At Flame Mountain, Li Yi had seized the treasure right under the noses of three Grand Unity Golden Immortals, unleashed a sky full of sword energy, then left without a care. The news sent the Primordial World into an uproar.
Some people recognized Li Yi. "That's the Sword Maniac who was wounded and fled after Golden Eagle King attacked him a thousand years ago. Who would've thought he'd already become a Golden Immortal?"
As soon as the rumor spread, it caused an uproar.
"He could sweep aside Golden Immortal experts when he was only a Mystic Immortal. Now that he's a Golden Immortal, he even stole a treasure under the noses of three Grand Unity Golden Immortals and got away unharmed. If he reaches the Great Luo Realm, won't he be invincible?" Those who loved stirring up trouble shouted excitedly.
"He's outrageously bold! That was nothing less than slapping three Grand Unity Golden Immortals right in the face," onlookers kept saying.
"How thrilling! This guy's my idol. One day, I'll make an entrance like that too, then sit down and discuss the Dao with him," said a sharp-faced cultivator. Everyone around him rolled their eyes.
At the Eternal Sacred Dynasty, a grand and splendid estate stood amid lush trees, flowing streams, birdsong, and fragrant flowers. Beautiful maids came and went, making it seem like a paradise on earth.
"Ha, ha, ha..." A booming laugh rang out from a stately, magnificent hall. "You old Blaze, you finally got what was coming to you. Weren't you laughing so gleefully back then? Let's see you laugh now." By the end, his voice had turned venomous.
The maids outside nervously glanced toward the hall. They didn't know why their master was acting so strangely today, so they decided it was best to be careful.
The one seated in the hall was Golden Eagle King, an elder of the Eternal Sacred Dynasty. A thousand years earlier, he had failed to kill Li Yi. On his way back, he had encountered Venerable Blazing Fire of the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, who had mercilessly mocked him. Golden Eagle King had been so furious he nearly blew a fuse.
The Six Great Sacred Dynasties of the Primordial World were roughly divided into two camps. The Ancient Gold Sacred Dynasty, Darkness Sacred Dynasty, and Eternal Sacred Dynasty formed one camp, spread east of Mount Buzhou. Their rulers—Ancestor Tun Tian, Old Ancestor Golden Body, and Old Ancestor Destruction—were all reincarnations of remnant souls of the Chaos Demon Gods, and their strength was unfathomable. The Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, Heaven and Earth Sacred Dynasty, and Limitless Sacred Dynasty formed the other camp. Their rulers—Old Ancestor Lu Ya, Qiankun Ancestor, and Yin-Yang Ancestor—were all born as Innate Demon Gods. As some of the earliest beings in the Primordial World to attain the Great Luo Merit Position, their strength was equally unfathomable.
Though the two camps were enemies, the Demon Domain, Fierce Beast Domain, Three Clans Alliance, Eastern Alliance, Western Alliance, and other superpowers also existed. The two camps often cooperated against outside threats, so the higher-ups of either alliance couldn't act against each other at will.
So even though Venerable Blazing Fire had left Golden Eagle King livid, his face green with rage, he hadn't fought him. Besides, the two were evenly matched, and neither could do anything to the other.
Now Venerable Blazing Fire had been humiliated by Li Yi, and in front of a crowd, no less. Just thinking about it filled Golden Eagle King with delight, as if he were soaking in heavenly dew. It felt wonderful.
"Hmph, I hope he provokes that one into showing himself and gets you killed," Golden Eagle King thought viciously, remembering those terrifying eyes.
Meanwhile, after returning to the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, Venerable Blazing Fire seethed with anger. He had suffered a colossal humiliation this time, so he immediately issued a wanted notice: "Whoever kills the Sword Maniac, once their deed is verified, will receive two Innate Spiritual Treasures. The two Innate Spiritual Treasures on the Sword Maniac's person will also be theirs, and they will receive the protection of the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty for two hundred thousand years."
Not long after, Venerable Green Mountain, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal who carried a green mountain in his hands and served as an elder of the Eastern Alliance, also issued a kill order for Li Yi, with terms similar to Venerable Blazing Fire's.
Venerable Great Mountain Sword, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal who carried a giant sword on his back, also issued a kill order for Li Yi. "Whoever kills the Sword Maniac will have three wishes granted by me, and I will pass on a sword intent to them."
The three kill orders spread across the Primordial World in an instant. Faced with three incredibly tempting rewards—and the prospect of claiming the top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Green Lotus Ancient Sword, and the defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Fire Lin Armor, from Li Yi's body—the Primordial World went completely mad. Even the most levelheaded cultivators couldn't help being tempted.
Wasn't cultivation about struggling against others, the earth, and the heavens? Now such a wonderful opportunity lay before them. Kill the Sword Maniac, and they'd gain treasures and protection, as well as a sword intent. It was a chance to rise to the heavens in one leap, like a fish leaping through the dragon gate. The Great Luo Realm would be within reach.
Countless Golden Immortals across the Primordial World set out, and even some Grand Unity Golden Immortals couldn't resist the allure of a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure and a defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure. They emerged from seclusion in droves.
"A tree that towers above the forest invites the wind; one who excels beyond others will draw their scorn," someone sighed.
"You have to know when to advance and when to retreat. The Sword Maniac is far too arrogant," a jealous cultivator said spitefully.
"What's meant for you will be yours. If it isn't, you shouldn't reach for it—or disaster will follow. See? It's come true," another remarked.
"Keep a low profile. That's the way to go..."
The Primordial World buzzed with talk of Li Yi. Countless Golden Immortals sought others to form groups, preparing to lay a deadly trap for him, while the Grand Unity Golden Immortals who had set out searched everywhere for news of his whereabouts.
A storm was brewing.
Li Yi had no idea that he had truly become famous throughout the Primordial World and had become a prize in the eyes of countless people, who wanted to kill him at once and use him as a stepping stone.
After obtaining the defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Fire Lin Armor, Li Yi found a relatively secluded cave in the Primordial World, set up a concealment ward, and began refining it. As a result, he had no idea that Venerable Blazing Fire, Venerable Green Mountain, and Venerable Great Mountain Sword had issued kill orders against him and promised generous rewards. Otherwise, he might not have been able to calm himself enough to refine the treasure.
Li Yi's disappearance as he hid away to refine the Fire Lin Armor left the countless cultivators searching for him utterly frustrated. They were so furious they could've spat blood. It was like throwing a punch into empty air—there was nowhere for their strength to go.
Countless cultivators cursed Li Yi for vanishing without a word and dashing their hopes.
"Coward! All you know how to do is run."
"Damn it, let me find you, and I'll tear you apart!"
"I refuse to believe you'll hide like a turtle forever. Let's see how long you can stay hidden."
As they cursed Li Yi, countless people continued searching for him, afraid someone else would find him first and leave them with nothing but regret.
The Fire Lin Armor was blood-red, etched with the image of a roaring Qilin. Countless dense cloud patterns formed arrays of various sizes that constantly drew in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Though it wasn't a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, its value was no less than that of an Innate Spiritual Treasure.
Li Yi cautiously extended his will toward the Fire Lin Armor, carefully breaking through its layers of wards. At the same time, he absorbed the information it revealed and continually added anything useful to his understanding of the sword Dao.
It took Li Yi a full three hundred years to completely refine the Fire Lin Armor.
"It's time to head out," Li Yi murmured, looking with satisfaction at the Fire Lin Armor he wore. He had no idea that the outside world was in an uproar over him.
A storm was about to break.
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