Under the instigation of the Celestial Emperor-level experts from the Sky Dragon Clan, the experts of the Dragon Blood Clan could no longer hold back and finally made their move.
They summoned their divine artifacts without hesitation, launching lethal attacks from the very first strike.
“Liu Ning, die now!!”
A furious roar echoed as several Celestial Emperor-tier treasures shot toward Zongzheng. Among them were a nine-story ancient pagoda, a bell of yin and yang, and a towering divine sword.
Each of these treasures carried the immense power of Celestial Emperor-level cultivators, aiming to crush Zongzheng where he stood.
Yet, upon seeing these weapons, Zongzheng only smiled.
To the astonishment of the onlookers, he sheathed his own weapon, clenched his fists, and launched himself at the incoming artifacts with bare hands.
His stance was unmistakable—he intended to face these Celestial Emperor treasures with his fists alone.
Merely this act alone was enough to shock the other Celestial Emperor experts.
But what truly stunned them was what followed:
With a single punch, the nine-story pagoda was sent flying.
With a stomp, the yin-yang bell was pinned beneath his foot.
And with his bare hands, he caught the towering divine sword mid-air.
Three strikes, three treasures subdued—without a single scratch on him.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
“H-how is this possible?! How can he catch my Celestial Emperor sword with his bare hands?!”
“His physical strength is monstrous! To withstand our artifacts directly… Could it be that he’s refined his own body into a Celestial Emperor treasure?!”
“Impossible! No one can refine their flesh into a treasure! It must be the power of his Eight-Nine Heavenly Art! But even if his body is strong, it can’t be invincible! Attack together—retrieve our treasures!”
Liu Ning had not fought in a long time, and many had forgotten his overwhelming might.
Now, with this display, he reminded them all.
Yet, despite their shock, the sheer number of enemies gave them courage. They summoned more artifacts and unleashed their strongest techniques, swarming toward Liu Ning in a coordinated assault.
But for Zongzheng, this was only the beginning.
“Heavenly Avatar!”
With a thunderous roar, his body expanded violently, transforming into a colossal giant—99,999 zhang tall (≈ 300,000 feet).
A single stomp shattered the void beneath him, and the yin-yang bell under his foot cracked apart, its energies scattering.
But that wasn’t all.
The sheer pressure radiating from his body sent the other Celestial Emperors stumbling backward. At this moment, he stood like a true sovereign of heaven and earth—untouchable.
Meanwhile, his fist clenched, gathering power so immense that the very air trembled.
Then, with a world-shaking bellow, he struck.
“ALL LAWS—RETURN TO THE ONE!!”
This single fist concentrated ten thousand dao techniques, its might far surpassing even the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art.
The colossal punch enveloped all the Celestial Emperors, leaving no room for escape.
And in that instant—they knew fear.
“No! I don’t want to die!!”
“Block it! Combine our strength to block it!!”
“Deploy all artifacts—we must withstand this!!”
Liu Ning’s power had exceeded their wildest expectations.
Faced with this apocalyptic strike, they abandoned all thoughts of counterattacking, focusing solely on defense.
Yet, Zongzheng did not relent.
The fist descended.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
The impact was like heavenly tribulation incarnate. The defensive treasures in their hands shuddered as if struck by a mountain of ten thousand dao.
Many were nearly crushed on the spot.
Only by pooling their strength did they barely hold on—but not without cost.
Several weaker Celestial Emperors coughed up blood, their bodies broken.
Multiple “imperishable” artifacts cracked like eggshells under the force.
In that moment, their so-called “peerless treasures” felt no sturdier than brittle turtle shells.
And with that single punch—they understood.
“T-this can’t be… How are you this strong?!”
“You… You’re no Celestial Emperor! No Celestial Emperor could possess such power!!”
“Have you… stepped beyond? Have you surpassed the Celestial Emperor realm?!”
Their voices trembled with dread. Deep down, they already knew the answer.
In this world, Celestial Emperors were many—but those who ascended to become Supreme Sovereigns of Heaven and Earth were vanishingly rare.
And now… the Divine Dragon Imperial Family was about to gain another one.
At their horrified questions, Zongzheng grinned, his massive teeth gleaming with terrifying delight.
“Heh. Thanks to my dear disciple, I’ve found the key to my breakthrough.”
“I, Liu Ning, will be the next Supreme Sovereign!”
“But even as a Celestial Emperor—crushing you all is child’s play!”
As he spoke, his fist coiled again, this time gathering ten thousand dao laws that swirled around it like obedient dragons.
The sheer pressure alone made the Celestial Emperors feel the grip of death.
Their faces paled.
“Quick! Gather together—activate the Supreme Artifact!!”
“Sky Dragon Legion! Continue the assault on the Divine Dragon Heavenly Palace!!”
Conventional methods were useless now. Fortunately, the Sky Dragon Legion had brought their clan’s Supreme Artifact—the Battle Banner of the Sky Dragon—carried by their commander.
As Zongzheng’s fist loomed, the legion’s leader unfurled the banner, rallying all forces to resist.
At the same time, he ordered the Sky Dragon Legion to press their attack on the palace—hoping to divert Liu Ning’s attention.
