Chapter 405: Cataclysm of the Divine Calamity

Huh huh huh huh!

An oppressive, murky night shrouded the heavens as rolling darkness surged across the skies.

Intertwined bolts of deep blue lightning crackled overhead – perhaps the clash between half-step Martial God and half-step Divine Calamity experts unleashed a deadly calamity.

The heavens roared with rolling thunder as disaster brewed!

The entire Daocheng was shrouded under a terrifying pressure from heaven and earth.

A dreadful roar exploded, filled with fury, disbelief, and a vengeful wrath!

It tore through the sky like an incredibly sharp blade, cleaving the darkness apart!

Every gaze turned toward the direction of Ji Mo Li, for the one bellowing was none other than Ji Mo Li – the invincible King Ping Luan, a half-step Divine Calamity expert wielding Netherfire!

He was locked in battle against the three Divine Sect Patriarchs of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and Baihu. At his mighty roar, all their hearts skipped a beat.

What misfortune has befallen him now?

Originally, the three, nearly coughing up blood from the relentless fighting style of the Azure Dragon, had entertained notions of retreat – after all, as Patriarchs of the Divine Sect, they weren’t really fighting for the Imperial Court.

The deaths of Gu Changqing and Bai Buyi had already rattled them enough.

And when the half-step Dragon God illusion formed by the Dragon Prince and his three dragon sons blocked Fang Han Shu, they exhaled a short breath of relief and abandoned thoughts of retreat.

But then, they heard Ji Mo Li’s furious roar again.

In that instant, all three trembled; if Ji Mo Li were to fall, the consequences would be monumental.

After all, Ji Mo Li’s power was the real deal – even when matched against titans like Lü Taibai, he managed to dominate. His downfall would deliver a devastating blow to the Imperial Court’s side.

Yet, their eyes beheld a horrifying sight as the gigantic half-step Martial God illusion of Tian Can Di Que slammed a demonic elephant’s hoof into Ji Mo Li’s body with brutal force!

BOOM!!!

In an instant, the very air split as countless fine black fissures crisscrossed the space.

A thunderous explosion drowned out even Ji Mo Li’s furious bellow!

The roar rolled on relentlessly!

Like innumerable tidal waves colliding and bursting, the displaced air howled as it swept over the lake, producing a fearsome sound!

It was as if heaven and earth themselves were tearing apart!

The entire space resembled a colossal lake rocked by a mountain’s fall; ripples spread continuously across the churning waters.

BOOM!!!

!

In an instant, the black armor on Ji Mo Li twisted, exploded, and shattered!

Fragments flew in all directions as a terrifying force surged from the demonic elephant’s hoof!

The half-step Martial God illusion unleashed every bit of its power. After Tian Can Di Que and his two cohorts ignited the Divine Seed, their state reached its utmost apex!

This assault was the most powerful display that Tian Can Di Que and his allies could muster!

It roiled like boiling magma!

It blazed with searing heat!

After his furious roar, Ji Mo Li barely had time to let out another howl as the oppressive flow of blood and divine energy erupted from his body, coalescing into an enormous armor of vital energy, ready to block the attack.

But—

Too late!

Caught completely off guard and defenseless!

He never expected that Tian Can Di Que – the very man he had been fighting against, the Underworld Yama – would suddenly turn his wrath on him!

In an instant, Ji Mo Li seemed to go berserk. His eyes turned red as blood, his temples pulsed with fury, and his body trembled like the roaring thunder echoing across the skies!

Yet, facing an onslaught at the peak of half-step Martial God power, Ji Mo Li’s defenses simply couldn’t hold back the unstoppable attack!

They crumbled in an instant!

THUD!!!

Tian Can Di Que’s leg struck Ji Mo Li’s flesh with savage force, like the toll of an ancient bell in a thousand-year-old temple – its resounding chime shattering everything in its wake!

SPLOOSH!!!

A huge burst of blood mist exploded in midair.

Ji Mo Li’s body shot out like a cannonball; in that split second, his form twisted like a deflating ball.

Even his bones seemed to creak and splinter under the strain, as if succumbing to an unbearable overload!

