However, even the most trusted subordinates could be killed at the whim of the Soul Refining Demon Venerable if they displeased him, with no chance of escape.

This is why the Black Robed Demon Master was so terrified with just a mild rebuke from the Soul Refining Demon Venerable.

Ignoring the Black Robed Demon Master, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable’s gaze shifted to the rising star, currently more famous in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains than some Primordial Spirit True Honor, the Hunyuan Myriad Laws True Monarch.

At that moment, a beam of arrow light, penetrating heaven and earth with pure yang dominance, suddenly shot towards them.

The speed was so rapid that it pierced through the endless black tide formed by the aggrieved ghosts and fierce spirits in an instant. Wherever it passed, the Pure Yang Flames raged, burning countless souls into blue smoke.

"Hmm?"

Noticing the anomaly of this arrow light, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable let out a slight gasp, instantly stepping forward to stand in front of the Black Robed Demon Master, extending a finger to point at the fierce arrow.

Clink——

In the blink of an eye!

The world suddenly solidified and paused!

The next moment!

Innumerable shockwaves erupted with a roar!

It was as if two vast oceans collided fiercely: one of pure yang dominance and the other of profound darkness. An endless tempest of shockwaves raged and tangled, flipping everything within a thousand miles, including those Human Race True Monarchs and Demon Kings.

The ancient golden arrow gleamed like a great sun, releasing boundless pure yang power that oppressed the world, as if the sky was falling and the great sun plummeted, unmatched and dominating.

"A mere Dao Body can unleash such power?"

The overwhelming golden radiance fell, slightly moving the expression of the Soul Refining Demon Venerable.

This power, for someone of his Primordial Spirit Realm, was just acceptable.

But to think that the one exhibiting this was a True Monarch of the Dao Body.

Such a disparity in realms, yet to explode with such force.

Indeed, this one was extraordinary!

His expression changed, as a sliver of malicious intent quietly bred in the heart of the Soul Refining Demon Venerable.

But at this moment, the Pure Yang Arrow he blocked with his finger suddenly moved forward an inch, deeply piercing into the flesh of his fingertip, with a wisp of demon blood oozing out, shimmering with a dim light.

"What?"

Completely unexpected that this arrow could truly harm him, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable slightly furrowed his brows, his gaze crossing the golden light before him to look in the direction the arrow had come from.

Soon after, a cold and indifferent figure holding a great bow appeared in his sight.

"Is this..."

Concentrating his gaze, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable showed a look of surprise:

"How could he possibly still have Daoist inheritance..."

But before he finished, the ancient golden arrow completely erupted, feeling the boundless, unparalleled pure yang power, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable also showed a hint of solemnity, clenching his fist and swinging fiercely!

Clang——

In an instant, a golden and black pillar of light collided fiercely like meteors.

The terrifying explosion from the collision shook all directions, with destructive shockwave strikes raising billions of waves, raging, shining, twisting, ripping the surrounding space to fragments, turned into a state of voided chaos.

"Qi Xiu, is it? I shall remember you. The next time I descend upon Central Earth, I will make a personal visit to pay respects."

Within the endless, vast clouds of dust, the voice of the Soul Refining Demon Venerable eerily echoed.

Only to see that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner suddenly rose, transforming into a black light that wrapped the astonished Black Robed Demon Master, smashing through the space-bounding, intending to escape.

"Demon Venerable, are you unable to defeat him?"

Enveloped by the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, the Black Robed Demon Master looked bewildered. He wasted no less than five hundred years of lifespan hoping to summon the Soul Refining Demon Venerable to kill Qi Xiu.

Not to flee with him in a panic like a lost dog.

"Your mere lifespan is only enough to summon a wisp of my consciousness. If my true body were here, I would definitely take this one back to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains to study thoroughly.

But today... is not the right time."

Recalling the figure he had just seen, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable’s brows remained undelineated.

But just as he was about to leave with the Black Robed Demon Master, a long dragon roar reverberated, an ancient overpowering rope pierced through the Void Yu Bi, and with unstoppable force, penetrated the protection of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, binding the astonished Black Robed Demon Master tightly.

"Demon Venerable, save..."

The complete sentence was never shouted out. There was only a loud boom, and the Black Robed Demon Master was abruptly pulled back by the Dragon Binding Rope.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned his head; the Soul Refining Demon Venerable’s gaze was cold.

