The wretched old man transformed from the old turtle stood before Carefree Heavenly Venerate.
Countless densely packed Great Dao Runes reinforced his body, emerging around him like a suit of Extreme Dao Weapon armor and radiating an utterly profound presence.
This was the old turtle's shell.
After Xiao Ping'an refined it, it had become a supreme turtle shell capable of drawing upon and channeling the Great Emperor Formation Patterns here.
Of course, he could only show off here. Once he left the Tyrant Body Ancestral Star, the old turtle would still be the same Great Saint as before.
But at this moment, the old turtle really did look impressive, at least in everyone's eyes.
He looked at Carefree Heavenly Venerate and said, "You wish to seek an audience with Overlord Heavenly Venerable?"
"Are you Carefree Heavenly Venerate?"
"Weren't you beaten to death by Overlord Heavenly Venerable? How did you come back to life?"
Everyone watched silently, studying Carefree Heavenly Venerate and the old turtle.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate was one of the Nine Great Heavenly Venerables. It seemed somewhat unwise for Overlord Heavenly Venerable to act so high and mighty.
Sending a mere Great Saint-level old turtle to receive Carefree Heavenly Venerate was truly a little too arrogant.
Everyone wondered: given the grudge between Carefree Heavenly Venerate and Overlord Heavenly Venerable over obstructing the Dao, could they still shake hands and make peace?
They weren't going to fight, were they?
The old turtle soon drew everyone's attention as well. Some of the newcomers clearly did not recognize the old turtle.
"That old turtle is only a Great Saint, yet his presence can stand up to Carefree Heavenly Venerate's?"
"Could that old turtle be Overlord Heavenly Venerable's servant?"
More and more people came to visit, and naturally some had the chance to see the old turtle.
Many people were very envious of him.
Since Overlord Heavenly Venerable had taken this planet, two of his wives had, one after the other, become powerhouses who had achieved Alternative Dao Attainment. The Heavenly Pillar Mountain Ancient Cave had immediately become a Life Forbidden Zone comparable to those ancient forbidden zones.
In terms of actual combat strength, Heavenly Pillar Mountain had already surpassed many forbidden zones.
At the very least, they were all powerhouses of the present age. Those Dark Supremes did not dare fight them to the bitter end, or they would surely die.
Over the years, many powerhouses had wanted to join Heavenly Pillar Mountain and become Overlord Heavenly Venerable's servants.
That was because, after becoming his servants, although they would fall into a muddled state from time to time, the occasional periods when they were lucid also granted them an alternative form of longevity.
As long as Overlord Heavenly Venerable did not die, they could continue living in this special state.
Overlord Heavenly Venerable's Tyrant Slaves had long been no secret to the many powerhouses of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
Some even believed that this was a method of longevity that Overlord Heavenly Venerable had developed.
He was now conducting this longevity experiment.
The old turtle counted as the first person to eat a crab.
There were no Red Dust Immortals yet. Although some thought that living one Lifetime after another might lead to Red Dust Immortal Ascension, the mainstream view was still that it was impossible.
They believed that after proving the Dao in one's first Lifetime, one needed to consume an Immortal Divine Medicine in time to live out a second.
After that, their hopes for a third Lifetime were slim, so they would slash themselves early and hide away in a Life Forbidden Zone.
Thus, whether to be sealed in Divine Source or become Overlord Heavenly Venerable's Tyrant Slave was a matter of personal choice.
Being sealed in Divine Source was like sleeping inside it for a long time, while those who became Overlord Heavenly Venerable's Tyrant Slaves were quite lucid most of the time, apart from their muddled periods.
As the reigning Great Emperor, Overlord Heavenly Venerable's accomplishments reached the depths of creation. Not only did he have ample life left and vigorous Qi and blood, he would also give his Tyrant Slaves pointers on their cultivation when the mood struck him. To young people who wished to advance further, that was an incredible temptation.
Moreover, Overlord Heavenly Venerable's accomplishments reached the depths of creation. He could reverse this special relationship at any time, dissolve the primordial spirit contract, and allow a Tyrant Slave to regain clarity and set foot on the path of cultivation once more.
Overlord Heavenly Venerable's selection requirements were also extremely strict.
The beings he chose naturally belonged to the very best in both talent and comprehension.
And those who became Overlord Heavenly Venerable's Tyrant Slaves would generally reap enormous rewards. Once they set foot on the path of cultivation again, they would surely have a glorious future.
Everyone was truly astonished to see that even this old turtle had been taken in as a Tyrant Slave.
They wondered what was so special about him that he had moved Overlord Heavenly Venerable.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate had no reaction whatsoever to the crowd's discussion or their strange looks. He paid them no mind.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate cupped his hands and said, "That Yun Gen was originally an avatar I refined. Later, I granted him an independent life, and he became a Dark Supreme."
"I never imagined that this avatar would be so audacious as to devour Overlord Heavenly Venerable's essence blood and attempt to seize his body. He was truly courting death."
"Fortunately, Overlord Heavenly Venerable's accomplishments reach the depths of creation, and he dealt with that menace with ease."
