The scripture pulsed with a terrifying will, not of a single entity, but composed of two distinct forces. One was the will of the Heavenly Emperor, the other, a curse, no, the primal immortal dao curse. Bolstered by these two wills, the scripture became incredibly fearsome.
"A mortal body dares to covet my scripture? Utter delusion!"
In the next instant, the scripture ensnared them both, as if intending to devour them. Witnessing this, Yun Fan and Bi Luo's expressions shifted dramatically. Even they hadn't anticipated the emergence of such a dreadful entity. The scripture seemed to awaken, and they were merely its sustenance.
Countless runes coiled around them, threatening to strip them bare and possess their very flesh.
"Hmph!"
Bi Luo let out a muffled groan. Even as a quasi-Emperor, she found herself utterly defenseless before this scripture. Yun Fan, though in a more dire situation, possessed an advantage: he unleashed his War Heaven bloodline. This allowed him to break free from the scripture's control. Once gradually extricated, he moved to rescue Bi Luo, whose peril was far greater.
"Master, don't come closer!" Bi Luo urgently warned Yun Fan. She feared for his safety, as even she couldn't withstand it. Her concern for Yun Fan was natural at this juncture.
Yun Fan, however, did not falter. He declared to Bi Luo, "Don't worry, I will save you, no matter how arduous the path!" With that, Yun Fan began to channel the War Heaven bloodline, his flames burning intensely as they consumed these two wills. Upon witnessing the formidable power of the War Heaven bloodline, the two wills recoiled.
"Pfft!"
Bi Luo spat out a mouthful of blood, her condition visibly grave.
"Are you alright?" Yun Fan asked Bi Luo.
"I, I'm fine!" Bi Luo could still persevere.
At this moment, Yun Fan began using the War Heaven bloodline to expel these two wills. The Heavenly Emperor Scripture then appeared before him, stripped of its danger by the absence of their influence. Yun Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
Before their dissipation, the two wills spoke with resentment, "As a descendant of the immortal dao curse, you dare to defy it! From this day forth, you are no longer one of us, the immortal dao curse!" They rebuked Bi Luo.
Bi Luo felt a pang of shame. She hadn't expected such a turn of events. Had Yun Fan not possessed the key to unravel it, both of them would have perished today, becoming sacrifices.
Then, the two wills addressed Bi Luo, "Either kill him, or become our enemy, the immortal dao curse!" This was their ultimatum.
Bi Luo immediately retorted, "As our elders, you would use your descendants as sacrifices? Such an immortal dao curse, I'd rather not join!" This was the first time Bi Luo had ever wavered in her allegiance to the immortal dao curse. She had become disillusioned with it. The methods of the immortal dao curse dictated that success was paramount, and anyone, even powerful descendants, could be sacrificed. This was not the outcome Bi Luo desired.
However, they responded, "Very well. Dare to resist the immortal dao curse, and you will suffer a terrible fate in the future!"
"That remains to be seen!" Bi Luo stated directly. "Your immortal dao curse is not invincible!"
At this precise moment, Yun Fan unleashed the War Heaven bloodline once more, eradicating the two unwilling wills. He then departed with Bi Luo.
Once they reached the void, Yun Fan asked Bi Luo, "Are you certain you wish to abandon the immortal dao curse?" He had assumed that, given Bi Luo's strength and her foundation in the immortal dao curse, she would likely not relinquish it. He had also prepared to strengthen his oversight of Bi Luo, ready to eliminate her at the slightest hint of betrayal.
But Bi Luo replied, "I finally understand now. The will of the immortal dao curse is not the path I wish to tread. So, what if I betray it?" Bi Luo's resolve was unwavering. Yun Fan saw in her eyes that she harbored no deceit. He wasn't foolish; they had spent so much time together that he understood Bi Luo completely.
