Deep within the Demon Capital Heart City, at the very core of the Demon Race's territory, lay the Demon Emperor Palace.
The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu sat high upon his pitch-black throne, with the Moon Demon God Agares and the Star Demon God Vassago standing below.
Behind the throne, the Heaven-Defying Dragon Pillar—a pillar that reached from the heavens to the earth, engraved with countless eerie runes and radiating a heart-palpitating pressure—stood silently. The light flowing across its surface seemed to pulse in resonance with the bloodline of the figure on the throne.
"Your Majesty, everything is prepared," Agares reported, bowing his head, his voice low. "The chosen planar coordinates are located at a weak point in space. By gathering the power of our race's Seventy-Two Pillar Demon Gods and supplementing it with massive resources, we have a seventy percent chance of forcibly opening a temporary passage."
The Star Demon God Vassago, holding a crystal ball that continuously projected the trajectories of stars, added, "According to astrological deductions, three days from now, the space tide will be at its calmest. It is the optimal timing to act. However... this endeavor will consume a vast amount of energy, and it will inevitably trigger a backlash from the laws of this world. It may even... alert certain unknown existences."
The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu tapped his fingertips rhythmically against the armrest of his throne. Deep within his cold eyes, a trace of imperceptible gloom flickered. It had been five years, and the warning Di Tian had given back then—seemingly absurd yet pointing directly to the core of the matter—lingered in his mind like a nightmare.
Better to believe it true than to risk it being false. Leaving a way out for the Demon Race was an absolute necessity!
"Proceed as planned," Feng Xiu said slowly, his voice carrying an unquestionable majesty. "Regardless of the outcome, our race must hold our own destiny in our hands!"
"Yes!" Agares and Vassago responded in unison, a flicker of determination flashing in their eyes.
Three days later, in the far west of the Demon Race's territory, lay a desolate wasteland known as the Space Rift Valley.
This was no longer a mere earthly location, but a chaotic void that had been forcibly opened, distorting the laws of space.
Seventy-two Demon God Pillars of varying forms, all radiating monstrous demonic power, stood in the void according to an incredibly profound formation. The light on the pillars flowed and resonated with one another, constructing a terrifying array that shrouded the heavens and the earth—the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array!
At the center of the array, where the demonic energy was most dense, the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu stood proudly. He was clad in dark purple dragon-patterned demon armor and held the Heaven-Defying Demon Dragon Sword. Behind him, the phantom of the Heaven-Defying Dragon Pillar appeared as solid as reality, exuding a supreme pressure that suppressed the heavens.
To his left, the Moon Demon God Agares held the Moon Demon Scythe, the Moon Demon God Pillar casting down a cold, clear radiance. To his right, the Star Demon God Vassago held the Star Compass, the Star Demon God Pillar evolving the celestial bodies. The auras of these three super divine artifacts connected, forming the Sun Moon Star Three Lights Demon Annihilation Array, acting as the core spearhead of the grand formation.
The Seventy-Two Pillar Demon Gods each occupied their positions, pouring their demon essence into their respective pillars without reservation to drive the array.
Vast power of faith surged like a golden ocean, flowing between the runes of the array, supporting this peerless, vicious formation capable of god slaying and demon slaughtering!
Opposite the array, illuminated by the endless demonic energy and the light of the formation, a figure floated silently.
He wore a simple white robe, his hair and beard were snow-white, and his face was kind, yet his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, carrying the indifference and majesty of one looking down upon all living beings. There was no dazzling light around him, yet he seemed to have merged with the entire world, his every movement triggering a resonance with the laws of the Saint Demon Continent. He was the manifested form of the Planar Spirit of the Saint Demon Continent!
At this moment, the composure that had once graced the Planar Spirit's face was gone, replaced by a grave expression and cold killing intent.
The battle had been raging for several hours.
The Planar Spirit had never imagined that the Demon Race would actually dare to construct a planar passage, nor that the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array they had secretly deployed would be so terrifyingly powerful!
