Chapter Eighty-Six: Luring the Enemy into the Trap and Breaking the Seal

At this moment, the immortals of the Sect of Severance who had come to assist were blocked outside by the Celestial Star Array, unable to step within the boundary. The three gods in the deep pits below were healing at an astonishing rate. Fairy Yanru rose, disheveled, her slender jade fingers gripping the Amber Mystic Jade Zither. With a flick, two notes imbued with unique healing power circled Zhao Gongming and Lu Tianming. The three had only suffered minor injuries just now; I, Luo Yu, had not struck to kill. The proud and confident Luo Yu on the opposing side had no intention of personally finishing them off—perhaps out of consideration for fellow disciples, or perhaps for other schemes.

The array enveloping everyone had gradually formed into a massive, transparent sphere, its surface crisscrossed with dark light and thunder. Outside, the immortals of the Sect of Severance eyed the sphere, unable to enter. From afar, the grand formation resembled a gigantic dark energy orb.

Below, the gods rapidly recovered from their wounds. Fortunately, the three could no longer step into the array. Many immortals descended, landing beside them to tend to their injuries. Yanru flew to the side of Su Moran's fox form, gazing at the corpse pierced through its body, overwhelmed with grief. Moments before, they had the power to intervene and save Su Moran, but chose not to, watching as Su Moran was impaled by Yuan Ji.

Above, Luo Yu ignored Hao Dan and the others, turning gracefully and strolling through the void toward the Eastern Emperor Bell. Hao Dan, startled, quickly realized and rushed to intercept him. Luo Yu, without looking back, arrogantly declared, "Your Majesty, do you know why the Eastern Emperor Bell is under my control?"

Hao Dan, both shocked and bewildered, retorted angrily, "I have no time to listen to your stories!"

Luo Yu continued his ethereal steps, leaving several afterimages with each stride. No matter how Hao Dan tried, he could not surpass him, only chase after him; Luo Yu moved effortlessly, unimpeded, while Hao Dan struggled, finding it difficult to approach the Eastern Emperor Bell.

Luo Yu spoke again, "When you were reborn, I placed a secret restriction of my clan upon the Eastern Emperor Bell. When triggered at a crucial moment, anyone could control it. Though it cannot unleash the full power of the sacred artifact, it can still borrow the awakened bell to activate this Celestial Star Array. For only the Eastern Emperor Bell can lift the seals and shackles binding our ancestral Wu gods. With your intelligence, Your Majesty, you should now understand the reason behind this."

Upon hearing Luo Yu's revelation, Hao Dan was overwhelmed with layers of hatred. He stopped, glaring at Luo Yu, and said bitterly, "So you schemed against me from the moment of my birth, such a meticulous plan, all because I am the reincarnation of Eastern Emperor Taiyi? Because a thousand years ago I sealed the ancestral Wu gods? Because of me, you could manipulate all living beings, sacrifice the souls of all citizens in Yudu City, sacrifice Empress Su Su, incite terror and slaughter—all just to break the ancestral Wu gods' seal. Do you regard these lives as so insignificant, so undeserving of respect?"

"Scheming? Manipulation? Respect?" Luo Yu's lips curled with a hint of irony, his smile both ambiguous and helpless. He continued, "When have you ever cared about the lives of the world, Your Majesty? A thousand years ago, when the Wu and Yao tribulations struck, the Heavenly Court’s Golden Crow Prince wreaked havoc. My clan's great Wu Kua Fu fought to save the nine provinces, battling the prince at great cost, only to be slain by the Golden Crow. Our great Wu Jiu Feng sent an invitation to you, which you refused, even driving our clan out of the east. Later, our clan allied with a hundred tribes to appeal to you, but you waged war to avenge the ten Golden Crows, causing untold innocent deaths—were those lives any less than today's?"

Upon these words, Bai Ling and Yan Lietian below heard clearly, while Yuan Ji nearby grew impatient. She quickened her chanting, her incantations bursting with color, a streak of red-gold light shooting toward the Seven-Star Lotus Platform. Su Su's eyes shone gold, but the light was tinged with black and red-gold, a bizarre sight. Suddenly, from the depths behind Yuan Ji, the mouths of the Ten Luo corpses stirred, and a voice laden with millennia of resentment uttered, "Eastern Emperor Taiyi, you've truly brought us misery!"

