Chapter Fifty-Eight: Activation — The Trap of the Divine Sealing Altar (Part Two)

Because of Xius’s arrival—and his open declaration of allegiance to Shui Rou’er—Gu Feng, though unable to reproach that sly woman to her face, could not suppress his anger and demanded, “Shui Rou’er actually plotted to harm me, Mr. Xius, why do you choose to help her?”

Xius only sighed, “Little Feng, you should not have come here.”

These words took Gu Feng aback.

“Little Feng, you must have come for the Deification Altar as well,” Xius said coolly, raising his sword horizontally in his hand. “Stay where you are. Otherwise, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

“Xius!” Gu Feng’s anger flared, and he pointed at Shui Rou’er, shouting, “This wicked woman harbors a venomous heart. She tampered with the teleportation array and had a traitor send us into the Bottomless Abyss—she clearly meant to kill us. Regardless of this business with the Deification Altar, I can’t swallow this grievance! Must you defend her?”

Xius’s eyes flickered with a strange light as he glanced at Shui Rou’er, seeming to ponder. Yet he still addressed Gu Feng, “Little Feng, go back. This is not a place for you. As for your grievances, settle them another time!”

Gu Feng snorted coldly. “I have always distinguished clearly between gratitude and enmity. I respect you, but I will never spare anyone who means me harm!” His tone had grown sharp. Shui Rou’er’s eyes flashed with panic, but emboldened by Xius’s presence, she retorted mockingly, “As the foremost Archmage, are you not here out of greed, seeking divine ascension at the Deification Altar? Even if I schemed against you, it was for the sake of all living beings!”

“Enough!”
“Stop!”

The two shouts rang out, one from Gu Feng, one from Xius. Xius fixed Shui Rou’er with a cold glare. “Don’t use the fate of the world as a pretext. I ordered you to alter the teleportation array to send them elsewhere, but you secretly manipulated it to cast them into the Bottomless Abyss, hoping to rid yourself of two powerful rivals in one stroke.”

“Despicable! I care nothing for your reasons!” Gu Feng’s hands moved, and he shouted, “Great Dimension!” Instantly, a faint white mist condensed in the air, swiftly forming a razor-sharp blade that slashed toward Shui Rou’er.

Shui Rou’er quickly conjured a water shield to block the blade and dodged aside, but Gu Feng had predicted her move. His gaze followed her, and with a single-handed gesture, he commanded, “Air Cannon!”

A muffled scream rang out as Shui Rou’er was struck by the invisible force, collapsing to the ground. Gu Feng immediately teleported before her, pressing her down with his foot and scolding, “You treacherous woman! I have always despised those who scheme in the shadows. Today, I’ll cripple you—”

Shui Rou’er shrieked, “Mr. Xius, have you forgotten our mission? Will you let him kill me?”

“Sigh… You brought this upon yourself.” With those words, he spun his sword, preparing to strike at Gu Feng.

“Taste my sword!”
“Gravity!”

Two more shouts sounded as Wood controlled his sword to strike at Xius, hoping to distract him. The Bald One, perceiving his intent, unleashed his signature ability: Gravity—a talent that could increase the gravitational pull on a target or an area from onefold up to tenfold.

Xius had not thought much of Wood’s sword strike, intending just to dodge and focus on Gu Feng. But as the ugly, bald man shouted, Xius suddenly felt himself weighed down, nearly unable to breathe. He hastily drew back his sword to block Wood’s attack, looking at the Bald One in astonishment. “You’re an Earth Archmage?”

The Bald One gave no reply. Meanwhile, the Sword Saint and the Grand Swordmasters who had been accompanying Shui Rou’er rushed at Gu Feng. “Gu Feng, beware!” Wood called, intercepting the Sword Saint, whose threat was greatest. Upon crossing swords, Wood’s hand trembled; he realized his own strength was roughly equal to the Sword Saint’s. Though Wood’s sword control was rooted in cultivation techniques and slightly faster than the Sword Saint’s, the latter’s experience and cunning swordplay nearly left Wood at a disadvantage.

“Rend the Sky!” Gu Feng shouted as two Grand Swordmasters closed in. Space twisted violently. The two, intent on rescue rather than risking their lives, quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding injury.

Seeing the melee erupt, the Flame Demon joined the fray, casting “Meteoric Fire Rain” at the Grand Swordmasters near Shui Rou’er. The scene descended into chaos, but with superior numbers and strength, Gu Feng’s group quickly overwhelmed Shui Rou’er’s side, leaving them battered and disheveled. Yet, among them was a top-five powerhouse—Xius. As soon as he got serious, none could withstand a single blow from him. Even the combined assault from the Bald One and Wood was held at bay by his swordplay; the Flame Demon and Gu Feng, too, were forced back.

