The body of Feng Jian was being relentlessly pulled into the dark vortex that had formed beneath the sky. No matter how hard he tried to break free, his nearly exhausted strength was no match for the eternal darkness formation conjured by Luo Han.
"There really is no chance. Am I going to die without giving Luo Han a lesson?" Feng Jian muttered to himself while struggling, feeling as if his bones were being crushed.
Meanwhile, Luo Han smiled from below. Two crowns adorned either side of his head, resembling three-branched antlers like a deer's. His eyelids had turned a dark purplish hue, and his lips had become black. He stretched out his hand and summoned a pagoda emitting a golden light.
It was clearly Jin Yu's soul light. Although she was from the demon clan, all souls inherently remain pure, made of light. That's why its color was still golden. "It seems you really mean a lot to that sword. How about I play around with you a bit? Even if your body is destroyed, your soul is trapped here, which grants me an advantage."
After saying that, Luo Han allowed the pagoda to float gracefully in the air, trying to catch Feng Jian's attention. It spun slowly, its golden light radiating around it. Even Feng Jian, who was still resisting, couldn't help but notice it. "What? That's Jin Yu's soul light. It means the pagoda Luo Han threw earlier wasn't real. He truly wants me to die in guilt here."
Luo Han closed his eyes, his hand movements skillful. "Oh pure soul, bearer of the eternal, untainted light. I summon you to merge with my spirit, to become one within me, and grant me your strength."
Miraculously, the pagoda grew five times its original size, spinning faster and faster. Gradually, the golden light began to seep into Luo Han's body from all directions.
"What is he doing? Did Luo Han just absorb all of Jin Yu's soul energy? Damn it! If that happens, Yu'er truly won't be able to reincarnate. Today, no matter what, I must stop Luo Han. Demon souls can never absorb pure energy. Forcing it would corrupt Jin Yu's light." The pull on his body intensified, but Feng Jian's resolve remained just as strong.
When the distance between Feng Jian and the vortex was down to just one meter, he forcefully braced himself, closing his eyes against the pain, feeling like his body was being slowly torn apart.
"Divine Jade, although you were born pure and holy, it was I who purified you so that you could be wielded. So it doesn't matter where I come from today, you must help me. For I who once fought darkness alongside Luo Han, for I who once defended the divine realm with the sacred souls, today, help me exact vengeance!" Feng Jian's voice was steady but full of intensity.
Meanwhile, the light within the pagoda was dimming as it was absorbed by Luo Han. Just as the last bit of light was about to enter his body, a streak of blue light struck Luo Han. It knocked him down, and all the light he had absorbed surged back into the pagoda.
High above, Feng Jian glared down at Luo Han with piercing eyes. His once red irises had turned blue on one side. The wind whipped through his robes, leaving him in golden-white attire after his black cloak had fallen off somewhere along the way.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand to draw the pagoda closer. Now, it had stopped spinning, its light dimmed, indicating that Jin Yu's soul was still inside.
Luo Han, who had fallen, suddenly panicked at the turn of events. He quickly righted himself, a pair of black wings unfurling from his back. "That brat still isn't dead. Just a bit more, and the demonic girl's spiritual energy would have fully merged into me. But no matter, I'd like to see how long he can withstand my attacks."
In a flash, Feng Jian was right in front of Luo Han. Truth be told, Luo Han was anxious at Feng Jian's sudden appearance, especially with that intimidating aura. Yet he concealed his fear, trying not to appear weak. "What now? You've reclaimed what's yours, but what good is that? The one inside is already dead, and soon it will be your turn."
Feng Jian's gaze didn't waver from Luo Han. He said nothing until a blue light emerged from his forehead, striking Luo Han's body directly. "Ahhh!"
Luo Han screamed in agony. He fell, crashing onto a large fragment of earth, blood pouring from his mouth, his heart feeling as if it would burst. Using his hands for support, Luo Han looked up to see Feng Jian still floating above. "How is this possible? Did Feng Jian just use a divine forbidden technique? I, a war god, could never master such a technique. How could a mere sword achieve it?"
When Feng Jian landed perfectly in front of Luo Han, the gust from his descent blew Luo Han's disheveled hair back. Even as he knelt in his fallen state, Luo Han shielded his eyes from the swirling dust.
"I gave you a chance, but you chose to ignore it. Today, even if you kneel in a sea of blood, I swear I'll drink every drop and leave none for you," Feng Jian declared. His face was utterly devoid of emotion. A sword materialized in his right hand.
"You used a forbidden technique. Even if you kill me, you won't escape death and the heavenly laws!" Luo Han shouted, realizing he was cornered.
A smirk tugged at Feng Jian's lips. He walked slowly towards Luo Han, increasing the pressure around the war god until he could no longer rise. "Do you think, after all this, I'm still afraid of death? My sole purpose is to kill you. Even if I have to go to hell afterward, I won't go alone. Today, whether we live or die, it all ends here."
"Bastard!" Luo Han stood up, flinging his arms outward, summoning a thick wave of darkness that Feng Jian could feel in his bones.
Struggling, Luo Han finally stood and glared at the man before him. "So proud of that forbidden technique of yours, aren't you? I don't know how you're using it, but let me show you what I can do to you."
Without delay, Luo Han levitated into the sky, drawing all the dark energy from creatures and elements across the three realms. The process was so rapid that, before he realized it, he was already hurtling towards Feng Jian. Fortunately, Feng Jian's reflexes were sharp, allowing him to dodge nimbly.
