Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 618 Who plotted this? I beg you to grant me death!

Cao An, Gu Yu, and Yan Jiuyin were extremely anxious.

The supreme skill was within reach, yet the three of them could only watch from the sidelines, unable to intervene.

[It should be understood that even supreme grandmasters would vie for this "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra." Any sect that obtains it could rewrite the true格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall structure and overall balance of power) of this world.]

[The Scorpion of the Divine Mechanism Sect gradually displayed astonishing strength, seemingly able to rival Tianjing Xu, Lu Beiyou, and others.]

[In the Heavenly Dao Pavilion's ranking of the Outer Path Dragons and Tigers, Scorpion was originally not well-known. He rarely fought against others, so naturally he had no notable achievements.]

[As for Lu Beiyou and Zhuang Xiuyin's cultivation levels, both the righteous and demonic paths had long speculated: even if they were slightly inferior to Song Wuji, they would at most be only half a step behind.]

At this moment, Lu Beiyou and Zhuang Xiuyin had joined forces against their enemy, while Scorpion and Tianjingxu were also supporting each other, gradually creating a stalemate between the two sides.

The four men tossed and fought over the mechanical toad, preventing anyone else from getting close.

Your gaze never lingered on the battle; it remained fixed on the depths of the Hall of Tranquility.

The unease in my heart grew stronger, surging up like a tide. Those who cultivate themselves often have the greatest faith in this kind of intuition.

Even when you were in the Langya Heavenly Realm, facing the numerous traps set by Danling, you never felt such a clear ominous sign.

You suddenly turn around and look at the thousand-step staircase you came from. An invisible barrier has silently blocked your way back.

This place is a no-turn zone!

The battle situation has changed again!

[Tian Jingxu's acupoints swelled, and with a sudden inhale, countless swords of energy shot out from his major acupoints.]

[Lu Beiyou had already activated his protective golden light, but dared not take it head-on. Everyone had previously witnessed the power of Tian Jingxu's sword energy; without using magic, it was simply impossible to withstand it with just physical strength.]

Zhuang Xiuyin also retreated swiftly, dodging the attack.

[Only the scorpion remained unmoved, allowing the sword energy to rain down upon its reddish-brown cloak, producing a series of metallic clanging sounds.]

Despite suffering such a severe injury, Scorpion's aura only weakened slightly.

He struck again, revealing a deep, dark opening in his palm, directly facing Tian Jingxu.

In an instant, flames erupted, like fireworks exploding all around. The force of the recoil was so great that even Scorpion himself was thrown back more than ten feet!

Tian Jingxu frowned slightly. Seeing the mechanical toad so close, he stopped dodging and chose to take the attack head-on.

【"boom--!"

[A deafening roar!]

[You couldn't help but turn your gaze to the battle; the flashes of light Scorpion had just unleashed were undoubtedly firearms developed by the Divine Mechanism Sect.]

This item is quite famous in this world; some mortal dynasties have used similar firearms to kill low-level cultivators.

However, its power is ultimately limited. Without the support of external forces, it is almost impossible to cause substantial damage to cultivators at the Dao Embryo Realm who have already achieved physical perfection.

Unexpectedly, Scorpion carried such firearms. Judging from their appearance, they were clearly improved versions, with increased power; the deafening roar just now was proof of that.

[What a pity! If this attack had been combined with magical power, it might have truly severely injured Tianjingxu. Relying solely on the power of firearms, it was ultimately difficult to achieve a complete victory.]

Upon seeing this, Yan Jiuyin of the Chaoyin Sect looked worried.

As the smoke cleared, Tian Jingxu's figure reappeared.

He gripped the mechanical toad tightly in his hand, and a charred, bowl-sized hole was starkly visible in his chest—a horrifying injury.

However, the wound began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye; granulation tissue began to move, transforming into smooth, white flesh, leaving no scar.

Everyone recognized this as one of the demonic arts from "The Emperor's Pillow Book"—the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique.

[As long as the head is not removed, the body's vital energy can be activated to regenerate.]

This refined, scholarly-looking man exerted a slight force with his fingers, and the mechanical toad shattered, revealing a ball of dark yellow light that he held steadily in his palm.

The halo gradually dissipated, coalescing into an ancient, simple scroll.

Gu Yu and Cao An's expressions darkened; the Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra had ultimately fallen into the hands of Tian Jingxu.

You gaze at the ancient scroll, your brow gradually furrowing.

However, Tian Jingxu's face showed no joy whatsoever. Instead, his expression suddenly changed. The arm that was gripping the scroll was severed at the root, bleeding profusely, and he fell to the ground.

From within the scrolls, countless dark insect shadows surged forth like a turbid undercurrent, rapidly spreading outwards.

While everyone was still in shock, Lu Beiyou had already quietly arrived.

[Then, talismans flew from her sleeves, swirling with golden light, transforming into a cage that sealed all the strange insects within!]