Before the words faded, another voice from a different figure said, "We’ve been sealed by you for a thousand years, but now we see the light of day—ha ha! Such delight!"

More voices followed: "Well done! We are finally reborn!" "The taste of seeing the sun again is marvelous!" "Ha ha ha! We shall wash away a thousand years of hatred in blood!"...

These voices came from eight figures, while the other two remained calm and silent. The eight stepped forward, stretching their legs. One, extremely excited, exclaimed, "This body’s cultivation is poor, but barely acceptable—at least it’s a centuries-old immortal body!"

As soon as he finished, the two silent figures, wrapped in Wu energy, opened their eyes simultaneously, a strange and unfathomable glint in their gaze, shocking everyone below, including Hao Dan. The eight respectfully straightened, solemnly declaring, "Lady Hou Tu, Ancestor Xuan Ming!"

It was clear to all that among the ten figures, these two held special status; the eight treated them with utmost respect, evidently the leaders of the ancestral Wu gods.

It turned out that Luo Yu’s strange smile in the past was because he had already counted the Nine Heavens Ten Luo among his plans, using them as hosts for the ancestral Wu gods. Ordinary bodies could not contain the souls of the Wu gods, but the Ten Luo could barely suffice. Though not ideal, as long as they could break free from the Eastern Emperor’s shackles, their souls could soar beyond the Celestial Star Array and return to the human world.

Witnessing this, Hao Dan’s heart nearly collapsed. Not yet awakened, his strength was inferior to Luo Yu’s. To suffer such a scheme was unbearable—so intricate a plot was unimaginable.

Suddenly, Bai Ling below clapped her delicate hands, applauding, "Brilliant!"

"Truly, Luo Yu, the omniscient! A millennium of planning, every corner of the Three Realms caught in your net! Surely, a thousand years ago, the boy who turned back on the Wu clan’s land was you? I regret not killing you back then, to eliminate future trouble!"

Bai Ling recalled how, a thousand years ago, she defied the Sect of Severance, stirred up the Four Seas, wreaked havoc in the Eight Wilds, all for Taiyi. She vowed to destroy the hundred tribes, her blood-soaked path making demons tremble, overturning the Wu clan and enraging both heaven and earth. Yet, she never realized the strange youth would become so formidable—the innocent boy was Luo Yu.

She strained to remember those days; fearless, she hated the tribes’ rebellion against the Heavenly Court, but the sect ordered seclusion, unwilling to interfere in the Wu-Yao war. She stole the sect’s treasure and braved the burial grounds, passing through Wu territory and discovering the clan had migrated east in six directions. The youth who looked back from the burial ground was Luo Yu—a pair of clear, pure eyes and a handsome, unmatched face. Her heart, unable to bear it, spared the young boy.

Bai Ling’s words received no response.

Luo Yu and Yuan Ji bowed respectfully to Hou Tu, Xuan Ming, and the ancestral Wu gods. "Welcome! The ancestral Wu gods return to the human world!"

Below, Hao Dan flew back to Bai Ling’s side, Yan Lietian joining them. All three were tense and outmatched, facing the 'Ten Ancestral Wu Gods of the Primordial Clan', plus Luo Yu and Yuan Ji. How could they respond?

Outside the array, the leader of the Sect of Severance, Daoist Duobao, saw the dire situation and shouted angrily, "Wu clan, dare you activate the array and fight us head-on?"

Seeing Yan Lietian and Bai Ling inside, Duobao, as the eldest disciple, naturally worried for them, unable to help, watching the crisis unfold helplessly.

Duobao’s voice rang powerfully, penetrating the barrier into the array. The three inside looked back, seeing the ranks of immortals outside, clouds surging, yet the Wu ancestral gods paid no heed. Luo Yu and Yuan Ji both looked to Hou Tu and Xuan Ming; Hou Tu nodded slightly, Xuan Ming sneered and stepped forward, "Though this body cannot unleash our full power, it is more than enough to deal with the reincarnated Eastern Emperor!"

