Chapter 185 - MASS RELEASE 5

Chapter 281 The Power of Yin and Yang and Immortal Arts

"Damn scam system, I want to fuse advanced gift packs!"

Chen Xuan shouted, his fingers tapping rapidly on the panel as he decisively pressed the confirm button.

Whoosh!

Fifteen streaks of light burst out, spinning and merging in the air, eventually fusing into three red boxes that were stored into the system space.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining an advanced gift pack. Open now?"

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining an advanced gift pack. Open now?"

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining an advanced gift pack. Open now?"

The mechanical voice of the system echoed one after another, sounding unusually urgent, like it was rushing Chen Xuan to open them quickly.

"Heh, I won't!" he sneered, refusing to give the system what it wanted, wearing a smug expression that said What can you do about it?

He'd been screwed over by this damned system too many times—he knew just how shady it could be.

"Trying to trick me into opening the advanced gift packs first again? No way!" Chen Xuan laughed coldly and calmly dragged over a chair to sit down, fully prepared to wait it out.

Did the system really think he hadn't figured out its tricks? Every time he opened packs, one of them always gave ten thousand gold soul coins. Now that he was already filthy rich, that kind of prize was completely useless—he wasn't about to waste an advanced gift pack on that.

So he waited. And just sat there until night fell.

"Chen Xuan, what are you spacing out for?" Xiao Wu frowned slightly. Seeing him muttering to himself with a strange look in his eyes, she couldn't help but worry—was he going insane?

Night had fallen, the sky dim and quiet. But the area was still bright, lit by glowing crystals and the natural radiance of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, illuminating the entire medicine garden.

Feeling the time was right, Chen Xuan quietly pulled out the two remaining small gift packs and swiftly opened them without hesitation.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining ten thousand gold soul coins!"

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining one Enlightenment Herb!"

The system's voice rang out again. Despite its mechanical tone, there was a hint of emotion, even a trace of surprise.

"Damn system, still trying to scam me?" Chen Xuan laughed, wearing a just as I expected expression. He had anticipated this—he knew one of the small packs would contain soul coins.

He was delighted. His mood soared. Today, he'd finally outplayed the system and avoided wasting an advanced gift pack on gold soul coins. Now, even if the advanced packs weren't amazing, at least they wouldn't be useless.

Before transmigrating, Chen Xuan had been obsessed with money. But the world he was in now, and the strength he had gained, had changed his mindset. He wasn't shackled by worldly desires anymore.

Once you have it all, it becomes easy to let go.

"System, open the advanced packs." Chen Xuan gave the command.

Whoosh!

All three golden gift packs opened simultaneously. Three multicolored lights shot out and landed in the system space.

Then a blue panel popped up, displaying detailed information about the items.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining one Beast God Vine!"

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining the training method for Sage Mode from Mount Myoboku!"

"Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining the Power of Yin and Yang!"

When Chen Xuan saw the last two rewards, his eyes widened and his breathing quickened—he couldn't stay calm anymore.

"The Power of Yin… and the Power of Yang!" he muttered, utterly stunned, shaken to his core.

"I'm not seeing things, am I?!"

Chen Xuan could hardly believe his eyes. He reread the description carefully, not missing a single word.

After reading every line in detail, he was even more overwhelmed. His heart surged like a tsunami—an absolute explosion of emotion.

He had given up cultivating chakra and returned to soul power training because he had hit a dead end, stuck at the Super Kage level.

To enter the Six Paths realm, he would have to either become the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails or obtain the Rinnegan and the Power of Yin. Only then could he touch that ultimate field.

But in this world, there were no tailed beasts, and no soul beasts could substitute. It was incredibly difficult.

Chen Xuan had placed all his hopes on the upgrade gift packs. Now, not only had he obtained the Power of Yin, he'd also gotten the Power of Yang—saving himself the massive effort of evolving the Rinnegan.

These two powers were outrageous, both in scope and versatility. In simple terms, one was spiritual power, the other enhanced the body and healing abilities. For example, the Power of Yang could activate Creation of All Things, with top-tier regenerative powers. Theoretically, one could create anything.

The Power of Yin, meanwhile, was perfect for users of the Rinnegan or Eternal Mangekyou. It enhanced all jutsu and Susanoo-type skills, elevating them beyond mere laws.

Before this, none of Chen Xuan's ninjutsu or ocular powers could truly threaten gods. But now, infused with the Power of Yin, even a simple Wind Release Rasengan could endanger divine beings.

"Next step—if I can fuse these two powers, I should be able to reach the final realm." Chen Xuan's eyes gleamed with determination, itching to start absorption immediately.

Training both soul power and chakra wasn't a conflict for him. In fact, the dual-system fusion was what made his strength so overwhelming. His unrivaled status at the same level stemmed directly from this.

"If I master both paths, could I surpass a God King? At the very least… I should be able to kill one," Chen Xuan murmured to himself.

Once he broke past level 100 in soul power, he would be truly unmatched under the divine realm.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. Chen Xuan grew restless, itching to push his limits.

"Xiao Wu, I'm going into seclusion for a bit—it won't be long. I'll be counting on you these next few days." He gave her a heads-up, planning to stay right here in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to break through.

He casually chose a patch of open ground and sat down, opened the system panel, took out the Power of Yin and Yang, and with a whoosh, swallowed them whole to begin refining and fusing.

"Alright then." Xiao Wu was a little helpless. She really wanted to head back with the immortal herbs and surprise their precious daughter. Now she had no choice but to set that aside.

She checked her own condition and figured it was about time—she'd likely be able to condense her ninth soul ring within the next two days.

Though the Sunset Forest was home to many soul beasts, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was uniquely safe. Surrounded by toxic gases, no soul beast without strong poison immunity could even get close.

In the blink of an eye, five days passed. The area remained secure. Not a single person or beast entered.

"Success."

Chen Xuan exhaled deeply. The Power of Yin and Yang had fused perfectly, merging into his body. All that remained was the final step—complete refinement.

He now had one foot in the Six Paths realm, close to the ultimate domain. His body was steadily absorbing the Yin-Yang power, just needing a bit more time.

Though soul power and chakra didn't conflict for him, fusing the Yin-Yang power took twice as long as it would for a normal person.

Chen Xuan didn't want to waste time. Taking advantage of the momentum, he decided to go all-in and break through to level 100.

"Xiao Wu, I need some immortal herbs." He stood up and ended his seclusion for now, going to Xiao Wu to ask for the wishful treasure pouch.

At first, Xiao Wu was reluctant. She didn't want to give it to him, afraid he'd waste everything and leave nothing for their daughter, Qiu'er.

But after Chen Xuan solemnly promised that it was for breaking through to level 100, Xiao Wu finally relented and handed over the wishful pouch.

As soon as he got it, Chen Xuan chuckled mischievously and darted off behind a crystal stone, dumping out all the immortal herbs.

"I'm not greedy—I'll just start with a hundred herbs to whet my appetite!"

Chapter 282 Peerless Douluo

Sunset Forest, within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

On this day, Chen Xuan achieved "immortality herb freedom." He grabbed handfuls of herbs and stuffed them into his mouth like a starving beast, barely chewing before swallowing them whole.

He ate them as if they were rice—devouring a full hundred immortal herbs in one go. His appetite was astonishing.

Even after consuming a hundred herbs, Chen Xuan didn't feel full at all. He thought he could easily eat a few hundred more, but he stopped himself out of caution.

He tried to burp, but his stomach felt like a bottomless pit—it couldn't be filled, like he hadn't eaten anything at all.

The reason was that the tree behind his heart had started acting up again, vying for dominance and frantically absorbing the medicinal power of the herbs.

This led to a bad outcome. As soon as Chen Xuan swallowed a herb, it would instantly dissolve into medicinal liquid, flow into his stomach, and eventually be turned into a stream of energy, completely absorbed by the fruit tree.

Only a small portion could be truly absorbed by his body—merging into his flesh and blood, purifying his soul power, and slightly raising his level.

Chen Xuan wasn't angry, though. He was quite happy with the outcome. Swallowing a hundred immortal herbs at once—even with his powerful physique—was pushing it. Anyone else would've been overloaded and killed by the energy.

"Hurry up and eat, then return the soul power to me," he muttered impatiently, hoping the fruit tree would refine the purest soul power and send it back to him. This method was the safest and most efficient for his body.

Unfortunately, the process was slow. Half a day passed, and only then did he feel his realm begin to loosen.

"Hmm? Level ninety-four!" Chen Xuan was delighted. As expected, devouring large quantities of immortal herbs was effective.

For an ordinary person, even absorbing just a few herbs could lead to a qualitative leap in soul power—but beyond that, further consumption was useless. Eating a hundred would just lead to death by overload.

Late into the night, in the deep stillness beneath the moonlight, its silvery glow draped gently over Chen Xuan's body.

Crack!

A sound like a metal chain snapping came from within his body. His soul power became intensely concentrated—he had broken through again.

"Level ninety-five!" Chen Xuan was thrilled. He had finally stepped into the Super Douluo realm, widening the gap between him and ordinary Titled Douluo.

His emotions surged—but at the same time, he felt a tinge of regret. A hundred immortal herbs had only raised him two levels. It did seem like a waste.

But then he remembered how difficult it was to advance once reaching Titled Douluo. Some people stayed stuck for decades, unable to gain even a single level.

Even prodigies with full soul power found each level past ninety-one agonizingly hard to climb.

Some, like Dugu Bo, might stay stuck at level ninety-three for life, never managing another breakthrough.

The night passed quickly, and dawn broke. The first rays of sunlight shimmered over the twin springs, making them appear even more radiant.

Crack!

