Chapter 81: The Four Divine Beast Clans

Within Qian Kun’s mind, surging spiritual power continuously condensed illusory sword shadows, wave after wave resisting that soul-destroying seal. Only after more than half his mental strength was spent did the soul-destroying seal finally fade into nothingness and vanish.

“This Mo Si’s soul attacks are truly formidable,” Qian Kun muttered inwardly, exhaling lightly as he opened his eyes.

Seeing that Qian Kun was unharmed, Mo Si breathed a faint sigh of relief and laughed, “Ha ha... Brother Qian Kun, your soul defense is indeed impressive. I didn’t hold back just now, so I was really worried I might accidentally kill you!”

“To kill me isn’t so easy,” Qian Kun replied with a confident smile, clearly assured in his own abilities.

Mo Si’s expression suddenly grew solemn as he addressed Qian Kun, “Brother Qian Kun, your strength is truly at the pinnacle among Highgods. Both your physical attacks and your soul defense are formidable, but that doesn’t mean no one can challenge you. Even if you’re not facing a Perfected Highgod, there are still some monstrous figures among the Asura who possess bizarre techniques or powerful innate divine abilities. If you grow careless, you might suffer a serious defeat.”

“Thank you for the warning, Master Mo Si. I’ll keep it in mind,” Qian Kun responded earnestly, recognizing Mo Si’s genuine goodwill.

Mo Si then broke into a hearty laugh, “Well, as long as you don’t mind my nagging. Brother Qian Kun, it’s rare for us to become friends through battle. Today’s duel was evenly matched and exhilarating. Why not stay here with me for a while? We can exchange insights and spar a bit more. What do you say?”

“With such generous hospitality, Master Mo Si, I’ll gladly accept,” Qian Kun replied, nodding with a smile.

After that, Qian Kun stayed at Hande Sae Castle for more than half a year. During this time, he and Mo Si sparred many times, deepening Qian Kun’s understanding of the Laws of Destruction and Death, yielding substantial gains. The two, being of similar strength, developed a mutual admiration and became close friends.

Half a year later, after bidding farewell to Mo Si, Qian Kun quietly left Miluo Island and set out unhurriedly for the Bloodpeak Continent, continuing his cultivation along the way.

Though the Infernal Realm was vast, most of it was unfamiliar and uninteresting to Qian Kun, so he had little desire to wander. His reason for heading to Bloodpeak Continent was simple: the Four Divine Beast Clans resided in the Netherblue Province there. Their fierce rivalry with the Eight Great Clans—each from a prominent town or supreme plane—was legendary. Qian Kun wanted to witness their struggles firsthand.

When the Four Divine Beast Clans and the Eight Great Clans finally clashed in their ultimate battle, it was sure to be spectacular—and Qian Kun would not miss such grand commotion.

Because Qian Kun was in no rush, he rarely used metallic lifeforms for travel. Instead, he often paused to cultivate whenever he gained new insights. By the time he reached Bloodpeak Continent, several centuries had passed.

During this period, his Fire and Light divine clones each advanced to the Highgod level, both now possessing the power of an Asura. His Wind clone, having already fused eight of the nine profound mysteries of the Wind Elemental Laws, was on the verge of a breakthrough. Even his least adept Lightning clone, still at the Midgod level, had fused three mysteries and begun working on a fourth.

Meanwhile, the five divine clones—Fate, Life, Destruction, Death, and Darkness—left on the Yulan Plane, though not yet Highgods, had each fused at least half the profound mysteries of their respective laws, making substantial progress.

Upon arriving on Bloodpeak Continent, Qian Kun caused little stir; he seldom entered cities, preferring the wilderness, focusing intently on perfecting his mastery of a single law.

Of course, the wilds were not without danger: bandits and tribal forces abounded. While Qian Kun’s Highgod strength was intimidating, being a non-demon meant his deterrent effect was limited—there were always a few fools who sought trouble. Qian Kun had little mercy for such suicidal individuals; in this hellish realm, conflict and slaughter were daily occurrences, and he had grown swift and decisive.

Occasionally, when encountering weaker Saints or gods, Qian Kun would offer help or guidance in their cultivation.

This life, peaceful and fulfilling, brought Qian Kun deep satisfaction, even as his heart and mind underwent a gradual transformation.

More than a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and Qian Kun finally arrived at Netherblue Province on Bloodpeak Continent, making his way toward the ancestral home of the Four Divine Beast Clans: the Celestial Sacrifice Mountain Range.

The Celestial Sacrifice Mountains were vast, the greatest range in Netherblue Province, with towering peaks that seemed to pierce the heavens. Each mountain was of staggering height, earning the range its name.

Gliding effortlessly through the high skies, Qian Kun’s gaze fell upon a massive, flame-wreathed bird, wings outstretched and nearly as tall as the surrounding peaks, burning with a fiery aura and marked by a tuft of green feathers on its brow—a figure that radiated dominance. Yet this was no living creature, but a gigantic sculpture.

Skirting the southern edge of the mountains, Qian Kun flew east, his eyes drawn to the territory of the Lei Ding family of the Azure Dragon lineage. There, a colossal dragon, over ten thousand miles long, coiled within the range.

Of course, this was not a real dragon but an immense architectural marvel. The dragon’s body, covered in sculpted scales, formed a passageway suffused with azure light. From afar, the entire structure resembled a terrifyingly huge Azure Dragon. Upon closer inspection, one could see the dragon’s body was itself a corridor, surrounded by numerous castles and residences, creating a seamless whole.

At the very top, the largest golden castle hung in the air like a dragon pearl, dazzling to behold.

“No wonder the Four Divine Beast Clans, even in decline, still possess such foundation and grandeur,” Qian Kun murmured, awestruck.

Narrowing his eyes at the golden castle, Qian Kun dove from the sky straight toward it.

As he descended, he saw the winding dragon path below, patrolled by thousands upon thousands of soldiers clad in azure armor—every one of them a Highgod.

“Who dares intrude upon the sacred grounds of the Azure Dragon Clan?” Before Qian Kun could approach, two or three dozen patrolling Highgod warriors from the castle above immediately flew out to intercept him, the leader shouting harshly.

Qian Kun looked at them and smiled calmly. “Is your clan leader, Gaisresen, present?”

“And who might you be, sir? What business do you have with our clan leader? Please give your name, so I may report it,” the leading Highgod replied, suddenly more respectful upon hearing the clan leader’s name.

“No need for that. Even if I told you, your clan leader likely wouldn’t know who I am,” Qian Kun waved his hand with a smile. “Just report that someone is here to challenge him. I’ll wait here for him to come out. If he refuses, don’t blame me for forcing my way in to find him myself.”

Upon hearing this, the Highgod’s expression darkened and he roared, “How dare you! Do you think the Azure Dragon Clan is so easily trifled with? Brothers, attack—kill him!”

“Tch, what a hassle!” Qian Kun sighed inwardly as, at the command, two or three dozen Highgods instantly moved to surround and attack him. All this commotion, just for a simple challenge to their clan leader? Was this really necessary?