Han Yi couldn't quite understand why the Primordial Fire Phoenix consumed Divine Power Crystals. In the end, he could only attribute it to the phoenix's mysterious origins and its inherently extraordinary nature; such a peculiar trait wasn't entirely surprising.
In the Great Luo Immortal Realm, every Beast Tamer could create a Beast Taming Space within their Inner Space.
For Han Yi, as an Immortal-Rank Beast Tamer, he could establish a True Immortal-Rank Beast Taming Space within the Immortal Spirit Realm, capable of accommodating True Immortal-Rank Imperial Beasts.
Although the Beast Taming Seal he used earlier was somewhat unusual, the connection between him and the Primordial Fire Phoenix was unmistakably clear.
Seeing the Fire Phoenix's fondness for Divine Power Crystals, Han Yi produced over a dozen more and fed them to the phoenix. Then, he attempted to summon it into his Beast Taming Space.
To his delight, the Primordial Fire Phoenix offered no resistance and was smoothly summoned.
However, as the phoenix entered the Beast Taming Space, it conveyed a clear thought: it wanted more Divine Power Crystals.
Han Yi was more than willing to comply. His Divine Aperture World stored ample Divine Power Crystals, enough to satisfy the little fellow for many years.
After securing the Fire Phoenix, he glanced around one last time, finding nothing amiss. He then continued his planned escape, using the Escape Technique. Fifteen minutes later, he crossed the Wild Fracture Mountains to the southwest and returned to the territory of the Imperial Court Immortal Court.
This time, Han Yi used Fetal Transformation Disguise to change into an ordinary-looking, tall True Immortal, making him inconspicuous.
Ever since obtaining the Primordial Fire Phoenix, Han Yi had been harboring a suspicion.
The Barren Fold Mountains, being the boundary between the Imperial Court and the Monster Court, were frequented by powerful Immortals. Yet, he happened to encounter the Primordial Fire Phoenix immediately upon his return.
After much deliberation, Han Yi concluded there could only be two explanations.
First, someone had secretly followed him, likely placing the juvenile Ancient Demon in his path to provoke him into action, somehow connected to this Fire Phoenix.
However, this seemed highly unlikely. Anyone who could tail him undetected would at least be an Immortal Monarch. Moreover, the Primordial Fire Phoenix is incredibly precious; even an Immortal Monarch would never sacrifice it as bait.
The second possibility was that the Fire Phoenix had appeared before him purely by chance.
Furthermore, this Fire Phoenix might not be a true Primordial Fire Phoenix, but rather one born from a Demon Immortal's attempt to reclaim ancient power. Its true form could very well be none other than the one who had recently clashed with two Immortal Monarchs...
The Eastern Emperor Buer.
According to legends, Eastern Emperor Buer has manifested seven demon true forms: Chilong, Nether Tiger, Celestial Ghost, Calamity Sparrow, Celestial Fox, Wulian, and Xuanzi.
During his time at Pure Yang Mountain, his true form was the Celestial Fox. More recently, in the Barren Fold Mountains, he manifested as the Celestial Ghost.
After leaving Pure Yang Mountain and returning to Age Candle, Han Yi had researched Eastern Emperor Buer further. The legends claimed that this legendary figure of the Demon Race possessed seven demon true forms, with Wulian and Calamity Sparrow being Ancient Demons, not ordinary demons that emerged after the Primordial Era.
Of course, not all Ancient Demons are overwhelmingly powerful. Some newly born Ancient Demons might even only possess Nascent Soul cultivation.
Moreover, the records stated that each time this legendary demon manifested a new true form, it was like experiencing a new lifetime. Only after reaching the peak of that form could they awaken their memories and recall their true identity.
Furthermore, beyond the seven known true forms, some Immortals speculated that Eastern Emperor Buer likely possessed more than just these seven. They theorized that he needed to manifest nine true forms to ascend to the realm of the Demon Monarch. They further predicted that upon reaching the Demon Monarch realm, his strength would surge dramatically, potentially even reaching the realms of the Demon Venerable or even the Dao Ancestor Realm of the Demon Emperor.
These speculations were based on insufficient evidence, and Han Yi initially paid them little heed.
