Chapter 462: The Battle for the Guardian of Qitian

Booming roar—!!!

A terrifying aura, intertwined with the sound of chains whipping and lashing, shattered the void with booming explosions!

The forces of death, decay, divine essence, Dao energy, and calamity merged together like streaks of black lightning, relentlessly assaulting the emaciated figure standing atop the white jade slide.

A chaotic surge of mysterious energy tore outward, its impact rippling through the surroundings as if the very space trembled like disturbed water.

Frenzied winds howled while dreadful ripples shook everything.

Chain after chain lashed out like whips, battering the area around.

An oppressive pressure, like an avalanche overwhelming mountains and seas, pressed upon the heavens and earth, annihilating everything in its path!

Divine, yet demonic!

Utterly terrifying!

For thousands of years in silent, withered seclusion, it had waited for this moment—to guard Qitian!

Li Che, wearing the Qi Tian Face, showed unspeakable horror in his eyes!

At this very moment, every single Dao Fruit within his chest pulsed with life; especially the Pure Heart Dao Fruit, which flared with an urgent warning!

Danger! Danger! Danger!!!

The void itself trembled as an invisible surge spread in an instant!

A powerful aura, like a divine mountain thrusting into the blue sky and then brutally severed in its midsection, crumbled with a deafening collapse as it fell to earth like an unstoppable heavenly seal!

Such incredible might! Such a terrifying aura!

Even Li Che was paralyzed with shock at that moment.

This was, by far, the most fearsome presence he had ever encountered!

The many calamity stage Supreme Experts present, facing such an overwhelming energy, shrank into insignificance, their own auras suppressed and forced back within themselves!

It was an absolute level of crushing dominance!

Completely on another level!

“This is…”

“Surviving three calamities! The Supreme of Divine Calamity!”

Li Che’s pupils contracted!

The Temple Protection Corpse King of Qitian Temple was none other than a Divine Calamity Supreme who had crossed through three disasters!

Surviving even two calamities makes one a Supreme Expert; to cross three is to be a Supreme!

An oppressive force raged wildly, dancing across the skies and blotting out the sun—it was as if the entire Qitian Inner City sank into endless, suffocating despair.

But even more astonishing to Li Che was that the emaciated figure was none other than the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple!

The very founder of the greatest Divine Sect in the world!

He was still alive!

Qitian Temple had plummeted from its peak, and for reasons unknown, the Inner City was sealed while most of Qitian Temple’s powerful cultivators were interred.

Earlier, when the gates of Qitian Inner City had been flung open and many protective corpse forms—the remnants of Qitian Temple’s past power—were seen, Li Che had assumed that all the mighty had perished.

Never had he imagined that the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple had remained, sitting in seclusion for thousands of years, clinging to a single resolve to guard Qitian. Now, as people approached Qitian Temple,

he had finally shattered his restrictions, transforming into the Temple Protection Corpse King!

His aura and cultivation returned fully to their peak!

He had become a terrifying existence at the level of a Three-Calamity Supreme!

Unstoppable…

Every Dao Fruit in Li Che’s chest warned him.

At that moment, Li Che realized that no matter what he did, he could not hold back this Three-Calamity Supreme!

Beneath the Qi Tian Face, Li Che’s brows furrowed ever so slightly.

He sensed that something was terribly wrong.

Taking a barely perceptible step back, he attempted to put distance between himself and the threat.

As the head of his family and the pillar supporting his daughter XiXi and wife Zhang Ya, Li Che always prioritized self-preservation.

Even under the concealing aura of Sleeping Dragon Elephant, Li Che could feel that the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple, now transformed into the Temple Protection Corpse King with Supreme combat prowess, would undoubtedly locate him.

So Li Che knew he must act more cautiously.

Boom—!!!

“What a lunatic! Absolutely insane!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, hefting the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, could not hide the terror flashing in his eyes.

“To hold one breath for thousands of years, waiting only for this moment to transform into the Temple Protection Corpse King—what kind of ancient relic is this!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme cursed under his breath.

At that moment, under the crushing force of the Supreme aura, every powerful cultivator daring to storm the temple turned pale in shock.

Zhang Wuji, the sect leader of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, his Dao robe flapping and his jet black hair streaming wildly, wore a grave expression mixed with admiration as he said, “Truly unyielding faith…”

“Seated in desolation for thousands of years, his strength diminished to a fraction; yet the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple once reigned at the pinnacle. He was the Three-Calamity Supreme, and having crossed two tribulations as well, he was once the mightiest in the world.”