Chen Xuan opened his eyes—soul power burst from his pores like a geyser, thick and powerful. He had broken through once more, and his body underwent a thorough cleansing—impure soul power was completely expelled.

"I... Level ninety-six!" Even he found it hard to believe. Three levels in just one day and night—what Titled Douluo could manage that?

Unfortunately, the cost was steep. He had consumed a total of 150 immortal herbs to gain those three levels.

Chen Xuan realized that after reaching Super Douluo, it became harder and harder to improve—soul power requirements multiplied. Just getting to level ninety-seven would cost him more than seventy more herbs.

If Xiao Wu knew, she'd definitely fight him over it.

He turned and glanced into the distance—Xiao Wu was sitting cross-legged, channeling all her soul power into her martial soul. She was clearly in the process of condensing a soul ring.

"She's already reached level ninety?" he muttered in surprise. It seemed he wasn't the only one advancing.

Chen Xuan watched closely—the threads of red soul power swirling around her suggested she would definitely form a 100,000-year soul ring.

"These immortal herbs... there must be some suitable for her." He released a wisp of divine sense and searched his treasure pouch, finally picking out three herbs that were especially suited for Xiao Wu.

Then he kept looking—carefully selecting herbs suitable for his daughter Chen Qiuer and for Jiangzhu. He stored them in the system space to avoid accidentally eating them himself.

He discovered that after refining the Yin energy, not only did his spiritual power grow stronger—more importantly, the energy helped him evolve part of his divine sense and soul, allowing him to step into the realm of the divine.

Chen Xuan estimated it would take five or six more days to fully evolve his spiritual power into divine sense. By then, his transformation would be complete—he would transcend from soul master to true god.

The Yin energy helped him cultivate divine sense, and the Yang energy would refine his divine body. That was the true power of the two forces.

"What lies beyond the Six Paths? What's above a God King?" As his soul power rose again, that thought suddenly came to mind.

He couldn't help but wonder—was there a higher realm beyond the divine? Was there a level after God King?

A Creator God?

Or... once you reach that height, was that the end of the road? No further steps, no path forward, only stillness.

"If I get the chance, I have to catch a Sea God and interrogate him!" Chen Xuan made up his mind. The urge to storm the Divine Realm was getting stronger.

The things he wanted to know couldn't be answered by speculation alone—those ancient main gods who had lived for thousands of years surely knew more than him.

Chen Xuan grabbed another huge handful of immortal herbs and shoved them into his mouth, swallowing a hundred in one go.

The herbs instantly dissolved into medicinal liquid. A small part went to his stomach, but the majority was devoured by the fruit tree.

His soul power was now at level ninety-eight. He continued to push forward—his goal was to become the second youngest Peerless Douluo on the continent.

After consuming another hundred herbs, Chen Xuan began to feel increasingly hot—his skin turned red and started to emit steam. He had finally reached a point of adverse reaction from overconsumption.

"I need to refine it now!" He kicked the fruit tree twice, urging it to hurry up and digest the herbs.

Chen Xuan also took action—opening every pore, releasing soul power and vitality to relieve the pressure on his body. Otherwise, he'd really die from overstuffing.

Day and night passed once more. This time, the breakthrough took significantly longer—difficulty had multiplied again.

No one knew how much time had passed. One pitch-black night, several sharp cracks rang out inside Chen Xuan's body—like iron chains snapping apart.

He let out a comfortable sigh. His body felt lighter, more ethereal—as if he'd shed ten times his weight in an instant.

"My soul power... has reached level ninety-nine!" Chen Xuan stood up, a joyful light in his eyes. He couldn't contain his excitement.

Looking inward, he saw clearly—for the first time at this limit level—that the human body held something akin to shackles, binding the internal organs and limbs. This was the true difference between mortals and gods.

When those shackles broke, divine power could be born—and divine flesh could be forged.

Normally, one would only break free after reaching level 100. But Chen Xuan had already fused the Yin and Yang forces and evolved his divine soul—so in a sense, he had already stepped into the divine realm. He had just done it early.

Now, he was full of confidence. He had the qualifications to challenge a first-level god. If the Sea God dared to show up again, Poseidon would never return.

Chen Xuan ended his breakthrough and shared the joy with Xiao Wu. It was time to leave.

Chapter 283 Stalled at Level Ninety-Nine

"What? You're level ninety-nine?!"

Hearing the news, Xiao Wu thought she misheard and had to confirm it again.

After all, this bastard was just level ninety-three a few days ago, and a week before that, he had only just broken through to Titled Douluo.

In less than half a month, he had gone from Titled Douluo to level ninety-nine. This kind of news was explosive—not just rare, but basically unheard of. It was insane!

"Yeah, I'm surprised myself. Relying on these immortal herbs really lets you break through fast," Chen Xuan replied, a touch of emotion in his voice.

"You really became a Peerless Douluo!" Xiao Wu stared at him wide-eyed, her fair face filled with shock. She wasn't mistaken.

She was stunned, completely frozen in place, her heart caught in a storm she couldn't calm.

Her fair complexion was full of disbelief. Was this guy even human? She felt dizzy. How could someone progress so quickly?

At the same time, she felt incredibly frustrated. Why? Just a month ago, this man came to pick up her and Zhuqing, and back then, he was just a mere Soul Saint—his soul power hadn't even passed level eighty.

And now? In just a few days, he had advanced at a terrifying pace—not only surpassing her and Zhuqing but also reaching the pinnacle of cultivation on the continent.

"Chen Xuan, what the hell are you made of? You weren't possessed by some ancient geezer, were you?!" Xiao Wu's bright eyes shimmered sharply, staring him down.

Chen Xuan rolled his eyes. "Who could possess me? They'd just be turning themselves into fertilizer for me."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well does help these herbs grow, but reaching full maturity still takes forever," he muttered, a half-formed idea stirring in his mind.

If Tang San were here, he could use the Blue Silver Domain to accelerate seedling growth and drastically shorten the growth period. But Tang San was already dead, so that method was off the table.

"In theory, the power of Yang can create anything. Then this Mori no Banbutsu (All Creation of the Forest) ability should be able to accelerate the growth of immortal herbs too." Chen Xuan whispered, planning to test it out.

It wasn't baseless speculation. The power of Yang could do amazing things, limited only by the user's imagination.

In Naruto, Naruto himself helped Kakashi regain his eye and even saved Guy, who had opened the Gate of Death—someone who should've died.

Regeneration was just a passive ability of Yang power. The true core was All Creation of the Forest.

"Whatever, there's no rush. I still have two or three hundred herbs left. Let's see if they can help me break through to level one hundred and become a god," Chen Xuan murmured.

Over the next two days, he rested and recovered. Once he felt back to full strength, he resumed his herb-devouring upgrade method.

This time, he started with fifty herbs. Feeling he could still handle it, he downed another fifty—trying to break through to godhood in one go.

Of course, only he could pull this off because of his evolved fruit tree. Anyone else would've had their foundation shattered or exploded from the energy.

But… another day and night passed.

Chen Xuan examined himself internally—his soul power had increased significantly, but his realm hadn't budged. He was still stuck at level ninety-nine.

Refusing to accept it, he downed another fifty herbs. Medicinal energy surged through him, and the life force in his body reached its peak—his skin flushed red, steaming as he approached his limit.

In just a short span, he had consumed 150 immortal herbs. The power was too overwhelming—even with a divine body, he was struggling to endure it.

The sun set. Night fell. Another day was gone.

Chen Xuan's skin returned to its fair state. All 150 herbs were fully refined, his inner life force now unimaginably vast—overflowing from his body, far beyond his critical threshold.

At this point, his soul power was so abundant that the word immense barely described it. In this state, activating ten Perfect Susanoos would've been nothing.

He had absorbed all that power, refined all that life energy, and by all logic, he should have broken through to level one hundred. But he was still stuck at level ninety-nine. Despite devouring all those herbs, his realm didn't even waver.

"I hit a bottleneck?" Chen Xuan muttered, shocked. This was the first time in his life he had encountered such a wall in cultivation.

He didn't understand. Every requirement had been fulfilled—why couldn't he break through? Was this the reason Peerless Douluos were so rare?

"Maybe I haven't accumulated enough. Maybe I need a real battle to solidify my foundation?" he guessed, wondering what step he'd missed.

Recently, his cultivation speed had indeed been insane. Calling it unprecedented wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Maybe the issue was he broke through too often and too fast without ever experiencing a real battle. That might be why he was blocked.

"I wonder what's going on outside. Continuing like this is pointless. Time to go see for myself," he sighed, ending his training.

Originally, he'd wanted to break through to level one hundred and then emerge—to storm Seagod Island and drag Poseidon out of hiding.

"You're finally willing to leave? After all this time? I've missed Qiuer like crazy, and you, the so-called responsible father—do you even remember you have a daughter?" Xiao Wu huffed, clearly upset.

With a flick of her skirt, she turned and strode out of the cave, leaving behind only her pink silhouette. She didn't give him a single friendly glance.

"Alright, alright, it's all my fault, okay?" Chen Xuan quickly grabbed her hand.

"What do you mean okay? That's your idea of admitting you're wrong?" Xiao Wu frowned, deeply displeased. She shook off his hand and stormed off.

Chen Xuan rubbed his forehead. That wasn't what he meant at all.

Eventually, with a few kind words—and the mention of their daughter and more herbs—he managed to calm down the tsundere Xiao Wu.

"Chen Xuan, do you really have a way to make the immortal herbs grow faster?" she asked, her eyes shining. She was clearly excited and took this matter seriously.

Chen Xuan shook his head, then nodded. "I'm not sure. Only one way to find out."

He walked over to the herb field. All the plants there were young sprouts—barely bigger than wild grass.

Chen Xuan extended his right hand, where a white circular mark appeared on his palm—like a miniature sun. It was the sign of someone who had inherited the power of Yang.

