Blood Fiend Ancestor, already a giant of the Demonic Way, acted overbearingly and without restraint, heedless of all taboos. Now, his easy concession truly baffled everyone.
"Could it be that this True Monarch Shenxiao is so terrifying that even the usually overbearing Blood Fiend Ancestor is extremely wary of him and reluctant to offend him?"
Many powerhouses speculated this in their hearts, but they only dared to guess and not to speak out, as after all, a True Immortal was not someone they could afford to offend.
Even the Blood Spirit Taoist's eyes darted about as he speculated whether his Sect Leader Brother was afraid. But he too didn't dare to speak, much less ask, for fear of being killed by the Sect Leader Brother.
"Thank you, Taoist Friend. I thank you once again," Pei Xuanjing bowed and said.
Bai Qicang also bowed to show thanks without Pei Xuanjing's prompting, "I thank the Ancestor greatly for his guidance today."
He knew that, under the current circumstances, his life was no longer in jeopardy.
It must be said that after being praised by Pei Xuanjing as the closest person to an immortal, he felt modest, but could not help feeling a touch of pride in his heart, believing he was qualified to battle a True Immortal.
But today's Hand in Hand, although it was a peek into the Immortal Path Realm, made him even more aware of the terror of a True Immortal.
He understood that even if he could temporarily exhibit the power of an Immortal Path, it was utterly impossible for him to defeat a True Immortal. Therefore, the pride that had risen in Bai Qicang's heart immediately vanished without a trace.
"Since the Ancestor has given True Monarch a face, I wonder if True Monarch would give the Ancestor a face in return," Blood Fiend Ancestor said, withdrawing the Sea of Blood and transforming into a middle-aged man in blood-colored robes, his voice ringing out clearly.
Hearing his words, many people's expressions flickered, suspecting that this Blood Fiend Ancestor was indeed looking to strike a deal.
"Oh?" Pei Xuanjing's gaze shifted to the Blood Fiend Ancestor and he asked, "May I inquire what the Ancestor desires?"
As he asked this question, Pei Xuanjing actually had his suspicions.
As expected, just as Pei Xuanjing had guessed, Blood Fiend Ancestor said, "Today, the Ancestor came for this Spirit Realm Cave Sky, and my encounter with Bai Qicang was a mere whim. Why not let the True Monarch give this Spirit Realm Cave Sky to the Ancestor?"
True Immortals, already possessing immortality, do not have much need for Spirit Realm Cave Skies, but while they may not care for ordinary Cave Heavens, this particular Spirit Realm Cave Sky was different.
This was left by the Ancient Human Race Ruler, and it was said to be the prototype of the Human Race Heavenly Court, naturally attracting the attention of True Immortals. He wished to explore its many secrets and see if there was anything left by the Ancient Human Race Ruler.
Although this Spirit Realm Cave Sky had already been refined by Zhu Houji, making him its master, Blood Fiend Ancestor had no intention of asking for his opinion.
In his eyes, even though Zhu Houji was the Lord of the Divine Dynasty, he was not worth treating as an equal. It was only because True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing had appeared and Zhu Houji was his Registered Disciple that he did not directly seize the Cave Sky.
Huh huh…
Zhu Houji was extremely angry, his fury indescribable; such words and actions from Blood Fiend Ancestor clearly showed disdain and disregard for him.
From being a provincial prince's heir to ascending the throne and reaching his current status, Zhu Houji had a rather smooth journey and never faced such dismissal.
But as an Emperor, he was even more able to recognize the situation. He understood that in this world, power is respected above all. Even though he was the Lord of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, in their eyes, he was still insignificant.
This undoubtedly wiped out the joy that had just arisen in Zhu Houji's heart from advancing to the Nine Layers Realm of Spirit. Instead, he was filled with a yearning for power, vowing to become stronger and become a True Immortal, no longer willing to be subjected to such humiliation.
"Taoist Friend, I must apologize, but I cannot grant your request," Pei Xuanjing said, shaking his head slightly as he outright refused Blood Fiend Ancestor.
"This Spirit Realm Cave Sky has already been refined by the Emperor of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty. Why must Taoist Friend covet what others cherish?"
"Covet what others cherish?" Blood Fiend Ancestor snorted disdainfully, "Is Taoist Friend joking? The treasures of Heaven and Earth are there for those who find them; there's no reason to monopolize them!"
This top-tier Spirit Realm Cave Sky, a prototype of the Human Race Heavenly Court crafted by the ancient Common Master of the Human Race, was originally intended by the ancient Human Race Ruler as a gift to all of the Human Race, not exclusive to any one individual.
Although he was born of the Demonic Way, Blood Fiend was also of the human race and had never shied away from the struggle against the Demon Race over the years. Therefore, he thought he rightfully had a claim.