“But now, time has cut away his brilliance and power. Perhaps he never wished to see his strength erode with the passing years,”

“Even as the Temple Protection Corpse King, his power will wane over time, no longer at its peak.”

“And with the opening of the Inner City and the rise of the Bizarre Temple, all the powerful will covet this—so the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple chose to transform into the Temple Protection Corpse King, unleashing his peak strength!”

Zhang Wuji inhaled deeply, his robe clinging tightly to his body.

His eyes flickered with turbulent emotion.

“But how can this ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple, Fang Xinyuan, endure thousands of years of loneliness, face his own declining strength, and bear the merciless blows of time? What kind of resolve is that?”

“Is guarding Qitian really that important? Is it even worth it?!”

Zhang Wuji exhaled slowly, his tone heavy.

“Amitabha…”

“The newly transformed Temple Protection Corpse King has yet to reach his peak!”

“Everyone, don’t hold back… Since you dare to storm Qitian Temple, you must have prepared yourselves for this moment.”

“We thought we’d face a corpse guardian long drained of life, but instead, we confront one who has endured thousands of years of torment and only transforms when crisis looms.”

“Fortunately, this freshly transformed state is also his weakest phase!”

“Now, everyone, press the attack!”

The chanting of Buddhist mantras rippled like sound waves, and the radiance of Buddhist light shot skyward, yet it exuded a chilling coldness.

Then, a Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk from the Western Lands of Buddhism, standing atop the white jade slide with his palms clasped and his monk robe billowing, let his calm voice resonate.

“Who is the true enemy that the founding patriarch of Qitian Temple—who has sealed Qitian Temple with his life—wishes to block? In any case… it won’t be us.”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme gave a cold laugh. Curious as he was, his actions did not cease as he fiercely slammed the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam onto the ground.

In the next instant, his five fingers tore through the void, reaching into Qianyuan Space.

He yanked out a gigantic Demon Pill that pulsed vigorously!

Thud, thud, thud—

Glowing with intermittent radiance, the Demon Pill emanated a powerful, whip-like demonic aura that intertwined with its surroundings.

On its surface, three calamity patterns burst forth, exuding the terrifying aura of the Three-Calamity Demon God Supreme.

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme flung the Demon Pill with tremendous force!

In an instant, countless surges of demonic energy coalesced, while divine essence raged in wild torrents!

Boom—!!!

The space trembled violently, as if a tattered cloth were being flung about in a storm!

A figure formed from concentrated demonic energy slowly coalesced from the Supreme Demon Pill, its oppressive pressure so immense that even the void seemed to buck under its assault.

The Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk from the Western Lands of Buddhism also produced a string of Buddha Beads, hurling them upward. They burst with radiance, revealing an enormous, fearsome Buddha whose aura rivaled that of the Demon God Supreme!

The Witch God Priest of Witch God Mountain produced a gleaming, crystalline finger bone, pulsing with a supreme aura.

In the hands of the Late Emperor Lü Wenchang of Great Realm, a Ju Xian Flag appeared, shining as if an emperor himself were present.

Zhang Wuji of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, the Guanyin from South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove, and others soon joined in.

Wave after wave of supreme energy burst forth, surging through the air in an attempt to crush the founding patriarch of Qitian Temple—the one who had transformed into the Temple Protection Corpse King!

It was clear that these forces had come well-prepared.

They had long anticipated that the Temple Protection Corpse King of Qitian Temple might rival the might of a Three-Calamity Supreme!

Boom—!!!

Surging, unimaginable pressure enveloped the entire Qitian Inner City in an instant; even the oppressive aura seeped out into the Outer City, causing this city that spanned two realms to violently tremble!

Within Qitian Inner City,

Many cultivators nearly collapsed to the ground, crushed under the terrifying might of the Supreme aura.

They could only gasp for air, trying desperately to steady their pounding hearts!

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the direction of Qitian Temple, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Supreme oppression!

Had Qitian Temple’s legacy erupted into a battle of supreme power?!

A Three-Calamity Supreme hidden from the world!

In mortal realms, there might be beings at the level of three calamities, but such existences were far too mighty to set foot among men—any presence would immediately invite the full force of heaven and earth.

Admittedly, there might be supreme experts who wield mysterious techniques and can return to the mortal realm.

But it was undeniable that the Three-Calamity Supreme had long been relegated to the realm of legend.

The world had only heard rumors, never having seen his true form.

Yet today, they were about to witness a collision of supreme auras—a battle of supremacies!

