One after another, people outside began entering the hall under the guidance of the Grave Guardians.
This was the first time Liu Bai had seen so many Heavenly Sovereigns gathered together, especially Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns.
"Oh? There are even some familiar faces..."
Seeing the Western Heaven Battle Emperor being led into the hall by an Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign Grave Guardian, a smile appeared on Liu Bai's lips.
"Hehe, Western Heaven Battle Emperor, it has been many years since we last met. I never expected you to have broken through to the Saint Grade as well. Truly, long time no see."
Liu Bai had no intention of mocking him. After all, this was a time when everyone needed to unite against a common enemy, and he was not so shortsighted as to stir up old grievances.
However, those words sounded somewhat unpleasant to the Western Heaven Battle Emperor.
Back then, the other party had been nothing more than a little fellow sheltering beneath the Martial Ancestor's protection. Yet now, upon meeting again, Liu Bai had already reached the pinnacle of the Great Thousand World, far surpassing him, the so called Battle Emperor.
"Do not misunderstand. There was never any real enmity between us. Since you have broken through to the Saint Grade, you can now contribute to the Great Thousand World as well. I should be congratulating you. Please, take your seat."
Awkwardly nodding, the Western Heaven Battle Emperor thanked him before sitting down in one of the outermost golden seats.
After he was seated, more and more Heavenly Sovereigns continued to arrive.
Among them were members of the Buddha Ancient Clan, the Tai Ling Ancient Clan, the Black Heaven Ancient Clan, the Desolate Ancient Clan, and the Maha Ancient Clan, all of whom took seats among the golden seats.
However, Liu Bai noticed that whenever Maha Tian looked toward Mu Chen, there was still a trace of unwillingness in his eyes, and his expression remained gloomy. Nevertheless, he merely cupped his fists toward Qin Tian before taking his seat.
The arrival of the five Ancient Clans immediately made the hall much more crowded.
Especially the golden seats, many of which were now occupied.
Although the leaders of the five Ancient Clans were only Saint Grade Middle Phase experts, when combined with their respective clan treasures, they possessed power capable of contending against Saint Grade Late Phase experts.
"Junior Brother Mu Chen, Junior Sister Luo Li, sit over here."
Seeing Mu Chen heading toward the Immortal Grade seats, Liu Bai smiled and called out.
This immediately attracted numerous curious glances. After all, the two of them appeared to be only at the Immortal Grade. What qualifications did they have to sit among the golden seats?
Naturally, Liu Bai knew what everyone was thinking. As a Demon Slaying King of the Great Thousand Palace, it was only appropriate for him to provide an explanation.
"Although Mu Chen's cultivation is only at the Immortal Grade, he possesses battle power comparable to a Saint Grade Middle Phase expert. Furthermore, he is the second master of the Primordial Immortal Body. Naturally, he is qualified to sit among the golden seats."
"As for Miss Luo Li, she is the Saintess of the Tai Ling Ancient Clan and holds status equal to the Clan Leader. As the representative of the Tai Ling Ancient Clan, she naturally possesses the same qualification."
The hall erupted into low murmurs. Many Heavenly Sovereigns who had only recently emerged from seclusion stared at Mu Chen in astonishment, clearly shocked by his status as the master of the Primordial Immortal Body.
When the two took their seats, they also noticed the Western Heaven Battle Emperor.
Unlike Liu Bai, they had once had direct conflicts with him.
After all, the Western Heaven Battle Emperor had once harbored thoughts of bringing Luo Li into his harem. At that time, Mu Chen had nearly been driven to fight him to the death.
Fortunately, after being taught a lesson by the Martial Ancestor, the Western Heaven Battle Emperor had displayed some magnanimity and had not vented his anger upon the Luo God Clan. As a result, both sides merely nodded at each other and tacitly chose not to mention past events.
While Liu Bai was observing the people within the hall, his heart suddenly stirred.
He sensed wisps of black wind appearing out of nowhere before gathering around a golden seat beside Qin Tian.
As the black wind dissipated, an elderly man in black robes with white hair appeared, sitting there with lowered eyelids as though asleep.
An aura of twilight permeated his body, as though the flame of his life could extinguish at any moment. Yet beneath that seemingly withered appearance lay an indescribably terrifying pressure.
In an instant, Liu Bai guessed the old man's identity.
He and Qin Tian immediately stood up and cupped their fists.
"Greetings, Senior Undying!"
A slight commotion spread through the hall as countless respectful gazes turned toward the old man.
Clearly, this elderly figure was none other than the mysterious Undying Lord, leader of the Grave Guardians who guarded the Northern Desolate Grave.
The old man slowly raised his eyes.
His dark gaze swept across Liu Bai before he nodded slightly and uttered a single word.
"Good."
