Eternal Reverence Chapter 1017

An unparalleled lord frowned, “Primary Extreme Lord, we understand your strength, but the Land of Inception is a different environment. Resources are scarce within, and the dense universal laws significantly impede the effectiveness of certain techniques, especially those involving spatial transference. Should you find yourself surrounded by a group of unparalleled lords, the danger would be immense.”

“Indeed. Primary Extreme Lord, you must not be overconfident. You are currently a marked individual by the god race; it's uncertain if they might target you.”

“The god race’s Bright God Lord ranks first on the Lord Rankings and possesses unfathomable might. If he were to intervene personally, it would pose a grave threat.”

All of them attempted to dissuade Li Fuchen. Some genuinely harbored concern for him, while others perceived his confidence as overzealous and sought to temper it.

“My decision is made; further persuasion is unnecessary,” Li Fuchen stated, shaking his head.

Self-awareness is paramount. Li Fuchen clearly understood that with his current prowess, relying on numerical superiority would be futile. Unless confronted by eight or ten pinnacle unparalleled lords simultaneously, he would not perceive a significant threat.

Observing Li Fuchen's unwavering resolve, they ceased their attempts to dissuade him. As per the Taichi Sword Progenitor's arrangements, they were divided into fourteen groups. The Taichi Sword Progenitor's own group consisted of nine members, while the others comprised ten individuals each. Li Fuchen, however, was solitary.

“Primary Extreme Lord, remember, if you encounter peril, do not hesitate to activate your communication token immediately.”

While the Taichi Sword Progenitor may not have fully comprehended Li Fuchen, he held a deep respect for his chosen path.

“Understood,” Li Fuchen acknowledged with a nod.

Among all these lords, the Taichi Sword Progenitor might possibly be the sole individual capable of offering him assistance.

A total of one hundred and forty individuals embarked into the Land of Inception.

….

“So, this is the Land of Inception?”

Upon passing through the ancient stone gateway, they found themselves within the Land of Inception.

The Land of Inception exuded an ancient aura of Qi, exceptionally dense. Each strand of this Qi presence seemed capable of crushing a star.

“The universal laws here are exceedingly concentrated.”

Universal laws permeate all things, existing everywhere. The density of these laws profoundly impacts the environment. If Li Fuchen were to execute his sword art in a region where the laws of the sword dao were concentrated, his techniques would naturally amplify in power. Conversely, in areas with sparse laws of the sword dao, the sword art would receive no enhancement, its efficacy relying solely on the practitioner.

However, excessive concentration also presented its own drawbacks.

If the universal laws of the external world were akin to a single fishing net, then within the Land of Inception, they would resemble countless fishing nets layered atop one another. This density made it difficult to agitate the law energy, and the layered defenses of the universal laws hindered the extraction of any universal source.

“Everyone, when navigating the Land of Inception, please exercise extreme caution. Treasures abound, but one possesses only a single life,” the Taichi Sword Progenitor cautioned them.

“Taichi Sword Progenitor, there is no need for concern. We have traversed such paths before and possess ample experience; we shall not act recklessly.”

With the exception of Li Fuchen, the majority present had previously ventured into the Land of Inception, and thus, they approached the situation with a relaxed demeanor.

“Since that is the consensus, let us then disperse.”

Following the Taichi Sword Progenitor's directive, the large contingent fractured into fifteen smaller groups, each selecting a distinct direction for their exploration.

Crackle!

A colossal rock was disintegrated by Li Fuchen’s forceful kick. To his surprise, he discovered a peak-grade treasure concealed within.

It was a stone heart, imbued with a most peculiar earth dao energy.

“Inception Stone Heart, a peak-grade earth dao treasure. An excellent find.” Li Fuchen gestured, retrieving the stone heart and storing it.

As the rumors had foretold, the Land of Inception was indeed replete with peak-grade treasures. In a mere five years, Li Fuchen had procured four such treasures. Collectively, they represented a value of approximately several dozen trillion peak-grade spirit stones.

Among these four peak-grade treasures, the most significant was a saber bone fossil that had begun to crystallize.

Li Fuchen discerned that this saber bone fossil held extraordinary properties. Beyond the overflowing mysteries of the saber dao, it contained the very essence of the saber dao source. Had it not been for the limited quantity of this saber dao source essence, it would have already qualified as a low-grade universal treasure.

“With this saber bone fossil, Yan Qingwu should encounter no difficulty in advancing to the city lordess level.”

While a peak-grade treasure might sometimes fall short of a low-grade universal treasure, its efficacy could far surpass the latter if it aligned intrinsically with the user's specialization.

This saber bone fossil, for instance, was already comparable to low-grade universal treasures in its benefit to Yan Qingwu.

Another three years elapsed…

“Hm? What is this flower?”

From a distance, Li Fuchen spotted a dark-hued flower.

This black flower exuded an unusual aura, almost as if it possessed sentience, and Li Fuchen perceived faint murmurs emanating from it.

“This must be a profound item.” Li Fuchen moved swiftly to collect the black flower.

“Surrender the Realization Flower!”

Following a shout, five figures descended rapidly.

“A Realization Flower, you say?” Li Fuchen recognized the name of the dark flower.

Based on its designation, the Realization Flower was likely linked to comprehension and was undoubtedly a top-tier treasure for enhancing perception.

The five approaching figures were distinct, each clad in garments of gold, green, black, red, and yellow. A discerning observer might have identified them as the infamous Blood Hand Group.

Their moniker, the Blood Hand Group, stemmed from their complementary use of the five elements, acting akin to the fingers of a hand. The ‘blood’ part of their name was earned from the countless bloody conflicts they instigated.

