A terrifying power is gathering!

Sun Wukong vanished in an instant.

After sending Sun Wukong off, Houtu cast a cold glare toward the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

"So they sought to use the Underworld's power to bolster the Buddhist Sect's rise?"

"Once I divine the secrets of the Underworld, it will be time to settle accounts with the Buddhist Sect!"

Deep within the hells, Ksitigarbha felt an immense pressure bearing down, terror flooding his heart.

The Primordial Wilderness.

Square Inch Mountain.

Sun Wukong suddenly appeared, but he seemed frail and weak.

Everyone on Square Inch Mountain was stunned.

"Brother Monkey, what happened to you?"

Sun Wukong exaggeratedly feigned illness, his face pale.

"Quick, call the master to save me!"

"That Lady in the Underworld is too terrifying!"

"I almost didn't make it back!"

Patriarch Bodhi rushed over in haste, and even he was dumbfounded at the sight.

Sun Wukong had fallen to such a state?

From what he said, it seemed he had offended Houtu and been punished?

Bodhi's whole body went numb, and he immediately notified Cundi.

When the Two Sages of the West learned of this, they too were stunned.

They had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice!

Not only had they offended Houtu, but Sun Wukong had even dropped in cultivation!

Even Ksitigarbha in the hells was implicated.

Receiver and Cundi felt utterly troubled.

The most troublesome part was that they couldn't start the Journey to the West Calamity.

According to the original plan, Sun Wukong should now be expelled from the sect and return to Flower Fruit Mountain.

But now he wasn't even an immortal—if he went out and got killed by some Demon Race, what then?

Without Sun Wukong, the Journey to the West couldn't proceed at all!

"Elder brother, what do we do now?"

"I'm at a loss too."

"How about we consult the Dao Ancestor?"

"For now, that seems the only way."

Receiver and Cundi exchanged glances, their expressions pained.

Just then, a Heavenly Sound rang in their minds, and Hongjun's intent transmitted through.

Receiver and Cundi were astonished!

The Dao Ancestor actually wanted the Buddhist Sect to assist the Heavenly Court in protecting the Human Race!

What had happened to the Human Race?

Was it more important than the Calamity?

The Two Sages of the West turned their gaze to the Primordial Wilderness.

One look, and they were utterly shocked.

The humans of Great Qin were simply terrifying!

Everyone cultivated, and their iron cavalry swept across the Primordial Wilderness, unstoppable!

Eighty percent of the Primordial Wilderness's land had been incorporated into Great Qin's territory!

Only the Buddhist Sect's domain remained untouched!

Receiver and Cundi couldn't believe it.

In such a short time, the Human Race had developed so rapidly—it was inconceivable!

What kind of change had the Human Race undergone?

Were they about to surpass the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?

The momentum displayed by the Human Race had become a Variable, slipping beyond control.

They truly could no longer sit idly by.

The Two Sages of the West also felt the weight of it.

The Human Race was crucial to the Journey to the West Calamity.

After all, the core of the Calamity was to distribute the Human Race's fortune in order to strengthen the Buddhist Sect.

If the Human Race grew too powerful and exceeded the Buddhist Sect's control, that would be a problem.

Receiver immediately sent a telepathic message to Tathagata.

He instructed him to prepare the Buddhist Sect's forces and assist the Heavenly Court in opposing the Human Race.

As for Sun Wukong's matter, it would have to be set aside for now.

Heavenly Court.

Hall of Celestial Supremacy.

Ever since the Investiture of the Gods ended, Haotian, as the Heavenly Emperor, had grown accustomed to standing high above, revered by all.

The Heavenly Court was the supreme existence across the Three Realms.

Yet the Human Race dared to resist the Heavenly Court, causing it to lose all face.

Both attempts to suppress the Human Race had ended in failure.

The Heavenly Court's dignity was shattered, and Haotian was filled with shame and fury.

Now, the Human Race's momentum grew ever stronger.

First Emperor Ying Zheng's prestige had reached its peak.

This only enraged Haotian further.

What right did a mere Human Race have to possess such profound fortune?

Ying Zheng was originally the Son of Heaven, obligated to obey all his decrees.

How dare he offend the dignity of the Heavenly Emperor?

Thus, in Haotian's eyes, the Human Race was unforgivably guilty and beyond pardon.

Now, with the support of the Dao Ancestor and the aid of the Buddhist Sect, Haotian was overjoyed.

Even if the Human Race had mysterious experts shielding them, he was determined to utterly destroy Great Qin and sever the Human Race's path forward.

"The Human Race commits treason against their superiors, defies all laws, and is guilty beyond redemption," Haotian declared. "The Heavenly Court will mobilize a Million Heavenly Soldiers to punish these rebels."

