Chapter 153: Third on the Heavenly Ranking, Slain in an Instant!

Chapter 153: Third on the Heavenly Roll, Slain in an Instant!
Chapter 153: Fierce Battles Like Clouds, Bai Xuan Makes His Move!

On the deck of the Sea-Swallower.

"We have finally arrived."

Bai Xuan stood at the bow of the ship, a faint trace of anticipation lingering in his heart.

His current strength was now earth-shattering, capable of sweeping across everything in his path with virtually no rival left in the world!

Coming here this time, it was also time to completely settle all matters concerning the Eastern Sea!

Before long.

Bai Xuan saw that numerous fleets had already occupied various islands here, with powerful auras surging upward, each one formidable.

They were contending for the legacies hidden here, cutting down spirit trees and hacking away at their trunks piece by piece, mining massive veins of ore to extract whatever useful treasures lay within.

This was a rich deposit of resources, brimming with countless unknown legacies.

"At ease."

Boom!

Near the island, two fleets were currently locked in battle. High-level experts unleashed their skills, every warship gleaming with rune-light. Numerous cultivators joined forces to propel array formations, erupting with terrifying might!

A Grandmaster struck out, attacking his opponent horizontally. The opponent's body flashed with true talismans, continuous like mountain ranges and completely solidified, striking instantly with golden sword light, razor-sharp and condensed, weaving into a swimming fish that charged into battle!

An old man's figure emerged, and with a wave of his hand, dozens of Daoists retreated together.

"Qianshan Army!"

Among the Immortal Islands fleet, several island lords were issuing commands, dispatching experts one by one to lead soldiers and take possession.

This was also part of their foundation.

From within an island, a rich spiritual radiance emerged, shooting straight into the sky. A yellowish-brown giant tree, having grown for two centuries, had absorbed an immeasurable amount of spiritual light, condensing it all within.

Bai Xuan's name shook the seas; he certainly did not believe anyone had the ability to contend with this invincible powerhouse.

Bai Xuan was deep in thought.

That true talisman cultivator retreated, his figure flashing with a swoosh to high up in the sky, his expression grave as he abruptly abandoned his opponent.

An overbearing voice echoed, rumbling from afar. A massive fleet parted the waves as it arrived, various streams of spiritual light shooting upward to suppress the surrounding area, causing everyone's expressions to shift!

Having escaped with his life, and now gripped by urgency, he likewise departed.

Within a short span of time, this place had been built up into a flourishing settlement. The front and back halls were distinctly separated, and even hot spring pools had been excavated, with pure gold beast-heads spewing water within.

Looking from afar, one could see these magnificent palaces, upon which even streaks of Dao talismans flickered, their spiritual lights intertwining.

In his view...

On the Sea-Swallower.

"The Immortal Islands!"

Numerous Daoists joined forces, actually constructing several sprawling and majestic palaces in one go, standing tall upon this island.

Instantly, both fleets retreated, leaving behind a vacant expanse of sea. On a massive island, spiritual radiance soared.

"Even cultivator legacies like the Immortal Islands have deteriorated somewhat, but it is hardly surprising. How many people can maintain their true nature without becoming lost in the pursuit of absolute power?"

"Lord Bai Xuan, the Island Lord invites you to step forward and take command of the grand hall on the island."

On the warships below, thousands of soldiers and Daoists were also locked in desperate combat. Individual talismans flashed, violently churning water and fire. Whole rows of soldiers fell, but there were also those whose martial arts had reached fruition, achieving breakthroughs in the heat of battle. Charging forward, a single slash of a blade sent heads flying!

Right at this moment.

The beast-heads were embedded with talismans to ensure the water temperature remained constant and unchanging. The water in the pool flowed ceaselessly, without the slightest pause.

In reality, there were numerous islands here, and quite a few remained unoccupied. Not all factions were fighting; the majority were still busy seizing territory.

"The Qianshan Army and the Immortal Islands are on the move! All others withdraw!"

That Grandmaster was also startled.

"Without expending any effort, we have occupied this territory of islands."

Bai Xuan sat cross-legged in meditation, his eyes opening slightly as he spoke indifferently.

