The Immortal Monument stabilizes the border, and the eight Heavenly Courts withdraw in vain.
The major forces did not recklessly charge into the Immortal World, not out of fear of the Great Yan Sacred Court, but due to concerns about the other factions. Each faction had its own agenda, and since they belonged to different camps, no one could guarantee that someone wouldn't take advantage and attack them from behind.
While the forces observed, the first to break the silence appeared.
A red-robed man broke through the starlight barrier of the Immortal World with a single hand and shot inside.
At the Great Beginning Sacred Court's residence:
"Sacred King, someone has entered?"
"Great Celestial Zheng Fan, a rogue immortal who has just reached the Great Celestial Realm. He has no Great Celestial Artifact. His aim might be the Sacred King's artifact inside, which has been enhanced by the world's blessings," Sima Zongheng explained about the intruder.
"He's too impatient. However, impatience has its benefits. If he obtains the Great Celestial Artifact, the major forces probably won't chase him down, except for the rogue cultivators. A single Great Celestial should be enough to test this Sacred Court!" the previous speaker nodded.
Everyone continued to watch.
At the Haotian Bright Palace, where the Jade Emperor resided:
"Jade Emperor, someone has gone in. Should we enter? It would be unfortunate if the Eighth Princess got hurt!" a three-eyed man said with a frown.
"No need to worry too much. The Eighth Princess should have reached the Celestial Realm by now. Although she can't contend with a Great Celestial, self-preservation shouldn't be difficult. Besides, this Great Celestial doesn't seem to have a Great Celestial Artifact. Let's wait and see," Wen Shen, the black-robed figure, responded.
"Then we'll wait," the Jade Emperor nodded.
A flicker of concern flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes, showing his deep care for Hao Meili.
At the Lingxiao Heavenly Court:
The distance to the border was immense. Yet, the heads of major forces, for some reason, seemed to sense the scene near the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. It was intriguing.
Above the Lingxiao Heavenly Court:
Zhong Shan frowned slightly as he looked over the vast lands. He turned to Shui Jing and asked, "Shui Jing, have you noticed anything unusual?"
"Yes, only one Great Celestial has entered, while the others have not. It's clear that all the major figures are watching. However, the Lingxiao Heavenly Court is so far from the borders that it's impossible to see us with the naked eye. How are they sensing the scene here?" Shui Jing expressed his confusion.
Zhong Shan's expression suddenly relaxed.
"Sacred King, do you know?" Shui Jing asked, puzzled.
"Yes, Wang Ku mentioned earlier that some beings above the Great Celestial Realm specialize in eye-related divine abilities, allowing them to see infinite distances," Zhong Shan explained.
"No wonder!"
The ministers stood ready, waiting for the powerful enemy.
Soon, a strong wind blew from the south.
As the wind passed, a red-robed man suddenly appeared outside the Lingxiao Heavenly Court.
The man seemed to be surrounded by flames, with two fiery eyebrows pointing upwards. Just a glance at him made one feel a sense of irritation.
"Who goes there?" Lin Xiao suddenly shouted.
His voice echoed towards the red-robed man.
"Which one of you is the new Sacred King?" the red-robed man shouted back.
His voice was so loud it caused a roaring in everyone's ears.
"The Great Yan Sacred Court, Zhong Shan! Who are you?" Zhong Shan stepped forward and asked.
"The Great Yan? Zhong Shan? What a ridiculous name. I, Great Celestial Zheng Fan, demand you hand over your Great Celestial Artifact, and I won't make things difficult for you!" the red-robed man, Zheng Fan, shouted.
Zheng Fan knew that many powerful individuals were watching from all directions, so he didn't want to act too recklessly. He only wanted a Great Celestial Artifact. Any other conflicts were not his concern.
The Great Yan? Zhong Shan? What a joke! Hearing this string of insults, the entire court was enraged. Insult anyone, but not the Sacred King.
Daoist, do you think you can act arrogant in front of the Sacred King? And even dare to threaten him?
The ministers were infuriated. To them, Zhong Shan was a deity. Insulting Zhong Shan at this moment filled everyone's hearts with anger.
However, since Zhong Shan did not speak, the ministers did not dare to act out of turn. They all glared angrily at Zheng Fan.
Zheng Fan might not have realized it, but his casual words had enraged everyone.
Zhong Shan stared coldly at Zheng Fan, about to speak when—
"Did a dog bite you? Barking at everyone you see, why doesn't Heaven send a lightning bolt to strike you dead!" Hao Meili couldn't hold back her anger and cursed.
"You little wench, you're seeking death!"
Although Zheng Fan didn't have a major backing, he was still a Great Celestial. These so-called barbarians from the small world dared to insult him? As he spoke, a long sword suddenly appeared in Zheng Fan's hand.
"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"
A bizarre scene unfolded too quickly. The sky, which had no clouds, suddenly produced a purple lightning bolt that struck down without warning. It traveled along the long sword and hit Zheng Fan directly.
Zheng Fan was ultimately a Great Celestial, immensely powerful. A single lightning bolt couldn't harm him. After a slight tremor from the electric shock, he was fine.
But the scene just now was too strange!
No one had attacked; there was no sign of any magical fluctuations.
