Nine Venoms Sect Founder

Harun's forces only had four ways to deal with Xerzan: play turtles, send the mutants after him, summon the blue-haired immortal, or defeat him in the traditional fashion. Needless to say, Harun wasn't about to use his only Ancestor-tier blow to take Xerzan's life. Even if Nakula himself appeared, he would think thrice before unleashing it. And while the 1.5 million mutants could likely solve the problem, they couldn't give Harun what he wanted. This was not only a chance to introduce Lord Revelation to the world, but a unique opportunity to steal a crucial tool for Harun's growth. 

Pale and sweaty, Birandar stepped forward, presented a platinum cudgel, and bowed toward Harun. As the faithful disciple awaited his master's orders, Mehran frowned at the thick, metallic rod, then spun to face his boss. "Following your coma, the Hundred Insects Altar moved to the castle, courtesy of the totem, I suppose. Adding it to the Abyssal River, Dharma Sheltering Array, and a traditional formation, we definitely have solid chances but…why not just send the mutants?" Mehran inquired. This was inarguably one of the few moments where the mutants' rampage arranged everyone. Unfortunately, the Dark Stone city's specimens were born too close to Harun, and following his awakening, no longer budged without his permission. 

Moving faster than his subordinates could follow, Harun appeared before Birandar and grabbed the cudgel. "He has something I want. Might as well strip it while we can," Harun stated, and gave the cudgel a few swings. Crafted through Birandar's Karmic Wheel, the cudgel incorporated the Mystery of Truth. Thus, though it was theoretically no different from an ordinary club, it carried more destructive power than the average celestial's artifact.

Harun only needed an ordinary club, but clearly, the staff's creation exhausted much of Birandar's vitality. And thinking of how he would later use it to discipline all his disciples, Harun couldn't help but feel like a monstrous beast. 

Heaving a sigh, Harun raised his right hand. From the most remote villages to the capital, the billions of First Range residents that enjoyed the barrier's protection felt the tiniest shred of grief and misery they previously endured leave them entirely. Waves of euphoria replaced the lost negativity and, as if prompted by a superior impulse, they broke into festive dances. Thus, unbeknownst to all but Harun, dark-gray filaments gathered above the palace, forming a malignant vortex right underneath Xerzan. That invisible vortex broke into a myriad of energy particles that fused with Harun's cudgel, lighting it up with flashes of gray lightning. 

The lightning dispersed, and from its l.u.s.trous platinum shade, the cudgel took on a dark-brown color. Though their eyes couldn't see all that Harun's could, Mehran and co. could feel the shocking abundance of misery the cudgel now carried. It was almost as if, with a single blow, it could drown the world in grief. Bending his new tool left and right, Harun passed his hand over it, then gave it a casual swing. The rounded tip brushed Mehran's chin. His heartbeat spiraled out of control, and as his heart drummed at an alarming speed, the former monarch tumbled down. Instantly, all eyes widened at the cudgel, but having expected the result, Harun only gave a simple nod.

"What have you done?" They asked in tandem—minus Birandar, who for entirely different reasons, also marveled at the cudgel. "I severed and sealed the grief and misery carried by all our mortal citizens in this staff. You can think of it as the embodiment of despair and sufferings. The more such feelings you experience, the more helpless you become before this staff. It can't kill, but you better believe that a full-powered blow can drive the unprepared insane," Harun started in a half-serious, half-complacent tone. "Now, now, how do we name it? Dog-Beating Staff? Nah, copyright violations. Let's go with Law Enforcing Dao Pillar. Got some over-the-top oomph to it. Take notes. In the future, when any one of you misbehaves, this rod will bludgeon your a.s.s," Harun pledged, and tossed the staff at Birandar.

The hall fell still. None had expected that after reaching the peak of his first realm, Harun could outright strip and seal emotions in items. Didn't this mean that he could produce artifacts of ruinous powers at will? Although there seemed to be some limitations, this ability alone would make Emperors risk their lives for control of his magical hands. Paralyzed by the Law-Enforcing Dao Pillar's weight, Birandar didn't dare move an inch. But as all eyes locked on the dreadful cudgel, the Barbaric Demon Stronghold Master made his first move.

Raising one index at the sky, Xerzan channeled the foul energies oozing from his diabolic essence in one orb of dark-purple energy. From a palm-sized energy ball, the orb expanded into a boulder-sized projectile that loomed over the Dark Stone capital with all its sinister magnificence. If before, the citizens still ignored his presence, this unprecedented concentration of energy snatched their complete attention. 

Lowering his right hand, Xerzan fired the diabolic-essence ball at the barrier, and again it expanded, this time reaching the width of a small hill.

BANG!

By the time Team Harun's attention had returned to the sky, the energy bomb had smashed into the barrier already. But while the Dharma Sheltering Array didn't vacillate, the subsequent tremors rattled the citizens' minds. Worse, the mere fact that someone still dared offend Lord Revelation filled some with doubt and confusion. 

"Give me your body," Harun ordered Birandar and, not wasting a second, the youth gave his approval—enabling Harun to possess him. Joining his hands in a prayer sign, Harun activated the Yin Soul Incantation and fused with Birandar's Dual Soul Root. Although he could use their Karmic Link to take control of Birandar, this would only enable Harun to use Birandar's abilities. Only by adding the Yin Soul Incantation to the mix could he pool in their two skill sets. 

And as the herculean youth's brown eyes took Harun's golden and purple shade, the Serpent Totem left Harun's body to fuse with the master-disciple duo. If the Tantric Ancestor stood on the scene, he'd once more have the misconception…that Revelation had returned from the reincarnation cycle. 

Resting his Law-Enforcing Dao Pillar on his shoulder, Harun sent Jiyan and Mehran a series of mental messages, then shot at Xerzan!