Feng Zikang couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. The appearance of Lei Jingang now was vastly different from what he had seen that day when using his Formless Heavenly Demon avatar!

The Lei Jingang seen that day, though fierce and irritable, was still fundamentally humanoid.

But now...

Lei Jingang stood twelve feet tall, with two crooked black horns sprouting from his head, a grotesque face, and blood-red eyes. His upper body was ** bare, and three spinal protrusions, resembling sharp swords, jutted from his back, shimmering with a dark, ominous light.

"This..."

The Saintess’s expression changed drastically; clearly, she had never expected Lei Jingang to look like this.

"Did... did he suffer demonic deviation while cultivating the Chi You God-Demon Arts? How could he become this way?"

Evidently, the Saintess had never witnessed this hideous form. Feng Zikang frowned even deeper. "Saintess, are you certain this isn't the sign of entering the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts?"

"Ah?"

The Saintess covered her mouth, a flicker of terror momentarily crossing her eyes, but she swiftly regained her composure and shook her head.

"I don't know... I truly don't know. The final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts has always been mere legend, even among the Hua Miao Tribe. As far as I know, no one has ever succeeded in mastering it in a thousand years, so I have no idea what the final stage looks like..."

Lei Ting and Lei Jingang, father and son, were already peerless geniuses of the past millennium, at the pinnacle of cultivation. Yet, even they had failed to break through to the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts—at least... not before today...

Feng Zikang’s expression grew solemn. "If he has truly mastered the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts, what chance do we have?"

The Saintess offered a wry smile. "If he has truly mastered the final stage, he can summon the Great Demon God possession at any moment. His power would equal that of the Coiling Serpent Secret Art. I fear that even with Mr. Feng’s help, under this solar eclipse, we might be doomed to defeat..."

The Saintess couldn't fully gauge Feng Zikang's strength, but she was certain he hadn't yet reached the immortal realm of Nascent Soul separation. If so, resisting the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts would be impossible; the only way to resist would be...

The Saintess’s face sharpened, determination flashing in her eyes.

"If he truly has... then I only have..."

She seemed to be murmuring to herself, but Feng Zikang heard her clearly.

It was evident that the Saintess also possessed the Coiling Serpent Art. If activated, she should be able to contend with the Demon God-possessed Lei Jingang. With his assistance to the Bai Miao people, even under the unfavorable conditions of the eclipse, there might be a sliver of hope for victory.

It was a pity that after activating the Coiling Serpent Art, the Saintess would perish. Everyone cherishes life; how could she so suddenly resolve herself to that?

It seemed the Bai Miao and Hua Miao tribes, despite their historical balance—the Bai Miao having the Five Poison Beasts and the Clan Leader possessing the lethal Coiling Serpent Art, while the Hua Miao had the formidable Chi You God-Demon Arts—were destined for separation. While unity might bring immense power, confined to this small Profound Realm spanning only a hundred li, expansion was impossible, leading only to eventual division.

Feng Zikang shook his head. Even if the Bai Miao and Hua Miao unified now, the division seemed inevitable later.

However, this was not the time to ponder that. If Lei Jingang had truly mastered the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts, coupled with the solar eclipse, the Bai Miao tribe was indeed at a disadvantage right now.

"Whether he has mastered the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts—we shall find out with a test!"

Feng Zikang let out a cold snort, slightly raising his right hand. A streak of sword light shot out, aimed directly at the swaggering Lei Jingang!

His sword light was swift. Lei Jingang, accustomed to sparring with the Saintess, was caught completely off guard by such a formidable helper at her side. The light struck him squarely, resulting in a deafening clang, like metal striking metal, sending sparks flying from his body!

"Copper Skin and Iron Bones!"

The Saintess cried out in alarm. "It is indeed Chi You's Copper Skin and Iron Bones—he truly has mastered the final stage!"

Legend held that Chi You himself possessed copper skin and iron bones, consuming sand and stones as food, and was incomparably ferocious. For Lei Jingang, originally just human flesh, to remain unscathed by Feng Zikang's sword light proved it was indeed the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts!

"Hahahaha!"

