Chapter 211

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Protagonist:

Jiang Xuan

At present, Jiang Xuan stood isolated and without aid, alone amidst the vast star sea, like a solitary peak; if he were to stir up waves again, he would first have to ponder the severe consequences sufficient to shake heaven and earth.

Dao Companion Zixia — if she could attain the Great Emperor realm, Jiang Xuan would henceforth fear nothing in heaven and earth, roam freely at will, and have not the slightest scruple.

"Whoosh!"

Like an omen of heaven collapsing, a thread of divine light tore through the sky and shot straight at Zixia, piercing the entire universe's star sea, making stars tremble and heaven and earth lose color.

An Ancient Supreme hid in the dark, acting quietly; though not leaking a bit of aura, he ruthlessly shot out a light of destruction — wherever this light passed, space seemed torn apart, laws and order thrown into chaos.

He wanted to stop Zixia outside the Emperor realm, making this path of proving the Dao into empty talk.

"Clang!"

As if the bell of primordial chaos opening rang suddenly, Zixia's vermilion lips parted slightly, and a Purple River and Mountains Map surged forth.

This map was no ordinary landscape painting of the world; it was a Qian Kun Strange Treasure that Jiang Xuan painted using endless Sun God Crystals as ink, the strongest laws of heaven and earth as brush, and Mother Qi of All Things to depict.

The map unfurled, myriad realms' mountains and rivers faintly visible within, permeating with the suppression of ten thousand ages of time and space.

"Bang!"

The divine light, immortal and indestructible, smashed straight toward the River and Mountains Map.

In an instant, the River and Mountains Map erupted with blinding light; the Star River collapsed, yet the map was not damaged in the slightest. The universe stirred up a golden storm — every fragment of law contained the destructive power of a small world, scattering in all directions, the surrounding space teetering on the verge of collapse.

Brilliant divine light shocked the universe, rushing toward Zixia; in a split second Zixia was drowned in endless divine light, as if fallen into an extremely dangerous situation.

"Hmph, three hundred years without appearing in the world, the Forbidden Zones have healed their scars and forgotten the pain."

Jiang Xuan stood unmoving, like a towering divine mountain. He had long since placed a Heaven-Earth Linglong Xuanhuang Body Law on Zixia — Ten Thousand Laws Unassailable; even if a Supreme acted, they could do nothing to her. It was just that Zixia herself did not know; knowing she had a reliance would instead make her lose the courage to face everything directly.

Zixia's figure was graceful yet unyielding; she displayed various mysterious and unfathomable secret arts, moving freely through the Sea of Thunder. Every impact was like a divine phoenix emerging from the sea; every maneuver like a nimble swallow weaving. She used the Heavenly Tribulation as tempering, wanting to exhaust this divine light's power.

"Boom—"

A huge boom suddenly rang between heaven and earth; a giant light palm covering the sky descended like the Curtain of the Heavens, enveloping the entire Heavenly Tribulation, as if to seal everything in this world beneath endless darkness.

"Hiss—"

A Jade Ruyi tore through the Heavenly Vault, smashing down swiftly. That Jade Ruyi appeared gentle and warm, yet hid profound mystery; on careful observation, the threads of radiance flowing around it actually shone dazzlingly like a brilliant Star River — each thread containing power sufficient to destroy stars.

Jiang Xuan stood firm like a mountain, not rushing to act; his gaze was like a torch, sharply scanning the surroundings, trying to discern which Forbidden Zone this mysterious force ultimately originated from.

Clearly, even those existences possessing powerful strength within the Forbidden Zones now held deep apprehension toward Jiang Xuan. Once Jiang Xuan flew into rage, he would inevitably stir up a storm of blood and rain; therefore they all severed their contact with the Divine Laws, letting this force become sourceless and rootless, difficult to trace.

Four or five beams of light danced wantonly in the air, continuously launching attacks at Zixia. Zixia resisted with all her might.

