As they approached continuously, the aura of the Secrets of Slaughter in the valley surged forward. If a slightly weaker Guiyuan Realm martial artist were to come within a kilometer of the valley, they would likely be overwhelmed by the violent Secrets of Slaughter and become a monster that only knows killing.

However, for Chu Ming, the Secrets of Slaughter in this valley were more like a plate of delicious food to a starving person. The Slaughter Sword Intent within him roared to break free, resonating faintly with the Secrets of Slaughter throughout the entire valley.

Thud!

The Blood Dome Sword in Chu Ming's hand trembled lightly, and a burst of sword light instantly shot from its tip, piercing through the blood-colored stone wall before him, revealing a cave just large enough for one person to enter.

Chu Ming stepped into the cave. From the outside, it would be difficult to spot him. Naturally, this did not rule out the possibility of someone with exceptional Soul Power discovering him, but in the entire Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm, those surpassing him in Soul Power were few and far between. Even Ling Yun couldn't compare to him in this aspect, thanks to the constant enhancement of his Soul Power by the White Light Plate.

Whoosh!

Seated in the cave, Chu Ming was surrounded by countless glimmering points of the Secrets of Slaughter, which poured into his body. In Chu Ming's mind, a scar representing the Slaughter Sword Intent gradually deepened.

Secrets also have levels. For the Slaughter Sword Intent, Tier One is the lowest and Tier Nine the highest. The levels of Secrets differ from those of the Slaughter Sword Intent, running from Low Tier to Middle Tier, High Tier, and Top Tier.

Currently, Chu Ming's three types of Secrets of Sword Dao, along with the Secrets of Flame and the Secrets of Wood, were all at the Low Tier level.

The stronger the Secrets, the more potent the resultant martial arts. For example, a Realm of Transcendence master who comprehends Middle Tier Secrets can unleash Low Tier martial arts with power comparable to, or even stronger than, a Realm of Transcendence master who comprehends Low Tier Secrets unleashing Middle Tier martial arts.

Swish, swish, swish!

The sparkling points of the Secrets of Slaughter enveloped Chu Ming entirely, transforming him into a blood-colored cocoon.

...

A black figure swiftly traversed through space, like a dark meteor streaking across the heavens and earth. Suddenly, the black figure stopped, revealing Ling Yun's cold eyes. His gaze was like a knife, piercing a certain spot in the space, and he said indifferently,

"Soroch, come out. I know you're there!"

A gentle breeze blew, causing Ling Yun's black robe to flutter and his black hair to fly.

Boom!

The space trembled, and a figure in yellow hemp cloth stepped forth, surrounded by shimmering light, resembling countless stars twinkling. The space around him broke inch by inch under the pressure of his presence.

"Ah, it's been years, yet you're still so impulsive."

Soroch, surrounded by faint golden Buddha light, resembled a true great Buddha, with boundless Buddhist power.

"I defeated you once, and I can defeat you again!"

Ling Yun said coldly. Qi Force erupted from his entire body, roaring to the heavens and transforming into a cold Finger Force that struck directly at Soroch. The space, like mirrored glass, rippled with layered reflections, and the cold Qi Force dissipated into nothingness by the Power of Space before reaching Soroch.

"Sigh, I'm no longer the person I was."

Soroch sighed softly. His body moved abruptly, shrouded in golden light. The Secrets of Destruction, the Secrets of Strength, and the Secrets of Immortality transformed into three massive spheres that flew to his head and revolved around it. It was as if a canopy had descended, and the area within a dozen miles around them became Soroch's domain.

At this moment, Ling Yun's pupils shrank sharply, and he said coldly, "You've been hiding your strength?"

Ling Yun's voice was as icy as winter, chilling to the bone.

"No, no one has yet forced me to use my full strength, and that includes you!"

Gazing deeply at Ling Yun, Soroch spoke slowly.

Outside.

The moment Soroch and Ling Yun encountered each other, the entire Holy City fell into a silent tension.

Soroch, the top genius of the Western Desert, ranked second on the Transcendence List. Ling Yun, the top genius of the Celestial Martial Continent, ranked first in the Realm of Transcendence. It was no exaggeration to say that both had the potential to become kings and emperors. Their encounter was bound to be a fierce dragon-tiger battle.

"Heavens, they have finally met!"

The dry body of Bright Mansion's Grand Elder Rain Fancheng trembled slightly as he sighed.

Even a King in the Life and Death Realm held a shred of anticipation for the battle between Ling Yun and Soroch.

Their duel could decide the next-generation leader, an honor and a responsibility that held the weight of the Celestial Martial Continent.

"I hope nothing unexpected happens."

Pavilion Master Lei Yingdong of the Wan Shan Pavilion was anxious. Ling Yun was the pillar of Wan Shan Pavilion and its future. Naturally, he hoped Ling Yun would win, but the current situation did not seem optimistic.

On the western side of the plaza sat over three hundred bald-headed martial artists in yellow hemp clothes. Their auras were steady, each with a distinct expression - some greedy, some kind, some wicked, some sad, some happy - but they were strangely harmonious when combined.

Seated at the forefront was a withered old man in gray robes, with a brownish complexion and murky eyes. A faint aura of death surrounded him, marked by the descent of the Celestial Human Five Declines, as his vitality gradually ebbed away.

This old man was the leading powerhouse of the West Desert Esoteric Sect, the Silver Lion Emperor. He once traveled to the Central Divine Domain and had grievances with the Emperor of Destruction. Although his combat strength was not as great as the Emperor of Destruction, he was still at an intermediate level among those who could be crowned and become emperors.

"Master, Junior Brother's Esoteric Buddhism Great Hand Seal has reached the Transformation Realm, and his Indestructible Golden Body has reached the Twelfth Layer. This time, he will surely be the first in the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm."

A middle-aged man beside the Silver Lion Emperor, neither pleased nor sad, spoke softly with his head lowered.

"Never underestimate anyone in this world, especially in the Central Divine Domain. Twenty years ago, the Emperor of Creation and the Emperor of Destruction emerged. Who can guarantee there won't be an anomaly this time?"

The Silver Lion Emperor sighed slightly. "I once suffered because of my arrogance. I do not wish my disciple to repeat my mistakes."

...

Boom!

At this moment, Ling Yun and Soroch had clashed deeply. Ling Yun's fingers slightly moved, sending terrifying beams spiraling into vortexes within the space, which shattered the surroundings. Ling Yun's full-strength strike could kill a Ninth Layer Realm of Transcendence expert with a single blow.

"Stop wasting your effort. You cannot win!"

Soroch's face remained unchanged, his chiseled features extraordinarily handsome, and his eyes as cold as ice.