Chapter 822: Eight Kings vs. Nine Emperors

Boom! Rumbling! Thunderous roars!

The virtual sky continued to echo with thunder, though it was unclear whether it was due to Ye Chen's heavenly tribulation lightning or the overwhelming pressure from the Ba Wang.

The atmosphere between heaven and earth was oppressively heavy. The allied forces of cultivators from all sides had gathered together, forming a vast sea of people that spread like a dark blanket across the land. Each one gazed warily at Kui Yu Jiang and his companions.

However, Kui Yu Jiang and the others completely ignored their hostility. Their vast eyes were fixed solely on the sea of thunder above.

There, Ye Chen was still locked in a fierce battle. The majestic blood essence of his sacred body granted him unyielding vitality, but more importantly, his resilient will and powerful fighting spirit ensured that he never abandoned hope, no matter the danger.

"No wonder he could wear down Zhu Ji Wang. This junior is even stronger than I imagined!" Xue Wang chuckled softly, licking his crimson tongue, his eyes gleaming with greedy bloodlust. "Such abundant blood essence excites me greatly."

"It's undeniable that if he were at the same level as Zhu Ji Wang, he would indeed be superior. There's no doubt about that." Gui Wang twisted his neck fiercely, his aura surging wildly.

"Are you two just going to keep talking nonsense while that kid is still in the sea of thunder?" Shi Hun Wang glanced at Xue Ji and Gui Dian. "If he dies, the thunder tribulation will dissipate instantly, and the Jiu Huang's Dao principles will vanish with it."

"Do you think you need to teach me?" Gui Dian snorted like thunder, his aura reaching its peak as he suddenly stepped forward and charged into the sea of thunder.

"Is he trying to follow Zhu Ji Wang's example?" Gui Dian's action immediately stirred unrest among the allied forces.

Boom!

As Gui Dian entered the sea of thunder, it trembled and expanded instantly, doubling in size. Just like with Zhu Ji Wang, a second group of Da Chu Jiu Huang appeared and launched an assault on Gui Wang.

"Kill!"

Gui Wang roared to the heavens and advanced without hesitation, lunging toward the Jiu Huang.

Boom! Bang! Rumbling!

Explosive sounds erupted immediately. The mighty Gui Wang truly dominated heaven and earth, forcing back five of the emperors in their first clash. His combat power was on par with Zhu Ji Wang's.

Bang!

As the virtual sky shook, three more figures stepped into the sea of thunder—it was Shi Hun Wang, Yao Wang, Wu Zhu Wang, and Xue Wang.

Buzz! Buzz!

The sea of thunder trembled again, expanding fourfold in an instant. Thirty-six figures materialized, divided into four groups of nine, each forming the array of Da Chu Jiu Huang.

"What... what are they trying to do?" The faces of the allied forces turned pale as they stared at the vast sea of thunder in the sky.

"Yan Luo, you're quite patient, aren't you?" Kui Yu Jiang glanced at the sea of thunder, then turned his gaze to the Yan Luo Wang in the distant virtual sky.

As he spoke, Kui Yu Jiang looked toward the hazy void and smirked coldly. "And you, Shen Xuan Feng—with your level and seniority, do you really need to lurk around like this?"

In response to Kui Yu Jiang's words, Yan Luo Wang stood motionless like a zombie, and Shen Xuan Feng, hidden in the hazy void, offered no reply.

Awkward, right?

Below, Gu San Tong squatted with his hands in his sleeves. Seeing that Yan Luo Wang and Shen Xuan Feng ignored Demon King Kui Yu Jiang, he couldn't help but feel a mischievous urge to comment.

Of course, he kept these thoughts to himself, knowing full well that Kui Yu Jiang might go berserk and drag him off to be skewered like barbecue.

Kui Yu Jiang's face had already turned as cold as frost. Retracting his gaze, he shattered a section of the virtual sky with a single step and charged forcefully into the sea of thunder.

As he moved, Yan Luo Wang also sprang into action, his movements eerily swift, even faster than Kui Yu Jiang's.

Buzz! Boom!

With their entry, the already massive sea of thunder expanded twofold more. Two groups of Da Chu Jiu Huang emerged simultaneously and attacked their respective opponents without any orders.

Only then did the hazy void distort, and a figure in black robes and a mask stepped out.

