Chapter 854: The Great Overlord!

"All Dou Di!"

Xiao Yan's heart trembled—he had originally thought Xiao Potian meant the legacy left in the Plane's Womb was the complete Doupochangqiong Dharma Body, but it was actually the accumulated Dou Qi legacy left by all ancient Dou Di!

Xiao Yan could not help but look at Xiao Potian; the ancient emperors had a grand goal indeed!

Xiao Potian's eyes blazed as he gazed at Xiao Yan and said: "Fifty thousand years ago, we already understood that in this war, whether the Domain Beyond's Demon God triumphed or the Great Thousand World prevailed, Dou Qi Continent would still lose."

"The first person to inscribe their true name upon the Cangqiong List not only breaks through the barrier of Tian Zhi Zun to reach the Overlord realm, but also gains control over the entire Great Thousand World's world force, seizing dominion over the whole cosmos—creation and destruction of stars lie within a single thought."

"The second and third to inscribe their true names become ordinary Overlords, but the first to inscribe their true name is The Great Overlord, wielding the fate of the world like a creator god."

"The Great Overlord"—Xiao Yan naturally understood the importance of order: first is always first. Just as in the Domain Beyond, the first deity born was Zu Long, who later transformed into all things, the First-Rank deity, while even the Sage Emperor was second—the gap between Sage Emperor and Zu Long was immense, not on the same level.

Thus, the First-Rank deity is also called the Supreme God.

The same applies in the Great Thousand World: only the first to inscribe a complete true name can control the entire Great Thousand World, wielding its power to create and destroy at will—in the Great Thousand World, the first to inscribe a complete true name is the supreme, unrivaled Overlord: The Great Overlord.

The second, third, and all subsequent ones, even if they inscribe their true names, are inferior in the Great Thousand World; though they still gain world force, it is vastly weaker—mere ordinary Overlords.

The Heavenly Demon God's power has surpassed the former Sage Emperor, yet the gap between him and the Supreme God remains immense; the only way to oppose the Supreme God is to become The Great Overlord of the Great Thousand World.

"Fifty thousand years ago, our Dou Qi Continent's Dou Di joined this war not merely to resist the Domain Beyond demons and protect Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Potian said, his eyes burning with fierce Doubi Will. "We knew that the Heavenly Demon God's invasion would awaken the World's Will—and gaining the World's Will would break the barrier we had long been unable to surpass. At the time, we did not believe our Dou Di were inferior, so we joined the Great Thousand World's array to fight the Domain Beyond demons."

Xiao Yan found this unsurprising; Dou Di breakthroughs rely on Source Qi—meaning ancient Dou Di had little connection to the Great Thousand World. Why would they sacrifice themselves unless they had another goal?

Just as Xiao Yan now possesses the Plane's Womb, the Plane's Womb possesses sentience.

For an outsider to obtain the Plane's Womb, the best opportunity is when a Lower Plane is invaded by Domain Beyond demons, then becoming its protector to claim the Plane's Womb.

Clearly, the ancient Dou Di intended precisely this. Many of the Ten Great Original Dharma Bodies likely harbored this very purpose.

"On Dou Qi Continent, strength determines status—this applies equally in the Great Thousand World!" Xiao Potian said gravely. "Whether one is a powerhouse from the Great Thousand World or the Heavenly Demon God, only by becoming the Great Overlord can one truly protect Dou Qi Continent from all threats."

"Obtaining the Plane's Womb of Dou Qi Continent grants you the right to compete for The Great Overlord!"

Xiao Yan understood this logic: only the strongest ensures Dou Qi Continent's safety. Even if the Great Thousand World ultimately defeated the Domain Beyond demons, how The Great Overlord of the Great Thousand World would view Dou Qi Continent remained uncertain.

If Xiao Potian spoke truthfully, The Great Overlord was far stronger than the Heavenly Demon God—capable of annihilating a Lower Plane with a single thought. A mere Overlord-level Soul Force would be insufficient. If The Great Overlord chose to destroy Dou Qi Continent, even if Xiao Yan himself reached the Overlord realm, he might not be able to stop it.

Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, calming himself, his gaze clear and composed as he said: "Ancestor, I came only to claim the Plane's Womb. Of course, if you have other legacies to bestow, I welcome them gladly."

"I don't even know if I can pass your Trial—and this responsibility is too great. I may not be able to bear it."

