DD Black White [404-405] (Patreon)

Chapter 404: Unlucky Xuan Zi

As long as Bibi Dong was given enough time to adapt and accumulate, with the might of the Rakshasa God-position, she would soon possess a true first-tier god’s combat power.

Right now was when she was most dangerous and most unpredictable.

A deity driven by wrath and obsession often wields destruction far beyond the norm.

After her strike was blocked, the madness in Bibi Dong’s eyes intensified. The Rakshasa Demon Scythe leveled at Xiao Wu and Jing Yuan as her icy voice rang through heaven and earth: “Those who block me… die!”

Facing Bibi Dong’s proclamation, which poured forth madness and annihilation, Jing Yuan and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance and saw the same gravity in each other’s eyes.

A god fallen into frenzy, even if their power is not yet complete, is by no means something easily shaken.

“It seems this cannot end peacefully.”

Jing Yuan sighed softly. The formation blade in his hand trembled, letting out a clear hum.

The gentle golden lightning coiling around him suddenly turned violent, like an awakening thunder dragon, roaring deafeningly.

Xiao Wu said nothing. She simply drew a deep breath as blue divine power burned around her like flames. The force she exuded was in no way inferior to the Rakshasa God before her.

She had just devoured her counterpart; the injuries within her had greatly improved.

“Kill.”

Bibi Dong spoke no more.

The Rakshasa Demon Scythe swung—this time not a casual swipe.

Endless purple-black malice surged from her body, transforming into countless twisted, wailing chains of resentful spirits, sweeping to entangle Jing Yuan and Xiao Wu. Wherever they passed, even space itself sizzled with corrosion—Rakshasa Divine Skill: Resentful Evil Binding Souls.

“Hmph.”

With a crisp shout, Xiao Wu flashed like lightning, leaving afterimages in the air.

Blue divine power coiled tightly around her fists and legs. Each punch and kick shattered a section of the spirit-chains with pinpoint precision. Blue radiance and purple-black miasma collided and annihilated, bursting with ear-piercing detonations.

Her fighting style was direct and ferocious, blending soft skills with divine power—like a dancing war-goddess, elegant yet lethally decisive.

However, the chains of resentful souls were endless and infused with a vicious power that eroded the divine soul.

Xiao Wu could protect herself, but for the moment she could not break through the layers of blockade.

Just then, Jing Yuan moved.

He did not rush forward. Instead, he set the formation blade upright before him. In his eyes, a golden thunder pool seemed to brew.

A presence far more vast and dignified than before surged skyward.

“Radiant spirit, heed my word..”

A low, commanding chant rolled from his lips.

“Rumble—!!!”

Above the firmament, it was as if a thunder pool overturned.

Endless golden god-thunder converged, and a towering golden Titan of lightning coalesced.

The giant wore thunder-armor, its face stern and indistinct, wielding a massive weapon condensed from pure lightning. Its majestic divinity radiated the power to purge evil and judge sin.

This was Jing Yuan’s powerful aid—the Lightning-Lord.

The moment the Lightning-Lord appeared, it loosed a world-shaking roar and swept its lightning weapon across.

In an instant, ten-thousand-zhang of golden light burst forth. Countless bucket-thick bolts of golden lightning pounced at the sea of resentful chains like crazed dragons.

Supremely yang, supremely firm—Divine Thunder was the nemesis of such yin-evil power.

“Ssss—!”

Like boiling soup splashed onto snow, the seemingly endless chains dissolved and collapsed in swathes under the assault of the golden thunder sea, letting out shrill wails before dissipating into blue smoke.

Bibi Dong’s offensive stalled.

“How bold!”

Bibi Dong was furious; she had not expected such a method.

She raised the Rakshasa scythe high. Purple-black divine power flooded in. The blade swelled at once, becoming a colossal phantom demon-scythe spanning the heavens, carrying a terror that judged all beings and tore through everything, and it hacked down at the Lightning-Lord and Jing Yuan beneath.

Rakshasa World-Annihilating Slash.

This strike already drew upon the Rakshasa God-position’s origin power, far beyond the previous ones.

“Roar!”