Lei Jingang roared with laughter. "Jade Rakshasi, you found yourself a capable helper. This is beyond my expectation, but since I have successfully cultivated the Chi You God-Demon Arts, are you still my match?"

The confirmation of his suspicions sent a tremor through the Saintess, and the color drained from her face.

"Hmph, you Bai Miao people killed my father; this blood feud cannot be shared under heaven. Now that heaven has granted me this secret art, I shall slay you all! No need for further pleasantries—behold my Great Demon God Possession!"

Lei Jingang roared, his face contorted with malice, his hands raised to the sky. The sun, already tainted by darkness, seemed to lose its light entirely, and the sky immediately darkened.

"Huo!"

The Hua Miao people shouted in unison, their expressions agitated.

Behind Lei Jingang, a colossal, long-horned giant figure suddenly materialized.

"The True Body of Chi You!"

The Saintess's face changed. Her tone became clipped and resolute; clearly, she had made up her mind. At this point, there was no turning back; she had to take that one step.

She offered a sad smile, turned to Feng Zikang, and nodded. "Mr. Feng. Lei Jingang has unleashed the Great Demon God Possession. I can only counter it with the Coiling Serpent Art—it seems likely to end in mutual destruction. I cannot concern myself with the battle below; I entrust the protection of our clansmen to you!"

She paused, then added, "Regarding the Qilin Marrow, Hua Nu will explain everything after the battle. As the Bai Miao people, we never go back on our word... If we lose..."

The Saintess's voice trailed off, clearly not wishing her own clansmen to hear such demoralizing words.

"If we lose... the Hua Miao will also be severely weakened. With Mr. Feng’s capability, taking the Qilin Marrow from the Hua Miao shouldn't be difficult... I only hope Mr. Feng can offer some aid to spare the lives of some of our Bai Miao people..."

Lei Jingang intended to wipe out the Bai Miao. If the Bai Miao were defeated—meaning the Saintess, even after transforming into the Coiling Serpent, couldn't overcome the Demon God-possessed Lei Jingang—then everything depended on Feng Zikang's attitude. After all, Lei Jingang wouldn't escape unharmed; with severe injuries, Feng Zikang's intervention should be enough to save the Bai Miao lives.

But the Saintess knew her alliance with Feng Zikang was hardly firm; she could only hope he would act out of consideration for the Qilin Marrow.

Feng Zikang nodded. "Saintess, rest assured. I, Feng, will do my utmost."

At this juncture, he certainly wouldn't switch sides to aid the Hua Miao. Lei Jingang's momentum was high, and adding to his success might not benefit him. Although the Bai Miao tribe was at a disadvantage, with the Saintess employing the Coiling Serpent Art combined with his aid, achieving a stalemate should be possible.

If they won, that went without saying. Even if they lost, as the Saintess just mentioned, Lei Jingang wouldn't emerge unscathed, and taking the Qilin Marrow wouldn't be difficult for him.

The Saintess nodded in relief. Receiving this promise from Feng Zikang settled her heart greatly. She immediately turned to her own people. "People of the Bai Miao!"

"Here!"

Amidst the shouts of the Bai Miao, the Saintess's aura began to rise steadily.

"We Bai Miao and Hua Miao were once one family, but the Hua Miao leader is deranged and seeks to slaughter our Bai Miao children! Today, we swear to resist him to the death!"

"Though he has mastered the final stage of the Chi You God-Demon Arts, as the Chief of the Bai Miao, I have a final recourse to protect my clansmen!"

"Chieftain!" Hua Nu cried out, her face paling.

As the Saintess's confidante, she naturally knew about the Coiling Serpent Secret Art, and hearing the Saintess speak with such finality filled her with dread.

The Saintess looked at her with gentle eyes, beckoning her over and handing her the jade bracelet she wore. "From this day forward, you are the next Chief of the Bai Miao tribe. I hope you can temper your temper and lead our people to better days..."

"Chieftain..." Hua Nu knew what she was about to do but was powerless to stop it, tears welling in her eyes as she refused to take the bracelet.

The Saintess’s expression hardened, and she took Hua Nu’s hand, slipping the jade bracelet onto her wrist.

"You Bai Miao women are still dawdling at a time like this! Since we are about to die anyway, what more is there to say!"

