Chapter 839: Defeat (Combined)

A force, domineering and profound, stood like a mountain before Su Muqing—it was Su Zhenyuan.

Upon hearing that barely perceptible whisper, he rushed over immediately to prevent his beloved daughter from falling victim to the demon's hand and being killed outright.

Beside him was a restrained, silent aura—Li Hao.

He too had arrived at once, standing before the girl.

Seeing her pale, haggard face, his vision blurred with memories of the Southern Theater battle, and a sharp pain pierced his chest.

"I'll remove it for you!"

Su Zhenyuan supported Su Muqing as a domineering, annihilating force surged forth, seeping into her Primordial Spirit and instantly erasing the blood-spirit curse left by Chi Xu before death.

That force was extremely difficult even for a Perfect Immortal Lord, yet to him it was as insubstantial as cotton on his fingertip.

After healing his daughter, Su Zhenyuan's gaze finally turned to the boy beside him, his eyes flickering slightly.

The fact that he arrived first, combined with his earlier act of blocking Su Muqing to fight in her stead—no matter his original motive, even if merely to curry favor with the Su family—now filled Su Zhenyuan with nothing but goodwill.

If a boy is willing to go this far for his daughter, what harm is there in the Su family lending him strength?

"Hmph!"

On the black warship, the purple-robed middle-aged man and others scowled, letting out a cold snort.

Though Su Muqing's voice was soft, she had conceded defeat; arguing with the human race would yield no victory—this was still human territory.

Just a fraction of a second slower, and she would have been slain.

If this human prodigy perished, half the mission's goal would already be accomplished.

At this moment, Su Muqing had awakened from her dream-sleep, her consciousness returning; seeing her father before her, she felt instant relief, then her peripheral vision caught Li Hao beside her, and she froze slightly.

Her father arriving first didn't surprise her—but this guy…

Recalling his earlier actions, her eyes flickered; this time, no revulsion showed—only a silent turn of her gaze toward the demon prodigy.

The moment their eyes met, they saw the killing intent in each other's depths.

But Su Muqing had already conceded; no further challenge was permitted. Her face darkened with bitterness; even if she believed she could defeat him at full strength, after battling Chi Xu, she lacked the capacity to slay two top-tier prodigies in succession.

If this man, in his dying moments, had inflicted irreversible, long-term injuries upon her, and another such opponent appeared, she would still lose—and die.

Still not strong enough… Su Muqing clenched her fists, her face filled with resentment.

Su Zhenyuan saw her expression, understood his daughter's thoughts, yet his gaze remained gentle as he said:

"You've done well enough. You've avenged Jiang's boy. Let's go."

But Su Muqing didn't move, her face grim: "If I leave, who will fight him?"

Su Zhenyuan looked at the demon youth, his heart heavy with complexity; to him, the youth was but a speck of dust, a glance away from annihilation—but among young prodigies, he stood at the pinnacle. Aside from Su Muqing, the human side likely had no one who could match him.

"But you've lost your right to fight. Let's think of another way."

Su Zhenyuan said.

"Let me try."

Li Hao suddenly spoke up.

He had seen it: the human side was stretched thin. The demon prodigy's power was immense—he himself dared not claim a sure victory. After all, did the opponent still have hidden cards?

"You?"

Su Zhenyuan and Su Muqing both turned to Li Hao at once; Su Muqing's brow furrowed, her face icy as she said:

"Don't meddle. I can't fight now, and I don't need you dying for me."

Saying this, she turned and walked away.

Li Hao watched her back; though her tone was as cold as ever, for the first time, he didn't find it repulsive.

Moreover, for the first time, he did not follow her retreating figure—he stayed where he was.

Sensing the lingering presence behind him, Su Muqing, mid-flight out of the arena, turned back, glancing at the boy, surprise flickering in her eyes.

Especially seeing the boy's earnest gaze fixed on her father—as if he truly intended to fight—her eyes filled with complexity.

Was it not just for her? But also for the Northern Region's humans?

Could that aimless, lazy boy truly possess such courage and vision?

In the arena, Su Zhenyuan and Li Hao locked eyes; suddenly, he realized the boy was serious.

