Chapter 464: Calculating the Netherworld's Lack of Scholars, the Advantage of Three Against Five is

Chapter 464: Calculating the Netherworld's Lack of Scholars, the Advantage of Three Against Five is in My Hands, Li Che【Seeking Monthly Votes】

Boom!

A terrifying blast erupted, as if countless stars were exploding simultaneously, shooting out in all directions. The surging demonic energy spread out, creating a vast torrent, wreaking havoc and intertwining like serpentine dragons.

The entire Ink City had long been reduced to complete ruins, not a single building left intact. Even the Dominating Tower, which had been transformed into the true body of the Black Bull Demon God, was crushed and shattered, leaving only scattered debris.

The rolling black blood surged like a river current, expanding in all directions, resembling the raging waters of an angry river.

Within this black river, the raging demonic energy swirled wildly.

"Roar!!!!"

The Black Bull Demon God's furious roars continued to explode.

But this was only the sound of the Black Bull Demon God's physical body being blown to pieces, leaving only his demon soul to howl in anger...

He was both shocked and enraged, and even a bit terrified...

This grand Demon God, who had reached the second calamity realm, held an esteemed position among the ten thousand great rivers of the demon race in the mortal world. He was powerful and influential, ruling over countless demons. Yet, at this moment, he was brutally crushed by a mere mortal.

Pain, humiliation, and horror instantly overwhelmed the Black Bull Demon God's demon soul.

The Black Bull Demon God never imagined that he would meet such an end. He had even fantasized about obtaining the Three Purities Divine Weapons from the Qitian Temple God, the Chaos As-You-Wish Golden Hoop Staff, to increase his influence among the ten thousand great rivers.

But now, not only had he lost his leverage, but his physical body had also been destroyed.

It seemed that he was destined to perish within this small pocket dimension.

As a powerful being, the Black Bull Demon God had his own predictions about death. Ink City, the Capital of the Netherworld, was a small pocket dimension that blocked the outside world, isolating it from the perception of the mortal world's heavenly will.

Therefore, with his physical body shattered within this small pocket dimension, the demon soul alone could not break through the barrier and escape.

Boom!

Countless black blood swirled wildly, hanging upside down like a dome, transforming into a vast black mist that mixed with the demonic energy, forming an enormous black bull silhouette!

It was so massive that it seemed to block out the sun and sky.

The two scarlet eyes, resembling houses, glared from within the foggy black bull shape, roaring and howling.

Hisssss...

Golden flames burned, and Li Che, wearing a divine monkey mask, stood amidst the bloody storm, his fists ablaze.

"Huff—"

"Suck—"

With each breath, the sound was like rolling thunder.

Li Che raised his head and looked up at the enormous foggy black bull rising before him.

A hint of ridicule flashed in his eyes.

After countless calculations and schemes, his plans had finally come to fruition.

This giant black bull had finally been slaughtered by him!

The second calamity Demon God was indeed powerful, and Li Che had set up numerous traps, backstabbing, poisoning, besieging, and attacking his mind...

In the end, he was pushed to the brink, exhausting all his means, before finally putting an end to the Demon God.

Rustle, rustle...

With only its demon soul remaining, the giant black bull could no longer pose any threat to Li Che.

The Black Bull Demon God's demon soul, enveloped in a torrent of blood, was filled with despair and fury.

Li Che raised his head, and behind him, three blazing suns and five shining stars intertwined their radiance, resembling a starry sky in full bloom.

His entire body erupted with golden light, capturing the essence of martial arts cultivation. At this moment, Li Che unleashed his power.

In the instant he spread his arms, he vanished and reappeared above the giant black bull's head. With a clenched fist, the Yin-Yang Demon Blade fell into his hand. Countless pores on the blade's surface dilated, forming countless tiny vortices that ravenously devoured the demonic energy.

Holding the demon blade with one hand, Li Che unleashed its power, and with the enhancement of martial arts cultivation, he swung the blade downward!

Qianshan Duxing's Empty Slash!

Slash through the void!

Slash and explode!

Slash the demon!

Boom!!!!

