Chapter 460 - 458: The Gathering of Wind and Clouds

"What is that?" Qiu Rong Wanxue pointed at the sky above them.

The sky above was completely obscured by thick, crimson clouds that stretched over the entire vast, boundless sea. These clouds churned without pause, resembling flowing fresh blood, like crimson waves surging across the heavens. Flashes of lightning occasionally streaked through the dense clouds, threatening to tear the sky asunder.

"That’s something extraordinary." Li Qiye glanced at the crimson clouds, then gazed out at the vast sea. "Let’s go. We’ve delayed long enough. Little Ghost has probably reached that place by now."

"Shall we fly across?" Qiu Rong Wanxue asked, gazing at the vast sea before them.

"No, flying is impossible here," Li Qiye said, shaking his head. "If you try to force your way into the sky, the lightning will tear you apart. This place is enveloped by an invincible power; no one can fly through. We can only travel across the waves."

After hearing Li Qiye’s warning, Qiu Rong Wanxue tried to fly anyway. Sure enough, she had barely risen a few dozen feet off the ground before an immense weight pressed down on her, making it impossible to ascend any higher.

"This sea is vast. Traveling on the waves will likely take several days. I’ll take you part of the way." Li Qiye suddenly wrapped his arm around Qiu Rong Wanxue’s slender waist, giving her no chance to refuse. He instantly stepped onto the sea’s surface and shot toward its depths like a bolt of lightning.

With Li Qiye’s strong, firm hand around her slender waist, a blush crept onto Qiu Rong Wanxue’s face. Pressed against his lean, powerful body, she felt a wave of heat wash over her. Her entire frame went weak, a soft, languid sensation spreading through her limbs.

Her beautiful eyes, like shimmering autumn pools, rippled with emotion as she stole a glance at Li Qiye. He, however, remained perfectly calm and unconcerned, continuing his journey across the waves.

Gradually, Qiu Rong Wanxue gently leaned her head on Li Qiye’s shoulder. Though they weren’t the only ones traveling across this vast sea, she found herself cherishing this feeling of reliance, this sense of security.

At that moment, she paid no mind to the stares of others. All she wanted was to lean tightly against her Young Master, to depend completely on him.

The vast sea was boundless. Even at Li Qiye’s lightning-fast speed, it was impossible to reach the Other Shore in a short time. As he sped across the water’s surface, he saw many other cultivators desperately heading for the depths. Some traveled on Treasure Boats, others rode galloping Sea Beasts, but most, like Li Qiye, sped across the waves on foot...

However, in the depths of the vast sea, countless people had already been stopped. Many wanted to cross, but found themselves utterly unable to proceed.

In the depths of the Vast Sea, all who had arrived were brought to a halt, unable to cross. Even the most powerful prodigies were stopped in their tracks. This was true for the likes of the Ghost Monk, Qing Jinzi, and the Hundred Schools’ Sons. Even Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child, heirs to Emperor Immortal Gates, were equally stranded.

These peerless prodigies, who were used to reigning supreme, tried every method imaginable to get across, but to no avail. They exhausted every idea and used all kinds of treasures, yet they remained unable to proceed.

Nevertheless, everyone believed that Fengdu City’s Mountain Treasure must lie on the Other Shore, so no one was willing to leave. They all remained, waiting. During this time, many young prodigies and exceptional talents began to form alliances, hoping to overcome this obstacle by joining forces.

Naturally, the most influential among them were the heirs of the Emperor Immortal Gates, such as Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child. The Ghost Monk and the Hundred Schools’ Sons also commanded considerable respect and influence.

Just as these various prodigies were discussing how to join forces to cross the vast sea, astonishing news emerged from the Ghost Sacred Realm.

"Tian Lunhui has emerged from seclusion! He’s on his way to Fengdu City to uncover its secrets." It was unknown who had spread this news from Shuicang at such incredible speed.

When this news reached the Netherworld and the areas surrounding Fengdu City, it wasn’t just the younger generation who were shocked—even the expressions of the older generation changed drastically.

"The most mysterious of the Three Heroes, Tian Lunhui, has finally emerged. He’s finally making his move." Hearing this, even the older generation of Ghost Emperors were visibly stirred.

Tian Lunhui, one of the Three Heroes of the Ghost Sacred Realm, was a name that struck fear across the world. He was the heir to the Ten Thousand Ancient Country. It was even said that the current Ghost Emperor of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country had wished to pass the throne to him, but he had refused, focusing all his energy on his cultivation.

The Ten Thousand Ancient Country was a lineage that had produced two Immortal Emperors. Perhaps within the Ghost Sacred Realm, its glory didn’t shine as brightly through the ages, nor did it possess a Daoist Lineage as ancient as the Ten Thousand Bones Throne.

However, the Immortal Emperors of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country were nonetheless extraordinary, even considered by some to be a miracle of the Age of Emperors.

The Ten Thousand Ancient Country had produced two Immortal Emperors, separated by only a single generation. For one lineage to have two Immortal Emperors with only one era between them was truly a rare occurrence.

