Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

"Roar!"

"Dragon Phoenix Burst!"

The purple-golden light was like a meteor or a purple-golden spear, directly piercing through the desperate strike of the Holy Demon Emperor!

In the next second, a purple figure clad in a purple-golden robe suddenly appeared in front of the Holy Demon Emperor. The purple-golden figure raised a fist and ruthlessly struck towards the Holy Demon Emperor's chest.

What seemed like a harmless delicate punch caused the space to collapse and the entire area to tremble the moment it landed.

When the Holy Demon Emperor saw the figure, his eyes remained calm, unaffected by the newcomer's identity, as cold as ancient ice.

"Holy Demon Flame Armor!"

With a chilling shout, terrifying black-and-white flames rose from the Holy Demon Emperor's body. In the blink of an eye, they solidified on his body, forming a dreadful black armor, exuding immense malevolence.

However, facing this armor, the delicate fist continued its fierce descent.

"Boom!"

A dull sound reverberated, and the Holy Demon Emperor was sent flying like a meteor, crashing heavily onto the land of the Lingyao Continent. Debris flew everywhere, creating a large crater.

Seeing this scene, even the True Dragon Emperor and the others couldn't help but gasp. The speed and strength that Ziyan displayed were beyond their reach.

Indeed, the supreme bloodline of the Divine Beast Clan, the Supreme Dragon Phoenix, even though Ziyan had some innate deficiencies, over the years, she had improved her bloodline power to a terrifying level with the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan's supreme skills, along with Jiang Yun's medicinal assistance.

Enough to be called the number one divine beast in the Great Thousand Worlds!

"Hmph, you're the one who attacked Xiao Yun? Now you're causing chaos in the Great Thousand Worlds without asking for my permission?" Ziyan's cold voice resounded as she looked at the flying figure. At this moment, her aura had reached the late stage of the Sacred Heavenly Sovereign level.

With a loud swoosh, the Holy Demon Emperor burst out from the rubble, soaring into the sky, and stood before Ziyan.

"Not bad, not bad, I didn't expect a Supreme Dragon Phoenix to emerge in the Great Thousand Worlds. Your level of threat can be compared to those two over there," the Holy Demon Emperor said in a hoarse voice as he glanced at Ziyan, Xiao Yan, and Lin Dong.

At this moment, the crowd looked at the Holy Demon Emperor and gasped. Despite taking Ziyan's heavy blow, he was only dust-covered, with no other injuries.

Is this really the power at the level of the Heavenly Demon Emperor?

"You're quite strong, aren't you?" Ziyan said gravely, staring at the Holy Demon Emperor with caution.

"Ziyan, how is Jiang Yun?" the True Dragon Emperor asked softly, coming to Ziyan's side and looking warily at the Holy Demon Emperor.

Nearby, others also listened intently. Jiang Yun was their strongest, dominating the Great Thousand Worlds fifty years ago, so no one knew his current strength. If he could join the battle, their crisis would be resolved swiftly.

"Xiao Yun is still in seclusion, but I can feel he's close to success," Ziyan replied sentimentally to the expectant crowd.

With regret and joy, they learned that Jiang Yun (Heavenly Emperor) was nearing his return, which could reverse their fortunes.

"Holy Demon Emperor, today you won't leave!" Lin Dong said coldly, watching the Holy Demon Emperor. As time passed, more powerful beings were converging here, diminishing the Holy Demon Emperor's chances.

"Heh, so many of you gathered here. Do you think I'd miss this opportunity?" The Holy Demon Emperor smiled eerily, his voice light.

"What?!" Astonished by his words, their faces turned grim.

"Boom!!!"

An ancient clock chime echoed through the void, its sounds spreading to every corner of the Great Thousand Worlds.

"It's the Great Thousand Bell tolling the highest level, nine chimes. The Extraterritorial Evil Race is launching an all-out attack!"

Hearing the massive bell, True Dragon Emperor's face grew somber, memories of an ancient war flooding back. Though fifty thousand years had passed, the ancient clock's chime retains its clarity. That war saw the fall of the Nine Ancient Emperors and the slaughter of High Sovereigns like roadside grass. Even Heavenly Sovereigns struggled to survive as half of the Great Thousand Worlds' territory was lost.

"Kill!!!"

At this moment, Lin Dong, Xiao Yan, Ziyan, and others exchanged a glance and unleashed their full power, charging towards the Holy Demon Emperor.

The war had begun. It was too late to retreat, but capturing the Holy Demon Emperor here would make it all worth it.

Boom, boom, boom.

As the Extraterritorial Evil Race appeared in the Great Thousand Worlds, war erupted along the extended defensive line.

After fifty thousand years of peace, disturbances began fifty years ago and culminated today in full-blown conflict.

As if venting the anger of their ancient defeat, the Extraterritorial Evil Race's counterattack was fierce and wild. Their overwhelming numbers darkened the sky, their magic towering as if to reshape the world.

Faced with their comprehensive assault, the Great Thousand Worlds, battle-hardened for decades, responded fiercely after a brief silence.

