Chapter 1952: Celestial Mechanism Compass
In front of the cyan mist, the two sides kept their distance, not rashly making a move, because anyone could see that this place was unusual.
Fortunately, this hall was spacious and magnificent, empty inside, so even with hundreds of strong warriors gathered, it did not feel crowded.
Most of those daring to get involved were top-tier experts at the Nine-Step Saint King realm, all harboring great ambitions for the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree.
"Such a rich Divine Tree aura. Is that towering ancient tree the legendary Sky-Connecting Divine Tree? Truly extraordinary, but... why are its branches and leaves all withered and yellow?"
Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm stepped forward, a sharp light swirling in his eyes.
If he could obtain the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, he would no longer be just one of the Six Uniques of the Nether God Hall, but the strongest among the younger generation of the Nether God Hall. Azure Dragon and Ruan Ling would be trampled beneath his feet, and he might even cultivate to become a god in the future, becoming the second-in-command of the Nether God Hall.
In the past, it was precisely because Kunlun Realm possessed the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree that many powerful gods were born. Thus, everyone believed that the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree must hold the secret to becoming a god.
"Why can't I get through?"
Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm revealed a strange expression.
Like Zhang Ruochen before him, Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm was also blocked by a strange force. The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree seemed right in front of him, yet he could not touch it no matter what.
"Break."
Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm struck out, his ten eyes opening wide. Ten beams of light converged into a brilliant sacred radiance, blasting against the invisible barrier ahead.
"Don't act recklessly."
Some strong warriors tried to stop him, but it was already too late.
"Boom."
Space trembled slightly, ripples spreading, causing the sacred light to quickly dissipate into nothingness.
"Ssss."
From within the massive trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, a strange sound arose. Clusters of blue flames appeared, densely packed, their numbers astonishing. From a distance, they looked like a dazzling blue starry sky, breathtakingly beautiful.
Each cluster of blue flame was a God-Eating Insect.
"How can there be so many God-Eating Insects?"
Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm's face changed drastically as he rapidly retreated backward.
At a glance, there were tens of thousands of God-Eating Insects in the tree trunk. And these insects were not just the size of a fingernail; there were also fist-sized, basin-sized, and deep within the trunk, there were even larger ones hidden.
Any single God-Eating Insect could threaten a Saint King realm expert. The larger ones could likely threaten Great Saint realm experts.
"Whoosh."
A large number of God-Eating Insects flew out from the trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, passed through the invisible barrier, and charged straight at the group of strong warriors in the hall.
Seeing this, everyone in the hall felt their scalps go numb.
Zhang Ruochen was about to release his Space Domain, but Ji Fanxin acted before him. She dispersed the God-Eating Insects she had tamed, forming a special barrier around them.
With this special barrier, the God-Eating Insects flying out from the tree trunk ignored them entirely, passing by them and charging straight at the others.
"Idiot."
Some strong warriors couldn't help but curse.
Of course, now was not the time to argue with Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm. Everyone quickly struck out, defending themselves while attacking the God-Eating Insects with all their might.
As the saying goes, too many ants can kill an elephant. God-Eating Insects were far more dangerous than ants. When their numbers were large, even Saint King realm experts found them hard to handle.
"Ah."
A miserable scream rang out as a strong warrior failed to withstand the attack of the God-Eating Insects.
Soon after, more screams followed, one after another.
In just a few moments, many piles of ash appeared on the ground.
A basin-sized God-Eating Insect flew out and swallowed one of the God-Eating Insects surrounding Zhang Ruochen and Ji Fanxin in one gulp.
Clearly, this large God-Eating Insect had sensed something unusual and did not spare even its own kind.
In an instant, Zhang Ruochen struck out. The Flame God Armor and arm guards blazed with scorching flames as he punched the basin-sized God-Eating Insect.
This punch did not use any sacred art; he only relied on his physical strength to avoid triggering other anomalies.
Given Zhang Ruochen's current physical strength and power, one punch could destroy a high-rank Ten-Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifact.
But now, hitting the God-Eating Insect only sent it flying backward without causing any real damage.
The basin-sized God-Eating Insect was clearly enraged. The blue flames on its body burned even more fiercely as it charged at Zhang Ruochen again.
Zhang Ruochen did not dodge. Seizing the moment, as the insect approached, he opened the Qiankun Realm. The God-Eating Insect's power was strong, and it could have broken free.
However, sensing the aura of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree sapling, its eyes grew fervent, and it actively rushed into the Qiankun Realm.
Space twisted slightly, and in an instant, the insect was sucked in.
He had already communicated with the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree sapling and was confident he could tame this large God-Eating Insect, after all, God-Eating Insects were born from the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree.
Even though the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree in the Qiankun Realm was still small, its essence was the same as the original tree. The God-Eating Insect would likely not resist it.
God-Eating Insects were extraordinary. If he could tame them and use them for himself, that would be ideal.
After some time, the basin-sized God-Eating Insect calmed down and burrowed into the roots of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree.
"Zhang Ruochen, I can only temporarily pacify the God-Eating Insects. To control them, I need more time," said the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree sapling.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen felt a surge of joy. Being able to pacify the insects for now was already enough.
Immediately, he opened the Qiankun Realm and absorbed more God-Eating Insects.
If he could tame enough God-Eating Insects, he could form a terrifying army in the future, becoming one of his trump cards.