So formidable! Wood’s heart was chilled; he could clearly see Xius was holding back—otherwise, there would already be bloodshed.

Suddenly, Wood felt a strange chill, as though targeted by a beast. At the same moment, Mu Siyu, who had been watching from the sidelines, cried out in alarm, “Look out!” and leapt toward Wood.

But before she reached him, a sudden gust swept through, seemingly from nowhere. There was a gruesome sound of flesh bursting—Mu Siyu, struck by an invisible force, spewed blood and organ fragments, her body going limp as she collapsed atop Wood.

“Siyu!” Wood roared, catching her. Simultaneously, the chilling sound of shattering flesh echoed nearby; the Sword Saint and Grand Swordmasters, locked in combat, were struck by the same invisible force. The Sword Saint managed to swallow medicine in time, but the Grand Swordmasters fell and did not rise, likely dead.

Wood knew that, had it not been for Mu Siyu’s intervention and the protection of the Planar System’s shield, he would have been gravely wounded. Even so, the system issued a warning: “Alert—attack energy too high. Evacuation recommended!”

Zi Gui, the Bald One, and Lu Daoxuan were surrounded by the Bald One’s five bodyguards and Zi Gui’s robot. Even so, the bodyguards fell, but the three survived the strike.

Among them all, only the Great Sage reacted in time—she had hidden behind Fearless One, the intelligent robot. Even so, the robot’s steel form was shaken by the mysterious force.

Sensing something, Xius’s eyes blazed. He shouted, “Demon Emperor Kalan!” and flew forth on his sword. In the space, now bright as day, a black figure gradually appeared—indistinct, silent in both arrival and presence.

Facing Xius’s incoming sword, the black-robed figure’s hands danced, and the two forces collided. The elements of the space roiled violently, thunderous detonations resounded, and their power seemed evenly matched.

“Demon Emperor Kalan, one of the top five, equal to Xius,” Gu Feng murmured, reappearing from the void. Only Gu Feng, by virtue of his space magic, had evaded the sudden attack; even the Flame Demon’s magic shield had been breached, and he was forced to swallow medicine where he sat. Gu Feng knew that a clash among the top five was beyond his reach.

“So, Demon Emperor Kalan, you have finally come!” Xius leveled his sword at the black-clad figure.

“If you can be here, why can’t I?” Kalan replied, striding forward. Swathed in a black robe, only his single, eerie green eye shone with murderous intent. “But you… you’re still as hypocritically benevolent as ever, even now showing mercy to these ants!”

“Xius, the path to godhood is before us. Will you truly stand in my way?”

“As long as I am here, you will not advance a single step!” Xius stood firm, sword raised, showing not the slightest negligence before his peer.

Kalan burst out laughing, “Like a praying mantis confronting a chariot—how utterly self-deluded!”

As he spoke, a chant resounded through the void:
“Light of the Hexagram, Fivefold Radiance,
Heaven’s Judgment, Earth’s Extremity, Demon’s End,
Covenant of Blood—let the Barrier of the Arcane Moon unfold,
Banish the light of heaven and earth—
One Finger of the Arcane Moon!”

As the spell echoed, a silver moon rose overhead, its light enveloping the entire space. A strange, wicked power twisted the very elements of the world.

“One Finger of the Arcane Moon!” Xius’s expression changed. “Arcane Moon Priestess, since you are here, why not show yourself?”

A tinkling laugh rang out. “Mr. Xius, if you insist on barring our path, today will be the day you die.” As she spoke, a figure materialized in the air—clad only in a short, tight black leather garment that barely covered her curves, the thin fabric clinging to her skin like paint. Her bare shoulders and midriff were fully exposed, her creamy white thighs and slender, supple waist, the alluring curve of her bosom—all of it a blazing vision of sensuality. Yet even these captivating features could not outshine her dazzling, summer-blooming face—thick rouge, crimson lips, and wild red hair that set the blood aflame.

But what truly commanded attention, and inspired dread, was the white whip in her hand—crafted entirely from human bones, its joints grating sharply as she snapped it. Beneath her beauty lurked danger, murderous intent, and evil.

“Beneath the power of One Finger of the Arcane Moon, this realm belongs to my black magic. Xius, do you truly believe you can withstand the two of us together?”

“The difference in power is too great. Immediate retreat is advised!” Fearless One suddenly announced. As an intelligent robot, he had analyzed the gap between the opposing forces during Demon Emperor Kalan’s attack.

But now, in this place, it was clear—coming and going were no longer within their power.