Chapter 54: The Fall of Xihe

The main reason Hou Yi has been able to hold out for so long lies in his unique constitution and the environment in which he finds himself. The thought of a Grand Shaman who possesses prowess in both ranged and close combat is fearsome indeed. The shaman race is known for its formidable strength; and Hou Yi, as a Grand Shaman, wields bow and arrow—this elevates his combat power to terrifying heights.

Moreover, the environment favors Hou Yi. Although the sea has been evaporated in this region, water always flows downhill—this is undeniable. The sea continues to surge toward the heart of the battlefield. Beneath it lies the sea’s eye; as long as it remains, water elements will continually rise to nourish above, granting Hou Yi an invincible position.

As for Lady Xi He, her original strength was at the late stage of Supreme Celestial of Taiyi, but bearing the ten golden crows drained her vital energy, causing her power to decline to the early stage of Supreme Celestial of Taiyi Gold. Despite Di Jun and Taiyi’s desperate attempts to restore Xi He’s strength, fate proved fickle, and their efforts were fruitless. Thus, Lady Xi He never stepped off the Solar Star, having retreated from the front lines to the shadows.

Hou Yi had already employed the shaman’s innate skill—the Body of Heaven and Earth. It was this unique ability that sustained his battle.

Seeing Xi He’s determination, Hou Yi understood she was prepared to risk her life. Driven by vengeance for his friend, he unleashed his fullest power without regard for his own safety.

Arrows forged from dense water elements rained down like countless embroidery needles, piercing Xi He’s body. She struggled to endure, calling out, “Children, flee quickly!”

Because the demon race was poised for a final confrontation with the shamans, the demon generals stationed on the Solar Star were not particularly powerful. If not for the fact that Xi He and the soldiers were weaker than Hou Yi, he would have been slain long ago.

The golden crows in the sky, heedless of their own safety, charged toward Xi He, hoping to shield her from Hou Yi’s attacks with their bodies.

Their intentions were noble, but reality was cruel.

Hou Yi had already discerned Xi He’s plan—to use her own body to block his attacks and create an opportunity for her children to escape.

Hou Yi, worthy of being the first ancestor shaman, saw that although his arrows had already pierced Xi He, he launched another volley that forcibly pushed the arrows through her body and continued toward the golden crows she was shielding.

“Mother—ah!” “Mother, I—” agonized cries erupted from the mouths of the young golden crows; all the others were wounded by Hou Yi’s arrows. Among them, the second, third, fourth, and eighth princes of the demon race perished, and Xi He grew even more anxious.

All this happened in an instant. In such moments, composure is essential to achieve the best outcome at the least cost.

Xi He knew there was no retreat. She continued to wield her magic to slow her descent, while the fire elements above Hou Yi’s head grew ever denser.

Hou Yi realized his own time was running short. With a thunderous “thump, thump, thump,” ten thousand arrows shot straight at Xi He and the remaining sixth, seventh, and ninth princes.

Seeing that time was slipping away, Xi He mustered all her strength and plunged downward. With a resounding “boom,” a massive crater appeared where Hou Yi stood.

At that moment, a faint cry was heard overhead: “Mother! Mother!!” before the speaker collapsed.

Xi He had self-destructed, seeking to perish alongside Hou Yi. For tens of thousands of miles, the land was scarred by a vast crater. Since this was where Xi He’s true body fell, the seawater was repelled by a strange energy, preserving the scene of battle.

Hou Yi knew this was his final strike, so he gathered all his strength and unleashed his ultimate move—a volley of ten thousand arrows.

This was indeed Hou Yi’s greatest skill—not only did it pierce Xi He’s body, but it also killed the seventh and ninth princes of the demon race, while the sixth prince was struck by more than a dozen arrows. Such is the shaman’s most powerful battle technique!

On Mount Buzhou, Di Jun and Taiyi, overseeing the battle, noticed the emergence of the ten suns and sent scouts to investigate. When the messenger hurriedly reported the situation, the deaths of their two sons enraged Di Jun and Taiyi, who could no longer sit still. Their golden crow clan numbered only thirteen—any further losses would be unbearable.

They promptly summoned their generals to head to the eastern shore to rescue Xi He, but at that moment, the great sage Bai Ze objected, “Your Majesty, you must not! Such a move would destroy our demon race’s momentum!”

But Di Jun and Taiyi, their hearts consumed by concern for their kin, had no time for counsel. Taiyi, the most hot-tempered, roared, “You all remain here and oversee the battle. My brother and I will go; we do not need your assistance!” Di Jun wished to say more, but sighed, and the two left the palace together.

The remaining demon sages sighed in dismay. Indeed, Taiyi’s words were harsh—these were, after all, his subordinates; how could he speak so?

Sage Fuxi was also deeply troubled. Having been invited by them, he could say nothing and sat quietly to one side.

Nearby, the demon master Kunpeng watched coldly, chuckling quietly and saying nothing more.

Far away in her own sanctum, Lady Nuwa was furious, exclaiming, “Taiyi is utterly unworthy!”

From the very beginning of the battle, the ancestor shamans had known what was unfolding on the eastern shore, for among them was the Earth Ancestor, Hou Tu. Hou Tu governed the earth element of the wilderness; anything she wished to know, she could learn.

Why, then, has there been no movement from the shamans?

This was not only the demon race’s puzzle, but a mystery to all the great powers of the wilderness.

“Elder brother, Xi He is dead,” the Earth Ancestor Hou Tu said to Di Jiang.

The situation had changed rapidly—from the initial duel between Grand Shaman Kuafu and others, to Xi He’s death, leaving the golden crow clan with only Di Jun, Taiyi, and three young golden crows.

Di Jiang finally slapped the table, as if making a decision. “Let us go and meet the demon army!”

Di Jun and Taiyi had barely left the celestial palace when, ahead, twelve figures appeared. When they saw who it was, they were startled:

“How could they be here!”

It was the twelve ancestor shamans.

Due to health and work reasons, updates have been delayed for three days. Here, the author sincerely apologizes to all readers.