Chapter Sixty-Four: The Arrival of Qiongqi

In the primordial era, at the dawn of the Great Desolation, when Pangu first opened the world, ancient demon gods descended upon the heavens and earth, transforming into innate deities. Among them were some truly defiant beings, and the Devouring Heavenly Beast was one such formidable figure, even among the ancient demon gods considered preeminent. To dare claim the title of Devouring Heaven reveals the terrifying scope of its powers.

The true form of the Devouring Heavenly Beast was born from the primal wilderness, as the ancestor of wild beasts fused with the laws of devouring. Innately, it possessed the ability to consume all things. It once ruled over the Great Desolation, reigning supreme for three grand calamities, spanning the Era of Wild Beasts, the Era of Giant Beasts, and the Era of Ferocious Beasts. Its brilliance was such that even Hongjun and Luo Hou could only retreat before it. Yet its ambition was unimaginably vast, attempting to use its devouring abilities to reconstruct the body of primordial chaos and restore the might of the ancient demon gods. How could such audacity be tolerated by the heavenly order, or by the Great Desolation?

In the end, bound by the rules of the Heavenly Dao, it was jointly vanquished by Hongjun, Luo Hou, and other powerful innate deities, annihilated in both form and spirit.

Upon learning the truth, Qingxu could not help but click his tongue in astonishment. He had never imagined the Devouring Heavenly Beast's origins were so grand—truly a figure akin to the leader of the innate demon gods.

“The situation grows ever more complicated. That severed finger I found earlier must be the remnant of the Devouring Heavenly Beast's primordial body. Yet why can the Four Ferocious Beasts resonate with it? Could there truly be a connection between them? The gap in their birth should not be so vast, should it?” The Four Ferocious Beasts were born at least two grand calamities after the Devouring Heavenly Beast. After the Era of Ferocious Beasts, the three clans rose, destroyed the myriad tribes, fought bitterly for supremacy… and with their decline followed a period of recuperation, spanning at least two or three grand calamities.

If the Devouring Heavenly Beast had not perished completely, and its lingering soul spawned the Four Ferocious Beasts, it should not have taken so long.

—

“No matter. If I devour Qiongqi, everything should become clear. With only three of the Ferocious Beasts, the information is incomplete; even after much pondering, I still understand little, with many crucial aspects only hinted at, stirring the mind.”

Now, the chaotic spiritual veins had been absorbed into the small world within Qingxu’s tower, and the Devouring Heavenly Beast within the Mysterious Demon Sword had settled. Qingxu restored his Dao body, sheathed the sword within himself, and returned the way he had come.

The union of the human clans was nearly complete. Qingxu had no time to waste; he still needed to track down Qiongqi. At this moment, nothing mattered more than unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Devouring Heavenly Beast.

“A puppet of the Devouring Heavenly Beast? Its complete memories? Or perhaps treasures hidden since ancient times?...” Qingxu’s mind raced wildly. Any one of these possibilities was enough to excite him to death; it was as if a destitute beggar suddenly discovered a mountain of gold, as vast as the Himalayas.

A leap to the heavens!

Indeed, a single step to ascend the sky!

—

The urgent task was to find Qiongqi. Only when all four Ferocious Beasts were united would the Devouring Heavenly Beast within the Mysterious Demon Sword be complete, allowing him to access all information and seize its benefits.

With a heart full of excitement, Qingxu hastened back. When he broke through the ground and surveyed his surroundings, his expression changed at once. The valley was filled with misery; countless dead and wounded lay everywhere. Limbs were missing, guts spilled, grievous wounds abounded. The Taiyi clan and the Youxin clan were pale and collapsed, while the Youqiong clan had lost an entire left arm, severed at the shoulder, blood pouring forth, bone exposed—a truly shocking sight.

“What happened here? What did you discover?” Upon hearing his inquiry, everyone noticed Qingxu and their faces brightened.

“Immortal, it was Qiongqi. Three days ago, Qiongqi suddenly attacked, killing and wounding many. The chief of the Youqiong clan fought back desperately, finally repelling Qiongqi through a secret shamanic technique, but at the cost of his left arm,” the Taiyi clan replied weakly, but Qingxu’s keen hearing caught every word.

“Qiongqi? I was struggling to find it, and it came to me unbidden. But three days have passed—there’s no way to track it now. What a pity!” Qingxu felt a deep sense of regret.

“Alas! It is shameful to admit, but Qiongqi was far too powerful. Even my most desperate attacks only caused it minor wounds. It will surely return someday; this place is no longer safe. We must leave quickly,” said the Youqiong chief, his breath faltering. Only then did Qingxu notice that all his cultivation had vanished—a shock, knowing he had sacrificed both his power and left arm to repel Qiongqi.

Profound respect welled within him. The resentment he harbored toward the Youqiong chief for previous schemes faded considerably.

“What did you say? Qiongqi will return?” Qingxu asked urgently, a surge of hope rising within.

The Youqiong chief, thinking Qingxu was worried, assured him, “It will surely come back. I poured all my cultivation into my left arm, which struck Qiongqi and wounded it for ten days. Given its vengeful nature, it will not let this go; moreover, it knows I’ve lost my strength. If nothing unexpected happens, it will return in ten days to seek revenge.”

“That is excellent. I want it to come. This beast has caused endless harm and must be eliminated!”

“Immortal, do not underestimate it. Qiongqi may not be as strong as Hundun or Taotie, but the difference is slight. It is far more cunning and sinister, always plotting before it acts. It is best avoided, not confronted,” sighed the Youxin chief.

—

“Yes, Immortal. Your power is profound, but Qiongqi is devious—better to stay clear,” advised the Taiyi chief, both grateful for Qingxu’s strength and eager to see him aid the human clans, not wishing him to risk danger.

“You need not say more. I have cultivated since childhood with the mission of protecting the Dao and eliminating evil. Qiongqi’s crimes cannot go unpunished—there is no room for negotiation.” Qingxu secretly smiled, knowing that the enormous benefits of the Devouring Heavenly Beast lay entirely with Qiongqi. Besides, Qiongqi was at most a terrestrial immortal, while he was an early-stage Taiyi true immortal with three Great Luo incarnations—what had he to fear?

“This...?”

“Return to Wanqu Hill first! In seven days, after I have subdued the beast, I will come to discuss matters with you!” Qingxu commanded with a wave.

Before the Taiyi chief could respond, the Youqiong chief, after some thought, sighed, “My cultivation is gone; soon I will be but a useless man. Since you are determined to protect the Dao and eliminate evil, let me help. Qiongqi devoured my left arm, which still contains my lifelong shamanic power. I can use it to sense its location and lead you to it. While it remains wounded, your chances of victory will increase.”

“Brother, you cannot! You have no cultivation now; sensing your left arm will cost you your very life force. You must not!” exclaimed the Youxin chief, horrified. Both he and his brother practiced the secret shamanic arts and understood the risks well.

“A cultivator without power is already dead. If I can contribute to purging evil and safeguarding the Dao, then my death will have meaning. Do not persuade me further, or I will end my life here and now.”

Seeing the Youqiong chief’s resolute face, the Youxin chief was anxious but helpless. To let his brother die was unbearable, but to compromise was impossible.

Qingxu was at a loss. In his mind, the fate of a single Youqiong chief mattered little, especially after previous schemes against him. Yet to accept his offer might jeopardize the hard-won reputation Qingxu had built among the human clans.