Taiyi Dao Fruit

Dark energy surged massively as that pitch-black arm merged with Jiang Zhuyun's right arm, the white cloth was lifted halfway, revealing the bronze-colored long spear.

The war spear, over three meters long, was held by a thick and giant arm. Together, they complemented each other as Jiang Zhuyun's face showed a pained expression, but his eyes were exceptionally high-spirited.

He commanded the giant arm in mid-air, wielding the war spear as if it were a club, slashing down. The shadow of the spear spanned the sky, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound as it smashed onto the surface of the water. The lake split apart, causing waves to roll to both sides, engulfing the light boat. The vessel on which Jiang Li had arrived, and the boat carrying Zhang Zhenyang and the other four, were all shattered by the immense force.

Zhang Zhenyang and the four others were still standing, even at death's door; their bodies smashed by a spear thrust, bursting into blood mists and fragments, which were then devoured by the dark energy.

However, this strike caused the remaining few to fall into the water, which inadvertently spared them from being attacked by the Ink Snake.

The overpowering wind swept over Jiang Li, who floated up like a leaf, swaying backwards in the wind. His body shimmered with the color of crystal, his flesh writhing. With the aid of the Innate Qi dissolving most of the force, his blood and Qi still surged violently.

Merely revealing part of the seal wielded such power. The Military God's Five Weapons were terrifying indeed.

The "World Origin" says, "Chi You made his weapons from gold: one bow, Second Shu, Three Spears, Four Gongs, Five Halberds."

These five weapons were the first ever metallic weapons. According to ancient legend, this war spear was the world's first spear, blessed with great fortune from Heaven.

Of course, in this world, no such legend exists. The war spear is just a war spear without any great fortune. Even due to the primitive manufacturing techniques of that time, the quality of the war spear was far inferior to the weapons of today.

But it was a weapon wielded by Warlord Chi You, and it had been through countless battlefields, refined by the Warlord's blood Qi and Evil Qi, not to mention the blood of countless formidable enemies it had absorbed. In terms of ominous and evil energy, the Military God's Five Weapons, if not unmatched through the ages, are at least beyond the comparison of ordinary evil weapons.

After the war spear tasted blood, its evil energy grew even stronger. The threads of dark energy became exceedingly viscous, like evil dragons entwining around the giant arm and the war spear, even beginning to spread towards the shoulders, merging with Jiang Zhuyun's own arm.

"Heavenly Gifted Divine Weapon."

"Obedient to Heaven's Will."

Behind Jiang Zhuyun, the phantom of a Heavenly Deity clad in armor emerged, bathing his entire body in dazzling Divine Light, forcefully restraining the giant arm's encroachment.

His Seventh Rank Dao Fruit Ability was named "Divine General," which consented three abilities, aside from the common Divine Body, the other two Dao Fruit Abilities were "Heavenly Gifted Divine Weapon" and "Obedient to Heaven's Will."

"Heavenly Gifted Divine Weapon" allowed the weapon he wielded to be blessed with Divine Power, uniting man and weapon, vastly enhancing its power.

"Obedient to Heaven's Will" targeted specifically against Evil Gods, unorthodox sacrifices, and all entities not belonging to the Heavenly Court system, amplifying the power to restrain them.

Nevertheless, Jiang Zhuyun activated these two abilities, not for combat, but to better control the war spear. It was evident he had considered this upon his advancement, and had thoughts of using the war spear previously.

The viscous dark energy swirled around him as he stood levitating. When he slashed with the war spear again, the dark energy abruptly expanded.

"Roar!"

The ominous energy erupted, and a black light followed the strike of the war spear, reflecting on the waters and instantly muddying them. The life force in the water was completely destroyed. Among the merging waves, the fish were hit by the black light, losing all their blood Qi, turning into dead bones.

Jiang Li saw the black light coming towards him, his Qi mechanism stirred, and two Wind Repelling Talismans were instantly formed, propelling his body backward in flight.

But at that moment, several figures burst out from under the water, attacking Jiang Li from front, back, left, and right.

"Emperor Yan's Blood."

One of the attackers was Li Chongyue, whose power had been disabled by Jiang Li.

At that moment, his face was beet red, his blood Qi shaking. He had apparently used a forbidden technique to gain strength, attacking Jiang Li together with the other six, attempting to drag him down in death.

