Chapter 395: The Winner Takes All

Panic-stricken shouts erupted simultaneously at every node across the city; the once-orderly Mo Sect forces instantly plunged into chaos and terror.

As if in response to the crushing defeat within the city—

"Boom~!"

From the direction of the Liu residence, a deafening explosion roared forth.

The entire massive mansion seemed to tremble.

Immediately after, three figures wreathed in thick black qi, radiating formidable power, shot skyward like startled night hawks, attempting to flee!

Yet, just as they rose less than thirty feet into the air—

"Where do you think you're going?!"

"Mo Sect demons, die!"

Dozens of sharp sword beams and ruthless saber flashes, long lying in wait, erupted suddenly from the shadows, rooftops, and alleys surrounding the Liu residence, forming an iron net that slammed down without mercy.

These were the elite warriors Du Weilong had pre-deployed specifically to seal off the Liu residence.

Among them were two Peak Earth Altar experts, along with several skilled practitioners of Divine Bridge, Three Flowers Converging, and Five Qi Ascending.

"Crash! Crash! Boom!"

Fierce combat erupted instantly midair; qi blasts radiated outward, black qi and gang momentum intertwining, shattering roof tiles above the Liu residence into a rain of debris.

Almost simultaneously, the four city gates—once breached and overrun by hordes of black-clad Mo Sect members—underwent another sudden transformation.

The city defense troops, who had appeared scattered or suppressed, suddenly surged with astonishing combat prowess, as if injected with adrenaline.

Hidden ambushers—hidden in the barbicans, arrow towers, and civilian homes—flooded out, while elite heavy infantry surged from side alleys, coordinating with reorganized archers and crossbowmen atop the walls to encircle the Mo Sect intruders from within and without.

The gateways were swiftly retaken; the massive portcullises slowly descended, severing all reinforcements from entering, trapping the initial wave of Mo Sect infiltrators like fish in a barrel, doomed to brutal alley warfare and encircled slaughter.

"Swoosh! Swoosh!"

High above, two shadows—more terrifying than any other aura below, radiating Heavenly Palace realm pressure—were hurtling at incredible speed toward the city's sky from an outer direction, clearly attempting to intervene or reverse the defeat.

Yet, the moment they neared the city walls—

A tall, slender figure, seemingly capable of holding up the entire heavens, appeared soundlessly directly before them, blocking their path.

It was Du Weilong, former Commander of the Longdao Town Martial Bureau!

He stood with hands clasped behind his back; the night wind stirred his robes, yet his voice rang clear and calm through the night air.

"Lord 'Helmsman,' since you've graced us with your presence, why rush off so hastily? Why not sit, have a cup of tea, and rest a while before departing?"

"Du Weilong!"

The "Helmsman," shrouded in churning black qi, his face unseen, let out a hoarse, furious growl, "Do you think… you've already seized control?!"

As if to prove his words were no empty boast—

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

From Chengxi and Chengbei, two overwhelming Heavenly Palace realm auras erupted simultaneously.

These auras were savage, icy, saturated with potent demonic intent, like slumbering beasts suddenly awakening, seeking to stir the winds and clouds.

Yet, the instant these two auras erupted, before they could even surge toward the city's core—

"We've been waiting."

"Mo Sect vermin, dare not be so arrogant!"

Four other auras—equally reaching the Heavenly Palace realm, each radiating righteous might, piercing sword intent, or weight like Rushan—exploded skyward from hidden spots in Chengxi and Chengbei, like hunters lying in ambush.

They came in pairs, precisely locking onto the two newly exposed Mo Sect Heavenly Palace experts.

Clearly, Du Weilong had anticipated that beyond the visible "Helmsman," the Mo Sect harbored additional Heavenly Palace-level forces, and had already summoned sufficient reinforcements to counter them.

"What?!"

"Bad!"

The two Mo Sect Heavenly Palace experts, caught utterly off-guard—realizing their hidden cards had been exposed and the enemy had prepared so thoroughly—were thrown into shock and rage, forced into hasty combat.

Six figures instantly surged higher into the night sky; terrifying energy waves clashed violently, sword qi and saber flashes crisscrossed, demonic qi churned, shredding the clouds above into nothingness.

A full-scale Heavenly Palace-level battle erupted high above.

Seeing this, the "Helmsman" and his companion, both blocked by Du Weilong, finally paled.

They knew their meticulously planned inside-out uprising, centered on a core explosion, had been ensnared in the enemy's trap from the very first step.

Everywhere constrained, every move reactive.

"Du Weilong! How cunning you are!"

The "Helmsman's" voice dripped with darkness, devoid of any trace of hope.

In the next instant, the two said no more; they exchanged a glance and simultaneously unleashed their utmost power.

Rolling demonic qi surged like smoke into the heavens, coalescing into colossal demonic shadows and claws, radiating terrifying power capable of tearing through space, lunging left and right toward Du Weilong!

Du Weilong's gaze remained calm and still; facing the twin assault of two peers, he slowly raised both hands.

His left hand clenched into a fist; a pale golden palm, vast enough to cover half the sky, formed from pure true qi—like the hand of a celestial deity—descended with the authority to suppress all evil, striking the left demonic shadow.

His right hand curled into a claw; five fingers bent, tips unleashing piercing blades sharp enough to sever all things, forming a blue giant claw capable of seizing sun and moon, slicing through air to grasp the right demonic claws!

One against two, he met them head-on.

"Boom—"

An even more terrifying energy storm exploded at the highest reaches of Dao City.

Brilliant light blazed, illuminating the chaotic city below, where defense and counterattack intertwined.

…

At the Xiao residence entrance.

Chen Mu sheathed his sword, glanced at the heart-stopping Heavenly Palace battle above, then lowered his eyes to Xiao Xinming, slumped across the threshold, face ashen, blood still oozing from his lips.

The voice was calm, yet like a final judgment, it rang clearly into Xiao Xinming's ears.

"My lord Xiao, it seems your plan to overthrow the Dao City from within has utterly failed."

Xiao Xinming slumped onto the vermilion threshold, his elegant black combat attire smeared with dust and blood, the grotesque sword wound on his chest still oozing dark red foam.

He listened to the screams and cries of panic echoing from across the city—signals of his plan's collapse—and to the thunderous battle high above, a Heavenly Palace Realm clash that filled him with despair; then he looked at Chen Mu's young, expressionless face, and his lips twisted into a hoarse, agonized laugh.

"Hahahaha…"

The laughter brimmed with venom, resentment, and a hint of near-mad resolve.

"The victor is king, the loser is dog… hah… the victor is king, the loser is dog!!"

He glared fiercely at Chen Mu, red light flickering in his eyes, and with lightning speed, raised his only still-movable left hand to shove a pill—long hidden in his sleeve, radiating an ominous black-red hue—straight into his own mouth!