Refining the Mountains and Rivers

In front of him, four huge mountains seemed to be joined together, forming a circle. Inside the circle, the terrain was low and the mountains blocked the cold wind from entering. Looking down, sealed tents could vaguely be made out underneath the thick layer of snow. There were the same thick beast skins stacked together. But it had been a long time since anyone had opened these tents. 

Five figures were currently standing in between these quiet tents. They looked around cautiously, and after not detecting anything strange, they all relaxed slightly. As they looked at each other, they all appeared slightly solemn and apprehensive. Amidst the whistle of the freezing wind, everyone was silent. At the same time, they all knew that the silence was temporary and clashes would break out at any time. 

Because hiding in this place, which had been swallowed by the cold and was devoid of life, was the World Origin. It was the reason why all of them entered this world and none of them would give in. After all, they were all backed by Dao Masters and chosen to enter this world. This was the trust and responsibility placed on them by the Dao Masters and it was a huge test that would not allow any mistakes! If they succeeded, their futures would be bright and promising. If they failed…they would lose everything!

The five of them were split into three factions. There were two from the First Dao Master and two from the Fourth Dao Master. The last one was…Cheng Haoran! When he left Qin Yu and went to search on his own, he coincidentally discovered some traces and eventually found this frozen area. 

The good news was that beneath this frozen campsite, the World Origin truly existed. But the bad news was that he was not the only one who discovered this place…the even worse part was that he was alone!

Five of them were split into three groups. No matter how it was looked at, the best method was to get rid of the weakest one before fighting it out. This caused Cheng Haoran’s face to sink. He looked around in alarm. 

Amidst the silence, the eyes of the cultivators from the First and Fourth Dao Master all drifted to land on Cheng Haoran. Though they had yet to make a move, it was obvious that they had all come to a consensus. 

All of a sudden, the four of them, who looked like they were about to attack, suddenly had a change of expression. They turned sharply to look in another direction. Amidst the snow and wind, a figure appeared and headed towards them. 

“Luo Guan!” Cheng Haoran called out and he was delighted. The anxiousness he felt disappeared. He was extremely confident in Qin Yu’s abilities. If they joined hands, they would not need to fear anyone. 

Qin Yu glanced at the tents buried under the snow. The image of the emotional Sky Spirit Clan members appeared in his mind as he felt a heavy feeling in his heart. However, he did not show any of this as he said slowly, “It looks like everyone found this place. We can only fight to see who is the strongest and who has the sharpest blade!”

Boom – 

He took a step out and as he lifted his hand, the Mountains and Rivers Sword appeared. He did not hesitate to swing it. 

Boom –

His massive sword aura was like a river bursting through a dam as it surged towards the two cultivators from the Fourth Dao Master. The two of them clearly did not expect Qin Yu to suddenly attack as they looked shocked and rushed to defend themselves.

In Qin Yu’s soul space, the Cosmic Seacross Bell rang and the crisp and clear sound could be heard. To the two cultivators, it was like a frozen and hard ice pick knocking into their brains. Their bodies entirely froze. At the same time, the glow around the Ninerealm Holy Land token shimmered.

Boom –

It was like a mountain had landed on the two people!

Their souls felt the attack of the Cosmic Seacross Bell and their bodies felt the horrific pressure. The result was that these two cultivators who had been chosen by the Fourth Dao Master were not able to react sufficiently and were thrown back by his attack. Blood gushed out from their noses and mouths as they landed heavily on the ground. The ice beneath them cracked and formed a straight slit. 

“Run!” The two people who got thrown back did not hesitate to escape. They looked extremely pale and disheveled. Their eyes were filled with shock and anger. They had already read the information about Qin Yu before they entered this world and assessed this strong cultivator from a Mutant World in Waterfront World to be extremely powerful. But when they exchanged blows, the both of them suffered massive injuries from just one strike. His abilities were absolutely horrifying. 

Cheng Haoran’s eyes widened as his pupils shrank. He knew Qin Yu was very powerful as someone who had almost truly cultivated the Incense Great Dao. However, this strike was way beyond his imagination. 