[If you look closely, you'll see that this insect has a black tail, about the thickness of a finger joint, and its head has a distinctly black and white face, making it exceptionally strange.]

[A thought flashed through your mind. You'd seen this kind of insect before; it was the insect that Danling's elder brother transformed into when he died in the Langya Heavenly Realm.]

[The true form of the Langya clan!]

Are these insects from the Langya clan?

The swarm of insects emitted a piercing shriek, unsettling everyone. In the blink of an eye, Tianjingxu's severed arm had been completely devoured by them.

Tian Jingxu stood quietly to one side, the flesh at the site of his severed arm slowly regenerating, but his face was visibly paler.

He asked, still somewhat shaken, "What is this thing?!"

"Just a moment ago, it almost took over my body."

Zhuang Xiuyin and Scorpion slowly approached. Since this item was not the Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra, everyone temporarily set aside their arguments and ceased their struggle.

The voice that finally broke through the reddish-brown cloak of Scorpion revealed a hint of emotion: "Who... orchestrated this scheme?"

At this point, everyone understood—the so-called "Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra" was nothing but bait, concealing such treacherous insects that would corrode anyone who touched it.

If it weren't for Tian Jingxu possessing the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique, anyone else would likely have already met a tragic end.

At this moment, the swarm of insects had completely merged into a strange insect the size of a palm, frantically charging forward within Lu Beiyou's talismanic seal.

Lu Beiyou's expression changed: "My 'Three Truths Refining Talisman' is about to give way!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhuang Xiuyin had already summoned a bronze mirror. The mirror's surface shimmered with a clear light, cascading down like water, completely enveloping the strange insect.

The insect, touched by the clear light, immediately swayed unsteadily as if drunk, its ferocious aura vanishing.

Everyone recognized that this was the Kunlun Mirror, a divine forbidden magic treasure from West Kunlun. Zhuang Xiuyin's possession was obviously not the genuine article; her cultivation level was simply insufficient to activate a divine forbidden treasure—it was a replica.

Zhuang Xiuyin then spoke cautiously, "This object... seems to belong to the Langya clan, one of the nine ancient clans?"

"Although Langya is not a true spirit, it can parasitize the body of a true spirit, and thus... control its mind and body."

"Langya!?"

[The assembled crowd was all knowledgeable. Tianjingxu said in a deep voice, "The ancient Langya clan, according to legend, possessed two immortal herbs and was one of the nine great clans."]

[“Furthermore, there are rumors that Langya was once betrothed to the Heavenly Emperor, and was his first principal wife.”]

"But even Langya... how could they have survived until now?" The crowd looked again at the deep, dark hall, their eyes now showing a hint of apprehension. The unknown and mysterious are what instill the most fear.

Could it be that the so-called Heavenly Emperor's Heart Sutra is nothing but a hoax from beginning to end?

Tian Jingxu's gaze swept over the three of them: "What should we do now?"

"Should we still enter the Tranquility Hall?"

Scorpion was decisive: "My Divine Mechanism Sect withdraws here."

Zhuang Xiuyin's gaze swept over you almost imperceptibly before returning to you: "I'm afraid that even if we wanted to extricate ourselves now, it would be beyond our control."

The four looked down towards the path they had come from, only to find an invisible force sealing off the area like a cage, making retreat impossible.

Tian Jingxu frowned, then suddenly realized something: "Could it be that the Holy Lord of All Living Beings, Jiu Yang, and the Celestial Being... are also trapped in this way?"

Just then, Zhuang Xiuyin suddenly shouted, "Not good!"

Cao An and the others, already on edge because of Tian Jingxu's words, looked over at the sound and saw that the trapped worms had regained their ferocity and were no longer suppressed by the Kunlun Mirror's clear light, but were violently attacking the sealing array.

Tian Jingxu immediately decided: "Let's join forces and kill him first!"

The four nodded in agreement. If this insect were to break free, who knew what unforeseen events it would cause? It would certainly be detrimental to everyone present.

They must be eliminated first!

[A cyan jade seal appeared in Zhuang Xiuyin's palm, while golden light condensed around Lu Beiyou, coiling around the strange insect. Tian Jingxu slowly raised a flying knife with a cold, gleaming light.]

[You were surprised: from beginning to end, apart from the first time he revealed his demonic power, Tian Jingxu's other methods did not seem to follow the path of demons.]

[Especially that throwing knife; he has used it repeatedly.]

Just as everyone was about to join forces to kill the monstrous insect—

Your eyes shifted, you suddenly turned around, and your gaze fell upon the long steps below.

A figure was ascending the steps at an astonishing speed, leaping from the first step to over four hundred steps in the blink of an eye!

Its momentum didn't diminish but rather increased; in the blink of an eye, it swept over another seven hundred steps.

