Chapter 468: The Blood Sea Retreats, the Great Battle Ends

The Peng is dead, but another battlefield has not yet calmed.

Blood sea stretched across the sky; the Ancient Master of Blood Sea sat atop the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Lotus, the swords Mutu and Abi circling his body, waves of blood crashing layer upon layer against starlight and the yellow glow of the Earth Book.

Originally, he had been leisurely in control, even finding time to watch the commotion near the Peng.

But when the Peng’s primordial spirit was sliced into fragments by the Grand Yin Divine Wheel, annihilating body and soul, the lord of the blood sea twitched an eyelid.

That old bird Peng, promised to swiftly kill Su Chen—yet ended up delivering himself as a boxed meal.

The Ancient Master of Blood Sea glanced at Bai Ze, then at Chang Xi, then at Su Chen, who still could activate the Chaotic Bell.

If these three were freed, plus Doumu Yuanjun and Zhenyuanzi…

Even he, who claimed his blood sea would never dry until he died, could not withstand it.

“Minghe.”

Doumu Yuanjun shook her star banner, and the power of the Ten Thousand Stars transformed into countless star chains spanning the heavens.

There was not a trace of courtesy in her brow; starlight descended from beyond the heavens, as if determined to nail the entire blood river to the outside of Flame Mountain.

“Do you wish to die alongside the Peng?”

Zhenyuanzi stepped forward, the Earth Book opening; mountains, rivers, and earth rose and sank within its pages, the power of the earth veins converging from all directions, squeezing the blood sea into constant retreat.

The Ancient Master of Blood Sea let out a dry laugh.

“This Daoist merely happened to meet the Peng on the road and exchanged a few words. Don’t go slapping false labels on me—I’m the most reasonable old master.”

Su Chen found it amusing and looked up at Minghe.

Minghe glanced back at him.

The two stared at each other across a sky of blood rain.

Minghe cursed inwardly: This boy is truly uncanny.

He had seen prodigies, he had seen demons—but a mid-stage Great Immortal who could trick an old schemer like the Peng to his death? There was none other in the Three Realms.

Though Su Chen did not kill the Peng alone, this killing scheme was undeniably his design.

The Peng thought he was fishing—but instead of catching a fish, he became the bait.

Now that the Peng was dead, their alliance naturally meant nothing.

Doumu Yuanjun saw through his intent to retreat and slammed her star banner down.

“Ten Thousand Stars, fall!”

Stars beyond the heavens rang in unison; ten thousand beams of starlight converged into a single lethal star pillar, hurtling straight toward the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Lotus.

The Ancient Master of Blood Sea shrieked: “Doumu, are you serious?!”

The Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Lotus rose, petals unfolding layer by layer; karma fire formed a crimson lotus canopy, bracing against the full force of the Ten Thousand Stars.

The star pillar struck, carving a bottomless hole in the blood sea, waves surging violently to either side.

After absorbing Doumu Yuanjun’s blow, Minghe’s body suddenly dissolved, his entire form shattering into boundless blood water that rushed with a splash into a rift in the void.

Zhenyuanzi’s dust whisk descended, attempting to seal a patch of void with the Earth Book’s mountains and rivers.

But the blood water split into countless threads and vanished into the void.

Doumu Yuanjun shook her star banner again; star chains chased deep into the void, shredding only fragments of the blood water.

Minghe’s voice drifted from the void.

“This affair today was a misunderstanding! Gentlemen, farewell!”

After the blood sea receded, Flame Mountain finally fell silent.

Above, starlight, moonlight, and the yellow glow of earth veins intertwined, illuminating the scarred Flame Mountain with clarity.

Niutouwang flew back with Honghaier, while Shituo Wang and Jiaowang guarded on either side.

Niutouwang stared at Su Chen, exhaling two white plumes from his nostrils.

“Brother, this time Old Bull owes you too much.”

Su Chen waved his hand: “This whole affair began because of me—you were merely collateral damage.”

Honghaier, perched on Niutouwang’s back, stared at Su Chen with shining eyes: “Uncle, your divine art is incredible—can you teach me?”

