Three black-gold divine rings floated behind the Corpse God, releasing sinister yet dignified soul power fluctuations.
Three divine rings were the mark of a third-rank god!
It also meant that the Corpse God had replenished his divine power and condensed three divine rings—he was a complete third-rank god, even if he did not possess an official god position.
But don't let the "third-rank" label fool you. The power he wielded far surpassed that of Tang Wutong, who had inherited a second-rank god position but lacked sufficient divine power.
"It's the Corpse God!" Huo Yuhao said heavily. "Wutong, Qiu'er, Le Xuan—be careful. He's very strong!"
"Strong? I like fighting strong opponents!"
Tang Wutong sneered. "Finally, a worthy opponent!"
She instantly activated her divine armor and charged straight at the Corpse God.
She didn't even give him a chance to speak.
After all, the other party was an enemy who had participated in the destruction of Shrek Academy. He wasn't worth a single extra word.
Nor did Tang Wutong feel any fear because she only had one divine ring while the Corpse God had three.
Or rather, she felt that with her two martial souls combined, she effectively had two divine rings, which wasn't much worse than his three.
Ever since inheriting her god position, she hadn't met a truly evenly matched opponent for a long time. In her eyes, Huo Yuhao had already become someone who only talked big.
Within Shrek Academy, she also hadn't engaged in any life-and-death battles with the others who had become gods—at most, they only sparred to verify each other's strength.
Now, she finally had a chance to go all out.
The young Tang Wutong thirsted for battle!
The ten-ring power of the Light Goddess Butterfly possessed her body, she wielded the Clear Sky Hammer infused with ten-ring strength, and wore a second-rank god's divine armor formed from a full set of soul bones.
At this moment, her confidence had swollen to the extreme.
"Clear Sky Nine Arts — Seal!"
Like drawing a bow to the full, sealing and stabilizing power—this was the Seal Art!
The Clear Sky Hammer smashed forward, blasting toward the Corpse God.
The Corpse God neither dodged nor evaded, simply raising his left hand and striking back with a palm.
"Ten Thousand Deathly Corpse Poison Palm!"
A pitch-black handprint shot out from his palm, giving off a foul, nauseating stench, accompanied by the shrill wailing of resentful souls.
It was a dual threat to both mind and body.
In an instant, the black palm print collided with the Seal Art.
As Huo Yuhao had expected, Tang Wutong was sent flying backward, the Clear Sky Hammer in her hand almost slipping free.
"So strong!"
Tang Wutong was startled.
The Corpse God's physique itself was incredibly powerful, and his strength even more so. Under normal circumstances, Tang Wutong simply couldn't collide head-on with him.
Moreover, if it weren't for her agility and the wings behind her flapping to dodge the remaining force of the black handprint, she would have been struck by the Ten Thousand Deathly Corpse Poison Palm.
That would have been no joke.
The aftershock of the black handprint flew into the sky and eventually dissipated at high altitude, but a region was still covered by spreading poisonous mist.
A jet-black area appeared in the sky, as if even the heavens had been corroded.
The poisonous glove made from the skin of Huo Yuhao's left hand had already completely fused with the Corpse God's left hand.
This allowed him to comprehend Huo Yuhao's cultivation insights in the path of poison, and also absorb the deadly poison of the variant Frost Centipede, fusing it with his own corpse poison.
In the end, it made all of the Corpse God's poison techniques even more terrifying.
But Tang Wutong wasn't frightened. That single setback instead ignited her battle intent. She quickly adjusted her stance and launched another attack at the Corpse God.
It was still the Clear Sky Nine Arts.
But this time, she used all nine moves in succession.
Void, Seal, Pierce, Penetrate, Bind, Shock, Break, Slay, Collapse!
"Nine Arts as One!"
Tang Wutong shouted softly.
The Clear Sky Nine Arts were essentially nine types of force application techniques of the Clear Sky Hammer. They were independent yet interconnected, capable of being used in combination.
Different combinations would produce different transformations.
In other words, each strike could unleash nine types of power variations.
And when cultivated to the peak, one could unleash the Nine Arts in a chain, fusing nine force types into one—this was "Nine Forces in a Chain"!
Although Tang Wutong didn't have much experience cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer, she had fully mastered all the techniques she was supposed to.
Even more terrifying was the fact that Huo Yuhao could see that Tang Wutong had combined the Nine Forces in a Chain with the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique.
This made each hammer strike contain nine layers of force, and each subsequent strike stronger than the previous one.
And it wasn't the simple Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique, but the moving version — the Dance of the Chaotic Wind!
The Dance of the Chaotic Wind was originally created by Tang San after he merged Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps with the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique, allowing it to be performed while moving along the ground.
Now, this move had been further developed. Tang Wutong could unleash the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique while flying through the air.
Only someone with a divine-level physique like her could use such a technique so exaggeratedly.
Otherwise, even a quasi-god would tear their muscles apart and shatter their tendons and bones in a very short time—hurting themselves before ever hurting the enemy.
