Chapter 13: Withdrawal

Ji Ning did not hesitate to go on a killing spree, showing no mercy whatsoever, because showing mercy to the enemy is being cruel to oneself and to those one must protect.

Boom~~ Boom~~

The two enormous palms, like dark clouds, swept toward the countless immortals fleeing in all directions, causing them immense pain, and some even cursed in anger. But under the great tribulation, they were merely ants that fell early. Under the tribulation, these loose immortals and celestial immortals were even more pitiable than mortals.

Stop.

Halt.

In the distance, the two white-faced jiaos and the nine ten-thousand-zhang black monsters charged over simultaneously.

Ji Ning glanced and immediately recognized them: "Heavenly God puppets?"

The newly appeared slightly weaker ten-thousand-zhang divine demon was indeed a Heavenly God puppet. The reason he could recognize it at a glance was because when the Non-Doings Gate had previously sent assassins to Brightheart Island, Old Man Yuan had killed them and given him their treasures. Among those treasures was a Heavenly God puppet! It was identical to these nine—black, with a pair of curved horns, a ferocious appearance.

Beiming, well done!

Splendid.

Kill well.

Hahaha... kill kill kill.

The other seven Heavenly Gods were all excited as they gathered with Ji Ning. No wonder they were so thrilled—the deaths of the Heavenly God Xishui on the Non-Doings side and Ji Ning's killing of a white-faced jiao occurred one after the other, with a very short interval. Just moments ago, they were furious and unwilling because of Xishui's fall, and then they saw Ji Ning thoroughly eliminate one of their white-faced jiaos—how could they not be excited?

Haha, the other nine black divine demons are Heavenly God puppets," Ji Ning transmitted. "They should be weaker than the white-faced jiaos."

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three nearest Heavenly God puppets charged straight at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning immediately willed it, collecting the treasures left behind by the countless immortals he had slapped to death into his storage treasure. Of course, many immortals were still fleeing in all directions; after all, they fled quickly and scattered in every direction, some even hiding in immortal mansions. Ji Ning couldn't catch them all. Previously, the Heavenly God Xishui had also left many immortals alive, but those who survived were lucky. In battles of this level, surviving the collapse of the grand formation was like escaping death by a hair!

Hmph." The Heavenly God Ji Ning merely sidestepped, then delivered a sharp claw strike directly at the Heavenly God puppet on his flank.

Ji Ning usually fought with his true body using the Star Picking Hand, so he had plenty of experience fighting with his palms.

Fist? Claw? Palm? Sword finger? A pair of hands could change at will!

That Heavenly God puppet quickly raised both arms to block.

Boom~~~" At the moment of contact, Ji Ning's sharp claw turned into a fist, and on the surface of the fist condensed sharp spikes formed by the pure yang top-grade treasure 'Breaker of Hardness'. This punch slammed heavily into the puppet's crossed arms. Although the arms blocked it, the puppet was sent flying backward, tumbling far away into the thousand-li lake, rolling a few times before quickly rising and charging again. By then, Ji Ning was already fighting the other two Heavenly God puppets.

Ji Ning's attacks were all heavy and forceful!

As Ji Ning had expected, the three Heavenly God puppets were tough in defense due to their puppet materials, but their attack power was clearly inferior. Only by attacking together could they prevent Ji Ning from dealing with them individually.

Kill.

These Heavenly God puppets aren't that strong after all.

They're much weaker than the white-faced jiaos.

The other Heavenly Gods also engaged the Heavenly God puppets and white-faced jiaos.

For a time, the fighting continued.

To tie down Ji Ning required three Heavenly God puppets. But to tie down other Heavenly Gods, only two were needed. The nine Heavenly God puppets and two white-faced jiaos had gathered together, cooperating with each other. Although they were at a disadvantage against the eight Heavenly Gods, they held on.

After all, the Heavenly God puppets were very tough in defense; their bodies were no less than pure yang treasures. Of course, they also had obvious weaknesses—once captured, they were finished.

...

The white-faced jiao commanded by Heavenly God Commander Dujue attacked fiercely for a while but failed to kill the two Heavenly Gods of the Great Xia world. Seeing the two white-faced jiaos and nine Heavenly God puppets being besieged, he let out a roar and charged over in large strides. Despite the desperate attempts of the two Great Xia Heavenly Gods to stop him, they could not hold back this powerful white-faced jiao.

This white-faced jiao is too strong," Huoyun Heavenly God transmitted.

I think it must be commanded by a Heavenly God or True Immortal," the female Heavenly God replied. "Let's use spells to assist Ji Ning and the other eight."

Yes, we're better suited for spells now." Huoyun Heavenly God agreed.

The female Heavenly God and Huoyun Heavenly God flew over, both beginning to cast spells.

They both cast binding spells! Surging black rivers and golden lava rivers began to entangle the three white-faced jiaos and nine Heavenly God puppets of the Non-Doings side.

Damn it," Dujue white-faced jiao raged.

This binding is uncomfortable.

I'm even slower.

The other two white-faced jiaos felt it more keenly. Bound, they lost their speed advantage over the Heavenly Gods and even had their attack power weakened.

The nine Heavenly God puppets felt it even more strongly. Being the weakest, they were greatly weakened by the binding. Fortunately, the two Great Xia Heavenly God True Immortals' spells were large-area bindings, so they could still fight the Heavenly Gods.

