Above the sea of clouds, a man in resplendent golden armor stood proudly. His imposing figure radiated an aura of supremacy, as if he alone commanded the heavens. He wielded a long spear, and the brilliance emanating from his golden armor was blinding.
Looking above his helmet, one could see a myriad of stars glittering, a spectacle resembling a vast cosmos. It was as if he was one with the universe. Yet below, boundless oceans stretched endlessly, while the land appeared insignificant under his gaze, no different from mere pebbles beneath his feet.
His gaze was fixed on the Tai Cang Continent, his eyes brimming with battle intent.
He hailed from the Immortal Dynasty and bore the name Qiu Xi Immortal Lord.
Looking closely, his left hand was raised, palm upholding a massive city. Within the city floated countless cultivators, their forms so tiny they seemed no larger than specks of dust.
This city was the Main City of the Broken Sea Domain!
Qingsongzi, the Domain Master of the Broken Sea Domain, stood trembling as he gazed up at Qiu Xi Immortal Lord. His cultivation had reached the Seventh Level of the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm, but at this moment, his eyes were filled with terror.
Never before had the Domain Master felt so insignificant. Although he ruled over an entire domain, he now only felt panic, unable to maintain the composure befitting a Domain Master.
"What should we do? There's no way we can escape!"
"What is this monster's cultivation? To suppress us all with just one hand?"
"I've heard legends of Qiu Xi Immortal Lord. Millions of years ago, he already surpassed the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm. In his youth, he was hailed as an unparalleled prodigy…"
"The Immortal Dynasty is too arrogant! Do they really not fear the Divine Sovereign' retaliation?"
"They should've eradicated the Immortal Dynasty long ago! Each generation of Divine Sovereign has been too merciful!"
Within the Main City of the Broken Sea Domain, the Sacred Court cultivators spoke in hushed but panicked tones, despair spreading through the city.
Qiu Xi Immortal Lord, however, did not spare the city in his palm a single glance. His focus remained on the Tai Cang Continent, waiting for the Sacred Court's Sacred Sword to make a move.
To him, as long as he slew the Sacred Sword, he would acquire immense fortune.
He had thoroughly investigated the matter. The Sacred Court's Sacred Sword lacked the protection of the Sacred Court's fortune, which made it an easier target for elimination.
Patiently, he waited, though he had set a mental deadline.
If the Sacred Sword did not reveal itself by then, he would annihilate the Broken Sea Domain without hesitation.
To him, born of celestial origin, the slaughter of countless beings brought no guilt. It was no different than a mortal stepping on a swarm of ants—at most, he would find it distasteful, but he wouldn't feel remorse.
Throughout the Broken Sea Domain, living beings could all see Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's colossal projection in the sky. The sight alone radiated overwhelming pressure, intending to crush the will of all who beheld it.
The sheer size of his image dwarfed everything else in existence, plunging most of the living beings into a state of despair. Even those who desired to flee found themselves frozen, unable to fathom an escape route. No matter where they went, it seemed impossible to escape from Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's shadow.
It was a despair akin to confronting the heavens themselves.
Within Xuan Valley of the Tai Xuan Sect, the atmosphere was no less tense.
Jiang Shi and An Shengtian had returned to the valley, where the disciples had gathered around Gu An, their faces pale with fear.
At that moment, their only hope lay in Gu An. They needed his reassurance to dispel their growing dread.
"Don't worry," Gu An said calmly. "The Tai Xuan Sect is filled with powerful experts. Moreover, the Sword Master of the Dao still resides here. Do you think he would allow such a provocation to go unanswered?"
These words eased the nerves of many disciples. However, some remained apprehensive.
"Master," one disciple asked hesitantly, "is the Sword Master of the Dao truly still here? Though the Heaven Mending Platform exudes an overwhelming sword aura, he hasn't made a move in years."
This statement immediately sparked agreement from the other disciples, and fear began to spread once more.
Gu An continued to offer soothing words, but internally, his thoughts were far from serene.
A Dao Void Profound Immortal dares to provoke me before the eyes of the world? Fine, I'll crush him before the eyes of the world!
It had been far too long since he had taken action, and this was a perfect opportunity to remind the disciples of his presence.
And this time, he decided not to use swordsmanship.
Let's try something more spectacular.
After reassuring the disciples, Gu An turned and walked toward the teleportation platform.
Upon teleporting to the Third Medicine Valley, Gu An had just stepped onto the ground when he began preparing his divine ability.
Ji Xiaoya immediately turned her gaze toward him. However, her attention was soon drawn to the sky, where an extraordinary phenomenon was taking shape.
The roiling clouds above began to twist violently, forming a massive vortex that reached ever higher into the heavens. As the remnant clouds ascended, the colossal form of Qiu Xi Immortal Lord became increasingly visible.
Yet this time, the beings below were not fixated on his figure.
Because something even greater had appeared above.
It was the apex of the heavens.
A vast disc, shrouded in gray mist, began to spin and expand, swiftly covering the space above Qiu Xi Immortal Lord.
Qiu Xi Immortal Lord raised his head, his projection mirroring his movement. His expression turned to one of shock and fear.
"The Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc!"
This was one of the innate divine abilities of the Primordial Supreme Dao Physique—unparalleled in its might.
Gu An had never revealed this divine ability in the mortal realm before.
As the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc began to condense, its overwhelming pressure descended upon Qiu Xi Immortal Lord, rendering him completely immobilized.
"How is this possible…? What level of cultivation is this man at?"
Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's mind was racing, panic gripping him as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.
He was a Dao Void Profound Immortal. By all accounts, the Sacred Court's Sacred Sword should not have been capable of displaying such strength. According to the intelligence from the Immortal Dynasty, the Sacred Sword's cultivation hovered somewhere between the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal Realm and the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm. Even if it had reached the latter, it should not have surpassed him.
