Chapter 825: Pushing Back

Bang! Boom!

Thunderous roars filled the heavens and the earth.

Ye Chen's Jiu Huang Heavenly Tribulation was dragging on in an unbelievably persistent manner. From the moment it began until now, it had far exceeded the typical duration of such trials.

The Ba Wang, like Ye Chen, were putting forth their full effort to confront the Jiu Huang. They had already forced the Mo Wang out of the battle and were still seeking opportunities for their own breakthroughs.

Furthermore, having learned from the bloody lesson of the Mo Wang, they had made backup plans. As soon as they found a chance to break through, they would immediately escape this chaotic place and only return after reaching the Tian Jing realm to fight back.

Outside the Lei Hai, Mo Wang Kui Yu Jiang had stopped and stationed himself there. He didn't leave but stood quietly at the edge of the Lei Hai, silently watching the crowd within.

Vaguely, the sorrowful expression on his face faded, replaced by a cold and furious look that spread across his features, stirring up chilling winds throughout the heavens and the earth, with frost forming in various spots.

"Old fool, I calculate that a major event is about to happen." Wuya Dao Ren started playing the divine stick act again, doing so with great conviction.

"I can feel the Mo Wang's killing intent." Zhong Jiang took a deep breath.

"He is the supreme Mo Wang, ruling over the Mo Domain. Such a proud and powerful cultivator wouldn't swallow this dumb loss." Heng Yue Zhen Ren gently stroked his beard. "He will surely seek revenge."

"I'd rather see Ye Chen finish his tribulation quickly." Yang Ding Tian watched Ye Chen in the Lei Hai with a tense expression. "Delay leads to trouble."

"Shixiong, you're worried." Xiao Feng subconsciously glanced at Yang Ding Tian.

"Facing our massive army of cultivators, how could the Ba Wang come alone?" Yang Ding Tian took a sharp breath, his gaze scanning the surrounding void. "If I'm not mistaken, they've all brought their own forces, just hidden where we can't see them, to ensure their kings can safely retreat."

"Maybe we should strike first." Zhou Ao, clad in battle armor, transmitted his voice.

"Impossible." Zheng Yang Zong Yang Zhen, the grand commander, immediately refused. "We have no idea how many forces the Ba Wang have brought. Confronting eight of their factions at once is unwise. It's best to maintain the current balance—let both sides stay peaceful. Only resort to war if absolutely necessary."

"That makes sense." Zhong Kui lightly pinched his beard and looked back at the Lei Hai. "Our task is to make sure he doesn't get hurt."

Hearing this, everyone took a deep breath and focused their gazes on the Lei Hai once more.

In the Lei Hai, Ye Chen was still desperately fighting off the Jiu Huang's assault. His long hair, due to the secret technique, had mostly turned white. Although his power was cycling through reincarnation, his aura was clearly not as strong as before.

"If this keeps up, I'll probably collapse first." Ye Chen looked at the Jiu Huang with an extremely grim expression. Just a second ago, he had slain the Yan Huang, only for it to regroup immediately, leaving him utterly helpless.

But that wasn't the worst part. The real problem was that his lifespan was draining faster and faster, and the excessive operation of Xian Lun Tian Sheng was slowing down his power's reincarnation cycle while weakening his recovery ability.

"What kind of monster is that kid?" Shi Hun Wang, closest to Ye Chen's tribulation area, narrowed his eyes more than once. Ye Chen's tenacious vitality made him feel a strong threat, as his own combat power at Ye Chen's age was far inferior.

"With such talent, he'll be a disaster in the future." Thinking this, a bloody chill flashed in Shi Hun Wang's eyes.

Then, he shook off the attacking Xuan Huang with a palm strike and suddenly thrust another palm toward Ye Chen's direction. The power was so immense that it stirred up massive waves in the Lei Hai.

"Damn it!"

Ye Chen's eyes flashed with a cold light. He was already struggling against the Jiu Huang's siege, and now Shi Hun Wang's sudden sneak attack caught him off guard.

"Open for me!"

In a flash, Ye Chen drew the Ba Long Dao, merging nine Ba Huang Zhan strikes into one, slashing through the rolling Lei Hai waves. Even so, he was still forced to grunt and retreat from the shock.

Zheng!

Xuan Huang's attack arrived, its sword carving a bloody gash across his back. Then Chen Huang's finger strike pierced his chest. The other emperors unleashed their attacks too—sword beams, magical tools, divine abilities—all sweeping over him in a wave, cracking his sacred body on the spot.

"Xian Lun Tian Sheng!"

Ye Chen roared inwardly, gritting his teeth and frantically operating Xian Lun Tian Sheng.

Shi Hun Wang's sudden sneak attack had distracted him, allowing the Jiu Huang to land successive heavy blows. He needed to recover his injuries as quickly as possible to face the more ferocious attacks ahead.

"With your status and cultivation, you actually sneak-attacked a junior. Are you afraid I'll surpass you one day?" Ye Chen evaded rapidly while snorting coldly, his eyes locked on Shi Hun Wang with an exceptionally icy killing intent.

"You?" Shi Hun Wang sneered mockingly and thrust a finger through the void. "You're far from it."

