Zhuo Baojie, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, was now quite skilled. He retracted his master Lei Jun’s North Pole Sword and cleaned up the remaining traces at the scene.

The thunder and fire explosion caused by the North Pole Sword hitting the ground quickly engulfed and incinerated the massive remains of the Tree Sea Golden Toad.

The great demons from Nanzhao gathered here suffered heavy losses.

However, some on the outskirts barely escaped with their lives.

At this moment, all of them were systematically eliminated by Zhuo Baojie, who had arrived early nearby, waiting for his master’s signal.

Among them were many seventh and even eighth heaven level great demons, but affected by the shockwave from the North Pole Sword’s fall, even those who barely survived were wounded and shaken.

Elder Zhuo, a high-ranking Daoist talisman master of the Talisman Sect with cultivation at the second level of the eighth heaven, had no trouble dealing with these demons.

While slapping down an eighth heaven great demon, he looked up toward the Hengduan Mountains in the distance.

Too far away to see clearly, Zhuo Baojie could only vaguely make out the scene in the mountains.

He faintly saw faint light streaks cutting vertically across the sky above the snow-covered peaks of the Hengduan Mountains.

Even under daylight, they were clearly visible.

And there was more than one.

One streak after another of flowing light dashed across the sky, disappearing as quickly as they appeared.

The Snow Mountain Rage Ape, currently in the mountainous area, heard from his subordinate demons about the fate of the Tree Sea Golden Toad and, though unsettled and suspicious, did not linger.

He quickly made a decisive decision and summoned a group of great demons from the snowy plateau, swiftly departing to return to the snowfield.

But before they could truly set off, a faint flash of light suddenly appeared in the sky above.

This time, the flowing light did not fall in the distance but directly targeted the snowy mountains in the Hengduan Mountains of the Ming human realm.

It aimed straight at the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and the other snowfield great demons.

An ominous warning rose in the ape’s heart, his fur bristling as if standing on end. His already mountain-like massive body seemed to swell even more.

With a leap that spanned horizontally and vertically, his explosive power and speed were astonishing, comparable to a ninth heaven perfected martial Dao immortal among human cultivators.

With this leap, he seemed to cross the void, bypassing countless rivers and mountains, trying to escape back to the snow plateau.

Just as the Snow Mountain Rage Ape moved, the flowing light suddenly appeared on the ground.

The ape only sensed a sharp blade’s edge brushing past his body.

Amidst the surge of demonic aura and foul atmosphere, a great amount of demonic blood splattered outward.

This giant ape narrowly avoided being cleaved in two by the flowing light, relying on its incredible leap speed.

But the flowing light, which seemed faint in the air, revealed its true power near the ground behind the ape.

Roaring winds and thunder roared alongside it.

The cold blade landed sharply, scraping the ape’s body quietly but leaving him covered in wounds and blood.

What made the Snow Mountain Rage Ape despair even more was that more than one streak of flowing light descended.

On the observation platform of Penglai, Lei Jun sat cross-legged with a calm expression.

Apart from the North Pole Sword aimed at the Tree Sea Golden Toad, the other four treasures—Taiyi Poxue Sword, Zhou Tian Sword, Guangmo Sword, and Vast Sea Sword—were all unleashed, targeting the Snow Mountain Rage Ape.

The opponent’s cultivation strength far exceeded the Tree Sea Golden Toad.

More importantly, the Snow Mountain Rage Ape’s traits resembled those of a human martial Dao expert, with a high degree of vigilance and incredibly swift movement.

The Primordial Magnetic Flying Sword, once released, had a fixed trajectory in the mortal realm.

A single sword strike aimed at the Tree Sea Golden Toad was straightforward, but striking the Snow Mountain Rage Ape alone might leave some chance for him to rely on luck.

Therefore, compared to the Tree Sea Golden Toad, Master Lei was more attentive to the Snow Mountain Rage Ape.

After continuous refinements over time, the three swords—Zhou Tian, Guangmo, and Vast Sea—were also infused with the profound mysteries of the void, following the North Pole Sword.

At this moment, the four swords struck together, directly piercing through the spatial domain between Penglai and the Ming human realm, slicing across the sky to descend in this snowy mountain ridge of the Hengduan Mountains.

With all four swords arriving simultaneously, their blades stirred thunder and wind, forging fierce energy. Wherever they landed, even if not aimed directly at the sword tips, the surrounding area was covered.

