Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Time flies like an arrow, and the years pass swiftly in the primordial world. In the blink of an eye, thousands of years have passed. For the primordial beings who measure time in eons, thousands of years may only be the time for a few seclusions or a few discussions of the Dao. However, in these final thousands of years, shrouded in the dark clouds of the Lich War, each day seems to be stretched out, filled with a silent, oppressive confrontation and a suffocating sense of pressure. The situation in the primordial world has not eased with the passage of time; instead, it is like a tightly wound spring, stretched to its limit, with swords drawn and ready to explode at any moment.

The newly born Netherworld, after thousands of years of evolution and development, has undergone tremendous changes, truly revealing the magnificent vitality and strict order of a top-tier world.

Between heaven and earth, there was no longer only darkness and deathly silence. Above the sky, though there was no primordial sun or bright moon, there was a "Nether Moon" formed from the pure essence of the moon and the power of the Netherworld stars, and thousands of "Netherworld Stars" shimmering with dark blue and dark purple light, slowly moving along mysterious trajectories, casting a cool glow that nourished all things. On the earth, the mountains stretched endlessly, not as majestic and precipitous as Mount Buzhou, but more solid and stable, their bodies mostly dark in color, yet nurturing unique Netherworld mineral deposits and spiritual plants. The main stream of the River of Oblivion still ran through the world, but its tributaries had extended in all directions like blood vessels, the rushing waters nourishing the lush "Soul Grass," "Netherworld Flower," and other strange plants on its banks, and even beginning to nurture some low-level insects and birds adapted to the Netherworld environment. Furthermore, large areas, repeatedly cleansed and transformed by the purple aura of reincarnation and the golden light of merit, present a strange phenomenon of "yin and yang harmony." The land is fertile, and the spiritual energy is balanced and peaceful, making it suitable for ordinary beings to live and cultivate.

I've put a lot of effort into understanding these earth-shattering changes and these millennia-old treasures.

The mystic treasure nearly drained all the talented souls within the Divine Soul Banner before it could even begin to operate the Netherworld.

Of course, the vast majority of souls were selected and cast into the Six Paths of Reincarnation to perfect their cycle, and thus gained a great deal of merit.

The biggest change is in the Holy Spirit Path. Originally, there were only 3000 Holy Spirit Clan members, but now the number has skyrocketed to over 30. Although the strength of the new Holy Spirit Clan members is only below the Golden Immortal Realm, we must ensure that Xuanbao has more cultivation resources than we can use.

……

Human race, Shouyang Mountain.

Compared to the Netherworld, the atmosphere on the primordial land was completely different; it was a peculiar scene of thriving amidst oppression and striving forward in the face of crisis.

Since the Three Pure Ones issued their decree, over the past thousands of years, the vast majority of the first dozens of disciples from the three sects who descended the mountain have established themselves firmly in the human realm, and the sects and lineages they founded have spread like wildfire.

The sect of Hundred Herbs Elixir has expanded from its initial location in a corner of Shouyang Mountain to encompass several spiritual peaks. The alchemy workshops burn day and night, providing not only various elixirs for cultivation, healing, and breakthroughs for human cultivators and martial artists, but also compiling basic herbal identification and pharmacological knowledge into books. These books are then used to establish "pharmacy halls" and "medical clinics" in various human settlements, benefiting ordinary people. The number of human deaths due to injury and illness has significantly decreased, and the average lifespan has increased markedly. The faith in the Three Pure Ones and the reverence for the "Dao of Elixir" have deepened day by day.

For millennia, the roar of subterranean fire in Shenggong Valley has never ceased. The people there not only forged more sophisticated weapons and armor, but also began experimenting with inscribing simple runes and formations upon them, creating the most rudimentary "rune artifacts" and "array artifacts." This dramatically increased the combat power of the human army and the survivability of their hunting parties. Simultaneously, Shenggong Valley also began systematically exploring mineral veins and researching metal smelting, quietly laying the foundation for the Iron Age of human civilization.

At places like Wanjian Cliff, Heluo Qimen Mansion, and Minglun Academy, crowds thronged, with students arriving in droves. Sword cultivators, wielding their swords across the azure sky, began to appear on the human borders, slaying demons and monsters; array apprentices assisted tribes in setting up simple early warning and defensive arrays to repel the occasional roaming monsters; and Minglun Academy not only provided cultured administrators but also a rudimentary set of laws and moral norms that integrated the Three Pure Ones' rites with the actual conditions of the human race. The cohesion and level of civilization of the human tribal alliance increased at a visible pace.

