin Cang's long sword swept forth, sword qi like a rainbow, pointing straight at Longling; Chilian's flames rolled, heat waves scorching, sweeping toward Longling.

"Boss, it seems these two aren't giving up, trying to strike a stone with an egg.

Heifeng, seeing this, his mocking smile grew wider.

Longling did not answer, merely waved his hand lightly; an invisible force surged from within him, instantly forming a barrier that blocked all of Qin Cang's and Chilian's attacks.

"Overestimating oneself.

Longling said lightly.

However, just then, an abrupt change occurred.

Deep within the Azure Wandering Palace, a powerful aura suddenly erupted, shaking the entire palace.

Such was the strength of this power that even Longling couldn't help but frown.

"This is...

A flicker of surprise flashed in Longling's eyes.

Qin Cang and Chilian also felt this power; a glimmer of hope flashed in their eyes.

"Haha, it seems even Heaven doesn't want you to do as you please!

Qin Cang laughed loudly, his sword intent becoming even more fierce.

Chilian also seized the opportunity to intensify her assault, her flames blazing hotter, as if seeking to burn everything to ashes.

Longling's gaze gradually turned to one of surprise.

This sudden power might change the battle's tide, but he did not retreat; instead, his fighting spirit grew stronger.

"Come on, let me see what other tricks you have!

Longling's voice thundered like lightning, shaking the entire Azure Wandering Palace.

Just then,

A figure slowly emerged from the depths of the Azure Wandering Palace, and with his appearance, that powerful aura became even more evident.

This was a mysterious person clad in a black robe, wearing a silver mask that obscured his true face.

"Longling, do you really think you can control everything?" The mysterious person's voice was hoarse and low, full of power.

Longling's gaze locked onto the mysterious person, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes: "Who are you?"

The mysterious person gave no answer, merely slowly removing the mask to reveal a face that shocked everyone—a face somewhat resembling Longling's yet utterly different.

"This is impossible...

A flicker of disbelief flashed in Longling's eyes.

"Longling.

"Today I will make you know that in this world, there is still power you cannot control!"

The mysterious person gave a cold smile and said.

As his words fell, the mysterious person's figure instantly vanished from the spot.

In the next moment, he appeared before Longling and struck out with a palm, aiming straight for Longling's vital point.

Boom—

Longling's expression changed, and he hurriedly circulated his full strength, clashing palm-to-palm with the mysterious person.

The two powerful forces collided in midair, erupting in a deafening boom that made the entire Biyou Palace tremble.

In that palm strike, both Longling and the mysterious person exerted their full strength.

Their figures crossed in midair, and for a moment it was impossible to tell who was winning.

Seeing this, Qin Cang and Chilian knew it was their chance; they exchanged a glance, then simultaneously exerted force and launched a fierce attack on Longling.

Although Longling was at a disadvantage in his fight with the mysterious person, his combat experience was extremely rich, and facing the combined attack of Qin Cang and Chilian, he could still respond calmly.

Boom boom boom—

The battle grew ever more intense.

The energy fluctuations inside Biyou Palace surged like a tide, various lights intertwining to form a grand battle scene.

At that moment, streams of black qi poured from the mysterious black-clothed person's body, forming a huge black vortex that enveloped Longling entirely.

"Longling, your time of death has come!"

The mysterious black-clothed person's voice echoed within the vortex, filled with killing intent.

Longling was trapped in the black vortex, and a glint of interest flashed in his eyes.

"You want to kill this venerable one? It's not that easy!"

Longling let out a loud shout, his whole body's power erupting as he tried to break free from the black vortex's bonds.

However, the mysterious person's attack did not end; he formed seals with his hands, and streams of black qi turned into blades that slashed toward Longling.

Boom—

The battle became ever more fierce, the energy fluctuations inside Biyou Palace reached their peak, and the entire palace began to tremble.

Seeing this, Qin Cang and Chilian knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; they must seize the moment and defeat Longling in one strike.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

Qin Cang held his long sword; the sword tip exhaled a fierce sword aura, each strike accompanied by a tearing sound as it pointed straight at Longling's vital point.

