Chapter 37: So It Was You

Zhong Yuanhua gazed down at the cultivators of the Central Heaven Realm, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. Many of the powers gathered here had risen under his covert guidance. Otherwise, a Lord of the Realm with only himself to command would be forced to handle every matter personally, running himself ragged day in and day out.

Nor was Zhong Yuanhua unique in this; the other four Realm Lords also maintained their own secret forces. Though their numbers were few, each was a formidable cultivator, possessing the strength to face a hundred foes alone.

Without further preamble, Zhong Yuanhua led his followers straight to the battlefield. For the first engagement, he chose the Border of Unjust Death, the juncture between Central Heaven and the Western Desert.

Once, this land had been a lush, endless expanse of green. Legend held that a mighty cultivator, having gone mad during his practice of a supremely yang and unyielding technique, transformed the region into desert overnight. More sensational tales claimed that this thriving place was once a city of millions. After the cultivator's madness drove him to massacre the entire population, he feared discovery by the righteous path and erased all traces of the city's true appearance with his peerless power.

Soon, Zhong Yuanhua and his people arrived at the Border of Unjust Death, where the forces of the Western Desert were already assembled. All that was lacking was a spark to ignite the conflict.

"Zhong Yuanhua, do you truly intend to start a war? Will you disobey the orders of the World Lord?" Xidan You wasted no time in heaping a great accusation upon Zhong Yuanhua, but the latter merely chuckled with disdain.

"Xidan You, so you remember the World Lord? Do you also recall the rule of equal ranks in combat?"

Zhong Yuanhua was no fool. If Xidan You sought to bind him with the World Lord's rules, then he too could use those very rules to create an advantage for himself.

"Hmph, of course I remember. But today, your realm will perish!"

"That Night Demon Nine—once you're all dead, I'll personally end him, eradicating any future threat. I won't grant him the slightest chance to grow."

Xidan You had witnessed Night Demon Nine's terrifying abilities: to command the mighty Spirit Gathering Array at only fifteen or sixteen years of age, and to have already reached the mid-stage of the Qi Fusion Realm. How could he allow someone with such potential to survive and become a future menace?

"Then let us fight!"

Zhong Yuanhua knew further words were useless. He unleashed a surge of power, charging directly at Xidan You.

"Come, then!"

Xidan You's aura changed in an instant, surging forth like a tidal wave. Behind him, the force to destroy heaven and earth gathered with terrifying intensity.

Their clash was imminent.

Zhong Yuanhua raised a hand and pointed into the void, godlike radiance blazing at his back. That single finger seemed enough to pierce the vault of heaven, cleaving toward Xidan You with unstoppable force.

"The Brush of Living Color!"

Suddenly, a mighty brush fell from the skies, bearing both the keenness of a sword and the inexorable drive of a spear. Its descent was dazzling, accompanied by a crushing pressure that shattered the very air.

Its tip painted upon the void, and with each stroke, a fearsome storm arose, as though each line contained the power to destroy worlds.

A thunderous roar erupted as Zhong Yuanhua's finger force collided with the power of the living brush, forming a maelstrom of destruction. The ground shuddered as if mountains were collapsing and the earth splitting open.

But it was not yet over.

Radiance blazed behind Zhong Yuanhua as elemental energy coursed through his body. He spat a beam of chilling light, unleashing another tempest of terrifying power.

The spatial storm showed signs of fracturing, yet Zhong Yuanhua felt no fear. Instead, he augmented his strength, shattering the void with a mighty crash. From the rent, a long halberd shot forth.

"Dragon Seeker!"

Wielding the halberd, Zhong Yuanhua thrust violently, sending forth a golden dragon, fangs bared in a beastly roar, striking at Xidan You.

Once more, Xidan You swept the brush downward, unleashing a piercing howl across the void. The spectators hastily withdrew, opening space between the two armies. All present could feel the killing intent radiating from both realm lords.

None doubted that if either gained the upper hand, he would show no mercy—indeed, even slay the other a second time to be certain.

"Kill!"

Seeing their leaders locked in fierce combat, each side was swept with madness. In an instant, they sought out their opponents, and countless skirmishes erupted across the battlefield.

They were fortunate that the Border of Unjust Death was vast. Yet, as battle exploded in a flash, many low-level cultivators were caught in the shockwaves of the mighty and perished before they could flee.

"Xidan You, why has your cultivation improved so much?" Zhong Yuanhua pressed as they fought. At first, he believed Xidan You relied on the power of the living brush, but as their duel intensified, he sensed something amiss.

Though both were at the Insight Realm, Zhong Yuanhua was in the late stage—the highest cultivation among the five realm lords, and the most powerful. Yet now Xidan You matched him blow for blow, leaving him deeply unsettled.

"Zhong Yuanhua, since you're at death's door, I may as well tell you," Xidan You sneered. "A master advised me that our chaotic divisions are but the childish beginnings of true cultivation realms..."

Before Xidan You could finish, Zhong Yuanhua's eyes had already turned icy cold, his killing intent palpable as it blanketed the sky.

"So it was you. Now I understand!"

At that moment, Zhong Yuanhua comprehended everything. He held nothing back; all hesitation vanished. His halberd, as agile as a serpent, struck with lethal precision.

The weapon blazed with dazzling light, lancing straight at Xidan You. The latter stood undaunted; his body tensed, his aura exploded, and the brush in his hand shone with blinding brilliance.

"Imprison!"

"Break!"

Imprison and Break—their powers clashed, as if perfectly matched by destiny. In an instant, a terrifying shockwave erupted, sending both men flying.

They each coughed softly, spitting blood, their eyes filled with mutual wariness. But Zhong Yuanhua's gaze also brimmed with madness.

"Hahaha! At last, a worthy opponent! Xidan You, your death is at hand!"

"Dragon Halberd, unleash the dragon!"

Zhong Yuanhua's expression grew twisted. The halberd in his hand seemed to transform; golden light spun at its tip, and a dragon's roar echoed within its shaft. His whole body shone more fiercely, exuding an even more terrifying aura than before.

"Go!"

"Brush Severing the Ages!"

Xidan You had long been wary of Zhong Yuanhua. After so many years as adversaries, how could they not know each other inside and out, unless some great opportunity had arisen?

Yet Xidan You knew Zhong Yuanhua had gained no such fortune, while he himself had earned the favor of the mysterious master. If he could open the passage between the two worlds, he would be lauded as a hero, his future cultivation smooth and unimpeded.

Thus, neither held anything back in this clash.

Zhong Yuanhua's dragon erupted with devouring power, surging toward the force conjured by the brush.

Thunderous detonations followed, their powers tearing the very sky, distorting space itself, as if black holes might appear at any moment.

With a final, deafening crash, the two forces collided and ground against each other, detonating with apocalyptic might and sending out waves of destruction.

Blood sprayed from both combatants as the blast struck them unguarded; having expended their full strength, neither could shield himself. Now, at the end of their ropes, they faced utter ruin.

Yet their hatred only deepened. If the other survived this day, he would be even harder to kill next time.

And so, each began to communicate in secret code.