His expression softened slightly, but he quickly shook his head, pulling Li Hao out of the arena and returning him to the Su family's side.

"Your cultivation base is too low. There's no reason for you to fight. If you truly care, cultivate hard—earn the chance to reclaim today's humiliation in the future!"

Su Zhenyuan spoke in a low, unyielding tone, then ignored Li Hao, turning to Jiang Qiuyu and Lin Daogong to whisper:

"Muqing lost. The girl gave her all. Who should we send now?"

Jiang Qiuyu and Lin Daogong also recognized Su Muqing had done her utmost; the demon prodigy had unleashed that uncanny power from the start, impossible to guard against. Her defeat wasn't her fault.

But… who now?

Even Su Muqing, with her Seventh Layer of Time's Origin, had been unable to resist that force—who else could stand?

The entire arena fell silent; the ancestral elders of every clan exchanged uneasy glances.

They weren't afraid of death, nor of sending their own prodigies into battle—but if they lost, an Immortal City would be lost.

That sin… they could not shoulder it on mere Rexue alone.

Not just the arena, but the entire Gusu Imperial Star fell silent. All thirty-six thousand Immortal Cities whispered among themselves; countless eyes burned with anxiety and hope, wondering what plan the human pillar, Su Zhenyuan, still held.

"So, no one dares to respond?"

The purple-robed middle-aged man sneered.

His words echoed across the Imperial Star and the Demon Realm through the Boundary Stone; countless cheers erupted across the demon territories.

Though Chi Xu had died, Su Muqing had barely survived her victory—so it was a draw.

Only the Blood-Spirit Clan remained truly immersed in grief; their entire race now poured out hatred and blood-cursed curses, etching the Su family's name in vengeance.

Millennia of hatred intertwined, building a wall, brick by brick.

"Let me go."

Lin Jinrou spoke softly, her eyes filled with resolve.

But the Immortal King elder before her blocked her, shaking his head slightly, his gaze filled with sorrow.

If defeat is certain, why send someone to die? Losing an Immortal City is a heavy blow—but worse is losing another prodigy.

"If we don't send someone now, they'll choose for us."

The purple-robed man said coldly.

Hearing this, Su Zhenyuan, Jiang Qiuyu, Lin Daogong, and others conferred without resolution, their faces grim.

No one had expected the demon prodigies to keep sending such powerhouses; lesser talents like Su Wanqing hadn't even been given a chance to fight—the disparity in visible strength was absolute.

Among humans, only two or three prodigies matched Su Muqing's caliber; Jiang Xuming counted as nearly half one. Now that Su Muqing had fallen, no one else remained.

"Has Lin Zhe not emerged yet?"

Jiang Qiuyu asked.

Lin Daogong nodded faintly, sighing: "That child is at a critical breakthrough point—we can't rush him. But once he emerges, he could sweep them all aside. We just need to stall."

Su Zhenyuan and Jiang Qiuyu exchanged glances, a flicker of confidence appearing in their eyes; they immediately changed strategy.

Quickly, they selected a disciple.

"Lin Beifeng, you go. Remember: don't fight hard—just stall. Hold out as long as you can. If things turn dire, surrender immediately. Don't waste your life."

Lin Daogong whispered to a Lin family youth.

Lin Beifeng stepped forward, noble and handsome, his face like polished jade. He nodded, eyes brimming with killing intent, and leapt onto the arena.

Li Hao saw the youth chosen and frowned; he didn't know the strategy behind the selection, but sending this man meant certain death.

Had they already abandoned victory, settling for a less humiliating defeat?

In the arena, the battle had begun.

As soon as the sealing barrier closed, Lin Beifeng unleashed all his power—but instead of attacking, he shifted entirely to defense, activating numerous Immortal Treasures and swallowing two Immortal Pills, his aura surging higher.

Though meant to stall, he spared no cost, sacrificing his foundational roots.

The demon youth sneered; the nightmare force surged again. Soon, Lin Beifeng's Dao Domain was corroded, his body trembling, on the verge of collapse.

He held out for less than three breaths before spewing a torrent of blood, mumbling incoherently as he surrendered.

Seeing this, countless eyes grew complex.