Chilian, meanwhile, moved like a ghost; flames condensed in his hands into fiery snakes that coiled toward Longling, attempting to burn his protective true qi.

Facing the three's combined attack, Longling showed not a trace of fear; instead, his fighting spirit grew stronger.

Only by displaying his true strength could he intimidate those who dared to challenge him.

"Hmph, do you think this is enough to defeat me?"

"You greatly underestimate this venerable one!"

Longling gave a cold snort, his aura swelling violently; streams of mighty power burst from his body, forming a huge field that neutralized Qin Cang's and Chilian's attacks one by one.

The black-clothed person saw this, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes; evidently he had not expected Longling to still unleash such tremendous power under these circumstances.

But he did not retreat; instead, he attacked even more ferociously.

The power within the black vortex grew ever more violent, attempting to completely suppress Longling.

Rumble—

The four combatants each unleashed their ultimate techniques; the energy fluctuations inside Biyou Palace surged like a tsunami, wave after wave, causing the entire palace to tremble incessantly under the impact.

At that moment, Longling's body instantly became blurred, as if merging with the surrounding void.

The next instant, his figure suddenly appeared behind the black-clothed person, and he struck out with a palm aimed straight at the person's back heart.

Although the black-clothed person reacted extremely quickly, Longling's palm came too suddenly; he could only barely turn his body and block it with both arms.

Boom

With a tremendous bang, the black-clothed person was blasted away, slamming into a pillar of the palace; his face turned pale, evidently suffering severe injury.

Qin Cang and Chilian exchanged a glance, then simultaneously exerted force.

Streams of sword qi and fire snakes intertwined, forming a powerful attack wave that swept toward Longling.

Although Longling had repelled the black-clothed person, facing the combined attack of Qin Cang and Chilian, he circulated his full strength to form a light shield that blocked this fierce assault.

Rumble—

A heaven-shaking roar rang out inside Biyou Palace.

Qin Cang's and Chilian's attacks collided with Longling's light shield, bursting forth with blinding light that enveloped the entire palace in this tremendous power.

At this very moment!

The black-clothed person climbed up from the ground, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, yet his eyes were filled with determination and unyielding resolve.

"Long... ling!"

The black-clothed person let out a loud shout, then charged again at Longling, forming a three-sided encirclement with Qin Cang and Chilian.

Facing the three's combined attack, Longling's eyes still showed not a trace of fear.

Bang bang bang—

The four figures moved swiftly inside Biyou Palace, their various attacks intertwining to form a heart‑shaking battle scene.

The entire palace trembled incessantly under the impact of this force, as if it might collapse at any moment.

However, at the height of the battle, Longling's body instantly burst forth with myriad golden lights, forming a huge golden light sphere that enveloped his entire person.

"Hmph!"

"A mayfly trying to shake a tree!"

"Heiyao, no need to pretend anymore!"

"This venerable one knows it's you!"

"However, this venerable one would very much like to know how you managed to escape my detection."

Longling's voice echoed within the golden light sphere, filled with majesty and power.

The black-clothed person, Qin Cang, and Chilian flashed a hint of surprise in their eyes.

They could feel the great power contained in that golden light sphere, and from this power they also sensed an unprecedented threat.

But the three did not retreat.

Only by defeating Longling could one obtain true freedom.

Especially after hearing Longling's words, the black-clothed person released a terrifying wave from their whole body.

「Quickly kill him.

Otherwise, the Demonic Heart Wheel will be difficult to separate, and the connection between the Divine Soul Body and the Life Soul.

You all will be in great danger. »

The black-clothed person said, not responding to Longling's words, but instead urged Chilian and Qin Cang to launch an attack.

「Bang—」

The three simultaneously exerted their power to the utmost, launching a final strike at Longling.

「Boom—」

Inside the Azure Wander Palace, a thunderous roar rang out.

The four's power collided in midair, bursting out with blinding light.

The entire palace trembled violently under the impact of this force, then quickly shifted from solid to illusory.