Chapter 1981: Human World

The altars are activated!

Using the bronze pillar as bait, Qin Sang deployed the incomplete Four Symbols Sword Array to manifest a sword domain, trapping Old Ancestor Minghu. His true intentions were finally revealed.

The Thunder Altar appeared.

The beam of lightning that shot toward the sky was like the first ray of light illuminating the human world, casting its glow over the entire land!

The State of Yan, already shrouded in a layer of grey mist in the evening, was completely illuminated by the lightning, making every detail clear.

The State of Yan had already moved its capital to the old capital of the State of Daliang.

In the capital city, at the Prime Minister's residence.

Yu Lang, clad in a brocade robe, leaned back in a grand armchair, engrossed in reading a scroll. A brazier rested at his feet, its dark red charcoal emitting heat that warmed the entire study. With his cultivation level, he wouldn't feel cold even in the depths of winter. However, having disguised himself as a mortal for over a decade, he had grown accustomed to this lifestyle.

The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a golden radiance upon the scroll. He was absorbed in his reading when a dazzling light suddenly shot into the study. The light was so bright that when it fell on the book, the characters became blurred and indistinct. Yu Lang's expression changed. He abruptly stood up and looked out the window. All he saw outside was a blinding whiteness, making it impossible to see anything with the naked eye. Commotion also arose within the Prime Minister's residence, as shouts of alarm echoed.

“Yu Lang!”

An urgent voice rang in his ears. It was Brother Sha! Evening was his time for reading and contemplation, and Brother Sha usually wouldn't disturb him at this hour.

“Brother Sha, where is that light coming from?”

A thought flashed through Yu Lang's mind. He subconsciously assumed that immortal cultivators were battling outside the city; such a display indicated at least Nascent Soul cultivators! An omen of turbulent times! The State of Yan was unified, but everyone knew that peace was only temporary, as border conflicts had been constant. The State of Yan and its neighboring countries were all preparing for war, with immortal cultivators fanning the flames. To achieve true peace, it would only come with genuine unification.

“The source seems to be Qingyang Temple!”

A figure flashed beside Yu Lang, and Sha Jiayu appeared. Under the glare of the light, his body seemed to be covered in a layer of white frost, appearing unnaturally pale. His face was grim. He looked southwest and cast a spell. Yu Lang felt his vision clear, and he finally saw the column of lightning, like a heavenly pillar, piercing straight into the sky.

Such an astonishing phenomenon appeared in the capital, a thousand li away. What was happening there? Had a powerful enemy attacked Qingyang Temple? Yu Lang couldn't help but recall the decisive battle from that year, when his master had emerged from seclusion, defeated numerous demons, and foiled Luohun Abyss's scheme. Was Luohun Abyss now holding a grudge?

“Calm down! If Daoist Master and Little Wu are no match, our going there would just be suicide. First, send a message to Immortal Master Yun,” Sha Jiayu said, seeing Yu Lang’s expression and worrying that his concern would cloud his judgment.

Yu Lang nodded and immediately sent a message talisman, but he did not change his mind. He declared firmly, “My master bestowed upon me the grace of a second life. If the sect is in trouble, I must return to the mountain; I’d rather die at Qingyang Temple! Brother Sha, you are not a disciple of Qingyang Temple, so do not get involved. Please, Brother Sha, cast a spell to send me back, then return to the capital. If I perish, I hope Brother Sha can help me look after my family!”

Sha Jiayu saw Yu Lang's resolute expression and fearlessness of death. Knowing his mind was made up, he sighed lightly, “Let's go back to the mountain and see. I hope the situation hasn't deteriorated to that extent...”

Sha Jiayu summoned his flying magic treasure, took Yu Lang with him, and fled at full speed. Only when they flew into the sky did they realize how astonishing the phenomenon was. In all directions, across heaven and earth, the light illuminated everything, turning it silver-white.

