The Heavenly Stems God-Sealing Array was successfully completed.
Next came the critical task — drawing the Demon Empress out, and luring her into the array. Zhu Ziyang had long since come up with a method for this. It was risky, admittedly, but — as the saying goes — one cannot catch a tiger cub without entering its den. He shared his plan with Zhang Lexuan and the five Radiant experts.
"No way! That's far too dangerous!" Zhang Lexuan rejected the idea without hesitation. "I don't agree!"
"Sister Lexuan, I'm not asking for your approval. I'm just informing you," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly, having anticipated her reaction. "This is the best and most likely method to lure out the Demon Empress. Whether you agree or not, I'm going to do it."
"Then why even tell me? You might as well just do it without saying anything." Zhang Lexuan forced a bitter smile.
"Because I don't want to lie to you. And you would've found out anyway. Better that I tell you now, so you can prepare yourself mentally." Zhu Ziyang smiled as he stepped forward, placing an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry. I've never done anything I wasn't confident in."
"Mm." Zhang Lexuan didn't mind the intimate gesture. Her eyes reddened as she whispered, "You must protect yourself. If anything happens to you, I'll follow you — no matter what!"
"Haha! Just hearing you say that is reason enough for me to survive," Zhu Ziyang laughed heartily, then turned to the five Radiant experts to issue orders.
Komeko, Rogier, and Oliviel were assigned to the west, south, and north respectively — to prevent interference from the other three Beast Kings atop the Four Heaven Peaks. Zhang Weiwei and Bemonsitan remained at Zhu Ziyang's side as his final line of defense. As for Zhang Lexuan, she insisted on staying close, and Zhu Ziyang ultimately agreed.
With everything prepared, Zhu Ziyang stepped into the center of the Heavenly Stems God-Sealing Array. The ten great pillars, though imposing, showed no signs of activity — the array had yet to activate.
He stood still and closed his eyes. The Other Shore Flower Mark on his forehead began to glow. A strange and potent aura radiated outward — divine, absolute, and awe-inspiring.
Zhu Ziyang's plan was simple: if the Demon Empress was sensitive to divine aura, then he would use the divine aura of the Death God, stored within the mark, to lure her out. He would use himself as bait — standing in the array's center and releasing that sacred energy.
And it worked.
The moment the divine aura was released, the black mist over Demon Empress Valley stirred violently. An oppressive might instantly blanketed the sky and earth. Zhu Ziyang felt as if a mountain had landed on his back — only by going all-out could he resist it.
The mist dissipated. The pressure mounted. A shadowy figure appeared above the valley — and at the moment she emerged, it felt as though the Four Heaven Peaks had been dwarfed. She took a single step, seemingly slow, yet appeared before Zhu Ziyang the very next instant.
Zhu Ziyang might very well be the first living being to stand so close to the Demon Empress. Her appearance stunned him — cold, regal, peerlessly beautiful, exuding dignity... yet none of these words could fully describe the breathtaking impact she had on him.
The Netherwitch — just like the Snow Empress — was a humanoid spirit born of Heaven and Earth!
"You... are not from the Wuhun Continent," the Demon Empress said. Her voice was surprisingly soft and sweet, incongruous with her imposing image. Her pitch-black eyes studied Zhu Ziyang — curious and distant.
Her words snapped him back to his senses. Without hesitation, Zhu Ziyang activated the Heavenly Stems God-Sealing Array.
The moment the array activated, the Demon Empress sensed something was wrong. But being undefeated since birth, she didn't take it seriously. After all, the youth before her, despite exuding divine aura, was pitifully weak — she could crush him with a finger. As for Zhang Lexuan and the others nearby? They weren't even worth considering.
All she wanted to know now... was how this human boy came to possess divine aura. She had grown tired of endless tribulations — she desired ascension.
But fate plays its games.
Had she not been so arrogant, she might not have fallen so easily into the trap of the Heavenly Stems God-Sealing Array.
The moment the array fully activated, panic flickered across the Demon Empress's face. In that instant, she felt her strength vanish. One second she was an invincible sovereign — the next, she was as powerless as a fragile mortal. Not even during her birth had she experienced such helplessness.
"You... I..." she stammered, panicking. She looked helplessly at Zhu Ziyang. Even a fool could see he was behind it all. Instinctively, she reached out to grab him.
But their roles were now reversed.
The powerless Demon Empress stood before a Soul Douluo — and their disparity was as vast as hers had been over him moments ago.
"Don't bother struggling," Zhu Ziyang said gently, gripping her slender hand and subduing her with ease. "This array can restrain even gods. For a soul beast like you, it's effortless."
As he spoke, he bound her limbs to restrict movement. Even if the chance of her escaping was minuscule, he wouldn't allow any risks. Honestly, Zhu Ziyang hadn't expected to subdue the Demon Empress so quickly or so easily.
"Hmph!" Her face darkened. Despair and sorrow welled within her — the once-unassailable Demon Empress, reduced to such a humiliating state. Her fury and grief deepened with every passing moment. With a cold snort, she closed her eyes and gave off an air of resigned defiance.
Zhu Ziyang looked at her and pondered how to deal with this 800,000-year-old soul beast. But first, he had to find out where the Fallen Scythe was.
"Demon Empress, right? I want to know — is the Fallen Scythe in your possession?" he asked.
"..." She said nothing, eyes closed, face cold, refusing to cooperate.
"Heh." Zhu Ziyang wasn't annoyed. He just smiled. "You don't need to answer. I can already guess — it must be in your palace. After all, the Fallen Scythe is the Death God's weapon. Even though you're a Netherwitch, born of Heaven and Earth, you're not qualified to wield it. So you built a palace around it to seal the deathly aura, right?"
"You..." Her eyes snapped open. Her icy demeanor crumbled into shock and disbelief.
"Heh. I won't lie — I'm the Death God's successor. I came to reclaim the Fallen Scythe. As for you — the Netherwitch born from its aura — that was an unexpected surprise. Still, I can give you a chance. Become my soul ring, and I'll bring you to the Divine Realm."
"You're serious?" she finally spoke, voice laced with mockery. "Become your soul ring? Help you become a god? So you can ascend with my ring and bones? Hah! Ridiculous. If you want my soul ring and bones, just kill me. Why insult me with words?"
"Heh." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "You misunderstood me — but I don't blame you."
With a thought, the Snow Empress appeared beside him.
Her presence instantly drew the Demon Empress's attention. She recognized her as another humanoid Heaven-and-Earth spirit like herself — but her strange semi-corporeal state confused her. She had never seen anything like it.
"She's the Snow Empress — the Heavenly Snow Woman. And my soul spirit," Zhu Ziyang said proudly.
"Soul spirit? What's that?" the Demon Empress immediately latched onto the key term, eyes filled with astonishment.
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to KotoriEx TypinToddler for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.