I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

But was the Heavenly Court a benevolent place? Just as the tip of the Pangu Banner touched the Conferred God Platform, a vast stellar power surged from all directions, and the Zhou Tian Star Array was suddenly activated! The void around the palace distorted, and billions of stars fell like chess pieces, transforming into a boundless galaxy that enveloped the entire Conferred God Palace.

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Wang's heart as he suddenly recalled the strange allegiance of Taibai Jinxing—that old fox, who had feigned allegiance earlier to trick him into taking his Hunyuan Pill and becoming a Daluo Jinxian, was actually bait from the Heavenly Court! Taibai Jinxing's voice came from outside the formation with a cold laugh: "Fellow Daoist Jiang Wang, I have long said that the Heavenly Court's grace is boundless, and you, you fiend, will not be able to escape!"

The Jade Emperor's figure slowly emerged from the depths of the Milky Way, seated high in the nine heavens, adorned in a dragon robe, his majesty as deep as the abyss.

His gaze was sharp as he locked onto Jiang Wang, his voice indifferent yet tinged with apprehension: "Jiang Wang, I am mindful of your kindness to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and do not wish to kill you with my own hands."

But you have repeatedly violated the heavenly rules. Today, the Zhou Tian Star Array has been activated, and none of you can escape.

Although the great formation was greatly weakened due to the loss of immortals and gods in the Investiture of the Gods battle, the power of the stars still pressed in like a tide, layer upon layer, sealing off the void.

Jiang Wang snorted coldly, and with a sudden wave of the Pangu Banner, the chaotic energy swept out like a storm, threatening to shatter the Milky Way.

But at that moment, a sinister glint flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes. With a flick of his finger, the jade leaf of rejection exploded within Jiang Wang's sleeve! "Boom!"

A dazzling light of rejection erupted from the jade leaf, piercing Jiang Wang's body like thousands of sharp blades.

The light was strange and seemed to defy all the laws of the world, instantly surging into his meridians, sea of ​​consciousness, and soul.

Jiang Wang groaned, feeling all the magical treasures within his body malfunction—the Pangu Banner fell into the void, turning into a piece of ordinary iron; the Hunyuan Pill in his sleeve dimmed; even the supernatural powers and laws he had comprehended from chaos were all rendered ineffective! For a moment, he could only move his physical body, like a mortal caught in a net, the power of the stars pressing down on him like a mountain, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Wang gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with murderous intent.

This light of rejection was actually the Jade Emperor's trump card! He forcefully channeled his physical true energy, his fist wind like a dragon, barely managing to blast away the surrounding starlight, but every step felt like sinking into a quagmire.

In the void, a spatial gate quietly opened, and the aura of Dao Ancestor Hongjun slowly seeped out from it. That aura was as vast as the origin of the Heavenly Dao, causing Jiang Wang's mind to sink.

Hongjun! This old monster's aura permeated the entire trap; it was precisely what the Jade Emperor and the others relied on.

Jiang Wang knew that if Hongjun came in person, he would surely die in his current state.

The Jade Emperor's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of pleasure: "Jiang Wang, the light of rejection will last for a quarter of an hour, and Dao Ancestor Hongjun will arrive in just ten breaths."

All your innate treasures, supernatural powers, and laws have become useless; today is your death day!

Ten breaths? Jiang Wang's heart pounded wildly. The spatial gate had already expanded, and Hongjun's pressure was approaching like a tidal wave. The first breath had passed, and he could feel the Dao Ancestor-level aura locking onto him. If he made any move, he would be doomed.

His mind raced, and all conventional escape methods failed him.

Tearing space apart? The power of veto seals off the void.

Burrowing underground? The Star Array suppresses the earth's veins.

Only the hidden trump card—"A Single Thought of Rebirth"—remains.

This was a wisp of chaotic origin from the system, allowing him to be reborn in the beginning of chaos in an instant, reversing life and death.

However, the cost was enormous. After being reborn, all his treasures were lost, the system collapsed, and his cultivation level regressed to its starting point.

How could Jiang Wang easily resort to force? That would be tantamount to wasting all his previous efforts, and he would rather die than submit! His gaze shifted and landed on Shen Gongbao, who was still being held in his hands.

This guy's stance was wavering, and his eyes were a mixture of greed and fear—a perfect opportunity to take advantage of him.

