At the same time.
Atop a colossal Immortal Tree, a cluster of golden light hovered in midair. Its brilliance was dazzling, like a miniature sun, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations that rippled through the void.
Six powerful figures stood around it, their expressions dark and filled with barely restrained fury.
Their appearances varied greatly, but without exception, each of them was a Clan Chief of a major race.
"Damn it!"
"Who would have thought that after all our calculations, we'd be played by a White-haired Rat!"
The Feather Race Clan Leader clenched his teeth, his gaze icy.
"It's because the fruit's gestation was too sudden. Even we didn't react in time."
The Scale Race Clan Chief growled. His lantern-sized eyes burned with resentment.
"There's no other choice," another Clan Chief said coldly. "After swallowing the Immortal Fruit, the Great Luo Immortal Tree has acknowledged it. During this period, we cannot make a move, or the Immortal Tree itself will retaliate."
"Once it finishes digesting the Immortal Fruit, we'll act together and capture it alive," someone said slowly. "We'll use a secret refinement method and divide its medicinal flesh and blood into six portions. That will be fair."
"Hmph."
An old voice sneered. "This lowly White-haired Rat will pay a painful price for its greed."
These six beings were the indigenous rulers of the Luo Tian Secret Realm—the strongest existences here, each at the perfected Body Integration Realm.
Their respective races had ruled this land for countless generations, carving out territories and reigning as overlords.
This time, the Great Luo Immortal Fruit nurtured by the Immortal Tree had finally matured. The six races had long agreed to divide it equally.
But when they arrived—
A White-haired Rat from nowhere had beaten them to it.
The entire Great Luo Immortal Fruit had been swallowed by that rat alone.
The six Clan Chiefs were furious to the point of madness. They had already decided to capture it alive and torture it slowly.
"By the way," the Stone Race Clan Leader said in a low voice.
He resembled a massive, dark stone man, his body heavy and oppressive.
"What about the external invaders?"
"Their strength is unclear," the Beast Race Clan Chief snorted, white Qi spewing from his nostrils. He hefted a wolf-tooth hammer comparable to a fifth-grade Spiritual Artifact. "But with all six races joining forces, none of those outsiders will leave this place alive."
They hated outsiders more than anything.
Intruders who entered their home to plunder resources were a threat to its balance—and to their authority.
Later, besides capturing the White-haired Rat, they would unite to wipe out the invaders.
"Look," someone said sharply. "It's moving!"
Buzz—buzz—buzz—
The golden light cluster rapidly shrank. Its blazing radiance receded, revealing a completely snow-white White-haired Rat nearly one and a half meters tall.
It was sitting cross-legged like a human cultivator.
Its ruby-like eyes opened, and a satisfied, almost sweet smile appeared on its face.
The scene looked absurd.
"Go! Catch it!!"
The six Clan Chiefs erupted into motion, soaring into the air with furious roars.
"Squeak!!!"
Sensing the overwhelming killing intent sweeping over, the White-haired Rat jolted awake in terror. Its red eyes widened as panic flooded in.
Without hesitation, it tore open the void and fled.
"You filthy mouse—don't think you can escape!"
The Feather Race Clan Leader shouted.
His speed was terrifying. Every feather on his body gleamed like a sharp blade, slicing through the air as though nothing could stop him.
The six Clan Chiefs joined forces, forming a tightening net to trap the White-haired Rat.
Fortunately, after swallowing the Great Luo Immortal Fruit, the White-haired Rat's cultivation had skyrocketed—from Foundation Establishment directly to early-stage Soul Transformation.
The power it unleashed far exceeded that of cultivators at the same realm.
Again and again, it escaped from certain death.
The six Clan Chiefs were so furious their eyes nearly burst.
Rumble—rumble—
"Squeak! Squeak!!"
The White-haired Rat tore through layer after layer of encirclement, fleeing desperately.
"Chase it!" someone roared. "It's injured. It won't last much longer!"
The six Clan Chiefs surged forward, their auras boiling.
As the chase continued at blinding speed, the White-haired Rat's aura visibly weakened. A hideous wound had opened on its lower abdomen, golden-yellow blood flowing freely and splattering onto the ground below.
"Stop running and accept your fate!"
"Since you dared steal the Immortal Fruit, you should be prepared to be eaten!"
"This old man suggests brushing it with honey later. Mouse meat tastes better that way."
"Hah! I'm roasting mine."
The voices behind it sent chills through the White-haired Rat. Its fur stood on end, its heart pounding as if it might burst.