Many faces changed as they quickened their movements to search the palace corridors; every second was precious.

For when the great change comes to Qitian Inner City, these cultivators, who aimed merely to seize resources, would race against time.

They were determined to seize every bit of resource before the Inner City transformed completely.

And as the Temple Protection Corpse King was reborn and revived, a terrifying roar shook the whole city.

The scattered protective corpse forms suddenly glowed blood-red, roaring in response.

Chaos swiftly engulfed Qitian Inner City.

…

…

Qitian Temple loomed atop the mountain peak, shrouded by billowing, eerie mists cascading like a waterfall on either side!

The forces of death, shackles, and decay raged in a wild, intertwined dance!

The ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple, now transformed into the Temple Protection Corpse King, seemed to have regained his peak aura as he ascended to the realm of the Three-Calamity Supreme!

Roaring as he soared upward, his indomitable will surged like a tidal wave across heaven and earth.

“Guard Qitian!”

“Protect!”

“Fight!”

His voice struck like thunder, exploding in an ear-splitting roar!

Amidst a maelstrom of corpse energy, the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple threw a massive punch, sending wave after wave of decay crashing toward the power unleashed by the Supreme Demon Pill summoned by the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

It was a fierce, unparalleled blow that nearly shattered the demonic figure formed from the Supreme Demon Pill.

The sheer ferocity of the scene was simply jaw-dropping!

Even the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme trembled uncontrollably, fearful his offering—the Supreme Demon Pill—might be shattered to pieces!

Fortunately, reinforcements from the Western Lands of Buddhism, Witch God Mountain, Great Realm, Purple Mansion Divine Sect, and South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove arrived, their power at the supreme level!

Almost like blazing suns, they surged forth, intent on dissolving the corpse energy and decay of the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple and completely subduing him!

In the sky above Qitian Temple, clashing energies split the void. Waves of Three-Calamity power, coiled like a monstrous sea serpent, roiled unabated!

Rumbling thunderously—

It was as if rolling thunder exploded in the high heavens, with a dreadful, oppressive aura swirling relentlessly.

Yet at that moment, the Temple Protection Corpse King was ultimately subdued.

The supreme might of the various factions had emerged—they intended to subdue the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple while his strength was still gathering!

“How ferocious! Even though what we offered were not the true forms of our respective supremes, our core energies are exceptionally formidable!”

“Even with his severe injuries, the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple—after thousands of years of desolation—can still unleash such overwhelming power…”

“Could he possibly reverse our combined supreme might against us?”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme glared at the battle scene shrouded in undulating mists above; his skin trembled visibly.

Then, he suddenly hefted the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam and strode forward, defying the supreme aura as he charged up the tilted white jade slide.

He dashed toward the Bizarre Temple!

His plan was to seize the Three Pure Divine Weapon Ruyi Golden Hoop Staff hidden within Qitian Temple while the Temple Protection Corpse King was being held at bay!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme knew full well that the combined energies of the various factions might not completely subdue the ancestral patriarch of Qitian Temple.

Thus, he had to strike while the opportunity was ripe!

After all, the demon clan had reigned over Qitian City for five hundred years; failing to secure that divine weapon would be an enormous loss!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme had been stationed in Qitian City by the Ten Thousand Great Rivers for five centuries.

When the chance finally arrived, he wouldn’t let it slip by!

“Where is the Demon God of the Ten Thousand Great Rivers? Follow me!”

Brandishing the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, engulfed in rampant demonic energy, charged headlong into Qitian Temple.

Accompanied by the Qing Lion Demon God, the Spirit Water Demon God, and others of the One Calamity Three Tribulation realm, they immediately surged after him!

Elsewhere,

A Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk, his palms pressed together and a golden cicada hovering behind him, ascended the white jade slide alongside several fellow ascetics.

They too climbed upward.

All factions knew they must seize this moment—when the formidable Temple Protection Corpse King was delayed—to secure the divine weapon, or even…

to seize the corpse of Qitian itself!

“In battle, the Buddha’s corpse is destined to be guided back to our sect!”

The Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk chanted as radiant Buddhist light flashed, propelling him forward.

Meanwhile, the Late Emperor Lü Wenchang of Great Realm, with his broad sleeves sweeping aside, set out, joined by Zhang Wuji of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, the Guanyin of South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove, and the Witch God Priest of Witch God Mountain!

Supreme energies clashed in the sky—each ripple, even a mere droplet of power, made space shudder and imposed untold pressure on those Two-Calamity experts.

