The Heavenly Conqueror Dragon Earth Vein was the greatest source of spiritual qi in the entire world.
Although spiritual qi had been declining for centuries, the regions surrounding this massive vein were affected far less than other places. At least, that was what the ten great sects wanted everyone to believe.
In truth, cultivators across the world had begun noticing the changes. The decline had been slow at first, but as the years passed, it became increasingly difficult to ignore.
Alarmed by this unusual phenomenon, countless cultivators began investigating its cause.
Before long, rumors spread throughout the cultivation world. Many suspected that the ten great sects were secretly drawing spiritual qi from across the world through the Heavenly Conqueror Dragon Earth Vein.
As the rumors spread, more and more cultivators traveled toward the ten great cities built upon the vein.
Each city stood atop a mountain connected to the earth vein, where spiritual qi was far more concentrated than anywhere else in the world.
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Rising Flame City stood atop an active volcano.
Fire-element spiritual qi filled the surrounding area, making it an ideal place for fire cultivators. Near the territory of the Divine Phoenix Sect stood a luxurious establishment known as the Flame Lovers Inn, a popular destination for cultivators seeking both comfort and abundant spiritual qi.
Inside one of its rooms, Li Gang sat motionless within a formation.
Glowing runes surrounded him, their light illuminating his otherwise expressionless face.
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Heaven Ascension Mountain was home to the Heavenly Conqueror Sect. It was also the very mountain from which the Heavenly Conqueror Dao Lord had ascended many years ago.
Of the ten mountains, it possessed the richest spiritual qi, making it the most desirable cultivation ground in the entire world.
Inside an old building on Spiritwalker Street, Guan Wei sat cross-legged at the center of a powerful formation, waiting silently.
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Dragon Terrace City stood atop Heavenly Iron Mountain, a colossal peak said to be the hardest mountain in the world.
Its unique environment made it an ideal place for body cultivators. The Dragon Terrace Sect, renowned for its body refinement techniques, ruled over the entire city.
Deep inside a hidden cave, far from anyone's detection, Han Zhi stood near the entrance with a relaxed expression. He even seemed somewhat cheerful, showing none of the tension one might have expected under the circumstances.
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Thunderbolt City stood atop the highest peak connected to the earth vein.
Lightning constantly flashed across its skies, filling the surroundings with powerful thunder-element spiritual qi.
Among the ruins of the Hidden Moon Sect, Zhang Lie sat quietly, staring at what remained of his former home. Sorrow and hatred filled his eyes.
Meanwhile, on a barren hill outside Myriad Fantasy City, Li Xin stood alone with a bottle of wine in his hand.
He gazed down at a small graveyard. One grave, decorated with particular care, clearly belonged to a woman.
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Deep beneath Blood Moon City, Liang sat cross-legged inside a hidden underground chamber.
He held a jade disk in his hands, while six ornate boxes stood arranged in a circle around him.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and smiled faintly.
Without hesitation, he crushed the jade disk.
Nothing appeared to happen in the chamber.
Yet, in five distant cities, the formations surrounding the five chosen cultivators activated simultaneously.
Sinister devil qi surged in from every direction, gathering within the formations until the entire area was shrouded in darkness.
Five shadowy figures emerged from the swirling qi and plunged directly into the bodies of the cultivators.
For a brief moment, the five men struggled to resist. Their faces twisted in pain as their souls fought against the invading forces.
But the struggle didn't last long.
One after another, their expressions settled into identical, sinister smiles.
The five cultivators were gone. In their place stood the vessels of the Five Devil Kings.
Each of them began chanting in an ancient language.
The ground remained still, but the skies above all five cities suddenly split open.
Black portals appeared overhead.
Countless devils poured through them, flooding into the world like an endless tide of darkness. Millions upon millions emerged from the portals, spreading across the land and leaving destruction in their wake.
Soon, more portals began opening in other regions.
Within moments, the entire cultivation world descended into chaos.
Beside each of the five main portals, a powerful cultivator appeared. All five were peak Spirit Severing Realm experts, among the strongest beings still alive.
They glanced at the portals before turning their attention toward the Five Devil Kings.
Their expressions grew grim.
Without wasting a moment, they vanished and reappeared beside the possessed cultivators, launching their attacks immediately.
There was no time for hesitation.
Meanwhile, the devils pouring out of the portals slaughtered everything in their path. Mortals and cultivators alike fell beneath their attacks as cities were reduced to ruins.
The war had begun.
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Deep beneath Blood Moon City, Liang turned his attention to the six boxes arranged before him.
The faint smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a look of determination.
With a flick of his fingers, all six boxes opened simultaneously.
Inside were treasures of extraordinary value.
Five had been given to him by the Devil Kings in return for his assistance. The sixth was something he had acquired separately.
The first box contained a translucent crystal.
It was the most valuable treasure Liang had ever encountered: the Reincarnation Dao Crystal.
By consuming it, a cultivator could enter the cycle of reincarnation while retaining the memories of their previous life.
The second box contained a single crimson drop of blood. Despite its small size, it radiated an astonishing vitality.
The third held a rare herb known as Heavenly Soul Grass, a mysterious plant found only in the most dangerous regions of the devil realm.
Inside the fourth box lay three Dao Crystals, precious resources that could help a cultivator break through into the Dao Integration Realm.
The fifth contained a pseudo-immortal spirit stone. Its power was enough to raise a cultivator's strength to the Spirit Severing Realm almost instantly.
The final box contained an enormous egg covered in ancient inscriptions and mysterious symbols. Even after studying them, Liang couldn't fully understand their meaning.
He examined the six treasures, his eyes gleaming.
After years of planning and countless sacrifices, he was finally close to achieving his long-held ambition.
Only one step remained.