Chapter 2269

Regarding Qiongqi Zuhuang's words, the Zhundi of the various heavens all sneered and did not respond, nor did they bother to engage with him. They figured imperial artifacts were just for show— if he had the guts, let him try to blast through their barrier.

"Very well." Seeing no reply, Qiongqi Zuhuang's smile turned more savage. He suddenly raised his eyes, pointed toward Youming Dalu, and roared, "Break the barrier for me!"

Buzz!

At his command, dozens of Honghuang imperial artifacts hummed in unison, radiating their most brilliant imperial immortal light, each infused with the power of annihilation.

Under the watchful eyes of all, the dozens of imperial immortal lights merged instantly into a single golden beam. Before it even struck, it shattered the starlit void, carrying forces of world-ending destruction as it hurtled toward Youming Dalu. This strike was one that only a Dacheng Shengti or a Great Emperor could dare to face head-on.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion shook the universe, centered on Youming Dalu. A wave of destructive halo expanded infinitely across the cosmic expanse, obliterating stars and collapsing star domains in its path.

Yet, when they looked at Youming Dalu, the protective barrier proved extraordinarily resilient. The imperial immortal light formed by dozens of ultimate imperial artifacts only sparked briefly upon impact and caused a mere slight tremble.

Witnessing this, not only Qiongqi Zuhuang but also the other Zuhuang frowned. They were familiar with Youming Dalu— even with just ten imperial artifacts and the aid of an imperial Dao array, it shouldn't have reacted so minimally.

After all, that earlier strike had been the fusion of dozens of imperial artifacts!

"Again!"

Qiongqi Zhundi bellowed, swinging his killing sword once more.

Without needing his order, the Honghuang Zhundi had already activated their imperial artifacts, fully reviving their ultimate divine power. Just as before, they gathered another beam of immortal light, one capable of instantly slaying a peak Zhundi.

Awkwardly, this beam also failed to shake the Youming barrier.

"This Human Emperor Immortal Array is truly domineering," the Holy Master of Youming Dalu exclaimed in awe. It could withstand the assault of dozens of imperial artifacts— just imagining its strength was staggering.

"Using imperial artifacts as the array's foundation is the true path," Xi Chen said with a smile.

"In my view, even if all the Honghuang imperial artifacts were here, they still couldn't break through," Tian Lao said, stroking his beard.

"Don't be too optimistic," Yue Huang said, taking a deep breath. "If the full force of Honghuang's imperial soldiers arrives, breaking Youming Dalu is only a matter of time. Their numbers are just too overwhelming."

"Attack! Attack for me!" In the starry sky, Qiongqi Zuhuang roared in fury once more.

He was truly enraged, or perhaps just refusing to believe it. Dozens of imperial artifacts working together couldn't breach the defense of just ten— a force more than five times greater. Who would believe that?

Buzz! Buzz!

The imperial artifacts hummed again, echoing with the sounds of the Great Dao and carrying destructive power. For the third time, they unleashed an imperial immortal light. This time, the impact was a bit louder, but it still failed to break through.

At this sight, the various Zuhuang could no longer hold back. They stepped out of their jade chariots, soaring into the air to join the Honghuang Zhundi in collectively urging the dozens of imperial artifacts.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

Explosions erupted one after another. Beams of ultimate imperial light rained down, each striking the Youming barrier with greater force than the last, cracking the starry sky a thousand times over.

"This scene is truly a feast for the eyes."

"My dear fellow Daoist, with such a fine night and beautiful view, how about we admire the moon together?"

"Your Youming wine is quite delightful."

While the Honghuang forces attacked with all their might, the Zhundi of the various heavens remained utterly relaxed. They casually sipped from their wine flasks, watching the spectacle like it was a show. A few of the more roguish old ones even tried to flirt with the female Zhundi.

They were optimistic, or more accurately, they had accepted their fate. If they could hold, they would; if not, they would fight. They had lived long enough to break even.

Still, some held onto hope— like Kunlun Shen Nü, Yue Huang, and the Divine General, who constantly yearned for Da Chu's Tenth Emperor to create another miraculous turnaround.

"All troops, heed my command— attack!"

The roars from the starry sky grew even more savage. Glancing at the various Zuhuang, they were all unsteady on their feet, their vital energy depleted from urging the imperial artifacts, their faces pale and bloodless. For once, even those who refused to believe it now did.

Wave after wave of Honghuang Zhundi stepped up to activate the ultimate imperial artifacts.

Meanwhile, the Honghuang armies surrounding them were not idle. Millions formed void killing arrays, collectively reviving them. Each Honghuang warrior channeled their vital energy, unleashing divine abilities— be it sword beams, fist shadows, or magical tools— all raining down on Youming Dalu.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

The ensuing noises sounded like funeral bells tolling for the various heavens.

