Chapter 1367: Playing Chess with God

The resplendent collapse of the World of Fire marked the Roc of Yan's fourth demise.

This most wicked of beasts, when battling Jiang Wang again, could not even survive a single exchange!

Died thus, died thus again, and a third time it was so.

Utterly incapable of resistance.

Divine power flowed ceaselessly, and the Roc of Yan was resurrected once more from emptiness.

Countless thoughts of those devoured often clashed within its mind, thus at times it was clear, at times deranged, at times filled with enmity, at times chaotic.

But from the malevolent gaze it directed at Jiang Wang, it was clear that no matter its state, it would not forget the harm Jiang Wang had inflicted upon it.

Hatred reached its zenith!

Born of malevolence, its hatred was stark and naked.

That extreme hatred filled its eyes, until...

Slit open by a single sword!

The blade of Long Xiangsi cleaved open the beast's eyes, naturally shattering that hateful gaze.

The longsword had already swept past, and only then did the sharp sword qi explode within the Roc of Yan's body, tearing it to pieces.

This was the Roc of Yan's fifth death, still without offering any semblance of resistance.

After the Fire Realm collapsed, Jiang Wang did not employ this art again. For this divine ability required both divine power and true essence, consuming heavily. Continuous use would be one thing, once the Fire Realm was formed, it would naturally regenerate and require only minimal energy to maintain.

But since it had been broken, remaking it was not worthwhile. Frequent use of such dao arts was not conducive to prolonged battle.

He had not forgotten his promise to Master Guanyǎn: he would kill the Roc of Yan until the entire chess game with the divine concluded, not merely dispatching it five or six times.

When the Roc of Yan resurrected for the sixth time, it did not even open its eyes, but directly clawed forward, precisely meeting the sword's edge.

It displayed an astonishing capacity for learning, actually anticipating where Jiang Wang's sword would fall.

And as this claw descended, Long Xiangsi paused momentarily.

This was one of the Roc of Yan's innate abilities, used at this moment, it was perfectly appropriate.

Alas...

Jiang Wang had seen this ability before, and naturally was not surprised. One could even say... it was all within his control.

The longsword merely trembled with the flow, and a wisp of frost-white wind spiraled out, circling the Roc of Yan before returning.

The Roc of Yan's nimble body crumbled like dust.

Completely shattered!

In the World Origin Sea. Guanyǎn held the emerald divine staff, facing the Dragon God.

Before the furious sea of golden radiance, he stood as majestic as a mountain.

"This faith was not bestowed by you, but seized by me, little by little. Selfish as you are, you destroyed their trust through repeated harm and exploitation... Now, it is not you who abandoned them, but they who abandoned you!"

"Do not speak of the ignorance of sentient beings; the people will make their own choices!"

"You indeed need not care about the divine path, for you do not understand it at all."

"How did you come to this world?" Guanyǎn stepped upon the waves, approaching the golden divine dragon step by step. "Tell me, where do you come from, who are you!?"

The golden divine dragon was naturally majestic and glorious, its divine might like the sea.

But at this moment, Guanyǎn was also enshrouded in divine light, yielding not an inch.

In the World Origin Sea, in the land of divine shade, in every corner of the Senhai Source Realm, he confronted it.

"Arrogant! Ignorant!" the Dragon God roared, and the entire World Origin Sea violently shook.

"Who do you think you are? A remnant of bald donkeys long since to be exterminated, who stole a divine position while I was distracted, and now dares to speak such inflated words?"

The golden waves rapidly boiled, and It had resolved to give the other party a profound lesson.

But at this moment...

It felt its power rapidly draining away!

The Roc of Yan's resurrection would not cause It to flinch; the divine power consumed by resurrection was entirely bearable for It. But this time, the number of times the Roc of Yan resurrected... was simply too many!

What is the Divine Stairway?

It is the steps leading to divinity. It is the existence on which It relied to maintain a true connection with the Senhai Source Realm after breaking into the World Origin Sea and simultaneously reaching for the Star of Yuheng.

