The celestial domain was boundless. A massive green hand reached down from the highest heavens and slapped toward the Holy Imperial Prince, primordial chaos qi swirling around it as the primordial immortal light scattered in all directions.

“It’s over — a great catastrophe is about to fall upon the Eastern Desolation. If the Holy Imperial Prince dies, heaven and earth itself will be overturned!”

Not even the human race — even the mountain masters of the Primordial Royal Clans felt their hearts pound with dread, as though they could already see a landscape of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, a great disaster descending.

“Saint” transcends the bounds of “human,” far surpassing mortal power and beyond all challenge. The moment that green hand appeared, it was as though heaven had collapsed and the earth had sunken — entire stretches of mountain ranges in the Great Desolation turned to dust and powder.

“If this tragedy truly unfolds, the ancient clans will surely fall into great chaos. What is to be done?” Even a mountain master of one of the Primordial Imperial Clans furrowed his brow.

“Zheng—!”

A clear ringing tone sounded out. A brilliant streak of green light swept across that great hand, piercing straight through it — drops of blood rained out, extinguishing the void itself.

The ancient clan saint let out a muffled grunt. The green hand convulsed, rapidly retreating and disappearing back above the firmament, returning to the boundless sky.

“Thank heavens the tragedy did not come to pass!”

The Holy Imperial Prince had survived. Many of the ancient clans let out a long sigh of relief — even those factions hostile to humanity did the same, dreading the fury of that terrifying presence in the Western Desert.

“Who dares to obstruct me?!” An enraged shout descended from the heavens above.

“I saved your life just now, and you cannot even offer thanks — are you without any sense of propriety?” At the edge of the horizon, a powerful Primordial Ancestral King appeared. There was no need to question his identity — even simply standing there was more than most could bear.

He was clad in green-gold battle armor and a jade-gold helmet, gleaming with radiance from head to toe. The void around him twisted and warped, traces of the Great Dao forming a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers — an imposing, magnificent spectacle.

Even merely standing there, he made people’s flesh crawl with boundless terror. His blood and qi could most certainly sweep through heaven and earth — boundless and immeasurable, carrying the momentum to engulf mountains and rivers.

“You are overstepping yourself. Which clan are you from?” Cold, indifferent words descended from the heavens above.

“I am nothing but an unaffiliated cultivator — no match for you of the Eight Divine Generals. I simply could not stand to watch such an affair.” The Ancestral King in the jade-gold battle armor said.

“He caused the death of the god’s descendant. Killing him is heaven’s own justice — do you intend to protect him?” From above the heavens, a cold, ruthless voice boomed.

“Perhaps I have overstepped.” The Ancestral King in the jade-gold battle armor let out a soft sigh, sensing something.

The Holy Imperial Prince said: “What do you mean ’caused the death of’ — in a fair and equal battle, I cut him down. He was unworthy of his station — who else can he blame? You simply want revenge. There’s no need to dress it up in so many words.”

“Insolence — showing disrespect to the divine, murdering the god’s own son — kneel and beg forgiveness!” A commanding shout rang out from the sky, sending every mountain and valley rumbling and crumbling, stones shooting through the clouds, smoke and dust blotting out the sun, making every witness go cold with dread.

“Hum—!”

A vast and overwhelming pressure descended, bearing down upon the Holy Imperial Prince, Ye Fan, and the others — intending to force them to kneel before the ten thousand clans, shaming them before all the world. This was the might of a saint, immeasurably heavy, like an entire stellar domain pressing down.

“I had not imagined I would be drawn into such a dispute. But with me here, I will not permit anyone to humiliate the Holy Imperial Prince!” The Ancestral King in the jade-gold battle armor thundered.

“Boom—!”

He flicked a finger toward the sky, and five green streaks crossed through the air like azure dragons, sweeping away all the holy power and blocking the pressure of the Ancestral King above the firmament.

“Many thanks to senior for lending your aid.” The Holy Imperial Prince made a formal and respectful bow, expressing his gratitude with sincerity.

“There is no need for this. In his time, the Holy Battle Emperor commanded the Primordial Age and swept through the nine heavens — we of our generation all held him in the highest reverence. Seeing his descendant in difficulty, how could I stand aside and do nothing? Furthermore, even if I had not acted, someone else would have stepped in to manage this matter.”

Evidently, though the Battle Victory Holy Emperor had already passed into nirvana, he still had a devoted body of followers — they simply did not make themselves known in ordinary times.

“Do you understand that by opposing us, you have set yourself upon a road of no return? No matter who comes today, it will change nothing!” The sky trembled. Five fearsome figures descended together, each enveloped in a divine ring. The moment they appeared, the ten thousand things collapsed — life energy in the Great Desolation vanished from view.

Each of them was submerged in holy light, their silhouettes hazy and indistinct — every one mighty as a god. The entire expanse of heaven and earth seemed unable to contain their true forms, the void twisting and warping without cease.

These were Primordial Ancestral Kings — saints of many long years, who did not manifest themselves in ordinary times. Once they appeared, even the mere energy of their presence was enough to make people convulse and want to prostrate themselves on the ground.

