Chapter 401 - 402: Heaven’s Defeat
High above the firmament, King Yama stood majestically in his King’s Robe, his gaze fixed on the giant cyan claw.
"Perish!"
As he suddenly spat out that single word, endless Death Qi surged into the Gate of Hell, ruthlessly slamming into the giant cyan claw.
BOOM!
The giant cyan claw trembled violently before shattering completely.
"King Yama, I will have my revenge for this."
At the same time, an enraged voice instantly rang out.
The Celestial Avatar disintegrated. The firmament trembled as if about to collapse, and endless lightning bolts continuously poured into the rift in the sky.
Kill!
The shouts of the War Soul Army shook heaven and earth. Unmatched in their bravery, their long halberds annihilated all the thunderbolt figures.
Without being replenished by the lightning from the sky, the thunderbolt figures were cut down by the long halberds, disintegrating and vanishing.
BOOM!
The scar in the firmament healed with great speed. A giant cyan eye flickered within it, its indifferent gaze fixed on King Yama.
"If you dare to make a move, I will destroy you too. Get back!"
King Yama roared, his voice laced with the terrifying might of the King of Hell, forcing the giant cyan eye to retreat in unwilling silence.
The scar in the firmament vanished, and the sky grew calm once more.
Only the figure of the King remained, standing tall in the void, gazing up at the starry sky. Even his hollow eyes revealed a flicker of emotion.
Behind him, the War Soul Army stood in neat formation, long halberds in hand, an imposing picture of loyalty and courage.
’How many years has it been? I wonder if everyone is still well.’
A sigh echoed faintly between heaven and earth, like that of a soldier on a long campaign, yearning for his homeland.
After a long moment, King Yama finally withdrew his gaze and glanced at Ye Wushuang.
Then, he and the War Soul Army strode across the void and disappeared over the horizon, like a silent, guardian army.
The figures vanished, but the hearts of the crowd below still trembled. The Celestial Avatar had been shattered. Just how powerful was that expert in the King’s Robe?
With that kind of power, annihilating them would be effortless!
Fortunately, he wasn’t with Ye Wushuang’s group. Otherwise, they would have been utterly annihilated!
Countless people sighed in silent relief.
’He won!’
Far away, in a palace in the Holy City, that imposing figure also looked toward the Endless Wilderness.
’King Yama of the Azure Celestial Domain, the War Soul Army, the Emperor’s army... they are indeed powerful. Why doesn’t my Grand Emperor Domain have an army like that?’
’The Imperial City is now meddling in the Grand Emperor Domain’s affairs. It’s time for those people to make their appearance. I hope they won’t be so timid this time. Otherwise, they’ll be a true disgrace to my Grand Emperor Domain.’
The imposing figure murmured to himself as his form gradually faded from the void.
Ye Wushuang also watched King Yama’s departing figure, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. ’The Emperor’s scheme?’
"Kid, don’t overthink it," the Dragon Cat said, changing the subject. "You’re pathetically weak right now. The key is to figure out a way to kill that bastard ’Heaven’."
Supported by Yangg Qing’er, Ye Wushuang walked toward the members of the Ancient Spirit Sect and the Giant Spirit Race.
"Is everyone alright?" Ye Wushuang asked, glancing over the crowd.
"We’re fine, but your master..." Nangong Liuyun trailed off, turning to look at the blood-soaked Star Elder.
His master, Star Elder, was drenched in blood. His purple, star-patterned robe was in tatters, and his white beard was stained crimson.
His face looked as if it had aged by decades, and his body swayed precariously, looking as though a single gust of wind could knock him over.
"Master!"
Ye Wushuang’s voice was hoarse.
’Abandoned by Heaven, but not by men!’
Those were the words Star Elder had said to him, and they weighed heavily on his heart.
Even Heaven itself wanted to abandon him, yet his master, Star Elder, refused to give up on him, willing to die just to secure him a sliver of a chance at survival. This was a kindness as heavy as a mountain.
"Hurry and heal your injuries. The enemies outside are still eyeing us like tigers," Star Elder reminded him, glancing at the figures outside who had yet to disperse.
Ye Wushuang turned to look as well.
The Feather Race, the Demon Abyss, the Celestial Sword Sect, the Fiery Sun Sect, and others—one by one, the factions stared at them with cold indifference.
The killing intent in their eyes was incredibly thick and potent.
The moment he stepped off the Barbarian God Battle Platform, Ye Wushuang had every reason to believe these people would tear him limb from limb.
As he thought about his desperate situation, a violent rage surged in Ye Wushuang’s heart. ’These factions... one day, I will crush every single one of them!’
"First, heal your injuries."
Star Elder knew what Ye Wushuang was thinking and reminded him again.
Ye Wushuang handed a Jade Box to the Star Elder. "Master, I couldn’t find a Holy Medicine, but this is Wood Essence. It can slow the drain on your life force and also help you heal."
The Jade Box contained the Wood Essence. Not only could it alleviate the drain on the Star Elder’s life force, but it was also a Healing Holy Medicine in its own right—powerful enough to mend all of his injuries.
"But what about your injuries?"
Star Elder frowned, well aware that Ye Wushuang was also injured. ’If he gives this treasure to me, what will he do?!’
"Master, you need to recover first," Ye Wushuang said. "Otherwise, I’m afraid we’ll be trapped here forever."
The Star Elder also understood their current predicament. Only by recovering his strength could he intimidate the jackals circling outside and make them hesitate. Otherwise, if this dragged on, their enemies would never let them go.
"The rest of you should also recover your strength!"
Ye Wushuang shouted to the others. The shield of the Barbarian God Battle Platform had been broken, and though it had regenerated, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t suddenly disappear again.
If it vanished, they would face a vicious battle.
The others also knew that relying on the Barbarian God Battle Platform wasn’t a permanent solution, so they all sat cross-legged to recover their strength to its peak.
"Kid, Lord Cat has found a passage to your left," the Dragon Cat’s voice sounded again. "Go check it out. You might just uncover the secrets of this Barbarian God Battle Platform."
Ye Wushuang turned to look. About nine meters directly in front of the Barbarian God Battle Platform, there was a faint ripple in the air, almost imperceptible unless one looked very closely.
’This wasn’t here before. Why did it suddenly appear?’
Ye Wushuang frowned. Many spectators had been standing in this very spot before. If the ripple had been there then, it surely would have been discovered already.
"Kekeke! It only appeared after that claw shattered the shield. Lord Cat saw a flash of light come out of it right before the shield reformed. There’s definitely something fishy about it. Go check it out!"
The Dragon Cat exclaimed, full of excitement and curiosity, utterly unaware of the saying "curiosity killed the cat."
Ye Wushuang thought for a moment, then said to Yangg Qing’er beside him, "Qing’er, you focus on recovering. I’m going to check that out."
After swallowing a few Treasure Pills, Ye Wushuang began circulating his Tai Chi Power to mend his injuries as he walked toward the ripple.
"I’ll go with you."
Dii Qingxue suddenly stepped forward, came to Ye Wushuang’s side, and murmured, "Your injuries won’t heal quickly. It’ll be helpful to have me with you."
Dii Qingxue had not expended much of her strength, so having her along could indeed help him avoid some dangers.
Ye Wushuang agreed.
The two of them then headed toward the ripple.
Neither of them knew what lay within the ripple, so they simply stopped before it.
After a moment’s hesitation, they both reached out to test it. The instant their hands touched the ripple, a terrifying suction force suddenly engulfed them both.