By this time, the demonic sect had been entirely wiped out. The southern plains were now divided between the orthodox and unorthodox factions, with the orthodox claiming the central, most fertile territory and pushing the unorthodox to the less desirable regions.

As long as they were turning a profit, the unorthodox faction had no complaints. Jue Ying, the cunning leader of the Shadow Sect within the unorthodox pact, and Qing Tie, the formidable master of the Iron Body Sect within the orthodox faction, were the powerhouses who kept a delicate balance between the two, ensuring an uneasy peace.

Jue Ying and Qing Tie were in a routine meeting when they both felt an intense, murderous intent, so powerful that sweat poured down their faces. "What's going on?" Jue asked, his voice strained. "Did some unlucky fool annoy a divine dragon?" Qing Tie quipped mockingly, though his face reflected the very real concern he felt, as both shot out of the window, their movements calm and controlled despite the chaos they could feel.

*

Mo Chen, though blind, could sense the rays of sunlight gently kissing his skin. It was an unfamiliar sensation, making him feel uncomfortable but at the same time, tears welled in his eyes, relief washing over him as he knew he was finally free from the confines of the underground library. He began to walk cautiously, feeling lost and disoriented, unable to grasp the scope of the outside world.

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Soon, his left leg began to stiffen, as if being petrified. The reason was clear: the backlash from using the Reaper's Realm technique was beginning to take its toll. He felt as if his legs were about to shatter. Without pushing it further, he decided to sit down, desperately trying to control his qi and shut down the domain before it consumed him entirely.

He struggled, desperately trying to shut down the domain, but it seemed to have taken on a life of its own. Soon, his right leg began to stiffen as well, his heart pounding with a desperate fear as he realized he was rapidly becoming immobile. "Gather, the intent is coming from that hole," a voice called out from above. "A top-tier demonic beast must be here, just selling its core! We could each spend days in the blissful moon pavilion," another voice added, filled with greedy excitement.

Mo Chen, completely unaware of the situation unfolding around him, tried to speak, to call out to the human voices above. But instead, a guttural roar, like that of a savage beast, escaped his lips. "Wow, it's a humanoid beast!" one of the voices exclaimed, the cheer suddenly tinged with greed. "Forget visiting the pavilion, we could buy the pavilion with this!" they continued, sounding closer now.

Though he could no longer see, Mo Chen's instincts were on high alert, his senses acting like a radar. "Don't get too close! Attackkkk!" a voice shouted urgently, followed by the sounds of rushing footsteps and the drawing of weapons. Just as suddenly, Mo Chen's vision returned, and his legs felt normal once more. The domain, it seemed, had stabilized—at least for now.