Crowning the Half-Ancestor

Xiao Chen no longer required special preparation to perform the Sacred Sacrifice; he could do it anytime, anywhere, without fear of mishap.

He could sense that this Eternal King's stone body was exceptional. This time, instead of channeling the divine power into the formation diagram for storage, he directed it to flow directly into his own flesh, hoping to break through the bottleneck that had held him.

Keke was also within the range of the blessing. Xiao Chen knew the little beast was gifted beyond compare, so he wanted it to absorb the Stone Man's life essence and see if it could make another breakthrough.

The distant battle, thousands of li away, raged on fiercely. Xiao Chen paid it no heed, focusing entirely on drawing in the Stone Man's essence.

In a sense, a Stone Man's essence was a full realm above that of an Ancestral God. The stone-body incarnation condensed by a powerhouse like the Eternal King—nearly invincible below the Ancestral God level—was especially extraordinary.

Mighty divine power surged and billowed. The region was cloaked in luminous mist, completely veiled.

Keke grew unusually serious. The little beast sat obediently, drawing the Stone Man's essence into its body, circulating its clan's secret method to temper its physique.

Their race possessed peerless divine abilities, unmatched talent, but was slightly lacking in physical cultivation. Xiao Chen did this to fortify its body, preventing future dangers.

Tens of thousands of divine rays burst forth. Xiao Chen and Keke's bodies erupted with sky-piercing light. Keke, in particular, shone like a small sun. Its flesh, veins, and meridians were continuously cleansed by the Stone Man's essence, growing stronger and tougher; even its snow-white fur became crystalline.

Then, Xiao Chen released the Little Defiant Dragon and the others from his acupoint spaces. He did not want to play favorites. He let everyone immerse themselves in the vast sea of Stone Man essence.

At the same time, he released the essence of the Otherworld Stone Man he had slain earlier from the divine diagram, enveloping the group.

Babula did not join in, however. He walked off to one side on his own. Xiao Chen did not press him.

Even with a Stone Man's essence, it could not absolutely elevate everyone's strength. Breakthroughs depended ultimately on each individual's enlightenment. This was merely an opportunity.

Finally, Xiao Chen had a thought. He transmitted the Martial Ancestor's True Scripture into Keke's divine sea. The Martial Ancestor had once said to pass it on to the little beast when the time was right. Now that it had reached the Ancestral God realm, it was time for it to master this physical cultivation method.

Keke instantly became utterly serious, even taking on a solemn, Buddha-like aura. Its tiny paws formed hand seals continuously, revealing flashes of enlightenment. It was comprehending at incredible speed.

Next, Xiao Chen transmitted the Martial Ancestor's True Scripture into the Little Defiant Dragon's divine sea. No one was more suited to this method than he. The Little Defiant Dragon was a genius of martial cultivation, and with this scripture, he would surely ascend to an even higher level.

Time flowed. The group sat cross-legged on the deathly earth, all covered in divine radiance, solemn and sacred.

Needless to say, Sha Polang and the Nine-Headed Serpent gained little. They were only at the Half-Ancestor level and could hardly refine much of the Stone Man's essence.

Among those present, the Little Defiant Dragon gained the most. By corroborating the Martial Ancestor's True Scripture with dragon clan combat arts, he reaped tremendous benefits. Guiding the Stone Man's essence into his body, he broke through from the Sixth Heaven to the Seventh Heaven of the War Ancestor realm.

Tianwaitian, Renwairen, Yingxiong, and the three Tree-Man Kings all resided within the Great Dread Nether King's war body. In the short term, they did not want to forge new bodies, for nothing was more important than strength at this stage. They jointly guided the Stone Man's essence inward. Though they did not break through this time, they stabilized the war body, truly making it their own.

Then, Keke opened its eyes. Its gaze was pure, its divine consciousness more condensed, and its physical body hardened to an extremely terrifying degree. It would surely progress much more smoothly along the Upper Ancestral God path from now on.

Finally, Xiao Chen opened his eyes as well. Two pale golden beams shot forth, as if he had gained some of the qualities of a Stone Man.

At the same time, within Xiao Chen's body, each divinized acupoint seemed to be undergoing a primal creation, shrouded in chaos. Especially the three hundred and sixty-five major acupoints—within them, countless transformations took place. In the chaos, points of starlight glittered.

