Chapter Eight: The Death of the Underworld River

Amidst thunderous explosions, towering columns of blood erupted from the sea surrounding the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth, scattering crimson waves and revealing twelve figures clad in blood-red robes. Each carried an aura far more formidable than the incarnations of the Blood God Child that Patriarch Minghe had previously summoned.

“Twelve Blood God Child incarnations with the power of Taiyi Golden Immortals? Minghe, is this really all you can muster?” The Ancestor of Heaven and Earth shot a disdainful glance at the figures, his form flickering into twelve afterimages, each confronting one of the blood-robed incarnations.

With muffled thuds and space twisting around them, the twelve blood-robed figures were utterly powerless against his assault. One by one, they spat blood and were sent reeling, their vitality waning as they vanished into the blood sea.

Almost simultaneously, the surface of the blood sea parted silently like a curtain. A dark, gray sword light shot forth, heading straight for the true form of the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth as his afterimages faded.

A hum resonated as space quaked; a diagram abruptly appeared before the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth, blocking the dark sword that radiated a dense aura of death and darkness. It was none other than his supreme innate defensive treasure, the Diagram of Heaven and Earth.

“The Abyssal Divine Sword, truly formidable!” With a thought, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth sought to ensnare the dark sword with his diagram.

But with a sharp whistle, the Abyssal Divine Sword instantly reversed course, flying back to the hand of Patriarch Minghe, who had soared above the parted sea. Minghe’s dark red robe was awash with murderous intent and his aura was overwhelming.

“No wonder you are the Patriarch Minghe—so you have attained the Da Luo Dao Fruit as well,” the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth remarked, unfazed by the surging power emanating from his opponent.

Retrieving the Abyssal Divine Sword, Minghe’s gaze grew cold and fierce as he stared at the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth. In his other hand appeared the blood-colored Divine Sword of Slaughter. Beneath his feet bloomed the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Red Lotus, its flames rising gracefully, while behind him floated a massive black banner, streams of dark water swirling around him.

Observing Minghe’s impressive array of treasures, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth narrowed his eyes, a fervent gleam flickering within. Four supreme innate treasures for both attack and defense—Minghe’s fortune was enviable indeed. But the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth cared only for one thing: if he could slay Minghe, all these treasures would be his.

Now, Minghe wasted no words. With a swift gesture, the Abyssal and Slaughter Divine Swords transformed into arcs of light, attacking the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth from both sides.

With a clang, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth manipulated his diagram to block the Abyssal Divine Sword, while wielding the Ruler of Heaven and Earth to parry the Slaughter Divine Sword.

He felt a numbness in his palm, a sharp pain at the base of his thumb, and his body quaked as he was sent flying in a somewhat disheveled manner, his blood surging within.

“The Slaughter Divine Sword is razor-sharp, its aura saturated with killing intent. My Ruler of Heaven and Earth ultimately falls short against it; a direct clash is bound to leave me at a disadvantage,” the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth knew this well—his attempt had been merely to test the sword’s power.

Just then, the Abyssal Divine Sword curved around the diagram to attack him, followed closely by the Slaughter Divine Sword.

Yet the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth remained composed, controlling his diagram to block the Slaughter Divine Sword, while allowing the Abyssal Divine Sword to approach without resistance.

Minghe watched from afar, puzzled. As the Abyssal Divine Sword was about to pierce the Ancestor’s chest, his figure flickered and vanished. At that moment, a mighty black four-legged cauldron descended from above, trapping the Abyssal Divine Sword within.

“Not good!” Sensing his connection with the Slaughter Divine Sword abruptly severed, Minghe’s expression changed dramatically. Losing focus for a moment, he watched as the diagram wrapped around the Slaughter Divine Sword, transforming it into a stream of light that was absorbed into the cauldron.

Soon, the diagram flew out from the cauldron, hovering once more above the Ancestor’s head.

Minghe trembled and spat blood, finally realizing what had happened, his eyes nearly bursting with fury as he glared at the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth. “You—”

“Die!” The Ancestor barked, sending the cauldron crushing down upon Minghe.

Seeing this, Minghe’s face twisted with madness and rage. “You want me dead? Ancestor of Heaven and Earth, it is you who will die! Blood Sea Grand Array, arise!”

With Minghe’s wild roar, the entire blood sea surged, blood-red phantoms appeared above, and a torrent of crimson light shot skyward, coalescing into a grand array that enveloped the sea. Its immense power condensed into a pillar of blood energy, bearing down on the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth.

Confronted by this sudden turn, the Ancestor’s expression changed, the space around him twisting violently as he let out a low roar, but soon he was swallowed by the pillar of blood energy.

“Ha ha! Ancestor of Heaven and Earth, you are far too arrogant. Did you really think I had no trump card left? Now, even if you survive, you’ll be gravely wounded. Let’s see how you can still contend with me!” Minghe laughed wildly, his aura erupting as he dodged the crushing cauldron.

But at that moment, the space behind Minghe twisted. Sensing something, Minghe turned instinctively, only to see the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth emerging from the warped space, the Ruler’s fierce light tearing through the void toward him.

With a deafening blast, Minghe was thrown backward, caught off guard, and crushed by the waiting cauldron.

Then, as the Blood Sea Grand Array condensed another huge pillar of blood energy and fired it at him, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth leaped into the cauldron, allowing the pillar to strike it. The cauldron merely trembled, utterly unaffected.

Inside the cauldron, Minghe had barely entered when he found himself beset on all sides by dense, chaotic flames brimming with power. The heat was so intense that even with the Northern Mysterious Water Banner and the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Red Lotus, Minghe felt terror and dread.

Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Minghe’s agonized screams echoed through the cauldron. Unable even to self-destruct, his body was reduced to ashes, leaving only the Northern Mysterious Water Banner, the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Red Lotus, and a fist-sized ball of blood, glowing like a blood diamond.

Minghe, born from the blood sea, had left behind this ball of blood—his essence, the core energy of the blood sea itself.

As the chaotic divine fire dissipated, the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth floated in, his face radiant with joy. He summoned the banner and lotus, easily imprinting his soul upon them and claiming them as his own. His gaze then turned fervently to the ball of essence left by Minghe.

“The aura is so restrained. Could Minghe’s soul linger within this essence?” With a flicker of thought, the Ancestor sent a surge of soul power into it.

After a long while, his eyes widened with excitement. “Blood God Child? Within this essence lies the secret to cultivating the Blood God Child and harnessing the power of the blood sea to form the Blood Sea Grand Array!”