Chapter 26

Why had Empress Wa come in person?

Nuwa's eyes frosted over.

He did not know his place.

A colossal palm slammed down from the sky.

Di Jun's golden body shattered inch by inch.

She gently stroked the youth's hair.

"Sister came too late."

Lin Fan looked up and smiled.

"Seeing that Sister is unharmed..."

"...is very good."

Lin Fan spoke softly and obediently.

Nuwa's heart grew even softer as she gently pinched Lin Fan's cheek.

"My little brother has become sensible."

Even while facing the joint assault of Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi, fighting countless demons, he had still worried about her.

His words only made Nuwa blame herself more deeply.

If she had been able to protect the human race and remain by Lin Fan's side from the beginning...

The human race would not have suffered this calamity, and Lin Fan would not have had to face countless demons alone.

"Empress Nuwa has arrived!"

"Greetings, Holy Mother!"

The humans all knelt and paid their respects.

Their expressions were excited, their hearts filled with hope.

With Nuwa's appearance, the battle was decided. The demon race no longer dared act recklessly.

Di Jun's flesh and blood reformed as he questioned her darkly.

"Empress Nuwa, you are the Empress Wa of our demon race. Why have you attacked your own kind?"

"Di Jun, do you know that your death is at hand?"

Nuwa's voice was icy.

Vast Saintly might descended like a galaxy.

It crushed Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi to their knees, breaking their bones.

They were utterly horrified.

"Is Empress Wa truly going to defy Heaven? Such an act will surely invite divine punishment!"

Di Jun forced himself to speak.

Nuwa understood the heavenly secrets and naturally knew that the fates of the two were deeply entwined.

If she killed them rashly, unforeseen changes might arise.

But how could she leave such arrogance unpunished?

Her jade hand lifted, just as she was about to act—

"Nuwa, you have crossed the line."

A towering figure suddenly appeared.

Laozi had descended.

The pressure on Di Jun and the other immediately vanished.

It felt as though they had survived a calamity.

"Laozi, are you going to stop me?"

Nuwa's gaze was icy.

Overwhelming might swept forth, making Laozi's heart tremble as he shouted sternly.

"You receive the offerings of the demon race's fortune, yet now you turn against those who sustain you. Such defiance of Heaven will surely bring retribution!"

At the same time, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti appeared one after another.

At the peak of the heavens, Sect Master Tongtian suddenly appeared, looking down upon the vast world below.

In an instant, all the Saints of Heaven had gathered. Countless beings stared wide-eyed at this earth-shaking change.

No one had expected Lin Fan's clash with the demon race to draw the attention of the supreme Saints.

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, who had been locked in fierce battle, also stopped to watch.

Venerable Yuanshi's face was frosty as he said coldly.

"Junior Sister Nuwa, the Dao Ancestor long ago decreed that Hunyuan Sages must not interfere in the conflict between the witch and demon races."

"Are you going to defy Master's orders today?"

"Do not use Destiny's Mandate or the greater tide of fate to threaten me!"

Empress Nuwa's phoenix eyes gleamed with killing intent as her red lips parted. "I am a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, above Destiny's Mandate!"

Having said that, she directly swore an oath to the Great Dao before the heavens.

"From this moment onward, I, Nuwa, relinquish the title of Empress Wa and sever all karma with the demon race!"

The laws of Heaven suddenly shook as countless subtle threads of karma snapped apart inch by inch.

Nuwa was originally a Hunyuan Sage beyond fortune itself. Even if she abandoned the faith of the demon race, it would not harm her foundation.

Yet the entire Primordial World trembled and shook because of it.

Countless beings cried out in alarm.

The hidden great powers all turned their attention toward the human territory, unable to conceal their shock.

"Empress Nuwa has actually drawn a clear line between herself and the demon race?"

"The demon race slaughtered the human race and enraged a Saint. They will surely suffer Heaven's punishment!"

"This is truly going too far! The human race was personally created by Empress Nuwa, and Human Teachings was also established by her. The demon race's wanton actions are clearly courting **!"

Demon Emperor Di Jun's heart shook violently.

He knew that Nuwa had once shown the demon race some consideration because of her status as Empress Wa. Now that she had severed their karma, she likely would no longer show mercy.

Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti were all stunned.

"How could Senior Sister act so impulsively?"

"Junior Sister, how can karma be severed just because you say so? This is far too hasty!"

Sect Master Tongtian frowned tightly and tried to persuade her earnestly.

Only Laozi watched indifferently, a trace of mockery flashing through his eyes.

In his view, Nuwa's severing of karma with the demon race was utter foolishness.

Not only would she forever lose the protection of the demon race's fortune, she would also anger the Dao Ancestor.