Qin Yu sheathed his sword and did not give chase. He turned to look at the two people from the First Dao Master and said slowly, “Back then, you helped us buy some time. So now, I am giving you the chance to leave first. I can refrain from attacking.”

If they had not personally witnessed Qin Yu’s attack, the two disciples would most likely have cursed internally – ridiculous! But now, both of their expressions changed. While they were shocked and angry, they were more apprehensive and indignant. 

Qin Yu was expressionless, “This world is huge and this may not be the only World Origin around…leave. This is your last chance!”

“Okay!” The lead disciple under the First Dao Master said as he glared at Qin Yu, “Let’s go!”

Woosh –

They turned and left. 

Qin Yu flipped his hand and stored the Mountains and Rivers Sword. Looking at the clearly flustered Cheng Haoran, he said, “They have left, let’s begin.” He stepped towards the tents covered in snow. The whole place was completely silent. 

“Ah…okay!” Cheng Haoran regained his senses and quickly walked over. Looking at Qin Yu’s back, he hesitated but could not help but say, “Luo Guan, your attack earlier…”

“Don’t ask. It will be a waste of your breath.” Qin Yu did not even look back. 

Cheng Haoran got shut down. Thinking about it, he figured it was natural. After all, Luo Guan only had a working relationship with White Jade Capital. It was obvious that there was a huge gap in their trust and they would of course not be honest about their skills. 

Taking a deep breath, he continued, “What about Prison? That lad is truly crazy. It will not be easy to get rid of him.”

As Cheng Haoran spoke, Qin Yu stopped in front of a tent and flicked his finger. A large amount of sword aura was released as it cut through the ice and split the tent open, showing what was inside. 

The cold descended and froze everything but the expressions of the corpses did not look like they were suffering. It looked as if they had been frozen while in deep sleep. They died while dreaming. Qin Yu gently glanced over and paused for a while as he saw a woman. She was a mother that had just given birth and she looked both happy and worried. She had one hand stretched out as she held a baby against her chest, giving him warmth.

Though Qin Yu had already heard some things from the Sky Spirit Clan tribe, it was still different to personally witness it. Qin Yu saw the small human in the woman’s hands; the baby had not even opened its eyes to see the world before it died. Its face was raw and untouched. Before this, Qin Yu had not known anything about the Sky Spirit Clan. But now, a sour feeling spread through his chest and moved within him. 

Cheng Haoran frowned slightly as he looked at Qin Yu, “Hmm?”

Qin Yu breathed in before slowly letting it out. He turned and continued moving. His face was emotionless, “Dead.”

“I know they are dead. In such a cold environment, they…” Cheng Haoran’s eyes widened as he looked shock, “What…what did you say?”

Qin Yu said, “Prison is dead, I killed him.” He paused and looked down at the snow on the ground. He ignored the shocked and momentarily speechless Cheng Haoran. In his sleeve, the Ninerealm Holy Land token vibrated. This indicated to Qin Yu that this was the place he was searching for. 

He stepped hard and the ice collapsed, forming a deep gash. Qin Yu jumped into it. 

“Wait for me!”

Cheng Haoran rushed behind him. 

The sound of wind filled his ears as he fell rapidly. Qin Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. As he reached the ground, his body was like a feather, landing gently. 

Pak –

Cheng Haoran landed behind him. He looked excited as his eyes widened in disbelief. 

Without giving him a chance to speak, Qin Yu said, “Let’s split up to search this gap. You start from here.”

Pointing, he then rushed off in the other direction.

Cheng Haoran hesitated for a while and finally chose to listen. Very soon, he snorted as he looked happy. In front of him, a light ball was floating in the air. It was about as big as a soybean and was flickering. 

World Origin!

That’s right. This unassuming light ball was formed after heaven and earth died and its power fragmented and eventually congregated once more. 

“Luo Guan!” He turned back to shout. When he did not get a response, Cheng Haoran took a deep breath as he brought out a jade bottle. Transferring energy into it, the veins on the jade bottle lit up as it released a small absorption energy, slowly pulling the light ball in the air. It slowly entered the jade bottle. 