As Jiang Xuan's Dao Companion, Zixia deeply knew she could not easily fall; relying on tenacious will and attachment to Jiang Xuan, she struggled bitterly on the edge of life and death, passing through terrifying assassination attempts again and again.

The Great Tribulation surged fiercely, continuing without end. Zixia's figure was light, cleverly dodging wave after wave of fierce attacks.

As time passed, those weapons condensed from laws and brilliant light beams all turned to ash and smoke under the rampage of thunder light.

Zixia was an Innate Dao Body; she concentrated her spirit, connected with the Great Dao Laws. Her River and Mountains Map emitted an unmatched terrifying aura; she waved her hand, and countless Great Dao Laws rose up, confronting the thunder tribulation.

She single-mindedly advanced toward the Great Emperor realm, attempting to step into the Extreme Dao Field.

With a Great Emperor currently in the world, this road was filled with hardships and perils, yet her expression remained calm, unhurriedly impacting and attempting.

"Boom!"

In an instant, heaven and earth changed color, wild winds howled, thunder raged. Yin winds roared angrily, divine thunder rolled, as if to overturn heaven and earth. Immortal shadows descended from beyond the realm, carrying supreme pressure, slaughtering on a grand scale.

Tragic, terrifying!

All living beings in the universe felt their hair stand on end.

This is a necessary ordeal on the road to becoming Emperor, yet this is still not the true Emperor Tribulation; Zixia has already taken a steady step within this difficulty.

"Not good!"

Low murmurs came from the Life Forbidden Zone; clearly some existences perceived the gravity of the situation.

With the Golden Crow Great Emperor present, others wanting to become Emperor is naturally difficult upon difficult. But Zixia is different — she is an Innate Dao Body, and is Jiang Xuan's Dao Companion. As she advances toward this realm, even if she cannot fully become Emperor, there is a very high chance of an Unorthodox Path to Enlightenment.

When that time comes, Fairy Zixia can follow Jiang Xuan; Jiang Xuan will be like a tiger gaining wings, and the Forbidden Zones will have no more peaceful days.

Just Jiang Xuan alone, an invincible one manifesting in the world, has already made the several great Forbidden Zones anxious and fearful; if another is added, I fear all Ancient Supremes will be struck with terror, unable to sleep peacefully.

In a split second, terrifying divine power surged like a furious dragon leaving the abyss, ringing as it unsheathed; in an instant light blazed ten thousand zhang, like a blazing sun exploding at high noon, making heaven and earth lose color.

Simultaneously, the surrounding wind and cloud seemed like a startled giant beast, all things in the world swept up.

Where the divine power pointed, it was as if a doomsday judgment descended; all living beings instantly annihilated, not a trace left; the vast Star River all fell under its control.

Killing intent overflowed, heavy pressing between heaven and earth, far surpassing all past fierce offensives; even a Quasi-Emperor Ninth Heaven expert would, under this sharp edge, instantly turn to ash and smoke, dissipating into endless nothingness.

Fairy Zixia decided instantly; the River and Mountains Map sacrificed above her head, blocking the powerful enemy. Her figure graceful, amidst the sky full of killing light, she flashed and turned lightly, agilely shifting, like a nimble fairy dancing in the Purgatory fire sea, cleverly avoiding each deadly sharp edge.

At this time, killing lights from all sides' enemies howled out from the deep void, grim and terrifying, rolling world-destroying pressure like a flood of the end times, wanting to intercept and kill Zixia.

How could Jiang Xuan let them run rampant?

Jiang Xuan reached out a hand, and suddenly a Chaos Auspicious Light surged forth; a furnace that refines heaven and transforms earth, carrying the domineering aura of destroying heaven and earth, descended boomingly into the Mortal World.

Once this furnace fell, it was like a pillar supporting the sky standing unfallen, majestic and grand, spanning across heaven and earth; all endless attacks were blocked. Inside the furnace, Chaos Qi and Great Dao Fire were like a boundless ocean, deep and vast; all killing lights entering inside, like mud cows entering the sea, instantly dissolved into nothingness.

