The incessant rain had lasted for several days. The Southern Barrens was entering its rainy season, and every year at this time, the entire region would be shrouded in a gloomy blackness of clouds, with no sunlight visible for half a month. Yet, at this moment, beneath the somber sky, amidst the endless mountain ranges, a patch of golden light shone brightly.
On a mountain peak three thousand *zhang* high, five multicolored clouds suddenly appeared, hovering. Each cloud seemed even larger than a mountain itself.
These five clouds were shaped exactly like five mythical beasts: an ancient turtle, a python, a fierce tiger, a qilin, and a giant eagle, each guarding a cardinal direction. The golden light filling the sky emanated from these beast-shaped multicolored clouds.
The incessant rain, upon encountering this golden light, immediately transformed into the purest Water-element spiritual energy, which was then drawn into the formation emitting the golden light, nourishing it.
Five tower-sized chains descended from the five clouds, like heavenly ladders. Each chain was densely inscribed with Daoist talismans, which moved across its surface as if alive, with an extraordinary spiritual aura flowing around them.
The lower ends of the five chains were bound to the foreheads of five colossal stone Mangxiang statues. Mangxiang were legendary ancient divine beasts, possessing six teeth in their mouths, two wings on their backs, and supreme divine power capable of carrying entire mountains.
These five statues were like five towering mountains themselves, no less imposing than the surrounding peaks. Furthermore, the stone statues were carved with incredible lifelike detail. Although they had long endured the elements, with mottled stains appearing on their surfaces, every ancient talisman on each statue continuously flickered with golden light. These talismans were carved onto the forehead of each statue, precisely where the chains were fastened.
If a Great Power from the Cultivation World were to arrive here, they would instantly recognize that these five Mangxiang were not mere stone statues, but ancient divine beasts, sealed here by someone using supreme magical power.
The one who sealed these five Mangxiang also had a very clear purpose: an ancient city was pressed down upon the backs of the five Mangxiang. This ancient city was built from black bedrock, a single, complete block of rock. Its city walls were covered in sword and axe marks, exuding an incredibly desolate aura. It was as if this ancient city was an ancient deity that had just emerged from a desperate charge on the battlefield.
Five Clouds Sealing, Mangxiang Bearing the City.
What kind of person possessed such power?
Although the ancient city was a complete block of bedrock, there was something else on its exterior. It was a white jade stele, three *zhang* tall and incredibly heavy. This was the most precious immortal jade in the Cultivation World, the Jade Essence Spirit Soul. Normally, in the Cultivation World, a piece the size of an egg would be enough to incite countless sect masters to personally fight over it. A block of jade large enough to form such a stele would undoubtedly drive anyone who saw it to utter madness.
However, what truly struck fear into people's hearts were the four large characters inscribed on the stele: "Eternally Suppress the Southern Barrens."
The characters were blood-red, their strokes like dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, exuding an arrogant aura that defied the heavens.
On the back of the stele, numerous smaller characters were densely carved in rows. The first few rows listed: Blood Jade Dynasty, Barren Tomb Clan, Nine Night Gate, Demonic Emperor Sword Sect, Rakshasa Dao…
These were the most powerful sects in Man Hoang, with smaller, weaker sects interspersed among them. The entire back of the stele was carved with the names of several hundred such sects, almost encompassing all the sects in the Man Hoang Cultivation World. Could it be that the owner of this ancient city was so mighty that they were elected as the Lord of Man Hoang by all the sects of Man Hoang?
The five-colored clouds, the ancient city, the Mangxiang, the jade stele—all stood towering amidst the remote mountainous region, seemingly devoid of life. But upon entering, one could see a magnificent stone hall within the ancient city, exuding peculiar rays of light, standing out prominently amidst the sky-filling golden radiance.
