Above, there is no sky to see, only a desolate spirit soaring to the heavens.

Below, there is no earth to see, only muddy waves rolling endlessly.

The scene before my eyes indeed seems to have changed the world itself. Even the massive Da Kun that was previously struck down is nowhere to be found, evidently kept outside the array, not permitted to enter it.

Back when Jiang Li approached the ginseng fruit tree in the Treasure Extreme Cave Heaven, he was caught in an array, witnessing the Five Elements standing apart, the array playing out the heavens and earth. Entering the array was like entering another world, where a short distance could stretch for thousands of miles, making it impossible for one to escape.

Now, the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation is just the same. Within the array, it follows the Three Talents, evolving space, with no straight paths among the nine curves, unveiling the secrets of Immortal Gods.

Even if one masters the Qiankun Shifting technique and can travel through space, once inside the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation, escape is impossible. Even Yang Jian, who mastered the Eight-Nine Profound Skill, was once captured by the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation; despite all transformations, it's hard to escape the calamities within the Yellow River Formation.

That's right, it's Yang Jian again.

Jiang Li discovered that the opposing side was targeting the Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch Dao Fruit, regardless if it was the Immortal-Slaying Flying Saber or the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation, both could limit the transformations of the Eight-Nine Profound Skill.

It can be said that in targeting Jiang Li, the opposing side has put in quite an effort.

"The name of this formation, I assume Fellow Daoist has heard of it, is indeed the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation."

Lingxuzi held a horsetail whisk in one hand and a Red Gourd in the other, and his aura was much steadier than before.

Clearly, even this Sect Leader Shangqing had quite the scare earlier. Despite being under siege by both him and Elder Da Kun, and even deploying such a great weapon as the Immortal-Slaying Flying Saber, Jiang Li still managed to break free, even knocking Elder Da Kun to the ground.

If not for Lingxuzi's quick reaction in retracting the Immortal-Slaying Flying Saber's calming light, Elder Da Kun might already be struck down.

Fortunately, Ye Ru Tathagata intervened, conjuring the Yellow River from nothing, bringing the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation into existence.

"The Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation can erase an immortal's divinity, dissipate an immortal's soul, trap an immortal's form, damage an immortal's essence, erase the foundation of the Immortal Gods, and harm the limbs of Immortal Gods. Immortals entering here become mortals, and mortals entering here face certain death."

Lingxuzi explained, "Fellow Daoist, your current realm is akin to that of Immortal Gods, but even Immortal Gods find it hard to withstand the erosion of the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation."

The yin wind disturbs the mind, and the black mist confuses the senses. The blowing yin wind directly shakes the Primordial Spirit, while the black mist upsets perception. Even Immortal Gods become disoriented under the yin wind and black mist, their realm regressing to that of mortals in a short time.

Yet Jiang Li stands within the formation, enduring the yin wind's assault, surrounded by black mist, and even washed by wave after wave of Dirt Qi, but shows no sign of weakening.

He seems unafraid of the erosion caused by the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation.

"The erosion that Immortal Gods cannot withstand, but he is different."

In the dim and chaotic space of the array, a bright light suddenly appeared. Vaguely, one could see the phantoms of the Heavenly Realm, with a figure slowly emerging from within.

"He ascended to the third grade through the Emperor Dao Fruit, maintaining a peak state until his life span exhausts. Other than the Supreme, no one can engage him in a one-on-one duel."

Clad in yellow robes, his figure seemed to support the half of the blue sky, his presence felt as though he were at the center of heaven and earth, unignorable yet daring not to be looked upon directly.

When he appeared, Lingxuzi also stepped back half a pace in the air, slightly lowering his head.

"Heavenly Monarch" Gongsun Qi presented himself directly before Jiang Li.

However, Heaven's gaze did not fall here.

The Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation forms its own space, isolating the inside from the outside. The Heavenly Monarch possesses divine power in operation, severing the passage of Heaven and Earth, and breaking the limits of Heaven and Man. Even Heaven cannot capture him.

For a long time, the Heavenly Monarch has evaded Heaven numerous times, not only due to his method that conceals karma but also because he has divine power by his side. If it were someone else targeted by Heaven, caught numerous times, they might not have been able to escape as easily as the Heavenly Monarch.

Moreover, it is possible that his method was created through studying divine power.

Supremes can delve into the mysteries of divine power, manifesting divine effects through their abilities, so it is not surprising to create similar methods.

