However, as time passed, even the lowest-ranking Beastmasters who couldn't understand the situation began to sense that something was amiss.
Though the Tree Ancestor possessed a life force as vast as the ocean, with a terrifying self-recovery ability akin to "wildfires cannot burn it, spring winds bring it back to life," its adversary was the Xuanyuan family, with a supreme heritage refined over tens of thousands of years.
The Purple-Gold Divine Dragon did not spew ordinary fire but "Purple Extreme Heavenly Fire," containing the Destruction Law.
This flame not only burned the physical form but also incinerated the Tree Ancestor's fundamental path.
"Sizzle—"
The originally verdant and crystalline leaves of the Tree Ancestor began to wither and blacken on a large scale, and its regeneration speed visibly slowed.
The numerous roots that could once contend equally with the Divine Dragon were now being slowly forced back by the purple-gold sea of flames.
"Do you see it now? This is true heritage."
Xuanyuan Hong stood in the void with his hands behind his back, not even a corner of his garment disturbed.
He looked at the Tree Ancestor, still struggling bitterly, with a fleeting, patronizing smile of mockery in his eyes:
"Though you've luckily stepped into the Immortal Venerable Realm, your foundation is too shallow."
"I have immersed myself in this realm for three millennia, already touching upon the higher threshold of the Heavenly Dao."
"And you are merely an infant who has just learned to walk."
"With opposing attributes and suppressed cultivation, what do you have to win against me?"
Before the words could fully court, Xuanyuan Hong's gaze turned cold, and he sharply pressed his fingers down.
"Roar—!"
The Purple-Gold Divine Dragon let out a savage roar, its figure instantly swelling to twice its size, claws wrapped in alarming purple thunder, forcibly tearing through the layers of defenses set by the Tree Ancestor, aiming directly for the core figure within the trunk!
"Pfft!"
The Tree Ancestor transformed into human form shuddered violently, a thread of emerald green Essence Blood spilling from its lips.
"Tree Ancestor!"
Below, the Great Elder exclaimed, their heart jumping to their throat.
Defeat seemed inevitable!
If the Tree Ancestor was defeated, everyone present, including the Human Race coalition that had just ignited hope, would face true annihilation.
Below the Immortal Venerable, all are ants. Xuanyuan Hong alone is enough to slaughter the entire Thunder City.
A sense of despair spread again like a plague.
Is this really fate?
...
Just as everyone thought the Tree Ancestor was bound to lose, with despair on the verge of completely engulfing Thunder City—
"Zzzla——!!!!!!"
A piercing electric current sound loud enough to split eardrums exploded suddenly in the void.
Following it, a blue and white woven thunder energy wave, like a divine retribution spear shot from the depths of the universe, pierced through layers of space, smashing into the imperious Purple-Gold Divine Dragon's body with a speed transcending time concepts!
"Roar?!"
The Purple-Gold Divine Dragon couldn't even react defensively as its massive body was struck by a high-speed flying star, emitting a painful groan, and was directly blasted hundreds of meters away by the terrifying force!
The seemingly lethal attack crumbled instantly.
"Who?"
Xuanyuan Hong sharply turned his head, for the first time, true gravity appeared in his usually indifferent starry eyes.
He looked around, only to see above Thunder City, at the core of the rolling thunder clouds, a massive yet indifferent figure slowly emerged.
It was a bear.
A giant bear covered in blue-white fur, surrounded by primordial thunder, its size comparable to the Purple-Gold Divine Dragon!
It hovered quietly in midair, seeming endearing yet each breath caused space around it to tremble with thunder, as though it was the master of this earth and sky's thunder punishment.
"This... this is..."
Lin Chen and Qin Shaoshao exchanged glances, both saw the unmistakable shock and astonishment in each other's trembling pupils.
They recognized this bear!
Back when the Demon Realm's seal shattered and countless demons were about to emerge to wreak havoc upon the world, it was this mysterious predecessor who stepped in to aid Lin Chen in averting disaster and subduing the Demon Realm.
At that time, it was just a fleeting glimpse, but now, it finally revealed its true form, enough to sway the heavens and earth!
"Another… another Immortal Venerable?!"
On the battlefield below, many cultivators opened their mouths wide, bodies trembling.
What has happened to this world?
The legendary Immortal Venerable Realm, today appeared as easily as cabbage, surfacing one after another?
First was Divine Lord Xuanyuan Hong, then the Tree Ancestor reborn from Nirvana, now... a profoundly mysterious Thunder Bear!
"I knew it... The Human Race's heritage couldn't simply be these few rot woods."
Xuanyuan Hong stared intently at the Immortal Bear, a brief shock passed, then a knowing cold smile emerged on his face.
He was not afraid.
The Human Race has its heritage, barely surviving in this world for so many years, if they didn't have something to hide they would have perished long ago.
But his Divine Race ruled for over ten thousand years, their heritage depth is beyond the Human Race's imagination?
The blue-white Immortal Bear ignored everyone's astonishment.
It took a step in the void slowly.
One step, two steps.
It walked slowly, but every step left a remarkably solid shadow in place, as though it simultaneously existed in the past, present, and future.
The aura of effortless grandeur was even more profound than Xuanyuan Hong's.
Ultimately, it stopped a thousand meters away from Xuanyuan Hong, its eyes held infinite thunder sea calmly gazing at the Divine Lord, speaking human words, its voice like a great bell:
"One month later, Fallen God Mountain."
Seven simple words, no threats, no unnecessary words, yet carried a command beyond dispute.
Fallen God Mountain, the legendary place where ancient gods fell.
Xuanyuan Hong was stunned, then his eyes narrowed slightly, seeming to weigh the pros and cons.
Today the gathering of three Immortal Venerables, should they truly unleash a battle here, the entire Cangling Ancient Country, even half the continent would be sunk, which wouldn't benefit the Divine Race's domination of this world.
Moreover, since the other party dared to propose a duel, it's apparent they're prepared.
"Fine."
Xuanyuan Hong nodded, a cruel arc forming on his lips:
"One month later, Fallen God Mountain."
With that, Xuanyuan Hong waved his sleeve grandly.
A purple-gold glow instantly enveloped all the remaining Divine Race members below, along with the severely injured elders.
He glanced deeply at the Tree Ancestor and the Immortal Bear, finally lingering on Lin Chen for a moment, releasing a chilling cold laugh.
Buzz—
Space warped, Xuanyuan Hong along with all the Divine Race army vanished without a trace, as if they never appeared.
The stifling oppressive atmosphere finally cleared.
Lin Chen and the others barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when they looked up to find the massive figure of the blue-white Immortal Bear also becoming ethereal and transparent.
It seemed it was not here in full form, or perhaps… it couldn't stay long in the present world.
"Pre—" Lin Chen just wanted to call out.
Yet beside him, the Tree Ancestor abruptly turned, a touch of gravitas and urgency on its aged face.
"I'll be right back."
The Tree Ancestor left only four words, then its form transformed into a green light stream, chasing in the direction where the Immortal Bear disappeared.
Lin Chen gazed at the empty sky, his heart knowing.
The Immortal Bear must have used Divine Sense to communicate with the Tree Ancestor, but what exactly, that was beyond their knowledge.
Just, what has really happened to this world?
Why are there so many hidden Immortal Venerables unknown?
