The gods of the Feng clan aboard the Xufeng Divine Ship saw the Qingping Sword appear in Zhang Ruochen’s hand and immediately erupted in heated discussion.
Some believed Zhang Ruochen had conspired with Xiu Chen to kill Qingping Zi and seize the Qingping Sword, their hatred surging.
Others thought Qingping Zi was actually Zhang Ruochen in disguise, with some unspeakable purpose.
The last trace of illusion in Feng Xi’s heart shattered, yet her expression remained unusually calm, as if she did not care at all who Qingping Zi truly was.
The calmer she appeared, the more worried Feng Yan became.
When a person does not vent the anger, sorrow, and resentment in their heart, those emotions will inevitably tangle together, fermenting like wine, turning into ferocious heart demons that drive one towards obsession and extremity.
Feng Yan said gravely, “No matter who Qingping Zi is, he has done nothing to wrong the Feng clan. On the contrary, he has helped us greatly. Without him, there would likely be no survivors aboard the Xufeng Divine Ship now. We would have been slaughtered clean by the Dark Divine Hall long ago.”
All the Feng clan gods fell silent.
Ever since surviving the divine tribulation, taking control of the Pure Yang Divine Sword, and receiving the inheritance from Feng Yunba’s death, Feng Yan had changed completely. His presence grew ever stronger, so much that even the elder gods dared not meet his gaze.
Master Mo, whether he had long seen some clues or not, showed no concern whatsoever for Qingping Zi’s identity. Suddenly, he exclaimed in surprise, “Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus. It really is the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus! How does this Wu Yue also excel in arrays?”
“Is she Wu Yue, or the Moon God?” Feng Yan asked.
“This…”
Even Master Mo was somewhat uncertain. Although the Xufeng Divine Ship had arrived in the Lost Paradise star domain ahead of the Qinglu Divine Hall’s ship and had witnessed the divine battle between Wu Yue and Xiu Chen with their own eyes.
But how could Wu Yue be so close to Zhang Ruochen?
Wu Yue had no reason to pretend to be the Moon God. With her strength, why would she bind herself like that?
Not just them, many gods hiding in this star domain were now confused, hesitant to act rashly.
…
The Yin Escape Nine Arrays and Yang Escape Nine Arrays refined by Zhang Ruochen were powerful, but they were nine arrays combined into one each, not eighteen arrays linked together.
On the Gods Continent, Wu Yue had not only re-refined the Yin Escape Nine Arrays and Yang Escape Nine Arrays, greatly increasing their power. She had also merged all eighteen into one, creating the true “Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus”.
“From now on, you are the array spirit.”
Wu Yue glanced at Zhang Ruochen, then manipulated the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus. Nine arrays above, nine below, like a great millstone of the starry sky, it slammed fiercely into the Universe Cauldron, drawing the battling Famous Sword God and King Feima into the formation.
“Array spirit, you control the array and hold them back.”
After saying this, Wu Yue soared upwards like a fairy racing to the moon, landing atop the Universe Cauldron that towered ten thousand metres high. Her slender jade hand pressed on one of the cauldron’s ears, countless symbolic patterns flying from her palm to envelop the entire cauldron.
The Universe Cauldron, suppressed by the patterns, grew smaller and smaller…
Zhang Ruochen felt deeply frustrated. He had expended tremendous effort to subdue Xiu Chen and make her the artifact spirit, only to find himself turned into an array spirit in the blink of an eye.
Had this Wu Yue only learned the Moon God’s aloofness and shamelessness?
Did she not know that the Moon God also had moments of tender warmth?
What could he do?
Her mental power was frighteningly strong. With casual effort, she had refined the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus, their might far surpassing the combined Yin Escape Nine Arrays and Yang Escape Nine Arrays that Zhang Ruochen had created, though they were still not the complete version.
Back then, Feng Yunba had injured her only by using the Pure Yang Self-Immolation Technique, trading his life for it.
Had they not seen how even the Famous Sword God looked at Wu Yue with deep wariness?
If this woman had not lost her memories and was at her peak, none present would truly be her match.
