Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

This is the Binding God Whip, crafted from the branches and leaves of an ancient Mandala flower of the Heavenly Supreme level. It was exchanged by him at the Daqian Tower using Demon Slaying Points for a quasi-peerless sacred artifact, invaluable in nature. In Mandala's hands, it would undoubtedly wield its greatest power. Jiang Yun had never been stingy with his people, especially given Mandala's extraordinary potential, which was worth the investment.

"This..."

Feeling the extraordinary nature of the Binding God Whip, Mandala hesitated. A quasi-peerless sacred artifact, if auctioned, would definitely be priced in the billions of Supreme Spirit Liquids. Moreover, it suited her so well that she felt as if she hadn't exerted any effort to receive it.

"Keep it. The strength of the Ziyang Sect is not weak, with many at the peak of the Earth Supreme level. We will still need your effort in the future. Consider this your reward!" Jiang Yun smiled gently and said softly to Mandala.

"Alright!" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, a smile appeared on Mandala's small face. She accepted the Binding God Whip, evidently very satisfied with this weapon.

After arranging everything and when Mandala went to refine the Binding God Whip, Jiang Yun's figure suddenly disappeared.

The space in front of him changed, and in the next moment, his vision brightened. The space he was in had turned into a vast starry sky, with countless meteors streaking across, leaving brilliant tails.

Jiang Yun's gaze penetrated the meteors and saw the high-level divine abilities, techniques, or Supreme Dharma Bodies hidden within.

"You didn't call me here just to show me this, did you?" Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze and slowly spoke as he looked around the space.

Earlier, he had felt the summoning from the Scripture Pavilion of the Ancient Heavenly Palace and had come to investigate following the fluctuation.

This Scripture Pavilion was of extremely high level, with considerable intelligence. It usually concealed itself within the Ancient Heavenly Palace and only revealed itself to those with suitable fortune who could be brought here to receive blessings.

Last time, Jiang Yun hadn't had the time to visit this Scripture Pavilion after accepting the Heavenly Emperor's legacy. He hadn't expected the Scripture Pavilion to come to him this time.

As Jiang Yun's words fell, the void in front of him twisted, and ancient characters suddenly appeared before him.

"There are divine abilities on you that I haven't collected."

"So what? Do you want me to take them out for you to collect?" Jiang Yun smiled and shook his head at these words. Was this Scripture Pavilion a collector?

However, Jiang Yun did possess many divine abilities. Apart from the numerous legacies on the Dou Qi Continent, he had also obtained many powerful legacies after arriving in Daqian. Among them were four peerless divine abilities and numerous spoils of war, making him very wealthy.

"I want to collect them." The ancient characters in front of him changed again.

"I do have many divine abilities on me, including thirty-six peerless divine abilities. You should know that thirty-six peerless divine abilities are no less valuable than the 'One Qi Becomes Three Purities,' and their worth is immeasurable!" The Scripture Pavilion was quite mysterious. Jiang Yun did not mind it collecting divine abilities, but he more wanted to see if he could refine it.

Even as the heir of the Heavenly Emperor, he could not control this Scripture Pavilion.

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, the Scripture Pavilion seemed to fall silent. Half a stick of incense later, the ancient characters in front of Jiang Yun twisted again and reformed: "I can exchange them for peerless divine abilities."

"Peerless divine abilities?" Jiang Yun laughed at this, "Peerless divine abilities and the thirty-six peerless divine abilities are not the same. Don't try to fool me!"

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, the Scripture Pavilion fell silent again. Soon, the characters reappeared: "I can give you insights into the second layer of the 'One Qi Becomes Three Purities.'"

"'One Qi Becomes Three Purities.'? I have already cultivated it to the highest level. Insights into the second layer are useless to me!" Jiang Yun shook his head again. Not waiting for the Pavilion to speak, he curiously asked, "Why do you want to collect powerful divine abilities? You can't just have a hobby, right?"

This time, the Pavilion didn't let Jiang Yun wait long. Soon, it provided an answer: "To advance."

"Advance?" Hearing this, Jiang Yun curiously asked. The current Pavilion was a high-tier sacred artifact. After collecting divine abilities, could it advance to a peerless sacred artifact?

