In the Primordial and Ancient Eras, the Great Truth Divine Tribulation was relatively mild. Most Ancient Gods could overcome it upon reaching the required cultivation realm.
However, by the end of the Primordial Era, after the Immortal Realm shattered and the Ancient Gods vanished, even the Primordial Divine Tribulation became exceedingly difficult, nearly a Death Tribulation.
This was because a Great Power had altered the rules of the Immortal Realm. Han Yi learned that this change wasn't limited to the Great Luo Immortal Realm; it also affected the Eternal Life, Penglai, Kunlun, Wicked Demon, and Wild Desolation Immortal Realms.
Nevertheless, when the Primordial Era fragmented into the Nine Immortal Realms, the Three Realms of Absolute Yin—the Netherworld, the Dark Realm, and the Ferocious Realm—were only minimally affected.
Decades ago, Yuan Hong returned and informed Han Yi that Yuan Shun had gone to the Dark Realm, one of the Three Realms of Absolute Yin.
Now, Han Yi's destination was another of these realms: the Ferocious Realm.
During his time in the Extraterritorial God Tomb, he had glimpsed the memories of numerous Ancient Gods. Among those memories were visions of several locations exceptionally suited for Ancient Gods to undergo Tribulation Crossing.
Han Yi's Golden Immortal Authorization within the Profound Repository Palace granted him access to the geographical records of the Nine Realms. After meticulously comparing these records, he discovered four ancient tribulation-transcending grounds used by Ancient Gods since the Primordial Era.
Three of these grounds were located in the Six Yang Realms, while only one lay within the Ferocious Realm, part of the Three Yin Realms.
Moreover, although the Ferocious Realm's altered rules made it unsuitable for the Divine Tribulation, its restrictions were less severe than those of the Six Yang Realms. Combined with the unique properties of this particular location, these two factors effectively canceled each other out, allowing Han Yi to undergo the Divine Tribulation in conditions similar to the Primordial Era, as if he were crossing the Tribulation in an ordinary place.
Of course, it was crucial to remember that the Ferocious Realm itself was an inherently hostile environment. Besides the "Ferocious" entity—a being born in the Primordial Era whose strength ranked among the top Heavenly Venerables—other dangers of varying degrees also lurked within.
Nevertheless, after weighing all the risks, it was clear that undergoing the Divine Tribulation in the Ferocious Realm was undoubtedly safer than attempting it in the Six Yang Realms.
Therefore, after obtaining a tremendous Divine Affinity at Jade Lake, Han Yi immediately set course for the Ferocious Realm. Upon arrival, he planned to further refine his cultivation, absorb crystallized divine power, and then undergo the Great Truth Divine Tribulation on the spot.
Once Han Yi overcame the Divine Tribulation, his combat prowess would undoubtedly surge, granting him an even greater advantage against ordinary Golden Immortals.
This was his plan.
Leaving the Lin'an Immortal Domain and traversing several others, Han Yi departed the Great Luo Immortal Realm and ventured into the Outer Void. He then headed east, intending to pass by Penglai, skirt around the Netherworld, and ultimately reach the Ferocious Realm in the Extreme Ancient North.
As he journeyed through the void east of Penglai, a masked Black Shadow stood at the edge of the Penglai Immortal Realm's spatial boundaries. Beneath the mask, twin flames suddenly ignited within his dark pupils.
The masked figure abruptly rose to his feet, gazed into the boundless void, and muttered, "Heh, I thought I was waiting here to die, but it seems I've actually waited long enough."
"Truly, Heaven refuses to let me perish."
"This is going to be troublesome."
This Black Shadow was none other than Black Yama, a member of the Qingyan Blade Faction, whom Han Yi had provoked during his Profound Immortal Tribulation after returning from Chaos and being brought to Penglai by Li Qiankun.
