A dense, uncountable army bore down — a forest of iron and steel. Every soldier carried a battle spear, iron sword, or long lance, their bodies clad in armor that gleamed with an icy, sinister light. They beat their weapons in unison, and the killing intent that swept toward the pure land was enough to blot out the sky.
Upon his carriage, the Sovereign wore his crimson dragon armor, which made him appear all the more majestic. The aura of the supreme powerhouse did not affect those on his own side — instead, it surged like a tide toward the vast continent floating ahead, crashing against it without restraint.
He was like a red dragon reborn — his divine might covering the world, supreme and without equal. His head of red hair flew freely, his face bearing an expression of absolute indifference. Even this aura alone was enough to make a person’s courage shatter.
Within the pure land, even with the great formation array of an ancient emperor deployed, even with supreme formation patterns inscribed throughout, those present could not withstand this pressure. Many were trembling.
This was not a matter of lacking courage. Their bodies had betrayed their minds — trembling involuntarily, beyond any conscious control.
Many celestial soldiers and generals burned with shame. They could not help but tilt their heads back and roar their fury at the sky — yet the response was an even more crushing wave of pressure. The Sovereign stared at them with cold, dispassionate eyes, and wherever his gaze passed across the continent, the formation patterns erupted in sheet after sheet of sparks, as though struck by a sword.
Even the Black Emperor’s expression shifted. This man was simply too powerful.
In this age — where no ancient Supreme had emerged — if he was not the greatest figure alive, he came extraordinarily close. There was virtually no one capable of restraining him. No wonder there were those who suspected he was the supreme powerhouse capable of contending with the Undying Heavenly Empress.
The Sovereign’s gaze found Ye Fan. He saw him standing beneath the Bodhi Tree, the Cauldron of All Things’ Mother Qi hovering above his head and a green lotus held in his hand, meeting his stare directly.
“A genuine Bodhi Tree — this is an immortal tree of undying nature. Not only can one attain enlightenment beneath it, but it can also be refined into a Nine-Rotation Immortal Elixir!”
Several great commanders within the Divine Court couldn’t hold back their cries. Their eyes blazed with fervent light — that light nearly burning into actual flames — for this was the most supremely precious immortal treasure that existed between heaven and earth.
“If our lord were to obtain it, he could add another lifetime to his years. He would certainly forge an imperial legacy that shakes the ancient past and dazzles the present — none could stand against him!”
Several men spoke excitedly, their eyes flickering as they stared at the precious tree. Deep within their hearts, greed had taken root — each of them silently wishing they could seize it for themselves.
One could hardly blame them. It was only human nature. This was an immortal plant capable of moving even ancient emperors. Throughout history it had only ever been held in the hands of emperors and sovereigns — how could ordinary men not be stirred?
“That cauldron is also quite fine — surely it is destined to belong to our lord!”
Several elder statesmen fixed their eyes on the Cauldron of All Things’ Mother Qi above Ye Fan’s head and spoke in unison. The Sovereign’s pagoda had been shattered by an ancient Supreme, and he had yet to locate a replacement — a rare divine artifact of comparable standing.
“What big talk!” the Black Emperor snorted coldly.
“Offer that cauldron to our lord, and you may reduce your great crime somewhat.” An elder barked, demanding they hand it over.
This left every member of the Celestial Court burning with righteous fury. The enemy’s arrogance was breathtaking — they had not even glanced at those present, acting with the bearing of those who look down upon the world from on high and regard all others as servants.
BOOM!
From the continent, formation platforms rose one after another — dozens activating simultaneously and blasting outward, surging toward the Divine Court’s forces. Those several elder statesmen naturally became the primary targets.
Yet something terrifying happened. The Sovereign, clad in his crimson dragon armor, radiated fire from every inch of his body, burning every single formation pattern to ashes. Those dozens of formation platforms collapsed entirely.
And this was merely a passive emanation of his aura — he hadn’t even taken action. This was an instinctual release of power, and yet the Celestial Court’s formation platforms had been shattered by it. It struck dread into every heart.
Onlookers at a distance — veterans of their respective clans who had come to watch the battle — witnessed this scene and went pale with shock. The Sovereign rivaled an ancient Supreme? How was that possible?
