Chapter 408: A Slight Shock

And outside the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain, Ling quietly watched all this.

A few strange Heaven-defiers came to Ling's side: "Ling, how have these five hundred years been?"

They were all Heaven-defiers who had just ended their five-hundred-year slumber, each having at least comprehended a supreme power domain.

Ling glanced at them: "Have you ended your slumber?"

A human Heaven-defier in black armor, Xu Hou, spoke: "It's over, Ling. Why don't you enter the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain? Your domain and the new path are just one step away."

Ling waved his empty sleeves: "I lost a hand; I'll wait for next time."

Xu Hou chuckled: "Who did you provoke? Let David treat you later."

Have the Heaven-defiers unearthed any remarkable figures in these five hundred years?

Ling glanced at the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain: "You guys take a look yourselves."

Xu Hou lifted his head: "Let me see... Holy shit!"

All the Heaven-defiers had originally paid no attention to the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain, but after Xu Hou's shout they all turned to look at it.

Holy shit!

What the hell is this?

Everyone was stunned by the two figures at the mountainside—Martial Emperor and Shen Wendao—one a sea of blood raging heavenward, the other a towering heavenly manifestation.

Who are these two people?

Are they going to clear the new path? I've never heard of such figures before.

Ling said: "They too are recent Heaven-defiers; they'd been in the first-layer world all along, and only joined a month ago."

Xu Hou turned to Ling, incredulous: "Only joined a month? You mean he's in the first-layer world and, relying on a mere thousand-plus years of lifespan, will clear the new path?"

That's how it is on the cycle of rebirth.

Looks like we've really got two terrifying guys here.

Then a gentle voice sounded from behind: "In my view, the most terrifying shouldn't be these two."

All the Heaven-defiers turned around; it was a Heavenly Eye Clan member, whose aura was extremely profound.

Xu Hou smiled and said: "Mingxiao, you've also left seclusion."

"You say these two aren't the most terrifying? Then who do you think is?"

Mingxiao's gaze fell on Shen Qing: "It's him."

Him?

Mingxiao solemnly nodded, the third eye on his brow glowing faintly: "Yes, it's him. Though all absorb energy, this person is completely different from others."

Others actively pull and absorb energy, but he doesn't need to—energy actively seeks him out.

Xu Hou glanced at Shen Qing twice, still doubtful: "At most it's just his special physique; it can't be all that terrifying, right?"

Mingxiao chuckled: "But if he can also control energy, preventing others from absorbing it—do you see anyone near him who's managed to suck up even a trace?"

All the Heaven-defiers widened their eyes at this, looking toward Shen Qing's direction.

Not far from Shen Qing, the tiger‑headed, human‑bodied Hu Ji's face grew ever uglier.

What a joke.

Hu Ji felt a piercing pain in his chest; whether this trip to the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain yielded any gain no longer mattered.

Even a little gain would be something, but from start to now he hasn't sucked up a trace of energy—not a trace.

All the energy actively ran to Shen Qing's side, and all of it seemed to despise him—no matter how he pulled, it refused to come.

Recalling how he once shouted bravado to target him, Hu Ji now felt his nose turning red.

But he can't go on like this; if the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain shuts down from the shock, he'll have absorbed not a trace of energy, losing all face and never being able to show his face again.

Don't bully people too much!

Hu Ji roared, his whole body's power surging; today he must snatch a trace of energy no matter what.

But Hu Ji's face turned red from strain, his body began to tremble, and the energy simply wouldn't come.

Just then, Hu Ji met Shen Qing's teasing gaze.

In that instant, Hu Ji's aura dissipated and his technique collapsed.

Pff—!!!

A spurt of blood shot from Hu Ji's mouth.

The psychological blow was too great; he couldn't bear to face the gap between himself and Shen Qing, his body straining at high intensity, and with his mindset shifting, he finally couldn't bear the load and collapsed flat on his back.

"Trash!" a harsh shout rang out.

Xu Hou and Mingxiao turned to look, seeing another tiger‑headed, human‑bodied Heaven-defier, merely appearing somewhat aged.

Xu Hou chuckled: "Hu Yun, is Hu Ji your descendant?"

Hu Yun stepped forward a few paces: "Descendant? I've been in the third-layer world for ages—where would I have a descendant?"

"Though you say that, do you really not worry about your offspring at all? Don't you despise the one who hurt Hu Ji?"

Hu Yun snorted coldly: "Why despise that brat? When I first arrived I heard talk that this Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain contest was won by three newcomers—those three, I hear, are all very strong."

"Hu Ji that waste of space rallied a rabble to scheme against others, lacking the vision and the scheming, overestimating himself!"

Mingxiao glanced at Hu Yun: "Not despising him is right—his potential far surpasses ours!"

"Widen your eyes and carefully examine his cultivation level!"

Xu Hou and the others then focused their attention on Shen Qing—if they didn't look they'd miss it; once they looked, they were startled.

"What the hell? Only ninth‑level Sacred Realm? What a joke!"

"Sacred Realm?"

Xu Hou turned his gaze to Hu Yun: "Wasn't it said this kid's strength is...? Did we get it wrong?"

Ling spoke, his voice grave: "No mistake—Shen Qing's strength is truly great. Though he's only at the Sacred Realm, if I were to fight him I probably couldn't take him down right away."

Once he finishes this breakthrough, I think he'll defeat me.

Moreover, he has already comprehended the supreme realm.

No sooner had those words been spoken than everyone jumped to their feet, unable to stay seated; even Mingxiao, who had been as steady as an old dog just a moment before, drew a deep breath.

"Zero, are you sure?"

Zero nodded. "That's right—I saw him use the causal power domain myself, and he was very skilled at it."

By now, everyone's look at Shen Qing had shifted entirely, edged with wariness and fear.

At that moment, a huge wave of energy emanated from the Yuan Ci Divine Mountain.

Mingxiao's celestial eye blazed with bright light, and he growled, "He's about to break through to the god realm!"

Shen Qing's aura surged rapidly, a mysterious power unfolding around him—the causal domain, vast enough to cover the whole Yuan Ci Divine Mountain—as energy on the mountain began to rush toward him at an ever‑stranger rate.

The rebels still doubted Zero's claim—after all, Shen Qing looks far too young. They thought it was already terrifying that he could grasp the supreme power domain, let alone use it skillfully.

But after witnessing this, they were convinced—the causal domain could expand to such a vast size and appear just right, showing a level of mastery far beyond their own, even exceeding their use of the supreme power domain as veterans.

On the Yuan Ci Divine Mountain, Shen Qing rose slowly into the air, his power swelling ever more.

"The Earthly Immortal Realm."

"I'm here."