No! I refuse to be eaten!
I want to live—no matter what!
"Hmph. This ends now."
The Stone Race Clan Leader growled, extending his massive rock hand.
A terrifying fluctuation spread outward, the surrounding space trembling as pressure descended like a mountain.
Boom!
An explosion erupted.
The White-haired Rat barely dodged, its eyes burning with fury as it screamed,
"You stinking rock—you're too shameless!"
The other Clan Chiefs sneered inwardly, each unleashing killing techniques to seal off its escape.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The heavens trembled. The land cracked. Violent waves of energy ripped through the air.
Facing the joint pursuit of six perfected Body Integration Realm experts, it was already a miracle that a mere early-stage Soul Transformation creature had lasted this long.
But now—
This was the end of the road.
Thump!
The White-haired Rat was struck as if by lightning. Its body flew backward like a kite with a severed string, only stopping after smashing violently into a towering ancient tree.
The trunk cracked open with a deafening sound.
Blood spilled from the corner of its mouth as it bared its teeth in agony.
"Run! Why aren't you running anymore? Hahahaha!" the Feather Race Clan Leader mocked loudly.
"A dying rat dares covet the Great Luo Immortal Fruit," the Scale Race Clan Chief said coldly. "Do you even understand how precious it is? How could a creature of your status ever be worthy of it?"
Within the Great Luo Secret Realm, an ancient legend had circulated since time immemorial.
The Great Luo Immortal Tree, which upheld the entire Secret Realm, would one day give birth to a Great Luo Immortal Fruit.
Whoever consumed it would condense the Da Luo Immortal Body—ranked first among all Immortal Physiques in the Kunlun Realm, an invincible constitution!
Generation after generation of Clan Chiefs had passed, countless years flowing like dust.
At long last, they had finally witnessed the emergence of the Great Luo Immortal Fruit.
The six races knew they could not monopolize it, so they had agreed to divide it evenly. By doing so, traces of the Great Luo Bloodline would awaken within them, laying an unparalleled foundation for future cultivation.
Yet—
A White-haired Rat had arrived first.
It swallowed the entire Immortal Fruit in one go.
"How could this not drive them mad?"
"It didn't have your names written on it!" the White-haired Rat retorted weakly, its eyes red and tear-filled. "Why can't I eat it? And now you all blame me… how unfair!"
"Still daring to argue while facing death!"
"This old man will skin you alive and tear out your tendons. I'll make you regret being born!"
The Stone Race Clan Leader's voice boomed like a great bell. His massive rock arm extended forward, slamming down with terrifying force.
A crushing killing intent enveloped the White-haired Rat.
Its fur stood on end. Its body went ice-cold. Despair flooded its eyes.
What do I do…? Am I really going to die…?
It felt wronged.
It had merely passed by, seen a fruit emerge from the tree, and followed its instincts to eat it.
It never imagined this would lead to being hunted by six perfected Body Integration Realm monsters.
Boom!!!
At that very moment—
A terrifying aura surged in from afar, sweeping across the battlefield like a raging tide.
"Who?!"
The Stone Race Clan Leader recoiled in shock, his voice uncertain.
The other Clan Chiefs' eyes flashed sharply as they immediately went on alert.
A black-robed youth stepped calmly through the air.
Silver-white hair flowed down to his waist. His expression was composed, his hands clasped behind his back, his presence elegant yet oppressive.
"System," Ye Junlin said lightly, "the energy fluctuation you mentioned—is it inside that White-haired Rat?"
[Ding! Yes. The White-haired Rat has swallowed the Great Luo Immortal Fruit. The Da Luo Immortal Body has already condensed within it. Its cultivation potential is extremely high.]
[Ding! Disciple Recruitment Mission triggered. Successfully accepting the White-haired Rat as a disciple will grant an exceptional reward.]
Ye Junlin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Da Luo Immortal Body? Interesting."
Since taking Hong Qianye as his disciple, he had delegated all the annoying work to him.
Life was comfortable.
Too comfortable.
After thinking it over, Ye Junlin realized what was missing.
He needed a pet.
And this White-haired Rat happened to be perfect.
"Be careful," the Feather Race Clan Leader said grimly. "This person is an outsider."
"Your Excellency," the Scale Race Clan Chief said coldly, "are you also here to compete for the Da Luo Immortal Body?"
Ye Junlin glanced at them and replied indifferently,
"This mouse belongs to me. Now scram."
"What nonsense!"
One of the Clan Chiefs roared in fury.
