The black mist slowly seeped and spread, continuously emanating from the deep, vast spacetime rift, like a boundless, silent tide.
The heavens and earth seemed to have been crushed at one corner under that overwhelmingly dense and terrifying aura, while a chaotic, misty energy filled the space, shrouding everything in a hazy blur.
The atmosphere here was grim and oppressive, carrying a sense of imminent bloodshed, as many of the Prime-Origin Civilization's top powerhouses had gathered.
Numerous Dao Realm figures appeared in the surroundings, standing guard with utmost seriousness, not daring to slack off.
After receiving the decree from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the various clans had acted swiftly, summoning their strongest experts.
Factions like Purple Mist Mountain, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and Temple of Light and Darkness had even sent Ancestral Dao Realm experts to guard the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
The Imperial Immortal Palace was also hurrying to evacuate, while many of its ancient elders laid down various ancient formations and barriers, tightly sealing the spacetime to prevent even a wisp of black mist from leaking into the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Now, besides the Prime-Origin Civilization, many other civilizations and nations were watching closely.
Countless beings and cultivators were deeply concerned and anxious.
The various clans and factions naturally didn't dare to take this lightly, as this was the first time in countless epochs that the Dark Beings had returned to the vast expanse with such a terrifying presence.
If the Prime-Origin Civilization were breached, the surrounding civilizations that relied on it would inevitably fall, swallowed by the darkness.
Many regions in the vast expanse had already descended into chaos, corrupted by darkness, with countless lives lost. Immortal nations and civilizations were dimming and decaying, rapidly heading toward destruction.
Boom!
Suddenly, a terrifying tremor shook the area, deep and thunderous, like raging waves crashing against the shore.
The entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea seemed to have something terrifying trying to break through, attempting to tear the rift wider.
The previously calm black mist suddenly boiled, surging with vast, billowing black mist.
The scene was horrifying, like an ocean suddenly stirred, with waves towering over billions of feet, crashing into the sky. Endless dark energy surged like tidal waves.
The endless tide of Dark Beings, like a well-trained, battle-hardened army, marched out in an orderly fashion, accompanied by black waves, ready to sweep across the world.
"The Dark Beings are here…"
Many who witnessed this scene felt a chilling cold, their limbs going numb.
The experts and elites of the various clans stood guard with utmost seriousness, watching as the rift continued to expand, more and more black mist pouring out, stirring up monstrous waves.
It was an indescribable energy, filled with eeriness, corrosion, and coldness, as if it could dissolve all Dao principles and divine abilities in the world.
"So they managed to escape back here after all?"
With a deep, rumbling tremor, vast black energy collided, and a massive black giant, towering like a mountain range, emerged from the entrance of the chaotic spacetime sea.
Thick Dark Matter enveloped him, dripping from his body like liquid as he moved.
As he approached, everyone could see his appearance clearly. His dark golden body was covered in armor-like sheen, with strange black spots in some areas.
On his forehead, shattered stars rotated—nine in total, six of which were broken and incomplete, emitting a deep, dark light.
With a roar, terrifying black energy erupted, as if thousands of volcanoes had exploded simultaneously. Endless energy flooded the universe, washing over the heavens, causing the surrounding starfields to dim rapidly, covered in horrifying cracks.
"Stars corrupted by dark energy… This is the Fallen Ancient God Clan…"
Someone from the Prime-Origin Civilization recognized the towering black giant, their pupils contracting as they gasped in shock.
This was an extremely ancient race, once known as the Ancient God Clan, but after falling to darkness, they were called the Fallen Ancient God Clan.
This clan was incredibly powerful. As they grew, small worlds would form within their bodies, allowing them to carry universes and traverse the vast expanse with ease.
The stars on their foreheads represented their strength. Nine stars meant that this ancient god had surpassed the Immortal Realm and entered the Dao Realm.
The shattered stars indicated the number of Heavenly Decline Tribulations he had survived. Each tribulation shattered one star.
"Six shattered stars… This is a Fallen Ancient God nearing the Ancestral Dao Realm."
Many felt their hearts sink. These Dark Beings had just appeared, and already such a powerful figure had emerged.
This strength far surpassed many Dao Realm experts present.
As this Fallen Ancient God appeared, several other terrifying figures began to emerge from the black tide behind him, shrouded in thick black mist, watching from the chaotic spacetime sea.
