“Tamamo-no-Mae, you were defeated by us last time. Are you truly going to stake everything on this fight again?”
Tamamo-no-Mae remained silent. She was ready for battle. All these years, she hadn't merely been healing her wounds; she had also been diligently comprehending the supreme techniques passed down by Sir. Now, she had integrated both the Dao of Illusion and the Dao of Slaughter! Last time, she had indeed been defeated! But this time, things might be different.
Soon after.
“Boom!” “Crack!” The void tore open! Space twisted violently!
Ancient Ancestor Dao Kuang slowly emerged from the spatial rift, an overwhelming killing intent surging from his form. His mere arrival caused a subtle crack to appear in Tamamo-no-Mae's illusionary realm. Two immense forces clashed, pressing against each other!
The next moment, Yang Zhengshan, Mountain-Moving Ape's colossal form also stepped out of a spatial rift. He immediately manifested his true body, crushing a star underfoot as he stood towering in the starry sky, gazing coldly at Tamamo-no-Mae.
“Tamamo-no-Mae, this time, you are doomed to die!”
Boom! Another Ancient Ancestor descended! It was Shenwu Emperor Tianye, clad in imperial dragon robes, his gaze filled with disdain. Two ethereal golden dragons coiled around him, a magnificent and imposing sight.
“Boom!” From another direction, golden light flooded the path. Endless, profound Buddhist mysteries flowed like a river, countless Buddhist scriptures coalescing into a surging torrent. Within this river, Master Kongwu's figure abruptly materialized.
“Amitabha!”
In an instant, Tamamo-no-Mae found herself surrounded by several Ancient Ancestors! And more Ancient Ancestors from the First Star Ring were still on their way!
“Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!” A dozen more Ancient Ancestors descended, completely encircling Tamamo-no-Mae! Her illusionary realm began to shatter, and the surrounding starry sky returned to its tranquil state.
Master Kongwu spoke, “Tamamo-no-Mae, the karma between us has been forged. Today, we shall sever that karma with you.”
As his voice fell, murderous intent blazed on the faces of the many Ancient Ancestors.
Just then, Tamamo-no-Mae tilted her snowy neck slightly, looking in one direction. “Tianzhao, aren't you going to show yourself?”
Everyone was stunned. Tianzhao, the Star River Alliance Leader!
“Boom!” Tianzhao, clad in a starry robe, a path of starlight appearing beneath his feet, slowly walked out. His expression was grave as he arrived beside Tamamo-no-Mae.
The crowd was once again taken aback. Mountain-Moving Ape frowned. “Tianzhao, as the Star River Alliance Leader, are you betraying the Star River Alliance?”
In Tianzhao's hand appeared an ancient token, three archaic characters etched upon it, Dao patterns surging, ancient and obscure. “Star River Alliance!” He squeezed it hard! Crack! The token, symbolizing his identity as Star River Alliance Leader, shattered directly into dust!
Tianzhao stated calmly, “The Star River Alliance ceases to exist from this moment forward!” He had to consider his daughter, Qingqiu! Qingqiu was eternally loyal to Sir! Naturally, he too had to stand with Sir.
Tianye sneered, waving his sleeve. “Tianzhao, you've made a grave mistake! Do you two truly believe you can stand against a dozen of us Ancient Ancestors?”
Tianzhao calmly replied, “Our true enemy should be the Eerie Plateau. Even now, there are no signs of the Eerie Plateau making a move. It was their invasion that destabilized this starry sky in the past, ultimately leading to Sir's demise.”
Master Kongwu chuckled. “Sir is dead. What you say now is meaningless. Furthermore, in those days, Sir received the reverence and respect of myriad realms, hailed as the 'One' of the world. Yet, other Ancient Ancestors, born almost simultaneously with Sir, such as Ancient Ancestor Mei and others, did not receive such treatment. As Innate Ancient Ancestors, blessed by the heavens, should Sir be deemed the 'only one' by this world simply because he was born a moment earlier? That is unfair.”
