Shi Zhongshan glared at Zhu Zhuangshi, a vertical eye emerging faintly upon his forehead. "Zhu Zhuangshi, stop bullying Big Black!"

The big dog squatted at Shi Zhongshan's feet, barking at Zhu Zhuangshi as if it had found a powerful backer.

Zhu Zhuangshi fumed with jealousy. "Damn it! He's clearly my dog. Just why did you have to visualize Erlang Shen?!"

Shi Zhongshan’s second god was far stronger than his own. Even when beating a dog, one had to consider its master. Zhu Zhuangshi could no longer bully Big Black Dog as before.

Shi Zhongshan grinned proudly. "Erlang Shen is majestic and extraordinary. How could a fat man like you visualize him?"

He had originally visualized a powerful god, then several others, and finally Erlang Shen. Now, he had become a Mythic as well.

Though Zhu Zhuangshi had grown stronger, he still lagged far behind Shi Zhongshan. He cursed, "You damn dog lover!"

At that moment, Yulei and Shen Tu approached. The former wore coarse linen patched in places, while the latter wore a brown robe and a hat, appearing far more refined. Zhu Zhuangshi immediately shed his playful demeanor, turning solemn.

"Come. Let's attend the feast. Tomorrow, the great battle begins," Yulei said, his voice aged and full of emotion.

Shi Zhongshan's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Just three months ago, no one would have believed every villager could become a god!"

Clearwater Village, Stone Village, and Chenxi Village were the first villages ruled by Qi Yuan.

Shen Tu sighed wistfully. "I still remember when we barely had enough to eat. Your Stone Village bullied us, almost wiping us out. Who would have thought we'd see today?"

Clearwater Village was in a slum, and even Zhu Zhuangshi had starved to the point of gauntness.

Shi Zhongshan grew solemn. "I will repay the Heavenly Sovereign's grace with my life!"

Back then, his child had been selected as an offering to the evil god. He had been pinned to the ground, unable to move. It was Qiyuann Sovereign who saved the day, giving him rebirth and restoring hope to Stone Village. Chenxi Village had been the same.

These villagers remembered the Heavenly Sovereign's grace. Though they had not spent long by his side, they were willing to die for him.

Thus, the four men and one dog strode toward the banquet, impassioned.

"Come. Let's eat and kill the enemy!"

"Old Zhu, that thing I asked you about..."

"You can trust me, hehe. I have found something."

"Good..."

***

Night fell. All ancient gods ceased their cultivation and gathered in Feiwu City, attending the feast.

Thousands of true gods sat together. Such a sight was awe-inspiring. Which city in history has ever held a banquet for thousands of ancient gods?

Cups were raised and laughter rang out. No one seemed lost about the future.

Death was but death. Who among them truly feared it?

***

Gnawing sounds echoed within the Heavenly Pillar as Blood Sun Great Sage's Devouring Physique continued to consume the Heavenly Dao.

Suddenly, her movements halted. "Devouring..."

Within the Heavenly Pillar, she turned her gaze northward. Her chaotic eyes became clear. Countless memories surged back into her mind.

Madness flickered in her eyes. "The Primordial World... the Devouring Origin Physique... is this heaven's favor upon me?"

Once she had fully devoured the Primordial World, her realm would rise further. Now, she had sensed the aura of the legendary Devouring Origin Physique. How could she not be ecstatic?

All Devouring Physiques revered the Devouring Origin Physique as supreme. In fact, she found it even more precious than this realm’s Heavenly Dao, for it was the constitution most suited to her.

Without hesitation, she awakened from slumber. She ceased devouring and emerged.

Boom.

A violent heartbeat resounded, akin to a war drum hammering upon every heart. All ancient gods and cultivators were jolted awake, gripped by intense hunger. Writhing in pain and gripped by hollow emptiness, they clutched their bellies, seemingly losing consciousness for a moment.

Every living being in the Mortal Heart World lifted their heads toward the sky. A figure, vast and terrifying beyond measure, filled their vision. No matter the angle or distance, that figure appeared completely before every eye.

"Above True God..."

"Heavenly Dao... She has devoured more than half of the Heavenly Dao!"

"She is the absolute heaven!"

"How do we even stop that thing?!"

They knew at a glance that she was invincible. Everyone felt an inexplicable urge to prostrate themselves, wishing to tear themselves apart and feed her. Some bled tears of blood. Some fell to their knees, mad and delirious. Suddenly, the Mythic Plan sounded like the funniest joke. Only those who had seen a Yang Spirit truly understood her power.

Just then, seven or eight figures rose from the southern lands, streaking into the sky like brilliant stars.

"Evil god! Die!"

"Die for ravaging our Mortal Heart World!"

Eight beams of light surged fearlessly toward the towering figure. The combined assault of the Eight Great Venerables was the greatest spectacle Mortal Heart World had ever seen.

Everyone watched with bated breath, hoping the evil god would suffer even a single scratch.

However, the evil god was unfazed. She was cold and emotionless, reminiscent of an immortal seated high in the Ninth Heaven. "Fireflies and rice grains dare contend with the sun and moon?"

Blood Sun Great Sage did not even raise a finger. She only raised her voice a little, but it carried the weight of a divine decree—law itself made manifest.

Boom!

Before anyone could comprehend, the eight beams stalled mid-sky, like arrows spent of force. In the next instant, they exploded. Blazing brilliance vanished into scattered starlight.

Not even the Eight Great Venerables could compel a Yang Spirit to lift a hand. With a single cold remark, all eight perished.

The Mortal Heart World fell into terror.

Is this what lay above True God?