However, as always, Fairy Qingtan feared nothing.
"Elder Qing Shuang, with such intense spiritual power fluctuations, there surely must be some heaven-shocking treasure appearing, right?" Sage Emperor Yinxian said excitedly.
The other Divine Transformation Stage disciples also looked toward Yu Qingtan expectantly; under her leadership, they had all gained quite a lot in recent days.
"Whether it is or not, we’ll know once we check it out!" Yu Qingtan smiled and said.
The group, both nervous and excited, followed Yu Qingtan’s lead and sped toward the source of the spiritual power fluctuations.
Although the most intense spiritual power fluctuations had already dissipated, in this area of the Nether Illusion Domain, the originally dark sky seemed even more oppressive due to this sudden change.
As they drew closer, the source of the spiritual power fluctuations gradually became clearer. Through the black fog ahead, one could vaguely see flickering lights, like stars falling to the mundane world, dazzling and eye-catching, yet the specifics were unclear, and divine sense was unable to probe it.
The hearts of the crowd couldn’t help but surge with an indescribable shock, as if what they were about to witness was not just the emergence of a treasure but also a turn of fate.
Just as they were about to approach the site where the treasure appeared, hundreds of figures from all directions hurriedly converged, clearly attracted by the spiritual power fluctuations.
The Jade Pool Fairy Palace, Taiyi Sect, Cangqiong Sword Sect, All-World Academy, Qian Family, Heavenly Strategy Pavilion, Beast King Sect, Ice Palace, and Great Thunderclap Monastery all had teams arrive, with some forces even having several small squads.
"Amitabha, this place is rich in demonic aura, I’m afraid a great demon has been suppressed here and is now about to break free," said Monk Kong Jian of the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
"This suppressed object, judging by the aura, is a remarkable immortal artifact; it seems, this great demon is no simple matter!" said Chentuan Emperor from Taiyi Sect with a frown.
"No Body Integration Realm beings can appear in this Nether Illusion Domain. Whatever the demon’s strength, with so many of us here, surely we aren’t afraid," said Emperor Mu Yun from the Jade Pool Fairy Palace.
"Why fuss about the rest? We’re here for the immortal artifact, after all! I say we join forces to eliminate this so-called great demon first, then decide the ownership of the immortal artifact based on contributions!" Chengyun Emperor from the Qian Family said.
At this location, three teams from the Qian Family had gathered, and by now, those who could feel the earlier intense spiritual power fluctuations should have already arrived.
As Chengyun Emperor’s words ended, the atmosphere suddenly tightened around them, with glances exchanged between factions that held both collaborative understanding and a spark of competition.
Yu Qingtan furrowed her brow slightly. In such a public setting, she did not want to reveal too much of her strength, but if the Qian family intended any mischief, she would not mind if another batch of them perished.
"Everyone, I suggest we refrain from acting rashly," Yu Qingtan’s voice rose among the crowd, carrying an undeniable steadiness and calm, "This Nether Illusion Domain is fraught with danger. Since the great demon could be suppressed by an immortal artifact, its power must not be underestimated. If we act recklessly, we might fall into a trap and the loss would not be worth the gain."
"Elder Qing Shuang speaks sensibly," Monk Kong Jian said with palms pressed together, slowly nodding his head, "We should first thoroughly investigate the situation before making plans."
"Investigate? Hmph, I fear by that time, the immortal artifact will have already fallen into someone else’s hands!" another emperor from the Qian Family, Qian Chengba, scoffed coldly, clearly disdainful of this proposal.
"Brother Qian, please remain calm," advised Chentuan Emperor from Taiyi Sect, "Elder Qing Shuang’s concerns are not unreasonable. I happen to have a Puppet at the Divinity Transformation Stage that can go and explore."
Before Chentuan Emperor had finished speaking, a delicate puppet flew out from his Storage Ring. Chentuan Emperor softly chanted a spell, and the puppet flashed with light, transforming into a three zhang tall Puppet clad in silver armor and at the Divinity Transformation Stage.
The Puppet had a stern face and eyes flickering with intelligence. It was obviously meticulously crafted, possessing not only great strength but also considerable autonomous judgment.
"Go and discern the situation ahead," Chentuan Emperor commanded the Puppet. Obeying the order, the Puppet moved, darting like lightning into the thick black mist, approaching the center of the Spiritual Power fluctuations.
Chentuan Emperor closed his eyes to sense, while everyone held their breath, time seemed to freeze.
Soon, Chentuan Emperor’s eyes burst open, shining with a keen light, yet his brows were tightly furrowed.
"Everyone, I’ve lost contact with my Puppet. There is indeed an ancient sealing site ahead, and at the heart of its Sealing Formation is a Supreme Immortal Artifact that harnesses the Power of the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.
Beneath the seal, there are strong traces of Soul Dao Principle and Demonic Aura. It seems that the Sealing Formation is about to break, and the power of the demons below has already begun to seep through, likely destroying my Puppet!"
Suddenly, with a loud "clang," a long sword soared into the sky, while a rolling demonic aura emanated from the seal.
"Hahaha, I, the Nether Soul Emperor, am finally free!" Accompanied by that deafening laughter, the demonic aura surged like a black tide, instantly turning the surrounding space pitch black. A vicious-looking, bald man in black robes appeared before everyone.
Yu Qingtan’s brow furrowed; the aura of this Nether Soul Emperor was much stronger than that of the previously encountered Nether Blood Venerable and even made her feel some pressure.
"Devouring souls and spirits, nourishing my body!" A fierce Soul fluctuation radiated from the Nether Soul Emperor, as he executed a powerful Origin Dao Technique of the Soul Dao.
Yu Qingtan quickly opened her Water-Wood realm to protect her squad’s members, while Sage Emperor Yinxian also opened his Gold Dao realm to provide additional protection for the Divinity Transformation Stage disciples.
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"Ah~" "Ah~" "Ah~"
However, screams rang out continuously, and a dozen Divinity Transformation Stage disciples from various powers directly had their souls stripped from their bodies, dying and vanishing.
This Nether Soul Emperor was definitely a top-tier Body Integration Period Saint Sovereign, or perhaps even a Tribulation Crossing Stage Emperor Sovereign, as Yu Qingtan sensed a trace of Mastery over Principles.
However, this Nether Soul Emperor had not yet reached the Body Integration Period. These Divinity Transformation Stage disciples died easily because their Void Refinement Period leaders did not protect them and went directly after the flying Immortal Sword instead. Read exclusive adventures at freewebnovel
This included Qian Chengyun Emperor, Qian Chengba Emperor, Chentuan Emperor from Taiyi Sect, and Hongjian Emperor from Beast King Sect. Their squad’s vice leaders were not strong enough to fully protect the Divinity Transformation Stage disciples, allowing some with weaker soul defenses to have their souls directly devoured by the Nether Soul Emperor.
"The souls of Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators, though not of the highest quality, are quite delicious indeed!" the Nether Soul Emperor licked his lips in relish. After devouring more than a dozen souls, his aura grew slightly stronger.