The very heavens and earth trembled!

The chaos was overwhelming!

“Attack!”

At that moment, as Tian Can Di Que’s backstab struck Ji Mo Li nearly to shattering,

Li Che’s eyes flashed brilliantly with a radiant glow!

Beneath the split-black-and-white Underworld Yama Mask, an overwhelming murderous intent surged!

“Kill!”

“Attack!”

No more words were exchanged!

They struck immediately!

A once-in-a-lifetime chance!

Li Che had long harbored a burning desire to finish off Ji Mo Li. The threat posed by this King Ping Luan was too great for his family to ignore!

Since the days of Jingguang Prefecture, the pressure from Ji Mo Li had clung to them like a curse, never letting them relax.

It haunted Li Che every night, forcing him to train relentlessly!

Even though Li Che now possessed the might to vanquish top-tier experts and even half-step Martial Gods,

the looming threat remained undiminished!

Previously in Divine Capital, Li Che had erupted fully, slaying the top elites of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and Baihu, hoping to finish Ji Mo Li in one go.

But he hadn’t anticipated that Ji Mo Li had awakened Netherfire – a power of the Three Calamities – elevating him to half-step Divine Calamity strength.

Thus, Li Che’s ambition to kill Ji Mo Li fell short once again.

And now, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would not be wasted by Li Che!

“Kill!”

His deep, hoarse roar echoed through the air – every syllable laced with a deadly determination.

Dragon Elephant Furnace roared into life as seven blazing orbs ascended. Li Che’s five fingers summoned forth the Mythic Weapon with resounding clamor, while the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade gripped tightly in his hand.

In a flash, the blade swept through like that of a peerless swordsman wandering solitary mountains, slicing down everything in its path!

Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade!

Firing with the combined force of furnace-borne blood and divine blade, the air itself seemed split apart as it thundered straight towards Ji Mo Li — whose shattered, armored body writhed in its wake!

Elsewhere,

Lü Taibai gripped the Taibai Sword. At the moment Tian Can Di Que struck, he stood dumbfounded.

Even he could not help but stare in amazement!

A storm of shock and awe roiled in his heart!

What exactly was happening?!

He had been waiting for Huang Mei Great Master to act – so why was it Tian Can Di Que who had struck?!

It was chaos!

Utter pandemonium!

Wasn’t Tian Can Di Que supposed to be one of the Imperial Court’s elite?

Had he been betrayed?!

Since when did this happen?

But Lü Taibai didn’t overthink it –

At a time like this, there was no time for doubts; kill him!

What a chance to dispatch Ji Mo Li!

Even though Lü Taibai knew that the Ji Mo Li before him was likely just a clone – a mere projection of his true self!

But so what?!

The fall of even a half-step Divine Calamity projection would be a huge setback for Ji Mo Li!

That loss might even seal his fate in future battles!

“Kill!!!”

Lü Taibai’s eyes burned fiercely as innumerable sword auras intertwined, surging upward in a dense, clashing storm of blades!

Above Ji Mo Li’s head, a gigantic sword phantom materialized – a mighty blade formed of countless sword auras!

Tian Can Di Que, Underworld Yama, and the Taibai Killing Star!

Three half-step divine experts unleashed their full might without hesitation!

BOOM!!!

Ji Mo Li’s entire body was drenched in blood; his hair wild and disheveled as he clutched the Umbrella Spear, his form enshrouded in a dense, bloody mist.

“You’re asking for death!”

He was enraged!

His fury knew no bounds!

Never could he have imagined that someone would ambush him so treacherously!

At that moment, Ji Mo Li’s thoughts swirled – could this so-called battle to shatter sects be nothing but a conspiracy?

A trap!

A snare set solely for him by a collusion between the Qianyuan Divine Sect and National Teacher Xie Yunshen!

Or—had his recent actions in Jizhou completely backfired, exposing him to the Imperial Court?

After all, Tian Can Di Que was National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s most trusted guardian!

If they acted without his orders and killed Ji Mo Li, no one would believe it!

“Damn it!”

