Chapter 786: Advancing Houtu!

This punch is terrifying!

It surpasses all living beings on the battlefield of this era; it is the ultimate, it is the strongest!

It came so suddenly, erupting in attack, its power shocks ancient and modern; absolutely it is the top combat power beneath Pangu!

Except for Hongjun Daozu, who wields the Heavenly Dao and forges ahead, hardly anyone can match it!

Pfft!

The violent, infinite thought lets even untargeted ancient god sages, merely from witnessing and feeling this punch's 'information', if they haven't attained Great Simplicity, suffer heavy damage to soul and body, on the verge of bursting, coughing blood profusely.

Because it is strong, it instead suffers punishment.

Ordinary beings feel nothing, but those infinite, eternal, free beings have overly strong perception, infinite stacking, and encounter great calamity.

Just because of this punch, it sweeps across ages, reflecting all spacetime.

It props up humanity's wobbling 'heaven'!

When the Slay Witch Sword runs rampant, it uses the most terrifying violence to run rampant, filling the hearts of all beings, shattering their doubts, making much confusion suddenly unimportant.

It seems like an evil life mentor, facing the obstacle of Xihuang commanding the Slay Witch Sword to attack, using a heretical way, it deceives the masses, for a time it leads all human beings astray.

——What's a good pastoral life?

——Everything speaks with power!

——If the ancient era's Heavenly Court is truly excellent and perfect, then it must certainly also be the strongest!

——Otherwise, what if one day it gets invaded?

——Must we rely on flattery, ceding land, paying tribute, and marriage alliances to maintain a fragile, exquisite prosperity?

——Now, the ancient Heavenly Court also wants to bestow upon my human race the tribulation of becoming a Dao?

——Wrong!

——It is we who bring the tribulation to them!

——Can a bygone Heavenly Emperor, by bestowing the so-called tribulation, block the practice of our human race's dream?

——First beat me down, then talk!

——You can't even win a war against me, yet you spout bullshit ideology!

The great will in the dark infects humanity, lighting the way ahead for them in confusion.

Compared, it seems the present is not as good as the past.

But what of it?

After beating down all external foes, we have plenty of opportunity to gradually correct things!

The path of humanity is not forever fixed; it will rise, surpassing past glory.

What is a temporary lag now?

We are merely a hundred neglected affairs awaiting revival!

Not being able to match the splendid development of the Heavenly Court over countless ages in history scrolls is also normal.

Why be discouraged?

Rather, it's strength! Combat power!

This is the final pillar defending the dignity of every civilization!

Let's see me beat down that lively, jumping Xihuang opposite, capture him to work for my human race, let him honestly spread the experience of developing the Heavenly Court among humanity, building a beautiful and splendid human civilization.

Look!

Doing this, isn't the problem solved?!

A great will's clamor bombards the hearts of all beings, countering the might of the Slay Witch Sword.

This seems like a heretical path.

But it also somewhat works.

If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who created it, then dump the problem on him to handle—if he handles it poorly, beat him up!

If he still handles it poorly, beat him up again!

You aren't able to talk and practice the Dao, ruling the world by keyboard politics?

I'll let you 'key' enough!

Using the most violent means, a deity took upon themselves the tribulation of humanity's Dao attainment, transforming humanity's difficult predicament into a duel between two people!

Their battle will decide humanity's future.

When in doubt, fight!

The strong is right!

In this battle, one side is Xihuang.

And the other side is…

«Houtu?! »

The gods traced the source of that fist, and instantly became unsettled.

Unthinkable, unbelievable…

The gods sucked in cold air, feeling that today's shocks were too much for them.

«How could this ancestral witch possibly emerge from reincarnation?! »

«Wasn't she bound back then? »

«Deceived by Hongjun Daozu regarding humanity, she was made to sign and seal, never to emerge from reincarnation again! »

«Although this is better than the Daozu's infinite calamity eternal suppression of Zixiao, unity with the Heavenly Dao treatment, at most it's just occasionally descending divine power abroad, not to the point of the true body running out, right?! »

The gods smelled a whiff of conspiracy, sensing a dark curtain behind.

And this is actually easy to investigate.

Houtu does not jump out; naturally all traces return to nothing, being covered by countless nesting dolls.

But now that the result is known, attempting to reverse‑push…… is too simple.

"The Fengdu Great Emperor has long passed…… the authority has been transferred!"

"The prices in the Underworld are wrong! Although it looks prosperous, the circulating netherworld currency……"

The gods trembled, and in a daze they seemed to understand something.

However, before they could continue thinking deeply and come up with something more profound, a terrifying war broke out.

Such supreme and mighty power made them like a small boat sailing on waves in a storm, always at risk of being submerged by the residual waves of conquest.

In an instant, each displayed their divine powers, merely to survive.

……

The fist light blasted through the three realms and six paths, composing an invincible myth.

It erupted too suddenly; obviously this was the assailant's prepared assault.

Xihuang was targeted; this punch headed straight for his eye sockets, already ignoring the unspoken rule of not hitting the face, the attacker bore immense resentment, as if wishing to give him two black eyes.

