Chapter 21: The Nine Heavens Divine Derivation Poison Fire Furnace

Under the protection of the encircling Su River, Ji Ning was besieged on all sides.

Suddenly, the 'Three-Tailed Thunder God Puppet' turned around and swiftly fled away.

"Trying to leave?" Ji Ning's eyes blazed with candlelight as he immediately executed the 'Nine Heavens Annihilating Wind' divine ability. Although he had only recently acquired this ability, it was a 'technique-type' divine ability, and having already fully comprehended the Wind-Wing Evasion technique, his realm was high enough that he quickly gained partial insight into this Nine Heavens Annihilating Wind divine ability, reaching minor success.

As this divine ability was activated, a fierce wind howled, and riding this gale, Ji Ning caught up to the Three-Tailed Thunder God Puppet.

"You puppet, trying to flee?" Ji Ning's six divine swords swung fiercely at the puppet one after another.

Strands of sword light struck the puppet in succession.

Boom~~~

The puppet was sent crashing directly to the ground, the earth already cracked with deep ravines.

"Di Jiu, you bunch of trash, why don't you quickly block this Ji Ning for me? If you don't stop him, I won't be able to escape, and how can I go inform the master?" Han Da transmitted urgently, while also muttering to himself, "This Ji Ning is too fast. There was still some distance between us, yet he caught up to me in an instant."

The Di Jiu squad was also shocked by Ji Ning's speed, but they still stepped in to block him. The 'Ba Snake' coiled its massive body, wrapping around Ji Ning, while various magic treasures flew through the air to attack him: "You're the trash. Is Ji Ning so easy to deal with? It's not that we're weak, but that Ji Ning is too monstrous. He emits a golden light—who knows what treasure it is—and no matter how we attack, we can't harm him."

Han Da took the opportunity to flee.

He also knew he couldn't blame the Di Jiu squad; he had previously attacked with the puppet, and Ji Ning was truly monstrous.

He was like a rotten bone.

Couldn't be smashed, couldn't be broken—what could be done?

...

"Whoosh."

After fleeing far, hindered by the mist, Han Da quietly escaped.

"Milord." The Donglin Sect Leader greeted him.

"I'm going to see the general. You stay here and make sure Ji Ning doesn't escape." Han Da instructed.

"Yes." The Donglin Sect Leader replied respectfully.

Han Da quickly left. The Donglin Sect Leader watched until Han Da disappeared, then muttered, "Even if we don't let Ji Ning leave, what can we do? Surrounded and attacked, yet we can't harm him." Then he looked up at the besieged three-headed, six-armed Ji Ning and couldn't help but feel admiration.

This monstrous talent, who had shaken the world over thirty years ago by winning first place in the Immortal Destiny Gathering, had indeed become even more formidable. Even the Blood Cloud Tower's Di Jiu squad couldn't harm him in the slightest.

...

Donglin Mountain Range, Forbidden Ground.

Dark Hall.

The silver-armored youth sat in the main seat, savoring fine wine, while a red-robed elder sat below.

"I'm almost out of patience, Qu Huan. You've really disappointed me." The silver-armored youth held a beast-head wine cup, gazing at it as he spoke indifferently.

"General, don't rush, don't rush." The red-robed elder quickly smiled ingratiatingly.

"I'm not in a hurry, but the Cave Lord is!" The silver-armored youth's voice turned cold as he glanced at the red-robed elder. "You should know very well that the task given to you is extremely important. You've spent over ten years on it—how much longer do you need to finish?"

The red-robed elder quickly said, "We've done our utmost. If the general could transfer some more people to help us, we might be able to speed things up."

"Want more people?" The silver-armored youth shook his head. "Manpower is tight everywhere right now. I'm busy, and the other generals have their own tasks. Where can I find extra people? The Cave Lord has already urged me, and I'll give you another three years. If you can't finish within three years, I won't kill you—just prepare for reincarnation."

The red-robed elder was frantic, quickly saying, "That's not enough! Three years is nowhere near enough. With our current manpower, we need at least another five years."

"It must be done within three years. If not..." The silver-armored youth waved his hand. "Get out."

"Yes." The red-robed elder gritted his teeth. "Your subordinate will do his utmost to complete it within three years."

Then he obediently left.

The hall fell silent again.

The silver-armored youth drank his wine and shook his head helplessly. "Ever since coming to this Xia World, I've been hiding everywhere like a rat. So frustrating! I wonder when the war will start. Once we seize this major world, then we'll be free and unfettered."

Suddenly—

"Master, master!" A voice called from outside.

The silver-armored youth frowned and shouted, "Have you no manners? Shouting like that."

"Master." Han Da entered, smiling quickly. "I was just anxious."

"What's the matter?" The silver-armored youth asked.

"I went to help with the Donglin Sect Leader, even used the Donglin Sect's mountain-protecting formation. I even attacked personally, but we couldn't do anything to that Ji Ning." Han Da quickly said. "The Di Jiu squad has no other options. They said to ask you for help. If you can't do anything either, they'll resort to the last resort."

"The last resort?" The silver-armored youth sneered. "That group of trash from Blood Cloud Tower—when they can't assassinate someone, they use that so-called last resort."

"But that move has killed quite a few Celestial Immortals." Han Da couldn't help saying.

