The Heavenly Stele's Shadow

The forest was dense with spiritual energy, auspicious vapors swirling. Three stalks of Blood-Tear Divine Bamboo stood no more than three feet tall, carved from emerald agate and then stained with dewdrop-like beads of blood, indescribably nimble and strange.

Before the three divine bamboos, several cultivators were conversing. Among them, one wore a moon-white robe, his hair black as a waterfall, his brows like swords and eyes like stars, strikingly handsome. His face was filled with shock as he spoke Xiao Chen’s name, his expression utterly astounded.

Xiao Chen had just shaken off the otherworldly kings and charged into this bamboo sea, encountering these cultivators here. His gaze fixed on the tall, slender youth. He felt a strong sense of familiarity—he must have seen him long ago.

"Who are you?!" Even as Xiao Chen asked, he was already prepared for combat. Years ago, he had single-handedly killed seven or eight of the cultivation world’s ten strongest young elites, forging deep enmity with several major sects of this realm.

"Is it really you?!" The heroic young man’s face was filled with utter disbelief. "This… I can hardly believe it!"

"You… Ming Shi!" Xiao Chen’s eyes shot forth two beams of divine light, like sharp swords, locking onto the man before him.

This was none other than one of the cultivation world’s ten young elites from years past. He had once fought a great battle with Xiao Chen in Chang’an. Although he had been defeated alongside the other young masters, the one who died had merely been an incarnation—his true body had never revealed itself.

"Correct. I am now called Wu Ming." Ming Shi’s eyes also shot out two sharp beams, staring at Xiao Chen. "How did you come back to life?"

The surrounding cultivators all showed looks of shock. Though they had not entered the Nine Provinces back then, they were well aware of everything that had happened. Their eyes narrowed immediately, killing intent spreading.

"Is that the demon king from those years?!"

"What are you waiting for? Attack!"

Several of them simultaneously offered up their spirit treasures. Five-colored light danced among the emerald bamboo grove as they flew toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen left a trail of afterimages in the bamboo grove. His hands were crystalline as jade, flickering with faint light as he struck the spirit treasures head-on. "Clang, clang," the sounds rang out like hammering metal, unceasing.

This made the attacking cultivators all change expression. These spirit treasures were immensely powerful, capable of splitting mountains and overturning seas, yet here was a man using his bare hands to receive them head-on. It was hard to imagine how strong his flesh-and-blood body had become.

A string of prayer beads, radiant and brilliant, carved entirely from jade and strung together like a jade dragon, danced as it coiled toward Xiao Chen. Such a spirit treasure, even if wound around a great mountain, could crush it to pieces.

But when caught in Xiao Chen’s hands, it emitted a cracking sound. With a violent pull, he snapped it in midair. Radiance burst forth, and all the stored spiritual energy dissipated.

"Boom!"

A verdant green seal, like a mountain, pressed down. Before it even touched him, the immense force caused the ground beneath Xiao Chen to sink a hundred meters deep, forming a terrifying pit. One could imagine how fearsome its power was.

Xiao Chen, standing above the deep hole, directly raised his palm and met it with the Suppress Demon technique. A colossal stele shadow shot up into the sky, and with a "crack," it pierced straight through the mountain-like jade seal.

Amid a rumbling thunder, the great divine seal shattered, raining down among the bamboo grove.

By now, everyone was stunned. That jade seal was a rare and precious spirit treasure, yet it had been destroyed so easily—the cultivators were deeply alarmed.

Swish!

Xiao Chen used the Eight Aspect Extreme to dash forward, dodging the flashing spirit treasures, and was about to strike at them. But at that moment, Wu Ming, who had not moved until now, finally acted.

Brilliant golden light shot into the sky. The long, deep sound of a bell reverberated—a golden divine bell shone with dazzling light, like a blazing sun hanging before their eyes, too bright to look at directly. Wu Ming was protected within the golden divine bell, blocking Xiao Chen’s path.

"Dong!"

Xiao Chen struck the golden divine bell with the Hand of the Supreme Being. The immense bell sound shook the entire immortal mountain range, and then with a thunderous roar, aside from the bamboo grove which was preserved, a nearby great mountain collapsed!

"The Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell?!" Xiao Chen was greatly startled. He had not expected to see this spirit treasure again. Years ago, when it was sealed, it had already displayed terrifying might. Now it seemed to be fully unsealed—it was hard to imagine how great its power was, especially since it was a supreme treasure on par with the Golden Divine Halberd and the Dark-Iron Seal.

"Correct, it is the Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell." Wu Ming stood among the emerald bamboos and said, "It is the only supreme treasure I have not refined into a part of myself."

The golden bell body was nearly transparent, possessing not only the quality of gold but also the translucent luster of jade. It revolved slowly above Wu Ming’s head, its powerful energy fluctuations chilling to the heart.

