Chen Guo was not about to give them any opportunity to show off.
Facing Shan Tianming, Chen Guo declared, "You seem fond of using flames against me, so let me show you what real flames are like!"
With his incantation complete, "Great Monad, hasten as the law commands, unleash the Divine Fire—"
A more vivid apparition of the Great Monad materialized. This visage of the Great Monad carried a hint of the Taoist ancestor's essence, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.
The Great Monad's phantom brandished a banana fan, sending the Divine Fire rolling towards Shan Tianming.
"Substitution Jutsu!"
Shan Tianming attempted to evade with his Substitution Jutsu, but the Divine Fire, as if sentient, clung to Shan Tianming's true form.
Engulfed in flames, Shan Tianming's body blazed as he screamed in agony.
"Brother!" Shan Hongzhi watched with fury in his eyes.
"Hold on, your turn is coming up," Chen Guo retorted. "Susano'o, let's see how you fare against my Five Gods Spare Order! Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure, heed my command—"
A more solid phantom of the Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure appeared, its face devoid of emotion. It burned the talisman, summoning five primordial deities.
The Shan Brothers, overwhelmed by the onslaught of the five gods, were quickly reduced to ruins. Shan Hongzhi's true form was struck, leaving him barely clinging to life.
As Chen Guo's two techniques concluded, the once haughty Shan Brothers lay defeated on the ground, utterly powerless.
Such is the overwhelming might of the Mount Maoshan Dao Arts, amplified sixfold!
"Run for it!"
"The boss is down!"
"We're beaten, utterly beaten!"
Witnessing the downfall of the Shan Brothers, the Black Dragon Gang's minions fled in panic, wailing in despair.
The Jade Void Temple's members wasted no time, pursuing their fleeing adversaries.
Spectators from afar were stunned by the outcome of the battle.
They had anticipated the Shan Brothers' defeat, but not even their formidable ninjutsu could withstand Chen Guo's crushing blow.
It was an outright obliteration!
Truly, Boss Guangcheng lives up to his name—unparalleled, a prodigy. Like a cow flying high on a plane, his prowess soars to the heavens!
"I had thought the Shan Brothers' skills would leave the world in awe, but Boss Guangcheng's abilities are even more extraordinary. I caught a glimpse of the Great Monad and the Heavenly Worthy of Numbinous Treasure, and it was as if I was looking at their true forms—their gaze alone was enough to leave me breathless!"
"The game is over. Beginner Village and the Black Dragon Society are done for. The wolfish ambitions of the Plioyain have been crushed single-handedly by Boss Guangcheng!"
The citizens of Jutrela buzzed with excitement over the discussion.
The people of Plioya, on the other hand, dared not utter a word. Any attempt to speak would invite ridicule, and they felt the sting of humiliation, so they kept a low profile, much like a turtle withdrawing into its shell.
Their earlier arrogance had turned into wounds; their previous pride had morphed into frustration.
To be frank, the people of Plioya didn't even dare to let out a peep.
In the midst of the arena:
"Xuzuo, Great God Tianzhao, have you forsaken us?" Shan Hongzhi lamented.
"Great God Tianzhao, please save us!" pleaded Shan Tianming.
One had consumed a Divine Fire, the other a Five God Edict. They hadn't perished immediately because they possessed the power of Xuzuo within them, imbued with the resilience of a high-level mythical being, making them not so easily vanquished.
Yet, they were barely clinging to life, like lambs to the slaughter.
"Your gods can't save you now!" Chen Guo declared, ready to deal the final blow.
Just then, a voice whispered in Chen Guo's ear, "Do me a favor and spare them. In return, I'll ensure you receive half of the spoils of war."
Chen Guo rubbed his ears, confirming he wasn't hearing things, and retorted, "And who might you be? Why should I extend you this courtesy?"
The voice replied, "I am Tianzhao. You wouldn't want to defy me."
Chen Guo scoffed, "So the sudden emergence of two masters in Plioya was your doing, meddling god. I'm a descendant of Yan and Huang—why should I give you any respect? You overestimate your importance. Beat it!"
Chen Guo showed no courtesy to Tianzhao, ruthlessly slaying the Shan Brothers without a second thought.
Aware that Tianzhao was a deity, Chen Guo also sensed the presence of numerous gods spectating from the Whole Heaven Battlefield.
Yet, he remained indifferent to Tianzhao. Yes, Tianzhao was formidable, but was Yan Huang without its own divine guardians?
Putting aside the legendary figures like Taoist Hong Jun or the Great Immortal Yang Mei, at the very least, the watchful gaze of the Three Maos True Lord was upon them, ensuring Tianzhao couldn't stir up any trouble.
Chen Guo certainly wasn't about to show any respect to such a worthless Tianzhao!
...
In the celestial realm of Gao Tianyuan.
Tianzhao's face twisted in fury upon witnessing Chen Guo's blatant disrespect, as he killed the Shan Brothers, who possessed a fraction of Xuzuo's strength.
"Outrageous! How can this mere mortal be so insolent, to disregard me so? If I don't exact vengeance, will I not be scorned by all?" Tianzhao fumed.
Xuzuo sighed, "I can covertly bestow power upon a trial challenger, but that's already bending the rules. To kill a challenger outright would surely draw the Sovereign's gaze. Incurring such wrath over a mortal is unwarranted."
"I'm not foolish enough to kill the challenger," Tianzhao retorted, "but cursing him is well within the rules! I shall curse him right now!"
As Tianzhao prepared to cast a severe curse upon Chen Guo, a massive square seal descended upon Gao Tianyuan, pressing down so heavily that Tianzhao, Xuzuo, and the three gods struggled for breath.
"The Heaven Flipping Seal!" Tianzhao exclaimed in shock, "Brother Guangcheng, why do you strike against us?"
The assailant was none other than Guangcheng, the foremost among the twelve Golden Immortals of the Sect and the esteemed disciple of Primus. The Heaven Flipping Seal, Guangcheng's renowned magical treasure, had once sent the Treasure Monk tumbling head over heels. Now, the mighty seal threatened to leave Tianzhao and the other exalted deities battered, if not outright slain.
Within the void, a resonant voice declared, "You've resorted to cheating. I might overlook that, but to stoop so low while wielding the dignity of a deity is something I cannot ignore."
Tianzhao, puzzled, responded, "But he's merely a mortal. Why go to such lengths?"
Guangcheng explained, "Our young friend stands with dignity, aligning with my ideals. He's adopted the guise of Guangcheng, wrapping himself in a layer of my identity, which binds us by fate. Besides, he claims lineage from the Yan and Yellow Emperors, and as the Yellow Emperor's mentor, how could I neglect his descendant in their time of need?"
"You make a compelling argument, brother. You have my full agreement. I implore you to retract your divine ability and show leniency. I vow on my very essence not to harm that mortal," Tianzhao conceded with resignation.
"Very well," Guangcheng said, withdrawing the Heaven Flipping Seal as his presence faded away.
Yet the damage was done; Gao Tianyuan lay partially shattered from the Seal's force, its spiritual essence spilling out, costing Tianzhao dearly.
Once sure Guangcheng was out of earshot, Tianzhao erupted in fury, "These sanctimonious immortals from the Central Plains, parading virtue yet lacking basic humanity!"