The Heavenly Court's Demise

If this continued, the core strength of the Demon Clan would likely be annihilated in this battle.

Di Jun, seeing the urgency of the situation, no longer held back. He channeled his full power to force back Zhu Rong, Xi Zi, and Gonggong, then shouted:

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

Before his voice faded, the River Diagram and Luo Book erupted in brilliance.

Countless Star Banners flew from his sleeve, taking their positions in sequence.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four Quasi-Saints, the ten Demon Marshals, and tens of thousands of demon soldiers heard the order. They broke free from their battles and flew towards their assigned Star Banner positions.

Without the command of the Earth Great Demon Marshal, the demon forces fell into chaos, slaughtered by the Witch Clan. The Twelve Ancestor Witches, seeing the Demon Clan begin to deploy the Zhou Tian Star Formation, knew it was time to use their trump card.

They quickly gathered around Di Jiang, taking specific positions. Instantly, boundless malevolent energy surged from within the Twelve Ancestor Witches, completely enveloping them. Even more astonishingly, the ambient malevolent energy in the world seemed to be drawn by some force, converging madly towards the Twelve Ancestor Witches.

In just a moment, the Twelve Ancestor Witches coalesced into a giant egg formed from malevolent energy. To the perception of the many Great Powers, the aura of the Twelve Ancestor Witches had become one, as if they were a single being.

The Zhou Tian Star Formation and the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Formation began to operate, and terrifying pressure emanated from both formations. The Witch and Demon clans, who had been fighting fiercely, tacitly retreated. They all understood that further engagement meant certain death.

On the thirty-third heaven of the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin felt the pressure emanating from the two formations and were deeply shocked.

"This pressure is already close to the Saint level, and it's still climbing. Can their formations truly contend with Saints?" Zhunti asked in disbelief.

"Impossible! How could these ants possess power comparable to Saints!" Primordial Heavenly Venerate scoffed dismissively.

Li Peng secretly shook his head at this, surprised by Primordial Heavenly Venerate's arrogance after becoming a Saint.

As he was thinking, the pressure from both formations simultaneously broke through the Saint threshold.

"The pressure has reached the Saint level," Tongtian exclaimed in surprise.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate was once again on the verge of a collapse of his Dao heart.

"Didn't Dao Ancestor say that all below Saints are ants? Why do the Witch and Demon clans possess power comparable to Saints?" he muttered, lost and disoriented.

The scene today once again struck a blow to his Dao heart.

Laozi frowned upon seeing this, "Second Brother..."

Though his voice was soft, it struck Primordial Heavenly Venerate's heart like a heavy hammer, jolting him out of his Dao heart collapse.

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

Instantly, a pressure even more terrifying than before permeated the air.

Li Peng sensed this pressure and said with a frown, "This pressure has reached the peak of the early Saint stage!"

The Saints, including the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, Jieyin, Nuwa, and Fuxi, fell silent. They had all just entered the Saint realm, and reaching the peak of the early Saint stage would require countless eons of accumulation.

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

They had initially believed that after becoming Saints, they would become rulers of the world, occupying high positions and looking down upon everything.

But now, the might of the Demon Clan's formation was even stronger than theirs, which was difficult for them to accept.

Just as the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin were deeply demoralized, earth-shattering roars echoed through the heavens.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

On the thirty-third heaven, countless Great Powers were drawn by these roars.

They saw that the Twelve Ancestor Witches, who had been shrouded in malevolent energy, had transformed into an unimaginably massive, burly man.

The giant man's face was indistinct, but the pressure he exuded made every Great Power tremble with fear.

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

As Pangu's Three Pure Ones, they were intimately familiar with Pangu's image and aura.

Even though it was merely a manifestation of Pangu's true body, it already made the Three Pure Ones feel threatened—if Pangu were to revive and reclaim his Primordial Spirit, would the Three Pure Ones cease to exist?

With this thought, the Three Pure Ones all harbored a desire to destroy the Witch Clan.

Zhunti and Jieyin were also shocked to see Pangu's true body appear, never expecting the Witch Clan to have such a trump card.

Li Peng sensed the power emanating from Pangu and mused, "Mid-stage Saint? Heh, the Demon Clan is probably going to suffer a crushing defeat this time. But Old Man Hongjun, will you intervene to save the Demon Clan and forcibly shift the grand momentum of the world? I'm quite looking forward to it."