The Lightning-Lord knew no fear. The colossal body strode forward, gripping the lightning weapon in both hands, drawing on the surrounding golden god-thunder to become a beam of gold that ripped the sky, meeting the purple-black annihilating blade head-on.

At the same time, Xiao Wu seized her chance.

Her figure flashed, appearing at Bibi Dong’s flank as if teleporting. Gathering all divine power to a point, she spun—an arched waist-strike imbued with collapsing force, driving straight for Bibi Dong’s waist and abdomen.

“Petty trick.”

Though startled, Bibi Dong did not panic. Purple light flickered in her free left hand as she instantly layered Rakshasa shields.

“Boom—!!!!”

The golden lightning and purple-black scythe collided first.

Next, Xiao Wu’s waist-arch slammed into the Rakshasa shields.

This clash far surpassed any before.

An indescribable detonation erupted, as though heaven and earth themselves were wailing.

Space at the center of impact shattered inch by inch like broken glass, revealing the chaotic void-turbulence beyond.

A terrifying halo of power—gold, blue, and purple-black—expanded faster than sound. Wherever it passed, mountains were shaved flat, the earth split into bottomless chasms, and forests turned to scorched wasteland.

These were true god-battle aftershocks—world-rending, sky-destroying.

…

In the distance, Qian Renxue, commanding the Spirit Empire’s legions, suddenly looked up. A hint of shock and gravity flashed in her golden eyes. She clearly felt that manic divine power belonging to the Rakshasa God—and two other god-level powers, no weaker and wholly different in attribute, colliding with it.

“She… and who else?”

…

Farther away, Lu Jingming, who had already left, paused mid-step and looked back toward the explosion. A glint of realization and amusement crossed his eyes.

“Oh? They’ve begun? Interesting.”

Beside him, Jingliu cast a silent glance. Her cool eyes reflected the distant energy storm. She said nothing.

…

At the edge of the battlefield, Huo Yuhao’s face had already changed drastically when the Lightning-Lord descended and Bibi Dong erupted with true divine power.

Without hesitation, he opened the gate to the Necromancy Half-Plane again and shoved Bei Bei—who was carrying Tang Ya—inside.

“Get in and hide. Outside is too dangerous.”

He himself remained at the doorway, anxiously watching the battle while manipulating the half-plane’s power to anchor the entrance tight—to keep this spatial coordinate from collapsing under god-battle aftershocks.

At the center, the first all-out exchange drew to a temporary close.

The purple-black colossal scythe and the golden lightning giant both dissipated. Xiao Wu was bounced away by the Rakshasa shields’ backlash.

Bibi Dong stood with scythe in hand, her aura slightly disordered, but the madness in her eyes burned brighter.

She stared ahead, unblinking.

Jing Yuan remained composed. Though the Lightning-Lord’s silhouette had dimmed somewhat, it still stood in stern majesty as thunder gathered anew around it.

Xiao Wu landed at his side, breathing steady, gaze razor-sharp.

Three gods stood in opposition, their auras roiling the clouds and wind.

Bibi Dong knew she had run into hard bone today.

But the obsession and fury in her heart would not allow a single step back.

“Let’s see how long you can stop me.”

Rakshasa divine power boiled again. An even more terrifying presence brewed.

This three-god battle born of love and hate had only just entered its white-hot phase.

…

On the outskirts of Slaughter City, a chain of mountains sprawled like a giant beast’s spine upon the earth. A faint miasma of blood and savagery hung in the air; even the wind carried a piercing chill.

Several streaks of light fled raggedly over this ominous range—Ma Xiaotao, Xuan Zi, and company, who had escaped the main battlefield by the skin of their teeth.

Ma Xiaotao was shielded by Aglaea’s power. Her flame-red hair was slightly disheveled; lingering fear from the battle still shadowed her pretty face.

Han Ruoruo was pale, lips pressed tight.

Behind them were a drained, wounded Xuan Zi and four other Shrek Super Douluo, with Xu Sanshi guarded at Xuan Zi’s side—the cracks on his tortoise-shield spoke of the brutality they’d just endured.

They did not dare to fly at full power, fearing too much energy fluctuation might draw pursuers from behind. They suppressed their soul power, skimming low along the ridgeline like startled birds.

