Against the Gods: Final Battle

Sha Xing and Xianyue had grown up together, their bond as deep as that of real brothers. Watching his closest friend reduced to ashes before his eyes, a wave of grief surged through Xianyue, overwhelming his reason. He could no longer control his emotions. With a roar, he charged at Shen Wuyi.

He had only one thought now—kill the murderer with his own hands. Only the blood of his enemy could begin to ease the pain clawing at his soul. In that moment, he forgot everything: the realm, the sea of fog, the rules of the Pure Land assembly, the pride of being a Son of God. All that remained was vengeance.

But before he could get close, a figure appeared in his path and blocked him.

"Brother Xianyue, don't be reckless. You're no match for her," Pan Buwang said calmly, extending his right hand to stop him.

"Out of my way!!" Xianyue's eyes were bloodshot, his body radiating an aura of pure grief and hatred. His mind couldn't register Pan Buwang's words.

Pan Buwang could sense that Shen Wuyi's aura was unstable. The battle had clearly drained her—it had not been an easy fight. Still, he shook his head firmly.

"I can't stand by and watch you throw your life away," Pan Buwang said softly, but his tone left no room for argument.

"Pan Buwang! Sha Xing brought you here to the Pure Land assembly out of trust and goodwill. You were right next to him when he died, and you just stood there and watched! Even now, after he's been killed by Shen Wuyi, you still block my path?!"

Xianyue's voice shook with rage and betrayal. His eyes, locked on the Son of the Owl Butterfly God, were filled with fury.

"Don't tell me… you were working with her? You and Shen Wuyi killed Sha Xing together?" he accused, his tone tinged with disbelief. "She couldn't have killed him alone. Sha Xing had the Teleportation Star Ring—he could've escaped unless someone stopped him."

Xianyue's grief slowly gave way to suspicion. Given what he saw at the scene, there were only two possible culprits: Pan Buwang and Shen Wuyi. Only a coordinated ambush could have denied Sha Xing his escape.

Pan Buwang shook his head again. He wanted to explain—wanted to say that Sha Xing had brought it upon himself by provoking Shen Wuyi after turning into an Abyss Ghost. But that kind of explanation would sound too absurd. No one in the Abyss would ever believe it.

"Sha Xing brought me here. I owe him that much, and I'm not an ungrateful man," Pan Buwang said with a sigh. "I'm stopping you now for your own good."

"Lies! Enough with the fake righteousness. If you have the guts, then kill me too!!" Xianyue shouted, tears spilling from his eyes.

…

Elsewhere, Yun Che stood calmly, a gleam of light in his eyes. He had been observing the fight, and Sha Xing's performance as an Abyss Ghost had exceeded his expectations.

Sha Xing, now transformed, had clearly gained mastery over both his original profound strength and destructive power. The combination granted him combat strength that far exceeded his cultivation level. His battle with Shen Wuyi had been fierce, perhaps even legendary.

"Too bad…" Yun Che muttered. "It's not easy to control a Son of the Abyss Ghost God. Otherwise, I could raise an army of Abyss Ghosts."

Such a feat would require the right target and perfect timing—things not so easily arranged. For now, it remained a dream.

"Next… Dian Jiuzhi, it's your turn." Yun Che's gaze shifted into the distance. He could already sense the aura of the Senluo God's Son, Dian Jiuzhi. "I don't believe you can hold back this time."

A faint smile curled on Yun Che's lips.

He recalled the scene from the Spiritual Immortal Priest's temple, when Dian Jiuzhi had watched Yun Che get very close with Caili—his own fiancée—yet didn't even lose his temper.

You truly live up to your name, Jiuzhi, Yun Che thought with a smirk, half amused, half mocking.

With slow, measured steps, he walked toward Dian Jiuzhi.

"Brother Dian! What a pleasant surprise, running into you here in the vast Sea of Fog," Yun Che called out with genuine warmth, a sincere smile on his face.

Dian Jiuzhi was startled. He hadn't expected to encounter Yun Che here. He had assumed he alone would dare venture so deep into the fog, nearing the Original Abyss of Death.

"Brother Yun is truly remarkable," Dian Jiuzhi replied with a faint smile. "To come this far with just the fourth level of the Divine Lord Realm… You've hidden your strength well."

He spoke without a trace of hostility, as if there were no tension between them at all—just like old friends.

"Haha, compared to you, Brother Dian, I'm nothing. I came here just to try my luck. After all, our five-day window is almost up," Yun Che laughed. "If I find a few treasures, I might strike it rich."

"You jest, Brother Yun. Reaching this depth alive says more than enough. If you grow stronger, I fear even the title 'Number One Beneath the True God' may change hands," Dian Jiuzhi chuckled, his tone seemingly full of admiration.

"You flatter me, Nine-Knowledge God Son," Yun Che smiled, deliberately using the formal title. "How could I compare to my aunt?"

With that, he casually brought up Hua Qingying. "By the way, have you seen anyone else in the Sea of Fog? Like… Caili, for instance?"

The words seemed offhanded, casual.

But when they reached Dian Jiuzhi's ears, their meaning changed entirely. The word aunt had never sounded more unpleasant, and the mention of Caili… it struck a nerve.

Dian Jiuzhi had always assumed Yun Che called Hua Qingying "aunt" merely because she had once saved his life. But now, it seemed there was more to it—too much more. At the very least, he knew Hua Qingying would never let him call her that.

Once upon a time, the mere thought of Caili would bring Dian Jiuzhi joy. She was his light in the darkness, his anchor in this chaotic world.

But this time, when Yun Che said her name, all Dian Jiuzhi could feel was disgust—especially with the memories that surged forward unbidden: Caili being close to Yun Che, more intimate than she had ever been with him… He had never seen her so proactive.

He had met her only a handful of times over the years, each meeting a struggle, each step toward her earned with effort. But she had never once walked beside him hand-in-hand, let alone visited the priest with him in such an intimate way.

A slow-burning fire of jealousy ignited within his heart. Though his face flushed with restrained rage, Dian Jiuzhi still managed to force a smile.

"I haven't seen anyone else since entering the fog. You're the first," he replied. "But I do worry about Caili. I want to protect her—make sure she doesn't get hurt… or bullied."

The word bullied was laced with cold menace. For a brief instant, a flicker of murderous intent danced in Dian Jiuzhi's eyes.

"Caili is my everything. If anyone dares lay a finger on her… I'll kill him. No matter who it is."

Yun Che looked him in the eye and smiled.

"Indeed, Caili is the Abyss's number one goddess—stunning, like an immortal fallen to the mortal world. Anyone would want to protect her. If I were lucky enough to encounter her in this sea of fog… I'd risk my life to keep her safe."

His tone was gentle, but his words were laced with unmistakable meaning.

Dian Jiuzhi's face stiffened. The flames in his chest surged even higher.

"Brother Yun…" he said, his voice low, the corners of his smile trembling. "Aren't those words… a bit much?"

(end of chapter)