Hao Dan’s heart tightened; Bai Ling seized his sweaty hand, Yan Lietian forced himself forward, wishing to speak, but Hou Tu’s glare sent a fierce, tyrannical energy at him. Bai Ling snorted, swinging her jade hand, Xuan Tian Ribbon blocking the energy, but it was so domineering it scattered the ribbon. Yan Lietian’s silver armor flashed, erupting with silver light as the energy pierced him, shattering his armor and sending him flying. All watched in shock as Yan Lietian was blasted out of the array. When his body touched the barrier, the Celestial Star Array opened a tiny gap and quickly sealed. Unable to control his body, he flew out, caught by the immortals, his size making it hard for them.

After Yan Lietian was ejected, Hou Tu spoke coldly, "Mere gods dare act unruly before me? Know your place!"

Then, Hou Tu’s fierce gaze locked onto Hao Dan, ignoring Bai Ling, and declared, "Your Majesty, a thousand-year vendetta shall be avenged!"

Xuan Ming also said, "A thousand years ago, we battled within this very barrier. Today, we are changed—seeing you have not awakened your true power gives us the perfect opportunity! Ha ha! Today is your death day, and your era ends here!"

Across from them, twelve figures of unfathomable power. Bai Ling, unwilling, shouted, "Never have I seen such shamelessness, so many against so few, and you act as if it is right! Utterly shameless!"

"Silence!" Hou Tu snapped. Yuan Ji strode out, instantly appearing, her pale hand suddenly covering Bai Ling’s beautiful face and dragging her down. Hao Dan stared in shock as Bai Ling was suppressed by Yuan Ji. Seeing Bai Ling’s pain and stubbornness, rage welled in Hao Dan; he cried out desperately for the Eastern Lord, but received no answer. He unleashed all his power, divine arts and mystical pathways, "Technique of the Injury Gate, Frost Dominates the World," casting instantly.

A sudden cold swept through, biting as blades. The ancestral Wu gods were unmoved, unfazed. Below, countless icy blades rose from the ground, rushing toward Yuan Ji. Yuan Ji’s lips curled as she controlled Bai Ling, pushing her toward the blades. Bai Ling’s frail body was sent hurtling, about to be pierced, when Hao Dan, in a burst of strength, used his mystical technique, "Technique of the Surprise Gate, Stars Shift," appearing instantly to catch Bai Ling, shielding her, his heart aching at her injuries.

At that moment, memories flashed of the scene outside Yudu City—when Zhao Gongming, Yan Lietian, and Kong Qian Dao descended, and Bai Ling was taken from his hands. He asked himself, "Why am I so powerless? Why must such things happen to me? Why can’t I live like an ordinary mortal?"

Frustration and countless questions plagued him. He set Bai Ling down; she recovered and stood by his side, sensing his abnormal mood. She looked at the ancestral Wu gods and said, "Even if we cannot defeat them, I will stay with you to the end, protecting all life—even if it costs my soul!"

Bai Ling’s words were fearless of death, her eyes fixed only on Hao Dan, as if her whole life was for him.

The ancestral Wu gods, Luo Yu, and Yuan Ji watched unmoved, as if detached, observing coldly.

Yuan Ji suddenly grew more ruthless, seeing Bai Ling’s declarations stirred impatience. She broke her elegant posture, stepping out with disregard for kin, her dark aura spreading and growing chaotic. She slowly floated toward Hao Dan. Luo Yu moved as well, being from the Wu clan, he should fight alongside Yuan Ji. The ancestral Wu gods would not act, but they could not remain aloof.

Facing the two whose power far surpassed his own, Hao Dan felt no fear—perhaps he was numb. After all that had happened—Su Moran’s death, Su Su’s uncertain fate, the citizens’ souls scattered—if he were stronger, perhaps things could change, but now he had no hope of victory.