As the Saints discussed and the powerful figures watched, Pangu's true body suddenly opened its eyes. As if Pangu the Great God had awakened, an even more magnificent aura surged into the sky.

Pangu's true body looked down at its empty hands and roared in anger:

"Axe, come!"

As his voice 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 vibrated, as if trying to break free from their restraints and return to their true master.

Laozi, Primordial, and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi immediately channeled their power, fully suppressing their respective Supreme Treasures.

A moment later, seeing that his divine weapons had not returned, Pangu frowned.

He had no choice but to gather the endless malevolent energy around him into his palm, instantly forming a black giant axe that seemed both real and illusory. The axe blade was filled with fierce energy and the intent of destruction.

The aura of Pangu's true body immediately became even more terrifying.

Di Jun, within the Zhou Tian Star Formation, also felt the immense threat from Pangu.

He immediately roared, "Zhou Tian Stars, empower me! Power of the Stars, gather!"

Endless starlight descended from the sky, and the might of the Zhou Tian Star Formation greatly increased.

However, Di Jun still felt it was insufficient; the great formation's might was still inferior to Pangu's true form.

His brow furrowed, he commanded again, "All of the Demon Clan, obey my order, exert your strength!"

The demons responded in unison, magic power surging within the formation. The Zhou Tian Star Formation's might ascended once more, showing signs of contending with Pangu's true form.

Seeing that the Zhou Tian Star Formation had reached its peak, Di Jun roared, "Power of the stars, Star Strike!"

Endless starlight condensed into a single point and shot towards Pangu's true form.

Pangu's true form did not hesitate, swinging its axe to meet the attack.

A ferocious axe light flew from the giant axe, directly confronting the beam of starlight.

With a deafening roar, the axe light and starlight violently collided.

Space shattered like glass, and the aftershocks swept out, destroying everything within ten thousand miles.

"Can this truly be the work of a Quasi-Saint?"

"Are we truly going to destroy the heavens and earth?"

"Such power... it's too terrifying."

On the thirty-third heaven, a group of Great Powers were all horrified.

Even Saints like the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, and Jieyin showed shocked expressions as they witnessed this strike.

And it was not over yet—Pangu's true form raised its axe again, shouting:

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

As Pangu's true form roared, the giant axe slashed down from the sky.

Instantly, an axe light spanning a million meters tore through the void, striking directly at the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

Seeing this terrifying attack, Di Jun dared not delay and urgently ordered the demons, "Pour all your magic power into it!"

The demons, upon hearing the command, poured the magic power from their bodies into the formation.

The Zhou Tian Star Formation's light immediately surged.

Di Jun nodded at the sight and rapidly changed the hand seals.

The power of the stars flowed with the seals, condensing into countless stars.

In just a moment, billions of stars hung in the sky.

Di Jun loudly proclaimed, "Stars of the heavens, heed my command—Star Strike!"

Before his voice even fell, billions of stars shot towards the axe light like meteors.

The axe light and stars collided with a thunderous impact.

"Boom—"

Stars shattered one after another, space fractured inch by inch, and the entire Heavenly Court trembled violently, as if it would collapse at any moment.

The Great Powers beyond the third heaven all changed their expressions, never expecting this clash to possess such might.

The Three Pure Ones and the Two Sages of the West immediately circulated their magic power to stabilize the Heavenly Court's space.

Li Peng thought to himself, "If it weren't for the Dao Ancestor's instruction, with the arrogance of the Three Pure Ones and the Western Two Sages' desire to see chaos in the East, they would never have intervened."

As he pondered, the axe light had already destroyed the stars like a rampaging force, and with undiminished momentum, it struck the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

The formation vibrated violently.

Di Jun spat out a mouthful of blood, his heart filled with lingering fear, "If the Star Strike hadn't dissipated most of the axe's power, I fear I wouldn't have escaped this calamity today."

Before he could recover, Pangu's true form raised its axe again and roared, "Second Form of Heaven-Opening—Yin-Yang Slash!"

The giant axe descended once more, and an axe light of ten million meters, imbued with the profound mysteries of Yin and Yang, tore through the void, aimed directly at the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

Li Peng's eyes flashed with sharp light as he witnessed this move.

Li Peng discovered that Pangu's true form's application of the Yin-Yang Great Dao in this form was exquisite. If he could learn this move, his strength would undoubtedly reach a higher level.

The Three Pure Ones and the Western Two Sages, seeing the axe light appear, all showed fear on their faces—they clearly realized that they would absolutely not be able to withstand this strike. From this point on, the Witch Clan instilled a deep sense of apprehension in their hearts.

