Chapter 437: The Netherworld's Backer Alliance with the Imperial Court, Li Shengshou's High-Profile

Chapter 437: The Netherworld's Backer Alliance with the Imperial Court, Li Shengshou's High-Profile Move

---

A thunderous roar reverberated through the heavens as a terrifying aura spread across the sky. A colossal black city, resembling an ink painting, loomed over Guangling Dao City.

Oppression, dread, terror, and death—various emotions permeated the air, emanating from the city. An enormous ferocious beast with nine heads swayed, two of which were distinctly clear, emitting a boundless malevolence. It was as if a legendary beast from the vast ocean was about to unleash a storm that would destroy heaven and earth.

Guangling Dao City instantly fell into a deathly silence.

"The Netherworld..."

Gu Qianchi's expression was complex, and a mix of bewilderment and heart palpitations flashed across his eyes.

Indeed, it was heart palpitations!

He took a step back and looked at Xie Yunshen, the National Tutor. Deep within his eyes, there were surging waves of shock and fear, and even a hint of apprehension and goosebumps.

The National Tutor and the Netherworld... Could they have been in alliance from the very beginning?

Was this campaign against the Qianyuan Sect just a grand spectacle?

A spectacle targeting the loyal Great Jing Imperial Court?

After all, countless powerful cultivators had fallen in this campaign against the Qianyuan Sect.

Gu Changqing, the Sect Master of Tiandan Divine Sect, Zhao Chunqiu, the Sect Master of the Divine Sect, and Bai Buyi, the Sect Master of the Haoran Academy in the Jiangnan Dao, had all perished.

Zhao Beidou, a grandmaster-level Divine Tribulation cultivator, had suffered unprecedented injuries in this battle. Even the Celestial Tribulation Wheel had cracked, making it difficult to repair, and he might even perish prematurely due to these injuries.

It could be said that all the major sects had suffered severe losses in this battle.

Additionally, the Dragon God lineage had lost its pillar, the Old Dragon God, who was a powerful cultivator in the First and Second Tribulation Realm.

The Dragon God lineage had been virtually wiped out.

As for the Imperial Court's side, it seemed that only Ji Mo Li had his physical body destroyed. However, Gu Qianchi, as a grandmaster of the Divine Sect, knew a few things about the Pacifying King Ji Mo Li.

This Pacifying King was opposing the Corpse God Sect in Jizhou, possibly plotting something, and the Imperial Court might have intended to deal with him.

The death of Tian Can Di Que, a subordinate of the National Tutor, did cause some hesitation in Gu Qianchi.

But this hesitation was soon dispelled as Tian Can Di Que had apparently betrayed the National Tutor.

Gu Qianchi took a deep breath. Could this current situation be a scheme orchestrated by the National Tutor Xie Yunshen?

The National Tutor Xie Yunshen and the Netherworld had been in alliance, aiming to trap and kill the loyal cultivators of the Imperial Court.

If this were true, Gu Qianchi could only feel heart palpitations and shock.

Ba Shu Sword Pavilion...

Would they be the next sect targeted by Xie Yunshen?

Xie Yunshen looked at Gu Qianchi with a wry smile, as if he had guessed his thoughts: "Grandmaster Gu, you don't need to overthink this..."

"If I had been in alliance with the Netherworld from the start, I wouldn't have dared to use the Fortune Lotus, which consumes the Imperial Court's fortune. Even my own life would be at stake."

"The reason I joined forces with the Netherworld is that the Tiandan Divine Sect offended someone they shouldn't have."

Xie Yunshen lightly waved his feather fan and spoke with a wry smile.

"I've received intelligence that some time ago, Li Shengshou's daughter, Li Nuanxi, appeared in Guangling Dao City and was being pursued by a Martial Sage from the Tiandan Divine Sect..."

"You know the importance of Li Nuanxi. She's not only the Tiandan Divine Sect and the Divine Sculptor Sage Li Che's trump card but also the Netherworld's. So, I contacted the Netherworld."

