At that moment, many people came over.
One by one, they looked at Ye Xi with puzzled expressions.
What had happened today was simply too bizarre, far beyond anything they had expected.
First, the An Clan's ancestor had become a mutated Great Emperor.
Then Ye Xi had turned out to be the disciple of the Immortal Great Emperor.
And what exactly was that monstrous eye that had appeared in the sky just now?
At present, only Ye Xi could answer those questions.
Ye Xi glanced at everyone, fell silent for a moment, then said, "You've seen the truth for yourselves. I don't know much more than you do."
As he spoke, his expression grew grave.
"That monstrous eye from before is what we call the Evil Pupil of the Heterodox Path. It can devour cultivators' magical power, divine abilities, and Dao Principles, growing stronger all the while."
"To it, powerful cultivators are the finest nourishment."
Yuan Ruoyu and the others felt their hearts tighten. A chill swept over them, leaving their backs cold.
Ye Xi continued, "Its finest nourishment is a Great Emperor. The more Dao Principles it devours, the more powerfully it can suppress cultivators, until they're utterly helpless."
"As for those who wield the Evil Pupil, they're a group of mysterious beings whose origins are unknown. No one knows how long they've been lurking in this world."
"I call them Heterodox Beings!"
The news was so shocking that everyone stood dazed for a long while.
Many of those present belonged to the most powerful factions of the current age.
Yet they had known nothing about this.
Yuan Ruoyu's thoughts stirred. Thinking of the Immortal Court's decree from last time, she wondered, could these beings have come from the heavens?
At the thought, she felt an even deeper chill run through her.
The An Clan had already become their lackeys. How many more such lackeys were there throughout the Cultivation World?
Ye Qingge suddenly asked, "Then what are their goals?"
"Or..."
Ye Xi pondered for a moment before replying, "Perhaps they're trying to perfect themselves and grow stronger, or perhaps they want to control the entire Cultivation World. We still can't be sure."
Everyone drew in another sharp breath.
Still, some felt that the idea of controlling the entire Cultivation World was a bit alarmist.
How could anyone accomplish such a thing?
Throughout history, no faction had ever managed it.
"No wonder. Have any of you noticed that the Cultivation World today, compared with hundreds of thousands of years ago..."
"The number of powerful cultivators has been steadily declining."
"In ancient times, many sects had a Great Emperor in residence. It was even common for several Great Emperors to appear in the same Holy Land!"
Someone offered their own thoughts.
Combining them with what Ye Xi had just said, they seemed to understand something.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Xi said, "In those days, Great Emperors underwent Tribulation Transcendence to become immortals."
"At some point, that changed. The Immortal Realm's gates opened, and they ascended amid radiant clouds."
Ye Xi sighed as he spoke, then continued, "Perhaps we'll discover something if we open Cangwu Mountain."
Only then did everyone remember the contents of the Great Emperor's Diary.
Cangwu Mountain concealed the secret of ascension.
Ye Qingge thought for a moment, then said, "Let's go! We'll open Cangwu Mountain and take a look!"
The matter was of the utmost importance, and everyone wore solemn expressions.
Only now did they understand what the Immortal Great Emperor had meant when he said this concerned the entire Cultivation World.
One figure after another shot into the sky.
Led by Ye Xi and the others, they flew toward Cangwu Mountain.
Tens of thousands of cultivators streaked across the sky, packed together like a swarm of locusts as they surged toward the mountain.
A short while later.
Ye Xi, Yuan Ruoyu, and the others had already arrived above Cangwu Mountain.
The rest arrived in groups, gathering behind them.
After what had happened that day, many were still shaken and didn't dare get too close.
Even if there really was an opportunity here, they would have to survive to claim it!
Cangwu Mountain.
It towered into the clouds, majestic and imposing.
But from the outside, it looked like nothing more than a particularly tall mountain, with nothing unusual about it.
The An Clan's cultivators had usually guarded the place year-round, making it difficult for outsiders to approach.
But now, the An Clan had been defeated, and its ancestor had died.
Many members of the An Clan were already fleeing for their lives, so no one was left here.
The restrictions and seals set up around the mountain, however, were still in place.
Breaking through by force would still take some effort. But with no one guarding them and so many powerful cultivators gathered, it shouldn't be a problem.
Ye Xi glanced at the mountain and said solemnly, "All cultivators at the Mahayana Realm or above, attack with me!"
"The rest of you, fall back a thousand zhang!"
No one dared question his authority now. At his command, all the other cultivators retreated.
Only the leaders of a few top factions remained nearby.
"Break the formation!"
Ye Xi let out a long cry. Surging magical power poured out, and Dao Principles erupted around him.
A Dao Domain appeared, resembling the Immortal Realm.
It was vast and awe-inspiring, a truly astonishing sight.
Great Emperor Zhitong rose into the air, shrouded in black mist that swept over the area and seeped into Cangwu Mountain.
Ye Qingge held a long sword, her peerless sword intent erupting with a force that pierced the heavens.
Yuan Ruoyu formed hand seals with both hands. A divine ability burst from her fingertips, and a sacred lotus appeared, radiating power that made the heart tremble.
The others sprang into action as well.
From every direction, they unleashed spells and divine abilities, bringing forth magical treasures that radiated astonishing power.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The attacks fell like raindrops upon the sky above Cangwu Mountain, instantly lighting it up in dazzling brilliance.
A seal barrier resembling a tortoiseshell appeared.
When the two sides collided, the earth instantly shook, and a terrifying storm swept out, laying waste to everything in its path.
Two Great Emperors and dozens of Mahayana cultivators were attacking at once.
The sight left the cultivators watching from the perimeter clicking their tongues in amazement. They didn't dare blink.
Rumble!
Crack—
Cangwu Mountain's restrictions lasted only a moment before they gave way. Cracks spread across them, one after another.
"It's broken!"
Someone cried out in delight.
Everyone held their breath, unable to imagine how the Immortal Great Emperor had discovered this place back then.
And how had he entered without a sound?
Bang—
At last, after another deafening crash, the restrictions covering the sky above Cangwu Mountain were destroyed.
When everyone looked again, Cangwu Mountain was still Cangwu Mountain.
But a strange fluctuation now emanated from deep within the mountain, accompanied by a chilling sound.
It was deeply unsettling.
Everyone fell silent, staring fixedly at Cangwu Mountain.
Ye Qingge's gaze turned cold. "I'd like to see what's hidden inside!"
"Zhao Shanhe!"
Zhao Shanhe, commander of the Black Bird Guard, replied respectfully, "At your service!"
"Break Cangwu Mountain open for me!"
"Understood!"
Zhao Shanhe stood atop the Mystic Bird, bathed in flames, the long saber in his hand gleaming sharply.
He swung his saber with all his might, sending a blade of light thousands of zhang long crashing down.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the domineering, razor-sharp blade struck Cangwu Mountain.
Crack—
Cangwu Mountain shook violently. The blade pierced through it, splitting the mountain into two halves.
"What is that?"
"How can this be?"
But when the dust settled and everyone saw what lay inside Cangwu Mountain—
They all stood motionless, like wooden statues.
Terror showed in their eyes!
Even a powerhouse like Ye Qingge couldn't stop her body from trembling, and her face went pale.
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