Chapter Eighty: Unusual Movements in the Ancient Temple

“We were merely passing through and sensed an oceanic surge of demonic power here, so we came to investigate. We didn’t expect to meet you all,” said a woman in white with a faint smile, then her expression turned grave. “Who would have thought this was where the Demon Empress of the beast clans would attempt her nirvana and rebirth? Since you’re all still alive, it seems her attempt has failed. In the coming days, this news will shake all of Eastern Wilderness, and this place will be surrounded by countless cultivators from every sect.”

The Yan Kingdom was nothing but a speck, a mere drop in the vast ocean of the Eastern Wilderness. If the news spread, this ruin would soon be inundated by endless cultivators.

At this moment, those who regretted most were likely the human cultivators and shape-shifting beasts who first discovered the ancient demon hall. Now, with all three sacred lands involved, Ye Wuyai realized his journey here had been in vain—he alone could not possibly contend with these colossal powers.

“Wait!” Suddenly, Ye Wuyai remembered something—his identity. Since he bore the infamous name of the Blood Demon, then...

Ye Wuyai began to laugh quietly to himself.

A cultivator from the Divine Soaring Empire drove an ancient war chariot with a thunderous roar, crushing through the sky, making the heavens tremble as it sped away.

Seeing the Divine Soaring Empire’s people leaving to call for reinforcements, the faces of those from the Purple Gold Sacred Land changed dramatically. An elder hurriedly instructed two disciples, “You must return to the Sacred Land at once and report this! Send for our most powerful to come to our aid!”

The news of the Demon Empress’s attempted rebirth could no longer be concealed. Soon, this place would shake the entire boundless Eastern Wilderness.

Before long, more and more sects and factions would surely arrive, including other sacred lands and divine empires.

“Let us join forces to break open the Demon Empress’s nirvana ground and retrieve the treasures within. What do you all say?” An elder from the Divine Soaring Empire looked at the experts from Purple Gold Sacred Land, then turned to the dozen women from the Immortal Moon Sacred Land.

“That would be ideal,” the Purple Gold Sacred Land expert immediately agreed.

The dozen women from the Immortal Moon Sacred Land, ethereal and otherworldly in their beauty, seemed reluctant to participate in this battle. They all withdrew, and their leader spoke gently, “We are merely passing by and have no desire to compete for the Demon Empress’s treasures.”

“In that case, we shall not press the fairies of Immortal Moon Sacred Land,” said those from the Divine Soaring Empire and Purple Gold Sacred Land, secretly relieved to have fewer competitors. Though there were many treasures here, who would ever complain of having too many?

“Let’s not waste time—force open the Empress’s nirvana ground at once!”

All those from the Divine Soaring Empire and Purple Gold Sacred Land entered the Demon Empress’s nirvana ground again, intent on breaking it open.

A thunderous boom resounded.

The ancient hall, forged of five-colored divine jade, shook violently, radiating dazzling light that made the whole world tremble along with it.

“Something seems off...” The dozen fairies from Immortal Moon Sacred Land watched from afar, their expressions growing uneasy.

A mysterious aura spread from the Empress’s nirvana ground. The immense demonic power continued to gather, shrouding the area in a hazy mist.

“The runes on the ancient hall seem to be growing brighter.”

The runes etched upon the hall shone with strange light; dragon-shaped glyphs writhed like tiny serpents, phoenix-shaped ones threatened to take flight, and those of the black tortoise rolled and tumbled...

“The ancient runes seem alive, all trembling as if ready to burst through the walls.”

“Something’s wrong—there’s something strange about the Demon Empress’s nirvana ground!”

The dozen fairies from Immortal Moon Sacred Land all looked astonished; they felt the demonic energy growing ever stronger, surging like a rising ocean.

Not all from the Divine Soaring Empire and Purple Gold Sacred Land had entered. Those standing guard outside sensed the change and shouted into the hall, “Something’s not right inside! Get out, quick!”

Even without their warning, those within already knew disaster had struck. The foremost among them suddenly dissolved into blood mist—it happened so swiftly, none could fathom what was happening.

Everyone retreated at once, transforming into streaks of divine light as they fled toward the exit.

A blinding radiance erupted within the nirvana ground. Those at the rear burst into flames, struggling desperately but to no avail, reduced to ashes in an instant.

“Run!”

Of the dozen-plus who entered, only five or six emerged. In an instant, many lives had been lost, sealed within forever.

The great doors of the ancient hall slowly closed. Through the narrowing gap, one could glimpse within: dazzling light, and those trapped inside unable to move, their bodies turning transparent, blood igniting, organs charring, flesh and bone crumbling to dust in a heartbeat.

The terror etched on their faces at death sent chills through everyone, especially those who had just escaped—they shuddered at how close they had come to that same fate.

“How could this happen? What’s going on? Why has the nirvana ground suddenly become so terrifying?”

The elder of the Divine Soaring Empire was ashen-faced. They had not obtained any great treasure, yet already so many had perished—a dire omen.

“This was the Demon Empress’s last contingency. Without a great beast present, this ancient hall is deadly for human cultivators!” judged the expert from Purple Gold Sacred Land.

The others agreed. Earlier, when several great beasts were present, nothing had happened. Only after they left did the hall become so deadly and mysterious.

“It’s likely as you say. No matter what, the Demon Empress was of the beast clans. She must have left precautions during her nirvana, unwilling for human cultivators to inherit her legacy after her failure.”

Ye Wuyai was only a few miles from the ancient demon hall. He and the fat monk could clearly see the dazzling light, and the human cultivators inside being instantly consumed, leaving not a trace behind.

“What now? Should we try to catch a few great beasts? But it’s probably too late—many sects must already be on their way.”

After a brief discussion, the Divine Soaring Empire and Purple Gold Sacred Land decided to mount a joint assault from outside, hoping to break open the ancient hall before more rivals arrived and threw the fate of the Empress’s treasures into uncertainty.

“Fatty, I don’t think we should try to snatch anything. The Demon Empress’s nirvana ground is far too frightening—even those powerful cultivators were obliterated in a blink. We’d best not go courting death!” Ye Wuyai stared in shock at the ancient hall, which had become utterly transformed.

“Don’t worry, my friend,” said the fat monk calmly. “Since we’re in this together, I won’t keep anything from you. I have my own way.”

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