Essence Devouring Art

WHOOSH...

The Chaos churned, endless and boundless.

In a corner of the vast Sea of Chaos.

CLANG—

The Heaven-Burying Emperor strode out of a hidden, scarlet Great Realm. Suddenly, he sensed something and heard the toll of a bell, its chime resonating with the Great Dao from a distant land.

”Great Zizai Heaven... What is he trying to do...?”

The Heaven-Burying Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly.

Even after hundreds of thousands of years, he could never forget that familiar toll.

’Three fragments of the Extreme Dao Bell.’

The Heaven-Burying Emperor knew exactly where each of them was, and he knew they were contingency plans left behind by the Slaughter Emperor.

’The Extreme Dao Bell in Wu Dao’s hands... Given his power and his cautious, cunning nature, he wouldn’t use it lightly. This toll must have come from the Great Freedom Celestial Kingdom.’

In other words...

That Three Tribulations Master, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, had reawakened!

’What does he intend to achieve by ringing the Extreme Dao Bell?’

”Normal logic doesn’t apply to him.”

Within the sea of his heart.

The Slaughter Emperor’s cold, sinister voice rang out:

”He wields the Free Divine Format. He is without rules or restraints. His actions are dictated solely by his whims. If the mood strikes him, he’d dare to turn the heavens and earth upside down.”

”Should we ignore it?”

the Heaven-Burying Emperor asked.

’Once the Extreme Dao Bell rings, the nature of the Burial Realm changes. The contingency plans of two Tribulation Masters have been exposed. The All Heavens will surely make a major move.’

”Hah. Just because he wants to play, do we have to play along? Ignore him. Now is not the time to reveal ourselves.”

the Slaughter Emperor replied coldly.

This move by Great Zizai Heaven...

...was like a willful child who loves a commotion, trying to use the Extreme Dao Bell and Wu Dao to drag him into it as well, all to put on a grand show, satisfy his desires, and accelerate the recovery of his Free Divine Format.

The consequences?

He wouldn’t consider them at all.

If he were the type to worry about consequences, he wouldn’t be Great Zizai Heaven.

’As for Wu Dao... That little monster has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He has always planned his every move. If he can’t get out of this, then he’s useless. If he dies, he dies.’

WHOOSH—

The Chaos surged.

Just before a supreme gaze could sweep over, the Heaven-Burying Emperor vanished without a trace once more.

”The Extreme Dao Bell?”

”That lunatic has returned?”

”The Burial Realm again!”

At the same time.

The Dao Essence of the Extreme Dao Bell, the Five Tribulations’ First Fierce Weapon, spread through the Great Dao, rippling across the All Heavens and Myriad Realms and alarming the supreme powers of all factions.

The Celestial Court, Cyan Nether, Fu Guang, Profound Yellow...

...and even the distant Mountain and Sea Realm.

All cast their gazes toward the Tribulation Qi-shrouded Burial Realm. Some were indifferent, some sneered, some frowned, and some had faint smiles. Their reactions varied.

”A nice place, isn’t it?”

In Divine Ruins Heaven.

The Lord of the Divine Court looked at the six Domain Masters of the Luotian Sword Realm, whose faces were grim amidst the Chaos, and spoke faintly.

The Burial Realm.

The eye of the Daluo Celestial Domain’s Three Tribulations.

It was indeed an excellent place.

Once the Extreme Dao Bell rang...

...combined with the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s status, whether anyone dared to intercept him would depend on whether the Luotian Sword Realm could make that resolve.

If they acted...

...the Burial Realm would surely detonate!

The Three Tribulations Tribulation Qi would explode, tainting the Daluo Celestial Domain’s destiny. The consequences would be severe.

If they didn’t act...

...it was questionable whether the Daluo Celestial Domain’s forces within the Burial Realm alone could stop him.

「In the Land of Chaos and Unknown.」

A Nine-Layered Black Tower floated silently.

Within it, the upper echelons of the Dragon Hunting Tower also heard the toll of the Extreme Dao Bell. The Grand Elder of the Elder Council wore a greedy yet somber expression:

”The Extreme Dao Bell, the Free Divine Format, and that group of bastards...”

At the mention of the last failed hunt...

...the Dragon Hunting Tower’s Grand Elder’s face turned incredibly foul. He hadn’t expected that group of mysterious people to be so difficult to deal with.

’They seem to be backed by an organization. One related to the Divine Dao.’

They had suddenly appeared with the combat power of the perfected Saint Realm, catching them completely off guard. Even their great existence couldn’t trace their origins.

More importantly...

...the Dragon Hunting Tower had been made the scapegoat again!

That group of bastards had unified, slaughtered, and plundered the Burial Realm, reaping all the benefits, while dumping all the blame on the Dragon Hunting Tower.

The Dragon Hunting Tower’s Grand Elder couldn’t figure it out.