Bi Luo then confessed to Yun Fan, "Ever since my clan was annihilated by my Master, and no one from the immortal dao curse stood up for us, I had already begun to doubt. After all, my family had contributed immensely to the immortal dao curse, arguably no less than the Undying Saint Ancestor. Yet, when the Undying Saint Ancestor destroyed my clan, my peers within the immortal dao curse chose to ignore it. After all these years, I finally realized that the immortal dao curse is the most destructive force. Fortunately, awakening now is not too late."
Yun Fan remarked, "Good. I am happy you have come to this realization. I even believed that if you continued with the immortal dao curse, you might have become a sacrifice in the future."
"That was inevitable!" Bi Luo affirmed. "Therefore, I will no longer be foolish." She then looked at Yun Fan with a hopeful gaze. "Master, will you take me in?"
"I will!" At this moment, Yun Fan exerted his power, retrieving the mark from Bi Luo's brow, restoring her freedom. Bi Luo was stunned.
"Master, you trust me so much?" She had not expected Yun Fan to completely relinquish control over her, a fact that deeply shocked her.
Yun Fan replied, "Your actions have moved me, so I trust you!" As Bi Luo was touched, Yun Fan grasped her hand and said, "From today onwards, you are no longer to call me Master!"
"Then what should I call you?" Bi Luo asked shyly.
"Call me 'Guan Ren'!"
...
The two returned to the Great Thousand World. Upon their arrival, Bi Luo felt as if she had found a true haven, free from deceit and intrigue. Here, there was only unity and a shared determination to confront the immortal dao curse. For Bi Luo, this atmosphere was precisely what she had yearned for.
She then encountered the Heart of the Curse. The world, initially unfamiliar to her, no longer felt so strange with the Heart of the Curse's presence.
"I never expected that from the immortal dao curse lineage, besides myself, another being no weaker than me would emerge!" Bi Luo's assessment of the Heart of the Curse was high. In the Heart of the Curse, she saw a reflection of her past self – her immense talent and potential. It was undeniable that the immortal dao curse lineage had produced countless prodigies and exceptional talents, a feat unmatched by other races. However, the ethos of the immortal dao curse had deterred too many. No matter how astonishing or heaven-defying one's talent, for the sake of their objectives, they could discard anyone at will. This was the case for the Heart of the Curse, whom the Primordial Ancestor could easily abandon, and for Bi Luo herself, who was dispensable to her Master, the Undying Saint Ancestor, in his quest for greater power. Thus, the immortal dao curse had failed to retain them. Even without Yun Fan's intervention, they would have eventually turned against the immortal dao curse. It would have merely taken time.
"Senior!" The name of Bi Luo was known to the Heart of the Curse. She was among the most powerful figures within their immortal dao curse lineage and an individual the Heart of the Curse aspired to become. She never imagined this revered senior would be standing before her.
Bi Luo then stated, "There's no need to call me Senior. We are all husband's wives now!" Although Yun Fan had asked her to call him 'Guan Ren', Bi Luo found it too embarrassing, wondering about Yun Fan's peculiar preferences. She felt a more conventional title was appropriate.
The Heart of the Curse was astonished. She had not anticipated that this renowned senior from the Three Thousand Great Worlds would be so approachable. Subsequently, she and Bi Luo became the best of sisters. Indeed, they were now sisters, with no disparity in seniority.
Seeing the two women in such harmony, Yun Fan naturally chose to accompany them. However, this greatly angered Lin Tianxin and Zi Xuan. These two little enchantresses had stolen their man, as they were the rightful consorts. But after being subdued by Yun Fan, both women were conquered, as even their combined strength was no match for him. Yun Fan reveled in his victory, proud that despite their formidable power, he remained invincible, daring them to challenge his authority again.
When it came to important matters, Lin Tianxin said to Yun Fan, "Husband, with these repeated obstructions, the immortal dao curse will likely initiate a decisive battle against us!"
"Do we lack confidence?" Yun Fan asked, perplexed.
