Honestly, Ye Yu had never understood what Xie Buyu truly wanted as his Daoist partner. He had imagined countless possibilities—and none quite fit. Even moments ago, he was still studying her. Yet when she learned his true cultivation was not as high as assumed, her first reaction was not to distance herself but to give him the chance to flee. That astonished Ye Yu completely.
At that moment, the old squinting elder’s words flashed through his mind: Must one have a reason to love someone? Perhaps not. But when had Xie Buyu begun caring for him so deeply?
Before Ye Yu could react further, Xie Buyu leaped from his arms and stood in front of him. That familiar position filled her with an inexplicable sense of safety. All her life, she had been the senior sister who shielded her juniors from harm—yet she had never won everyone’s loyalty. One had betrayed her, another tried to kill her, and a third, seduced for a moment, had openly urged her to die. Such heartbreak had taught her that, should one of them fall here, it would be her. Shielding all danger had become her destiny.
Xie Buyu glanced at Hanyuexi. Take Ye Yu and go! she transmitted. In an instant her body blurred into a streak of light, charging forward—and in her hand appeared a massive axe. Though it resembled the Xuanba Devouring Heaven Axe, it was only a counterfeit: a mid-grade artifact called Angry Wave Blood Axe, serving as a crude stand-in.
She unleashed a full-force blow. In that instant, the clouds above shattered, and space itself warped. An overwhelming stench of blood swept the battlefield. A colossal axe-illusion, as substantial as reality, filled the sky—as if to rend heaven and earth.
All the divine beings recoiled in awe. Elder Du Yu of Jiyuege glanced up with a hint of amusement. “Courageous, and with presence—but alas, Ancient God Realm is still Ancient God Realm. You cannot stir even a ripple.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Du Yu flicked his hand—and a crisp bell chime echoed. All illusions shattered; even Xie Buyu’s Angry Wave Blood Axe collapsed. She staggered back, face ashen, utterly spent—but still tried to stand.
At that moment Ye Yu burst forward, pressed a talisman into her hand, and activated it. Xie Buyu’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could speak, she vanished.
Seventh Elder Chen Guangju of Jiyuege raised an eyebrow. Running already? Not so easy! He moved to pursue—but Ye Yu’s cold voice cut through the air: “Did I tell you to move? Touch her, and I will kill you here and now. Slaying all of you may be impossible, but trading one for one is not.”
Chen Guangju bellowed, “Arrogant!” Yet his body remained rooted. After listening to Goulangtu’s analysis, he had not taken Ye Yu seriously—but now this threat stirred uneasy fear. What if the old fox had been wrong, and Ye Yu truly was Divine Lord Realm? He glanced at Du Yu: You wanted to see his true mettle? Then be my guest.
Du Yu understood and stepped forward, smiling coldly. “Don’t disappoint me.”
Ye Yu gave a light laugh, glanced at the Lieyang Sect gods and Hanyuexi, then said, “All of you, leave. This battle isn’t for you.”
The Lieyang Sect deities exchanged looks and then began to depart. They sensed Ye Yu was sparing them to save their lives—and worried for Clan Leader Zhuxincheng. They might even abandon the sect to investigate what had happened. Though some wished to stand and die with Ye Yu, companions pulled them away. Before leaving, each saluted Ye Yu respectfully.
Du Yu and Chen Guangju said nothing—after all, Ye Yu’s gaze was on them. The Jiyuege gods also remained silent and watched the departure. Only Hanyuexi stayed at Ye Yu’s side.
Why aren’t you going? Ye Yu sent by thought. Opposite you are Divine Lord Realm experts—staying here is suicide!
I’m here to verify something, Hanyuexi replied. Whether I live or die doesn’t matter—I will resurrect. ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Just ignore me; a struggle at Divine Lord Realm is beyond me.
Ye Yu shook his head helplessly. Once assured of resurrection, she truly felt invincible. Fine—leave her be. He thought. And as for these Jiyuege gods...if you want to see a miracle, I’ll give you one.
Ye Yu closed his eyes. The next moment, every object in this realm turned black and white—gods and all.
