Chapter 616

Under the Witch‑Slaying Sword, myriad ages turn to void.

Under the Slay‑Witch Sword, myriad ages become empty.

The epoch's epic is severed, the age's glory deviates, and the path ahead becomes unpredictable.

"The epoch's epic was severed, the era's brilliance also deviated, stepping onto an unpredictable path."

If faced with an external foe, humanity knows no fear; anyone who comes dares to fight, even Pangu would dare to strike.

"If it is an external enemy, the Human Dao knows no fear; whoever comes dares to fight, even Pangu dares to strike."

What then?

What then?

It is a force that sprouts from within humanity itself—desire, greed, the condensation of every flaw—capable of breaching even the strongest fortress from within.

"That is a power sprouting from within the Human Dao itself: desire, greed, the condensation of all flaws, letting even the strongest fortress be breached from within!"

This is nearly an inescapable fate.

"This is nearly an inescapable fate."

For, while it is a flaw, how could it not also have been the driving force of past progress?

"Because, while it is a flaw, how could it not also have been the driving force of past progress?"

When one draws upon this 'dividend,' awareness must arise, and someday one must undertake resolution and repayment.

"When one draws upon this 'dividend,' one should have the awareness to, one day, resolve and repay it."

This is the causality of the age, the cycle of fate!

"This is the karmic bond of the age, the cycle of fate!"

Each time causality is unraveled and sublimated from the cycle, humanity undergoes an inner‑to‑outer baptism, marching toward a stronger tomorrow.

"Each time a karmic bond is untied, sublimating from the cycle, the Human Dao shall undergo an inner‑outer purification, marching toward a brighter tomorrow!"

Afterward, it repeats cyclically.

"Afterward, it cycles anew."

A new era arrives, bringing new problems and new challenges.

"A new era, new problems, new challenges have arrived!"

One after another, Great Luo beings transform in this process, attaining supreme achievement.

"One after another, Great Luo beings transform in this process, attaining supreme achievement."

This is the path forward for the primordial wilderness!

"This is the path of Honghuang's advance!"

Once, August Emperor opened the heavens, a Great Luo who proved the Way in the primordial age.

"Once, August Emperor was the one who opened the heavens, a Honghuang Dao‑proved Great Luo."

Today, Fengxi faces the trial of the road, becoming an obstacle on the way to the summit.

"Today, Fengxi faces the trial of the road, becoming an obstacle on the path to the supreme peak."

In response, his answer is only one——

"In response, his answer is only one——"

Clang!

"Clang!" (sound of sword). We'll translate as "Clang!"

The legacy sword of Emperor Donghua stirs, its whole body glowing, transforming into an eternal divine radiance that pierces the ages, fighting in his stead!

"The sword inheritance of Emperor Donghua stirred, its whole body glowing, transforming into an eternal divine radiance that pierces through the ages, fighting in his stead!"

Boom!

"Boom!"

Two ultimate swords, crossing time to duel again, each bearing its path to the utmost ascent, break into the void, entwine, and engage in ultimate confrontation.

"Two ultimate swords, crossing time to clash again, each bearing its own path that surges to the extreme, piercing into the unseen, entwining, to engage in ultimate confrontation!"

Is it order guarding the baseline and restraining the original heart, or desire trampling law and guiding chaos?

"Is it order guarding the baseline, binding the original heart? Or desire trampling law, guiding chaos?"

This is destined to be an eternal debate, transcending all the ancients!

"This is destined to be an eternal debate, transcending all the 'ancients'!"

Splash!

"Rumble!" Actually the sound "hualala" is a splashing sound like water. It could be translated as "Rush!" We'll translate it as "Rush!"

The river of time surges; at this moment it becomes utterly murky, making reality hard to discern.

"The river of time surges; at this moment it becomes utterly murky, making reality hard to discern."

After a long while, the Donghua sword flies back, settles into its sheath, and its edge is subdued.

