Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate (Old Version)

Jiang Chen's eyes immediately shot forward. The moment the spatial channel was destroyed, the powerful force did more than completely shatter the array platform; it also formed a massive pit.

The surface of the pit was scarred with irregular traces, created by the relentless force of space.

'It's a pity that the entire demon race army died inside the spatial channel,' Jiang Chen mused, taking a few deliberate steps forward. He arrived at the edge of the giant pit, a scar left by the destruction of the spatial channel.

'The qi and blood energy in their bodies are now beyond my reach, and I cannot plunder their cultivation base.'

He continued his inward contemplation, 'However, the demon race will surely not stop here. They will regroup and attack once more. I will have plenty of opportunities to kill then.'

In the pit, a black 'thunderball' flickered constantly, suspended in the air. Intense spatial fluctuations emanated from it, a lingering echo.

This was a small spatial node, a remnant left behind after the spatial channel had been destroyed.

"Ning'er, Wan'er, can we completely eliminate this?" Jiang Chen's eyes flashed as he asked in his Sea of Consciousness.

"No, this is a natural place where space is weak," Nangong Wan replied.

"It will take tens of thousands of years for this spatial rift to heal on its own if no one interferes," Shangguan Ning added.

"Even though we master the Great Dao of Space, our strength is still too low. We can only slightly accelerate the healing speed of the spatial rift."

"If someone had the strength of the Nirvana Peering realm, they could significantly shorten the time it takes for the spatial rift to heal."

"However, even if the spatial rift heals, this will remain a naturally weak spatial node, and it can still be connected to become a spatial channel," they continued, each completing the other's thoughts.

"So it is. Alright then." Jiang Chen listened and nodded slightly, his belief growing that the demon race would regroup and attack again.

"Let's do our best to accelerate the healing of the spatial rift now," Nangong Wan said. "I have mastered some related formations, and they can be arranged as long as we have the appropriate materials."

"I have some as well," Shangguan Ning added.

"I'll figure out a way to get the materials for the formations." Jiang Chen nodded slightly. As the foremost person in the Immortal Martial Continent, he had access to all the resources spanning the entire land.

"Let's hurry then," Nangong Wan urged. "I have a premonition that the demon race will soon tear open the spatial rift again, and this time, even more demons will get involved."

"Let's return to Doomsday Cave Heaven first," Jiang Chen agreed. He took out the Cave Heaven's secret key, poured in his Dao Yuan Power, and a spatial door materialized before them.

With a powerful leap, he soared, his body arcing gracefully as he dove into the spatial door.

Splash.

The very next moment, Jiang Chen emerged from the spatial exit, finding himself once more within the confines of Doomsday Cave Heaven.

As soon as Jiang Chen appeared within Doomsday Cave Heaven, he was met with the sight of Ji Mingxiu and a large group of people, their faces marked by concern.

"Lord Jiang Chen! How are you?" one of the voices called out, filled with worry.

One by one, the cultivators converged at Jiang Chen's side, their expressions tense. However, seeing that he was unharmed, a collective sigh of relief filled the air.

"What could possibly happen to Lord Jiang Chen? He's perfectly fine!" one of them asserted, his voice ringing with confidence.

"Great, this is really great. The destruction of the spatial channel was so terrifying. I was worried that Lord Jiang Chen wouldn't be able to handle it!"

"Hmph, there's nothing in this world that Lord Jiang Chen can't handle. He is invincible!"

The cultivators continued to discuss among themselves, their words a mixture of awe, relief, and unquestioning faith in Jiang Chen's abilities.

Jiang Chen surveyed the crowd, his face calm, his voice authoritative as he spoke, "My fellow human brothers and sisters, the spatial channel to the Bottomless Abyss has been temporarily destroyed. It will not be easy for the demon race to attack again in the short term."

"However, I hope that all of you will not let your guard down or neglect your cultivation."

"Furthermore, from now on, this Cave Heaven will be renamed the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, and its spatial door will remain open, gathering the Spiritual Qi from all major domains into one."

His eyes gleamed with conviction as he proclaimed, "Any cultivator who passes the selection may enter the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven to cultivate!"

His plan was ambitious and far-reaching. He wanted to concentrate not just the cultivation resources of the Immortal Martial Continent but also to unify its Spiritual Qi and cultivators. Only in this way could he maximize the remaining potential of the Immortal Martial Continent.

"Excellent!" one cultivator exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration.

"Lord Jiang Chen's plan is brilliant!"

"Gathering Spiritual Qi here will surely create more experts."

"We can also cultivate here, and perhaps we may even hope to go further, and glimpse into the Transcendence realm!"

One by one, the cultivators showed smiles on their faces, visibly thrilled and fully aligned with Jiang Chen's vision. Their faith in him was unshakeable, and their hopes were set high.

"So then, next, I will open the spatial channel," Jiang Chen declared, nodding slightly.

He took out the Cave Heaven's secret key and continued, "Please return to your respective domains and set up spirit-gathering formations in the places where the Spiritual Qi is most abundant!" Without hesitation, he activated the secret key, and all the spatial doors opened in response.

