The Secret of the Chaotic Body

Li Ming's face remained calm, but his heart was churning with turbulent waves.

This was actually an old monster, and the aura he had inadvertently released was so astonishing.

His strength might even have surpassed Li Ming's.

Moreover, a decayed aura radiated from his entire body, making Li Ming's Dao Fruit tremble slightly as if facing a formidable enemy.

The man continued, "What do a few relatives amount to?"

"For people like us who seek immortality, they are nothing but shackles."

"We have all been sealed here for tens or even millions of years. What is there left that we cannot let go of?"

The Dark Supremes who had shown hostility toward Li Ming earlier all fell silent.

It was unclear whether they thought he had a point or had yielded to that old ghost's intimidation.

In any case, they temporarily swallowed their anger. As for what they truly thought, no one knew.

"Your constitution is so extraordinary. You are actually the legendary Chaotic Body, and your strength far surpasses that of ordinary enlightened cultivators. It is truly unbelievable."

"From what I can sense, you are much stronger than the other Eight Heavenly Venerables."

This old monster lavished praise upon Li Ming, leaving the many Dark Supremes utterly incredulous, their faces filled with surprise.

Li Ming cupped his hands politely. "Senior, you flatter me."

"For a fellow Daoist like you, Enlightenment as Supreme is indeed a very simple matter."

"Your lifespan is likely unimaginably long."

"But even so, lifespan is ultimately finite. After consuming the Immortal Medicine and living a Second Lifetime, once you reach your later years, if you do not cut yourself down with a single slash, you can only decay when your life comes to an end."

It seemed that this old monster did not know that the Red Dust Immortal Path could be traversed.

Li Ming nodded. "That is indeed the usual course of life for an enlightened cultivator. May I ask what Senior wishes to say?"

Everyone who attained Enlightenment as Supreme had once swept through all opposition, reigning over the world.

No one chose to seal themselves away before attaining enlightenment. Every one of them believed himself invincible throughout all ages and capable of Mortal-World Ascension.

Yet, in the twilight years of their Second Lifetime, after failing to find a way forward, they all became Dark Supremes.

Li Ming was different from them. He intended to walk the Red Dust Immortal Path.

So this old monster actually wanted to persuade him to cut himself down as soon as possible and join the Divine Ruins Forbidden Zone.

To become a Dark Supreme while his lifespan was still abundant.

Then wait tens of thousands, or perhaps more than a hundred thousand years, for the Road to Immortality to open.

If he had guessed correctly, that would be the opening of the Road to Immortality when Emperor Zun sought the Ascension of the Entire Religion.

After thinking for a moment, Li Ming said, "Senior's words do make some sense, but we cultivators seek Enlightenment as Supreme precisely so that we may achieve Mortal-World Ascension in the future."

"It is impossible for me to cut myself down and seal myself away now. I have greater ambitions."

"More importantly, I am confident that I can live until the Road to Immortality opens."

"Since I can wait for the Road to Immortality to open without cutting myself down, why would I do so?"

The Ancient Venerable thought for a moment, then said gravely, "In truth, how many tens of thousands of years has it been since the Road to Immortality last opened?"

"From the Ancient Chaos Era until now, no one has successfully entered the Immortal Domain."

Li Ming had not expected this old monster to know of the Ancient Chaos Era, which predated both the Age of Mythology and the Primordial Ancient Era.

This old monster was urging him to cut himself down and join the Divine Ruins. Something about it felt subtly wrong.

"This old man has lived through endless years and seen countless people attain Enlightenment as Supreme, yet I have never seen a single person successfully achieve Mortal-World Ascension!"

"How difficult it is to enter the Immortal Domain."

"I have a vague premonition that when the Road to Immortality opens this time, it may bring a great calamity."

"If you wish to become immortal, you must have enough allies to stand a chance."

"Join us!"

Li Ming was even more surprised after hearing this.

He naturally knew that Emperor Zun had established the Ancient Heavenly Court, refined the Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir, and invited many Dark Supremes to emerge together, intending for them all to achieve Mortal-World Ascension.

Yet the result was the collapse of the Ancient Heavenly Court. Emperor Zun went mad, feigned his death, and escaped. The other Dark Supremes fought until heaven and earth shattered, but in the end, not a single one became immortal.

Many had divined the time when that Road to Immortality would open, only to find the heavenly secrets veiled in Chaos and impossible to discern.

Yet this old ghost was so formidable that he had sensed the great danger within.

Li Ming knew that period would be exceptionally dangerous because he had read the original text. How had this old ghost known?