His reason, in fact, was unassailable; after all, this was a heritage left by human forebears, not the exclusive property of one party, and all of the Human Race should have a claim to it.
"However, Taoist Friend, although this is a gift left by the Common Master of the Human Race, since every member of the Human Race is qualified to inherit it, there is nothing improper about the Emperor of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty inheriting this Spirit Realm Cave Sky," Pei Xuanjing replied with a smile, pointing out the flaw in the other's argument: "First come, first served. Since the gift has a master, that means it is not destined for Taoist Friend, so why be insistent?"
"Master Pei!" Zhu Houji looked at Pei Xuanjing, his gaze filled with complexity at the figure standing with his back to him; though somewhat slender, he stood tall like a pillar, shielding him from Wind and Rain.
Zhu Houji's feelings toward Pei Xuanjing were very complicated. He had been supported by Pei Xuanjing to ascend the throne, taken on as his Disciple, depended on his protection to take over the Court, and subsequently rose to power.
In his life, Pei Xuanjing had always played an extremely important role, serving as the guiding light on his path of growth.
However, as an Emperor, Zhu Houji instinctively resisted this, because the presence of the other always loomed around him, making him feel as though he could never step out of that shadow.
"It seems that the True Monarch is not willing to give this old ancestor face," Blood Fiend Ancestor's expression remained unchanged, turning slightly gloomy.
True Immortals possess the will to influence Heaven and Earth; at this moment, with Blood Fiend Ancestor's expression turning grim, even the air became somewhat stifling, and the atmosphere suddenly grew oppressive. The originally clear sky gradually darkened, with fierce winds howling.
All of this was merely due to the wrath of a True Immortal.
However, Blood Fiend Ancestor was a True Immortal, and Pei Xuanjing was equally so. Such a display of might could affect other Cultivators, but Pei Xuanjing remained entirely unaffected.
"Hahaha, why get angry, Taoist Friend?" Pei Xuanjing's hearty laughter rang out, instantly dispersing the oppressive atmosphere, like a spring breeze brushing across the hearts of every Cultivator, and the suffocating feeling suddenly vanished.
"Since the old ancestor has come here today, naturally, I cannot return without accomplishing anything," Blood Fiend Ancestor said with a grim expression. "Just now, I gave you face, yet you seem to think I am afraid of you. Since that's the case, let's just speak through strength!"
In the World of Sky Wasteland, or alternatively, Daming World, within the world of Cultivators, while there is a division between the Righteous Path and the Demonic Way, it is still filled with the bloody laws of the jungle; among Cultivators, the strong are revered.
This is particularly true for a demonic powerhouse like Blood Fiend Ancestor, who, despite having ascended to True Immortal and becoming the head of a sect, still revered the rule of the strong in his heart.
His earlier concessions were made because he didn't want to fall out with Bai Qicang and Pei Xuanjing, due to the fact that he had once witnessed the great battle between Pei Xuanjing and the Celestial Ape King and was aware of this particular True Immortal's unfathomable strength.
During these hundred-plus years, although he had evolved and improved many skills and divine abilities, wasn't Shenxiao True Monarch doing the same?
Given the other party's previously demonstrated talent, and as a True Immortal who ascended through the Dao of Spirit Immortals, with continual improvements following Heaven and Earth Ascension, this holder of the esteemed title of the Emperor of the South Pole Eternal Life is bound to be even stronger.
Thus, Blood Fiend Ancestor held wariness in his heart towards Pei Xuanjing and did not wish to clash with him, attempting instead to exchange through other methods.
However, clearly, his hopes were dashed as Shenxiao True Monarch evidently wished to monopolize the situation and was unwilling to agree.
This undoubtedly caused a loss of face for Blood Fiend Ancestor, who was quite dissatisfied and no longer willing to tolerate.
"Before, I did not wish to have a falling out with you, as I was concerned about the consequences that would follow. But since you insist on this path, then you cannot blame me for what comes next. If need be, I shall simply abandon this avatar," Blood Fiend Ancestor thought to himself, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
A hundred years have passed, many True Immortals have emerged from seclusion, and what lies ahead will surely be the time for many True Immortals to dominate and divide everything. The reason he does not wish to engage in a great battle with Shenxiao True Monarch at this moment is that he does not want others to take advantage of the situation.
Blood Fiend Ancestor is aware that while only their two True Immortal avatars are present, there are undoubtedly many True Immortals secretly watching this place.
Enough time has passed, and the top-rated Spirit Realm Cave Sky left by the former ruler of the Ancient Human Race Common Master was already enough to tempt many True Immortals. And now, both he and Shenxiao True Monarch have appeared here.
Without a doubt, other True Immortals will undoubtedly cast their gaze here, observing every move.
