Chapter 3464: Moths to the Flame
"Punish Luo Ding! Execute the traitors of the Rakshasa Clan!"
"Emperor Luo Yan has returned to end the chaos in the Divine City."
"Zhang Ruochen, by the orders of Heavenly Mother and Emperor Luo Yan, marches against Luo Ding to restore peace to the Rakshasa Clan."
"It is said that Luo Ding is the Calamity Quantities Emperor, planning to sacrifice the entire Rakshasa Clan to the Quantity Organization. We cultivators must fight him to the death!"
...
Various rumors, true and false, spread through the Divine City.
The torrent behind Zhang Ruochen grew increasingly vast. These cultivators were all of considerable cultivation, Saint realm experts, and not a few were gods.
They were willing to follow Zhang Ruochen into battle, firstly, out of absolute worship and reverence for Heavenly Mother.
Secondly, because of the Great Luo Divine Seal suspended above Zhang Ruochen's head.
The Divine Seal was like a banner, a divine sun.
Its light was dazzling, a symbol of supreme authority.
At the same time, the Great Luo Divine Seal was far more than just a symbol of authority. Its artifact spirit was powerful, capable of mobilizing the power of the entire Rakshasa Divine City.
If Emperor Luo Yan wielded the Great Luo Divine Seal, as long as he was within the Rakshasa Divine City, he could remain undefeated even against an Indestructible Infinite.
"Hua!"
The Great Luo Divine Seal, like a massive millstone, radiated a metallic luster, slowly rotating above Zhang Ruochen's head. It drew the Heavenly and Earthly rules, the rule divine patterns, and even the divine Qi from the underground divine veins of the city, converging upon Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen felt as if he had become Heaven and Earth itself, merged with the Rakshasa Divine City, possessing inexhaustible power.
Enough to tear apart the universe, to pierce through past and present.
"Shua!"
"Shua!"
Qi Lin and Zongmu Shenzun shot out like two beams of light from Dingzu Mountain, landing atop an ancient pagoda-shaped building, gazing into the distance.
Zhang Ruochen, along with a tidal wave of Rakshasa cultivators, advanced mightily towards the Divine Prison.
The Great Luo Divine Seal illuminated every domain of the Divine City as if it were daylight.
The two had initially decided to pursue, but now hesitated.
It was because the aura on Zhang Ruochen was too profound. With each breath, he drew in the world's Qi and the tides of Heavenly and Earthly rules, causing the entire Divine City to tremble slightly.
Zongmu Shenzun's face was dark. "Damn it, all because of him. Our plan is a complete failure now! Borrowing the might of the Great Luo Divine Seal, he channels the power of the entire Rakshasa Divine City for his own use. We are far from his match now."
Qi Lin, tall and voluptuous, with thick eyelashes and deep, profound eyes, said, "He is not Emperor Luo Yan. The power he can withstand and channel is limited; he is not yet invincible. Dingzu has already appeared. Zhang Ruochen going there is nothing but an egg striking a stone, seeking his own destruction. You and I both know the gap between Great Unbound Infinite and Qiankun Infinite."
"Still, we must prevent him from escaping the Divine City. But... keep our distance, don't engage him head-on." Zongmu Shenzun said.
Qi Lin pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Proud as she was, she had to admit that Zhang Ruochen, carrying the might of the Divine City, was indeed beyond the reach of a Qiankun Infinite cultivator. They had to avoid his edge.
That Emperor Luo Yan would entrust the Great Luo Divine Seal to a young cultivator... such trust was unparalleled!
---
Divine Prison.
Within Dingzu's Divine Realm World.
Mofa Shenwang was in a state of intense inner conflict. After various deductions, he ultimately concluded that only by submitting to Dingzu could he survive today.
Even if Jian Gu could set aside past grievances and join forces with him, they would still have no chance of victory.
Moreover, even if they risked their lives to escape Dingzu's Divine Realm World, how could they escape the Rakshasa Divine City? How could they evade the suppression of the city-protecting divine formation?
