Hong Huang Shaken, Wanted Dead

Li Yi, the Sword Maniac from Fiery Mountain, snatched a treasure right under the noses of three Grand Unity Golden Immortals, unleashed a sky full of sword energy, and then swaggered away, shaking the Hong Huang.

Someone recognized Li Yi's identity, "This kid is the Sword Maniac who was injured and fled during the Golden Eagle King's attack a thousand years ago. I never thought he'd already be a Golden Immortal."

As soon as this rumor spread, it caused a huge uproar.

"He could sweep Golden Immortal realm experts when he was only a Mystic Immortal. Now that he's a Golden Immortal, he snatched a treasure right under the noses of three Grand Unity Golden Immortals and retreated safely. Once he reaches the Grand Unity realm, won't he be invincible?" some who feared no chaos cried out.

"He's too bold, this is practically a blatant slap in the face to three Grand Unity Golden Immortals," busybodies constantly commented.

"This is so exciting! This guy is my idol. When I'm as awesome as him someday, I'll sit and discuss the Dao with him," said a sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced cultivator, causing those around him to roll their eyes.

In the Eternal Sacred Dynasty, a magnificent and noble mansion stood, filled with lush greenery, charming bridges, flowing streams, and fragrant flowers. Numerous beautiful attendants, looking like celestial beings, moved about, creating a scene like a mortal paradise.

"Ha, ha, ha..." A booming laugh echoed from a majestic and opulent hall. "Old Blazing Fire, you've had your day. Weren't you laughing quite happily back then? Now, let's see how you can laugh," he said, a hint of malice in his voice at the end.

The attendants outside the hall glanced nervously towards the main hall. Their master was acting unusually today; it was best to be cautious.

Seated at the head of the hall was the Elder of the Eternal Sacred Dynasty – the Golden Eagle King. He had failed in his assassination attempt on Li Yi a thousand years ago and, on his way back, encountered Venerable Blazing Fire of the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, who had mocked him severely, making the Golden Eagle King furious.

Currently, the six great Sacred Dynasties of the Hong Huang were roughly divided into two factions. The Ancient Gold Sacred Dynasty, the Darkness Sacred Dynasty, and the Eternal Sacred Dynasty formed one faction, located east of Mount Bei Zhou. The three Sacred Lords of these dynasties – Ancestor Tun Tian, Old Ancestor Golden Body, and Old Ancestor Destruction – were all reincarnations of remnant souls of Chaos Demon Gods, their strength unfathomable. The Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, the Heaven and Earth Sacred Dynasty, and the Limitless Sacred Dynasty formed another faction. Their three Sacred Lords – Old Ancestor Lu Ya, Old Ancestor Qian Kun, and Old Ancestor Yin Yang – were all from the Innate Demon Gods lineage. As some of the earliest to attain the Great Luo Merit Position in the Hong Huang, their strength was also immeasurable.

Although the two factions were in a hostile relationship, due to the existence of super-powers like the Demon Domain, Fierce Beast Domain, Three Clans Alliance, Eastern Alliance, and Western Alliance, the two factions often cooperated to confront external threats. The higher-ups of the two alliances could not act arbitrarily against each other.

Therefore, even though the Golden Eagle King was so enraged by Venerable Blazing Fire that his face turned ashen and he harbored murderous intent, he did not engage Venerable Blazing Fire in a fight. Besides, they were evenly matched, and neither could defeat the other.

Now that Venerable Blazing Fire had been publicly humiliated by Li Yi, the Golden Eagle King felt a surge of satisfaction, as if he were bathing in the sweet dew of the Nine Heavens, feeling incredibly comfortable.

"Hmph, it would be best if that person were provoked and annihilated you," the Golden Eagle King thought maliciously, recalling those terrifying eyes.

Meanwhile, after returning to the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty, Venerable Blazing Fire was extremely angry. This loss of face was too great. He immediately issued a wanted order: "Anyone who kills the Sword Maniac will be rewarded with two Innate Spiritual Treasures upon verification. The two Innate Spiritual Treasures on the Sword Maniac will also belong to the killer. Afterward, they will receive the protection of the Fire Worship Sacred Dynasty for two hundred thousand years."

