Myriad Things in Harmony, Return to Tai Chi Unity, the Fall of the Qian Gu Family

Time seemed to reverse at this moment, retreating to the primordial ancient era.

Empowered by the Ninth Soul Skill, Jiuli, his three great Soul Cores—spiritual power, yin and yang, and blood qi—resonated and spun at an unprecedented speed, providing nearly limitless amplification.

Zhao Xuanzhen underwent a tremendous change. Every attribute of his true self crossed into a realm no human Soul Master could reach.

Jiuli even affected his battle armor. The Tai Chi Dao underwent a drastic transformation: the flowing, balanced black and white were replaced by chaos, while the armor's lines became wild and savage. The shoulder armor on either side transformed into roaring, glaring War God Pandas, their baleful aura spilling forth as if they wished to devour heaven and earth. A tyrannical, primal pressure exploded outward!

The power of the Myriad Laws of Nature Domain rose further. The flesh and blood body beneath the battle armor rose and fell slowly yet powerfully, like a slumbering giant beast breathing long and deep.

Destruction flames blazed wildly atop the Huanglong Spear. As Zhao Xuanzhen charged forward with his spear, the ultimate sharpness of its purple-gold tip seemed capable of piercing even laws with a single strike!

"Ha!"

Qian Gu Diting roared. He could not accept this established reality. Before the warlike killing aura of this Lord of Weapons, the War God Fight the Earth will that the Qian Gu lineage had built its reputation upon was suppressed like a candle in the wind, liable to extinguish at any moment.

At the same time, the Four-Word Battle Armor, their greatest advantage in this battle, had become utterly meaningless after the Tai Chi Dao transformed. There was no retreat left—only a fight to the death!

Qian Gu Diting gritted his teeth, pushing his body beyond its limits. He poured his lifelong quasi-god Soul Power, Staff God will, and even his Life Origin into the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hands, unleashing the seventh form of the Unyielding Staff Technique: Destroy Heaven and Earth!

The Evil-Breaking Dragon let out an unceasing roar as the Coiling Dragon Staff charged without hesitation toward the thrusting purple-gold dragon spear!

"Boom—"

This collision far surpassed all previous ones. Laws wailed and space collapsed. Centered on the point where spear and staff struck, the sky resembled a shattered mirror, covered in countless fine black cracks. Space Rifts frantically devoured the dim yellow light of sunset!

The might of that blow was terrifying beyond measure. The sea was forcibly pressed into a colossal depression over a thousand meters wide. The sea surface crashed shut, raising a horrifying tsunami a thousand meters high that swept out in all directions.

Na'er, Gu Yue, Teng Snake, Xuanwu, and the others, who were locked in fierce battles elsewhere, were affected by this destructive shockwave and had no choice but to pause their offensives and use every means at their disposal to withstand the aftershocks!

Before the ripples of shattered space could subside, a domineering purple-gold spear radiance suddenly swept across. The tsunami was split in two, tens of thousands of tons of seawater pushed aside to reveal the wet seafloor below. As the waves gradually settled, two figures emerged at the center of the battlefield.

Zhao Xuanzhen stood with spear in hand, his expression cold and stern, yin and yang currents swirling around him. Qian Gu Diting gripped the Coiling Dragon Staff tightly, looking utterly miserable.

His Four-Word Battle Armor was covered in dents and pits. The Heavenly Forged Metal squirmed with difficulty, slowly repairing its damaged sections.

Most horrifying of all, Qian Gu Diting's left arm had already been burned away. Eternal, unquenchable Destruction Dragon Flame remained at the severed shoulder, scorching and destroying the meridians and flesh inside his body, preventing any possibility of regenerating the lost limb.

Qian Gu Diting lowered his eyes and looked at his empty left side, a bleak expression crossing his face.

How could a golden-scaled creature remain trapped in a pond? Once wind and clouds gathered, it would transform into a dragon. He understood that Tai Chi Douluo was invincible under heaven in combat strength, becoming the continent's foremost man after Sky Pillar Douluo Yun Ming. The Qian Gu Family's defeat was inevitable.

Personal life and death, family survival or destruction—the situation had never been clearer. Yet just as the conviction he had upheld his entire life, even if the Qian Gu Family perished, it would perish gloriously, leaving behind a final...

