Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Aoki's aged voice rang out again, this time with a rare hint of solemnity.

"The Chaos Pearl?"

"You actually have this?"

Xuan Du gazed at the solidified web of roots, his voice calm.

"I have it, and I use it very well."

"Fellow Daoist Qingmu, your Myriad Wood Domain is indeed powerful."

"But you've forgotten that the foundation of the Myriad Trees Realm is your roots."

"What if I fix all your roots? How will you then use the power of your domain?"

As the sound faded, the light screen of the Chaos Pearl expanded further.

Wherever it passed, all those billions of roots solidified.

From the depths of the floating continent to the bottom of the void, from the edge of the southern border to the core of the canopy.

Inch by inch, foot by foot.

The roots of that multi-million dollar association were firmly established.

Aoki fell silent.

On that verdant floating land, all the vegetation bent its branches low.

It was as if even they were trembling at this frozen void.

He sensed it.

Those roots really can't be moved.

It wasn't shattered.

It's anchored.

He was immobilized by a power at a higher level than his laws.

Xuandu stood amidst the solidified network of roots, gazing at the towering divine tree.

"Fellow Daoist Qingmu, your Myriad Wood Domain has been broken."

"Should we continue playing?"

Beneath the tree canopy, all was deathly still.

Millions of leaves remained silent, no longer shining.

The aged voice remained silent for a long time.

So long that the surging chaotic energy resumed its flow.

So long that even the hardened roots began to tremble slowly.

Then, the voice rang out again.

"You do have some skill."

"But do you think that by fixing my roots with the Chaos Pearl, you can make me bow my head?"

You're wrong.

"I, Aoki, will never bow my head to anyone."

"If you're really capable, then defeat me fair and square."

"Otherwise, you will never be able to convince me."

Xuandu gazed at the towering divine tree, at its canopy that covered the sky, and at its millions of silent leaves.

He was silent for a moment, then he smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a profound understanding that saw through everything.

"it is good."

"I will defeat you fair and square."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand, and the Chaos Pearl hovered above his head.

Forty-nine chaotic restrictions activated simultaneously, transforming into a chaotic light curtain that enveloped the entire body.

He took a step forward and walked straight toward the main body of the towering divine tree.

......

Beyond the southern border, the void surged like a tide.

The aftershocks of the collision spread in all directions like a tsunami, turning the chaotic energy within a radius of tens of thousands of miles upside down.

Countless floating lands trembled violently in the aftershocks, and some of the smaller floating lands were even shattered, turning into countless fragments that drifted into the void.

The chaotic creatures that inhabited the southern edge of the land were now all in turmoil.

A chaotic beast resembling a giant python poked its head out of its lair, its blood-red vertical pupils filled with horror.

A giant bird covered in chaotic-colored scales flapped its wings and soared into the air, gazing at the surging light deep in the southern realm, letting out a sharp cry.

More creatures emerged from the floating continents, their auras intertwining and colliding in the void, creating chaos and noise.

"What happened?"

"Has someone made a move in the southern border?"

"Who dares to act so boldly on Aoki-senpai's turf?"

"Isn't that Aoki-senpai's aura? He actually took action himself!"

"That's more than just a strike; sense the aftershocks. That's the sound of a full-force attack!"

Discussions rose and fell, and countless eyes were focused on the depths of the southern border.

Among those chaotic beings were many at the level of Grand Luo Primordial Chaos, but their expressions were all more solemn than the last.

Because they all sensed it.

Among the two colliding auras, one was the familiar Qingmu.

That towering divine tree will take root here for billions of years, and every inch of the void in the Southern Territory is permeated with its aura; they would never mistake it for something else.

But what about the other one?

The aura was unfamiliar and vast, carrying a rhythm they had never perceived before.

The rhythm was as steady as a mountain and as domineering as a blade. In the collision, it actually stood on equal footing with the blue wood and did not fall behind in the slightest.

"Who is it?"

"He actually managed to fight Aoki-senpai to a draw?"

