The Secret of the Chaotic Body

Li Ming's face remained calm, but his heart churned like a stormy sea.

This was actually an old monster. Even the aura he casually leaked was so astonishing.

His strength might even have surpassed Li Ming's.

Moreover, his entire body radiated an aura of decay that made Li Ming's Dao Fruit tremble slightly, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The man continued, "What are a few relatives worth?"

"To people like us who pursue immortality, they are merely shackles."

"We have all been sealed here for hundreds of thousands, 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 made sense or had simply submitted to the old ghost's overwhelming pressure.

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

"Fellow Daoist, your constitution is so extraordinary. You are actually the legendary Chaotic Body, and your strength far exceeds that of ordinary Dao-attainers. Truly unbelievable."

"By my estimation, you are much stronger than the other Eight Heavenly Venerables."

The old monster lavished Li Ming with praise, leaving the many Dark Supremes incredulous and visibly astonished.

Li Ming clasped his hands politely. "You flatter me, Senior."

"Attaining the Dao and becoming supreme is indeed a simple matter for a fellow Daoist like you."

"Your lifespan will likely be terrifyingly long."

"But even so, lifespan is ultimately finite. After consuming the Immortal Medicine and living a Second Lifetime, once one reaches old age, if one does not cut oneself down with a single stroke, one can only decay when life comes to an end."

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

Li Ming nodded. "That is the usual course of life for Dao-attainers. What is it that Senior wishes to say?"

Everyone who attained the Dao and became supreme had swept aside all opposition and ruled over the world.

No one chose to seal themselves away before attaining the Dao. Each of them believed themselves invincible throughout ancient and modern times, capable of Mortal-World Ascension.

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

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

So this old monster was trying 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 even hundreds of thousands of years for the Road to Immortality to open.

If Li Ming had guessed correctly, it would be the opening of the Road to Immortality when Emperor Zun attempted to bring his entire sect into immortality.

After thinking for a moment, Li Ming said, "What Senior says does make some sense, but we cultivators attain the Dao and become 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 should I do so?"

After considering it, the Ancient Venerable said solemnly, "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 witnessed countless people attain the Dao and become supreme, yet I have never seen anyone 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 have any chance of succeeding."

"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 numerous Dark Supremes to emerge together in pursuit of Mortal-World Ascension.

Yet in the end, the Ancient Heavenly Court collapsed. Emperor Zun escaped by feigning death like a madman, while the other Dark Supremes fought until heaven and earth shattered. In the end, not a single one became immortal.

When many people tried to deduce the time when that Road to Immortality would open, the heavenly secrets were muddled and obscure.

Yet this old ghost was so capable that he had sensed the immense danger within it.

Li Ming knew that period would be especially dangerous because he had read the original work. How did this old ghost know?

After thinking for a moment, Li Ming said, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I will need to consider this matter carefully."

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

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

"I have long heard that the Peach Tree here bears one fruit every four or five thousand years. After all these 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 coldly.

"When other Dao-attainers come here to request Flat Peaches, they are always polite, or they bring sufficient treasures for an exchange."

"Is that the attitude of someone asking for treasures?"

The 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 is the harm in giving some to Demon Venerable?"

"However, we truly do not have that many in stock. Five will do!"

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

Every Flat Peach radiated dazzling crimson light. Their life force surged violently, accompanied by a strange fragrance.

Even taking a breath of it invigorated the spirit.

The other Dark Supremes were also utterly shocked. They had never imagined that this old monster would 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 been given five Flat Peaches?

Even a biological father would not treat his son this well.

The five Flat Peaches landed in Li Ming's hands. The surging vitality and bone-deep fragrance deeply shook him.

This was the first time he had obtained a mature fruit of the Immortal Medicine.

Li Ming did not know why this old monster was being so generous, and he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

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

They were indeed genuine, mature fruits of the Immortal Medicine.

He directly stored the Flat Peaches away, then clasped his hands politely. "I did not expect Senior to be so generous. These five Flat Peaches are enough for me to live another Lifetime. They may even allow my Second Lifetime to far exceed that of ordinary people."

"I will seriously consider Senior's proposal. 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?"

Upon hearing Li Ming's words, the other Dark Supremes all snorted coldly.

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

"There is indeed plenty of Immortal Source here, a specialty originating from the Immortal Domain. Giving you one or two pieces is not a problem."

Two cubic-sized pieces of golden Immortal Source flew into Li Ming's hands.

They glittered with golden light and radiated incomparably rich life force.

They truly felt different from ordinary Immortal Source.

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

"Thank you, Senior. I did not expect to receive so many specialties from 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 vaguely dissatisfied.

They felt Li Ming had humiliated the Divine Ruins. Not only had he paid no treasures, he had instead taken such a great advantage.

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

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

Li Ming nodded, then transformed into a streak of chaotic divine light and left the Divine Ruins.

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

"Senior, this brat is really slippery. He simply refuses to take the bait!"

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

"You must not do that. This Chaotic Body has a great use for me!"

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

"Is that brat's strength really so great?"

"When we tested him earlier, his strength would absolutely rank near the top even among the Eight Heavenly Venerables. And this is only his first Lifetime. He will become even stronger in the future!"

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

Many powerful cultivators continuously used their Heaven-Piercing Dharma Eyes to spy on the situation at the Divine Ruins.

They soon sensed Demon Venerable's aura and saw him turn into a streak of chaotic divine light before vanishing in an instant.

