Deep within the Immortal Domain, in an ancient neutral land that belonged to no known sphere of influence, jointly maintained by generations of Immortal Kings—the Myriad Daos Starry Sky Pavilion—there came a long-awaited bustle.
One after another, boundless and tyrannical Immortal King wills crossed endless starfields and projected themselves here.
Upon the plaza of the Starry Sky Pavilion, paved with the cores of stars, they condensed into figures—some majestic, some ethereal, some ancient, some sharp and imposing.
These supreme existences, who ordinarily looked down upon the cycles of eras, had actually gathered in one place today.
This assembly had been jointly initiated by several Immortal King giants of the oldest seniority and most unfathomable strength.
There was only one topic—how to respond to the Golden Crow Immortal King Lu Xuan, and the unprecedented impact he had brought.
King Pan, Hunyuan Immortal King, Qingwei Immortal King, Qingmu Immortal King, and Xuangui Immortal King were all present.
Apart from them, there were also several ancient Immortal Kings who rarely showed themselves in ordinary times. Their presence made this stretch of starry sky seem somewhat stagnant.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere of the assembly was exceptionally heavy.
“Everyone,”
King Pan, as one of the principal initiators, was the first to speak. His voice was steady, yet carried a trace of solemnity.
“Regarding Lu Xuan of the Golden Crow Clan, I presume there is no need for this old man to elaborate. With thunderous momentum, he successively slew Ao Sheng, Taishi, and Yuanchu, and even plundered the foundations of their Dao lineages clean. The cruelty of his methods and the tyranny of his strength have already completely shattered the balance and order the Immortal Domain has maintained for countless eras. I have invited you all here today so that we may discuss together what attitude we Immortal Kings of the Immortal Domain should hold toward this…”
As his words fell, the hall sank into silence.
The expressions of the kings varied, but no one spoke rashly.
The White Tiger Immortal King had the most fiery temper. After enduring for a moment, he gave a cold snort and broke the silence.
“Attitude? What attitude is there to speak of! That Golden Crow Immortal King is arrogant and domineering, treating the rules of the Immortal Domain as nothing. At the slightest provocation, he destroys another’s Dao lineage. How are his actions any different from those of a demon? If we let him act unchecked, today it was Ao Sheng and the other two; tomorrow, whose turn will it be? If this continues, will the Immortal Domain not become Lu Xuan’s one-man domain?! In my view, we should unite the power of the kings and employ thunderous methods to…”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a cool voice.
“Unite the power of the kings?”
Qingwei Immortal King’s gaze swept over Hunyuan Immortal King, carrying a trace of ridicule.
“Fellow Daoist Hunyuan, leaving aside the fact that Lu Xuan holds that mysterious great bell and that his strength is unfathomable—how much chance of victory would we have even if we joined hands? And even if we could win, what price would we pay? If the Immortal Domain’s vitality is gravely damaged and the dark beings on the other side of the World Sea take advantage of the opening, who will bear that responsibility?”
She paused, her voice rising slightly.
“Moreover, why did Ao Sheng and the other two die? Everyone here knows perfectly well! Had they not coveted the Golden Crow Heavenly Emperor’s secret trove and committed the deed of exterminating an entire clan, how would they have invited such fatal disaster upon themselves? In the end, they were the ones who acted unjustly first, and because their strength was lacking, they brought this bitter fruit upon themselves! If we forcefully stand up for them, what would be our reason? To go to war with a newly risen, invincible Immortal King of limitless potential and ruthless methods for the sake of three dead men? Forgive my bluntness, but such a move would be unwise!”
Qingwei Immortal King’s words were like cold water poured down, pointing out the most crucial issues—motive and cost.
To avenge the dead?
The Immortal Domain had no such tradition.
For the so-called “rules of the Immortal Domain”?
Where were those rules when the three great Immortal Kings were pressuring the Golden Crow Clan?
