Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

"Crack!" 

However, the ancient Fo Tu tower, upon which Xuan Zun had placed high hopes, was shattered into pieces by the spatial power surging from Jiang Yun's palm without any surprise.

"No, I am an elder of the Fo Tu ancient clan's Xuan lineage. You cannot do this to me!"

Seeing the giant hand descending from above, emanating a terrifying aura, Xuan Zun shouted in panic, his eyes darting around the grand hall, hoping for rescue from other forces.

Unfortunately, everyone in the grand hall turned a blind eye. Compared to an immortal-grade Heavenly Sovereign of the Fo Tu ancient clan, offending the Da Qian Palace's Demon Extermination King, who possessed holy-grade combat power, was far less acceptable.

Seeing this, Xuan Zun's expression turned sinister. In the next moment, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. His body slowly began to float, and ancient black patterns began to emerge on its surface, gradually forming seven black lines.

"Seven Spiritual Veins, huh?"

"So, Xuan Zun has such a high-level spiritual vein. It looks like he is about to use his spiritual vein's divine ability." The crowd in the grand hall finally showed expressions of surprise upon witnessing this scene.

Aside from the legendary Nine Spiritual Veins, the Seven and Eight Spiritual Veins were already top-tier in the world, with the potential to reach holy-grade. It was unexpected that an elder of the Xuan lineage of the Fo Tu ancient clan would possess such potential.

"A final struggle!" Jiang Yun sneered coldly as he observed.

Seven Spiritual Veins?

He possessed the Nine Spiritual Veins, only Mu Chen's Eight-Nine Spiritual Veins could surpass him.

However, Jiang Yun would never trade them. His Unyielding Imperviousness was supreme, and in his heart, no divine ability could compare.

"Seven Spiritual Veins, Xuanming Extinction River!"

With a low shout, Xuan Zun's hands suddenly lifted, and a frigid, black river roared out from his body, as if trying to freeze the entire grand hall.

"Boom!"

But it was still useless. Jiang Yun's massive hand swept through the hall, and Xuan Zun's figure disappeared, lying quietly within his palm's world.

It was Xuan Zun!

"Go back and tell Fo Tu Xuan, if he wants the Eight Sections of the Fo Tu, he should come and negotiate himself!" After dealing with Xuan Zun, Jiang Yun coldly addressed the trembling members of the Fo Tu ancient clan.

Nervously nodding, the members of the Fo Tu ancient clan dared not utter a word and hurriedly flew out of the hall.

"Does anyone else have anything to say?" After seeing off the Fo Tu ancient clan, Jiang Yun turned to the others in the grand hall and spoke in a deep voice.

The effortless defeat of an immortal-grade Heavenly Sovereign gave everyone a clear impression of Jiang Yun's combat power, proving he was not weaker than a holy-grade Heavenly Sovereign.

Immediately, some began to reconsider their future stance towards the Chiyan God Temple.

In the Great Thousand World, forces with a Heavenly Sovereign were considered super forces, and among them, those with a holy-grade figure were at the top tier.

Jiang Yun's performance was enough for major forces like the Five Ancient Clans to take him seriously. Most importantly, he was still young. Now, possessing holy-grade combat power, what would happen in ten or twenty years?

No one knew his limits.

"Master Jiang, we at the Tai Ling Ancient Clan—" The words of the elderly Tai Ling Ancient Clan member were cut off by Jiang Yun raising his hand, saying, "Tai Ling's Celestial Light is in my possession. What can your Tai Ling Ancient Clan offer in exchange?"

Jiang Yun had no particular desire for anything from the Tai Ling Ancient Clan. Among the Five Ancient Clans' five primordial bodies, he was only interested in the Infinity Bright Body of the Fo Tu Ancient Clan and the Night Deity Body of the Dark Heaven Ancient Clan.

These two primordial bodies, one of light and one of darkness, offense and defense, complemented and countered each other, perfectly aligning with his Path of Life and Death. If his main body cultivated the Life and Death Reincarnation Body, and these two bodies respectively cultivated the Infinity Bright Body and Night Deity Body, it would be enough to reach unprecedented heights.