Little did they know, the phenomenon affected more than just the State of Yan. As the lightning rapidly spread beyond the State of Yan, the sub-altars erupted simultaneously with the main altar. Sixty-four sub-altars were regularly distributed around the main altar, almost covering the entire human world. The locations of these sub-altars presented varied scenes. Great changes had occurred over time; they were no longer as they had been when the altars were first established. Some were hidden deep within mountains, rivers, and lakes; others were located in towns and villages; and one sub-altar was even inside an ancient well. With the altar formation activated, all sub-altars reappeared in the world!

Taiyi felt the magic altar beneath him vibrate, unable to suppress his excitement. He had long yearned for the Dao Court and could finally witness with his own eyes Lord Envoy and the Dao Court magic altars display their true divine power!

“Boom!” The magic altar stirred, and a phenomenon erupted. Mountains split open, and altars hidden for countless years reappeared in the world. Countless lightning-like runes supported Taiyi, carrying him high into the sky, where a thunder altar instantly formed. This thunder altar was slightly smaller than the one at Qingyang Temple and echoed the main altar from afar. Similar phenomena also appeared at other sub-altars.

Taiyi stood on the thunder altar, his robes fluttering, gazing towards Qingyang Temple. From his location, it was impossible to see Qingyang Temple, but he could perceive the main altar and the other sub-altars through the altar formation. All the magic altars and altar masters were linked into a single entity by the altar formation, brewing an incredibly terrifying power. Taiyi dared not be distracted, nor could he afford to be. At this moment, all sub-altar masters cast aside all distracting thoughts, obeyed the will transmitted from the main altar, held the Thunder Seal, and performed the Pacing the Dipper ritual.

The thunder spell was activated, the thunder altars vibrated violently, and burst forth with startling thunder. Including the main altar, a total of sixty-five beams of lightning, like gigantic swords piercing the firmament, seemed to have pierced through the heavens. The human world was undergoing a baptism of lightning.

After the ultimate brightness, darkness followed closely. The phenomenon unleashed by the thunder altars was earth-shattering. The elemental energies of heaven and earth stirred, and dark clouds rolled in, boundless and endless. People had not yet recovered from the shock of the lightning when they saw the sky covered in dense dark clouds, as if the heavens themselves were about to collapse. At this moment, whether immortal or mortal, everyone's heart was filled with an uncontrollable rising fear. The entire human world's sky was enveloped in dark clouds, but the phenomenon was far from over.

“Rumble!” A dull rumble of thunder came from the sky. The thunder grew louder and louder, shaking people's hearts. Within the rolling dark clouds, flashes of lightning erupted intermittently, revealing various terrifying sights. Above the sea of clouds, it was incredibly mysterious, with lightning resembling true dragons that vanished into the clouds after a fleeting glimpse. The celestial phenomena grew more and more terrifying; even the legendary divine punishment would be no more than this.

The human world was in chaos.

“Heaven have mercy! Heaven have mercy!”

Mortals were terrified, kneeling and praying. Demonic beings were reminded of lightning tribulations; they either prostrated themselves on the ground or hid in their cave dwellings, trembling with fear. Immortal cultivators were all shaking with fear. Feeling the terrifying might of heaven, even Nascent Soul cultivators turned pale with fright. Some sects unhesitatingly activated their mountain-protecting formations, but they all knew this was just self-deception. If the heavenly lightning were to strike, it could easily flatten their sect. No one knew what was truly happening.

At the border of the State of Yan, Immortal Master Yun awoke from his meditation, flew out of his cave dwelling, and seeing the celestial phenomena, was filled with doubt and alarm. The fluctuations from the altar formation even spread to Twilight Mountain and Cloud Capital Mountain. Cultivators in both regions were also alarmed. Cultivators whose cave dwellings were slightly closer to the human world could see the changes in the human world by flying into the sky.

Looking down from above, the human world was shrouded in dark clouds, and above the sea of clouds, there were even more terrifying phenomena. Almost at the instant the sixty-five lightning pillars shot out, endless lightning was born. No one knew how it originated. Beneath the firmament, everything turned into a sea of thunder! Streaks of lightning, as if tearing through the void, danced wildly in the sky. Cultivators from Twilight Mountain and Cloud Capital Mountain witnessed this very scene, standing dumbfounded, their faces filled with horror.

