Chapter 649: The Crimson-Spiked Immortal Lord

"That ancient demon is dead too!"

"Finally dead! This ancient demon was a True Immortal—no one expected Lord General Hao Tian could actually…"

"There's no soul fluctuation in its corpse—it's truly dead!"

"Lord General Hao Tian and the True Immortal ancient demon perished together—we're saved…"

"Lord General Hao Tian is our savior across the myriad heavens; let us forever remember him."

With the battle over, countless people embraced and wept; this battle had been won at unbearable cost, with unbearable hardship.

"Bring Lord General Hao Tian's corpse back and guard it carefully—do not allow even the slightest damage."

"As for this ancient demon's corpse, we must find a way to grind its bones to ash and utterly annihilate it—don't let it rise again."

Facing the ancient demon's corpse, though it was now a motionless corpse, many still felt dread and tension as they neared its molten-iron-like flesh.

As the army dragged the ancient demon's body away, Li Hao's corpse was carefully enclosed in a barrier by a coalition of half-sages, guarded with utmost care; before this youth, serene in death with closed eyes, they held deep reverence.

"The death of the True Immortal ancient demon must be reported to the Sages immediately."

"The myriad heavens are saved."

Among the crowd, leaders of many factions whispered to themselves.

Though they appeared as heads of certain organizations, they were all controlled by Sages behind the scenes; during this evacuation, they had already received word from the Sages: the Holy Ones had fled, and no one could stand against the True Immortal ancient demon—they must wait for the right opportunity.

But now, this True Immortal ancient demon, which had terrified the Holy Ones into hiding, had been slain by Lord General Hao Tian—both perished together. If the Sages learn this news, they must return.

Yet none of them had any way to contact the Sages, nor did they know where the Sages had fled—they could only wait for the Sages to reappear and reach out.

In the void, many chose to remain voluntarily, guarding the entrance to this forbidden land.

Though Lord General Hao Tian and the ancient demon's primordial spirits had been swallowed by the forbidden land, one had power beyond the Supreme Sage, the other a True Immortal—perhaps things were different; perhaps this forbidden land would not kill them. Either way, someone must guard this place to detect any change immediately.

With the battle ended, peace returned to the myriad small worlds across the heavens.

Meanwhile.

Within the Divine Sun, the Sages gathered together.

Since Li Hao stepped out of the Divine Sun, they had been calculating the time.

"Two hours have passed—quick, check what's happening outside."

Feng Bo Ping urged impatiently.

Beside him, Li Mu Xiu, Li Li Yuanzhao, and others watched anxiously at An Sheng.

By their cultivation level, they had no right to attend the Sage assembly, yet their status made the Sages treat them with gentle courtesy.

"If Lord General Hao Tian won, the small worlds must now be peaceful."

Mi Huang Tian Sheng said softly.

An Sheng nodded slightly, understanding his meaning; he immediately scanned the other Sages, saw their expressions of concern, and pulled out the Mirror of Heaven.

This mirror could not track the ancient demon, but could project the scene at any known location.

He illuminated the same small world again—but saw only a lifeless void.

The Sages' expressions changed slightly; this small world had been utterly extinguished.

Feng Bo Ping and others clenched their fists involuntarily, their faces darkening.

An Sheng's gaze grew deeper; he thought quickly and selected another small world—he knew that if the disaster outside had been resolved, this place would show signs.

He projected the Li Tianyuan Small World.

As the foremost small world of the myriad heavens, its sacred veins and celestial energy were extraordinarily dense, coveted by countless beings; yet now, within this world, they saw countless citizens cheering and leaping with joy in every city.

Seeing the countless joyful faces reflected, the Sages froze, then their pupils contracted, revealing shock and delight.

Feng Bo Ping and others also froze, then surged with ecstatic joy.

An Sheng used the Mirror of Heaven to scan other small worlds—each showed the same.

"It… seems it's truly over?"

An Sheng found it hard to believe, as if in a dream.

That Lord General Hao Tian, merely a Sage, had actually gone out and killed the True Immortal ancient demon!

He projected seven or eight more small worlds—all the same. Though some worlds had suffered disasters, countless residents wore expressions of joy.

"I'll go outside—I have a way to know the situation immediately."

Ming Sheng said at once.

