Chapter 633: The Bottom‑Line Emperor

The Di Hong Emperor was extremely angry; he never expected that the Earth Store King could dig such a huge pit for him!

A mere newly promoted Earth Immortal actually managed to trap him!

In fact, the Di Hong Emperor naturally did not believe the Earth Store King's words—that pulling chains to yank out the revived body of the Immortal Emperor Toad would make the Immortal Emperor Toad submit to him.

There must be many hidden tricks inside, as well as some tactics not yet employed.

Yet the Di Hong Emperor wants to try, purely out of confidence in his own strength and foundation of cultivation.

If the one uttering those words were an imperial‑level celestial Immortal such as the Queen Mother, the Tongtian Divine Emperor, or the Third‑world Tathagata, he would never be so reckless and negligent!

He would never proactively test.

Yet a single Earth Immortal managed to cause him such a huge trouble, could even communicate with the Netherworld and make its lord intervene!

That is absolutely unimaginable!

It's like an ordinary county magistrate being able to command the emperor to act—how absurd is that?

The Di Hong Emperor didn't anticipate this, so he suffered a heavy loss, being trapped by the Earth Store King.

Whoosh—whoosh—

Countless chains rained down, dense and tangled, wildly swirling through heaven and earth, a terrifying, thick aura of death spreading continuously, the very source of death pouring like a boiling, ultra‑thick agarwood!

"Crazy! Earth Store King, you're crazy!"

"How dare you?!"

Wrapped like a rice dumpling, the Di Hong Emperor's golden little sword in his pupils quivered nonstop, emitting a continual clanging sound as if to slay everything.

Li Che wore a white‑jade Earth Store King mask, his eyes cold, his five fingers spread wide and then pressed down.

Corpse after corpse lay horizontally, hovering around him—some were the divine corpses of the Two Saints Ancient Village, others the demon‑clan divine corpses of the Cunning Demon Cave…

Within each corpse, a surge of death energy rose, pulling down black chains from the death vortex.

This caused the death‑source vortex to expand ever larger, almost completely enveloping the whole sky dome.

"Your reckless pulling of the Netherworld's death source… will utterly destroy Primordial Thunder Heaven!"

"The source of Primordial Thunder Heaven will be eroded by the death source, become unsustainable, and finally be completely annihilated, creating an apocalyptic situation..."

"All living beings of Primordial Thunder Heaven will perish, destroyed by the raging thunder source and the death source!"

The Di Hong Emperor spoke in a deep voice.

His body, bound by chains, was being pulled bit by bit toward the death vortex.

He stared fixedly at Li Che, his eyes bubbling with shock and anger.

He was both shocked and angry; shocked by the Earth Store King's cold indifference to destroying all of Primordial Thunder Heaven, indifferent to the countless lives there.

What a cold‑hearted figure, steering this age's divine tide, to be such a person—this is no good news for any deity of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!

It's just like the first‑generation divine tide, the Prison Lotus Third Prince, bloodthirsty to the point of being a reincarnated killing god, slaying gods wherever encountered, turning the entire Nine Heavens and Ten Earths into rivers of blood!

Divine corpses rained down like rain!

Especially the native deities of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, who kept dying while blocking the Third Prince, even the Immortals fell in swaths.

This caused the once‑prosperous Two Saints Ancient Village to begin weakening.

Particularly the Ancestor Dragon lineage was tragic; the three‑headed Ancestor Dragon was slain without a trace, leaving only the Immortal Dragon Emperor barely alive, already fallen into deep slumber.

And the Immortal Candle Dragon and Immortal Ying Dragon have completely vanished.

Thus, the first divine tide was the most unforgettable for the deities of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—it marked the beginning of an era of slaughter.

Moreover, after that divine tide, the three major divine camps began to rise; as Immortals kept falling, the great Dao river rippled, opening one after another slots for attaining the Dao.