His black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and his frame was slimmer than expected. Standing there, he gave off the aura of a peerless killing sword—anyone approaching would be wounded by his chilling energy.

What was most terrifying were his desolate eyes. Though devoid of emotion, they could still captivate and unsettle the soul. Even from a distance, one could see visions of mountains of corpses and rivers of blood in his gaze.

"Is... is that Shen Wang Shen Xuan Feng?" The allied forces, including Zhong Jiang, Zhong Kui, Tian Zong's old ancestor, and Dao Huang, all shifted their eyes toward him.

"The legendary Shen Wang who nearly wiped out several great emperors—truly a transcendent figure." Du Gu Ao took a deep breath, feeling the killing sword in his hand tremble, as if in fear.

"Did my father once battle someone like this?" Da Chu Huang Yan murmured, her heart trembling.

"Xuan Feng." In the crowd, Qian Shang Yue whispered, her beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions.

Suddenly, Qian Shang Yue's eyes grew misty. Who could know that she was the only one in the world who had seen Shen Wang's true face and lived? And who could know that the one she loved was this very Shen Wang Shen Xuan Feng, who had nearly killed her mother years ago?

Boom!

As Qian Shang Yue lost herself in thought, Shen Wang stepped into the sea of thunder.

As before, the sea of thunder shook violently and expanded once more. Another nine figures appeared, perfectly forming the Jiu Huang array.

Zheng!

Shen Wang struck immediately, gripping a peerless divine sword. With one step, he closed in on Tian Zang Wang.

Pfft!

With a devastating strike, he decapitated Tian Zang Wang before the emperor could even attack.

Damn!

Below, Gu San Tong, squatting with his hands in his sleeves, cursed loudly in shock.

It wasn't just him—the entire allied forces nearly erupted in profanity. A majestic emperor, even if just a manifestation of Dao principles, had been instantly slain by Shen Wang in a single encounter. It was almost unbelievable.

"I've never seen anyone this badass in my eight lifetimes." Old Man Zhuge clicked his tongue in amazement.

"The God of Night Killing excels at one-hit kills." Dao Huang pondered, his vast eyes filled with awe and respect.

"So, he's not suited for prolonged battles." Du Gu Ao added casually.

Indeed, as soon as Du Gu Ao finished speaking, the retreating Shen Wang, who had just slain another emperor, was struck by Zhan Wang, causing him to stagger, and then hit by Xuan Huang's palm, forcing him back. Once the Jiu Huang steadied their formation, they unleashed a world-shaking assault. The mighty Shen Wang could only evade, his figure in disarray.

Compared to him, the other kings fared no better, each facing nine emperors alone, their bodies covered in bloody wounds.

Boom! Bang! Rumbling!

The entire realm descended into chaos, the thunderous roars indistinguishable from the sounds of battle.

Gazing down, the land was blanketed with dark masses of people.

Looking up, the sky was dominated by the vast sea of thunder, overshadowed by surging black clouds that blocked the sun, casting the world in gloom.

"Are these transcendent kings destined to meet their end in near-sublime glory?" On another side, witnessing Kui Yu Jiang and the others battling the Jiu Huang, Ye Chen murmured to himself.

"That's not necessarily true." Tai Xu Ancient Dragon replied leisurely. "They are all transcendent kings, no doubt, but not everyone is like Zhu Ji Wang. While some pride themselves on their strength, others value their long lives more. The Jiu Huang manifesting in this form is an unprecedented event. They came here seeking a breakthrough, but also to address a deep regret from their past defeats."

"Reuniting with their old enemies after tens of thousands of years must fill their hearts with sorrow."

"Save the sentimental talk and focus on fighting your own enemies."

"Understood." Ye Chen took a deep breath, narrowly dodging Chu Huang's sword, only to be sent flying by Tai Wang's palm.

The battlefield was immense, with the sea of thunder divided into nine regions, where Ye Chen and the eight kings each faced a full array of Jiu Huang.

No one was backing down, especially Kui Yu Jiang and his group. Despite their bodies being mangled and bloody, they persisted in their resistance—one part to seek a breakthrough, another to avoid being outdone.

They were all transcendent kings, the top figures of their eras, believing themselves unmatched. Now, facing the same Jiu Huang array, this was not just a battle but a contest. Whoever fell first would be relegated to the annals of history as obsolete.