Yet none were willing to forgo this once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity!

They were determined to storm into Qitian Temple!

Inside Li Che, his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit surged wildly. Lifting his head, he glanced at the supreme battle, where eerie objects obscured the sky, chains swept, demonic energy exploded, and Buddhist light shattered everything—all of it tearing the firmament asunder.

A battle of supreme proportions…

This was not something Li Che could contend with—experts who had crossed three calamities and wielded six or more types of catastrophic power were truly at the pinnacle of the mortal realm.

Such battles were beyond his concern; he chose not to interfere.

Though the oppressive aura was mighty, Li Che’s Pure Heart Dao Fruit enabled him to ignore it!

His target was fixed on that Two-Calamity Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

He waited for the perfect opportunity to strike!

Tiptoeing on his toes, Li Che leapt, shattering the space around him as he raced upward along the white jade slide against the current!

Before the Bizarre Temple, on a vast white jade Grand Plaza,

The crowd, having climbed the mountain, fixed their eyes on the resplendently gilded palace towering above them.

Qitian Bizarre Temple!

Their hearts swelled with excitement.

And as they reached the Grand Plaza before the Bizarre Temple,

Every protective corpse form in Qitian Inner City went berserk—they ceased attacking the resource-hunting cultivators,

as if stirred by some call.

They madly converged toward the direction of Qitian Peak, intent on blocking the intruders!

The spectacle was truly magnificent and awe-inspiring!

“A bunch of corpses—though dead, still guarding? Ridiculous!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme shot a glance at the awe-inspiring scene below and sneered, “Qitian Temple… who’s left to guard it? No one!”

“You dead corpses can’t even guard anything!”

His face turned cold.

Boom—

Surrounded by swirling demonic energy like a hurricane, he charged toward the closed door of the Bizarre Temple!

Not even hundreds of meters could stop his advance!

It wasn’t just the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme; the Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk of Western Lands of Buddhism, the Late Emperor Lü Wenchang, Zhang Wuji of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, and other Two-Calamity experts also surged forward!

They couldn’t interfere with the supreme battle—but the key was the legacy and opportunity hidden within Qitian Temple!

Even though the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme claimed Qitian for the demon clan and the Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk insisted it belonged to the Buddhists…

everyone knew the truth.

Qitian…

belongs to the camp of Yulian!

At the very end, before its collapse, Qitian was one of the gods of the Yulian camp!

Qitian embodied Yulian!

And behind the factions represented by the likes of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, there was a consensus—to exterminate Yulian and sever its legacy!

That was why every effort was made to seize Qitian Temple’s legacy and divine weapons, ensuring Qitian could never be revived!

The Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, swung by the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, crashed against the door like a colossal pillar with a resounding thud!

It emitted a heavy, drum-like sound!

Invisible ripples spread in ever-expanding concentric circles!

A gap was forced open in the door as a mighty divine aura burst out from the Bizarre Temple!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme felt his skin prickle as if every pore had opened!

He laughed wildly and, still wielding the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, launched another furious assault!

Thud, thud, thud, thud—!

Every impact was made with all his might!

At last, the sealed door was forced open, and the auras of many powerful beings erupted, entwined with calamity energy, surging like a fleet of boats racing headlong into Qitian Temple!

They scrambled, all eager to be the first!

Opportunity lay before them—no one was willing to forfeit the chance to claim the legacy that would let them reach the pinnacle of the Three-Calamity era!

Li Che, wearing the Qi Tian Face, stared steadily as his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit pulsed vividly. Fully ignited, he moved silently in the darkness, trailing behind the others.

Qitian Temple’s door flung open, and countless divine auras burst forth in wild torrents!

But just as so many prepared to storm Qitian Temple, a rushing sound like a crashing river echoed.

Soon, a mighty Haoran River roared, slamming down with tremendous force to block everyone’s path.

“Who?!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme charged ahead like a rampaging bull; when he saw the obstructing Haoran River, he exploded in fury!

He smashed the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam down with all his might, determined to shatter the river!

The raging river surged up and coalesced into a fist that smashed out with a resounding thud!

A terrifying collision erupted.

The Haoran River burst apart, sending a scholar’s robe flying as a solitary figure tumbled onto the white jade floor of the Bizarre Temple, retreating several steps.

His flowing beard whipped in the wind as he turned, revealing a refined, scholarly face.

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, his aura imposing and his massive frame interwoven with demonic energy, narrowed his copper-colored eyes and glared at the scholarly figure.

“Who are you?”