"When did such a figure arrive in this Xuanji Heavenly Domain?"

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, a figure entered their perception range.

That was a void hundreds of thousands of feet away, where a figure in black robes stood with his hands behind his back, his body surging with a fierce aura.

He stood there, his blood-gold eyes fixed on the battlefield deep in the southern border, motionless.

The King of Ferocious Beasts, Shenni.

This being once roamed freely in this celestial realm, devouring countless living beings.

He actually came back?

The gazes of those chaotic beings all fell on Shen Ni, first stunned, then horrified.

When Shen Ni left the Xuanji Heavenly Domain, he was chased and fled in a sorry state by countless powerful figures.

Everyone knows that he offended Cangxuan, Qingmu, and almost half of the powerful figures in the Heavenly Domain.

At that time, he was only at the seventh level of the Hunyuan Daluo realm, yet he dared to devour chaotic beings everywhere without restraint.

Later, driven to desperation, he fled into the depths of chaos, and no one ever saw him again.

Everyone thought he was dead.

He died in some corner deep within chaos, leaving no trace of his remains.

But now, he stands here.

His aura was as deep and profound as an abyss, his blood-gold eyes were as calm as water, and the fierce aura around him was so condensed that it seemed to be a tangible substance.

That was clearly the foundation possessed only by someone at the peak of the ninth level of the Primordial Great Luo Realm.

He is still alive.

Moreover, his cultivation level is even stronger than it was back then.

Many creatures instinctively took a half step back, their eyes filled with fear.

The infamous reputation of Shenni back then was so great that even after the billion-dollar event, it was still etched into their very bones.

That was a ferocious beast that even dared to devour the direct descendants of Cang Xuan.

But soon, someone realized what was happening.

Shen Ni stood there, his gaze fixed on the depths of the southern border, but he did not move.

He was just watching.

Watching from the sidelines.

The chaotic beings looked at each other, a guess that seemed unbelievable to them arising in their minds.

Could it be that the person who fought against Senior Aoki is related to Shingo?

Some people mustered their courage and took a few steps closer to Shenni.

It was an old man with a hunched back, whose cultivation was only at the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm. His aura was weak, and he was obviously a rogue cultivator on the edge of this southern region.

He cautiously cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his voice carrying seven parts reverence and three parts probing.

"Senior Shen Ni, you...you're back?"

Shen Ni did not turn his head.

Those blood-gold eyes remained fixed on the depths of the southern border, as if they hadn't heard his voice at all.

The old man swallowed hard, then forced himself to speak:

"Senior, may I ask, may I ask who that person who fought against Senior Aoki is?"

Upon hearing this, the ears of all the chaotic creatures around them perked up.

Although they dared not get as close as the old man, they were all keeping an eye on this side with their divine senses.

Who is fighting against Senior Aoki?

A person capable of fighting so fiercely could not possibly be an unknown individual.

Shen Ni finally made a move.

He glanced sideways, his blood-gold eyes sweeping over the old man.

That gaze was calm, yet it sent a chill down the old man's spine, almost making him kneel down.

After a moment, Shen Ni spoke.

The voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every living being present.

"That's my master."

The four words struck like a thunderclap.

Suddenly, silence fell over the void.

The chaotic beings, who had been whispering amongst themselves, all fell silent.

All eyes froze at the same time.

Master?

The rebellious master?

That ferocious beast king was once a being who roamed freely in the Xuanji Heavenly Domain and never bowed to anyone.

He actually has a master?

Moreover, his master is currently fighting Aoki?

The old man's mouth was agape, and he couldn't close it for a long time.

The chaotic beings behind him also stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.

The rebellious master?

What kind of being is that?

Back then, Shen Ni didn't even put Cang Xuan and Qing Mu in the Xuanji Heaven Domain. Although he was later beaten and forced to flee in a sorry state, it was because his cultivation was inferior, not because he was afraid.

What level of cultivation must someone possess to be able to make such a person willingly become their disciple?