Chapter 348 266: Ascension

However, this was not the end.

The Seven-Star Candle had burned out, signaling the end of Yuan Tianhao's life. But it also meant that in this fleeting moment as death descended, he was finally free of all constraints.

OMMM!!

The Light of the Beidou erupted from within him. At this moment, his bones, flesh, and meridians seemed to transform into pure light, visible through his very body.

Qi was corroding his body, turning his flesh and blood into an iridescent glow.

And in that same instant, he furiously channeled the Qi within him.

Outside.

Before the eyes of all, the pavilion erupted in a blazing light. Seven dazzling stars materialized in the daytime sky, casting down a brilliant, stellar luminescence.

For a moment, it seemed as if even the setting sun had lost its brilliance.

The light rocketed into the sky, coalescing into a colossal figure with the face of Yuan Tianhao. This Dharma Aspect stood at least fifty meters tall, an immense being that seemed a sovereign of heaven and earth. From its lofty height, it gazed down upon the world. The gathered masters of Neon and their entire army could do nothing but crane their necks and stare.

The presence of a single man seemed enough to overwhelm the entire Neon army!

In the sky, the colossal figure spoke, its power causing the very air to vibrate, its voice impossibly immense.

"Last time, all of you combined couldn't keep me here. Do you think you're worthy of challenging me to a battle of armies?"

"You are nothing but petty cowards. I alone can shatter the might of your Three Armies!!"

The next moment, as everyone watched in stunned silence, the colossal Dharma Aspect struck.

A palm swept across the sky, blazing with starlight!!

As the giant palm descended, it channeled the terrifying power of the heavens and earth, crashing down upon the Neon army!

HAAH!!!

Four Restriction-level and dozens of Harmony masters roared, instantly condensing their auras to meet the giant palm.

BOOM!!

The world shook. The host of Neon masters were all forced back a step in unison. This terrifying sight sent a chill down the spines of the Neon army behind them. The blood-soaked killing intent that had been rolling forward with the momentum of victory seemed on the verge of collapse.

Every Neon soldier stared at the colossal figure in the sky, their faces etched with horror.

'Can one person truly wield such power?'

"Divine General! Divine General!!"

The warriors of the Divine Land were equally stunned by the display. A brief silence was shattered by an eruption of near-fanatical cheers. Even the top-tier experts could not conceal the excitement in their eyes.

The Divine General—the supreme realm of individual martial prowess in the Martial History of the Divine Land. A being of that caliber had not appeared in a thousand years, yet countless legends remained of how a single Divine General could pacify the entire world.

Who else but a Divine General could shatter the momentum of the Neon army and overpower so many masters with their might alone?

Yuan Tianhao, just as the rumors had claimed, had truly broken through to that legendary realm!

The world turned upside down, a national crisis at hand, the enemy at the gates—and a Divine General appears!

How could the people of the Divine Land not be ecstatic?

"The might of one man against an army? Is this the power of a Divine General?! Is Yuan Tianhao really unharmed? Did he actually break through?!"

"A Divine General, a master not seen for a thousand years, has reappeared. That's a level of existence beyond Restriction-level! This campaign looks extremely dangerous for the Neon army!"

"It's not just about the Neon Nation. The appearance of a Divine General will change the global balance of power! It could even threaten the standing of our own countries!"

"Report this at once! Immediately!"

"..."

At that moment, all across Shangjing, spies from various factions monitoring the battlefield were utterly shaken by the power Yuan Tianhao had displayed. Even the ordinary citizens within the Capital City witnessed the spectacle, and a deafening cheer erupted from within the walls.

The cheers for the Divine General were ceaseless.

This title held a significance for the people of the Divine Land that was simply too profound.

In an instant, a deafening roar of cheers surged from the Divine Land's side, their morale soaring and completely crushing the spirit of the Neon army.

Yet at this very moment, somewhere in Shangjing, a figure hidden deep in the shadows watched everything unfolding on the battlefield.

'A final struggle? Still, I suppose it's a rather magnificent curtain call.'

The figure muttered to itself before melting completely into the darkness.

「On the city wall, inside the pavilion.」

"Foster Father..."

Amidst the thunderous cheers from outside, Meng Dongtai was already weeping uncontrollably.