Qingmu Immortal King stroked his beard and sighed. “Fellow Daoist Qingwei’s words are not without reason. Though Lu Xuan’s methods are ruthless, there was a cause behind it. His power system—especially that bell—has completely surpassed our understanding, and its origins are mysterious and unfathomable. To rashly make an enemy of him would truly be unwise. In this old man’s opinion, we should primarily seek to appease and befriend him.”
Xuangui Immortal King also spoke in a muffled voice. “The workings of heaven are chaotic. Everything related to that Golden Crow Immortal King is impossible to divine. To forcibly oppose him may lead to great calamity.”
The attitudes of several veteran Immortal Kings clearly leaned toward avoiding his edge, even attempting to ease relations.
At this moment, an ancient Immortal King shrouded in shadow, whose aura was like the frigid prison of the Nine Netherworlds—Youming Immortal King—let out a hoarse voice.
“Befriend him? How? That Golden Crow Immortal King’s heart is like iron, and he kills with decisiveness. He is absolutely not someone easy to deal with. Today, he could slaughter three kings because of an old grudge. If one day he feels that we are in his way, what then? Those not of our race are sure to harbor different hearts! The power he possesses belongs to none of the known systems of the Immortal Domain. This is a vast unknown! As for the ‘unknown,’ the best method is, before it has fully grown and become a true threat…”
He did not finish, but the chill in his words made many Immortal Kings present feel a shiver in their hearts.
This was the radical faction advocating that risk be strangled in the cradle.
Another Immortal King, whose aura blazed like an eternal divine furnace—Yangyan Immortal King—spoke in a voice like a great bell. “Fellow Daoist Youming is far too pessimistic! What distinction is there between one power and another? So long as it can be used by our Immortal Domain, it is good! Since Lu Xuan is of the Golden Crow body, he is a being of the Immortal Domain! The threat of the World Sea worsens by the day, darkness surges, and the Immortal Domain is precisely in need of such powerful reinforcement! In this king’s view, we should make every effort to draw him in, promise him great benefits, and even… recommend him as a ‘Protector Immortal King’ of the Immortal Domain alliance, to resist external enemies together!”
This was the pragmatic faction that advocated actively drawing him in, even granting him a high position and borrowing his power.
For a time, discussion broke out throughout the Starry Sky Pavilion. Those advocating forceful suppression, those advocating conciliation and friendship, those advocating cautious observation, those advocating active utilization… all kinds of opinions intertwined, making unity difficult.
Behind every Immortal King stood vast forces and interests, and their attitudes were intimately connected to their own Dao paths, personalities, and considerations for the future.
King Pan looked at the endlessly arguing kings and sighed inwardly.
He knew that forming a unified, hardline countermeasure was already impossible.
The strength Lu Xuan had displayed and the mystery of that bell had made far too many people wary.
More Immortal Kings chose silence or wait-and-see.
“Silence.” An aged voice, as if transmitted from before the ancient ages, rang out, suppressing all discussion.
The one who spoke was an old man seated in a corner, his figure indistinct, as though he had fused with the myriad Daos. He was one of the oldest giants of the Immortal Domain, known as Wudao Immortal King.
All the kings fell silent and looked toward him.
Wudao Immortal King slowly said, “Argument is useless. Lu Xuan has already become a force to be reckoned with. His power cannot be taken lightly. To forcibly strangle him would come at a tremendous price, and may not even succeed. To blindly befriend him may also be nurturing a tiger into future trouble.”
His gaze swept over the kings. “The present strategy should be based on ‘observation’ and ‘restriction.’”
“Observation means exhausting every possibility to investigate the root of his power, the origins of that bell, and his true intentions.”
“Restriction means that before he shows clear hostility, we tacitly acknowledge his status, delineate the Golden Crow Clan’s sphere of influence, and avoid direct conflict. At the same time, we must secretly strengthen our connections and vigilance among ourselves, integrate resources, and improve our strength. The Immortal Domain cannot tie its safety to one man’s whims.”
“As for the threat of the World Sea,”
Wudao Immortal King looked toward Yangyan Immortal King.
“If he is willing to contribute to the Immortal Domain, that is naturally best. If he is unwilling, he cannot be forced. We must rely on ourselves.”