He pressed his palm onto the ground and activated All Creation of the Forest. Instantly, a fifth of his soul power was drained.

At his level, even a fifth of his soul power was an astronomical amount.

As the technique activated, an invisible domain expanded. The land instantly came to life, the soil rejuvenated, nutrients surged—feeding the herbs.

Within this highly vibrant zone, the seedlings swayed gently, as if dancing with joy.

After just one hour, the change was shocking. Each herb had grown by a foot. The roots thickened, the leaves shimmered a rich, vibrant green—they were growing rapidly.

"This is nuts... It works, but the cost is insane. It almost drained me dry."

Chen Xuan slumped to the ground, panting. His soul power was massive, yet after just one hour, it was nearly depleted. The consumption was terrifying.

"Forget it. I'll deal with this later. Time to go." He gave up on accelerating the herbs for now. It was time to leave.

Chen Xuan took Xiao Wu's delicate hand and walked out of the cave. Then he activated a space technique and teleported away from Sunset Forest.

Meanwhile, outside—the world had already changed dramatically.

A battle of cataclysmic scale had erupted.

The demigod Bibi Dong personally led a million-strong army in a surprise attack on the Heaven Dou Empire.

After several days of war, Heaven Dou—short on troops—was no match for the Spirit Empire's forces and lost a vital military stronghold.

Jialing Pass, one of the most crucial defense points for both Star Luo and Heaven Dou, had fallen into the hands of the Spirit Empire.

Chapter 284 The Eve of the Final Battle (Extended Chapter)

War is destined to be cruel.

In just a few short days, nearly a hundred thousand people had died—losses that not even two great empires could afford to bear.

The Battle of Jialing Pass had erupted just days earlier. The Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires joined forces, dispatching an army of one hundred thousand to clash with the forces of the Spirit Empire.

The battle lasted three full days and nights before finally quieting down, and the outcome was tragic—Jialing Pass fell and was seized by Bibi Dong.

For Heaven Dou and Star Luo, this was a bitter day. They sacrificed over seventy thousand soldiers, yet failed to reclaim the city of Jialing Pass. All their sacrifices had been in vain.

Under Bibi Dong's leadership, the Spirit Empire was overwhelmingly fierce. Despite the desperate resistance of both empires, they only lost a few tens of thousands of soldiers and still secured victory.

This outcome shocked all sides and was destined to spread across the continent—highlighting the Spirit Empire's name through the crushing defeat of two great empires.

At this moment, several dozen miles from Jialing Pass, yellow sand covered the earth, vegetation had withered, and the land had become dead and barren—desolation stretched in all directions.

After the great battle, this place had lost all vitality. The land was scorched and unsuitable for survival.

Though the Heaven Dou and Star Luo armies had been defeated, it didn't mean they had given up. The remaining troops had temporarily set up camp nearby, awaiting reinforcements.

"If not for this sudden assault, how could we have lost to the Spirit Empire? Strategist, when will reinforcements arrive?" Xue Beng's expression was furious, hair flying wildly, his armor stained with blood.

How could he not be enraged? Even he, the Emperor of Heaven Dou, had nearly been decapitated in this war, dying a miserable death.

"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty. This time we were at a disadvantage in numbers. We'll win it back next time. I've already sent word to the Clear Sky Clan and other sects," Ning Fengzhi said.

The attending generals were all filled with indignation. If it weren't for the Spirit Empire's surprise attack and their inability to deploy in time, they wouldn't have lost so thoroughly.

Heaven Dou and Star Luo combined had over a million troops, along with multiple Titled Douluo and hundreds of Spirit Douluo. Why should they fear the so-called Pope, Bibi Dong?

Though Xue Beng was furious, he understood that now was not the time to fight again. They could only wait for reinforcements.

A day later, good news came from afar—the Clear Sky Clan was coming out of seclusion to participate in the Battle of Jialing Pass and settle their old score with the Spirit Hall.

Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, the Sunlight Douluo, and four Clear Sky elders were mobilized. All of them were powerful, with cultivation levels above Rank 95—true super Douluo.

The Strength Clan, Speed Clan, Defense Clan, and other four clans were all on their way to join the Heaven Dou camp and fight the Spirit Empire together.

Additionally, a new force—the Tang Sect—had arrived. This sect was founded by Tang San himself, along with elders of the four clans, and had developed various mechanical and large-scale destructive hidden weapons, including the devastating Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus.

They brought a large quantity of hidden weapons, enough for the majority of the Heaven Dou army to use, granting even ordinary soldiers the power of a Spirit Ancestor or Spirit King.

"Excellent!" Xue Beng was overjoyed upon hearing the news. That was his teacher's Tang Army and his teacher's sect—they were bound to strengthen Heaven Dou's military might.

Two days later, more good news came to the camp—those who had gone to Sea God Island had returned.

"Father, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, we're back!" Ning Rongrong immediately ran into Ning Fengzhi's arms upon return.

Seeing their little princess safe and sound, both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo beamed kindly, the heavy burden in their hearts finally lifting.

"Greetings, elders." Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun stepped forward and saluted the two super Douluo.

They were glowing with energy, starry-eyed and sharp-browed. Each bore a mark on their foreheads, clearly having obtained great fortune.

Dai Mubai wore white battle armor and looked handsome and spirited. He had lost an arm to Chen Xuan previously, but after absorbing a ten-thousand-year left arm bone at Sea God Island, it had regrown.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were shocked, noticing the divine aura in the marks on their foreheads—identical to the one Tang San had when he inherited the Sea God.

"We inherited divine legacies," Dai Mubai explained.

After reaching Sea God Island, he was chosen by a secondary god known as the War God to undergo god trials. He was now a divine inheritor, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

Ma Hongjun stated that he was chosen by the primary god of Fire and was undergoing god trials as well. Supporting the Heaven Dou army was part of his trial.

"Is this true?" Xue Beng was ecstatic. With even mighty deities supporting them, how could the joint army of Heaven Dou and Star Luo possibly lose?

The Spirit Empire and Pope Bibi Dong were sure to be defeated!

"Your Majesty, it's true. Helping the Heaven Dou army is part of our trial," Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun said truthfully.

Both were grateful to Chen Xuan. They believed it was because of him that they had come this far. Otherwise, how could they have been lucky enough to receive divine trials?

Dai Mubai gave a wicked grin. He swore that next time he saw Chen Xuan, he would kill him and wash away his disgrace with the man's blood.

"Mubai, Hongjun, how is Little San?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly asked, clearly concerned.

Xue Beng's expression turned nervous. He asked anxiously, "After going to Sea God Island, did my teacher come back to life?"

The two sighed, their expressions dimming as they fell silent.

Everyone's expressions changed drastically. Their hearts sank—they already had a bad feeling.

Dai Mubai sighed and said, "We don't know either. Little San was taken to the Divine Realm by Lord Sea God. Before he left, Sea God told us that Little San has no physical body. It's very difficult to bring him back unless we find a suitable body—but how could that be easy?"

Hearing this, everyone fell into sorrow. Even the invincible Sea God was helpless—who else in the world could save Tang San?

"What about Little Ao? How is he doing?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and the others all looked toward Ning Rongrong. Back then, Oscar had been bisected by Chen Xuan and taken to Sea God Island by the Shrek team.

Ning Rongrong's face lit up a little. "Little Ao was revived by the Nine-Colored Goddess and the God of Cookery. Both gods chose us to undergo divine trials."

Only then did everyone notice the green mark on Ning Rongrong's forehead, similar to those of Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

"Wonderful. As expected of my daughter. Rongrong, your father is proud of you," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged glances and then laughed. "To survive great disaster is to receive great fortune. Rongrong, what you and Little Ao experienced may have been a test from the gods."

Xue Beng was overjoyed. With the support of so many gods, how could Heaven Dou possibly lose?

Now, all they needed to do was wait for reinforcements. Once the army assembled, they could launch another assault and reclaim Jialing Pass!

…

Meanwhile, in Sunset Forest—

Chen Xuan and Xiao Wu only learned of these events a day later.

The day before, Chen Xuan had completed his seclusion and left Sunset Forest in search of a way to break through Rank 100. While passing through a small city in the Heaven Dou Empire, they heard news of the war.

The battle had been fierce, with nearly a hundred thousand casualties. The Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had suffered a crushing defeat, and Jialing Pass had fallen to the Spirit Empire.

After confirming the details, Chen Xuan deduced that the next war was coming soon. When it did, both sides would muster all available forces for a colossal clash.

When that time came, both sides would be heavily damaged no matter the outcome. If a third party intervened, they could potentially swallow the Spirit Empire and both empires whole.

"What is Qian Renxue thinking?" Chen Xuan was puzzled. He didn't know whether that woman had completed the Angel God trial.

This was a rare opportunity. If they missed it, it would be extremely difficult to take down Bibi Dong or the Heaven Dou Empire in the future.

"Chen Xuan, let's go home. I'm worried about Qiu'er." Xiao Wu grew uneasy at the thought of the brutal war and immediately worried about her daughter.

Her face was pale with fear. She was terrified that the conflict might reach their child.

Chen Xuan nodded. He couldn't stay calm either. In wartime, money, materials, weapons, soldiers, and food were all scarce. There was no guarantee that Qian Renxue's occupied city would remain safe.

They had only just received the news, which meant it had been days since the battle broke out. Locals confirmed that the Battle of Jialing Pass began about seven or eight days ago.

It was hard to imagine how much material and gold soul coins had been consumed in such a short time with hundreds of thousands involved.

"Let's go. We're going home!" Unable to sit still, Chen Xuan immediately tore open a space rift and stepped through it with Xiao Wu.

In a flash, they vanished from sight.