Formerly the Lord of North Mang Mountain from the previous epoch, Black Yama had possessed Peak Golden Immortal cultivation. However, a single misstep had transformed him into an Azure Nether Incarnation. After his death, his Immortal Soul had been enslaved by Azure Yama, bound to do his bidding.
Years ago, he had been dispatched to hunt down Han Yi, but he had arrived just a step too late. Han Yi had already fled Penglai, leaving the Lord of North Mang Mountain to sigh helplessly into the Void.
Upon returning to Black Yama and reporting his failure, he was immediately reassigned, tasked with retrieving the Azure Yama Blade by any means necessary within a century. Failure would mean the utter annihilation of his soul, and the Lord of North Mang Mountain would cease to exist in Penglai.
However, Black Yama had also lifted his restrictions, freeing him from the confines of Penglai.
Even without these constraints, the vast distance made it impossible for him to sense the Azure Yama Blade. The boundless Void stretched infinitely far—even crossing to the Immortal Realm on the opposite end offered no guarantee of success.
Weary of the impossible task, he simply waited at the edge of the Void. If his quarry ever returned to this region, he would sense it. If not, he had lived long enough anyway.
Over the millennia, he had grown indifferent to life and death. Were it not for the forbidden seal etched deep within his Immortal Soul, preventing self-destruction, he would likely have found some grand, desolate place and ended it all in a spectacular self-immolation.
But now, sensing the Azure Yama Blade's reappearance, he would obey Black Yama's command and retrieve it.
The Lord of North Mang Mountain rose to his feet. His mask was densely covered in bizarre, cord-like runes that almost completely obscured its surface. From a distance, it appeared to be an ordinary black mask, but a closer inspection revealed its truly unsettling nature.
Sensing the Azure Yama Blade draw nearer and then retreat, he shook his head slightly. He had hoped to lie in wait, but it seemed his quarry was merely passing through. He would have to give chase.
He took his first step into the Void since his demise. Though Black Yama had lifted his restrictions, an invisible shackle still lingered within him. As he moved forward, the shackle gradually shattered, and he glimpsed a vision of his former self: a figure of peerless brilliance, arrogant and domineering.
Such a pity...
A sudden thought flashed through his mind.
The black shadow flickered, dissolving into the Void as if merging with its very fabric.
Meanwhile, Han Yi, traversing the Void, felt a sudden tremor within him. He sensed an anomaly emanating from the Azure Yama Blade, which he had stored within one of his Divine Aperture Worlds.
The blade's grade was unstable, fluctuating with the degree of refinement. However, its refinement method was disturbingly macabre, requiring the sacrifice of mortal lives—a price Han Yi would never pay.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a terrifying surge of divine power erupted within his Divine Aperture World, completely enveloping the Azure Yama Blade and isolating it from the outside. As expected, the blade instantly fell silent, showing no further signs of activity.
Far behind him, the Lord of North Mang Mountain, having stepped into the Void, sensed the Azure Yama Blade's state but remained unfazed.
All Azure Nether Incarnations were, in essence, manifestations of the Azure Yama Blade's master. Their connection was bound by physical distance in the real world, unaffected by any Immortal Arts or methods used to conceal their auras. Thus, Han Yi's actions couldn't completely sever the Lord's perception.
Having detected the Azure Yama Blade's anomaly, Han Yi continued his flight toward the primordial north for another two hours before finally halting in the Void, turning to look back.
He sensed a pursuing aura behind him, faintly familiar, reminiscent of the danger he had felt when leaving Penglai years ago, yet somehow different.
Still...
Today, he was no longer the same person he had been nearly a century prior. Back then, he had just survived his Profound Immortal Tribulation. Now, though still a Veteran Profound Immortal, his combat prowess had soared. He could even face ordinary Golden Immortals head-on without being at a disadvantage.
Moreover, having recently obtained the Ancient Divine Artifact Yueguang at Jade Lake, Han Yi's confidence had soared. He now believed that even against a Senior Golden Immortal, he would have a slim chance of survival if he fought desperately.
