Thunderclouds surged above.

A pool of deep purple thunder juice quietly formed, intermittently flickering.

Nine Heavens Profound Lady looked up at the thundercloud forming instantly overhead, somewhat bewildered.

The Kui Ox Drum surely can summon Celestial Thunder, but it has never been said it can gather them, right?

Could it be that my drumming was too vigorous, triggering the hidden abilities of the Kui Ox Drum?

Compared to the bewildered Nine Heavens Profound Lady, Han Zhan gently plucked the zither strings, with lightning similarly flickering in his eyes.

Only he knew what was happening.

The intense rhythmic sound from the drumbeats drowned out the sound of the Fu Xi Zither strings.

A zither tune, Six Ding Thunder, had boldly taken shape.

Undeniably, this was Han Zhan’s smoothest deployment of Six Ding Thunder to date.

Inside his body and throughout the air, massive amounts of Thunder Spiritual Power permeated due to the rumble of the Kui Ox Drum.

Six Ding Thunder awakened and amassed in less than the time of ten breaths, and the Spiritual Power consumed to activate Six Ding Thunder was less than a tenth of what it used to be.

Nine Heavens Profound Lady never dreamt that the Kui Ox Drum would one day serve such a use as this.

But it’s too late to regret now.

Above, the accumulated thunder juice finally reached its climax, and six distinct phantom images appeared in six positions, solidifying into diverse divine statues!

Dingmao, Dingsi, Dingwei, Dingyou, Dinghai, Dingchou.

The six statues simultaneously leaned forward, and six terrifying and awe-inspiring thunderbolts descended from the heavens!

As they fell, the six thunderbolts merged into one, forming the largest thunder pillar, blasting straight toward Nine Heavens Profound Lady.

Finally understanding, she realized that drumming only intensified the thunder fury, so she ceased her head-pounding rhythm. Four drumheads appeared in succession above her as the last line of defense against the raging thunder.

Bang Bang Bang!

The demons, who were just beginning to regain their strength after the drumming ceased, hadn’t even risen from the ground when they were met with an even more deafening roar.

The two promptly, expertly lay flat on the ground.

"Will it never end?!"

Then they saw a pair of feet walking past them.

Struggling to lift their heads just a little, amidst the blinding outline radiated by the electric surge and thunder juice, they saw a blurry silhouette.

The figure braved the thunder and chaotic currents, moving against the flow.

Numerous deep purple arcs of electricity tangled around the exterior of the Profound Armor, soon turning into particles and vanishing.

The drawn Moonlight Longsword also turned from pale white to blue-purple at this moment.

Dragging the sword across the ground, it carved a charred, narrow path.

At the final moment when the white light engulfed all,

they glimpsed a hint of vibrant red lifted by the wind, a cloak fluttering fiercely.

Thunder subsided and the winds calmed, silence enveloped everything.

Everyone lost their hearing, unable to perceive sound, as the frightening thunder had shattered their eardrums.

In a daze, they stood up and looked toward the central area of the battlefield.

There, the eight heads of Nine Heavens Profound Lady had been severed, leaving just eight stark white bones exposed to the air like eight ridiculous barren twigs.

Half of her body was charred.

While the remaining half had vanished without a trace.

In the next moment, unable to maintain her aerial posture any longer, she spiraled down toward the abyss below.

Once Nine Heavens Profound Lady disappeared, only then did everyone see the silhouette behind her, slowly sheathing the longsword.

The not-yet-dissipated thunder turned into arcs of electricity, endlessly flickering around him.

"..."

Li Wu opened his mouth but emitted no sound.

Life Spiritual Power scattered across the battlefield as the surviving Jiu Li Warriors finally heard their own cheers.

The four chieftains walked together, gazing at the silhouette in the distance, profoundly shaken in their hearts.

What kind of formidable warrior could this be?

Alone, battling a formidable enemy, accomplishing a great rescue – he is a magnificent hero!

Then they saw Han Zhan, after sheathing the Moonlight Longsword, finishing his meditation and walking toward them.

Simultaneously reaching out his hand toward them.

"???"

The chieftains and Great Power had no idea what this gesture meant.

Li Wu began to cover his face.

The heroic image of saving the world, built with great effort, completely shattered with this sinful hand extended.

Li Lingzhen, with a smile at the corner of his mouth, already cooperatively took out the Demon God’s Heart.

The puzzled chieftains were just about to extend their hands for a handshake with Han Zhan?

Han Zhan’s voice, slightly clear, resonated:

"I’ve saved you, now it’s time to pay the reward."

Reward? What reward?

Weren’t you sent by the Great Chief to reinforce us? How come there’s a payment involved!

For a moment, the chieftains’ gazes simultaneously fell on Li Wu. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

This tall and burly man, upon a glance, it’s clear he’s a warrior of the Jiuli Race, can’t even pretend otherwise.

Li Wu hurriedly looked up at the sky, adopting a silly look as if he’s unaware of anything.

The four chieftains glanced at each other, puzzled.

"Should we give it? Can we even defeat him?"

"Even Nine Heavens Profound Lady couldn’t hold against him for several moves; how long can we last combined?"

"These two individuals have techniques utterly different from Jiuli warriors; are they of the Wizard Lineage?"

"What payment does he want?"

Finally, someone asked the most crucial question.

Han Zhan pointed at his heart, "Your heart’s blood."

"What?!"

"Nonsense!"

"I, a dignified chieftain, how dare you demand my heart’s blood – are you insulting us?"

"Young man, I advise you not to push your luck!"

"..."

Five minutes later.

The four chieftains and demons sat limply on the ground, quietly accepting treatment from Li Lingzhen.

As silent as frozen quail.

Han Zhan, satisfied, gazed at the Demon God’s Heart in his hand, noticing the new gush of demon blood nourishing it; its heart wall vessels were redder and fuller, hinting at a heartbeat.

With nearly half of the Jiuli Race’s heart’s blood irrigating it, having such effect is already considered good.

"It would’ve been better to do this earlier?"

"Each one more stubborn than the last."

As he spoke, Han Zhan put away the Demon God’s Heart.

With both battles won, his mood was remarkably good now.

...

"Fenghou and Nine Heavens Profound Lady have both fallen."

"I am aware."

The speaker had a deep gaze, distinct features, and spoke with a noble and dignified demeanor, clearly a tribal leader.

"The speed of their defeat was much faster than anticipated; there appeared unknown variables from the Jiuli Race. It must be your two companions; apart from them, I cannot think of any other possibility."

"I have searched throughout the Yellow Emperor Tribe, but have not found your said companions. It seems they had long reached the Eastern Yi Continent, where Jiuli resides."

"Are they in danger?" asked an exceptionally beautiful woman, eyes flickering with worry.

"That depends on whether we or Chi You can claim the final victory."

"Our time is limited, Fu Xi descendant."