The approach of the Tribulation to the Realm of Transcendence—Dragon Shadow caused a flicker of surprise in the eyes of several observers. Zong Shou striking first against Xing Xie had earned their sincere approval. By all accounts, this Confucian Sage Dong did not seem the type to discard honor, nor so ruthless as to self-destruct his physical form merely to escape; rather, it was Xing Xie, hailing from the Demonic Sect, who possessed the greater capacity for mercilessness—ruthless to others, and equally absolute towards himself. Yet, this Dong Zhongshu was unexpectedly decisive.

“Escaped? Truly worthy of the Transcendent Sage Venerable who extinguished ten thousand schools of thought eight millennia ago, establishing the sole supremacy of Confucianism in the Cloud Realm—” A faint light flickered in Zong Shou’s eyes, yet he did not halt the operation of the sword formation. The Seven Swords of All Living Things continuously gathered the Will of the Heavenly Dao, causing the sword’s might to gradually ascend. Meanwhile, Xiu Guan shook his head, “Brother Dong shows great resolve! However, if I allow you to flee today, then Xiu Guan will have failed my senior brother—” Several crescent-shaped silver rays suddenly pierced out from his sleeve. This was the second time he had deployed his weapons since the battle began in the Firmament of All Living Things. The Moon Blades traversed the void, striking directly at Zhu Zi, who was standing by outside the Firmament to provide support.

“Divine Weapon?” Zhu Xi’s expression shifted slightly, yet he showed no panic. With a soft hum, a crimson wolf-hair brush flew out, painting in the void, inscribing four characters with the precision of iron and silver strokes: Gewu Zhidao (Investigating Things to Attain the Dao)! Instantly, the entire void was fixed. For a moment, all principles, all rules, all laws seemed to have been internally scrutinized and ordered. Those silver Moon Blades struck against it, but their spiritual light was greatly diminished, and they were repelled back.

However, at this moment, the Sword Formation of All Living Things controlled by Zong Shou was finally ready once more.

“Kill!” As the thought arose, the vast, ten-thousand-zhang azure sword light, still bearing motes of starlight, once again cleaved forward, piercing into the void. Zhu Zi had fended off the Moon Blades, but he could not evade this strike from the Sword of the Heavenly Dao.

Boom!

After another earth-shaking resonance that caused the void to tremble incessantly, nearly collapsing, the sword light of All Living Things directly struck and completely overwhelmed the remnants of Dong Zhongshu’s physical body, along with the indestructible Soul of the Transcendent Realm, scattering them. Its residual force was not even exhausted; it even shattered nearly half of Zhu Zi’s palm!

Dong Zhongshu was annihilated by the sword and soul strike, yet Zhu Zi, conversely, felt a sense of relief, letting out a soft sigh. Ever since Zong Shou unleashed the Fire that Burns the World, he had known that Dong Zhongshu had no hope of surviving this day. And though Dong Zhongshu was dead now, he had not been suppressed. As long as a Transcendent being’s body perished and no foul play was enacted upon his essence, he could be resurrected in at most four to five thousand years. Before his physical 'death,' Dong Zhongshu had already made preparations, meaning his revival might come even sooner.

Ignoring the injury to his right hand, Zhu Zi’s gaze turned frigid, locking coldly onto Zong Shou within the Firmament once more.

“A fine Emperor of the Great Qian, a fine Boundless Beginning and End Buddha! Zhu Xi has been educated! Since you insist on estranging yourself from our Confucian School, then you cannot blame Zhu Xi. Today’s events, our Confucian School will surely repay—” With that, he traversed the void directly and departed from that place. Although the Firmament of All Living Things was sealed by the Thirty-Three Formations and the Words that Burn the World, being outside the Firmament of the Thirty Heavens did not constrain him.

At that same moment, Li Biexue’s voice rang out.

“After today, within the Cloud Realm, I shall ensure your Great Qian mirrors suffer unending war and never find peace!” The sound was like the clash of iron halberds, as if summoned from the depths of the Nine Hells.

