He drew forth his Nine Hell Sword, the most powerful weapon in his arsenal.
The hilt, black as night, glimmered under the faint light, with a menacing skull engraved upon it. Its blade, sharp and white, was surrounded by a swirling black aura that hinted at its deadly nature.
This sword was no ordinary weapon; it emitted a suffocating aura, making those nearby feel a crushing weight upon their chests. Just a glance at the blade sent waves of pain and anguish rippling through everyone who dared to look upon it.
The murderous air around the sword was thick with an aura of death, a palpable bloodlust so intense that it could drain the courage of anyone with low cultivation levels.
As Bai Wan and the others caught sight of the sword, terror gripped them. Images of a traumatic incident flickered in their minds. This was no mere blade; it was renowned throughout the realms, consistently ranked as one of the most powerful swords by the Heavenly Treasure House. Its infamy was tied to one name: Zhou Long
Once, there existed a realm known as the Realm of Metador, named for its inhabitants, the Metamon tribe. These enigmatic beings possessed a unique ability to empower any weapon or equipment with their unique ability, though the secret of their power remained shrouded in mystery.
Occasionally emerging from their secluded realm, the Metamon were a force to be reckoned with; even the simplest weapon became deadly in their hands. No one dared to offend them; they lived peacefully in their secret realm, hidden from the ambitions of the outside world.
Until one fateful day, when Zhou long along with his army stealthily infiltrated their realm. That day marked the last known appearance of any member of the Metamon tribe.
It was widely concluded: Zhou long killed them—all of them. Though evidence was scarce, one could easily deduce the tragic truth, given Zhou long's notorious reputation. He silenced them to harness their secrets, wielding their power to forge the Nine Hell Sword.
Its the same day when this nine hell sword made its first appearance.
Despite the many factions and clans that held favorable relationships with the Metamon tribe, none dared oppose Zhou Long.
At heart, everyone acted out of self-interest; thoughts of personal gain and losses overshadowed moral duty. Those in power were especially prone to prioritizing their and their clan's interests and ignoring the welfare of others.
This is the bitter truth of world. As the saying goes, " There are no eternal enemies, Only eternal benifits."
Everyone present today is well known about the sword's immense power. They wouldn't dare approach Zhou long if they hadn't heard rumors of his injuries.
Bai wan, trying to sound confident, declared, "Even that sword can't save you today. We know you're wounded and no match for us!"
Zhou long's smile widened as he responded, "Is that so?"
With a sudden eruption of energy, he unleashed his full aura, creating a shockwave that rattled the very ground beneath them.
*Boom!*
Bai wan and the others instinctively channeled their Qi for protection.
"What… How…?!" Bai wan stammered in disbelief. "YOU'RE NOT INJURED AT ALL!"
Everyone froze, staring at Zhou long in shock. They had dared to come here, bolstered by the thought that he was gravely injured.
Although they know that Zhou long can't fight so many peoples all alone and is destined to die, but the problem is that they don't want to end in mutual destruction.
The losses they will suffer will overshadow the gain.
As the saying goes, " A man only acts out of self interest."
All the people present here only come together to kill this Zhou long. In reality they don't have any good relations with each other either.
Even some of them are mortal enemies of each other, but because their greed overshadowed their feeling of enemity, they joined hands together.
But as of now how the situation unfold is very unlikely to them.
Because they know that even if they manage to kill Zhou Long they will suffer serious consequences and God knows if any other party dare to attack them at this time.
Then they are good as dead. They knew very Well that these other factions in face of greed will surely dare to attack them and kill them.
One less person means one less share.
"Damn it! I told you not to come here!" an older man cried out, glaring at a younger companion in his thirties. "Because of you, our entire sect will be obliterated!"
"But Grand Elder—"
"Silence! You—"
Before he could finish, the young man hastily activated his escape talisman, only to find it ineffective.