Even the Undying Body of the Undying Lord intrigued him. As a great achiever in the Path of Life and Death, Jiang Yun wished to discuss the principles with the Undying Lord, who had lived for an unknown number of years.

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, the elderly man's breath quickened but he quickly calmed down. This matter was beyond his decision, especially given Xuan Zun's fate. He needed to consult the clan's higher-ups.

Gratefully bowing to Jiang Yun, he felt appreciative. Jiang Yun had uncovered their ancestor's legacy, allowing them to fulfill a long-held dream. This gratitude the Tai Ling Ancient Clan would remember.

Without delay, the elder left hurriedly after getting his answer.

"Does anyone else have any instructions?" After sending off the Fo Tu and Tai Ling Ancient Clans, Jiang Yun asked the remaining people in the hall with an indifferent tone.

"No, we wouldn't dare. Demon Extermination King, guarding the northern realm, your righteousness is unparalleled. Our Dan Shen Clan feels ashamed, but we too have a heart of devotion. Should the northern realm need elixirs in the future, our Dan Shen Clan would gladly supply them."

The speaker, a refined middle-aged man in a white robe, appeared scholarly and elegant, with a unique mark on his forehead emblematic of the Dan Shen Clan. As one of the top two alchemy factions in the Great Thousand World, the Dan Shen Clan did not wish to miss the opportunity to stake a claim in the northern realm.

With Jiang Yun in charge, the Chiyan Continent would certainly become a battlefield against the extraterrestrial evil races, a gathering place for strong warriors comparable to the Shengyuan Continent.

Battles lead to casualties, and where there is danger, there is a market for elixirs. The Dan Shen Clan aimed to enter this market before the Ancient Insect Plains did.

"Agreed. Elder Lin will discuss the details with you." Jiang Yun nodded. Despite his impressive alchemical skills, alliances and mutual benefits did no harm.

"The Dan Shen Clan will not disappoint you, Demon Extermination King!" Excited, the middle-aged man bowed, thinking that the Demon Extermination King was not as unapproachable as rumored.

Three days later, as visitors departed from the Chiyan God Temple, Jiang Yun's exploits spread further across the Great Thousand World.

In the East of the Great Thousand World!

Sword Region!

Dressed in green, the Green-robed Sword Saint, whose entire being resembled a sharp sword, listened to the report of his subordinates. He turned and stared north, slightly frowning and sighing.

"Master Jiang is indeed extraordinary. Rising from a lower plane in just three years, he has already slain over twenty Demon Emperors and now guards the northern realm. I, the Green-robed Sword Saint, pale in comparison."

"Too bad earthly matters have kept us from meeting!" his subordinate, hearing this, felt indignant, unwilling to accept that Jiang Yun was superior.

"To the region master's domain, the Green-robed Sword Saint reigned supreme. Jiang Yun might be fearsome, but the Green-robed Sword Saint could match him. Jiang Yun simply had better fortune with opportunities to slay Demon Emperors, boosting his fame."

The Green-robed Sword Saint chuckled but did not rebut. While he admired Jiang Yun, he too had confidence in his strength.

He then looked beyond the eastern continent's space, where distortions and an overwhelming demonic aura emerged, filled with countless eyes brimming with slaughter and greed.

"Haha, even if we never meet, I cannot let Jiang alone; relay the order to be on heightened alert. All Heavenly Sovereigns, prepare for action anytime."

"Buzz!"

A giant green sword appeared, its sword aura nearly splitting the heavens. This was the Green Sword Tongxuan Body, ranked tenth among the Supreme Bodies of the Nine-Nine List.

His aura had reached the peak of immortal-grade. If Jiang Yun were present, he'd find the Green-robed Sword Saint as formidable as the Flame Demon Clan's Heavenly Demon Emperor.

In the West of the Great Thousand World!

