Chapter 1858: Powerful Deity

"You're a fake!"

The voice was like clashing metal. The "deity's" face was devoid of any emotion. In the "deity's" eyes, Zhang Xuan was as good as dead.

As a being from the heavens, to be fooled by a native of the lower realm and unable to distinguish truth from falsehood—if this news spread, it would be utterly humiliating. The "deity" must have accumulated a tremendous amount of fury.

"Heh heh!"

Knowing that Emperor Chen Ling's 'submission' was his biggest bluff, Zhang Xuan understood the deity would never truly accept it, as even the most perfect disguise revealed a flaw. Zhang Xuan gave an awkward chuckle and snatched at the air. The Dragonbone Divine Spear immediately appeared in his palm. With a raised eyebrow, he thrust the spear, tearing through the air.

Swoosh!

The spear carried the power to twist and extinguish space, imbued with Zhang Xuan's entire strength. His physical body, his witch soul, and his true qi were perfectly concentrated. Even Emperor Chen Ling would be unable to withstand this strike and would be instantly pierced through.

Since his identity had been exposed, Zhang Xuan decided to strike first and see if he could kill this being. If he couldn't kill him, he would at least seize the initiative. Since this being had been brought forth by Emperor Chen Ling's ritual and now claimed to be his master, there was no longer any room for negotiation, nor any need to play nice.

"Heh!"

Seeing his move, the "deity" sneered, keeping his hands clasped behind his back, making no attempt to dodge. The Dragonbone Divine Spear aimed at his chest, but before it could even reach him, it was blocked by a stream of qi, like a wooden sword striking iron armor—it had no effect and could not advance an inch.

Zhang Xuan's scalp tingled. He had long realized this fellow was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be *this* formidable. With just his protective true qi, he had fended off Zhang Xuan's full-force attack.

*Crack! Crack!*

He frantically tried to pull the spear back but found that the space in front of the deity's chest was shattering, and the spear seemed to be stuck within the fractured space, making it impossible to withdraw.

Immediately after, the Dragonbone Divine Spear's voice echoed in his ear: "Master, I'm injured..." He quickly looked and indeed saw wear on the spearhead, with cracks appearing on its surface dragon scales, as if blood was seeping out.

"He's too strong, there's no way to fight him..." If the opponent was this powerful without even making a move, wouldn't he be easily annihilated if he truly struck? Zhang Xuan had thought that with the combat power of the Droplet of Blood Rebirth realm and the Dragonbone Divine Spear, he would no longer fear Ancient Sages. Now, it seemed, that was not the case at all.

"Attack! Otherwise, we'll all die here!"

Witnessing this scene, Emperor Chen Yong understood that if they didn't act now, they might be easily killed, just like before. He could no longer restrain himself and slashed his long saber downwards. Ancient Sage Huoxu also raised his thick hooves, burning with flames as if to scorch the heavens and earth red. Ancient Sage Moling and the other few didn't dare to hesitate, attacking together.

These individuals represented the strongest combat power of the entire Empyrean race. Their combined attack seemed to pierce through the heavens and earth. The "deity" raised his hand from behind his back and flicked his fingers. A rapidly emerging spatial storm swept up the incoming attacks. In the blink of an eye, the combined forces were neutralized and dissolved into nothingness, as if they had never existed.

Zhang Xuan took the opportunity to pull his spear back and returned to Emperor Chen Yong and the others. Turning his head, he saw that everyone had looks of horror on their faces. So many powerful experts, combined, would have instantly killed Emperor Chen Yong even at his peak, leaving no room for resistance. Yet, this being had effortlessly fended them off with a mere flick of his finger, without taking a single step back... Was this the combat power of the Void Shattering realm? How could it be so immense?

"Quite impressive, you still possess some strength!"

With a faint smile, the "deity" looked at everyone, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion: "Like him, submit to me and become my servants, and I can spare your lives! Otherwise, today will be your dying day!"

"Submission? Never!"

Emperor Chen Yong gritted his teeth, forcing down the true qi that churned in his chest, threatening to explode at any moment. He was the First Emperor; had he been willing to abandon his dignity, perhaps the situation wouldn't have come to this.

"Then let me see how much backbone you possess!"

With a soft hum, the "deity" flicked his finger. No sound was heard, no attack seen, yet Emperor Chen Yong's face suddenly changed.

A large hole instantly burst open in his chest, sending him flying backward. In mid-air, blood continuously gushed from him. He was already gravely injured, on the verge of death. Had it not been for the hatred and fury in his heart, he likely wouldn't have even made it back here. Attacked again, adding injury upon injury, just one strike made him feel his body was on the verge of collapse, almost unbearable.

Zhang Xuan hastily poured the healing energy he had absorbed into the other's body, but found it had no effect at all, like oil and water, unable to merge.

"This is power obtained by Emperor Chen Ling through ritual, based on his own physique. Others cannot use it. Young Master was able to heal because he disguised himself as Emperor Chen Ling..." Shaking his head, Emperor Chen Yong took out a pill and swallowed it. His complexion improved slightly as he spoke.

The power granted by the deity could only be used by the one who performed the ritual. While the Young Master could perfectly mimic Emperor Chen Ling and absorb this power, Emperor Chen Yong himself could not. When he went to the Master Teacher Continent, the Spirit God had only helped him conceal his aura and hide his Empyrean identity, not bestowed upon him a talisman that allowed such disguise.

"This..."

Retrieving his scroll, Zhang Xuan looked up again at the "deity" in the air. He saw that the deity did not continue his attack, but merely gazed coldly at them, as if he had already mastered everyone's life and death.

To be honest, with his current strength, he truly didn't care whether these people lived or died. Even all of them combined were no match for a single strike, let alone attempting to kill him.

"And what about you?"

Seeing that no one spoke, the "deity" flicked his finger again.

*Thump! Thump! Thump!*

Ancient Sage Huoxu, Ancient Sage Moling, and the remaining few Sages simultaneously flew backward, their faces pale, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

"Killing you is as easy as turning my hand, yet you are powerless against me... This is strength. In this world, the strong prey on the weak, and power is paramount. Do you wish to die, or become my servants? I will give you one chance to choose. Choose incorrectly, and you will remain here forever..."

With his hands clasped behind his back once more, the "deity" looked on indifferently, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. It was as if anyone who disagreed would be instantly slain.

"If we submit to you, you won't kill us?" An Ancient Sage behind Ancient Sage Huoxu gritted his teeth and asked.

"Of course. Not only will I spare your lives, but I will also help you unify the Spirit Race, and even the Master Teacher Continent, allowing you to truly rule the world and possess supreme power..." The "deity" said indifferently.

"This..."

The inquiring Ancient Sage paused, his face flushing then paling, his teeth clenched: "I am willing to submit..." He had helped Emperor Chen Yong out of a sense of gratitude, hoping to gain greater benefits by supporting a rising power. But now that the "deity" had appeared and death loomed, he naturally would not continue to resist.