Chapter 481: The Inferno Over Qitian City

Huff, huff, huff—

The winds roared and howled as furious gales tore through the eerie mist; divine might and life force surged like a raging sea high above Qitian City.

Blood rained down amid shattered remnants of sacred light—this was the moment when the Second Calamity, a venerable being from the Pantheon’s Black Xumi, was violently slain by the Underworld Ghost Emperor, his essence burst across the skies over Qitian Outer City.

For a fleeting moment, an indescribable heaviness permeated the space between heaven and earth!

Inside Qitian City, countless figures strained their senses to catch a glimpse of the figure in the night—a being as awe-inspiring as the blazing sun and as enigmatic as a demon: the Underworld Ghost Emperor. A human Martial Immortal who had only just broken through a stage a year earlier now exhibited terrifying martial prowess, decimating his foes!

Over a dozen divine calamity cultivators fell, including a respected Second Calamity Patriarch!

The battle for Qitian City’s ownership was viciously bloody.

Yet many of the city’s strongest were filled with fervor—they secretly hoped the Underworld Ghost Emperor would prevail. The Pantheon had made their stance clear: that by tonight, they would slaughter any cultivator not aligned with them and eliminate any chance that might sow uncertainty over Qitian City’s fate.

Thus, if tonight the Underworld Ghost Emperor were defeated, a cruel bloodbath would await the cultivators within the city.

Above the Heavenly Dome, four golden disks hung like dazzling suns, compressing space with a terrifying, pulsating energy as if they could crush the very heavens.

“Is the Underworld Ghost Emperor about to die?”

“He’s burning his life force to the extreme—as if triggering his Divine Seed… it’s a death-defying technique to exchange mortality for power.”

“But he’s the current human Martial Immortal! He barely advanced a year, with a future so bright ahead!”

…

Inside Qitian Outer City, cultivators poured out of their homes. Their burning life force and brilliant auras lit up the night, while many hardened warriors wore sorrowful expressions; some balled their fists in sheer, unbridled rage.

“The Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple is despicable—they’re driving our human Martial Immortal to death!”

A warrior’s blood roiled as he roared in anger!

They had heard with their own ears the Supreme One’s order from the Inner City: to massacre every cultivator not belonging to the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple in Qitian City…

With the Underworld as their prime target, they would follow suit immediately afterward.

How can that not be hateful!

“Among the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple, many mortals who ascended beyond the divine calamity joined them. But truly, gods and men have no resonance—they are like beings from entirely different races!”

“Those not of our kin naturally differ! Only a human Martial Immortal embodies our path to perfection—but now even he is being driven to his death!”

“How despicable! Most of the powerful forces among men are backed by the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple—they treat our lives as nothing!”

…

Warriors and divine cultivators emerged from their dwellings, their faces contorted with anguish.

In their eyes, the Underworld Ghost Emperor seemed to be fighting for them; otherwise, with the strength that could slay a Second Calamity Patriarch, escaping Qitian City would have been trivial.

Thus, these mortal warriors and cultivators could not help but resent the Pantheons of the Western Lands of Buddhism, Witch God Mountain, Great Jing Court, and others.

“Kill! Break out and fight!”

“The Underworld Ghost Emperor has reignited our courage; we must not wallow in defeat, nor wait for the executioner’s blade! Fight back!”

“War!”

In an instant, the eyes of these warriors and cultivators glowed red, and they charged headlong toward the sealed gates of Qitian Outer City, unleashing torrents of life force and divine energy!

The distinguished figures of various divine sects and noble families exchanged glances as the sudden surge of battle fervor from the scattered cultivators caught them off guard. Yet, gazing up at the Heavenly Dome where the Underworld Ghost Emperor—like a being burdened with four blazing suns—raged in battle against the might of the Pantheon, their hearts burned with righteous anger.

Boom—!!!

Warriors and cultivators erupted like a tidal wave as they stormed the gates of Qitian City, clashing with the stalwart defenders from the three major factions.

Qitian City was plunged into utter chaos.