“Wu Yue, you may fool others, but can you fool me? If you want the Universe Cauldron, you must first get past the Mingjun Sword in my hand!”
“Swish! Swish!”
The Famous Sword God’s gaze was sharp. He drew upon the profound truths to mobilise the sword dao rules of heaven and earth, raising his sword with both hands. Divine sword light tore through the array patterns of the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus one by one.
Brilliant light swords materialised around him, forming an ocean.
The terrifying sword dao aura made even the distant Pu Chuanqi react with alarm. He raised the Purple Sea Asura Lamp in defence, condensing a ten-thousand-mile purple sea beneath his feet.
“All Heavens Divine Ability, Mo Yi Divine Sword Art!”
The distant divine ships all activated their strongest defences.
Great gods could naturally cultivate All Heavens Divine Abilities, even Heavenly Venerable ones, but how many layers one comprehended depended on individual talent.
Xiu Chen sensed mortal danger and quickly said, “The Famous Sword God has cultivated the Mo Yi Divine Sword Art to the fifth layer. Using the power of profound truths to unleash it, even a God King would have to treat it seriously. Are you not going to strike with that sword of yours? Do you want to die?”
No need for Xiu Chen’s words. Zhang Ruochen had long sensed the life-and-death crisis and slashed out with Xutian’s sword.
This sword had always been intended for the Famous Sword God, to eliminate a major enemy.
“Swoosh!”
The moment Xutian’s sword struck, heaven collapsed and earth sank. All heavenly rules in this expanse of stars were severed. Time seemed frozen, space seemed nonexistent.
The Famous Sword God knew well the grudge between Xutian and the Sumeru Saint Monk, so he did not believe for a second that Zhang Ruochen truly possessed one of Xutian’s swords. He thought it mere bluffing.
As Zhang Ruochen’s sword slashed down, locked by Xutian’s sword intent, his face turned deathly pale in an instant.
But he recovered immediately, changing from a slash to a chop.
As if wielding the sword like a blade…
“Boom!”
Only after a long moment did the gods recover their sight from the blinding sword light.
Zhang Ruochen’s single slash not only destroyed all the sword dao rules the Famous Sword God had mobilised, but cleared everything before him. Time and space seemed to vanish.
The gods watching from afar were all plunged into shock, believing the Famous Sword God had been slain, reduced to nothingness.
Another sword dao powerhouse of the world had fallen.
Yet as a top-tier powerhouse, Pu Chuanqi discerned some clues. He saw that in the final moment, the Famous Sword God had used the Mingjun Sword as a blade, unleashing a world-shaking chop.
Only one person in the world could deliver a chop of such power.
However, Xutian’s sword was too strong, completely suppressing the blade light, so that only a handful present noticed that chop.
But at this moment, no one cared how the Famous Sword God possessed that chop, nor whether he lived or died, because the damned Moon God had seized the opportunity to take the Universe Cauldron and was fleeing into the depths of darkness.
“Zhang Ruochen, stop them!”
The Moon God’s divine voice echoed through heaven and earth.
Zhang Ruochen froze. He had never seen the Moon God run so fast before. No, she was Wu Yue.
“We cannot trust her. Chase!” Xiu Chen said.
The golden chariot and King Feima had already set off first, pursuing the Moon God from two different directions.
Zhang Ruochen was about to give chase when the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus came under attack. A section was shattered by the Purple Sea Asura Lamp. The divine artifact’s might pressed forward, striking directly towards Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen at the heart of the array.
Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen joined forces, unleashing the Sundial.
“Boom!”
The Sundial collided with the Purple Sea Asura Lamp, erupting in rings of divine power ripples before both flew backwards.
Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen were forced back repeatedly by the rebounding divine force, only stabilising themselves with the power of the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus.
Xiu Chen was fine. Her cultivation was profound, and she sustained no injury.
But how could Zhang Ruochen withstand such overwhelming divine force? He immediately spat divine blood, deeply aware of the gap between himself and a Taixu realm great god.