"Not drawing upon the power of Heaven, are you?"

The Heavenly Monarch looked at Jiang Li, his deep eyes seemingly able to see through him, "Even if you temporarily shield Heaven's search, should you actively draw upon the power of Heaven, my whereabouts might be exposed again. Nephew, will you not draw upon the power of Heaven?"

Indeed, if Jiang Li chooses to actively draw upon the power of Heaven, Heaven may once again pinpoint the Heavenly Monarch. At that time, the Heavenly Monarch would have to escape again.

But doing so would mean re-establishing a connection with Heaven, wouldn't it?

In the eyes of the Heavenly Monarch, Jiang Li relies on the Yin Talisman Scripture to resist being assimilated by Heaven. Drawing upon the power of Heaven is akin to relinquishing resistance and allowing assimilation by Heaven. By then, Jiang Li's previous efforts would be wasted, completely repeating the fate of past Emperors.

In reality, Jiang Li had already severed the connection between the Emperor Dao Fruit and Heaven through the Karma Collection. If he were to actively draw upon Heaven, the Green Emperor Dao Fruit might once again be influenced by Heaven.

Therefore, whichever reason decides that Jiang Li has lost a crucial card to counter the Heavenly Monarch.

"Uncle, you truly have sharp eyes, seeing even this."

Jiang Li clapped his hands, expressing amazement, "So the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation wasn't meant to deal with the Awakened, but with me, this is truly my Nephew's honor."

Before Jiang Li's ascension, the Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation was already prepared. Was it predestined that Jiang Li would ascend as the Emperor?

Or was it calculated that Jiang Li's dear brother would enable his ascension?

In the next instant, the Heavenly Monarch confirmed Jiang Li's suspicion.

"My Nephew is indeed wise."

The Heavenly Monarch, with a look of elder's gratification, said, "Both the Immortal-Slaying Flying Saber and Nine-Curved Yellow River Formation are meant to deal with you, Nephew. Moreover, the Great Venerable should also be waiting for you, Nephew, to draw upon the power of Heaven. What he desires may not be a sworn brother who inherits the Emperor Dao Fruit but perhaps another Heavenly Incarnation."

Jiang Li has previously drawn upon the power of Heaven, and if he bore the Emperor Dao Fruit, further approaching Heaven, he might become the next Heavenly Incarnation, even serving as a vessel for Heaven.

This is not beyond possibilities.

However, for the Heavenly Monarch to say such things, it's not out of good intentions but to unsettle Jiang Li's mind.

For a Supreme who wields human hearts to establish the Heavenly Heart, any crack in one's psyche can be fatal. Moreover, Jiang Li's current realm is lower than the Heavenly Monarch's, unable to utilize the supernatural power of [I Am the State].

This place, after all, is not the Great Zhou.

"Nephew, will you not draw upon the power of Heaven?" the Heavenly Monarch inquired once again.

"Uncle, is your hand injury all right?" Jiang Li retorted.

The Heavenly Monarch's right hand remained at his side, shrouded in his sleeve, yet that aura belonging to Jiang Li's Taisu Qi was still sensed by Jiang Li.

His right hand was still injured, not yet healed.

The Heavenly Monarch sought to weaken Jiang Li's mind, so Jiang Li retaliated in kind with rhetoric, pointing out the Heavenly Monarch's injury.

The taste of that sword surely hasn't been forgotten by the Heavenly Monarch.

"Nephew, you are indeed more troublesome than your Master. She wouldn't be so shameless, clutching at a small point and not letting go."

The Heavenly Monarch sighed lightly upon hearing this, then unabashedly extended his right hand, the penetrating wound clearly visible, "This sword truly let your Uncle witness the fearsome potential of youth, making me wary to underestimate you again. Were it not for the Great Venerable's absence, Nephew would have fallen into my hands today."

Once again, invoking the Great Venerable, the implication is naturally that the Great Venerable will not appear, pushing Jiang Li to act again and draw upon the power of Heaven.

This one obviously seeks to exploit the rift between Jiang Li and the Great Venerable, every word aiming to widen that rift.

However, I, Jiang, have always believed in brotherly loyalty, showing no response to the Heavenly Monarch's attempt to sow discord, only responding righteously, "Uncle, how despicable of you to attempt to sow discord between brothers. My elder brother and I are sworn brothers. Should there be acts harming my brother, surely—"

With the exercise of divine skills, the next two words resonated with divine purpose.

"Heaven's Punishment."

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