"Not precisely," Zi Xuan replied. "Although we haven't fully recovered our peak strength, neither has the immortal dao curse. Therefore, at this juncture, the immortal dao curse will undoubtedly devise countermeasures."
"What countermeasures?" Yun Fan inquired.
"Within the Three Thousand Great Worlds, there are several formidable worlds. I suspect the immortal dao curse will preemptively strategize, allying with these worlds to use them as cannon fodder, thereby reaping the benefits for themselves," Bi Luo explained directly. Having originated from the immortal dao curse lineage, she was intimately familiar with their tactics. They had employed a similar strategy against Zi Xuan, the Heavenly Daughter Tai Qing, in the past. Without these worlds acting as shields, the outcome of that conflict would have been uncertain, such was the harsh reality.
Yun Fan then proposed, "Therefore, we must also devise countermeasures! How about this: I will try to persuade them, to dissuade them from becoming the lackeys of the immortal dao curse!" This was Yun Fan's plan. Though it might not succeed, it would nonetheless alleviate the pressure on the Great Thousand World's side. While sending Zi Xuan and Lin Tianxin might yield greater assurance, their ongoing recovery prevented him from doing so. Despite possessing the enhanced War Heaven bloodline, which exerted an unprecedented suppression on the immortal dao curse, he was not currently a pivotal figure. The conflict was between the two strongest forces in the Three Thousand Great Worlds. Even those once at the forefront, such as himself, the Heart of the Curse, and the Undefeated War Heaven, had been relegated to secondary roles. The true frontrunners were Zi Xuan, Lin Tianxin, and Bi Luo. After all, they had all been quasi-Emperors, though they hadn't known each other prior to him bringing them together.
At this point, they advised Yun Fan, "Husband, please don't go. Even if these worlds join them, it won't alter the outcome! At most, it will increase our burden!"
"The more this happens, the greater the chance they might turn the tide!" Yun Fan countered. "If we can persuade them to back down, it will only benefit us, with no downside whatsoever!" This was Yun Fan's rationale. For now, he couldn't significantly improve his strength through seclusion. Therefore, he intended to try his luck.
"Very well!" The women agreed. In their eyes, Yun Fan was an omnipotent being. In this matter as well, they placed their full trust in him. Thus, sending Yun Fan was the best course of action, while they focused on preparation for battle. No one knew when this war would erupt, but they could roughly anticipate its timing. It was likely to occur within the next century. Coincidentally, within this next century, they planned to let Yun Fan venture out again. If Yun Fan could break through to the third realm, it would be of immense help to them. At that point, Yun Fan could continuously provide them with the power of War Heaven to suppress the immortal dao curse. After some deliberation, Yun Fan departed.
Meanwhile, the four women began to engage in a subtle rivalry.
"Someone was quite arrogant before, weren't they? Now they've succumbed to husband's authority!" Lin Tianxin sneered.
Bi Luo retorted unapologetically, "That's still better than some. Some people, to fully possess husband, didn't hesitate to create dozens of clones. Truly despicable. At least I'm not as vile as you!"
"You..." Just as the women were about to erupt into conflict, the Heart of the Curse intervened, "Three elder sisters, please stop arguing! Although our origins differ, we must now center around husband. If we are not harmonious internally, how can we confront the immortal dao curse? At this time, we should unite and fight alongside husband against the immortal dao curse!" These were the Heart of the Curse's sincere words. In the past, if she had dared to speak to the three women with such a tone regarding other matters, it would undoubtedly have resulted in her being disciplined. However, now, her words held significant weight. The three women acknowledged the truth in her statement, and all felt a pang of guilt.
"We apologize!" The three women apologized to each other. At this moment, they had truly set aside their past prejudices, whether they were from the immortal dao curse or normal cultivators. They were all Yun Fan's wives. If even Yun Fan had accepted them, why couldn't they accept these sisters? It was undeniable that at this juncture, the four women had truly united. Of course, their previous disunity was understandable, as ages ago, Bi Luo and Zi Xuan had been mortal enemies, nearly fighting to the death. But now, because of Yun Fan, they had abandoned their hatred and become the best of sisters.