But after encountering a juvenile Primordial Fire Phoenix, the thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
Considering the records, there was a high likelihood that this Fire Phoenix was the eighth, or even ninth, True Body of Eastern Emperor Buer.
Otherwise, it was difficult to explain how he had encountered a Primordial Fire Phoenix so soon after returning to the Barren Fold Mountains.
The most plausible explanation was that Eastern Emperor Buer, having escaped into the mountains before him, had coincidentally transformed into a new True Body.
This theory explained everything.
Han Yi returned to the nearest Immortal City at the True Immortal Realm, then reverted to the Golden Immortal Realm to use the corresponding Transmission Formation. Soon, he was back at the Sui Zhu Immortal Court.
He didn't report the incident to the Golden Immortal Pavilion, nor did he inform Immortal Monarch Yuanshu. Instead, he returned to the Immortal Pavilion on his own.
After all, no one else knew of this affair. The Great Sage Demonic Ape and the Black Realm Star Lord wouldn't reveal it, and the two Immortal Monarchs whose dignity Han Yi had compromised near the Barren Fold Mountains—assuming the Golden Immortals had any tact—would never dare publicize the incident. They'd simply pretend Han Yi had never existed.
Even if Han Yi reported this incident to the Immortal Court, he lacked concrete evidence. It would be better to remain silent.
After returning to the Immortal Pavilion, Han Yi reviewed the encounter. He had faced a Demon Race Immortal Monarch and a Star Lord's ambush, and exchanged blows with Jade Fate Immortal Monarch. He concluded that his responses had been appropriate.
Post-battle analysis was his habit.
However...
When he saw the Life Seed count on the panel, halved and then halved again, his expression darkened.
Life Seed: 34,187 units
Originally over 90,000 units of Life Seed, a single strike with Yueguang had swept away the Great Sage Demonic Ape and the Black Realm Star Lord, instantly reducing his stock by over 60,000 units. The loss pained him deeply.
He had previously rejoiced that near the Barren Fold Mountains, he had escaped without using any Life Seed. But now, reviewing the entire ordeal, he realized he had suffered a catastrophic loss.
After a moment's contemplation, he sighed heavily.
"Enough. At least I've tested my current strength. And escaping from certain death... it's worth something."
This ordeal had finally confirmed Han Yi's capabilities. Without exploding his cultivation, using an Ancient Divine Artifact, or resorting to desperate measures, he could hold his own against an ordinary Immortal Monarch, even if at a disadvantage. He could ensure his own survival.
In short, he had become a Half-Step Immortal Monarch.
Though he couldn't match Qin Yi's ferocity—Qin Yi had once slain an Immortal Monarch with a single sword strike—Han Yi had significantly narrowed the gap. Once he broke through to the Senior stage of the Void Extremity Realm, reached the peak of the Golden Immortal realm on the Immortal Path, advanced his Sword Flight or Qingping to Seventh-Tier, he would undoubtedly be on equal footing with Qin Yi, perhaps even surpassing him.
Three months later.
Having completed his cultivation recovery, Han Yi emerged from seclusion and once again entered the Void Tower.
This time, he indeed surpassed the 2950th floor, stopping at the 2952nd. On the 2951st floor, he faced a true Immortal Monarch. After multiple attempts, he finally discerned its weakness and slew the opponent. However, at the 2952nd floor, despite numerous attempts, he found it impossible to break through. Realizing the futility, he retreated.
His expedition through the Void Tower was swift. By the time anyone noticed the changes in the Golden Immortal Ranking, Han Yi had already vaulted to the top.
Just fifteen minutes later, Han Yi's name jumped directly to the 2952nd floor. All Immortals understood the significance of this floor.
A Golden Immortal wielding the might of an Immortal Monarch.
The Myriad Immortals erupted in shock, setting off a tidal wave of astonishment.
Even Immortal Monarch Yuanshu took notice of Han Yi's progress, summoning him to the Origin Technique Arena. This time, as Han Yi stepped into the arena, the entire space came alive.