Jiang Wang suppressed the corrosive power of the denial light within his body and whispered, "Shen Gongbao, we have no deep-seated hatred for each other."

I have a furnace of Hunyuan Pills in my sleeve, which can help you reach the Hunyuan Wuji realm.

"Hold the God-Slaying Whip, order a retreat, and I'll let you go. From now on, the sky's the limit!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao's eyes darted around as if tempted. He tremblingly reached out and grasped the God-Slaying Whip at Jiang Wang's waist.

The whip gleams with golden light and can stabilize the lives and souls of immortals and gods; it is a supreme treasure of the Heavenly Court.

Jiang Wang felt a slight sense of relief; if this plan succeeded, it would be a miraculous escape from a desperate situation.

But just as Shen Gongbao gripped the whip, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered, "Jiang Wang, you fiend, don't even think about bewitching this humble Taoist! How dare I betray the grace of the Heavenly Court?"

With that, he flicked his arm and threw the God-Slaying Whip at the Jade Emperor! The whip drew a golden arc in the Milky Way and landed directly in the Jade Emperor's palm.

The Jade Emperor laughed and accepted the document, his eyes filled with approval: "Well done, Shen Gongbao! You deserve a place on the Investiture of the Gods!"

Jiang Wang's last hope was thus extinguished.

"brute!"

Jiang Wang was enraged, and his physical strength erupted like a volcano, breaking through the defenses set up by the Jade Emperor with the plain-colored cloud banner.

That banner was originally a treasure of the Heavenly Court, shrouded in clouds and mist, capable of transforming all things into a pure white void.

But Jiang Wang now only has a physical body left, and this body is tempered by chaos, making it harder than steel. When he throws a punch, the void shatters and the mist of the Cloud Realm Flag dissipates like smoke.

His large, clamp-like hand gripped Shen Gongbao's neck, his eyes blazing with murderous intent: "You treacherous villain, today I will place you on the list, so that you may never be reincarnated!"

Shen Gongbao screamed in agony, struggling as he cried out, "Spare me! I know I was wrong!"

But how could Jiang Wang allow him to say more? With a palm strike, his physical true essence poured out like a river, directly entering Shen Gongbao's sea of ​​consciousness, forcibly extracting his soul and blasting it into the Investiture of the Gods! The list flashed with golden light, and Shen Gongbao's heroic soul turned into a white light, forever imprisoned on the list, with no chance of ever rising again.

Jiang Wang then threw a punch at the Conferred God Platform. The platform was majestic and covered with Heavenly Dao runes, and should have been indestructible.

But under Jiang Wang's rage, this punch was like splitting the heavens and earth. With a loud bang, the Conferred God Platform shattered into pieces, and fragments flew everywhere! Just as the Conferred God Platform collapsed, a strange golden light surged out from the bottom of the platform and went straight into Jiang Wang's brow.

Jiang Wang was startled, only to hear a system notification in his mind: "Ding! Hidden mission triggered - Destroy the God Sealing Platform and unlock the shackles of the Heavenly Dao."

Reward: The Great Dao Talent 'Soaring'!

That "soaring"

The two words, like a primordial wind, instantly entered his soul, and a sense of freedom and unbridled spirit surged into his heart.

This talent is the origin of the Great Dao, allowing him to soar through the heavens, unaffected by any array or restriction! Although the light of denial sealed his magical treasures and supernatural powers, his talent, being the power of origin, remained completely unaffected.

Jiang Wang laughed loudly, his arrogance growing even stronger: "Heavenly Court, what a trap! But am I one to be slaughtered at will?"

A somersault cloud appeared beneath his feet; though the force of rejection dimmed the cloud, he could still "soar."

With his innate talent, the clouds carried him straight to the Milky Way like a wild horse! The stellar power of the Zhou Tian Star Array wrapped around him like a spider web, but as soon as it touched three feet around him, it melted away as if it were ice and snow meeting the scorching sun.

With a flash, he broke through the outer perimeter of the great formation, tearing through the void and covering tens of thousands of miles in an instant.

The Jade Emperor was greatly alarmed upon seeing this and chased after Jiang Wang outside the palace. His body shone brightly with starlight, and the plain-colored cloud banner was unfurled once more, transforming into a vast sea of ​​clouds, attempting to block Jiang Wang's path.

But Jiang Wang didn't turn his head, and let out a long roar: "Jade Emperor, Hongjun, I will remember this humiliation today, and one day I will surely raze the Heavenly Court to the ground!"

