Chapter 464: Heavenly Fury Unleashed

Boom—

A terrifying explosion shattered the air!

It was as if countless stars burst into flames at once, sending their sparks in every direction. Raging demonic energy swept aside vast currents of air, colliding like writhing serpents!

The entire Mo City had long fallen into ruin; no building remained intact. Not even the Dominator Tower—crushed and shattered into rubble by the real form of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme earlier.

Rivulets of blood surged, dark crimson spilling and expanding in every direction like an enraged, raging river.

And amid that black river of blood, rampant demonic energy spiraled uncontrollably!

“Roar——!!!”

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s furious howl crashed like shockwaves!

But that was merely the cry of its shattered flesh—now only its demon soul screamed in anger…

A mix of shock, fury, and even a trace of panic…

This illustrious Second Calamity Demon God Supreme, once a figure of immense power in the Ten Thousand Great Rivers of the demon race, held in high authority and ruled over all demons—had been brutally crushed at this very moment!

Agony, humiliation, and terror all flashed across its demon soul.

Never could it have imagined ending up like this. It had even fantasized about securing the Three Pure Divine Weapons of Qitian Temple, the Mixed Yuan Ruyi Golden Hoop Staff, to serve as its bargaining chip in the Ten Thousand Great Rivers.

But now, there wasn’t even a chance for bargaining—its very being was annihilated.

It was doomed to fall within this Minor Cavern of the Heavens.

A master like the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme had his own sense of fate when facing death. Mo City Fengdu was merely a Minor Cavern of the Heavens, shielding its inner world from mortal perception.

Thus, with its flesh shattered inside the cavern, its demon soul alone couldn’t break the cavern’s barrier to escape.

Boom—

Countless streams of black blood roiled like they were inverting the skies, forming a billowing black bull figure out of swirling mist and demonic energy!

So massive it seemed to blot out the sun!

Two scarlet eyes, as large as houses, burned with fury as the monstrous, mist-wreathed bull roared and howled.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—

Golden flames blazed as Li Che, donning his Divine Monkey Mask, stood amidst the carnage of blood and gore, his fists ignited with burning fire.

“Huff—”

“Inhale—”

Each breath came like rolling thunder.

Li Che raised his head, gazing at the enormous, surging, misty black bull.

A sly grin tugged at his lips.

After endless schemes and calculated maneuvers, success was finally his.

At long last, he had slain the great black bull!

Indeed, the Second Calamity Demon God Supreme was formidable. Li Che had set up countless traps—backstabs, poison, encirclement, and mental warfare…

Only by pushing him to the limit and employing every tactic could he finally vanquish his foe!

Crash, crash…

All that remained of the black bull demon was its demon soul, now powerless against Li Che.

The demon soul of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, swirling with torrential blood, exuded pain and bitter indignation.

Li Che lifted his head; behind him, three radiant suns and five streaming starlights intermingled like an unfolding celestial map.

Golden light erupted around him, capturing the Martial Saint Dao Essence that Li Che had ignited in a blaze of power.

In the instant his arms spread wide, he vanished then reappeared atop the black bull’s head. With a clenched fist, he grasped the Yin-Yang Demon Blade; on its surface, countless pores burst like miniature whirlpools, ravenously devouring the demonic energy.

Gripping the blade in one hand, Li Che let it tremble as demonic energy soared into the sky. Empowered by Martial Saint might, he brought down a single, mighty strike!

The Thousand Mountain Lone Wanderer Sky-Cleaving Blade!

Cleave the sky!

Shatter all!

Eradicate demons!

Boom—!!!

Even the void seemed to twist under the onslaught of his blade’s force, as if mountains were being split into countless fractures!

The blade’s light warped and danced, slicing through the air with savage precision, as demonic energy wound around it, as if possessed by mad will, exterminating the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s demon soul!

That single strike was as if a thousand cuts were dealt—a never-ending torrent of blades!

Boom!!!

After everything, the perplexed gaze of the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme swept over Li Che, and then it was utterly obliterated.

A massive demon pill hovered between Li Che’s spread fingers.

Etched with calamity markings, its peripheral calamity wheel had long since shattered. Only the intact demon pill remained, pulsating like a beating heart.

Within it, untold energy surged; with its demon soul shattered, the pill now contained nothing but pure energy.

“Not bad.”

Li Che’s eyes twinkled with satisfaction and delight.

Roar—

In the distance,

After devouring four great demon lords and adding two new heads, the Fan Hai Jiuying—with its six heads—raged, its overwhelming aura causing the very earth to tremble as ferocious energy cascaded in torrents!