Hence, the deities of the three great divine camps emerged, scrambling for the Immortals' slots, making Dao‑attainment equivalent to becoming Immortal.

In a single move, surpassing the native deities of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, this Emperor was also weakened to the extreme.

And with the successive fall of the Di Hong Ancient Village's deities this time, the Di Hong Emperor's power is likely to be weakened to the utmost.

"Earth Store King!"

The Di Hong Emperor felt a sudden dread, his murderous intent toward the Earth Store King reaching an unprecedented height—another being like the Third Prince, who utterly disregards the lives of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths deities!

He is someone who, to his very core, disregards this world.

In the eyes of such a being, perhaps only those close to him merit protection; everyone else—if they die, they die; if the world ends, it ends—what does it matter to them!

They seem out of place in this world, as if they do not belong to it!

The Third Prince is like that, Qi Tian is like that, the Three‑Eyed True Lord likewise…

The current Earth Store King is the same!

All these Prison Lotus deities are like that!

Therefore, the Prison Lotus and their Nine Heavens and Ten Earths deities are utterly incompatible and must be eradicated!

"Ah—!!!"

Feeling the death chains constantly pulling his body, he lifted his head, his jet‑black hair whipping wildly; the Emperor's great sword moved with his will, slashing madly, repeatedly cutting the death chains wrapped around him.

Dense, cracking black fireworks erupted continuously.

Within the death vortex, a towering figure stood; behind him seemed to be one black hole after another rotating, each black hole emitting teal light that illuminated the Netherworld Lord's silhouette—utterly bizarre and terrifying!

His cold eyes cast a gaze that seemed to contain endless death.

Just a single glance seemed to reveal every creature's entire life from birth to death.

He clenched his five fingers, and the teal hand reached out from the death vortex.

Grasping all the chains at once, he pulled them toward the vortex.

The Di Hong Emperor felt an irresistible force—the power of the Netherworld Sovereign—seemingly unstoppable, chilling his whole body, impossible to resist!

The Di Hong Emperor's scalp tingled; he never expected to fall into such a scheme.

If pulled into the death vortex and into the Netherworld, with his imperial‑grade cultivation he might not fall completely, but it would be exceedingly tragic.

Because the Netherworld no longer belongs to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, its will differs from the heavenly‑earthly will of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, yet it is equally powerful.

In the Nether, one is completely suppressed by the Nether will, then corroded, gradually losing connection with the source of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and finally falling completely.

In fact, it is widely acknowledged that the Nether's heavenly‑earthly will must be stronger than the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths' heavenly‑earthly will…

Therefore, the immortal deities of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are all striving to block the Nether's arrival.

And the Nether's descent is by no means an easy matter…

One must construct a Nether Gate; the so‑called Nether Gate is a region where the heavenly‑earthly power has been eroded, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths' heavenly‑earthly will is shielded, thereby enabling the Nether's arrival in that area.

It requires sacrificing the life force of an extremely powerful being—on the endless sea above, the immortal Dragon Emperor used the fate of the ten‑thousand dragon deities of the ancestral Dragon Village to open a Nether Gate!

Even an emperor‑level immortal such as the Tongtian Divine Emperor must personally descend in true form to sit and suppress the Nether Gate with unparalleled sword Dao.

Another Nether Gate is the place suppressed by the Queen Mother Wa.

Now, the Di Hong Human Emperor's scalp tingles, because the Earth Store King also seems capable of opening a Nether Gate, and not only that, he can even attract the Nether Sovereign.

How could a mortal dig such a huge hole?

The Di Hong Human Emperor is thinking exactly that…

The conditions for opening a Nether Gate are extremely harsh, yet the newly‑ascended immortal Earth Store King somehow manages it.

Boom—

When his body was almost being pulled entirely into the vortex of death.

The Di Hong Human Emperor had to unleash his full power.

