Chapter 3269: Feng Tian, Thunder Ancestor
The phoenix spread its wings, like two vast, colorful star seas, and vanished into the depths of the starry sky in the blink of an eye.
The cultivators of the Hell Realm were all stunned.
Even Bian Zhuang War God had been suppressed, victory was within reach, the Starry Sky Defense Line was about to be breached, and the history of the universe was about to be rewritten. At such a critical moment, Feng Tian… had actually left!
They had seized the perfect timing, location, and unity of people!
Such an opportunity would never come a second time.
Once the Boundless ones returned from their northern campaign, the cost and time required to break through the Starry Sky Defense Line would be immeasurable.
"Behind the Starry Sky Defense Line lie ancient civilizations one after another, and the cultivators in the Heavenly Court army are all blood meals for us. With Feng Tian leaving, the Hell Realm has suffered a heavy loss!" a Hell Realm deity lamented, filled with unwillingness.
"Speak with caution! How can we understand the decisions of a Heavenly One? Feng Tian's departure must be due to something more important than breaching the Starry Sky Defense Line."
"But breaching the Starry Sky Defense Line would allow the Hell Realm to seize this opportunity to attack the Heavenly Court and settle the war in one decisive battle. What a rare chance!"
"A battle opportunity unseen in ten thousand epochs!"
……
The deities of the Heavenly Court, especially those from the various ancient civilizations, all breathed a sigh of relief as they watched Feng Tian depart, as if they had just walked through the gates of hell.
Moments ago, they had been so close to death!
The destruction of their civilizations had been imminent.
Feng Tian was no different from a Calamity of Quantities, casting a lingering shadow over them. Many deities still stared at the direction where Feng Tian had vanished, unable to relax, fearing she might return.
Bian Zhuang War God was severely wounded, firmly suppressed by seven divine artifacts.
The Parasol Tree Divine Tree stood like a heavenly tree supporting the universe, its roots connecting to the seven divine artifacts, presenting a magnificent scene in the starry sky outside the Starry Sky Defense Line.
Even though Feng Tian's true body had left, her divine power was omnipresent. A vast amount of her divine soul resided within the Parasol Tree Divine Tree, using it as a medium to continue suppressing Bian Zhuang War God.
This was an unparalleled, heaven-reaching technique!
Even from an infinitely distant corner of the starry sky, she had left a portion of her divine power here.
Of course, this was also because Bian Zhuang War God had been too severely injured earlier; otherwise, Feng Tian could not have suppressed him in this manner.
"Whoosh!"
The Radiant Divine Sword blazed brilliantly, forming a white river of swords that slashed towards the Parasol Tree Divine Tree.
But before the sword river could approach the divine tree, it gradually dispersed, only creating ripples and waves.
"It's useless. Although Feng Caiyi has left, her cultivation has reached the pinnacle, beyond your ability to shake. Quickly repair the formations of the Starry Sky Defense Line. Only by relying on the formations can you block her. Otherwise, if she returns, the Heavenly Court will face a world-ending catastrophe!"
Bian Zhuang War God's voice transmitted into Xuanyuan Lian's ears.
In the starry sky, Bian Zhuang War God's body, riddled with holes from the battle, slowly began to repair itself as he struggled against the seven divine artifacts, standing upright once more. His divine body was like a human-shaped great world, his blood vessels surging like rivers, using rules to evolve various combat techniques, attempting to break free from Feng Tian's suppression.
"Boom, rumble!"
Feng Tian's phoenix form manifested, using the Parasol Tree Divine Tree as its torso, turning the entire starry sky into a sea of fire. The seven divine artifacts emitted bright radiance, beams of divine light cascading down.
Xuanyuan Lian withdrew the Radiant Divine Sword and immediately gathered all the spiritual power deities and formation masters of the Heavenly Court.
At the same time, her golden war chariot and the five great divine monks stood guard above the Witch God Civilization, personally overseeing the breach in the formation, confronting the deities of the Hell Realm with a determination to fight to the death!
With Feng Tian's departure, the situation had changed dramatically.
Xue Jue War God, Hai Shang Youyou, Hun Qi, Wu Yue, Ni Xuan Bei Shi, Mu Tuo War God… the leaders of various factions all made a unanimous decision.
Withdraw the troops, switch from offense to defense.