Wu Ming’s cultivation art was extremely unique. Unlike ordinary cultivators who gently nurtured their spirit treasures, every treasure he obtained he would refine into part of his own body, merging it with his flesh, making his physical form the strongest treasure among treasures. In a sense, when his flesh reached its ultimate state, it would be enough to contend with a supreme martial body.

This was absolutely a great enemy. Years ago, even Wu Ming’s incarnation had been able to rank among the cultivation world’s ten young elites. His true body was naturally much stronger. Add to that his mastery of the Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell, and it was hard to gauge his true strength at present.

"I don't know how you came back to life, but today I do not wish to fight you to the death." Wu Ming displayed his intimidating strength, but unexpectedly, he did not end up fighting Xiao Chen. "There is nothing to hide. I am not in a condition to fight right now, but if you force me, I can reluctantly oblige."

Xiao Chen immediately restrained his battle intent. There was still a pack of otherworldly kings chasing him behind; he did not want to create more trouble.

"I advise you to leave this immortal mountain range soon. Otherwise, you may run into many of your old enemies."

Xiao Chen had already noticed that many cultivators were moving about in these immortal mountains, as if something was happening. He looked at Wu Ming with some surprise. He did not believe the other would kindly warn him. Smiling coldly, he asked, "Is there a major event happening in these mountains? It has drawn so many cultivators."

"Indeed. Deep in the mountains, a colossal stele shadow has appeared, shaking the entire cultivation world. Many powerhouses are streaming toward this mountain range."

"A colossal stele shadow?" Xiao Chen was startled. Could there be a Heavenly Stele among these immortal mountains in the cultivation world?

"I feel that it resembles the stele shadow you just unleashed. Could there be a connection between the two?" Wu Ming looked at Xiao Chen with suspicion.

"Perhaps." Xiao Chen’s reaction was very calm. Then he turned and left.

The other cultivators were very dissatisfied, complaining, "Brother Wu Ming, why did you let him go? And tell him that news?"

Watching Xiao Chen’s back gradually disappear into the depths of the immortal mountains, Wu Ming revealed a cold smile. "His cultivation method is definitely related to the Heavenly Stele. I leaked that news, so he will inevitably go to the Heaven-Burial Valley. There are great enemies of mine there. Xiao Chen is not only my enemy but also an enemy of that person. Letting them meet—what could be better?"

"Pitting a tiger against a dragon—Brother Wu Ming is using him as a blade?"

"Since he has come to the cultivation world, there will be plenty of people wanting to 'receive' him without us needing to act." Wu Ming showed a faint smile, then looked at the three Blood-Tear Divine Bamboos. "This spiritual root is one of the top ten divine trees of the world, containing the essence of the Wood element. I have finally found the Wood attribute. Once I collect all five elemental soul essences and refine them into my body, my cultivation will be complete."

The three waist-high Blood-Tear Divine Bamboos bathed the entire bamboo grove in five-colored light and shimmering clouds, their spiritual energy density far exceeding other parts of the immortal mountain—truly worthy of the name 'divine tree'.

"He’s back."

Wu Ming turned his head and saw Xiao Chen returning. He flew swiftly through the air and landed.

"I forgot one thing. I love collecting spirit trees. I want to take a Blood-Tear Bamboo." Xiao Chen descended and walked over, completely unselfconscious, chatting familiarly with the group as if they were old acquaintances.

"Don’t push your luck! We are not fighting you to the death, yet you dare to demand our divine tree? Do not go too far!" One of the cultivators beside Wu Ming shouted coldly.

"We can talk…" Xiao Chen did not turn hostile; instead, he wore a smiling expression.

Just then, powerful energy fluctuations arrived. The Yaksha King, Sea God King, Earth King, Mabao, and many other otherworldly kings came killing. When they saw Xiao Chen’s figure, without a word, they all attacked together!

"Boom!"

The earth was shattered on the spot. Apart from the Blood-Tear Bamboos, all the other bamboo and trees were reduced to ashes.

"Who?" The cultivators were furious. Although the Blood-Tear Bamboo was a divine tree and had not been destroyed, being struck by such violent power still carried great risk.

"Blood-Tear Bamboo?!" The Earth King was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly. "I happen to need this divine tree."

The Earth King struck first. The other otherworldly kings also attacked, all joining in.

"You seek death, daring to steal our divine tree!" One of the cultivators flew into a rage, activating his magical treasure. A flowing, radiant divine net spread across the sky like multi-colored clouds.

But this powerful spirit treasure was torn apart on the spot by the kings.

Including Wu Ming, all the cultivators present changed color. The group of experts before them exceeded their imagination—their strength was truly terrifying.

"Heh heh…" The Earth King sneered, throwing a punch. Hazy yellow light scattered down, and the cultivator who had offered the divine net but failed to retreat in time was shattered on the spot, his body and soul utterly annihilated.

"What group of powerhouses is this?!"

The cultivators were both shocked and enraged. But before they could react further, the kings charged to close quarters.