If an ordinary third-rank god faced Tang Wutong's attack, their head would really be smashed full of bumps.
But the Corpse God was no ordinary existence.
He even had the leisure to play around with Tang Wutong.
A shield shaped like a dragon's head appeared beside him and began to orbit his body, automatically guarding him, precisely blocking every single hammer strike from Tang Wutong.
The moment she saw that shield, Zhang Lexuan's pupils shrank sharply, and she cried out in shock:
"That's… Dean Qian's Black Dragon Shield?!"
The Black Dragon Shield was Qian Duoduo's martial soul. With Qian Duoduo's death, it should have completely lost its inheritance.
The Corpse God laughed and explained,
"As the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Corpses, the God of Zombies, I possess the power to control all zombies, and I can also integrate the power of other zombies, including the martial souls they had in life, into myself."
"When we destroyed Shrek Academy back then, after you escaped, I found a Titled Douluo who possessed this kind of martial soul. I then refined him into a zombie and devoured his martial soul, soul, and body together."
"Jie jie jie—"
As his words fell, the ghostly figure of Qian Duoduo appeared on the Black Dragon Shield, struggling in agony, bloody tears flowing from his eyes.
"Dean Qian!" Zhang Lexuan cried out.
Jin Qiu'er also frowned.
Even Tang Wutong's attacks began to hesitate.
The Corpse God truly killed the body—and then tortured the heart.
Huo Yuhao's eyes were about to split apart as he roared,
"Corpse God!! How dare you?!"
Then Huo Yuhao shouted loudly at Tang Wutong,
"Wutong, kill him!"
"Help Dean Qian find release!"
Hearing Huo Yuhao's cry, Tang Wutong felt his resolve. The anger and killing intent in her heart were no weaker than his.
"Do you really want to keep attacking?"
The Corpse God asked Tang Wutong with a playful smile.
Tang Wutong's gaze hardened, her wavering heart becoming even more resolute.
"Dean Qian would never be willing to aid evil! And… even if it means making Dean Qian's soul scatter, I absolutely will not let you continue controlling his soul!"
Thus, Tang Wutong continued to swing the Clear Sky Hammer, constantly colliding with the Black Dragon Shield.
The ghost of Qian Duoduo on the shield began to shatter.
Until… Tang Wutong completed the stacking of eighty-one hammers, and then unleashed the final blow.
"Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique — Nine-Nines Return to One!"
BOOM!!
The Nine Arts as One, with the power of eighty-one stacked hammer strikes fused into a single point, smashed down toward the Corpse God!
The Corpse God still only raised the Black Dragon Shield to block.
A deafening roar exploded.
The ghost of Qian Duoduo on the shield shattered on the spot, and immediately after, the Black Dragon Shield itself shattered.
The power on the Clear Sky Hammer erupted, actually blasting out a jet-black pillar of light that shot straight into the sky, engulfing the Corpse God.
"So… is that the power of a god?"
Wu Feng stared wide-eyed at the erupting pitch-black pillar of light that looked as if it pierced straight through space itself.
The power and might hidden within it had completely surpassed anything ordinary people could comprehend.
As for divine-level power, Wu Feng only knew that Huo Yuhao's "waist" was extremely powerful — this was the first time she had ever experienced true combat power so directly.
Everyone else was equally stunned.
The Douling Empire's side was greatly inspired.
Huo Yuhao also wore an expression of awe and anticipation.
Of course, in truth, his heart was as calm as still water.
In fact, this whole situation had been stirred up by him, and his earlier words were meant only to push Tang Wutong and the Corpse God into a fight to the death.
If he didn't force Tang Wutong to go all out, how could he figure out how many trump cards she actually had?
And without knowing her true limits, it would be easy for accidents to happen when arranging things later.
After all, in a certain sense, Tang Wutong could be considered another type of "Child of Destiny."
Although Tang Wutong's attacks looked enormously powerful and grand, in reality, among gods, the true contest was never about whose attacks were louder or flashier…
…but about one's comprehension of laws.
"Ha…!"
Tang Wutong panted violently, the arm gripping the Clear Sky Hammer trembling.
That strike just now had placed enormous strain on her.
"That move should have already unleashed the power of a first-tier god. The Shield is broken — I refuse to believe the Corpse God could defend against this!"
"President Qian, I've avenged you!"
However, the pitch-black pillar of light that pierced heaven and earth suddenly began to collapse inward.
Tang Wutong's eyes gradually widened, as if she had seen something utterly shocking.
In the center of the collapsing light, the figure of the Corpse God slowly appeared with his bloody mouth wide open, devouring Tang Wutong's attack.
From head to toe, the Corpse God was completely uninjured with only his dragon robe slightly dirtied.
After swallowing the attack entirely, the Corpse God smacked its lips, as if savoring the taste.
"Worthy of the number-one tool-type martial soul on the continent, the Clear Sky Hammer. The flavor is excellent. The Clear Sky Hammer… truly not bad. I've taken a liking to you!"
"And also… I've never devoured a zombie refined from a god before."