…

…

Four golden disks trembled, scattering brilliant light—a manifestation of life force burning to its limit, scorching with intense ferocity!

At the vortex’s center, it was as if the void was collapsing, its essence melded into a single, seething mass by overwhelming life force.

Li Che, standing beside Fan Hai Jiuying, clenched his fists as a burst of blood mist erupted, fragments of flesh shattering and the resounding roar of a raging Heavenly Soul echoing, only to be utterly devoured by Mo City Fengdu.

Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame spread over his head like frenzied purple strands as Li Che’s golden skull tilted slightly.

He felt a twinge of perplexity.

It was as if he could hear a chorus of sighs and lamentations.

Uh…

Li Che’s indomitable Martial Immortal spirit shrouded all of Qitian Outer City. In a heartbeat, he grasped the situation and couldn’t help but laugh through tears.

They felt as though they were burning to the end, destined to perish alongside these Second Calamity Patriarchs of the Bizarre Temple!

He thought that perhaps he was teetering on the brink of doom—when his life force was entirely spent, he would wither away.

Suspended in midair, Li Che watched as Fan Hai Jiuying’s heads swung wildly. With a deafening roar, he rejoined the fray, charging at his monstrous opponent with relentless ferocity, embodying a beast driven solely by the urge to fight without pause!

Boom—

The Second Calamity Patriarch—who had been so desperately struggling against his foe moments before, coughing up blood in frustration—lost all will to fight as Fan Hai Jiuying joined the battle, and he bolted for the Inner City within Qitian.

Yet, barely had he made a move when he was struck by an intense heat.

The Underworld Ghost Emperor, the human Martial Immortal, with four blazing suns of spent life force suspended behind him, unleashed an overwhelming, terrifying power as he charged!

A crushing punch, as massive as a Dragon Elephant, swept across like a colossal furnace crashing down!

Boom—!!

The furnace of destruction shattered, its searing outburst leaving the Second Calamity Patriarch drenched in blood mist—he could not withstand the assault!

Rumble—

High above the Heavenly Dome, a bloodcurdling wail split the ominous night, turning the sky a deep crimson in an instant.

Splash, splash…

Massive chains formed from condensed Dao essence tumbled across the heavens, as if the Way itself was wailing—a portent of a majestic entity’s imminent fall.

Wordlessly, Li Che lifted his gaze to stare at the sky above.

No…

Did the will of heaven and earth meddle again?

Even the will of heaven and earth now seemed to believe that Li Che was doomed to die?

Sure, triggering four Divine Seeds was a strain, but for Li Che to claim death was an exaggeration. Not to mention his Martial Immortal Golden Body was far sturdier; if it weren’t for the sacrifice of Mo City Domination’s clone and even Mo City itself taking the hit, Li Che would never truly die.

However…

The intervention of the will of heaven and earth this time felt all too contrived.

Within Qitian City, the warriors charging the city gates trembled, their expressions growing ever more sorrowful. The will of heaven and earth had confirmed it: the human Martial Immortal, the Underworld Ghost Emperor, was close to his end…

Many warriors, eyes ablaze, roared and selflessly launched their attacks!

Fight, fight, fight!

Their fighting spirit blazed uncontrollably—even the overwhelming intimidation of the Pantheon’s power couldn’t quell it. All that remained was the single-minded urge to slaughter!

Above Qitian City.

Bathed in the splendor of the Haoran Star River, Fang Han Shu, his brow aglow, seemed to radiate light as he stood transfixed.

In his astonished gaze, he looked toward Li Che.

“My Lord… are you really about to die?”

Yet Fang Han Shu quickly recovered his composure. What was he thinking?

With a gentle smile, he mused that Li Che would never choose to meet his end in the midst of such a battle—it was simply impossible.

Only a dire threat, one that endangered XiXi’s safety beyond all measures, could force his Lord into a mortal risk.

Only then might his Lord face a death in battle.

So though the will of heaven and earth predicted his demise for tonight, it was all a ruse—a false prophecy!

