Five Forbidden Powers, Under the Gaze of the Gods

Three days later.

The invasion of Demon Creatures across the world came to a halt, leaving the Martial Alliance astonished by this phenomenon.

Yet, they quickly seized the opportunity to methodically advance the initiative of universal martial training.

At this moment.

In the Western Nation.

Dark clouds gathered and thunder rumbled over the No. 1 Forbidden Zone.

"Night King! You deserve death—do you truly comprehend the consequences of stealing the power of the Forbidden Zone?!"

A furious roar echoed through the shadowy depths of the Forbidden Zone, laced with both rage and terror.

The Giant Demon God, who should have been the sovereign ruler of the No. 1 Forbidden Zone, now knelt on one knee, its massive frame trembling with unwillingness as it glared at the dark figure hovering above.

The entire ground was pierced and covered by black, claw-like projections.

Gu Yan stood silently in the air, his form growing increasingly eerie under the dim light.

Cloaked in black robes, he exuded an aura of darkness and malevolence.

"Annoying."

Seeing the creature below still struggling in its death throes, Gu Yan merely raised a hand and flicked his fingers lightly.

Boom!

"Argh—!"

An invisible force erupted instantly, sending the Giant Demon God flying thousands of meters before it crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting a mouthful of blood.

The Giant Demon God struggled to rise, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t withstand Gu Yan’s overwhelming pressure.

"Night King..."

Gasping for breath, the Giant Demon God’s eyes reflected utter despair. "You... will doom the entire world... you—!"

Before it could finish.

A streak of black light shot toward the Giant Demon God.

Squelch!

With a final scream, the creature below was instantly crushed into a mist of blood.

And with the death of the Forbidden Zone’s ruler.

A chaotic, swirling orb of energy slowly rose from the heart of the Forbidden Zone.

Gu Yan extended his hand.

The orb flew obediently into his palm.

"The last one—Destruction Power."

Gu Yan clenched the chaotic orb and absorbed it into his body.

With this, all five Forbidden Zone powers now belonged to Gu Yan.

Life Power, Destruction Power, Elemental Power, Control Power... and Time Power.

Starting with Life Power and fueled by Gu Yan’s unrestrained use of Night Energy, it had taken only three days to fully assimilate the remaining four powers.

And as the absorption of all five Forbidden Zone powers concluded.

The system’s notification chimed in.

[Congratulations, Host! You have acquired the "Forbidden Zone Sovereign" ability!]

[Effect: Can freely create Forbidden Zones and craft Demon Creatures using existing souls and Forbidden Zone powers. Under the influence of the Forbidden Zone’s miasma, Demon Creatures will progressively evolve, strengthen, and multiply!]

Hummm—!

Gu Yan spread his palm, watching as the five Forbidden Zone powers swirled and fused together before being completely devoured and assimilated by Night Energy.

A new power emerged.

These forces were like the missing pieces of a dagger’s original puzzle.

And Gu Yan had been collecting these fragments to restore the dagger’s full power.

Once this was done—whoosh!

His figure vanished from the spot without a trace.

Because he needed to find someone and retrieve something.

Only then could he ensure he was prepared for what was to come.

Meanwhile, as the Forbidden Zone powers were absorbed and the dagger’s abilities gradually restored, in a mysterious realm beyond.

Seven figures encircled a scaled-down model of a planet.

Around them floated countless fragments of shattered worlds.

Their eyes had been closed, but suddenly—as if sensing something—they all opened them.

Unlike ordinary beings, their eyes lacked whites, gleaming entirely in gold.

"Hah... so we’ve reached this stage again."

"I sense a portion of my power has been siphoned away."

One being spoke with a steady voice, its body woven from shimmering starlight, flowing with the grandeur of a galaxy.

Its hair resembled the brightest stars of the night sky, long and undulating, each strand brimming with the mysteries of life.

"Little Creation, this is necessary to maintain balance."

Another being’s form was harmonious and symmetrical, its outstretched arms like the scales of justice.

Its skin was an unchanging gray, symbolizing neutrality and impartiality.

A faint smile always graced its serene face, bestowing equal grace upon all things in the cosmos.

"An abomination has emerged. It is time for our faithful to eradicate this evil."

"Observation... five devotees still remain in the world."

This being’s tone was calm, as if it could peer into the knowledge of all ages.