His somersault cloud tumbled like a dragon, and his figure transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the depths of the void in the blink of an eye.

The Jade Emperor chased to the edge of the void. The light of the Star Array gradually dimmed. He frowned and searched around, but found only an empty Milky Way.

Just then, the spatial gate opened completely, and the figure of Dao Ancestor Hongjun stepped out from it. His figure was as blurry as the Dao, and his aura was vast, causing the surrounding stars to dim.

Hongjun glanced at him and said calmly, "Jade Emperor, why did you summon me?" The Jade Emperor's face turned pale, and he cupped his hands and said, "Dao Ancestor, Jiang Wang... he has escaped! The trap was set, but all efforts were in vain."

Upon hearing this, Hongjun sighed slightly, a profound look flashing in his eyes: "The Heavenly Dao has changed, the Conferred God Platform has been destroyed, and Jiang Wang has obtained the 'Soaring' talent. This child's future is unpredictable."

Jade Emperor, though you are meticulous, you underestimated the resilience of the Child of Chaos.

"That's enough, let's leave this matter for now. I have a backup plan."

The Jade Emperor's heart sank, and he bowed in agreement, but a chill crept into his eyes.

Inside the Temple of Gods, the starlight has faded, leaving only broken stones and ruins, telling the story of the failure of this carefully orchestrated scheme by the Heavenly Court.

As Jiang Wang fled, the light of denial within him gradually faded. He retrieved the Pangu Banner and other treasures, and began to experience "soaring."

The wonderful use of talent fills my heart with boundless pride.

This talent, as free as the wind and as swift as a bird, allowed him to soar freely across the Great Dao, no longer bound by any formation.

Looking back towards the Heavenly Court, he sneered, "Jade Emperor, Venus, Shen Gongbao... just you wait, I'll be back!"

Deep within the void, an even greater storm is quietly brewing.

The moment Jiang Wang rushed into the Conferred God Hall, the entire hall seemed to come alive.

Dragons and phoenixes are carved on the golden pillars, seemingly roaring; celestial mist swirls beneath the jade steps, as if weeping and lamenting.

He moved with lightning speed, bypassing layers of restrictions, and headed straight for the jade leaf that had been rejected.

The jade leaf floated in the air, crystal clear, with countless negation runes flowing within it, each stroke carrying a strange power that reversed right and wrong.

When Jiang Wang reached out, his fingertips touched the coolness, which penetrated to his very bones, making him tremble involuntarily—this treasure was indeed extraordinary, could it decide the fate of heaven in an instant and reverse victory or defeat?

When Shen Gongbao was lifted up, his body was as limp as cotton, and he murmured, "Jiang Wang, you...you spare me, and I will serve you like a dog!"

Jiang Wang scoffed, his hand like an iron clamp, and Shen Gongbao's struggles were like an ant trying to shake a tree.

He reached for the Investiture of the Gods; the scroll was warm to the touch, and within it, the heroic spirits murmured, as if countless heroes were expressing their resentment.

Jiang Wang thought to himself, "Once I get my hands on this item, I can add a stroke to the Investiture of the Gods and rewrite the structure of the Heavenly Court."

But the moment the Investiture of the Gods returned to the Investiture Platform, he felt murderous intent.

The Conferred God Platform is three zhang high, and its base is engraved with celestial patterns that seem to pulsate like a living thing.

Jiang Wang summoned the Pangu Banner. With a shake of the banner, chaotic energy surged like a tsunami, and the tip of the banner pierced straight into the pedestal.

The void twisted, and stars appeared and disappeared. At this moment, the Zhou Tian Star Array was activated! As the array was activated, the Milky Way outside the palace was reversed, and billions of stars fell like rain, each carrying the power of the remnant souls of the celestial gods.

Although the immortals and gods perished after the Investiture of the Gods, and the power of the great formation was halved, the starlight still cut through the void like swords.

Jiang Wang was trapped in it, feeling immense pressure all over his body, and starlight penetrating his body, trying to obliterate his soul.

The voice of Venus came from the center of the formation, cold as ice: "Jiang Wang, your Hunyuan Pill helped me achieve the Great Luo Realm. Today, I will repay you with my life!"

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes. He had known that this old man had ill intentions, but he had not expected the betrayal to be so thorough.

The Jade Emperor appeared, seated high in his star palace, his dragon eyes looking down, his power as imposing as the heavens.

