Chapter 2016: Deep Abyss God Ember

The spattering blood mist blurred everyone's vision, stinging their eyes and hearts.

Everyone could see at a glance that Mo Cangying was desperately trying to save Yun Che's life, even willing to face the immense pressure from eleven half-step Divine Extinction powerhouses, all of whom were Overlords of Linxian. His sudden move was clearly a last resort, an attempt to forcibly kill the doomed Long Jiang to stop Yun Che's "folly" and secure a final chance at survival for him.

But the consequence... he didn't receive the anger and condemnation from Ximen Borong and the others. Instead, Yun Che, whom he had tried so hard to protect, struck him down with a single sword. There wasn't even a trace of reluctance or hesitation. After the falling blood rain, not a single ripple of emotion could be seen in those eyes.

Ku Xuan froze, as did Helian, Zhaike Xie... everyone stood stunned for a moment. "Yun Che, you..." Helian's face twitched, contorting into a grimace. "What... are... you doing!"

He had never anticipated this scene, nor could he comprehend it. Yun Che's terrifyingly heavy footsteps were still the only response. This time, even Helian's heart gave a violent lurch. Ximen Borong, Zhaike Xie, and Wan Wei could no longer bring themselves to smile... that utterly cruel and merciless sword stroke, coupled with a malevolent aura so sinister it almost defied comprehension, caused a sudden unease to well up in the hearts of these Linxian Overlords.

A sound of exploding rock ripped through the stillness. Ku Xuan's ancient eyes were fully covered in profound light, making it impossible to tell if it was pain or sorrow. His arms transformed into rock, instantly unleashing a heaven-shattering force, aimed directly at Yun Che's chest. Wherever those ancient hands passed, space was peeled away layer by layer, and the sand sea below instantly split into a chasm a thousand feet deep.

His lifespan was dwindling; every strike he made led to a decline in his vitality. He could no longer recall when he last used his full power, but this time... every ounce of his rocky strength exuded a suicidal determination. This determination wasn't due to Mo Cangying's death, but because he sensed extreme danger emanating from Yun Che. Despite being merely a Divine Sovereign, those eyes, that malevolence... when he touched it, he felt as though he was being dragged down into a bottomless abyss of darkness, from which he could never escape.

His previous gentleness and calmness were false, as was his friendship with Mo Cangying and his closeness to Helian Lingzhu. In fact... the very incident where he was supposedly saved by Helian Lingzhu and Mo Cangying was a lie! It is said that when one's life is nearing its end, they can vaguely glimpse the secrets of heaven. When Yun Che shed his disguise, what appeared in Ku Xuan's eyes... was like a world-destroying demon god, devoid of humanity and emotion.

The light before Yun Che dimmed as Ku Xuan's destructive rock force layered over the world in front of him, accompanied by a roar like a desperate beast, resonating with terrifying rocky might. Sixty percent of his power covered Yun Xi, while forty percent surged into his right arm, and the Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword was thrust straight up.

BOOM! The sand sea overturned, and massive rocks exploded. Amidst the rock explosion that shook over half of the Lin God Realm, Yun Che was instantly sent back several miles. The ground beneath his feet continuously fractured as he rapidly retreated.

Upon first meeting Ku Xuan, Yun Che had already noticed the profound depth of his profound energy. While not as great as that of Nan Zhaoming and Nan Zhaoguang, the quasi-knights who followed Mo Beichen, it was definitely superior to Long Bai's back then. The current Yun Che was slightly stronger than when he fought Long Bai. However, using only forty percent of his strength against Ku Xuan's full power, he was still at a slight disadvantage.

And those eleven half-step Divine Extinction Linxian Overlords were all beings no weaker than Nan Zhaoming and Nan Zhaoguang. Helian and the others' faces instantly showed shock. That was Ku Xuan's full-power strike, poured out with all his will, unleashing the destructive rocky might of a Divine Master at its peak. Yet, it only managed to... push back Yun Che, who was holding his sword with one hand? A Divine Sovereign cultivation, single-handedly blocking a full-power strike from a peak Divine Master... all eleven half-step Divine Extinction powerhouses gasped in silent awe. The shocking power he displayed at the Lin God Assembly was not his full strength at all... it was merely a casual display, a playful diversion! What kind of background, what kind of talent... could produce such a monstrous anomaly that completely defied comprehension and twisted common sense! And he was only thirty years old! When such a monstrous anomaly grew to full power, what difference would there be between crushing them and crushing ants?!

A chilling cold and murderous intent surged wildly within their hearts... including Helian's. Such a terrifying individual, now that they had openly broken ties... had to be killed! They even felt extremely fortunate that he was still young and trapped within a secret realm cut off from the outside world, meaning that, at least for now, he was completely within their control.

"He... Yun Che... must die!" Zhaike Xie's voice was squeezed out from between unconsciously clenched teeth.

