The vast cosmic void flashed with blinding light as Long Mieās Divine Aspect wielded his spear, fending off the overwhelming assault of divine abilities from all directions. His domineering aura was unmatched, as though he alone reigned supreme.
More and more powerhouses from the War Court joined the battle, spreading out in various directions and forming battle formations with an overwhelming presence.
Above Long Mieās Divine Aspect, the clouds of light churned violently, and the phantoms of dragons and phoenixes intertwined, as though an entirely new, resplendent world was descending.
As the number of War Court combatants surged, the residual shockwaves grew stronger. Black holes collapsed one after another, and the cultivators of the Heavenly Spirit Great World had only two choicesāeither retreat into the black holes or flee at full speed.
Many of the fleeing cultivators turned their heads, their faces filled with horror.
"Who exactly is this Long Qing? His cultivation aura is clearly only that of a Loose Immortal!"
"Never heard of him before, but the divine ability heās using is terrifying. No wonder so many powerful beings have been drawn here."
"So aside from Qi absorption cultivation, mastering divine abilities can also lead to Dao attainment?"
"Since those figures are targeting Long Qing, we really have no place in this battle."
"This battle today has truly opened my eyes. In our great world, we might have been able to act unhindered, but beyond the heavens, there are far too many existences stronger than us."
The cultivators of the Heavenly Spirit Great World fled while discussing among themselves, forever imprinting the name Long Qing in their memories.
On the other sideā
Zhu Tianjun had arrived within the encirclement of the Innate Golden Immortals. From his sleeve, he retrieved a golden vajra, connected to nine golden chains, its base embedded with a silver-blue gemstone.
As he shook it, an eerie Dao force erupted, making all beings in the universe feel dizzy and disoriented.
Long Qing maintained his stance as he channeled the Heavenly Dragon Divine Aspect, his entire body drenched in blood, his elbows and shoulders revealing glimpses of stark white bone.
Gazing at the golden vajra in Zhu Tianjunās hand, Long Qing felt a sense of overwhelming dread. Seeing how even his Divine Aspects were unable to shake the War Courtās Light Path, a profound sense of desolation settled within him.
"Iāve already given everythingā¦ I even summoned the strongest of my ancestorsā¦ why am I still unable to prevail?"
Long Qing wavered in confusion.
Before the battle began, he had been filled with determination, fully prepared to die in combat.
But facing the War Court, he finally understood why his clan had suffered such a fate.
Yet, when he thought of Long Teng, Long Ya, and his other descendants, a deep fear he had never experienced before gripped his heart.
He had yet to sever his karmic ties with his children.
If he died, his descendants would also perish.
Even worse, the entire Heavenly Spirit Great World might face complete annihilation.
A burning hatred filled Long Qingās gazeāhe could not allow that to happen.
"War Courtā¦"
Long Qing gritted his teeth and growled, his blood energy surged violently, and the aura of Long Mieās Divine Aspect skyrocketed.
Zhu Tianjun noticed the anomaly, immediately swinging his golden vajra.
Golden radiance erupted, accompanied by scorching waves of heat, engulfing Long Qing and his Divine Aspects.
In an instant, countless Divine Aspects disintegrated into nothingness.
Long Qingās flesh completely melted away, leaving only a skeletal frame, and his soul form was forced into the open.
Long Mieās Divine Aspect took a step backward, assuming a full defensive stance.
Outside the battlefield, every War Court cultivator witnessing this scene had fanatical expressions on their faces.
Even Fang Xuan was the same.
His gaze burned with desire, fixated on the golden vajraāone of the War Courtās ultimate treasures, the War God Vajra.
Every cultivator of the War Court dreamed of obtaining it.
The War God Vajra illuminated the entire cosmos.
One by one, stars ignited and burned to nothingness, and Dao Spirit Energy was vaporized into waves of heat mist.
This golden radiance had the power to incinerate all existence.
Long Mieās Divine Aspect swung its spear, unleashing a torrential blood energy that transformed into countless blood dragons, dispersing the golden radiance and charging toward Zhu Tianjun.
Zhu Tianjunās gaze turned icy cold.
With a sudden leap, he raised the War God Vajra and smashed it down toward Long Mieās Divine Aspect.
His form was as colossal as Long Mieās Divine Aspect, and his imposing presence was terrifying.
Long Mieās colossal silhouette was reflected across the Heavenly Spirit Great Worldās skies.
