Translator: Sparrow Translations  Editor: Sparrow Translations

The Destiny Kid unleashed the second appearance of the Bell of Destiny, the River of Time and fused it with the Yingzhou Celestial Mountain's Nameless Ancient Formation.

The Nameless Ancient Formation arrested consciousness and rationality, and the energy that it released to seal s.p.a.ce was suddenly infused with two streams of mystical energy that were completely opposite yet were seamlessly integrated.

It appeared like sinuous water, irreversible like the eternal pa.s.sage of time. Everything solid and impregnable would decay and wither away as they were rinsed by the river of time.

Yet it appeared like this moment was completely frozen in time. This moment seemed unmoving and infinite through the never-ending ebbing of time, and n.o.body could leave a single mark upon it.

The Nameless Ancient Formation rotated in the air and blocked off Liang Pan, Zhu Hongwu, the Imperial Palace and the Great Heavenly Wheels.

Liang Pan channeled the Supreme Reign Divine Light onto Zhu Hongwu, who appeared like a world-destroying demon G.o.d as he threw out another punch. The uncountable worlds, the vast areas of Nirvana and the power of the Divine Lands appeared to concentrate into this one strike as they amplified the strengths of the other and their combined power reached an unimaginable level.

This punch landed upon the Nameless Ancient Formation and the jade planks that lined up in formation began to crack under the pressure, as if they would fall apart at any time.

However, this single instance of hindrance allowed Zhu Yi and the Higan Golden Bridge to catch up. He threw immense force against Zhu Hongwu and forced Zhu Hongwu to turn back and retaliate. Otherwise, even if he could break through the Nameless Ancient Formation, he wouldn't have the strength to run away and he would have to take a hit from Zhu Yi – this would separate him from the Imperial Palace and the Great Heavenly Wheels.

Inside Zhu Yi's Taiji Diagram in the middle of his eyebrows within his virtual ent.i.ty, the Two Elements of Creation Formation continued to spin around with the Crucible of the Divine Lands at its center and provided indescribable strength to Zhu Yi continuously.

The Higan Golden Bridge extended across the heavens and abruptly bored down upon Zhu Hongwu and subsequently suppressed him, the Imperial Palace and the Great Heavenly Wheels underneath.

s.h.i.+ Tianhao's palms moved continuously on top of the bridge as his aura suddenly changed. He transformed from the Huangshen Body to the Yingyuan Body as his intimidating physical strength disappeared and he unleashed his Primal Taiji Diagram, his immortal soul avatar.

The Twelve Divine Generals' spiritual form above the Higan Golden Bridge behind him changed as well, and their spiritual forms were converted into solid form as they transformed into twelve golden figures that supported the Higan Golden Bridge in suppressing their opponents.

The Origin Golden Cup glimmered inside Zhu Yi's virtual ent.i.ty. Ray after ray of flowing light poured down from the golden disc like a waterfall and nourished Zhu Yi's immortal soul, greatly boosting his power.

Such immense power came down upon them, and no matter how much Zhu Hongwu and Liang Pan channeled their strength, they were eventually arrested by the Higan Golden Bridge. Their initiative was gone even though their defenses were not yet broken, and they were barely holding on.

Zhu Hongwu intended to unleash his power explosively but his movements and intentions all fell into Zhu Yi's eyes. Just as the pores on Zhu Hongwu's body trembled and he wanted to forcefully shake the Higan Golden Bridge away, Zhu Yi rained down a violent strike of Dao of the Way upon him. Zhu Yi's strike clashed violently with that of Zhu Hongwu, and Zhu Hongwu's power was immediately dispelled into nothingness.

The Dao of the Way was immensely powerful, but it drew upon the Annihilation of the Dao Energy and was a huge burden to Zhu Yi's immortal soul.

However, Zhu Yi had the Origin Golden Cup, the Two Elements of Creation Formation as well as the Crucible of the Divine Lands to back him up. The power of his Dao of the Way was amplified, and he was able to use it again and again.

Zhu Yi's offense became tighter and tighter while the Higan Golden Bridge's power seemed to increase over time. The pressure on Liang Pan and Zhu Hongwu below the bridge only grew heavier.

Their rate of explosiveness eventually lagged behind Zhu Yi's rate of release. In the end, cracks started to appear on Zhu Hongwu's crystal-like form.