Pills consumed, all strength expended, over a dozen Immortal Treasures activated—and still, he couldn't resist the demon prodigy's power. Was he truly going to sweep them all aside alone?

The Imperial Star fell into silence, no sound.

Su Zhenyuan and the others grimly sent out their second fighter.

Soon, Lin Jinrou stepped onto the arena.

But she, too, fell quickly.

Next came Jiang family's Jiang Huanhuan, Su Wanxue…

All were swiftly defeated, each barely managing to surrender before being rescued.

When it came to Su Wanqing's turn, Li Hao finally understood Su Zhenyuan's intent—combined with the murmurs around him, he intercepted Su Wanqing and approached Su Zhenyuan.

"Hmm?"

Su Zhenyuan, seeing Li Hao return, frowned.

He highly valued this boy's talent; achieving such a realm with only a hundred-year soul lifespan surpassed even the Lin family's prodigy. Precisely because of this, he could never let Li Hao fight and die.

"Uncle, let me go. I swear—even if I burn my Primordial Spirit, I won't lose!"

Li Hao stared at him, speaking each word clearly.

As soon as he finished, Su Wanqing rushed over, grabbing Li Hao's arm:

"What are you doing? I can handle this. I won't die—even if I lose, I'll surrender."

Li Hao did not look at her, but stared straight at Su Zhenyuan.

Sending Su Wanqing out to delay just a moment is meaningless, and carries the risk of death.

"Don't seek your own death—you're foolish and ungrateful."

Su Muqing's voice came through, cold yet tinged with anger, yet the words themselves were unusually kind.

Su Wanxue, defeated and silent, had once held prejudice against Li Hao, but now, after his repeated challenges, even just this courage was enough to change her mind and set aside all other biases.

"Who is that? He's requesting battle."

"Only Immortal Lord Realm Second Layer? Is he insane? Going up to die?"

"If he goes up, he won't even get a chance to yield—he'll be gone in an instant."

Countless onlookers whispered among themselves; though they couldn't understand Li Hao's actions, none despised him.

One defeat after another—each fallen was a top-tier prodigy of great renown. Other noble family prodigies who stepped forward would likely lose too; if so, it made no difference who was sent now.

On the contrary, stepping forward now was purely risking one's life.

Yet this at least was courage—the courage to sacrifice oneself for humanity!

"You…"

Su Zhenyuan hadn't expected Li Hao to be so persistent. He sighed helplessly, about to refuse—when Li Hao's aura suddenly began to rise, steadily climbing.

But before he could reveal his Primordial Spirit, suddenly, a thunderous roar shook the heavens ten thousand miles away.

Instantly, that thunder surged across ten thousand miles, crossing space and arriving in an instant.

Countless eyes turned upward, seeing a figure materialize in midair, wreathed in searing energy and divine lightning.

For a moment, the arena fell into breathless silence—then erupted in excited, jubilant cheers from the noble family prodigies.

"It's Lin Zhe!"

"He's here! He's finally here!"

⊙Co

"The Lin family's true dragon—he's finally emerged!"

All noble family prodigies rejoiced wildly; after Lin Jinrou, Jiang Huanhuan, and others fell one after another, they had all lost hope and prepared to sacrifice their lives—but now, Lin Zhe had come! This prodigy, the Lin family's greatest, even the greatest on this Emperor Star—he had arrived!

In the thirty-six thousand Immortal Cities, countless Immortal citizens reacted slightly slower, but soon joined the uproar.

The young man's appearance was familiar to all on the Emperor Star; statues of Lin Zhe stood in many Immortal Cities controlled by the Lin family.

Countless people knew the face of the Emperor Star's number one.

"Brother!"

Lin Jinrou, just defeated and wounded, then healed, now wore a face full of surprise and excitement, her eyes brimming with emotion.

Other Lin family prodigies, like dead fish suddenly splashed with water, immediately regained vitality, faces alight with joy.

"Zhe…"

Su Muqing gazed at the radiant figure, her eyes momentarily lost in awe—then snapped back, revealing tenderness and relief.

Since childhood, they had grown up together, and after beginning cultivation, each revealed top-tier talent, advancing side by side, chasing one another.

