With a wave of his hand, Zong Shou recalled all three thousand Great Dao stars and the Dragon Fang Imperial Dao Sword.

Stripped of his outer defenses, the blood-red spiritual lights surged towards the spot where he stood.

Zong Shou immediately felt a dimness clouding his mind. The Spirit Slaying Divine Light could befuddle intellect, and even cultivators at the Divine or Saint realm were not immune.

Within his nascent spirit, he felt his own spirituality being forcibly stripped away, bit by bit. His Sea of Souls grew quiet, seemingly losing all vitality.

Zong Shou let out a cold snort and manifested the Black and White Beginning and End Dharmic Image behind him, only then feeling a degree of relief.

The Demonic Path's foundational grand formation was formidable to begin with, and now, personally suppressed by the Supreme Primordial Demon Li Beixue, its might was even more profound and unfathomable.

Even compared to the Thirty-Three Heavens Great Formation within the Azure Life Vault domain, it was only slightly inferior.

Although Zong Shou's Boundless Beginning and End divine ability possessed infinite potential, before truly advancing to the Thirteenth Grade Supreme level, he could not completely devour and convert this Spirit Slaying Divine Light.

A minuscule fraction of it could still affect his nascent spirit.

While the Profound Enhancement Law-Wielding Wings could enhance law-wielding, they could only be applied to a single divine ability and a single person at any given time.

If it was currently empowering his blade techniques, it could not simultaneously boost the Boundless Beginning and End divine ability.

Fortunately, the remaining portion of the Spirit Slaying Divine Light was still within the range he could contend against.

With a beckoning gesture of his sword formula, the Spirit Refining Sword spun, resonating with the other six swords within a hundred-mile radius.

The Seven Swords of Azure Life instantly unified as one. The massive torrent of sword energy borrowed from afar pierced down, forcibly tearing open the blood-red firmament and slamming down onto the location.

Sweeping away everything! A thousand zhang ahead of Zong Shou, all palaces and halls disintegrated under the impact of this tide of sword aura, shattering into motes of dust and tiny specks.

All restrictive enchantments, all obstacles, were utterly swept clean!

"To be able to break into the Yin Vein Spirit Slaying Formation, your Lian Shen [Spirit Refining] has truly ascended to the Divine Weapon level—"

A rich, cold voice rode the wind, echoing endlessly from all directions within this space, making its source impossible to locate.

Zong Shou looked directly up, fixing his gaze on the ninety-nine-story Star Gazing Pagoda north of Fenghua Palace.

He sensed an extremely dangerous gaze, carrying a hint of mocking curiosity, fixed upon him.

"Your flying knife technique truly possesses the marvelous charm of slaying immortals and executing gods—a strike means demise. It’s a pity that its foundation is riddled with flaws, requiring the blessing of the Heavenly Dao to manifest such divine might. Speaking of which, have you unsealed the Profound Enhancement Law-Wielding Wings?"

These words did not spread further; they resonated only within Zong Shou's ear, their sound patterns leaving no trace.

Even if a Saint Venerable realm cultivator were beside him, if their cultivation base could not surpass Li Beixue's, they would be unable to perceive what was said.

Zong Shou sneered. Interesting! Such concealment, such furtive behavior. Could this Supreme Primordial Demon still harbor lingering desire for the Profound Enhancement Law-Wielding Wings?

And just as Li Beixue finished speaking, countless black bolts of lightning erupted violently from all directions.

Under the impact, the protective aura surrounding Zong Shou was forcibly torn open as if it were mere paper, directly impacting his physical body.

However, most of the strikes only left minor traces on his skin before dissipating.

Only then did Zong Shou realize that the torment he endured for over a month within that small world fragment of the Earth Palace had indeed been of profound benefit.

Buffeted by this dark, nether lightning, his physical body alone could resist a portion of it, and any superficial wounds healed almost instantly.

"Heh, a Saint-tier Immortal Body, nearing perfection. Truly blessed by heaven and earth—"

That rich, somber voice sounded again. Then, the black lightning, which had been on the verge of dissipating, abruptly transformed, morphing into pallid Death Flames that struck Zong Shou's body once more.

The purest Death Force instantly pierced through Zong Shou’s protective immortal energy, creeping along his meridians, spreading through every part of his body—his viscera and his limbs.

Zong Shou was slightly startled. Upon attempting to control it, he discovered that this Death Energy was exquisitely pure. It was a full two levels stronger than the death qi he had previously manipulated with the Nether River Death-Slaying Sword! He simply could not control it.

As soon as it entered his body, the vitality throughout him began to dim. The activity of his internal organs almost ceased, gradually returning to stillness.

His inner world, which had previously circulated without hindrance, gradually stagnated and declined.

A flicker of surprise first appeared in Zong Shou’s eyes, which then returned to normal. As expected, if the Nine Heavens Ten Earths Yin Vein Spirit Slaying Formation did not possess such divine might, how could it be called the foremost killing formation of the Demonic Path, causing even those at the Ultimate Realm to be wary?

Any ordinary Divine realm cultivator would likely have already been reduced to ash by now.

"Life and Death Profound Mystery, Heaven and Earth Reversal—"

As Zong Shou formed a spiritual seal with his hand, the death qi within his body began to transform, turning into the purest vital essence, nourishing the hundred meridians of his body.

It repaired the damage caused by the pervasive death qi, and even weakened the Spirit Slaying Divine Light that had seeped into his body by a significant margin.

All the wounds on Zong Shou's body healed completely in a mere instant.

However, the power of the Death Flames was truly too vast and pure. So vast and pure that every bit Zong Shou converted felt incomparably strenuous.