Even with the Snow Mountain Rage Ape’s speed and skill, two sword lights’ wild waves slashed him until his flesh was torn and bloody.

Injured, his massive body immediately lost its previous agility.

As another sword light descended, the Snow Mountain Rage Ape could no longer resist.

Amidst thunder and fire roaring, he was instantly cleaved vertically in two from head to foot by the sword edge!

The four sword lights all landed, and the once uninhabited snowy ridge instantly vanished.

Only dazzling brilliance flickered.

No dust rose, no rocks shattered.

It was as if a vast area of the continuous snowy ridge was gouged out of the ground, instantly transforming the mountain into a deep valley basin.

Therefore, besides the Snow Mountain Rage Ape, the large number of snowfield plateau demons that came with him were all buried here, unable to even utter a sound.

A little later, fierce explosions and soaring flames of burning thunder erupted from the deep valley, shaking the surroundings.

The entire Hengduan Mountains seemed to tremble all at once, as if doomsday had arrived with the heavens collapsing and the earth cracking.

In the distance, Zhuo Baojie, having dealt with those Nanzhao great demons and cleaned the scene, began walking calmly toward the explosion site.

Fierce waves of thunderfire swept all directions.

After the situation calmed somewhat, Zhuo Baojie stepped into the sea of flames and thick smoke.

At the bottom of the valley basin, the four great treasures—Taiyi Poxue Sword, Zhou Tian Sword, Guangmo Sword, and Vast Sea Sword—were stuck in the ground at different angles.

Zhuo Baojie checked around thoroughly and, seeing no other snowfield great demons, respectfully saluted the four swords, then collected them one by one before leaving.

Lei Jun’s two strikes were too shocking.

Near the Ming Dynasty, there were people monitoring news. Upon discovering the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad had converged, they grew more anxious.

But then came the earth-shaking upheaval.

When they arrived to investigate, there were no living beings left.

Burned by the thunderfire, even mighty demon kings like the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad were reduced to unrecognizable bones, making it hard to discern the exact situation.

The destructive power, so massive it impacted the surroundings, struck fear into everyone in the Ming realm.

The previously dense demonic aura and foul atmosphere from Nanzhao were now completely cleansed by the vigorous thunderfire.

Where was the Snow Mountain Rage Ape?

Where was the Tree Sea Golden Toad?

Had these great demons moved their meeting point for some other scheme?

Or was there…

A conjecture surfaced in the minds of the Ming people, corresponding with the scene before them.

The easiest and yet most shocking thought: the two top overlords among ninth heaven great demons had lost their lives together?

Who could have done this?

“Report to the capital immediately!” someone shouted loudly.

The news was sent to the Ming capital at once.

Unfortunately, Emperor Han Zhi’ning and Prime Minister Zhou Mingzhe could not wait for further reports.

In the capital, after hearing the news of the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad converging in the southwest, Zhou Mingzhe steadied himself and turned to Yuan Qingci, leader of the Ming Shushan Sect.

Yuan Qingci remained calm: “Prime Minister, do not worry. Master Lei will personally take action.”

Zhou Mingzhe: “Master Lei is going to enter the mortal realm to exterminate demons himself?”

Though he asked, he did not believe it.

But this did not ease his mind.

“Earlier, the Celestial Master personally struck down the Sea King Ju, Northern Sea Whale King, and Hexagonal Golden Shark—three great demon kings who had long inhabited the deep seas of the Tang mortal realm. Each was comparable to a ninth heaven human cultivator. Especially Sea King Ju, only a handful of the top great demons in our Ming realm could be compared, but now they can no longer ravage the Tang maritime borders.”

Yuan Qingci explained mildly: “In recent years, the Tang cultivation world has been relatively stable. Human cultivators fought less among themselves, focusing instead on eradicating great demons everywhere.

Before the Celestial Master’s intervention, the top great demons on Tang’s mainland were mostly eliminated, leaving only the Sea King Ju trio hiding in the deep sea, skilled at escaping through the ocean, making them hard to eliminate.

Thus, the Celestial Master ultimately acted decisively. Since then, no significant top great demons remain in the Tang mortal realm. The cultivators only need to patrol carefully and prevent minor problems.”

Zhou Mingzhe listened intently, silent in thought.