"My material is special. The Dao essence contained within powerful divine abilities can aid in my growth." This time, the characters formed a lengthy explanation, even showing an image of the Scripture Pavilion breaking from a mid-tier sacred artifact to a high-tier sacred artifact.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun was somewhat surprised. Truly, in the great thousand worlds, there was no lack of wonders. What a peculiar way of advancing. However, in Jiang Yun's view, its path had reached its end. Unless it collected all the divine abilities in the great thousand worlds, it had no chance of becoming a peerless sacred artifact.

But was that even possible?

"I can give you my divine abilities, but you have to agree to one condition."

"Next, I will reopen the Heavenly Palace. As an elder of the Palace, you should also contribute to its future. If you agree, I can help you collect more divine abilities to aid your advancement."

After Jiang Yun finished speaking, there was a long silence. Half an hour later, a character slowly formed in front of him. Seeing it, a satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Yun's face.

Soon after, Jiang Yun left the Scripture Pavilion in high spirits.

A month later.

As Liu Tiandao and others emerged from their seclusion and successfully advanced to Upper Earth Supremes, the seven major forces in the Northern Territory of the Tianluo Continent allied to form the Northern Alliance. A massive entity emerged in the Northern Territory.

Before the various forces on the Tianluo Continent could recover from this shocking news, the Alliance seemingly needed no adjustment period. On the second day, they waged war, expanding their territory without resistance. In just two days, the situation in the Northern Territory dramatically changed.

The Northern Territory had the buffer zones of Baizhan Domain and other forces surrounding the Great Luo Heavenly Region. These smaller forces, which struggled to survive in the gaps, had no power to resist the Alliance. In just one day, the Northern Territory was unified.

After unifying the Northern Territory, contrary to expectations, the Alliance didn't stop but began to crazily expand into other parts of the Northern Territory. A turmoil swept across the entire Northern Territory.

In just three days, vast territories in the Northern Territory changed ownership. The Ziyun Sect, Leiyin Mountain, and Golden Eagle Mansion gave up large territories. Half a month later, a quarter of the Northern Territory's land had been swallowed by the Northern Alliance, dramatically changing the dynamics of the entire Northern Territory.

"The Northern Territory is changing."

How could they dare to provoke three major forces simultaneously? It was known that behind the three forces stood Heavenly Supremes!

Could it be that the mysterious Great Luo Lord had not only broken through to the peak of the Earth Supreme but had also achieved Heavenly Supreme in a short time?

Otherwise, how could the Northern Alliance have such courage?

As one of the five regions of the Tianluo Continent, such a near cataclysmic event in the Northern Territory naturally couldn't escape the attention of other hegemonic forces on the continent.

The Tianluo Continent was a supercontinent, vast and rich in cultivation resources, naturally drawing the covetous eyes of many super forces in the great thousand worlds.

However, due to the attention of many wolves, no one dared to make a move easily. Thus, an unwritten rule was formed: Heavenly Supremes wouldn't lightly intervene in any conflicts on the Tianluo Continent, leaving everything to develop naturally.

When turmoil broke out in the Northern Territory, other hegemons naturally observed in secret to see if any other super forces had stepped in.

At this moment, the changing situation in the Northern Territory tugged at the heartstrings of countless people on the Tianluo Continent.

In the Ziyun Sect of the Northern Territory.

In a grand hall, a man with a face as white as jade sat at the center, looking at four pale-faced men beneath him. He wore a purple robe, and his eyes were also purple, emitting a terrifying pressure that caused the space to tremble.

At this moment, his face was slightly dark as he coldly snorted, "What a bold Mandala. I underestimated her. Her actions are quite aggressive."

Hearing this, the four men seemed to recall something, and their pale faces became even more bloodless. "Sect Master, that Mandala's strength has already touched the Heavenly Supreme. Moreover, she has obtained a quasi-peerless sacred artifact from somewhere. Her current strength must be... must be..."

Noticing the cautious eyes of his elders, the Ziyun True Lord's face was as calm as water as he said lightly, "Are you implying that I am not her match?"

Hearing this, the four below fell silent, not daring to look up at the Ziyun True Lord's face. But their actions had already answered.