Yet it was clear that it had yet to complete its transformation. Though it had devoured four demon lords and leaped from the First Calamity to the Second,

each head still flailed wildly, as if digesting the power of the demon souls.

Li Che had sacrificed the demon lord Spiritual Confinement to feed the Fan Hai Jiuying without a trace of regret.

After all, both the Fan Hai Jiuying and Spiritual Confinement were utterly subservient to him; they were his most loyal underlings.

The only difference was that Fan Hai Jiuying’s will was chaotic—more like a cherished, unruly pet than a fully conscious servant.

Since Spiritual Confinement could transform into the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts, Li Che made no hesitation in selecting it when facing the black bull’s demon pill.

Now, having entered the Heavenly Gate and deepened his Martial Saint Dao Essence, he had stepped into the realm of Martial Saints.

What defines a Martial Saint?

It is one who, armed with pure martial arts, exceeds the extent of a Martial Saint, crosses the Heavenly Gate, and defies three calamities and nine tribulations—defying fate with sheer human will!

In contrast, a Martial God treads the path of divine might, opening the Heavenly Gate to harness overwhelming divinity to counter the will of heaven and earth against the trials.

They follow entirely different paths.

And the path of a Martial Saint is even more arduous—pure martial saint cultivators are exceptionally rare!

Even Li Che, blessed with the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit and enhanced martial insight, had to push himself to the limits facing the Second Calamity Black Bull to forge this path.

“But for now, I am merely borrowing the power of Martial Saint Dao Essence…”

Li Che stood motionless as golden light danced around him; embodying the Dao Essence, a shadow of himself appeared outside his body.

It was as if he had multiplied his image.

He knew that this breakthrough wasn’t permanent—it was only a temporary access to the Martial Saint realm through borrowed power.

To truly enter the realm of Martial Saints,

Li Che must refine his martial path and, most importantly…

Face the three disasters and nine tribulations, harnessing their power to transform!

Transcending the tribulations is the ultimate metamorphosis!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The roaring wind howled fiercely.

Inky blood splattered the ground as terrifying demonic energy spread like a tattered banner, weaving its way across the ruined lands.

Time itself seemed to freeze at this moment.

Fragments of destroyed flesh scattered throughout Mo City Fengdu; dark, torrential rain hammered down amid the rumbling, as corrosive forces slowly ate away at the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s blood and flesh.

The eroded flesh gradually merged back into the city, aiding in Mo City Fengdu’s reluctant restoration.

Clutching the demon pill, Li Che’s aura slowly calmed.

The Martial Saint Dao Essence intertwined with his body.

Though it had not yet fully merged with his flesh, taking that step meant entering an entirely new domain.

The path of Martial Saints was now open for good.

Thump, thump, thump—

His heart pounded in his chest, and the Dao Fruit beat in unison like thunder!

It felt as though his blood rushed along with the pulsations of the Dao Fruit and his heart, continuously cleansing his newly transformed body with exalted power.

A glimmer of resolve sparked within him.

Li Che’s eyes shone brilliantly: the Second Calamity Demon God Supreme!

The Second Calamity Divine Calamity!

The first round of Spiritual Confinement’s Second Calamity Divine Calamity!

Li Che’s heart brimmed with anticipation. Although Fan Hai Jiuying, after devouring four demon lords, had broken into the Second Calamity, its significance was altogether different.

Spiritual Confinement!

Return, O Soul!

The demon pill levitated as the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme’s demonic energy surged like a colossal vortex, circling around Li Che.

A deep, resounding voice echoed, reminiscent of an ancient high priest officiating a ritual on a vast, barren plain.

From the depths of the netherworld, it summoned back an immensely powerful soul!

Boom—

It was as if a dense miasma of death erupted forth!

A bone-chilling cold seeped into every fiber, accompanied by the clatter of frigid chains—thick, unyielding links slamming against the void.

Before Li Che, the space around the demon pill collapsed, merging with another dimension to reveal a deep, bottomless black hole—like a chasm from hell, its end unseen!

No one knew what lay beyond that darkness or where it led.

One by one, the whirling black chains snapped, as if releasing some unspeakable terror.

Terrifying soul force, like a storm, swept in—dormant demonic souls now coalesced in a resurgence.

The rampant demonic energy twisted the space into ripples and waves, shaking the entire city!

Roar—

A gigantic bovine head burst out from the black hole, ensnared by countless black tendrils, roaring, thrashing, and yearning for life!

Boom—

When the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme finally clawed its way out of the nether, its enormous, bronze-bell eyes flickered with bewilderment.

