After all, not everyone was as heaven-defying as Ye Chen. Within the Primordial Immortal Realm, there were quite a few Immortal Kings whose talent was not inferior to Violet Firmament Immortal King's, yet they had not ascended to the Venerable One rank for a long time, which spoke volumes.
Ye Chen suspected that Violet Firmament Immortal King might have communicated with the Alien Ancient Universe long ago, and it was only by relying on cultivation resources provided by the Alien Ancient Universe that he was able to first achieve Immortal King and then ascend to Immortal Venerable One within just a few epochs.
Of course, this was merely his speculation.
Several familiar Immortal Kings like Pan Dao and Hun Shi also appeared. Seeing Violet Firmament Immortal King, who had unknowingly become a Venerable One, their pupils contracted sharply. Clearly, even they had not known that Violet Firmament Immortal King had ascended to Immortal Venerable One.
Donghuang sensed that Violet Firmament Immortal King was not only suppressing the Donghuang Bell but also attacking its artifact spirit. Instantly furious, he declared, "I care not who you are! You have suppressed my Dao Bell and now attack its spirit. Return it to me!"
Boom—
Donghuang made his move, immediately displaying world-shaking might, his overwhelming power suppressing the current era.
The entire world was shocked!
Every Immortal Venerable One and Immortal King was astounded. With such imposing majesty, Donghuang must have already reached the Half-Step Overlord realm!
With a deafening crash, Violet Firmament's figure was sent flying backward, blood staining the sky.
His Immortal Venerable body was torn apart, and the Donghuang Bell flew out from within, landing before Donghuang. It trembled incessantly, appearing extremely agitated.
The various parties fell silent. So, it was indeed Violet Firmament Immortal King who had taken the Donghuang Bell.
This time, none of the other Immortal Venerable Ones or Immortal Kings came to Violet Firmament Immortal King's aid.
Donghuang coldly glared at Violet Firmament Immortal King, his rage overwhelming the heavens. "Today, you deserve execution!"
Sky-blotting killing intent from a Half-Step Overlord flooded the myriad heavens.
Donghuang prepared to strike again.
Violet Firmament Immortal King's expression changed. He retreated immediately and urgently pleaded, "Fellow Daoists, please assist me! Although Donghuang is a Half-Step Overlord, I am also an Immortal Venerable One of the Immortal World, having always guarded it. The moment he returns, he first stirs up internal conflict. This will cause the Primordial Immortal Realm to become hollowed out from infighting and unable to withstand the Blood-Stained Future."
Naturally, Violet Firmament Immortal King's words held reason. Several Immortal Venerable Ones and Immortal Kings soared over to intervene, saying, "Donghuang, the Blood-Stained Epoch has begun. Violet Firmament is an Immortal Venerable One, a crucial combat force, indispensable. Please think twice before acting."
"Donghuang, please spare Violet Firmament's life. He is an Immortal Venerable One, an indispensable combat force who can guard the Primordial Immortal Realm!"
"Violet Firmament suppressing the Donghuang Bell was his wrongdoing. Let him pay a sufficient price, and let this matter be settled. How about it?"
"Please, Donghuang, think twice before acting!"
A total of five Immortal Venerable Ones stepped forward together, blocking Donghuang from killing Violet Firmament Immortal King. Ultimately, those at the Immortal Dao level were all important forces protecting the Primordial Immortal Realm. Especially Violet Firmament Immortal King, who had cultivated to the Immortal Venerable One level—a rarity throughout history—was a major combat force, indispensable.
Such a Venerable-level combat power could not be allowed to come to harm. Otherwise, the loss for the entire Primordial Immortal Realm would be devastating.
Yet Donghuang's killing intent remained overwhelming. "Impossible! He used an Immortal Venerable-level Great Formation to seal the Donghuang Domain, causing it to suffer invasion by the Alien Ancient Universe's army, nearly leading to its annihilation, unable to call for help from the outside world. The only means of communication, the Donghuang Bell, was also suppressed by him. Clearly, he intended to doom my Donghuang Domain to death. I suspect he has long been colluding with the Alien Ancient Universe!"
Hearing this, the various Immortal Venerable Ones and Immortal Kings paled, clearly not having considered this point.
If this were truly the case, Violet Firmament Immortal King would indeed deserve ten thousand deaths.