Moments later, a masked Black Shadow materialized in the Void. Ignoring the mask and the eerie aura emanating from the figure, its majestic dragon-like strides and ferocious tiger-like gait revealed the imposing presence of a cultivator with a distinct style.
"Black Yama?" Han Yi asked gravely.
He faintly sensed danger from the masked Black Shadow—a primal threat akin to that which Golden Immortal Gu Lian had posed at Jade Lake. This indicated that the opponent possessed Golden Immortal-level combat strength, though likely only that of an ordinary Golden Immortal, lacking the overwhelming sense of impending doom that would have driven him to flee.
"I am the Lord of North Mang Mountain," a raspy, deep voice echoed from behind the black mask. "As you suspected, I am indeed affiliated with Black Yama."
"However, I come here today not in the name of Black Yama, but as the Lord of North Mang Mountain from the Seventh Epoch. By slaying the current Azure Yama Ghost and seizing the Azure Yama Blade, you face only two possible outcomes: either you will become the Azure Nether Incarnation, trapped within Black Yama's clutches, or you will ascend as the next Azure Yama Ghost, only to transform into the Azure Nether Incarnation upon your eventual demise."
Han Yi's brow furrowed slightly as he listened to the Black Shadow's explanation. Something felt off; the Shadow's demeanor struck him as illogical.
If this entity were truly an enemy, it wouldn't offer such a detailed explanation. Moreover, why did it claim to represent the Lord of North Mang Mountain instead of Black Yama? Could it be that they were at odds?
"Of course, beyond those two possibilities lies an improbable third: that one day you will become an Immortal Sovereign, slay the Seven-Colored Yama Ghost, and obliterate Black Yama."
"Make your move. Let me gauge your combat prowess."
The masked figure stood motionless in the Void, showing no inclination to strike first. Ten miles away, Han Yi's unease intensified. Though the Shadow had come for the Azure Yama Blade, its hostility seemed strangely subdued.
Intriguing.
Han Yi clasped his hands in a traditional salute. "Fellow Daoist, I humbly request your guidance."
As soon as his voice faded, his fingers twitched slightly. A Fourth-Tier Immortal Sword materialized before him, slicing through the Void toward the Shadow.
This blade was the last remaining Fourth-Tier Immortal Sword from the thirteen that formed the Sword Realm. The other two had been destroyed during the battle against Golden Immortal Gu Lian, shattered while defending against the self-destruction of his Fifth-Rank Immortal Artifact, the Jade Ruyi.
The Immortal Sword was named Han. Among Fourth-Tier Immortal Artifacts, it was considered fairly ordinary. It could easily cleave through even Peak Profound Immortals, but against Golden Immortals, it fell short.
Of course, Han Yi's strike was primarily a test. He had merely executed the sixth stance of the Sword Canon, Light-Slaying, without invoking any Sword Control Immortal Arts.
As the Immortal Sword fell, it unleashed a snow-white radiance. The light seemed to carry a chilling warmth, as if frosting the very Void, emitting an icy aura that made souls tremble.
Yet when the Sword Light reached the masked Black Shadow—the Lord of North Mang Mountain—the Lord simply extended a finger and traced a circle in the air. Dark Soul Power coalesced into an impenetrable obsidian shield, deflecting the frigid Sword Light back toward its source.
"Triple Immortal Power, myriad Laws," the Lord intoned. "Beyond the Profound Immortal Realm, mastery of Immortal Power becomes paramount. This technique, originally the most mundane among the three thousand six hundred fifty-nine stances of the North Mang Immortal Scripture, forms a shield of Immortal Power infused with seventeen different Powers of Law. Through perfect mastery, its might is limitless."
The Lord of North Mang Mountain didn't reveal the name of the technique. After explaining it, he turned his masked gaze toward Han Yi, a flicker of anticipation gleaming in the dark light behind his eyes.