Moreover, in each of the three hundred and sixty-five major acupoints, seated atop the chaos-clouds, was a figure, as if they were suppressing an entire great world.

Just then, from Xiao Chen's body burst a sky-shaking, long roar—the unified cry of the three hundred and sixty-five great gods.

In that instant, they all opened their eyes. Golden light shot from Xiao Chen's torso—the gaze of the three hundred and sixty-five great gods.

The Death World trembled. The terrifying aura made tens of millions of fire-seed creatures prostrate themselves. Even the powerhouses battling thousands of li away all changed color.

One after another, phantom figures appeared around Xiao Chen. Some formed hand seals, some held up the sky with a single hand, some bowed their heads in contemplation, some sat cross-legged in meditation, some lay sleeping, others stood majestically—each in a different posture.

“So many wild gods! Catch them!” Sha Polang shouted, causing trouble without the slightest reverence.

Even Keke was curious about those hazy figures, waving its little paws as if eager to catch one and examine it.

Light flashed. All the figures vanished, sinking back into Xiao Chen's acupoint spaces.

This time, Xiao Chen had finally shattered the shackles and reached the peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Half-Ancestor realm!

To advance further, he would have to make a choice soon. There was no more room for hesitation, for he had reached the ultimate limit of an ordinary Half-Ancestor.

In a sense, he had to cultivate the Stone Man method or comprehend the Upper Ancestral God method. And he possessed the most knowledge of the Stone Man path.

Xiao Chen calmed himself for a moment, suppressing the urge to choose immediately.

He took out the Little Sacred Tree and returned it to Keke. Then, he retrieved the Dark-Iron War Suit he had brought from the Death Heavenly Palace over a hundred thousand years ago and handed it to the one controlling the Great Dread Nether King's war body—Tianwaitian and Yingxiong. Finally, he took out the Ancestral Dragon Drum obtained from the Otherworld Ancestral God Chuntian over ten thousand years ago and gave it to the Little Defiant Dragon.

“Let's go. We'll clean up the mess now. I'll go into seclusion soon.”

Before long, Xiao Chen and the others returned to that battlefield.

The seven Stone Men from the ancient seven demon cities had all been severely wounded, their combat power drastically reduced. The Truewood Female Saint, the Upper Ancestral God Bolinqu, and the Eternal King Meng Degang, along with the powerful creatures from the depths of the Death World, had joined forces to besiege the master of the Imperial City and the seven Stone Men.

But as time passed, they grew increasingly terrified. The Imperial City hovering high in the sky and the seven demon cities around it were endlessly providing divine power to that hazy figure.

His strength seemed inexhaustible, as if he could never spend it all, unleashing combat power comparable to a Stone Man King. He was invincible from the start!

Many had already lost confidence. The great battle was nearing its end. When the powerful undead riding the Infernal Demon Dragon was the first to flee, the other formidable creatures from the Death World's depths also routed and fled.

Their collapse was so sudden. The reversal of fortune came so fast. The three Otherworld giants had never expected such an outcome and also began to flee.

“Seal her!” The hazy figure from the Imperial City pointed at the Truewood Female Saint. The seven Stone Men instantly understood and joined forces to pursue her.

Meanwhile, he himself used his supreme power to seize Meng Degang's giant city in an instant, joining with the high-hovering Imperial City as they descended together.

Rumble!

A giant stone palm slammed down. Dust and smoke shot up to the heavens. The Eternal King Meng Degang's giant city shattered, more than half collapsing. Rubble cascaded like a flood and waterfall from the high sky, crashing into the Death World, causing the land to shake violently.

But the hazy figure from the Imperial City did not press the fatal strike. Instead, he departed with the Imperial City, racing away, for he had no more time. He chased after the Upper Ancestral God Bolinqu. He sensed that this man was the greatest threat and did not want to let him escape.

As for the so-called Eternal King Meng Degang, his foundation as a Stone Man had been severed. For the rest of his life, he would likely never walk the Stone Man path again.

When the battlefield quieted, three skeletons once again appeared furtively. Together, they hoisted the half-destroyed giant city and then scampered off at full speed.

In the sky, the Eternal King Meng Degang, nursing his wounds within the half-city, sensed what was happening below. His nose practically twisted with rage. Smoke was pouring from all seven orifices!