This radiance emanated from six strange talismans hovering in the center of the stone hall. Each talisman was nine-sided, appearing extraordinary. Intricate runic patterns, inscribed with supreme spiritual power, covered their nine faces, shining with dazzling starlight and vibrant as if alive. If an outsider were to see them, they would undoubtedly be astounded, for these nine-sided talismans were the supreme first-grade talismans of the Cultivation World, incredibly powerful. These were first-grade talismans that even the top-tier Nine Great Heavenly Gates would declare a supreme sect-guarding treasure if they obtained just one, yet there were six of them in this stone hall.
Each of these first-grade talismans emitted an earth-shattering aura, soaring straight up to the nine heavens, harmonizing with the five-colored clouds in the sky. A mere stir could cause heaven and earth to change color.
These supreme treasures were already astonishing, but upon closer inspection, one would discover that these six magnificent first-grade talismans revolved around something else. Moreover, their posture clearly indicated their subservience to this item, maintaining a respectful distance, not daring to overstep even slightly.
It turned out that in the midst of these six first-grade talismans, there was another spirit talisman. However, its appearance differed from the other six: it was as thick as a palm, three fingers wide, and two *cun* long, resembling a purple jade tablet of mysterious material. Its surface was inscribed with an abstruse spirit-rune, faintly blood-colored.
For some unknown reason, this spirit talisman was dim and lightless; compared to the six first-grade talismans surrounding it, it seemed utterly unremarkable.
Yet, the six first-grade talismans displayed extreme loyalty, still revolving around this spirit talisman.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the darkness, caressing the purple jade spirit talisman with great tenderness. A moment later, a sigh echoed:
"Oh... Han Ba Xue Fen, the most formidable talisman under heaven, the pinnacle among the Heavenly Mandate Divine Talismans of the entire Cultivation World. You have accompanied me, Cui Can, for one hundred and eighty years, campaigning across the south and north. Without you, I would not be where I am today. My rise was thanks to you, my fall also because of you, but why are you..."
The owner of the hand slowly emerged from the darkness. He had long, flowing black hair, and his hands were clasped behind his back. He wore a long black robe with golden trim, his entire being exuding a peculiar allure. Even when facing the entire world, he exuded confidence, as if holding everything in his grasp.
As the Han Ba Xue Fen lay silently in his hand, an expression of immense pain suddenly appeared in the eyes of Man Hoang Emperor Cui Can.
Two hundred years ago, Cui Can was merely a disciple of a small, unknown sect. His status was originally that of someone anyone could bully. It was by chance that he obtained the world's most formidable evil talisman, the Han Ba Blood Soul. Each cultivator in their lifetime can only cultivate one Heaven's Mandate Divine Talisman, so whether the Heaven's Mandate Divine Talisman is powerful or not directly relates to the cultivator's future achievements.
And the Han Ba Blood Soul was precisely the most precious Heaven's Mandate Divine Talisman in the world, its combat power also ranking among the top.
With this Heaven's Mandate Divine Talisman, in just twenty years, Cui Can made a name for himself in Manhuang. After ninety years, he shone like the midday sun, his brilliance illuminating ten thousand *zhang* and unstoppable.
According to legend, the Han Ba Blood Soul was once sealed on the forehead of the ancient world's most formidable evil demon, Han Ba. Over ten thousand years, it had absorbed all of Han Ba's vital blood essence, gaining the power to incinerate heaven and earth.
Relying on this Heaven's Mandate Divine Talisman, Cui Can spent ninety years conquering and finally stabilizing Manhuang. Ninety years ago, all the cultivation sects of Nanhuang collectively presented the "Eternal Suppression of Manhuang" jade stele, officially acknowledging Cui Can as the Nanhuang Emperor.
During the ninety years Cui Can presided over Nanhuang, the Han Ba Blood Soul incinerated countless cultivators from the righteous path. The Nine Great Heavenly Gates launched four punitive expeditions against Nanhuang, all suffering crushing defeats at Cui Can's hands. Seven elders of the Nine Great Heavenly Gates perished; even Lin Xuefeng, the sect master of Jiuyi Mountain, one of the Nine Great Heavenly Gates, was burned blind in one eye by him.