Among the quintet, the most formidable was the Turbid Water Dao Progenitor, holding a position within the top one hundred on the Lord Rankings. Following him were the Golden Clothed Dao Lord, the Fire Dragon Lord King, the Bloodwood Lord, and the Quake Move Lord.

Individually potent, these five experienced a multiplicative surge in their combined might, amplifying their strength tenfold or even a hundredfold when they fought in concert.

Centuries ago, the Seven Decimation Saber Progenitor, the undisputed peak unparalleled lord of the Saber Alliance, had clashed with the Blood Hand Group but ultimately failed to subdue them.

Li Fuchen, while not exceptionally learned, had indeed heard of their reputation. Thus, with a brief assessment, he could surmise their identities.

“Hand over the Realization Flower, or face annihilation!”

Within the Blood Hand Group, the Fire Dragon Lord King possessed the most volatile temperament, his true form being that of a fire dragon.

“I am willing to part with the Realization Flower, but only if you possess the strength to take it.” Li Fuchen offered a subtle smile.

“Seeking your own demise! Prepare the Five Element Absolute Heaven Formation!”

The Turbid Water Dao Progenitor gestured, and the five positioned themselves in the cardinal directions, encircling Li Fuchen.

“Intriguing; such a profound battle formation exists?” Li Fuchen’s eyes gleamed with interest.

His sharp gaze instantly deciphered the formation, recognizing its capacity to boost the strength of its participants by a hundred or even a thousand times. Furthermore, the formation conjured a primordial five-element spatial domain capable of ensnaring any adversary.

However, a premonition stirred within Li Fuchen, suggesting that these five individuals alone lacked the full capacity to erect such a formidable formation. After all, five distinct minds converging as one posed a significant challenge. He suspected the use of a guiding artifact.

Li Fuchen's intuition proved correct; the five indeed lacked the inherent ability to manifest the Five Element Absolute Heaven Formation. Their success was facilitated by a low-grade universe treasure held by the Turbid Water Dao Progenitor: the Five Element Absolute Heaven Stone.

This artifact contained the very essence of the Five Element Absolute Heaven Formation. By assembling five unparalleled lords of comparable strength, each embodying one of the five elements, one could successfully activate the formation.

Without the Five Element Absolute Heaven Stone, the Blood Hand Group would never have attained their fearsome renown.

“Perish, then!”

The Blood Hand Group harbored considerable confidence in their formation’s ability to subdue even mighty unparalleled lords, rendering pinnacle unparalleled lords helpless. Without exceptional means, escape was deemed impossible. Crucially, the formation channeled the primal five-element energy of the universe, ensuring that any trapped foe would face certain doom.

Boom!

A golden saber gleam, a verdant thrust, a surging wave, a ferocious fire dragon’s breath, and a dense stone sphere converged in a devastating assault directed at Li Fuchen, imbued with terrifying power.

“Just in time.” Li Fuchen executed a sweeping motion with his sword, conjuring a silver sword sea that enveloped him.

The Sword Sea Horizon could serve dual purposes: offense and defense. In attack, it entrapped opponents, subjecting them to relentless slicing. In defense, it functioned as an impenetrable shield, deflecting incoming assaults.

Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang…

The silver sword sea churned and crashed, yet Li Fuchen remained entirely unscathed.

“What?!” The Blood Hand Group members recoiled in disbelief.

Even during their encounter with the Seven Decimation Saber Progenitor, their initial barrage had not been nullified with such ease.

“Five Element Cycle!”

The first volley had merely been a probing strike. For their second offensive, the five attacks intertwined, achieving a spectacular fusion before violently slamming into Li Fuchen once more.

Boom Rumble!

Waves of sword light shattered, causing Li Fuchen's body to tremble slightly.

"Hmm, they actually managed to break my initial strike," Li Fuchen mused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

His current might far surpassed his previous state. With the Primary Extreme Sword Technique reaching the mid-stage of the star domain-rank, there were very few individuals capable of shattering his Sword Sea Horizon.

"Five Element Overlay!

Witnessing their leader's signature move being neutralized, the Bloody Hand Group's confidence surged, prompting them to unleash their own devastating techniques with renewed vigor.

"You shall receive a strike from me as well. Sect Origin Sword."

Having attained a deeper understanding of the sword dao universe, Li Fuchen's mastery over the sword dao had remarkably advanced. Beyond the Sword Sea Horizon, the other three signature moves of the Primary Extreme Sword Art had also undergone a profound transformation, becoming significantly more potent than before.

A ripple of disruption coursed through the primal five-element spatial zone. Swiftly thereafter, the essence of sword dao and the laws of the sword seeped into its fabric. Subsequently, ten thousand phantom swords merged into a single, formidable blade. It pierced through the successive layers of the spatial zone, cutting through the Bloody Hand Group's onslaught with ease.

"Damn it, this person must be the Primary Extreme Lord!" The Turbid Water Dao Progenitor's countenance shifted dramatically as a realization dawned upon him.

The Turbid Water Dao Progenitor possessed knowledge of nearly all the foremost unparalleled lords, with the sole exception of Li Fuchen. Even without his sharpest intellect, he could deduce that Li Fuchen was indeed the Primary Extreme Lord.

"So what if he is the Primary Extreme Lord? As long as he cannot escape this place, his fate is sealed with death!" The Golden Clothed Dao Lord bellowed with unbridled ferocity.

"Precisely! Without any means of replenishment, even a foremost unparalleled lord would inevitably perish. The treasures and wealth of a pinnacle unparalleled lord undoubtedly surpass that of a Realization Flower by a significant margin," the Quake Move Lord cackled with a sinister glee.

The moniker 'Bloody Hand Group' was not merely a testament to their formidable combat prowess; it was also indicative of their audacious and ruthless nature, a characteristic that had propelled their notoriety.