It was those three damned skeletons again!

Bold as ever, they were carrying out their thievery right under his nose.

Inside the half-city in the sky, Meng Degang was about to burst a lung.

And Xiao Chen, watching from the shadows, was also stunned. Then he called out, “King Qin Guang! King Yan Luo! King Reincarnation!”

At the same moment, the Eternal King Meng Degang also roared, “Where do you think you're going!”

The three snow-white skeletons stopped, looking back in confusion. When they saw Xiao Chen, they instantly dropped the enormous half-city, waving their arms and legs wildly, displaying a skeleton's version of a wide grin.

Xiao Chen had never expected to meet the three skeletons here, after over ten thousand years. Seeing them again stirred boundless emotion.

Keke was also excited, hopping and jumping with joy. On Dragon Island back then, it had known these three even before Xiao Chen had.

King Qin Guang clacked his jaw bones and then sent a mental fluctuation toward the diving Eternal King Meng Degang: “Oh, enthusiastic Stone Man sir, you needn't be so polite. We'll settle for just half the stone city. Of course, if you insist on giving the other half as well, we'll gladly accept.”

With that, the three fellows gestured at Xiao Chen behind them, meaning—let's take this city down and capture the Eternal King Meng Degang.

“You worms…” Meng Degang's voice was icy and murderous. Two bands of robbers appearing at once and being so arrogant filled him with rage.

Meeting the three kings unexpectedly delighted Xiao Chen. He laughed heartily and said, “Meng Degang, be a good sport. The city is already broken. Send down the other half as well. And of course, if you're willing, you can leave your true stone body behind. We'd be most grateful.”

In that moment, Meng Degang's true form charged out of the half-city. His foundation as a Stone Man had been severed, dashing his hopes, but it also broke the shackles that bound him.

He was a towering, mighty Stone Man. His beard bristled like a porcupine's quills, and his mane of hair was thick. At first glance, he looked like a stone lion—martial and imposing.

“Want it? In my day, I was living the high life, full of domineering spirit. You're not nearly as impressive as I was.” King Qin Guang said as he ascended to the sky, radiating the full authority of an Upper Ancestral Lord.

“Recalling those glorious years, one cannot help but sigh over the passage of time. How I miss them… I ate two fewer bowls of noodles.” King Yan Luo shook his head and tottered, also rising to the sky.

“I raise my cup to the blue sky. Alas, let us share in the world's melancholy. Long-maned lion, would you be willing to ride the wind away with me, to transform into a wisp of clear breeze and become my mount?” King Reincarnation put on an impoverished, insufferable air.

Meng Degang sucked in a cold breath. He had never imagined these three wretched skeletons had reached the Upper Ancestral Lord realm. On an ordinary day, naturally, he would not fear them, but now—after having his incarnation shattered and his Stone Man foundation severed—he was severely weakened. It was difficult to say whether he could kill these people.

Xiao Chen, Keke, and the Little Defiant Dragon also soared into the sky, surrounding the grievously wounded Eternal King Meng Degang.

As for Otherworld giants, there was no need to speak of honor or one-on-one duels.

“You…” The Eternal King's heart sank. He silently assessed the balance of power on both sides, and the conclusion was tragic.

Xiao Chen directly summoned the Stone Man King puppet, spread out the divine diagram and the ancient scroll, and the three Heavenly Marks transformed into giant steles. On his palm, he also held a regal city aloft, his gaze menacing.

“Meng Degang, let's make a deal. I only borrowed your upper half earlier. This time, could you also donate your other half of the stone body?”

With such formidable power arrayed here, Xiao Chen and the others were full of confidence and utterly unafraid to fight.

“Goddamn it!” Meng Degang had the urge to curse. In all his long years, he had never been so humiliated as today.

The mighty Eternal King, undefeated below the Ancestral God level, had his incarnation stolen, then his city plundered by the same group—it was like falling twice in the same hole. Now even his true body was threatened. The rage burned within him.

Those bastards! Those thugs! Those bandits! Meng Degang cursed inwardly.

The Stone Man King puppet advanced step by step. Even without a soul, it was still a true king and terrifying.

A mighty king's domain blanketed the sky, covering the heavens. Meng Degang immediately recoiled, not daring to step inside.

