Chapter 572: Destroy the Space-time Portal, the Demon Emperor Flees in Panic

Ao Hongchen's blade technique, like his temperament, is wild and unbridled.

That slash, its edge fully exposed, bore a chilling murderous intent.

He swung his blade midair, the blade light instantly spanning a kilometer, cleaving the beast that had just stuck its head out into two, spraying blood droplets.

Feng An and the others, witnessing the scene, couldn't help but exclaim; they sensed a distinct shift in Ao Hongchen's aura.

"Old Ao, you've already broken through that barrier!" Hong Jishi shouted in disbelief.

Li Xueru smiled faintly, "Seems you're still short-sighted, having missed the rule power embedded in Old Ao's blade?"

Ao Hongchen roared with laughter, "Ha ha, dear old friends, this time I, Ao, have taken the lead and comprehended the law of killing!"

"From now on, I will walk the path of killing, invincible to the world!"

Jiang Chen also sensed something different about Ao Hongchen; although his aura was hardly distinct from Li Xueru and the others, that faint, elusive rule fluctuation made him stand out remarkably.

That aura was like a lone star in the night sky, dazzling and attention‑grabbing.

Ao Hongchen swung his blade again, the blade light like a rainbow, his momentum like a rainbow, slaying a lone wild beast beneath his sword.

Antares's voice rang in Jiang Chen's mind, "Did you see? This is the might of the rule power."

"Once you master the rule power, cutting down these wild beasts will no longer be difficult."

Jiang Chen felt a stir in his heart, "So, if I were to employ the Lightning Rule Divine Crystal, could I achieve a similar effect?"

Antares nodded affirmatively, "Exactly. The Lightning Rule Divine Crystal in your hand contains the lifelong essence of the God of Lightning. Though the God of Lightning has only just brushed the realm of higher deities, its attributes are exceedingly unique."

"If you can harness the rule power within, the unleashed force will be equivalent to that of a 97‑level Divine-level Strongman. Compared with this blade‑technique‑proud Ao Hongchen, it would likely surpass him."

Jiang Chen felt confidence rise within, his gaze steady.

The situation before them seemed to have steadied; Jiang Yi, wielding the Demon-slaying Sword, faced the Demon Emperor across the void. Though the Demon Emperor was powerful, fighting across the barrier limited his strength, making his duel with Jiang Yi evenly matched.

Jiang Yi's voice echoed from the sword, tinged with mockery, "Demon Emperor, long unseen, your strength hasn't improved a bit. Centuries of standing still—truly disappointing."

"What do you know!" The Demon Emperor's voice revealed obvious anger.

Jiang Yi laughed aloud, "Knowing what? Not knowing what? Your Space-time Portal won't hold much longer; Jiang, that is me, will keep you company for a while."

Meanwhile, over at Ao Hongchen's side, blade light flickered, slash after slash, continuously slaying the surging wild beasts.

Jiang Chen felt an unprecedentedly powerful aura rapidly approaching, stirring a strong unease within him.

"Antares, can Ao Hongchen contend with the Beast King?" Jiang Chen asked anxiously.

Antares sneered, "Relying on him? Of course not. Even the weakest Beast King boasts a 97‑level strength; Ao Hongchen, even giving his all, could only stall for a while."

Jiang Chen's heart sank to the bottom, "It seems we must not let it come; is there any way to destroy this Space-time Portal?"

Antares shook his head, "This Space-time Portal was forged by Long Huang using a formation combined with his own rule power; it is exceptionally sturdy. Destroying it is not that easy."

Li Xueru had tried before, but failed. The Space-time Portal still stood unshaken, indestructible.

Jiang Chen gripped the Rule Divine Crystal, "Is this sufficient?"

Antares shook his head again, "Not enough; it's lacking a bit of timing."

Jiang Chen did not hesitate, "Then please help me."

"Why?" Antares retorted haughtily, and Jiang Chen seemed to imagine its proud head‑raising at that moment.

Jiang Chen did not argue, but said directly, "Because you are my friend."

"You…" Antares was choked by the words, not expecting Jiang Chen to say that.

For countless years, it had spent solitary time in the Core Area, never having any friends. In this world, everyone appeared too weak in its eyes.

No one could match the standard to become its friend.

Yet now, Jiang Chen claimed to be its friend, stirring an inexplicable feeling in Antares.

After a moment of silence, the Beast King's aura grew even stronger, as if about to burst through the void.

Jiang Ruo's expression tightened as well; she knew that behind the Space-time Portal lurked the Beast King, that terrifying giant beast, whose release would bring unthinkable consequences.

She had once followed Fan Emperor into the Desolate Void, witnessing the Beast King's might firsthand; that power could make the entire continent tremble.

Jiang Ruo walked to Jiang Chen's side and whispered, "If the Beast King truly emerges, you must leave immediately."

