Bronze Immortal Palace

Upon arriving at the Human Ancient Road, Zhang Huan inquired about the Underworld.

This place gathered elites from all races, coming from every corner of the universe, making it the most suitable spot for gathering information.

Imperial Pass.

This place held great significance; whether one could reach it was seen as a mark of being a prodigy.

Within a magnificent giant city, shouts of vendors rose and fell. A casual glance revealed that the lowest cultivation level present was Saint King.

These were the final few passes of the Ancient Road, where all the influential figures of the Ancient Road had gathered.

The atmosphere was lively. Over the past few hundred years, a new generation had gradually grown up on the Ancient Road, with some already becoming Great Saints.

After traveling for several days, Zhang Huan learned much about recent events.

Firstly, the Demonic Court had not experienced any major upheavals and continued to develop peacefully, which put Zhang Huan at ease.

There was a particularly heated rumor: a few years prior, the Underworld had suppressed several Supreme Emperor Weapons and announced their emergence, causing widespread panic.

Not long after, a death spirit bird at the Saint realm wreaked havoc on the Demonic Beast Ancient Road, with no one able to oppose it. It stirred the luck of heaven and earth, forcing even Saint Kings to retreat, and its Dao techniques were peculiar and special.

It originated from the Underworld and carried a Heavenly Halberd Emperor Weapon, acting with impunity. After ravaging the Demonic Beast race, it then proceeded to the Spiritual Being Ancient Road, proclaiming it would challenge anyone of the same realm, bringing bloodshed wherever it went.

Zhang Huan had inquired about the Underworld's main stronghold, but the replies were scarce. Few people knew about the Underworld's downfall; it seemed the Underworld had intentionally kept it hidden, as "family shame should not be aired publicly."

"Alas, that death spirit bird breaks through realms like a god. The Spiritual Being Ancient Road is probably not enough for it to slaughter. It might come here before long."

Someone sighed. This death spirit bird was now universally disliked, and no one wanted to see it.

In fact, the Mysterious Bird was indeed heading this way as he said. Moments later, an uproar erupted in the city; it had arrived and intended to challenge the most famous individuals within the city.

Carrying the Heavenly Halberd on its back and with an ordinary old man standing beside it, it swaggered into the city.

Although it was a Saint challenging Great Saints, it demanded a fight of the same realm. With the Emperor Weapon in hand, it left no room for refusal; those who refused would be killed on the spot.

Currently, most of the renowned Emperor Weapons in the universe were sealed. Where could anyone find the power to suppress it now?

"A fight of the same realm, sounds nice. Those who can't beat it die, and those who can also die."

People around retreated, with some grumbling.

There was once a time when someone had, within a few hundred moves, utterly defeated the Mysterious Bird, only for it to be personally killed by a nearby Quasi-Emperor, who claimed that someone too powerful might hinder its Dao path.

In short, no one it had chosen to challenge had ever survived. What was called a spar was, in reality, a hunt for the prodigies of various races to eliminate them, paving the way for its future path of contention.

"Damn, someone has to put it in its place and let them know the Underworld hasn't conquered the universe yet and can't act so recklessly."

A handsome young man with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes spoke. He was a young Great Saint of the Divine Race, and along with another Hegemon Body, they were known as the Peerless Twin Talents, the most outstanding youths of the Human Race in recent years.

"Perhaps you shouldn't go. The Underworld is cunning. Even if you can defeat them, you might not escape the clutches of the Emperor Weapon."

Someone kindly warned, not wanting to see a rising star fall.

"It's fine, I have my own plans."

The Divine Race youth stood tall and imposing, walking with powerful strides towards the outskirts of the city. Cultivators from various races made way for him.

Since his youth, he had encountered some fortunate opportunities and possessed a life-saving talisman that could protect him and allow him to escape unharmed.

However, before he could even step forward, a surge of energy rushed towards the death spirit bird.

"That's... a Quasi-Emperor!"

The oppressive aura shook heaven and earth. Zhang Huan moved like a thunderbolt. Before the death spirit bird could react, it was struck by killing intent. Only when the Heavenly Halberd actively revived and blocked the attack did it escape certain death.