But as cultivation deepened, Lin Zhe gradually surpassed her, standing like a wall before her—making her chase him, yet also filling her with quiet reassurance.

After reaching the Sage Realm, however, she often suffered disturbances from dreams—in them, she seemed to transform into another person, witnessing countless strange scenes, which became distracting thoughts during her cultivation, greatly affecting her.

This was why her cultivation had gradually slowed.

Fortunately, she possessed exceptional insight into time, feeling it as naturally as extending her own arm—this kept her from falling too far behind.

"It's Brother Zhe!"

Su Wanqing also saw Lin Zhe, and froze, her eyes instantly brightening with joy, her heart inexplicably easing.

But soon, she remembered something and turned to look at the boy beside her.

The aura the boy had just released—like a sleeping dragon emerging from the abyss—had been steadily growing, but as Lin Zhe's figure arrived, it halted, then slowly faded, returning to stillness.

As if a tiny insect, having just lifted its head, had been forced back into the shadows by that dazzling, radiant figure.

Su Wanqing's eyes suddenly filled with pity and sorrow; she knew that among all men, none could compare to Lin Zhe—they would all pale in comparison, all feel ashamed.

Yet this outcome had been known from the start—and still, he clung to his feelings, unwavering. This sincerity, however true, was destined to have no result.

"Lin Zhe!"

Jiang Huanhuan's eyes sparkled with delight as she gazed at the figure.

After successive defeats, humanity had sunk into despair, the atmosphere at rock bottom—yet at this moment, Lin Zhe's arrival was like a celestial god descending, shining ten thousand miles bright, like a savior come to save them!

The ancestral elders of the noble families, stunned for a moment, also wore smiles of relief—they had finally waited!

On the black warship, the purple-robed middle-aged man and the demonic prodigies all fixed their eyes on the young man before them.

This was humanity's most troublesome prodigy of this generation.

This was on the list of targets for elimination.

A being with Emperor Potential—someone who might one day become an Emperor.

High above, Lin Zhe, wreathed in primordial Dao phenomena, gazed coldly and disdainfully, his aura fully unrestrained.

He had just emerged from seclusion when family elders sent word of the situation here, tearing open space to let him teleport swiftly.

Humanity had suffered repeated retreats; Su Muqing had fallen, and Jiang Xueming—the very man he'd once struggled to defeat—was now dead.

In such dire straits… his gaze slowly swept the arena, seeing countless eyes filled with hope and anticipation—he understood: he was now humanity's only hope.

When Su Muqing had fallen, it meant he was the final bulwark.

His eyes turned to Su Muqing, gave her a slight nod, his coldness softening slightly, then moved on to others.

Soon, he saw Li Hao before Su Zhenyuan—but did not recognize him. Yet the boy's expression stood out: unlike others, he showed no joy, only calm observation.

Still, Lin Zhe gave it no further thought; after scanning the crowd, his gaze settled on the black warship.

"Finally, someone worthy?"

The purple-robed man sneered.

Lin Zhe's eyes turned icy. "Those who lost will pay!"

His figure flickered—he didn't greet anyone, stepping directly into the Demon Ancestor's Arena.

Lin Dao Gong saw this and hurried to warn him of the demonic prodigy's abilities—but the purple-robed man had already waved his hand, impatiently sealing the barrier.

The demonic prodigy studied this century's top human prodigy, smirked faintly, then without warning, launched a Nightmare Assault.

"Watch out!"

Su Muqing, Su Wanxue, and others cried out in warning.

But their voices could not pierce the sealed barrier.

Inside the arena, the force teleported instantly—Lin Zhe's expression remained icy, but his eyes flickered slightly; now he understood why others had fallen.

"Hmph!"

He erupted with Immortal energy, revealing his Primordial Spirit—seven hundred golden Primordial Bones.

With overwhelming Primordial Spirit power guarding his mind, he unleashed the Lin family's supreme Primordial Spirit technique, forming a golden pagoda to defend himself.

The Nightmare corruption was blocked, forced to slowly erode.

But this pace was too slow—Lin Zhe moved. His Immortal energy surged, and with each step, faint dragon roars echoed; within his energy, the spectral form of the Candle Dragon emerged.

