Translator: CinderTL
Dark Horned Prison!
The most perilous region on the periphery of the Profound Yellow Great World!
A true abyss of despair!
It was formed from a newly born Great World that had been conquered by the Profound Yellow Great World.
After its defeat, this Great World rapidly collapsed, creating a unique ruin resembling a black hole.
Every six months, this celestial body would devour external matter, only to spew it out again six months later.
In and out, a cyclical process.
Due to its incredibly sturdy structure, any matter or living being sucked into this ruin would find it nearly impossible to escape on their own. They could only endure for six months before being expelled, turning the area into a six-month-long arena.
Furthermore, as a ruin formed from the collapse of a Great World, its laws were weak and chaotic, much like the darkness of night to the human eye, where visibility was severely limited. This earned it the name Dark Horned Prison.
As Li Chunjun spoke, Yuan Taiji immediately pressed him: "Is this true!"
The others looked at him in disbelief.
Even Liu Yu turned her gaze to Li Chunjun.
Despite his absolute advantage—with Liu Yu's protection, no one could stop him from leaving—he had made such a request...
To face the dharma manifestations of the Wu Ji Sect and the Heavenly Palace alone!?
And from his tone, it seemed he was challenging all the dharma manifestations from both sects!?
The Heavenly Palace, being an external force with only a few dozen dharma manifestations stationed there, was one thing. But the Wu Ji Sect...
They could easily mobilize hundreds of dharma manifestations!
Such a massive force, if they swarmed him, even a Supreme Sage of the caliber of the Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity would have to retreat.
Of course, the dark horned prison's unique environment, with its weak and chaotic laws, was like putting a group of people in complete darkness, making large-scale group battles difficult.
But...
Li Chunjun, no matter how talented, was still just a Void Refining cultivator.
Even if he cultivated a dharma manifestation in three years, it would only be a Top-Tier Dharma Manifestation!
And the Void Storm Dharma Aspect, being a Top-Tier Dharma Manifestation that wasn't suited for one-on-one combat, meant that both the Wu Ji Sect and the Heavenly Palace could theoretically field several dharma manifestations capable of suppressing his advantage.
Under these circumstances, how dared he make such a demand?
However, Liu Yu didn't intervene.
Each direct disciple had their own path. She would guide them, but she wouldn't interfere.
"Indeed," Li Chunjun said calmly. "I'll take responsibility for my actions. Our feud has nothing to do with the Profound Yellow Sect. The Wu Ji Sect and the Heavenly Palace are free to seek revenge for my killing hundreds of Void Refining cultivators from both sects within the dark horned prison! But let me add one thing: anyone who enters the dark horned prison does so at their own risk."
"No need to remind me."
Yuan Taiji didn't dare give Liu Yu a chance to object and quickly agreed. "As you say. Three years from now, once you enter the dark horned prison, the Wu Ji Sect and the Profound Yellow Sect's grievances will be completely erased. We will never seek revenge against the Profound Yellow Sect again."
"The Heavenly Palace will do the same," Universal Transformation Venerable nodded slightly.
"Senior Brother Li..."
The Human Sage Venerable tried to convey something telepathically.
Li Chunjun waved him off.
Then, turning to Yuan Taiji and Universal Transformation Venerable, he said, "It's settled then."
With that, he leaped into the air.
The Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity immediately formed a protective circle around him.
The Wu Ji Sect's Supreme Sages glanced at Yuan Taiji, then at Liu Yu, but made no move to stop them.
In the end, they watched Li Chunjun and the Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity depart.
After they were gone, Universal Transformation Venerable clasped his hands in a salute to Yuan Taiji. "Sect Master Yuan, we will return to prepare and mobilize our forces."
"Very well. With the Heavenly Palace's resources, deploying several Top-Tier Dharma Manifestations should be no problem," Yuan Taiji replied.
Universal Transformation Venerable's expression remained grim.
Top-Tier Dharma Manifestations...
This entire affair stemmed from his actions.
The Heavenly Palace had suffered such heavy losses in Void Refining cultivators, and he bore the primary responsibility.
It was entirely possible that he would have to personally participate among the Dharma Manifestations the Heavenly Palace deployed this time.
It wasn't that he feared the danger of entering the dark horned prison.
Everyone could see that Li Chunjun intended to forge the Void Storm Dharma Aspect. Although it was a Top-Tier Dharma Manifestation, it wasn't particularly suited for head-on combat.
Moreover, since the Dharma Aspect was newly forged, his Qi hadn't fully caught up, making its true combat power uncertain.
His expression darkened, feeling humiliated.
He, a member of the Nine Elders of the Heavenly Palace Elder Council, a Council-level sect, was being forced to personally engage in a life-or-death battle with Li Chunjun, a junior.
Where was his dignity?
However, considering Li Chunjun's dual identities as a direct disciple of the Supreme Sovereign and a Supreme Elder of the Profound Yellow Sect, he suppressed his resentment.
He'd wait to see who the Wu Ji Sect sent.
If their lineup was strong enough, he might be able to sit back and reap the benefits.
After Universal Transformation Venerable and the Heavenly Palace entourage departed, Venerable Yuanguang also left without acknowledging Yuan Taiji.
Clearly, he was deeply displeased by the Wu Ji Sect's Supreme Sage's reckless actions outside the Star Abyss.
Fortunately, the Star Abyss hadn't collapsed; otherwise, the Heavenly Principles Sect would never have let it go.
Yuan Taiji remained largely silent on the matter.
With his deep bond with the Heavenly Principles Sect Master, a mere dharma manifestation like Yuanguang couldn't easily shake it.
