"Chi You? Everyone was stunned. How could it be Chi You? Didn't Chi You disappear after being defeated back then? How could he appear here? And how could he possibly stand with Lu Ya? As everyone gasped, the Donghuang Bell slammed directly into Chi You’s spine, and a brilliant blue light immediately burst forth from his back, blasting open a bloody hole. The Nine Cauldrons also left nine deep pits on his body, while Zi Feng’s blade light carved a long gash across his back, the wound seared by intensely high flames.

Yet, Chi You seemed unaffected. He simply shielded Lu Ya, and after enduring these attacks, he suddenly straightened up, snatched Lu Ya in his hand, and hurled him out as if throwing a baseball.

Lu Ya’s figure instantly transformed into a streak of fire, soaring toward the sky, seemingly trying to flee the battlefield. “You can’t escape!” At that moment, Zi Feng’s figure chased after him. Xi Yang, who had just finished devouring the souls of the nine Golden Crows, had also seen a surge in power, transforming into a fiery red Vermilion Bird and diving toward Lu Ya. Though she didn't understand why things had turned out this way, instinctively, she knew Lu Ya absolutely could not be allowed to escape now. Furthermore, having consumed the nine Golden Crow souls, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Yu level; if she could devour Lu Ya and absorb his insights, stepping across that final threshold would no longer be difficult. She was Ye Jingyu’s woman; she didn’t want to be merely a decorative vase; she intended to become Ye Jingyu’s greatest support.

Seeing Zi Feng and Xi Yang pursuing Lu Ya, the man whom Lu Ya called Wuji and Wang Xiaohu called Chi You let out a furious roar toward the heavens and prepared to charge after Zi Feng.

“I don’t care if you are Chi You or anyone else, saving Lu Ya today is absolutely impossible!” At this moment, Chi Yi Xiu—or rather, Wang Xiaohu—stepped forward, blocking Chi You’s path. His massive frame began to swell rapidly, reaching a height of ten thousand zhang, matching Chi You in stature. Seeing Wang Xiaohu bar his way, the gigantic man let out another series of howls, his figure lunging directly toward Wang Xiaohu. Sensing the immense power emanating from him, Wang Xiaohu dared not be careless. He swept his hand out, and a massive battle-axe materialized, which he swung directly toward the giant. Facing this terrifying axe strike, the giant surprisingly met it head-on with a single punch.

“Rumble…” With a deafening sound, the battle-axe was shattered into pieces by the giant’s punch. The violent recoil force sent Wang Xiaohu staggering backward repeatedly, his hands gripping the axe becoming numb, and shock filled his eyes. How could this man possess such terrifying strength?

Meanwhile, Monkey and Yang Jian had also engaged in a fierce battle, already three hundred rounds in. Yang Jian had summoned his Howling Celestial Dog, but the ferocious beast was beaten to death by Monkey’s staff. The completely enraged Monkey abandoned all defense, wildly swinging his Golden Cudgel at Yang Jian’s body. In the sky, only thousands of golden rod shadows were visible; Yang Jian’s figure was entirely obscured.

Feeling the immense power behind Monkey’s strikes, Yang Jian inwardly lamented. Years had passed, and although his own strength had grown—even surpassing the second-generation disciples of the Chan School—Monkey’s progress was faster. He had thought he might still contend now that Monkey hadn't manifested his Three Incarnations, but when Monkey went mad, even he found it extremely difficult to cope. Although the crazed Monkey had many openings, his speed was too great, completely concealing those flaws. He certainly could find an opportunity to land a strike, but the result would be that his own body would be hit by the Golden Cudgel. That staff was the divine iron used by King Yu to quell the Four Seas, refined further by him over many years; it must weigh a tremendous amount. Could his current physical body withstand it?

Looking at Lu Ya, who had already vanished somewhere, and at that colossal monster, Yang Jian suddenly understood. This was all orchestrated by those figures above. Although the three of them were not disposable pawns, they were certainly not their final pieces; if necessary, sacrificing them would be no great matter.