"After a long while, the Donghua sword flew back, settling into its sheath, its edge subdued."

It seems to be an inconclusive result.

"It seems to be an inconclusive result."

Sigh... humanity...

"Sigh... Human Dao..."

'Houtu' whispers softly, turns her back, and her solemn infinite dharma converges step by step with her footsteps.

"'Houtu' murmured softly, turning her back, her solemn, boundless dharma form contracting step by step with her steps."

When she returns to the underworld, once again bearing the weight of heaven and earth and of all beings, everything seems to return to its original state, as if nothing had ever happened.

"When she walked back into the Nether Soil, once again bearing the weight of heaven and earth and of myriad beings, everything seemed to return to its original state, as if nothing had ever happened."

But everyone knows……

"But, everyone knows……"

It's different now!

"It's different now!"

Everything is different now!

"Everything is different now!"

Starting from Houtu mortgaging authority, until Houtu is no longer a witch and becomes the Sovereign Earth Deity of Houtu… the cruelest curtain is fully drawn!

"From Houtu pledging authority, until Houtu is no longer Wu, becoming Houtu the Sovereign of Earth… the most cruel curtain is fully drawn!"

Houtu's second reshaping of reincarnation ends.

"Houtu's second reshaping of reincarnation has ended."

Yet it marks the beginning of an all‑out war.

"But it is the start of an all‑out war."

……

"……"

Kill!

"Kill!"

Fight!

"Fight!"

Slay through heaven and earth!

"Slay through heaven and earth!"

Go fight to create mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

"Go fight until mountains of corpses and seas of blood!"

In the heavenly court, Donghuang personally takes command this time!

"In the Heavenly Court, Donghuang this time personally took command!"

The constellations turn, and the ten great demon commanders obey orders.

"The constellations turn, the ten great Yao Marshals obey orders."

Instantly, countless starlight pours down between heaven and earth; each beam is a conduit for troops, conveying the immeasurable heavenly river navy down, fully deployed into the realms of humanity and witches.

"Instantly, countless starlight pours down between heaven and earth; each beam is a conduit for troops, conveying the celestial river's water army—numbering in the trillions of trillions—downward, fully pouring into the realms of humanity and the Wu Clan."

Moreover, before the troops arrive, bombardment has already come first!

"Moreover, before the troops descend, bombardment has already arrived first!"

Each ancient star is forged into a dreadful stellar divine thunder, superimposed with the Zhou Tian star divine script, hurled from the firmament; each thunderbolt can annihilate mountains and rivers spanning hundreds to thousands of billions of li!

"One ancient star after another is forged into terrifying stellar divine lightning, overlaid with the Zhou Tian Star Dou divine script, hurled from the firmament; each bolt can obliterate mountains and rivers spanning hundreds to thousands of billions of li!"

After blasting the vast mountains and rivers to smithereens, endless war troops sweep in, seeking to conquer the land!

"After blasting the vast mountains and rivers upside down, then endless war‑soldiers sweep in, seeking to conquer the land!"

For this, the heavenly court expends terrifying material and financial resources… this force, inheriting the orthodoxy of the most ancient heavenly court, has countless vassal clans, accumulations over hundreds of millions of years, thus possessing millions of treasuries.

"For this, the Heavenly Court expends terrifying material and financial resources… this force, inheriting the orthodoxy of the most ancient Heavenly Court, has countless vassal clans, accumulations of untold eons, thus possessing millions of treasuries."

Now, in a short time, these treasuries have been depleted by nearly ten percent; that instant eruption is dazzlingly brilliant enough to make one's blood freeze, as if to redraw the map of the entire primordial world's mountains and rivers!

"Now, in a short span, these treasuries have been depleted by nearly ten percent; that instant eruption, dazzling and brilliant enough to freeze one's blood, is practically a remapping of the entire Honghuang land's mountains and rivers!"

The madness of the heavenly court is evident from this!

"The madness of the Heavenly Court is evident from this alone!"

