CHAPTER 247: A STROKE OF THE FINGER

“The Origin Continent is only this vast. Logically speaking, such a powerful existence shouldn’t have suddenly appeared.” Emperor Qing spoke thoughtfully. “I’ll ask the Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation to see if it’s him.”

The eleven Emperors also waited quietly. At this moment, their greatest suspect was likewise the Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation.

They had previously believed that the man in the black robe was Di Fu, yet now they began to doubt. After all, how long had it been since Luo He became a Divine King? And already he had suppressed eight Emperors working together? Without revealing the slightest trace?

“Whoosh—”

Emperor Qing sat still.

Yet a ripple of power crossed the vast distance and descended upon the capital of the Myriad Realms Nation.

……

“Ruler.” A thought descended upon the capital.

The Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation was currently in seclusion. His figure was towering and his expression gentle. Raising his head to look at the manifestation of Emperor Qing condensed from divine thought before him, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Old friend, your strength grows ever more unfathomable.”

In this era, only the two of them on the Origin Continent had comprehended a complete Origin Path. They were rivals and also fellow travelers on the same road.

It was only that Emperor Qing’s access to resources and opportunities far surpassed that of the Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation. He had stepped into the realm beyond the Divine King first, and had begun exploring the outer worlds—widening the gap between them even further.

“Venturing into the outer worlds is far more dangerous, but it also brings greater knowledge and chances.” Emperor Qing smiled at him. “I invited you to come with me back then, but you refused.”

“You had already surpassed the Divine King realm before venturing out. I, however, am still only at the Ultimate Realm,” the Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation said. “Between the Ultimate Realm and beyond the Divine King-level, the difference is one of essence. Ordinary beings of the Ultimate Realm find survival in the outer worlds extremely difficult.”

“We are all lifeforms nurtured by the Source World. The Supreme Laws of the Source World protect us,” Emperor Qing explained. “Even if one of our clones dies in the outer worlds, the clone that remains here at home can restore its strength and dispatch another.”

That was the great advantage of lifeforms born of the Source World.

To be born within the Source World and possess a Clone Technique meant that the chance of true death was extremely low.

“I’ve heard that the outer worlds also contain great calamities—ones that might even affect the clones within the Source World,” the Ruler said.

“Yes,” Emperor Qing replied. “If one is truly unfortunate and encounters a High-Rank Primordial Lifeform—their life essence and realm are far above ours. Even though the Supreme Laws can block many attacks, soul contamination is unavoidable.”

“Once we are contaminated, the souls of all our clones become polluted.”

“If the contamination is too strong, even the clones will perish entirely,” said Emperor Qing.

Luo Feng’s own experience at the Ultimate Divine King Realm came to mind—just a fragment of a dream-like image had left him lightly contaminated.

“High-Rank Primordial Lifeforms… they’re that terrifying?” The Ruler was shaken.

“The probability is very low,” Emperor Qing said. “Seniors like Yuan and the others are working hard to protect and cultivate us weaker ones. Thus, most of the beings we encounter are Low-Rank Primordial Lifeforms. But if a low-rank one evolves into a High-Rank Primordial Lifeform, and we happen to encounter it… well, that would simply be ill fate.”

“Look at the Ancestors of the Two Kingdoms—they’ve lived this long,” Emperor Qing chuckled. “As long as we’re careful and avoid overly dangerous regions, those of us Source World beings who have clones are relatively safe.” ṝáℕȱ฿Е§

“I’ve heard that the beings of the outer worlds mostly don’t have clones?” the Ruler asked curiously.

Emperor Qing nodded. “Only lifeforms born of the Source World can possess clones. That is our advantage.”

The Ruler of the Myriad Realms Nation understood.

“By the way,” Emperor Qing continued, “do you know the identity of the black-robed man who killed Emperor Yuan?”

“That battle was tremendous,” the Ruler replied. “I observed from afar and only saw the endless Life Blood River and the Hunyuan Space Eight-Phase Formation. I couldn’t see through the identity of the black robe. Didn’t you suspect me?”

“On the surface, the one most likely to possess such power on the Origin Continent would indeed be you,” Emperor Qing smiled. “But I know you too well—it’s not your way.”

The Ruler nodded. “I’ve also been thinking—who exactly is that black robe? Eight Emperors performed the Hunyuan Space Eight-Phase Formation, and I couldn’t match it. Yet he managed to suppress the entire array.”

Emperor Qing frowned. “It’s not you, and it can’t be the Ancestor of the East Extremity Region. Then who?”

“The rise of a powerhouse follows a process—Chaos Realm, First Stage Divine King, Second Stage, Ultimate Realm—each step leaves traces,” the Ruler said.

“The Master of the Shadow Heaven Realm cultivates both the Origin Path of Matter and of Infinity. If he reached the Ultimate Realm and opened a new Origin Path, the Infinite Space would recognize him and grant him a treasure suited to his nature. That could explain such power.”

“Fire Ancestor, favored by Yuan, might also have a slight possibility.”

“And then there’s Luo He. When he first became a Chaos Realm expert, he already possessed the power of a Chaos Realm Transcendent. Upon becoming a Divine King, he was the strongest First-Stage Divine King in history. When he reached the Second-Stage Divine King, he even fought the Dark Sky Lord of the Destruction Legion. Luo He too could possibly create such miracles.”

The Ruler mused, “Thinking it over, only these three—the Shadow Heaven Realm Master, the Fire Ancestor, and Luo He—are capable of achieving the impossible. Others’ talent cannot compare to theirs.”