Pawns, pawns! He had taken that step, yet ultimately, he was still just a pawn. Why? Why? Could it be that Yang Jian was destined to be nothing but a pawn his entire life? No! Yang Jian absolutely refuses to be a mere pawn, not even one held by the Patriarch of the Sect!

Unconsciously, Yang Jian’s mental cultivation grew rapidly. His vision suddenly cleared, and things he couldn't previously fathom now appeared utterly transparent. “Eight-Nine Arcane Art, transform, transform, transform…” Yang Jian suddenly snorted coldly, his figure flashing as he transformed directly into seven colossal monstrous forms. One was a gigantic ape, over ten thousand zhang tall, completely pure white, wielding a black iron rod and sweeping it toward Sun Wukong. Another was a giant python tens of thousands of zhang long, its body hundreds of zhang thick, covered in black scales, flicking its tongue, with streams of black smoke spewing from its mouth to envelop Sun Wukong. A wild boar, the size of a mountain, with two sharp tusks jutting from its snout, charged madly toward Sun Wukong as if to devour him. There was also a mountain goat, a wild ox, a mountain dog, and a centipede nearly as large as the python—all surged toward Sun Wukong. At this moment, Yang Jian used his supreme magical power to manifest the Seven Sages of Mount Mei from those ancient days…

“Hmph, a bunch of mere chickens and dogs dare challenge this Old Sun?” Seeing Yang Jian finally comprehending the manifestation technique, Sun Wukong coldly snorted, suddenly shaking his body. A Daoist and a golden Buddha with eighteen faces and twenty-four arms emerged from within him. It was the Victorious Fighting Buddha. The Victorious Fighting Buddha, wielding various Buddhist artifacts, moved to intercept the Seven Sages of Mount Mei. Meanwhile, the Wukong Daoist summoned the Kongtong Seal and the Five Directions Divine Banners, which had been hovering in the sky, into his hands. He immediately sat cross-legged in the void, beginning to refine these two magical treasures, while the true body, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, continued to bring down the Golden Cudgel upon Yang Jian. At this juncture, only he had the leisure to refine treasures.

Facing the might of the Victorious Fighting Buddha, the Seven Sages of Mount Mei were clearly at a disadvantage, forced to attack the Buddha with their various artifacts. But the Victorious Fighting Buddha produced the Seven-Colored Treasure Tree—the Seven Jewels Wonderful Tree. Streams of seven-colored light flared up, brushing away all their treasures. The massive form of the Victorious Fighting Buddha then charged forward, beating them one after another. In just a few moments, they were smashed to pieces by the Buddha’s blows, dissolving into bursts of light. Yang Jian’s main body consequently spat out a mouthful of blood, but at that moment, Monkey’s Golden Cudgel was already descending like a mountain upon him.

Facing that terrifying staff strike, Yang Jian instinctively raised his Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Lance, attempting to block the terrifying blow.

“Boom…” A deafening crash erupted, and a mushroom cloud ascended between them. The immense force smashed the Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Lance in Yang Jian’s hands into two pieces. The massive recoil vibration blasted Yang Jian backward, and both his arms were mangled as if fed through a meat grinder, pulverized into dust, leaving only the golden bones behind.

At this very moment was when Wang Xiaohu and the giant finished their first exchange… The giant and Yang Jian’s forms seemed to be beaten together. Glancing at the near-crippled Yang Jian, the giant showed no trace of pity. Instead, he suddenly thrust out a palm, snatching Yang Jian in his grip, and before anyone could react, he threw Yang Jian directly into his mouth. Instantly, the sounds of crunching echoed—the sound of things being pulverized…

“You…” Seeing the giant’s sheer brutality in devouring his own comrade, Wang Xiaohu was filled with shock and rage. As for Monkey nearby, his fury erupted. Yang Jian was his worthy opponent, one he respected; if anyone was to kill him, it should have been himself, not this monster. He was about to swing his staff to destroy the giant when he saw a blinding golden light erupt from the giant’s body. His already massive form began to swell again, and the wounds on his back healed rapidly. In the blink of an eye, his figure expanded to a height of a million li. While not as vast as Pangu’s true form, this size was terrifying enough. More importantly, his two legs had transformed into a single, massive serpentine tail, and his upper body had morphed into that of an exquisitely beautiful woman.

