Chapter 657: Taking Advantage of the Fire to Loot, Arch‑Enemy, Dayi

Yingzhao Yao Marshal, shining with brilliance in the Netherworld, a unique and unmatched demeanor.

He represents the will of the Heavenly Court, spreading the flames of war to the Netherworld!

One after another, the Heavenly River Elite were awakened by him to their battle instinct, formed ranks into an army, and in an instant numbered countless thousands, like mountains and seas, their towering killing intent piercing the canopy of Samsara, obscuring the light of the Netherworld sun, turning this land into a cursed ground of military disaster!

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Born as the Heavenly Court's demons, dead as its ghosts, under the supreme demon emperor's will to conquer, myriad ghost armies marched upon the Five Direction Ghost Emperor's Palace, seeking to overturn heaven and earth here!

And this is not yet the end!

"Fire is born from wood; disaster inevitably overcomes."

Bifang Yao Marshal sighed, spiritual light flickering in his eyes, possessing a most extraordinary radiance.

But at this moment, the portent this Yao Marshal brings is not an auspicious omen, but a calamity!

Bifang, it is the divinity of fire, the spirit of fire.

Mysteriously, a nameless flame quietly ignited, spreading boundlessly, wildly scattering chaotic sparks throughout the Netherworld.

As the heart-fire burns, it is a bewitching thought, surging in the minds of the originally peaceful and orderly souls.

— "The underworld is in turmoil, order shattered—what are you still waiting for?"

— "Why not seize this opportunity to launch a free spree?"

— "Opportunity must not be missed, for once lost it never comes again… miss this village and you lose the shop."

— "Cast aside the thoughts once shackled by rules and order, and act freely now!"

— "The nefarious gods of the Yin Si have enacted harsh laws, forbidding you from freely returning to the mortal world, reuniting with kin, or taking revenge on foes..."

— "The cold-hearted ghost officials, unwilling to bend with reason, arrange for you to be reborn into a good fate in the next life, yet repeatedly proclaim, emphasizing the mistakes you once 'carelessly' made, ever raising the standards of review..."

— "Now it's all right! The Heavenly Court's royal army brings you glad tidings, creates opportunities… as long as you are bold, a bright future beckons!"

— "Of course, to increase the success rate, please conveniently disrupt the stability of the surrounding heaven and earth, stir up the Netherworld, and welcome the Heavenly Court's royal army..."

If one were to say, Yingzhao Yao Marshal openly gathers followers to rebel, aiming to openly overturn the Netherworld's order.

Then Bifang Yao Marshal plays the dark game, stirring countless ghosts, while the Wu Clan's forces left to guard the Netherworld try to quell the rebellion's blaze, launching a mighty raid to profit from the fire!

"Strike!"

"Smash!"

"Grab!"

"Steal!"

In terms of lethality, the Heavenly River Elite under Yingzhao Yao Marshal's command utterly crush Bifang Yao Marshal's "miscellaneous troops" by who knows how many times.

But when it comes to endless calamity, Bifang Yao Marshal prevails.

When the Netherworld's order is disrupted, the legal Dao that suppresses this place shows a loophole, and Bifang Yao Marshal gradually becomes unfathomably deep.

Upon him, an illusory sword image appears, resonating with the Netherworld's turmoil, its power instantly surging wildly, enough to move even top-tier supreme divine adepts.

That is the illusory image of the Slay-Wu Sword!

Carried by Bifang Yao Marshal, this fire‑starting expert, it aims to undermine the Wu Clan's foundations from within Samsara, laying the groundwork for the Demon Race to replace rule.

When Bifang condenses this sword from illusion into substance and plants it in the mountains and rivers of the Netherworld, the whole world suddenly lets out a mournful cry, evoking an inexplicable feeling of heart‑sorrow.

"Hum!"

After the heart‑sorrow surges, a clear, ringing sword cry rings out, striving to awaken the human heart.

Another sword appears!

It is ancient and weathered, its surface etched with the marks of time, inscribed with the splendid chapters of law, proclaiming the grand vision of pacifying the world… this is precisely the sword once worn by the East Hua Emperor, and now the emblem of fairness and justice borne by the Netherworld's Yin Si!

Bifang stood solemnly, daring not to be the slightest bit careless.

After all, its source can be said to be half of Pangu—such a level is too transcendent, hard to say whether some strange change might occur, leaving them unable to cope.

And reality proves that Bifang Yao Marshal's caution is justified.

It seems to sense the arrival of its arch‑enemy, and this divine sword moves of its own accord!

Bearing the shame of past defeat, it was reforged by the Wu Clan's top ancestral witches, then stationed in the Netherworld to follow Fengdu in trial, letting the light of the law blaze in the most remote corners… having come this far, it is no longer what it once was.

At this very moment, it seems as if the living emperor of old has returned, embarking on the greatest campaign!

"Kill!"