As Zhu Tianjun descended upon Long Mieās Divine Aspect, his massive figure was visible to all beings in the Heavenly Spirit Great World.
The entire world trembled.
Every living being who witnessed this moment felt their hearts clench with sheer terror.
BOOM!
Long Mieās Divine Aspect thrust its spear.
The light clouds above were instantly pierced through, and a surge of divine power mixed with blood energy erupted, seemingly aiming to pierce the cosmos itself.
Zhu Tianjun wielded the War God Vajra to block the attack, pausing for just a brief moment before unleashing a relentless storm of attacks.
The War God Vajra swung rapidly, while Long Mieās Divine Aspect countered with its spear techniques.
Countless phantasms burst forth, resembling two entire worlds colliding.
Mountains shattered.
Oceans were obliterated.
Heavenly beasts roared in agony as they clashed and perished together.
A multitude of phenomena unfurled, overwhelming the eyes of every spectator.
This was a battle between two Dao Fruit Worlds, a clash of Grand Daos.
From the Grand Dao, all things were bornāevery move carried boundless transformations.
Even the War Court cultivators were left in utter shock, unable to approach.
Simply maintaining their battle formations from outside the array was already pushing them to their limits.
Beneath Long Mieās Divine Aspect, Long Qingās soul clung to his skeletal remains, his will barely intact.
His vision blurred.
His surroundings shook violently, and the world around him grew increasingly indistinct.
He struggled to recall the faces of his children, but his consciousness was being dragged downward by an unfathomable weight.
Just as his thoughts were about to completely collapse into despair, a single image surfaced in his mindā
"Master..."
...
Above the sea of clouds, Heaven-Extinguishing God and the Daoist in the Green Robe continued watching the battle through the illusionary projection.
The Daoist in the Green Robe clicked his tongue in amazement. "He canāt hold on much longer. Your Divine Aspect is dissipating."
Following his gaze, the illusion revealed that although Long Mieās Divine Aspect was still attacking, the blood-colored glow surrounding it was dimming.
Heaven-Extinguishing God remained silent, but the coldness in his eyes deepened.
"Is this truly all you are capable of?"
He silently pondered. Though he had previously stated that as long as he existed, the Long Clan would endure, deep down, he understood that if Long Qingās lineage was completely wiped out, the Long Clan would cease to exist.
Upon ascending to immortality, he had severed all ties with the mortal realm.
The only reason he continued to protect his descendants was due to his own unresolved obsession.
He could not accept the tragic fate that had befallen the Long Clan. However, he was powerless to personally aid them.
At that momentā
A dazzling light erupted from within the illusion, radiating from beneath Long Mieās Divine Aspectāor rather, from Long Qing himself.
Long Qingās soul form emitted an intensely bright white light, and before their very eyes, his flesh began regenerating at a visible speed, his willpower restoring along with it.
Even as he thought of his master, he suddenly felt a mysterious power surging from the depths of his soul. Unlike the agony brought by the Heavenly Dragon Divine Aspect, this power washed away his pain and exhaustion, leaving behind pure comfort.
Zhu Tianjun seemed to sense something and abruptly retreated.
Long Mieās Divine Aspect ceased its attacks.
The sixteen Innate Golden Immortals maintaining the formation felt a crushing force pressing against them, forcing them to stagger backward.
Their eyes widened in disbelief as their gazes locked onto Long Qing.
All across the battlefield, the War Court cultivators turned their attention to Long Qing, witnessing an unprecedented transformationā
The blazing radiance enveloping Long Qing coalesced into a massive figure, towering higher and higher.
Long Mieās Divine Aspect dissolved, transforming into an endless surge of blood-colored energy, which in turn surrounded this newly emerging Divine Aspect.
The blood energy rapidly faded, shedding its crimson hue.
Fang Xuanās heart pounded violently as he stared at this new manifestation.
His instincts screamed at himāthe terrifying entity he feared most was about to appear.
Since Long Mieās Divine Aspect had previously reflected upon the skies of the Heavenly Spirit Great World, all living beings in that world now bore witness to this new Divine Aspectās emergence.
It was entirely shrouded in radiant white light, its size swiftly growing to rival that of Long Mieās Divine Aspect.
However, unlike the overwhelming destructive aura of Long Mieās Divine Aspect, this new presence radiated vastness and boundless wisdom, as though it had existed since the dawn of time, overlooking the evolution of all Dao.
Inside Wushi Dao Fieldā
An Xin, Tian Yaoāer, and the others peered into the mirror atop the Artifact Refining Cauldron, observing everything with unparalleled clarity.