No one stopped him; Feng Bo Ping said nothing and flew straight out of the Divine Sun.

Soon after, they confirmed the news: the ancient demon was truly dead!

But Lord General Hao Tian—was also dead!

Mutual destruction!

Upon hearing this, Feng Bo Ping's spirit trembled, then he raced frantically toward the Twin-Fault Demon Valley.

Those within the Immortal Relic received the news from Ming Sheng and fell silent, unsure whether to rejoice or mourn.

Other Sages gradually flew out of the Divine Sun, using their own networks to verify the situation—all confirmed Ming Sheng's report.

Then the Sages left their holy lands and the Immortal Island relics within the Divine Sun, and all hurried toward the Twin-Fault Demon Valley.

When the Sages appeared, the dozens of half-sages guarding the valley's entrance froze, then hurriedly bowed.

There, the Sages saw Feng Bo Ping, who had arrived early but sat motionless and hollow-eyed in one corner.

"Tell us in detail—what happened?"

Ming Sheng spotted his disciple in the crowd and called him over.

The disciple, seeing his master, immediately paid homage, then recounted the events in full.

Simultaneously, as if prepared, he raised his hand and projected the scene he had witnessed into the air.

They had formed an alliance and risen in rebellion; Li Hao had fought a decisive battle against the True Immortal ancient demon.

Watching the projection of Li Hao's battle with the ancient demon, the Sages were stunned—Li Hao had appeared and struck down the ancient demon's body with a single sword, forcing its primordial spirit out.

How could he be so strong?

But then they saw Li Hao ignite his primordial spirit, fighting furiously with the ancient demon until both plunged into the Twin-Fault Demon Valley and were utterly swallowed.

"Lord General Hao Tian…"

Lin Lin Qingying stared as the projection ended, her face pale, her body trembling slightly.

"Big Brother Hao!"

Li Li Yuanzhao's eyes were filled with grief, his fists clenched tight.

The entire Li family had arrived; seeing this, they were too stunned to speak.

They had never imagined the boy who had walked out of their Li family could achieve such brilliance across the myriad heavens.

Yet now, he had become a brilliant meteor—radiating dazzling light before plummeting swiftly into darkness.

"He…"

Among the crowd, Li Ping An's face turned ashen; the figure in the projection—the shadow he had chased since childhood—was… dead?

He had once hated him, resented him—but now, his heart felt hollow, lost.

He had never witnessed the countless legends about him—but this time, he had seen it with his own eyes.

When the highest Sages had retreated and despaired, that figure had saved everything.

Just as he had once saved Emperor Da Yu—no wonder, even after a hundred years, Emperor Da Yu still spread his glorious name… it was worth it.

"He can't be dead—I don't believe it!"

Ji Yu Xuan Shen and others stared fixedly at the projection. Though they had met Li Hao when he was already brilliant, he had survived a Sage ambush upon arriving in the myriad heavens—how could he die now? They refused to believe it; if a miracle had happened once, why not again?

Yet despite their thoughts, their hearts could not help but ache with sorrow.

Perhaps the Twin-Fault Demon Valley could not kill Li Hao, who had fought a True Immortal—after all, this forbidden land had once swallowed the strongest beings: the Supreme Sages.

But so much time had passed—if he were alive, why hadn't he returned? This seemed to be the answer…

Whoosh! In the distance, Feng Bo Ping's figure flickered and vanished.

The Sword Master noticed and immediately followed, disappearing as well.

At this moment, the Sages came to their senses; Ming Sheng asked: "Where are the corpses of the ancient demon and Lord General Hao Tian?"

"They've been transported back."

The half-sage replied honestly.

Ming Sheng was about to suggest going to see them when Fa Sheng suddenly spoke, his voice grave: "Since the True Immortal ancient demon was slain by Lord General Hao Tian, shouldn't we hurry to the Immortal Gate and seal that breach—no more letting ancient demons slip in!"

Hearing this, the Sages suddenly realized.

Yes—the True Immortal ancient demon was dead, but the breach still remained; the myriad heavens' crisis was not yet lifted! But now that they knew the True Immortal could disguise itself as a second-rank ancient demon, they must be even more vigilant—kill every second-rank demon that enters, never letting it reveal its true form.

"Go!"

"We must hurry!"

Ming Sheng snapped to attention and exclaimed urgently.

