Hai Wuya and the others stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the sudden wall that had materialized before them, and the even more mythical appearance of characters slowly emerging upon it. Though these were old monsters and ancient spirits who had lived for hundreds of years, they had never witnessed such an unbelievable scene. Furthermore, what did these four characters truly mean?

'Monarch of Evil!?' Looking at the name alone, it seemed like someone’s actual name, or perhaps a moniker or nickname. Yet, they couldn't recall anyone in the current era bearing such a title. What did this name represent?

In this world, 'Evil' naturally implied the crooked path of unorthodox ways, but since ancient times, who would dare claim the title of 'Monarch'? If such a monarch truly existed, how could they remain unknown? Wouldn't their name already echo throughout the world?

Now, why did the name of this mysterious 'Monarch of Evil' suddenly appear here? What was the intention? Could the person who had just undergone the Heavenly Tribulation be the Monarch of Evil himself?

As confusion brewed silently in everyone’s minds, the four large characters on the earthen wall suddenly blazed with brilliant light, blinding the eyes! The script that had appeared on the wall instantly transformed into dazzling, radiant gold characters! In that instant, the deep black of the night was filled with extraordinary splendor and brilliance!

Hai Wuya and He Zhigan were left speechless. This... this can still change?

Did ghosts and gods truly exist in this world? Or was the power of the one who passed the tribulation just now so immense that even Heaven and Earth had to bear witness to it?! This unbelievable, extraordinary transformation clearly surpassed the comprehension of everyone present.

But then, there was another flash of golden light! The script gradually transformed again, leaving its mark. The experts of the Three Great Sacred Lands transitioned from surprise to seriousness, and then, to rage!

Extreme rage! First, a single, massive, ancient seal script character appeared, perfectly occupying the center line: ‘All worldly wickedness, I am the Sovereign! Sweeping across the lands, taming the rivers and the soaring mists!

Where the Evil Monarch treads, gods howl and ghosts weep; with one smile, the Heavens are overturned; with one glance, the past and present bend!’’ "Truly an audacious claim!" He Zhimui snorted heavily, offering his evaluation of this unknown and deliberately mysterious 'Monarch of Evil!' Those present shared a sense of agreement in their hearts. This passage was simply too arrogant! Who did he think he was?

But everyone knew that these sudden strange occurrences were not merely for the sake of boasting about power. The strength displayed during the recent lightning tribulation was testament enough. These further changes must serve another purpose.

For now, they needed to wait. Indeed, the subsequent characters confirmed the group’s speculation. ‘The Sacred Lands are corrupt; the Evil Monarch shall smite them: The annihilation of the Saints in a single night marks the beginning!’ A clamor erupted among the crowd.

So, the mysterious assassination of Fu Dongting had been carried out by this very ‘Monarch of Evil!’ ‘...Fists strike the Palace of Seclusion, feet trample the City of Supremacy; when idle, one palm empties the Sea of Blood! Earthly hypocrites shall find no resting place; the Sacred Lands, rife with cruelty, shall be swiftly sent to reincarnation; the world shall rejoice, and peace shall finally settle within the seas; only I, the Evil Monarch, shall reign supreme across the ages!’ "How arrogant! How presumptuous!

How utterly despicable! He deserves to die!" He Zhimu cursed in anger. The others were equally in an uproar; the tone of this ‘Monarch of Evil’ was unrestrainedly mad!

Even if his strength was astonishing, could one person truly stand against the Three Great Sacred Lands, which had been established at the pinnacle of the Profound World for tens of thousands of years?! ‘If any man of the Sacred Lands has the guts, wait for me tomorrow at dawn south of the city. One battle to decide life and death—the feud settled!

When the sun rises in the east, that will be the hour the lords of the Sacred Lands have their heads separated from their bodies!’ ‘The Evil Monarch awaits your honored arrival, delivering you all together to the Netherworld! The road to the Yellow Springs is long, the Gate of Life and Death swings open. Gentlemen, be careful not to miss the appointed time—if you do, you may end up as lonely, wandering spirits.’ The writing on the earthen wall concluded here.

The experts of the Three Great Sacred Lands were fit to burst with fury! In this world, who dared to be so brazenly challenging toward the Three Great Sacred Lands? "Tomorrow morning!

The Monarch of Evil... the decisive battle!" Hai Wuya slowly recited those words. Compared to the others, he possessed more rationality and a degree of composure.

Facing this bizarre earthen wall, beyond his shock and rising anger, Hai Wuya felt a profound chill. A long-forgotten, eccentric thought suddenly resurfaced! If the opponent lacked certainty, why would he issue such a clear challenge?

"Indeed!" He Zhimui, though deeply enraged, also managed to regain some calm. He slowly stated, "This... this will surely be a fierce battle!