Boom—!
Purple-black lightning erupted from the Corpse God's body.
This was the attribute it controlled — Evil Thunder!
The evil thunder transformed into a demonic dragon that bombarded toward Tang Wutong, who hurriedly dodged.
A closer look revealed that the demonic dragon formed from the lightning was none other than the Dark Holy Dragon.
Long ago, Long Xiaoyao's corpse had been handed to the Corpse God, who transformed it into a zombie and refined it into his own soul ring.
The Evil Thunder Demonic Dragon chased Tang Wutong closely, about to form into a cage that would trap her.
At the critical moment, an ice dragon swept over and blocked the Demonic Dragon, buying Tang Wutong a chance to escape.
The ice dragon was instantly bitten apart — it only bought her a fraction of a second.
Immediately after, Huo Yuhao appeared behind the ice dragon, shielding Tang Wutong.
Frost centipede armor covered his body, and he tightly gripped the Frost Centipede Dragon Spear.
"Corpse God — don't forget, we're still here!"
Huo Yuhao shouted in a low voice.
The Corpse God gave a disdainful smile.
At the same time, behind the Corpse God, a golden dragon spear wrapped in moonlight power shot toward the center of its back.
"Hehehe… a mortal sneak attack — utterly laughable!"
"With this indestructible, undying zombie body of mine, such an attack— hmm? Why does Hao-ge seem to be signaling something with his eyes?"
Inside the Corpse God, Eunuch Gao instantly sensed that something was wrong and hurriedly controlled the body to dodge.
In the next instant, the Golden Dragon Spear brushed past the Corpse God's arm — and to his disbelief, its arm was actually scratched!
Tang Wutong's full-power attack had dealt less damage than the joint sneak attack of Jin Qiu'er and Zhang Lexuan?
"No… it's that golden dragon spear!" the Corpse God reacted instantly.
Huo Yuhao finally breathed in relief.
The Golden Dragon Spear was comparable to a super-divine artifact, a fragment of the Dragon God's body from the age of the Supreme God-King.
Although multiple seals limited it, and Jin Qiu'er couldn't unleash its true power…
…the material of the spear alone was enough to easily pierce the Corpse God's defenses.
"As long as it's not absolute, 'undying and indestructible' is only relative."
The Corpse God looked at his scratched arm. His expression turned ugly — and then furious.
Evil thunder erupted again, and the Zombie Emperor Domain expanded.
This time, the Corpse God got serious.
At the same time, Eunuch Gao activated the power of the Blood Slaughter Orb.
Countless blood-colored figures were summoned.
They were Blood-Slaughter Fiend Souls — born from the fusion of souls and blood-slaughter aura!
As they appeared, the Blood Slaughter Domain expanded and merged with the Zombie Emperor Domain, seemingly cutting space apart, forming an independent small world.
All the experts in the air were trapped inside.
Including Huo Yuhao, Tang Wutong, Jin Qiu'er, Zhang Lexuan…
…as well as Nanmen Yuzhi, Nanmen Yuruo, and Wu Feng.
Huo Yuhao hurriedly expanded his own Frost Centipede Domain to resist, but how could an Ultimate Douluo-level domain withstand a god's domain?
"Everyone, attack together!" Huo Yuhao shouted.
Everyone moved at once.
Huo Yuhao "went all out," releasing Ultimate ice to freeze huge numbers of Blood-Slaughter Fiend Souls.
Others joined the slaughter.
Most of the fiend souls weren't extremely strong, but after being destroyed, they could re-condense — their undead trait, combined with the Blood Slaughter Domain, made them extremely troublesome.
Fortunately, everyone quickly realized that Huo Yuhao's freezing methods were the best way to deal with them.
However… the fiend souls were not the real danger.
The real danger was always the Corpse God.
Perhaps because he was wary of Jin Qiu'er, who could wield the Golden Dragon Spear, the Corpse God targeted her first.
Jin Qiu'er had just recalled the Golden Dragon Spear when the Corpse God's fist slammed toward her head.
Luckily, Zhang Lexuan sensed the danger and attacked in time, fully activating her silver-patterned external soul bone to enhance herself, releasing a vast field of moonlight to defend by attacking.
But the Corpse God's fist shattered her attack…
…and smashed brutally into Jin Qiu'er.
Zhang Lexuan's help gave Jin Qiu'er a sliver of chance.
She activated her Golden Dragon True Body in time.
Relying on the powerful dragon physique, she was not blown apart — but she was heavily injured and on the verge of death, vomiting blood in midair as she fell from the sky.
Tang Wutong felt it in her heart.
Her mind went tight with panic.
She noticed the falling Jin Qiu'er and urgently flapped her wings, diving down to rescue her.
Just before Jin Qiu'er hit the ground, Tang Wutong managed to catch her.
Looking at the heavily wounded, unconscious Jin Qiu'er in her arms, Tang Wutong raised her head and stared at the Corpse God — rage flooding her eyes.
At the same time, a silver moon rose high in the sky.