The Great Heavenly Wheels and the Imperial Palace hummed incessantly and shuddered, as if they were in agonizing pain.

“Your majesty – take the Imperial Palace and find a way out. I will give my own life to open a path for you!” Zhu Hongwu's expression suddenly grew calm before he grabbed the Great Heavenly Wheels and slammed it against the Nameless Ancient Formation that was blocking their way out.

His gla.s.s-like body started burning with golden flames, similar to the way the Anirrudha Golden Form burned up from before.

The rings of Supreme Reign Divine Light gradually disappeared. Liang Pan's original body withdrew from its radiance inside the Imperial Palace, but his face appeared a lot more pale and weak than before.

The scenario they were most afraid of happened. They weren't able to force back their opponents, but he was no longer able to continue channeling the Supreme Reign Divine Light. Not only was he not able to use his Holy Light of Creation anymore, his original body was extremely exhausted from the prolonged and draining engagement that just took place and his powers were at currently at the bottom of the abyss.

Zhu Hongwu's hidden problems regarding his premature rebirth were acting up now and it was hard for him to continue as well.

When there's life, there's hope. However, it would be hard for Liang Pan to rise again if he lost Zhu Hongwu and the Great Heavenly Wheels even if he had the Imperial Palace with him.

At this point, Zhu Hongwu couldn't be bothered with so much anymore and he channeled the Great Heavenly Wheels with all his might. He relied upon the horrifying power that resembled the end of the world and finally opened a hole on the Nameless Ancient Formation that was already riddled with cracks.

Buddhist light surged around his body and sparkled with raging flames. There was a feeling of a path to nirvana, of peace and of freedom as he pounced towards the Higan Golden Bridge.

Liang Pan watched Zhu Hongwu's lunge towards the Higan Golden Bridge and he roared, “Hongwu, you…”

Zhu Hongwu's voice resonated in the great hall inside the Imperial Palace. “That b.a.s.t.a.r.d may have severed his blood ties with me, but he won't kill me. He wants to capture me alive – as long as I'm alive, there will be a chance to come back. Your majesty, you need to leave now. Before it's too late!”

“Your majesty, leave now! Go!”

Liang Pan heaved a heavy sigh. The Imperial Palace trembled and surged towards the hole inside the Nameless Ancient Formation with lightning speed.

Zhu Hongwu's body was almost entirely consumed by flames as he crashed against the bottom of the Higan Golden Bridge like a giant rock.

He had lost the combined power of the Imperial Palace and the Great Heavenly Wheels, and he himself was already on the last ounces of strength. Even if he consumed his entire body, cras.h.i.+ng against the Higan Golden Bridge at this point was undoubtedly an endeavor doomed to fail.

Zhu Yi stood atop the Higan Golden Bridge and his voice was loud and crisp. “You wish to die, and you wish to use my intention of capturing you alive to give Liang Pan a chance to escape?”

Defeating a person in battle, killing a person and capturing a person alive while taking away his freedom of movement were completely different things.

The runes of Zhu Yi's Way of Changes continued to play out and he could see everything with crystal-clear clarity, and he immediately recognized Zhu Hongwu's intentions.

“It's a good idea – a pity that it's useless,” Zhu Yi's tone was calm and casual. “The gap between you and me, between the whole lot of you and the Celestial Sect of Wonders is too great. The life and death of every single one of you have never been up to you since the very beginning.”

As he spoke, the Two Elements of Creation Formation flew out with the Crucible of the Divine Lands as its core from between his eyebrows. It expanded in void s.p.a.ce and pressed down against the Imperial Palace that was attempting to escape.

Liang Pan forcefully channeled the Imperial Palace once again. Emperor Tai's light shadow appeared above the great hall and the chaos bolts appeared once more. He wanted to use the Extreme Emperor Heaven-Splitting Mantra's explosive power to temporarily hold off the Two Elements of Creation Formation.

Right at this moment, a small child appeared inside the crack in the Nameless Ancient Formation – it was the Destiny Kid, and he eyed the Imperial Palace mischievously as the giant ent.i.ty bore down on him and didn't say a word.

An ancient bell that appeared miniscule yet seemed immensely large chimed above his head. The River of Time came out once more and it attempted to suck in the Imperial Palace.

