Chapter 16: Heavy as Stone

But now, if we were to be inexplicably defeated by a mere Human Race, that would be truly disgraceful.

"It's that new Human Race causing trouble; his writing is flawed. You two go intercept him, I'll handle it," Jiuselu shouted, and immediately two demon generals from Sui Huang's side responded.

"Fuxi the Great Emperor once said that his magical form has a restraining effect on the Human Race."

"Hold on, victory is ours!" Jiuselu said as he charged toward Fang Yun, brimming with confidence.

Zhou Yi saw this, waved his arm, and the white marsh beast roared forward at Jiuselu, but Fang Yun blocked it.

Fang Yun gave Zhou Yi a reassuring glance, held a brush in one hand behind his back, and calmly watched Jiuselu rush forward, showing no fear.

Jiuselu's gaze was icy; he thought that as long as he killed Fang Yun, the battle could be turned.

Just as Jiuselu was about to close in, Fang Yun spoke softly, his voice small yet thunderously shaking the battlefield: "A vast, righteous Qi fills my chest; between heaven and earth I may roam freely."

Before the words finished, the righteous Qi within Fang Yun was awakened by the verse, like a slumbering dragon stirring, and a surge of immense power erupted.

The air quivered violently, gale winds rose, as if countless dragons lunged at Jiuselu; wherever they passed, the space was torn open with black fissures.

The sky swirled with changing clouds, and Fang Yun's righteous Qi, like a divine sword, collided with Honghuang's Three Thousand Great Daos.

The Honghuang Great Dao governs the laws of all things, yet it lacks Fang Yun's unique Dao, which is why Jiuselu regarded him as extraordinary.

At this moment, Fang Yun chose to confront the Honghuang Great Dao with his own Dao, intending to leave his mark.

This clash of the True Intent Dao summoned a cataclysmic hurricane; its force was so great that Jiuselu could not endure it. Before he could get close, he was swept away by the gale, struggling amid the raging winds.

Seizing the chance, Zhou Yi let out a low roar; the white marsh beast leapt like golden lightning, slammed into Jiuselu, instantly bursting into golden flame that formed a fire tornado, sweeping toward the other two demon generals.

At the same time, Hongjun in the Purple Sky Palace opened his eyes, the Eye of the Heavenly Dao appearing, with Purple Sky Divine Thunder swirling within, expressing surprise: "The new Human Race has discovered a new Dao? Interesting, truly interesting, but that cannot alter the overall situation; even if we accept them, what then?"

Before the words ended, Fang Yun's Dao seamlessly merged with this world, the sense of incongruity fading like ice and snow meeting sunlight.

The horizon was bathed in golden light, and Mount Buzhou was surrounded by vast righteous Qi.

Demon Race soldiers, before this righteous Qi, seemed to lose their strength; their magical power could not circulate, each turning pale with fear, bodies trembling.

Even Jiuselu felt deep terror, silently thinking, "We must leave quickly!"

He glanced at his comrades still locked in fierce combat; the earlier impact had already put distance between them, making it the perfect moment to flee.

Clenching his teeth, he turned and tried to run.

However, Fang Yun kept his gaze fixed on him.

"Trap!" Fang Yun commanded, and countless golden chains surged from the heavens, winding around Jiuselu.

Jiuselu struggled desperately, to no avail; the golden light on the chains clung like a shadow, gradually seeping into his body, freezing his magical power, making him increasingly heavy.

Suddenly, a shout of "Run!" sliced through the air, and several demon Race commanders, already wavering in combat resolve, immediately abandoned their opponents and fled in all directions.

The demon Race foot soldiers below descended into chaos, discarding helmets and armor, reverting to their original forms, turning into streaks of light that vanished without a trace in an instant.

Seeing this, Zhou Yi shouted loudly and thrust out a fierce palm: "If you think I'm not strong enough, then come and test me!"

With that palm, the fleeing Feilian demon was firmly struck down; this time Zhou Yi showed mercy, taking only its life, not pulverizing it into meat paste.

Seeing Zhou Yi succeed, Fang Yun did not hold back; with a flick of his finger, a golden "Mie" character shot like a meteor straight at Jiuselu.

The golden character sank into Jiuselu's body, his eyes gradually dimming, the fire of his life swiftly extinguishing, and his spirit dissipating along with it.

Below, the Human Race roared with thunderous cheers, repeatedly chanting the name of the Human Ancestor.

They had survived, a spark of hope igniting in their hearts; the Human Race could become immensely powerful.

Zhou Yi calmed the agitated Sui Huang, nodded toward Fang Yun, and then led the remaining million-strong Human Race army toward the valley.

The journey was unobstructed; the earlier fierce battle at Mount Buzhou had already frightened the surrounding creatures into fleeing.

As night fell, the troupe arrived at the valley without incident.

Here, after Yao Yan's expansion, the space had become much wider. Charcoal fires were lit, flames dancing, bringing a hint of warmth to the cold night.

Exhausted people, upon entering the valley, were overtaken by drowsiness, sitting on the open ground, many leaning against the fire and falling into deep sleep.

Zhou Yi watched his kin, feeling both gratified and pained in his heart.

At that moment, Yao Yan and Fang Yun hurried over, standing on either side of Zhou Yi.

"I am Yao Yan."

"I am Fang Yun." After the brief introductions, the two nodded to each other.

In fact, when Fang Yun displayed his Dao's power, Yao Yan had already sensed it.

One capable of such a technique at this moment must be an ally summoned by the Human Race.

Upon meeting, the two understood each other without words.

"Thanks to my little friend Fang Yun's timely assistance, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"We are both of the Human Race; it was only natural," Fang Yun replied with a smile.

Seeing their politeness, Zhou Yi quickly interjected: "No need for formalities, hurry and roast this demon beast meat. I've never tasted Great Luo Golden Immortal-level demon beast meat before."

Since the Demon Race launched a slaughter against the Human Race, people have lived in constant fear.

In the secluded paradise created by the ancient ancestor Sui Ren, such a tranquil and far‑reaching respite had never been experienced.

At this moment, they lounged relaxed by the campfire, savoring the feast, their smiles dispelling the long‑standing gloom.

However, Sui Huang watched all this, his heart heavy as stone.

You Chao sensed his mood, gently patted his hand, and comforted, "Brother, everything is over; the future will be better, especially with Zhou Yi here."

Yao Yan and Fang Yun poured out their cultivation methods, Sui Huang shared survival wisdom, and Zhou Yi led by example, inspiring the clan.

All things manifested a thriving, prosperous state.

However, two months later, the Vast Wilderness World suddenly shook violently, the sky dyed a fiery red, and scorching light spread like a tide.

Within the Heavenly Court, Di Qu and Taiyi Shen wore solemn expressions, staring unblinkingly at the realm beyond Chaos.

One was born into a celestial immortal family, the other bore a dark‑glowing divine bloodline.

A world composed of flame was slowly approaching. Within that blazing fire lay a heart‑pounding high temperature.

"What cause brings about this scene? How can such a marvel exist in the world?" Taiyi Shen said solemnly, his gaze turning to Di Qu, full of doubt.

Not only them, the Saints who tower over all beings also showed on their faces a bewilderment that was hard to conceal.

For a long time, that world had been steadily approaching Honghuang, but just now it suddenly accelerated and struck Honghuang's world barrier.