Huang Mei Great Master sputtered and was flung backward. Upon seeing the scene, his face was etched with horror.

“King Ping Luan, be careful! I’ll help you!” he roared.

Huang Mei bellowed fiercely!

His palms pressed together as the colossal golden Buddha statue, enshrouded in mist, opened its eyes, showering radiant divine light. A gigantic, sweeping Buddha hand came crashing down.

“Get lost!”

Suddenly,

Underworld Yama unleashed a fist – a thunderous collision of dragon and elephant, with furnace-like torrents pouring forth, as if molten mountain fire erupted!

In an instant, Huang Mei Great Master’s colossal Buddha figure was blasted apart. His long, flowing eyebrows whipped wildly as he vomited a torrent of blood mist, crashing down.

“King Ping Luan, I’ve done all I can…”

Huang Mei’s face turned pale, blood staining his lips. With a heavy sigh, he retreated from the battlefield.

Though Ji Mo Li was drenched in blood and caught in a pincer by the three half-step Divine experts, at that moment his heart felt oddly warm.

He realized that true compassion still existed among mortals!

Betrayed and trapped by conspiracies, Ji Mo Li felt, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of light – a fleeting warmth that moved him deeply!

But any moment of emotion was soon overwhelmed by the terrifying onslaught!

The battle erupted anew in an instant!

Ji Mo Li was undeniably fierce – even after being ambushed by Tian Can Di Que, his xuan armor shattered and his flesh injured, his murderous intent burned as fiercely as ever!

Though much of his physical body was ruined and nearly obliterated by the demonic elephant’s hoof, he still retained the strength to counterattack!

The Umbrella Spear struck out with savage force, and blood and qi coalesced to form a half-step Martial God illusion!

Half-step Martial God… Half-step Divine Calamity!

Amazingly, Ji Mo Li had taken crucial steps in both martial prowess and divinity!

But it was all for naught!

No sooner had his Martial God illusion emerged!

It was instantly shattered by Lü Taibai’s river-splitting sword, and then obliterated by Underworld Yama’s Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Divine Blade!

Ji Mo Li roared in pain as his body was repeatedly pummeled, each attack forcing him further back!

Every lost opening unleashed an unceasing torrent of murderous strikes – not even a breath was granted!

“Kill!”

Lü Taibai’s eyes burned with murderous rage!

He would seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance!

Ji Mo Li’s pressure on the Qianyuan Divine Sect was immense; killing him would ease that burden considerably!

With a long howl, Lü Taibai’s body shimmered with silver light. His white robe swelled as if a punctured balloon, and in the next instant, burst open repeatedly.

One wave of sword energy after another erupted from beneath his robe!

They converged into a terrifying, radiant sword aura.

His forehead split open with crimson flesh!

Tao Calamity Sword!

Sword energy soared into the heavens!

“Chop—!”

!!!

Seizing the moment of his weakness, he aimed for his life!

This chance had to be grasped!

With a forceful roar, the heavens trembled, the night sky was torn asunder, and the clouds split in two!

A single sword slash descended!

Annihilating God-Wind howled in fury!

That sword was the blade of the heavens and earth!

Madness!

Absolute madness!

Ji Mo Li roared repeatedly as his body was shrouded in a bursting blood mist. His shattered Martial God illusion coalesced; clutching the Umbrella Spear, a towering phantom—like a wrathful heavenly king—rose into the sky!

But even as Tian Can Di Que and the others roared in unison,

their eyes burned red. Three mysterious Divine Seeds behind them flared like swirling vortices, tearing apart the mortal coil!

The half-step Martial God illusion grew ever more imposing and vast!

The demonic elephant’s hoof seemed ready to explode as it swept across, relentlessly smiting Ji Mo Li’s Martial God illusion!

Li Che too let out a long howl, thrusting his fist forward. Seven Divine Seeds spun simultaneously, creating a terrifying vortex of power!

At that moment, there was no choice but to give it his all!

Kill!

Kill, kill, kill!

BAM!!!

The very heavens trembled!

Ji Mo Li’s half-step Martial God illusion shattered once again!