Zhang Lexuan had activated her Martial Soul True Body, trying to block the Corpse God from pursuing Jin Qiu'er.
However, the silver moon was like a moth flying into a flame.
It fell as well.
The Corpse God had only thrown another punch.
Only gods can fight gods!
Wu Feng hurried to rescue people.
This time, it was Huo Yuhao's turn to block the Corpse God.
He activated the Frost Centipede True Body and summoned the power of the Golden Ancient Tree, looking as if he would fight to the death.
At this moment, Tang Wutong's voice rang out—
"Huo Yuhao, let me do it!"
"Ring Explosions!"
On the Clear Sky Hammer in Tang Wutong's hands, the soul rings began to explode one after another.
The power unleashed by the exploding soul rings did not spread outward. Instead, it was injected directly into the Clear Sky Hammer, causing the aura radiating from it to surge higher and higher.
Bang! Bang! Bang—!
Nine soul rings shattered in succession.
Even without being released in an attack, the power contained within the Clear Sky Hammer caused ripples in the air like waves on water, placing immense pressure on everyone nearby.
Even the Corpse God's domain began to crack under the impact of that force.
And immediately after—
The tenth divine ring began to shatter as well!
The so-called Ring-Detonation Technique was the complete release of a soul ring's power, converting it entirely into one's own strength and fusing it into an attack—producing power far beyond one's normal limits.
The higher the quality of the soul ring, the greater the effect of detonating it.
Correspondingly, detonating rings was extremely dangerous, even carrying the risk of death.
The Clear Sky Sect possessed three great ultimate techniques.
The Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique originated from the Clear Sky Sect's blacksmith lineage. It was the easiest to learn—every disciple could practice it, and it had even spread beyond the sect.
The Nine Absolutes of Clear Sky were controlled by the sect master and elders. Only with the approval of the sect master and at least five elders could one learn the complete version. Outer disciples could learn at most a simplified version of three absolutes.
The Ring-Detonation Technique was the most difficult and dangerous of all—a desperate, life-risking move. Only those with extraordinary talent could learn it. Only the sect master and heir were qualified, and at most two people per generation could master it.
In truth, the value of the Ring-Detonation Technique was far more than it appeared.
Because detonating the rings was only the process—
The final strike was the technique's true form.
Boom—!
The tenth divine ring detonated!
Black-gold radiance burst from Tang Wutong's body, as if a god-king had descended. She raised the Clear Sky Hammer high above her head.
As the soul rings detonated, Tang Wutong's face gradually flushed—a clear sign of internal injury.
At the same time, the explosive surge of power caused her blood and qi to roil violently, as though she had turned into a powder keg that could explode at the slightest touch.
The overwhelming soul power caused the Clear Sky Hammer to swell, as if it were transforming into a true divine weapon.
Before the hammer even fell, the power radiating from it had already completely locked onto the Corpse God.
That crushing pressure pinned him in midair, leaving him nowhere to evade.
The Corpse God had no choice but to face Tang Wutong's next attack head-on.
"Ten Rings Detonated as One—Great Sumeru Hammer!"
With Tang Wutong's low shout, the Clear Sky Hammer slammed down from the void, its terrifying force seeming capable of shattering space itself.
This strike had already reached the realm of a first-tier god!
The massive shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer completely engulfed the Corpse God's figure.
Huo Yuhao watched Tang Wutong unleash the Great Sumeru Hammer, admiration flashing in his eyes.
"What a perfect example of overwhelming force crushing all techniques!"
He deliberately projected this scene into the Divine Kingdom, allowing its core members to observe and study the principles behind the Great Sumeru Hammer.
The Ice Silkworm Tianmeng exclaimed in awe,
"What a huge hammer!"
The Holy Spirit Feathered Serpent also praised it,
"The Ring-Detonation Technique is indeed extraordinary. The final Great Sumeru Hammer is already a divine skill. And in theory, as long as there are enough soul rings, the Great Sumeru Hammer has no upper limit in power."
"On the other hand," Electrolux concluded,
"If one lacks the physique and ability to control the power of ring detonation and the Great Sumeru Hammer, merely cultivating this technique is equivalent to suicide."
Electrolux and the Holy Spirit Feathered Serpent reached a final consensus:
"Compared to other divine skills, the theory behind this one isn't complicated. It doesn't even involve laws of authority. Imitating, learning, or even modifying it wouldn't be too difficult. Yet its power is not to be underestimated. The true difficulty lies in having the courage to gamble with one's life."
"Learning a similar trump card would indeed be useful in battle."
"And this is already a true divine skill—only god-level beings can fully unleash its might."
Thinking about how, ten thousand years ago, Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect—Tang San's grandfather—had developed the Ring-Detonation Technique and the Great Sumeru Hammer,
Even Huo Yuhao couldn't help but sigh that heroes truly emerged endlessly throughout history.
But since they were not born in the same era as him, it could only be said that kings never meet kings..
The Ice Silkworm Tianmeng stared blankly at Electrolux and the Holy Spirit Feathered Serpent's discussion, completely lost—wondering what they were even talking about and why he couldn't understand a thing.