Glorious scenes from the past gradually unfolded before Cui Can's eyes. He suddenly felt a wave of poignant emotion. This Han Ba Blood Soul was immensely powerful; even the current Cui Can could only unleash sixty percent of its might.
Cui Can vaguely sensed that the remaining forty percent of its power held some secret. If he could unravel it, he would truly reach the peak, daring to ask who in the world could be his opponent.
But before he could unleash the full power of the Han Ba Blood Soul, this world's most formidable evil talisman... "Alas..." he sighed inwardly. He stroked the dim, lightless Han Ba Blood Soul and softly called out, "Jian Mi!"
Over the past one hundred and eighty years, many women had admired Cui Can, but only Song Jianmi had been able to stay by his side. The reason was simple: Song Jianmi was exceptionally gentle and compliant.
Back then, Song Jianmi was the foremost beauty of the Righteous Path, possessing extraordinary talent and strength that could definitely place her among the top ten young masters of the Righteous Path, with countless men pursuing her. She and Cui Can, one righteous and one demonic, were originally like fire and water, incompatible. But ever since meeting Cui Can, she immediately abandoned the conflict between good and evil, completely shed her sharp demeanor, and gently, compliantly followed Cui Can. She obeyed Cui Can in everything he said, greatly surprising the young talents who had pursued her for many years.
Whatever Cui Can asked, Song Jianmi would do immediately without hesitation. Yet today, after Cui Can called out, there was no reply from her for a long time.
Cui Can suddenly had a premonition that something bad was happening. Just then, the entire ancient city suddenly shook, followed by five massive explosions. Cui Can's expression changed, and he immediately shot out. Sure enough, above the five colorful clouds, five iron chains had been unsealed.
Cui Can instantly realized, his face turning ashen.
He hadn't even had time to react. In that instant, dozens of incredibly powerful auras suddenly surged in from outside.
"Hahaha!"
A maniacal laugh rang out. A blurry, indistinct demonic figure flew to the ancient city gate and stopped, looking at the jade stele with disdain:
"Eternal Suppression of the Southern Wilderness? How ridiculous!"
Suddenly, the demonic figure flicked its sleeve, and a bolt of black lightning shattered the jade stele.
Along with this demonic figure, two or three dozen more people appeared. The demonic figure flew into the sky, and the others immediately followed close behind, surging into the city together.
Cui Can sneered coldly:
"The second most powerful person in the Southern Wilderness. Gui Li Ming, you finally dare to show your face before me..."
The demonic figure sneered:
"Hmph. Cui Can. I've never accepted your status as the Southern Wilderness Emperor, which is why I've specifically come today to challenge you."
Cui Can threw his head back and laughed loudly:
"Challenge me? My Han Ba Blood Soul hasn't even died yet, and you dare to come here? I once went to your Demonic Flame Valley, but you were too scared and fled three thousand miles away. Why didn't you dare to challenge me then?"
Gui Li Ming, having his past shame brought up by Cui Can, was so embarrassed he became enraged, and roared:
"Enough with the useless talk! Today, I, Gui, have led my fellow Southern Wilderness cultivators here to ask you to abdicate, hand over the Secret Realm Treasury, and leave Hoang Yun City. If you obediently comply, all will be well. But if you refuse... then I, Gui, will have no choice but to take action. Hmph hmph, to teach the Southern Wilderness Emperor a lesson, such an honor is extremely rare."
Cui Can ignored Gui Li Ming, who was gloating like a petty villain, and swept his gaze over the people behind him. Cui Can was no stranger to these individuals; they were all sect masters of major factions in the Southern Wilderness. Previously, these people had always gone to great lengths to curry favor with him, but now they were following Gui Li Ming.
Cui Can sneered:
"If I hadn't guarded the Southern Wilderness for ninety years, how many of you would still be standing here? I'm afraid you would have been captured by the Nine Great Heavenly Gates and sent to Ruo Lu Prison long ago..."