...
Yun Fan was unaware of the complete harmony among the women. Today, he had a significant task ahead of him. He had arrived at a colossal world, one of the top-tier realms within the Three Thousand Great Worlds: the Primordial Chaos World. This world was one of the birthplaces of cultivation in the Three Thousand Great Worlds. For countless ages, many collateral branches had migrated from the Primordial Chaos World to various parts of the Three Thousand Great Worlds. For instance, the Primordial Chaos Clan of the Great Thousand World was merely one of the collateral branches of the true Primordial Chaos Sacred Clan, and they were hardly prominent. Now, in the true pure-blooded Primordial Chaos World, Yun Fan could feel the power of the Primordial Chaos Clan. This pure-blooded lineage was in no way inferior to the War Heaven bloodline created by the Undefeated War Heaven. Of course, it was incomparable to Yun Fan's enhanced War Heaven bloodline, but such a lineage was capable of producing transcendent powerhouses like Saint Ancestors.
His reason for visiting the Primordial Chaos Clan was simple: he hoped they would not fall prey to the immortal dao curse. Otherwise, they wouldn't know how they met their end. Naturally, the fate of the Primordial Chaos Clan was not his concern; his aim was solely to reduce the burden on the Great Thousand World. Yes, it was that simple, but the simpler it was, the greater Yun Fan believed the difficulty to be. He hoped the true pure-blooded Primordial Chaos Clan would not be as stubborn and unyielding as the branches in the Great Thousand World.
Upon sensing Yun Fan's aura, the young master of the Primordial Chaos Clan, Hong Meng Lie, released a challenging power. To a prodigy like himself, encountering someone younger yet so powerful ignited a strong sense of competition. He was determined to measure himself against Yun Fan.
"I wondered who it was. So, it's you, kid!" Hong Meng Lie said contemptuously to Yun Fan.
"You know me?" Yun Fan was inwardly perplexed. He considered himself a mere nobody, yet this individual recognized him.
Hong Meng Lie scoffed, "Of course. Not only do I know you, but I also know you possess a method that can trouble the immortal dao curse lineage!" It seemed his identity was no longer a secret. However, Yun Fan saw no reason to worry.
Yun Fan stated, "So, you must know the purpose of my visit!"
"I don't know, and I don't care to know!" Hong Meng Lie replied. "All I know is that you are the most highly sought-after fugitive by the immortal dao curse. If I capture you, I will receive a greater reward from them!" Hong Meng Lie's greed was palpable.
Yun Fan warned coldly, "Greed is good. Without it, a warrior's path is destined to be short. However, greed must be tempered by recognizing your opponent. Dealing with the immortal dao curse is akin to seeking a tiger for its skin!" This was Yun Fan's counsel.
"That remains to be seen!" Hong Meng Lie declared. "Our Primordial Chaos Clan has always been allies of the immortal dao curse. Their enemies are naturally our enemies!" Upon hearing this, Yun Fan deemed this fool beyond redemption and promptly stated, "You think capturing me will be that simple!"
"You should summon the rest of your Primordial Chaos Clan!" Honestly, Yun Fan did not take this fool seriously. Although Hong Meng Lie possessed the strength of a Saint Ancestor first realm, he was still no match for Yun Fan.
Hong Meng Lie sneered, "I alone am enough to kill you!" In the next moment, he lunged at Yun Fan, his formidable power erupting, fully displaying the might of Primordial Chaos. He was on an entirely different level from the Primordial Chaos Clan of the Great Thousand World. Enhanced by the Primordial Chaos energy, he was more powerful than ordinary Saint Ancestor level experts. Take Nightmare Saint Ancestor, for example; at the same first realm, Hong Meng Lie could easily defeat him. Perhaps this was one of the sources of the Primordial Chaos Clan's confidence.
