A muffled, thunder-like roar echoed endlessly from the sky. A world-ending aura, as if from the apocalypse, surged out from the space-time rift, pressing down on everyone within the demon god barrier. The massive Buddha hand was battered by invisible waves of energy, shattering and reforming again and again.

The rain grew heavier and heavier. The terrifying impact from the collision and fusion of two worlds shattered the rules themselves, condensing into dense layers of energy clouds. From those clouds, drops began to fall. Each raindrop contained devastating, world-ending energy, brewed from the clash of the Dao resonance of two worlds and the violent conflict of their laws.

"Stop. Form the formation." Ji Ziyang decided without hesitation.

The rain intensified, and the terrifying rule-based energy within it began to overwhelm even the protective artifacts they had prepared in advance. As Ji Ziyang spoke, the others quickly came to a halt.

Although Lin Zheyu did not fully understand, he stopped as well. The energy in the rain was becoming increasingly terrifying. It was not just demonic qi, but also the destructive force born from the collision of two worlds, carrying an apocalyptic aura. If it were only demonic qi, Lin Zheyu could have easily withstood it with his powerful physique and the golden runes covering his body.

"Tu Yuan, handle the defensive formation beneath the demon-tainted soil. Zitong, Mulan, the two of you set up the formation. Bai Lin, Xiao Yu, Lei Yongtao, you three keep watch," Ji Ziyang ordered. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

As he finished speaking, Tu Yuan flickered and sank into the demon-tainted soil. Ji Zitong and Shi Mulan tapped their storage pouches, sending several streaks of dim light flying out. Lin Zheyu shifted his stance, scanning the surroundings with caution, his brows tightly furrowed and his gaze serious.

"This wave of Annihilation Black Rain came far too suddenly. We'll have to wait it out before continuing to our destination," Ji Ziyang said gravely. He raised his head toward the direction of the space-time node, and the terrifying aura coming from there made his heart tremble.

What a terrifying feeling. Without that Buddha hand, it would probably be even worse, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

Thanks to their preparation, the formation was completed quickly.

"Divine Power Crystals. Two for each person!" Ji Ziyang said.

Hearing this, Lin Zheyu took out two Divine Power Crystals from his storage pouch and embedded them into the nearest slots. In an instant, an invisible energy barrier formed, enveloping all seven of them. The rain, filled with terrifying energy, struck the barrier and slid off along its surface, while the energy within the Divine Power Crystals drained rapidly.

Lin Zheyu extended his hand beyond the formation. The raindrops landed on his palm and instantly corroded the skin and flesh on the surface with a sharp hiss.

The corrosive power is becoming increasingly terrifying. Without preparation, even if you survived, you'd lose a whole layer of skin.

A chill of delayed fear ran through Lin Zheyu. It was fortunate he had moved together with Ji Zitong and the others. If he had acted alone, the lack of preparation would have caused him no small amount of trouble.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, is this your first time seeing this Annihilation Black Rain?" Tu Yuan asked with interest. The others also looked over, equally curious.

"Yeah, it is. The energy contained in this rain is terrifying. Without the protection of this formation, it would be a real problem." Lin Zheyu said.

He did not hide the truth. He had no understanding of how a space-time node fully integrated into this world, nor had he experienced it before. The others exchanged thoughtful glances, but did not press further.

"No wonder. This is Annihilation Black Rain, formed from the destructive aura generated during the collision and fusion of two worlds. It's not something ordinary people can withstand. For those at the Golden Core realm, the destructive force will stir the qi within their bodies and affect them. That's also why experts above the Golden Core realm don't come to compete for rule fragments," Bai Lin explained with a smile. The burly man made a good impression on Lin Zheyu. He was warm and approachable.

Lin Zheyu cupped his hands in thanks and said, "I see. Many thanks for the explanation, Fellow Daoist Bai."

This terrifying Annihilation Black Rain inflicted indiscriminate damage. It was not only devastating to cultivators, but to yaos as well. In every direction, those yaos that had failed to retreat in time howled miserably within the rain, struggling wildly before ending up on the brink of death.

