Chapter 393: The City That Shrouds Heaven and Death

That is—.

What?!

A whole—city?!

Rumble, rumble!

The spring thunder rumbled, yet the city’s massive walls hid it all, as if blocking every glimmer in the heavens. Darkness and a chilling aura of death, suppression, and oblivion reigned.

An enormous city spanned the skies above Jade Plaza. At the moment everyone looked up, it seemed to eclipse not only Divine Capital Second City but nearly all of it, with only the junction between Third and Second Cities catching stray beams of light.

Rain, tumbling like a furious cascade from heights of thousands of meters, was so powerfully blocked that not even a droplet could squeeze in from beyond Divine Capital Third City into the shrouded Second City!

Yet what drew every eye were the figures standing on the inky city walls.

At the forefront, right in the center, stood a figure donning a two-toned mask and a billowing black robe that whipped about as if tearing the void. Behind him, everything appeared to twist and distort; his eyes shone as if filled with endless stars, swirling in cosmic motion.

Underworld Yama!

Yama folded his arms, his inky robe trailing stiffly as his black hair danced fiercely behind the mask. His cold, desolate gaze surveyed everything beneath the city.

Beside Yama stood a towering figure, as imposing as a mountain tower. Veins like coiled dragons spread over his body, pulsating with a sound like rolling thunder with every tremor.

Adorning his face was a cute cow mask, almost as if bearing the mischievous mirth of the mortal world.

Underworld Ogre!

Next to Ogre, a figure wearing a Divine Monkey mask: a Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff pressed heavily across his neck and shoulders, his hands hanging limply. With a half-smile, the masked Divine Monkey glanced down at Mo City beneath.

Beyond them,

several figures in black robes and masks stood on the battlements, their faces obscured by the shadows of their masks.

Time itself seemed to freeze at that moment,

as if a celestial troupe from the Underworld had slowly emerged from the dark. For the first time, they gathered in perfect unison before the awestruck crowd…

“Assemble!”

“Underworld! It’s the Underworld!”

“Is that Underworld Yama?!”

“And there’s Ogre, Divine Monkey, Black and White Wuchang — and so many more Underworld members! This city—this Mo City! Could it be the Underworld’s headquarters?”

“Damn! What is the Underworld planning? Their headquarters now float above Divine Capital Second City, looming over the Emperor, Empress, National Teacher, and all officials?!”

“So brazen! Absolutely outrageous!!!”

Outside Divine Capital Third City, cultivation experts from the martial world stared in awe, their hearts erupting with uncontrollable shouts!

Li Qingshan guarded Granny Mu tightly while Nie Yang cradled Li Chengzhou, both with wide eyes fixed on the spectacle.

Li Qingshan pounded his chest and stared speechlessly at the city suspended above the Emperor’s head.

Ah, ah, ah—

“Old man, I can’t keep up!”

“There’s the Underworld Cat Face… right here!”

Yet at that moment, Li Qingshan dared not leave Granny Mu amidst the nearly frenzied martial experts. He had to stay by her side.

Otherwise, all it would take for him to pull out a Cat Face Mask and flick a Feilei Chess Piece from his sleeve would be enough to dash into Mo City,

joining his very own Underworld Crew!

Just the sight of it made Li Qingshan’s blood boil, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.

What a thrilling scene!

Alas, what a pity—.

Li Qingshan looked at the aged yet bright-eyed, deeply lined face beside him, filled with joyous excitement.

In her youth, Granny Mu had been a chivalrous maiden roaming the martial world. Naturally, she loved such raucous scenes.

Li Qingshan had promised to bring her to Divine Capital, a promise long unfulfilled—but now it had finally come true.

He couldn’t possibly abandon Granny Mu alone in such a dangerous situation.

All eyes were fixed on Underworld Shandu.

Yet only Li Qingshan felt a calm clarity as he turned to see the spirited Granny Mu, reminiscent of the youthful heroine she once was when dueling martial masters in the martial world.

His gaze softened tenderly.

