Two years later.
They allocated their longevity points into defense.
Deep within the War Realm.
A colossal corrupted being, standing five hundred meters tall, dominated the landscape. Its overwhelming aura was more terrifying than a mountain; even a single glance was enough to extinguish any will to resist.
This corrupted being took on a purely beast-like form. Its eyes shone with intelligence, and behind it loomed an imposing black mountain, even taller than itself, enough to make anyoneâs scalp tingle and soul tremble.
But today, its gaze was filled with dread as it stared at the living ship facing it from afar. It had no choice but to emerge from its mountain.
The massive river of tainted blood trailing behind the ship left it in shock and disbelief. How many of its kind had been slaughtered to create such a sight?
The thousand-mile radius around the colossal black mountain had become a dead zone, devoid of any corrupted beings, and the air vibrated with unsettling hums.
From afar, the agonizing screams of corrupted beings echoed, as if they were facing an unimaginable terror.
âHuman lifeforms!!â
The corrupted being spoke, its massive maw opening, and its words, filled with fury and hatred, resonated through the heavens and earth. âHow dare you venture here?!â
On the prow of the ship stood two figures, surprise evident in their eyes. A corrupted being capable of speechâindeed, it was worthy of being a Deity Transformation stage corrupted being.
Chen Xun stepped forward, a sneer on his face. âA Deity Transformation corrupted being. Weâve been searching for you for some time. So, they do exist.â
The corrupted being took a step forward, its appearance savage and fierce. Its black eyes glowed with malice, and its entire body was covered in scales like black jade.
Dark, boiling tainted blood seeped from its body, surging like a violent tide, carrying a hatred so intense it was clear this battle would end only in death. Chen Xun and Black Ox furrowed their brows at the sight.
Moreover, the imposing black mountain behind it emitted a low hum, and an oppressive aura spread through the air.
âCorrupted being, Iâm curiousâhow did you come into existence?â
A calm voice rang out as if the beingâs overwhelming presence was of no concern. âWhere is the path to the Great Era? We can talk. Youâre not my match.â
âArrogant human, you dare challenge me?!â
The corrupted beingâs deep voice boomed with mocking laughter, its malice peaking. âYou have slaughtered so many of my kind; how much of your lifespan is left? All life should perish. You do not deserve to exist!â
Chen Xun narrowed his eyes. As expected, reasoning was futile with these creatures.
âMoo?â Black Ox glanced at Chen Xun, ready to strike upon his command, eager to cut down this foe.
Xiao Chi, hiding at the shipâs stern, stared at the giant corrupted being, his heart filled with dread. A deep sense of despair welled up within himâhe had never seen such a colossal entity.
This was the power of a true Deity Transformation stage being. Even facing it from afar instilled a sense of helplessness.
âOld Ox, Iâll handle him.â
Chen Xun stepped forward, his tattered straw hat still slung over his back. Though his aura remained restrained, Black Ox felt as if an unmovable mountain now stood before him.
If his elder brother dared to confront this being alone, it meant he was utterly confidentâBlack Oxâs eyes showed no hint of worry.
The corrupted beingâs eyes narrowed, and a violent surge of tainted blood coursed through its body, waves of blood-red energy swelling as its power surged!
The imposing black mountain behind it seemed to merge with its body, spreading an immense, oppressive force throughout. The black soil beneath its feet cracked under the immense pressure.
âImpressive.â
Chen Xun complimented lightly, his tone relaxed as he watched the corrupted being prepare its attack.
âHuman, you overestimate yourself! All life must perish!â
The corrupted beingâs rage erupted, and with a massive swing of its claw, it channeled the corrupted blood into a devastating strike. The black mountainâs weight empowered its attack, sending a wave of black and red energy surging forward. The force of the blow rippled through the air, creating shockwaves that shattered the ground below.
The enormous blood light filled the sky, streaking toward Chen Xun. The pressure was so intense that even the massive ship trembled under the force. The Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree swayed violently as the storm of corrupted energy swept through the area.
âBrother Xun!!!â
Xiao Chi shouted, his voice trembling with fear as he watched the massive wave of energy descend. His eyes were filled with concern.
âMoo moo~â
Black Ox exhaled a deep breath, his eyes locked on Chen Xun. It was the first time he had witnessed the full power of a Deity Transformation stage corrupted being, and the difference from Nascent Soul level was stark. The magnitude of the power was overwhelming.
For a moment, everything fell silent.
âYou will perish.â
The corrupted being declared coldly, its eyes focused on the ship, its expression confident as it anticipated victory. âNo one escapes the calamity of lifespan.â
It turned its gaze to Black Ox, its hatred overflowing, expecting to see fearâbut instead, Black Oxâs eyes reflected only defiance.