"Dong!"

The Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell shone brilliantly. Its long, resonant sound shook heaven and earth. The terrifying bell waves surged outward, instantly turning an otherworldly king who had charged close into a mist of blood—the power of the divine bell was unmatched.

"Flee quickly!" Wu Ming’s expression changed drastically. After a brief contact, he immediately recognized the caliber of these experts. That such a crowd could gather together was simply unimaginable! He began to break out of the encirclement.

But the kings had already set their sights on him. The might of the divine bell astonished them all. How could they let such a supreme treasure slip away? The Earth King personally charged forward to seize the three Blood-Tear Divine Bamboos.

"Break out!" Although Xiao Chen shouted this, he was not in a hurry to flee. He went all out with the Four Killing Moves, slaying one otherworldly king and gravely wounding two more.

"Dong…" The long bell sound shook heaven and earth. In the instant the bell sounded, several distant great mountains collapsed into powder.

The Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell’s power was unmatched. The bell waves killed another otherworldly king, and at the same time, Wu Ming clashed with the Earth King in a spectacular battle.

"Ah…"

As for the other cultivators, they did not have Wu Ming’s terrifying cultivation or his supreme treasure. They simply could not break out. In an instant, one was beaten to the point of form and spirit extinguished; his magical treasure shattered in midair.

Xiao Chen did not fight head-on. His figure moved like a dream or a phantom flower. The Eight Aspect Extreme allowed him to move with ease. He dashed to a spot not far from Wu Ming and shouted to the few remaining cultivators, "Good brothers, let’s break out together! As long as one of us gets out and sends word, none of them will escape later!"

The few cultivators all had the urge to curse. Wasn’t this forcing this group of terrifying demon gods to silence them all?

Sure enough, the Sea God King commanded, "Since we have already acted, we should kill them all. This is the cultivation world—if we attract a powerful sect’s retaliation, the situation will become very unfavorable."

The Yaksha King acted in person. With a single Demon-Suppressing Fist, he smashed several magical treasures and, with a "bang," blasted two cultivators into pieces.

At the same time, the War King Mabao tore another cultivator apart. The Sea God King had already beaten a second enemy to the point of form and spirit extinguished.

Apart from Wu Ming, the remaining two cultivators were almost instantly engulfed in the tidal wave of attacks from the otherworldly kings. With so many kings attacking, neither the spirit treasures nor the cultivators themselves left even a single trace.

"Dong…"

The Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell shook violently. Its golden radiance made the mountain range shine. In the moment it repelled the Earth King, Wu Ming also severely wounded two other otherworldly kings, making them vomit blood.

Seeing the Yaksha King, Sea God King, and Mabao closing in simultaneously, Xiao Chen did not delay. He immediately withdrew.

"Brother Wu Ming, I’ll go first. If you 'die gloriously' here, I’ll avenge you." Xiao Chen’s Eight Aspect Extreme was truly a peerless escape art. He transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the mountain range ahead in an instant.

"Dong, dong, dong…"

The Indestructible Imperial Heavenly Bell emitted great sounds. The surrounding trees instantly turned to ashes, and several great mountains collapsed and turned to dust in silence.

Wu Ming, protected within the divine bell, withstood dozens of heavy blows from the Earth King and nearly ten otherworldly kings, forcibly charging into the sky and breaking out of the encirclement.

He took a last look at the kings and muttered hatefully to himself, "The Sea God and Earth God… their souls are the five-element soul essences I need." Relying on his familiarity with the terrain, he soon shook off his pursuers and vanished into the mountains.

The eastern region of the cultivation world contained a hundred thousand immortal mountains, many blessed lands within them. At the very depths of these hundred thousand immortal mountains lay a place of absolute deadly danger called the Heaven-Burial Valley.

Through the ages, no cultivator who had ever entered the Heaven-Burial Valley had come out alive. Its fearsome reputation had long become synonymous with death.

But now, from this place of great menace and evil, strange phenomena occurred. A hazy, colossal stele shadow emerged, and the ordinarily mist-shrouded Heaven-Burial Valley actually emitted bursts of rosy radiance.

At this moment, Xiao Chen had already arrived atop a high peak less than ten li from the Heaven-Burial Valley, gazing into the distance.

From time to time, he could see cultivators riding all kinds of flying swords and spirit treasures through the sky, heading toward the Heaven-Burial Valley, leaving streaks of light in the sky.

"What background does this Heaven-Burial Valley actually have? Why would a stele shadow appear?"

As Xiao Chen was observing, four or five elderly cultivators flew past on their spirit treasures. They seemed to slow down deliberately, not going very fast, and were softly conversing.

"According to ancient legend, the Heaven-Burial Valley suppresses an Ancestral God. No one knows if it’s true."

"Some say what’s suppressed here is not a person—or not a person from the Nine Provinces or the Four Worlds."

"It seems to be related to the Primordial Celestial Realm."