“I’m just afraid you won’t dare,” Spare Tiger chuckled, then turned to Xu Zimo and said, “Brother, if you have the guts to shout in front of everyone here: ‘The Death God Palace is a bunch of worthless trash,’ I’ll take you into Radiant Temple right now. How about it?”

“You’re courting death, Spare Tiger,” Ghost Yama said coldly.

Xu Zimo turned his head with interest and asked, “Using me as your pawn?”

“That’s not the right way to put it. I’m saving you,” Spare Tiger grinned. “You should be thanking me.”

Xu Zimo sneered and, clearly irritated, replied with one word: “Scram.”

Spare Tiger’s expression darkened slightly, and a glint of hostility flashed in his eyes.

“Kid, don’t be so ungrateful.”

“Maybe I’ll just wipe out both your Radiant Temple and the Death God Palace,” Xu Zimo said indifferently.

“What a loudmouth,” Ghost Yama said as he waved his hand. Immediately, the black-robed men surrounding them charged forward, their immense aura surging.

Just then, a figure stepped in front of Xu Zimo.

Mad Blood Demon intercepted all of the incoming attacks. His Empyrean Meridian Realm aura exploded outward, sending all the black-robed attackers flying with sheer force.

“This is your trump card?” Ghost Yama asked coldly.

A powerful aura also radiated from his body, he too was an Empyrean Meridian Realm cultivator.

His twisted mask seemed to warp as his energy surged.

He threw a punch, sending shockwaves echoing in every direction, clashing directly with Mad Blood Demon.

Xu Zimo calmly dragged out a lounge chair from the teahouse, sat down, and watched their battle with interest.

The battle raged for a while. Energy waves rolled across the street, but eventually the two combatants separated, neither able to gain the upper hand.

“So this is what gives you the courage to provoke the Death God Palace?” Ghost Yama asked coldly.

“Why do you yap so much?” Xu Zimo said, stretching lazily in his chair.

Ghost Yama snorted and said no more.

Spare Tiger, meanwhile, chuckled and added, “Brother Yama, need a hand?”

Just as his words fell, a strange flute melody echoed through the air.

The tune was eerie and irregular, its notes rising and falling unpredictably. It didn’t just enter the ears, it felt like it struck directly at one’s soul.

As the music ended, everyone present felt as if a storm had churned their hearts, unable to explain the sensation.

They looked toward the source and saw a figure standing atop the River Town Tavern, the tallest building in Dark Corner Capital.

Before anyone could react, the figure vanished into smoke in the blink of an eye.

And in the next moment, he appeared directly in front of the teahouse.

As soon as he appeared, every single Death God Palace disciple dropped to their knees.

Even Ghost Yama bowed deeply and said, “Lord Dark River.”

When the name Dark River was spoken, it wasn’t just the disciples who froze.

Even the hiding citizens nearby gasped in fear.

This was the true master of the Death God Palace, Dark River.

The one who had founded the hall and ruled Dark Corner Capital with absolute authority. Even after years in seclusion, no one had dared to challenge his name.

Now, seeing him appear in person, many cast sympathetic glances toward Xu Zimo.

…

Dark River wore the same style of black robe, but his mask was different from Ghost Yama’s.

It was painted in black and white, resembling a grim reaper, with its mouth drawn open as if to swallow all creation.

A long sword was slung across his back.

His vast God Meridian Realm aura blanketed all of Dark Corner Capital. Explosions echoed through the surrounding space from the sheer pressure.

He slowly raised his head, and the eyes on his mask locked onto Xu Zimo.

Then he turned to glance at Mad Blood Demon.

“A puppet?” His deep, magnetic voice echoed. “What terrifying strength that body must’ve had when it was alive.”

“Much stronger than you,” Xu Zimo said calmly, unfazed by the divine pressure.

“I won’t deny it. Seems you came prepared,” Dark River said as he stared at Xu Zimo. “Why don’t you bring out the rest of your cards?”

Xu Zimo smiled and snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, the surrounding space shook violently, and explosions thundered through the air.

From the void, a massive creature slowly emerged, Chaos, and it knelt reverently before Xu Zimo.

Its powerful peak God Meridian Realm aura swept across the area.

The overwhelming pressure of the beast caused the expressions of everyone present to change drastically.

…

Dark River turned to look at Ghost Yama.

Ghost Yama panicked and stammered, “Lord Dark River, I really didn’t know. This whole mess was caused by that useless thing.”

As he spoke, he kicked the bald fatty next to him to the ground.

“I haven’t fought in ages,” Dark River turned back to Xu Zimo with a solemn expression.

“You’re clearly not from some ordinary sect.”

“That’s not important,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “The only thing that matters is that the Death God Palace is destined to be erased today.”

…

Whoosh, a sound like rushing water echoed in the sky.

Dark River’s True Fate appeared above him.

A blood-colored river flowed overhead, filled with ghostly boats drifting aimlessly, as if leading straight to the underworld.

It sent chills down everyone’s spines.

Dark River rose into the air, his aura surging.

The blood river swelled into a monstrous wave and crashed toward Chaos, carrying the sins of the world within it.

Watching the ghostly red river swirl toward him, Chaos simply folded the four insect-like wings on his back.

On its stomach, a red vortex began to spin.

Inside the vortex, purple lightning crackled.

It was pitch black, like a well of terror.

Crack!

BOOM!

Thunder rumbled from within.

As the vortex spun, the blood river was completely devoured.

BOOM!

An explosion rang from within Chaos’s body.

Then it gave a loud burp and slowly raised its massive claw, swatting at Dark River.

Having his True Fate devoured caused Dark River’s body to stagger and his face to pale.

Even his aura dimmed.

“Boring!” Chaos yawned.

Dark River narrowly avoided the claw and floated back to the ground.

He stared solemnly at Chaos and muttered, “A pure-blooded Primordial God Beast… I’m not your equal.”

Hearing those words, everyone watching panicked.

Especially the members of the Death God Palace, after all, Dark River was their strongest.

If even Dark River couldn’t stop Xu Zimo and his beast… then didn’t that mean their Death God Palace was truly finished?

The chaos of moments earlier gave way to sheer silence.

Many of the onlookers began fleeing in all directions like birds scattering from a tree.

Chaos's massive claw slammed into the ground, instantly obliterating dozens of people, leaving no trace of their bodies.

The entire battlefield fell silent.

Everyone present froze in place, no one daring to move again.