Chapter 461: Unleashing the Divine Monkey: A Battle in Qi Tian

Rumbling thunder—

Li Che’s entire body pulsed with golden qi-blood; his Martial Immortal Golden Body had surged to new heights.

In short, his physical strength had grown even more formidable.

But this time, his greatest gain was forging the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame with the Heart Ape Fire, boosting its power immensely!

Moreover, he fused the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame into the Qilin Sealing Inscription, elevating the once modest cultivation of the Qilin Sealing Inscription to a consummate level!

The leap was tremendous—a perfected Celestial Seed Martial Art now vastly outclassed its former self.

A faint flame burned all around him, warping the air.

Wearing the Divine Monkey Mask, Li Che’s eyes burst forth with wild arrogance as he gripped the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff. With a gentle twist, countless staff silhouettes erupted in an instant.

A murderous intent coiled deep in his pupils.

For that Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, coveting XiXi, who had reached the Second Calamity stage, Li Che unleashed lethal intent; he was determined to eliminate the huge black bull.

But before that…

A subtle shift in Li Che’s mind caused a white chess piece to float into his palm. Clenching his fist, he shifted his body and entered Mo City Fengdu.

The Qi Tian Face on Li Che’s visage began to tremble subtly as he stepped into Mo City Fengdu.

Radiant light swirled, and his golden monkey hair drifted like aquatic plants in slow motion.

Within his mind, as the Qi Tian Face completed its form, three great martial arts surged forth.

[Smash Southern Heavens], [Transcendental Furnace], [Treading the Firmament]!

Buzz—

Muscles and bones resonated; qi-blood burst forth as Li Che wielded the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff within Mo City Fengdu. Staff silhouettes interlaced layer upon layer as if determined to shatter the void.

Inside his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit began to hum and tremble.

It was as though a martial insight flowed ceaselessly within him—Li Che never imagined that the Qi Tian Three Techniques could be comprehended so fluidly!

But Li Che quickly realized that it was the Qi Tian Face on his own visage guiding him.

Wearing the Qi Tian Face felt like having a Great Sage’s blessing while practicing these three techniques.

Boom—!

Li Che’s figure shifted continuously within Mo City Fengdu, assuming countless postures.

Gold-colored staff silhouettes struck out, intricately interwoven.

In an instant, they shot skyward, weaving together to form a breathtaking panorama!

Qi and blood fused as though painted onto a scroll!

And yet, this interlaced panorama was not an illusion—it was real!

Dreamlike and ephemeral!

A majestic celestial palace gate spanned the horizon, radiant and imposing, bathed in countless hues of light with auspicious omens showering down, while immortals strolled and celestial corridors towered!

Beyond the gate, a colossal celestial furnace blazed with raging fire, where a purple Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame burned relentlessly.

It was the supreme celestial furnace guarded by the heavens.

Behind the furnace, brilliant rays erupted as an exquisitely magnificent palace emerged, its flying eaves and upturned corners encircled by divine radiance, seemingly suspended against the Heavenly Dome—this was the Lingxiao Hall atop the Ninth Heavens!

It was as if countless celestial emperors ruled from within the palace, casting their gaze downward!

Rumbling—

An overwhelming sense of oppression sealed everything in its wake.

Li Che’s staff techniques became ever more refined; he became utterly absorbed, his martial will and spirit completely congealed, unable to extricate himself.

A fiery ape let out a roar that echoed through the nine heavens, its form forged entirely from countless flames—the very incarnation of the Heart Ape Fire.

Against the canvas of interwoven staff silhouettes, the Divine Monkey appeared exceedingly diminutive, with myriad flames behind him drawing a tattered cape.

The mighty martial will, fused with the Heart Ape Fire, incarnated in the Divine Monkey, brimmed with indomitable defiance and resistance—as if stepping on a blood-red cloud to soar ninety thousand feet into the sky!

A Golden Treasure Staff trembled as it radiated an unstoppable aura, intent on shattering heaven and earth, overturning the cosmos!