The Grand Beginning Demon Lord spoke no further, merely letting out a cold snort before leaving directly. His gaze was firm; he knew that after today, they were mortal enemies. Since Zong Shou dared to strike, he naturally held no fear. Any further words were useless. There would be time in the future. An ant of the Immortal Realm dared to provoke him, compete with him for the Path of Finality, and even forcibly seize his Guardian Qilin— He courted death!

Clenching his hands, the Grand Beginning took a sudden stride and left that River of Void. The pain in his heart today was searing, and he had suffered a great loss of face. He genuinely did not wish to linger a moment longer. To remain here, to be mocked by his opponent?

As for Qing Xuan and Tai Huang, they had already departed and vanished without a trace after Kun Ming’s death.

Silence returned to the Firmament of All Living Things. Only after several breaths did Xiu Guan suddenly let out a cold laugh. This clear sound resonated through the void at that moment. It could even be heard across a dozen worlds.

“Yuan Jiang! You have trespassed upon my Firmament of All Living Things today, and you owe Xiu Guan a satisfactory explanation! Otherwise, do not blame me for taking action and shattering your Dragon Clan’s Four Directional Dragon Palaces!”

Yuan Jiang, far in the distance, froze abruptly. At that moment, he was so frustrated he nearly vomited blood. Yet, simultaneously, he frowned, genuinely beginning to worry.

Between the Dragon Clan and the Path of All Living Things, there had originally been no enmity. But after today, the situation had changed. His reason for entering the Firmament of All Living Things today was to execute Ao Kun, which was plausible. But what he should never have done was to commit this act when the Path of All Living Things was at its absolute brink of survival. If the Firmament of All Living Things had been destroyed today, that would have been easy to explain. But the final outcome was a great victory for the Path of All Living Things! Instead, the Confucian, Demonic, and Martial schools suffered heavy losses, and he, Yuan Jiang, had nearly offended the Path of All Living Things unto death—the Path of All Living Things, possessing three Transcendent cultivators, had once again stood atop the pinnacle of the Cloud Realm!

Suddenly, Yuan Jiang felt a movement in his heart and looked back. He sensed that the mighty force of heaven and earth that had been continuously enveloping that area had now dissipated by a full half.

“Wei Xu?” Yuan Jiang’s pupils instantly constricted slightly. Observing the Tribulation Light, he could clearly discern only enough power for one final strike. His heart shuddered again!

He had heard of Wei Xu. This man earned the title of Great Sun Saber Saint merely by using the Sun True Law to mirror others, ranking among the elite of the various Saint Realms, indicating his profound foundation. If this person faces the Transcendent Thunder Tribulation without external interference, success should be a certainty. In that case, after today, the Path of All Living Things would possess four Transcendent Sage Venerables?

A severe headache immediately afflicted him. Such formidable power, even the full might of the Dragon Clan from twenty thousand years ago would need to treat it with respect. He had come today because of what the Dao Sect had promised, but the final outcome was that the loss far outweighed the gain.

“Why is the Layman speechless? Is there nothing to say?”

Xiu Guan continued to sneer: “Yuan Jiang, you witnessed today’s events. Your Clan’s Ao Kun has truly conferred a great service upon our Path of All Living Things. I, Xiu Guan, care nothing for your Dragon Clan’s rules or your internal grudges. After today, if any of your Transcendent beings dare to touch even a single hair on his head, I, Xiu Guan, will surely destroy your entire Clan! Do not say that Xiu Guan failed to give prior warning then!”

Yuan Jiang’s face flushed scarlet, rage surging in his eyes, yet he forcefully suppressed it. At this moment, Xiu Guan truly possessed the qualifications to utter such words. The foremost Transcendent expert in the Cloud Realm, a figure who achieved Eternity using the most ordinary Profound Yellow Great Strength Technique, possessed enough divine power—especially with allies—to make the Dragon Palaces fearful.

He understood Xiu Guan’s intention: to leave the conflict between Ao Kun and the Shun Kong Dragon Clan for the two parties to resolve themselves. None of the Four Directional Dragon Palaces were permitted to intervene in this matter. This arrangement could perhaps be accepted— But did he truly have to bow his head to the Path of All Living Things?