Boom, rumble—

Above, a tide of blood surged as chains of Dao essence intertwined, the blood rain cascading relentlessly. The oppressive aura of heaven and earth evoked a deep, unbidden sorrow.

Even the will of heaven and earth appeared to lament as the human Martial Immortal’s life force neared its end after five millennia of martial fortune.

An ominous spectacle unfolded, its influence spreading over the entire world!

…

…

Dajing Divine Capital.

Divine Capital Second City.

At the Eight-Treasure Imperial Watch Tower, eaves dripping with water,

and at the Nine-Floor Treasure Tower with its carved beams and painted rafters,

two figures strolled along a railing, pausing to gaze at the bloodstained celestial phenomenon.

Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen, two Grand Inspectors clad in flowing white robes, exchanged looks of awe and shock.

Yue Taofu’s fingers darted, his face twitching as he murmured, “Such an omen, such a celestial sign…”

“Something’s not right… what on earth is happening?!”

Fang Shangzhen didn’t bother with calculations; he immediately dashed toward a building in Ninth City, pushing open its door and entering its heart.

The Grand Inspector, like a statue, sat regally atop Xuan Turtle.

Fang Shangzhen stood respectfully, performing the imperial bow before the seated Grand Inspector.

Only then did the Grand Inspector’s eyes—veiled in divine essence and Dao energy—slowly open.

In that fleeting moment, his gaze pierced time and space, beholding the tumultuous blood clouds and rolling chains of Dao essence that clashed with the booming heavens.

“The human Martial Immortal falls—heaven and earth mourn in unison…”

The Grand Inspector murmured softly.

The human Martial Immortal falls?

Fang Shangzhen suddenly looked up, recalling the grand spectacle before Qitian City a year ago—the Underworld Ghost Emperor, in a frenzied display of martial fortune, broke through to become a Martial Immortal right before everyone’s eyes…

In that vast realm of men, it seemed there was but one Martial Immortal!

“Is the Underworld Ghost Emperor really about to die?”

Fang Shangzhen was at a loss.

No… you struggled so hard to break through to Martial Immortal status, creating such a grand spectacle, only to become the main force opposing the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple—and now, less than a year later, you’re on the brink of death?!

“Grand Inspector… what about him…”

Unable to hold back, Fang Shangzhen looked upward.

The Grand Inspector raised his hand to silence him, murmuring, “Never mind… I’ll remain calm.”

Fang Shangzhen responded with a respectful hum, then withdrew from the Ninth Floor.

After his departure, the Grand Inspector’s fingers moved in intricate gestures, a puzzled look crossing his eyes.

“Qitian’s willingness to sacrifice itself to charge into the Earthly Bizarre Temple, all for you to ascend as a Martial Immortal—this is not how it should be wasted.”

“The Underworld Ghost Emperor… doesn’t seem like a reckless man at all.”

“There must be some reason… let me calculate.”

Buzz—

The Grand Inspector abruptly swept his hand, and the very space trembled as if rippling like water.

Soon, images began to form.

In these visions…

There emerged the Underworld Ghost Emperor, engulfed by four blazing disks of life force like the roaring suns, unleashing a massacre.

Finally, the Ghost Emperor strode step by step above Qitian City; the void rippled in circles, as if the human Martial Immortal were making a final, burning march after the devastation.

The entire being of the Ghost Emperor seemed to transcend, his golden life force surging skyward like a pillar of light.

With each step came a low, sorrowful sigh from his lips.

“I have burned out… truly burned out…”

…

…

Boom—!!!

The gates of Qitian Outer City were flung open, no longer able to contain the enraged warriors and cultivators stirred by the Underworld Ghost Emperor’s display.

Figures shimmering with blood and divine energy burst forth in a frenzy, like the unstoppable torrent of the Tianhe River.

Many warriors, their bodies stained with blood, felt as though they had survived a cataclysm, only to emerge dazed and bewildered as they tore out of Qitian City.

But soon, they glanced back.