BOOM! An explosion erupted again. The collapsing sand sea crumbled further, and Ku Xuan attacked once more. His withered body, enveloped in intense rocky light, was like a soaring giant eagle swooping down on Yun Che. As he drew near, three thousand rock spears had formed around him, each one flashing with soul-piercing, dazzling, ultimate rocky light.

Yun Che slowly raised his head... The moment their gazes met, Ku Xuan's originally ruthless and unstoppable momentum abruptly paused. Despite being pushed back, despite facing a certain death situation, there wasn't the slightest trace of anxiety, anger, or unwillingness in his eyes. His calmness was terrifying. Ku Xuan had a moment of disorientation... It was as if they had awakened a devil that had previously concealed its fangs.

The vermillion greatsword heavily plunged into the sand sea. And in Yun Che's hand, a yellow glow suddenly appeared... Though merely a ball of divine light the size of a palm, it instantly dominated everyone's vision, penetrating directly into their souls. It was infinitely more profound than the rocky light from the fusion of three thousand rock spears. What... was that?

What appeared in Yun Che's hand was precisely the Heretic God Seed from the deceased Lin God. However, in his current situation, he naturally had no time to complete the fusion. But this Heretic God Seed contained the Lin God's final, and entire, source power. If he were to gradually refine it while fusing with the final Heretic God Seed, his cultivation would surely increase significantly. But at this moment, it no longer mattered.

The plans for a complete retreat, the rapid progress... none of it mattered anymore! Everything in the Abyss was like weeds that he had to ruthlessly cut away; nothing could entangle his heart or soul. But in his arms... was his daughter! Her safety surpassed all living and dead beings in the Abyss!!

The Heretic God Seed, emitting a rich Lin Light, was slammed against his chest, directly embedding itself into his flesh. In the battle against Mo Beichen, he had sacrificed all the divine sources on his body. The power attached to the Heretic God Seed, however, was raw divine source directly from the Lin God, untouched by any pollution, damage, or inheritance. In terms of capacity alone, it surpassed any divine source he had sacrificed in the God Realm. It was enough for him to resolutely unleash his first... Divine Annihilation!!

BOOM――――――

There was no roar of intense pain, no furious bellow of release... only violently bursting flesh and a wave of energy that instantly overturned a hundred thousand miles of sand sea. "Ugh...!?" Ku Xuan's pouncing form was blasted backward mid-air by the energy wave, and half of his three thousand rock spears shattered. Behind his ears, a chorus of confused and horrified gasps overlapped. Before his eyes, all other presences had completely vanished, leaving only a vermillion sword light and a pair of eyes like blood abysses. The rock spears, condensed from his ultimate power, shattered into pieces... not merely breaking, but directly turning to dust. His ancient features rapidly warped and distorted under the approaching terrifying pressure, until finally, only a pair of completely drained eyes could be faintly discerned.

The fading light deep within those eyes was not shock, nor fear, but bewilderment. A bewilderment inexplicable unless one was trapped in a nightmare.

CRASH! Yun Che pierced through Ku Xuan's side. The three thousand rock spears, like fleeting fireflies, all vanished into the swirling sand. Ku Xuan's body, along with the rocky light covering him, was severed at the waist... then shattered further by the immediately following Divine Annihilation power, fragmenting again, until, as it fell, nothing remained but a rain of blood mixed with endless sand.

This scene, even through the pervasive sandstorm, was reflected with terrifying clarity in everyone's eyes. Eleven pairs of pupils rapidly dilated, then frantically contracted, as if countless bloodthirsty, deranged Nine Nether devils had been hammered into them.

"Demi... Demigod..." From within the dust, Ximen Borong's voice was squeezed out from his throat. He looked at Yun Che, sensing the aura emanating from him. For the first time in his life, he couldn't believe his eyes, nor could he trust his spiritual perception. He had endured the might of a Demigod many times from Ximen Boyun, making him exceptionally familiar with it and fueling his endless yearning and desire. Yet the Yun Che before him still possessed the profound aura of a Divine Sovereign. But this terrifying pressure, which made his entire body go limp and his soul tremble uncontrollably... was clearly the might of a Demigod realm! Moreover, it surpassed Ximen Boyun! No... it even faintly surpassed Mo Beichen, who was practically a Linxian legend back then!

Their shock had not yet turned into fear when that terrifying nightmare-like pressure abruptly drew closer. The first target was Helian, who was closest. In his Divine Annihilation state, Yun Che's rampaging power was not the only thing unleashed. His instantaneous movement, tearing through space, allowed the dazed and trembling Helian to barely raise his arms. An explosive roar erupted before Helian. Both of his forearms instantly shattered, and his blood-spraying body was slammed down, plunging into the sand sea to an unknown depth, buried by the surging quicksand along with his agonizing screams.