He didn’t recognize Fang Han Shu.

After all, the previous Fang Han Shu wasn’t exactly famous.

Yet hidden in the darkness, Li Che felt a flicker of confusion and perplexity.

Elder Fang Han Shu…

Why would he make a move at this moment?

And why would he stand face-to-face with these Two-Calamity experts?

At this moment, aside from the four Demon Gods and Li Che, nearly everyone present was a Two-Calamity expert. Fang Han Shu’s sudden appearance, directly blocking their path,

was nothing short of courting death!

Li Che knew well that Fang Han Shu’s strength had only just entered the Divine Calamity realm.

But that was all—it was merely the initial step into the Divine Calamity realm.

Even though the elder concealed his identity as a Hunter from the Lie Shen Assassin, it was only a title—it bestowed no extra strength.

Behind Fang Han Shu, the Haoran River swirled, gradually coalescing into a white Haoran Spear in his hands.

“Descendant of the Qitian Temple remnants, the disgraceful scion of the Fang family, Fang Han Shu,”

“Today, I will defend Qitian!”

Fang Han Shu’s Haoran Spear trembled as he flicked it, his eyes lowered as he spoke calmly.

Had it not been for his status as a Fang family scion, Fang Han Shu would never have come to Qitian City, nor bothered to come at all.

“Fang family? The Fang family of Jiangnan Dao, the Ancient Clan aligned with Haoran Academy… the very clan that amassed wealth while the common people of Jiangnan Dao suffered in poverty?”

The Late Emperor Lü Wenchang of Great Realm sneered, well aware of the Fang family’s despicable nature.

Though it was known that the Fang family was once tied to Qitian Temple, after so many years of decline, they no longer claimed to be descendants of Qitian Temple.

“Exactly… worthless progeny.”

Fang Han Shu gripped his spear askance, his flowing beard dancing in the wind as he looked upon the Fang family forefather—his ancestor—who, amidst swirling mists, had selflessly transformed into the Temple Protection Corpse King. He sighed deeply.

The Fang family’s ancestral creed and resolve had long been forgotten.

After all, Qitian Temple had long fallen, and the Fang family now denied any connection to it.

Fang Han Shu himself refused to acknowledge that the present Fang family had anything to do with Qitian Temple—the remnants of Qitian Temple were now just him and his sister Fang Shangzhen.

Fang Han Shu had once hesitated over whether to fight for a long-extinct Divine Sect, knowing full well the deadly risks.

But when he saw the Fang family patriarch sacrificing thousands of years of life, allowing decay and death to permeate his body in order to transform into the Temple Protection Corpse King to guard Qitian,

he finally understood the meaning of his family’s legacy.

The Late Emperor Lü Wenchang of Great Realm regarded Fang Han Shu coldly.

“You do have some guts to stand up now. But you, a mere One-Calamity cultivator, what can you possibly guard?”

“Is it worth sacrificing your life to protect some Qitian Temple god who means nothing to you?”

The tone of the Late Emperor Lü Wenchang dripped with derision.

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, brandishing the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, his eyes burning with murderous intent; the Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk of Western Lands of Buddhism, his face set in stone; Zhang Wuji of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect letting out a soft sigh; and the woman from South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove remained expressionless…

Since Fang Han Shu intended to block them, effectively cutting off their chance, they would not hold back.

If it came to killing Fang Han Shu, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Li Che, silently employing Sleeping Dragon Elephant, furrowed his brow as he watched.

Yet,

Fang Han Shu smiled gently, and with a shake of the spear formed from the swirling Haoran River, he declared:

“Scholars have a saying—sacrifice oneself for a righteous cause.”

“Surely the Fang family can’t expect my foolish sister to uphold our ancestral honor?”

“So, I must do it.”

Fang Han Shu turned to glance at the desolate Qitian Temple, which contained nothing but a lone stone coffin.

He exhaled softly.

“Qitian once brought the Fang family glory.”

“Now… this is our final stand!”

“Qitian, Yulian, our Fang family… owe you no more.”

“Grand Inspector, I beg you!”

Fang Han Shu’s flowing beard danced wildly as his eyes blazed with resplendent light!

In the next moment, a tortoiseshell, exuding a warm radiance, appeared in his palm. With a sudden squeeze, the shell shattered into fragments.

The aura surrounding Fang Han Shu began to surge rapidly!

Sacrifice for righteousness!

To sacrifice one’s life for justice!

…

…

Divine Capital, Second City.

At the Droplet-Drenched Imperial Watch Tower with its octagonal eaves,

On the Ninth Floor.

