As his ranking continued to rise, Dongbo Xueying found it only natural. Initially ranked sixty-fifth, many of those ahead of him had merely relied on luck and teamwork to slay the venomous creatures. Those individuals couldn’t possibly be the ones to land the final blow every single time—otherwise, their teammates would surely abandon them!
“The 1,900 participants who made it to the final Divine Court Battle are all closely matched in strength. Unless one has grasped a First-Class Divine Heart, no one could withstand the combined assault of five, six, or even eight or nine opponents,” Dongbo Xueying mused inwardly, shaking his head. “Moreover, when a group works together, their diverse skills complement each other, making them an even greater threat.”
“The only thing I can do now is strive to survive.”
The Divine Court Battle wasn’t designed to select the hundred strongest warriors.
Instead, it aimed to identify those who could slay the most venomous creatures under the same rules—a test of every deity’s judgment and adaptability.
*Whoosh.*
Dongbo Xueying traversed the vast mountain ranges repeatedly. As time passed, the rate at which venomous creatures spawned gradually increased. Yet, he remained cautious, only striking when he could ensure his own safety. As a result, his ranking stagnated, hovering around fifteenth place.
His prudence, combined with his mastery of laws and mysteries, allowed him to endure while others fell one by one.
“This is truly no threat at all,” murmured Jiu She, his white robes and long silver hair fluttering as he strolled through the mountains. With a casual wave, a massive golden hand materialized in the air, crushing a fleeing venomous creature effortlessly. “Originally, in Anhai Province, I didn’t want to reveal my strength too early. I planned to struggle deliberately in the Divine Court Battle, only exposing my true power at the critical moment—preferably to ambush and eliminate someone with a First-Class Divine Heart. That would’ve been satisfying.”
“But because of that Dongbo, I was forced to reveal myself prematurely. Now, everyone flees at the sight of me.” His cold, sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. “And these endless mountains—each peak’s edge has an invisible barrier that blocks the infiltration of domains.”
A First-Class Divine Heart…
If one so desired, their rule domain could span hundreds of millions of miles, enveloping the entire battlefield.
In that case, those with First-Class Divine Hearts could slaughter freely—no one could escape the reach of their domain.
However—
The Divine Emperor would never allow such a thing. If those with First-Class Divine Hearts ran rampant, the Divine Court Battle would lose its meaning. In the eyes of His Majesty and the other mighty figures, prodigies like Dongbo Xueying and Zui Guke held far greater potential than Jiu She.
“Hmm? What’s that…?” Jiu She’s gaze sharpened as he spotted three blue-robed youths wielding spears, besieging a venomous creature seven mountains away.
“Dongbo?” A smirk curled his lips. “What a coincidence. Though I’ve already slain over thirty deities in this battle, none would bring me as much joy as killing you.”
His figure vanished without a trace.
At his level, stealth was effortless. Only when crossing between mountains would the invisible barriers briefly reveal his true form—but once past, he disappeared again.
Silently…
Using the mountains to obscure his approach and bending light with his mastery of laws, Jiu She closed in.
—
Having survived this long, Dongbo Xueying was naturally vigilant. But due to the Emperor’s barriers, his Void World senses and spatial perception could only extend to the limits of a single mountain. Beyond that, he relied on his eyes—and thus failed to detect Jiu She’s approach.
A shrill, unwilling shriek echoed as another venomous creature shattered.
“Another one down.” Dongbo Xueying glanced at the colossal blood-red ranking in the sky. His position had slipped to seventeenth, but this kill bumped him back to fifteenth. It made sense—many of comparable skill still lived, hunting relentlessly.
“Huh?” He suddenly turned.
At the distant edge of the mountain to his left, the space appeared empty—yet his senses locked onto a figure: white robes, silver hair, and fluttering white brows. Though Jiu She distorted light at the boundary, Dongbo Xueying’s perception pierced through such tricks.
“Jiu She!” Shock jolted through him—this was his first encounter with a First-Class Divine Heart wielder.
These elites, far surpassing ordinary deities, killed at whim.
“Die!” Jiu She struck without hesitation, knowing stealth was futile now. A golden hand materialized midair, crashing toward Dongbo Xueying’s true location—even the Void World offered no refuge.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Reacting instantly, Dongbo Xueying split into three Void World clones, each appearing at a different mountain edge. As the golden hand descended, his true body swapped places with a clone.
“Shatter!” Jiu She’s eyes flashed coldly.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
The entire mountain trembled under overwhelming pressure, crushing every inch of space. Though Dongbo Xueying had switched to a clone near the edge, the attack was omnipresent—escaping required leaving the mountain entirely.
—
“Be careful!”
“Xueying!”
The Xia Clan deities and Yu Jingqiu watched anxiously, relying solely on their eyes. Jiu She’s distorted form at the barrier had gone unnoticed, but the sudden golden hand and ensuing destruction were unmistakable.
“Must a First-Class Divine Heart wielder resort to such underhanded tactics?” White Sand City’s lord frowned in disapproval. Casual kills were one thing, but deliberate ambushes crossed a line.
—
The crushing force ravaged every corner of the mountain. Dongbo Xueying’s body endured the violent tearing, his Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Form aching but unbroken.
“I survived?” Without hesitation, he dashed past the barrier into the next mountain, then the next—fleeing dozens of peaks in a frantic sprint.
“He still lives?”
Jiu She’s true form emerged, his white brows twitching in irritation. “Hmph. He escaped too quickly.”
After all, Jiu She only possessed a First-Class Divine Heart—he hadn’t yet opened an Inner World to become a World God. His attack was a broad, rule-based domain strike, weaker against individual targets.
Meanwhile, the Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Form excelled in survival. Even a true First-Tier World God’s domain might only inflict heavy injuries—only a direct strike could kill. Jiu She’s domain alone stood little chance.
—
“Was this necessary? With a First-Class Divine Heart, he’s guaranteed a top ranking. Why ambush me?” Dongbo Xueying seethed. “If not for hiding my World Divine Heart, I wouldn’t fear him!”
Against ordinary deities, a First-Class Divine Heart was overwhelming.
But in the Divine Court Battle—where participants fought with projected consciousness, facing no true death—why would top contenders bother hunting those struggling for rankings?
“Whatever. A man who took nearly six million years to grasp a First-Class Divine Heart is hardly worth my concern.” Dongbo Xueying knew he’d soon leave Jiu She far behind.
—
The battle grew increasingly brutal.
Apart from the First-Class Divine Heart wielders, the remaining deities fought desperately. As venomous creatures spawned faster, casualties mounted.
“Over 1,500 have fallen. Only 300 remain—the final slaughter approaches.”
“Now things get interesting.”
The observing World Gods understood what came next.
At the highest tier of the Divine Court, amidst the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet, the Bloodblade Divine Emperor smiled. “With only 300 left, it’s time to grant them divine weapons.”
“Once armed, the slaughter will accelerate.”
The other mighty beings watched intently.
With a wave of his hand, the Emperor sent thirty streaks of crimson light streaking toward the distant mountains.
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