Chapter 1525: Genesis Heart

Bang!

The endless sea of black thunder energy crashed forward in waves from behind Shen Jinxiao like an inky ocean. However, the originally mighty thunder seemed to have gained an element of coldness when wielded by him. Within the ocean of black thunder were countless bolts of thunder that resembled pythons entangled together, giving off a sticky and unsettling feeling.

However, no one dared to underestimate its might. Wherever the inky sea spread, the void would shatter into minute fragments. Occasionally, black thunderbolts would descend and instantly vaporize the dilapidated buildings below.

Shen Jinxiao formed a handseal with a single hand, and the inky sea surged with thunder, transforming into gigantic palm tens of thousands of feet tall. A deafening boom resounded throughout the area.

Diwu Mingxuan and the rest could instantly recognize this Duke Art... it was Zhou Jun's most well-known move, the Extreme Violet Thunder Tribulation Palm.

However, it was simply much, much more terrifying when wielded by Shen Jinxiao!

The black thunder energy palm gave off an air of destruction, resembling a meteorite made of thunder as it crashed through the skies and collided violently against the attacks of the crowd.

The moment the attacks clashed, a deafening explosion reverberated through the air that drowned out everything, almost as though things had turned deathly silent.

Only an extremely terrifying energy storm remained, razing everything in its path to the ground and opening up huge crevices across the land.

The attacks of Diwu Mingxuan, Sheng Qiao'er, and the rest had turned into smoke. At the same time, they were sent flying backwards tens of thousands of feet, their internal organs shaken by the sheer aftershock. Numerous Duke Bergfrieds also began to flicker unstably, as though they were about to be snuffed out like candles. After finally stabilizing themselves, their gazes were solemn as they looked into the void before them. The black sea of thunder had also been torn apart by the previous exchange, but Shen Jinxiao was still standing steadily.

Above him, his nine Duke Bergfrieds stood like immovable mountains, constantly absorbing copious amounts of worldly natural energy and giving off an overbearing pressure. At the same time, the grayish-black Worldspace Domain continued to operate, constantly eroding away and devouring the resonant power within everyone's bodies before feeding it back to Shen Jinxiao.

This was the terrifying suppressive power a ninth-grade Duke possessed. Shen Jinxiao had single-handedly fended off all the elite mentors of the Academic Federation. The worst part was that he had even gained the upper hand! Diwu Mingxuan's expression turned gloomy. He didn't say any useless words but was the first to rush out again, causing majestic amounts of resonant power to pour out of him, condensing into a powerful attack aimed at Shen Jinxiao.

The rest followed suit.

Meanwhile, Li Luo was in his Heavenly Dragon form with Jiang Qing'estanding atop his head. He transmitted a message to her. "Sister Qing'e, it looks like their strength is insufficient to deal with Shen Jinxiao. I need to employ my sword formation."

Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes, which were deep and crystal clear, flickered and she sighed. "Li Luo, your sword formation might be powerful, but it isn't a guaranteed kill. Furthermore, the consumption of that Embryonic Transcendent Art is massive and you still have to make preparations to obtain the Greater Acquired Resonance Godly Forging Art."

"If we don't get rid of him, we won't be able to approach the altar at all."

"Leave him to me," Jiang Qing'e said.

Li Luo's heart trembled as he asked in shock, "Sister Qing'e, what are you planning to do?"

Jiang Qing'e gave a small smile and her amused laugh rang out like a refreshing spring. "You'll find out. Also, I'll still need your help. We'll first borrow the group's help to obstruct Shen Jinxiao for now."

Li Luo didn't say anything else upon hearing her words. His resonant power rose up, sweeping through the skies and joining in the multitude of attacks that were launched towards Shen Jinxiao.

A cataclysmic battle had begun.

When faced with the group's all-out strikes, Shen Jinxiao borrowed the suppressive powers of his ninth-grade Worldspace Domain and the advantage in the quality of his resonant power to diffuse them.

Both parties were filled with dense killing intent, and neither side dared to hold back.

This was the most intense battle that had unfolded since the Celestial Mirror Pagoda trials had started.

The battle triggered the flow of boundless amounts of violent worldly natural energy that roared and ripped through the skies and the earth.

As the battle continued, Shen Jinxiao once again forced the entire crowd back. Taking advantage of the opportune moment he had created, Zhou Jun's corpse flew up, landing heavily atop the ancient altar that towered into the sky.

