The dusky dragon claw hurtled toward Ye Wushuang.
A single claw struck!
Draconic might surged!
The netherworld suppressed the heavens!
Wherever that claw passed, the void itself seemed to be torn apart by its draconic might.
Netherworld Qi shrouded the sky once more, plunging it into darkness.
An utterly terrifying phenomenon unfolded.
Everyone fleeing broke out in cold sweat, thinking the Netherdark Dragon Venerable had caught up.
For the first time since making his debut, Ye Wushuang faced an attack this powerful.
Though his expression remained composed, a trace of gravity showed in his eyes.
Behind Ye Wushuang, the Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation grew more solid, and Supreme Qi formed a suit of armor that clung to it.
He could not even dodge this attack. He could only take it head-on, for those behind him had already been trapped here by Netherworld Qi.
If he dodged, this attack would likely strike Nie Qingcheng and the others. With their current battle-worn condition, they would likely die on the spot.
The Heavenly Book of All Things flipped its pages again, stopping on a page filled with lightning.
It was the image of the heavenly punishment tribulation lightning that the Heavenly Dao had sent down when Ye Wushuang broke through the Heavenly Dao Extreme Realm.
The lightning of the Heavenly Dao was supremely upright, the natural bane of dark Qi such as Netherworld Qi and Evil Demon Qi.
Rumbling rang out across the sky shrouded in Netherworld Qi.
The falling lightning forcibly tore open the dark sky, sending out bursts of light.
Lightning blazed as bolts of tribulation lightning descended, striking the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's claw.
The Nine Nether Qi coiling around the dragon claw was all scattered by the lightning, leaving only its draconic might.
"You can even wield the power of the Heavenly Dao's lightning tribulation. I'm even more curious about what other tricks you have, boy."
"But this tribulation lightning alone is far from enough."
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable spoke indifferently, his face still devoid of emotion.
It was as though nothing Ye Wushuang did could stir so much as a ripple in him.
"Human Dao Domain, the will of all living beings!"
Wisps of golden power from all living beings descended once more, merging into Ye Wushuang's Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation.
Although Ye Wushuang himself had yet to begin distinguishing himself and gaining followers and admirers of his own.
The strength and responsibility of successive Human Emperor Bodies were deeply engraved in the hearts of everyone in the Myriad Spirits Realm.
Unseen, a great deal of faith power had gathered.
This was the faith power of all living beings in the Myriad Spirits Realm, born of their trust in successive Human Emperor Bodies!
Since this attack was already unavoidable, Ye Wushuang fully unleashed the potential of his Supreme Bone and Human Emperor Body.
Ye Wushuang mobilized Taiyi's Primordial Qi within him, awakening the part of his Human Emperor Body that had been baptized by the Primordial Emperor.
Ye Wushuang's ultimate fighting spirit of "better to shatter as jade than survive as a whole tile" also awakened the part of his Human Emperor Body that had been baptized by the War Emperor.
This was the first time Ye Wushuang had unleashed his means so completely!
His many methods either weakened the dragon claw's power or strengthened the Human Emperor Dharma Manifestation, preparing it to withstand this attack.
Bang!
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable's claw was finally blocked.
Ye Wushuang was sent flying, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Everyone below grew worried. They also knew that Ye Wushuang had taken the claw head-on to keep them from being caught in it.
The gap in cultivation between Ye Wushuang and the Netherdark Dragon Venerable was still far too vast.
One was the Netherdark Dragon Venerable, who had once slaughtered countless living beings and whose combat strength stood at the very pinnacle of the Desolate Realm and the Myriad Spirits Realm.
The other was merely a youth here who had only recently entered the world of cultivation.
Had anyone else seen such an enormous gap, how could they have entertained any thought of fighting?
By rights, given their cultivation realms, these two should never have crossed paths on a battlefield.
Yet a twist of fate had brought them together today.
Two beings on entirely different levels had now become opponents.
Seeing that Ye Wushuang had actually withstood the attack, the Netherdark Dragon Venerable spoke.
"Boy, you truly are powerful. Even I would have found it difficult to match you at your cultivation realm."
"But there is no absolute fairness in this world. Today, I will erase the threat you pose."
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable breathed out draconic breath.
"Just one claw has left you in such a sorry state. What would you do if I gave you two claws, three claws, or even stronger attacks?"
"Boy, do you regret being injured like this by a single claw of mine? You took this attack merely for those few ants behind you."
Yet Ye Wushuang lowered his brows slightly, not a ripple of disturbance showing as he said calmly.
"All I know is that if I dodged and my friends and loved ones behind me were caught in it, that would be when I regretted it."
"Then, even if I escaped this place, even if I got out, the world would remain, but its people would be gone."
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable's icy laughter rang out.
"Heh... hehehe..."
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable, whose expression had been filled with contempt since his arrival, actually laughed, as though he had heard the most foolish thing in the world.
His hoarse voice sounded again.
"You humans truly are foolish. For a mere shred of affection and loyalty, you would do the most idiotic things under heaven."
"What a loathsome tone. You're just like that fellow ten thousand years ago. The way you act is every bit as laughable!"
The Netherdark Dragon Venerable gathered power in his palm and launched another attack.
"Let's see just how you manage to block this attack this time, boy."
Boundless netherworld power surged toward him once more, transforming into nine dragon souls, a mass of destructive power.
It seemed as though this attack would annihilate all things!
An attack far stronger than even the Netherdark Dragon Claw.
Ye Wushuang lightly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looked up, and smiled. "Do you know? Back in my old homeland, there was a saying-"
"Villains die from talking too much!"
Even with the oppressive might bearing down on him, Ye Wushuang's breathing remained steady.
"I seize every moment and wish only to have no regrets. That is who I, Ye Wushuang, am!"
"If I cannot even protect those around me, how can I protect all the living beings under heaven!" (Sword cultivator: correct. Righteous cause: correct. Words: correct. Protagonist: correct. Password: correct. Activation authorized!)
As though stirred by those final words, the All Under Heaven Sword lying dormant within the Sword Heart Tomb began awakening on its own!
Golden light soared into the heavens, scattering all the Netherworld Qi. The sky brightened once more, resplendent with waves of golden light.
A sword cry soared into the heavens, resounding throughout the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm.
The Gravekeeper Elder looked toward the Sword Heart Tomb, his face wreathed in smiles. "Has someone finally earned my master's recognition?"
Everyone grew excited. Could it be that the Great Emperor of Eternal Night's imperial weapon had witnessed the Netherdark Dragon Venerable's actions and awakened on its own?
The myriad swords the Gravekeeper Elder had summoned earlier, which had been struck down below, stirred wildly once more.
They seemed to be paying homage, seemed to be submitting, awaiting that sword's appearance.
A soaring radiance burst forth. The myriad swords resonated as that sword broke free of its seal and came streaking across the sky.
The densely layered swords parted of their own accord, opening a path as that sword flew straight toward Ye Wushuang!
At that moment, Ye Wushuang, facing the oncoming nine dragon souls, seemed to have anticipated something long ago. He raised one hand and roared.
"Sword, come!"
The All Under Heaven Sword left its sheath!