A knife-like streak of sword slashes cut across his shoulder, nearly slicing his flesh in two!

Meanwhile, the force of the Annihilating God-Wind relentlessly eroded his flesh,

destroying his blood and muscle!

Ji Mo Li flew sideways, spitting blood as a murky mist enveloped him!

He was pinned by the combined assault of Tian Can Di Que and Underworld Yama!

In that desperate state, his legs exploded into fragments, reduced to shattered meat and blood mist, yet Ji Mo Li continued to roar, wielding the Umbrella Spear midair to fend off the three formidable assailants!

If he had fought a fair one-on-three battle, he might have lasted a while. He wouldn’t have broken down so quickly!

But he was ambushed, struck from behind by a half-step Martial God’s full-force strike!

His body was nearly shattered, and turning the tide now would be as impossible as climbing a mountain with bare hands!

It was like a contest of wrist strength – one’s wrist, caught off guard and pinned to a table, would require an enormous effort to reverse the situation!

High above, the battlefield was plunged into utter chaos!

The power of the Three Calamities clashed continuously!

The fearsome qi of a half-step Martial God rampaged unchecked across the field!

Heaven and earth seemed on the verge of collapse, thunder rolling endlessly!

Shockwaves rippled outward in perfect circular patterns!

Everyone watched in disbelief – the shifting tides of battle were beyond anyone’s expectation:

King Ping Luan Ji Mo Li was on the brink of death!

“Ahhh!!!”

!!

A piercing, furious roar shook the heavens!

In the next moment,

the void itself trembled as a terrifying, undulating force surged, rising and falling relentlessly!

A massive, blazing mushroom cloud ascended, red qi and blood surging upward!

From within the raging, Netherfire-enshrouded Divine Seed burst forth an otherworldly presence, its roar echoing to the heavens as divine power surged like tidal waves!

Crying out in blood and fury!

Ji Mo Li’s flesh…

was utterly blown apart!

“Dragon Prince! Rush to King Ping Luan’s aid!”

Aboard the warship,

from the moment Tian Can Di Que’s backstab left Ji Mo Li gravely injured to the instant when Lü Taibai, Underworld Yama, and Tian Can Di Que encircled him – it took only a few heartbeats!

Xie Yunshen recovered his senses, his face twisted in extreme dismay.

He couldn’t fathom why Tian Can Di Que had betrayed him, but that no longer mattered!

Ji Mo Li must never die!

Not even one of his clones could be allowed to perish!

The repercussions would be disastrous!

If Ji Mo Li’s clone were slain in battle, the campaign to dismantle the sect would become nothing more than a laughingstock!

On the warship, the Dragon Prince, who had been joining forces with the half-step Dragon God to attack Fang Han Shu, suddenly showed a grim change in expression.

A resounding dragon roar pierced the air!

The Dragon Prince surged forward, intent on bypassing Fang Han Shu to aid Ji Mo Li’s battlefield!

“Ha ha ha ha—

“If you want to fight, then fight! If you want to retreat, then leave! Who do you think I am?”

“Leave someone for me!”

Fang Han Shu spread his arms, his scholar’s robe billowing as a vast, majestic river of righteous energy roiled behind him. Then, a gigantic hand formed from this majestic qi stretched out, every ridge of his palm distinct and real.

That colossal hand descended from the sky, smashing toward the advancing Dragon Prince!

The Dragon Prince’s expression faltered; even after swallowing the Dragon Emperor Pearl, he felt an unfathomable pressure!

How could Fang Han Shu’s strength be so overwhelming?!

Aboard the warship,

Xie Yunshen’s tattered robes fluttered as he gripped his feather fan until it splintered. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

“It’s too late.”

“Senior—please act!”

Xie Yunshen sighed heavily.

“King Ping Luan————must not die.”

The moment his words fell,

the entire world seemed to freeze. The wind subsided; even the waves calmed.

“Throat—”

“Old man, I understand.”

A deep, resonant voice, as if from another realm, reverberated endlessly.

A cold, ghostly white flame rose slowly from an unassuming Xuaniron Spirit Wood warship atop the Grand Canal. It ascended gradually, seeming slow though its speed was incredible.