Even the void seemed to twist and distort, pierced by the blade's aura. It was as if countless mountains were woven together, being split in half and cut into countless intricate cracks. The sword light twisted and turned, sometimes crossing and jumping, radiating extreme sharpness and ferocity. The demonic energy wrapped around the blade, as if imbued with a mad will, completely annihilating the Black Bull Demon God's demon soul!

Each slash of the blade seemed to transform into a thousand or ten thousand slashes, an infinite number of slashes!

Boom!!!

After completing this, the Black Bull Demon God's complex gaze swept over, and finally, it was extinguished.

An enormous demon pill hovered between Li Che's outstretched fingers.

The demon pill was covered in calamity patterns, and the surrounding calamity wheel had already shattered, leaving only the intact demon pill pulsating like a beating heart.

Within the demon pill, an immense amount of energy was contained, and with the demon soul destroyed, only pure energy remained.

"Not bad."

Li Che's eyes flashed with satisfaction and joy.

Roar!

In the distance.

Having devoured the four demon gods, the Sea-Flipping Nine Heads, now with six heads, raged and roared, its powerful aura shaking the heavens and earth. Its malevolent energy surged and overflowed.

However, it was clear that it had not yet fully digested its meal. Although it had devoured four demon gods and achieved a significant breakthrough in cultivation, advancing from the first calamity to the second calamity realm, each of its heads was still wildly flailing, as if still digesting the power of the demon souls.

The four demon gods' divine consciousnesses were directly captured by Li Che and offered as sacrifices to the Sea-Flipping Nine Heads. Li Che didn't feel much regret about this.

The Sea-Flipping Nine Heads, one of the Ink Ten Evils, was absolutely loyal to him, just like the Divine Consciousness. It was one of his most faithful subordinates.

The difference was that the Sea-Flipping Nine Heads had a more chaotic will, perhaps not as clear-minded as the Divine Consciousness, and was more like a...tamed little pet.

Since the Divine Consciousness could transform into one of the Ink Ten Evils, Li Che, facing the black bull's demon pill, chose to use the Divine Consciousness without hesitation.

Now, with his entry into the Heavenly Gate and the deepening of his connection with the essence of martial arts cultivation, Li Che could be considered to have stepped into the realm of martial arts.

What is a martial arts cultivator? It is one who follows the pure path of martial arts, surpassing the level of martial saints, crossing the Heavenly Gate, and facing the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations head-on. By relying on human strength to overcome the heavens, they become martial arts cultivators.

On the other hand, martial deities follow the path of divine martial arts, opening the Heavenly Gate to summon forth a powerful divine essence, using it to counter the heavenly will and confront the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations.

These are two different paths.

The path of martial arts cultivators is naturally more challenging, and pure martial arts cultivators are extremely rare!

Even Li Che, who had obtained the blessings of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit and enhanced his martial arts comprehension, found it extremely difficult. In his battle against the second calamity black bull, he was pushed to the limit before finally forging this path.

However, the me of today only temporarily borrows the power of the Martial Immortal's Dao Yun...

Li Che stood in place, bathed in golden light. With the Dao Yun enveloping him, it was as if a shadow was superimposed upon his body, appearing outside his physical form.

It was as if his entire being had gained a double shadow.

He knew that his current breakthrough wasn't a true breakthrough; it was merely a temporary step into the Martial Immortal realm by borrowing the Dao Yun from the Heavenly Gate.

To truly enter the Martial Immortal realm,

Li Che needed to refine his martial arts and, most importantly...

He needed to face the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, overcome the tribulations, and gain the power of calamities!

Transcending tribulations was the most crucial transformation!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The howling wind raged and surged.

Black blood splattered on the ground, and terrifying demonic energy raged and intertwined, like a streak of lightning across a desolate wasteland, slowly weaving and flowing.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, completely solidified!

Countless shattered flesh and blood scattered throughout Ink City's Capital of the Netherworld, and ink-colored rain poured down, thundering and shaking. Countless streams of water rolled over the broken ground, seemingly possessing corrosive power, eroding the flesh and blood of the Second Calamity Black Bull Demon God on the ground.

The flesh and blood being corroded slowly merged into the city, helping Ink City's Capital of the Netherworld to recover.

Li Che clenched the demon pill, and the aura around him gradually calmed.

The Martial Immortal's Dao Yun intertwined and merged into his body.