"As long as I don't attack Guangling Dao, why wouldn't the Netherworld cooperate with me?"

"The Netherworld wants to avenge Li Nuanxi, and I want to conquer and destroy the Qianyuan Sect. So, we joined forces."

Xie Yunshen spoke softly, looking at Gu Qianchi.

Gu Qianchi's eyes flickered, and his eyebrows furrowed as he felt something amiss.

Could it be true?

Xie Yunshen didn't say more, gently swaying his feather fan and gazing at the terrifying beast struggling to escape from the Netherworld Capital of Fengdu.

The Netherworld's new weapon, the Nine-Headed Beast, made its first appearance in the mortal realm.

Gu Qianchi, following Xie Yunshen's gaze, had already recovered from the shock of the alliance between the National Tutor and the Netherworld. He looked at the Nine-Headed Beast, feeling a sense of familiarity, which quickly dissipated as the beast roared.

The sound waves rippled like waves in the sky, forming rings that spread out, causing the space to tremble as if it might shatter at any moment!

In the sky, tribulation clouds churned, brewing and unleashing the power of the Three Calamities.

Behind the Nine-Headed Beast, an enormous ink-black dragon pearl appeared, resembling a Dragon Emperor Pearl but in ink-black color, with the image of an Ancestral Dragon engraved within.

Two thick ink-like tribulation marks flowed on the Dragon Emperor Pearl.

"First and Second Tribulation!" Gu Qianchi's eyes narrowed. This Netherworld beast had reached the First and Second Tribulation realm!

"The Netherworld... is it this powerful?!" Gu Qianchi's voice was filled with disbelief.

The strongest the Netherworld had before was just a Netherworld King, not even a Divine Tribulation cultivator.

And now, the Netherworld seems to have displayed its true strength, not only with a Netherworld Emperor capable of slaying the Ancient Dragon Deity but also by summoning a mythical ferocious beast comparable to the One Calamity and Two Tribulations Realm!

The Netherworld... just how powerful is it?!

It's unfathomable, completely unfathomable...

This force, which suddenly emerged in the current era, is like a black hole, shrouded in mystery, making it impossible to grasp its limits.

Who stands behind the Netherworld?

As the grandmaster of the ancient Ba Shu Sword Pavilion, Gu Qianchi is well aware that many major powers in the world have even greater forces backing them, and these forces share a common trait—they all originate from the Wiles Pavilion.

For instance, the Western Buddhist Lands are backed by the Black Himalaya, a camp of the gods, and the Witch God Mountain is supported by the Wiles Demon Den...

In reality, the Great Jing Imperial Court is backed by the Dark Heavenly Court.

And what about the Netherworld?

Which camp of gods stands behind the Netherworld? Gu Qianchi took a deep breath, and his heart trembled slightly.

Xie Yunshen looked at Gu Qianchi, "Grandmaster Gu... Are you ready to make your choice?"

Xie Yunshen's voice was faint, but in truth, Gu Qianchi understood that he had no choice at all.

Just like Zhao Beidou, who had already fought to the point of severe injury for the court, what could he do even if he knew the truth?

Should he turn against them? If he did, the Longhu Sect's ultimate fate would likely be crushed by the court.

"Sigh..."

"National Tutor, you're quite capable."

It can be said that Xie Yunshen is truly remarkable, with a heart as ruthless as his skills.

"Grandmaster Gu... Please."

Xie Yunshen lightly pointed with his fan.

Gu Qianchi didn't say more. He clenched his fist, and sword qi burst forth, piercing the clouds. In an instant, countless rays of light erupted.

Towards the Tiandan Divine Sect.

Gu Yin Xuan's eyes narrowed as he stared at the massive Ink Black ferocious beast. Its malevolent aura was overwhelming, causing even the void to tremble. The power of Three Disasters and Nine Tribulations seemed to be triggered.

"This is a terrifying beast approaching the One Calamity and Three Tribulations Realm!"

Gu Yin Xuan's eyes narrowed further.

"The Netherworld..."

His heart sank slightly.