Everyone sensed something and turned to look—

A tall, handsome young man slowly approached from below the steps; his pace appeared slow, but his speed was astonishing.

His black hair was loose, his upper body was bare, and his well-defined muscles gleamed faintly.

Zhuang Xiuyin activated the Kunlun Mirror, its clear light flowing like a ribbon, yet it still couldn't capture the man's elusive figure!

In the instant everyone was stunned, that figure was already standing on the highest step.

[The visitor is clearly hostile!]

[Scorpion struck first, casting a large net overhead, but it was instantly shattered by the divine light flashing in the opponent's eyes.]

[A burst of azure arcs of electricity suddenly erupted from the black-haired youth's body, the force of which was so great that it directly tore apart the magic array set up by Lu Beiyou.]

The aftershocks merely swept over Cao An and Gu Yu behind the steps, leaving them with no way to avoid the impact. Although they summoned their magical treasures to defend themselves, they were still blasted backward, coughing up blood.

Many disciples below were also caught in the electric arc, instantly turning into charred corpses, their deaths gruesome.

This was merely the arc of electricity naturally flowing around the man's body; he hadn't actually made a move, nor had he even glanced at the crowd.

Just as the black-haired youth broke through the magic array, the elusive insect that had broken free of its restraints was about to dart into the Tranquil Heart Hall, but he easily caught it.

Strangely, the monstrous insect that even Tian Jingxu had previously feared was now trembling and moaning in his palm, filled with terror.

Arcs of electricity coiled around it like chains, binding it tightly.

The black-haired youth then revealed a slight smile, looked up into the depths of the hall, and slowly spoke:

"I never expected... you had such a backup plan."

"What immortality elixir... How laughable!"

The appearance of the black-haired youth plunged the entire space into a deathly, oppressive silence.

This person arrived suddenly, suppressing the entire scene with absolute power, looking down upon all directions with disdain.

If True Person Yi were here, he would surely recognize this black-haired youth as the one who once claimed to be the reincarnation of the immortal elixir, Purple Bamboo, and who called himself "Lord Purple Mountain."

Lu Beiyou, Zhuang Xiuyin, Tianjingxu, and Xie stood side by side in tacit understanding, their eyes warily locked onto the black-haired youth.

[Tian Jingxu glimpsed several Chaoyin Sect disciples behind him being struck by the stray arcs of electricity, instantly turning them into charred remains, without even a cry of pain—this power of lightning actually had a natural restraint on the Chaoyin Sect's Yin Soul Technique!]

What kind of thunder magic is this?

Everyone stared intently at the suddenly appearing black-haired youth, their eyes filled with barely concealed fear.

This person's appearance is unfamiliar; he is clearly not among the disciples from the righteous, demonic, or heretical sects who entered the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury this time.

Could it be... that he was originally one of the beings in this Heavenly Emperor's Treasury? At this thought, everyone's hearts sank even further.

[Your eyes gleamed with a hidden brilliance, yet you found it difficult to discern the depth of the other's cultivation level. Since entering the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury, you've only encountered this situation with Dan Ling!]

Could it be... that this person, like Dan Ling, has also been reborn into the world in another's body?

What's even more unsettling is that you have a vague feeling he's several times more dangerous than Dan Ling; the dazzling lightning flowing around him makes it impossible for you to discern which divine lightning inheritance it belongs to!

The black-haired youth's mention of the "elixir of immortality" might be unfamiliar to Tian Jingxu and the others, but you had already heard Master Huanghua explain at the Huanghua Temple that the elixir was refined by the Heavenly Emperor and had already been consumed by him personally.

This person actually knew such a secret!

Zhuang Xiuyin spoke in a deep voice: "May I ask your honorific title?"

The black-haired youth, with one hand restraining the Langya Worm, slowly turned around, his gaze looking down at the crowd.

【"I am Zishanjun."】

A completely unfamiliar name left Zhuang Xiuyin and the others looking at each other, utterly bewildered.

[Lord Zishan remained calm: "I am not a bloodthirsty person, and I usually don't bother with you."]

"But today, now that you have stepped into this place, seen the Tranquil Heart Palace... and witnessed this Langya Spirit Insect..."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he said calmly, "They must die!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples on the steps below immediately changed their expressions!

[Tian Jingxu's face was ashen. Although Xie's face was hidden under his cloak, he couldn't help but slowly lower his head upon hearing this.]

Zhuang Xiuyin and Lu Beiyou exchanged a quiet glance, both seeing an unprecedented seriousness in each other's eyes.

[Zishan Jun took in everyone's reactions and shook his head. "For you mortal ants, born of nature and nurtured by the heavens, even with your innate talents and abilities, you will ultimately amount to nothing more than mayflies flapping their wings, exhausting your strength to leave no trace under the sky."]

"To die by my hand is perhaps the only thing you can be proud of in your lives."

"You should have knelt and begged me to kill you!"

(End of this chapter)