Of course, the most practiced by humans is the "Martial Path Cave Heaven Scripture" passed down by Xuanbao, and it has been deduced to the Golden Immortal realm. It can be said that 80 out of 100 human masters practice the Martial Path Cave Heaven Scripture. Although it is not as fast as other cultivation methods, it is very suitable for humans.

More importantly, there are the "Immortal Sects" that directly teach the methods of cultivation. After thousands of years of selection and training, the first batch of fourth-generation "immortals," entirely cultivated by humans themselves and of impeccable lineage, began to emerge. Although their highest level was only True Immortal or Celestial Immortal, their significance was extraordinary. They broke free from the limitations of a single cultivation path, proving that "humans" could also seek immortality through their own efforts. This force may not play a decisive role in the battles between the Lich King and the Demon King for the time being, but their role in protecting tribes, eliminating hidden dangers, spreading civilization, and gathering fortune is irreplaceable.

Of course, all of this came at a price. Humanity's rapid development inevitably led to the encroachment on more land and resources, resulting in increasing friction with neighboring demon tribes and spirit groups. Small-scale conflicts occurred frequently. However, humanity was no longer the weak and easily bullied lamb of the past. Under the guidance of the "Celestial Masters" and with their own improved martial prowess, they often emerged victorious, even expanding in the opposite direction. These victories further united the people, honed the ranks, and made humanity's fortune even more refined and vigorous through the struggles.

Kunlun Mountain, Sanxian Island, and the Sanqing Taoist Temple.

The Three Pure Ones reside high in the clouds, their Daoist thoughts pervading the primordial world. The flourishing of humankind's fortune and the stability of the Netherworld are both within their perception.

"Excellent." Laozi nodded slightly in the Eight Views Palace, his flat cane lightly tapping the void, the Yin and Yang Dao rhythm flowing. "With the help of the Dao, the human race has flourished, civilization has greatly increased, and fortune has soared. The Netherworld has been established, the cycle of reincarnation is orderly, and heaven and earth are more secure. Xuanbao has done a great service this time."

In the Jade Void Palace, the Primordial Celestial Venerable surveyed the numerous pieces of good news arriving from the lower sects, stroking his beard as he said, "We, the disciples of the Earth Sect, have made invaluable contributions to spreading the laws and upholding order among the human race. The human race's knowledge of propriety and law-abidingness, and their ability to distinguish right from wrong, are the foundation for long-term peace and stability. However… the calamity is intensifying, and the war between the witches and demons is imminent. The human race is on the edge of this vortex and may be affected. The lower sects must be ordered to strengthen their defenses. If necessary, the protective array can be activated, or… we can temporarily avoid the brunt of the conflict."

In Biyou Palace, the Tongtian Sect Leader listened to his disciples' reports on the demon-slaying exploits of sword cultivators within the human realm. He laughed heartily, "That's more like it! The Daoist arts of our Human Sect should be honed in real combat! Tell those lads to teach them well and train them diligently! So what if it's a calamity? A calamity is also an opportunity! Whether they can break free from it depends on their abilities! Oh, and keep an eye on the demon race's movements too. I have a feeling that old bird Dijun is up to no good!"

Heavenly Court, Sun Star, Valley of Delight.

The intense heat of the sun, enough to melt ordinary innate spiritual iron, flows here like a gentle liquid. A magnificent palace, crafted from sun-refined gold mixed with countless fire-elemental spiritual materials, floats at the heart of the sea of ​​fire; this is the "Sun God Palace's" temporary palace in Tang Valley.

Inside the palace, the ten little golden crows were no longer the tiny creatures they once were. After thousands of years of almost complete seclusion and arduous cultivation at the very core of the Sun Star, each of them had grown to the size of a house, their wingspan large enough to blot out a small patch of sky. Their feathers were no longer pure gold and red, but instead displayed a majestic hue of dark gold and crimson, with edges flowing with what appeared to be the true fire of the sun. Their eyes, opening and closing, shone with golden light like swords, scorching and intimidating. With the resources and the essence of the Sun Star bestowed upon them by Emperor Jun at any cost, their cultivation had all reached the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm! They only needed one more opportunity to attempt to break through to the Great Luo Dao Fruit!