“Today, Cat Face will stay in the shadows. Let his brothers take the spotlight.”

Though—

in this kind of battle, many Cat Faces are essentially interchangeable.

Granny Mu’s eyes sparkled as if reliving the vibrancy of her heroine days. Suddenly, her gaze flickered as she noticed a gentle look aimed at her.

Turning, she saw Li Qingshan watching her with soft eyes and a faint smile playing on his lips.

A youthful flush blossomed on Granny Mu’s timeworn face.

“Hey, we’re old—why do you still look at me like that?”

“Because I love it. I can’t help it.”

Granny Mu snorted, “Oh, you old rascal.”

Then, with renewed excitement, she gazed toward the darkened Jade Plaza, shrouded by the power of Fa Tian Xiang Di.

Her eyes settled on Li Che, enveloped by its aura.

Granny Mu had come out of Feilei City alongside Li Che.

She had witnessed Li Che’s journey from a mere peasant to a master wood carver, Divine Eagle Master, and eventually a Divine Condor Half-Saint!

Now, he had reached a height fit for her admiration!

Yet she had long suspected that Li Bansheng might have ties to the Underworld.

Perhaps he was one of its many hounds, though which one remained a mystery.

Who could he be?

Granny Mu’s eyes fixed intently on the mask as it slowly slid into view on Li Che’s face.

Then, she couldn’t help but gasp.

“Ma Mian!”

“Li Bansheng—could it be Underworld Ma Mian?!”

Granny Mu cried out.

Li Qingshan instantly turned, a wry smile spreading across his face.

“I knew it. Classic Li Bansheng—still pretending.”

He thought, “Even now he’s playing the part.”

But Li Che was unmistakably Ogre!

Li Qingshan was absolutely convinced. He had seen Li Che donning the Ogre Mask in Feilei City when Li Che was still inexperienced and just beginning to rise. That was the moment he glimpsed Ogre’s true identity.

So, Li Che should be Ogre—

Then Ma Mian?

How could Li Che be Ma Mian?

Li Qingshan laughed.

“You old honest Li Bansheng, not a word of the truth,” he teased.

“You promised no pretense, yet here we are—

pretense revealed but not entirely laid bare!”

How could Li Che be Ma Mian?

Then, who was Ogre?

Li Qingshan’s eyes roved over the imposing Ogre standing atop Mo City Shandu—a giant mass of pulsating, red-hued energy interwoven with power, all beneath a cute cow mask.

Gradually—

the smile on Li Qingshan’s face faded, replaced by a sudden stillness.

His fingers brushed lightly over a mask—a five-star Fire God Spirit Wood carved Ma Face mask, ablaze as if fiery tongues roared around it.

Ma Mian!

Li Che is Ma Mian!

When the crowd’s gaze shifted from the looming Mo City Shandu and the Underworld hounds,

all eyes fell upon Li Che in his fluttering black robe, donning the Ma Face mask. His slender form and sharp, icy gaze spoke volumes!

In that heartbeat, silence befell the entire Jade Plaza, as if death itself had descended.

Li Bansheng truly is Underworld Ma Mian!

Not Divine Monkey?!

For everyone had seen the masked Divine Monkey towering above Mo City’s battlements, wielding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff with reckless flair.

National Teacher had once hinted that Li Che might be Divine Monkey, but now it was clear—Divine Monkey was not Li Che!

Ma Mian was indeed Li Che!

It all made perfect sense!

At that moment, many felt their minds suddenly cleared.

For Li Che’s identity and Ma Mian perfectly aligned. Li Che was not only a Divine Condor Half-Saint, but also a master of mechanical art!

And Ma Mian was famed for using ingenious mechanisms to snipe foes from afar. Based on numerous reports, Underworld Ma Mian rarely engaged in direct combat, preferring remote assassination.

Thus, the silhouettes of Li Bansheng and Ma Mian nearly overlapped perfectly!

XiXi looked up, her mouth agape, eyes wide like glossy jujubes, utterly astonished.

“Father—”

“My father is Ma Mian?!”

“Wow!”