Qian Gu masterpiece!

That most dazzling blood-red Ninth Soul Ring erupted with a blazing radiance impossible to look at directly!

The Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul, which resided within the Coiling Dragon Staff and embodied Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi, rushed out. Rather than empowering the staff as it usually did, it transformed into a dazzling golden torrent and surged resolutely into Qian Gu Diting's shattered body!

His human eyes instantly became fierce dragon vertical pupils, golden flames burning within them. The Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul, an incarnation of Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi, and Qian Gu Diting, the host it acknowledged, were carrying out their final fusion of spirit and flesh!

The air warped slightly. Qian Gu Diting opened his mouth and exhaled a breath of scorching white vapor. His entire body seemed to ignite explosively from the inside out, the skin beneath his battle armor splitting apart as it released blazing golden-red light!

Under the immense pressure of his clan's destruction, the Old Tower Master, who had sat alone atop the Spirit Pagoda for decades, cultivating the Unyielding Staff Technique in seclusion day after day, broke through once more at the cost of burning everything!

"Unyielding Staff Technique, Heaven and Earth Mourn Together!"

The roar at the end of a quasi-god's life shook heaven and earth. Qian Gu Diting comprehended the ultimate profundity of the Unyielding Staff Technique. All the essence of its first eight forms, along with his burning life and the Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul, merged into Heaven and Earth Mourn Together in a desperate gamble!

This staff strike seemed to break free of heaven and earth's restraints. The Evil-Breaking Dragon cried out in an impassioned roar as rules shattered and reforged, drawing upon the mighty righteous qi of the Douluo Continent Plane!

A golden staff shadow connecting heaven and earth crashed down, and the entire world seemed to overturn with it. This was a self-sacrificing strike containing everything a quasi-god possessed—his life, soul, and will!

Among all the quasi-gods, Qian Gu Diting was publicly acknowledged as the strongest in explosive power. This Heaven and Earth Mourn Together was enough to trade one-for-one with any Limit Douluo of the current era. Deep within Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes, which contained the Way of Yin Yang, a profound light flickered faintly.

Then, he made a move Qian Gu Diting never expected: he withdrew the Super Divine Artifact Huanglong Spear, the symbol of destruction!

He raised both hands before him, holding them as though embracing emptiness and drawing a flawless circle. One yin, one yang—this was the Dao. Between motion and stillness, all phenomena passed through birth and death. The platinum Ninth Soul Ring flashed for a second time, but its radiance was no longer fiery and brilliant. Instead, it was gentle and profound, like the first ray of light cast when heaven and earth first opened.

"Myriad Things in Harmony, return to Tai Chi unity."

His voice was clear and cold. A black-and-white phantom that stood tall and upright emerged behind him, likewise bearing yin and embracing yang. Its handsome face, identical to Zhao Xuanzhen's, carried an indifferent air that perceived the origins of all things and held birth and death in its palm.

Between the phantom's hands, a Tai Chi Diagram began to rotate. From something imperceptibly tiny, it instantly became vast enough to cover the entire sky. Yin and yang met and flowed without end. There was no intimidating aura or pressure—only a stillness that returned all things to their origin.

Ninth Soul Skill, All Things Return to One!

Jiuli was an enhancement Soul Skill bestowed upon Zhao Xuanzhen when the War God Panda activated its bloodline. All Things Return to One, meanwhile, was the ultimate Soul Skill born from the fusion of one man and one beast's Yin Yang attributes!

Endless Yin and Yang Qi descended between heaven and earth as Qian Gu Diting's peerless staff strike, forged from everything he had comprehended in his life, crashed fiercely onto the center where yin and yang met in the Tai Chi Diagram.

The instant it touched the Tai Chi Diagram, the golden staff shadow that had shattered laws was like a complicated pattern gently wiped away by a great black-and-white hand. Yin and Yang Qi dismantled and harmonized the life-risking will within Heaven and Earth Mourn Together, returning all things to that primordial Tai Chi unity.

The Tai Chi Diagram contained all phenomena as it slowly spread forward, engulfing Qian Gu Diting, whose life flames were burning, along with the dimmed Coiling Dragon Staff.

The War God Douluo held his head high. Even as his body was swallowed by the black-and-white radiance, not a trace of fear or regret appeared on his face. Only the calm composure of one willing to accept the outcome of his gamble remained.

