157: Chapter 157 The outcome is decided!

No matter how fast he was, he could never be faster than the one who controlled the lightning.

The Seven Nothings Absolute State was originally a life-saving ultimate technique, but now it had become a slow, chronic suicide.

After the fifth reconstruction, when Di Shitian reappeared, his left arm was gone; the stump was charred black, and the flesh and blood were completely incinerated.

His heart trembled violently as he looked around—he was still in the center of the Sea of Lightning.

No matter which direction he fled, the outcome remained the same.

Despair flooded him like a tide.

Yet, having lived for three thousand years, he had long since engraved the will to survive into his very marrow.

Even if only one breath remained, he would never accept his fate.

When the figures of the Demon Cult Disciples appeared in the distance, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

He activated the Seven Nothings Absolute State once more, his form like lightning as he rushed straight toward the Demon Cult army.

This action caused the high-ranking members of the Demon Cult to glare with wide, furious eyes, their gazes almost splitting with rage.

This guy actually wanted to drag others into the fire!

Yes, and yet, no!

With a few leaps and turns, Di Shitian had already penetrated deep into the enemy formation.

His remaining left hand slammed onto the crown of a Demon Cult expert, and he instantly activated the Sea-Absorbing Sacred Heart Curse—essence, Internal Energy, and flesh and blood were all swallowed up and devoured, transformed for his own use.

Immediately after, the Seven Nothings Absolute State rose again.

When his form reappeared, that severed arm was already as good as new.

Su Rui was taken aback.

"It can actually do this?"

This kind of method had not been recorded when he learned about it from the System; it was likely something Di Shitian had created in a flash of inspiration during this critical moment.

Seeing this, the Demon Cult members were instantly Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, fleeing in all directions, fearing they wouldn't be able to escape in time.

And by using this method, Di Shitian seemed to regain his vitality; his aura gradually stabilized, and he even faintly possessed a bit of his former arrogance.

Su Rui frowned slightly and pursued relentlessly.

With a wave of his hand, the Thunder Light condensed into a giant figure that emerged in the sky, pressing down on Di Shitian with the force of a thunderbolt.

The onlookers were all dumbfounded.

This chase was simply not on the same level.

In front of Su Rui, Di Shitian had no power to fight back and could only dodge in a wretched state.

"To think Di Shitian could hold on until now under such an onslaught?" Empress Wu's eyes flashed with shock.

The might of that thunder was so great that just watching from afar made one feel palpitations.

She mused that if she only had to withstand one or two strikes, she might be able to resist, but any more would surely lead to severe injury or even death.

Given the strength Su Rui had displayed, she feared that even escaping would be difficult.

"Heh, such a powerful man is exactly to my liking," Empress Wu murmured, the corners of her lips curling upward.

Zhu Yuyan's expression, however, instantly darkened.

Earlier, when she heard Empress Wu praising Di Shitian, she still had the inclination to chime in, but now she had lost all interest.

She knew clearly that she could not possess Su Rui all to herself, but deep down, she was unwilling to see other women around him, especially someone like Empress Wu—outstanding in appearance, graceful in figure, and possessing a noble status.

She knew well that such a woman had an irresistible attraction to men and could easily arouse a desire for conquest.

As her thoughts turned, she suddenly recalled that night when she had voluntarily given herself to him.

Seeing Su Rui's domineering and forceful demeanor at that time appear in her mind, Zhu Yuyan couldn't help but squeeze her legs together, a flush rising on her cheeks.

Empress Wu glanced sideways, looking at her with a meaningful expression.

How sharp was she? This Senior Sister must have thought of something she shouldn't have.

Li Hanyi and the others naturally did not know of the turbulent waves in Zhu Yuyan's heart; they were all gazing intently at their Master hunting down Di Shitian.

That Di Shitian, who had been so arrogant upon his arrival, was now forced to flee everywhere, in a wretched state.

The young women were thrilled and filled with pride as they watched.

"Did you see that? Did you see that? That is my husband!" Lei Mengsha grinned and laughed, as excited as a child.

He slapped Xiao Ruofeng on the back so hard that it hurt, causing Xiao Ruofeng's face to twist slightly.