Until one reached this realm, one would never know how terrifying they were — looking down upon all living things as though gazing at insects.

The Ancestral King in the jade-gold battle armor was, after all, only one person. He could not resist them all. His body swayed and he nearly coughed blood as he was pushed back.

Suddenly, another immense divine might appeared, instantly blocking all five Ancestral Kings. Then a curtain of auspicious clouds descended, and several elderly Daoist figures walked forward.

“Well, well — so it’s the people of Shencan Ridge who have arrived. Do you truly intend to involve yourselves in this matter?” The several Ancestral Kings of the Eight Divine Generals stood in cold opposition.

“Naturally,” one of the elderly Daoists answered calmly. He wore a red-gold crown and an ancient, worn Daoist robe.

“The people of Shencan Ridge have actually made their move — somehow I sense something is off about all this. Is there more happening beneath the surface?” Some of the ancient clans were filled with uneasy suspicion.

Shencan Ridge — the supreme great power among the ancient clans, held in awe by the ten thousand clans. Who would dare provoke them? They were one of the great Primordial Imperial Clans, a clan that had given rise to a true ancient emperor.

In one sense, the status of the Eight Divine Generals was also very high — their ancestors were a company of divine generals who had once followed the Immortal Celestial Emperor into battle, their achievements shaking the world, invincible wherever they went.

But the era of the Immortal Celestial Emperor’s passing was too distant now. The ancient emperor’s weapons had never been seen again. Shencan Ridge, meanwhile, was in its ascendancy, with imperial-grade battle armor left behind and the reverence of all under heaven.

“Shencan Ridge, do not be overbearing. This wild ape killed the god’s descendant — he must pay with his life. On what grounds do you obstruct this?” One of the ancient kings from the Eight Divine Generals’ side spoke in a cold, chilling voice.

“In this great age, a hundred vessels compete in the current, ten thousand clans struggle together — the road to proving the Dao is paved with corpses. Even the death of an ancient emperor’s child is unavoidable. The Son of the Celestial Emperor’s skill fell short of another’s, and he was killed on the spot in open combat — there is no one else to blame.” An elderly Daoist of Shencan Ridge spoke.

“He was the god’s only descendant — how can he simply die like this for nothing? Do not think that Shencan Ridge reigns supreme and is without equal!” An Ancestral King from the Eight Divine Generals’ side laughed coldly, again and again.

“Even if he was the Immortal Celestial Emperor’s descendant — if he was killed in a fair fight, is someone supposed to pay with their life for it? On what grounds?” Another elderly Daoist said.

“Regardless of anything else — the Holy Imperial Prince must die today! No one can save him!” An Ancestral King roared, his holy light surging and engulfing mountains and rivers.

“What magnificent authority!” A clear, silver-bell-like cold laugh rang out. Nine-colored auspicious clouds drifted across the sky, and a peerlessly beautiful woman appeared, descending from above.

She appeared no older than eighteen or nineteen. Her skin was snow-white and delicate, her bearing ethereal and transcendent, her long violet hair billowing free — beyond the mortal world entirely. The Shencan Princess had arrived.

Upon her shoulder sat a divine silkworm no larger than the palm of one’s hand, which had transformed into a small snow-white tiger, its wide eyes bright and clear, its expression adorably naive.

“The Shencan Princess…” Every single person recoiled in shock, one by one struck dumb, while distant onlookers’ flesh crawled. The mountain masters of the great ancient clans all felt a tremor pass through their hearts.

A person’s name carries the weight of a tree’s shadow. This peerless genius princess had always been supremely dominant, renowned for having battled through the Primordial Age with almost no match to be found — a truly remarkable woman.

“Shencan Princess — you intend to use your power to oppress others?” An Ancestral King from the Eight Divine Generals’ side said in a cold voice.

“Revolting faces — all of you, get out of my sight!” The Shencan Princess was utterly cutting, showing not the slightest mercy as she directly berated the several Ancestral Kings.

At those words, the sky and heavens cracked open and the earth shook violently. Though she was a woman, the strength of her presence made people tremble — the several ancient kings opposite her could not help but involuntarily step backward.

“Shencan Princess — do you wish to incite chaos among the ten thousand clans? The god’s descendant cannot die for nothing. You alone cannot suppress this matter!” Another Ancestral King shouted.

“A mere worthless Son of the Celestial Emperor — dead is dead. What does it matter?” The Shencan Princess said with cold indifference.

“Your tyranny and unreasonableness will cost you!” A certain Ancestral King said in a cold voice.

“Smack—!”

The Shencan Princess was simple and direct — her jade hand swung out, and a resounding slap landed squarely, leaving a clear imprint of her fingers on that Ancestral King’s face. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as his body was sent flying horizontally.

Everyone was stunned. The Shencan Princess had arrived and immediately slapped an Ancestral King across the face — it left people staring, wide-eyed and speechless. Truly as forceful as the legends said — fearing nothing under heaven.