Even though Qian Renxue had left behind most of her troops, Chen Xuan was still uneasy, worried something might go wrong.

Swoosh!

In an instant, Chen Xuan traveled two hundred li, returning to the coordinates he had marked before. He brought Xiao Wu out of the temporal space and back to the real world.

He didn't go directly to Qian Renxue's city because the soul power cost of traversing space was dozens of times that of the Flying Thunder God. Two hundred li was already his limit.

Chen Xuan engraved a spell formation onto a small boat and then took Xiao Wu aboard. Together they soared into the air.

At his current speed, it would take no more than two or three hours to return home.

Along the way, Chen Xuan didn't waste any time. He pulled out a silver short sword and a golden scroll, quickly reading and cultivating the sword scripture's contents.

"With my current spiritual power, I should be able to master it completely," he murmured. Having fused with Yin Force, his soul power had evolved into divine spirit power—an entirely different level.

He released divine energy, controlled the silver short sword, and began practicing the sword scripture techniques, drawing various patterns in the air.

With a swoosh, the silver short sword shot across the sky, slashing out a wave of flying sword runes that locked down space and rippled outward.

"Done." Chen Xuan's face lit up with joy. He had finally mastered the sword scripture to its highest level.

At its peak, not only did he create flying sword runes, but he also received an unexpected reward. The silver short sword had changed—runes appeared on the blade, exuding divine charm. It seemed to have evolved.

To his amazement, once infused with divine power, the flying sword could now destroy spiritual and soul bodies—capable of directly threatening divine souls!

"Amazing!" he said in delight. With this weapon, even without reaching Rank 100, he now had something to make up for it.

Suddenly, Chen Xuan remembered the level-up gift pack. He seemed to have obtained a Dao Comprehension Herb a while back… wasn't it said to help one comprehend the Dao?

He opened his system panel and quickly checked the rewards.

"Dao Comprehension Herb: Allows the user to break through a bottleneck and reach a new realm."

That was the system's description—simple and clear. It perfectly summed up the herb's function.

"Break through a bottlenecked cultivation?" Chen Xuan was intrigued. He was currently stuck at the peak of his realm—wasn't this exactly what he needed?

But he resisted the urge. With such a powerful item, it would be better saved for his next bottleneck. It couldn't be wasted.

After all, he already had a method to break through. What he lacked was the right opportunity.

Next, he checked the other two items, skipping the 100,000 gold soul coins entirely.

"Beast God Flower Vine? What the hell is that?" he muttered and clicked open the item description.

After reading the info, Chen Xuan fell silent. It was completely useless to him and wouldn't help Xiao Wu either.

The Beast God Flower Vine could restore the life force of soul beasts and even raise their potential. If used on divine beasts, its effects would double.

Great item—but totally useless to him. Xiao Wu had already broken through Rank 60 and become a perfect human. Now at Rank 92, she was no longer the 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit.

As for himself? No way he'd use it.

"Forget it. I'll keep it for later—maybe I'll capture a divine beast mount one day," Chen Xuan said, shaking his head and letting it go.

Back at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had already learned the immortal techniques of Mount Myoboku. For someone who frequently used natural energy, it was practically effortless.

That afternoon, under the clear sunlight, Chen Xuan and Xiao Wu landed in Qian Renxue's garrisoned city and finally returned home to reunite with family.

"Thank goodness Qiu'er's alright," Xiao Wu breathed in relief. She had been worrying nonstop.

Chen Xuan also exhaled. Thank goodness. Just outside the city, he had seen the damaged walls and feared the worst.

"By the way, where's Zhuqing?" he asked, having sensed no trace of her within dozens of li.

Jiangzhu shook her head and said, "A few days ago, Qian Renxue came back briefly. Zhuqing left with her. Didn't say where."

"I think Sister Zhuqing mentioned going with Sister Xue to Spirit Hall. Said there was something important. That's all I remember—I wasn't paying close attention to their conversation," Chen Yiyi added.

"Spirit Hall?" Chen Xuan frowned. What was Qian Renxue planning? Could Zhuqing be involved in the god trial?

But that didn't make sense. What could Zhuqing possibly help with?

"Alright, don't overthink it. Ah Xue's not a bad person. She won't do anything to harm Zhuqing," Xiao Wu reassured him.

Chen Xuan nodded. "Jiangzhu, Yiyi, I'm glad you're both safe. With war looming, don't leave the city in the coming days."

"Hmph, you don't know, big bro! I'm super strong now—my spirit power even broke through again recently!" Chen Yiyi puffed up her chest proudly.

"Alright, alright, I get it—you're amazing," Chen Xuan said, smiling bitterly.

Then, he took out six carefully selected immortal herbs, each tailored to their martial spirits, and gave them to Jiangzhu and Chen Yiyi to quickly absorb and raise their strength—just in case of danger in the days ahead.

Jiangzhu's jaw dropped. Shocked, she took the three herbs, barely believing her eyes.

She was both stunned and thrilled. She'd thought Chen Xuan was just joking, but he'd actually found true immortal herbs. Back when the Grandmaster was still around, he had said immortal herbs were more valuable than hundred-thousand-year soul bones—rare beyond measure.

"Wow! These are immortal herbs? They must taste amazing!" Chen Yiyi's eyes sparkled as she gulped.

Chen Xuan and Xiao Wu both broke into cold sweat, dumbfounded and not sure what to say.

Chapter 285: Assembling

Chen Xuan was truly speechless—his sister had a bold heart and a mind that worked differently from normal people.

"Yiyi, you can't eat that. Hurry up and go absorb it," Xiao Wu said with a smile, urging Chen Yiyi and Jiangzhu to return to their room and absorb the immortal herbs.

She chuckled, recalling the scene of Chen Xuan devouring immortal herbs. He and his sister really were two of a kind.

The six immortal herbs were carefully selected. Chen Xuan had chosen them based on his sister's and Jiangzhu's martial soul attributes, picking them out first from a huge pile. Whether it was purifying martial souls or enhancing their properties, these herbs were more than capable—at the very least, they could boost spirit power by ten levels.

"Thank you, Chen Xuan." Jiangzhu's eyes were a little moist, moved and happy. She hugged the three herbs and went back inside to absorb them.

In contrast, Chen Yiyi sighed, looking dejected as she said, "You talked it up like it was some gourmet ingredient, but I can't even eat it?"

She muttered quietly, her expression showing slight disdain, though she still carried the herbs back to her room to absorb them.

"Who did this weird sister take after?" Chen Xuan facepalmed, torn between laughing and crying.

Xiao Wu couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Not a family unless they walk through the same door"—the saying was fully embodied by these two.

"By the way, Xiao Wu, there are also a few herbs here that suit you. You should go absorb them too—they should help you break past level ninety-five." Chen Xuan took out six more immortal herbs from his system space, all carefully selected by him.

"Alright." Xiao Wu didn't refuse, accepting them all. She was quite curious about the herbs—she'd never eaten one in her life.

She took little Chen Qiu'er by the hand and headed back inside, joining Yiyi and Jiangzhu to absorb the herbs together.

The courtyard quieted down, leaving only Chen Xuan.

The next battle would start soon, and he wanted to help those important to him strengthen their spirit power in the meantime.

Chen Xuan didn't stay idle. He left his residence and headed into the city, visiting the local city lord.

This city was named Lihua City. It had almost no spirit masters and was named after the water pears grown by civilians. It had been around for decades.

The city lord of Lihua was a man with a booming voice and spirit saint-level cultivation. He was, in fact, one of Qian Renxue's people.

"Lord Chen!" As soon as the city lord saw him, he bowed respectfully.

He naturally recognized Chen Xuan—one of Qian Renxue's key allies, living in the same residence as her. Their relationship was anything but ordinary.

Rumor had it that Qian Renxue had never shown interest in men, and it was true. He had followed her for many years and had never seen her get close to any man—until now.

"City Lord, no need for formalities. I just came to ask something." Chen Xuan waved it off and got straight to the point, asking if Qian Renxue had left any instructions or made any recent arrangements.

The city lord paused, scratching his head in thought. After a long while, he replied, "The lady gave no specific instructions, only told us to hold our ground and await her news and orders."

"I see…" Chen Xuan stroked his chin, unable to figure out what Qian Renxue was planning.

He sighed—he really couldn't guess what that woman was thinking. With a major battle approaching, she had taken Zhu Zhuqing away but made no moves since. Was she planning something special?

"Forget it." Chen Xuan shook his head, changing the subject. "By the way, I saw the city walls under repair on my way back. Was there an attack?"

"Yes. Five days ago, an army of ten thousand attacked, but we repelled them. However, that exposed our position—more enemies are likely on the way," the city lord replied honestly.

This was a civilian city, simple and plain, with nearly no spirit masters. After a battle like that, the outside world would certainly realize that troops were hiding here.

Chen Xuan's gaze turned cold. He could imagine—if the defenders hadn't held the line, the city would've fallen. His sister and daughter would've been in danger.

He kept his tone even. "Do you know who those troops were? Which force they belonged to?"

"Reporting to Lord Chen—they were from the Heaven Dou Empire. I believe they were trying to seize the city's supplies and grain for the front lines," the city lord answered.

Chen Xuan's face darkened instantly, murderous intent flaring up as anger boiled inside him.

"Heaven Dou Empire again… You really are asking for it!" He was out for blood now—someone had to pay.

"Give me a list. Which generals were leading them?" Chen Xuan demanded.

The city lord took out paper and wrote down the names of the commanding officers he knew—six generals from the Heaven Dou army. The rest, he didn't recognize.

"Farewell." Chen Xuan took the list and left the city lord's residence.

He returned home but didn't set out immediately. He stayed for three days, waiting until Xiao Wu, Yiyi, and Jiangzhu finished absorbing the herbs.

