Chapter 910: Great Terror

Zhu Yan, a formidable beast renowned even in ancient times, unleashed terrifying power in this desperate moment. Though not in his true form, he manifested thousands of avatars to resist the might of the sword array.

However, despite his bronze skin and iron bones, Zhu Yan was still far from indestructible. He could not withstand the damage from immortal swords, let alone their sharpened edges, empowered by the sword array.

Each of Zhu Yan’s beastly forms was torn apart by countless sword lights, their skin cut, flesh sliced, tendons severed, and bones stripped.

Any of Zhu Yan’s demonic forms that managed to endure for a longer period immediately drew more sword lights. Like countless Green Vine Immortal Swords flashing down, demonic energy and flesh intertwined with sword qi and sword intent.

Under the terrifying, world-ending power of the sword array, Zhu Yan couldn't even reach Ji Yuan, forced instead to focus solely on self-preservation.

Among them, one of Zhu Yan’s forms radiated demonic energy as brilliant as the sword qi within the array. Though constantly cut to shreds by the immortal swords, it remained standing, even roaring and attacking the incoming sword forms at this critical moment.

“Roar—”

“Bang bang bang bang bang…”

Each time Zhu Yan was wounded, the demonic energy on his body intensified, and endless vital energy and life force surged within his demonic form. Every wound healed at an extremely fast rate; although the healing couldn't keep up with the speed of injury, it was constantly accelerating.

This healing couldn't completely dispel the sword intent and sword qi that remained in his demonic body, yet Zhu Yan seemed to let these energies rampage within him, enduring everything with unimaginable vitality.

All of Zhu Yan’s usable treasures had been unleashed; some were still desperately resisting the sword array’s sharpness for their master, while others had long been completely destroyed and torn apart by its edge.

Only when he was truly on the verge of collapse did Zhu Yan resort to desperate measures. He would shatter a mountain illusion, creating an equally terrifying explosion, or directly detonate a treasure to generate an impact, thereby offsetting some of the sword array’s power and gaining even a brief moment to catch his breath and adjust his body.

“Hoh, roar—Ji Yuan, you can't kill me—you can't—”

Zhu Yan’s flesh-torn face appeared ferocious and terrifying. His eyes glared furiously in the direction of Ji Yuan’s true body, as he let out a hoarse but horrifying roar.

“Puff puff...”

But the next moment, an unknown number of immortal swords slashed past, and Zhu Yan's eyes immediately exploded.

“Ugh—hahahahaha... hahahahahaha…”

Zhu Yan screamed, covering his eyes. Some demonic blood spurted out and tried to return but was instantly shredded by sword light. Yet, Zhu Yan continued to laugh, a mix of miserable and mocking laughter, as if completely indifferent to his current plight.

Ji Yuan knew that Zhu Yan was pushing himself to his absolute limits: from his physique to his soul, from his demonic essence to his life force, and from his stored treasures to his innate primordial power—everything was being pushed to the extreme.

“Uwah—Ji Yuan, I won't let you get away, I won't let you get away—”

Zhu Yan was completely insane at this point. He didn't even know if he could endure it. Left Wuji, Li Feng, the Way of Heaven and Earth, or breaking the heavens with chess—none of it mattered. He was now enveloped in endless rage, thinking of only one thing.

‘I, Zhu Yan, will surely slay Ji Yuan!’

Ji Yuan had previously held Zhu Yan in very high regard, but Zhu Yan’s current endurance and terrifying vitality still completely exceeded Ji Yuan’s imagination.

Since arriving in this world, Ji Yuan had constantly faced things stronger than himself. While his worldview was repeatedly challenged, he was also perpetually enveloped by the pressure of heavenly tribulations. Enduring pressure was Ji Yuan’s instinct, maintaining composure was his nature, and now, he prioritized all living beings over himself.

Ji Yuan didn't consider the possibility of Zhu Yan enduring, nor did he contemplate the consequences for himself. In fact, at this moment, he had even stopped thinking about the ongoing battle, instead seizing the opportunity to ponder the refinement of the sword array.

Even though the character spirits and the Green Vine Sword had coexisted for many years and originated from the same source, the conception and evolution of the sword array were relatively recent. What better opportunity to deduce and perfect the sword array than this very moment?

Ji Yuan seemed to have split into two. Where his true body stood, he continuously channeled magic power, constantly directing the sword array to crush Zhu Yan. Meanwhile, outside his true body, his Heaven and Earth Dharma Form stood like a bystander in this realm, observing Ji Yuan’s calm response and Zhu Yan’s soaring malevolence.

Gradually, no other colors remained between heaven and earth. Apart from Zhu Yan’s life-infused crimson demonic energy, all that remained was the endless destructive sharpness unleashed by the sword array.

