“Profound Heaven Sword Art, One Sword to Dust!”
Before Old Man Xuantian finished speaking, the Xuantian Sword in his hand had already transformed into an extremely brilliant sword beam, carrying an indescribable power, slashing down at the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor, as if to unleash all the suppressed anger of being trapped for hundreds of Years at once.
“Nine Underworld Demon Emperor, your doomsday has arrived!”
“Vajra Glare, Buddha Light Shines Universally!”
Renhui Holy Monk pressed his palms together, and a giant Vajra phantom materialized behind him. The Vajra phantom threw a punch, carrying endless Buddha Power and compassion, striking towards the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor.
“Taiyi Divine Light, Reversing the Universe!” Lingyun Old Daoist quickly formed hand seals, and the Taiyi Divine Pearl spun rapidly. The Taiyi Divine Pearl released a brilliant light, which formed a massive taiji diagram in the air, enveloping the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor.
Chen Qingxuan and the others were not idle either; they each unleashed their strongest sword moves. Beams of dazzling Sword Qi intertwined, forming destructive forces that broke through the shackles of the Nine Underworlds Great Array, directly striking towards the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor.
Facing the combined attack of six Great Vehicle Dao Lords, even the powerful Nine Underworld Demon Emperor felt an unprecedented crisis. His expression changed drastically, and he cast his spells with all his might, manipulating the Nine Underworlds Great Array and squeezing out its last remaining power.
“Buzz!” With a resonating hum, the Nine Underworlds Great Array erupted with a heart-palpitating Aura mixed with deathly stillness. Nine Demonic Dragons eerily fused, transforming into a colossal Dragon, entirely black with scales shimmering with ghostly light. Its Dragon roar was deafening, carrying endless majesty and destructive intent, surging towards the six people’s offensive, releasing an Aura of mutual destruction.
“Boom!”
The Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon and the attacks of the six Great Vehicle Dao Lords collided violently. An indescribable shockwave spread in all directions, the Void Realm shattered, spatial cracks crisscrossed, and the entire outer Star Domain collapsed at this moment, with chaotic temporal currents emerging.
Old Man Xuantian’s “One Sword to Dust” directly collided with the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s head. Sword Qi and Dragon scales intertwined, creating countless sparks. The forces between them canceled each other out, but the destructive energy aftermath tore shocking cracks in the surrounding Void Realm, and even time itself seemed to stagnate before this power.
Renhui Holy Monk’s Vajra phantom appeared precarious amidst the impact. The endless Buddha Power and compassion gradually dissipated in the confrontation with the Demonic Dragon’s evil power, and cracks began to appear on the surface of the Vajra phantom.
Lingyun Old Daoist’s taiji diagram dimmed in the collision. The Yin and Yang poles of the taiji diagram twisted and deformed under the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s impact. The Taiyi Divine Pearl in his hand pulsed rapidly, and the light it emitted grew dimmer, clearly enduring immense pressure.
Although Chen Qingxuan and the others’ sword moves were sharp, they appeared powerless before the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s absolute strength. In the clash between Sword Qi and Dragon scales, their sword moves were scattered, their spiritual power was greatly consumed, and their figures became unsteady.
After continuously enduring the full-force attacks of the six Great Vehicle Dao Lords, although the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon was still fierce, its massive body couldn't help but tremble slightly. Fine cracks appeared on its shimmering, ghostly scales—these were traces of erosion by supreme magic power and sacred Buddha Power. It roared, its voice revealing unwillingness and anger, as if this blow was the limit of what it could withstand.
The eyes of the six people all lit up. They exchanged glances, immediately confirming that the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor was truly failing.
Old Man Xuantian, Renhui Holy Monk, and Lingyun Old Daoist, the three Great Vehicle Dao Lords, had been trapped for hundreds of Years by the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s Nine Underworlds Great Array. They had never been so close to victory. Their eyes gleamed with joy, filled with longing for the freedom that was about to come.
Seeing this, a trace of despair flashed in the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s eyes. The Foundation of the Nine Underworlds Great Array suddenly suffered heavy damage, and the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon it had condensed lost its subsequent power, unable to withstand the continuous attacks of the six Great Vehicle Dao Lords.
But as a generation’s Devil Emperor, how could the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor easily admit defeat? He bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood. A large amount of Nine Nether Origin merged into the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s body. Instantly, the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s Aura surged again, making a final, dying struggle.
However, this final struggle was futile. How could Old Man Xuantian and the others give him a chance to breathe? The six gathered their strength again, delivering a fatal blow to the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon.
“Profound Heaven Sword Formation, Rise!” At Old Man Xuantian’s command, the Xuantian Sword in his hand instantly transformed into thousands of sword shadows. Each sword shadow contained destructive power, interweaving in the air to form a massive sword net that enveloped the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon.
Renhui Holy Monk was not to be outdone. He pressed his palms together and chanted softly, “Wrathful Vajra, Evil Demons Subdued!”
