Covering the Sky: Starting from Incarnation in the Forbidden Zone of Life

Chapter 10 Stepping into the Divine Ruins, Seizing the Peaches and Divine Elixir

Above Huntian Ridge, the figure with long gray hair took a step forward.

With that step, the world changed color. From within the previously lifeless, aged body, a thunderous roar of blood energy erupted, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing. The blood energy surged skyward, violently shaking the black mist that shrouded Hun Tian Ridge, revealing the complete ruins atop the mountain. The broken walls and ruins, illuminated by the blood energy, appeared even more desolate, yet showed no sign of decay; instead, they resembled an ancient behemoth awakening, proclaiming its existence to the entire world.

He stepped out of Huntianling.

The vast land and rivers trembled at that moment.

The wills that had not yet completely subsided in the various forbidden zones almost simultaneously re-condensed. Those projections of supreme wills that had already turned and left all stopped, and then quickly returned to that sky. They saw that withered figure, saw the surging blood and qi erupting from that body that should have been exhausted, and saw the direction he was heading.

"What is he going to do?"

"Even with flesh and blood withered to this extent, it can still unleash such vitality... Is this the law of the Chaotic Ancient Era?"

"His destination is the Divine Ruins!"

Under the watchful eyes of the supreme beings, the figure treaded on the void, each step causing the galaxy to tremble. His speed was not fast, one could even say leisurely, but his unstoppable momentum instilled a suffocating pressure in all the onlookers. His long, gray hair danced wildly behind him, and his tattered ancient battle robe billowed and rustled with the force of his aura. He walked from Hun Tian Ridge towards the Divine Ruins, like an emperor surveying the heavens and marching towards his own territory.

In an instant, several terrifying wills within the Divine Ruins suddenly revived.

The stone pillars of the Southern Heavenly Gate groaned under the weight, and the entire ruins of the Divine Ruins trembled. It was the wrath of the Supreme Being, the thunderous might of this ancient forbidden zone after being offended. Countless pillars of chaotic light shot into the sky from the depths of the Divine Ruins, tearing the heavens into dark cracks. All living beings within a million miles prostrated themselves on the ground, even breathing became incredibly difficult.

"Lord of Chaos! What do you want to do?"

A furious roar, like thunder, roared from the depths of the Divine Ruins. The oldest and most powerful figures in the various forbidden zones are often given the title of Lord of the Forbidden Zone. Although Hun Tian Ridge is newly established, its feat of suppressing the Fire Spirit Ji Yan with a single palm strike has already led many Supreme Beings to acknowledge it as being on the same level. They do not know Yu Dao's true name, so they naturally refer to him as "Lord of Hun Tian."

Before the angry roar had even subsided, the primordial energy of heaven and earth suddenly surged violently. Countless laws of the Dao poured forth from the Divine Ruins, coalescing in the void into a gigantic hand that blotted out the sky. The gigantic hand flowed with the radiance of imperial laws, each finger like a pillar supporting the heavens, its five fingers spread wide enough to cover half the sky. This was a supreme being's furious strike; though not yet at its ultimate sublimation, it was enough to wipe an entire sea of ​​stars from the cosmos.

The giant hand, carrying the power to destroy the world, slammed down fiercely towards that withered figure.

Yu Dao didn't even glance at the giant hand. He simply lifted his foot and took another step down.

This step, though placed on the void, felt like stepping right into the center of that giant palm. In an instant, the giant palm, formed from the laws of the Dao, crumbled inch by inch, its five pillar-like fingers breaking off in unison, scattering into a shower of light. Those fragments of imperial laws, powerful enough to crush stars, were scattered and destroyed by the qi and blood surrounding Yu Dao as they fell, not even managing to touch a single hem of his clothing.

"I have been sleeping for countless ages, my blood and energy are exhausted, and I wish to live again. Therefore, I have come to your place to borrow the immortal peaches and elixir of immortality."

