Immortal of the Nine Realms

The emergence of the colossal hand cast a faint shadow over the Ancient Demon Wasteland, as it not only loomed above everyone, but also weighed on their hearts.

Countless people watched on with shock and horror. Regardless of their cultivation level—be it Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Nascent Soul, or Enlightenment Realm—every cultivator instinctively understood that the owner of this hand was undoubtedly a First Rate Sect Leader.

Only a First Rate Sect Leader would dare to seize the inheritance that Senior Yun He was passing to Ouyang Xuanzhen in front of countless Profound Immortals. It was clear to even the most oblivious onlooker that the stone bead was linked to significant karmic consequences; even a First Rate Sect Leader had to intervene to snatch it away.

Ouyang Xuanzhen’s expression darkened considerably. Without even considering the implications, he dropped his arm, relinquishing any desire he had for the stone bead.

Fang Chen’s gaze grew grim. “Could this stone bead also be connected to the Realm of Three Thousand Dao?”

He hadn’t anticipated that a second Stone Bead would exist. It was even one Senior Yun He had on his person and bestowed to Ouyang Xuanzhen. What was more unexpected was the sudden appearance of a First Rate Sect Leader seeking to seize it.

If this First Rate Sect Leader were to obtain the Stone Bead and it was indeed connected to the Realm of Three Thousand Dao, would he not eventually encounter him there? With the time feature of the Three Thousand Dao Realm, such a strange phenomenon would surely mean that whether one was a First Rate Sect Leader or not, they wouldn’t want outsiders to possess it.

Ancestor Qingmu furrowed his brow, taken aback that his master had ultimately chosen Ouyang Xuanzhen. He hadn’t anticipated that a First Rate Sect Leader would make an appearance midway through the process.

For countless years, rumors had circulated that First Rate Sect Leaders showed no interest in those two anomalies. However, what was happening right now proved otherwise.

Just as everyone expected the Stone Bead to be snatched away by the colossal hand, Yun He’s voice suddenly rang out, “How dare you snatch my possession without my consent? Do you think just because you are a First Rate Sect Leader, you won’t die?”

“Crossing the Azure Sea, True Eternal Frost.”

In an instant, countless ice crystals spread across the colossal hand. Just as it was about to seize the Stone Bead, the entire arm was encased in ice, motionless and suspended in midair. The ice crystals seemed alive, rapidly climbing upward, surging into the invisible void, as if the true form of the colossal hand was hidden within that space.

A flicker of shock crossed Heavenly King Zhen’s eyes. “How can this be...?”

The gazes of Monarch Qing Xiang, Sir Zhao, Ouyang Xuanzhen, Dragon Sovereign, and Emperor Su Mo—all the Immortal Kings present—was riveted on the scene before them. This colossal hand clearly belonged to a revered ancestor, yet that remnant soul could effortlessly inflict harm on it?

The Ninth Prince’s expression turned grave. “What kind of technique is this...?”

Monarch Qing Xiang turned to Sir Zhao. “Sir Zhao, you have much more experience; what is this about?”

She shook her head, a trace of confusion crossing her face. “I don’t know. I have never seen this before.”

Heavenly King Zhen gazed at the ice-encased arm, murmuring to himself, “Crossing the Azure Sea, True Eternal Frost....”

After seeing that, Fang Chen instinctively looked toward Yun He. He found Yun He looking at him with a half-smile, gently nodding. Then, Yun He gazed into the void and laughed aloud. “Fool, I’ve been fishing for thousands of years, and you finally dare to take the bait.”

“Heavenly Cloud Emperor, you will not die a good death,” A voice that seemed unearthly echoed.

Then everyone saw the gigantic hand crash to the ground, distinctly severed at the shoulder. This hand was over a hundred feet long, and even the Emperor Su Mo, appeared small before it.

After the giant hand landed, the void returned to calm, as if everything that had just happened had never occurred. Yet, the crowd was already stunned by the scene before them.