Xiao Yan's expression remained utterly still. Though his words were flattering, his eyes were calm, utterly unmoved by Xiao Potian's words—he was not dazzled by the notion of The Great Overlord.

Seeing Xiao Yan had not lost his reason, Xiao Potian's eyes flickered with approval.

"You're a shrewd little brat," Xiao Potian said, somewhat exasperated.

Xiao Yan's meaning was clear: he came only for the Plane's Womb. He didn't care what the ancient Dou Di had planned. The Plane's Womb belonged to Dou Qi Continent—he was now recognized by its Plane Spirit, so he had the right to claim it.

If Ancestor tried to obstruct him, he wouldn't be polite.

Though Xiao Potian offered to help him break through to Tian Zhi Zun, breakthroughs via special methods differed greatly from achieving Tian Zhi Zun through the complete Plane's Womb. Why would Xiao Yan abandon the Plane's Womb if he could obtain it?

The responsibility of The Great Overlord? He never promised to take it—but the Plane's Womb? He would take it. That was all.

Xiao Potian naturally understood Xiao Yan's intent: I take the Plane's Womb first; everything else can wait.

Receiving a legacy meant fulfilling the benefactor's wish—this old-fashioned notion was no longer in fashion. What Heavenly Venerable of Yan wanted, he took!

Xiao Potian looked at Xiao Yan and nodded with a smile. "Seeing such an outstanding descendant emerge on Dou Qi Continent, I've grown impatient. You are one of us—this Plane's Womb is rightfully yours. We, these long-dead ghosts, should not stand in your way."

"Let this Ancestor see whether my Xiao Clan's descendants have grown weaker—or surpassed their ancestors!"

CLANG! Xiao Potian drew a deep breath and pulled a blade from the boundless Space—immediately, the blade's song echoed through heaven and earth.

Xiao Potian's current power was not his peak state, but the level he held when he once battled ancient Dou Di and divine beasts for the Plane's Womb: Half-step Tian Zhi Zun.

"Back then, I defeated every Dou Di and divine beast on Dou Qi Continent to claim the Plane's Womb. If you cannot defeat even me, you have no right to possess it."

At that moment, Xiao Potian's eyes flashed with piercing Doubi Will—if Xiao Yan could not even defeat his former self, then possessing the Plane's Womb would be a waste. Instantly, he swung his long blade, still sheathed, cleaving straight down.

Though the blade remained sheathed, its downward slash severed Space itself; even a Tian Zhi Zun would need to tread with extreme caution against this strike.

"Then I shall be impolite." Facing the strongest warrior of ancient Dou Qi Continent, the First of the Ancients, Xiao Yan roared. The Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor surfaced; the Ancient Phoenix Wings appeared behind him, his body radiating Dragon Phoenix aura. He drew the Star Heavy Ruler and met the descending slash head-on.

"Flame-Splitting, Wave-Devouring Ruler!"

BOOM! Starfire erupted skyward; the Crystal Layers of surrounding Space shattered like ten thousand volcanoes erupting—the collision's power could shatter an entire realm.

Fortunately, their clash erupted within Dou Qi Continent's hidden Space; otherwise, the entire Xiao Realm might have been destroyed!

THUD THUD THUD—under this blow, Xiao Yan was thrown back, staggering over a dozen steps before finally steadying himself.

The Tian Zhi Zun-level physique left Xiao Yan stunned. Had he not known Xiao Potian had once rivaled the Immortal Emperor, he'd have suspected his Ancestor cheated.

How could a Half-step Tian Zhi Zun be this strong?!

At this moment, Xiao Potian stepped out from the exploding flames. Now he appeared as he had during the battle for the Plane's Womb—not the aged middle-aged man Xiao Yan had first met, but far younger: face like the moon, eyes like stars, strikingly handsome, radiating astonishing charisma.

Holding the great blade, Xiao Potian smiled, waved his hand, and extinguished the remaining Strange Flames. He stepped forward, and the stars reversed, the sun and moon dimmed. He stood casually in the heavens, yet blazed with unmatched brilliance.

Xiao Potian smiled faintly, holding the long blade loosely, exuding an aura of towering, unshakable might.

"Your Dragon Phoenix Bloodline, enhanced by the Dragon Phoenix Essence Fruit—unfortunately, not true Dragon Phoenix. Otherwise, your physique would be even stronger," Xiao Potian said, instantly recognizing the origin of Xiao Yan's Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor.