However, as their power surged, the loneliness, restlessness, and longing for the vast world that they had experienced while trapped in this "sun cage" for thousands of years also accumulated and fermented in their hearts.

"Big brother, how much longer do we have to stay here?" The sixth-ranking golden crow scratched at the ground with its claws in frustration, leaving sparks in its wake. "All we do all day is cultivate, cultivate, cultivate. It's so boring! Father and Mother don't even come to see us often..."

"Exactly! I heard it's quite a scene outside! Those barbarians from the Witch Clan are shouting every day, and that human seems to be jumping around quite a bit too?" Little Nine flapped its wings, creating a wave of heat.

The eldest prince was relatively composed, but his eyes couldn't hide his longing for the outside world: "Father Emperor confined us here for our safety, and also in his hope that we would achieve the Great Luo realm as soon as possible, so that we could go out and lend him a hand. However... for thousands of years, this Tang Valley, though wonderful, is ultimately just a corner of the world. As descendants of the Sun Star Lord, ruling over all stars, we should be soaring through the nine heavens, illuminating the primordial world!"

A silent unease, a mixture of pent-up power, the stifling feeling of prolonged imprisonment, and the restless energy of youthful exuberance, spread among the ten brothers. The solar true fire unconsciously emanating from their bodies sometimes blazed fiercely, sometimes dimmed and uncertain, revealing their inner turmoil. The "solar true fire seal" personally laid down by Di Jun, while still stable under the impact of their growing power and restless emotions, seemed... no longer so unbreakable. A faint "rhythm," a natural fluctuation of solar stellar power that even Di Jun hadn't constantly noticed, was subtly resonating with their restless heartbeats in a dangerous way...

In all directions of the primordial world, the undercurrents have reached their limit.

In the Northern Underworld Demon Master Palace, the figure of the Kunpeng Ancestor became increasingly mysterious. He seemed to be secretly gathering information, his gaze occasionally glancing towards the Heavenly Court and the Sun Star, a cold calculation playing on his lips.

On the Western Paradise, the sorrow on the faces of Jieyin and Zhunti deepened. The chanting of sutras continued day and night, yet it carried a faint sense of anxiety. They both envied and resented the merits of the Netherworld and the fortune of the human race, but they were powerless to intervene. They could only intensify their efforts to "convert" the beings of the West, accumulating their insignificant power.

Inside the Wuzhuang Temple, when Zhen Yuanzi was playing chess with Hongyun, he was often absent-minded, his gaze fixed on Buzhou Mountain and the Heavenly Court, sighing incessantly.

The Blood Sea and the Styx River are restless and uneasy. The Asura clan is preparing for war, and the Styx Ancestor seems to be waiting for a certain opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Wu tribe had amassed a terrifying power at Mount Buzhou, enough to change the very fabric of the world. Their malevolent aura, like smoke from a wolf's beacon, soared into the sky day and night. The Twelve Heavenly Gods and Demons Banners remained hidden in the void, drawn but not unleashed.

In the Heavenly Court of the Demon Race, the brilliance of the Zhou Tian Star Array grew ever brighter, its stellar power surging like a roaring Milky Way. Meanwhile, in a strictly sealed-off star field, a vast array, manipulated by thousands of rogue immortals and elite demon warriors, its aura chaotic and unpredictable, gradually began to emit chilling fluctuations…

Finally, on such an ordinary day—

Deep within the Valley of the Sun on the Sun Star, within the magnificent Palace of the Sun God, millennia of pent-up restlessness, stifling energy, and an almost instinctive yearning for freedom culminated in an unintentional act of unleashing one's full power in an attempt to breach the weakest point of the sealing barrier—

"Buzz... Click!"

A faint sound, yet seemingly echoing simultaneously deep within the souls of the ten little golden crows, a sound as if some kind of "shackle" had cracked, accompanied by an abnormal, intense pulsation in the solar core that caused a slight disturbance in the entire solar force field!

Ten pairs of eyes, like molten gold, simultaneously erupted with a terrifying light! They clearly sensed that a fleeting, minute, almost imperceptible "crack" had appeared in the seal that had been solid for thousands of years around them! Although the crack quickly closed under the self-healing power of the Sun Star Law, the aura of "freedom" and the boundless feeling of the vast starry sky outside were like the most tempting poison, instantly igniting all the emotions they had suppressed for thousands of years!

"What... was that just now?" Xiao Liu's voice trembled, filled with unbelievable joy.

"The seal... has loosened?!" Xiao Jiu was so excited that her feathers stood on end.