One sword, reflecting the former East Hua Emperor's form and voice, roaring through the ages, accompanied by a blade of light bursting forth, rising from the void, surpassing the ages of the Myriad Heavens, sweeping across eternity, bearing the air of decisive authority over past, present, and future!

This blade of light is too terrifying!

It pierces through eternity, shatters everything, like a strike that burns all to the utmost brilliance, even the epoch‑spanning epic seems to waver and be overturned, completely rewritten!

Bifang's face first showed surprise, then grew solemn as he gripped the counterfeit Slay‑Wu Sword; at the same time an imperial edict appeared, belonging to the Heavenly Court's sovereign—the Heavenly Emperor Di Jun!

The edict blazed, its light resplendent; in that instant, amidst the sea of stars of the heavens, a sovereign seeming to sit cross‑legged at the fountain of time felt it—boundless future, endless spacetime, all as eternally free yet differing reflections turned their gaze, the primordial creative breath surged, shaping a vast Myriad Heavens, fashioning a boundless realm, condensed upon the Slay‑Wu Sword, causing it to soar and slash toward the East Hua Divine Sword!

"Boom!"

The piercing sound echoed through light and shadow, time fractured, only two divine lights entwined; their collision wove terrifying clouds of light, reversing and flowing forward, manifesting in past and future, becoming a battle that spans eternity.

One is a genuine fragment of the Slay‑Wu Sword, bolstered by the Heavenly Emperor's edict; the other, though lacking a master, has been polished countless times in the Netherworld into a divine sword.

Though these former arch‑enemies are no longer at their peak, their clash remains undiminished, even more terrifying.

In that instant, which is eternity, they carved out a chaos, then from ruin gathered new life, cutting the bonds of Samsara, disturbing the mortal realm, causing myriad Great Luo deities to shudder.

"An ideological struggle that has continued to this day!"

Ancient gods sigh lightly, great sages murmur softly, feeling myriad emotions.

But soon they ceased to sigh… after all, compared to this ideological contest, the Heavenly Court's heist of the Netherworld is a far juicier melon to feast upon!

"The Heavenly Court is formidable! The demon emperor is formidable!"

When Killer's Trick burst forth, the Heavenly Emperor no longer bothered to hide the heavenly secrets; all his plans and schemes were laid bare, perceived by the myriad gods, and he couldn't help but sigh—either wary or admiring, in various ways.

Strategizing behind the scenes, opening war on two fronts!

It actually aims to destroy both the human Fire Master and the Wu Clan's Netherworld Office at once!

If Di Jun achieves success, then this era's Wu-Yao conflict will basically be decided!

The Wu Clan's fate ahead is merely to die sooner or later; they will inevitably lose!

Even the timing of their death hinges solely on the internal power struggle within the Demon Race, the contest between the Dao Ancestor and the Heavenly Emperor—a dog-eat-dog affair!

In Mount Buzhou, Di Jiang Zu Wu, who held up the Heavenly God Slaughter banner, showed no joy or anger on his face, only a firm tone: 'Spare no expense, carry out reinforcements!'

Difficult! Zhu Jiuyin Ancestor Wu calmly analyzes: 'The Heavenly Court has plotted for long; if we act rashly, we might not be able to save either side!'

Then let's preserve one! Jumang Ancestor Wu coldly barks, no longer in a lazy posture: 'Preserving one allows strategic contraction; someday we may hope to rally again!'

Which side should we preserve? Tiānwú Ancestor Wu asks hesitantly; his eyes flicker slightly, and the Wu Clan's mindset seems quite delicate.

Similarly, Zhurong Ancestor Wu seems lost in thought, as if absent-minded.

Fire Master!

Reincarnation!

Different opinions clash; each has its own reasoning.

However, at the critical moment, Xuanming Ancestor Wu suddenly startled, as if receiving some message, or as if a long-stored thought awakened; her expression turned strange: 'Alright, you needn't argue anymore.'

Houtu, the main person in this samsara and Fire Master affair, has already been arranged……no need to go save either side!

What? Has Houtu gone mad? Gonggong Ancestor Wu's incarnation here startles, yet he is even more anxious than Houtu herself.

——No way, in Gonggong Ancestor Wu's original plan, the Heavenly Court striking the Fire Master was normal, he could gloat over their misfortune; but now the Netherworld is also in trouble, this is practically about to be uprooted!

——Cannot tolerate!

Let her come see me, tell me she hasn't given up completely! Gonggong glares with round eyes: 'All this mysteriousness, what time is it now!'

Right, you're correct. Xuanming Ancestor Wu remains calm: 'Elder Sister Houtu's statement, she has indeed given up.'

No need to save the Fire Master; likewise the Samsara Netherworld Office.

What we must do is mobilize everyone, join forces with the Dragon Master, and make a final all-out effort!

