Chapter 196: Spirit Realm, Wrath of Sin Blood

This Three Thousand Provinces Prodigy Battle was more rushed than previous ones. There was no time for multiple preliminary selections; it went straight to the final showdown! Shi Hao and Shi Jian obtained entry tokens from some smaller Sects and then headed to their destination to secure a spot in Immortal Ancient. A mournful horn blast shook Sin Province. The horn sounded, and the competition officially began. An enormous Dao Field, boundless and endless, with numerous runes flickering, gathered nearly ten million Venerables. They sat with a distance between them, waiting. "The Spirit Realm has an exclusive area for our Sin Province. You will stay there and compete to select ten thousand people, who will then enter the vast uninhabited area." Someone announced the competition rules. The Spirit Realm was a grand world constructed by ancient gods using Mental Energy. It was similar to the Virtual God Realm, only it was even grander. To leave only ten thousand people out of nearly ten million within a single day, one could imagine the cruelty of this competition. The Dao Field was extremely complex, with various patterns and great formations laid down by ancient mighty figures, making outside interference impossible. With a boom, Chaos Qi churned over the entire Dao Field. Space twisted, and then a gigantic portal appeared. With a whoosh, eight million figures soared into the Spirit Realm. The great battle had begun. Other provinces were also doing the same. "Bang!" Shi Jian suddenly descended into a swamp. There were pools of water and many large trees growing around, their leaves spread out, obscuring the sky and sun. "A real world constructed with Mental Energy? The simulation here seems to be a bit higher than in the Virtual God Realm..." Shi Jian thought to himself. He wondered what secrets were hidden within. While Shi Jian was contemplating, rumbling sounds continuously echoed around him as one figure after another descended. As soon as they arrived, they were filled with Killing Intent and launched attacks on those around them. Treasures shattered. Runes soared into the sky. With a scream, a Venerable was immediately beheaded by another Venerable-level existence. The great battle had just begun. Blood immediately dyed the entire battlefield red as the curtain rose on the fighting. In an instant, countless people appeared around Shi Jian, although they still maintained some distance from each other. The figures were densely packed, and the area erupted with intense Killing Intent. Without prior agreement, everyone acted against those around them at the very first moment. "Bang!" Shi Jian casually raised his hand and killed a Venerable who tried to ambush him. That person exploded, startling those around him. "Then let the slaughter begin..." "Five Emperors Great Devil Divine Ability!" Shi Jian trod upon the Void Realm, and the Five Elements Qi within his body flowed, emitting rumbling sounds. He opened his mouth and fiercely spat toward the sky, and in an instant, the winds and clouds changed color. From his mouth, the Wood Emperor Azure Emperor, Fire Emperor Red Emperor, Metal Emperor White Emperor, Earth Emperor Yellow Emperor, and Water Emperor Black Emperor flew out in unison. They reached mid-air and instantly transformed into a vast expanse of Five Elements Qi clouds and thunder covering the sky. Inside, azure lightning rolled, and large swathes of Five Elements Divine Lightning poured down like hail. The Divine Lightning were fist-sized, crystalline clusters that appeared as irregular prisms. They descended from the sky, booming and immediately exploding. A large group of Venerables, caught off guard, were immediately blasted to death. "Who is this person? How can his strength be so powerful?" The remaining Venerables were terrified. The strength Shi Jian displayed was truly astonishing. He wielded the power of thunder with every move, summoning Divine Lightning to attack others. Such a method was simply inconceivable. The power of their own large-scale attacks was limited. At best, they could injure a Formation Realm cultivator. Yet, Shi Jian's Divine Lightning was something even Venerable Realm powerhouses couldn't stop. Countless Venerables were blasted to death, and the five-colored cloud Qi in the sky spread outwards, with more Five Elements Divine Lightning falling. This swamp was vast but couldn't accommodate all the contestants. This was just one area. The nearly ten million Venerables were densely packed like true Dragons soaring through the sea, with surging waves crashing against the sky. The combined Killing Intent of countless Venerables was terrifyingly immense, reaching the heavens. However, Shi Jian's location became an exception. Only he was there. The Five Elements cloud Qi enveloped the sky for hundreds of miles, and all Venerables could feel the terrifyingly destructive Aura it contained. Within a hundred-mile radius, Five Elements Divine Lightning fell, and one Venerable after another was instantly annihilated. The entire area transformed into a desolate zone. "Is this still the strength of the Venerable Realm? Why