Qin Sang calmly sipped his spirit tea, his gaze sweeping past Lone Cloud Old Man, then turning towards the human world. As for Lone Cloud Old Man, at the instant the altar formation was activated, his complexion utterly changed, and he abruptly stood up. Qin Sang remained seated, still as a mountain, admiring his own masterpiece. Although he had some premonition, personally witnessing the grandeur of the altar formation still left him shaken, let alone Lone Cloud Old Man. It was just a pity that Old Ancestor Minghu was still completely unaware.

The sword array revealed the aura of a sword domain. Not only did Lone Cloud Old Man lose his composure, but Old Ancestor Minghu turned even paler with shock. The power of a sword domain was beyond his imagination. Previously, when continuously assaulted by Qin Sang, Old Ancestor Minghu would at most feel anger and did not believe his life was in danger. At this very moment, he truly felt a threat, and fear! A sword cultivator who had comprehended a sword domain...

Old Ancestor Minghu's thoughts raced. He did not choose to directly unleash the Wheel of Life and Death Reversal. Instead, he opened his storage artifact and took out the bronze pillar.

“This old man has no intention of monopolizing the treasure. Since fellow Daoist also fancies the Coiled Dragon Heavenly Pillar, there's no need to fight to the death. As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmity than to perpetuate it. If fellow Daoist ceases, previous grudges will be wiped clean. As for the reward from Jitian Sect, my Luohun Abyss will only take 40%!”

If he could share the ancient Coiled Dragon Array with Yundutian before, he could naturally share the Coiled Dragon Heavenly Pillar now. The strength displayed by the opponent was enough to make him compromise, and there was no shame in showing weakness. Forty percent, or even thirty percent, was negotiable. In the end, they did not have any deep-seated hatred, and Jitian Sect's reward was not a unique treasure in the world. For a Void Refinement cultivator, one's own self was the most important. The opponent's strength was unfathomable; after all, he was only in the early stage of Void Refinement. Once he fought with his life on the line, the opponent could not escape unscathed. A Void Refinement cultivator recovering from injuries could take hundreds of years, which would surely affect their cultivation. Old Ancestor Minghu did not believe Qin Sang would force him to a dead end.

Little did he know, his perception had been clouded by the sword array and sword domain. Even if fluctuations from the altar formation reached him, they were masked by the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Orthodox Seal. This was precisely Qin Sang's goal: carefully orchestrating his plan to pull Old Ancestor Minghu into a desperate situation! The altar formation was inscribed with a Tier 4 spirit talisman. While he only possessed early-stage Void Refinement cultivation, even with the help of the altar formation, activating it would be extremely strenuous. Qin Sang worried that if he directly activated the altar formation, Old Ancestor Minghu might escape before the thunder talisman was unleashed, rendering his efforts futile.

At this very moment, Qin Sang had no time to respond to Old Ancestor Minghu.

“Rumble!” The four Great Soul Transformation cultivators led the sub-altar masters, exerting all their might, as countless bolts of lightning and thunder surged wildly towards the sky. The might of the thunder was vast. This was a divine power capable of shaking heaven and earth. The sky was filled only with thunder. That power was utterly terrifying, powerful enough to destroy everything!

The power of the lightning grew even more immense. When this power reached its peak, it suddenly converged towards the center of the sea of thunder. In an instant, all celestial phenomena vanished, giving birth to an even more brilliant and dazzling ball of thunderous light. Compared to the boundless human world, this ball of thunderous light was incredibly tiny, only the size of a human head. Inside the thunderous light, there was surprisingly a silver paper. This paper was identical to the silver paper inside the main altar, but more solidified, condensing the power of the entire altar formation.

Dao Court Tier 4 Thunder Talisman: Oath Chapter of Sacrificial Thunder!

The next moment, this paper trembled lightly and floated northward like a light feather. The Oath Chapter of Sacrificial Thunder was incredibly light, seemingly slow but actually swift, instantly crossing thousands of mountains and waters, “floating” to the desert.

