Chapter 601 - 576: News Leak

"Do not belittle yourselves," Lu Yan said. "Though the All-Origin Body is formidable, it is not invincible. Moreover, Yuan Tiandao’s cultivation level was still in the Immortal Realm a thousand years ago. With such a rapid increase in cultivation in a short period of time, his combat power may not keep up."

"Furthermore, in this battle, there’s no need for a head-on clash with Yuan Tiandao. Strategy is key. Whoever among you encounters Yuan Tiandao should retreat immediately."

"This battle is about points, not about defeating every opponent. The hundred points from the Origin Continent will definitely be guarded by Yuan Tiandao. Do not set your hopes on seizing the hundred-point Jade Talisman from him. As long as you avoid his sharp edge and take other points, then with Zhang Wei preserving that hundred points, our chance of victory is not small," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven advised.

The crowd thought deeply and felt that the words of the Ruler of Desolate Heaven made sense.

"We promise that if we win this battle, each of you will receive a substantial reward. The one who earns the most points and contributes the most will be rewarded with an intact Supreme Treasure," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven said.

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately filled with the sound of heavy breathing.

Lu Yan and the thirty-six Tianjiao all had a burning glow in their eyes.

The biggest contributor would actually be rewarded with a complete Supreme Treasure, which was beyond everyone’s expectations.

The highest level of weapon for cultivators was the Supreme Treasure.

But they were extremely scarce. Accumulated over countless years on the Origin Continent and the boundless starry sky, there were not many such treasures.

Those who wielded a Supreme Treasure were at least beings on the third step of the Creator Realm.

Moreover, not all beings on the third step of the Creator Realm possessed a Supreme Treasure.

Of course, there were exceptions, but they were very few.

"Furthermore, the biggest contributor can state what type of Supreme Treasure they desire, and we will do our best to fulfill the request. If we really cannot meet the request, we will let you choose from the available Supreme Treasures that we can offer," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven added.

The eyes of the thirty-six Tianjiao grew even hotter, and most of the fear and pressure brought by the All-Origin Body dissipated.

"In this battle, since you have just entered the True Meteor Realm, you are scattered across various locations without any pattern. The first thing you must do is to regroup. That way, the Combined Strike Array can be effective, consolidating your strength into a unified force," continued the Ruler of Desolate Heaven.

"May I ask the elder, can we use the Transmissions Jade Charm within the True Meteor Realm?" Chen Xuanhuang asked.

"No," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven shook his head and said, "Within the True Meteor Realm, not only can’t you use the Transmissions Jade Charm, but formation-based sensing won’t work either. With that said, I want to add that in this contest, you can only use powers from the Tao Realm. For weapons, only Doctrine Soldiers are allowed. Treasures from the Creator Realm and the True One State, any methods, powers, or talismans left behind by them, are all off-limits."

"What counts is your own strength. If beings from the Creator Realm and True One State were to intervene, the contest would lose its meaning. It would no longer be a battle of the Tao Realm, but a confrontation between the Creator and True One."

"Therefore, if anyone is found using powers that are not their own, but from the Creator Realm or True One State, they will be executed. Make this clear, they will be executed by the powerhouses from the True One State."

Everyone’s hearts grew cold.

"Elder, can we use a damaged Supreme Treasure?" someone asked.

"No," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven shook his head again and said, "Not only can’t you use damaged Supreme Treasures, but it’s also best not to use damaged Creator Treasures. Remember, you can use your own power, no matter how strong, but it’s best not to use power that is not your own."

"Of course, if you have an extraordinarily powerful Tao weapon, no matter how potent it is, it is within the rules and can be used."

"Now, returning to the original topic, you must be wondering how to contact each other and gather together without the Transmissions Jade Charm. Here, we will pass on to you a ’secret mark,’ something we’ve recently developed. Only you can understand it. Inside the True Meteor Realm, you can use the secret mark to regroup," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven explained.

As he spoke, the Ruler of Desolate Heaven snapped his fingers, and thirty-six streaks of light flew towards Lu Yan and the others.

Their speed was astoundingly fast. Before Lu Yan and the others could even react, the lights entered their foreheads.

Instantly, a stream of information appeared in their minds.

Lines of varying lengths and thicknesses, seemingly chaotic, intertwined to form a complex pattern.

At first glance, there was no pattern at all.

But in reality, there was a pattern.

The information given by the Ruler of Desolate Heaven contained the pattern.

They digested it carefully.

After a moment, they had mostly grasped it.

"The reason it was not passed on to you earlier is to prevent leaks. Once the secret mark is known to the Origin Continent, it would become extremely dangerous."

"All matters have been discussed. There are seven days left. Adjust yourselves well to enter the battle in the best state," the Ruler of Desolate Heaven instructed.

"We thank you, elder, for the explanation."

Everyone thanked him.

The ancient bronze hall was very large, and they each found a small room to meditate and rest, gathering their energy and sharpening their focus.

...

At the other end of the True Meteor Realm, a colossal mountain peak floated.

This was a treasure of the Origin Continent belonging to a True One State being, where all the True Ones of the Origin Continent as well as the contestants resided.

Inside one of the grand halls.

