Rong Bihuai cradled Bai Shuang and walked forward with unhurried steps. Each footfall sent ripples of green light scattering around them.
How naïve—to think that wielding a single superior divine artifact could make one unbeatable. Remember: external tools are, after all, merely external. They might crush lesser deities, but against me? That’s courting death!
The moment those words fell, the colossal locust tree’s trunk burst into a thousand razor-sharp limbs, each one piercing the chest of every deity present—every single one except Hong Zhencheng. Instantly, their divine power was drawn out and absorbed into the tree’s vast form. Even the Xuanba Shitian Axe lay entombed within the living wood.
Xie Buyu struggled to break free with her remaining power, only to discover the tree generated a natural magnetic field. Within its radius, her divine force barely stirred. Forced to abandon her axe, she retreated. The outcome was no longer in doubt.
Dongfang Yelai’s eyes swept across the devastated hall. That bastard—where is he? I slapped him in public; I must find him! Of course, he was looking for Ye Yu. He’d already plotted a thousand ways to take revenge, but Ye Yu had vanished without a trace. Had he not been here just moments ago?
In fact, Ye Yu hadn’t disappeared by magic—he’d slipped away the instant Xie Buyu began explaining Rong Bihuai’s power. This wasn’t a contest for a True God-level powerhouse. Any further glance betrayed contempt for death. His first dream in the Divine Realm demanded a good result—a triumphant opener. To die at his current strength was unacceptable. Preservation of power was the true path.
By now, he’d reached Six-String Ridge. Though unfamiliar, it lay over a hundred thousand li from the Grand Limit Hall—just beyond the safety line. His restless heart finally calmed. Escaping unscathed felt good.
“Grand Limit Hall was a fine proving ground,” he mused. “Dangerous, yes, but it vaulted me into True God realm—that’s undeniable. Now I must work harder to reach Celestial God. The easiest path: join another Divine Alliance and repeat Grand Limit Hall’s trials.”
He hesitated at the thought—felt like farming scraps—but cultivation wasn’t shameful. With that, his figure became a streak of light, vanishing into the distance.
Reality, however, had other plans. Three days later, Ye Yu sat cross-legged atop a cloud, scowling. Unlucky to the extreme! He’d scouted two Divine Alliances in a row: names so terrible, and rules so strict—one barred women, the other barred demons! Pathetic—no wonder they never prospered!
He exhaled in disgust, then unfurled a map to study the local Alliance distributions. He’d spent five divine stones to buy it from an information broker—proof that wherever you went, such merchants thrived. The broker had even offered an eight-thousand-stone “guaranteed admission” service. Ye Yu had been tempted—but ultimately refused, both out of pride and lack of funds.
Soon he spotted a promising target: Lieyang Gate. Five-star rating and nearby—a solid prospect! Without delay, he headed south and arrived that same afternoon. Lieyang Gate’s gates were grander than the Grand Limit Hall, all blazing red—a sight to invigorate the spirit!
Ye Yu checked the entrance stele. Finding no rule forbidding demons or male gods, he knocked. A fair-featured woman appeared. “Fellow cultivator, what brings you here?”
Ye Yu bowed slightly. “I am a wanderer, passing by and seeking to join your Alliance. What are your requirements?”
Before she could answer, a familiar drawl sounded from behind: “Your flowery speech is giving me the creeps!”
Ye Yu turned in surprise to see Old Squinty Ge standing there. He had thought the old rogue had run off—how was he here? Familiar faces always invited many words. Old Squinty Ge, respected within Lieyang Gate, swept Ye Yu inside with a wave of his sleeve. The fair woman could only salute and stay silent.
Inside the blessed cavern, Old Squinty Ge chuckled. “You really are a restless one—already seeking a new Alliance. No affection left for the Grand Limit Hall, huh?”
Ye Yu pouted. “Don’t blame me—I thought you showed loyalty! You bolted at the first sign of danger without so much as a word.”
“I had urgent matters!” Squinty Ge protested. “And how could I have known the crisis at Grand Limit Hall would erupt so quickly? You’re simply wronging me. As for my integrity, I needn’t defend myself—someone will speak up for me... if she °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° ever wakes up!”