Because they could see that Feng Tian's true body had left. Relying solely on the Parasol Tree Divine Tree and the seven divine artifacts might not be enough to suppress Bian Zhuang War God. Once he broke free, the consequences would be dire.
A large number of Hell Realm deities rushed over, releasing divine qi and injecting it into the Parasol Tree Divine Tree. The number of deities was so vast they looked like fruits on the divine tree, glowing and radiating heat.
They had to ensure Bian Zhuang War God remained suppressed until Feng Tian returned.
Over a dozen peak Taixu-level powerhouses gathered beside the golden chariot.
Ke Yangshan, representing the Paradise Realm, had pairs of white feathers on his back, appearing radiant and sacred, his bearing as jade-like as ever. He said, "It must be that the Temple Master has displayed his divine might in the Hell Realm, forcing Feng Caiyi to rush back. We can take this opportunity to counterattack the Hell Realm and help Bian Zhuang War God break free. Then, we can surely annihilate all the Hell Realm deities outside the defense line."
The deities of the Heavenly Court were all eager to try, seeing this as a rare battle opportunity.
Rather than defending, it was better to launch an active attack.
From within the golden chariot, Xuanyuan Lian said, "Do not act rashly! For us now, the most important thing is to ensure the Starry Sky Defense Line is absolutely secure, not to vent our anger by seeking revenge on the Hell Realm."
"The reason for Feng Caiyi's departure is unknown; she could return at any moment. This is a sword hanging over our heads, capable of severing the Starry Sky Defense Line and endangering the Heavenly Court."
"Look, the Hell Realm has taken the initiative to retreat and defend, precisely to prevent us from rescuing Bian Zhuang War God. If we rush out of the Starry Sky Defense Line, we will certainly not gain any advantage."
"Furthermore, Jia Tianxia and Xuan Yi are likely still hiding within the Starry Sky Defense Line. Find them and kill them without mercy!"
"Hasn't Xuan Yi already been dismembered and suppressed?" Ke Yangshan asked.
From within the golden chariot, Xuanyuan Lian said, "I told you to search, so go search. Why so many questions? I, this young master, will bear full responsibility for all the consequences of today's decisions. Whoever dares to disobey, regardless of their status or cultivation level, I will personally execute them!"
The more dangerous the situation, the clearer and more rational Xuanyuan Lian became, knowing the priorities.
Even if Feng Tian returned immediately, killing Bian Zhuang War God would not be easy. But the Starry Sky Defense Line absolutely could not be breached!
……
In a starry sky quite far from the Starry Sky Defense Line, a woman wearing a mask and a black robe muttered in confusion, "She just left like that? With her personality, what major event could have happened to make her give up such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
She dared not speak Feng Tian's name, fearing it would be sensed.
"I will go investigate immediately!"
A man, also wearing a mask and a black robe, vanished into the void space.
They were very cautious, always hiding in the void, their black robes resembling those of the Quantity Envoys, capable of blocking heavenly secrets.
……
Thunder Ancestor descended, crossing over from the void space. His divine might and aura pressed down upon the sky, making any cultivator seem like an ant before him.
He was entirely wreathed in lightning, dazzling to the extreme. His divine body was so tall it seemed inhuman, like an incarnation of heaven and earth. Zhang Ruochen and Qiangu Nüdi were smaller than dust before him.
Zhang Ruochen and Qiangu Nüdi did not give up their escape, pushing space, time, and speed to their limits as they charged deep into the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain.
If they could flee far enough, they might be able to intimidate Thunder Ancestor into retreating.
Because earlier, they had only penetrated a billion or so miles, essentially fighting at the edge of the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, so there was no fear of getting lost inside.
That was why Thunder Ancestor could sense their location through the imprint he had left in Lei Suling's divine soul.
But if they delved thousands of billions or trillions of miles deep, even a powerhouse like Thunder Ancestor might get lost in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain.
The Dark Great Triangle Star Domain was like an abyss in the universe. If one ventured too far in, even a being with a perfect spiritual power like the Heavenly Circle would be unable to perceive the outside world or find the way out.
"We can't escape!"
Qiangu Nüdi stopped, clutching the Time Source Pearl in her hand, facing Thunder Ancestor head-on.
