The Great War Begins

As soon as Xiao Ruobai's voice fell, gasps of exclamation echoed one after another throughout the secret realm.

The spiritual power that had been suppressed to the Purple Mansion Realm surged like runaway wild horses, and the cultivation bases of the major sect masters and elders recovered to their original realms one after another.

The most striking movements came from the Demonic Cult and the Burning Heaven Palace.

Mo Luo felt the King Realm demonic energy surging within his body once more. His pale face instantly flushed red as he stared fixedly at Xiao Ruobai, all the ruthlessness that had been suppressed earlier erupting in full force.

The demonic energy condensed into a ferocious phantom around him, as if it would pounce in the very next second.

Xue Wushang of the Blood Soul Sect also stepped out from the shadows. Blood-red mist churned at his fingertips as his sinister gaze darted back and forth between Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu, clearly calculating how to strike amidst the chaos.

Lie Tianxiong of the Burning Heaven Palace was even more agitated. He clenched his fists fiercely, his Heaven and Human Realm flame spiritual power erupting uncontrollably, burning the hem of his robes so that they fluttered loudly.

He was already holding a belly full of fire from being repeatedly robbed. Now that his cultivation was restored, his confidence instantly swelled. He glared death at Xiao Ruobai, the killing intent in his eyes practically overflowing, lacking only an excuse to make a move.

The experts from other sects were not idle either, their gazes shifting back and forth between Xiao Ruobai and the Heaven Reaching Tower.

From the resonance of the Heaven Reaching Tower and the anomaly of the lit runes just now, even a fool could guess that the inheritance had fallen into the hands of these two. Who wouldn't want a piece of the pie?

Shi Wanshan stood among the ranks of the Azure Profound Sect, taking all of this in as his brows gradually furrowed.

He quietly took half a step back and exchanged a glance with Li Xuanfeng. Li Xuanfeng immediately understood, grasping the hilt of his sword as his spiritual power silently circulated.

He knew that this battle was likely unavoidable; he could only do his best to protect Xiao Ruobai and his companion.

Little Black flapped its wings and landed on the twisted branch of an ancient tree in the distance. Its black-bean-like eyes swept over the tense crowd below, its gaze filled with careless disdain.

It was as if the people before it, gripping their magical treasures with surging spiritual power, were nothing more than ants circling around crumbs.

With it standing guard here, let alone this group of cultivators who had just recovered their cultivation, even if a Quasi-Emperor came in person, they shouldn't even think about touching a single hair on Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu under its watchful eyes.

Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu exchanged a glance. Far from panicking, they broke into grins.

"What a grand lineup. Are you planning to gang up on the two of us?"

Xiao Ruobai rolled his wrists, spinning the long halberd in his hand. The tip of the halberd sliced through the air, bringing with it a sharp gust of wind.

"It seems everyone is quite interested in the inheritance of the Heaven Reaching Tower."

Fang Hanyu also smiled and nodded. His longsword was gently unsheathed by half an inch, its pale cyan sword light flickering with a piercing chill.

His gaze suddenly fell upon Lie Tianxiong, and he deliberately raised his voice with a touch of mockery.

"Lie Tianxiong, the last time I saw you, you were still wearing the brocade robes of the Burning Heaven Palace's Sect Master. Why have you changed into an elder's outfit this time, and even worn a hat? Could it be that you have some special fetish?"

As soon as these words came out, it immediately drew the attention of the surrounding people. Many cast their gazes upon Lie Tianxiong, and the more nosy ones began to whisper among themselves.

Lie Tianxiong's face instantly went from flushed red to an ashen iron-blue. He roared in fury, "You dare, brat! Today I will definitely slay you and take back what is mine!"

Saying so, he was about to channel his flame spiritual power to attack.

Xiao Ruobai, however, suddenly spoke up. His gaze turned to Mo Luo, his tone flat but laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Mo Luo, kid, I didn't expect you to be so hard to kill. You were beaten so miserably by us last time, yet you're still alive? It seems the Demonic Heaven Sect's secret healing arts are a bit more reliable than your combat prowess."

Mo Luo was already holding back his fury. Being called a 'kid' by the person in front of him made him even more uncontrollably enraged. He was about to attack but was stopped by the only two remaining elders.

"Sect Master, these two are currently brimming with confidence and obtained the inheritance so quickly. Could they have something to rely on?"

At these words, Mo Luo inexplicably felt a wave of apprehension in his heart, and the scene of being miserably hunted down before flashed before his eyes again.

Even though he had recovered his King Realm cultivation now, if they really fought, there was no telling what trump cards the other side might have.