"Although I had granted this avatar an independent life, I was the one who personally refined him in the end."
"I am guilty. I have come especially to beg forgiveness. Emissary Xuanwu, please announce me."
Carefree Heavenly Venerate looked very sincere. He had come with genuine sincerity to beg forgiveness.
If Overlord Heavenly Venerable had not been strong enough, he would have been the one to die back then.
After hearing Carefree Heavenly Venerate's words, the old turtle thought they made a great deal of sense.
He nodded and said, "In that case, I'll take you inside to find Overlord Heavenly Venerable."
The old turtle said, "When you see Overlord Heavenly Venerable, it'll be fine if he forgives you. If he doesn't, he'll surely refine you into a weapon."
Whether the old turtle was running his mouth or threatening and intimidating Carefree Heavenly Venerate, his words were certainly unpleasant to hear.
From what the old turtle knew of Overlord Heavenly Venerable, he was not someone willing to suffer a loss, especially when he held the advantage.
He was currently at his peak. Although Carefree Heavenly Venerate's presence was also powerful, the old turtle had an inexplicable confidence in Overlord Heavenly Venerable.
He believed that as long as Overlord Heavenly Venerable made a move, he could kill Carefree Heavenly Venerate.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate cupped his hands. "I understand. Great Saint, please put in a good word for me as well."
After hearing him, the old turtle said, "I wouldn't dare call myself a Great Saint before the Heavenly Venerable. Just call me Old Turtle."
Carefree Heavenly Venerate had lived for tens of thousands of years. Though very proud, he was also a shrewd man.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate raised his eyebrows and smiled as he took a white jade bottle from his body.
He gave the white jade bottle to Xuanwu.
"Great Saint Xuanwu, you are too modest. I also know a little of the art of divination, and your future is boundless. I give you this half bottle of Immortal Divine Medicine juice to baptize your body and forge a stronger foundation for the Great Dao. It can also extend your life."
"Although it cannot allow you to live out a new Lifetime, it can nevertheless help you forge a supreme foundation for the Great Dao and let you live many more years."
It turned out that Carefree Heavenly Venerate had also concluded that the old turtle had an extraordinary bearing and might have hope of proving the Dao in the future.
Giving the old turtle some Immortal Divine Medicine juice now was clearly an investment made in advance, forming a good connection.
The old turtle took the white jade bottle and opened it casually, only to be stunned at once by the rich, almost tangible life essence within.
The incomparably rich life presence it gave off was simply too powerful.
He had once smelled a similar scent on the Ginseng Fruit Tree, but had never had a chance to taste it.
This medicinal juice, which could almost let a person live out a new Lifetime, had been refined from several kinds of Immortal Divine Medicine, and its effects were astounding. Although there was not much liquid in the bottle, it was unquestionably an astonishingly generous gift to the old turtle.
Sensing the life presence inside, the old turtle's eyes went wide and round.
Then he opened his great mouth and swallowed all the medicinal liquid straight into his stomach.
It was as though he feared Carefree Heavenly Venerate might change his mind, and also worried that Overlord Heavenly Venerable might demand it from him.
He patted his belly and said with great satisfaction, "So many people come to visit the Heavenly Venerable, but you're the most sincere of them all. I'm sure Overlord Heavenly Venerable will also like a person of your character."
The crowd was truly shocked as they watched the two enter the ancient cave.
A person as powerful as Carefree Heavenly Venerate had spoken in such a manner to a Tyrant Slave who opened the gate and guarded the grounds, and had seemingly even given Great Saint Xuanwu Immortal Divine Medicine liquid.
It was truly enviable.
Led by Great Saint Xuanwu, Carefree Heavenly Venerate soon entered the deepest part of the Heavenly Pillar Mountain Ancient Cave.
Countless rays of divine light shone in dazzling splendor, accompanied by vast Chaos Qi. Great Dao laws interwove, and the silver light emitted by countless primordial life moments made this place look like a silver world.
Rumble.
It was as though divine thunder had exploded in this world, vast and mighty, while the myriad Daos of heaven and earth wailed.
Under that terrifying pressure, the world spun around those waiting outside to watch, and before they knew it, they had fallen to their knees.
Soon, everyone saw an astonishing sight.
Two heroic, majestic figures flew out of the Heavenly Pillar Mountain Ancient Cave and into the Mythic Battlefield at the Cosmic Frontier.
Seeing the familiar figure, people knew that Overlord Heavenly Venerable had personally flown out of the ancient cave.
They saw Overlord Heavenly Venerable drag Carefree Heavenly Venerate along and smash him into the Chaos Sea at the Cosmic Frontier with a single punch.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate looked battered. Although he had not been seriously injured, he had indeed been slapped in the face.
A brilliant light flashed in Carefree Heavenly Venerate's eyes as he flew back out of the chaos.
He said to Overlord Heavenly Venerable, "Thank you for showing mercy."
"The whole matter was my fault."
Carefree Heavenly Venerate told Xiao Ping'an the whole story from beginning to end.
Only after hearing it did Xiao Ping'an learn the truth.
No wonder he had felt that the Nine Great Heavenly Venerables couldn't take much of a beating back then.
