Originally, it was thought that Young Master Wushuang's awakening would inevitably lead to an even more brutal battle. However, no one expected him to actually end the fighting and open the passage to the summit of Mount Osho, allowing the monks to ascend freely.
At this time, although Ming Qi was also following the numerous monks along the light belt toward Mount Osho, he felt a lingering sense of mystery.
The Dragon Thief's appearance seemed to prove their initial speculation wrong, and the person behind the scenes, whom Ming Qi had always imagined, became even more unpredictable. If he were to piece all the information together, Ming Qi would find that his thinking and judgment were riddled with flaws, making it impossible to formulate a coherent explanation.
But he didn't have time to sort out these chaotic thoughts. He watched the scene around him shift, the wolf-toothed mountain rapidly sinking. In a short while, the monks ahead, led by Yu Quanzhen, had passed through the light belt and reached the summit of the massive Mount Osho. Ming Qi then manipulated the Divine Map and settled in a corner.
Unable to predict what unforeseen circumstances might arise on Mount Osho, Ming Qi didn't even retract the Divine Map, instead hiding within it.
Through the Divine Map, he could see the scenery outside at the summit of Mount Osho.
It must be said that as the main peak of the Imperial Mountain Range, Mount Osho possessed an aura that surpassed all other peaks. Its summit alone encompassed a vast expanse, resembling a plain, and even boasted numerous towering ancient trees. It was easy to imagine that such ancient trees growing at such a height were no ordinary vegetation.
Besides the vegetation, Ming Qi also saw bizarre patterns made of massive rocks scattered throughout the summit. Needless to say, this was intentional, presumably to aid Young Master Wushuang in his rebirth against the will of heaven and construct the small core of the Origin Formation.
The entire mountaintop exuded a desolate and ancient atmosphere. Surrounded by dense forest, a massive palace loomed, its jet-black hue evoking a chill.
"Could this be Young Master Wushuang's palace?"
Ming Qi, within the Supreme Map, was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected such a large structure to exist atop Mount Osho, so high up. He suspected a powerful cultivator, perhaps using his divine powers, had summoned it from the air. Otherwise, building a palace of this magnitude atop a mountain so high into the clouds would be no easy feat.
Through the Divine Map, Ming Qi saw Yu Quanzhen leading the group toward the massive black palace, so he manipulated the Divine Map to follow.
Soon, Yu Quanzhen and the others arrived in front of the massive black palace. They found its gates wide open, and inside and outside were so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Right at the gate, squatting on either side were two bizarre-looking monsters. The visitors had no idea what species these monsters were. Even Yu Quanzhen had never seen one like them before, and couldn't tell where they came from.
Ming Qi, hiding in the divine map, also saw the two strange monsters. His experience wasn't as extensive as Yu Quanzhen's, so he naturally couldn't recognize them. He turned to Wuxiang, "Wuxiang, do you recognize these two gatekeeper monsters?"
Wuxiang looked at them, then pondered for a moment before saying, "They're probably a mutant species. If I remember correctly, they belong to the demonic realm. They're called the Hundred Refined Thousand Insects, known for their all-consuming, all-devouring power. They're a terrifying species capable of devouring anything."
"Hundred Refined Thousand Insects?"
Ming Qi was puzzled by the name. Why was such a massive monster with distinct limbs and prominent features called an insect?
Looking at the Hundred Refined Thousand Insects again, it was at least five or six meters long and two or three meters tall. Its head was covered in huge fangs, and it had three vertical pupils on its forehead. Its back was covered in a tangle of veins, revealing two pairs of small, fleshy wings. It looked bloody and terrifying.
At this moment, those who had arrived shuddered upon seeing the terrifying appearance of the Hundred Refined Thousand Insects, and they all involuntarily stopped dead in their tracks.
Yu Quanzhen hesitated. Unaware of the Hundred Refined Thousand Insects' origins, he couldn't judge the strength of these two monsters. Although Young Master Wushuang had let them ascend the mountain, they would inevitably come to blows in the end. To seize the precious treasures left by the Divine Weapon Sect on Mount Osho, a fierce battle was inevitable. A confrontation with these two monsters was inevitable, but he couldn't identify their true abilities at the moment, which made him feel uneasy.
At this moment, a loud noise suddenly erupted from the hall, followed by dazzling beams of light radiating from the interior, illuminating the outside. A long, stretched shadow could be seen emerging from the hall.
After a few steps, two more people appeared, one on each side of the shadow.
The three of them walked side by side until they reached the main hall's entrance. Only then did Yu Quanzhen and the numerous cultivators outside clearly see that two of them were, naturally, the demon soldiers Mie Shen and Renxue Moqin who had previously blocked their path up the mountain. As for the figure in the middle, he was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, with rosy lips and white teeth, and a handsome, almost uncanny appearance.
The young man wore a spotless white robe, woven with black demonic patterns. His long, white hair flowed freely, each strand like a silver needle. His sword-like eyebrows were matched, and his eyes were clearly of immense depth.
Seeing him, Yu Quanzhen knew without question that this uncanny-looking young man must be Young Master Wushuang. It was unknown how he had orchestrated the Origin Formation and achieved a rebirth against all odds, but one thing was certain: if he were to return to life, the entire Central Earth, and even the Four Wastelands, would be thrown into unforeseen turmoil.
At this moment, footsteps could be heard again from the depths of the hall, startling everyone. Could someone else be inside?
Everyone knew that Young Master Wushuang's three great generals—Demon Spirit Walker, Demon Soldier Mie Shen, and Human Blood Demon Harp—had been slain in the Demonic Corridor. Even if he could be reborn, as he claimed, time wouldn't have been so quick. So, who was this person?
Everyone stared wide-eyed, eager to see who would emerge next.
It didn't take long before a figure slowly emerged. However, everyone was disappointed. Although they could see the person, they couldn't tell who it was.
The person who appeared wore a strange mask. Except for his eyes, everything else was completely obscured, making it impossible to distinguish them.
Even more strikingly, he wore a pair of colorful metal gloves on his hands, creating an unspeakable eeriness.
"Haha, they're finally here, but there aren't enough of you."
The man spoke immediately after stepping out. His voice sounded a little hoarse, perhaps intentionally altered, or perhaps it was somehow so that it wouldn't be noticeable.
At this moment, the Formless Child from the Divine Atlas suddenly spoke, "I've encountered this person's aura before. You've seen him before."
Ming Qi was stunned and said, "I've seen him before. How could you not remember?"
The Formless Child shook his head and said, "I was still asleep at that time."
Ming Qi then understood. The encounter with this person must have taken place before coming to the Imperial Mountains.
"Hahaha, young master, are you still not satisfied? These things are enough for you to sacrifice and obtain whatever you desire."
Just as everyone was puzzled, the eerie young man in white suddenly spoke with a smile.
"Young Master Wushuang, you're joking. It's true that I seek to obtain what I want through sacrifice, but I'm afraid I'm not the only one here who wants to do so."
The masked figure's tone was slightly teasing, sending a chill down the spine of every cultivator present. What exactly is sacrifice?