A furious roar came from the opposite side. The Saintess turned to see that Lei Jingang’s transformation was complete. Within a cloud of black mist, a muscular, glowing-eyed monster nearly ten zhang high stood in imposing glory.

"To see the True Body of Chi You here—it certainly broadens one's horizons..."

Although Feng Zikang faintly sensed the pressure emanating from this Chi You, he remained completely fearless, instead observing the mighty god-demon with considerable curiosity, comparing it internally to the four god-demons he commanded to see where its strength lay.

As Feng Zikang’s own strength rose, the Four Symbols God-Demon Formation, refined with his heart's blood, had also gradually improved. The pity was that the power of the god-demons could no longer maintain the lead over his personal cultivation. While they provided suppression when fighting opponents of the same level or weaker, they were nearly useless against stronger foes.

Seeing this Chi You Demon God, a thought struck him.

If he could acquire this Demon God, whose strength was close to the Nascent Soul stage, the Four Symbols God-Demon Formation could evolve into the Five Elements formation, vastly increasing its might—though for now, it was just a thought. With Feng Zikang’s current strength, confronting this Chi You Demon God, while not fearing it and capable of a safe retreat, defeating it would be exceedingly difficult, let alone subduing it, which was nearly impossible.

The Saintess laughed loudly. "Lei Jingang, do you think the Great Demon God Possession makes you invincible? Behold the divine power of a descendant of Nuwa!"

She pressed her hands together, her expression solemn. Ethereal light descended from the highest heavens, bathing her entire form. In a trance, the Saintess’s body writhed, and a serpent's tail slowly began to grow from her back!

"Coiling Serpent!"

The Bai Miao people were struck with horror. They hadn't realized their Chief intended to unleash this self-destructive divine power. Seeing this sight now, how could they fail to understand?

Over a decade ago, it was the previous Chief who used the Coiling Serpent power to save the entire tribe. To see their current Chief using this technique again struck the Bai Miao to the core!

"Kill these Hua Miao curs!"

Hua Nu shouted, and as the Saintess transformed into a massive serpent, soaring up to clash with the Chi You Demon God manifested by Lei Jingang, the numerous Bai Miao people drove their Five Poison Beasts to launch a surprise attack on the Hua Miao warriors.

The Hua Miao warriors were not to be outdone. With battle cries, they gripped their blades and spears, and under the empowerment of the eclipse, they charged bravely toward the terrifying Five Poison Beasts!

Feng Zikang shook his head and sighed, understanding that the hatred between these Miao tribes was not easily resolved. Though they were once one family, centuries of separation and countless deaths in conflict made seamless reunification far from simple.

The Saintess’s thoughts were perhaps too optimistic...

Furthermore, if the fighting continued this way, the enmity would only deepen, leaving the future utterly unpredictable.

However, Feng Zikang had no need to worry about this small Profound Realm; having existed for a thousand years, it surely possessed its own way of survival. Seeing that even the Bai Miao, with their formidable Five Poison Beasts, couldn't gain the upper hand, he scoffed, unleashed a sweep of his sword light, splashing blood and causing countless Hua Miao members to flee in panic!

"What a vicious fiend!"

Several elders among the Hua Miao trembled with rage but recognized the danger and dared not delay. They formed a defensive array, harnessing the power of the eclipse to forcefully boost their cultivation, flying to intercept Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang saw no need to exert his full power. He casually wielded his sword light, tying up these powerful elders. As a result, the field tilted in favor of the Bai Miao tribe.

Meanwhile, in the sky, the Saintess's Coiling Serpent and Lei Jingang's Demon God form were locked in a fierce struggle.

"Vile creature, taste my blade!"

Lei Jingang brought his hands together, and a crimson arc of light materialized from the void, whistling through the air toward the head of the giant serpent. The Saintess recognized the danger, flared her massive, lantern-like eyes, and twisted her body to evade the fatal strike.

With a tremendous boom, the opposite mountain collapsed and shattered—the sheer power of that single blade strike was immense!

"Hiss! Hiss!"

The transformed Saintess could no longer speak. She twisted her body and flicked out her scarlet tongue, which split into three crimson whips, striking directly at Lei Jingang’s eyes, throat, and groin.

