The Immortal Bell, without anyone manipulating it, emitted streaks of immortal light, its chimes continuous and resonant, shaking ceaselessly.
The Desolate Tower was not to be outdone; nine immortals chanted scriptures from within its nine-layered body, almost overpowering the bell's chimes.
The two Immortal Artifacts continuously collided, creating an earth-shattering commotion.
Liang Yu stepped forward, and with his activation, the Desolate Tower's power greatly increased; the Immortal Bell was suppressed, dimming considerably, and the stalemate was broken.
Liang Yu looked at the Desolate Tower, which was exerting itself immensely, as if he heard its artifact spirit saying, "What class are you, to be called one of the two great Immortal Artifacts alongside me?
From now on, only my Desolate Tower is supreme in the world! Little Bell, quickly call me Big Brother!"
Liang Yu couldn't help but feel a bit speechless; he had found the Desolate Tower several hundred years ago, and its artifact spirit had always been indifferent to him.
If he hadn't offered a mass of supreme divine marrow to nourish the pagoda's body, the Desolate Tower would probably have directly fled.
Of course, even so, the Desolate Tower only agreed to let him comprehend its laws.
Over these past few centuries, the Desolate Tower had witnessed Liang Yu's potential, which led it to change its mind and establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Liang Yu, though it still remained quite aloof.
That the Desolate Tower was so enthusiastic this time was truly a pleasant surprise.
However, this was just right; he indeed wanted to keep the Immortal Bell.
This bell was extremely mysterious, powerful, and elusive, perhaps truly involving some ancient great secret.
Even if not, copying its 'homework' to enhance his Qiankun Creation Pagoda would also be good.
At this moment, in the Kunlun Immortal Mountain, countless light-years away, five figures awoke.
"Huashe has been killed."
"This generation's Enlightenment Prover is actually so powerful.
I had long advised Huashe not to underestimate others just because he had an Immortal Artifact, but he wouldn't listen, alas."
"What's the use of saying this now? The Immortal Bell is the foundation of our clan's establishment; it cannot be lost."
"Since we've started, why not finish it? The five of us should simply activate the Immortal Bell to suppress and kill him.
Perhaps we can even obtain the Desolate Tower.
If we had two Immortal Artifacts, who in the world could stop us?"
"You still want to stir up trouble? The Immortal Ascension Road is only a few tens of thousands of years away; we must prioritize the big picture.
Moreover, this generation's Heavenly Emperor is powerful.
If we can't take him down, I fear our clan will never have peace."
"Hmph, the big picture? One of our clan's founding Forbidden Zone Supreme has been killed.
What big picture are you talking about if we don't seek revenge?
I don't believe anyone who just achieved enlightenment could be so strong.
Even if he can block the five of us, can he block the Kunlun Immortal Mountain?"
The Four Fiends—Chaos, Taotie, Qiongqi, and Taowu—known as the Four Fiends, argued amongst themselves.
"Silence, all of you."
An ancient supreme with a human face and a snake body spoke to stop them.
He was precisely the oldest and most powerful supreme of the Kunlun, the Candledragon.
He was expressionless: "Activate the Kunlun Immortal Array and recall the Immortal Bell.
Let this matter be settled."
The other Four Supreme, seeing the Candledragon speak, could only accept.
The five of them together activated the Array Patterns carved into the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
The Kunlun Immortal Mountain is a human fairyland, with extraordinary charm; ninety-nine dragon veins converge, and countless naturally formed Dao marks compose a mysterious and unpredictable natural immortal array.
Their ancestors lived in the Kunlun Immortal Mountain and received its blessings, which is how they acquired the Kunlun Immortal Blood.
Relying on this immortal blood, they not only possessed extraordinary talent but could also use it to draw upon the natural power of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
Since the birth of their clan's first Forbidden Zone Supreme, they began to continuously explore the mysteries of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain and add supreme Dao patterns to it, thereby enhancing their control over the Immortal Mountain.
The Immortal Bell was a Supreme Immortal Artifact they obtained during their exploration of the Immortal Mountain.
Strictly speaking, the Immortal Bell was also a child of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain, similar to their Kunlun Clan.
Therefore, they gained control of the Immortal Bell by relying on their Kunlun Immortal Blood and their control over the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
With six Forbidden Land Supremes guarding it, holding an Immortal Artifact, and possessing the naturally formed immortal array of the Kunlun Immortal Mountain, the Kunlun Clan held a transcendent position.
Even a current Heavenly Emperor could not break through the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
Of course, in the original timeline, the Emperor did not indulge them but recruited soldiers and directly attacked them.
With the assistance of the Nether Emperor's Source Art, the Emperor led the Heavenly Court to successfully break through the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
Liang Yu suppressed with all his might, but the Immortal Bell's resistance grew stronger and stronger.
A supreme Immortal Mountain phantom, formed by the convergence of ninety-nine dragon veins, descended from the void, pushing back the Desolate Tower.
The Immortal Bell seized the opportunity to break through the void and escape.
Liang Yu did not pursue further.
This Kunlun Clan indeed had profound foundations; even with his current strength, he probably couldn't break through.
