At the bottom of the Jinlin River, the Netherworld Python slowly opened its huge vertical pupils, blue as the sea.
Its pupils swirled with a mysterious blue radiance, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
The dazzling blue radiance illuminated the river water for dozens of miles around, making it extraordinarily enchanting.
At this moment, the riverbed of the Jinlin River for dozens of miles around seemed to have been transported to an otherworldly paradise beyond the mortal realm—tranquil and full of mystery.
However, this tranquility did not last long.
“Outrageous!”
“Xia Ritian, I know you’re not dead yet!”
The Netherworld Python’s furious voice exploded across the riverbed like thunder from the ninth heaven.
This terrifying power shook the boundless river water into violent turbulence.
In the Netherworld Python’s blue vertical pupils, a sky-high fury ignited, as if it harbored endless hatred for Xia Ritian.
“Once I emerge into the world, I will tear you into ten thousand pieces and scatter your ashes to the wind!”
Following this roar, the Netherworld Python’s aura surged to its peak in an instant.
Its ten-thousand-zhang serpent body trembled violently, and the entire riverbed began to shake intensely, as if it could no longer bear this terrifying power.
The riverbed rapidly collapsed under the Netherworld Python’s power, countless cracks spreading like a spider’s web, and bottomless abysses appeared on the riverbed.
“BOOM—!”
From those cracks, dazzling blue rays of light burst forth, each one containing the aura of world-destroying power.
Immediately after, the Netherworld Python’s ten-thousand-zhang serpent body suddenly soared upward, leaving the riverbed and stirring up boundless towering waves.
The river water churned ceaselessly under the Netherworld Python’s power, and the hard rocks of the riverbed crumbled into powder like paper in the face of this force.
“RUMBLE—!”
“RUMBLE—!”
“RUMBLE—!”
One earth-shaking boom after another echoed across the riverbed.
The entire riverbed, under the Netherworld Python’s full-powered eruption, completely collapsed and was reduced to nothingness.
However, beneath this void, a blue cave heaven small world, like a celestial body from beyond the heavens, slowly rose.
That cave heaven small world emanated a chaotic and disordered aura, as if a brand-new world was being born at this very moment.
Within it, one could faintly see mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, and stars—all complete, as if it were an independent heaven and earth.
At this moment, the Netherworld Python, with its ten-thousand-zhang serpent body, quickly coiled in front of that cave heaven small world, its vertical pupils flickering with cold blue light.
In this instant, the Netherworld Python seemed like a deity descending upon the mortal world—not to be looked upon directly, not to be blasphemed, an existence no human power could rival!
“The power of the cave heaven!”
“Master of the cave heaven!”
“The power of heaven and earth laws, nearing completeness!”
Seeing this scene, Zi Yao’s beautiful eyes widened abruptly, and unprecedented shock gradually appeared on her face.
Her gaze was fixed dead on that slowly rising blue cave heaven small world, and a sky-high storm was raging in her heart.
“How is this possible!”
Zi Yao murmured softly, her tone full of disbelief.
She clearly remembered that when this Netherworld Python was personally sealed by Emperor Tianqi back then, it was merely at the early stage of the Cave Void realm.
Even if it was extraordinarily gifted, it was absolutely impossible for it to break through to Cave Void Great Completion in just a hundred years, condense a cave heaven small world, and become a master of the cave heaven!
“The power of the heaven and earth source laws of the Nine-Patterned Moon Artifact, the Dark Bird Heaven Lock, plus the former emperor’s seal—how could it have any remaining power to break through to the next realm?”
Back then, Emperor Tianqi used his supreme divine ability, the Nine Heavens Dark Bird Art, combined with the power of the Dark Bird Heaven Lock, to suppress the Netherworld Python here.
That seal’s power was enough to extinguish all vitality; even a powerhouse at the Cave Void realm could never escape.
However, this Netherworld Python was a demon lord-level beast, its physical body far surpassing human martial artists of the same realm, which was why it could linger on at the bottom of the Jinlin River.
“This Netherworld Python is already lucky to still be alive—how could it possibly break through to Cave Void Great Completion and condense a cave heaven small world?”
Zi Yao’s brows were tightly furrowed, and she faintly felt a trace of unease in her heart.
However, the scene before her eyes did not allow Zi Yao to doubt its authenticity.
That blue cave heaven small world emanated majestic power of heaven and earth laws—precisely the power of the Cave Void Great Completion realm.
The power of cave heaven laws!
Could it be… it found a way to break the seal?
Or perhaps someone secretly helped it?
“Hmph!”
A cold snort suddenly rang out across the riverbed, shaking the river water into turbulent waves, with large amounts of water rapidly sweeping to the surroundings.
Immediately after, the nine chains tightly locked around the Netherworld Python suddenly burst forth with piercing black light.