Since Dingzu's true body had appeared, there was no doubt that the entire Rakshasa Clan was under his control!
A flash of killing intent appeared in Mofa Shenwang's eyes. Like lightning, he struck out with the Death God Hand Seal, aiming at Jian Gu beside him.
"Mofa Shenwang, you have made the wrong choice again. Submitting to the Quantity Organization can only lead to death. Even Qingcang, that old bastard, will not forgive you!"
Jian Gu's doppelganger seemed to have anticipated this. His figure retreated swiftly, dodging Mofa Shenwang's sneak attack.
Then, his form transformed into a beam of sword light, flying towards the Wind Thunder Divine Punishment Formation.
Fighting Dingzu head-on was suicide. Only by escaping back to the Wind Thunder Divine Punishment Formation, returning to the Divine Prison, and borrowing the remnant formation there could he hold out for a while, perhaps waiting for a turning point.
This was Jian Gu's doppelganger's only chance!
Jian Gu's doppelganger ultimately underestimated the terror of a Great Unbound Infinite. Even though he had already drawn upon Ancestor power, his form was like a sword, swift as flowing light. But after rushing only a few dozen zhang, his speed grew slower and slower.
Finally, he was suppressed by the rules within Dingzu's Divine Realm World, crashing back to the ground, his legs buried up to the knees in the earth.
It felt as if ten thousand great mountains were pressing down on him.
The Ancestor power remaining in the sword bone was ultimately too thin to contend with a Great Unbound Infinite.
"If you were outside the Divine Realm World, you might still be able to jump around a bit. But here, all rules belong to me. I am the sole god. With a single thought, I can suppress you."
Dingzu strode forward with large steps, stopping beside Mofa Shenwang.
Mofa Shenwang felt the powerful and domineering divine force emanating from the other. He quickly smiled and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Dingzu, on taking control of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom. The position of Clan Leader is also within your grasp."
"Whether your submission is sincere or feigned, first offer half of your divine soul."
Dingzu pointed a finger at Mofa Shenwang's brow. Instantly, strands of soul light flew out from between his brows.
Mofa Shenwang suppressed the anger in his heart, his ten fingers clenched tightly, but he still maintained a smile and respectful demeanor.
There was no choice. A god of a lower realm, trapped within the Divine Realm World of a higher realm god, would be completely suppressed. Escape would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
"Hua!"
Jian Gu's doppelganger gripped his sword with both hands and slashed out a straight, horizontal sword light, breaking through the suppression of the rules.
"Hmph?"
Dingzu showed a surprised expression. He stomped his right foot, causing the earth to roll up and press down towards the rapidly fleeing Jian Gu doppelganger.
Every grain of sand was a Great Unbound Infinite rule divine pattern.
Every stone was as heavy as a star.
In this world, Dingzu could suppress all enemies with a single thought.
Jian Gu's doppelganger stopped in his tracks. An unparalleled, boundless battle intent erupted from his body. He raised his sword with both hands to cleave the sky. Beneath his feet, a vast ocean appeared, formed by the convergence of Sword Dao rules, containing a small amount of Ancestor Sword Dao rules.
"Boom!"
With one slash of the sword, it was as if billions of swords flew out simultaneously, colliding with the earth pressing down from the sky.
Jian Gu's spine was straight, like an unbreakable pillar of heaven.
From within his silver-white divine robe, Xuehai Taizi's voice rang out: "Ruochen Shenzun, let us hold off Dingzu. You must escape by any means necessary. Announce Dingzu's collusion with the Quantity Organization, the Thunder Clan, and the Ancient Demon Gods to the world. Invite Heavenly Mother to return and restore order to the Rakshasa Clan."
"If the Quantity Organization and the Ancient Demon Gods control the Rakshasa Clan from behind the scenes, those Demon Gods will surely use the entire Rakshasa Clan as blood sacrifices to restore their own cultivation."