On the expansive frontlines, brutal battles erupted everywhere. Demonic shadows howled, and radiant aura flared up, turning the skies into a grand, albeit bloody, firework display.

On the northern frontier's walls, a red-dressed figure with a cold and beautiful face gazed frostily at the distant dark fog. Her enchanting eyes exuded an oppressive and proud aura, unshaken by time.

This was naturally Medusa. With Ancient Heavenly Palace safeguarded by Mandala, Little Medical Fairy, and Qing Lin in the Great Thousand's center, it was secure.

Medusa and Ziyan often took turns guarding the Crimson Flame Shrine in the northern frontier. They deterred bandits and engaged the Extraterritorial Evil Race frequently, which greatly benefited their strength growth.

Now, like Ziyan, Medusa was a late-stage Sacred powerhouse and the clan leader of the Heaven Swallowing Python Clan, with no one in the Great Thousand Worlds daring to claim certain victory over her.

Medusa once vowed to be the most dazzling jewel on Jiang Yun's crown, and she achieved it, a testament to her unique charm.

Suddenly, Medusa's expression softened, causing nearby onlookers to blush and lower their heads, avoiding the stunning sight.

"Swish!"

"That Holy Demon Emperor is infuriatingly elusive and overwhelmingly powerful. Even my Dragon Phoenix speed couldn't catch him. It's so frustrating!" a fuming voice echoed from the void. Ziyan emerged, her face dejected and unreconciled.

"The Holy Demon Emperor is the top powerhouse of the Extraterritorial Evil Race. It's not so easy to capture him, even Jiang Yun couldn't guarantee it," Medusa chuckled, seeing Ziyan, and gently chided.

"But is he truly that powerful?"

Medusa's face turned serious, asking Ziyan, who also straightened up, her dragon emperor's presence emanating as she said, "Indeed, facing our joint attack, he seemed at ease. I even suspect he wasn't using his full strength."

"This level of power far surpasses Sacred Heavenly Sovereigns and the Heavenly Demon Emperor."

Hearing Ziyan's description, Medusa's expression grew stern. "It seems the Holy Demon Emperor might have touched that realm!"

Nodding solemnly at the mention of the ruler realm, Ziyan echoed, "We've often heard Jiang Yun talk about it, knowing more than most Heavenly Sovereigns about its terror."

"It seems we can only wait for Jiang Yun to emerge to deal with him!"

"Woo woo woo"

Suddenly, demonic roars originated from the distant darkness, as demonic shadows emerged, their terrifying aura shaking the earth, imbued with destruction.

Medusa looked up at the six massive demonic shadows and sneered coldly, "Six Heavenly Demon Emperors, are they overvaluing or undervaluing us?"

"Then let's keep them all!" Ziyan said with icy determination, as purple-golden light gathered in her palm, summoning a great spear emitting cold gleams.

"Time for greetings!"

"Boom!"

Purple-golden energy surged like a tidal wave, creating a sea of power overhead. A massive ancient dragon with phoenix wings took form, its wings spreading wide. When they flapped, countless feathered swords shot out like blades.

"Roar!"

From the opposing side, a demonic shadow roared earth-shatteringly as it stepped forth, demonic energy turning into dark clouds, clashing against the feathered swords.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Explosions resounded continuously, with shockwaves rocking the battlefield, even distorting space.

"Kill!"

Medusa, watching coldly, drew a uniquely designed sword and charged, her voice filled with resolve.

Boom!

As the Great Thousand Worlds plunged into war, Jiang Yun, in seclusion at the Ancient Heavenly Palace, slowly opened his eyes.

"My power has surpassed the Sacred level entirely, as if on the verge of surpassing a certain boundary, yet there's an empty feeling."

At this moment, he could clearly sense a barrier, one that transcended the Sacred level.

This barrier had confounded the strongest of the Great Thousand Worlds for countless ages. Only those at the peak of Sacredness could sense it.

Through ages, only the Undying Emperor had breached this barrier under perfect conditions.

Even so, he only managed a half-step, not fully crossing it.

"Boom!"

As Jiang Yun rose, an immense aura burst from his palace, spreading rapidly across the Tian Luo Continent.

The terrifying aura made the world tremble, causing countless beings to kneel instinctively.

Powerhouses across the Great Thousand Worlds sensed the disturbance, looking towards the Tian Luo Continent with shocked eyes.

At this moment, the world's energy surged, flowing toward the Tian Luo Continent.

"What tremendous power!"

Amazed superpowers flew into the skies, reaching out to touch the agitated world energy, feeling an indescribable force, as if the world's might.

"This is…"

"The world's will. Someone else has touched this domain. Who could it be?"

"It's coming from Tian Luo Continent, it's Jiang Yun. He's out of seclusion. Heaven bless the Great Thousand!"

Unlike the many confused Heavenly Sovereigns, the Undying Lord at Northern Wilderness Hill understood, having witnessed the Undying Emperor's breakthrough. Despite the years, the memory remained vivid, astonished that Jiang Yun had achieved a similar feat.

--- End of Chapter ---