Chapter 127: The Time Has Come

"Super Golden Bell Cover!"

Dazzling radiance overflowed, and streams of golden energy converged. This was the Qi of Geng Metal—not only an exceptionally sharp force for offense but also immensely formidable for defense.

A golden, bell-shaped phantom enveloped Zhou Tian. It appeared as solid as reality, slowly rotating and carrying an incomparable defensive power.

Hum!

The Saint-Demon’s massive black halberd shattered the long sky and struck down fiercely, intent on grinding him to dust.

Ripples erupted across the golden bell, and cracks began to spread from the point of the halberd's impact. The demon’s offensive was peerless and relentless. The black halberd, capable of crushing space itself, felt as light as a feather in his hands, wielded so swiftly that not a single gap remained.

Clanging sounds echoed incessantly through the void. In an instant, the golden bell shielding Zhou Tian was covered in fissures, on the verge of shattering.

Zhou Tian had already reached the Heavenly King realm, bordering on the Half-Step Dao Master stage; his reactions were not slow in the slightest. He clenched his right fist, and chains of order emerged from the void, entwined with purple thunder. This was the power of lightning condensed to its absolute limit. After reaching its sublimation, it possessed not only immense destructive power but also a potent sealing force.

"Thunder Chains!"

The demon’s gaze sharpened. Black wings on his back emitted a murky, dark light. Countless malevolent spirits surged forth: massive bats with single horns, hellhounds with triple-split heads, and nightmares with skeletal frames burning in searing blue flames—all roared as they charged toward the thunder chains.

Simultaneously, the demon did not cease his movements. Crimson, twisted patterns lit up on the black halberd, flowing like molten lava.

Thunder chains lashed out from the void, and thick bolts of lightning surged across the area, turning the region into a domain of thunder. The malevolent creatures were struck and reduced to ashes; only the demon remained, wielding his halberd to smash through the chains from time to time.

Yet, even so, many thunder chains managed to wrap around him, coursing over his body and entangling with the demonic mist surrounding him.

The demon felt a surge of helplessness. He could only utilize half of the power within his body, limiting his prowess, making it difficult to deal with an existence nearing the Half-Step Dao Master level.

Gritting his teeth, demonic flames ignited in his eyes. Ignoring the increasing number of thunder chains binding him, he let his halberd float above his head. He pressed his hands together in a profound mudra before his chest, his savage face gradually turning serene.

Zhou Tian’s eyelid twitched. When something is abnormal, there must be a demon at work. Clearly, the Saint-Demon was not preparing to surrender but was readying a lethal blow. Energy surged through Zhou Tian, and the surrounding sky turned somber as thick purple lightning churned. More and more thunder chains erupted from the void, binding the Saint-Demon tight.

Rumble!

These thunder chains served as conduits, and countless bolts of lightning struck the Saint-Demon along them. His position was engulfed by the lightning, leaving no gaps—it was a sea of thunder.

However, there was no joy on Zhou Tian’s face. In his perception, the Saint-Demon’s aura was rising steadily, showing no signs of weakening.

"Saint-Demon Uniting the Heavens!"

Two distinct voices emanated from the sea of thunder. An inexplicable power burst forth, causing all the thunder chains to shatter and the sea of lightning to dissipate.

The Saint-Demon’s figure reappeared before Zhou Tian. Although it was the same face, Zhou Tian felt a strange sensation, as if two individuals inhabited that single countenance.

"This is the power I have long pursued."

Two disparate voices spoke from his mouth—one of a Saint, one of a Demon.

Zhou Tian’s brows furrowed tightly. The Saint-Demon now felt terrifying, existing on a level completely different from before, as if he were a primordial beast.

It must be said that the encounter between Zhou Tian and the Saint-Demon was truly peculiar. The Saint-Demon’s natural realm was at the limit of the Heavenly King stage, nearing the Half-Step Dao Master, but he usually could not exert this power, allowing Zhou Tian to suppress him. However, once "Saint-Demon Uniting the Heavens" was unleashed, he effectively stepped half a foot into the Dao Master realm and could completely suppress Zhou Tian. Because this was not the Saint-Demon’s innate strength but a fusion achieved through special methods, it could not be replicated by Zhou Tian’s skills. It was, indeed, quite extraordinary.

The Saint-Demon extended his palm and closed it gently. A grey, hazy giant hand appeared. Despite the lack of shocking phenomena, it locked Zhou Tian down instantly.

Zhou Tian commanded endless energy—thunder, fire, Geng Metal, and Yin-Yang—as if reshaping the world, but it was to no avail. The hazy giant hand held him firmly, and every ounce of energy that touched it was annihilated.

A look of resignation flashed across Zhou Tian’s face. It was not because he had been captured, but because his transformation time had expired.

As the final moment passed, all his energy was drained. Before Zhou Tian could harbor any further thoughts, his now-mortal body was instantly annihilated by the energy inherent in the grey hand, leaving not even a strand of hair behind.

Since Zhou Tian had already used the "Cultivation Replication" skill for his revival quota today, he could only wait until the quota refreshed tomorrow to return.

The Saint-Demon was stunned for a moment but quickly realized that this must be the time limit Zhou Tian had mentioned due to his own constraints.

Exiting that state and returning to the Saint’s dominance, he descended from the sky with a thoughtful look in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, space and time shifted, and the figures of Musu and Lingyu instantly appeared by his side.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

The Saint-Demon’s face returned to that smiling expression as he asked the two.

Musu and Lingyu exchanged glances, remaining silent. They hadn't been foolishly watching the battle; they had been trying to flee. They thought they had put some distance between themselves and the fight, but they hadn't expected to be pulled back.

The Saint-Demon didn't care. He stood with his hands behind his back, mulling over what Zhou Tian had just said, his gaze flickering.

"Do you believe what Zhou Tian said is true?"

Suddenly, the Saint-Demon asked, then added, "You must answer this."

"It is true!" Lingyu said without hesitation. She understood clearly that only by relying on Zhou Tian could they survive. She had never understood why Zhou Tian disappeared naked every day for a while, but when she saw him reappear before them naked after his resurrection just now, she understood.

The Saint-Demon made no reaction. He stared at the spot where Zhou Tian had just vanished, his gaze profound, and let out a soft sigh.

"Heavenly Venerable..."

Lingyu and Musu were baffled and dared not speak, choosing only to remain silent.