The cycling of origin energy — in this world, the ten thousand things could no longer harm his body. This was the ultimate expression of cultivation attainment. This was not an equal confrontation at all. Even if Ye Fan and the Holy Emperor’s son had become Quasi-Emperors, they would certainly not be his match.
Everyone seemed to see the ending already. This place would run red with blood, and bones would pile like mountains. No one could contend with the Sovereign. He was the supreme figure of this age.
“Slaying my children, humiliating my Divine Court, forcing me to emerge from seclusion and personally act — all of this is retribution of your own making!” The Sovereign finally spoke, and his words shook the heavens. He was like a god-king who had walked out of an age of myth, his entire body layered in ring upon ring of divine light — mysterious and terrifying.
Step by step he advanced. Alone, he pressed toward the continent ahead, about to ascend upon it. His killing intent swept out and shook the firmament. The cosmos itself cracked around him.
“CRACK!”
Across the continent, those formation patterns all blazed to life — yet many crumbled and fell apart simultaneously, unable to bear the pressure, incapable of resistance.
“Pile onto him and bury him!” the Black Emperor roared.
Its greatest trump card — those divine platforms carved from divine materials — rose one by one into the air. Upon them were remnant inscription arrays from the Beginningless Great Emperor’s killing formations. There were several thousand such ancient platforms in total, and every last one of them was being deployed against the Sovereign.
In that single instant, the aura of an ancient emperor pervaded the air. Incomplete as it was, its sheer volume was overwhelming — and combined together, it emanated a force that shook the six directions of heaven and earth. The stars trembled throughout the entire expanse of space.
The Celestial Court was terrifying indeed — that was the thought in every mind. No one had anticipated such foundations. Everyone felt the hair rise on the back of their necks. Several thousand formation platforms, all cast from materials including Great Luo Silver Essence, Primordial Vein Ancient Marrow, and Nine Heavens Divine Jade-tier materials — dozens upon hundreds of varieties of divine ore, each capable of forging a Great Sage artifact.
And among them were certain rare materials virtually impossible to find even if one searched to the four extremes of the world.
All these divine materials had been fashioned into formation platforms — a breathtaking extravagance. Burying several Quasi-Emperors beneath this was almost certainly no problem, given that what had been inscribed were remnant arrays of a genuine emperor.
The Divine Court’s army halted its frenzied advance, driven back by a colossal pressure. The Sovereign’s expression remained unchanged, though his eyes cooled considerably. He watched for a moment, then strode forward with words: “Submit, or die.”
His killing intent erupted. The crimson dragon armor on his body came alive — one could actually see a blood dragon coiling around him, fangs and claws bared, making him appear all the more terrifyingly powerful.
BOOM!
The continent shuddered. The void collapsed. Everywhere the Sovereign passed, all things were reduced to powder. He single-handedly carved open a chaotic passage and gazed ahead at Ye Fan and the others in the pure land.
CRACK!
He shattered one formation platform, then leaped. His body transformed into a crimson dragon, and amid a storm of fierce and brilliant beams, he surged along a fissure and plunged straight through.
A thunderous hum resonated as every formation platform shook and lit up together. Tremendous blazing beams of light swept down in unison, pressing to suppress the Sovereign — the combined force of countless remnant arrays weaving together into a net across the heavens.
Those watching stood stupefied, feeling their legs growing damp from the cold sweat soaking through them. The Celestial Court’s methods were truly terrifying. This level of power was absolutely sufficient to block and grind down a Quasi-Emperor.
The Divine Court’s army tensed, dreading that something might go wrong for the Sovereign. Every single person held their breath and watched with painstaking attention.
The Sovereign had transformed into a crimson dragon, moving through vast rifts in the void. Blood-red light flashed across his body, and primal chaos energy wrapped around him — terrifyingly imposing, truly like a divine dragon from the immortal realm. His savage form, his indestructible body of flesh and blood — he selectively destroyed several formation platforms and avoided the net formed from intersecting divine light.
He moved like a dragon entering the sea — free to dash and roam. These formation platforms could not stop his advance. The overwhelming pressure emanating from his entire being spread outward. He had entered deep into the formation platforms, and nothing could impede him.
