Chapter 42: Black Lotus

"Good." The Black Mist World God and Ji Ning both revealed expressions of joy.

The Mistrock Star Lord looked at the corpse of the Feixiao Immortal before him, his emotions complex. He murmured to himself, "Sister Yi, I have finally killed Feixiao."

...

"What, Feixiao is dead?"

"Feixiao died?"

The other four World-level cultivators of the Black Lotus Empire sensed the dissipation of that powerful life aura on the battlefield. There were only fifteen World-level cultivators in the entire city battlefield! The aura of a World-level cultivator was vastly different from that of a祖神 or祖仙. Suddenly, one aura vanished, causing some panic among the Black Lotus Empire side on the battlefield.

With one of their World-level cultivators dead, the Mistrock Star Lord and Black Mist World God could now turn to deal with the other World-level cultivators.

Thus, the situation would only worsen.

"Don't panic." A voice echoed in the minds of the other four World-level cultivators.

"Black Lotus, what do we do now?" The other four grew anxious.

The Black Lotus God-Emperor stood on a massive black lotus that spun beneath him, surrounded by a thousand祖神 guards. Even the combined efforts of the Void Serene Immortal, Tianqiang Immortal, and Golden Cloud World God could barely shake him.

But the Black Lotus God-Emperor's expression was grim.

He controlled all the formations and restrictions in the imperial capital's lair, so he naturally knew the movements on the battlefield. Feixiao Immortal had been defeated too quickly; after Ji Ning joined, Feixiao was instantly killed by the Mistrock Star Lord.

"I never thought a mere祖神 would push me to this point." The Black Lotus God-Emperor murmured to himself.

With the boost from the formation, Ji Ning was only on par with the Black Mist World God.

But on the battlefield, the Black Lotus Empire side was already at a disadvantage. Ji Ning's sudden outburst was the final straw that broke the camel's back!

"Have I been dormant too long?" The Black Lotus God-Emperor suddenly manifested twenty-four arms, all of which slowly formed seals.

"Boom!!!"

A terrifying aura erupted from the Black Lotus God-Emperor.

"What!" The Void Serene Immortal, Tianqiang Immortal, and Golden Cloud World God, who had been unable to overcome the Black Lotus God-Emperor, all changed expression.

"This aura... this..." The Void Serene Immortal stared in shock at the Black Lotus God-Emperor. He had roamed many territories and faced many dangers, but the threat the Black Lotus God-Emperor now posed was overwhelming. "How could he be this strong? Yet why did he hole up in a place like the Black Lotus Empire? This is a huge problem. No wonder he could casually produce two Lesser Thousand-祖神 Formations."

...

The Mistrock Star Lord, having just slain Feixiao Immortal, was jolted back to reality by the surge in the Black Lotus God-Emperor's aura.

"Such a terrifying aura." The Mistrock Star Lord was greatly alarmed.

He was extremely talented.

His attainment in the Dao of the Sword was high, and his divine body was now perfected, making him one of the top-tier World-level cultivators. But the Mistrock Star Lord knew well... that he was nothing compared to those with heaven-defying divine abilities or Eternal divine weapons, which could completely surpass him. And now, the Black Lotus God-Emperor seemed to be using some secret technique, its aura so powerful it made his heart tremble.

"Second Uncle, Ji Ning, quickly destroy that Lesser Thousand-祖神 Formation." The Mistrock Star Lord immediately ordered. "The Black Lotus God-Emperor's strength is unfathomable. We must cut off his forces as soon as possible, then surround and attack him!"

Just by sensing the aura, the Mistrock Star Lord understood that although he was strong, one-on-one, he might not be a match for the Black Lotus God-Emperor.

The Mistrock Star Lord was also shocked.

How could a Black Lotus God-Emperor be this powerful? It was too late for regrets now.

"Alright." The Black Mist World God also grew solemn. "Ji Ning, let's move."

"Mm."

Ji Ning had long been wielding his divine sword, Violetjade, against the thousand祖神, his gaze fixed on the 'Heart General'.

"Kill them." The Mistrock Star Lord shot forward, far faster than Ji Ning. His entire body radiated starlight, like a star.

Starlight enveloped the祖神, binding them with all its might.

"Flee!"

"Run!"

"Scatter!"

