Light Fortress

"Sizzle... Sizzle... Sizzle..."

The flames entwining the core area of Tanyao flickered, intertwining Chi Huo and Blood Fire.

Remains and blood of the Big Winged Sparrow scattered across the ridge, with surging firelight and blood mist dissipating intermittently. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The slaughter concluded.

Gu Shen stood amidst the pool of blood, feeling unexpectedly unfulfilled, even somewhat hollow.

He frowned, looking towards the direction of the ruler within his sleeve.

It was a terrifying matter; after this slaughter, his previously slightly agitated mind turned much calmer. With each kill of a Big Winged Sparrow, his mind seemed to gain a little more peace...

This was likely a mental influence brought upon by the ruler.

Or it was the price to bear the authority of "Netherworld Fire."

Obviously, he had become more "bloodthirsty" than before!

Among the Seven Gods, the Netherworld King was in charge of life and death, governing slaughter.

The previous Netherworld King was a world-renowned killer, hunted and pursued by Light City precisely because of this. If left uncontrolled, Gu Shen might become like that in the future... He took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts surging in his Spirit Sea.

He knew the devil within the ruler was always waiting for a chance to retaliate.

Misfortune enveloping him grew increasingly and intensely.

The mere thought of wielding the ruler would summon disaster to his future...

But those disasters could only be dealt with later.

In the current confrontation with Xiao, he must use the Truth Ruler!

"You say you want to save me? Sorry, I don’t need your rescue."

After composing his mind, Gu Shen said coldly.

Never believe the words spoken by an enemy; this was a lesson Gu Shen learned long ago.

Thus, whatever Xiao said was insignificant.

He wouldn’t trust a single word.

"I don’t care about the origins of Blood Fire and Chi Huo, or their connections..."

"Kill you, and these mysteries, I will find the answers myself!"

Upon hearing Gu Shen’s response, Adam showed a trace of helplessness, wiped the bloodstains from his body with the back of his hand, and said with a mocking smile, "Gu Shen, oh Gu Shen, you haven’t changed at all. Many want to kill me, but as you are now... Do you have that ability?"

Blood Fire clung to countless bodies.

Yet nobody knew where Xiao’s true form was!

To kill him... one must first locate his true form.

"How can I know I can’t if I don’t try?"

"If I guessed correctly, your true body should be hidden underground in Tanyao."

Gu Shen’s gaze pierced over Adam, directly towards the direction behind the blond man—

Since his last visit to the volcano’s mouth, he sensed something amiss, and Tanyao constantly emitted an unnerving aura.

If Xiao’s plan was to quietly orchestrate a world-shattering upheaval, then he wouldn’t actively hunt, especially targets like the Vermillion Bird, of such caliber... Killing a Divine Envoy of the Source Tower required bearing considerable risks.

The powers of the Cloud Mirror might deliver relevant messages to the Sky Divine Throne.

It was an entity stronger and more terrifying than the Storm.

The Vermillion Bird’s death could only be explained by arriving at an undesired place and seeing forbidden sights.

Thus, he had to die.

As these words were spoken, the blond man’s smile stiffened slightly.

"These Beast Tides are under your control..."

"So those birds and beasts, disregarding everything, throwing themselves into Tanyao, truly do so to deliver you nutrients."

"The Iron Law of Essence dictates compliance by all living creatures in nature."

"You need Extraordinary Essence, and the ash of Tanyao Mountain obstructs its flow... Hence, requiring the Extraordinary Beast Spirits to willingly self-sacrifice to provide you with ample Essence."

Gu Shen squinted and said, "Tanyao’s eruption and revival were because the core’s Essence was growing abundantly. You initiated Tanyao’s eruption at this moment, aiming to seize the perfect opportunity as the Storm God’s Throne left the Southern Continent... Sangzhou Cave won’t be disturbed by the storm’s will, so what do you want to do, attempting to become a god?"

This is impossible.

Besides Traveler’s Spark, there are no other sparks within the Five Continents!

The seats of the Seven Gods aren’t easily ascended.

"You found an Ancient Stone Tablet at the tundra ruins of Late Bell Church..."

"You’re searching for the lost Forbidden Technique of the Ancient Literature Society..."

"Your identity has been exposed, watchful eyes from the Five Continents and even the ’Divine Throne’ are upon you."

"Yet surviving under the gaze of the Divine Throne is no easy feat."

"How can the mundane body withstand the divine fire spark’s might?"

Gu Shen spoke each word slowly, "The only method I can conceive is cultivating the legendary ’Longevity Technique,’ hence... in Central Continent, you seized the part of the Ancient Text Diagram researched by Holin and completed the comprehension. You’re cultivating the ’Longevity Technique,’ which involves consuming those awakened yet naive Extraordinary Lives on Sangzhou Cave Island as a current sacrifice."

"..."

After finishing speaking.

Only silence remained.

"...Gu Shen, do you know?"

The smile on Adam’s face vanished.

He sighed deeply and said seriously, "Knowing too much is not a good thing."

"What’s the difference? One of us is doomed to die today anyway."

Gu Shen casually replied, "Either you or me."

As the words fell.

The blond man’s body disappeared from the spot, perhaps due to proximity to his true form, Adam’s body harnessed a great deal of Blood Fire’s power this moment.

Adam was no longer Adam.

He unleashed terrifying speed, accompanied by the sound of an explosion, he fiercely lashed a whip-like leg strike, shattering sand and dust!