Simply put, now that the divine handle has been stolen, It's remaining influence over the divine position of the Senhai Source Realm all needs to be achieved through the Roc of Yan.

It can still rely on the Senhai Source Realm to touch the Star of Yuheng, partly because It occupies half of the World Origin Sea, and partly because the Roc of Yan serves as a bridge.

But at this moment...

It rapidly replenished divine power several times, even actively helping the Roc of Yan "change" the combat environment, yet it was utterly unable to slow the Roc of Yan's death.

Unless... It could put down everything at hand, including control of the Origin Sea, and personally control the Roc of Yan—how could that be possible?

There could be no further delay!

The battle in the World Origin Sea of the Senhai Source Realm was no longer the focus.

The Dragon God realized the seriousness of the issue, gazing down upon Guanyǎn with dignity.

Its long whiskers parted space, and the dragon head lowered: "I shall surely kill you!"

Its voice was like thunder, stirring the furious sea.

As the dragon body leaped, its momentum remained, but only as a facade.

Higher in the high firmament, a lone, starless star hung, its outline already traced.

It seemed not to exist, yet in perception, it became increasingly clear.

It seemed to be just a dark point, and yet also a vast world.

In the boundless universe, it was clearly discernible. And in concrete existence, it was so minuscule.

Until... a golden divine dragon flashed, tearing through space and time, and pounced abruptly!

Behold this divine dragon: its horns like a deer, head like an ox, eyes like shrimp, mouth like a donkey, belly like a snake, scales like fish, feet like a phoenix, whiskers like a man, ears like an elephant... its long whiskers hanging down like precious trees, its resplendent golden scales bearing divine light.

Its body length unknown, thousands of feet, breathing swallowed clouds and mist.

Behind this dragon, a phantom of emerald jade appeared, faintly outlining myriad phenomena. In a verdant, lush environment, giant beasts roamed, birds danced in the sky, precisely a world brimming with vitality.

This was the Realm of Yuheng's Solitary Radiance, floating behind the divine dragon, supporting It to arrive here.

Its arrival was like a wanderer returning home, meeting not the slightest resistance from Yuheng.

That golden dragon claw extended forward, reaching towards the dark star-point, and actually plunged into it.

Immediately thereafter, the entire colossal dragon body also squeezed inside, the golden light of the dragon scales reflected on the star-point.

That star-point was so close, yet so far.

In an instant, the golden divine dragon seemed to be rapidly shrinking—

No, it was the starless star that was rapidly expanding.

Within a breath, it expanded several times.

First like a giant stone, then like a high mountain, then like a mountain range, and soon even a mountain range was insufficient to compare.

Between the cosmos, an ancient, distant aura seemed to be awakening.

In a blur of billions of years, myriad worlds rose and fell.

That immense golden dragon body also appeared insignificant.

But instead, It roared with laughter: "A thousand years of deep sleep, the great dream just awakened! Having weathered myriad calamities, I shall have this gain!"

The colossal dragon body descended towards the star that was still infinitely expanding.

Divine power, roaring like a furious sea, surged towards every corner of this magnificent star, and thus specks of golden radiance began to glow. Flowing light, thousands of feet high, illuminated the endless night sky.

It was as if... It was lighting up this starless star!

In the dark universe, It became the torchbearer.

It preached to myriad worlds, bestowing glad tidings.

It illuminated the long night, giving light to the world.

It was high above, It was boundlessly brilliant.

Today It comes here, and all worlds shall gain longevity and blessings!

In the boundless universe, as if a voice of a holy spirit was singing, rejoicing—

Those who believe in me shall have eternal joy!

Those who believe in me shall have eternal peace!

Those who do not believe in me in this life shall be lost forever!

Divine grace, divine might, the Divine is present!

And in a sudden instant, a colossal divine staff of emerald green broke through space and arrived, its height a thousand feet, its substance like glass, its body covered in the glow of jade.

Upon its arrival, it actually pierced through the divine dragon's tail, nailing it in the void!

