Chapter 1741: The Withering-Flourishing Phase Descends

Vast and surging might poured forth from the space where the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven lay in the depths of the Heavenly Star Great Plains, piercing the southern and northern horizons.

In the southern region, all things revived, grass and trees grew wildly, presenting a scene of vigorous vitality and prosperity, while in the northern region, there was endless decay—grasslands and forests all degenerated into barren, lifeless deserts.

At this moment, whether the Outer Shenzhou Allied Army or the aberrant beings of the Dark World, all were drawn by such magnificent celestial phenomena.

Even Li Luo, who had already activated the Myriad Phase Dragon Fang Sword Array, intending to use it to duel with "Li Li Lingjing," wore a solemn expression as he gazed toward the deepest part of the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven, at the faintly visible miraculous fruit.

Divine Fruit Phase, Withering-Flourishing Phase!

Such a supreme divine object had truly descended upon the world.

It was just that the timing of this descent was not good for the Outer Shenzhou Allied Army, because the Sinful Karma Demon King had already evolved to the Unparalleled Ninth Grade at this moment.

No, strictly speaking, the Sinful Karma Demon King was not Unparalleled Ninth Grade—after all, it did not have a Marquis Platform, so naturally it could not walk the Unparalleled Path, but due to the bizarre nature of aberrant beings, it relied on the "Blood Blade" in its hand, which had clearly been given special treatment by a Great Demon King of the Dark World, to devour the origins of five Sinful Karma Demon Kings, then forcibly elevate its own power to a level infinitely close to Li Li Tianwang.

This kind of power was in no way inferior to a true Unparalleled Ninth Grade.

And Li Luo was currently entangled by "Li Li Lingjing." If the Sinful Karma Demon King made a move on the "Withering-Flourishing Phase" at this moment, no one on the Allied Army's side would be able to stop it!

Just as Li Luo was thinking this, the Sinful Karma Demon King, whose strength had skyrocketed, had already begun to do exactly that.

Its gaze greedily fixed on the Divine Fruit Phase in the depths of the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven. Now infinitely close to the Li Li Tianwang realm, if it could devour this Divine Fruit Phase, it would not only be able to advance into Li Li Tianwang, but in the future might even use it to become a Divine Fruit Li Li Tianwang. At that time, even among the seventy-two Great Demon Kings of the Dark World's ranking, it would rank among the very top.

At this thought, it took a step, the void trembling, about to plunge into the depths of the Heavenly Star Great Plains.

As for the "Ten Provinces Heaven-Earth Wall" that blocked the Dark World's flood-like army, it could still block ordinary aberrant kings, but for the current it, it was almost completely useless.

Boom!

However, just as the Sinful Karma Demon King's figure had just moved, dazzling light suddenly rose into the sky above. A blazing sun of light ascended, and within that blazing sun, Qi Huang's figure appeared.

He formed a Quan Yin with his hands, his deep voice exploding like thunder.

Unparalleled Art, Light Demon-Slaying Great Quan Yin!

Brilliant light seemed, in this instant, to illuminate a region of hundreds of thousands of miles. A magnificent light Quan Yin descended from the heavens, directly suppressing down toward the Sinful Karma Demon King.

However, facing Qi Huang's all-out offensive, the Sinful Karma Demon King merely sneered. The Blood Blade in its hand slashed out, and a blood-red line of light was seen cutting across the horizon, directly colliding with Qi Huang's "Light Demon-Slaying Great Quan Yin."

At the moment of collision, the seemingly invincible light Quan Yin was instantly eroded. The vast Light Origin power surging upon it became utterly fragile before the current Sinful Karma Demon King.

The Light Quan Yin persisted for only a dozen or so breaths before being completely shattered.

At the same time, the domineering and terrifying Slaughter Rank power pierced through the void, directly extinguishing all the Light Origin surging around Qi Huang.

Hmph!

Qi Huang let out a muffled groan. Countless blood gashes were torn across his stalwart body, and within those gashes, Slaughter Rank power eroded inward, stirring up the emotion of slaughter within his heart.

With the Sinful Karma Demon King's current skyrocketing strength, Qi Huang was clearly no longer able to contend with it.