Boom! The space before the demonic prodigy tore open, time twisted—three demonic treasures flew out automatically to block Lin Zhe's spear, but cracked instantly. One strike shattered all three treasures; Lin Zhe had not even used his full power.

Seeing this, countless onlookers were stunned and erupted in excitement—this power was too overwhelming.

Moreover, Lin Zhe's realm was revealed: Immortal Lord Realm Eighth Layer!

Though not yet at the peak of Immortal Lord Realm, the depth and might of his Immortal energy surpassed even that of a full peak Immortal Lord!

"That's Candle Dragon Immortal Energy!"

"His Immortal energy has been refined to this level? This… this is unbelievable!"

"Immortal energy refined like water is already the extreme—yet his contains the Candle Dragon's primordial essence, water coalescing into a dragon, the dragon transforming into a candle—he's actually achieved it!"

"The Lin family's legendary Candle Dragon Immortal Energy—someone has actually cultivated it! In the same realm, his Immortal energy alone can effortlessly crush all rivals—unrivaled in his tier!!"

The ancestral elders present were stunned, unable to believe it—this young man was so extraordinary.

The purple-robed man and his group all grew grim, their expressions darkening.

"So this is the result of his seclusion? It seems the sacrifices weren't in vain."

Jiang Qiuyu, seeing this, also exhaled in relief.

Inside the arena, Lin Zhe's spear swept continuously, dragon roars echoing—within moments, he exhausted all the demonic prodigy's defensive treasures, then—Boom! his spear pierced through, time-space energy enveloping the target, combined with furious Candle Dragon Immortal Energy, directly rupturing the opponent's Dao Domain and shattering his Nightmare pseudo-domain.

A violent explosion rang out—the demonic prodigy's face twisted in shock as his body was torn apart.

Lin Zhe's gaze turned colder; he gave no chance to yield, suddenly increasing his power to obliterate not only the shredded flesh but also the opponent's Primordial Spirit.

But from the twisted Nightmare shadow behind the demonic prodigy, a voice cried out in surrender—it seemed that was the true self.

At that moment, the purple-robed man burst into the arena and shielded him.

Lin Zhe, seeing this, did not rashly pursue—if the demonic prodigy broke the rules and attacked him directly, he might be instantly crushed.

The purple-robed man glanced at the young man; he truly wanted to erase him with a single finger before he could react—such a prodigy could not be allowed to live. But this was still human territory. Though a demonic Emperor watched from afar, whether the sleeping Emperors behind the Su and Jiang families—and the other three great clans—would awaken and crush him in return remained uncertain.

In the end, he followed the rules, took the demonic prodigy back, and began healing him.

"So this is humanity's strongest prodigy…"

Other demonic prodigies grew grim, some with pale faces, staring intently at Lin Zhe.

The brutal Immortal energy he had just displayed moved them—he had defeated Meng Qing, which alone surpassed most of them.

Suddenly, the plight humanity had faced now seemed reversed—falling upon them.

Silence fell on the black deck; no demonic prodigy dared speak up to request battle.

Meanwhile, the human side erupted in unceasing cheers—the entire Gu Su Emperor Star rang with roaring waves of sound.

"Who else?"

Lin Zhexuan's eyes were cold, tinged with a hint of regret—he felt he had been careless for not killing his opponent.

Had he unleashed his full power, he would have left no chance for the enemy to beg for mercy.

Su Zhenyuan and Jiang Qiuyu exchanged glances, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes—this was now certain.

That demonic prodigy just now, like the earlier Chi Xu, was undoubtedly among the very top of this group of demonic prodigies—but he was crushed by Lin Zhexuan. Now, it was time for the human race to sweep forward!

"The Lin family has truly produced a true dragon!"

Jiang Qiuyu whispered.

Lin Daogong's face was full of smiles, rare pride shining in his eyes—Lin Zhexuan was indeed the Lin family's greatest prodigy, unmatched in talent throughout generations, save only the Ancestor.

"So, no one else to send?"

Su Zhenyuan spoke, returning the purple-robed middle-aged man's earlier words to him.

