Chapter 42

If this continued, the Demon Clan's core forces would likely be wiped out in this battle.

Seeing that the situation had become dire, Di Jun no longer held back. He circulated all his mana and forced back Zhu Rong, Xi Zi, and Gonggong before shouting,

"Demon Clan, heed my command—form the Zhou Tian Star Formation!"

Before his words had even faded, the River Diagram and Luo Book shone brilliantly.

Countless Star Banners flew from his sleeves and took their designated positions.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four quasi-Saints, the ten Demon Marshals, and tens of thousands of demon soldiers all fought desperately to break away, flying toward their respective Star Banner positions.

Without the Earth Demon Marshal's command, countless demons fell into chaos and were slaughtered wantonly by the Wu Clan. Seeing the Demon Clan begin to set up the Zhou Tian Star Formation, the Twelve Ancestor Witches knew it was time to use their trump card.

They quickly gathered around Di Jiang and stood in specific positions. In an instant, boundless baleful aura surged from the Twelve Ancestor Witches, completely engulfing them. Even more astonishingly, the baleful aura drifting between heaven and earth seemed drawn by some force, madly converging upon them.

In mere moments, the Twelve Ancestor Witches condensed into a gigantic egg formed of baleful aura. To the senses of the many great powers, their auras had fused into one, as though they were a single person.

The Zhou Tian Star Formation and the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Formation began to operate, and terrifying pressure spread from the two great formations. The Wu and Demon Clans, who had been slaughtering one another, tacitly retreated. They all understood that if they did not withdraw now, death was their only path.

Above the thirty-third heaven of the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin were all stunned by the pressure emitted by the two formations.

"This pressure is already nearing the Saint level, and it is still rising. Could their formations truly rival Saints?" Zhunti asked in disbelief.

"Impossible! How could these ants possess power comparable to Saints?" Primordial Heavenly Venerate said disdainfully.

Li Peng secretly shook his head. He had not expected Primordial Heavenly Venerate to become so arrogant after attaining sainthood.

Sure enough, as he pondered this, the pressure of both formations simultaneously broke through the threshold of sainthood.

"Their pressure has reached the Saint level." Tongtian said in surprise.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate once again teetered on the brink of a shattered Dao Heart.

"Didn't the Dao Ancestor say that all beneath Saints are ants? Why can both the Wu and Demon Clans possess power comparable to Saints?" he muttered absentmindedly.

What had happened today once again struck a heavy blow to his Dao Heart.

Seeing this, Laozi could not help frowning. "Second Brother..."

Though that voice was soft, it struck Primordial Heavenly Venerate's heart like a heavy hammer, instantly awakening him from the state of Dao Heart collapse.

At this moment, the Zhou Tian Star Formation was finally complete.

In an instant, an even more terrifying pressure spread outward.

Sensing this pressure, Li Peng frowned. "This pressure has reached the Peak early Saint stage!"

The Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, Jieyin, Nuwa, Fuxi, and the other Saints all fell silent upon hearing this. They had only just entered the Saint realm. To advance from the early Saint stage to its peak would require the accumulation of several yuanhui.

For a moment, looks of frustration appeared on the faces of the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin.

They had thought that after becoming Saints, they would become rulers of heaven and earth, firmly seated in high positions and looking down upon the shifting world.

Yet now, the might of a single Demon Clan formation was stronger than they were. It was difficult for them to accept.

Just as the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin were deeply shaken, earthshaking roars rang throughout the heavens.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Countless great powers in the thirty-third heaven were drawn by the roars.

The Twelve Ancestor Witches, originally shrouded in baleful aura, had transformed into an incomparably massive, muscular man.

The man's features were indistinct, but the pressure he radiated made every great power tremble in fear.

"This... this is Pangu!" the Three Pure Ones said, dumbfounded.

As Pangu's Three Pure Ones, they were more familiar than anyone with Pangu's appearance and aura.

Though it was only a Pangu True Body, it had already made the Three Pure Ones feel threatened—if Pangu were to revive and seek to reclaim Pangu's Primordial Spirit, would the Three Pure Ones disappear from then on?

At that thought, all three of them developed the intention to destroy the Wu Clan.

Zhunti and Jieyin were likewise shocked when the Pangu True Body appeared. They had not expected the Wu Clan to possess such a trump card.

Sensing the power radiating from Pangu, Li Peng thought to himself, Mid Saint stage? Heh, the Demon Clan is probably going to suffer a crushing defeat this time. But old man Hongjun, will you step in to save the Demon Clan and forcibly turn back the tide of destiny? I'm rather looking forward to it.