After considering it, Li Ming said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I still need to think carefully about this matter."

"My vitality is flourishing, and I am still very young. I have plenty of time to prepare."

"I came here this time because I wanted Flat Peaches."

"I heard long ago that the Peach Tree here produces one ripe Flat Peach every four or five thousand years. After so many years, you must have accumulated quite a stockpile."

"I want ten Flat Peaches."

"Ten Flat Peaches? Why don't you just rob us?" the Lord of the Divine Ruins snorted.

"Other enlightened cultivators who come here seeking Flat Peaches are always polite, or they bring enough treasures for an exchange."

"Is that the attitude you should have when asking for treasures?"

That old monster showed no particular reaction after hearing this.

He actually strongly supported Li Ming.

"Since this Peach Tree has such a high yield and has accumulated so many fruits, what does it matter if we give some to the Demon Venerable?"

"However, we truly do not have that many in stock. We can give you five."

As soon as the old monster finished speaking, five Flat Peaches flew from his hand.

Each Flat Peach radiated brilliant crimson clouds of light. Their life essence surged like a raging tide, accompanied by a strange fragrance.

Even a single breath of it was enough to invigorate the spirit.

The other Dark Supremes were equally stunned. They had never expected this old monster to be so generous.

He had practically given them to Li Ming without asking for anything in return.

Since when had this old monster become so easy to talk to?

Li Ming had not offered any treasure in exchange, yet he had directly given him five Flat Peaches?

Even a father would not treat his son this well.

As the five Flat Peaches fell into Li Ming's hands, their surging life essence and bone-deep fragrance deeply shook him.

This was the first time he had obtained the ripe fruit of an Immortal Medicine.

Li Ming could not understand why this old monster was being so generous, and he vaguely felt that something was wrong.

But after examining them, he found nothing unusual about the Flat Peaches.

They truly were ripe fruits of the Immortal Medicine.

He directly stored the Flat Peaches away, then politely cupped his hands and said, "I never expected Senior to be so generous. These five Flat Peaches are enough for me to live another Lifetime, and they may even allow my Second Lifetime to far exceed that of ordinary people."

"I will seriously consider Senior's suggestion. If there is an opportunity in the future, we can fight together on the Road to Immortality."

"The Immortal Source here is quite good. Why not give me a few pieces as well, Senior?"

The other Dark Supremes all snorted coldly upon hearing Li Ming's words.

They clearly felt that Li Ming was taking advantage and still acting smug about it.

"There is indeed plenty of Immortal Source here, a specialty from the Immortal Domain. Giving you one or two pieces is no problem."

Two golden blocks of Immortal Source, each about two cubic meters in size, flew into Li Ming's hands.

They shone brilliantly with golden light and exuded an incomparably dense life essence.

They truly felt different from ordinary Immortal Source.

They felt somewhat like Primordial Life Stone, yet they were not the same.

"Thank you, Senior. I did not expect to obtain so many specialties of the Divine Ruins!"

"Since that is the case, I will take my leave first!"

Having obtained the treasures, Li Ming said nothing more and turned to leave.

The other Dark Supremes were faintly dissatisfied.

They felt that Li Ming had humiliated the Divine Ruins. Not only had he paid nothing, but he had gained so many benefits instead.

"Fellow Daoist, you must seriously consider joining our Divine Ruins!"

"Rather than fighting alone in the Reincarnation Sea, it would truly be better to band together in the Divine Ruins and charge into the Road to Immortality together in the future!"

Li Ming nodded, then transformed into a streak of Chaos Divine Light and left the Divine Ruins.

Once they sensed Li Ming had gone far away, the Dark Supremes here could not help complaining.

"Senior, that brat is too slippery. He simply refuses to take the bait!"

"Chaotic Bodies are rare throughout all ages, and one that has attained enlightenment is unprecedented. I truly want to capture him and study him carefully!"

"You must not do that. This Chaotic Body is of great use to me!"

The old monster warned the other Dark Supremes, then his figure vanished.

"Is that brat really so strong?"

"When we tested him earlier, his strength was definitely among the top ranks even among the Eight Heavenly Venerables. And this is only his First Lifetime. He will become even stronger in the future!"

"His vitality is flourishing. If we can devour his Chaos Origin, perhaps we can live another Lifetime!"

Numerous powerful cultivators used their Heaven-Piercing Dharma Eyes to constantly observe the situation at the Divine Ruins.

Very soon, they sensed the Demon Venerable's aura. The Demon Venerable transformed into a streak of Chaos Divine Light and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Seeing the Demon Venerable leave the Divine Ruins unharmed, everyone was greatly surprised.