How could they be so sure? Zheng Fan, being the highest cultivator present, could see that no one had made a move. Then, where did the lightning come from?
Zheng Fan's eyes filled with confusion and suspicion.
"It should strike like that, serves him right!" Hao Meili exclaimed excitedly.
Hao Meili had suddenly realized that her curses worked even in the Great Thousand World. According to the information Zhong Shan had gathered, the legend said that the Wanxie Body could only curse people in the small world. In the Great Thousand World, this body was supposed to be ineffective, only making it easier to learn curse techniques. Yet, how could her innate abilities still work here?
Zhong Shan had indeed studied Hao Meili's physique. One way the Wanxie Body could form was if a daughter was born from a woman who had reincarnated nine times, each life ending in resentment. The probability was extremely low—only one in ten thousand for a human soul to become a ghost, and only one in ten thousand for a ghost to reincarnate as a human. Therefore, a person had a one in a million chance of reincarnating once. Reincarnating nine times? That probability wasn't just one in ninety million; it was an extraordinarily tiny number.
Reincarnating nine times as a woman, each life ending in resentment, was almost incalculably rare.
Thus, a daughter born under these circumstances would possess the Wanxie Body, absolutely protected by the small world.
But this shouldn't affect the Great Thousand World. However, Zhong Shan had noticed something strange the first time he saw Hao Meili use her power. She had cursed a person in the Imperial Extreme Realm, cursing them to be killed by falling stars. The small world had no stars, so the curse shouldn't have worked. Yet, stars fell from the sky!
This bizarre occurrence suggested that Hao Meili's abilities were not just limited to the Wanxie Body. That one curse had involved the Great Thousand World as well?
Hao Meili's mischievous smile caught Zheng Fan's attention.
In an instant, Zheng Fan deduced the situation.
"Little wench, so it was you who cursed me?" Zheng Fan said coldly.
Zheng Fan assumed it was merely a curse technique, completely unaware of Hao Meili's unique physique.
"Great Celestial Zheng Fan, there are many powerful individuals observing here. It would be wise for you not to get involved in this matter. The Great Yan Sacred Court will be grateful to you afterward," Zhong Shan shook his head and advised.
"Hahaha, someone already told me this when I arrived. With so many blessings, you only reached the second level of the Celestial Realm? With such pathetic talent, you expect me to heed your advice?" Zheng Fan sneered.
Zhong Shan's eyes narrowed. If someone could discern his cultivation level, their cultivation must be above that of a Great Celestial. Was someone more powerful than Zheng Fan watching him?
"The highest cultivation in your court is just at the Celestial level? And yet, you call yourselves a Sacred Court? Even the weakest Heavenly Courts in the Great Thousand World are stronger than you. A Sacred Court weaker than a Heavenly Court? Truly the weakest in history!" Zheng Fan laughed.
The entire court glared at him with anger. This Great Celestial was becoming increasingly insufferable.
"If it weren't for the presence of so many forces outside, I could destroy your entire court by myself! I'm giving you one last chance: hand over the Great Celestial Artifact, or I won't be merciful!" Zheng Fan's expression turned cold.
"Great Celestial Zheng Fan? Hmph, who do you think you are? I curse you! I curse you with festering sores all over your body, rotting limbs, and an explosive death!" Hao Meili shouted furiously.
"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"
This time, Zheng Fan was prepared. As Hao Meili cursed, a red glow surrounded him, forming a protective shield. However, the shield wavered as if being attacked from all sides.
Zheng Fan looked at the shield around him, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"What a powerful curse! A mere Celestial almost managed to curse me, a Great Celestial? What a formidable curse!" Zheng Fan exclaimed, shaken.
"I've changed my mind. Hand over the Great Celestial Artifact, and give me this girl to deal with, or I'll slaughter your entire court!" Zheng Fan's face turned vicious.
"A Great Celestial?" Zhong Shan chuckled softly.
As he shook his head, Zhong Shan coldly drew out the great blade "Longevity."
The Longevity Blade was crystalline and transparent, emitting a chilling aura. Merely holding it made one feel its unshakable power.
"A Great Celestial Artifact?" Zheng Fan's eyes gleamed.
"Zhong Shan?" Hao Meili asked in confusion, thinking Zhong Shan was about to concede.
The ministers all looked at Zhong Shan.
"The Great Yan Sacred Court cannot be insulted so easily. Great Celestial Zheng Fan? You reached the Great Celestial Realm 1,652 years ago. For a Great Celestial, that's merely the beginning, isn't it? I've given you enough respect. Since you don't want it, you leave me no choice but to act," Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"How do you know that?" Zheng Fan was taken aback.
How could he know my background? Hasn't he just ascended and split Heaven and Earth?
How did Zhong Shan know? In the small world, he had captured and interrogated visitors from the Great Thousand World. Although his knowledge of the various forces wasn't comprehensive, he had a general understanding. With Zhong Shan's meticulous analysis, he could discern which people to avoid and which to confront head-on.
"This great blade is called 'Longevity.' I am indeed at the second level of the Celestial Realm! Let's see if you, Great Celestial Zheng Fan, can withstand it!" Zhong Shan declared.