As the words fell, Mu Changqing avoided any further complications.
With the Burial of the Heavens Dao rhythm, a stream of endless, bizarre power descended.
From the river of time, it erased all life force and escape routes of the realm spirit.
The purple sword shattered, its extreme purple light scattering rapidly like a pillar of light, obliterating all existence within a million li, including any trace of the few present.
Even if the Demon Ancestor descended, he would be unable to ascertain anything.
Everything around them returned to a deathly silence once more. Mu Changqing retracted his purple flames, and a stillness returned to his person.
With a wave of his hand, Yin Yin emerged from space.
Joyfully, she grasped Mu Changqing's hand, exhibiting an extreme sense of dependence.
The Dao Ancestor and Qing Lian, having witnessed this for countless ages, felt a pang of sentiment and fear at the demise of the first innate being.
Even though he was merely at the lowest rung of innate beings, perhaps not even a true innate being.
He was still an existence that transcended the game, one of the players.
"So, innate beings can also perish."
Qing Lian murmured, her icy gaze filled with complex emotions, a hint of sorrow flickering within.
It was unclear whether it was for the realm spirit's demise or something else.
Following this, Qing Lian turned to face Mu Changqing, her tone returning to its usual cool demeanor.
"Burial Emperor, you and I are now unrelated, owing nothing to each other. I hope you will keep your word."
Upon hearing this, Mu Changqing chuckled and nodded slightly, his eyes as placid as ever, deep as an abyss.
"Naturally, you may leave. I keep my word."
Qing Lian felt no joy at the prospect of departure.
A vague sense of unease lingered in her heart; Mu Changqing would not let her go so easily.
However, she had no other choice. She cast another glance at Mu Changqing before her figure gradually faded, disappearing into the chaotic forbidden zone.
Mu Changqing appeared in the chaotic forbidden zone; staying any longer held no meaning.
The Dao Ancestor and Qing Lian, both innate beings, could empathize with each other's plight.
His own situation was not optimistic.
"Burial Emperor, this humble Taoist must also depart. The realm spirit is dead, and some beings will surely stir."
The Dao Ancestor sighed softly. Now, he and Mu Changqing were on the same boat.
Yet, he had to maintain a degree of distance, not be too obvious.
"Old man, why has your true form not yet entered the world?"
Mu Changqing asked, deviating from the topic.
The Dao Ancestor pondered for a moment, then shook his head, speaking with a complex expression.
"My true form's condition is not optimistic; it is not the time to enter the world. If you need anything, you may seek me out then."
With his words, the Dao Ancestor's figure gradually vanished.
Mu Changqing calmly watched the two figures depart, then, taking Yin Yin's small hand, was about to leave.
Suddenly, a primordial aura erupted from the distant sky.
The ancient, primordial essence instantly permeated the entire chaotic forbidden zone.
Mu Changqing looked up, his purple eyes piercing through the infinite space.
"Interesting. A primordial ultimate treasure has appeared. Such a heaven-defying artifact, you are truly willing to part with it."
"Hmm? Those two little ones are here too. Yin Yin, let's go watch a good show."
Yin Yin looked up with her tender face, muttering reluctantly.
"Big brother, I'm hungry. I want to eat something delicious."
Mu Changqing chuckled and gently stroked her small head.
"You glutton, be good."
Then, the two figures, one large and one small, slowly disappeared into the sky.
...
Simultaneously, all innate beings across the myriad realms sensed this and stopped their actions.
Upon careful perception, their faces flashed with endless fear and unease.
"The realm spirit is dead, how is this possible."
"Who broke the rules and attacked the realm spirit, even if he was the weakest of them all."
"Could it be him? He has returned, damn it, how could it be so fast."
"This madman, indeed, cannot be provoked. Rules are like nothing in his eyes."
Many innate beings were enraged, Mu Changqing did not abide by the rules and annihilated an innate being.
But then, they felt a sense of apprehension and dread.
None were willing to have any further connection with Mu Changqing.
Deep within the Primordial Chaos, the Lord of Darkness, who was healing, suddenly opened his dark, cold eyes.