The white flame danced in midair.

In an instant, an all-freezing chill spread outward from the flame’s location!

Accompanied by rippling waves and an overwhelming aura of divine rank – like a mountain collapsing – it pressed down on everyone, leaving them gasping for breath!

The flame flickered; the distorted space seemed to crack under its intensity.

Then, a figure slowly emerged from the warship, ascending step by step, each footfall accompanied by the sound of clanging bells that echoed as ripples through space.

It was an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face, clad in a Taoist robe embroidered with dragons and tigers, his long sleeves fluttering as he exuded a brilliant radiance.

BOOM!!!

Above, the heavens flashed with sudden lightning!

A terrifying aura of impending calamity descended upon and enveloped all of Daocheng, making every breath a struggle.

Divine Calamity!

The Divine Calamity had struck!

At that moment, all eyes converged in horror upon the elderly man cradling the white, cold flame that had burned through space.

Just one glimpse was enough to evoke the terror of an imminent cataclysm!

“White Nether Calamity Flame!”

“One of the Three Great Calamity Flames of the Nine Calamities!”

Observing Fang Han Shu, whose majestic qi suppressed the Dragon Prince and the half-step Dragon God, the elderly man instantly recognized the eerie white flame!

To master the Divine Calamity realm, one must secure their Dao Rank.

For every calamity – whether Three Calamities or Nine – there exist three Dao Ranks.

While the Three Calamity Dao Ranks are higher than those of the Nine Calamities, they come with far greater risks when using them to break through the Divine Calamity!

Of course, aside from the methods of the Three Calamities and Nine Calamities, practitioners of the Confucian, Taoist, and Martial paths all have their own breakthrough techniques.

Fang Han Shu’s face grew grim with the realization:

He could feel his majestic qi surging!

A Divine Calamity breakthrough was at hand!

Sure enough!

Xie Yunshen had indeed prepared for a Divine Calamity breakthrough!

“Ancestral Patriarch!”

In the distance,

the heavens were straining under the assault of Baihu as Zhao Chunqiu, the Patriarch of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Sect, was jolted in surprise, breaking free from his clash with Baihu.

Bowing respectfully, he greeted with both fists and proper ritual.

The figure who had unleashed the Divine Calamity breakthrough was none other than the ancestral patriarch of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Sect!

Zhao Beidou!

Zhao Chunqiu could scarcely believe that his own ancestral patriarch would be allied with National Teacher Xie Yunshen.

If that were the case, his earlier skirmish with Baihu wouldn’t have been so lackluster – he would have fought with even greater vigor.

The overwhelming aura surged like a tidal river, halting all movement as if time itself had frozen.

Behind Fang Han Shu, his majestic qi roiled turbulently.

The Dragon Prince also felt a jolt in his heart.

And in that moment, as the ancestral patriarch of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Sect appeared, his terrifying aura of impending doom stilled the raging battle.

Just as Ji Mo Li’s flesh was shattered and the blood-mist mushroom cloud hung suspended in midair,

Lü Taibai’s silver hair whipped wildly, his eyes ablaze – yet his heart held no surprise.

After all, if Xie Yunshen was planning to attack the Qianyuan Divine Sect, how could he not station a Divine Calamity master?

No matter which sect was targeted, every major sect always had at least one Divine Calamity elder presiding.

Every great sect boasted at least one patriarch at the Divine Calamity level.

Even if those patriarchs hid in secluded Divine Calamity caverns to avoid the calamities triggered by heaven’s will, each one’s very existence was a symbol of power!

“Ancestral Patriarch of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Sect – Zhao Beidou!”

Lü Taibai’s eyes blazed with sword energy as he quickly brandished the Taibai Sword, channeling the Tao Calamity Sword to its full extent, and lunged at Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed with astonishing speed!

Ji Mo Li was a master of both martial prowess and divinity – his martial cultivation had reached the half-step Martial God realm and his foot had almost stepped into the Heavenly Gate.

His physical body was immensely resilient; had he not been suppressed from the start, he might have managed a comeback!