At the borderlands, Qin Tian, still battling extraterrestrial demons, grew more respectful of Jiang Yun upon hearing the news. Had the borderlands been stable, he too would seek out Jiang Yun on the Chiyan Continent.

Tianluo Continent.

Since the ancient demise of the Upper Antiquity Heavenly Palace, the Tianluo Continent had long been mired in superpower conflicts. Many super forces contested Lordship over the Tianluo Continent. In the northern domain, the Purple Cloud Sect, Golden Sculpture Mansion, and Thunder Sound Mountain had vied for power for countless years. Meanwhile, the North Territory's Northern Realm, with seven forces entangled in conflict, remained even more complex.

However, in recent years, the Northern Realm's troubled state drastically changed. The Daluo Heavenly Domain's Domain Lord, Mantuo Luo, originally a lower-level Earth Sovereign, had a rapid breakthrough to the upper-level Earth Sovereign.

He then crossed the Tianluo Continent to the southern domain, the Shengmo Palace. Publicly slaying the Shengmo Palace Lord Lu Heng, a noted powerhouse, Mantuo Luo's name spread across the Tianluo Continent, establishing Daluo Heavenly Domain as a top power with a visibly formidable force, led by an upper-level Earth Sovereign and six lower-level Earth Sovereigns.

Due to this pressure, the previously covert Northern Realm's six major forces initiated comprehensive cooperation and development. This alliance of six united forces, involving six lower-level Earth Sovereigns and an upper-level Earth Sovereign, attracted the top powers across the Tianluo Continent.

Everyone knew the Northern Realm's clear target, but since slaying Lu Heng, Daluo Heavenly Domain fell silent. The famous upper-level Earth Sovereign Domain Lord Mantuo Luo vanished, bewildering many others.

"Crossing the entire Tianluo Continent to slay Shengmo Palace Lord Lu Heng, what a grand feat!" Within the Daluo Heavenly Domain's palace, the reputed Mantuo Luo stood respectfully before Jiang Yun.

Mantuo Luo felt a hint of self-consciousness under Jiang Yun's warm, slightly teasing gaze. Compared to Jiang Yun's impressive deeds, her achievements seemed insignificant.

"Now, people outside are speculating on your next move!" Seeing Mantuo Luo rendered speechless by his teasing, Jiang Yun sipped his tea and spoke casually.

As Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze, Mantuo Luo felt the tug of affection diminish. His warm demeanor belied his ruthlessness. Desiring to discuss with this young Emperor's heir, a prominent Great Thousand World figure who had forced back the Mohe Ancient Clan and slain a Heavenly Demon Emperor.

"Simply the futile actions of the weak. In this world, strength ultimately dictates everything. No amount of caution matters against absolute strength," Mantuo Luo hesitated but replied cautiously.

"So, for two years you've stayed secluded, ignoring how others view the Daluo Heavenly Domain!" Jiang Yun laughed, setting down his tea and smiling at Mantuo Luo.

Though stronger than peak Earth Sovereigns by a margin, nearing Heaven Sovereign level, her divine resonance would surely make her a spirit-grade Heaven Sovereign in ten years.

Hearing Jiang Yun, Mantuo Luo's face reddened. Jiang Yun had asked her to manage the Daluo Heavenly Domain well, but it seemed she had neglected business in two years, remaining unchanged.

"Haha, I'm not blaming you. Your approach is correct. Strength is the bedrock of everything. However, next, I need you to act boldly!" Seeing Mantuo Luo's expression, Jiang Yun chuckled and said.

"Does that mean...?" Mantuo Luo's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Indeed, the Upper Antiquity Heavenly Palace has been dormant too long, time to revive its glory. But first, we must clean the Tianluo Continent of hidden menaces. I need your help with this." Jiang Yun nodded earnestly facing Mantuo Luo's questioning gaze.

"Alright!" Mantuo Luo nodded excitedly. Her lifelong wish was for the Upper Antiquity Heavenly Palace's revival. With Jiang Yun's promise, she'd spare no effort to support him, even till death.