Yu Dao's voice resounded throughout heaven and earth, calm and composed, as if he were recounting a trivial matter. His steps did not stop; he continued walking unhurriedly towards the Divine Ruins. With each step he took, the chaotic mist swirling outside the Divine Ruins dissipated slightly, and the ancient Southern Heavenly Gate, silhouetted against his figure, appeared somewhat precarious.

He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It wasn't a request, not a transaction, but a "borrowing." He didn't even add a single word of "please," his tone as calm as if he were picking a fruit in his own yard. But his posture was incredibly powerful, his long gray hair dancing wildly, his blood and energy surging like a vast ocean, overwhelming the Divine Ruins and suppressing this ancient and eternal forbidden zone.

At this moment, the world was completely silent.

Then, an uproar ensued.

Those major forces who had been observing this standoff from afar through their Heavenly Eyes and Heavenly Mirrors were now filled with dread. With the fall of the Great Perfection Holy Spirit and the return of many forbidden zones' wills to silence, they had breathed a sigh of relief, believing the calamity was over. Who could have imagined that before their tension could even ease, an even greater storm was brewing?

"Is the master of Huntianling going to war with the Divine Ruins?"

"He wants to attack the Divine Ruins? That's one of the seven ancient forbidden zones of life, where only they have ever devoured all living beings. Who has ever dared to turn around and demand something from the forbidden zone?"

"The Peaches of Immortality, a legendary elixir that grants immortality with just one bite! He's trying to prolong his life!"

"She's gone mad, she's really gone mad..."

The Supreme Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land abruptly stood up from the Enlightenment Platform, his face deathly pale. He had witnessed this scene through the Holy Land's profound Dharma Mirror, his aged hands trembling uncontrollably. It wasn't fear, but a deeper kind of shock. He had lived for thousands of years, witnessed the Holy Land's conquests, the struggles of the kings, and even the extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth when the Azure Emperor made his move. But he had never seen anyone dare to confront the forbidden zone of life alone in such a manner.

Deep within the universe, forces long since departed from the ancient star of the Big Dipper also witnessed this scene through their own means. A great sage cried out in alarm, and the leader of an ancient sect trembled with fear. This day would surely be recorded in history, becoming part of the legend of the Eighth Forbidden Zone, Hun Tian Ling.

Outside the Divine Ruins, the standoff continues.

"You think you can seize the elixir of immortality with just a word?"

A chilling voice echoed from within the Divine Ruins, carrying the unique majesty and killing intent of a supreme being. The voice wasn't loud, yet it caused the heavens within a million miles to tremble, as if the entire world resonated with it. The speaker was clearly a true supreme being of a forbidden zone, not an unorthodox cultivator like the Fire Spirit Silent Flame. His will was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean, projecting through the chaotic mist, icy and piercing.

"The Fire Spirit Silent Flame emerged on its own and has already been beheaded. The Divine Ruins have no other connection with you. Do you truly intend to force me?"

Yu Dao stopped in his tracks.

"No connection whatsoever? Do you believe what you say?" He stood before the South Heavenly Gate of the Divine Ruins, his long gray hair flying in the chaotic mist, a cold sneer appearing on his face.

Fire Spirit Silent Flame is a Great Perfection Holy Spirit who resides in the Divine Ruins. Although he has not yet made his ultimate leap, he can still be considered one of the supreme beings in this forbidden zone. His attack on Hun Tian Ridge could not have been without the tacit approval and encouragement of the true masters of the Divine Ruins.

"Hand over the Peaches of Immortality and the divine medicine, and the karmic ties between me and the Divine Ruins will be wiped clean."

Yu Dao's voice was calm yet forceful. He stood with his hands behind his back before the South Heavenly Gate, his blood and qi surging like a vast ocean, dispersing the chaotic mist layer by layer and revealing the equally dilapidated ancient ruins inside the Divine Ruins.

