Chapter 1713
Chapter 1713. Merely the Vanguard Sent to Scout the Way, the Imperial Dao Ancient Formation
Black mist slowly seeped and spread, continuously billowing out from that deep and vast rift in spacetime, like a boundless, soundless tide.
Heaven and earth seemed as though they were being crushed down by that terrifying aura at its extreme density, as if a corner of the cosmos itself had collapsed. A hazy, chaotic atmosphere filled the area, shrouded in indistinct gloom.
The atmosphere here was grim and murderous, incomparably heavy. One could say that many of the current peak experts of the Xiyuan Civilization had gathered here.
Numerous Dao Realm figures appeared around the area, standing on strict guard, daring not to relax in the slightest.
After receiving the decree of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, all races responded like wind, thunder, and surging clouds, immediately mobilizing vast numbers of powerful experts.
Major orthodox powers such as Purple Firmament Mountain, the Tathāgata Buddhist Kingdom, and the Temple of Light and Darkness even dispatched Ancestor-Dao Realm existences to guard the depths of the Immortal-Controlling Palace.
Meanwhile, the Immortal-Controlling Palace hurriedly evacuated all personnel from this area. Many ancestor-level elders also laid down various ancient formation patterns and barriers, tightly sealing off spacetime here to prevent even a wisp of black mist from leaking out and spreading into the Xiyuan Civilization.
At present, not only the Xiyuan Civilization, but many other civilizations were also watching this place closely.
Countless living beings and cultivators were paying close attention, filled with deep anxiety and urgency.
Naturally, no race or faction dared underestimate the situation. After all, this was the first time in countless ages that dark beings had descended upon the vast worlds with such overwhelming and terrifying momentum.
If the Xiyuan Civilization were torn open with even a single breach, the surrounding dependent civilizations would not be spared—they would inevitably be swallowed by darkness.
In recent times, many regions throughout the vast expanse had already fallen into chaos, corrupted by darkness. Countless beings perished, and once-immortal nations and civilizations faded into decay, rapidly heading towards annihilation.
Boom!
Suddenly, a terrifying sound rang out—deep and immense, like crashing waves striking the shore, rocks blasted into the sky.
It was as if some horrifying creature within the chaotic spacetime sea was trying to force its way through, tearing the entrance even wider.
The previously silent black mist suddenly boiled violently, erupting into vast, surging clouds of black fog.
The scene was utterly horrifying—like an endless ocean suddenly stirred into chaos, with raging waves billions of zhang high surging into the heavens. Boundless dark energy rose and fell like massive tides, crashing endlessly.
From within that overwhelming darkness, endless ranks of dark beings emerged. Like a disciplined, battle-hardened iron army forged through countless massacres, they stepped forth in perfect order atop the black mist, accompanied by dark energy waves, as if they were about to sweep across all directions of heaven and earth.
“The dark beings have arrived…”
Many people watching this scene felt an icy chill rush through their bodies, their limbs turning cold.
Experts and elites from all races stood in solemn readiness, watching as the rift continuously expanded, with ever more black mist pouring forth, churning into towering waves.
It was an indescribable energy—strange, corrosive, and deathly cold—seemingly capable of dissolving all Dao laws and divine powers in existence.
“So in the end, they still managed to flee back here?”
Amid the heavy tremors and violent collisions of black energy, a colossal black giant, towering like a mountain range, emerged from the entrance of the chaotic spacetime sea.
Dense dark matter enveloped his body. As he moved, it constantly sloughed off from his surface, flowing through the void like liquid.
When he drew closer, everyone could finally see his appearance clearly. His dark-golden body was covered with armor-like radiance, with certain areas stained by eerie black blotches.
Most strikingly, on his forehead rotated shattered stars—nine in total. Six of them were broken and incomplete, circulating profound, abyssal black light.
When he raised his head and roared, terrifying surging dark energy erupted, like tens of thousands of volcanoes exploding simultaneously. Infinite energy flooded the cosmos, washing over the heavens, causing nearby star fields to rapidly dim and fracture with horrifying crack.
“Stars corroded by dark power… This is the Fallen Ancient God Race…”
Someone from the Xiyuan Civilization recognized the giant, their pupils contracting as they gasped sharply.