How had that organization managed to disguise themselves as Dragon Hunters so perfectly that none of the powers in the All Heavens could find a single flaw? It was as if they were truly veteran hunters trained by the Dragon Hunting Tower.

’The Divine Techniques are understandable. After all, they aren’t unique. But the Reversed Dragon Dominating Body is exclusive to the Dragon Hunting Tower. It counters all Transverse Refining Techniques in the world. Just having the Cultivation Technique is useless, because every step requires the Dragon Hunting Tower’s unique resources to cultivate.’

’But that group of mysterious people... not only achieved the impossible and successfully cultivated it, but they even made a name for themselves with it. Now, all of them have the Undying Body. This is the most incredible part.’

’Could it be that the Dragon Hunting Tower has a traitor?’

The Grand Elder pondered over and over but came to no conclusion. To find the answer, he would probably have to capture that group of bastards.

The Dragon Hunting Tower was currently in the eye of the storm.

It wasn’t the best time to act, but the allure of the Extreme Dao Bell and the Free Divine Format was simply too great.

If they could succeed...

...the Dragon Hunting Tower could ascend to a whole new level!

At this thought...

...the Grand Elder suppressed his greed and contacted the slumbering Supremes of the Dragon Hunting Tower on the first layer of the black tower to ask for instructions.

This matter was too significant.

He couldn’t make the decision.

Only the true founders and helmsmen of the Dragon Hunting Tower could decide.

...

「Before the Extreme Dao Bell rang.」

「Great Freedom Celestial Kingdom.」

SPLASH—

A long river surged, flowing without end.

Amidst the rising and falling waves...

...it carried the manifestations of obsession from the beings of the Daluo Celestial Domain who had fallen into the Great Freedom Celestial Kingdom. Some had already degenerated, becoming fodder for Evil Gods, while others stubbornly held on.

At the end of one such river...

...Wu Dao’s magnificent physique stood like a great dam. His undying will burned fiercely, cutting off and evaporating countless obsessions, leaving him completely unaffected.

”That’s just incredible!”

The white-robed child was like a hyperactive baby, hopping and skipping on a lotus leaf. Like a child from a past life seeing Brother Monkey, he cupped his small face, his large eyes shining with excitement, and said:

”Not just the Endless Sea of Suffering, but also the Dao Essence of the Eighteen Netherworlds! Quick, tell me, what was the last layer like?”

”It was a fake.”

Wu Dao stared at the Extreme Dao Bell and said flatly, not trying to deceive the ’child’.

’The Bitter Sea Nirvana back then... was indeed just a sliver of Dao Essence intercepted by the Slaughter Emperor. If it had been the main Dao Artifact itself, and I had managed to cross it, that would have been truly heaven-defying.’

”Aiya, it’s all the same.”

The white-robed child waved his hand dismissively. ”A sliver of Dao Essence is still Dao. If you reach that little lunatic’s level, replicating it would be a piece of cake.”

’Little lunatic...’

Wu Dao felt a sense of strangeness. He naturally knew who the white-robed child was talking about, but given the child’s true identity, he certainly had the right to speak with such aged condescension.

”Do you want that?”

Seemingly noticing Wu Dao’s gaze...

...the white-robed child gave a mischievous grin. With a wave of his hand, the black Extreme Dao Bell hanging inside the Divine Hall flew into his hand.

Wu Dao’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The Extreme Dao Bell inside his body trembled with an almost irrepressible sense of affinity, proving that the simple, unadorned black bell in the child’s hand was indeed the second fragment of the Five Tribulations’ First Fierce Weapon.

”Your terms.”

Sensing no hostility...

...Wu Dao decided to cut to the chase and state his intentions.

He could sense that...

...like the Slaughter Emperor, the white-robed child before him was merely a remnant Divine Thought left behind from past Dao Essence. He wasn’t a great threat.

The real threat...

...was the formidable aura gradually reawakening inside the Divine Hall at the center of the sea. That should be the Divine Format of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.

However...

...Wu Dao felt that something was off.

The reawakening aura didn’t emit the tempting aroma of food; instead, it was filled with extremely terrifying and destructive fluctuations.

Unrestrained, following one’s heart and whims.

Thinking of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s way of doing things, a guess formed in Wu Dao’s mind. ’It seems I’m not the only one who wants to cause a huge scene.’

”Simple.”

Seeing Wu Dao get straight to the point, the white-robed child’s large eyes curved into crescents as he said happily:

”Back then, the little lunatic left this bell with me, wanting to use me to test his future successor.

With how incredible you are...

...the test is completely unnecessary. I can even give you this bell for free.

You just have to promise me one thing.

In the future, just take me across the Bitter Sea Nirvana.”

”You want to use the Bitter Sea Nirvana for your Dao Attainment?”