But now, with his flesh shattered, if his Divine Seed were struck down, Ji Mo Li would surely die!

Whether this was even a clone or not, he had to perish!

Behind Li Che’s split Underworld Yama Mask, his eyes burned with murderous intent as his golden qi surged forth – like a cannonball tearing through the night sky – heading straight for Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed!

His five fingers spread out as streams of dark-gold Divine Xiao Thunder blasted out, forming a heavenly net that ensnared Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed!

After Zhao Beidou appeared, his ancient, white-haired visage bore a smile.

He looked up at the piling calamity bolts on the heavens and murmured, “Half an hour – that will be enough.”

In half an hour, the calamity bolts would fall…

If he failed to hide in a small Divine Cavern or a Bizarre Temple, he’d have to face the full brunt of the Nine Calamities, risking a death by catastrophe.

Zhao Beidou knew well why Xie Yunshen summoned him –

to rescue King Ping Luan Ji Mo Li.

With a light step, the ripples on the void resembled water circles.

Zhao Beidou placed his hands behind him and strode forward through the frozen space, his gaze fixed on the most critical area of the battle.

There, he saw Ji Mo Li, his flesh shattered, his Divine Seed struggling to break free.

“Stop!”

Zhao Beidou’s voice boomed, echoing mightily as his palm, emanating a bone-chilling white flame, shuddered to life.

At his command,

Li Che paid no heed. His fist clenched, and the Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant surged forth, as if a phantom of a dragon and elephant leapt out of the Dragon Elephant Furnace, intent on obliterating the Divine Seed imprisoned by the Prison Thunder Network!

Boom, boom, boom—

Suddenly, Li Che felt as if his heart had skipped a beat – a mountain-like pressure slammed into his chest. It was the aura of a calamity!

That oppressive force wrapped around Li Che’s heart, and soon, he sensed one white flame after another pulsating across his body!

Like maggots clawing at his flesh, threatening to burrow within and detonate him instantly!

But!

In that moment, Li Che’s spirit stirred atop the Daocheng city wall.

A mighty roar erupted as mechanisms clanged like metal, and the half-step peerless Little Yinglong King’s wings beat powerfully.

Then, his body rocketed upward, and on the back of Little Yinglong King, Ma Mian – his eyes burning with murderous intent and icy cold focus – also leaped,

while atop the narrow barrel-like cannon, sparks leaped vividly.

Sizzle, sizzle – the Super Divine Xiao Electromagnetic Cannon of Nouwuxiang (Xian Gong) roared!

An electromagnetic cannon fused with Divine Xiao Thunder!

That cannon barrel was like a beast, choosing its prey with predatory hunger!

Emerging from the Underworld, it sent souls on their final journey!

And not only Ma Mian – behind him, the main war machine of the Thousand-Hands Guanyin, with its myriad hands forming yet another cannon barrel, was spurred by Little Yinglong King; its mouth erupted in dazzling gold!

BOOM – a loud double explosion: one big, one small. The smaller blast was utterly masked by the roar!

In a split second, a golden beam tore through the night sky above Daocheng, splitting the ink-black heavens like a brushstroke!

Gold sliced through darkness!

Its target: Xie Yunshen on the Xuaniron Spirit Wood warship!

“National Teacher! Danger!!!”

Armed bodyguards, their eyes filled with murderous intent, roared as torrents of blood qi erupted!

After waiting for so long, Ma Mian had finally fired…

But when the awaited Ning An arrived, there was nothing but despair!

He couldn’t stop it—

to lock onto him when the Divine Calamity breakthrough struck, ensuring a lethal strike!

For the first time, Xie Yunshen felt the suffocating pressure of a ruthless grandmaster who controlled everything on the battlefield!

From the very start, had Ma Mian been waiting for this moment?

Ultimately, either Ji Mo Li or Xie Yunshen—

one of them had to die!

That was why Li Che, beneath his Underworld Yama Mask, had been fixated on him all along, holding back his killing blow until now!

Xie Yunshen closed his eyes.

But his pawn… – oh, it wasn’t over yet!

BOOM!!!