They turned in unison to look at Gu An, their expressions tinged with disbelief.
LĆ¼ Xian, unable to contain himself, was the first to speak. "Master, isnāt that Divine Aspectā¦ you?"
The Divine Aspect summoned by Long Qing bore the exact appearance of Long Zhan.
Although its clothing and contours differed from Gu Anās usual attire, its stance and facial features were an unmistakable match.
And how could it be such a coincidenceāLong Qing was Gu Anās disciple!
"Wasnāt the Heavenly Dragon Divine Aspect only supposed to summon his ancestors?" murmured Shen Zhen.
Though she spoke softly, her words struck like thunder in the minds of all present.
Could it beā¦ that Gu An was Long Qingās ancestor?
The Blood Prison Saintās eyes lit up. He immediately believed it.
Having followed Gu An for so many years, he had seen countless orphans, but never had Gu An taken anyone under his wing.
Besides, he had long noticed Long Qingās resemblance to Gu An.
Gu An remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the mirror, but his hand silently slid his Azure Swan Sword back into its sheath.
Seeing his unwillingness to speak, the others reluctantly turned their attention back to the mirror.
The moment Long Qingās new Divine Aspect solidified completely, the terrifying pressure that had gripped the Heavenly Spirit Great World suddenly dissipated.
The countless sentient beings across the world felt an immense weight lifted from their souls.
At the edge of the Tai Cang Continent, waves crashed violently against the cliffs.
Standing atop the precipice, Li Ya gazed at the sky, his pupils trembling.
"Gu Shidiā¦"
Though he knew nothing about the Heavenly Dragon Divine Aspect, he recognized it instantlyāthat Divine Aspect was Gu An.
Gu Shidi had saved the world once againā¦
So Gu Shidi never truly left.
In that moment, Li Yaās fighting spirit reignited.
If Gu Shidi had chosen to stay, then he, too, would remain.
He would stay in the Heavenly Spirit Great World and protect its people!
As for Zhang Buku, there were no leads in his search. Perhaps it would be best to achieve Dao first before seeking him out.
Elsewhereā
Bai Sheng looked up at the towering Divine Aspect, his expression complex.
For some reason, he found this figure strangely familiar.
Su Jin, on the other hand, thought nothing of it.
She had never been particularly fond of Gu An, so he had left little impression on her.
On the other side of the world, amidst the barren wastelands, a man wrapped in heavy robes strode through the howling sandstorms.
He lifted his head, staring at the colossal figure looming over the sky.
A moment of shock flashed across his weathered face, but soon, his lips curled into a faint smile.
"Gu Anā¦ so youāre still here."
Wu Jue muttered to himself, then lowered his gaze and continued pressing forward against the raging winds.
Now that he had seen Gu An, his heart was completely at ease.
This world would not collapse.
He could continue his search for fortune.
Every living beingās gaze was drawn to Gu Anās Divine Aspect.
To those who knew him, recognition and awe filled their hearts.
To the masses, this was a beacon of hope.
The moment their eyes fell upon it, an unshakable sense of security settled into their souls.
It was an inexplicable feeling, yet undeniably real.
...
Long Qing slowly lifted his head, momentarily stunned. He stood frozen for two breaths before abruptly turning around and soaring into the air.
When he reached the Divine Aspect, his entire body stiffened.
A name surfaced in his mind.
Long Zhan!
He had heard of Long Zhanās name before. He was the true progenitor of the Long Clan, the ancient existence that had truly established the War Court. Longxin Great Emperor was merely an inheritor of his will.
He had actually summoned the ancestral founder!
But that was not what shocked him the most...
What truly unsettled him was that the ancestor's face looked exactly like his master!
No, it wasnāt just a resemblance!
It was his master!
Suddenly, everything became clear. All his confusion dissipated.
Why had his master adopted him?
Why had his master helped him fight against the Annihilation God Emperor?
A surge of excitement overtook him, and his entire body trembled with overwhelming joy.
"So the Long Clan still has such an ancestor."
Zhu Tianjunās voice rang out, filled with emotion.
Even Long Mieās Divine Aspect had been troublesome enough. But this newly appeared Divine Aspect filled him with an instinctive terror, an unshakable feeling of powerlessness.
He trusted his intuition!
"Master, itās time for you to act." Zhu Tianjunās voice rang out again, this time tinged with mockery.