They had thought that after causing trouble in the Divine Ruins, the Demon Venerable would likely be beaten to death by a group attack. They had not expected him to escape unscathed.

Many even hoped that the Demon Venerable would venture into more Dark Restricted Areas.

Perhaps if he took a dislike to some Dark Supreme, he would kill him.

After leaving the Divine Ruins, Li Ming vaguely sensed some malicious intent.

He did not immediately return to the Reincarnation Sea, nor did he head for Ziwei Star. Instead, he went to the Chaos at the Cosmic Frontier Wasteland.

Just as he was about to step into Chaos, he suddenly stopped.

His gaze turned toward the Chaos Sea ahead.

"Fellow Daoists, what is the meaning of this?"

With a thunderous boom, an incomparably powerful aura suddenly erupted.

A giant foot descended from the heavens and stomped toward Li Ming's head.

"What? Someone actually dared to disrespect the Demon Venerable and trample his head with a foot!"

The Ancestral Kings and Great Saints watching from afar were all stunned.

The Demon Venerable had always been domineering and vindictive. Who would dare offend him so casually?

Someone had humiliated the Demon Venerable like this. They truly did not value their life.

With a thunderous boom, the heavens were split apart.

Li Ming's Heavenly Demonic Saber slashed through eternity with a single strike, as though reversing the River of Time.

His Heavenly Demonic Saber was indestructible. That giant foot was directly cleaved apart, and the bloody stench was instantly devoured by the Heavenly Demonic Saber.

With another thunderous boom, blazing flames erupted from Li Ming's body as he entered his strongest combat state.

"As expected of the Ninth Heavenly Venerable. Your strength is truly formidable. I admire you greatly!"

"Unfortunately, you are about to die!"

A Dark Supreme covered from head to toe in black hair descended from the sky.

Immediately afterward, another Dark Supreme covered in white hair emerged from Chaos.

"You are Dark Supremes from the Divine Ruins?"

"You think the two of you are enough to cause trouble for me?" Li Ming looked calmly at them.

"The two of you are nowhere near enough!"

"Haha, of course it is not just the two of them. You truly have many enemies!"

Another voice came from Chaos. A man glittering with golden light appeared, resembling a blazing sun.

"And us!"

As soon as the words fell, four more Dark Supremes emerged from the void.

It was unknown which Life Forbidden Zone they came from.

Li Ming had indeed devoured quite a few Forbidden Zone Heirs. Judging from the auras on these people, he had truly devoured their descendants back then.

He had not expected these old ghosts to come for him together.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

It was actually Lingbao Tianzun's formation diagram. No one knew how it had fallen into these people's hands.

They controlled this formation diagram and used several of their Extreme Dao Weapons in place of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, forming an incomparably terrifying killing formation.

"What an impressive lineup. It seems you prepared long ago to kill me!" Li Ming stared at them with cold eyes.

"I want a strand of his Chaotic Blood!"

"I want his Chaos imprint!"

"I want his Chaotic Blood and flesh!"

"I want his Chaos bones!"

The Dark Supremes stared intensely at Li Ming, as though he were a slab of fat meat waiting to be carved up.

"This is Lingbao Tianzun's formation diagram? I never expected it to have evolved to such a degree!"

Li Ming could not help sighing as he looked at Lingbao Tianzun's formation diagram.

He had not expected Lingbao Tianzun to be so powerful that he had refined such a formidable formation diagram.

Was Lingbao Tianzun truly dead by now?

Or was he undergoing transformation?

How had his Lingbao Formation Diagram fallen into the hands of other Dark Supremes?

Could Lingbao Tianzun have personally lent it to them?

Li Ming looked at the seven Dark Supremes without the slightest hint of panic.

His voice was incomparably majestic. "You're all doomed!"

"Today, my Heavenly Demonic Saber will gain the likenesses of seven Supremes!"

"Hehe, Demon Venerable, you truly are arrogant!"

"Do you think you're really invincible beneath the heavens?"

"Do you think that after achieving Enlightenment as Supreme, everyone should bow down and submit to you?"

The Dark Supremes looked at Li Ming with cold sneers.

They knew that Li Ming was indeed powerful, but their determination to kill him remained unshakable.

They were confident that they had enough strength to kill Li Ming and divide up his Chaos Origin.

"Why didn't you come for me when I had just achieved Enlightenment as Supreme and was at my weakest?"

"Hehe, naturally, we were waiting for your Chaos Origin to completely merge with the Heavenly Heart Imprint and become a true Chaotic Heavenly Venerable."