This statement immediately made the sect masters extremely ashamed. About seventy percent of them lowered their heads, not daring to look at Cui Can. However, today's matter was like a bow drawn taut, with no turning back; these sect masters did not change their minds because of Cui Can's words.
Cui Can had long since seen through the expressions of these people. He let out a cold hmph, flicked his sleeve, and said arrogantly:
"Come at me, all of you! If you want to take my Secret Realm Treasury, if you want to seize my Hoang Yun City, then take it with your own abilities!"
Gui Li Ming sneered, a demonic flame flaring up three hundred *zhang* high behind him as he prepared to charge. Suddenly, a cold voice rang out:
"Great Emperor Cui, an old friend has come to visit, and you won't even greet them?"
Cui Can seemed to have anticipated this; his expression remained calm:
"I knew you wouldn't miss this fun. Since you're here, just come in. You've exhausted your efforts to break my Five Cloud Lock; even if I didn't welcome you, couldn't you just let yourself in?"
A long laugh rang out. A seven-colored rainbow flew into the city, inlaid with pearls and jade of various colors, incredibly beautiful and precious. A one-eyed old man slowly stepped down from the rainbow, followed by several hundred cultivators from the Righteous Path faction.
Someone from the Southern Wilderness factions recognized the old man and cried out in alarm:
"It's Sect Master Lin Jue Feng of Qiu Na Xi Mountain!"
Years ago, Lin Juefeng personally led his army to attack Nanhuang, sweeping all before him, unstoppable. But after encountering Cui Can, he suffered a crushing defeat and retreated, he himself also wounded by Cui Can. The venomous fire of Hanba Xuefen burned out one of his eyes, damaging his primordial spirit. To this day, that eye has never recovered its sight.
As the Nanhuang Emperor, Cui Can naturally guessed that at this moment, Lin Juefeng would surely seize the opportunity to take advantage of his misfortune. He was not at all surprised by Lin Juefeng's appearance. However, when he saw the woman closely following Lin Juefeng, the muscles on his face couldn't help but twitch:
— Song Jianmi, it really is you...
Cui Can could never have imagined that the one who betrayed him would be the very person he had loved and trusted most – his beloved. It was Song Jianmi who opened the Five Cloud Lock. Otherwise, these people would have had to pay a considerable price to get in. Whether it was Gui Liming or Lin Juefeng, at least half of their followers would have died.
Song Jianmi's eyes, as she looked at him, were vacant, her voice devoid of any emotion:
— I've been undercover by your side for over a hundred years, all for this very day. Killing you is to eliminate a scourge for the Righteous Path!
Undercover? Cui Can sneered. He had never once guarded against Song Jianmi. If she wanted to kill him, she had countless opportunities. But why wait until now? To put it plainly, it was because his Hanba Xuefen was dead, and everyone believed he was utterly weakened.
Back then, when Song Jianmi followed him, she naturally endured immense pressure. However, Cui Can's situation was hardly any easier. As a figure of the Demonic Path, he fell in love with a fairy from the Righteous Path. When they were first together, Cui Can had not yet attained the title of Nanhuang Emperor. Seven-tenths of those who hunted Cui Can did so out of concern that he would reveal the Demonic Path's secrets. Even Cui Can couldn't remember how many times he had nearly died for Song Jianmi or how many wounds he had sustained.
Even after Cui Can became the Nanhuang Emperor, he found no peace. Many in Nanhuang were displeased, unaccustomed to seeing a woman from the Righteous Path by Cui Can's side.
And Cui Can himself, to deter the Nine Great Heavenly Sects so that they wouldn't dare trouble Song Jianmi's clan, had once risked his life, leaving Nanhuang to kill an elder from Mount Luofu who had been oppressing the Song family.
Mount Luofu was also one of the Nine Great Heavenly Sects. That battle was the most tragic since Cui Can's rise to prominence.
At this moment, Cui Can was seething with rage. Throughout his life, what he hated most was betrayal by those close to him. When Gui Liming and the Nanhuang factions betrayed him, he merely felt contempt. But Song Jianmi's betrayal filled him with boundless fury.