Within the ruins, the presence of living beings had almost completely vanished. However, the ferocious creatures and evil spirits that had gone berserk due to the Emperor-level fluctuations and blood energy stimulation, as well as some strange phenomena bred within the tomb itself, had not been completely quelled. Having lost their primary target (the cultivators), they began to kill and devour each other driven by instinct, or wander aimlessly, making the ruins even more dangerous. At the same time, many spaces had become extremely unstable due to the excessive power they had endured, showing signs of collapse.
Beyond the tombs, in the Southern Region the Eastern Wasteland, on the edge of Primordial Ruins.
Various streams of light continuously tumbled out from the depths of the ruins and from the forcibly opened spatial rifts; these were the cultivators who had escaped. However, compared to their initial high spirits and overwhelming momentum when they entered, they were now in a sorry state.
Torn robes, bloodstains, weak breaths, and lingering shock in their eyes—this was the state of most cultivators. Many collapsed to the ground as soon as they landed, gasping for breath, or hastily sitting cross-legged to heal their wounds. Some, whose injuries were too severe and whose vital essence was damaged, were carried out directly, their breaths barely audible. Even worse, some were already corpses when they fell out of the passage.
The leaders of the various factions all had faces so grim they could drip water. They quickly counted the number of people, and the result made everyone's hearts sink.
The losses were devastating!
In the Yaoguang Holy Land, a Supreme Elder perished, three Mighty One were severely injured, and more than half of the elite disciples of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm were lost.
In the Jiang Family, a clan elder of legendary status was suspected to have been the first to be affected when the "annihilation" ripples of the demonic eye spread, and he failed to escape, while his accompanying experts suffered heavy casualties.
The Ji Family's precious ancient warship, along with dozens of experts on board, disappeared during the final spatial collapse, and their fate is likely grim.
Although the Jade Lake Holy Land suffered relatively few casualties due to the defensive nature of its cultivation techniques, the accompanying female cultivators and young disciples also suffered considerable losses.
On the demon side, several powerful demons were killed. Although the Golden-Winged Little Peng King managed to escape, several of his natal golden feathers were broken, and he was severely injured. He was protected by the Azure Flood Dragon King and others, and his face was pale.
As for other medium-sized sects and independent cultivator alliances, only one or two out of ten survived. Almost all the leaders were wiped out, and those who escaped were either marginal figures or extremely lucky individuals.
At the edge of the Primordial Ruins, a somber mood descended, and cries of sorrow filled the air. Compared to the bustling crowds that had gathered earlier, the crowd was now much smaller, and a deep sense of grief and fear permeated the atmosphere.
" The Qing Emperor's Tomb... is truly terrifying!" An old rogue cultivator who had miraculously survived wept bitterly; his friends and disciples had all perished within.
"Those monsters in the black mist... and that last eye... what was it?!" Someone's voice trembled, the memory still a nightmare.
" Emperor Weapon! The Demon Emperor's Heart! Did those big shots manage to snatch it?" Some people asked in hushed tones, hoping for a lucky break.
But soon, various messages quietly spread among the surviving people.
The Demon Emperor's Heart seems to have been stolen by the demon race using the Treasure Basin, but in the final chaos, no one can be certain whether it was actually taken out.
As for the true Emperor Weapon — the Chaos Green Lotus —it has never been seen. There are rumors that the Yaoguang Holy Land, the Jiang Family, and others seem to have obtained some items that appear to be relics from the Azure Emperor's palace from a side hall of the imperial palace, but what exactly these items are remains a closely guarded secret.
What is most intriguing, and also most terrifying, is the mysterious voice that seemed to come from the depths of the imperial palace at the final moment, the one that rebuked (or annihilated) the World-Destroying Demon Eye.
"A living... Emperor?" This thought, like the most terrifying curse, lingered in the minds of everyone who knew. The important figures of those holy lands and noble families had long ordered a strict blockade of information, but since many cultivators had heard that voice at the time, some clues inevitably leaked out.
Soon, an even more secretive message, circulating only among the highest levels, sent a huge shockwave through the minds of the leaders of the major powers:
Some vaguely saw a white figure, cool and aloof like the moon, with an extraordinary aura, wielding a jade pendant emitting a bluish light, pierce through the spatial barrier and escape before the final spatial passage closed. Its direction seemed to be... the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness?
"Is it her? The mysterious woman who confronted Yan Ruyu in front of the Demon Emperor's Yin Tomb?" The elder of Yaoguang Holy Land's eyes flickered.
"That jade pendant... is of the same origin as the azure light of the Imperial Palace! Could it be related to the Azure Emperor's legacy? Or even... to that person in the Imperial Palace?" The Jiang Family patriarch's expression was solemn.
"Investigate! At all costs, find out this woman's origins and whereabouts!" the Ji Family patriarch secretly ordered.
The old woman from the Jade Lake Holy Land frowned. Their Yaochi had some connection with the Taiyin Physique. The aura of that white figure reminded her of some ancient records, but she couldn't be sure.
On the demon race's side, the Azure Flood Dragon King, Yan Ruyu, and others also received similar intelligence. A strange look flashed across Yan Ruyu's beautiful face as she recalled the jade pendant in the Snow Empress's hand that had triggered a connection between her Demon Emperor bloodline and the pendant.
"She is indeed extraordinary... Perhaps she obtained something more important than the Demon Emperor's Heart?" Yan Ruyu thought to herself. However, the demon race had suffered considerable losses, and the Golden-Winged Little Peng King was seriously injured. The priority was to stabilize the internal situation and escort the Demon Emperor's Heart (if it could be successfully brought out) back to the demon race's stronghold. She had no time to worry about anything else. Nevertheless, she secretly gave orders to keep an eye out for information about a mysterious woman in the Northern Region who was suspected of cultivating the Lunar Power.
On the surface, all the major forces seemed to have fallen silent, retreating with their casualties, and the area around the Primordial Ruins quickly became deserted. But in reality, countless orders had been issued, and a vast intelligence network began to operate, with the target being the Northern Region and the mysterious woman in white— the Snow Empress.
The storm caused by the Qing Emperor's Tomb seemed to have subsided temporarily with the closure of the ruins (the space is self-repairing and hiding again), but in reality, the undercurrents are even more turbulent. A token that seems to be related to the "living Great Emperor " and a mysterious woman who may carry important clues to the Azure Emperor's inheritance are enough to drive any force crazy.
The situation in the Eastern Wasteland has become even more unpredictable and fraught with hidden dangers due to the unexpected opening of the Azure Qing Emperor's Tomb.
Just as undercurrents were swirling outside, Su Mu, deep within the Imperial Palace, slowly rose from the Dao Platform.
His black robes were spotless, a stark contrast to the dilapidated and ancient palace around him. As he rose, the entire small world seemed to tremble slightly, as if welcoming its master's movement.
"Now that this matter is settled, it's time to leave." Su Mu's gaze was calm as he swept over the palace that housed a portion of the Azure Emperor's Dao Fruit. " The Azure Emperor's Daoist temple is indeed a decent place to stay temporarily, but unfortunately, it's already attracting too much 'attention,' so it's not advisable to linger."
What he needs is a relatively quiet, undisturbed environment to gradually recover his strength, adapt to this era, and implement his subsequent plans. Places that attract the attention of Great Sage, powerful families, or even Life Forbidden Zone are clearly unsuitable.
"System, scan the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, and filter for suitable areas to establish an initial base or areas with high-energy reactions that can be observed. Requirements: relatively remote, with adequate resources, and priority will be given to areas with potential 'plot' or important character clues."