In that moment, Liang Pan felt as if his logical reasoning abilities and his thoughts were inhibited as his surroundings simply froze.

The Extreme Emperor Heaven-Splitting Mantra exploded and the last of the Cheng Heaven Great Void Celestial Light was ground into dust. Liang Pan and the Imperial Palace forced their way out of the River of Time's iron grip, but they were still surrounded by the elongated river and they still couldn't break out.

The Crucible of the Divine Lands the Two Elements of Creation caught up behind them and swept up the Imperial Palace into the magic formation.

“Fourth junior sister, Liang Pan's days are over and he's all yours. As for Zhu Hongwu, I will capture him alive and drag him before my mother's grave. If there's anything else please leave it for later,” Zhu Yi turned towards Yue Hongyan who had been silently standing on top of the Higan Golden Bridge this entire time.” The Imperial Palace has been arrested by the Two Elements of Creation Formation and the Crucible of the Divine Lands, and the Divine Martial Army has all but crumbled. He has no way of coming back and you are blessed by the Saros, so no danger shall come to you. However, Liang Pan is still considered one of the more powerful third-level immortal soul stage cultivators, and even though he's extremely weak, you cannot underestimate him.”

Yue Hongyan's eyes seemed to sparkle with fire as she replied quietly, “I won't need to make use of you if it were another opponent for even if I can't beat them now, I am confident that I will get the better of them in the future. Liang Pan and Zhu Hongwu are exceptions – the sooner I see them on the path to demise, the happier I am and the more grateful I am towards you, second senior.”

“Don't worry, second senior. I have never been so calm as I am well aware that I will never be able to avenge my country if I don't keep my cool. I have awaited this opportunity for many years, and I have waited patiently ever since I was a kid for this day to come. My chance is finally here, and I won't let it slip.”

With that, Yue Hongyan leapt down from the Higan Golden Bridge and descended into the Imperial Palace. The Saros Tree hovered over her head like a small shrub as it swayed in the wind.

“I will handle the others other than Liang Pan,” Li Yuanfang said as he brought the Xuan Heaven Seal with him and landed inside the Imperial Palace as well.

“Your majesty!” Zhu Hongwu's eyes were popping out of his sockets. He slammed his fists against the Higan Golden Bridge with all his might in an attempt to push it away as he rushed towards the Imperial Palace.

Zhu Yi stood silently on top of the golden bridge. s.h.i.+ Tianhao's twelve golden generals transformed into rays of light as they surged out from the bridge and surrounded Zhu Hongwu. However, they didn't make a move and use their consciousness to arrest Zhu Hongwu.

The Higan Golden Bridge pressed down on Zhu Hongwu and he could no longer break out. Zhu Yi placed his palms together and streaks of energy danced around. Various concepts of power congregated and detonated all at once.

The brutal and destructive Dao of the Way struck heavily upon Zhu Hongwu's body, who was still fixed in place by the Higan Golden Bridge – Zhu Yi wanted to blow his new body into smithereens!

“b.a.s.t.a.r.d! b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” Zhu Hongwu's body was like a crumbling Buddha statue, but he was still alive.

There was no blood in the sky. There were only the broken pieces from Zhu Hnogwu's body, and every piece was burning with glowing fire. Every single transparent gla.s.s-like remnant reflected Zhu Hongwu's face and they attempted to come back together with a roar.

Zhu Yi said, “You can't escape today, Zhu Hongwu.”

Beams of energy circled around his body and eventually formed characters of light and darkness in the sky. Every single character transformed into magical altars and created the Great Boundaries of the Celestial Light and Darkness Mandala and sealed all the remnant pieces of Zhu Hongwu's body within.

Zhu Hongwu could only struggle as he exclaimed once more, “b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

The burning remnants surged around following his ear-splitting roar as they attempted to rush out from between the altars of light and darkness.

“Noisy.”

Zhu Yi surveyed the broken pieces as he lifted his palm and the Four Appearances Sky Formation descended from the sky. The Great Boundaries of the Celestial Light and Darkness Mandala were all absorbed into it before he slapped his palm back down. The boundaries and the magic formation trembled as the remnant pieces of Zhu Hongwu's body were broken into even thinner pieces until they were almost as small as dust.