The Hall of Celestial Supremacy fell silent; no one dared to be the first to respond.

Everyone knew that the Human Race had hidden, powerful backing—who would willingly take that risk?

The Chan Sect and the Jie Sect were especially displeased, but they remained silent.

Seeing the silence, Haotian sneered, "Immortals and Gods of the Chan Sect and Jie Sect must march to war, or your Primordial Spirits will be threatened."

"This matter is decided. We march on a chosen day."

At these words, the two sects grew even more furious.

Haotian was treating them like expendable pawns—utterly unacceptable.

Though the Chan Sect and Jie Sect harbored deep resentment, they were helpless, as Haotian controlled the Investiture of the Gods and held their lives in his hands.

Our Lady of Wudang gritted her teeth, wishing she could destroy the Investiture of the Gods.

Haotian had none of the dignity a Heavenly Emperor should possess!

Seeing the two sects bow their heads in submission, Haotian grew even more smug, believing this was the true authority of a disciple.

The Heavenly Court mobilized a million troops, their might bearing down fiercely on the Human Race.

This overwhelming pressure shook the entire Primordial World, startling countless great powers.

"The Heavenly Court is targeting the Human Race like this!"

"The Human Race's rise is likely to be blocked."

"But I think Ying Zheng is no easy opponent; the Heavenly Court may not necessarily win."

On the other side, in the lands of the Human Race, the fortune above Xianyang City grew even denser and heavier, vast and boundless, visible from thousands of miles away.

This showed that the Human Race was at an unprecedented peak of prosperity, all thanks to Great Qin's sweeping advance across the Primordial World, its rapid development, and flourishing abundance.

Great Qin's fortune was so evident that it even faintly showed signs of the entire nation ascending to immortality, hence the name "Immortal Qin" gradually spread.

The Human Race's fortune surged upward!

Though First Emperor Ying Zheng had not yet been formally crowned Human Emperor, in the hearts of Primordial World Beings, he already possessed the prestige of one.

Many Scattered Immortals thus defected to Great Qin, further boosting the Human Race's fortune.

Among these Scattered Immortals was Guangchengzi, who had been wandering the Primordial World and now came to Great Qin.

Guangchengzi hurried to the imperial palace and met Ying Zheng.

"Your Majesty, Great Qin must cease its conquests."

Ying Zheng stood before the Great Qin Territory Map. Hearing this, he turned and asked calmly, "Why does the Immortal say this?"

Guangchengzi said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Court is preparing for war. Soon, they will attack Great Qin and suppress the Human Race!"

Ying Zheng smiled after hearing this. "I understand. Thank you for the warning, Immortal."

That the Heavenly Court would suppress the Human Race had long been within Ying Zheng's expectations. He was not alarmed.

"Your Majesty, Heavenly Emperor Haotian is not a magnanimous man. This campaign is not for conquest, but purely for revenge and punishment against the Human Race!"

"This time, the Heavenly Court will deploy a million troops. Quasi-Saints and Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals will all join the battle."

"Though Great Qin is strong, its foundations are shallower than the Heavenly Court's. I implore Your Majesty to act with caution."

Guangchengzi analyzed gravely.

As the foremost of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, he understood Haotian's character all too well.

Back when the Investiture of the Gods began, wasn't it because Haotian had complained to Hongjun?

Now that the Heavenly Court's power was formidable, Haotian would surely launch a massive offensive, intent on destroying Great Qin.

"Immortal, rest assured. Great Qin will surely prevail."

"Even if the Heavenly Court sits idle, Great Qin will show them no mercy."

Ying Zheng's words were resolute, brimming with fearless confidence.

Having set his grand ambition to unify the world, the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court could hardly stand aloof.

Ying Zheng had once said he wished to present the flourishing sight of the Human Race as a grand gift to his master.

Guangchengzi sighed softly and finally said, "I must go seek counsel from my master. I beg Your Majesty to refrain from rash action for now."

With that, Guangchengzi transformed into a streak of light and returned to Kunlun Mountain of the Chan Sect.

Having wandered the Primordial Wilderness for many years, Guangchengzi had witnessed firsthand the rise of Great Qin and the unification of the Human Race.

Ying Zheng's vision and boldness far surpassed Haotian's, earning Guangchengzi's deep admiration.

This was an opportunity for the revival of the Chan Sect, so Guangchengzi firmly believed that Ying Zheng and Great Qin would achieve great things.

Yet he also knew that Great Qin stood in peril, and he wished to borrow the Chan Sect's power to help it escape danger.