Because the majority of the Planar Spirit's power was distributed evenly across the Saint Demon Continent to maintain the operation of its laws, the amount of power he could gather in a short time without alerting the powerful figures of the Demon Race was only at the level of an ordinary god.
However, he did not play by the rules of martial honor; at the very start, he had directly ambushed and killed one of the top twenty Demon Gods, hoping to weaken the power the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array could exert. He had randomly chosen the nineteenth-ranked Terrifying Bull Demon God, and with a single strike, a Spear of Judgment condensed from laws pierced through the void, succeeding with ease.
The Terrifying Bull Demon God died on the spot, though fortunately, his Demon God Pillar remained undamaged. Before he died, the Terrifying Bull Demon God had desperately moved his pillar away, thereby avoiding the Planar Spirit's attack.
The Planar Spirit had wanted to continue, but the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu's reaction was astonishingly fast. The Heaven-Defying Dragon Pillar erupted with monstrous demonic power, allowing the Demon Gods to join forces to set up the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array, while he himself stepped forward to intercept the Planar Spirit.
Seeing that he could no longer kill other Demon Gods, the Planar Spirit stopped hiding and frantically gathered the power scattered across the continent!
In just a few breaths, his aura skyrocketed from the level of an ordinary god to a terrifying level comparable to a first-level deity! The entire Saint Demon Continent trembled slightly due to the rapid flow of power!
But just as his power was climbing, the Demon God Emperor, who had previously been able to trade blows with the Planar Spirit, realized he was no longer a match and immediately retreated rapidly as the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array fully formed!
The seventy-two Demon God Pillars shone brilliantly, forming a complete law cage that forcibly severed the Planar Spirit's connection to the Heaven and Earth Origin of the outside world!
"Hmph! Petty tricks!" the Planar Spirit snorted. Although he was isolated, he had already gathered over ninety-five percent of his power.
The remaining half-percent of power was scattered across the continent to maintain basic stability, enough to support it for half a year without frequent natural disasters. That amount of time was more than enough for him to deal with these bugs occupying his "property"!
However, the ensuing battle greatly exceeded his expectations.
The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu, the Moon Demon God Agares, and the Star Demon God Vassago, wielding the three super divine artifacts and forming the Sun Moon Star array, had their strength forcibly elevated to the level of a third-level deity under the augmentation of the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array! The Demon God Emperor, in particular, unleashed unprecedented power from the Heaven-Defying Dragon Pillar in his hands, his sword light tearing through laws and the dragon roar shattering the void!
The Seventy-Two Pillar Demon Gods worked in unison, pushing the suppression, sealing, and offensive capabilities of the array to the limit! The power of faith transformed into purple-black chains, constantly entangling and weakening the Planar Spirit's power; the space within the array layered and folded, evolving Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind, frantically grinding away at his manifested form!
Although the Planar Spirit possessed the power level of a first-level deity, he found himself suppressed by this peerless, vicious array created specifically to slay supreme existences! His attacks based on laws were distorted and diverted by the array, and his powerful divine energy was constantly worn down by the chains of faith. He was like a giant beast trapped in a quagmire, possessing monstrous power but unable to fully unleash it.
"Damnable ants! To think you have such means!" The Planar Spirit was both shocked and furious. He had underestimated the power of this array, and even more so, the Demon Race's determination to fight to the death!
The battle fell into a stalemate. Relying on his power level, which far exceeded his opponents, and his exquisite control over the laws, the Planar Spirit held his ground, occasionally launching sharp counterattacks that forced the Demon God Emperor and his two companions into a chaotic scramble. But the Demon Race, relying on the array and the reckless consumption of the power of faith, barely managed to hold on.
Yet, the heart of the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu sank bit by bit.
He had originally thought that by relying on the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array and gathering the power of his entire race, even if he couldn't kill the Planar Spirit, he would at least be able to severely injure and suppress him. At that point, whether negotiating or retreating, they would hold the initiative.
