True Sun Fire!
As the foremost divine flame in the Primordial World, True Sun Fire was not to be underestimated. It could even set Chaos Qi ablaze.
"Kill!"
Seeing this, the Future Self did not pause for an instant. The Sky Measuring Ruler in his hand seemed capable of measuring the heavens themselves. Even if the Sun Star before him had been transformed from Pangu, he could still destroy it with a single strike.
"Eastern Emperor Bell!"
The Golden Crow that Taiyi had transformed into clutched the Eastern Emperor Bell in his talons.
Clang!
The Eastern Emperor Bell unleashed its greatest power. Space and time warped, and all things fell still and perished.
It was only then that Taiyi managed to glimpse that streak of sword light.
"Eldest Brother, run!"
With the Eastern Emperor Bell's full awakening shielding them, Taiyi dragged Di Jun into the bell in a panic.
"East King Duke, next time I'll grind your bones to dust! Nothing else will quench my hatred!"
Clang!
The sword light sent the Eastern Emperor Bell flying, but could not break through its defenses. All East King Duke could do was watch as it carried Taiyi and Di Jun away, smashing through space to escape.
The Sky Measuring Ruler flew back, passing through the Future Self before landing in East King Duke's hand.
As the burning of his fortune ceased, the Future Self grew hazy and gradually vanished.
"Defeated dogs, and you still dare to yap?!"
East King Duke snorted, paying no heed to their threats.
If the Future Self hadn't consumed so much of his fortune—half of it in only a short while—how could he have let them escape?
With his Future Self's Quasi-Saint cultivation, breaking through the Eastern Emperor Bell would not have been something he could accomplish in an instant.
Naturally, he would not waste his fortune for nothing.
Besides...
A glint flashed in East King Duke's eyes as he looked toward a certain place deep in the Chaos.
Di Jun and Taiyi were both destined to be central figures in the coming Witch-Demon Tribulation.
If they were in danger, Hongjun would certainly set aside his dignity and intervene.
Then East King Duke's efforts would be just as futile. After all, for now, he was no match for Hongjun.
Give him enough time, and no one would be able to stop him.
But for now, it was best to back down when necessary. What did it matter if he let Di Jun and Taiyi live a little longer?
He slowly drew his gaze back and looked down at the Primordial World. Taking a step forward, he caused Dao Patterns to form of their own accord, and in the next moment he was back in the Heavenly Court.
With the slightest effort, he could sense that the gazes of nearly all the Great Powers in the Primordial World were fixed on him.
"Immortal Court is now established. All who are destined to join are welcome!"
East King Duke was no longer the man he once was. The Demon Court was one of the greatest powers in the Primordial World, and today both its Demon Emperors had been defeated by him.
It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that East King Duke was now the foremost figure in the Primordial World.
Boom!
From the immortal mountains and blessed lands throughout the Primordial World, countless streaks of light shot into the sky and headed for the Heavenly Court.
Some were innate beings, some were True Immortals of Fortune and Virtue, and others were gifted rogue cultivators.
Yet at that moment, they all rushed toward the Heavenly Court.
"Congratulations, East King Duke, on establishing Immortal Court! We wish to join!"
"Heavenly Emperor, your divine might is peerless! We submit!"
"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor, for your blessing! May your fortune be boundless!"
East King Duke gave a slight nod, then kept his gaze fixed on the void.
Those who had just arrived were cultivators of no small ability. The weakest were Immortals, while the strongest were even Golden Immortals of the Great Ultimate. But that was still not enough.
Under his gaze, several hundred Great Powers—fellow guests of Zixiao Palace—emerged from the void.
Every one of them was a cultivator with great fortune and profound supernatural abilities in the Primordial World.
They exchanged glances, then bowed in unison.
"We wish to join Immortal Court. May the Heavenly Emperor enjoy eternal peace!"
Seeing Immortal Court's flourishing scene, all beings were stunned.
Even the Three Pure Ones and the Two Sages of the West were shaken to their core.
"This is only the beginning of the supreme Immortal Court. It is by no means its end!"
Seeing events unfold just as he had imagined, East King Duke was naturally thrilled.
And with the Chat Group at his disposal, he could be sure that Immortal Court would grow ever stronger—so strong that even the Primordial World would be unable to contain it!
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist East King Duke. Ah, no—now I should call you Heavenly Emperor."
A melodious voice sounded beside him.
East King Duke turned to look and saw a woman walking toward him with graceful steps.
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer world.
The night was deep and quiet, the moon bright amid sparse stars.
Mount Hua, behind the Mount Hua Sect.
A graceful figure cautiously made her way to the foot of the rear courtyard wall. Like a thief, she looked left and right, then rolled toward the rockery hidden ahead.
"Hehe, the stories were right after all. I feel like my lightness skill has improved just by wearing this outfit. Next time I pester Eldest Brother to take me down the mountain, I'll have him buy me a few more sets."
Beneath the moonlight, a pretty, lively young woman wore a black outfit for moving about at night, with only her head and hands showing. The contrast made her look rather adorable.
After muttering to herself, she cautiously poked her head out to look ahead.
Not far away, the door to a room was shut tight, but the lights inside were bright.
Just as she was about to try sneaking closer again, the corner of her eye caught sight of someone approaching from afar. She hurriedly ducked back.
Perhaps because this was her first time doing something like this, her nerves got the better of her. Her clothes brushed against the rockery, making a faint sound.
"Who's there!"
A sharp shout rang out from beneath the eaves. A beautiful woman's ears twitched; she drew her sword and leapt into the courtyard. The moonlight flashed coldly along the blade.
"Sneaking around Mount Hua Sect is no act of a gentleman. Show yourself, or I won't hold back."
The beautiful woman's voice was icy, her eyes sharp as she scanned the surroundings and listened closely for any movement.
She was a seasoned veteran of the martial world and knew the sound she had just heard was no accident. Someone had made it deliberately.
After some time, as a leaf drifted down, the beautiful woman thrust out her sword. A fierce streak of sword light shot toward the rockery.
"Mother, spare me!"
As the blade drew nearer, the graceful figure could no longer hold back and cried out.
Ning Zhongze's pupils contracted. Seeing who it was, she hurriedly withdrew her sword and stepped back to dispel the force, despite the backlash.
"You little brat, get out here!"
Ning Zhongze stood still and regulated her breathing for a while. Once she had steadied herself, she called out in annoyance.
When Yue Lingshan emerged in her night clothes, looking sheepish, even Ning Zhongze's usually good temper could not hold. She stepped forward and grabbed Yue Lingshan by the ear.
She pinched hard, then lifted her wrist and twisted it ninety degrees.
"Ow, ow, Mother, spare me!"
Yue Lingshan put on a miserable face and pleaded pitifully.
Seeing her like that, Ning Zhongze's heart softened. She eased her grip, but did not let go.
"Now tell me, you little monkey—what are you up to? Your father's only been in seclusion for a month, and you're already sneaking into the study. Give it a few more days and you'll be climbing onto the roof and tearing it apart!"
"Have you not been given enough lessons lately? Maybe another hour of training each day will teach you to behave."
"Mother, please don't!"
At those words, Yue Lingshan clung to Ning Zhongze's arm and shook it. She blinked her big eyes and began to wheedle.
Before you continue