"Indeed, there are even more terrifying beings behind them…"
"But they don't seem to be attacking. Are they planning to confront us?"
The factions of the Prime-Origin Civilization also watched with grave expressions, unable to discern the intentions of these Dark Beings.
They had crossed over from the chaotic spacetime sea but hadn't yet set foot in the Prime-Origin Civilization, instead standing in a tense standoff.
Deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn.
Countless cultivators and beings stood outside the formation barriers, watching the expanding entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea. More and more Dark Beings were pouring out, but they simply gathered there, not attacking immediately, as if building up more terrifying power or waiting for something to arrive.
"Don't act rashly. Since the Dark Beings haven't made a move, we shouldn't either. Wait for more reinforcements."
"At the same time, be vigilant. They might have other schemes. Why would they choose to descend upon the Prime-Origin Civilization at this time…"
An ancient figure with cold eyes watched the scene from the void, speaking to those beside him.
The sudden arrival of the Dark Beings had caught the Prime-Origin Civilization off guard.
Many couldn't help but wonder if this was related to the Supreme Treasure of Civilization, the Mirror of Reincarnation.
Were the Dark Beings trying to seize the Mirror of Reincarnation?
After all, the Prime-Origin Civilization had only recently stabilized after a period of turmoil, with many clans and factions destroyed for defying the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Now that the Prime-Origin Civilization had finally regained some peace, perhaps the Dark Beings saw this as the perfect opportunity to strike while it was weak?
"Even the barriers have been prepared."
"But these formations won't stop us…"
A cold, emotionless voice suddenly came from within the black mist.
A pair of ghostly, indifferent eyes looked down upon everyone on the other side.
Those who heard this felt a chill run through their bodies, as if cursed, their souls slowing down.
Some ancient figures quickly recited cleansing mantras, while others unleashed divine light to resist the eerie aura.
"That's the terrifying being who fought Chu Heng…"
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance who had accompanied Chu Heng to the chaotic spacetime sea wore grave expressions, their eyes filled with deep wariness.
Even Chu Heng had been no match for that being. Even with Ancestral Dao Realm experts present, this place wasn't safe.
Within the glowing barrier, formation runes flickered like waves. The endless tide of Dark Beings stood there, while more black mist seeped through the void, falling like irregular snowflakes or rain.
Although the fog would sizzle and dissolve upon touching the formation runes, the runes themselves would dim and fade, slowly being eroded. More black mist would then pour in.
This scene made everyone's hearts sink, growing increasingly uneasy.
The formation barriers had been hastily set up and could only delay the spread of the black mist. They couldn't stop it entirely, and it was only a matter of time before they were completely eroded.
And this black mist contained the eerie Dark Matter, which even powerful Dao Realm experts dared not touch.
How could they resist the even more terrifying Black Calamity that was yet to come?
More and more people felt their hearts grow restless, unable to find peace.
In the following days, the atmosphere grew even more tense. As horns and ancient bells sounded, their echoes reverberated across the universes.
More and more elite forces from various clans gathered here, facing off against the Dark Beings on the other side of the barrier.
Even other civilizations and true worlds sent experts to aid the Prime-Origin Civilization, fearing that a breach might form here.
The thick, terrifying black mist continued to gnaw at the edges of the starfields, slowly seeping into the Prime-Origin Civilization.
The Dark Beings watched coldly from the other side, not choosing to attack, as if waiting for the people of the Prime-Origin Civilization to lose their patience, or perhaps for some figure to arrive.
The factions of the Prime-Origin Civilization were not idle either. They scoured ancient texts, searching for records of how their ancestors had resisted the Dark Beings, hoping to recreate those formations and barriers to hold them back.
Many revered formation masters, their hair white and backs bent, were summoned to study how to resist the incoming Dark Beings.
Then, Ling Yuling's arrival lifted everyone's spirits, filling them with joy. The Imperial Immortal Palace hadn't seen their founder, Ling Yuling, for a long time, and her safe return brought them great relief and excitement.
Ling Yuling didn't have time to catch up with the elders and ancestors of the Imperial Immortal Palace. Instead, she headed straight for the entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea.
She had once left nine Dragon-Suppressing Pillars here to guard against the ancient beasts of the chaotic spacetime sea, preventing them from entering the Prime-Origin Civilization and causing havoc.