The celestial gate shattered spectacularly, reduced to countless fragments like billions of broken stones!

Then, the Divine Monkey nimbly leaped into the celestial furnace; the blazing fire seethed as Tao Calamity Fire danced amid it, refining Qi Tian with the Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame!

It was as if the Divine Monkey let out a fierce cry, emerging from the furnace with a tattered cloak of flame trailing behind him over a thousand miles. His eyes, shrouded in golden smoke, fixed as he shattered the furnace with a staff thrust and a kick.

In that moment, the celestial furnace tilted, and the Divine Monkey’s momentum surged!

He then charged upward, as if a host of immortals lined the Lingxiao Hall!

Qi Tian, one mighty staff!

Qi Tian, one mighty staff… Treading the Firmament!

Standing amidst the supreme palace, the Divine Monkey pointed his treasure staff towards the heavens, as if ready to break through the celestial barrier, rendering heaven and earth mute and colorless!

Boom—

In an instant, the scene fractured; terrifying staff silhouettes exploded everywhere, their cracks intertwining like surging tides!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Li Che, single-handedly clutching his Treasure Staff, stood on the rugged ground of Mo City Fengdu.

Every muscle and bone vibrated as his qi-blood burned to its extreme.

Slowly, his eyes opened, and he couldn’t help but feel a surge of astonishment.

“The three combined staff techniques have reached a modest level…”

“Ultimately, the Celestial Seed Martial Art Treading the Firmament has modestly taken shape!”

A slight smile curved Li Che’s lips.

He never expected that his first complete trial of this Celestial Seed Martial Art would immediately bring him to a modest breakthrough!

“It was thanks to the Qi Tian Face and the Heart Ape Fire that this martial art entered at a foundational level.”

Li Che’s mood soared; the difficulty of Celestial Seed Martial Arts far surpassed that of Divine Seed Martial Arts.

Even with the support of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, training in Celestial Seed Martial Arts would still be somewhat challenging.

“Now, among my four Celestial Seed Martial Arts—[Qilin Sealing Inscription], [Qi Tian Treading the Firmament], [Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Sky-Cleaving Blade], and [Heavenly Immortal Martial 72 Transformations]… one is perfected, one is modest, one is at the introductory level, and one remains unpracticed…”

“At least that settles the issue of the four Qimen Immortal Seeds…”

Li Che exhaled deeply.

Alas, he had no time to attempt refining the Divine Seed. Even a brief cultivation of Qi Tian Treading the Firmament, advancing it from the entry level straight to a modest breakthrough, was already an unexpected delight.

It could only be said that Li Che had unexpectedly gained the Qi Tian Legacy.

With a shift in his mind, he exited Mo City Fengdu.

Reappearing, he found himself back in Qitian Inner City, emerging from the towering Juedian Palace.

Within his chest, the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit oscillated, and then he activated the Sleeping Dragon Elephant ability; his aura seemed to vanish straight into the void.

He felt as if he had become an invisible man, hidden in the emptiness.

“In Qitian Outer City, matters that were once problematic can now be handled easily…”

“Only four beings remain—a single First Calamity and three Third Calamities… Perfect, time to send them to the Underworld.”

Had he been in Qitian Outer City, Li Che would have been cautious of the prearranged demonic qi of the demon clan, wary of alerting the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

But in Qitian Inner City, with all favorable conditions on his side, Li Che grew increasingly unrestrained.

It was as if, with the Qi Tian Face on his own visage, he acted unbound and free!

…

…

Whoosh—

Qitian Inner City sprawled in boundless grandeur.

Palatial edifices, like blooming flowers, dotted the white jade expanse of the inner city, while rivers snaked across like tree trunks reaching the horizon.

Boom—

A terrifying demonic qi swept through; the bulky, mane-flying Blue Lion Demon God strode across the jade ground like a small mountain.

Each step sent tremors throughout the earth.

After barely shaking off the pursuing Temple Protection Incantation Corpses, he now felt liberating freedom.