"I'm heading to Jialing Pass. Xiao Wu, Yiyi, you two stay here for now. If you want to leave, wait until Qian Renxue returns," Chen Xuan told them. He planned to leave today.

Xiao Wu looked worried and urged him to be careful and not act rashly.

Jiangzhu was also concerned. "Ah Xuan, your life is most important. Don't do anything crazy."

"Don't worry. Right now, there aren't many people on this continent who can threaten me," Chen Xuan said with a smile, trying to reassure them.

"Bragger!" Chen Yiyi snorted, not believing him one bit.

Chen Xuan curled his lip, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"I'm off—don't worry about me." He tossed a kunai into the air.

"Bye, Daddy!" Chen Qiu'er's cheeks dimpled as she smiled adorably and waved at him.

Chen Xuan chuckled, ruffled her hair, and then activated his spatial soul skill. With a swish, he vanished, leaving Lihua City.

…

Meanwhile, fifty li from Jialing Pass, in the joint camp of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo forces.

Inside the main tent, Emperor Xue Beng, Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Dai Mubai, Sword Bone Douluo, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar were gathered, discussing tactics and deploying forces for the next day's battle.

"Your Majesty, the alliance army has arrived!" A soldier burst into the tent, kneeling on one knee to report the latest news, clearly excited.

Emperor Xue Beng was overjoyed. "Good! Very good! How many came?"

"Reporting, Your Majesty—five hundred thousand troops!" the general said, visibly thrilled.

Everyone in the tent was stunned. Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "With this, plus our previous reinforcements, we now have a million-strong force—equal to the Spirit Empire."

"Report! Your Majesty, the Tang Family Army has arrived!" Another general rushed in with news that over a thousand Tang Sect disciples had come, bringing a vast array of hidden weapons.

Soon after, more soldiers entered one after another, reporting good news to Emperor Xue Beng.

Shrek Academy's teachers—Flender, Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, and others—had all joined the Heaven Dou camp and were requesting an audience outside.

At the mention of Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were instantly excited and ran out of the tent.

"Your Majesty, the Clear Sky Clan has also arrived. Hao Tian Douluo, Xiao Tian Douluo, and Lie Yang Douluo are waiting outside!"

"Your Majesty, the Power Clan, Speed Clan, Defense Clan, and Control Clan have all arrived. The four clan leaders await your presence."

The general reported that almost all sects had come to support them. Even the Star Luo Empire had dispatched large forces.

"Good, good, very good! I'll go greet them all!" Emperor Xue Beng laughed heartily and swung his imperial robe, leading the crowd out to meet their allies.

Chapter 286: The Decisive Battle at Jialing Pass

Fifty li from Jialing Pass, in the Heaven Dou camp, over five hundred thousand troops had gathered.

In just three days, reinforcements and spirit masters from all over had arrived nonstop. The alliance army was growing stronger by the day—now boasting a million-strong force, their might was overwhelming and unmatched!

Besides the two Super Douluo, Sword and Bone, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had also joined the ranks along with four elders from the Clear Sky Sect. All of them possessed strength beyond that of ordinary Super Douluo.

Although Dugu Bo and Lieyang Douluo hadn't reached level ninety-five, they were still top-tier within the Titled Douluo ranks, equipped with unique techniques that even gave trouble to some Super Douluo.

Furthermore, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Bai Chenxiang had all broken through level ninety. Among them, aside from Bai Chenxiang and Oscar, the other three had surpassed level ninety-six.

Especially Dai Mubai—although he wasn't the "monster" type in Shrek Academy, his comprehension was extraordinary. In less than a month, he had passed the first six of the nine divine trials, just two steps away from inheriting the God of War's divinity.

He was the strongest of the five, having reached level ninety-eight. Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong trailed behind by two levels, both standing at level ninety-six as Super Douluo.

The Heaven Dou camp had seen a surge in strength—fifteen Titled Douluo in total. They now possessed the power to challenge the Spirit Empire.

"Ning Sect Master, shall we begin the battle tomorrow?" Xue Beng invited Ning Fengzhi for a private discussion to deliberate over military matters.

Ning Fengzhi, wise and courageous, was even more strategic than any military advisor. He was the perfect person to plan the battlefield.

"Your Majesty, the Clear Sky Sect is at your command!" said Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, cupping their fists toward Xue Beng.

The other major sects also quickly pledged their allegiance, expressing their willingness to fight and die for the Heaven Dou Empire.

The senior disciple of the Tang Sect in the Tang Army reported that hidden weapons had been distributed—nearly 200,000 to 300,000 troops were now equipped with sleeve darts, repeating crossbows, and other mechanical hidden weapons.

"Thank you. You're all excellent disciples of our master," Xue Beng said emotionally, patting the senior disciple's shoulder.

One could only imagine how massive the manpower and resources needed were to produce hundreds of thousands of hidden weapons—the amount of gold soul coins must have been astronomical.

"Your Majesty, it's what we should do. Besides, the empire did provide financial support," the Tang Sect disciple replied respectfully.

The others remained silent but were deeply moved. They sincerely admired the Tang Sect disciples. Everyone knew the empire's support was just a drop in the bucket compared to the actual costs.

The senior disciple of the Tang Sect then smiled and added, "Your Majesty might not know this, but we teamed up with the generals and captured many small towns. All the resources and funds were looted from them."

"There's such a thing?" Emperor Xue Beng frowned. He really hadn't known. With so many political affairs to handle in recent months, he had left such matters to his subordinates.

The Tang Sect disciple explained that the towns they conquered were not part of either the Star Luo or Heaven Dou Empire. He strongly suspected they were places occupied by the Spirit Hall, transformed into military supply bases.

"Do you have evidence?" Bone Douluo frowned deeply. Pillaging and looting were taboo—he'd rather have none of the money if it came to that.

"Not long ago, we took ten thousand troops to attack a small city in the distance. We were defeated. The enemy force was powerful and deployed a force of a hundred thousand to crush us. Only a few hundred of us made it back alive," the Tang Sect disciple said.

"A hundred thousand troops?" Everyone present was shocked—this number stunned them all.

At this time, aside from themselves, no other faction could possess such military strength. It had to be a hidden army raised by the Spirit Empire.

"Leave a force of one hundred thousand to guard the rear tomorrow, in case we're attacked from both sides," Ning Fengzhi decisively commanded.

Following that, Xue Beng, Ning Fengzhi, Dai Mubai, the four clan leaders, Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, Dugu Bo, and others all stayed behind to discuss military strategy and deployment for the next day.

As the sun set and dusk fell, the two emperors of Heaven Dou and Star Luo stayed up through the night, brimming with energy—the battle to come was far too important.

At the same time, one thing weighed on their minds: the Spirit Empire had not launched any attacks despite the army being camped so close for days.

Moreover, after the recent battle outside Jialing Pass, the fields had been littered with corpses from both sides—nearly a hundred thousand bodies. But strangely, those corpses had vanished without a trace.

This made Ning Fengzhi and Xue Beng deeply uneasy. They feared some unknown scheme was unfolding.

Unfortunately, with the decisive battle at hand, there was no time to investigate.

The Next Day

At dawn, the battlefield echoed with the sound of war drums—loud, thunderous, deafening.

The million-strong alliance army had already assembled, split into five divisions, awaiting orders outside the city. Everything moved with precision, without delay.

Such a swift and organized assembly left even Shrek's members—Flender and Liu Erlong among them—in awe. The soldiers of the two empires were truly well-trained.

A gust of wind stirred the imperial carriage. Emperor Xue Beng stood up, eyes ablaze with passion, and shouted:

"Soldiers of Heaven Dou and Star Luo! The villains of the Spirit Empire have violated our lands and insulted our empire! Today, we will reclaim Jialing Pass and slaughter the enemy! All troops—advance!"

His voice was amplified with soul power, booming across the battlefield, reaching every soldier's ears.

"Defeat the Spirit Empire! Reclaim Jialing Pass!"

"Defeat the Spirit Empire! Reclaim Jialing Pass!"

"All hail His Majesty!"

The million-strong army roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and earth, echoing across all of Jialing Pass.

On the city wall of Jialing Pass, Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon-Subduing Douluo stood, peering into the distance. Even from fifty li away, they could hear the thunderous war cries.

"The battle's about to begin. Where the hell is Bibi Dong?" Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared, face dark and grim.

The Heaven Dou army was closing in, yet both Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong had vanished at this crucial moment. It made everyone uneasy—something was off.

"What exactly does the Young Mistress intend, asking us to assist Bibi Dong and await her orders, yet vanishing for days?" Thousand Jun and Demon-Subduing Douluo couldn't figure it out.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked even more upset. "Forget it. The Heaven Dou army is here. Notify the other worshippers—prepare for battle!"

The six great worshippers received the message and quickly donned their armor, marching out with hundreds of thousands of troops.

"Charge! Leave no one alive!" Golden Crocodile Douluo roared, his voice shaking the skies.

With a mighty sweep of his arm, he personally led a hundred thousand troops to charge out first.

Outside the city, the earth turned dark with countless soldiers. The air was suffocating. Heaven Dou and Star Luo had mobilized 800,000 troops at once to attack Jialing Pass, leaving 100,000 to guard the rear.

"Kill!"

The two sides clashed in a fierce and brutal confrontation. The ground trembled. The sounds of weapons colliding and soldiers screaming filled the air, echoing across all of Jialing Pass.

Over a million men fought in chaos—cavalry, infantry, archers—all unleashing a storm that shook the heavens.

Heaven Dou's cavalry, especially, each wielded the divine Zhuge Fury Crossbow, weaving through enemy lines with unstoppable force, crushing the Spirit Hall troops.