However, reality had dealt him a harsh slap! The Planar Spirit's strength far exceeded his estimates! Even while isolated by the array, his power remained terrifyingly immense!
Although the array was strong, it was frantically consuming the power of faith that the Demon Race had accumulated for thousands of years every single moment! At this rate, it would only last another seven or eight days before the power of faith was exhausted! At that point, they would need the Demon Race's citizens to sacrifice their lives to maintain the array!
Even so, he had no certainty of victory; the Demon Race could not outlast the Planar Spirit.
A trace of regret quietly surfaced in Feng Xiu's mind. He recalled the black dragon powerhouse who had claimed to be "Di Tian" and possessed a bloodline purity even higher than his own, who had months ago cryptically conveyed a proposal for an "alliance" from Yu Yuanchen.
Yu Yuanchen had also been wary of the Planar Spirit's strength and had considered temporarily setting aside his enmity with the Demon God Emperor to join forces with the Demon Race against the Planar Spirit.
But the Demon God Emperor had been too confident in the power of the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array and had been somewhat distrustful of Yu Yuanchen and these other-worldly gods, choosing to express his refusal through silence.
Although Yu Yuanchen had sent Di Tian to tip off the Demon Race about the Planar Spirit, the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu could naturally see that Yu Yuanchen did not have entirely good intentions and had his own schemes; naturally, he would not let Yu Yuanchen and the others interfere in a battle he believed was a sure win, only to add variables.
"Your Majesty! The power of faith is being consumed very quickly! If this continues, I fear it is not a long-term solution!" the Moon Demon God Agares transmitted, his voice carrying a hint of anxiety. He was controlling the Moon Demon God Pillar and was the most sensitive to the changes.
The Star Demon God Vassago also said in a deep voice, "The Planar Spirit's control over the laws is masterful; the suppression effect of the array is slowly weakening! He seems to be adapting to the operating patterns of the array!"
The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu's complexion was grim. The Heaven-Defying Demon Dragon Sword in his hand erupted with even more violent sword light, and he shouted sternly, "Operate the array at full power! Spare no cost to severely injure him! Otherwise, our race is in peril!"
He had to take a gamble! If he could severely injure the Planar Spirit, perhaps he could force him to sign a treaty under the walls!
"Stubborn and foolish!" Cold light erupted from the eyes of the Planar Spirit. He formed seals with both hands, and the law runes around his body flickered frantically. "Let me show you what... Heaven and Earth's Might truly is!"
He held nothing back, the terrifying divine power of a First-level Deity erupting completely! The entire space of the array shook violently, as if it were about to collapse under the strain of this power! Countless chains of law manifested out of thin air; they no longer merely entangled or weakened, but transformed into the purest Torrent of Destruction, surging toward the Sun, Moon, and Star Array at the core of the formation!
Rumble--!!!
An unprecedented, terrifying collision erupted! The Sun, Moon, and Star Array swayed violently. The Demon God Emperor and his two companions all spat out a mouthful of blood simultaneously, their auras instantly withering significantly! The radiance of the Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars dimmed by a fraction! The consumption rate of the Power of Faith accelerated sharply!
"Oh no!" Every demon's heart sank. The Planar Spirit was going all out!
Just at this critical juncture, an unexpected change occurred!
At the edge of the array, at a relatively inconspicuous node responsible mainly for maintaining the array's operation rather than attacking, the Evil Emperor—who had been lurking—suddenly saw a strange light flash in his eyes.
That's right, it was the Evil Emperor! Although Yu Yuanchen had been forced to choose the role of the fisherman, he had left a hidden hand, fearing that the Planar Spirit's strength might exceed expectations and leave him with significant reserves even after dealing with the Demon Race.
With the isolation provided by the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array, Yu Yuanchen figured that even with the Hell Gate, he might not be able to open a space portal into the array. Thus, he had sent the Evil Emperor to secretly carry a Hell Gate Replica, intending for them to coordinate from inside and outside when the time came.
