“Hold your hand!” the old sect master of the Immortal Palace shouted, holding up a bronze hall in front of him as a defense against the Willow God’s next attack.
“You think you can just call for a truce?” The Willow God’s response was icy as it continued forward, its fingers glowing as it formed the True Phoenix Seal, its hand curved like a phoenix spreading its wings.
“Whoosh!”
A surge of radiant light erupted, beams of energy flooding the air as crimson mist spread. A fiery red True Phoenix soared into the sky, noble and cold, gazing down upon its foes.
“Clang!”
The phoenix’s beak, sharp as a divine blade, slashed forward, striking the bronze hall and sending it trembling violently. The impact resounded like the sound of creation itself, vast and overwhelming.
The Willow God was not only peerless in its own divine arts but also possessed the True Phoenix Treasure Technique, which it had previously disdained to use. With just its bare hands, it had crushed all challengers.
But now, the old sect master of the Immortal Palace and the current wielder of the Bell of No End had cost it some of its golden branches, and it was no longer holding back.
The phoenix’s cry was like clear water falling upon jade, or the melodious strum of a zither. Beyond its razor-sharp beak, its wings also blazed with light, each feather igniting in a dazzling display, its killing power growing even more terrifying.
“Clang!”
The bronze Immortal Hall was sent flying. Despite the countless glyphs swirling around it, it was still suppressed by the Willow God.
The old sect master refused to relinquish his artifact, fearing it would be destroyed. He struggled to maintain control, but the force sent him flying as well. His hands split open, his body shuddered, and cracks spread across his form.
The Willow God’s strike had been too fierce—its own divine arts combined with the True Phoenix’s assault were unstoppable.
The Immortal Palace’s supreme being swayed, barely able to stand, on the verge of collapse.
“Something’s wrong. The elder from the Immortal Palace is failing. He’s too aged, far weaker than before!” someone muttered, their face pale.
If the old sect master fell, their own fates would be dire.
In his prime, the old sect master had been a terror beyond compare, dominating all challengers. Even that legendary, invincible rival—the one said to be unmatched among supremes—had been ambushed and slain by him and his allies.
That man from the Supreme Hall had been truly peerless, a figure few in the world dared to oppose.
To even fight him was an honor. And yet, the old sect master and his allies had killed him—proof enough of their might.
“Perhaps the injuries from that battle never fully healed, which is why he’s so weak now,” some speculated.
“Pfft!”
Indeed, the old sect master grew weaker, his life force dimming. The Willow God’s next strike sent both him and his bronze hall flying, his body riddled with cracks as he coughed up blood.
The great bell flew to his aid.
The current wielder of the Bell of No End was in the same boat—if the old sect master fell, he would be next. So he intervened, desperate to save him.
The Willow God cast a divine technique—thousands of willow leaves swirled, transforming into golden Kun Peng that surged toward the bell.
Soon, the bell’s tolling ceased as the golden Kun Peng surrounded and drowned it, sealing it within a golden sea.
“Pfft!”
Smaller golden Kun Peng swooped down, crashing into the bell’s wielder, staggering him before his right shoulder and arm exploded.
At this point, the outcome was clear—they could not stop the Willow God.
“Fellow Daoist, please cease!” The white tortoise spoke again, having earlier advised the Willow God when it was at a disadvantage. Now, with the other two in peril, it pleaded once more.
“Whoosh!”
From the Willow God’s fingers flew golden willow-leaf seals, sharper than blades, slicing into the two supreme beings.
“Pfft!”
Blood sprayed as both groaned, their bodies grievously wounded, some wounds deep enough to reveal bone.
This was a devastating blow.
People lamented—time took everything. Had these two been in their prime, this would never have happened. Once, they had stood above all, overlooking the three thousand provinces of the upper realm.
Now, they had clearly fallen from grace.
The Willow God regarded them coldly, its killing intent rising. But at that moment, a glowing decree descended from the void.
It was old, tattered, yet inscribed with ancient characters that shone brilliantly, illuminating the heavens.
“What script is this?” Shi Hao was stunned—he didn’t recognize it.
“Characters from the Immortal Ancient Era!” someone cried out.
Among the crowd were those well-versed in ancient lore, yet even they could barely decipher a few words.
The decree floated before the Willow God, clearly meant for its eyes.