Overwhelming strikes, overwhelming troop deployment… the demon tribe's resolve is beyond doubt; this is essentially an all‑in gamble.

"Overwhelming strikes, overwhelming troop deployment… the Demon Race's resolve is beyond doubt; this is practically an all‑in gamble."

Fortunately, as a counterpart to the heavenly court, the witch tribe has never been simple.

"Fortunately, as a counter to the Heavenly Court, the Wu Clan has never been simple."

Countless ancient gods and sages have changed their guise to join this organization… in even older eras, they were each myth and epic, having operated in the primordial world for untold years, cultivating immense power and gaining the support of countless clans.

"Who knows how many ancient gods and great sages, changing their appearance, have joined this organization… in even older epochs they were each a myth, an epic, operating in Honghuang heaven and earth for untold years, cultivating a vast power, gaining the support of countless clans."

From the day the witch tribe was founded, those who could contribute money did, those who could contribute strength did, likewise accumulating terrifying military might… although lacking the heavenly mandate that legitimizes the heavenly court, they are nonetheless not weak.

"From the day the Wu Clan was founded, those who could contribute money did so, those who could contribute strength did likewise, likewise accumulating terrifying armed might… although lacking the Heavenly Court's orthodoxy bolstered by the Heavenly Dao, they are nonetheless not weak."

In preparation for a future all‑out confrontation, the witch tribe has long plotted, possessing its own complete defensive system!

"In preparation for a future all‑out confrontation, the Wu Clan has long plotted, possessing its own complete defensive line system!"

When the stellar divine thunder ravages the mountains and rivers, unknown how many sacred lands are destroyed; moreover, the heavenly river navy crosses the starry heavens, seizing territory under the cover of bombardment.

"When the stellar divine lightning ravages the mountains and rivers, unknown how many sacred lands are toppled; moreover, the celestial river's water army crosses the starry heavens, seizing territory under the cover of bombardment."

The witch tribe boldly activates its trump card beyond the clan‑suppressing great formation——

"The Wu Clan boldly activated their trump card beyond the Clan‑Suppressing Grand Formation——"

Eternal Great Wall!

"Eternal Great Wall!"

This is the great project once proposed by the ancestral witch Gonggong at the council; it is the witch tribe's strongest defense.

"This is the great project once proposed by the ancestral Wu Gonggong, the Wu Clan's strongest defense."

To build this project, the wealth that the Wu Clan invests each year, materialized as merit, can be described as vast as mountains and seas.

Even so, this is merely the labor cost, nothing more than the wages paid to countless formation dao masters, talisman dao masters, and artifact dao masters for their work.

The real bulk—materials—hasn't even been counted yet!

Fortunately, materials and such don't cost money……

It simply requires one ancient god great sage after another to haul heaven and earth through boundless time and space; a vast universe is condensed conceptually into gravel, and an immense Myriad Heavens world is used as bricks and stones……

Sometimes, when hauling becomes too troublesome, Nüwa personally steps forward, wielding the Qiankun Cauldron to unleash great magical power, creating something from nothing, opening heaven and earth, forming countless world settlements, adding bricks and tiles to the Eternal Long Wall!

Thus.

After countless millions of years, a marvel was finally forged!

While the ravages of the Star Divine Thunder have not yet subsided.

While the tendrils of the Heavenly River Water Army have not yet fully unfolded.

In the depths of the vast, desolate land, a towering, endless city wall rose up!

As soon as it appeared, it changed heaven and earth!

On every city gate tower, the appearance of the weighty, vast Great Dao domain can protect a piece of pure land.

Time turns, fate is rewritten.

The land once ravaged by the Star Divine Thunder had its misfortune transferred, shifted onto the city wall, which bore it in its place.

The wall became damaged, yet the mountains and rivers thereby recovered, allowing all spirits to survive.

And this, however, is not the end.

"The Heavenly Court!"