“A colossal secret!”

XiXi had never imagined that Master Ma Mian, who had long accompanied her, was actually her father in disguise!

Underworld Master Niu Niu and Master Ma Mian had been with XiXi since Feilei City, imparting mechanical art techniques—and from time to time, martial arts from Ogre. But Ma Mian? He mostly taught her explosive techniques!

The dazzling fireworks she often saw were all set off by Master Ma Mian.

In XiXi’s heart, a noble dream blossomed—to become a master mechanism artist, one who could create fireworks on an epic scale, just like Master Ma Mian!

And now—

XiXi was astonished to see that Master Ma Mian was indeed her father!

Zhang Ya was equally stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh.

“My husband’s lips—

what a deceiver he is.”

Her husband was supposed to be the mighty yet gentle Ogre!

Yet perhaps Ma Mian was also her husband?

Zhang Ya entertained that possibility—and it seemed very likely.

At that thought, she looked at Li Che with even greater admiration, gazing fondly at the man who was her husband!

Meanwhile, within the shrouded Fa Tian Xiang Di, the young disciples of Qianyuan Divine Sect ignited with excitement. Their eyes gleamed and their breaths quickened. All fixed their admiring stares on XiXi.

“Ahhh—XiXi’s father is Ma Mian!”

“The very Underworld Ma Mian who punishes the wicked! Incredible!”

“I’m so jealous! I wish my father were Underworld Ma Mian too!”

“Wake up—you don’t have a father!”

Underworld’s young disciples—Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi, Zhou Peng, Yun’e, and others—shone with eagerness as they looked at XiXi.

For the renown of the Underworld within Qianyuan Divine Sect was legendary.

After all, the terrifying deeds of the Underworld hounds, especially their slaughter of the Corpse God Sect, had earned these children immense admiration.

And much of that awe came from the ruthless annihilation of the despised Corpse God Sect.

The Corpse God Sect was a detested force. The Underworld’s campaign against them was nothing short of heroic!

Combined with XiXi’s constant praise for Master Niu Niu and Master Ma Mian, the Underworld’s reputation among the kids of Qianyuan Divine Sect soared!

XiXi was overjoyed; she proudly put her hands on her little belly and practically tossed her head back in triumph!

XiXi reveled in her pride, laughing heartily!

She felt as if her face were a mirror, reflecting the brilliant sunshine!

So much face—absolutely legendary!

Above Jade Plaza,

as mighty combatants clashed, brows furrowed in concern.

Li Che is Ma Mian—

not Divine Monkey?

Though many were shocked, it was a mere ripple.

Boom!!!

Lü Taibai’s brow bled fresh crimson as his eyes, cold as ice, fixed on the Tao Calamity Sword which he unleashed with a massive swing—like a tempest carrying the force of a god-slaying wind—aimed at two formidable fighters executing a combo!

They laughed darkly as a demonic champion in their wake thundered a kick with blinding speed!

Sword light and that kick clashed, unleashing dazzling, explosive energy that blasted outwards in all directions!

However, when Lü Taibai saw Li Che reveal his Ma Mian identity, his face lit up with delight.

“++…”

“Even the Sect Leader is a bit baffled. Which Underworld killer is Li Che?!?”

But his thoughts were short-lived. Lü Taibai’s eyes sharpened as he fixed on the emerging Underworld.

Though Underworld Yama’s strength was comparable to top-tier experts—and together they had slain Huang Mei—Lü Taibai valued not their might but their uncanny ability to escape!

With the Underworld on their side, escape would be simple.

“Yama, my brother! Help our Qianyuan Divine Sect disciples break through! One day, Lü will repay you handsomely!”

Lü Taibai’s brow dripped blood as his face was a mask of fury.

He roared.

Yet Underworld Yama remained silent, arms folded as he stood atop the Mo City battlements.

His gaze was merciless as it swept over the scene.

On the Pedestal,

the Emperor’s face was shrouded in a mix of blood and divine aura, his eyes locked on Underworld Yama as his brow furrowed.