Through the haze, a razor-sharp sword light materialized before Xie Yunshen, and in the blink of an eye, it began to spin, transforming into a shield of sword light!

BOOM!!!

A terrifying explosion slammed into the sword-light shield!

It was a power capable of annihilating even three top-tier Martial Saints, yet it was completely deflected – the explosion roared skyward, and the Xuaniron Spirit Wood warship was utterly obliterated; half the ship was reduced to nothing.

Aboard the ship, countless Imperial Court soldiers tumbled into the Grand Canal like dumplings.

Some perished; others were gravely injured. One guard, Ning An, suffered severe wounds, his blood erupting as he was brutally hurled into the Canal by the force of the exploding Guanyin Lotus Bullet.

A gust of wind swept by.

The clashing sound of sword energy echoed relentlessly,

and amidst the chaos, all the explosive debris was subdued, as if sliced to pieces by the swift, sharp sword light.

A silver disc of sword energy hung in the air; Xie Yunshen’s body was shielded behind it, supported by the invisible blade aura.

Beside him, an elderly, slender man in an ancient robe floated serenely.

The old man’s gaze swept the scene, as biting, razor-sharp winds charged by the calamity swept over him!

One of the Three Great Calamities of the Nine –

The Wanren Calamity Wind!

The second Divine Calamity breakthrough!

High in the sky, the calamity clouds thickened, as if the very will of heaven and earth roared in anger, about to unleash a world-devouring catastrophe!

Fang Han Shu’s face turned as grim as could be!

Elsewhere,

Zhao Beidou, the ancestral patriarch of the Dragon and Tiger Divine Sect, smiled lightly as his gaze fell upon Underworld Yama – who, with murderous intent, was still advancing toward Ji Mo Li’s imprisoned Divine Seed.

“I’ve told you, stop now,” Zhao Beidou said lightly.

He stepped forward.

Like the peal of a copper gong resounding through space,

in the next moment, countless afterimages were torn across the void, channeled by the overwhelming pressure of a Divine Calamity breakthrough. Outstretched fingers, dancing calamity flames, surged toward Underworld Yama.

Beneath his split mask, Li Che suddenly felt his body stiffen under the pressure of divine rank and calamity flames.

Then, as his Seven Aperture Luminous Heart pounded, the oppressive force evaporated in an instant.

Zhao Beidou’s palm, transformed by the power of calamity flames, struck empty!

The Divine Calamity master’s eyes narrowed.

He seemed stunned that even his invincible calamity aura had been so easily shaken off!

A true Divine Calamity expert attains Dao Rank by surviving their tribulations – embodying the will of heaven itself!

He wields the very authority of heaven!

Under the shadow of the Divine Calamity, all are utterly subdued in rank!

Yet…

His heavenly might had been nullified!

At that moment, Li Che shattered the Divine Calamity aura and snatched a Feilei Chess Piece, disappearing from sight to reappear behind Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed.

The Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade clanged mightily.

Zhao Beidou’s eyes blazed as he stepped forward with a crisp ‘ka’ sound,

ready to shatter the void and pursue Underworld Yama, to once again subdue the wily rogue.

He was utterly curious how this man could so easily ignore the weight of the Divine Calamity!

But…

As he turned, a shadow loomed before him accompanied by the roar of rupturing space and thunder.

It was a large plaque, hurtling straight for his head!

Zhao Beidou’s pupils contracted. With a fist ignited by calamity flames, he struck fiercely at the descending plaque.

From within that plaque, a withered, decaying hand suddenly reached out.

It collided with Zhao Beidou’s palm –

At the moment of impact, the very void trembled as terrifying cracks spread like spiderwebs!

“Old man, you’re not dead yet?”

A resounding, hearty laugh emanated from the plaque.

“Kid, keep going,”

it said first to Zhao Beidou,

and then to Underworld Yama.

Beneath his split Underworld Yama Mask, Li Che’s eyes grew dark and distant.

Before the final words could fade, the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade plunged into Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed without delay.

With a reverberating clang!

Countless slivers of blade light whirled,

grinding Ji Mo Li’s Divine Seed into broken fragments!