Although the Evil Emperor was not of the Demon Race, thanks to his "superficial brother" friendship with Agares, he was naturally not forgotten by the battle-hungry Agares. With the Evil Emperor's strength, he was more than capable of sharing a significant portion of the pressure faced by the Demon Race's powerhouses.
At this moment, seeing the Planar Spirit sitting firmly in control while the Demon Race was clearly at their wit's end, the Evil Emperor made his move.
A palm-sized, ancient-looking dark silver portal that emitted faint spatial fluctuations appeared quietly in his hand—it was the replica given to him by Yu Yuanchen, which shared a secret connection with the true Hell Gate, classified as a Level Nine Soul Tool. Without hesitation, the Evil Emperor poured his vast Spiritual Power into the portal frantically.
Hum--!
The portal suddenly erupted with blinding silver light, and a small spatial rift was forcibly torn open!
Almost at the same time, outside the array, in the distant secret realm of the Alliance headquarters, Yu Yuanchen's eyes snapped open!
"Now!"
He let out a low shout, formed seals with his hands, and the true Hell Gate before him boomed open. Yu Yuanchen pushed his divine power and his comprehension of the Space Law to the limit, following the faint resonance transmitted from the portal in the Evil Emperor's hand to forcibly lock on and pierce through.
Coordinating from inside and out!
Crack--!
The sturdy barrier of the Ten Lands Nine Heavens God Annihilation Array, which claimed to be able to isolate everything inside and out, was forcibly torn open to create a brief space channel under the combined force of an internal "coordinate" and an external god-level strike!
At the other end of the channel, four figures stepped out!
Leading them was Yu Yuanchen, his entire body covered in purple-gold Thunder Battle Armor, his black hair loose, his eyes like stars, and lightning restrained within his body. He held the Thunder Dragon Spear, radiating a supreme Divine Might that commanded all laws and transcended all living beings!
To his left was Gu Yuena, with silver hair and purple eyes, a peerless countenance, and an ethereal aura, like a supreme goddess in control of the Elemental Origin!
To his right was Qian Daoliu, radiant with Holy Light, his six wings spread, holding the Sword of Light with a solemn expression, like an Angel King judging the world!
The last was Tang Chen, his Qi and Blood like a dragon, his battle intent soaring to the heavens. Beneath his bronze skin, it felt as if volcanoes were surging; his mere presence caused the force field to distort!
Yu Yuanchen, Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen—the four great powerhouses had descended!
The space channel closed rapidly the moment the four appeared, as if it had never existed.
But the entire battlefield fell into a strange, dead silence due to the sudden appearance of these four!
The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu's pupils constricted. Looking at the suddenly appeared Yu Yuanchen and the others, his face was filled with unbelievable shock, but deep in his eyes, there flashed an uncontrollable... surprise? A surprise at finding a way out of a desperate situation?
For the first time, the Planar Spirit's benevolent face turned completely gloomy, and his eyes erupted with unprecedented killing intent and a hint of... wariness? "You actually joined forces."
He instantly understood that he had been schemed against! The Demon Race had also been schemed against! All of this had likely been in the plans of these extraterrestrial gods long ago.
Yu Yuanchen swept his calm gaze across the field, finally landing on the grim-faced Planar Spirit, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"It seems we arrived just in time."
The Planar Spirit's eyes were as cold as ten-thousand-year ice, staring fixedly at Yu Yuanchen: "Good! A very good extraterrestrial god! I underestimated you."
Yu Yuanchen smiled indifferently and stepped forward, forming a pincer formation with Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen, vaguely surrounding the Planar Spirit in the center. His Thunder Divine Essence began to rise slowly, elemental light swirled around Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu's holy sword hummed, and Tang Chen's battle intent erupted.
Yu Yuanchen slowly raised his hand, purple-gold lightning dancing at his fingertip.
"Planar Spirit, your origin... I, Yu Yuanchen, will take it."
The great battle began anew! But this time, the positions of attacker and defender had shifted; the roles of hunter and prey were about to be reversed!
The storm had finally reached its climax!
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan