The Big Dipper Star Domain. The Eastern Wasteland’s Northern Region. Within a stretch of ancient mountain ranges.

Ten thousand veins ran across the land, each coiling like a dark, fierce dragon rearing toward the sky — as if sealed here by the gods themselves. Every great peak soared into the clouds in communion with the heavens, their towering, majestic grandeur the most authentic expression of their nature.

In a magnificent valley that had lain silent for many ages, a great waterfall that had dried up in the primordial era reappeared — a vast white expanse, pouring forth with a thunderous roar.

The rocky earth that had been barren for a thousand li — not a blade of grass growing — had in the past few days seen tender sprouts break through the soil, unfurling green leaves and blossoming verdantly, bringing new life once more.

Within a few days, the air was fragrant with aged medicinal herbs that seemed to have matured over thousands of years. Spiritual trees appeared one after another, gleaming crystalline, filling the air with the scent of fruit. All manner of sacred grasses and rare blossoms emerged in abundance — life force surging, spiritual energy blazing skyward, auspicious omens encircling the valley, mist and vapor rising in swirls. This was a miracle.

At the central area, a vast and magnificent ancient palace rose from the abyss below, appearing in the center of the valley. This was the sacred ground of a primordial royal clan — the Divine Spirit Valley. Today it was hosting a grand gathering.

Within the palace halls, representatives of various primordial clans had assembled, gathered before a resplendent divine platform inscribed all over with symbols, radiating endless traces of the Dao.

“Why can we no longer sense the aura of our predecessors? What has happened on that side? Could it be that everyone met with misfortune at the same time?”

“Impossible. Who could kill so many kings — the mightiest group of ancient kings? According to the clan records, there are three Great Sages among them. Who under heaven could oppose them?”

“Twelve years — what happened during that time? Why did we sense their aura in between, only for it to then be cut off?”

“There is still a thread of clan bloodline resonance, though it comes and goes intermittently. Could it be that only one ancient king of the Dragon Clan remains…”

“Regardless — there must be a result in the near future. We must get to the bottom of it. If we cannot, the clans will know no peace. What manner of existence could exterminate those ancient kings and Great Sages?”

“If there is truly no alternative, let the sleeping sages of each clan be awakened to preside over matters.”

“Do not act rashly. The Big Dipper Star Domain is too strange — it can even be called terrifying. You all know this. At that time, no one knows how many fearsome individuals were drawn there, all searching for something. Moreover, the Great Emperors of the later human race are absolutely spine-chilling. They can stand alongside the ancient emperors of old — and though legend has it they all passed into nirvana, when our clans’ people went to investigate, something felt deeply unsettling and terrifying. Best to proceed with caution.”

“The Ancient Emperor’s Mountain was occupied by a human race Great Emperor named Wushi. Even the ancient clans within do not know what has happened inside over all these years. Did not a terrifying tolling of bells resound from within not long ago? Just thinking about it sends shivers down one’s spine.”

“The Celestial Emperor’s Son says it was most likely the work of a dog — no need for excessive worry. He does know the Ancient Emperor’s Mountain somewhat, having come from there.”

“Very well. Activate the divine platform left behind by the ancient emperors of old and attempt a summoning once more. Whatever it takes, there must be a result in the near term.”

Hum!

A soft sound rang out. The divine platform at the center shuddered — then became crystalline throughout. Brilliant divine radiance swiftly surged upward, shooting toward the eternal, undying vault of heaven. All manner of symbols flowed and coursed, as if opening a tunnel through time and space — connecting back to the primordial age, or piercing through to the other end of the star domain.

A moment later — within the boundless sea of the ancient Ziwei Star Domain — Ye Fan’s body suddenly shuddered. With keen perception he sensed something out of the ordinary. The sealed dragon-headed ancient king corpse he had stored away seemed to tremble faintly.

“This has happened many times now. What is going on?” He said to himself inwardly.

The bright moon hung high. He held the half-page of phoenix blood crimson gold scripture in hand. Mist and radiance flowed across it, suffusing his hand in crystalline translucence. He released Yi Qingwu and the others from the sacred weapon to examine it together.

Li Tian said: “What kind of ghost-script is this? Not a single character is recognizable. It looks like some kind of imprint — and it’s fractured. There’s simply no way to comprehend it.”

Yi Qingwu said: “These are primordial imprints. Even if a single corner or thread is missing, comprehension is impossible. No wonder the two ancient sects have kept it all these years with absolutely no progress or gain.”

“So does that mean the other half-page of immortal scripture is absolutely necessary to piece it together?” Yan Yixi said.