"Do you think you are very strong?" Yun Fan asked coldly. "Before me, you are far too inferior!" In the next moment, Yun Fan decisively struck, his blow shattering Hong Meng Lie's Primordial Chaos energy.
*Bang!*
As his power collided with Hong Meng Lie,
"Pfft!"
Hong Meng Lie immediately spat out blood, his eyes wide with disbelief. He never imagined he would be so insignificant before Yun Fan. At this moment, Yun Fan unceremoniously stepped on him.
"I thought you were formidable. You've greatly disappointed me. But then again, with your strength, you're destined to be nothing more than a dog for the immortal dao curse!"
"Damn it!" Hong Meng Lie was instantly enraged. Although he attempted to retaliate against Yun Fan several times, he couldn't unleash any of his strength under Yun Fan's oppressive aura. It was impossible for him not to crumble under these circumstances.
"Kid, if you have the guts, kill me. But if you kill me, don't expect to leave the Primordial Chaos World!" Hong Meng Lie threatened Yun Fan.
"Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Yun Fan detested being threatened. In the next moment, he launched an attack, intending to finish Hong Meng Lie. However, at that very instant, an invincible power locked onto him.
"Friend, why don't we calm down and talk?" In the next moment, several elders of the Primordial Chaos Clan appeared. Among them were two Saint Ancestor level powerhouses. Furthermore, these elders were not the truly strongest existences. The strongest was the Primordial Chaos Clan's patriarch, Hong Meng Gai Tian, who had locked onto Yun Fan. He was a third-realm Saint Ancestor, and thus, the founder of the Primordial Chaos bloodline. It had to be said that due to the long passage of time, his strength surpassed that of the Undefeated War Heaven, but Yun Fan was confident that given enough time, his ancestor would eventually reach the level of Hong Meng Gai Tian. Looking at it this way, the Primordial Chaos World was truly powerful, with four Saint Ancestors: one in the third realm, and the remaining three in the first realm. Such a lineup would undoubtedly crush the Great Thousand World. After all, the Great Thousand World had only produced three Saint Ancestors: his ancestor, the Undefeated War Heaven; the Heart of the Curse; and himself. Currently, he was the strongest, a second-realm Saint Ancestor. However, even this lineup paled in comparison to the Primordial Chaos World. Of course, Bi Luo, Zi Xuan, and Lin Tianxin were not quasi-Emperors born in the Great Thousand World. Therefore, in essence, they were not natives of the Great Thousand World but were present there because of him.
Yun Fan then stated, "You initiated the conflict, so don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Easy, easy!" Hong Meng Gai Tian said. "But I still advise you not to kill him, or you will bear the consequences!" This was his warning to Yun Fan, which was, in essence, a threat.
Yun Fan directly captured Hong Meng Lie within his spatial realm and then said, "Since you know my identity, you must also know my origins. If anything were to happen to me, your Primordial Chaos Clan would not be able to bear the consequences. Don't think the immortal dao curse will support you; they will not shield you!" This statement struck a sensitive chord with Hong Meng Gai Tian. After a moment of contemplation, he said to Yun Fan, "I do not believe your purpose in coming to my Primordial Chaos World is to kill my son. What are your terms? Let us negotiate now!"
Yun Fan replied, "Hong Meng Gai Tian, my Great Thousand World will soon engage in a decisive battle with the curse lineage, at most within a century. Your Primordial Chaos Clan has historically been one of the lackeys of the immortal dao curse. Therefore, I wish to persuade you not to become their pawns!" As soon as these words were spoken, Hong Meng Gai Tian let out a dismissive laugh. "You don't seem to carry enough weight!"
"They are all my wives, and my will is their will!" Yun Fan directly stated his objective.
"And if I refuse!" Hong Meng Gai Tian clearly had not heeded Yun Fan's warning.
Yun Fan responded directly, "If you refuse, when it's time for you to charge into battle, I guarantee your Primordial Chaos Clan will be annihilated!" This was Yun Fan's declaration. They might not defeat the immortal dao curse, but they were certainly capable of annihilating the Primordial Chaos Clan.