Shortly after, Venerable Green Mountain, an Elder of the Eastern Alliance who carried a green mountain, also issued a kill order against Li Yi, with conditions similar to Venerable Blazing Fire's.

Venerable Great Mountain Sword, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal carrying a giant sword, also issued a kill order against Li Yi: "Whoever kills the Sword Maniac, I shall grant him three wishes and impart one sword intent to him."

Three kill orders instantly spread throughout the Hong Huang. Looking at the three incredibly tempting conditions, coupled with the chance to obtain the top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Green Lotus Ancient Sword and the defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure Fire Lin Armor after killing Li Yi, the Hong Huang went completely mad. Even the most composed cultivators could not help but be tempted.

Were cultivators not meant to contend with others, with the land, and with the heavens? Now, such a golden opportunity lay before them. By killing the Sword Maniac, they would not only gain treasures and a protective charm but also receive a sword intent, essentially achieving instant ascension, leaping over the dragon gate, and holding hope for the Grand Unity realm.

Many Golden Immortals in the Hong Huang mobilized, and even some Grand Unity Golden Immortals could not resist the allure of top-grade and defensive Innate Spiritual Treasures, breaking out of their seclusion.

"A tall tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind; a person who stands out will be criticized by the masses," some lamented.

"One must know when to advance and when to retreat. The Sword Maniac is too arrogant," said a cultivator with a jealous heart maliciously.

"What is yours will be yours; what is not yours, you cannot reach for, or disaster will surely follow. See, it has come true," some people commented.

"Low profile, low profile is the way to go..."

The Hong Huang was abuzz with discussions about Li Yi. Many Golden Immortals were forming groups, preparing to set a death trap for Li Yi. Mobilized Grand Unity Golden Immortals were also constantly searching for news of Li Yi.

The storm was brewing.

At this moment, Li Yi was unaware that he had truly become renowned throughout the Hong Huang and had become a coveted prize in the eyes of many, who wished to kill him immediately and use him as a stepping stone.

After obtaining the defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure Fire Lin Armor, Li Yi found a relatively secluded cave in the Hong Huang, set up a restriction to conceal his aura, and began refining the Fire Lin Armor. This led to Li Yi being unaware of the kill orders issued by Venerable Blazing Fire, Venerable Green Mountain, Venerable Great Mountain Sword, and others, nor the generous rewards they had promised. Otherwise, it was uncertain if Li Yi could still calmly refine the spiritual treasure.

Li Yi's concealment while refining the Fire Lin Armor greatly frustrated the countless cultivators searching for him everywhere, making them so angry they could spit blood, like punching into empty air with nowhere to exert their strength.

Countless people cursed Li Yi, blaming him for disappearing without a trace, dashing their hopes.

"Coward, only knows how to run."

"Damn it, don't let me find you, or I'll tear you to shreds."

"I don't believe you'll be a turtle hiding in its shell your whole life. Let's see how long you can hide."

While cursing and denouncing Li Yi, countless people tirelessly searched for his whereabouts, fearing that someone else would get there first, leading to regret.

The Fire Lin Armor was blood-red, adorned with roaring Qilin patterns. Dense auspicious cloud patterns formed arrays of various sizes, constantly absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Although not a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, its value was no less than that of an Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Li Yi cautiously extended his consciousness towards the Fire Lin Armor, carefully breaking through layer after layer of restrictions. Simultaneously, he continuously processed the information obtained from the Fire Lin Armor, supplementing his understanding of the Dao of the Sword with useful insights.

It took Li Yi a full three hundred years to completely refine the Fire Lin Armor.

"It's time to go out," Li Yi murmured, looking at the Fire Lin Armor on his body with satisfaction. He was unaware that outside, a commotion was raging because of him.

A storm was about to arrive.