There, the Underworld Ghost Emperor stood like a solar deity, encircled by four magnificently radiant blazing disks, blocking the view above Qitian Inner City’s tower.

“Martial Immortal Ghost Emperor…”

The bloodstained grandmasters and Martial Saints wore conflicted expressions, even moved to tears by the display of resolve!

Had it not been for the inspiring aura of the Ghost Emperor—who risked it all against the Pantheon’s might—they would have been too terrified to resist, ultimately falling prey to the dominant forces within Qitian City.

After all, the Pantheon’s power was overwhelming.

Tens of divine cultivators, including the Second Calamity Patriarchs and First Calamity Grand Cultivators, reigned supreme within Qitian City.

It was believed that these potent figures would eventually split Qitian City among themselves, reviving the ancient metropolis after five centuries of slumber, making it a place for all mortal warriors and cultivators to thrive.

Yet no one had imagined that the gods of the Bizarre Temple would issue an order for mass slaughter.

Many warriors wiped away their tears, cast one last wistful look, and fled Qitian City.

They had once revered the one who broke through to Martial Immortal status right before the city’s walls!

Qitian City.

Crimson rain fell like a torrential downpour, large droplets splattering against the dark tiles and blue brick walls, imbuing the ancient city with a profound sadness.

Fang Han Shu’s scholar’s robe billowed as starlight flickered in his eyes, his aura mighty and full of Dao essence.

He raised his head, gazing toward Qitian Inner City, where a lone figure sat amidst the blood rain, surrounded by roaring blazing disks and thundering life force.

It was the Underworld Ghost Emperor, solitary before Qitian Inner City.

Within the Inner City, tumultuous energy roiled—a fearsome pressure like a deluge, overwhelming everything. Yet, close to the Ghost Emperor, it all faded to nothing.

Meanwhile, as the Pantheon’s strongest withdrew into the Inner City, the nine Second Calamity Patriarchs dwindled to five—the other four having perished!

The Second Calamity Patriarch who had clashed with Fang Han Shu had not hesitated to flee into the Inner City, deeply shaken by the fall of the Black Xumi’s Angry Buddha Vajra.

Rumble—

The highest aura shuddered continuously as dense mists surged from the Inner City’s walls, forming a curtain that separated the inner and outer realms of Qitian.

Faintly, three solitary figures appeared—each emanating a pressure as vast as the sea, casting cold, sharp gazes upon all.

They were the three Supreme Beings of the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple!

Emerging from the Inner Bizarre Temple, they had pinpointed Qitian Inner City. Now they occupied it, blocking any path for Qitian’s revival.

The Black Xumi’s Jiagou Supreme, the Dark Heavenly Court’s Xuan Zhen Supreme, and the Celestial Wolf Supreme from the Demon Yao Cave!

Even their mere presence seemed capable of toppling mountains and obliterating everything in its wake.

Fang Han Shu took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

Though he had advanced to the Second Calamity, three Calamity stage through his Ancestral Patriarch’s near-complete transmission, he was still a step away from the Supreme level.

Could he, in one year, perfectly refine his master’s legacy and reach the Supreme realm?

Fang Han Shu’s eyes flickered with light as he recalled that the peak of Qitian Temple’s Ancestral Patriarch, Fang Xinyuan, had reached a triumphant third Calamity—only to later, wounded in battle for Yulian and Qitian, fall from grace and become the Temple Protection Corpse King.

Even if he fully refined the inheritance, it would be hard to match the flourish of his master’s peak power…

But…

Fang Han Shu cared little, for he still held hope!

After all, he was now a Spiritual Confinement cultivator—by absorbing the powers of others like him, he could break through in leaps.

Ordinarily, one would never reach the heights of his master, but now, that might change.

His heart stirred as his gaze fell on the Underworld Ghost Emperor—his Lord, Li Che.

Quietly, his fist clenched.

At that very moment, Li Che sensed Fang Han Shu’s rising hopes but paid them no heed.