In Lotus Pavilion, National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s dark and white hair flowed wildly as his eyes too revealed astonishment.

“So this is the Underworld?”

“Intriguing…”

“Impossible to decipher…”

Xie Yunshen squinted. This was the first time he saw the full Underworld lineup.

Truly, it was unusual—each masked figure was inscrutable. Whether it was Ogre, Yama, or Divine Monkey, even the other masked foes…

They all seemed shielded by a mysterious force—a presence impossible to penetrate.

“Perfect timing—”

“Leave them be!”

With a flourish of his long sleeve, National Teacher Xie Yunshen declared in a deep voice.

His eyes fell on the Divine Monkey wielding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff——

“Since the staff has arrived, then———— don’t go!”

Boom!!!

As his words died away, the earlier subdued clash among the top experts erupted once more!

In fact, it grew even more intense than before!

Under a resounding clang, Ji Mo Li’s black armor and his umbrella spear clashed. It was as if the very air exploded, collapsing inward as it met Shi Jian’s sweeping halberd!

Using the force of his body, Ji Mo Li surged upward, his umbrella spear swirling. Countless spear shadows spread, like ten thousand dragons roaring as they charged at Shi Jian!

But Shi Jian only smiled coldly, “Don’t think you can shake me off!”

A sweeping motion of the halberd, as if the sun itself had burst forth in golden radiance, unleashed fearsome, tangible True Martial willpower!

In Ji Mo Li’s eyes, a fierce glint appeared.

He zeroed in on the Divine Monkey’s Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff!

Yet, Shi Jian—was by no means weak!

Confronted by such a halberd, Ji Mo Li had to stand ready. Commanding the disciples of True Martial Divine Sect from True Martial Mountain against the Da Li Wangting in a fierce struggle was no easy task.

Delay in finding Divine Monkey only fueled Ji Mo Li’s anger further.

Shi Jian’s eyes suddenly brightened, “Hey, you’ve finally got some guts. I thought you wouldn’t dare; so soft, like a woman!”

Boom!!!

Umbrella spear and halberd collided again. At their point of contact, turbulent energy swirled wildly, forming a terrifying vortex of slaughter.

On the Pedestal,

Third Prince Lü Litong sprang to his feet, pointing at the Ogre atop Mo City. “Governor Wang Kui, what are you waiting for?! That Ogre—the Underworld Ogre who killed my Consort—is here!”

Lü Litong’s face contorted, tears welling in his eyes as he boldly shouted, trying to maintain his filial image until the very end.

When the Emperor and Empress’s gazes converged on him, Lü Litong felt as if his very soul were about to take flight!

Buoyed by the support of National Teacher, Lu Chi had shone brightly at the Peach Festival, making Lü Litong feel immense pressure. Now was his time to shine.

Yet, all he felt was the cold, ruthless stare of Wang Kui sweeping over him, sending shivers down his neck.

But as Lü Litong shouted, Wang Kui truly could no longer stall. Amidst Tie Shancai’s weeping, he forced himself upward.

However, someone moved even faster!

It was Azure Dragon, one of Divine Capital’s Four Great Guardians!

Clad in resounding armor, with his mask exposing eyes ablaze with brilliance, he knew his moment to earn merit had come!

His target was fixed on the figure of Divine Monkey atop Mo City—more precisely, on the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff!

After all, the Grand Inspector’s prophecy was impossible to ignore; everyone in Divine Capital knew it!

Boom!!!

Azure Dragon seemed to transform into a mythic beast, a cascade of blue light bursting forth as his energy interwove in a dazzling display!

Like a dragon soaring through the sky, his movement, though seemingly slow as a dragonfly, surged upward with incredible speed, heading straight for Mo City!

Li Che donned the Ma Face!

He wasn’t lying. He had truly revealed his hand: Ma Mian—fully exposed!

Li Che knew that today, the identity of one Underworld killer had to be unveiled. After careful deliberation, he revealed Ma Mian.