But Qi Huang did not retreat, because he knew clearly that if the Sinful Karma Demon King truly obtained the "Withering-Flourishing Phase," its power would directly advance into the Li Li Tianwang realm!

At that time, the "Li Li Tianwang Edict" enveloping the Ten Great Outer Shenzhou, formed by Jiang Li Tianwang activating the "Ancient Covenant," would also be broken because of this.

After all, the rule of the Edict was "Within ten years, no Li Li Tianwang in the Outer Shenzhou." But if a new Li Li Tianwang was born in the Outer Shenzhou within ten years, then this rule would be broken from within.

Once the Ten-Year Heavenly Fate was actively broken by the Dark World, the world's fortune would be plundered in great quantities. At that time, the "Heavenly Fate Layout" carried out by the many Li Li Tianwang of the Outer Shenzhou would not only come to nothing, but would instead fuel the Dark World's growth in strength, further widening the gap in top-tier power between the two sides.

Therefore, today, even at the cost of his life, he absolutely could not let the Sinful Karma Demon King lay a finger on the "Withering-Flourishing Phase."

At this thought, determination surged into Qi Huang's expression. His figure transformed into a vast, surging rainbow of light, carrying boundless Origin as he attacked the Sinful Karma Demon King.

"Qi Huang, the current you no longer qualifies to be this king's opponent."

The Sinful Karma Demon King's indifferent voice rang out: "But since you wish to die, this king will naturally oblige you!"

The Blood Blade in its hand grew ever darker. The nine blood pupils upon it shed tears of blood. The Blood Blade left its hand and actually transformed into a nine-headed blood snake that blotted out the sky.

From the abyss-like giant maw of the blood snake, divine light born of the Slaughter Rank spewed forth, directly bombarding toward Qi Huang.

Before the Slaughter divine light even descended, the Light Origin erupting from within Qi Huang was being rapidly ground away.

Such an offensive was enough to slay Qi Huang!

This scene, falling into the eyes of the Outer Shenzhou Allied Army, immediately drew countless cries of horror. If Qi Huang were slain before everyone, the impact on the Allied Army's morale would be considerable.

But at this moment Li Luo was being intercepted by "Li Li Lingjing" and could not lend a hand at all.

Roar!

However, just as the Light Origin around Qi Huang was being continuously ground away, the void behind him suddenly shattered. A deafening Heavenly Dragon's cry rang out, and the next instant, Heavenly Dragon breath imbued with domineering Origin pierced through the void.

Not just that.

The void on the other side shattered as well. Light sacred to the extreme poured forth, and a graceful figure with twelve wings of light growing from her back arrived wrapped in radiance, her golden pupils reflecting all things of the world, as if able to purify all things of the world.

Unparalleled Art, Dawn Light World-Purifying Pupils!

That was Zhen Linshuang and Jiang Jiang Qinge coming to the rescue!

The two struck simultaneously, their all-out offensive colliding with the Slaughter divine light spewed by the nine-headed blood snake.

They finally, at the last critical moment, managed to withstand this attack that could have gravely wounded Qi Huang, though with some difficulty.

This scene immediately allowed the Outer Shenzhou Allied Army's taut hearts to relax somewhat.

"Many thanks to the Goddess and Clan Leader Zhen for your aid." Qi Huang's hair hung loose, but he still radiated a steadfast bearing, and he laughed as he looked up.

"What's there to thank? Even the three of us joining forces may not be its match!" the Heavenly Dragon that Zhen Linshuang had transformed into let out a reluctant voice.

Qi Huang smiled and said to Jiang Jiang Qinge: "What does the Goddess think?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge's golden gaze withdrew from the battlefield where Li Luo was in the distance behind. She had also noticed the appearance of "Li Li Lingjing," but the latter now was clearly no longer the elder cousin who had shared deep feelings with Li Luo, but a vessel that had lost all self-awareness.

The situation of this decisive battle was still very dangerous.

"It is nothing but a battle to the death." Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade hand slowly tightened its grip on the Sacred Phoenix Umbrella. In her calm words, there was not the slightest ripple at the world-shaking ferocity released by the Sinful Karma Demon King ahead.

