However, it exudes a suffocating aura, akin to a volcano on the verge of eruption.

I ts entire body is covered with purple-red flaming feathers, each resembling a lively flame spirit.

Endlessly spewing out waves of scorching flames, making the surrounding space twist and deform under the intense heat.

The Qingmu Divine Staff, tightly held in the hands of Ancestor Yuhuang, has flame patterns on its staff that flicker intermittently, emanating an indescribable aura.

At the top of the Qingmu Divine Staff, three purple-red feathers stand proudly.

Around the purple-red feathers, sacred purple-gold flames swirl like agile serpents, constantly jumping and flickering.

Beside Ancestor Yuhuang, a mysterious snake with a human head towers three meters tall.

Its gigantic form delivers a formidable visual impact.

The scales of the Nether Snake flicker with an eerie blue glow.

A mysterious blue current seems to flow between the scales, and with each movement of the Nether Snake, the scales rub against each other, emitting a harsh metallic clash.

The enormous head of the Nether Snake is held high, atop its triangular head.

A pair of golden vertical pupils resemble two blazing blue ghostly flames, filled with an indescribable intent to kill.

Behind Ancestor Yuhuang, ten figures tower in the void.

They are the patriarchs of the eight ancient families and the leaders of the five transcendent forces, enslaved by Ancestor Yuhuang through powerful demonic power.

Though these individuals are mighty human warriors, under the long-term oppression of Ancestor Yuhuang.

Each one of them bears a trace of fear and reluctance in their expressions, their aura noticeably languid.

A dozen meters away from Ancestor Yuhuang, there is a floating garment resembling a person.

Inside is an elder formed from countless streams of white air.

Their appearance is exactly identical to that of the elder on the towering statue in front.

He is the resentment of Luoling Ruins.

Luoling Ruins Resentment is surrounded by an enigmatic aura, with strands of air occasionally escaping, distorting and blurring the space around.

On another side, there is the Great Xia royal family, long hidden in the shadows.

Empress Xia Mingyue stands gracefully, her lavish black robe fluttering in the wind, embroidered with nine mystical birds, vividly lifelike, as if ready to soar at any moment.

Facing Ancestor Yuhuang, Xia Mingyue exudes an aura of nobility and authority, embodying the demeanor of the Great Xia Empress in every gesture.

Beside Empress Xia Mingyue, seven terrifying figures stand tall in the void.

The patriarch of the Mo Family, white-haired yet with eyes as sharp as a torch, holds an ancient wooden staff, enveloped by countless streams of mysterious brown air.

The patriarch of the Li Family, lean and ethereal, wields a long sword emanating a chilling killing aura.

The patriarch of the Shangguan Family, cold-faced, carries an object resembling a jade bottle on his back, with patterns of heaven and earth faintly appearing.

Additionally, there are three elders of the Great Xia royal family, their aura restrained, yet exuding an unfathomable sensation.

Of course, in this group, the appearance of one person leaves everyone astounded.

"Xia Ritian, you damned human!"

Upon seeing Xia Ritian appear, the enormous snake head of the Nether Snake instantly twists into a menacing expression.

Golden vertical pupils burn with a dazzling blue light, and the scales vibrate violently in rage.

The surrounding space buzzes under the powerful aura emitted by the Nether Snake.

"Boom——!"

The terrifying demonic energy from the Nether Snake erupts like raging waves of an angry sea.

The surrounding space buzzes and even displays fine black cracks, as if it might collapse entirely at any moment.

"You are indeed not dead!"

The Nether Snake’s roar, filled with boundless hatred, echoes across heaven and earth.

Not only is the Nether Snake shocked, but even the mighty ones enslaved behind Ancestor Yuhuang reveal expressions of astonishment.

Temple Master Ying Lingfeng of Daoxu Temple, with deep, abyss-like eyes, stares intently at the figure in a green robe, his fingertips taut with tension.

His lips tremble slightly, managing to utter three words with difficulty.

"Xia Ritian!"

Those three words, like a heavy hammer, pound into everyone’s hearts.

Who could have imagined?

The once-mighty Emperor of Great Xia, staged an astonishing deception right before the eyes of the world!

Abbot of Jingxin Temple, Master Xinji, usually calm as an ancient well, now shows a trace of shock.

But the most terrified are the patriarchs of the Jiang Family, the Guyue Race, the Tang Family, the Luo Family, the Wu Family.

And leaders of forces like the Extreme Flame Saint Sect, Profound Sound Immortal Palace, Sword Spirit Sect.

These individuals know better than anyone else.

Just how terrifying this "late" Emperor of Great Xia, Xia Ritian, truly is!

A century ago, he had already reached the Perfect Void Realm’s pinnacle.

In that battle of the past, the full-force strike of the Spirit Ruins’ Master was enough to shatter mountains and rivers, dimming sun and moon.

Yet Xia Ritian not only survived, but apparently emerged unscathed?

It was precisely because Xia Ritian had taken that full-force strike of the Spirit Ruins’ Master in front of everyone.

That all these crafty old foxes dared to make this assumption in their hearts.

Unanimously believing the news of Xia Ritian’s death was true.

"Impossible..."

The voice of the Jiang Family’s patriarch is hoarse, filled with disbelief, "He was clearly hit directly by the Spirit Ruins’ Master’s ’Heaven-Burying Saber Skill’, how could he still be alive?"

The patriarch of the Guyue Race is even more pale, muttering, "If Xia Ritian didn’t die, then all these years... what has he been plotting?"