The Emperor’s countenance was interwoven with divine essence, his features obscured as golden fortune swirled around him.

Inside the vast, empty Ninth Floor of the Treasure Tower,

The Grand Inspector sat calmly atop a Xuan Turtle, a piece of tortoiseshell held between his fingers.

At the doorway of the Ninth Floor,

Fang Shangzhen and Yue Taofu, the two high-ranking deputies of Imperial Watch, stood in silent vigilance.

“Qitian, Yulian, our Fang family… owe you no more.”

“Grand Inspector, I beg you!”

Suddenly,

A mysterious sound erupted from the tortoiseshell in the Grand Inspector’s hand, echoing throughout the entire Ninth Floor.

Fang Shangzhen at the door lifted her head, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.

“Han Shu?”

The Grand Inspector sighed softly.

He looked upward; beneath his blurred visage, his eyes shimmered as if recalling the past—when a young scholar, a top contender in the imperial examinations, once visited him claiming to be a naive youth of Qitian Temple’s remnants.

“It is Yulian…”

“We have wronged you.”

Soft sounds of regret echoed throughout the vast Ninth Floor.

…

…

Boom—!!!

As Fang Han Shu’s aura surged relentlessly, the faces of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, the Cicada-Patterned Ascetic Monk, and the Witch God Priest changed drastically!

“Is that… the Grand Inspector’s power? He’s drawing on the strength of Gongshu Ghost Valley!”

“He’s courting death! The power of Gongshu Ghost Valley… he can never withstand it!”

“Guarding Qitian? After all these years, what is there left to guard? To sacrifice one’s life again—fool!”

Muttering insults echoed ceaselessly.

The many experts who had shattered the door of Qitian Temple no longer hesitated—they all launched their attacks on Fang Han Shu, striving to subdue him!

The Grand Inspector’s power…

None dared take him lightly.

Even the supremely powerful from various factions did not dare underestimate the Grand Inspector of Gongshu Ghost Valley.

Because…

This man

embodied the will of heaven and earth!

Moreover, time was running extremely short—as their displayed supreme energies were only meant to delay the rise of the burgeoning Temple Protection Corpse King!

Thus, they had to fight swiftly and decisively!

In front of the Bizarre Temple, a mighty and terrifying aura erupted!

Demonic energy, Buddhist light, divine essence, and catastrophic power swept through like a hurricane, shaking the void and fracturing it like tattered cloth!

Li Che raised his hand and gently stroked his face beneath the Qi Tian Face.

He exhaled slowly.

Li Che bore no deep-seated mission to guard Qitian.

He simply believed that if the corpse of the Great Sage were to fall into the hands of these fellows…

it would be a grave insult to Qitian.

Do they really think they can defile the remains of the Great Sage?!

Of course, if the situation became utterly hopeless, Li Che wouldn’t hesitate to retreat—life in this world was like treading on thin ice, and caution had always been his foremost principle.

But now, with all the schemes in place…

he decided it was time to make his move!

“Attack!”

With that stir in his soul, Li Che lifted the Qi Tian Face high and, stepping lightly, slipped away without a sound.

At the same time,

The Qing Lion, the Spirit Water, the Nine-Eyed, and the Giant Claw—four Demon Gods of One Calamity Three Tribulation—also erupted with demonic energy, suddenly accelerating to close in on the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme!

Wielding the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme launched a fearsome strike at Fang Han Shu at the moment when his old strength faded and his new power had yet to materialize.

In a sudden turn, all four Demon Gods simultaneously unleashed their power, ignoring the restrictions imposed by demon clan hierarchies, and converged on the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme!

Bang, bang, bang, bang—!!!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme was caught utterly off guard and was struck with a ferocious blow!

Demonic energy exploded, tearing his flesh and spraying blood everywhere!

“What are you doing?!”

“Are you inviting death?!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, both shocked and enraged, radiated murderous intent!

What was happening?!

Why were they turning against him?!

Suddenly,

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme raised his head, only to see a massive, ebony door slam down upon him, swallowing him whole in an instant.

Fang Han Shu’s aura soared as his Haoran Spear trembled violently in his grasp.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed on the enormous city gate that had just devoured the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

In that flash, he recognized it immediately.

It was…

Mo City Fengdu!

The Underworld!

Above the gate of Fengdu City,

A Divine Monkey stood upright like a cudgel, golden vital energy bursting forth behind him as if his tattered cape stretched for miles!

It was as if…

The Great Sage had returned!