Wu Dao’s mind was so sharp now that he instantly analyzed the white-robed child’s purpose for crossing the Sea of Suffering.

’The Great Freedom Celestial Demon. Wields the Free Divine Format. His Dao Attainment is about overcoming calamity to achieve great freedom. If he crosses the Endless Sea of Suffering and the Eighteen Netherworlds, these two supreme calamity-tribulation Dao Artifacts, perhaps he really can achieve his Dao Attainment.’

”Yes, yes.”

The white-robed child made no attempt to hide it, speaking with longing and yearning, ”Achieving Dao Attainment and transcendence is true, unrestrained, carefree freedom... So, can you?”

After speaking...

...he stared pitiably at Wu Dao with large, watery eyes, looking as if he would cry if he wasn’t given his way.

Wu Dao was unmoved. His gaze shifted to a faint, flickering figure within a river of obsession that had begun to ripple. He said:

”Haven’t you already found a replacement?”

’Agree? Naturally, that’s impossible. Dao Artifacts are one of the ultimate Dao Sources born from the Primordial Path, be it the Endless Sea of Suffering or the Eighteen Netherworlds. They are all future ’fruits’ that I have my eyes on. Hand them over and help someone else achieve their goals? Sorry. Can’t be done.’

The so-called ”agreement” couldn’t be a simple verbal promise that he could feign compliance with.

’With the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s methods... he would naturally have a way to create some kind of contract or binding measure to suppress me. If I were to truly treat him as a naive child... then I, Wu Dao, would be the naive one.’

BUZZ—

The Extreme Dao Bell trembled slightly.

After refusing the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, Wu Dao also prepared to turn hostile and snatch it by force, ready to act at any moment.

’A Three Tribulations Great Freedom Celestial Demon... I currently have no confidence in resisting one, not even with the Extreme Dao Bell. But this is the new era after the Five Tribulations! The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s Divine Format hasn’t even fully reawakened yet, and this Divine Thought’s power doesn’t exceed that of a Venerable!’

’The only thing that could be considered troublesome... are probably those few Divine Race Quasi-Emperors in the Divine Temple. I can’t confirm if they are carrying any Big Killing Artifacts.’

’To be honest... if it wasn’t necessary... I would much rather take everything quietly and retreat without a sound. Once the Extreme Dao Bell is exposed, it will attract immense trouble.’

’However... if it becomes necessary... then that’s another matter entirely.’

”Xiaohanzi?”

The white-robed child, seemingly oblivious to Wu Dao’s hostility, pursed his lips and said, ”He does have some fate with the Sea of Suffering, but he’s too green. Besides...”

At this point...

...the white-robed child pointed out bluntly:

”He’s the person you chose.

The seed of suggestion you left behind is related to that Celestial Mandate reserve, Ye Xuan. Even Xiaohanzi meeting me was what you wanted.

When Xiaohanzi has grown and obtained everything from me, that will be the time for you to pluck the fruit.

Right?”

”...”

Wu Dao’s expression was indifferent. He did not deny it.

For an existence like the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon King, very few things in the world could be hidden from him. It only depended on whether he wanted to play along with you.

So...

”Want to play?”

Wu Dao asked back calmly.

The Great Freedom Heavenly Demon King knew from the very beginning that Jiang Han carried his karma, yet he still chose to cultivate Jiang Han.

The reason... was likely, as he said, that Jiang Han had a fateful connection with the Sea of Suffering Dao Artifact. So he wanted to forge a key himself—a backup key.

His first choice was naturally to cooperate with Wu Dao.

Wu Dao refused.

So he could only choose the backup, Jiang Han.

But Jiang Han also had a great karmic connection with Wu Dao. If it came to that point in the future, he would need to face off against Wu Dao.

Of course... the premise for all of this... came back to the same thing: it all depended on whether the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon King wanted to play with Wu Dao.

If he didn’t...

...he could just turn hostile right away, abandon this time bomb of a key named Jiang Han, and choose another method.

”Did the little lunatic teach you that?”

The white-robed child didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he mentioned the Slaughter Emperor with a grin.

The meaning behind his words was: ’Are you two planning to team up and screw me over?’

”You said it yourself, he’s a lunatic. I don’t consider myself a lunatic just yet.”

Wu Dao denied it.

His karmic relationship with the Slaughter Emperor would end the same way it began. They were just using each other; there was no such thing as an alliance.

”Don’t you try to fool me.”

”If I’m lying, I’m a puppy.”

”Hehe, alright, I believe you.”

The white-robed child was amused by Wu Dao’s serious yet childish words. Only he himself knew if he truly believed him or was just pretending.

However... for a being of his status... scheming and duplicity were out of the question.

In other words...

A matter of great importance that should have been a life-or-death confrontation was thus settled, and a consensus reached, through the childish conversation between the two.