"Those Celestial Immortals died from stupidity!" The silver-armored youth shook his head. "Regardless, the Blood Cloud Tower's Di Jiu squad has been on good terms with me, so I'll give them a hand. Go, summon nine Demon Guards and prepare to use the 'Nine Heavens Divine Derivation Poison Fire Furnace.' If it kills Ji Ning, all's well. But if this move also fails, let the Di Jiu squad figure it out themselves and use their so-called last resort. I won't bother."

"Yes." Han Da said in a low voice, "Master, won't you make a move?"

"Me? Do you think it's easy for me to survive the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations to become a Celestial Immortal? If a Celestial Immortal wants to live long, they need to have some discernment. When to act and when not to act must be carefully considered." The silver-armored youth sneered. "This Ji Ning might have a True Immortal or Heavenly God behind him, maybe even a Dao Ancestor! If I personally act and then some big shot behind Ji Ning comes out and crushes me to death, wouldn't that be unjust? Of course, if the reward were big enough, I might take the risk. But this mission is only worth three top-grade immortal magic treasures. The Blood Cloud Tower headquarters took one, the Di Jiu squad has to get a share—how much can I get? For such a paltry reward, you want me to take risks?"

The silver-armored youth shook his head disdainfully. "Han Da, you old brothers came with me to the Xia World to enjoy life. Of course, we kill when necessary, but only if it's worth it. As for Blood Cloud Tower's assassination mission—whether it succeeds or fails, what do I care?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Han Da quickly responded. "Master is wise."

"This Nine Heavens Divine Derivation Poison Fire Furnace is the most powerful killing formation set up in the Donglin Mountain Range. Even among Celestial Immortals, only some top-tier ones can withstand it; the vast majority are killed in a single strike." The silver-armored youth said. "Having the nine Demon Guards execute this killing formation is already quite generous. Alright, go quickly."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Han Da immediately left swiftly.

The silver-armored youth stood up and walked outside the hall. Soon, Han Da led nine loose immortals and earth immortals wearing ancient bronze armor.

"General." The nine Demon Guards saluted respectfully.

"Han Da has told you everything, right? Go quickly and prepare to activate the formation. Kill that Ji Ning." The silver-armored youth ordered.

"Yes, General." The nine Demon Guards acknowledged respectfully and quickly left.

"Come, let's go take a look too. I want to see whether this unparalleled monstrous talent of the Xia World will continue to live or be reduced to ashes under my formation." The silver-armored youth strolled out leisurely.

...

On a mountain peak stood three figures.

They were the silver-armored youth, Han Da, and a young boy.

"Disciple, you came with your master to this Xia World." The silver-armored youth smiled. "Today, your master will let you see... the number one unparalleled monstrous talent of the Xia World. He has been cultivating for less than a hundred years, about the same as you, but his fame far surpasses yours."

The black-robed youth said confidently, "How impressive can he be?"

"You'll know in a moment." The silver-armored youth said.

Swoosh.

A figure flew over—it was the Donglin Sect Leader, who respectfully said, "Greetings, General."

"Dispel the mist." The silver-armored youth smiled. "Let my disciple also see Ji Ning's power."

"Yes." The Donglin Sect Leader acknowledged and began to manipulate the formation. The distant mist began to dissipate, revealing everything clearly. Even from this mountain peak, they could see in the distance the three-headed, six-armed giant, the even larger 'Ba Snake,' and the surging Su River.

The silver-armored youth said with a smile, "Disciple, what do you think?"

The black-robed youth gazed into the distance. He could sense the terrifying might of the 'Ba Snake' that shook heaven and earth, as well as the power of numerous immortal magic treasures. Yet all of this was blocked by the three-headed, six-armed giant youth.

"So strong." The black-robed youth was somewhat shocked. "Is he already a Celestial Immortal?"

"Although not a Celestial Immortal, he already has the strength of one." The silver-armored youth sighed. "If it were the Wanxiang or Yuan Shen stage, fighting above one's level would be normal. But the gap between a Return to Void Earth Immortal and a Celestial Immortal is enormous. To still be able to fight above one's level is extremely rare. What's even more remarkable is that Ji Ning has been cultivating for less than a hundred years. Disciple, do you see the gap now?"

The black-robed youth pursed his lips and watched.

At that moment—

"Boom~~~" Suddenly, a mountain peak rose into the sky in the southeast.

"Boom~~~" Another mountain peak rose in the northwest.

One after another, mountain peaks rose into the air. Fortunately, the entire Donglin Mountain Range was covered by a formation, so the outside world couldn't see what was happening inside. They had no idea of the fierce battle raging within.

Soon, nine mountain peaks had risen, suspended in all directions. Each peak was covered with fiery red runic patterns, causing the power of each peak to grow stronger and stronger.

An invisible pressure enveloped almost the entire Donglin Mountain Range.

Because this killing formation was the most powerful in the Donglin Mountain Range, capable of attacking any location. Even the mountain peak where the black-robed youth and the silver-armored general stood was within its range.

"Master, this killing formation..." Sensing the pressure, the black-robed youth's face changed. "Is this formation going to deal with Ji Ning?"

Just sensing it filled the black-robed youth with terror.

He knew well the power of this formation—a mere wisp would be enough to annihilate him.

...