Unfortunately, Youming's protective barrier remained intact. Numbers meant nothing— if dozens of imperial artifacts couldn't break it, mere arrays and divine abilities were far from sufficient.

But the Honghuang warriors were tenacious! When one wave tired out, another took its place, and then another, in an endless relay.

What was most amusing wasn't this, but the expressions on the Honghuang warriors. This was an invasion, yet their faces showed unwavering resolve, as if this were a righteous war and their actions the height of humanity.

Amid the rumbling, a day quietly passed.

No one knew exactly when, but the rumbling finally faded.

Looking at the Honghuang armies, more than half were swaying unsteadily— not from wounds, but from exhaustion— and all wore dumbfounded expressions. Was this really a battle? With countless armies and dozens of ultimate imperial artifacts blockading the enemy for a full day, and not even breaching the gate... it was beyond embarrassing; they had no face left.

In contrast, Youming's protective barrier looked quite vibrant, with some scattered marks, but the imperial Dao patterns remained dense and the array operating smoothly.

In other words, the Honghuang armies had bombarded for a day with virtually no effect.

"How can ten imperial artifacts have such formidable defense?" Qiongqi Zuhuang coughed up blood; the toll of urging the imperial artifacts was too great, even for a peak Zhundi like him.

His bewilderment was shared by all the Zuhuang and the Honghuang armies. They had assumed such a massive force could take Youming Dalu in half a day, but now, the barrier was unbroken, and they were the ones exhausted.

While they panted for breath, the first and second Honghuang allied armies cursed up a storm that shook the heavens. A whole day had passed— an entire day— and they couldn't even capture Youming Dalu. Did they have any shame? We feinted for a day, waiting for your triumphant return, and you drop the ball at the critical moment!

"Youming Dalu must have more than ten imperial artifacts," Qiongqi Zuhuang snorted coldly.

"Only realizing that now? I've truly overestimated you." A dry voice suddenly echoed as a figure materialized beside Qiongqi Zuhuang.

It was a young man in a golden robe, his golden hair fluttering and his body enveloped in dragon breath. His pair of dazzling golden eyes seemed to embody the laws of heaven and earth. The sheer power of his bloodline made even the various Zuhuang feel suppressed.

This young man was, upon closer inspection, undoubtedly Lü Tian— the top-ranked emperor's son of Honghuang, the legendary Indestructible Immortal Body.

At his arrival, the various Zuhuang furrowed their brows.

Especially Qiongqi Zhundi, whose face darkened considerably. Who was he? The emperor of his clan— when had he ever been rebuked like this? And by a mere minor Great Saint, no less.

Yet, despite his anger, he held back. In terms of status, Lü Tian was far superior— the direct descendant of a Great Emperor, not something mere words could describe. In terms of seniority, Qiongqi Zhundi was several generations below; calling Lü Tian "great-grandfather" wouldn't be out of place.

Lü Tian ignored the various Zuhuang, striding step by step through the void toward Youming Dalu. His lips curved in a mocking smile, his expression playful as he looked down on all beings and the land itself.

For some reason, his appearance made the Zhundi of the various heavens suddenly feel an ominous premonition— perhaps due to the cunning edge in his smile.

"So strong," Yang Feng, the emperor's son of Youming, murmured, his gaze toward Lü Tian filled with wariness. As fellow emperor's sons, he was no match for Lü Tian— one was at emperor's son level, the other at young emperor level; they were in entirely different leagues.

"I've calculated it— that guy's up to no good!" Di Lao said gravely.

"As if we needed you to say it?" Tian Lao scolded.

The other Zhundi— whether from Xuan Huang, Da Chu, or Youming— also frowned. The closer Lü Tian got, the thicker the ominous feeling became, and that cunning smile only added to the strangeness.

"Boss, Lü Tian has arrived with the third allied army." Ye Chen's clone was there too, and the moment he spotted Lü Tian, he used the link between clone and original to send word to Ye Chen.

No need for that— Ye Chen, back at Tianxuan Gate, had already seen it.

By now, he had stepped into the imperial Dao domain gate. Before leaving, he left nine clones at Tianxuan Gate. As the highest commander of the various heavens, he couldn't just abandon his post; he had to leave something behind. Lü Tian bore the Blood Wheel Eye and could freely enter black holes, making him elusive and a must-kill target.

The Zhundi of the various heavens had an ominous premonition, and so did he.

Sure enough, that premonition soon came true.

Boom!

A thunderous boom echoed through the starry sky around Youming Dalu, shaking the four seas and eight wastelands.

Rolling dark clouds followed, thick and pitch-black like a sky-covering curtain, blotting out the brilliant starlight and threatening to crush the cosmos. Amid the surging clouds, lightning flashed and thunder roared, while a will that made the heavens tremble enveloped the world. Those with weaker cultivation felt their hearts quiver.

"It's a heavenly tribulation." The Zhundi of the various heavens changed color instantly, finally understanding Lü Tian's purpose and the source of that ominous feeling.