After a long time, one among them looked up and said coldly, "Sect Master, that Mandala is extremely overbearing. Now she leads the so-called Northern Alliance, waging war across the Northern Territory, attempting to become the region's hegemon, seeking to rival our Ziyun Sect!"

Seeing this, the Ziyun True Lord's eyebrows furrowed slightly, his eyes narrowed as he coldly chuckled and shook his head, "What wishful thinking!"

The Northern Territory had essentially been divided among the Ziyun Sect, Leiyin Mountain, and the Golden Eagle Mansion. For the Northern Alliance to ascend to the hegemonic position, they would need to seize territories from these three sides.

Obviously, none of the three would be happy to see that happen.

And Mandala's mistake was attacking the three forces simultaneously. Perhaps she was strong enough personally, and he couldn't beat her one-on-one. But as long as she hadn't broken through to the Heavenly Supreme, the combined forces of the three families would be enough. Even a true dragon would have to submit.

Thinking this, the Ziyun True Lord's eyes flashed with a purple light, "Since the Northern Alliance has such ambitions, I will fulfill them. Inform Leiyin Mountain and Golden Eagle Mansion that a new hegemonic power has emerged in the Northern Territory. It is worth celebrating. I will initiate the Northern Hegemony Contest in advance and invite the Northern Alliance to participate."

Hearing the Ziyun True Lord's words, everyone in the hall shivered. In the past Northern Hegemony Contests, countless forces had vanished without a trace. Now, the relatively new Northern Alliance joining the contest might only have the fate of being shattered.

But this was precisely what they wanted to see... Haha... Haha...!

In the southwestern part of the Northern Territory, the Northern Plains.

This was a renowned area in the entire Northern Territory. It was situated right at the junction of the Ziyun Sect, Leiyin Mountain, and Golden Eagle Mansion, and directly opposite the Northern Boundary.

This area had never had any forces daring to station here. As the buffer zone between the three hegemonic powers, it had become the battleground for the Northern Territory's hegemony contests by mutual agreement.

Recently, due to the joint announcement by Ziyun Sect, Leiyin Mountain, and Golden Eagle Mansion to hold the Northern Hegemony Contest in advance and invite the Northern Alliance, the popularity of the Northern Plains had reached its peak with the event's fermentation. Nearly eighty percent of the Northern Territory's forces, with their numerous experts, had gathered in this area.

The vast and majestic spiritual power, resplendent in its multi-colored splendor, filled the universe. The sheer scale of the spiritual power fluctuations would leave any newcomer here dumbfounded.

"So many experts!"

In the Northern Alliance, the Lord of the Divine Pavilion looked at the expansive plain. In his perception, countless spiritual energies flickered like stars in the sky, leaving him momentarily amazed.

"Almost seventy to eighty percent of the experts in the Northern Territory must be here!" Netherworld Sky Sovereign, with a cold expression, said indifferently as he observed this spectacular scene.

"The Northern Hegemony Contest involves the fight for supremacy in the Northern Territory. It is the grandest event in the region, and almost no force would want to miss it," Liu Tiandao said with a smile, retracting his gaze. "However, many must be here to laugh at us, right?"

"Then they are destined to be disappointed. With the master here, who laughs at whom is uncertain!" the Demon Emperor said with a cold smile.

Hearing his words, they all showed confident smiles as if they could already see the astonished faces of everyone later.

"Enough. If those behind them don't come out, the Palace Lord won't take action. To lure them out, we must rely on ourselves," Mandala said coolly. Hearing her, everyone reined in their expressions and nodded solemnly.

According to the rules of the Northern Territory, a new force wishing to demonstrate its ability to contend with the three hegemonic powers must enter from the edge of the Northern Plains and fight their way in. Only by reaching the central battlefield of the Northern Plains, where the three hegemonic forces contend, would they qualify to compete.

In the past, two powerful forces had emerged in the Northern Territory, but they ultimately failed, never emerging after stepping into the Northern Plains, becoming obscure history.

Had it been before, they might have been worried, considering the vast gap between their strength and these seasoned forces. But now, with their strength enhanced and armed with Jiang Yun's bestowed treasures and trump cards, they were confident in penetrating the Northern Plains.

(End of this chapter)