Chapter 462: The End (Part 1)

Swish.

Mist coiled around the towering mountains as, amidst the three Dongbo Xueyings, a fourth suddenly manifested. All four gazed at the hideous man wielding a blood-red curved blade in the distance and murmured softly, “Wan Jiu of the Tianhe Domain.”

“It is I,” the ugly man replied, the corners of his lips curling slightly.

Wan Jiu was the undisputed champion of both the ranking and survival battles in the Tianhe Domain, one of the nineteen domains under the Bloodblade Divine Court.

“One-on-one. Whether you or I fall, my two companions will not intervene,” the ugly man declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Currently ranked ninth in the Divine Court War, he was among the seventy-odd surviving divine-level experts. Securing a spot in the top hundred was a given. However, the Bloodblade Divine Court’s mighty figures—including His Majesty and the Three Ancestors—numbered only twenty-three in total. At most, they might take on ten or so disciples.

What about the rest?

Even if one ranked within the top hundred but wasn’t personally chosen, His Majesty would assign them to the mighty figures, distributing them in groups of four or five.

Those assigned in this manner were usually of little importance to the mighty figures, receiving only perfunctory guidance. Only those who truly caught their eye and earned their favor would receive dedicated mentorship.

The difference between earnest instruction and mere formalities was vast!

Thus, Wan Jiu had long resolved to first secure his place in the top hundred, then make himself as dazzling as possible to attract the attention of the mighty figures. And so, he set his plan into motion.

First…

He successfully seized a Bloodslaughter Divine Weapon, securing a top ranking. He even leveraged his strength to claim a second one, which he then gifted to another divine-level expert of comparable ability, commanding, “I give you this Bloodslaughter Divine Weapon and will ensure you rank within the top hundred. But during the Divine Court War, you must obey my orders.”

The other, lacking a Bloodslaughter Divine Weapon and uncertain of his chances, naturally agreed.

Through this method, Wan Jiu gained two divine-level experts as followers, now ranked fifteenth and eighteenth—both guaranteed to enter the top hundred.

“By my own power, I’ve enabled others to reach the top hundred… Surely, this has already drawn the attention of some mighty figures,” Wan Jiu mused eagerly. “But this alone isn’t enough. I must engage in a decisive one-on-one battle and slay the divine-level expert most likely to attract the mighty figures’ favor. That will earn me even more notice.”

Who was the most eye-catching?

Wan Jiu chose Dongbo Xueying: “This Dongbo’s strength rivals mine, and he’s absurdly young—only a little over two thousand years old! In this Divine Court War, his appeal to the mighty figures is likely among the highest.”

“Moreover, I’m confident in defeating him.”

“He’s the one!”

Thus, Wan Jiu targeted Dongbo Xueying, bringing along his two indebted companions to encircle him.

The other two wouldn’t join the fight—after all, a gang-up wouldn’t showcase Wan Jiu’s true prowess. Their presence was merely to intimidate Dongbo Xueying, ensuring he wouldn’t flee, lest he face a three-on-one assault. The two he’d chosen were of similar strength to himself, merely unlucky in not obtaining Bloodslaughter Divine Weapons.

He believed that with the three of them surrounding Dongbo Xueying, the latter would make the wise choice.

“One-on-one?” The four Dongbo Xueyings stared at Wan Jiu. “You and me, to the death?”

“Correct,” Wan Jiu replied coldly.

“Then so be it,” all four Dongbo Xueyings spoke in unison. “Come.”

“As expected of Dongbo of the Anhai Domain—such boldness.” Wan Jiu inwardly rejoiced. His greatest fear had been Dongbo Xueying fleeing, forcing a three-on-one battle that wouldn’t highlight his abilities.

Standing in the distance, Wan Jiu’s figure blurred, splitting into two.

Both Wan Jius stood side by side, each wielding two blood-red curved blades.

“Void World Divine Heart?” Dongbo Xueying remarked with a faint smile.

“My mastery of the Void World Divine Heart pales in comparison to yours. I can only manifest a single Void World body,” both Wan Jius replied simultaneously. “But can you discern which is my true form? Which of these four blades is the real Bloodslaughter Divine Weapon?”

No sooner had he spoken than the surrounding world began to distort, an invisible force saturating the mountainous terrain.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Both Wan Jius charged forth.

The four Dongbo Xueyings met them head-on, though their movements slowed slightly under the oppressive, swamp-like force.

“This Dongbo Xueying excels in Void World techniques, followed by abilities like the Starry Sky Divine Heart… But under my domain, his speed is drastically reduced. Even with four bodies, he stands no chance against me!” Wan Jiu brimmed with confidence.

The two sides clashed in an instant.

…

Everything unfolded as Wan Jiu had hoped.

Since Dongbo Xueying had already drawn the attention of several mighty figures, their duel was closely observed.

“Interesting. This Wan Jiu has managed to command two others, and they obey him without question.”

“Wan Jiu gifted them Bloodslaughter Divine Weapons.”

“He’s quite the opportunist.”

“With a Void World body, mastery of domain techniques, and formidable close combat skills… Aside from the seven who’ve grasped first-grade Divine Hearts, few can rival him.”

Indeed, Wan Jiu was beginning to earn the admiration of the mighty figures. They understood his intentions perfectly—though it was a pity he was already eighty-nine thousand years old, a tad advanced in age.

“Dongbo seems to be in trouble.”

“This battle hangs in the balance.”

“His only chance lies in his three Void World bodies. If he fights recklessly, he might pull through. Otherwise, defeat is certain.”

…

“Why does it seem like even with four bodies, Dongbo is struggling to hold his own?” The Xia Clan deities watched anxiously as Dongbo Xueying and Wan Jiu clashed amidst the towering peaks. Despite his four bodies, Dongbo Xueying was clearly at a disadvantage, while Wan Jiu’s two forms pressed him relentlessly.

Swish!

Blade light flashed, cleaving through everything.

Wan Jiu’s strikes were devastatingly powerful, lightning-fast, and flawlessly defensive. Combined with the swamp-like domain slowing Dongbo Xueying’s movements, the latter was thoroughly outmatched.

“Incredible blade work,” Dongbo Xueying marveled inwardly. “Even more formidable than Zui Guke’s. This Wan Jiu truly lives up to his reputation as Tianhe Domain’s top divine-level expert.”

Wan Jiu stood on the cusp of fully comprehending the ‘World Divine Heart’ and ‘Heaven-Sundering Divine Heart.’ His mastery of World and Heaven-Sundering mysteries allowed him to craft a peerless blade technique—one that formed a self-contained world, nearly impervious to flaws. The Heaven-Sundering mysteries endowed his strikes with terrifying might, and his self-created domain technique bore traces of a world’s essence.

Domain suppression!

True body and Void World body united!

Near-perfect close-quarters blade combat!

“Clang! Clang! Clang!” Despite his four bodies, Dongbo Xueying struggled to breach Wan Jiu’s defenses.

“Your only hope is to exploit your four bodies, three of which fear no injury. But if you fight recklessly, leaving your true body exposed, I might just destroy it.” Wan Jiu’s voice echoed in each Dongbo Xueying’s mind, his cold eyes burning with fervor.

He was deliberately baiting Dongbo Xueying.

His curved blades wove an exquisite, spherical defense—a self-contained world with almost no weaknesses.

“Then let’s fight recklessly!” The four Dongbo Xueyings grew even more frenzied.

“Yes, yes, yes! Come at me!” Wan Jiu taunted, controlling the battle effortlessly. Though Dongbo Xueying’s Void World bodies were impervious to harm, the sheer force of Wan Jiu’s strikes sent them reeling, making it easier to target the true body.