"Otherwise, it would be a war of gods. Though I am decaying, perhaps I can take you all down with me, so we can accompany each other on the path of reincarnation."

He spoke with a casual tone, as if discussing a trivial matter. Yet, the resolute determination behind that casualness sent chills down the spines of all those who heard him through the Heavenly Eye and the Heavenly Mirror.

This is not a bluff or intimidation. It is true that an ancient supreme being from the chaotic ancient era is suffering from depleted life force and is in extremely poor condition. But precisely because of this, the phrase "I'll take you all down with me" seems all the more believable. A person who is destined to die is the least afraid of death. And the supreme beings in the Divine Ruins are precisely the most afraid of death—otherwise, they wouldn't have severed their own lives and remained dormant until now.

Deep within the Divine Ruins, those few wills fell silent.

In the long, seemingly frozen silence, a silent contest was taking place deep within the chaotic mist. Ripples of the Dao principles appeared and disappeared, as the supreme beings communicated, weighed, and debated with their wills.

They weren't truly afraid of this Lord of Chaos. Those who could attain enlightenment in this lifetime all possessed invincible hearts. Even after severing themselves to become supreme beings, they remained confident that after reaching the pinnacle of their power, they could sweep across the world. This was pride etched into their bones, a belief forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, unchanging because of anyone. If it truly came to a point of no return, they wouldn't hesitate to reach the pinnacle of their power and fight this remnant of the chaotic ancient world with their peak imperial bearing.

But is it worth it?

That's the crux of the problem.

An ancient supreme being from the chaotic ancient era, a terrifying existence capable of crushing a Great Perfection Saint Spirit with the mere manifestation of the Dao. No one knows how many forbidden secret techniques from the chaotic ancient era he possesses, nor what trump cards are hidden within his seemingly withered body. The path to immortality is about to open; the opportunity awaited for millennia is before him. If a divine war is ignited at this critical juncture, even if victory is ultimately achieved, a price will inevitably be paid. Perhaps, as he foretold, someone will be taken by him to the Yellow Springs.

At that moment, everyone in the universe held their breath.

Before the Dharma Mirror of the Yao Guang Holy Land, the Supreme Elder's hands clenched tightly. Before the Void Mirror of the Ji Family, the eldest sage of the Ji Family's breathing unconsciously became heavy. The Supreme Emperor's Sword Light of the Great Xia Divine Dynasty hovered silently in the void, the old emperor's gaze piercing through the sword light, fixed on the divine ruins shrouded in chaotic mist. No one spoke; even divine communication ceased. Everyone wanted to know the answer.

Will the Divine Ruins back down?

This question alone is enough to shake the ages. The seven forbidden zones of life, from the age of mythology to the present, have never been forced upon anyone.

Just then, the chaotic mist surging deep within the Divine Ruins suddenly subsided.

Those several overwhelming wills slowly subsided one after another. They did not disappear; they remained dormant in the deepest part of the Divine Ruins, their cold gazes locking onto the figure outside the South Heavenly Gate through layers of space. But the tense, imminent killing intent dissipated silently.

Immediately afterwards, a crack appeared in the chaos deep within the Divine Ruins.

A small, crystal-clear tree slowly emerged from the crack.

Peaches of Immortality, a divine elixir.

Its branches and leaves were like jade carvings, its trunk like divine gold and jade forged, each leaf radiating a soft glow. Several fruits hung from the tree, emitting a faint light, as delicate as the skin of a newborn infant. A rich, almost tangible life essence emanated from the fruits, allowing cultivators observing through magic mirrors across billions of miles to feel a soothing, spring-like comfort. That was the unique aura of the immortal elixir, a miracle formed from the purest life essence of heaven and earth.

Countless gazes turned fervent at that moment.

The Elixir of Immortality. It was a supreme divine object coveted by all cultivators, a mythical item that could grant an emperor another life with just a single fruit. Now, it flew out from the depths of the forbidden zone, heading towards that figure with long, gray hair.