At last, its gaze fell upon Li Che wearing the Divine Monkey Mask, its expression turning complex.

“Old Bull, greetings, my lord!”

The giant black bull transformed into a humanoid form, towering like a mountain, clasped its fists in a respectful salute, its eyes burning with intensity.

The demon race had always revered strength.

Li Che had not only slain it but resurrected it from the underworld—a feat that only a truly mighty cultivator could accomplish. Even if Li Che’s cultivation was modest, it did nothing to undermine the respect commanded by his might!

Obedience flowed without reservation.

Li Che smiled, satisfied as he looked at the giant black bull.

Yet he did not immediately transform it into Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts. Though Li Che had long reserved a place for it among the Ink-Splattered Ten Beasts,

he still found a purpose for the black bull now.

After all, the situation within the Qitian Bizarre Temple was still dire!

Clenching his Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff, while the black bull hoisted the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, Li Che’s resolve surged as he tightened his grip.

Inside Mo City Fengdu, only torrential rain remained.

Li Che, as brilliant as golden flowing fire, and the demonic yet potent black bull had both vanished.

……

……

Boom—!

The entire Qitian Inner City trembled incessantly!

Above, swirling mists and ominous clouds painted an apocalyptic scene, instilling boundless terror in every cultivator within Qitian Inner City.

An overpowering pressure would intermittently crash through the dispersing mists—a pressure that left no room for resistance!

Supreme Pressure!

The major factions unleashed their ultimate techniques to restrain the Temple Protection Corpse King—a sudden outburst of the Three Disaster Divine Calamity Supreme Battle!

Crack, crack—

Countless bolts of profound lightning intertwined—an aura formed from condensing energy that shook even the skies over Bizarre Temple, influenced by the clash of supreme qi.

Deep within Qitian Inner City,

at the portal of Qitian Temple,

massive, tangible columns of calamitous light erupted repeatedly from Qitian Temple, as if determined to shatter the eerie mists!

This was the moment when the supreme cultivators of the Second Calamity hurled their might within Qitian City!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme of the demon race was tugged away by The Underworld.

Yet several Second Calamity Divine Calamity experts remained—such as the Ascetic Monk from the Western Lands of Buddhism, the late emperor Lü Wenchang of the Great Realm, Zhang Wuji of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, among others.

In total, five Second Calamity experts had united—their combined might was overwhelmingly intimidating.

Before the entrance of Qitian Temple stood only one figure: Fang Han Shu.

His scholar’s robe fluttered as his flowing beard danced; his magnificent Haoran Spear, pulsing with righteous qi, trembled in his grip.

Pale as paper, Fang Han Shu continuously swung his spear, its motions as fluid as a dragon, with Haoran qi surging like a sword or tidal wave!

He poured every ounce of effort into repelling the five Second Calamity experts’ combined assault.

Thump—

Fang Han Shu shuddered as a spray of blood splattered, staining his beard red.

Gripping his spear with one hand, Fang Han Shu coldly glared at the five ascetic monks.

“Relying on the power granted by the Grand Inspector, your righteousness resonates with your Haoran qi. Though you’ve only passed the First Calamity Divine Trial, exploding into the Second Calamity is the power of the Second Calamity!”

“But this is not truly your strength. You have exerted yourself to the utmost against five, leaving nothing left.”

The ascetic monk’s body blazed with golden flames; behind him, golden cicada wings fluttered at high speed, leaving countless afterimages.

“Today, I shall retrieve the corpse of the Fighting Buddha. As a monk, I must return Buddha to his rightful home in the Western Lands of Buddhism.”

The ascetic monk clenched his fist and a scarlet monk’s staff promptly materialized in his hand, unleashing a staggering force.

Fang Han Shu’s Haoran Spear trembled as its righteous qi intertwined like a coiled python, clashing with the monk’s staff and shattering space with ripples.

Meanwhile, the late emperor Lü Wenchang, Zhang Wuji, and other powerful figures continued their relentless assault.

A one-on-one duel was futile.

When vying for opportunity, clearing the obstacles together was paramount.

Boom—

The monk’s staff struck—a section of space collapsed as crevices appeared, and the cicada patterns on his eyes seemed to flutter back to life!

On the other side, the late emperor Lü Wenchang, enveloped in golden fortune, slashed his long blade outwards, unleashing dazzling blade energy.

Every technique converged, all directed at Fang Han Shu.

Unable to break through Fang Han Shu’s blockade to reach the quiet stone coffin at the center of the Qitian Bizarre Temple to confirm if the Great Sage’s corpse lay within,

they resolved to kill!

