The night deepens.
Within the mountain gate of the Profound Heaven Sacred Land, lights blaze.
Long An, the Holy Master of Profound Heaven, who had been in seclusion recovering from his injuries, suddenly emerges, summoning everyone in the sacred land. He appears to have something significant to announce.
Long An has not yet arrived, so the disciples and elders chat idly amongst themselves.
"Hey, did you hear? Taiyi Sacred Land has a new Holy Master! It's that Xu Chuan!"
"Xu Chuan? The same Xu Chuan who killed the First and Second Elders, and then slew Saint Son Long Tu?"
"Rumor has it he obtained a fortuitous encounter and has already broken through to the Emperor Venerable realm, making him the strongest person in all of Profound Heaven. Even our Holy Master is no match for him?"
"Hush, are you tired of living? What kind of talk is that! Our Holy Master is furious because his son died. He went to exact revenge himself, only to be heavily wounded by a demon race expert. This only angers him further. And you go and stir up trouble? Isn't that courting death?"
"Speak cautiously, speak cautiously!"
"Indeed, indeed. Thank you for the reminder!"
"Alright, stop talking. I suspect the Holy Master has gathered everyone for a major event!"
"It's highly likely that the Holy Master is seeking survival through peril and has also broken through to the Emperor Venerable realm. His summoning us now is probably to retake the Central Region first, then counterattack other domains in Profound Heaven, with the ultimate goal of conquering Profound Heaven itself!"
"Our Profound Heaven Sacred Land is destined to control the entire Profound Heaven Realm!"
"Conquer Profound Heaven, control the Profound Heaven Realm!"
After a discussion, a few individuals conjured an invincible Long An in their minds. With a shout of their rallying cry, their bodies were filled with frenzied enthusiasm.
They had been living in extreme humiliation for too long.
Their Holy Master was severely injured, they had lost two powerful Grand Elders and several exceptionally talented Saint Sons, forcing them to seal their mountain gate.
Then, the demon race invaded the Central Region, seizing an unknown amount of territory that originally belonged to the Profound Heaven Sacred Land and wantonly harvesting its resources.
And they could only watch.
Just recently, they heard that their sworn enemy, Xu Chuan, had broken through to the Emperor Venerable realm, forcefully taking over the entire Southern Region and assuming the position of Holy Master. All forces in the Eastern Region had also submitted to Taiyi.
This made their humiliation even worse.
Now, Long An's actions gave them a glimmer of hope – the hope of counterattacking various regions and reclaiming the Profound Heaven Realm!
They had waited for this day for far too long!
Accustomed to positions of power and harboring a sense of superiority, the people of Profound Heaven Sacred Land could no longer endure this feeling of helplessness.
As soon as Long An gave the command, they would transform into tireless laborers, rushing out to slay the demons rampaging in the Central Region, subdue the remaining forces, and restore the sacred land's former glory!
Everyone, filled with this excitement, waited silently in the darkness.
However, they failed to notice that beneath their feet, in the dim environment, lines of dark red curse patterns were flickering ominously.
It was at this moment that all the light converged above. Following this, Long An, clad in a black robe, made a grand entrance!
At this moment, an extremely chilling aura emanated from him.
Accompanying this aura was an overwhelmingly powerful sense of pressure.
The instant he appeared, everyone, regardless of their cultivation realm, was forced to avert their gaze by the terrifying pressure, unable to lift their heads.
Yet, Long An's actions did not instill fear in them; instead, they became even more excited.
This pressure meant their speculations were correct!
Long An had broken through!
He had become a mighty Emperor Venerable realm expert!
A new spring had dawned for the Profound Heaven Sacred Land!
They too would usher in a new peak!
However, they could not have possibly imagined that Long An had long since been possessed.
The soul within this body had been replaced by the demon, Tian Yun, who was suppressed within the Demon Suppressing Pagoda!
The reason for his prolonged seclusion was entirely due to Tian Yun directly devouring the head of his former body, which was kept within the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, to allow this current body to break through.
