Chapter 1355: Chapter 1356: The Heavens Split Open
After driving away the group of Saint Realm experts, the Central Origin Realm remained peaceful for several days.
Li Xiaobai wandered within the sect, when he saw Yitilou and Yan Zuzi staring at a tree, seemingly talking about something.
“Seniors, what are you doing?”
Li Xiaobai asked out of curiosity.
“Young Master Li, look.”
Yan Zuzi pointed at the tree.
Li Xiaobai followed his gaze and saw several Spirit Cats playing jovially. On the branches perched a few black cats, while beneath the tree, a single white cat was struggling to climb up.
However, the black cats on the branches did not lend a helping hand. Instead, they extended small black claws, swatting downward in an attempt to knock the white cat off.
“These are just cats? What’s so peculiar about them?”
Li Xiaobai asked in confusion, unable to see what made these cats so special.
“Young Master Li, notice how the white cat keeps climbing upward, while the cats above constantly hinder it. To an outsider, this might look like encouragement, but only by standing in its position, experiencing it firsthand, can one feel the malice lurking beneath the surface.”
“Yet, this cat has an unyielding spirit embedded in its very bones. It grinds its claws relentlessly, transforming itself, determined to ascend no matter the cost.”
Yan Zuzi chuckled lightly as he observed the struggle among the cats.
Right as he spoke, the white cat finally broke through the black cats’ claws and leapt onto the branches.
“Young Master Li, see that? The white cat made it up, but it didn’t fight the black cats. Instead, it gained their recognition and became one of them!”
Yan Zuzi said slowly.
Li Xiaobai still didn’t quite get it, his face full of bewilderment: “So what?”
“So, tell me, when the next cat tries to climb this tree and reach the top, what do you think the white cat will do?’
Yan Zuzi laughed heartily, hinting at something beneath the surface.
“Senior, are you trying to imply something?”
Li Xiaobai frowned, instinctively associating the tree with the passage connecting the Central Origin Realm and the Immortal Gods Realm. The black cats might represent the high-ranking figures of the Immortal Gods Realm, while they were like the white cat, striving to climb upward. But what did it all mean afterward? He couldn’t comprehend it.
The white cat assimilates with the black cats once it gets to the top?
Gains recognition, but then what?
“Young Master Li, a storm is brewing. You and I are climbers, but in the end, who knows who will stand at the summit?”
Yitilou sighed deeply and spoke slowly.
“Dreams are beautiful, but reality is stark. Perhaps this is the cruelty of the mortal world.”
The two elders spoke in riddles for a while before turning to leave. Li Xiaobai, still puzzled, also turned and walked away.
What none of them noticed was that at some point, another small cat appeared under the tree. This time, the white cat on the branches extended its claw, joining the black cats’ ranks…
…
Back in the main hall, Li Xiaobai thought the day would pass uneventfully. He was preparing to deploy defenses against Xueshenzi when an ominous ripple suddenly appeared in the void.
It was an overwhelming, unmatchable pressure. A chilling aura swept through, striking terror into hearts.
Within the Peak Master’s hall, everyone apart from Li Xiaobai felt an unparalleled, mortal fear. Chills ran down their spines, their scalps tingled, as if some apocalyptic beast had been unleashed upon the world!
“What’s happening?”
Li Xiaobai frowned. Although the System shielded him from such auras, he could sense that something extraordinary had occurred!
At that moment, loud commotion erupted outside the hall, the noise filtering into the ears of those inside.
It sounded as though people were gasping in awe and fear of something.
“Let’s go check it out!”
Li Xiaobai decided instantly. He immediately led the cultivators outside the hall, but the moment they stepped out, they were stunned. Above the sky, a massive crack had appeared at some point, unfathomably deep, with raging winds, torrential rains, and intertwining lightning. That dreadful aura emanated from the crack.
The sky… had split open!
“What’s that? The heavens have torn apart!”
“No, it’s not just the heavens. It’s as if the heavens themselves are ruptured!”
“Did someone commit a heinous crime to anger the heavens? Otherwise, why would they suddenly cleave open?”
“What kind of terrifying existence hides behind that vast chasm? Is there someone on the other side?”
Not just the Sword Sect, but cultivators across the entire Central Origin Realm gazed at the gaping fissure, shaken to their cores. A spontaneous rift tearing through the heavens would unnerve anyone.
Ordinary cultivators and citizens were merely anxious and bewildered, yet the high-ranking figures of the various sects had far more on their minds. They couldn’t believe it was a coincidence. For such a rupture to appear at this critical juncture, it could only be Xueshenzi’s doing!
The demon head was preparing for a resurgence. The previous flames had merely been a test. This time, it was for real. The methods being employed were beyond their comprehension. Though they were all Saint Realm experts, they realized the gap between their levels and Xueshenzi’s was insurmountable. Forget resistance—they couldn’t even fathom what was happening.
“Quick! Find Sect Master Li and ask him for strategies to counter this threat!”
The anxious sect leaders, never having witnessed such a spectacle, felt as if the end times were upon them, as though the Central Origin Realm was teetering on the brink of destruction.
But before they could take further action, a massive eye suddenly emerged from the enormous crack in the heavens. Only one eye, as its immense size barely fit into the fissure.
On the Second Peak of the Sword Sect, Li Xiaobai squinted, locking gazes with the gigantic eye.
He understood—this must be one of the so-called great figures of the Immortal Gods Realm, using supreme power to tear apart a fragment of the Central Origin Realm for observation.
“So this is Xueshenzi’s trump card?”
“Judging by the extent of the fissure, it seems to have originated from the Buddha Pagoda in the Western Continent Buddha Nation.”
Li Xiaobai carefully examined it. One end of the fissure lingered above the Buddha Pagoda of the Western Continent, the location of the Transmigration Ladder and the necessary gateway to ascend to the Upper Realm.
“Swoosh!”
The eye within the fissure disappeared in a flash. Then, droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. But as they touched the faces of cultivators, it was clear something was wrong—this rain was blood-red. It wasn’t rainwater but blood.
From that vast crack, a ceaseless stream of blood-red rivers cascaded down like waterfalls, threatening to drown the entire Central Origin Realm.
And within the blood-drenched torrents, grotesque, colossal beasts began to rise, howling up at the heavens.
“What the hell… this is insane! Is this Xueshenzi’s doing?”
“Kid, get the altar ready and let’s flee to the Immortal Spirit Continent with the Buddha Lord to take cover!”
Ergouzi gaped in shock, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
“Xueshenzi doesn’t have this kind of power. This must be the work of a truly great figure!”
Li Xiaobai said.
Ji Wuqing cried out as well, “Kid! What are you still standing there for? The heavens have ripped open! Are you waiting to die?”