With a *pfft*, blood surged high into the air, shimmering with five-colored radiance, dazzling and resplendent. A head tumbled to the ground, a sight that shook the hearts of all who witnessed it!
Everyone froze in shock. Who was that? Chi Pu, a member of the Imperial Clan!
A peerless powerhouse of the Mortal Dao Realm, one who had looked down upon the mortal world, unstoppable and unrivaled, believed to be invincible in the mundane realm.
Yet, he had still been defeated. A figure of such immense strength, who had not appeared for tens of thousands of years, had come today to intimidate the heroes of the Imperial Pass—only to have his head severed in the end.
The Imperial Clan had always remained hidden, rarely revealing themselves, for they were too powerful. Most of the time, they dwelled in their ancestral lands, observing the rise and fall of the mortal world from an exalted position.
Their reputation was one of absolute dominance, invincibility, and supremacy. It was believed that once they emerged, no problem would remain unsolved.
In the same realm, they had always crushed their opponents, trampling them without exception.
But today was different. The norm had been shattered. Chi Pu had been beheaded, his headless corpse collapsing as blood gushed forth, a terrifying sight.
At this moment, the heavens and earth fell silent. Many had been watching, and now they were stunned by what they saw.
“Ah! Chi Pu has fallen! Senior Meng has triumphed, severing his head!” Finally, someone from the Imperial Pass roared, nearly hysterical with excitement.
Such a feat had not been seen in recent ages—never before had such a thing been heard of!
This level of glory might only be traced back to the Immortal Ancient Era, when such deeds had been accomplished.
“We won! We defeated a member of the Imperial Clan and took his head! Ah… hahaha!” The commanders who had ventured out to fight all bellowed in exhilaration, as if driven mad by joy.
“Hahaha! You demonic scum, where’s your arrogance now? What ‘invincible Imperial Clan’? Our world’s supreme being has cut off your head! Come at us again if you dare!” someone laughed, tears streaming down their face.
For years, in battles against the forces of the Otherworld, they had suffered humiliation and defeat, often finding themselves at a disadvantage.
But today, the tide had turned. The Grand Elder had slain multiple supreme beings in succession, and in the end, he had even shot down a member of the Imperial Clan and taken his head—what a glorious achievement!
This feat surpassed all previous records, marking a resounding victory of immense significance!
Within the Imperial Pass, atop the city walls, Jin Tai Jun’s expression shifted repeatedly. Her heart trembled, her face turning ashen with shock and dismay.
She had known Meng Tian Zheng was strong, but she had never imagined he would be *this* absurd. After leaving the city, he had slain supreme beings one after another, unstoppable in his might, and in the end, he had even beheaded a member of the Imperial Clan. What kind of dazzling accomplishment was this?
The more radiant Meng Tian Zheng became, the more it put her in a difficult position, for their ideologies were in direct conflict.
On the city walls, whether from the Jin Clan, the Du Clan, or others, the cultivators all wore grim expressions, some even trembling in fear. Not long ago, Jin Tai Jun had called Meng Tian Zheng’s departure reckless, a lack of understanding of the greater situation. Yet now, this victory was too brilliant!
They were terrified. Earlier, they had believed Meng Tian Zheng would likely die outside, never to return—just as Jin Tai Jun had thought.
But reality had proven otherwise. Meng Tian Zheng had carved out a legend of unparalleled brilliance, ensuring his triumphant return. Who wouldn’t fear him now?
On the other side, the Otherworld army stood in eerie silence. At first, they had been stunned, unable to believe what had happened. Then, they had all fallen into a heavy quiet.
For them, this was utterly unacceptable. A member of their supposedly undefeated Imperial Clan had been beheaded—what a bitter pill to swallow!
To them, this was humiliation. Their fury burned, for the Otherworld had dominated for two epochs, always victorious. This defeat struck them with a deep sense of failure.
“Release Chi Pu!” someone from the Otherworld bellowed. A supreme being moved, activating an immortal artifact to strike toward the Imperial Pass.
But the Imperial Pass was unafraid. They summoned the Ten Realms Diagram and the Ironblood War Banner, meeting the attack head-on. With a deafening *boom*, the heavens trembled, and the desert surged with towering waves of energy, illuminating the sky in brilliance.
Neither side could overpower the other. If immortal artifacts were to clash, it would only result in a stalemate.
“Lord Chi Pu!” someone cried out in anguish.
This was unacceptable. The death of an Imperial Clan member was a monumental event. Chi Pu was a descendant of an Immortal King—one who had even slain a True Immortal in the past.
People feared whether this would provoke the wrath of higher powers. Desperate to reclaim Chi Pu, they tried—but it was already too late.