Gonggong... no, Cang! Xuanming Ancestor Wu's eyes gloomy cold: 'Everyone knows that over these years you've been leaping about, pushing the Heaven-Earth-Water Threefold Great Dao, turning the Four Seasons Grand Formation, just to seize power and authority, using the breaking of the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation as merit, to rightfully become the supreme leader.'

Not bad. Gonggong openly admitted.

Now, this opportunity is yours……the Heavenly Court has long plotted, appearing ready to decide victory today; that is just as they wish!

Are you sure? Can you represent Houtu? A huge pancake falls from the sky, making Gonggong a bit unsure, he asks again.

Proof is here! Xuanming Ancestor Wu produces Houtu Ancestor Wu's seal and a neatly written agreement: 'Elder Sister Nüwa has already expressed her stance.'

Your and her leadership contest will be judged by merit; the victor shall be called Emperor!

If it had been like this earlier, wouldn't that have been fine? Gonggong struggles to hide a smile, a look of lament: 'Why must we wait until the Fire Master is completely lost... alas, how many loyal talents have perished here!'

And Yandi too...... reckless and impulsive, unaware of prudence, ultimately encountered this calamity!

Gonggong chatters on, yet he overlooked that Xuanming had a moment where his gaze at him was quite strange.

Since Daoist friend Nüwa knows her mistake and can change, I'll follow her suggestion. Gonggong's eyes bright: 'I will now arrange the Dragon Master's action!'

As for our main combat forces...... He looks up at the starry sky, where a sovereign commands the stars, forming a supreme spell formation that seals off Mount Buzhou: 'Di Jun intends to block us here!'

He can't block it! Zhu Jiuyin coldly says: 'To destroy the Fire Master and Netherworld Office, how many demon gods have been diverted?'

The Heavenly Stars Grand Formation is no longer at its peak!

Even if our Heavenly God Slaughter Grand Formation likewise has gaps, with a few dao friends restrained on the front lines, here only thought-form incarnations remain to hold the banner...... but we can still send out a few with full effort, it's not difficult!

Jumang, Zhurong, Juese, Xuanming four dao friends, plus Shebishi dao friend, will go first, coordinating with the Dragon Clan to move the water element, arranged in the four seasons, to make a start.

I and Di Jiang dao friend will arrive shortly!

Excellent!

Gonggong claps and laughs: 'All of you united, the Heavenly Stars will surely be broken!'

Since you all respect my orders, I naturally won't let you down......

These years, I haven't been idle; I've long prepared a great gift for Di Jun, just waiting for him to receive it!

Gonggong smiles mysteriously.

Meanwhile, far away, in the Dragon Master's camp.

Fangxun is currently meeting a newly arrived Eastern Barbarian hero...... Actually, before the Fire Master suddenly met with change, they were still feasting!

Dayi!

This renowned archer of the age was conscripted in a daze, walked in a daze, came in a daze, and met the Dragon Master's sovereign.

He once wondered, not knowing which nerve of Fangxun is crossed...... In terms of faction, whether counting from the Bird Master or from Houtu, he and the Dragon Master couldn't even share a pot!

Until a certain moment.

Heavenly secrets shift, Honghuang trembles!

Dayi startles to his feet, perceiving the occurrence of a shocking world-changing event.

This......

He was about to set out, rushing to reinforce.

Too late.

Fangxun calmly says: 'The Heavenly Court prepared long ago; its eruption was too sudden.'

I am also somewhat caught off guard, not having anticipated everything.

We can't do too much; don't disrupt our own formation, lest we be taken advantage of by the enemy.

...... Dayi suddenly turns, coldly gazing at Fangxun: 'Could it be that we do nothing at all?'

That's not the case. Fangxun smiles: 'Blindly sending troops is inadvisable, but you are special.'

「After all, you are a first-rate long-range attacker among those of great divine ability, your archery is unmatched in Honghuang! 」

「What do you want me to do? 」Dayi asked in a resonant, powerful voice.

「Come! 」

Fangxun stood up, 「I'll find you a target…… Use your best bow, best arrows, and shoot a shocking attack! 」

Dayi, hearing this, decisively carried it out.

Speaking of bows and arrows, in terms of quality, he naturally has the finest gear.

It is said, a treasure from the White Emperor's collection!

The vermilion bow and plain silk—he usually treasures them greatly.

At this moment, Dayi took it out; a surging divine energy flowed through him, shaking his spirit, and he followed Fangxun to outside the accounts.

Nocking the arrow, drawing the bow like a full moon, pointing the arrow at the stars, Dayi inexplicably felt a heroic fervor, as if he could shoot down the ancient great sun and strike down the venerable divine moon.

An unparalleled archer, paired with a peak divine bow, ought to have such might!

In that instant, Dayi even felt that he could perhaps go and exchange a move with a grandmaster of the Grand Ultimate, thereby establishing his own fame!

「Look, that is your target. 」Suddenly, Fangxun spoke, pointing out the target for him.

(End of chapter)