When everyone looked over, they realized that there was a stick of black incense burning slowly on his forehead, emanating pitch-black smoke.

As the smoke wafted upwards, Zhou Jun's corpse gradually melted away, as though it had been turned into fuel for the fire.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The smoke then hovered above the altar. Everyone had the premonition that a horrifying power was about to descend.

Sheer terror flooded everyone present.

The entire thirty-fourth layer began to tremble.

At the same time, in the skies above Celestial Mirror City, Wang Xuanjin, Bai Yu, and Jin Xi could all sense the changes that were taking place. Wang Xuanjin waved his hand, and a screen made of light appeared in the air, reflecting the happenings in the thirty-fourth layer. When they saw the rising pitch-black smoke, their expressions warped.

"The Origin Reversion Institute's pawn is summoning a Heavenly Emperor's true body! We can't let him accomplish this!" Wang Xuanjin shouted. Above him, his three-layered crown began to glow with esoteric light, each ray made of pure source origin energy, containing unimaginable power.

The rays of light shot towards the screen, and with the aid of the remaining control he had over the Celestial Mirror Pagoda, he attempted to interfere with the situation on the thirty-fourth layer.

When the mysterious light fell, everyone within Celestial Mirror City suddenly felt a sense of abject terror rushing through them unconsciously. They raised their heads and saw that the skies were being ripped apart and an indescribably humongous hand was stretching out, pressing down towards the Kings. Wang Xuanjin's expression sank as he knew that this strike was from the clone of the Heavenly Emperor who had descended upon the thirty-third layer.

Clearly, their opponents were not planning on letting him interfere with what was going on in the thirty-fourth layer. When faced with a clone of a Heavenly Emperor, Wang Xuanjin did not dare to underestimate it despite being a peak Triple Crowned King. Countless mentors of the Academic Federation were in Celestial Mirror City, and if this attack were to land, every one of them would undoubtedly perish.

Thus, his only choice was to work together with the elders, rousing their crowns and transforming vast amounts of source origin energy to deflect the gigantic hand. The only thing he could do for those in the thirty-fourth layer was to send them a message.

"Everyone, this vile beast is planning to allow a Heavenly Emperor's true body to descend. You must stop him!"

His timely reminder caused the expressions of everyone in the thirty-fourth layer to change.

"Haha!" Shen Jinxiao, on the other hand, guffawed loudly. His hands were placed together, forming a seal as the nine Duke Bergfrieds above him spewed out roiling grayish-black energy. This energy blotted out the skies and the sun, condensing into a long, grayish-black banner.

The banner was engraved with countless devilish runes, each flickering with dark red light. The surface of the banner seemed to squirm, displaying numerous distorted and pained visages. These should be the souls of those whom Shen Jinxiao had devoured, as Lin Ju and Zhou Jun's faces could be seen amongst them.

It was a chilling sight to behold.

Shen Jinxiao's long hair billowed in the wind as he gripped his demonic banner, the banner itself filled with the tortured souls of his victims. It spewed out streams of ebony light, destroying the counterattacks.

At this point, Shen Jinxiao's demonic state had truly reached its peak.

It caused the group to feel a sense of powerlessness. Shen Jinxiao was much stronger than they had imagined.

Shen Jinxiao let out a sinister laugh, and his gaze then turned towards Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo. He said with a smirk, "Jiang Qing'e, Li Luo, the two of you have been quiet the whole time. I suppose you should be just about ready now?"

Although Diwu Mingxuan was the main protagonist of this struggle, Shen Jinxiao had never once relaxed when it came to observing the duo. He had a deep understanding of them and knew that their hatred for him was irreconcilable and they wouldn't give up so simply.

Diwu Mingxuan, Sheng Qiao'er, and the rest then looked at the couple in surprise. Did they have something up their sleeves that would allow them to deal with a ninth-grade Duke?

Jiang Qing'e, who was still standing atop Li Luo's head, glared at Shen Jinxiao murderously. She didn't reply to him, but her slender fingers formed a seal, causing the Sacred Crown of Thorns to disappear. Her long hair rippled down her back as a result, falling to her waist with glittering light. It danced in the wind, making for a soul-stirring sight.

Three Archaic Runes condensed between her eyebrows, taking the form of halos.

At the same time, her sacred Heart of Light began to transform.

An ancient sort of mystique, seemingly originating from the dawn of the world, emerged from her. It was as though it was the genesis of everything.