The heaven and earth patterns on each chain lit up one after another, as if at this moment, the power of the Nine-Patterned Moon Artifact, the Dark Bird Heaven Lock, was thoroughly triggered!
“SNAP—!”
The black light on the nine chains instantly enveloped the Netherworld Python’s body.
That light contained endless power of heaven and earth laws, emanating a heart-stopping might.
At the same time, a humanoid silhouette almost equal in size to the Netherworld Python’s ten-thousand-zhang serpent body slowly emerged above the riverbed.
This humanoid silhouette faced the Netherworld Python directly, initially blurry and indistinct.
But as time flowed rapidly, it gradually began to become clear.
It was a middle-aged man!
The middle-aged man wore a black robe, with nine black birds embroidered in the center.
The nine dark birds flew in a circle, vividly lifelike, constantly emanating a sacred and majestic aura.
He wore a black imperial crown on his head and cloud-patterned long boots on his feet. The entire person was like an emperor who had walked out of ancient times, his pressure overwhelming heaven and earth!
The middle-aged man’s expression was calm and composed, his tranquil eyes seeming capable of seeing through all illusions.
Even though it was merely a phantom, it still made one feel endless oppression, as if even heaven and earth would submit before him.
“Netherworld Python!”
“I never expected you to break through my seal so quickly!”
The middle-aged man’s voice was incomparably majestic, like rolling heavenly thunder, shaking the entire riverbed.
Several thousand meters away, after seeing the middle-aged man’s true face, a trace of surprise flashed through Zi Yao’s eyes.
But she quickly regained her composure and murmured softly: “The former emperor’s heaven and earth dharma form…”
Five li away, Lu Xuan, who was hiding in the void relying on the power of “a thousand miles in a single step,” was also shocked by this suddenly appearing dharma form phantom.
Good heavens!
At the bottom of this tiny Jinlin River, three supreme existences at the Cave Void realm had gathered all at once!
With the power of these three, the entire Jinlin River wasn’t enough for them to wreak havoc on.
Should he run a bit farther?
The power of heaven and earth laws at the Cave Void realm was no joke!
If Lu Xuan were caught in the power of these three Cave Void True Lords, even with his undying and indestructible cultivation method, it would be enough to give him a hard time.
And this middle-aged man was precisely the previous emperor of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty—Xia Ritian!
Xia Ritian’s phantom stood at the riverbed, his gaze burning as he watched the Netherworld Python.
He seemed to have noticed the Netherworld Python’s abnormality, his brows slightly furrowing, a trace of contemplation flashing through his eyes.
“Netherworld Python, your current state… doesn’t seem to rely entirely on your own power.”
“Could it be that you’ve received help from external forces?”
It seems so!
The cave heaven small world behind the Netherworld Python was extremely unstable, liable to collapse at any moment.
Temporarily obtaining the power of a cave heaven master, huh?
Was it the methods of those old monsters at the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain in the Western Region’s extreme lands?
Thinking of this, a trace of wariness flashed through Xia Ritian’s eyes.
That was the only possibility.
After all, to enable a Netherworld Python at the early Cave Void realm to suddenly obtain the power of a cave heaven master…
It must be those ten great demon ancestors who made their move!
These damned old monsters were still watching the heaven and earth of the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.
However, their little schemes would ultimately come to nothing!
That small world of an Earth Venerable Realm Master belongs to our Great Xia Imperial Clan—no one can stop that.
Just over half a year left!
Once half a year arrives and the Spirit Void Land emerges, that will be the time for me to return to the world!
The Spirit Void Land, the source of the Earth Venerable small world, will also be completely taken into the Great Xia Imperial Clan’s pocket!
“Xia Ritian!”
Upon seeing Xia Ritian appear, sky-high fury ignited in the Netherworld Python’s vertical pupils. It stared deathly at Xia Ritian’s phantom, as if wanting to devour him alive.
“You despicable little wretch!”
“Damned human!”
“You actually dare to appear before me!”
The Netherworld Python was now thoroughly enraged, wishing it could swallow Xia Ritian in one bite.
Suddenly!
The cave heaven small world suspended behind the Netherworld Python erupted abruptly, and in the next instant, shot out countless terrifying blue power beams!
Those blue beams were like sharp swords, rapidly piercing through the void, instantly shattering the Dark Bird Heaven Lock tightly wrapped around the Netherworld Python.
“CRACK—!”
The nine Dark Bird Heaven Locks, under the impact of these blue beams, cracked inch by inch and shattered into countless fragments.
However, in the next instant, these Dark Bird Heaven Lock fragments restored themselves at extreme speed, reforming into complete chains.
Except that the light of the heaven and earth patterns on the nine chains had clearly dimmed considerably, as if their power had been greatly weakened.
Thus, the Dark Bird Heaven Lock alternated between destruction and restoration, and the seal’s power was continuously weakening.
“Return!”
In the next breath, Xia Ritian suddenly raised his hand, a wisp of black light appearing in his palm.