This strange Annihilation Black Rain is even more lethal to yaos than to the native beings of this world, Lin Zheyu thought after observing for a while.

He speculated that this Annihilation Black Rain might be a world-ending rain deliberately sent down by the Heavenly Dao of this world as a form of self-protection, its purpose being to exterminate the invading yaos.

"Everyone, make your preparations. Take this time to recover. The Annihilation Black Rain will pass soon. Once it's over, we'll move to our destination at full speed," Ji Ziyang said.

The others nodded. While absorbing spirit stones and Divine Power Crystals to restore themselves to peak condition, they remained vigilant of their surroundings.

"What are those?" Lin Zheyu pointed at the eerie shadows flickering in and out of existence in the darkness.

As time passed, Lin Zheyu noticed terrifying phantoms appearing in the void. Their forms were twisted and grotesque, writhing in the rain as they slowly condensed from nothingness, becoming more and more solid.

Ji Zitong, standing beside Lin Zheyu, said, "Annihilation Wraiths. They are powerful evil spirits born from the destructive force during the collision and fusion of two worlds. Later, besides dealing with powerful yaos, we will also have to face these Annihilation Wraiths."

"Are they strong?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"Not particularly strong, just strange and hard to kill. But don't worry. We'll handle those wraiths. You, Bai Lin, and Lei Yongtao can focus on hunting the yaos that appear," Ji Zitong said.

"Alright." Lin Zheyu nodded.

The black rain came quickly and left just as fast. It lasted for less than an hour before vanishing completely. After it passed, countless eerie and terrifying phantoms appeared throughout the demon god barrier. Each of them stared with pitch-black pupils at every living being that entered. Under those unsettling gazes, a cold, chilling sensation rose uncontrollably in Lin Zheyu's heart.

After the black rain, Ji Ziyang took out a green compass. The needle spun rapidly before soon pointing toward the front-left direction.

After confirming the direction, Ji Ziyang said in a low voice, "Move!"

Their figures flickered, vanishing from where they stood as they rushed toward the direction indicated by the compass.

"Roa—!"

Not far from the space-time node, a thunderous roar from a yao rang out, only to be abruptly cut short as a streak of blood-red blade light flashed past.

"Xue Zizhao! He entered the space-time rift!" Lei Yongtao exclaimed.

Lin Zheyu followed his gaze and saw a burly figure leap straight into the space-time rift beneath the Buddha hand's suppression.

"Are we going in as well?" Lin Zheyu asked.

On the other side of the space-time rift lay the so-called demonic realm, connected to the Yao Demon Nest. The number of yaos inside was beyond imagination. If they really had to go in, Lin Zheyu would have to reconsider whether to continue at all.

"No, we are not going in. Although the chances of obtaining rule fragments are higher on the other side of the space-time rift, the risk is far too great." Ji Ziyang said, shaking his head after glancing toward the rift.

He recalibrated his compass, adjusted their direction, and rushed toward the front-right. The others quickly followed. After advancing for about two more kilometers, they were already very close to the space-time node.

Looking up, they could see a massive space-time rift tearing through the void like a hellish abyss. Within it churned terrifying auras, and the roars of yaos rose and fell without end.

Ji Ziyang stopped and said, "This is the place."

This spot was not far from the demonic river, and the surroundings were deathly silent. Lin Zheyu activated his Perception Domain and carefully probed the area, but found nothing unusual.

Lin Zheyu let out a faint sound of surprise inwardly, Hm!

In that brief instant just now, his Perception Domain seemed to catch a trace of a mysterious aura. It flashed by and vanished before he could examine it more closely.

Is this why Ji Ziyang chose this place? Lin Zheyu wondered to himself.

Although obtaining rule fragments depended largely on luck, there had to be other factors that influenced the chances. Otherwise, Ji Ziyang and the others would not have gone to such lengths and taken such risks to come here.

"Begin preparations," Ji Ziyang said.

"What do you need me to do?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"Zitong, Mulan, and I will set up the formation. The rest of you hold this position. Do not let any yaos, cultivators, or wraiths get close," Ji Ziyang said in a low voice.