Hearing this, everyone felt a surge of satisfaction, their eyes gleaming as they stared at the demonic faction.

The black warship fell into silent stillness.

"Who among you will go?"

The purple-robed middle-aged man's face darkened as his gaze swept over those behind him.

But in response, he met only eyes that avoided his.

The once arrogant demonic prodigies now remained utterly silent.

Only three did not flinch: two wore solemn expressions; the woman, veiled in black gauze, had deep, unreadable eyes, betraying no emotion.

"I will go."

Amid the stifling silence, the black-veiled woman at the center finally spoke slowly.

Hearing her words, the purple-robed man and the golden-eyed man beside him turned to look at her—now, only she could act.

She was their last reserve; the human side's Lin Zhexuan was theirs. If so, let this battle decide their superiority now!

"Very well. It's yours."

The purple-robed man nodded.

"But."

The black-veiled woman spoke slowly: "Without the exhaustion of others, I… cannot guarantee I will kill him."

Her voice was like ice in a deep lake—not cold, but devoid of warmth or emotional fluctuation.

"If you lack the certainty, even a mutual ruin would suffice."

The purple-robed man said.

The black-veiled woman said nothing further—because he had not understood her meaning.

Not being able to guarantee death did not mean she would lose.

After all, killing a formidable opponent like Lin Zhexuan—leaving him no chance to surrender—required absolute domination.

But winning did not.

Whoosh!

As the black-veiled woman stepped into the Demon Ancestor's Arena, a roar of encouragement erupted from the human side for Lin Zhexuan.

Lin Zhexuan's gaze was icy: "After all this deliberation, you're the unlucky fool chosen to die?"

"Oh?"

The black-veiled woman raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes coolly fixed on him.

Lin Zhexuan said no more—both were extremely cold-natured, with no habit for idle words.

The black-veiled woman also remained silent. As the sealing barrier closed, her aura began to spread—her soul mirror revealed a soul lifespan of six hundred years!

Compared to Lin Zhexuan and Su Muqing, the difference was minimal—only a few decades.

But then her aura surged further—she had reached the ninth layer of Immortal Lord realm!

Merely by realm, she surpassed Lin Zhexuan.

Seeing this, the cheers from the human side dimmed slightly, but soon, murmurs spread among them.

For top-tier cultivators, realm alone was no longer the standard for measuring strength—it was foundation and depth that mattered.

A single realm gap was enough for Lin Zhexuan to reverse the tide.

A normal Immortal Lord who had reached the peak would still fall before Lin Zhexuan's casual strike infused with Candle Dragon Immortal Power—such was the gap.

Yet as her realm manifested, her ultimate realm power also emerged, and on her forehead, an Immortal Seal appeared, swirling with the phenomenon of the Nine Sequences' Primordial Source.

But this Immortal Seal bore not nine flowers—only one, whole and unified!

The Primordial Source Immortal Seal!!

The entire Gusu Emperor Star fell instantly into silence.

Those still arguing, those claiming the one-realm advantage meant nothing—all fell mute, as if their throats had been clenched, staring in shock.

Outside the arena, Su Muqing, Su Wanqing, and others all paled—including the Lin and Jiang clans, and the prodigies of every noble house.

The Primordial Source Immortal Seal—the legendary Immortal Seal!

Even the direct disciples of an Immortal Emperor might not be able to forge it; only a tiny fraction of them could master this seal.

Nine flowers, nine sequences, were already the ultimate expression of talent and insight—but the Primordial Source Immortal Seal… was another realm entirely. It was not merely insight—it involved fate and other factors, impossible to replicate, which is why it was legend.

"How could this…"

Su Muqing was momentarily dazed.

Su Zhenyuan and others' expressions changed—they stared at the black-veiled woman in awe.

The Primordial Source Immortal Seal… such a prodigy had emerged among the demons—and they had brought her here for sparring?!

Didn't they fear the humans would break the rules and kill her?

Lin Zhexuan's icy gaze contracted slightly when the Primordial Source Immortal Seal appeared—he himself bore the Nine Flowers, Nine Sequences seal, just shy of legend.

This black-veiled woman… her talent was no less than his!