is it so terrifying!" One powerhouse after another looked at the thunderclouds spanning hundreds of miles with extreme shock. They unleashed their ultimate speed, wanting to get away. As soon as the Divine Ability appeared, it killed nearly a thousand Venerables and was still spreading outwards. No one dared to obstruct the person who could use such a terrifying Divine Ability. Wherever the thundercloud passed, the entire area immediately became empty. The existence here was too terrifying, slaying gods if gods stood in his way, and slaying Buddhas if Buddhas stood in his way. Some initial powerhouses were unconvinced and charged into the thundercloud. After only a few kilometers, they were blasted into dust by the lightning. From then on, almost the entire area knew that there was a peerless Devil King here not to be provoked. No one was qualified to enter the thundercloud and see the figure of this peerless Devil King. Shi Jian used the Five Emperors Great Devil Divine Ability to clear the field. Meanwhile, Shi Hao was also engaged in battle. He had just appeared in the Spirit Realm when a shining bead transformed into a golden thread and attacked the back of his head. Shi Hao turned his head, raised his hand, and instantly gripped the golden bead. He squeezed with both hands, and sparks flew. A Divine Rank Magical Artifact was immediately crushed by him! After the golden bead was crushed, a flood Dragon flew out from inside, brandishing its claws and teeth, pressing down on Shi Hao. Shi Hao slapped it with his palm, and the flood Dragon was instantly sent flying. Shi Hao looked toward the culprit who attacked him. It was a purple-clothed man, with a Dragon pattern inlaid on his body, the symbol of a great Sect. The man's eyes were cold, filled with Killing Intent! Shi Hao recognized this symbol: Demon Dragon Dao Sect, one of the oldest Dao Lineages in the Upper Realm and a main force that had always targeted the Sin Blood clan. It was a target he and his older brother had to deal with. Shi Hao didn't hesitate and immediately acted. He transformed into a Divine Light and swooped down, with wings formed by lightning runes on his back. "Ah!" In just an instant, the purple-clothed man screamed, half of his body scorched black, and then he flew backward, coughing up blood. Shi Hao took another step, and the flood Dragon immediately swooped down again, wanting to protect the purple-clothed man. "Pfft!" Its enormous body was instantly struck and sent flying. Shi Hao punched the flood Dragon's body, and it was instantly blasted apart. "You..." The purple-haired man no longer had his arrogant expression. He knew he had kicked an iron plate. "Fellow Daoist, please stop. I am from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect. This is a misunderstanding. With the strength of us two, if we join forces, no one will be our opponent..." He brought up the Demon Dragon Dao Sect, hoping to make Shi Hao wary. However, after Shi Hao heard "Demon Dragon Dao Sect," he struck even harder. The lightning-transformed wings on his back flapped, and violent lightning flew out, instantly killing this person. The surrounding Venerables were terrified and immediately scattered. Shi Hao was more conservative than Shi Jian. He wouldn't offend others unless they offended him. He proceeded toward his destination, except for people from forces like the Demon Dragon Dao Sect, whom he killed one by one upon sight. Shi Hao fought his way out of this area and saw other battlefields. Countless battlefields were linked together, all engaged in fierce battles. Many Venerables made their moves, and Magical Artifacts flew everywhere. Several hours had passed since they entered. Many Venerables had died. The battle was extremely tragic, but fortunately, this was the Spirit Realm, so those who failed wouldn't truly die. "I wonder where little brother is?" Shi Hao was concerned about Shi Jian's whereabouts in his heart. "Proceed to the Supreme Ancient Altar. If you cannot pass, you will be expelled from the Spirit Realm and lose your qualification!" A majestic voice simultaneously echoed across dozens of battlefields. This was the manifestation of the rules: cold and merciless. The voice resonated in everyone's ears. The great battle ceased, and many golden Dao paths appeared in the Void Realm, carrying the survivors from various places toward the Supreme Ancient Altar. At the same time, outside, on the grand Dao Field of Sin Province, many Venerables who were sitting cross-legged opened their eyes. They were the failures, killed in the Spirit Realm. Now their spirits returned, and their physical bodies revived. A total of seven or eight million people disappeared, expelled from the Dao Field and returning to the outside world. People were startled. Such a terrifying melee had occurred in just a few hours. So many people were eliminated, it was truly terrifying. Outside the largest Dao Field, many people were waiting for news. Among them were many famous figures from various great Sects, even Heavenly God and Sect Master-level characters. "Our Sect's people were completely annihilated. We still can't compare to the top