I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 575 Nine Stars Aligned, Secret Treasury Opens
Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...
Chapter 575 Nine Stars Aligned, Secret Treasury Opens
Under the cover of the obsidian night, a figure draped in snow-white robes and masked by bronze appeared, seemingly walking upon the very beams of the moon to arrive before the gathering.
A suffocating pressure radiated from him, thick with the scent of blood, malice, and a bone-chilling killing intent. He moved with the poise of a supreme God of Killing; though his pace was leisurely, every footfall seemed to strike a heavy blow against the hearts of those watching.
The mere sight of him left the spectators gasping for air, as if the oxygen had been stripped from the mountain.
Even the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain, demonic cultivators notorious for their cruelty, felt their skin crawl. They trembled uncontrollably, their hair standing on end as they gazed upon the newcomer.
A singular, doubtful thought raced through the minds of the crowd: Could this man truly be the disciple of the Great Sage of Qiankun? How could a single person harbor such a monstrous aura of slaughter?
This man was indeed Shi Xuan. He believed that in the vast world, a person’s status and renown should be forged by their own hands. While his master, the Great Sage of Qiankun, possessed a name that shook the heavens, Shi Xuan was determined to demonstrate his own formidable Cultivation and independent strength.
The aura of malevolence and bloodlust surrounding him was the result of a decade spent tempering himself within the Land of Slaughter.
Initially, Shi Xuan had utilized Buddhist scriptures to cleanse this dark energy. However, over time, he realized that such intense killing intent could be a potent tool if harnessed correctly.
By using the scriptures to keep the darkness suppressed, he could unleash it as a weapon whenever necessary. Provided his Dao heart remained unshakable, he would never be consumed by the malice he carried.
Tonight served as a brief test of his power before an audience. Judging by the paralyzed expressions around him, Shi Xuan was satisfied with the result.
"Master."
The sound of Liang Yi’s voice snapped the onlookers out of their daze.
The Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain were the first to recover, bowing deeply. "The Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain offer our respects to Your Lordship."
In this moment, they truly understood the adage that there are always higher heavens and greater men. Compared to the terrifying figure before them, their own reputations as demonic cultivators seemed like child's play.
"We pay our respects to Senior."
Jin Xi and her companions followed suit, bowing quickly to the bronze-masked man. They felt a wave of relief wash over them; they were fortunate that this man had no grudge against them, or they surely would have shared the grizzly fate of the Eighteen Bandits of the Black Demon.
Among the crowd, Qian Jundao was the most shaken. He realized with a start that he had been standing at the very threshold of death without knowing it. He was profoundly grateful that this powerhouse had chosen not to strike him down.
"Qian Jundao pays respects to Senior."
"Mn."
Shi Xuan gave a curt, indifferent acknowledgment before addressing the group. "Now that the parties are assembled, we shall open the secret treasury together. However, a pact must be made before we proceed."
"Please, Senior, give us your instructions," the Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain replied in unison. The rest of the cultivators remained silent, signaling their wordless consent.
Shi Xuan stated, "The opening of this secret treasury will undoubtedly draw the attention of nearby experts. Should outsiders attempt to interfere, we must stand as a united front against them. As for the treasures within, their acquisition will depend entirely on each individual's own luck and ability."
Hope sparked in the eyes of the listeners. They had not expected a figure of such terrifying power to be so equitable in his terms.
After a collective exchange of looks, they shouted together, "We shall follow Senior’s commands!"
"Then, let it begin."
With those words, Shi Xuan produced a key from his storage ring.
Following his lead, the representatives of the three major powers retrieved their own keys simultaneously.
As the nine keys were brought together, they erupted with brilliant golden light that pierced the heavens. High above, the glow shifted, manifesting the celestial phenomenon of the Nine Stars Aligned.
From the depths of the sky, nine pillars of radiance descended upon Tianchan Mountain. They converged at a single point, weaving together to form a towering, majestic gate of light.
Such a massive disturbance naturally alerted every cultivator and demonic beast within thousands of miles. Like moths to a flame, they began to streak toward Tianchan Mountain.
Even before the portal had fully stabilized, hundreds of streaks of light had already landed on the slopes.
The once-desolate Tianchan Mountain was suddenly teeming with life and tension.
The Four Ghosts of Southern Mountain instinctively moved closer to Shi Xuan for protection. Seeing this, Qian Jundao also crept toward Shi Xuan and his disciple. Though the masked man was frightening, he had proven himself to be a man of his word—unlike the unknown predators arriving now.
Even the representatives from the Sacred Dao Academy cast aside their pride, quietly positioning themselves behind Shi Xuan’s shadow.
"Hahaha..."
A booming laugh rolled across the peaks. "It seems my suspicions were correct; Tianchan Mountain truly holds a secret realm. My years of living as a hermit at the mountain's base were not wasted."
An old Daoist, riding backward upon a sika deer, drifted toward them from the horizon.
The onlookers felt a wave of unease at his arrival. Though the Daoist appeared like a refined immortal, there was a subtle, inexplicable trace of corruption in his every gesture.
Before his mount could land, a mocking voice rang out. "Amitabha. Layman Lu, do not celebrate so early. A fortune of this magnitude is far too large for you to swallow alone."
The Daoist didn't take offense, merely grinning. "Old bald donkey, if you’re here, stop hiding in the shadows. Show yourself."
"Amitabha. You remain as restless as ever, Layman. This old monk has already arrived."
As the voice faded, a fierce gale whipped through the air. A massive white python descended from the clouds, and perched upon its head was an elderly monk with a silver beard.
Despite his benevolent facial features, his pupils were a piercing, dark green, signaling that he was not entirely human.
The surrounding cultivators turned pale. The aura radiating from the monk was unmistakable—the power of the Nirvana Realm.
Just as the monk and Daoist took their places, a flirtatious voice drifted down from the sky.
"You two old fossils certainly move fast. To leave me behind like that... do you have no concern for my feelings?"
The monk and Daoist both looked visibly annoyed, a flicker of wariness crossing their faces.
A cascade of flower petals rained from the heavens as a woman of ethereal beauty descended. Every move she made, every subtle smile, seemed to pull at the heartstrings of every man present.
She hadn't even activated a charm technique, yet no one could look away.
Even Shi Xuan narrowed his eyes, observing her. *Natural seduction... where did such a powerful ghost cultivator come from?*
Indeed, this alluring beauty was a high-level ghost cultivator.
The old monk sighed, "Madame Hua, there are many juniors present; please refrain from teasing this old monk. Where are Fellow Daoists Scholar and the Tiger King?"
Madame Hua flicked her sleeve, her expression turning into one of mock grievance. "Master Fa, am I not enough for you? Why must you ask for that dull scholar and that overgrown cat?"
The monk chose to ignore her, closing his eyes in meditation.
"Roar!!!"
A thunderous tiger’s roar suddenly shook the mountain range. The sound vibrated through the souls of everyone present, causing several weaker cultivators to collapse in sheer terror.
Simultaneously, a colossal shadow stretched across Tianchan Mountain, blocking out the light...