"Traitor, die!" Li Chongyue's eyes bulged, he roared insanely.

"Foolish beyond measure."

Jiang Li's expression remained as calm as an ancient well, as Innate Qi swirled around him, sweeping up those surrounding him and piling them upwards to meet the black light.

In the split second it took to speak, the black light, unaffected in its ferocity, crashed down upon the pile of bodies with a series of chilling sizzling noises. In an instant, the flesh and bones of everyone were devoured by the sinister energy, disintegrating into powder and scattering in all directions.

Jiang Li was ruthless!

Jiang Zhuyun was even more ruthless!

One used people as shields, the other showed no regard for followers, killing without hesitation, showing no sign of delay.

By now, all those who had followed Jiang Zhuyun out had died, not a single one was spared.

The sinister black light grew even more malicious by threefold, cleaving through the water's surface. But because the human shields had provided that momentary obstruction, Jiang Li found a chance to dodge.

He moved laterally across the water's surface like a crab, splashing as his feet struck the water, shifting several steps away. An Ink Snake soared in, landing under his feet and supporting his body.

But at that moment, Jing Lei thunder roared, bright white and blue lightning attacked from both sides, illuminating Jiang Li's face as pale as snow.

Thunder Technique!

Jiang Li frowned, flicking a finger, Innate Qi gathered on the crystal-like fingertip, with lightning moving exceptionally slow in his eyes.

He directed his finger like a sword, and the clear Sword Qi sliced through the air, striking the lightning with preemptive swiftness, Innate Qi refining and dissolving the force of the thunder.

However, at this moment, Jiang Zhuyun closed in, thrusting his War Spear through the air, the sinister energy surged toward him relentlessly.

Although Jiang Li perceived what was coming and desperately dodged, he was still struck by the living-like black energy. As the War Spear stabbed by, the black energy swept over Jiang Li's left arm like a snake, instantly creating a gap.

A large piece of flesh disappeared, revealing white bone with a glint of crystal. Jiang Li's left arm went limp, he urged the Ink Snake forward, skimming over the surface of the water.

But Jiang Zhuyun pressed his advantage unrelentingly.

He stepped onto the water's surface as if on solid ground, approaching step by step, his giant arm holding the War Spear and thrusting repeatedly. Countless spear shadows, shrill with their screams, came attacking, the black energy thrashing wildly like raging serpents. Jiang Li was forced to retreat time and again.

Jiang Li used the Qi Observation Skill to discern the attack patterns, dodging left and right amidst the barrage of spear shadows, like a fragile boat in the midst of stormy waves, poised to capsize at any moment. And Jiang Zhuyun, his killing intent surged like a rainbow, growing stronger with the battle, and the more they fought, the more intense the sinister energy became.

"You killed a dozen of my men; you've exhausted your power."

"And I've injured your left arm, reducing your strength significantly."

"Now, with my power far surpassing yours, an unharmed body against your wounded one, a Realm higher than yours, and with the Military God Battle Spear in hand, Jiang Li, what do you have to fight me with!"

Jiang Zhuyun laughed boisterously, his onslaught like a tempest, overwhelming Jiang Li, leaving him nearly unable to counter, "Now, with the Yinglong Dao Fruit erupting into chaos, the Duke of Thunder assaulting Si Fan Valley, and with the Devil God Sect's external invasion, Dinghu Sect is plagued with internal and external troubles. Jiang Li, your death is certain today, and no one can save you!"

The evil black energy swelled to a certain extreme amidst the continuous assaults, and Jiang Zhuyun thrust his spear, his giant arm surged in size, Essence, Qi, and Spirit—the three elements—all poured into the War Spear, rising into a towering rage. In an instant, a chilling wind swept through, and the sound of wailing ghosts and howling gods was incessant. The sinister energy even formed a four-eyed, ox-headed figure behind Jiang Zhuyun, roaring with earth-shattering ferocity.

For a moment, even the darkened storm-ridden sky seemed pale in comparison. The boundless killing aura filled Jiang Li's every sense, bringing an endless despair.

"Die!"

The cruel and fierce black energy compressed the space, leaving Jiang Li with no retreat. The War Spear thrust forward, its rough head nearly penetrated Jiang Li's skull.

At that critical juncture, an unexpected change abruptly occurred.