This was an extremely ancient race. In earlier ages they were known as the Ancient God Race, but after falling into darkness and defecting to that side, they became known as the Fallen Ancient God Race.
This race was terrifyingly powerful. As they grew, they formed small worlds within their bodies, carrying entire universes and crossing the vast expanse with ease.
The stars on their foreheads symbolized their strength. Nine stars meant that this Ancient God had long surpassed the Immortal Realm and stepped into the Dao Realm.
The shattered stars indicated the Heavenly Decay Tribulations endured after entering the Dao Realm—each tribulation shattered one star.
“Six shattered stars… This is a Fallen Ancient God close to the Ancestor-Dao Realm.”
Hearts sank everywhere. These dark beings had barely appeared, yet such a terrifying existence had already emerged.
His strength far exceeded that of most Dao Realm experts present.
At that moment, behind him, more terrifying silhouettes began to surface within the black tide—rising and falling amid the dark waves. They were indistinct, shrouded in dense black fog, gazing towards this side from within the chaotic spacetime sea.
“As expected, there are even more terrifying beings behind them…”
“But they aren’t attacking—are they planning to confront us instead?”
Experts from all Xiyuan factions stared solemnly across the void, unable to discern the intentions of the dark beings.
They had crossed over from the chaotic spacetime sea, yet did not set foot within the Xiyuan Civilization, instead confronting everyone from afar.
Deep within the Immortal-Controlling Palace, the atmosphere was suffocatingly grim.
Countless cultivators and beings stood beyond the formation barriers, gazing from afar at the expanding entrance of the chaotic spacetime sea. More and more dark beings poured out, yet they merely gathered there without attacking, seemingly accumulating greater power—or awaiting the arrival of some existence.
“Do not act rashly. Since they haven’t moved yet, neither should we. Wait for more reinforcements.”
“And stay alert—there may be other plots or purposes behind their timing in choosing to descend upon the Xiyuan Civilization.”
An ancient figure spoke coldly in the void, discussing matters with nearby companions.
This sudden invasion of dark beings had caught the Xiyuan Civilization completely off guard.
Many could not help but suspect whether this had something to do with the civilization’s supreme treasure—the Mirror of Reincarnation.
Were the dark beings attempting to seize it?
After all, not long ago the Xiyuan Civilization had been plunged into great turmoil, with many races and factions wiped out for defying the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Now that peace had only just been restored, perhaps the dark beings believed the civilization was gravely weakened—an ideal moment to strike while it was vulnerable.
“They even prepared formation barriers in advance.”
“But such barriers won’t stop us.”
A cold, emotionless voice suddenly emerged from the black mist.
There, a pair of ghost-like, indifferent eyes looked down upon everyone.
The moment those words were heard, everyone felt an icy dread wash over them, as if a vicious curse had latched onto their bodies, even causing their souls to slow and stagnate.
Several ancient beings changed expression, hurriedly chanting purification mantras and releasing divine radiance to resist the strange aura.
“This is the terrifying being who fought Lord Chu Heng…”
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance experts who had previously accompanied Chu Heng to the chaotic spacetime sea looked extremely grim, their eyes filled with deep fear.
If even Chu Heng had been defeated, then even with Ancestor-Dao Realm figures present, this place was far from safe.
Within the radiant barrier, formation patterns flickered and intertwined, while the endless dark beings remained stationed there like a black tide.
Meanwhile, ever more black mist seeped in from the void, drifting down like snow or rain—an irregular substance.
Although it made corrosive sounds and dissolved upon touching the formation patterns, the formations themselves grew increasingly blurred and dim, gradually worn away. More black mist followed immediately after.
This sight sent a chill through everyone’s hearts, deepening their unease.
The formations had been erected hastily. They could only slow the spread of the mist, not stop it. Their eventual destruction was only a matter of time. And within that black mist was strange dark matter—even powerful Dao Realm experts dared not touch it lightly.
If this continued, how could they resist the even greater calamity yet to come?
Many felt growing panic and unrest.
Over the following days, the atmosphere grew even more murderous. Horns and ancient bells were sounded, their echoes reverberating through countless universes.