Xiao Chen threw the regal city with a flick of his wrist, sending it crashing down toward Meng Degang. The great battle erupted so suddenly.

Badly wounded, Meng Degang could not display the power of the Eternal King. At most, he could bring out forty percent of his strength.

Suddenly, he felt half his body go numb. He instantly glared at the three skeletons, who were huddled together, mumbling and acting suspicious.

He realized immediately that the three damned skeletons were casting the most mysterious and evil curse power! He was furious beyond measure, hating those three wretched skeletons to the extreme.

Bang!

The Stone Man King puppet threw a punch. Meng Degang dodged quickly to the side.

Boom!

The towering regal city descended from the sky, crushing down upon him.

Meng Degang took a step and vanished from his spot, but he was met by Keke's supreme divine light. He snarled and charged forward.

Thud!

But at that moment, a stone spear pierced through. Xiao Chen appeared abruptly, his formidable combat arts combining with Keke's divine ability, forcing Meng Degang back.

Shwoosh!

In the sky, the divine diagram was surrounded by dozens of War Swords, sweeping down millions of sword beams. The clanging sound was unending—this was the invincible sword formation that Xiao Chen rarely deployed.

Meng Degang cried out. He sensed danger. Vertical and horizontal cuts appeared on his body, leaving seven or eight sword marks.

Boom!

The three Heavenly Marks transformed into heavenly locks, pressing in on him.

Meng Degang's expression was dark. Trapped here, if this continued, he would certainly suffer a great loss.

Of course, the greatest threat to him was still the relentlessly pursuing Stone Man King puppet, whose heaven-defying combat power made his heart palpitate.

In that moment, he made a decisive choice. He could not hold on any longer. Fleeing was the wise option. His true body, if it wished to escape, not even Xiao Chen's Eight Aspect Worlds could stop him.

Bang!

Meng Degang felt his other half go numb. The three furtive skeletons had cast their curse on him again. His expression was ugly beyond words. He felt his movements slowing down.

“Fall! Fall! Fall…”

The three sinister skeletons clapped their hands from the side and shouted.

“Just you wait…”

With those words, he vanished. He burned the Stone Man's essence, executing a secret art to flee this region.

“You can't escape. With our curse upon you, as long as you're still in the Death World, we've got you locked on.” King Qin Guang, looking mystical, pointed his bony finger east and west, then pointed deep into the Death World. “He fled in that direction. Conveniently, it's the same way we're headed.”

“After him!”

Gathering up the broken half-city, Xiao Chen and the others gave chase at full speed. With the combined power they now had, they could kill the weakened Meng Degang. This was an excellent opportunity.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Everyone moved at their utmost speed. Soon, they penetrated deep into the Death World, traveling a hundred thousand li until they reached a deathly basin, where yin energy was dense and sinister.

Using the Pangu Stone Token to conceal their auras, they approached silently.

The three skeletons were about to strike, but Xiao Chen stopped them. “Let me.”

This time, Xiao Chen decided to go all out.

He opened his acupoint space and took out a stone stele, no more than a meter tall—ancient, unadorned, and very ordinary.

It was the true body of the Heavenly Stele acquired from the auction, not a Heavenly Mark—a real Heavenly Stele.

Xiao Chen slowly infused his full divine power into it, simultaneously channeling the divine diagram, the ancient scroll, and the Heavenly Marks into his body to transfer divine power. Then, he hurled the stele, now magnified to the size of a mountain, with enormous force.

Boom!

This was a true Heavenly Stele. Its might was overwhelming. It came down heavily, crushing the valley. Its vast aura alarmed the entire Death Continent. Many powerful creatures all looked in this direction.

An unmatched, terrifying force shook the myriad heavens. In an instant, the sky shattered, the earth split apart, time and space collapsed. The valley ceased to exist.

A furious roar rang out. Meng Degang's trace vanished. He had fled after all.

The Heavenly Stele descended, shrinking back to a meter in length. At the same time, a Stone Man's arm fell to the ground.

Xiao Chen immediately collapsed to the ground, his divine power drained. But as he held that stone arm, he laughed.

The mighty Eternal King had even lost a stone arm from his true body. He must be going mad.

“Were you with Qingqing?” Xiao Chen turned and asked the three skeletons.