In no time, all the God-Eating Insects that had flown out from the tree trunk—except for those killed or tamed by Bore—were all absorbed into the Qiankun Realm by Zhang Ruochen. There were over three thousand of them, including seven basin-sized ones.
For a moment, everyone turned their gaze to Zhang Ruochen, surprised that he could so easily collect thousands of God-Eating Insects.
"Zhang Ruochen, since you can collect the God-Eating Insects, why didn't you act sooner? You let so many fellow cultivators die in vain." Shi Lingkun questioned loudly.
He had suffered greatly just now. A fist-sized God-Eating Insect had bitten his arm, forcing him to cut it off to save his life.
Because of this, he was furious and wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble for Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen was not angered and replied calmly, "First, I don't seem to have any obligation to protect anyone. Second, who told you I can easily collect God-Eating Insects? If you're dissatisfied, I can release them again."
Hearing this, Shi Lingkun's face changed slightly, and he dared not say more.
If Zhang Ruochen targeted him specifically, he might lose his life here.
After the brief assault by the God-Eating Insects, both sides had suffered considerable casualties, and everyone's expressions were grim.
Ten-Eyed Qiankun Worm had quietly retreated to the back, not daring to show himself again, as he was primarily responsible for the disaster.
Now, many God-Eating Insects still lingered in the trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree, emitting dazzling blue flames, ready to fly out at any moment.
Under these circumstances, no one dared to act rashly, fearing they might provoke another swarm of God-Eating Insects.
"I see."
Suddenly, Bore spoke.
Source Demon Son quickly asked, "Bore, what did you discover?"
Bore pointed upward and said, "The strange barrier ahead is formed by that thing above."
"Whoosh."
Everyone immediately looked up at the ceiling of the hall.
At the dome of the hall, there was a bronze compass, looking extremely ancient, slowly rotating, releasing strands of strange power.
"Could this be... the Celestial Mechanism Compass?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
According to legend, the Celestial Mechanism Sect had a sect-guarding treasure called the Celestial Mechanism Compass, a powerful Supreme Sacred Artifact that had existed for an incredibly long time.
After the Celestial Mechanism Sect was destroyed, the entire Celestial Mechanism Mountain was sealed off, preventing outsiders from entering. Although many coveted the Celestial Mechanism Compass, they were helpless.
"It's the Celestial Mechanism Sect's sect-guarding treasure—the Celestial Mechanism Compass."
Some strong warriors exclaimed.
Clearly, the cultivators from the Heavenly Court realm had thoroughly investigated Kunlun Realm's various intelligence.
Many had originally thought that when the Celestial Mechanism Sect was destroyed, the Celestial Mechanism Compass must have fallen into the hands of the Death Clan. Unexpectedly, it still remained in Celestial Mechanism Mountain.
Instantly, many eyes grew fervent, eager to seize the Celestial Mechanism Compass.
Supreme Sacred Artifacts also had varying strengths, with significant differences. The Celestial Mechanism Compass was one of the top-tier Supreme Sacred Artifacts. If wielded by a god, its power would be immeasurable.
Even Kunlun Realm, an eternal and indestructible great world that had once been extremely glorious, only had a few top-tier Supreme Sacred Artifacts.
Weaker great worlds might not have even one.
"I happen to be lacking a Supreme Sacred Artifact. The Celestial Mechanism Compass would be very suitable." Bore spoke, reaching out to grab the Celestial Mechanism Compass from the air.
Xuan Yuan Lie Kong shouted coldly, "It's not that easy."
"What Bore wants, no one can take away." Source Demon Son said coldly.
He swung his demon spear, releasing strands of Supreme power, attacking Xuan Yuan Lie Kong.
Like Qi Yang's demon blade, the demon spear in Source Demon Son's hand was also a newly refined Supreme Sacred Artifact, complete and flawless, enough to elevate his strength by a full level.
Xuan Yuan Lie Kong did not retreat. He swung his square heavenly halberd to meet Source Demon Son.
The square heavenly halberd was also a Supreme Sacred Artifact, its power no less than Source Demon Son's demon spear.
Without such a reliance, how could Xuan Yuan Lie Kong become the leader of the Northern Domain camp? How could he contend with Source Demon Son?
At the same time, others also joined the fray. A top-tier Supreme Sacred Artifact was worth a fierce battle between the two sides.
Moreover, the significance of the Celestial Mechanism Compass being here was extraordinary. If they could seize it, they might also be able to collect the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree.
In a corner, Shi Lingkun stared fixedly at the Celestial Mechanism Compass on the dome, his eyes full of greed.
Taking advantage of the ongoing battle, Shi Lingkun used the Black Demon Realm's secret technique, hiding in the shadows, quietly approaching the dome.
"The Celestial Mechanism Compass is mine."
Seeing the Celestial Mechanism Compass within reach, Shi Lingkun's heart trembled with excitement.
As long as he seized the Celestial Mechanism Compass, he would immediately use a talisman to leave this place, find a spot to refine it, and then no one could do anything to him.
"Ssss."
Five God-Eating Insects flew out from the Gate of Destiny behind Bore, pouncing onto Shi Lingkun's back like lightning, then burrowing into his body.
"No."
Shi Lingkun let out a terrified and unwilling roar.
"Boom."
Shi Lingkun fell from the dome, struggling only a few times before his entire body was burned to ashes.
Seeing Shi Lingkun's demise, several strong warriors from the Black Demon Realm looked extremely grim. They wanted to rush at Bore but were deeply wary of her, ultimately not daring to act.