It hadn't completely fused with his physical body, but taking this step was like opening up a new world, entering a different realm.

The path to Martial Immortality had been thoroughly opened.

Boom, boom, boom—

In his chest, his heart beat, and the Dao Guo also pulsed, like the sound of rolling thunder, rumbling continuously! His blood seemed to flow and surge with the beating of the Dao Guo and his heart, constantly cleansing his new flesh and the newly enhanced power.

A thought crossed his mind.

Li Che's eyes shone with dazzling brilliance, the Second Calamity Demon God!

The Second Calamity Tribulation!

The first round of the Second Calamity Tribulation, the Bind Deity!

Li Che's heart was filled with anticipation. Although the Nine-Headed Flaming Infant had devoured four Demon Gods and he had broken through to the Second Calamity realm, the significance was different.

Bind Deity!

Return of the Soul!

The demon pill floated up, and the black bull's demonic energy surged, forming a massive vortex that gathered around Li Che, swirling continuously.

A deep voice echoed, like an old priest conducting a sacrificial ritual in a vast and boundless wilderness, and with each jump, he chanted in a low voice.

From the Netherworld, he summoned the powerful soul!

Boom—

It was as if a thick death aura burst forth!

A bone-chilling chill pierced his heart, and the sound of icy chains clinking echoed in his ears. Thick, enormous chains lashed through the heavens and earth.

In front of Li Che, the space around the demon pill seemed to collapse, connecting to another space, revealing an extremely deep black hole. At a glance, it was bottomless, like a Netherworld abyss, with no end in sight! It was unknown what kind of scenery lay on the other side of the darkness or where it led.

One by one, the wildly dancing black chains snapped and broke, as if some terrifying existence was being released.

The formidable power of the soul surged like a storm, and the seemingly extinguished demonic soul power revived and gathered once more.

The unleashed demonic soul power caused the space to distort and ripple, undulating and undulating, as the entire city shook violently!

Roar—

An enormous bull's head emerged from the black hole, covered in countless black threads, roaring, howling, and struggling, filled with a yearning for life!

Boom—

When the Black Bull Demon God finally struggled out of the Netherworld, a look of bewilderment flashed in his huge, bell-like eyes.

Finally, his gaze fell on Li Che, who wore the Divine Monkey mask, and his expression became incredibly complex.

"Old Bull, I've met the Lord!"

The black bull transformed into a human form, towering like a mountain, and bowed respectfully, his eyes burning with fervor.

The Demon Race had always been a race that revered strength.

Li Che had killed him and then revived him from the Netherworld; such means made him a strong among the strong. Even though Li Che's cultivation was weak, it didn't hinder his status as a strong man that the Black Bull admired! He submitted without any mental barriers.

Li Che smiled, pleased, and looked at the Black Bull with satisfaction.

However, Li Che didn't immediately turn the Black Bull into one of the Ink Ten Evils, although Li Che had already reserved a spot for him among the Ink Ten Evils.

But, for now, Li Che still had use for the Black Bull.

After all, the situation in the Qitian Wicked Temple was still very dire! Li Che gripped the Willful Golden Iron Staff, and the Black Bull carried the Sea-Supporting Purple Gold Beam. Li Che's mind moved, and he clenched his fist.

Within Ink City's Capital of the Netherworld, only the pounding rain remained.

The golden, flame-like Li Che and the Black Bull, whose demonic energy filled the sky, both disappeared.

...

...

Boom! The entire inner city of Qitian trembled continuously! Above the dome, the eerie mist swirled, and black clouds covered the sky, creating an apocalyptic scene that filled the hearts of all cultivators in the inner city with boundless fear.

An incredibly oppressive aura occasionally poured down from where the mist dissipated, a pressure that left no room for resistance!

The Supreme Pressure!

The various powers unleashed their supreme methods, restraining the ancestor of the Heaven-Striking Temple, who had transformed into the Curse Corpse King, and thus, the Supreme Battle of the Three Calamities Tribulation erupted!

Countless deep and profound lightning bolts intertwined, a manifestation of the aura's condensed thunder. The space above the Wiles Pavilion seemed to shake, influenced by the clash of supreme auras.

And in the depths of Qitian's inner city.