great Sects..." "Isn't that a Disciple of the Demon Dragon Dao Sect? He's very powerful, yet he was also killed..." "Damn it, that's an initial-level figure, yet he was also eliminated?" After seven or eight million Venerables emerged, many lowered their heads, their faces filled with disappointment and bitterness. To be eliminated so quickly and lose the qualification to enter Immortal Ancient, no one could accept it. People quickly discovered that among these failures, some Supreme powerhouses were also eliminated. "How were you eliminated?" A Sect Master-level figure asked his Disciple, who was an initial-level powerhouse. That initial-level powerhouse looked grim. "I encountered an extremely terrifying existence. He controlled lightning, and thunderclouds spread for hundreds of miles." "Wherever he passed, all Venerables were annihilated by lightning! I wanted to charge into the thundercloud to challenge him, but I was blasted to death after only a few miles!" As soon as he spoke these words, the entire audience was shocked! Controlling lightning was not a rare Divine Ability. Many lightning-based Magical Arts could control it. But controlling lightning that spanned hundreds of miles was terrifying. Even more terrifying was that he controlled lightning hundreds of miles away, yet he could kill an initial-level powerhouse. This was simply unheard of. For such a lightning control Spell, the smaller the covered area, the more terrifying its power. Conversely, the larger the area, the weaker the power. This person's Spell covered hundreds of miles, and his Spell had the power to kill initial-level powerhouses. Then how terrifying must his strength be? "I only saw a mass of five-colored thunderclouds covering the sky, and a Divine Lightning struck, and I died. I didn't even see who cast the Spell..." "Damn it, me too..." Discussions arose among the crowd. Not a few people died under Shi Jian's five-colored Divine Lightning. Conservatively estimated, there were nearly one hundred thousand people! After their discussions spread, people from various Dao Lineages were greatly shocked. One hundred thousand Venerables all killed by one person? This was simply too terrifying. "Who is this person? How can his strength be so terrifying? I've never heard of such a powerhouse in Sin Province..." "There is, brother, there is. Such a powerhouse actually exists in Sin Province..." "Could it be you're talking about that one..." "The Sin Blood Great Devil!!!" "Besides that one, who else could it be? You should know, that one has directly killed True God powerhouses, and his attainments in lightning are quite profound; he once used lightning to kill the Lightning Child..." One discussion after another arose. Someone had guessed Shi Jian's identity. "Why not go in and watch? At the Supreme Ancient Altar, watch the Dragon and Tiger battle... That one will definitely dominate!" Some were excited, eager to enter the Spirit Realm. The rules of the Spirit Realm specifically designated areas for the competitors to fight. They could watch from outside the areas. Outside the Supreme Ancient Altar, there were several paths leading to this place. This was an ancient altar, like a colossal mountain, towering into the clouds, completely black, oppressive, and heavy. Above it, clouds and mist steamed, containing a precious treasure, Supreme Liquid. Many Venerables had arrived here. The eight paths leading to the Supreme Ancient Altar were blocked by some people. Some people stood there, examining something. "It's people from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect and Fire Cloud Cave; they are both Ancient Sects from the Upper Realm, incredibly powerful... What are they doing?" Those people were blocking the paths. Anyone wishing to pass had to undergo their scrutiny. "Descendants of Sinful Blood, stand aside!" A woman from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect had thin lips and a decent appearance, but she gave off a sense of harshness. She drove away several cultivators. "Why?" The people who were driven away were indignant. "Descendants of extremely heinous people... How dare you be defiant?" A man snorted coldly, then killed the person who spoke. "You..." The rest of the people were both shocked and enraged. This was an insult. This place was originally Sin State, but these outsiders had turned into masters. They were bullying them. However, their shock and anger were useless. The cultivation conditions in Sin State were inherently poor. Their Cultivation Techniques and cultivation environments were inferior to those of people from other states. They were no match for major powers like the Demon Dragon Dao Sect and Fire Cloud Cave. They were not opponents; no matter how angry they were, it was useless. Even if they united, they wouldn't be enough for one slap from the other side. On each path, there were people wearing silver treasure robes, exuding chilling Qi, blocking the people of Sin State. "Why do you snatch our spots and target us like this? It's too much..." A girl was almost crying from anger. "Because our Sect acts on behalf of Heaven to enforce justice, we can arbitrarily