Yuan Qingci continued: “True Protector Mu Chunyang of Zhenwu Temple and I, among others, only truly relaxed and returned to Ming after the Celestial Master’s demon extermination.”

“Will the Longhu Mountain Sect intervene in the joint attack of the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad?” Zhou Mingzhe watched Yuan Qingci closely: “Is this now a show of killing demons to warn others?”

Before Yuan Qingci could answer, the entire Ming capital suddenly trembled.

A vast amount of radiance and refined talent soared into the sky, interweaving and manifesting a magnificent, massive ink-black city in midair, shrouding the already majestic Ming capital.

Zhou Mingzhe’s expression changed briefly but soon returned to normal: “Indeed, compared to the four great demons and the common people, Longhu Mountain cares more about our dynasty’s fate. I wonder if Master Yuan knew beforehand and was just deceiving me here, or if you and Mu Chunyang were both fooled by Longhu Mountain?”

In the Ming Imperial Palace, Emperor Han Zhi’ning wore a solemn expression, busily writing and stamping an imperial edict.

As he wrote, the defense formation of the Ming capital automatically activated.

The massive ink city covered the four directions, dense and solid.

Golden light flashed in all directions atop the black city.

But the golden light seemed eroded by an invisible force, breaking repeatedly.

The ink city also showed signs of twisting and cracking, as if under immense pressure.

However, due to their resistance, the incoming invisible force revealed its true form.

It was a wondrous treasure light, graceful and flexible but not overwhelmingly fierce.

The source of the light ascended straight into the clouds.

Above, beyond the sight of Zhou Mingzhe and Han Zhi’ning, a bright mirror hung high.

On the mirror surface, two divine talismans—one gold, one silver—shone brilliantly.

They were Lei Jun’s Shenxiao Pure Yang Talisman and Lingxiao Pure Yin Talisman.

The Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror, infused with the pure yang and yin lightning of these two talismans, at this moment integrated perfectly, transforming into the Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light.

The light’s radiance was subtle yet astonishingly powerful.

The Ming capital gathered the dragon veins of the mountains and rivers, accumulated over many years of Ming’s ancestral rites.

The rituals of Confucian scholars grew stronger with accumulation.

The ritual power of Neo-Confucian scholars surpassed even that.

In terms of defense, the Ming capital surpassed the former Tang imperial capital Luoyang, the Han capital Chang’an, and the Golden Khanate capital of the Song mortal realm.

But now, under the illumination of Lei Jun’s Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light, the golden radiance and black majestic city below were continuously corroded and broken.

Only after Han Zhi’ning sealed with the imperial jade seal, and with the joint efforts of officials from Zhou Mingzhe down, did a brighter golden light and a denser ink city stand firm.

Looking down from the high heavens, it seemed the entire Ming mortal realm trembled.

Points of light continuously rose from the mountains and rivers of Ming’s territory.

Like a faintly visible dragon coiling and resting, now awakening.

The giant dragon raised its head, positioned right above the capital.

Above the imperial palace in the capital.

Under the shimmering golden light, the dragon’s head formed, roaring skyward.

The even larger ink-black city flickered with golden brilliance, expanding, bearing the dragon head’s long howl as it ascended.

The Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light, which corroded the Ming capital’s defense formation, was now restrained.

Citizens inside the city and those beyond the capital’s outskirts were all astonished, watching the awe-inspiring spectacle above.

In Penglai, Lei Jun sat calmly on the observation platform, quietly observing everything.

High above the Ming capital, the spiritual power in the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror began to condense further.

Besides the continuing Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light formed by the pure yang celestial lightning and pure yin divine lightning, more divine talismans began to appear and shimmer on the mirror surface.

The Morning Sun Midheaven Talisman condensed fiery red heavenly true fire.

The Fire Dharma Earth Book Talisman condensed emerald Nine Abyss True Fire.

Under the fusion of yin and yang, communication and mutual existence, a star-like burning presence descended from the sky, falling straight to the ground.

It struck the golden dragon head soaring above the Ming capital and the towering ink city.

Instantly, endless light and heat burst forth in the sky above the capital.

The vast flames spread rapidly in all directions.

The golden dragon head was smashed askew, unable to rise again, only barely able to emit golden light to restrain the boundless flames.

The black ink city also resisted the spread of flames.

But as if the fire was endless and unquenchable, it continued to burn the ink city, causing cracks to gradually appear.