Behind him, it seemed a great river of the Dao was drawn out—immortal origin, great river of the Dao, heavenly‑earthly will, all were, at that moment, being summoned by him!

Terrifying sword light sliced down as if born from the heavens of Primordial Thunder Heaven.

Rumble—

The heavenly‑earthly will of Primordial Thunder Heaven manifested, resonated with the Di Hong Human Emperor's sword intent, and cut down a terrifying blade of light!

It slashed straight toward the Nether Sovereign standing in the vortex of death, two spacetime layers away.

Countless chains trembled; the sword the Di Hong Human Emperor struck with all his might, which summoned the heavenly‑earthly will, was clearly not meant to cut the Nether Sovereign.

That being is of sovereign rank; the Di Hong Human Emperor is not so arrogant as to think he could cut it down.

His purpose was plainly to sever those binding‑deity chains!

Though he craved the power of the Binding Deity, and though he knew that his path as a Human Emperor, if combined with the Binding Deity's strength, might trigger an unimaginable boost.

Yet as a former Human Emperor of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths…

He cannot!

He and the Nether are irreconcilable!

Clang‑clash rang out, countless fireworks burst skyward, each blossom flickering like a dream.

Li Che stared coldly at the sky exploding with endless brilliance, the source of the immortal heavenly tier raging like a storm.

Endless turbulence howled within the primordial sea of Primordial Thunder Heaven.

Crack crack…

Chains began to show fissures.

Bang—

A fierce blast rang out; the Di Hong Human Emperor tore free from the tightly bound death chains, clenched the Human Emperor's great sword in his five fingers, and swung it far and wide.

The terrifying sword light arced like a curved rainbow, cutting upward from below toward the death Sovereign standing at the mouth of the vortex of death!

"Nether… retreat!"

"I am the Di Hong Human Emperor of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!"

"Representing the heavenly‑earthly will, I cut you!"

"Expel!"

The Di Hong Human Emperor's hair flew wildly, his golden armor clanged, his eyes no longer glanced at the Earth Store King, he raised his head proudly and faced the Nether Sovereign standing at the vortex's mouth.

He did not retreat, did not flee; the pride of a Human Emperor made escape impossible!

He indeed yearned to master the path of the Binding Deity, but…

The Nether's arrival is something he will not allow.

Because, as a Human Emperor, he knows his foundation rests on the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths; if they are destroyed, how could a Human Emperor survive?

Li Che rose, his black robe embroidered with golden lotuses fluttered, and watching the Di Hong Human Emperor brandishing his sword with fierce battle intent, a strange hue flashed in his eyes.

He had come to view this Human Emperor in a new light.

Boom—

The sword light became a divine pillar piercing heaven and earth, its ultimate boiling divinity spreading and intertwining between heaven and earth.

It pierced straight into the vortex of death.

A terrifying collision erupted, rippling circles spreading, causing the sky of the primordial sea of Primordial Thunder Heaven to crack, as if about to be utterly destroyed.

Li Che's brows twitched slightly, a hint of respect in his gaze toward the Di Hong Human Emperor.

Yet respect aside, Li Che did not think that, if given the chance, the Di Hong Human Emperor would not slay him with a single stroke!

As the father of the Lotus Prison's daughter, his camp differs from the Di Hong Human Emperor's, standing on opposite sides, making peaceful coexistence impossible.

Li Che inhaled deeply; the celestial chessboard of heaven and earth unfolded.

Then, guided by his mind, death chains fell one after another, instantly embedding themselves into the celestial chessboard.

At the instant the Di Hong Human Emperor collided with the Nether Sovereign.

Li Che used the celestial chessboard to draw the chains. In the next moment, his five fingers clenched, gripping a chain tightly.

Boom—!!!

Full fire!

His spine roared like a dragon; celestial martial wonders erupted one after another, spawning blood‑qi vortices that surged like an ocean, burning fiercely.

Li Che's body swelled, and the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit was fully activated at this moment.