Imagine a young emperor-level Great Saint undergoing tribulation in this starry sky— what would that entail? It meant everyone on Youming Dalu would be involuntarily drawn into it. This would be even more devastating than dozens of imperial artifacts.

True, they could hide in Youming Dalu and use the protective barrier to block the descending lightning tribulation, but the barrier might well be shattered by the tribulation's power. Even if it held, the subsequent imperial Dao principles and body tribulation would follow— and for a young emperor level like Lü Tian, that tribulation was truly destructive, guaranteeing the barrier's fall.

Of course, they could also flee Youming Dalu to escape the tribulation's range, but that would lead to even quicker deaths. After all, Honghuang forces surrounded them on all sides, along with dozens of imperial artifacts. Whoever went out would die, and if they died, who would defend Youming Dalu?

But that wasn't the worst part. The real problem was that Lü Tian wasn't an ordinary tribulation undergoer. Normally, one could use imperial Dao kills to eliminate the person, dispersing the tribulation. But Lü Tian, with his Blood Wheel Eye, could enter black holes and evade imperial Dao kills. In short, they couldn't touch him— as long as he lived, the tribulation wouldn't end.

"Excellent." The Honghuang side laughed heartily, not expecting Lü Tian to bring such a massive weapon. A young emperor-level Zhundi tribulation was no joke.

"Retreat!"

The various Zuhuang issued the order— though it was redundant; everyone recognized the signs of a tribulation and had already fled at top speed, escaping its range.

Not only that, dozens of imperial artifacts stood guard on all sides, their imperial might blooming and disrupting space to block imperial Dao domain gates. If anyone from Youming Dalu tried to escape, it wouldn't be easy— this had turned into a grand encirclement.

"Damn it." Kui Niu Huang snorted coldly, never anticipating that Lü Tian could seize such an opportunity to trigger a Zhundi tribulation. They were caught completely off guard.

"It's not too late to withdraw from Youming Dalu now."

"Too late. The Honghuang's dozens of imperial artifacts have already disrupted space— even imperial Dao domain gates are hard to use. If the gates are breached, anyone who escapes will be obliterated without exception."

"All our schemes, and yet one oversight."

"A single heavenly tribulation— what a game-changing trump card!"

"It's our fault." The Da Chu Zhundi's guilt peaked in that moment. If they had killed Lü Tian that day, none of this would be happening. One mistake had left them utterly vulnerable. This sudden tribulation would deal devastating blows to everyone on Youming Dalu; aside from a few, no one could escape the disaster, and they would go down as eternal sinners of the various heavens.

"Boss is already on his way," Ye Chen's clone said immediately.

"But he might not make it in time!" The Zhundi's expressions were grave. The tribulation was about to descend, and a young emperor-level one was terrifying— especially with so many sharing it. Even the protective barrier couldn't withstand it.

"This great gift— do you like it?" In the starry sky above Youming Dalu, Lü Tian stood like a monolith, his eerie laugh carrying an supreme demonic power that disturbed hearts and minds. He was like a sovereign overlooking the people of Youming Dalu, his once-cunning eyes now gleaming with savage coldness. His tribulation and divine punishment would be stained with countless lives.

Buzz!

As he spoke, over a dozen beams of imperial immortal light shot from Youming Dalu, all aimed at him, intending to slay him and avert the tribulation crisis.

Sadly, it was futile. The imperial Dao kills missed because, in the previous instant, Lü Tian had vanished into a black hole. He dared to stand in the starry sky above Youming Dalu precisely because of this advantage.

"Despair, do you?" His eerie laugh echoed again as Lü Tian emerged from the black hole in another position, his playful smile now laced with bloodlust.

"Slay him for me!"

"Kill him!"

Kui Niu Huang and Sheng Yuan Huang shouted coldly, with many Zhundi also directing their imperial artifacts.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

The vast starry sky was riddled with holes, collapsing and exploding in patches, yet they couldn't hit Lü Tian. That Blood Wheel Eye was like a divine cheat, making so-called imperial Dao kills a laughable farce. It dealt him no harm whatsoever.

Awkward— incredibly awkward. The various heavens also had dozens of imperial artifacts, and Youming Dalu's Zhundi were numerous, but they were completely countered by that Blood Wheel Eye.

"Again!"

The hot-tempered Sheng Yuan Huang cursed and swung his imperial soldier iron staff.

"Don't waste your energy," Zhu Que Huang said, reaching out to stop Sheng Yuan Huang.

"With the ability to access black holes, we can't kill him."

"That tiny Blood Wheel Eye is actually tipping the scales of a war!"

"How about we just fight the Honghuang head-on?"

"Not until the last resort," Xuan Wu Huang pondered. "What we need to do is maintain the protective barrier with all our strength and wait for Ye Chen. We're helpless, but he, with his Six Paths Reincarnation Eye, might resolve this crisis."