Everyone was stunned. The Sovereign was simply too powerful. Though the remnant arrays of a great emperor were numerous, they were utterly incapable of dealing with him. He roamed like a dragon in the open sea — vast sky and open water, to go wherever he wished.
The Divine Army erupted in an earth-shaking cheer. Every soldier was electrified. They raised their battle spears, iron swords, and long lances high and howled at the sky. They understood — the Celestial Court was about to be shattered. When it fell, immortal medicines, holy artifacts, Quasi-Emperor ritual instruments, and divine materials would all become theirs.
And from this point forward, perhaps no power in the world would be able to stand in their way ever again. They would inaugurate a glorious era, and their names might endure through the ancient histories of ages to come.
BOOM!
The Sovereign had successfully forced his way through several thousand formation platforms. It had not taken very long at all. The crimson dragon transformed back into a towering and imposing middle-aged man.
His head of red hair flew freely. His gaze was coldly terrifying. One foot stomped downward, and a massive chunk of the continent immediately cracked away and fell. He said in a cold voice: “Do you still wish to resist to the last? If I strike in earnest, not one soul here will survive.”
Turmoil erupted in all directions. People understood that the Celestial Court was most likely finished. The Sovereign’s true body had entered the pure land. There was no longer any force capable of resistance.
“Such a pity. The Celestial Court ends like this — a brief, brilliant flower that bloomed for one fleeting moment before falling to ruin because of that cursed name.”
“No suspense at all — and it comes to an end in such a fashion. A shame for the Holy Body Ye Fan. We never got to see what his full majesty might have looked like upon genuine great accomplishment.”
“Hmm, isn’t this quite good for us? As long as we offer some of those resource stars to the Divine Army and keep a portion for ourselves, we no longer need to concern ourselves with the Celestial Court. From here on, it will scatter like dust in the wind.”
Among the various clans of the cosmos, many were debating — some with a sense of regret, others in outright celebration — as they fixed their attention on everything unfolding before them.
Ye Fan, the Cauldron of All Things’ Mother Qi hovering above his head, a green lotus in his hand, prepared to do battle with the Sovereign. And at this moment, the Monkey King, gripping his immortal iron staff, walked forward without hesitation — intending to fight shoulder to shoulder with him.
The Human Demon elder held a bizarre weapon in his hands — something that was neither bone nor stone, yet partook of both. It was a luminous, white bone club fused together with the supreme treasure of the Holy Spirit lineage, the Stone Seal.
“Only three of you? Three Quasi-Emperors are not enough — all of you will be killed!” The Sovereign said coldly. He had nearly attained the Dao, and possessed the power and standing to look down upon all living things.
“Who are you putting on airs for? Someone like you will never attain emperorhood — not in any lifetime.” The Black Emperor said with disdain, secretly preparing the Demon Jar That Swallows the Heavens at that very moment, ready to summon it at any instant to strike a suppressing, fatal blow.
The green lotus in Ye Fan’s hand was raised high. This immortal plant was the key to this entire battle — if it could absorb and neutralize the Sovereign’s attacks, then they need fear nothing.
“No matter what preparations you have made, none of it will avail you. Before absolute power, every person must grovel at our lord’s feet. You will all die!” Several elder statesmen laughed coldly from behind, shouting their declarations.
BOOM!
The Sovereign’s actions demonstrated his power in the most concrete terms possible. One step forward, and all four directions shook. The cosmic star river resonated in sympathy, trembling with him. He had no fear of the divine artifacts in Ye Fan’s, the Monkey King’s, or the others’ hands.
From across the cosmos, the representatives of virtually every powerful clan had arrived and were watching this battle — for its implications were too far-reaching.
In this moment, every single one of them held their breath, their hearts gripped by unbearable tension. They understood — the great battle was about to erupt, and everything would be decided in this clash.
BOOM!
The Sovereign struck. In an instant, dazzling light exploded outward and enveloped the entire continent — preparing to unleash an absolute killing blow.
“It has begun — truly rivaling an ancient Supreme!”
“It’s over. How could anyone block such power? The Celestial Court’s destruction happens in this very moment.”
People were stunned. Terror gripped every heart.
Yet just then — a sudden, dramatic change. The Sovereign, who had just erupted with terrifying fluctuations, froze as though struck by lightning. His entire body stiffened.