Even the fearless Temple Protectors, who had come to siege him, left even a Three-Calamity Blue Lion Demon God feeling his mane go numb.

The Blue Lion Demon God’s eyes glimmered with a mysterious light as he glanced towards the direction of Qitian Temple—the exquisite palace perched atop a small hill at the edge of the inner city.

Envy shone in his eyes.

“If I could obtain the Qi Tian opportunity, I might just break through the First Calamity and reach the Second Calamity realm!”

The Blue Lion Demon God was filled with envy.

Even if it meant uniting the Ten Thousand Great Rivers of the mortal world—the demon clan’s gathering spots—there were only six Second Calamity Demon Gods at most.

Moreover, the Blue Lion Demon God was not one of the Three-Calamity Demon Gods under the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, but belonged to another faction entirely.

He represented that Demon God Supreme, tasked with overseeing the affairs of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

His eyes grew steadily resolute.

“Demons must have dreams. Without dreams, what’s the difference between a demon and a dried fish?”

The Blue Lion Demon God was indeed a demon with dreams!

He longed to dash to Qitian Temple to seize his own chance.

Suddenly,

the Blue Lion Demon God’s mane bristled as an aura of terrifying menace exploded right behind him!

“What?!”

“Who are you? An ambush on me!”

The Blue Lion Demon God’s hairs stood on end as the threat of death crept over him like a cold, spreading web!

Had there been a traitor in Qitian Inner City?!

Boom—!!!

Rolling demonic qi erupted wildly; the overwhelming mingling of divine and demonic forces surged like a raging tide!

The powers of one First Calamity and three Third Calamities manifested on the Calamity Wheel, releasing their rank-defining pressure!

A massive lion’s paw crashed forward with savage force!

It felt as though the very fabric of space was collapsing in an instant!

Three types of calamitous power swirled upon the lion’s paw.

Then, a staff glowing with splendid golden light exploded forth, unleashing countless staff silhouettes that interwove densely. The Blue Lion Demon God squinted to find himself encased by what looked like a gigantic celestial furnace crafted from staff silhouettes!

And the Blue Lion Demon God felt as though he were completely shrouded by that celestial furnace!

Within the furnace, eight blazing orbs of the sun rose, each emitting dazzling radiance in all its magnificence!

The Blue Lion Demon God could barely open his eyes, overwhelmed by the searing furnace as if billions of bulbs were bursting forth, releasing infinite light and heat.

Under that endless brilliance and warmth,

the Blue Lion Demon God finally saw the one who had ambushed him.

It was a lithe figure donning a monkey-faced mask with a sharp, beaked mien—seemingly leaping onto the edge of the celestial furnace.

With one twist of his staff, its head rotated furiously, as if he were wrenching space apart to create a massive void!

That Treasure Staff slammed into the furnace with all its might.

Then—

The furnace shook, reminiscent of the ancient bell atop a snowy mountain temple being rung—the resonant bell tones rippling outward.

Soon, the furnace tilted and finally exploded!

Countless staff silhouettes rained down in a frenzied assault upon the Blue Lion Demon God’s body!

“Roar—!!!”

The Blue Lion Demon God bellowed as an immense force erupted from the storm of staff silhouettes, his massive body battered into a crimson, blood-soaked state with demonic blood spurting everywhere!

Such a potent explosion of power genuinely took his breath away!

Boom—!

The Blue Lion Demon God stood his ground until he suddenly raised his head, only to see a massive, pitch-black doorway exhaling deathly fumes, looming above him.

The doorway descended with a crash, its scale magnified in his eyes, and in an instant, endless darkness enveloped him.

When he finally opened his eyes, the Blue Lion Demon God found himself in a dark, obsidian city.

Ink-colored rain pounded down, torn apart by the ferocious demonic qi clinging to his body!

“Another one…”

“Too bad—a dud without venom.”

“Old Dragon Head, it’s up to you now.”

A calm voice resounded.

The Blue Lion Demon God looked up to see a slender, lean figure in a proper alchemist robe.