"Grand Elder," he pleaded, panic setting in. "Did you forget we sealed this entire realm? No one can enter or exit for the next four hours!"
"Because of you! I'll kill you before I die!" the Elder roared.
"But I am your patriarch! You can't—"
*Boom!*
Chaos erupted. Panic swept through the crowd, sending people scrambling in all directions.
"Shut up!" Bai wan shouted, rallying everyone. " Don't panic Everybody. Believe me, I have a plan. None of us will face any serious consequences. Today he is destined to die. "
Suddenly, Zhou long's voice echoed, "Anyone who surrenders now will be spared. I won't pursue this matter further."
He knew very well about the thoughts of his opponents. None of them wants to face any major consequences in fear of their other enemy's attacks.
A sly smile appeared on his face. He said, " Belive me."
Hope flickered in the eyes of many, and some began considering surrender.
"Don't listen to him!" Bai wan urged, trying to regain control. "We can defeat him! We outnumber him, and he knows it. That's why he's playing mind games!"
Another voice piped up, "Yes! He can't take us all on alone, right?"
Yet many hesitated, a flicker of doubt in their hearts. Seeing their uncertainty, Bai wan bowed towards a hidden presence. "Your Majesty, how long will you stand aside? It's time to reveal yourself!"
A loud, booming laughter resonated from the shadows.
"Hahaha! Indeed, this is the right moment!"
" But you must remember your promise."
From nowhere, a figure emerged—a man in his prime, draped in a resplendent royal robe adorned with phoenix and dragon motifs. Legends whispered that this robe was woven from the very essence of ancient powers.
Everyone present there became confused.
This man emits a unique aura of superiority. His presence is commanding and domineering.
Bai Wan bowed toward the man, Greeting him, " I have seen your majesty."
The man replied, "No need for courtesy. Today, we are all acquaintances here to deal with this bastard."
One of the men asked, " Bai Wan, Who is he ?"
Another man said, " I don't recall anyone with such great power and Authority, that even you willingly bow towards."
Another one said, " He is giving me a feeling of inferiority. Who might he be ?"
Bai Wan smiled and answered all of them, " Don't be impudent. His majesty is the great figure from the Second heaven. He came here specially to help us."
" Second heaven !"
" Second heaven !"
Everyone became astonished after hearing these words.
"Person from second heaven."
One of the men asked Confusingly, " But is not the Second heaven and first heaven are the isolated place separated from other heavens in sacred heaven by a invisible energy barrier."
And only the royals and some big shots from the 2nd heaven can cross the barrier with the help of a special tool.
While us from the Lower heaven can't cross the barrier without their permission.
Bai Wan said, " Yes, you are right. His majesty is the only disciple of a very powerful Elder. He came in Lower Heaven for a stroll and luckily I meet him and asked for his favour."
All of them seems to understand everything
All of them echoed in unison, "It is our pleasure to work with you, your majesty."
"Hahaha! You all have a death wish," said Li dong with a smirk.
" You can't beat our master. No matter whoever will came today."
Zhou long was also astonished after seeing this foreign man from 2nd heaven.
But after seeing through his cultivation level he became relaxed because the person has lower cultivation level than him.
Zhou long cut in, "Come on, don't waste my time."
The person from second heaven responded, "Sure, sure. I don't have much time either."
"Today I will end up your legacy."
Zhou long said, "Let me summon my pets to play with those weaklings. While we can fight to our heart content."
He was also excited to fight this person.
He thought, " Let's see how powerful this person from 2nd heaven was really. "
Zhou long raised his hand, and two beams of light shot from it.
"Meet my soul pets," he declared.
Everyone turned toward the two creatures as they transformed into a dragon and a phoenix.
They were left stupefied by the sight of these magnificent beings.
While dragons and phoenixes are not rare, what shocked them was the sheer level of their cultivation and the purity of their bloodline.
Both creatures possessed strength nearly on par with their own.
