Chapter 984: Mighty Protection

The mighty protector Shenwei Tianwang never dreamed that a routine duel would lead him to discover a lost descendant of the Tianshen royal bloodline—this was an astonishing stroke of luck.

The Tianshen clan, though powerful, was scarce in the Heavenly Realm, for all mighty races shared a fatal flaw: few offspring, and offspring born to non-clan members inevitably suffered bloodline degeneration.

Once degenerated, it was irreversible.

Only the Tianshen royal bloodline could guarantee that their first, second, and even third generations would still inherit the Tianshen bloodline, meaning a single Tianshen royal could produce countless Tianshen clan members.

But Tianshen royals were even rarer; each one was an irreplaceable treasure to the Tianshen clan, and even if that royal was a useless waste, he must be protected at once.

This was the very foundation of the Tianshen clan’s reproduction and legacy—any matter involving a Tianshen royal was top priority.

“My lord, is this Taiyi truly a Tianshen royal?” Ji Du froze, unable to believe what he saw—it was too fantastical.

A human possessing lightning bloodline power was understandable, but manifesting a hundred-zhang divine body? That was absurd.

The evidence is right before us—do you think his divine body is fake? Shenwei Tianwang took a deep breath to calm himself: “Cease the battle. Evict every Rakshasa aboard the Jie Zhou. I must enter the Life-Death Hell Realm to confirm this personally.”

“If he truly is a Tianshen royal, this matter is grave.”

Without another word, he vanished instantly; a few flickers of lightning passed, and Shenwei Tianwang appeared within the Life-Death Hell Realm.

“Immediately shut down the Life-Death Hell Realm’s formation!” One of the escort team captains reacted instantly and gave the order.

The formation was shut down.

The image of the Life-Death Hell Realm vanished instantly—no one could see it anymore.

Ji Du, having received the order, swiftly led a group of heavenly generals away to carry out the Tianwang’s command: expelling the Rakshasas from the Jie Zhou.

Though this would offend the Rakshasa clan, if Taiyi truly was a Tianshen royal, then offending them was inconsequential.

“Treat that dragon princess with great care,” another escort team captain added. Though she was only a mixed-blood dragon princess, her close proximity to Taiyi might yield offspring of the Tianshen clan.

In short, until the truth was confirmed, everything must be treated with utmost seriousness.

At this moment.

Inside the Life-Death Hell Realm.

After slaying the Rakshasa royal, Li Yi relaxed instantly; through these several battles, he began to understand his own strength—unhesitatingly, he was strong even among Heavenly Generals.

Li Yi knew all this was not due to his own efforts, but the result of a cosmic boon—he had bathed in the blood of that terrifying entity, forging an unrivaled foundation. Now, not only did he learn magical arts and divine techniques with astonishing speed, but the power unleashed by his divine body far surpassed his former strength by countless times.

Even the strongest in the Heavenly Realm could not escape defeat before him.

“Who?” Suddenly, Li Yi turned and roared; boundless purple lightning rained down.

He was certain the Life-Death Hell Realm’s gate had not opened—the fourth battle had not begun—yet he sensed another presence nearby.

This startled Li Yi instantly.

Yet amid the endless sea of purple lightning, a man four meters tall, noble and handsome, with a lightning serpent coiled around him, flew through the storm.

He released only a fraction of his power, and the lightning could not touch him.

“Shenwei Tianwang?” Li Yi’s eyes narrowed sharply—he was stunned.

“Correct. It’s me,” Shenwei Tianwang nodded with a smile, studying the hundred-zhang divine body, sensing its ancient aura and the supreme bloodline pressure emanating from the purple divine blood.

No mistake.

His judgment was right—this human cultivator named Taiyi was indeed a genuine Tianshen royal.

He didn’t know why Taiyi showed no typical Tianshen traits, but it didn’t matter—as long as he was a Tianshen royal.

“I don’t know why you’ve appeared suddenly, My Lord,” Li Yi immediately used the Great and Small Transformation technique to shrink his divine body, then bowed with clasped fists: “But I’ve already won three matches as agreed.”

“Set aside the Rakshasa challenge for now. Just watch me,” Shenwei said, then his body suddenly swelled, transforming in an instant into a giant three hundred zhang tall.

This giant wielded lightning, commanded wind and thunder—the full might of the Tianshen clan was unmistakable.

Li Yi froze at the sight, a thought flashing through his mind: “Is this man also a god from the Wildlands?”

“No, no—that’s impossible. The Wildlands are not connected to the Heavenly Realm. This Shenwei Tianwang must be a native of the Heavenly Realm.”

“Then where did the gods of the Wildlands come from? Could they be a branch of bloodline that drifted out from the Heavenly Realm?”

“But the Heavenly Realm has the Heavenly Veil—its inhabitants should not be able to cross over.”

“Still, I can’t rule out that he has some special method to traverse realms.”

For a moment, Li Yi’s mind raced with countless thoughts.

Yet Shenwei Tianwang quickly retracted his divine form, just as Li Yi had done with the Great and Small Transformation—they naturally possessed the ability to alter their size.

After all, a three-hundred-zhang divine body was inconvenient in certain places within the Heavenly Realm.

“Taiyi, did you see clearly?” Shenwei said: “You are not a human cultivator. You are one of our Tianshen clan. That form you just took is our true body.”