Knowing that Yuanshu intended to guide him, Han Yi let loose, even activating his True Body of an Ancient God. However, instead of manifesting his full 100,000-zhang form, he suppressed it to a mere three zhang. Beyond using the Yueguang Ancient Divine Artifact and burning his Life Seed, he unleashed his full power. Yet, faced with the boundless Immortal Arts surrounding him, he inevitably fell in battle.
As the Immortal Arts dissipated, the Origin Technique Arena returned to its original state. Han Yi walked into the Three-Story Pavilion at the arena's center, his aura trembling with newfound reverence for power approaching that of an Immortal Sovereign.
He realized that even by burning his Life Seed, draining all three energies within him, and wielding the Yueguang Ancient Divine Artifact, he stood no chance against Immortal Monarch Yuanshu in battle.
"Excellent. As expected of you," Immortal Monarch Yuanshu said, his smile wider than ever, reflecting his deep satisfaction with Han Yi's performance.
"I've heard that the Old Demonic Ape of the Demon Race is furious. There are even traces of the Black Realm Star Lord's presence in the area."
"And along the Vast Savage Demon Vein, a terrifying Immortal Combat erupted, leaving residual traces of an Ancient God's aura after the battle."
"Could it be that you were responsible for that?" Immortal Monarch Yuanshu asked.
Han Yi nodded without hesitation, recounting how he had triggered a trap, been teleported to the Eastern Sovereign Territory, and exchanged blows with two Immortal Monarchs.
At the same time, he realized that the Immortal Court must have numerous Immortals stationed within the Eastern Sovereign Demon Court. The eruption of an Immortal Monarch-level battle at the Vast Savage Demon Vein would undoubtedly be considered critical intelligence, urgently relayed back to the Sui Zhu Immortal Court.
After unleashing the Yueguang Ancient Divine Artifact, Han Yi had fled swiftly, leaving no time to erase the evidence. Moreover, the Great Sage Demonic Ape and the Black Realm Star Lord would have been even less capable of covering their tracks.
!
Following the incident, countless Immortals would undoubtedly investigate the Vast Savage Demon Vein. By following the clues, they would eventually trace the battle to Silver Serpent Immortal City, where it would be easy to reconstruct the general circumstances of the clash.
Moreover, Han Yi had nothing to hide.
Seeing Han Yi's admission, the smile on Immortal Monarch Yuanshu's face widened.
"Excellent, absolutely excellent."
"Fortunately, I severely injured that Old Demonic Ape, damaging his Dao Foundation and sealing ninety-nine percent of his power in the Demon Spirit Realm. His strength is now reduced to a mere fraction of its former glory."
"As for the Black Realm Star Lord, he's merely a minor Star Lord with limited strength, hardly worth mentioning."
"To have broken through the encirclement of both forces, Han Yi, your strength far exceeds my expectations."
"Given time, the Immortal Court will undoubtedly gain another Immortal Monarch."
Immortal Monarch Yuanshu's smile, though genuine, still carried a trace of astonishment.
It was important to remember that Han Yi was still a Senior Golden Immortal, and had only recently reached this stage. Once he advanced to the Peak or Limitless Golden Immortal realms, wouldn't he be capable of slaying most Immortal Monarchs?
Furthermore, Han Yi had unknowingly reached the Void Extremity Realm within the Ancient God Realm, a development Yuanshu never could have anticipated.
Yuanshu had summoned Han Yi for two reasons: to confirm his strength and to reveal the mysteries of the Ancient God. Now that Han Yi possessed the power of an Immortal Monarch, he was worthy of knowing these secrets.
His expression turning serious, Yuanshu said, "However, there is a troubling matter concerning you."
"The Ancient God."
Han Yi raised an eyebrow. "Immortal Monarch, please elaborate."
From Immortal Monarch Yuanshu's solemn expression, Han Yi sensed something unusual.
A tremor ran through his heart as he recalled events from a thousand years ago, when he first obtained the cultivation method of the Ancient Gods.
North of the Age Candle, in the Endless Void, lay the colossal corpse of an Ancient God. Immortal Lord Linghua had once gathered disciples from the Immortal Manor to investigate it, but this expedition led to Linghua's Demonic Transformation and his subsequent imprisonment by the Dao Ancestor within the Demon Suppression Pagoda to suppress his demonic nature.