Facts proved that the Great Sumeru Hammer was not a technique suitable for the Ice Silkworm Tianmeng.
As for Huo Yuhao—
After watching Tang Wutong use it just once, he had already mastered it.
High in the air.
The outburst of the Great Sumeru Hammer ended.
The sky itself seemed cleansed, as though all filth had been completely erased by that overwhelming force.
Even the Corpse God's figure was gone.
Tang Wutong's face was deathly pale. Her wings trembled slightly as she barely remained afloat.
That single explosion had drained her completely.
The Clear Sky Hammer in her hands had already vanished. For quite some time to come, she would be unable to use it again.
But if it meant killing the Corpse God, then it was all worth it.
But had the Corpse God truly been defeated?
The answer came in the form of a Life Ancient Tree that suddenly grew out of nothingness. Dense vitality blossomed forth—then was instantly converted into deathly energy.
A figure devoured that deathly energy, rapidly healing and returning.
It was the Corpse God!
Seeing the familiar phantom of the Life Ancient Tree, tears streamed down Zhang Lexuan's face as she whispered,
"Elder Zhuang…"
That was right—
It was Elder Zhuang's Life Ancient Tree.
After Elder Zhuang had been turned into a zombie by the Corpse God, he was absorbed and used as the Corpse God's eighth soul ring, fused with other wood-attribute zombies to grant that soul ring immense vitality.
By reversing that vitality into deathly energy, it became the Corpse God's most powerful healing-type soul skill.
Relying on this skill, the Corpse God—who had been injured by the Great Sumeru Hammer—recovered rapidly.
When he reappeared, despair surfaced in the eyes of many.
"Even a second-tier god with complete divine power cannot easily injure me—yet you managed to do so."
"I'm becoming more and more interested in you all. Stay, and become my soul rings!"
"If the others kneel and swear loyalty to me, I can spare them. How about it?"
Huo Yuhao shouted coldly,
"Don't even think about it!"
"Members of Shrek die standing—
We never live kneeling!"
"Tang Wutong, take everyone and retreat. I'll hold them off!"
The phantom of the Golden Ancient Tree appeared behind Huo Yuhao, radiating brilliant light. Golden flames ignited around his body, as though he were about to offer himself in sacrifice.
He gave no one a chance to react—
Huo Yuhao was already burning.
By the time the others tried to stop him, it was too late.
When Huo Yuhao's power merged with that of the Golden Ancient Tree, his aura suddenly crossed the hundred-level threshold!
"Divine Descent!"
Divine Descent was developed by Huo Yuhao based on Sovereign Over All.
Its essence lies in lifting the body's self-protection limits, perfectly unleashing all of one's power—at the cost of injuring oneself.
Its effect is similar to the Eight Gates: to hurt the enemy, one must first hurt oneself. The power is terrifying.
Only a divine body can be immune to the backlash caused by releasing the body's self-protection.
It can be said that Divine Descent is already a true divine technique. Although it doesn't possess the infinite potential of the Great Sumeru Hammer, it can still serve as a god's ultimate trump card.
Huo Yuhao had once used this move against Titan. At the time, he was disguised as Compassionate Demon, if Titan hadn't had a life-saving measure left behind by Tang San, he would have died on the spot.
Now that Huo Yuhao was personally using this move, there was naturally no need to worry about exposing his identity, because the way this move manifested was different from before.
With the concealment and amplification of the Golden Ancient Tree, this move appeared more like Huo Yuhao forcibly driving the Golden Ancient Tree's power to augment himself, thereby injuring his own body.
Of course, the power he unleashed was absolutely real.
He chose this move because its power was just right—
Used with demigod-level strength, it could threaten a god, yet not threaten the Corpse God. Even if he were defeated, it wouldn't look like he was holding back.
The reason he didn't truly use the Golden Ancient Tree's power was because he feared killing the Corpse God in a single blow.
Within the Divine Kingdom, the Golden Ancient Tree had already grown into a World Tree. Leaving aside the terrifying power contained in its branches and leaves, the laws attached to it alone were something a third-rank god absolutely couldn't withstand.
A golden dragon shadow erupted from Huo Yuhao's body, as if condensing all his power, and slammed toward the Corpse God.
Anyone who saw it would believe that Huo Yuhao had already played his final card.
The Corpse God snorted coldly, utterly dismissive of Huo Yuhao. He raised his hand and struck out with Myriad Annihilations Corpse-Poison Palm.
"Don't get in my way!"
Don't be fooled into thinking that the Corpse God only knew this one move. In truth, Myriad Annihilations Corpse-Poison Palm was a noble growth-type skill—its power depended entirely on the user's toxicity and their comprehension of the Dao of poison.
The power of the move could also be adjusted by controlling the amount of poison released.
At present, the Corpse God's Myriad Annihilations Corpse-Poison Palm had already reached the level of a divine technique.
Although its maximum power could only threaten a second-rank god, it was more than enough to massacre opponents on the Douluo Continent.