"If the Thunder Clan controls the Rakshasa Clan, wouldn't all Rakshasa in the world become slaves? Unacceptable, absolutely intolerable."
...
One after another, the voices of Rakshasa gods rang out!
All gods feared death.
But there were always things more important than death. If anyone dared to touch those things, they would fight to the death.
After Dingzu took half of Mofa Shenwang's divine soul, he walked towards Jian Gu's doppelganger. Large chunks of earth and stone continuously fell from the sky, all cleaved apart by the divine sword.
"I have underestimated this sword bone. An Ancestor's skeleton is indeed not simple. But this is the end!"
Dingzu raised his palm, drawing upon divine Qi.
Jian Gu's doppelganger spoke, "What you have underestimated is far more than just the sword bone."
"Shua!"
Xuehai Taizi flew out from Jian Gu's sleeve, charging straight at Dingzu, directly channeling divine Qi towards his divine source.
He intended to self-destruct his divine source to block Dingzu's advance.
"Overestimating yourself!"
Dingzu snorted lightly. With a thought, countless rules pressed down upon Xuehai Taizi. Xuehai Taizi was pinned directly to the ground, blood seeping from his entire body.
Forget self-destructing his divine source, even his divine soul was on the verge of shattering from the pressure.
"Luo Ding, you are colluding with tigers for their skins. You will eventually bring harm to the Rakshasa Clan."
"Haha! Can you suppress one person? Can you suppress everyone?"
"The gods of the Rakshasa Clan are not like Mofa Shenwang. Our bones are much harder. We insist on clashing with you, a Great Unbound Infinite!"
...
One by one, Rakshasa gods, like moths to a flame, flew out from the sleeve.
To prevent being suppressed by Dingzu, the moment they rushed out of the sleeve opening, they directly channeled divine Qi, straight towards their divine sources.
"Seeking death!"
Even though Dingzu's cultivation was supreme, he was somewhat overwhelmed. He diverted streams of power one after another, striking at these gods.
With each strike, a god was blasted into a cloud of blood mist.
Some gods were frozen by cold Qi, or burned into soul mist by divine flames.
"Boom!"
Finally, a Great God charged to Dingzu's front. His body, like red-hot divine iron, exploded with a thunderous roar, forming a terrifying destructive force.
Divine light blossomed on Dingzu's body. He retreated several steps in succession, his entire body turning a fiery red.
Mofa Shenwang was deeply shaken, but he felt no pity for them, only thinking them foolish. As gods of the Rakshasa Clan, if they had submitted to Dingzu, they might have had a chance to live. Instead, they chose to be mantises trying to stop a chariot.
What was the point?
For the Rakshasa Clan?
If they lost their own lives, what use was the Rakshasa Clan?
The destructive force from the self-detonating divine source collapsed the rules in that area.
"Go... go to the Great Luo Divine Palace. That might be our chance to live." Luo Sha's voice was choked with sobs. She, who always loved to laugh, now had red-rimmed eyes, misted over.
She knew that these Rakshasa gods chose to sacrifice themselves one after another not only for the greater good of their race. They also understood that once they fell into Dingzu's hands, they would surely be silenced and become blood sacrifices for Gu Xin.
Rather than dying so ignobly, it was better to choose a glorious way.
But being able to make up their minds to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others was still worthy of admiration. Luo Sha felt gratitude in her heart, and also boundless hatred for Dingzu.
Because from the very beginning, these Rakshasa gods were destined by Dingzu to be sacrificed, becoming blood sacrifices for Gu Xin to restore his cultivation, and he planned to frame Zhang Ruochen for it.
A man like this, whether a member of the Quantity Organization or not, deserved to be cut into ten thousand pieces.
"Boom!"
Jian Gu's doppelganger slashed open Dingzu's Divine Realm World with a single sword strike, tearing open a zhang-long fissure.
Jian Gu's doppelganger knew he had only one chance, and the time was extremely short. He had to rush out of the Divine Realm World at the fastest speed. This chance was bought by the sacrifice of dozens of Rakshasa gods.
