Liang Xiaoke’s figure now towered to ten thousand zhang, coupled with the fiercely burning black demonic flames, he resembled an ancient Archdemon, his terrifying pressure forcing everyone back. Only Xuanyuan Jing and Guangchengzi remained steadfast; even Li Jing involuntarily took a step backward against the sheer force.

At this moment, Nezha had just flicked Yan Senxu away with his spear and swiftly arrived before Liang Xiaoke. He was Nezha, the Great God of the Three Altar Seas. While the shattering of his father’s exquisite Pagoda with one palm strike felt immensely satisfying—after all, he himself had suffered under that relic for ages—to say he wasn't bothered by its destruction would be untrue.

However, while descending to the lower realms, he had received the decree from the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning: no matter what, Liang Xiaoke must be stopped, and if possible, struck down directly.

The last time, he hesitated because he feared Sun Wukong, sealed within the Qiankun Cauldron, might break free, shatter the Zhuxian Sword Array with the Pangu Banner, and thus he refrained from delivering a finishing blow. Since Liang Xiaoke dared to reappear now, he would seize this opportunity to settle this karmic debt.

Seeing Liang Xiaoke manifest his colossal form, Nezha was unwilling to be outdone. He immediately manifested his own ten-thousand-zhang Dharma Body, gripping the Fire-Tipped Spear, his feet poised on the Wind Fire Wheels, and the Universe Ring slung over his shoulder. Waves of crimson flame emanated from the Wind Fire Wheels, desperately pushing back against Liang Xiaoke’s overwhelming black inferno.

Guangchengzi and Heavenly King Li watched as Nezha moved to intercept Liang Xiaoke, but neither man looked pleased. Guangchengzi was naturally vexed by his failure to secure the Eastern Emperor Bell, while Li Jing was losing face over the destruction of his exquisite Pagoda. He had desperately wanted to reclaim his honor himself, yet his rebellious son had snatched the chance away, leaving him no room to restore dignity—how could he be happy?

"Kill..." A furious roar erupted from Liang Xiaoke’s mouth. His body lunged directly toward Nezha. The Four Immortal Slaying Swords seemed like extensions of his own being, transforming into four colossal swords, mountain-peak sized, hurtling towards Nezha.

Nezha’s face betrayed no fear. He was the Great God of the Three Altar Seas; he possessed a supreme treasure like the Pangu Banner, and his cultivation was undeniably top-tier. He had no need to fear anyone.

With a sharp twitch of his Fire-Tipped Spear and a rotation of the Wind Fire Wheels beneath his feet, he charged towards Liang Xiaoke. From a distance, one could only perceive two immense streaks of light—one red, one black—colliding violently.

Clang, clang, clang... The sound of clashing weapons echoed ceaselessly through the void, punctuated by booms of thunder. This was the phenomenon created by their immense power tearing reality asunder.

The colossal aftershocks forced the onlookers to retreat repeatedly, pushing them back for hundreds of li. The Yun Jing City beneath them was naturally pulverized by the terrifying shockwaves; the protective barriers that Luo Ruofeng and others had spent years establishing seemed as fragile as paper.

Fortunately, the citizens of Yun Jing City had evacuated following Luo Ruofeng’s orders, thus avoiding massive casualties.

Watching Liang Xiaoke barely hold his ground against Nezha, while several others watched hungrily from the periphery, Luo Ruofeng felt a spike of dread. He swiftly pulled his son, Luo Lixuan, to his front and pressed the Map of Mountains and Rivers into his hands.

"I will remain here to cover the retreat. You must immediately lead the army back to Tongtian Mountain. From now on, heed every instruction from your teacher, no matter what. Do you understand?"

Luo Lixuan froze, completely unprepared for his father to entrust him with such a precious artifact at this critical moment. He looked up at his father in bewildered confusion. Why? Why was this happening now? Everything had been going well; why must such disaster strike?

"Do you understand?" Seeing his son’s face clouded with confusion, Luo Ruofeng suddenly slapped him across the face.

Luo Lixuan snapped out of his daze as if waking from a dream. Tears welled in his eyes, though not from the pain of the blow, but from realizing the fate that might soon befall his father.

"I understand, Father Emperor!" Luo Lixuan had matured over the years and knew this was no time for sentimentality. He snatched the Map of Mountains and Rivers from Luo Ruofeng’s hand and kowtowed three deep times in return.

Gongsun Xiangyi and Hu Yanmeng, standing nearby, saw Luo Ruofeng preparing to stay behind alone and started to speak words of dissuasion. But the sheer fighting will radiating from Luo Ruofeng silenced them. They could only exchange grateful glances before accompanying Luo Lixuan and the others toward Tongtian Mountain, taking the unconscious Xi Yang with them.

They all understood that sacrifice was necessary now; the most crucial thing was preventing the enemy from seizing the Eastern Emperor Bell, which would cause unparalleled trouble for Ye Jingyu. Ye Jingyu was their greatest hope, and they absolutely could not allow this final beacon to be extinguished.

Remaining with Luo Ruofeng were hundreds of thousands of Celestial Generals—his most loyal subordinates. Some were veterans of the Iron Legion, others were fresh warriors, but all were the most dedicated and powerful soldiers of the Southern Cloud Empire.

