“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

In the Tianye Realm, miniature mining machines flew back and forth across the firmament.

They would occasionally swarm into dense mountain ranges in groups, occasionally venture into treacherous valleys, and each time they emerged, they hauled out considerable quantities of high-quality spirit stones.

The mining machines Jun Changxiao purchased had no mineral vein detection function—everything relied on the golden duo.

Who?

Ren Shan and Peiqi.

One possessed koi fish attributes, the other could excavate mountains and carve stone.

When these two worked together, they left nothing for future generations.

“Whoosh!”

Ren Shan descended upon a certain desolate valley, observing the surrounding overlapping peaks and ridges, speculating: “There should be a mineral vein here!”

Sure enough.

Blessed with heaven-defying luck, he quickly discovered an ancient mineral vein. Professional survey teams provided preliminary estimates that it contained at least several billion spirit stones.

“Peiqi, it’s yours.”

“Mm!”

Peiqi flew over, his body rapidly enlarging, then began consuming earth, quickly eating out a mine entrance.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

The mining specialists who had been standing ready swarmed in like locusts, then systematically excavated all the spirit stones. In just a few hours, the abundantly stocked mineral vein was completely mined clean.

This speed, this efficiency.

Could only be described as ‘exaggerated.’

Several months or even years of Tianye Realm’s output couldn’t match one or two days of the mining machines’ extraction volume.

At this rate, it wouldn’t take long before everything was thoroughly mined out.

The spirit stones excavated from the mineral veins were first sent to designated cities, then transported to star warships, which would leave the plane and merge into the nearby Wangu Realm.

From the perspective of the starry void, one could clearly see warships shuttling back and forth, carrying not only large quantities of high-grade spirit stones but also many native inhabitants of the Tianye Realm.

“Your realm lord has fled.”

“But I.”

“From today forward, will treat you as family—never abandoning you, never forsaking you.”

Jun Changxiao stood in the firmament of Wangu Realm, shouting loudly to the living beings who had just migrated in.

After the plane expanded twice, it needed more people for development, so naturally the warriors of a first-grade plane couldn’t be overlooked.

Simply put.

Not only must Tianye Realm’s resources be taken, but its living beings must be brought along too.

Though somewhat shameless.

But undeniably, the living beings of Tianye Realm who followed Jun Changxiao would definitely have a bright future ahead, at least they wouldn’t be abandoned again when encountering trouble.

Moreover, given Jun Changxiao’s personality, as long as they willingly became residents of Wangu Realm and obeyed the laws, he would definitely treat them as family.

Therefore.

For living beings of any plane to migrate here was absolutely a great fortune that would benefit future generations.

…

Just over two months.

All the major mineral veins within Tianye Realm were completely mined clean. Warriors, demon beasts, medicinal herbs, and vegetation were all relocated to Wangu Realm, even the cities were brought along.

The once extremely prosperous plane, after losing its mineral veins and living beings, instantly became utterly lifeless.

Examining one’s conscience.

What difference was there between Jun Changxiao’s behavior and the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s?

There was still a difference—for instance, he conquered Tianye Realm through gentle means, whereas if it were the Heavenly Demon Emperor, it would probably be bloody suppression.

Deep underground.

Jun Changxiao again followed his old routine, setting out a jar of wine, placing his sword against the neck of the humanized plane origin, earnestly advising: “The realm lord has already fled, why must you persist?”

“…”

“A wise bird chooses a good tree to nest in; one who understands the times is a hero.”

“…”

Seeing it still had no intention of compromising, Jun Changxiao could only infuse the Immortal Sound power into the sword.

“I agree!”

Sure enough, under the intimidation of power from the Land of Eternal Life, the plane origin gave in extremely quickly, making Jun Changxiao sigh quietly: “Not a shred of backbone.”

…

“Rumble rumble rumble!”

This day, Wangu Realm suddenly trembled, then rapidly expanded outward.

Initially, the plane always existed in a sand-grain state, where size increases could only be judged from internal spatial extension. Now, standing in the starry void, one could intuitively sense it with the naked eye alone.

“Buzz buzz buzz!”

Wangu Realm was like a dough ball, continuously fermenting and continuously expanding.

“Boom!”

Before long, the child-like Tianye Realm finally couldn’t withstand the expansion and was instantly shattered to pieces, the fractured earth being absorbed into Wangu Realm.

Resources, living beings.

In the end, even the plane itself turned to nothingness.

How tragic.

“Fortunately.”

Residing within Wangu Realm, witnessing the world expand once again, Taixuan Old Man wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He had considered in advance whether the plane would expand again, so when designing the protective realm formation, he incorporated a function for automatic adjustment to terrain changes. Looking at it now, it was quite successful.