Beside him, Gu Yangxuan's face had already turned extremely grim. "The Netherworld... Xie Yunshen is actually colluding with the Netherworld?! How is this possible? How dare he, how can he do this?!"

Gu Yangxuan felt suffocated, extremely frustrated, and immensely uncomfortable.

After all, the Netherworld and the National Tutor had no reason to collaborate.

Could such a deep hatred be overlooked so easily?

Boom—!!!

A deafening roar, somewhat like a dragon's cry, filled with terrifying shockwaves and soul-shaking ripples!

The disciples of the Tiandan Divine Sect, one by one, had their legs turn soft, trembling incessantly.

Ink Nine Heads took swift action, flapping its flesh wings, creating a raging tide that seemed to shatter space as it charged directly towards the Yin Xuan Ancestor.

Gu Yin Xuan's face turned solemn and grim. In the mortal world, he couldn't unleash the power of One Calamity and Two Tribulations, and his strength was suppressed. Facing this ferocious beast, for a moment, he was at a disadvantage.

On the other side, Gu Qianchi remained silent, his moves carrying a hint of anger and rage.

Sword light tore through the sky, bursting into countless rays of light.

As the grandmaster of a sect, he wasn't a fool despite his seclusion. Subtly, he had already sensed something.

Xie Yunshen's sword, wielded with all his might, might be the key to Ba Shu Sword Pavilion's survival.

Gu Qianchi felt that the relationship between Xie Yunshen and the Netherworld...

Perhaps it wasn't as Xie Yunshen claimed, a collaboration formed under the pretext of Li Che.

Most likely, Xie Yunshen and the Netherworld had joined forces long, long ago.

Perhaps...

The force behind the Netherworld is the Great Jing Imperial Court?!

Understood...

That's right, everything makes sense now!

Up until now, who has benefited from the fall and harm of the powerful?

It's the court!

Gu Qianchi's hair stood on end.

"Using such open and hidden methods, they aim to unite the world and gather all the Divine Qi?"

Gu Qianchi felt that those who played the game of power had dirty hearts!

"Ahh!"

"Slash!!!"

Gu Qianchi roared, releasing all his pent-up emotions in this moment.

He suppressed his cultivation, not daring to fully unleash the Three Disasters and Nine Tribulations, but he had almost touched the bottom line of the Heaven and Earth's will.

Boom—!!!

Terrifying sword light twisted the sky, slicing towards Gu Yangxuan.

The crazed posture made Gu Yangxuan's face turn pale.

"Madness!"

"Gu Qianchi, you motherfcker, have gone mad!"

"Is it worth selling your life for the court?!"

Gu Yangxuan shouted sternly.

"Not selling my life... means death!"

Boom—!!!

A terrifying thunderous explosion shook the sky!

In an instant, massive clouds burst open above the Tiandan Divine Sect's mountain gate, and a formidable aura surged and rippled.

Gu Yin Xuan's body was like a cannonball, brutally flung away, his bones shattered, and thick blood mist erupted before he was slammed into the Tiandan Divine Sect's mountain gate.

Smoke and mist rose and swirled.

Above, Ink Nine Heads roared, flapping its flesh wings, its dragon claws sharp as blades.

Boom—!!!

In that moment, the Three Disasters and Nine Tribulations seemed to be fully triggered, and a thick bolt of Tribulation Lightning smashed down! As Ink Nine Heads cultivated the Ancestral Dragon Tribulation, and the calamity it triggered was the Tribulation Lightning!

Bang—!!!

After being struck by the Tribulation Lightning, Ink Nine Heads' body seemed to explode with ink-like blood!

"What the fck!"

Gu Yin Xuan rose from the ruins, his eyes filled with anger.

In the present world, the intense battle between Gu Yin Xuan and the ferocious beast has reached its climax. Gu Yin Xuan, who can only exhibit half-step Divine Tribulation power, is being utterly crushed by the beast, which has directly unleashed a Calamity Realm's power, disregarding the Tribulation Lightning.