Although the pavilions, halls, and immortal mountains had been relocated, the Dragon-Suppressing Pillars she had created still remained. Thus, Ling Yuling's first task was to reactivate the nine pillars and forge a stronger barrier.
Boom!
She flew into the sky, her skirt fluttering and hair flowing. In her hands, ancient characters appeared, as large and bright as stars, illuminating the vast void.
Then, a deafening roar, like the cry of a dragon, echoed through the area. Nine massive pillars of light shot into the sky, each one seemingly holding up the heavens.
It was as if nine terrifying true dragons had awakened, roaring and rising into the sky.
The intense energy fluctuations made countless cultivators and beings tremble with awe.
A magnificent barrier rose into the sky, enveloping the previous formations like a dam built from a river of energy.
Ancient runes flowed across it, exuding an eternal, timeless aura, as if it could withstand all enemies.
The heavens and earth seemed to burn, with countless runes, like bonfires, surrounding the area, drawing in the laws and spiritual energy of the world to sustain the barrier.
"Is this the ancient Dao-Defending Formation that once resisted countless enemies? It still exists…"
"With this formation, the Dark Beings won't be able to break through anytime soon."
Many formation and barrier experts widened their eyes in shock and joy, their voices trembling as they watched the scene.
Then, cheers erupted from the various clans and factions, filled with excitement and relief.
The ancient figures of the clans also laughed, their voices shaking the void, their gazes filled with respect as they looked at Ling Yuling.
"Thanks to the senior's foresight in leaving such a method, we don't have to worry too much now."
"With this barrier, the Dark Beings won't pose an immediate threat. But we still can't let our guard down…"
Many breathed a sigh of relief, including the Dao Realm experts of the various clans, feeling the heavy atmosphere lighten slightly.
"The Dao-Defending Formation… I thought it had been destroyed. All records of it were burned and erased, leaving no trace."
"This person must be a sage from that era…"
"Lord Wu Yang, should we…"
At the entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea, the Dark Beings had been watching coldly.
Only when they saw the ancient formation reactivate did their expressions change, their eyes turning icy with murderous intent.
"It's not surprising that some remnants of the Dao-Defending Formation still exist."
"In that case, let them live a little longer. We'll wait for the High Priest to arrive. Without the High Priest, how can the grand ritual begin?"
Wu Yang, seated deep within the black mist, opened his cold, green eyes.
He glanced into the distance, then waved his hand dismissively, remaining as still as a rock, ignoring the jubilant people of the Prime-Origin Civilization on the other side of the barrier.
The tide of black mist, hindered by the reactivated Dao-Defending Formation, no longer spread as smoothly as before, unable to continue advancing.
This scene brought genuine relief to the people of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Ling Yuling descended from the sky, but unlike the joy on everyone's faces, her expression remained heavy, as if burdened by worries.
"Senior…"
The experts and ancient figures from the various clans approached, wanting to speak.
"Continue to guard this place and closely monitor the movements of the Dark Beings. Don't let your guard down."
"I fear that these are just the vanguard, paving the way for even more terrifying beings. They're stationed there, waiting for something even more dreadful to arrive."
"The formation barriers won't hold for long."
Ling Yuling regained her usual calm and serenity, waving her hand dismissively.
Her words froze the smiles on everyone's faces, replacing them with worry.
Such terrifying Dark Beings were just the vanguard? Merely scouts?
Ling Yuling looked at their expressions, feeling a bit helpless. The vast expanse had been too peaceful for too long, untouched by great upheavals or calamities.
In her era, even when facing the Dark Beings, no matter how afraid they were, they would never show their fear.
And now, before even engaging in battle, they were already trembling with fear?
"The top priority now is to unite all factions and establish defenses against the black mist. We must prevent it from spreading and corrupting the Prime-Origin Civilization, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
Ling Yuling glanced around, her gaze finally settling on Zhuo Fengxie.
In her hand appeared an ancient token, the words "Heaven-Slaying" inscribed on it, bold and powerful, as if carrying immense weight and unimaginable power.
"This is the Heaven-Slaying Token. Seeing this token is like seeing the leader himself. I entrust you with the responsibility of guarding this place."
"Yes, Senior." Zhuo Fengxie was momentarily stunned, then stepped forward and accepted the token respectfully.
Everyone present couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts upon witnessing this scene.