Chapter 713: Chapter 712: "Self-Sacrifice", The Extinction of the Jury

Faced with the pressure brought by Li Jing in his World Thunder Punishment state, Yamata no Orochi completely lost the will to fight and did not have the slightest intention to resist. It slowly slumped down its massive body.

"Kill me then."

"Oh? You’re not begging for mercy?"

Li Jing spoke up.

"At this point, someone has to take the blame. Otherwise, it won’t be an end, isn’t it?"

With indifference, Yamata no Orochi spoke and transformed into a human form.

"Everything was my doing alone, including the incident in the Upper Three Realms. It has nothing to do with Lady Amaterasu or the X-jin God Clan."

Li Jing remained silent.

By this point in time, he had already seen everything clearly.

Amaterasu, who had fled before his march into the X-jin Divine Domain, wasn’t a coward, but a thorough old schemer. Seeing the unfavorable situation, she chose to hide behind the scenes to preserve the fire seed of the X-jin God Clan.

Yamata no Orochi, who’s "in charge" of the stone tablet, is a last-ditch effort to turn the tide. At the same time, it is the scapegoat being sacrificed to end everything.

As Yamata no Orochi said currently.

Someone must stand up and take responsibility for the "unnatural" demise of the Upper Three Realms.

With Yamata no Orochi taking responsibility for everything, this matter could be smoothly ended.

Li Jing, of course, could not accept such an end.

But given the current situation, it would be hard for him to find out where Amaterasu is now through Yamata no Orochi.

A person of Amaterasu’s rank who deliberately wants to hide herself could not be found by the all-knowing Will of Heaven, let alone assuming that she may not have stayed in the Big World and may have gone to other space levels.

Yamata no Orochi in front of him took all the responsibilities "self-sacrificially". This is to ensure that the incident could be smoothly resolved and also to win some leeway for the X-jin God Clan through this means.

The Will of Heaven and individuals are different.

What she needs.

Is just an explanation, and a deterrent to ensure that no one dares to commit the same act in the future by making an example out of it.

Amaterasu and a group of X-jin high-ranking gods disappeared. If no one stood up to take responsibility, the remaining X-jin in the Divine Domain would certainly suffer.

The Will of Heaven would not casually destroy a race of gods, as it involves the faith of those on the ground.

Not to mention that the faith on the ground is a part of the order, the very act of destroying an existing god race civilization and thereby causing the related faith to disappear completely wouldn’t be a decision made by the Will of Heaven.

Unless, the other party poses a threat to the normal order, then it will trigger Heavenly Punishment to destroy everything.

There is also a prerequisite.

That is, the Will of Heaven must know of the existence of the threat and eliminate the hazard even before it has any substantial impact.

The corresponding conditions are not suitable in the current situation.

The disturbance caused by the X-jin God Clan has already resulted in substantial effects and influence.

When the effects and influence have already occurred, and the situation has been resolved, the Will of Heaven would not resort to any "drastic" measures.

However, as mentioned earlier.

This incident, in any case, requires someone to take the blame.

It’s a necessary outcome.

Amaterasu abandoned them, and though the Will of Heaven would not destroy the entire X-jin Divine Domain out of anger and trigger Heavenly Punishment, it would certainly demand some form of retribution.

The X-jin Divine Domain, having lost Amaterasu and other high-ranking gods, might not be able to bear this,

Especially now in Gaotianyuan, where the war flames of unequal strength between both sides are raging.

Watching Yamata no Orochi, who is "voluntarily dying", Li Jing exhaled lightly, slowly raising his hand to point a finger.

Suddenly.

A deep male voice rang in his ears.

"Master, can you leave him to us, to the Underworld Country?"

Li Jing stopped in his tracks at the sound.

At the same time.

A beam of dark light tore through the space and arrived instantaneously in front of him, with the ghostly figure showing a poker face.

Unexpectedly seeing the ghost, Yamata no Orochi’s face went pale.

Just as it was about to speak, it saw the ghost who didn’t bother looking at him suddenly reach out, piercing his heart and crushing it with one claw.

In an instant.

The health bar above Yamata no Orochi’s head emptied out.

Li Jing looked slightly stunned at the scene.

Compared to Gui Ya, Yamata no Orochi was indeed quite inferior.

However, they were both at the Sixteenth Realm.

Since their realms were the same, how could Gui Ya have slain Yamata no Orochi so swiftly?

Even though as a Ghost God within the Underworld Country, Gui Ya could have some special advantages, it shouldn’t have been so easy, should it?

Just as he was pondering this, Gui Ya withdrew his hand, and a transparent chain appeared in it. A human-shaped phantom was then pulled from the dead body of Yamata no Orochi along the other end of the chain.

Li Jing frowned at this sight.

The physical body was dead, so this had to be the ghost of Yamata no Orochi.

However, the eyes of Yamata no Orochi’s ghost were empty, as though it lacked personal will.

Could it be because it had just died?