A moment later, his figure materialized, stepping onto the palace grounds.

He was not some secular emperor; what he pursued was his own absolute power—using the strength of a single individual to tread the heavens and traverse the seas, reaching every corner of the world.

He was the master of a powerful faction, a man of this era. His faction, named the North Snow Sect, controlled dozens of large islands and had never submitted to the Star-Hunting Bandits, remaining a member of the Thousand Islands Alliance.

Dozens of Daoists were busy here. Upon seeing Bai Xuan appear, they immediately bowed in salute.

Presently, faced with Bai Xuan's might, not a single person dared to show the slightest disrespect; everyone who came to report did so with utmost reverence.

"Once matters here are concluded, it will be time to head toward the Grotto-Heaven Sea Route and climb to even greater heights in a vaster world."

Seeing this display of etiquette, Bai Xuan actually shook his head slightly.

"Greetings, Dragon Head!"

"I understand."

Soon, one fortress after another rose into view.

A Daoist came forward to report, speaking respectfully.

"I am still young, filled with drive and the spirit to forge ahead. If I stay in this position for too long, who is to say I won't also become tainted by these habits?"

Swiftly, this rune-bearing fleet retreated, fleeing into the distance and breaking away from the fierce battle, leaving behind countless corpses in the water and warships that were slowly sinking!

On the other side.

"Exalted One, people have already been sent to harvest that giant tree. The divine weapons we used for chopping could barely scratch it, requiring dozens of cultivators to work together, slowly using true talisman techniques to strip away its branches and leaves before finally severing its main trunk."

Realized Deity said.

Having lived for two centuries and survived the previous fierce battle, he naturally knew everything about this intimately.

"In addition, we have received news... Ten days from now, Abyss-Breaker and Ten-God Spear will engage in a decisive battle!"

Even for him, he maintained guarded caution against these top two experts of the current Heavenly Roll.

This news had already spread throughout the Spirit Wood Archipelago, and everyone knew that the final battle was about to arrive!

"I know."

Bai Xuan's gaze narrowed. "I will be in seclusion at the back of the hall. Deliver refining materials daily. Aside from that... do not disturb me unless it is a critical moment."

With matters here concluded, this would be the final battle. He would leave, heading toward another unknown world, and would no longer linger in the Eastern Sea!

...

The arrival of the Qianshan Army and the Immortal Islands was naturally known to other factions.

Bai Xuan remained in seclusion and did not emerge, a fact noticed by many. In reality, this archipelago was embroiled in fierce battles, with bloody combat taking place every day.

Bai Xuan's arrival led many to speculate that Guild Master Xuanzhi was about to make a move to settle the minor grievances between the two factions.

"It is highly likely that Guild Master Xuanzhi will subdue Bai Xuan and order the Qianshan Army to merge into the Thousand Islands Alliance."

"Indeed, that is the most probable outcome."

Many people were calculating in their hearts, but a piece of news shattered the calm.

"Someone is challenging the Ten-God Spear!"

This news startled many.

The Ten-God Spear was ranked second on the Heavenly Roll; who dared to challenge him? Furthermore, with his decisive battle against Abyss-Breaker looming close, this challenge completely disrupted many plans.

Upon the massive island near the center occupied by the Ten-God Spear, terrifying hymns surged upward, escalating in intensity every day with terrifying radiance and lingering sacred chants.

This powerhouse was unsealing his own cultivation limits, bursting forth with his full strength!

Soon, the news became clear, causing many to experience a sudden realization.

"The challenger is Hong Hepan, a figure from the era when ancestors were born on the mainland, the founder of the Blade-Catching Department, an invincible powerhouse!"

"It is said that this man also traveled far overseas two centuries ago, yet he actually managed to survive precariously within the dynasty until now."

Hong Hepan possessed a slender figure and deep, profound brows, radiating an aura as unmoving as rivers and mountains. His blood and Qi surged upward, transforming into a giant elephant that stepped upon the surface of the sea, projecting an invincible demeanor.

This was a truly terrifying figure who had once assisted an emperor in conquering four nations, slaughtering them completely with no rival in sight.