Of course, the main reason was that he didn't know Source Art and couldn't decipher the Kunlun Immortal Mountain.
If it were just the Five Great Supremes and one Immortal Artifact, he might not have had a chance.
Just wait; once I've fully recovered, I'll personally pay a visit.
Liang Yu retrieved the Desolate Tower, and under the protection of the Immortal Artifact, he quickly repaired all previous exhaustion and damage.
He was truly complete, becoming a flawless Heavenly Emperor, and moreover, a Heavenly Emperor close to the Heavenly Emperor level.
Of course, the concept of a Heavenly Emperor level didn't exist yet.
The Heaven's Heart Seal vibrated, spreading Liang Yu's aura throughout the universe.
At the same time, Liang Yu also used the Heaven's Heart Seal to transmit his title to the hearts of all living beings.
Wuji Tianzun, this was Liang Yu's title.
Meanwhile, the Forbidden Zone Supremes were both alarmed by Liang Yu's astonishing combat power and insidious nature, and impressed by the Kunlun Clan's profound background.
They dared not continue their slumber, as they needed to monitor Liang Yu's movements.
Perhaps they would even have to discuss Dao with Liang Yu and establish some kind of contract.
Liang Yu rose and stepped forward; a golden grand path appeared, flanked by four spirits guarding and all gods bowing in worship.
As he strode out, countless star rivers and universes were left behind.
Since he had successfully proven the Dao, the next step was the much-anticipated extortion and protection fee collection phase.
Although the Forbidden Zones indeed had deep pockets, those supreme beings would still control costs and couldn't afford to lose too much.
However, the Immortal Ascension Road was not far, so even for a normal Enlightenment Prover, these supreme beings were unwilling to tear off all pretense and would make slight concessions.
But now that Liang Yu was the one who had proven the Dao, it was different; if he didn't make them bleed profusely, it wouldn't be fair to the Desolate Tower that had been hidden for so long.
With the achievements of killing four ascending supreme beings with minor injuries and quickly killing the ascending supreme Huashe, plus the Immortal Artifact Desolate Tower, Liang Yu's deterrent power was terrifyingly high.
There were several Forbidden Zones with no more than Four Supreme beings, which Liang Yu alone could annihilate.
However, Liang Yu didn't need to kill them all.
It was only the late Mythological Era, and perhaps only half of the supreme beings in the Forbidden Zones had launched dark turmoil, mainly some supreme beings from before the Mythological Era and the early Mythological Era.
These individuals would slaughter living beings to replenish their state due to their poor condition.
But later Enlightenment Provers like Xiaoyao Tianzun, Changsheng Tianzun, and Jiemie Tianzun were still in good condition and had not yet launched dark turmoil.
Of course, as time passed, most of them would gradually fall and become the main force of dark turmoil.
Therefore, not all Forbidden Zones needed a heavy-handed approach; some could be left alone for now.
Liang Yu's first stop was the Heavenly River Divine Realm, the Forbidden Zone where Supreme Cangming and Supreme Yuanchen resided.
"Hmm, truly extraordinary.
Countless stars converge into a silver river, and within the center of the star river, an independent small world is nurtured.
It can absorb the essence of the sun, moon, and stars, serving to prolong life."
Liang Yu looked at the Heavenly River Divine Realm and couldn't help but lament that these people were truly good at finding places.
The most wondrous and naturally endowed places in this Great Universe had all become Life Forbidden Zones because of these Forbidden Land Supremes, which was truly a waste of natural resources.
At this moment, a figure appeared at the entrance of the Heavenly River Divine Realm; he had white hair, was on the verge of death, and a decaying aura emanated from him.
"This old man, Cangshan, greets the Heavenly Emperor."
Liang Yu frowned: "Is it just you left in the Heavenly River Divine Realm?"
"Yes.
There were seven of us in total, all from before the Mythological Era.
Two fellow Daoists passed away tens of thousands of years ago due to old age; two others, one died at the hands of Daode Tianzun, and one died at the hands of Wuliang Tianzun.
Now that Supreme Cangming and Supreme Yuanchen have died at your hands, this Divine Realm only has me left."
Cangshan Supreme's attitude was very humble.
"Are you asking me to spare your descendants?"
Liang Yu did not make a move.
Cangshan Supreme's immortal platform was clear, evidently, he had not launched dark turmoil.
Perhaps because of this, he was already on the verge of fading away, and would die within three to five days, irreversibly so.
Cangshan Supreme cupped his hands and said, "Those who bore killing karma, this humble old man has personally purged them from the clan.
As for the others, if the Heavenly Emperor is not at ease, you can personally inspect them.
If there is any concealment, you may kill them all; I only ask that you leave a few seeds to continue the lineage."
Liang Yu looked at him: "I came here only to seek an explanation, why is Cangshan Supreme so humble?
You may leave, take your descendants with you.
I will not kill you all, but I also hope your descendants do not become a source of calamity, otherwise, I will surely exterminate them."
Cangshan Supreme swept the remaining people in the secret realm into his sleeve, broke through the void, and departed.