Upholding his convictions and fighting until the final chapter, Qian Gu Diting had, in the most heroic manner, drawn a dignified conclusion to the Qian Gu Family's ten-thousand-year legacy.

The Tai Chi Diagram that covered heaven and earth dissipated, taking the life of War God Douluo Qian Gu Diting with it. Several glowing soul bones fell from the sky, signifying the fall of a quasi-godly hero.

"Father!"

Two shrill, despairing cries rang out. Qian Gu Dongfeng and Qian Gu Qingfeng, who were struggling against Teng Snake, were beside themselves with grief. They had witnessed their father's end. The War God Douluo, who had supported the Qian Gu Family like a sky-pillar, had completely vanished into nothingness!

This sudden upheaval was like the final straw that broke the camel's back, shattering the defenses the two brothers had maintained through their prolonged battle.

One quasi-god was comparable to three demigods. Together, they had been fighting this Eight Deceitful Gods that controlled the rules of deception, and they had already been at an absolute disadvantage, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Its frontal combat power was only one portion of Teng Snake's abilities. It also possessed the foremost spiritual realm among the eight Spirits of Heaven and Earth. As time slowly passed, the Illusory Deception Domain continuously eroded the minds of the Qian Gu brothers, invisible and formlessly weakening their wills bit by bit.

The Coiling Dragon Staff and Purgatory Halberd were still resisting stubbornly, but their strength diminished with every exchange. The Qian Gu brothers struggled desperately to hold on, each swing of staff and halberd heavier than the last.

At this moment, the shock of witnessing their father's death, coupled with the all-pervasive power of deception, broke through their psychological defenses.

Qian Gu Dongfeng and Qian Gu Qingfeng froze. The scene before them began to blur. What they saw was no longer the savage, vicious Teng Snake, nor the chaotic, bloody battlefield. Countless fragments of disordered memories flashed past like a revolving lantern.

Their father Qian Gu Diting's stern teachings in childhood; the crossroads they reached in their youth; Qian Gu Qingfeng leaving the Spirit Pagoda to roam the world and meeting Xia Zheng Leng, the love of his life; Qian Gu Dongfeng inheriting his father's position, taking charge of the Spirit Pagoda, and openly and secretly contending with Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect...

Under the rules of deception, their memories became bizarre and impossible to distinguish as real or false. The Qian Gu brothers sank into a mire of chaotic memories, their minds losing guard and exposing huge openings.

A trace of cruel killing intent leaked from Teng Snake's scarlet beast eyes. Seizing the opportunity, it opened its bloody maw. Illusory Deception Fire capable of incinerating souls brewed deep in its throat before pouring down like a burst dam upon the defenseless Qian Gu brothers!

"No—"

At the moment of life and death, Qian Gu Dongfeng regained a shred of clarity. His unwilling roar resounded through the sky as he tried to raise the Coiling Dragon Staff in defense. But the Illusory Deception Fire descended, annihilating him and Qian Gu Qingfeng, who remained trapped in the illusion beside him, turning them into two clouds of ash that drifted away in the wind.

The Qian Gu Family had once dominated the Douluo Continent and was hailed as the foremost family of the era because it had three Limit Douluo overseeing it.

In this battle on the Dou Ling Continent, War God Douluo Qian Gu Diting, Spirit Douluo Qian Gu Dongfeng, and Purgatory Douluo Qian Gu Qingfeng—the three great pillars—had all fallen!

As the three Limit Douluo perished, the Titled Douluo powerhouses loyal to the Qian Gu Family suffered a complete mental collapse, their fighting spirit plunging to rock bottom.

"Roar!!!"

The silver dragon roared. Na'er stood atop the silver dragon, her Silver Dragon Spear becoming a silver streak that pierced through the void. Taking advantage of Heavenly Saint Douluo Xu Shenggun exposing an opening due to the deaths of the Qian Gu Family's three Limit Douluo, her soul spirits joined forces to lock down the surrounding space, and the Silver Dragon Spear pierced straight through his beating heart without obstruction!

Xu Shenggun's body shook violently, the light in his eyes rapidly fading. Filled with endless regret, he plummeted headfirst from the sky.