Jiang Chen gave no direct reply, merely casting a faint glance at her before calmly saying, "I think there shouldn't be such a need."

"Antares, I need your help," Jiang Chen again appealed to Antares.

At that moment, the Rule Divine Crystal in Jiang Chen's hand suddenly glowed, a powerful force descending from nowhere, activating the crystal.

Jiang Chen felt joy, knowing Antares had already acted. He hesitated no more and immediately cast the Summoning Skill.

Summon Elemental Lich!

In an instant, thunder roared across the sky, countless bolts of lightning striking down. Beside Jiang Chen, a lich cloaked in lightning materialized out of thin air; though only two meters tall, its aura of authority and power resembled that of a true Lightning Giant.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to the suddenly appearing Lightning Lich; they felt an unprecedented pressure, for this summoned entity was powerful yet unstable, as if ready to erupt at any moment.

Amid the crackling thunder, the Lightning Lich instantly moved to the Space-time Portal and, without hesitation, plunged headfirst inside.

Just one second later, a rumble echoed from within the Space-time Portal; the portal began to destabilize, then warp and deform.

Two seconds after, the portal started to contract and collapse, like a building on the verge of collapse.

Li Xueru rejoiced at the sight; he knew that once the Space-time Portal was destroyed, the Beast King could not emerge.

"Great! It's successful!"

"The Space-time Portal is collapsing!"

"Divine General Jiang truly is formidable!"

Those around were thrilled, feeling the crisis was about to be lifted.

From within the portal came the Beast King's angry roar, but it was instantly drowned by the thunder of lightning.

Simultaneously, the Demon Emperor, who had been battling Jiang Yi's Demon-slaying Sword, suddenly trembled his massive hand, swiftly ending the fight and retracting his palm.

Immediately after, the Space-time Portal closed completely, as if it had never existed.

Antares's voice sounded beside Jiang Chen's ear, with a hint of disdain, "That guy's detection was indeed sharp, feeling my aura, he fled."

Although Antares acted covertly, it still leaked a trace of aura, allowing the Demon Emperor to sense danger.

Jiang Chen stared toward the direction where Antares vanished and remarked, "You truly are powerful; even the Demon Emperor feels awe toward you."

Antares's voice echoed in his mind, but with a hint of helplessness: "You don't truly understand."

With the matter resolved smoothly, the burden in Jiang Chen's heart lifted; he smiled inwardly and replied, "One day I will fully understand you. In a few days I'll come find you again."

"Hmm, you're Level 69 now; the time has come." Antares's voice faded away until it vanished.

Jiang Chen knew Antares had already left. Their conversation was known only to them; not even Jiang Ruo, who was possessed by Antares's will, knew a thing.

At this moment, the crisis had passed, and the Soul Energy remaining in the Soul‑Grinding Disk was still abundant. Jiang Chen began to focus on manipulating the Disk, allocating the leftover Soul Energy to Ao Hongchen and Jiang Ruo.

Ao Hongchen sheathed his great Blade and roared with laughter: "I toiled for ages to break through to Level 96, and you lot took a shortcut—makes me green‑eyed!"

Everyone heard him and burst into laughter. After the disaster, they all basked in the joy of their gains.

Lin Zhenzi also laughed teasingly: "Feel free to be jealous; we won't grow weaker because of it."

Hong Jishi interjected: "Exactly, don't think you're a step ahead; we'll catch up soon enough."

Li Xueru shook his head, with a hint of teasing: "You used to be able to chase, but now that you have Liu Qingqing, you'll be distracted and have no time to chase."

Ao Hongchen was startled, then laughed loudly: "You and Liu Qingqing got together? Ha, never saw that coming!"

Hong Jishi beamed proudly: "What, any problem?"

Ao Hongchen kept laughing: "Didn't you say women are trouble? Have you forgotten your own words?"

Hong Jishi was unfazed: "What words? How could I have said that?"

The two resumed their banter, and amid laughter the atmosphere remained relaxed and pleasant.

Jiang Chen also relaxed, walked to Jiang Ruo's side and asked, "Sister, what have you been busy with lately?"

Jiang Ruo replied, "The teacher took me to special training; I've improved a lot during this period."

Jiang Chen nodded; he knew Jiang Ruo's talent was extraordinary, and with Fan Emperor's careful guidance, reaching Divine Level so quickly was understandable. He didn't press further—so long as Jiang Ruo was safe, he was content.

Jiang Ruo was not only safe but thriving. At only twenty‑two she had attained Divine Level, a feat unprecedented in history.

Li Xueru asked curiously, "Miss Jiang, where is Lord Fan Emperor?"

Jiang Ruo sighed, speaking in a voice only Li Xueru could hear: "The teacher has already left."

Li Xueru was slightly startled, then understood, and sighed, "I understand."