At the entrance to the Qitian Temple.

There were also pillar-like beams of substantial tribulation light bursting forth from the Qitian Temple, as if to shake the eerie mist! This was the work of the Second Calamity Tribulation experts who had entered the city! The Black Bull Demon God of the Demon Race was pulled away by the Netherworld.

However, there were still many Second Calamity Tribulation Cultivators, such as the Buddhist monk with cicada-patterned robes from the Western Buddhist Kingdom, the former emperor of Da Jing, Lu Wenchang, and the head of the Zi Fu Divine Sect, Zhang Wuji, among others.

In total, there were five Second Calamity Cultivators, and their combined might was simply too overwhelming.

The only person standing in front of the Qitian Temple was Fang Hanshu.

His Confucian robe fluttered, and his majestic beard curled upwards, forming a majestic spear of righteousness. The spear trembled incessantly, unleashing a torrent of righteousness that wove together like a silk ribbon, a sword aura, and a raging wave.

With all his strength, Fang Hanshu managed to push back the combined might of the five Second Calamity Cultivators.

Pfft—

Fang Hanshu's body trembled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his majestic beard red.

Gripping the spear with one hand, Fang Hanshu glared coldly at the five monks.

"With the power of the Grand Supervisor, your righteousness blends perfectly with the force of heaven and earth. It allows you to unleash the power of the Second Calamity even though you've only experienced the First Calamity. This is the might of the Second Calamity's second tribulation."

"But this power isn't yours. You've already exhausted yourself by fighting five opponents alone."

The monk's body was engulfed in golden flames, and behind him, a golden cicada's wings flapped rapidly, creating countless afterimages.

"The corpse of the Fighting Buddha will return to the Western Buddhist Kingdom today. A Buddha should return to its rightful place."

The monk clenched his fist, and a crimson staff appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, a terrifying force lashed out.

Fang Hanshu's spear trembled, and the righteousness entwined like a white python, clashing with the monk's staff. The impact shattered space, creating ripples that distorted the air.

The former emperor of Da Jing, Lu Wenchang, and the head of the Zi Fu Divine Sect, Zhang Wuji, along with other powerful cultivators, didn't hold back either. They continued to unleash their attacks.

The idea of a one-on-one fight was meaningless.

The key was to work together to clear the obstacles and seize the opportunity before them.

Boom—

The staff tapped the air, causing space to seem like it was collapsing. Cracks appeared one after another, and the cicada patterns on the monk's eyes seemed to flutter like wings, as if they had fully awakened.

On the other side, the former emperor of Da Jing, Lu Wenchang, was enveloped in golden light, and he wielded a long sword that continuously slashed out, releasing sword beams.

Various techniques pressed down on Fang Hanshu, unleashing their full force.

Since they couldn't directly break through Fang Hanshu's blockade to reach the stone coffin that lay quietly in the center of the Qitian Wicked Temple and discover the truth about the corpse of the Great Sage within, they had no choice but to fight.

Kill Fang Hanshu, and then continue the fight for the opportunity. It would be a battle of strength!

Zhang Wuji let out a soft sigh, and with a flick of his wrist, a giant cauldron appeared, with flames burning inside. It smashed towards Fang Hanshu.

Fang Hanshu's face turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had drained from his body, and even his righteousness began to wane.

The spear in his hand slashed through the air, leaving a trail of white light that tore through the void and struck the cauldron, sending it flying.

But the next moment, Zhang Wuji struck again, opening his palm to reveal a silver disc.

The disc shimmered with radiant light, reflecting like a mirror.

With a thunderous strike, the disc spun rapidly, carrying a terrifying divine essence, and crashed into Fang Hanshu.

Fang Hanshu's expression changed slightly. The power and mystery of the Zi Fu Divine Sect far exceeded his imagination, but at this moment, he refused to retreat.

He exhaled, his majestic beard flailing, and his spear fiercely pointed towards the silver disc.

Boom—

A dull sound echoed, and space seemed to ripple like a violently shaken carpet, creating countless folds.

Fang Hanshu coughed up blood, his arms nearly shattering from the force. His body trembled, as if he had exhausted all his strength, and he was almost shaking.