The indifferent and hoarse voice seemed to travel through the river of time itself, echoing from the ancient era.
Liu Bai clearly understood that this word had been directed at him.
Obviously, the addition of another top tier Heavenly Sovereign level combatant pleased even this aging elder.
Just as Liu Bai was considering whether he should say something, a clear sword hum suddenly echoed through the void.
Everyone saw a streak of azure sword light tear through space before descending onto a golden seat beside the Undying Lord.
As the sword light dispersed, a figure dressed in azure robes appeared seated there.
Across his knees rested a slender azure longsword.
He raised his head and smiled gently at everyone present.
"Sword Domain's Azure Sword Saint. I have arrived a step late. I hope everyone will forgive me."
The Azure Sword Saint!
A supreme expert whose fame rivaled that of the Undying Lord and Great Thousand Palace Grand Elder Qin Tian.
With his arrival, there were now four top tier Heavenly Sovereigns gathered within the hall, greatly reassuring everyone present.
In addition to these renowned experts, there were also numerous hidden powerhouses who had been invited because of the Great Thousand Covenant.
Every one of them possessed Saint Grade combat power, and together they were capable of contending against many Heavenly Demons Emperors.
At this moment, more than half of the Great Thousand World's highest combat power had gathered within this hall, greatly boosting everyone's confidence.
"Since Brother Azure Sword has also arrived, then we may officially begin this Great Thousand Covenant."
Seeing the Azure Sword Saint's arrival, Qin Tian smiled faintly.
His gaze swept across the hall as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Originally, the Flame Emperor and the Martial Ancestor would have attended as well. However, the Fiend Race Demons suddenly launched attacks against the Endless Fire Domain and the Martial Realm. The two of them must remain behind to oversee the situation and are temporarily unable to leave."
These words immediately cooled the excitement in the hall.
The Fiend Race Demons had dispatched massive forces to attack both the Martial Realm and the Endless Fire Domain.
There was no need to think deeply to understand their purpose.
"They truly intend to make a move against the Northern Desolate Grave." the Azure Sword Saint sighed softly.
"That outcome was decided long ago. However, with so many experts gathered here today, if the Fiend Race Demons truly dare to come, then we shall fight them!"
Liu Bai's voice was cold and sharp.
After all, he still needed those Heavenly Demons Emperors to provide him with experience points for his future breakthrough.
The Undying Lord also spoke with a hint of madness.
"My Grave Guardian Clan has guarded the Northern Desolate Grave for forty eight thousand years. We have waited only for this final Great Thousand Covenant to bring everything to completion. If the Fiend Race Demons seek to interfere, then my Grave Guardian Clan is prepared to fight until the very last person falls!"
His words were filled with absolute determination, and no one doubted that he would carry them out.
"I believe everyone here feels the same. No matter what happens, once the sealing grand Array operates one final time, the life imprint of the Heavenly Evil God will be completely erased. Only then will the Great Thousand World finally know peace and no longer fear the Fiend Race Demons. Therefore, this operation cannot be allowed to fail!"
Qin Tian likewise spoke his true thoughts.
"Qin King is right. We shall naturally do the same."
"That's right! We absolutely cannot allow those Demons to succeed!"
Everyone voiced their agreement, quickly reaching a consensus.
"In that case, we must all work together to activate the grand Array and completely eradicate the Heavenly Evil God."
Everyone nodded.
"We will follow Qin King's instructions."
"Then I thank you all."
Qin Tian's expression became solemn as he cupped his fists toward everyone present.
Since several hours still remained before the grand Array would be activated, everyone simply waited quietly within the hall.
However, during this period, something unexpected occurred.
After seeing Mu Chen's Primordial Immortal Body, the Undying Lord, leader of the Grave Guardians, actually declared his intention to acknowledge Mu Chen as his master.
The moment those words were spoken, everyone in the hall was stunned. Even Qin Tian and the Azure Sword Saint looked toward Mu Chen with slight astonishment.
After all, the Grave Guardian Clan was the direct lineage left behind by the Immortal Emperor. Their loyalty to the Immortal Emperor was absolute, and they revered him as a god. Furthermore, they possessed the inheritance left behind by the Immortal Emperor. Over these tens of thousands of years, they had accumulated tremendous strength and had become an indispensable force within the Great Thousand World.
If the Grave Guardian Clan were to acknowledge Mu Chen as their master, then the power under Mu Chen's command would immediately rise into the forefront of the Great Thousand World. It would be no weaker than the Five Ancient Clans and might even surpass them.
This sight once again made Maha Tian's eyes redden with jealousy. If the Primordial Immortal Body had belonged to the Maha Clan, and they had then gained the allegiance of the Grave Guardian Clan, they could have instantly become the number one force in the Great Thousand World!
Although Mu Chen was equally shocked, he was not dazzled by this windfall that had fallen from the heavens.