Ni Bo did not flee with the others; he too chose to stay. Battle was his life, his everything. Dying amidst combat would be his ideal end. Yet, perhaps he would never see Ye Jingyu again. Now, Luo Ling'er, Jiufeng, and Hei Ming Shixuan were by his side; he prayed they would be safe. And Xiao Taotao—he hoped someone would take good care of her in the future.

As these stray thoughts dissolved, a potent flame erupted from Ni Bo’s body. He transformed into a Qilin towering ten thousand zhang, covered in black fire, with a single horn crowning his head. He stood silently in the void, unleashing waves of boundless battle intent.

Yan Senxu also refused to flee. Having been knocked aside once more by Nezha, his heart churned with fury and humiliation. He had absorbed the power of nine fire dragons, significantly boosting his cultivation, yet did he still lack the qualifications to challenge them? Retreating was against his nature; at worst, it would be one final battle.

Led by Luo Ruofeng, tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers formed the front line, while Luo Lixuan and the others rapidly retreated backward.

Observing this maneuver, Guangchengzi and the others were unwilling to let them go, especially Guangchengzi, who coveted the Eastern Emperor Bell. Seeing the enemy attempting to slip away, he would never agree. His feet moved, and a cyan lotus materialized beneath him. With a slight step, he traversed hundreds of li instantly...

"Where does Daoist friend intend to go?" Just as Guangchengzi was about to catch up to the retreating group, a pale-faced Daoist wearing a pitch-black robe, his eyes devoid of all emotion, barred his path.

Moreover, a monk and a zombie materialized simultaneously on either side of Guangchengzi, completely blocking his route...

The Daoist held the Immortal Slaying Sword, the monk held the Trapped Immortal Sword, and the zombie wielded the Destroying Immortal Sword...

Seeing this formation, Guangchengzi’s expression shifted slightly. He glanced back at Liang Xiaoke, who was grappling with Nezha while clutching the Zhuxian Sword, and sighed softly. "I never expected Daoist friend to have completely severed his Three Corpses and achieved the supreme method of 'One Qi Transforming into Three Pure Ones.' I am impressed, truly impressed!"

"But does Daoist friend truly believe this is enough to stop me?" Guangchengzi’s tone suddenly sharpened.

Immediately, five streams of light shot from his body, and three golden flowers coalesced above his head—the manifestation of the Saintly Realm: the 'Five Energies Returning to Primordial State, Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.' Saints were the truly eternal entities; only they possessed the right to play the great game. Guangchengzi, once the head of the Twelve Golden Immortals, had long transcended the rules of the Heavenly Dao, becoming a spectator of the game. A spectator naturally gained greater insight into the moves of the player; he was now qualified to be a player himself.

At that very moment, three figures materialized atop the three golden flowers—three Daoists who bore an uncanny resemblance to Guangchengzi.

"This humble Daoist Guangyunzi (Guangyuanzi, Guangxingzi), pays respects to Daoist friend!" The three Daoists bowed simultaneously to Guangchengzi, speaking calmly. They were the three avatars summoned by Guangchengzi using the One Qi Transforming into Three Pure Ones technique.

"I leave this matter to you, Daoist friend!" Guangchengzi uttered this, then continued striding forward.

The three avatars created by Liang Xiaoke attempted to intercept, but they were halted by Guangyunzi, Guangyuanzi, and Guangxingzi.

"Die for me!" Seeing that Guangchengzi had also manifested three avatars, Liang Xiaoke’s true body struck even more viciously, utterly disregarding Nezha’s rapidly approaching Fire-Tipped Spear, plunging the Zhuxian Sword directly toward Nezha’s heart.

Nezha’s spear pierced Liang Xiaoke’s flesh, and a surge of triumphant satisfaction washed over him, but then he saw the Zhuxian Sword hovering at his own chest. A cold sweat broke out; he had no time to hold back. He forcefully unleashed the Pangu Banner, swiping with all his might, managing to deflect the blade just barely...

But the berserk Liang Xiaoke suddenly sprouted eight razor-sharp claws. Four gripped Nezha’s Fire-Tipped Spear, one held the Zhuxian Sword to ward off the Pangu Banner, while the remaining six claws slashed directly at Nezha. To be able to manifest the Three Heads and Eight Arms Dharma Body while utilizing the One Qi Transforming into Three Pure Ones divine ability demonstrated that Liang Xiaoke was fighting with suicidal abandon.

Nezha had never expected Liang Xiaoke to fight with such desperation. Caught completely off guard, his body was ripped into several bloody chunks by Liang Xiaoke’s claws. With a muffled cry of pain, he too ceased restraining himself. His body shimmered, manifesting Three Heads and Eight Arms, engaging Liang Xiaoke with a flurry of weapons.

By now, Guangchengzi had bypassed Liang Xiaoke’s three avatars and continued his pursuit of Gongsun Xiangyi and the others. However, Luo Ruofeng, clad in his imperial robes, ascended on the clouds and blocked his path.

"Junior, you are no match for me. Step aside obediently and do not throw your life away needlessly!" Seeing a fledgling who hadn't even taken that final step dare to intercept him, Guangchengzi snorted dismissively. He held no interest in engaging such a minor figure...