Wudao Immortal King’s proposal was practical and conservative. It both acknowledged Lu Xuan’s strength and status while emphasizing the Immortal Domain’s own independence and defense, earning the tacit approval of most Immortal Kings.
In the end, the kings reached an initial consensus.
For the time being, they would acknowledge Lu Xuan’s status as an Immortal King and the Golden Crow Clan’s territory, and would not take the initiative to provoke him, but they would strengthen intelligence gathering and their own vigilance.
At the same time, several highly respected Immortal Kings would choose an opportunity to go to the Golden Crow ancestral court for preliminary contact and to probe his attitude.
An assembly of kings that had seemed treacherous and storm-filled ultimately ended in a somewhat stifled and helpless compromise.
All the Immortal Kings understood that the sky of the Immortal Domain had already changed.
A powerful existence they could not control, and could not even fully understand, had already risen.
The future Immortal Domain would have no choice but to learn how to seek a new path of survival beneath the shadow named Lu Xuan.
And the focus of all this, the Golden Crow Immortal King who was currently consolidating his cultivation beneath the Fusang Divine Tree, had not even paid attention to this assembly that had arisen because of him.
His gaze had long since turned toward a far more magnificent and turbulent beyond.
The disputes of the Immortal Domain, to him, were perhaps only a wisp of dust at the starting point of his journey.
Lu Xuan slowly opened his eyes atop the Fusang Divine Tree. The heaven-opening, earth-splitting phenomena in his pupils gradually faded, and the aura around him, vast and surging like a sea of stars, also withdrew inward, making him seem like an ordinary handsome young man.
However, only he himself knew to what terrifying degree his foundation had been solidified during this seclusion, after refining the origins of the three great Immortal Kings and countless divine materials.
The connection between the Chaos Bell and his primordial spirit had also grown increasingly close. With the slightest movement of his thoughts, he could draw forth the mighty power to suppress the heavens.
He did not indulge in the pleasure of his increased strength, because the instant he emerged from seclusion, he sensed a dark power drawing near.
Though separated by countless great worlds, to Lu Xuan’s current divine sense, it was as if it were right before his eyes.
The enhancement brought to him by Taiyi’s inheritance far surpassed that of ordinary Immortal King giants.
His perception of darkness was incomparably clear.
The source of that throbbing did not come from within the Immortal Domain, but from the place where the World Sea bordered the Immortal Domain.
An Immortal King-level dark aura was slowly approaching the Immortal Domain.
Just as Lu Xuan concentrated on sensing the direction of the World Sea, the figure of the clan leader Jin Qing appeared beneath the tree and respectfully reported.
“Immortal King, envoys from the Immortal Domain have come. They are Qingmu Immortal King and Qingwei Immortal King. They say they represent the kings of the Immortal Domain and have come to pay a visit.”
When Lu Xuan heard this, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint, ambiguous smile.
They had come quickly, and they had sent two people he had met once before, whose attitudes were relatively mild.
“Let them come.”
He spoke indifferently. His figure did not move, and he still stood with his hands behind his back atop the tree, overlooking the Golden Crow ancestral land, now utterly renewed.
A moment later, the figures of Qingmu Immortal King and Qingwei Immortal King appeared beneath the Fusang Divine Tree.
The two Immortal Kings had restrained the vast majority of their auras, adopting quite a humble posture.
When they saw the figure atop the tree, both of their hearts trembled.
They clearly could not sense any particularly majestic pressure, but simply by standing there, the other party seemed to have fused with the Dao of heaven and earth itself, giving off an unfathomable impression.
Compared to the day he suppressed and slew the three kings, he seemed even more terrifying!
“Qingmu greets Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan.”
“Qingwei greets Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan.”
The two Immortal Kings cupped their hands in greeting.
Lu Xuan nodded slightly in return, then looked at them calmly. “For what matter have you two fellow Daoists come together?”
