Chapter 123: The Gods Take the Field

Within a gilded palace, the dome above shimmered with billions of stars in ceaseless motion. The four walls bore intricate bas-reliefs depicting all living beings, while the golden floor tiles mapped the ancient, primordial terrain of the earth.

This hall was none other than the Divine Sanctuary, the supreme and innate treasure of the Divine Clan.

Inside the sanctuary stood thirteen distinct divine lights, illuminating the entire palace.

These thirteen beams of divine radiance represented Nan Luo and the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns of the Divine Clan.

Nan Luo’s true form sat majestically atop the Seat of Creation, reigning supreme over all gods; the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns were arrayed below, guarding and supporting Nan Luo.

Endless starlight from the celestial dome cascaded down, converging above Nan Luo’s head into a three-zhang tall pillar of star energy, continuously channeling celestial power into Nan Luo’s body.

Nan Luo’s eyes remained closed in deep meditation upon the Seat of Creation. Within, three hundred and sixty-five main apertures corresponded to the three hundred and sixty-five primordial stars of the heavens, absorbing the endless flow of star energy without pause.

As Nan Luo remained secluded in cultivation, a declaration reverberated through the cosmos, shaking both Nan Luo and the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns to their core.

“I am the Fierce Emperor—Fierce Slaughterer of Heaven!”

Upon hearing this roar, the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns, who were in meditation, simultaneously opened their eyes, their golden irises glowing with divine light as they all turned their gaze toward the Myriad Gods Mirror hovering above the Divine Sanctuary.

Within the mirror, the Fierce Slaughterer of Heaven unleashed his overwhelming, unparalleled ferocity, subjugating countless deities to bow low and proclaiming his arrival with brazen defiance.

At the very moment of his proclamation, a golden divine soul appeared suddenly within the sanctuary, revealing the semblance of Nan Luo himself.

This divine soul was a fragment of Nan Luo’s essence, embedded within his divine emperor incarnation.

The instant Fierce Slaughterer of Heaven revealed his identity, this fragment of Nan Luo’s divine soul broke free from the incarnation and swiftly sped toward the Divine Sanctuary.

“Esteemed Sovereigns, I entrust you with the task of holding back the Fierce Slaughterer of Heaven to buy time for this emperor,” the fragment of Nan Luo’s soul respectfully saluted the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns, its golden pupils fixed earnestly upon them.

Led by Celestial Sovereign Miaoyan, the twelve solemnly returned the salute, saying, “This is a matter of life and death for our Divine Clan; we shall not disappoint Your Majesty’s trust!”

The fragment of Nan Luo’s soul nodded slightly before transforming into a streak of golden light that instantly returned to the true form, merging seamlessly with Nan Luo’s main soul.

The moment the fragment rejoined the true body, Nan Luo’s divine form blazed with radiant light, surrounded by infinite divine brilliance, as if divinity itself had descended to the mortal realm.

Even the dazzling starlight, forged from countless star energies, was eclipsed by the boundless radiance exuded from Nan Luo’s divine form.

Boom!

The Seat of Creation beneath Nan Luo slowly rose, carrying him upward into the pillar of star energy, heading straight toward the celestial dome of the star river.

Below, the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns gazed after Nan Luo’s departing figure, their minds reflecting on the arduous cultivation Nan Luo had endured over a hundred thousand years, filled with profound emotion.

“His Majesty’s tireless cultivation over a hundred thousand years will today forge an unparalleled and mysterious achievement—the attainment of supreme Dao fruit,” said Fang Yan, his eyes shining with admiration, both rejoicing for Nan Luo and lamenting how increasingly difficult it was to keep pace with him.

For a time, the Celestial Sovereigns fell silent, each sharing similar sentiments.

The primal divine demons were proud and ambitious beings.

Though Nan Luo, as the master of destiny, should naturally advance in cultivation at a pace unmatched by any, the Sovereigns harbored no lack of desire to contend with him.

Especially after each had absorbed the divine clan’s fortune, they felt their cultivation speed rivaled that of Nan Luo.