"Only then will the Chaos Origin be mature!"

The Dark Supremes told Li Ming this with utter coldness and ruthlessness.

They wanted to harvest Li Ming, this Chaotic Body, and harvest a flawless, perfect Chaos Origin.

They did not know that it was an Incomplete Chaotic Body cultivated through Acquired means, one that had yet to transform into a true Flawless Chaotic Body.

Li Ming stared coldly at the seven Dark Supremes.

At this point, there was no need for further words. All he needed to do was slaughter in every direction.

As those people met Li Ming's gaze, they suddenly felt chills run through their entire bodies, a coldness rising from their hearts.

They vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

"He's alone. What gives him the right to fight us?"

"In my view, he's merely putting on a fierce front while hiding his weakness!"

"After today, there will be no more Chaotic Heavenly Venerable, no more Demon Venerable—only a pile of shattered bones and flesh!"

The speaker was someone whose entire body gleamed with golden light.

At first glance, he somewhat resembled the Golden Ancient Emperor of later generations, but upon closer inspection, they were completely different.

This person's aura resembled that of a strange creature blazing with golden radiance.

Fortunately, he isn't a Dao Tribulation Gold Saint Spirit.

He was actually a Gold-Eating Insect that had achieved Enlightenment as Supreme.

This was an extraordinarily peculiar race. It continuously evolved and transformed by devouring all kinds of materials. Who would have thought that one of them would also achieve Enlightenment as Supreme?

There was no record of this person in the original text. He had presumably already died in one of history's many great Supreme battles.

At this moment, this Gold-Eating Insect had likely devoured some Dao Tribulation Gold, as well as the Divine Substance of other top-grade materials.

He now appeared to have been cast entirely from gold, his aura soaring into the heavens, his golden blood energy glittering brilliantly.

Li Ming stared at him. "I never expected you to have devoured so much Dao Tribulation Gold. My weapon happens to be lacking Dao Tribulation Gold, so I'll refine you into it."

This Gold-Eating Insect had not only devoured a vast amount of Dao Tribulation Gold, but had also fused it into his body.

Even his weapon had been forged from a cast-off shell left behind during his transformation, one that contained a great amount of Dao Tribulation Gold.

It was a glittering golden staff.

Placed upon Lingbao Tianzun's formation diagram, its aura even surpassed that of ordinary Extreme Dao Weapons.

After hearing Li Ming's words, the Gold-Eating Insect emitted golden divine light that shot into the heavens, his killing intent equally sky-high.

Li Ming laughed. "The Dao Tribulation Gold on your body is mine!"

The Gold-Eating Insect frowned. "You're about to become a dead man!"

At that moment, a treasure wheel forged from Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold began to shine, releasing incomparably resplendent orange divine light.

It was actually forged from the legendary Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold, crystalline and dazzling throughout.

Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold was truly an exceedingly rare sight, available only in extremely small quantities.

Li Ming had not expected to be fortunate enough to encounter Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold here.

It was also one of the nine divine metals that his Heavenly Demonic Saber had yet to acquire.

If he could obtain Light Platinum and Eternal Blue Gold as well, then the materials for the nine divine metals would be complete.

Beneath that orange treasure wheel stood a bizarre monster of unknown race.

It looked like a lump of dough, without any fixed form.

Extreme Dao Divine Might emanated from its body. It was indeed a genuine Dark Supreme.

At that moment, it transformed into a humanoid creature, completely bald and devoid of any hair, like a monk.

"I truly didn't expect a Chaotic Body to achieve Enlightenment as Supreme in this era!"

"That Chaotic Body, Wang Bo, was killed before he could achieve Enlightenment as Supreme. What a pity!"

"Now, we have finally encountered a Chaotic Body that has truly achieved Enlightenment as Supreme!"

"I know you are powerful, but we have been preparing specifically for you for a very long time. Now, your time to die has come!"

These people had not come merely because Li Ming had killed their descendants. More importantly, they all wanted to seize the Chaos Origin and Chaotic Blood within him.

They wanted even more to carefully study the secrets of the Chaotic Body.

For everyone had once deduced that as long as they possessed a Chaotic Body, they could live out a new lifetime.

Even these Dark Supremes wanted to seize Li Ming's body, return to the peak of Supreme power, perhaps even mend the cracks in their Immortal Platforms and live out a new lifetime.

They knew Li Ming was powerful, but their desire to survive had driven them to join forces.

They would use every possible means to kill Li Ming and seize his Chaos Origin.

They would comprehend the secrets of the Chaotic Body.