When Xihuang was suddenly attacked, he barely managed to launch a counterattack, barely intercepting the fist before his body.

"Boom—"

He swung his arm like an axe, his palm as the blade, and suddenly cleaved down, releasing the light of heaven‑opening and world‑creation!

"Hum!"

Past, present, future—the Myriad Heavens world at this moment seemed to be inverted, re‑creating the scene of the primordial creation…… and that great primordial opening power, crossing the barriers of time‑space and void, converged here, inverted cause and effect, condensed in the arm, as if the primordial axe that split heaven had reappeared.

"Crack!"

The fists and palms collided; at the origin of time, countless fissures erupted, letting the river of light and shadow flow in, endless future was spawned from nothing, infinite timelines ran parallel—such horror and inconceivability!

This is the ultimate showdown beneath Pangu!

At the place where Xihuang stood, time was struck and collapsed, space likewise fell into nothing…… a figure boldly surged out from the reincarnation source of Honghuang, reversed the evolution of the human race's Dao tribulation, bore it alone, then smashed through the ages to the source with crushing force, and fought Xihuang.

Everything happened so swiftly, it opened the eyes of the ancient god sages.

Unfortunately.

The battlefield was shattered; there, spacetime was twisted and contracted by the Dao of the two supreme experts of the Grand Simplicity, becoming invisible and unknowable.

People could only hear that, after the fierce successive collisions, a repressed, agonized howl rose—likely Xihuang!

"Roar!"

The ancient emperor roared, as if he had suffered a great loss.

"Hehehe!"

Houtu seemed to chuckle, feeling pleased, distortedly transmitted from the collapsed spacetime.

"Boom—"

Suddenly, the power that broke through the limit was released; this spacetime exploded, two figures flew out, confronting each other in the void, reflected in the eyes of the gods.

One was the supreme Heavenly Emperor of the ancient Heavenly Court.

One was the highest leader of the present Underworld.

They confronted each other, the atmosphere stagnant and brutal, foretelling that this was not an end, but merely a beginning!

"Pfft!"

A soft laugh sounded, which felt out of place in this suppressed setting.

The gods restrained the twitch of their shoulders, followed the sound, and looked to see which warrior it was.

What did they see?

They saw Xuanyuan!

This human emperor held a fist in one hand before his mouth, as if something had just happened.

"You…… what are you laughing at?"

The succeeding Yandi Chiyou questioned him solemnly; it was obvious he harbored no good feelings, trying to draw hatred toward Xuanyuan.

"I didn't laugh!" Xuanyuan lowered his fist, looking calm, "I usually don't laugh."

"I am a human emperor who has undergone professional training!"

"How could I possibly laugh?"

His gaze wandered, not looking at the battlefield where the two supreme gods confronted each other, especially not at Xihuang's image.

Actually, the problem isn't serious.

Even if Xihuang was suddenly ambushed, after all he is the will‑extension of a supreme being overseeing the Demon Race's affairs, a weighty incarnation whose strength in the Grand Simplicity can be called top‑tier—how could he be defeated so quickly?

He merely suffered a few minor losses.

At most, it was that these minor losses occurred in the wrong place.

——He gained two black eye sockets, turning into panda eyes.

The injuries are hardly worth calling injuries.

But it's utterly embarrassing.

A generation of majestic sage‑emperor, bearing two panda eyes…… can he still command awe?

He, standing in for the ancient Heavenly Court, has imposed the final trial upon today's humanity; he was originally a judge of supreme and unchallengeable authority.

But now, the trial hasn't ended yet!

He simply rushed forward and struck the defendant with two punches……

The harm was not great.

The insult was extremely strong.

Many ancient god sages, who has ever seen such a scene?

In astonishment, they almost laughed out loud.

But they worried that one day, because they stepped out with their left foot first, some big shot would cleave them in half with an axe… they forcibly endured it.

Only Xuanyuan…

"I didn't laugh!"

He firmly denied it, saying the laughter had nothing to do with him.

This time, he did not act as an honest child.

But on the battlefield, the victim Xihuang didn't care about these peripheral trivialities outside.

He stared fixedly at Houtu, who descended like heavenly soldiers, his eyes showing a hint of shock—this pleased Houtu.

"I still underestimated you in the end."

Xihuang said as such.

"You actually managed to escape from the bonds of the Underworld!"

"But have you considered the consequences?!"

"Your actions will bring great calamity; the Underworld may face economic collapse, myriad ghosts wailing, and the order of reincarnation thrown into chaos!"

Xihuang rebuked Houtu.

"Consequences?" Houtu gave him a proud glance, then let out a "pfft" laugh, seeing her once dignified brother given two panda eyes by her own fists—the thrill of challenging authority was intoxicating.

She laughed, doubling over, "The Underworld was never supposed to be my responsibility; I was forced to take the position, bearing the weight of reincarnation, so I owe nothing."

Moreover, the economy couldn't collapse… as long as I handle things quickly enough, the books will balance in the end.

"Furthermore, I am fortunate."