The woman wore no clothing; her long black hair cascaded down to her waist, perfectly concealing her nudity. Seeing the woman’s appearance and sensing the aura emanating from her, both Sun Wukong and the Twelve Ancestral Witches—their faces changed dramatically… This… this… What is happening? Isn't this the Empress Nuwa? Why has he turned into Empress Nuwa?

While Monkey was momentarily stunned, the woman lashed out with her serpentine tail, striking Monkey’s body. The terrifying force sent Monkey flying over ten thousand li, smashing through countless mountains along the way. Sounds of cracking emanated from his body; he had clearly sustained grievous injuries…

Wang Xiaohu’s body was also continuously growing larger. Observing the opponent’s constantly shifting form, he gradually began to grasp what was happening. It was at this point that Nuwa’s appearance shifted again, transforming into a man—a man also possessing a human upper body and a serpent’s tail. He pointed a single finger, and a Bagua diagram materialized in the sky, enveloping Wang Xiaohu.

Fuxi, the Sacred Emperor Fuxi? Why has he turned into the Sacred Emperor Fuxi now? Wang Xiaohu tried to dodge, but the Bagua contained all creation; there was nowhere to escape. His entire body was enveloped, as helpless as an insect trapped in a spider’s web, unable to move even slightly.

At this time, the Victorious Fighting Buddha and the Wukong Daoist also attacked simultaneously. However, upon recognizing the transformation into the Sacred Emperor Fuxi, the Wukong Daoist abandoned any thought of using the Kongtong Seal and the Five Directions Banners. He simply summoned two supreme flying swords and thrust them toward the monster. But the monster remained undaunted, its form shifting once more, transforming into an elderly man resembling a simple farmer—it was Shennong, who was supposed to have perished long ago…

Without any obvious movement, the figure merely took a single, light step forward, instantly appearing before the Wukong Daoist. He delivered a punch directly toward the Daoist’s heart. The Wukong Daoist’s mind tightened, and his figure retreated rapidly—retreating several million li before narrowly avoiding that terrifying strike. But another searing flame erupted from beneath his feet. It was a flame utterly devoid of color… The Fire of Life…

Yes, it was the Fire of Life belonging to the Sacred Emperor Suiren… At this moment, he had transformed into Suiren… Even though the Wukong Daoist possessed profound cultivation, he could never have anticipated the monster having such a wide array of abilities! In a lapse of caution, he was ignited by the Fire of Life; his essence and blood began to burn continuously, forcing him to quickly circulate his energy to heal and resist the erosion of the flame.

At this moment, even a fool understood what had transpired. Fuxi, Nuwa, Shennong, Suiren, and even Chi You—these were all beings who had perished long ago. Their physical bodies had been refined into puppets, mindless automatons obeying only orders.

The realization that these revered figures who had sacrificed so much for the propagation of humanity ended up refined into puppets, forced to slaughter the very people they once protected, filled everyone with sorrow and indignation, especially the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Although they too had fallen, their remnant souls had been collected by Chi You to form the Twelve Ancestral Witches Annihilation Array, eventually condensing into their true forms, allowing them at least to live freely. But what about Fuxi and the others? They had done so much for humanity in those years, only to be refined into puppets to kill those they guarded. If their spirits knew, how could they bear it?