He was not a fool. He knew exactly what he was capable of. The Grave Guardian Clan was indeed powerful, but precisely because of that, they would attract even greater envy. Moreover, this was merely a declaration. Everything was based upon the Immortal Emperor's final will.
Even so, he could not be certain that he would truly be able to command them. If he rashly accepted the position of master, it might even bring about a backlash in the future.
"Senior, you think too highly of this junior. The Grave Guardian Clan has guarded the Northern Desolate Grave for tens of thousands of years, a feat worthy of everyone's admiration. This junior does not have the qualifications to direct your clan. Therefore, there is no need to take this matter of acknowledging a master seriously. The most important responsibility remains safeguarding the peace of the Great Thousand World."
Mu Chen's response surprised many of those present.
They had not expected him to resist such a temptation. As expected of someone recognized by the Primordial Immortal Body, he truly possessed extraordinary qualities.
Upon hearing this, the Undying Lord seemed to smile faintly. He said nothing further, though only he knew what he was truly thinking.
Among everyone present, perhaps only Liu Bai understood that the Undying Lord was not speaking casually. Mu Chen's future growth would astonish everyone. Once Mu Chen reached the Saint Grade in the future, the Undying Lord leading the Grave Guardian Clan into his service would no longer seem so unbelievable.
If the Buddha Ancient Clan were added as well, then even if Mu Chen never reached the Ruler Realm, he would still command the greatest force in the Great Thousand World.
After all, once the Heavenly Evil God was gone, the Great Thousand Palace would lose its authority to mobilize the entire Great Thousand World. At most, it would remain one of the top super forces.
Time passed quickly, and before long, it was time to activate the Great Thousand Demon Subduing Array.
However, before Liu Bai and the others could make a move, a terrifying demonic howl suddenly erupted from beneath the Great Thousand Palace.
The entire Northern Desolate Grave trembled violently, as though a colossal earth dragon had turned beneath the ground.
Everyone's expressions changed immediately.
Fortunately, at the same moment the demonic howl rang out, the inverted bronze coffins upon the black plaza also began to tremble. Streams of spiritual energy light shot out from them and rapidly connected together. In only a few breaths, they formed an ancient and solemn Array above the Northern Desolate Grave.
The Array resonated with sounds resembling sacred chants. Endless power descended and suppressed the earth below, calming the violently churning land.
Qin Tian abruptly stood up, his expression stern.
"Everyone, the time has come. Prepare to activate the Array and erase the final life imprint of the Heavenly Evil God!"
"We obey!"
Together with everyone else, Liu Bai rose to his feet and stepped onto one of the bronze coffins outside.
Boom!
As if sensing the approaching danger, the earth of the Northern Desolate Grave began to shake frantically. Massive cracks tore across the land, and from within them surged endless demonic energy, billowing upward like black smoke.
The moment the demonic energy emerged, the entire sky darkened. Wherever it passed, even the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was contaminated and corroded.
Roar!
From the deepest reaches of the earth came a terrifying roar.
Through a deep black fissure, Liu Bai and the others vaguely saw what appeared to be an eye of ultimate evil gazing up at them from the depths below, filled with boundless savagery and malice.
A terrifying chill shot from the depths of their hearts straight to their scalps.
Even Liu Bai was no exception.
"So this is the Heavenly Evil God, truly terrifying."
Liu Bai muttered inwardly.
At this moment, Qin Tian, standing atop the central bronze coffin, shouted sharply.
"Pour in your spiritual energy and activate the Array!"
All the Heavenly Sovereigns acted simultaneously.
A vast curtain of light spread out and enveloped the entire Northern Desolate Grave, covering the land and sealing off the terrifying demonic energy that was spilling out.
Just as the Array began to operate, Qin Tian's body suddenly trembled violently.
To his horror, he discovered that a strange power was influencing his consciousness.
Wherever that power spread, even the spiritual energy within his body was suppressed.
A low growl escaped Qin Tian's throat. His eyes turned blood red as he frantically circulated his spiritual energy. Yet the more he resisted, the more he felt control over his body being gradually stripped away.
Liu Bai was the first to notice something was wrong with Qin Tian, and he immediately understood what was happening.
"This is bad! The Heart Demon Clan has activated the hidden measure they left within Qin Tian!"
Yet there was not the slightest trace of any Demon outside the Northern Desolate Grave. Clearly, the enemy was hiding in the shadows while carrying out this scheme.
Although Liu Bai knew that Qin Tian would not truly be controlled, this was the critical moment of activating the Array. If something happened to Qin Tian now, the Heavenly Evil God below might seize the opportunity!
Without the slightest hesitation, two figures stepped directly out from Liu Bai's body.
The moment they appeared, they each cast forth a different Array.
...
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