More elites from every race rushed to the site, confronting the dark beings across the barrier.
Even other true realms of civilization dispatched powerful reinforcements to prevent a breach from forming here.
The dense, terrifying black mist continued gnawing at the starfield borders, attempting to infiltrate the Xiyuan Civilization.
The dark beings watched coldly from the other side, making no move, seemingly waiting for the Xiyuan side to lose patience—or for some key figure to arrive.
Meanwhile, the Xiyuan factions busied themselves searching ancient texts for records of past resistance against dark beings, hoping to recreate ancient formations to block them.
Many venerable formation masters, bent with age and white-haired, were summoned to jointly study countermeasures.
Then, Ling Yuling’s arrival caused widespread excitement.
The Immortal-Controlling Palace had not seen its founding ancestor for a long time. Seeing her return unharmed naturally filled everyone with joy and renewed morale.
Ling Yuling did not linger to reunite with elders. She went directly to the entrance of the chaotic spacetime sea.
Long ago, she had placed nine Dragon-Suppressing Pillars here to ward off ancient ferocious beasts from crossing over.
Though the palaces and immortal mountains had been evacuated, the pillars remained.
Her first act upon arrival was to revive them and forge an even stronger defensive barrier.
Boom!
She soared into the sky, robes fluttering, hair flowing. Ancient characters appeared in her pale hands, massive and radiant like stars, illuminating the vast void.
A roar like dragon cries thundered through the heavens. Columns of light shot upward from nine directions, each seemingly propping up the sky itself.
It was as if nine true dragons had awakened, roaring towards the heavens.
The violent energy waves made countless beings tremble from the depths of their souls.
A vast and magnificent barrier rose, enveloping the original formations like a massive dam forged from surging divine power.
Ancient runes flowed across it, exuding an eternal, indestructible aura capable of resisting all enemies.
The heavens seemed to burn. Dense runes spread outward like bonfires, drawing in the laws and spiritual energy of heaven and earth to sustain the formation.
“So this is the Imperial Dao Formation used to resist countless enemies in ancient times… It still exists?”
“With this formation, the dark beings won’t be able to break through anytime soon!”
Elder scholars of formations stared wide-eyed in shock, voices trembling with excitement.
Cheers erupted across all races and factions.
Ancient beings laughed thunderously, gazing at Ling Yuling with admiration.
“Thanks to senior’s foresight, we need not worry so much now.”
“With this barrier, the dark beings pose no immediate threat—but we must remain cautious…”
Many exhaled in relief, the suffocating pressure easing slightly.
“Imperial Dao Formation… a formation thought long destroyed.”
“All records of it were burned and erased by our race.”
“This person must be a sage from that era…”
At the entrance of the chaotic spacetime sea, the dark beings watched coldly.
When the ancient formation revived, their expressions darkened, murderous intent spreading.
“Ancient Imperial Dao formations surviving isn’t surprising.”
“Let them live a little longer. We’re waiting for the sacrifice. Without it, how could the grand ritual begin?”
Seated deep within the black mist, Wu Yang opened his cold, cyan-glowing eyes, waved dismissively, and fell silent like an immovable rock.
With the formation active, the black mist slowed, no longer spreading freely.
This allowed the Xiyuan people to finally relax.
Yet Ling Yuling descended with a grave expression.
“Senior…”
Experts gathered around.
“Continue stationing guards here. Watch their movements closely.”
“I fear they are merely vanguards sent to scout the way—to prepare for far more terrifying beings.”
“The formations won’t hold for long.”
Her words froze the smiles on everyone’s faces.
Such terrifying beings… only scouts?
Ling Yuling sighed inwardly. This era had been too peaceful.
“In our time, even in fear, we never showed cowardice.”
“Now, our priority is to unite all sides and construct defenses to stop the black mist. If it spreads, the consequences will be catastrophic.”
Her gaze finally fell on Zhuo Fengxie.
She produced an ancient token engraved with the words ‘Heaven-Slaying’, heavy with unfathomable power.
“This is the Heaven-Slaying Token. See it as if the alliance leader himself were present.”
“All matters here are entrusted to you.”
“Yes, senior.”
As Zhuo Fengxie accepted it, everyone felt a chill run through their hearts.