The only beings in the Three Realms capable of refining the physical bodies of these Great Sacred Emperors into puppets were those few individuals. Watching the monster force the last remaining Victorious Fighting Buddha into continuous retreat, the Twelve Ancestral Witches simultaneously shed tears of blood-red sorrow. Even Xuan Ming was weeping profusely. They absolutely could not allow their beloved Sacred Emperors to die without peace; absolutely not. They must stop this from happening.

The Wu Clan shall not perish, the Human Race shall not perish, the Sages rule, Heaven and Earth are merciless; since they are merciless, we shall shatter them…

The Twelve Ancestral Witches exchanged glances toward Ye Jingyu, who lay unconscious in the embrace of a beautiful figure. Resolve dawned in their eyes. For the final victory, for the last wishes of the Sacred Emperors, what did their own sacrifice matter?

The Twelve Ancestral Witches gathered, and the Pangu True Form appeared! The Twelve Ancestral Witches chanted a harsh, incomprehensible incantation simultaneously. Their bodies began to burn rapidly. Jumang’s figure vanished first, transforming into a ray of light that merged into Ye Jingyu’s body. Next was Zhurong, then Rushou, followed by Gonggong, and then Houtu. The Witches representing the five elements—Wood, Fire, Metal, Water, Earth—completely converted all their vital essence, becoming a part of Ye Jingyu. When Houtu dissipated, Xuan Ming followed closely behind; he wanted to be with Houtu at all times, just as they had been tens of thousands of years ago and would be tens of thousands of years hence.

Qiangliang, Xizi, and Tianwu also merged into Ye Jingyu’s body one after another. As Xingtian’s figure was about to disappear, he suddenly roared to the sky, “Brother Chi You, we will certainly avenge you!” The moment the words fell, he transformed into a soaring fighting intent and merged into Ye Jingyu’s body.

Then came Hou Yi. In his eyes flickered two emotions: one was the righteous indignation shared by the Great Witches, and the other was regret—regret for the life he was about to leave behind. As he finally transformed into a beam of light, he glanced toward Hu Yanmeng, his gaze filled with helplessness. Hu Yanmeng understood; that was a fragment of Hu Yanqi’s consciousness…

Finally, Hanba’s figure also gradually vanished. Looking at Ye Jingyu, whose consciousness was still asleep but whose body had begun to tremble, a radiant smile suddenly appeared on her exquisite face. “My dear younger brother, your sister truly doesn’t wish to leave you like this, but I must go. Will you miss your sister?” The final, soft sigh was so tender it pierced Ye Jingyu’s heart…

“No…” The sleeping Ye Jingyu suddenly awakened, but Hanba’s body had already transformed into a crimson light, merging into his core… In an instant, Ye Jingyu felt an endless stream of power forming within him, but his heart ached intensely. Looking into the empty space ahead, the towering figures of those few people involuntarily surfaced in his mind… Zhurong, standing atop a fire dragon, so proud, so domineering; the silent Hou Yi; the cold Xuan Ming; Tianwu, Jumang, and the others, and finally, the charming Hanba. Had they truly gone? Had they really left like this? Would they never appear again? This was not the ending he desired; absolutely not the ending he wanted…

The sorrow and anger in his heart transformed into a raging inferno that pierced the heavens, burning ceaselessly. The boundless power erupted forth, and his eyes turned blood-red at that moment… If Heaven is heartless, I will shatter Heaven… I will defy Heaven…

The peerless fighting intent originating from Xingtian burst forth completely. He grasped at the void with one hand, and the Heaven’s Decree Saber materialized within it. He charged directly toward the giant monster that was currently forcing the Victorious Fighting Buddha into retreat… “Go, the final solution—the Heaven-Shattering Annihilation Slash!” A thunderous roar echoed from Ye Jingyu’s mouth, and he himself, wielding the saber with both hands, fiercely struck the monster. That monster refined from the physical bodies of the Great Sacred Emperors. These were the bodies of the Sacred Emperors; they gave everything for humanity. They must not suffer this humiliation again. This was the wish of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, wasn't it? A solution—everyone must be set free, completely freed…

The blinding saber light stopped nowhere, landing directly on the giant figure’s shoulder. A vast surge of chaotic energy instantly formed, slicing the monster clean in half as easily as cutting tofu. The violent chaotic saber qi tore at the remaining two halves of the body, giving the flesh no chance to recover, grinding it into dust.