Having fought for over a decade, both knew each other's depths. Now that their trump cards were revealed, neither held back, unleashing vicious killing moves with every strike.

Lei Jingang sneered, holding his long blade horizontally before him to block the serpentine assault. However, the impact force carried by the tongue forced him backward, causing him to stumble.

"The Bai Miao tribe's Coiling Serpent indeed has some tricks; it’s no wonder my father died by it!"

Lei Jingang thought of his father's tragic death, his eyes turning blood-red, his aura becoming even more berserk. "Vile creature, die in place of your father!"

He conveniently ignored that it was his father's initial aggression that sparked the massive conflict between the two tribes, forcing the Bai Miao Chief to reluctantly unleash the self-sacrificing Coiling Serpent power, resulting in mutual destruction with many Hua Miao elites.

Though the Saintess was mute, she curled her lip, a look of utter mockery in her eyes.

This enraged Lei Jingang further. He swung his long blade relentlessly, intending to slice the giant serpent into pieces!

The serpent’s body was massive, and though powerful, it lacked flexibility. It inadvertently took several blows; blood splattered, eliciting piercing shrieks, causing the earth to shake and stones to rain down!

The solar eclipse was now halfway complete, half the sun's radiance covered by shadow. The two figures battling in the sky obscured the clouds and sun, plunging the ground into near total darkness.

The Bai Miao’s Five Poison Beasts were ferocious; any Hua Miao warrior wounded would immediately turn purplish-blue, gasping before collapsing. Yet, empowered by the eclipse, the Hua Miao warriors fought with savage intensity, their broadswords slicing massive scorpions and centipedes in half, spilling green blood in a scene of carnage.

In the entire battlefield, the only one who remained relatively composed was Feng Zikang. Even while besieged by the Hua Miao elders, he held back, observing the combat situation and lamenting internally.

The ferocious fighting among these Miao people, compared to grand military formations, was child's play. Having experienced numerous battles, he was not concerned by the mere loss of life. However, these people fought with explosive bravery, and the Five Poison Beasts were incredibly venomous; every warrior fought to the death, unwilling to retreat. By the looks of it today, more than half would perish here.

Thus, despite a battle involving only a few thousand people, the intensity of the carnage rivaled that of an army of hundreds of thousands.

But his primary focus remained on the battle between the giant serpent and the Demon God above.

This fight was truly world-shattering; their power levels were equal. This was Feng Zikang’s first time witnessing a clash equivalent to high-level Nascent Soul experts. Indeed, at this tier, battle techniques differed significantly.

Although both had achieved this state through secret arts, the fundamentals of their engagement differed from the (divine power) contests seen at the Core Condensation stage.

Since they had reached the Nascent Soul stage, both bodies had become immensely resilient. Without a magical artifact capable of an instant kill, most of the time was spent in mutual attrition, testing endurance and resistance.

The Giant Serpent and the Demon God exchanged deadly moves, but the practical result was that both sustained minor injuries, none fatal, maintaining a deadlock thus far.

"Judging by this, it might go on for several days and nights..."

Feng Zikang glanced again at the battle below. That part was resolving quickly; soon, there wouldn't be many left standing. Those remaining in their respective villages must be the old, weak, and injured. It was inevitable that both tribes would suffer a massive drain on their vitality.

The deciding factor in this war was not the brutal fighting below, but the intense clash in the heavens.

This depended on two factors.

The first was how long the Coiling Serpent transformation could last. According to the Saintess, once transformed, she would inevitably die when her vital essence was exhausted, but she never specified how long it could be sustained.

If the Coiling Serpent transformation failed before a winner was decided, the Bai Miao tribe would face utter defeat, unless Feng Zikang went all out to fight the Chi You Demon God alone—otherwise, he would have to accept the outcome.

The second factor was the effect of the solar eclipse. Currently, under its enhancement, Lei Jingang's Demon God form could only match the Coiling Serpent. If the eclipse ended... and the Demon God form weakened further, it would become a guaranteed victory for the Coiling Serpent. This was certainly what Feng Zikang wished to see; obtaining the Qilin Marrow without excessive effort, resolving the issue of this plane, saving Luo Lianxin, and moving to the next layer.