Over the following years, Han Yi learned that the Ancient God's cultivation method had been tampered with. Furthermore, in the Primordial Great World, the Ancient Gods' Tribulation Crossing had been altered from a living tribulation into a death tribulation.
Now, Immortal Monarch Yuanshu's grave expression reminded Han Yi of these matters. For years, he had been investigating without any leads, but he now felt that the truth was about to be revealed.
Indeed.
Immortal Monarch Yuanshu began:
"The Ancient Gods were the first race to emerge before the Primordial Era. At that time, both Ancient Demons and Ancient Immortals bowed their heads to them as their supreme rulers."
"But at the end of the Primordial Era, during the final great battle, all the Ancient Gods perished, and their race was annihilated. The Primordial Great World itself shattered into the Nine Realms after that conflict."
"As far as I know..."
"The extinction of the Ancient Gods was the result of a joint effort by the Ancient Immortals and Demons."
"The changes to the Divine Tribulation rules in the Primordial Great World were also brought about by the Ancient Immortals and Demons using their immense power to alter the Primordial Dao Laws, fundamentally restricting the birth of Ancient Gods."
"These restrictions operate on three levels."
"First, the Divine Tribulations for those in the Primordial, Supreme Truth, and Void Extremity Realms are no longer life-giving trials, but death tribulations."
"Second, when an Ancient God reaches the limit of the Void Extremity Realm, they trigger a Dao Principle restriction, unleashing a Great Dao Tribulation that leads to their destruction."
"Third, if an Ancient God somehow overcomes the Great Dao Tribulation and breaks through to the Creation Transformation Realm, they will be sensed by the most powerful Ancient Immortals and Demons in the world, who will then take action to eliminate them."
"Their goal is to ensure that no Ancient Gods in the Immeasurable Realm ever arise in the Primordial Great World again. Such gods, comparable to ordinary Heavenly Venerables, are feared by all Ancient Immortals and Demons, representing the greatest variable in the Primordial era."
After explaining this, Immortal Monarch Yuanshu paused, allowing Han Yi time to process the information before continuing:
"Now that you have reached the Void Extremity Realm as an Ancient God, once you reach the limit of this realm, you will trigger a Great Dao Tribulation, equivalent to the Immortal Venerable Tribulation."
"Unless you possess the strength to overcome the Immortal Venerable Tribulation, you must never rashly attempt to cultivate to the Ultimate Void Extreme."
"Once the Great Dao Tribulation descends, there's no turning back."
Primal Art Dao Field spoke with utmost solemnity, clearly terrified by the Great Dao Tribulation. Though he had already taken half a step into the Immortal Venerable Realm, he continued to refine his cultivation, daring not to rashly attempt the Immortal Venerable Tribulation. One could only imagine how terrifying an Ancient God Dao Tribulation, equivalent to the Immortal Venerable Tribulation, must be.
Han Yi trembled at these words.
He hadn't realized that the Ancient God's Death Tribulation was merely the first layer of tribulations, followed by the Death God Dao Tribulation and even direct assaults by Ancient Demons and Immortals.
Just as Immortal Monarch Yuanshu had said, once the Great Dao Tribulation descends, there's no turning back.
If you overcome it and reach the Creation Transformation Realm, you'll instead provoke the wrath of Ancient Immortals and Demons, who will seek to exterminate you.
Originally, Han Yi had believed that the Ancient God's Creation Transformation Realm corresponded to the Immortal Monarch and Immortal Sovereign realms, while the Immeasurable Realm corresponded to the Immortal Dao Ancestor realm.
But from Yuan Shu's words, it seemed the first part was correct: the Ancient God's Creation Transformation Realm indeed corresponded to the Immortal Monarch and Immortal Sovereign realms. However, the Ancient God's Immeasurable Realm corresponded not only to the Dao Ancestor realm but also the Heavenly Venerable realm.
As for the Primordial Ancestor realm, which lay above the Immeasurable realm, it must represent the peak of the Heavenly Venerable realm.
How, then, could such a powerful Primordial Ancestor realm Ancient God have fallen to the combined assault of Ancient Demons and Immortals?
This remains one of the great mysteries of the Primordial Era.