"Alright, alright, stop hitting me. If you're so capable, go hit Ye Eagle!" Xiao Ruofeng, unable to endure it any longer, took the opportunity to shift the fire.

Upon hearing this, Ye Eagle hurriedly retreated several steps, avoiding him from afar.

The three of them felt much more relaxed now.

The overall situation of this battle was settled; the Demon Cult would never be able to stir up trouble again.

The mastermind behind the scenes, Di Shitian, could not even protect himself and was fleeing everywhere; it looked like he wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.

Xiao Ruofeng's gaze fell on Ye Dingzhi.

Although the latter had already broken free from his demonic state, his expression was weak, his steps were unsteady, and he was silently watching the chase unfolding ahead.

Baili Dongjun stood quietly by his side.

The outcome was decided.

On the other side, Tyrant and the others already had intentions to retreat.

"Master, I fear Di Shitian cannot hold on much longer," Qin Shuang reported with a bow, his tone heavy.

This trip to Northern Li was clearly going to end in failure.

"Wait for an opportunity to withdraw," Tyrant's voice was low as it resonated in the hearts of the three.

The World Association had lost many experts in this battle, yet gained nothing, which made his face turn livid.

And as Di Shitian's methods became increasingly ruthless, the remnants of the Demon Cult fled one after another; no one was willing to serve him anymore.

Having lost his supply, his power was gradually drying up.

"His legs... are ruined!" Mo Qixuan's face was deathly pale.

Marquis Ziyi's expression was equally grave; he turned to look at Ye Dingzhi, whose condition was also not optimistic.

This time, what kind of ending would it lead to?

Di Shitian's limbs no longer existed; only a broken torso remained, struggling in mid-air.

He used all his strength to activate the "Seven Nothings Absolute State," his eyes wild and insane like a mad demon.

"It was all you who forced me!"

That figure he had barely managed to condense was incomplete, with his chest and abdomen completely empty.

At this moment, his eyes were blood-red, with killing intent and madness intertwined.

"Divine Annihilation Tribulation—emerge!"

A roar tore through the sky.

Su Rui stood quietly, his robes fluttering in the wind.

Di Shitian, now only a broken torso, fell from the high sky; before he could touch the ground, the lightning covering the sky coiled up like an angry dragon, instantly blasting him into nothingness.

Before the smoke and dust had dispersed, Su Rui's expression suddenly tightened.

It turned out that this "Divine Annihilation Tribulation" was not merely a physical killing move, but a final counterattack using the Primordial Spirit as a blade.

This technique was similar to the Sword Saint's "Sword Twenty-Three" of the past; both used oneself as a sacrifice to exchange for power that could destroy heaven and earth.

But the two were ultimately different: Sword Twenty-Three still left a glimmer of life, whereas once the Divine Annihilation Tribulation was activated, although the Physical Body turned to ashes, the Primordial Spirit could leave the body, and even if it meant total destruction of both form and spirit, it would drag the enemy to the grave together.

Sure enough, the next instant, Di Shitian's remaining Primordial Spirit darted out like ghostly fire, rushing straight toward Su Rui's Sea of Consciousness, forcibly invading his body.

"You and I shall perish together!"

He roared in the depths of Su Rui's Divine Soul, raging crazily.

However, a moment later, his voice came to an abrupt halt, his face stiffened, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

...

Everyone only saw Di Shitian's Physical Body completely annihilated, turning into dust and dissipating with the wind.

But Su Rui remained standing in place, motionless.

Yet that sky-high Thunder giant and that surging Sea of Lightning still spanned between heaven and earth, having not dispersed.

No one knew what had happened.

Time passed bit by bit, and Su Rui still had no reaction.

Li Hanyi and the others felt their hearts tighten and almost rushed forward, but were separated by an invisible force, unable to get close at all.

On the other side, Ye Dingzhi had already been quietly taken away by Baili Dongjun, his whereabouts unknown.

As for the Demon Cult army, they were surrounded on all sides.

Di Shitian was dead, Ye Dingzhi was missing, and Tyrant, Invincible East, Young Master Yu, and others, seeing the situation was bad, had long since withdrawn and left.