Yet, lofty hopes often met harsh realities.

The gap between the Sovereigns and Nan Luo did not narrow; rather, it widened with each passing day.

The Sovereign of Time, Ni Gu, typically taciturn, today felt a tinge of loneliness witnessing Nan Luo’s gradual enlightenment. He murmured, “After today, it will be difficult for us to ever approach His Majesty’s divine might.”

“Enough!” Celestial Sovereign Miaoyan, seeing the others lost in sentiment, hastened to awaken them. “The Fierce Slaughterer approaches! There is no time for lamentation—unite your efforts!”

Often, those who cultivate at higher levels find it hardest to avoid sorrow when witnessing a peer’s ascension.

This was a tribulation in the path of cultivation.

Miaoyan’s words shattered their reverie, and the Sovereigns swiftly gathered their focus, purging distractions to restore their pure and perfect minds.

Under Miaoyan’s commanding gaze, the Sovereigns responded in unison, “Yes!”

During Nan Luo’s seclusion, Miaoyan had wielded authority over the Divine Clan for a hundred thousand years, commanding the respect befitting the leader of the Twelve Celestial Sovereigns.

This set the foundation for Miaoyan’s future elevation to Grand Celestial Sovereign, fully controlling the clan’s power.

Suddenly, the Sovereigns bowed together when Wubei Celestial Sovereign coughed up a mouthful of golden divine blood.

“Wubei, are you all right?” The Sovereigns looked toward him, concern etched on their faces.

Wubei silently activated divine power to heal, his complexion swiftly returning from pale to rosy.

Shaking his head, Wubei replied, “I am fine. Only a fragment of my incarnation was shattered by the Fierce Slaughterer. Fortunately, I recalled my soul in time, or I would have suffered grievous injury.”

Upon hearing this, the Sovereigns turned their gaze to the Myriad Gods Mirror.

Within it, the Fierce Slaughterer had first crushed an empty shell of Nan Luo’s divine emperor incarnation and, after failing to coerce Wubei Celestial Sovereign, struck down Wubei’s incarnation with a single blow, his overwhelming ferocity undeniable.

Witnessing such ruthless savagery, Baihua Celestial Sovereign’s face reflected a flicker of fear. “The Fierce Slaughterer truly lives up to his title as the King of All Fierceness—rising to slaughter at the slightest provocation, how merciless.”

“Today we see His Majesty’s far-reaching foresight. Had even a fragment of his divine soul not returned in advance, it might have suffered the same fate as Wubei Celestial Sovereign, struck down by the Fierce Slaughterer,” Fang Yan added, his expression also tinged with fear.

In Raixing Celestial Sovereign’s golden eyes sparkled endless lightning as he muttered, “Had His Majesty’s soul been injured, the great endeavor today would surely have been delayed.”

“Indeed. If His Majesty’s cultivation were interrupted, we would bear the blame with our lives,” Bu Xu Celestial Sovereign said solemnly.

Amidst their anxious discussion, the Fierce Slaughterer, having shattered Wubei’s incarnation, howled into the sky and unleashed an overwhelming storm of malevolent intent that swept across the entire Divine City.

“Not good! We have been discovered.”

Even with the Myriad Gods Mirror in hand, Miaoyan Celestial Sovereign could keenly feel the terrifying and dreadful power of the malevolent storm.

Events unfolded exactly as Miaoyan had anticipated.

Before her words had fully left her lips, the Fierce Slaughterer in the mirror opened his blood-red eyes wide and sneered coldly at the Sovereigns, as if able to see them through the mirror.

At once, the faces of the Sovereigns grew grave.

“Miaoyan Celestial Sovereign, what is our course of action now?” Black An Celestial Sovereign voiced the thoughts on everyone’s mind.

Miaoyan closed her eyes to steady her mind, then opened them again, her golden irises radiating brilliant light. Her icy, serene beauty remained untouched as she surveyed the Sovereigns, raising the Scepter of Destiny with unmatched authority and declared:

“Celestial Sovereigns, we shall go into battle.”