"Shua!"
Mofa Shenwang's form flickered, appearing at the fissure of the Divine Realm World, blocking Jian Gu's doppelganger's path. He laughed, "Trying to escape? If you escape, won't my secrets be exposed?"
He struck out with both palms simultaneously, sending out a cloud of gray, hazy death Qi.
From the gray cloud, thousands of troops charged forth, all of them undead spirits.
"Get out of my way!"
Jian Gu's doppelganger slashed out a second sword in fury.
The gray cloud was split apart, and all the undead spirits exploded into pieces.
The edge of the divine sword reached Mofa Shenwang's front.
Even after deploying various defensive measures, Mofa Shenwang could not block it. Half of his head was sliced off, and his body flew sideways, crashing heavily to the ground.
But because of Mofa Shenwang's interference, the fissure that had been cut open in the Divine Realm World closed again.
Just as Jian Gu's doppelganger raised his sword to strike again, the raised sword could not descend!
"Clatter!"
Roots of rule chains coiled around the divine sword.
At the same time, the rule chains spread downwards, binding Jian Gu's doppelganger as well. Divine flames surged from the chains, burning and refining Zhang Ruochen's divine soul thoughts within the sword bone.
Blood mist floated in the air.
Too many gods had died. The blood mist would not dissipate, condensing into red rain.
The rain fell, pattering.
Dingzu carried the mutilated body of Xuehai Taizi, walking through the blood rain. "No one can escape death. And death... is me!"
Luo Sha, Luo Shengtian, Shang Yue, and the others were all plunged into despair, knowing that escaping from the Divine Realm World of a Great Unbound Infinite was nearly impossible.
Now it was their turn.
Rather than fall into Dingzu's hands, be humiliated, and become blood sacrifices, it was better to fight him.
Even if they were moths to a flame, at least they would have a moment of brilliance.
Just then.
"Luo Ding!"
From the sky above, a deep, divine voice resounded.
Dingzu frowned, looking up.
The sky of the Divine Realm World grew lower and lower, sinking inward, until it was forcibly pierced by a domineering divine force.
"Boom!"
The Great Luo Divine Seal descended like an eternal divine sun.
Divine armor grew automatically, covering Dingzu's entire body.
Dingzu formed a seal with his five fingers, executing the Heavenly Realm divine ability "God Demon Seal." He pressed one palm towards the sky, propping up the descending Great Luo Divine Seal, his legs sinking a full section into the ground.
"Shua!"
Suddenly, a flash of light. Zhang Ruochen's true body appeared before him.
In Dingzu's pupils, Zhang Ruochen's body grew larger and larger, clearer and clearer. Even the protective divine light of a Great Unbound Infinite could not stop the Ancestor Boots and the Ancestor Divine Travel Cloak.
The Earth Cauldron smashed out from Zhang Ruochen's hand, its Origin Divine Light blazing to its peak.
With the support of the Ancestor Boots, Zhang Ruochen's speed surpassed that of many Great Unbound Infinites. But Dingzu's reaction was not slow either. With one hand supporting the Great Luo Divine Seal in the sky, he raised Xuehai Taizi's body with the other as a shield to block the smashing Earth Cauldron.
"Boom!"
Xuehai Taizi exploded instantly.
Dingzu's palm pressed against the Earth Cauldron, blocking Zhang Ruochen's strike. But he was forced back four consecutive steps, crushing a large area of his own Divine Realm World underfoot!
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen's form moved like an electric current, flashing sideways. He emerged from beneath the Earth Cauldron, unleashing the Immovable Wisdom King Fist. His fist struck Dingzu's chest. On his fist, the silhouette of a Qilin appeared, its roar shaking the heavens.
This fist, containing the power gathered from the Rakshasa Divine City, directly sent Dingzu flying. He was then suppressed by the Great Luo Divine Seal descending from the sky.
"Boom!"
Large areas of Dingzu's Divine Realm World shattered, covered in earth fissures tens of thousands of li long.