And with the revelation of the Underworld killers’ identities, Li Che felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

Donning the Ma Face mask, Li Che sensed a sudden calm: as if the entire world were softened, his thoughts became silky.

It was as if an emotion deep in his heart had finally been released!

Moreover, Li Che could now confidently deploy the Cosmic Chessboard to unleash Underworld Yama, Ogre, Divine Monkey, and the other fiends—first diverting attention,

washing away the suspicion that National Teacher had deliberately cast on him as Divine Monkey. Whether it could be completely erased mattered little; once the true Divine Monkey appeared, the suspicion would plummet.

Thus, any collateral damage to his family would be minimized.

After all, Ma Mian, compared to Divine Monkey—who wielded the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff and attracted far more hatred—was merely an extra Underworld killer.

Secondly, by revealing Ma Mian’s identity, Li Che could, through his Underworld killer persona, safely usher XiXi, Zhang Ya, and the children of Qianyuan Divine Sect into Mo City.

Once inside, they could choose to stay or flee—

Li Che was virtually invincible now.

He had long left Feilei Chess Pieces outside Divine Capital Ninth City.

Equipped with concepts honed to the Iv6 level using the Chess Sage Dao Fruit and Feilei Shift—

the moment he gripped a Feilei Chess Piece, he knew he could leave—

at least, no one present could stop him!

And finally—

the most crucial point!

Donning the Ma Face mask and swapping identities with a Painted Immortal clone, he could unreservedly unleash martial power—

Yes—

he could kill!

Under the Divine Monkey mask, Li Che’s eyes flared with an incandescent brilliance.

With a single thought, a tremendous sucking force burst out of Mo City.

Like a spacecraft drawing in radiant energy, it swept all members of Qianyuan Divine Sect into Mo City.

As the swirling, dizzying draw finished,

Li Che used his Painted Immortal clone to complete a swift identity shift!

Then, clone Li Che led XiXi up the walls of Mo City.

Meanwhile, Li Che’s original self—

emerged slowly from the tear in the Mo Rain, appearing atop a battlement. With arms folded, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the Underworld Yama clone ruling Mo City.

Moreover,

Li Che swapped his Ma Face mask for a black-and-white Yama mask—the starry brilliance dazzling all!

The Second Underworld Yama had appeared!

In that instant, the second Underworld Yama captivated every eye.

Even Ji Mo Li, who had sparred fiercely with Shi Jian, was visibly shaken, staring in disbelief.

Lü Taibai was equally astonished.

Inside Lotus Pavilion,

National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s hair fluttered, radiating brilliant light as he exclaimed, “A second Underworld Yama? Does the Underworld really have two Yamas?!”

“Then what about a third?!”

Xie Yunshen’s brow furrowed; his thoughts became a tangled mess.

This Underworld—

just kept becoming more unfathomable!

How many Yamas does the Underworld really have?!

Interwoven with blue divine light and entangled with flowing energy, the ancient mythic creature Azure Dragon roared into existence!

It was as if it challenged the heavens—a display of unearthly power, poised to span the cosmos and devour sun and moon!

At the sight of the second Yama, Azure Dragon’s heart skipped a beat.

But his form soared skyward, leaving him no chance to retreat!

Suddenly, Azure Dragon noticed Underworld Yama on the battlements—a black-clad figure with folded arms, leaning forward dramatically.

With a resounding bang, ripples of air burst forth, shattering the silence like a shattered mirror!

It was as if a fearsome force had erupted behind Underworld Yama, shooting out like a razor-sharp blade!

In an instant, it was right before Azure Dragon!

Boom, boom, boom!!!

Azure Dragon’s eyes contracted in shock, as if pursued by a barrage of thunder. A searing heat, like the burning of mountains and boiling seas, exploded around him in a dazzling torrent of golden energy!

It was like the eruption of a long-dormant volcano!

Underworld Yama then appeared before Azure Dragon, his eyes unleashing a burning, incandescent fury!

And Underworld Yama…

simply raised his fist!

An enormous, terrifying furnace formed—a fusion of a divine dragon’s roar and an ancient demonic elephant’s trumpet!