“Quick. Once we cross this mountain chain, we should be temporarily safe.”

Xuan Zi’s hoarse voice urged them on. His cloudy eyes held lingering dread and urgency.

He brought up the rear, sweeping the back alertly.

However, the mortal threat did not come from behind.

As they flew over the highest peak—scorching hot like a volcano—

Time seemed to freeze.

An indescribable killing will, cold to the extreme, awoke like an ancient fiend and silently shrouded heaven and earth.

No roar, no bellow—yet that pure, life-erasing intent to kill froze souls more than any sound.

Below, atop the lone crimson peak, a figure had appeared at some unknown time.

He stood there quietly, as if one with the mountain range.

Tall and straight, wearing a black-and-white long coat.

Short white hair stood motionless in the blood-reeking wind, like an icy statue.

Most chilling was the sword in his hand.

It was an ancient-styled longsword, wholly an ominous dark red.

The blade looked forged from congealed blood and endless slaughter-will. By its mere existence, it devoured surrounding light and life.

At the guard, complex demonic patterns could be faintly seen, exuding a nether aura that made souls tremble—the Asura Demon Sword.

The one holding this demon blade had features as cold as ten-thousand-year ice. In the depths of his blue eyes there was no reason, only boundless destruction.

He was Kevin, blackened—born from the foul node that was Slaughter City.

“W-What is that?!”

A Super Douluo’s voice quavered. Even as a Super Douluo, he now felt as small as an ant.

“This is bad. Fall back.”

Even Aglaea’s ever-composed face was heavy with gravity. Lightning rippled violently around her as she barked, “Avoid him. Do not approach.”

Almost at the same moment her warning left her lips—

Kevin, blackened upon the lone peak, moved.

He did not look at anyone. He simply lifted the Asura Demon Sword and casually swung it at the empty air ahead.

No earth-shaking spectacle. No dazzling light.

Only a thin, blood-red sword light that seemed to absorb all radiance slipped out without a sound.

The instant it appeared, color seemed stripped from the world.

The sky’s gray, the mountains’ dark red, even the faint glow of soul power from their bodies—all hues drained rapidly, turning into dead, monochrome gray-white.

Only that blood-red sword-scar remained—the single stab of color, the only existence in this gray world.

It did not travel in a straight line, but in a way that defied reason—crossing distance in an instant to appear before the fleeing group.

Aglaea reacted at the limit.

Countless gold threads wrapped Han Ruoruo and Ma Xiaotao. Their figures blurred as if merging into space, fleeing obliquely backward at inconceivable speed.

She chose exactly right—evade the edge.

But the four Super Douluo behind them had neither such luck nor strength.

They didn’t even fully display their horror before their soul-power shields popped like bubbles in sunlight. As the seemingly slow, actually thought-surpassing blood sword light swept past, their bodies were erased like pencil marks rubbed by an eraser—instantly disintegrating into the finest particles and dispersing into the gray world.

No screams, no resistance—as if they had never existed.

“No!!”

Xuan Zi’s eyes cracked with grief, but he had no time to mourn, for the aftershock of that sword light had already reached him.

He roared. The phantom of a Godly Taotie Bull condensed madly behind him as he poured all his soul power and even life force into defense. At the same time, he shoved Xu Sanshi hard to the rear flank.

“Shh—!”

A soft sound, like a hot knife through butter.

Xuan Zi’s defense—enough to take a Titled Douluo’s strike head-on—was brittle as paper before the bloody aftershock.

He felt a chill on his right shoulder—then an indescribable pain, as if striking directly at his soul.

His entire right arm was severed at the shoulder.

The wound was smooth as a mirror, yet blood did not spurt at once—the slaughter qi had already corroded the wound, halting the flow and leaving behind a horrifying, dead gray.

“Elder Xuan!”

Seeing Xuan Zi’s arm severed, Xu Sanshi cried out hoarsely. His tortoise shield enlarged at once, trying to cover Xuan Zi.

“Go!!”

