Eternal Life as False Emperor

A self-detonating Golden Core perished together with the enemy, and another one, even at the cost of his own life, aimed to kill the Human Race’s Golden Core Cultivator.

Initially, due to Zheng Yi’s guidance, the Human Race cultivators, who had gained some momentum, began to hesitate again.

Now, they only dared to shrink within the defensive net of Master Qinghui and the Four Great Vajra, not daring to confront the Nether Spirit Race cultivators head-on.

The opponents were willing to die themselves just to take them down as well; who could withstand that?

They were Golden Core Cultivators, yes, but that didn’t mean they weren’t afraid of death.

In fact, quite the opposite; precisely because their cultivation had reached the Golden Core Stage, they cherished their lives even more.

They had endured so much hardship and faced so many dangers to achieve their current cultivation.

How could they willingly fall so easily here?

However, with their retreat, all the pressure fell entirely on Qinghui and the Four Great Vajra.

It could be said that they alone forcefully resisted the wild bombardment of ten Golden Core experts.

Though others occasionally helped to resist some attacks, it was ultimately just a drop in the bucket.

Soon, an initially dim Arhat phantom disappeared amidst the attacks.

The monk struggling to maintain the Arhat’s form turned pale, spat out several mouthfuls of blood, and only managed to stabilize his injuries after swallowing dozens of elixirs.

With one less person, the already precarious defensive line now seemed even more likely to collapse at any moment.

The other cultivators realized the critical situation and began to use their special skills, trying desperately to stop the Nether Spirit cultivators’ attacks.

Unfortunately, they were completely frightened by the Nether Spirit Race’s suicide attacks, unable to quickly regroup.

Even when they forced themselves to attack, their efforts were so weak that it made Zheng Yi shake his head repeatedly.

"We can’t go on like this." Zheng Yi furrowed his brow.

The morale on their side was completely suppressed by the Nether Spirit Race.

If the battle continued like this, it wouldn’t be strange for a breakdown to occur at any moment.

Or rather, fortunately, there are defensive experts like Shikong present.

Five individuals forcefully withstood the frenzied assault of ten opponents.

Otherwise, the Human Race cultivators might have already been crushed and scattered.

A dull rumble suddenly erupted in the sky.

The Resentment Book Demon Monarch and Zui Jiu exchanged a palm strike from afar, and the spiritual qi burst between them caused both to fly backward like meteors.

The Resentment Book Demon Monarch’s massive body crashed into a mountain wall, almost collapsing it.

Zui Jiu didn’t fare much better, embedding himself into the ground and forming a massive crater.

Neither of them reacted immediately, probably because both were injured.

The Golden Core experts merely glanced and continued their relentless battle.

At this point, the fight was no longer one that either side could easily stop.

If the Nether Spirit Race dared to halt, the small advantage they had fought so hard for would vanish in the blink of an eye.

Naturally, the Humans dared not stop either; pausing now might allow these desperate opponents to take advantage.

At this moment, the Human Race cultivators dared not relax in the slightest.

Zheng Yi’s eyes darted around, and he decisively turned and ran towards the direction where Zui Jiu had fallen.

In this world, strength is the only absolute truth.

If he wanted these Golden Core Cultivators to act according to his wishes,

the only possibility was to convince Zui Jiu, the Divinity Transformation expert.

"What’s that little guy up to now?" A Human Race cultivator noticed Zheng Yi’s movement and exclaimed irritably.

Having been severely tricked by the Nether Spirit cultivators, he was currently displeased with everything.

"Focus on your opponent and don’t get distracted; I don’t want to have to collect your corpse later," someone else reminded him.

Under normal circumstances, such words would have sparked a series of retorts.

But now, no one had the time to respond to this person.

After finally reaching near Zui Jiu, Zheng Yi, standing before the massive fifty-pace-wide crater, was dumbfounded.

Such a huge crater; was it really something humans could create?

No time for amazement, Zheng Yi immediately found Zui Jiu sitting cross-legged atop a gigantic wine gourd in the center of the crater, cultivating to heal.

As he was about to get closer to speak,

Zui Jiu’s voice suddenly sounded in Zheng Yi’s ear.

"Stop right there, do you want to die? This crater is filled with the spiritual qi that erupted from my fight with that Resentment Book Demon Monarch.

If you touch even a bit, you’ll be on your way to report to Canglan Netherlord."

Zheng Yi awkwardly stepped back, feeling embarrassed for a moment.

When Zui Jiu reprimanded him earlier, Zheng Yi thought the other was being cautious of him.

Now, thinking back, he realized how silly his concern was.

How could a dignified Divinity Transformation expert need to guard against someone at the mere Crystal Stage?

Even if he attacked with full force, whether he could even scratch the other was questionable.

"I have urgent matters to report," with the situation pressing, Zheng Yi didn’t waste any words.

However, when stating his aim, Zheng Yi hesitated slightly.

Even in the midst of battle, with the sounds of fighting all around,

Zheng Yi had no doubt that the Resentment Book Demon Monarch, a Divinity Transformation expert, could potentially hear him.

Zui Jiu immediately understood Zheng Yi’s concern, waved his hand in Zheng Yi’s direction, and Zheng Yi instantly felt surrounded by a dense wine aroma.

"Now you can speak freely; even that Resentment Book Demon Monarch won’t hear what we’re discussing."

Overjoyed, Zheng Yi quickly saluted Zui Jiu: "Senior, if possible, I hope we can leave here as quickly as possible and return to Human-controlled territory."

"If possible, during this process, we should also avoid conflict with the Nether Spirit cultivators."

Seemingly drunk, Zui Jiu abruptly opened his eyes.

Zheng Yi felt as if a tiger’s fangs were around his neck, threatening to snap his throat and end his life at any moment.

"You suggest we run away during our fight with the Nether Spirit Race? Do you know what you’re saying, boy?" Zui Jiu said coldly.

Zheng Yi nodded with difficulty: "I understand, but, if it means more Human Race cultivators survive, I think losing face is insignificant."

Knowing he wouldn’t persuade the other with that reason, Zheng Yi quickly and respectfully added: "Furthermore, Senior, at times like these, safely leaving here would be our greatest victory."

"Oh?" Zui Jiu seemed intrigued: "Escaping could be a victory?"

The implication was evident: are you taking me for a fool?

Zheng Yi smiled confidently and explained: "Senior, one of your objectives in coming here is clearly to rescue people."

"Thus, all our battles should revolve around this goal, with everything else being trivial details."

"The outcome of a battle isn’t solely about how many enemies are annihilated, but whether one’s battle objectives are met."

"The Nether Spirit Race intends to use Lin Feng and others to lure and eliminate Human experts."

"Now, if we rescue the people and leave, we fulfill our goal and foil the enemy’s plan."

"Staying and fighting to the last man, even if we eventually severely damage the enemy, would mean achieving their combat objectives."

"Which is better? I believe Senior can judge without me elaborating further."

Zui Jiu appeared calm outwardly, but inside, he was shocked.

He considered himself to have highly regarded this mysterious young man, yet it seemed he’d greatly underestimated Zheng Yi.

As a Divinity Transformation expert, even Golden Core experts usually acted submissively around him.

But this person in front of him entirely disregarded his aura, speaking logically and clearly, almost persuasively.

Looking once at the battlefront, indeed, the Human cultivators were continuously retreating.

With a brief thought, Zui Jiu made a swift decision: "Alright! We’ll do as you say."