The infinitely expanding star was just ahead, yet the golden light could no longer continue to spread.

As the starless star rapidly expanded, the proportion occupied by the golden radiance became increasingly small. If previously the golden radiance had illuminated nearly half, like lighting a torch, blocked by this, it was now less than two tenths, and still rapidly decreasing.

The resplendent golden divine dragon roared: "Who! Dares to obstruct my attainment of the Dao!"

"Who! Knows not death!"

The dragon's tail simply flicked, and the thousand-foot-high divine staff swayed.

At the apex of the tall divine staff, a handsome monk in white appeared, stamping down on the staff, instantly steadying it, his voice however was gentle: "Do you not recognize me, or do you not recognize your divine handle?"

"I am the Dragon God of Ten Thousand Worlds! A mere Senhai divine handle..." The Dragon God's body burst forth with golden light, its golden scales washed clean, and It abruptly arched its body, the immense dragon body actually wrapping around the divine staff, its head lunging directly at Guanyǎn: "A mantis trying to stop a chariot, knows not death. I shall surely scatter your soul and spirit!"

Compared to the Dragon God's fierceness and frenzy, Guanyǎn was exceptionally calm.

His moon-white monk's robe fluttered slightly in the air, his jade-like face bearing divine light, his palms gently clasped together, saying only: "Dreaming anew after waking from a dream, better to sleep forever!"

In the void behind him, faces appeared in a blur...

All shapes and sizes, myriad realities.

That one with white hair and deep wrinkles was Priest Xiaofan.

That one with hair tied in eight braids, wild and natural, was Qing Bazhi.

That one with bow drawn, calm and sharp, was Qing Jiuyè.

That one with hands bound, but with tears of regret and shame in her eyes, was Qing Hua.

That one small and tiny, but with palms clasped together with unusual seriousness, was Qing Guǒ'ér...

Warriors with knives and bows...

Women picking fruits and making armor...

Those who were still alive in the Senhai Source Realm after enduring the calamities.

They prayed together, they prayed so devoutly—

"I believe!

Believe in peaceful years.

I believe!

Believe in tranquil lives.

The faithful here humbly beg—

Not seeking a race invincible.

But seeking peaceful coexistence, free from battles unto death.

Seeking serenity in the wilds, where none fear having their heads severed.

Seeking bonfires at night, and unrestrained song.

Seeking the bright blue sky, and a good night's sleep!

May the evil roc not be reborn, may the long night have no prolonged suffering.

May warriors not need to offer their heads, may those I love, all be safe and free!"

Innumerable specks of faith-light surged towards the high firmament, spreading through the long sky.

In the Forest of Hanging Skulls, Jiang Wang, having killed the Roc of Yan that had escaped outside the Roc's nest with a single sword, turned his head and saw this scene...

Countless specks of light ascending towards the high firmament.

Who said there were no stars in the night of the Senhai Source Realm?

In the cosmic void, the light of faith gathered, hanging behind Guanyǎn's head, like a halo of Buddhist light.

Today He is a divine Buddha!

"If the world has this wish..." Guanyǎn murmured softly, "I shall strive to fulfill it."

The colossal emerald divine staff beneath his feet suddenly erupted, emerald branches spreading out, emerald leaves luxuriant, quickly forming a towering tree in this boundless universe.

Its branches swayed for thousands of miles, their height endless.

Looking over, every leaf seemed to bear the face of a devout believer.

Beneath this incomparably tall giant tree, that magnificent golden divine dragon, formidable in its divine might, appeared like a struggling earthworm, nailed down by a long spike!

Ugly and pathetic.

Rolling and thrashing in the universe, yet unable to break free!

The Roc of Yan, conceived from human malice, putting aside good and evil, was actually a very gifted life form.

In the past, because the sacred tribe of Senhai had been subjugated, and other tribes had been almost annihilated by the sacred tribe of Senhai, it rarely encountered true opponents.