However, their existence prevented the thunderfire from damaging the real Ming capital below.

“Yin-Yang Wuji Star Radiance prepared quite a lot in the Ming mortal realm…” Lei Jun said, “Taking down Emperor Ming like this lets Zheng Baiyu benefit.”

Though he said this, he could not just let it go…

As Lei Jun focused his mind in Penglai’s center, new divine talismans appeared instantly on the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror high in the heavens above Ming.

The Thunder Law Celestial Book Talisman and Black Cloud Five Thunder Talisman.

Purple Ninth Heaven Divine Lightning and black Black Cloud Celestial Lightning intertwined yin and yang, blooming an extremely condensed and dazzling beam of strong light, as if splitting the sky below in two, reaching the Ming capital.

The dragon shadow and ink city combined, now fully resisting the attacks of Yin-Yang Wuji Star Radiance and Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light.

At this moment, the power condensed and focused, the Yin-Yang Divine Sky Extreme Light targeted the point of attack with maximum destructive force, instantly piercing the giant dragon head unable to fend off distractions!

With the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror’s deflection, the dazzling beam that swept the heavens cut through the golden dragon head’s light like a blade slicing tofu.

As a result, the ink city could no longer hold.

The fierce flames unleashed by Yin-Yang Wuji Star Radiance immediately burned away the ink-formed magical defense.

Neither Emperor Han Zhi’ning in the palace nor Zhou Mingzhe and other ministers could avoid being shaken in spirit at this moment.

Lei Jun’s Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light surged again, instantly dissipating the light mist above the palace.

In the distance outside the capital, a flash of light shot into the city with almost imperceptible speed.

Someone in the palace sprang up to try to block the incoming sword light.

But the sword light’s speed fluctuated, flashing briefly in midair.

In a moment, the would-be blocker staggered sideways.

Near Emperor Han Zhi’ning stood a pale, beardless elder guarding him.

He was the top expert of the Ming inner court, Qian Ping, the head eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Though a eunuch, his refined talent commanded respect throughout the realm, a great Confucian scholar.

The man who tried to block the flying flowing light was also a pale, beardless man—Liu Shuo, the top martial Dao expert of the inner court and head eunuch of the Imperial Stables.

With efforts from Zhou Mingzhe, Zeng Kui, Chao Feng, and others, there were no ninth heaven martial Dao experts left in the outer court.

The only Martial Saint of the Ming Dynasty was Liu Shuo.

Though not a perfected ninth heaven Martial Saint immortal, Liu Shuo was powerful and strong.

Yet at this moment, a single encounter with the flowing light, like a river of time, forced him back.

Han Zhi’ning and Qian Ping were both greatly alarmed.

But they dared not approach Lei Jun’s Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light.

The flowing light, seemingly slow yet actually fast, arrived in an instant.

A man wearing simple cloth and hemp shoes, dressed similarly to Yuan Qingci, emerged from the river of time.

He looked like a young man, but his eyes were indifferent and weathered.

He held a sword, the sword light flowing like water.

“...A Free Immortal?!” Liu Shuo groaned: “A Shu Mountain sword cultivator far stronger than Han Qingtao!”

Some intelligence previously gathered had already revealed who the visitor was.

Shen Xi, leader of the Southern Jin Shushan Sect, a great sword cultivator at the perfected Five Qi Ascension to Immortal stage.

Not to mention his cultivation was higher than Han Qingtao’s in the past, even at the same realm, Shen Xi was superior.

Upon appearing, he said little, sword light flowing as he cut through one ritual after another.

Yuan Qingci also transformed into flowing light and arrived, forming hand seals in front of his chest, shouting: “Decree!”

The ground trembled as the magical treasures lost their ritual constraints and burst forth.

One resembled drifting white clouds, with bell chimes ringing softly within—this was the Shushan Sect’s treasured Immortal Firmament Bell.

On the other side, golden and silver lights intertwined like sun and moon rising together.

In the center of the light was a treasure pot protected by the yin-yang colors, the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot, one of the Shushan Sect’s foundational treasures established after the great calamity in the late Han.

“Your disciple is unworthy, ashamed before the Patriarch.” Yuan Qingci bowed to the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot, then collected both the treasure pot and the Immortal Firmament Bell.

Shen Xi bowed to the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot as well.

Meanwhile, his life-bound sword Morning and Evening’s sword light cut down countless Confucian ritual characters formed by ink.