Taking out the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Jar, Zhang Huan controlled it to contend with the Heavenly Halberd, his gaze fixed on the Quasi-Emperor. Through his Spiritual Sense, he sensed that this person was also an exceptionally powerful expert at the fifth heaven.

The Azure Gold Cauldron gathered divine energy and slammed into the Quasi-Emperor, sending him tens of thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye.

"This is... my Dao attainment weapon!"

The death spirit bird exclaimed.

Years ago, before it was born, the Underworld had forged a peerless Supreme Emperor Weapon embryo for it.

During that great battle, someone had taken the opportunity to infiltrate the Underworld and steal it. It had cursed the intruder countless times in recent days. Now, the perpetrator was here, and its eyes burned with hatred, wishing it could incinerate Zhang Huan on the spot.

The Heaven Swallowing Demonic Jar and the Heavenly Halberd were evenly matched, two Supreme Emperor Weapons unable to gain the upper hand, pouring cold water on its desire for revenge.

Zhang Huan looked at the Quasi-Emperor of the same realm, his fighting spirit surging. Coming to the Ancient Road, he had gained such a valuable opportunity to test his cultivation level.

"Myriad Transformations Immortal Art!"

Flying Immortal power surged, turning the world milky white. The Underworld's Quasi-Emperor struggled to breathe, unable to withstand the continuous secret arts.

The Quasi-Emperor's magical power deterred the world; even the residual waves caused the heavens and earth to crack, making the Great Saints at the Imperial Pass tremble like ants under this power.

The Underworld Quasi-Emperor's hand turned black as he unleashed the Extreme Palm of Calamity, but Zhang Huan shattered it with his physical body, causing an arm to explode.

After several exchanges, Zhang Huan caved in the Quasi-Emperor's chest with a palm strike. Quasi-Emperor blood dripped from the Underworld Quasi-Emperor's mouth. He was no match for Zhang Huan; in fact, he was outmatched in every aspect.

Zhang Huan's body glowed as he brought down a strike that pulverized everything, carrying several profound taboos, aiming directly for the Quasi-Emperor's head, reducing a section of the star river to dust along with it.

His Primordial Spirit could not resist and dissipated under this strike, scattering across the sky, exploding with the aura of laws.

"Is this a cultivator at the fifth heaven of the Quasi-Emperor realm? Much weaker than I imagined."

Zhang Huan mused. At the same time, he collected the Underworld Quasi-Emperor's blood and stored the corpse.

Everything happened in an instant; a Quasi-Emperor fell right there in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, Heavenly Halberd didn't bother with the Demonic Jar and, with events spiraling out of its control, quickly tried to escape with the dead spirit bird.

"Did I let you go?!"

Zhang Huan roared, looking at Heavenly Halberd and activating the Lesser Soldier Secret. Heavenly Halberd trembled, and in that opening, the dead spirit bird was exposed, unprotected by any laws.

Zhang Huan condensed a Flying Immortal Sword and slashed down, cleaving the dead spirit bird's body and Primordial Spirit, taking half of it back with him.

Something on the dead spirit bird had protected its life, so the single blow didn't kill it. However, this sword strike left it half-crippled, the Flying Immortal power churning its vital energy and completely destroying its foundation.

Zhang Huan snorted coldly, watching Heavenly Halberd break through the air moments later. The dead spirit bird was filled with killing intent; being left half-crippled was letting it off easy.

Holding half of its torso and Primordial Spirit in his hand, Zhang Huan thoroughly examined the symbols within its Origin Source.

Without lingering, Zhang Huan tore open a spatial rift and departed.

Several days later, in the Azure Gold Cauldron, he refined a Corpse Pill. After consuming it, his cultivation level advanced further.

He estimated that two more pills would give him the foundation to challenge the sixth heaven.

Zhang Huan gathered some information about the Underworld's Quasi-Emperors and found that replicating his previous encounter would be difficult, as Underworld Quasi-Emperors rarely appeared in the outside world.

He could only set aside the Corpse Pill aspect for now and consider other opportunities.

