Seventeenth layer of the Necropolis of the Gods.
With two top-tier powerhouses among them, Leylin's trio managed to reach the seventeenth layer safely.
"So, this so-called Necropolis of the Gods… isn't much after all."
Sarnath couldn't help but mock.
"My lord, I've heard the eighteenth layer houses a Sovereign artifact. That means this seventeenth layer is unlikely to be simple."
Odin spoke cautiously.
On the previous sixteenth layer, had it not been for Sarnath saving him, Odin would have already perished there.
Even now, recalling it made Odin's heart tremble.
Leylin didn't respond.
Instead, he carefully observed everything around them. At that moment, a figure appeared in the seventeenth layer.
"Beirut? Why are you here?"
"Is it strange? I am the guardian of the seventeenth layer of the Necropolis of the Gods."
"Hmph! No wonder no one has ever obtained a Sovereign artifact from this place. The Sovereign actually had you—a suspected Highgod Paragon—serve as the gatekeeper."
"You're not entirely correct. My strongest clone is my darkness clone. This is merely my wind-element clone, which is weaker. Besides, the rule of this layer isn't simply about defeating me. Do you see that passage?"
Beirut smiled faintly and pointed ahead.
"The Sovereign set it so only one person can pass through. As long as you cross that passage, you can obtain a Sovereign artifact. And if you clear the eighteenth layer… there's an even greater reward."
Sarnath glanced at Leylin.
Here, the only person who posed any real threat to him was Leylin.
Odin was on his side and only had Seven-Star Fiend level strength—completely negligible.
"So, what if only one person reaches the seventeenth layer?"
Leylin finally asked.
"Then there's no choice. You'll have to fight me. Win, and you can proceed to the eighteenth layer."
Beirut's tone was calm, as if this was merely routine.
"Leylin, give this slot to me. I'll owe you a favor. What do you say?"
Sarnath tried his usual favor-debt tactic once more.
But Leylin didn't answer.
"My lord, I won't compete for the Sovereign artifact. A battle between experts of your level isn't one I can help in anyway."
Odin immediately retreated far away.
"Leylin, you don't even have a single Sovereign artifact. Even if you possess the strength of a top-tier Prefecture Lord, you cannot defeat me. Why not give me some face? Afterward, once you come to the Infernal Realm, I'll introduce you to a Sovereign and make you a Sovereign's Emissary. You'll gain a Sovereign artifact all the same."
Sarnath's voice was smooth and tempting.
"If you wish to reach the eighteenth layer… then the battle may begin at any time."
Beirut smiled lightly from the side.
Seeing Leylin unmoved, Sarnath took the initiative and struck first.
As a top-tier Highgod who cultivated the Edicts of Death, Sarnath's strength was on par with experts who had fused five profound mysteries.
His soul defense and soul attacks were extremely powerful.
Coupled with the fact he possessed a Sovereign artifact for material defense, his strength ranked among the absolute top of Prefecture Lords.
The moment this top-tier Highgod made his move, the entire seventeenth layer of the Necropolis was instantly shrouded in eerie darkness.
Countless soul attacks emerged out of nowhere—the Edicts of Death unleashed to the limit.
Yet, from Leylin's body, flames erupted outward like a blazing sun, illuminating the darkness.
And so…the battle between two top-tier powerhouses officially began.
The power of their fight was terrifying.
Fortunately, this Necropolis of the Gods was a divine plane created by the Sovereign Beirut, so its stability was extremely high.
Even so, during their clash, spatial tears constantly appeared.
Anyone accidentally drawn into them would be cast into chaotic spatial turbulence forever.
"The spatial stability of this Necropolis… is still inferior to a true divine plane."
Beirut watched the scene silently.
From a distance, Odin stared at the horrific clash.
A Prefecture Lord–level battle was truly terrifying.
"If I could obtain a Sovereign artifact, my strength would surpass Seven-Star Fiends and even rival a Shura."
Odin's heart burned with greed.
"If only these two could seriously wound each other…If I could pick up the spoils, wouldn't that be perfect?"
He began scheming silently.
Just reaching the eighteenth layer guaranteed obtaining a Sovereign artifact—there was no need to clear further.
How could Odin not be tempted?
His heart itched unbearably.
If I prepare properly in advance, and those two really end up grievously wounded… I might actually have a chance.
Odin's thoughts grew bolder.
If he faced a Prefecture Lord head-on, he naturally wouldn't dare harbor any thoughts.
But if the other side was heavily injured?
He felt he might have a chance.
"Sarnath's Sovereign artifact was bestowed by a Sovereign. If I kill him but don't covet that Sovereign artifact, the Sovereign won't bother dealing with me over a mere Emissary."
Odin continued to plot silently.
Meanwhile, Leylin and Sarnath's battle raged on.
Sarnath's combat style was closer to that of a magus—each move triggered countless heavenly phenomena.
Leylin, however, was different.
He fought more like a warrior—his very body was the weapon.
The two clashed fiercely, their power seemingly equal.
"To think the Yulan Plane actually produced two top-tier Highgods like you and Beirut…Truly, a land that births extraordinary individuals."
Leylin's material attacks were stronger than Sarnath's.
But in material defense, soul defense, and soul attacks, he was slightly inferior.
After all, Sarnath was a death-edicts cultivator who had fused five mysteries and also possessed a material defense Sovereign artifact.
However, Leylin was still pressing Sarnath down, his offensive sharper and fiercer.
On the surface, they seemed evenly matched.
But in truth, Leylin's attacks were more overwhelming.
Yet, Sarnath could constantly wear down Leylin's stamina, and over time Leylin's attacks would inevitably weaken.
Eventually, they would no longer threaten Sarnath.
Leylin knew he couldn't let it drag on.
He needed to go all-out.
Just earlier, during his act of creating a new continent, Leylin had gained some insight and created a new ultimate technique, bringing him one step closer to Highgod Paragon.
Now Leylin once again flared like a blazing sun, unleashing an even more terrifying onslaught at Sarnath.
Sarnath felt the pressure.
His comprehension was inferior to Leylin's; only by relying on his material defense Sovereign artifact could he trade blows.
Now, however, even with that artifact, he began to feel the strain.
"It seems… today is a deathmatch!"
Sarnath gritted his teeth and brought out his full power.
"Interesting. This Leylin's strength truly exceeds my expectations. If he can reach the eighteenth layer, that spot will be his. As for Sarnath… he's just unlucky."
Beirut inwardly sneered.
In the past, when powerhouses from other planes reached the seventeenth layer of the Necropolis, Beirut would simply strike himself—never giving them any chance to go to the eighteenth layer.
This time, however, he wanted to truly test Leylin's strength, so he slightly altered the rules—forcing Leylin to have a deathmatch with Sarnath.
This had been Beirut's plan ever since he decided to open the Necropolis early.
First, he released Odin from the Planar Prison, letting Odin's death-clone leave the Yulan Plane.
Then, he spread the word across the entire Yulan Plane—all Highgods could enter the Necropolis of the Gods.
This way, Odin's wind-clone would hear it and lure his death-clone into attracting more powerhouses from the divine planes.
Indeed, Odin had lured more Highgods.
But unlike Beirut's original plan of drawing only some Seven-Star Fiends, Odin had directly brought in…a Prefecture Lord.
A Prefecture Lord was even better.
So, Beirut set a new rule—only one person could enter the eighteenth layer of the Necropolis of the Gods.
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