Most chilling of all were the mottled dark-red bloodstains on the furnace body. Crimson blood drops slowly dripped down, reflecting several hazy yet infinitely majestic figures. On close look, they were actually the Carefree Heavenly Venerate, Stone Emperor, White Tiger Daoist, Beast God, and other Ancient Supremes.

Although Jiang Xuan has not yet proven the Dao, his combat power has long surpassed a Flawless Great Emperor; many magic treasures and divine abilities have already transformed and evolved. The Eight Trigrams Furnace Divine Ability especially, having absorbed the Fire Domain's Immortal Fire, faintly shows a trend of transcending the human Dao realm, able to easily wipe out those terrifying killing lights like brushing away spider webs and dust, thoroughly shattering them.

The Heavenly Vault vast and boundless, divine radiance not yet again slashing across the long sky, the Eight Trigrams Furnace Divine Ability already carried the majestic power of refining the universe, tyrannically smashing through the Heavenly Vault.

In an instant, it stood proudly upright on Fire Mulberry Star.

Boom!

Just like the giant sound of heaven and earth opening reverberating between heaven and earth, the terrifying light beam spewed from the Eight Trigrams Furnace, like a world-destroying blazing sun, fiercely pounced toward Fire Mulberry Star.

Under this pressure capable of destroying heaven and earth, the Golden Crow powerhouses on Fire Mulberry Star turned deathly pale in an instant, fear deeply soaked their souls, and they trembled uncontrollably.

Above the vault of heaven, endless divine fire poured down like a heavenly river flowing backward, the terrifying and majestic pressure was simply doomsday tribulation lightning capable of destroying the world.

All living beings on Fire Mulberry Star at this moment were like tiny ants trying to shake a towering tree, appearing so fragile and helpless before this power, almost unable to breathe, on the verge of fainting.

All living beings on the entire Fire Mulberry Star were shrouded by this terrifying pressure, all will to resist was shattered in an instant, they helplessly collapsed onto the earth, and painful wails echoed throughout the planet.

For a while, the planet was swallowed by the shadow of death, plunged into an endless abyss of silence, time and space seemed to stop flowing under this suffocating pressure, with not a shred of vitality or vigor remaining.

All Golden Crows were firmly suppressed by this supreme divine might, prostrate on the ground, fear like surging shocking waves constantly impacting their bodies and minds.

Dominating Tianxia, invincible under heaven!

All Golden Crows trembled violently, in their eyes remained only awe and despair toward this power beyond imagination.

"Fellow Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"

A boundless sea of magma, a magnificent palace floating in midair, endless starlight gushed out from within the palace, instantly colliding with the pressure of the Eight Trigrams Furnace.

"I hope my Dao Companion is not obstructed while undergoing tribulation!"

"This Emperor has not acted." said the Golden Crow Great Emperor.

Although a Great Emperor of the current generation, now the limelight was stolen by others, everyone of the Golden Crow Clan was filled with indignation, anger burning fiercely in their hearts.

In past years, whenever a Great Emperor descended into the world, all ten thousand races came to pay homage, from all directions sincerely submitting. But in this era now, winds and clouds changed unpredictably, and someone appeared who was not a Great Emperor in body yet received the world's reverence and admiration as if treating a Great Emperor, enjoying glory and status equal to a Great Emperor.

Such a tremendous change shocked the Golden Crow Clan and even all realms of the universe, jealousy in their hearts like a volcano about to erupt, surging and boiling within these powerhouses.

Everyone of the Golden Crow Clan was filled with indignation, but could only remain silent, swallowing their voices.

At the Treasure Sharing Rock, Jiang Xuan neither confirmed nor denied whether the old Golden Crow was involved.

The Eight Trigrams Furnace Divine Ability was like a meteor chasing the moon, racing all the way toward the North Dipper Star Domain.

What happened here was like a giant stone cast into a lake, shocking the entire universe.

This was the first confrontation between two Supremes; all living beings of the universe had waited three hundred years, yet ultimately failed to witness a world-shaking battle.

