âHurricane Prison,â the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign shouted once more.
The roaring tornado began to rage violently, its azure winds swirling in unison, forming a massive ring in the air, with Xu Zimo trapped at its center.
âTighten,â the old patriarch commanded in a low voice.
The encircling winds began to constrict, drawing closer and closer until the tornado vanished entirely.
Xu Zimo realized that his body had been completely bound by the remaining force of the wind. He couldnât move, not even a single step, and could only stand in place, restrained by the invisible cage.
âMighty Ancestor!â disciples of the Vast Heaven God Realm cheered from the side.
âSearch him for the inheritance token,â the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign ordered.
Yet before the disciples could even approach, arcs of lightning suddenly began to coil around Xu Zimoâs body.
In this world, all things counter and restrain one another.
The wind, for instance, has no form, yet though it lies outside the Five Elements, it is still subdued by thunder.
The violent lightning tore through the binding winds with ease.
Overhead, the heavens darkened as black clouds rolled in, turbulent and chaotic as if swept by a storm.
The hurricane danced to the rhythm of thunder, while Xu Zimo stood amidst it all like a god of lightning, thunder flickering across his body with deafening crackling bursts.
âHeaven-Earth Dharma Codex!â Xu Zimo roared.
His body expanded, growing millions of times larger until he towered like a true giant, his presence shaking the sky. The Primal Dao of Thunder surged even more fiercely around him.
Those watching swallowed hard in fear, their faces pale. Even the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign grew grim.
âAll of you, fall back!â he commanded.
Behind him, the wind beast he had summoned opened its maw, releasing another surge of wild gales.
But this time, Xu Zimo did not get swept away. He walked forward, lightning dancing at his feet, like a god of thunder himself.
The Primal Dao of Thunder and the Primal Dao of Wind collided again and again, battling for supremacy.
âHow strange,â the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign muttered to himself. âYouâve not only cultivated a Primal Dao, youâve even grasped more than one!â
Xu Zimo didnât respond. All the Primal Daos of the world were within his grasp; he could summon any at will.
Against an opponent like this, the very nature of Primal Dao itself gave him an unshakable advantage.
âIf you were a Saint Sovereign,â the old man shouted, âI might actually fear you! But alas, youâre just a Grand Emperor.â
His words were fierce, and the wind beast behind him grew even more menacing.
âSo what?â Xu Zimo sneered. âEven if I canât kill you, you canât do anything to me.â
The Martial Spirit Saint Sovereignâs face darkened. He knew Xu Zimo was right. He couldnât subdue the young man; at best, they were evenly matched.
To a Saint Sovereign, such a stalemate was humiliating, being unable to overcome someone a whole realm below him.
Then again, the Saint Sovereignâs power came from two things. Mastery of Primal Dao and deep comprehension of Nomological Truths. The difference between the two was vast.
But Xu Zimo already commanded the Primal Daos.
The only other advantage of a Saint Sovereign was the Life-Death Soul, which didnât enhance combat strength, only made them harder to kill.
Xu Zimo, however, possessed the Ten Primordial God-Scriptures, the Hell-Suppressing Demon Physique, his God World True Fate and many other godlike techniques. Even if he couldnât win outright, he could fight on equal terms indefinitely against a Supreme Giant.
Just as the two sides reached a deadlock, a hearty laugh rang out from nearby.
âMartial Spirit, youâve regressed with age! You canât even handle a single Grand Emperor?â
The Martial Spirit Saint Sovereignâs expression grew even uglier.
The disciples of Vast Heaven God Realm, however, brightened instantly at the familiar voice.
âItâs War Heaven Saint Sovereign, Ancestor War Heaven has emerged!â
âThatâs right. Our Vast Heaven God Realm has three Saint Sovereigns. Even if he can hold one off, thereâs no way he can withstand all three!â
The Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign retreated slightly, separating from Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo looked up toward the source of the voice.
In truth, he hadnât fought the old man to win, heâd only wanted to test the limits of his current strength.
Judging from the battle, he could stand evenly against the first stage of a Saint Sovereign.
But beyond that, he knew he wouldnât yet be a match.
That might sound ordinary, but it was already extraordinary. The gulf between Grand Emperor and Saint Sovereign was too vast, almost impossible to bridge.
âŠ
Composing himself, Xu Zimo turned his attention toward the newcomer.
The man wore a long robe that resembled a leopardâs hide, as if made from the pelt itself. He stood more than two meters tall, his imposing presence like that of a wild beast.
Strangely, his face bore faint traces of makeup. His lips were a dark purplish-black, and the corners of his eyes were inked the same color. His brows were sharp, like twin blades, fierce and menacing, with a hint of wicked charm.
âGreetings, Ancestor War Heaven!â the surrounding disciples greeted respectfully.
âMartial Spirit, do you need my help?â War Heaven Saint Sovereign said with a smile as he approached.
âDonât mock me,â the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign replied flatly. âWhy donât you try it yourself?â
âDonât make excuses for your incompetence,â War Heaven said lazily.
âIâve no time to argue,â the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign said coldly. âThis boyâs riddled with secrets, heâs not ordinary.â
âThen letâs join forces and capture him first,â War Heaven said, his expression turning serious.
Mockery had its limits, when it came time to act, they both understood the stakes.
The holy pressure of the two Supreme Giants erupted at once, their combined might flooding hundreds of billions of miles around them like an unstoppable tide.
The aura of a single Saint Sovereign was terrifying enough, but two together were beyond comprehension.
Xu Zimo straightened his back, refusing to bow under their pressure, though the bones in his body crackled under the strain.
âBoy, just surrender yourself,â War Heaven said coldly.
âYouâve watched long enough, havenât you?â Xu Zimo smiled, not to them but to the distant sky.
âWatched enough, indeed, I have!â
A deep, booming laugh echoed across the heavens.
At once, the sky darkened.
âTwo Saint Sovereigns of Vast Heaven God Realm bullying a single youth, how admirable, truly inspiring!â
The laughter came with an overwhelming tide of demonic energy that filled the air, suffocating all present.
Among the cultivators of Vast Heaven God Realm, there was no greater fear than the demons.
As rulers of the Godfiend Abyss Heaven, they knew better than anyone how powerful the Ancient Demon Race truly was.
âWhich honored one of the Ancient Demon Race honors us today?â War Heaven called out cautiously.
Both he and the Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign could feel it, the oppressive aura of the newcomer.
Whoever he was, his power far surpassed theirs, by more than a little.
âWhatâs this? Youâre surrendering already?â the voice in the heavens taunted.
He had not yet revealed himself, but the rolling sea of infernal energy blotted out the sun entirely.
Within the churning darkness, lightning flickered faintly, weaving through the mists.
âOur Vast Heaven God Realm has never offended Senior,â War Heaven said, his tone respectful yet wary. âMay we ask why youâve come?â
âI am not here for you,â the voice replied coldly, echoing from the heavens. âI am here... to seek my master!â
At those words, both War Heaven Saint Sovereign and Martial Spirit Saint Sovereign froze in confusion.