judge you, the descendants of Sinful Blood..." This was another ancient Dao Lineage: Luofu True Valley! After Shi Jian stepped onto the golden path, he put away his Five-Colored Divine Thunder. He arrived here. He saw that all eight paths had people guarding them. "Interesting... I didn't expect to see such a scene again!" Shi Jian recalled the scene when he first entered the Kunpeng Divine Burial. At that time, there were also people guarding the path to the Kunpeng Nest. A descendant of the Sea God even tried to stomp him to death. Now, he encountered such a situation again. Shi Jian noticed that the people from these forces held special mirrors. Their purpose was to find people whose foreheads emitted Holy Light and whose Sinful Blood broke through the clouds. This was interesting. Those forces knew his strength. Even True God Realm cultivators were not his opponents, let alone these ant-like Venerable Realm cultivators. This was the Spirit Realm. Anyone who entered would have their cultivation suppressed to the Venerable Realm. And in the Venerable Realm, Shi Jian had an absolute belief in being invincible. Even a Heavenly God would have to prostrate. If a Sect Master-level existence came and their cultivation was suppressed, Shi Jian was confident in fighting them. Knowing his strength, yet they still dared to seek him out, he wondered what they were planning? However, even if they had a conspiracy, so what? Having cultivated the Five Emperors Great Devil Divine Ability and possessing the Five Emperors Canopy, Shi Jian's strength had already undergone a transformation. It was nothing more than a great slaughter. Shi Jian took a step, continuing toward the ancient altar. "The Supreme Liquid is full again?" Someone exclaimed. The Supreme Liquid on the ancient altar was a rare treasure with astonishing effects, capable of nurturing life and strengthening oneself. "What happened?" Someone else exclaimed again. They looked in one direction; on one path, light was brilliant, runes were intense, and violent fluctuations were generated. A great decisive battle was happening there! "The one with Sinful Blood breaking through the clouds has appeared!" People saw that a beam of light soared into the sky, forming the character "Shi," incredibly brilliant. That place was in chaos. Someone was fighting fiercely. "The people of Luofu True Valley encountered the great fiend with Sinful Blood; a great battle has broken out there!" Soon, many figures soared into the sky from that place, fleeing to other areas. This scene astonished people. "The people of Luofu True Valley were defeated; many were killed, and a few lucky ones escaped..." "Is the one who killed them the unrestrained Shi Jian? It's not surprising that he has such strength..." "No, it's not him, it's another great fiend with Sinful Blood... It seems his name is Shi Hao!" People were shaken. They all knew there were two great fiends with Sinful Blood, but they had only heard of Shi Jian's great name. They didn't know much about Shi Hao. Now, seeing Shi Hao unleash his power, they finally realized he also possessed astonishing strength! And was that really Sinful Blood? Some people recalled recent rumors, then looked at the beam of light soaring into the sky—the incredibly brilliant character "Shi"—and their eyes flickered. This character was "Shi"! No longer "Sin"! "Shi Hao made a move?" When Shi Jian saw the scene in the distance, he raised an eyebrow, then headed toward the location of the Demon Dragon Dao Sect and Fire Cloud Cave. Shi Hao had unleashed his power, so he naturally had to unleash a great slaughter as well. The Supreme Ancient Altar was incredibly massive. The eight paths leading to it were covered by Laws, so people on one path could hardly see the battle situation on another path. And at this moment, Shi Jian slowly stepped into the arena. "You, step aside and wait for us to handle the situation here before entering..." The slightly harsh-looking woman from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect spoke coldly. "What are you? How dare you order me around?" Shi Jian spoke indifferently. "How dare you!" The woman's eyebrows furrowed, and she looked at Shi Jian with icy eyes. The surrounding people were startled. This young man actually dared to speak to people from two top Dao Lineages like this? A Disciple of the Demon Dragon Dao Sect felt that Shi Jian looked a bit familiar, and he shook the mirror in his hand. Something unexpected happened. The young man's forehead glowed, erupting into a brilliant ball of light. His entire being was like a Sun God Child, enveloped in dazzling light. From his forehead, the character "Shi" emerged, breaking through the clouds! "It's you!" "Found him, the descendant of Sinful Blood..." Countless people exclaimed, their faces greatly changed. The person they were looking for had appeared right before them. "Is he going to challenge these several Dao Lineages? He can kill True Gods... I wonder if he truly doesn't have such strength?" The onlookers were excited, holding their breath. The people of Sin State were also excited, wondering if such a person would stand up for them. "Summon