After Meng Tian Zheng swung his sword and severed Chi Pu’s head, he grasped it firmly in his hand. Even now, Chi Pu was still alive—though barely.
His life force flickered like a dying flame, on the verge of extinguishing.
On the ground, the headless corpse disintegrated before exploding with a *pfft*. The killing arrow had destroyed all vitality within, annihilating his physical form.
As for the head, it was already riddled with cracks, his primordial spirit weakened and nearing death.
Chi Pu, despite being a supreme being—one who could remain unfazed even if a great star exploded before him—could no longer maintain his composure.
To be held like this, his head gripped in another’s hand… this was something he had never imagined. How could he have lost?
As a member of the Imperial Clan, a descendant of Chi King, he had never suffered such a crushing defeat since birth. The torment in his heart made him wish he could roar and shatter the stars.
He could not accept this reality. How could he taste such bitter defeat?
“If you wish to kill me, then do it!” he spat coldly, forcing himself to remain composed in these final moments.
Meng Tian Zheng held his head, controlling the killing intent within to prevent his primordial spirit from extinguishing. Then, he turned his gaze toward the Otherworld army.
“Should you dare invade again, this will be your fate.”
His words were neither loud nor impassioned—just a simple statement. Yet, they stirred a tempest of reactions.
The Otherworld beings seethed with rage, but none could retort. Even Chi Pu had fallen—what could they do? Unless an Immortal King could cross the Abyss, they were powerless.
Some even wondered—had this man in tattered golden armor already taken that step? Could he now challenge an Immortal King?
Meanwhile, the defenders of the Imperial Pass erupted in cheers. The Grand Elder’s words, spoken in the prime of his golden years, filled them with inspiration and courage.
To be born in the Imperial Pass, to defend their land—this was the spirit they sought. To stand fearless before mighty foes, to raise their spears and halberds in defiance!
Living in humiliation was not what they desired.
Jin Tai Jun’s actions had long made them uncomfortable. Now, the stifling resentment in their hearts had finally been released.
“Grand Elder Meng is invincible!” someone shouted. Soon, the cry spread like wildfire, rising like thunder across the battlefield.
“What will it take for you to release Chi Pu?” someone from the Otherworld demanded.
The Otherworld army remained silent. Never before had one of their commanders fallen into enemy hands. The absurdity of it all left them reeling.
“Do as you will—kill me or torture me!” Chi Pu said coldly.
He felt nothing but shame, but there was nothing he could do. To have his head held like this made him wish he could tear apart the heavens and shatter the sun.
“Return to your lands and bring back Huang. Then, I will release Chi Pu to you,” Meng Tian Zheng declared.
Both sides were stunned—not just the Otherworld forces, but even the cultivators of the Imperial Pass. It seemed Huang held immense importance in Meng Tian Zheng’s heart. Even now, he was still trying to save him.
“That… is likely impossible. He has already been taken away in a prison cart.”
“If he was taken away, he can be brought back,” the Grand Elder replied.
This time, the Otherworld fell into deeper silence. This demand was truly beyond their reach. Huang had been taken under the decree of an Immortal King—how could they overturn such a command as if it were child’s play?
The dignity of an Immortal King was absolute. To defy it was unthinkable!
Moreover, the Otherworld rarely exchanged prisoners. Compromise was not in their nature.
Their world operated under brutal, iron-blooded laws—one of the reasons they were so warlike and formidable.
Meng Tian Zheng sighed. He had known their ways well enough not to hold much hope. Still, he had made the demand regardless.
However, Chi Pu’s status was extraordinary. The Otherworld army would not dare act recklessly.
“Since that is the case, you shall be sealed forever.” As he spoke, Meng Tian Zheng’s fingers glowed as he extracted Chi Pu’s primordial spirit, imprisoning it within a bone cauldron.
“What are you doing?” Chi Pu roared.
“Have you heard of a hostage? You are now one,” Meng Tian Zheng replied, then turned to the Otherworld army. “Huang’s return is the price for his freedom. If Huang is harmed, he dies.”
Everyone was stunned. No one had expected this—Chi Pu, reduced to a hostage?!
Then, Meng Tian Zheng handed Chi Pu’s head—now devoid of its spirit—to Elder Qing Mu. “Keep it. Let it serve as an offering to the heroic souls of our ancestors.”
The Otherworld army erupted in fury, their rage boiling over.
“Displeased? Then come and fight!” Meng Tian Zheng challenged.
**BOOM!**
Suddenly, from the depths of the desert, a single drop of blood descended. At first crimson, it soon radiated five-colored divine light, terrifying beyond measure, as it surged toward them.
Every face paled. Scalps tingled with dread!
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