As the representative, Qingmu Immortal King forced a gentle smile onto his face and said,
“Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan has ascended to the kingly seat, and your battle prowess has shocked the world. This is truly an unprecedented grand event in the Immortal Domain over countless millions of years. After discussion, we kings have come especially to congratulate you. As for the matter of Ao Sheng and the other two, it was indeed due to their improper conduct, and they brought it upon themselves. The kings of the Immortal Domain have no objection to this.”
He first made their stance clear, distanced them from the matter, and released goodwill.
Qingwei Immortal King took over, her voice clear and melodious.
“Fellow Daoist’s divine abilities are unrivaled. Now that you preside over the Immortal Domain, it is truly a blessing for all living beings. At present, strange movements from the far side of the World Sea are becoming frequent, and dark auras seep through from time to time. The Immortal Domain is in urgent need of capable people. We kings intend to recommend Fellow Daoist as the Immortal Domain’s ‘Protector Venerable King,’ a position of great honor, to discuss major matters with the kings and resist foreign enemies together. May I ask what Fellow Daoist thinks?”
She directly extended an olive branch, even promising a high position, attempting to pull Lu Xuan into the Immortal Domain’s existing power framework.
Lu Xuan listened quietly, without any expression on his face. Only after Qingwei Immortal King finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth, his voice calm yet carrying a kind of distance.
“I accept the intention behind your congratulations.”
“As for the position of Protector Venerable King…”
He paused, his gaze seeming to pierce through the void as it once again turned toward the heart-palpitating direction of the World Sea.
“It is merely an empty title. To me, it is as floating clouds.”
Qingmu and Qingwei’s hearts sank.
Lu Xuan continued, “I have no intention of participating in the mundane affairs of the Immortal Domain, nor do I have any intention of discussing great matters with anyone. The Golden Crow Clan only needs a pure land in which to rest and recover. If others do not offend me, I will not offend others.”
His words clearly drew a boundary: do not provoke me, and I cannot be bothered with you.
This seemed like a concession, but in truth, it was an extreme confidence and arrogance. He simply disdained integrating into their so-called “Immortal Domain alliance.”
Qingmu Immortal King wanted to say more and attempt to salvage the matter. “Fellow Daoist, the threat of the World Sea is no small matter. It concerns the survival of the Immortal Domain. When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold…”
At that moment, Lu Xuan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He sensed that the aura from the direction of the World Sea had suddenly become somewhat clearer. It was attempting to cross the barrier between the World Sea and the Immortal Domain!
He suddenly changed his mind and looked at Qingmu and Qingwei. His tone was still calm, yet carried a meaning that made one’s heart tremble.
“As for the matter of the World Sea, I have my own considerations.”
“However, since you two have mentioned the threat of the World Sea…”
His tone shifted, and his gaze became sharp as a blade.
“Then I shall let you see what true ‘protection’ is!”
Before his words had fallen, Lu Xuan’s figure abruptly disappeared from the top of the Fusang Divine Tree!
In the next instant, he had already appeared above the Immortal Domain!
Within the Immortal Domain, every Immortal King-level existence was startled by this sudden change. One divine sense after another instantly crossed endless distances and focused here!
“What is he doing?!”
“Which direction is that? That is the checkpoint between the World Sea and the Immortal Domain! Could it be that dark beings are invading?”
Under the horrified gazes of countless beings, Lu Xuan faced the World Sea, a place enough to make even Immortal Kings shrink back, his expression neither sorrowful nor joyful.
He slowly raised his right hand.
“Dong—!!!”
The Chaos Bell appeared once more!
But this time, it was no longer confined to a single region of heaven and earth. Instead, it truly manifested its terrifying main body that could suppress Primordial Chaos!
The ancient bell was as vast as a starfield. Its dark yellow radiance illuminated the dim edge of the World Sea. On the walls of the bell, scenes of the sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, and wind seemed to revive into reality, emanating supreme might that made the entire Great Dao of the Immortal Domain tremble!
Lu Xuan’s gaze locked onto that point of ominous dark fluctuation within the mist of the World Sea. With two fingers joined like a sword, he drew upon the Chaos Bell and struck that region with ruthless force!
“Suppress!”