Northern Darkness Vast Ocean Meets Demon Master, Chaos Bead Incites Eastern Flood

A portal of black and gold light slowly spun at the heart of the Ancestor Dragon, emitting a stable yet desolate aura. The familiar Great Desolation fluctuations from beyond the gate filled Tongtian and his companions, who had found a way out of their desperate situation, with irrepressible excitement.

"We can finally go back!" Bixiao's eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion. Though this journey through the void was brief, it was filled with unknowns and terror, far more heart-wrenching than being suppressed in the Great Desolation.

Tongtian took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and scanned the portal with sharp eyes. Despite his joy, he hadn't lost his vigilance. This passage was formed by the resonance between the Ancestor Dragon's remnant soul and Pangu's broken axe will. Though it felt familiar, it had endured for countless years. Where the other end led and whether it was stable were all unknowns.

"This passage is ancient, and there might be unforeseen changes. Follow closely behind me; do not slacken in the slightest," Tongtian instructed in a deep voice, taking the first step into the intertwined golden and black light. Wudang, Sanxiao, and Kui Niu followed without hesitation.

The moment they stepped into the portal, there was no violent tearing sensation of traversing space as they had imagined. Instead, it felt like sinking into a warm, dense ocean. Flowing golden and black light surrounded them, containing the tragic desolation of the Ancestor Dragon and the world-opening dominance of Pangu, two utterly different wills miraculously fused together, protecting them as they traveled.

However, their good fortune didn't last. Just as they were halfway through the passage, disaster struck! The stable golden and black light on either side of the passage suddenly twisted and vibrated violently without any warning! It was as if some external, immense force had fiercely impacted the passage itself!

Rumble! The entire passage began to shake wildly, the golden and black light flickered erratically, and even fine cracks appeared! Terrifying spatial storms roared in from the cracks, tearing at everything with destructive power!

"Not good! The passage has been hit and is about to collapse!" Tongtian's expression changed, and he immediately unleashed the Chaos Bead with all his might, projecting billions of strands of chaotic energy to fiercely protect everyone behind him!

"Master!" Yun Xiao cried out. She could feel the very foundation of the passage shaking, and the two wills maintaining it were rapidly weakening!

"Hold steady!" Tongtian roared, veins bulging on his forehead. He pushed his late-stage Quasi-Saint cultivation to the extreme, his Primordial Dao Fruit spinning madly, constantly repairing the protective divine light torn apart by the spatial storms.

He tried to accelerate and rush out of the passage, but the path ahead had become distorted and blurry, making it impossible to discern the direction!

"It's that One-Eyed Demon God! It actually followed us and is attacking the passage from the outside!" Tongtian instantly understood, sensing the familiar, violent aura outside the passage, filled with hatred and a desire to devour! That beast truly hadn't given up, intending to trap them in this spatial turbulence forever!

Under the combined assault from both inside and out, the already ancient passage could no longer bear the strain. It let out a mournful cry of unbearable burden and suddenly shattered completely!

Boom! Endless spatial turbulence instantly engulfed everyone! "Hold on to me!" Tongtian only had time to shout this before feeling an irresistible, immense force acting upon him, as if he were about to be torn to shreds! The Chaos Bead's brilliance flickered violently, barely protecting the core few, but it couldn't stabilize their forms. They could only be like leaves in a storm, swept away by the chaotic spatial torrent towards an unknown darkness!

The world spun, time and space became chaotic.

After what felt like countless collisions and tears, a powerful suction force and an extremely dense concentration of water spiritual energy and demonic energy suddenly emanated from ahead!

Plop! As if smashing through some water membrane barrier, the terrifying spatial tearing force around them vanished abruptly, replaced by boundless cold and heavy pressure!

Tongtian and the others were directly thrown by the spatial turbulence into a vast, dark, ink-like ocean!

The seawater was incredibly heavy, containing astonishing chilling power and chaotic demonic energy. An ordinary immortal body would likely freeze and be eroded instantly. Fortunately, Tongtian timely erected his Chaos Domain, repelling the seawater and protecting everyone.

"Where is this..." Tongtian stabilized himself, and his divine sense immediately spread outwards like a tide.

Cold! Deathly silence! Vastness! Pervasive demonic energy! His divine sense couldn't immediately probe the edges of this ocean! He could only sense countless powerful, ferocious sea monsters lurking in the depths, some of which were even at the Golden Immortal, or even Grand Unity Golden Immortal, level!

In the Great Desolation, there was only one ocean with such a scale and characteristics: the Northern Darkness Sea! The lair of the Demon Master Kunpeng!

"Northern Darkness Sea..." Tongtian's heart sank slightly. They had truly escaped one wolf's den only to fall into a tiger's lair! Kunpeng, that old fellow, was an old Quasi-Saint who had survived the Dragon-Han Initial Tribulation. His strength was unfathomable, and his temperament was perverse and selfish; he was by no means an easy opponent. Their group barging into his territory so disgracefully would surely not escape his perception.

