Two intangible wills clashed in the void. The Eternal Night's Heavenly Dao was clearly stronger, yet here in the Eternal World, the Eternal Heavenly Dao held the home field advantage, its aura no weaker than that of Eternal Night. In the void, the two confronted each other, evenly matched, without either side gaining the upper hand.
The exchange between Heavenly Dao and Heavenly Dao had already begun the moment they revealed themselves.
As for what exactly they were communicating, no one could know. None could interfere. That was a realm far beyond reach; without reaching such a height, one naturally had no qualification for equal dialogue.
Even Saints, under such circumstances, lacked the right to participate.
Countless gazes looked toward the void. At this moment, regardless of what they had been doing, everyone stopped. Various thoughts surfaced in their minds, speculating. The two realms' Heavenly Daos were supreme beings who governed boundless living beings. Before they fully fused, the Heavenly Daos of the two realms would almost never meet, for once they did, it could easily trigger a full-scale Dao War.
And battles between Heavenly Daos would be even more terrifying. Once the worlds fused completely, both Heavenly Daos would unleash their full potential in a Dao War, each striving to become the ultimate victor.
"Could it be that Eternal Night is about to launch a full-scale invasion? But it shouldn't be this soon. Such a war can only truly erupt once the two realms have fused to a certain extent. For now, it's only showing itself through this Demon Calamity."
Chang'e's face showed surprise as she murmured to herself, full of doubt. She couldn't understand why Eternal Night's Heavenly Dao would suddenly appear at this moment.
It was completely unexpected.
According to what she knew, the full-scale war absolutely should not break out now.
"No need to think too much. Just watch and we'll soon know."
Yi Tianxing, however, already guessed the reason. Eternal Night's Heavenly Dao appearing here was most likely because it intended to let Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen participate in the battle of the Chaos Heavenly Ladder, to slaughter and seize endless fortune. Matters of this magnitude touched upon the very foundations of both realms—Heaven's Chosen were the future. To interfere required the decision of the two Heavenly Daos themselves.
Now it depended on how the two Heavenly Daos would negotiate.
In Yi Tianxing's view, Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen joining the Heavenly Ladder trial was inevitable. Not only did Eternal Night wish to kill the Eternal World's Heaven's Chosen, the Eternal World likewise wished to slay as many of Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen as possible, to cut off their foundation. Heaven's Chosen were the pillars of an era; if too many perished, it meant fortune itself was being drained away. The entire era would suffer immense setbacks, perhaps even collapse into decline.
In short, both sides wished to strike deadly blows at the other.
But they had always lacked the opportunity.
This time, the battle of the Heavenly Ladder was the heaven-sent chance. Heaven's Chosen were the essence of a world; the more that fell, the greater the benefit to one's own side, with immeasurable impact.
On this point, the intent of both Heavenly Daos was identical.
They had no emotions, only instinct. Anything beneficial to themselves, they would not refuse.
Very quickly, their exchange reached a consensus.
Shua!!
The next moment, above Buzhou Mountain, a massive black vortex appeared. Lightning flashed and thunder roared within it. Around it, countless golden chains manifested—the web of laws of the Eternal World. This vortex was clearly the handiwork of Eternal Night.
"What's happening?"
"The Heavenly Dao has appeared, and Buzhou Mountain is undergoing a change. What sort of unimaginable transformation is this? Buzhou Mountain is the foremost sacred mountain of our Eternal World, the main battlefield of the Chaos Heavenly Ladder trial. If something happens, how can the battle of the Heavenly Ladder continue?"
Countless strong cultivators murmured in astonishment.
From within the vortex emerged an incomparably gigantic Demon God. How vast it was, none could tell; only a single leg protruding from the vortex could be seen, yet that leg alone was like a pillar that held up the heavens, its surface covered in black scales. Each scale was as large as a continent, exuding boundless pressure, mingled with dragon might and demonic intent. Just one glance was enough to see a peerless Dragon Demon ceaselessly traversing through eternal darkness.
Terrifying to the extreme—just a glance could seize one's mind.
Soon, the body of that Dragon Demon fully emerged. Its size was unspeakably monstrous. Yet it was not alive, but the corpse of one who had already fallen. Even so, the corpse retained undying and indestructible qualities—heaven and earth themselves could not annihilate it. From its flesh and blood emanated residual intent and qi so oppressive that even great beings would feel suffocated approaching.
This was nothing less than a Chaos Demon God.
After appearing, the Dragon Demon's corpse naturally began merging into Buzhou Mountain, as though it actively sought to become one with it.