But his eyes shone brighter than ever, fueled by the power of belief, which took root in his heart and made the righteousness behind him even more majestic. The force of heaven and earth continued to empower him.

His aura continued to rise.

Fang Hanshu was determined to uphold the Fang family's ancestral teachings. The ancient Fang family, which had existed for countless generations, had long since degenerated, no longer adhering to the belief of protecting the Qitian Temple.

Now, they even participated in the struggle for the opportunity within the Qitian Inner City.

When Fang Hanshu saw the Fang family from the Jiangnan Dao coming to fight for resources during the Divine Tribulation, disappointment filled his eyes.

Boom—

The clash of supreme powers continued.

Fang Hanshu's battle intent surged, and he disregarded everything, madly drawing upon the Grand Supervisor's power to enhance his own aura with the force of heaven and earth. The entire Wicked Temple seemed to shake.

With a swift step, he unleashed a lightning-fast spear strike, targeting the five cultivators.

The battle between them was so fast that it left onlookers dizzy. Space cracks appeared and healed, creating storms that raged and ravaged.

Thud, thud, thud—

The temple's floor tiles shattered, only to rapidly mend themselves.

Fang Hanshu panted heavily, his Confucian robe already dyed a scarlet red.

A Confucian scholar could write poems with his brush, but he could also wield a spear to slay bandits.

But there were too many bandits.

Fang Hanshu felt like he had reached his limit, but he didn't care. When he had borrowed the Grand Supervisor's power and summoned the force of heaven and earth, he had already made his choice—to sacrifice himself for justice.

"He's exhausted."

"Don't delay any longer."

As the silver disc returned to Zhang Wuji's hand, he frowned and said, "It's time."

In the vast sky above, the atmosphere of the supreme battle seemed to gradually calm down, indicating that the battle between the supreme cultivators was about to conclude.

In truth, these powerful cultivators were well aware that the supreme techniques of the major forces were not meant to suppress the Corpse King.

After all, how could they truly suppress a true supreme cultivator without the presence of a genuine supreme being?

However, they still had to seize every moment.

Zhang Wuji began to chant, and the next moment, a divine shrine appeared behind him.

Within the shrine, a majestic divine essence and profound cultivation energy surged forth. The silver disc began to vibrate violently, emitting a buzzing sound before shooting out once more, shattering space and striking the exhausted Fang Hanshu.

Fang Hanshu sat on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Facing five opponents alone, he wasn't truly a Second Calamity Divine Tribulation Honored One; it was only through external means that he achieved such power.

Now, he had reached his limit.

"I'm going to die..."

Fang Hanshu exhaled, but his expression remained calm.

After all, death was just death for a scholar. With his heart's desire fulfilled, what was there to fear?

Moreover...

"Elder Li should be able to save me, right?"

"I calculated it, and the Netherworld needs a scholar."

He coughed lightly, spitting out fresh blood.

As he watched the approaching Honored Ones, he shook his head. Behind him, a vast aura emerged, and his entire soul seemed to be burning.

"Come again!"

The long spear in his hand instantly exploded, transforming into a vast river of righteousness, like a flowing silk ribbon, spanning before him and forming his final delaying tactic.

After doing all this, Fang Hanshu felt completely empty.

His magnificent beard became dry and stiff with blood.

He sat on the ground, his fluttering wide sleeves trembling, and beyond the river, the sounds of attacking and bombardment rained down. The river of righteousness trembled, and this temporary defensive barrier would likely be breached soon.

But Fang Hanshu had done his best.

"A scholar fights without regret, even in the face of death."

He sighed softly.

From within his wide sleeves, Fang Hanshu pulled out a bloodstained book of saints and sages.

He straightened his back.

With trembling fingers, he wiped his tongue and began to flip through the pages.

He was just a few pages away from finishing this book.

The ancient sages and saints truly possessed great wisdom.

Boom!!!

The river of righteousness was shattered.

Figures burst forth, emitting terrifying brilliance as they tore through the river. There was a radiant Buddha light, a monk in penance holding a staff, and a fierce-eyed cicada-patterned monk.

A Daoist's robe fluttered in the wind, and he held a silver-carved object, appearing ethereal and immortal.

An emperor's aura surrounded another, exuding majestic power.

