Chapter 988: Chapter 988

A single, simple word.

It radiated power and authority.

The cultivators froze, shocked, standing rigidly in place.

They exchanged glances, quickly understanding one another’s thoughts.

In an orderly fashion, they began to retreat, step by step.

When they saw that Siheng was still watching them, one of them hurriedly said, "Friend, please continue, we have disturbed you."

With that, they quickly retreated to several dozen meters away.

Although they feared Siheng’s cultivation level, this place was still a good spot, and they wanted to stay behind for a while longer.

If Siheng managed to break the barrier, they might be able to "pick up a dead chicken" (take advantage of the situation).

But that was probably just a fantasy because the barrier here had never been revealed before. It was only when a mythical beast from the North Wilderness had broken through a small crack that they realized the presence of the barrier.

It seemed was a barrier set up by a very powerful immortal cultivator. They had stayed here for a long time, researching it, but had found no way to break it.

Hence, they thought that Siheng was unlikely to succeed.

Staying behind to watch him fail was also a good option.

Siheng knew they were staying behind but had no idea what they were thinking.

However, he remembered what his wife had said and calmly spoke, "If your cultivation level is too low, I advise you to leave further."

At least, they should move away from the valley.

Then, the Base Building stage cultivators moved another hundred meters away.

The Golden Core cultivators stayed in place.

"Thank you, friend!" they said gratefully.

Seeing that they were so reckless, Siheng didn’t care anymore. He had already warned them, and he wasn’t defying the will of the heavens or disregarding human life.

He summoned his Sky-Tearing Sword.

There was no need for him to gather energy.

He didn’t need to make any effort in the cracks.

With a single slash, the golden light of the barrier flickered, but the Sky-Tearing Sword’s aura surged forward, initially small, but then expanding rapidly. The silver light completely covered and devoured the golden barrier.

With a loud roar, the barrier broke open with a large hole!

The cultivators were stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief.

At the same time, a powerful aura surged out from the valley, like a mighty hurricane, rushing toward them!

Siheng was protected by spiritual energy, and even his clothes were unaffected. He remained unmoved, rooted in place.

However, the surrounding grass, trees, and stones were not so lucky. They were either shattered into dust by the hurricane or uprooted and swept backward.

The cultivators then realized what was happening and screamed, "Run, quickly!!!"

The hurricane came, sweeping them all into the air.

The aura was already oppressive enough that their meager spiritual energy was useless now.

They were being crushed by the aura, their bodies on the verge of tearing apart, suffering in agony.

Screams echoed one after another.

In a little while, they would likely be torn to shreds by the force.

Fortunately, one person made a quick decision and shouted, "Friend, please save us!"

Siheng had intended to enter the valley.

Upon hearing this, he paused.

He turned around and summoned several talismans. Golden light erupted, flying toward the cultivators, surrounding them in protective shields to ensure that they wouldn’t be torn apart by the hurricane today.

The barrier around the valley had been completely shattered.

The moonlight grew brighter.

Once one flew above, it would be clear that the land was rich in spiritual energy, filled with lush grasses and a variety of spiritual herbs.

At the top of the highest peak, there stood a Spirit Tree.

But the Spirit Tree had been withered for who knows how long, completely lifeless.

Its branches, outlined by the night, looked eerie and strange.

The reason the land was so filled with spiritual energy was likely because the barrier had been set up tightly by someone before the Spirit Tree withered, preventing any energy from spreading outward.

Now, with the barrier broken, the phenomenon had occurred.

Siheng immediately spotted a man sitting under the Spirit Tree.

The man had his eyes closed.

It was unclear how long he had been meditating here, but countless leaves had fallen around him. However, the area within a meter of him was pristine, not a speck of dust.

This could only be attributed to the silver and gold embroidered immortal garment he was wearing, which not only protected his body and soul but also prevented dust and filth from coming near him.

This had to be Keyang Celestial Emperor.

Siheng landed in front of him.

The moonlight illuminated the scene perfectly.

The immortal garment gleamed with a chilling glow.

Such an exquisite immortal garment was enough to make anyone envious.

But Siheng remained unaffected, as he removed his disguise technique and said, "Keyang Celestial Emperor."

The immortal seal on Crimson Nine Lands might have been placed by this person, and Siheng naturally didn’t bother with any formalities. His tone was filled with subtle killing intent.

Keyang slowly raised his head.

There was no divine mark on his forehead.

His immortal soul was weak, with only a faint trace left, barely holding on.

Despite his youthful and handsome appearance, his aging and frail condition made him look as though his life was coming to an end.

Keyang didn’t see the person he had been waiting for and froze for a moment.

Then he lowered his head again, his voice weak. "Where is the Death God Divine Sovereign? Why is she not here?"

He knew that since Siheng had found this place, his immortal seal had likely failed.

Siheng responded, "Don’t worry. Let me check your condition first."

Keyang simply smiled bitterly. "Please, do as you wish."

The victor and the loser were now clearly defined.

Having failed, he was now at the mercy of others.

Siheng used his immortal technique to thoroughly examine Keyang and confirmed that his end was near. Only then did he feel assured enough to inform Nanli to come.

Since Chu Yang and the others were still keeping a close watch, once Nanli received the news, everyone who knew of the situation gathered together.

Keyang, although not as famous as Yining, had ascended to the Immortal Realm early and held a significant position in the Immortal World due to his fortune-telling abilities.

He had once been full of vigor, with countless disciples and servants.

But now, he looked like a dying branch, with a lifeless face and dim eyes.

Nanli, who had little interaction with the Immortal World in her past life, had seen Celestial Emperors like Yining and Keyang before.

Seeing Keyang in this state, she was deeply shocked.

It was known that an immortal’s life span was usually much longer than ordinary beings, unless they were to cause trouble or commit great wrongs.

Some immortals even lived longer by accumulating good deeds.

He had only lived for around seventy thousand years since his ascension.

On the side, familiar voices of Crimson Nine Lands and Yun Jianchu sounded:

"Keyang Celestial Emperor, what happened to you?! Why do you no longer have a divine mark?!"

"Do you still need to ask? Surely, you’ve done many wicked things, and the heavenly law has punished you! Keyang, you ate the food I made, and then you conspired with the other immortals to kill me and my son. Your heart is too evil!"

At that time, she had been heavily pregnant!

This grievance had stayed in her heart ever since.

Keyang gave a faint, mocking smile, his lips twitching.

He stared at Yun Jianchu with deep, unreadable eyes.

"You must already know about Asura King’s plot..." he said. "Chuyun, I warned you again and again that the child you bear would affect the safety of the world. If you had decided not to keep this child from the beginning, I would not have been forced to act so ruthlessly."