Damn it.

Dujue white-faced jiao was the least affected. He charged about wildly, as if insane.

The eight Heavenly Gods, including Ji Ning, immediately felt the threat increase.

Fengdian, Wanshou, Fuchen, the four of us go," Tonghe Celestial Immortal transmitted. They were directly facing Dujue white-faced jiao and were closest, so the four Heavenly Gods joined forces to meet him.

Boom~~~ Tonghe, charging head-on, was sent flying with a single blow. But the other three Heavenly Gods didn't give Dujue white-faced jiao a chance to pursue; they immediately blocked him.

For a time, the four Heavenly Gods furiously attacked Dujue white-faced jiao.

Charging repeatedly and assisting each other, they managed to hold off this terrifying white-faced jiao!

Meanwhile, Ji Ning and the other three Heavenly Gods furiously attacked the nine Heavenly God puppets and two white-faced jiaos. Ji Ning alone was entangled by six Heavenly God puppets.

...

On the city wall of the distant black city 'Non-Doings City', Bai Ze True Immortal, Qinghu Gate Master, and others watched from afar.

I told them to be careful of that Ji Ning," Qinghu Gate Master frowned, a trace of anger in his voice.

It's not entirely their fault," Xueyun Tower Master shook his head. "The battlefield changes in an instant. Once an opportunity is seized, escape is impossible. And Ji Ning took too big a risk, leaping to attack with his knee. True divine demons rarely use such moves."

Bai Ze True Immortal said coldly, "Thinking what others dare not think—that's Ji Ning's strength. True divine demons have their whole body power integrated as one, so naturally they use only their arms to attack. But whether it's a Heavenly God or a white-faced jiao, they barely control their own power, let alone integrate it. The leg strength of a Heavenly God naturally far exceeds that of the arms. If Ji Ning hadn't taken the risk, our side could have held out, and the nine Heavenly God puppets would have had time to rescue. But Ji Ning took the risk—one knee strike shattered that white-faced jiao, then a single sword strike killed it."

The others nodded.

This Ji Ning is indeed a variable," Qinghu Gate Master said.

In the corner, Duchou Celestial Immortal's expression darkened, then a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.

Back then, when he was in the Nuwa camp, he feared Ji Ning's revenge.

But now that he had joined the Non-Doings Gate, it was the Non-Doings Gate that truly wanted to kill Ji Ning.

This battle has gone far enough," Bai Ze True Immortal said. "The Xia Emperor still has Heavenly God True Immortals who haven't acted, and we haven't gone all out either. Even if we both go all out, I doubt either side can sweep the other... This first engagement has revealed some strengths and weaknesses. It's time to think carefully."

Yes.

We need to think it over. It seems we'll have to call for reinforcements from the fifth world."

Everyone nodded.

No one had thought to annihilate the enemy in the first battle; that would be underestimating the Xia Emperor. If they foolishly attacked recklessly, even if they succeeded, the cost would be too great. What the Non-Doings Gate wanted was to occupy the entire Great Xia world at the lowest possible cost. Of course, if there was no other way, they would pay any price.

Dujue," Bai Ze True Immortal looked at a Heavenly God of the Non-Doings Gate beside him. "Cease fire, retreat."

This person was Heavenly God Dujue, though only an avatar.

As a divine demon, he could easily split into countless avatars.

Alright," Dujue Heavenly God, with narrow eyes, nodded. "But before retreating, I want to personally test that Ji Ning's strength."

Dujue, thank you," suddenly spoke the black-robed, black-haired, red-eyed old man who had been silent.

Haha, Daoist Chibing, no need to thank me. I know you were entrusted by Daoist Wuxiao to come here to kill Ji Ning. I'm helping you, but more importantly, I'm doing it for my Non-Doings Gate. This Ji Ning is indeed an obstacle to occupying Great Xia." Dujue Heavenly God nodded.

The red-eyed old man nodded lightly.

He was not under the command of Qinghu Gate Master and the others. He came this time entrusted by Wuxiao Celestial Immortal, with only one target—Ji Ning!

...

The Non-Doings side is probably going to retreat. Be careful of their final counterattack," Ji Ning transmitted. As the strongest on his side, he had the clearest view of the battlefield situation.

Yes, everyone be careful.

Not good, that strongest white-faced jiao is running. Ah, Ji Ning, be careful!" Tonghe Celestial Immortal quickly transmitted.

Ji Ning also noticed.

That strongest white-faced jiao was extremely fast, beginning to flee, but then arced directly toward Ji Ning to attack.

The other Heavenly Gods immediately moved closer to Ji Ning to assist him.

Die."

Dujue white-faced jiao's aura soared to the sky as he leaped up. He wanted to test Ji Ning, but if he could kill him, that would be best. His claw, with the power to tear heaven and earth, struck with full force directly at the Heavenly God Ji Ning.

Ji Ning stepped back with his left foot, bent both knees slightly, and raised both hands in front of him to block the fierce claw.

Boom!!!

The strongest collision since the battle began. The shockwave tore the earth apart. The ground where Ji Ning and the white-faced jiao stood sank, and both sank down until at least their knees were below the surface. The distant earth rippled like waves, spreading to the far lake and raising monstrous waves.