One hundred and thirty-four. Mine? It's mine?

Emperor Zuantian took a deep breath. This was like a game of gamble; having played one round, he now desperately craved a second. He felt confident he could win as long as he unraveled this mystery, after which everything would fall smoothly into place.

With a wave of his hand, he first reduced the trapped chains of Dongyin Gonggong to ashes, pulling him closer before commanding, "Keep a close eye on him! Don't let him immolate himself!"

His imposing aura suddenly surged. In the distance, Hantu broke out in a cold sweat as an imperial majesty erupted from Zuantian's body, forcefully suppressing Zuantian's own spell. Yet the next moment, among the scattered crowd, Jiayou Ke was involuntarily pulled by a spatial shift and captured right before Zuantian.

Zuantian did not even touch Old Third Xiong and the others hiding within the Fear-Hate Immortal Sword, acting as if this immortal artifact were tainted with immense karma and fraught with misfortune.

Jiayou Ke was drenched in sweat. Possessing an immortal body, if not for the protective properties of the Ethereal Totem, he would have long been crushed into vapor by the imperial pressure.

His limbs trembled. Looking at the helpless and captured Wuyun, he sighed inwardly, "This Ethereal Sect Master's tenure has simply been too short."

Jiayou Ke cast aside all thoughts of life and death, or perhaps life and death were never truly under his control. In that instant, an absolute obsession surged within him—a fierce determination to grow stronger, to strive to become stronger.

As the two characters comprising the Ethereal Totem expanded, the characters left behind by the Ethereal Immortal Emperor finally unleashed their ultimate power, forming the Thirty-Three Heavens. Remarkably, this was the artifact spirit of a grade-two immortal artifact, and as the spirit expanded, countless inheritances began to revolve within it.

These sights caused Zuantian to tremble slightly. The very thing he desired most was contained within these inheritances. Or rather, among them lay something depicting the legendary growth journey of the Ethereal Immortal Emperor.

It was said that the Ethereal Immortal Emperor possessed the ultimate metal-attuned supreme immortal body, allowing his cultivation to proceed without the slightest obstruction.

Yet, another rumor claimed that this immortal body was deliberately engineered and meticulously crafted by his parents.

Just imagine what it meant to manufacture an ultimate metal-attuned supreme immortal body. Any such immortal body was born from countless variables; if there was even a one-percent success rate, it would shock any Immortal Emperor to the core.

Everyone wished to leave behind the finest progeny.

Zuantian extended a hand and grabbed at the two Ethereal characters. The characters emitted boundless might, and under Zuantian's incantations, they forcibly shattered layers of restrictions until they broke apart entirely. Countless streams of inheritance poured forth, which he joyfully gathered into his divine soul.

All his efforts were finally about to bear fruit at this very moment.

This was not the endeavor of a single generation; from his master's master, all of this had been calculated, and a tremendous price had been paid.

Just as he was rejoicing, Jiayou Ke’s immortal body watched as it was about to be crushed into powder by the imperial pressure. Suddenly, a stubborn will descended. This will seemed to span across multiple dimensions, arriving here weak and fragile.

Even so, this will descended upon Jiayou Ke, and much like a shaman summoning a deity, a blurred figure emerged from within Jiayou Ke.

At that moment, the silent Wuyun began to chant softly. The blurred figure gazed toward Wuyun and chanted in response. After a brief three-line exchange, that blurred figure was struck down with a single palm by Zuantian, vanishing completely within Jiayou Ke's body.

Blood spurted from every pore of Jiayou Ke's body. Just as he was on the verge of perishing, Wuyun cried out, "Don't you want to know what that shadow just now was?"

Zuantian froze, and Dongyin Gonggong beside Wuyun froze as well. "Could it not be the final guardian of the Ethereal characters?"

Hearing this, Wuyun burst into hearty laughter. In the distance, Hantu shook his head continuously, saying to Old Third Xiong and Long Yi, "Why do I feel like our senior is trying to play himself to death!"

Long Yi and Old Third Xiong nodded simultaneously, speaking in unison, "He's definitely looking for a quick death!"