âWhatâŠ?â
Before it could complete its thought, a clear, mocking voice echoed across the battlefield.
âNot bad, Deity Transformation corrupted being.â
The corrupted beingâs eyes widened in disbelief as a radiant white light pierced through the blood mist. A phantom flower, ten-petaled and pure, descended gracefully, scattering ethereal light across the area.
Amidst the glowing rain, Chen Xun stood unscathed, his body emanating a pristine aura that repelled the corrupted energy. His expression remained calm, his presence serene and unyielding.
*Boom!*
The corrupted being staggered back, retreating a thousand meters. It locked eyes with Chen Xun, its expression severe and tinged with fear. No human should be able to withstand its lifespan-severing attack unscathed. This man was beyond ordinary.
âDie!â
The corrupted being roared, its body swelling with corrupted energy. The black mountainâs power surged, and the air vibrated as it summoned every ounce of its strength. The earth beneath their feet continued to crumble, and the black mountain hummed with ominous energy.
It leapt into the air, its massive form casting a shadow that covered the sky as it aimed to crush Chen Xun beneath its weight.
But Chen Xun was faster.
Lightning surrounded his body as he moved, his silver hair flowing in the wind. He leapt forward, propelled by the crackling energy, and appeared before the corrupted being in an instant.
The corrupted being, shocked by his speed, swung again, pouring its full strength into the attack. But before it could connect, a flash of black light streaked through the skyâa Mountain Splitting Axe glowing with a deathly aura.
*Boom!*
The corrupted beingâs strike met the black axe, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Then, an explosion of energy erupted, sending shockwaves across the landscape. The corrupted beingâs expression twisted in agony as its massive form was severed.
Chen Xun stood firm, unyielding amidst the chaos.
âOld Ox, Brother Crane.â
âMoo!â
*Rustle*
âCrush the mountain!â
âMoo moo!!â
Black Ox roared, determination shining in its eyes. It positioned itself at the forefront, planting the Five Elements formation flags. Elemental energy surged from the surroundings, amplifying the power of the ship. The Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree responded, channeling energy into the shipâs formations, causing it to glow with radiant light.
The pressure around them grew suffocating, and a sense of impending doom filled the air.
Xiao Chi shivered, feeling a primal fear as he witnessed the buildup of overwhelming power.
*Buzzâ*
A powerful surge of energy rippled across the ship as it accelerated, transforming into a streak of light that tore through the air. Space itself trembled under the force of its momentum.
Black Ox stood at the helm, the black coffin beside him, his power escalating to match the might of the corrupted being. Together, they charged directly toward the black mountain, their combined force unstoppable.
The corrupted being watched, its massive form shaking. It no longer had the luxury of focusing on the ship; it had to deal with the human in front of it.
Its eyes burned with rage, but it did not flinch. âLife must end in destruction! We, the corrupted, will prevail!â
âBut you wonât live to see it.â
Chen Xunâs voice was cold as he ascended, the lightning surrounding him intensifying. Deathly energy swirled, and the black Mountain Splitting Axe in his hand gleamed with malevolent light.
The corrupted being roared, summoning the power of the black mountain. It prepared for a final, desperate attack, pouring every ounce of its energy into the blow.
But the ship, now a streak of blinding light, crashed into the black mountain with unstoppable force. Black Oxâs battle cry resonated as the black coffin slammed down, shattering the mountainâs defenses.
*Boom! Boom!*
The mountain quaked, and cracks spread across its surface. Black Oxâs energy surged, and the mountain, which had stood for eons, began to crumble.
The corrupted being, seeing its last defense fall, charged at Chen Xun with renewed fury.
But Chen Xunâs response was swift and decisive. The black axe flashed, and a massive arc of energy tore through the corrupted beingâs body, splitting it in two.
*Boom!*
The ground shook as the massive corrupted being fell, its severed form crashing into the earth, its corrupted blood staining the land.
âFinally, true power.â
Chen Xun whispered as he landed. The battlefield was silent, the corrupted beingâs massive body laying split open, and the once-imposing black mountain now reduced to rubble.
From afar, Black Ox raised its head and let out a triumphant roar, the sound echoing across the land as the mountainâs remains crumbled into dust. The corrupted beings scattered in terror, their eyes filled with fear as they fled from the unstoppable force that had slain one of their strongest.
Xiao Chi, trembling, gazed at the distant figure of Chen Xun, his eyes filled with awe. At that moment, he knew that the balance of the realm had shiftedâa power beyond anything the world had ever known now reigned supreme.
Chen Xun stood, his gaze cold as he surveyed the devastated landscape. The black Mountain Splitting Axe pulsed with a dark glow, embodying the power to bring even the mightiest beings to their end.