They would dispatch Fang Han Shu and continue battling for the opportunity, each according to their own strength!

Zhang Wuji sighed softly and with a flick of his Dust Whip, summoned an enormous furnace with flames roaring inside, hurling it toward Fang Han Shu!

Fang Han Shu’s face drained of color as if his blood had been completely extinguished; even his Haoran Spear began to wane.

His spear cut through a blinding white light, splitting the void as it crashed into the furnace, shattering its flames wide apart.

But in the next moment, Zhang Wuji struck again—flipping his hand to reveal a luminous silver disc.

The silver disc shimmered with brilliant light, mirroring the radiance of a polished mirror.

It spun with terrifying divine force, crashing toward Fang Han Shu.

Fang Han Shu’s expression shifted; the might and mystery of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect far exceeded his expectations. Yet, he refused to retreat.

He exhaled, his flowing beard whipping as he boldly pointed his Haoran Spear at the silver disc.

Thud—

A muffled crash resonated, as if space itself were being violently shaken, ripples surging like creased fabric!

Fang Han Shu coughed up blood, his arms seeming on the verge of shattering as he trembled, nearly drained of all strength.

Yet his eyes shone ever brighter, the power of his conviction rooting deep, as the Haoran qi behind him swelled with even greater force, channeling the power of heaven and earth.

His aura rose steadily!

The ancient edict of the Fang clan now rested on Fang Han Shu—once the guardians of Qitian Temple, the Fang family had long since lost its original spirit.

They now fought for opportunity even within Qitian Inner City.

When Fang Han Shu saw the representatives of the Jiangnan Dao Fang family arriving to compete for resources, he was filled with unspeakable disappointment.

Boom—

Clashes exploded in relentless succession!

With fighting spirit overwhelming all, Fang Han Shu risked everything, channeling the Grand Inspector’s power to make his aura surge higher!

The entire Qitian Bizarre Temple trembled as if in a shaking nightmare.

He darted forward like lightning, his Haoran Spear slashing toward the five opponents.

The ferocity of their duel blurred before his eyes; space itself cracked then healed, forming a storm of relentless impact!

Thump, thump, thump, thump—

The stone tiles of Qitian Temple crumbled only to mend in a flash.

Fang Han Shu panted heavily, his scholar’s robe now stained deep red.

A scholar’s robe might inspire poetry, but it could just as well be wielded as a weapon against bandits!

Yet bandits…

There were too many.

Fang Han Shu felt utterly spent, but he did not care. In accepting the Grand Inspector’s power and channeling the force of heaven and earth, he had chosen to sacrifice for righteousness.

“I am spent.”

“No more delays.”

The silver disc returned to Zhang Wuji’s hand. Frowning, he remarked flatly.

High above, the clashing qi of the supreme battle began to subside, showing signs that the supreme war was nearing its end.

In truth, these titans all knew that the supreme techniques of the major factions were not meant merely to subdue the Temple Protection Corpse King.

After all, without a truly supreme force descending, how could even a true supreme be suppressed?

Yet they still fought against time.

Chanting, Zhang Wuji’s back revealed a gushing shrine.

From within the shrine, overwhelming divinity and surging Dao Essence burst forth; the silver disc trembled violently, emitting a low hum before blasting out once more—shattering space as it hurtled toward the exhausted Fang Han Shu.

Fang Han Shu sat prostrate, his body uncontrollably trembling.

Facing five opponents, he was never a true Second Calamity expert—merely one who had reached that stage through external aid.

He had reached his limit.

“I’m about to die…”

Fang Han Shu exhaled, his face unnervingly calm.

For a scholar, achieving one’s lifelong conviction means there’s no fear in death.

Besides…

“Elder Li will surely save me, right?”

“By my calculations, the Underworld is short of scholars.”

He coughed up a little blood.

Gazing upon the approaching revered experts, he shook his head; behind him, a surge of Haoran qi flared, his very soul ablaze.

“Onward!”

In an instant, his Haoran Spear exploded into a torrent of light—a vast Haoran River stretching out like a banner, his final stand.

After this, Fang Han Shu would be utterly empty.

His once majestic beard now shriveled and stained with blood.

He sat broken on the ground, his tattered sleeves trembling, as the Haoran River outside convulsed under relentless assault—a makeshift moat soon to be breached.

But Fang Han Shu had given his all.

“A scholar fights with no regrets, even unto death.”

He sighed softly.

From within his tattered sleeve, he produced a bloodstained classic of sages.