Shituo Wang delivered a sharp knock to his head.

Honghaier glared at him, expressing his displeasure.

Everyone burst into laughter; the taut tension finally eased.

Bai Ze walked to the site where the Peng had perished; only a few remnants remained.

The Beiming Sword hovered in midair, its dao patterns flickering dimly—now that its master was gone, it had become a weapon without an owner.

Bai Ze reached out and summoned the Mountain-River Map; the Beiming Sword struggled briefly before finally falling into his palm.

“I shall take this sword back to the Demon Emperor Island.”

Su Chen nodded.

On the other side, the Primordial Dark Water Pearl shot out, attempting to flee.

Su Chen reached out and seized it; his Chaotic blood qi trembled, pinning the pearl firmly in his palm.

Within the pearl, dark water swirled, faintly echoing the chill of the Beiming tide.

Su Chen glanced at it, then turned and handed it to Chang Xi.

“This item is for the Lady.”

Chang Xi did not prolong her politeness; she reached out and accepted it.

“Thank you.”

Su Chen gazed into the depths of the void, his eyes filled with regret.

“What a pity for the Demon Master’s Palace.”

It was a supreme primordial magic treasure.

As the Peng died, he severed his primordial connection to the Demon Master’s Palace and cast it into the chaotic void—now its whereabouts were unknown.

Bai Ze tucked away the Beiming Sword and attempted to divine its fate, but gained nothing.

Bai Ze sighed.

“A supreme primordial magic treasure, if sentient, can conceal itself—even a Sage cannot find it. If it refuses to appear, only the destined one may one day claim it.”

Shituo Wang’s eyes lit up: “Destined one? I think I’m quite destined.”

Honghaier laughed from atop Niutouwang: “Uncle Four, I think even if you’re the only one left in the Three Realms, that treasure won’t choose you.”

Shituo Wang growled: “Brat, just rescued and already itching for a beating?”

As the two bickered, Zhenyuanzi activated the Earth Book, communing with the earth; the damaged earth veins around Flame Mountain slowly healed.

After mending the earth’s wounds, Zhenyuanzi turned to Su Chen.

“Hongyun’s vengeance has been settled today.”

“This Daoist will now cultivate in quietude at Wuzhuang Temple and no longer meddle in the Three Realms’ conflicts. Su Chen, I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, come to Wuzhuang Temple and find me.”

Su Chen bowed: “Senior, you overstate it.”

Zhenyuanzi shook his head: “Karma is karma—no need for courtesy.”

With that, he tucked away the Earth Book; yellow light spread beneath his feet, and he turned toward Wanshou Mountain.

Doumu Yuanjun also retracted her star banner.

She glanced at Su Chen, then at Bai Ze and Chang Xi.

“After this battle, the Heavenly Court will surely have you firmly on the Jade Emperor’s radar—be even more cautious from now on.”

Su Chen nodded: “Thank you, Yuanjun, for the warning.”

Doumu Yuanjun nodded, said no more, and her starlight swept up; the Doubu gods followed her back to the Heavenly Court.

Chang Xi held the Primordial Dark Water Pearl, the Grand Yin Divine Wheel hovering behind her.

She looked at Bai Ze, gave a slight nod, then turned to Su Chen.

“The Peng is dead; my obsession is gone. I shall return to the Grand Yin Star to enter seclusion.”

Su Chen bowed: “Star Lord, take care.”

Chang Xi transformed into moonlight and ascended, heading straight for the Grand Yin Star.

Bai Ze tucked away the Mountain-River Map, his expression returning to its usual gentleness.

“On the Demon Emperor Island, the Demon Emperor is stabilizing his Semi-Sage realm—I must return to check on him. For now, I entrust external matters to you.”

Su Chen nodded: “Senior, rest assured.”

Bai Ze patted his shoulder, then vanished in a flash of white light toward the Northern Sea.

The great ones departed one by one; in Flame Mountain, only Su Chen, Niutouwang, and the others remained.