The eldest prince, breathing rapidly, forced himself to remain calm: "No... we mustn't act rashly! Father's seal is no child's play! What happened just now must have been an accident, or perhaps our cultivation triggered an anomaly in the stellar energy..."

However, before he could finish speaking, the equally impatient Second Prince roared, "Brother! What are we waiting for? Thousands of years have passed! We are no longer the naive children we once were; we are all at the peak of the Taiyi realm! I can't stay in this Tang Valley for another second! Although that crack was small, it proves that the seal is not impenetrable! If we brothers join forces, we might just be able to..."

"Yes! Join forces! Charge out!"

"Let's go see the real primordial wilderness!"

"We shall soar through the heavens! Let all living beings witness the majesty of the Son of the Sun!"

The pent-up emotions erupted like a volcano, instantly overwhelming reason. The ten little golden crows, all at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, possessing the purest solar essence and connected in spirit, roared simultaneously without hesitation, unleashing their immense solar true fire, accumulated over thousands of years, and their yearning for freedom, towards the location where the "crack" had appeared!

"BOOM—!!!"

This time, it wasn't a slight "crack." The entire Sun Star seemed to tremble violently! At the core of Tang Valley, the "True Fire Seal of the Sun," personally laid down by Di Jun and infused with the power of the Sun Star Lord's authority and the Heavenly Dao's oath, was suddenly shattered at a single point by the combined force of the ten brothers, who disregarded the cost and resonated with the same origin. A gap, though not huge, was large enough for all ten brothers to squeeze out simultaneously!

An indescribably intense golden-red torrent burst forth from the breach! The figures of ten "little suns," carrying waves of heat that could incinerate everything and a long, pent-up excitement that had been building up for thousands of years, stormed out of Tang Valley, broke through the core seal of the Sun Star, and for the first time... truly exposed themselves without any obstruction to the primordial starry sky!

They did not immediately rush towards the primordial land, but instinctively and joyfully soared, tumbled, and roared freely in the star field surrounding the sun, releasing their power and emotions to the fullest. The true fire of the sun poured down without restraint, instantly vaporizing several small stars nearby and scorching and distorting billions of miles of void!

"Hahaha! They're out! They're finally out!"

"This is the starry sky! This is freedom!"

"We brothers, today our glory will shine throughout the world!"

Ten "suns" lined up in the starry sky. Although they were far smaller than the real sun, their combined light, heat, and the aura of true solar fire began to disrupt the normal celestial cycles. In an undeniable way, they announced their "return" to the entire primordial world!

The unusual tremors of the Sun Star, the undisguised eruption of ten peak-level Taiyi Golden Immortals' auras of the Sun's origin, the beginning of chaotic stellar power, and the sudden increase in the temperature of the starry sky...

Almost simultaneously, it alarmed all those who were sensitive to this matter!

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Di Jun, who was deducing the formation with Taiyi, suddenly trembled violently. The star in his hand vanished instantly. He looked up abruptly, his golden pupils shrinking, his face drained of color, and for the first time, he revealed an expression of near terror, letting out a heart-wrenching roar:

"You unfilial son!!! How dare you do this!!!"

Mount Buzhou, Pangu Palace. The ancestral witches, who were discussing military affairs, simultaneously turned their heads, their gazes piercing through the mountain to the starry sky. Dijiang's face was ashen, his spatial power surging: "Ten suns... in mid-air?!"

At Wuzhuang Temple, Zhen Yuanzi's chess piece fell to the ground with a "thud." Hongyun stared at the sky in horror: "Ten days... Has Dijun gone mad?!"

On the Western Vulture Peak, the chanting abruptly ceased. Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a shocked glance.

Zhunti: ? What's this feeling? This plot seems so familiar, like it's my script!

……

Many powerful beings were so shocked by this sudden and symbolic "prelude to the calamity" that they lost their composure.

Meanwhile, on the primordial land, countless beings, regardless of their cultivation level, simultaneously felt a terrifying, suffocating heat emanating from the depths of their souls, rapidly spreading down from the heavens! In the sky, several blurry suns, radiating terrifying heat, seemed to have appeared...

In the Netherworld, Xuanbao gazed at the void outside the palace, as if he could "see the ten additional blinding points of light in the starry sky." Three thousand law runes rapidly swirled in Xuanbao's eyes, ultimately transforming into a complex sigh: "Finally... it has come."