Even if she had to die, she would crush Lei Yu to death as her funeral companion.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the lightning spreading before him, sighed, and stopped fleeing. He faced the figure tens of thousands of miles away and said, "I am Zhang Ruochen, Divine Envoy of Heavenly Mother. I pay my respects to Thunder Ancestor!"
Because his divine body was too massive, Thunder Ancestor, though far away, seemed to be right in front of him.
"Where is Heavenly Mother?"
Thunder Ancestor's booming voice resounded through the darkness.
Zhang Ruochen said, "She did not go to the North Marsh Great Wall. Once she senses that my life is in danger, she will surely descend in person."
Lei Suling hovered below Thunder Ancestor and shouted sharply, "Zhang Ruochen, stop bluffing! If Heavenly Mother could truly descend at any moment, why would you flee deeper into the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain? The deeper you go into the darkness, the less likely Heavenly Mother is to sense your danger."
Zhang Ruochen spoke with full confidence, "Heavenly Mother is right here in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain!"
If she hadn't known the situation in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, Qiangu Nüdi might have almost believed him, because Zhang Ruochen spoke very convincingly, his gaze firm.
Generally speaking, the stronger one's cultivation, the better one could see through a cultivator's true intentions.
But unfortunately, including Thunder Ancestor, no one could see through Zhang Ruochen's true thoughts, making it impossible to determine if he was telling the truth or lying.
Lei Suling said, "Thunder Ancestor, do not believe him. According to intelligence received by the Thunder Clan, this brat once ascended the Truth Divine Mountain and obtained the supreme treasure of the Way of Truth. His divine soul cannot be probed to determine if he is speaking truth or lies."
Zhang Ruochen sneered, "We have already entered Heavenly Mother's perception range. If your Thunder Clan does not want to provoke a great enemy, you had better retreat immediately."
"Excellent. It has been many years since I last saw Heavenly Mother. I have missed her. In our battle back then, we were evenly matched. I wonder if she is still as impressive as before?"
Every word from Thunder Ancestor was like thunder, like war hammers striking Zhang Ruochen and Qiangu Nüdi. Their domain defenses were rendered useless, their divine bodies damaged, and they spat blood.
Too powerful!
This Thunder Ancestor clearly did not fear Heavenly Mother at all. He was someone who had once contended with her on equal footing.
Being intercepted and killed by such a taboo-level ancient figure meant certain death.
"As expected of the descendants of the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable and Old Man Huaying. You carry so many supreme treasures on you. Even if Heavenly Mother truly descends today, I, this Venerable, will still take your lives."
Before Thunder Ancestor, lightning coalesced into a Primordial Azure Dragon, roaring with fury as it shot across the void towards Zhang Ruochen and Qiangu Nüdi.
His attack was decisive; nothing could make him hesitate.
"Boom!"
A divine flame, as if piercing through time and space, flew in from an incredibly distant place beyond the heavens, colliding with the lightning azure dragon.
Space vanished, shattered into pieces.
"This is… actually as powerful as Thunder Ancestor…"
Lei Suling was shocked. Could Heavenly Mother really be in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain?
A hint of solemnity appeared in Thunder Ancestor's eyes as he looked up into the sky.
"Lei Wanjue, you have some nerve! Did you not sense my, this Heavenly One's, aura on him? For a million years, you had to choose today to jump out and seek death. I, this Heavenly One, will grant your wish!"
Feng Tian crossed the void, her body shrouded in death rules so thick they formed a gray, hazy world. From within that world, countless gray divine blades flew out, slashing towards Thunder Ancestor.
Lei Suling screamed in agony as the death rules pierced through her, causing her body to explode into a cloud of spiritual power mist.
In an instant, she was annihilated, body and soul.
Such was the terror of the Path of Death—killing a deity with a flick of the finger!
Thunder Ancestor was right there, but he could not save Lei Suling.
Damn it, how could this be? Feng Caiyi should have been attacking the Heavenly Court by now!
Feng Caiyi's sudden arrival shocked, angered, and greatly intimidated Thunder Ancestor. This was a god of death, decisive in killing, unlike Heavenly Mother who still observed propriety and the laws of heaven and earth.
All the lightning around Thunder Ancestor was severed by the death divine blades, and his body retreated backward, falling into the void world. The pressure was too intense; he suspected Feng Caiyi was the Death Overlord!