That young Daoist stood resolutely in place, the Black Robed Demon Master, forcibly pulled back, was now under his foot. Noticing his gaze, the Daoist smiled with cupped hands and said:

"If the Demon Venerable wishes to leave, I, Qi, bid you farewell. When next you descend upon Central Earth, I shall certainly welcome you.

However, he must remain here today."

The Soul Refining Demon Venerable gave the young Daoist a long, deep look, suddenly breaking into a meaningful smile.

"Well, this makes things interesting.

Today’s events are noted."

As his words faded, the Soul Refining Demon Venerable disappeared without a trace, taking with him the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, under the despairing gaze of the Black Robed Demon Master.

Watching the departure of the Soul Refining Demon Venerable with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Qi Xiu revealed a trace of regret in his eyes:

"What a pity, if only I could leave this magical treasure behind, it would surely enhance my cultivation of the ’Primordial Gold Chapter’.

The nearby Black Robed Demon Master was equally astonished upon hearing this.

Sir, do you still speak human words?

After murmuring quietly, Qi Xiu looked down at the Black Robed Demon Master at his feet, slowly revealing a "benevolent" smile.

"You have a Primordial Spirit Treasure for protection, you must be distinguished. Come, I have a few questions to ask you."

"Don’t waste your efforts. All of us have a restriction placed before we leave. If we divulge anything, we will die for certain. You should just kill me."

Understanding that he had become a discarded pawn, the Black Robed Demon Master’s expression was gloomy, his gaze as lifeless as stagnant water.

"Is that so? That is indeed a pity.

However, I believe the True Venerable of our race may have a method to break this so-called restriction." With a sweep of his sleeve, Qi Xiu collected the Black Robed Demon Master and then looked toward the battlefield.

This time, the number of Demon Kings and Demon Lords present was one-third more than the Human Race True Monarchs.

Additionally, besides the Black Robed Demon Master, there were fifteen disciples of the Demon Ancestor and Demon Venerable carrying Primordial Spirit Treasures.

In comparison, the Human Race True Monarchs were at a disadvantage in number, and the Primordial Spirit Treasures they carried were only on par with their opponents.

Yet, inexplicably, on the battlefield at that moment, the Human Race True Monarchs, facing a numerically superior force of Demon Kings and Demon Lords, repeatedly erupted with strength far exceeding ordinary capabilities.

In their mastery of various techniques and Dharma Gates, they were more proficient than usual. Occasionally, flashes of insight left their demonic adversaries shocked and hesitant.

Sensing something amiss, Qi Xiu formed seals with both hands and there came a resonant hum. Behind his head, a vast, boundless Merit Golden Wheel suddenly appeared, illuminating all worlds.

Under the thousand threads of Human Path Merit Golden Light, the skin of these Human Race True Monarchs was cloaked in a thin yet resilient layer of golden light.

It was precisely this layer of golden light’s blessing that allowed the Human Race True Monarchs to unleash power far stronger than usual, even amidst this bloody battle. Not only did they not lose cultivation, but they also comprehended many difficult points usually elusive.

"Human Path Merit’s blessing?"

Qi Xiu’s expression was astonished, his gaze slightly shifted.

Endowed with the extensive Human Dao Merit, he had even refined a Merit Treasure, his understanding of the uses of Human Path Merit naturally exceeding ordinary cultivators.

Among the Human Cultivators, many possessed Human Dao Merit.

Indeed, in today’s Central Earth’s realm, there is no Demonic Path or sinister sect; all are righteous Daoist cultivators. In daily life, they vanquish demons, help the people, naturally gaining merit.

However, ordinary cultivators, though capable of virtuous deeds and accumulating merit,

also inadvertently damage their merit through trivial matters.

But when merit accumulates to a certain degree, one may condense a Merit Golden Wheel, gaining the Divine Marvel blessing of Human Path Merit.

Yet the blessing efficacy of Human Path Merit is not the same for everyone.

Some Merit Golden Wheels can enhance cultivation, others can bring luck.

His Merit Golden Wheel, for example, obscures all deductions, investigations, and divinations, even fiercely retaliating against casters.

"Without condensing a Merit Golden Wheel, unexpectedly receiving such profound merit blessing.

Heavenly Dao self-bound, myriad paths flourish!

It seems that after the calamity begins, the Human Dao will gradually assert power..." gazing at these True Monarchs who were blessed by the Divine Marvel of Human Path Merit, Qi Xiu whispered softly to himself.

...