Pale as paper, Xuan Zi clenched his teeth against the agony and soul-rending tearing. With his remaining left hand he grabbed Xu Sanshi, burned his soul power, and fled for his life in a direction completely different from Aglaea’s—without a backward glance at the figure on the peak. Only one thought beat in his heart: run—get as far from that monster as possible.

With a single sword, four Super Douluo fell, and the ninety-eighth-level Xuan Zi was maimed and grievously wounded.

On the peak, blackened Kevin slowly drew back the Asura Demon Sword. The emptiness in his blue eyes did not ripple at all, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust.

He stood there quietly, one with the mountains again—an eternal, despairing symbol of death in this forbidden zone.

Chapter 405: Seizing Power

Far away, Aglaea—who had successfully avoided the killing strike—fled at undiminished speed with the still-shaken Ma Xiaotao and Han Ruoruo, vanishing beyond the horizon in an instant.

Their hearts were heavy. The dangers and strangeness of this world far exceeded their imagination.

…

The smoke of the Battle of Luoxia Plain had not fully dispersed. The blood-reek and lingering soul power in the air were nothing compared to the silent turbulence inside the Spirit Empire’s central command tent.

Bibi Dong had pursued Tang San and the others. The terrifying aura of the Rakshasa God receded into the distance, leaving behind a power vacuum instantly filled by another godly presence—more resplendent and upright, yet equally cold.

Qian Renxue, clad in the resplendent Angel God set and holding the Angelic Holy Sword, stepped toward the throne of supreme authority.

She did not deliberately release pressure, but the holy aura of the Angel God flowed naturally like sunlight, dispelling what little gloom and malice remained on the battlefield—and inspiring awe and… belonging from the souls of countless Spirit Hall spirit masters and soldiers.

This was the light they had worshiped for countless years—the embodiment of their spiritual totem.

Behind her, the six worships with Golden Crocodile Douluo at their head stood in solemn silence, like six mountain ranges. Their vast soul power remained sheathed, yet the formless pressure already made several Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall—like Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei—find breathing difficult.

“Her Majesty pursued the enemy. Before departing, she entrusted command of the legions to this god.”

Qian Renxue’s voice was cool and calm, echoing through the silent tent. There was no rousing declaration, but it carried an unquestionable resolve.

She gave no chance for doubt—she set the tone in the voice of divine decree.

Her gaze swept the crowd’s varied expressions and finally landed on Hu Liena, who stood at the fore of the Elder Hall’s people, face complicated, lips pressed tight.

“Saintess Hu Liena.”

Qian Renxue spoke.

Hu Liena trembled slightly, raised her head, and met the golden, heart-penetrating eyes that seemed to see through all.

She saw calm, saw dignity, and also felt an… indescribable pressure.

She knew this Angel God was her teacher’s biological daughter.

In this moment, all struggle and unwillingness turned into a silent sigh.

What right did she have to contest?

With what could she contend? Faith? Strength? Righteousness? Before the Angel God, this saintess seemed so powerless.

This was not merely a shift in power. It was the continuation of a twenty-year mother-daughter feud. She, the disciple, had always been only a bystander.

She slowly lowered her head and answered clearly, submissively: “I obey the divine edict.”

The simple words represented the Elder Hall’s concession.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei exchanged glances and saw deep helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Their fealty to Bibi Dong stemmed mostly from respect for her strength and fear of her iron will.

But before Qian Renxue, the situation was different.

She was the incarnation of the Angel—Spirit Hall’s ultimate faith. The Worship Hall’s absolute support cemented an unshakable foundation.

Resist?

That would mean opposing the root of Spirit Hall—and instant annihilation.

The two men bowed silently, joining the Elder Hall’s other Titled Douluo in tacit submission.

The transfer of power settled in a few words—so calm it was chilling.

Satisfied, Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze. Hu Liena’s sense of the times did not surprise her.

She began issuing clear, efficient orders:

“Golden Crocodile Worship.”

“Present.”

Golden Crocodile Douluo answered in a deep voice.

“You will sit in the central army and direct the whole. Within three days, clear all remnants on Luoxia Plain and thrust our spear straight at the Star Luo imperial capital.”

“As you command.”

“Hu Liena.”

“Present.”