Straightening his back,

with trembling fingers he licked his tongue and began turning the pages.

This book was just a few pages away from its end.

The ancient sages indeed possessed great wisdom.

Boom—!!!

The Haoran River was shattered.

Figures burst forth with terrifying radiance, tearing through the river. Amid the glow of Buddha-light, the ascetic monk wielding his staff glared fiercely,

while another robed in Taoist garb floated gracefully, cradling a silver disc as if otherworldly.

There were those imbued with imperial aura—commanding and dignified.

Five formidable experts watched silently as Fang Han Shu sat shackled to the ground, his back straight as he peacefully read the classic.

“What is the point?”

“The Fang family is not what it once was. Even if you do nothing, no one will blame you.”

“Who in this world will understand your noble cause and steadfast resolve?”

Zhang Wuji, holding the silver disc, sighed softly.

Fang Han Shu also sighed and closed his book. “You’re too noisy… I can’t bear to watch any longer.”

“Facing life and death, my heart is still in turmoil.”

Zhang Wuji shook his head. “The moment you chose to channel the Grand Inspector’s power, harnessing the force of heaven and earth, you sealed your fate. You had already chosen death. Your heart is troubled only because you cannot let go.”

Fang Han Shu raised his head slightly, resting the curled classic on his lap.

His eyes passed over the five experts as he calmly gazed into the distance.

“Yes…”

“Old Lü, you will never fight by my side again—nor help manage the Divine Sect…”

“And XiXi—no one will supervise your studies anymore. How can a school of learning be called a sanctuary if its students neglect their studies? Little one, you must study well. You are too mischievous; only through study can you cultivate qi and become refined…”

“And Li Che…”

Fang Han Shu’s face turned deathly pale,

yet his gaze remained unflinching. He showed not fear of death—only regret at parting from old friends.

“This world is beautiful, and life is rich…”

“Such a dazzling world should not be obliterated under divine tides.”

Fang Han Shu murmured softly.

Zhang Wuji shook his head. “Trends are unstoppable. All gods will fall, not to mention mortals.”

Fang Han Shu now exuded no aura of strength—he looked as feeble as an old scholar without the strength to lift a chicken.

Yet his back remained unbowed.

The five experts ignored him and strode past, heading for the stone coffin.

Suddenly,

Zhang Wuji’s expression darkened. Sweeping his wide sleeve, the silver disc flashed forth.

Then a gigantic pillar burst through space, shattering the very fabric of the void. With earth-shattering force, space splintered into a web of cracks.

Thud—

The silver disc whirled back into Zhang Wuji’s grasp.

Dense demonic energy erupted, intertwining and rampaging!

The Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, hoisting the Jia Hai Purple Golden Beam, strode out of the collapsing space, exuding unbridled arrogance.

Zhang Wuji paused, frowning as he stared at the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

“You…”

And beside the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme, space tore apart once more as violent, raging demonic energy surged, its ferocity twisting the void!

Six wildly swinging heads, fleshy wings on its back, and limbs smacking the ground—it thrashed like a divine whip, violently ripping space apart.

A peerless savage beast had emerged!

Its Second Calamity aura pushed everything aside.

The onlookers, having just surpassed Fang Han Shu, now exchanged uneasy glances.

“The demon race of the Ten Thousand Great Rivers… they even hide this trick?!”

“A Second Calamity Demon God Supreme? The Ten Thousand Great Rivers have a fresh upstart demon lord?!”

The Ascetic Monk, the Witch Priest, the late emperor Lü Wenchang, and other mighty figures were all stunned.

The demon race…

They had concealed their hand this deeply?!

Fang Han Shu also watched in mute astonishment. His pale face then broke into a wry smile as he recalled a distant voice.

“Old Elder… why push yourself so hard?”

A resigned voice echoed in his ear.

Fang Han Shu turned and saw Li Che wearing his Divine Monkey Mask, carrying his Treasure Stick on his shoulder, crouched beside him.

“You did it?”

Fang Han Shu’s eyes brightened as he spoke.

Li Che nodded. He understood what Fang Han Shu was asking.

There was no concealment—he had indeed succeeded in eliminating the Black Bull Demon God Supreme Supreme.

Fang Han Shu laughed heartily.

“At last, I can finally read in peace.”

Fang Han Shu’s laughter faded into a low murmur as a hand patted his shoulder. In that moment of connection, Fang Han Shu was transported into Mo City Fengdu.

“Hmm, time for a change of scenery for reading.”

“Leave it to me now.”

“Three against five…”

“The advantage is mine.”