The other Sages grew tense; Li Hao's earlier warning had saved the myriad heavens once—his death alongside the True Immortal had saved them a second time. If another True Immortal slipped in, the two chances he had bought them would be utterly wasted.

Whoosh! The Sages all rushed toward the Ancient Hall.

But An Sheng paused briefly where he stood, a hint of confusion on his face; according to the ancient demon's previous invasion frequency, the myriad heavens should have fallen long ago—without the True Immortal, even the third-rank demons alone could crush every small world, yet now they saw no trace of those third-rank demons.

Had they all been slain by Lord General Hao Tian?

He couldn't understand it, but soon followed the others.

This time, Mi Huang Tian Sheng, Yi Sheng, and others also hurried to the Ancient Hall, eager to lend a hand. When all the Sages arrived and entered the hall, they immediately heard a rumbling sound—as if a battle raged inside.

They were startled—who was fighting here?

When they rushed in, they were stunned to find the Ancient Hall littered with ancient demon corpses—over thirty of them, large and small.

The corpses lay scattered around, while a dozen or so human warriors in silver armor were attacking two ancient demons—one large, one small—both covered in wounds, struggling desperately. Yet under the flawless coordination of the dozen silver-armored warriors, they kept taking damage. In contrast, the silver-armored humans fought with extreme caution, suffering almost no injuries themselves.

Sensing the presence of the Saints, the dozen silver-armored warriors were startled; but upon recognizing them as fellow humans, they relaxed slightly. One of their officers immediately waved his hand, and their attack speed surged. Soon, both ancient demons were slain—one warrior, slightly overzealous, sustained minor injuries.

"You…"

Ming Sheng and the others stared at the silver-armored warriors, their expressions shifting from shock to stunned silence, then to a quiet, hidden excitement.

They recognized at once: the design of these silver-armored warriors' battle suits was no product of the Many Worlds. Their presence here could mean only one thing—the True Realm's Immortal Army, as Li Hao had spoken of! Reinforcements had arrived!

Mi Huang Tian Sheng and Yi Sheng were pleasantly surprised, but their expressions soon grew complex. The reinforcements had come—but too late. They had received aid, yet Li Hao had not waited.

That brilliant young man would never wait any longer.

The dozen silver-armored warriors exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise at the Saints. The number of Saint-level beings in this false realm exceeded their expectations. Could this realm harbor a True Immortal? The officer stepped forward, scanning the group, confirming several of the highest-ranked Saints as leaders. He then sent a spiritual sense message:

"We come from the True Realm's Tiangong, under the command of Immortal Lord Chi Ying's 'Silver Plume Camp'! Our Immortal Lord slew the Ancient Demon Commander and has come to rescue you. We received intelligence that the Demon Commander dispatched a True Immortal-level demon—where is it now?"

"True Realm? Tiangong!"

"Yingying Camp?"

Fa Sheng and several other Supreme Saints, upon hearing the message, grew excited, their eyes gleaming.

They had once risked everything to reach behind the Immortal Gate, hoping to join an Immortal or Divine force and cultivate into true Immortals or Gods.

And now, at last, it had come.

They did not know the Immortal Lord's realm, but these dozen silver-armored warriors were all Supreme Saints! To deploy Supreme Saints as soldiers meant their commander must be an unimaginably terrifying being.

"My lord, that True Immortal-level demon has already been slain."

Ming Sheng bowed respectfully.

The silver-armored officer blinked, then smiled. "So this realm has a True Immortal? Might you introduce us? We've been ordered by the Immortal Lord to escort the Immortal Emperor's bloodline here. The situation outside is complicated—he cannot linger long. Please hurry."

"Immortal Emperor's bloodline?"

Mi Huang Tian Sheng's eyes flickered. He was nearly contemporary with Seeing Yuanzu, slightly younger, and knew many ancient secrets. He hadn't expected the Immortal Lord to be here for the Immortal Emperor's bloodline—could the ancient Immortals and Gods of this realm have been the "Immortal Emperor" the officer spoke of?

At this thought, he recalled Seeing Yuanzu. His eyes dimmed slightly. Too bad the old man was already dead—never got this chance.

Ming Sheng and the others heard the officer's words—"cannot linger long"—and their hearts tightened.