His body went cold, as though a vast and overwhelming entity had fixed its gaze upon him. He had almost forgotten this feeling — it had been so many years. Yet now, deep within the recesses of his heart, something primal and ancient stirred: fear. A chill crept through his entire being.
What was happening? He could not control himself. He retreated involuntarily. Every shred of power he had released came rushing back.
Then he saw a little girl — gazing at him with innocent, carefree eyes. She was delicately carved and exquisitely made, appearing to be no more than two or three years old. She stood beneath the Bodhi Tree, like a porcelain doll — and yet terrifying.
But it was she — precisely she — who made him shudder with dread. Something deep within him recognized an overwhelming, primordial terror.
Everyone stood slack-jawed. What had come over the Sovereign? Whether it was the Divine Army behind him or the powerful figures of the various clans — every single one of them was dumbstruck. How could this be the result?
“A great emperor’s… Dao Fruit!” The Sovereign’s voice trembled. He murmured to himself, his face written over with shock as he stared at Xiao Nannan.
The expression on his face shifted between dark and light, turbulent and unreadable. The fear in his eyes gradually receded. Slowly he composed himself. He stared at the little girl before him and said: “How are you still alive? You were supposed to have passed on long ago. If what remains is a supreme Dao Fruit, then I shall swallow you and undergo a transformation!”
In the next instant, he steeled himself and made an enormous decision. He pressed straight toward Xiao Nannan, opening one massive crimson dragon hand, reaching out to seize her.
BOOM!
Ye Fan struck. His right hand drove forward with the Heavenly Emperor Fist, while his left hand swept across with the green lotus, preparing to neutralize the opponent’s offensive Dao techniques.
The Sovereign sneered coldly. A single finger pointed, seemingly without effort — and mountains and rivers collapsed. Sun, moon, and stars tumbled down like dumplings being tossed into a pot, shaking every observer to their core.
He was simply too powerful — beyond all imagination. Far surpassing someone who had only just become a Quasi-Emperor. Every person felt the hair stand up across their entire body. How could they possibly fight like this? Even the mightiest clans were shaking with fear.
The one thing that gave the Celestial Court side any comfort was that the green lotus in Ye Fan’s hand dissolved the fragments of the Great Dao surging toward him, preventing Ye Fan from being struck by the supreme laws of heaven.
The Monkey King moved. His half-length iron staff resonated in harmony with mountains and rivers alike, and countless threads of immortal light blazed out. The only pity was that only half the staff remained — it had been damaged, and its former divine majesty was not fully restored.
Hiss! The Sovereign flicked out a beam of red light that struck the black iron staff, producing a thunderous clang that shook all corners of the cosmos.
Everyone was aghast. Any ordinary Quasi-Emperor artifact would certainly have shattered, and its wielder would have suffered devastating injury. It was only because the Holy Emperor’s son held this immortal weapon that he emerged unharmed.
Hum!
The Human Demon, Gai Jiuyou, moved. The unique weapon in his hands also contained imperial Dao laws — a supreme treasure of the stone person lineage — and he drove it straight down in a crushing blow.
The Sovereign did not meet it with his physical body. Just as he had done against the Monkey King, he flicked a finger and projected his own Great Dao, striking that great club and producing a heaven-shaking impact.
His killing intent surged like a tide toward those ahead of him — directed primarily at Ye Fan. He intended to send him flying and then swallow Xiao Nannan.
In this moment, killing intent shook the boundless cosmos. Every heart in existence lurched with unease. The Sovereign had resolved to obliterate everything here.
Suddenly, Xiao Nannan’s entire body radiated immortal light. She moved to protect herself, and a supreme, majestic aura erupted from her. In that same instant, from deep within a distant star domain — in the direction of the coordinates of the Big Dipper — a terrifying light silhouette manifested. It was as though an immortal king was awakening.
BOOM!
That terrifying aura shook the eight wastelands of the cosmos!
The Sovereign let out a great cry. His face turned white as ash. He spun around and fled — every last shred of his imposing pressure and dignified bearing gone without a trace. He ran for his life.
This outcome surpassed everyone’s expectations. No one had anticipated it — that the supreme and all-powerful Sovereign’s face would drain of all color, that he would flee in such frantic haste. It was something no one could accept.