At the same time, amidst swirling demonic qi, Fan Hai Jiuying burst forth with a thunderous arrival!

Four heads swung wildly, instantly crushing the Blue Lion Demon God into a deep pit.

They began to tear into him madly!

Thick blood splattered everywhere, and the overwhelming demonic qi roiled and seethed!

Qitian Inner City.

Li Che, wearing the Qi Tian Face, tilted his head and slung the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff over his shoulder as he stood atop the Fengdu City Tower.

Silently, he sensed the happenings in Mo City Fengdu.

“The first one.”

…

…

Qitian Inner City.

A palace gate swung open.

Inside was the palace of a Divine Calamity cultivator, which concealed several bottles of Three Purees Pill-grade elixirs. A lithe woman with a snake-like waist emerged gracefully.

Her enchanting face radiated joy as her long fingers clutched shimmering pill bottles.

“The haul is quite impressive…”

“Who knows what really transpired within Qitian Temple’s inner city back then—these deceased divine cultivators never even managed to secure their treasured collections, and now they’re ours for the taking.”

Ling Shui Demon God, a snake-demon with natural allure, her waist as slender as a palm and clad in a form-fitting azure-scaled garment, showcased an enticing figure.

Suddenly,

Ling Shui Demon God narrowed her eyes and looked towards the gate as her Heaven and Earth Soul diffused, with demonic qi surging around her.

But sensing the arrival of someone, she relaxed her guard.

“Isn’t that Brother Blue Lion?”

With a sway of her waist, Ling Shui Demon God greeted him with a beaming smile.

Yet she noticed the Blue Lion Demon God casting greedy, lustful glances at her, and she scolded him before tucking away the collected elixirs into Qiankun Space.

“Why the rush, Brother Blue Lion.”

Then, her graceful body entwined around the hulking Blue Lion Demon God.

However,

Ling Shui Demon God’s eyes suddenly contracted.

For the Blue Lion Demon God’s lion paw had unexpectedly slammed into her chest, causing it to burst open.

On that very paw lay ebony elixirs, which spilled out as poisonous mists instantly spread…

“Ah—!!!”

Ling Shui Demon God shrieked.

But the Blue Lion Demon God, feverish and greedy, roared, “Sister Ling Shui, let’s move on!”

Grabbing Ling Shui Demon God by the neck, he slammed her to the ground. With a fierce charge, he crashed into a suddenly appearing doorway exuding an aura of mortal decay.

The very words “Fengdu” shimmered with an aura of death.

Whoosh—

A vortex of deathly energy surged wildly.

The Divine Monkey, shouldering his Treasure Staff, let out a soft laugh.

“The second one.”

…

…

A silent, unseen slaughter unfolded in Qitian Inner City, unnoticed by anyone.

The Cosmic Chessboard perpetually floated overhead, its vast pattern blocking out the sun.

When it came to these demons, Li Che showed no mercy; after all, the demonic clan was inherently brutal, with killing and devouring as commonplace.

Now, with the one First Calamity Three-Calamity Demon God Spiritual Confinement in place, dispatching the remaining two First Calamity Three-Calamity Demon Gods became even easier.

The Blue Lion Demon God and Ling Shui Demon God moved in tandem—Ling Shui Demon God beguiling their foes, while the Blue Lion Demon God struck from behind, poisoning and hammering them in a swift, efficient manner.

Using nearly identical tactics, the remaining two First Calamity Three-Calamity Demon Gods were soon gagged, forced into Mo City Fengdu.

Clatter, clatter—

Ink rain poured down as Li Che, donning the Divine Monkey Mask and a billowing dark robe, stood before him.

Before him, four demon lords assumed various postures, standing in respectful yet frenzied formation.

In the distance, their true forms lay scattered as corpses.

There was a Blue-Faced Lion King as massive as a hill, a green python as thick as a pillar built of ten men’s arms, a spider as enormous as a hillock, and a giant scorpion…

They were, respectively, the Blue Lion Demon God, Ling Shui Demon God, Nine-Eyed Demon God, and Giant Claw Demon God.