Prime Minister Zhou Mingzhe, who had been chasing them, saw this and his face darkened.

Whether Mu Chunyang of Zhenwu Temple, Yuan Qingci, or Guangshu, abbot of Ming Bodhi Temple, all were somewhat suppressed facing the ritual magic of Ming’s Neo-Confucian ancestral rites, unable to fully demonstrate their true strength.

Even Mu Chunyang, a perfected ninth heaven five qi ascension to primordial stage master of Daoist alchemy, was no exception.

But Shen Xi was different.

He did not grow up under the influence of Ming’s Neo-Confucian ancestral rites.

Mu Chunyang, Chu Kun, Zhang Haipeng, and others still lingered around Bashu.

But Shen Xi had quietly approached near the Ming capital.

This meant...

They had planned to act like this from the start!

“The Celestial Master never intended to kill demons to warn people.”

Yuan Qingci sighed lightly, looking at Zhou Mingzhe: “The Celestial Master instructed us to act as we do now. As for the great demons, if any attempt to profit from the chaos, he will deal with them accordingly.

My previous advice was due to my personal feelings as a Ming native, hoping to avoid conflict.”

After speaking, Yuan Qingci looked up at the distant sky and respectfully saluted: “The Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot and Immortal Firmament Bell have finally returned to Shushan. The Celestial Master’s grace is unforgettable to all of Shushan.”

Shen Xi bowed in Daoist respect, then his immortal soul merged with the Morning and Evening sword light, which flowed like a river of time, swiftly carrying the already collected Yuan Qingci far away toward outside the capital.

Han Zhi’ning, Zhou Mingzhe, Qian Ping, Liu Shuo, and others looked up at the sky with fear, no longer daring to act rashly.

“Ninth heaven great demons from the southwest?” Emperor Han Zhi’ning’s expression was blank, his gaze shifting.

Zhou Mingzhe remained silent.

Lei Jun had forcibly broken through their Ming capital’s defense formation.

The Ming Dynasty capital had fallen today.

Under such circumstances, how could he spare time to personally handle the restless Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad in the southwest?

Yuan Qingci’s words implied complete trust that Lei Jun could manage both sides simultaneously.

Though an immortal, could Lei Jun really do it?

Or did he not enter the mortal realm but could attack multiple places in the mortal realm at once?

Both Han Zhi’ning and Zhou Mingzhe shuddered at the thought.

“Your Majesty, I have ordered people to investigate Nanzhao news and report back quickly.” Zhou Mingzhe said.

Han Zhi’ning’s gaze swept over all directions.

Lei Jun, Shen Xi, and Yuan Qingci acted with measure. The densely populated real Ming capital suffered no serious damage, but the defense formation was completely disabled.

With many experts present, including Han Zhi’ning, Zhou Mingzhe, Zeng Kui, Chao Feng, Sima Cheng, Qian Ping, and Liu Shuo, Shen Xi and Yuan Qingci moved freely, even stealing the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon Pot and Immortal Firmament Bell!

“What a disgraceful humiliation!”

Han Zhi’ning said each word deliberately: “This is why the Ming must have immortals!”

Later, urgent news arrived from the southwest.

Hearing that the Snow Mountain Rage Ape and Tree Sea Golden Toad might already be dead, and matching the time, which basically coincided with the capital’s attack, the Ming ruler and ministers fell silent together.

Emperor Han Zhi’ning felt the turmoil in the mountain rivers and ley lines, sensing the Ming national fortune and dragon veins weakening unprecedentedly.

Not only because Lei Jun had severed the dragon head moments ago,

But also because the great battle in the sky was clearly visible to people inside and outside the capital, the news spreading rapidly like wings.

The already shaken public sentiment suffered further devastating blows.

Public sentiment and national fortune were intertwined and mutually affecting each other.

The White Lotus Sect’s efforts over many years had borne fruit today.

The Ming dynasty’s mandate was shaken.

Han Zhi’ning’s already faint path to sainthood seemed like a reflection in water at this moment.

With this thought, the previously suppressed injuries from energy entanglement worsened.

The Ming emperor, standing in the ruined palace, staggered again.

Suddenly, his soul was torn with excruciating pain, dizzy and spinning, spewing a mouthful of fresh blood.

Amid the shocked cries around him, Emperor Han Zhi’ning’s body collapsed backward.