“You are familiar with front-line affairs. Assist Golden Crocodile Worship. Coordinate the corps and the Seven Great Sects.”

“…Yes.”

Hu Liena bowed again. Her heart was a mix of bitter flavors, yet she knew this was both an opportunity and a test from Qian Renxue.

Orders flowed like quicksilver, spreading throughout the army.

Under the Angel God’s radiance and iron hand, the Spirit Empire’s army was quickly reformed and unified—becoming an even more efficient war machine with a clearer aim.

Qian Renxue left the tent and gazed toward the Star Luo Empire. No joy of a victor shone in her golden eyes—only resolve.

“Unifying the continent is only the beginning…”

She spoke in her heart.

“Lu Jingming, did you see? I will have my own strength, my own world. Only then am I worthy to stand with you—to witness the vaster sea of stars.”

...

On the main battlefield, the Star Luo coalition and Heaven Dou remnants—bereft of peak power and broken in morale—collapsed quickly before the Spirit Empire’s crushing advance.

Prince Xue Xing and Prince Xue Beng were cut down in the chaos, marking the total extinction of Heaven Dou’s last bloodline and resistance. The Heaven Dou Empire, passed down for generations, was officially no more.

After the battle, Qian Renxue made a decision that surprised many—she spared Princess Xue Ke, who had long since lost her freedom and been kept under guard in the rear.

Looking at the timid girl, eyes full of fear, the ice on Qian Renxue’s heart-lake rippled with the faintest of waves.

She recalled how, disguised as Xue Qinghe, this innocent, lively younger sister had trusted and adored her without reservation.

“Take her down. Keep her properly. No neglect.”

Qian Renxue waved her hand, voice cool, settling Xue Ke’s fate.

She was not truly merciful. But to this harmless sister who had given her a brief, illusory warmth, she was willing to stay her hand.

A swan that cannot fly, caged in a exquisite prison to live out her days—that was the best end.

If necessary, erase her memories—let her forget national hatred, live quietly as a commoner. Not difficult.

This trifling softness was negligible beside the path before her and the starry sea she sought.

With the interior consolidated and the exterior swept clean, Qian Renxue’s gaze turned to the continent’s final end—Star Luo City.

Unification was already foregone.

…

In the Spirit Empire’s central command tent—the symbol of highest power—Qian Renxue was discussing concrete plans to advance on the Star Luo capital with Golden Crocodile Douluo, Hu Liena, and others.

Suddenly, the space inside the tent rippled faintly, like rings on water.

The next moment, a figure appeared in the very center of the tent without warning—as if he had always been there.

It was Lu Jingming.

He still wore simple clothes, his face holding a touch of laziness and a smile as if he saw through everything.

His arrival was so abrupt, yet so natural, that even the elite guards outside the tent sensed nothing.

“It seems you’ve already taken control of the situation.”

Lu Jingming’s eyes fell directly on Qian Renxue at the main seat. His tone was familiar—like greeting an old friend.

Qian Renxue was unsurprised by his sudden appearance. A trace—so faint even she did not notice—of a smile flashed in her golden eyes.

She nodded slightly. “Merely the trend of the times.”

Lu Jingming smiled, let his gaze sweep across the mixed expressions in the tent—lingering a heartbeat on the taut-faced Hu Liena and the shifty-eyed Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo—then looked back at Qian Renxue and said evenly:

“In that case, only one last obstacle remains before you can truly control this world and step toward a wider heaven and earth—”

He paused. His voice was not loud, yet it boomed like thunder in everyone’s ears.

“…your mother—Bibi Dong.”

“Hiss—”

Gasps erupted through the tent.

The worships, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo, flashed sharp light in their eyes, faces grown even more solemn.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo blanched and lowered their heads, not daring to look at Qian Renxue’s face.

Hu Liena, standing below Qian Renxue, shivered, fists suddenly clenched so hard her nails nearly pierced her palms.

Mother and daughter.

This was the Spirit Empire’s ultimate taboo.

It was an unhealed scar between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong—thorned with resentment, indifference, and tangled emotions.

All who knew the truth kept this secret locked deep in their hearts, never daring to mention it—for fear of enraging either party and inviting annihilation.