Professional!

With the fusion of four origins, Wangu Realm’s area expanded, and the heavenly and earthly attributes and cosmic order also ascended once more, especially the protective realm formation which was strengthened.

This wave brought considerable improvements.

Jun Changxiao immediately felt more secure.

Each time a top-tier plane origin was fused, Wangu Realm’s overall strength would increase, which would help resist the Heavenly Demon Emperor.

However…

Having so ostentatiously resolved the Tianye Realm this time, that demonic villain should have already received the news. Before long, there would probably be a fierce battle.

“What must come will eventually come.”

Jun Changxiao sat in the great hall, his expression grave: “The warriors of my realm fear no battle.”

Since they had revealed themselves, since they had established themselves in the upper cosmos, they were already prepared for direct combat with the Heavenly Demon Emperor.

Strangely enough.

Several more months passed.

The Heavenly Demon Emperor’s side remained completely silent.

“Something’s wrong.”

Jian Guixu said puzzled: “Given that demon’s initiative, he should have already dispatched a great army to attack.”

“I eliminated eight capable generals—perhaps he has no manpower left?” Jun Changxiao said.

“No.”

Jian Guixu said: “The Heavenly Demon Emperor should still have many avatars, whose strength is not inferior to the Eight Heavenly Dragons.”

“Could it be…”

Jun Changxiao fell into thought: “He’s brewing some conspiracy?”

Previously hiding in the shadows, if the Heavenly Demon Emperor wanted to plot conspiracies, he definitely couldn’t find anyone. Now with Wangu Realm positioned in the upper cosmos, it truly had the flavor of being a target.

“Hard to say.”

Jian Guixu said: “Caution is advisable.”

“Please rest assured, senior.” Jun Changxiao said: “I’ve already ordered disciples to maintain round-the-clock vigilance.”

“Mm.”

Jian Guixu nodded.

“If the Heavenly Demon Emperor won’t act, I will.” Jun Changxiao said, stroking his chin.

That same day.

Star warships flew away from Wangu Realm one after another, merging into the endless darkness, flying in all directions. Their mission was to inform the entire upper cosmos that Wangu Realm would openly and righteously resist the Heavenly Demon Emperor, awaiting those with righteous aspirations to join and fight together for all living beings under heaven.

Before long.

The news spread.

Many planes and factions that were resisting the Heavenly Demon Emperor successively received it and began discussing it, ultimately concluding—from which remote corner did this plane emerge, actually so directly recruiting warriors?

“Hmph.”

In a certain faction’s great hall, an old man said disdainfully: “We have resisted the Heavenly Demon Emperor for many years, accumulating considerable experience and strength. How could we go join Wangu Realm?”

“In my view.”

“This plane should be joining us instead.”

In summary, when Jun Changxiao released the news, not only did he fail to recruit righteous warriors, he was even scorned and looked down upon.

Understandable.

The major events Wangu Sect had recently accomplished hadn’t spread yet. Many people even knew Xingling Realm was destroyed but didn’t know who the culprit was, so suddenly appearing to rally everyone would naturally invite skepticism.

Of course.

There was an even more important reason.

As the Heavenly Demon Emperor brought calamity to the upper cosmos, they rose up in resistance to gain merit and fortune from the catastrophe, thereby having a chance to touch the secrets of eternal life. Naturally they were unwilling to work as someone else’s subordinates.

“Sigh.”

Successively learning the attitudes of various major factions from other planes, Jun Changxiao sat in the great hall, helplessly saying: “For my Wangu Realm to become a standard-bearer against the Heavenly Demon Emperor, we still need to produce sufficient achievements.”

“Old brother.”

Gu Zhaoxi said disdainfully: “These factions resisting the Heavenly Demon Emperor to obtain opportunities have impure intentions from the start. Why bother recruiting them?”

“I thought so initially too.”

Jun Changxiao said: “But the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s strength is unknown. We must gather the entire cosmos’s power to increase our chances of victory.”

“Sect Master!”

At this moment, Li Luoqiu walked in, saying: “Just received news—the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s great army is attacking Huanghai Realm.”

“The opportunity has come!”

Jun Changxiao immediately ordered: “Deploy War Cavalry Hall elites, swiftly aid Huanghai Realm, must ensure this plane’s safety!”

“Yes!”

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

In moments, hundreds of warships flew away from Wangu Realm.

“Whew!”

On the leading main warship, Jing Zhixiao stood before a mirror in the cabin, adjusting his school uniform, then put on his helmet.

The time to display true skill had arrived!

—