As the physical body shattered, the Bagua diagram that had trapped Wang Xiaohu vanished. Monkey, who had been sent flying far away, dragged his broken body back; seeing the monster destroyed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After slaying the monster with a single strike, the golden light that had lingered in Ye Jingyu’s mind—information left by Fuxi and Great King Yu—swiftly merged into his consciousness. Even extremely profound insights, powerful divine abilities, including all the various divine powers of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, surfaced one by one in Ye Jingyu’s mind. He didn't need to study them; he completely understood them. Yes, this was a great enlightenment, something entirely his own…

He didn't pause to memorize those divine abilities or test them out; his mind was completely captivated by the history recorded in the Heavenly Book. Fuxi and the others were indeed jointly slain by Taishang, Yuanshi, Youming, and Amitabha. Youming was understandable, as he was the supreme god of devils, but Taishang and Yuanshi—they had committed such despicable acts just to spread their Dao and exterminate the entire Wu Clan. When the devils invaded, they remained safe and sound. It was Fuxi, Nuwa, Shennong, and the others who led the Great Witches to guard humanity. After the devils retreated, they emerged, demanding to spread their doctrines among humanity, proclaiming themselves the true guardians, and subsequently ambushed and assassinated the Great Sacred Emperors, concealing this entire history… Were their actions any different from the devils? As for Amitabha, he attacked and murdered the Great Sacred Emperors just for a divine banner, despite constantly preaching universal equality and the mercy of Buddha? How could their execution be so venomous? They were fiercer than the devils…

Reading such texts, Ye Jingyu seemed to witness the tragic, helpless scene of the Great Sacred Emperors being ambushed tens of thousands of years ago. The feeling was overwhelmingly painful…

“Everything you have done will not be in vain, absolutely not!” he murmured softly, his single finger tracing lines in the void repeatedly. The flesh that had exploded reappeared rapidly, condensing in the blink of an eye into several enormous statues, statues taller than mountains… Fuxi, Nuwa, Shennong, Suiren, and the notoriously fierce Demon God Chi You…”

They had fallen, yet their spirit would live forever in the hearts of all present. Even Ye Jingyu, a man who rarely burdened himself with the weight of the world, was deeply moved in this moment.

He extended a finger once more, and a streak of azure light ignited, sinking into the bodies of Liang Xiaoke and the Great Sage, Qitian. Instantly, their grievous injuries began to mend at an astonishing rate, fully recovering in the blink of an eye. Liang Xiaoke also stirred, awakening from his stupor.

"Big Brother, Great Sage, and Senior..." Ye Jingyu addressed Liang Xiaoke and the Monkey, but when he came to Wang Xiaohu, he faltered, unsure of how to address him, finally settling on the respectful term, "Senior..."

"Now, it is time to break the board..."

"En..." The one who answered Ye Jingyu was Zifeng, the one with purple hair. He and Xiyang had returned, and judging by the aura emanating from Xiyang, she, too, had successfully stepped across that threshold.

He looked at Zifeng, then at Xiyang, and finally at Luo Ling'er, Jiu Feng, and the others. A scorching light ignited in Ye Jingyu's eyes.

"If that is the case, then let me shatter it! Heaven-Shattering, Earth-Rending Slash!" A massive roar erupted from Ye Jingyu's chest as his body rapidly expanded until he transformed into a colossal form spanning millions of li. Wielding the Heavenly Venerate Blade, he swung a reverse cut toward the heavens.

If we cannot pass through Jianmu, then we shall cleave this sky apart... perhaps...