But it wasn't over. In the next instant, Luo Han was behind Feng Jian, ready to strike. Sensing this, Feng Jian spun around to counter, while his other hand tried to land a blow on Luo Han.
Luo Han only sneered. He twisted his body mid-air, kicking Feng Jian so hard that he was sent flying dozens of meters.
Blood spurted from Feng Jian's mouth as he clutched his chest, feeling as if it were being pierced. Before he could recover, Luo Han attacked with brutal ferocity—punches and kicks raining down on him from all directions.
All Feng Jian could do was evade, constantly retreating, unable to counter even once. "This is bad. If this continues, I'll truly lose. Luo Han isn't just a demonic cultivator, he's the demon himself."
Determined not to yield, Feng Jian planted his feet, sliding back as he blocked Luo Han's attacks. He seized a chance to kick at Luo Han's legs, but the demon lord leaped away.
Feng Jian didn't waste the opportunity. He conjured a sword in his right hand and fought back. Though Luo Han managed to deflect some strikes, Feng Jian swiftly maneuvered behind him, slashing Luo Han's face as he turned.
When Feng Jian landed on his feet, his breaths came in ragged gasps. He used the sword embedded in the air as a support to steady himself. Luo Han wiped the blood trickling down his face. "How dare you wound me, you damned sword!"
"RAAAAHHHH!!" Luo Han roared, and the shattered fragments of his elemental powers reformed, enveloping his entire body. It became an armor that looked formidable and invincible. Explosions echoed all around as Luo Han took deliberate steps toward Feng Jian.
A massive warhammer now appeared in his hand. "You seem to enjoy playing games. Didn't you say that, whether in life or death, this must come to an end? Very well, I'll grant you your final wish."
Feng Jian's gaze did not shift from the legendary weapon Luo Han wielded. The warhammer of death was, in truth, a weapon of the divine clan. However, the demonic symbols carved into its structure confirmed that Luo Han had infused it with demonic power. Though divine and demonic energies typically clash, it wasn't impossible to merge them. Strengthening each without destroying the other. Unfortunately, Feng Jian never knew how to achieve such a feat.
"What's wrong? Are you scared?" Luo Han taunted with disdain.
Despite his evident struggle, Feng Jian rose to his feet and stood firm. "If I can use the forbidden technique, then I have no reason to fear your weapon."
Feng Jian's body lifted into the air, his arms stretched wide, face tilted upward, eyes closed. Moments later, the sound of thunder began to rumble. The previously calm sky turned a deep crimson once more, darker than when the eye of the gods had appeared. Explosions erupted, and a violent windstorm began to swirl in the void around them.
Luo Han watched Feng Jian's actions intently. "This... Feng Jian is merging a forbidden technique with the divine weapon he stole? Moreover, the weapon he's using is the celestial jade that can seal a person's soul until it disintegrates into ashes. This shouldn't affect me. But because I use demonic energy, my body will be destroyed under it. No, Feng Jian must be stopped immediately." Luo Han quickly soared toward him, swinging the death warhammer in mid-air to disrupt Feng Jian's merging process.
However, within his subconscious, Feng Jian saw an oval-shaped space within his body. The chamber appeared to be made of something resembling skin but thinner and easily torn. "Jin Yu, I need your help."
Soon after, a black light enveloped Feng Jian's entire body. Moments later, a 6-meter tall monster with horns on its head and a bull-like face emerged behind him, allowing Feng Jian to stand upright and steady once more. "I've given you plenty of chances, but this time, don't expect to escape."
"Whatever is destined to happen, will happen."
Luo Han charged forward, wielding the warhammer, attempting to strike Feng Jian. Feng Jian was not idle; he continued to evade and counter-attack, sending strikes aimed at Luo Han. Occasionally, they would leap, clashing mid-air, only to be thrown back and pushed apart by the force of their blows.
"Forbidden divine technique, celestial jade of annihilation, eternal darkness entity, combine your powers!" Feng Jian shouted furiously. A purple-white light erupted from his body, piercing through the sky. The man drew out a jade crystal and unleashed the demon that had long resided within him. The energies from both sources were pulled toward the heavens by the lightning, merging above them. The atmosphere grew unbearably tense, and seconds later, a purple formation materialized directly above their heads.
Feng Jian felt his energy rapidly draining. After this, he truly didn't care what would happen to him. Unleashing this much power at once would inevitably destroy his soul. But he could also ensure that Luo Han would be obliterated along with him.
Blood poured profusely from Feng Jian's mouth and nose, yet he remained indifferent. He continued to channel his energy into the formation above, sacrificing not only his cultivation but also his soul's blood and divine consciousness. Every nerve and vein within Feng Jian's body felt like they were being savagely consumed at that moment.
"The forbidden celestial annihilation formation?" Luo Han recognized that this formation was far more potent than any demonic formation. Not even a deity king could confidently survive it unscathed.
"I won't let that happen!" Luo Han unleashed his green, black, and golden auras, causing his death hammer to float and spin chaotically. Eleven pillars solidified around him, standing firm. "Today, we will see which is stronger—the forbidden celestial annihilation formation or my hell's death pillars?!"
Feng Jian glared at the man before him with unyielding fury. Both his hands directed towards the sky where the formation loomed. "Destroy!"