The physique of a Saint, though unbound by the Heavenly Dao—allowing them to endure eternally even if the world collapsed—was not absolutely immune to injury or annihilation. Facing an attack of equal power, they could still be wounded or destroyed, the Three Great Lords serving as the prime example.

In the southern reaches of the Heavenly Alliance, atop Mount Tongtian which Liang Xiaoke had personally constructed for the Sect Master Tongtian, the Sect Master sat cross-legged upon a cushion, expounding upon his Great Dao. Below him, Liang Xiaoke, Gongsun Lu, Luo Ruofeng, Luo Xiaoyuan, Yaorao, Yingkong Shi, Yan Senxu, Hei Ming Shixuan, Fang Zhuguo, Lin Xiaoyi, Hu Yanmeng, Gongsun Xiangyi, and even Chi Yixiu, all sat in rapt silence, absorbing his teachings.

What stature Tongtian possessed! Even a casual utterance from him was regarded as the deepest truth. After days spent listening to his Dao, the cultivation levels of every single person present soared as if by rocket propulsion.

Just then, Tongtian abruptly ceased his lecture, turning his gaze westward. A faint smile touched his lips.

Hearing the sudden stop, the others present stiffened, their eyes following Tongtian’s line of sight. They saw the entire western horizon shrouded in ominous, dark clouds, punctuated by continuous flashes of colossal lightning.

“Teacher, that place…” A look of profound dread crossed Liang Xiaoke’s face. He felt a familiar energy beginning to coalesce.

“That is the Twelve Heavenly Witches Extinction Grand Array. Those who have successfully formed the Twelve Heavenly Witches—A’Yu has succeeded! He has finally succeeded!” Having absorbed the Dao for so many days, Chi Yixiu had finally broken through to the realm of the Demon God Chi You, comprehending many principles that had previously eluded him. The moment he sensed that aura, he understood instantly what had transpired. (Website URL)

Upon hearing Chi Yixiu’s words, expressions of intense excitement spread across everyone’s faces. After all they had endured, they had learned Ye Jingyu’s whereabouts from Liang Xiaoke—he was within the Earth Alliance. Now, experiencing that familiar energy firsthand brought joyous color to their visages.

Setting aside Yan Senxu and Yingkong Shi for a moment, Luo Ruofeng was naturally beaming with happiness. With the Sect Master Tongtian presiding over the Southern Cloud Empire, its territory had already expanded several times over. Now that A’Yu had mastered the Twelve Heavenly Witches Extinction Grand Array, it would be even more splendid if he could bring Ling’er back.

As for Lin Xiaoyi, anticipation shone brightly in his eyes for Ye Jingyu’s return. He was no longer the timid little book attendant he once was, but a General of the Southern Cloud Empire; years of relentless combat had etched a layer of steely resolve onto his countenance.

Hei Ming Shixuan’s chubby face was also alight with sheer delight, wishing she could instantly rush toward the Earth Alliance. Her longing for her 'Big Brother' had reached an unbearable intensity.

Gongsun Xiangyi’s eyes were filmed with tears. A millennium had passed, yet the yearning she held for Ye Jingyu had not diminished in the slightest; rather, it grew ever more profound.

Yaorao’s state of mind had matured greatly over the years; she could maintain an expression as placid as a still pool regardless of any situation. But at this moment, the serenity of that pool was disturbed by ripples. After a thousand years, would he still remember her?

And the coolly aloof Hu Yanmeng gazed somewhat dazedly at the gathering of pitch-black clouds. Images of the first time she met Ye Jingyu surfaced unbidden in her mind. Was he reunited with Jiufeng now? And what of Qi? How fared he after merging completely with Hou Yi?

The expressions of the assembled group varied, but Sect Master Tongtian simply smiled faintly, watching the darkening clouds deepen. He murmured under his breath, “Soon, very soon. Taishang, Yuanshi, Amitabha, Zhunti, and Youming—who among them will claim victory in this grand game of chess? I truly look forward to it!”

“Heaven and Earth are unkind, treating the myriad things as straw dogs. Xiaoke, a great war is imminent. Though your current cultivation is formidable, capable even of defeating those who have broken free from the Heavenly Dao’s constraints, you are ultimately still figures within the painting, still participants in the trap. If those few finally lose patience and tear the painting asunder, you too will be reduced to ash. You must seize this time!” Tongtian instructed those below him.

They all understood the implication of tearing the painting: the outright destruction of this world and the remaking of the cycle of reincarnation. They had not yet transcended; despite their terrifying combat prowess, they remained but ants beneath the Heavenly Dao, albeit ants capable of inflicting damage.

“We understand… Master!” Liang Xiaoke and the others nodded solemnly.

“It is good that you understand. Having lectured for so many days, it is time to offer you some gifts,” Tongtian said with a gentle smile, waving his hand. Hundreds of Dharma treasures flew out from his voluminous sleeves, settling into the hands of each person.

In Luo Ruofeng’s hands materialized a great seal, a long-hilted sword, and a set of jade robes—the Jade Emperor’s Great Seal, the Heavenly Emperor Sword, and the Jade Emperor Robes, which the Jade Emperor had used to suppress the Celestial Court in ages past. Tongtian’s bestowal carried an unmistakable meaning.

In Yaorao’s hand rested a Golden Dipper, the Hunyuan Golden Dou, one of the most powerful artifacts from the Investiture of the Gods war. In Hu Yanmeng’s grasp was a pair of golden scissors, the Golden Jiao Scissors. Gongsun Xiangyi received a cauldron—the Shangqing Furnace, used by Tongtian for alchemy, perfect for both offense and defense. Fang Zhuguo obtained a coin—the Coin That Falls to Earth. As for Yan Senxu, Yingkong Shi, Chi Yixiu, Hei Ming Shixuan, and the others, they received superior close-combat weapons, as specialized Dharma treasures offered less utility to them.

As Tongtian distributed these artifacts, Liang Xiaoke clearly perceived a fleeting sorrow in the depths of his master’s eyes, which sent a wave of melancholy through his own heart. The owners of these treasures had all been Tongtian’s direct disciples. Passing them on now suggested they had perished while building the Bridge to the Other Shore.

Recalling how Tongtian’s lineage had suffered—some dead, others turned traitor—Liang Xiaoke felt a sharp pang of grief. He vowed silently to cultivate relentlessly, ensuring that Tongtian would never again suffer such mortal anguish…

At the same moment Tongtian conferred these gifts, outside the Extinguishing Flame City where Ye Jingyu was located, within the Twelve Heavenly Witches Extinction Grand Array, the six spheres of primordial energy were gradually taking form as the ethereal projections merged into them.

The Heavenly Book pulsed with golden light, and Ye Jingyu’s gaze was solemn. Why were they not fully formed yet? Was something still lacking? Suddenly, understanding dawned upon him. He bit down, piercing his fingertip, and shot a drop of blood directly into the foremost projection’s core…

Instantly, a blinding blood-red radiance erupted, and the colossal figure coalesced, transforming into a massive shadow: a creature with the head of a python, the body of a man, two black dragons beneath its feet, its arms entwined with a cyan python, and its entire body covered in black scales. It surged forth…

Upon seeing this colossal phantom, Zhurong frowned, and a surge of combative intent exploded forth…