The five powerful beings coldly watched the figure sitting on the ground with a straight back, calmly flipping through the book of saints and sages.

"Why bother?"

"The Fang family is no longer what it used to be. No one would blame you if you didn't do this."

"Who in this world understands your righteousness and persistence?"

Zhang Wuji held the silver-carved object and sighed softly.

Fang Hanshu also sighed and closed the book, "You're so noisy... I can't concentrate on reading."

"Facing life and death, my heart is still a bit chaotic."

Zhang Wuji shook his head, "When you chose to accept the power of the Great Supervisor of the Netherworld and invoked the power of heaven and earth, you sealed your fate. You chose death long ago. The reason your heart is in chaos is that you still have people you can't let go of."

Fang Hanshu slightly raised his head, and the book in his hand curled up, which he placed on his lap.

His gaze moved past the five powerful beings, and he looked calmly into the distance.

"Yes..."

"Old Lu, I can't fight alongside you anymore, and I can't help you manage the Divine Sect..."

"And Xi Xi, in the future, there will be no one to supervise your studies. How can a place of study be called a 'demon cave'? The little girl still needs to study hard. You're too mischievous; studying can cultivate your energy, make you well-read, and make you more likable..."

"And Li Che..."

Fang Hanshu's face turned deathly pale.

His eyes, however, remained calm, without fear of death, only regret for not being able to bid farewell to his old friends.

"This world is beautiful, and the mortal realm is so rich..."

"Such a world shouldn't be destroyed by the Divine Wave."

Fang Hanshu spoke softly.

Zhang Wuji shook his head, "It's the trend of the times. All gods will fall, let alone mortals."

Fang Hanshu's body no longer emanated any powerful aura; he seemed as weak as a frail scholar.

However, his back remained straight.

The five powerful beings no longer paid him any attention and stepped over his body, rushing towards the stone coffin.

Suddenly, Zhang Wuji's expression changed slightly. He rolled up his wide sleeves, and the silver-carved object in his hand shot out.

The space rippled, and a gigantic pillar appeared, smashing through the space and falling with terrifying force, causing the space to crack like a spider web.

Dong!

The silver-carved object flew back into Zhang Wuji's hand.

Dense demonic energy surged and intertwined! The Black Ox Demon God, carrying the Sea-Crossing Purple Gold Beam, stepped out of the space, exuding arrogance.

Zhang Wuji was taken aback, and his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the Black Ox Demon God.

"You..."

Beside the Black Ox Demon God, the space shattered again. Violent demonic energy and raging demonic aura swept through, shaking the void!

Six heads swayed wildly, and flesh wings sprouted from its back. Its four limbs slammed onto the ground, and its tail, like a divine whip, lashed out, tearing the space apart.

An unparalleled ferocious beast had appeared!

The Second Calamity-level aura spread out.

Those who had just passed by Fang Hanshu's body couldn't help but show a slight change in their expressions.

"The Demon Race of the Ten Thousand Great Rivers... I didn't expect them to have such a trump card!"

"A Second Calamity-level Demon God, and there's a new Demon God in the Ten Thousand Great Rivers?"

The monk in penance, the Wu God High Priest, the Great Emperor of Da Jing, and other powerful beings were all shocked.

The Demon Race...

Was the most deeply hidden?

Fang Hanshu also stared at this scene in astonishment. On his pale face, a thought suddenly occurred to him, and a smile appeared.

"Elder... why go to such lengths?"

A helpless voice echoed in Fang Hanshu's ear.

Fang Hanshu turned his head.

He saw Li Che, wearing a divine monkey mask, carrying a treasure staff, and squatting beside him.

"You succeeded?"

Fang Hanshu's eyes lit up as he asked.

Li Che nodded. He knew what Fang Hanshu was asking about.

But he didn't hide it; he had indeed succeeded in dealing with the Black Ox Demon God.

Fang Hanshu burst into laughter.

"Finally, I can read in peace."

Fang Hanshu's laughter faded, and he spoke softly.

He patted Fang Hanshu's shoulder, and with a thought, he sent Fang Hanshu to the Ink City in the Netherworld.

"Hmm, let's change places to read."

"Leave it to me now."

"Three against five..."

"The advantage is mine."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end