Only eight people gathered here.

Seven of them were strong beings in the True One State.

The Immortal Ancestor, Dark Emperor, and Holy Ancestor were among them.

Aside from the seven True Ones, there was a middle-aged man sitting cross-legged in the center.

This middle-aged man was neither a True One nor one of the thirty-six monstrous geniuses participating in the contest.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man’s body trembled, and a unique vibration emanated from him as he slowly opened his eyes.

Seven gazes fell synchronously upon the middle-aged man.

"Qi Lindao, what’s the situation? That one hundred points, whose hands are they in? Are they in the hands of Chen Xuanhuang?"

The Immortal Ancestor asked immediately.

If someone from the Infinite Starry Skies were here, they would undoubtedly be astonished.

Qi Lindao was one of the eleven strongest beings in the Infinite Starry Skies.

He was actually inhabiting the body of a middle-aged man through some kind of soul-possession technique to communicate with the strongest people of Origin Continent.

"Not anymore."

Qi Lindao shook his head. They had handed over the one hundred points jade talisman to someone named Zhang Wei.

"Zhang Wei? Is he the one who came in second in your side’s assessment?"

The Immortal Ancestor asked.

"Correct."

Qi Lindao nodded.

"What a clever move of secretly crossing the Wei River."

The Immortal Ancestor sneered and asked, "This Zhang Wei, what’s his background? Have you found out anything?"

"I’ve already checked. I found that he is representing Taiyi Palace in battle, coming from a declining force called Five Elements Heavenly Arch. He is a disciple that was taken in by the old Sect Leader of Five Elements Heavenly Arch on his travels. But I feel it’s not that simple, perhaps, he is a disciple taken in secretly by some supremely powerful being."

Qi Lindao said.

"No matter his origin, facing Yuan Tiandao, he can only end in defeat. There is no other possibility."

A burly man with a formidable build said.

The others nodded silently.

"What about their secret signal? What is it? Although we have Yuan Tiandao on our side and are confident in our strength, we cannot be careless. Only by knowing both ourselves and the enemy can we ensure that they don’t stand a chance to turn the tide."

The Immortal Ancestor said.

Qi Lindao waved his hand, and the secret marks from the side of the starry skies emerged.

"Moreover, my disciple is also among the thirty-six chosen. When the time comes, he will coordinate with your people using the secret signal to hunt down the geniuses from the starry skies, including that Zhang Wei."

Qi Lindao said.

"Good. With this, we then hold the winning ticket without any unforeseen circumstances."

The Immortal Ancestor clapped his hands.

"You best not go back on the conditions you promised me."

Qi Lindao stated.

"Rest assured, after this battle, you may lead your fellows and disciples into Origin Continent. You are free to choose any good location."

The Immortal Ancestor said.

"I hope you will keep your word. Well, I can’t stay away for too long, or else I will arouse suspicion. Yin Xiantian is not a simple figure."

Having said that, the light in Qi Lindao’s eyes dimmed, and the middle-aged man also closed his eyes.

...

Seven days passed in a blink.

The top experts from both Origin and the Starry Skies converged at a certain place in the True Meteor Realm.

Then, a True One from each side joined forces and opened a Space Door leading into the interior of the True Meteor Realm.

"Enter."

Yin Xiantian made a move, covering Lu Yan, Chen Xuanhuang, and others with a powerful force. Then, with a push of his palm, he shoved them into the Space Door.

On the side of Origin Continent, the Emperor of the Nine Worlds also sent thirty-six Tianjiao of Origin Continent into the Space Door.

A familiar sensation washed over them, the world seeming to spin as space whisked by rapidly. The next moment, Lu Yan felt his body lighten and, like a meteor, plummeted heavily towards the ground.

Below were peaks rising sharply like swords.

Lu Yan quickly activated his Tao force in an attempt to stabilize his body, but the next moment, he was taken aback.

"This pressure is terrifying."

He felt that the pressure here was incredibly intense, many times greater than the outside world. Instantly, he almost couldn’t maintain his balance, and his body continued to fall.

However, he was no ordinary person. After falling for a while, he finally stabilized and floated mid-air.

He spread out his Spiritual Sense, carefully sensing his surroundings.

He discovered that even Spiritual Sense was seriously suppressed here, only able to extend out a thousand miles at most.

This was already considering his exceptionally strong soul. Others would likely fare even worse.

Moreover, their flying speed was greatly reduced.

"It’s no wonder this is the site where two True Ones perished together. Even after countless years following their death, the residual pressure is extremely fearsome. The might of the pressure is astonishing."

After familiarizing himself, Lu Yan completely adapted to the environment here.

He stood high in the sky, looking around.

Everywhere he looked were towering mountain peaks piercing the clouds. However, these peaks were bare, devoid of any vegetation, lifeless, and dead silent.

In the air, strands of terrifying aura passed over him, pricking his skin like needles.

This was the killing intent left behind by two True Ones, spreading in all directions.

Thankfully, the Tianjiao who entered this place were all powerful. If those with insufficient cultivation came here, the very killing intent of this place could wound them, perhaps even kill them.

With a strong physical body, Lu Yan was untroubled by this killing intent in the least.