Everyone was deeply excited — and deeply regretful at the same time. This was the legendary divine scripture. As long as one cultivated it, death would be impossible. Who could fail to be moved?

“Let’s go — we go back and keep stealing from little Dezi. We collect the other half-page of immortal scripture.” Li Tian said.

The others all gave him a blank look. Stealing from Yin Tiande this time had been made possible by a convergence of many factors. As for seizing the other half again — there was not a shred of hope.

After all, on the Feathering Immortal Cliff, the Human King, the Gold Crow King, and the green bull were still engaged in battle. Any one of them emerging would be enough to kill the group dozens of times over.

Though they had no intention of making a move, they still returned silently — keeping themselves at a distance of at least a hundred li, not daring to approach.

The great battle continued. Yet the half-page of phoenix blood crimson gold scripture was nowhere to be seen — it had vanished, and no one knew whose hands it had fallen into.

The eighteen ancient ships shook in unison. Their radiance blazed intensely. In that moment they merged into one — a solid, undying divine ship hovering directly above the Human King’s head.

It was both an ancient killing formation and a holy weapon. Now it released wave upon wave of ripples — simultaneously exercising its power as a divine formation and fulfilling its duty as a weapon.

The Human King, though aged, carried the momentum of one who could swallow mountains and rivers. He advanced with head held high — his silver battle robe snapping in the wind.

With every punch he threw, star domains flickered. It was as if each blow toppled an ancient small universe — his divine might dominating the age.

Such was the terrifying Human King!

The Gold Crow King’s blood and vital energy were at their most vigorous. He wielded the Black-Wing Gold-Flowing Halberd — overwhelming all under heaven. His golden hair spread loose in wild disarray, his warrior’s valor equally unstoppable!

He attacked the Human King one moment, the Ox God King the next. The battle was extraordinarily fierce.

“Primordial Unity Qi, Great Strength Ox King Technique!” The green bull bellowed — as though wielding the force of creation itself. Ancient demonic mountains rose and floated all around it; dark clouds churned; demonic energy surged like a flood. Its divine strength dominated the age!

Even Ye Fan in the distance was astonished. He had never seen anyone with such immense raw strength. Setting aside its Dao arts — in terms of sheer physical power, it far surpassed every other Perfected King present. It was as if it could shatter the sky with a single hand.

It stood as tall as the mountains themselves — ox-headed and human-bodied, every hair thick as a barrel. Fallen hairs were capable of crushing the void when they landed, beyond all belief. What kind of force had it channeled into itself?

“This bull’s strength is too terrifying. Setting aside its Dao techniques and speaking only of raw power — it’s nearly on par with a sage, isn’t it?” Li Tian clicked his tongue.

“The single greatest physical strength among all current kings!” Yan Yixi said.

Ye Fan was in a daze. This was Laozi’s mount. If this ox demon king was so terrifying, what realm had Laozi himself reached? And where had he gone now?

A desolate universe — eternally cold and dark. Habitable ancient stars were rare — but hidden within them were too many secrets, inexhaustible to explore.

Boom!

In the end, the ancient ship above the Human King’s head released tens of thousands of Dao traces cascading downward. The Gold Crow King also swung the primordial divine halberd. The green bull activated the Primordial Unity Qi Great Strength Ox King Technique, channeling the sacred weapon within its body — and the three forces collided against one another, each attacking simultaneously. Heaven and earth collapsed.

In a flash of blinding radiance, nothing could be seen at all. Only a long time later did the light finally dim — leaving behind a vast void black hole where they had clashed. The three great kings had vanished.

“Where are they? Where did the half-page of the divine scripture go?” Li Tian stared blankly.

“They shattered eternity — these three were too terrifying. They actually struck a blow for the ages like that!” Yi Qingwu sighed softly.

For kings to produce such a scene was all but impossible — it bordered on the threshold of a sage’s domain. A king-level battle of this kind had perhaps occurred only a handful of times across all of history.

They had shattered eternity. At the very least they had emerged tens of millions of li away — perhaps far out at sea, perhaps on another continent, or perhaps even beyond the heavens entirely.

“The half-page immortal scripture — it looks like it’s beyond reach now…” Yan Yixi sighed at length.

“The remnant scripture — is there truly no way to comprehend it?” Ye Fan was unwilling to accept it.

Yi Qingwu said: “It is said there is a way — but it is far too arduous. Otherwise, why would ancient sects as deeply grounded as the Hall of the Human King and the Longevity Monastery have yielded no results or gains across so many years? What manner of ancient method could possibly pierce through these primordial imprints — no one knows.”