"My lord, we know nothing of the Immortal Emperor's bloodline. This realm has no True Immortal. The True Immortal-level demon was slain by our Saint, Li Hao—he perished alongside the demon."

Yin Yang Sheng sent a spiritual message, his tone slightly deferential: "My lords, might you introduce me to the Immortal Lord? I beg to serve him!"

The silver-armored officer froze, then said: "Friend, don't joke. A True Immortal cannot be killed by a Saint. Unless he wielded an Immortal Emperor relic?"

Yin Yang Sheng, seeing his request ignored, lowered his voice: "That Saint's situation is… complicated. He had no Immortal Emperor relic. It was merely himself—himself…"

He suddenly felt the difficulty. Only those who had witnessed it could believe it. Without seeing it, anyone would find it absurd.

"It was merely that he himself… was too monstrous."

After a moment's thought, Yin Yang Sheng sighed.

The silver-armored officer raised an eyebrow. What kind of excuse was that? "Monstrous"? No Saint, no matter how monstrous, could kill a True Immortal. The Immortal Seal alone was beyond the reach of any Saint's control over cosmic energy—unless he wielded an Immortal artifact. Could this man be the Immortal Emperor's bloodline the Immortal Lord spoke of? His heart sank. If so, they were too late.

"Are you the strongest beings in this realm?"

The silver-armored officer glanced around. Though only a dozen, facing over three hundred Saints, he showed no fear—only a sense of looking down.

Ming Sheng nodded. "Yes. When the True Immortal-level demon invaded, only we remain."

The silver-armored officer's eyes flickered. This time, he directly shifted his spiritual sense to speak in the True Realm's tongue:

"Among you, is there anyone with the Immortal Emperor's bloodline? If so, come with me to the True Realm. The Immortal Lord will recommend you for entry into Tiangong. If your talent is exceptional, you will be nurtured there. The Immortal cultivation methods you'll learn are beyond anything you could ever dream of in your lifetime—your future is limitless!"

Hearing this, the Saints exchanged glances.

Immortal Emperor's bloodline? They had never heard of it.

Mi Huang Tian Sheng's eyes flickered toward one of his disciples. The disciple's ancestors had once been Immortals or Gods, but after generations of intermarriage, it was uncertain whether any trace remained.

He had taken the disciple in precisely because of that.

"How do we test for Immortal Emperor's bloodline?" Mi Huang Tian Sheng asked.

The silver-armored officer glanced at him. "Good question. Even the faintest trace of Immortal Emperor's blood carries an infinitesimal amount of Immortal energy. The Immortal Lord can sense it with a mere probe. Do not lie—it would be disastrous. Without Imperial blood, even if you go to the True Realm, you'll remain insignificant. Better to stay here as a Saint."

Mi Huang Tian Sheng immediately called his disciple forward.

"Yuan Qing, step forward."

A First Calamity Saint froze, surprised his master had called him—but seemed to understand, and nodded as he stepped forward.

Ming Sheng and Yin Yang Sheng stared at Mi Huang Tian Sheng in surprise. Seeing his calm expression, they understood. Yin Yang Sheng immediately addressed the silver-armored officer:

"My lord, we were born in a world without Immortals or Gods. They vanished too long ago. We don't know if our bloodlines are truly descended from them. May we also be tested?"

"Yes. None of us have ever seen an Immortal or God. No one has."

Other Saints quickly chimed in.

The silver-armored officer frowned, sensing their intent. But since they all spoke this way, perhaps it was true. He thought a moment, then said: "Very well. All of you, come with me."

He opened his own spatial realm.

Ming Sheng and the others were excited. They had heard: those who survive great calamities are blessed. Now, true Immortal fortune had come.

They silently resolved: once they met the Immortal Lord, regardless of whether they carried the bloodline, they would beg to be kept—this was their chance to transcend into Immortals.

Among the crowd, Mi Huang Tian Sheng did not step into the officer's spatial realm. He knew he had no Immortal Emperor's bloodline. Though this was his chance to leave the Many Worlds, he had no burning desire to become an Immortal or God. He preferred to remain in this realm, to see more. His end was still far off.

The silver-armored officer, noticing Mi Huang Tian Sheng's hesitation, gave him a curious glance. Seeing the man's refusal, he did not press. He turned and passed through the breach in the Immortal Gate, heading beyond.

