Chapter 73: The Mirror of Heavenly Demons

As soon as Shangguan Yu spoke, everyone fell silent. Indeed, if the five could advance and retreat together, even in the face of danger, they would at least have someone to rely on. But if they failed to unite, the situation would become extremely perilous!

Thinking of this, Long Yun frowned slightly. But since the rules had already been set, no matter how clever he was, he had no alternative.

Shangguan Yu was equally powerless; he merely instructed the five disciples, then sent them off to rest.

After two days of recuperation, peace was rare and welcome. The spiritual energy of Azure Sect far surpassed that of Jade Sword Gate. With two days of rest, the five disciples of Jade Sword Gate all felt refreshed and invigorated.

What astonished Long Yun was that Liu Xiaoxiao, in just these two days, had broken through to the Rebirth Realm. Now, all five disciples of Jade Sword Gate had entered the Rebirth Realm.

It could be said that, aside from Azure Sect, the disciples of Jade Sword Gate possessed the greatest strength among this gathering.

Gazing at Liu Xiaoxiao’s increasingly enchanting face, Long Yun’s doubts deepened. He sensed a faint fluctuation from her spirit bone—a feeling that only comes after a spirit bone has been replaced. It was highly likely that Liu Xiaoxiao had already undergone this transformation, but she had never left Qianxun Peak. How could she have replaced her spirit bone?

“Excellent! I didn’t expect Xiaoxiao to break through to the Rebirth Realm at this moment. Well done. Our combat strength has increased considerably. When you enter the Demonic Mirage, be cautious. First hunt monsters in the outer regions—do not be greedy or reckless!” Shangguan Yu instructed.

Chen Huafei also nodded, giving further reminders to the five disciples. Azure Sect had already sent someone to summon them to gather.

Shangguan Yu and Chen Huafei led the five toward Azure Peak.

Azure Peak was the largest mountain in Azure Sect. This time, nearly a hundred sects from the Azure Mountain system were participating in the hunting tournament—at least a thousand disciples, all converging at the martial arena atop Azure Peak.

Azure Sect’s martial arena was vast; even with a thousand people gathered, it did not feel crowded. The sect leaders and elders from all the sects had been arranged in temporary pavilions for rest.

“Everyone, ten years have passed since the last hunting tournament. Today marks the beginning of this year’s event. We have waited long for this day, hoping to make a name for ourselves, to win glory for our sects. I hope each of you will shine brightly in the tournament!” A senior elder of Azure Sect declared loudly.

The noisy crowd gradually quieted, nearly a thousand pairs of eyes focusing on this elder.

He waved his hand, and a series of golden talismans shot forth from his palm, landing on a stone monument at the edge of the square.

This monument stood over ten yards tall. With the influx of golden light, dense inscriptions appeared on its surface—upon closer inspection, they were the names of every participating disciple.

“This is the Hero’s List prepared by Azure Sect. All your names appear here. As you hunt monsters, your points will be automatically displayed according to their rank. The higher your points, the higher your ranking. If someone dies unexpectedly, their name will vanish. Remember, disciples, caution is paramount—your safety is most important!” the elder explained the tournament rules.

“Are you all ready?” he asked.

“Ready!” Nearly a thousand disciples shouted in unison.

Long Yun, standing in the crowd, felt the surging momentum and couldn’t help but sigh. No wonder Azure Sect had dominated the Azure Mountain system for so many years.

Nearly two-thirds of the sects here were probably attached to Azure Sect. To become Azure Sect’s vassals, they must have paid a hefty price.

Shaking his head lightly, Long Yun suddenly sensed two cold flashes darting toward him. Following the gaze, he met the eyes of Chu Huaran, who was staring right at him.

Chu Huaran was momentarily stunned, then his lips curled into a smile. He murmured, “Such keen spiritual awareness—this is going to be interesting.”

He then made a slashing motion toward Long Yun, pointed at him, his provocation clear. Long Yun narrowed his eyes and responded with a faint smile.

What of Azure Sect? If Chu Huaran truly tried to kill him, Long Yun would not hesitate to fight—life or death.

“Very well! Since everyone is ready, let me invite our Azure Sect master and elders to jointly activate the Demonic Mirror!” the elder announced.

He soared into the sky, hovering a hundred yards above. A faint azure glow radiated from his body, growing ever brighter and almost dazzling.

Long Yun squinted, suddenly sensing a restless intent awakening—like a primordial beast from ancient times.

In that moment, at the summit of Azure Peak, a pillar of azure light shot skyward, like a rainbow piercing the sun, its immense aura spreading in all directions.

Soon after, over twenty beams of light rose from the surrounding peaks, encircling the thickest pillar at the center, like stars around the moon, forming a massive azure column dozens of yards across. At the very top stood the speaking elder of Azure Sect.

He slowly raised both hands, like a lotus pedestal rising into the air. A halo of azure light bloomed from his palms, expanding into a giant azure lotus flower.

“Demonic Mirror, activate!” the elder roared, his hands rising sharply. The lotus exploded, and amidst the dazzling azure radiance, a bronze mirror the size of a basin hovered in the air.

Dozens of azure beams converged into one, instantly pouring into the bronze mirror. Light flared wildly across its surface.

The bronze mirror, stimulated by azure energy, began to emit an aura from the primordial universe.

Long Yun’s expression changed. The aura he had sensed earlier belonged to the Demonic Mirror—such overwhelming power. Compared to the Sword Stone of Jade Sword Gate, the Demonic Mirror was incomparably superior; who knows what grade of treasure it was.

He realized that the Demonic Mirror had always been suppressed beneath Azure Peak, which explained its ability to outline the Demonic Mirage. Such a powerful artifact was indeed worthy of being the sect’s mountain treasure.

“The true form of the Demonic Mirror appears!” The elder spat a mouthful of vital blood onto the mirror, which was instantly absorbed.

Suddenly, mountains, lakes, and rivers appeared on the mirror’s surface, forming a world so vivid it was hard to believe.

“Demonic Mirage, open!” With the elder’s final shout, the Demonic Mirror abruptly expanded several times, spanning over ten yards—like a giant millstone, exuding a pressure from heaven and earth.

The surrounding space twisted violently. Sensing the pressure from the Demonic Mirror, Long Yun’s gaze flashed with defiance. The blood coursing through him was that of the Genesis Dragon God.

The Genesis Dragon God was the ruler of the entire Dragon Realm—no power could make his descendants submit. As that pressure crashed down, Long Yun clenched his teeth.

The space around him twisted violently. Long Yun’s body shuddered; before his eyes, everything dissolved into swirling energy—nothing else remained. The crowd vanished.

Even the cries of alarm faded, as if he had left the world entirely, swept into chaotic spatial currents. Wild energies rushed past his ears, slicing his skin with a faint sting.

“What immense power! The Demonic Mirror contains such primordial aura—whose treasure was it once, to hold such strength?” Long Yun pondered silently.

He had replaced his dragon bones, been baptized by the unknown force at Jade Sword Gate, and his body was as strong as a divine weapon. The wild energies could not harm him in the slightest.

Who knew how much time passed. The dizziness suddenly faded. Long Yun felt himself plummeting downward, hurriedly opened his eyes, steadied his breath, and slowly descended to the ground.