Witnessing the blade light unleashed by Dugu Bachan, which seemed to consume every ounce of his remaining power, Fang Zhentian’s expression drastically shifted, his heart roiling with a terrifying inner upheaval. Could these two truly be intent on fighting to the death today? Did they not realize that forcing their internal power so recklessly would only make them easier targets for assassination?

Despite the shock surging through him, facing that colossal blade radiance, Fang Zhentian had no choice but to commit his full strength, entirely unable to intervene to save Fang Zhenbei and the others.

At this moment, the only ones capable of rescuing them were Yulan and Yu Luosha. Both women harbored intense killing intent towards Xuanyuan Jue, fully aware that if Fang Zhenbei and the others were slain, they would lose any chance to dispatch Xuanyuan Jue. Naturally, they would not stand by and watch Xuanyuan Jue execute those six. However, just as the two prepared to move, three figures darted out from the void.

The figure in the center was holding a feather fan and adorned with a silk kerchief, a wisp of beard adorning his chin, presenting the appearance of a profoundly wise strategist.

The figure on the right wore a white gauze skirt, her face veiled, her figure graceful—undoubtedly a woman. The figure on the left was dressed plainly, his form stooped, yet within that hunch was a trace of lewdness, as if all worldly matters were merely a trivial game.

Upon seeing these three appear, the expressions of Yulan and Yu Luosha both changed dramatically.

“Leng Yueying, Dugu Bachan wronged you back then; must you obstruct us from dealing with him today?” Yulan exclaimed, staring at the woman on the right.

These three were none other than Zhuge Zhengwo, Leng Yueying, and Xiao Cangtian. However, Zhuge Zhengwo had not been particularly famous in those days, while Xiao Cangtian was a figure from over two centuries ago, a junior to Yu Luosha and the others, so they naturally did not recognize him.

Hearing Yulan’s words, Leng Yueying merely smiled faintly. In truth, her fate years ago had been remarkably similar to Yulan’s—both cast aside by the men they loved. The difference was that Yulan was directly executed by Xuanyuan Jue, whereas Dugu Bachan had merely departed from Leng Yueying.

Two peerless men, both abandoning the love of their lives in the relentless pursuit of the highest martial path—it was hard to say if it was worth the price.

Seeing Leng Yueying sneer and remain silent, a surge of anger rose in Yulan, and she was about to strike when Leng Yueying’s voice rang out: “Yulan, Yu Luosha, have you forgotten what we fight for today? You are both denizens of the Dou Hun Continent. You must know how those outsiders view our realm. Can you not set aside all grudges and resist them together?”

“Hahaha, if it weren’t for them, we would already be dead. What the future holds for the Dou Hun Continent has nothing to do with us. Leng Yueying, cut the nonsense. Since you seek death, I shall oblige you!” Yulan scoffed coldly, raising her hand to deliver a palm strike towards Leng Yueying.

But the feather fan in Zhuge Zhengwo’s hand, held by the man in the center, swept through the air, conjuring a fierce gale that directly pulverized Yulan’s palm wind. Immediately after, silver light flashed in his eyes, and bolts of heavenly thunder descended from the sky, slamming down fiercely toward Yu Luosha and Yulan.

“True Immortal?” Seeing the terrifyingly potent soul technique Zhuge Zhengwo deployed instantly, the complexions of the two women fluctuated wildly.

“Ladies, do you still recall that youth from the Zhuge family three hundred years ago?” Zhuge Zhengwo spoke calmly, his hands continuously tracing patterns in the void. Streams of powerful lightning shockingly coalesced into a colossal thunder dragon, lunging once more at Yu Luosha and Yulan.

Concurrently, Leng Yueying and Xiao Cangtian struck simultaneously, two streaks of sword energy tearing through the air, granting the two women no chance to react.

Yulan and Yu Luosha started internally. How could they possibly recall Zhuge Zhengwo from three centuries ago? Yet, hearing his words, they understood he must also be a figure from that era. They hadn't imagined that the insignificant figure they had utterly disregarded three hundred years prior now possessed sufficient strength to contend with them both.

Just as Zhuge Zhengwo and his companions intercepted Yu Luosha and Yulan, on the other side, the might of Xuanyuan Jue’s sword was already bearing down heavily upon the hearts of Fang Zhenxi and the other five. Endless sword intent was shattering the six men's defenses, and sharp sword qi was mercilessly piercing into their bodies.

The six struggled, they fought back, they strained every fiber of their being to resist the overwhelming sword qi, blade light, and sword aura. But facing Xuanyuan Jue’s ultimate strike, they were utterly incapable of resistance.

The void fractured inch by inch in that moment. The seawater below roared incessantly, and even the seabed's crust was shattered by the immense force. Streams of molten crust erupted from the ocean floor, merging with the seawater to create massive plumes of mist.

The bodies of the six could no longer withstand such sword qi; they began to break apart. First their arms disintegrated, then their torsos, their heads, and finally, their very souls...

Under Fang Zhentian’s gaze, a mixture of despair and rage, Xuanyuan Jue’s single sword stroke swept completely through the bodies of the six men. After that single slash, not a single human silhouette remained in the void. Six peerless masters, having reached the Ninth Heaven of the Martial God realm, were utterly annihilated.

“Ah…” Fang Zhentian roared furiously in his heart. These were the backbone of his Fang family, the Ninth Heaven Martial Gods—a near-invincible legend! Yet now, they were simply slain. How could he not be enraged?

“Cosmic Annihilation!” Fang Zhentian bellowed, swinging his Fang Tian Halberd with all his might. A streak of blue light shot out, colliding directly with Dugu Bachan’s blade light. Both the blue light and the blade aura completely shattered, and Dugu Bachan’s body was violently thrown backward repeatedly...

But Fang Zhentian’s body began to swell continuously. Muscles bulged beneath his skin, which soon sprouted scales. Even his head sprouted two horns, and his hands morphed into razor-sharp claws.

In a brief span, he transformed into a monster one hundred zhang tall, entirely covered in scales, with a pair of deer antlers crowning his head.

His aura instantly multiplied by more than threefold. The tyrannical surge of power even caused the dark clouds overhead to churn, as if some impending tribulation were about to be born.

Sensing the formidable energy radiating from Fang Zhentian, both Dugu Bachan and Xuanyuan Jue were startled. While this power still lingered within the Venerable realm, it was undeniably superior to their own strength.

This must be his true power, they thought. To endure this level of might, he actually merged the physical body of a dragon with his own—this was too ruthless! Didn't he realize that once fused, his cultivation would find it nearly impossible to advance further?

“Die! All of you shall perish!” Fang Zhentian cackled menacingly, instantly raising his massive palm, sweeping it toward Dugu Bachan as easily as swatting a fly...

(Two more chapters later tonight, brothers. Six chapters total today! Those reading on computers, remember to smash the votes for Xingchen! Those reading on mobile, don't forget to send the golden bricks! Xingchen needs some exposure—let’s all work together to awaken my exposure!)