Chapter 186: Encirclement

The Po Jun Alliance headquarters is a vast, boundless starfield.

Countless stars move along some mysterious trajectory, faintly forming a colossal array large enough to envelop the Milky Way.

At the very center of the starfield floats a towering divine city forged from a special dark-gold metal.

Its walls stretch several light-years high, densely inscribed with divine sigils.

This is the core territory of the Po Jun Alliance—the Po Jun Divine City.

At this moment, inside a completely sealed-off secret chamber deep within the divine city,

a strand of azure divine light silently condensed, taking the form of the Lord of Tianheng!

This is a clone left by the Lord of Tianheng in the Po Jun Divine City!

At this moment, the Lord of Tianheng's formerly gentle, scholarly smile has vanished completely!

His eyes flicker with mad, greedy light!

"My heavens, divine bloodline......"

The Lord of Tianheng muttered to himself, his breathing somewhat hurried!

"But that Li Zhangsheng is incredibly strong—three strikes and he heavily wounded the Lord of Misty Ridge!"

"His strength should be at the top tier of the Eternal level."

"If we faced each other head-on, I could never be his match."

"But if he ever comes to the Po Jun Alliance..."

The Lord of Tianheng's lips curled into a vicious smile.

"Twelve Eternal Lords, plus an Alliance Lord who is a peak powerhouse among top-tier Eternals, hold the fort."

"No matter how strong he is, could he possibly take on twelve at once?"

"As long as we trap and kill him here, that woman bearing the divine bloodline will be ours for the taking!"

"Then, by refining the divine blood, we can glimpse the God Realm above the Eternal..."

As the Lord of Tianheng muttered, he raised his hand; strands of azure divine light shot from his fingertips, forming eleven message talismans bearing the most urgent summons, which vanished into the void.

"Fellow cultivators, hurry to the Council Temple—there is a heaven-sent opportunity to discuss, and it cannot be delayed!"

Having done all that, the Lord of Tianheng's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Li Zhangsheng, don't blame me."

"If blame there must be, blame the fortune you carry that should not exist in this world!"

……

Po Jun Divine City, Council Temple.

Within the hall, space forms its own world—stars float above the ceiling, while an endless sea of clouds surges beneath one's feet.

Hardly had the Lord of Tianheng's message talismans been sent out when ripples began to spread through the void of the hall.

The Eternal Lords of the Po Jun Alliance have arrived.

"Tianheng, what is so urgent?" boomed one Eternal Lord like rolling thunder, "I was in the middle of refining a furnace of pills, and you rudely interrupted me!"

"Please stay calm; once all fellow cultivators have gathered, I will explain." the Lord of Tianheng said in a deep voice.

"Tianheng, your summons used the most urgent talisman." another Eternal Lord arrived, asking, "What on earth is going on?"

"It's very important." the Lord of Tianheng's eyes flashed with sharp light.

Soon after, Eternal Lords arrived one after another; each asked the Lord of Tianheng why he had urgently summoned them, and he replied each time that they would have to wait for the Alliance Lord to arrive before he would explain.

Just then, the void split open with a huge rift, and boundless majestic pressure poured out from it.

All the Eternal Lords present rose to their feet, their expressions reverent.

A figure clad in Dark Gold Battle Armor stepped out, treading upon spacetime turbulence.

His visage was stern, his brows like swords tucked into his temples; his aura was as deep as an abyss and as mighty as a mountain. Merely standing there, the surrounding spacetime continually shattered and re-formed, creating dreadful spacetime rifts.

The Lord of the Po Jun Alliance, the Lord of Po Jun.

Recognized as one of the strongest Eternal Lords of Yuan Zhi Sheng Tu, his power is unfathomable!

"Tianheng." the Lord of Po Jun sat upon the highest seat, the Alliance Lord's Throne, his voice low and solemn: "What exactly is the matter that made you issue the most urgent summons?"

At that moment, eleven Eternal Lords arrived together!

The auras of the twelve Eternals intertwined, causing the entire Council Temple to tremble slightly.

The Lord of Tianheng stood at the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over each Eternal Lord's face.

Then he drew a deep breath and spoke, word by word.

"I discovered a person in the Chrono-light Realm."

"A woman."

"A woman whose very body flows with divine bloodline."

The words fell.

The entire Council Temple instantly fell into a deathly silence.

The next moment.

"What?!"

"Divine bloodline? Are you sure?!"

All the Eternal Lords present wore looks of astonishment—this news was too shocking to believe!

"Tianheng, you will answer for your words!" the speaker, known as the Lord of Purple Lightning, a High-tier Eternal and one of the top three combatants in the Po Jun Alliance,

"Absolutely no mistake!" the Lord of Tianheng's voice was firm and unyielding:

"I have personally seen it—that woman is suffused with divine bloodline, her aura pure, identical to the divine blood left behind in the Shen Yin Shan of the Hun Dun Hai!"