“We were played by Wu Yue. She probably never lost her memories at all. She was deliberately using us to help her seize the Universe Cauldron. This Pu Chuanqi’s combat strength is among the very best below the Immeasurable realm in the entire hell realm. Having lost the Xufeng Jin sword, today is dangerous!”
“Stop talking! I refuse to believe that with the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus and your power, we cannot fight him.”
Zhang Ruochen’s gaze sharpened. He fully released his mental power, repairing the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus so that all array inscriptions manifested, revealing eighteen independent spatial array worlds.
Pu Chuanqi held the Purple Sea Asura Lamp, clearing the way with the divine artifact. He showed no fear, a smile on his face. “They all think the Universe Cauldron is the supreme treasure, but regrettably, something of that level is not for just anyone to hold. This god finds the Sundial far more interesting. The Reverse God Stele is also a supreme treasure. And it is said you possess six divine swords?”
“Xiu Chen, even at your peak, you are no match for this god. Moreover, you were so gravely injured by the Famous Sword God earlier. How much of your strength can you still wield? Very well. Today, this god shall send you on your way.”
Xiu Chen knew full well how formidable Pu Chuanqi was. Suppressing the anger in her heart, she transmitted to Zhang Ruochen, “We cannot fight him head-on. Escape first. If we must flee, this god still has some confidence.”
Zhang Ruochen said coldly, “When Xiu Chen Heavenly God shook the Asura clan with her might, did you dare speak to her like this? Arrogant fool. Whatever Pu Chuanqi you are, today this seat shall shatter your legend! Xiu Chen, do not fear him. Fight!”
Xiu Chen gave Zhang Ruochen a meaningful stare. It was certainly not from being moved, but from suspecting the earlier strike from the Purple Sea Asura Lamp had addled his divine soul.
With just you, you dare claim to shatter another’s legend?
Are you not the arrogant one?
“Haha, good courage!”
Pu Chuanqi was delighted. He strode forward, charging straight towards Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen.
He feared they would flee, not that they would be bold.
If Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen tried to escape, even his strength would be helpless against it.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, a light wall of the spatial array opened. A dragon-shaped blood light burst from above, instantly entering the Yin Yang Eighteen Bureaus and stabbing towards the top of Pu Chuanqi’s head.
Pu Chuanqi never expected the sudden appearance of the Blood Jue War God. In his haste, he could only raise the Purple Sea Asura Lamp to meet the blood dragon war halberd stabbing down from above.
Yet the Blood Jue War God did not clash his divine artifact against Pu Chuanqi’s at all. He brushed past, then used the halberd as a staff, fiercely striking Pu Chuanqi’s chest.
“Pfft!”
Pu Chuanqi’s body arched as he flew backwards, vomiting great mouthfuls of blood.
In cultivation, Pu Chuanqi was naturally far above the Blood Jue War God.
But in explosive physical power and close combat, he and the Blood Jue War God were not even on the same level.
Before he could catch his breath, the Blood Jue War God’s second and third halberd strikes followed in succession, cleaving his divine body in half at the waist, divine blood staining the void red.
“You two go first!”
The Blood Jue War God’s armour gleamed brightly. He said this to Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen, his tiger eyes fixed on Pu Chuanqi, not striking again. If he had intended to kill Pu Chuanqi, his approach would not have been like this.
By the time Zhang Ruochen and Xiu Chen escaped, Pu Chuanqi’s severed body halves had reconnected.
The Blood Jue War God stood tall and imposing, every muscle on his body radiating blood-coloured divine light. Holding the blood dragon war halberd that roared like a dragon, he strode towards Pu Chuanqi and said, “I know you are unconvinced! You cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years more. How could you let an early Taixu realm cultivator sever your divine body with three halberd strikes? Then let us do it again. Today, I will make you remember deeply that bullying a junior is no great skill, and you should not covet what you should not covet.”
…
I rushed all day today and was still ten minutes late, but I managed to update two chapters after all!
Tomorrow I return to my hometown. There are many things to do for the New Year, so updates in the coming days definitely cannot be stable. I will try to keep one chapter per day. After the New Year, I will resume two chapters per day.