Before him, Yuan Tianhao's body was uncontrollably disintegrating. Inch by inch, his flesh sloughed off, transforming into streaks of iridescent light under the surging Qi and vanishing. It looked as if countless feathers of light were drifting from his body.

It was both terrifying and beautiful.

Ascension.

Hearing the cries of "Divine General," a faint, serene smile graced Yuan Tianhao's face. His expression grew peaceful.

He had done all that he could do.

"Tai'Er, I have used this to awe the Neon army, but it's unclear if they will retreat. If they do, that is for the best. You will assume my identity, issue orders in my name, and stall for time."

"If they continue their attack, you must fall back in stages according to plan. Protect the Yuan Mansion at all costs. If you cannot hold the Yuan Mansion, then you must evacuate Zhao Xuanqi. Ensure his safety so he can break through to the next realm, even if it costs you your life. Do you understand?"

Yuan Tianhao looked at Meng Dongtai and spoke softly.

"I understand, Foster Father."

Meng Dongtai replied with solemn gravity.

"The Beidou Army is in your hands now."

Yuan Tianhao nodded. By now, his body had disintegrated to its limit, completely dissolving into feathers of light and vanishing without a trace. Only his voice remained, echoing in Meng Dongtai's ears.

"Today, I, Yuan Tianhao, ascend to immortality!"

Then, the feathers of light vanished completely. The pavilion was empty, as if Yuan Tianhao had never existed in this world. Only the clothes lying on the floor proved that he had once been there.

Outside.

A single strike had shaken the Three Armies.

The morale of the Divine Land army surged, pushing back against that of the Neon forces.

Even the four Restriction-level masters hesitated, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

In the rear of the Neon army, Seiichiro Shintani watched the scene unfold from his command post, his breathing growing ragged.

'Yuan Tianhao is really unharmed?!'

'Did he truly break through to the realm of a Divine General?!'

'If that's the case, then my Neon Far East Army doesn't have the strength to take Shangjing. A forced assault might even lead to our complete annihilation!'

'What do I do? Is this the time to advance or retreat?!'

'No, that's impossible. This isn't Yuan Tianhao's style. He wouldn't be hiding behind the curtain at a time like this. The grander the spectacle, the more suspicious it is!'

'He's trying to make us back down! I can't retreat! I won't! Even if he has truly reached the Divine General realm and is laying a trap, I must test his true strength today, no matter the cost!!'

A crazed light shone in Seiichiro Shintani's eyes.

BANG!!

He slammed a fist on the table, his face contorted in a snarl. Turning to his command staff, he roared, "This is Yuan Tianhao's bluff! Relay my command! All units are to attack immediately as planned! Attack now!!"

"Attack now!!"

"Attack now!!"

Soon, Seiichiro Shintani's decision reached the ears of every Neon soldier via radio and loudspeakers.

The Neon masters at the forefront of the army hesitated for only a moment upon hearing the command. Then, their faces hardened with resolve. With a great roar, they charged toward the walls of Shangjing.

The masters leaped with incredible speed; a twenty-meter-high wall was no obstacle for experts of their caliber.

In a siege, the duels between masters are what decide the outcome.

"Engage!! Engage!!"

The morale of the Divine Land warriors was at its peak. Roaring defiantly, they clashed with the attacking Neon masters.

Seiichiro Shintani held a specially made spyglass, constantly observing the progress of the assault.

The masters from both sides became entangled in battle. The Neon masters quickly gained the upper hand, suppressing their Divine Land counterparts. Yet, Yuan Tianhao, the man whose presence had awed the Three Armies, was nowhere to be seen.

Soon, even the high-spirited Divine Land masters began to realize something was amiss. A flicker of doubt and suspicion appeared in their eyes.

Yuan Tianhao did not reappear.

'What is going on?!'

The battle raged for nearly a Quarter Hour. The Divine Land masters were being pushed back, nearing the pavilion where Yuan Tianhao was supposed to be. Suddenly, the pavilion door burst open with a BANG, but the one who emerged was not Yuan Tianhao, as everyone had hoped. It was Meng Dongtai.

"Withdraw from the walls! Fall back into the city!!"

Meng Dongtai yelled to the others.

In the Neon army's command post, Seiichiro Shintani watched through his spyglass as the Divine Land forces fell back, even being forced to abandon the walls. From beginning to end, Yuan Tianhao never intervened again. A smile crept onto his lips, growing wider and more triumphant by the second.