The once-invincible Spirit Empire army was suddenly at a disadvantage.

Just then, a massive gate appeared in the sky—dark and eerie, glowing with purple light, suspended above the city gate.

Bibi Dong emerged from the clouds. She gazed at the battlefield soaked in blood, with over a million locked in combat, and gave a wicked smile.

"Kill… Keep killing… The more who die, the closer my plan comes to completion."

She didn't care about the Spirit Empire's safety. Even if her own people died, she remained cold-blooded, utterly unfazed.

But at that moment, a catastrophe struck the rear of the Heaven Dou army—tens of thousands perished instantly.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion shook the world. The rear camp of the Heaven Dou army erupted in a fiery blast. Flames surged skyward, and a white mushroom cloud rose into the sky.

"Ahhh!"

Countless soldiers screamed, consumed by flames, swallowed by the explosion. Tens of thousands died in the blink of an eye—none survived.

"Tang Sect! Heaven Dou! I've come to take your damned lives!" Chen Xuan appeared, floating high above.

Swoosh!

His pupils flared with golden power, flooding the sky with radiant energy. The heavens glowed with golden light, pouring down like a divine flood.

In an instant, a five-hundred-meter-tall golden giant took form, towering over all, stomping the ground and leaving a massive footprint.

"Tang Family Army! Aren't you all so tough? Come out and die!"

Chapter 287: Struggle of Heroes (Long Chapter)

Jialing Pass, the battlefield of two armies—

This was the largest-scale war the entire continent had ever seen.

This battle was solely for control over Jialing Pass. The Spirit Empire and the allied forces of Heaven Dou and Star Luo were locked in a final, decisive clash.

As the two armies clashed, the sounds of battle cries shook the heavens. The mere ringing of weapons colliding thundered like divine wrath, resounding throughout all of Jialing Pass.

Amid the chaos of war, lives were lost with every moment. Blood stained the earth, and some were obliterated entirely by devastating soul skills—leaving not even corpses behind. No graves, no names—only erasure.

Such was the cruelty of war. No one could escape it. Living, breathing people fell in droves.

And all this carnage—just in the early stages—had already cost tens of thousands of lives. Corpses littered the field, and the sands ran red with blood.

At the outset, morale ran high on both sides. But once thrown into the meat grinder, watching comrades fall one by one, consumed by soul skills, powerless to act, unable to retreat… The only option was to fight on. That was true despair.

BOOM!

An explosion erupted at Heaven Dou's rear lines, sending up a hundred-meter-tall mushroom cloud. The flames roared sky-high, visible from dozens of li away.

"Your Majesty!" General Roxen roared, panic overtaking him.

While they fought on the frontlines, the rear had suffered a surprise attack—undoubtedly the Spirit Empire's sinister plot, aiming to assassinate Emperor Xue Beng amidst the chaos.

"Brothers, follow me to rescue His Majesty! Kill!" Marshal Ge Long howled toward the heavens, immediately leading a force of 100,000 knights to turn around and face Chen Xuan to save Emperor Xue Beng.

But easier said than done. Earlier, their elite golden-armored cavalry had stormed into the Spirit Army's ranks, turning the battlefield upside down. They had long become separated from the main Heaven Dou force, deep within enemy lines.

"Kill!"

Marshal Ge Long roared again—ready to exchange his life for the emperor's, carving a bloody path to buy time for others.

His 100,000 cavalry charged with thunderous momentum, storming toward the Spirit Empire forces.

"I'll help you, Marshal Ge Long!"

Tang Hao, sensing the shift in battle, roared and leaped into action to assist the marshal.

"Ring Detonation—Secret Art: Grand Sumeru Hammer!"

He was peerless in power, famed as the strongest Titled Douluo. His Clear Sky Hammer shone blood-red, brimming with murderous aura. It grew to the size of a mountain and crashed down with unstoppable force.

Boom!

The earth caved in, forming a deep crater. The mighty hammer smashed everything in its path to pulp. Thousands of enemy soldiers were instantly crushed into a bloody paste.

With the cost of detonating three soul rings, Tang Hao opened a path for Marshal Ge Long and his knights to break out.

"You come and go as you please—what do you think this place is?"

Rumble!

Thunder cracked across the sky. A massive golden crocodile appeared, glowing with a radiant aura, the size of a towering mountain. It descended from the heavens.

The colossal crocodile exuded an overwhelming bloodlust, blocking the Heaven Dou army's path like a living fortress.

"Tang Hao, it's time to settle our score," Golden Crocodile Douluo said coldly, standing atop the beast's head and looking down.

ROAR!

The golden crocodile let out a terrifying roar, the soundwaves slicing through the air like blades.

"AAHH!"

Over a hundred golden-armored knights screamed as their bodies were shredded into pieces, dying on the spot. Blood soaked the battlefield.

Even Marshal Ge Long, dubbed "Dragon's Fate," was seriously wounded—bloodied and armorless.

"Hao, I'm coming!"

Tang Xiao, murderous intent surging, activated his soul rings and swung his Clear Sky Hammer wildly. He blasted through to Tang Hao's side, ready to face the level 98 Golden Crocodile Douluo together.

Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered. His appearance signaled that the six great worshippers of the Worship Hall and five elders of the Spirit Empire had all joined the assault—intent on annihilating the Heaven Dou army.

Elsewhere—

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Bai Chenxiang were also in trouble—each of them confronted by a powerful opponent.

"You again, you damn sissy!" Ma Hongjun cursed—he had zero interest in dealing with this enemy.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had appeared to block their path, preventing them from aiding Emperor Xue Beng.

"Take them down," said Qingyuan Douluo calmly, pointing toward the Shrek team.

As the third-ranked Worshipper with level 97 soul power, his confidence was justified.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The other elders arrived: Lightning-fast Ghost Leopard Douluo, the impervious Sea Turtle Douluo, and the devastating Snake Spear Douluo.

One Worshipper and five elders—their presence alone proved how seriously they viewed the Shrek Five.

Dai Mubai, clad in white armor, grew even colder. Facing six powerful opponents, he felt no fear—only scorn.

"Brothers, activate your spirits! Let's show them what we've got!" he growled. Nine soul rings emerged as he activated his White Tiger True Body.

The others followed suit, each manifesting nine soul rings—all at Titled Douluo level.

Ning Rongrong lifted her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its multicolored light swirling. Ma Hongjun sprouted fiery wings, hovering in midair.

"Three 100,000-year soul rings?!"

Qingyuan, Chrysanthemum, and Ghost Douluo were stunned. The three of them had pitch-black soul rings—except for the ninth, which was red—but these kids had monstrous configurations.

Even Oscar and Bai Chenxiang had nine black soul rings each—an extraordinary feat for their age.

BOOM!

Dai Mubai struck first—his giant white tiger paw smashed down like a house, sweeping toward Qingyuan and the others.

Ma Hongjun soared upward, breathing fire toward Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.

Bai Chenxiang activated her ninth-ring ability, her body becoming sleek and agile as she appeared in front of the enemies to launch her assault.

Even facing six Titled Douluo, the trio fought without hesitation.

Ning Rongrong and Oscar, as support types, pulled back and activated their skills from range—amplifying their allies from afar.

With just those three, they managed to suppress Qingyuan and the others.

"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Let me see what you've got!" Ghost Leopard Douluo sneered, suddenly vanishing and reappearing before Ning Rongrong and Oscar.

He was the fastest among all Titled Douluo—unmatched in speed!

"Don't even think about harming the little princess of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

A hearty laugh rang from the sky. A white-haired man flew in on a sword.

On the ground, Bone Douluo Gu Rong flashed forward, instantly arriving in front of Ning Rongrong.

"Impossible!" Ghost Leopard Douluo's pupils shrank—someone faster than him? Absurd!

With no choice, he backed off, retreating and waiting for another opening.

"Trying to run?"

Swoosh!

Black clouds churned overhead. Lightning flashed. A massive Seven Kill Sword emerged from the sky, blotting out the sun with a murderous aura.

"Seven Kill Sword—rise!" Sword Douluo Chen Xin shouted, pointing forward.

The massive sword moved in sync, its sheer pressure suffocating.

"Fall back now—Mubai, Hongjun, Chenxiang!" Bone Douluo transmitted mentally.

He raised his hand, triggering his soul skill. The earth split open as dozens of bone spikes erupted, stabbing toward the six Titled Douluo, each over a hundred meters long.

Boom!

The ground collapsed. Dust surged skyward, engulfing the area.

The two armies continued their slaughter. Rivers of blood flowed. In mere moments, another thousand lives were lost.

Above it all, someone hid among the clouds, watching everything unfold—reaping the benefits.

"Haha! It's done. The energy is finally full," Bibi Dong laughed eerily.

Things had progressed faster than she expected. Thanks to the chaos caused by the hated Chen Xuan, her path was now wide open.

A million Heaven Dou troops—so powerful. Yet within just an hour, over 100,000 had died. Bodies littered the field, many without a trace. Tragic.

Half of them had been slain by the golden giant's blade.

"Open!"

The massive purple gate in the sky emitted a blinding light. A twisting path appeared within. Bibi Dong stepped in—accepting her final godly inheritance.

"My path to godhood has begun. Chen Xuan… Heaven Dou Empire… when I return, it will be your end!"

She no longer concealed herself. Her laugh echoed through Jialing Pass—twisted and triumphant.

On the battlefield, everyone—from both armies—looked up, watching Empress Bibi Dong vanish into the domain gate.

"Damn that woman! She even used us as pawns!" Golden Crocodile Douluo and the four worshippers were furious. They hated her to the core.

They never imagined she would be so ruthless—offering Spirit Empire soldiers as sacrifices to power her ascension.

Truly, there was nothing more venomous than a woman's heart.

