Chapter 637: The Spirit of the Heavenly Tomb
Inside the Heavenly Tomb, numerous energy bodies harbored excited glances towards Xiao Xuan's direction. These energy bodies could exist in a special way within the Heavenly Tomb. However, since the creation of the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb, they were imbued with a desire to devour one another. Under the influence of the spirit, the Heavenly Tomb, originally a place meant for souls to rest, had turned into a devouring battlefield. To grow stronger, each energy body had to consume others, an act akin to cannibalism for these beings who were once human, something they absolutely could not accept.
Many powerful beings had resisted the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb in the past, but those who ventured high into the sky never returned. Repeated disappearances made them realize the dire consequences of challenging the spirit. It seemed as if any energy body facing the spirit would be effortlessly devoured. However, there was an exception; only Xiao Xuan, a person from ancient times, was particularly dreaded by the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb. There had been energy bodies in ancient times that sought Xiao Xuan's help, but he did not heed their requests. Over time, those energy bodies lost hope and gradually abandoned the idea of resistance, resigning themselves to endure in silence.
Today, many energy bodies suddenly sensed Xiao Xuan's presence, and it appeared that Xiao Xuan intended to confront the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb. This rekindled a fiery spirit in the hearts of many who had grown weary of devouring each other they were humans, not beasts!
Xiao Xuan stood high above, an immense and unstoppable force, even his own form untouchable by the fierce winds. "Back then, I still had some matters unfinished, needing to preserve this remnant soul of mine, so I couldn't fulfill your pleas," he explained. "But now, I have a worthy successor. I can fight with all my might. This time, I will fulfill your wishes!"
Xiao Xuan's calm voice echoed in the ears of all the energy bodies. On the ground, some less sensitive energy bodies continued their skirmishes. Hearing his voice, they too stiffened, their usually numb and crimson eyes wavering with emotion. Their bodies trembled as they slowly looked up towards Xiao Xuan in the sky.
In the depths of the Heavenly Tomb, the Saint of the Blood Blade, deeply moved, thrust his blood blade into the ground and knelt down, gazing up at the silhouette standing with hands behind his back. Like him, countless energy bodies kneeled towards Xiao Xuan.
Xiao Ze and Xiao Chen, also stepping through the void, observed the kneeling energy bodies. Xiao Chen's face bore a look of contemplation. Although the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb was not perceptible to outsiders unless it chose to reveal itself, and only the energy bodies within the tomb could sense its presence, it was clear to him as an observer how much the energy bodies loathed and despised the Heavenly Tomb's spirit for the curse it had become.
"It seems the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb really is a calamity," Xiao Chen remarked.
At that moment, thunderous roars resounded across the infinite sky, originating from the depths of the void. The mere sound caused many energy bodies to tremble violently. Xiao Ze blinked, looking towards the endless sky. He could sense a tremendously vast soul power emerging above, which, even upon slight contact, felt overwhelmingly oppressive, as if Mount Tai was bearing down upon one's soul.
Yet, Xiao Ze narrowed his eyes, showing little fear. Although this soul power was vast, it was extremely patchy, as if it were a mix of numerous types of soul powers. It reminded Xiao Ze of a poison lake, where countless toxins mixed together to create an unmatched toxicity. Now, the soul power above seemed similar an infinite mix of soul powers forming a terrifying soul monster.
"It's too patchy. It seems it has devoured too many soul imprints, perhaps... it was never pure from its very inception," Xiao Ze murmured softly. "After all, as ancestor Xiao Xuan said, it was formed from the soul imprints of numerous strong beings."
The misty sky above churned as invisible soul waves rapidly condensed. In just a moment, a gigantic face, thousands of feet across, slowly emerged above. Its face bore cold and eerie expressions. The emergence of this soul covered face immediately caused the numerous kneeling energy bodies below to shudder.
The spirit of the Heavenly Tomb could plant the desire to devour one another deep within the souls of these energy bodies. Essentially, until one reached a certain level of power, facing the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb meant being at its mercy for life and death.
The soul face in the sky spoke with a voice thunderous as rolling thunder, echoing across the sky. "Xiao Xuan, we have always kept to our own paths. Are you going to break our agreement?"
Xiao Xuan, however, seemed indifferent, shaking his head lightly. "You are mistaken. We have never had an agreement. It's just mutual wariness, with neither of us sure we could completely subdue the other."
After speaking, Xiao Xuan's face broke into a smile. "Truthfully, your existence is a mistake. The Dou Emperor who created the Heavenly Tomb probably never anticipated that it would give birth to a soul monster like you."
"Presumptuous! I was born in accordance with the master's will. I am the guardian of the Heavenly Tomb!" the soul face declared flatly, its voice resolute. "I am the Heavenly Tomb, and you owe your survival to me. You should abide by my rules!"
Xiao Xuan shook his head to the spirit's words. "You're quite the sophist. The Tomb is the Tomb, and you are you. Countless energy bodies are born because of the Tomb, not because of you!"
These words seemed to enrage the spirit of the Heavenly Tomb. The soul face churned even more violently, and even its typically indifferent tone revealed a hint of anger. "I am the Heavenly Tomb, and the Tomb is me! The master created the Heavenly Tomb and thus created me!"
(End of Chapter)
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