The Heart General and the others fled in all directions. From their earlier clashes, they had already realized that the newly arrived祖神 was strong, but only on par with the Black Mist World God. The 'Mistrock Star Lord,' however, far surpassed the Black Mist World God. The Black Mist World God and Ji Ning could suppress them.

Once the Mistrock Star Lord joined in, it would be enough to break them.

"No."

"Damn it."

"Your Majesty, save us!" The祖神 scattered in flight, but they could only watch helplessly as the Mistrock Star Lord and Black Mist World God pursued them. Because including Ji Ning, all of them had surpassed the limits of the Heavenly Dao. The thousand祖神, however, were much slower.

"Die."

The Mistrock Star Lord gave a cold shout.

He swept out with his sword.

"Whoosh~~~" A brilliant river of stars appeared in midair, and a massive sword light formed from the river of stars slashed down directly onto one of the fleeing祖神.

"Boom, boom." Ji Ning and the Black Mist World God also attacked at the same moment.

Among the thousand祖神,

the Heart General was a squad leader, fleeing especially fast. To synchronize his attack with the Mistrock Star Lord, Ji Ning could only strike at the nearest祖神.

"Boom~~~"

The thousand祖神 all trembled.

"Pfft." Over ten of them spat blood, cracks appearing on their faces as blood flowed.

Each of the thousand祖神 bore an equal share of the impact. Those with weaker bodies naturally couldn't hold out. Those like the Heart General, who had protective divine abilities, could endure more.

"Again." The Mistrock Star Lord transmitted his order.

"Ah."

"It's over."

"No." Some of the already severely wounded祖神 were terrified, but they had no escape.

Another brilliant river of stars streaked across the sky, and the starry sword light struck a祖神.

Ji Ning and the Black Mist World God also attacked with full force.

...

The Black Lotus God-Emperor completed his seal with his twenty-four arms.

That terrifying aura surged into the sky, enveloping almost the entire Dark Imperial Capital.

"They are doomed after all." Sensing the despair of the thousand祖神, the Black Lotus God-Emperor sighed softly. "Go on ahead. I will avenge you." The distance was too great, and three World-level cultivators were harassing him, the most troublesome being the Void Serene Immortal. So the Black Lotus God-Emperor had no time to save the thousand祖神.

"Black Lotus, you may be strong, but you underestimate us too much." The Void Serene Immortal sneered.

The Black Lotus God-Emperor waved his hand lightly.

Whoosh~~~~

The black mist that had permeated the entire Black Lotus Imperial Capital dissipated, revealing countless buildings, though most had collapsed into rubble.

"Hm?" The Void Serene Immortal, Tianqiang Immortal, and Golden Cloud World God were secretly startled.

This was the Black Lotus God-Emperor's lair. The earlier black mist had prevented them from probing their surroundings or seeing with their eyes. Only the 'Mistrock Star Lord' could use starlight to investigate. But now the Black Lotus God-Emperor had withdrawn the mist, showing he disdained such petty tricks—a display of absolute confidence.

"I indeed do not take you seriously." The Black Lotus God-Emperor frowned slightly. At that moment, the six weakest of the thousand祖神 had been shaken to death. Although the formation's core and the nine squad leaders remained, barely holding it together, even when intact they couldn't withstand the assault. Now, with the formation damaged, it was even worse. The祖神 had already scattered in panic.

"What are the three of you?"

"In the past, I killed many World-level cultivators." The Black Lotus God-Emperor said calmly. "I never thought that after coming to the Damo Region and establishing a kingdom to rule peacefully as an emperor, disaster would fall from the sky. Fine, I'll kill all of you from the Mistrock Star lineage and let the cultivators of Damo Region know my might."

Hearing this, the Void Serene Immortal, Tianqiang Immortal, and Golden Cloud World God exchanged glances.

Too arrogant, wasn't he?

Kill them all?

What did he take the nine World-level cultivators of Mistrock Star for?

"Take this." The Black Lotus God-Emperor's aura surged. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—black lotuses began to grow around him. Countless black lotuses appeared, turning the surrounding millions of miles into a vast lotus pond. These black lotuses, filled with deadly killing intent, converged on the three World-level cultivators, Void Serene Immortal and the others.

"This is the first move of the Black Lotus Forbidden Art, the Lotus Sea." The Black Lotus God-Emperor's eyes held a natural arrogance.