Chapter 846 - Ninth-Level Nascent Transformation Realm

They didn't dare to disobey the patriarch's order, and all returned to the city except him.

After seeing them off, Lu Funian performed his movement technique and sped off toward the direction where Liu Wuxie had disappeared.

Meanwhile, Liu Wuxie hovered in the air with the malevolent tree, which had been entirely devoured by the cauldron and transplanted into the desolate world. When it took root in the Netherworld, Liu Wuxie felt like he had seen a world of darkness.

A surge of energy channeled into his body through the malevolent tree, and his aura began to rise, approaching the pinnacle of the ninth-level Nascent Transformation Realm. Countless spirit stones exploded into liquid spiritual energy that flowed into his body.

"That was refreshing!"

Whenever a new realm formed within Liu Wuxie's desolate world, he gained insight into an entirely new plane of existence. At dawn, his aura was still climbing, and he was close to the Quasi-True Profound Realm.

This benefit came from the malevolent tree, and it could protect the entire Netherworld.

As for the Abyssal Realm, there was nothing there. It was gray, bleak, and devoid of anything remarkable. It was nothing like the Witcher Realm raging with Witcher energy and hidden poison essence. Golden lightning also flashed as the two divine avatars' energies forged the Witcher Realm.

Lu Funian scoured the mountain range for a long time, and he was ultimately drawn by the commotion created by Liu Wuxie during his breakthrough. He was overjoyed to see Liu Wuxie safe and in the middle of achieving a breakthrough in his cultivation.

He stood outside the swamp and refrained from entering, ensuring he wouldn't disturb Liu Wuxie's cultivation.

By dusk, Liu Wuxie's cultivation had finally stabilized. He tilted his head back and let out a roar, releasing a powerful shockwave.

Even from thousands of meters away, Lu Funian could sense the shockwave created by Liu Wuxie's roar, leaving him in deep shock. It could even strike fear in those at the Spirit Profound Realm.

As Liu Wuxie gradually withdrew his aura, his cultivation had settled at the pinnacle of the Nascent Transformation Realm, and he was just one step away from the True Profound Realm.

After the malevolent tree was transplanted into the desolate world, it began to shrink in size, and the speed at which it absorbed baleful energy began to increase.

"If I can absorb enough baleful energy, I'll be able to master the Great Divine Asura Art!" Liu Wuxie mused quietly. The Great Divine Asura Art was a mysterious and powerful dao technique.

There were countless dao techniques in the world, but many with long legacies had been lost to time. This was especially true for the three thousand dao techniques recorded by heaven and earth. Their inheritance had faded, and only a few had been passed down through generations.

Until now, Liu Wuxie had not recalled many dao techniques. Though he knew their names, he lacked the methods to cultivate them.

He scanned his surroundings and finally spotted Lu Funian before descending swiftly to the ground.

"Young Master Liu, congratulations on your breakthrough!" Lu Funian said, his face beaming with joy. Not only had they eradicated the crimson cloud, but he had also advanced to the Spirit Profound Realm, and his injuries were fully healed.

"Patriarch Lu, we'll bid our farewell here!" Liu Wuxie cupped his fists together at Lu Funian. He didn't want to waste any more time as he had been out for nearly six months.

Initially, he had planned to complete his mission within half a year, but at this pace, it would likely take an entire year. With only six months remaining until the Ten Grand Assembly in the Southern Province, he recalled his promise to Mu Tianli that he would return.

He knew the Ten Grand Assembly was critical to the Heavenly Dao Sect’s survival. If he failed to make it back in time, the sect could face grave danger—or even total annihilation.

"I know I can't persuade you to stay, but I have a request. Before you leave, allow me to fulfill my duty as a host and share a meal with us," Lu Funian said.

The sky had already darkened, and it would be wiser to rest for the night before setting off in the morning.

Liu Wuxie considered for a moment before agreeing. The mountain range was dangerous, and traveling at night was unwise. Moreover, the teleportation array in the city was closed, meaning he would have to wait until morning regardless.

By the time they returned to the city, it was already late.

"I advise you all to surrender. Lu Funian won’t be able to return to save you," a voice sneered.

A crowd had gathered outside the Lu Clan, launching a ferocious attack against its defenses.

The battle was intense, and Liu Wuxie sensed the fight when he entered the city. He and Lu Funian weaved through the streets and reached the Lu Clan within minutes.

When they arrived, the Lu Clan's spiritual array had already been shattered, exposing the estate to danger. A powerful cultivator at the Spirit Profound Realm was hovering above the Lu Clan's estate.

"Du Canghai, how dare you attack my Lu Clan!" Just when the man in the air was about to start a massacre, Lu Funian appeared, striking his palm out and forcing the man called Du Funian to take a step back.

If Lu Funian had returned a moment later, the entire Lu Clan would have been wiped out.

Two Spirit Profound Realm cultivators now faced each other in the sky while a crowd gathered below. Liu Wuxie remained at a distance, his curiosity piqued by the unfolding confrontation.

"Lu Funian, I didn't expect you to still be alive after the injury I inflicted back then," Du Canghai said with a cold smirk.

So he was the one responsible for Lu Funian’s past wounds.