They had to leave immediately! However, before they could even determine a direction, a massive, cold divine sense, filled with intense greed and scrutiny, like an invisible giant net, instantly enveloped the sea area and locked onto them!

The power of this divine sense far surpassed that of an ordinary Quasi-Saint, reaching the peak Quasi-Saint level! Moreover, its aura was bizarre and changeable, as if it fused various traits of demons, birds, and the sea. It was undoubtedly the Demon Master Kunpeng!

"Hmm? Which fellow Daoist, so disheveled, graces my Northern Darkness territory?" a sinister, hoarse, and arrogant voice directly echoed in Tongtian and the others' primordial spirits.

Before the voice even faded, the seawater in front of them silently parted, and a middle-aged Daoist in black robes, with a sinister face and a hawk-like gaze, slowly appeared before them, riding a giant Xuan Bing bone fish.

His eyes were like lightning. He first swept over Wudang and Sanxiao, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes (four Grand Unity Golden Immortals?), then fell upon Kui Niu (an ancient exotic beast?), and finally looked at Tongtian, who was at the forefront.

Upon sensing Tongtian's late-stage Quasi-Saint cultivation, which he had deliberately concealed but was still unfathomable and carried a hint of chaotic aura that made him uneasy, Kunpeng's pupils contracted slightly. The arrogance on his face lessened, but the greed in his eyes intensified.

"This humble one is Kunpeng of the Northern Darkness. Greetings, fellow Daoist. You seem unfamiliar, may I ask where you come from and why you appear in my Northern Darkness Sea in such a peculiar manner?" Kunpeng cupped his hands with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his tone seemingly polite but filled with probing and pressure. Doubts had already arisen in his heart, especially the aura around Tongtian, so different from the usual immortal path, which made him both wary and covetous.

Tongtian's mind raced. Force our way through? Fighting Kunpeng in the Northern Darkness Sea would be unwise. Moreover, the collapse of the passage earlier had consumed a great deal of his energy; he was not at his peak. Deceive him? This old fox Kunpeng was by no means easy to fool.

Just as Tongtian was contemplating a strategy, Kunpeng's gaze suddenly fixed on the faint, almost imperceptible traces of dark purple demonic energy from the One-Eyed Demon God that had not yet completely dissipated around Tongtian, as well as the marks left by the spatial storm!

Kunpeng's expression changed drastically, no longer feigning amiability but revealing genuine shock and horror!

"This is the aura of an Outer Realm Demon God?! And traces of a spatial destruction storm?! You've returned from the outer Chaos?!" His voice became sharp with excessive shock.

As an ancient being who had survived the Dragon-Han Initial Tribulation, Kunpeng knew far more secrets than ordinary Quasi-Saints! He was well aware of the terror of the outer Chaos and the existence of Outer Realm Demon Gods! These were horrors that even Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke of in hushed tones!

Upon hearing this, Tongtian's heart also turned solemn. This old monster truly had extensive knowledge; he had seen through their origins at a glance. Since that was the case...

Tongtian suddenly changed his mind and went along with it, revealing a well-timed "exhaustion" and "lingering fear" on his face. He sighed, "Demon Master's discerning eyes are like torches. This humble one has indeed just escaped from a ruin of an ancient Outer Realm battlefield, narrowly avoiding being buried by a demon god, and then being swept by a spatial storm. It is only now that we have mistakenly entered the Demon Master's blessed land. I hope the Demon Master will forgive us."

He deliberately obscured his origins but confirmed his return from the outer realms.

The greed in Kunpeng's eyes instantly overwhelmed his shock, and his breathing quickened slightly! Outer Realm Ancient Battlefield! That was a place containing great opportunities, great fortune, and possibly great terror! If he could pry the secret of reaching the outer realms from this person...

However, being cunning and experienced, he did not turn hostile immediately. Instead, he forced out an even "amiable" smile. "Fellow Daoist actually comes from beyond the heavens? What incredible fortune! I presume you must have gained something in that ancient battlefield? May I ask..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tongtian seemed to suddenly remember something extremely important, his expression "changing drastically." He abruptly interrupted him, "Not good! I almost ruined a major matter!"

Kunpeng was startled. "Fellow Daoist, what causes your alarm?"

Tongtian's face showed "anxiety" and "solemnity," and his voice became hurried. "In that ancient battlefield, I not only encountered demon gods but also discovered a world-shattering secret! A hostile alien world is approaching the Great Desolation, and its vanguard demon gods are already lurking in the Chaos. It is feared they will launch a full-scale invasion soon! I risked my life to bring back this message and must immediately report it to the Dao Ancestor and all the Saints to prepare in advance! Demon Master, this concerns the survival of the Great Desolation. I implore you to facilitate this and open the sea eye passage to help us reach Zixiao Palace as soon as possible!"

His words were half true and half false. He revealed the news of the impending invasion by an alien world and invoked the names of the Dao Ancestor and the Saints, directly shutting Kunpeng's mouth from demanding benefits. Instead, he placed the burden of saving the Great Desolation upon him, forcing him to make a choice.