His casual tone enraged all six of them.
In their eyes, this outsider was outrageously arrogant—blatantly disregarding them.
If he were a Tribulation Transcendence expert, they would have hesitated.
But the problem was—
His cultivation was clearly at the same perfected Body Integration Realm as theirs.
What right did he have to say such words?
"Another bad guy who wants to eat me…?" the White-haired Rat slumped weakly, completely hopeless.
"Stop talking nonsense with him!" the Beast Race Clan Chief snarled. "He looks tender enough. Let's kill him and eat him first!"
"Oh?"
Ye Junlin smiled faintly.
His figure vanished.
Swish!
A punch tore through the air, space rippling and distorting as if reality itself were struck.
"You—!"
The Beast Race Clan Chief's pupils shrank. He swung his wolf-tooth club with full force, unleashing power capable of overturning mountains and seas.
Boom!
The Beast Race Clan Chief was sent flying over ten meters. His arm trembled violently as he gripped the club, blood surging up his throat and spraying out.
Shock filled his eyes.
A single, unembellished punch—
And he was nearly seriously injured?!
The Beast Race was famed for physical strength among the six royal races.
Yet he had been suppressed head-on.
"Human, you are courting death!" the Beast Race Clan Chief roared, ancient runes spiraling around his body as killing intent erupted skyward.
He charged forward again.
"Kill him together!"
The other Clan Chiefs no longer hesitated. Innate Divine Abilities activated. Ancestral Magic Treasures appeared.
Boom! Boom! Boom—!
In an instant, terrifying energy waves exploded outward, shaking forests within a ten-thousand-mile radius. The ground cracked, mountains trembled, and the air howled.
Ye Junlin stood alone—
Facing six perfected Body Integration Realm Clan Chiefs.
The Feather Race Clan Chief moved like a silver streak, his body covered in glowing feathers as sharp as divine blades.
He slashed downward, aiming to split Ye Junlin in two.
Clang!
Metallic screeching rang out.
Ye Junlin raised a palm and casually swept it aside, unmatched Qi blasting the Feather Race Clan Chief backward.
Then—
He punched.
Fist light surged, true essence and magical power roaring together, making the surrounding Clan Chiefs' breathing falter.
"I'll block him!" the Stone Race Clan Leader roared.
Dark halos spread from his body in visible waves.
Bang!
The Stone Race Clan Leader grunted, pain flashing through his eyes.
"Heh. Tough body," Ye Junlin said calmly.
He hadn't held back at all.
If it were Elder Yan, that punch would have turned him into blood mist.
"Don't panic!" the Wood Race Clan Leader shouted. "As long as we cooperate, killing him is only a matter of time!"
Dense vines tore through the void, rune-covered and entwined. Each one rivaled a third-grade Spiritual Artifact.
"Is that so?"
Ye Junlin raised his hand.
The Great Desolation Imprisonment Heaven Finger erupted.
Four enormous golden fingers descended simultaneously, carrying boundless might.
"Ugh—!"
Thousands of vines shattered instantly. The Wood Race Clan Leader was struck head-on, barely saved from falling by the Stone Race Clan Leader blocking the aftermath.
Ye Junlin pressed the advantage, chaining killing moves and injuring the Clan Chiefs one after another.
"So strong…"
Cold sweat drenched the Feather Race Clan Leader. Blood flowed from torn wounds.
Suddenly—
A healing light descended.
His injuries rapidly closed.
"Underestimating the six great races has consequences!" the Horn Race Clan Chief roared.
His rhino-like body radiated holy light from the golden horn atop his head, exuding a tranquil yet powerful aura.
Buzz—buzz—buzz—
The healing light spread.
All six Clan Chiefs recovered. Their injuries vanished, their spirits surged.
"Oh?" Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow. "You even come with a healer."
These six Clan Chiefs were the pinnacle of combat power in the Luo Tian Secret Realm.
Ancient bloodlines. Innate survival arts. Perfect synergy.
Together, their offense was airtight.
Even a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator would find this troublesome.
No wonder they were confident.
"You see?" the Beast Race Clan Chief sneered. "You can't defeat us. Just surrender and die!"
If it were anyone else, panic would have set in.
But Ye Junlin—
Was smiling.
"Perfect," he said lightly. "A good chance to test this sign-in reward."
His eyes narrowed.
His aura changed completely.
Boom!!!
A terrifying presence erupted.
Behind him, a vast phantom rose into the heavens—golden eyes cold and indifferent, long hair cascading like a galaxy, imperial robes containing the stars themselves.