Across the universe, the shockwaves could no longer be contained.

"The Divine Ruins... have retreated?"

"The Forbidden Zone of Life, facing only the Lord of Chaos, actually handed over the elixir of immortality!"

"An unprecedented event in history! An unprecedented event indeed!"

On Mount Sumeru in the Western Desert, a Buddhist chant rang out, carrying an indescribable complex meaning, whether it was admiration or fear.

Yu Dao reached out his hand, and the divine peach tree landed steadily beside him. Its branches and leaves swayed gently, scattering shimmering light that illuminated his aged yet serene face. His expression remained completely unchanged—no joy, no pride, not even a hint of emotion. It was as if none of this was worth the utmost surprise.

The retreat of the Divine Ruins was indeed within his expectations.

The allure of the path to immortality is immense. At this juncture, the Supreme Being will not easily reveal himself. The Divine Ruins are already in the wrong against him and have no moral advantage whatsoever. Although his coercion is forceful, it always stays within the red line and never truly crosses the Divine Ruins' bottom line.

Although the divine medicine of the Peaches of Immortality is precious, it is of little use to a Supreme Being, and there must still be some fruits harvested over the long years. By handing over this divine medicine, the Divine Ruins would only lose a dispensable collection, but in return, they would avoid a life-or-death battle with a Supreme Being of unknown origin and unfathomable strength from the Chaotic Ancient Era.

On a deeper level, while these supreme beings still consider themselves invincible, from the day they severed their own paths, they were no longer the unrivaled emperors they once were. That self-severance severed not only their cultivation but also their once invincible spirit. They gained restraint, they weighed their options, and naturally, they had reasons to retreat. A true emperor in their prime would not retreat, but a supreme being who has severed their own path will. This is the most fundamental difference between a supreme being and an emperor.

"Lord of Chaos, please!"

A final voice echoed from the depths of the Divine Ruins, still cold, but now tinged with a hint of restraint.

Yu Dao didn't say anything more. He withdrew his gaze, turned around, and took a step forward.

With this single step, he traversed billions of miles. His long, grey hair drew an arc in the void, his tattered ancient battle robe fluttered in the wind, and the divine peach elixir hung beside him, scattering a trail of crystalline light. Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, his figure traversed the mountains and rivers of the Eastern Wilderness, landing once more atop the ruins of Hun Tian Ridge. The black mist gathered again, enveloping him and the divine peach elixir, leaving only a blurred silhouette.

Seeing that Yu Dao had no intention of intervening again, the wills of the many supreme beings finally began to subside one by one. The will of the Divine Ruins was the first to disappear, the humming of the Southern Heavenly Gate gradually subsided, and the chaotic mist once again sealed off that ancient forbidden zone. Next came the Sea of ​​Reincarnation, the Immortal Tomb, the Undying Mountain, and the Burial Island. One after another, they were silent and solemn.

The Celestial Venerable of Immortality let out a low, enigmatic laugh from the depths of the Immortal Tomb, the sound deep and lingering before vanishing into the darkness. Another Supreme Being murmured coldly, "Ten thousand years will tell," and withdrew his gaze. No more words were needed. Today's events were clear enough, enough to shake the ages.

That human supreme being from the Primordial Ancient Mine was one of the last remaining wills who had not yet departed. He stood at the edge of the chaos of the Primordial Ancient Mine, gazing at the ruins atop Huntian Ridge, now shrouded in black mist once more. His gaze held both approval and a hint of worry. He had witnessed the entire scene just now; the methods and character of this remnant of the Chaotic Ancient were far more unfathomable than he had anticipated.

The ripples in the void gradually subsided, and the world was finally about to return to tranquility.

Just as he withdrew his gaze, preparing to return to slumber and await the opening of the path to immortality, a calm voice suddenly rang in his heart.

"Fellow Daoist, if you have time, you are welcome to come to Huntian Ridge for a chat."

The will of that human supreme being slightly tightened.