Chapter 1278: Against the Ultimate System,全面开战

The Nine-Headed Bird Clan's Old Ancestor, Chi Xu, now truly felt a pang of fear, his vision blurring. What had he said just a short while ago?

And now, who was he facing, and what lineage did they represent? It was actually the sect of Li, the prehistoric grand shadowy figure!

There was no need to say more; the name Li alone could suppress the recent past and shake prehistory. How could this lineage not inspire fear?

He felt truly dizzy. Even as a Heavenly Venerate, he had no confidence and his body was almost stiff with apprehension.

Old Ancestor Chi Xu of the Nine-Headed Bird Clan stared at Number Nine, his hair standing on end. A chill spread through him from his tailbone, making him intensely uncomfortable and almost prompting him to flee in panic.

The most wretched was still Ling Yi, who was trembling. He struggled to get up, leaning against a rock, and looked down at his legs.

They were gone, empty and bleeding. He simply couldn't believe it.

This wasn't a dream, but a truly cruel reality. As a descendant of the Martial Fanatic lineage, his legs had been twisted off, and he was treated as blood-food.

He wanted to utter threats, but seeing Number Nine so calmly eating his leg in the distance, a shiver ran down his spine, and he chose to keep his mouth tightly shut.

He regretted it; he truly shouldn't have come south. At that time, the Martial Fanatic's second disciple, the Second Ancestor, had emerged from seclusion, his terrifying aura enveloping the northern great state.

That was not the Martial Fanatic's seclusion place, but rather his second disciple's retreat, relatively closest to the three-way battlefield.

Originally, the Second Ancestor intended to come south personally, but he was at a critical point in his cultivation and couldn't leave. So, he wrote a decree, instructing others to head south.

He then quickly re-entered seclusion, not paying further attention to the matter.

This was because he was undergoing a death seclusion, from which emergence was difficult and often led to fatal danger.

And this time, he was at the most critical juncture. If he could endure it, he would reach a higher level and behold a vast new world.

That was a realm of insight only a select few ancient powerhouses could experience.

But if he failed, he would never have another chance to ascend in this lifetime, nor could he reverse his current decaying body in his twilight years, destined only to await death and transformation.

Thus, after being disturbed, his overwhelming aura suppressed mountains and rivers, tearing the sky, but he quickly had to retract it, focusing entirely on breaking through.

On a normal day, how would he dare act like this? Even if a hint of his master's youthful demonic nature appeared, he would have to burn incense, kowtow, and serve with utmost reverence.

After the decree was written and issued, several of his disciples were moved and originally intended to descend in person and go together!

However, Ling Yi, one of the younger generation, immediately suggested that it was merely dealing with a Saint. A Heavenly Venerate's arrival would be far too much of a fuss, overestimating Cao De.

He argued that merely transmitting the decree through him would suffice, which would align with their lineage's transcendent status.

If the sect elders were uneasy, they could arrive later; otherwise, it would show too much regard for Cao De and fail to demonstrate the Martial Fanatic lineage's supreme dominance.

And so, Ling Yi eagerly came forward, initially thinking this was a rare opportunity to distinguish himself, showcasing the Martial Ancestor lineage's dominance while also shining himself.

Who could have imagined that Number Nine awaited him, the very lineage they feared most?

The Martial Fanatic lineage could look down on anyone and remain aloof, but they dared not scorn the Li lineage; they had to treat them as formidable adversaries.

Yet, what had he done? He had flaunted his power before Number Nine, demanding Cao De kneel to receive the decree.

How could someone from that lineage possibly comply? It now seemed he had deserved to lose his legs.

Ling Yi was filled with utter regret. He wanted to slap himself twice across the face, cursing his ambition to claim credit and his scheming to deliver the decree, which had now led to his suffering.

"Martial Uncle-Grandmaster, my life is in peril!"

Ling Yi took out a snow-white conch shell and whispered a message into it. At this critical moment, he chose to report to his superiors.

This matter had to be reported to the sect; it was far beyond his control. As a God-level evolver, he was utterly insignificant here.

On this battlefield, various warships and flying vessels could not fly and would crash due to interference from the special terrain. All communication devices were unusable.

However, this snow-white conch shell could transmit messages, allowing for one-on-one voice communication, making it a special secret treasure refined by the Martial Fanatic lineage.

After he finished transmitting the message, the conch shell, which resembled white jade, became covered in cracks before shattering into pieces and falling to the ground.

