Chapter 42: Extinction

Hundreds of years ago, the Supreme God appeared and roamed the world unchecked. In the War of Extinguishing Gods, the Supreme God personally fought the deities and achieved a glorious victory never seen in millennia of human history. He slew the Death God Mikal, cut down the Light God's eldest son Boromir, and severely wounded the Dark God Makas. That battle could shine through the ages. Though the Supreme God perished in that fight, his reputation dimmed the heroes of human history for thousands of years.

However, now, centuries later, the Supreme God's power has returned to the mortal world, bringing endless death and slaughter, and a massive terror spreading in people's hearts.

Over a thousand people from Luofugude Villa and disciples of the Spirit God Temple scattered in flight; wherever the Supreme God's magical light reached, not a blade of grass grew, and no matter how strong a master, none could withstand that thunderous strike. Blood was everywhere, corpses everywhere. This summit of Cold Mountain instantly became a massive battlefield the moment the Supreme God appeared.

Qin Yan hid aside, watching hundreds of people struck by the Supreme God's light, unable even to scream, instantly turning into a mass of blood and flesh. Fear and panic surged within her. Not far away, a blood‑thirsty Asura rode the wind, hovering mid‑air, his hands emitting rainbow‑like light. Luoshan, Viscount Luofugude, Mingguang, Sakusen, Xilixia, Slak, Xiefeierde, Ruige, and dozens of senior disciples of the Spirit God Temple gathered around the Supreme God, multicolored magical light flaring up, occasionally interspersed with sword glints. Yet the Supreme God's power was overwhelming; disciples with slightly weaker cultivation, even if their spells hit, were instantly erased by his protective barrier, causing no harm. Masters of Human Emperor or Human Emperor rank such as Luoshan and Mingguang could inflict some damage on the barrier. However, the Supreme God's magic was so supreme that a single strike forced experts like Luoshan and Viscount Luofugude to change form, exhausting all effort just to dodge. Once struck by his spell, there was no escaping the fate of being reduced to bone‑less ruin.

"My power has only recovered to fifty percent, yet you scoundrels dare to be so rampant," the Supreme God gazed at the multitude of enemies before him, a faint cold smile on his lips. "You youngsters who haven't even reached Human Emperor level, today is your day of death!"

Nevertheless, despite those words, even the mighty Supreme God could not instantly annihilate Viscount Luofugude and the other masters. His power had indeed only recovered to fifty percent; if the Dark God Makas were to be reborn, with the Supreme God's current strength he might still not prevail. Yet on the continent now, the Light God was nowhere to be seen, the Dark God Makas, Death God Mikal, and even the newly appointed Death God Mu Ze had all met untimely deaths. Among the survivors, Viscount Luofugude's strength had waned; after countless battles his stamina and mana were severely depleted. Luoshan and Mingguang were only at Human Emperor level, still far below the Supreme God's Human‑God level. Among the seven branch masters of the Spirit God Temple, Bafaliya, Aolun, Gete, Meikelun, and Heisen had already fallen in battle; Xilixia was gravely wounded, barely able to join the fighting force and contributing little. Sakusen and Slak's cultivation was far inferior to Luoshan and Mingguang; facing the Supreme God's supreme power, even self‑preservation was difficult, let alone harming the enemy. However, dozens of master‑level disciples of the Spirit God Temple had formed the secret Spirit God Grand Array, their mana interlinked, providing a respectable fighting force. Yet such a human‑made formation was extremely fragile; the Supreme God could crush it by striking a single point at any time. At present, he clearly had a more important opponent to deal with and could not spare attention.

"Luoshan, kid," Viscount Luofugude said, now having set aside any hostility toward Luoshan and Mingguang, and devoting himself wholly to confronting the formidable Supreme God. "If you can survive this battle, promise me to take good care of Qin Yan." "Qin Yan is everything to me; I need no reminder, I understand," Luoshan whispered. Though Viscount Luofugude had once plotted against him, facing the same enemy now, those grudges no longer mattered.

"Then, shouldn't you call me 'Father‑in‑law'?" Viscount Luofugude suddenly smiled, sidestepping a beam of the Supreme God's light. At the same time he swung his long sword, launching a rapid assault faster than the eye could catch. "What kind of joke are you making?" Luoshan thought. "Everyone's life hangs by a thread now; there's no time for such jokes."

"I'm serious," Viscount Luofugude sighed, his voice suddenly dropping. "In my whole life, Qin Yan is the only daughter I have. Since she's determined to go all the way with you, I have no choice. Whatever she wants, she'll have. But if you betray her, even if I become a vengeful spirit, I will surely return to settle the score with you."

