Manhuang Realm, inside the stone palace.
After being teleported through the gates, separated from others, Lan An immediately felt his skin harden, muscles surge with explosive power. His physical body reached a new level, strength temporarily multiplied several times. He judged his Body Cultivation now far surpassed before entering.
"The stone palace has a massive formation, adjusting everyone inside to Early Seventh-Turn Body Cultivation level. Manhuang Sacred Ground truly worthy of once dominating Manhuang Realm!" Dan Mengji noticed his change, sighing.
Lan An nodded. His strength, not yet Seventh-Turn, forcibly raised. Master at Late Eighth-Turn would be suppressed to Early Seventh-Turn, unavoidable.
Though Manhuang emphasised Body Cultivation, professions like Formation Masters existed. One able to set a formation equalising body strength like this, no ordinary figure.
Manhuang Sacred Ground wanted fair competition for inheritances. Stronger at same level proved superior talent, worthy of their experts' legacies.
But Lan An's goal wasn't inheritance, the Saintess's grave inside this palace.
Looking around, he appeared in a desolate area, no one else. Thousands of upright coffins stretched endlessly, like a massive martyr cemetery.
What inspired awe: coffins stood vertically, not lying flat like normal. Meaning these experts, even in death, wished to stand proud, heads high.
Imagine thousands of upright coffins arrayed like soldiers, visual impact overwhelming. Lan An approached to examine.
"Manhuang Sacred Ground inner disciple Huang Xiong, Early Seventh-Turn!"
Lan An glanced at inscription atop one coffin, inwardly shocked. A Seventh-Turn, mere inner disciple. These thousands, all inner disciples?
Indeed, after checking, all coffins housed Manhuang Sacred Ground inner disciples. Lowest Early Seventh-Turn, highest Eighth-Turn.
This section, only inner disciples. Core disciples yet to appear…
"Wait, the palace formation fixes everyone at Early Seventh-Turn. That's the minimum standard for their inner disciples?" Lan An realised.
Not random, Manhuang set Early Seventh-Turn as base for trials. Proving strength at their weakest inner disciple level.
"Truly terrifying. Ignoring higher experts, thousands of Seventh-Turn inner disciples alone, how many times stronger than Yuelong's Harmony experts? The invaders who mutual-destruction with Manhuang Sacred Ground, what level?" Dan Mengji breathed heavily. Following Lan An, her Tribulation Realm felt tiny.
"This universe too vast. One Manhuang Sacred Ground already like this, what about Immortal Realm? Tribulation Realm probably not even ants there?" Lan An agreed, nodding.
He had long prepared mentally, never arrogant or satisfied with current achievements. In Yuelong, top genius, monster. But Yuelong, mere grain of sand in universe. Countless geniuses, proud sons, even heaven's favoured from higher worlds.
And Taboos, not just one…
Suppressing surging emotions, not time for discouragement. Current task: leave this disciple cemetery, find Saintess's trace.
All-Seeing Gaze activated, scanning space. Soon, discovered cemetery in massive valley ten thousand zhang deep. Above, vast sky.
"How big is this stone palace really?"
Sighing, Lan An tried mobilising spiritual force, delighted it worked. But Spirit Cultivation unchanged, still Perfect Spirit Transformation.
"Wait, my spiritual force usable. Master then completely overpowered here?" Lan An inwardly thrilled.
Wu San Niang Tribulation Realm, if unrestricted, unstoppable in palace.
"Young Master, dreaming. Your spiritual force works because of Taboo technique. Wu San Niang currently limited to Early Seventh-Turn Body force only!" Jin'er pouted, pouring cold water.
Unexpectedly, Lan An not disappointed, eyes blazing like headlights, evil grin:
"So right now, I'm stronger than Master?"
Thinking how she usually bonked his head, kicked his butt, Lan An's face showed wicked delight…
Dan Mengji saw his expression, inwardly shuddered. What evil plan?
"First, leave valley!"
Lan An decided. Eight Desolate Tyrant Flame erupted behind, preparing flight.
Pure Body Cultivator, escaping ten-thousand-zhang valley would require exhausting climb. With spiritual force, easy.
Taboo technique's silent heaven-defiance, restraining its master's spiritual force? Only if Taboo allowed.
CREAK CREAK…
Suddenly, among thousands of coffins below, three opened.
These three differed, platinum colour, noble. Housed three Early Eighth-Turn inner disciples, strongest here.
From coffins, three ice-cold corpses leaped, powerful force charging Lan An, space shaking.
"Corpses revived?" Lan An instantly sensed, frowning.
Three corpses, two male, one female, flesh incomplete. One headless, clearly fierce battle before death. But moved like living.
