Chapter 979: Realm of Life and Death

The God of Divine Might in the Realm of Life and Death held a favorable attitude toward Li Yi, securing him personal advantages; if Li Yi could defeat the Rakshasa, he would not only survive but also receive a large sum of silver, enough to live comfortably in the Heavenly Realm.

But soon, Li Yi learned the reason.

“I’ve made a bet with the Rakshasa’s Yu Jue Tianwang. So, Taiyi, don’t let me down,” Shenwei said. “You must win at least three matches, especially the third—opponents will likely send a Rakshasa royal.”

Li Yi’s expression hardened.

So that was it—he was being asked to defend Shenwei’s honor. No wonder he’d been singled out.

“Hah, but you needn’t be nervous—just do your best. If you truly can’t win, there’s nothing to be done,” Shenwei added with a laugh.

He wasn’t worried Li Yi wouldn’t fight to the death—after all, lose and you die; there was no choice.

He said this merely to warn Li Yi: use any hidden techniques early, at least win the first three matches. What comes after? That’s up to fate.

Li Yi said: “My Lord, rest assured. Rakshasa generals cannot kill me. They will all fall. As long as their Tianwang doesn’t intervene, I will win ten matches.”

“Excellent. You have great confidence. I believe you,” Shenwei nodded slightly—he could tell truth from falsehood in Li Yi’s words.

Indeed, the man radiated invincibility; such an aura couldn’t be cultivated by an ordinary Tianjiang.

Had he not sensed this, he wouldn’t have placed such heavy bets on Li Yi.

“Time’s up. Jidu, take Taiyi to the Realm of Life and Death. This battle, I’ll have everyone aboard the Boundary Vessel watch—let them see how the Rakshasa’s elite perish here.” Shenwei issued another order.

“Yes, My Lord.” Jidu and several other captains immediately moved.

Li Yi glanced over.

He understood: Shenwei’s aim was to distance the Guard Corps from the conflict, framing it as a direct feud between himself and the Rakshasa, while the Guard Corps acted as impartial arbiters.

Even if Li Yi won, he’d be left exposed—afterward, the Rakshasa would never let him live; even surviving this time, he’d never survive the next.

“The Heavenly Realm… such complicated hearts,” Li Yi sighed inwardly.

He felt, as Hua Qing had said, that he was born under cursed fortune—crossing realms, ending up in the Gui Xu Sea, then being conscripted by the Rakshasa for no reason.

He hadn’t done anything wrong—why force him to kill?

Couldn’t everyone just live in peace? Li Yi said nothing, following Jidu away—his anger burned; he needed to vent it on the Rakshasa.

Soon.

Li Yi was delivered into the Realm of Life and Death.

This realm was an isolated space, fortified with the power of a Tian Emperor—no matter how fiercely Tianwang battled within, they could not break it. Moreover, spiritual energy here was thin, saturated with boundless malevolent energy.

Such a hostile environment meant cultivators couldn’t replenish their strength here; only by defeating their opponent could they leave to recover.

He looked around.

The land was desolate, ruined, and unbreakable, stained a dark red by the blood of countless mighty warriors.

“Taiyi, the Rakshasa are already inside. Be careful. But don’t worry—if your strength is sufficient, even they can’t touch you,” Jidu warned before departing.

“Thank you.”

Li Yi offered a polite reply, then strode forward.

At that moment, the realm’s array activated, illuminating heaven and earth—countless mirrors appeared across the sky, projecting every detail of the scene to the outside world.

Li Yi saw one mirror showing many powerful Rakshasa, led by the Yu Jue Tianwang clad in blood-red battle armor; their demon-like faces were unmistakable—even from afar, they could be instantly recognized.

Other mirrors displayed scenes from every level of the Boundary Vessel.

The battle here was open for all aboard the vessel to watch, and they could place bets on its outcome—special bookmakers sat ready within the vessel.

“Human, you’ve angered the Rakshasa. Today, you die. Remember: I, Chi Feng, Rakshasa Tianjiang, am the one who kills you,” roared a towering, crimson-skinned demon standing amid boundless malevolent energy, his body scarred from countless battles—a seasoned veteran.

At this moment, Chi Feng’s emerald eyes fixed on Li Yi, radiating icy killing intent.

Yet he showed no anger—only cold calm.

Clearly, this Rakshasa Tianjiang differed greatly from the others.

“They’re sending a battle-hardened veteran to test my strength?” Li Yi instantly understood the Rakshasa’s plan.

In this duel, the Rakshasa had ten matches to fight—they weren’t in a hurry to send their strongest to kill Li Yi immediately. Instead, they sent a veteran.

Win, and they gain glory—showing everyone aboard the vessel that even a lowly Rakshasa veteran possessed terrifying power.