The four First Calamity Three-Calamity Demon Gods respectfully faced Li Che.

Coupled with the already eliminated Second and First Calamity Demon Gods from the Outer City, there were nine in total. As for the Sword Antelope Demon God and other First Calamity demons guarding the gate, Li Che was too weary to even kill them.

“Enough.”

“It’s time to give that Black Bull a surprise…”

Li Che’s dark robe flapped in the wind as he looked over his assembled demonic minions with satisfaction.

“Master.”

Gu Yinxuan, clad in a professional alchemist robe, beamed with joy. “Master, it’s done!”

“I did it!”

“The Thousand-Bone Centipede Powder has been successfully refined!”

According to the Heavenly Poison Divine Pill Scripture, the Thousand-Bone Centipede Powder ranked eighth!

Li Che’s eyes lit up at Gu Yinxuan’s description—as the eighth Heavenly Poison was capable of even affecting Second Calamity Demon Gods!

“It’s a pity that the Seventh Heavenly Poison, [Golden-Winged Thousand Bee Blood Honey], is even more difficult to concoct… If perfected, it could provide a tremendous threat to Second Calamity Divine Calamity cultivators!”

“I’ve been in seclusion all these years; Gu Yangxuan has been collecting materials for my Heavenly Poison Divine Pill Scripture. Now that everything’s gathered, refining them… is an even greater challenge.”

“But for me, risking multiple deaths for you, Master, is a small price to pay.”

Gu Yinxuan was utterly loyal—he relished refining poisonous pills, finding joy in his own sacrifice.

Li Che felt deeply moved; with such a legion at his back, there was no fear his great cause would falter!

He departed from Mo City Fengdu with his demonic followers.

Li Che returned to the Outer City of Qitian.

After the demon lords respectfully saluted him, they clutched their Feilei Chess Pieces and vanished, teleporting back to their original positions.

Then, with clear objectives, they set off—their demonic qi soaring as they headed towards Qitian Temple.

…

…

Clatter, clatter—

Chaotic winds stirred.

Fang Han Shu’s scholar robe flapped as his Sage Book fluttered wildly in the wind.

With one hand behind his back, he raised his head, his eyes fixed towards Qitian Temple, complexity evident in his gaze.

“Sigh…”

“Qi Tian… Qi Tian.”

“One’s fate can never be escaped.”

Fang Han Shu softly shook his head.

He closed his Sage Book and, with wide sleeves streaming and interwoven palms, bowed three times as if in worship.

It was as if he were offering a sacrifice.

Then he straightened his back, his brush-like posture roaring like a dragon soaring skyward.

His cloth shoes lightly stepped down, and even space seemed to ripple.

His entire body shimmered as he advanced, each step radiating distance.

Step by step, he headed toward Qitian Temple.

It was like a pilgrimage.

…

…

Qitian Inner City.

Tempestuous winds howled fiercely!

Within the city, between palaces, divine cultivators—be they Divine Calamity masters or Absolute Peak Martial Saints—hustled about, scavenging remnants left by Qitian Temple.

Some cultivators had simple objectives, avoiding conflict as they merely sought resources.

Of course, others aimed high; they yearned to step into Qitian Temple to glimpse the majestic Qi Tian Sect God and learn whose hands would ultimately wield the Ruyi Golden Cudgel.

Boom, boom, boom—

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme brandished the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam as his formidable demonic aura spread.

As he neared Qitian Temple, the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme sensed ever stronger auras.

There was a mendicant from the Western Lands of Buddhism with a face etched with cicada patterns,

an old patriarch hidden within the Great Jing Court, a powerhouse from Witch God Mountain whose true aura exploded in all directions!

As Qitian Temple unfurled and the Ruyi Golden Cudgel appeared, long-hidden cultivators revealed their true might.

“A bunch of sly humans! They truly came prepared!”

“But Qi Tian belongs to our demon clan’s Demon Saint—its legacy and divine weapon are destined for us!”

“No one can steal it!”