Boom—

The Great Dao River manifested, as if the Dao Fruit Master projected a silhouette upon the river, and together with Li Che seized the chains formed from condensed death aura.

Force!

Creak creak…

While the Di Hong Emperor clashed with the Nether Sovereign.

Li Che then began the formal Binding Deity!

How could Li Che easily let go of this once-in-a-millennium opportunity?

If someone helped him block the Nether Sovereign, why not use Binding Deity now? Should he wait for the Nether Sovereign to strike and then bind him when he comes forward?

Whoosh whoosh—

The chains tightened one by one.

The next moment, on the Heaven-Earth chessboard, black Binding Deity pieces were reflected.

They emitted a black death aura.

Below the death vortex.

The Immortal Imperial Toad's massive resurrected body, as huge as a mountain, opened its eyes, and the divine spirits of the Two Saints Ancient Village and the Cunning Demon Cave also opened theirs.

They were bewildered, stunned, and looked around in surprise.

Li Che immediately transmitted the prepared message into their minds via the power of Binding Deity.

Making them instantly understand the current situation!

The Immortal Imperial Toad's gaze was extremely complex; as the sole immortal in this rebirth, his emotions twisted countless times.

He actually could still be reborn…

"Lord…"

The Immortal Imperial Toad naturally chose to submit.

Having experienced death, having endured that chaotic soul not belonging to itself, as if after suffering inhuman torment in the Nether, the Immortal Imperial Toad chose to submit.

He only wants…

to survive.

"Reborn?"

The Di Hong Emperor's eyes flickered slightly; his hair was disheveled, the Human Emperor Great Sword in his hand trembled with immortality, his palms split open, and crimson blood beads rolled and fell.

The Nether Sovereign was too powerful; even with the Heaven-Earth barrier between the Nether and Yuan Lei Heaven, he still suffered setbacks.

The main reason is that the current Di Hong Emperor is no longer at his peak; among the imperial‑grade celestial immortals, he ranks among the lowest.

He is even inferior to the Taiyi Immortal, let alone the Heaven‑penetrating Divine Emperor who can suppress the Nether with a single sword, or the Wa Emperor who exerts supreme pressure to seal the Nether.

As the native deities of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths fell to ruin, his Human Emperor Dao entered a decline.

He was desperate, had no way out, which is why after witnessing the Binding Deity technique he yearned so.

Yet, everything was ultimately fleeting as clouds.

"Schemes… again schemes…"

"I, Di Hong, have lived my whole life within schemes!"

The Di Hong Emperor's eyes turned blood‑red, a hint of madness, and the great sword in his hand swung wildly.

Li Che exhaled.

The sword light erupted savagely, terrifying and violent, containing the Di Hong Emperor's overwhelmingly tyrannical Human Emperor sword intent, crushing mountains and rivers, slashing the starry sky!

The Immortal Imperial Toad's Binding Deity had just manifested when it was sliced apart.

The other divine spirits need not be mentioned; they were annihilated by the sword light, exploding into one black mist after another.

Li Che's five fingers pressed down like divine spears, striking the Heaven‑Earth chessboard.

Instantly, countless black vapors fell rapidly, turning into black Binding Deity pieces that clattered onto the Heaven‑Earth chessboard.

Yuan Lei Heaven's cosmic will roared, and countless thunders danced endlessly.

Li Che glanced at the Jiang Emperor, who was blood‑soaked and battling the Nether Sovereign.

He landed on tiptoe, the whole body swiftly retreated, the Temporal Golden Wheel spun behind him, tearing the Primordial Sea's barrier and returning to Sheer Cliff Mountain.

Leaving the Di Hong Emperor inside the Primordial Sea, creating a gap in his clash with the Nether Sovereign, Li Che chose to escape.

The moment he returned to Sheer Cliff Mountain, Li Che let out a long breath.

But after only a brief relaxation, his whole body vanished from the spot.