As his words fell, the Vajra phantom behind Renhui Holy Monk solidified again, transforming into a true Vajra Arhat, holding a Vajra Pestle, which he slammed towards the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon and the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor behind it.
“Taiyi Divine Thunder, descend upon them!”
Lingyun Old Daoist quickly formed hand seals. The Taiyi Divine Pearl in his hand spun faster and faster, releasing increasingly bright light, and he suddenly let out a low roar.
As his words fell, streaks of lightning imbued with supreme Divine Power shot out from the Taiyi Divine Pearl, striking the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon.
Chen Qingxuan and the others also unleashed their unique skills again, such as the Gengjin Sword Tiger and the Gale Sword Technique. Sharp Sword Qi, imbued with the essence of the Sword Dao, rained down like a storm upon the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon and the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor.
Sensing that things were going south, the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor already harbored thoughts of escape. After urging the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon to face the enemy, his true body transformed into a wisp of Nine Nether Qi, merging into the Void Realm. The Nine Nether Qi of the entire dark Star Domain responded to his summons, suddenly boiling over and forming surging Devilish Qi tides to cover his escape.
“Sect Master, the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor is escaping!”
Chen Qingxuan had sensed it early and quickly spoke to remind him.
“Hmph! He can’t escape. That Demonic Dragon is yours!”
Old Man Xuantian snorted coldly and left those words. His figure instantly transformed into a streak of light, chasing rapidly in the direction the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor might have fled. His speed was so great that it seemed to have surpassed the limits of time and space, leaving only a faint sword shadow flickering in the Void Realm.
Upon hearing this, Renhui Holy Monk and Lingyun Old Daoist exchanged glances, understanding each other implicitly. At this moment, they absolutely could not give the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor any chance to breathe; otherwise, if he recovered his strength, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“Vajra Subdues Demons, All Laws Return to the Origin!” Renhui Holy Monk pressed his palms together and chanted softly. The Vajra phantom condensed again, transforming into a golden pillar of light that shot straight into the sky, dyeing the surrounding Void Realm with a sacred golden glow.
“Taiyi Demon Sealing, Universe Chains!”
Lingyun Old Daoist was not to be outdone. He quickly formed hand seals, and the Taiyi Divine Pearl in his hand spun faster and faster, releasing dazzling light. Chains formed from Taiyi Divine Light flew out from the taiji diagram, moving like spiritual snakes in the Void Realm, ultimately coiling around the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon, binding it tightly.
Seeing this, Chen Qingxuan and the others were invigorated and once again unleashed their strongest sword moves. Streaks of Sword Qi streaked across the sky like meteors, fiercely attacking the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon.
Under the combined attacks of Renhui Holy Monk’s Vajra Demon Subduing Array, Lingyun Old Daoist’s Taiyi Demon Sealing Chains, and Chen Qingxuan and the others’ sharp sword moves, the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon finally began to appear powerless. Its roars gradually grew weaker, and the cracks on its body became more numerous.
Finally, accompanied by a tragic shriek, the Nine Underworlds Demonic Dragon’s massive body exploded under the combined attacks, transforming into a sky full of black mist that dissipated into the Void Realm.
At the same time, Old Man Xuantian had already caught up with the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor. The Xuantian Sword in his hand shone with a brilliant Sword Qi, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, heading straight for the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor.
“Old Man Xuantian, don’t be so arrogant! Nine Nether Soul Devour, come forth!”
In his desperation, the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor had no choice but to consume his Dao Origin and take out his trump card, his Natal Dao Artifact—the Nine Nether Staff!
In the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s hand appeared a staff, entirely black, emanating a faint, eerie netherlight. Embedded at the staff’s tip was a gem emitting a strange glow. With a wave of the staff, he unleashed his ultimate technique—Nine Nether Soul Devour.
The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor, holding the Nine Nether Staff, saw the gem at the staff’s tip burst forth with light. An extremely chilling Aura instantly permeated the area. The surrounding Nine Nether Qi rapidly responded to his summons, suddenly condensing into a massive black demonic claw, filled with endless gloom and evil, reaching out to grasp Old Man Xuantian.
“Hmph, little Nine Nether, today I shall let you witness the true Sword Dao!” Old Man Xuantian let out a low roar. The Xuantian Sword in his hand suddenly burst into brilliant light. Golden runes flowed over the sword body, a manifestation of the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth, a symbol of the Peak of the Sword Dao.
The Xuantian Sword in Old Man Xuantian’s hand suddenly shone brightly. The tip of the sword lightly tapped, and a beam of sword light containing the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth broke through the Void Realm, directly entering the palm of the black demonic claw.
“Boom!” A deafening explosion erupted.
The sword light and the demonic claw met, instantly unleashing a thunderous roar. The collision of their powers was enough to cause stars to fall. Nine Nether Qi and Xuantian Sword light intertwined, forming a strange yet magnificent spectacle.