Meanwhile, outside the gates of Yang City, the Merchant Alliance’s million-strong army charged toward Tiger Gate, aiming for the city. The four great states of Xia were sent home by Grand Tutor Ran Long, the army so crowded only elite troops could enter, acting separately to rescue civilians, storm the palace, seize the traitors, and capture Xia Jie.

As the army approached, a figure flew to intercept them outside the city wall—it was Wu Tong, the witch of the Seven-Star Tower. She had failed to catch up with the Galo sisters, and returning, saw the Merchant Alliance about to enter. She unleashed her full power, no longer hiding, and shouted, "Five Elements Limit—Activate!"

Before the vast army, a strange five-element diagram appeared on the ground, sending up waves of light to the sky. The army saw Wu Tong raise a row of wooden stakes, stretching to the end of the parade ground, blocking the troops. The stakes were suddenly set alight, smoke curling, and the ground before them sank three feet, filling with black poison water. Just as the army thought it was over, Wu Tong smiled wickedly, and all the spears and blades held by the infantry flew to her, as if she had a magnet. Blades danced overhead, as Wu Tong intoned, "Five Elements Limit—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—Weapon Rack, Stakes, Poison River, Flow Pit, Fire Wall—Instant Formation!"

Weapons formed a rack, separating the flow; wood and fire formed a wall, water and earth formed a poison river and pit, metal formed the rack—three defenses enough to hold off the army for a while.

Above, the immortals of the Sect of Severance were alarmed by the scene below. One shouted from the clouds, "What a witch, daring to block the army of justice!"

Meanwhile, inside the city, the gods were desperately rescuing civilians. After recovering, Zhao Gongming and others, with Fairy Yanru, protected many ordinary people. The suffering citizens, their bodies emptied, wandered like ghosts; the Celestial Star Array was savage, ordinary people could not withstand it. Wu clan’s Jiu Feng and Yuan Ji used a mysterious sacrificial technique, all citizens’ souls left their bodies, drifting in mid-air.

Fortunately, Fairy Yanru played a song to calm and protect souls, returning them to their bodies. Zhao Gongming used magic to carry them to safety, Lu Tianming used divine arts and soul-calming talismans, healing and erasing their memories—for such a scale of Wu god battle, it was best the people did not know the truth.

Above, suddenly, Hao Dan pushed Bai Ling out of the barrier. When Yan Lietian was blasted out by Hou Tu, Hao Dan realized this barrier could exit but not enter, so he resolved to send Bai Ling out. For Bai Ling, the scene was familiar—a thousand years ago, Eastern Emperor Taiyi had done the same, pushing her out of the Celestial Star Array.

For Hao Dan, facing undefeatable foes, as long as Bai Ling was by his side, he could not fight without reservations—his attachment prevented him from risking all. So he pushed Bai Ling out, ensuring she would not be implicated even if he died.

"What a pair of lovers, separated by a thousand years—Your Majesty, still as stubborn as ever!" Xuan Ming spoke coldly.

Bai Ling’s body was beyond her control, her gaze fixed on Hao Dan, her stubborn grief unmistakable. Hao Dan’s heart trembled—he never wished it so.

Turning back, Hao Dan faced the ancestral Wu gods, Yuan Ji, and Luo Yu, silently casting the mystical technique of the Death Gate, ‘Void Inferno’. The technique was akin to spatial arts, its power immense, but the ancestral Wu gods cared little for such.

Yuan Ji scoffed at Hao Dan’s desperate spell, Luo Yu stepped forward, instantly appearing before Hao Dan. The ‘Void Inferno’ barely formed before Luo Yu destroyed it, grabbing Hao Dan by the neck and hurling him. Hao Dan’s body stiffened, and as he fell, Yuan Ji caught him and tossed him again. The ancestral Wu gods moved, except Hou Tu and Xuan Ming.

The eight figures cried out excitedly, "Ying ying ying!"

Outside the array, the immortals were helpless, watching Hao Dan bullied by the ancestral Wu gods. Hao Dan was tossed about like a ball, kicked, thrown, stomped, gradually losing consciousness.