"Hmph, speaking of settling scores, you harmed me that day and I haven't forgotten a bit. When today's matter is resolved, I will personally come to Luofugude Villa to seek revenge."

"Seek revenge?" Viscount Luofugude chuckled. "If old Luofugude can still keep his life then, I shall accompany you to the end."

"Luoshan, Viscount," Mingguang gestured with his staff, his voice echoing. "The Supreme God's strength hasn't fully recovered; I have identified his weak point, seemingly his chest. When I first captured Xiao Tian, I transmitted the Supreme God's power through his chest, so to defeat him we must strike at that opening." "The chest?" Luoshan asked, looking at the demon‑like Supreme God roaring nearby. "The Supreme God's divine might can cause thousands of troops to flee with a single strike; attacking his chest is far from easy." "That, I understand," Mingguang sighed. "Though his divine aura is terrifying, he is not especially proficient in swordsmanship. Luoshan, your sword technique was created by the Sword God and is unmatched across the continent. Viscount Luofugude's sword magic is also rare in these times. I propose the two of you cooperate, get within a few steps of the Supreme God, and with your thunderous swordsmanship catch him off guard. I know this is risky; no one knows the full extent of the Supreme God's abilities. Yet this is our last chance now."

"Mingguang makes sense," Viscount Luofugude nodded slightly. The Supreme God's attacks continued to ripple outward; several Spirit God Temple disciples were swept by the aftershock of his spell, immediately falling into the cliffs of Cold Mountain, likely shattered to pieces. "Now, looking across the continent, there are few masters above Human Emperor level left; the talent of the seven Spirit God temples has withered. At this moment, only a handful of us can stand against the Supreme God's power. Though his strength is only at fifty percent now, it will inevitably grow with time; the longer we delay, the more perilous the situation becomes. Luoshan, the fate of the entire continent rests on us; at this point we can only gamble our lives."

"The Supreme God's attacks are so powerful, none of us can confront him head‑on, so how can we even get close to him?" Luoshan frowned. "Brother Luoshan need not worry; Mingguang has already considered this," Mingguang said, a sorrowful expression appearing on his face. "We lack sword skill; we can only counter the Supreme God with spells, which is like using a short weapon against a long one—once time passes, survival is impossible. The current plan is for a few of us to launch a direct assault, drawing the Supreme God's attention and power, then you two cooperate to strike in. After much thought, this is the only way."

"Viscount, in my view, this is the only viable plan," Slak, riding the wind mid‑air, said, his long sword reduced to half its length and his face covered in blood, the result of the Supreme God's spell in the earlier battle. "Viscount, if we don't act quickly, it will be too late."

Suddenly a mournful cry rang out; Luoshan turned his head and saw Ruige's massive frame struck directly by the Supreme God's dark beam, his protective barrier shattered into countless fragments, the beam passing through his body. Ruige's body jolted, and he spat a spray of blood. Though he was hulking and strong, after the blow he staggered, half‑raised his sword, but could no longer hold his footing; his leg gave way and he plummeted from mid‑air. Luoshan's attempt to rescue was already too late. Ruige fell into the endless abyss of Cold Mountain's deep valley, never to be seen again.

"Viscount!" Slak urged. "If you don't decide now, it will be too late."

"Viscount Luofugude," Luoshan was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his long sword. "The survival of the entire continent rests on us today. Though Lord Mingguang's plan is risky, it now appears to be the only viable solution. Between us there are many grievances, but now they must be set aside temporarily. If we both survive this battle, I will forgo any retribution for your past schemes against me."

"Hah. What kind of figure is old Luofugude, demanding that a junior like you pursue revenge for what I did to you?" Viscount Luofugude laughed heartily. "Since that's the case, today we shall temporarily join forces; other matters can wait until after we eliminate the Supreme God."

"Exactly so," Luoshan declared proudly. "Mingguang, according to your plan, we will act together now to destroy the Supreme God and safeguard the entire continent!" "Exactly so," Mingguang felt a surge of joy. "Sakusen, let's move out!"

"Even if we must stake our lives, we will eradicate this monster in one blow!"

"Xiefeierde," Slak called to his comrade. "We will also advance, clearing a path for the Viscount." "Do I need to say that?" Xiefeierde tightened his grip on his long sword, smiling faintly. "Slak, if I fall in battle, please look after my family."

"That's natural; if the roles were reversed, I would do the same," Slak said, glancing at him, a sudden resolve of certain death rising in his heart.

At this moment, atop Cold Mountain, the wind and clouds changed color.