If he now engages with Shenxiao True Monarch, then the process of their confrontation will inevitably reveal the divine powers and skills gained over his hundred years of seclusion.
When facing the same adversary, the one with more hidden cards will have a better chance of success in future confrontations.
Moreover, after the two of them clash, if this avatar should suffer injuries, it might also be ambushed and annihilated.
For a True Immortal, nurturing a powerful avatar requires not only vast resources but also time, which could result in missed opportunities.
I wonder what Shenxiao True Monarch is thinking. Blood Fiend Ancestor originally did not want to reveal his trump card.
But now, there is no other way, given the situation–unless he is willing to retreat without a care for his reputation, he must make a move.
True Immortals have achieved Immortality and possess long lives. Even True Immortals of the same realm find it hard to fully vanquish each other, which is why they now place even more importance on reputation and face.
To them, losing an avatar is not important–it's at most a loss of some interests and time, but losing face would lead to a long period of being a laughingstock among many True Immortals.
"If that is the case, then please do not hesitate to instruct me!" Pei Xuanjing was also unwilling to back down.
Mixing in the circle of True Immortals, Blood Fiend Ancestor wanted face, and he, Pei Xuanjing, the Shenxiao True Monarch, also cared about his reputation. Therefore, once his opponent suggested a face-off, Pei Xuanjing gladly agreed, with no thought of retreating.
"All of you, step back!" Pei Xuanjing told Bai Qicang and Pang Hong, who were far away.
Though Pang Hong and the others were hundreds of miles away from here, that distance was only relative to the limits of a clash between Supreme Strong. Yet, the move of a True Immortal–even if it were merely the move of an avatar–was earth-shattering.
If Blood Fiend Ancestor and Pei Xuanjing simply wished to spar and probe, it would be one thing, but it was clear that Blood Fiend Ancestor aimed to regain face and would not hold back in any way.
Their encounter could even surpass the previous one between Pei Xuanjing and the Celestial Ape King in scale or, perhaps, terror.
"Today, let the Ancestor witness the power of the Emperor of the South Pole Eternal Life!" declared the Blood Fiend Ancestor as his figure turned phantom-like, an infinite Sea of Blood materialized, smashing against the sky, devouring the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
In this boundless Sea of Blood, the Blood Fiend Ancestor stood tall in a blood-red robe at the center of the Sea, with a blood-colored lotus platform emerging faintly under his feet. The surging Sea of Blood rose tumultuously around him, making him appear like a God-Devil from ancient times.
And in the hands of the Blood Fiend Ancestor were two black and red vermilion thorn-like divine weapons, filled with an aura of slaughter. Even without being activated, the murderous light swirling around the thorns was enough to pierce the void.
"The Spike of Slaughter, to massacre all under the heavens!"
A deep voice rose as the Sea of Blood enveloped the sky. The two black and red vermilion thorns radiated brilliance, tearing through the void, striking at Pei Xuanjing.
These black and red vermilion thorns were Blood Fiend Ancestor's personal divine weapons, originally top-tier Divine Weapon Treasures known as the Blood Spikes. After his ascension to True Immortal, with a hundred years of continuous refinement, they were showing signs of transforming into Immortal Artifacts.
One could say that even his avatar wasn't as valuable as this pair of Semi-Immortal Artifact Blood Spikes. And now, these Blood Spikes indeed demonstrated the might of a Semi-Immortal Artifact, piercing through the void as if nothing could stand in their way.
"Endless Blood Sea, Spike of Slaughter," murmured Pei Xuanjing. As he spoke, his own form began to change.
The Pei Xuanjing who had arrived here was originally clad in his favorite dark brown Taoist robe, dressed as an ordinary Taoist.
But at the moment when Blood Fiend Ancestor struck, the atmosphere around Pei Xuanjing shifted, a Crown materialized, and a purplish-green Thunder Pattern Emperor Robe adorned his body, with the Four Seasons and Five Orders swirling and Thunder Dragons coursing on it.
Shining Sanbao Jade Ruyi appeared in his hand with eyes like lightning, shooting strands of light. His expression was cold, an aura of majesty surrounded him, and every creature that encountered it served him, emanating an air of authority.
This was Pei Xuanjing's Divine Dao Incarnation.
The next moment, Pei Xuanjing took a step forward, the halo behind him swirling, the Jade Ruyi in his hand slicing as though tearing through Chaos itself, a terrifying will descended, shaking Heaven and Earth.
The Sea of Blood enveloped Pei Xuanjing, but the divine light on him easily kept it at bay. This towering Sea of Blood could devour everything, yet it couldn't pose any threat to Pei Xuanjing, not even a spot on his robe.
With each gentle tap of the Sanbao Jade Ruyi in his hand, Heaven and Earth trembled, blasting apart the boundless Sea of Blood.