As if knowing the questions in Li Jing’s mind, Gui Ya spoke up.

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, beings whose souls are seized by the jailers will temporarily lose their will, which will only be restored after they receive official sentencing," he said.

Upon receiving this clarification, Li Jing nodded, though somewhat reluctantly.

After all, Yamata no Orochi had more than two billion Essence Sources...

Given that killing was involved, he figured it would have been better if he had done it instead of Gui Ya.

His caution could have prevented Yamata no Orochi’s spirit from being entirely annihilated.

Unfortunately, Gui Ya had acted too swiftly and decisively...

Gui Ya, oblivious to Li Jing’s thoughts, had no time to think too much at this moment.

With a single move, he dragged the ghost of Yamata no Orochi aside.

Almost at the same time,

The Void Dead Puppet, originally controlled by Yamata no Orochi, punched its own chest with a ghostly claw and grabbed hold of Li Jing, who was standing within it.

The moment the mysterious stone slab landed in Li Jing’s hands and Yamata no Orochi died in the blink of an eye, this Void Dead Puppet had lost control and started acting entirely on its brutal instincts.

However, it didn’t get the chance.

The moment it grasped Li Jing, a Heavenly Punishment descended with a "bang," ending its life.

Its death was significant.

Just moments ago, Li Jing had dispatched two slightly weaker Void Dead Puppets, bringing him to the threshold of Level 765 from Level 764. The death of this Void Dead Puppet pushed him past this threshold and into the Eighteenth Realm.

As his realm rose, Li Jing’s body trembled slightly.

The power gain from crossing the threshold into the Eighteenth Realm was beyond imagination.

Before he even had the chance to examine himself, he heard Gui Ya’s voice.

"My Lord, please deal with those Chaos Ghost Gods. Their power exceeds the limits that Underworld Country can endure. As such, the laws of the Underworld Country cannot restrict them. They can enter the lands of the dead as living beings. Underworld Country has no power against them," he said.

So, these Void Dead Puppets that seemed like Ghost Gods were, in life, Chaos Ghost Gods?

Li Jing was somewhat surprised, but didn’t ponder it too much.

Having "wasted" over two billion Essence Sources of Yamata no Orochi, he would not let the rest escape, no matter what.

Where else could he find such sizable "experience packs" with such huge amounts of Essence Sources in a single entity?

He turned his head.

Three Void Dead Puppets were jostling each other in an attempt to cross over. These uncontrolled creatures were far more ferocious than before, behaving entirely on instincts. Their aura also bore more frenzied and maniacal undertones.

The situation appeared somewhat comical.

The broken opening in the Chaos Border barely allowed a single Void Dead Puppet that had transformed from a Chaos Ghost God to pass through.

It was difficult for two to cross at the same time, let alone three, which were now jammed at the portal.

The fact that no Void Dead Puppet managed to cross even so long after Li Jing obtained the stone slab was mainly because the three puppets were blocking the entrance.

Of course.

It was only a matter of time before they crossed over.

As the frenzied Void Dead Puppets jostled each other, the broken opening in the Chaos Border was fracturing more, and the entrance would soon grow larger and larger.

After some thought, Li Jing released his Body of Thunder Punishment in All Worlds.

The Heavenly Path’s Punishment was indeed useful.

When he was in the Seventeenth Realm, he could strike Soul-Deep into Void Dead Puppets from the Eighteenth Realm.

At this moment, he had entered the Eighteenth Realm, naturally making things much easier.

However, the current situation was somewhat awkward.

There were three Void Dead Puppets in front of him, blocking the entrance and trying to squeeze through together, with the Heavenly Punishment not reaching the Void Dead Puppet behind these three. Li Jing had to admit that at this moment, he couldn’t see the situation behind the Chaotic Border in the void.

He should be flexible and choose a more efficient method at this moment.

With a gentle twist of his finger, a hint of dark red flame appeared.

Li Jing waved his hand casually.

In the blink of an eye, the flame turned into a cloud of fire, enveloping the three Void Dead Puppets that were squeezed together.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

Three painful howls rang out simultaneously, and the health bars on top of the three Void Dead Puppets that were blocking the entrance dwindled at a speed visible to the naked eye. Meanwhile, their bodies swiftly melted under the flame.

Thanks to their bodies melting.

A large amount of flame fell into the void and set several other Void Dead Puppets behind them alight.

The flames then spread like the plague, quickly igniting a whole collection of Void Dead Puppets in the blink of an eye.

There was a constant continuation of painful howls in the void, with the next one always following another. Each Void Dead Puppet that was ignited frantically tried everything they could to extinguish the flames.

Some tried to tear off the burning part of their body and abandon it, while others tried to pat it down in a futile attempt to physically extinguish the fire.

However, all was in vain.

Because this was the Judgment Fire.

Once it came into contact, it was impossible to get rid of.

This was not something that could be remedied by tearing a piece of flesh from oneself or smashing the burning part of the body.