When Myriad Annihilations Corpse-Poison Palm collided with the golden dragon shadow, it only stalled for two seconds before completely corroding the dragon away, then continued straight toward Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao spread the wings behind his back and shifted sideways through the air, barely dodging the Corpse God's strike.
The remaining force of the palm fell to the ground. The poison spread instantly, forming a deadly toxic zone.
Fortunately, this attack didn't land inside Spirit Battle City.
Immediately after, Huo Yuhao continued launching attacks, entangling the Corpse God in combat, clearly trying to buy time for the others to retreat.
The battle between the Corpse God and Huo Yuhao was exceptionally fierce.
But anyone could see that the Corpse God was completely at ease, while Huo Yuhao was desperately intercepting him, barely carving out a slim chance of survival for the others.
Tang Wutong clenched her teeth. Though unwilling in every way, she knew that the Corpse God's strength wasn't something they could easily confront.
"Everyone, go!"
Under Tang Wutong's command, Zhang Lexuan—who had barely recovered some strength—along with Wu Feng, Nanmen Yuzhi, and the others escorted the important personnel away. As for the rest, they could only scatter and fend for themselves.
Tang Wutong herself stayed behind with Jin Qiu'er, who had just regained consciousness but was still badly injured, her gaze fixed on the desperately fighting Huo Yuhao.
They didn't choose to flee immediately—it seemed they still had plans.
Inside the Imperial Palace
"Your Majesty, please take this secret passage."
An Lengye opened the hidden tunnel, and together with Fei Yuyan, escorted Xue Hui away.
Xue Hui nodded slightly, without the slightest hesitation. The three entered the secret passage just like that.
An Lengye and Fei Yuyan had both once been students of Qianling Academy. Their martial souls were the Frost Giant Bear and the Blazing Tiger—the two women who, back in the Soul Master Tournament, used secret techniques to materialize their martial souls in battle.
They and their families had naturally joined the Good Faith Clan, and both women had become Huo Yuhao's furnaces, allowing their martial souls to evolve.
After growing stronger, they were arranged to serve as Xue Hui's guards, helping her suppress the court.
Whenever it wasn't convenient for Xue Hui to act personally, the two of them would take action.
This was how Xue Hui managed to conceal her true strength.
However, before long, the three of them retreated back out of the secret passage.
Xue Hui wore a helpless expression.
"Even the secret passage has been affected by the Corpse God's attacks. His poison isn't something we can deal with."
"This wasn't part of the original plan."
"So be it. Let's break through head-on."
An Lengye and Fei Yuyan had no objections. Dying would merely mean offering themselves to Huo Yuhao in another way.
The Corpse God had no intention of letting the others escape.
The Blood Slaughter Domain spread open, and the Blood Slaughter Fiend Souls surged into the inner city.
Against Soul Douluo and Title Douluo-level experts, the Blood Slaughter Fiend Souls posed little threat. But against Soul Sages and those below, they were an outright disaster.
In addition to the Blood Slaughter Fiend Souls, a black tide gradually appeared in the distance outside Spirit Battle City.
"What is that?"
Someone cried out in alarm.
The experts who heard the shout looked up. With their eyesight, they could clearly see the true nature of the black tide—and their pupils shrank violently.
Because that black tide was a zombie army!
Among the Blood Slaughter Fiend Souls, the two strongest stepped forward, blocking the path of those trying to retreat.
"Shrek Academy… damn it!!!"
"Shrek Academy, everyone—joining us now wouldn't be such a bad thing, would it~"
The appearance of the two figures made Zhang Lexuan frown.
She wasn't very familiar with the two blocking their way, only finding them somewhat familiar.
Wu Feng, however, who had studied in the outer academy, knew them extremely well.
They were Zhou Yi and Mu Jin!
Interestingly, both Zhou Yi and Mu Jin had taught her.
In Wu Feng's impression, Zhou Yi was an old witch—a completely mediocre teacher. Mu Jin's teaching was merely average, but she was a decent person.
"Zhou Yi and Mu Jin—they were outer academy teachers. If I remember correctly… they were romantic rivals, right?" Wu Feng briefly introduced them.
After Zhou Yi left the academy, gossip about her and Mu Jin spread throughout both the inner and outer academies. Wu Feng had naturally heard about it.
Yet now, the two former rivals stood together, joining forces to block the escape route of Shrek Academy's people.
Both wore red dresses, as if dyed by blood, their auras eerie and dangerous.
Zhou Yi's face was filled with hatred toward Shrek Academy. She loathed how the academy had abandoned her, twisting her once-beautiful face.
Mu Jin, on the other hand, wore a smile, as if sincerely inviting them. But she gave off an even more unsettling feeling. Someone who once fought to the very end for Shrek Academy was now threatening its successors.
Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath. After seeing Qian Duoduo and Elder Zhuang's power manifested within the Corpse God earlier, she had already prepared herself mentally.
She might encounter familiar faces—especially people from Shrek Academy.
