Chapter 27: The Path of Desiccated Bones, Who Treads It?

Chapter 27: The Path of Desiccated Bones, Who Treads It?

A primitive verdant cauldron, with only three legs and a base remaining, leaped out from the Immortal Platform, shimmering with dazzling light.

It was astonishing. Wu Ning had not died; the incomplete Immortal Artifact still possessed a mysterious and unfathomable power, helping him withstand the fatal blow.

"That's the Celestial Copper Cauldron of the Imperial Zunzhe, and you managed to obtain it?!"

The Underworld Zunzhe, standing nearby, cried out in disbelief, their eyes widening in astonishment.

They had thought that the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasures they brought out, which were nearly as powerful as Immortal Artifacts, were already impressive.

But who would have thought that this fellow possessed the Celestial Copper Cauldron of the Imperial Zunzhe?

Even though the cauldron had been shattered in the ancient divine wars and now only a third of it remained, it was still an Immortal Artifact.

This was far beyond anyone's expectations. No one had anticipated this turn of events.

Of course, the verdant cauldron was incomplete and not fully repaired. After such a severe impact, it inevitably cracked again.

It had not only helped Wu Ning suppress the cursed green fur within him but also directly deflected the Corpse Sovereign's lethal arrow. To achieve this much was truly worthy of its legendary status.

The incomplete Immortal Cauldron disintegrated, its fragments scattering in all directions, most of them directed towards the Underworld Zunzhe.

Wu Ning's heart ached, but he grinned despite his pain.

His hair was disheveled, and his crimson warplate was shattered, clanging as he moved.

His blood surged, and he withstood the bombardment of Celestial Dao Inscriptions, his body covered in blood, like a primordial beast breaking free from its cage.

The Underworld Zunzhe was caught off guard, never expecting this fellow to survive.

Now, with Wu Ning closing in, the decaying and aged Zunzhe could not help but feel fear.

Divine light illuminated the boundless starry sky. When the Underworld's pre-prepared means were exhausted, Wu Ning undeniably gained the upper hand. The Six Realms Reincarnation Fist in his hands was truly unparalleled!

"Kill!!"

Wu Ning let out a long roar, his aura becoming completely berserk, his combat strength skyrocketing to its peak. His holy blood boiled, and his entire being was aflame.

With one punch, he unleashed the mightiest strike of his life, a blow so powerful that it was uncertain if he could ever achieve such a level again.

This punch was shocking. The Celestial Halberd was violently shaken away, and the Obsidian Gold Shield slipped from the Zunzhe's grip.

Even the Stygian Iron Warplate borrowed from the King of Hell was shattered, with pieces embedding themselves into the Underworld Zunzhe's body, causing blood to spurt out.

This was an overwhelming momentum. It wasn't that the ancient Zunzhe couldn't withstand Wu Ning's attack, but rather that Wu Ning had unleashed all his potential, achieving an Ultimate Ascension in that instant.

The Underworld Zunzhe, however, had not reached this state, their combat strength was lacking, and they were caught off guard. The difference was immediately apparent.

What should have been an intense battle was compressed into a direct collision, one strike deciding the outcome and the fate of both combatants.

In just one blow, the tide had turned!

—

In the Jade Pool Holy Land, supreme inscriptions were etched into the void, forming a flawless Imperial Array that protected this sacred land.

Xi Huang gazed into the distance, her bright eyes seemingly piercing through the heavens.

She did not rush to provide aid. Instead, after activating the protective Imperial Array, she headed straight to the Primordial Ancient Mine, her divine consciousness surging in without restraint.

"Xi Huang, what are you doing? You should be saving your husband, not playing with fire!" a rumbling voice echoed from within the Primordial Ancient Mine.

"I recognize your voice. When I established my doctrine, it was you who orchestrated the disruption from behind the scenes. This score has yet to be settled between us", Xi Huang said.

"If you are dissatisfied, feel free to emerge and settle our grievances once and for all!"

The Celestial Tear Verdant Gold Pagoda stood in the sky, hovering above the Primordial Ancient Mine like a seal over a forbidden zone, its aura suppressing all beneath it.

"The Zunzhe cannot be disgraced, Xi Huang, you must not push things too far!"

"Why must you make things so tense?"

Two more voices echoed from within the Primordial Ancient Mine, one male and one female, both radiating the aura of Zunzhe. They joined forces and sent the Celestial Tear Verdant Gold Pagoda flying.

"It seems it's the three of you, Mo Yu, Nie Quan, and Lin Tian. You truly hold me in high regard."

Xi Huang was not bothered by her pagoda being knocked away; instead, she used this to confirm something.

"Hmph, you have a bit of cunning, but the tide cannot be reversed", Mo Yu Zunzhe sneered coldly.

They had not expected Xi Huang to be so perceptive and to take such a forceful stance to uncover the number of Zunzhe preparing to emerge from the Primordial Ancient Mine.

Zunzhe were cold-blooded beings. Those with ample lifespans naturally wouldn’t meddle in such affairs unless their own lives were at stake. Observing from the sidelines was the norm.

Naturally, the three Zunzhe with the most pressing lifespans accepted the Underworld’s invitation to launch a joint assault on the current emperor.

The risk was high, but it wasn’t without a chance. The Underworld’s leadership gave them confidence and a basis for cooperation, making it worth a try.

Otherwise, if they waited another two to three thousand years, they would likely meet their end before Xi Huang.

"What’s the matter? Still not emerging? Three against one, what’s there to hesitate about? Are you so old you can’t even walk? Then don’t come out to cause trouble", Xi Huang said with a faint smile.

"Hehehe~ We’re not in a hurry. But if you don’t act soon, your husband will... What? How is that possible!"

Nie Quan, a female Zunzhe, had planned to use Wu Ning as leverage to shake Xi Huang’s resolve, but she never expected the Underworld to fail.

Two against one, armed with nearly Immortal Artifacts and Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasures, and even launching a surprise attack—how could they fail against an unascended being?

For a moment, the three Zunzhe in the Primordial Ancient Mine felt the Underworld was just toying with them.

Was it because you were too weak, or is this world just too insane?

"Ha, it seems your allies are in a bit of trouble", Xi Huang chuckled, her eyes cold with murderous intent.

She turned and left, leaving behind a lingering message: "If you remain silent, you can live for thousands more years. But if you choose otherwise, it will be war!"

The Primordial Ancient Mine fell into a temporary silence, but it was clear that the Zunzhe’s decisions would not be easily changed.

They had finally reached a consensus, and if they backed out now, there would be no second chance.

The Underworld’s failure had shattered much of their plan before it even began. Xi Huang’s calm demeanor clearly indicated she was well-prepared.

If they continued, they would likely have to undergo the Ultimate Ascension to stand a chance.

For ancient Zunzhe with limited lifespans, this was an unbearable burden.

The Ultimate Ascension meant death!

But staying hidden also meant death!

Was it better to risk a sliver of hope and go out in a blaze of glory?

Or to die in silence and obscurity within the forbidden zone?

"Old, truly old. I actually hesitate", Lin Tian Zunzhe suddenly laughed, a hint of self-mockery and melancholy in his voice.

But in the next moment, a piece of Immortal Origin exploded, and he stepped out of the Primordial Ancient Mine, raising his head to the sky, momentarily dazed.

Lin Tian Zunzhe took a large step forward, holding a black celestial halberd, walking through the cosmic void. Endless essence and energy surged toward him, drawn from the void and the myriad things.

Great suns and stars dimmed, a sea of divine power flowed, and a supreme aura permeated the air.

"Who treads the Path of Desiccated Bones?"

"One step, no turning back."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end