“Anyone who dares challenge Old Bull will have to die!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme exuded confidence in his own cultivation.

Boom—!!!

With a roar, the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme quickened his pace, charging like a mad bull!

Qitian Temple lay atop Qi Tian Peak,

and Qi Tian Peak was the innermost hill of Qitian City.

The palatial complex radiated with splendor—glistening gold and jade resplendence, divine omens stretching far and wide.

Even sealed within the Inner City for ages, peach blossoms still bloomed on the hilltops.

They emerged amidst swirling mists and divine auras, faintly yet unmistakably.

When Li Che activated the Sleeping Dragon Elephant to its fullest using the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit,

he saw numerous figures converging at the foot of Qi Tian Peak.

Li Che’s heart skipped a beat; he hadn’t expected so many to converge so quickly.

With the Cosmic Chessboard at his command, essentially granting him the blessing of the Chess Sage Gaode, Li Che navigated Qitian Inner City with ease.

However, these formidable experts lacked a Cosmic Chessboard, struggling to breach the mists to reach Qi Tian Peak.

It seemed these individuals were all on par with the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme…

Most were elite cultivators of the Second Calamity realm—each a standout in their respective factions!

There weren’t many: the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, the mendicant from the Western Lands of Buddhism with cicada-patterned skin, the former Great Jing Court emperor, a Witch God Mountain priest, and a barefoot woman emanating an aura akin to Guanyin from South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove.

What shocked Li Che most was the secretive nature of Zhang Wuji, the sect leader of Purple Mansion Divine Sect!

How could he hide so deeply?!

Today’s Great Jing Court’s leading sect was truly formidable!

And besides Purple Mansion Divine Sect, even the enigmatic sect of South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove boasted strong figures.

That barefoot woman—Li Che didn’t know her personally, but she bore a resemblance to Guanyin.

These people all shared one clear goal: Qitian Temple!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme brandished the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, his bronze bell-like eyes scanning as he sneered at the gathering figures.

“You humans hide well… Had you exposed yourselves sooner, Old Bull wouldn’t have bothered with any tests and would have let you in immediately.”

“But you humans are so divided, always scheming. Otherwise… had you united, I would have conceded long ago.”

Amidst the overwhelming divine aura and golden fortune of the former Great Jing Court emperor, his face was unclear as he coolly remarked, “Fewer people is better; less noise.”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme glanced at the figure enveloped in divine aura and squinted, “Lv Wenchang… you truly are a top talent among the emperors of Great Jing Court since the era of the Great Jing Founder!”

“Just luck,” the former Great Jing Court emperor replied coolly.

“But alas, your era is coming to an end. The predictions of Gongshu Guigu still hold true!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme grinned wickedly.

Yet his heart grew heavy—suddenly, so many competitors emerged, and the pressure on him soared.

Alas, trapped in Qitian Inner City, he couldn’t activate his teleportation array; otherwise, summoning the other five Demon God Supremes would have ensured his dominance.

“Amitabha…”

“The mists are dense with hidden killing intent… Qi Tian Peak is not easy to ascend.”

“And most importantly, the Temple Protection Corpse King has yet to show his face.”

A calm voice emerged from the Western Lands of Buddhism’s cicada-patterned mendicant.

“No rush. When the war drums sound, the mists will part. That brief window—only as long as half a stick of incense—is the time to climb. Miss it, and the mists will close again. Retreat is the only option; you all know the fate awaiting those who fall into the mists in another realm.”

It was at that moment that Zhang Wuji, the sect leader of Purple Mansion Divine Sect, finally spoke.

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme narrowed his eyes and said, “You old man… have you been reincarnated again?”

But Zhang Wuji paid him no heed.

For a moment, the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme felt utterly bored.

Li Che unleashed the full power of the Sleeping Dragon Elephant, becoming as though completely merged with the void—utterly silent.

These Second Calamity Divine Calamity cultivators were among the top elites of the mortal world.

Even Li Che now couldn’t face these beings head-on.

Not even the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme—Li Che would have to calculate every move to have a chance against him.