However, across the Eastern Sea today, many people knew... the prefectures and lands of the Eastern Sea were merely slightly larger land-islands, spanning only a million miles in radius, and could not be considered a true continent.

Hong Hepan delivered a letter of challenge brimming with boundless battle intent, his words inscribed in iron-hook silver-stroke calligraphy that echoed across the islands. He declared he would first fight the Ten-God Spear, and then challenge Abyss-Breaker!

A day later, a terrifying and fierce battle erupted. Nearly half of the island was shattered, waves surged like mountains reaching the heavens, the celestial phenomena were shaken, and torrential rain fell.

This battle lasted for a very short time before a figure burst into the sky from the island, looking terrified and attempting to flee.

Yet it was in vain. The Ten-God Spear's figure emerged, and with a resounding crash, the ten deities surrounding his body had actually blurred for the most part, their outlines vanishing, but their divine radiance had increased tenfold. Boundless luminous blood flowed all over his body.

This was a gap between quality and quantity, an absolute crushing defeat!

"No, impossible! Your true blood has already reached perfection; you are only missing the final Dao essence to make the breakthrough!"

Hong Hepan roared in disbelief, unwilling to accept this scene!

With his true blood present and imbued with blade intent, he had considered himself possessing invincible might, never expecting that the gap between their blood and Qi—one like a stream, the other like a river—was not even on the same tier!

Boom!

In an instant, a terrifying surge of blood and Qi disintegrated, transforming into a torrential downpour that scattered across this sea area!

"Eighth on the Heavenly Roll, Hong Hepan has fallen!"

This news shocked countless people. This was the first death among the top ten of the Heavenly Roll; no one could afford to ignore it!

"So the Ten-God Spear's true blood has already reached perfection... This is his true strength!"

This news poured a basin of cold water over many people, filling them with terror and dread!

Others shook their heads and sneered, "Both the Ten-God Spear and Abyss-Breaker are merely a step away from entering the Divine Phase realm, and they have long since accumulated perfection, lacking only a breakthrough in the heat of battle. Wasn't this already known?"

"Some old fogies simply refused to believe it."

Hong Hepan died, and the Great Song naval fleet he led panicked, attempting to flee, but they were surrounded by multiple factions. In an instant, their masts snapped and their vessels collapsed. Individual grandmasters fought in despair, but were slain in an instant!

"There are definitely many legacies upon this fleet; the spirit wood inheritances they occupied alone number six."

"Kill them!"

In the end, a young swordsman made his move. In the blink of an eye, dozens of flying swords shot out, sword Qi crisscrossing hundreds of meters. With a single strike, he cleaved a Grandmaster in two, and half a dozen perfection-stage grandmasters were slain in an instant, stripping away everything they had!

"Too terrifying! Who is that?"

"An old friend, the Vesper Star Sword! This fellow's sword array is terrifying, but what is even more terrifying is that he has probably comprehended a wisp of Dao essence. He is truly a heaven-favored prodigy, ranking in the top three—or even first—in talent across the entire Eastern Sea! Yet he travels alone, lacking accumulation, and has never been able to advance further."

"Who knows whose banner he has sworn allegiance to this time."

Many recognized the Vesper Star Sword. This young man's flying swords were terrifying; with a single move, dozens—or even a hundred—flying swords flew across the air, easily slaying peers of the same realm.

Even more terrifying was the Dao essence. Everyone knew that entering the Dao gate was the most difficult part, and once this barrier was broken through, one's future would be limitless.

Three days later, another expert issued a challenge—none other than Wan Jueshan, who challenged the current number one on the Heavenly Roll, Abyss-Breaker!

"Lord Abyss-Breaker is in seclusion and will not see external visitors."

This was Luo's reply, delivered with icy coldness.

"Does he not dare to fight me?"

Wan Jueshan struck out, acting like a madman, only to be intercepted by Abyss-Breaker's senior martial brother, Di Yuan. The two old men fought fiercely into the skies.

Di Yuan's strength was incomparably terrifying; he was a Grandmaster whose blood and Qi were vast as the sea, having passed the sixth-layer trial of the Water Mansion.

