The Heavenly Conqueror Dragon Earth Vein was the greatest source of spiritual qi in the entire world.
Even though the overall spiritual qi across the land had been declining for centuries, the regions surrounding this immense vein showed far fewer signs of depletion.
At least, that was what the ten great sects believed.
In reality, cultivators across the world had gradually begun to sense the change. The decline was subtle at first, almost imperceptible, but as time passed, it became impossible to ignore.
Alarmed by this unprecedented phenomenon, countless cultivators gathered to investigate the cause.
Before long, whispers began spreading throughout the cultivation world.
Many suspected that the ten great sects were secretly using the Heavenly Conqueror Dragon Earth Vein to siphon spiritual qi from across the entire world.
As these rumors grew, waves of cultivators began traveling toward the ten great cities built upon the vein.
Each of the ten cities stood atop a distinct mountain rising from the earth vein itself, locations where the concentration of spiritual qi was the highest in existence.
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Rising Flame City was built upon an active volcanic mountain.
The environment was saturated with intense fire-element spiritual qi, making it an ideal cultivation ground for fire cultivators.
Near the territory of the Divine Phoenix Sect stood a luxurious establishment known as the Flame Lovers Inn, a place coveted by cultivators seeking both comfort and proximity to abundant spiritual energy.
Inside the inn, Li Gang sat quietly.
He was surrounded by a complex array of glowing runes that formed a powerful spirit formation, their faint light reflecting across his motionless face.
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Heaven Ascension Mountain was the location of the Heavenly Conqueror Sect itself — the very peak from which the Heavenly Conqueror Dao Lord had ascended long ago.
Among all ten mountains, it possessed the richest and most concentrated spiritual qi, making it the most coveted cultivation ground in the world.
Within the ancient Spiritwalker Street, inside an old building steeped in history, Guan Wei sat cross-legged at the center of a formidable formation, waiting in complete silence.
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Dragon Terrace City stood upon Heavenly Iron Mountain, a colossal peak renowned as the hardest mountain on earth.
It was a natural gathering place for body cultivators, and the Dragon Terrace Sect — masters of body refinement — governed the entire city.
Deep within a hidden cave far from all detection, Han Zhi stood calmly near the entrance, gazing outward with a relaxed and almost cheerful expression.
Unlike the others, there was no visible tension in his demeanor.
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Thunderbolt City was built upon the highest peak of the earth vein.
Lightning crackled endlessly across its skies, filling the air with the violent power of thunder.
Among the ruins of the long-destroyed Hidden Moon Sect, Zhang Lie sat quietly, staring at the remains of the place that had once been his home.
His eyes carried both sorrow and burning hatred.
Far away, on a barren hill outside Myriad Fantasy City, Li Xin stood alone.
He held a wine bottle loosely in his hand as he looked down at a small graveyard.
From the delicate design of one particular grave, it was clear it belonged to a woman.
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Meanwhile, deep beneath Blood Moon City, in a hidden underground chamber, Liang Yifei sat cross-legged.
A jade disk rested in his hands, and six ornate boxes were arranged in a circle around him.
He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Without hesitation, he crushed the jade disk in his hand.
Nothing seemed to change around him.
But in five distant cities, everything changed at once.
The formations surrounding the five chosen cultivators activated simultaneously.
Sinister and oppressive demonic qi surged inward from all directions, converging upon each formation.
Within the swirling darkness, shadowy figures gradually emerged.
They plunged directly into the bodies of the five cultivators.
For a brief moment, visible conflict appeared on their faces, their expressions contorting as their souls struggled.
But the resistance quickly vanished.
Soon, identical sinister smiles appeared on all five faces.
From that moment onward, they were no longer themselves.
They had become vessels of the Five Devil Kings.
Each of them began chanting in a strange, ancient language.
The ground around them remained unchanged.
But high above each city, the sky suddenly tore open.
Black portals appeared without warning.
From those gates, devils poured out in endless numbers — millions upon millions — flooding into the world like a tidal wave of darkness.
More portals soon began appearing across countless regions.
Within moments, the entire cultivation world descended into chaos.
Beside each of the five main portals, a powerful cultivator appeared instantly.
They were peak Spirit Severing Realm experts — among the strongest beings remaining in the world.
Each of them glanced briefly at the portals before their eyes shifted toward the locations of the Five Devil Kings.
Their expressions darkened.
Without a word, they vanished.
In the next instant, they reappeared beside the possessed cultivators and launched attacks immediately.
They knew they had no time to hesitate.
At the same time, the devils emerging from the portals began slaughtering everything in their path — mortals and cultivators alike.
War erupted across the world.
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Back in the underground chamber beneath Blood Moon City, Liang Yifei slowly turned his gaze toward the six boxes before him.
His faint smile hardened into one of intense determination.
With a flick of his fingers, all six boxes opened at once.
Inside lay treasures beyond imagination.
Five of them had been granted as rewards from the Devil Kings for his assistance.
The first box contained a translucent crystal — the most valuable treasure Liang had ever encountered.
It was the Reincarnation Dao Crystal.
Consuming it would allow a cultivator to enter the cycle of reincarnation while retaining all memories from their previous life.
The second box held a single crimson droplet of blood that shimmered with terrifying vitality.
The third contained a rare plant known as Heavenly Soul Grass, an ethereal herb found only in the most dangerous regions of the devil realm.
The fourth box held three Dao Crystals — essential treasures for breaking into the Dao Integration Realm.
The fifth contained a pseudo-immortal spirit stone capable of instantly elevating a cultivator's power to the Spirit Severing Realm.
The final box held an enormous egg covered in ancient inscriptions and mysterious symbols so profound that even Liang struggled to comprehend them.
As he gazed upon the six treasures, Liang knew the truth.
He now stood only a single step away from fulfilling his long-cherished ambition.