Because, in the distant battlefield of Sheer Cliff Mountain, spatial fluctuations caused a terrifying explosive roar in the void.

The dreadful Heaven‑Earth vein fire surged wildly, like a sea of fire that incinerated the world.

Li Che suddenly turned his head toward where Qi Tian clashed with the Third World Tathagata.

But he saw that atop Qi Tian Armor, the mechanical divine seals burned to the limit, their light dimming, unable to be sustained.

The seven ancient Heaven‑Earth talismans rotated, already pushing Qi Tian Armor to its limit.

Qi Tian, gripping the Ruyi Golden Hoop Staff with one hand, continuously emitted shattered armor fragments, tiny as sand, drifting and swirling.

It was clear that Qi Tian had reached his limit.

Li Che's expression hardened, utterly cold.

The void cracked.

A Past Tathagata in a white robe stepped forward slowly, his monk robe fluttering, radiating a luminous white Buddha light.

"Amitabha."

"Qi Tian, you have already reached your limit."

"Give up."

The Past Tathagata chanted the Buddha's name, speaking softly, eyes full of compassion.

However, Qi Tian gave a disdainful laugh.

"Who says this old monkey has reached the limit?"

"This is the limit of the armor, but not the limit of this old monkey."

Qi Tian twirled the staff, coldly smiling.

The Past Tathagata tilted their head, looking doubtfully at Qi Tian: "The mechanized armor on your body can no longer bear the power you draw from the Heaven-Earth ancient symbols… hasn't it reached its limit?"

"In battle, where is there a limit?"

"This old monkey, as long as I fight, I will always have a new limit!"

Qi Tian suddenly turned to look toward Li Che.

"Kid! Thanks for your armor, it let this old monkey hold on this long!"

"Next… let this old monkey have a good fight!"

Grasping the As-you-will Golden Hooped Staff with five fingers, Qi Tian's body instantly burst with endless scorching heat, countless Heaven-Earth pulse fires dancing wildly and sweeping in.

Crack—crack—

The speed at which Qi Tian's armor shattered could not be stopped.

Li Che's gaze was complex.

But Qi Tian suddenly raised his head, lifting the As-you-will Golden Hooped Staff high!

Boom—

A terrifying great explosion!

Expanding rings of air blast surged wildly—Qi Tian's armor exploded!

Countless fragments of divine wood shot out; Li Che spread his five fingers—with a "Pa—" sound, a shattered piece of Qi Tian's armor smashed into his palm.

The scorching heat made the divine wood fragments in his palm hiss, steaming.

Li Che reversed his hand to collect this fragment.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—

The hot current surged like a wild wind, as if blowing up an endless flow.

Li Che's black hair flew wildly.

He looked toward the center of the explosion.

There, the endless Heaven-Earth pulse fire gathered, under the intertwining of seven shining Heaven-Earth ancient symbols, condensing into a terrifyingly huge Heaven-Earth pulse fire ape!

As if standing tall between heaven and earth!

Within, Qi Tian's origin burned to the extreme, like a star that has reached its end, bursting in an instant—this is the eternity pursued for billions of years!

Upon the As-you-will Golden Hooped Staff, endless flames ignited.

Boom—

The peerless fire ape raised a staff and fiercely smashed it toward the white-clad monk Buddha, the Past Tathagata.

The Past Tathagata's calm, waveless face finally changed.

The fire ape's long roar shattered the heavenly thunderclouds!

"This old monkey's final staff…"

"It is for battle!"

"Fight!"

"Victory!"

The fire ape's long roar, full of indomitability, full of unwillingness to submit!

Li Che's eyes flickered in a daze, suddenly comprehending the true meaning of this staff.

As if returning to that scene when he first received Qi Tian's inheritance.

One staff shatters the southern heavens.

One staff overturns the immortal furnace.

One staff, tramples the celestial heights!

(End of chapter)