In ancient times, divine beasts roamed Dou Qi Continent. In the Wild Wasteland Era, Xiao Potian had slaughtered dragons and devoured phoenixes—his physique was peerless.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and immediately activated the Burning Scripture. In raw physical strength, he was no match for Xiao Potian.

Xiao Yan mentally roared: "Destruction Fire Body!"

WHIRRR! Twenty-Four Strange Flames surged from his Nalings, spreading through every cell of his body.

The tiny flame lotus within his pupils spun wildly—suddenly, a terrifying, near-annihilating aura erupted from him like a storm, so powerful it startled even Xiao Potian.

"WHOOSH!"

As the annihilating aura burst from Xiao Yan's body, his entire form ignited—multicolored flames filled every corner: skin, muscle, bone, cells—all saturated with Strange Flames.

At this moment, Xiao Yan's body resembled a nuclear reactor, each cell brimming with power—he became a walking Buddha Fury Lotus.

THUD! Behind him, the Ancient Phoenix Wings wrapped in Strange Flames slammed violently, releasing an explosion-like shockwave equivalent to the Buddha Fury Lotus detonating. In less than a hundredth of a millisecond, Xiao Yan's speed surpassed even Soul Perception—he appeared before Xiao Potian before anyone could perceive his movement.

Xiao Yan's gaze was calm yet piercing. Both hands gripped the Star Heavy Ruler. He twisted his body and swung the ruler with maximum force.

The heavy Star Heavy Ruler swung—forged from a star, its weight dragged space itself along. As it moved, it felt like an entire planet plummeting down.

Facing Xiao Yan's speed, comparable to the explosion of Buddha Fury Lotus, Xiao Potian laughed loudly: "Come on!"

Clang! As Xiao Potian finished speaking, his long blade slashed through empty space, descending in a brilliant flash that lit up the dark Space; with one strike, it could sever Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation. To see this blade was to feel as if one's soul would scatter in terror—its power alone could shock a Sky Supreme.

One slash stuns the Sky Supreme!

Boom! The long blade struck the Star Weight Ruler, cleaving it in two, splitting the swirling Space into two halves.

Zing! Though the blade had severed Space, Xiao Yan's Star Weight Ruler did not halt—its heavy weight crushed time itself! Xiao Yan, whose body had fused with a Sky Supreme-grade Strange Fire, now unleashed power no weaker than that of a Sky Supreme.

The Destruction Fire Body exploded. With one step into empty space, Xiao Yan met the descending brilliant blade—Boom! A deafening roar shattered Space, bursting like fireworks and illuminating the dark Void.

The two most supreme beings in the history of the Dou Qi Continent instantly clashed within Space; even the Chaos of the Plane's embryo could not withstand their Battlefield, and the Plane's embryo trembled as if about to collapse under the shockwaves.

Terrifying power permeated all of heaven and earth—so great that even the Plane Spirit, before such force, would feel its own insignificance; if the Plane Spirit had legs, it would flee far away.

These two's combat power could no longer be measured by Dou Emperor or Earth Supreme standards; even an ordinary Spirit-ranked Sky Supreme was no match for them.

Suddenly, a black cat appeared from Space, silently materializing behind Xiao Potian.

Meow~ Mao Wu held a tiny Fire Lotus in his arms and hurled it straight at Xiao Potian. Boom! The small Buddha Fury Lotus exploded; though this move could not harm Xiao Potian, it forced him to divert his attention.

Clang! Xiao Yan seized the opening, lifting Xiao Potian's long blade with his Star Weight Ruler—suddenly, Xiao Potian's center was wide open.

"Eight Extremes Fire Lotus Collapse!!"

Xiao Yan seized this one-in-ten-thousandth-second window, closing in on Xiao Potian and slamming a fist into his chest. Instantly, hidden force erupted—eight layers of hidden force detonated within his body.

Remember, Xiao Yan was now in the form of the Destruction Fire Body—each punch was like the explosion of Buddha Fury Lotus; the Strange Fire would invade the body along with the hidden force, then detonate inside!

Cough! Even Xiao Potian's formidable physique was crushed inward by Xiao Yan's punch, unable to withstand the Eight Extremes Collapse unleashed by the Destruction Fire Body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!! Eight explosions roared. Xiao Potian was blasted backward like a falling star, crashing heavily into a Void Crystal—and even shattered a massive crater into Space itself.

(End of Chapter)