"This is bad! We've fallen into Bibi Dong's trap. Once she returns as a god, Heaven Dou and Star Luo are doomed!" Ning Fengzhi cried, face grim and devoid of his usual composure.

Emperor Xue Beng's face darkened as well. With Bibi Dong ascending and Chen Xuan threatening him from behind, how could he possibly survive?

That golden giant—five hundred meters tall, clad in golden armor, wielding a hundred-meter-long blade—looked like a god of war. A single casual strike could destroy mountains.

They'd seen it themselves. One flick of Chen Xuan's blade had sliced a mountain in half. The resulting canyon ran hundreds of meters deep—an abyss in the earth.

That golden giant was a demon incarnate. Each swing of its blade killed hundreds, obliterated into ash. No corpses remained.

It burned an image into everyone's hearts—an inescapable nightmare.

Even after exhausting all their soul skills and attacks, their 100,000 troops couldn't so much as scratch it. Like tickling an iron wall.

One Soul Douluo had even self-destructed and succeeded in blowing off the giant's armor—only for it to regenerate instantly.

Heaven Dou's soldiers went mad trying to protect Xue Beng, buying him time to escape, while they held the line.

Reality was cruel. Of the 100,000 soldiers… only 50,000 remained. Half were dead. The scene was tragic beyond words.

Blood had turned the earth red. The soil was stained with the lives of thousands.

"Chen Xuan, you traitor, executioner! Are you truly going to wipe us all out? You were once one of us!" Flender, covered in blood, glared with eyes full of rage and sorrow.

Liu Erlong shouted furiously, "Chen Xuan, you monster! Helping Spirit Hall slaughter your own people—do you even have a heart?!"

The two of them were drenched in blood, yet they stood firm—pointing at Chen Xuan above and roaring in defiance.

"Don't you dare put words in my mouth. When was I ever part of Heaven Dou? Back then, your Emperor Xue Ye stripped me of my title and tried to kill my daughter and sister. Did you ever think they were Heaven Dou's people then?" Chen Xuan stood atop Susanoo's forehead, looking down at the Heaven Dou army.

He lowered his gaze at his former teachers, their words now hollow. How ridiculous they seemed.

"Flender, Liu Erlong—you call yourselves just and righteous? Years ago, you colluded with Spirit Hall, handed over my intel, and even hunted me and Xiao Wu with them. You really thought I didn't know?"

His words stunned Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and Emperor Xue Beng. They couldn't believe it. Dean Flender had always been righteous—could he really have done such things?

Flender and Liu Erlong's expressions turned ugly. A flash of guilt crossed their eyes, though they quickly buried it.

"Chen Xuan, stop twisting words! You've killed so many—don't you dare say you're blameless!" they shouted angrily.

Chen Xuan laughed—coldly, mockingly, filled with disdain. He had finally seen them for who they truly were.

"Flender, Liu Erlong… you two are shameless. You swore to live and die together. Now that blood is shed and pain is real, you turn to accuse others. Don't you see how fake you are?"

He had never believed himself wrong. From the start, he'd said—hand over the Tang Sect, and he would not target the Heaven Dou army. But they mocked him, looked down on him, dismissed his warnings.

They had ten thousand troops—what could a lone spirit master do?

Even Emperor Xue Beng had laughed at him. Said he was mad. That one man could shake an army?

Now, with the army slaughtered, blood running through the field, only fifty thousand left… Xue Beng finally realized—the madman was himself.

Originally, Chen Xuan hadn't wanted to harm innocent people. But the Heaven Dou soldiers had sworn brotherhood with the Tang Sect. They would never abandon the Tang Army. They had pledged to live and die together.

So Chen Xuan granted them that wish.

"Chen Xuan, you demon! You murderer! You say all this just to excuse yourself—after killing so many, you dare say you're clean?!" Flender yelled with bulging eyes.

Liu Erlong's eyes were ice cold. She pointed at Chen Xuan and shouted, "You murderer! You killed Xiao Gang and still deny your guilt!"

"I'm done arguing. You're not even worth my words." Chen Xuan had lost all patience.

He controlled Susanoo. Whoosh! He drew his hundred-meter blade. Golden flames erupted, burning fiercely.

"I spared you once. Gave you a chance to live. But now you want to act up again? Fine—go meet your precious Yu Xiaogang."

BOOM!

An explosion shook the land. Another mushroom cloud, a hundred meters tall, shot into the sky. Flames roared, tearing through the heavens. Within a radius of five hundred meters, everything—men and matter—was swallowed by the energy storm.

Chapter 288: Divine Battle (Part One)

Several dozen li from Jialing Pass, yet another mushroom cloud rose into the sky. Flames surged, devouring over ten thousand soldiers.

"You savage native—bloodthirsty and wicked—your crimes demand divine retribution!"

A sonorous voice echoed from the heavens, resounding across the entire Jialing region. Majestic and cold, it inspired awe and dread alike.

"Poseidon… you again," Chen Xuan's expression remained calm. He had long expected this. What must come, would come—there was no avoiding it.

All the better—saved him the trouble of seeking out the Divine Realm. Now, it had come to him.

When the flames finally faded and the energy storm dissipated, the battlefield was revealed beneath the scorched air.

A blue energy barrier had silently appeared—solid and indestructible, like a celestial shield. Flender, Liu Erlong, and the others stood protected within it, untouched by the blast.

"I… I'm not dead?" Some of the soldiers patted themselves down in disbelief—they were completely unharmed!

Flender, Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, and others looked around. Above them shimmered a dome of blue light—this barrier had protected them. They had survived thanks to it.

Those who had escaped death were overwhelmed with emotion. They dropped to their knees, grateful tears falling, filled with reverent devotion.

"Lord Sea God has manifested! He protects our Heaven Dou army!"

General Roxen shouted as he knelt, bowing again and again—becoming the most devout of believers.

"Lord Sea God has manifested! He protects our Heaven Dou army!"

All fifty thousand surviving soldiers knelt as one, tears flowing freely as they kowtowed and chanted in thunderous unity.

There had been no reinforcements on the front line. Only these few remained in the rear. With over fifty thousand already dead and even Emperor Xue Beng ready to meet his end, they had been prepared to die—until the gods intervened.

Poseidon's divine descent, magnificent and heroic, had rescued them from hell.

Xue Beng swore that if they won at Jialing Pass, he would erect statues of the Sea God in every region and have all of Heaven Dou worship him!

They said gods could not interfere in the mortal realm, yet the Sea God had risked divine punishment to save them. He must have paid a terrible cost. How could they ever repay such a favor?

The Heaven Dou soldiers were invigorated, spirits ablaze. Their respect for the Sea God surged to its peak.

"Lord Sea God is mighty—invincible! Lord Sea God is merciful—savior of the suffering! Lord Sea God is just—destroyer of the villain Chen Xuan!"

Fifty thousand voices roared in unison, shaking the heavens and earth.

Amid the cheers, a figure revealed himself from the clouds above—a proud man, blue-haired, clad in divine armor, wielding a golden trident that radiated divine power and absolute dominance.

He was the very image of a god descending from the heavens—here to save the people.

"Sea God!"

On the distant battlefield, both armies froze and looked skyward, gazing at the overwhelming presence that had manifested in the world. He was majestic beyond words.

"Lord Sea God!" Tang Hao's hands trembled around his Clear Sky Hammer as he grew visibly emotional.

Tears fell from his eyes—he thought of his son, Tang San, long dead. As a god, Poseidon might have the power to bring him back—to restore the son he and Ah Yin had lost.

As a father, he had failed. He couldn't even face the Blue Silver Empress. Now he prayed that Lord Sea God might revive Little San—he would offer his life in service in return.

"Damn it… that Sea God again!" Subduing Demon Douluo, Thousand Jun Douluo, and the other Worshippers scowled darkly.

His sudden arrival clearly aligned with Heaven Dou and Star Luo. With such a being on their side, the war had tilted dangerously against the Spirit Empire.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression was somber. They had already been at a disadvantage—leaderless and under siege. Now, with a supreme being descending, could this war even continue?

"The Grand Worshipper has died mysteriously… the Young Mistress is missing… and that woman Bibi Dong has turned traitor. Are we to witness the fall of the Spirit Empire today?"

The Spirit Empire's soldiers grew restless. Morale plummeted. Poseidon's arrival sent shockwaves through their hearts.

"Hahaha! You villains of Spirit Hall—your sins have reached the heavens! Even the gods no longer favor you! Still dare to call yourselves the Spirit Empire? Die, all of you! Kill!"

Marshal Ge Long laughed boldly. He raised his war halberd and led his cavalry in a renewed charge—slaughtering Spirit Empire forces without mercy.

In the sky, the true form of Poseidon stood tall. Trident in hand, divine aura flowing, his presence was overwhelming.

"Native—you've slaughtered my people of the mortal realm in a blood frenzy. Do you recognize your crime?" Poseidon's voice boomed, divine and commanding—like a celestial decree that demanded respect.

"What a clever move," Chen Xuan replied calmly.

He had to admit—just by choosing the perfect moment to descend, Poseidon had converted all of Heaven Dou and Star Luo's forces into devout worshippers. Their loyalty was absolute.

At the same time, he had crushed the Spirit Empire's morale—truly a move that achieved three objectives at once.

A thousand years ago, when Poseidon had not yet ascended, he and the female Angel God had been bitter rivals—locked in a bloody feud.

And the Spirit Empire… was the legacy of that Angel God. Poseidon's appearance now was surely to exterminate her heirs and power from the mortal world.

"How vicious," Chen Xuan thought. Compared to someone who'd lived a thousand years, even the most devious mortals couldn't come close.

But so what? No scheme could match up to absolute strength. In front of true power, all plots were meaningless.