Such stubborn self-will would sooner or later make her suffer the consequences.

"Junior Sister Nuwa, since you have already drawn a clear line between yourself and the demon race, you should no longer interfere in its affairs. Return to your own palace at once."

The old man's face was stern, his low voice forceful and carrying an unquestionable command.

"What Sister wants to do is none of your business."

Lin Fan replied lightly.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Do you really think you are Destiny's Mandate?"

The old man flew into a rage.

That wet-behind-the-ears brat had ruined his plans time and again.

And now he even dared mock him in public. He truly did not know the immensity of Heaven and earth.

Old grievances and new hatred surged into his heart. The old man could no longer restrain himself and pointed at Lin Fan, cursing furiously.

"Impudent! You are nothing but a snot-nosed brat, yet you dare disrespect a Saint!"

"I am the foremost of Shangqing, the honored one of the Taoist sects."

"Today, I will teach you a proper lesson!"

As he spoke, he reached out to seize Lin Fan.

Nuwa's beautiful face darkened, and she struck with a palm.

Dense Saintly power surged forth.

The old man was immediately sent flying.

"The dignified Saint Taiqing, leader of the Taoist sects, actually attacked a junior and bullied the weak."

"Your skin is truly thick!"

Nuwa mocked him.

"Senior Brother, why did I never realize you were so shameless?"

Lin Fan could not hold back his laughter.

The other two Saints could not stop the corners of their mouths from twitching either.

Watching the old man suffer such humiliation made them feel indescribably satisfied.

Back then, the Sanqing had come knocking without cause.

They too had endured such stifling humiliation.

Now karma had finally come full circle.

If they were not presently on the same side, they would have burst out laughing long ago.

The old man's face flushed crimson as his embarrassment turned to rage.

"Nuwa, you have gone too far!"

"Junior Sister, what you have done is excessive."

"Senior brother is the head of the Daoist sects. How could you show such disrespect for your elders?"

Another Saint frowned as he rebuked her.

"Hmph! This Palace merely wants him to understand that my little brother is not someone others may bully."

Nuwa's tone was calm, yet impossible to refute.

Di Jun secretly rejoiced. Sensing the Saints' dissatisfaction with Nuwa, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Esteemed Saints, please judge fairly. The Dao Ancestor has long made it clear that Saints should not involve themselves in the struggle of the great calamity."

"Yet Empress Nuwa has repeatedly targeted our demon race. This violates Heaven's Will. I ask the Saints to uphold justice."

He knew that Laozi and Nuwa had long been at odds. He also recalled that Laozi had previously conveyed Hongjun's command, strictly forbidding Saints from interfering in the affairs of the witch and demon races.

Now that Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti were all present, perhaps he could borrow the authority of the Saints to resolve the demon race's crisis today.

Before Laozi and Yuanshi could respond, Tongtian said coldly.

"The demon race slaughtered the human race, acting cruelly and without principle. As the Holy Mother of Human Teachings, Nuwa's intervention to protect them is simply her duty."

Di Jun was momentarily speechless. He had not expected Tongtian to speak for Nuwa.

Nuwa's expression remained calm, but her words were firm.

"I have no intention of becoming involved in the great calamity. But if anyone harms my human race or bullies my little brother, do not blame me for showing no mercy."

Her words were light, yet edged with sharpness, directly aimed at the demon race's actions.

Laozi and Yuanshi's eyes turned cold as they questioned her sternly.

"Junior Sister, are you going to defy the Dao Ancestor's command and disregard the Heavenly Mandate?"

Tongtian frowned and retorted, "Eldest Brother, that is not correct. Master never said Nuwa was forbidden from protecting the human race."

Yuanshi rebuked him sharply. "Tongtian! You are actually joining Nuwa in this nonsense. What kind of conduct is this?"

Tongtian remained calm and unmoved.

"I act only according to my Dao heart, without favor or bias."

He had always remembered Lin Fan's kindness. Now that the Saints were targeting Nuwa, he naturally would not stand by idly.

Lin Fan's bearing today had deeply shaken him.

A mere Great Luo Golden Immortal had faced countless demons without the slightest fear, dared defy Heaven's Will, and risked death to protect the human race.

Such courage, such fearlessness—was it not perfectly aligned with the Dao of the Jie Sect?

To struggle against Heaven for one's fate, seeking even a sliver of survival when hope was absent.

If it had been him, he might not have been able to do the same.

This sight only strengthened his resolve to lend Nuwa his aid.

Laozi was so furious that he laughed instead, glaring coldly at Tongtian.

"Good. Very good! What a fine third brother you are!"

He had never imagined that Tongtian would stand so decisively on Nuwa's side today.