Lose, and they learn Li Yi’s true strength, preparing to reclaim victory later.

“Don’t announce your name. It doesn’t matter what you’re called—dead men aren’t remembered,” Li Yi said calmly, as his Nìlín Battle Armor swiftly vanished.

The duel’s rules required removing all armor and weapons.

The Rakshasa Tianjiang, Chi Feng, fought bare-chested—clearly adhering strictly to the agreed rules.

“Humans are always so eloquent,” Chi Feng sneered. “But be careful. When the golden bell rings, I’ll twist off your head, then plunder your soul and spirit to find out what evil you’ve done to our Rakshasa.”

Li Yi frowned.

Why did all Rakshasa love to twist off heads? What could a Tianjiang possibly have done? Did they blame him for the death of the Chili Tianwang? He only wanted to live—what was wrong with that?

“Your Rakshasa are born evil—killing is as easy as eating and drinking. You are true demons, deserving death. Without you, how many in the Heavenly Realm would live happy, peaceful lives?”

Li Yi snapped: “I’m a human cultivator who seeks no conflict. I merely walked past your direction and spat once—yet you hunt me to the ends of the earth? Is there any justice in that?”

At these words, all cultivators watching from the Boundary Vessel erupted in shock.

They’d assumed this human, Taiyi, had committed some heinous crime against the Rakshasa—only to learn he’d merely spat in their direction.

The Rakshasa were too tyrannical.

Yet upon reflection, it made sense.

It fit their nature perfectly—only madmen would do such a thing.

“So that’s it. This human, Taiyi, is truly unlucky—spat once and drew the wrath of madmen. Truly, the Heavenly Realm holds no shortage of wonders.”

“I’ve cultivated in the Heavenly Realm for three thousand years—I thought I’d seen everything. But today? First time ever. I’m truly ignorant.”

“Hah! This unlucky Tianjiang—why pick the Rakshasa? They’re rabid dogs, biting anyone at random.”

Everywhere aboard the vessel—in private chambers, hidden realms, great halls—watchers burst into laughter.

But this lie fooled only ordinary cultivators—it fooled none of the Rakshasa, especially not Chi Feng.

He could tell Li Yi was lying.

“Lies! You’re full of falsehoods,” Chi Feng barked. “Dare you claim no connection to the disappearance of Chili Tianwang and Princess Manluo?”

He wanted to confront him directly, to uncover the truth.

Li Yi didn’t even need to answer face-to-face—his reply alone would let many deduce the truth.

“You think I killed your Chili Tianwang and Princess Manluo? What cultivation base do I have? Could I defeat your Tianwang? I did meet them—but I nearly died at the hands of your Rakshasa Tianwang. Later, your Rakshasa suffered disaster in the Gui Xu Sea, and I barely escaped alive.”

Li Yi said: “You dare not seek revenge on the true culprits in the Gui Xu Sea because your enemies there are too terrifying. So you fixate on me—cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong.”

He knew by now the fate of Chili Tianwang and Princess Manluo couldn’t be hidden—but as the sole survivor, he could shape the story however he wished.

Moreover, every word he spoke was true—even a Tianwang himself could find no fault.

“He speaks the truth,” said Shenwei Tianwang in the adjacent realm, nodding slightly.

He’d assumed some deep conflict—turns out it was simply this: Taiyi was truly unlucky.

In another realm,

The Yu Jue Tianwang in charge of the investigation wore a grim expression—he too judged Li Yi’s words truthful. Every sentence matched his own deductions: Chili Tianwang and Princess Manluo had perished in the Gui Xu Sea.

Only that terrifying sea could bury so many Rakshasa elites.

This human cultivator was merely a lucky survivor—a speck of dust, powerless before Chili Tianwang.

Yet even if the truth was clear, this human, Taiyi, must still die.

Because the Rakshasa had already lost two Tianjiangs. Though the Guard Corps delivered the blows, the root cause was this Taiyi.

“I want this human Taiyi dead before his first match. He must die,” the Yu Jue Tianwang said coldly.

“My Lord, Chi Feng will handle him. He’s a battle-hardened Tianjiang—his strength is reliable,” said a young Rakshasa beside him.

Though this Rakshasa was a Tianjiang, he sat as an equal to the Yu Jue Tianwang—his status was extraordinary.

“No matter what, I will take your head back to report,” said Chi Feng, still icy, within the Realm of Life and Death.

Yet his mission had already succeeded in one part—he’d uncovered the truth about Chili Tianwang and Princess Manluo.

Now, all he needed to do was kill this man—and everything would end.

Next, as long as he kills the man before him, everything will be over.

(End of Chapter)