The scene in the void at this moment was indescribable.

The Judgment Fire that spread like a plague quickly set one Void Dead Puppet after another aflame, transforming them into giant balls of fire. The terrifyingly high temperature even caused the void to distort.

This was not just because Li Jing’s promotion had resulted in an increase in the power of the Judgment Fire.

Existences like the Void Dead Puppets were transformations of the bodies of deceased powerful beings, which in itself was a great sin.

Desecrating the dead.

Their existence was a sin, and one of the most heinous kind at that.

The Judgment Fire was burning so powerfully!

In no time at all.

One Void Dead Puppet after another had their health bars emptied and were quickly reduced to nothing but skeletal frames by the Judgment Fire.

In just a short while.

The chaos in the void subsided.

The Void Dead Puppets were all eradicated...

Li Jing stood in the air, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

This round of harvesting Essence Source was so satisfying that it couldn’t be any more satisfying.

Keep in mind.

The group of Void Dead Puppets that had been transformed from the Ancestor Ghost God had an average Essence Source of about four billion each, enough to level him up two or three levels.

Under the Judgment Fire, it was indeed exhilarating!

Li Jing had no idea how many Void Dead Puppets he had burned to death.

However, judging by the changes in the data on the status bar, the number must have been quite substantial.

Watcher: Li Jing

Rule Control: Thunder Punishment, Space level, Shadow, Heavenly Fire, King

Heavenly and Earthly Essence Source: 445374295/1607443908

Level: 811

Skill Points: 327

Chaos Qi: 658532

Lifebound Magical Instrument: ...

In this battle, he directly shot up from the original 760th level to the 811th level.

Not only had he crossed the threshold of the Eighteenth Realm, but he had also reached the latter stages of the Eighteenth Realm.

His trip to the Underworld Country was truly worthwhile...

Feeling the "inflated" power within his body, Li Jing moved and arrived before Gui Ya, who was standing in the rear.

"The Chaotic Border can only be repaired by rule action once it breaks. Inform the Ten Yama Halls to temporarily seal and isolate this place."

"Understood."

Gui Ya nodded, then said,

"Also, I need to report the matter of Yamata no Orochi. Rest assured, Master, he will receive the appropriate judgment in the Underworld Country. The Ten Yama Halls will not show any leniency. In addition, Master, please allow me some time to settle my current affairs before I reunite with you."

"Fine, you just come to Gaotianyuan to find me and Daji when you are finished."

As Li Jing responded, he wore a strange expression.

Gui Ya was a stickler for rules when it came to handling things.

He should have already completed his "resignation procedure" and come to meet up with him.

The moment a problem arose, he didn’t even think before throwing himself into the work of the Ghost God Prison Guard.

Speaking frankly.

These were no longer his matters...

Of course.

Given his attitude, Li Jing didn’t say anything.

On this side.

Having received someone’s approval, Gui Ya nodded, took the soul of Yamata no Orochi with him, and turned into a dark light, shooting off into the distance.

Li Jing watched him go, then turned his head.

Daji, who had already put on her JK uniform, was standing there.

At this moment, she didn’t emanate the allure that was usually present in her every move, the irresistible natural charm, which was held back to the point where it was almost imperceptible, and her face was nothing but compliant.

Meeting Li Jing’s gaze, Daji instantly transformed into a more clingy character, cooing sweetly.

"Master, do you have any instructions for me?"

Li Jing remained silent, then said,

"Could you please speak normally?"

"Am I not speaking normally now?"

Daji tilted her head.

"Tsk."

Li Jing clicked his tongue, rolled his eyes, and didn’t bother her again. He took out the tablet he had obtained earlier.

As he held the tablet again, he frowned slightly.

When he had first gotten his hands on this tablet, he had used the Eye of True Vision to peek.

The Eye of True Vision, which had never disappointed him before, did not return any exceptionally impressive results this time.

Because this tablet was very ordinary, composed of an entire chunk of a high grade rock spiritual material called Dark Night Stone.

Yes.

High grade rock spiritual material.

Just a spiritual material...

There was nothing special about the tablet itself.

He couldn’t see more through the Eye of True Vision.

Because the essence of the tablet was the Dark Night Stone...

The peculiarity did not lie in the material itself.

At this moment, holding the tablet, Li Jing could clearly feel the presence of dozens of indescribable, extremely subtle rule imprints within it.

Normally speaking.

At his current level, he would normally recognize rule imprints immediately.

The only explanation for this unusual occurrence was that the rule imprints in the tablet exceeded his current realm’s cognitive scope and belonged to a rather mystical type not included in the rules of the Big World.

With that explanation, things started to make sense.

The Void creature doesn’t belong to the category of beings in the Big World. The tablet itself is not special, and its ability to command Void Dead Puppets is obviously achieved through the rule imprints etched within the tablet.

If nothing went wrong, these rule imprints should be rules of the void.

Now, the question arises.

Who created this tablet?