One had to know that Nuwa and Lin Fan had once taken away his opportunity to become a Saint.

Tongtian remained silent.

He had already seen through it—Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti claimed to defend the Heavenly Dao and follow the Heavenly Mandate, but in truth they merely wanted to stop Nuwa from intervening and allow the demon race to forge the sword of slaughter.

Such scheming chilled the heart.

Venerable Yuanshi said in a deep voice.

"I am a Saint of the Mystic Gate. I will never allow anyone to interfere in the great calamity or defy Heaven."

"Junior Sister Nuwa, withdraw at once!"

His tone allowed no objection.

Nuwa's eyes suddenly turned cold.

In that case, there was only battle.

She understood now. The Four Saints were determined to protect the demon race; further words were useless.

Tongtian also stood resolutely at Nuwa's side.

The Sanqing, once as close as brothers, now stood at sword's point, irreconcilable as fire and water.

All living beings were shocked; heaven and earth shook.

Yuanshi fixed his gaze on Tongtian and said coldly:

Stubbornly refusing to repent!

He could not understand why Tongtian would turn against his own brothers for ants like the Human Tribe.

Laozi flew into a rage. The Taiji Diagram descended from above, bearing down directly upon Nuwa.

Heaven and earth split apart, and the void was annihilated.

Black clouds pressed down upon the sky as wind and thunder raged.

Vast saintly might swept across heaven and earth, leaving countless demons trembling in terror.

A battle between Saints was about to erupt at any moment.

Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti each unleashed supreme Hunyuan-level divine abilities and attacked together.

Nuwa remained calm as she stood shoulder to shoulder with Sect Master Tongtian, facing the Four Saints.

In an instant, space shattered, and earth, wind, water, and fire nearly began anew.

Countless demons were caught in the aftermath.

All Saints flickered away, taking their battle beyond the chaos.

Brother, should we continue our operation?

Seeing Nuwa depart, Donghuang Taiyi relaxed slightly and asked Di Jun in a low voice.

Di Jun pondered for a long while before suddenly saying with resolve, "Since we have already offended the Saints, there is no way back."

"We cannot let this opportunity slip away. Kill the Human Tribe at once and use their flesh, blood, and souls to refine the Witch-Slaying Sword!"

Nuwa had now relinquished her position as Empress Wa and stood completely opposed to the demon race.

Di Jun no longer had any reservations. With a single command, trillions of demons once again surged toward the Human Tribe.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun hurriedly unleashed their divine abilities, bringing out magical treasures to intercept the demons.

Within the Human Tribe, the Innate Five Elements Grand Formation shone once more.

Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi charged straight at Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was a twelve-petal supreme Da Luo, having condensed three thousand Dao Fruits. His strength far exceeded his realm.

When he erupted with his full power, he actually fought the two emperors to a standstill.

All kinds of magical treasures appeared in rapid succession, dealing grievous blows time and again at critical moments.

Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi were battered into alarm, yet they had no answer.

The Primordial Pearl concealed the heavenly secrets, making it impossible for their divine senses to detect the magical treasures' traces.

They had to contend with Lin Fan's Hunyuan divine abilities while guarding against ambushes by magical treasures, leaving them in a miserable state.

Finally, at one moment, the Red Embroidered Ball became a crimson streak and tore through the air, shattering half of Di Jun's body in an instant.

At the same instant, Lin Fan's killing move arrived.

The Sacred Emperor Golden Body Technique circulated, merit-born holy light swirled around him, and the Kongtong Seal burst forth with boundless might.

The golden seal smashed down like a brick, carrying the force of a collapsing sky.

Before Di Jun could react, the blow struck him. His primordial spirit scattered, and he crashed heavily to the ground.

Lin Fan planted one foot upon his body, mercilessly grinding down upon this supreme ruler of the demon race. In an instant, the universe fell silent, and all living beings held their tongues.

The many demons who witnessed this scene had nothing but humiliation and fury in their eyes.

This supreme ruler who commanded the demon race, the master of the laws of all heavens—

At this moment, he was being trampled beneath someone's foot in the most humiliating manner.

The entire world trembled.

Lin Fan, you whelp! How dare you humiliate the Heavenly Emperor!

Arrogant!

You deserve to die ten thousand deaths!

The void shook as several demon saints roared, their cries resounding through the clouds.

Bai Ze, Ji Meng, and the other great demons were beside themselves with rage, as though flames burned within their eyes.

In the hearts of the demon race's people, Lord Di Jun was supreme and inviolable.

Yet now, he was being humiliated and trampled by a mere human like this.

Such an act was no different from crushing the dignity of countless demons beneath one's feet.

He merely placed his foot upon him. Why make such a fuss?