Had that First Rate Sect Leader really severed his own arm for self-preservation?

Yun He chuckled lightly. “He ran away quite fast. But having lost this arm, he will need to think carefully before striking again.”

With a wave of his sleeve, the hand instantly shrank in the wind and finally vanished into his sleeve.

However, after that, the confusion returned to Senior Yun He’s face. “Hmm... what just happened?”

Glancing around, he furrowed his brow. He stepped forward into the void and disappeared without a trace.

The Immortal Kings stared at this scene with tied tongues, unable to speak for a long time.

The entire Ancient Demon Wasteland felt incredibly quiet.

Fishing?

Could it be that the Heavenly Cloud Emperor had been pretending to be crazy all these years just to lure the First Rate Sect Leader to take the bait? The rumors had been quite the opposite; it wasn’t that the ancestor was uninterested in them, but rather... they didn’t dare to approach easily?

As this thought surged, all the Immortal Kings felt a chill run down their spines as a wave of coldness rose from their feet to the crown of their heads.

After a long silence, Heavenly King Zhen slowly transmitted his thoughts. “Is the Heavenly Cloud Emperor really a remnant soul?”

Heavenly King Zhen was bewildered and uncertain.

Or perhaps the Heavenly Cloud Emperor knew this and still pretended to be mad, waiting for the next First Rate Sect Leader to take the bait?

But what grievance could he possibly have with the First Rate Sect Leader to act this way?

Countless mixed thoughts flooded his mind, and he realized that his heart was confused; he wanted to hear the opinions of the other Immortal Kings. However, when the others heard his transmission, they fell into further silence. They were still shocked by the earlier scene.

The First Rate Sect Leader had chosen to cut off their own arm to slip away....

This event was enough to shake the Central Continent, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper!

“Everyone, shall we end this matter now? Huh? Why is that stone bead still here? It seems the Heavenly Cloud Emperor really values you.”

Wang Zhenlong stared at the stone bead at Ouyang Xuanzhen’s feet with astonishment.

As everyone heard his words, they quickly snapped out of it, their gazes becoming incredibly serious.

Ouyang Xuanzhen glanced at the stone bead on the ground but didn’t pick it up for a long time; what was supposed to be a highly anticipated inheritance now felt like a hot potato.

He didn’t even know if the stone bead truly had extraordinary properties or if it was merely an illusion.

“Daoist Ouyang, since it was granted to you by the Heavenly Cloud Emperor, it would be improper for us to take it from you,” Heavenly King Zhen said with a light sigh. “You should take it back with you.”

“I...” Ouyang Xuanzhen stiffened for a moment, then suddenly cupped his fist in a bow. “Everyone, I’m feeling a bit tired and will take my leave!”

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the horizon, not even glancing at the stone bead at his feet.

Wang Zhenlong glanced at the stone bead, smiled faintly, and bid everyone his farewell. “Everyone, it seems this matter has come to an end. I’ll be leaving as well.”

With that, he flew off toward the leader of the Extreme Sword Peak and others.

Monarch Qing Xiang asked with a strange expression, “Lord Gai, how shall we handle this item?”

Heavenly King Zhen contemplated for a moment and replied, “Let Sir Zhao take it back and show it to the Desolate Academy.”

Sir Zhao fell silent for a few breaths, then slowly nodded, picking up the Stone Bead and putting it away without examining its extraordinary properties at that moment.

“Let us... withdraw first,” Heavenly King Zhen said, waving his hand.

With this motion, the Immortal Boat disappeared back into the void.

The Ninth Prince did the same.

After the two Immortal Boats left, everyone exchanged looks, with many casting fearful and respectful looks toward Fang Chen and Ancestor Qingmu.

The methods displayed by the Heavenly Cloud Emperor had truly frightened them...

Especially those cultivators who had previously spoken disrespectfully; they suddenly felt fortunate to have been beaten by Fang Chen.

If not for that... they didn’t dare to think further.