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

They had thought Demon Venerable would likely be beaten to death after causing such a disturbance in the Divine Ruins, yet he had unexpectedly escaped unscathed.

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

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

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

He did not immediately return to the Reincarnation Sea, nor did he go to Ziwei Star. Instead, he headed into the chaos at the Cosmic Frontier Wasteland.

Just as he was about to step into the 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 massive foot descended from the heavens and stomped toward Li Ming's head.

"What? Someone actually dared to disrespect Demon Venerable by stepping on his head!"

The Ancestral Kings and Great Saints observing Li Ming from afar were all shocked.

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

To humiliate Demon Venerable like this was truly courting death.

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 massive foot was cleaved apart in one blow, and the bloody stench was instantly devoured by the Heavenly Demonic Saber.

With another thunderous boom, blazing flames ignited around Li Ming as he entered his strongest combat state.

"As expected of the Ninth Heavenly Venerable. Your strength is truly formidable. Admirable!"

"Unfortunately, you are about to die!"

A Dark Supreme covered in black fur descended from the sky.

Immediately afterward, another Dark Supreme covered in white fur walked out of the chaos.

"You are Dark Supremes from the Divine Ruins?"

"You two alone dare come looking for trouble with me?" Li Ming looked at them calmly.

"The two of you are nowhere near enough!"

"Haha, of course it will not be just the two of them. You have many enemies indeed!"

Another voice came from the chaos. A person radiating golden light stood there like a blazing sun.

"And us!"

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

No one knew which Life Forbidden Zone they came from.

Li Ming had indeed devoured quite a few Forbidden Zone Heirs. Judging from the auras of these people, he had indeed devoured their descendants in the past.

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

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

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

They controlled the diagram and used several of their Extreme Dao Weapons to replace the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, forming an unimaginably terrifying killing formation.

"What an impressive display. It seems you have long prepared to kill me!" Li Ming looked at them coldly.

"I want a strand of his chaotic blood!"

"I want his chaotic imprint!"

"I want his chaotic flesh and blood!"

"I want his chaotic bones!"

The Dark Supremes stared intensely at Li Ming, as though he were a slab of 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 could refine 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 panic.

His voice was incomparably grand. "You're all dead!"

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

"Heh, the Demon Venerable truly is arrogant!"

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

"Do you think that after attaining the Dao and becoming a Supreme, everyone should bow their heads and submit to you?"

The Dark Supremes looked at Li Ming with cold sneers.

They knew Li Ming was indeed powerful, but their resolve to kill him remained unwavering.

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 attained the Dao and become a Supreme, at my weakest?"

"Heh, naturally, we wanted your Chaos Origin to completely merge with the Heavenly Heart Imprint and become a true Chaotic Heavenly Venerable."

"Only then would the Chaos Origin be ripe!"

These Dark Supremes told Li Ming this directly and mercilessly.

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

They did not know that what lay within him was an Incomplete Chaotic Body cultivated after birth, 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. He only needed to slaughter in every direction.

When those people saw the look in Li Ming's eyes, they suddenly felt chills run through their bodies, a coldness rising from their hearts.

They vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

"He's only one man. What right does he have to fight us?"

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

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

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

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

This person's aura resembled that of a strange lifeform gleaming with golden light.

Fortunately, he was not a Dao Tribulation Gold Saint Spirit.

He was actually a Gold-Eating Insect that had attained the Dao and become a Supreme.

It was a highly unusual race, constantly devouring all kinds of materials to evolve and transform. Who would have thought that one of them would also attain the Dao and become a Supreme?

There had been no record of this person in the original work. He had presumably died in one of the many great Supreme battles throughout history.

At this moment, this Gold-Eating Insect had likely devoured some Dao Tribulation Gold, along with the Divine Substance of other supreme materials.

He now appeared as though forged from gold itself, his aura soaring into the heavens, his golden blood energy blazing brilliantly.

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

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

Even his weapon had been forged from a shed husk left behind during one of his transformations, containing a great amount of Dao Tribulation Gold.

It was a golden rod that gleamed brilliantly.

Now that it rested 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 erupted with golden divine light that shot into the heavens, his killing intent equally sky-high.

Li Ming smiled. "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 dazzling orange divine light.

It had actually been forged from the legendary Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold, its entire body crystalline and radiant.

Heaven's Mandate Orange Gold was truly a rare sight, existing in extremely scarce quantities.

Li Ming had not expected 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 obtain.

If he could also acquire Light Platinum and Eternal Blue Gold, then the materials for all nine divine metals would be complete.

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

It looked like a lump of dough, with no fixed form at all.

Extreme divine might radiated from its body; it was indeed a genuine Dark Supreme.

At that moment, it transformed into a humanoid creature, completely bald and hairless, like a monk.

"I truly never expected a Chaotic Body to attain the Dao and become a Supreme in this era!"

"That Chaotic Body, Wang Bo, was killed before he could attain the Dao and become a Supreme. What a pity!"

"Now, we have finally seen a Chaotic Body that truly attained the Dao and became a Supreme!"

"I know you're powerful, but we've been preparing specifically for you for a long time. Now, your time of death has come!"

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

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

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

These Dark Supremes even wanted to seize Li Ming's body to return to the peak of Supremehood, perhaps even repair 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 unite.

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

They wanted to comprehend the secrets of the Chaotic Body.