Chapter Seven: The Mask Comes Off, I Reveal Everything
Boom!
A resounding explosion echoed through the heavens and the earth, as if it emanated from the very source of the myriad worlds.
It was like the voice of the Dao.
Above the celestial vault, a magnificent screen of light covered the sky, swirling with hues of seven colors, as chains of divine order slowly coalesced.
Countless chains of divine order merged above the sky, gradually forming a blue object.
...In the mortal realm of cultivation.
In the space connecting the realms of humans, spirits, and immortals.
A colossal bird, unimaginably huge, glided leisurely across various planes.
This immense bird was several thousand zhang in size!
It was entirely green, with flashes of azure light and mysterious symbols flowing across its body.
It was one of the most powerful true spirits in the mortal world, the Azure Sky Kunpeng!
Suddenly, the Azure Sky Kunpeng emitted an extremely sharp and painful shriek!
A blinding spatial rift appeared out of nowhere, and a streak of white light flashed past the Kunpeng's neck.
The white light carried an object resembling a feather, which slipped into the spatial rift.
Immediately after, the spatial rift vanished.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, and the Azure Sky Kunpeng had no time to react.
With the disappearance of the spatial rift, the entire space was filled with the Kunpeng's furious cries.
...As cultivators across the myriad worlds pondered what the divine chains would form.
A green feather, adorned with mysterious glowing symbols, suddenly flew in from the depths of the heavens.
It merged into the blue object.
In an instant, the blue light formed a pair of exquisitely crafted, lightning-emitting wings.
One could tell from its spiritual radiance and the swirling runes that it was no ordinary item.
...At this moment.
The myriad worlds erupted in fervor!
Three thousand years of cultivation?!
And another treasure?!
Initially, when Li Changshou's secrets were exposed to the myriad worlds, some cultivators had taken a perverse pleasure in the revelation.
They believed that such exposure could only bring harm and no benefit.
Only a few high-level, reckless cultivators saw it as an opportunity to gain fame across the heavens.
Most others were wary and anxious, fearing their own secrets might be laid bare.
Just for amusement's sake!
But now, hearing about the astonishing rewards for the exposure!
Feelings of envy, jealousy, and anticipation surged.
...In the Perfect World.
A young man stood amidst the Great Wilderness, gazing into the distance.
Before him, beyond countless miles, was an immense and boundless city. Soldiers in armor patrolled the city's vast expanse.
This was the Imperial Fortress.
With the first light of dawn, golden rays illuminated the Imperial Fortress.
Yet, it remained uncertain whether this grand city could withstand several assaults from foreign tribes.
Contemplating the powerful foreign figures.
Shi Hao was filled with worry and a heavy heart.
A sense of urgency to elevate his cultivation became a persistent thought in his mind.
At this moment, upon hearing the words from the light screen.
Shi Hao's gaze was fixed on the screen, his breath growing more rapid.
Three thousand years of cultivation!
If he could gain three thousand more years of cultivation, sweeping away foreign domains and quelling unrest would be a mere formality!
However, Shi Hao knew deep down that this coveted reward did not belong to him.
It was destined for some fortunate soul from an unknown realm.
At this moment, Shi Hao could only hope to be among the ten exposed.
Shi Hao suddenly wondered if his past peculiarities as a child might qualify as extraordinary.
At this moment, Shi Hao was filled with anticipation!
...In the Extermination of Immortals World.
Zhang Xiaofan stood still, as if a statue, staring at the screen of light above.
He seemed almost dazed.
Three thousand years of cultivation!
Back then, he was a humble disciple of the righteous Qingyun Sect, honest and hardworking, enduring beatings and reproaches with a heart full of gratitude.
He had faced countless tribulations and endured endless suffering.
Until he entered the Devil Sect as Gui Li.
His hands were stained with blood, his path marked by countless vengeful souls.
In other words, he was now a renowned figure in the devil path, despite being only in his twenties.
What would he become if granted another three thousand years of cultivation?
Zhang Xiaofan could not fathom the extent of his future realm.
He only knew that, even with an additional three thousand or thirty thousand or three hundred thousand years of cultivation, she would never return.
Zhang Xiaofan recalled the first time he saw Bi Yao.
She was dressed in flowing water-green robes, slender and graceful, with a golden bell gently jingling at her waist, and a delicate flower on her fingertip, as white as jade.