Houtu sighed, "Thank goodness I came out!"

"Otherwise, under the Slay-Witch Sword, humanity's ultimate leap would fail, countless blood and sweat would come to nothing, a grandest investment washed away."

She was feeling fortunate.

Fortunately, she used tricks and means to walk out of the Underworld!

Otherwise…

The consequences are unimaginable!

Xihuang descended the tribulation, becoming the final examiner for humanity's ascent… With his power and ability, who among today's humans and Wu Clan could stop him?

No one can!

Perhaps if the Great Sage Azure Dragon were here, he could still withstand a few moves—this is the figure who once contended with the August Emperor for the Dao, even forcing the Phoenix camp's many top Wise Men to join forces to finally kill him outright!

Unfortunately, now the Azure Dragon has lost contact, being beaten out by the Dao Ancestor himself!

Just as in the past, the Dragon Ancestor was slain by the Demonic Ancestor, eliminated mid-game.

This is practically a tragedy… the Dragon Ancestor had not yet achieved the Dao when he fell midway.

Fortunately.

Houtu has emerged!

At this moment, Houtu's heart overflowed with joy and excitement.

She felt this was a great victory!

From previously passively blocking attacks, a hidden arrow somehow appeared, and today… she precisely blocked Xihuang, causing his effort to fall short!

"Xihuang! Your era is over!" Houtu restrained her soaring emotions, "This time, you have failed!"

"Since I have come here, the tribulations you sent down have all come to nothing!"

"Step down, retire into seclusion… I can still leave you some face."

"Otherwise, your lifetime of fame will be swept away!"

"Heh!" Xihuang sneered, rubbing his eye sockets—indeed it still hurt a bit—"Before the end, the outcome is still uncertain!"

"Uncertain? No! It's already decided!" Houtu slowly raised her hand, clenched her fist, "If you don't yield, I will suppress this incarnation of the Demon Emperor you embody!"

"Even though you rely on Pangu and possess extraordinary Dao cultivation, what of it? The Primordial Wilds suppress you!"

"You do not hold the fundamental authority; what you once had has all been frozen and stripped of its title."

"And me?"

"I command reincarnation, oversee the Underworld; the power of the human Dao naturally surrounds me… what do you have to fight me with?"

"I'm giving you a dignified way to exit—will you take the hint?"

"Otherwise…"

Houtu lifted her head proudly, "If you won't be dignified, I'll make you dignified!"

"These words, you say them to yourself!" Xihuang's eyes turned slightly cold, the River Chart flying forth, the Luo Scroll encircling, the heavenly court phantom from ancient times, crossing eras to descend, gradually becoming real, with countless troops armed and waiting at dawn, about to arrive here!

A conquest across the ages.

One brilliant civilization after another, which should never have met… yet now they have broken this norm!

The Dragon-Phoenix era waging war against the Demon-Witch epoch… this is utterly absurd, yet it truly happens!

Houtu's sudden rise, she altered the examination rules, changing the ancient Heavenly Court's ideological test for humanity, deciding to speak with fists.

And Xihuang, naturally unwilling to show weakness, went along with it, truly bringing the martial might of the Dragon-Phoenix era into this age!

After a bloody clash with the Demon Race, though victorious but battered, can the allied forces of humanity and the Wu Clan withstand the Dragon-Phoenix Heavenly Court's power that comes across time and space?

"It's somewhat difficult, but we can fight… at least it's far more acceptable than the previous Slay-Witch Sword offensives." Xuanyuan made the judgment, with the Ancestral Wu nodding in agreement, "Yes… although the Demon Race has gained reinforcements, very elite and very strong, it is not without a solution."

"Under the Slay-Witch Sword, if Houtu hadn't overturned the table, we would have lost… but now, it's alright."

"After all, what Xihuang can rally are merely the elite below the Great Luo."

"And the Great Luo… endless spacetime, eternal and free, countless eras, yet singular!"

The formation looks intimidating, but the Human Sovereign and the Ancestral Wu alike have gained confidence.

Because Great Luo is the only one.

Although this batch of reinforcements from the Demon Race is fierce, their top-tier combat power won't be excessive.

Moreover, the times are changing!

Our era's cultivation methods are more advanced and superior than before.

Besides, we have home advantage, fitting the era's issues… we can fight!

They reached a consensus.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Houtu faced Xihuang's actions, her eyes icy, 'Obstinately ignorant!'

If you encounter Nüwa and do not pay respects, your true destiny is lost, your name is on the Reincarnation Stele. With each step you kowtow, your sins are halved on the path to rebirth, protecting your true spirit.

Fuxi, do not say I did not warn you!

This is the final ultimatum!

Houtu! You still fall short! Xihuang merely said coldly, "Little sister, you cannot!"

You don't know what's good for you!

Houtu snorted coldly, standing firm between heaven and earth, her dharma form boundless, trampling through eternity, she emitted the supreme Dao sound: 'Transmigration of the three realms, for all eternity my name shall be etched! Announce to the Myriad Heavens, the eight wildernesses of the universe all revere my command!'

(End of chapter)