The beast's claws, as sharp as five Divine Knives, tore through the air, causing the space to shatter. The Heaven-Earth Chessboard was destroyed, and the entire mountain of the Tiandan Divine Sect was blown to smithereens. Gu Yin Xuan was sent flying, his face twisted in a mixture of pain and frustration.

He knew it was pointless to continue fighting the beast, which would eventually be struck by the Tribulation Lightning. "Yang Xuan, escape!" Gu Yin Xuan shouted. "Don't bother with this beast anymore! We must abandon the Tiandan Divine Sect!"

Gu Yin Xuan wanted to flee with his brother and escape to a safe distance. He had sensed the opening of the Heaven City and the imminent emergence of the Heaven-Striking Temple's legacy. He had to rush to the Heaven City and enter the Earth Wiles Pavilion, and eventually, the Heaven Wiles Pavilion, to seek opportunities and become a true God.

Gu Yang Xuan, on the other hand, was also struggling against the ferocious beast, which was in a crazed state. He heard Gu Yin Xuan's roar and was torn with indecision. As the ancestor of the Tiandan Divine Sect, he had been revered and worshipped for thousands of years and had gained many benefits. He was reluctant to give up the sect, especially since his Human Medicine secret technique still required the sect as a tool for gathering resources.

But Gu Yang Xuan knew that the situation was hopeless. With Gu Yin Xuan being suppressed, he couldn't defeat the crazed beast. The era of the Tiandan Divine Sect had come to an end. Without the sect, Gu Yang Xuan's eyes gleamed with a hint of madness. "The Supreme Human Medicine, I must consume and refine it to have any hope!"

Meanwhile, at the Jin Guang Mansion, Li Che, dressed in a black robe, arrived with a warm and gentle smile, his hair flowing in the wind. The masters of the Divine Sect, including the South Fire and Hu Yingyue, looked at Li Che with a sense of nostalgia, as if he had just left and returned.

However, Li Che was no longer the same person. He was now the Divine Sculptor Sage, one of the five elders of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, and a Divine Embryo Cultivator. His status was highly respected, and no one in the Jin Guang Mansion could compare to him.

Li Che greeted everyone warmly, and his eyes fell upon Tang Sanjia, who was staring at the Arm Heaven-Piercing Armor in awe. Tang Sanjia's eyes sparkled as he touched the armor, and he suddenly patted it, taking a few steps back and laughing.

"Li Che, take this Divine Armored Titan with you. Leaving it here would be a waste. You're the one who completed it, and only you can unlock its true power and make it renowned throughout the world!"

Li Che was surprised by Tang Sanjia's decision. "Promise me that you'll let the world know the name of the Tang Clan once again and create a stir with our mechanical beasts, just like when we first unveiled the World-Transcending Mechanical Beast!"

Tang Sanjia's eyes shone with excitement. "A single mechanical beast can rival an Absolute Apex Warrior. What a shocking feat! And now, our Tang Clan has reached a new height, creating a mechanical beast that can rival a Divine Tribulation cultivator!"

As Tang Sanjia spoke, he opened his arms, his face filled with enthusiasm. "And I heard that the Heaven City is about to open. You should go there, Li Che. The Arm Heaven-Piercing Armor was inspired by the materials from the Heaven City. Take it with you, and it will be perfect."

In the grand Jin Guang Mansion, the esteemed Grand Supervisor Hu Yingyue, a master of the erhu, chuckles as she plucks the strings, "Just now, the Grand Supervisor conveyed a message from the Great Supervisor of the Eleven Dao Cities..."

"A proclamation to the world."

"Qitian City has opened, and within a month, the once glorious Qitian Temple, the legacy of the Divine Sect, will resurface!"

"Qitian City will become the gathering place for the heroes of the world."

Hu Yingyue glances at Li Che, her eyes flashing, "Li Shengshou, with your cultivation, if you want to get involved in this gathering of heroes, there's still a gap..."

"After all, with Qitian City's opening, the gathering there will inevitably include hidden Divine Realm experts, Martial Deities, and even top-tier experts and top-tier Divine Realm experts will also make their way there..."