He was at the Seventh Level of the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm!
Yet at this moment, he truly realized just how terrifying the Sacred Court's Sacred Sword's cultivation was!
Even a Divine Thought True Immortal wouldn't have such overwhelming suppressive power!
He couldn't escape, couldn't speak, and couldn't even project his divine consciousness or soul out of his body. Fear and despair quickly consumed him, his eyes filled with utter dread.
Under his watchful gaze, the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc fully condensed. The vast gray disc bore intricate patterns, as if it housed an entire expansive world within it, a sight that struck awe in all who saw it.
Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's colossal projection was immense, towering over heaven and earth, dwarfing everything in existence. Yet, beneath the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc, his immense presence felt insignificant.
The Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc seemed to overshadow the entirety of the Heavenly Spirirt World's heavens!
In truth, it only covered the skies over the Broken Sea Domain. Gu An had employed a subtle method, making it appear to the beings of the Broken Sea Domain as if the disc was as vast as the Heavenly Spirirt World itself. The visual impact was overwhelming.
Sun and Moon Nether Emperor suddenly appeared beside Ji Xiaoya, his gaze fixed upward, his expression filled with shock.
"What kind of divine ability is this?"
Fear gripped his heart. While he had heard of the Sword Master of the Dao, his divine sense had scoured the Tai Xuan Sect and found nothing. He had assumed that the Sword Master had fled in fear.
Now, it seemed the difference in their cultivation levels was too vast. He couldn't even perceive the Sword Master's presence. Perhaps the Sword Master had appeared before him before, and he simply hadn't noticed. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
Standing beside him, Ji Xiaoya remained silent. She too had never seen such a divine ability and was equally overwhelmed.
Just how powerful is the Sword Master of the Dao?
She had regained memories of her past life and recalled the Sword Master's strength in the Seven Stars Spirit Realm. It was nowhere near this level.
Back then, she had even looked forward to the Sword Master's future potential. Now, it seemed she had vastly underestimated him.
In her past life, she had even released the power of the Innate Dao Rune, with her true self's consciousness returning. Even then, her true self had failed to see through the Sword Master. Did that mean his cultivation surpassed her true self's understanding?
Her feelings became increasingly complicated.
If even she felt this way, how could the masses not be similarly awestruck?
"What is that? Am I dreaming?"
"Could this be the wrath of the heavens?"
"It's the Sword Master of the Dao! It must be him! He's still in the Tai Xuan Sect!"
"Why hasn't the Sword Master used his swordsmanship?"
"Could this divine ability be stronger than his swordsmanship? Look, that guy is already scared out of his wits!"
"Hahaha! To provoke the Sword Master of the Dao is truly courting death!"
The Tai Xuan Sect erupted with excitement, the disciples elated and emboldened. Across the Tai Cang Continent, countless beings cheered, chanting the name of the Sword Master of the Dao.
As for the beings of the Broken Sea Domain, they were left in pure awe.
Is this the power of the Sacred Court's Sacred Sword?
If the heavens themselves had a power, it could only be this.
"It's been years since anyone dared to provoke me. This is the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc—experience the might of the Dao."
A raspy voice resonated across the heavens, its tone brimming with an oppressive authority.
Hearing this, countless beings were stirred with excitement.
From afar, You Yingying stared at Gu An, her face marked by awe and confusion.
Even An Xin, observing Gu An, was filled with admiration.
Her thoughts raced. Compared to Master, my acting skills are still far too lacking!
Simultaneously, her heart surged with emotion. So this is Master's true strength?
Little did they know, Gu An had not even exerted his full power. He had deliberately suppressed his aura to the Ninth Level of the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, giving others a sliver of hope to lure more challengers.
Even so, Ji Xiaoya sensed that his strength far exceeded that of a Divine Thought True Immortal. Even ordinary Free Immortals would likely pale in comparison.
BOOM!
A deafening roar resounded, briefly deafening all living beings. The sudden silence was not painful but left the crowd unable to hear anything momentarily.
Countless creatures gazed up at the massive Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc descending from the heavens, as if they were witnessing a divine miracle.
Gu An's eyes widened as he looked toward the sky, his robes billowing in the fierce wind. He willed it, and Qiu Xi Immortal Lord found himself able to speak—just that and nothing more.
"No… Senior! I was wrong! Please grant me a chance to atone!"
Qiu Xi Immortal Lord, sensing he could finally speak, clung to this as if it were his last hope, crying out desperately. His voice echoed across the Broken Sea Domain.
Under Gu An's suppression, those outside the Broken Sea Domain couldn't hear him. However, the previously deafened beings within the domain could hear Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's desperate pleas with perfect clarity.
Gu An aimed to cement his authority in the hearts of the beings within the Broken Sea Domain, all while ensuring that both the Immortal Dynasty and the Sacred Court underestimated him.
No matter how much Qiu Xi Immortal Lord begged for mercy, the descent of the Supreme Hunyuan Dao Disc didn't slow.
Eventually, the disc landed atop Qiu Xi Immortal Lord's head.
In an instant, his colossal projection disintegrated. His true body felt an incomparably terrifying suction force.
The Main City of the Broken Sea Domain was yanked from his grasp and hurled toward the ocean. Within the city, the cultivators stared in disbelief. They would never forget this moment for the rest of their lives.
"How… how can he be this powerful…"
Qingsongzi muttered to himself. In that moment, he finally understood why the Sword Master of the Dao refused to accept the position of Fortune's Destiny or the Sacred Court's authority.
At this level of power, who wouldn't seek to win him over?