Qitian Outer City was now largely pacified; the powerful figures of the Pantheon had retreated into Qitian Inner City. Otherwise, like the four fallen Second Calamity Patriarchs, they would have been obliterated, their flesh and souls devoured by Mo City Fengdu.

Crackle, sizzle—

The intense heat twisted the space as the Underworld Ghost Emperor, seated before Qitian Inner City, began to lose control of his aura.

“He’s about to burn out!”

Inside Qitian Inner City.

The Celestial Wolf Supreme slowly opened his wolf-pup eyes, unleashing a ferocious glare that seemed to rend the weird mists, slicing into Li Che’s being.

Li Che sat cross-legged, his golden skull emanating embers as golden flames burned in his eyes.

“Yes… I am almost burned out.”

“But dare you face me in battle!” Li Che challenged, his voice tinged with melancholy and sorrow.

From the mists of Qitian Inner City, a colossal wolf’s head materialized—the Celestial Wolf Supreme, its gigantic, mountain-like visage glaring at the Ghost Emperor.

The four golden whirlpools dimmed gradually, from the brilliance of blazing suns to the feebleness of dying embers.

The Celestial Wolf Supreme narrowed his eyes, grasped with his five fingers, and in the next moment, the Xuan Ying Demon God, who had earlier fled into the Inner City, was dispatched.

“Kill!”

“Slaughter the human Martial Immortal! Secure your merit! In the future, when the Bizarre Temple devours the mortal realm, the divine grace shall be yours!”

The Celestial Wolf Supreme roared like a deity, his voice resonating like divine thunder.

The Xuan Ying Demon God emerged from the Inner City, his gaze fixed on the Underworld Ghost Emperor, who sat atop the Inner City tower over a hundred zhang high.

Feeling the ghostly, drained life force emanating from his foe, a twisted smile crept upon his lips.

“Burned out yet still fighting to the death? Do you even deserve to call yourself a warrior?!”

The Xuan Ying Demon God let out a piercing howl. With a powerful sweep of his wings, a shower of golden feathers manifested, his divine aura restored, as he transformed into a terrifying, colossal eagle and soared!

Like a swift beam of light slashing through the sky, he charged at the Underworld Ghost Emperor!

Even when facing a spent Martial Immortal, the Xuan Ying Demon God dared not show any weakness and gave it his all!

He utterly unleashed himself!

Kill!

At the moment the Xuan Ying Demon God reached the Underworld Ghost Emperor, the four once-dim golden disks flared up once more as if returning to life, bursting forth with dazzling brilliance!

The Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade vibrated as if summoned from the void!

Li Che’s eyes flashed brilliantly as the eight-hundred-zhang Heaven-Defying Half-step scattered expansions across the battlefield!

Instantly, the Xuan Ying Demon God sensed danger; a terrifying crisis loomed, setting every feather on his body on edge!

In the next moment, he felt his aura slipping rapidly—akin to being dragged down by an overwhelming force. With a single breath, he spiraled from Second Calamity to First Calamity, slowly descending, on the verge of plummeting to the state of a First Calamity cultivator!

This…

But he had neither time nor concern for the trembling golden feathers, subdued by the reviving divine aura of the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade!

Boom—!!!

The Underworld Ghost Emperor rose to his feet, his body reigniting in a burst of golden life force, his girth like a towering colossus as torrents of life force burst forth, his fists clenching, unleashing Myriad Transformations of Dragon Elephant!

The Xuan Ying Demon God roared in anger, his eagle cry piercing the skies, as cracks appeared on the Calamity Wheel. He struggled to break free of the Heaven-Defying Half-step’s grip!

But the invincible blow of the unparalleled Martial Immortal had already landed on him.

That unstoppable force descended like a mountain avalanche, his life force roaring like tidal waves, obliterating the Xuan Ying Demon God with relentless might.

His body shattered bit by bit, finally dissolving into a cloud of blood mist!

Countless black feathers burst into the skies, scorched by golden flames that ignited and blazed up in a display of radiant gold.

Those golden feathers trembled, clashing as they struggled to break free from the suppression of the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade, storming toward the Inner City.