"Now, with the help of the Heaven-Piercing Armor, you have this opportunity."

At these words, Li Che's eyes shift towards Tang Sanjia, who nods, his eyes brimming with excitement.

"The Heaven-Piercing Armor needs to go to this gathering place and showcase its charm. Only by going there can it astonish all sides!"

"Li Shengshou, I'm counting on you."

Tang Sanjia bows respectfully.

Hearing this, Li Che lightly sighs.

"Alright..."

"I've always been a low-key person, and I actually dislike such high-profile matters."

The crowd finds Li Che's words reasonable, as Li Che is indeed a low-key person and never seeks attention.

"But now, I'll be high-profile once."

"Good, I'll make the Heaven-Piercing Armor famous across the world..."

Li Che agrees with Tang Sanjia.

Afterwards, Li Che chats with the crowd for a few moments before taking his leave.

With the Heaven-Piercing Armor in hand, he bids farewell to the crowd, clenches his fist, and in an instant, disappears from their sight.

In the vast heavens, amidst the raging wind and snow.

The numerous powerful individuals of Jin Guang Mansion remain in the snowy winds.

Hu Yingyue plucks the strings of her erhu, creating a rousing melody.

Laughter echoes endlessly in the snowy winds.

"Jin Guang Mansion is about to unveil a true powerhouse!"

...

...

Buzz—

With a leap through the sky, Li Che appears hundreds of miles away.

Suspended in the air, his ink-black robe flutters.

In Li Che's gaze, a look of indifference and coldness emerges, his mind connecting with the Heaven-Earth Chessboard, naturally observing the battle at Tiandan Divine Sect.

Regarding Tiandan Divine Sect, Li Che intends to thoroughly crush them.

After all, this Divine Sect had bullied Xixi in the past.

Additionally, this Divine Sect... is indeed despicable, with their collusion with the Ascending Pavilion, Ascending Pill, and Mystic Dao Temple, their methods are too evil.

Since they are evil, Li Che feels no pressure in destroying them.

Just as Li Che had acted in the Flying Thunder City in the past, he may not be a hero, but when facing evil, he has a pair of fists ready to strike, iron fists!

"Additionally... Gu Yin Xuan..."

"A talent."

"Since he's a talent, the Netherworld will naturally show respect to the wise and virtuous."

Through the Heaven-Earth Chessboard, one can observe the battle.

There's a fearless and indomitable warrior, unafraid of death, and unyielding to the Celestial Tribulation, unleashing the Nine Heads, a terrifying and insane evil beast, its blood exploding like ink, and there's no more to the story.

With the Nine Heads charging wildly, roaring to the heavens, the power of the Calamity and the Celestial Tribulation and says, "Come with us..."

Mina then invites Gu Yin Xuan to flee with Gu Yang Xuan.

Gu Yin Xuan's face twitches non-stop.

He constantly sprinkles poison pills, each pill exploding in the air, however, these poison pills have no effect on this insane beast!

Boom—!!!

Gu Yin Xuan withstands a strike, and as he's smashed into the shattered space, black blood sprays from his mouth, glaring at Gu Yang Xuan, he curses, "Still not leaving?!"

Gu Yang Xuan's massive body trembles, and after making a decision in his heart, without hesitation, he abandons Tiandan Divine Sect and chooses to retreat with Gu Yin Xuan.

Gu Yin Xuan takes out a black pill, flicks his finger, and in an instant, the pill swells and explodes in mid-air.

Nine Transformations Ascending Pillar! Boom—!!!

Terrifying poison mist instantly explodes in mid-air, enveloping the entire Tiandan Divine Sect, the entire Guangling Dao City.

Gu Yin Xuan shows no sign of softening due to the so-called innocent lives.

Heavenly Toxin Pill detonates.

In mid-air, the Nine Transformations Pill rotates, and compared to Li Che, Gu Yin Xuan is more adept at manipulating this Heavenly Toxin Pill, and this pill seems even more fearsome than one crafted by Gu Changqing.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end