"I do not wish to kill, but if it involves the entire Martial Fanatic lineage, and there's no other choice, then I can only fight."

Number Nine spoke calmly.

Silver Dragon Heavenly Venerate, Chi Feng, and others were speechless, grumbling internally that Number Nine claimed not to wish to kill, yet he casually bit off and ate people's legs, which was far more terrifying.

Everyone else felt a chill. This zombie-like being dared to speak like that to the Martial Fanatic lineage; this was a prelude to a battle!

"Master Nine, your condition..." Chu Feng worried.

He wasn't sure if Number Nine could withstand a confrontation with the true Martial Fanatic.

Almost instantly, a surge of dark light erupted from the ends of the earth, carrying an overwhelming aura of blood and covering the battlefield.

A master had arrived, a true powerhouse approaching the area, unconcealed, emitting Heavenly Venerate-level energy—an unmistakable stance for widespread slaughter and a bloody purge of the place.

A Heavenly Venerate had arrived!

It was a prodigy under the Second Ancestor, remarkably young compared to other Heavenly Venerates, who had entered the Heavenly Venerate realm in her "prime."

Although she was a recent entrant, having only achieved this status in recent years, everyone believed her future was limitless and that she would become a king among Heavenly Venerates.

This prodigy, the female powerhouse You Lan, had been traveling south and was already close to this location.

Upon receiving the conch's message, she immediately appeared and rushed over.

Dressed in snow-white, utterly spotless, with hair like a waterfall, she was exceptionally beautiful. At her level, her demeanor was particularly outstanding.

A female Heavenly Venerate, the youngest disciple under the Second Ancestor, she was destined to achieve the status of a Great Heavenly Venerate and become a king among them!

At this moment, she exuded an ethereal grace, appearing utterly divine. A hazy radiance enveloped her body, making her pure and immaculate. Her expression was cold, her complexion as white as mutton-fat jade, as she gazed down upon the battlefield.

Yet, the sky was filled with dark light, accompanied by crimson blood mist. She was exquisitely beautiful and aloof, but she was radiating a demonic aura.

A Heavenly Venerate from the Martial Fanatic lineage had arrived, and one with astonishing talent!

In the Yang Realm, Heavenly Venerates were considered high-ranking figures and advanced combatants.

This was because ninety-nine percent of stronger beings were severely debilitated, old monsters nearing the end of their lifespans, waiting to die in the mountains.

Powerhouses required time to accumulate strength; most who reached the Heavenly Venerate realm had grown old, and those at the Grandmaster level were like flickering candles in the wind.

In the Yang Realm, there was a saying that Heavenly Venerates, in their prime, could preside over most major events.

Higher-level beings were progressively weaker; simply surviving was a challenge. Expecting them to engage in fierce battles or remain active in the world for extended periods was simply impossible.

In fact, among Heavenly Venerates, only one or two out of ten, perhaps two or three, still had sufficient vigor to be dispatched. Over seventy to eighty percent were also nearing death.

When a "young" Heavenly Venerate like You Lan, with her captivating grace, first appeared, she naturally caused gasps of astonishment. Her reputation was immense, and her potential limitless.

The mainstream belief was that she would have a smooth journey ahead and eventually become a Grandmaster!

With a whoosh, You Lan beckoned, and a golden scroll on the ground flew up, emitting dazzling light and oppressive energy, landing in her hand.

It was precisely the Second Ancestor's decree, which Ling Yi had never managed to unroll from beginning to end.

You Lan's own body was remarkably sacred, radiating light. Within a ten-foot radius, she was hazy yet dazzling, but beyond that, dark light surged and crimson blood mist swirled, creating a very strange contrast.

Nevertheless, her power was beyond doubt.

Upon arriving, she sensed the gravity of the situation. She had initially thought it was a Heavenly Venerate from the Yongzhou faction blocking them, but now her hair stood on end. Was there an even more formidable being present?

"Martial Uncle-Grandmaster... be careful!" Ling Yi stammered.

He at least still had some courage to offer a warning.

In truth, there was no need for him to say more. You Lan herself was already on high alert, her gaze fixed on Number Nine, having found the source of the terror.

"Fellow Daoist, are you trying to make trouble for the Martial Ancestor lineage?" You Lan spoke, her voice cold, and she began to retreat.

