How did they even get stronger

Within the Five Elements Realm.

"Could they have annihilated each other inside?" Zhi Duoluo considered the possibility.

If so, while he could obtain the Jade Phoenix Divine Artifact, he would lose both the True Dragon and True Phoenix bloodlines.

He wanted all of them.

The other half-demons grew restless, eager to investigate.

But Zhi Duoluo decided to wait a little longer, instructing his half-demon followers to prepare their ambush.

The battle between Wu Mo and Luan Bing, even if not yet concluded, should be nearing its end.

Meanwhile, the gathered demons, initially silent, now buzzed with discussion.

None noticed the few half-demons who had slipped away, lurking in the shadows.

And then—

Boom!

The sky roared as countless celestial phenomena converged, like thunder on a clear day, before shrinking toward the peak of the solitary mountain.

A single thought arose in every demon’s mind:

The Celestial Jade... had chosen its master?

Outside the realm.

Divine Monk Huaikong suddenly clasped his hands and murmured a Buddhist chant: "This humble monk’s merit in the Southern Border is now complete."

The halo of wisdom behind his head flickered faintly.

When he looked up, he met Shang Qinqing’s gaze—the former Demon Saint’s face was devoid of its usual smile.

Huaikong dared not hold her gaze, turning instead to the heavens.

But the sight atop the solitary mountain left all who beheld it stunned. The grand courtyard of the Hanging Temple fell into silence.

"Who ultimately claimed the Jade Phoenix Divine Artifact?"

"Tsk, look at their state—they must have fought fiercely."

......

So, since I accidentally dirtied her delicate foot, isn’t it only reasonable to wipe it clean for her?

Young Li Mo believed one should take responsibility for their actions.

Thus, he resolved to clean it thoroughly.

But the more he wiped, the dirtier it became...

And the dirtier it got, the more he wiped...

Until, as if the Jade Phoenix Divine Artifact could no longer bear the sight, it retracted its radiance and plunged into Ying Bing’s forehead.

So abruptly that she couldn’t even begin refining it.

"I bet our peerless Heavenly Dragon seized the Celestial Jade!"

"Give it up. The mighty True Dragon bloodline is battered and bloodied."

"And the Qingluan Goddess is just putting on a brave face. Look at her—she can barely stand. Does she look like she obtained the Celestial Jade?"

Clueless bystander demons argued over the scene before them.

Then—

Screech!

A piercing cry tore through the air.

Over a dozen figures shot upward, led by a demon wreathed in the ferocious aura of a Golden Roc, its wings blotting out the sky.

The half-demons had struck!

As "Divine Children," they lived up to their title.

Their attacks carried not only overwhelming bloodline power but also the martial essence of human cultivators!

"You’re all spent, aren’t you?"

"Did the Dragon and Phoenix ever imagine that I, Zhi Duoluo, would have the last laugh?"

"Keh keh keh!"

He moved like lightning, his blade slashing like the Roc’s wing—a merciless strike meant to sever heaven itself.

The ambush unfolded too quickly.

Neither the demons below nor the watching demon kings could react in time.

"Good thing I changed back in time."

"Otherwise, the peerless Heavenly Dragon’s reputation would’ve been ruined..."

Just as Li Mo thought this, he sensed killing intent.

Instinctively, he pulled the girl behind him, his body glowing with golden light.

Dang~~~

Zhi Duoluo’s blade struck as if hitting a colossal bell, the reverberations echoing endlessly.

"You~~ two~~ aren’t..."

His voice trembled in disbelief.

But soon, it wasn’t just his voice that froze.

The icy gaze locking onto him brimmed with lethal intent...

The other half-demons hesitated, wondering why the mountain peak had suddenly turned so cold.

And why snowflakes were drifting down...

And why there was now an ice sculpture...

Wait—that wasn’t a sculpture. That was Zhi Duoluo!

In an instant, the half-demons looked as if they’d seen a ghost.

"Charge together! They’re just bluffing—they’re exhausted!"

"Even an Inner Realm expert would fall to our numbers!"

"With our combined strength, we’ll slaughter them!"

With other demons watching, retreat wasn’t an option.

A half-demon of the Winged Qiongqi clan roared, his phantom tiger absorbing the incense smoke around him and swelling in size.

Like a true-blooded Qiongqi descending upon the world.

Its blazing eyes locked onto Ying Bing and let out a mighty roar:

"Meow..."

Qiongqi Divine Child: "?"

The others fared no better.

"Was that incense smoke empowering their phantoms?"

Li Mo headbutted a hapless snake half-demon into the ground, deep in thought.

It reminded him of the Spirit Worship ceremony.

True spirits could indeed grow stronger through worship, just as one’s soul could—like the "Self as Deity" technique, which used others’ faith to nourish the soul.

Hmm.

But compared to the ice block beside him, their power was like fireflies against the moon.

Freshly bonded with the Jade Phoenix Divine Artifact, Ying Bing’s aura alone exuded supremacy over all demons.

These so-called Divine Children’s spirits were inherently suppressed.

At this sight, the avian demons cheered, while the aquatic demons wore conflicted expressions.

The girl’s commanding presence left no doubt—

The Qingluan Goddess now embodied the Celestial Jade.

And if she survived, she would one day rule the Southern Border’s demonkind.

Yet, faced with her majesty, who could oppose her?

Among the Hanging Temple monks, Divine Monk Huaikong sighed in relief.

Shang Qinqing remained silent, her joy tinged with sorrow.

"Our Mingjiao Clan will have hard days ahead," Wu Qing murmured gloomily.

"My dear, I disagree," Murong Feng chuckled, stroking his beard.

When his wife shot him a questioning look, he merely smiled mysteriously—prompting her to pinch his waist.

"Ow—wife, not here! This isn’t the place..."

The demons debated, but none intervened.

There was no need.

By the time they arrived, the fight would already be over.

......

Meanwhile, within the Five Elements Realm, the battle was indeed ending.

Zhi Duoluo barely broke free from the ice when a hammer came crashing down.

He couldn’t fathom how these two had emerged stronger than before their duel.

All he managed was a choked:

"My Divine Sect..."

Before the hammer silenced him forever.

This strike marked the end of the Celestial Jade’s struggle.

"You think I’d let you report back?" Li Mo snorted, stowing his hammer.

After a pause, he frowned.

Something felt missing.

Ah, right.

The Jade Phoenix Divine Artifact was now with the ice block.

"Where’s my investment return?!"