“The other half of the ancient scripture — could it really have been taken by little Dezi? That bastard has too many heaven-defying tricks. Heaven help us if he manages to comprehend it.” Li Tian said.

A chill ran through the group. They still remembered the ox demon king’s contemptuous expression as he held a private conversation with Yin Tiande — saying he didn’t look like a good person, seeming to suspect some scheme. It was entirely possible he might obtain it.

“I have half the immortal scripture — he has half the divine scripture. For anyone to unite them will be difficult. The question is who can penetrate the heavenly mysteries first.” Ye Fan said.

The silver disc tilted westward. Moonlight cascaded like water. The jade-blue sea shimmered with rippling light, scattering silver fragments across the surface. Calm had returned to this place — the great kings had all departed.

They could only leave far behind, not daring to linger, fearing some accident. To have obtained half the divine scripture today was already a gift from heaven.

Several days later, the whole world was shaken. Word spread that the Hall of the Human King and the Longevity Monastery had exchanged their ancient scriptures — only to be intercepted and killed. Both had lost their original scriptures. When the news broke, all under heaven was thrown into uproar.

Many simply did not believe it. How powerful were these two ancient sects? Who could stand against them? Only when people spoke of several Perfected Kings appearing did the disbelief give way to stunned silence.

The Human King, the Celestial Demon King, the Light King, Qinggu Daoren — not one of them was anything but a long-dead man. All were kings who had once lorded over the world, and they had come back to life!

The emergence of the Gold Crow King and the unknown king struck equal shock. The world was not lacking in Perfected Kings at all — enough to strike terror into every major power.

The loss of the divine scripture set all under heaven ablaze. Powerful figures from every direction emerged, scouring the world in pursuit of it. Everyone hoped to obtain it. Within just a few days, every continent was set in motion — even offshore the waves were turbulent — and every cultivator mobilized. A great many bloody incidents unfolded.

From this day forward, the world knew no peace. All sides searched relentlessly — above all the Hall of the Human King and the Longevity Monastery, which seemed to have gone mad.

“Yin Tiande, that bastard — how composed he is. He feigned the ancient sage riding his ox westward, and only yesterday he reappeared. Someone spotted him in a vast wilderness — purple Qi surging eight thousand li — he was meditating and seeking the Dao.” Li Tian struck his fist in frustration. He very much hoped the Human King and the others would go after him, saying: “So composed — is he truly seeking the Dao, or does he simply have nothing to fear?”

“Even if several Perfected Kings suspect him and come to kill him, he will certainly have a way out and suffer no harm.” Yi Qingwu said.

“This opportunity has passed, and now we must wait another month. On the next night of the full moon, we attack the Eight Scenery Palace.” Ye Fan said.

“But… what if little Dezi, that ruthless man, is hiding inside?” Li Tian worried.

Ye Fan said: “Rest assured — the way he is so openly riding his ox westward right now, he has to maintain the act properly. He won’t be back so soon. Otherwise, he would have sought me out long ago to avenge his sworn brother.”

Time passed swiftly. A month came and went in an instant. During this period the ancient Ziwei Star Domain was thrown into turmoil. Every corner was unsettled. A single page of the divine scripture had ignited no small number of bloody battles — even hearsay and rumor were enough to draw swarms of powerful figures.

On the night of the full moon, Ye Fan and his companions arrived outside the sacred realm of the Highest Clarity. At the stroke of midnight, with a thunderous boom, they navigated by the memories preserved in the serpent demon child’s primordial spirit, groping their way forward, using the power of mighty sacred weapons to forcibly break open this small world — and then entered it.

“The Eight Scenery Palace!”

Just ahead, purple Qi spread in all directions. An ancient archway towered before them — not particularly grand in scale, yet it carried a momentum that suppressed heaven and earth.

Clouds surged and mist arose. The Eight Scenery Palace resembled an undying divine hall. The Dao itself flowed around it — inspiring deep reverence in all who approached.

“The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Without name — the beginning of heaven and earth. With name — the mother of ten thousand things…”

As they drew close, this purple palace carried an aura of supreme sacredness, supreme vastness, supreme remoteness, supreme profundity — and its surface was inscribed, end to end, with scripture.

“What scripture is this?” Both Li Tian and Yan Yixi were astonished. Yi Qingwu’s beautiful eyes also shimmered with extraordinary light. This archway was inscribed from top to bottom with scripture — profound and unfathomable beyond measure.