As an extreme Dao Artifact, the power contained within the Xuantian Sword was incomparable to what Nine Nether Soul Devour could match. The sword light rapidly eroded the demonic claw, and Sword Qi strangled the Nine Nether Dao Origin. The black demonic claw quickly became mottled under the illumination of the sword light.
Finally, with a “bang,” the black demonic claw transformed into a sky full of black mist, dissipating into nothingness.
Seeing this, the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s expression changed drastically. His full-force attack had been so easily broken by Old Man Xuantian. He immediately consumed his Dao Origin without regard for the cost, performing another secret escape technique.
How could Old Man Xuantian let him have his way? With a flash of his figure, he appeared like a ghost in front of the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor. The Xuantian Sword in his hand was raised again, its tip imbued with a heart-palpitating sharpness.
“Little Nine Nether, today you can’t escape even if you grow wings!” Old Man Xuantian coldly shouted. He swung the Xuantian Sword down fiercely, and an extremely brilliant sword light streaked across the sky, slashing towards the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor as if to cleave open Heaven and Earth.
“Old Man Xuantian, don’t get cocky! Even if I die today, I’ll drag you down with me!” the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor roared, his entire body’s Devilish Qi boiling. He no longer held back, raising the Nine Nether Staff high. The gem at the staff’s tip emitted an unprecedented light, and an evil power capable of destroying stars condensed in the Void Realm.
Old Man Xuantian’s Xuantian Sword was a step faster. A trace of fear and despair flashed in the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s eyes. Even if he fell, he would take someone down with him, but he was still a step too late.
The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor was able to imprison three Great Vehicle Peak Dao Lords for hundreds of Years by himself entirely due to the Nine Underworlds Great Array. For some unknown reason, the Foundation that maintained the Nine Underworlds Great Array suddenly collapsed at this critical moment, causing the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor to lose his greatest reliance.
“No!”
Before his death, the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor let out one last desperate shriek. His great undertaking, planned for nearly ten thousand Years, was ruined at this moment.
The Xuantian Sword light had arrived, like a heavenly punishment, mercilessly piercing through the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor, splitting his body into two. The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s body, along with his Divine Soul, was shattered and obliterated by the sword light. Finally, he slowly dissipated in the Void Realm, turning into specks of black light and returning to nothingness.
With the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s demise, the Nine Underworlds Great Array, which was intrinsically linked to him, also collapsed.
Renhui Holy Monk, Lingyun Old Daoist, and Chen Qingxuan all broke free from the array. Feeling the long-lost Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi continuously pouring into their Dao Domains, their hearts were filled with emotion and joy.
“Finally, we’re out!” Lingyun Old Daoist sighed, putting away the Taiyi Divine Pearl. His eyes were filled with emotion, a reflection of his feelings about the past Years.
“Amitabha!” Renhui Holy Monk pressed his palms together, and a joyful Buddha chant echoed in the Void Realm.
Before long, Old Man Xuantian flew to their side, put away the Xuantian Sword, and a fleeting smile appeared on his face, replaced by a look of confusion. He looked at the three with some puzzlement and said, “Why was the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor so distraught? Why did the Nine Underworlds Great Array suddenly collapse? It’s truly strange!”
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, equally puzzled.
The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor, relying on the power of the Nine Underworlds Great Array, had trapped them until now, always holding the winning hand. He was a cunning and extremely cautious person, and such a major oversight should never have occurred.
“Perhaps the answer is hidden within this Star Domain,” Chen Qingxuan mused, his gaze sweeping over the collapsing Void Realm around them, a strange intuition welling up in his heart.
“The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor planned for ten thousand Years; his scheme couldn’t be so simple. The collapse of the Nine Underworlds Great Array is very likely the result of some unknown force intervening,” Old Man Xuantian nodded, saying with some regret, “Unfortunately, none of us are proficient in array formations.”
“The Nine Underworld Demon Emperor has fallen, and the Spirit Realm has lost a major threat, but his other remnants might still be lurking in the shadows!” Lingyun Old Daoist looked at everyone and suggested, “Since we have escaped, why don’t we return to our Sect first and mobilize the Sect’s power to eliminate his remaining followers?”
“Fellow Daoist Lingyun is absolutely right. We should indeed return to our Sect as soon as possible and gather all available forces to thoroughly eliminate the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s remnants, to prevent future troubles,” Old Man Xuantian agreed.
Renhui Holy Monk also nodded slightly, pressing his palms together, and softly said, “Amitabha, only by eliminating evil completely can we ensure the peace of our Spirit Realm. Great Buddha Temple is willing to act together with the two Fellow Daoists.”
Thus, after a brief rest, the six, with their minds full of questions, embarked on their respective journeys back to their Sects.
On the other side, Li Mu, who indirectly caused the Nine Underworld Demon Emperor’s demise by causing the Nine Underworlds Great Array to lose its Foundation, was currently in the array space of the Chaos Sealing Great Array. He was wholeheartedly focused on the Painting World Treasure Mansion, joyfully watching it devour massive amounts of ‘liquid’ Spiritual Qi. (End of Chapter)
