Chapter 988 - 437: The End of the Immortality Map

Life and death wheel and turn, Daluo breeds and arises, creation flows without end; the Dao Principles of seventeen Daluo Golden Immortals were being rapidly refined by Li An.

His Daluo World grew ever more complete, ever more arcane.

Every Daluo Golden Immortal is like a blind man feeling an elephant; each one copies and senses the creation of Heaven and Earth, yet what each one beholds is different—an iceberg's tip, a dragon's claw—their understanding is all limited. Only by drawing ever closer to creation itself is there a chance for life to be born.

Life is the most perfect work wrought by creation.

And when the comprehension of creation from those seventeen Daluo is gathered together, it draws ever nearer to the true body of that giant elephant. Added to the vast Longevity White Mist that Li An already possessed, when all these things merged, his Daluo World was constantly developing and perfecting itself; within it, the living beings had even begun to establish realms that symbolized civilization.

Up to now, Li An's strength… could be said to have reached the level of a Sub-Venerable.

Indeed, his Daluo World should be far stronger than that of Yun Qianhe or the Purple Fairy.

Having absorbed the laws of seventeen Daluo Golden Immortals, Li An could be called the true number one beneath the Immortal Venerables.

Yet the gap between him and an Immortal Venerable was still vast.

...

Ninth Celestial Realm.

"You are certain you do not need our help?"

The Purple Fairy spoke; her eyes were filled with concern.

"No need. Go, return to the Celestial Court."

Shangguan Xiaoxiao was exceedingly calm.

"May I use your trump card?"

Xiang Yuntian then asked. He said, "If someone must die, I am the most suitable to die."

Everyone knew that Shangguan Xiaoxiao was no longer even a Daluo Golden Immortal, yet he possessed such courage, daring to declare he would annihilate all enemies, including Yunluo Immortal Venerable… To accomplish this, what price would he have to pay?

Perhaps, his life.

"If you could use it, what need would there be for me?"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Go quickly."

On the Celestial Court's side, the many Daluo Golden Immortals were all silent, but in the end they could only withdraw.

"Four thousand years ago, Li An the Supreme staked his life and won a world divided in two. Today, Shangguan the Supreme stands alone against his foes. Your merits will not be forgotten by the people under Heaven."

Ye Cauldron, grievously wounded, still insisted on bowing.

Yunxi, Ye Tiancan, Biyao Fairy and the others likewise bowed in farewell; even Celestial Monarch Zuo Feng and Celestial Monarch Shi Teng, at this moment, were filled with emotion, respect showing upon their faces.

"How about giving me your hairpin?"

At parting, the Purple Fairy suddenly spoke. "If you cannot return, I shall use this pin to be buried together with Li An in your stead."

After Li An's death, the Dao Sect had erected a cenotaph for him.

Shangguan Xiaoxiao smiled faintly and said, "Very well."

She took off her hairpin and handed it to the Purple Fairy.

The many Daluo of the Celestial Court then retreated; their figures vanished swiftly. Soon, within the yellow dust that filled the Ninth Celestial Realm, only Shangguan Xiaoxiao remained, and opposite her, that Daluo Golden Immortal who held the Yunluo Immortal Seal.

"Celestial Monarch Qin Zhong, I'm not mistaken, am I?"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao fixed her gaze on Qin Zhong.

Though Qin Zhong held the Immortal Venerable's Spiritual Artifact, at this moment he did not conceal his fear. After all, what Shangguan Xiaoxiao had said was truly terrifying, and she possessed a trump card that even an Immortal Venerable feared too much to show himself. How could he not believe?

It was just a pity that he had nowhere to retreat. As Yunluo Immortal Venerable's Direct Disciple, if he fled like the others, it would also be a dead end.

Since that was so, he might as well stake everything on one battle.

"In truth, you don't need to be nervous, truly."

Shangguan Xiaoxiao looked at him and smiled. "This Yunluo Immortal Seal's connection to Yunluo Immortal Venerable has already been severed. By wielding the Immortal Venerable's artifact, you could be said to be the second strongest person in this world."

"Ever thought of being the first?"

Qin Zhong watched her warily.

Shangguan Xiaoxiao sensed that the Purple Fairy and the others had already gone far; at last she raised her hand.

She merely lifted her hand, yet Celestial Monarch Qin Zhong instinctively retreated several steps. Behind him a Daluo Void Path manifested, ready to withdraw at any time, and the Yunluo Immortal Seal in his hand was also lifted high!

But he saw only Shangguan Xiaoxiao's charming smile—and then Shangguan Xiaoxiao's Daluo World slowly unfolded. It could no longer be called a world: the phantom of a world, the rules of creation, all no longer existed—only some shattered void remained. Yet within those broken voids lay a vast ocean of Longevity White Mist!

Shangguan Xiaoxiao suddenly cried out, her tender voice ringing: "Catch—take it, it's all yours!"

An ocean of Longevity White Mist surged forth madly like a tide, then rushed toward Celestial Monarch Qin Zhong.

Qin Zhong was baffled, but when he sensed the Longevity White Mist, a trace of greed nonetheless flashed through his heart. Only, mindful of Yunluo Immortal Venerable's secret watch, he dared not act rashly.

"If you take it, you are doomed to die; if you do not take it, you are likewise doomed. But if you seize this thing, and add the Yunluo Immortal Seal in your hand, it is not certain that you have no sliver of chance to supplant Yunluo Immortal Venerable and take his place—"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao's words reached him as a secret voice transmission.

These words were like a gentle push given to Celestial Monarch Qin Zhong, who stood on the edge of a cliff. Already locked within a life-and-death choice, his thoughts whirled and shifted like illusions. He gritted his teeth, raised the Immortal Seal, unfolded his Daluo World, and absorbed this oceanic Longevity White Mist in its entirety!

And at that very moment, Yunluo Immortal Venerable—who was peering at this place from some unknown location—actually did not act, seeming somewhat hesitant.

He was too cautious!

Yet precisely in that cautious instant, Shangguan Xiaoxiao had already retreated at lightning speed.

"Stop!"

"You cannot escape!"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao sought to leave the Ninth Celestial Realm, but in the shadows, yet another two Daluo Golden Immortals emerged to cut her off and kill her!

Yunluo Immortal Venerable was by no means an ordinary figure; he had likewise laid down back-up arrangements. Today, no matter what, he had to force out the trump card in Shangguan Xiaoxiao's hand.