She just hadn't expected it to be Zhou Yi and Mu Jin.
Though she wasn't close to either of them, communication was still possible.
"Teacher Zhou Yi, Teacher Mu Jin, please step aside," Zhang Lexuan said in a deep voice.
Zhou Yi and Mu Jin had no intention of yielding. Instead, their appearances changed simultaneously, transforming into half-human, half-beast forms.
This was the manifestation of Blood Slaughter Fiend Soul power activation, similar to Beast Martial Soul possession.
Nine blood-red soul rings appeared around each of them—not hundred-thousand-year soul rings, but Blood Fiend Soul Rings tainted by blood fiend energy.
They now both possessed Super Douluo-level combat power!
"Looks like there's no need for more talk. Just take them down!" Wu Feng said coldly.
In the next instant, Wu Feng struck decisively. One hand transformed into a dragon claw, wrapped in blazing flames, as she attacked the two.
Facing Wu Feng's assault, the blood-sha auras around Zhou Yi and Mu Jin intertwined, producing an effect similar to a fusion skill. Their combined power easily blocked Wu Feng's attack.
Wu Feng's expression darkened.
She was already on the verge of unleashing her full strength.
A powerful dragon's might radiated from Wu Feng.
Yet under that dragon pressure, Zhou Yi and Mu Jin were completely unaffected.
Zhou Yi's and Mu Jin's original martial souls had been the Red Dragon and the Blue Cat respectively.
After being transformed into Blood-Slaughter Fiend Souls, their martial souls mutated, turning into evil martial souls—the Blood-Slaughter Red Dragon and the Blood-Slaughter Blue Tiger.
Both possessed the ability to control blood-sha energy.
Fighting within the Blood-Slaughter Domain, their strength would rise to an even higher level.
Most importantly, their martial souls had already evolved into top-tier martial souls.
"Stay here forever."
Mu Jin's eerie voice, tinged with laughter, rang out, sending a chill through one's heart.
Immediately after, Zhou Yi and Mu Jin took the initiative and launched an attack on Wu Feng.
A blood-red dragon phantom and a blood-red tiger phantom burst out from their bodies, merged together, and transformed into a blood-colored ghostly claw that grabbed toward Wu Feng.
"You dare look down on me like this?!"
The attitude of Zhou Yi and Mu Jin enraged Wu Feng.
"Scarlet Heart Dragon Flame!"
"Wrath of the Red Dragon!"
Wu Feng's natal flames transformed into a massive fire dragon that slammed into the blood-colored ghost claw, ripping it apart on the spot.
Ignoring her own injuries, Zhang Lexuan forcibly squeezed out her remaining power, releasing moonlight radiance to assist Wu Feng against Zhou Yi and Mu Jin.
Zhou Yi and Mu Jin were indeed not weak, but facing Wu Feng—who could no longer fully hide her true strength—their attacks were as fragile as paper.
Moreover, Zhang Lexuan's moonlight power carried a purifying effect, significantly weakening their blood-sha aura.
At that moment, two figures flew to Wu Feng's side.
They were An Lengye and Fei Yuyan. Both had nine soul rings, all in optimal configurations, with their ninth soul rings being hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
"Your Excellency the Red Dragon," An Lengye said, "His Majesty has ordered us to come and hold off the enemy. You may continue escorting the friends from Shrek Academy and the others to evacuate."
Hearing An Lengye's words, Wu Feng gradually regained some rationality. She snorted coldly, recalled the fire dragon, then stepped atop it and said to Zhang Lexuan and the others, "Retreat is the priority. Let's go!"
Zhang Lexuan did not doubt him.
Wu Feng's martial soul true body had been shattered earlier. Though she looked extremely strong now, she should still have internal injuries. With two additional Titled Douluo helping, retreating was indeed safer.
"Many thanks to the two of you," Zhang Lexuan said in gratitude.
After that, Wu Feng and Zhang Lexuan led some of the other key personnel in the city and began retreating.
Nanmen Yuzhi and Nanmen Yuruo went to protect Xue Hui's evacuation.
Meanwhile, An Lengye and Fei Yuyan engaged Zhou Yi and Mu Jin in battle.
After receiving Huo Yuhao's blessing, An Lengye's martial soul evolved into the White Frost Giant Bear, while Fei Yuyan's evolved into the Roaring Blazing Tiger—both top-tier martial souls.
In terms of raw strength, the two sides were evenly matched.
A fierce battle between the four immediately erupted.
On the other side.
The Corpse God stood high in the sky, looking down at Huo Yuhao below. At this moment, Huo Yuhao looked completely exhausted, as if his oil had run dry and his lamp was about to go out.
Just as Huo Yuhao could no longer even maintain flight—
Tang Wutong's and Jin Qiu'er's hands, one on each side, supported Huo Yuhao's shoulders.
Like a pair of wings, they carried Huo Yuhao as they flew in midair.
"Wutong? Qiu'er?"
Huo Yuhao turned his head slightly, looking surprised.
"We're not going to leave you alone to play the hero," Tang Wutong said with a smile.
