Chapter 643 - 636: Reignite
Desolate Primordial Energy—the power to break down all things at the atomic level. This was the truly terrifying, fundamental ability of the Ancestral Level, much like Rainbow’s power to transmit the Seed of the Fierce Sun through channels in the True Realm.
Against any being below a Primordial Ancestor, this power was almost invincibly suppressive, provided they had no specific means to counter it.
Unfortunately, the one thing capable of countering the Master of Desolation’s power—the Holy Artifact known as the Green Divine Ring, forged from the Ancestral Power refined by the masters of the Forest Race—had been lost to the Celestial Demons. In theory, no one present could resist this force.
Yet now, just as everyone sank into despair, a hand suddenly reached out from the void, blocking the terrifying ripple formed by this power.
The terrifying ripple didn’t just fail to decompose the hand; it stopped expanding altogether, like a ripple in a bucket of water hitting the sides.
Moreover, the hand didn’t seem to be merely blocking it. It was more like... absorption? Or conversion?!
The ripple seemed to be pulled by some immense suction. Its entire shape warped, its area of effect rapidly shrinking, until finally...
It vanished completely!
"What is this?!"
The Master of Desolation’s pupils contracted violently. ’The power I unleashed... it just vanished into thin air!!’
Rainbow’s expression also darkened, their gaze fixed on the arm emerging from the void.
’It’s definitely a physical, material entity, not some kind of illusion. But how can a physical body emerge from the void? Unless...’
’The True Realm?!’
While the Master of Desolation and the others were shocked, the scattered and battered experts from Donghua were utterly dumbfounded.
"What in the world is that?!"
The Chief Commissioner and the others wore grim expressions as they stared at the arm that had appeared in the middle of the battlefield. What kind of being could so easily block an Ancestral Level attack and appear in such an incomprehensible way?
’Human reinforcements?’
’Impossible. How could a master of this caliber exist among humans?’
’Could it be... an extraterrestrial civilization?’
The entire battlefield, all of Donghua, every sentient being, fell abruptly silent.
The whimpers and cries of the people ceased as they, too, watched the scene unfolding on the screens in the sky with shock and bewilderment.
’Who could it be?’
Under countless gazes, from the arm to the torso and finally the face, a tall figure in a black leather combat suit slowly and impossibly stepped out of the void, his face coming into full view.
"Th-th-this..."
The moment they saw the figure’s face, even someone as composed as the Chief Commissioner froze, his expression turning slack. He muttered incomprehensible words, his mind going completely blank, momentarily losing the ability to think.
They even felt like they were in a dream.
Three years had passed. Perhaps many citizens had forgotten Zhou Yuanjue’s face, but to all the masters present, that face was far too familiar.
He, at a young age, had shouldered the banner of the Donghua Martial Dao.
He was hailed as the strongest human in six thousand years, a genius who had created miracle after miracle.
He was considered the founder of the new era of the Martial Dao. Many of the people present had only broken through to Saint Awakening thanks to his guidance and enlightenment.
When he was alive, the world was at peace and humanity flourished. Even the Celestial Demons were so thoroughly suppressed they couldn’t raise their heads. But after his fall, the Celestial Demons immediately launched a frenzied attack, plunging the world into chaos.
It was he who gave countless Martial Artists the confidence to surpass their limits. His very existence seemed a testament to transcending everything.
Three years ago, news of his death had spread. And now, three years later, at Donghua and humanity’s most desperate hour, he had reappeared before them all in this inconceivable way.
"Everyone, it’s been a while. It seems I’ve arrived just in time."
Zhou Yuanjue turned his head, looked at the people of Donghua behind him, and offered a slight smile.
"That bastard... he’s still alive! HAHAHAHA!!"
Ji Yunzhou, who had lost an eye and an arm, suddenly burst into laughter, his voice filled with unrestrained joy.
"We’re safe now. With this guy still alive, there’s no way we’re losing this fight!"
Covered in wounds, Zhang Zhizhen also managed a smile, struggling to stand up straight, his whole body trembling.
"It’s Mr. Zhou! Mr. Zhou is alive!!"
"He blocked a Celestial Demon’s attack with one hand! As expected of the man of legend!"
"A miracle!! Heaven hasn’t forsaken humanity!! Another miracle has finally happened!"
"..."
In an instant, the previously ashen-faced and scattered Martial Artists rallied, their faces alight with excitement. Endless fighting spirit surged from their hearts once more, transforming into a brilliant pillar of light that shot toward the sky.
Just by standing there, this man seemed to grant others infinite strength and courage.
And across all of Donghua, countless people watching the broadcast recognized Zhou Yuanjue’s identity and erupted in euphoric cheers.
"Who in the world is that? How does he have that kind of power? Why did all the Martial Artists’ morale skyrocket the moment he appeared?"
Someone voiced the question on everyone’s mind.
"Zhou Yuanjue! That’s Mr. Zhou! The former number one master of humanity, the first president of Donghua Martial Arts University! It’s only been a few years, have you all forgotten?"
"It’s really him!! He didn’t die? He’s actually alive?!"
"This is amazing! No matter what, at least humanity isn’t completely defenseless anymore!"
"..."
Cheers gradually spread throughout all of Donghua.
’That guy actually escaped the True Realm this quickly?!’
The Master of Desolation and Rainbow exchanged a look, their expressions incredibly grim.
They knew exactly what escaping from the True Realm signified.
Even for them, escaping would not be so easy if they were exiled to the True Realm!
"I don’t know what method he used to escape, but I refuse to believe he could reach this level in a mere three years!!"
"There has to be a catch!!!"
The Master of Desolation roared.
CRACKLE!
Terrifying arcs of electricity flashed around his body, and a horrifying light glinted in his pale yellow eyes as immense power poured from him once more.
A massive, transparent pillar of light shot from his hands, rushing toward Zhou Yuanjue.
Zhou Yuanjue simply extended his hand again, his body showing no signs of strain.
However, the "simulated" Sacred Lotus diagram life structure within him began to operate at full force.
Sacred Lotus Rebirth!!
VMMMM!!
All the incoming power vanished completely, in the same way as before.
This was one of the fundamental abilities of the Sacred Lotus diagram: Rebirth.
The "roots" of the Sacred Lotus could bridge the material world and the True Realm. They could transfer immense power from reality into the True Realm. Conversely, they could also absorb the True Realm’s vast energy and release it in the material world.
"So this is your true power?"
"A Celestial Demon Ancestor... doesn’t seem like much."
Zhou Yuanjue said coolly, slowly withdrawing his hand.