It's important to note that they were all in the Imperial Realm, while only Zhou long and the king stood above that — the person from second heaven most certainly being in the Ancestral Realm.
Each realm has ten levels; they lacked the specifics of his level, but based on his usual strength, he must be in the beginning to mid phase.
Even the person from second heaven was surprised to see Zhou long pets.
The person from second heaven laughed, "You really are full of surprises, aren't you?"
These creatures are really powerful , and their pure bloodline signified that they hailed from the royal family of dragons and phoenixes.
Not only did these beasts possess high cultivation, but their life force was also incredibly strong, indicating they belonged to the purer blood line of dragon and phoneix races.
Moreover, these creatures were known for their high pride and fierce independence. Even ordinary dragons and phoenixes, with common and honest blood, were not easy to tame; they preferred death over servitude.
It was nothing short of miraculous how Zhou long managed to take control of them.
The dragon and phoenix appeared before Zhou long, sitting obediently while awaiting his command.
Zhou long ordered, "You two handle those fools, while I confront him personally."
Both the dragon and phoenix responded, "Yes, master."
Though dragons and phoenixes are often considered enemies, in this moment, they united to serve a human — a truly rare occurrence.
Li dong and Zhou yue chimed in, "We'll help them, master."
Zhou long nodded in agreement.
The person from second heaven declared, "You did well. I also want to face you alone. Show me what hidden trump cards you possess."
Zhou Long said," Sure but I don't fight nameless person."
The person From second heaven laughed and replied, " Sure Sure... I am Leng Han from Whispering wind Sect of Second heaven."
With that, Leng Han released his power, revealing his strength in the late phase of the Ancestral Realm.
Zhou long smirked, "Eighth level of the Ancestor Realm. Not bad at all."
"If you think that's called not bad, then why not show me your true strength!" Leng Han shouted, anger flaring in his eyes.
This was his strength after plundering resources from his master, his master is an elder of the sect and no ordinary disciples of sect can compare to him in terms of credibility.
He was greatly cultivated by his teacher. He can't believe that an ant from Lower heaven said that his cultivation is not bad.
How dare this brat downplay his achievement!
Zhou long simply smiled, "Okay, but do make sure not to run away when you see my cultivation."
Then he unleashed his full power.
Leng Han's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Tenth stage of the Ancestral Realm!"
Zhou long grinned, "What do you think of this?"
Leng Han stared back, astonished. "You're on the brink of entering the Great Ancestor Realm.
Suddenly, he recieved an enlightment.
"Now I see. I understand everything."
Zhou long smiled knowingly and asked, "What has your majesty understood?"
A bead of sweat trickled down the Leng Han's forehead as he clapped slowly, "I, Leng Han, Disciple of Whispering Wind Sect, acknowledge your scheming. You wish to use all of them to achieve the Great Ancestor Realm."
"You planned all of this, and everything has gone according to your plan thus far, until I make a move."
"You faked your injuries to lure them into attacking you, hoping to stimulate your body to its extreme in order to break through to the Great Ancestor Realm. Because It's the only way to reach that height."
" But Nobody in the Lower heaven should know about the way to transcend to Great Ancestor Realm."
" From where do you get the method to advance? "
According to him there should be not any person in the lower heaven that know the method to advance to Great Ancestor Realm. Unless there is someone from the upper heaven helping him.
"Could it be ...???"
" No ...no that can't be possible. No one from upper heaven will help a person from Lower heaven to advance in cultivation."
He was in dilemma currently. He don't know if he should attack this person or not.
The reason why he decided to attack this person back then, because, he himself was astonished to see this much treasure In his possession. Even he was envied of him for posseesing so many rare and powerful treasures.
But if the person in front of him really had some connections with upper heaven then he will be in danger.
Zhou Long was unaware of Leng Han's thoughts. He just want to fight a strong opponent like himself to achieve a breakthrough in cultivation.
" You are indeed right. Its the only way I can stimulate my body and unlock the true potential of my body. "