Now, Cheng Haoran could no longer be bothered by Luo Guan. The World Origin was before his very eyes and this was the task his master gave to him!

At this moment, on the other side of the crack Qin Yu lifted the Ninerealm Holy Land token. A portal slowly formed in the space in front of him. Looking carefully, he did not sense anything wrong as he pushed it open and entered. 

Everything was pitch black initially but turned red in the next moment. A world of lava formed in front of him. The air had an intense sulfur smell and the space was so hot that it could burn a person in a few seconds. 

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "".

Buzz –

The Great Sun Illusion appeared and the little blue lamp quietly observed the surroundings. He seemed to sense something as he slowly said after a while, “Qin Yu, it seems like the prophecy is coming true!”

Qin Yu closed his eyes before opening them, “What should I do?”

Amongst the human cultivators, there were nine extremely strong cultivators that were Dao Masters. They ruled over endless territory and hence dared to build the nine White Jade Capitals that reflected the nine Blazing Suns. They dared to harbor such ambitious thoughts. But Qin Yu…would be asking for death if he were to take the same path!

“Two options.” The little blue lamp spoke calmly, “The first is to give up the Ninerealm Holy Land. As long as you don’t accept it, everything here will have nothing to do with you.”

Qin Yu was silent for a while, “What is the second option?”

“Risk it.” The little blue lamp said, “Now, you are like a gambler sitting by a gambling table. There is no chance for a second round. You either win or die. If you lose, no matter how serious the consequences are, they would be wiped out with death…does it make it easier if you think about it like that? Because with your life on the line, there will be nothing that you dare not do.”

Qin Yu looked up and looked at the sky that was dyed red. This world that was extremely hot. It was completely different from the world the Sky Spirit Clan was in. Two polar opposites, but both undoubtedly represented the world dying. But the appearance of the Ninerealm Holy Land token had resulted in signs of recovery for both of these dying worlds. 

But this needed time!

For a dying world to recover and become what it once was, it would require many years. But now, Qin Yu did not have time, much less years. He was not sure whether he even had a year. 

Lifting his hand to massage his temples, Qin Yu chuckled bitterly, “Even if I wanted to risk it, I am afraid that I will not have the chance.” This was the truth but the little blue lamp gave a different answer, “No, since I said to risk it, it means that there is a chance to gamble. It is not just to have this thought and end up dead.

“If – I am saying if – you are able to get the nine White Jade Capitals and use them to suppress the nine worlds. Or rather, it is more accurate to say, merge the nine White Jade Capitals into the nine worlds…maybe you will be able to revive them in a short time.”

Qin Yu frowned, “Are you sure you know what you are saying?”

Getting the nine White Jade Capitals? What a joke! The Seventh Dao Master had mysterious powers and was strong enough to control Qin Yu, much less the combined nine incredible Dao Masters behind the nine White Jade Capitals. If they joined hands they could even fight the Blazing Suns. How could he fight against such a horrifying power? He was not even qualified to sit at the same gambling table as them!

The little blue lamp said, “Comparing true abilities, you will definitely not stand a chance. That would be seeking death…but I am not sending you to die, so there is definitely a chance.”

He lifted his hand and pointed at the world in front of them, “Qin Yu, do you think that a recovering world that contains a complete World Origin is enough to move a Dao Master such that he is willing to pay a price?”

Qin Yu spoke in a low voice, “What are you trying to say?”

“I am saying that you can bake the nine Dao Masters a huge, fragrant pie and place it in front of them. Make it seem like all they need to do is to stretch out their hands and they would easily be able to grab it and eat it.” The little blue lamp said calmly, “As long as they reach out, it will mean that you have a chance of succeeding…as for whether you will really succeed in the end, I cannot guarantee it.

“This is what I mean by risk it. Maybe you would be able to light your Incense Great Dao directly and gain an even stronger power. If you fail…you will just die!”

Qin Yu sneered, “Just die. What an easy way to just die!” He took a deep breath, “Then tell me clearly how I can bake such an alluring pie!”