"You..." Hong Meng Gai Tian was filled with rage. He couldn't believe Yun Fan dared to threaten him. Thus, he unleashed a wave of pressure. Although it was difficult to resist, Yun Fan showed no change in his expression.
"If this continues, whether I die or not is uncertain, but your son's fate is sealed!" With these words, Hong Meng Gai Tian, despite his burning hatred for Yun Fan, found himself unable to act. Though he did not place much importance on familial bonds, Hong Meng Lie was one of the Primordial Chaos Clan's four Saint Ancestors. If Hong Meng Lie were to die, it would be a significant loss for the Primordial Chaos Clan. Weighing the pros and cons, he eventually withdrew his pressure.
"If what you say is true, what benefits will my Primordial Chaos Clan receive?" Hong Meng Gai Tian was a pragmatic individual and wanted to know what advantages Yun Fan could offer. Of course, he had not yet committed to anything.
"Benefits?" Yun Fan stated plainly, "I'm afraid there are none!"
"Since there are none, you dare to negotiate terms with my Primordial Chaos Clan? Do you truly believe my Primordial Chaos Clan is foolish?" he roared at Yun Fan, who seemed utterly whimsical.
Yun Fan replied, "I suspect you haven't clearly assessed the situation. You believe we in the Great Thousand World are begging you, but in reality, we are helping you. Historically, how many vanguard lackeys have survived? You are likely aware of the strength of the Great Thousand World. If you insist on this path, who in your Primordial Chaos Clan do you think will survive?" At these words, Hong Meng Gai Tian's expression shifted. Indeed, Yun Fan had a point. The Primordial Chaos Clan was no match for the Great Thousand World. The three quasi-Emperors alone could annihilate the Primordial Chaos Clan. Although he held little hope for the Great Thousand World's victory against the immortal dao curse, the Primordial Chaos Clan would perish before the Great Thousand World's defeat. If even the four Saint Ancestors were to die, the remaining bloodline and influence of the Primordial Chaos Clan would become insignificant, ultimately making them prey to other worlds. Of course, this was in the scenario of becoming lackeys. The situation was that grim. However, if they refused to be lackeys and defied the immortal dao curse, once the curse lineage dealt with the Great Thousand World, they would likely turn their attention to the Primordial Chaos World. In that case, the Primordial Chaos Clan would also face inevitable doom. He found himself in a dilemma, unable to readily agree or refuse. Yun Fan, meanwhile, did not rush him, allowing him time to choose.
Hong Meng Gai Tian said to Yun Fan, "I believe we can have a proper discussion!"
"No problem!" Seeing that Hong Meng Gai Tian had shed his arrogance, Yun Fan released Hong Meng Lie. However, Hong Meng Lie was clearly devastated. He had been defeated by a relatively unknown youngster, a profound humiliation for him. Just as he was about to seek retribution from Yun Fan, Hong Meng Gai Tian had him forcefully expelled.
At this moment, Hong Meng Gai Tian and Yun Fan were engaged in a private discussion.
"Young friend, what is the probability of victory for your Great Thousand World in its conflict with the curse lineage?" Without a doubt, he held a dim view of Yun Fan's faction's strength. Throughout history, countless forces had attempted to resist the immortal dao curse lineage, only to end in failure and death. It could be said that in all of eternity, the only successful example was Tai Qing Tai Nu, although she hadn't achieved true success either.
Yun Fan replied, "I don't know, but we have confidence!" This was the basis of Yun Fan's confidence. No one could guarantee success, but they could be filled with boundless confidence. This left Hong Meng Gai Tian in a difficult position, as Yun Fan's answer was vague.
Yun Fan then stated, "Success means life, failure means death. Will you die standing or kneeling? Choose one!"
"I choose to die standing!" Hong Meng Gai Tian made his firm decision.