He did not wish to kill Jiang Wang with his own hands because he respected Hongjun—that Dao Ancestor had once been kind to Jiang Wang, and disobeying him would result in a backlash from the Heavenly Dao.

But now that the trap has been set, he is filled with uncontrollable joy.

When the Jade Emperor gave the order to detonate the veto jade leaf, his fingers trembled slightly. The jade leaf in Jiang Wang's sleeve erupted like a volcano, its light dazzling. The power of veto was like a torrent, instantly washing away everything.

Jiang Wang's body was in turmoil, the Pangu Banner fell and made a crisp sound as it hit the ground; the power of the laws receded like a tide, his supernatural powers failed, and he was left with only his physical body.

That physical body was forged from chaos, with bones and muscles as strong as gold and blood as flowing as a river, yet it still felt weak under the light of rejection.

The aura of Hongjun seeped out from the spatial gate. The first wisp was like a spring breeze, the second wisp became a raging storm, and the third wisp pressed down on his knees, causing them to bend slightly.

Ten breaths later, Hongjun arrived! Jiang Wang's heart pounded like a drum, and the thought of "rebirth in a single thought" flashed through his mind.

The image—a wisp of chaotic light, capable of reshaping everything, yet erasing all.

He refused, absolutely refused! When trying to persuade Shen Gongbao to defect, Jiang Wang's voice was low and deep, like a curse: "The Primordial Elixir, only one batch."

"If we join forces, we can raze the Heavenly Court to the ground. Why not?"

Shen Gongbao's eyes gleamed with greed as he gripped the God-Slaying Whip, which trembled as if sensing its master's hesitation.

Jiang Wang held his breath and waited, but the betrayal came swiftly. When Shen Gongbao threw the whip, there was only a cold smile in his eyes: "The Heavenly Court is the righteous path. You monster, you will be reduced to ashes sooner or later!"

Enraged, Jiang Wang's physical body erupted, his true essence swirling like a tornado, shattering the plain-colored cloud banner.

The flag unfurled, revealing a vast sea of ​​clouds, its pure white color engulfing everything. But Jiang Wang's punch was like a meteor, tearing the flag apart and shattering the clouds.

He grabbed Shen Gongbao, exerting force with his palm. The process of extracting his soul was bloody and cruel. Shen Gongbao's screams echoed in the hall. His soul light entered the list, causing the Investiture of the Gods to tremble and forever suppress his soul.

With that punch that smashed the Conferred God Platform, Jiang Wang used all his physical strength. The wind from his punch howled, and the platform shattered with a thunderous sound.

Golden light surged into his brow, and he began to soar.

His talent flowed into his body like the wind, making him feel as free as a bird.

A somersault cloud appeared, carrying him out of the formation. The power of the stars dissipated upon touching his body. He laughed and fled, with the Jade Emperor chasing after him, but only chasing after dust.

The Jade Emperor stood in the void, the starlight dissipated, and his heart felt empty.

Hongjun appeared, his aura as deep as the abyss. He sighed calmly, the trap had failed, and undercurrents surged in the Heavenly Court.

Jiang Wang has departed, soaring through the heavens, now blessed with new talents, his path ahead even wider.

As Jiang Wang struggled amidst the light of rejection, countless memories flashed through his mind—from awakening from chaos to wielding an innate treasure, his unyielding and ruthless journey, never bowing his head.

Even in this desperate situation, he remained calm and collected, patiently seeking an opportunity.

The moment Shen Gongbao betrayed him, his heart ached terribly, but it transformed into murderous intent. As he struck, hot blood splattered from his palm. The instant his soul entered the list, the Investiture of the Gods murmured, as if mocking this fickle villain.

To gain "soaring"

Afterwards, that talent had endless uses. He felt light all over, the array was as thin as paper, and the restrictions were as insignificant as dust.

As he fled, he glanced back at the Temple of Gods, where the Milky Way was dim and the Jade Emperor's figure was tiny. He felt a surge of satisfaction: "Heavenly Court, you have lost!"

When the Jade Emperor and Hongjun were talking, the Jade Emperor was sweating profusely, while Hongjun remained calm, but his eyes held a deep meaning—Jiang Wang's rise meant that the Heavenly Dao was about to change.

Above the Heavenly Court, the Lingxiao Palace shone with golden light, and the Zhou Tian Star Array had been set up. (End of Chapter)