“The Shadow Heaven Realm, the Fire Ancestor, and Luo He?” Emperor Qing laughed. “No need to rush. If one possesses such power, they will reveal more and more traces in time.”

The Ruler nodded.

The black-robed man’s strength was too terrifying. Neither wished to risk exposing his identity.

……

The Ancient Flame Kingdom and the Ancient Thunder Kingdom occupied the very center of the Origin Continent—the most prosperous region of all. Around them lay two other first-class nations: the Tianmu Nation and the Myriad Realms Nation, along with countless secondary and tertiary kingdoms.

The one once called the greatest sinner of the Origin Continent—Iron Howl Demon Monarch—had ruled over one such secondary kingdom. In fact, over a dozen surrounding kingdoms had also fallen under his control. Having once plundered twelve nations’ populations in one sweep, the nearby Divine Kings had long fled, unwilling to be neighbors with him.

But now—

Emperor Yuan was dead, and Iron Howl Demon Monarch had disappeared.

The dozen or so surrounding kingdoms had lost their overlord, and thus dark undercurrents surged.

“Iron Howl Demon Monarch’s effective domain encompassed three secondary kingdoms and thirteen tertiary kingdoms—three hundred and fifty-nine Chaos States in total! Such a vast territory already qualified to establish a first-class nation.”

“Many powers covet that land.”

“The two ancient kingdoms’ backed forces, the three major foreign races—and perhaps even that black robe—might intervene.”

At first, all forces restrained themselves. But as time passed, the conflicts gradually began.

……

Huyang City, at the City Lord’s Mansion.

Within the Star Tower, Luo Feng was examining his spoils of battle.

A red cloak, a set of armor, a bead, a pair of gloves, and a pair of boots.

“Five treasures beyond the Divine King-level,” Luo Feng studied the mysteries within. “Unfortunately, all five are most suited for Emperor Yuan—each centered around the Origin Path of the World.”

These five treasures were each based on the Origin Path of the World while incorporating other profound mysteries—clearly of a level above the Divine Kings.

“This bead, however, might be somewhat useful.” Luo Feng lifted the black bead, within which an abyss evolved endlessly. “This bead centers around the World Path, yet also contains the Paths of Life and Destruction—three paths forming one abyss. It’s of limited help to me.”

“These gloves also contain a trace of the Destruction Path’s mysteries.”

“The other treasures, I can’t use at all.”

Luo Feng felt rather helpless.

In the Infinite Space Treasure Vault, one could freely choose and exchange for treasures perfectly suited to oneself.

As for spoils gained from killing Emperor Yuan? Those naturally suited only Emperor Yuan.

“Even this bead, though, is still centered around the World Path,” Luo Feng muttered. The Abyss Bead could aid his comprehension but wasn’t suited for combat.

“These five treasures are wasted in my hands. I should find a way to sell them.” He pondered.

“Master, Master,” Morosa suddenly sent a voice transmission.

With a thought, Luo Feng summoned him.

“What is it?” Luo Feng looked at Morosa.

“Master, the region Iron Howl Demon Monarch ruled is now in chaos,” Morosa said urgently. “Should we intervene and seize it?”

Luo Feng waved his hand, and a vast map of the Origin Continent appeared before them.

“Iron Howl Demon Monarch effectively controlled three secondary kingdoms and thirteen tertiary kingdoms—quite a range,” Luo Feng observed.

“Before, he had Emperor Yuan’s backing, which allowed him to rule so much territory,” Morosa said. “Now that Emperor Yuan is dead, countless powers are drawn there. Such a vast land—its periodic yield of Heavenly Treasures, residence fees from innumerable cultivators, even the fiends who devour living beings—all this will draw ancient beings’ attention.”

“With them fighting now, even the aftermath will harm countless weaker cultivators,” Morosa said. “If Master ruled that region, it would stabilize everything.”

Luo Feng studied the map in silence for a moment.

“After killing those great sinners, many territories were left behind,” Luo Feng said, drawing his finger across the map. “Iron Howl Demon Monarch’s domain, Ancestor Black Eagle’s domain, and the land left by Divine King Tianhou—all lie in this area.”

As Luo Feng’s finger swept across,

Iron Howl Demon Monarch’s land lay between the two ancient kingdoms,

while Ancestor Black Eagle’s domain was closer to the Ancient Thunder Kingdom.

With that single stroke, Luo Feng’s line enclosed both, along with several other nations, forming a long, narrow stretch of land.

“This region has long been rife with conflict and is filled with hidden fiends,” Luo Feng said. “We’ll take it.”

“Master, Ancestor Black Eagle is still alive—he’s still ruling that land. His territory covers 287 Chaos States! Though it’s said he controls it, in truth it’s the Monarchs of Thunder Mountain behind him who pull the strings.” Morosa couldn’t help but worry. “We’ve just angered the Ancient Flame Kingdom—are we really going to seize such a vast region from the hands of Thunder Mountain?”

“Ancestor Black Eagle has objections? Or perhaps the Monarchs behind him dare to?” Luo Feng cast him a calm glance.

Morosa shuddered.

He was being too timid again!

“As you command, Master.” Morosa responded immediately.

Luo Feng looked again at the map before him. That single stroke of his finger had outlined a territory encompassing seven hundred and twenty-nine Chaos States—larger than the Tianmu Nation, the Myriad Realms Nation, or even the East Extremity Region—nearly rivaling the two ancient kingdoms themselves.