The surrounding sects were also just glaring like tigers eyeing their prey; no one truly dared to go first. For a moment, no one dared to make a rash move.

Seeing everyone hesitate, Fang Hanyu quietly sent a sound transmission to Xiao Ruobai.

"Senior Brother, do we fight or run? With our speed, if we want to run, they definitely won't be able to catch up. If we fight, there are several King Realm experts here, two major realms higher than us. We'll probably have to go all out this time."

Xiao Ruobai replied via sound transmission, "Although they have many people, they each harbor their own ulterior motives and might not be united. I have already refined the Heaven Reaching Tower and can borrow the power of the secret realm. There's no need to run first."

His gaze swept over Shi Wanshan. Seeing that he was fully on guard and ready to help at any moment, he immediately sent a sound transmission over.

"Martial Uncle Shi, Junior Brother and I can handle this. Don't expose yourself yet."

Receiving the sound transmission, Shi Wanshan was stunned for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew Xiao Ruobai never boasted. Since he dared to say so, he definitely had the confidence. So, he quietly held Li Xuanfeng back, signaling him not to make a move for now and to observe the situation first.

Xiao Ruobai took a deep breath, and the aura around him suddenly changed.

The previously hidden mid-stage Cave Heaven Realm spiritual power was no longer suppressed, and his resonance with the Heaven Reaching Tower grew even stronger. The runes on the tower lit up once more, and a majestic pressure erupted from his body, spreading out in all directions.

Gripping his long halberd, his gaze swept over the crowd, his tone carrying a touch of icy coldness.

"Want to snatch the inheritance? Fine, but you'll have to ask the long halberd in my hand, and the Heaven Reaching Tower behind me, if they agree!"

Golden runes suddenly lit up in Xiao Ruobai's palm, instantly connecting with the glowing patterns on the Heaven Reaching Tower.

He closed his eyes, his sea of consciousness thoroughly connecting with the secret realm's spiritual veins. The spiritual energy that was originally scattered throughout the secret realm gathered like a tide, surging toward the core area along the rune network.

The crowd below only felt their bodies sink. The cultivation they had just recovered was actually suppressed once again. The spiritual power of the Heaven and Human Realm shrank into a ball, and the pressure of the King Realm also dissipated by more than half.

Damn it, he can actually mobilize the power of the secret realm?

However, what made everyone breathe a sigh of relief was that the suppression this time was not as severe.

Those with King Realm cultivation could still exert the power of the peak Heaven and Human Realm, while those at the Heaven and Human Realm only felt slightly suppressed.

"Since you want the inheritance, then come and fight! Fight!!!"

Mo Luo fiercely clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms. The humiliation of being mocked by Xiao Ruobai earlier and his covetous desire for the inheritance finally overpowered the apprehension in his heart.

"Attack! Kill them and seize the inheritance!"

Before his voice even faded, he channeled his demonic energy, charging toward Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu like a black tide.

Xue Wushang of the Blood Soul Sect also stepped out from the shadows. Blood-red mist churned at his fingertips as he coldly ordered, "Follow them! Don't let the Demonic Heaven Sect monopolize the benefits!"

The disciples of the Blood Soul Sect transformed into streaks of blood shadows, following closely behind to join the fray.

On the Burning Heaven Palace's side, Lie Tianxiong clenched his fists. His Heaven and Human Realm flame spiritual power erupted uncontrollably, burning the hem of his robes so that they fluttered loudly.

He was already furious over having his storage ring robbed. Now that his cultivation was restored, he could no longer hold back. Without waiting for the First Elder to dissuade him, he roared and charged at Xiao Ruobai.

"Brat! Today you will pay your blood debt in blood!"

"Palace Master! You mustn't!"

The Grand Elder's expression changed drastically. He hastily reached out to pull him back, but only managed to catch a scorching piece of his robe.

The Second Elder also cried out anxiously, "Let the Demonic Cult test the waters first! Do not be impulsive!"

However, Lie Tianxiong was already completely blinded by rage and turned a deaf ear to their warnings. Fire spiritual energy condensed in his palm, forming a massive flaming fist that smashed directly toward Xiao Ruobai's face.

At this moment, Xiao Ruobai was swinging his halberd to intercept Mo Luo. The instant the golden halberd's radiance collided with the demonic energy, a violent shockwave of energy erupted.

Lie Tianxiong's flaming fist had barely approached the battlefield before it was viciously slammed by this residual shockwave.

I will update one chapter first today, and release two more chapters at 5 PM this afternoon.