The Dark Bird Guard Heaven Lock, which had been tightly wrapped around the Netherworld Python and was on the verge of shattering—
As if receiving some kind of summon, quickly detached from the Netherworld Python’s body, flying rapidly into the distance like spiritual serpents.
The Dark Bird Heaven Lock, carrying the whistling sound of rushing water, shot toward Xia Ritian.
On the way to Xia Ritian, the nine chains intertwined and collided, producing “clack clack” sounds.
Moments later, the nine black chains merged into a single chain, entirely black and emanating a cold, eerie aura, giving off an indescribable pressure.
Finally, the Dark Bird Heaven Lock, cutting a vacuum trail through the surging water, flew back into Xia Ritian’s hand like a swimming dragon.
“BZZ—!”
The instant Xia Ritian grasped the Dark Bird Heaven Lock, the entire riverbed seemed to fall silent, even the churning river water pausing for a moment.
Xia Ritian’s gaze was cold and stern. He glanced down at the Dark Bird Heaven Lock in his hand, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes.
He sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: “Alas…”
This Netherworld Python had temporarily obtained the power of a cave heaven master—this was now a headache.
However, at this moment, the Netherworld Python had completely freed itself from the Dark Bird Heaven Lock’s seal and gained its freedom!
“Hahahaha!”
The Netherworld Python’s laughter echoed recklessly across the riverbed, full of endless wild joy and killing intent.
Its vertical pupils flickered with cold blue light, staring deathly at Xia Ritian’s phantom, its voice full of hatred: “Xia Ritian! Go to hell!”
The Netherworld Python knew well that the cave heaven power on its body wouldn’t last long.
Therefore, the very moment it broke free, it unhesitatingly launched a full-powered attack on Xia Ritian!
“RUMBLE—!”
Under the Netherworld Python’s control, that blue cave heaven small world suddenly rose, rapidly expanding, becoming infinitely large.
In the blink of an eye, that blue cave heaven small world had already covered a radius of ten li.
It was like a massive world-destroying millstone suspended above everyone’s heads.
Within that cave heaven small world, mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, and stars were all clearly visible, as if it were an independent world.
However, at this moment, the cave heaven small world emanated an aura of destroying everything, making one’s hair stand on end, the breath of death spreading everywhere.
“Xia Ritian, today I will first destroy this dharma form of yours!”
“Once I successfully return to the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain, that will be the time for your Great Xia Imperial Dynasty’s destruction!”
The Netherworld Python’s voice was cold and ferocious. Under its control, the cave heaven small world slowly crushed toward Xia Ritian.
Lu Xuan and Zi Yao, seeing this, their expressions changed drastically!
Damn!
Lu Xuan was even more speechless beyond words.
What the hell was this!
It seemed his earlier premonition was right.
Sure enough, even hiding five li away, he was still caught in this undeserved disaster!
Damned beast, is this the power of the Cave Void realm?
Too exaggerated!
Lu Xuan could clearly perceive that all things in heaven and earth within ten li were sealed by this terrifying blue cave heaven small world—no one could escape.
Even Lu Xuan was kicked out by this mysterious and powerful heaven and earth law force.
Damn it!
If not for the Netherworld Python’s flesh and blood, and the massive system points from killing it, Lu Xuan wouldn’t have chosen to hide here.
When encountering an existence stronger than himself, Lu Xuan’s only course of action was to slip away—not even wanting to look!
Fortunately, Lu Xuan’s position was only at the edge of the cave heaven small world.
The terrifying destructive power of the cave heaven small world was mainly concentrated in the central area where Palace Master Zi Yao and Xia Ritian were located.
The cave heaven small world power above Lu Xuan’s head was only equivalent to an ordinary strike from a True Lord at the early Cave Void realm.
Even so, this strike from a Cave Void True Lord was enough to give Lu Xuan a hard time.
In the next moment, intense golden light suddenly radiated from Lu Xuan’s entire body, dazzling like the blazing sun.
Lu Xuan pushed the power of his undying and indestructible cultivation method to the extreme, golden light flowing around his body, like a living Buddha.
“Sky-Burning Blade Art!”
Lu Xuan gave a low shout, and the Nether Flame Dark Blade in his hand slashed out violently.
A blade light of purple flames, hundreds of zhang long, exploded in the river water.
The scorching heat instantly boiled the surrounding river water, producing a “hiss hiss” sound.
Creatures within several thousand meters, before being wiped out by the cave heaven small world above, were first cooked by this terrifying heat, turning the area into dead silence.
Meanwhile, Zi Yao in the central area finally made her move as well.
“Hmph!”
She gave a cold snort, purple light surging in her eyes, and the power of heaven and earth laws within her body erupted with a boom.
A brilliant purple cave void slowly rose behind her, emanating endless pressure, standing against the Netherworld Python’s blue cave heaven small world as an equal!