As the Saints discussed among themselves and the countless powerful figures watched, the Pangu True Body suddenly opened his eyes. It was as if Great God Pangu had awakened, and an even more majestic pressure surged into the sky.

The Pangu True Body lowered his head to look at his empty hands, then suddenly roared,

"Come, axe!"

As those words fell, the Taiji Diagram within Laozi, the Pangu Banner within Primordial Heavenly Venerate, and the Chaos Bell above Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's head all shook violently, as though they wished to break free of their restraints and return to their true master.

Laozi, Yuanshi, and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi immediately circulated their mana, doing everything they could to suppress their respective supreme treasures.

After a moment, Pangu frowned when he saw that his magical treasures had not returned.

He could only gather the endless baleful aura around him into his palm. In an instant, it condensed into an illusory yet solid black giant axe, whose body radiated ferocious baleful energy and the intent of destruction.

The Pangu True Body's pressure immediately became even more terrifying.

Di Jun within the Zhou Tian Star Formation also sensed the enormous threat coming from Pangu.

He immediately shouted, "Zhou Tian Stars, empower my body! Gather, power of the stars!"

Endless starlight descended from the starry sky, and the Zhou Tian Star Formation's power surged.

However, Di Jun still found it insufficient. The formation's pressure remained inferior to that of the Pangu True Body.

His brows furrowed tightly as he gave another order. "All demons, heed my command—output more power!"

All the demons answered in unison. Mana surged through the formation, and the power of the Zhou Tian Star Formation rose once again, faintly gaining the momentum to contend with the Pangu True Body.

Seeing that the Zhou Tian Star Formation had reached its peak, Di Jun shouted, "Power of the stars, Stellar Slaughter!"

Endless stellar power condensed into a single point and shot toward the Pangu True Body.

The Pangu True Body did not hesitate and swung his axe to meet it.

A ferocious axe light flew from the giant axe and headed straight for the beam of starlight.

Amid a thunderous boom, the axe light and the starlight collided violently.

Space shattered like glazed ware, and the shockwaves swept outward, destroying everything within ten thousand miles.

"Can quasi-Saints truly do something like this?"

"Could they really destroy heaven and earth?"

"This kind of power... it's too terrifying."

The many great powers in the thirty-third heaven were all horrified.

Even Saints such as the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin showed shock upon witnessing this strike.

Yet it was not over—the Pangu True Body raised his axe again and shouted,

"Second Form of Heaven Opening, Heaven-Opening Slash!"

As the Pangu True Body roared, the giant axe had already slashed down through the air.

In an instant, an axe beam stretching across a million meters tore through space and cleaved straight toward the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

Seeing this terrifying attack approach, Di Jun did not dare delay and urgently ordered the demons, "Pour in all your mana!"

Upon hearing the command, the demons poured all the mana in their bodies into the formation.

The Zhou Tian Star Formation immediately blazed with brilliant light.

Di Jun nodded at the sight, his hand seals changing rapidly.

Stellar power flowed according to his seals, condensing countless stars.

In only a short while, billions of stars hung in the sky.

Di Jun shouted brightly, "Zhou Tian Stars, heed my command—Stellar Strike!"

Before his words faded, the billions of stars had already flown like meteors toward the axe beam.

The axe beam and the stars collided with a thunderous crash.

"Boom—"

The stars shattered one after another, space fractured inch by inch, and the entire Heavenly Court trembled violently as though it could collapse at any moment.

The great powers beyond the third heaven all changed expression. None had expected this clash to possess such terrifying might.

The Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints immediately circulated their mana to stabilize the Heavenly Court's space.

Li Peng thought to himself, If not for the Dao Ancestor's instruction, with the Three Pure Ones' pride and the Western Second Saints' delight at seeing chaos arise in the East, they would never have stepped in to help.

As he pondered this, the axe beam had already swept through the stars like dry weeds and rotten wood, striking the Zhou Tian Star Formation with undiminished momentum.

The formation shook violently.

Di Jun spat out a mouthful of blood, lingering fear filling his heart. "If Stellar Strike had not weakened most of the axe's force, I fear I would not have escaped this calamity today."

Before he could recover, the Pangu True Body raised his axe again and shouted, "Second Form of Heaven Opening—Yin and Yang Slash!"

The giant axe fell once more, and an axe beam tens of millions of meters long, containing the profound mysteries of Yin-Yang Great Dao, tore through the air toward the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

Li Peng's eyes flashed when he witnessed this move.

Li Peng discovered that the Pangu True Body's use of Yin-Yang Great Dao in this technique was exquisitely profound. If he could learn this move, his strength would surely rise to another level.