One Donghuang Domain contained nine Immortal Kings. Because of Violet Firmament Immortal King's single misjudgment, nine Immortal Kings were lost, along with the entire Donghuang Domain. This was an absolutely enormous cost.
Yet, some Immortal Venerable Ones still intervened. "Donghuang, even so, Violet Firmament is ultimately an Immortal Venerable One, a major combat force. How about having him permanently guard the border wastelands of the Immortal World? Would that be acceptable?"
The other Immortal Venerable Ones also nodded. Although Violet Firmament Immortal King's actions were indeed despicable, he was, after all, an Immortal Venerable One—one of only a handful in the entire Primordial Immortal Realm. If such a major combat force were killed, the loss for the entire Primordial Immortal Realm would undoubtedly be immense.
Unless absolutely necessary, they were unwilling to abandon Violet Firmament Immortal King.
Donghuang swept his gaze over them. "Keeping him is not impossible—"
"Truly?"
"Donghuang indeed possesses great magnanimity!"
The several Immortal Venerable Ones were delighted.
Violet Firmament Immortal King also breathed a sigh of relief. If that were the case, it would be best—he would escape this calamity. And having him permanently guard the border wastelands of the Immortal World?
Impossible!
At worst, he would find an opportunity to leave the Primordial Immortal Realm and join the Alien Ancient Universe.
As for descendants and such, having cultivated to his level, he did not care overly much. What he truly cared about was his own life!
However, Donghuang's next words made him utterly panic-stricken: "He stays, I leave!"
These few words alone threw the entire Primordial Immortal Realm into chaos!
Donghuang would leave!
He was a Half-Step Overlord, commanding the entire Donghuang Clan, including three Immortal Kings. Moreover, in the recent battle during the alien invasion, the Donghuang Domain was isolated from the outside world, and six Immortal Kings were trapped. It was only when Donghuang returned that he directly suppressed all turmoil.
If he left, the six Immortal Kings might very well follow Donghuang's footsteps and depart.
In that case, the loss for the entire Primordial Immortal Realm would far exceed the fall of a single Immortal Venerable One.
Donghuang alone was worth multiple Immortal Venerable Ones.
Thus, it was clear Donghuang would absolutely not let Violet Firmament Immortal King off.
Hearing this, the several Immortal Venerable Ones hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping themselves. Seeing the resolute look in Donghuang's eyes, they could only fall silent.
Violet Firmament Immortal King's expression changed. He knew the tide had completely turned in Donghuang's favor. His reliance on being an Immortal Venerable One and the assumption that Donghuang would not dare attack him within the Primordial Immortal Realm had failed. Compared to losing him, an Immortal Venerable One, the Primordial Immortal Realm was even more unwilling to lose a Half-Step Overlord!
Immediately, he turned and fled.
"Do you think you can escape?"
Donghuang attacked.
Boom—
The Primordial Immortal Realm shook violently, but the outcome was inevitable. Violet Firmament Immortal King was forcefully blasted apart, blood light surging.
However, Violet Firmament Immortal King was no simple figure either. He performed a heaven-defying secret art to reform his body and spirit. Simultaneously, he summoned his own Immortal Venerable ancient weapon and, while confronting Donghuang, directly detonated it.
"Violet Firmament!"
"Damnable Violet Firmament! How dare he detonate an Immortal Venerable ancient weapon within the Primordial Immortal Realm!"
The assembled Immortal Venerable Ones and Immortal Kings also paled, never expecting Violet Firmament Immortal King to be so ruthless in his bid to survive, even willing to detonate an Immortal Venerable ancient weapon. The resulting force directly annihilated an entire Immortal King Domain, with extremely severe consequences.
And all of this was merely to buy a moment's delay, giving him more time to escape.
Violet Firmament Immortal King knew he could no longer remain within the Primordial Immortal Realm. He was now willing to sacrifice everything.
Donghuang was coldly furious but knew he could not bring calamity upon the common people. He suppressed all the destructive power from the detonated Immortal Venerable ancient weapon, pausing for just a brief moment. Yet this short moment was enough for Violet Firmament Immortal King to reach the border wastelands.
The other Immortal Venerable Ones, though enraged, could not stop him.
The Immortal Kings guarding the border wastelands were naturally no match for him.