"Did you really think I'd abandon my companions and run?" Jin Qiu'er said sternly.
"Is that so?" Huo Yuhao smiled. "Then I'll have to ask you two to help me."
Tang Wutong and Jin Qiu'er each hugged one of Huo Yuhao's arms, pressing close into his embrace. Tang Wutong even deactivated her divine armor, bringing her into even closer contact with him.
With warmth and softness on both sides, Huo Yuhao felt the comforting heat enveloping him.
The remaining soul power of the three was released, fused together, and transformed into a pillar of light from a martial soul fusion skill that shot straight into the heavens.
Martial Soul Fusion Skill — Violet-Gold Butterfly Dragon Transformation!
During the formation of the fusion skill, the Corpse God did not merely watch—he was charging up.
All of his power gathered into his left hand, waiting for the moment his target revealed itself, so he could strike a fatal blow.
The pillar of light from the fusion skill dissipated.
The figure of a divine maiden floated in midair.
The Corpse God decisively struck out with a palm.
This strike unleashed the Corpse God's peak power, its might approaching that of a true second-rank god.
Huo Yuhao, Tang Wutong, and Jin Qiu'er all felt their hearts tighten.
Golden radiance blossomed as frost condensed into a barrier, protecting the divine maiden within.
Huo Yuhao's voice rang out,
"I can't hold on for long—hurry!"
All three were currently injured and severely drained. Their remaining power did not allow them any further maneuvers; they could only gamble on a single decisive strike.
Tang Wutong and Jin Qiu'er wasted no time.
The divine maiden's hands closed together in midair, and black-and-white dragon phantoms, like flowing currents, gathered between her palms.
This was Tang Wutong and Jin Qiu'er fusing their powers of Life and Destruction, with Huo Yuhao's power acting as a catalyst, making the fusion possible.
Its essence was similar to their two-person martial soul fusion skill, Life-Death Butterfly Dragon Transformation, but it was far stronger.
Their two-person fusion skill alone allowed them to simultaneously wield Life and Destruction, combining them to unleash greater power.
With Huo Yuhao added, their powers could fuse even further—giving birth, within the fusion of Life and Destruction, to an even more powerful force: the Power of Creation.
When the powers of the Goddess of Life and the God of Destruction fused, this Power of Creation was born—a force belonging to the level of world creation itself.
The Power of Creation fused from the three of them was still far inferior to that produced by the true Goddess of Life and God of Destruction, but it could nonetheless unleash unimaginable might.
The black-and-white currents seemed to assimilate into each other, ultimately giving rise to a strange power with no color, yet seemingly shimmering with seven-colored light.
As the divine maiden pushed this power forward—
An invisible force twisted and reversed all threats.
The incoming virulent poison and evil power were actually transformed into vitality and healing energy, which in turn healed Huo Yuhao and the others inside the divine maiden.
Not only was the Corpse God's attack neutralized, it even restored Huo Yuhao and the others.
This was merely the tip of the iceberg of the Power of Creation—attribute reversal.
The Corpse God felt his scalp go numb.
Brother Hao never said he'd have to clash head-on with something like this!
He wanted to pull back and retreat, but discovered that his power was being drawn in by the Power of Creation, preventing him from disengaging.
Moreover, the Power of Creation continued to press closer. If he were struck by it, the Corpse God had no doubt he would be turned into a living human again.
Fortunately, he soon saw the problem: although the Power of Creation was extremely strong, its quantity was limited.
As it converted toxins, it was constantly being consumed.
Gritting his teeth, the Corpse God chose to gamble, releasing his power without restraint.
After this outburst, he felt that he would need to rest for a very long time to replenish the consumed toxins.
But the results were gratifying.
The Power of Creation was blocked in front of him and was ultimately completely exhausted.
The Corpse God didn't even need to breathe anymore, yet he still felt as if he wanted to gasp for air.
Then he burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! In the end, the winner is still me!"
Inside the divine maiden, Huo Yuhao and the other two stared at the Corpse God with solemn expressions.
Their condition had been healed and restored, allowing the martial soul fusion skill to last longer, but they still lacked a certain, decisive means to win.
And the Corpse God had decisively played his trump card.
"It seems I underestimated you. I will no longer hold back and will grant you complete destruction!"
At the Corpse God's brow, the Blood-Slaughter Orb appeared. Eunuch Gao fully activated both the Corpse God's and the Blood-Slaughter Orb's power, temporarily pushing his strength into the realm of a first-rank god.
"How is this possible?!"
Tang Wutong's voice was filled with shock, despair rising in her heart.
But at that very moment, an unexpected blue-gold radiance lit up at the divine maiden's brow. The imprint of a trident slowly emerged.
"A mere corpse dares lay hands on my daughter? You have already chosen the path of death!"
Tang Wutong's body trembled again, and she cried out in delight,
"Father!"
That's right—Tang San had made his move. The final trump card on Tang Wutong's body had been activated.
This was—
The Sea God Descends!
Huo Yuhao: I knew it!