A faint smile graced her lips, her eyes shimmering with divine beauty, exuding an air of noble elegance.
No one would have expected her to be the young master of the Devil Sect.
Zhang Xiaofan closed his eyes.
In his mind, the slender figure seemed to descend slowly from the sky.
Like a spirit in the dark night, like a butterfly with broken wings under the Extermination Sword.
A profound sense of desolation and solitude emanated from Zhang Xiaofan.
He sighed softly, staring absently at the corner of the thatched roof.
There, a green corner of clothing and a simple bell swayed gently in the evening breeze.
...On Sea God Island.
Tang San's face flashed with surprise.
To receive a reward of three thousand years of cultivation for a single exposure.
His great-grandfather, Tang Chen, the Limit Douluo, had a lifespan of only a few hundred years.
But Tang San was not particularly envious.
On Douluo Continent, ten-thousand-year soul beasts were not uncommon, and hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were not mere legends.
Three thousand years was a short period for soul beasts.
Their entire essence is converted into soul rings, which can be absorbed by humans.
To Tang San, three thousand years of cultivation was equivalent to absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Moreover, Li Changshou, over a hundred years old, was still lingering in his sect.
It was evident that this so-called primordial world had a vastly slower cultivation speed compared to Douluo Continent.
His current goal was to become a deity.
With only one test left for the Sea God assessment, if he passed, he would become the King of the Ten Thousand Seas.
By then, facing the forces behind this exposure, he would have no fear!
With this thought, Tang San's heart surged.
He concentrated his soul power, causing a block of ice at dozens of degrees below zero, capable of freezing a Title Douluo's soul, to shatter into countless fragments!
...Outside the Dao of Immortality Gate.
The retreating Maitreya and Xu Bodhi slowed their steps upon hearing the grand voice from the screen.
Three thousand years of cultivation could instantly elevate a newly ascended Golden Immortal to the peak of the Golden Immortal realm.
For them, as strong Golden Immortals, three thousand years of cultivation could push them beyond the peak, and with other opportunities, even the Great Luo might not be out of reach!
With this in mind, Maitreya and Xu Bodhi immediately stopped.
However, they had already announced their return to the Western region, so forcibly intercepting Li Changshou now would be awkward.
Maitreya's gaze shifted, giving a signal to the Buddha standing behind him.
The Buddha, understanding the implication, conjured a cloud to block the Western sect's people attempting to retreat. He said, "Brothers, it is not out of disrespect, but we were instructed by the Holy Master. If we are dismissed with a few words, the Holy Master may be displeased!"
Upon hearing this, Maitreya feigned hesitation, as if worried about being reprimanded by the Holy Master for yielding to the words of the old monk.
The Buddha continued, "The Holy Master only wishes to invite Master Li Changshou to the Spirit Mountain for a discussion. Is the word of our Western Saints not credible? Brother Maitreya, if we leave now, wouldn't it seem like we are admitting guilt?"
Pah!
The Western sect's followers were all disdainful.
The Western sect's shameless conduct of saying one thing and doing another stemmed from its two saints.
But due to their exalted status, no one dared to speak out.
Maitreya's face slightly changed, as if moved by the old monk's words.
He then turned to the Eastern Emperor and bowed, saying, "Lord Mu, you heard what my junior brother said. Our Western sect's face will be lost if we just turn and leave. Let Master Li Changshou accompany us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Bodhi, who had been waiting anxiously, immediately summoned the Seven Treasure Mysterious Tree and directed it towards Li Changshou.
The Seven Treasure Mysterious Tree was said to be able to absorb all things; if Li Changshou were hit, he might lose all his cultivation!
...In the Celestial Court.
A mirror suspended in the air displayed the scene outside the Dao of Immortality Gate.
The Western sect's disregard for his words had already displeased the Jade Emperor.
Now, seeing Xu Bodhi act so aggressively, the Jade Emperor was furious!
The situation was now a dilemma.
If Li Changshou were taken by the Western sect, the Celestial Court's reputation would be severely damaged, and it would be subjected to ridicule from all quarters!
But the Celestial Court's forces were currently weak... The Jade Emperor took a deep breath, rose, his long hair billowing, and thunder rumbled behind him.
He removed his imperial robe, took the Celestial