"Demonic Thought Pills? Pills controlling dead bodies!" Lan An dodged, recalling.
Similar to Evil Emperor's cave years ago, faced strong corpses. But incomparable to these three.
"Correct, Demonic Thought Pills. These three strongest in cemetery, tasked guarding against intruders!" Dan Mengji's clear voice deduced.
"Formation only equalises living. These corpses retain Eighth-Turn power?" Lan An's face serious.
While talking, three corpses charged ferociously, intent on crushing intruder.
"Hmph, let's see how strong Manhuang inner disciples were!" Lan An laughed, activating Adamantine Body.
Fiercely clashed…
…
Yuelong Star Realm.
"Group battle?" Tian Wanbao frowned, clearly displeased.
Yuelong leading, four more wins sealed victory. Why group battle?
"This old man thinks single battles fine!" Xuan Sha Laoren snorted.
"How? Scared? Final round decide all, 9 vs 9?" Three-Heart Envoy sneered.
"Shameless! We won four, four more wins, 8/15 certain. Why follow Blood Emperor Domain?" Thai Ling Laoren glared.
Excluding Blood Nine, Eight, Seven-Six, Five, Four, Blood Emperor Domain had exactly nine Blood Princes left. Envoys wanted one battle reclaim losses. Unfortunately, Yuelong experts not fools, not easily bullied.
"Hmph, cowards!" Four-Heart Blood Envoy sneered.
"Don't yap, Blood Emperor Domain's word worthless. Want war? This pavilion master accompanies! Fifteen Tribulation experts, not in my eyes!" Tian Wanbao domineeringly declared. His chubby body radiated golden light, Golden Shield spinning wildly, faint Taiji diagram appearing.
Facing unreasonable Blood Emperor Domain, Multitude Treasure Pavilion Master truly angry.
Taiji Mysterious Gold, defensive Heterogeneous Metal, soft overcoming hard, dispersing enemy attacks. Earlier, easily neutralised Niu Wuba and Six-Winged Sky Snake, showing extraordinariness.
"Correct, Blood Emperor Domain untrustworthy. Want battle, this old man accompanies!" Xuan Jian Laoren smiled coldly, eyes narrowing.
Instantly, layered Sword Intent erupted, compressing surrounding space, countless spatial cuts appearing.
Feeling Xuan Jian Laoren's Sword Intent, Qin Tian's eyes fanatic. Even Bing Lamxi and Mu Ziam shuddered, suppressing Phantom Shadow Sword and Xiluo Sword fear, gravely muttering:
"Third Layer Sword Intent?"
Sword cultivators knew Sword Intent divided nine layers, stronger per layer, stacking pressure and suppression.
Bing Lamxi just completed First Layer, comprehending Second, impossible yet. Xuan Jian Laoren already Third Layer, terrifying.
Qin Tian, not even complete First Layer, slightly behind Bing Lamxi.
Other Yuelong experts voiced support, ready for total war if Blood Emperor Domain pushed.
"Hmph, think three Perfect Tribulation experts can act arrogant? Real fight, unknown who dies!" Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master snorted. Powerful Soul Cultivator, cross-realm battle everyday.
Seeing Yuelong tense, Blood Envoys inwardly gritted teeth, itching for all-out war.
But thinking, priority overall situation.
Easing sword-drawn atmosphere, a Four-Heart Blood Envoy spoke:
"Next round still group battle, but reduce from nine to six. Still disagree… heh heh, we don't mind earth-shaking chaos!"
Blood Emperor Domain had two wins, wanted one battle win six, reverse score.
To show determination, Envoys stepped forward, battle intent surging, matching Yuelong experts.
Yuelong experts exchanged glances, pondering. Tian Wanbao's eyes flickered, 6v6, Rear Palace still abundant strength, worth trying.
Crowd turned to Rear Palace women, their performance earned respect, opinions sought first.
Before Rear Palace answered, a figure in black energy stepped forward, silent.
Golden Board number one, Demon, wanted to fight!
Seeing black energy around Demon, Blood Envoys' eyes contracted, doubt within, not daring guess.
Far away, Lan Yu inhaled deeply, eyes wary on Demon, heart stormy:
"Damn, that power is Demonic Force… this guy related to Demon Realm?"
Lan Yu initially focused on Rear Palace women, ignoring silent figure.
Now Demon stepped out, nearly scared him piss.
With Immortal Realm knowledge, he understood Demonic Force. But why Demonic Force on spirit-force-only Yuelong Star Realm?
Demonic Force high-grade, comparable Immortal Force.
"Hard to say, his case similar to this seat?"
…