Its meridians became the mountain's veins of land and river. Its flesh turned to fertile earth. Its hair and beard became myriad demonic creatures. Its skin transformed into vegetation. Its teeth and bones became ores and gems. Its essence became pearls and jewels. Its blood flowed into rivers, all fusing with Buzhou Mountain.
Rumble!!
Buzhou Mountain shook violently, visibly growing taller and larger at a speed discernible to the naked eye.
This metamorphosis caused the mountain to increase by more than a tenth in height and mass.
The already oppressive aura of Buzhou Mountain multiplied severalfold. Within it faintly echoed terrifying demonic roars. The sacred mountain now faintly exuded a demonic nature.
"How can this be? Has Buzhou Mountain been corrupted?"
"The Demon God of Eternal Night actually fused its corpse into Buzhou Mountain. What is its purpose? Now Buzhou Mountain carries Eternal Night's aura. The consequences of this are unimaginable. That mountain is the root of the Everlasting Continent!"
Countless great beings were horrified.
This spectacle was akin to Pangu transforming into all things—such world-creating might was beyond comprehension. And this Demon God was no ordinary one; it was a terrifying existence stronger even than Saints. No one could estimate its strength in life.
Shua, shua, shua!!
At the same time, within the black vortex, a pitch-black eye appeared. It did not cross into the Eternal World, only peering from beyond the vortex, yet its eerie gaze spread palpable pressure.
Invisible waves of oppression flooded forth like tides.
With the emergence of that eye, countless black beams of light rained down upon Buzhou Mountain.
Looking closely, within those black lights were countless supreme treasures, the topmost divine objects of Eternal Night, falling like raindrops as though they were worthless.
Langya Fruit Trees!
Blood Demon Pools!!
Heavenly Demon Towers!
Tears of the Blood Moon!!
Abyssal Demon Crystals!!
Soul Demon Iron!!…
All manner of treasures, countless in number. And fortunes—supreme inheritances of Eternal Night's Demon clans. Some could instantly elevate one's cultivation by leaps. For example, the Ten-Thousand Spirit Demon Marrow could allow even an ordinary mortal to easily forge an unparalleled Demon Body, becoming invincible.
A great flood of Eternal Night's spiritual objects and demonic treasures was scattered across Buzhou Mountain. Many were innate spirit treasures, innate supreme treasures.
Of course, among them were also terrifying items—touching them meant death.
Coupled with the fusion of that Demon God's corpse into Buzhou Mountain, the mountain now gave birth to endless opportunities. Many fortunes were unimaginable, as though the era of creation itself had returned, where any chance could let one soar to the heavens.
Clearly, Eternal Night was wagering upon Buzhou Mountain, investing into it.
"Ten years hence, the Chaos Heavenly Ladder shall open. This Ladder War shall become the battleground for the Heaven's Chosen of Eternal and Eternal Night. On the Heavenly Ladder road, to ascend to the summit is to become king. Any who slay an enemy Heaven's Chosen shall gain merit. With sufficient merit, one may rely on it to prove the Dao of Hunyuan."
A heavenly proclamation resounded through the void, instantly covering the entire Eternal World.
Every living being clearly understood its meaning.
This heavenly decree instantly set off great waves.
"What? The Chaos Heavenly Ladder War has changed. No longer just our Eternal Heaven's Chosen battling each other, but transformed into a clash between the Heaven's Chosen of both realms. This battle will be infinitely more perilous. But the benefits are boundless. Killing Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen grants merit, and merit can be used to prove the Hunyuan Dao. This is the very key to Dao attainment."
"Excellent! To prove Hunyuan, the hardest part is gaining Heavenly Dao's recognition. The simplest way is through accumulated merit. Now, simply by killing Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen, we gain merit—this is practically a shortcut to proving the Dao! Of course, only if one is strong enough to survive to the end, to seize the chance of ascension."
"Good! This kind of Ladder War is worth anticipating. Fighting our own people proves nothing. But now, we can clash against the spawn of Eternal Night. I want to see just how strong Eternal Night's Heaven's Chosen are. Slaughtering them will be true satisfaction!"
Countless cultivators and Heaven's Chosen ignited with passion.
Their fighting spirit was fully lit.
In this great struggle between two realms, few would retreat. All understood—when the world itself is overturned, no egg can remain unbroken.
And this war of Heaven's Chosen against Eternal Night was far preferable to internecine slaughter. Even if one fell, it would be a worthy death, a meaningful sacrifice, not a pointless loss of strength.
To point one's blades and spears toward the enemy—that was the true path.