Making his move now, at his peak, he even briefly manifested an illusory clone. This was his proudest Water Mansion heritage, and they clashed with thunderous force!

However, within a mere ten breaths, Di Yuan's clone was severed, and with a loud crash, he fell heavily, plummeting from the sky!

"What? Ten breaths, and Di Yuan was defeated in an instant?"

Wan Jueshan's strength was too terrifying, causing everyone's expressions to change!

"Make Abyss-Breaker come out and fight me!"

Wan Jueshan was overwhelmingly overbearing.

And he had the strength to back up such overbearingness—a powerhouse who had once vied with the master of Qianshan Island, now re-emerging into the world with a battle prowess that was terrifyingly immense!

So much so that it even caused the Ten-God Spear's spear intent to resonate, stirring up a desire for battle.

Yet, even so, Abyss-Breaker still did not appear, causing many to feel puzzled in their hearts.

In the end, Wan Jueshan was blocked by a terrifying grand array, which featured thirty-six Thousand-Soul Banners and one terrifying Ten-Thousand-Soul Banner, forming a Yin-Thunder Array. Rolling thunderbolts filled the air; even a peak powerhouse like Wan Jueshan could not force his way through.

"Star-Hunting Bandits, nothing more than this."

The old blade master drifted away leisurely. Following this battle, his name shook the archipelago, altering countless expressions and prompting even the Thousand Islands Alliance to send people to invite this expert to join them.

However, he was met with a disdainful refusal.

...

Battle after battle continuously erupted. Every day, experts fell, with blood and fire flowing to shock this expanse of the sea!

On every island, blood and fire erupted. Giant beasts battled within the sea, raising tidal waves a hundred meters high!

Everyone realized that this was the final battle; powerhouses would all make their moves and settle accounts one by one.

In just a few days, the battle between Abyss-Breaker and the Ten-God Spear would also arrive.

"I wonder what happened to Abyss-Breaker? Faced with challenges, he actually closes his doors and refuses to come out."

Some speculated.

"Perhaps he is in seclusion cultivating, or perhaps his cultivation foundation has encountered problems... None of this is certain, but if he still doesn't show his face at this juncture, it is very likely something is amiss."

"Perhaps this is the opportunity to make a move. Tickets to the Grotto-Heaven Sea Route are limited; if this great enemy can be eliminated, everything will be resolved."

Numerous factions were restless.

Among them, the most eager was the Thousand Islands Alliance.

Envoys of the Thousand Islands Alliance were visiting the fleets of various formidable factions one by one, attempting to win them over to join their ranks.

This was an alliance; without reaching a higher tier, it was impossible to withstand group attacks. Even someone of Wan Jueshan's strength had been blocked by the Yin-Thunder Array.

"Is it true that Guild Master Xuanzhi is going to make a move?"

"Yes, the Guild Master is going to settle a minor grievance and display his invincible strength; everyone just needs to wait quietly."

The envoy spoke with absolute certainty.

Faction after faction engaged in fierce battles, clashing repeatedly. Grudges were settled, old scores were settled, and the flames of war erupted everywhere.

"The true heritage has not yet manifested. Within the central island, terrifying legacies exist, every single one of them at the Medium-Grade Precious Artifact level."

"That terrifying?"

"Yes, and they are extremely difficult and massive to forge. For example, a Medium-Grade Precious Artifact sail can borrow ten thousand miles of wind to propel Xuan City's great ships. Such treasures naturally cannot be compared to the individual swords and sabers used by ordinary people."

Many harbored fear in their hearts, but others felt a surge of battle intent, setting the flames of war ablaze!

Upon the massive central island, boundless radiance was contained, pulsing in successive layers and on the verge of manifestation.

The banners of the Immortal Islands and the Qianshan Army fluttered proudly as they conquered islands one by one and seized treasures, naturally drawing attention.

Ordinary factions naturally could not compare to such formidable forces. Aside from anything else, the Vesper Star Sword alone was someone others could not match.

Others caught sight of a middle-aged female Daoist, causing their expressions to shift dramatically.