Immediately, a main spatial gate and five secondary spatial gates burst into existence!

The main spatial gate materialized within the Everflowing Truth Domain, specifically in the Purple Heaven Holy Land.

As for the other five spatial doors, they were strategically distributed in key locations such as the Lustrous Yang Domain, the Ninth Heaven Domain, the Wind Gold Domain, and more.

These spatial doors were not static; they were not anchored permanently within these five domains. Instead, they would change locations in the future.

Within each domain, they would rotate, moving from one major sect headquarters to another.

For example, after drawing the Spiritual Qi in the Purple Heaven Holy Land for some time, the gate would shift its location to the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace or the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple.

This pattern would extend across all the other major domains in the Immortal Martial Continent, where the constant gathering of Spiritual Qi would become a common practice.

When the Spiritual Qi in the currently selected six major domains neared depletion, the gates would transition to other domains, ensuring a constant flow of energy.

In this meticulously planned manner, the entire Immortal Martial Continent's Spiritual Qi would converge into the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, substantially enhancing the cultivation environment and maximizing the potential for growth.

"Let's begin!" Jiang Chen commanded, nodding at the crowd after opening the channels.

"Yes!" The cultivators responded, their voices united in purpose and determination.

Some of them promptly entered the spatial channel and departed to fulfill their roles.

Jiang Chen then methodically changed the destinations of the spatial channels, transporting the remaining cultivators back to their domains one by one. When the task was complete, he reset the gates to the original six selected domains.

'Next, the cultivation environment of the Immortal Martial Continent will undergo a dramatic transformation,' Jiang Chen mused, his thoughts turning inward. 'I wonder if these major changes will give rise to any new protagonist.'

'After all, my actions could be seen as depriving most people of their path to cultivation. Although the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven is vast, its space is still limited.'

'However, four protagonists have already emerged from the Immortal Martial Continent, so it's quite possible that no new protagonist will appear.'

'If that's the case, I'd be content to cultivate quietly for a while.'

His thoughts then shifted to the broader landscape. 'Moreover, since the Immortal Martial Continent was invaded by the demon race and is viewed by them as a stepping stone, I wonder if the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star and Profound Jade Immortal Domain will intervene. Most likely, they won't.'

'But if they do decide to intervene, they will surely send someone. Will I encounter a new protagonist at that time?' he wondered. With a step forward, he arrived in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain.

The process to gather Spiritual Qi in the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven had only just begun, and the optimal places for cultivation remained the headquarters of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, and the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace.

...

Entering the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen's divine sense swiftly swept through the area. He observed that the people were already busily arranging personnel to construct the spirit-gathering formation next to the spatial entrance, a satisfying sight.

Suddenly, a harmonious cry rang out: "Jiang Chen!"

Two ethereal figures, as graceful and elegant as heavenly phoenixes, appeared before him. They were Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, and their presence filled the area with a radiant glow.

"Xue'er, Jing'er, it's been far too long. I've missed you both," Jiang Chen's voice resonated with warmth, his eyes reflecting his sincere feelings.

Their unique beauty, allure, and poise subtly stirred his heart. The combination of their grace and the charm they each possessed reminded Jiang Chen of the profound connection he had missed in their absence.

"Mm-hmm, Jiang Chen, we've missed you too!" they replied in unison, their voices tinged with affection.

"Your sisters in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain must be feeling the same. Fortunately, this time I have the means to bring them here," Jiang Chen said, a note of self-reproach coloring his words. He quickly recovered, his voice taking on a cryptic tone.

"However, before that, during my journey, I've uncovered a new secret art that I'd like to share with you both. Come, follow me inside?"

Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing exchanged a glance, their curiosity ignited by Jiang Chen's mysterious tone. They nodded in agreement.

"What secret art?" they questioned in unison.

Jiang Chen's eyebrows arched, his expression enigmatic. He remained silent, allowing the suspense to mount.

"A new technique, perhaps?" they speculated, sensing something extraordinary in his demeanor.

Jiang Chen's mouth curved into a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with playful mischief. He whispered, "Prepare yourselves for a surprise."

With those words, he led Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing towards their quaint three-story abode, his arms tenderly encircling their slender waists.

Meanwhile, within Jiang Chen's Sea of Consciousness, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, though blind to the scene unfolding outside, intuitively sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

Shangguan Ning's voice, tinged with envy and longing, resonated within the confines of Jiang Chen's mind. "I want my physical body back too!" she declared, a mischievous grin evident in her tone.

"Hmph, when that time comes, Jiang Chen will have eyes for no one else." Her imagination wandered to places only she knew.

Nangong Wan, ever poised, cast a sideways, contemptuous glance at Shangguan Ning's declaration, her silence a stark contrast to Shangguan Ning's vocal desire.

Yet, her eyes also betrayed a hidden longing, leaving those who knew her to wonder whether her desire was solely for regaining her physical form or something even more profound.