Li Yi’s expression shifted: “I’m a Tianshen clan member? How could I not know?”

“The Heavenly Realm is vast—Tianshen bloodline flowing into the human race is common. Not knowing is understandable. But your bloodline is extraordinary, as if it had reversed to its ancestral form—not ordinary Tianshen blood, but equal to our Tianshen royal blood,” Shenwei said.

“Tianshen royal?” Li Yi paused.

Then he recalled the purple blood’s purification.

Had it truly transformed his Thunder God bloodline into Tianshen royal blood? If so, this was indeed an astonishing boon.

“I don’t know if I’m a Tianshen royal. I only know that when my bloodline power reached a certain level, I faced a tribulation. After passing it, I gained my hundred-zhang divine body,” Li Yi said.

Shenwei Tianwang laughed heartily: “Exactly! Exactly! You underwent the Divine Ascension Tribulation—passing it means you are now a true Tianshen clan member.”

“Not just you—everyone under me must undergo it too: the heavenly soldiers, the heavenly generals. Some fail, their strength too weak to become true Tianshen clan members.”

“Come, follow me.”

He was in high spirits—he would deliver this momentous news to Hao Guang Shen Di. He was certain Hao Guang Shen Di would reward him handsomely.

“Where are we going? Aren’t we still supposed to fight the Rakshasas?” Li Yi asked.

The Rakshasas have lost three times in a row—utterly defeated. What right do they have to challenge a Tianshen royal? If they’re wise, they’ll leave quietly. Otherwise, I won’t mind killing Yu Jue Tianwang and burying every Rakshasa beneath this Jie Zhou.”

Shenwei spoke with ruthless dominance—he held the Rakshasa clan in utter contempt.

Hearing this, Li Yi’s gaze flickered slightly.

He was no fool—he quickly grasped the root of this sudden change.

It was his own inexplicable new identity as a Tianshen royal—and this identity, it seemed, was exceptionally revered within the Tianshen clan of the Heavenly Realm.

Yet Shenwei Tianwang’s words also confirmed something else for Li Yi: the gods of the Wildlands were Tianshen clan members—just like the Purple Dragon God of the Demon Spirit Realm, whose true form was a true dragon, sharing the same origin as the Tianshen clan’s true dragons.

The Heavenly Realm had existed for countless ten thousand years; some bloodlines drifting into other worlds was natural.

“My current identity as a Tianshen royal must be beneficial, not harmful,” Li Yi thought as he walked.

Soon.

The two exited the Life-Death Hell Realm.

But as soon as they stepped out, a violent surge of blood and malevolence slammed into them.

“Shenwei Tianwang, what is your meaning? Why did you abruptly halt the duel? Has the Tianshen clan lost its honor?” Yu Jue Tianwang, furious and brimming with murderous intent, led a host of Rakshasas to confront them.

“Yu Jue, speak more respectfully.”

Shenwei Tianwang stepped forward, blocking Li Yi from the Tianwang’s aura, then coldly said: “When have I ever broken my word? Your Rakshasa clan has lost—three times in a row. Is there any point in continuing this duel?”

I’ve taken a liking to this Taiyi. From now on, he joins my escort team. If you still wish to challenge him, you challenge the entire Tianshen clan aboard this Jie Zhou. Consider the consequences carefully.”

He could never allow a Tianshen royal to be exposed to danger—if anything happened, Hao Guang Shen Di would peel his skin off.

“Shenwei Tianwang, even if you wish to recruit him, you must wait until the duel ends! Who says we Rakshasas have no one left?” Yu Jue Tianwang’s face twisted with rage.

He had lost two trusted subordinates, and even the Rakshasa royal San Ye had perished. If he didn’t kill Taiyi today, he would be executed by the Rakshasa Emperor.

He might as well fight himself—exchange his life for Taiyi’s.

He never expected Shenwei Tianwang would suddenly change his mind and fiercely protect him.

“Oh? Even your royal warriors have fallen. Who else do you have left?” Shenwei Tianwang sneered, then glanced toward the approaching escort team.

Clearly, the escort team had failed to drive away the Rakshasas—humiliated. But he understood: with a Tianwang present, if the Rakshasas were determined to cause trouble, they couldn’t be stopped.

Later, he secretly sent a mental message to Ji Du, instructing him to report Taiyi’s identity to Hao Guang Shen Di.

Though he wasn’t afraid of Yu Jue Tianwang, matters involving a Tianshen royal demanded caution.

“My forces are numerous. Next, I’ll send her to challenge Taiyi. The duel continues,” Yu Jue Tianwang said, reaching behind him and snatching a figure forward.

It was a stunningly beautiful female Rakshasa. Though her realm was Heavenly General, she was clearly weaker than even the first Rakshasa elder who had fought.

Shenwei Tianwang’s eyes narrowed—he instantly realized the opponent was stalling, waiting for reinforcements.

That meant more Rakshasas would board the Jie Zhou when it next docked.

“Has the opponent also sensed Taiyi’s significance?” Shenwei Tianwang thought.

But that was natural—Yu Jue Tianwang was an old, seasoned Tianwang who understood the Tianshen clan well. My unusual behavior must have raised his suspicions.

(End of Chapter)