At the borders of Blossom Mountain, countless demons roared as they charged the enemy lines—even Shortbeak, who should have been commanding from the center, had grabbed his great bow and rushed forward.
Amid the thunderous drums and blaring horns, every warship, large or small, pressed steadily ahead.
No one knew whether this battle could be won. But they all understood: Blossom Mountain had no ground left to give. In this moment, their hearts held anger, or despair... or perhaps, for them, nothing mattered anymore. All they wanted, all they needed, was to fight like demons.
At Right-Dharma Radiance Tathāgata’s command, countless monks soared into the sky to join the battle.
The two sides crashed together with savage force—blood and flesh flew everywhere.
The scene stunned several of the Nine Immortal Disciples who had never seen war firsthand.
Nine-Headed Wyrm soared overhead, glancing back toward Qi Tian Palace. At its gates, Princess Marina Azurewave waited anxiously.
Just one look—and his eyes turned blood-red, his teeth clenched. He transformed again into a giant beast, unleashing torrents of flame without restraint.
King Bullhorn wielded his battle-axe, rampaging through the carnage, roaring madly.
King Bullhorn gripped his iron staff, manifesting two enormous horns as he charged straight into the enemy ranks.
King Macaque darted back and forth like lightning.
King Roc shrieked as he swung his halberd, his eyes shot with blood.
King Liontusk roared, tearing a monk to pieces.
Shadow weaved through the battlefield, twin blades flashing.
...
Blood and severed limbs rained down upon the earth, like a torrential downpour.
The whole battlefield was like a crazed meat grinder, shredding everything to bits. Gradually, black armor overwhelmed golden flesh.
Right-Dharma Radiance Tathāgata stared in shock at the madness before him, his palms pressed together, tightening again and again.
They were just a helpless, pitiful swarm—not good people, not even people at all. Each harbored their own secrets, yet when the world drove them to the brink, they could unite as one, unleashing a power that shook Heaven and Earth.
“Kill those bald monks! Die defending Blossom Mountain and wait for the Great Sage’s return!” Shortbeak shouted, flying high with his great bow in hand.
“Yes!” At that moment, it was as if all Heaven and Earth answered in unison.
Elder Gale swept his gaze over his junior brothers, frowning. "Since we're all here, let's go together."
"Alright."
"Once this battle is over, I'm marrying Cloudnymph!"
"Not a bad idea. We've all been expelled from the sect anyway—the old man can't control us anymore."
"This is the first time the nine of us have fought together, isn't it?"
"I think so—the first time, so we’re sure to win!" Danny Crimson laughed heartily.
The nine each brandished their artifacts. In the next instant, the Nine Immortal Disciples soared into the sky, joining the fray.
...
Outside South Heaven Gate, a breeze swept by, lifting the dust.
That terrifying laughter still echoed in everyone’s minds, while all around, the silence returned.
The towering Golden Staff stood upright in the center. Every Daoist and Celestial Army soldier stared, holding their breath, watching in horror as they retreated.
...
In the Great Thunderclap Temple, the colossal golden Buddha opened his eyes, then slowly narrowed them to slits.
...
Outside Mi’luo Palace, the Two Pure Ones exchanged silent glances, calculating with their fingers—but no matter how they tried, they couldn’t see through it.
...
Inside the High Sky Throne Hall, the immortals all shrank their heads, their faces faintly tinged with purple.
“Even this can’t kill him... Something must be wrong!” The Jade Emperor overturned his dragon desk, pointing at the Court Heralds and roaring, “Transmit my decree—General Lee is to investigate at once! Immediately! Immediately!”
“Yes, yes!”
The Court Heralds fled from the High Sky Throne Hall, scrambling and tumbling over each other.
...
In Tusita Palace, Lord Lao stared upward, his face full of shock.
After a long while, he began to laugh, gasping for breath and slapping the floor.
Beside him, Zhenyuan quietly asked, "What is it?"
"He has two hearts, two souls... Hahaha... They're trying to merge, but haven't fully merged—two souls living together! Cough... Hahaha... One died, but the other remains. Heavenly Tribulation only claimed one... Hahaha!"
Zhenyuan was completely stunned.
Lord Lao lay on the floor, covering his mouth, coughing up blood, yet still laughing: "Everyone opposed me controlling the Heavenly Dao Stone—look at the result now... Ridiculous, ridiculous... Is this what you wanted? Is it? Hahaha!"
...
"Did everyone think I was surely dead?"
A familiar voice echoed in everyone’s minds, sending chills down their spines.
In the next instant, a massive bolt of lightning split the night sky and struck the Golden Staff. Amid the thunder, the ground rippled like water, raising a storm of dust.
"Run! The demon monkey is still alive!"
In an instant, the Daoists erupted into chaos, screams echoing everywhere.
In the swirling dust, countless Daoists scrambled to escape, surging toward South Heaven Gate, crowding and trampling each other.
The Celestial Army’s once orderly ranks were shattered in moments; no matter how the generals shouted, they couldn’t restore order.
Amid the surging crowd, General Lee still held Master Taiyi, standing quietly in place, staring blankly toward the Golden Staff.
Countless Daoists brushed past them.
When the dust settled, they saw a fist-sized black bead floating before the Golden Staff, crackling with faint lightning.
"What is that?"