Boom!

The Yang Spirit's strike fell with a savage, unreasonable speed.

The Celestial Star Array flickered violently. In the vast black night sky, the countless arrays interwove like a spider's web, radiating ultimate brilliance. However, as soon as the strike fell, every ancient god turned deathly pale and spat blood. The projections of a million heavenly gods behind them trembled, many collapsing.

Qi Yuan also went white. Though he fought alongside so many followers and managed to form a grand formation, the gulf between them and a Yang Spirit was far, far too vast.

How could an ordinary world rise up against the star?

Blood Sun Great Sage shouted coldly, "Without stepping into Yang Spirit realm, how are you worthy to be my opponent? Qiyuann Sovereign, bring forth your strongest power!"

That way, devouring him would yield the greatest benefit. Greed filled her eyes. Qiyuann Sovereign’s past life had to be unimaginably strong. Every god he visualized filled her with dread. Still, to a Yang Spirit like her, it meant nothing.

Her overwhelming palm swept forward again. The Celestial Star Array stood before the Mortal Heart World. Qi Yuan stood at its core, divine power surging all over him as he resisted the terrifying assault. The formation dimmed once more. Blood dripped from Qi Yuan's crimson robe.

Nearly a hundred Great Venerables were reduced to ash. Despite having visualised new gods, Big Black Dog was incinerated. The scene was eerily similar to when Qi Yuan had faced the Bright Palace. Except now, they were the Bright Palace, while Blood Sun Great Sage had become him.

They could only defend without launching a single attack. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before they all perished. Still, without Qi Yuan, they would have fallen long ago.

"The Heavenly Sovereign saved me from fire and water. To die for him is my wish!"

Shi Zhongshan's wife, who was once helpless, fell to the Yang Spirit's blow. Only a pool of blood remained, sinking into the Celestial Star Array, sustaining its operation.

Dong Jianghe, drenched in blood, laughed miserably. "If the spring breeze has pity for fallen flowers, could it grant me youth once more?"

He was mangled and dying. If the Yang Spirit struck again, he would be no more.

Regardless, Qi Yuan remained terrifyingly calm. Death was unavoidable in this battle. It was the hardest game he had ever played. Yet he felt no fear. From the moment he learned of the existence of the two Yang Spirits, and that breakthrough in this world was impossible, he had already foreseen the ending.

He had tried countless methods. His right eyebrow had been twitching all along, devoid of any hope. They could grow stronger if they postponed this battle. However, if Blood Sun Great Sage completely devoured the Heavenly Dao by then, it would be game over. For if their strength increased by one, hers would increase by ten. They had no choice but to fight.

She was at her weakest right now, making it their greatest chance. Though to all appearances, this was nothing but suicide. Human strength has its limits.

Blood Sun Great Sage roared, "Show me all your trump cards!"

In the distance, Blood God Great Sage watched with ease. The outcome was already written in the stars.

Yet, Qi Yuan declared, "There is no absolute in this world!"

His aura grew obscure and unfathomable. As time passed, the faster his right eyebrow beat.

"Fifty routes form the Great Way, of which forty-nine are determined by fate, leaving one undefined. One hidden variable representing hope, free will, or the possibility of change."

The one undefined route was the sliver of life. To seize it, he had to accomplish the other forty-nine. He would face two Yang Spirits with his strongest form!

"The great sun blazes, illuminating the four directions! Clad in dark robes, I command the Nine Edicts!"

In the starry sky, a star projection flickered into being. A colossal sun hung in the night, drawing closer and closer.

"A star projection? No matter how formidable, it’s still a projection!" Blood Sun Great Sage’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she remained wholly unfazed. In the next instant, her expression shifted again. "Two stars? Interesting."

Another star emerged within the first star projection. Two star projections hung in the sky, illuminating the nine heavens and ten earths.

Greed burned in the Blood Sun Great Sage's eyes. "Not enough. You can grow stronger still. That way, devouring you will be even more interesting."

With his latest feat, Qiyuann Sovereign's threat rose sharply. Still, she felt no fear because he wasn’t a Yang Spirit. It was as if she sat atop a tower five thousand meters away, aiming a sniper rifle at him. Even if his blade was longer and sharper, why would it threaten her?

Qi Yuan's voice rang coldly. "Little Bride!"

At once, a figure in a red bridal gown appeared in the starry sky, her aura obscure.

The previously silent Blood God Great Sage seemed surprised. "A Yang Spirit's past body? No, it is not that!"

Qi Yuan roared, "Sharing One Robe!"

Clad in the grotesque armor, he stood tall at the center of myriad formations, reminiscent of a demon god of hell. With the blood-red longsword, he seemed capable of cleaving worlds in one blow. Nevertheless, beneath the colossal Dharma Form, he seemed like a slightly larger ant. The additional six levels did nothing to bridge the gap between them.

"Not enough, not enough. This is far from enough!" Blood Sun Great Sage's eyes gleamed with greed. "How many more surprises can you give me?"

Unfortunately, Qi Yuan seemed to have reached his limit. His terrifying strike, empowered by a hundred thousand formations, had inflicted only negligible damage.

Just then, Yulei exhaled deeply. "We are willing to lend the Heavenly Sovereign our strength!"

Shi Zhongshan stepped forward. "So am I!"

Zhu Zhuangshi grinned. "Don’t forget about me!"

Shen Tu's voice echoed across the world. "I possess a method called Assimilation. We’ll become your nourishment and help you slay the evil god!"

Having obtained the method from an evil god, the villagers of Clearwater Village continued to study it. Their purpose was not only to save ordinary people assimilated by evil gods, but also to be assimilated by Qiyuann Sovereign one day. To become a part of him, to elevate his strength.

At that moment, Assimilation resonated throughout the Celestial Star Array.