An ancient imperial crown rested upon its head.
A white halo illuminated the world.
Heavenly Emperor Dharma Form.
"This… this is—!"
The six Clan Chiefs froze in terror.
Their bodies trembled.
Their souls screamed submission.
Time itself seemed to freeze.
Across the primeval forest, countless creatures collapsed to the ground in fear.
Even distant cultivators from Wasteland Province were drawn by the anomaly.
"My… my god…"
"This is a Dharma Form—no, a supreme Divine Ability!"
Ouyang Feng's eyes bulged.
"Who released this…? Could it be Heavenly Lord Ye…?"
Not far away, Hong Qianye stood stunned.
Even with his vast experience, he had never seen such a Dharma Form.
Compared to this—
All other Dharma Forms were trash.
In front of it, heaven and earth themselves bowed.
At this moment.
Bearing the Heavenly Emperor Dharma Form, Ye Junlin clearly felt the drastic transformation within his body. Vast power surged through his meridians like a roaring tide, his perception elevated to an entirely different level.
He was extremely satisfied.
His gaze swept over the six Clan Chiefs, who were now completely frozen in terror. A cruel smile slowly curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph."
Ye Junlin flicked his sleeve.
A violent gale erupted from the ground.
Whoosh!
The Feather Race Clan Chief was instantly swept into the sky. He struggled frantically, only to discover that an invisible force had already sealed his entire body. His cultivation, his flesh, even his soul—everything was locked down.
"Save me! Quickly—save me—AHHH!!!"
Bang!
An invisible giant hand clenched.
The Feather Race Clan Chief was crushed on the spot, his body exploding into a rain of blood and shattered feathers that scattered through the air.
Silence.
The remaining Clan Chiefs stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
He… died just like that?
"Not good!"
The Beast Race Clan Chief's heart plunged into icy despair. He saw Ye Junlin's gaze shift toward him, and a terrifying premonition surged through his mind.
"You too."
Ye Junlin punched out.
A golden fist light tore through the heavens, splitting space apart as it advanced.
"ROAR—!"
The Beast Race Clan Chief tried to resist, ancient runes blazing across his body as he unleashed everything he had.
It was meaningless.
Boom!
His body burst apart, reduced to a mist of blood that dispersed into the void, leaving nothing behind.
"Run! RUN!!!"
The remaining four Clan Chiefs completely lost their composure. They burned secret arts, ignited their life force, and fled in different directions, abandoning all dignity.
"Still trying to run?"
"All of you—die."
With the Heavenly Emperor Dharma Form towering behind him, Ye Junlin raised his palm.
A terrifying suction force erupted instantly, as if the heavens themselves had opened their mouth.
"What?!"
The Clan Chiefs' expressions twisted in despair as their bodies were dragged backward against their will, space distorting violently around them.
"Fight him to the death!!"
The Stone Race Clan Chief roared, his entire body erupting with majestic earth aura. He charged forward like a collapsing mountain, intent on mutual destruction.
"Rotten stone."
Ye Junlin sneered lightly.
"You're the toughest one here."
He pointed from afar.
Boom!
A golden finger light shot out, annihilating the air in its path.
One of the Divine Abilities attached to the Heavenly Emperor Dharma Form—
Severing Heaven Finger.
"No—!"
The Stone Race Clan Chief let out a shrill scream as his massive stone body shattered under the finger light. Even the fragments that attempted to reassemble were crushed into fine powder.
There was no resurrection.
No escape.
"Mercy! Senior, mercy!!!"
The Scale Race Clan Chief, Horn Race Clan Chief, and Wood Race Clan Leader were completely broken. They no longer dared to resist, kneeling and begging in absolute terror.
Ye Junlin couldn't even be bothered to answer.
Slap. Slap. Slap.
Three dull sounds echoed.
Three perfected Body Integration Realm Clan Chiefs were erased from existence.
When everything finally settled—
The battlefield fell silent.
Ye Junlin withdrew the Heavenly Emperor Dharma Form. A sense of emptiness washed through him as he felt his qi reserves drop sharply.
"Eighty percent gone already…"
He clicked his tongue.
"This thing is satisfying to use, but the consumption is outrageous."
Then—
Business.
Ye Junlin swept his surroundings and frowned slightly.
"Hmm?"
"Where's the mouse?"
The White-haired Rat, which had been lying heavily injured on the ground moments earlier, had vanished at some unknown point.
Not a trace remained.