He hadn't forgotten the ruins the Old Daoist Green Ox in the Big Dipper had mentioned. If even Immortal Gold could be found there, there must be many good things inside.

"Might as well go ask the Supreme Dao forces. Perhaps there will be new discoveries."

Calculating with his fingers, Zhang Huan realized it had been quite some time since he'd returned to the Big Dipper.

He visited the Ji Family first.

The Void Mirror and the family's foundational Great Saints emerged to secretly receive Zhang Huan, showing him great importance and revealing much.

"The Underworld has discovered that I was among those involved that day and has probed me several times over the years."

The divine consciousness of the Void Mirror stated frankly that with the Underworld's methods, it was only a matter of time before they identified the ones who had intruded into their lair that day.

Even if all traces were erased, they had ways to confirm the culprits.

The Void Mirror was the first to be suspected and was almost confirmed over the years. As a result, the Underworld had attacked the Ji Family several times. Now, all related Ji Family members were confined to their main base, not daring to go anywhere else in the Big Dipper.

According to it, the Underworld would eventually discover that Zhang Huan was the Lord of the Demonic Court.

Upon hearing about Zhang Huan's mighty exploits on the Human Ancient Road, the Void Mirror advised him to keep a close watch on the Demonic Court in the coming days, as the Underworld might make a move. They would not let the events of that day go unpunished.

Zhang Huan nodded and proposed an alliance to the Ji Family, joining forces with the Supreme Dao forces whose Emperor Weapons were trapped to confront the Underworld.

He also requested treasures to rapidly enhance his strength. After consideration, the Void Mirror agreed, as Zhang Huan's power would benefit them.

"Next time the Underworld makes a move, call me. I'll help you eliminate everyone they send."

Zhang Huan collected the Ji Family's gifts and tore open a spatial rift to leave.

In the Ji Family's ancestral land, several Great Saints watched the faintly rippling spatial distortions with emotion, speculating that Zhang Huan might achieve the Dao in the future.

"This Lord of the Demonic Court's strength is unfathomable; his achievements on the Quasi-Emperor path are extraordinary."

"With him leading the way in this era, those young talents will be left in the dust, destined only to be background stars."

He visited the relevant Supreme Dao forces one by one. Without much trouble, they all agreed. Circumstances dictated their actions, and each was very cooperative, offering extremely lavish gifts.

He secretly arrived at the Old Daoist Green Ox's temple in the Central Province. The old daoist was reclining on a chaise lounge made of red jade, leisurely fanning himself.

He silently appeared before the old daoist and, with a flick of his fingers, sent a divine fire to burn the old man's backside. The old daoist immediately yelped in alarm and jumped up.

"Old man, do you not want to live? Have you been living too comfortably these past few years?"

The old daoist looked towards the source of the cold voice. The person before him looked exactly like the powerful expert from the Ruthless Bloodline a hundred years ago. He was immediately terrified, falling to his knees and begging for mercy.

"Lord Demon, it's not that Little Ox is ignorant, it's just that..."

The Old Daoist Green Ox seemed to have unspeakable grievances, stammering out his words.

When Zhang Huan left previously, he had agreed with the old daoist to deliver supplies once every hundred years, with a designated person to receive them. The person dispatched was the leader of the Holy Religion he had founded.

The Holy Religion had been destroyed not long after its establishment a century ago, replaced by a new force, with major powers secretly pushing for it. That leader had also died within the Holy Religion.

Therefore, no one had contacted him. The old daoist thought something had happened to the Ruthless Bloodline. As time passed, he became increasingly lax, no longer storing supplies and using them as needed, as if Zhang Huan's words never existed.

"I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Tell me about that ruin in detail, and accompany me to explore it. If you dare to play any more tricks, I'll make you pay."

Zhang Huan threatened, then took the Old Daoist Green Ox and headed towards the ruins where he had obtained the Immortal Gold.

According to him, the entrance was surrounded by deadly Immortal Light that would kill anyone who touched it. It would only dissipate for a few days every century, allowing Saints to pass.

When Zhang Huan saw the Immortal Light, he directly tore open a gap with his great power and stepped inside with the old daoist.

"This, you..."