***

Interrupted by Wuyun, Jiayou Ke endured a body riddled with holes like a sieve and rolled over in front of Wuyun. He did not dare utter a single word to his friends, nor even to Jieli, for fear of implicating them.

Wuyun recounted the various preceding causes and effects, stating with cheerful satisfaction, "Those three generations of ancestors calculated every single angle. Even their forefathers ventured into the desperate realms alongside the Great Ethereal Immortal Emperor, dying without a place for burial, leading the Great Ethereal Immortal Sect to exist only in name. But as long as the Ethereal Emperor does not die, how could his sect ever perish!"

A sinister, dark immortal fire flickered in the depths of Zuantian's eyes—it was the fire of the netherworld. He wished he could instantly burn Wuyun to ashes to prevent him from speaking another word. Yet, his reason held him back.

Some core secrets had finally reached the very end of their revelation.

"What you say is correct. Eight Immortal Emperors participated in this affair. Each of them feared the Ethereal Emperor's methods and worried that his descendants would continue to exhibit such terrifying potential. Thus, they joined forces to annihilate Ethereal and his sect, strangling this secret—regardless of whether it was true or false—in its cradle!"

After finishing, Zuantian added heavily, "Perhaps this was a conspiracy. But after the rise of the Great Ethereal Immortal Sect was cut short, our sects have survived exceedingly well, with no further threat of extinction. As for the descendants of us eight Immortal Emperors, only four have managed to achieve the Emperor realm!"

As Zuantian's voice fell, three spatial rifts rippled through the void, and three distinct auras of imperial majesty emanated from them, ready to reinforce Zuantian at any moment.

"The other four, along with our founding ancestors, were buried alongside Ethereal. Later, we indirectly eradicated his remaining sect, leaving behind informants to quietly await the descendants of the Ethereal Immortal Emperor or his reincarnated form."

Wuyun was still laughing, laughing so hard tears were about to fall. He said, "Do you know who I was just conversing with?"

Zuantian wore a grave expression.

Wuyun continued, "I asked him, 'Are you still alive?' He replied, 'I am still alive, and I am about to become a god.' I asked again, 'Then when will you return?' He answered, 'The moment the Ethereal characters are destroyed, I must return. My elder brother is still here. I must see him one last time.'"

His expression growing increasingly solemn, Wuyun gazed toward the spatial tunnel. Following a brief exchange of divine sense, the three spatial rifts vanished. Enraged, Zuantian roared, "If he is still alive, do you think hiding prevents us from finding you? Do you think a slumbering ancestor can stop him?"

After his roar, he glared viciously at Wuyun, preparing to end the latter's life with a single glance. Suddenly, the spatial tunnel opened once more, and a majestic figure stepped out. He looked around the scene, gazed at Wuyun, and finally declared, "As long as you don't run, it's fine. My trip wasn't wasted!"

Zuantian was stunned. What business did this emerging Demon Emperor have here? Taking a closer look, he recognized the newcomer. Before his furrowed brows could relax enough for him to speak, the latter stated, "I am not here to meddle in your grievances with the Ethereal Immortal Sect. Your feud arose entirely from such an illusory and ethereal concept as the supreme immortal body. I only want him alive, along with the treasures on him."

Watching Long Yi, Hantu, and the others attempting to flee, Jing Shang wore a look of utter disdain, quietly waiting for the reaction of the Immortal Emperor beside him.

Zuantian's expression shifted numerous times. The entire Baiguo Star had been sealed off; even if someone sliced open space to leave, they would inevitably fall right into the formations deployed by the other three Immortal Emperors.

The purpose was to thoroughly exterminate all descendants of the Great Ethereal Immortal Sect. Yet, with Ethereal still alive, everything had turned absurd and laughable.

To make matters worse, just as he intended to kill the source of this absurdity, a Demon Emperor had appeared to obstruct him, one who moreover understood all the secrets.

Thinking of the unbridled aura that had swept through outer space earlier, and considering the possibility that this Demon Emperor might have watched the entire spectacle from start to finish, a blazing fury flared deep within his heart.

"Jingshang Tianchongniu, you and I have always kept to our own waters. The dragon and flood-dragon clans in the surrounding planets were completely slaughtered without either of us raising a question. Must you insist on getting involved?"