Yet Li Che’s reflexes were lightning fast. Never forgetting his skill in seizing fallen foes, he instantly grasped the golden feathers, absorbing them into the Cosmic Chessboard, subdued by the Seven Aperture Luminous Heart!

The Xuan Ying Demon God let out a shrill wail, his demonic soul writhing in agony, as it was mercilessly severed by Li Che’s Martial Immortal will like a cleaver in the void!

Then, the shattered flesh and severed demonic soul were absorbed by Mo City Fengdu.

Huff, huff, huff—

After it all, the four Divine Seeds detonated behind Li Che fell silent once more, descending from blazing brilliance to a withered ember.

From the shattered, mirror-like space, he drifted down and collapsed onto the ground.

Turning his back to the warriors and cultivators gazing out from Qitian Outer City, he now faced the Supreme figures of the Pantheon of the Bizarre Temple within Qitian Inner City.

They sighed deeply.

“I’ve burned out… this time I truly have…”

Silence.

Winds howled, shattered space resonated in clamor.

In Qitian Inner City, the mists of the Bizarre Temple draped like curtains; the Celestial Wolf’s visage emerged from the gloom as its piercing eyes remained fixed on the motionless Underworld Ghost Emperor.

Many cultivators who had taken refuge within the Inner City also fell silent.

Especially that dark Heavenly Court Divine General, who had once clashed with Fang Han Shu—his spear trembling in his hand.

Burned out?

If you believed in the Ghost Emperor, then believe nothing!

The Divine General’s face twitched as he glanced toward the Supreme of the Dark Heavenly Court.

For a moment, both the Inner and Outer City fell into a deathly stillness.

Outside, some bold warriors remained, still watching the battle—the Underworld Ghost Emperor’s final, desperate explosion that obliterated a Three-Calamity Grand Cultivator left them shaken.

“Burned out… is he truly burned out?”

Many warriors stood in stunned silence.

For a moment, none could tell if the Underworld Ghost Emperor had indeed exhausted his life force and reached his end—a fleeting Martial Immortal.

“But ultimately, he is doomed to burn out…”

One warrior, momentarily excited, sighed heavily.

For a Martial Immortal to sacrifice his life-force in transcending to a higher level always comes at a price…

No one knows how much longer the Ghost Emperor can cling on.

At least, with the Ghost Emperor holding the gates at Qitian Inner City single-handedly, he managed to block and intimidate the Pantheon’s forces.

Tonight, what should have been a massacre in Qitian City was averted by the lone Underworld Ghost Emperor.

Huff, huff, huff—

The clouds heavy with snow above the Heavenly Dome were torn asunder by the ferocity of Qitian City’s battle.

In a blood-red sky, entwined chains of Dao essence rolled; it was as if heaven and earth themselves wept in sorrow, with blood-like snowflakes drifting down.

At the horizon’s end, a crimson furnace-like sunrise slowly ascended.

Its brilliance illuminated the mortal realm in shades of fire!

Many warriors, reborn through adversity, knelt on the ground before the solemn figure of the Ghost Emperor seated at Qitian Inner City, offering deep, respectful bows before scattering across the land.

Li Che sensed the events unfolding outside the city yet cared little—the rescue of these warriors and cultivators was mere happenstance, a simple act of courtesy.

Lifting his gaze, he looked toward Qitian Inner City.

“Come on!”

Li Che called out.

Within the Bizarre Temple, the three Supreme Beings glared coldly. Many venerable figures regarded him with complex expressions, while those evading the divine calamity remained silent.

“You will eventually burn out…”

“We shall watch you turn to ash before our eyes.”

The Celestial Wolf Supreme’s cold, resounding voice echoed like divine thunder across the void.

Li Che’s Primordial Dragon Elephant Flame burned as his black garments flapped in the wind, his golden bones gleaming brilliantly.

A faint, almost mocking laugh escaped him.

Then, his skull drooped low.