"That is Xuanzhi Guild's Grand Elder Yu Wenhan! It is said she once vied with Guild Master Xuanzhi for the supreme position, only to fail and disappear, yet now she has emerged once again."

Yet mere days passed.

An old Daoist stepped through the void, looking exceptionally plain and with a calm expression.

Yet someone recognized his identity, feeling utterly astounded.

"Guild Master Xuanzhi!"

Boom!

Auras surged from dozens of islands, and experts leaped into the sky to watch from afar.

"Is Guild Master Xuanzhi going to make a move?"

"That's right, the Xuanzhi Guild seems to harbor some grievance with the Qianshan Army. Another battle between the top ten of the Heavenly Roll!"

"The Xuanzhi Guild has endured for a long time, just waiting for this day. The day of a truly upright and proper decisive battle has arrived. With all experts present, no one can stop it!"

"Could the Qianshan Army fall right here?"

"Third on the Heavenly Roll versus seventh on the Heavenly Roll, Guild Master Xuanzhi versus Bai Xuan!"

At this moment, countless gazes turned over. Even over the sea area occupied by the Black Bandit fleet, an immeasurable gaze swept across.

Guild Master Xuanzhi walked step by step with a calm gait, yet his figure appeared immensely towering, surrounded by the momentum of heaven and earth, mirroring this expanse of the sea.

Everyone could see that this was a demonstration of force, representing a terrifying conviction.

The Xuanzhi Guild fleet had once been detained by Bai Xuan, a sign of great disrespect. However, Bai Xuan's strength had already shaken the Eastern Sea; only Guild Master Xuanzhi personally making a move could guarantee absolute victory.

Not only that.

Within the Thousand Islands Alliance camp, terrifying blood-and-Qi pressures also manifested, all of them locking in confrontation. That aura was peerlessly terrifying, each thread possessing the strength of a foundation!

Within the Immortal Islands fleet.

"Exalted One, I wish to enter this battle. This person is my martial nephew, who once used venomous schemes to seize the position of Guild Master. Although I have no certainty of defeating him in battle, I still wish to cross swords with him!"

The middle-aged female Daoist Yu Wenhan said respectfully.

She had obtained a portion of the Water Mansion heritage, but compared to a duel with Guild Master Xuanzhi, a gap still remained. Yet hatred burned in her heart, and she hoped for a battle.

However.

"There is no need."

Bai Xuan opened his eyes. "I will handle it."

He was very calm; by this point, it was time for a battle!

In an instant.

Boom!

His figure stepped into the high heavens, emerging to draw the attention of all four directions and causing countless people to look up.

"Seventh on the Heavenly Roll, Bai Xuan!"

Many shouted out loud.

Bai Xuan did not say much, speaking indifferently with a voice that shook all directions.

"By this point, there is no need for further words. In this final battle, only a handful can enter the route; it is nothing more than a battle to the death."

"Whoever challenges must fight to the death!"

With these words spoken, Bai Xuan's voice shook the surroundings.

Countless people gasped in cold air. What terrifying overbearingness and killing intent! The murderous intent in these words was boiling and surging!

"Fight to the death?"

As old man Guild Master Xuanzhi walked from afar, he originally had many words to say, but this single sentence blocked them right back in his throat.

His expression turned unpleasant. "This young man is far too arrogant."

He was about to say something, but the next moment, he saw Bai Xuan take a step forward, his figure abruptly vanishing.

His expression shifted.

The next instant.

Bai Xuan's figure suddenly reappeared, a spear sweeping horizontally across the sky, and with a thunderous crash, the entire firmament shattered!

"Darkless Thunder Law!"

Guild Master Xuanzhi's expression shifted. His strength had similarly reached an extremely terrifying degree, placing him third on the Heavenly Roll.

At that moment, with a thought of his divine will, boundless thunder light intertwined in an instant, faintly forming a grand array.

The thunder net vibrated, its might soaring explosively as it swept across the sky with a rumbling roar!

Boom!

The two clashed, erupting in a massive explosion in an instant. Towering waves surged upon the surface of the sea, rolling out in all directions. The shockwave was powerful enough to destroy rune-bearing warships, causing countless people's expressions to change in alarm!

(End of chapter)