However, after thrusting his finger, Shi Hun Wang's expression changed abruptly. He felt a chill and sharp pain on his back, as if his entire back was about to be pierced by a sword edge.

In that brief moment, he spun around and slapped out a palm, shattering a peerless sword beam.

"Kui Yu Jiang." Shi Hun Wang's face twisted into a ferocious scowl, as the one attacking from behind was Kui Yu Jiang from outside the Lei Hai.

"I await your challenge." Kui Yu Jiang's voice rang out powerfully, shaking the heavens and earth as he stared directly at Shi Hun Wang with unyielding dominance.

"I—" Shi Hun Wang started to speak but was immediately beset by the Jiu Huang's assault, forcing him to turn and fight them off.

Unexpectedly, Kui Yu Jiang attacked again from outside the Lei Hai, launching a world-shaking divine ability without warning.

Shi Hun Wang's face contorted in rage, not anticipating this move from the Mo Wang. He was already at a disadvantage against the Jiu Huang, with his previous injuries unhealed, and now the Mo Wang was disrupting him from behind, leaving him overwhelmed. Just a second ago, he had nearly been cleaved in two by Chu Huang's sword.

What followed made Shi Hun Wang so furious he nearly spat blood, as the Mo Wang seemed to have fixated on him, timing his attacks perfectly—swift, domineering, and ruthless, each one aimed to kill.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

Shi Hun Wang became even more disheveled, covered in bloody gashes and with disheveled hair, the most wretched among the kings in the Lei Hai. Forget seeking a breakthrough—he could barely defend himself.

This turn of events was also noticed by Xue Wang and Gui Wang, sending chills down their spines. While fighting the Jiu Huang, they had to watch their backs, fearing Kui Yu Jiang might stab them too.

Thus, the scene grew strangely bizarre.

The kings were already mutually suspicious and vigilant, and with the Mo Wang's interference, none of them had the mind to seek breakthroughs anymore, turning the battle into a frustrating mess.

The Mo Wang completely ignored the wariness of Gui Wang and Xue Wang; he had his sights set solely on Shi Hun Wang, striking without warning. You dared to sneak-attack me and prevent my advancement? Then none of you will have it easy.

"I have to say, the Mo Wang is actually quite likable." The old Zhuge stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I just love people who strike from behind."

"What's that called in military strategy?"

"Divide and conquer."

"The Mo Wang is clever, taking them down one by one. It's more reliable than facing seven kings at once." Gu San Tong pinched his beard as he spoke.

"Prepare the Xu Tian Absolute Killing Array." Heng Yue Zhen Ren declared firmly.

Soon, from the allied forces on all sides, over a hundred killing arrays were deployed, lining up in the void and combining on their own. Rolling Yuan Jing essence was poured into them, reviving the divine power of the Xu Tian Absolute Killing Array.

At this sight, including Mo Wang Kui Yu Jiang, the Ba Wang all furrowed their brows simultaneously.

That was the Xu Tian Absolute Killing Array! When activated by an army of cultivators, its power was no joke. Even if they weren't in the Tian Jing realm yet, a single hit would be excruciatingly painful.

"Esteemed seniors, we mean no harm." Heng Yue Zhen Ren's voice boomed like a decree. "Let's all get what we want and keep the peace. But if anyone attacks my grand-disciple again, don't blame us for being rude."

Heng Yue Zhen Ren's words were effective—or rather, it was the Xu Tian Absolute Killing Array that worked, making even these supreme kings behave.

Immediately, the kings still in the Lei Hai distanced themselves from Ye Chen's area, afraid a misplaced divine ability might draw the array's attention.

However, while Shi Hun Wang stopped targeting Ye Chen, the Mo Wang didn't cease his attacks on him.

Due to the Xu Tian Absolute Killing Array, Shi Hun Wang kept retreating from Ye Chen, and the Mo Wang followed suit, staying just outside the Lei Hai. Wherever Shi Hun Wang went, he went too, always choosing the closest and best position for a sneak attack. In short, he was locked on.

This spectacle left the onlookers stunned.

It was a fine irony: not long ago, you were sneaking up on others, and now you're getting it back.

"Kui Yu Jiang!"

Finally, the disheveled Shi Hun Wang couldn't take it anymore, roaring in fury that shook the heavens. "Do you really want to fight to the death?"

"Shi Hun Dao You, you're overthinking it. I'm just killing time, that's all."

"You—" Shi Hun Wang choked on his anger, spitting out a mouthful of blood from the Mo Wang's retort. It wasn't just me who sneak-attacked you, so why are you only messing with me?

The Mo Wang treated Shi Hun Wang's roar like it was nothing.

Notably, he was exceptionally skilled at sneak attacks. One moment he stood quietly, not speaking or moving, and the next he struck suddenly, without any warning, making it impossible to guard against.

Hahaha!

In Ye Chen's sea of consciousness, Tai Xu Gu Long laughed so hard he doubled over, especially at Shi Hun Wang's frustrated face, which made tears of laughter stream from his eyes.

"Now I kind of wish my heavenly tribulation could last longer." Ye Chen said thoughtfully. "That way, the Mo Wang could have enough time to take down Shi Hun Wang and the others one by one."