The victory or defeat in this fight truly is..." "The Evil Monarch chose his timing perfectly..." Hai Wuya offered a bitter smile. "The experts we dispatched to ** City have already been largely scattered; we are currently at our weakest moment, and he chooses this critical juncture! This makes me feel that things are not auspicious." "It’s more than inauspicious, it’s overwhelmingly bad!" He Zhimui said solemnly.

"The previous incidents caused the cultivators from the Illusionary Manor to bolt, putting them on the verge of becoming enemies with us, and your top troops had not yet arrived. Now, Brother Zhan has fallen victim to the poison of the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells, and you, Brother Hai, have suffered some internal injuries. The three Guardians we relied upon have also been lured away by the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells.

Now, this mysterious, unfathomably powerful Monarch of Evil suddenly proposes a decisive battle at this moment!" He Zhiqiu cried out inadvertently, "And we... we still know absolutely nothing about this 'Monarch of Evil'—who he is! We hadn't even heard of him before...

This battle is completely inexplicable! If he truly is the one who passed the tribulation earlier, then perhaps our days are truly numbered!" "We are all clear on that point! But this battle is inevitable!" Hai Wuya offered a wry smile.

"Just as the three Guardians had no choice but to accept the challenge from the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells, we cannot refuse this summons from the Evil Monarch either!" "For the sake of the Sacred Lands' millennia of prestige, we cannot afford even a hint of retreat! We would rather all perish here than back down!" He Zhiqiu looked far out into the night sky and stated solemnly. "Leave two people behind to look after Brother Zhan; the rest of us will proceed together," Hai Wuya instructed.

"This opponent, though perhaps skilled, is not necessarily the powerful senior who passed the tribulation. Moreover, man's strength has its limits; he is only one person. In terms of sheer numbers of experts, we can never be surpassed by the deep foundations of the Three Great Sacred Lands.

There might still be a chance to win this—if... we attack him together! The strategy used against the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells might just be applicable today!" He Zhiqiu paused, then slowly nodded.

"...I... I will go too!" came a faint voice. The two turned to see that the speaker was Zhan Mubai.

Seeing Zhan Mubai's current state, they were both struck with utter horror! Hai Wuya even trembled slightly... At this moment, Zhan Mubai's appearance was tragically extreme.

The entire left half of his body was scorching hot, while the right half was covered in crackling cold lightning. From his face down to both feet, he was in this state of icy-fire symmetry. After only half an hour, it would switch: the right side burning hot, the left side icy cold, cycling endlessly...

The methods of the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells were truly vicious! This was his unique technique, applying both the Nine Hells Blazing Fire and the Nine Hells Cold Wind simultaneously upon Zhan Mubai, switching predictably every half hour. This technique was known as: Soul Refining of Yin and Yang!

This Yin-Yang Soul Refining lasted an entire day and night with each application! During this period, the afflicted person experienced torment as if traversing the eighteen layers of hell repeatedly—it was universally recognized as the most cruel torture in the current world! Survival was impossible, yet...

even death was denied! The Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells had released Zhan Mubai not because he intended to spare him, but specifically to torture him slowly! Under this immense suffering, even uttering a single word cost Zhan Mubai great agony!

"In this state, I probably won't last until this time tomorrow..." Zhan Mubai trembled, speaking with grim determination. "Rather than being played to death by the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells' bizarre methods, I would rather fight alongside that Evil Monarch—perhaps I can still be of some use... Brothers, I am incapable of fighting in the battle tomorrow morning, but I need you to do me a favor...

help me activate the Crushing Blood Body Divine Wood! Let this Zhan Mubai... die a more dignified death..." "Crushing Blood Body Divine Wood..." Hai Wuya and He Zhimui were struck simultaneously as if by lightning, stunned: "Brother Zhan, you know that if you just manage to survive one day and one night, your cultivation has the possibility of recovery...

Why choose such a desperate measure..." Zhan Mubai gave a bitter laugh. "The events I encountered on this outing... you two have witnessed them all.

Brothers, do you think I, Zhan Mubai... still have the face to continue living? Putting aside the death threat from that scoundrel, the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Hells, just judging by my own sense of honor..." At this point, he suddenly roared hoarsely, "I, Zhan Mubai, am truly...

living a fate worse than death!!" Zhan Mubai's profound cultivation could no longer be summoned; this statement was roared out using pure physical strength. His voice was hoarse, yet filled with desperate humiliation. Zhan Mubai’s heart was already filled with the will to die!

Hai Wuya and He Zhimu stood frozen, their hearts heavy as lead. They looked at each other... But no words came forth...

The night quietly slipped away... In the crisp air of the early morning, the experts belonging to the Three Great Sacred Lands quietly walked out of the south gate of ** City, led by He Zhimui and Hai Wuya. Among this retinue, there was no soft sedan chair.

Zhan Mubai lay stretched out upon it. His left cheek was flushed red, his right cheek ghastly white. His body trembled uncontrollably, his muscles spasming inch by inch.

Yet, Zhan Mubai's hair was neatly combed, and his clothes were spotless. His eyes were filled with murderous intent and resolute determination!