"Poseidon—you're just a First-Class God. Yet you break Divine Realm law again and again. Let me guess… You've got the Asura God behind you, don't you?" Chen Xuan sneered, already having seen through the manipulation.

It wasn't hard to deduce. The Asura God wanted to explore the cosmos, so he gave up his position as one of the Four Divine Kings—thus shielding his old friend Poseidon. That way, when judgment came, he could relinquish his divine post.

Be it the Sea God, War God, Nine-Colored Goddess, Gourmet God, or Fire God—Chen Xuan had enmity with all of them. It was inevitable.

His hatred toward Shrek Academy ran deep, and the gods who inherited their will naturally wanted to erase all threats.

But Chen Xuan didn't fear them. Even if he ran, they would hunt him. So why not fight back? No matter their divine rank—he would kill them all the same.

"Come to think of it, I've never seen a god fall before. Poseidon, let's start with you."

"Insolence!" Poseidon's face darkened. He shouted sternly, "Native, my name is not one you are worthy to speak! If I don't kill you today, how will I calm the wrath of the people?"

"You? Kill me?"

Chen Xuan scoffed. "I didn't fear your divine sense before. Why would I fear your true body now? You want to kill me? Then let's see who dies first."

Clang!

He drew his gleaming golden Dragon Spear, gripped it firmly. Yin and Yang energy surged within his body, ready to explode at a moment's notice.

"Today… I'm not the only god who will descend. But to kill a mere native like you—I am more than enough!"

Chapter 289: Divine Battle (Part Two)

"Today, I am not the only deity to descend, but to kill one native like you—this Poseidon alone is enough!"

High above the sky, Poseidon held his golden trident, divine light flowing across his body, majestic and extraordinary.

His voice was deep and resonant, calm yet inherently commanding, inspiring awe without effort.

Poseidon stood with one hand behind his back, smiling faintly as he gazed at Chen Xuan, saying nothing at all.

"What do you mean?" Chen Xuan's expression shifted instantly. A terrible thought struck him—Xiao Wu, Yiyi, his precious daughter, and Jiangzhu were all in that city.

More than one true god had descended. Then why was Poseidon the only one here? Where were the others?

A chill ran down Chen Xuan's spine. Countless possibilities rushed through his mind. To gods, locating Xiao Wu and the others would be as easy as flipping a hand.

"That's right. Just as you think. Walking alongside a bloodthirsty fiend like you—they can't be any better. They should be eliminated together," Poseidon said with a gentle smile.

His tone was mild, without any emotional fluctuation. He spoke of mass murder as though it were a trivial matter.

Chen Xuan's gaze turned icy in an instant, murderous intent radiating.

"Native, let me tell you—besides myself, there is the God of War, the Fire God, the Nine-Colored Goddess, the Gourmet God… Five Principal Gods have descended in total," Poseidon declared.

Chen Xuan's expression was glacial. He didn't speak.

But his eyes blazed scarlet—his Rinnegan of Nine Tomoe and Eternal Eye had already opened.

"Oh, I almost forgot—the God of Speed as well. By now, your wife, daughter, and beloved companions should be dead. That city of yours… likely buried in flames along with everyone in it," Poseidon said casually, smiling as gently as ever.

He was calm, unhurried, and utterly devoid of emotion—as though recounting the weather.

"You animal! There were still innocent civilians there!" Chen Xuan's voice cracked. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot.

He could almost see it—the old, the weak, women and children—burned to ashes. A city of hundreds of thousands, wiped out in a flash, with nothing left behind.

Rage burned behind his reddened eyes. He wanted nothing more than to rip Poseidon to pieces.

"A mere small city. Nothing worth mentioning. Besides, do you think I don't know that you and the Angel God's successor have already taken that place?"

"A city that willingly joined with wicked powers—can they be anything but scum? Let them die. They deserve it," Poseidon said with the same gentle tone.

His words were cold, indifferent. Not once did he show the slightest concern for the lives of that city's people.

"Enough!!" Chen Xuan roared, his fury reaching a breaking point.

At that moment, he held back no longer. His ocular power exploded—Yin-Yang energy and Natural Force surged, activating his most devastating technique.

"Gods… you're worse than beasts!" Chen Xuan had truly snapped. Everything he had accumulated was now unleashed in a single, furious eruption.

He stepped out from within Susanoo, channeling all energy into his body. With a thunderous boom, he shot forth like lightning, exceeding twelve times the speed of sound—reaching the limits of his physical body.

"Gods… are all animals!"

Just the thought of Poseidon's smug face made Chen Xuan's killing intent surge. Not only had he targeted his family—he had massacred innocent civilians. Not even beasts would do such a thing.

So-called gods—righteous in name, vile in action. For their chosen successors, they employed the dirtiest tactics. Cowards who dared not strike openly, scheming from the shadows.

Such people—how were they worthy of divinity?

Time and again they interfered with the mortal realm, yet never once did they act as gods should. A stray dog had more dignity!

Fueled by searing rage and murderous will, Chen Xuan moved like thunder. To him, Poseidon was nothing more than a hypocritical scumbag masquerading as divine. No different from the rest. Not worth respecting in the slightest.

He unleashed his deadliest technique—Yin-Yang Force fused into his eyes, birthing god-slaying space-binding and reincarnation techniques.

Chen Xuan poured reincarnation power into his Dragon Spear, evolving it further. Now it no longer required direct contact—merely brushing against the target would siphon away their life force.

Empowered by evolved Natural Force and divine energy, his body crackled with lightning. His speed defied space itself, collapsing the void under his feet. In an instant, he crossed hundreds of meters—seeming to shrink space itself.

It all happened in a flash.

Wherever his spear pointed, dragon aura surged, infused with space-law sigils. In that moment, it blanketed half the sky, locking everything down.

Poseidon, a First-Class God, reacted immediately. Even with Chen Xuan's sudden strike and unimaginable speed, he swiftly raised his Sea God Trident in defense.

"Golden Thirteen Trident Arts—Fusion Form: Sea Shield!"

This was his strongest divine defense—capable of resisting even a Divine King. His battles with the Asura God had relied on this technique.

But it was all in vain.

Because Chen Xuan didn't need to fully break the defense.

BOOM!

Dragon aura erupted. Lightning crackled. Like divine thunder from the Ninth Heaven, it exploded across the sky. Golden lightning engulfed the skies in a massive detonation.

Most terrifying of all, the golden lightning had terrifying penetration. When it coated the spearhead, it became like the sharpest divine blade—piercing through the edge of Poseidon's defense and slashing at his vital force.

Poseidon's pupils contracted. His strongest shield—one that could repel even god-king attacks—was penetrated. The lightning spear shot straight for his head.

"Native—you dare?!"

Poseidon roared in fury and instantly activated the fastest escape move from the Golden Thirteen Trident Arts. He soared like a divine bird, vanishing from his original location to narrowly dodge the lethal strike.

Even so, his hand was pierced. A bloody hole exploded through it. Flesh shredded. His palm was nearly ruined.

High in the sky, divine blood spilled—radiant and shimmering. The invincible Poseidon was injured.

"You damn native!"

Poseidon snarled, his expression twisted. His chest heaved with fury. In over a thousand years, he had never suffered such humiliation—not even from the Asura God. Yet here, a mortal spirit master had drawn his blood. A disgrace beyond measure.

"Golden Thirteen Trident Arts—Third Form: No Return!"

BOOM!

Enraged, Poseidon unleashed one of his strongest single-target attacks. The trident tore through the void, aimed directly at Chen Xuan at point-blank range.

CLANG!

Chen Xuan coughed blood. At such close range, he could only block with his Dragon Spear. His golden lightning was instantly scattered.

The immense divine force, infused with law, struck like thunder. It shook his chest violently, blood spilling from his mouth and nose. He was hurled backward, nearly blacking out.

But—he had dodged the fatal blow.

"You're finished."

Though injured, Chen Xuan grinned. His divine eye—Reincarnation—had already activated.

"Huh?!"

Poseidon's face paled instantly. Cold sweat drenched his back. Half his life force had vanished—along with some of his divine power.

Sheer panic set in. A strange law was devouring his vitality and divinity. It started from the wounded hand, spreading upward—consuming all life.

"Damn it! How can this be?!"

Poseidon turned ghostly pale. This bizarre power shouldn't even exist—not even god-kings could wield it. No matter how far he flew, it wouldn't stop. If left unchecked, he would die.

"Native—you really must die!"

Poseidon didn't hesitate. He was ruthless with others—and with himself. Divine energy surged as he severed his entire left hand at the wrist without so much as a blink.

At their level, such wounds were recoverable. Even a single drop of divine blood could regenerate a full body.

Only at First-Class God tier could one resist the Reincarnation Power. If he had been a mere spirit master, the power would've devoured his entire body in an instant.

But in the next second, Poseidon's face twisted again—his spine chilled.

The energy had already spread further—into his arm, gnawing at his life essence. He hadn't cut it off in time.

"Native… you must die!!" Poseidon roared, utterly shaken.

Gone was his composed demeanor. All that remained was rage and desperation.

Without further delay, he acted. Divine energy surged. With a ruthless glare, he severed his entire arm—and even removed the shoulder just to be safe.

In the end—he lived. He had excised the invading Reincarnation Law from his body.

Swoosh!

In that instant, the discarded arm and shoulder were swallowed whole. Nothing remained—not even flesh, only a skeleton burned black.

On the ground below, the Heaven Dou army, who had witnessed all this, stood frozen. Shock and horror filled their hearts.

The Sea God—mighty and revered—was wounded, disfigured, and fleeing like a beaten dog. Battered and broken. Disgraced.

Their invincible deity… bloodied and humiliated.

The world they knew had just shattered. Their faith—was crumbling.