The so-called "Dragon God's Envoys" who occasionally descended upon the Senhai Source Realm were often at the levels of Ascension Realm and Inner Palace Realm, limited by the Seven Stars Tower Secret Realm, and would not be too high.

Therefore, although it killed many, it had few truly high-quality battles. Its combat skills were at a level that Jiang Wang would call crude.

But this was quickly remedied in its engagement with Jiang Wang.

Who is Jiang Wang?

With a legendary combat record surpassing that of the Old Man of Tianfu, he became the foremost Inner Palace cultivator of all time. In terms of combat talent, he was undeniably top-tier. His combat skills had formed their own style, belonging to the ranks of the absolute elite.

With such an opponent as a "sparring partner," the Roc of Yan's combat techniques can be said to have advanced by leaps and bounds.

From being killed the moment it appeared at the beginning, to being able to resist several times later, and then successfully escaping from the Roc's nest... Its progress was visible to the naked eye.

Although it ultimately died under Jiang Wang's sword, it was enough to illustrate its difficulty.

"Heh heh heh." The Roc of Yan, resurrected once again in front of the wooden house, laughed cruelly: "Soon you won't be able to stop me, soon—"

Cold light turned like lightning.

The Roc's head flew up into the sky.

"Did I give you permission to speak?" Jiang Wang said coldly.

With great familiarity, he cut off the Roc of Yan's beak, and then conveniently shattered its corpse.

This small wooden house was located at the center of the Forest of Hanging Skulls. Within the area of the wooden house, time seemed peaceful, while outside the area of the wooden house were only the skulls gnawed clean by the Roc of Yan.

And it was in front of such a small wooden house that Jiang Wang and the Roc of Yan repeated the process of killing and being killed.

Time and time again...

Amidst the transmission of divine power, the resurrected Roc of Yan shot up, clawing forward, and simultaneously raising its left wing—

Behold the turning cold light, that sword gleam like a fish leaping into the air, sweeping past its claw, directly slicing off its left wing!

This Roc of Yan possessed considerable abilities. Its beak could peck fatally, its right wing could teleport out of thin air with a flap, and its right claw could temporarily halt attacks with a downward strike.

When Jiang Wang first encountered it, its left wing had already been severed by an unknown Dragon God's Envoy, preventing him from witnessing its fourth divine ability...

Jiang Wang also had no desire to witness it.

Where it moved, he cut.

A Roc of Yan of this level truly had no qualification to display more power.

The person was like a startled swan, the sword like flowing light.

Within a few passes of the flowing light, the Roc of Yan was stripped bare, leaving only its head.

It seemed entirely unaware of pain, crying out in a self-hypnotic manner: "You can't stop me, you'll die sooner or later! I'm constantly getting stronger... constantly getting stronger!"

The longsword pierced its neck, and Jiang Wang said indifferently: "You have changed, but you haven't gotten stronger."

This was a complete slaughter.

Resurrected once more, the Roc of Yan seemed to fall into confusion.

As the Roc's mouth opened, hundreds of voices spoke simultaneously—

"You dare to trample on my efforts! I worked so hard to reach this point!"

"Cold-blooded spectator!"

"Kill him quickly, kill him quickly! I want to eat him!"

"What right do you have to say I haven't gotten stronger!"

"Just eat him, eating him will make me stronger..."

Contradictory, chaotic, noisy.

As if hundreds or thousands of souls were imprisoned in the same filthy skin, struggling to break free.

Jiang Wang found the noise irritating, and his left eye instantly turned crimson.

The Single Rider Entering the Formation Map unfolded, directly encountering countless weak souls in the state of divine soul.

Those soul-shadows integrated with the Roc of Yan, some crying, some laughing.

The sword spirit of Long Xiangsi manifested, and a single sword swept horizontally!

Instantly, countless杂 sounds shattered.

Slicing through a thousand armies like sweeping straw mats!

The Roc of Yan's body suddenly stiffened, and it plummeted headfirst, its beak striking the ground like a nail.

Jiang Wang stepped on it.

Pinning it down.