When he fought Carefree Heavenly Venerate's alternate identity, he should still have been weaker than Ye Fan when his Sacred Body reached completion.
But when he fought that lesser alternate identity of Carefree Heavenly Venerate, his strongest impression was that his opponent was powerful, but not as powerful as he had imagined.
He had originally expected a grueling battle, in which he might be able to rely on his vigorous Qi and blood to wear that Dark Supreme to death.
But to his surprise, he had actually won the fight.
After refining his essence blood, he had immediately returned to his peak. Before long, he had directly broken through the Heavenly Heart Imprint and walked upon the myriad Daos.
Now that Carefree Heavenly Venerate himself had come to his door, Xiao Ping'an finally knew the truth.
Even so, upon seeing Carefree Heavenly Venerate, Overlord Heavenly Venerable still felt his hands itch. He wanted to test the strength of one of the true Nine Great Heavenly Venerables.
After all, Carefree Heavenly Venerate counted as having lived three and a half Lifetimes, and was a little stronger than he had been in his third.
He had also only just emerged into the world, so he had no need to worry about his Qi and blood running dry.
Moreover, Carefree Heavenly Venerate had not slashed himself at this point and did not yet need Ultimate Sublimation.
He was not the Carefree Heavenly Venerate who had already slashed himself when he fought Ye Fan in a later age.
The present Carefree Heavenly Venerate could be said to be at his peak. He was not like his later self, lurking in the Reincarnation Sea with his Qi and blood dried up and his strength surely greatly diminished.
Now, Xiao Ping'an wanted to test Carefree Heavenly Venerate's true strength.
Xiao Ping'an rapidly raised his strength. He began to circulate the Third Supreme Technique while also preparing the Nine Secrets: Ba.
As he circulated the Third Supreme Art, which was similar to the Nine Secrets: Jie, Xiao Ping'an's presence increased tenfold, and so did his attack power. His Great Dao laws boiled.
It was as though that expanse of heaven and earth would be annihilated. Patches of the void turned into black holes, from which chaos and a terrifying presence flowed.
Xiao Ping'an struck directly at Carefree Heavenly Venerate.
Dazzling purple divine light collided with Carefree Heavenly Venerate and erupted into the most terrifying energy storm. The entire Nine Heavens and Ten Lands felt it.
"Ah..."
Carefree Heavenly Venerate let out a furious roar. He had intended to exchange a few more courtesies, but had not expected Overlord Heavenly Venerable to be so inconsiderate, opening with his strongest attack.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate's expression changed drastically. He immediately circulated his cultivation methods and secret techniques at full power, activating the Nine Secrets: Xing.
But Overlord Heavenly Venerable's Third Supreme Technique was simply too tyrannical. His combat strength was multiplied tenfold, and he was also in a state of Divine Forbiddance. The terrifying attack power that erupted directly awakened one Dark Supreme after another in the Life Forbidden Zones.
Rumble.
Xiao Ping'an's Tyrant Fist slammed straight into Carefree Heavenly Venerate's body.
Although Carefree Heavenly Venerate's Nine Secrets: Xing made him incredibly fast, Xiao Ping'an still caught him.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate roared as his body was sent flying sideways. Every bone in his body broke, and sprays of blood and fragments of bone scattered across the sky.
The space between his brows shattered as well. After Xiao Ping'an's fist grazed his primordial spirit, it began to blaze as though kindled by a fierce fire.
Many people were stunned. Was Overlord Heavenly Venerable so powerful that he could bring Carefree Heavenly Venerate to the brink of dissolving into the Dao with a single move?
After all, even his primordial spirit had been set alight. It truly looked frightening.
That expanse of heaven and earth shook violently. Xiao Ping'an had no intention of stopping. His first move had only been a warm-up: he had used the Third Supreme Technique and the Tyrant Fist, but not the Nine Secrets: Ba.
The Nine Secrets: Ba was his greatest combat strength.
He had not enjoyed a full-blown battle for such a long time, and facing Carefree Heavenly Venerate, he truly felt a hunter's delight at the sight of prey.
Xiao Ping'an's Tyrant Fist was incomparably violent and pressed forward without hesitation. It tore Carefree Heavenly Venerate's body apart once again, reducing it to a foul wind and a rain of blood.
Even Carefree Heavenly Venerate's primordial spirit was nearly beaten completely into dust.
The mighty Carefree Heavenly Venerate suffered heavy blows in succession. In the blink of an eye, his body had been battered and broken, and his blood covered the starry sky.
Fortunately, his body possessed an unparalleled ability to recover. His shattered bones and shattered Immortal Platform would be restored in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Ping'an's fists struck Carefree Heavenly Venerate again and again, as though he were hitting a sandbag. It was truly exhilarating.
Carefree Heavenly Venerate, meanwhile, had fallen into the most dangerous of situations.
The fire of his primordial spirit was blazing fiercely and had yet to be extinguished, which truly surprised Xiao Ping'an.
Yet Xiao Ping'an's attacks remained just as violent, tearing Carefree Heavenly Venerate's body apart again and again and sending his flesh and blood flying.
(End of chapter)