At this moment, the Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage approached, a faint smile on his face. "I thought Li Chunjun and the Profound Yellow Sect were merely cooperating. But now it seems the Profound Yellow Sect holds more weight in Li Chunjun's heart than we realized... This might not be such a bad thing for us."
"No, you're mistaken."
Yuan Taiji seemed to have guessed his thoughts, his expression solemn. "Are you suggesting that even if we fail to capture Li Chunjun in the dark horned prison, we can later use the Profound Yellow Sect to blackmail him, forcing him to hesitate?"
"No, no. With so many high-grade dharma manifestation experts in the Wu Ji Sect, how could we fail to subdue a mere Li Chunjun in the dark horned prison?" The Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage quickly shook his head.
Yuan Taiji didn't expose his lingering hope, but simply said, "The reason I dared to attack Li Chunjun without hesitation is because I knew that although the Profound Yellow Sect officially boasts sixteen Supreme Sages, half of them are merely figureheads. At best, eight or ten would actually fight for the sect, even including the Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. But now, things are different."
"Li Chunjun has made it clear he's taking full responsibility for his actions," Yuan Taiji said gravely. "If we retaliate against him afterward, such aggressive behavior will only fuel the Profound Yellow Sect's collective resentment. Even some of the nominal Supreme Sages who were initially reluctant to intervene might change their stance!"
"So what? What does the Wu Ji Sect have to fear?" Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage raised an eyebrow.
"It's not just the nominal Supreme Sages. Don't forget that Liu Yu herself acknowledged Li Chunjun as the Profound Yellow Supreme's direct disciple. If we refuse to let go even after Li Chunjun has agreed to enter the dark horned prison to settle this matter, the faction from the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven will never stand idly by. The others might not care... but the key figure here is Rising Sun Supreme Sage..."
Yuan Taiji trailed off.
Hearing the name "Rising Sun," Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage's expression sobered.
Like Li Chunjun, this individual was also a direct disciple of a Supreme Sovereign!
A peerless figure with the potential to achieve dao unification!
Three thousand years ago, when he had yet to leave the Profound Yellow Great World, he had already clashed with the Heaven Origin Sword Master of the Taixu Sword Sect. Now, after three thousand years...
Who knew what opportunities and extraordinary encounters he had experienced?
For a moment, the Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage's tone wavered slightly. "That one... is out traveling. It's unlikely he'd cut short his cultivation journey just for Li Chunjun..."
"Theoretically, no. But if Li Chunjun truly displays unparalleled talent... who wouldn't want to curry favor with him? Take the Profound Yellow Sect, for example. If Li Chunjun emerges from the dark horned prison and demonstrates the invincible power of his dharma aspect, even those Supreme Sages who have remained neutral will firmly stand behind him, even if it means openly opposing our Wu Ji Sect."
Yuan Taiji saw the situation clearly. "By then, if our Wu Ji Sect attacks the Profound Yellow Sect, war between the two sects will no longer be an empty threat."
The Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage's expression darkened slightly. "So you're saying..."
"This is our only chance to kill Li Chunjun! And it's our only legitimate opportunity—one that leaves no room for future repercussions."
Yuan Taiji said no more.
At that moment, he even felt a twinge of regret.
If Yuan Guiyi hadn't already achieved Supreme Sage status, Yuan Taiji would have insisted that the Supreme Dharma Aspect personally enter the dark horned prison to ensure absolute certainty.
But now...
They had to find another way.
Three years... there was still time!
Under Liu Yu's guidance, Li Chunjun and the Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity quickly returned to the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven.
At the summit of Li Chunjun's mountain, the three Sage Venerables spoke with deep remorse: "Senior Brother Li, it was our incompetence that prevented us from fully protecting your safety..."
"I saw your efforts. Had Yuan Taiji not personally intervened, you would have succeeded in escorting me away." Li Chunjun waved his hand dismissively.
Liu Yu, who had brought Li Chunjun back to the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven, didn't leave immediately. Instead, she asked, "Are you truly determined to fight the Heavenly Palace and Wu Ji Sect dharma manifestations in the dark horned prison?"
"Yes." Li Chunjun nodded. "That's why, Your Excellency Liu Yu, the Void Storm Dharma Aspect you're helping me perfect needs to be completed as soon as possible."
"Even if I refine and optimize the Void Storm Dharma Aspect for you, your accumulation may still fall short of those of established dharma manifestations, especially those that have existed for tens of thousands of years, accumulating Qi for three or four thousand years."
Liu Yu spoke plainly: "That dharma manifestation itself already possesses nearly 40,000 years of Millennial Magic Power. Cultivating an ordinary dharma manifestation doubles this, resulting in 80,000 combat power. A high-grade dharma manifestation reaches 100,000, while a Top-Tier Dharma Manifestation boasts 120,000! And a Supreme Dharma Aspect can even reach 160,000!"
"I know," Li Chunjun nodded slightly.
While the Void Refining and Dharma Manifestation stages don't accumulate Qi as rapidly as the Supreme Sage, who is an Incarnation of the Laws of Life, decades of thousands of years of cultivation still yield significant gains.
Based on the initial Qi base, ordinary dharma manifestations can range from 20,000 to 80,000 combat power, high-grade ones from 25,000 to 100,000, Top-Tier ones from 30,000 to 120,000, and Supreme Dharma Aspects from 40,000 to 160,000.
Although dharma manifestations with 80,000, 100,000, or 120,000 combat power are rare—like a normal person living to 100 years old—they can always be found with enough effort.
"Since you know..." Liu Yu began to say, but Li Chunjun interrupted her: "After the battle at Star Abyss, I fought hundreds of opponents of the same level and gained considerable experience. My strength has also improved, so it's time to redesign my dharma manifestation. Here's my latest data; take a look."
(End of the Chapter)
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