Zong Shou gasped. In truth, whether it was the Spirit Slaying Divine Light or the Yin Vein Death Flame Lightning, the majority had already been repelled and annihilated by his Azure Life Sword Formation. Heavy sword auras acted like a net, guarding his surroundings, either cleaving or destroying the bulk of the Spirit Slaying Divine Light and the Yin Vein Death Flame Lightning. Only a very small portion managed to impact his physical form.

With the Spirit Refining Sword protecting him, it was equivalent to the power of four Ultimate realm cultivators standing guard.

Yet even so, as Zong Shou continued to advance, he still found it painstakingly difficult, feeling that every step forward required immense effort.

Over a mere hundred zhang, Zong Shou was already sweating from his brow. However, thanks to the vital essence supplemented by the Life-Death Profound Mystery transformation, he was not completely exhausted.

His spiritual thoughts locked onto the direction of the Imperial Study within Fenghua Palace. He could sense Yin Yu’s aura.

"This is Life and Death transformation? The Yin Vein Death Flame Lightning not only fails to harm you but can instead be drawn upon as aid. What a marvelous divine ability. I must admit, Zong Shou, you are indeed the most astonishing talent in our Cloud Realm within seven thousand years. However, this Nine Heavens Ten Earths Yin Vein Spirit Slaying Killing Formation is not so simple—"

It was still that mocking, playful tone; the speaker seemed to regard Zong Shou as mere plaything.

The black nether lightning and the Spirit Slaying Divine Light shockingly merged into one. When that dark-red light-lightning exploded, this time it did not merely damage his physical body; it directly attacked his nascent soul.

The pale Death Fire, blended with the blood-red Spirit Slaying Divine Light, rushed directly into his Sea of Souls.

Then it swept everywhere, using his soul energy as its source, burning madly.

Zong Shou felt his nascent spirit suddenly explode; waves of shock hit him, his consciousness grew hazy and dizzy, nearly sinking into oblivion, and he spat out mouthfuls of bright red froth from his mouth and nose.

It took him a long while to recover his breath, activating the Black and White Beginning and End Dharmic Image to suppress it with all his might.

His understanding of the divine might of the Yin Vein Spirit Slaying Killing Formation was once again raised a level.

This killing formation, while not as formidable as the Azure Life Dao's Thirty-Three Heavens Formation, was truly comparable! He had previously underestimated it somewhat—

But Li Beixue’s tone was infuriating!

Did this Supreme Primordial Demon truly regard Zong Shou as meat on a chopping block, ready to be slaughtered at will?

Shaking his head internally, Zong Shou still tried his best to extend his spiritual thoughts. The key to today’s battle lay with the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Men.

As long as his divine sense contacted these twelve bronze figures, he could utilize the Imperial Seal to take control of them. It wouldn't take much time, only about a hundred breaths, to seize complete control—

Completely refining and expelling the divine sense imprints of Yin Yu or the true spirit of the Qin Emperor.

At that very moment, Zong Shou’s heart stirred, and he looked up ahead. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, while his left hand had already grasped the Imperial Seal hidden within his sleeve.

He had made contact with the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Men!

"There is one thing I do not understand. Since you possess the Profound Enhancement Law-Wielding Wings, why not give them to Xiuguan? Are you unwilling to part with them, or is there another reason? In Xiuguan's hands, even I would have to retreat three paces and fear seeing it. Yet in your hands, it only causes slight apprehension, like that of a person towards a mosquito. This item is a supreme treasure of the world; it is truly wasted in your possession. How about you yield it to me?"

As he spoke, a giant blood-red hand reached out from the direction of the ninety-nine-story Star Gazing Pagoda, grasping from afar.

However, halfway there, Li Beixue let out an exclamation of surprise, 'Yi—'

He saw a dazzling silver sword light flash across the horizon outside the Imperial Capital. Then, more and more sword lights appeared in the void.

"Sword named Fu Ling, Yin Vein Spirit Slaying below!"

"Floating Law Divine Art, Azure Life Spirit Refining above—"

A soft chant drifted out. The dark-red sky was torn and ripped apart in patches by streaks of Azure Life sword qi tearing through the void.

Zong Shou also felt the oppressive pressure on him suddenly ease. As the thought arose, the Spirit Refining Sword transformed, soaring thousands of zhang into the void, slashing towards the black hand above.

In an instant, the massive demonic hand was shredded into dust.

Li Beixue let out a casual 'Heh' laugh, completely unconcerned, gathering the scattered black mist back together.

Magnificent demonic power surged, reweaving the dark-red and black clouds in the sky.

"It is the Sword Sect’s Heaven-Ending Earth-Ending Fu Ling Sword Formation. Truly unexpected! To think they would commit the strength of an entire sect to assist. The capital accumulated over seven thousand years is not feared to be depleted in this battle. The Sword Sect’s devotion to you, Zong Shou, is certainly not shallow—"

Zong Shou was also greatly surprised. For the Sword Sect to bring out the Heaven-Ending Earth-Ending Fu Ling Sword Formation, they were indeed pouring out their entirety for this battle.

The Floating Law Divine Art, more accurately speaking, should be called the Substitution Divine Art.

This is because no script in this world could accurately convey its meaning.

And the Fu Ling Divine Sword was a naturally born Divine Weapon, capable of substituting the laws of this world within a small area.

The Three Thousand Great Daos of Heaven and Earth varied in level. Some approached the root source, such as his 'Dao' character divine art, his Beginning and End divine method—innately superior to other Great Dao laws, transcending the Five Elements.

When fighting cultivators who manipulated the laws of the Five Elements, he naturally possessed a significant advantage, because his 'Dao' was closer to the root of the Great Dao. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (.) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) No pop-up novel website