Chapter 76: Gradual Disintegration

In an instant, the sky was dyed crimson by his blood‑colored radiance, and the twin demonic swords Yuan Tu and Abyssal, wielded by Yuan Tu and Abyssal, followed closely, exuding a chilling aura.

Zhenyuanzi and Kun Peng both sensed the presence of Ming He.

"Why has Ming He headed toward the Human Race?" Zhenyuanzi asked.

"It seems Ming He has taken an interest in Zhou Yi."

"Fine, let him trouble us; let the battles rage, and in the end see who can smile last."

Recalling the sermon at Hongjun's Purple Sky Palace, the three thousand listeners each harbored hidden motives and displayed their divine powers.

In terms of combat skill, the universally acknowledged standout is Ming He. His twin swords Yuan Tu and Abyssal are free of karmic ties, and he himself is almost immortal.

Kun Peng once sparred with him and knows his extraordinary strength; without his speed advantage, he would likely have been exhausted and defeated by Ming He.

Now that Ming He draws near the Human Race, his purpose is crystal clear. Kun Peng inwardly looks forward to this fierce showdown. "At the critical moment, I don't mind adding fuel to the fire."

As a blood‑red haze spread gradually across the sky above the Human Race's forbidden zone, everyone looked up.

A deep, resonant challenge rang through the heavens: "Zhou Yi, fight!"

"The Human Race is truly lively—one wave settles, another rises."

The sudden change in the sky seemed routine to the alien diners in Mei Shi Cheng; they merely lifted their heads slightly, staring at the shifting heavens, their enjoyment of the feast untouched.

Immediately after, the Human Race's great formation activated, extending protection to those aliens as well.

The previously composed onlookers now felt a hint of relief; this unexpected turn granted them a safer and uniquely privileged viewpoint for watching the battle.

Zhenyuanzi arrived beyond the Human Race's Huang Guo and murmured, "Will the Literary Sage Assembly appear?"

Zhou Yi was but a step away from breaching the Sacred Realm.

This lingering regret undoubtedly left a deep imprint on his soul.

Everyone speculated that Zhou Yi must now be in seclusion, cultivating to break through the final barrier.

Yet, to everyone's astonishment, Zhou Yi actually appeared!

In the sky, the Study Path and Book Mountain gradually materialized, and Zhou Yi rose slowly from them like an immortal descending.

In an instant, an invisible great hand split the sky; one half instantly blazed with golden light, starkly contrasting the other half's blood‑red hue.

"It's happening, it's happening, the Literary Sage finally makes a move!"

"I asked the elders of my clan; they said the aura released then was indeed a holy might, but not true sainthood."

"What are you talking about?"

"The holy seat in heaven has long been filled; no new ones will appear. For Zhou Yi to reach such a realm is already world‑shaking."

The spectators below debated. Since becoming a Literary Sage candidate, Zhou Yi had rarely shown himself, let alone acted, sparking curiosity about his true strength.

When the Book Mountain Study Path suddenly manifested.

Ming He's eyes felt a sting, and his pupils involuntarily contracted.

"This thing is forged from merit combined with some mysterious power!"

He was silently amazed. Even if other elements were mixed in, it did not diminish his curiosity and vigilance toward the scene before him.

"Ming He, the Human Race has no grievance with you; why provoke us now?"

Zhou Yi's voice thundered across the heavens.

Ming He inhaled deeply, gripped his Yuan Ge Abyssal Twin Swords tightly, and a hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes, with no trace of contempt left.

"Setting aside other matters, haven't you already become a Literary Sage?" he said. "As a senior, I'll test your cultivation; that shouldn't be excessive, right?"

Before the words fell, Ming He lunged forward with his twin swords at blinding speed, leaving a trail of after‑images in the air.

In an instant he stood beside Zhou Yi, raised his long sword and struck down fiercely; the Blood Law condensed on the blade, accompanied by a howl that seemed like ten thousand ghosts boiling, a mournful wail echoing to the clouds.

The spectators' hearts felt as if an invisible great hand had seized them; merely witnessing that strike was enough to send chills down their spines.

Yet Zhou Yi simply lifted his hand lightly, and a floating "Yu" character drifted gracefully in the air.

Ming He's Yuan Ge Abyssal Twin Swords slammed onto that character, yet could not advance a fraction, remaining unchanged.

"How is this possible? What is this?" Ming He's eyes widened, his inner waves roiling.

Such a tiny existence could oppose his twin swords; although he had not yet exerted his full strength, the sword's power was far from trivial.

"Since a senior comes to test, I must give my all." With a low roar, Zhou Yi shouted, "Sun!" and instantly transformed into a blazing sun, radiating light in all directions.

The Ming He who had been fighting was forced to retreat quickly, a pained expression crossing his face.

As Ming He fled, a pair of golden hands slowly extended, as if coated with a layer of gold foil.

Though his eyes were closed, Ming He's divine sense remained keen, perceiving the surrounding changes. Startled, he did not hesitate to swing his twin swords in a sweeping strike.

Two fierce sword auras shot straight at those golden hands, yet astonishingly the attacks seemed bound by an invisible force, and as the hands gently clasped, the sword auras vanished without a trace.

They shattered into countless fragments, drifting away with the wind.

Then those massive hands reached straight toward him.

"Truly impressive!"

Ming He laughed loudly at the sight.

Red light on his body burned like flames, growing ever more intense.

A faint sound of distant waves echoed.

Looking up, he saw a relentless blood‑colored river hidden among the clouds.

With the river's emergence, Ming He's power surged again.

In the swing of his sword, a blade of sword aura capable of tearing heaven and earth slashed toward Zhou Yi.

The golden arms fractured layer by layer before the razor‑sharp aura.

Golden light, like shattered glass, faded slowly.

Yet the figure within was nowhere to be seen.

Ming He was startled, and before he could recover,

Zhou Yi had quietly moved behind him.

Heaven and Hou Tu, hear my command!

Zhou Yi's voice echoed between heaven and earth.

In an instant, the surroundings became a world of lightning.

He darted swiftly through the mist.

The Sea of Blood hidden in the mist began to disperse under the thunder's bombardment.

"Looks like I have to give it my all!"

The blood river in the clouds instantly expanded into a sea of blood.

The sound of the surging waves was clearly audible.

The clouds' color grew even darker, as if soaked in fresh blood.

Minghe's hands moved quickly.

Two terrifying slashes burst from his hands, shooting outward in all directions.

Even the thunder began to gradually disintegrate before this power.

"Kid, come again!" Minghe growled lowly.

The blood law on his body operated to the extreme, faintly connecting with the slaughter law.

The two complemented each other, and Minghe thus displayed his full strength.

Immediately, heaven and earth shook violently.

Space was as fragile as paper, breaking apart one after another.

The four great elements of earth, fire, wind, and water continuously flickered.

It seemed as if they were about to reenact the scene of heaven and earth being split apart.

The protective shield above the Human Race began to tremble, even revealing shocking cracks.