The old daoist, witnessing the Immortal Light being so easily broken, shrank back in fear, unable to speak.

After finding the Immortal Light and entering, the two were teleported to a small world, self-contained within its own space.

"This is the Bronze Immortal Palace!"

Zhang Huan's expression turned solemn. How could it be here?

In front of them lay a colossal bronze hall, magnificent beyond compare.

It was as large as a small city, mottled with green rust, and perfectly matched the Bronze Immortal Palace in Zhang Huan's memory.

Several ancient corpses within the city turned their heads blankly, their attire varied, all originating from extremely ancient eras.

They possessed no trace of life, long dead, their skin waxy. They had not completely decayed due to the properties of the Immortal Palace.

This hall was inextricably linked to Ruthless Emperor; in later generations, a shed imperial corpse of hers was even discovered here, with the immortal character "Immortal" eternally preserved, passed down for tens of thousands of years.

It had not yet been seen in this era.

The ancient corpses before them all possessed treasures, some glowing blue at their waists, others emitting Dao rhythm from above their heads.

They too had come seeking treasure, but tragically, though they obtained their prizes, they could not leave, dying here with their spoils.

Zhang Huan freed them and took their treasures. Some, unwilling to die here, left behind their legacies, which Zhang Huan also collected.

The Immortal Palace was vast; this was merely the outermost layer. Zhang Huan proceeded inward, cautiously exploring.

Old Daoist Green Ox was perceptive and quickly informed him of opportunities in certain areas. One such place was where he had obtained Immortal Gold.

"Have you ever seen an immortal character written in blood?"

Zhang Huan asked.

"No, my strength was insufficient to venture into many places."

Zhang Huan remained silent. He broke through a restriction and entered a palace gate. Inside, an immense surge of life force emanated, with chaotic mist swirling, creating a dreamlike haze. The air was filled with multicolored hues.

The source was a large expanse of Chaos Soil, manifesting as five-colored divine light. It could catalyze all things and serve as a material for artifact refinement. It was ancient and rare, and here there were several portions.

Old Daoist Green Ox's eyes widened. This rare soil was said to be able to nurture even Undying Medicines, and a single bite would be immensely beneficial with endless marvels.

Zhang Huan glanced at him, immediately making him behave. He reached out and grabbed the Chaos Soil, collecting it all into the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Jar.

He moved to another area. On the ground lay several pieces of Immortal Gold, about the size of fingernails. Old Daoist Green Ox's eyes lit up, explaining that this was precisely where he had obtained his Immortal Gold.

He hadn't expected to find more pieces today; the Immortal Gold seemed to grow in this particular area.

Ahead lay the core of the Immortal Palace. A palpable pressure emanated from within. The last time Old Daoist Green Ox came, he hadn't dared to venture further, collecting some Immortal Gold before quickly leaving.

Zhang Huan cautiously stepped forward, moving deeper with each step. The pressure intensified, even making him feel a sense of strain.

After traversing more than half of the Immortal Palace, Zhang Huan looked inside. Within the hall, several thick strands of Immortal Gold were visible, densely covered in laws, entwining a White Broken Sword.

All the pressure originated from it. The Immortal Palace and the Immortal Gold were merely restraining it, sealing it in this place.

Zhang Huan immediately perceived the broken sword's power. It was undoubtedly a creation of the Immortal Dao. Even with its blade broken and incomplete, it could contend with the Immortal Palace.

He did not disturb the broken sword, focusing instead on the Immortal Gold that trapped it. Some of it had already fractured, severed by the sword and fallen to the ground.

The remaining strands outside were merely remnants.

Only two remained connected to the Immortal Palace. At this rate, it would break free sooner or later.

During his observation, the Immortal Sword had already gathered its momentum, its aura surging once more. It struck a divine chain, and countless order symbols shattered.

It became more frenzied, attacking the last chain with abandon. Its blade itself cracked with new fissures. However, the final chain was the thickest, its symbols numbering several times that of the others, making it difficult to sever for the moment.

"I can't let it escape!"

Zhang Huan felt a sense of crisis. If such a great killing weapon were to break free, everything within the Immortal Palace, including himself, would become its target for venting its rage.