But Guangchengzi did not know what path Ying Zheng cultivated, nor did he understand the full extent of Great Qin's hidden cards.

After Guangchengzi left, the Kongtong Seal appeared in Ying Zheng's palm.

The divine light of the radiant Kongtong Seal reflected in Ying Zheng's blazing eyes.

Golden fortune gathered upon the seal, and the faint form of a fortune dragon could be seen taking shape—the Auspicious Golden Dragon of Human Fortune.

As Great Qin swept through the Primordial Wilderness, the fortune of the Human Race grew ever mightier.

Ying Zheng, as the Human Co-Lord, bore the hopes of countless generations.

His cultivation of the Grand Void God Sealing Art had thus advanced by leaps and bounds.

Now, he had comprehended the realm of Heaven-Earth Longevity and even reached the state of All Beings Unity! Ying Zheng's cultivation was also on the verge of attaining the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal rank! After all, the Grand Void God Sealing Art had no threshold.

"I shall establish Immortal Qin and ascend as the Human Emperor!"

"Such a grand occasion requires a ceremony."

"Let the Heavenly Court preside over this ceremony!"

Ying Zheng gazed at the Heavenly Court, his eyes blazing, his aura overwhelming!

"Summon the ministers and soldiers!"

"Sharpen your blades, prepare to disciple the Heavenly Court!"

"On the day Immortal Qin is founded, that is the time to trample the Heavenly Court!"

"As you command!!"

The soldiers and civil officials of Great Qin answered in unison!

"On the day Immortal Qin is founded, that is the time to trample the Heavenly Court!"

Immortal mist billowed, surging skyward!

The battle will of the Human Race shook the Three Realms!

Thunderous roars resounded across the Primordial Wilderness.

Tremors of unrest began to spread throughout the land!

The Heavenly Court sought to punish the Human Race!

And the Human Race dared to disciple the Heavenly Court!

Such audacity!

The Heavenly Court and Immortal Qin were locked in a standoff, on the verge of eruption!

A terrifying force was gathering!

A heavy, storm-laden atmosphere filled the heavens and earth!

Powerhouses across the Primordial Wilderness were shaken.

Clearly, a world-shaking upheaval was about to unfold!

If this battle was won, it could completely reshape the order of the Primordial Wilderness!

Yet, facing the supreme Heavenly Court...

Could the Human Race truly prevail?

The Heavenly Court.

Haotian sneered repeatedly upon hearing that Ying Zheng dared to challenge the Heavenly Court.

"Ying Zheng, this rebel, will die without a doubt!"

"I will tear him limb from limb!"

But Haotian still dismissed Great Qin with contempt.

Even if Ying Zheng had strong allies backing him, what use was it?

The Heavenly Court's Million Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were not to be underestimated.

Quasi-Saint experts and Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals far outnumbered the Human Race.

What capital did mere humans have to claim victory?

Fire Cloud Cave.

Fuxi's face showed admiration.

"This man will surely attain the position of Human Emperor."

Shennong also sighed at Ying Zheng's boldness.

"I never thought the Human Race would still possess such courage, daring to challenge the Heavenly Court!"

In the past, during the Human Race's golden age, they had once attacked the Demon Race's Heavenly Court.

This act was nothing less than a rebellion against heaven!

Xuanyuan gripped the Xuanyuan Sword, his expression resolute.

"I wish I could leave this cave right now and strike straight at the Heavenly Court!"

Square Inch Mountain.

Sun Wukong, who spent his days lazing around, was stunned by the Human Race's soaring morale.

"This Human Emperor Ying Zheng truly has extraordinary boldness!"

"He actually dares to wage war on the Heavenly Court—truly a heroic act!"

"If only I could join him!"

But his master had forbidden him from revealing his cultivation.

Sun Wukong felt that Ying Zheng's style suited his own tastes.

Besides, he knew well that the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect, working together to scheme against him, were no good sorts!

Thus, he wished he could lend a hand to the Human Race in their challenge to the Heavenly Court!

But his master had instructed him not to show his strength.

"Once Ying Zheng attacks the Heavenly Court this time, I, Old Sun, will come back for another round later!" Sun Wukong thought briefly, then burst into loud laughter.

Chaos Beyond Heaven, Purple Cloud Palace.

Hongjun sat within, merely casting a faint glance before slowly closing his eyes.

The Human Race dared to rebel against the Heavenly Court? Truly ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth.

The West, Western Paradise.

The two sages were utterly baffled.

Was the Human Race insane? Not only did they not fear the Heavenly Court's assault, but they also dared to challenge the Heavenly Court!

"A mere ant shaking a giant tree—truly laughable."