Outside the Yu Xuan Pi Gate.

The ground was littered with ancient demon corpses. The woman with the red-plume spear stood atop a strange rock, the fierce wind howling through the canyon.

Her black hair streamed behind her helmet, her gaze icy.

"Taking back this Demon Commander's corpse will earn me ten thousand Immortal merits."

Beside her, a young man in silver armor, sword at his side, chuckled.

The red-plume spear woman heard him but said nothing.

Suddenly, a ripple came from the gate behind her.

She turned to see several Silver Plume Camp warriors emerge.

They were all prodigies of their realm—three together could easily slay a Second-Rank Ancient Demon.

"You gave her the Grade Nine Immortal Artifact, the Immortal Needle. Did you handle the True Immortal-level demon?"

The red-plume spear woman fixed her gaze on the silver-armored officer.

The officer quickly knelt on one knee to report, detailing the situation inside. He then opened his spatial realm, letting the Saints emerge. The Saints, seeing the surrounding silver-armored soldiers—all radiating Saint-level energy—were secretly stunned, feeling their own insignificance.

In the Many Worlds, they were supreme beings. Here, they seemed mere foot soldiers.

And before them, the woman wielding the red-plume spear, her gaze disdainful and cold, as if the sun and moon were gathered in her eyes, radiating a terrifying aura.

The Saints trembled inwardly, their scalps prickling. She felt more terrifying than the True Immortal-level demon had.

"Hmm?"

The red-plume spear woman, hearing her subordinate's report, changed expression. The Immortal Emperor's bloodline was dead? Too late? "Speak. What happened?"

She turned sharply to the assembled Saints, her face cold. "How did he die? Is there a projection?"

"Yes, yes!" Ming Sheng's heart leapt. He quickly projected the scene he had witnessed.

All the Saints now understood: this red-plume spear woman had come for Li Hao. In her eyes, Li Hao carried the Immortal Emperor's bloodline. As the projection unfolded, they saw the ancient demon and the young boy in battle.

The silver-armored officer stared at the boy in the projection—the moment he appeared, he slew the True Immortal-level demon with a single sword strike. He froze. So it was true. What kind of Immortal sword was that? He studied it closely—only to discover that the sword was broken, rusted, seemingly long stripped of its divine power, retaining only its sharp edge.

"A Saint… fighting a True Immortal-level demon?"

Beside him, the young man in silver armor and sword, watching the projection, also froze, eyes wide with disbelief.

On the way here, Chi Ying had said the Immortal Emperor's bloodline was monstrous. He had doubted it. But this… exceeded his imagination.

Even a Heaven Dao Hybrid Infant wouldn't grant such power.

Remember: the gap between a Saint and a True Immortal was no less than a Tongli cultivator challenging a Supreme Saint! The projection ended as the boy and the demon's Primordial Spirits were swallowed by the forbidden zone.

The red-plume spear woman's expression shifted slightly, growing colder. "So you assume they're dead?"

"My lord, that place is the most perilous forbidden zone—those who enter never return. Even Supreme Saints have vanished there. Though they were stronger than Supreme Saints, they've remained unseen… so…"

Yin Yang Sheng rushed to answer, flattering her, hoping to be remembered.

The red-plume spear woman fell silent. She could sense the danger of the forbidden zone in the projection—but a projection revealed only so much.

"Looks like we're too late. A pity."

The young man in silver armor sighed. "He condensed a Heaven Dao Hybrid Infant, cultivated divine bones in his Primordial Spirit, and even amassed many of them. Such a prodigy—anywhere in Tiangong or other factions—would be carefully protected. Why would he risk himself like this? Now he's dead."

"Let's hurry and leave. If the Great Serpent Demon King arrives, we'll be in danger too."

He said.

The red-plume spear woman turned to him. "Give me half an hour. I'll go in myself."

The silver-armored young man's face paled. "That's too reckless! The gate's power hasn't fully faded. To enter, you'll need the Absolute Immortal Pill—it will damage your cultivation base. Is it worth it?"

"You saw what he was. A Saint forced a True Immortal-level demon to this brink. Even a one percent chance he survived—his future would be immense. Now is the time to gather talent. If such a genius dies, don't you think it's a tragedy?" The red-plume spear woman said gravely.

(End of Chapter)