Undying Life

Chapter 829: Death by a Thousand Cuts

"The great blade is named 'Longevity.' I am indeed at the second level of the Celestial Realm! Let's see if you, Great Celestial Zheng Fan, can handle it!" Zhong Shan declared solemnly.

Hearing Zhong Shan's bold words, the court officials were excited. Their Sacred King was always so assertive. Hao Meili also looked on with enthusiasm.

However, some officials, like Shui Jing, showed a hint of concern. Shui Jing frowned slightly, puzzled as to why Zhong Shan would engage now. With so many forces watching from outside, this Great Celestial, though strong, was merely a probe. What would happen next if Zhong Shan revealed his strength now?

Despite his doubts, Shui Jing had great faith in Zhong Shan, as every action Zhong Shan took seemed to have deep meaning.

The puzzlement wasn't limited to Shui Jing and the others. The countless forces watching from the periphery also had strange expressions on their faces.

At the Great Beginning Sacred Court's residence:

"Sacred King, is it true that the Sacred King of that court is only at the second level of the Celestial Realm?" Sima Zongheng expressed disbelief.

This was unbelievable. The second level of the Celestial Realm? How was that possible? Other Sacred Kings, after splitting Heaven and Earth, reached the Great Celestial Realm or, at the very least, the tenth level of the Celestial Realm, the pinnacle of celestial cultivation.

But this new Sacred King was only at the second level?

Too, too, too weak!

"In our Fengzhong Territory, some Heavenly Court rulers have reached the Great Celestial Realm. This Sacred King is only at the second level of the Celestial Realm? Even weaker than a Heavenly Court? What kind of Sacred Court is this?"

"Truly, this is the weakest Sacred Court in history. And the weakest Sacred King!" another person remarked.

"What kind of misfortune did he suffer to receive so little blessing from the Great Thousand World?"

"This Sacred Court is too fragile!"

The ministers had no confidence in Zhong Shan. Just then, in the distance, Zhong Shan pointed his great blade directly at Great Celestial Zheng Fan!

"What? What is he doing? He's going to duel Zheng Fan?" Sima Zongheng's face twitched slightly.

"Did splitting Heaven and Earth damage his brain?"

"A second-level Celestial dueling a Great Celestial? Isn't he courting death?"

"Something feels off," Sima Zongheng immediately frowned, sensing something.

At the Haotian Bright Palace, where the Jade Emperor resided:

"Jade Emperor, this situation seems peculiar," the three-eyed man commented strangely.

"This small world has produced many strong individuals, and if he takes action, it will surely be something unexpected!" Wen Shen said.

"Unexpected? This is a Great Celestial versus a Celestial. The gap is too large!" the three-eyed man shook his head.

"But this Celestial wields a Great Celestial Artifact, while the Great Celestial has only a Celestial Artifact," Wen Shen shook his head.

"So what?"

"Watch, something exciting will happen!" the Jade Emperor said lightly.

"Yes!" The discussions ceased as everyone focused on the unfolding scene.

Amidst the discussions of the surrounding forces, far away at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court:

Zhong Shan pointed his long blade at Zheng Fan.

"Hahahaha..." Zheng Fan laughed heartily.

"If given time to form a 'world,' I would be cautious of you borrowing the power of the Great Yan Empire. Unfortunately, you just split Heaven and Earth; none of you have a 'world' yet. Without a 'world,' you cannot leverage the power of the Great Yan Empire against me!" Zheng Fan said disdainfully.

Zhong Shan remained calm and composed as he replied, "You may underestimate me, but I won't be swayed by your taunts. Let's see how your 'world' fares against my blade."

With a swift motion, Zhong Shan's blade, Longevity, gleamed with a cold, unyielding light. The ministers and Hao Meili watched intently, their faith in Zhong Shan unwavering despite the odds stacked against him.

Zheng Fan, confident in his superiority, sneered, "You think your blade can challenge my 'world'? I'll crush you and take what I came for."

As the two opponents faced off, the atmosphere grew tense. The surrounding forces watched closely, eager to see the outcome of this unexpected duel.

As they spoke, an immense flame suddenly encircled the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. Flames surged, creating an inferno that seemed to consume the very heavens and earth.

From the outside, it looked like a massive fireball enveloping everything within.

Inside, Zhong Shan surveyed the surroundings.

Thanks to Nangong Sheng's formation, the Lingxiao Heavenly Court was temporarily protected from the flames. However, this protection would not last indefinitely.

This was a world of flames, and in the distance, a blue flame flickered, seemingly alive, stabilizing this fiery realm. The blue flame appeared to be a sentient treasure, filled with spiritual power.

"Is that your root divine sense?" Zhong Shan asked, looking at the blue flame.

"Indeed. My root divine sense, 'Blue Heart Flame,' is my most powerful treasure. But for you, I won't need to use it," Great Celestial Zheng Fan sneered, eyeing the 'Longevity' blade in Zhong Shan's hand.

"Alright, then take this!" Zhong Shan's expression turned serious.

With a stomp, Zhong Shan launched himself forward, wielding 'Longevity' in a fierce slash aimed at Zheng Fan.

Heavenly Rule, Ten Thousand Waves!

A massive blade shadow appeared in the void, stretching from the entrance of the Longevity Hall to Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan extended his left palm, intending to catch Zhong Shan's blade barehanded. A Celestial attacking a Great Celestial with a blade? It was laughable.