At the same moment, Di Jun, within the Zhou Tian Star Formation, saw the axe light tear through the void and his face changed drastically. He gritted his teeth and spat a mouthful of vital blood onto the River Diagram and Luo Book. Instantly, the two treasures shone brightly, and the might of the Zhou Tian Star Formation surged accordingly. The other demons followed suit, sprinkling their vital blood onto the Star Banners, and the formation's power climbed again.

Di Jun dared not delay, rapidly forming hand seals. In a flash, countless small stars formed from the power of the stars surged within the formation. These stars quickly converged towards the Sun Star, which was formed from the vast power of the sun. In an instant, the Sun Star's oppressive aura intensified, and its volume rapidly expanded.

Di Jun roared, "Starfall!"

The colossal Sun Star, condensed from countless small stars, shot towards the axe light in response.

"Boom boom boom—"

The roars shook the heavens, space collapsed layer by layer, and the thirty-third heaven shook violently.

Cold sweat poured down the foreheads of the Three Pure Ones and the Western Two Sages as they desperately stabilized the Heavenly Court's space. If not for their intervention, the entire celestial realm would likely have returned to chaos.

The numerous Great Powers found themselves in a dilemma, unable to leave nor powerful enough to intervene in the battle, they could only await the judgment of fate.

At the center of the battlefield, the axe light and the Sun Star, transformed from the stars, collided with a deafening roar. Countless starlight splashed, and shattered stars fell. Whether it was an instant or a millennium, the axe light finally cut through the Sun Star, and with its remaining power, it struck directly at the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

"Boom—"

The axe light heavily struck the great formation, causing the entire formation to shake violently, nearly collapsing. In the shockwave, countless demon soldiers and generals had their souls annihilated. Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four great Demon Clan Quasi-Saints, and the ten great Demon Marshals all spat out fresh blood.

A moment later, the Zhou Tian Star Formation shattered with a roar. Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, the four great Demon Clan Quasi-Saints, the ten great Demon Marshals, along with countless demon soldiers and generals, were all sent flying backward by the shock.

Numerous demon soldiers and generals were annihilated by the axe light.

A burst of wild laughter suddenly erupted from within Pangu's true form.

"Di Jun, Tai Yi, today I will slaughter you two speckled birds and eat your meat!"

Upon hearing this, Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the other demons' expressions immediately turned grim.

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

As the voice fell, Pangu's true form once again raised its giant axe and cleaved towards Di Jun, Tai Yi, and the others.

Instantly, another terrifying axe light shot out from the giant axe.

Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the many high-ranking demons closed their eyes, awaiting the arrival of death.

Countless Great Powers in the Great Desolation also watched this strike from the Witch Clan with unblinking eyes—if this strike landed, the Witch Clan would unify the Great Desolation and become its overlord.

Just as the Great Powers watched nervously, an old Daoist suddenly appeared before Di Jun and Tai Yi.

The old Daoist was like an ant before the terrifying axe light, as if he would be minced into meat paste at any moment.

However, the reality was not as it appeared. The old Daoist casually waved his hand.

The axe light, which had been surging with power moments before, suddenly dissipated as if it had never existed.

For a moment, all the Great Powers in the Great Desolation were dumbfounded.

"It's Dao Ancestor Hongjun! The Dao Ancestor actually made a move!"

"I didn't expect Dao Ancestor Hongjun to be so powerful. Such an attack from Pangu's true form was so easily resolved by him."

"The Dao Ancestor is the Dao Ancestor after all; his strength is truly unfathomable!"

The Great Powers marveled endlessly, clearly awed by Hongjun's display.

This included Li Peng.

Although Li Peng believed he could also block that axe, he knew it was absolutely impossible for him to do it as effortlessly and seamlessly as Hongjun.

It seems I need to complete more selection missions to improve my strength. The gap between me and Hongjun is still too vast, Li Peng thought to himself.

At this moment, the Three Pure Ones and the Two Sages of the West also looked at Hongjun with increased reverence.

Since they had become Saints, they had become somewhat complacent.

They had almost forgotten about Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who had combined with the Dao, and thought that the Great Desolation was entirely under their control.

Seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun make a move again now, they finally realized how distant the gap was between themselves and the Dao Ancestor.

On the battlefield, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, who had not yet sensed death approaching, hurriedly opened their eyes.

As they opened their eyes, they saw the figure of Dao Ancestor Hongjun.