Elsewhere, Gu Yue was suspended atop the Elemental Tide. The Dragon God Core shone with radiant light as the seven great elements devoured heaven and earth.

Witch Douluo Li Mengjie did everything she could to activate her ancestral divine artifact, the Celestial Maiden Cloak, conjuring thousands of hazy white veils as she tried to escape the encirclement of elemental power. Yet in Gu Yue's eyes, her tricks were as clumsy as a clown's.

The Dragon God Core shone down, and the Celestial Maiden Cloak instantly burned into a puff of ash. Li Mengjie let out a despairing cry as endless Elemental Tide engulfed her, leaving not even the faintest trace behind.

Bloodthirsty Douluo Yun Tianheng, Fist Emperor Douluo Damo, Qi Douluo Hua Tao... One renowned Qian Gu Faction powerhouse after another became lambs to the slaughter after losing their backbone.

Sima Jinchi beheaded one with a single slash. A Ruheng shattered enemies with his iron fists. Instant Light blanketed the air with explosions. Xue Si and Xue Qi worked together in perfect coordination, while Xuanwu dispatched one weakling after another. The Qian Gu Family's supporters, who had made the wrong choice, cried out one after another as they died in a foreign land.

The Qian Gu allied army, so imposing only moments ago, quickly had only one person left.

The aged Sacred Tree Douluo Zhuang Yi trembled. The Bai sisters' Instant Light was ready to fire. This Super Douluo, the continent's second-ranked healing Soul Master and one of the Four Great Spirit Emissaries, was now pale and collapsed limply on the ground.

The Tree of Life resembled a withered ancient tree that had suffered a crushing defeat. Zhuang Yi's heart was filled with despair as he watched Zhao Xuanzhen raise a hand to stop the Bai sisters, then walk through the air toward him.

Zhao Xuanzhen stopped before Sacred Tree Douluo. His gaze was calm as he spoke lightly.

"Where is Hanyun Douluo?"

Zhuang Yi raised his head blankly, his lips trembling as he answered, "I... I don't know. Hanyun Douluo and Qiangu Zhangting... disappeared three days ago..."

Having received his answer, Zhao Xuanzhen did not spare him another glance. His figure passed Zhuang Yi by, treating a Spirit Emissary as though he were nothing.

Zhao Xuanzhen was not surprised that Xia Zheng Leng had left with Qiangu Zhangting. After all, in another spacetime, Qian Gu Diting had directly ordered Qian Gu Qingfeng and Xia Zheng Leng to flee together in order to preserve the family bloodline.

One Level 97 Super Douluo and one mad ordinary Titled Douluo posed no threat to the Spirit Pagoda.

However, Zhao Xuanzhen understood well the principle of rooting out evil completely. He would never let the two go in the future. Sooner or later, he would catch those two rats hiding everywhere.

"Clean up the battlefield. Extract the soul spirits."

Those who had participated in the battle were at least Titled Douluo. Those high-quality soul spirits were an enormous resource, especially Hundred Thousand Year Soul Spirits. They were irreplaceable treasures.

Soul bones were likewise rare commodities in the Dragon King's Legend era. Tai Chi Douluo was frugal and thrifty—every grain of rice in his bowl had to be eaten clean.

Zhuang Yi watched Zhao Xuanzhen's departing back, then looked around at the corpses scattered everywhere and the smiling Phoenix family followers working away. The Bai sisters stood before him, ready to carry out Zhao Xuanzhen's will.

A member of the Qian Gu Faction for a day, a member of the Qian Gu Faction for life. The new Spirit Pagoda's attitude remained resolute and unchanged.

"There is no need to trouble you two."

The Qian Gu Faction had been reduced to ashes. Sacred Tree Douluo was powerless to reverse the situation and too ashamed to continue living alone.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, reversed his Soul Power, and severed his heart meridians. The old man who had witnessed the Qian Gu Family's peak and its end trembled, then collapsed weakly to the ground.

The sea breeze wailed as it rolled up the scent of blood. The sun completely sank beneath the horizon. Zhao Xuanzhen gazed into the sky, flanked by the two Silver Dragon King's Half-Selves. Against the deepening night, his figure was silent and profound.

Thus, the Qian Gu Family and its core faction, once able to stand on equal footing with Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, were declared destroyed.