"I, Tianheng, have roamed the Hun Dun Hai, seen divine blood, and would never mistake it!"

Lord of Po Jun sat upon the Alliance Lord's divine throne, two piercing divine lights shooting from his eyes: "Continue."

"Yes!" said Lord of Tianheng, "Alliance Lord, there is a guardian beside that woman named Li Zhangsheng; he claims he comes from a lower plane—of course, that doesn't matter now—his strength is extraordinary."

"The Lord of Misty Ridge from the Eternal Night Alliance also discovered that woman, tried to seize her, but Li Zhangsheng wounded him with three swords, and he fled in panic!"

"He wounded Misty Ridge with three swords?" Lord of Purple Lightning's pupils contracted: "Misty Ridge is a mid-stage Eternal; to wound him with three swords, Li Zhangsheng's strength..."

"He must be a peak Eternal," another Eternal Lord said, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

"Not bad; his strength should match the Alliance Lord's—he is a peak Eternal Lord, not to be underestimated," Lord of Tianheng nodded, "but he possesses a divine bloodline!"

"I have already invited Li Zhangsheng into the Po Jun Alliance; my true form is now bringing him to Po Jun Divine City."

"At most half a day, and they'll arrive."

Upon saying that.

The eyes of all the Eternal Lords present grew subtle.

Having cultivated to the Eternal Realm, which of them isn't an ancient monster who has lived through countless ages?

Lord of Tianheng having said this much, if they still can't discern his intent, they've lived in vain for all those years.

"Lord of Tianheng, you mean..." one of them flashed a hint of greed in his eyes.

Lord of Tianheng met everyone's gaze, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold, sinister smile.

"Alliance Lord, fellow cultivators."

"The preciousness of a divine bloodline needs no further explanation."

"Although we are all Eternal Lords, who wouldn't want to advance further?"

"Although Li Zhangsheng is strong, no matter how strong he is, he's still just one person!"

"Our Po Jun Alliance has twelve Eternal Lords deploying together, plus the Alliance Lord's peak Eternal presence overseeing; if we set up the Po Jun Slaughter God Great Array, how could we fail to capture a single Li Zhangsheng?!"

"As long as we suppress him, that woman bearing the divine bloodline will be ours to take!"

"Then we will draw the divine blood, collectively study and refine it—perhaps we can even glimpse the realm above Eternal!"

Lord of Tianheng's voice echoed in the hall, each word like a flame igniting the greed in every Eternal Lord's heart.

The realm above Eternal is the dream of every Eternal Lord, yet forever out of reach!

"But..." an Eternal Lord hesitated, "After all, we are the Po Jun Alliance; if we commit such treacherous betrayal, our reputation in the Yuan Zhi Sheng Tu will..."

"Reputation?" Lord of Purple Lightning snorted, cutting him off, "Xingyan, after all these years you still don't get it?"

"In this world, strength is everything!"

"If we truly could step into the realm above Eternal, the entire Yuan Zhi Sheng Tu would have to submit beneath our feet—who would dare say no?"

"By then, what would reputation matter?"

"Lord of Purple Lightning is right!" an Eternal Lord clenched his fists, eyes blazing with fervor, "The chance to obtain a divine bloodline may not come once in a hundred million ages; miss this, and there may never be a second."

"He's merely an Eternal Lord of unknown origin—kill him, and that's that."

"Lord of Tianheng, you seem honest on the surface but hide a belly full of deceit... still, I like it—count me in!" another Eternal Lord nodded!

"The taste of divine blood—I am quite eager for it."

"I, too, agree."

"I have no objection."

"Then... let's do it."

Ten Eternal Lords declared their stance!

Everyone's eyes turned to Lord of Po Jun.

Lord of Po Jun remained silent for a long while.

He sat upon the Alliance Lord's divine throne, his face concealed within dark-gold divine light, making his expression unreadable.

He has been trapped in peak Eternal for far too long.

He longs to enter that legendary realm more than anyone else.

And now, the opportunity lies right before him!

Lord of Po Jun's eyes suddenly blazed: "What's there to discuss? Let's do it!"

"Lord of Tianheng, keep bringing Li Zhangsheng here—do not reveal any flaw."

"The rest of you, follow me in setting up the Po Jun Slaughter God Great Array!"

"Once Li Zhangsheng arrives..."

Lord of Po Jun slowly rose, countless divine sigils flaring on his Dark Gold Battle Armor—"Let him have no return!"

"Yes!"

Eleven Eternal Lords replied in unison, their eyes flashing with greedy and ruthless light.

A plot to besiege Li Zhangsheng was thus settled.

At this very moment, Li Zhangsheng was utterly unaware of the heaven‑shaking killing intent awaiting him ahead!

