Library of Heaven’s Path

“You’re the fake.”

The voice of the deity was resounding, similar to pieces of metal clanging with one another. His tone was impassive but absolute.

Through Sovereign Chen Ling’s thoughts, it was already apparent to the deity whom the fake was.

As a being from a higher dimension, it was already a great embarrassment for him to have been played for a fool by someone from a lower dimension. If word spread, he could die of humiliation. There was no doubt that there was already a bundle of rage burning deep in his heart.

“Heh, it seems like I’ve been exposed!”

The very willingness of Sovereign Chen Ling to offer his soul up to the deity made a fundamental difference in their positions. This was something that Zhang Xuan would never be willing to do. As such, it had also become the greatest opening to his disguise.

With some awkward laughter, he raised his arm and charged forward.

Hu!

The Dragonbone Divine Spear flew into hands, and with a powerful thrust, he pierced the spear right toward the deity.

Tzla!

The strength from Zhang Xuan’s body, zhenqi, and soul was focused precisely at the very tip of the Dragonbone Divine Spear, imbuing it with the strength to shatter even spacetime.

This was an attack that would destroy even Sovereign Chen Ling in a heartbeat, skewering him mercilessly like a helpless deer.

Since his disguise had failed him, he had to make the first move. If he could, by any chance, catch the deity off guard and kill him, that would be for the best.

If he could not kill the deity, at the very least, he would still have the advantage from taking the initiative.

Considering how the deity had taken Sovereign Chen Ling in as his subordinate, as well as the little regard that he had for the beings living in this world, it was likely that there was no room for reconciliation at all. Since that was the case, there was no need for Zhang Xuan to play the good man.

“Pfft!”

Seeing Zhang Xuan’s move, the deity sneered coldly. He placed his hands behind his back, not bothering to dodge at all.

Weng!

Before the Dragonbone Divine Spear could pierce into his chest, it was swept away by another current of energy. It was like a wooden sword striking metal armor; it was completely ineffective. Zhang Xuan was unable to push the spear any deeper in.

Seeing such a sight, sweat erupted from Zhang Xuan’s every pore.

He had known that the deity was a fearsome figure, but the latter’s strength surpassed all of his expectations.

The deity was actually able to ward against his attack with just the basic zhenqi protecting his body!

Kacha! Kacha!

Knowing that the situation was not in his favor, Zhang Xuan hurriedly pulled out his spear as hard as he could, but the space in front of the deity’s chest suddenly collapsed inward. Stuck in the midst of broken shards of space, he found himself unable to retract the Dragonbone Divine Spear no matter how he tugged.

Following which, the voice of the Dragonbone Divine Spear echoed in his ears. “Master, I’m injured…”

Zhang Xuan hurriedly turned his gaze over and saw some wear and tear on the tip of the Dragonbone Divine Spear. There were some cracks on the dragon scales cloaking its surface, and it seemed like crimson blood was trickling out from the cracks.

“He’s too powerful. How are we supposed to fight against such an opponent?”

If the deity was already so powerful without making an active move, would they not be obliterated the moment he made a move?

He had thought that he would be peerless among the Ancient Sages now that he wielded the strength equivalent to a Blood Reincarnation realm cultivator and had the Dragonbone Divine Spear in his grasp. However, it was obvious that he had been too optimistic.

“We have to make a move as well, or else all of us will die here!”

Seeing such a sight, Sovereign Chen Yong immediately realized that if they did not make a move, they would be massacred like helpless lambs in a moment’s time. Thus, he quickly drew his saber and charged forward.

At the same time, Ancient Sage Allfire raised his massive claws. Concentrated flames burst forth from his body, and it seemed as if he would set the entire world alit.

Ancient Sage Mo Ling and the others did not laze around either. They quickly rose into the air and made their moves in coordination with the rest.

The group that was gathered there could already be considered the pinnacle fighting prowess of the entire Otherworldly Demonic Tribe. Their might combined could impale even the heavens.

Yet, in the face of this formidable might, the deity leisurely raised his hand and flicked his finger.

Po!

A spacetime turbulence immediately stormed ahead, sweeping all of the attacks away with it. In the blink of an eye, the devastating force created by the combined prowess of the group dissipated entirely, as if it had never existed at all.

However, their interference did manage to buy some time for Zhang Xuan to retract his spear and return to Sovereign Chen Yong’s side. Nevertheless, the absolute difference in their strengths was a huge blow to the group’s morale.

With such a powerful line up, even the peak Sovereign Chen Yong would have been killed in an instant, unable to retaliate at all. Yet, this deity had managed to stop them with just a simple flick of his finger.

It was almost as if they were ants standing before a colossal giant!

Was this the strength that a Dimension Shatterer realm cultivator wielded?

It had really exceeded his wildest imagination.