Jingshang pointed out his intention once more, sweeping his hand to churn the array formations surrounding Wuyun into turbulent spatial chaos, preventing anyone from escaping.

Having done this, seeing Zuantian's chest heave with suppressed rage, he spoke toward outer space, "The two of you have arrived as well. Come down and watch the commotion."

Two streams of divine sense descended from outer space, arriving directly beside Jingshang Tianchongniu. They belonged to his son, Niu Chongxing, and a masked entity.

***

Zuantian's gaze flickered. He detected the aura of death emanating from the masked entity, accompanied by a wave of imperial majesty.

Accustomed to dealing with corpses for years, he immediately understood what manner of being the other party was.

"Oh?" Jing Shang uttered in confusion, and Zuantian was similarly startled. With a backhanded swipe, two figures materialized within the locked and sealed planetary space.

Upon their appearance, Jing Shang looked slightly unnatural. Before he could speak, the avatar of the Bitao Emperor Snake greeted Luo Huawu, saying, "Sister, it's been a long time. Every time I drink the wine you personally brewed, I am reminded of your visage. Rest assured, with me here, the Hundred Flowers Valley remains the undisputed overlord of Baiguo Star!"

Beside her stood another figure with her head lowered—it was none other than the Ten-Fox Immortal King. She had been brought along by the Emperor Snake in respectful subservience. Yet, just as the Emperor Snake closed the distance toward Jing Shang, her body suddenly exploded, and her divine soul burst into flames.

This scene baffled everyone present. Yet the divine soul of the Ten-Fox Immortal King, despite being scorched by the raging immortal fire, did not dare utter a single word of grievance.

Jing Shang remained silent, his expression natural, as he replied, "Sister Bi, she had no other choice. You know the forces behind me as well. This time..."

The Emperor Snake interrupted him, closing the distance further as she spoke, "My true body is fighting for the ownership of a lower-realm small world on behalf of our race. Every seemingly simple venture carries immense peril. Yet you, you foolish ox, colluded with other factions to strike at the prize I had already secured. Are you truly unafraid of me coming to settle accounts with you?"

Jing Shang's expression finally shifted as he sighed, "The chips they offered were simply too much for me to refuse. They must see people alive if they survive, and their corpses if they die."

"You fear that faction, but are you not afraid of me? Do you think they would let me suffer injuries during the contention? Could they?"

Jing Shang's expression grew heavy. He said gravely, "This is my only chance to break free from your shadow. Otherwise, my cultivation will remain at a complete standstill."

As the Emperor Snake and Jing Shang stood nose-to-nose, an oppressive aura filled the atmosphere.

It was the tension preceding a battle between two Immortal Emperors.

At that moment, Wuyun spoke up, calling out to Luo Huawu, "Hey, they always say you have a kind heart. That ten-tailed fox is about to be burned to ashes; why don't you save her?"

Even Zuantian wore a look of utter perplexity. They say the enemy of my enemy is a friend, but the other party was clearly in the middle of sorting out domestic affairs. You, a piece of meat on someone else's chopping board, still have the leisure to meddle in others' business?

Hantu was dumbfounded as well. Even if he could withstand two attacks, with so many Immortal Emperors arriving and spatial passages riddled with array traps, how could anyone possibly escape?

Yet, he was actually thinking about saving a fox. Just as he was about to curse inwardly, he noticed the look of delight on Long Yi's face and instantly understood—even in the face of imminent catastrophe, this fellow was still plotting benefits for his own brothers.

Luo Huawu paused. If she saved her, it would be equivalent to meddling in the affairs between the Emperor Snakes. But if she didn't, the Emperor Snake's previous words had clearly been meant to back her up.

Therefore, with a wave of her hand, she swept the fox into a pavilion and remarked, "Such a fine divine soul should be plenty for refining pills. I'll reserve it for Sister to brew a fine batch of beauty-nourishing pills."

Seeing this, Wuyun repeatedly expressed his gratitude, while Long Yi even displayed a look of excitement. Only Old Third Xiong stared at the green leaves and muttered to himself, "Wait, that's not right... wasn't that supposed to be mine? Mine?"