Within the ancestral land of Buzhou, an ancestral Wu roared, berating the Heavenly Court: "If you want war, then war it is!"

"Expressway, deploy!"

Accompanied by the rumbling of war drums being beaten, deep in the earth, another series of dragon‑shaped things emerged.

Their length is boundless, their width awe‑inspiring to the world.

They penetrate countless mountain‑river meridians, or link myriad river water meridians, crisscrossing and merging into a unified whole.

They share a single name——

Dragon Veins!

And within the Wu Clan, there is yet another plan—the Expressway Plan serving as its carrier!

No need to look.

This too is the achievement of Gonggong Ancestral Wu, a political feat of the Dragon Ancestor.

Needless to say, the Dragon Ancestor is no penny‑pincher.

Being able to wrestle Nüwa wrist‑to‑wrist is certainly no empty reputation.

After all, Nüwa is that strong…… she can command creation and samsara, win hearts, unite thoughts, raise the banner of rebellion against the Heavenly Court, and is the auspicious mascot representing both the Wu Clan and humanity.

Furthermore, she is skilled at governance; during her tenure, the Wu Clan's camp grew strong, everything proceeded smoothly, finances were ample, making her a pivotal figure.

The Dragon Ancestor lacks two brushes, yet dares to leap so boldly, openly preparing to contend for Pangu…… likely he would have been tossed aside by Nüwa long ago!

In fact.

Although the Dragon Ancestor has often been beaten black and blue, he remains active on the board throughout, always able to play as a player…… this fully proves his ability.

He is an all‑round powerhouse, a top‑tier strategic figure, his crisis‑prevention awareness maxed out; he can go toe‑to‑toe with anyone without resorting to sneaky tactics, yet still cannot win quickly!

At this very moment, this is the Dragon Ancestor's most splendid performance of his era!

One hand wields the Eternal Long Wall, holding back countless billions of Star Divine Thunder, shielding the rear lines without exposing them to the front‑line battlefield.

On the other side, myriad Dragon Veins transformed into Expressways, linked together to maximize troop mobilization and support, achieving the greatest results with the fewest forces!

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Within the all‑reaching system, countless Wu Clan soldiers crisscrossed, each marching to their assigned battlefield to face the Heavenly River Water Army that came like an aerial raid.

Moreover, the origins of mountains and rivers, the power of river waters, are likewise mobilized at will…… this is precisely part of the Expressway, capable of being turned over within certain limits!

In an instant, an ordinary little hill, merely because of its strategic position—being the weakest, most easily broken point of a certain front, and also because the Wu Clan troops lacked sufficient manpower to resist the swarming demon soldiers—had its main base reshaped: essence was drawn from the myriad spirit‑mountain pure lands behind, turning the plain little hill instantly into a towering divine mountain that could nearly connect heaven and earth, where one man could hold the gate against ten thousand.

The next moment, because other fronts were strained, a sacred mountain peak lay idle; thus its earth‑qi essence was directly drawn away, leaving the hill's accumulated creation nearly void, its spiritual charm lost, turning it mundane.

Even if it be the Kunlun Mountains or the Sumeru Holy Land!

Such a supreme creation ground…… they say, 'Take your veins, and they take your veins!'

In response, the resident deities there uttered not a word.

Like the Three Pure Ones and Jieyin, they remained tightly sealed, quiet, without protest.

After all, these "teaching workers" of theirs really need not provoke the Wu Clan, such a massive entity, an armed organization that lives by the sword…… otherwise they'd risk igniting themselves, which would be awful.

As long as they can be restored to their original state after the war…… they wouldn't mind.

Under the circumstances of many mountain‑god deities, whether willing or indulgent, the Expressway System was fully activated, erupting with divine might, carrying out the Dragon Ancestor's conception to the fullest.

It is thus domineering, gathering all power into one, ruling under a unified framework, concentrating strength to accomplish great deeds, turning over resources at will!