It was a great opportunity to eradicate the Demon Cult, but Emperor Mingde only ordered them to surround but not attack.

What was puzzling was that Su Rui's body still possessed a surging life force, even stronger than that of an ordinary Martial Artist at their Peak.

This made Li Hanyi and the others feel slightly relieved.

They had once heard Di Shitian roar the three words "Divine Annihilation Tribulation" and had also practiced the Sacred Heart Art, so they naturally understood what kind of method this was—at the moment of death, the Primordial Spirit leaves the body to gamble with the soul.

Now, their Master's Primordial Spirit was most likely battling against it in the Sea of Consciousness.

They firmly believed that since he could suppress the opponent without any power to fight back while alive, could he possibly lose to a dying soul after death?

It was just that they did not know when this battle of Divine Soul would end; they could only wait.

Not long after, Emperor Mingde came in person, riding in his royal carriage.

Firstly, it was to witness that heaven-destroying and earth-shattering strike with his own eyes, and from then on, cut off any thoughts of harboring improper ideas about Su Rui; secondly, it was to pay a visit to Empress Wu.

This Empress who ruled over seven provinces had unfathomable strength and a noble status; even if this trip was out of personal sentiment, the etiquette could absolutely not be lacking.

Unfortunately, Empress Wu's attitude was cold, and she was perfunctory.

Emperor Mingde knew better and did not linger, leaving soon after.

Lei Mengsha immediately requested to resign, wishing to retire to the Jianghu.

Before the Emperor could agree, Xiao Ruofeng also bowed and asked to retire.

Lei Mengsha was easy to deal with, but it was difficult to let Xiao Ruofeng go.

The Langya Army was created by him single-handedly; they followed his lead, and no one could replace him.

"Your Majesty, if I cannot retire, I am willing to guard the border."

Xiao Ruofeng settled for the next best thing and made the request.

"Why is that?"

Emperor Mingde did not understand.

"I also want to live more freely, like people in the Jianghu, galloping on horseback across the world."

He did not mention that it was Su Rui who had secretly guided Lei Mengsha, which had sparked this idea.

Emperor Mingde stared at him for a long time and finally nodded.

"Then you shall guard the Southern Solitude border, and Zengyi Province shall be designated as your fief."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"You may go, but you must wait until the aftermath here is completed.

The army of the thirty-six foreign nations is about to reach Northern Li; we cannot continue to fight, it is time to negotiate for peace."

"As you command."

The great battle had come to an end; the top priority now was to recuperate.

Northern Li had gone through turmoil and could not afford another protracted war.

Surrounded by neighbors, the slightest mistake would lead to complete destruction.

Baili Dongjun took Ye Dingzhi south and met up with Luo Qingyang on the way.

Not long after, he returned alone, bringing back a handwritten letter and an urn of ashes.

When the Demon Cult members first saw the contents of the letter, they were still somewhat restless, but when their gazes swept over the ruins not far away that looked like a thunderous prison, they finally fell silent.

They sent envoys to the foreign lands, preparing to bring back Ye Dingzhi's only son and send him to Northern Li as a hostage.

Thus, this catastrophe that had swept across the world finally came to an end.

Baili Dongjun looked at the giant Thunder figure that still stood towering in the distance, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.

"Can this thunder be so violent and ceaseless? The land over there has long since been scorched to charcoal!"

"Perhaps for him, this is just the beginning."

Sikong Changfeng leaned on his long spear, his tone calm.

"I plan to return to Snow Moon City; the matters piled up in the city are likely stacked like a mountain.

You, this Deputy City Lord, should also go back and share some of the burden; you can't just let me be the only one busy until I drop dead, right?"

"When have you ever seen me deal with those trivial matters?" Baili Dongjun said with a calm face, without the slightest guilty conscience.

Sikong Changfeng: "..."

"Fine, you're amazing!" He was so angry that his fingers trembled; he pointed at the other for a long time without being able to say anything else, finally snorted coldly, turned around, and left with his people.

"Want to make me work? No way." Baili Dongjun tilted his head and gulped down a bowl of strong wine, narrowed his eyes, and stared at the Thunder Light giant formed by Su Rui.

"What kind of Realm has he actually reached?"