Lin Zhexuan grew serious, gripping his divine spear tightly as his power surged violently.

The black-veiled woman's aura deepened, like an abyssal sea—her immortal power flowed, and waves of black smoke-like phenomena emerged from within it.

This was clearly another form of cultivation perfected to its extreme—though not Candle Dragon Immortal Power, it had transcended the Immortal Power-as-Water realm.

"Eternal Night Without Sleep!"

The black-veiled woman whispered.

With a gesture, her black immortal power instantly engulfed the entire arena, shrouding the Demon Ancestor's Arena completely, obscuring all sight within.

But suddenly, a series of dragon roars rang out, piercingly loud, followed by a flash of golden light.

Then came violent tremors, and fragments of space, warped and torn, piercing through the black mist.

Merely the commotion was enough to convey how fierce the battle within had become.

Those who had cheered moments ago now tensed, fists clenched.

Lin Zhexuan was their last hope—he could not lose!

"Zhexuan-ge…"

Lin Jinrou gripped her hands tightly—rarely, she felt the urge to pray.

Suddenly, a golden divine light slashed through the black mist, appearing above the Demon Ancestor's Arena—a terrifying spear shadow.

The spear shadow radiated boundless might, exuding imperial authority!

"It's the Emperor Path Spear Art that Zhexuan-ge mastered!"

Someone from the Lin clan cried out.

The divine spear stood firm in heaven and earth, like a colossal peak, piercing through all mist and haze, instantly driving forward.

Where it passed, the black mist scattered—but behind the spear's tip, the mist surged back like tides, closing again.

The crowd now saw the black-veiled woman—she had revealed her true form: a dense, pitch-black mist, within which faint bloodlight glimmered, her eyes two crimson orbs.

The Emperor Spear pierced downward, shredding the black-veiled woman's true form.

A series of intricate immortal techniques appeared above her head, complex patterns of cultivation forming—then all shattered.

Until the divine spear's glow faded, her true form exploded apart.

Black mist returned, as if sinking into silence.

Boom!

Muffled thuds followed from within, like cracking sounds.

The black vapor slowly receded.

Seeing this, countless faces lit up with joy.

Yet as the black vapor withdrew, the Demon Ancestor's Arena was left in ruins—cracked earth, shattered sky—but no one saw Lin Zhexuan standing triumphant, nor the demonic foe slain.

Instead, Lin Zhexuan was covered in wounds, his immortal armor riddled with cracks, his spear split, his hair disheveled—utterly devoid of his earlier aura of supreme dominance.

On the other side, the black-veiled woman knelt in the void, breathing lightly—but her aura was stronger than Lin Zhexuan's.

Su Zhenyuan and others' faces changed; they clenched their fists, hearts pounding to their throats.

"Die!"

The black-veiled woman raised her hand, drawing upon the power of heaven and earth once more. From the void behind her, a profound will descended—her power surged, crushing toward Lin Zhexuan.

Lin Zhexuan gripped his divine spear, but sensing the extraordinary will behind her, his expression shifted repeatedly—he shifted from offense to defense, parrying repeatedly as he retreated.

Outside, Li Hao also sensed that extraordinary will. He froze—this was the ultimate transformation into Immortal, the transcendent consciousness he had once faintly touched.

He called it… Tianzun.

This black-veiled girl had touched the ultimate of Immortal transformation—the Tianzun's will—and could borrow it?

Isn't this… already half a step across the threshold of the Final Realm of Immortal Transformation?!

Li Hao was stunned, unable to believe it.

He himself had only mastered two Final Realms.

"He actually…"

Su Zhenyuan and the others also sensed that extraordinary will—they were shocked. He was merely an Immortal Lord, hadn't yet mastered a domain, yet he could communicate with the Heavenly Sovereign's consciousness and reflect its mental projection?

Though he hadn't yet truly fused with the Heavenly Sovereign's consciousness, he had already crossed the threshold of the Final Realm!

At this moment, they deeply realized why the demons dared challenge the human race, coming here to spar and proposing conditions humans couldn't refuse—because they had absolute confidence in victory!

With a thunderous crash, Lin Zhe's body slammed hard against the sealing array's barrier, jolting countless stunned onlookers as if waking from a dream.