Yet, within this expanse of pale destruction, new colors began to emerge. Life seemed to appear on the earth, and flowing nimbus lights seemed to appear in the sky…

This vitality was different from Zhu Yan’s restless and malevolent life force; it was gentle. This nimbus light, unlike Zhu Yan’s exaggerated crimson demonic energy, was agile. Many colors were similar to Zhu Yan’s current changes, yet entirely different, and many more were colors Zhu Yan did not possess…

Soft blues, vibrant greens, fiery reds, and ethereal whites like rainbows, sun, and moon…

These changes also began from the four cardinal directions, evolving towards the center. Where they passed, there was no brilliant radiance, but rather beautiful colors, sometimes appearing as solitary mists, sometimes converging into flowing rainbows…

The vast darkness of the earth was also part of a painting, but this painting was not actually drawn by Ji Yuan. Its true essence was the Xiezhi Scroll, merely adorned by Ji Yuan.

From discussing Zhu Yan’s possible actions, to setting the trap and ensnaring him within it, and then observing the subsequent reactions of both Ji Yuan and Zhu Yan—Xiezhi witnessed everything.

But at this moment, Xiezhi felt not just shocked but also deeply perturbed. From ancient times until now, Xiezhi had never found anything truly terrifying or daunting. Even when facing the Great Golden Crow, hailed as the Demon Emperor, though the disparity in power was immense, it was merely a matter of defeat or death.

But at this moment, Xiezhi was truly unsettled; he finally understood what fear was. What he feared was not the terrifying Zhu Yan in this desperate situation, but rather Ji Yuan, who had always been gentle and refined, believed in true goodness, and upheld his own path of immortality.

Even at such a time, Ji Yuan could still deduce and refine the sword array, causing it to evolve in this extremely short period, undergoing changes that might not occur in a hundred or even a thousand years under normal circumstances…

How admirable, yet how terrifying! Xiezhi felt his hair stand on end as he looked at Ji Yuan, as if an electric current was coursing through his body.

Ji Yuan himself held no hostility towards Xiezhi, and Xiezhi felt no enmity. Although sword intent soared to the heavens outside, it was not directed at Xiezhi.

Xiezhi’s fear and reverence were for Ji Yuan’s dedication to understanding the Dao, and for his comprehension and transformation of it, almost as if he revered the very rules of heaven and earth.

Within the destructive sword array, the changes in colors became increasingly random and unpredictable, and Zhu Yan’s roars grew somewhat hysterical. Though mad, he hadn't lost his sanity; a more terrifying sensation was approaching, and he knew it well in his heart.

But Zhu Yan’s eyes were blind; even if they recovered, they would instantly burst again. His other five senses were equally useless. Only his sixth sense told him that a desperate situation was imminent. He could only vent his fear through continuous roars and curses, and constantly activate more powerful demonic spells in a futile attempt to resist.

Just then, Ji Yuan slowly exhaled a long breath. All killing intent within the sword array gradually receded, and all colors slowly dissipated, first returning to destruction and paleness, and then even the sword intent and sword qi began to weaken.

“Ho… ho… ho… ho…”

Zhu Yan panted hoarsely, his mangled face splitting into a bloody, gaping maw.

“Ho ho ho ho… Hahahahahaha—Ji Yuan, you can't hold on! Hahahaha—”

Zhu Yan laughed maniacally in his hoarse voice. His demonic energy suddenly surged significantly, his body continuously expanded, and his flesh steadily healed, as if all the previous attacks had no effect on him. Even his eyes were slowly recovering, meeting Ji Yuan’s pale gaze in the distance.

At this moment, Zhu Yan, amidst his ecstatic relief at surviving, was momentarily stunned. Ji Yuan was too calm. He could indeed feel that Ji Yuan’s vital energy was greatly depleted, but those pale eyes were as still as an ancient well, yet now seemed to carry a hint of mockery.

“Is this enough?”

A faint voice emanated from Ji Yuan's mouth, as if asking someone.

Zhu Yan knew Ji Yuan couldn't possibly be asking him; Ji Yuan had never spoken to him in such a gentle tone before.

‘Who? Is there someone else here?’

“Hehehe… Enough!”

A hoarse voice, laced with a sinister chuckle, suddenly came from beneath his feet. Zhu Yan shuddered and looked down, only to see that the dark earth had now turned into a white scroll, with a ferocious giant beast lying prostrate upon it…

“Xiezhi? It's you!”

Amidst Zhu Yan's furious roar, Xiezhi's voice also reverberated through heaven and earth.

“Too late to realize now!”

Demonic energy, like wisps of smoke, had enveloped the entire space at some unknown point. The original darkness had originated from it and had now merged into the array.

A Xiezhi from the painting, amidst Zhu Yan’s intense reaction, leaped out from the scroll, facing the strong demonic energy, and pounced on Zhu Yan.

Ji Yuan had already driven Zhu Yan into desperate situations multiple times and had weakened him to this extent. If Xiezhi still couldn't succeed now, he might as well bash his head against a tofu block and die.