“Not too bad. It seems like the lot of you aren’t too worthless.” The deity chuckled softly, but there was not the slightest emotion behind his words at all. He glanced down at the group below and said, “Just like him, submit to me, and I can spare your lives. Know that I have little patience for the likes of you, so make up your mind quick.”

“You want us to submit to you? Dream on!” Sovereign Chen Yong spat contemptuously.

As the highest leader of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, he was obligated to ensure the welfare of his own tribesmen. If he was willing to bow down to a higher power in exchange for greater power, he would never have landed himself in such a state.

“Oh? Let me see how much those guts of yours are worth then!” the deity uttered coldly before snapping his finger.

There was not the slightest sound, and there was not any attack to be seen. Yet, Sovereign Chen Yong’s face suddenly scrunched together in pain.

Boom!

A massive hole was created in his abdomen, and his figure whizzed through the air at a terrifying speed. Fresh blood continuously spurted from the punctured hole, raining crimson droplets upon the world.

He had already been severely injured in the first place, and this strike left him in an even worse position. If not for the hatred and rage in his heart, he probably would not have even made it so far.

He could feel his body approaching its limits, and it felt like all that was required was one last push for his body to come to a complete breakdown.

The astonished Zhang Xuan hurriedly flitted over to Sovereign Chen Yong’s side and infused the healing energy that he had put into the Canvas of Four Seasons into the latter’s body. However, to his horror, he realized that it was completely ineffective. As if trying to mix oil and water together, the healing energy simply refused to assimilate with Sovereign Chen Yong’s body.

Sovereign Chen Yong shook his head and explained weakly, “This energy is molded to suit Sovereign Chen Ling’s constitution so as to effectively heal his body. It won’t work on anyone else. The only reason that you were able to absorb it is because the disguise amulet alters your body on a fundamental level, thus making you compatible with the energy as well.”

At the same time, he took out a pill and swallowed it. A moment later, his complexion finally alleviated slightly.

The power bestowed by a deity could only be received by the person who had initiated the ritual. It was only because Zhang Xuan was able to disguise his body on a fundamental level that he had been able to snatch the energy intended for Sovereign Chen Ling, but Sovereign Chen Yong was unable to do the same.

The Spirit God had only helped him hide his aura so as to conceal the fact that he was an Otherworldly Demon. He was a mere servant, so there was no way that the Spirit God would bestow something as invaluable as the disguise amulet to him.

“This…” Zhang Xuan frowned.

He stowed his painting away before turning his eyes back to the deity in the sky.

The deity did not continue his assault after incapacitating Sovereign Chen Yong. He simply gazed down loftily at the crowd below as if a conqueror who had everyone’s life and death in his grasp.

It was clear that the deity did not even view Zhang Xuan and the others as a threat to him. They were simply bugs whom he could crush at a whim, so their life and death was inconsequential to him.

The deity turned to the rest of the crowd who had stood up against him earlier and asked, “What about the rest of you?”

There was a moment of silence. A mixture of hesitation and fear rendered them unable to speak.

Seeing that there was no response at all, the deity snapped his fingers once more.

Peng peng peng!

Ancient Sage Allfire, Ancient Sage Mo Ling, and the other Ancient Sages were sent flying simultaneously. The immense force made their faces blanch, and blood seeped from the corners of their lips.

“It takes nothing for me to kill the lot of you, and there’s nothing you can possibly do that could affect me. This is absolute strength. We live in a world where the strong reign mighty, and the weak can either bow in submission or accept their death. There’s no need for your little minds to think so hard; the situation is very clear. There are only two choices before you—death or subordination. Like I said, my patience is limited. I’ll only give you one chance to choose. If you make the wrong decision, don’t expect me to show you mercy!”

The deity placed his hands behind his back as he spoke with the absolute authority of a tyrant.

It was as if he would behead anyone who dared question him.

“Will you spare us as long as we submit to you?” an Ancient Sage standing behind Ancient Sage Allfire asked meekly.

“Of course! Not only will I spare you, I’ll even help you to unite the Spirit Tribe and place the entire Master Teacher Continent under your rule. You’ll be in a position of unparalleled authority, standing above all beings except for me,” the deity replied nonchalantly.

“This…” Hearing those words, the face of the Ancient Sage swiftly flushed crimson in agitation. There was a moment of conflict as the concepts of freedom and power clashed in his mind, but it did not take long for him to make up his mind. Lowering his head, he kneeled down in servility and declared, “O great deity, I pledge to serve you with my life!”

The reason that he had chosen to help Sovereign Chen Yong was as a favor. If he could help Sovereign Chen Yong return to his original position, his standing in the Spirit Tribe would rise above the others’. However, the appearance of the deity changed everything. With his life at stake, there was no reason for him to persist just for Sovereign Chen Yong.