Qin Sang's dharma body let out a soft sigh of relief, but at the same time felt a slight tremor of fear. He waved his hand to retract the sword array and escaped from the sinkhole.

The starlight faded.

Old Ancestor Minghu still thought he had persuaded the opponent and was about to disperse his Wheel of Life and Death Reversal, when suddenly, an extremely terrifying fluctuation descended. At this moment, Old Ancestor Minghu felt a chill run down his spine and looked up at the sky in horror. The sky was normal, except for a lightly floating silver paper. This silver paper descended from the sky. In Old Ancestor Minghu's eyes, everything around him disappeared, leaving only this paper. His thoughts seemed to freeze, and he didn't notice the look of horror that had appeared on his face. Between heaven and earth, there was no sound, yet that silver paper seemed to weigh a thousand catties, bringing an extreme sense of oppression.

Old Ancestor Minghu roared towards the sky, his voice as piercing as a ghost's wail, tinged with a hint of fear. The black-and-white disk above his head spun rapidly, instantly reversing life and death, and suddenly burst forth! The entire sinkhole seemed to be stripped of its colors, leaving only black and white energies. A huge Wheel of Life and Death Reversal trapped the Oath Chapter of Sacrificial Thunder right in its center. A vortex formed by black and white light fiercely squeezed inwards, attempting to tear the thin silver paper to shreds!

The Oath Chapter of Sacrificial Thunder remained unperturbed, still descending steadily, imprinting itself!

“Crack!” In Old Ancestor Minghu's horrified eyes, a crack appeared in the Wheel of Life and Death Reversal.

“Ah!”

Old Ancestor Minghu roared wildly; this was a roar of despair.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Flesh and blood exploded. Old Ancestor Minghu turned into a dark golden skeleton, emitting a strange luster. Void Refinement Corpse Cultivators were known as "un-decaying bones," meaning their bones had been refined to an extremely hard state. In fact, even a single bone could regenerate. Instead of retreating, Old Ancestor Minghu advanced, his entire body glowing with dark light, and surprisingly charged towards the Wheel of Life and Death Reversal.

“Boom!” The Wheel of Life and Death Reversal shattered completely, and chaotic black and white energies filled the entire sinkhole. At the center of the black and white energies, incredibly dazzling lightning shone, forming a terrifying lightning storm that swept across the ground, overpowering the momentum of the black and white energies. Simultaneously with the explosion, a sword beam swiftly slashed down from above.

A Body Integration cultivator unleashing a Tier 4 spirit talisman could undoubtedly easily kill Old Ancestor Minghu. But this Oath Chapter of Sacrificial Thunder was unleashed by him through the altar, and its power was closely related to the altar and the cultivation of the altar masters. Being the first time it was used, Qin Sang could not guarantee its foolproof success. Therefore, Qin Sang immediately followed up with another sword strike. The Gray Oriole Sword slashed into the lightning storm. Qin Sang immediately sensed Old Ancestor Minghu's struggling aura within the lightning storm and controlled the Gray Oriole Sword to pierce straight in.

Lone Cloud Old Man's hands and feet felt cold, and he could no longer remain calm. If that silver paper had floated here and fallen onto his dharma body, could he have survived? Lone Cloud Old Man had no confidence, unless he could have sensed the danger beforehand. Qin Sang had brought him too many shocks. The most shocking were the sword domain and the magic altar revealed at the end.

He turned around, looked at the calm-faced Qin Sang, and forcing himself to remain composed, spoke with difficulty. “Daoist Master, is this the 'show' you wanted this old man to witness?” Qin Sang's actions were not at all like someone vying for the Coiled Dragon Heavenly Pillar; he was clearly aiming to kill the old corpse. The Coiled Dragon Heavenly Pillar was more like a trap. Did they have a past grudge, or was there another reason? Lone Cloud Old Man always felt that things were not so simple, but he couldn't guess Qin Sang's true intentions.

“Clack!” Qin Sang placed a stone on the tengen point.

“Upon the human lands, immortals and demons shall not trespass!”