He merely brought Muxuan Yi, following behind Lord of Tianheng's true form, stepping into the spacetime passage leading to Po Jun Divine City.

In the spacetime passage.

Three figures moved through the endless spacetime turbulence.

Li Zhangsheng walked with hands behind his back, calm expression, gazing through the spacetime turbulence toward the distant horizon!

Muxuan Yi followed at his side!

Half a day later!

"Fellow cultivator, ahead lies Po Jun Divine City!"

Lord of Tianheng turned his head, wearing a warm and sincere smile.

"The fellow daoists in the alliance heard that a new Eternal Lord has joined, they are all eagerly awaiting, and have already been waiting at the Council Temple!"

Li Zhangsheng nodded and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Tianheng."

"Of course, of course!" Lord of Tianheng laughed heartily, turning to continue leading the way.

In the instant he turned, a fleeting cold light flashed in his eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

That cold light was as sharp as a blade's edge.

As icy as an abyss.

Po Jun Divine City, majestic and magnificent.

The dark gold-colored city walls towered several light-years high, exuding a terrifying aura that suppressed the heavens.

Three figures walked out of the spacetime passage and landed before the main gate of the Divine City.

Li Zhangsheng raised his head to gaze at this magnificent Divine City, his eyes calm.

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me," Lord of Tianheng said with a beaming smile, leading the way.

The three passed through gate after gate entwined with divine light, stepping into the interior of the Divine City.

Within the Divine City, a world of its own exists.

Stars hovered in the air, divine light flowed over the ground, and divine palaces floated between seas of clouds, like a fairyland.

Mu Xuan Yi looked around; the Divine City was filled with peace and harmony!

Lord of Tianheng walked ahead, his face always wearing a gentle smile.

But his divine sense was constantly communicating with the hidden main body's avatar deep within the Divine City.

"The prey has entered the city."

"Everything proceeds according to plan."

"Slaughter God Great Array, ready to activate."

The three walked upward along a long staircase paved with starlight.

On both sides, seas of clouds surged, with countless divine lines faintly appearing and disappearing!

At the end of the long staircase, a towering hall gate stood.

The gate bore an engraving of two crossed divine swords, which is the emblem of the Po Jun Alliance.

"Fellow Daoist, the alliance leader and fellow daoists are waiting inside the hall," Lord of Tianheng stood before the hall door, making a gesture of invitation, saying, "Please!"

Li Zhangsheng nodded, without the slightest hesitation, and stepped into the hall.

Mu Xuan Yi closely followed behind.

Lord of Tianheng fell behind last.

At the instant he stepped into the hall door, his smile vanished instantly, "The prey is caught in the net!!"

Hall door.

Behind him.

Boom— it shut!

Council Temple.

The moment Li Zhangsheng stepped into the hall, the sight before him made him stop.

In the center of the hall, twelve divine thrones were arranged in a circle.

On each throne sat a figure emanating an eternal aura.

On the highest seat, the Lord of Po Jun wore Dark Gold Battle Armor, his visage stern, his eyes like blades.

Everyone stared at Li Zhangsheng and Mu Xuan Yi!

In their gazes were greed, killing intent, mockery, and schadenfreude.

There was not the slightest hint of welcome.

Mu Xuan Yi's face turned slightly pale, and she instinctively moved closer to Li Zhangsheng!

Li Zhangsheng naturally also sensed something.

This is a trap!

Lord of Tianheng invited them to join the Po Jun Alliance; from beginning to end, it was all a trap!!

It seems Li Zhangsheng still underestimated the allure of Mu Xuan Yi's bloodline!

However, Li Zhangsheng didn't care; his gaze swept over all the Eternal Lords present, finally settling on Lord of Tianheng, and he lightly smiled and said:

"Lord of Tianheng, this welcome ceremony feels rather solemn; they look at us as if we were two lambs awaiting slaughter."

"Is this how the Po Jun Alliance welcomes guests?"

Lord of Tianheng had now torn away all pretense, no longer hiding his greed and killing intent, he gave a mocking laugh: "Hehe, Fellow Daoist Changsheng, there's nothing to be done; the bloodline of the woman beside you is too alluring!"

"Therefore, today, I can only ask you to go to your death!"

The words fell.

The Lord of Po Jun slowly raised his hand.

In an instant!

The entire Council Temple trembled violently!

In the void, countless divine lines lit up simultaneously!

Twelve-colored divine light rose like twelve giant dragons from all sides of the hall, intertwining and coiling, instantly forming a massive killing array that left one breathless!

Po Jun Slaughter God Great Array!

This is the Po Jun Alliance's trump card, jointly activated by the twelve Eternal Lords!

Twelve kinds of Eternal Divine Power converged together, forming a prison!

Spacetime, completely sealed!

Retreat route, completely cut off!

Obviously, to deal with a Li Zhangsheng whom they regard as the supreme eternal lord, they also dare not be careless!