Chapter 294: Heavenly Net Venerable

The two halves of the tiger’s body drifted in the void. If Jiang Yan hadn’t deliberately controlled his strength, not even a complete corpse would have remained.

Jiang Yan stored the White Tiger’s corpse in his spatial ring and directly departed from this devastated world.

The conflict outside had temporarily ceased due to Jiang Yan’s single saber strike.

However, the three reckless youths merely glanced in the direction of the Great World before hastily resuming their fight.

The intense commotion attracted others to observe, but due to the fierce battle between Xiang Yu and the others, none dared to venture into the Great World to investigate.

Fortunately, Jiang Yan had sliced open a gap at the top of the Great World. When they probed inside with their spiritual power and sensed only desolate emptiness, each of them was filled with shock and doubt.

Where was that enormous White Tiger?

Could it have been seized by the three currently fighting?

Though they considered killing to seize the spoils, they seemed no match for Xiang Yu and his companions. Thus, they could only stand at a distance, glaring helplessly, uncertain of what course to take.

Splurt—

A pillar of blood erupted as the Extreme Domain Demon was nearly shattered by Hong Luo’s punch.

It stared at Hong Luo in disbelief. The Sky Demon, a five-patterned one, was one thing, but how could a three-patterned Martial God like you overpower me, an Extreme Domain Demon?

Hong Luo shook his arm and said calmly, “Fools like you, who rely solely on bloodline legacies to claim superiority over others, find your only amusement in crushing others with your Talent.”

Hong Luo unwrapped the red cloth from his body, releasing an even more oppressive aura that surged around him. In that instant, it was as if massive stars were colliding, the terrifying shockwaves nearly tearing the entire space apart.

Gradually, Dharma Patterns reappeared before him. Combined with the previous three, Hong Luo was actually a legendary Fourth Heaven Martial God!

On par with the Extreme Domain Demon.

Hong Luo’s Dharma Patterns did not manifest any Divine Abilities but were slowly engraved onto his muscles, transforming his body into the sharpest weapon in the mortal realm.

An unparalleled heaviness emanated from him, like an extremely compressed star, his burly frame as solid as meteoric iron.

He took a step forward, and the space beneath his feet cracked under the strain, unable to bear the weight. Behind him, a golden sun-like phantom image gradually materialized, its blazing solar eyes glaring at the two Demon Lords like an enraged deity.

For a long time, the Martial Gods of the Human Race on Tianyuan Star had believed Hong Luo to be only a Second Heaven Martial God. Later, during his battle with the Extreme Domain Demon, he had inexplicably advanced to the Third Heaven. And now, after removing the red cloth, he had strangely ascended to the Fourth Heaven.

The few Tianyuan Martial Gods who had just returned watched this scene in utter disbelief.

The white-haired Chi Heng, the Martial God, slowly spoke:

“Five thousand years ago, Hong Luo’s realm advancement was hindered. Everyone thought he would never reach the Tenth Rank. Later, he left Tianyuan, declaring that the Tianyuan Martial Way was unsuitable for his cultivation.”

A sword-wielding Martial God also recounted calmly, “At first, everyone thought he had gone mad. The Tianyuan Martial Way already represented the pinnacle of the Human Race Martial Dao. Seeking a breakthrough method elsewhere was nothing short of a fool’s dream.”

“Who could have imagined that after just a few thousand years, he not only shattered his own limitations but also surpassed us all with his Heaven-Reaching cultivation at the Fourth Heaven.” The female Martial God from Tianyuan Star remarked with a sigh.

“Perhaps true strength lies in one’s own power. All our efforts on Tianyuan, attempting to break through our limitations using Demon Seeds, have ultimately come to nothing.”

“Wait a moment! I think I’ve figured out why Hong Luo’s Realm is advancing so quickly!”

Suddenly, Martial God Chi Heng exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of all spectators toward him.

“Chi Heng, what have you noticed?”

“The more I observe Hong Luo’s Dharma Patterns, the stranger they seem. Clearly lacking Divine Abilities, yet they unleash such immense power—this defies all conventional understanding of cultivation.”

“Until I remembered someone!”

“Who?”

Chi Heng took a deep breath. “The Heavenly Net Venerable from fifty thousand years ago…”

“What, the Heavenly Net Venerable!”

At the mention of this name, the others gasped in unison, casting astonished glances at Hong Luo. As they connected the dots, it all seemed to make perfect sense.

Someone murmured softly, “I heard the Heavenly Net Venerable was born without a Spirit Eye, inherently unable to sense the Laws. Many great experts asserted that, despite his formidable Physical Body foundation, he would never be able to Breakthrough to the Tenth Rank in his lifetime.”

“Later, the Heavenly Net Venerable left his home planet and, by some unknown means, reached the Martial God Realm. Moreover, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, allowing him to rise several Realms in a short time!”

“That was at the Martial God Realm—advancing several minor Realms in a single breath. Such a feat shouldn’t even exist in any Legacy secrets, yet it appeared in a mere human!”

The speaker’s voice was filled with longing, clearly coveting the legendary secret method.

“The Heavenly Net Venerable’s entire life was shrouded in mystery. No one knew how he Broke Through to the Martial God Realm, nor how he managed to elevate his Realm so rapidly.”

“During the ten thousand years of the Heavenly Net Venerable’s fame, countless powerful beings sought his so-called secret method, only to meet their demise in the end. Then, forty thousand years ago, the Heavenly Net Venerable vanished from the world. Some say he shattered the impenetrable domain barrier and journeyed to other Star Domains.”

Another added, “Others say he suffered a backlash from the secret method, meeting an ominous end in his later years.”

The deeds of the Heavenly Net Venerable were almost universally known; even moderately powerful beings had heard of his name. Though he had disappeared, countless individuals remained fascinated by the legendary secret method said to help those without Spirit Eyes reach the Tenth Rank and assist Martial Gods in advancing several minor Realms.

The crowd began to stir restlessly.

Chi Heng suddenly realized, “He hid his Realm earlier because he feared we would grow suspicious.”

“Hmph, now that the truth is out and we all share the same star, what should we decide?” the female Martial God asked.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

The sword-wielding Martial God responded coldly and chose to leave immediately.

Chi Heng forced a bitter smile. “Though we share the same star, Hong Luo concealed such a miraculous opportunity from us. Now that he’s in crisis, he can’t blame us for disregarding past camaraderie.”

With that, he turned and departed.

“Out of respect for past ties, I won’t participate in the struggle for Hong Luo’s secret. But don’t expect me to risk my life to help him—that’s wishful thinking.” As Martial God Liu’er spoke, he also chose to turn a blind eye.

Only the female Martial God remained, her eyes flickering behind her veil. She said nothing, quietly waiting in place.

Having witnessed Hong Luo’s Heaven-Defying secret technique, the observing Martial Gods now wore fierce expressions, rubbing their hands in anticipation. They silently and unanimously surrounded Hong Luo, along with Xiang Yu and the others.

“Hong Luo’s Realm is advancing so rapidly—he must have obtained the Heavenly Net Venerable’s Legacy. If I could acquire it…”

“If I obtained the Heavenly Net Legacy, I would naturally share it with everyone. How could I be as selfish as Hong Luo?”

“Exactly. To keep such an opportunity all to oneself—your Human Race’s Martial God is truly selfish and self-serving. Why don’t we capture Hong Luo alive and force him to reveal the Legacy?”

A group of them conversed, each finding a convenient excuse for their intent to kill and seize treasure.