"To unleash a sword strike with the combat power of a Peak Profound Immortal while only at the Veteran Profound Immortal Realm..."
"You're quite impressive."
"But it's not enough to defeat Black Yama. Not nearly enough."
Han Yi's expression turned serious. He finally understood why his opponent seemed so peculiar. Though he claimed to hail from Black Yama, his actions were unmistakably akin to imparting the Dao.
Remembering his claim to be the Lord of North Mang Mountain from the Seventh Epoch, Han Yi discerned his true intentions.
He hadn't come for the Azure Yama Blade, but to meet his end.
Before embracing death, however, he needed to test Han Yi's cultivation, to see if he was worthy of inheriting his legacy.
This legacy, dating back over a hundred thousand years to the Seventh Epoch, originated from a place called North Mang Mountain. At its core lay the North Mang Immortal Scripture, a compilation of three thousand six hundred and fifty-nine Immortal Arts.
Feeling the intensity of his opponent's gaze, Han Yi nodded and finally retrieved the Heavenly Demon Halberd Fragment. This time, he infused it with a Fifth-Rank Sword Control Immortal Art.
"Fellow Daoist of North Mang, please enlighten me."
A silver Sword Light flashed, leaping through the void and piercing through the Lord of North Mang Mountain. Yet the Lord merely swayed slightly, then swiftly gathered his Immortal Soul power to reform into a Black Shadow.
"A Fifth-Rank Sword Technique."
"No, while your sword technique is Fifth-Rank, it already possesses the rudimentary form of a Dao Technique."
"Excellent, truly excellent."
"This single strike already has the power to slay an ordinary Golden Immortal."
"Come, let me experience the might of your Near-Dao Sword Art firsthand."
As the Lord of North Mang Mountain spoke, he began channeling Soul Power, conjuring layers of Immortal Arts—some to block attacks, others to warp the Void, and still others to clash directly with Soul Techniques, shaking the Heavenly Demon Halberd Fragment.
A full hour passed before a long sigh echoed through the Void, followed by complete silence.
Han Yi's Immortal Power was nearly depleted, and only then did the Black Shadow ahead finally dissipate.
Floating in the Void remained a black mask. The bizarre rope-like runes that had once adorned it had vanished—those very runes that had sustained the Lord of North Mang Mountain's prolonged Martial Display.
That's right.
Though Han Yi had slain the Lord of North Mang Mountain with the Heavenly Demon Halberd Fragment, the entire battle had been a Martial Display, with the Lord using Han Yi's attacks to impart his techniques.
Triple Immortal Power, myriad Laws. The combination of Immortal Power and Laws could manifest in countless ways, each potentially becoming a formidable Immortal Art when properly harnessed.
This was the core essence of the North Mang Immortal Scripture.
Though Han Yi hadn't received the true Inheritance of the scripture, within this Void, the Lord of North Mang Mountain had imparted this essence to him through a unique method.
Han Yi bowed deeply, a gesture of reverence for his mentor.
Then, he stowed the black mask and gazed toward the distant Penglai Immortal Realm, that vast and majestic continent.
"Black Yama," he murmured.
"I accept this kindness from the Lord of North Mang Mountain. One day, when my strength is sufficient, this dark force will no longer need to exist."
With those words, he turned and continued northward.
The moment the Lord of North Mang Mountain fell, deep within a mysterious realm in the Fayuan Sect's territory within the Penglai Immortal Realm, a dimly lit palace stood.
Flickering candlelight illuminated a withered, skeletal figure seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion. The light cast a shadow of the figure onto the wall before him, obscuring dozens of black masks.
"North Mang is dead," the gaunt figure rasped, a hint of disbelief coloring his deep voice.
"How could this be?"
"Could his opponent have been a Peak Golden Immortal... or even an Immortal Monarch?"
"Enough. This matter is beyond my capabilities. I'll report it upward and let them deal with this headache."