It was only by leveraging everything that belonged to him within that head that he was able to break through to the Emperor Venerable realm!
But Tian Yun, having broken through to the first stage of Emperor Venerable, was far from satisfied.
From Long An's memories, he learned that Profound Heaven already had second and even third-stage Emperor Venerables.
With his current cultivation realm, let alone devouring the Profound Heaven Realm, it was questionable whether he could even survive against these demon races!
Therefore, he had to become stronger!
His former body was suppressed in various locations throughout Profound Heaven, and it was not the opportune time to devour it now.
So, he turned his gaze to the people of the Profound Heaven Sacred Land!
The disciples and elders of the Profound Heaven Sacred Land were numerous, and each of them possessed considerable strength.
After all, it was once the universally acknowledged number one power.
"By devouring everyone present, I will absolutely be able to return to the peak of the second stage, or even reach the third stage!"
"At that time, who in all of Profound Heaven will be my opponent? Won't this realm be mine to devour? I'll break through to higher levels!"
"It's a shame my body was obliterated by a human expert from the Chaos. I only managed to transfer most of my comprehended laws and inner world into my head. Otherwise, I would certainly be able to return to the fourth stage of Emperor Venerable!"
"Never mind, even at the peak of the second stage or the third stage, with my former cultivation, even an ordinary peak third-stage expert would not be my match!"
"In today's Profound Heaven, I will never falter again. I will definitely complete my mission perfectly!"
After a sweeping gaze, Tian Yun felt a sense of calm.
Everything was in place, awaiting the opportune moment.
At this moment, all present, having confirmed their speculations, began to shout in unison.
"Greetings, Holy Master!"
"Congratulations to the Holy Master on his perfected divine skills!"
Their voices rose one after another, echoing throughout the entire sacred land.
"Hmm."
Tian Yun responded indifferently, without offering any further replies.
After all, he was not the true Long An, and even a single extra word might betray him.
Moreover, in his eyes, these people were merely sustenance for his ascent to greater power.
"Now that I have broken through, it is time for you to contribute your strength!"
Tian Yun spoke in a deep voice.
"We will go through fire and water for the sacred land without hesitation!"
Everyone shouted fanatically.
"Very well, then… merge with me, all of you!"
"True Demon Devouring Heaven!"
Tian Yun sneered coldly and then roared.
Instantly, a sinister wind howled, and the entire Profound Heaven Sacred Land plunged into darkness.
Following this, the dark red curse patterns within the darkness transformed into a blood-red hue, exuding a palpable sense of carnage.
Everyone was bewildered, yet a sense of dread began to surface within them.
In the next moment, boundless blood-red light erupted from Tian Yun's body, resonating with the curse patterns on the ground, forming a blood-red maw capable of devouring all.
All the people of Profound Heaven Sacred Land felt an intense heat surge through their bodies. Everything within them, be it elemental energy, divine soul, blood qi, or martial principles, began to surge upwards, destined to be devoured by the blood-red maw.
"Holy Master, what are you doing? We are all disciples of the Profound Heaven Sacred Land!"
"Ah, I'm dying! Holy Master, spare me!"
"Holy Master, I am the Saint Son! Why must even I…"
The disciples were the first to succumb, screaming in terror.
However, their cries had no effect whatsoever, as Tian Yun did not cease his actions.
"You are not the Holy Master at all! Who are you!"
"Die!"
The elders and high-ranking officials of the Profound Heaven Sacred Land finally reacted. The person before them was not Long An at all.
But a demon wearing Long An's skin!
Instantly, they all unleashed their attacks, attempting to shatter the devouring formation.
"You only realize now?"
"Too late!"
Tian Yun spoke coldly and waved his hand, devouring even their attacks.
In an instant, despair washed over everyone.
The person before them was not Long An, but a genuine Emperor Venerable realm expert.
They were no match for him.
Let alone shattering his devouring formation.
"Faithfully transform into my powerful sustenance!"
With these words, Tian Yun intensified his devouring. He yearned to become stronger, to return to his peak!