Its long, straight hair bore the hue of ancient scrolls, each strand seemingly containing endless tales and truths.

"Hahaha! Let me descend personally and end this farce swiftly!"

The speaker’s physique was towering and muscular, its skin etched with war-like patterns resembling raging flames.

"No. This world is but a tiny fragment of the greater cosmos. If your true form were to descend, it would shatter instantly."

"The consequences would be beyond our capacity to bear."

"With our Master in slumber, it falls upon us to safeguard this last sanctuary."

Another being interjected, its form embodying life itself—light and fluid, as if one with nature.

Its skin bore the colors of the earth, lush and green, while its cascading hair shimmered with dewdrops and petals.

"No need for haste. Through the power bestowed by our Master, I have glimpsed the fate of two."

A being with its left hand covering one eye and only its right eye exposed chuckled softly.

Its aura was elusive, its appearance shifting between youthful vigor and ancient wisdom.

Its attire was simple yet enigmatic, its golden eye gleaming like a guiding star of prophecy.

"Their fate... is it death?"

The final being’s pallid skin resembled that of the deceased, yet radiated an eerie beauty transcending life and death.

Its hair flowed like the void of night, so ethereal it seemed to dissipate at the slightest touch.

"Worse than death... eternal torment."

"Dispatch the five devotees to deal with this era’s so-called [mortal]. The pretender borrowing the Night King’s power has long been destined for ruin."

"That feeble hope of his... is meaningless before us, the gods."

"While our Master slumbers... let us bring an end to this farce."

......

.....

That same night.

Ancient Martial Realm.

The five mightiest warriors guarding the barrier between the Ancient Martial Realm and the mortal world suddenly opened their eyes.

Their faces lit up with ecstasy.

"The gods!!"

"The gods have deigned to send us a message!"

"Night King... slay the Night King?!"

"Hahahaha!!! The gods still watch over us!"

It was almost unimaginable.

These aged monsters, Grand Masters at the peak of late-stage cultivation, now wept tears of joy like children.

Their expressions were filled with reverence and awe.

The next moment.

A beam of golden light enveloped them.

Hummm—!

The five were instantly cloaked in radiant brilliance.

Their auras surged relentlessly, just one step away from breaking through the peak of the Grandmaster realm and ascending to the Grand Master level!

How many years had passed?

How many years had they waited?

The Divine One had actually bestowed His grace once again.

An old man, his voice hoarse with fervor, declared, "I have a premonition—just one more kill of the Night King, and I will break through to Grand Master!"

Another man shouted in competition, "Nonsense! The Night King is mine! Slaying him will not only grant endless life but also elevate me to Grand Master!"

"Hmph! Enough bickering," a voice cut in.

"This mission is critical. The five of us must join forces against the Night King. We can decide his fate once the dust settles!"

"Old Demon Bai, you’ve already killed the Night King once and received the Divine One’s gift of immortality. Of course you’re in no hurry!"

The group exchanged cold, mocking words.

Old Demon Bai’s expression darkened.

Then, in an instant—

Their figures froze simultaneously before ecstatic grins spread across their faces.

They dropped to their knees in reverence, shouting fervently, "We thank you, Great One!"

Just moments ago, they had received a divine message:

Slay the Night King, and they would all ascend to Grand Master and gain eternal life!

As the divine presence faded, the five rose to their feet.

Old Demon Bai clasped his hands behind his back and snorted. "The Night King annihilated my White Phoenix Manor and slaughtered my descendants. Since this hunt is a joint effort, I ask that you leave the final strike to me."

His words were immediately opposed by another elder. "Hah! Old Demon Bai, this is a divine execution order from the Great One himself. Let’s settle this with our own skills!"

"Hmph!"

Old Demon Bai sneered. "Fine. Then we’ll settle it with skill."

With that, he sliced his finger and formed a hand seal.

A vision materialized before the group.

"With my blood, reveal his location!"

Old Demon Bai chanted. The blood drop was a sacred relic bestowed by the Divine One—the Lifeblood Pearl, capable of tracking the Night King’s whereabouts.

Every lifetime, it had guided them to hunt and kill him.

Moments later, the image clarified.

Everyone stared.

But this time—

Their eyes widened in shock.

Because...

A shadowy figure stood within the vision, but his location was achingly familiar to every one of them.