Heavenly Rule, Ten Thousand Waves!

But Zhong Shan's slash was no joke! 'Longevity' was crafted by Zhong Shan himself. Even if it couldn't unleash its full power, it could still exert at least eighty percent of it.

As the blade descended, it was like a heavenly chasm, a towering ice wall cleaving down. A palpable force of laws emanated from the blade, exuding an overwhelming chill that repelled the surrounding flames. Ice and snow flashed around the blade.

Heavenly Rule, Ten Thousand Waves! It was the accumulation of ten thousand blade strikes. Realizing the danger, Zheng Fan's expression changed. Protective shields layered with laws appeared around him. He also attempted to summon the 'Blue Heart Flame' to protect himself.

"Awuu!"

A devouring sound echoed within the fiery world. The Celestials of Great Yan saw a monstrous eight-tailed creature flash near the Blue Heart Flame, which then disappeared along with the flame.

The Sacred King's divine beast?

It was the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail, a terrifying creature that had just devoured the root divine sense of a Great Celestial—a treasure akin to a Great Celestial artifact.

Gone in an instant?

"Boom!"

The disappearance of the Blue Heart Flame, Zheng Fan's root divine sense, caused a backlash within him. His blood surged, and his face turned pale.

As his concentration faltered, Zhong Shan's 'Longevity' struck.

"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"

The terrifying Great Celestial artifact, coupled with the Heavenly Rule, Ten Thousand Waves, obliterated nearly all of Zheng Fan's protective shields before clashing with his Celestial artifact sword.

A Celestial artifact against a Great Celestial artifact?

As Zheng Fan's sword shattered, he was sent plummeting thousands of feet by Zhong Shan's powerful strike. His clothes were torn, and a massive gash appeared on his shoulder.

A single strike decided the battle?

Zheng Fan's face was filled with frustration. He had severely underestimated Zhong Shan and the power of a Great Celestial artifact. His carelessness had cost him dearly.

Seething with anger, Zheng Fan glared at Zhong Shan.

"You've angered me now. You're dead!" Zheng Fan tossed aside his broken sword and drew another, surrounded by an endless fiery aura.

How would Zhong Shan withstand the wrath of a Great Celestial?

Just as Zheng Fan was about to strike:

"Three Zhong Shans?" Zheng Fan's expression changed!

"No, that's a Heavenly Demon, an advanced Heavenly Demon?" Zheng Fan's face twisted in realization.

As he tried to dispel the Heavenly Demon within him, Zhong Shan calmly spoke, "Di Xuanxuan, Thousand Cuts Execution!"

"Understood," Di Xuanxuan replied without hesitation. Perhaps this would be his final battle, and he wanted to give his all for the Great Yan Sacred Court.

"I'll help curse him to death!" Hao Meili exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with determination.

"Very well," Zhong Shan agreed.

With the combined force of Huan Ji's Heavenly Demon, Hao Meili's curses, and Di Xuanxuan's ferocious attacks, they targeted the overconfident Zheng Fan.

At the Great Beginning Sacred Court's residence:

"Sacred King, Zheng Fan has made his move. Once he activates his world, those without a world cannot withstand his attacks. They'll be doomed for sure. Isn't it happening too fast?" an official remarked.

"Isn't it better if they die?" Sima Zongheng sneered.

"But if they die, what was the point of us coming here?"

"The initial goal was different. Now that we've delayed until so many forces have gathered, our original goal is unattainable," Sima Zongheng shook his head.

"A Sacred Court that can split Heaven and Earth won't be destroyed so easily. Besides, Zheng Fan has only just entered the Great Celestial Realm," the Sacred King of Great Beginning said calmly.

At the Haotian Bright Palace, where the Jade Emperor resided:

"Jade Emperor, will the Eighth Princess be in danger?" the three-eyed man asked with concern.

"Do you remember the three powerful beings who broke through the barrier and reached the small world two hundred years ago? At that time, I sensed the presence of this new Sacred King," Wen Shen remarked.

"What?"

"He must have been in a battle then, and the other party was a familiar old foe," Wen Shen smiled.

"Kong Xuan!" the three-eyed man's eyes widened.

"Exactly, Kong Xuan. No matter how injured or suppressed he was by the small world, he was still Kong Xuan. If even Kong Xuan couldn't defeat him, can this newly ascended Great Celestial?" Wen Shen explained.

"Indeed," the Jade Emperor nodded.

As the various forces watched with different emotions, the scene changed dramatically.

A massive explosion erupted around the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, dispersing the surrounding flames.

The sight revealed left the Great Celestials stunned.

It wasn't Zhong Shan who had acted, but a man in white robes.

Six crescent-shaped treasures hovered around the white-robed man, then merged into his body. Before him, Zheng Fan was covered in blood, having been brutally killed by a thousand cuts.

As Zheng Fan's body fell, a black-robed man caught it and placed it in a black coffin, then carried it into a nearby hall. That was Mr. Corpse collecting the remains!

Zheng Fan, a Great Celestial, had been gruesomely dismembered. A shocking end for such a powerful figure.

This served as a harsh wake-up call to many rogue Great Celestials. Who was this white-robed man? Could he be a Celestial?

In another force's camp:

The demon elder who had once ventured into the small world stood respectfully before a burly man with a purple beard.

"Elder, this is the one I mentioned in my letter, Di Xuanxuan, a genius of the wolf clan. Are you satisfied?" the demon elder asked respectfully.