"The realm spirit is dead, was it him who acted? This madman, why did he break free from his restraints so quickly and return."
The Lord of Darkness felt it deeply, as he himself had narrowly escaped death at Mu Changqing's hands.
Not long after, the Demon Ancestor's figure appeared beside the Lord of Darkness.
"You sensed it too?"
The Demon Ancestor spoke with a grave tone.
Previously, he and the realm spirit had jointly attacked Mu Changqing by surprise.
Now that Mu Changqing had returned, he had killed the realm spirit.
Without thinking, it was clear that Mu Changqing's next target would be him.
"Yes, what are your plans?"
The Lord of Darkness's expression was somber, his tone icy.
"With the strength of just the two of us, we cannot defeat the Burial Emperor. We must wait for the Demon Ancestor to break through the barrier before we can join forces to suppress him."
The Demon Ancestor spoke. The two reached a consensus to avoid confrontation and await the Demon Ancestor's emergence.
...
And at this very moment, at the entrance to the myriad realms.
A peerlessly beautiful woman, as fair as a celestial maiden from the Ninth Heaven, with bare feet, stepped into the myriad realms.
"Burial Emperor, where are you? I have arrived."
Her eyes were not like stars, but a bright, radiant moon.
There was no warmth about her person; her aura was noble and cold.
Her beauty was unparalleled, her attire a snow-white gossamer dress like moonlight. Her arms, delicate and fair, were elegantly clasped behind her back.
Three thousand strands of black hair cascaded freely, shimmering with radiance and brilliance like stars.
A layer of thin white veil veiled her exquisite and beautiful face, adding a touch of mystery.
With her words, the woman vanished from her spot.
...
In the chaotic forbidden zone, within the Divine Ruins Forest.
The chaotic energy here was extremely dense, as if one were deep within the Primordial Chaos.
The entire Divine Ruins Forest was filled with bizarre creatures, terrifying chaotic beasts, and various dreadful taboos hidden in the shadows, fraught with peril.
If one were not careful and touched a terrifying taboo, even a Celestial King would instantly perish.
Furthermore, this place prohibited flight; even a Celestial King could not soar through the air and could only walk diligently.
At this time, countless powerful beings had gathered here.
The lowest cultivation base was that of True Immortals, and Celestial Kings were not uncommon.
This was because a primordial ultimate treasure had appeared in the depths of the Divine Ruins Forest. Such an artifact...
If one obtained it and did not perish, they could become an existence that suppressed the myriad realms.
The gathered individuals did not attack each other but remained vigilant of the hidden dangers around them.
Suddenly, a peak True Immortal cultivator inadvertently touched a vibrantly colored flower. Instantly, the flower devoured everything, reducing him to a pool of blood.
Even more horrifying, a Celestial King was caught by the branches of an ancient, bizarre giant tree.
With a rustle, the Celestial King's flesh and bones were consumed, leaving only a human skin hanging on the branches.
In addition, the chaotic earth would suddenly crack open and swallow a cultivator whole.
Some individuals would suddenly go mad, slaughtering their own sect members.
Various bizarre phenomena occurred ceaselessly, striking fear into the hearts and minds of all present.
Yet, the crowd did not retreat, all because of the appearance of the primordial ultimate treasure in the depths ahead.
The temptation of a primordial ultimate treasure drove them mad.
Even death could not stop their steps.
Such an artifact would be coveted even by innate beings.
How much more so by these acquired beings.
Yuan Datou and Zhang Fanchen were also mixed within the crowd at this moment, proceeding cautiously.
However, with the peculiar existence of Yuan Datou, despite their not particularly strong cultivation, they remained safe.
"Be careful, there's something wrong with the stones ahead. Go around them."
Yuan Datou's gaze flickered as he transmitted this to Zhang Fanchen.
Zhang Fanchen, hearing this, nodded almost imperceptibly.
The two quietly avoided the area, quickly creating distance.
As expected, a moment later, a cultivator at the Celestial King realm stepped on that inconspicuous stone.
Instantly, a bizarre creature emitted a terrifying power, consuming him in its entirety and turning him into a pool of blood.