When the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints saw the axe beam appear, fear surfaced on all their faces—they clearly realized that they would never be able to withstand this strike. From this day onward, the Wu Clan planted deep apprehension in their hearts.

At the same moment, Di Jun within the Zhou Tian Star Formation saw the axe beam tear through the air, and his expression changed drastically. Gritting his teeth, he spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the River Diagram and Luo Book. Instantly, the two treasures shone brilliantly, and the Zhou Tian Star Formation's power surged. The other demons followed suit, splashing their essence blood upon the Star Banners as the formation's pressure rose once more.

Di Jun did not dare delay. His hands rapidly formed seals. In the blink of an eye, countless small stars condensed from stellar power emerged within the formation, swiftly gathering toward the Sun Star formed from vast solar power. In an instant, the Sun Star's pressure increased sharply, and its size expanded dramatically.

Di Jun shouted, "Starfall!"

The enormous Sun Star, formed from countless small stars, charged toward the axe beam.

"Boom boom boom—"

Thunderous explosions shook the heavens, space collapsed layer by layer, and the thirty-third heaven swayed violently.

Cold sweat poured down the foreheads of the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints as they desperately stabilized the Heavenly Court's space. Had they not acted, the entire celestial realm might have returned to chaos.

The many great powers were caught in a dilemma. They could neither leave nor intervene in the battle, and could only wait for fate's judgment.

At the center of the battlefield, the axe beam and the Sun Star formed from the stars collided violently. Countless rays of starlight scattered as shattered stars fell. Whether an instant or a thousand years passed, the axe beam eventually cleaved through the Sun Star and continued toward the Zhou Tian Star Formation without losing momentum.

"Boom—"

The axe beam struck the formation heavily, making the entire formation shake violently and nearly collapse. Amid the tremors, countless demon soldiers and generals had their souls destroyed. Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four Demon Clan quasi-Saints, and the ten Demon Marshals all spat blood.

A moment later, the Zhou Tian Star Formation shattered with a thunderous crash. Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four Demon Clan quasi-Saints, the ten Demon Marshals, and countless demon soldiers and generals were all blasted away.

Many demon soldiers and generals had their souls annihilated beneath the axe beam.

A burst of wild laughter suddenly came from within the Pangu True Body.

"Di Jun, Tai Yi, today I'll slaughter you two mongrel birds and eat your flesh!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the other demons immediately darkened.

Before Di Jun could speak, a gentle female voice suddenly rang out.

As the voice fell, the Pangu True Body raised the giant axe again and slashed toward Di Jun, Tai Yi, and the others.

In an instant, another terrifying axe light flew from the giant axe.

Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the numerous Demon Clan higher-ups all closed their eyes, waiting for death to descend.

Countless great powers of the prehistoric world also stared unblinkingly at the Wu Clan's strike—if this attack landed, the Wu Clan would unify the prehistoric world and become its overlord.

As the great powers watched nervously, an elderly Daoist suddenly appeared before Di Jun and Tai Yi.

Before the terrifying axe beam, the elderly Daoist was like an ant, seeming as though he would be chopped into minced flesh the next moment.

Yet reality was not as it appeared. The elderly Daoist casually waved his hand.

The axe beam, which had been surging with overwhelming momentum only moments before, suddenly dissipated as if it had never existed.

For a moment, all the great powers of the prehistoric world were dumbfounded.

"It's Dao Ancestor Hongjun! The Dao Ancestor actually intervened!"

"I never imagined Dao Ancestor Hongjun was this powerful. An attack like that from the Pangu True Body was resolved so easily by him."

"The Dao Ancestor is indeed the Dao Ancestor. His strength is truly unfathomable!"

The great powers all praised him endlessly, clearly intimidated by Hongjun's display.

Li Peng was among them.

Although Li Peng believed he could also withstand that axe strike, he could never resolve it as effortlessly and without leaving a trace as Hongjun had.

It seems I need to complete more choice missions and raise my strength. The gap between Hongjun and me is still far too great, Li Peng thought.

At this moment, the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints looked at Hongjun with even greater reverence.

Since becoming Saints, they had inevitably become somewhat complacent.

They had nearly forgotten Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who had Combined with Dao, believing that they alone held sway over the prehistoric world.

Only now, upon seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun act again, did they realize just how vast the gap between themselves and the Dao Ancestor truly was.

On the battlefield, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi had yet to realize that death had approached and hurriedly opened their eyes.

The moment they opened them, they saw Dao Ancestor Hongjun's figure.