"Bu Jingyun!!"
The black-clad young swordsman uttered the name coldly, his gaze void of emotion, as if he were a death god, detached from the world itself.
"Bu Jingyun? The Death God Who Doesn't Cry!"
Hearing the name, Yi Tianxing couldn't help but show a trace of surprise.
Who was Bu Jingyun? He was a prodigious genius, with profound attainments in both palm and sword techniques. Particularly in the way of the sword, his talent was unmatched. However, Yi Tianxing wasn't sure how much of Bu Jingyun's original legacy he currently possessed.
He was born into the Huo family, and should have trained in the Huo Family Swordsmanship from a young age. Moreover, he had inherited the Nameless Sword Technique from an enigmatic master, as well as other top-tier martial arts like the Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Infinite Mahā, and Art of Effortless Change.
If he were allowed to grow, his combat prowess would be extraordinary.Especially in swordsmanship, he would surely achieve world-shaking greatness.His talent was certainly not inferior to Fu Hongxue's.
Yi Tianxing had not expected to encounter him here.However, after just a few glances, he pushed the thought aside. Right now, the most important thing was the supreme treasure being nurtured at the center. Whoever wished to obtain it would inevitably face interference from others. A fierce battle was inevitable.
Though there were now three human cultivators—including himself—the question was whether they could cooperate. That, he knew, was uncertain.
"Strong warriors! All strong warriors! My axe is already thirsting for battle!"
Niu Ben grinned broadly, his massive frame trembling with excitement.For him, the treasure itself was secondary. What mattered most was the opportunity for a glorious, unrestrained fight.
Swoosh!!
Just then, a new figure appeared at the final empty position.
The sight of this figure left many momentarily stunned.The newcomer was short, no more than 1.45 meters tall, yet extremely burly, with a thick beard and powerful, muscular limbs that radiated strength. He wielded a bronze warhammer covered with mysterious patterns. His eyes darted around vigilantly.
"A dwarf!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed with recognition.
The short stature, rough features, burly frame, and the giant hammer—all of it pointed unmistakably toward another race: a dwarf warrior.
Ordinarily, dwarves were more common in the western worlds, but given the Eternal Continent's fusion of countless fantasy realms, it wasn't surprising to find them here. Still, their numbers would surely be limited.
"Who are you? Why are you so short? A gnome?"
Niu Ben tilted his head curiously and asked.
"Gnome!?"
The dwarf's face instantly turned red, steam puffing from his nostrils as he roared, "I'm a dwarf! A dwarf, not a gnome! I am Tong Chui, from the Copper Hammer Clan of the great Dwarven Race!!"
Clearly, mistaking him for a gnome was a grave insult. In their culture, "gnome" was a derogatory term.
Indeed a dwarf.
Yi Tianxing nodded silently.
The dwarves were known for their short stature, rugged appearance, boundless strength, and bold, straightforward personalities. They were diligent, loyal, stubborn, and deeply emotional. Famous for their mining and crafting prowess, they were the greatest blacksmiths in the world, capable even of forging divine artifacts.
Each dwarf bore an innate talent for smithing and craftsmanship.
Encountering a dwarf here was an unexpected boon.From Tong Chui, Yi Tianxing could sense formidable power—this dwarf was no weakling.
Boom!!
As all eight positions were now occupied, a sudden surge of mysterious power erupted from the Bagua Platform.At the same time, a powerful suction force rose beneath their feet, drawing the true essence from Yi Tianxing's Divine Sea uncontrollably into the platform.
The process was utterly involuntary.Judging from the reactions of the others, they were experiencing the same.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!!
As they poured their true energy into the platform, patterns of the Bagua began to glow, radiant and dazzling. Overhead, a vortex of pure spiritual energy formed, pouring endlessly into the Bagua Platform.
Soon, figures began to be forcibly expelled from the Eightfold Heaven realm, flung to the edges.Yi Tianxing spotted Ye Zhiqiu and Monk Hua among them. These were cultivators who had been forcibly removed.
"No! My Thunder Beads! They were right there! Why kick me out now!?"Ye Zhiqiu cried out miserably, clutching his chest as if his heart would break.
He had clearly spotted a trove of treasures just before being expelled.The pain of losing them was palpable.
One after another, cultivators and foreign races alike were expelled.However, no one fought. Instead, they all turned their attention to the Bagua Platform.
Now, the entire platform was enveloped in divine radiance, with spiritual energy constantly pouring into it. Eight figures still stood on it, steadfast.
"This is the true unlocking of the Bagua Platform," Ye Zhiqiu murmured thoughtfully. "The second layer was the Eightfold Heaven; the third layer is where the real mysteries lie. But what's happening now?"
He racked his brains, but couldn't figure it out.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, look! In the pillar of black and white light at the center—aren't those the supreme treasures this tomb has nurtured?"
Monk Hua pointed excitedly at the central pillar of light.
Within the swirling yin and yang energy, they could faintly glimpse treasures—though the specifics were obscured. Only flashes of brilliance leaked out, suggesting the treasures inside were no ordinary items.
"We're already out. No hope of fighting for them now. Only the eight on the platform have a chance. Still, with Fellow Daoist Yi up there, it's not a total loss," Ye Zhiqiu sighed.
"Look! What's happening now?"
Monk Hua cried out again.
Change stirred once more on the Bagua Platform.
At each occupied position, radiances flashed.
From the dwarf Tong Chui's chest emerged a heart-shaped object aflame with crimson light. It floated in the air, throbbing rhythmically, radiating searing heat—clearly a Heart of Flame, a powerful natural treasure.
Similarly, the others produced artifacts: Heart of Earth, Spring of Waters, Eye of the Wind, Thunder Pool, Heaven's Heart, and Mountain Spirit Seal.
One by one, powerful treasures appeared, radiating dazzling light.
Only the Swamp Heart failed to manifest—it had already fused with Yi Tianxing's Primordial Heaven Emperor Tower. Even the Bagua Platform couldn't forcibly separate it unless Yi Tianxing allowed it.
"Only those who obtained a natural treasure from the Eightfold Heaven could stand atop the Bagua Platform," Yi Tianxing realized.
He had no intention of releasing the Swamp Heart.
He simply stood there quietly, watching.
"Wait, something's wrong. There are only seven treasures!"
"Where's the eighth?"
"It's Yi Tianxing! He hasn't produced his treasure!"
Murmurs of confusion spread among the spectators.
Clearly, they all noticed the anomaly—there should have been eight treasures, not seven.
Even the other contestants—Bu Jingyun, Fu Hongxue—cast suspicious glances at Yi Tianxing.
Yi Tianxing, however, remained silent, calm and composed.
Swoosh!!
The seven treasures fused together, unleashing a pale gray divine beam that struck the central pillar of yin-yang energy.
Though it tore a small rift, the swirling yin-yang qi quickly mended itself, stifling the gray beam's advance.The attack was not enough.
"These treasures, combined, can tear open the yin-yang barrier… but they lack the final piece!"
All seven remaining participants simultaneously turned their gazes toward Yi Tianxing.