What was even rarer were the imperial titles of the country’s founding Immortal Emperor and its second. The two Immortal Emperors of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country were known as the First Immortal Emperor and the Second Immortal Emperor!

Rumor had it that after shouldering the Celestial Mandate and becoming an Immortal Emperor, the First Immortal Emperor of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country swore an oath to achieve eternal life through generational reincarnation, vowing to build an ancient country where an Immortal Emperor would reign in every era.

Such an oath was utterly shocking and unconventional. Generational reincarnation, eternal and undying—what overweening ambition!

Throughout the eons, no one had ever achieved generational reincarnation or eternal life. In fact, it was once said that such a feat was impossible for anyone, and that so-called reincarnation was nothing more than a legend.

But, strangely, when the Second Immortal Emperor of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country was born, he bore the totem of the First Immortal Emperor! This caused an immediate uproar across the world. At the time, many believed the Second Immortal Emperor was the reincarnation of the first.

And just as many had speculated, the Second Immortal Emperor did eventually shoulder the Celestial Mandate and become an Immortal Emperor. This convinced everyone in the Nine Realms that he was, in fact, the reincarnation of the First Immortal Emperor.

Because of this, many cultivators in later generations came to believe in reincarnation. Oddly enough, however, after the Second Immortal Emperor of the Ten Thousand Ancient Country, no such reincarnation ever happened again. It seemed the country’s Immortal Emperor had failed to reincarnate successfully.

This lasted until the birth of Tian Lunhui. When he was born, he surprisingly bore the totem of the First Immortal Emperor!

From the moment of his birth, Tian Lunhui was destined for greatness. When news spread that he was born bearing the totem of the First Immortal Emperor, the Ghost Sacred Realm was thrown into an uproar. Countless Great Sect Ancestors and legendary experts believed that the First Immortal Emperor had finally succeeded in reincarnating!

At birth, Tian Lunhui was even called the "Third-Generation Immortal Emperor." He was born with an unparalleled halo of glory, as if he were fated to become the Immortal Emperor of the current generation.

In terms of sect origin, Tian Lunhui was indeed not as prestigious as Emperor’s Throne of the Ten Thousand Bones Throne. However, as one of the Three Heroes, his reputation in the Ghost Sacred Realm was in no way inferior.

Tian Lunhui certainly did not disappoint. Hailed as the reincarnation of the First Immortal Emperor, he was the last of the Three Heroes to begin his cultivation journey, yet his Dao Practice progressed the fastest. By now, the depth of his Dao Practice was considered unfathomable.

In the Ghost Sacred Realm, some believed that the imperial consciousness of the First Immortal Emperor was beginning to awaken within Tian Lunhui. They thought this would surely allow him to shoulder the Celestial Mandate and become the Immortal Emperor of this era!

For Tian Lunhui to suddenly emerge from his long seclusion and head for Fengdu City was enough to create significant waves. Even the older generation of Ghost Emperors were extremely wary of him.

"A man with imperial consciousness... If he comes to Fengdu City, he might just be able to unlock its secrets, or even obtain the Mountain Treasure." Upon hearing that Tian Lunhui was coming, a Ghost Emperor from a great nation turned pale.

Everyone knew that Tian Lunhui was very likely the reincarnation of the First Immortal Emperor. If so, a man possessing imperial consciousness was indeed the person most likely to unravel the secrets of Fengdu City and obtain its Mountain Treasure.

"Since Tian Lunhui is going, how could I, Emperor’s Throne, possibly be absent?" When Tian Lunhui arrived in the Netherworld, the Ten Thousand Bones Throne—the greatest lineage and de facto host of the region—received the news immediately.

From within the Ten Thousand Bones Throne, an incredibly domineering voice rang out, issuing an equally arrogant response to the news!

Emperor’s Throne, one of the Three Heroes, had finally spoken. He was coming too!

When this news got out, it caused an immediate uproar. All the younger-generation cultivators were completely overshadowed. Even the older-generation Saint Venerables couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Emperor’s Throne truly had the right to be arrogant, the right to be supremely domineering. As one of the Three Heroes, he was in no way inferior to Tian Lunhui.

While the birth of Emperor’s Throne wasn’t as world-shaking as Tian Lunhui’s, and he wasn’t born wearing the halo of an Immortal Emperor whom everyone believed to be a reincarnation...

...the fact that Emperor’s Throne could become the heir to the Ten Thousand Bones Throne was proof enough of his power. The Ten Thousand Bones Throne, a lineage that had produced three Immortal Emperors! In such a sect, geniuses were a dime a dozen. For Emperor’s Throne to rise above them all and take the top spot was a true testament to his strength.

If Tian Lunhui was a chosen one, a favorite of the heavens from birth, then Emperor’s Throne had made his name through his own strength and talent.

Emperor’s Throne—just as his name suggested, the throne of an emperor. One of a kind, unrivaled, and destined to be number one!

Emperor’s Throne intimidated the world with his talent and strength, forging his reputation through sheer invincibility! His battle record was so fearsome that people turned pale at the mere mention of it.