And this young man dared to lay it bare, so casually, before all.

Everyone’s hearts leapt to their throats as they risked side glances at Qian Renxue, bracing for the incoming wrath of a god.

Yet, against all expectations—

Qian Renxue, seated on high, wore perfect calm. Not even her gaze rippled—as if Lu Jingming had merely remarked, “Nice weather today.”

No fury, no gloom—only unfathomable serenity.

Even Golden Crocodile Douluo, seasoned in storms, shot Lu Jingming a look of surprise and curiosity.

Who was this youth? What was his relation to the young mistress? Why could he touch taboos so lightly and draw no ire?

But the other message in Lu Jingming’s words shocked them more—he intended to move against Her Majesty Bibi Dong?!

“No.”

Hu Liena could no longer bear it. She stepped forward sharply, forgetting even her awe of Qian Renxue, her voice trembling with agitation:

“Teacher… Her Majesty is the Spirit Empire’s rightful sovereign—the supreme Rakshasa God. Are you… are you going to slay a god and rebel?!”

She could accept Qian Renxue temporarily taking command by virtue of strength and faith—that was, after all, an internal transition within Spirit Hall.

But to point the spear at Bibi Dong—to upend her position—this she could never accept.

To her, Bibi Dong was not only her monarch but the mentor who granted her rebirth and strength.

As Hu Liena spoke, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo also moved a step forward. They kept silent, but the soul power coalescing around them and the vigilance in their eyes made their stance plain.

The air in the tent grew taut. Even the air itself seemed to congeal.

Facing the sudden tension, and the hostility and resolve burning in Hu Liena’s eyes, Lu Jingming merely chuckled lightly.

The sound broke the heaviness—with an ease that was almost infuriating.

“Relax.”

He waved a hand, gaze passing over Hu Liena and the elders, his tone both soothing and indisputable.

“Bibi Dong, for all that, is Sister Xue’s biological mother. We’re not about to commit a heaven-defying matricide.”

He called Qian Renxue “Sister Xue,” intimate and natural, sending another jolt through the crowd.

“What she is to do has never been slaughter, but…”

Lu Jingming looked to Qian Renxue, voice steady and firm.

“…to take back what should have been hers, and to make that empress—blinded by hatred—surrender the power she cannot rightly wield. Nothing more.”

His words smoothed Hu Liena’s terror, yet plunged them all into deeper confusion and struggle.

Surrender power… to her teacher, how is that any different from death?

…

Elsewhere, the marks of a god-battle had reshaped the land.

Bottomless rifts, vitrified soil, and crackling embers of energy in the air all testified to the ferocity of the fight.

At the center, purple, gold, and blue forces still clashed madly.

Bibi Dong, clad in Rakshasa God armaments—the purple divine armor flowing with the world’s ultimate evil—looked every bit a world-ending queen stepping from the abyss.

Behind her loomed a colossal, ferocious Rakshasa avatar—the visage of the first Rakshasa God. Its every roar and swing carried mountain-cracking might. Merged with Bibi Dong, each of her blows bore power far beyond an ordinary second-tier god.

“Barrier of Prohibition and Extinction.”

Bibi Dong’s cold shout. An unseen divine barrier instantly sealed all surrounding space.

Jing Yuan’s golden thunder, drawn by his formation blade, slammed into an invisible wall. Its power was greatly reduced.

Xiao Wu’s lightning-quick assaults were stalled by layer upon layer of spatial walls, unable to get close.

“Nether Rakshasa.”

The giant Rakshasa scythe swung again. Purple light rained from the sky, condensing into a hundreds-meter violet blade spanning heaven and earth, shrieking as it split souls, and it hacked down at Jing Yuan and Xiao Wu.

This strike was even more violent than before, flooded with the venom and madness Bibi Dong unleashed at the death of Yu Xiaogang.

Jing Yuan’s face grew solemn. The Lightning-Lord roared, gathering myriad golden bolts upon its weapon, and met the strike boldly.

Xiao Wu cried out, gathering all her divine power to a point—Soft Bone Exploding Kill kick—driving into the giant blade’s flank.