This is the Dragon Ancestor's Dao, fully manifested in this all‑out war!

As long as the gap is not large.

Striking the strong from weakness is certainly no difficulty.

Simply because this system's fault tolerance is too high.

Capable of extreme tug‑of‑war, maneuvering the enemy…… its repulsiveness is top‑notch.

The Eternal Long Wall appears.

The Expressway emerges.

In an instant, the Wu Clan's forces were deployed onto the battlefield, going all out, and clashed fiercely with the Heavenly River Water Army that had descended from the sky.

The Sea of Blood suddenly appeared, dyeing countless mountains and rivers red.

Under the cover of countless divine thunder bombardments, demon soldiers launched a fierce assault on a strategic stronghold.

Likewise, Wu soldiers, supported by countless rear reinforcements, fought to the death in defense.

The entire battlefield stretched across endless mountains, rivers, and lands; everywhere was war fire, everywhere was weapons clashing.

On the side of the Heavenly Court, the Eastern Emperor, commanding the ten great Yao Marshals, launched a full-scale offensive; the countless troops of the Heavenly River navy were turned into pawns under his command, constantly attacking, seeking to break open a gap.

Feints, heavy assaults, and preliminary feints—tactics the enemy dismissed as weak attacks—were tried again and again, probing for the opponent's weak point, striking at the turtle's shell.

As his opponent, it was Di Jiang.

Indeed, it was him!

He is this spatial ancestor witch, not the proposer of the construction of the Eternal Wall and the Chariot Road system—Gong Gong!

In fact, it should have been Gong Gong's—after all, who could understand the defense system better than him, be stronger, and more qualified to command?

After Houtu, the supreme leader, was screwed over by reincarnation to near death, he ought to be the foremost figure in the Wu Clan, and even taking command of the military wouldn't be out of the question!

But...

Who let him lose in a debate?

When the Eternal Wall activated and the Chariot Road system operated, Long Zu was about to proudly ascend—during wartime, exceptions can be made; whoever can fight is the true way.

Of course, only an ancestor witch can legitimately command the Wu Clan; even the Human Emperor cannot.

And among the ancestor witches of the Wu Clan present, who else is more qualified than he?

Long Zu felt proud for a little while.

It's not that he looks down on the ancestor witches present.

Indeed, everyone present is……

"Cang, the waters of the opposing lane are too deep; I worry you can't hold them, so… let me take over!"

Di Jiang Zu Wu leapt out fiercely, engaged Gong Gong in a virtual father‑son showdown, won by a slight margin, leaving Gong Gong's dragon in a bad state.

Is there any heavenly justice left in this?

Is there any royal law left?

Long Zu fell into great confusion about his dragon existence, and meanwhile eyed Di Jiang with suspicion.

"How is that possible?"

"Stay calm! Stay calm! Basic ops! Don't show off!"

Di Jiang Zu Wu quickly took charge, declaring himself supreme temporary commander in the crisis, appointing Gong Gong as his deputy to oversee defense.

"As everyone knows, I once handled logistics… so, in reasonably allocating troops and supplies, I have an edge over you—quite reasonable, right?"

"Moreover, everyone knows I joined the ancient Heavenly Court long before you did; I know every ethnic group in the Heavenly River inside out."

"Therefore, I prescribe the right cure, using attribute‑countering tactics to achieve maximum results with minimal cost—also quite reasonable, right?"

"Gong Gong, just be a deputy!"

"As for everything else, I'll handle it all!"

Di Jiang Zu Wu declared solemnly, "With me here, the Heavenly Court dare not cross the thunder pond a single step, let alone invade the rear homeland of my Wu Clan!"

Saying that, he took command of the entire Wu Clan army, operating smoothly, maneuvering freely, and carved out a realm of his own!

In terms of troop numbers, the Heavenly Court far surpasses the Wu Clan.

But when the fighting actually begins, the Wu Clan's defense is watertight, making it impossible to advance even a step!

(End of chapter)