"Worthy of the name Heavenly Emperor, to be called Heavenly Emperor without having proven the Dao, well-deserved."

"The Heavenly Emperor is so powerful as to completely overshadow the brilliant radiance of the Demon Emperor!"

Many whispered and discussed in private.

In the era Jiang Xuan inhabits, those who attempt to achieve the Emperor position can truly be said to be out of luck; they are full of shame in their hearts, because Jiang Xuan's strength is truly too domineering and overbearing.

"It can be said that he is the most powerful unorthodox path to enlightenment from ancient times to the present!"

From ancient times to now, never has anyone dared to directly face the might of a Great Emperor like Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan's act intimidated many Ancient Supremes of the current generation, truly a first since Pangu's Axe. In past years, when powerhouses first achieved the Great Dao, which one did not stand proudly in the universe, supreme above all?

The divine ability Eight Trigrams Furnace broke through the vast star river, like a deity descending, landing in the North Dipper Star Domain. This furnace is Jiang Xuan's symbol; appearing here now, divine might is mighty, oceanic and unrestrained, endless.

All cultivators stared wide-eyed in shock, seeing the Eight Trigrams Furnace charge straight at Xian Ling, erupting with great momentum, even the Chaos Sea fell with it, as if to destroy Xian Ling.

Afterwards, the Eight Trigrams Furnace went to Shen Xu, Taichu Ancient Mine, and other places, similarly releasing astonishing pressure, as if to launch a conquest.

This is just one divine ability of the Heavenly Emperor, yet it blooms with divine might like an extreme Emperor Weapon.

When it first appeared, the light was brilliant, like a blazing sun in the sky, illuminating the universe; that majestic power fluctuation seemed able to shatter the barrier of time and space, wherever it passed, space could not bear its pressure and nearly collapsed. A mere divine ability actually possessing power comparable to an extreme Emperor Weapon is truly beyond reason, shocking to the heart.

"Is this... warning the Life Forbidden Zone!"

In the universe, the old patriarchs of the various powerful clans could not help but feel dry-mouthed, their hearts greatly impacted.

"The Heavenly Emperor is too overbearing!" a cultivator outside exclaimed in amazement.

A cold snort came from within the Forbidden Zone, but no one came out to fight.

The Eight Trigrams Furnace hung high above the Northern Dipper, deterring this Tian Di, slowly patrolling; the powerful aura made all races of the universe shocked, secretly amazed in their hearts.

No one attacked Zixia anymore; she bathed in tribulation lightning, longing to leap into the Emperor Realm in one go.

"Is she going to defy heaven and become an Emperor?" Ye Fan murmured. Now he himself was at Quasi-Emperor Peak, only half a step away from Great Perfection of Holy Body.

He longed to fight side by side with Jiang Xuan, not be a bystander, one who is protected.

In the Dark Turmoil two hundred years ago, he could not even approach the battlefield; this made Ye Fan hate his own insignificance. If he achieved Great Perfection of Holy Body, Jiang Xuan would not be so passive.

Now he saw hope; if Fairy Zixia entered the Emperor Realm, that meant he also had hope.

Ye Fan thought that aside from Jiang Xuan, he was not inferior to anyone; Zixia had received Jiang Xuan's guidance for hundreds of years, his temporary lag meant nothing; give him time, and he too could defy heaven and prove the Dao.

Zixia's figure was graceful, close to an immortal, in Harmony with the Dao; every thread of divine power was contending with the myriad Daos.

In the endless Sea of Thunder, Fairy Zixia's figure appeared and disappeared.

After the violent power rampaged, heaven and earth seemed still, only the faint sounds of tribulation clouds dissipating.

Fairy Zixia floated in midair, covered in blood all over; her originally lively and graceful hair was now somewhat disheveled and scattered.

Her body trembled slightly; every breath was accompanied by heart-piercing pain, the deep brand left by the Emperor Tribulation on her. However, her gaze was brighter and deeper, like the brightest star in the night sky.

"Did she succeed?"

(Chapter End)