"It's not that I want to trouble you; rather, you always seek to bully our lineage. Just now, you were still ordering Cao De to kneel and receive the decree."

Number Nine spoke softly, a rare display of verbosity from him.

"Fellow Daoist, do you intend to start a war? You must be aware of the consequences of provoking the Second Ancestor and alarming the Martial Fanatic," You Lan warned.

Their lineage referred to their progenitor as the Martial Fanatic, not out of disrespect, but because those three words now possessed a demonic power and had become an invincible symbol!

You Lan's words were subtly firm, mentioning both the Martial Fanatic's second disciple and the Martial Fanatic himself. This would normally be enough to intimidate the world, but it was ineffective now.

Number Nine responded coolly, "Who's afraid of whom? At worst, we fight!"

After he finished speaking, the world changed color, winds and clouds surged, the sky itself cracked, lightning flashed and thunder roared, red whirlwinds arose, and blood-rain poured down.

And when his eyes opened and closed, day and night would instantly alternate, constantly shifting!

This phenomenon terrified many; it was simply unbelievable.

With just a single sentence from him, the world became abnormal.

Number Nine was dangerous at this moment; he seemed to be declaring full-scale war on the Martial Fanatic lineage!

*Boom!*

At this moment, Heavenly Venerate You Lan acted first. Sensing an extremely dangerous aura, she had no choice but to strike preemptively, summoning the decree.

At this instant, the Second Ancestor's decree unleashed dazzling golden light, spanning high in the sky as if the Great Dao itself had descended. A cascade of characters appeared, etched into the void.

It was terrifying; that aura suppressed the battlefield, with countless golden rays tearing through the sky!

In a daze, it was as if a majestic old monarch sat high in the ninth heaven, looking down upon the human realm, coldly observing everything below, as if watching ants.

People knew this must be the Martial Fanatic's second disciple, the Second Ancestor!

All the evolvers on the battlefield were terrified. The Martial Fanatic's second disciple was so powerful that everyone was struck with horror and shock.

It was hard to imagine how powerful the true Martial Fanatic must be!

Because this decree, written by the Second Ancestor, was already so awe-inspiring, shaking heaven and earth, suppressing this battlefield!

Everyone felt a sense of despair. Facing this decree and the terrifying characters imprinted in the void, they felt utterly powerless.

Many prostrated themselves involuntarily, their bodies defying their own will, directly submitting and bowing in reverence.

Amidst the golden light and the mass of characters, the Second Ancestor's ethereal figure stood high above, his peerless energy field surging, sweeping through heaven and earth, while the Great Dao resonated and trembled for him!

At this moment, Number Nine was utterly calm. He made only one movement: extending a hand towards the sky, slow yet incredibly powerful.

In an instant, the void itself collapsed. The seemingly slow movement was nonetheless unavoidable.

He simply snatched the golden decree from the sky with a powerful and decisive grip. The characters imprinted in the void roared completely but were all drawn back into the decree.

As for the Second Ancestor's blurry figure, Number Nine eliminated it with a single palm strike!

With a ripping sound, he tore the golden decree apart. All the pervasive phenomena and terrifying visions vanished, and the world returned to quiet.

Everyone was stunned. Number Nine, this zombie-like being, was simply unfathomable and impossibly powerful. He had snatched the Second Ancestor's decree with one hand and torn it into two pieces!

Then, he used one piece of the golden decree to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and the other to wipe the blood from his hands.

This was the crimson blood left from when he had been eating the leg!

At this moment, everyone stood dumbfounded. That was the Second Ancestor's decree, an artifact of peerless terror and infinite destructive power, yet he had used it as a napkin?!

To call it a waste of heavenly treasure would be inaccurate, but such an act was indeed too peculiar and terrifying, leaving everyone pale with fear!

Simultaneously, the astonishingly talented female Heavenly Venerate You Lan had fallen to the ground. People discovered that, at some unknown point, her pair of snow-white, slender legs had vanished, leaving her leg stumps bloody!

Not far away, Number Nine was holding up a pale, fresh leg and gnawing on it.

It was utterly shocking. This was a Heavenly Venerate, yet Number Nine was casually devouring her as blood-food right in front of everyone on the battlefield, before millions of evolvers?!

Everyone was stunned, then trembled.

Next, people felt their blood surge, and some wanted to cry out.

What did Number Nine's actions signify? Was this a declaration of full-scale war against the Martial Fanatic lineage? A decisive battle against an ultimate being!