The battle at the Boundary Slaying Platform was one where participation was impossible for anyone below the Saint Realm; even their presence would only prove a burden.

Even among the Saints, Zong Shou brought only Ye Xuan and Ming Ri Xuan, with the addition of Lu Wubing. Ming Ri Xuan could bolster his fortune and discern auspicious versus perilous signs. As for Ye Xuan, his swordsmanship was peerless; even at the Divine Realm, he could contend against three Saints with a single blade. After stepping into the Saint Realm, his Great Cosmos Quaking Sword Art had become even more dominant. However, Ye Xuan’s sole task in entering the formation today was to ensure Lu Wubing’s safety.

“What a formidable restriction array!” Upon entering the blood mist, Ye Xuan couldn't help but exclaim, “Even the Twin Dragon Convergence Array within Qin Shi Huang’s tomb is likely no match for this.” Ye Xuan had never visited the main tomb of Qin Shi Huang, but not long ago, Ming Ri Xuan and Shen Yue Xuan had collaborated to set up half of one within the Tianfang World, rendering that world virtually impregnable. At his level of cultivation, one could easily grasp the whole from a mere glimpse.

“Indeed, it is not bad!” Zong Shou nodded, though in truth, the restriction array here was somewhat inferior. Yet, in terms of offensive methods, it surpassed the Twin Dragon Convergence Array. But the moment he entered the blood mist, Zong Shou felt a powerful Vital Essence force enveloping him, far stronger than when he once held the Nine-Orifice Vital Essence Stone. Zong Shou knew this meant Lin Xuan Shuang had arrived, and her Origin Spirit Life Breath Art already saturated this void. With his master backing him, his magical power and vital essence within this blood mist would be inexhaustible, leaving no worry about consumption. Though possessing a Divine Realm body, his Inner Heaven was already fully realized. With time short and the boost from the Origin Spirit Life Breath Art, he saw no need to deduce methods to break the restrictions; he chose instead to force his way through with sheer power. His body unleashed immeasurable radiance, hanging in the void like a miniature sun, incinerating everything and destroying all surrounding spiritual restrictions utterly. The scorching flames burned, causing the void around Zong Shou to warp. Even when the array occasionally retaliated, the power was entirely swallowed and resolved by his Black Hole power, transforming into even more intense light and heat! The Boundless Beginning and End Divine Ability sometimes felt indistinguishable from ‘cheating.’ This was precisely the situation he feared least.

Beyond the blood mist area lay the blood clouds. Under the illumination of his immeasurable light, they too continually retreated. The path was clear, though the expenditure of magical power was slightly greater. Under the suppression of the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Men, all spiritual arts, divine techniques, divine treasures, and restriction arrays were forced to drop a tier in rank. Therefore, Zong Shou’s violent path of breaking formations appeared exceptionally easy.

It was only when Zong Shou reached the base of the Boundary Slaying Platform that a phantom blade, composed purely of law-force, pierced through the heavy barriers surrounding him, slicing a shallow, bloody mark across Zong Shou’s left cheek. However, protected by Lin Xuan Shuang’s Origin Spirit Life Breath Art, the mark healed almost instantly after appearing. Zong Shou’s gaze sharpened; he realized the core restriction array was indeed extraordinary. Reaching this point, he could afford no further carelessness. He looked up again, gazing toward the inverted pyramid-shaped stone platform, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. In that single instant, more than a dozen imposing gazes fixed upon him simultaneously. The experts of the Night Demon Race had finally reacted. This also signaled the official commencement of the Boundary Slaying Platform battle! A golden needle shadow flickered on the platform stone, arriving in a mere instant. It was the Spirit-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle! The thought had barely crossed Zong Shou’s mind. The needle shadow was already before him, aiming almost directly for the center of his skull. It utterly disregarded spatial and temporal laws, much like his Six Gods Dao Control Art, giving no chance for reaction. Fortunately, the next moment, a talisman paper pinned to his chest simultaneously shattered. An inexplicable force neutralized the majority of the needle’s penetration power. The remainder was effortlessly swallowed by the Black Hole beside Zong Shou. It was the Life-Preserving Primal Talisman of Seven Lives, refined by Ming Ri Xuan. At the critical moment, it saved him from being gravely wounded by the divine needle.

Zong Shou let out a cold sneer, and the Spirit Refining Sword from his sleeve flew out on its own. Using this primary sword as a guide, he instantly connected with the six Azure Life Sword Artifacts outside the blood mist. What goes around comes around! The power of the sword formation surged, and the Will of the Heavenly Dao immediately poured in, sweeping away nearly all the blood clouds and mist. The restriction array outside the Boundary Slaying Platform also began to disintegrate in large swathes under the impact of the sword qi! Wei Xu’s consciousness concurrently permeated the void, taking control of this Azure Life Sword Formation on his behalf. Thus, the sword intent of the Heavenly Dao became increasingly fierce and peerless. It surged in all directions, tearing this area of the void into pieces. Before Zong Shou’s eyes, the previously flawless restriction techniques finally revealed a fissure. He showed no mercy, stepping forward again towards the Boundary Slaying Platform. As his heavy foot landed, patches of surrounding restriction techniques were destroyed and scattered. But the next instant, the massive Blood Blade on the stone platform suddenly inverted. Its sharpest tip pointed remotely toward him, and the accumulated malevolence of thousands of people rushed toward Zong Shou. Though Zong Shou knew the Boundary Slaying Blade was not yet fully formed, his vital energy choked, and a chill ran down his spine, raising every hair on his body. He felt a crushing weight converging upon him. The aura of the Boundary Slaying Blade almost completely dispersed his will. Movement became torturous; every step Zong Shou took required him to single-handedly resist the collective malevolence formed by millions of living beings. Ye Xuan, standing behind, frowned and was about to step forward to share the burden with Zong Shou. However, as soon as he moved, Zong Shou waved his hand to stop him. The second Primal Unity Sword then shot out from Zong Shou’s nascent soul. Its sword intent was sharp, almost matching the Azure Life Ultimate Sword. Then followed four hundred and forty Dao Controlling Dragon Tooth Swords, surging forth like a tide. Each sword contained a single law, varying in depth and subtlety. But as these artifacts spread out, they shockingly constructed a relatively complete, small ‘world’ around Zong Shou! Though less than thirty feet across, within this small world, Zong Shou’s will commanded all changes, standing firm against the oppressive pressure of the Boundary Slaying Blade. The Primal Unity Sword further transformed into thousands of illusory shapes, sword shadows flashing and dancing, bit by bit dissolving and slicing away the incoming malevolent force. Ye Xuan smiled, realizing his worry had been somewhat excessive. Although Zong Shou’s current cultivation and swordsmanship had not yet surpassed his own, he was more than capable of handling this situation without being stumped by an incomplete Boundary Slaying Blade. The next moment, Ye Xuan saw Zong Shou’s Black Hole expand, completely devouring the scattered power of the Boundary Slaying Blade, followed by a White Hole explosion, spreading out over a thousand feet with terrifying momentum! When the blinding light finally faded, all talismans and restrictions within a thousand feet had vanished. Before the three of them, the void leading to the Boundary Slaying Platform was completely clear of obstacles. Just then, Ye Xuan sensed something. In the void far beyond the Saint Realm, vast areas suddenly began to vibrate violently. Surging spiritual energy and void power erupted, violently impacting in all directions. The scale of the disturbance even surpassed that of the small thousand-world collapse of Qin Shi Huang’s tomb previously! (To be continued)qRT