Chapter 1740: Trust

The vast sea of blood blotted out the sky and the sun. Shocking amounts of slaughter source origin raged, and everything that was enveloped by the blood sea was obliterated.

Dong!

The sound of sacred bells chimed across the sea of blood as countless holy soundwaves that were visible to the naked eye propagated in every direction. The slaughter source origin was ripped apart, and countless temples of light formed within the sea of blood, separating it into sections.

Qi Huang lightly shook the sacred bell, releasing more and more soundwaves made of pure light source origin. Then the temple of light behind him began to expand without pause. More and more divine light was condensing within the temple, until the light source origin was on the verge of reaching the next realm: Authority. Finally suppressed by the glorious temple of light, the sea of blood was forced to turn calm.

"Good... You've done well, Radiant King!" Words of praise echoed out from within the sea of blood. A pillar of blood shot into the air, and the Slaughter Devil King of Sin walked out of it. It glanced at the majestic temple of light above Qi Huang. The light source origin within it was strong enough to even pose a threat to it. The Slaughter Devil King of Sin was confident that it could easily suppress any of the Supreme Triple Crowned Kings from the divine continents. The only exception was Qi Huang, who was capable of wielding light source origin. This was a feat worthy of its admiration.

"Qi Huang, your stubborn resistance will not change the outcome. The divine continents have already done all that they can, but you and your people will only be able to stop six of the Devil Kings of Sin. The remaining three will break past your defenses and destroy the Ten Continents Universe Rampart. Without it, the Shadow World will be able to advance unimpeded. We will then enter the Spiritual Resonance Cave to obtain the withering glory resonance," the Slaughter Devil King of Sin said with a gentle smile, attempting to shake Qi Huang's resolve.

Qi Huang, however, remained calm, unperturbed by his opponent's words as he indifferently replied, "The divine continents may be weaker, but we have an unshakeable will to protect our own. Our faith is not something that you cretins born from negative emotions can ever comprehend. The Shadow World has always been stronger than the divine continents, but why is it that you have never won? Do you know why?"

Qi Huang lifted the divine bell higher, allowing the dazzling light to illuminate his face, giving him a sacred and solemn look. "This is because even though we are fragile beings, someone always stands up and leads us when a crisis arises."

The Slaughter Devil King of Sin's smile gradually dissipated, and endless amounts of killing intent surged within its blood-red eyes. In the end, it said with a cold and cruel voice, "Then I would like to see for myself if you can maintain that belief when all of you are rounded up as livestock."

The Slaughter Devil King of Sin then stretched its hand out, grasping towards the sea of blood. Slaughter source origin swept out, condensing into a blood-red blade. The blade was filled with sharp jagged teeth and there were nine vertical marks running down its length. The vertical marks squirmed before slowly opening, revealing nine bloody eyes. Terrifying amounts of slaughter source origin exploded when the eyes opened. In the end, it wrapped around the blade like a bloody flame that imbued the weapon. As the flame swayed in the wind, the void was annihilated.

"Qi Huang, although you are the strongest expert in the divine continents today... you are not my match. Your flesh and blood will be sacrificed to my Nine Eyes Blade as it cuts into your body." The Slaughter Devil King of Sin grasped the blade with both hands and slashed downwards, creating a horrifying beam of energy that caused even the void to collapse. Blood-red light filled everyone's vision as boundless slaughter source origin swept through.

That single strike could bring about the apocalypse. The slaughter source origin blade annihilated everything in its path as it pierced towards the indomitable temple of light.

......

While Qi Huang, Jiang Qing'e, Wang Xuanjin, and the rest were engaged in their own frenetic battles, an unprecedented war was raging on the Heavenly Star Plains.

When faced with the endless tide of attacks from the Shadow World, the divine continents' forces struggled valiantly. The battle between the two sides was so cataclysmic that the land beneath was collapsing. If one were to look further into the horizon, countless crowns twinkled like stars in the sky as they devoured worldly natural energy to produce source origin.

The soldiers from the divine continents were clearly weaker than those from the Shadow World. However, with the aid of the formations, their positions were unassailable fortresses. The numerous formations were interweaved perfectly, making them bulwarks that spanned the heavens and the earth. As a result, the Ten Continents Universe Rampart, as its name suggested, was capable of blocking the Shadow World's endless horde of Other Kings.

Despite all that, the situation was precarious. It was as the Slaughter Devil King of Sin had said—Qi Huang and the rest of them could only stop six of the Shadow World's peak combatants. This meant that three more were free to run rampant across the battlefield.

At this time, the three unopposed Devil Kings of Sin were rapidly approaching the Universe Rampart. Wherever they passed, they left the forces of the divine continents in complete disarray. Clearly, these creatures on the level of Supreme Triple Crowned Kings were too strong to be stopped.

There was a towering wall protecting an intersection filled with layers of formations, akin to a portal to the depths of the Heavenly Star Plains. This was one of the focus points of the Ten Continents Universe Rampart. Once it was broken, the entire formation would be affected and some of the lines of defense would be broken. Therefore, a large number of soldiers were protecting it.

The skies and the earth were pitch-black. The only thing that stood in its way was the Universe Rampart releasing its mystical light, as though it was the final barrier.

The entire area had been converted into impregnable fortresses, with mountains around it serving as natural barriers. Atop one of these mountains was Yu Lang with his blade in hand. His unruly face was now filled with indifference and the weathering of time. What he had experienced over the last few years had honed the young man into an expert others confided in.

"Mengmeng, you don't have to worry. When the enemies break in, just stand behind me. I'll protect you," said Yu Lang as he grinned at Bai Mengmeng, who was squatting behind a rock. Jiang Qing'e didn't want to let Bai Mengmeng join this battle. However, the latter had insisted on following, so she had no choice but to bring her along.

Bai Mengmeng's face was pale and her little hands were tightly balled up. She was actually stronger than Yu Lang in terms of cultivation level. Unfortunately, she rarely participated in battles and her personality wasn't fit for fighting. That said, she knew how crucial this battle was and had courageously stepped up, though she didn't have the energy to respond to Yu Lang.

Yu Lang didn't say anything else. He turned his head towards a familiar yet unfamiliar figure nearby—Lu Qing'er. Seeing how different she was, he didn't dare to approach her. She was looking into the distance without any emotions. Yu Lang hesitated a moment more before walking forward with a smile. "It's been a while, Qing'er."

She turned her head and regarded Yu Lang with her icy eyes. She then nodded and said, "It's been a while, Yu Lang."

Yu Lang sighed in relief. "I thought you wouldn't be able to recognize me. Otherwise, I would have come to greet you sooner."

"It's not as though I lost my memory," Lu Qing'er replied.

Yu Lang looked at her beautiful face. It had been many years since they had met, and her transformation was huge. In the past, Lu Qing'er was lively and full of spirit, but now every single sentence she said was curt and indifferent. She had not lost her memory, but she had changed so much that she felt like a complete stranger. Their fiery friendship had lost its warmth beneath those cold eyes.

Yu Lang felt a little dismayed, but he could only sigh in the end. He knew why Lu Qing'er had chosen to be this way, and he couldn't help but go on a rant. "It's all because of that bastard Li Luo. House Luolan is huge! Just get another pair of chopsticks! Isn't that easy? It's easy for men to have three wives and four concubines... I even asked Doudou how many more I could have. She did say she would castrate me if I dared, but I'm a King now! Let's see her even try..."

His voice gradually trailed off. In the end, Lu Qing'er only stared at him indifferently. He shrugged and said, "I'm just blowing off some steam."

At that point, Lu Qing'er suddenly turned her head and looked into the distance, saying, "It's arrived."