“I speak reason to you, and you speak to me of the divine bloodline and the power behind it. I respond to you with a slap across the face, and now you say I’m being unreasonable. Tell me — what am I supposed to do?” The Shencan Princess said, her voice carrying a certain magnetic quality as her slender jade fingers stroked the small white tiger on her shoulder — the divine silkworm’s transformed form.

Regardless of whether they were of the human race or the great ancient royal clans of the Primordial Age, all were struck with dread and dared not speak further. Those watching from afar were likewise stunned. Today’s matter was certainly not a simple grudge between children of ancient emperors — that much was plain to everyone.

“You… do you truly believe there is no one in this world who can keep you in check?!” That Ancestral King was equal parts shocked and furious, his hand pressing against the finger-marks on his face.

The Shencan Princess’ lips curved in a faint cold smile. “You people would treat the Holy Imperial Prince as some pitiable wretch? He is the descendant of the Battle Victory Holy Emperor — his status is no lower than that of the ancient Celestial Emperor’s child. To humiliate him is to humiliate the old Holy Emperor himself. Every single one of you deserves to die!”

“You… will regret this. The god’s descendant cannot die for nothing. There must be blood repaid with blood — a life must be offered in exchange!” One of the Ancestral Kings shouted.

“Precisely — and using those same words, I ask everyone present: the Immortal Celestial Emperor, revered by ten thousand clans, has had his bloodline inheritance severed. Can this truly be left to pass?” An ancient king’s voice tore through the sky, addressing the powerful figures of all the clans.

“The god’s descendant cannot die for nothing!” Behind him stood the armies of the Eight Divine Generals — naturally they were all incensed, crying out together, their voices shaking heaven and earth.

“I wish to ask the same question — can those who humiliate the Holy Emperor live?” The Shencan Princess said.

“The Battle Victory Holy Emperor cannot be compared with the Immortal Celestial Emperor!” Within the Eight Divine Generals’ ranks, someone muttered with boundless hatred.

“I had barely finished speaking, and you’re already insulting the old Holy Emperor. Do you truly take me for a decoration?” The Shencan Princess extended her jade hand forward and swept it out — in an instant, blood and light erupted.

“Ah—!”

Wretched screams filled the heavens. The armies of the Eight Divine Generals exploded in rows — glistening white bone fragments and blood of every color flew through the air together, composing a death elegy.

“You… stop!” Several Ancestral Kings were shocked.

From a distance, people were stunned speechless. The Shencan Princess was simply too ferocious — with a single light sweep of one hand, she had wiped out an entire division of the Eight Divine Generals’ armies. From this point forward, only seven divisions could remain.

No one dared breathe. This divine genius, for all that she appeared ethereal and luminous, killed without blinking an eye — she was terrifying to behold.

The Shencan Princess composed herself unhurriedly, using her fingers — white as fine jade — to smooth a stray lock of beautiful hair, and said: “I am merely following your own example — when it comes to power and ruthlessness, who is afraid of whom!”

You of the Eight Divine Generals are not powerful and ruthless? Then right before your eyes, one division is wiped out — the Shencan Princess had made her answer with action.

“Shencan Princess, you have personally killed an ancient king of the saint’s level right here and now — you had better understand what you have done. All consequences are yours to bear!” The Silver Moon Heavenly King’s eyes radiated an incomparably cold and piercing light.

“Killed, and so I killed. What can you do about it? And beyond that — I intend to have the Eight Divine Generals struck from the records forever, to become nothing but history!” The Shencan Princess declared with sovereign authority.

All present felt their flesh crawl. This princess of Shencan Ridge was truly fearsome — she intended to wipe out the entire lot, exterminating all the clans of the Eight Divine Generals? That was enough to shake the entire ancient star!

“You…” Several Ancestral Kings from the Eight Divine Generals’ ranks were equal parts shocked and furious.

“What ‘you’ — for so many years you have humiliated the Battle Victory Holy Emperor and hunted the Holy Imperial Prince. This account will be settled in full today. Not one of you will survive. Not even Kunzhou can shield you — I’ve long wanted to settle old scores with him too!” The Shencan Princess thundered.

Her full head of light, nimble violet hair danced in the wind. The bright, spirited eyes blazed with two terrible beams of light as she stepped forward again and struck out!

“Outrageous!” The Silver Moon Heavenly King moved to block her.

“You are the one who is outrageous! He’s nothing but some Kunzhou the Great Sage — after all these years of testing, tell him to crawl out!” The Shencan Princess rebuked.

“Before my master makes his move, I will first take down the Holy Imperial Prince and that human cultivator, and show you that there is always someone stronger, always a sky beyond the sky!” The Silver Moon Heavenly King roared, reaching out to grab at Ye Fan and the Holy Imperial Prince.

“Bang—!”

Suddenly, a great golden hand struck down from above the heavens. The Silver Moon Heavenly King was sent flying horizontally, every bone in his body snapping and crackling, every bone broken.

“My elder brother may have long since passed into nirvana in the Primordial Age, but the line of the Battle Victory Holy Ape has not fallen to the point where anyone can humiliate us as they please. Tell Kunzhou to come and face me!” An old ape appeared on the scene, his entire body of golden fur radiant and shimmering, his aura dominating heaven and earth.