The ancestral Wu gods, sealed for a thousand years, vented their immense grievance. Bai Ling repeatedly flew to the barrier, desperately attacking the Celestial Star Array, but to no avail. The immortals tried to dissuade her, but she would not be moved; seeing Hao Dan tormented inside, her frustration and helplessness nearly drove her mad.

Yet, just as all thought Hao Dan might perish, the Eastern Emperor Bell at the top of the array suddenly began to ring, "Boom!" All eyes turned; even the ancestral Wu gods were startled. A thin, imposing figure stood atop it—the missing Eastern Lord, now looking exceptionally weak.

The Eastern Lord called out, "Master! Catch!"

The bell spun violently atop the array, sending ripples outward. The ancestral Wu gods sensed danger, Yuan Ji and Luo Yu retreated. The bell suddenly broke free from the array, shrinking rapidly into a golden chime, tracing a peerless arc through the air, bypassing the Wu gods and merging with Hao Dan, vanishing.

After the shock, Hao Dan, battered and unconscious, suddenly radiated with dazzling light, golden brilliance illuminating the sky, becoming the brightest presence.

Outside, none knew: after the bell merged with him, in the Eastern Emperor’s world, Hao Dan’s consciousness grew hazy, but he sensed a domineering presence—the Eastern Emperor’s celestial soul, cold and aloof.

"I will not let you die; if you die, I will no longer be complete!"

Hearing this, Hao Dan regained some clarity, recalling how the Eastern Lord warned him that the celestial and terrestrial souls would devour each other. If the terrestrial soul was consumed, all memories of this life would be lost, and the body would be dominated by the celestial soul—he would no longer be himself. He would forget everything: Bai Ling, his foster father, all mortal memories would fade.

Outside, all watched in awe as Hao Dan’s wounds healed visibly, his black hair rapidly turning white, his blue robe transformed into a magnificent golden imperial robe. The shrunken bell reappeared, spinning, growing larger with each turn until it resumed its original form.

This Hao Dan was no longer the same; all held their breath, staring. Standing atop the bell, his imperial robe billowed without wind, his aura and bearing utterly changed. He slowly opened his eyes—such dazzling eyes, as bright and clear as stars, yet tinged with an ineffable, seductive glow.

Suddenly, Hao Dan awoke with a smile, his handsome face calm and confident, his proud gaze unmatched—even Luo Yu could only look up to him.

The ancestral Wu gods steadied themselves, meeting his gaze. From this moment, the air grew quiet, a strange atmosphere unfolding. The celestial soul’s gaze suddenly focused.

Hao Dan’s eyes radiated an invisible imperial aura, the air around him froze, suspended in place. The Wu gods exchanged glances—they could move, but Yuan Ji and Luo Yu were immobilized by his gaze, unable to move.

Outside the array, the immortals were awed by this celestial might—it was as if the will of heaven itself.

Bai Ling, her tearful eyes fixed on him, her beautiful eyes widening, gazed at the imperial figure with wonder, reverence, and love.

Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed across heaven and earth.

"All of you? Long time no see!"

The celestial soul, controlling Hao Dan’s body, spoke with a seductive air that filled the sky, not even sparing the ancestral Wu gods a glance.

His proud, solitary words lingered in their ears.

"A thousand years have passed, Your Majesty is still so arrogant!" Hou Tu shuddered, shattering the frozen air, her voice mocking.

Xuan Ming and the others tried to speak, but the celestial soul, impatient, stepped forward, smiling wickedly, "You truly do not fear death. I was born to contend with heaven—what right do you have to stand before me?"

With this, the celestial soul’s wicked aura intensified, the Wu gods felt an overwhelming force pressing down on them. No matter their arrogance, under this celestial might, their backs bowed—an invisible hand seemed to press their spines. Only Hou Tu resisted; the others struggled to stand, nearly kneeling in submission.

Outside the array, the immortals gaped in shock, mouths agape.

Watching the Wu gods, unwilling but forced to kneel, the Eastern Emperor’s celestial soul shouted, "Kneel before me!"

His thunderous command resounded across the heavens, imbued with the might of the sky.