“I have truly burned out…”

At that moment, the four golden life force whirlpools behind him faded—as if all their brilliance drained away, leaving only the sunlight streaming over the Qitian Outer City’s walls, bathing the Ghost Emperor.

It was as if he had turned to ash on the spot.

Above, blood rain drifted amid the roaming thunderclouds, and chains of Dao essence twisted like dragons. A crimson phoenix seemed to emerge from the clouds, its agonized wails echoing as an unprecedented portent!

“Go! Find out if the Ghost Emperor has fallen!”

“He might truly be burned out!”

The Celestial Wolf Supreme gritted his teeth. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to let the Second Calamity Patriarch deliver the final blow; instead, he hurled a Three-Calamity Grand Cultivator out of the Inner City.

Boom—!!!

In an instant, golden light from the four life force disks burned vividly, the blazing suns scattering across the sky.

The Underworld Ghost Emperor, having seemingly withered away, once more shone with a final burst of energy—killing a defiant First Calamity Grand Cultivator emerging from the city, his golden fist whipping through the air, casting a Dragon Elephant phantom that crushed the foe.

“Damn!”

“Despicable! Humans are cunning and despicable!”

The Celestial Wolf Supreme roared in anger!

He almost wished to break out of the Inner City and crush that dying human into pulp. Alas, he ultimately had to respect the murderous decree of the will of heaven and earth!

“No, we must wait for the Dark Heavenly Court’s Supreme to bring forth the Ju Xian Flag. Only when its power is unleashed can we block the will of heaven and earth and break free of the Bizarre Temple…”

By then, he would personally wrench the skull from this dying Ghost Emperor!

The Celestial Wolf Supreme fixed his gaze on the Underworld Ghost Emperor.

Sure enough, the four swirling life force disks dimmed once more, as if on the brink of death. Even though his skull betrayed nothing but death, his eyes shimmered with a cold light.

“I… have truly burned out…”

Damn it!

The Ghost Emperor’s mouth spat deceit—

and the mighty figures of the Pantheon within Qitian Inner City roared in anger!

No one dared leave the city; the inner and outer realms had been irreversibly divided.

There, the Underworld Ghost Emperor sat lifeless at the city gates, his eyes, though sunken, still flickering with golden flames.

That was the last spark of life.

And everyone in Qitian Inner City watched, waiting in silence for the ghostly flame in his eyes to finally extinguish.

Fang Han Shu’s scholar’s robe billowed as his handsome face glowed in the sunrise.

He stood hundreds of zhang away from the Ghost Emperor, his mouth twitching in suppressed anguish, yet his scholarly demeanor conveyed deep, mournful sorrow.

Turning, he ascended steadily, arms outstretched as the Haoran River of life surged downwards!

“Today, I, Fang Han Shu, in keeping with the will of our Ancestral Patriarch, shall rebuild Qitian Temple!”

…

…

Qitian Outer City.

On a restaurant rooftop.

Even the few figures seated on the rooftop were outlined in long, stretching shadows under the dim orange glow.

“Father, Ghost Emperor Master… has he really burned out?”

XiXi, holding Li Che’s hand, wore a face of profound sorrow.

Li Che gently squeezed XiXi’s hand and replied, “Perhaps he has burned out. But as long as there remains a spark in his eyes, his Martial Immortal will endure…”

XiXi’s eyes brightened with resolve: “I’ll grow stronger so that one day I can defeat those villains in the Inner City who drove Master Ghost Emperor to the brink!”

“Father, XiXi will retrieve the Xuan Lei Vajra Qiankun Ring! It’s the final piece of the set—Gun Gun’s divine weapon will tell you that when it’s complete, the Third Prince might just be revived!”

“Gun Gun’s will states that if the Third Prince is reborn, he will annihilate them all!”

Determination shone on XiXi’s young face like never before.

Li Che chuckled and mused, “The Qiankun Ring, is it? It’s about time to gather all the pieces…”

But before that, Li Che’s mind stirred as his true self entered Mo City Fengdu.

He needed to count the spoils from tonight’s carnage…

A Spiritual Confinement breakthrough of epic proportions!