For a moment, even Li Che felt the crushing weight of pressure.

How difficult—it was nearly impossible!

To enter Qitian Temple and discern the truth behind the Qi Tian corpse, to seize the Ruyi Golden Cudgel… it was all so challenging!

Every one of them was a sly old schemer, hidden too deeply.

At this moment, only the straightforward Black Bull stood out…

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The sound of tearing through the air resounded suddenly.

Wave after wave of demonic qi exploded and intertwined.

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s eyes lit up as he turned around to see four Demon Gods converging from all directions.

It was the Blue Lion Demon God, Ling Shui Demon God, Nine-Eyed Demon God, and Giant Claw Demon God!

The four First Calamity Three-Calamity Demon Gods united—even if they were no match for the Second Calamity Demon God Supreme, they could still entangle him with severe injuries!

This suddenly boosted the bargaining chips on the side of the Ten Thousand Great Rivers!

But before the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme could even boast,

a tremendous roar erupted from the heavens.

Ripples, like concentric waves originating from Qi Tian Peak, cascaded outward through the city!

Boom—

Boom, boom, boom—!!!

The sound of war drums echoed as if a divine being roared from the nine heavens!

Nine resounding booms shattered the skies!

Every gaze fixed intently.

Even Li Che’s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the mountain.

There, the surging mists parted as if cleaved by a staff, revealing a passage stretching from horizon to horizon.

A smooth, inclined staircase paved in white marble extended upward, leading directly to the golden splendor of Qitian Temple.

“Let’s go!”

At the moment the war drums began and the mists tore apart,

the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, bearing the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, charged forward without hesitation, his mighty form stomping onto that white marble ramp.

He ascended as if walking on flat ground!

The Western Lands of Buddhism’s cicada-patterned mendicant raised his palm and softly chanted as he stepped forward.

Zhang Wuji of Purple Mansion Divine Sect and the barefoot Guanyin-like woman from South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove also stepped out, along with the former Great Jing Court emperor Lv Wenchang and a priest from Witch God Mountain,

all mounting the smooth white ramp.

Li Che drew a deep breath, unleashing the full might of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit.

With the Cosmic Chessboard hovering above and the Qi Tian Face pressed to his brow, he too set his foot on the ramp.

But as soon as he stepped onto the white marble ramp,

clang, clang—

The sound of chains whipping echoed loudly.

A humanoid figure, pierced by nine chains—the very figure Li Che had glimpsed in the Outer City—stepped forward slowly.

He dragged the nine chains so taut they sang as he stood at the top of the white marble ramp, arms folded, coldly surveying the ascending crowd.

Then he looked upward toward the skies above Qitian Inner City, as if gazing into the distance.

“It’s him!”

Zhang Wuji’s eyes darkened.

“The Patriarch of Qitian Temple.”

“Fang Xinyuan!”

“And the founder of the Fang Clan of the Ancient Clan!”

“He… hasn’t died yet?!”

Shock rippled through the assembled crowd.

Li Che, upon hearing this, was equally stunned.

Indeed, the gaunt figure standing at the top was not dead—despite being bound by nine chains, he still exuded a fervent, burning vitality.

“The gods have arrived. Guard Qitian!”

“Survive for a thousand years, all for today!”

“You puny mortals dare covet the Qi Tian corpse!”

The emaciated figure looked skyward and suddenly burst into laughter!

Then, with a fierce sneer, he bellowed one word.

“Fight!”

At that instant, the nine chains behind him!

Burst and snapped one by one!

A majestic divine aura instantly enveloped his body.

The surging death aura and cadaveric qi erupted from the gaunt figure at the top of the ramp, scattering wildly like a blooming jet-black lotus.

Death aura, corpse qi, and chains swirled in a frenzied, whiplike dance behind him!

It was an overwhelming display of power, both divine and demonic!

The former Patriarch of Qitian Temple, steadfast in his lifelong vow to guard Qitian,

transformed without hesitation into the Temple Protection Corpse King!