The Willow God studied it, then frowned, glancing toward the boundless cosmos beyond—where the decree had come from.
“Requesting that I spare them?” it murmured.
The crowd shuddered. Who in the heavens had sent this decree, asking the Willow God for mercy?
No one had seen the sender.
Then, the heavens trembled as an ancient, incomplete battle-axe emerged, wreathed in chaotic light. It nodded toward the Willow God like a person greeting an equal.
Around it, more ancient characters appeared, seemingly communicating with the Willow God.
This was terrifying.
Two mysterious beings—absolute supreme experts—had intervened. Who were they?
“Let this end today. If these men do not prove themselves at the border in the future, we shall revisit this,” the Willow God declared before rising gracefully, sheathing its wrath.
The old sect master’s face darkened, as did the bell wielder’s. Once invincible, once towering above all, now they needed others to beg for their lives.
Meanwhile, those besieging the Undying Being and Qi Daolin faltered, their hearts chilled by the Willow God’s display.
Especially those who had sought Shi Hao’s death—their faces twisted in despair.
“Boom!”
The Undying Being struck again, slaying another sect master. No one knew how many had fallen to him by now.
“You—!” The others raged, but what could they do? With the Willow God approaching, their defeat was certain.
“Where did you find the arrogance to label others as descendants of sin?” The Willow God’s cold gaze pinned them down.
Fear spread among the besiegers. Trapped between the Undying Being, Qi Daolin, the Peacock Deity, and nine sect masters, they were doomed.
“Pfft!”
The Willow God struck, impaling one with a golden willow spear.
“We surrender! We abandon this conflict!” someone screamed.
With the old sect master defeated, who could stand against the Willow God?
Unless they summoned those legendary figures—but they had not been seen for millennia.
“Whoosh!”
The Willow God struck again, targeting those who had called Shi Hao a descendant of sin. In moments, another was reduced to bloody mist.
“You said you’d stop! Why attack again?” someone shrieked, retreating in terror.
But the Undying Being, the Azure-Sky Roc, and Qi Daolin pressed on.
“You think you can dictate terms? I am making it clear—no one defines who is a descendant of sin,” the Willow God said calmly.
“Pfft!”
It raised a hand, unleashing a five-colored divine beam that annihilated another sect master.
In mere moments, the Willow God had slain three, sowing panic.
Only then did it relent.
The nine sect masters from the Immortal Ancient ruins rejoiced—this was their once-worshiped guardian spirit, now returned in glory.
The Undying Being, however, was displeased. “Why stop?” he whispered. He wanted bloodshed, a final reckoning.
“Do you truly think this is my real body? Once one enters the Primordial Gate, none return. If I perish here, my true self will never appear in this world again,” the Willow God replied privately.
“What? This isn’t your true form?” Even the Undying Being was shocked.
“A combat imprint left behind, inhabiting a golden willow branch worshipped by the natives after the Immortal Ancient ruins split. This is me—but my time is limited,” the Willow God explained.
Shi Hao heard this too, for the Willow God spoke to him as well, revealing the truth.
“Willow God!” Shi Hao was stunned, his heart aching. This wasn’t the real Willow God—just a remnant, a manifestation that would soon fade. The true Willow God was gone forever, beyond reach in this life or the next.
“Willow God, I swear I will find you in that world you spoke of!” Shi Hao vowed silently.
Then, the white tortoise, the sect master of the Severing Heaven Sect, the Snow Phoenix elder, and even the sect master of the Heaven Mending Sect stepped forward.
Many others joined them—some who had clashed with the Willow God in the lower realm but now sought peace.
Some had intended to defend Shi Hao, but the Willow God’s arrival had rendered their intervention unnecessary.
Now, they made their stance clear.
“Let this battle end here,” the Willow God declared.
A consensus was reached.
“But know this—Shi Hao is my disciple. From this day forth, if any elder dares oppress him, they declare war upon me,” the Willow God added.
This sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Some knew of the bond between Shi Hao and the Willow God from the lower realm, but many were hearing it for the first time.
“Across the three thousand provinces, if any sect dares bully him, I will visit and erase that sect from existence,” the Willow God finished.
The declaration was ruthless, a warning to all.
It was clear—this young man held a place of utmost importance in the Willow God’s heart.
A message to the world: harm him, and face annihilation.
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