As his voice fell, Tamamo-no-Mae scoffed lightly. “Sir became the 'One' not by birthright, but by his deeds.” She then swept her gaze across the surrounding Ancient Ancestors. “Honestly, which one of you hasn't heard Sir's teachings? Your Daos all originated from Sir; which of you didn't walk a path he guided to become an Ancient Ancestor?”
Mountain-Moving Ape let out a sneering laugh. “Heh. Tamamo-no-Mae, Sir certainly offered guidance, but your words completely dismiss our own efforts. Do you truly believe we only became Ancient Ancestors because of Sir's guidance? Our hard work was far more important!”
Ancient Ancestor Dao Kuang snorted coldly, a mocking expression on his face. “Tamamo-no-Mae, perhaps you're right. But you should know that Sir died because he became 'Heaven' above all of us. He absorbed the boundless Dao rhythm of this Star Sea. As he continuously expounded his Dao, his own Dao also grew without limit. Eventually, Sir became the 'One' of this world. He gave, but he took even more. If we wanted to break through, Sir became our shackles.”
At these words, many Ancient Ancestors nodded in agreement.
Tianye gazed at the distant starry sky, slowly stating, “Sir's death was his destiny. When a whale falls, all things live. If he hadn't, none of us could have broken through to the Ancient Ancestor Realm! Sir taught countless beings, but he also reaped immense benefits and Dao feedback. People are selfish; I don't believe Sir was truly selfless!”
Tamamo-no-Mae's chest heaved, and she gritted her teeth. “If it weren't for you traitors colluding with the Eerie Plateau, how could Sir have died? But Sir isn't truly dead. Ancient Ancestor Mei didn't die, so how could Sir? Tell me, isn't that right, Tianye?”
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Tianye.
Mountain-Moving Ape's nostrils flared like an old ox, and he snorted coldly. “Tianye, what's going on? Have you met Ancient Ancestor Mei?” The other Ancient Ancestors also showed signs of anger.
It was well known that in this starry sky, Ancient Ancestors were divided into several factions, each wary of the others. First, there was Sir's faction, which included the Supreme Fox Clan, Qianhuan Sect, Adamant Sect, Yanwu Sect, One Sword Sect, Qingqiu, and others. Second, there were the Innate Ancient Ancestors, led by Ancient Ancestor Mei. Third, there were the Acquired Ancient Ancestors, like themselves. And fourth, there was the Eerie Plateau, feared by all Ancient Ancestors! Although the Innate Ancient Ancestor faction had once cooperated with the Acquired Ancient Ancestors in the great battle against Sir, all Acquired Ancient Ancestors knew that the Innate Ancient Ancestors utterly disdained them. They could only form temporary alliances, never true bonds.
Tianye shook his head. “It was merely a brief encounter with Ancient Ancestor Mei.”
At his words, Tamamo-no-Mae's jade hand unfurled, and endless, brilliant Dao patterns surged, forming an image. It was the night Liu Ruyan and Tianye had spent together, whispering intimately and engaging in acts of passion.
“Impudent!” Tianye exploded in fury, immediately sweeping his sleeve and moving to attack Tamamo-no-Mae.
Mountain-Moving Ape and the others, however, immediately stopped him. “Tianye, do you even know who you're dealing with? That's Ancient Ancestor Mei, a being who could even betray Sir himself!”
Ancient Ancestor Dao Kuang remarked, “I never imagined Liu Ruyan was Ancient Ancestor Mei.”
Just then, Tamamo-no-Mae's lips curled into a slight, mocking smile. “Emperor Tianye, you're an emperor, and an Acquired Ancient Ancestor at that. To spend a night with a mere Myriad Phase Realm cultivator like Liu Ruyan, only to have it be an illusion, and even lose a Dragon Vein in the process... I'm truly embarrassed for you. Liu Ruyan has shared intimate nights with tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, across the Star Sea. I never thought you'd join their ranks.”