All the War Court cultivators turned to look at Zhu Tianjun, and nearly all of them wore expressions of shock.
To most of the War Court cultivators, Zhu Tianjun was the strongest existence in the War Court.
Yet now, Zhu Tianjun had brought his master.
Could it be that the master of the War Courtās ruler was one of the ancient legends?
As Zhu Tianjunās words fell, a pair of enormous eyes suddenly appeared in the dark void behind him, overlooking the entire cosmic battlefield.
Zhu Tianjun was already colossal, larger than any mountain in the world. Yet before these eyes, even he was insignificant, not even as large as their pupils.
The moment those eyes appeared, fear gripped every living being.
Even in the Heavenly Spirit Great World, the skies reflected those terrifying eyes, making all beings tremble. None could comprehend what was happening to the heavens and earthāall they could do was turn their attention to Gu Anās Divine Aspect.
Perhaps this mysterious figure could protect them!
Long Qing turned to look and was also shaken by the shadow behind Zhu Tianjun.
What kind of eyes were those?
He had lived for twenty thousand years, including his past life, yet he had never seen eyes as terrifying as theseāthey were like the abyss of the universe, filled with absolute horror and despair.
"He is not the one I seek. He is merely a karma-formed Divine Aspect."
A voice, cold and emotionless, resounded through the entire universe, reaching the ears of all living beings across the Grand Thousand Worlds.
Every single word shook their souls, as if the supreme Heavenly Dao itself was pronouncing judgment.
Zhu Tianjun was about to speak, but suddenlyā
A new voice interrupted his thoughts.
"The one you seek... might just be me."
All the War Court cultivators turned their heads in unison.
Even the Innate Golden Immortals and the distant Heavenly Spirit cultivators spectating from the void also looked over.
That voice had come from the Divine Aspect behind Long Qing!
Long Qing turned around, his hands clenched into tight fists of excitement.
That was his masterās voice!
His master was none other than his ancestor, Long Zhan!
This revelation did not bring him shock or collapseāinstead, it filled him with gratitude.
The person he respected the most turned out to be his very own ancestor.
It felt like a dream.
Gu Anās Divine Aspect lifted its right hand, and in its palm, endless silver light condensed into a sword.
The moment it grasped the sword, Gu Anās voice resounded once moreā
"Break!"
A deafening clangā
The fabric of the universe shattered like glass.
All beings, including the Innate Golden Immortals, froze in place, unable to move.
Before their eyes, countless spatial fragments filled their vision.
Behind Zhu Tianjun, an even greater figure emerged.
It was a man in a white robe, with long, withered yellow hair cascading past his robes. His sunken face resembled skin stretched over bone, and his deep-set eyes exuded an unimaginable terror.
He was none other than the Undying Emperor!
A flicker of shock crossed the Undying Emperorās face.
Even Long Qing was frightened by the sudden appearance of the Undying Emperor.
Thenā
His peripheral vision caught a dazzling sword light.
His instincts urged him to lookā
A silver sword, longer than the heavens and earth, swept past him, as if the legendary Milky Way had descended upon the battlefield.
It was the sword held by Gu Anās Divine Aspect.
Long Qing was completely immobilized.
He couldnāt hear anything, nor could he move.
Not just himāall living beings had lost their ability to hear or act.
They could only watch as that towering Divine Aspect raised its sword, slashing toward Zhu Tianjun and the Undying Emperor.
Panic spread through the War Court cultivatorsā
Because they realized that Zhu Tianjun and the entity behind him were also motionless, as if they were waiting to be executed.
Gu An swung the sword.
A burst of blinding lightā
Even the Innate Golden Immortals could not fully perceive its brilliance.
The entire universe seemed to split in two.
A scene beyond comprehension unfolded before them.
Zhu Tianjun was instantly reduced to dust.
The Undying Emperorā
His eyes widened in shock as the sword light cleaved through him.
The fabric of space shattered once more.
The fragments of space vanished rapidly, as though this entire scene was merely an illusion.
Just as the dust began to settleā
A voice, filled with rage and disbelief, rang outā
"Youā"
The Undying Emperor barely uttered a single wordā
Then, his body erupted with endless sword light, and he was obliterated, disintegrating into nothingness.
The entire universe fell into absolute silence.
That sword light, which had split the cosmos in two, still remained.
Cultivators who had regained their senses looked toward both ends of the divideā
Yet, no matter how far they looked, they could not see where the sword light ended.
As if...
The entire universe had truly been severed in half.