Tao Calamity Sword!

Within that vast furnace, seven blinding seeds gradually blossomed, their light growing fiercer and brighter!

They were the seven Qimen Divine Seeds Li Che had concealed!

In a flash, they detonated, causing his energy to expand exponentially!

Azure Dragon roared as his armor clanged, trembling under the overwhelming pressure of unleashed energy!

The sudden explosion caught him completely off guard!

“Such raw energy!”

“Such overwhelming power!”

Even a top-tier expert like him, reaching the front rank of Heavenly Gate, would pale in comparison!

No—

not even Huang Mei or Ji Mo Li; in terms of raw energy, none could match this Underworld Yama!

Half-step Martial God?!

No—almost there!

But not by much!

Azure Dragon felt like the entire world had fallen silent under that punch.

He gasped violently.

A punch, a furnace, and the overwhelming pressure of energy slammed into him. Azure Dragon could only claw and flail, unleashing all his accumulated martial power in a desperate attempt to merge his ancient divine dragon essence!

High above, the Azure Dragon roared, colliding with the enormous golden furnace as if trying to halt a falling sky!

In that moment, as mist swirled, the pure, boiling energy of the furnace burst forth.

It was like a colossal heavy mallet striking a drum; ripples spread instantaneously!

The very air trembled uncontrollably!

Like a tidal wave, energy cascaded as the furnace poured forth!

Then, in an instant, Azure Dragon was overwhelmed by the crushing force of the punch—a force so monumental he had no escape!

He could only clench his dragon claws as the merging of his divine essence and rapturous energy propelled him into a final, cataclysmic impact, shattering his ancient divine dragon form!

High in the heavens, the Azure Dragon roared, clashing against the giant furnace of energy as if challenging the very foundations of the cosmos!

It was as if the heavens themselves were about to crumble!

Then—

Even the Black Tortoise, its face suddenly grim, summoned its protective energy to shield the Emperor and Empress from the terrifying shockwave!

It was only a punch—

But Azure Dragon had been crushed and cast down by Underworld Yama’s might. Could it really be this powerful?!

The terrifying punch was beyond comprehension!

In the distance, cooperating with the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird to subdue Lü Taibai, their faces turned ashen.

Amidst the billowing smoke, a dragon’s roar split the air.

Azure Dragon’s mask was shattered, revealing his ruined, featureless face, drawing gasps from many onlookers.

No one had expected that behind the azure mask of one of Divine Capital’s Four Great Guardians lay a face utterly destroyed!

“Vermilion Bird! Black Tortoise!”

“Help me!”

Azure Dragon bellowed.

But—

his cry barely left his lips before his eyes contracted.

For, somewhere amidst the exploding golden energy and fireworks, Underworld Yama had materialized behind him.

In a flash faster than teleportation, Yama’s silent shift made every hair on Azure Dragon’s body stand on end!

As one of the top-tier experts, a premonition of death instantly surged through his mind!

Azure Dragon roared, unleashing his divine might and raging energy at Underworld Yama who stood behind him.

But—

Under the mask of black and white, Yama seemed to have intricate patterns of chess pieces scattered about.

Tao Calamity Sword… Victory with a half-step!

Li Che had once showcased this punch in the Heroes’ Contest,

blending the Shengtian Dao Domain with the Cosmic Chessboard to obscure its true form!

Within the reach of the Cosmic Chessboard, everything belonged to me!

Heaven-Defying Half-step! Let all gods kneel!

The divine might was overwhelming!

Azure Dragon’s twisted gaze burst open as crushing pressure slammed into him.

He was shocked to realize that his martial prowess had plummeted from the peak of Martial Saint Four to Martial Saint Two!

What sort of power was this?!

Azure Dragon looked up in horror.

Then he saw the furnace reappear behind Underworld Yama’s mask!

Boom! A punch that shattered everything.

Azure Dragon exploded into fragments!

He was utterly annihilated!

Divine Capital’s Four Great Guardians—the Azure Dragon had fallen!