"Haha, good, the Goddess speaks rightly. It is nothing but a battle to the death. Today, no matter what, we cannot let this Sinful Karma Demon King lay a finger on the Withering-Flourishing Phase!"

Qi Huang's deep, resonant laughter echoed across the heavens. At the same time, on his body, vast Light Origin began to burn, transforming into blazing sacred flames, his eyes filled with determination.

"My heart knows no fear! Our kind endure forever!" His long howl, brimming with battle intent, echoed across a battlefield of a million miles.

"Fight!"

The next instant, he took the initiative to attack, charging into the surging blood light of slaughter.

Jiang Jiang Qinge and Zhen Linshuang followed right behind, and the three of them struck with everything they had, trying to hold back the Massacre Demon King.

"My heart knows no fear!"

"Our kind endures forever!"

Within the Outer Shenzhou coalition army, countless others also erupted in roars at this moment, their fighting spirit boiling over as they charged to meet the alien army.

The decisive battle had yet to yield a victor, so they would keep slaughtering each other to the end!

Before the Light Barrier.

The forces of the Guiyi Society were also stirring restlessly, especially the Zhuyin Underworld King. Now that the top combatants on both sides were all entangled, he had no one to keep him in check, so the moment his figure moved, he streaked toward the barrier gate.

He did not possess the power to slay the Massacre Demon King right now; to reach the depths of the Celestial Star Great Plains, he still had to pass through this barrier gate.

Ling Zhu Xuan, Xiao Lingzhu, Li Li Tianji, and many other Triple-Crowned Kings saw this, their faces all changing, and they hurried to intercept.

But before they could strike, two streaks of light descended from the sky before the barrier gate.

It was...

Lu Qing'er and Bai Bai Mengmeng.

Lu Qing'er's beautiful eyes were like Binghu, and the Primordial Seed between her brows now grew scorching hot, with ice-flames faintly leaping within it. This caused the "Rank Sacred Inscription"—previously refined by Lu Taiyi by burning his own body—which had been on the verge of shattering, to once again grow much brighter.

However, this also caused more and more white hair to emerge among Lu Qing'er's ice-blue locks.

As for Bai Bai Mengmeng, on her fair, smooth skin, butterfly patterns likewise rose from her flesh and blood—this was the power of the "Heavenly Demon Colorful Butterfly" rapidly eroding her body.

But the two women paid no heed to this backlash; instead, they threw themselves without hesitation before the barrier gate, forcing the Zhuyin Underworld King's advancing footsteps to halt.

Meeting the Zhuyin Underworld King's cold, sinister gaze, Bai Bai Mengmeng drew a deep breath, summoned her courage, and her clear, crisp voice echoed before the barrier gate.

"The captain said this door—you cannot enter!"

The great battle erupted anew. Across a battlefield spanning millions of miles, the strange omens of kings falling appeared one after another without cease.

A heroic, tragic atmosphere permeated heaven and earth.

At the highest battlefield, Li Luo lowered his head to gaze down upon the magnificent, tragic battle below. Those once unattainable King-realm experts, at this very moment, when they fell, were nothing more than a grand yet fleeting fireworks display.

Everyone was fighting to protect.

After all, although the Ten Outer Shenzhou were vast, they had nowhere left to retreat.

If this place fell, from then on, the Ten Outer Shenzhou would all become hell.

Li Luo slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the "Li Li Lingjing" still blocking his path ahead, and the sharpness and sorrow in his eyes climbed to their absolute peak.

"Cousin Li Lingjing, you've seen this sword formation of mine many times before..."

"I just never imagined that now this sword formation would have you as its opponent."

Accompanying Li Luo's low muttering, the void shattered, and the mysterious, ancient sword formation fully took shape. Within that sword formation, a vast, endless torrent of sword-light pierced through the heavens, and within it stood eight enormous sword-shadows, still and silent, exhaling and inhaling beams of annihilating sword-light.

The sword formation thundered, and heaven and earth wailed.

The Myriad Aspects Dragon Fang Sword Formation—Eight Dragon Fangs.

This is Divine Punishment!