Chapter 1197: Despair Barrier

Yun Che's world was a boundless expanse of yellow sand. When he released his spiritual perception, he found only emptiness; he sensed no aura, nor any danger. He immediately realized this was a non-aggressive confinement domain. Lu Lengchuan had clearly deployed this pure confinement domain to activate the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm.

Yun Che unleashed his full spiritual perception, yet still sensed nothing but the rolling yellow sand. Without hesitation, he unleashed the full power of the Golden Crow's flames and his heavy sword, striking forward. Boom!! The space vibrated, yellow sand filled the air, and a crack appeared in the sky, only to slowly and silently heal. "One Sand Buries the World" had a core; finding it would allow for a single-strike breakthrough. But Yun Che had never fought with anyone from the Heaven Overturning Realm, nor had he ever had any contact, so he had no way of knowing. His only recourse to escape was to forcibly shatter it.

The Heaven Punishing Sword struck repeatedly, causing the quicksand world to tremble violently. In moments, cracks filled the sky. Yun Che continued his assault for over a dozen more strikes, shaking the entire world incessantly, yet it stubbornly remained intact. Yun Che paused, as flames converged on his body. In the quicksand world, it was as if a sun had suddenly blazed forth. "Netherworld Ashes!" Boom... Boom!!

Above the Conferred God Stage, the suspended sand domain exploded. A sea of fire blazed across the sky, and the fragmented power of the exploding domain was consumed by the fierce flames, vanishing into nothingness before it could even scatter. Yun Che descended from above, instantly locking onto Lu Lengchuan's aura. Both their pupils constricted simultaneously. Lu Lengchuan was astonished that Yun Che had shattered his "One Sand Buries the World" in such a short time — and by force at that. As for Yun Che... he saw a faintly visible profound energy barrier surrounding Lu Lengchuan. The Grand Dragon Sacred Realm!

"Ah. It's over," Huo Rulie and Yan Juehai sighed in unison. The same sentiment echoed through every corner of the spectator stands. Yun Che, relying on the immense power of his Golden Crow flames, had stubbornly held his own against the stronger Lu Lengchuan. Though he had gradually begun to gain the upper hand, the power gap remained small. Now, with an additional layer of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm, that slight advantage had vanished. Everyone could already foresee the inevitable outcome.

The moment the Heaven Overturning Realm King saw Lu Lengchuan successfully activate the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm, he knew defeat was no longer possible. Yet he did not smile; instead, his heart was a tempest of emotions. He had initially believed that once Yun Che was caught in "One Sand Buries the World," unless he knew the method of escape, forcibly breaking free would take enough time for Lu Lengchuan to activate two layers of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm. Yun Che had indeed broken through by force, even utterly destroying "One Sand Buries the World." Yet, Lu Lengchuan's Grand Dragon Sacred Realm had only just managed to activate its first layer! Considering Yun Che's age and cultivation, the Heaven Overturning Realm King's heart swelled with both admiration and a touch of melancholy. He knew very well that even with Lu Lengchuan's assured victory now... it might be the only time he would ever prevail against Yun Che in this lifetime. Moreover, even if Yun Che lost this battle, he was undoubtedly qualified to take Lu Lengchuan's place among the "Four Divine Children."

The situation Yun Che least wanted had come to pass. His breathing grew heavier, yet the flame in his eyes burned even hotter. Lu Lengchuan was equally resolute. With one layer of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm now active, there was no complacency or pride in his expression. All his power remained unreservedly concentrated into the Sky-Rending Spear. Their gazes met for a fleeting moment, then both erupted into action. Boom, boom, boom... In a flash, both roared lowly, clashing like two bolts of lightning. Sword and spear met, and the Conferred God Stage, which had only just settled, was once again engulfed in a blaze of light. Every collision of power between Yun Che and Lu Lengchuan sent a tremor through the hearts of those watching. This kind of pure power collision, devoid of any elaborate moves and utterly unreserved in every strike, was an absolute first in this Conferred God Battle. Even spectators observing through the Star God Stele felt their blood stirred by the intensity.

Boom, boom, boom... Boom!! Yun Che unleashed over a dozen consecutive sword strikes, finally forcing Lu Lengchuan back a step. But this time, even as flames engulfed him, Lu Lengchuan's face remained serene. Previously, when his Grand Dragon Sacred Realm had been easily torn open by Luo Changsheng, it hadn't seemed all that formidable. However, facing it himself now, Yun Che truly understood the terrifying power of the Heaven Overturning Realm's strongest ultimate technique.

Lu Lengchuan had indeed fulfilled his promise to use his full strength. Now with an irreversible advantage, he still held nothing back, activating the third layer of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm. From the moment Lu Lengchuan activated the first layer of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm, Yun Che had been relegated to a losing position. Now, Yun Che was severely injured, while Lu Lengchuan was protected by three layers of the Grand Dragon Sacred Realm... He was thoroughly defeated, with no hope or possibility remaining. Everyone believed this to be true. Yet, they also universally agreed that Yun Che, though defeated, had lost no honor whatsoever. Given his age, his cultivation, and his initial ability to suppress Lu Lengchuan, he was glorious even in defeat.

Lu Lengchuan, clutching the Sky-Rending Spear, slowly advanced towards Yun Che, whose body was now stained with blood. By this point, he could have directly urged Yun Che to surrender. But he refrained, for Yun Che's still fierce gaze conveyed that even if he were to fall, he would fight until his last breath. Suggesting surrender would not offer relief but only insult him. As Lu Lengchuan drew closer, a heavy pressure likewise advanced with each step. Yun Che leaned on the Heaven Punishing Sword with his right arm, gasping heavily. Then, his left arm suddenly made a strange gesture. His arm slowly lifted, palm facing the sky.