In a remote and desolate corner of the Divine Martial Continent, a growing number of powerful cultivators were gathering in the sky, peering down at the scene below them. The land in all directions for thousands of miles was destroyed, as if a star had fallen down from the sky above and rendered the land asunder.
The terrifying shockwaves and explosions had attracted the attention of the most powerful cultivators of the world, who were the first to notice them in such a remote corner of the massive continent.
"What the hell happened here?" a sect leader from a powerful sect couldn't help but muse out loud, his words not answered by anyone nearby. Honorable Alliance members, Forbidden Alliance members, and cultivators from all the different races had appeared, but they ignored each other for the moment, as all-out war was not their intention.
Another figure suddenly arrived, his appearance causing a wave of discussion amongst the might cultivators. He had long black hair, piercing blue eyes, and an incredibly handsome face.
"The Astral Emperor," one of the other cultivators couldn't help but whisper out to those nearby. Even amongst the most powerful of the world, the Astral Emperor was respected, both due to his talent, and might. Despite being thousands or tens of thousands of years younger than some of the older cultivators gathered, his power was at their level or above, making him one of the most famous cultivators on the planet.
The Astral Emperor's gaze lingered on the fractured land beneath him, before it shifted towards the horizon. His eyes narrowed as if he were looking at something, and after a moment, his body flashed as he vanished from the scene.
"Set out for the Heaven Scrying Sect," one of the Honorable Alliance members spoke up after the Astral Emperor left. "See if they can scry what happened here."
…
The ocean's surrounding the Divine Martial Continent stretched for hundreds of thousands of miles, containing vast and unfathomable mysterious within its expanse. In some places the ocean's stormed for centuries, making the area almost impossible to navigate through except for the strongest of cultivators, while other areas were tranquil as the crystal blue waters reflected the sunlight overhead.
In one of these locations within the vast expansive oceans, the blue waters gently stirred about, as birds flew overhead. Suddenly, a loud shockwave blasted overhead.
BOOM!
The peaceful waters suddenly exploded as something shot into them like a shooting star, creating a tidal wave a mile high that ravaged anything in its path for thousands of miles. Another figure shot into the ocean soon afterwards, creating even more chaos as the calm ocean turned into a hellscape.
The Jade Dragon Emperor and Asura's battle had ravaged a large part of the Divine Martial Continent and had now made its way over the nearby ocean. After blocking a powerful attack from his opponent, The Jade Dragon Emperor's body shot deep into the ocean waters, dozens of miles down.
Roar!
A muffled roar sounded out within the ocean depths as a leviathan-like creature lurking within noticed the Jade Dragon Emperors arrival. The creature's might was awe-inspiring, and its cultivation could rival some of the strongest within the world.
Che!
Before the creature could react, the Jade Dragon Emperor's body pierced directly through it, causing it to explode from within as the force of his momentum as unstoppable. The ocean turned red from the creature's blood, which had once been a king of the ocean, but was no no more.
After being knocked dozens of miles below the ocean's surface, the Jade Dragon Emperor finally halted his backwards momentum. An enraged dragon-like roar boomed out from him, while his battle axe cleaved outwards once more, the power of the attack boiling the water around him and destroying life for miles in each direction.
Bang!
Battle axe and sabers collided, ravaging the ocean depths as the battlefield had shifted there.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The two fighters exchanged hundreds of attacks in an instant once more, completely ignoring the crushing pressures this deep within the ocean, as if it meant nothing to them. The darkness of the deep depths did not hinder either as well, as they battled with their divine senses instead.
Bang!
A horrifying battle axe art exploded outwards, appearing like the head of a dragon that would end all of creation. The battle art slammed into the hellish creature, knocking him backwards for a hundred miles before his body slammed onto the ocean floor, shattering it as far as the eye could see.
The hellish creature quickly shot back up from the fractured ocean floor, and its gaping maw filled with sharp fangs turned into a wide smile as it watched the Jade Dragon Emperor approach and unleash another apocalyptic attack.
"GOOD!" the creature boomed out while grinning from ear to ear. "It's been over a hundred thousand years since I last experienced such a glorious battle! Satiate my battle-lust to your utmost until your dying breath, Jade Dragon Emperor!"
…
On a rocky cliff covered in thick fog, two figures were lying down, their heads barely peeking out towards the other side.
"Do you think we should go for it?" Laia whispered softly, her voice almost inaudible.
"Are you sure you're right about what that crystal is?" John whispered back.
"Yes," Laia replied while nodding her head with confidence. "That is a Sanguine Devil Crystal, I'm sure of it."
John had never heard of the crystal before, but just by looking at it he could tell it was amazing. It was a very dark shade of red, and emanated a strong aura of madness, as if looking at could drive someone to the brink of insanity. With her amazing lineage, Laia was much more knowledgeable about the cultivation world, and had easily identified the rare crystal.
"And it will strengthen my body if I consume it?" John asked once again.
"Yes, although it's a crystal, it can be consumed…but it will also drive you mad to the point that you lose your mind, hence the name 'Devil'," she cautioned.
"Then I want it," John replied without hesitation. He needed to strengthen his body more than anything right now, and an opportunity had presented itself to him.
After hearing John's desire to obtain the crystal, Laia did not caution him again. Their gazes shifted back towards the distant crystal as they studied it closely.
"There's just one problem with getting the crystal," John whispered. The crystal swayed slightly, as it was located on the end of a beast's tail.
"The Sanguine Devil Crystal grows on the end of the tail of a Sanguine Devil Beasts," Laia said, "which is far faster than either of us. While you are most likely stronger than the beast, you are definitely not faster. If it notices us, it will vanish in an instant."
John frowned as he stared at the sleeping creature, who was in the Early Dao Transformation Realm. It was quite bizarre looking, something like a hybrid between a wyrm and a devil. It had scales like a dragon, and a body like a wyrm with a long slender tail, but it's head and face were like that of the demon race; a human-like appearance with sharp fangs and dark red skin. He had never seen anything like it before.
Despite it being asleep, he could tell that its guard was raised, and would notice them as soon as they approached.
"I have an idea," Laia whispered.
"What is it?" John asked curiously.
"Just follow my lead," she instructed. "When I move, do not hesitate to strike. Target its tail, as you won't have enough time to kill it."
John stared at Laia for a moment before he nodded his head in understanding.
"Lead the way," he replied with a smile of anticipation, curious to see what she had planned.