As expected, after hearing this, Kunpeng's expression became incredibly complex, a mixture of shock, greed, apprehension, and hesitation!

Alien invasion? The survival of the Great Desolation? This news was too shocking, making it difficult for him to digest and judge immediately. If it were true, then it was indeed a matter of utmost importance; obstructing this person would be an act of hostility against the entire Great Desolation. If it were false... this person fabricating such a lie must have a greater agenda!

Just as Kunpeng's mind was shaken and he hesitated, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Tongtian's eyes. He secretly activated another wondrous function of the Chaos Bead—to incite and amplify the desires, anger, and ignorance within a living being!

An invisible, formless wave of chaos quietly enveloped Kunpeng.

Kunpeng was already extremely greedy for that "outer realm opportunity." Now, stimulated by this power, that hint of hesitation was instantly drowned by infinite greed!

"Hehehe..." Kunpeng suddenly let out a low laugh, his eyes becoming cold and sharp. "Fellow Daoist, why the hurry? The Dao Ancestor's divine abilities are boundless; he must have long foreseen the heavenly secrets. As for you, Fellow Daoist, having traveled far, carrying precious treasures, and knowing so many secrets, why not stay a few days in my Northern Darkness Palace? Allow this humble one to fulfill his duties as a host, and perhaps I can carefully listen to tales of the outer realms... and the secrets you carry!"

He finally revealed his true intentions! If soft tactics didn't work, he'd resort to force! Here in the Northern Darkness Sea, he was confident that even a peak Quasi-Saint couldn't escape easily!

Tongtian sneered inwardly, but his face showed a look of "shock and anger": "Demon Master! What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to stop me from reporting this, and disregard the safety of the Great Desolation?"

"The safety of the Great Desolation has taller individuals to worry about," Kunpeng said with a sinister smile. He slowly raised his hand, and the waters of the entire Northern Darkness Sea seemed to freeze. Endless demonic energy and ice laws began to converge. "As for the opportunity on your person, I... would like to seek your guidance on it today!"

The battle was about to erupt! However, Tongtian didn't attack immediately. Instead, he seemed to give up resisting and sighed, "Since that's the case, I shall gift this item to the Demon Master, in exchange for a way out!"

With a sudden wave of his hand, an object enveloped in Chaos energy flew towards Kunpeng!

Kunpeng instinctively reached out and caught it. The Chaos energy dispersed, revealing the item within—it was the finger claw, refined by Tongtian, belonging to the One-Eyed Demon God! Although most of the demonic energy had been refined, a pure aura of otherworldly laws and a trace of the One-Eyed Demon God's original imprint still remained!

The moment Kunpeng grasped the finger claw! In the distant Chaos beyond the heavens, within a hidden demon nest, the One-Eyed Demon God, who was licking its wounds and filled with resentment, suddenly raised its head. Its single eye erupted with a ferocious gleam!

"Roar!! My finger! The imprint has been sensed! In that world! Damn thief! It's in that black ocean!"

It violently tore through the void, following the sensation of the original imprint, and charged madly!

Meanwhile, in the Northern Darkness Sea, Kunpeng was holding the finger claw, feeling the pure and unfamiliar aura of laws within. He was overjoyed, thinking Tongtian had caved and offered a treasure.

However, in the next second, Tongtian, who was in front of him, suddenly revealed a strange smile: "Demon Master, enjoy this 'gift' to your heart's content."

With that, the Chaos Bead shone brightly, sweeping up Wudang, Sanxiao, and Kui Niu. They instantly transformed into a stream of chaotic light, not heading towards the surface, but instead fleeing towards the deeper, darker trenches of the Northern Darkness Sea!

Kunpeng was stunned, then suddenly reacted, "Trying to escape?!" He immediately activated the Northern Darkness Sea's restrictions, intending to stop them.

But at this very moment, boom! Above the Northern Darkness Sea, the sky was violently torn open like a curtain, revealing a massive rift! A terrifying giant claw, covered in dark purple scales and filled with endless hatred and a desire to devour, entwined with destructive Chaos demonic energy, fiercely clawed down towards the sea area where Tongtian had just disappeared!

The One-Eyed Demon God, in hot pursuit!

Kunpeng's face instantly turned deathly pale! Feeling the terrifying power contained within the giant claw, which was no less than his own at his peak, and the pure malice towards all living beings, he finally understood that he had been tricked by Tongtian!

"Tongtian! I'll curse your ancestors!" Kunpeng roared in anger, but he had no choice but to fully activate the Northern Darkness Sea's grand formation to meet the demon god's claw that tore through the sky!

Rumble!!!

The demon god's claw collided fiercely with the Northern Darkness grand formation! The entire Northern Darkness Sea seemed on the verge of being overturned!

And the instigator, Tongtian, had already taken advantage of this sudden chaos to conceal all his aura and quietly slipped towards the eye of the Northern Darkness Sea.

Shifting the blame, disrupting the Northern Darkness!

His path back was destined to be anything but peaceful. And the Great Desolation, this deep pool, began to stir with greater waves due to his return and the first appearance of an otherworldly demon god!