CRASHING BOOM!! With just a shift of his body, he unleashed a thunderous sound. Ximen Borong had barely conceived the thought of escape when a vermillion flash appeared before his eyes, and his body instantly felt as if it were crushed by ten thousand mountains, completely suffocated. "Yun Che, stop..." BOOM!! Ximen Borong's panicked attempt to speak was met with Yun Che's sword slamming into his body. His protective rock armor shattered instantly like thin paper, and a several-inch-deep gash was blasted open across Ximen Borong's chest. After the spattering blood mist, his fractured ribs and displaced vital organs were clearly visible.

"Alliance Master!!" Amidst the heart-wrenching, terrified shouts of the Chief of Bailin Hall, Ximen Borong was sent tumbling through the air like a broken blood bag. Yun Che's body suddenly paused... A wisp of profound energy transformed into water, gently washing away a speck of blood that had accidentally splashed onto Yun Xi's hair. In the very next instant, he went directly for Zhaike Xie.

One sword shattered Helian's arms, another severely wounded Ximen Borong. This was the vast difference between so-called half-step Divine Extinction and the true might of Divine Extinction. A mere half-step, yet a world of difference. This was also why, when faced with the opportunity to achieve demigod status, they could become so senselessly frenzied. However, the price of their greed arrived so swiftly, and it was far more terrifying and soul-crushing than even their worst imagined outcome.

"Sect Master... Go! Quick, go!!" With Ku Xuan, Helian, and Ximen Borong already defeated, everyone else was utterly terrified. How could they possibly have any thought of fighting him? As for the idea of "silencing" him just moments before, it had become the most ludicrous and tragic, yet unregrettable, foolish joke of their lives.

Zhaike Xie held extremely high prestige within the Panxuan Sect, which compelled the three Panxuan Elders not to flee. Instead, they combined their efforts to push Zhaike Xie away, then collectively attacked Yun Che. Zhaike Xie was pushed over ten miles by the energy waves unleashed by the three elders. He didn't look back, his profound energy erupting wildly around him as he fled westward like a terrified dog. The three Panxuan Elders' power originated from the same source, allowing them to perfectly understand each other's strength as if it were their own. The moment they acted, their powers seamlessly merged, spreading out an isolating profound formation a thousand feet in diameter, directly enveloping Yun Che. As it approached, the thousand-foot profound formation rapidly contracted, tightly sealing off the space where Yun Che stood.

Yun Che unleashed a sword strike. BOOM―――― The isolating profound formation instantly shattered into countless cracks. The three Panxuan Elders felt as if they had been struck by a divine hammer; their bodies trembled violently, their faces turned pale, and blood surged from their lungs into their throats, only to be forcibly swallowed back down. "GRAHAAAH――" They roared with furious eyes, yet stubbornly refused to retreat a single step. The cracks on the isolating profound formation rapidly healed under their desperate surge of power. But the very next instant, black flames suddenly erupted from the vermillion greatsword. The isolating profound formation, which concentrated all three of their powers, was instantly burned through by these sinister black flames... like cheap cloth. The profound formation abruptly collapsed, and the enormous backlash caused the three Panxuan Elders to simultaneously spew blood mist. Accompanying their collapsed power was the greatest, and final, nightmare of their lives.

The greatsword, wreathed in the Eternal Calamity Devil Flame, slammed down directly onto the crowns of their heads from above. The brutal sword might drowned out their screams. The three Panxuan Elders plummeted through the air like three flaming meteorites. Yun Che stood still, his indifferent eyes fixed forward, as the Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword ruthlessly slammed down. RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BOOM―――― One sword, like a falling Heavenly Wolf, tore them into a thousand pieces; another sword, severing heaven and earth, buried them in a deeper abyss of death... Finally, using their three bodies as a vessel, a conjoined sea of dark flames erupted.

The desolate screams, like the wails of ten thousand ghosts, made Zhaike Xie instinctively turn his head. He caught a glimpse of the three Elders, the sect's strongest pillars, twisting and rolling in the black flames, like three wretched devils being roasted by Nine Nether Sin Flames. His scalp instantly went numb, and a bone-chilling cold shot through his spine... indeed, through every bone in his entire body. He couldn't bear it, nor dared he look for another instant. He frantically unleashed his profound energy as if insane, wishing he could rupture his own profound veins. But just as he turned his head back, a thunderous boom suddenly exploded in his ears. His averted gaze met a pair of eyes... eyes that instantly shattered his courage and will. "Yun..." Only a single syllable managed to escape his wildly chattering teeth before the world before his eyes suddenly turned pitch black. His head had vanished from his body.

It was blasted away by Yun Che's sword. The extreme shock and terror caused the sect master of Linxian's foremost sect to even forget to conjure his protective profound energy, which had long become an instinct.

In mere moments, all four strongest individuals of the Panxuan Sect had been annihilated. Throughout, Yun Che offered them not a single word, nor even a moment's respite... because every figure in his sight was marked for death! The sins they had committed were unforgivable, even by ten thousand deaths.