The earlier cheers and frenzy felt like a dream's wild celebration; now, it seemed they had only just returned to reality.

Lin Zhe… the first human of the Northern Region in a thousand years—could he really… lose??

Countless people felt their blood freeze, unable to believe it, unable to imagine.

But soon, under the black-veiled woman's relentless assault, Lin Zhe's aura was clearly suppressed, and the primordial phenomenon manifested by his Candle Dragon Immortal Power was also crushed.

With the Dao Source Immortal Seal and a higher realm, Lin Zhe no longer held any advantage in Immortal Power.

And he had mastered six levels of the Nine Sequences Primordial Force—already astonishingly extreme.

But the opponent was no slouch.

To win… he'd have to burn his Primordial Spirit or take a pill to forcibly elevate his realm and stimulate his potential.

But that would severely damage his foundation.

Lin Zhe gritted his teeth, constantly blocking and parrying, while the black-veiled woman condensed a force into a massive black palm that slammed into his waist, sending him flying once more.

Facing the relentless suppression of the black-veiled woman, Lin Zhe felt her behind's extraordinary will descending more heavily—his face grew increasingly grim.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the black-veiled woman's aura surged dramatically.

In a single instant strike, she shattered his Immortal Armor and pierced through his shoulder, crushing his bones.

Close enough to see her eyes, Lin Zhe caught the killing intent within—suddenly awake, he realized she had long planned this, aiming to catch him off-guard, deliberately preventing him from begging or surrendering.

At this moment, her Immortal Power completely suppressed him—he couldn't move at all.

Wait for death?

Lin Zhe stared at the approaching pressure of death—his Imperial Blood erupted again. In the fierce battle, both had exhausted all their techniques: bloodline powers, secret arts, forbidden techniques—all had been used in turn. He had even unleashed his strongest weapon, the Imperial Spear—but she had countered each with equal force.

For the first time in his life, someone of near-equal soul lifespan had driven him to this brink.

The black-veiled woman sensed the surging bloodline power within Lin Zhe—but as if expecting it, a blood-red eye opened within the dark form behind her, enveloping Lin Zhe's Immortal Power in the power of Ultimate Darkness, eroding and dissolving it continuously.

Already superior in Immortal Power, now with suppression and erosion, the gap between them widened further.

All of this unfolded in an instant, both combatants at their absolute peak.

Boom!

Lin Zhe's physical body shattered, torn apart in an instant.

His Primordial Spirit was exposed—seven hundred golden bones shone brightly, but now their glow dimmed, his Primordial Spirit energy nearly exhausted from the prior battle.

Unless… he burned his Primordial Spirit—but that was self-destruction.

The black-veiled woman's Primordial Spirit surged forward—also over seven hundred golden bones, slightly more than Lin Zhe's.

Lin Zhe's Primordial Spirit instantly unleashed the Lin Clan's supreme Primordial Spirit technique, forming a golden tower with nine tiers, refined to the peak of Immortal Lord realm.

With a crash, the nine-tiered golden tower cracked open—the Primordial Spirit's golden radiance instantly dimmed and receded.

The black-veiled woman's expression changed—she hadn't shattered his Primordial Spirit after all.

Lin Zhe's Primordial Spirit was flung backward—he saw the black-veiled woman's Primordial Spirit ignite golden bones, and he muttered lowly:

"I yield."

He didn't want to fight to the death.

If he burned golden bones, so could she; if he took pills, so could she.

To fight… to destroy his foundation—pointless. He bore too much: the future of the Northern Region's human race!

As Lin Zhe's words echoed, countless spectators who had held their breath watching the battle felt as if a sledgehammer had struck their chests—their tightly held breath, their hearts in their throats—finally shattered by those three words.

Countless faces turned deathly pale.

He yields!

Lin Zhe actually yielded!

The ancestral elders of every clan present opened their mouths slightly, but no sound came out—they could not speak, their throats dry.

The Lin Clan members lost all color in their faces, staring in disbelief at that figure—the most radiant human, the one who had shone brilliantly since childhood.

The invincible legend… had shattered today.

(End of Chapter)