"You attacked the Lu Clan out of the blue back then, and I will avenge my Lu Clan's deceased disciples today!" Lu Funian declared, his murderous intent raging.

Though Liu Wuxie didn't know about their history, it was clear this was a matter of life and death.

Upon seeing Liu Wuxie, Lu Qiang walked over and stood before him.

"Who is he, and why is he attacking your clan?" Liu Wuxie asked.

"His name is Du Canghai. He once lived in the city, but he left because of the crimson cloud. Two years ago, when I was training in the mountain range with my father, we killed a powerful profound beast, but Du Canghai appeared and demanded that we hand it over. We naturally refused, and a fight broke out because of that. Our Lu Clan lost several disciples, and my father also took a strike on his chest," Lu Qiang explained.

Liu Wuxie nodded thoughtfully. He could tell Du Canghai wasn't weak, and his cultivation was more tempered than Lu Funian despite being at the first-level Spirit Profound Realm.

"You think you can take revenge after reaching the Spirit Profound Realm? I heard that your Lu Clan grasped the means to annihilate the crimson cloud. Hand it over, or you'll know the consequences if you refuse," Du Canghai said. He had hurried back after hearing that the Lu Clan had found a way to annihilate the crimson cloud.

News spread when Liu Wuxie asked the Lu Clan to gather materials half a month ago, prompting many people to donate the required supplies. This information reached Du Canghai, who went to the Lu Clan immediately upon returning to the city.

"The crimson cloud has been annihilated, and the method no longer matters," Lu Funian said with a snort. The sword in his hand released a buzzing noise.

Cheers erupted from the surroundings upon hearing that the crimson cloud had perished. This meant they wouldn't have to worry about it any longer. They had endured the nightmare for far too long.

"Don't blame me for being ruthless since you refuse to hand it over!" Du Canghai sneered. He clearly didn't believe Lu Funian and summoned a massive war hammer, even larger than before.

"Guiding Immortal!" Lu Funian struck first. Though he had just reached the Spirit Profound Realm and was inferior to Du Canghai in terms of true essence and laws, he aimed to take the initiative in the fight by attacking first.

Lu Qiang stood by the side anxiously. He knew Du Canghai's strength and that his father was no match for him.

"You dare flaunt such weak strength before me?" Du Canghai snorted and raised the war hammer, striking it down.

When the two weapons clashed, Lu Funian's sword was knocked aside, sending him flying away. The immense force that transmitted through his sword into his arm numbed it.

Du Canghai had monstrous natural strength, and his war hammer weighed over fifty thousand kilograms. If the hammer struck a person, it could easily tear them apart.

In just one exchange, Lu Funian had fallen into a disadvantageous position. The Lu Clan's disciples also felt anxious as their patriarch had finally reached the Spirit Profound Realm, offering hope for their clan's rise. But Du Canghai just had to return at this time.

The two combatants clashed fiercely in mid-air, their weapons colliding with deafening echoes. Lu Funian kept retreating as he was utterly overwhelmed by Du Canghai. Despite being at the first-level Spirit Profound Realm, there was a vast difference between them.

The situation grew increasingly dire for Lu Funian, and many of the Lu Clan's deacons were prepared to intervene and fight alongside their patriarch.

With a sweep of the hammer, Du Canghai sent Lu Funian flying away and crashing into the wall, causing the entire courtyard to fall apart. He spat out a mouthful of blood from severe injuries.

"Father!" Lu Qiang shouted as he drew his sword and ran to aid his father.

"Go back! Who told you to come over?"Lu Funian shouted in fury. How could his son recklessly join a battle far beyond his level?

"No one is leaving, and you will all die!" Du Canghai sneered. He had slaughtered countless people over the years, and a few more meant nothing to him. Swinging his war hammer, he unleashed a powerful Spirit Profound Realm aura, pressing down on Lu Qiang and leaving him at a severe disadvantage.

"I'll take you down with me even if I die!" Lu Qiang roared, gripping his sword tightly. He knew he was no match, yet he still charged forward, fully prepared to perish alongside Du Canghai.

"Come back!" Lu Funian called out, emerging from the rubble of a collapsed wall. His voice was desperate, but Lu Qiang ignored his plea. Without a moment to catch his breath, Lu Funian rushed forward, determined to save his son—even at the cost of his own life.

Father and son now stood directly in Du Canghai’s path, exposed beneath the crushing weight of his descending hammer. Their lives hung by a thread.

Lu Hua wanted to join the fight, but the Lu Clan's deacons stopped her. Rushing in now would only lead to meaningless death.

"I'll send you two on your way today. This way, the road to hell won't be so lonely!" Du Canghai revealed a brutal grin, and his war hammer produced an explosion from the rapid compression of air.

No cultivators in the surroundings stepped out and merely watched the fight with indifference. Everyone had already grown numb to the violence as the Lu Clan was merely a fifth-tier clan, and there were hundreds of such clans in the city.

New clans would rise and fall daily; everyone had grown accustomed to it.

Liu Wuxie stood in the distance with no expression on his face. He hadn't expected to encounter such chaos upon his return to the city. He sighed as he couldn't stand by to watch Lu Funian and Lu Qiang being killed.