reinforcements..." The people from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect and Fire Cloud Cave immediately became alert. Someone wanted to leave to send messages to the other seven paths, requesting support. "Trying to leave?" Shi Jian scoffed. "It's too late..." A divine wind blew, instantly blasting the person who had turned into a streak of light, killing him on the spot. This Spell was none other than "Doomsday Calamity." Doomsday Calamity was an incomplete Spell, but it could still stir up calamitous Qi to kill enemies. This was the Spirit Realm. Anyone killed with ordinary means would only have their true bodies suffer minor injuries, but killing them with this Spell was different. It would blow Protective Aura upon the body and scrape the Soul. Those killed by Shi Jian using Doomsday Calamity in this Spirit Realm would not just be extinguished—they would become vegetative. Against forces like the Demon Dragon Dao Sect, Shi Jian naturally wouldn't hold back. Shi Jian's entire being glowed, and he instantly unleashed a palm strike forward. "Bang!" A Venerable was instantly blown apart. Again, monstrous divine light soared into the sky. Shi Jian's fist light was like a flashing lightning bolt striking down a meteor. A group of people sacrificed Divine Weapons to block and activated secret Spells, but it was useless. Venerables of Great Perfection, outstanding figures from great Sects, one by one, were blown apart in the Void Realm like scarecrows. Shi Jian's fist was too fierce; even Divine Rank Spells couldn't stop it for half a moment. A master from Fire Cloud Cave sacrificed a treasure ruler. Within the ruler, ten thousand streaks of auspicious light shone, illuminating eternity. This was a Supreme Artifact of the Venerable Realm, something specifically prepared for the Spirit Realm. The harsh woman from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect's palm glowed, and a Flood Dragon Sinew appeared. The sinew transformed into a rope, heading toward Shi Jian. This was the Immortal Binding Rope, a secret treasure refined by the Dao Master of the Demon Dragon Dao Sect. It was also a Supreme Artifact that perfectly matched the Realm and could exert its maximum value within the rules. "You think you can target me with just this?" Shi Jian scoffed. He grabbed the treasure ruler with his bare hands, and terrifying immense power poured out, instantly blowing apart the Supreme Artifact. After blowing up a Supreme Artifact, lightning bloomed in his hand, and the lightning transformed into one star after another. The Immortal Binding Rope was also broken by him. A large group of people attacked Shi Jian, but he remained unhurried, enchanting his hands and casually striking out. One by one, the powerful cultivators were pierced by him and exploded. The people of Sin State watched with tears in their eyes. Their hearts, which had just been filled with humiliation and disgrace, now surged with emotion. Someone was standing up for them, slaughtering in all directions, invincible. "Blowing up a Supreme Artifact with bare hands?" The nearby Venerables were astonished. This was an ultimate representation of power, a Magical Artifact that was supposed to be invincible in this place! Yet, it was forcefully blown apart by Shi Jian? The young man in the arena had black hair flying, his eyes emitting cold lightning, his Qi and blood soaring to the sky. Like a Devil King, he shattered the Void Realm with a raised hand, unleashing a supremely powerful punch. Amidst the surging fist wind, one expert after another was killed. His palm swept across, like a Heavenly Blade horizontally across the sky. The harsh woman from the Demon Dragon Dao Sect's head flew off, taking away a large amount of blood. The headless corpse fell. Shi Jian wanted to completely eradicate the Divine Souls of these people, so he had to put in a little more effort. Otherwise, if he had activated his Five-Colored Divine Thunder, he could have cleared the field instantly. In just a few breaths, everyone lay dead on the spot, all killed by Shi Jian! The entire place was silent. The Souls of countless Venerables trembled. How terrifying was this strength? Even a Supreme Artifact couldn't stop him for half a step. Shi Jian noticed the people watching the battle. He saw some of them wearing the clothes of the Demon Dragon Dao Sect and Fire Cloud Cave. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. There seemed to be a few Heavenly Gods among these people. It would be good if he could find an Opportunity to kill them with Doomsday Calamity as well. "Well killed!" The people of Sin State shouted loudly, their hearts surging with emotion. Near the ancient altar, a voice rang out. "Today, with me here, the Demon Dragon Dao Sect, Luofu True Valley, Fire Cloud Cave, and other forces, none of your Dao Lineages shall even think of approaching the ancient altar. Whoever dares to take one step closer shall be killed without mercy!" This was Shi Hao's voice. He stood alone like a great mountain before the altar, intending to block all Sects and suppress the ten directions! Countless people were shocked by these words.